By Nolan Madden The City of Holbrook will soon present a new face to the world, courtesy of a refreshed official logo that was unveiled this week. On Tuesday, Community Development Co-Director Michael Nilsson explained to Mayor Bobby Tyler and the city council what inspired the redesign. “We’ve been feeling the need for a new logo for the city. As we’re transitioning into this modern age, the current logo just wasn’t transferring well into digital media, and we needed a fresher update,” he noted. Nilsson says the elements of the new logo–with its ‘Hub City’ verbiage, western-influenced fonts and wagon wheel shape–crafted by an independent graphic designer with input from City Manager Ray Alley, reflects Holbrook’s core principles. “Logistically, we wanted the logo to be flexible, so that it could be sized super-small at the corner of a piece of paper, if needed, and if we wanted to, we could enlarge it as big as a billboard,” said Nilsson. Alley noted that the new logo format can be more easily produced in-house, at no cost, for application to city vehicles and other facilities. The move is a preview of more potential changes to be seen within the city. In other action Feb. 9, the council: * Approved renewal of Alley’s employment contract, contingent on Alley furnishing proof of liability insurance coverage for the bucket truck owned by Alley, which is used for city projects. Alley receives no salary increase under the renewed contract, but will gain two weeks vacation time annually, as well as $500 monthly for use of his bucket truck. * Scheduled Alley’s annual review on March 22. * Heard a report from Alley regarding updates on abatement of two dilapidated buildings on West Arizona Street, including the installation of a fenced, public micro-park, and one West California Street property. * Received an update from Alley on recreation feature renovations at Hunt Park, including tennis court electrical and lighting, surveillance camera, fencing and surface upgrades, and repurposed basketball equipment installations. Alley also informed the council of revised plans for the proposed racquetball court, which will now be located beside the Hunt Park tennis court to better accommodate guest parking. A tetherball feature is also planned. Alley noted that portable toilets at Hunt Park and Lewis Park have been removed, due to the newly opened restroom facilities at those locations. He also proposed a new cart use policy and construction at Hidden Cove Golf Course, and received consensus from the council to move forward on both. * Received an update from Alley on new automated card lock system hardware and IT installations, which have been completed to replace dated keyed access at city hall and water treatment plant to date, with installations at the city’s mechanical services and water pump stations also slated. * Received an update from Finance Director Randy Sullivan, who stated that the city’s preliminary budget preparation meeting has been slated for the council’s first meeting in March. * Received an update from Police Chief Mark Jackson regarding partial approval of a grant funds bid to purchase and install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all city buildings. Alternate purchase options are being sought. The Holbrook Police Department submitted a bid this week to acquire three new patrol vehicles through Proposition 202 public safety grant funding, which is backed by a portion of Gila River Casino’s annual revenues. HPD has also applied for $80,000 in funds through the Homeland Security Grant Program, which would be used to outfit department patrol vehicles with in-car computers for on-duty use. Jackson and Lt. Jack Arend presented to the council two newly outfitted patrol pickups, which council members inspected. * Received an update from Community Development Director Kathleen Smith regarding upcoming cultural events and updates on donated signage to be used for city tourism activities, in collaboration with Petrified Forest National Park and the Petrified Forest Museum Association. Park officials also agreed to staff volunteer interns during the summer months for tours at Petroglyph Park. The city also received $5,000 donation from BNSF in support of the Splash Pad Park. * Heard marketing updates from Community Development Co-Director Michael Nilsson on the city’s soon-to-be-launched redesigned website and community guide pamphlet. * Heard a presentation by Jason Kelly, transportation manager at the Northern Arizona Council of Governments. * Approved the consent agenda, including payment of claims for Jan. 28-Feb. 3 in the amount of $110,401.59. Also approved were minutes of the regular meetings held Oct. 27, 2015 and Dec. 8, 2015. Councilwoman Francie Payne, and Councilmen C.J. Wischmann, Tim Dixon and Earl Kester abstained from the vote on minutes of the regular meeting held Jan. 15, 2013, which predated their election to the council, so the measure did not pass. Special event liquor licenses for City of Holbrook Route 66 Days for June 11, and the Holbrook Elks Lodge for March 5 were approved. * Approved payment of claims to Walt’s Hardware in the amount of $2,865.53. The council will hold its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23.