At last week’s Winslow City Council meeting, the council discussed and heard arguments for a change in the city code that would allow Dewitt Ranch Supply, located at 821 Transcon Lane, to have a roping arena as long as they meet certain requirements.
Jason Sanks, the city’s zoning and hearing officer, spoke to the board about all the requirements they would have to follow, including keeping the dust under control and only allowing animals to stay there during events rather than long-term.
The council seemed to be unanimously in favor of the arrangement, despite this meeting just being a discussion, with a vote to come before the council at a later meeting. Mayor Birdie Cano said, “As long as you’re (Dewitt Ranch Supply) communicating with your neighbors and everyone is fine, then this is more excitement and more events for our city and I am all for that.” Cano later brought up again that in order for this to work, they must cooperate with the businesses around them because when this becomes a reality, having events of that size and nature could raise potential problems for nearby businesses. However, if done correctly, it could be a wonderful opportunity for everyone in Winslow but especially the businesses positioned close to the site.
The board also heard from Brandee Leary from the public library, who was there to discuss the more than $65,000 in grants the library has recently received for the new building. Leary discussed all the ways that citizens could help with the new building, including buying a metal leaf that will go on a tree statue outside of the library. The library is also selling T-shirts for $20 at the library to help with this project. Leary also discussed the many new events that the library has or will have soon including children’s and toddler cooking classes, a non-fiction book club, and new services such as being able to check out expensive kitchen equipment like a stand mixer from the library.
In other business, the board:
* Heard a presentation from Magistrate B.J. Little regarding the justice and municipal courts. Little also spoke to the board about parent involvement when their children are in the justice system.
* Approved check register and discussed fees associated with the city’s audit.
* Authorized acceptance of a grant in the amount of $5,000 from AZ Librarians Fostering Resilient Rural Communities.
* Authorized acceptance of a grant in the amount of $62,000 from Arizona Library State Grants-in-Aid and approved construction agreement for the construction of a new library.
* Authorized acceptance of a grant in the amount of $5,771 from ADOT Aeronautics Group.
* Authorized the sale of certain real property located in the Winslow airport industrial area Parcel No. 103-62-042 consisting of approximately 1.37 acres to GWR, LLC.
* Approved a $1,000 donation to the 65th annual Hashknife Pony Express Ride and invited local group Clear Creek Cowboys to approach the group for a similar donation.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the meeting room, located at 523 West Second St.
