City and Borough Assembly

ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA 330 Harbor Drive Sitka, AK (907)747-1811 Minutes - Final City and Borough Assembly Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz, Deputy Mayor Timothy Pike, Vice Deputy Mayor JJ Carlson, Kevin Mosher, Scott Saline, Chris Ystad, Thor Christianson Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Rachel Jones Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, January 28, 2025 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 25-016 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence No agenda changes. VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS None. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) 25-010 1) Health Needs & Human Services Commission, 2) Sitka School Board - Phil Burdick, 3) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council - Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 28, 2025 Commissioners Annette Evans, Crystal Duncan, and Chair Michelle Kavouras of the Health Needs and Human Services Commission presented the recommendations outlined by the HNHS Child Care and Elder Care working groups on their 2024 goals. Phil Burdick School Board President provided an update on the School Board's efforts, spoke to the increased education funding, discussed House Bill 69, and urged the public to share their input on the bill through testimony. Sitka Tribal Chairwoman Yeidikook’áa told of recent business and upcoming events. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Margaret Galanin thanked the Assembly for their attendance at the Early Childhood Coalition event. Joel Markis, Betty Eliason President, stressed the need for continued support for childcare services in Sitka, particularly pointing out the challenges of childcare operations and the financial support required to maintain these services. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mosher that the Consent Agenda consisting of Item A, B, & C be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz A 25-011 Approve the December 17, 30, and January 9 Assembly meeting minutes This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 25-012 Approve a liquor license renewal application for House of Liquors Inc. dba Salty Sal’s Liquor Cabinet at 321 Lincoln Street #B This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C ORD 25-03 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (Mid-year Supplemental Appropriations) This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS D 25-013 Appoint Alana Peterson to an unexpired term on the Tourism Commission A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 28, 2025 XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: E RES 25-03 Submitting City and Borough of Sitka FY2026 Legislative Priorities to the State of Alaska and 2025 Legislature (this item was postponed at the January 14 meeting) Annika Krafcik and Ben Hughey commented. Carlson proposed changes to the wording of items 4 and 5 under the unfunded mandates section of the legislative priorities. She mentioned these items emphasized the need to continue reimbursing school bond debt, support new bonding opportunities, and ensure stable, predictable funding for school systems. A motion to AMEND was made by Carlson to items 4 and 5 on the unfunded mandates as written in the packet. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Christianson, Carlson, Saline, Pike, Ystad and Mosher Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz A motion was made by Ystad that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz F ORD 25-02 Amending Title 14 “Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places” of the Sitka General Code by amending Chapter 14.10 “Commercial Recreational Use of Municipal Lands and Facilities" Bethany Lowrance, Ben Hughey, and Valorie Nelson commented. The Assembly deliberated, and emphasized the extensive public input and data-driven approach to the ordinance, and the potential for flexibility and adjustments as needed. A motion was made by Carlson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz G ORD 25-01 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (special election) A motion was made by Carlson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XII. NEW BUSINESS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 28, 2025 H 25-015 Approve the Invitation To Bid for Marine Vessel Haul Out and Shipyard Operations at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) Michael Nurco, Chris Hanson, Mike Litman, and Jeremy Serka commented. Sara Peterson, Acting Municipal Administrator, provided an update on the haul-out operations, noting they are now in the final stages of the process. Garry White, Director of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) Board, gave an overview of the steps taken. He explained the GPIP Board opted to engage a private operator to manage the haulout, receiving two responses one of which was deemed qualified, while the other was not. White also mentioned an invitation for bid was issued to pre-qualified proposers to gather pricing information for the haul out project. This information would be presented at the GPIP Board meeting on February 20th, where a recommendation would be made and a final operating agreement submitted to the Assembly for approval. A motion was made by Ystad that this item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz I RES 25-04 Supporting Sitka Maritime Heritage Society's application under the FY24 Historic Preservation Fund Grant program for Certified Local Governments Amy Ainslie, Planning and Community Development Director, provided an overview of the grant. Keith Nyitray commented. A motion was made by Christianson that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz J RES 25-05 Supporting Sitka Woman's Club application under the FY24 Historic Preservation Fund Grant program for Certified Local Governments Amy Ainslie, Planning and Community Development Director, provided an overview of the grant. Anne Pollnow, Sarah Allison, and Karen Lucas commented. A motion was made by Mosher that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 28, 2025 Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Austin Cranford raised concerns about the police-involved shooting and the City's policies regarding the discharge of firearms. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Attorney - Jones commented staff was preparing for potential government shutdown impacts on grants, and she would be attending via zoom at the next Assembly meeting. Clerk - Peterson announced the next budget meeting would be February 4th. Other - Christianson reported progress had been made in the negotiations on the Animal Shelter Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:12 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________________ Jessica Earnshaw, CMC Deputy Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5