The Winslow City Council heard a status report from City Manager John Barkley during last week’s meeting. Barkley addressed questions raised by the public and council members in past meetings. “There were three specific questions that were asked, and we decided it would be a good policy idea to follow up. The first one had to do with tax revenue.
“Specifically, the city sales tax as a component of the overall general fund revenues received by the city from the first quarter of last year compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. We looked back and realized the large increase of city sales tax is actually more of the normal. Last year was an anomaly because construction and retail really drive our city revenue, we experienced a lag. That was the thing that was out of the ordinary, not the increase during the first quarter of this year. It fluctuates and is based on independent factors.”
Barkley moved to the next question, posed by Councilman Rickey Jackson last month. Jackson was interested in knowing why the city’s HURF (Highway User Revenue Fund) numbers had increased. Barkley answered, “A bill was introduced during the last session of the Arizona Legislature having to do with a flat amount of revenue being dispersed among all the cities and municipalities in Arizona. An amount of $197,802 was disbursed to every city. We got the same amount that Phoenix did. That is the reason for the jump in HURF revenue.”
Crisp asked about the transparency of the city financial website, open gov last month. Barkley addressed it last week saying, “A lot of it has to do with the user not being able to navigate the software. We will be holding a workshop and looking at how to make it more user friendly.”
Truck parking continues to be an issue for the City of Winslow. Barkley spoke on some ideas he has had to mitigate the situation. “We have thought about working with the property owner and the police and fire departments, and opening the parking lot at the old 3B’s Truck Stop. Something has to be done.”
Finally, Barkley invited the council and the public to attend the upcoming shows in the Mayor’s Concert Series. The next show featuring “December ’63, a Tribute to The Original Jersey Boys” will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Performing Arts Center, located at 600 E. Cherry St. Tickets are available for purchase at the city website, www.winslowaz.gov.
Northland Pioneer College presented a quarterly report to the council. Representative Rebecca Hunt spoke on the availability of noncredit courses at the college, specifically the Kid’s College program.
“Kid’s College is a program for kids ages six to 14 and several classes are offered including art, STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math), children’s theater, cooking and more. We are looking for enthusiastic instructors to help teach the kids college. You don’t have to be a teacher, just someone who is interested in sharing their knowledge and are fun and outgoing.”
NPC Kid’s College does have scholarships available, according to Hunt. “Each scholarship is a $35 scholarship. We have been getting great donations in the scholarship program. If you are interested in being an instructor or donating to the scholarship fund, contact us at npc.edu.”
Hunt continued, “We also have classes targeting adults, 18 and over. We offer courses in art and health and well-being, among others. Our excursions are very popular as well. It is an opportunity to explore Arizona.”
In other business, the council:
* Honored Winslow High School Baseball Coach Art Griffith with a Mayor’s Proclamation. Griffith has been the head coach of WHS baseball for 50 years. He was recently inducted in to the Arizona High School Coaches Hall of Fame.
* Heard a quarterly report from Winslow Fire Chief James Hernandez. “We had inspections of our ladder trucks and everything passed with no issues. Our engine trucks are getting older and will need to be replaced soon.”
* Heard a report from Recreation Department Director Sandra Knight. “We are hoping men’s basketball makes a return this year. Contact the recreation department for information on that.”
* Approved the purchase and payment of a trailer mounted vacuum from Arizona Wastewater Industries, Inc. in the amount of $59,345. The equipment is used in the maintenance for water utility operations.
* Approved a property split located immediately east of Transcon Lane, north of I-40.
* Tabled an ordinance regarding the sale of property located at the intersection of North Road and Santa Fe Drive until further information is obtained.
* Reappointed Dennis Blalock and Bruce Lazzarini to the Airport Commission until Dec. 31, 2022.
* Reappointed Patti Hardy and Michael Shumway to the Planning and Zoning Commission until Dec. 31, 2022.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the council chambers, located at 115 E. Second St.
