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During the Aug. 13 Holbrook City Council meeting a report by City Manager Ted Soltis was read by City Clerk Cher Reyes in his absence due to illness. Soltis had plenty to say about the improvements and successes achieved over the last month in the document.
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As part of the continued effort to improve some of the less attractive areas of the town and maintain compliance in all areas, Soltis made sure to relay the city’s progress in his summary, providing an overview of past and future events, which was read for the room.
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The owners of the Magnuson Hotel on Hopi Drive that was destroyed by fire over a year ago responded to the letter they were sent from the city in July requesting they clean up the property. The owners informed the city that demolition would begin in early September with a completion date of early October. Owners of the Star Inn, also located on Hopi Drive, have also been found and sent a similar letter requesting that they clean up the property.
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Soltis thanked the Arizona Department of Transportation for removing the dead trees by the overpass on Navajo Blvd. He also recognized Arizona Public Service for their part in removing the dead and hanging limbs for the trees in Hunt Park, which Soltis cited as safety hazard.
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Soltis thanked Tim Kelley and other city employees for their part in seeing the levy through inspection and continued efforts in keeping the levy safe. It was relayed that the inspection they received last month was satisfactory with a few minor issues which will be addressed. The inspection is valid for five years.
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Soltis complimented Navajo County administrators on a job well done hosting the Prop 421 information at a town hall earlier in the month, also thanking Mayor Merrill Young and Councilman Adam Marsh for their attendance and support. Noted in Soltis’ summary, was the announcement of the retirement of City Clerk Cher Reyes in October. The council thanked Reyes for her 32 years of service. Soltis wrote, “I thank Cher for her years of service, she will be missed.”
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All members of the council who were able to attend the Food Truck Social last Saturday, Aug. 10, agreed that it was well attended and well organized. Mayor Young and Soltis will also be attending the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference in Tucson on Aug. 20, where a variety of topics will be discussed, from public safety retirement systems to water rights. As a result of their trip, Reyes read that the next council meeting, which was set for Aug. 27 will be canceled.
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In another matter the council agreed to change the twice monthly meetings of the council to 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month beginning Sept. 12.
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Equal Rights Amendment Task Force representative Diane Post spoke at the meeting hoping to persuade the council to offer the support on their mission to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Currently, there are 13 Arizona cities and towns who have signed on. Holbrook Chamber of Commerce board members were also in attendance for education on the matter as the Equal Rights Amendment Task Force has sought out their support as well. Post’s goal is to have Arizona become the last of the 38states needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
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In other business, the council:
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* Approved an ordinance maintaining the three percent privileged license tax.
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* Approved a resolution levying the voter-approved property tax in the amount of 55.04 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
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* Approved the purchase of a new pump from Willis Drilling & Pump Co. in the amount of $14,456.
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* Approved a liquor license application for the Holbrook Elks Lodge for Sept. 14.
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* Approved concrete bid to Quality Ready Mix for fiscal year 2019-2020 as the lowest bid of $129.49 per cubic yard with no minimum followed by Winslow Ready Mix with a bid of $129 per cubic yard based on a seven yard minimum.
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