ITEM TITLE:
Valdez Tourism Task Force Report: Draft Articles of Incorporation for Destination Valdez and Recommendation on Process for Selecting Initial Board of Directors
SUBMITTED BY: Elise Sorum-Birk, Deputy City Clerk
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: n/a
Unencumbered Balance: n/a
Funding Source: n/a
RECOMMENDATION:
n/a
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Valdez Tourism Task Force held two meetings to discuss next steps for creation of a new destination marketing organization and the processes involved.
At the April 15, 2026 meeting City Clerk Sheri Pierce provided an overview of the procedure for formation of a new organization and appointment of a bylaw committee as the first required action of a newly formed organization’s board of directors and membership.
At the April 29, 2026 meeting Deputy City Clerk Elise Sorum-Birk worked with the members to review a draft outline for Articles of Incorporation and compete brainstorming on specific desired governance structure with the group.
The draft Articles of Incorporation recommended by the task force are attached for review.
Alaska law requires that the initial directors for an organization be named in the Articles of Incorporation. The task force recommends that the City Council seek letters of interest from the local business community and appoint an initial board of directors for the purposes of appointing a bylaw committee and enrolling membership of a new organization.