On July 11, I met with Bill Bittner, David Gross and Jennifer Alexander of Birch Horton Bittner and Cherot to discuss City of Cordova and attorney relationship, and schedule a meeting between a senior partner and city council.
David Gross, the managing partner of BHBC, met with City Council at the Aug. 3, regular meeting to discuss attorney-client relationship and any items of interest to the Council including status of any legal work in progress and the general services of BHBC.
I met with Gabe Kompkoff, David Phillips and Josie Hickel of Chugach Alaska Corporation to discuss projects and opportunities in the region. Chugach is leading or participating in projects to support economic, social and cultural strength in Cordova and the region, and pursuing opportunities to expand their role with partners and stakeholders.
On July 14, I was able to meet with Sheri Buretta, Chairman of the Chugach Board of Directors, to discuss items of regional concern and enjoyed seeing both Gabe and Sheri at the Copper River Wild! Salmon Festival that weekend enjoying the great music and events.
On July 12, I teleconferenced with Representative Louise Stutes and staff, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game Commissioner Sam Cotten and staff, and representatives from Senator Stevens office, Lt. Governor Byron Mallott’s office, John Bitney, and Kerin Kramer and John Whissel of Native Village of Eyak (NVE) to discuss the potential for an NVE project to perform a capture and mark study to establish better data about the tanner crab biomass in Prince William Sound.
On July 15, I met with the Native Village of Eyak (NVE) executive director Kerin Kramer and new NVE Council Chairman Darrel Olsen to discuss various community initiatives and projects including tanner crab fishery, Adams Street sidewalk upgrades, the new Veterans’ Memorial at the breakwater, donated and erected by NVE, ferry service, and support for our U.S. Coast Guard community.
I worked with City of Cordova Human Resources Director Cindy Appleton to prepare materials for the City Manager Assessment Committee and met with Cindy and that committee on July 26, to discuss the review and ranking of 18 applications for Cordova City Manager received to date. I have reviewed the applications along with the committee and a recommendation for the top five candidates will be provided to the City Council for consideration at the Aug. 3 meeting.
On July 27, I attended the Cordova Chamber of Commerce regular board meeting where we recapped what was likely the best attended Cordova Fourth of July celebration, which was supported by generous donations from Trident Seafoods, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Copper River Seafoods, Northern Fish Alaska, Camtu’s Alaska Wild Seafoods, donations and discounts from Nichols’ Front Door Store and others, as well as the many volunteers who set up, cleaned up, baked pies, organized or participated in the Kelp Box Derby (Kelley Weaverling), and other events.
On a personal note, I appreciate the Cordova Electric line crew leaving their families and the festivities to minimize the impacts of an underground electrical fault in the downtown area right at the peak of the community barbecue and games to work into the evening to put temporary power back in place to keep the ice cream frozen and beverages cold on Main Street.
The chamber is in good financial condition and planning for upcoming festivals and service and support projects for the Cordova business community.
I have worked with city staff to prepare city clerk evaluation forms and distribute them the City Council for the clerk’s performance evaluation and goal-setting.
I have met with citizens throughout the month and discussed suggestions and items of concern on a variety of topics including noise complaints, business stability and development, and ferry service.
I encourage community feedback and can be contacted at my “Clay Koplin for Mayor Cordova,” Facebook page, or at claykoplin@gmail.com.
Have a great August, Cordova!
— Mayor Clay Koplin
