The Holbrook City Council convened Thursday, July 28, and approved a resolution for a Transmission and Access Easement Option agreement with Snowflake Solar LLC, in the amount of $156,000. Dustin Thompson with Snowflake Solar spoke to the council in regards to the agreement. “We are looking to build a large utility solar farm on Bill Jeffers’ land. In order to facilitate that interconnection of the power into the Cholla substation, we have to construct the transmission line as well and bring it down to that substation. Part of that path would be through the City of Holbrook.”
According to the Transmission Easement Description within the agreement, the precise location of the easement shall be determined by Snowflake Solar with the consent of the city. The easement will be approximately 2.13 miles in length, will include approximately eight to 10 transmission line structures located approximately 1,160 to 1,700 feet apart and shall not exceed 200 feet in width. The easement shall be located from north to south along Golf Course Road.
The council approved a zoning change for Mark Nicholson, Vendoil Holdings, LLC, located on 902 Navajo Blvd. to change from R-C Residential Commercial to C-2 General Commercial. This is in order to relocate the Super Fuels from 866 Navajo Blvd. to that location.
During the summary of current events, Mayor Merrill Young thanked those who helped with the Star Inn fire that took place earlier that day, which included the Holbrook, Joseph City and Winslow fire departments. Mayor Young also encouraged citizens to go see the new additions to Hunt Park. “If you haven’t gone by Hunt Park and looked at the new dugouts and stuff that’s going on over there, please run by and take a look at that.”
City Manager Ted Soltis stated the Brownsfield Assessment Grant is now available on the Holbrook city’s website at www.HolbrookAZ.gov under quick links. “The chamber is also going to be providing some additional information on Brownsfield Assessment Grant. They have a meeting at the Mesa Italiano banquet room on Aug. 11 at 4 p.m.”
Soltis also mentioned that there is an opening on the Planning and Zoning board which expires Oct. 15, 2025. “If you’re interested, please send your letter of interest to City Hall.”
With the city’s swimming pool season coming to a close, Soltis stated that the city will begin with repairs. “We’ll be replacing the pool heater, damaged tiles, and cracked concrete. We have one of the showers that needs to be repaired. We’ll be recoating the floors; we also have new tables and chairs.”
Soltis added there will be a new Dollar Tree store coming to Holbrook, where the former Magnuson Hotel stood. Construction will begin in August.
During the meeting, two citizens spoke at call to the public for non-agenda items. Sammy James addressed the council, voicing the problems he was having with shipping companies being unable to find his home on Anita Drive and asked for a sign that states the addresses down that certain road. James also mentioned having an issue with trash pickup, to which Mayor Young recommended he speak to City Manager Ted Soltis on the matter.
Barbara Blythe also spoke to the council in regard to her running for city council and how much she enjoys living in a small town.
