During last week’s meeting of the Winslow City Council, Arizona Public Service’s (APS) Public Affairs Manager Jessica Perry presented a proposed renewal of the city’s franchise agreement with the utility, a 25-year arrangement that governs how APS operates within Winslow’s public rights-of-way. Perry said the current agreement, which has been in place for roughly 25 years, is set to expire in 2028, and the renewal process is being brought forward early to align with election timelines and avoid the cost of a special election. “A franchise agreement is essentially how we operate in the right-of-way,” Perry told council, explaining that the agreement outlines responsibilities for infrastructure placement, restoration following construction work and the relocation of facilities when city projects require it.
The agreement also includes a 2% franchise fee collected from customers and passed on to the city in lieu of certain permitting fees, while still requiring APS to go through the standard permitting process for projects. Perry said the renewal will require voter approval and, if supported by council, will be placed on the November ballot. APS covers its share of election costs as well as legal notices and customer outreach. She noted that if voters do not approve the agreement, APS would continue providing electric service but without the updated franchise framework governing its operations within city limits. The council approved the measure to appear on November’s ballot.
Earlier in the meeting, residents used the call to the public to raise questions ranging from infrastructure concerns to development transparency, while also sharing information about upcoming community events. One resident, Raymond Lucero, asked whether the city had received any information about potential impacts from a recent earthquake west of town, including whether any underground shifts could affect the city’s reservoir. He also referenced state-level water policy and asked whether changes could impact Winslow’s water resources.
Resident Ann Schmidt raised questions about the city’s relationship with developers, including whether any non-disclosure agreements had been signed and how questions from residents are addressed publicly. She also thanked city staff for being accessible but emphasized the importance of answering questions during public meetings.
Council members and community members also highlighted a series of upcoming events, including the return of the local farmers market, scheduled to begin April 20, at the Eagles Pavilion, along with an arts festival at Route 66 Plaza and several Route 66-themed events planned in the weeks ahead. Additional community activities mentioned included a St. Mary’s Food Bank distribution and seasonal events tied to summer programming.
Chief Deputy Randy Moffett with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office provided a detailed overview of operations, staffing and enforcement activity over the past year, emphasizing cooperation with local police departments and a focus on both enforcement and rehabilitation. Moffett said the department handled more than 34,000 calls for service and over 15,000 dispatch events, while also highlighting ongoing efforts to address drug trafficking, including a decline in fentanyl pill seizures compared to the previous year. The department also described specialized units such as its regional SWAT team, aviation resources and major crimes task force, along with a recent case in which a deputy located a missing 13-year-old near Sun Valley during a traffic stop and returned her safely to her family.
In addition to enforcement, sheriff’s officials emphasized expanded services within the county jail, including increased medical and behavioral health staffing and programs aimed at addressing substance abuse. Moffett described those efforts as part of a broader shift toward rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses, noting that inmates now have greater access to treatment and counseling services than in previous years.
A quarterly report from the Justice Court Judge B.J. Little outlined activity from January through March, including hundreds of traffic violations and misdemeanor cases processed through the justice and municipal courts. Court officials also highlighted the implementation of a new program designed to connect individuals struggling with substance abuse to treatment resources, providing an alternative pathway within the justice system focused on recovery.
The Old Trails Museum reported continued growth in programming and outreach, with a focus this year on the Route 66 centennial. Museum Director Ann-Mary Lutzick said the facility hosted more than 3,000 visitors in 2025, along with thousands more through off-site exhibits and online engagement. The museum also participated in a statewide traveling exhibit tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, which drew significant attendance and community interest. Mayor Birdie Cano told Lutzick that she spoke to tourists in town who had a great time learning about local history at the museum and thanked her for all her hard work.
City Manager David Coolidge also provided a brief update on ongoing projects and legislative activity, noting that several bills at the state level could impact local governments, including measures related to housing standards, municipal lobbying and infrastructure costs. Locally, Coolidge said construction is progressing on downtown restroom facilities, street maintenance projects are underway and recent improvements such as the all-access playground are nearing full completion.
At the close of the meeting, council weighed a request by the Route 66 Baggers for $300 to support a cornhole tournament against the remaining balance in the city’s community events fund, which Vice Mayor Jim MacLean said had about $1,000 left and was intended to support the large Winslow fireworks show. During the discussion, Coolidge said the organization that typically puts on the fireworks display is no longer able to obtain the required insurance, meaning the city will step in to provide that coverage. Coolidge said that shift will result in an estimated $3,000 in in-kind costs to the city.
“That’s why a lot of places have moved to drone shows, it’s easier to get insurance,” Coolidge said. With that context, council ultimately agreed to approve the $300 request for the cornhole tournament while acknowledging the remaining funds are limited and tied to supporting the fireworks show.
As part of the meeting, council approved updates to city regulations that shift authority over several development review processes from the council to the city manager in order to comply with state law. The changes stem from Arizona Revised Statute § 9-500.49, as amended by House Bill 2447, which requires that a range of development-related applications, including site plans, plats, land divisions and design review plans, be approved administratively based on objective standards rather than through public hearings. The update also allows for “at-risk” submittals for certain preliminary work, such as grading and infrastructure, before final approvals are completed. The law took effect Dec. 31, of last year and that adopting the ordinances now ensures the city remains in compliance moving forward.
In other business, the council:
* Approved reappointment of Brian Law and Ross Black to the Historical Preservation Committee.
* Approved agreement between the city and Flagstaff United to operate a soccer league at Val Lopez Sports Complex at no cost to the organization.
* Approved a Little League agreement for 2026 season for use of city-owned fields and $4,999 for operation of the program.
