Valdez Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - June 10, 2025

The City of Valdez Parks and Recreation Commission met on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 6:31 PM to 7:16 PM in Council Chambers. All members were present, with Commissioner Rush joining by phone. The commission approved prior minutes, took public comment, adjusted its trail reporting process, heard updates from the Disc Golf Club and the department director, and addressed commissioner business.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the May 13, 2025 regular meeting with no objections or changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zadie Carmen, with the End of the Road Renaissance Festival, reported the event is scheduled for June 20-21, 2025, and that its permit application and alcoholic beverage permit were accepted. She requested help finding additional trash cans, ideally four more for a total of 12, for public and nearby residential use. Commissioner Rush disclosed he had previously offered to help with trash. No formal action was taken.

Discussion Items

Trail Report / Commission Trail Assessment

• The commission reviewed a compiled trail report based on member-completed rubrics for the Homestead and Dock Point trails. Commissioner Pete questioned the process and staff time, suggesting oral reports might suffice. Deputy City Clerk Swornberg clarified that reports typically are not included in minutes and may be informational.
• The commission agreed to continue the written compiled format, but rename and move the item under new business as a 'commission trail assessment' discussion so actionable items can be raised without reviewing every detail. The next trails selected were Overlook and East Dyke. Commissioner Pete advocated strongly for also assessing the Gold Beach/Gold Creek/Shoup Bay Trail corridor, saying it is one of the most popular city trails and important for the commission's advocacy role, even if it is not under department jurisdiction.

Disc Golf Club Update

• Nathan Davis and Kelly Hall of the Valdez Disc Golf Club reported that a league is now running, baskets have been repaired, and the club is partnering with the Valdez Adventure Alliance to manage donations and help fund course improvements. They welcomed the new interim director and appreciated recent city trail work at the course.
• They shared UDisc data: about 3,100 rounds played over four complete years, which they said could safely be doubled to roughly 6,000; close to 200 individual players, possibly about 10% of Valdez's population when doubled; 13 million steps; and nearly 10,000 hours of use.
• The club expressed support for youth engagement, including a future junior division or a kids' clinic. They also raised concerns about possible camping at the disc golf course. Commissioner Carter clarified that Ordinance 2504 was postponed indefinitely and that the council would discuss camping holistically at an upcoming work session, not through a new ordinance at this time.

Director Report

• Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Bridget gave updates: summer camps are full with up to 24 kids per week, 9 AM to 5 PM, and highly subsidized; a coordinator position is being backfilled in July; the July 4th event has 21 vendors so far; park crews are cleaning up after spring breakup; grass concerns at Gold Fields have been addressed; Meals Hill is expected to be completed in the fall; the Civic Center is hosting the theater conference and the Green Room remodel will add a second conference room in August.
• Commissioner Pete offered a comment that the library has its own board and he would support classifying it outside Parks and Recreation; Deputy City Clerk Swornberg confirmed the library has its own commission.

Commission Business from the Floor

• The chair reported that the clerk's office advised commissions to continue meeting at the dais for decorum and microphone function; work sessions may be held on the floor.
• Commissioner Aiden asked for an update on the Meals Hill bike trail reroute around the marshy section. Director Bridget said it remains under discussion and she hoped to provide a map the following week. Commissioner Jeremy echoed interest in updates and photos.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• Trail report format changed to a 'commission trail assessment' under new business; next trails selected: Overlook and East Dyke.
• No formal vote was taken on disc golf requests; the club will continue working with the department and Valdez Adventure Alliance.
• Director Bridget committed to providing a map of the Meals Hill reroute next week.