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, February 25, 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, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1 - Saline V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 25-035 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence 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) 25-032 1) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council - Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard 2) Sitka School Board - Phil Burdick CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 25, 2025 3) Public Works - Sitka Seaplane Base Update 4) Department Quarterly Reports - Planning & Community Development and Assessing Tribal Council Chairwoman Yeidikook'aa Dionne Brady Howard provided an update on Tribal Council business, activities, and events. Sitka School Board President Phil Burdick and Superintendent Deidre Jensen spoke to the Assembly about recent events. Airport Terminal Manager Joseph Bea gave an update on the design and planning of the Seaplane Base. Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie and Assessor Larry Reeder provided quarterly reports. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Anne Pollnow spoke in opposition to the proposed location of the seaplane base due to its potential impact on historic structures. Wendy Alderson commented on the grant program mentioned earlier by Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of item A be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline A 25-031 Approve the minutes of the February 4, 11, and 13 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B RES 25-06 Supporting House Bill 69 An Act Related To Education Funding (1st and final reading) Mosher encouraged residents to contact the Alaska State Legislators. A motion was made by Mosher that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 25-030 Reappoint Casey Campbell to a two-year term on the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 25, 2025 XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: D ORD 25-04 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (Electric Fund repayment of USDA RUS Loan) A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline XII. NEW BUSINESS: E 25-034 Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Borough of Sitka and Friends of Sitka Animal Shelter Municipal Administrator John Leach reviewed the key updates to the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for operation of the Sitka Animal Shelter. Friends of the Sitka Animal Shelter representatives Kristina Tirman and Dusty Kidd thanked everyone for their work and spoke in support of the new MOU. Kate Johnson, Amara Johnson, Galen Paine, and Austin Cranford spoke in support. Assembly Members thanked everyone for their efforts. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline F 25-033 Approve a Letter of Agreement between the City and Borough of Sitka and the Public Safety Employees Association (agreement extension with hourly rate modifications for Sitka Police Department Staff) Local Public Safety Employees Association Chapter President Lance Ewers spoke in support and stated the Union had ratified the tentative LOA on February 19, 2025. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Austin Cranford and Breezy Cranford commented on item E and urged a third party investigation of the Sitka Animal Shelter operations. XIV. REPORTS CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 25, 2025 a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz shared a report on his attendance at the Southeast Conference and the Alaska Municipal League Winter Conference. Administrator - Leach also reported on Southeast Conference and the Alaska Municipal League Winter Conference. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION G 25-036 Legal / Financial Matters - Dick v. CBS A motion was made by Mosher to go into executive session to receive and discuss attorney client communication from the Municipal Attorney regarding legal and financial matters affecting the Municipality due to the Dick v. CBS litigation. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. The Assembly was in executive session from 7:50 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:03 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4