City and Borough of Sitka Assembly Regular Meeting – July 14, 2026

The Sitka Assembly met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz presided with six members present (Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Carlson, Saline, and later-appointed Ystad) and one absent (Riley). The meeting included quarterly departmental reports, approval of several ordinances and resolutions, the appointment of a new assembly member to fill a vacancy, reassignment of leadership roles, and an executive session to advance the municipal administrator search.

Consent Calendar

• Item A: Approved the minutes of the June 23, 2026 Assembly meeting.
• Item B: Approved two new liquor license endorsement applications for JL Sitka, Inc. dba Cold Water Bar & Grill at 330 Seward Street.
• Both items approved on a single motion by a vote of 5–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anna Schumacher (volunteer board member, Sitka Recreation Foundation) spoke in support of Ordinance 26-17, urging the Assembly to allocate a minimum of $20,000 to complete a 20-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. She emphasized the plan's importance for community-driven investment and noted that the last master plan was completed in 1991.
• Scott Wagner (General Manager, Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association – NSRAA) addressed Ordinance 26-18, explaining that the proposed lease terms represented a 42% increase over current rent and that NSRAA sought to bring more revenue to the Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) enterprise fund.
• Chris Ystad (fisherman and NSRAA board member) expressed concern that higher lease costs ultimately reduce fishing opportunity, but also acknowledged the indirect economic benefits NSRAA brings to Sitka through sales tax and multiplier effects.
• During the appointment process for Tim Pike’s vacant seat, both applicants—Jeremy Plank and Chris Ystad—answered questions from the Assembly, stating their motivations and views on issues such as boat haul-out access.

Discussion Items

• Special Reports – Department Quarterly Reports:
  • Public Works Director Mark Seavey reported that the department ended FY26 at 86% budget spent and 93% staffing. Major projects include the airport and Lake Hirsch road improvements, a public surplus auction generating ~$137,000 in proceeds (some to be returned to grant agencies), and a household hazardous waste event with ~1,000 participants, 900,000+ pounds of scrap, 148 vehicles, and 200,000 gallons of waste collected. Water department is finalizing UV and membrane filtration plant approvals; building maintenance is addressing school district boiler work; and the pool chlorinator is back online.
  • Harrigan Centennial Hall Manager Tony Rosas reported that the facility hosted over 260,000 visitors from April through June 2026, with 760+ bookings year-to-date. The hall ended FY26 at 94% budget spent. Future projects include continued auditorium lighting upgrades and refinishing the auditorium floor and stage.
• Ordinance 26-17 (Parks & Recreation Master Plan supplemental appropriation): Parks and Recreation Manager Kevin Knox introduced the request for $20,000, noting that the city’s last comprehensive recreation plan was from 1991. The Sitka Recreation Foundation (SRF) selected Corvus Designs via RFQ; the master plan is scheduled for completion by January 2027. Assembly members debated the timing, the original $14,900 seed funding, SRF’s fundraising efforts, and concerns about the city assuming ownership of the project. After a 2–3 vote (Christianson and Mosher yes; Eisenbeisz, Carlson, Saline no; Riley absent; Ystad non-voting), the ordinance moved to second reading per the Home Rule Charter.
• Ordinance 26-18 (NSRAA lease at Gary Paxton Industrial Park): Municipal Administrator John Leach explained that the lease had been reconsidered after a previous failure in April. The revised terms increase monthly rent from $800 to $1,000 and raise the renewal rent cap from 10% to 20%. Assembly members discussed the economic benefits of NSRAA, the subsidy nature of below-market leases, and the eventual goal of dissolving the GPIP enterprise fund. The ordinance passed first reading 5–0.
• Resolution 26-06 (Legal services contract for microplastics/PFAS claims): Municipal Attorney Rachel Jones described a nationwide settlement class for PFAS (“forever chemicals”) that municipalities can join at no upfront cost; the law firm would operate on contingency (33% of any recovery). The city would need to test water systems to qualify. Assembly members raised concerns about waiving the right to sue individually and potential impacts on waivers (e.g., for Blue Lake), but the resolution passed unanimously 5–0 on first and final reading.
• Appointment to Fill Vacancy (Item H): Two candidates applied: Jeremy Plank (Tourism Commission chair) and Chris Ystad (former assembly member). After deliberation, Ystad was appointed by a voice vote (5–0) to serve until the October 6, 2026 election results are certified on October 13, 2026. Ystad was sworn in and seated.
• Reassignments (Item I): Deputy Mayor Tim Pike had resigned. The Assembly appointed JJ Carlson as Deputy Mayor and Chris Ystad as Vice Deputy Mayor. Liaison assignments were adjusted: Saline/Ystad for Library Commission; Ystad/Eisenbeisz for Police and Fire Commission; Ystad/Mosher for Sustainability Commission; Saline/Ystad for Tree and Landscape Committee; Eisenbeisz/Carlson for Sitka Tribe of Alaska; Mosher/Ystad for School Board.
• Reports:
  • Administrator Leach announced a $4.5 million legislative discretionary grant (CPV funding from the state) to be discussed at the July 28 Assembly meeting.
  • Attorney Jones provided updates on lease management software procurement, a recodification project, and her out-of-office dates.
  • Liaison Mosher reported that the Parks and Recreation Committee recommended creating a no-dog-off-leash period on two athletic fields from March 15 to June 30.
  • Clerk Peterson listed board/commission vacancies and reminded of October 6 election filing deadlines (May 31 to August 7).
  • Assembly member Carlson updated on the Sitka Walkability Advocacy Collab’s partnership with Outer Coast students to paint a crosswalk on Lincoln Street.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (5–0).
• Board appointments approved: Maria Capezio Crookes to Library Commission (3-year term); Scott Wagner reappointed to GPIP Board (2-year term) (5–0).
• Ordinance 26-16 (sales tax security amendments) approved on second and final reading (5–0).
• Ordinance 26-17 (parks master plan supplemental appropriation) passed first reading on a 2–3 vote; automatically advanced to second reading on July 28 per Home Rule Charter.
• Ordinance 26-18 (NSRAA lease) approved on first reading (5–0).
• Resolution 26-06 (legal services for microplastics/PFAS claims) approved on first and final reading (5–0).
• Chris Ystad appointed to fill Tim Pike’s seat until the October 2026 election results are certified; sworn in.
• JJ Carlson appointed Deputy Mayor; Chris Ystad appointed Vice Deputy Mayor. Liaison assignments updated as detailed above.
• Executive session (8:11–8:34 PM) reviewed municipal administrator applicants. The Assembly narrowed the search to finalist Jenny Alber and voted 6–0 to extend an invitation for a community meet-and-greet and potential employment offer.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:39 PM.