By L. Parsons Winslow Indian Health Care Center (WIHCC) Community Health Services Director Lita Scott addressed the Winslow City Council last week at the invitation of Mayor Roberta Cano. Scott informed the council of the mitigation strategies and the COVID numbers experienced at WIHCC. Scott said, “To date, we have tested 19,182 people in the Winslow service area. Of those, 2,351 have tested positive and right now, our percentage positivity is 18.6 percent.” Scott explained that the Navajo Nation, which covers 27,413 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus. The Winslow service area includes a large part of the Navajo Nation. “Right now,” said Scott, Dilkon has the highest rate of COVID in our service area, followed by Leupp.” Winslow has more cases than Holbrook and Joseph City, with people aged 25-34 testing positive the most often. However, Scott explained, children aged 15-17 are testing positive more than any other age group under 18. WIHCC has been administering the COVID vaccine since December, when they received their first shipment. Scott continued, “We are targeting our citizens over 65 right now, and our vaccines are moving quickly.” To find information on how to be vaccinated through WIHCC, visit their website at www.wihcc.com. In the status update portion of the council meeting, Winslow City Manager John Barkley spoke about efforts to keep people safe. “We have had and will continue to have limited public access to our city facilities. We have asked members of our administrative team to work from home as much as possible, I don’t think things are going to change much within the next month or two.” Citizens are also encouraged to conduct city business online whenever possible. “It is more convenient and it’s safer for our residents and our employees as well.” The city has taken other steps to make doing business with the city easier. One such measure is a payment kiosk at the transfer station. Barkley said, “This will make it easier for citizens to purchase their transfer station vouchers with a credit or debit card without having to come in to City Hall.” The kiosk, Barkley said, cost the city approximately $10,000. “The one that is similar out at McHood Park has paid for itself already,” he said. Barkley also addressed the campaign by the Winslow Police Department to install several stop signs throughout town. “Chief Arend and Lt. Blass have stepped up to design a system for notifying the public of the traffic changes,” Barkley said. “We have several four way intersections with no traffic control at all, it is a big deal.” Development is always a topic of Barkley’s updates. This time was no exception as he spoke about several businesses coming to Winslow. “There is a new nail salon coming in on Mike’s Pike, a new restaurant coming to 108 E. Second Street and a new barber shop in the old Public Market building at 220 E. Second Street.” He also gave an update on a proposed recreational vehicle park on North Park Drive saying, “That is in the site plan process, as is a new four-story hotel in that area.” Other projects, according to Barkley, include the development of the former Tate’s Auto building, located on the east end of Winslow to be used as a distribution center for Walther Potato Farms and the ongoing C6 Zero materials recycling company that was originally thought to be completed by December 2020. He said, “They are in the financing and permitting phase and all we can do is just wait and see.” In other business, the council: * Heard the monthly financial report for November. Citywide revenues for November were $1.9 million bringing the year-to-date total to $7.6 million. Citywide expenditures for November were $987,943 bringing the year-to-date total to $5.1 million. * Held a discussion on the previously tabled contract to Mountain Fresh Cleaning, LLC to provide janitorial services to the city. Concerns voiced by Mayor Cano and Vice Mayor Samantha Crisp included the desire to employ Winslow residents as well as the cost of the contract. In a roll call vote that ended in a 3-3 tie in the absence of council member Peter Cake, an impasse was met and it was decided to table the issue once again. The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Information on location and how to attend can be found at the city website at www.winslowaz.gov.
