Sitka Assembly Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Sitka City and Borough Assembly held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. All six present members (Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson, Saline, Riley) voted, with Mayor Eisenbeisz absent. The meeting addressed quarterly departmental reports, public comments, consent agenda items, budget approvals for FY2027, a charter amendment referral to voters, and acceptance of Assembly Member Timothy Pike's resignation.

Special Reports

• Planning & Community Development Director Amy Ainslie reported on the Phase II land study for housing development, ongoing energy planning (Sitka Community Renewable Energy Strategy expected September 2025), summer camp and swim lessons reaching capacity within minutes, issuance of 45 commercial recreation permits for 2026, and anticipation of offering programming at the Senior Center starting June 1. The department's expenses are within budget. The Faith Streets program received a grant extension.
• Assessing Director Larry Reeder reported that the department operates with three full-time employees, with an opening for an appraisal technician. The 2026 tax roll certification occurred that evening. Approximately 90% of the borough has been reappraised, with an 8.2% increase in real property taxable value (up from 7.9% last year), including a 3% market trend applied to residential properties. The reappraisal project has brought values closer to full and true value per state law. As of May 20, 76% of the FY2026 budget had been used.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Off-agenda public comments: Lisa Busch of the Sitka Public Arts Committee announced a $50,000 grant from Extra Tough for downtown public art projects, in partnership with the Greater Sitka Arts Council. Joel Hanson reported on the Jarvis Street Community Garden, noting nearly 90% capacity with 38 members and 36 of 45 large plots assigned.
• On agenda item G (Charter amendment): Larry Edwards (Small Town Soul) urged a no vote, arguing the existing citizen-triggered initiative special election provision is a wise democratic tool, and that the administration's reasons (cost of $18,200, staff time, uniqueness among Alaska towns) are unconvincing. Austin Cranford also opposed, stating that two days prior the assembly and administrator had told him to use the petition process if he wanted a charter change, and now the assembly was lessening that process.
• On agenda item H (Resignation): Austin Cranford later commented that the appointment process to fill Pike's seat should have the seat remain vacant if within six months of an election to avoid incumbency bias, citing practices in other Alaska municipalities. He requested the assembly put forward a charter amendment to that effect.

Discussion Items

• ORD 26-11 (General Fund & other budgets): Approved on second and final reading with no separate discussion. Vote: 6-0.
• ORD 26-12 (Enterprise Funds budgets & rate increases): Approved on second and final reading. Assembly Member Carlson summarized rate increases effective July 1: 2% wastewater, 6% water, 2% solid waste, 4% moorage; no electric rate increase for residential users, but restructuring for commercial/industrial. The airport faces a $400,000 revenue gap due to Delta no longer servicing Sitka, requiring creative solutions in the next fiscal year. Vote: 6-0.
• ORD 26-13 (Charter amendment – Initiative & Referendum): The ordinance proposes to amend Section 6.01 to remove the requirement that a citizen-initiated election be held as a special election, instead defaulting to the next regular election unless the assembly calls a special election. The amendment would be placed on the October 6, 2026 regular ballot. Following public opposition, assembly debate included: Clerk Peterson explained the change aligns with state statute and most Alaska municipalities; Mosher supported sending it to voters for a decision; Christianson agreed, noting it is a question for the public; Saline opposed, valuing the existing provision for timely citizen initiatives; Riley expressed concerns that the change could delay initiatives for up to a year and that the context of rapid national changes heightens fears, and she preferred exploring a modified timeframe but did not have an amendment ready. Vote: 4-2 (Yes: Christianson, Mosher, Pike, Carlson; No: Saline, Riley). The ordinance passed, and the question will appear on the October 2026 ballot.
• Item H – Resignation of Assembly Member Timothy Pike: Pike moved to accept his resignation effective June 30, 2026 (amended from June 23 per logistical reasons). The resignation was accepted unanimously (6-0). Members expressed gratitude for his service. A second motion to set the appointment process was then considered: advertise for letters of interest from Friday, May 29 through noon Wednesday, July 8, and place an item on the July 14 agenda to appoint a replacement until the next regular election. Motion passed 6-0. Pike noted he would be absent during that vote but encouraged careful deliberation.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items A, B, C) approved 6-0: Minutes of May 12 meeting; millage rates for FY2027 (RES 26-05); liquor license renewal for Talon Charters.
• Board Appointment (Item D) William Spivey appointed to Local Emergency Planning Committee (three-year term) – approved 6-0.
• ORD 26-11 adopted on second reading – 6-0.
• ORD 26-12 adopted on second reading – 6-0.
• ORD 26-13 adopted on second reading, placing charter amendment on October 6, 2026 ballot – 4-2.
• Resignation of Assembly Member Pike accepted effective June 30, 2026 – 6-0. Appointment process set: advertisement for letters of interest May 29–July 8, appointment on July 14 agenda – 6-0.
• Other: The meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM.