[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6474181,"mediaKeyId","5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a","parentId",5742474,"title","Assembly directs staff to negotiate two‑year contract with Sitka Legacy Foundation to administer nonprofit grants","audioSeconds",2382,"startMs",2538000,"endMs",4920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a&start=2538&end=4920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a/thumbnail_2538000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474181/Sitka-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-directs-staff-to-negotiate-twoyear-contract-with-Sitka-Legacy-Foundation-to-administer-nonprofit-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474181-72e0ee3b9b32b93266752ee71ba53c6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969215&Signature=m8LhoKxjX3bYLcda0uiRZlJKuk93UYMlZ7zcysK1nXFnvhwiaVSgooRHzLKcgVE4NR8ckNzTd~BY-8MgC1msbBfK9BVqHOurb3px~WQU9IKIDrbXMCJBt7l3KtBn23yMVHvbJI6ryi7sh5LgmKBDmfYw2Lv3cPu2V1h7z1bFaWNxOtIGiM3~3ffXEeJZ8YU5-tpOVRRZgxR2zjLMHUnhtHeG3kkf4r3pydmSi87eJi8z02fy3BqgtpU6WYTSLq7XjffOTzblIVYYRBCsjCufYak0wn-jGaXEVmi~N3jsBpZ8u~u-diBsugsZ4MbEmbpChMqzW32FgnU09bMWMamyEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sitka City and Borough","date","2025-09-10T02:02:59Z","article","The Sitka City and Borough Assembly voted to direct staff to negotiate a contract with the Sitka Legacy Foundation to administer the assembly’s annual general‑fund nonprofit grants program.

On a motion to direct staff to negotiate the contract, the assembly vote was 7–0 in favor. The motion instructs the city administrator and staff to prepare contract terms for the assembly’s consideration; assembly members discussed a two‑year initial term with option years, a 5% administrative fee from the grant pool (for example, $2,500 on a $50,000 grant pool was used as an illustration), and a city reservation to set the annual budgeted grant amount each year.

Sponsors and rationale: Assembly member Kevin (first name only in the transcript) and co‑sponsor Chris (first name only) said the nonprofit community had asked the city to delegate grant administration to the Sitka Legacy Foundation, citing the foundation’s grant‑making experience and a simpler process that would reduce staff workload. Kevin said staff currently spend an estimated 25–30 hours administering the program and argued that contracting the work would free city staff time for other tasks.

Sitka Legacy Foundation role and fee: Chris, identified later in the meeting as the Sitka Legacy Foundation board chair, told the assembly the foundation would manage the whole process — advertising the availability of grants, handling applications, reviewing and deciding awards, issuing checks, collecting reports, and reporting back to the assembly. He said the foundation already conducts a local grant program, is an affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation and uses that organization’s back‑office systems. The foundation said it could administer the city program within the $2,500 administrative amount discussed.

Public comment: Some nonprofit leaders and directors supported the delegation. Ben Hughey said the current city application is lengthy (the transcript records a 16‑page application) and that a professional grant‑making process would be more efficient and reduce nonprofit staff time required to apply. Several nonprofits signed a letter supporting the change, according to comments cited in the meeting.

Opposition and concerns: Richard Ween (also transcribed as \"Wean\" in some lines) urged caution and suggested the assembly could instead each donate from personal pay to cover the administrative fee; he characterized the administrative fee as a grant amount for a small group and asked the assembly to consider the fiscal implications.

Contract structure and oversight: City staff and the assembly discussed contracting mechanisms. The city’s attorney and administration staff said the intended approach is to issue the budgeted grant amount to the Sitka Legacy Foundation as a grantee and to establish a separate contract for purchased services for administration, with typical contract terms, option years and reporting requirements. Assembly members emphasized maintaining the assembly’s control over how much is budgeted each year and discussed including an out clause and a two‑year pilot commitment so the assembly can re‑evaluate the arrangement.

Final motion and vote: Troy (first name only) moved to direct staff to negotiate the contract; a second was recorded. The roll call recorded Mayor Eisenbeis, Mr. Christiansen, Ms. Carlson, Mr. Celine, Mr. Mosher, Mr. Ystad and Mr. Pike as voting yes; the motion passed 7–0. The assembly directed staff to prepare a contract for future assembly review and approval.

Next steps: staff will draft a contract with the Sitka Legacy Foundation outlining the term, fee structure, reporting and audit/oversight expectations and return it to the assembly for final approval. The assembly indicated a preference for an initial two‑year term with option years and for a clause that preserves the assembly’s ability to set the annual budget and to terminate the agreement if expectations are not met.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City and Borough of Sitka Assembly Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Sitka City and Borough Assembly voted unanimously to direct staff to negotiate a contract with the Sitka Legacy Foundation to administer the annual general‑fund nonprofit grants program.","taxTitle","Sitka City and Borough, Alaska","taxId",14992,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474190,"FAA-led seaplane base project remains on schedule; public open house set, preservation commission urges fuller review",2076,0,2076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a&start=0&end=2076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6474190/Sitka-City-and-Borough/Alaska/FAA-led-seaplane-base-project-remains-on-schedule-public-open-house-set-preservation-commission-urges-fuller-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474190-1acba2412c1cfb26635f84a71b875147/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969215&Signature=CZqIQYDbXrb1TfFOJoy92~hDLogvC4CZ-GeDmB2uMq3qfkmLydFgP7C6LAfY9Pd~g5abOaBa~HoKCo7Ci6cqflv~xH9kGDsZe7Qyjszc~btY5sRyjT~BK0fzhBoYTyS8yFJK9lMKK4vWRU2X-AOucRPylkci78oCHM3rvCH9QhyDcKy9dlGjwFjA0n24GexB8ztHIb06JKuUwCID38gcdTVY-gNa8NBto9oEjls9Dv0hWiftGNc8iRIgbeERhUB0ZxnsT8XzTFq-j3Wcjmk1SCyFtrdHA1QULGtBSsSnHDnHzkhakrMxgkrDJcUsJgKEGguYbjbiTAfZ3OS1193fqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Federal Aviation Administration-led seaplane base project for Sitka remains on schedule and under budget as the project team prepares public comment opportunities, project representatives said during the Sitka City and Borough Assembly meeting.

Project presenter Joseph (no last name given), speaking for the FAA/consultant team, said the supplemental environmental assessment (SEA) package includes a memorandum of agreement (MOA), species consultations, Section 106 historical‑property review, Section 4(f) considerations, noise analysis, a climate‑change review and records of government‑to‑government communications. He said the MOA is an agreement that includes the FAA, the Sitka City and Borough and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Joseph told the assembly the public can submit comments by email to sickaspb,sierrapapabravo@dot.gov or attend an FAA-hosted public open house on the ninth of next month at Centennial Hall, Room 3 at 5 p.m. He also said the project team will hold a floatplane pilot stakeholder meeting next week in Room 5 at 6 p.m. to review the 65% design and the “fly-friendly” program and to gather pilot input before moving from 65% to 100% design.

Why it matters: the SEA, MOA and design choices will shape whether, and how, work proceeds on the Sitka seaplane base. The MOA and historic‑property reviews are intended to identify and, where possible, eliminate or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties.

During public comment, Karen Lucas, who identified herself as an individual appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission, said the commission had received “almost no information” about the seaplane base process and only recently learned the MOA on the table includes demolition and removal of some historic structures on the seaplane base property. Lucas asked the assembly to postpone further decisions so the Historic Preservation Commission can perform its review; she said the commission will not be able to address the matter until October and asked the assembly to preserve the paper trail and share MOA materials with the commission.

Project financing and schedule: Joseph said the project currently is operating under a 100% eligible FAA design grant (described in the meeting as a COVID grant), so the Sitka City and Borough does not have a local match requirement for that design grant. He distinguished the FAA design grant for the project from future discussions about ongoing maintenance or operations, which he said would be addressed separately through the enterprise fund that will be distinct from the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport Enterprise Fund and is expected to be resolved closer to project completion (the presenter mentioned 2028 as an anticipated timeframe for finalizing those details).

Participants and next steps: the FAA team (Joseph referenced FAA staff Christie and Kendall) and the city said they will continue drafting and finalizing the SEA and MOA, host the public open house and the pilot stakeholder meeting, and accept written comments by the advertised email address. The Historic Preservation Commission member requested additional time and documentation before decisions are finalized.

Assembly action: no formal assembly vote on the seaplane base project or the MOA was recorded in the meeting minutes; public comment and staff presentations were informational and the assembly did not take a decision to approve or reject the MOA during this meeting.

Looking ahead: the SEA, MOA and related materials will remain available for public review as the project team incorporates public and pilot feedback into the final design package and mitigation plans.","The Federal Aviation Administration-led seaplane base project for Sitka remains on schedule and under budget as the project team prepares public comment opportunities, project representatives said during the Sitka City and Borough Assembly meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474186,"Sitka moves forward with full municipal code recodification; city to migrate to eCode360 platform",658,534000,1192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a&start=534&end=1192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a/thumbnail_534000.jpg","/articles/6474186/Sitka-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Sitka-moves-forward-with-full-municipal-code-recodification-city-to-migrate-to-eCode360-platform","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474186-22b4c9a556dde57c275a7216d016e7da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969215&Signature=BK5SrqpYf05NApjNQ4oGghUl82oY~38kSdqkWC1hOYRIX4fDGL4ZIpyiojcFG16GdWApVotHW9NbibHEOCU-itdfpiTR-CKErTGAnQs7ZQagYrrhowb-zfhNq1gZhF41yR7hcaXALviGHIsSYP48bFWq4-QdToI2iefVy3jdnTLrESPa-usaNqfZ2TcQVnWIW401fu-T-5~4gblVQuRAYNUpGKS-EZp7EIdgniFA1CNYe5x84cdOjTjXAhqjH-CUjHvMmyyrroHfWoxUcStsyWUmFL1-1dnJ~w8IbjRpyCSKIzZYY~zocTPiW28eUpMP2lsZmn8a9QBZoM58DVvjzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City legal staff and a vendor representative briefed the Sitka City and Borough Assembly on a planned recodification and rewrite of the municipal code aimed at correcting long‑standing drafting errors and ensuring internal consistency.

Sarah (legal staff) said the effort is not intended to make substantive policy changes but to eliminate errors, outdated cross‑references and provisions preempted by state or federal law. She cited examples identified in a 2022 legal review: a residual \"clerk treasurer\" definition that no longer matches current office structure, an overly broad definition of \"immediate family\" in the conflicts‑of‑interest section, and code sections that still treat violations as misdemeanors despite the borough lacking a borough‑level court. The team said those provisions would be corrected so the code is enforceable and clearer to citizens and staff.

Rachel and Emily from General Code described the platform and timeline. Emily said Sitka’s existing code will be migrated to General Code’s eCode360 platform within roughly 10–12 weeks after signing and that an editorial review is expected to take about 180 business days. The vendor said staff will be trained, that the platform allows in‑line review questions linked to the manuscript, and that as new ordinances are adopted the platform can integrate them during the multi‑year process. After the city’s review of the manuscript the vendor expects to deliver a draft proposed code within about 145 days for a 45‑day city review; the city’s current code runs about 849 pages.

Budget and timing: staff said the recodification work is already budgeted in the current fiscal and the next budget cycle. Assembly members asked about charter interactions; staff said the project covers code only and that any charter changes suggested by the recodification would require a separate political process.

Why it matters: the city said the recodification will remove internal contradictions, bring statutory citations up to date, correct references to state and federal law, and make the code more usable for citizens and staff.

Public and staff input: city staff and department heads have been involved and supportive, and the legal team said the project will include an internal review workflow that can route questions to the staff member best positioned to answer them. Several assembly members voiced support for a two‑year schedule and praised the project’s potential to streamline staff work.

Next steps: the city will proceed with the vendor migration and a phased review on the eCode360 platform. No formal assembly action was recorded at this meeting; the presentation and timeline were informational.","City legal staff and vendor General Code outlined a two‑year recodification to correct errors and modernize Sitka’s municipal code; migration to the vendor’s eCode360 platform is scheduled within 10–12 weeks after contract execution and the code review period is expected to take roughly 180 business days.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474172,"Votes at a glance: Sitka assembly actions — consent agenda, reappointment, nonprofit grants negotiation",116,2419000,2535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a&start=2419&end=2535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a/thumbnail_2419000.jpg","/articles/6474172/Sitka-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-Sitka-assembly-actions-consent-agenda-reappointment-nonprofit-grants-negotiation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474172-1712c4d7adc5b675b982cc17f68cb3c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969215&Signature=S2bIOKFfwPzcUeJVN7SjM8FAX~tkTYui2lZgiW2ZHuyMewSEkyQ2BsprP0D4khk4EJHo4W4dR35sR89KWaWhBU-6-1kEZbDp-t~N6ivhDwzg3-LeQPN-1pTk540eyyfB8SJCFzaVOonYuMQmT39eOC1IppeVKAbOt8tOb642EGmyjC~sTNd~3ajAuGasP8OzF5lO5HvwBx3fFkMwzzUCMIJWHA0JqtZnjNaxXYfqd-CEaFIt8cAJoe3yYj6P7StAbUIykU~EfIhu3x95wG9mIQhOO9DQW-YmSlFpy53tJdLnl89Hm5CYIFej83NQ7o8hjG~ROcHoTanstbF9hKm99A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Key votes recorded during the Sitka City and Borough Assembly meeting:

1) Consent agenda — passed 7–0
The assembly approved the consent agenda consisting of: minutes of several prior meetings; two ordinances reappropriating funds for FY2025 and FY2026 (first reading) and a supplemental appropriation for library programming (first reading). The ordinances (items b and c) were scheduled to return for second reading on Sept. 23, 2025. Roll call showed all present members voting yes.

2) Reappointment to Ports and Harbors Commission — passed 7–0
Motion: Reappoint Tyler Green to a three‑year term on the Ports and Harbors Commission. The motion passed on roll call, 7–0.

3) Nonprofit grant program administration — passed 7–0 (direction to negotiate)
Motion: Direct staff to negotiate a contract with the Sitka Legacy Foundation to administer the annual general‑fund nonprofit grant program (assembly to set annual budget amounts). Outcome: passed on roll call 7–0. (See separate article for full coverage.)

4) Sales tax‑free days — passed 6–0 (one recusal)
Motion: Authorize Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 as municipal sales tax‑free days, excluding fuel, alcoholic beverages and marijuana. Estimated revenue impact cited in staff memo: ~ $35,000. Vote: 6–0 with one recusal.

Meeting procedure: roll calls for each motion were recorded in the meeting transcript; where ordinances were passed on first reading they were scheduled for second reading per the announced calendar.","At the Sept. 9 assembly meeting the body approved the consent agenda (minutes and first‑reading appropriations), reappointed a Ports and Harbors commissioner, authorized staff to negotiate a nonprofit‑grant contract, and set sales tax‑free days.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474176,"Assembly approves sales tax‑free days after Thanksgiving; memo estimates about $35,000 in foregone revenue",317,4952000,5269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a&start=4952&end=5269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742474-3f1a75ba608808ec327c8b345d966a9a/thumbnail_4952000.jpg","/articles/6474176/Sitka-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-approves-sales-taxfree-days-after-Thanksgiving-memo-estimates-about-35000-in-foregone-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474176-db148fbc07b090ac74097db1e7ebb9d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969215&Signature=aNGWp3VotpxDTGu9tYBniGAWg1sYjX45~vM3wC8JG-3TppTKW0wCEWOCbE~OpjKReseGwVl6-cF45gw776wRXkh3vWU5UpQ6NDemGOb8czRcqo0e6exeueH3Vdg4OtX82xdD6wVzqV679wr9Xru295cYhWEVXflvXhdFBKDAG3bwZoISoltidZNcqrSUX0Rujw6SFQall7DbEo71Q~toyqFhTzTmEkN0l11RWhuOAjuaYFSbwJfoVKsUf06j4uWARKFJ45t0Hu6djxPZFJqMLmrwK6mD4a3aE8k4dGcN795R3PDGCt7xPKVfItr1~aZW3NDyjrfzgy3fFkBhgUKieQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sitka City and Borough Assembly approved designated sales tax‑free days following Thanksgiving for 2025.

Motion and exclusions: a motion to authorize Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 as sales tax‑free days passed on roll call. The resolution language recorded in the meeting states that the tax exemption will not apply to sales of fuel, alcoholic beverages or marijuana, and will not apply to any sale that is part of a continuing obligation of the buyer to pay the seller over time.

Fiscal impact and administration: city staff referenced a memo estimating the borough would forgo approximately $35,000 in sales tax revenue from those two days. The city will notify remote sellers per existing tax agreements so software vendors and remote sellers have notice of the exemption dates; staff noted the outcome may depend on vendors’ software capability to exempt specific days.

Recusal and vote: Deputy Mayor Pike recused from the item earlier in the meeting; the recorded roll call on the motion showed the measure passed 6–0. Assembly members discussed potential edge cases (for example, fabricated goods or work executed across multiple days) and noted the exemption has been a recurring local practice in prior years.

Why it matters: the tax‑free days are intended to encourage local shopping during the holiday period but reduce municipal tax receipts for the two specified days. The assembly discussed that local businesses often rely on increased holiday sales and that the exemption is a long‑standing local policy choice.

Next steps: staff will issue the required notices to remote sellers and local businesses as provided under the sales tax code and the city’s vendor agreements. The assembly did not change the scope of excluded items beyond those stated in the motion.","The assembly authorized Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 as municipal sales tax‑free days excluding fuel, alcohol and marijuana; the memo cited an estimated revenue loss of roughly $35,000 and the motion passed 6–0 with one recusal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly directs staff to negotiate two‑year contract with Sitka Legacy Foundation to administer nonprofit grants

FAA-led seaplane base project remains on schedule; public open house set, preservation commission urges fuller review

Sitka moves forward with full municipal code recodification; city to migrate to eCode360 platform

Votes at a glance: Sitka assembly actions — consent agenda, reappointment, nonprofit grants negotiation

Assembly approves sales tax‑free days after Thanksgiving; memo estimates about $35,000 in foregone revenue