ITEM TITLE:
City Manager’s Report 9-7-2021
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:
The City Manager’s report will focus on two items for September 7th meeting-The Mission Statement of the City of Valdez and an update on childcare in Valdez.
Mission Statement:
The Mission Statement of the City of Valdez is:
“To cultivate an environment of opportunity, sustained prosperity and wellbeing for all people of Valdez.”
The City Council is scheduled to conduct a workshop that discusses the Mission Statement of the City and how to better publicize the mission statement to Valdez citizens.
Staff recommend the scheduled September 16th work session on this topic be postponed to a later date to allow staff additional time to research the following topics:
-The placement of the mission statement on the City web site. The design for the web site will worked through with the IT Department and Administration.
-The development of signage to be placed in the new Council Chambers (behind the dais)
-The development of signage to be placed in 2 or 3 City buildings with high visibility (i.e. Airport building, Civic Center, Library)
-Placement on City business cards.
-Placement on City e-mails tag lines.
Childcare:
-Stepping Stones Learning Center has reopened, but attendance and new enrollments are currently limited until new teacher is fully trained. End of September is goal to get teacher trained and further open enrollment.
-SSLC has hired two new staff members, one for the infant room and one for the preschool. 5 PRN (as needed) positions have also been filled as support to fill in for employee lunch hours, parent pick up and drop off times, and various other times during the day where employees will need substitute staff for short periods.
-SSLC is working with the 0-3 Families Alliance and also attempting outreach in the entire community.
-Working with a consultant providing pro-bono service to the Board to assist with review of structure, organizational stability, and fiduciary responsibility.
The 0-3 Families Alliance has 3 subcommittees which are currently focused on 3 issues:
1. Assessment Study Subcommittee- The subcommittee has been exploring options for performing an assessment study to determine childcare/early childhood learning needs in Valdez. A study was examined that was performed for Kodiak Island related to childcare/early childcare learning. The group is reaching out to other State of Alaska agencies and non-profits to determine what additional resources are available.
2. Facility Subcommittee - The primary focus of the facility subcommittee is recommendations forthcoming from the Recreation facility feasibility study and hospital master plan update. The PRSC Director will be presenting recreation feasibility study on Tuesday, September 14. The feasibility study will have a childcare facility component as part of the study.
The Hospital Master Plan update proposal scheduled to be performed by Architects Alaska is being reviewed by Providence and City staff. The current plan is to place on the Council agenda for approval on September 21st. A childcare facility is part of the Hospital Master Plan update.
3. Funding Subcommittee - The primary focus of the funding subcommittee is identifying key funding partnerships upon completion of the assessment study.
Other Topic:
One last note. The Corps of Engineers from the Alaska District is sending staff to Valdez to meet with City officials on September 23rd. The plan is to discuss the Waterfront Master Plan and tour Ports and Harbor facilities.