The Holbrook City Council held its regular meeting Wednesday, with the council approving a zone change for Parcel 109-13-008A to agriculture to allow for the intended use of leasing out a portion of the parcel to Daniel Hutchens for the development of a motocross track, which would cover approximately 110 acres. The parcel is located on the south end of Holbrook, behind the Public Works building west of Highway 77 and north of Highway 377. Hutchens explained the need for an organized racetrack in Northern Arizona, mentioning long travel times being an upward of over seven hours round trip.
“I do have some numbers that I estimated. It’s 30 to 50 riders that practice daily, and that may even jump. When I do races, I’ve estimated about 200 people coming in per day.”
Hutchens stated he received hundreds of comments in support of building a racetrack on social media. His intent is to make it an alcohol free, family friendly space and believes it will increase tourism within the city.
A zone change requested by Kelly Young Hatch was approved as well by the council to change Parcel 109-24-065 from Industrial to General Commercial C-2 with the intended use of turning into short-term rental spaces for RVs. The site is located on the northern side of the city west of Navajo Blvd., between Commerce Avenue and West Vista Drive.
Both zone changes were recommended for approval by the Zoning and Planning Committee.
Councilmember Arcenia Pacheco discussed changing pool hours after hearing from citizens who asked for it to be open on Sundays, as well as adding a public use phone for pool visitors to have access to. The pool is currently open Monday through Saturday and closes at the end of July.
Interim City Manager Randy Sullivan stated that an internet connected phone will be installed in the future but a phone that will utilize a Verizon hotspot for service will be installed and should arrive the following week. “The phone number over there is going to be 524-1010,” Sullivan stated.
Sullivan also explained that it would have been best to address pool hours prior to opening for the summer, as the calendar is already full and schedules have been set, making the transition more difficult. “I think I would suggest that this be tabled for the next city manager,” he stated, referring to Sharon Jakubowski who will start as city manager on June 24.
Another uncertainty mentioned was the lack of staffing, as the pool currently has only seven lifeguards.
The council acknowledged the wants voiced by citizens, but ultimately determined it would not be feasible to implement any changes during the current season and tabled the motion.
Prior to the council’s discussion on the topic, Holbrook resident Sarah Meeks voiced her support for having the pool open on Sundays via email, which was read aloud by Mayor Kathleen Smith during the call to the public for agenda related items. While Meeks approved of more pool hours, she did cite concerns over the need to hire additional staff.
During call to the public for non-agenda items, two residents spoke. Kevin Self submitted a request to install security cameras in the city’s gym, as equipment keeps getting broken. Self also asked that cleaning materials be restocked on a regular basis.
Scott Self with the Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse addressed the council in regard to donations for the organization as well. “It’s in need of funding. We need to train. We need equipment. This is going to be a search and rescue organization first, and we want to be in a situation where we can contribute to give back to the community.”
Navajo County Economic Developer Director and Executive Director of RealAZ Chris Pasterz presented to the council on potential economic developmental avenues for the city to take in the future for industry recruitment, citing a motocross park development and solar projects.
Pasterz also talked about developers who are currently in need for industrial lands for the forest industry. Although Holbrook topography does not consist of any forests, surrounding areas like the Coconino Forest and the White Mountains do. “One of the things that we’ve identified is, where are the industrial lands that are copacetic for forest industry. And one of those properties that we’ve identified is actually here in Holbrook,” adding that they are currently marketing that land to forest industry partners.
Chief Executive Officer of Little Colorado Medical Center (LCMC) Travis Udall spoke to the council during the meeting as well, stating he would like LCMC to be more active in the City of Holbrook.
The council also approved the tentative budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025. Interim City Manager Sullivan noted that there will be some changes with the new city manager joining, but approving the tentative budget will set the city’s expenditure limit and keep them on track. Money will still be able to be moved around within the budget but cannot exceed the expenditure limit of approximately $12 million.
The council approved the canvass of the complete official results of special election for expenditure limitation override that was held on May 21, 2024.
Resolution 24-07 amendments were also approved to the Rural Arizona Group Health Trust (RAGHT) agreement and declaration of trust dated July 1, 2012, for the purpose of providing health benefits to city staff.
The following day the council held a special meeting, in which they approved the Northeastern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Agreement.
The Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe signed onto the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, which, if confirmed by Congress, will enable the three tribes to claim a share of Colorado River water.
