OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Work Session: Snow Removal, Mechanic FTE, and Economic Development – August 26, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, August 26, 2025
BodyValdez, Alaska
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, August 26, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:17

Thank you, Mayor Plumbing.

0:19

Just to kick off, we're gonna start with public works for tonight.

0:23

But just a recap of kind of what we've prepared based on what we heard at the at the council meeting was conversation regarding snow removal, kind of what were the triggers for snow removal and kind of what's the plan moving forward.

0:36

There is an FTE request outstanding with uh for a mechanic.

0:42

Um we'll talk a little bit about what that specific need is and kind of all shed some light onto the process uh internally with FTEs, and then just uh there's a brief kind of overview of what the major equipment is kind of embedded with the uh mechanic conversation.

0:58

Uh there was also a request specific to public works to talk about water and sewer rates.

1:02

We won't be talking about that tonight.

1:04

That'll be part of the regular budget work sessions uh related to the utility fund.

1:08

Just a reminder that that's when that conversation will occur.

1:12

Uh, but so those are the the three main topics for tonight that we've got chambered up.

1:16

Uh that's not to say that we can't answer any additional questions that you've got about public works.

1:21

Um, we may just not necessarily have prepared presentation on those uh specific questions, but we can certainly answer anything you might have.

1:28

Um so Director Whitty's got uh handful of slides, and he can kind of walk through them.

1:33

Feel free to interject as you have questions.

1:35

I'm John Whitty, Public Works Director.

1:38

I'm gonna keep this fairly brief.

1:39

I only have eight slides, and one of them is a title slide, the other is a question slide, so please stop me at any point.

1:46

Uh we're gonna kick us off with snow removal operations.

1:51

Uh triggers for action.

1:52

Snow removal begins at four inches of accumulation, and uh if it's wet snow, it's between two and four inches of accumulation.

2:00

Uh during heavy snow events, crews are called out as early as 2 a.m.

2:04

They're usually on the street by 3, 3 30 a.m.

2:08

And then uh they create a berm, snow uh snow berm in the middle of the road, crews remove the berms to snow dumps as soon as possible.

2:16

Uh what this slide doesn't say is uh usually they have that all bermed up by about eight o'clock.

2:21

So before before they come back to the shop and school start, uh that berm is created so cars can move.

2:29

Clearing priorities.

2:30

I guess and I would add to that that the 2026 goal of public works is to have roads passable by 8 a.m.

2:38

That's the that's the obviously we can't control Mother Nature, but that's that's the intended objective.

2:45

And clearing priorities, hospital routes, school and bus routes, city hall, fire and police, residential streets, and then sanding is applied as needed, conditions permitting, uh scar fire blades used during high winds for better traction.

3:04

Uh while it's actively raining.

3:07

We we will still use sand, but it is not as effective as we would like.

3:13

Rain washes the sand away, and using scar fire blades during a rain event while it's actively raining, fills in the holes, the scrapes, and freezes, and we it's not effective either.

3:27

We still sand.

3:29

Uh we usually try to hit that right before school starts, but it is not as effective as we would like.

3:35

We are looking at other options.

3:36

Uh we have not found one yet.

3:41

2024, 2025 concerns and responses.

3:45

Uh we had a delay with our contractor in Corbin Loop.

3:49

We did not begin until there was already 10 inches of snowfall.

3:53

There was about 11 inches of snowfall when the police called me, and I was able to get a hold of them, so I didn't know.

3:59

I think that was your neighborhood, uh, council member.

4:03

Uh the issue was addressed, and we did not have a repeat incident.

4:08

And then during the winter we had freezing rain, uh sand was often iced over, washed away, led to reduce effectiveness despite frequent sanding.

4:17

And we did sand every single day while it was raining.

4:23

What's changing for 2025-2026?

4:26

Uh, we're gonna have better contractor coordination.

4:28

Our street foreman will call out the contractors at the same time as city crews during emergency events.

4:34

Uh as many of you know, snow is different between in town and out of town.

4:40

Uh, it may not be the trigger for the contractors to get started, but it's just gonna give them a heads up.

4:49

Improved communication.

4:51

We're gonna continue to use city Facebook and uh the website for public updates during snow events.

5:00

And we're going to uh have a rough draft of our snow management plan in 2025.

5:04

And in 2026, we're going to have it to the city manager for a policy review.

5:09

And we're going to have ongoing efforts to improve safety, efficiency, and public expectation management.

5:16

Snow removal challenges.

5:18

We have new neighborhoods and streets.

5:20

New neighborhoods and streets increased service demand.

5:24

The constraints is no added crews, contractors, or equipment.

5:28

And snow storage is always a concern.

5:31

Snow storage capacity remains insufficient.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works██████████████████████████████30%
Economic Development██████████████████18%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%
Workforce Development████████8%
Childcare Services███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Tourism Management█████5%
Public-Private Partnerships██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Work Session – August 26, 2025

The Valdez City Council held a work session on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers to discuss snow removal operations for the 2025-2026 season, a personnel request for an additional lead mechanic, and the 2026 Economic Development Department work plan. No formal votes were taken; the session served as a discussion and information-gathering meeting for the upcoming budget.

Snow Removal Operations for 2025-2026 Season

  • Triggers for action: Snow removal begins at 4 inches of accumulation (2–4 inches for wet snow). Crews are called out as early as 2 AM, typically on streets by 3:00–3:30 AM, with berms created by 8 AM. The 2026 goal is to have roads passable by 8 AM.
  • Clearing priorities: Hospital routes, school and bus routes, city hall, fire and police, then residential streets.
  • 2024-2025 concerns: A delay with the contractor on Corbin Loop (began only after 10–11 inches of snowfall) was addressed with no repeat. Freezing rain reduced sand effectiveness despite daily sanding.
  • Changes for 2025-2026: Better contractor coordination (street foreman will call contractors during emergencies), improved communication via Facebook and website, a rough draft of a snow management plan in 2025, and a final plan for policy review in 2026.
  • Challenges: New neighborhoods without added crews or equipment; insufficient snow storage capacity; residents (including private ATVs/skid steers) storing large piles of snow from side yards in the street, which code currently allows but creates operational difficulties. Potential code revision to prohibit storing snow from areas other than driveways/walkways in the street.
  • Enforcement: Police data for 2022-2025 showed few tickets issued (one ticket of $20 in 2023-2024). Council members supported increased public education, stronger fines, and proactive enforcement, especially regarding parked vehicles obstructing plowing.

Personnel Request for Lead Mechanic in 2026

  • Current fleet and staffing: Public Works Director John Whitty presented a full fleet audit showing 217 vehicles (weighted count 191.5). Current staffing: 2 mechanics + 1 fleet manager (who also serves as 0.5 mechanic). Mechanic-to-fleet ratio is 1:76, far from the industry benchmark of 1:50.
  • Request: One additional full-time lead mechanic to support operational readiness, prevent burnout, and meet growing demands. The position would cost approximately $200,000 including benefits.
  • City Manager’s approach: Nate Duval stated the position would be offset by attrition – not an overall increase in city FTE count – but no specific backfill position has been identified yet.
  • Benefits cited: Extending equipment lifespan (e.g., a 2-year extension on a 10-year cycle more than pays for the FTE), reducing downtime (currently 1–2 pieces of equipment down regularly), and preventing catastrophic failures (e.g., nearly lost two vehicles due to low oil).
  • Council support: Several members expressed strong support, noting the heavy workload, the upcoming retirement of fleet manager Joe Russell, and the value of proactive maintenance. Councilmember Olivia noted the financial commitment but acknowledged the necessity.

2026 Economic Development Department Work Plan

  • Presentation by Director Martha Barberio: Focus on child care expansion (helping Sugar Bear Daycare get licensed, supporting Valdez Preschool Co-op, converting elementary school into a child care facility), small business growth (annual small business conference, fall business builder workshop), cruise ship marketing, working with the Civic Center to recruit conferences and business retreats, and exploring economic incentive districts and site selection assistance.
  • Priorities from City Manager: Nate Duval emphasized two starred areas from the economic strategic plan: child care and promoting Valdez (using city facilities like the Civic Center and port, not destination marketing).
  • Workforce development: Ongoing efforts on CDL licensing, marine training, and collaboration with the local college. Council members asked about engagement with current industries (e.g., Alyeska, Coast Guard) and the college’s child care program – a $30,000 scholarship fund has not yet been used.
  • Council feedback: Mayor Plumbing stressed filling vacant lots in town. Councilmember Lou requested a summary of deliverables from the past year to accompany the budget.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken; discussions will inform the 2026 budget process.
  • The mechanic FTE request will be considered for inclusion in the 2026 budget, with the understanding it will be offset by attrition elsewhere.
  • The snow management plan will be drafted in 2025 and finalized for policy review in 2026.
  • A code revision to prohibit residential storage of snow in streets from non-driveway areas will be explored.
  • Public education campaigns on snow removal rules, parking, and enforcement will be strengthened.
  • A follow-up work session on housing (from the housing subcommittee) was scheduled for September 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you, Mayor Plumbing. Just to kick off, we're gonna start with public works for tonight. But just a recap of kind of what we've prepared based on what we heard at the at the council meeting was conversation regarding snow removal, kind of what were the triggers for snow removal and kind of what's the plan moving forward. There is an FTE request outstanding with uh for a mechanic. Um we'll talk a little bit about what that specific need is and kind of all shed some light onto the process uh internally with FTEs, and then just uh there's a brief kind of overview of what the major equipment is kind of embedded with the uh mechanic conversation. Uh there was also a request specific to public works to talk about water and sewer rates. We won't be talking about that tonight. That'll be part of the regular budget work sessions uh related to the utility fund. Just a reminder that that's when that conversation will occur. Uh, but so those are the the three main topics for tonight that we've got chambered up. Uh that's not to say that we can't answer any additional questions that you've got about public works. Um, we may just not necessarily have prepared presentation on those uh specific questions, but we can certainly answer anything you might have. Um so Director Whitty's got uh handful of slides, and he can kind of walk through them. Feel free to interject as you have questions. I'm John Whitty, Public Works Director. I'm gonna keep this fairly brief. I only have eight slides, and one of them is a title slide, the other is a question slide, so please stop me at any point. Uh we're gonna kick us off with snow removal operations. Uh triggers for action. Snow removal begins at four inches of accumulation, and uh if it's wet snow, it's between two and four inches of accumulation. Uh during heavy snow events, crews are called out as early as 2 a.m. They're usually on the street by 3, 3 30 a.m. And then uh they create a berm, snow uh snow berm in the middle of the road, crews remove the berms to snow dumps as soon as possible. Uh what this slide doesn't say is uh usually they have that all bermed up by about eight o'clock. So before before they come back to the shop and school start, uh that berm is created so cars can move. Clearing priorities. I guess and I would add to that that the 2026 goal of public works is to have roads passable by 8 a.m. That's the that's the obviously we can't control Mother Nature, but that's that's the intended objective. And clearing priorities, hospital routes, school and bus routes, city hall, fire and police, residential streets, and then sanding is applied as needed, conditions permitting, uh scar fire blades used during high winds for better traction. Uh while it's actively raining. We we will still use sand, but it is not as effective as we would like. Rain washes the sand away, and using scar fire blades during a rain event while it's actively raining, fills in the holes, the scrapes, and freezes, and we it's not effective either. We still sand. Uh we usually try to hit that right before school starts, but it is not as effective as we would like. We are looking at other options. Uh we have not found one yet. 2024, 2025 concerns and responses. Uh we had a delay with our contractor in Corbin Loop. We did not begin until there was already 10 inches of snowfall. There was about 11 inches of snowfall when the police called me, and I was able to get a hold of them, so I didn't know. I think that was your neighborhood, uh, council member. Uh the issue was addressed, and we did not have a repeat incident. And then during the winter we had freezing rain, uh sand was often iced over, washed away, led to reduce effectiveness despite frequent sanding. And we did sand every single day while it was raining. What's changing for 2025-2026? Uh, we're gonna have better contractor coordination. Our street foreman will call out the contractors at the same time as city crews during emergency events. Uh as many of you know, snow is different between in town and out of town. Uh, it may not be the trigger for the contractors to get started, but it's just gonna give them a heads up. Improved communication.

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