Sitka Assembly Meeting: August 25, 2026 - Sublease, Fire Chief Hire, Appeal Denied

The Sitka City and Borough Assembly held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Assembly Chambers. Six members were present (Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Carlson, Saline, Riley) with Mayor Eisenbeisz absent. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM. Key actions included approval of a terminal sublease with Alaska Airlines, ratification of the fire chief appointment, and denial of a public records appeal.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the August 11 Assembly meeting (consent item A).
• Marijuana Licenses: Approved renewal applications for Northern Lights Indoor Gardens, LLC for standard marijuana cultivation facility and retail store licenses at 1321 Sawmill Creek Road, Suites M, N, O, P (consent item B).
• Equipment Sale: Authorized the sale of a Sierra Shear Baler valued at more than $25,000 (consent item C).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Film Festival Announcement: Debbie Miller announced the second annual American Documentary and Animation Film Festival in Sitka, scheduled for October 9–11, 2026, at the PAC and Coliseum. She noted 33 films and invited community support.
• Fire Chief Support: Jeffrey Reinhardt, a local physician, spoke in support of Brian McLaughlin's appointment as fire chief, citing his leadership experience and positive referrals from Coast Guard personnel.
• Appeal Comment: After the vote, appellant Austin Cranford commented that the denial effectively admitted the city lacks documentation for its online public records portal.

Discussion Items

• Special Reports:
  • Sitka School Board: President Phil Burdick reported two educator awards (Cindy Duncan for Microsoft Elevate Pathfinder School; Bridget Reynolds for SHI Distinguished Educator Award). He raised concerns about potential federal e-rate restructuring (affecting $65,000 direct and $250,000 leveraged funding) and a state re-examination of local contribution definitions.
  • Sitka Tribe of Alaska: General Manager Bert Adams (first day August 18) reported tribal council actions, summer camps serving over 85 students, ordinance updates (judicial ordinance effective September 19), and a weaving community gathering.
  • Planning & Community Development: Director Amy Ainslie reported progress on the municipal lands housing study (Phase 2 geohazard mapping, density scenarios for September 2 planning commission presentation), centralized permitting challenges, a sustainability plan aiming for adoption by year-end, parks programs (54 summer camp participants), and building department stats (50% increase in inspections in Q2).
  • Assessing: Director Larry Reeder reported 90% residential reappraisal completion, an annual trend model applying a conservative 3% increase (despite data indicating up to 10%), and noted the August 31 property tax payment deadline.
• Appeal of Public Records Determination (Item G): The assembly held a quasi-judicial hearing on Austin W. Cranford’s appeal of the municipal clerk’s July 6 response to his June 23 public records request. Cranford sought documents explaining the legal basis for a certification and narrowing prompts on the city’s digital records portal. The city attorney argued the request was for legal analysis, not specific documents, and a new request would be needed. After arguments, the assembly voted 6-0 to uphold the clerk’s response and deny the appeal.
• Administrator’s Airport Report: John Leach reported that the state has withheld over $10 million in project reimbursements since May 2026 due to a dispute over administrative rates. He outlined three options: restructure Sitka as a co-operator (as in Ketchikan), require the state to perform all duties, or return the terminal to state operation. He noted that Alaska Airlines leadership had been briefed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items A, B, C): Approved 6-0.
• Board Appointments (Item D): Reappointed Rachel Worthey to a three-year term on the Library Commission and Mary Ann Hall to a three-year term on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (Category 6). Approved 6-0.
• Alaska Airlines Sublease (Item E): Approved a terminal sublease with a phased rent increase from $277,000 (current) to $504,000 (FY27) to $735,400 (FY28), and authorized the municipal administrator to execute the document. Motion passed 6-0.
• Fire Chief Hire (Item F): Approved the hire of Brian McLaughlin as Fire Chief, as recommended by the municipal administrator. McLaughlin has served as interim chief for four months. Motion passed 6-0.
• Appeal Denial (Item G): Motion to uphold the municipal clerk’s July 6 response and deny the appeal in its entirety passed 6-0.
• Upcoming: The Planning Commission will forward ADU code changes to the assembly for the September 22 meeting. A public meeting on taxi code is scheduled for October 21, 2026. Early voting for the October 6 municipal election begins September 21.