During their Feb. 14 meeting, members of the Winslow City Council were unable to come to an agreement on two of the items on the agenda.
The first item was a resolution that would authorize the city manager to approve special event liquor licenses rather than have them come before the council for approval. The argument was that events could be time sensitive and it might take too long to come before council. It would also allow any entity denied a license by the city manager to next take the matter before the council.
Councilwoman Judy Howell opposed the matter, stating that it prevented citizens from being able to come forward to express their opinions on the matter. She moved to deny the resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilman Thomas Chacon and supported by Councilman Curtis Hardy, but was opposed by Mayor Robin Boyd, and Councilmen Marshall Losey and Harold Soehner. As a result of the tie vote, the item was tabled until the next meeting when Councilman Bob Schlesinger would be present.
The other matter was an ordinance authorizing the sale of 13.6 acres in the Winslow Airport Industrial Park subdivision to Joshua A. Bolding at a cost of $13,600.
Mayor Boyd noted that there had been controversy on Facebook regarding the matter, and asked resident Tom McCauley to come forward and discuss any concerns he had since the item had been posted on social media by him.
McCauley approached the council and said that he had made the post asking if anyone had noticed that the property had been for sale prior to it being noted for approval on the agenda. He noted that he had purchased property from the city in the past and it had taken seven years to do so.
City Manager Steve Pauken explained that the property in question is the old rodeo grounds, which to the best of his knowledge hadn’t been used in 20 years except by Bolding, who keeps animals near the property and had maintained it at no cost to the city.
“That property has become an eyesore. It shows we don’t care about our assets, that we don’t look good. That’s why it’s for sale. Since Bolding was taking care of property and the people who had previously had an interest in the property instead decided to purchase the old golf course property, Bolding made an offer,” said Pauken. He added that while there was no buy-back clause in the event the property is not developed, he had a high level of confidence that Bolding would maintain appearance of property as he was involved with other animal husbandry organizations, and was planning to host other events and perhaps a rodeo.
Councilwoman Howell, expressed concern that at $1,000 an acre, the property was being sold very cheap.
“Everything we have for sale is $1,000 to $1,500 per acre. The city has purchased property that is now for sale for less than that. We shouldn’t be interested in making profit from land, but profit from economic development,” said Pauken.
He explained that the city would not be losing any money on that land.
Howell disagreed, stating that the city spent $30,000 to put sewer lines on that property, noting, “I don’t recall how long back.”
Pauken stayed firm in his opinion. “It’s our goal to make it used. For 20 years it hasn’t been used,” he said.
A motion was made to approve the resolution that was supported by Hardy, Soener and Boyd, but opposed by Chacon, Losey and Howell, leading to yet another tie. It was agreed by the council that this item would also be tabled until the next meeting.
Pauken gave the council a written report and highlighted some areas of success in the city, including getting rid of dilapidated buildings and improving the looks of the city. Also highlighted were the Route 66 Plaza, the renovated airport runway, the wastewater plant renovation and the new water meters. Pauken had the department heads write much of the report and said they did a good job of it.
The council also heard reports from Pauken on recent city activities, as well as the quarterly animal care facility and Chamber of Commerce reports. It was reported that a high number of injured and sick dogs and cats were seen in November and December at the shelter.
The council discussed Navajo Nation matters in a work session prior to the meeting. It was reported that topics included an update on a proposed rehab facility, proposed liquor ballot measures and a report from the Winslow Police Department.
Rodney Tahe of the Navajo Nation, District II Navajo County Supervisor Jesse Thompson and Chris Vazquez of the WPD did most of the speaking. Most of the issues raised will need to be voted upon or funds found, but it was agreed that having the various entities work together on the problems was a good start.
In other action Feb. 14, the council:
* Approved a resolution regarding a property split of a site that contained the old Presbyterian Church. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the split.
* Adopted an ordinance abandoning the Kisslingberry Way right of way in the Winslow Airport Industrial Park subdivision.
* Adopted an ordinance requiring fingerprints and photo identification of peddler license holders.
* Adopted an ordinance changing the contract and purchase authorization of the city manager, and authorizing informal bidding for certain expenditures. The vote was 4-2 to allow the city manager to act on such items costing less than $50,000.
* Approved a resolution dedicating two public right-of-ways for vehicular turnarounds on Caliente Drive and Mercury Lane. A Federal Aviation Administration regulation requires 1,000 feet from the threshold of a runway to be fenced off requiring the change. The land is owned by the city. The item will now require county action to become final.
* Approved the consent calendar, including the check register and minutes of the Jan. 24 council meeting.
