The Holbrook City Council convened July 14, during which they received a presentation on the Brownfield grant by Stantec Principal of Environmental Services David Laney. Absent and excused from the meeting were Councilman Tim Dixon and Vice Mayor Francie Payne.
Stantec is a consultant to coalition communities that are taking part of the Northeast Arizona Property/Business Revitalization Program, administering the Brownfield grant.
“This is an effort by communities in Navajo and Apache counties to identify, plan for, and provide technical assistance and funding to property owners who want to reuse, redevelop and in some cases expand their property or their business,” explained Laney, adding that there is an emphasis on vacant and underutilized properties in an effort to improve economic development.
The grant is paid for by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Assessment Grant, which amounted to $600,000 and was awarded in May of 2021. “This is a three-year grant, it runs until Sept. 30 of 2024,” stated Laney. “The communities that have access to this include Holbrook, Pinetop/Lakeside, Eager, Springerville and St. Johns.”
The grant is available to both privately and publicly own properties. Although Brownfield grants are typically considered sites where future use is affected by contamination, Laney explained this grant can apply to any property that has fallen into disrepair. “There’s a variety of reasons why we have these properties, but what they all have in common is that they have potential to be something else and something better than what they are.”
Laney also explained the process of the grant. “The first thing that we always do is we do a ground field inventory.” This involves looking for locations with past potential contaminations, underutilized locations that might be desirable for businesses, or places with a history of tax delinquency with owners that need assistance to improve. This ground field inventory was done in May, which located 74 potential sites over the five communities.
“The second thing we do with this grant is we just have community outreach and engagement.” Fact sheets are provided to the public, one for property owners and another for members in the community. Public meetings will also be held to inform people about the grant.
The third thing that is done with this grant is develop a site nomination form. “This is so that property owners can formally enroll in the program. It’s just a two-page form, it’s very simple.” Laney also explained that the biggest eligibility requirement is if the current property owner is responsible for any contamination. “We have had very few that have not gotten through. Generally speaking, most of these get approved.”
Once approved, several assessments and surveys are done. Laney also clarified once assessments are complete, owners are not enforced to take care of issues that are found, but free advice, options and cost estimates can be given.
“Cities that are in the coalition can get area-wide plans. That is a plan that helps to address some issues that might cause developers to want to avoid your city.” Laney added that some area-wide plans can include a market analysis, which help cities find businesses they can ideally attract and retain, or how to improve to get certain businesses.
“The one thing this grant won’t do is clean up,” explained Laney. He did explain that there are options for cleanup funding and help in finding them is available.
“The main thing about this grant is that these never succeed unless everybody in the community knows about the grant and gets involved at least to the extent that people talk about it.” Laney implored city government workers talk to property and business owners about the grant and encourage them to apply.
“Average property values increase 5% to 15% on average. And it’s not just the Brownfield property but properties within a four-block area around it.”
To access the Brownfield grant application, go to the Apache County website under Community Development Department or contact the City of Holbrook for a physical copy.
During call to the public for items not on the agenda, Connie McPherson addressed the council in regards to there being no phone at the city swimming pool. “I kind of would like to know what is the policy and procedures on the use of personal cellphones being used at this time at the pool. Because that’s what was told to me, that the lifeguards would use their personal phones,” she stated.
McPherson tried to contact the pool the day prior while her grandchildren were there to figure out if it would be closing due to weather conditions, to which she could find no way to contact the pool. She then called the city offices, which informed her about the lifeguards using their personal phones. “I would like to know basically what is the plan for providing a phone for the pool because it is a safety issue and I’d be curious to know what the safety plan would be for the pool if an emergency does arise because I haven’t found anything.”
McPherson added that she had contacted other community pools in the surrounding areas, all of which have a designated phone.
Arcenia Pacheco also addressed the council during the call to the public for non-agenda items. “I just wanted to ask if there was a plan of action for the water situation in Sun Valley and why is it continuously brown and dirty.” Pacheco expressed concerns that a friend of hers living on Encanto Street informed her that her bathtub had been backed up with brown sewage water for the second time since June.
During the summary of current events, City Manager Ted Soltis stated he ordered new baseball benches for Lizitsky Park and four tables with umbrellas for the pool. Two vehicle orders for a pickup and a dump truck were canceled.
“We ordered them and they just canceled our vehicles. Apparently, there’s a supply and demand issue. Hopefully, the remaining dump truck, which we have prioritized for the cemetery, will not be canceled.” Soltis also discussed meetings for safety improvements for the railroad crossing on Navajo Blvd. “The big concern is what’s the traffic reroute going to be. They want to close the interchange for at least 48 hours and we are letting them know what our concerns are.”
Soltis mentioned Arizona Public Service is having an elected and community leaders meeting from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, in Flagstaff. He will also be attending an out-of-state Brownfield conference to collect important information for the community. “The conference is 100% grant funded at no cost to the city.”
