The City of Valdez Presents Lon Rake with the Military Appreciation Veteran Award

Lon Rake was on active duty in the United States Air Force from January 1984 until December 1989. He was stationed at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Soesterberg AFB in the Netherlands. He traveled extensively throughout Europe during his overseas tours and returned to Alaska shortly after being discharged.

Lon now works for Copper Valley Telecom as their Plant Superintendent since January 2010. He remains active Valdez community. He is involved with the Pioneers of Alaska, Valdez Fly-In, and Copper Valley Electric Association Board of Directors. He is also involved with church functions, parades, school wrestling, and other community opportunities. He said he feels "it's important to give back to the community where you live.”

Lon has lived in Alaska in multiple locations since 1984 but enjoys Valdez the most. He lives here with his wife, Sandra, and has a son who has moved back to Valdez after college. Lon enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking, barbequing, and making sausages or charcuterie.

Update from City Council

Newly Elected City Officials Sworn In

At the Regular Valdez City Council Meeting on May 23, newly elected members of the City Council were sworn in. James “Jimmy” Devens and Austin Love will each serve a three-year term, and Olivia Foster will serve a one-year term.

Her colleagues recognized Council Member Susan Love for her term of service as she stepped down from her position on the Council. Thank you to outgoing Council Member Love, and congratulations to all incoming members!

Final Board of Equalization Hearing Scheduled June 8

Due to the high volume of property tax appeals in 2023, the Board of Equalization process has taken additional time to complete. The City Council will sit as the Board of Equalization again on June 8, 2023, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers.

Tax appeals not settled with the assessing staff or withdrawn will be heard then.

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

Watch the recorded video of the Board of Equalization training that City Council members. This training provided by the City’s legal staff and assessor covered the legal guidelines the BOE members must follow and touched on the assessment process.

All-America Scholarship Award Winners Selected

The Mayor and Council were proud to present two Valdez High School graduates with the 2023 All-America City Scholarship.

This year’s scholarship recipients are Payton Gage, who plans to study finance at Idaho State University, and Masen Holmes, who will pursue an education degree at Pacific University Oregon.

They will each receive $2500 to put toward continuing their education.

This scholarship program, now in its 41^st year, was established in 1982 as a lasting reminder of the All-America City honor awarded to the City of Valdez in 1965 and 1981.

The scholarship program aims to provide educational assistance to selected Valdez youth who have shown civic involvement and the potential to significantly contribute to the City of Valdez in civic affairs.

Congratulations to Mason and Payton for their outstanding leadership and civic engagement and to all the 2023 Valdez High School graduates who are going on to the next exciting phase in their lives. Best of luck to you all!

Juneteenth Freedom Day Events

On June 19, 2023, the City of Valdez will be hosting a Juneteenth celebration and commemorative event, including a reading of a proclamation in recognition of this federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

The City of Valdez welcomes and encourages community members to attend this celebration beginning at 5:00 p.m. Join us at the Valdez Consortium Library for family-friendly activities, including a 2.5-mile walk to represent the formerly enslaved people's walk into Galveston, Texas, and a celebratory event with hotdogs and refreshments. This opportunity is for participants to educate and reflect upon the nation's history and celebrate freedom, justice, and equity for African Americans.

Valdez Zoning Revision Project - Community Survey Results

Public input on the draft concepts and proposed changes to the City's zoning code has been compiled. Check out the community survey results to see what your friends and neighbors had to say!

For more information on the Title 17 zoning code rewrite and updates, visit www.zoningvaldez.com.

Drinking Water Quality Report Available

The City of Valdez Water Department has released the 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report. Copies of the report have been mailed to all Valdez postal customers. They are free and available at City Hall if you did not receive a copy of the report.

Pups in the Park 5k Fun Run

The Valdez Animal Shelter and Parks and Recreation have joined leases for the Pups in the Park 5k Fun Run! Run alongside your furry best friend on a route showcasing the Valdez parks. Free microchipping services will be available, and fun prizes will be given away! Hotdogs and hamburgers will be served after the run at the Valdez Animal Shelter.

For questions, contact the Valdez Animal Shelter at 907.835.2286 or Parks and Rec at 907.835.4526.

Grass Collection and Other Lawn Clippings Route Pickup Begins June 7

The City's Grass Route will begin on June 7, every Wednesday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

City staff will collect grass and other basic lawn clippings that are bagged or in trashcans that we can dump by hand.

Dog poop and heavy brush will not be picked up.

If you reside in Corbin Creek, Robe River, or 10 mile and need grass picked up, please call the Baler at 907.835.2356 to schedule a pickup.

Senior Citizen Housing Project Summer Season Build Kickoff!

On Thursday, May 25, the City participated in the ceremonial start to the senior citizen housing project building season kick-off! Shawne Mastronardi from BDS Architects gave opening remarks, followed by Mayor Scheidt, who shared her excitement about the project as housing has been a priority for City Council.

The senior citizen housing facility will be in the Medical Park Subdivision, near the Valdez Senior Center and Providence Valdez Medical Center. To view the site plan and project design, visit ??https://bit.ly/43bU6jV.

June Meetings and Events

Important Dates for June 2023

Monday, June 5 - Ports & Harbors Commission
Tuesday, June 6 - City Council - Regular Meeting
Thursday, June 8 - Child Care Crisis Task Force, Board of Equalization
Tuesday, June 13 - Parks and Recreation Commission
Wednesday, June 14 - Planning & Zoning Commission
Thursday, June 15 - Valdez Museum Board of Directors
Monday, June 19 - Ports & Harbors Commission
Tuesday, June 20 - City Council - Regular Meeting
Wednesday, June 21 - Economic Diversification Commission
Thursday, June 22 - Beautification Commission; Child Care Crisis Task Force
Monday, June 26 - School Board
Wednesday, June 28 - Planning & Zoning Commission

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. It 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 pictures 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.

Join a City Board or Commission! We are seeking applicants for the following:

Economic Diversification Commission
Ports & Harbors Commission
Beautification 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 get useful and statistically valid information from residents quickly. 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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