By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
All seven of the nonprofits applying for city funds received at least some funding by the Assembly at Thursday’s special meeting.
Six of the seven Assembly members filled in a grid indicating their individual preferences for allocating the $45,000 in the city budget for support of nonprofits.
The vote was 5-0 on each of three votes setting the amounts awarded in three categories.
Kevin Knox, Crystal Duncan, Kevin Mosher, Dave Miller and Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz attended the special meeting. Rebecca Himschoot and Thor Christianson were absent but Christianson submitted the grid with his choices for awards.
All of the organizations received support from four or more Assembly members, and the allocations were averaged.
The nonprofits requested $71,110.05 and $45,000 was distributed. The amount in the budget is $50,000 but $5,000 has customarily not been distributed in order to be available for emergency requests during the year by nonprofits.
The grant awards and categories were as follows:
Human Services ($24,000 distributed)
Brave Heart Volunteers: $7,583 ($9,000 requested), to cover costs of providing services, including training, support, management, oversight, resources and support for volunteers.
Sitka Homeless Coalition: $15,500 ($25,000 requested), to provide a salary for the executive director for continued efforts in building a homeless community for “the unhoused of Sitka,” the application says.
Sitka Lutheran Church: $917 ($1,000 requested) to provide free meals for needy people at the church once a month.
Cultural and Educational Services $10,500 distributed
Alaska Arts Southeast: $8,750 ($10,000 requested) for scholarships for kids to be able to attend Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
American Legion Post 13: $1,750 ($6,110.05 requested) to improve the building in order to conduct everyday business. Plans include new ceiling tiles, LED ceiling lighting to reduce costs, and new flags and supporting accessories.
Community Development ($10,000 available)
Sitka Fastpitch Softball Club: $3,917 ($10,000 requested) to help cover operational expenses of the nearly year-round program, professional clinics and travel.
Sitka Trail Works: $6,583 ($10,000 requested), to help with the creation of a trail plan “that charts the future of outdoor access for Sitkans,” the application said. Trail Works executive director Ben Hughey told the Assembly that the city is a partner in the original trail plan of 2003, which led to the development of Herring Cove trail, Thimbleberry to Heart Lake trail and the Cross Trail.
The Assembly had some discussion before reviewing the allocations, including whether it was appropriate to distribute funds to a religious organization, such as the Sitka Lutheran Church.
City Attorney Brian Hanson explained today that there are standards under the Supreme Court decision in the landmark case Lemon vs. Kurtzman. The three-part test criteria are:
1. It must be for a secular purpose
2. It has to neither advance nor inhibit religion
3. It must not be an excessive entanglement of government and religion.
Assembly members agreed that this grant request appeared to meet the criteria.
“It feels like it could go forward,” Eisenbeisz said.
Another point of discussion was funding for the American Legion hall. Knox said he didn’t vote to fund it because it is a membership organization. Post Commander Vince Winter clarified later that membership criteria are broad and includes family members of those who have served.
Winter said the American Legion serves the community in a number of ways, including the distribution of food boxes during COVID. “We are not just (tied) to helping veterans – we are a part of the community,” he said.
Mosher commented that the organizations were “all good causes,” but that he was not comfortable with the process. He said he would be in favor of revisiting the criteria, to make it more fair.
Other nonprofit representatives talked about their programs and plans for the funds, and thanked the Assembly for the grant awards.
The city budget includes funding for several other nonprofits, which don’t compete for grant funding in the annual nonprofit awards. Those include the Sitka Economic Development Association, the RIDE bus service, the SAFV Shelter and Sitka Historical Society and Museum.
