Joshua Branthoover

The Sitka Historic Preservation Plan, a collaborative effort involving the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the City and Borough of Sitka, and the Historic Preservation Commission, aims to identify, protect, and enhance the community's valued historic and cultural resources. The plan provides an overview of historic preservation programs, details Sitka's historic contexts and properties, and addresses current preservation needs. It is structured around five key goals: fostering partnerships and raising awareness for under-represented histories (particularly Tlingit), identifying and protecting resources, improving municipal planning processes for preservation, educating the public and students, and promoting heritage tourism.

The Sitka Comprehensive Plan 2030 serves as a roadmap for guiding the community's growth and development. It is structured around the 'Triple Bottom Line' of natural, social-cultural, and economic capital, addressing key areas such as people and history, the physical environment, economic development, housing, historic/cultural/arts resources, borough facilities and services, transportation, parks/trails/recreation, and land use/future growth. The plan aims to establish broad goals, specific objectives, and actionable steps to foster a desired future for Sitka.

The assembly meeting included detailed discussions regarding capital planning and budgeting, focusing on the risks associated with inflation (estimated at 15% per year for multi-year projects) impacting project funding estimates. Key topics involved reviewing the approved capital appropriation listing, differentiating between capital projects (which add life to an asset) and maintenance, and discussing funding sources such as undesignated working capital and the public infrastructure sinking fund. Assembly members debated setting targets for rate increases, particularly for the electric department, while balancing the need to avoid deferred maintenance and fund critical projects, such as the expensive, regulatory compliance-related wastewater effluent disinfection project which requires matching grant funds. The process for developing future budgets and resource proposals for the next fiscal year was outlined.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. A significant portion of the session involved a report from Mr. Clement, who provided an update on CERH activities, highlighting successes in increasing access to special care services, including the expansion of physical therapy and infusion services. The report also detailed the organization's robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including significant testing capacity enhancements following the acquisition of new laboratory equipment. Furthermore, updates were provided on the progress of the commitment to construct a new hospital, which is currently in the design phase with a projected groundbreaking in 2021. Discussions also covered ongoing land swap deals with the Indian Health Service (IHS) related to the new hospital site and housing commitments, as well as efforts to remediate and repurpose old sites like the Totten building and Penrod Hall. Board members commended the organization's unparalleled testing capacity.

The assembly meeting included discussions on staffing levels within the police department, clarifying the difference between sworn officer counts and police officer counts, totaling nine police officers allotted plus administrative sworn staff. There was discussion regarding the potential establishment of a police auxiliary volunteer program. A department report focused on tourism updates, including the open 2025 end-of-season tourism survey, which seeks feedback on the season and operational matters like Lincoln Street. The deadline for this survey is October 26th, with results expected on November 13th. Additionally, the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Visit Sitka services was highlighted, noting key changes from the previous RFP, allowing for applications for individual services rather than an all-or-nothing approach, and providing flexible contract terms. Public participation included comments concerning safety issues at the Kimsham baseball and softball fields, citing injuries due to poor field conditions, incorrect base installation, and the presence of animal waste, requesting better security and maintenance. Assembly members also discussed the status of airport land lease and future infrastructure improvements, specifically an access road required by the state and long-term taxiway expansion plans which will affect a seven-day parking lot.