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 23, 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, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1 - Saline Remote: 1 - Ystad V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 25-133 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) 25-132 1) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council - Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 2) Sitka School Board - Phil Burdick Reports were given. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mosher that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A, B, & C be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline A 25-123 Approve the minutes of the September 9 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 25-129 Approve a liquor license renewal and endorsement application for Mean Queen LLC at 205 Harbor Drive This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C 25-130 Approve a new marijuana license application and onsite consumption endorsement application for AKO Farms LLC dba High Tide Cannabis at 4509 Halibut Point Road This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS D 25-125 Appoint one to a three-year term on the Planning Commission: 1) Margaret Frank 2) Samuel Lee Pointer Jr. Margaret Frank and Samuel Lee Pointer Jr. were nominated. Both applicants explained why they wished to serve. A round of voting ensued. Frank received six votes and was appointed. Pointer received no votes. E 25-126 Appoint Amy Wilson to a three-year term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: F ORD 25-23 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and 2026 (Reappropriations) 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, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline G ORD 25-24 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Library Books Unbanned Programming Grant) 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 Absent: 1- Saline XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading H ORD 25-25 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Police Vehicles) Police Chief Goeden summarized the request and highlighted current vehicle challenges. Assembly Members expressed support and emphasized the importance of the vehicles, noting that ideally sinking funds would cover the full vehicle cost. 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, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline Additional New Business Items I 25-128 Approve the 2025-2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and Borough of Sitka and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 1547 Assistant Municipal Administrator Josh Branthoover provided an overview of the agreement process, highlighted changes to the IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement and related fiscal impacts. Assembly Members thanked the negotiating team for their work. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline J 25-124 Award of the FY26 Annual General Fund Non-Profit Grants A motion was made by Carlson to award the following FY26 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Human Services. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Eisenbeisz, Christianson, Ystad, Mosher, Carlson, and Pike Absent: 1 - Saline Betty Eliason Child Care Center $7736 Brave Heart Volunteers $8354 Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services $3268 Sitka Homeless Coalition $2589 Southeast Alaska Independent Living $3768 A motion was made by Christianson to award the following FY26 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Cultural & Educational Services. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Eisenbeisz, Christianson, Ystad, Mosher, Carlson, and Pike Absent: 1 - Saline Alaska Arts Southeast (Sitka Fine Arts Camp) $4714 Sitka Maritime Heritage Society $2643 Sitka Music Festival $2357 A motion was made by Carlson to award the following FY26 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Community Development. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Eisenbeisz, Christianson, Ystad, Mosher, Carlson, and Pike Absent: 1 - Saline Greater Sitka Arts Council $2619 Sitka Trail Works $6952 K 25-131 Approve a lease agreement between the City and Borough of Sitka and Pacific Jewel Marine, LLC for Block 4, Lot 9b of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board Director Garry White summarized the request and answered questions from the Assembly. Owner Jeremy Serka spoke to the property access and the lease payment fee. Assembly Members asked questions of White. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline L 25-127 Discussion / Direction / Decision of the Municipal Administrator's annual recommended transfer to the Public Infrastructure Sinking Fund Finance Director Brooke Volschenk presented an overview, noting that sufficient funds were available for other needs. Assembly Members highlighted the value of having a transfer balance and thanked staff for their fiscal responsibility. A motion was made by Christianson to APPROVE the transfer of $3.2 million to the Public Infrastructure Sinking Fund and make this transfer effective June 30, 2025. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Saline XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: None. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz provided an overview of the recent Southeast Conference and thanked the Assembly for their teamwork at what was the final meeting before the upcoming election. Attorney - Jones reported the cell tower Office of Administrative Hearing decision would take more time due to the complexity of issues and scheduling conflicts. Liaison Representatives - Christianson reported on the Planning Commission, Pike on the Police and Fire Commission, Carlson on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, Mosher on the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Ystad on the Port and Harbors Commission. Clerk - Peterson summarized board, commission, and committee vacancies and reminded of voting options for the upcoming election. Other - Carlson attended the ribbon cutting for the haul out. Mosher and Carlson thanked Ystad for his work while on the Assembly. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:53 p.m. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 ATTEST: _______________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6