The Holbrook City Council held its regular meeting Wednesday, May 22, during which the council approved a city manager contract between the City of Holbrook and Sharon Jakubowski Wolz, following an executive session. After the meeting Mayor Kathleen Smith stated Wolz will begin on June 24.
Jakubowski Wolz is a seasoned executive leader with a diverse background spanning the public, private and nonprofit sectors. She holds a Master’s Degree in business management and a Certified Public Manager distinction. Wolz has excelled in various roles, from serving as Interim city administrator in Walsenburg, Colo., to town manager in Kearny.
The council also appointed Pierce Coleman, PLLC as the city’s designated attorney. “Pierce Coleman has been very prompt in responses and have collaborated with staff well,” noted Mayor Katheen Smith. Interim City Manager Randy Sullivan supported this, stating that the law firm, specifically Justin Pierce, has worked well with the city for the last several months. Mayor Smith also noted that the company is part of the city’s risk pool, which will remove some extra fees and provide cost savings.
During Call to the Public for items not on the agenda, business owner Vidhi Sharma addressed the council in regard to a liquor license for her business, 66 Restaurant. Sharma stated she had already received her license from the state, but never got approval from the city when it was put on the agenda over five months prior. “December 13, I sent my manager, Carol Mindenhall to the city council meeting so that I can get the license approved by the city. But Carol Mindenhall said in the meeting, that 66 Restaurant should not get the license, and that’s why I think the city did not approve my license.” She stated she’s already spent over $2,500 for a state license and renewal due to the amount of time that has passed and would like the issue to be addressed by the city. During the meeting held on Dec. 13, Mindenhall did state that she believed it would not be in the public’s best interest to approve the restaurant’s liquor license. At that time the council decided to table the motion pending further investigation into what the council’s rights and responsibilities were on the topic. It was not mentioned in any meetings since.
In other business, an adoption of the 2018 International Building, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Residential codes and the 2017 National Electric Code was approved by the council.
During the summary of current events, Mayor Smith thanked Holbrook citizens who voted in favor of the expenditure limitation override, stating “We did not want to cut $3 million from our budget. So, I’m so thankful for every vote for that.” The unofficial results of the May 21, override election show the override passed by 208 votes. There was a total of 488 ballots cast, with 348 in favor of the override and 139 against, with one blank ballot submitted. The council also congratulated those who graduated from the Holbrook High School last Friday.
Sullivan stated that Levee Superintendent Tim Kelley has been working on the city’s levee in preparation for the likely audit this year. “Every three to five years they have an audit on that, and we usually do very well.” He then thanked Kelley for getting the city’s splash pad operating and open for the community. Sullivan also noted that the deck surrounding the city’s pool suffered some damage from a broken sprinkler line that flooded under the pool. When the pool was partially drained for repairs, the pool floated upward but when water was put back into the pool, the pool went back into place but the deck around the pool remained buckled and had to be replaced. It was planned to still be opened last Monday.
Sullivan discussed the lighting at the Barrow Little League field, which hasn’t been able to be used due to complications. Sullivan stated he has been working with Arizona Public Service to fix the problem with the power and is meeting with contractors to see if anything else can be done as well.
