By China Cassidy The Holbrook City Council met on March 26, with Councilman Mark Jackson absent due to illness, and Vice Mayor Francie Payne and Councilman Adam Marsh present via teleconference. Mayor Merrill Young reminded the community that all food establishments have had to make changes to their businesses and encouraged Holbrook citizens to support their privately-owned businesses during this time. He thanked first responders for their continued efforts as their operations continue as usual. He also thanked all city staff for continuing operations as usual. Young also provided a list of websites citizens should access for accurate information and updates regarding COVID-19 including the Navajo Nation Government at Navajo-NSN.gov, the Center for Disease Control at CDC.gov, the Arizona Department of Health Services at azdhs.gov, az.gov, Navajo County Government at navajocountyaz.gov and the City of Holbrook at holbrook.k12.az.us. He also included and the newly instituted 211arizona.org which can also be accessed by dialing 211 from a mobile device. During the call to the public for non-agenda items, Deputy City Clerk Lisa Hunt read a letter from Colleen Dawse Marsh addressed to the city administrators emphasizing the importance of social distancing. Stating that she hoped everyone was well, she then reminded the council of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines stating everyone should keep at least 6’ a part and that no more than 10 people should gather in one place at one time. She admonished the council stating, “This means that you really ought to not be hosting these council meetings anymore, nor advise folks from the public to come attend in person to then put themselves at risk of getting or catching and spreading COVID-19.” She requested that the council move to virtual meetings where the public can either attend live or watch the recording afterwards. “This is an easy and straight forward request and there should be no real limitations to doing this because hundreds of thousands of companies, including my own, meet virtually every day.” Both Mayor Young and Manager Ted Soltis responded by informing everyone that the city’s administration is currently following the guidelines and restrictions set by government officials and they are continuing to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of Holbrook citizens. Soltis reported that the leak detection equipment training that was set to take place in the next few weeks will now be delayed because the employee who was supposed to train the crew cannot do so due to COVID-19 restrictions. Soltis also announced that the Holbrook fitness center will be getting a new coat of paint and new floor. The Machusak recreational center will also have an office removed to expand the space available for entertainment use. “The chairs have been ordered and all the bulbs will be replaced with LED lights,” said Soltis. Soltis said that the library and police department will have their lights replaced with LED lights. He also announced that the modifications he planned to make to the cemetery are in progress. Soltis added that the fence installation at the lake at the golf course was complete and millings have been added to the parking area. Manager Soltis also announced that they are working on getting new equipment that will enable the council to broadcast live meetings again. Councilman Marsh informed the public and council that the Petrified Forest National Park officially closed as of Wednesday, March 25, until further notice due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Anyone wishing to contact the park can still do so via phone but no one will be permitted to enter the park.
