Winslow faces $1.2 million budget deficit for 2024

Before the regular meeting there was a meeting held to discuss the city’s general plan. The meeting took an unconventional approach by engaging over 100 attending residents in a more interactive format.

Unlike typical council meetings where individuals are limited to a three-minute speech, this event featured several boards displaying potential zoning maps for the city’s future. Council members were assigned to each board, facilitating discussions with residents about their visions, concerns and questions regarding the new general plan. However, the meeting encountered a logistical hiccup. Instead of showcasing three proposed land-use maps alongside one current map for comparison, three current maps were printed, and only one of the proposed land-use maps was displayed.

Adding to the challenges, Jason Sanks, the city’s planning and zoning hearing officer, was unable to attend the meeting. This absence made it difficult for attendees to get specific questions answered, leading to a decision to hold another meeting to comprehensively review the land-use maps.

During the call to the public in the regular meeting, resident Holly Wagner highlighted Sanks’ absence as a critical reason for reinstating the Planning and Zoning Commission, an initiative she and other community members have been advocating for.

In another segment of the council’s discussions, the topic of Community Development Block Grants was addressed. These grants, awarded based on income level criteria which Winslow meets, are distributed every four years and have been earmarked by the council for sidewalk upgrades and the installation of a new playground. This playground is notably designed to be inclusive, allowing children with disabilities to play alongside their able-bodied peers. However, an issue arose with the public notice required for the grant application process. David Coolidge, the Winslow City Manager, informed the council that although a receipt for an advertisement in the paper was received, the notice was not printed in time. Despite this hiccup, Coolidge said that the problem was rectified quickly, stating that the missed advertisement did not significantly delay their plans as the ad has since been run but the council was required to approve the projects again.

During the call to the public portion of the meeting, residents took the opportunity to voice their concerns and praises directly to the council, covering a wide range of topics. Judy Howell brought attention to the pressing issues of overcrowding and poor conditions at the local animal shelter. Sean Gravier advocated for the city to streamline the process for starting businesses, highlighting the need to ease the difficulties faced by small business entrepreneurs.

In a tone of appreciation, a resident named Lula commended the council on their decision to hire the new chief of police, signaling community support for the council’s choices in leadership. Theresa Del Mar called for an independent analysis be done for new development. Karen Cologne proposed that the council consider Boulder, Colorado’s approach to zoning ordinances as a model for potential improvements in Winslow.

Lastly, Grace Butler, representing Clean As Can Be, a local janitorial business, expressed disappointment over losing the city’s janitorial contract to a nonlocal competitor. Mayor Cano pulled the janitorial contract from the consent agenda to discuss it further. A lot of back and fourth happened on this agenda item and debates took place about the city’s obligations and whether they should be supporting local businesses or costing the tax payers the least amount of money. The local company was also disappointed that the council was not shown the bid but was only shown the lowest bid so that they could approve it.

Tim Westover, the city’s Public Works director, who recommended the contract to the council told the council that the Scottsdale-based company that was being awarded the contract also had workers locally.

Councilmember MacLean told the council that they should not change the way they award contracts because it would “open a can of worms” for the council. MacLean furthered by saying that the council should trust that for things like this that staff are making the best recommendation possible and the council should not get bogged down in evaluating every bidder for every contract. The council voted to approve the bid from WCD Enterprises, LLC at a cost of $5,190 a month.

In other business, the council:

* Approved the appointment of Denise Thompson and reappointment of Ruth Harrison to the Board of Adjustment.

* Approved the appointment of Jennifer Perez and reappointment of Lisa Sahmie to the Arts council.

* Approved a contract with Heinfield, Meech & Co. for auditing services at a cost paid monthly but not to exceed $140,000 total.

* Approved a contract with Leatherback Boxing Club for the city to pay for membership of low- or moderate-income families to participate at a cost to the city of $18,706.

* Approved the contract with Aqua Vida Pools for $311,724 for the swimming pool remodeling project.

* Approved the contract with McCauley Construction for the splash pad parking project for a cost of $55,528.

* Approved the transfer of law enforcement radios from the county to the City of Winslow.

* Approved a resolution to split county parcel 103-31-010B north of I-40 and on the east and west sides of Transcon Lane in Winslow.

* Approved a letter of intent to join New Mexico’s Environmental Protection Agency grant application for the I-40 Tradeport.

* Approved proclamations proclaiming March 2024 as National Social Work Month and April as Fair Housing Month.

The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, in the meeting room, located at 523 West Second St.