By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly voted unanimously Tuesday night to form a subcommittee to look into options for an investigation of the Sitka Police Department.
Richard Wein, Aaron Bean and Kevin Mosher volunteered to serve on the subcommittee to “explore options for a third party to investigate the Sitka Police Department” and report back to the Assembly on March 12.
Two officers and a former jailer have filed lawsuits against the city.
The three attended Tuesday’s Assembly meeting and two of them spoke in favor of an independent investigation. The Assembly went into executive session from 8:15 to 8:40 p.m. and after returning to open session voted to create the investigation subcommittee.
After the vote, one of the officers who is suing, Mary Ferguson, thanked the Assembly for its decision, and encouraged members to select an investigator with law enforcement and interviewing experience and with no connection to anyone involved.
“I want this to be as fair as possible,” she said.
The matter was raised by Valorie Nelson and Mosher, who said the lawsuits and comments they had heard from others in the police department were indicators that an independent opinion was warranted.
“It would behoove us not to bury our heads in the sand,” Nelson said. “I want it to be a positive place for people to work.”
She noted that there have been such investigations in the past. City Attorney Brian Hanson said the most recent was two years ago.
“I wouldn’t mind an independent investigation into the police department to make sure it’s being run in a healthy manner,” Mosher said. “In my mind it’s worth an investigation.”
The Assembly discussed the merits of allowing the legal system to run its course on the three lawsuits before deciding on an outside investigation, but after meeting in executive session they agreed unanimously to take the introductory steps toward an investigation.
The former jailer, Noah Shepard, and Ferguson spoke in favor of an outside investigation. Ferguson and officer Ryan Silva, who are on unpaid leave, filed lawsuits against the chief, department and city, alleging they were punished for speaking out, among other claims.
Shepard filed his lawsuit on Monday, claiming he resigned because of the hostile work environment in the police department. He said he tried going through the department’s complaint procedures before going to court.
Officer Jayson Christner said he agreed with comments by the attorney and city administrator that a process needs to be followed.
“It’s disappointing we’re here yet again defending an organization I want to see succeed,” he said. “My goal is to work in a place where everyone wants to be there ... A lot of people don’t have that same goal.”
The Assembly received a few more comments and discussed the matter briefly before voting to go into executive session.
The Assembly had one other item on the agenda after that, a 15-minute executive session to receive an update and ask questions about the pending litigation related to the police department.
Reports
City Administrator Keith Brady talked to the Assembly about the recent Alaska Municipal League meeting in which Gov. Dunleavy’s proposed budget and its effect on municipalities was the main topic discussed. City staff also reported on the organization’s initiative to create a unified statewide system for municipalities to collect sales tax on purchases made on the internet.
Mayor Gary Paxton said legislative consideration of the Dunleavy budget is in its early stages, but the spending plan, with its $1.6 billion in cuts, appears to pit one city against another, hurting some communities and not others.
“This budget doesn’t really make much sense,” he said. Sitka needs to get involved and provide information to its legislators and other decision makers, Paxton said.
He added that next week’s Chamber of Commerce meeting will be a chance to talk about Dunleavy’s proposed cuts to education and eliminating the city share of the raw fish tax.
“We’re organized for combat,” Paxton said, of the state budget process.
Speaking under persons to be heard, teacher Joe Montagna said Sitkans will have the opportunity to testify on two budget-related bills in a teleconference 6 p.m. Thursday at the Legislative Information Office.
“We’re in this together this year,” he said.
Lease Funding
The Assembly voted 3-4 against introduction of an ordinance to spend $25,000 from the city’s Economic Development Fund to help move economic development projects forward at the industrial park.
“We’re trying to figure out a way to move leases further through the city process,” GPIP director Garry White said.
The item was brought forward by Paxton and Mosher, who said several leases and projects are awaiting legal review.
“Currently, the legal department has limited resources and many high profile issues which have required a significant amount of work, leaving limited time to devote to other tasks,” Paxton and Mosher said in a memo to the Assembly.
Steve Eisenbeisz said he would prefer that GPIP use its own funds for the project, but wouldn’t object to reviewing the need for outside legal help for the city attorney on a “case by case basis.”
“I’d be much more comfortable with that,” Eisenbeisz said.
White said he would take the Assembly’s comments to the board.
Paxton, Mosher and Wein voted in favor of the ordinance, and Bean, Kevin Knox, Eisenbeisz and Nelson were against.
Other Business
The Assembly also:
– appointed Steve Clayton and Richard Doland to the Building Appeals Board, and Steve Morse to the Sitka Library Commission.
– on final reading authorized the vacation and sale of a 1,660 square foot portion of the right-of-way next to 1318 Sawmill Creek Road to Adam Chinalsky. The value of the property is $22,100.
– directed city staff to prepare an ordinance to add infrastructure exchange-traded funds as an authorized investment class in the Sitka Permanent Fund, as recommended by the city Investment Committee and adviser from Alaska Permanent Capital Management. The adviser recommended the portfolio be diversified by allowing investment in infrastructure equities through exchange-traded funds. Infrastructure ETFs invest in large privately owned companies with large infrastructure assets, such as railroads, electric utilities and toll bridges, Chief Finance and Administrative Officer Jay Sweeney said in a memo to the Assembly. The adviser, Blake Phillips, who participated by phone, said the goal is to reduce the risk and increase portfolio performance.
– approved a resolution in support of Secure Rural Schools, which provides funds for schools and communities on National Forest lands. The resolution asks the congressional delegation to do all in their power to seek reauthorization of SRS funds.
– approved action plans for lobbying in Washington, D.C., a plan for No Name Mountain and Granite Creek, and a new seaplane base on Japonski Island.
