A special meeting of the Winslow Public Housing Authority was held last week to ratify an agreement for an interim Winslow Public Housing Director. Andrew Loubert has been assigned the position and will stay on until March 23. Loubert, according to City Manager Steve Pauken, “Has already been of great value in running the agency and helping deal with the operating issues from the previous director.” The contract fee for Loubert’s service is $2,200 per week plus mileage and lodging for the length of his assignment.
Former Winslow Public Housing Director Joyce Shorthair was terminated in October following an admission that she had misappropriated an undisclosed amount of money from the housing authority. Shorthair is currently under investigation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the matter, and details were not available as of press time.
Following that meeting, the regular city council meeting was held and the council was presented with status reports from Pauken. He reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission has been active in removing blight, and granting building permits within the city.
According to city inspector Marshal Larsen, the department is assisting in some capacity with 13 demolitions. These include residences as well as abandoned business buildings throughout town. Also of note, the department has received and processed permits for solar power systems. Currently 15 systems are in various stages of completion.
Deputy Public Works Director Tim Westover also gave an update on the status of the Desert View Cemetery renovation. This summer the city began implementing changes to the personnel, landscaping and maintenance at the cemetery. Westover’s original plan included replacing non-working and under-performing sprinkler heads, planting shade trees and paving access roads.
According to Westover, “It is looking better than it has in many years.” Explaining some of the steps he and his team have taken, Westover said, “We have planted about a half dozen trees, we have paved with asphalt the back portion and we have reseeded and fertilized many of the areas.”
Plans for the upcoming budget year include paving the remainder of access roads, continuing wind mitigation and creating a cremation garden. “We will also be installing a high pressure shut off on our pumps. We have had a few main line breaks from pressure in the lines so this will automatically shut the pump off,” Westover said. He also mentioned that xeriscaping is still be discussed in moving forward with the project.
During the meeting Mayor Robin Boyd recognized Public Works Director Allen Rosenbaum and City Librarian Docia Blalock, each of which are retiring at the end of the year. Blalock also presented a slideshow of photos and commentary pertaining to her 16 years at the Winslow Public Library.
In other business, the council:
* Approved the quarterly Chamber of Commerce report presented by Chief Executive Officer, Bob Hall. Hall gave an update on the $4,700 in funds raised through the annual Festival of Trees.
* Approved the monthly financial report by Finance Director Elias Jouen. Citywide revenues for the month of October totaled $1.5 million, bringing the year to date total revenue to $5.3 million. The city continues to be on track for the fiscal year.
* Approved an additional services agreement with Woodson Engineering and Surveying for engineering services on the Prison Booster Pump Station project at a cost not to exceed $27,460. The new system will automate the prison tanks in regards to pressure and flow.
* Approved an ordinance adding a special development overlay to allow an off-road racing park on approximately 101 acres within city limits, currently zoned commercially. The property is located between Interstate-40 and Third Street, east of Transcon Lane.
* Approved a Waiver of Review Board Fee for the off-road racing park in the amount of $400.
* Approved the reappointment of Kevin Coolidge and David Bassani to the Airport Commission until Dec. 31, 2020.
* Approved the reappointment of Sarah Smithson and Tom McCauley to the Planning and Zoning Commission until Dec. 31, 2020.
* Approved a donation of $500 to the Because We Care Committee, as has been done for 29 years. The city also provides support to the committee by allowing use of city-owned facilities and police support.
The regularly scheduled Dec. 26 meeting of the city council has been canceled due to holiday observance. The next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday Jan. 9, in the council chambers located at 115 E. Second Street in Winslow.
