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 24, 2025 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 25-087 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) 25-085 1) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council, Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard 2) Department Quarterly Report - Finance Finance Director Brooke Volschenk reviewed the interim financial statements. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mosher that the Consent Agenda consisting of Item A be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline A ORD 25-17 Authorizing the Administrator to contract with the State of Alaska Office of Administrative Hearings re: appeal of Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision on cell tower variance (P&Z No. Var 25-01) This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 25-16 Authorizing the vacation and sale of a 14,847 square foot portion of the Neva Street right-of-way Planning & Community Development Director Amy Ainslie reminded that the sales price had been determined by the Assessor and presented to the Assembly in 2024. At that time, the Assembly directed staff to proceed with the street vacation and sales. 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 No: 1- Eisenbeisz C ORD 25-15 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Marine Vessel Haul Out and Shipyard Supplemental Appropriations) The Assembly inquired about various aspects of the project. 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, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson No: 1- Saline D ORD 25-13 Amending the City and Borough of Sitka Personnel Policies Handbook A motion was made by Mosher 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 June 24, 2025 Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline E ORD 25-14 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Administration Department Supplemental Appropriations) A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading F ORD 25-18 Proposing to amend Section 20.01 “Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund” of the Home Rule Charter and, submitting the question of such an amendment to the qualified voters at the regular election on October 7, 2025 Sponsors Ystad and Mosher provided an overview of the ordinance. They noted that the Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund ("the Fund") was supported by tobacco tax revenue and explained that, in future years, once all former Sitka Community Hospital obligations were fulfilled, the Fund would have excess money. The sponsors proposed directing any surplus toward bond debt for new and revitalized athletic facilities. Currently, the Charter limited Fund use to operating, capital, and debt service needs of Sitka Community Hospital. If approved, the ballot proposition would amend the Charter to allow the Fund to be used for debt service related to the former Sitka Community Hospital and bond debt associated with athletic facilities. It was clarified that any bonding would require voter approval. Brian Farley, Bridgette Hitchcock, Ben Hughey, Jeremy Strong, Katherine Prussian, Steve Black, and Jeff Richards spoke in support. A discussion of the Assembly ensued. Some expressed concern that the amendment to the Charter was too broad. Others questioned what bonding might entail and whether available funding would be sufficient for an athletic facility. Some members wanted input from the Parks and Recreation Committee. Ystad reiterated that he brought the ordinance forward to support the development of a track facility with a turfed softball field and space for soccer and football in the interior. A motion was made by Christianson to change the word "athletic" throughout the ordinance to "recreational." The motion to amend FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 3 - Saline, Carlson, and Mosher No: 4 - Eisenbeisz, Christianson, Pike, and Ystad A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 Additional New Business Items G 25-086 Consideration and award of the request for proposals submitted for the available funds in the Fisheries Enhancement Fund Eisenbeisz outlined the process and stated $47,883 was available. Natalie Sadler spoke to the ALFA proposal. William Coltharp summarized the proposal submitted by the Sitka Sound Science Center. Kyle Rosendale told of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska proposal. A motion was made by Christianson to award $15,961 to the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association, award $15,961 to the Sitka Sound Science Center, and award $15,961 to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline H RES 25-10 Opposing the proposed expansion of the definition of “local contributions” and its impact on local supplemental support for schools (1st and final reading) Sponsors Eisenbeisz and Pike commented. Phil Burdick spoke in support. A motion was made by Ystad that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Austin Cranford commented on items G and F. Nick McGraw commented on item C. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz provided an update on recent developments in school funding and shared highlights from separate meetings with Senator Sullivan's staff and the Head Consul of Japan. Administrator - Leach reported that Senator Murkowski’s office had notified him the secondary wastewater treatment plant project was included in an appropriation bill. He also noted that the police chief hiring panel would be meeting soon to select a candidate and announced that Chad Goeden would serve as interim Police Chief beginning July 1 to assist with the transition. Clerk - Peterson reviewed the upcoming vacancies to be filled in the October 7 regular municipal election. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 24, 2025 None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:15 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5