The Holbrook City Council convened for a regular meeting last Wednesday, during which the council received the annual historical society report from Bill Parker and Lois Jeffers of the Navajo County Historical Society. Parker provided an overview of the historical society’s history, which began in 1979 and moved into the Navajo County Historical Courthouse a decade later.
Parker touched on new exhibits as well, such as the newly organized typewriter room and an exhibit celebrating Holbrook’s Hispanic heritage. “This exhibit is on the history of Hispanic families who are so important for the settlement of Holbrook, and this is meant to be a constant, growing exhibit as they get more information and more donations from people.”
Another new exhibit is a railroad exhibit complete with a model train. Parker also noted a full-size train engine, an Alco RS36 No. 800 donated by Apache Railway will soon be on display at the old courthouse.
Parker also presented on the museum’s auditorium. “They just redid the entire Route 66 Auditorium in preparation for the centennial of Route 66 next year,” he explained. He touched on a mural planned for the auditorium highlighting the main attractions in Holbrook, with mention of the Petrified Forest, Joseph City, Jackrabbit and Winslow. It was also noted that for the past four years the museum has averaged about 12,000 visitors each year.
Mayor Kathleen Smith thanked Sherry Reed, the historical society’s new director. “She does a fantastic job, her and the whole crew.” Smith also acknowledged Dawn Sawyer for her efforts in promoting Holbrook.
Jeffers stated the organization is a nonprofit and encouraged donations and memberships, which go for as little as $20.
The board approved amending an ordinance by adding the definitions of legal parking space and mobile vending units including food trucks.
According to the new provisions, a mobile vending unit may not operate in a city-owned parking lot unless it is a stall expressly marked as mobile vendor parking, but the unit may operate in a legal parking space in the city right-of-way. It was also stipulated that vendors can only take up one legal parking space within that six-hour time frame.
It was stated that signage will be needed to make vendor designated spots clear. These stipulations exclude special events with the appropriate special event permit.
There was a public hearing the previous meeting during the first reading of the ordinance, which no one spoke at.
The council declared April Happy Holbrook Month. In the proclamation, Councilmember Teri Tafoya read that the council is “Asking citizens to embrace exuberant behavior, a spirit of optimism and dedicate themselves to spending the 30 days soaking up happiness. And whereas a month of happiness will help recognize simple pleasures like a smile. The more in tune with one’s happiness, the more one is inspired to commit good deeds.”
April was also declared in a proclamation as Fair Housing Month, which prohibits discrimination in housing.
A special event liquor license application was approved for Old West Fest on Route 66, which will be put on by the Chamber of Commerce. The event is slated for May 31.
The council received a written petition from resident Meghan Carbonneau last month in regard to trying to get a zoning or ordinance change for the city to allow swine to be kept at local residences for those in 4-H and any other educational purposes.
Mayor Smith spoke to employees about implementing an ordinance similar to the City of Taylor’s to allow for swine. Concerns of how to enforce good practice as well as ensuring neighbors are notified and provide permission were addressed.
Councilmember Arcenia Pacheco stated it would be good to have a way to prove owners of swine are in 4-H or are partaking in educational activities.
Assistant City Manager Randy Sullivan stated he would speak to Animal Control about codes and potential permit options. No action was taken as it was a discussion item only. Staff was directed to present an ordinance for further adjustments and discussion.
The council also discussed the listening sessions that were done in the community regarding improvements to Hunt Park. “At this time, the City Council is asked to review and prioritize these community preferences to provide clear direction to staff,” explained Mayor Smith.
Priorities that stood out were playground improvements, bathroom updates and adding or improving space for organized sports. More shade structures, another splash pad or water feature and community gathering spaces were listed as well.
The council discussed various ideas and improvements that could be made at the park and directed staff to bring some options of things that could be done moving forward.
In discussing community events, Mike Nilsson discussed the community luncheon held at the Holbrook Senior Citizen Center and the hope to host more of those. Little League opened last Saturday. He also noted that Holbrook Cleanup Day is on April 26, and that evening Bunco will be played at the Holbrook Senior Citizen Center at a cost of $20 per person.
Tafoya noted that there are still painted rocks in the community that can be redeemed for prizes at the city office for Happy Holbrook Month.
Sullivan reported that Barrow Field has added a score board to the field to be ready for opening day for Little League. He noted that the city had a department head meeting for what he estimated was the first time in approximately five years. “We’ll be doing these on a monthly basis and there will be a training piece to those meetings for all department heads,” he noted.
He also noted that there are several positions open at the pool and in other positions and encouraged people to apply.
The city meters are in the process of being replaced, and Sullivan asked for patience during this effort. Water should not be shut off for more than 30 minutes for each meter. If there are any extended shutoff times, citizens should contact the city. Work is being completed on the 8th Avenue fence. Lizitsky Park is having some drainage replaced, rebuilding the block fence and solar lights added around the restrooms and better lighting throughout the park. Work is beginning on 13th Avenue, with a main drainage that needs to be added and then the road poured.
“I’m really wanting to promote Holbrook and quality of life again, so we are going to push for an events coordinator in the next budget year. That probably will be open in the next month or two,” stated Sullivan. He also noted that there has been a lot of graffiti lately and that the police department is investigating. “Lizitsky Park was tagged over the weekend, we painted, and it got tagged again the very next night.” He also noted that there is graffiti on private buildings. In those instances, the city will work with private owners and get them paint to cover it up. Sullivan stated that he is already working with the owner of the old Family Dollar building, which was heavily graffitied, to get that cleaned up. He asked that the public report any new graffiti to the police department as soon as it is seen. Mayor Smith added to the conversation, stating that at the next council meeting there will be a discussion on forming a public task force and that those interested in taking part to listen in on that conversation.
The council then entered executive session and following the session, approved to intervene with the Kris Mayes vs. Fondomonte Arizona, LLC., case, which Show Low and Winslow are also taking part. The lawsuit is alleging that the company’s excessive groundwater pumping in La Paz County violates Arizona’s public nuisance law by threatening the public health, safety, and infrastructure of communities in the Ranegras Plain Basin in La Paz County. The complaint, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleges that Fondomonte’s actions have had widespread effects, including declining groundwater levels and escalating land subsidence – harming everyone reliant on the Basin for water. The consultation with legal counsel in regards to the litigation with Anil Patel was tabled.
