OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Regular Meeting – August 19, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, August 19, 2026
BodyValdez, Alaska
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, August 19, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 46:17
Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

I'm gonna go ahead and call this meeting to order at 7 p.m.

0:04

Uh please uh join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:10

Higiance Super Flag of the United States of America.

0:18

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:25

Okay, can I get a roll call?

0:29

All council members are present with the exception of council member um who is absent and excused.

0:36

Councilmember Foster is attending online.

0:38

All right.

0:39

And then we'll start with public business from the floor.

0:42

At this time, I think uh Mr.

0:43

Ralcher has joined us and would like to say something.

0:51

Yeah, how are you guys doing?

0:52

Can you hear me?

0:53

Yep, sure can, George.

0:55

Hey, I appreciate it.

0:57

So thank you for uh calling on me.

0:59

Uh first off, we're going to be going to uh the LIO tomorrow.

1:05

And this is going to be a joint resource meeting between the Senate and the House.

1:12

We uh I thought it was originally going to be a discussion on the governor's new gas line bill, which he has put out.

1:21

Apparently, it's it's basically going to be a discussion on what's going on as far as the uh the availability of gas out in the inlet.

1:31

There's gonna be two meetings.

1:32

There's gonna be another one in September on the 5th, uh, if I remember right the date.

1:37

And they're gonna be interviewing the producers, they're gonna be interviewing the um the utility companies are gonna be in interviewing the uh uh basically NSTAR and how everything affects the uh the I guess the rail belt as it is.

1:54

I know that doesn't it doesn't really affect Valdez at this point.

1:58

I wish the discussion would center more around the gas line because I think the state could utilize the volume of gas up north for things like manufacturing and other things, but apparently that's what it's gonna be about.

2:13

So if there was any um conception that people thought it was going to be about the gas line, uh I don't think it's gonna be.

2:22

I think it's just basic uh trying to understand what the rail belt is gonna look forward to this winter when we run out of gas and what we could do about it in the meantime.

2:33

So I guess that's the uh that's the wrap up for uh a quick update on what's gonna happen this week.

2:39

And as you know, we just went through the election, so not a whole lot went on last week.

2:44

But uh if you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them.

2:49

And if not, that's fine.

2:51

Do you have any questions for George?

2:54

Nope, looks like you're off the hook there, George.

2:56

And uh uh congratulations on getting on into the primary.

3:00

Yeah, and I I guess I needed one more thing.

3:02

We did.

3:03

I was talking to Nathan Deval, and uh we had asked the governor about a process to uh because of the fish, because of the pinks, the the run is almost not non-existent.

3:16

So uh the governor, I guess is uh he's aware of it.

3:20

We're looking at some sort of a declaration there on that.

3:24

I think that's important.

3:25

There's also discussion going on, and it's not happening fast and uh with the DOT and the ferry dock.

3:32

Um I wish that was moving along faster.

3:35

We get a lot of promises, but we don't get uh what we're looking for.

3:40

If you have an update on that, I'd appreciate it.

3:42

But uh so far I'm I'm not getting a whole lot, but I do want to know that it's out in the forefront, it's in the discussion.

3:49

These two items are very important for Valdi, so I just thought I'd make mention.

3:56

Yeah, thank you very much for that, George.

3:58

And uh we'll keep working uh fairy dock with you and uh you know exploring the other avenues we got with uh with trying to get some uh stuff done.

4:06

The declaration.

4:08

Um the last time we did this, we actually wrote you uh something asking for a declaration to be you know handed to the governor.

4:16

I think if we need to do that process, we'll we'll do that just so that you can get something in your hands first.

4:24

Yeah, I appreciate that.

4:26

And it uh I'm just wondering where the governor may have sat, whether he might have uh gave you a letter back or not.

4:33

Apparently there has none, according to what you have uh explained just now.

4:38

I will talk again to the governor tomorrow and ask him what his intentions are.

4:44

All right, thank you very much.

4:49

All right, moving on to uh public business from the floor.

4:52

If there's anybody that would like to speak, yeah.

4:55

Yeah, go ahead.

4:56

Just uh clearly state your name and uh you got three minutes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works████████████████16%
Harbor Management████████████12%
City Clerk Report████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Child Care███████7%
Military Appreciation███████7%
City Attorney Report███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
City Manager Report██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Regular Meeting – August 19, 2026

The Valdez City Council met in regular session at 7:00 PM on August 19, 2026, following a 6:00 PM work session on a rough draft code update for property tax exemption adjustments (no minutes taken for the work session). All council members were present except one excused absence; Councilmember Foster attended online. The meeting included public testimony, approval of consent items, a new business contract, reports, and council discussions.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved renewal of standard marijuana cultivation facility license for DKW Farms LLC.
  • Accepted resignation of VMHA Board of Director member Rich Dunkin.
  • Appointed Leah Russell-Cason to the Valdez Consortium Library Board.
  • Adopted a proclamation commending Dennis Williamson and Timothy Nicodemus for a lifesaving emergency response on August 13, 2026.
  • Motion carried 6‑0 (one absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • George Ralcher (state representative): Updated council on upcoming legislative meetings regarding natural gas availability in the Railbelt, the slow progress of the ferry dock project, and a potential pink salmon disaster declaration due to the near‑nonexistent run. He pressed for faster action on the ferry dock and asked the governor for a formal response to earlier declaration requests.
  • Steven Piper (CEO, Juice Robotics, Rhode Island): Introduced himself and a colleague from Ocean State Sensing, noting they are startups funded by a Naval Research grant in partnership with University of Rhode Island, University of Alaska, and University of Hawaii. He thanked the city for hosting them and highlighted partnerships with AK Drone and plans to explore blue‑economy opportunities in Valdez.

Discussion Items

Board & Commission Reports:

  • The Beautification Commission recommended that replacement of decorative lights on Egan Drive be included in the 2027 city budget and maintenance plan. Staff noted the project is small and maintenance has ideas; no separate work session was deemed necessary.

New Business:

  • Approved Contract Amendment with Alaska Scrap & Recycling LLC for nuisance abatement, scrap metal collection and processing, and upcoming scrap barge preparation in the amount of $75,000. Moved by Councilmember Green, seconded by Councilmember Lally; carried 6‑0.

Reports:

  • Project Status Update (Casey Walker, Capital Facilities Director):
    • Meals Avenue/Robe River Drive: 50% complete; storm drain work underway near Safeway.
    • Wellhouse #5 (elementary school area): 35% complete; awaiting plumbing materials.
    • Child care facility: RFP closed August 20; contract award pending.
    • Hospital generator replacement: Generator set, fuel lines and electrical hookups installed; final changeover in two weeks.
    • Radio tower: 35% complete; city hall directional drilling done; COMSHAC nearing completion; tower expected late September.
    • Skate park replacement: 0% awaiting materials; old equipment removed; new equipment arrives next week; completion event planned for September 19.
    • Other projects: Kelsey Dock dolphin replacement moving to design; rural roads design underway; Valdez High School remodel stakeholder meetings set for September 10‑11; ball‑field bayler replacement design started; BCT water line at 95% design; roof replacements for well houses and lift stations under review; animal shelter fuel lines contract signed; museum annex lighting bid opens August 20.
    • Erosion monitoring: ongoing on Mineral Creek, Glacier Stream, and Low River; concrete debris placed at Glacier Stream C&D pit; Old Town Cemetery reinforcement helped but additional erosion continues.
  • Scrap Barge Update (Bart Hinkle):
    • Barge arrived August 9 and departed August 11 after 47 consecutive hours of loading (19 personnel from Alaska Scrap). Estimated tonnage between 3,800 and 4,000 tons; trucked at 80.85 tons/hour. Operation was smooth with only one flat tire and a minor overheating issue. Offload completed in Tacoma five days early. Positive feedback from contractors on city coordination.

City Manager Report:

  • Head Start/Daycare: Water leak in adjoining unit caused damage; Head Start plans to reopen September 29 for early head start (18‑month to three‑year‑olds) but still faces staffing shortages for full capacity. City meeting scheduled to discuss assistance and potential occupancy of another city facility. Councilmember Lally requested a work session on daycare versus head start, including stakeholders (Coast Guard, Alyeska, Providence, schools, college, Valdez Native Tribe). City manager agreed to schedule.
  • Coast Guard Meeting: Met with Commandant and Senator Sullivan; first visit by Commandant in 14 years. Positive interaction; follow‑up planned.
  • Disaster Declaration: Senator Rauscher (Rocher) advised that the pink salmon economic disaster declaration must go through the state economic development agency with supporting economic data. City waiting on final numbers to submit.
  • Retirement: Master Mechanic/Fleet Manager Joe Russell retiring; new mechanic Jacob hired.

City Clerk Report:

  • Coast Guard welcome event Friday, August 21; military appreciation cruise same day (free for active duty/veterans and families, registration required).
  • Destination Valdez pre‑incorporation meeting held; officers elected (President Colleen Stevens, Vice President Alan Sorum, Secretary Tommy Sheridan, Treasurer Kathy Nielsen); articles of incorporation to be filed.
  • State primary elections held August 18; thanks to election workers and city staff.
  • Staffing changes: Mason Fleming moved to police; new temporary customer service rep hired; records digitization temp starting.
  • Citizens Academy final session this week, facilities tour next week; graduation at next council meeting.
  • Budget work session schedule approved; council members to advise of absences.

City Attorney Report:

  • Adworx tax case: status conference set for September 2; trial scheduling to be discussed. Expert witness team working in Houston. Other matters progressing.

Council Comments:

  • Councilmembers thanked election workers, volunteers, and staff; congratulated Joe Russell on retirement; reminded public of school traffic patterns; called for child‑care work session with broad stakeholder participation.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved (all four items).
  • Contract amendment with Alaska Scrap & Recycling LLC approved ($75,000).
  • Council directed staff to arrange a work session on child‑care/daycare needs, inviting Head Start, Coast Guard, Alyeska, Providence, Valdez City Schools, Prince William Sound College, and Valdez Native Tribe.
  • Proclamation read honoring Dennis Williamson and Timothy Nicodemus for lifesaving CPR.
  • Work session on property tax exemption code update occurred before the regular meeting; transcript not available.

Meeting Transcript

I'm gonna go ahead and call this meeting to order at 7 p.m. Uh please uh join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Higiance Super Flag of the United States of America. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay, can I get a roll call? All council members are present with the exception of council member um who is absent and excused. Councilmember Foster is attending online. All right. And then we'll start with public business from the floor. At this time, I think uh Mr. Ralcher has joined us and would like to say something. Yeah, how are you guys doing? Can you hear me? Yep, sure can, George. Hey, I appreciate it. So thank you for uh calling on me. Uh first off, we're going to be going to uh the LIO tomorrow. And this is going to be a joint resource meeting between the Senate and the House. We uh I thought it was originally going to be a discussion on the governor's new gas line bill, which he has put out. Apparently, it's it's basically going to be a discussion on what's going on as far as the uh the availability of gas out in the inlet. There's gonna be two meetings. There's gonna be another one in September on the 5th, uh, if I remember right the date. And they're gonna be interviewing the producers, they're gonna be interviewing the um the utility companies are gonna be in interviewing the uh uh basically NSTAR and how everything affects the uh the I guess the rail belt as it is. I know that doesn't it doesn't really affect Valdez at this point. I wish the discussion would center more around the gas line because I think the state could utilize the volume of gas up north for things like manufacturing and other things, but apparently that's what it's gonna be about. So if there was any um conception that people thought it was going to be about the gas line, uh I don't think it's gonna be. I think it's just basic uh trying to understand what the rail belt is gonna look forward to this winter when we run out of gas and what we could do about it in the meantime. So I guess that's the uh that's the wrap up for uh a quick update on what's gonna happen this week. And as you know, we just went through the election, so not a whole lot went on last week. But uh if you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them. And if not, that's fine. Do you have any questions for George? Nope, looks like you're off the hook there, George. And uh uh congratulations on getting on into the primary. Yeah, and I I guess I needed one more thing. We did. I was talking to Nathan Deval, and uh we had asked the governor about a process to uh because of the fish, because of the pinks, the the run is almost not non-existent. So uh the governor, I guess is uh he's aware of it. We're looking at some sort of a declaration there on that. I think that's important. There's also discussion going on, and it's not happening fast and uh with the DOT and the ferry dock. Um I wish that was moving along faster. We get a lot of promises, but we don't get uh what we're looking for. If you have an update on that, I'd appreciate it. But uh so far I'm I'm not getting a whole lot, but I do want to know that it's out in the forefront, it's in the discussion. These two items are very important for Valdi, so I just thought I'd make mention. Yeah, thank you very much for that, George. And uh we'll keep working uh fairy dock with you and uh you know exploring the other avenues we got with uh with trying to get some uh stuff done. The declaration. Um the last time we did this, we actually wrote you uh something asking for a declaration to be you know handed to the governor.

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