By Nick Worth The Holbrook City Council made some decisions Tuesday evening to help out with the annual Hashknife Posse Pony Express Ride. In front of a room packed with his fellow posse members, Posse Captain Mark Reynolds asked the council for a $500 donation toward the group’s goal of raising $30,000. “This is a budgeted item,” said City Manager Ray Alley. “We had it in the budget and now they’re requesting it.” City Clerk Cher Reyes noted the city had also donated $3,500 from lodging tax revenues to the posse. The council approved the donation. Following that vote, Chief of Police Mark Jackson asked that his department be allowed to escort the posse riders as far as Payson. The escort has been provided by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office in the past, but that department recently severed its ties with the posse and will no longer provide the escort. Jackson told the council the road between Holbrook and Payson is the most dangerous part of the ride, and requested the use of three vehicles for the escort. “And I’d like to ask for two city vehicles with volunteer drivers and amber lights to go on into Scottsdale,” added Alley. “This is a historic event,” said Councilman Phil Cobb. “The city has an obligation to this event and if no one else will take up that obligation, we need to take it up.” The council unanimously approved the use of city and police resources for the escort. In other action Jan. 14, the council: * Discussed finding a new personnel director, since Vickie James resigned that portion of her position with the city. Alley told the council the position is part-time. In response to a question from Vice Mayor Charles Haussman as to whether it was a quarter-time position, Alley replied, “Not even that. It’s only if you have a grievance.” He added it would normally involve only a couple of hours per month. Mayor Jeff Hill suggested hiring an attorney to serve in the position, or to get someone from the League of Cities and Towns. Haussman asked if the city could partner with another governmental entity, such as the county and Carlisle suggested making Alley the interim director until someone else could be hired. “I think, for appearances sake, it would be best if we did not have Manager Alley as the personnel director,” said Hill. He then moved to have Haussman and Councilman Bobby Tyler perform a search for someone to take on the personnel director duties. * Heard from Holbrook Chamber of Commerce President Yvonne Larson, who requested that the council table an item on the agenda regarding changes of job duties for Community Events Coordinator Kathleen Smith, who also serves as the chamber’s executive director. Larson told the council the chamber would like to have some time to meet and discuss the matter. * Tabled the decision on a change of duties for Smith. Alley noted Smith has been “getting more and more involved in community events.” The original agenda item called for the council to consider ending Smith’s involvement with the chamber. “It’s not our goal to make anybody unhappy,” said Alley. “It’s not broken.” After some discussion, Haussman suggested the council schedule a work session with the chamber board to get community input since the position is funded by lodger’s tax. Councilman Wade Carlisle noted he had strong opinions on the function of a chamber of commerce, but that this meeting was not the time to express those views. Councilman Myron Maxwell said the job description for the position is complex, and agreed with Haussman that it needs a work session. * Heard a report on the status of the new fire truck from Fire Chief Cary Simpson, who told the council the new truck, to be named Engine 14, is built and ready for a final inspection. Simpson said he and one other fire officer will be going to Pennsylvania to do a final inspection. “We hope it meets all our expectations,” Simpson said. Alley added that the truck is paid for in full; there is no financing on it. * Heard a report from City Librarian Wendy Skevington, who asked the council to accept the award of a $30,000 grant to build a portico on the west side of the library to shade the doors to the building, and to keep snow and ice off the handicap ramp during the winter. “The grant must be matched dollar for dollar,” said Skevington. Alley told the council $10,000 has been budgeted for the project in this year’s budget and the rest would have to be included in next year’s budget. The council approved the grant unanimously. * Heard from Cindy Tafoya, who requested the council’s support for the Hashknife Posse. * Approved a joint proclamation with the Mayors of Payson and Scottsdale naming Jan. 27 through Feb. 1 as Hashknife Pony Express Week. * Rescheduled the Jan. 28 council meeting in order to attend the sendoff dinner for the Hashknife Posses Pony Express ride. The next regular council meeting will take place on Feb. 11. * Approved the renewal of a lease of warehouse space located at 993 Hermosa Drive to Operation 29:11. * Approved drafting an ordinance for a lease to Operation 29:11 for use of a dormitory building at 999 Hermosa Drive. * Approved expenditure of funds to Navapache Fence Company in the amount of $9,508.98 for fencing around the water tanks. * Approved guaranteeing the continuation of services at the Holbrook Extended Care facility for five years past the closeout of the fiscal year 2013 Community Block Development Grant. * Recessed into executive session for approximately 1½ hours to receive legal advice. * Approved claims payments. * Approved claims payments to Walt’s Hardware for $1,772.42.