Sitka Assembly Meeting: Halibut Bycatch Amicus Brief, Tourism Task Force Postponed – June 25, 2024
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City and Borough of Sitka Assembly Regular Meeting – June 25, 2024
The Sitka Assembly convened on June 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. Key actions included a failed vote to join an amicus brief on halibut bycatch, unanimous approval of a tideland lease, and postponement of Tourism Task Force recommendations pending legal review. Public comments highlighted pedestrian safety, fossil fuel dependency, and concerns over downtown parking and street closures.
Consent Calendar
- Items B, C, D Approved: The assembly approved a retail marijuana store application for Weed Dudes Inc. (B), marijuana license renewals for AKO Farms (C), and a liquor license renewal for The Longliner Lodge & Suites (D) by a 7-0 vote.
- Item A (Northern Lights Indoor Gardens): Mayor Eisenbeisz recused himself due to a business relationship. The marijuana cultivation and retail facility application at 1321 Sawmill Creek Road was approved 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Richard Wein spoke in favor of fossil fuel reliance, criticized fears around the amicus brief, and urged the assembly to sign on. He also condemned the postponement of tourism recommendations.
- Kami Hutchins (nurse) raised urgent pedestrian safety concerns on Harbor Drive near Harrigan Centennial Hall, citing near-misses with tourists and buses. She requested signage and action before an accident occurs.
- Lauren Howard (Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association) urged the assembly to sign the amicus brief, stating a resolution carries less legal weight. She noted that the filing deadline was June 27.
- Klaudia Leccese (Small Town SOUL) hoped for compromise on tourism issues and opposed postponement.
- Shirley Robards (resident, 66 years) opposed Lincoln Street closures and one-way side streets, citing parking ticket burdens on downtown workers.
- Austin Cranford opposed the postponement, argued that no municipality has ever been sued for an amicus brief, and called the halibut bycatch vote a "disgrace."
Discussion Items
- Halibut Bycatch Amicus Brief (Item E): Attorney Michael Gatti outlined three options: join the existing brief (prepared pro bono by attorney Ken Sisoli), stand by the previously passed resolution, or prepare a separate Sitka-specific brief. Gatti noted the resolution and amicus brief likely have similar legal impact. The filing deadline was two days away. Assembly members debated cost, trust in the pro bono attorney, and the ability to join later. A motion to sign onto the brief failed 4–3 (Yes: Christianson, Ystad, Saline; No: Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson).
- Tourism Task Force Recommendations (Item G): Gatti requested more time to review legal issues, including potential conflicts with a ballot initiative. A motion to postpone until legal counsel provides a recommendation passed 5–2 (Yes: Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, Carlson; No: Ystad, Saline). Public comment opposed the delay, citing momentum from 17 task force meetings.
- Ordinance 24-15 (Tideland Lease): The assembly unanimously approved on second and final reading the lease of Alaska Tideland Survey No. 580 to Evergreen Properties, LLC (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Halibut Bycatch Amicus Brief: Motion to join failed 4–3. The assembly will rely on the previously passed resolution, which will be submitted as an exhibit to the brief but not as a signatory.
- Tourism Task Force: Postponed indefinitely pending legal review. No new timeline set.
- Tideland Lease: Approved on final reading (7-0).
- Other: The assembly received a report from Tribal Council Chairman Lawrence Widmark on recent council actions, including resolutions supporting housing, victim services, and the Sitka Community Land Trust. Administrator Leach reported progress on transferring Sitka School District maintenance workers to city staff.
- Next Steps: The municipal clerk noted upcoming election filing dates (July 15 – August 2) for mayor, two assembly seats, and two school board seats.
Meeting Transcript
Well, welcome everybody. It is six o'clock, so I will call to order the regularly scheduled meeting of Tuesday, June 25th, 2024. Please join me for a flag salute. 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 Borough of Sitka would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional first people of Sheetka. With gratitude, we proceed on Clinkettani. Sarah, roll call, please. Mayor Isenbis. Present. Mr. Mosher? Here. Mr. Pike. Here. Mr. Yestad? Here. Mr. Christensen. Here. Ms. Carlson. Here. Mr. Saline. Here. And as requested by the assembly, Mr. Michael Gatty is on the line tonight as uh attorney for us. So if we have any legal questions, we can definitely refer to him. And we will be referring to him on a later issue tonight for a little bit of guidance. So any other correspondence or agenda changes. All right. No ceremonial matters. That'll bring us to special reports. Chairman Woody Woodmark is here to give us a government to government report. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Assembly members. Two a report of the two meetings. Also council approved the resolution nominating Lisa Gassman for a government accountability office tribal and indigenous advisory council position. The council approved a letter to Clinken Hyder regarding hearing survey and tribal sovereignty. And approved a resolution approving or approving SDA's application to Department of Health and Human Services Social and Economic Development Strategies for Alaska grant and an amount of 900,000. In our June 19th meeting that was held. Again, see we had um enrollment. Um we approved a recommendation to appoint um Mr. Brady to the Cultural Resources Committee. Uh approved a letter uh of support to add three seats to the federal uh substance board nominated um uh federal subsistence board um and uh this one I just send a um a text to uh Lisa Gassman and Ann Davis um the council uh descend to Sarah that uh will uh give a copy to the mayor and assembly members regarding approved that the council approved the Crescent Harbor Park rehab rehabilitation letter um that was approved um we had three resolutions regarding Biha um then I expressed well we we had a meeting uh work session before but we had some three action items uh we revised uh our Indian housing plan um and for the amount of uh 1.4 million um the council also approved the um Bihan under 25 Indian housing plan um that was up to 1.9 million and uh this is the one I liked uh the approved the resolution authorizing Biha to submit an Indian housing community development block grant to provide funding to the Sitka homeless homeless coalition in an amount of one million and uh the council also approve a resolution authorizing the submission of the application to receive annual tribal victim services aside set funding um in amount of uh two hundred and twelve thousand dollars um and also the council Uh the approved a resolution authorizing Bihar to submit uh Indian housing community development block grant to provide funding to the Sitka Homeless Homeless Coalition in an amount of one million and uh the council also approved a resolution authorizing the submission of the application to receive annual tribal victim services aside funding um in amount of uh 212,000 dollars um and also the council uh after a person to be heard um gave a letter of support uh to Mr. Huey regarding the Sitka Community Land Trust That's all I have to report.
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