Holbrook’s splash pad and pool are on course for opening on time according to the report provided by City Manager Randy Sullivan at the Holbrook City Council meeting on May 8, in which all council members were present.
Sullivan said, “Last year the city workers put a new coat of paint that would prevent slipping, but it began to peel within weeks of the application.” When Sullivan contacted the company, they agreed to warranty the job and provide the city with more paint.
“Right now, I am thinking about leaving the pad as is,” said Sullivan in a follow up interview. “It might look ugly this summer but it is safe for the kids to play on and I want to take my time and be able to make the next application work.”
The splash pad is scheduled to open on or before Sunday, May 20, and the pool will be opening on Friday, May 25.
Police Chief Mark Jackson gave his final report to the council, stating, “The recruits in the academy are still doing well. Thursday is my last day on the road and Friday I will be turning in my badge and equipment. I just want everyone to know it has been a great nine years. I want to thank the city of Holbrook for giving me an opportunity to work with them. I learned a lot and hopefully we can continue our relationship.”
Sullivan noted in his report that Patrol Sergeant David Hall will be working with him as a point of contact during the transition and hiring phase for the new chief of police.
“Officer Eric Zimmerman has made up a schedule to make sure all of our calls will be taken,” said Sullivan. “Next week the two Navajo County Sheriff’s Office officers will be on duty for the city. I want to give a huge shout out to Doyce Stuart, a city employee, who has done a lot of volunteer work with the police department and Sheriff’s Office, and will be assisting the police department during this time.”
Sullivan also requested that the board set up a work session to go through a full budget review. Sullivan noted that the numbers were up from last year, especially in the lodgers’ tax.
Vice Mayor Wade Carlisle raised some questions on the water adjudication fund, which was listed as a $60,000 shortfall. Sullivan said that the $1 fee added to the water bill had collected approximately $20,000 and said the rest would have to come from the water department as it is projected that the payment to Brown and Brown Law Offices will be $80,000 to continue with the lawsuit.
In other business, the council:
* Approved the application for a special event liquor license by the City of Holbrook and the Navajo County Fairgrounds for the dates of June 8 and 9. Councilman Tim Dixon questioned who would be in charge of the alcohol sales. Community Development Director Kathleen Smith said the fairground personnel would be serving the liquor, but the partnership allowed the city to collect 25 percent of the revenues with the fairgrounds receiving 75 percent.
* Approved the application for a special event liquor license for the Holbrook Elks Lodge for May 19.
