Sitka Assembly Meeting: July 22, 2025 – Coast Guard Day, Charter Amendment, and Supplemental Appropriations
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Sitka City and Borough Assembly Regular Meeting – July 22, 2025
The Sitka Assembly met on July 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. Six members were present (Deputy Mayor Timothy Pike absent). The meeting featured a ceremonial citation for U.S. Coast Guard Day, department quarterly reports, and passage of a charter amendment to allow the Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund to be used for recreational facilities, subject to voter approval. Three supplemental appropriations were approved, and Mark Seavey was promoted to Public Works Director.
Ceremonial Matters
- Mayor Eisenbeisz presented a citation honoring U.S. Coast Guard Day (August 4). Coast Guard representatives thanked the community for its support and noted Sitka's designation as a Coast Guard City.
Special Reports
- Sitka Tribe of Alaska: Chairwoman Yeidikook’áa Dionne Brady-Howard reported on recent tribal resolutions, including a limited waiver of sovereign immunity for the Indian River historic site agreement, a temporary agreement with Sea Alaska, letters regarding tribal consultation with the school district, a resolution opposing expansion of local contributions definition for school support, a contract to improve broadband via antennas on tribal facilities, and a new child care program allowing relatives to provide care. The tribe also launched a heat pump program and is exploring a repository for repatriated sacred items.
- Fire Department (Chief Craig Warren): Reported busy operations, including special events staffing (Medeviggi Solstice Run, Alpine Adventure run, Change Your Latitude swim). Full staffing except one vacant secretary position. Upcoming Firefighter I class and Alaska Fire Conference in Sitka. Chief praised community members who extinguished a house fire and assisted in a water rescue.
- Library (Director Jess Arima): Reported staff changes, summer reading program with 196 youth and 45 adults registered, reading buddy program fully matched, snack grab-and-go program (sixth year) with increased demand supported by Friends of the Library. Upcoming PBS Kids workshops (Ready Jet Go Space Camp full, Learn and Grow Family Workshop open). Adult programming to resume in late August.
- Electric Department (Director Ron Vincent): Reported on FERC relicensing studies, E2C project (formerly C2C) including microgrid model, hydro model, and additional censoring. Projects supported: GPIP haul out, Crescent Harbor restrooms, Critical Secondary Water Project, Airport Project. Internal projects: Marine Street substation relay replacement, Green Lake transformer repair. Staffing challenges: two new linemen, but loss of general foreman and contract manager. Budget performance: 87% of operations budget used, capital projects on target. Generation data for April–June, water planning outlook for Green and Blue Lakes. Discussed penstock inspection and cone valve installation challenges.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Off-agenda: Rachel Roy (Chamber) announced Southeast Leadership Summit on September 14–15. Michelle Kavouras (Sitka Counseling) noted the youth suicide prevention summit watch party will not be held locally but encouraged virtual participation. Chief Craig Warren invited the public to the Sitka Volunteer Fire Department's Super Saturday fundraiser on July 26. Drew Wilson announced plans for a craft distillery at the former Columbia Bar location, pending state permit.
- On-agenda (Item C): Austin Cranford opposed the charter amendment, arguing it allows capital expenditures without a public vote. Jeremy Strong, Brian Farley (Sitka Youth Soccer), and Brian McLaughlin (SCORE) supported sending the question to voters.
Discussion Items
- ORD 25-18A (Charter Amendment): Third reading. Finance Director Brooke Volschenk explained the Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund: revenues from tobacco tax (~$750,000/year), SEARHC payments ($700,000/year through FY41), bad debt collections, and interest. Major expenditure is PERS liability for former hospital employees ($1.4 million in FY26). The fund also owes $3.125 million to the General Fund. The amendment would allow expenditures for capital improvements and bond obligations for recreational facilities. Assembly members debated: Kevin Mosher supported the community vote, noting the fund's excess revenues are accumulating. JJ Carlson initially opposed but changed to support after hearing the timeline and potential for leveraging other funds. Thor Christianson expressed concern about complexity but voted yes to let voters decide. The ordinance passed 6-0.
- ORD 25-19 (Visit Sitka Supplemental Funding): Second reading. Provides funding for Chamber of Commerce to continue visitor services through January 2026 while a new contract is procured. Planning Director Amy Ainslie said a direct RFQ will shorten the timeline. Assembly discussion: Steven Eisenbeisz urged for complete analysis of alternatives; Chris Ystad supported for continuity; JJ Carlson mentioned IT infrastructure and accounting standards. Passed 6-0.
- ORD 25-20 (E911 Phone Consoles): Passed 6-0 with no discussion.
- ORD 25-21 (Custodial Services): Passed 6-0 with no discussion.
- Item G (Promotion of Mark Seavey): Administrator John Leach praised Seavey's asset management work and civil engineering background. Assembly members commended his leadership and technical skills. Passed 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- ORD 25-18A approved on third reading (6-0). The question will be placed on the October 7, 2025, regular election ballot for voter approval.
- ORD 25-19 approved (6-0), authorizing supplemental funding for Chamber/Visit Sitka services through January 2026.
- ORD 25-20 approved (6-0), supplemental appropriation for E911 phone consoles.
- ORD 25-21 approved (6-0), supplemental appropriation for custodial services.
- Mark Seavey promoted to Public Works Director (6-0).
- Consent agenda approved (6-0): minutes of May 13, May 29, and July 8 meetings, and liquor license renewal for Channel Club.
- Next meeting: August 12, 2025. Administrator Leach will be absent at the AML conference in Utqiaġvik.
- Cell tower appeal hearing scheduled with State OAH for August 21.
- Candidate filing for October 7 election opened July 21, closes August 8. Two assembly seats and two school board seats (one 3-year, one 2-year term) are open.
Meeting Transcript
Everybody, uh, it is the top of the hour, so I will call to order the regularly scheduled meeting of Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025. 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 Clinkit Ani. Sarah Rollcall, please. Mayor Isenbais. Present. Ms. Carlson. Here. Mr. Yestad. Here. Mr. Christianson. Here. Mr. Mosier. Here. Mr. Selene. Here. And Mr. Pike is absent. Great. Thank you. Any correspondence or agenda changes. Thank you. I'll moving on to ceremonial matters. We do have a citation honoring U.S. Coast Guard Day. I'll read the citation. I'll invite the Coast Guard members who were able to attend up to the front so we can get a picture. And then I have this microphone as well. I don't know what it's for, but I mean, if you guys get dressed up, guys and gals, get dressed up, we we might as well use a microphone, I guess. So citation honoring U.S. Coast Guard Day. The City and Borough of Sitka recognizes August 4th as U.S. Coast Guard Day nationwide and especially wishes to honor all Sitka based personnel of the U.S. Coast Guard. Whereas Sitka is a Coast Guard city, one of 37 communities in the nation to be so designated, and the city and borough of Sitka and citizens take this responsibility seriously by making special efforts to acknowledge the professional work of their Sitka Coast Guard men and women and reaching out to these personnel and their families and making them making them feel home at their home away from home. And whereas August 4th is National U.S. Coast Guard Day, marking the birthday of the United States Coast Guard, which began in nine in 1790 and received its present name in 1915 when Congress supported providing the nation with a single maritime service dedicating to saving life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws and later added maintaining the country's aids to maritime navigation and other missions. And whereas the city and borough of Sitka and the community of Sitka continue to support and honor the five Sitka Coast Guard units Air Station Sitka, Cutter Kakui, AIDS to Navigation Team Sitka, Marine Safety Detachment Sitka, and Electronic Support Detachment Detail Sitka as Americans Guardian of the Seas. Now, therefore, the Assembly of the City and Borough of Sitka, in recognition of the 235th birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard and Sitka's status as a Coast Guard city, does hereby recognize the professionalism, skill, and unwavering devotion to the duty of all Sitka Coast Guard personnel to provide Sitka with the safety, security, and stewardship of our oceans in an often dangerous world. We thank you and your families for your service. Sign and sealed today. Thank you.
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