By L. Parsons District II Navajo County Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai addressed the Winslow City Council last week; his first opportunity to do so since taking office last November due to the COVID pandemic. In his presentation, he mentioned that a partnership between the City of Winslow and the Navajo County Board of Supervisors has resulted in getting the attention of Senator Mark Kelly in reference to the Winslow Levee project. Peshlakai said, “Mark Kelly has made a formal request to the Senate Committee on Energy and Water’s appropriations committee for $3 million. That money will be used for design, engineering and construction of a new or refurbished levee.” Due to the recent rains and flash flood conditions, officials from the county and the City of Winslow have been keeping a close watch on the water levels at the levee. Peshlakai explained that despite the rainfall, “The current water level is at four feet below the flood stage and it was never in danger of nor was there any breach during the heavy rains. We did dispatch public works personnel equipment to be prepared to address any breach if it happened, but it didn’t.” Also on the agenda was an agreement for Federal Lobbying Services between the city and Nexxus Consulting, LLC in the amount of $84,000 annually for one year and renewable for an unspecified amount of time. The agreement will hire the firm to represent the city’s interest in the levee project in Washington, D.C. Nexxus Consulting, LLC Managing Partner Robert Holmes said, “We have been working in federal government relations for 20 years and have worked on about six flood control projects in Arizona including the Rio De Flag.” Barkley also spoke saying, “Having a reputable insider in Washington is going to be beneficial, especially now that we have some momentum going.” The agreement was approved unanimously in the absence of councilmembers Melissa Nelson and Robin Boyd. The Winslow Levee must be declared sound by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to take most of Winslow out of the flood plain. This would be beneficial to the town in many ways according to Winslow City Manager John Barkley including lowering existing flood insurance costs. The council also heard from Robert McKinney of the Standin’ on the Corner Foundation. McKinney presented information on the foundation’s plan to mitigate heavy drinking at this year’s Standin’ on the Corner Festival while submitting approval for a special events liquor license application. He said, “We will be monitoring how much people have had to drink and there will be several of us there to make sure everyone has a proper ID and more. We will also be working with the Winslow Police Department.” Councilman Jim Maclean said, “My experience down there is that most people do show restraint but some do lose control. I don’t think opening a beer garden at 10 a.m. is a good idea for the families that would like to spend time down there during the day.” The council approved the application with Maclean entering the only ‘no’ vote. In other business, the council: * Continued a discussion and action on approving a property tax levy and declaring an emergency due to a lack of a proper quorum. * Recognized the Winslow Little League Senior Girls All Star softball team for winning the state tournament. * Heard a quarterly report from City Librarian Brandee Leary in which she spoke about upcoming improvements and expansions planned for the near future. She said, “We were awarded an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) subgrant for $20,000, which we will use for Americans with Disabilities Act compliant outdoor seating made from recycled materials and outdoor musical instruments.” * Approved a memorandum of understanding for the Navajo County Sexual Assault Response Team between the Winslow Police Department and other agencies throughout Navajo County to promote a collaborative response to sexual assault. * Approved an ordinance allowing the Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport Restaurant lease agreement between the City and Steffen Bailon in the amount of $350 per month for one year. Councilman Ricky Jackson recused himself from the vote citing a potential conflict of interest. * Approved an ordinance amending the civil traffic default fee language on the city fee schedule. The amendment removes language requiring the court to notify the Motor Vehicle Division of unpaid sanctions in civil cases. * Approved assistance for the Standin’ on the Corner Festival to be held at Eagle Pavilion on Sept. 24 and 25 in an amount not to exceed $6,000 and in-kind assistance in the form of police security, use of city properties, waiving of fees and assistance in waste disposal and sanitation. * Approved the request from the Just Cruis’n Car Club for its annual car show to be held Oct. 1 and 2 in downtown Winslow in an amount not to exceed $5,000 to cover insurance, waste removal and sanitation as well as the assistance of Winslow police and fire departments. * Heard a quarterly report from Northland Pioneer College by Betsy Wilson, director of NPC Friends and Family. Wilson encouraged future and current students to apply for the many available scholarships at the college website, www.npc.edu. The college will be holding in person classes but will be limiting class sizes and requiring physical distancing.
