The Winslow City Council meeting last week began with a call to the public, with citizen Curt Harrington addressing the council regarding his concerns over a development project being proposed by World Homes Initiative on 1,200 acres south of Winslow near the airport. “There is not a lot of transparency, and it is hard to find information on any of it. This is going to impact every man, woman, child and business in this community.” Harrington was referring to a proposal by the developer that looks to bring housing and jobs to the area in a “Smart Living City,” model.
As previously reported by The Tribune, World Homes Initiative plans to revitalize Winslow by bolstering the economy and helping to solve the housing crisis with net-zero carbon footprint technologies. Among these technologies are atmospheric water generation and an energy generator that uses no fossil fuels. The 1,200 acres they are looking to start their project on is currently for sale and being negotiated by legal teams of both the City of Winslow and World Homes Initiative.
Harrington continued, “They are talking about making this a hub for trash and an international airport. They are talking about tens of thousands of jobs but you can’t find anything about it. Where are these 10,000 people going to come from? Where is the transparency on this project?”
Procedurally, the council cannot comment on topics brought forward by the call to the public. However, discussion of the project was on the agenda. Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Cano motioned to move the agenda item to the top of the meeting so the public in attendance may hear it. “With the concern you have in reference to transparency, we have two meetings scheduled next month for the community with the developers. This will be two opportunities to see the presentation and to get to know the people involved, as well as to ask questions. We have also already held two public meetings where you were all welcome. One of which was actually a council work session and is available on the city website to listen to,” stated Cano
Councilman Robin Boyd interjected and referenced an article in The Tribune found in the Aug. 17 edition. He said, “That article should have never been published. It had a lot of falsehoods like saying the 1,200 acres had already been purchased. They didn’t buy those. We are still negotiating that sale.”
Cano explained, “The thing about the article is that it was just reflecting what was said in the work session. Those were the developers’ ideas. There have been no backdoor deals. You can go online and listen to the meetings and you can come to them and participate. That is your right. From this point we will do a better job of outreach and making sure the public knows where they can show up to voice their opinions but ultimately, we are elected officials, chosen to represent you, the citizens. We aren’t going to come to everyone and ask about land sales. In fact, some of that land is owned privately. The bottom line is, we collectively come together as a seven-member council to move forward. Right now, we need housing and we need opportunity. We will see how it fits within our city.”
Councilman Rickey Jackson added, “I missed the work session as a council member. I was able to go online and listen to it and I have to say, the transparency is there, you just have to look for it.”
The council adjourned to an executive session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss the land sale further. Following the session, the council directed city staff to continue negotiations of the sale of the 1,200 acres in question.
Those interested in finding meeting recordings can go from the home page of city website at www.winslowaz.gov to the drop down menu under Government, then City Council, then Agendas and Minutes. The entire list of meetings, special meetings and work sessions is available for public listening.
World Homes Initiative will be returning to Winslow for a subsequent presentation and question and answer session. The first will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Winslow Arts Trust Museum at La Posada, located at 303 E. Second St. The second will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15 in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Winslow High School, located at 600 E. Cherry St. The public is invited to attend one or both presentations.
In other business, and in the absence of Councilwoman Melissa Nelson, the council:
* Accepted a bronze award from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for outstanding compliance with environmental requirements.
* Heard an introduction from Navajo County Supervisor Fern Benally. Benally will now be the supervisor representing Winslow due to redistricting. * Heard a status report from Interim City Manager David Coolidge. He explained the search for a permanent city manager is active and initial interviews will take place this week.
* Heard a financial report presented by Coolidge as the newly hired financial director will begin this week. The citywide revenues for the month of July were $1.5 million and citywide expenditures were $2.3 million. Year to date totals were not provided.
* Approved a purchase in the amount of $184,966 for the conversion of radio/communications towers utilized by the Winslow Police Department.
* Approved an amendment to a use permit for use of the police department’s shooting range by the Winslow Shooting Sports Club. The amendment extends the permit until July 31, 2023.
* Approved an ordinance amending the fee schedule in the city code. The amendments include increasing fees for mobile, manufactured and factory-built building installations from $350 per home to $450 per home. The amendment also adds a rental fee for the use of Eagle Pavilion at $150 plus a $100 deposit.
* Approved a request for $5,000 in monetary assistance and city services for the Just Cruis’n Car Club Car Show taking place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in downtown Winslow.
* Adjourned to executive session to discuss negotiations for the purchase, sale or lease of real property located at 115 E. Second St. The council directed staff to include a stipulation in the sale that future developers use a percentage of the property as a parking lot.
* Adjourned to executive session to discuss negotiations for the purchase, sale or lease of real property located at 102 E. Third St. The council directed staff to schedule an environmental feasibility assessment for the building.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Hubbell Building, located at 524 W. Second St.
