The City of Holbrook has reached an agreement to purchase the former Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) administrative building across the street from city hall. City council members heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the purchase during a meeting Tuesday evening.
Councilman Bobby Tyler noted that he has worked to obtain the property on behalf of the city since he became a council member, and before that, city staff had been attempting to acquire the property. He noted that City Clerk Cher Reyes was instrumental in arranging the transaction.
The city will purchase the building and property from APS for $1. The transaction is expected to be complete by March.
City Manager Ray Alley told the council that he and staff members have ideas for the use of the building, which he would explain at a future council meeting. He noted that the building is in good shape and will be an asset to the city.
An ordinance is required in order for the city to purchase property, and Alley explained that although the purchase amount is negligible, council approval is still necessary to complete the transaction. All ordinances must have two readings before the council votes, so no action was taken on the matter.
Council members also heard the first reading of an ordinance to purchase a lot with an older mobile home that needs to be demolished.
Alley explained that it has been necessary for the city to abate the lot and that the mobile home presents a fire hazard. He told the council that it is less expensive to purchase the lot for $1,000 and allow a salvage company to remove the trailer than for the city to pursue other legal means, such as condemnation or reimbursement for abatement costs.
Mayor Jeff Hill asked whether the lot was worth $1,000. Alley noted that he was not sure, since it is too small to build on, noting that the only real value might be to neighbors who want to expand their property. He told the council that the value to the city was in saving legal costs and eliminating the hazard.
“It’s worth it to get rid of it,” he said. “It’s not something the city could sell to make money, but it would get rid of a problem.”
In other action Dec. 9, the council:
* Approved the establishment of fees for pocket reference guides for Petroglyph Park. The pocket guides will be sold for $6 each.
* Approved the expenditure of up to $8,828 for a barcoding and software tracking system for evidence held by the police department.
* Tabled an agreement to provide fire services to the community of Woodruff.
Hill noted that he supports extending fire services to Woodruff, but would like more input to ensure the agreement is fair to both parties.
Under the proposed agreement, which would take effect July 1, Woodruff would pay $1,000 per year for fire services regardless of whether there are any fire calls, and there is no fee associated with calls.
Under the existing agreement, a $1,000 fee is assessed per fire call, but there are no fees if there are no calls.
Alley noted that the current agreement remains in place and there is no lapse in fire coverage.
* Approved policies and procedures for the police department regarding the use of video and audio recorders.
* Approved volunteer application and screening forms for the humane shelter.
* Approved Councilman Tyler’s attendance at the upcoming Northern Arizona Council of Governments Transportation Summit.
* Approved the expenditure of up to $2,227.19 to Precision Electric Pump for pump repairs.
An agenda item regarding the closure of city hall on Fridays was withdrawn by Alley. He noted that the proposal met with mixed reactions, and he had decided to find another alternative to staffing issues.
The council meeting initially set for Dec. 23 has been canceled due to the Christmas holiday. The next regular council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at city hall.
