February 8 Valdez City Council Business
Photo by McKayla Crump on Unsplash
February 17, 2023
Allison Sayer - CRR Staff
The Valdez City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 8. Mayor Scheidt and council member Wegner were absent.
The council certified the results of the February 7 special municipal election raising the local property tax exemption from $50,000 to $75,000. Despite the lower rate, City Manager Mark Detter wanted to give residents a “heads up” that with property values on the rise, many residents may still see increased taxes.
The council voted against a motion to add another $145,000 to a contract with Thompson and Co. for marketing.
The council approved a contract amendment with Harris Sand & Gravel for $120,000 associated with the multi-million dollar Valdez Harbor H-K reconstruction project. Nathan Duval, Valdez Capital Facilities Director, stated the money requested was to complete dredging work during the winter when the harbor was less congested.
The council approved a change in the city’s stop-loss insurance carrier to HCC for the year. Rhea Cragun, Human Resources Director, stated that this cost 16 percent less than the current stop loss carrier. Council member Foster asked whether the change would affect city employee benefits and Cragun stated it would not.
Cragun stated that all city benefits would be brought to the council for renewal in March. She further stated her office was considering enhancements in some benefits and not considering reductions.
Kate Dugan from the Valdez Zero to Three with Families Alliance made a public appearance to encourage the public to attend a symposium at the Valdez Civic Center on February 18 on childcare. The symposium will provide training and support for families and childcare providers. There will also be sessions on child care licensing – there are currently no licensed providers in Valdez. Lunch and child care will be provided for participants who register in advance. Contact Katey Connell at katey.connell@ alaska.gov or 835-4910 for more information.
Kory Maillot, the chair of the 2023 Ice Climbing Festival, made a public appearance thanking the City Council for their continued support of the festival. He encouraged the public to attend, adding that the festival begins February 17 and there will be no registration fee for Valdez locals. For more information and a complete schedule, visit: valdezadventurealliance.com/ice-fest
Joe Prax made a public appearance requesting the City Council “tighten up” the conflict of interest policy. He stated he felt the city was not doing anything “illegal” but was not following the best practices in disclosing conflicts of interest.
The council adopted ordinances proposed last month to adjust the city property tax code and to adjust the time after which fireworks could be set off on December 31 from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. They also approved a change to Valdez Motor Sports lease agreement on city property which would lower the club’s insurance costs.
City Manager Mark Detter reported that the city’s federal lobbying firm, the Capital Hill Group, suggested that representatives visit Washington, D.C. In addition to the usual infrastructure lobbying, he strongly recommended meeting with the US Coast Guard Legislative Aide regarding housing and childcare for those stationed in Valdez.
Detter reported progress on a task force on childcare for Valdez. Providence Healthcare, the school district, the Coast Guard, Prince William Sound Community College, and Alyeska have committed to being involved. The city is reaching out to the Valdez Native Tribe. Detter recommended that Susan Love join, representing the Zero to Three with Families Alliance. The formation of a task force would have to be approved by resolution through the city council. The city is going to begin snow removal on city building roofs. Duval reported these efforts will begin in advance of “getting into trouble” this year, and residents may see crews on roofs of city buildings. The city uses a digital scale to measure the pounds of snow per square foot on its own properties but does not issue recommendations for private properties.
The city issued proclamations acknowledging Black History and Teen Dating Awareness months. In addition to highlighting the contributions of Black Americans to the infrastructure of contemporary Alaska, the Black History Month proclamation highlighted “Old Valdez’s influential early resident, Melvin Dempsey, a prospector of African American and Cherokee descent who was born into slavery in 1857 and went on to found Alaska’s first free reading room, Valdez’s first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a relief station for prospectors on Valdez Glacier”
The Teen Dating Awareness month proclamation outlined the seriousness of teen dating violence in Alaska, from relentless texting to physical assault, faced by Alaska’s teens.
The council approved the consent agenda, which is available for viewing on the meeting agenda.
The council went into executive session to discuss ongoing litigation with the Alaska Trappers Association.
Several reports were submitted to the council. They included a GIS Map Viewer website launch for the city, a zoning code revision project, hazard mitigation plan implementation, sub-contracts for environmental analysis and landfill sample collection, procurement of $90,681.00 for generator replacement, and the monthly treasury report. These are all available on the City of Valdez website through the Agenda for the February 8 City Council meeting.
Disclosure: The City of Valdez is a Copper River Record Advertiser.
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