Special Assembly Meeting for Annual Evaluations - April 16, 2024
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Special Assembly Meeting for Annual Evaluations - April 16, 2024
This special meeting of the Sitka City and Borough Assembly was convened on April 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. The sole purpose was to conduct annual performance evaluations for Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson and Municipal Administrator John Leach, both of whom requested the evaluations be held in executive session. The meeting included two executive sessions and adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during either the preliminary or final Persons to Be Heard periods.
Discussion Items
- Annual Evaluation for Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson: The Assembly moved into executive session from 6:05 PM to 6:50 PM under statutory categories that discussion may prejudice an individual's reputation and adversely affect city finances. The motion (made by Christianson, seconded) excluded the Municipal Administrator and Municipal Clerk. After deliberation with Mr. Hanson and then without him, the Assembly reconvened and Mayor Eisenbeisz announced that Mr. Hanson received an exemplary performance evaluation and a 1.5% pay increase effective July 1, 2023, consistent with the customary practice for non-represented employees. It was noted that Mr. Hanson's last day of full-time municipal service will be June 30, 2024, due to his previously announced retirement. All other contract terms remain unchanged.
- Annual Evaluation for Municipal Administrator John Leach: The Assembly moved into executive session from 6:55 PM to 8:55 PM under the same statutory categories, excluding the Municipal Attorney and Municipal Clerk. After deliberation with Mr. Leach and then without him, the Assembly reconvened. Mayor Eisenbeisz announced that Mr. Leach received an exemplary performance evaluation and a 1.5% pay increase effective July 1, 2023, per the employee handbook. Additionally, the Mayor stated he will work with Mr. Leach on a contract modification as requested and within guidelines provided by the Assembly.
Key Outcomes
- Decision on Attorney Hanson: Motion to go into executive session passed 6-0 (Yes: Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson, Saline; Absent: Ystad). Following executive session, the Assembly voted unanimously (voice vote) to reconvene. The Assembly awarded an exemplary evaluation and a 1.5% pay increase effective July 1, 2023.
- Decision on Administrator Leach: Motion to go into executive session passed 6-0 (Yes: Christianson, Carlson, Saline, Pike, Mosher, Eisenbeisz; Absent: Ystad). Following executive session, the Assembly voted unanimously (voice vote) to reconvene. The Assembly awarded an exemplary evaluation, a 1.5% pay increase effective July 1, 2023, and directed the Mayor to negotiate a contract modification.
- Adjournment: Motion passed unanimously at 9:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The Assembly of the City and Boroughs of Sitka would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional first people of Sheetka with gratitude. We proceed on Clink and Ani. Sarah, roll call, please. Mayor Ezabais. Here. Mr. Mosier. Here. Mr. Pike. Here. Mr. Christensen. Here. Miss Carlson. Here. Mr. Selene. Here. And Mr. Yestad is absent this evening. Thank you. Any correspondence or agenda changes this evening? Seeing none, that'll bring us to persons to be heard. This is public participation for any item off of tonight's agenda, not to exceed three minutes for any individual. Seeing none, uh, that'll bring us to our new business. Uh tonight we are gathered uh for this special meeting to conduct our annual evaluations for our municipal attorney and our municipal administrator as set by code. Um so that is today's date, actually, uh the third Tuesday in uh April. Um both are our both of our employees have requested other uh review in executive session by luck of draw. Um our attorney Brian Hanson will be up first. So if there is a motion to go into executive session to conduct the um eval. Can we do both at the same time? No, unfortunately. All right, I move to go into executive session under the statutory categories of discussing subjects that one may be tend to prejudice the reputation and character of an individual, and two may have an adverse effect upon the finances of the city and borough of sitka and invite anyone ready. Municipal attorney Brian Hanson. In addition, pursuant to customary practice, I move to exclude the municipal administrator and municipal clerk. Second. It's been moved and seconded to go into executive session to uh evaluate Brian Hanson. Any public comment? Seeing none, uh just assembly deliberation. Sarah. All right, on the motion to go into executive session, Mayor Eisenbeis. Yes, Mr. Christensen, yes, Mr. Mosier. Yes, Mr. Selene, yes, Miss Carlson, yes, and Mr. Pike. Yes.
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