The Holbrook City Council held a meeting Thursday, Sept. 8, during which the council received a summary of the Brownfields Assessment Grant roundtable meeting that was held on Aug. 11, by Stantec Principal of Environmental Services Dave Laney. Absent and excused from the meeting was Councilmember Tim Dixon.
“The Chamber of Commerce was generous enough to hold the round table event at Mesa Restaurant and we had a pretty decent turnout,” stated Laney, adding that the estimated amount in attendance was 15-20 people.
In that meeting Laney said that he gave the same presentation on the grant that the council received mid-July, which provided an overview of the project and the application process. The effort is to identify, plan for and provide funding and technical assistance to property owners with the emphasis on blighted underutilized and contaminated property. The end goal being to reuse, revitalize and redevelop the property and improve economic and workforce development.
The $600,000 grant that has been awarded will shared between Navajo and Apache counties and the communities of Holbrook, Pinetop-Lakeside, Eagar, Springerville and St. Johns, with no matching funds required. It was noted that there are 21 potential Brownsfields grant sites identified in Holbrook: three auto repair shops, eight gas stations and 10 older buildings that could benefit from the grant.
A report provided by Laney, showed that those in the group were asked what they felt were priorities to be addressed for economic development, what they envisioned the main street areas of Holbrook to become and the community benefits. Those who awarded funds for the assessment will also have other grant opportunities for development and the likelihood of receiving additional grants will increase if the assessments have already been completed.
Laney added that he also spoke to Mayor Kathleen Smith and City Manager Ted Soltis about potential sites that could benefit from the grant. “Over the next four to six months we will be working with a stakeholder group and then we’ll come up with some recommendations,” said Laney, adding they will also hold an additional public meeting at some point early next year.
Mayor Smith added that during the roundtable meeting another grant was mentioned that conducts a strategic plan on a selected area and that the city will be applying for it. Manager Soltis further explained the grant stating, “The end result is we get a nice report, and it will answer a variety of questions, provide us some guidance and provide some recommendations.” This report will help give guidance for future decisions.
As a matter of business, the council approved the purchase of a Maxi-Pro 4 UIV Cold Fog Applicator, which is used to combat mosquitos. “The one we have currently was bought in 1998, making it 24 years old,” stated Golf Course Superintendent Steve Rutherford. “It’s getting very frustrating to keep it going.” It was also noted the fogger will be use throughout the city and not just at the Hidden Cove Golf Course. The cost for the fogger is $16,414.
Navajo County Fairboard Chairman Mike Sample invited the council to the Navajo County Fair which will be held Wednesday through Saturday this week. Sample also encouraged council members to attend the opening ceremonies as well as the 4H and FFA clubs’ fundraiser Friday morning. “It’s a $10 entry fee and the money that’s raised from those funds go towards the kids.”
During summary of current events, Mayor Smith gave a summary of what her, the councilmembers and city manager have been doing over the past month.
“I was introduced to the Arizona Leagues of Cities and Towns Executive Director Tom Belshe and quite a few members of his staff. They’re a great resource for us and they’ve offered to come up and do any kind of training or any type of assistance we need.”
Smith also talked about attending a rural policy form that was held in Winslow by nonprofit organization Local First Arizona, which discussed the challenges and solutions of rural communities in the area.
“I also met with the Holbrook Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Koerperich, Northland Pioneer College President Chato Hazelbaker and Supervisor (Alberto) Peschlakai,” stated Smith, “They wanted to start a discussion on how can our four entities can really work together. A lot of the same issues we have, they have.”
Smith also talked about attending an Arizona Public Service (APS) update meeting on Aug. 22 with Councilmember Mike Nilsson and City Manager Soltis. “I’m really impressed with their president and the direction they’re taking with APS.”
Soltis added that the city is going to take advantage of some energy saving programs that they offer. “We’re going to be installing more LED lighting, putting in some new windows, and we’ll be able to get some rebates back for that,” he stated.
Smith and Soltis also attended the Apache and Navajo counties Mayors and Council Members Association. They met with Sierra Fuller, who is the legislative assistant for Congressman Tom O’Halloran to speak about the needs in the Holbrook area.
In addition, Smith attended a Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) meeting and the Arizona League’s annual conference in Glendale. Smith extended thanks to the city of Show Low for their showcase of cities event as well as the Hashnife Posse, the Navajo County Historical Society and Phil Cobb for donating giveaway prizes for the event.
For upcoming events, Smith stated that APS is hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to two p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) at the Holbrook Senior Center “They can help find assistance programs for anybody needing it or any other money saving options.” Councilmember Nilsson added that it’s possible for some Holbrook residents to get a 25% reduction on their electrical bill as well as receive help from local charities who offer rent and bill assistance, which will all be discussed during the open house.
City Manager Soltis discussed attending the Brownfields conference in Oklahoma City, which was paid for from the grant. “It was a good opportunity to get ideas for Holbrook.”
Soltis also addressed the city cleaning up after the heavy rainfall in recent weeks. “We’re getting up the sand, the mud and debris that wash into the roads. We still have more work to do.”
Soltis discussed the railroad crossing on Navajo Blvd., which will be closing for repairs. “It’ll be closed Oct. 22 starting at 1 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.” He added that the closure may be extended to Oct. 25. There will also be some bridge repair on Hermosa Street this coming month as well.
