ITEM TITLE:
Discussion Item: Air National Guard Memorial
SUBMITTED BY: Sheri Pierce, MMC, City Clerk
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Valdez City Council provided $35,000 in the Capital Projects budget toward the construction and placement of the Air National Guard Memorial. The total cost to construct the monument is $68,000. Several locations for the monument have been discussed with the most recent suggestion that the statue be located at the entrance to the new harbor on the raised mound. It is unknown at this time if there is funding in the new harbor uplands budget for public art, etc. The remaining funds needed for the memorial statue is $33,000.
I would like to speak with the Ports and Harbor Commission to receive their input on this topic. I have attached the initial letter from Mr. Chuck Volanti to the Governor which provides the history and plea for the memorial. The State of Alaska is unable to provide funding to complete the project and Mr. Volanti and several surviving family members who live in Alaska continue to hope that the city will assist with this memorial in honor of the Air National Guard members who lost their lives in response to the 1964 Earthquake.
Since the airmen perished in the Port of Valdez almost directly in front of the new harbor, the knoll at the entrance to the new harbor would be a proper site. I have attached a picture and description of the statue.