By L. Parsons In the wake of Governor Doug Ducey’s vacating the state’s emergency status and transitioning from requirements to recommendations as they pertain to COVID-19, Winslow City Manager John Barkley explained during the Winslow Council meeting last week that a proclamation extending the emergency status in Winslow was recommended. A proclamation of emergency in regards to the pandemic was issued by former Mayor Tom McCauley in March last year. The council agreed to extend the proclamation indefinitely. Because municipal proclamations cannot supersede state mandates, Winslow cannot require masks in public spaces, but private businesses and government buildings are provided with the ability to continue requiring face masks and distancing as part of their own policies. Also included in Barkley’s report was a request by Mayor Cano to inform the council of the cost associated with maintaining the 3B’s Truck Stop, an unoccupied business that serves as a commercial truck parking area, located at 2201 N. Park Drive. The property is leased by the city for $1 per month and city employees are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the grounds. The City of Winslow also pays for lighting in the parking lot. The estimated total yearly cost to the city is $19,000, according to Barkley. The council adjourned to an unplanned executive session during a discussion regarding updates to the city personnel policy manual. Councilman Jim Maclean stated his concern for redundant wording in sections of the manual pertaining to council authority and employee reporting. Following the session, the council returned and entered a unanimous vote to adopt the changes with the additional language removed. In other business, the council: * Heard an update on the proposed splash pad to be located at Maple and Oak streets. The estimated cost of the feature will be approximately $300,000 from the capital improvements budget according to Public Works Director Tim Westover. There has been no award of contract yet and no date set for the construction. * Approved the monthly financial report for the month of February. Citywide revenues were $1.2 million bringing the year-to-date total to $11.9 million. Citywide expenditures were $1.2 million bringing the year-to-date totals to $9.5 million. Finance Director Elias Jouen also mentioned that cemetery revenues were up 98% compared to the same time in 2020. * Approved reappointments of Lisa Sahmie to the Winslow Arts Council until April 1, 2024; Michael Leary to the Winslow Board of Adjustment until April 30, 2024; and Tess Kenna and Curtis Hardy to the Winslow Historic Preservation Commission until May 1, 2024. * Approved a memorandum of understanding between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Arizona Safe Trails Task Force and the Winslow Police Department to delineate the responsibilities of the task force participants, maximize their inter-agency cooperation and formalize relationships between the participating agencies for policy guidance, planning, training and public relations. No impact on the budget is required. * Approved the sale of 3.76 acres of city-owned real property, located northwest of the intersection of North Road and Santa Fe Drive to Steven and Linda Pyles in the amount of $2,400. This property is contiguous to 31.74 acres previously sold by the city to the same owners in February 2020 for the purpose of development of a recreational vehicle park and residential subdivision. The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second Street.
