The Holbrook City Council convened Aug. 10, during which the council approved the manager selection plan presented by Interim City Manager Randy Sullivan, with some modifications.
The plan outlines as follows: the council will create a city strategic plan and mission statement, then options will be brought to the council for search firm or utilize other options to create manager profile during the months of August and September. A desired city manager profile will then be created and advertised for applications during October and November. After that time, the council will be given a pool of candidates and select no more than five for interviews in January. The interview process and dates will be set with the council and may include city employees and community participation in February. The council will make their final selection and work out an offer and negotiations, as well as manager contract agreement in March, with a new city manager to begin in April.
Councilmember Tim Dixon stated he believed that the city’s strategic plan and mission plan should not be a part of the management selection plan. He also added that the council does not invite city employees and community into the interview process and it should be done in an executive session.
Mayor Kathleen Smith stated she believed the council creating a city strategic plan and mission statement is important to the manager search so they find someone who aligns with city priorities. “If we’re looking for somebody that’s strong in public works, we go with somebody who has experience there. If we’re looking for somebody strong in finances, we go after those, and then we can tell the search firm that.” She added that she didn’t think that the strategic plan needed to be finalized to contribute to the search.
After the discussion the council directed staff to change the verbiage to something more along the lines of identifying council priorities.
Mayor Smith did agree there should be clarification on the employee and community input on the interview process. “I know, in the last manager search, there was a community open house where we were able to meet the candidates, and I know the employees were able to go and discuss. So maybe that just needs to be broken up on a different line item and not necessarily part of the interview process.” She added that it’s important to allow the community to meet the candidates, even if they don’t have a vote in it.
Interim Manager Sullivan explained that during the hiring process of the previous city manager, Ted Soltis, city department heads interviewed Soltis and made their own recommendation to council. “So these were just some suggestions from last time in that last search.”
Councilmember Arcenia Pacheco asked how the council would ensure no bias towards Sullivan if he decided to apply for the position. Councilmember Dixon stated that if Sullivan did apply for the position, he would have to recuse himself and have the city’s attorney take over. Dixon also stated he would like three to five firm options, along with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Sullivan stated he hopes to get information on those by the next council meeting with approximate bids.
The council clarified that the plan is intended to be fluid and be adjusted as needed.
Executive Director of Northland Pioneer College (NPC) Friends and Family Betsyann Wilson provided a presentation on the college and its recent events.
Wilson stated that this year, NPC will provide its first bachelor’s degree certification for Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. “There’s a critical need, as you well know, for educators across Navajo and Apache counties,” added Wilson. Students will be able to enroll into the program during the spring semester, although some students have already begun taking prerequisite classes as well as their associates which can bridge into the program.
“NPC Friends and Family is going to be providing $8,000 in scholarships for the first year for students who need the money, who can show financial need and academic ability because we know that with provisional certification, those students aren’t yet eligible to apply for financial aid, even though a lot of them will need it,” Wilson explained.
She also stated that the college will have three new career technical education (CTE) programs for the fall semester, which were in response to community and workforce needs. The CTE programs offer associate’s degrees in administration of criminal justice, physical health and performance, and computer information systems.
In a separate opportunity, NPC Friends and Family will be partnering with a nonprofit organization called Earned to Learn, which provides students with scholarships of up to $8,000 a year toward their associate degree programs. Wilson explained that this is an intensive program with a goal to help students fund a college education without accumulating debt. They recently began working with community college and this will be their first year partnering with NPC.
Wilson added that Pedal the Petrified, a bike ride fundraiser through the Petrified Forest put on by NPC Friends and Family to raise scholarship funds, will be hosted on Sept. 30. We are fully registered with 250 riders. That’s our capacity,” she stated, “And I have a waitlist of 25.”
The council also approved the amended rates for commercial and non-commercial public information requests. It was noted that documents produced via e-mail and readily available will be no cost. Emailed reports over 20 pages will cost $10. Hard copies of routine records and reports will cost $10 each up to 20 pages and 25 cents per page after. Audio, CDs, DVDs will cost $15. Video/body camera DVD will cost $25 each.
This is the first time the City of Holbrook has updated its information request fees since 2003 and is comparable to what agencies charge, as researched by Holbrook Police Chief Nathan Christensen.
The council also approved the Public Participation Policy, which is required by law to be approved by council for the city’s General Plan.
Sun Valley resident Lynn Huenemann spoke during Call to the Public about the water issues in Sun Valley. Huenemann presented a bottle of brown water, stating that he got it out of his washing machine prior to doing laundry. “I just want to keep the council aware of it in case there’s something that can be done at some point.”
The council approved liquor license officer and ownership changes for the Travel Centers of America. Mayor Smith also proclaimed August as Aviation Appreciation Month.
During the summary of current events, Vice Mayor Nike Nilsson stated that there will be a Bingo and auction for the Holbrook Emergency Food Bank at the Senior Center on Nov. 4, “The Holbrook Emergency Food Bank spends $10,000 every year to provide boxes for families at Christmas,” Nilsson stated, “And so this particular bingo and auction will be to help raise money for those Christmas boxes.”
Councilmember Teri Tafoya gave praise for city sanitation worker Sam Hollins, who she stated did an excellent job of removing weeds after she pulled them up from her alley. “On the other hand, our city workers did work on 8th (Avenue) and Arizona (Street), and they left so much debris from the project just thrown everywhere. It just disappoints me that they couldn’t clean up that mess after they finished that job,” she added that she even went by there before the meeting and it was still there. “I just think that’s something that needs to be addressed.”
Tafoya also said that the Kiwanis Club is currently looking for volunteers to work the Navajo County Fair ticket booths, Sept. 13-16.
Interim City Manager Sullivan stated that the city is making plans to put in a pickleball court at Hunt Park. The city also made the once three-way stop on Eighth Avenue and Florida Street into a four-way stop. “There are two other suggestions on Florida, two that we’re currently looking at,” Sullivan added, asking anyone with suggestions pertaining to that to bring them to the city. The city has also been removing hanging tree branches to ensure stop signs are visible.
Sullivan announced that the city is moving forward with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for water improvement in Sun Valley, specifically replacing the northern tank. “We got a schedule from the builders now and a site plan. They’re working on the geotech on the ground. And we should have that completed by the end of October.” Sullivan added that Sun Valley needs an additional well and has been working with a well driller for quotes on that project.
He explained he’s also been working with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and they’ve identified that a natural mineral called manganese has been the root of a lot of the problems pertaining to the water’s quality and reddish color. “As soon as we’re pumping [the water] from our well, and it sets in that first holding tank, it’s reacting and creating those colors. So ADEQ is coming up with some kind of a filtration system to try to target that.” Until then, Sullivan recommends Sun Valley residents letting the city know when they see that dirty water so they can go out there and flush it.
