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, October 14, 2025 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Outgoing Assembly Member Ystad presided through Unfinished Business. Assembly Members Riley and Christianson were sworn in at the beginning of New Business and presided through the remainder of the meeting. Present: 8 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 25-146 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) 25-134 1) Department Quarterly Reports - Public Works, Harrigan Centennial CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 Hall, and Police Department reports were given by Public Works Director Mark Seavey, Harrigan Centennial Hall Manager Tony Rosas, and Interim Police Chief Chad Goeden. Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie provided tourism updates. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Danielle Nilo spoke of upcoming events to celebrate Filipino American History Month. Pierce Kohler-Kainulainen commented on poor conditions at the Kimsham Ballfield. 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: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Riley A 25-135 Approve the minutes of the September 23 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS See items F and G. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 25-25 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (Police Vehicles) A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Riley C 25-136 Approve the Municipal Clerk's Certificate of Election Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson provided a review of the certification. Peterson thanked election workers and the Clerk's Office staff. Assembly Members expressed appreciation. A motion was made by Ystad to formally accept the Certificate of Election for the October 7, 2025, Regular 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. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Riley D 25-143 Recognize outgoing Assembly Member(s) - followed by a short recess The Assembly thanked outgoing Assembly Member Chris Ystad for his service. XII. NEW BUSINESS: E 25-137 Oath of Office - Newly Elected Officials Catherine (Katie) Riley and Thor Christianson were sworn in as assembly members for three-year terms. F 25-138 Appoint 1) Sophia Schwantes to an unexpired term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission and Reappoint 1) Jorgen Eliason to a three-year term on the Port and Harbors Commission and 2) Aurora Taylor to a three-year term on the Sustainability Commission A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Ystad G 25-139 Appoint one to a three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Committee: 1) Manoj Battar 2) Mariah Groshek Manoj Battar and Mariah Groshek were nominated. Battar spoke to his application. A round of voting ensued. Battar received six votes and was appointed. Groshek received no votes. H 25-140 Approve a new liquor license endorsement application for Sitka Golf Association, Inc. dba Sea Mountain Restaurant & 19th Hole at 301 Granite Creek Road Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson provided an overview of the golf course endorsement. Questions were raised regarding the existing lease and the serving of alcohol. It was suggested that signage discouraging driving under the influence be posted on the golf course. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 Non-voting: 1- Ystad I 25-141 Approve the following marijuana license renewal applications: 1) a retail marijuana store license renewal for Weed Dudes Incorporated at 1321 Sawmill Creek Road Suite J & K and 2) a standard marijuana cultivation facility license renewal for Jeremy J. Erickson dba Vern’s Wicked Weed at 3872 Halibut Point Road Bay One A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Ystad J RES 25-12 Authorizing a 50/50 matching grant application to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for body-worn cameras (1st and final reading) Interim Police Chief Goeden stated that the purpose of the resolution was to authorize the Department to apply for a 50/50 matching grant to help fund body-worn cameras. He noted that, if the grant were awarded, the Department would seek a supplemental appropriation. A motion was made by Carlson that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Ystad K 25-142 Discussion / Direction / Decision on the City and Borough of Sitka submitting a bid to the State of Alaska to lease a lot at the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport for paid parking Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport Terminal Manager Joseph Bae, Public Works Director Mark Seavey, and Finance Director Brooke Volschenk provided an introduction. City staff explained that airport terminal costs had increased due to the expansion of the terminal building. Terminal lease revenue had declined following Delta Airlines’ discontinuation of service to Sitka. Without measures to generate additional revenue from airport users, the terminal was projected to operate at a deficit going forward. Staff noted that increases in operating, capital, and maintenance expenses could result in the need for General Fund subsidization. To help offset operating costs, staff proposed the option of generating revenue from a paid parking program at the Airport. If the Assembly wished to move forward, the next step would be to submit a bid to the State of Alaska to lease Parcel P. Zachary Martens, Austin Cranford and Brian Nothnagel commented. A discussion of the Assembly ensued. Members asked questions regarding alternative revenue sources, implementation costs, enforcement, and security. Some members CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 noted that the implementation of paid parking was inevitable. The consensus of the Assembly was to proceed with submitting a bid. A motion was made by Christianson to authorize the Municipal Administrator to submit a bid to the State of Alaska to lease Parcel P at the Sitka Airport Terminal for the purpose of implementing paid parking. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Ystad L 25-144 Approve the Cooperative Resource Management Agreement between the City and Borough of Sitka and the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources for recreational areas at Baranof Warm Springs Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie reviewed the details of the agreement and benefits. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Non-voting: 1- Ystad M 25-145 Discussion / Direction / Decision on rescheduling the November 11 regular Assembly meeting and December 9 & 23 Assembly meetings Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson explained the reasons for the rescheduling requests. By consensus, the Assembly agreed to reschedule the November 11 meeting to November 10, the December 9 meeting to December 16, and the December 23 meeting to December 30. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Austin Cranford requested additional information regarding shore power for cruise ships and spoke in opposition to automated license plate readers. Scott Saline commented on recent power pole damage on Katlian Street. Chad Goeden expressed opposition to the City managing paid parking at the airport. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Assistant Administrator - Branthoover told of the recent lieutenant hire (Michael Hall) with hopes of Hall moving into the role of Police Chief upon receiving certification in Alaska. Attorney - Jones announced the Office of Administrative Hearing decision was released October 1. The Planning Commission decision was upheld. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 14, 2025 Liaison Representatives - Saline commented on the smell of the Library. Mosher reported on the Parks and Recreation Committee; Riley reported on the Planning Commission; Carlson on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission; and Pike on the Police and Fire Commission. Clerk - Peterson reported on board, commission, and committee vacancies and outlined the upcoming meeting schedule. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:04 p.m. ATTEST: __________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6