On the agenda: Cordova 08-05-26 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes — data center (Aug 5)

Regular City Council Meeting
August 5, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
Cordova Center Community Rooms A & B
Minutes
A. Call to order – Mayor Kristin Smith called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm on
August 5, 2026, in the Cordova Center Community Rooms.
B. Pledge of allegiance –Mayor Smith led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Roll call – Present for roll call were Mayor Kristin Smith, and Council members Debra Adams, Lee
Collins, Aaron Hansen, Kasey Kinsman, Wendy Ranney, and Dave Zastrow. Council member Mike
Mickelson was present via zoom videoconference. Also present were City Manager Sam Greenwood and
City Clerk Susan Bourgeois.
D. Approval of Regular Agenda
Hearing no objection to approval of the agenda, Mayor Smith declared it approved.
E. Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest and ex parte communications – none
F. Communications by and Petitions from Visitors
1. Guest Speaker – Clay Koplin, CEC, reporting on economic development opportunities – he updated
council on CEC’s financial picture, revenues, hydro usage, etc. He touched on hot water heat pumps, the
small data center in Cordova and the possibility of a new one being built by Greensparc. He encouraged
the City to take a proactive approach to commercial and industrial development.
2. Audience comments regarding agenda items - none
3. Chairpersons and Representatives of Boards and Commissions
G. Approval of Consent Calendar
4. Per Charter Section 2-8 and Cordova Municipal Code 3.12.022, recordation of unexcused absences of
Council members Aaron Hansen, Kasey Kinsman, and Dave Zastrow from the July 1, 2026, Regular
Meeting and of Council member Debra Adams from the July 15, 2026, Regular Meeting
5. Proclamation of Appreciation to Cathy Sherman
6. Minutes: a. Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 1, 2026; b. Minutes of the Regular Council
Meeting of July 15, 2026
Vote on the Consent Calendar: 7 yeas, 0 nays. Ranney-yes; Mickelson-yes; Hansen-yes; Kinsman-yes;
Collins-yes; Adams-yes; and Zastrow-yes. Consent Calendar was approved.
Mayor Smith called attention to the proclamation for Cathy Sherman, she touted her for all her
accomplishments as a City employee and a council member.
H. Approval of Minutes – none
I. Consideration of Bids/Proposals/Contracts - none
J. Reports of Officers
7. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Smith reported: 1) we need to make the ferry schedule/AMHS system an issue;
2) HSAC – meeting monthly, next meeting the Sitka Community Land Trust executive director will present
to the committee; she will be attending a conference in Sitka this fall to learn about land trusts; 3) she
mentioned the USFS secure rural schools committee, great opportunity to be a part of helping to spend
money locally on valuable projects; 4) the USCG appreciation picnic is scheduled for August 28.
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8. City Manager’s Report – Greenwood reported: 1) she and Bourgeois met with a consultant to discuss
annexation/borough feasibility, after a discussion where most Council members weighed in, it was
determined that staff would pause until budget to see if Council opts to budget a feasibility study for borough
or annexation in 2027; 2) Samantha Hagerthy-Schneider gave a pool update – so far looking good,
lifeguard training being scheduled for early September; 3) Sheryl Glasen reported that second quarter
sales tax has been calculated and it looks approximately $250,000 lower than last year.
9. City Clerk’s Report – Bourgeois reported: 1) early voting for the State’s Primary election, M-F 10-4 at
the Cordova Center, August 3-17; then Tuesday August 18 7am-8pm at the Cordova Center; 2) the State
is looking for helpers to run the early voting, contact me if interested.
10. Staff Quarterly Reports: a. Cordova Police Department, 2Q-2026, Chief of Police, Cameron Hayden;
b. Cordova Volunteer FD, 2Q-2026, City Fire Marshal Aaron Sayles; c. Parks & Recreation, 2Q-2026,
Department Director Samantha Hagerthy-Schneider; d. Cordova Public Library, 2Q-2026, Department
Director Ashley Bivin; e. Cordova Historical Museum, 2Q-2026, Department Director Ashley Bivin
K. Correspondence
11. City Council correspondence primer: a. 07-22-26 Mayor Smith letter to AMHS – comments on proposed
winter 26-27 schedule; b. Flyer for Beached Bird Surveying Project training opportunity; c. Flyer for NW
Community Land Trust training opportunity in Sitka
L. Ordinances and Resolutions
12. Ordinance 1239 An ordinance of the Council of the City of Cordova, Alaska, amending Cordova
Municipal Code Sections 5.10.030 and 5.10.130 to incorporate changes made by the Alaska Remote
Sellers Sales Tax Commission (ARSSTC) to permit certain marketplace facilitators that facilitate services
and rentals within the City to report and remit directly to the ARSSTC – 2nd reading
M/Zastrow S/Ranney to adopt Ordinance 1239 an ordinance of the Council of the City of Cordova, Alaska,
amending Cordova Municipal Code Sections 5.10.030 and 5.10.130 to incorporate changes made by the
Alaska Remote Sellers Sales Tax Commission (ARSSTC) to permit certain marketplace facilitators that
facilitate services and rentals within the City to report and remit directly to the ARSSTC
Zastrow said we discussed this at first read – we could opt out of this but why would we. Mayor Smith
added that there was no public comment at the Public Hearing tonight, so this is not at all controversial.
Vote on the motion: 7 yeas, 0 nays. Collins-yes; Kinsman-yes; Adams-yes; Zastrow-yes; Mickelson-yes;
Hansen-yes; and Ranney-yes. Motion was approved.
13. Ordinance 1240 An ordinance of the Council of the City of Cordova, Alaska, amending Cordova
Municipal Code Section 5.10.050 to increase the sales tax rate from 13% to 14% on: transient lodging,
motor vehicle rentals (excluding watercraft), sales of: marijuana, marijuana concentrates, and marijuana
products, cigarettes and other tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages – 1st reading
M/Zastrow S/Hansen to adopt Ordinance 1240 An ordinance of the Council of the City of Cordova, Alaska,
amending Cordova Municipal Code Section 5.10.050 to increase the sales tax rate from 13% to 14% on:
transient lodging, motor vehicle rentals (excluding watercraft), sales of: marijuana, marijuana concentrates,
and marijuana products, cigarettes and other tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages
Zastrow said the City has limited types of revenue for the operations of the City and sales tax is one of
them. We are always trying to spread the revenue generation means out over a wider swath of people –
this would fit that bill – an opportunity to get a little more revenue, only a 1% increase, and on luxury items
so he is in favor. Hansen agreed. Ranney said she will support this as it is not necessarily focused on local
Cordovans. After some discussion of the exclusion of watercraft, Council seemed in favor of eliminating
that exclusion. Adams said she is in favor of this because that is the cost of travel, it exists everywhere.
M/Mickelson S/Adams to amend the ordinance by changing the phrase “excluding watercraft” to “including
watercraft”.
Mickelson opined this was an egalitarian way to manage this, whether or not these rentals are occurring
now. Adams agreed that there may not be this service available now but could be in the future. Collins
wanted to clarify that this was motorized watercraft only, not kayaks or canoes. Council agreed.
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Vote on the motion to amend: 7 yeas, 0 nays. Motion to amend was approved.
Vote on the main motion as amended: 7 yeas, 0 nays. Motion was approved.
M. Unfinished Business - none
N. New & Miscellaneous Business
14. Pending Agenda, CIP List, Calendar, Elected & Appointed Officials lists – Bourgeois mentioned there
is a Planning Commission vacancy and one application has been received, she will bring that item to the
next meeting. Bourgeois also said the new marijuana establishment license will be before Council at the
next regular meeting. Council opted to cancel the second August meeting and next Regular Meeting would
be September 2. There may be a special meeting in between if something arises that needs action before
then.
O. Audience Participation - none
P. Council Comments
Zastrow thanked the City Manager for the creative ways to come by small amounts of revenue. Thanks to
Samantha for the hard work on the pool. Thanks and congratulations to Cathy Sherman for all her years
of service.
Hansen offered thanks to staff, to first responders and all the members of the community that volunteer
their time to be present.
Adams is excited to hear about the pool moving forward. She praised the library and staff there – it is such
a vital part of the community, very appreciative to bring her grandkids there recently for story time.
Kinsman echoed the kudos to all the volunteers in Cordova.
Mickelson echoed his fellow council member comments. He had just been working in Southeast Alaska
and he wanted everyone to know we are not the only ones in dire financial straits. Outlook for next season
is very good – could be unprecedented prices.
Collins also thanked staff, appreciated the reports, and thanked first responders. Thanked Sam and Susan
for the feedback on annexation.
Ranney thanked first responders, thanked our USCG and what they do and bring to the community. Thanks
to Parks & Rec, the parks look fabulous. Quarterly reports are appreciated; she thanked Sheryl for financial
updates.
Q. Executive Session - none
R. Adjournment
Hearing no objection Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:53 pm.
Approved: September 2, 2026
Attest: ____________________________________
Susan Bourgeois, City Clerk

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