In the latest meeting of the Winslow City Council, a myriad of issues ranging from public health concerns, infrastructure projects, to the impact of special events on local residents were discussed.
City Manager David Coolidge provided an in-depth update on the Winslow Levee project. From his discussions with engineers from the Army Corps of Engineers, he said there is a goal to complete 30% of the levee project by the end of 2025. However, the official start date for the construction remains undecided. The design phase will see some additional work, especially focusing on the removal of salt, cedar and silt from the riverbed.
Coolidge also informed the council about the city’s general plan open house slated for 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, at City Hall, located at 21 N Williamson Ave. He urged community members to attend, emphasizing the importance of public feedback on the city’s priorities.
Furthermore, Coolidge made mention of a survey on the city’s Facebook page, seeking input on capital gains projects and urged every member of the community to take the survey so their voice is heard when the city decides its projects for the next five years.
A pressing concern for some residents, as voiced by Holly Wagner, was the issue of noise disturbances from special events. Wagner elaborated on the inconvenience caused by events generating significant noise in residential areas. “There is no place in my house where I can go to escape the noise,” said Wagner. On the agenda was an item pertaining to this concern that would mandate events with amplified noise to maintain a distance of more than 200 feet from residences, barring special approval from the council. Much of the event space for things like carnivals in town are within the 200 feet restriction so after deliberation the council made the decision to approve the ordinance.
Representatives from the Navajo County Public Health Services District presented during the Winslow City Council meeting with concerning health and housing statistics for Navajo County. Among the data presented, it was revealed that 27.5% of residents spend over half their income on rent and a significant number, 72.3%, have to travel beyond 40 miles for healthcare services.
Additionally, 38.9% of residents had to forgo necessary healthcare within the previous year. These statistics were provided to show the current financial stress families and individuals are under and how that impacts public health.
The presentation also highlighted the health objectives for the county. Goals include a 5% decrease in homelessness rates by 2029, a reduction in drug-induced death rates, and a significant focus on syphilis identification and treatment.
Of note is the startling rate of congenital syphilis in Navajo County, which is 886 per population of 100,000 compared to the national average of 57 per 100,000, making it over 1,400% higher than the national average. In terms of implementation, the county plans to employ public information campaigns, engage in workshops for committee chairs and co-chairs, and maintain regular evaluations of strategies and initiatives and adjust those strategies and initiatives to best reach the goals of the public health department.
The council also declared the month of October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.” This proclamation aims to shed light on the pervasive issue of domestic violence that affects countless individuals and families. By dedicating an entire month to awareness, the council hopes to foster community support, create more comprehensive resources for victims, and emphasize the importance of education and prevention. It was highlighted that domestic violence is not merely a personal issue but a community concern that requires collective effort and attention.
In other business, the council:
* Approved the payment for fabrication and installation of new supervisory control and data acquisition computer system at the wastewater treatment plant from Pixeldrop at the cost of $76,280.
*Approved lease agreement for property at the airport to the United States government through the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and US Department of Commerce.
* Approved the sponsorship request from the little Colorado River Horsemen’s Association in the amount of $300.
* Approved a request for assistance for the fifth annual Native American Pow Wow in the amount of $3,500 and use of the city-owned field as well as utilizing the parks department for event cleanup.
* Approved the request for assistance for the Little Colorado Medical Center’s annual 5k Cancer Walk in the amount of $500 and waiving of vendor fees for the upcoming Christmas Parade.
* Approved the request for assistance from the Winslow Chamber of Commerce for in-kind services from the city’s parks and police departments as well as waive any vendor fees.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the meeting room located at 523 West Second St.
