Sitka Assembly Special Meeting: Municipal Administrator Interview - September 10, 2026

This special meeting of the City and Borough of Sitka Assembly was held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to conduct a second interview with Municipal Administrator candidate Gerrie Cotter via Zoom. The interview lasted from 5:15 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. Following the interview, the Assembly held two executive sessions to discuss the candidate and the overall recruitment process. The Assembly decided to invite Cotter to Sitka for an in-person meet-and-greet with the community before making a final decision.

Discussion Items

The Assembly interviewed Gerrie Cotter, currently a township administrator from Ohio. Key discussion topics included:

• Fiscal Management: Cotter discussed Sitka's reliance on sales tax and property tax limitations, noting the need for creative revenue sources. She highlighted her experience with limited revenue tools in Ohio, including exploring marijuana dispensary revenue and joint agreements for income taxes.
• First 90 Days: Cotter outlined a plan to meet with the Assembly, department heads, and community stakeholders in the first 60 days, then develop an action plan in the final 30 days.
• Housing Challenges: Cotter acknowledged Sitka's housing crisis and shared strategies from Ohio—such as zoning changes for higher-density housing, pre-approved plans, and collaboration with developers—while emphasizing the need to understand local nuances.
• Relations with Tribal Government: Cotter stated she has no direct experience with tribal governments but recognized the importance of the relationship with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and prioritized building that collaboration.
• Emergency Management: Cotter noted limited experience managing natural disasters but expressed willingness to learn about Sitka's unique risks (landslides, tsunamis) and the lack of mutual aid.
• Collective Bargaining: Cotter described her experience with three unions, emphasizing cordial relationships, transparent budgeting, and give-and-take negotiations.
• Management Style: Cotter described a supportive, non-micromanaging approach, leading by example and focusing on employee training and resources.
• Public Engagement: Cotter shared strategies for handling angry residents (active listening, staying calm) and working with the press (press releases, prompt responses).
• Workforce and Child Care: Cotter expressed interest in a proposed 1.5% summer sales tax for child care initiatives, noting the importance of child care for the workforce.
• Transition Timeline: Cotter estimated 4–6 weeks to relocate once a job offer is accepted, pending sale of her home.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session (Interview Discussion): A motion to enter executive session to discuss subjects that may prejudice the reputation and character of candidate Gerrie Cotter passed 7-0. The session included Assistant Municipal Administrator Josh Branthoover and excluded the Municipal Administrator and Municipal Attorney. The session lasted from 7:09 p.m. to 7:34 p.m.
• Executive Session (Recruitment Process): A motion to enter executive session to review all applications for the Municipal Administrator position passed 6-1, with Assemblymember Christianson voting no. The session included Josh Branthoover and excluded the Municipal Administrator and Municipal Attorney. It lasted from 7:35 p.m. to 7:53 p.m.
• Next Steps: Upon reconvening, Mayor Eisenbeisz announced that the Assembly will invite Gerrie Cotter to Sitka for an in-person meet-and-greet with the community as soon as possible. The Clerk's Office and HR will coordinate logistics. The Assembly aims to have a new administrator in place by late October or early November to allow a transition period with the current administrator before his departure on December 10, 2026.

No public comments were received. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.