September is National Preparedness Month - Take Control in 1, 2, 3September is National Preparedness Month, and as you know, Valdez is susceptible to numerous natural and manmade hazards and disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, avalanches, and hazardous materials release primary risks. The City's Office of Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) has been accumulating resources for mass sheltering to assist those displaced from their home during a disaster (see photos below). What if you are not displaced during an emergency, and critical life-essential supply chains to our community are reduced or compromised? Are you prepared? The EDM Department has created a page on the City's website with resources to help you and your loved ones prepare. Preparation doesn't have to be overwhelming. Few can acquire a one-week, one-month, or six-month supply of family resources in one day. But these goals can be accomplished if you create a simple plan and if you begin to implement your plan. Visit the Individual and Family Safety Planning page and start your safety plan today! Visit Ready.gov for additional resources on making a plan for individuals with disabilities, older adults, pets and animals, or even financial preparedness. For more information, read the National Preparedness Month Proclamation.
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Update from City Council
City Council Interviews City Manager FinalistsThe Valdez City Council and administrative leadership have undergone a lengthy search process to fill the vacant City Manager position, reviewing dozens of applications and conducting several informal preliminary interviews. This process culminated in the top two candidates visiting Valdez earlier this week. The two finalists who came were Molly Nichelson-Medjdoub, the Public Information Manager for Orange County, California, and John Parsons Douglas, the Director of Land Use & Topography for the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President in New York City. Nichelson-Medjdoub and Parsons Douglas participated in a community meet and greet on Monday night, toured city facilities, met with department directors on Tuesday during the day, and were formally interviewed by the City Council on Tuesday evening. City Council held a special meeting on Wednesday at noon to discuss the personal matter. Coming out of executive session, the Council voted to offer the city manager position to John Douglas. It convened a committee of Mayor Scheidt, Council Member Fleming, and Council Member Love to negotiate a contract. The city manager contract will appear on an upcoming City Council meeting agenda for discussion and approval. City Clerk's Corner: What do City Boards and Commissions Do?One of the best and easiest ways to get involved in local government is to volunteer to fill a city board or commission position. These advisory bodies weigh in on specific subject matters and offer feedback to the City Council. Title 2 of the Valdez Municipal Code outlines the powers and duties of the officially established city boards and commissions. In addition to those in code, the City Council appoints the membership of the Providence Valdez Community Advisory Council and the Valdez Museum Board and Historical Archives Board of Directors (in their capacity as Museum Corporation members). The City Clerk's office advertises vacancies for the various appointed bodies each summer and fall. Here are the terms expiring this year: - June – Ports and Harbors Commission (still seeking an applicant for a full 3-year term)
- July – Beautification Commission (still seeking an applicant for a full 2-year term)
- August – Library Board (all upcoming vacancies have been filled)
- September – Economic Diversification Commission (2 current partial-term vacancies and four upcoming full-term vacancies)
- October – Parks and Recreation Commission (4 upcoming vacancies) and Providence Valdez CAC (recruitment headed by Providence)
- November – Planning and Zoning Commission (2 upcoming vacancies) and Permanent Fund Advisory Committee (1 upcoming vacancy)
- December – Museum Board of Directors (4 upcoming vacancies)
In addition to being a great way to give back to the community, serving in an appointed role is an excellent way to learn about how meetings work and test whether you'd like to pursue an elected position. Find out more or apply by visiting the boards and commission tab on the COV website. Paper applications are available at City Hall as well. If you have questions, please call 907-834-3468 or email COVboards@valdezak.gov. We hope you consider volunteering to serve! |
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September is National Suicide Prevention Month Although mental health and suicide prevention are essential to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and beyond is #BeThe1To. #BeThe1To is to help spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide; the Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention to actions that can prompt healing, help, and hope. For more information and what steps you can take, go to #bethe1to. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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Employee Spotlight - Corrections Officer Wayne Haimes Wayne Haimes has lived in many places, but nowhere other than Valdez has he considered home. He attended school at Herman Hutchens Elementary, Gilson Middle, and freshman year in Valdez before moving to Anchorage and finishing high school. Wayne returned to Valdez to attend Prince William Sound College and then transferred to Oregon State University. A life of public service, first in wildland firefighting in the Mat-Su Valley, then 12 years of native salmon research and conservation in Oregon, Washington, and the Pacific Ocean, has led him to entertain the idea of another type of public service, public safety. This curiosity has led him back to his hometown, where he hopes to help make Valdez a wonderful place to live.
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2024 City Budget Workshop Schedule PublishedThe City budget workshop schedule has been published and is available on the City website. Workshop sessions will begin in October with a budget overview scheduled for October 10 at 6 p.m.
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Valdez to host the 2023 Alaska Fire ConferenceThe Port of Valdez Alaska State Firefighters Association Chapter is excited to host the 2023 Alaska Fire Conference from September 25 through 29.
The Alaska Fire Conference is the annual fire conference co-sponsored by the Alaska Fire Chiefs and Alaska State Firefighters Associations in cooperation with the State of Alaska Fire Marshals Office. The theme of this year's conference: Connections Matter.
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School Resource Officer Scott McCumby Presents at the National School Counselors Association ConferenceValdez Police Department School Resource Officer Scott McCumby and Dr. Kyra Meyer (formally of Valdez City Schools) traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, in July to present at the National School Counselors Association Conference. This conference is the premier professional development event for school counselors nationwide and is attended by thousands across America. Dr. Meyer and Officer McCumby were invited to present on Threat Assessment Teams and their use in the school environment. The City of Valdez Police Department and Valdez City Schools collaborated to develop threat assessment protocols 2019. Threat Assessment is a violence prevention and intervention strategy to protect victims and address the underlying problem or conflict. The team approach to threat assessment aids in understanding the bigger picture for a given event or circumstance through appropriate information sharing. Attendees were given all materials and examples from the Valdez Threat Assessment Model to return to their jurisdictions and form teams in their area.
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City Implements Overdose Reduction ProgramThe Valdez Police Department and Valdez Fire Department, in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Health Section of Public Health Nursing (Valdez Public Health Clinic) and both Project HOPE and Project GABE, have implemented a Citywide Naloxone / Opioid Overdose Program. Overdose Emergency Kits, complete with Naloxone nasal spray, instructions and overdose awareness graphics, sharps containers, nitrile gloves, and CPR face shields, have been installed in City of Valdez facilities, co-located with AED devices. This includes areas such as the Airport, Civic Center, Harbor Facilities, City Hall, and Library. Naloxone (commonly referred to as Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Additionally, naloxone does not affect someone who does not have opioids in their system. Valdez Police Officers have been carrying naloxone in their patrol vehicles and on their persons since 2018. Since then, Officers have had a number of occasions in which they were the first responders to an overdose and successfully deployed naloxone and saved a life. The effects of naloxone in those instances, as captured on body-worn camera footage, were both immediate and extreme. To witness a life being saved is powerful. On August 14, the Valdez Public Health Nurse and Equitable Communities Program Manager conducted a mass training for City of Valdez employees, training over 100 people in overdose recognition and naloxone deployment. Naloxone is accessible to the general public at the Valdez Public Health office. Training is quick, simple, and can be done anonymously. Group training is available for businesses or organizations. Please get the training and equip yourself with naloxone. You never know when you may be able to save a life. For more information, please contact the Valdez Public Health Nurse (907.835.4612) or Valdez Police Department Chief Bart Hinkle (907.835.4560)
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City Administration Hosts All Staff MeetingCity Administration hosted an All Staff Meeting on Monday, August 28. Agenda topics included Safe and Sound Week, City Values, Employee Engagement Survey Results and Action Plan, City Manager Search Update, 2024 City Budget, and a Q&A. During the Q&A, employees can ask questions directly to the interim city manager. City leadership believes this meeting holds immense value to the organization and all employees. The goals of this meeting included: - Communication and Transparency: City Leadership aims to foster open and transparent communication throughout the organization by bringing everyone together. This meeting lets us share important updates, strategic initiatives, and information directly with you.
- Unity and Collaboration: The City comprises diverse teams and departments working toward a common goal. This meeting allows us to foster a sense of unity and align our efforts.
- Clarity and Feedback: We understand the importance of clarity in our work environment. The all-staff meeting allows you to seek clarification on various matters directly from the management team. We encourage you to ask questions, share concerns, and engage in open discussions. Your feedback and input are crucial for our continuous improvement and growth.
- Building Relationships: The all-staff meeting offers a unique networking and relationship-building opportunity. It allows you to connect with colleagues from different departments, share experiences, and build meaningful connections. We believe strong relationships within our organization contribute to effective teamwork, collaboration, and positive work culture.
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September Meetings and Events Important Dates for September 2023- Monday, September 4 - Labor Day Holiday - City Offices and Facilities Closed
- Tuesday, September 5 - City Council - Work Session and Regular Meeting
- Monday, September 11 - School Board
- Tuesday, September 12 - Parks & Recreation Commission
- Wednesday, September 13 - Planning & Zoning Commission
- Thursday, September 14 - Child Care Crisis Task Force
- Monday, September 18 - Ports and Harbors Commission
- Tuesday, September 19 - City Council - Regular Meeting
- Wednesday, September 20 - Economic Diversification Commission
- Thursday, September 21 - Valdez Museum Board of Directors
- Monday, September 25 - School Board
- Thursday, September 28 - Beautification Commission; Child Care Crisis Task Force
Access agenda materials and meeting schedules for Valdez City Council and City of Valdez Commissions.
Access online calendars for additional city events and activities.
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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.
Join a City Board or 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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Stay InformedThere are many options to access information about the City of Valdez.
Follow Us On Social Media!
The City's use of social media is provided as a public service and communication tool for the Valdez community. Follow the City or topic-specific accounts for news, photos, event information, and more!
Notify Me - Subscribe to City News and More!
The City makes it easy to directly receive important information about what is happening in the City via email or text. Notify Me is a free, subscription-based service to keep you informed of the latest news and announcements from the City of Valdez.
Get Engaged in Local Government!
The City recognizes that local government makes better decisions and creates more responsive programs and services when the community it serves has a meaningful voice.
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