Following a lengthy executive session during their regular meeting last week, the Winslow City Council voted to move forward in talks with developers Atlas Global Development, Inc.
The company is interested in purchasing 1,200 acres of city-owned land located west of State Route 87 and South of Airport Road. The parcel has been sought after by multiple developers and groups.
The council agreed to move forward with Atlas with the following stipulations: they must guarantee affordable housing on the parcel, they must provide the mayor and council with monthly reports on infrastructure and development and they must host two public meetings prior to Nov. 29.
According to the council, the meetings are intended to gain public input on the projected development of the area. A final decision on the sale of the 1,200 acres will be made during a special meeting of the council on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Atlas Global Development, LLC plans to build homes and facilities to house commercial tenants. There is no timeline for completion of their project(s). The Tribune will report when public meeting dates are announced.
The council also heard a status report from City Manager Dave Coolidge in which he announced a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the amount of nearly $200,000 requiring a $59,000 match. The grant is to be utilized to improve and expand the Mother Road Farmer’s Market over the next three years.
In other business, the council:
* Approved a lease for real property, located at 1814 Airport Road between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the amount of $9,625 annually for purposes as may be determined by NASA.
* Heard a quarterly report from the Justice and Municipal Courts from Judge BJ Little. Little explained that judges are paid per case that counts toward judicial productivity. Meaning, judges make more money when their courts are full. However, he said, “I would rather live in a safe city with more options for things like behavioral health care than have that. My goal is actually to reduce cases in our courts.”
* Approved a mutual aid agreement between the city and the Hopi Tribe for law enforcement services which will give the Winslow Police Department enforcement authority in accordance with Hopi Law Enforcement Services. The purpose is to eliminate uncertainties faced by the tribe, state and city when determining jurisdiction and prosecutorial authority on Hopi land.
* Approved an ordinance adopting updates to the Planning and Zoning Code to reflect the addition of a planning and zoning hearing officer.
* Held a discussion on the current marijuana business laws within the City of Winslow. Vice Mayor Samantha Crisp suggested revisiting the laws to include adding recreational marijuana and revising the current requirement of dual (medical and recreational) licensing. Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Cano added, “It is good to reevaluate these rules to help us attract businesses as well.”
* Proclaimed Saturday, Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
