Members of the Taylor Town Council held a special session Nov. 18 regarding a proposed agreement transferring ownership of the Northern Arizona Training Center (NATC) to Northland Pioneer College (NPC).
The special session was required to ratify the agreement prior to the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board meeting.
In an interview with Town Manager Gus Lundberg, he noted that the letter written to the college district governing board was signed by Jesse Thompson, chairman of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, and approved by the Northeast Arizona Fire Chiefs Association and Northern Arizona Police Chief’s Association, all partners with NPC in NATC, which is located on Papermill Road in Taylor.
The question of ownership and operation of NATC has been discussed in depth at NATC meetings. The consensus of the four entities is that the ownership and autonomous operations of the facility should be transferred permanently to NPC.
The Town of Taylor financed the burn tower, which is permanently affixed to the property, through a Greater Arizona Development Authority (GADA) loan, which is callable on July 1, 2015, in the amount of $335,350. It was noted that if the loan is paid at that time, it would result in savings of more than $75,000 in interest over the next 10 years.
The town’s desire is that NPC consider paying the loan in full for the transfer of the facility.
“The vision for the NATC facility was to be a place of first responder training, education and exercise. It is the belief of all of the partners that Northland Pioneer College is the most capable partner to continue this mission,” states the letter, which asked the college district governing board to consider authorizing the action.
The Taylor council approved signing the letter.
In other action Nov. 20, the council:
* Approved an Arizona mutual aid compact with the State of Arizona, and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
The purpose of the compact is to define emergency management terms and procedures that “will be used among participating parties for dispatching mutual aid assistance to any affected area in accordance with local ordinances, resolutions, emergency plans or agreements.”
* Canvassed the votes cast in the Nov. 4 General Election regarding the renewal of a gas franchise agreement for a period of 25 years with UNS Gas, Inc. There were a total of 1,118 votes cast, with 846 for the franchise renewal and 128 against it. The agreement allows UNS Gas to provide natural gas to the town.
* Discussed identifying how to restructure committees with the goal in mind to improve public input. The discussion will continue at the December council meeting
* Tabled appointments to the Special Events Committee until the December meeting.
* Approved Lundberg’s suggestion that employees have Fridays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, off. The town offices will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, for Christmas and on Thursday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. Lundberg will open the offices on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, giving employees an extra two days off for the holidays.
