At the March 13 Holbrook City Council meeting, City Manager Randy Sullivan said that he met with people from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in response to the concerns voiced by Holbrook resident Buddy Dupree at the last meeting. Dupree had addressed the council regarding the need for guard railing and signage in the area of Romero and McLaws Road as well as Hennessey Avenue to prevent future accidents.

Sullivan said that ADOT is willing to provide the guard railing needed for the turn. Additionally, the speed limit between the two curves will be lowered from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. “That way they are not gaining speed in that area,” noted Sullivan.

Sullivan also said he met with people from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Holbrook Waste Water Manager Lance Spencer to create a plan for remediation of the sewage spill that occurred last month at the wastewater treatment plant. It was decided to pump the sewage from the holding pond back into the plant so that it will go through correct processing. After which time the soil in the holding pond will be treated. Sullivan said, “So far ADEQ is pleased with what we have done and I give credit to Lance and his guys for that.”

With the absence of Fire Chief Phillip Rose, Sullivan presented the council with an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona State Forestry Division. Sullivan said, “The agreement basically states that if the state forest service has a major fire and asks for our help, we would help them.” Sullivan also noted that when Holbrook sends manpower and equipment, the city is reimbursed.

Councilman C.J. Wischmann said that the agreement was for 10 years and that he would prefer it was for two years. Councilwoman Francie Payne requested that the IGA be put in a “tickler file” to have the council review it every two years. Vice Mayor Wade Carlisle agreed, saying, “If we need to, we can exercise the 30-day termination clause in the agreement.” The council approved the agreement unanimously.

Sullivan also noted that a grant was awarded to the Northern Arizona Council of Governments that will replace street signs and stops signs throughout the city and throughout the region. He also said that ground breaking for the new La Quinta Inn at the north end of the city is planned for the first part of April.

Mayor Bobby Tyler was absent from the meeting for personal reasons. Holbrook Police Department Chief Mark Jackson was absent because of work.

In other matters, the council approved a special event liquor licenses for the Holbrook Elks Lodge on April 6 and for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on April 21.