City and Borough of Sitka Assembly Special Meeting: Municipal Administrator Candidate Interview

On Friday, August 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM, the Sitka City and Borough Assembly held a special meeting to interview a candidate for the Municipal Administrator position. The meeting was conducted in Assembly Chambers and via Zoom, with Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz presiding. One of the two originally selected candidates withdrew, leaving Gerri "Jerry" Cotter as the sole interviewee. The interview lasted approximately one hour, followed by an executive session and a public reconvening to announce next steps.

Discussion Items

• Candidate Introduction and Background: Jerry Cotter, currently the Township Administrator for Perry Township, Ohio (population ~28,000), introduced herself. She has prior experience at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where she led a statewide workforce development program combining federal funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and TANF. She also served as a township trustee and school board member in Ohio, and is a licensed attorney in New York.
• Experience with Department Heads and Managing Technical Gaps: Assembly member Scott Saline asked how Cotter would avoid being misled by department heads when lacking technical knowledge. Cotter responded that she relies on department heads as subject matter experts but asks probing questions and cross-references information to ensure decisions make sense.
• Managing a Multigenerational Workforce: Assembly member Katie Riley inquired about handling expectations across three generations. Cotter emphasized listening, open-mindedness, and avoiding overgeneralization, while fostering camaraderie and flexibility.
• Open-Ended Introduction: Deputy Mayor JJ Carlson asked Cotter to introduce herself freely. She stated her enjoyment of public service, continuous improvement, and creative problem-solving.
• Relationship with the Assembly: Assembly member Thor Christianson asked how she would foster communication with the assembly. Cotter described tailoring outreach to each member's preferences (e.g., weekly meetings for some, less frequent for others) and using varied communication methods while ensuring information is shared equitably.
• Public Trust and Contentious Situations: Riley asked how Cotter would handle direct public engagement and build trust, given Alaska residents' expectation of direct access. Cotter cited her monthly "Coffee with the Administrator" meetings in Perry Township and stressed accessibility and respectful listening.
• Budget Preparation: Assembly member Chris Ystad (via Zoom) asked about preparing a budget. Cotter outlined reviewing current year data, revenue estimates, strategic plan priorities, and consulting departments and assembly to finalize.
• Service Level Trade-offs (Utilities, Roads, etc.): Kevin Mosher asked about evaluating trade-offs when resources are tight. Cotter shared an example of Perry Township's road funding challenges: a failed levy led to staff attrition and potential reduction of snow removal to weekday business hours only. She described community engagement through a road advisory group and social media campaigns.
• Capital Project Management: Riley asked about managing a significant capital project in a challenging environment. Cotter discussed her experience on the Westerville City School Board, where a bond levy funded renovations prioritized via community surveys and focus groups. She noted the risk of cost overruns during COVID and the importance of deciding between renovation and new construction.
• Management Style: Ystad asked about her management style. Cotter described a coaching style, focusing on staff development, leveraging strengths, and addressing weaknesses through training.
• Collective Bargaining Experience: Mosher asked about labor negotiations. Cotter shared her experience with three unions in Perry Township and stressed maintaining positive daily relationships. She emphasized setting aside capital funds to avoid operating surpluses becoming bargaining chips, and noted arbitration risks in Ohio.
• Stress Management: Saline asked how Cotter handles stress. She cited reading, hiking, and hobbies as outlets.
• Lobbying and Intergovernmental Relations: Carlson asked about lobbying efforts. Cotter described successful grant applications (state and federal), working with state legislators on annexation reform, and a three-year effort to get a traffic light funded by ODOT.
• School Funding Knowledge: Carlson explained Sitka's school funding structure (property tax, sales tax with 1% dedicated to school facilities). Cotter acknowledged limited knowledge of Alaska's system but expressed willingness to learn.
• Motivation for Applying: Christianson asked why she applied to Sitka. Cotter cited the small-town atmosphere, natural beauty, and the opportunity to be in a community she researched and found appealing.
• Employee Retention and Workforce Development: Riley asked about keeping staff. Cotter emphasized treating employees well, offering growth opportunities, and addressing housing challenges through zoning changes. She noted camaraderie and appreciation as key retention factors.
• Role of the Administrator: As a final question, Cotter was asked about the administrator's role in the community. She replied that it is to be an accessible resource, known by sight, and approachable for questions and suggestions.
• Candidate's Questions: Cotter asked what the assembly hopes the next administrator will accomplish in the first three months. Mayor Eisenbeisz responded that understanding the community and becoming familiar with departments is paramount, as the past hiring process has been lengthy.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session: Following the interview, the assembly unanimously (7-0) voted to enter executive session to discuss the candidate, excluding the municipal administrator and municipal attorney. After reconvening, Mayor Eisenbeisz announced that the assembly reached a consensus to schedule a second-round interview with Jerry Cotter. The interview date will be set in coordination with HR and the clerk's office and publicly announced.
• No Other Business: The meeting adjourned without further discussion.