Sitka Assembly Meeting: Appointments, Airport Funding, Tourism MOU - Oct 22, 2024
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Sitka Assembly Meeting: Appointments, Airport Funding, and Tourism MOU Discussed - October 22, 2024
The City and Borough of Sitka Assembly held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz was absent. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, multiple board appointments, supplemental funding for the airport terminal project, discussion on a draft Request for Proposals for Visit Sitka, and a memorandum of understanding with the Sitka Dock Company that was postponed. An executive session on pending litigation was held from 9:17 PM to 9:48 PM, followed by adjournment.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the October 8 Assembly meeting by a 6-0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Austin Cranford (phone): Expressed concern about airport vendors and lack of police officer presence at the airport, asking for clarification on FAA requirements.
- Lawrence Widmark (Sitka Tribal Chairman): Reported on tribal business, upcoming election, and Native American Heritage Month activities.
- Amy Ainslie (Planning Director): Invited the community to an October 24 open house on commercial land use permit changes.
- Deidre Jenson (School District Superintendent): Thanked the city for support, discussed the new Pre-K program, and assured it would not compete with existing preschools.
- Eric Jordan (public): Supported Jeremy Serka for GPIP board and Devin Calvin for Tourism Commission.
- Emily Scott (public): Supported Jeremy Serka for GPIP board and Devin Calvin for Tourism Commission, emphasizing youth representation.
- Barbara Bingham (public): Urged the Assembly to consider applicants' values and conflicts of interest for the Tourism Commission; supported Martha Moses and Devin Calvin. Later commented on the MOU, arguing it lacks environmental protection and data.
- Austin Cranford (phone, on Tourism Commission): Urged balance, stating his model showed pro-tourism bias if certain appointees were not selected.
- Robert Hattle (public): Supported the MOU but recommended it be tabled for the new Tourism Commission's review.
- Kent Barkhau (public): Opposed the MOU, calling it a wish list of the cruise industry, and asked for more community review.
- Valorie Nelson (former assembly member): Urged caution, warned against a lawsuit, and recommended waiting for the Tourism Commission.
- Larry Edwards (public): Detailed flaws in the MOU's capacity definitions and enforcement, argued for a regulatory approach.
- John Murray (public): Criticized the MOU for lacking clarity and data, questioned 'sweet spot' of 5,000-7,000 passengers based on survey results.
- Kami Hutchins (public, after postponement vote): Continued comments on tourism impacts.
- Jimmy Froehlich (public): Clarified the definition of lower berth capacity.
- Eric Jordan (second appearance): Called for action on climate change and cruise ship emissions, citing ecological changes in Sitka Sound.
Discussion Items
- Item F: ORD 24-24 – Supplemental Appropriations for Airport Terminal Project – Acting Public Works Director Amy Ainslie presented the $9 million grant (plus $300,000 working capital) for Phase 2 of the airport renovation, covering mechanical systems, furniture, and inflation. The grant requires a 5-6.25% city match. Assembly members expressed strong support, noting it is federal grant money not from the general fund. The ordinance was approved on first and final reading (6-0).
- Item G: Draft RFP for Visit Sitka Convention & Visitor Services – Amy Ainslie outlined the RFP structure with core services (destination marketing, management, events) and optional services (public restroom at Visitor Center, street closures, pedestrian safety). Assembly discussed whether to move the public restroom from optional to core services. A motion to do so failed 2-4 (Yes: Christianson, Carlson; No: Mosher, Pike, Ystad, Saline). Direction was given to finalize and advertise the RFP.
- Item H: Memorandum of Understanding with Sitka Dock Company, LLC – Administrator John Leach explained the MOU was a negotiated agreement to implement Tourism Task Force recommendations 1-5 (flatten the curve, peak removal, quiet days, shorten season) by coordinating city lightering policies with the private cruise terminal's berthing policy. Public testimony was heavily critical, citing lack of enforcement, environmental concerns, and insufficient data. Assembly debate centered on enforceability, risk to city revenue, and the need for community input. A motion to postpone to the November 12 meeting passed 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Board Appointments: Karen Lucas and Katie Riley were reappointed to various commissions (6-0). Nicole Fiorino was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission (6-0). Chad Goeden was reappointed to the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board of Directors (4 votes) over Jeremy Serka (2 votes). Seven members were appointed to the new Tourism Commission: Carol Bryant-Martin, Devon Calvin, Ian Dempster, Vaughn Hazel, Bethany Lowrance, Martha Moses, and Jeremy Plank.
- Airport Supplemental Appropriation: Ordinance 2024-24 passed on first and final reading (6-0), authorizing $9 million in grant acceptance and $300,000 in city working capital for Phase 2 of the airport terminal project.
- Visit Sitka RFP Direction: The Assembly voted 2-4 against moving the public restroom to core services; directed staff to finalize and advertise the RFP as drafted.
- Sitka Dock Company MOU: Postponed to the November 12 Assembly meeting by a 6-0 vote to allow additional community review and potential fiscal analysis.
- Executive Session: Held from 9:17 PM to 9:48 PM for attorney-client communication on litigation (Baranof Taxi & Tours, LLC, et al. v. Robert M. Baty). No action reported.
- Administrator's Report: The city received $336,475 in fisheries disaster relief funds, which will be appropriated for the GPIP Marine Vessel Haul Out Project.
Meeting Transcript
All right, six o'clock. Good evening. I'd like to call the to order the October 22nd regular assembly meeting. Please stand for the flag salute. The Assembly of the City and Borough of Sitka would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional first people of Shetka. With gratitude, we proceed on Clinkett Ani. Sarah, roll call, please. Mr. Mosher. Here. Mr. Pike. Here. Mr. Yestad. Here. Mr. Christensen. Ms. Carlson. Here. And Mr. Celine. Here. And Mayor Eisenbais is absent this evening. Thank you. Moving on to correspondence. Are there any correspondence or agenda changes this evening? Seeing none, we'll move on to ceremonial matters. We have two proclamations this evening, Veterans Day and Native American Heritage Month. We'll start with Veterans Day. Do we have someone who wants to come up for this? Proclamation honoring Veterans Day. Whereas America is the land of freedom preserved and protected willingly and freely by citizen soldiers, and whereas through generations their courage has allowed our republic to flourish, and whereas a nation acknowledges its profound debt of gratitude to those who have served and died in war, and whereas with respect for and recognition of the sacrifices and contributions of those who serve in the U.S. military who are deserving of command commemoration, honor, and recognition, now therefore be it resolved that the Assembly of the City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska does hereby call upon the citizens of Sitka to observe the 11th day of November 2024 as Veterans Day and commend, honor, and recognize the valor and sacrifices of our veterans for defending and protecting our country, our freedom, and our way of life. Thank you for your service. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone for anyone for Native? American Heritage Month. Just in the radio production of it all. They're on the dock. Thank you very much. Another proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month. Whereas the purpose of Native American Heritage Month is to honor and recognize the indigenous people of our nation. And whereas the Klingot, Haida, Simshan, and Iak cultures of Southeast Alaska have much to celebrate in their varied and rich cultures. And whereas it is important that honor is bestowed on our state's indigenous ancestors and today's tribal elders, because if not for the survival and adaptive skills of those who have come before us, Alaska's tribal cultures may not be as strong as they are today. And whereas by continuing to teach the next generation to employ and respect our cultural and spiritual heritage, indigenous languages, oral narratives, and traditional foods, our state's local, regional, and statewide tribal leadership is nurturing and inspired to serve. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the assembly of the city and borough of Sitka, the citizens of Sitka honor our Native peoples and recognize them for strengthening the diversity of our society. Be it further resolved as Deputy Mayor of the City and Borough of Sitka that I do hereby proclaim November 2024 as Native American Heritage Month and call upon Sitkins to commemorate this month with appropriate programs, activities, and celebrations.
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