APRIL-MAY-JUNE 2018
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN
OF MIAMI MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Monday April 23, 2018 6:30 PM
Council Chambers - Sullivan Street
Councilmember Mike Black was absent from Monday
night's Regular Meeting of the Town of Miami Mayor and
Council, which is understandable since he was the subject of
Anna Petty's statement in Call to the Public. Anna is a
member of the consortium that put up the money for that
nice, bright digital sign installed at Bullion Plaza facing
Route 60. She was there to ask the Council for some action
against Mike Black, in response to his cutting the power
cables to the sign.
After the meeting, KQSS asked for some details. Anna
explained that Mike's issue with the sign was that it brightly
shined directly into his mother-in-law's bedroom window,
whose house is directly across Route 60 from the sign. Anna
said Mike admitted his involvement to her. Whether he tried
other avenues before resorting to cutting the cables is
unknown. Nor is what action the town might take.
Mayor Darryl Dalley was not in attendance. Vice Mayor
Sammy Gonzales chaired the meeting. He said the Council
would discuss the issue with the town attorney. Meanwhile,
Miami police did issue a citation to Black for his behavior,
but further details were not announced.
Here's the sign.
Town Manager Joe Heatherly announced that there could
be a delay in the Hostetler Pool's opening. Repair work is
underway but a problem surfaced. Numerous cracks were
discovered at the bottom of the pool after the paint was
scraped, which will necessitate the pouring of a three inch
thick layer on top of the existing bottom. Repair should cost
about an additional $14,000. Heatherly is hopeful the pool
will open as expected on May 19th, but he warned that the
additional work could delay it a bit.
Councilmember Angel Medina enquired about the pool's
life expectancy, post repair. Heatherly predicted five years or
longer. Medina also noted that Globe's Moose Lodge is
closing.
The Miami Loco Arts Festival went off without incident,
though it was not well attended.
Finance Director Stacie Allison reported the new sewer and
garbage rates are now in effect. Also in place is the rate
increase for the courier service the town provides to other
entities for water testing.
Heatherly reported that septic dumping has been temporarily
suspended at the wastewater plant. A problem occurred last
week and the Town is investigating the source, possibly a
commercial chemical.
Looking for work? Miami is looking for employees. A
director and assistant director are needed at the library in the
wake of librarian Delvan Hayward's retirement. The police
department is also looking. James Durnan, the subject of an
investigation stemming from his duties at the Globe Police
Department, is retiring, as is Dan Rodriguez.
The resolution reappointing Rebecca Baeza as town
magistrate was tabled. The agreement with Gila County has
expired and Miami still owes Gila County $158,000-- a
figure adjusted downward from the contractual obligation of
$253,000 which was not met by the Town. Heatherly will be
talking with the county about a renewal.
Bryan Seppala of Resolution Copper presented an update
on the mining project. The reclamation effort to return 130
acres of land to its pre-mining condition is half completed,
with $40 million expended so far. Completion is expected in
2020. The landscape is about to change as the historic stack
and the buildings surrounding it will be demolished. The
structures have decayed and are now a safety issue due to
their crumbling. The historic train engine housed in a shed
slated for demolition will be spared. Resolution Copper
plans to restore it.
Shaft #9 is being rehabbed to go down an additional 2,000
feet. Work should be complete by mid 2020 when regular
construction is expected to begin on the mine. Permitting
is on schedule, with a draft for NEPA expected next year.
Twelve local tribes are involved in the process.
In 2017, Resolution Copper paid $4.2 million to 18 local
contractrs and contributed $280,000 for scholarships and
programs for Globe-Miami students. The project has a
perfect safety rating. Resolution's 0.0 compares well to the
national average of 1.5 to 2.5.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
OF GLOBE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Tuesday April 24, 2018 6:00 PM
Council Chambers - Pine Street
At any given time, there are 200 gang members roaming the
streets of Globe-Miami. That astonishing fact was revealed
at last night's Regular Meeting of the City of Globe Mayor
and Council when Globe PD's Melissa Perez gave a
presentation to the Council on the Arizona Department of
Transportation's Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team
Enforcement Mission, GIITEM. In the Globe-Miami area,
outside of arrests made by local police and sheriff's deputies,
there were 47 gang and drug related arrests in one four week
period. GIITEM has determined there are three local gangs
with as many as 50 members each, many of whom are under
18. The 200 gang members roaming the streets include
out-of-towners here mostly due to drug activity and sales.
Globe PD's MelissaPerez & Acting Chief Bob Folker
Acting Globe police chief Bob Folker suggested that the
Globe officer assigned to the county's drug, gang and violent
crimes task force be moved to GIITEM, which would not
only fund 75% of the officer's pay but would also provide
computer, office space, uniforms and possibly up to five
additional officers depending on what was needed locally.
The only problem is the department is currently woefully
understaffed. The city is trying to rectify that.
Globe officer Dakota McCall introduced the team's newest
force member. Ares, the dog, who takes commands only in
French. Oui. Ares was welcomed with a pet by each
Councilmember.
Globe PD's newest recruit: Ares the dog.
In Call to the Public, Melissa Buzan announced that the
Horizon Women's Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence
will close on April 30th. Gila House will pick up the slack
as of May 1st and will be renamed Alderman House in honor
of the work that Councilmember Lerry Alderman has been
doing to help the shelter. There's a fundraiser for Alderman
House slated for June 15th.
Mayor Al Gameros announced today's 3 pm ribbon cutting
ceremony for Copper Bistro, which is under new ownership.
And there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on
Saturday for the grand reopening of Kino Floors.
There were two other Call to the Public speakers: Mary
Ellen Sanchez, who is concerned about abandoned and
littered properties in the neighborhood; and Robin Wurst,
the president of The Friends of Globe Public Library who
wanted an update on the possibility of a new facility. That's
when the fun began.
As you probably know, public meeting protocol forbids
Councilmembers from interacting on Call to the Public
statements. That didn't stop Charlene Giles, though the city
manager tried. When he interrupted Giles, reminding her
she couldn't respond, Giles retorted that she'd comment as a
private citizen.
The problem there is that meeting protocol forbids that as
well, but perhaps the city manager gave up by then. So what
was Giles' urgent comment? Inexplicably, it was that she
didn't know anymore than Wurst about plans for the library.
The Mayor noted there will be a presentation on the matter at
the next meeting.
THE CAMPAIGN SEASON
IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY!
6/24/18: The first evidence that this is an election year came
to Globe-Miami last week in the form of two contenders for
a seat in the US House of Representatives representing
Arizona's 1st congressional district: Democrat incumbent
Tom O'Halleran, and one of his three Republican
challengers, Tiffany Shedd.
A lavish meet and greet was set up at Bullion Plaza by some
of her backers last Wednesday evening, where Shedd spoke
to a crowd of about three dozen. She noted that her family
roots in this area go back 100 years and felt she was able to
relate first hand to what 1st District residents face.
The district is one of the largest in the country, meandering
from the North Tucson area to the Grand Canyon. Globe,
Sedona and Flagstaff are in the district. Payson is not.
Agriculture is a central focus, and a common problem shared
by residents is the incessant intrusion of federal government
policies that place ranching interests at a disadvantage.
With an undergraduate degree in water management, a
background as a firearms instructor and fierce defender of
the second amendment, a practicing attorney focused on
small businesses, and a primary emphasis on the farm she
and her husband and three children have owned and operated
in Eloy since 1989, Shedd said she felt she is in the best
position to address the needs of the district. She stressed the
importance of the farm bill to the area, a piece of legislation,
which she noted that Tom O'Halleran did not support.
The farm bill did not come up in the meet n greet held for
O'Halleran this past Saturday afternoon, also at Bullion
Plaza. O'Halleran, a former Republican, elected to represent
the district as a Democrat two years ago, was joined by
California representative Linda Sanchez. Their focus was
on the critical need for the Democrats to retain the seat in the
party's quest to return the House to Democrat control.
Sanchez explained that 23 additional seats are needed to take
back the house, assuming none currently held are lost.
Both O'Halleran and Sanchez expressed that the 1st District
was far from a slam-dunk for the Democrats- even with
O'Halleren's incumbent advantage and their steadfast belief
that Americans were unhappy with the current
administration. Their joint concern was over the
traditionally low voter turnout for midterm elections. Both
repeatedly stressed the importance to get people to the polls
in November.
Globe-Miami was not on O'Halleran's official schedule and
the announcement of his appearance was made less than a
week in advance. Turnout was sparse. Among those in
attendance was former Gila County Supervisor Mike Pastor.
O'Halleran is unopposed in the primary. Shedd faces two
challengers for the Fepublican ticket, retired Air Force
Colonel Wendy Rogers, and Steve Smith, who currently
represents District 11 in the Arizona state senate.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
GLOBE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Tuesday May 22, 2018 6:00 PM
City Hall - Pine Street
It'll cost more for water and wastewater, but how much more
wasn't discussed at last night's Regular Meeting of the City
of Globe Mayor and Council. Rates didn't go up last year,
but grants Globe has received require certain revenue
conditions, which means an increase is unavoidable, but
before anything is in stone, there will be two public meetings
and more research into the issue.
The meeting began with what was little more than a
formality-the annual meeting of the Globe Municipal
Property Corporation. A formality because the entity created
by the city a few years ago for facilitating and handling
grants has yet to do anything specific. There was an
election, however, and Mike Stapleton remains president of
the group. The VP is Freddy Rios, and the
secretary/treasurer is Charlene Giles who was elected in
absentia.
Councilmember Stapleton announced that the opening of the
Miami pool, which was supposed to be this Friday is delayed
a day. It will open on Saturday.
Mayor Al Gameros mentioned a Town Hall meeting to be
held next Tuesday, the 29th. Gila County Supervisor Tim
Humphrey will be there. The mayor also reminded
attendees that the Sunrise Challenge at Round Mountain will
start at 6 a.m on June 2nd.
In Call to the Public, Debbie Cox from Service First Realty
revisited the problem she highlighted at previous
meeting-her disappointing experience with drunks and
homeless folks. She presented a photo of someone lying on
the ground by her business that she took on Friday. She also
mentioned a similar incident on Saturday, and one just
minutes before she arrived at the meeting. She said she's
started a fund to help the police department do a head count
of problematic individuals. $3500 has been raised to date.
Donations are welcome and can be made at Wells Fargo
Bank, or directly to Debbie at Service First.
Miami Town Manager Joe Heatherly provided an update on
the Cobre Valley Community Transit program. What started
in 1987 as Dial a Ride added a fixed route five years ago.
Currently fixed route riders each month number a bit over a
thousand, and Dial a Riders average over 600 a month.
80% of the users either originate or end in Globe. The most
frequent stops are Walmart, Cobre Valley Regional Medical
Center, Fry's and the Gila County Courthouse. Rides are
available from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. And of late
there are more riders and less complaints. Heatherly said
he'd have more specifics on a dollar amount needed for next
year's budget in the coming weeks. For this year, Globe,
Miami and Gila County each contributed $61,000, but
Miami shouldered additional expenses, making their
contribution total $73,000.
Brad Mechan from CAG gave brief presentation on the
Economic Development Administration Community Needs
Assessment Grant, procured by the IDA.
The City awarded local grants -- $5800 went to the Cobre
Valley Center for the Arts, $1000 went to the Copper Basin
Coalition. The Gila Community Food Bank, which served
24,000 people last year received $6,000. $1200 went to the
Gila County Historical Society for work on Old Dominion
Days, and the new Gila House, a safe haven for victims of
domestic violence and abuse got $1,000.
Globe librarian Adrea Ricke presented info on the summer
reading program, and Michelle Yerkovich, Globe's code
enforcer discussed the problem of illegal dumping on private
property. She said the owners of land along Hershey
Highway received a letter, and have been proactive in
cleaning the roadside. A property owner in the area
suggested putting up gates to keep traffic from going there,
but they would be needed in several places. Fencing is cost
prohibitive. Dumpers can be cited and fined, but finding
them is almost impossible if they're not caught in the act.
Yerkovich is hoping that people will take advantage of the
Russell Gulch Landfill's Second Saturday Dollar A Dump
program, where loads of any size are just a dollar on the
second Saturday of every month.
Gene Martell of Interim Public Management updated the
Council on technology and communication for the Globe
Police Department. The Spillman Case Management System
software was acquired by the department in August 2015.
The initial cost was $67,000, and the annual subscription fee
is $8,500. The problem is it isn't being used, certainly not to
even a fraction of its capability. And the reason is most
employees don't fully understand it. Workers have resorted
to paper forms, which has led to a loss of information
entirely.
Martell dismissed ideas of replacing the software, saying the
City would be throwing out an $80,000 investment for no
reason since all the tools needed are available in the current
program. It's simply a matter of training, and that's going to
take place. The Sheriff's office is currently successfully
using the software and there are people available who know
how to use it, and more importantly how to explain it to
those who don't.
Another area of frustration is the issue of dead spots
throughout the city making hand held communication
unreliable. Relocating the department's communications
antenna from its current perch a top of one of Arizona
Water's tanks to a better location is a priority. But exactly
where and at what cost is still up in the air. Martell said he'll
be meeting with Motorola and the creative consultants next
week.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
OF GLOBE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Tuesday May 8, 2018 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers - Pine Street
A new restaurant is coming to Globe. Details were
announced at Tuesday night's Regular Meeting of the City of
Globe Mayor and Council. Next week, Bloom, a sushi
restaurant owned and operated by John Wong downtown on
Broad Street next to the Humane Society will have its grand
opening.
It was also announced that the Russell Gulch Landfill is
having a dollar a load deal this Saturday. It applies to
household trash of all variety except hazardous waste. And
the Council noted the sad passing of Laverna Andress, a
key figure in making Globe's Historical Society the area
resource that it is.
Liza Noland from Ignite Brand Marketing provided a brief
update on her efforts toward developing branding options to
help Globe attract tourism. Most astounding was Noland's
statement that one of the best marketing tools is word of
mouth- since that's exactly what Globe needs to combat.
Most of the words about Globe that KQSS has heard
throughout the state are unprintable. Nothing was said
about reaching out to Arizona that conducts massive tourism
campaigns, all of which fail to mention Globe, though when
KQSS asked, Noland said she'd be addressing that soon.
The City Manager was excited about the possible acquisition
of the Michelson Building, catty corner on Broad St. from
the train depot, for only $1 from the County. He suggested
moving the library into it, using the current library as the
new police station. That idea was followed directly by a
scheduled presentation by Bobbie Ravencamp, president of
the Globe Library Advisory Committee, who listed several
reasons why the library using the Michelson building would
be wholly inappropriate.
Among Ravencamp's concerns about the building are that it
is not ADA compliant and would need an elevator; the roof
and skylight are in need of costly repair; there's no parking,
no land for children to play or engage in activities as they do
now on the lot across from the current library; and more staff
would be required for security reasons due to the two-story
nature of the building.
The second public hearing on the use of CDBG funds was
held by CAG's Alan Urban, with no one from the public
commenting. Three public meetings to decide what projects
will benefit from the money are required under the terms of
the Community Development Block Grants, which are
available to Globe every three years. This grant is for more
than $400,000. One of the requirements for grant eligibility
is a significant low-income population in the area. The last
census showed 57% of Globe residents categorized as low to
moderate income. A new census is not required. The city
proposed that the grant could be used to rehab the library, or
for street repair, specifically asphalt repaving. The Council
voted for asphalt.
In Call to the Public, KQSS' Jon Cornell commented on the
property along Hershey Highway, which is littered with
trash. He provided a dozen pictures for each councilmember
showing a significant amount of debris strewn on the sides
of the unpaved road ranging from construction trash, green
waste and auto parts to household garbage including
furniture and appliances. Cornell said that he's been
regularly complaining to the code enforcement director
about the matter since her appointment almost a year and a
half ago. Mayor Al Gameros said that the issue will be
placed on the next meeting agenda.
Globe Fire Chief Gary Robinson reminded the City that fire
restrictions are now in effect, weeks ahead of schedule, due
to the excessively dry winter Arizona has experienced.
Globe's restrictions mirror those of the Tonto National
Forest, though Robinson did not enumerate what they are. A
resolution adopting them will be drafted for the Council's
approval.
Resolution Copper held a meeting in Superior on Tuesday
June 19th discussing reclamation efforts and plans. If you
TRI-CITY REGIONAL SANITATION DISTRICT
PUBLIC HEARINGS & MEETING
Wednesday June 27, 2018 5:15 PM
Tri-City Fire Building- Claypoool, AZ
Wednesday evening's Public Hearings and Meeting of the
Tri-City Regional Sanitation District confirmed the board's
unanimous intent to raise secondary property taxes by
41.6%. In example, a home assessed at $100,000, which is
now paying $70, will pay $101 per year, according to Board
president, Robert Zache.
Along with the increase, for which Gila County approval is
expected in time for inclusion in the coming fiscal year, a
$6.2 million budget was also unanimously passed. The
Board does not expect to use that amount-historically they've
spent about $50,000, mostly for legal, engineering and
environmental costs. But in the event grants or loans come
through, the money could not be utilized without provisions
for it in the budget.
At issue, is the construction of a wastewater treatment plant
and sewer lines attached to it. When asked why Tri-City
needed its own plant, in light of both Globe and Miami's
assertions that each had the capability to more than cover
Tri-City's use, Zache explained it would ultimately cost
property owners less to build a plant than pay the rates
Miami quoted. Additionally, Zache said Miami was not
forthcoming about their actual operational costs, making it
impossible to determine the real value of a deal. Talks are
still ongoing with Globe, but the board feels the best solution
would be to maintain their own plant.
The plant itself is not the major expense. Construction cost
is estimated at $5 million. Running the necessary sewer
lines from the district's properties comprises the bulk of the
project, estimated to total somewhere between under $50
million, or over $90 million, depending on whom you ask.
The Board's current best guess is $70 million to complete the
project, which would be done in three stages.
Phase 1 includes the area between Mill St. in Miami and
Walmart in Globe. The Board is planning on completing it
in the next two years. Phase 2 would be completed in the
following two years, with Phase 3, including Central
Heights, to be finished five years from the project's start.
Wastewater is currently handled in the district by private
septic or cess pool, the latter of which is no longer permitted
on new construction. In 2010, the Tri-City Board began
investigating water treatment plans. There were five
options-do nothing; hook up with Miami, which is cost
prohibitive; hook up with Globe's 60 year old plant without
knowing how long it might last; hook up with both, or build
their own.
A grant from the USDA has been approved and a letter of
conditions is expected imminently. The grant is for $16
million, with a loan of $12 million, giving the district a total
of $28 million. The money should cover all of Phase 1, and
the Board is hopeful that more USDA funds will cover the
other phases.
The next meeting is on Monday July 9th at 5:15.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
OF GLOBE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Tuesday June 26, 2018 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers - Pine Street
Globe may be on its way to becoming a movie-making
destination, it was revealed at Tuesday night's Regular
Meeting of the Mayor and Council. Producer Dusty
Dukatz announced plans for a biker movie, “Steal Wheels,”
75% of which will be shot here. He said funding has been
secured and it's expected that $600,000 to $750,000 of the
over $1 million budget will be spent locally.
Molly Cornwell, manager of the Globe Downtown
Association, noted that regardless of the fact that Arizona
has no incentives for film productions as do many other
states, there are currently 10 film projects in the works
locally with four more coming. Cornwell said she's trying
to organize a 10% business to business discount for hotels,
meals and catering that the film industry could use here.
Globe Library Committee president Bobbie Ravenkamp
gave a presentation on the strategic plan for the library. The
first year goals include improving visibility within the
community; improving awareness of the importance the
library plays in community development; achieving greater
recognition in the budgeting process, as the library is
underfunded; and creating and implementing a lifecycle
management plan for existing technology such as computers
for public use, which are aging.
The two to four year plan is to insure the library has
adequately trained staff; necessary technology; and that the
physical environment can support the needs of the
community and the library's mission. Ravenkamp said that
mission is for the library to create a better city by providing
a safe, adaptable and accountable environment where
everyone can meet, learn and congregate.
When she said that many people here don't know where the
library is, KQSS' Jon Cornell interjected that the EDC
Wayfinding Committee has had signposts here for over three
years that have not been placed. Mayor Al Gameros noted
he was aware of the signs.
Accounting consultant Al Holler gave an update on the
Transaction and Privilege Tax audit. He estimates the city
could get an additional $230,000 from local business.
Collection issues now stand its way. Holler said only 12%
of the taxes have been collected and suggested the city work
on that.
Scott Graff from the city's new audit firm, Colby & Powell,
gave an overview of the Fiscal Year 2017-18 audit. The year
ends June 30th. So far, he's seen no problems with the
handling of federal funds. He noted some struggles to get all
the necessary information from the city, but otherwise
pronounced things as going well.
A location for Globe's fire and police antennas has been
secured according to IT consultant Gene Martel. The
communications equipment will be placed on Crown Castle's
Copper Hills tower and in the ATT facilities structure on the
site. Approval is needed in the next fiscal budget.
Regarding computers, Martel suggested a new in-house
server, replacing the current one, and mobile units for the
police. When asked if a cloud server could do the job, he
stated that the local broadband infrastructure was not
sufficiently reliable to consider it.
A tentative budget was approved for the coming fiscal year
of $22,572,055. There will be a public hearing and vote on
accepting it on July 24th. Also approved was an increase of
2.5% per year for the next five years in water/wastewater
pricing. In five years, that should cost property owners
about $11 more per month.
Public Works Director Jerry Barnes received approval to
spend the additional funds his department amassed from
work that came in under budget for road improvements.
Councilmember Charlene Giles bought a car from
McSpadden Ford and proclaimed it a great experience. She
noted that she brought it back due to a problem with the air
conditioning and Udon McSpadden fixed it himself.
Councilmember Mike Stapleton was in the Valley last week
when his house, built in 1907, caught on fire. A third of it
was destroyed. He's working with insurance to try to make
the necessary repairs.
Mid-State Pipe and Supply, owned by the Corso family here
for over 50 years, burned to the ground Tuesday. Several
fire departments helped battle the blaze including Globe,
Tri-City, Superior, Payson, Tonto Basin and the forest
service. There were no injuries, and it didn't spread, but it's
a great loss to the community.
A meet and greet for the final four candidates for Globe
Police Chief was held last night. Up for the job are former
Port Arthur, TX Chief of Police, Patrick Melvin;
Indianapolis police lieutenant Brian Churchill; former
Sedona Chief of Police, Raymond Cota; and current
Chandler assistant police chief, Dale Walters.
Patrick Melvin
Brian Churchill
Raymond Cota
Dale Walters
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN
OF MIAMI MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Monday June 25, 2018 6:30 PM
Town Council Chambers - Sullivan Street
Miami welcomes a new restaurant- Joe's Ribs! And it's
already open, it was learned at the Monday night Regular
Meeting of the Mayor and Council. Joe's is on Sullivan
Street in the space formerly operated by a Chinese restaurant.
And Miami might be getting a new park-at Bullion Plaza in
response to the growing traffic problem along Highway 60
by Miami Vandal Park. Several accidents have occurred
near that location, and the Town is working with ADOT on
ways to make the corridor safer. Among the suggestions was
to lower the speed limit to 30 mph.
Mayor Darryl Dalley welcomed the Summer Concert series
at Veteran's Park. High Energy performs this weekend, with
Neto & Imagine on July 14th, Coyote Moon on July 28th,
Low Expectations on August 11th and closing the season on
August 25th, it's Los Implikados. The Mayor said there will
be games in the park for kids during the concerts.
A special events permit was issued for the third annual Pinal
Mountain Foundation for Higher Education fundraiser, the
Wings of Hope Scholarship Show-n-Shine on Saturday
September 22nd. Sullivan Street will be closed to vehicular
traffic from Cordova to Miami Avenue during the day
between 7 and 5.
The Council passed a tentative budget for Fiscal Year
2018-19 for $17,028,381. The bulk of that goes to the sewer
project. The Town's operating budget is between 4 and 5
million. The next public meeting for the budget will be held
on July 23rd.
Phases 3 through 5 of the wastewater project began in late
April in Miami Gardens. Next on the schedule is Van Dyke
and Hardy. Town Manager Joe Heatherly said things are
going well and the current contractor, KE&G, is doing a
good job. Problems with Kincaid are still being litigated
over Phase 2.