OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City and Borough Assembly Regular Meeting – February 24, 2026

City and Borough Assembly — Tuesday, February 24, 2026
BodySitka, Alaska
SessionCity and Borough Assembly
DateTuesday, February 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:23:36

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I will welcome everybody.

0:01

I will call to order the regularly scheduled meeting of Tuesday, February 24th, 2026.

0:07

Please join me for a flag salute.

0:11

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:19

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:29

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

0:35

With gratitude, we proceed on Clinkett Ani.

0:39

Sarah Roll Call, please.

0:41

Mayor Eisenbeis.

0:42

Present.

0:42

Mr.

0:43

Pike.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Miss Carlson.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Ms.

0:46

Riley.

0:46

Here.

0:47

Mr.

0:47

Christensen.

0:48

Here.

0:49

Mr.

0:49

Mosier.

0:50

Here.

0:50

And Mr.

0:50

Slain.

0:54

Thank you.

0:54

Any correspondence or agenda changes this evening?

1:00

I see none.

1:01

There are no ceremonial matters.

1:03

This would bring us to special reports.

1:06

Our first scheduled report this evening is Sica Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council, Alena Peterson.

1:14

We made it.

1:15

All right, we will stand by for her and we'll invite the school board up.

1:19

Phil.

1:23

I don't want to kind of think he didn't want to represent it.

1:26

That's what I was just saying.

1:28

Welcome.

1:29

Thank you.

1:30

Good evening, Phil Burdick, SICKA School Board President.

1:34

Start with the good news.

1:45

Ben and his staff presented to the legislature about the success that that program has been for the last decade plus.

1:53

And we just want to give a huge shout out to the community to support that and keeping DYP alive.

1:58

It's always a highlight of the year.

2:01

And it's the best thing since sliced bread, say students.

2:06

Kindergarten sign up is happening, so if you have or know of anyone who uh is kindergarten age, please get them signed up earlier the better, so we know we can firm up our count.

2:18

It's always a good thing.

2:20

Um the school climate and connectedness survey, which is um what's the word I'm looking for?

2:30

Handed out by Alaskan Association of School Boards is sent out.

2:34

That survey was sent out to families last week.

2:37

Um it's live until March 20th.

2:40

So if you have students in the district, I encourage families to fill that out.

2:44

Student and staff surveys went out Monday.

2:47

Um it's real short.

2:48

I took it since I do have a student, uh five or ten minutes, and we use that data to help guide programming, community needs, and overall mental well-being of students, staff, and families.

3:00

So we take it very seriously.

3:04

Um I'd like to apologize to city staff for the late cancellation of the school visits.

3:11

We had some confusion around the purpose and the timing of those visits, and so I want to thank them for their flexibility.

3:21

Uh we got our final audit report last week.

3:24

Finally, we did have a couple of findings, um, but they were cleaned up and clarified to the board's satisfaction.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Development████████████████████████████████████████40%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Records███████7%
Public Safety█████5%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Economic Development████4%
Transportation Safety███3%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

City and Borough Assembly Regular Meeting – February 24, 2026

The Sitka City and Borough Assembly met on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. The meeting included special reports, public comment, approval of consent agenda, passage of several ordinances on first reading, and a lengthy quasi-judicial hearing on an appeal of a denied conditional use permit. The meeting was extended to 11:00 PM and adjourned at 10:35 PM after an executive session from 9:45 PM to 10:31 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • 26-033: Approved the Health Needs and Human Services Commission 2026 goals. (7-0 vote)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Leah Mason (Persons to Be Heard) reported on remaining plots at the Sitka Community Garden and promoted a heat pump incentive program with up to $8,500 in incentives for lower-income households.
  • Richard Wein (Persons to Be Heard) expressed concerns about marijuana use among youth and the prevalence of SSRI prescriptions in teens, noting a 17% usage rate.
  • Rachel Roy (Persons to Be Heard) requested that board and commission meetings include Zoom links on agendas for remote participation, citing barriers like childcare.
  • Richard Wein (on ORD 26-05) spoke in support of body-worn cameras, referencing Plato's Ring of Gyges and arguing the cameras promote honesty.
  • Richard Wein (on ORD 26-06) asked about the city's progress in unifying databases for public records.
  • Public Hearing on Appeal (Item F) – 11 members of the public spoke in opposition to granting the appeal: Roy Anderson, Suzan Brawnlyn, Richard Wein, John Murray, Kristina Cranston, Leah Mason, Barbara Bingham, Linda Waller, Tess Heyburn, Kendall Folkert, and Cerisa Swanberg. Many cited concerns about pollution, traffic, noise, and impacts on residential character.

Discussion Items

  • ORD 26-03 (Mid-Year Appropriations): Approved on second and final reading (7-0). Provided supplemental appropriations for FY2026.
  • ORD 26-04 (ADA Title II Enactment): Amended Title 1 of the Sitka General Code by adding Chapter 1.41. Public and Government Relations Director Melissa Lunas explained it replaces a 1996 policy and establishes non-discrimination procedures. Approved on first reading (7-0).
  • ORD 26-05 (Body-Worn Cameras): Police Chief Chad Goeden presented a $14,736 supplemental appropriation for FY2026 to fund a five-year contract for body-worn cameras (software-as-a-service, cameras included). The system will be cloud-based with automated redaction. A use policy will be developed with public input. Approved on first reading (7-0).
  • ORD 26-06 (Public Records Request Software): Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson and Deputy Clerk Holley Bayne introduced the software "NextRequest" to automate records requests, reduce staff time, and improve transparency. Cost is just under $21,000 for implementation and first two years. The office processed over 200 requests last year and 44 in the first 36 working days of 2026. Approved on first reading (7-0).
  • Item F – Appeal of Planning Commission Denial of Conditional Use Permit (CUP 25-17): Appellant Chris McGraw (Sitka Dock Company) requested reversal of the planning commission's denial of a CUP to operate a public transportation facility (shuttle drop-off) at 408 and 410 Oja Way. The assembly convened as the Board of Adjustment. Mayor Eisenbeisz disclosed a rental relationship with Sitka Dock Company but was found to have no conflict. The appellant argued the commission applied improper criteria, lacked objective standards for pollution, and relied on neighbor speculation rather than evidence. Staff (Planning Director Amy Ainslie) defended the commission's decision, stating the applicant bore the burden of proof and the commission made a reasonable decision based on the record. After public testimony and deliberation, the board unanimously found the correct legal standard was applied (7-0) and then voted to deny the appeal (7-0), upholding the planning commission's denial.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda Item A – Approved (7-0).
  • ORD 26-03 – Approved on second and final reading (7-0).
  • ORD 26-04 – Approved on first reading (7-0).
  • ORD 26-05 – Approved on first reading (7-0).
  • ORD 26-06 – Approved on first reading (7-0).
  • Appeal (Item F) – Denied (7-0), upholding the planning commission's denial of the conditional use permit. The board affirmed that the applicant had not met the burden of proof under Sitka General Code 22.10.160.C.
  • Executive Session (Item G) – Assembly went into executive session from 9:45 PM to 10:31 PM to review applications for the municipal administrator position. The search remains open until filled.

Reports

  • Mayor Eisenbeisz reported on the Southeast Conference and Alaska Municipal League (AML) conferences, noting that cruise ship sales within the borough may be taxable, a PFAS settlement opportunity, and the importance of assembly members attending AML conferences. He reminded members to follow proper procedures for directing staff.
  • Administrator Leach highlighted AML meetings, noted that 25% of Alaska workers live outside the state, and signed a contract with Southeast Child Collective.
  • Attorney Jones announced she will be out of the office March 4–20 but will remain available for urgent matters.
  • Liaison Reports: Katie Riley reported on the Planning Commission's discussion of a cruise ship dock permit. JJ Carlson reported on the Harbor Commission, which recommended a $15 per box fish box tax. Scott Saline reported on the Library Commission.
  • Clerk Peterson provided an update on board and commission trainings and upcoming meeting dates.

Meeting Transcript

I will welcome everybody. I will call to order the regularly scheduled meeting of Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. 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 Clinkett Ani. Sarah Roll Call, please. Mayor Eisenbeis. Present. Mr. Pike. Here. Miss Carlson. Here. Ms. Riley. Here. Mr. Christensen. Here. Mr. Mosier. Here. And Mr. Slain. Thank you. Any correspondence or agenda changes this evening? I see none. There are no ceremonial matters. This would bring us to special reports. Our first scheduled report this evening is Sica Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council, Alena Peterson. We made it. All right, we will stand by for her and we'll invite the school board up. Phil. I don't want to kind of think he didn't want to represent it. That's what I was just saying. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening, Phil Burdick, SICKA School Board President. Start with the good news. Ben and his staff presented to the legislature about the success that that program has been for the last decade plus. And we just want to give a huge shout out to the community to support that and keeping DYP alive. It's always a highlight of the year. And it's the best thing since sliced bread, say students. Kindergarten sign up is happening, so if you have or know of anyone who uh is kindergarten age, please get them signed up earlier the better, so we know we can firm up our count. It's always a good thing. Um the school climate and connectedness survey, which is um what's the word I'm looking for? Handed out by Alaskan Association of School Boards is sent out. That survey was sent out to families last week.

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