Library Option, Grant Fund Requests Approved By Winslow City Council

By Sam Conner
   The Winslow City Council met in special session Tuesday to hear a presentation by Ken Strobeck, executive director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. He spoke of the league’s goals and services, which are to aid cities and towns in getting help from the Arizona governor, legislature, and other departments and agencies.
   Between that meeting and the regular council meeting, there was a brief celebration of the 110th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Winslow.
   During the regular meeting, reports were given by City Manager Jim Ferguson, Finance Director Regina Reffner and Judge Alison Kolomitz. Ferguson spoke on the issue of propane tanks in south Winslow and how the issue is being addressed by both the city and the county. Reffner reported that Winslow will not be spared the effects of the country’s economic problems and must be wary when addressing issues.
   The consent calendar was adopted, approving the check register, minutes of the Jan. 12 meeting, acceptance of a quit claim deed for property at 321 Jefferson, a contract for ambulance dispatching service with Action Medical Services Inc., and authorized the city manager to sign a letter of engagement with Montgomery and Associates for development of a new well field. Some of the wells are located on Hopi tribal lands and an agreement with the tribe will be necessary.
   February was proclaimed as both Dating Violence Awareness Month, and Career and Technical Education Month.
   A request from the Standin’ on the Corner Foundation to develop property behind the Hubbell Building resulted in adoption of a motion to work with the foundation to develop that property.
   A motion to continue advertising of planning and zoning agendas, which is not required, was adopted.
   A resolution authorizing the submission of an amendment to the Arizona Department of Housing to amend an existing Community Development Block Grant program application by adding an activity, building of more sidewalks, was adopted. There was a public input hearing before this item was acted upon.
   A resolution expressing support for the city’s application for Arizona Department of Transportation 5311 grant funds to provide transportation between Winslow and Flagstaff and Winslow and Holbrook was approved. This item, too, followed a public hearing on the subject.
   A discussion of whether the Smartworks retire-rehire contract should be on the March 23 agenda resulted in much discussion and passage of a motion not to place the item on that agenda by a closely divided vote.
   An item calling for selection of an option for configuration of the new library and community meeting room resulted in unanimous support for the option using all of the available space at the existing building.