Sitka City and Borough Assembly Regular Meeting – January 14, 2025

The Sitka Assembly met on January 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. With five members present (Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Saline) and two absent (Christianson, Carlson), the assembly approved consent items, passed several ordinances, postponed action on a water purchase agreement and legislative priorities, discussed community garden lease terms, and entered executive session for litigation. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM.

Consent Calendar

• RES 25-01: Adopting an alternative allocation method for the FY25 Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program and certifying fair representation of fisheries business activity in FMA 18: Central Southeast Area. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• RES 25-02: Authorizing an application to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bethany Lowrance (owner of High Output Tours, formerly Sitka Bike and Hike) spoke in opposition to Ordinance 25-02 (Commercial Recreational Use of Municipal Lands). She raised concerns about the 60-day permit application process, non-transferability of permits upon death of the holder, and the requirement for employees to carry physical permits and badges, which she compared to historical identification practices in Nazi Germany. She urged flexibility for business continuity and less burdensome identification measures.
• Joel Hanson thanked the assembly and staff for their work on the community garden item.
• Austin Cranford requested the city release information regarding the disposition of animals at the animal shelter. He alleged that animals were put down by gunshot in September 2025 based on publicly available surveillance footage and blood spatter analysis, and that only Lieutenant Ashe had access at the time. He stated he had transferred his findings to the state for review of the city's permitting process.

Discussion Items

• ORD 24-32 (Library Commission update): Approved on second and final reading (5-0).
• ORD 25-02 (Commercial Recreational Use of Municipal Lands): A substitute ordinance previously referred to as Ordinance 2024-30. The effective date was moved to November 1, 2025 to allow for revision of the Commercial Land Use Plan and implementation for the 2026 season. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Kevin Ox and Planning Director Amy Eansley presented the changes. The assembly discussed permit transferability in cases of death, with staff noting internal flexibility but no explicit emergency transfer language. Assembly member Pike suggested adding an emergency appeal provision. The ordinance was approved on first reading (5-0).
• ORD 25-01 (Supplemental appropriations for special election): Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson explained that a citizen initiative to limit cruise ship visitation was certified on December 16, 2024, and petition booklets were issued December 30, 2024. Sponsors have until March 30, 2025 to collect 613 valid signatures to trigger a special election. The ordinance appropriates $17,830 for a potential special election (funds revert to general fund if not used). Approved on first reading (5-0).
• RES 25-03 (FY2026 Legislative Priorities): Public and Government Relations Director Melissa Wileman presented priorities including waterfront, utility infrastructure, economic resilience, public safety, and transportation. Notable changes: removed seaplane base and Green Lake Hydro projects; scaled down Eliasen Harbor to electrical and float repairs; changed PDN jail from a $20 million project to an updated feasibility study. Assembly member Carlson was absent but had requested language edits. The assembly voted to postpone to the January 28, 2025 meeting (5-0).
• H 25-004 (Water Purchase Agreement with Global Hydration, LLC): GPIP Board Director Garry White explained that the recommended agreement is similar to an existing contract with Arctic Blue Waters Alaska Inc. Arctic Blue has a first right of refusal to purchase an additional 6.8 billion gallons of water, and recently sent a letter exercising that right, starting a 45-day clock to pay $100,000 upfront plus $50,000 per year. The city has about 9.5 billion gallons of exportable water annually. The agreement includes a clause (Section 4.1a) protecting Sitka's municipal water and hydroelectric priority. The assembly postponed action to the March 11, 2025 meeting to allow the 45-day period to expire (5-0).
• I 25-006 (Community Garden lease terms at Jarvis Street): The mayor outlined six lease terms including authorization for site work, proof of funding, required features (lighting, restrooms), and an annual lease payment of $1 with a request to waive property tax via a community purpose exemption. The assembly directed staff to prepare the lease and bring it forward for consideration.
• J 25-005 (Amendment No. 1 to Lease with Sitka Historical Society): Municipal Attorney Rachel Jones explained the amendment adds the property tax exemption and utility exemption previously approved by the assembly. Approved unanimously (5-0).

Executive Session

• The assembly entered executive session at 7:00 PM to receive and discuss attorney-client communications regarding Cranford v. CBS litigation. The session lasted until 7:15 PM, after which the assembly reconvened and adjourned at 7:17 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items (RES 25-01, RES 25-02): Approved unanimously.
• Sterling Camden appointment: Approved to Health Needs and Human Services Commission (3-year term).
• ORD 24-32: Passed second and final reading.
• ORD 25-02: Passed first reading; effective November 1, 2025; staff to consider emergency transfer language.
• ORD 25-01: Passed first reading; $17,830 appropriated for potential special election.
• RES 25-03: Postponed to January 28, 2025.
• Water Purchase Agreement with Global Hydration: Postponed to March 11, 2025.
• Community Garden lease: Staff directed to prepare lease for future consideration.
• Historical Society lease amendment: Approved.
• Executive session: Held for 15 minutes on Cranford v. CBS litigation.