Last week’s Winslow City Council meeting ended following an executive session with a unanimous vote to appoint David Coolidge as city manager.
Coolidge had been filling the role since August following the departure of John Barkley. Contract negotiations are still underway, but Coolidge readily accepted the appointment.
He said, “As a resident of Winslow for over 12 years now, I consider this home. Because of my human resources and customer service background, I am passionate about the welfare of our employees while at the same time making sure we have the appropriate human resources to provide necessary services to our community.”
Coolidge has been employed by the city for 15 years and has served in many capacities including IT director and human resources director. “The City Council will provide the vision for our city, and I take responsibility for making that vision a reality for our citizens.”
Coolidge also presented a motion to the council committing $3 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to the building of a new library complex. The council in the absence of Councilwoman Melissa Nelson and the recusing of Councilman Jim Maclean, unanimously approved the motion. The approval was met by cheers from the Friends of the Library members in attendance.
Coolidge said, “In a recent work session and in our community survey, we found a top priority was a new library. We figure that a fully furnished facility including new computers will cost approximately $3.5-$3.7 million.”
Winslow received $3.1 million in federal ARPA funding and has previously committed $100,000 of those funds to a utility assistance program for those struggling to pay their utility bills due to pandemic circumstances.
Coolidge continued, “The council has already budgeted $250,000 for a new library and the county has also agreed to contribute $200,000. The Friends of the Library have also contributed $250,000. With that money and a commitment from the council to $3 million in ARPA funds, the city looks to begin construction on the facility in the spring of 2023, with tentative completion in the fall of the same year.”
The new library is set to be built west of the Winslow Chamber of Commerce on West Second Street.
As interim city manager, Coolidge reinstated an employee recognition program that awards city employees for their years of service to the city. In last week’s meeting, he presented awards to those having worked with the city for one, five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years. Steve Lopez of the streets department was the lone recipient of the 35-year award.
In other business the council:
* Proclaimed Sept.15-Oct.15 as Hispanic Heritage Month; Sept.17-23 as Constitution Week; and Oct. 9-15 as Fire Prevention Week.
* Heard a financial report for August in which citywide revenues were $1.6 million, bringing the year-to-date total to $3.1 million. Citywide expenditures were $1.9 million, bringing the year-to-date total to $4.3 million.
* Heard a status report from the then interim city manager in which he assured the citizens and council that the animal care facility will improve. First, he said, it is under new direction and more employees will be hired. This will allow the director to focus more on grant finding and various projects instead of street patrol.
* Heard a quarterly report from Public Housing Director Kim Salazar. She explained the modernization of the public housing units is still underway but is moving forward. She also mentioned the program meeting all HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) regulations and standards.
* Approved an amendment to a cooperative purchasing agreement with McCauley Construction, Inc., to extend the agreement until May 31, 2023.
* Approved a request for assistance to the Winslow Chamber of Commerce for the 75th annual Christmas Parade. The city will provide road closures and traffic control as well as waive vendor fees for street vendors. The parade will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. To participate, visit the Chamber, located at 523 W. Second St.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
