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Record of Proceedings

Sitka Assembly Meeting: April 9, 2024 - Tax Exemptions, Home Health Resolution, and Airport Fee Increase

City and Borough Assembly — Tuesday, April 9, 2024
BodySitka, Alaska
SessionCity and Borough Assembly
DateTuesday, April 9, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening.

0:02

Let's call to order the regular assembly meeting of Tuesday, April 9th.

0:08

Please stand for a flag salute.

0:18

To the Republic for which it stands one nation undervisible liberty and justice.

0:33

The Assembly of the City or Borough of Sitka would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional first people of Sheetka.

0:40

With gratitude, we proceed on Hlingitani.

0:43

Roll call.

0:47

Here Mr.

0:49

Pike.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Mr.

0:52

Yestead.

0:53

Here.

0:53

Mr.

0:54

Christensen.

0:55

Here.

0:56

Ms.

0:56

Carlson.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Mr.

0:58

Celine.

0:59

Here.

0:59

And Mayor Eisenbeiz is absent this evening.

1:02

Okay.

1:04

So if there are no ceremonial matters, brings us to special reports.

1:08

Is there any for government to government?

1:13

Municipal boards, commissions, and committees.

1:16

Municipal departments, school district, students and guests.

1:24

Okay, hearing none.

1:26

That brings us to persons to be heard.

1:27

This is for any item off tonight's agenda, up to three minutes.

1:46

Good evening.

1:46

My name is Lisa Bush.

1:48

I'm the executive director of the Sitka Sound Science Center.

1:51

And after 14 years running the Science Center, I'm stepping down.

1:56

And I it's my pleasure to introduce our new director.

2:01

But before that, I wanted to thank the city.

2:05

When we started, the city of Sitka gave us a grant from the old Ted Stevens Economic Development Funds.

2:13

This, in conjunction with a loan from a commercial fisherman and another from a private foundation, allowed us to purchase the building.

2:20

And since then, we've put about eight million dollars into our facilities.

2:24

But the city gave us liftoff.

2:27

And since then, we've really appreciated our partnership.

2:32

We have worked with your staff on the landside warning system that was created for the community.

2:38

Our hatchery has moved forward in large part because of the fishery enhancement funds that we've received from the city.

2:45

And now we're working with your staff on visitor industry stuff.

2:49

So thank you so much for all of that.

2:51

We're grateful for the hundreds of sitkins who come down and fish off our beach when the salmon are returning.

2:58

We work with all the students of the Sitka School District on the dozens of science education programs that we put put down put into the school districts, and we're very proud of our partnerships across the community, including the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and various nonprofits and agencies.

3:16

Too many of them to list right now.

3:18

The City of Sitka has helped us create a constituency of people who support research and education.

3:27

By conducting locally relevant research, we're adding to our economy in a variety of ways, just to remind you.

3:34

We have over 27 full-time year-round employees, and our budget is now over five million dollars.

3:41

With community support, we have grown into an important scientific institution in the region, in the state, and in the nation.

4:01

And while we started in 2007, geologically, that is not that long ago.

4:07

Um we are just getting started.

4:09

It's my pleasure to introduce Dr.

4:11

Arley Reynolds, who will be taking the helm.

4:14

He is a veterinarian.

4:16

He started the VET Med program, the veterin school at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and he developed and ran the Center for One Health Research.

4:26

He has many connections around the state and understands how small towns like ours work.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Health Care████████████████16%
Child Care███████████████15%
Mental Health Awareness███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Health█████████9%
Airport Operations████4%
Public Safety███3%
Public Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Sitka Assembly Meeting: April 9, 2024 - Tax Exemptions, Home Health Resolution, and Airport Fee Increase

The Sitka Assembly convened on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 3:00 PM for a regular meeting. Mayor Eisenbeiz was absent. The meeting covered consent agenda items, appointments to boards, first readings of ordinances (driver facility fee increase and property tax exemptions for two nonprofits), a resolution urging SEARHC to re-establish Medicare-certified home health care, and a motion to apply for a federal hydroelectric incentive. Public testimony was heard on multiple items.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of March 26, 2024 – Approved 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lisa Bush (Executive Director, Sitka Sound Science Center) – Announced her resignation after 14 years and introduced new director Dr. Arley Reynolds. Noted the city’s initial grant helped purchase the building; the center now has 27+ full-time employees and a budget over $5 million.
  • Carrie Segel (Early Childhood Coalition) – Spoke in favor of ordinance 2024-08 (tax exemption for Sheldon Jackson Child Care Center).
  • Chris Ann Rice – Requested the assembly re-examine ATV/trailer regulations to allow youth volunteers to clean up abandoned camps, citing a planned International Global Youth Day project on April 28, 2024.
  • Richard Ween – Voiced concerns about over-tourism, referencing the arrival of the first mega cruise ship (the Bliss) and a recent Juneau agreement on visitor limits. Also commented on the driver facility fee increase and property tax exemptions, urging the assembly to request 990 forms for review.
  • Dr. Marilyn Caruzzi (retired internist) – Supported resolution 2024-10, stating the former Medicare-certified home health program provided comprehensive care not matched by the current model. Noted a 75% decrease in home health nursing visits under the new format and criticized SEARHC’s lack of community engagement.
  • Connie Kreis (retired family physician) – Supported the resolution, highlighting a full-page ad with 635 signatures collected in one day and describing SEARHC’s February 2024 listening session as inadequate.
  • Elizabeth Faulkner (former home health manager) – Expressed frustration that SEARHC has no way to track the success of the new program; shared obituaries and thank-you notes from former patients.
  • Peter Karas Jr. (President, Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1) – Supported the resolution, noting that community members cannot return to Sitka due to lack of home health services.
  • Stephanie Weddell (President, Alaska Native Sisterhood) – Echoed support, citing a couple unable to return from Anchorage due to lack of care.
  • Robert Haddell (nurse and pastor) – Agreed the closure was financially sound but argued SEARHC must engage the community; noted Medicare-certified home health is a dying model nationwide.
  • Austin Cramford – Urged the city to demand SEARHC comply with its charter agreement, citing financial data showing SEARHC had $752 million in assets and $340 million in revenue in 2022.
  • Brian Well (Alaskan Indian System Account) – Supported the resolution, sharing a personal story of home health care for his father-in-law.
  • Austin Cramford (second appearance) – Raised concerns about fire department staffing and police body cameras, noting an incident where only one EMS responder was on shift.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 2024-07S (First Reading) – Driver Facility Charge Increase – Proposed increasing the charge from 4% to 8% (effective October 1, 2024), adding to existing sales tax (4%) and state rental car tax (10%), for a total of 24% on rentals. Public Works Director Ron Vincent confirmed contact with rental companies. Assemblymember Carlson opposed, stating the total percentage is too high. The motion passed 5-1 on first reading.
  • Ordinance 2024-08 (First Reading) – Property Tax Exemption for Sheldon Jackson Child Care Center – Assessor Larry Reid confirmed the organization meets the six criteria for community purpose exemption. The tax exempted would be $7,930.20 per year. Public testimony supported the exemption. Assemblymembers noted the center provides crucial early education and childcare. Passed 6-0 on first reading.
  • Ordinance 2024-09 (First Reading) – Property Tax Exemption for Youth Advocates of Sitka (YAS) – For property at 3411 Halbert Point Road (tax exempted $5,417.40 per year). Heather Murray (YAS Executive Director) stated the facility is not yet operational (pending interior modifications and fire suppression system). Assemblymembers Christensen and Yestad opposed, arguing the property is not currently providing community benefit. Passed 4-2 on first reading.
  • Resolution 2024-10 (First and Final Reading) – Urging SEARHC to Re-establish Medicare-Certified Home Health Care – Sponsored by Assemblymembers Mosher and Christensen. The resolution requests SEARHC convene public engagement. Extensive public testimony in support. Passed 6-0.
  • Item F – Hydroelectric Production Incentive Application – Sustainability Coordinator Brie Gable reported the city successfully applied last year and can apply for up to 10 consecutive years after the Blue Lake expansion (2015). The incentive is $1 million per calendar year. Passed 6-0.
  • Boards and Commissions Appointments – Reappointed Mike Johnson to Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board (2-year term); appointed Candace Rutledge to Historic Preservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee (unexpired terms). Passed 6-0.
  • Executive Session (Item H) – Moved to executive session to discuss financial department matters. Passed 6-0. Reconvened and adjourned.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved minutes 6-0.
  • Boards/Commissions Appointments: Approved 6-0.
  • Ordinance 2024-07S (Driver Facility Fee): Passed 5-1 on first reading; second reading scheduled for April 23, 2024.
  • Ordinance 2024-08 (SJCCC Tax Exemption): Passed 6-0 on first reading; second reading April 23, 2024.
  • Ordinance 2024-09 (YAS Tax Exemption): Passed 4-2 on first reading; second reading April 23, 2024.
  • Resolution 2024-10 (SEARHC Home Health): Passed 6-0 on first and final reading.
  • Item F (Hydroelectric Incentive Application): Passed 6-0.
  • Executive Session: Approved 6-0; meeting then adjourned.

Next Meetings: April 16 (special for attorney and administrator evaluations), April 18 (budget meeting), April 23 (regular meeting), April 25 (special for municipal attorney interviews).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Let's call to order the regular assembly meeting of Tuesday, April 9th. Please stand for a flag salute. To the Republic for which it stands one nation undervisible liberty and justice. The Assembly of the City or Borough of Sitka would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional first people of Sheetka. With gratitude, we proceed on Hlingitani. Roll call. Here Mr. Pike. Here. Mr. Yestead. Here. Mr. Christensen. Here. Ms. Carlson. Here. Mr. Celine. Here. And Mayor Eisenbeiz is absent this evening. Okay. So if there are no ceremonial matters, brings us to special reports. Is there any for government to government? Municipal boards, commissions, and committees. Municipal departments, school district, students and guests. Okay, hearing none. That brings us to persons to be heard. This is for any item off tonight's agenda, up to three minutes. Good evening. My name is Lisa Bush. I'm the executive director of the Sitka Sound Science Center. And after 14 years running the Science Center, I'm stepping down. And I it's my pleasure to introduce our new director. But before that, I wanted to thank the city. When we started, the city of Sitka gave us a grant from the old Ted Stevens Economic Development Funds. This, in conjunction with a loan from a commercial fisherman and another from a private foundation, allowed us to purchase the building. And since then, we've put about eight million dollars into our facilities. But the city gave us liftoff. And since then, we've really appreciated our partnership. We have worked with your staff on the landside warning system that was created for the community. Our hatchery has moved forward in large part because of the fishery enhancement funds that we've received from the city. And now we're working with your staff on visitor industry stuff. So thank you so much for all of that. We're grateful for the hundreds of sitkins who come down and fish off our beach when the salmon are returning. We work with all the students of the Sitka School District on the dozens of science education programs that we put put down put into the school districts, and we're very proud of our partnerships across the community, including the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and various nonprofits and agencies. Too many of them to list right now. The City of Sitka has helped us create a constituency of people who support research and education.

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