City Council - Regular Meeting

I call to order the September 23rd um regular council meeting at 7:04 p.m. Everyone rise for the pledge. To the flag of the United States of America stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we call um

roll call. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Shen, absent. Mr. Wagner here. Mr. McCalto here. Mr. Pinkush absent. Mr. Mr. Dench here. Miss Loan here. Mr. Mayor here. You have a quorum.

Ask for a motion for the uh approval of agenda and consent items. Mr. Mayor, the citizens comments is before the really approval of the agenda. Okay. Do

we have anybody on the list? Miss Linda, come on up to the podium. Can you hear me now? Excellent. Um, thank you again for having me tonight. Um, this is a kind of a follow-up visit from our last month's visit with uh, Senator Kathy Gizel. That was an amazing trip. We actually continued after here to Girdwood and we went to Anchorage to a couple of other places and so she really was so impressed with how everyone here works together trying to do the best they can for their community and she also expected a followup on some of the things we'd hope to work together on. Um, first of all, one of the big things I want to announce from the clinic, what we're doing in terms of reaching out to providing services for Whittier is behavioral health services. And so, we are going to be um bringing a provider bringing a provider here to Whittier to provide those services. We're going to try to remove as many barriers as possible. So, that means come here and provide those services. Um, and we are going to offer the first visit for free. That way, it also removes barriers from people who are thinking about reaching out for help, but they're not ready. Quite often, it's because of cost or they don't know what's for them. We want to make sure that they those barriers are gone. they can meet with someone, come up with a plan of care, and if that plan of care

is something that works for them, we hope that they carry on with services. So, we are going to be offering this free firsttime visit um with a new patient um through December. And as far as the days, we are going to be working with patients and scheduling them. And we will come here and meet with them. It'll either be a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. And thank um thank you for talking to staff. We believe that we could have something here during business hours because we want to do this during business hours as well. Um so that's a big one in terms of the therapy. And also we also want to be able to promote that we now have a program that um treats substance um substance abuse for both alcohol and opioid um um treatment. And so we have that we have medication that's coming to the clinic so you don't have to go all the way to Anchorage and get treatment. there are patients that because our service area extends to hope are really finding this to be more valuable because they don't have to go all the way to the city and those medications are usually timely on very timely meaning like every 30 days and um so that's what we're doing for our behavior for behavioral health services. We do plan on bringing out um a flu clinic in October. We're just waiting for the flu vaccines. That is all we're waiting for. The state will believe I know they have come to Alaska. Others are getting them. So, we're hoping to hear for a date any time so that we can come out with flu vaccines. We'll work with the school as well because I know ASD does provide flu vaccines and we're trying to see if there's other vaccines that might be available to for uh whether it's children or adults. uh

we're still waiting on COVID vaccine guidelines and so we hope to bring all of those as soon as October which is in a couple of weeks and I'll let you guys know that date. So other things for health um is um we are going to be bringing someone out here to do offer some yoga classes. Um we're looking at partnering with um AARP we just did a great presentation on the seven pillars of health. um they're willing to come out here and present on that includes some meditation. So there's um some good things that we're working on and we hope to provide something like that every month in terms of education um regarding health care. And so that's the healthc care thing. And Jamie, thank you so much. Jaime's been very instrumental in helping us work with the the right person to get to get her here. And I think we're going to be launching in November every Monday in November because that's healthc care wellness month. And so what a way to launch that. Um also we want to do we want to partner with the chiefs from the fire department and the police station to do a job fair. I know that they would like to to hire some more folks. We believe that there are some candidates in Gerwood that wouldn't mind driving here. um to it's an easy commute and so we're hoping to invite them we've got some dates in mind where we can invite them to come to Gerardwood to present or have a table at an event and hopefully um be able to um attract some good people for for Whittier. So far that's what I have so far. Does anybody have any questions for me? All right. Well, thank you again. Thank

you again for being such great hosts for when uh Senator Gizel was here. It was so impressive. I really We all enjoyed it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. No others are signed in. Okay. I'd ask for a motion for the approval of agenda and consent. Mr. Mayor, did you want to ask if there was anyone else in the room that would like to speak at this time? Some comments before.

Hey, good evening. Um, just wanted to comment on a couple things that happened this last week. Um, if anybody saw the all the blue helmets around town both uh Sunday and yesterday, that was the serves uh fall training for oil spill prevention. Uh, it happens every every well al alternates between spring and fall, but fortunately we got the uh the fall shot this year. They had the big 500-2, the big barge that was tied up to the uh cruise ship terminal down there. So, if anybody does well, I'll explain what the whole program is. We usually have eight classes that help us refresh the our responsibilities that would come forward in the event of another Exxon Valdike uh spill. So it's uh haz whopper which is how to deal with hazardous uh materials. It's how to u operate various pieces of equipment and that's for most of uh a day and then second day is on the water and it's all takes place out at shotgun cove. I think years past u uh the prince sound rcac has sponsored a boat to come over and take some of the uh citizens out. So I think that'll probably happen uh probably next year. But yeah, if you just wondered what all all the commotion was about, they another group was in town today. They finished up training in the the barge and the uh the tug that escorts it will be leaving shotgun cove for their regularly scheduled duties. Uh this last week uh I'm the Prince William Sound RCAC uh representative for the city of Whittier. We had our meetings over in Cordova that the fall meeting, we have a couple meetings during the year, but the fall meeting always rotates around all of the uh the affected towns in the oil spill region. Uh next year is scheduled to be wittier. So the big challenge with that would be is having enough uh housing available for probably 70 to 90 participants. There's uh it's quite a um quite a big big thing, but I guess we'll see what housing actually gets finished and is

available in the spring. I'm sure they'll be contacting you because they're the folks the staff are very very big big planners. Uh some of the updates from that meeting um as of oh just a few weeks ago the trans uh the um 19th billion barrel of oil was uh loaded from the out of the Valdis marine terminal. So that's quite a feat. Um the the tanker lanes I looked at it because I never knew for sure are 48 miles away. So all that oil is trans goes right by our I guess that would be the side door. I guess it' be the front door, side door. Anyway, um that's why they do that training. That's why I think that organization RCAC is very important. They're trying to combat what's probably the worst word in the in the dictionary as far as our business is complacency. Just can't let things uh go that no one pays attention. So, that's what the that organization does. I'm very very flattered to represent Woodier. There's some super smart people there. So, I think it's worthwhile to participate as much as as we can. Um, 23,817 tankers have gone by the the door there. And yeah, 2386 went without any kind of a problem. We just all know know which one didn't didn't do that. And frankly, that was because of complacency. So, um, that's about it. Any questions? I'd be happy to answer. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mike. Is there anyone else? Seeing none,

ask for a motion for approval of tonight's agenda and consent agenda. Tom, Mr. Mayor, have there been any changes to the agenda as presented? Yes, sir. Once we get it on the table, we'll uh we'll make we'll make some changes. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion. I'll second.

Okay. Um, Jackie has asked that we remove the executive session regarding Alaska Railroad and um, presentation C um, Neil Wear is was not able to attend so strike that and I think that's it. So, uh, I'd ask for a motion to remove those from the agenda.

So, moved. Second. So, um, okay, here the vote to, uh, make the amendments. Voting on the motion to amend the agenda by removing items 12 and 1 C. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Wagner, yes. Mr. Malto, yes. Mr. Denmark, yes. again. Oh, apologies, Miss Loan. Yes. And Mr. Mayor,

yes. Any hearing? No further discussion regarding the agenda. That that passed the um motion to amend the agenda. Now you would need to make a motion or you need to discuss and vote on the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Apologies. Are there any further discussions? Hearing none. Did you want to add the executive session requested by your legal council to discuss the city manager performance? I'm sorry, Jackie. I didn't realize that was uh Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. That's okay. Um I didn't hear that part.

One more amendment. Yeah. I just heard the railroad thing. Sorry. Um, mayor, I was told about this via an email yesterday. I have no clue. I'm not allowed to be in that executive session and I have no idea what you guys have asked for, just so you know. We're on the same page. Okay. So, evidently there is a uh it's Is this recommended by legal? That is Yes. Hi, Jess. This is Jess. I'm on. I don't know if you guys can hear me in the room.

Yes, we can hear you. Okay. Thanks, Shelby. Says I'm backstage. Um, Jennifer Alexander had asked a followup uh based on the last executive session you guys had. I think she just wanted to close things out, but I'm not completely sure. But that was why uh legal requested the executive session. Okay. Maybe there was a question we asked or something. she's going to answer it. So, um, this is, uh, we're going to make an amendment. And I don't know the phrase as far as how to add this to executive session. If you could help me out on that.

Yes. It would just be a motion to amend the agenda by inserting an executive session regarding city manager performance as per and I'll I'll tell you the magic stuff I don't have. You got it. As per what your municipal code 28040 oh it's not on here. Hang on. Uh B2, matters that would tend to injure the reputation of a person, provided that the person may request a public discussion. Very good. I'm not going to repeat that, but I'll make the motion. Okay. Do I have a second?

Second. Any discussion hearing? None. Voting on the motion to amend the agenda by inserting an executive session to discuss city manager performance as per your municipal code 2.04 I'm sorry 2.08.04B2 matters that would tend to injure the reputation of a person provided however that the person may request a public discussion. Mr. Wagner yes Mr. Denmark. Yes. Mr. Mccalto. Yes. Miss Lone. Yes. Mr. Blair. Yes,

the motion passes and the uh agenda is amended. Returning again to the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Okay, hearing no further discussion. Voting on the motion to approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended. Mr. Wagner, yes. Miss Loan, yes. Mr. McCalto, yes. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Mayor, yes. The motion passes and the agenda and consent agenda are approved as amended. On tonight's consent agenda is the approval of the August 19th, 2025 regular meeting minutes.

Okay. And that takes us to presentations. We have a waterfront economic development plan by Corpus Design. Mr. Mayor uh Peter Briggs and Linda Pringle from Forbus Design are joining us virtually. So you will see them on our TV screen. Good evening everyone. Um are you able to hear me? Yes, we can hear you.

Um my understanding is that there was a motion at the last council meeting for us to uh to be available. Um, so I guess I would defer to the body for what um, information I might or we might be able to provide.

Peter, we have you on our agenda tonight. Um, under new business, I believe. Um,

Mr. Mayor, this presentation is due to your request uh or your u motion at the last meeting to have Orvis appear at tonight's meeting so that you uh I'm not I wasn't clear on the on the why necessarily, but just that they were to appear at tonight's meeting so that you could speak with them. Yeah. Um, it's not really a presentation. It was, uh, I thought it was going to be under new business. Um, so, um, it'sformational items. Um, I asked in my email for it to be under new business. We apologize for that oversight.

Um, along with fireworks and community holiday. Um this is not really a format for presentations. So, um, with the council's permission, can we, um, we've already accepted the agenda? Um, can we kind of relax the rules and, uh, place this under new business? It's a, it's already on the agenda, but it's listed underformational items. I would recommend if you want to make this wait until the new business that you make a motion to table this item and then you can pick it up again at new business under other new business.

So then maybe we should relax if request to relax the rules and handle this right now. Yes, you could do that too.

Is that okay with council? Okay. So, um are there any council members that wish to speak to the uh our economic study? I'm noting maybe a bit of confusion here. When this came up at the last meeting, this was a function of the last public input meeting that was held in Anchorage and Whittier and at least one counselor being me and I believe others were hoping that that present that the presentation was made to the council before the public. And I went to that public input meeting and there was no presentation made. It was just basically a showand tell format where you were allowed to offer public input. Was my understanding going my impression of what that was going to be was going to be a presentation of the full plump full-blown water development plan as the draft has been submitted to us. So that was my that was my reason for my support of having Corvvis here to make a presentation which apparently is not going to happen. And um to speak to that story um if uh if this time is good for a brief presentation I'm I'm I'm here at the will of the body. So, whatever folks would like, I'm here to help you.

Can I can I just add a couple of items, Peter? Um, this is some of my concerns in reading the draft. Um, on page 11, the draft states the master lease is 250 acres. The master lease that the city signed with Alaska Railroad was originally 170 acres. 20 acres were subsequently removed and leased to Huna Totem. The remaining master lease is 150 acres. In the draft you have assessed the value of the harbor loop as 2.39 million. This uh my understanding of the recent Alaska railroad appraisal. It's a significant 2.39 million for the Harbor Loop which is the small parcel of land consisting of roughly 3 acres. That's that's a very high price. Uh and I would ask you to please consider looking at the railroad appraisal with regard to the Harbor Uplands and that it's it's uh I don't have it. It's listed as a single parcel which is all the way down to the triangle inclusive of the Harbor Loop. and uh that land is appraised. So, please consider looking at that. Um historically um there's no mention of the the details of the Alaska master lease

and that it you basically just say a portion goes to the railroad. 40% of the revenue we get from all of our leases on the master lease go to the Alaska Railroad. the M and I was hoping that we would get some empirical data from Northern Economics. Uh the support that the master lease is one of the principal principal reasons for lower thanex expected appraisal of the master lease land uh that the community is working with the railroad to purchase. No banks will make loans to holders of master leases. Many businesses who wish to make business investments in Whittier have no appetite to invest in capital that is located uh to develop infrastructure on any of the master lease property due to its complication. Um, it would be really helpful if the economic development study listed the successful negotiation of the master lease being converted to fe simple land as one of the most important ingredients of Whittier economic future development. Um in in your just there was a lot of information there. There was some I like the structure, but one of the things that I had trouble

with is I recognized a lot of the information on this uplands development as comments. And it would be helpful to know comments versus empirical data. We have a lot of data that the administration has access to and it would be helpful to identify comments versus which they seem to have u I'll give you an example of a a comment that I found in the draft. There are multiple statements made in the study that imply the harbor is an economic drain on local residents. I believe northern economics can empirically show the harbor is the primary economic driver of our current economy. A significant amount of all sales tax and property tax comes from the harbor related activity. The boarding passenger fees which are collected to fund the harbor upgrade bonds are paid by the users uh by the tourists that use charter boat and the highly successful day cruise operators. Um anyway, I I'm having trouble differentiating opinion in comments. versus empirical fact. It seems to be interlaced freely. Uh maybe you could um it looks like the railroad also put

in some comments and uh um we're going to be using this uplands development study as a council to make decisions and it's really helpful if we can understand what's comments and and these comments. Part of the confusion for me is I didn't know these topics were going to be in there. I'd be happy to make comments. Uh but they're they're kind of um they're like surprise comments, you know. Um and I don't I didn't know the subject matter was going to be in there. And I would love to have had the opportunity to weigh in then on that. So, um to the extent that we can use this to decide how we're going to proceed with uh grants and things like that, if we could get some of the data updated to accurately reflect uh the master lease and if Northern Economics would take a look at the effects the master lease has A has had on we our businesses and and how this successful resolution of removing this mass release and making it fe simple will be a major driver in a positive direction for our economy. Um

um anyway, I I would love to hear why this or or where you got this information with regard to um the master release. Um,

are are we going to be making a motion on this or is this just something that you're asking for? some some clarification and and some some suggestions in terms of when when we read this, it'd be nice to know the difference between a comment and supposedly we were going to be given a sort of like a road map on how we're going to proceed as a as a council and and and as a community with regard to our harbor uplands. I agree, but I think there's been some disconnect on what was supposed to happen today. So maybe this should be tabled into a next meeting so we can get a proper presentation

with with the required information.

May I ask a question? Um Mr. Blair, are you um when you're saying comments versus um fact, are you was are you reading the public input comments from the the public comment that just ended? It's it's not differentiated. I mean there that like the essentially like the uh there were multiple times in the document in which it stated that the the harbor is an economic drain. Okay. And I believe that that's a that's a comment. Okay. If you if you look at the data that's available in with from the administration probably debatable. Um um may may I understand may I just respond briefly?

Yes sir. Um so within the current public review draft that we have created um the econ northern economics produced the economic analysis which is a standalone document that is included at the end of the public review draft that was completed in January of 2025 that was a backwards looking assessment as a foundation for the plan itself. Um so the the plan itself being the forward part of the document. Um for our purposes I think that uh completely agree with you that within the plan it should really be stressed that the change of these to be simple um is a very high priority. the scope that we have been working on um since the beginning of the project uh really kicking off in January, the contracted shortly before that. Um this uh the assumptions have changed over that time regarding um grading land or to go from lease to owning the land versus purchasing the land. So there a couple times where associated items have changed. Um but that doesn't change the fact that I agree with you that uh the current document in the front end of it, you know, one of the take-home points should be we strongly encourage Whittier to to gain ownership over the land that they're using. Um, speaking to the protests with the council, um, the economic plan has been available since January. Um, if there were any specific items that are just considered to be incorrect. I just did a word search in it for the word drain. Um, there's one time it's used when it relates to um, reducing the drain of operating expenses by having the dollar per customer uh, waterborne passenger. um item any uh it's good for us to know specific

references that you might have a concern with um and then we can look at updating things but uh within the economic plan I understand that when your use of comment is it's something that isn't necessarily substantiated it's a uh it's an outcome or an assessment to the information that northern economics has made versus something which is a uh documented by referencing a specific number Um uh hopefully that helps a little bit because what I'm trying to do is to understand the outcome and what we need to do in order to address uh any issues that people might have.

Yeah. My only comment is I would like to see a work session on this and I'm

um so for addressing that for putting context to this uh our experience normally the city council uh has delegated authority to committees or staff in order to come through with a document. Um we would not typically have a uh a work session per se. we've received comments or certainly if if you want to request a work session that was not uh part of the approved public engagement plan or the uh the scope that we currently have. Um the present if anybody does want to see a presentation on it, we did do a presentation at the beginning of the comment period which is pretty thorough. Um so that is a good briefing. If anybody hasn't watched that, I would recommend they do that because if you do request a presentation from me, it would look something like that unless you um wanted uh content on different items for this. Um but at the moment with where we are as we finish the 45day public comment period on a draft um I think all of you were encouraged to provide comments for and review for it as a as a role as a a resident um and someone as as an individual um the role of the body of the council um is really your discretion and again I go back to it's been delegated to your commissions or committees our uh community advisory committee that we've been working with these entities as a extension of your authority. Um but if you would like to get into um details of this uh it's an opportunity but it was not expected by us.

Uh two questions. Two questions. um that which is in our packet here, the public comments. Are these only from the last recent public comment periods? Yes, this is from the official 45day comment period that we received those comments. Okay. And the public comment period started last winter.

Um no, it did not. This is the the public comment period for the um uh draft final the draft document which was released uh 45day comment period closed on October 13th. Sorry, except September 13th. Wrong. Okay. I I I understand. But uh this was open to public comment as early as last January. Well, yes. So the ent the all the for during our entire contract people have been able to submit um comment or feedback thus we've received very little through the channels we have had open

okay well maybe something got lost because I know of a number of them that were submitted over the winter that never hit print here in any way shape or form um and uh nor in the minutes of any of the committee meetings as well. Um, so I have a little bit of a problem with comprehensiveness here. Perhaps that maybe early comments uh from last winter uh never made the trip here is what I'm seeing.

We we would normally um if if something is not within an official comment period, we do use all the comments for the development of the document. So they've all been used for what is here. um that but they would not necessarily be put within um official documents but they are summarized within the plan itself. I from what I' I've read it and from what I've seen they they did not can and and we would love specific examples where something of it may have been missed because the intent is not to exclude anything um unless there was staff direction or uh group direction that uh a different pathway would have been taken a comment might have said.

Okay. And then this is probably not the venue for that but I would be happy to share that information. um at a different time. And so my my uh other question is when does and you may have answered this. So what from where we're at right now after this public comment period, what is your responsibility from here? um the comment the comment period with interaction with staff and um through staff would then give us an indication what needs to be modified within the document. Um we're pleased to see that in general most of the comments were quite positive and supportive of what was in the document. Um so it's really getting the feedback from uh Harvard master um in order to understand what should be finalized within the document but at the moment it uh our understanding is that it represents um what the public can look for within it. Um and just to reiterate again for what we've heard tonight is there some items within this that are specific importance to the council related to economics or outcomes from this. Um and my question for the council to consider would be um what within this document will enable you uh at the highest to implement. And you don't have to answer that now, but that's good feedback for us to get is that we want to make sure this document is usable for you in order to pursue grants um or other ways to implement it.

Well, I would use it if it was accurate. I would use it to make uh council decisions or or ask council to make decisions. So, um Tom, you still want to workshop? Okay. To what end? Microphones, please. Everyone microphones.

To what end? I think that uh I would like to see the administration there, the council go over kind of along the lines with what the mayor was talking about. Um I think it's lacking in direction. we need to discuss some other things and uh I I I don't disagree. I think there's some focus and some context issues that need to be considered. I'm just trying to figure out is there a way the next step then seems to be to the city and not to Corvvis. I thought that there was going to be a presentation at the end of all this that kind of tied a nice little bow on it and have a nice day. Thanks for your business, but I'm not perceiving that. I I would also like to be walk through how council delegated uh everything away essentially. It's it seems to the narrative of this it's it's difficult to follow.

I agree.

And and all that I would ask is the um the the most useful information that we can get are pretty specific uh comments um that are that are proactive or say what we need this to do is X and Y. Um so that's what we would appreciate to understand um how we how the document can be the the most useful. Um and again I would encourage you so on a process like this it depends on what is determined within our scope or the public engagement plan. Um at the end of it there would typically be a presentation to the council but it would be a pretty summary presentation in order to like you said tie a bow on it. Um, and that's certainly uh fully within the ability for us to do that. If at this point in time the council feels that there's significant um issues with the document, that's normally a surprise to us because it has been available as a draft earlier or there have been different times to comment on it. So, it's a it's an unfortunate outcome, but we want to make sure that the document is um developed um correctly. So, uh, there's still time to make modifications to it. Um, and all that I would like to stress is the the front of the document is the main waterfront and economic master plan. It is looking at big picture high-level um summaries that would then be followed up with specific actions in order to implement something. the appendices which is mainly just the original economic draft with a snapshot in time. Um so if there is newer information that should be included within that um or within the plan we're happy to do so. Um like you said if there's new information relating to um appraisals the actual master plan itself we can update that up front. Um so understanding if there's anything newer

than the information we previously had would be great. Jamie,

thank you. Um, I know last month I I mentioned I I do want to reiterate, especially on this topic, that I would very much encourage the rest of the council to attend some of the commission meetings or they're recorded as well because I do think a lot of this stuff has been discussed at length and we've had multiple like with every stage. It seems that we've been given a public comment period and I know this one just closed and I can totally understand needing and wanting as much information as possible. Um, but I really think that uh at least listening to those discussions like it it's helped me immensely. I really I really would encourage I know everybody's busy but that's why the meetings are recorded too. I think you'd have a a much better like rounded out understanding of what's been discussed not just with the commissions but how we've discussed things after every public comment period has ended.

Thank you. Any further discussion?

Um Peter, do you have any more comments? Um, and I'll just say, sorry, I misspoke earlier talking about the recording of public comments. Um, within the master plan on page 40 through 43, um, there's a significant number of comments within that for items that we heard from people uh up to and around the uh the January public meetings that we had. Um, that that's all that I would have to say. And again um specificity and um being clear with the desired outcomes will greatly help us uh finalize the doctrine. We'll uh we'll do the rest of this in uh council discussion. Thank you sir for uh giving us time to uh kind of work this out. Thank you. And uh I appreciate your role in your view as much as Thank you,

Mr. Mayor. Before you move on to the next one, did you did you want to make a motion to schedule a work session? Is that I think just doing that during a council discussion is is probably better. We're kind of doing a presentation kind of already kind of working it. So you relax a normal format that would be sure I just want to remind you that you did relax the rules. So it is appropriate to make a motion on this topic at this time. Okay. So um I'd ask for a motion for a workshop.

I'll I'll make motion. Would you mind being a little more specific in your motion just so the administration has clear direction on specifically the topic? Do we need to set a date in the motion or just make a motion to uh have a workshop concerning the uh water fund economic go? you have been on time.

Um, just so everyone knows, Corbin is on a major time schedule, time crunch. Um, but I I would recommend that if you want to have a work session to um possibly throw out some dates that would work. Uh, administration will be more than happy to sit down with you and work with you and and get the questions and concerns that you have to Corvvis. Um, you know, I think what Peter was saying is this is something that's not in the realm of that context of work. So, if we ask them to attend it, it's going to be additional money. So, this is going to be something that you and me and administration are going to have to sit down and go through.

I'm not sure that it's 100% necessary for them to be there. I think uh that maybe the council needs to get together um with the harbor master and uh rest of administration and discuss what we want as a as an outcome so to speak and uh figure out maybe a motion to schedule a work session and having the clerk send out a couple of dates that might work um a doodle poll so that we can figure out what works for you as council. Does that work?

I'm good for that. And one more question please from the city manager. Um what was the com uh contract price to facilitate the study?

I'm not positive but give us a second. 125,000.

Thank you.

So, the title for that work session will be waterfront economic development plan. So, we'll need you guys to vote that you're okay with us doing a doodle poll. Is that correct, Shelby? You want them to vote? that you're okay with us doing a doodle poll for a subject of a work session to discuss the waterfront economic development plan. Any further discussion? Hearing none of the motion to direct administration to hold a work session on the waterfront economic development plans on a date to be determined by survey. Uh Mr. Wagner, you were the maker of the motion. Is that right? Correct. And who?

Yes. Was seconded. Yes. You did, Mr. Mult. Okay. Thank you. So, Mr. Wagner, you're a Yes. Mr. Multto. Yes. Okay. Miss L. Yes. Mr. Denmark. Yes. Mr. Mayor. Yes. Motion passes and administration is directed to hold the work session. Okay, moving on to the next presentation by Great Whittier LLC operational plans.

Good now.

Oh, good evening everyone. Um, hope you're having a fantastic night so far. Uh my name is Jordan. I am representing Great Way LLC, the entity that will be operating the two buildings over there, the SECO plants. Um the reason I'm here today is to first of all introduce myself, introduce the company and um say hi to everyone here so that so that I put a face to the um to the name that's going to operate the comp operate the buildings there. And uh we are I just want to present on some of the things that we'll be doing over the next few months to um ensure that we can operate to ensure that we can operate um starting in the 2026 7 season. Uh we will be doing um upgrades to the P12 building um just to the over there because that building is currently in very rough shape and there will be a lot of demolition and um new installation going on over the next few months over in that area. And uh we would and um the the building that's just across the street that used to that's the older great Pacific building. Um that building um we will do minor upgrades to as well. Um the reason that we are unable to um invest major money into the great um into the other building is because of a land issue that we are and because the land that the building sits on doesn't belong to us. it belongs to the railroad and um as of right now we are signed for for only a 5-year lease with um with no ability to extend the lease automatically. So that means um in 5 years theoretically the railroad can take back the railroad can take back um the land that the building sits on and it will be left with a uh without the building and all the upgrades that we do to the building will

will be essentially wasted. So, um, one and, um, so this is a concern that that I really want to raise with the city council here. And, um, um, that's that's it. Um, do you have any questions? [Music] Well, other than commenting that this is a recurring theme amongst any number of businesses being subtenants on master lease land. So, congratulations and condolences at the same time.

Thank you. That was very helpful.

That was very reassuring. Sorry, that was the that was the word I wanted to say. It's very reassuring. Um I'm just trying to think of how council can uh help you in getting more uh visibility to this issue because as Peter said, it's the reoccurring theme. Unfortunately, you're not that property that leased property is not under the master lease. So, it gives gives you even more exposure in terms of u risk. So, um, anyway, I I'll be talking to the administration on on how we can move forward in a cooperative way to, uh, help give you uh, whatever we can. Thank you, mayor.

Yeah, thanks. And one other thing that I sorry uh one other thing that I want to mention is um we will um we will be operating very we will be operating differently than the um than the entity that um ran the place before us. Uh we will make sure that we work closer with the city and and that um everything that everything that needs to happen will happen instead of the last in unlike the last company that was there. We will we will make sure we want to work with the city.

Thank you, Jordan. Oh. Oh, yes. Um, I left those there as a um as a um gift to every to the um council members and um the I don't know the people that sit at this row. I I don't know how to call them the sorry the people sitting here. So um after um I'm going to leave those there. So feel free to grab one or two once you get once you head out as a little gift for my introduction and my bad English. Thank you, sir. Okay, moving on to the mayor's report. Jamie, Tom, Ritter, and myself visited Huna Tote totem operation in Icy Bay. Huna has an amazing operation going on down there. They have partnered with partnered with multiple investors to provide the infrastructure that is needed to keep their uh cruise ship tour uh guest um uh entertained. Uh it's it has uh evolved into a great economic engine for that area. I can see lots of opportunity for our community to benefit from many of the retail examples that they uh have provided. I was a and I was able to observe. We have to be careful to balance the

desire to grow our economy and yet keep making progress on projects deemed important by our community. An example is finishing the community park. We have been trying to complete the park with a basketball court since 2001. A reoccurring theme for the last 24 years. We have purchased the swing set and the slide. All that remains is to install the equipment. Additionally, the community has expressed a desire that we look into how residential housing can be built. Almost all small communities in Alaska are experiencing housing shortages. The council would need to look at how Juno and other coastal communities expanded their residential housing. We have to ensure local residents are given the home field advantage that allows them to compete in the w in the wittier local housing market.

Moving on. Uh Peter, do you have a vice mayor's report? Nothing to report.

And that brings us to the city manager's report. I just would like to say thank you that I'm back and um I'm really proud of my crew, which I always am very proud of them. They kept things going. Um while I was uh gone, I did attend a railroad executive railroad meeting. I'm glad that I did. They gave me the ability to speak um which is uncommon because they don't normally have a citizens comment portion. So, I was able to um make sure they knew that we were watching everything that they're doing and that um just for everybody in the room on Thursday is their Fairbanks a major board meeting and I will be in attendance of it all day streaming it just so that they know when you're still watching. So if you get a chance, log in and if you would like just, you know, just like they log in to watch us, we would love to show that Whittier is logging in and watching them. And um everything else is in the reports. Uh Mayor, you talked about the playground equipment. I have um had extensive conversations about placing the swing set as well as working with the school on getting a soccer field built behind the school. So those things do not go unheard with me and it is something that I've been working on even while I was gone. So um I promise and I don't say that lightly. I promise you will have swing sets and you may even have some more that you weren't even working on or thought you had. So, it's happening. And if you have any questions for any of my directors, I'm sure that they can answer them.

Mr. Mayor, this question is a function of the police report. I am missing seeing the um Gwood Whittier uh breakdown of police calls this month. It's I see fire.

They didn't do it the same way. It's on page seven. was very dizzy.

Where?

Yeah. Uh, usually they're broken down by type of call with a little more specificity. Yeah. There was a there was an error in the way that the packet was put together with administration apologizes for that but it will you'll get it back the same way next time. Okay. Well, and since we have recently been discussing the contract, it's important information to to me anyway. Thank you.

Do we does council have any more questions for administration? Hearing none, I'd ask for a motion for resolution 2025- 032. Madam clerk, do you want to read all of that? Of course, I would. Please. Resolution 2025-032 is a resolution authorizing a sole source contract with Sage Mechanical to replace boiler pumps and related equipment in an amount not to exceed $22,573 and appropriating funds. Motion.

I'll second discussion Mr. or he was behind this getting them. Yeah, he he's he's online, but um the background justification is there. This is four years running with the cost of rebuilding the pumps and exceeding $10,000. And so, um you know, it is a is a good thing to have boilers that were being a relatively new building, there was no warranty. You guys are funny. I like to try to find those that be mentioned every once in a while.

So, I hope we get really reliable boilers and that global warming means that they hardly get any hours on them. Love it. Any more questions? Hearing none. Voting on the motion to approve resolution 2025-032 authorizing a sole source contract with Sage Mechanical to replace boiler pumps and related equipment in an amount not to exceed $22,573 and appropriating funds. Mr. Wagner, yes. Miss Lone, yes. Mr. McCalto, yes. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Mayor,

yes. The motion passes and resolution 2025-032 is approved. Uh, next order of business, I would like to appoint uh Richard Rick Reer to the Ports and Harbor Advisory Commission. I spoke with Rick in person and he seems like an ideal candidate. He's uh had years and years experience as a commercial fisherman and he is now um part of the SETO SETO organization. So, he's he's got the perfect experience to uh be a commissioner and I'm on CP and I'm very happy that he stepped forward.

Thanks. Uh oh, Mr. Mayor, could you entertain a motion for the council to confirm the appointment of Mr. Weer? Um, so, uh, I have that motion as for a motion to confirm this appointment to Porson Arbor Advisory Commission CP. Motion second discussion hearing none. Voting on the motion to confirm the appointment of Richard Rick Rigger appoint to Portland Harbor Advisory Commission. Miss Lone, yes. Mr. Wagner, yes. Mr. Malto, yes. Mr. Denmark,

yes. Mr. Blair, Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry. Yes.

The motion passes and Richard Ruth is appointed confirmed to be appointed to safety of the Portland Harbor Advisory Commission. So, uh the next item on uh new business, u the the community really seemed to enjoy the uh the fireworks that we had on New Year's of 2025. And I just wanted to make sure that uh council would uh entertain the idea I the idea of a repeat performance uh in on uh New Year's Eve of 2025 and uh I think the last time we we uh it was I think it was 5,000. Tom,

uh, I probably should have let you finish because I wasn't quite sure where it's going because we as a community have always taken care of our fireworks show. Um, especially camp. I've done it. Um, we've always donated, the city's always donated. They've always been good about it. But I'm not really sure why this is on the agenda. Last year we actually put a dollar amount. Uh before I think we matched and last year we we we actually put four or 5,000 instead of matching. Um I definitely encourage the community to contribute if they would like, but I think last year it was slightly different. Um Chris, do you remember how how we did that? Um

mayor, I do. Chris, we did do a $5,000 towards the fireworks and then the we also paid for the community holiday dinner with public. So, I'd ask for uh a motion to uh approve um the $5,000 fireworks for uh this coming New Year's Eve. Do these have to be separate motions as far as uh matching last year's contribution and also taking care of the uh holiday dinner.

Well, there's they're separate line items and and we got to set a date on the on the holiday dinner. Okay. Well, I'll make a motion for the uh the match as of last year, 5,000 for the uh fireworks. I have a second. Yeah. Any further discussion? Hearing noneies. Uh, okay. Could you please restate the motion that you made? I apologize.

At the same time, I was trying to combine um they're both on separate lines, the firework show and the community uh holiday dinner. Um, but we can't do that. We'll just be able to You can I apologize. I just um was trying to determine whether or not we needed a resolution since that was a was uh to appropriate $5,000 for both the fireworks display and the community dinner. I don't know if there was a dollar amount set for the community dinner. Um I worked that out with Miss Tisha. Okay. Well, I would say just to uh your last year's

would you like dollar amount? It would be probably we just got to call the vote for this fireworks and then move into the community thing. It'll literally take like two minutes. I'll just leave my motion for the fireworks.

So, the motion is to approve $5,000 for a fireworks display for New Year's Eve. Correct. And then who was the second? That was you. That was you, Mr. Okay. Thank you. Voting on the motion to approve 5,000 a $5,000 fireworks display for New Year's Eve. Mr. Wagner, yes. Mr. Malto, yes. Miss Lone, yes. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Mayor, yes.

The motion passes and a $5,000 fireworks display is approved for New Year's Eve. I'd uh asked for a uh regarding the community holiday dinner. Um yes, I had asked for a motion for the holiday dinner.

I put it on the table. Is this um We need to set a date. Yeah. So, are we going to kind of do the same thing as is this just for the community or is this also going to be for administration? Is it the same or is it different? I consider the administration part of our community. So, it'll be the same. Yes. Could I just ask for this motion to allow administration to work with the individuals that we worked with last year on um I mean you guys can pick the dates but then I can work with Mr. Shen. You're okay with it

provided he gives us a darn good deal. He has every single time. Yeah, I I'm not concerned about the date as long as um it works out for the community and obviously the uh the business owners that are basically making this possible. So I I'll make the motion to uh just direct the administration to set it up.

I'll second motion. So, um, last year there were a number of people that had prior engagements for New Year's Eve as far as a holiday dinner. And I was hoping by getting it uh getting the date on the calendar in September that uh I might be able to ask for Saturday, December 20th before that that date gets taken.

Have you already talked to Joe? No. If if it doesn't work out for Jose, then we'll we'll come up with a different date. But I just try it's pretty early to get to have him already have that date blocked.

Okay. Hearing no further discussion. voting on the motion to direct administration to organize a community holiday dinner. Mr. Wagner, yes. Miss Lo, yes. Mr. Dan, yes. Mr. McCaldo, yes. Mr. Mayor, yes. The motion passes and administration is directed to organize a community holiday dinner. Uh, Mr. Mr. Mayor, if I may, could I request a recess because it appears that our live stream has shut down unexpectedly?

Great. Excellent. Thank you so much. Okay, so moving on to council comments. We have any council comments, Peter? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would like to make a motion to direct the administration to prepare a resolution uh for continued funding of uh AKWx Consulting um the local weather prediction channel.

I'll second that. Thank you. Mr. Denmark, did you want to include an amount like you did last year in that motion? [Music] Yes, but I'm not aware of the number. Can I touch base here before the week's out and I will talk to Mr. Goldstein and try to put a number on it. Hearing no further discussion.

Voting on the motion to direct administration to prepare a resolution for continued funding of Alaska Weather Consulting. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Wagner, yes. Mr. McCalto, yes. Miss Loan, yes. Mr. Mayor, yes. The motion passes and administration is directed to prepare a resolution for continued funding of Alaska Weather Consulting. Any other council discussion

hearing? None. Moving on to citizens discussion. Representative Kai Holland is signed in first.

Good evening, Council Kai Holland, your uh House Representative for District 9 from the legislature. Just wanted to come by tonight uh with a couple updates for you. First off, I'd like to introduce a new um legislative aid, uh Aiden Nickel, who's with me here today. Um Aiden joined the office here in the last months. He'll be a point of contact for you. If you're trying to reach the office and can't reach me, um he can assist you with anything. And I know he's already been in contact with staff here, um with some coordination. So, looking forward to his help. Um and he's also got a handout for folks um with some information I'll cover here in a second. Um, I just want to note a couple um things that I've got um that I'm watching and working on right now. First, of course, is the railroad uh land transfer. I'm not doing anything with that, but I'm just following along with that. So, I'm eager to see some progress on that. We've got the bill pending in the legislature as soon as we come back in January. So, I'm hoping that by then we'll have something that we can move ahead with quickly and make sure we get that through this session if it's appropriate and if you're ready for it. But I am watching and uh am eager for any updates or any way to help you if there is an opportunity down the road. Um I've also been doing a fair amount of work in the tourism area recently. Um I just helped coordinate a startup event for businesses um and entrepreneurs looking at new startup related areas of of new business development. Obviously, you have a lot of uh activity already going on in Whittier in the tourism area and we're exploring more about how to help people develop new businesses and explore those business opportunities. So, we had some interesting new ideas that we helped people launch businesses related to u different local uh activities and both the health care the the fun adventure uh businesses as well as the uh businessto business infrastructure supporting cruise ships and visitors coming into areas that needed support. So, just to let you know, I'm working on exploring where we can learn uh lean into creating new businesses and growing the support

for visitors. Um to that end, also I'm working with the Alaska Travel Industry Association, trying to understand more about what they're doing with the marketing dollars we provide from the legislature. I'm curious down the road from, you know, any input from you about how the Alaska Travel Industry Association is benefiting or supporting or or highlighting Whittier as a destination. I I'm particularly interested in the meeting that I've had with them about how their focus is really more on the independent small-cale tourists and the value they bring in. their dollar contribution to your community is generally about four to five times the value um that comes out of the cruise ship area. Now, the cruise ships bring in a lot of people and they're super valuable. They introduce a lot of people, but also we hope sometimes that they will come back and be independent tourists down the road and those are the folks that spend more time downtown. They're going to be more of the folks that are interested in the kayak tours and other activities. So I'll continue uh working on that and trying to understand how we lift up the the entire industry with both the expanded capability of the new dock that you've got new visitors but also the opportunity to look for new businesses that expand the benefit to Whittier itself. To that end also I'll be down in Kodiak tomorrow in next couple days at the confluence um which is another group that looks at outdoor recreation trying to learn more about the outdoor recreation opportunities and how we can grow and support that. Um, beyond that, kind of the regular stuff going on in terms of priorities in economic development and education. I do want to highlight just a couple opportunities for you. The education task force has begun meeting. So, if you're interested in the uh legislative task force that's exploring education funding, that model, that group has started meeting. The handout that we just gave you has a link and information on how you can get in touch with that group and find out more information about it. I'm doing a energy policy workshop uh with the local

community in Gerwood on Saturday 11:00 a.m. If any of you are interested in just talking about energy concerns and issues in terms of of electricity or other um concerns you have about our power policies in the state. It'll be an informal workshop in Gerwood at 11 o'clock on Saturday. And then um we have a entrepreneurship week starting next week. This is a large event we've done for about 13 years. We'll have about 60 events going on around the state and about 10 different communities. This is another opportunity to provide support for entrepreneurs, people developing new businesses and just showing off all of the entrepreneurial activity that's going on that's building local businesses and local value in our communities. Um, if you're interested in any of these things, I certainly encourage you to reach out to me, call, email, throw a 2x4. Um, I respond equally well to any of those. But the handout that Aiden's uh given you also has a way for you to sign up if you'd like to um get specific notices on different topical areas or just get the email newsletter that has general information. But uh look forward to uh any input you have down the road, any questions and appreciate a few minutes of your time tonight.

Thank you.

Next on the list we have Aiden. Did you want to come up and speak? Nope. Okay. Excellent. Thank you. And finally, we have Mr. Tour Wallin. Good evening. Um Tor Wallen Hun totem. I wanted to come up and say thank you to the city council as we wrap up the season. um you know our first year of operating out of the terminal um across at the head of the bay 66,000 guests is what we moved through the facility when we end on Monday night and that would not have been possible without your support the support of the administration and the help of the community of city of Whittier. So, you know, on behalf of Hunat Totem, you know, it was really a team effort, a good partnership, and we thank you for that support. As we look towards next year, um you know, this year we had about 26 cruise ship calls, and um when we start next April, um we're we're somewhere um in the neighborhood of 40. And I'm not prepared to put a final number on that as discussions are still happening um as we move through the winter. But we're very very excited for what next year looks like. Um, and we'll be busy in October. Uh, you'll see that we're finishing up the final covered walkway over there. Um, it's taken us a little bit longer, but that's been part for the course for this project over there. Um, so, you know, we're getting used to it. We're getting used to wittier time. Um, but we also have visitors throughout October um, that are coming to see this project, but also to see what's available for cruise lines in the future. So, we're very very excited about what the future holds for us here in Whittier. We just want to reiterate our thanks for your support, but also I think you know you had an opportunity mayor and uh Rener and Jamie and Tom to come back and see what we're doing and

what we've done in Huna. And you know, Mr. Mayor, you emphasize that, you know, there was a lot that you saw, but I want to go back and reemphasize you that was a community partnership that took 20 years. what you got to experience uh this last weekend was 20 years in the making of partnerships. It didn't happen overnight and you know and it's not going to be and we're committed to this. We're not going to turn that 20 acres over there into Disneyland into Juno, my hometown or into other southeast communities. We're going to do it smartly. And so, but I hope you got to see there and you get to walk away with that was smart development and we didn't ruin Huna. Huna still as you got to see what it is. It still preserved the local community while we got to build a great cruise ship destination and that's what we intend to do here. So, thank you very much. Thank you for your support.

No one else has signed in. Is there anyone in the audience that wish to have a comment? Seeing none, moving on. Council and administration response to citizen comments. That brings us to our two executive sessions. Um, would you like me to read them? Read the two. Would you like me to read the two out loud? Uh, yes, please. That, especially the one that's not written down.

You absolutely. So, the motion would be to go into executive session to discuss the potential litigation against the state of Alaska for failure to respond to public records requests and submitted by the city, matters of which, if immediately disclosed, would attend to adversely affect the finances of the city. Whittier Municipal Code 2.08.04B1 and to discuss city manager performance as per Whittier Municipal Code 2.08.042 matters that would tend to injure the reputation of a person provided, however, that the person may request a public discussion. So, um, is this the right time to ask for, uh, I know I want Jackie to be on the litigation, and I don't I don't really understand the, uh, the purpose of the, uh, the review, but I think think you want to be there. You actually, you need to be, right?

Um, I was specifically told by a legal this morning that I'm not allowed in the room. Okay, very good. Uh, so and as far as the litigation, I believe that um Jennifer and Jessica Jess should be able to help you with that because though they are the ones who um are questioning on whether or not you want to move forward with it. Okay, I can maybe help with it. I I don't mind sitting in here for that part, but if they tell me to leave to I'll leave. We we just normally have you present for for most things for a continuity. Yep.

Yeah. I'll stay for that first one and if they say no, we don't want you they in there then that's fine and then I'll leave for the one on me. Okay. Okay.

Okay. Is there a motion out there? It does need a first and a second. I'll make that. I'll second. Any further discussion? Hearing none.

Voting on the motion to enter executive session to discuss potential litigation against the state of Alaska for failure to respond to public records requests and submitted by the city as per Whittier Municipal Code 2.08.041. matters that if immediately disclosed would tend to adversely affect the finances of the city and to discuss city manager performance as per Rier Municipal Code 2.08.042 matters that would tend to injure injure the reputation of a person provided however that the person may request a public discussion. Mr. Wagner, yes. Mr. Mccalto, yes. Miss Lone, yes. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Mayor,

yes. The motion passes and council enters into executive session at 8:44 p.m. Okay, I would like to make a motion to come out of executive session. I'll second. Motion has been made and seconded to exit executive session. Mr. Wagner, yes. Miss Loan, yes. Mr. Mccalto, yes. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Mayor,

yes. The motion is passed to exit executive session at 9:30 p.m. three points a day. So we uh we had two executive sessions and in both of them council uh I guess we want to make a single motion to follow direction uh given in executive session. Can we make

Is that the city attorney? You're directing the city. Okay. Both Holly and uh Jennifer. So, could I have that that motion? I'll make that motion. I'll second. Ready to vote. Voting on the motion to direct the city attorney to to follow direction provided in executive session. Mr. Wagner, yes. Mr. McCoto, yes. Miss Lone, yes. Mr. Denmark, yes. Mr. Mayor, yes.

The motion passes and city attorney is directed to follow direction given in executive session. Okay. So, let's adjourn. Move to I meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.