Sitka City and Borough Assembly Regular Meeting - July 28, 2026

The City and Borough of Sitka Assembly held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Assembly Chambers. The meeting featured ceremonial honors, departmental quarterly reports, several ordinances, and a substantial discussion on allocating a $4.5 million state legislative grant. The meeting adjourned at 9:54 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Item A (26-126): Approved the minutes of the July 14, 2026 Assembly meeting by a 7-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christian Fabian (part-time cab driver) commented on the proposed taxi cab ordinance, urging inclusion of businesses and drivers in the process and cautioning against repeating past regulatory failures that harmed the taxi industry.
• Jay Stilwell (Executive Director, Fortress of the Bear) spoke during discussion of Item E (GPIP Lot 16B RFP), raising concerns about undefined usable space, access constraints, and scoring criteria that he argued favor marine industry proposals over nonprofits.
• Multiple speakers testified in support of Ordinance 2026-17 (Parks & Recreation Master Plan funding), including Aaron Prussian, Bridget Hitchcock, KK Prussian, Candace Rutledge (on behalf of Ben Hughey), and Amy McLaughlin. They emphasized the plan's community value, grant readiness, and volunteer effort.

Discussion Items

• Ceremonial Matters (26-124): Mayor Eisenbeisz presented a citation honoring U.S. Coast Guard Day. Coast Guard representatives Commander Joe Plunkett and BMC Dean Buckler accepted and thanked the community.
• Special Reports (26-125):
  • Electric Department (Ron Vinson): Reported on Q2 operations, including safety training, 14 service expansions, workforce development, capital projects (PLC replacement, SCADA servers, Green Lake dam monitoring), FERC inspection (clean), and upcoming submarine cable replacement on July 30-31. Highlighted challenges with aging diesel generators (three units ~40 years old) and $3 million set aside for replacement. Discussion noted early spills at Blue Lake and Green Lake due to snowpack.
  • Fire Department (Interim Chief Brian McLaughlin): Reported 6% through fiscal year at 2% budget expenditure, a slight overtime overage attributed to vacancies (no deputy chief, chief not yet qualified as engineer), $200,000 in life-saving capital assets, partnerships with multiple agencies, policy updates (revising 1994 manuals), and training standardization. Highlighted response to Coast Guard 6002 crash and a hotel fire. Noted 24 cruise passenger transports (down from 42 last year).
• Ordinance 2026-17: Supplemental appropriation of $20,000 for the Sitka Recreation Foundation to complete a Parks and Recreation Master Plan. After debate about MOA compliance and timing, the assembly amended the motion to make the appropriation contingent on a revised MOA that reflects the increased amount and asserts the city will not assume liability for contractual obligations made by SRF. The amended ordinance passed 7-0 on second reading.
• Ordinance 2026-18: Authorizing lease of Block 4, Lot 1 of Gary Paxton Industrial Park to Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, Inc. Assemblymember Ystad recused himself due to bias as an NSRAA board member. Passed 6-0 on second reading.
• Ordinance 2026-19: Supplemental appropriation of up to $50,000 from the Visitor Enhancement Fund to Harrigan Centennial Hall to waive fees for conventions bringing 100+ out-of-town attendees during the shoulder season (September-May). Introduced by Assemblymember Ystad and co-sponsored by Mosher. Passed 7-0 on first reading.
  • Assembly discussion noted the program would require no net cost if it attracts sufficient bed tax revenue, and may be reviewed after three years.
• Item E (26-127): Approved an RFP for long-term lease of GPip Lot 16B for private sector development. Garry White (GPIP director) introduced the item, noting the lot has been raised by rock from dam project and the RFP will determin use. Assembly directed staff to remove reference to “marine vessel haul out” from the scoring criteria. Passed 7-0.
• Item F (26-128): Approved an RFP for long-term lease of a portion of GPip Lot 6 for marine vessel and marine services (related to haul out). Passed 7-0.
• Item G (26-129): Discussion on selecting a project for a FY2027 Designated Legislative Grant of $4.5 million (from state CPV fund).
  • Tourism Manager Judson Rusk reported the Tourism Commision narrowed options to: Lincoln Street improvements, the sewal (Marine Service Center bulkhead), or a passenger ferry from cruise dock to downtown.
  • Assembly members debated feasibility, costs (Lincoln Street ~$15.5M, seawall ~$16.3M), timeline (5 years to spend), and community benfit. Concerns included leveraging Lincoln Street’s enterprise fund contributions (water, wastewater) and staff capacity. After extensive discussion, the assembly directed the Adminstrator to pursue a scope for Lincoln Street, noting it is the most shovel-ready and has dual benfit for tourists and locals.
• Item H (26-130): Update on Municipal Administrator recruitment. Mayor Eisenbeisz reported a finalist withdrew but applications continue to be accepted; an executive session is schduled for August 11 to reviwe candidates.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
• Ordinance 2026-17 approved on second reading as amended (7-0), contingent on revised MOA.
• Ordinance 2026-18 approved on second reading (6-0, one recusal).
• Ordinance 2026-19 approved on first reading (7-0). t- RFP for Lot 16B approved (7-0) with direction to modify scoring criteria.
• RFP for Lot 6 approved (7-0). t- Direction on state grant given to Adminstrator to pursue Lincoln Street project scope.
• Municipl Administrator recruitment continues; applications still being accepted; August 1 meeting will include potential executive session.
• Reports: Mayor will miss August 25 meeting; Congressman Begich vistiing August 1; candidate filing deadline for municipal election is August 7 at 5 PM.
• Adjourned at 9:54 PM.