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, June 10, 2025 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1 - Mosher Remote: 1 - Ystad V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 25-084 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) 25-081 1) Sitka School Board - Phil Burdick 2) Department Quarterly Reports - Human Resources, IT, and Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 10, 2025 School Board President Phil Burdick provided an update on school funding and proposed changes to the definition of local contribution. Quarterly updates were also given by Human Resources Director Josh Branthoover, IT Director Grant Turner, and Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of Items A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Mosher A 25-082 Approve liquor license renewal applications for Triple C Ventures Inc., doing business as Cascade Convenience Center (1211 A Sawmill Creek Road) and Watson Point Liquors (1867 Halibut Point Road) This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B RES 25-09 Authorizing a grant application to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for extrication tools (1st and final reading) This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. XII. NEW BUSINESS: C 25-050 Consideration of an appeal filed by Ryan Nichols of the Planning Commission's decision made February 19, 2025, regarding case file P 24-04, a request for a preliminary plat for a minor subdivision resulting in two lots at 305 Islander Drive in the SFLD single-family low density residential district. The property is also known as Lot Five (5), Harris Island Subdivision. The owner of record is Randall G. Nichols Revocable Trust. (Rescheduled from 3/25/25 at the applicant’s request) Christianson, Ystad, and Carlson disclosed. Christianson was recused. Municipal Attorney Rachel Jones reviewed the procedures and stated the Assembly CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 10, 2025 needed to decide whether they were holding a full rehearing or whether they were holding an appeal hearing based only on the record of evidence as presented to the Planning Commission on February 19, 2025. A motion was made by Pike to hold an appeal hearing on case P 24-04 based only on the record of evidence as presented to the Planning Commission on February 19, 2025. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5 - Ystad, Eisenbeisz, Carlson, Pike, and Saline Recused: 1 - Christianson Absent: 1 - Mosher Staff presentation: Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie reviewed the Commission's reasons for denying the preliminary subdivision plat request and spoke to the four points mentioned in the appeal: 1) Planning Commission Guidance & Attendance, 2) Road Maintenance Agreement, 3) Zoning Conformance, and 4) Housing & Land Shortage. Appellant presentation: Ryan Nichols, attending via Zoom, asked his sister Carina Nichols to speak on his behalf. Carina Nichols spoke to the bare quorum at the February 19 Planning Commission meeting, noted the disinterest among neighbors for a road maintenance agreement, commented on the condition of the bridge, and believed there were additional development plans for Harris Island other than theirs. Public comment: Robin Sherman, a Planning Commission Member, stated her reason for voting against the request was based on public safety concerns. Greg Charlton and Kord Christianson spoke in opposition. Connie Kreiss and Roger Hames spoke in support of the subdivision request. Staff rebuttal: None. Assembly members asked questions about the bridge condition and future development. Appellant rebuttal: Nichols commented on infrastructure and safety concerns. Assembly deliberation: Assembly members commented on safety concerns surrounding the bridge, lack of a road maintenance agreement, and development regulations. A motion was made by Eisenbeisz to GRANT THE APPEAL and approve the preliminary plat of a minor subdivision at 305 Islander Drive resulting in two lots in the SFLD single-family low density residential district subject to the attached conditions of approval as listed in the February 19, 2025, staff report. The property is also known as Lot 5, Harris Island Subdivision. The request is filed by Ryan Nichols. The owner of record is Randall G Nichols Revocable Trust. Conditions of Approval: 1) All utilities, including water, sewer, and electricity shall be required to have an approved permit from the municipality; and all utility permits and design shall comply with all applicable code and design polices including, but not limited to 15.05, 15.10, 15.20, and 15.30. 2) This subdivision development and the plat, prior to recording, complies with all applicable Sitka General Code. 3) All applicable state, federal, and tribal permits, licenses, regulations, and statutes shall be followed in subdividing this land. 4) Easement maintenance agreements for any access and utility CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 10, 2025 easements shall be developed and recorded before final plat recording. 5) All easement agreements will be cited via plat notes. The City and Borough of Sitka is a party to all easements. The motion PASSED by the following vote: From the public, Becky Charlton, Kord Christianson, and Connie Kreiss commented. Yes: 5 - Carlson, Saline, Pike, Ystad, and Eisenbeisz. Recused: 1 - Christianson Absent: 1 - Mosher A motion was made by Eisenbeisz to ADOPT the findings as listed in the February 19, 2025 staff report: a. The preliminary plat meets its burden of proof as to access, utilities, and dimensions as proposed through submission of a plat prepared by a licensed surveyor and information regarding access and utilities provided in the application; b. The preliminary plat complies with the Comprehensive Plan by encouraging higher residential development on a underutilized lot and contributing to an attractive and livable neighborhood; c. The proposed preliminary plat complies with the subdivision code; and d. The preliminary plat is not injurious to the public health, safety, and welfare because the minor subdivision promotes residential development in-line with existing uses in the surrounding neighborhood and allowable uses in the zoning district; additionally, the conditions of approval protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare by requiring compliance with health and safety regulations.The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5 - Carlson, Saline, Pike, Ystad, and Eisenbeisz. Recused: 1 - Christianson Absent: 1 - Mosher This item was APPROVED. D ORD 25-16 Authorizing the vacation and sale of a 14,847 square foot portion of the Neva Street right-of-way Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie summarized the request, noted the Planning Commission’s approval, and reminded the Assembly that the sale price was set in 2024. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Mosher E ORD 25-15 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Marine Vessel Haul Out and Shipyard Supplemental Appropriations) Municipal Administrator Leach provided an overview and explained that additional funding was needed to complete Phase I and achieve full operation of the shipyard. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 10, 2025 FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson No: 1- Saline Absent: 1- Mosher F ORD 25-13 Amending the City and Borough of Sitka Personnel Policies Handbook Human Resources Director Josh Branthoover summarized the amendments. A motion was made by Carlson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Mosher G ORD 25-14 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Administration Department Supplemental Appropriations) Municipal Administrator Leach summarized the item, noting a reorganization had been contemplated since 2014. He said he had been actively working on it the last couple of years and that the Assembly had recently directed him to establish a deputy administrator position. Assembly members asked questions about the reorganization, expressed appreciation to Leach, and clarified that the decision before them was not to approve the reorganization itself, but to authorize funding to implement it. A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Mosher H 25-083 Approve the Municipal Clerk's Certificate of Election A motion was made by Carlson to formally ACCEPT the Certificate of Election for the May 28, 2025, Special Municipal Election according to the results set forth in the attached election certification prepared by the Municipal Clerk and request that the official tally be included in the minutes as part of the permanent record. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Mosher XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: None. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 10, 2025 Administrator - Leach reported on the RFP withdrawal for Visit Sitka, school funding, the Marine Service Center RAISE grant, and police chief recruitment. Attorney - Jones was scheduled to be out of the office June 16-27. Clerk - Peterson reviewed vacancies to be filled in the October 7 regular municipal election. Other - Carlson, the Assembly representative on the Sitka Walkability Action Institute team, provided an update. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:10 p.m. ATTEST: _______________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6