Sitka Assembly Meeting: March 24, 2026 - Historic Preservation Plan, CPV Funds, Snow Removal
Sitka City and Borough Assembly Meeting - March 24, 2026
The Sitka City and Borough Assembly held a regular meeting on March 24, 2026, addressing the historic preservation plan, the Commercial Passenger Vessel (CPV) tax fund balance, and a supplemental appropriation for snow removal. The meeting included reports from the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the Police Department, along with public testimony on multiple items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the March 10, 2026 Assembly meeting (6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bill Spivey (Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center administrator) emphasized collaboration with the police department and announced a public meeting on April 6.
- Pat Alexander announced the Tlingit & Haida Community Council election results, electing five delegates and six community council members.
- Stephen Eisenbeisz (co-owner of Russell’s) expressed concern that the historic preservation review process added two months to his permit for replacing rotten studs and questioned whether property owners in historic districts were notified of the new process.
- Valorie Nelson opposed the amendment to sunset Appendix G, arguing the plan was incomplete and would make the community less affordable. She also supported the snow removal appropriation and later raised concerns about her property tax assessment doubling.
Discussion Items
Historic Preservation Plan (Item C) The Assembly considered adoption of the 2026 Sitka Historic Preservation Plan, developed since 2009. Planner I Ariadne Will presented five goals, including improving the review process for historic properties. The plan documents the existing review process (Appendix G). Public testimony and assembly members noted that even minor repairs could require a Historic Preservation Commission recommendation, creating delays. An amendment was proposed to sunset Appendix G one year after adoption and require replacement before that date. After debate, the Assembly voted 4-1 (Riley opposed, Eisenbeisz recused, Mosher absent) to postpone the entire item to the May 12 meeting, allowing the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission to review and propose specific changes to Appendix G. (Note: The Municipal Clerk later determined that for parliamentary reasons, the item would need to come back as unfinished business at the April 14 meeting.)
Commercial Passenger Vessel Tax Fund Balance (Item D) Municipal Administrator John Leach reported an available balance of approximately $4.2 million in the CPV fund for FY27. The Assembly discussed several potential uses: revitalizing the area under the bridge for shuttle drop-off and vendor space, funding electric bus charging stations, supporting heat pump replacements at Harrigan Centennial Hall and the library, and funding pothole repairs. Community Development Director Amy Easley and Finance Director Brooke Volschenk explained methodologies for allocating CPV to mixed-use projects. The Assembly directed the Tourism Commission to investigate the under-the-bridge concept and gather stakeholder input. No formal motion to allocate funds was made.
Supplemental Appropriation for Snow Removal (Item E / ORD 26-07) The Assembly approved on first reading (6-0) Ordinance 2026-07, appropriating $225,000 ($225,000 for contractual services and $25,000 for personnel) to cover costs from unprecedented snowfall. The ordinance will have a second reading on April 14, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda (minutes) approved 6-0.
- Appointments: Amanda Bauer to Historic Preservation Commission and Mike Johnson to Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board approved 6-0.
- Historic Preservation Plan postponed to May 12 meeting by 4-1 vote (Riley opposed, Eisenbeisz recused, Mosher absent); clerk later noted item to be raised as unfinished business on April 14.
- Ordinance 26-07 (snow removal supplemental) approved on first reading 6-0; second reading scheduled April 14.
- CPV funds: Direction given to Tourism Commission to explore under-the-bridge concept; no funds allocated at this meeting.
- Reports: Mayor reported Port and Harbors Commission did not pass a rate increase; Administrator thanked staff and contractors for snow removal efforts; Clerk reviewed upcoming meeting schedule.
Meeting Transcript
All right, welcome everybody. I will call to order the regularly scheduled meeting of Tuesday, March 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 Kinkitani. Sarah Roll Cole, please. Mayor Eisenbeis. Present. Mr. Pike. Here. Ms. Carlson. Here. Ms. Riley. Here. Mr. Christensen. Here. And Mr. Selene. Here. And Mr. Mosier is absent this evening. Thank you. And Tor, even though you're right in front of my face, sometimes I miss people on uh on Zoom. So if I do happen to skip over you, please uh feel free to jump in there. Um Tim's a really good hand at that, uh, making sure you get acknowledged as well. Uh any correspondence or agenda changes this evening. Seeing none, that'll bring us to our special reports. Uh, we have two scheduled special reports this evening. I will start with Sica Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, assembly members. My name is Elena Peterson. I'm the vice chair first of the SICA tribe. I am not Yeti Kuka. She unfortunately can't be here, so I'm happy to attend and provide an update and a report on her absence. Uh I guess first I want to flag that on your agenda tonight as you're talking about the CVP fund C VP funding. We had submitted a letter requesting additional CPV, additional funding for the ride, and um just knowing that we do see a major uptick in use in the summer, and so to ensure maintenance and continuity of service, we are requesting additional funding. Um I'll try to stick within my time limit here, but I have quite a few updates. So at our March 18th tribal council meeting, we approved the following agenda items. The scholarship ordinance on a third and final reading, and this ordinance will go into effect in 30 days. The election ordinance on first reading was approved, and the next reading of this ordinance will be April 15th. So we're encouraging all tribal citizens to attend and comment. The draft election ordinance is available for review at STA's website at SICATribe.org, as well as in hard copy at the front desk of our headquarters at 204 Siganackaway.
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