The Holbrook City Council held a meeting Feb. 14, during which the council provided a public notice that Holbrook will hold a primary election Tuesday, July 30, and a general election Tuesday, Nov. 5. There will be three council member positions open each for a four-year term and one mayor position for a four-year term. The terms that will be completed include those held by Vice Mayor Mike Nilsson and councilmembers Tim Dixon and Teri Tafoya. Information and candidate packets are available at city hall and must be filed by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 8.
Also, on the ballot will be Proposition 434 for the renewal of the Arizona Public Service (APS) Franchise Agreement and Proposition 433 Alternative Expenditure Limitation. Voter registration deadline for primary election is July 8. For more information, call the City Clerk’s Office at (928) 524-6225.
Janet Dean and Jessica Perry with APS presented on the renewal of the franchise agreement with Holbrook. The agreement is a contract between APS and Holbrook to ensure mutual coordination and to help clearly outline the roles of each party. Perry explained regarding the renewal stating “If the ballot does not get approved by voters, that does not mean we’re going to cancel your electricity and stop serving customers in your city. It’s strictly just to provide the contract between us and the city to work in your right-of-way.” Council approved the franchise agreement, which will then go on the ballot for voter approval.
The Alternative Expenditure Limitation is on this year’s ballot due to previous management under Ted Soltis failing to notify council to a public vote last year, which is required every four years. Due to the election not being conducted, the city’s current fiscal year is bound by the State of Arizona’s imposed limitations, which are lower than the actual budget. “Right now, we are on that during this budget year, which is about $8.2 million. And we have a $15 million budget, so it’s pretty crucial that we get it passed,” explained Interim City Manager Randy Sullivan. This special election for the Alternative Expenditure Limitation proposition will ensure next year’s budget is not constrained by state limitations. After the May election, there will be another one in July to extend it for another four years.
At the behest of Councilmember Tafoya, the council discussed Personnel Policy Section 207, which refers to weapons in the workplace. “The reason I asked for this to be on the agenda is I saw something on Facebook, from a concerned citizen about weapons. And then I also received some phone calls from citizens regarding weapons with city workers.” She further explained that she spoke to the Interim City Manager Sullivan and reviewed policy, which states that city employees shall not have in public view any handgun, firearm or other weapon unless the employee is authorized to carry the weapon by the city manager. “I feel that there should not be any reason that a city employee should have to carry a handgun to work except for our police officers,” she stated, noting that the policy does not apply to them. She requested the policy be reworded to remove the condition of authorization by a city manager, so that no employee can have a weapon while on duty or in a city-owned vehicle.
Councilmember Dixon stated that he and Vice Mayor Nilsson were part of rewording of this document last year to include the authorization. “The reason that we put this in here is because Holbrook is a small community and there have been victims of domestic violence that have worked for the city and other entities around here and we didn’t want them to be totally unprotected.” He emphasized the need for the city manager to do their due diligence to ensure staff was of sound mind before allowing them to carry a weapon. “I did not want to remove the ability for a victim that works for the city to defend themselves.”
Tafoya questioned if Dixon really believed if in a scenario where a domestic violence aggressor would come to a city employees’ workplace, it would be acceptable for employee to shoot that person. “Would the city not be liable?”
Dixon countered that it would be legal if it was self-defense and asked in turn as to why that would not be reasonable. “If the aggressor of a domestic violence or other crime were to approach a victim in a seated vehicle or in other parts of the city during the person’s employment, would they not have the right to defend themselves against something that might be lethal?”
Tafoya stated they could call 911, and Dixon explained that things can happen quick, to which Tafoya replied that so can accidents where staff could shoot someone else.
Mayor Smith noted that the incident Tafoya mentioned from Facebook was unfounded. “It wasn’t a gun on them. So, I just want to clarify that.”
Tafoya further questioned that if staff asks to carry a weapon, would there be documentation or proof needed. “I have never had an employee come and ask for this. I don’t know,” answered Sullivan.
Vice Mayor Nilsson questioned if this has ever been an incident where city employees have ever even carried a gun, and Sullivan stated that it has never happened to his knowledge.
Tafoya added she had never heard of it happening either despite the inaccurate Facebook posting, explaining “I felt as a council person, I needed to address it, I couldn’t just sweep it under the rug.”
“I really wouldn’t want to authorize anybody to be doing that,” stated Sullivan, “I think as a city manager I would be very hesitant to just allow an individual to have a gun, unless there were some extreme situations.” He added that if it did occur that council and all employees should have a right to be aware of it.
Dixon explained he believed that there should be an interview and documentation process and only under extreme circumstances.
Councilmember Robert Black said he doesn’t think the city manager should be making that decision at all but rather the chief of police.
Councilmember Arcenia Pacheco agreed that there should be clarifications in place before allowing employees to conceal carry. She noted as well that it could create unneeded tension. “You also have workplace issues or when two employees are not seeing eye to eye, and it could come off as threatening or intimidating to another employee.”
Sullivan was directed to speak to Police Chief Nathan Christensen and come back with a process for approval if needed, as well as safety training.
The council approved entering into an agreement with Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) for a grant for water meter upgrades. This is a project that has already begun with Sun Valley being the first route to receive the new meters. The grant will allow meters to be implemented quicker than originally anticipated, going from five years down to two to complete. The grant requires a 25% match that will come from capital improvements from the 2024-25 budget. The grant will provide $528,000 with a 25% match from the city of $176,000, for a total of $704,000.
There was a discussion on updating the Holbrook logo and motto in conjunction with Sullivan updating the city website. The idea received positive reactions and will be put on the agenda for the next work session.
Sherry Reed gave an annual update on the Navajo County Historical Society, who announced that they had over 500 visitors at the Historic Courthouse since last month. She included construction work that has been on the building, such as closing an open gap between the west end and an annex building and completing roof repairs. The society also has a new grant writer which will help fund some other repairs needed to be done as well.
There will also be a new Historic Railroad room. “I’m hoping to bring more people to Holbrook that wants to see the historic display.” Another project, both of which set to be complete by June of this year, is a Latino culture display.
“We also have 2025 upgrade plans for our displays. And we are going to focus on a Route 66 display in preparation for the 100th anniversary in 2026.”
The council also reappointed Buddy Dupee and Trent Larson on the Planning and Zoning Commission for another four-year term. Both requested to be reappointed.
During the Call to the Public, Brianna Allison spoke representing the Holbrook High School 2024 Graduation Night Committee requesting donations to Grad Night, “So that we can have a drug and alcohol-free grad night.”
Mayor Kathleen Smith noted that the council is not allowed to answer directly to requests and statements made during call to the public but added they will follow up with her.
During the summary of current events, Sullivan stated that the city budgeted a Grad Night donation for $1,500 and plan on writing a check for them soon.
Smith reminded the public that on March 6 ASU Just Energy Transition (JET) visioning session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center that is open to the public.
The council then adjourned and went into executive session to discuss legal matters.
