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, September 9, 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. 25-122 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) 25-117 1) Public Works - Sitka Seaplane Base Update 2) General Code - Recodification Project 3) Department Quarterly Reports ‑ IT, HR, and Clerk Airport Terminal Manager Joseph Bea provided an update on the Sitka Seaplane Base, CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 9, 2025 noting that a pilot stakeholder meeting was scheduled for September 16 and that the FAA would hold an open house on October 9. General Code representative Emily Wood gave an overview of the Sitka General Code recodification project. IT Director Grant Turner and Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson provided quarterly department updates. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Karen Lucas commented on the Seaplane Base and asked the Assembly to postpone further action and involve the Historic Preservation Commission. Richard Wein spoke to both propositions in the upcoming regular municipal election. Sean Cavlan spoke to proposition 1. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of Items A, B, & C be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline A 25-118 Approve the minutes of the March 11, 12, 18, 25, and August 26 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B ORD 25-23 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and 2026 (Reappropriations) This item was PASSED ON FIRST READING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. Second reading scheduled for 9/23/25. C ORD 25-24 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Library Books Unbanned Programming Grant) This item was PASSED ON FIRST READING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. Second reading scheduled for 9/23/25. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS D 25-119 Reappoint Tyler Green to a three-year term on the Port and Harbors Commission A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: E 25-120 Discussion / Direction / Decision on the Annual General Fund Grants for Non-Profit Organizations Program Sponsors Mosher and Ystad said their goal was to simplify the nonprofit grant process. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 9, 2025 Members reviewed the SLF proposal and asked questions of SLF Chair Chris Kowalczewski. The Assembly indicated support for a two-year contract with a withdrawal clause. Richard Wein spoke in opposition. Ben Hughey spoke in support. A motion was made by Christianson to direct the Administrator to negotiate a contract with the Sitka Legacy Foundation to administer the Annual General Fund Non-Profit Grant Program. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XII. NEW BUSINESS: F 25-121 Decision on whether to allow sales tax free day(s) following the Thanksgiving holiday and set date(s) Eisenbeisz asked to be recused due to financial interest in the item. Members discussed the cost to the City and Borough of Sitka and benefits to residents and local businesses. A motion was made by Christianson to AUTHORIZE November 28 and 29 as Sales Tax Free days for 2025 noting the sales tax free day(s) will not be applicable to any sale of fuel, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and marijuana, nor affect any sale which is part of a continuing obligation of the buyer to pay the seller over time. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Recused: 1- Eisenbeisz XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein spoke in opposition to proposition 2. Karen Lucas spoke. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on the Alaska Municipal League summer conference and said he'd miss the October 14 meeting. Administrator - Leach reported that Southeast Conference would be held in Sitka the following week, reviewed his September and October travel schedule, and noted that the Sustainability Commission had met to discuss recent electric vehicle shipping developments and would be consolidating comments for his submission to the Alaska Marine Highway System. Attorney - Jones said the Office of Administrative Hearing decision on the cell tower issue was due September 12. Liaison Representatives - Christianson provided a report on the Sustainability CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 9, 2025 Commission, Pike on Police and Fire, and Mosher on Parks and Recreation. Clerk - Peterson reported on current board and commission vacancies and outlined voter options for the upcoming municipal election. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:49 p.m. ATTEST: _________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4