WINSLOW — During a meeting of the Winslow City Council last week, City Manager, Steve Pauken provided a status report to the council. “As you know, at the last council meeting, you took action to table certain increases in utility rates for three to six months. You also voted to approve a loan from WIFA (Water Infrastructure Finance Authority) in the amount of $5.1 million with $910,000 forgivable at a rate that would have been 2.65 percent. After the rate increases were tabled, WIFA took the action to step back and reassess based on that information whether or not we should be qualified for the loan. Therefore, the loan closing that was supposed to have taken place last Friday did not.”
The loan was secured by Pauken and city staff to allow the city to move forward with Phase Three of its wastewater infrastructure improvement project. Phase Three includes the repair and rerouting of a major sewage disposal line that runs beneath Apache Avenue. The project was slated to be completed by year’s end.
Pauken continued, “What we have done is we have talked to our financial advisors and WIFA and we would like to schedule an agenda item to remove from the table the wastewater rates. We do not plan to take any action or make any recommendations regarding water rate increases for the coming years, so that can remain on the table. We have to go back to WIFA and work out what we can do and what we have asked them for is a loan in the same amount with the same forgiveness rate but extend the term from 20 years to 30.”
Information on the new loan application and the proposed wastewater rate increases, or the possible action on the increases will be included in the agenda packet for the Oct. 9 meeting, according to Pauken.
Also in Pauken’s report, “The Arts Council now has four vacancies and the Board of Adjustment has two. If you are interested in serving on either of those two committees, please contact me or the City Clerk, Suzy Wetzel.” Applications can be found online at www.winslowaz.gov or by visiting City Hall, located at 21 N. Williamson Ave.
Mayor Tom McCauley proclaimed October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Winslow. The proclamation read, “Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, genders and income levels. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn more about prevention and to show support for the numerous organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy, services and assistants to victims.”
Alice’s Place Victim’s advocate Tiffany Brooks said, “One of the things we want to do for Domestic Violence Month is to light our street lamps purple, which is the official color of the movement. We are also looking to do a candle lighting at the Route 66 Plaza to honor those who have had domestic violence in their families or who may have lost a loved one.”
Alice’s Place is the local domestic violence center in the region that provides legal advocacy and crisis response. They partner daily with first responders such as police, fire and emergency medical services. The center will be hosting a breakfast honoring those responders at 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 8 at the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
More information on the events planned for Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be on the Alice’s Place Facebook page.
Mayor McCauley also proclaimed Sept. 28 and 29 to be Standin’ on the Corner Festival Days. “This annual event is a tribute to the song ‘Take it Easy,’ made famous by the Eagles in 1972. The entire City of Winslow has increased economic benefits from the hard work and dedication of the all-volunteer Standin’ on the Corner Foundation.”
He then mentioned upcoming events in Winslow including the 24th Annual Just Cruis’n Car Club Car Show this Saturday, Oct. 6, The High Desert Fly-In on Saturday, Oct. 13, and Inkfest, on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14.
In the absence of Councilwoman Judy Howell, the council:
* Adopted a resolution approving a property split of real property identified as Bly Addition by dividing lots seven, eight and nine.
* Approved the monthly financial report for August 2018. Citywide revenues for the month totaled nearly $1.7 million or 8.16 percent of the budget. Year to date revenues total $647,000. Citywide expenditures of the month were $1,507,000 bringing the year to date total to $869,000.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the council chambers, located at 115 E. Second St.
