Sitka Assembly Meeting: May 28, 2024 - Budgets, Halibut Bycatch, and Water Code

The City and Borough of Sitka Assembly held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz was absent. The meeting lasted approximately 40 minutes, adjourning at 6:40 PM. The Assembly unanimously approved multiple ordinances, including the FY2025 budget and a resolution supporting halibut bycatch limits tied to abundance.

Ceremonial Matters

• Service awards were presented to Tourism Task Force members: Phyllis Hackett, Rich McClear, Chris McGraw, Ryan Gluth, Camille Ferguson, Barbara Bingham, Jeremy Plank, Scott Wagner, and Cambria Holmes. Deputy Mayor Kevin Mosher read the awards. Ex-officio members and liaisons were also thanked.

Special Reports

• Parks and Recreation Program Update: Coordinator Kevin Knox reported on summer programs. Swim lessons filled within minutes of registration opening, with a waitlist nearly as large as the enrolled number. A new summer camp for ages 6–12 offers sustainable energy sessions, arts, games, hikes, science, culture, and field trips. Camps include a free, healthy snack program in partnership with the Sitka Conservation Society. Additionally, nine infrared trail-use counters (no video) have been placed in partnership with Sitka Trail Works and Alaska DOT to gather year-round usage data, with some counters in place for one year. The data will support maintenance planning, funding requests, and commercial use permits.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved by a 6–0 vote:

• 24-076: Minutes of April 18, 25, May 2, and May 9, 2024 Assembly meetings.
• 24-075: Liquor license renewals for Dove Island Lodge & Sitka Sports Fishing Charters (dba Dove Island Lodge) and SOE, LLC (dba Asian Palace); transfer of ownership, premises diagram, and restaurant endorsement for JL Sitka, Inc./SCOJO, LLC (dba Westmark Sitka Hotel).
• RES 24-12: Setting millage rates for FY2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025).

Board, Commission, Committee Appointments

• 24-077: Barbara Teepe was appointed to an unexpired term on the Tree and Landscape Committee by a 6–0 vote.

Discussion Items

• ORD 24-13 (Supplemental appropriations for FY2024 – Clean Energy to Communities Project): Approved on second and final reading, 6–0.
• ORD 24-10 (Supplemental appropriation to replace Harbor 300HP outboard motor): Approved on second and final reading, 6–0. Some discussion clarified the budget is for a 300-horsepower motor (not 3,000).
• ORD 24-11 (Adopting FY2025 budgets and capital improvement plan for General Fund, Internal Service Funds, and Special Revenue Funds): Approved on second and final reading, 6–0. Assembly members praised the improved budget process, noting it is now more transparent and efficient.
• ORD 24-12 (Adopting FY2025 Enterprise Fund budgets, amending Title 15 public utility rates, and setting moorage and harbor fees): Approved on second and final reading, 6–0.
• ORD 24-14 (Amending Title 15 Chapter 15.10 Section 410 “Joint Service Connections” for water system): Public Works Director Ron Vinson explained the modification allows a single water line to serve multiple structures on one parcel, subject to Public Works Director approval for good cause (e.g., sufficient capacity, reduced infrastructure vulnerability). The change aligns water code with existing wastewater code and is intended to reduce costs, environmental impacts, and weaknesses from multiple taps. Assembly questions addressed capacity calculations, property subdivision implications, and a past wastewater dispute. Approved on first reading, 6–0.
• RES 24-13 (Supporting Amendment 123 to the BSAI Groundfish Fishery Management Plan – linking halibut prohibited species catch limits for the Amendment 80 trawl fleet to halibut abundance): Assembly member Chris Ystad introduced the resolution as a step toward accountability. Public testimony: Linda Behnken (Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association) spoke in support, noting that halibut supports over 500 local commercial fishermen and processors handling over 1.5 million pounds annually. She detailed a 20-year effort to reduce bycatch, with a 25% reduction in 2015, and that Amendment 123 would tie bycatch caps to abundance, as already done for other fisheries. She noted a lawsuit filed by the trawl sector and requested the resolution to support an amicus brief. Assembly members expressed strong support, calling it a “no-brainer.” Approved on first and final reading, 6–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments on off-agenda items.
• During the meeting, one public testimony was offered: Linda Behnken (Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association) spoke in support of RES 24-13, emphasizing the economic, cultural, and recreational importance of halibut to Sitka.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items A, B, C): Approved 6–0.
• Appointment (Item D): Barbara Teepe to Tree and Landscape Committee – Approved 6–0.
• ORD 24-13 (Clean Energy supplemental): Approved on second/final reading 6–0.
• ORD 24-10 (Harbor outboard replacement): Approved on second/final reading 6–0.
• ORD 24-11 (General Fund budget FY2025): Approved on second/final reading 6–0.
• ORD 24-12 (Enterprise Fund budget FY2025, rate changes): Approved on second/final reading 6–0.
• ORD 24-14 (Joint water service connections): Approved on first reading 6–0 (second reading scheduled for a future meeting).
• RES 24-13 (Halibut bycatch amendment support): Approved on first and final reading 6–0.
• Reports: Administrator John Leach congratulated Sitka High School Track & Field teams on their state win. Clerk Sara Peterson announced the June meeting schedule (11th and 25th), nonprofit grant application period (June 17 – August 16), and candidate filing period for the October 1 municipal election (July 15 – August 2). Assembly member Scott Saline raised a concern about no-parking signs at Harrigan Centennial Hall restricting public access when no buses are present.