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 Thursday, May 29, 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. 25-080 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) 25-076 1) Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation 2) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council, Alana Peterson 3) Sitka School Board - Phil Burdick CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 29, 2025 4) Department Quarterly Reports - Assessing Sitka Tribe of Alaska Council Member Alana Peterson shared recent updates and upcoming events; City and Borough of Sitka Assessor Larry Reeder gave a quarterly report; and Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Executive Director Deven Mitchell and Board Chair Jason Brune provided an overview of the Fund. Sitka School Board President Phil Burdick was absent. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Representative Rebecca Himschoot provided a legislative report. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson to APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA consisting of Items B & C. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad A RES 25-08 Supporting Federal Workers & Agencies, Urging Alaska's Congressional Delegation to oppose cuts, and encouraging Congress to work in a collaborative bipartisan way Sponsors Mosher and Pike commented. 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, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad B RES 25-07 Setting the millage rates for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA - first and final reading. C 25-075 Approve a liquor license renewal application for Ernie's Bar at 130 Lincoln Street This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS D 25-078 Reappoint Wendy Alderson to a three-year term on the Planning Commission A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 29, 2025 XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: E ORD 25-10 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (Homeland Security Grant - Travel for AlaskEx and Fire Department Radios) 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 F ORD 25-11 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (Procurement of EV Transit Van for Parks and Recreation Division) A motion was made by Carlson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. G ORD 25-12 Amending Title 10, “Public Peace, Safety and Morals”, and Title 22, “Zoning” of the Sitka General Code by modifying certain sections throughout these titles to add and regulate onsite marijuana consumption facilities A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Carlson, and Saline No: 1- Pike Absent: 1- Ystad XII. NEW BUSINESS: H 25-079 Authorize the sale of two pieces of equipment valued at over $25,000 each, in accordance with Sitka General Code 18.10.020 Administrator John Leach explained that per code, the Assembly had to authorize the sale. Interim Public Works Director and Asset Manager Mark Seavey reviewed the equipment. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad I 25-073 Board of Adjustment: Consideration of an appeal filed by Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska dba Tidal Network for the Planning Commission's denial of a height variance for a communications tower located on 116 Nancy Court A motion was made by Christianson to convene as the Board of Adjustment. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 29, 2025 Mayor Eisenbeisz presented the agenda item and stated the need to review conflicts of interest and recusals. Eisenbeisz stated he was a homeowner in the area and was recused by Deputy Mayor Pike. Pike disclosed that he was approached by individuals with an interest in the matter who attempted to communicate information to him outside of the official channel, and to avoid an appearance of impropriety, he asked to be recused. Vice Deputy Mayor Carlson, presiding, said she didn't have any conflicts. She asked Assembly Member Mosher, Christianson, and Saline if they had conflicts, ex-parte communications, or apparent bias or appearance of impropriety. Mosher stated he had ex-parte communication and asked to be recused. Christianson remained. Saline said he had conflicts and was recused. Carlson explained that with only two members remaining, the Board of Adjustment could not proceed with the appeal and would need to adjourn. All members were invited back to the table. A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. Municipal Attorney Jones said that on a previous appeal she had reached out to the State of Alaska Office of Administrative Hearing Board. She advised the Assembly direct the Municipal Administrator to contact the State of Alaska Office of Administrative Hearing to hear the appeal. Eisenbeisz stated this was the first time in his memory the Assembly had conflicted itself out. Hal Spackman, Paul Clements, Jay Stelzenmuller, Scott Saline, and Marilyn Corruzi commented. A motion was made by Mosher to direct the Municipal Administrator to reach out/contract with the State of Alaska Office of Administrative Hearing to hear the appeal. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad J 25-077 Discussion/Direction on Lincoln Street closures for the remainder of the visitor season Planning & Community Development Director Amy Ainslie shared observations with having the street open. Assembly consensus was to keep it open through June, place temporary restrooms on Maksoutoff Street, and receive a recommendation from the Tourism Commission. K 25-074 Discussion/Direction/Decision of terms for new Visit Sitka contract Planning & Community Development Director Amy Ainslie provided an overview of the process and the sole response received. She explained the purpose of the discussion was to determine whether to proceed with drafting a contract. Assembly Member Mosher was recused due to a conflict related to his employer. Assembly Members discussed the proposal; some expressed disinterest in the response, while others requested additional information before making a decision, and wanted the Tourism Commission to weigh in. Assembly Member Pike said he wanted to move forward to learn more details and expressed concern that the Assembly was waffling on whether to support the RFP process - questioning the point of issuing it in the first place if they weren’t going to follow through. A motion was made by Eisenbeisz to REFER the Item back to the Tourism CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 29, 2025 Commission for their recommendation. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Ystad Recused: 1- Mosher XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Charles Horan, Christine Horan, Austin Cranford, and Rachel Roy commented on keeping Lincoln Street open. Marilyn Corruzi, Austin Cranford, Carol Voisin, Mary Todd Anderson, Jay Stelzenmuller, Hal Spackman, Paul Clementz, and Kelly Sweeney spoke of cell towers. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz said the special election results would be certified June 10 and that he was committed to working on the tourism issue. Administrator - Leach said it had been an extraordinary busy few weeks and expressed thanks to the Clerk's Office and election volunteers for a job well done with the special election. Attorney - Jones commended the Clerk's Office for the work on the citizen initiative and election. Clerk - Peterson thanked Deputy Municipal Clerk Jess Earnshaw and Assistant Municipal Clerk Holley Bayne along with the election workers. The May 28 special election had been the first in 21 years and the first to test the Home Rule Charter signature requirements for a special election. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Eisenbeisz to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 10:10 p.m. ATTEST: _________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5