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, Thor Christianson, Katie Riley Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Rachel Jones Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, October 28, 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, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 25-155 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 25-147 Proclamation - Recognizing Native American Heritage Month Service Awards - Annette Evans and Michael Reif Mayor Eisenbeisz read a proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month and recognized Annette Evans and Michael Reif for their service on boards and commissions. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 28, 2025 25-149 1) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council - Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard 2) Sitka School Board - Phil Burdick 3) Department Quarterly Reports - Fire, Library, Electric Sitka Tribal Chairwoman Yeidikook’áa reported on Sitka Tribe of Alaska activities and Sitka School Board President Phil Burdick provided an update. Quarterly reports were given by Assistant Fire Chief David Johnson, Library Director Jess Ieremia, and Utility Director Ron Vinson. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Sitka Sound Science Center Executive Director Arleigh Reynolds warned of upcoming weather and announced Whalefest activities. Jace Hay voiced concern of protests at the roundabout. 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, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley A 25-150 Approve the minutes of the October 14 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B 25-151 Reappoint 1) Thomas D'Uva to a three-year term on the Tree and Landscape Committee, 2) Deborah J Miller to a three-year term on the Tree and Landscape Committee, 3) Gregg Olson to a three-year term on the Police and Fire Commission, and 4) Candace Rutledge to a three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Committee A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley C 25-152 Appoint one to an unexpired term on the Planning Commission: 1) Lawrence (Larry) Edwards 2) Jacqueline Foss 3) James Poulson 4) Gail Roderick Lawrence Edwards, Jacqueline Foss, James Poulson, and Gail Roderick were nominated. Lesa Way expressed support for Roderick. Applicants explained why they wished to serve. The Municipal Clerk reminded that to be appointed an applicant needed to receive at least four votes. A round of voting ensued: Edwards (2), Foss (2), Poulson (2), Roderick (2). A second round of voting occurred: Foss (5) and Roderick (2) CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 28, 2025 Foss received five votes and was appointed. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: D RES 25-11A Petitioning the Alaska State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to issue up to three additional Restaurant or Eating Place Licenses under Alaska Statute (AS) 04.11.405 (postponed at the August 12 meeting) Sponsors Christianson and Carlson provided opening comments and noted the item had been reviewed by the Planning and Tourism Commissions. Luke Bruckert, Renee Trafton, Emma Spies, Dave Stallon, Claude McEwen, Peter Vu, Tristan Burlingame, Cedar Pook, Josh Johnson, Charlie Jordan, Vicki McFadden, Ed McFadden, Royal Henderson, Dane McFadden, Dan Evans, Chance Grey, Adora Dumag, Kate Estrada, Mariah Evans, Chris Ystad, Drew Wilson, Lesa Way, Christian Litten, and Cambria Holmes spoke in support. Michelle Kavouras spoke in opposition. A discussion of the Assembly ensued. Members noted that the request for three additional licenses represented a compromise between the original request for four and the Tourism Commission’s recommendation of six. The Planning Commission’s recommendation was discussed, and some concern was expressed about the use of seasonal visitor numbers. It was also noted that the request was not related to a specific business, and some members expressed concern regarding youth exposure to alcohol. A motion was made by Carlson to AMEND Resolution 2025-11A by replacing lines 24-26 with the following: “WHEREAS, the Sitka Police Department meets the criteria of AS 04.11.405 (b)(1)(B) as a local law enforcement department and community jail, and is responsible for maintaining public safety and order within the city, consisting of enforcing state statues and city ordinances as well as providing aid and assistance to residents, visitors and the business community; and”. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Carlson, Riley, Saline, Eisenbeisz, Pike, and Christianson No: 1 - Mosher A motion was made by Christianson to AMEND Resolution 2025-11A by adding the following beginning on line 52: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City and Borough of Sitka requests that in the event the Alaska State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board decides to grant this petition request, the Board prioritize applications by established businesses in Sitka which generally operate during ten months of the calendar year or more in cases of mutually exclusive applications for new REPLs issued in accordance with this petition." The Assembly discussed the primary amendment. A motion was made by Riley to AMEND the primary amendment by inserting the words "in the event the Alaska State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board decides to grant this petition request." The secondary amendment PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4 - Riley, Christianson, Saline, and Carlson CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 28, 2025 No: 3 - Mosher, Pike, and Eisenbeisz Cambria Holmes commented on the primary amendmet. A vote was then taken on the primary amendment. The primary amendment PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4 - Saline, Carlson, Christianson, and Riley No: 3 - Pike, Mosher, and Eisenbeisz A motion was made by Christianson that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING AS AMENDED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley No: 1- Mosher XII. NEW BUSINESS: E 25-153 Adopt the 2026 Commercial Recreational Land Use Plan Parks and Recreation Manager Kevin Knox provided an introduction and summarized highlights of changes to the plan, efforts to review and strengthen the plan, the fee structure, and asset profile updates. Assembly Member Christianson disclosed his family owned property at Goddard. Mayor Eisenbeisz ruled there was no direct conflict. Ben Hughey spoke in support. John Dunlap, Bethany Lowrance, Michael Graney spoke in opposition. Robin Sherman and Rob Allen commented. The Assembly discussed components of the plan. Some members expressed support and described it as a good starting point. Riley wondered about enforcement. Planning & Community Development Director Amy Ainslie noted enforcement was primarily complaint based due to limited staff resources. Knox explained revisions could occur at the discretion of the Parks & Recreation Committee. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, Saline, and Riley F 25-154 Assignments: Deputy Mayor, Vice-Deputy Mayor, and Assembly Liaisons Christianson and Pike were nominated for Deputy Mayor. A vote was taken. Christianson received 2 votes and Pike received 5. Pike was appointed Deputy Mayor. Carlson was nominated for Vice Deputy Mayor. Hearing no other nominations, Carlson was appointed. The following board/commission/committee liaison appointments were made: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 28, 2025 Gary Paxton Industrial Park - Christianson / Mosher Health Needs and Human Services - Carlson / Riley Historic Preservation - Saline / Carlson Investment - Mosher / Christianson Library - Saline / Pike Local Emergency Planning - Riley / Mosher Parks & Recreation - Mosher / Christianson Planning & Zoning - Riley / Christianson Police & Fire - Pike / Eisenbeisz Port & Harbors - Carlson / Eisenbeisz Sustainability - Pike / Mosher Tourism - Saline / Christianson Tree & Landscape - Saline / Pike SEDA - Eisenbeisz / Christianson Sitka Tribe of Alaska - Eisenbeisz / Pike School Board - Mosher / Pike XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: None. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz summarized the Japan trip and ATIA conference. Administrator - Leach reported on Southeast Conference, the Japan trip, and announced his trip to ICMA had been cancelled due to travel delays. Liaison Representatives - Pike reported on the Police & Fire Commission meeting. Clerk - Peterson provided an update on board/commission vacancies and reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 10:25 p.m. ATTEST: _________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5