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Record of Proceedings

Sitka Assembly Meeting February 10, 2026: Land Study, Approvals, Whitcomb Heights Debate

City and Borough Assembly — Tuesday, February 10, 2026
BodySitka, Alaska
SessionCity and Borough Assembly
DateTuesday, February 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:09:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I think we've reached the top of the hour.

0:02

Good evening.

0:03

I'd like to call to order the February 10th assembly meeting.

0:06

Please join me for a flag solution.

0:10

I leave through the flag of the United States of America.

0:15

And to the Republic or which stands one nation under God.

0:19

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:26

The Assembly of the City and Borough of Sitka would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional first people of Sheetka.

0:33

With gratitude, we proceed on Plinketani.

0:36

Sarah, roll call, please.

0:39

Mr.

0:39

Pike.

0:40

Here.

0:40

Ms.

0:41

Carlson?

0:41

Here.

0:42

Ms.

0:42

Riley.

0:45

Here.

0:46

Mr.

0:46

Christensen.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Mr.

0:48

Mosher?

0:49

Here.

0:49

Mr.

0:49

Selene.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Mayor Eisenbais is absent this evening.

0:53

Thank you.

0:54

And I believe Rachel's with us via Zoom too.

0:57

And Rachel, you are online.

0:59

That's correct.

1:00

Thank you.

1:02

Are there any correspondence or agenda changes this evening?

1:08

Seeing none, we'll move on to special reports.

1:17

All right, we're gonna start with Ms.

1:20

Ainsley.

1:21

Sit the land sustainability and feasibility study phase one summary and recommendations.

1:30

Thank you, Mr.

1:31

Deputy Mayor and Assembly Members, Amy Einsley, Planning and Community Development Director.

1:35

I'm just gonna get a couple things pulled up here.

1:42

Here so I think that most assembly members have had an opportunity to review the total report.

1:50

It was published at towards the kind of middle of December.

1:54

We did include it in the planning commission's packet in December and January, and in your full packet tonight as well.

2:01

But I have just a couple of really quick summary slides to kind of walk everyone through.

2:06

So the scope of phase one, um, well, let me let me back up one moment for context for those who are um who are newer to the project.

2:16

The goal of the project, so this is the land suitability and feasibility study, is an opportunity for us to look at all municipal lands in our inventory and to essentially kind of rank at least in this first phase to really get a better understanding of what the best opportunity set for housing development using our lands would be.

2:34

Um so this was primarily um a technical study.

2:38

Um so we looked at you know, kind of civil engineering and geotechnical um aspects, but we're really looking at you know what are our best opportunities for land development.

2:46

We know that we're you know, the the low-hanging fruit is largely gone.

2:49

We're looking at mostly marginal tracks, but where should we be focusing our attention?

2:54

Um, what's the best opportunity, what how much housing can those opportunities provide, and at what cost?

3:00

And so we're on that phase one of just kind of looking at what is the best opportunity set and what is the development potential.

3:06

So the scope for phase one was to look at uh several different areas that are a part of our municipal land holdings.

3:15

Um, and so we can walk through each one of these in a little bit more detail.

3:19

Um, but generally speaking, we were looking at again that um kind of technical standpoint.

3:25

Um, we had some site visits and wetlands reconnaissance that took place during this phase, uh desktop studies for topography, hydrology, landslide risk, and other environmental constraints, um, LIDAR analysis as well, which we'll show you on some of the next couple of um slides here, as well as utility analysis.

3:42

So looking at the current condition and capacity of our water, waste, water, and electric systems in these general areas.

3:49

All of that was building towards coming to this kind of decision matrix.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Development████████████████████████████████32%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Safety████████8%
Economic Development██████6%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Subsistence Rights████4%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Tourism███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Sitka Assembly Meeting February 10, 2026: Land Study, Approvals, Whitcomb Heights Debate

The Sitka City and Borough Assembly met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz was absent; Deputy Mayor Timothy Pike presided. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM. Key topics included the Phase I Land Suitability Study, approval of liquor and marijuana licenses, amendments to the Sustainability Commission, supplemental appropriations, a lease at Gary Paxton Industrial Park, and significant debate over amendments to the Whitcomb Heights subdivision agreement.

Consent Calendar

  • Item B (Alejandro Vazquez liquor license renewal): Approved 6-0 on consent. This non-operational license had received its fourth waiver; the applicant is in the process of transferring ownership to a future operating business. A speaker expressed concerns about transparency in the licensing process, but the assembly found no grounds for protest.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Taylor White (Alaska Longline Fisheries Association / Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust): Thanked the assembly for support through the Fisheries Enhancement Fund and promoted an upcoming Fishermen's Expo providing free training for commercial and subsistence fishermen.
  • Austin Cranford: Commented on employment incentive bonuses and firewall protection, referencing a federal lawsuit against the city for First Amendment violations and requesting investigation into an email kickback notice.
  • Tom Gamble: Criticized the land acknowledgement as performative and called for establishment of a subsistence zone from Starrigavan parking lot to Harbor Mountain Road, used temporarily from November through December 15th annually to address food security.
  • Sherri Blankenship: Questioned the city's process for the three new Restaurant or Eating Place (REPL) licenses, alleging unequal treatment because one seasonal license was converted to permanent through an expedited process not communicated to other applicants.
  • Leah Mason: Opposed Ordinance 26-02 reducing the Sustainability Commission from seven to five members, arguing the commission's growing workload (solid waste, renewable energy) requires more, not fewer, members.
  • Robin Sherman (personal capacity): Expressed concern about developing in the Whitcomb Heights area given past fatal landslides and moderate slide risk, urging more information on stability before any development.
  • Paulette Marino, Tom Gamble, Andrew Roberts: All spoke in strong support of Resolution 26-03 defending the Federal Subsistence Management Program, emphasizing the importance of subsistence to Alaska Native and rural residents, and suggesting strengthening language about local and traditional knowledge.

Discussion Items

  • Sitka Land Suitability and Feasibility Study Phase I (Amy Ainslie): Presented results ranking municipal lands for housing. Top-rated were Osprey Street (1+ acre, highest score) and Sitka High School site (~7 acres). Middle-tier sites (Benchlands, Harbor Mountain Road, Gavin Hill) require longer-term analysis (10–15+ years). Green Lake Road, Herring Cove Peninsula, and Upper Edgecombe Drive scored lowest. Phase II (6 months, already funded) will focus on detailed analysis for the top sites, including landslide risk, hydrology, and preliminary layouts. Assembly consensus favored focusing on the top two sites.
  • Department Quarterly Reports: Harbormaster Brandon Calhoun reported Crescent Harbor high-load dock and Fisherman's Work Float projects underway; loss of 6 finger floats (4—32-ft and 2—24-ft stalls) in Crescent Harbor; 59 people on the 32-ft waitlist. Public Relations Director Melissa Lunas updated on the citywide communications plan (survey closed Feb 7), ADA Title II policy, new website launch, and $10 million federal funding for wastewater disinfection. Fire Chief Craig Warren (retiring April 30) noted 10 new firefighters trained to Firefighter I, 10 new EMT students, and a new training software package.
  • Ordinance 26-02 (Sustainability Commission): Second and final reading to reduce commission from 7 to 5 members. Passed 6-0 despite public opposition citing increased workload.
  • Ordinance 26-03 (FY26 Supplemental Appropriations): First reading. Finance Director Brooke Volschenk explained the $133,000 net general fund impact (0.001% of ~$50M budget) covers underestimated costs (legal, fuel, capital) and net-zero reallocations. Discussion highlighted a community survey funded 50/50 from visitor enhancement and CPV funds, not duplicating Visit Sitka's economic impact study. Passed 6-0.
  • Item F (Pacific Jewel Marine Lease): GPIP Board Chair Scott Wagner presented amended lease allowing broader use of the lot (staging equipment, parking, storage) in addition to primary vessel movement. Approved 6-0.
  • Item G (Whitcomb Heights Amendments): Two requests from Sound Development: (1) sell Lot 18, Block 8 for a telecommunications tower without water/sewer/road improvements; (2) allow phased development of Blocks 8 and 9. After lengthy debate, the first motion (direct staff to draft amendment subject to Planning Commission PUD approval) failed 3-3 (Saline, Christianson, Pike yes; Carlson, Riley, Mosher no). A second motion to refer the matter to the Planning Commission to determine location suitability passed 5-1 (Pike dissenting). A third motion to direct staff to draft an amendment for phased development passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 26-03 (Federal Subsistence Management): First and final reading. Sponsored by Deputy Mayor Pike and others, the resolution responds to a Safari Club petition seeking changes to the Federal Subsistence Board (removing public seats, revising membership criteria, deferring to state over local advisory councils). Assembly members emphasized the importance of subsistence to Sitka's rural way of life. Passed 6-0. Public comment period closes February 13, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda Item B: Approved 6-0 (liquor license renewal).
  • Items A and C: Approved individually 6-0 (Campfire Kitchen liquor license) and 6-0 (The Joint marijuana store) with forwarding to AMCO.
  • Ordinance 26-02: Approved on second and final reading 6-0.
  • Ordinance 26-03: Approved on first reading 6-0.
  • Item F: Lease agreement with Pacific Jewel Marine approved 6-0.
  • Item G: First motion failed 3-3; second motion (refer to Planning Commission for telecom suitability) passed 5-1; third motion (phased development) passed 6-0. Staff directed to draft amendments accordingly.
  • Resolution 26-03: Approved on first and final reading 6-0.
  • Meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I think we've reached the top of the hour. Good evening. I'd like to call to order the February 10th assembly meeting. Please join me for a flag solution. I leave through the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic or which 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 Plinketani. Sarah, roll call, please. Mr. Pike. Here. Ms. Carlson? Here. Ms. Riley. Here. Mr. Christensen. Here. Mr. Mosher? Here. Mr. Selene. Here. Mayor Eisenbais is absent this evening. Thank you. And I believe Rachel's with us via Zoom too. And Rachel, you are online. That's correct. Thank you. Are there any correspondence or agenda changes this evening? Seeing none, we'll move on to special reports. All right, we're gonna start with Ms. Ainsley. Sit the land sustainability and feasibility study phase one summary and recommendations. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Mayor and Assembly Members, Amy Einsley, Planning and Community Development Director. I'm just gonna get a couple things pulled up here. Here so I think that most assembly members have had an opportunity to review the total report. It was published at towards the kind of middle of December. We did include it in the planning commission's packet in December and January, and in your full packet tonight as well. But I have just a couple of really quick summary slides to kind of walk everyone through. So the scope of phase one, um, well, let me let me back up one moment for context for those who are um who are newer to the project. The goal of the project, so this is the land suitability and feasibility study, is an opportunity for us to look at all municipal lands in our inventory and to essentially kind of rank at least in this first phase to really get a better understanding of what the best opportunity set for housing development using our lands would be. Um so this was primarily um a technical study. Um so we looked at you know, kind of civil engineering and geotechnical um aspects, but we're really looking at you know what are our best opportunities for land development.

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