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During the March 26 Holbrook City Council meeting in his report to council, Councilman Mike Nilsson made note of a letter submitted by Arizona Public Service to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) considering the feasibility of converting one of the coal-fired units at the Cholla Power Plant in Joseph City to biomass. He noted that it was important for the council to support this endeavor as it is in support of forest health management and the ACC’s (Arizona Corporation Commission) bio energy policy.
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Nilsson reading from the letter stated, “The possibility of using Cholla has multiple advantages including using existing infrastructure and economic benefits to the local communities including Holbrook if the plant can continue to produce electricity after we stop burning coal there in 2025. We expect the analysis to take 60 days at which time another letter will be sent to the ACC announcing our findings and next steps.
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“If our studies show that Cholla conversion is more cost effective than other biomass alternatives we will propose moving forward on the project.”
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Nilsson, who is employed at the power plant, then stated to the council, “This is something we should stand behind. It’s not really cost effective for Arizona Public Service to do this because instead of our coal trains coming in, it’ll be coming in trucks, it’ll be slash piles. But everything, all these control burns that we have now that pollute our air will now go through bag houses and go through scrubber systems. It’ll help our environment, it’ll help the communities around here and I would encourage all of us to stand behind this.”
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Holbrook Police Chief Nathan Christensen reported that Officer Hunsaker has completed her field training officer (FTO) training and the cadet is in his 12th week in the academy. He also noted that beautification is taking place at the police department with new paint and wrapping the fascia that has faded and has peeling paint.
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Mayor Cobb stated that the city was mourning the loss of long-time resident Alan Grace who passed away the previous week. Cobb noted that before his passing he told his family, “Do a good deed for someone” a concept of which he applied to himself evident by the life he lived. It was also noted that Denise Scorse-Huish, another long-time resident, had passed away as well.
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The council also approved the canvas of election for the primary election. Merrill Young was elected to serve as mayor with 490 votes. Those who ran for the four-year terms were incumbents who ran unopposed with Francie Payne garnering 473 votes, Nilsson with 439 votes; and Tim Dixon receiving 352 votes. For the two-year term, incumbent Adam Marsh won over Dwayne Hawk, receiving 318 votes to Hawk’s 202. In addition, Proposition 19-101 Alternative Expenditure Limitation passed 369 to 112. There were a total of 624 valid ballots cast.
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In call to the public, Holbrook resident Lucia Sparks addressed the council requesting assistance regarding what she explained are high-intensity lights used by the church located across from her home. She noted that the intense light produced prompts migraines, three of which she’s had since they were installed. The lights also prevent her from enjoying an evening sitting on her porch. She discussed the matter with the church minister requesting that the angle of the lights be changed or dimmed or that a timer be placed to have the start later but was told that he could not help her. She requested that the city follow-up up on the matter to see if it could be resolved and was told it would be addressed within 30 days.
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In other business, the council:
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* Approved a proclamation announcing April as Happy Holbrook Month.
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* Approved a proclamation announcing April 21 as Power Talk 21 Day to bring awareness to teenage alcohol use and abuse.
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* Approved a proclamation announcing the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month.
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* Approved a renewal of membership in the Rural Arizona Group Health Trust for the City of Holbrook.
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* Approved for first reading the sale of a city-owned parcel in Snowflake at Golden Horse Ranch in the amount of $2,001, plus closing costs.
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* Approved an award of contract in the amount of $18,700 for one year to Precision Sweeping for street sweeping services.
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* Heard presentations by Jason Foutz regarding an economic development training he attended and Patrick Serna regarding a pavement preservation training he attended.
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* Approved expenditures in the amount of $644,218.
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