The Winslow Arts Trust (WAT) was formed in 2010 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving history and showcasing the cultures of Winslow, Las Vegas, N.M., and the historic Route 66, Santa Fe Railway and Fred Harvey transportation corridors that connect them.
Affiliates of the trust include Snowdrift Art Space and El Gran Art Garage in Winslow as well as the WAT Museum, located on the grounds of the historic La Posada Hotel.
WAT Director Anne Doyle addressed the Winslow City Council last week and invited them and members of the community to visit the WAT Museum.
She said, “The goals of the WAT are to preserve history and to make the museum engaging. We would love to work with organizations for different collaborations.”
The WAT, located at 333 E. Second St. is open to the public and does not have an entry fee. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Tuesday and is closed Wednesday and Thursday. Current exhibits include Life Along the River Ancestral Hopi at Homolovi and a display of original China dishes from Fred Harvey train cars on loan from the Harvey Girls in Winslow.
In other business, and in the absence of Councilwoman Melissa Nelson, the council:
* Heard a quarterly report from the Winslow Library in which Librarian Brandee Leary thanked local businesses for contributing to the summer reading program. She said, “We had 312 registered readers, more than we have ever had.”
* Heard a status update from Interim City Manager David Coolidge. He mentioned the recruiting process for hiring a new manager is active and he has already received nine applications.
* Heard a quarterly report from the Winslow Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center CEO Bob Hall. In it, Hall informed the council of a recent grant award in the amount of $10,000 from the Arizona Historic Route 66 Association. The grant will be used to begin building and curating a railroad themed museum in a boxcar at the Visitor’s Center.
* Heard the finance report for the month of June. Citywide revenues for the months were $1.5 million, bringing the year-to-date total to $20.4 million. Citywide expenditures were $1.7 million, bringing the year-to-date total to $20.2 million.
* Approved an application for a liquor license for the annual Standin’ on the Corner Festival to be held Sept. 23 and 24.
* Approved a resolution designating Finance Director Elias Jouen as the chief fiscal officer for the purpose of officially submitting the fiscal year 2022-23 expenditure limitation report to the auditor general.
* Adopted a resolution authorizing the city to enter into an equipment lease purchase agreement with First Capital Equipment Leasing Corp. for the financing of 31 new vehicles and heavy equipment for various city departments at $297,290 annually with the first payment due July 28, 2023. The total amount to be financed over 10 years is $2,444,891.
* Approved a request for financial assistance in the amount of $3,000 and $3,000 in-kind assistance in the form of police and fire coverage, waste mitigation and public works assistance for the Standin’ on the Corner Festival. The council also waived vendor fees for the event.
* Tabled an agenda item requesting financial assistance for the Just Cruis’n Car Show until more specific information is obtained.
* Approved an ordinance increasing the primary property tax levy to $1.32 per $100 of assessed value of property.
* Approved a request from the Winslow Little League to reimburse the organization in the amount of $5,200 for costs related to the Western Regional Softball Tournament in which the Senior League Girls took third place.
* Approved a motion to pay the interim city manager retroactively to July 13 following an executive session.
* Approved a motion to retain Sanks and Associates as primary consultants on zoning hearings and Brian Law as an alternate for routine planning and zoning matters following an executive session.
* Approved a motion to suspend the agricultural commission’s overseeing of the Mother Road Farmer’s Market for 90 days and appointed Vice Mayor Samantha Crisp as interim supervisor following an executive session.
* Heard an update from Friends of the Library in which Sarah Smithson encouraged citizens to purchase fundraising merchandise including T-shirts, water bottles and leaves for the permanent display tree to help raise money to build a new library facility. The group also has a Go Fund Me page which can be found in the library section of the city website at www.winslowaz.gov/departments/library/friends_of_the_library.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the council chambers, located at 523 W. Second St.
