By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
JJ Carlson takes the oath of office Tuesday night as she becomes the newest member of the city Assembly. Carlson, who was born in Sitka, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Rebecca Himschoot, who was elected to the Alaska State House. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
The Assembly chose JJ Carlson Tuesday night to serve out the remainder of Rebecca Himschoot’s term on the Assembly, which will end with certification of the city election next October.
Carlson was one of six Sitkans who submitted letters of interest for the appointment.
In making their decision Assembly members cited Carlson’s knowledge of the community as a born-and-raised Sitkan, and her similarities to Himschoot, who resigned after she won election to the State House of Representatives last month.
Kevin Mosher said he particularly liked Carlson’s familiarity with Sitka and her statement about the importance of “keeping the big picture in mind.”
“That’s something I really value,” he said. “Looking at the big picture, what we’re doing, why we’re doing it.” He also pointed out selecting her wouldn’t change the balance of men and women on the Assembly.
Others commented on the generally high quality of the applicant pool, but agreed Carlson would be the best fit.
“Everybody is very qualified and brings a perspective that’s important to the Assembly,” Tim Pike said. “I don’t think we’ll go wrong by picking anyone in particular. However, I’m going to go with JJ as well because I think she brings the perspective that ... aligns most closely with Rebecca.”
Himschoot’s last Assembly meeting was Nov. 22. The city advertised for letters of interest for the vacancy and six Sitkans applied: Carlson, Steve Lee, Richard Wein, Drew Thompson, Gregg Dunn and Carol Voisin.
Centennial Hall Policies
In other business at the meeting, the Assembly gave final approval to an ordinance revising the policies and permit prices for commercial vendors operating outside Harrigan Centennial Hall.
Changes include a sealed bid process for granting commercial space in the front and back of the building and a higher minimum price for a permit. Also, permits will be required for each vehicle picking up and dropping off passengers at Centennial Hall.
Most of the public comments came from excursion and tour operators all of whom opposed the changes, particularly the sealed bid system and the sharp increase in permit fees.
City Administrator John Leach said the goal is to get the best value for the city from private commercial use of the building, especially since costs of running the facility have gone up dramatically with the sharp increase in visitors this year and higher increases expected next summer.
Leach cited such costs as extra staff for maintenance, removing oil stains on the street, janitorial service, cleaning restrooms, directing traffic and managing shuttle bus queues.
The new permit process “is to stay in alignment with code to help that businesses by allowing them exclusive access to that space, but also getting the best value back for the citizens and for the city,” he said.
In approving the new policies, Assembly members said they were open to changes in what was proposed, but wanted to move forward so the changes could be implemented in 2023, with sufficient advance notice to the private operators.
A staff memo said Centennial Hall is a “critical and inimitable facility to support cruise passenger visitation in Sitka.” The memo cited the growth in us of the building since 2019, with 2023 expected to be the “busiest ever.”
“New permitting structures will be needed to adequately manage the operational financial demands this level of activity brings,” said Centennial Hall manager Tony Rosas.
The vote was 5-1 to approve the ordinance on final reading. City staff said it was the first update of policies and prices in the past 20 years. Chris Ystad cast the vote against.
In general, Assembly members and city staff said that in implementing the new policies they were trying to balance the needs of commercial operators with the costs of the building, and the views of some Sitkans who have spoken against heavy traffic and commercial use of the property outside the building.
A number of business owners in general objected to the policies as presented and had suggestions for amendments, including permit awards based on public outcry auctions instead of sealed bids, a lower increase in permit prices, and a system that didn’t involve companies bidding against each other. Other ideas were for more sales spaces, increased protections for local businesses, longer permit lengths, and more time to adjust to the policy changes.
Some of those who spoke were new tour operators who said the changes would make it more difficult to get their businesses off the ground, or continue to stay in business and live here. They said they provide needed activities for visitors, as well as economic benefits to Sitka.
During and after the discussion, Thor Christianson said he plans to introduce ordinances to improve the policies. Today he said those include ones to waive permit fees for electric vehicles; permit length options of one, two and three years; phasing in permit increases over time; and having an outcry auction instead of sealed bids.
The 12-page ordinance states:
- a new permit is required for loading and unloading commercial vehicles, with $250 charged for a vehicle with a passenger capacity less than seven; $500 for a capacity of seven to 15; $750 for 16 to 29; and $1,000 per vehicle for 30 or more.
- a one-year permit period, although Assembly members said they were open for changes later.
- a record must be maintained with the city on their a year-round place of business and mailing address, and the mailing address and phone number of a designated individual.
- sales spaces in the plaza will be awarded by sealed bid and a minimum of $2,500.
- commercial outfitter spaces behind the building awarded through sealed bid, with a minimum of $5,000.
- no “staging” of vehicles is allowed for organized commercial excursions.
Assembly Appointment
After the Assembly selected Carlson for the vacant seat on the Assembly she took the oath of office and was seated at the Assembly table for the last few items on the meeting agenda.
There was no testimony from the general public prior to the vote. Three of the six applicants made statements, and there were some comments by Assembly members.
When invited to speak, Carlson, Thompson, Wein and Voisin made statements about why they should be selected. Each cited their strengths and varied experience, and how they would be an asset to the Assembly.
Carlson said, “I think that as a young female professional that I bring a good voice, to my friends, my community, with the strategic plan ahead of us that the city’s laid out with childcare and housing as top priorities,” she said. “I have a good vision for that. And think that collaboration and teams are great ways to make that happen.”
Carlson, 36, was born and raised in Sitka, and graduated from Sitka High in 2004. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental design, and a master’s in architecture, both from Montana State University-Bozeman.
Over the years, she has worked as a nanny in Bozeman, as marketing manager for architecture and contracting companies in Chicago, and with students at the Chicago Architecture Center. She moved back to Sitka in June 2021 to be a caregiver for her parents. She is the daughter of former residents Dennis and Bobbie Carlson.
She is a freelance designer, and also works at Center for Community. She is a volunteer with the Sitka Trail Works planning committee, and in the Assembly’s assignment of liaisons to city boards and commissions, she volunteered to be the contact for the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Tree and Landscape Committee.
As an Assembly member she is interested in housing and land availability issues, and said she would be an advocate for universal design, which allows residents to more easily age in place.
She is also interested in working on the childcare challenges in the community.
“That’s directly impacting my generation,” she said today.
Other Business
The Assembly in other business:
- approved liquor license renewals for Allen Marine at Finn Island, and the Pioneer Bar and Liquor store, and license renewal and transfer of ownership from Channel Club LLC to ZenHen LLC.
- approved the acting administrator list of Amy Ainslie, Scott Elder, Melissa Haley, Sara Peterson and Michael Harmon.
- reappointed Dave Gordon to the Port and Harbors Commission.
- approved the RFP for the Marine Service Center cold storage space, and advertise for a 30-day period.
- met in executive session to discuss a sales tax debt settlement. Richard Wein spoke from the public objecting to the executive session, saying the discussion should be held in open meeting since the information was already available to the public, and in the interest of transparency.
- heard a presentation on the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project, analyzing the options available for meeting Sitka’s future energy needs. (Story in later Sentinel.)
