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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Regular Meeting – October 7, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, October 7, 2025

BodyValdez, Alaska

SessionMeeting Portal

DateTuesday, October 7, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:19:36

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

To order City Council meeting, please uh join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:11

Pledge of allegiance to the fly of the United States of America.

0:28

Okay, sure, do we get a roll call?

0:32

I'll do that first.

0:40

Mayor, all uh council members are present this evening except for Councilmember Love, who is absent and excused.

0:46

Online, we have Councilmember Green and Councilmember Foster.

0:51

Thank you.

0:52

Okay, we'll go into approval of minutes.

0:54

I have three sets of minutes.

0:55

August 5th, 2025, August 19, 2025, and September 16, 2025.

1:02

Are there any changes or corrections to meeting minutes as presented?

1:07

Okay, seeing hearing none, the minutes will stand as presented.

1:10

Councilmember Fleming.

1:12

Can I make a comment real quick?

1:14

Sure.

1:14

Go ahead.

1:14

I just want to thank our front office staff.

1:17

They're getting trained up on doing minutes, and they helped out with a couple of these sets.

1:22

So we're trying to get caught up on minutes, and thank you to Reggie and Mason.

1:25

All right, thank you.

1:30

Okay, we'll go ahead and go with uh public appearances.

1:33

We have one, and that is Matt Burton from Chugach Mountain's Brunson, by the way.

1:42

Sorry.

1:53

Sure.

1:53

Um citizens of Aldees.

2:02

I'm here tonight to follow up on my presentation from last year, seeking more accountability and transparency over so-called community service organization grant programs.

2:14

Last year, in addition to a general overview of problems with CSO grant funding as it pertains to the local outdoor tourism industry, I more specifically brought to your attention serious concerns regarding public funding of the Avalanche safety program, currently funded nearly in its entirety by local taxpayers.

2:33

I encourage everyone to revisit that presentation prior to the CSO work session Thursday.

2:40

Last year's presentation presented a sort of operational critique of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center Incorporated doing business as Valdeese Avalanche Center.

2:49

Considering that presentation triggered a work session, some questions from that work session were never transparently answered.

2:56

The National Avalanche Center's report on AAIC Inc.

3:00

DBA VAC confirmed the basis of my critique.

3:04

And this year, the AAIC Inc.

3:06

DBA VAC is seeking an unprecedented CSO funding request.

3:10

I'm back again for a two-part follow-up.

3:13

For the first part, you should have in front of you three documents critiquing the current state of the CSO grant funding in general and more specifically relative to the unprecedented requests this year from the AAIC Inc.

3:26

DBA VAC.

3:28

I encourage you to closely review those documents before the CSO work session Thursday.

3:59

To which neither the state nor the municipality of Anchorage provide funding.

4:05

Not only is the AAIC Inc.

4:07

DBABAC funding request this year unprecedented amongst Valdez CSOs, no other no other avalanche center in the country has nearly the entirety of their operating budget footed by local taxpayers, and especially not in such an unaccountable way.

4:24

For example, the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center, the most representative comparison for the Valdez community, only receives 1,000 to $1,500 from the city of Palmer and less than 20,000 from the Massu borough annually.

4:37

That's only 10% of their operating budget, and the taxpayer burden is spread over 100,000 plus residents through a very competitive grant program that requires a high degree of accountability and transparency.

4:50

Additionally, as currently structured, AAIC Inc.

4:53

DBA VAC programming arguably prioritizes special interest groups at the expense of the local community.

5:00

I'm here tonight to caution you that throwing money at a problem doesn't solve it.

5:05

Competency, expertise, engagement, and planning do.

5:09

The National Avalanche Center report clearly states two things.

5:13

Number one, that the AAIC Inc.

5:15

DBA VAC current approach is fiscally and operationally unsustainable.

5:20

Number two, that the NAC's report is not meant to be prescriptive, but to give perspective and generate discussion.

5:28

It's very frustrating that the AAIC Inc.

5:31

DBA VAC seems to be framing that report as the NAC suggesting local taxpayers fund nearly the entirety of their operating budget at 120,000.

5:42

The City of Valdez citizens and local taxpayers must understand a few things.

5:47

Where this funding is going, i.e.

5:50

who and what we're giving our money to, and what we need and want in terms of an avalanche safety program.

5:58

A point to read our eight from my presentation last year.

6:01

Information provided by an avalanche center forecast requires a certain level of education and knowledge to critically interpret it and apply it appropriately.

6:10

Our current avalanche program doesn't do enough to address the education side of the community avalanche safety equation, and otherwise just doesn't manage funding responsibly.

6:20

The VAC program is currently structured, is focused on providing a forecast and information that doesn't align with how any other avalanche center in the United States is doing it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Legal██████████████████18%

Procedural███████████11%

Public Works███████████11%

Avalanche Safety█████████9%

Public Safety█████████9%

Fiscal Sustainability█████5%

Community Engagement█████5%

Parks and Recreation████4%

City Manager Report████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Regular Meeting – October 7, 2025

The Valdez City Council met on October 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Councilmember Love was absent and excused; Councilmembers Green and Foster attended online. The meeting covered a consent agenda, public comments, appointments, ordinances, resolutions, and reports. Key topics included a public critique of the avalanche safety program funding, approval of a $5 million permanent fund investment, a change order for school restrooms, zoning and nuisance code amendments, and several resolutions.

Consent Calendar

Approved proclamations recognizing Premier Alaska Tours for 30 years of service, October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Fire Prevention Week (October 5–11, 2025).
Approved an executive session to discuss Trans Alaska Pipeline System ad valorem tax issues, escaped property legal issues, oil spill prevention property regulation, and litigation related to Ables employment matters.
Approved renewal of retail marijuana store license for Coastal Cannabis Company.

Public Comments & Testimony

Matt Brunton (Chugach Mountain Institute) presented a detailed critique of the Community Service Organization (CSO) grant program, specifically the Alaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC Inc. dba Valdez Avalanche Center). He argued that the current program focuses on special interest groups (heli-ski industry, spring tourists) over local residents, is fiscally unsustainable per the National Avalanche Center report, and that the requested $120,000 is unprecedented. He urged the council to conduct a community needs assessment before further investment and to consider alternative program structures. He provided three documents for review.
Joe Prox (local resident, business owner) urged greater accountability in CSO grants and criticized the city’s adversarial approach toward Alyeska Pipeline, arguing it harms Valdez’s future. He also recommended against using permanent fund draws for budget spending, noting the pipeline’s eventual decline.

Discussion Items

Appointments to Parks and Recreation Commission: After a ballot vote, the council appointed Jessica Tran to a two-year term, and Jillian Reese and Sarah Jorgenson Owen to three-year terms. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Permanent Fund Investment: The council approved a $5 million investment with TA Realty Core Property Fund, replacing an underperforming UBS Trumbull fund. The permanent fund committee cited better performance and liquidity. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Change Order – VCS District Office Tenant Improvements: Approved a change order with Orion Construction for $138,884.51 to re-establish restrooms at the elementary school gymnasium during construction, avoiding use of portable toilets and improving security. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Ordinance #25-12 – Zoning Amendment (First Reading/Public Hearing): Approved a rezone of a city-owned parcel (Tract C-1) to Heavy Industrial to allow Connect Construction (successor to Harris Sand & Gravel) to operate an asphalt batch plant, consistent with the comprehensive plan. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Ordinance #25-13 – Nuisance Code Amendment (First Reading/Public Hearing): Amended Chapter 8.20 to add civil fines for most nuisances (except noise, smoke emission, soot escape which remain minor offenses) and to allow service by email with confirmation. A motion by Councilmember Devons to remove the email provision died for lack of a second. The ordinance passed 5-1-1 (one nay, one absent).
Ordinance #25-14 – General Penalty Amendment (First Reading/Public Hearing): Amended Chapter 1.08 to support the civil fine structure. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Resolution #25-43 – Waive Late Fees for Federal Employees: Authorized waiving late fees and penalties for federal employees during any 2025 government shutdown furlough. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Resolution #25-44 – Temporary Access Agreement: Authorized a temporary access agreement with East Peak Resort, LLC, Rydor Enterprises, LLC, Camicia Creek Landholdings, LLC, and Brandon Reese for use of city trail system to access parcels east of Valdez Glacier Stream. Staff noted a prior agreement expired in December 2024; a short-term agreement was issued earlier in October. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Resolution #25-45 – Accept Library Grant: Accepted $7,000 in Public Library Assistance Grant funds for the Valdez Consortium Library. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Resolution #25-46 – Sell Surplus Tractor: Authorized sale of a 2009 John Deere 3520 tractor with attachments. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Resolution #25-47 – Budget Reallocation for Child Care Facility: Amended the 2025 budget to reallocate funds for the child care facility design and renovation project. (Motion carried 6-0-1)
Reports:
- Monthly Projects Update (Scott Benda, Capital Facilities Director): Reported completion of sewer force main (fully operational), Mil e Sel gas pipeline park (grand opening Sept 11), pavement management on Pioneer Drive, Civic Center green room demolition (completion early Nov), library window replacement (punch list items), senior center siding and railings, Kelsey Dock dolphin replacement (awaiting special use permit, later received), scrap barge processed ~2,000 tons (hoped for ammo barge backhaul but plan B being pursued), district office relocation/child care center framing underway, wayfinding signs at Old Town done, Roll Roads project design (bid Jan 2026), radio repeater upgrades (95% design), pavement management phases 4&5 (100% design), VCT water line replacement (95% design, seeking grants), Herman Hutchins contaminated soil sampling, roof replacements (architect site visit), animal shelter incinerator fuel piping fix, fai replacement (HDR site visit), hospital generator repair (new gen arriving spring 2026), long-term care expansion (exterior closing, parking paved). Also noted erosion along Robe River behind Gold Fields and presented photos.
- Community Development Projects & CSO Committee Report (Councilmember Devons): Reported that the CSO committee added layers of accountability (conflict of interest disclosure, reporting thresholds, 2% budget cap). Discussed potential of offering staff support for event setup/teardown, but deferred decision to future meetings. City Manager added that biannual reports from CSO recipients are now required, though timing is being refined.
- City Manager Report (Jordan): Addressed essential air service (carrier continuing short-term, Fairbanks route subsidy-dependent), campground management discussions with MWR, fire department P regs revision (upcoming), snow lot purchase (appraisal dispute, property owner may bundle all parcels, council interest gauged), pipeline club property (potential purchase offer received), and request for housing subcommittee work session.
- City Attorney Report (Jake): Provided update on VMTC plan renewal (secondary containment testing, leak detection issue remanded to administrative hearing), redistricting appeal (city appealing denial of attorney’s fees), and closed case on Alaska Ventures claims. Also noted VMT C plan renewal involves ADEC oversight and litigation strategy.
- Council Business from the Floor: Mayor thanked Premier Alaska Tours, reminded of upcoming events (Women of Distinction dinner Oct 11, Museum Roadhouse Nov 8). Councilmember Green highlighted Thread Alaska’s early care summit Oct 28. Councilmember Lally encouraged attendance at museum and AVV events.

Key Outcomes

All consent agenda items approved unanimously (6-0-1).
Parks & Recreation Commission appointments: Jessica Tran (2-year), Jillian Reese and Sarah Jorgenson Owen (3-year) (unanimous).
Permanent fund investment of $5 million in TA Realty Core Property Fund approved (6-0-1).
Change order with Orion Construction for $138,884.51 approved (6-0-1).
Ordinance #25-12 (zoning amendment to Heavy Industrial) passed first reading (6-0-1).
Ordinance #25-13 (nuisance code amendment with email service) passed first reading (5-1-1, with one nay).
Ordinance #25-14 (general penalty amendment) passed first reading (6-0-1).
All five resolutions (#25-43 through #25-47) approved unanimously (6-0-1 for each).
Council provided direction to city attorney during executive session on litigation matters.
No action taken on CSO staff support proposal; discussion to continue at future meetings.

Meeting Transcript

To order City Council meeting, please uh join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the fly of the United States of America. Okay, sure, do we get a roll call? I'll do that first. Mayor, all uh council members are present this evening except for Councilmember Love, who is absent and excused. Online, we have Councilmember Green and Councilmember Foster. Thank you. Okay, we'll go into approval of minutes. I have three sets of minutes. August 5th, 2025, August 19, 2025, and September 16, 2025. Are there any changes or corrections to meeting minutes as presented? Okay, seeing hearing none, the minutes will stand as presented. Councilmember Fleming. Can I make a comment real quick? Sure. Go ahead. I just want to thank our front office staff. They're getting trained up on doing minutes, and they helped out with a couple of these sets. So we're trying to get caught up on minutes, and thank you to Reggie and Mason. All right, thank you. Okay, we'll go ahead and go with uh public appearances. We have one, and that is Matt Burton from Chugach Mountain's Brunson, by the way. Sorry. Sure. Um citizens of Aldees. I'm here tonight to follow up on my presentation from last year, seeking more accountability and transparency over so-called community service organization grant programs. Last year, in addition to a general overview of problems with CSO grant funding as it pertains to the local outdoor tourism industry, I more specifically brought to your attention serious concerns regarding public funding of the Avalanche safety program, currently funded nearly in its entirety by local taxpayers. I encourage everyone to revisit that presentation prior to the CSO work session Thursday. Last year's presentation presented a sort of operational critique of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center Incorporated doing business as Valdeese Avalanche Center. Considering that presentation triggered a work session, some questions from that work session were never transparently answered. The National Avalanche Center's report on AAIC Inc. DBA VAC confirmed the basis of my critique. And this year, the AAIC Inc. DBA VAC is seeking an unprecedented CSO funding request. I'm back again for a two-part follow-up. For the first part, you should have in front of you three documents critiquing the current state of the CSO grant funding in general and more specifically relative to the unprecedented requests this year from the AAIC Inc. DBA VAC. I encourage you to closely review those documents before the CSO work session Thursday. To which neither the state nor the municipality of Anchorage provide funding. Not only is the AAIC Inc. DBABAC funding request this year unprecedented amongst Valdez CSOs, no other no other avalanche center in the country has nearly the entirety of their operating budget footed by local taxpayers, and especially not in such an unaccountable way. For example, the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center, the most representative comparison for the Valdez community, only receives 1,000 to $1,500 from the city of Palmer and less than 20,000 from the Massu borough annually. That's only 10% of their operating budget, and the taxpayer burden is spread over 100,000 plus residents through a very competitive grant program that requires a high degree of accountability and transparency. Additionally, as currently structured, AAIC Inc. DBA VAC programming arguably prioritizes special interest groups at the expense of the local community. I'm here tonight to caution you that throwing money at a problem doesn't solve it. Competency, expertise, engagement, and planning do. The National Avalanche Center report clearly states two things. Number one, that the AAIC Inc. DBA VAC current approach is fiscally and operationally unsustainable.

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