By Sam Conner –
The Winslow City Council met Tuesday in a special session to discuss and possibly act upon the orientation of sidewalk benches along old Route 66.
The decision to move some of the benches and make changes to about half of them was made after most of the council had walked for half an hour to see the benches and their locations.
The regular session heard City Administrator Jim Ferguson announce that Jim Hernandez would replace Fire Chief Boney Candelaria when he retires in the near future. He said it was a difficult decision, as there were a number of well qualified candidates who applied for the position.
The consent calendar adoption gave approvals of the check register, minutes of the Feb. 22 council meeting and transfer of funds to cover the cost of mechanical repairs to a fire engine.
An ordinance to amend and revise the building permit fees in the schedule of rates, fees and charges was adopted.
An ordinance amended the city code regarding the addition of setback requirements for the industrial zone within the Route 66 Overlay.
A zoning ordinance to deal with the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act and establish city regulations regarding medical marijuana resulted in much discussion by the council and members of the audience, and was amended and adopted.
The final action item on the agenda was for discussion and possible action regarding Navajo County’s demands that the city pay for prosecution of county defendants in the Justice Court and housing of city prisoners in the county jail.
There was an executive session for legal advice regarding this item, and the council asked staff to prepare a resolution to be discussed at the strategic planning session following that executive session.
Councilman Harold Soehner asked that staff contact other cities, as he feels that the fees are double taxation for citizens of the cites, and also asked that the Board of Supervisors consider the constitutionality of their action regarding the fees.
