Valdez, AK

Ports and Harbor Commission

The Valdez Ports and Harbor Commission meets Monday, October 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 212 Chenega Ave. The commission will review customer and stakeholder feedback and consider accepting the 2026 Operational Improvement Memo, review its adopted 2025-2026 goals and set direction for 2027, and discuss Sea Otter Development and potential partnerships. A Ports & Harbors Department staff report is also on the agenda, along with approval of the August 31 and September 21, 2026 minutes.

• Review of customer and stakeholder feedback and acceptance of the 2026 Operational Improvement Memo
• Review of adopted 2025-2026 Commission goals and direction for 2027
• Discussion of Sea Otter Development and potential partnerships
• Ports & Harbors Department staff report
• Approval of minutes for August 31 and September 21, 2026

City Council

The Valdez City Council meets in a 5:00 PM work session on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Council Chambers, 212 Chenega Ave. The only listed topic is an update on child care. Work sessions do not have transcribed minutes; audio is available upon request. No votes, contracts, or ordinances appear on this agenda.

• Work session only — no legislative action items listed
• Single topic: Child Care Updates
• No transcribed minutes are taken for work sessions; audio available upon request
• Meeting location: Council Chambers, 212 Chenega Ave., Valdez, AK

City Council

The Valdez City Council meets Tuesday, October 6, 2026, with a 5 p.m. work session on child care updates followed by the regular 7 p.m. meeting. The council will consider a $3,415,360 contract award to Orion Construction Inc. for child care center building renovation, plus several budget amendments and two first-reading ordinances with public hearings. It will also take up resolutions on grants, a terminal tariff, and support for Alderwood, LLC's purchase of the Alderwood Mobile Home Park from the State of Alaska.

• Contract award to Orion Construction Inc. for Child Care Center Building Renovation, $3,415,360
• Resolution #26-42: accept $684,903.30 FEMA SAFER Grant and allocate $425,750.70 city match for three new fire department personnel for three years
• Resolution #26-43: appropriate an additional $2,750,000 to the Legal Department for legal fees from the Repayment Reserve
• Ordinance #26-06 first reading and public hearing: amend Valdez Municipal Code Chapter 3.12 'Property Taxes' and create Chapter 3.10 'Property Taxes Generally'
• Resolution #26-48: support Alderwood, LLC in purchasing the Alderwood Mobile Home Park from the State of Alaska

Planning and Zoning Commission

Beautification Commission

The Valdez Beautification Commission is holding its regular September meeting. The main items are a discussion of the adopted Public Art Policy and next steps, plus a celebration of Commissioner Meg Weaver's contributions. The agenda also includes routine approval of July minutes and a staff update.

• Discussion of adopted Public Art Policy and next steps
• Celebration of Commissioner Meg Weaver's contributions
• Approval of July 20, 2026 meeting minutes
• Staff update report

Ports and Harbor Commission

The Ports and Harbor Commission will discuss the Waterfront Master Plan Review and Five-Year CIP Project Prioritization. The agenda also includes a recommendation for a Chris Herman Recognition Proclamation and a 2028 Cruise Ship Head Fee Increase.

• Waterfront Master Plan Review and Five-Year CIP Project Prioritization
• Ports, Harbors and Airport Five-Year Capital Improvement Project Priorities
• Recommendation to City Council - Chris Herman Recognition Proclamation
• 2028 Cruise Ship Head Fee Increase

City Council

The Valdez City Council is holding its regular meeting with a consent agenda, public appearances, and reports. The main substantive action is a resolution to establish new rates and fees for Valdez Harbors, repealing the prior resolution. The council will also consider a liquor license renewal, a library board appointment, and entering executive session on Trans Alaska Pipeline System ad valorem tax issues.

• Resolution 26-40 establishing rates and fees for Valdez Harbors, repealing Resolution 26-29
• Liquor license renewal for Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1971 (License #335)
• Appointment to Valdez Consortium Library Board: Melissa Kjelvik
• Executive session on city revenues and litigation strategy regarding Trans Alaska Pipeline System ad valorem tax issues
• Proclamation for Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

Planning and Zoning Commission

Parks and Recreation Commission

The Valdez Parks and Recreation Commission is holding a regular meeting. The main item is a presentation by Jessica Tran from the Chugach Mountain Institute about community programs they are developing. The commission will also approve minutes from the July 14, 2026 meeting and receive a report from the PRCS Director.

• Presentation by Jessica Tran (Chugach Mountain Institute) on community programs
• Approval of minutes from July 14, 2026 meeting
• PRCS Director report

City Council

The City Council is conducting a work session for the City of Valdez Permanent Fund annual meeting. No other business is listed on this agenda.

• City of Valdez Permanent Fund Annual Meeting

City Council

The Valdez City Council will vote on a contract with Frontier Electric Services for the Old Town Museum lighting upgrade and a FY2027 jail contract with the State of Alaska. The body will also amend the 2026 budget to accept $392,926 in unbudgeted revenue from the state for water piping projects. Additionally, the council will approve the renewal of a beverage dispensary license for Totem Inn, Inc.

• Approval of a $82,475 contract with Frontier Electric Services for Old Town Museum lighting upgrade
• Approval of FY2027 Community Jail Contract with the State of Alaska
• Resolution #26-39 amending the 2026 City Budget to accept $392,926 in unbudgeted revenue from the State of Alaska Department of Education
• Approval of Beverage Dispensary Tourism License Renewal for Totem Inn, Inc.
• Approval of write-offs of various city fees and forwarding to collections agency

Ports and Harbor Commission

The Ports and Harbor Commission will discuss improvements for Kelsey Dock and the 2026 Prince William Sound Pink Salmon Disaster. The Commission will also consider a recommendation to repeal Resolution No. 26-29 and replace it with a full legal rate schedule for Valdez Harbors.

• Kelsey Dock Mooring Recovery and Long-Term Improvements discussion
• 2026 Prince William Sound Pink Salmon Disaster discussion
• Recommendation to repeal Resolution No. 26-29 regarding harbor rates and fees
• Ports & Harbors Director’s Staff Report

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission is holding a special meeting to hold a public hearing and consider recommending issuance of a kennel license for Wags & Whiskers Grooming at 104 Chenega Ave. The commission will vote on a recommendation to the Chief of Police. The agenda is otherwise limited to routine procedural items.

• Public hearing for kennel license application from Wags & Whiskers Grooming
• Consideration of recommendation to Chief of Police for kennel license at 104 Chenega Ave

City Council

The Valdez City Council is holding a work session to discuss a rough draft code update for property tax exemption adjustments. This is a discussion item, not a final decision, and no formal minutes are taken for work sessions.

• Discussion of rough draft code update for property tax exemption adjustments

City Council

The Valdez City Council will hold a work session to discuss a rough draft code update for property tax exemption adjustments, followed by a regular meeting. The regular agenda includes a contract amendment for nuisance abatement and scrap metal services, a recommendation to fund decorative light replacement on Egan Drive, and several routine items such as license renewals and appointments.

• Contract amendment with Alaska Scrap & Recycling LLC for $75,000 for nuisance abatement, scrap metal collection, and scrap barge preparation
• Recommendation to include replacement of decorative lights on Egan Drive in the 2027 budget and maintenance plan
• Renewal of standard marijuana cultivation facility license for DKW Farms LLC
• Temporary land use permit 26-05 for Gold Rush Days, Inc. at multiple Galena Drive locations
• Proclamation commending Dennis Williamson and Timothy Nicodemus for lifesaving emergency response

Parks and Recreation Commission

City Council

The City Council will discuss municipal property tax exemption options under HB13 and vote on a budget amendment to allocate $17.4 million in unbudgeted revenue. The body is also reviewing commission appointments and several construction and inspection contracts.

• Resolution #26-38: Appropriating $12.7 million to Debt Service Fund and $4.7 million to Repayment Reserve
• Contract award for Animal Shelter Fuel Piping Project with Prism Design and Construction for $176,314.44
• Change order for Emergency Generator Annual Inspection contract extension for $23,000
• Contract amendment with North Star Fire Protection, LLC for fire prevention systems inspections through 2027
• Appointments to the Ports & Harbors Commission and Beautification Commission

City Council

The City Council is holding a work session to conduct an introductory conversation regarding municipal property tax exemption options under HB13.

• Work session on property tax exemption options under HB13

Ports and Harbor Commission

City Council

The City Council is holding a work session to discuss a nuisance abatement update. No formal decisions are expected as this is a work session. The agenda is procedural and does not include any specific items for vote or discussion beyond the nuisance abatement update.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing and consider a request from the City of Valdez for a Conditional Use Permit. The proposal involves the installation of a wireless communication tower.

• Public Hearing CUP 26-03: Conditional Use Permit for a wireless communication tower
• Proposed tower location: Block 5, Block 20 Add. No. 2, Plat 79-7

City Council

The Valdez City Council will vote on a series of consent agenda items, including a $100,000 five‑year purchase of a Municipal Assessment Record System and several memoranda of understanding. New business includes a $163,607.82 amendment to the Providence Valdez Medical Center capital budget and an $824,449 professional services agreement for the Valdez High School remodel. The council will also consider Resolution #26‑36, which adds an additional $25 million in property tax revenue and appropriates $15.2 million to the debt service fund. Additional items involve senior citizen property‑tax exemption applications and the establishment of a Destination Valdez nonprofit.

• Purchase of Municipal Assessment Record System (MARS) from Alaska CAMA Co.: $20,000 per year, $100,000 total over five years
• Memorandum of Understanding with IPAWS for the City of Valdez Police Department
• Amendment to Providence Valdez Medical Center 2026 capital projects budget: $163,607.82
• Professional Services Agreement with Wolf Architecture for Valdez High School remodel: $824,449.00
• Resolution #26‑36: authorize $25 million additional property‑tax revenue and appropriate $15.2 million to the debt service fund

Beautification Commission

The commission will approve the June 26, 2026 meeting minutes and consider several new business items. Members will discuss a recommendation to place replacement of decorative lights on Egan Drive into the 2027 budget and maintenance plan. Additional discussion topics include a snow pole project, judging for the Gold Rush Days Golden Rock Award, and next steps for the adopted public art policy.

• Recommendation to include replacement of decorative lights on Egan Drive in the 2027 budget and maintenance plan
• Discussion of Snow Pole Project
• Discussion of Gold Rush Days Golden Rock Award Judging
• Review of Adopted Public Art Policy and next steps

Parks and Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission will approve minutes from two prior meetings. The commission will hear a presentation on the FlashVote system from City Communication Manager Sarah Jorgenson-Owen. The commission will also hear a presentation of the new City of Valdez Art Policy reviewed by the Beautification Commission. No other business is listed on the agenda.

• Approval of Parks and Recreation Commission minutes for November 13, 2025
• Approval of Parks and Recreation Commission minutes for February 10, 2026
• Presentation of FlashVote by Communication Manager Sarah Jorgenson-Owen
• Presentation of new City of Valdez Art Policy by Beautification Commission member Elise Sorum-Birk

Beautification Commission

The Beautification Commission will hold a joint work session with the Parks & Recreation Commission. The discussion focuses on the proposed Duck Flats Boardwalk project.

• Joint work session regarding Duck Flats Boardwalk project idea

City Council

The Valdez City Council will hold a work session to discuss budget parameters for the CSO department. No specific funding amounts, policy changes, or concrete decisions are listed on this agenda. The session is informational and procedural.

City Council

The council will hold a work session regarding the Community Safety Officer budget process. The regular meeting includes discussions on surplus equipment sales, commission appointments, and various temporary land use permits for commercial and recreational staging.

• CSO Budget Process and Parameters Discussion
• Sale of surplus 2008 Ford F550 Supercab with hydraulic hooklift
• Temporary Land Use Permit #26-03 for Chugach Outfitters at 2250 Richardson Highway
• Temporary Land Use Permit #26-09 for Fireweed 400, Inc. at 3100 Richardson Highway
• Temporary Land Use Permit #26-13 for Valdez Softball Association at 3100 Richardson Highway

Ports and Harbor Commission

Ports and Harbor Commission

The Valdez Ports and Harbor Commission will hold a special meeting to review and update the rates and fees charged for naming rights to harbor facilities. The agenda includes repealing the current Resolution No. 26-29 that established these fees. No specific dollar amounts or public hearings are listed for this session.

• Discussion and update of naming rates and fees for Valdez Harbor facilities
• Repeal of Resolution No. 26-29 regarding harbor naming fees

Beautification Commission

The Valdez Beautification Commission will discuss its operational role and responsibilities during this meeting. Members plan to identify landscaping and maintenance project priorities for 2027. The agenda contains no binding votes, contracts, or public hearings.

• Review of commission role and responsibilities
• Identification of 2027 landscaping and maintenance priorities

Valdez Tourism Task Force

The Valdez Tourism Task Force will meet to discuss governance structures and draft recommendations for future bylaws. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and this single discussion item. No public hearings, budget votes, or contracts are scheduled.

• Final discussion on governance structures and future bylaws

Planning and Zoning Commission

City Council

The City Council is holding the second day of its 2026 strategic planning work session. This is a non-voting work session focused on long-term planning; no formal decisions or votes are expected. Audio recordings will be available upon request.