ITEM TITLE:
City Manager’s Report February 21, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Detter, City Manager
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and File.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Meeting with Murkowski’s Office-Assistant City Manager-Capital Projects Manager Nathan Duval and I meet with key staffers from Senator Murkowski’s Office Tuesday. Jack Victory and Eric Kros were present for the meeting also. The primary topics of discussion were housing and childcare and specifically how Valdez can work with the Coast Guard/Homeland Security to expand both.
We emphasized that we are planning a trip to DC the week of May 15th-May 19th, that would include the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, myself, and one other staffer. Our goal would be to meet with the federal delegation, but also a legislative aid to the Coast Guard, Army Corps and Department of Transportation on Ports, and possibly the EPA to discuss potential earmark.
Safer Grant Discussion- Fire Chief is exploring “safer grant” to pay for new firefighters based on Citygate Associates study conducted in 2022. City manager would like to discuss with Council.
VFDA Landfill Fee Waiver-The VFDA is requesting a waiver of landfill fees related to a project they are working on this spring. A Resolution requesting a $10,000 waiver of fees will appear before the Council at the March 14, 2023 meeting.
Senior Housing Project-The Senior Housing Project has received Fire Marshall approval and is under City Building Inspector review. Cordes Development plans to send the operating agreement to the City Attorney in next few weeks for review. The financing should be finalized in May prior to groundbreaking.