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Last week, Winslow City Manager John Barkley discussed the semi-truck parking situation that has plagued Winslow since the closure of the 3 B’s Truck Stop parking lot on North Park Drive.
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While the 3 B’s business had not been open in a decade, the parking lot was still being utilized by truck drivers seeking respite off of I-40. It was barricaded by the landowner in conjunction with the Winslow Police Department in 2018 in hopes to reduce transient crime. Since then, the drivers have been using the empty lot north of Maverik at 2210 N. Park Drive and the shoulder of North Park Drive itself.
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“I wanted to let you know what we are doing at the staff level to encourage commerce at the North Park Drive interchange. As we know, it is a big stopping point for the trucking and logistics industries. There is quite a bit of vacant property out there, some of which is owned by the city. The old truck stop is sitting vacant, but barricaded. The city has property three parcels north of Maverik on the east side of the road,” Barkley explained.
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“This might be an opportunity for us to provide a rest area and other services for the trucking community. The truckers get out and spend their money and support our local businesses, so it is critical mass there as far as city sales tax revenues. But it does also cause some problems that are a logistical challenge for our police, fire and medical services regarding homeless people and folks who are in difficult circumstances,” stated Barkley.
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Barkley suggested providing more space for the trucks either on city property or partnering with commercial properties. “We have been thinking of ideas of what we might provide. The other thing we need to do is decide whether the barricades are doing us any service. We really have to focus on how we can get a bigger part of the trucking industry to stop in Winslow.”
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Councilman Robin Boyd said, “I know in the past the main problem was with the leaking fuel tanks at the old truck stop. If we got those taken care of maybe someone would open that place up. Maybe we should pursue that as a city.”
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Mayor Tom McCauley said, “We spoke to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and told them about the tanks and about the asbestos at the old high school. The businesses that are located in the vicinity of North Park are down about 30 percent. We need to maintain our state shared revenue and we need to maintain the jobs. The city property across the street is not being used for anything and so if we were to level that and clean it up, the city could regulate who comes and who goes.”
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No action was taken regarding the situation, but Barkley assured the council that staff will continue to look in to remedies.
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During the call to the public, Winslow resident Olivia Todd came to the podium. She addressed statements made by Councilman Marshal Losey during the Sept. 24 council meeting.
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“Councilman Losey made a statement very obviously aimed at me,” she began. “That statement characterized me as a, quote, “disgruntled ex-employee who is attacking and bullying a current employee,” clearly referring to Finance Director Elias Jouen and hinting at the possibility of barring me from attending or speaking at city council meetings.
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“First, I want to make it clear that the concerns I have over the city’s finances date back to January of this year, shortly after I began working for the city. In March, when I was still employed, I began to ask questions of Mr. Jouen. I was threatened and intimidated by him and his negative behavior toward me escalated until I was terminated without cause in May. I took my concerns to human resources and they were dismissed in June with a three-sentence letter,” stated Todd.
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“Since that time, I have come to you, my elected officials with ongoing and new concerns. I have stated that the citizens have the right to timely and accurate financial information because I genuinely care about the city and want it to be the example of accurate, transparent accounting that I know it could be. I have moved on to new employment and am not a disgruntled ex-employee. I am merely exercising my first amendment rights in an open public meeting,” she concluded.
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Later in the meeting, the council entered an executive session for discussion and legal advice with the city attorney regarding Todd’s complaints and the city’s procedures for handling the complaint and managing department operations. No action was taken, and no discussion was made public upon return to the regular session.
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Also during the call to the public, Winslow resident Naomi Little addressed the council asking for crosswalks at every pedestrian crossing in town and for the police department to be more diligent in enforcing orders of protection.
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Dr. Lula Stago spoke to the council in representation of the Little Colorado Development Corporation and The Diné Group. Stago asked the council to consider donating copy and print supplies to the corporation.
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Winslow High School student Tristan Carrell invited the council members and the public to join WHS for the upcoming block party to be held at 1 p.m. this Saturday at the Eagle Pavilion. Prior to the party, a city-wide clean up will take place in conjunction with WHS Raise the Bar students.
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McCauley proclaimed the week of Oct. 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week. Lieutenant Dustin Cole spoke on behalf of the Winslow Fire Department. “Next week we will be visiting the elementary schools with a fire prevention curriculum. I would like to remind you to have your heaters serviced and make sure your stoves are clear. And of course, with Halloween coming up, make sure you are checking your candy if you have small children. Thank you to the mayor for recognizing the work that we do.”
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McCauley then asked staff to put together a meeting between Winslow Fire Chief James Hernandez, Police Chief Dan Brown and other city administrators regarding mental health. “One of the things that concerns me is mental health awareness for first responders. I want to make sure that the city has well placed and available help for our first responders as needed.”
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In the absence of Councilman Rickey Jackson, the council:
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* Heard the quarterly hospital report. Chief Executive Officer Jack Dempsey introduced new obstetrics doctors Randy Reid and Beth Claxton.
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* Heard the quarterly court report. Judge B.J. Little mentioned 539 traffic cases from July through September which is up nearly 100 incidents from the previous quarter.
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* Approved an ordinance amending a change in language to Title 17 Zoning Chapter of the City Code pertaining to Preservation of Historic Sites and Structures.
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* Approved an extension of 180 days for a real property purchase between the City of Winslow and Payne & Payne Enterprises. The group was required to begin development on the property on North Road in the area of the former golf course within six months of purchase. Arizona Public Service needs a time extension for infrastructure improvements on the property.
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The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the council chambers, located at 115 E. Second St.
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