OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City and Borough of Sitka Regular Assembly Meeting - June 9, 2026

City and Borough Assembly — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodySitka, Alaska
SessionCity and Borough Assembly
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:16:16

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

With gratitude, we proceed on Clinkett Ani.

0:04

Sarah, roll call, please.

0:05

Mayor Azenbais.

0:07

Present.

0:07

Mr.

0:08

Pike.

0:08

Here.

0:09

Ms.

0:09

Carlson.

0:10

Here.

0:10

Ms.

0:10

Riley.

0:12

Here.

0:12

Mr.

0:12

Christensen.

0:13

Here.

0:13

Mr.

0:14

Mosier.

0:14

Here.

0:15

And Mr.

0:15

Steline.

0:16

Here.

0:18

Thank you.

0:19

Any correspondence or agenda changes this evening.

0:24

No ceremonial matters.

0:26

We will move on to schedule special reports.

0:29

We do have a couple scheduled special reports.

0:31

We'll start tonight with HR.

0:41

Good evening, Mr.

0:42

Mayor and Assembly.

0:44

A lot of this is kind of my standard stuff that I put in here.

0:46

I wanted to highlight a few things.

1:09

Actually, had uh one of the things that has came through from employees is the desire to have like leadership and management type training.

1:17

And uh, we had a good uh meeting today with some some of those options from uh provider um so looking to be rolling out some leadership and management training to especially all new managers but also um just all management staff uh so that's gonna be coming up soon as well.

1:33

Um and we're also it says it'll begin this month, but uh we I'll be turning it on this month probably for July 1st start for evaluations for all employees.

1:42

Um so it'll just coincide with the we've already been testing it.

1:45

Um we have intermittent uh participation in our evaluation program currently.

1:50

Um this will become obviously 100% mandatory, easily tracked and easily uh held accountable for making sure all of these are completed.

1:57

Um so that's gonna be a big uh big uh things coming up in the next couple months.

2:02

Um far as the collective bargaining agreements, uh it's on the assembly uh agenda for tonight.

2:07

Uh PSEA negotiations happened um recently, and uh that'll be up for your consideration.

2:13

All the rest of them are um showing a couple years out.

2:18

Um we're also uh under benefit administration.

2:21

We're doing our first annual open enrollment through NeoGov as well.

2:24

Um it's usually a very like manual process, email and all that kind of stuff.

2:29

Now it's just a uh thing that pops up in NeoGov for employees to um elect their benefits and things like that.

2:34

So um that's another huge benefit for um processes as far as um NeoGovs related.

2:41

Uh we have 19 budgeted positions we are seeking to fill with around an 89% fill rate since then.

2:47

We filled at least one of those, so we're at 90 averaging about 90 percent the last couple quarters.

2:52

Um the HR staff have onboarded, you know, it says 23 on here, it's probably closer to 30 now.

3:00

Um, so just a big shout out to Denise Sawyer, uh Salter and Amelia Aveda for their work.

3:06

Um it's a busy time of year where it's just onboarding almost every single day and uh still keeping all the rest of the things going.

3:12

Um and again, uh anybody is looking for a job, QR codes right there.

3:18

Uh feel free to uh to uh check out the vacancies that we have, and we're always looking for for uh good applicants.

3:25

So that's all I have pinning any questions.

3:31

Josh, uh seeing as how our we got positions now in the building, but you know, guys have to have free on cards.

3:37

Are we any closer to having a stipend to reimburse them for using their tools to help save the borough money by becoming self-sufficient and fixing refrigeration heat pumps and the like thank you, sir?

3:51

Um I we are not any closer with a stipend.

3:56

Um, it's definitely something that's on my agenda as far as making sure that the job descriptions match what we're looking for for those positions and making sure they have the tools in my conversations uh so far with building maintenance has been that the preferred model is to buy the tools and ensure that we are providing the tools.

4:15

Um so I haven't explored the stipend beyond that, um, just based on what building maintenance tells me that they need.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Miscellaneous███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

City and Borough of Sitka Regular Assembly Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Sitka City and Borough Assembly held a regular meeting on June 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. The agenda included quarterly department reports, supplemental school funding, a major rezoning of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP), awards from the Fisheries Enhancement Fund, and approval of a new collective bargaining agreement for public safety employees. Assembly member Kevin Mosher left the meeting at 6:30 PM, resulting in several 6-0 votes on later items.

Quarterly Department Reports

  • Human Resources (Asst. Admin Josh Branthoover): Reported an approximate 90% employee fill rate, ongoing onboarding (~30 new employees), plans for mandatory performance evaluations starting July 1, and upcoming leadership and management training.
  • Information Technology (Director Grant Turner): Reported the department is fully staffed. Key projects included a new city website launch, C-Walk conduit installation for a potential city-owned network, and network security upgrades. The help desk received 186 requests and resolved 158 over the quarter.
  • Clerk (Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson): Reported processing 46 public records requests, ongoing records digitization, migration to a new code platform, and preparations for the municipal election.

Consent Calendar

  • 26-103: Approved the minutes of the May 26 Assembly meeting.
  • 26-104: Approved a liquor license and endorsement renewal for JL Sitka, Inc. dba Cold Water Bar & Grill. (Approved 7-0)

Discussion Items

Supplemental Appropriations for Secure Rural Schools (ORD 26-14)

  • Municipal Administrator John Leach introduced the ordinance, which appropriates recently received federal Secure Rural Schools payments, describing it as a one-time nonrecurring opportunity. Assembly member JJ Carlson expressed strong support but cautioned the school district against relying on this one-time funding, calling it a “gift” to be used wisely. Assembly member Timothy Pike clarified the funds were not previously coded into the budget and were newly available upon receipt. Assembly member Thor Christianson noted the state’s failure to adequately fund education. The ordinance was approved on first reading (7-0).

Gary Paxton Industrial Park Rezoning (ORD 26-15)

  • Planning Director Amy Ainslie presented the ordinance, which replaces the GPIP’s unique flexible zoning with standard use tables. This was a process developed over months by the GPIP Board and the Planning Commission, both of which recommended unanimous approval. Key changes include restrictions on housing to prevent displacement of industrial uses and geographic designations for a park core. Assembly member Christianson stated the measure was thoroughly vetted. Assembly members Carlson and Riley praised the collaborative effort of the boards. Staff confirmed existing uses will be protected through conforming or legal non-conforming permits. The ordinance was approved on first reading (6-0), with a second reading set for June 23.

Fisheries Enhancement Fund Awards (Item 26-105)

  • Three organizations applied for shares of the fund, coordinating to request equal amounts ($15,631 each):
    • Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA): Linda Behnken and Emily Scott requested $15,631 for workforce development (placing over 145 crew members), safety training, and energy innovation. They emphasized that local funding leverages significant outside investment, reporting $1.3 million leveraged in 2025.
    • Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA): Kyle Rosendale requested $15,631 for sockeye salmon monitoring at Redoubt Lake. He stated that without in-season monitoring, subsistence harvest would be severely restricted (10 fish daily limit) and the commercial fishery would be closed entirely.
    • Sitka Sound Science Center (SSSC): Bill Coltharp requested $15,631 for the coho hatchery program, which supports education, a hatchery apprentice program, and local sport and commercial fisheries.
  • Public Testimony: Alexandra Fujioka spoke in support of the ALFA application, crediting their crew training program for helping her continue working in commercial fishing.
  • Assembly members praised the applicants for their collaboration and the significant economic impact of the small investment. The motion to award $15,631 to each organization passed (6-0).

Public Safety Employees Association (PSEA) CBA (Item 26-106)

  • Assistant Administrator Josh Branthoover summarized the ratified three-year agreement (2026–2029). Economic changes include a 3% salary increase effective July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028, the addition of step movements for employee retention, a one-time $1,000 lump sum payment for qualifying employees, and an increase in standby pay to $5.00/hour. The total estimated cost increase to the borough is $311,000 over three years. Assembly member Katie Riley asked about sign-on bonuses; Branthoover confirmed they are outside the CBA and are set to expire June 30. The agreement was approved (6-0).

Reports

  • Mayor Eisenbeisz: Reported on the Southeast Alaska Guides Organization (SEGO) conference, discussing king salmon fishing limits, unguided bear boat halibut catches, and a proposed regulatory change on pooling crab bag limits.
  • Administrator Leach: Noted final preparations for the FY27 budget, ongoing discussions on a Parks and Recreation MOU with the school district, and a meeting with former Congresswoman Mary Peltola.
  • Liaisons:
    • Assembly member Christianson reported on the Parks and Recreation Committee, relaying a recommendation to make Keet and Kimsham fields “no dogs allowed.” Administrator Leach noted this recommendation may require assembly action if it conflicts with existing city code.
    • Assembly member Carlson noted the Port and Harbors Commission is on summer break and the Health Needs and Human Services Commission meets next week.
    • Assembly member Riley reported the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling unit, citing it as a successful outcome of recent code changes.
  • Clerk Peterson: Updated on board and commission vacancies and announced the municipal election candidate filing period runs from July 20 through August 7. Open seats include one Mayor (2-year), two Assembly (3-year), and three School Board seats (two 3-year, one 1-year).
  • Assembly member Carlson: Announced the Sitka Walkability Advocacy Collab is seeking community input on earth-tone geometric design ideas for crosswalks on Lincoln Street. Entry forms are due Wednesday, June 24, and a community showcase will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 6:00 PM.

Key Outcomes

  • ORD 26-14 (Secure Rural Schools): Approved on first reading (7-0).
  • ORD 26-15 (GPIP Rezoning): Approved on first reading (6-0). Second reading scheduled for June 23.
  • Fisheries Enhancement Fund: $15,631 awarded to the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and the Sitka Sound Science Center (6-0).
  • PSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement (2026–2029): Approved (6-0).
  • Municipal Election Dates: Candidate filing period July 20 through August 7, 2026.
  • Walkability Project: Community crosswalk design entries due June 24; community showcase and selection on June 25.

Meeting Transcript

With gratitude, we proceed on Clinkett Ani. Sarah, roll call, please. Mayor Azenbais. Present. Mr. Pike. Here. Ms. Carlson. Here. Ms. Riley. Here. Mr. Christensen. Here. Mr. Mosier. Here. And Mr. Steline. Here. Thank you. Any correspondence or agenda changes this evening. No ceremonial matters. We will move on to schedule special reports. We do have a couple scheduled special reports. We'll start tonight with HR. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Assembly. A lot of this is kind of my standard stuff that I put in here. I wanted to highlight a few things. Actually, had uh one of the things that has came through from employees is the desire to have like leadership and management type training. And uh, we had a good uh meeting today with some some of those options from uh provider um so looking to be rolling out some leadership and management training to especially all new managers but also um just all management staff uh so that's gonna be coming up soon as well. Um and we're also it says it'll begin this month, but uh we I'll be turning it on this month probably for July 1st start for evaluations for all employees. Um so it'll just coincide with the we've already been testing it. Um we have intermittent uh participation in our evaluation program currently. Um this will become obviously 100% mandatory, easily tracked and easily uh held accountable for making sure all of these are completed. Um so that's gonna be a big uh big uh things coming up in the next couple months. Um far as the collective bargaining agreements, uh it's on the assembly uh agenda for tonight. Uh PSEA negotiations happened um recently, and uh that'll be up for your consideration. All the rest of them are um showing a couple years out. Um we're also uh under benefit administration. We're doing our first annual open enrollment through NeoGov as well. Um it's usually a very like manual process, email and all that kind of stuff. Now it's just a uh thing that pops up in NeoGov for employees to um elect their benefits and things like that. So um that's another huge benefit for um processes as far as um NeoGovs related. Uh we have 19 budgeted positions we are seeking to fill with around an 89% fill rate since then. We filled at least one of those, so we're at 90 averaging about 90 percent the last couple quarters. Um the HR staff have onboarded, you know, it says 23 on here, it's probably closer to 30 now.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com