The consent calendar approved by the Winslow City Council Tuesday evening included two major items, awarding a contract for the frontage road improvement project to McCauley Construction Company for $99,583.50 and authorizing the transfer of $275,000 for capital improvement projects. The amount authorized for capital improvements was raised from $200,000 to $275,000, mostly for improvements to the indoor pool.
Other consent calendar items included the check register, minutes of Dec. 9 meetings and a donation of $500 to the Because We Care organization. There was a proposal and some discussion about doubling the donation, but that was not done as the $500 was what had been budgeted.
The council also received reports from City Manager Stephen Pauken and his designees, and Finance Director Teresa Foy.
Councilman Bob Schlesinger said that the area mayors and councils had agreed to proceed with the geocaching program, and that there would be a meeting with legislators at the League of Cities and Towns conference on Feb. 11. Pauken said that he would be going to that.
The city manager noted that there are still two vacancies on the Board of Adjustment and one on the Historic Preservation Commission.
Fire Chief James Hernandez introduced new firemen Dustin Cole and Michael Lawrence, and told about the skills they had to display and the test they had taken to get their positions.
City Attorney Ellen Van Riper presented equipment to rescue animals from fires to the fire department. They were Fido bags, which include oxygen masks, splints and other equipment.
Personnel Manager David Coolidge spoke about seven complaints against the city and how they were handled. All were unfounded, remedied or being remedied.
Pauken reported that the State Parks deputy director had been in Winslow earlier that day. He visited the old golf course property and the Brigham City and city farm, and noted that he wants to get this done, indicating that the action the city plans may well be approved. He later said that he would like to schedule a work session and invite public input on March 18 to explore what capital improvements are needed.
During the call to the public, Judy Howell spoke about the animal care facility and its operation. Her comments are reported elsewhere in this issue of the newspaper.
Marie LaMar said that the alley between the Bank of the West and Casey’s was much used and needed attention.
A woman spoke about an issue with the court, but was told that the city had no authority over the court.
The council met as the Winslow Housing Authority before the regular meeting, passing two resolutions approving the authority’s utility allowance for 2015, which was the same as 2014, and advertising its annual plan with mandated changes.
