Sitka Assembly Regular Meeting - February 25, 2025

The Sitka City and Borough Assembly met on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. The meeting covered updates on the Sitka Seaplane Base, quarterly departmental reports, approval of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the animal shelter, a letter of agreement with police union, and a resolution supporting education funding. All votes were 6-0 in favor, with Assembly member Scott Saline absent. The meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM after a 10-minute executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the February 4, 11, and 13, 2025 Assembly meetings (Consent Agenda Item A).
• Approved Resolution 25-06 on first and final reading, supporting House Bill 69 (education funding). Assembly member Mosher noted a typo on line 40 ("69" instead of "60") but deemed it non-substantive.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anne Pollnow (Cultural Resource Specialist, 25-year resident) spoke in opposition to the proposed seaplane base location, citing destruction of at least 12 World War II cultural resources eligible for the National Register. She urged preservation for heritage tourism. The mayor asked her to submit written comments due to time limits.
• Wendy Alderson expressed support for the Sitka Tribe of Alaska's Local Food Purchasing Assistance program, stating her commercial fishing family benefited from selling fish locally.
• Kate Johnson, Amara Johnson, Galen Paine, and Austin Cranford testified in favor of the MOU between the City and Friends of the Sitka Animal Shelter (FOSAS), urging a third-party investigation into animal euthanasia practices and calling for long-term code updates.
• During later Persons to Be Heard, Austin Cranford called for changing city code to require third-party investigations for incidents involving the city. Breezy Cranford asked about virtual participation for the March 10 town hall and requested reopening the shelter investigation, raising questions about police knowledge, disposal methods, and community trust.

Discussion Items

1. Special Reports

• Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) – Chairwoman Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard reported: a $200,000 tribal wildlife grant for AI-enabled video at Redoubt Lake; partnership with Wild Salmon Center and USFS; a 12-unit permanent supportive housing project; appointment of Lillian Feldpausch to Bi Haw Board; approval of 2025 legislative priorities; and receipt of a $2.4 million Local Food Purchase Assistance grant over three years. She invited the public to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Sitka Native Education Program on April 19.
• Sitka School Board – President Phil Burdick and Superintendent Deidre Jensen updated on advocacy efforts: they met with fence-sitting legislators in Juneau Feb 8-12; HB 69 is being held in the rules committee; the district faces budget cuts with 85% of budget in personnel; they plan a joint tribal consultation meeting next week.
• Public Works – Airport Terminal Manager Joseph Bea presented the Seaplane Base update. The FAA now supports an enhanced base build including expanded uplands, costing an estimated $36 million with a city match of $2.2 million. Construction is scheduled for 2027-2028 with operations beginning in 2029. A public comment period for the Section 404 wetlands permit ends March 12, 2025. A draft Memorandum of Agreement for Section 106 compliance is available for review. The Rocky Gutierrez Terminal expansion will reach substantial completion in summer 2025.
• Planning & Community Development – Director Amy Ainslie highlighted: spring permit influx, continuation of Clean Energy to Communities projects (delayed due to federal funding challenges), progress on the housing land study, and parks and recreation expansion. She thanked temporary staff by name.
• Assessing – Director Larry Reeder reported: the department is wrapping up residential reappraisal for the year; value notices will be mailed March 17; a new trending model will prevent future valuation gaps; new appraiser technician Chloe Cagle joined the team. A resolution to opt into the state optional exemption program is pending.

2. Unfinished Business

• Ordinance 25-04 – Supplemental appropriations for FY2025 for Electric Fund repayment of USDA RUS loan. Approved on second and final reading 6-0. Most issues were resolved at the previous meeting.

3. New Business

• Item E – MOU between City and FOSAS. Municipal Administrator John Leach reviewed key updates: structured volunteer scheduling and background checks, clearly defined building access, intake procedures, veterinary consultation before euthanasia, and a three-month hold period before final disposition with FOSAS given first option to adopt. FOSAS representatives Kristina Tirman and Dusty Kidd spoke in support, calling the MOU a "bridge" toward long-term changes. They presented research comparing Sitka to nine other Alaska shelters, noting Sitka has the lowest operational budget, is staffed by one person, does not require sterilization before adoption, and has a maximum length of stay. Assembly members expressed support and regret that the issue arose. Deputy Mayor Tor Christianson announced a town hall on March 10 at 6 PM to revise the animal control code. The MOU was approved 6-0.
• Item F – Letter of Agreement with Public Safety Employees Association (PSEA). The agreement extends the 2022-2025 contract through June 30, 2026, with hourly rate modifications for police staff. John Leach explained it addresses recruitment and retention challenges, and includes new job titles and rates. PSEA President Lance Ewers thanked the city and confirmed union ratification on February 19, 2025. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25-06 (Education Funding): Approved 6-0. The resolution supports House Bill 69. Assembly and school board urged citizens to contact Alaska legislators.
• Reappointment of Casey Campbell to the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board for a two-year term: Approved 6-0.
• Ordinance 25-04 (Supplemental Appropriations): Approved 6-0 on second reading.
• MOU with Friends of Sitka Animal Shelter: Approved 6-0. A town hall on animal code changes is set for March 10, 2025 at 6 PM.
• LOA with PSEA: Approved 6-0, extending police contract and raising hourly rates.
• Executive Session: The Assembly met in executive session from 7:50 PM to 8:00 PM to discuss legal matters regarding Dick v. CBS litigation. No action was taken.

Reports

• Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz reported on the Southeast Conference and Alaska Municipal League Winter Conference. Key points: Sitka's population declined by 140 over the past year and nearly 1,000 over 10 years; 290 housing units were added in the same period; tourism wages up 44%; seafood sector struggling; state budget constraints threaten harbor matching grants and school funding; a potential fish farming bill is being prepared by the governor (opposed by Senator Stedman).
• Administrator John Leach confirmed the investigation report on animal shelter operations has been released publicly following a records request. He stated openness to a third-party investigation if directed by the Assembly.