Assembly approves parks master-plan MOA; splits on separate athletic-facility feasibility MOA

The assembly voted 6–1 to authorize a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Sitka Recreation Foundation (SRF) to complete Sitka’s parks and recreation master plan with SRF’s fundraising and grant-seeking assistance. Parks and Recreation Manager Kevin Knox said the MOA would preserve prior technical work (asset inventories and condition assessments) and enable broader public engagement and a community-driven prioritization of projects.

Supporters argued SRF can access additional grant sources and mobilize public engagement beyond what limited municipal staff capacity allows; Ben Huey, speaking on the record, urged the assembly to take advantage of SRF’s private fundraising to finish a long-stalled process.

Opponents expressed concerns about perceived conflicts and about ensuring the final product remains a city-owned, city-vetted strategic plan rather than appearing to be driven by a private group's priorities. The motion passed 6–1.

On a related item, the assembly considered a second MOA with SRF to fund feasibility studies and concept designs for a proposed new athletic facility (rubberized track, turf infield, softball improvements). Members debated whether advancing a site-specific feasibility study before the city-wide recreation master plan would prejudice the broader planning process and whether fundraising and naming-rights language was sufficiently constrained. After extended discussion, that feasibility MOA failed on a 3–4 vote.

Staff stressed both MOAs contain language that the city would not be obligated to fund future construction and that any donated studies would be subject to assembly adoption if and when completed.