Department Spotlight - Human Resources

As the Human Resources Director, I am pleased to tell you a little about our department and some of the exciting things we are working on this year.

The mission of the Human Resources department is: “To support the goals and challenges of the City by promoting a work environment of Fair Treatment, Open communication, Accountability, Trust, and Mutual Respect.”

The Human Resources department is part of the Administrative Division – our role is to support all departments and employees throughout the city. Here are some highlights of our past and future activities.

Recruitment and Retention
Human Resources is tasked with conducting periodic classification and wage analyses. Over the past year, we completed a job analysis and classification study of all positions, including reviewing Job Descriptions for accuracy, Compensable Factors, correct FLSA status, etc. With this study complete, we can use this as a tool for succession planning, career pathing, and other employee development initiatives.

We have rolled out the NeoGov Unified Dashboard to all employees. This provides a one-stop shop for employees to access all their NeoGov tasks, activities, training, etc., across all the NeoGov Platforms.

Along with the Unified dashboard, we are finalizing the rollout of PowerDMS. PowerDMS is a policy management tool that allows our employees to access City and Departmental policies from anywhere, thus ensuring they always have the most current version. Our Police department has been using this tool for several years, and we are excited to make it available to all staff.

Risk Management
Kudos to the City and its employees for our strong culture of safety. The Safety Committee and Department representatives worked closely with Building Maintenance to fix, resolve, or illuminate safety hazards. Last year we completed our City Health and Safety Plan and the annual fall and spring inspections.

A representative from Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (AMLJIA) joined us for the fall inspection and was very impressed. As a result, the Valdez Safety Committee has been invited to present, via panel forum, at the AMLJIA Public Employees Risk Management Symposium (PERMS) in March. The group will explain how and why a safety committee is vital to a safety culture. Representatives from communities and boroughs around the state will attend this presentation. We'll talk about our success and what we see as the next steps.

Compliance
The HR team stays abreast of employment laws and any changes. It is our role to help managers and employees in the interpretation and application of these laws. It is also our responsibility to manage and interpret employee policy and regulations. Our current City of Valdez Employee Personnel Regulations (Regulations) was approved in 2021. Periodically we review the Regulations to ensure they are still current with law and expectations. We have been using our current Regulations for a little over two years. We have found a few areas where interpretation needed to be clarified and a few minor typographical changes. In addition, two new federal laws must be added to our current regulations. This year we will work with the senior leadership, legal, and Employee Relations Team (ERT) to make necessary revisions and changes.

Employee Engagement
The Employee Engagement Survey is being developed and should roll out early this year. This will give us an insight into how our employees are doing and how they feel about the City as an employer. This will help us identify what's going well and what could be going better and inform our decisions for future employee development and engagement.

Don’t forget: Public Service Recognition Week is May 7-13; Public Safety Recognition Week is May 14-20; and Safe and Sound Week will be in mid-August. Reach out to your public servants to express your appreciation.

Health and Wellness
Human Resources works closely with the ERT as we review our benefits each year: this way, we can look for improvements our employees want and need while ensuring we are both cost-effective and frugal with the city’s money. Each year we see more involvement in our Healthy Merits Program. This employee-driven benefit allows employees to participate in learning events, physical activities, biometric screening, etc., ensuring they can take control of their health.

Our vision for the future builds on our efforts of the past. We look forward to providing opportunity and growth for our employees. We will continue to build on our culture of safety to promote excellent and safe work habits wherever we are. We will continue to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across every department and create a sustainable culture where all employees and people can succeed.

Sincerely,
Rhea Cragun
Human Resources Director

Update from City Council

Seeking Candidates for Valdez City Council and School Board

Several vacancies are coming up for City Council and School Board this year, and the candidate filing period is currently open. Nominating petitions are now available in the City Clerk’s Office. The following City Council seats will be on the May 2nd ballot:

two seats each to serve a 3-year term
one seat to serve a 1-year term

Additionally, the following School Board seats need to be filled:

three seats each to serve a 3-year term
one seat to serve a 1-year term

Candidates for local office must be qualified electors of the city- meaning registered to vote in Valdez. You must also have been a resident of the city for at least one year immediately before the date of the filing of the petition.

Completed nominating petitions must be returned to the Clerk's Office by March 15, 2023, at 5:00 PM.

If you want to learn more about how to run, read the How to Guide for Prospective Candidates.

Call the City Clerk’s Office at 907-835-4313 with questions or stop by City Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to pick up a petition.

Child Care Crisis Task Force Established

After meeting jointly with the School Board at the end of January to review the Stellar Group’s Early Childhood Needs Assessment, the City Council found a need to establish a temporary citizen’s advisory group on the issue.

On February 21, the City Council passed Resolution 23-07 to formally establish the Valdez Child Care Crisis Task Force.

The task force will bring together nine individuals representing various key stakeholder groups in the community. This group is tasked with creating a strategic plan outlining short, middle, and long-term actions recommended to address the childcare crisis and other recommendations to strengthen Valdez’s early childhood system.

The Task Force will meet at least twice monthly over the next six months to complete their objective by the end of September 2023.

City Council Members Head to Juneau to Advocate

City Council and administrative staff members will travel to the capital city next week to meet with lawmakers and state officials. This annual advocacy trip allows local officials to talk face-to-face with state officials on various topics important to Valdez.

The Council adopted its Legislative Priorities for the year in January and will be advocating for several local and statewide needs including:

Increasing education funding, including adjusting the BSA for inflation and maintaining School Bond Debt payments.
Supporting local childcare needs.
Maintaining essential state-funded services, including snow removal in Thompson Pass, keeping a DMV office open in Valdez, and keeping consistent ferry service.
Identifying the availability of federal infrastructure grants.
Maintaining state regulatory support for a strong fisheries industry in the region.
Supporting the emerging mariculture industry.
Permitting gravel extraction on the Lowe River to assist with flood mitigation.

Read the 2023 City of Valdez Legislative Priorities summary to learn more!

Property Tax Assessment Process and Appeals to the Board of Equalization

The City Council completed its Board of Equalization training on February 28. City Property Tax Assessment Notices were mailed today, March 1, kicking off the annual cycle of assessments and appeals to the Board of Equalization.

The City Council has worked to streamline the appeal process as much as possible with their recent adoption of Ordinance 23-01. However, the municipality must adhere to several requirements under state law, including that property be assessed at fair and accurate value.

The City contracts with the Appraisal Company of Alaska to conduct annual assessments, and their contact information will be on your assessment notice. If you disagree with the assessment you receive, contact the Assessor first. You may not need to file a formal appeal if you talk with staff from the Assessor’s office first and have your questions answered or provide them with additional pertinent information.

If you still believe there is an error in valuation after talking with the assessor, you may complete an Appeal Form, available at the City Clerk’s office. Appeals must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 31, 2023. An appeal may only be filed for an unequal, improper, or excessive assessment valuation.

In Valdez, the members of the City Council sit as the Board of Equalization, the quasi-judicial body that makes decisions about tax appeals. If you appeal, it is up to you to attend the Board of Equalization hearing to present your case. Under state law, the appellant bears the burden of proof, so you should gather and provide evidence to back up your appeal when you come before the board.

Board of Equalization hearings are scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20. Additional hearings may be scheduled later depending on the volume of appeals received.

Visit the City’s website to learn more about Property Taxes, or access the following resources: 2023 Assessment and Appeal Information, Citizen’s Guide to Property Assessments, and GIS Map Viewer.

Energy Assistance Payments Made in February

Energy assistance payments were paid to local utility providers in February for those individuals who participated in the 2023 Energy Assistance Program.

Be sure to check your utility bills for the 2023 energy assistance credit!

Valdez Zoning Revision Project

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE - Save the Date!

When: Thursday, March 16, 2023

Where: Valdez Convention and Civic Center

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The City of Valdez is revising our community's zoning code (Title 17); we want your feedback at the open house!

The City is working with a consultant team, Agnew::Beck and Stantec, to revise our community’s zoning code (Title 17) to align the City’s zoning and land use standards with the vision, goals, and land use map in our recently adopted Comprehensive Plan (“Plan Valdez”).

Not able to attend the Public Open House? Visit the Title 17 Revision Project Website, ZoningValdez.com to provide feedback.

Property Tax Assessment Notices

The City of Valdez is pleased to announce to its residents and property owners that the voters ratified the exemption for primary residences on February 7 to increase the exemption from $50,000 to $75,000. Please look for this exemption increase (for eligible homeowners) on your notice that was mailed today, March 1. Also, please be aware that many properties will see an increase in the value of their structures. Specifics will be on your Assessment Notice, including contact information for the City’s contract assessor, Appraisal Company of Alaska, as they can answer questions related to assessment values.

Visit the City’s website to learn more about Property Taxes, or access the following resources: 2023 Assessment and Appeal Information, Citizen’s Guide to Property Assessments, and GIS Map Viewer.

If you have questions regarding the City of Valdez property taxes, please get in touch with the Finance Department at 907-834-3475 or by email.

Business Development Class Tuesday, March 21, 12 - 1 p.m.

The Economic Development Department, in partnership with Valdez Convention and Visitors Bureau (VCVB), will host a business development class on Tuesday, March 21, from 12 - 1 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Lunch will be provided.

Topic: White Paper Best Practices - The Do's and Don'ts

In this session, Thompson and Co. Public Relations will provide an easy-to-follow list of do's and don'ts for developing a white paper. From researching your audience to creating an outline to designing the final product, many tips and tricks apply to all industries when drafting and promoting a white paper. Thompson and Co. staff will present best practices from start to finish to ensure each attendee leaves with an understanding of how to effectively produce a thought leadership paper that will resonate with their key audiences.

Calling All Boat Captains!

The City of Valdez Military Appreciation Weekend is fast approaching! The Economic Development Department is seeking boat captains to volunteer their time and boat to take Armed Forces personnel out for a day of fishing on Monday, May 29. The City will provide fuel, bait, and lunch for boat captains and their crews. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please call 907-834-4306 or email events@valdezak.gov.

Social Media Engagement - February Success Story

February 15 was National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, and Officer Scott McCumby was recognized and celebrated for his work as the School Resource Officer for the Valdez City Schools district.

SROs are carefully selected, specifically trained, sworn law enforcement officers assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work with schools using community-oriented policing concepts.

The SRO assignment is unique within the law enforcement profession. These officers fill three roles: informal mentors or counselors, law educators, and law enforcement officers to support the students and communities they serve. They are also valuable and essential members of the education community.

Scott McCumby began his SRO career with West Valley High School in Fairbanks, where he served from 2010-2013. He started his stint as the Valdez City Schools SRO in Fall 2020. Before that, Officer Aaron Baczuk served as the SRO from 2013-2020.

The work these two have done to mentor students, remove barriers surrounding law enforcement, educate students and staff alike on the legal process, and ensure safety should be recognized.

We are grateful to have such an outstanding SRO in Valdez.

Facebook Post Analytics
Reach: 12,189 (the number of people who saw the post at least once).
Engagements: 1,500 (the number of reactions, comments, shares, and clicks on the post). 351 reactions, 24 comments, and 7 shares.

March Meetings and Events

Important Dates for March 2023

Wednesday, March 1 - City property tax assessments mailed; Boards and Commissions Training Session
Monday, March 6 - Ports and Harbors Commission (CANCELLED)
Wednesday, March 8 - Planning and Zoning Commission; Library Board
Thursday, March 9 - DEADLINE: 2023 Valdez Beautification Matching Grant
Monday, March 13 - School Board
Tuesday, March 14 - City Council (NOTE: Date change due to council member travel)
Wednesday, March 15 - DEADLINE: City Council and School Board Candidate Petition Filing; Parks and Recreation Commission
Thursday, March 16 - Valdez Museum Board of Directors Meeting; Public Open House: Valdez Zoning Revision Project 7 - 8:30 p.m., Valdez Civic Center
Friday, March 17 - Beautification Commission Work Session
Monday, March 20 - Ports and Harbors Commission
Tuesday, March 21 - City Council
Wednesday, March 22 - Planning & Zoning Commission
Thursday, March 23 - Beautification Commission
Monday, March 27 - Seward's Day Holiday (City Closure), School Board
Friday, March 31 - DEADLINE: Property Tax Appeals due by 5 p.m.

Access agenda materials and meeting schedules for Valdez City Council and City of Valdez Commissions.
Access online calendars for additional city events and activities.

Engagement Opportunities

Website Photo Project - Spirit of Valdez
Help us capture the essence and spirit of Valdez for use on the City's website. The City of Valdez Communications office is looking for talented photographers to showcase Valdez and is now accepting submissions for photos to be featured on the City of Valdez’s main website. The City is in the process of redesigning the website. While several large images are currently featured on the City’s homepage, the redesign will include images used throughout the site. The City would like to highlight local artists’ photographs and the Valdez community. Photos may be submitted by anyone, with parent or guardian approval, for those under 18.

Title 17 Zoning Code Revision: Sign up to receive project updates by email! Join the mailing list to receive project updates about the zoning revision process. At most, six emails will be sent. To sign up, visit the project website, enter your email address in the Sign Up for Project Updates, and click the JOIN button.

Join a City Board or Commission! The following boards or commissions still need volunteers to step up and engage: the Museum and Historical Archive Board of Directors, Valdez Consortium Library Board, and the Economic Diversification Commission. Visit the Boards & Commissions web page to learn more or to apply for a vacancy.

Sign up for FlashVote!
Valdez residents are encouraged to sign up for FlashVote, a survey tool that allows residents to have a voice in city government through text, email, or voice responses. FlashVote is a public survey research platform that recruits a panel of residents representative of the entire community to answer short surveys. FlashVote is designed to gather feedback within 48 hours, allowing City government to quickly get useful and statistically valid information from residents. Responses from FlashVote surveys will be used to inform City decisions on services, programs, and initiatives.

Join your friends and neighbors and sign up at www.flashvote.com/valdezak.

Help Name the Newsletter! We need your help naming the City's newsletter. Offer a name for the City's newsletter along with a brief statement explaining why your selection is the best name for the newsletter. If your submission is selected, you will win the City's undying gratitude! Submit your newsletter name nomination to communications@valdezak.gov.

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