During the Holbrook City Council meeting on Aug. 27, City Manager Randy Sullivan informed the council that three of the city’s seven wastewater lift stations and that three of those need wall repairs, as sludge and debris are building up around the pumps and motors. These repairs would involve recoating which would help with the longevity. An invitation for a bid for services went out to the public and the city received two responses for a site visit to the project. After the visit, only one bid was received by Cleaninfusion Water and Wastewater Services in the amount of $65,203. This amount would be paid out of the Wastewater Capital Fund. After a brief discussion the motion was approved, with Mayor Kathleen Smith attending telephonically and Councilmember Karina Pack not present.
In another matter, the Navajo County Historical Society requested that the City of Holbrook recognize that organization as the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the city. The Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) only recognizes one per established community and requires that the DMO must be recognized by the municipality and no DMO has been indicated for the City of Holbrook.
The recommendation from City Manager Sullivan was to assign that to the city. “I recommend the council designate the City of Holbrook, then with MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) we could designate the (Historical Society) as that tourism site. That way we could be the lead for the funding, help them out and still work in partnership.”
The council agreed with Sullivan, with Councilmember Robert Black stating he felt the city should be designated the DMO so that it could oversee any grant funds received and that those funds could then be designated to the Historical Society.
Councilmember Pergeson agreed stating, “Tourism benefits us economically as the City of Holbrook. We would be entrusting Navajo County to grant money that would then benefit the city where we wouldn’t have any direct involvement or authority over those decisions.”
Navajo Historical Society President Aaron Colon addressed the council, informing them that the society is a non-profit organization operating as Holbrook’s information center and tourism facility. “We have 12,000 to 15,000 visitors that come to the Historic Courthouse each year. We work with the Arizona Office of Tourism, and the Arizona Office of Tourism said there was not a Destination Marketing Organization on their record and that’s why we came to the city to respectfully say that we have already been doing the job.” He noted that the appointment would enable the Historical Society to secure advertisement opportunities with the AOT, as well as seek out advertising grant opportunities. He also stated that the designation would allow the organization to solicit more grants than a municipal organization.
Director Sherry Reed added her comments, stating that it was the AOT that recommended that they request the designation from the city. “Whatever we would ever do with advertising we would definitely consult the city, because we want to highlight not only the museum and visitors center — we want to make sure we focus with Holbrook.”
Colon asked if that meant the city would also be applying for the grants that would fall under that designation as the society has been doing and had planned to continue doing. “We already know about the grants — we already know about the advertising opportunities. Do you have somebody already designated that’s going to do work that we’ve already been doing for decades?”
Mayor Smith expressed her gratitude to the society but stated, “I do strongly believe that it should be the city organization as the designated marketing organization and continue with that MOU with the Historical Society. They’re great as a visitors site.” She noted that as a DMO, the city needed to think of a bigger picture. “I know working with the Office of Tourism that a lot of their grants are match-based, so it’s expensive. The city will also have access to a lot of the same grants that the historical society or the chamber will.”
After the discussion, the council voted to approve the city as the DMO for the Arizona Office of Tourism, and through MOUs to partner with other organizations, with Vice Mayor Mike Nilsson voting against and Mayor Smith, and councilmembers Black, Pergeson, Tafoya and Pacheco voting in favor.
Services Principal at Stantec Dave Laney, provided the council with an overview of the most recent Northern Arizona Council of Governments Brownfield grant opportunity, noting that this grant — the Northern Arizona Property Reuse and Revitalization Program — will be the third grant that the city will be eligible for. This grant is funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Coalition Assessment Grant. The $1.5 million awarded will run through September 2028, with four different coalition members that can use the grant, including Navajo, Coconino, Yavapai and Mohave counties, and includes all the cities, towns and property owners in those areas.
Laney emphasized that this is not an enforcement program. “If you are a property owner and you want to get an assessment with this grant, there’s no obligation to do anything more. It’s 100% paid for — the assessment with the grant, so there’s no out-of-pocket costs.” He stated that it’s designed to give an assessment as to the condition of a given property to help property owners when determining whether or not to sell or improve the property. Those interested in the grant can learn more at the NACOG website at nacog.org.
When approval was sought for council for the minutes of last month’s meeting, Mayor Smith noted that a change had been made to the minutes. It had been noted that newly selected Councilmember Roxanne Pergeson received a 5-1 vote from the council, including a proxy vote from Councilmember Arcenia Pacheco who was not in attendance. Smith noted that upon conducting research with City Clerk Lisa Hunt, it was discovered that the charter does not allow for a proxy vote, meaning the minutes should reflect a 4-1 vote, not a 5-1, which was corrected. The board approved the minutes for both the meeting and the special meeting.
During summary of events, Counclmember Black expressed concern he had received by the citizens regarding the water trucks for the solar operation under construction that are filling up at the non-potable water station. “They’re backed up solid from early in the morning until late in the afternoon getting water. I’m hearing it takes 45 minutes to fill up those trucks at 5,000 gallons. I’m still concerned on our payment for that.” Adding that this was just for one solar operation and that two more are planned. Sullivan admitted that payment is based on the honor system, with the drivers provided company logs to note the amounts. Black stated he would like to see that done differently.
Sullivan noted that the city will be doing chip sealing beginning in a couple of weeks and that residents are encouraged to use the millings located on the corner of Apache Drive and McLaws Road at no cost to maintain their roads within the city limits.
The council proclaimed the week of Sept. 10-13, as Navajo County Fair & Rodeo week in Holbrook, encouraging all residents and visitors to participate.
The Sept. 10 meeting will be canceled due to the County Fair.
