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, April 22, 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, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1 - Ystad V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 25-067 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) 25-065 1) Sitka School Board - Phil Burdick 2) Department Quarterly Reports - Fire, Library, and Electric Sitka School Board President Phil Burdick provided an update on recent Alaska CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 22, 2025 Legislative actions affecting school funding and other district matters. The Fire, Library, and Electric Departments presented their quarterly reports. Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie provided an update on the Tourism Commission’s discussion of a tourism best management practices program, which she said would be piloted by the Sitka Dock Company this season. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. IX. CONSENT AGENDA None. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS A 25-064 Reappoint Kenneth Cameron to a three-year term on the Employment Relations Board (CBS Representative Seat) A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B 25-054 Discussion / Direction / Decision on the Annual General Fund Grants for Non-Profit Organizations Program Kevin Mosher said he'd contacted the Sitka Legacy Fund about taking over the Annual General Fund Non-Profit Grant program. The idea would be for the City to provide general guidance while the organization managed applications, distributed funds, and charged a 3% fee. Mosher noted this would offer a more objective approach. Eisenbeisz and Pike saw room for improvement and were open to exploring the idea. Christianson was concerned about giving final award decisions to a third party, preferring Assembly approval, and noted that grant requirements could be burdensome for small awards. Saline emphasized the need for third party objectivity, while Carlson said she used the rubric and strategic plan to guide her decisions. Administrator John Leach reiterated his direction to work with the item’s sponsors and the Sitka Legacy Fund, then return with a proposal for Assembly approval. He also added he wanted to consult the Finance team regarding grant follow-up, reporting, and compliance. C ORD 25-06 Amending Title 14 “Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places” of the Sitka General Code by amending Chapter 14.05 “Public Use of Parks and Recreation Facilities, Land, and Trails” Leah Mason commented. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 22, 2025 Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad D ORD 25-07 Adopting budgets and capital improvement plan for the General Fund, Internal Service Funds, and Special Revenue Funds for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 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, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad E ORD 25-08 Adopting the budget and capital improvement plan for Enterprise Funds for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, amending rates in Title 15 "Public Utilities" of the Sitka General Code and adopting moorage rates and other harbor fees A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading F ORD 25-09 Authorizing the lease of a portion of Tract 4-B, ASLS 81-21, located on Jarvis Street, to Sitka Community Gardens Association Joel Hanson and Leah Mason expressed their appreciation to staff for their work, and Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie reviewed the key terms and conditions of the community garden lease. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad Additional New Business Items G 25-066 Approve Assembly Member Carlson as the Assembly representative on the Sitka Walkability Action Institute team Carlson outlined the team’s mission and noted she would be serving in the capacity of a local elected official. Eisenbeisz reminded the importance of bringing any Assembly decisions back to the Assembly. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 22, 2025 A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Barbara Bingham thanked everyone for their work on the community garden lease. Leah Mason commented on item C. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on the recent lobbying trip. Administrator - Leach also provided updates on the lobbying trip, the Coast Guard fast cutter response vessel, the marine service center seawall grant, and the haul out operating agreement. Clerk - Peterson gave an update on the special election. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:04 p.m. ATTEST: ______________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4