Holbrook Senior Citizens Center to get a remodel

The city is allocated these funds once every two years and this is the year of allocation for the city. Blythe informed the council that the amount to be received will be $271,163, with $48,109 of that to go to administration of the project and the balance of $222,254 for the project itself. The city is allowed to select one project every two years and the project presented is the rehabilitation of the Holbrook Senior Citizens Center, located at 216 Joy Nevin Ave., which was the only applicant for the funds.

The scope includes, replacing everything in the kitchen including the appliances, the lighting in the center, remodeling of the bathrooms for ADA compliance, electrical in the kitchen and bath, a new walk-in refrigerator and shelving in the pantry. The exterior will be repainted and repaired, with new lighting outside as well. There will also be double-paned windows installed, new insulation and new metal exterior doors.

“This is a worthwhile project, our senior citizen center has been neglected for too long,” stated Mayor Kathleen Smith. It was clarified that this is for the center, not the extended care facility next door with it being noted that this facility serves approximately 160 people per month. Blythe also stated that the wages for her work are fully also funded through grant funds.

After the application is submitted in April, the award of funds expected in October with the work expected to take up to 18 months to complete. The council unanimously approved the resolution to submit application to the Northern Arizona Council of Governments, who funds the project.

The council also discussed the fiscal year 2024-25 budget due to four departments above projected expenditures. It was noted that increased costs were due to numerous attorney fees, roof repairs to the city offices and the costs of fully funding the building/code enforcement department. After reviewing the finance statements for January, expenses were reported to be even higher for administration staff. Currently, administration is on pace to spend approximately $1.27 million, which is $120,610 over budget.

Finance Director Randy Sullivan addressed the issue and proposed an amendment to the 2024-25 budget to offset some of those expenses. He noted that they were able to cut some costs in the Library Department and at the Hidden Cove Golf Course. “We planned some repairs for the club house and we’re looking at different alternatives, grants and so forth for that.” He also noted that the Sand Pro, a mechanical rake or groomer used to maintain golf courses and sports fields, that was budgeted for this fiscal year will be put off until the next year.

Sullivan also noted that in animal control department, administration is looking for savings in vehicles. “We are recommending to pull the truck out of animal control,” he said. He also noted that in the fire department, there is $120,000 in savings on the fire truck, and recommended pulling that out of the fire department budget, as well as an adjustment to the fleet department due to the retirement of a staff member. He also recommended not funding a senior center bus driver at this time and transferring those funds over to administration. “We budgeted for a bus driver, but we haven’t filled that position,” stated Sullivan.

Councilmember Robert Black stated that it bothered him that they had talked extensively about repairs to the golf course club house in order to open it this summer. “That’s been sitting there as long as we’ve been sitting here, and I just have big concerns on that.” Councilwoman Arcenia Pacheco also had concerns regarding the two positions that were added in administration that were not budgeted for.

Black asked to table the discussion as he felt this should be discussed more in depth, with the concern that specific employee information may be brought up. The council agreed and an executive session will be placed on the agenda at the next meeting.

The council also approved an intergovernmental agreement with Navajo County to provide election services. The cost for services will be based on actual expenses incurred by Navajo County including ballot printing, staffing and election-related materials.

In summary of events, Councilmember Black stated that he had spoken with a former city employee who informed him that in 2002, the city council talked extensively about putting together a youth activity park. “This was in 2002 and so far, not a dang thing has been done. I believe the problem is that nobody owns this. We’ve had discussions on what we can do at our parks now for our youth and still nothing’s done.” Black turned towards City Manager Sharon Jakubowski Wolz and let her know that in his opinion this was hers to address. “No one has taken the ball and accepted this responsibility, and I think it’s. yours.” Mayor Smith interjected and asked Black to meet with Jakubowski Wolz outside of the meeting to discuss a course of action.

Public Work Director Tim Kelley addressed the council at the beginning of the meeting, stating that a trencher that was laying the broadband fiber optic struck a water line on the north end of Navajo Blvd., that evening (Feb. 11), causing residents in the northern portion of the city to be without water throughout the evening. Kelley noted that there were no isolation valves to isolate the lines, so the tank up on the hill was emptied in order to repair the break.

Following the regular meeting, the council entered into executive session to discuss possible litigation and settlement options pertaining to the removal of a hangar encroaching on a city airport expansion project. Another item discussed was regarding a legal review of charter revisions. The council reconvened to approve tabling the item regarding the airport hangar and no action was taken on the item pertaining to the charter revisions.