Winslow to improve city racquetball courts

“Our goal is to demo, in all four racquetball courts, the concrete and then re-pour new concrete. We’re going to extend the walls an additional 10’ to make it regulation size of a standard basketball court and add a back wall,” he said. The height of the walls will also be increased to 12’.

Following the discussion, the council approved payment to Bushman & Bushman Construction Company in an amount not to exceed $75,350 for improvements to the racquetball courts.

Kate Morley with the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transit Authority went before the council regarding the transit planning grant awarded to Winslow. She explained that the grant was awarded for the project two months ago and January was when planning began.

Morley said that a transportation route structure and design plan was being discussed to go west to Twin Arrows and east to Holbrook. “A survey will go out in the next utility bill, which is this week and a broad set of options will be presented,” she said.

Mayor Boyd commented, “I know there is an interest in a transit program here, there has been a lot of people talking about it.” The goal is to have the transit plan done for council review by September.

Councilwoman Judy Howell said she was “shocked and appalled” when she went to the city offices and found a security door blocking the public from the city manager, city clerk and human resource offices.

“The reason given was that the public was coming in and interrupting meetings. If you are having meetings there are doors. You can shut the door to the office. It sends the wrong message to the public,” she said, adding that she wants the door removed as she saw it as another barrier between the city and the citizens.

Pauken noted that there are two vacancies on board and commissions. One is with the Planning & Zoning commission and the other is on the Arts Council. He encouraged the citizens to volunteer and take part in the growth of the community.

Items on the agenda that were tabled by the council until next month included a presentation from Metron-Farnier and Verizon Wireless regarding automated metering infrastructure, and a request for approval of services from those vendors.

Finance Director Elias Jouen gave the monthly financial report. There was no quarterly hospital report, which was listed on the agenda.

The consent calendar resulted in approvals of the check register, minutes of the Feb. 14 council meeting, a donation of $500 to the Because We Care Committee.

There was discussion about authorizing the city manager to make recommendations regarding special events liquor licenses. This item was tabled at the last council meeting. Councilman Bob Schlesinger moved to deny the resolution and that was done by a 5-1-1 vote. Councilman Harold Soehner voted against the motion and Mayor Robin Boyd abstained.

The council passed a resolution authorizing the city’s renewal of its membership in the Rural Arizona Group Health Trust. Mayor Boyd and David Coolidge said that forming that group in 2003 had saved the city much since that time and that the group had grown from three to 18 and was still good for the city.

The council also voted to cancel the March 28 council meeting.