Steven Eisenbeisz
Age: 39
How many years have you lived in Sitka and in Alaska? Beginning in Aug 1992
Occupation: Co Owner of Russells, A third generation family owned store, and recently opened Trailhead Supply Co.
Family: In town I am fortunate to have a large family presence. On my side there is mom and brother, on my wife’s side there are multiple aunts, uncles and a nephew. I am married and have a son who is 5. Finally, and most importantly is Nugget, the world-famous corgi.
During the last 10 years, I have run and been elected to office several times. My service started with 6 years on the assembly, then 4 years as mayor. Before that I also sat on multiple boards and commissions of the Assembly.
Previous government or other relevant experience:
The main other government experience I would highlight is the ability to lobby at a state and local level. This was not easy at first, and is definitely a learned skill. I have come to enjoy it, and would even call many of our visits a great success.
Community involvement, past and present:
Did not respond
Why are you running for the mayor’s chair this year?
To continue the long term stability of the assembly and further a direction the voters have agreed with several times. I have worked over the years to build an assembly that may not always agree with each other, but can do it in a civil way. Our goal is always Sitka, and it shows. In addition, the course the assembly and administration is currently on has been reaffirmed by voters over several of the last election cycles. I’m encouraged to continue down that path.
What are your top priorities if elected?
My first priority is to maintain what we have built. We have a highly functional assembly, and I desire to keep that. On top of that there are several pressing issues that the assembly will need to tackle in the next Mayors term. Tourism is the big obvious one. It is the question of our generation, and more work will need to be done. Infrastructure is looming on the horizon. We have a massive backlog of aging infrastructure, and this will need to be considered. I have no idea what the future of commercial fishing looks like. Lower abundance and lower prices are a concern for our town, with 1/3 of the economy based around fishing. Another odd one is what to do with the additional revenue of the general fund. I spent most of my career cutting budgets, not adding back. The needs are great, and how do we prioritize?
What differentiates the role of the mayor from an assembly member?
The mayor is one of 7 assembly members, with the same roles and responsibilities. In addition the mayor plays a key role in leading the meeting and setting the tone for the meeting. Running an effective meeting and maintaining knowledge of the issue at hard is sometimes very tricky. A good mayor must understand parliamentary procedure. The mayor must act as a head of state, and present the best face of Sitka. Ribbon cuttings, conference welcomes and general good wishes are a large part of what the mayor does. This person must also represent the city effectively at the state and local level, advocating for the needs of the community. Relationships are not built overnight, and a good mayor works to build and maintain these critical connections.
Tourism
Do you support a cap on cruise visitation? Why or why not?
This question need a bit more to it I think, as tourism is very complex. Do I support a recommended cap generated by a task force of citizens? Yes, lets work towards that. Do I support a cap introduced by ballot that will result in locals loosing the ability to work and live here, along with lawsuits, no I don’t.
One of the assembly’s tasks is to draft a “Memorandum of Understanding,” or an MOU with the cruise industry, which could mean either the local dock operator or the cruise lines. Who should the city make an MOU with and what should be included in that MOU, in your opinion?
This MOU is not an assembly task, but one we support our Administrator working through. This MOU can help Sitka in a few ways, and I do support it. It gives both Sitka and the cruise industry with long term predictability. Ideally an MOU would include both the city and the private dock operator. We can work together to lower the daily maximum of visitors, shorten the season away from the shoulders, keep Saturdays mostly ship free, and space ships out to lower the peak on a given day.
As an assembly member, would you support directing the municipal attorney to help draft a citizen initiative limiting cruise tourism? Why or why not?
As one of 7 assembly members, I do not support directing the municipal attorney to draft an initiative to limit tourism. This is for two main reasons. First, the initiative is not overwhelmingly supported by the population. In my view, the assembly should use this tool when there is an unmistakable community desire to have something on the ballot. Second, it is inevitable that an initiative will end in lawsuit. This would be a disregard of my fiduciary duty to the City, and therefore an act I could not vote to pass.
Education
Do you support funding the Sitka School District to the maximum allowed by state law (a.k.a. the “cap”)? Why or why not?
The assembly year after year has funded in excess of the cap, when all money transferred to the school is considered. We do this because of community support, and the desire to maintain a top-notch school district. It is my anticipation that this will continue. I can only see reducing funding if there are drastic changes to the general fund revenue. My caution on school funding in the coming years is there is not much more to give. At this point the city is tapped out on funding. We may have to re-envision how education is delivered to our students if the state doesn’t step up to the plate.
The assembly has taken extra steps to bolster its support for Sitka’s schools, taking over maintenance of school buildings, taking on management of the Blatchley Pool, and funding a contract for management of the Performing Arts Center. Do you agree with these decisions? What further measures would you take as an assembly member to support the Sitka School District, if any?
As indicated in the previous answer, there is not much left the assembly can do to help our schools. We currently are #2 on a Dept of Ed list of cities that find over the cap. We are doing everything we can to insure the current model of education is held up. I fear about long term sustainability of this. With ever dropping enrollment, I hope the next school board will determine what education looks like in Sitka long term. It’s a position I would not want to be in.
Housing
Do you see a need for further regulatory measures to ease Sitka’s housing crisis, such as limiting short-term rentals? What tangible actions can the assembly take to relieve some of Sitka’s housing stress?
Housing is a crisis in every Alaskan town, and most nationwide. Sitka is building houses faster than any other city in Alaska, and its still not enough. That, coupled with a lower population than we have had in many years, shows there is an issue here. Short term rentals are often blamed, but I have not seen solid data indicating that is Sitka’s sole issue. We are also seeing Sitka’s housing stock bought up as non-primary residences, for those who don’t live in Sitka full time. An initiative I would like to explore is a model used successfully by Vail Colorado called InDeed. I think this model could have merit in preserving local houses for locals. Much discussion and exploration is needed though.
Haulout
Sitka will open a city-owned marine haulout in 2025, but developing a full-fledged boatyard will take considerably more time and money. Should the assembly continue to appropriate resources to this as a public project?
Our City owned boatyard is a project worth further development and dedication from the assembly. This project is widely accepted and valued by residents. I know it will continue to be a state and federal legislative priority. I would anticipate that the grant and low interest loan options would be utilized first, before dedicating additional public funds. Once this is exhausted, and the haul out is running, we can have a conversation about additional needs of our fleet. We do have some immediate needs however. I cant see myself approving a temporary wash down pad, only to spend more money in the near future for a permanent option. This would be wasteful.
Labor
The city is struggling to fill a number of vacant staff positions. What can the assembly do to support filling these positions?
Stability and support are two main things the assembly can offer to help keep staff, and fill vacant positions. Its pretty easy to see that if the assembly is in turmoil, that would be preventive to hiring in a very competitive job market. And if that same assembly continued in turmoil, additional staff would leave, making the problem worse. We have also approved a compensation study to insure our pay and benefit rates meet the market. It will be up to the next assembly to fund it however.
Budget
Revenue growth in the city’s general fund has outpaced Sitka’s other enterprise funds due, in part, to tourism growth. Do you have thoughts on directing the rapid growth of sales tax revenue into projects outside of Sitka’s general fund, like harbors, water or the electric department?
As a general rule I do not support propping up enterprise funds with general fund money. An enterprise fund should stand on its own. There are exceptions, and if the general fund was so plush with cash we couldn’t spend it all, then yes. Needs around the city will always exist, and once a surplus is generated the needs multiply. We cant forget that our roads are a general fund project, and there is plenty of need there. I suspect that a true long term surplus is not going to happen in the near future.
