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Record of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Regular Meeting - August 5, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, August 5, 2025
BodyValdez, Alaska
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, August 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:12

Yes, I'm sorry.

0:13

That's okay.

0:51

Hey, what'd you say as we previously told me the other day?

0:59

Yeah, I think we went from a bunch of it was a 1.13.7.

1:35

Okay, we'll go ahead and start the regular council meeting.

1:39

Could I have everybody stand up and uh pledge of allegiance?

1:45

I'll do it to the flag of the United States of America and to which it's one nation under God, indivisible with liberty.

2:01

Okay, sure.

2:02

Could you give us a roll call?

2:04

Oh council members are present except for uh the vacancy.

2:10

We have two council members online, council member um Lolly and Council Member Foster.

2:18

Okay, the approval of minutes.

2:20

Does anybody have uh any uh corrections that they would like to make for the uh July 15th and July 1st?

2:26

Council editions.

2:29

Okay, seeing none, they are accepted.

2:34

Uh we have public business from the floor.

2:38

Is there anyone in the audience who would like to address the council on a non-agenda item this evening?

2:42

You have five minutes to talk.

2:47

Seeing none, we'll go ahead to the uh consent agenda.

2:52

We got a proclamation, uh safe and sound week 2025.

2:56

Approval of executive session to discuss personal qualifications and characteristics of individuals who have submitted letters of interest in filing the city council vacancy.

3:09

Motion consent to all items.

3:11

Second to move by council member Devons, second by council member lab to approve all items on the consent agenda.

3:21

All those in favor, please say aye.

3:24

Aye, all those opposed, excuse me, all those opposed.

3:27

Okay, we have six years, one absent, motion carries, and the mayors will read the proclamation whereas the city of value values safety and healthy workplaces for all our employees and citizens while recognized the safe workplace are sound businesses, and whereas the majority of workplace injuries and fatalities are preventable preventable, yet more than five thousand U.S.

3:56

workers die each year from job-related injuries, and millions more suffer occupational injuries and illnesses.

4:03

And whereas business spends one hundred and seventy billion a year in costs tied to occupational injuries, illnesses, and health care, as well as facing intangible costs for losing a loved one, friend, or co-worker.

4:17

Whereas by fostering a culture of safety, where every employee truly believes they have not only a right to a safe and healthy workplace, but a responsibility for their own safety as well as the safety of others.

4:30

We can protect our workers, reduce workplace risk, and enhance productivity.

4:35

And whereas the occupational safety and health administration and associated association partners representing thousands of businesses will mobilize throughout the United States to increase public awareness of the value of following safe practices and staying safe at work while helping companies and organization enhance their workplace safety efforts.

5:00

And whereas during the week of August 11th through the 15th, 2025, the City of Valdez administration employee safety committee will celebrate with the city employees to increase awareness of the value of following safe practices and staying safe at work while helping enhance their workplace safety efforts.

5:16

And now, therefore, I, Dennis Fleming, mayor of the City of Valdez, you hereby announce and proclaim August 11th through the 15th, 2025 as SAPE and Sound Week 2025 in Valdez and encourage all organizations, community leaders, employees, and employees to support activities designed to increase awareness of the importance of safety workplace for all.

5:42

And with that being said, um, I know that uh last year Nate was telling me that we had a uh injury rate of a 1.13.

5:51

This year you guys are looking at an injury rate of a 0.7.

5:55

So congratulations on behalf of the council and the citizens of Valdez, that's very much appreciated.

6:01

We want you guys all coming home with all the toes and fingers that you left to start work with that day.

6:07

So thank you.

6:10

Okay, moving on.

6:15

Unfinished business.

6:19

Um approval of uh memorandum of understanding with Valdu Valdez Avalanche Center uh postponed from the meeting of July 15th.

6:27

There's currently a motion on the floor to approve this item.

6:30

The discussion can resume.

6:34

Go ahead.

6:35

Um have we gotten the information that we were seeking for the postponement, or should we just postpone again?

6:42

We got we got the information.

6:44

Because I uh so that was everything that we were trying to get though.

6:49

Uh yeah, I it was um Councilmember Devons that um attachment that weather observations that shows what they're doing was mostly what I was after, and also just the clarification that the city manager gave even during the last meeting um helped um me better inform what seven of you is about, and then I did talk also with the executive director, um Sarah Carter about the um kind of history of the program and moving forward to get the clarity.

7:15

So, yeah, this is this is what I was looking for.

7:17

This you know, what they're doing.

7:19

Um, I just wanted to verify that we weren't awaiting any further materials.

7:27

Okay, with that, any other council discussion?

7:32

Okay, any uh public discussion.

7:37

All right, call for the vote.

7:39

All those in favor, please say aye.

7:42

Aye.

7:42

Aye.

7:44

All those opposed.

7:46

We have six yes, one absent absent, one vacant.

7:53

Okay, moving on to new business.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████35%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Legal██████████10%
Education Funding███████7%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Childcare Services████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Regular Meeting - August 5, 2025

The Valdez City Council held its regular meeting on August 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approvals of minutes, consent agenda items, several major contracts, a zoning ordinance adoption, and appointment of a new council member. Public comments were heard from applicants for the vacant council seat. The council also received updates on litigation, a federal grant, and other municipal matters.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the Proclamation declaring August 11–15, 2025 as Safe and Sound Week 2025 in Valdez. The proclamation cited more than 5,000 U.S. worker deaths annually and $170 billion in occupational injury/illness costs. Mayor Fleming noted the city's injury rate dropped from 1.13 to 0.7.
  • Approved an executive session to discuss qualifications of applicants for the City Council vacancy.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michael J. Stevens (Jay), a nearly 30-year resident, spoke in favor of his application for the council vacancy. He emphasized workforce development, attracting young professionals and families, housing development, childcare, economic diversification, and infrastructure improvements, including harbor and dock projects.
  • Jason Tippitz, a resident for one year, expressed interest in the vacancy, citing his political science background and willingness to serve the community. He noted he would seek other opportunities if not selected.

Discussion Items

  • Memorandum of Understanding with Valdez Avalanche Center: Following postponement from July 15, councilmember Devons confirmed receipt of needed weather observation attachments and clarification from the city manager, as well as discussions with executive director Sarah Carter. The MOU was approved unanimously (6-0, with one absent and one vacancy).
  • Beautification Commission Appointments: Applicants were Magdalena McCay, Libby Connor, Paula McCann, and T.C. Greene. Paula McCann was appointed to a two-year term and T.C. Greene to a three-year term. Approved unanimously.
  • Professional Services Agreement with DOWL, LLC: Approved a $170,357 contract for Rural Roads Repairs Design Phase 1. Motion carried 6-0.
  • Orion Construction Contract: Approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price contract of $2,357,316.31 for Valdez City Schools District Offices Tenant Improvements. Council questioned the $471 per square foot cost; capital facilities director Scott Benda confirmed this is in line with current costs, noting the need to work during the school year. Orion was selected over two other firms due to familiarity with the building and past performance. Motion carried 6-0.
  • Ordinance #25-10: Second reading and adoption of a zoning map amendment changing Lot 2, Tract 3, USS 3538, Plat 2003-7 to Neighborhood Mixed Use. Councilmember Devons thanked the applicant and staff for collaborative work. Ordinance adopted 6-0.

Reports

  • The temporary land use permits (25-05 to Fireweed 400, Inc. for 5.6 acres; 25-08 to Central Environmental, Inc. for 2 acres for six months) were reported and not pulled for discussion.

City Manager / Clerk / Attorney / Mayor Reports

  • City Manager (Scott Devos): Reported receipt of a $5.5 million Community Discretionary Grant (formerly earmark) from Senator Murkowski for the radio project. Scheduled a work session for August 26 at 6:00 PM for Public Works and Economic Development. On Essential Air Service, DOT is proceeding with Option Four: three flights daily to Anchorage and one daily to Fairbanks using a 9-seat King Air; Devos sent a letter of concurrence but reserved rights to increase passenger capacity in future RFPs. Also noted an application for a $700,000 Alaska Housing BHFC grant for potential workforce housing.
  • City Clerk (Sherry): Distributed a letter from former Governor Walker regarding naming of the BCT; council directed placing it on the next agenda and seeking input from the Ports and Harbor Commission. Announced scheduling of budget work session and her vacation from August 11–19.
  • City Attorney (Jake): Provided litigation updates: Escape Property oral arguments scheduled for August 18; awaiting decision for 2019-forward years; Board of Equalization hearing on August 20 at noon; AK Ventures lawsuit on BOE authority being negotiated; T plan renewal awaiting ADEC supplemental info; TAP settlement negotiations to be discussed in executive session, possibly September 3 or 4 (councilmembers Foster and Lally confirmed availability; councilmember Devons had conflicts).
  • Mayor and Council: Thanked staff, volunteers, and applicants; acknowledged Gold Rush Days success and praised the federal grant and EAS developments.

Executive Session and Appointment

  • The council entered executive session to discuss applicants for the vacant council seat. After returning, Councilmember Lally moved to appoint Lester Green to fill the vacancy for a term ending May 19, 2026. Motion passed unanimously (ayes). Councilmember Devons thanked all applicants for their willingness to serve.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved all consent agenda items and proclamations.
  • Approved MOU with Valdez Avalanche Center; $170,357 DOWL contract; $2,357,316.31 Orion Construction contract.
  • Adopted Ordinance #25-10.
  • Appointed Paula McCann and T.C. Greene to Beautification Commission.
  • Appointed Lester Green to the vacant City Council seat.
  • Directed clerk to schedule items for next meeting (BCT naming, budget work session, executive session on TAP).

Meeting Transcript

Yes, I'm sorry. That's okay. Hey, what'd you say as we previously told me the other day? Yeah, I think we went from a bunch of it was a 1.13.7. Okay, we'll go ahead and start the regular council meeting. Could I have everybody stand up and uh pledge of allegiance? I'll do it to the flag of the United States of America and to which it's one nation under God, indivisible with liberty. Okay, sure. Could you give us a roll call? Oh council members are present except for uh the vacancy. We have two council members online, council member um Lolly and Council Member Foster. Okay, the approval of minutes. Does anybody have uh any uh corrections that they would like to make for the uh July 15th and July 1st? Council editions. Okay, seeing none, they are accepted. Uh we have public business from the floor. Is there anyone in the audience who would like to address the council on a non-agenda item this evening? You have five minutes to talk. Seeing none, we'll go ahead to the uh consent agenda. We got a proclamation, uh safe and sound week 2025. Approval of executive session to discuss personal qualifications and characteristics of individuals who have submitted letters of interest in filing the city council vacancy. Motion consent to all items. Second to move by council member Devons, second by council member lab to approve all items on the consent agenda. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye, all those opposed, excuse me, all those opposed. Okay, we have six years, one absent, motion carries, and the mayors will read the proclamation whereas the city of value values safety and healthy workplaces for all our employees and citizens while recognized the safe workplace are sound businesses, and whereas the majority of workplace injuries and fatalities are preventable preventable, yet more than five thousand U.S. workers die each year from job-related injuries, and millions more suffer occupational injuries and illnesses. And whereas business spends one hundred and seventy billion a year in costs tied to occupational injuries, illnesses, and health care, as well as facing intangible costs for losing a loved one, friend, or co-worker. Whereas by fostering a culture of safety, where every employee truly believes they have not only a right to a safe and healthy workplace, but a responsibility for their own safety as well as the safety of others. We can protect our workers, reduce workplace risk, and enhance productivity. And whereas the occupational safety and health administration and associated association partners representing thousands of businesses will mobilize throughout the United States to increase public awareness of the value of following safe practices and staying safe at work while helping companies and organization enhance their workplace safety efforts. And whereas during the week of August 11th through the 15th, 2025, the City of Valdez administration employee safety committee will celebrate with the city employees to increase awareness of the value of following safe practices and staying safe at work while helping enhance their workplace safety efforts. And now, therefore, I, Dennis Fleming, mayor of the City of Valdez, you hereby announce and proclaim August 11th through the 15th, 2025 as SAPE and Sound Week 2025 in Valdez and encourage all organizations, community leaders, employees, and employees to support activities designed to increase awareness of the importance of safety workplace for all. And with that being said, um, I know that uh last year Nate was telling me that we had a uh injury rate of a 1.13. This year you guys are looking at an injury rate of a 0.7. So congratulations on behalf of the council and the citizens of Valdez, that's very much appreciated. We want you guys all coming home with all the toes and fingers that you left to start work with that day. So thank you. Okay, moving on. Unfinished business. Um approval of uh memorandum of understanding with Valdu Valdez Avalanche Center uh postponed from the meeting of July 15th. There's currently a motion on the floor to approve this item. The discussion can resume. Go ahead. Um have we gotten the information that we were seeking for the postponement, or should we just postpone again? We got we got the information. Because I uh so that was everything that we were trying to get though. Uh yeah, I it was um Councilmember Devons that um attachment that weather observations that shows what they're doing was mostly what I was after, and also just the clarification that the city manager gave even during the last meeting um helped um me better inform what seven of you is about, and then I did talk also with the executive director, um Sarah Carter about the um kind of history of the program and moving forward to get the clarity. So, yeah, this is this is what I was looking for. This you know, what they're doing.

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