Minutes of Regular Town of Thatcher Council Meeting

MINUTES OF MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE

THATCHER TOWN COUNCIL

June 9, 2009

Present: Mayor Bob Rivera, Vice Mayor Bill Mulleneaux, Councilman Eric Merriman, Charles Morris, Ken Larson, Wayne Griffin, Donald Innes

Staff Present: Terry Hinton Manager, Dudley Welker Attorney, Heath Brown Engineer, Mike Payne Fire Department, Mark Stevens Chief of Police, Lona Duncan Town Clerk

Vistors: Tyler and Jaime Myers, Aimee Staten Gary Allred, J.R. Ramirez, Ryan Rapier, Linda Stavaz

Mayor Rivera called meeting to order at 7:00pm and said God Bless our Troops, America and Families

Pledge of Allegiance by Librado M Ramirez

Roll Call.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

A. Conditional Use Permit for Electronic Messaging Sign for Altec Refrigeration.

Terry said there was a public hearing held and the P&Z Broad recommended the permit be given and staff agrees. It is nothing that you haven’t approved before.

OPEN CALL TO THE PUBLIC:

JR Ramirez introduced himself as the Executive Director of the Southeast Arizona Community Action Program. He said that he brought with him a new public information guide it gives phones numbers to call and what the agency can provide for your family that I will leave with you. The first and most important thing I would like to tell you is that the four counties that we cover has been given 4.6 million dollars to weatherize homes this is part of the stimulus packet. We will have trained people to weatherize your house. So far we have had 50 people apply in this county there are some items that have to be qualified one being the annual wage the number of people in the home and if you own the home. The questions are all black and white there are no grey areas. This is not a poverty program there are many people that will qualify. We are asking that you let people know it is available for them there is no appointments necessary just come in. The average amount of new money that it will take to weatherize the home will be from 6500.00 to 4500.00. This is a federal program for you to use and we have three years to use it. We have other programs for you to use so please call or come in if you have any questions.

Ryan Rapier stood and said he attended the resent Safford Council meeting. I was taught to be self sufficient our community is not self sufficient. Now they are saying we have to pay a different rate to swim a different rate for library use and a different golf course fee for non- residents. They can do that because we don’t have a pool or a library or a golf course. I have told those in Safford my feelings. I have three questions of this Council one being what is this Council’s intention, two if the County failed to approve a library district what will happen and three what steps are going to be made and what can I do or other citizens do to make this a priority. I realize that we have a pool in Thatcher but there is no obligation on the part of Eastern Arizona College if the pool doesn’t meet their criteria they can close it as they have done in the passed we have no say. Lastly if the answer is there is nothing the citizens can do then tell us so we can look at other avenues that are available to us. I don’t want to be here but I believe in this strongly it is not ok what Safford is doing but they hold all the cards at this point. If negotiations about the golf course can not be made I will volunteer to man a booth and charge a toll for roads for undo burden to Thatcher residents for the highly traffic area. I will be back because we need an answer there are many people concerned about these issues. Terry said I had this information for the manager report but if Council will allow me. We do have an IGA agreement with EAC back in 1972 or 1973 we help build the pool we dug the hole and put up 25,000.00 dollars and they provided the land. Currently the pool is operating for the public from 1:30 - 4:30 Monday thru Saturday and 6:30-8:30 Monday and Wednesday for night swim and two aerobic classes and one lap swim going on. We have been looking at swim lessons but there are not many people that can do that and the same thing happen to the swim team they couldn’t secure a coach. We believe by next year we will have a better handle I have made a deal with the College that is there time available for swim lesson which there is right now from 8:30 to 10:30 or 9:00 to10:30 is available but we don’t have anyone to teach those lessons. Mr. Rapier asked what has been done so that it won’t close again. Terry said any pool if they don’t meet the health conditions will not open they have redone there filtering system and it has worked so far. Mr. Rapier said the larger point is that it is EAC’s pool. Terry said the cost of a new pool would be over 1 million dollars and only used for three months do we really need two pools. The library at EAC is open to the public and it is a nice library about 50%of the cards holders are from Safford. Mr. Rapier said that he knew EAC library could be used by the community but many of us have young children they don’t have books from them. Pima has a pool and Duncan has a pool. Terry said and they only have one in the community and Pima didn’t want to open because of the operation costs. Mr. Rapier said I understand they are not a money maker what are we oppose to do if next year the filter system at EAC’s pool brakes down again and we have to pay 50 to 75 dollars a year to Safford or what happens is they won’t let you use them. Mr. Rapier asked is there nothing that the citizens do? What I hear you saying is that this is not a priority for this Council. Mr. Rapier asked if anyone has approach Safford with an agreement for the charges and the answer was a number of times. Attorney Welker said he had been involved in a number of law suite with Safford and I can tell you that they do not keep there agreements we can’t control what they do with that golf course. What do you propose we change Mr. Rapier said we could have a third party auditor to look at the lose they take every year and we pay half of that lose so that our residents don’t have to pay extra fees. Terry said why should all the people in Thatcher who don’t play golf have to pay for those who don’t play. Councilman Morris asked where is the money going to come from we don’t charge a property tax. Mr. Rapier said use the sales tax money we are not struggling. Councilman Morris said and we want to keep it that way. Mr. Rapier said so you are letting your citizens take the brunt end of this.

Linda Stavast introduced herself as a mother five children and lives in Thatcher. I am here to ask if there is a possibility of creating a family friend public library. I believe that a library that is available to the public is curial to the development of our children and it is the responsibility of the adult in our committee to provide it. You might say that Thatcher has a library at EAC but it is not sufficient for the children. The City of Safford has a library and has increased there fees for nonresidents. Now is the time for Thatcher to become an independent community we can not dependent on other communities for our basic necessities. Thatcher residents need and deserve an acceptable library and pool to enjoy. I appreciate that Thatcher spends less than it takes in I am asking you to continue the hard work and thrift to accomplish the task of a creating a library. I am not asking tonight for you to make a decision but rather to consider. If the Council will consider a library they you need to decide how much can you give to make this work. This might have to wait a year because of budget and maybe the community can help. I have researched the project and have come up with some figures plus there is grant money that we could apply for. I propose that we beginning looking for space to rent. The approximate cost of running a library would be about $220,000 without books and if you had 15 thousand books the cost would be 300,000.00 the total would be 520,000.00 remember this it is an over approximation. We could buy books over time and build up so the cost won’t be so huge at first. All the salaries won’t be paid at one time either if you do it just a little bit at a time. If you look at the building and equipment cost only it will be around 150,000.00. For a yearly operating budget you are looking at 160,000.00 to 200,000.00. We depend on Safford to much the families of Thatcher are depending on you to help us. My web site is www. thatcher library purposal.com is you want to look at more figures.

Councilman Innes asked for more information on the grant and Linda said all she knew is the paper said the minimum amount would be 10,000. Vice Mayor Mulleneaux said we are not resistant to the idea of a library the problem is we are in tough economic time and if we spend that and the tough times continue then we may have to rising taxes or cut services. We have to look at what we can afford and what is best for the whole community. Linda said I think it would be better in an economic depression rather than a high because we know that we can afford it during the down times. Councilman Griffin asked if the County had made a decision on the district and Councilman Morris said they would meet Thursday. Councilman Innes asked is it the Safford or County library. Terry said it the Safford Library ran by the City Council but if a Library District is formed it will go back to the County and Safford would lose control of it. The County Board of Supervisor will probably appoint a board.

PUBLIC APPEARANCES:

CONSENT AGENDA:

A. Approve minutes of the April 14, 2009 Regular Council Meeting.

B. Planning and Zoning Monthly Report.

C. Police Monthly Report.

D. Approval of Invoices.

E. Financial Reports.

Councilman Merriman made the motion to approve minutes and reports Councilman Morris seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous Motion passed

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

A. RESOLUTION NO. 551-2009: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF THATCHER, ARIZONA, PERTAINING TO THE SUBMISSION OF PROJECTS FOR CONSIDERATION IN ARIZONA’S 2010 HIGHWAY SAFETY PLAN.

Terry explained this has to be done so the Police Department can put in for a grant.

Councilman Morris made motion to approve Resolution No 551-2009. Councilman Innes seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous Motion passed

B. Decision on Altec Message Board.

Terry said as I said before staff and P&Z approve. Councilman Griffin asked why they have to have a variance. Terry said at the time when the zoning was written those where a rarity there weren’t many and now they are common. I think what needs to happen is in the rewrite of the Town Code that needs to be switched to the P& Z officials make that decision, but at this time because it is still in the code we have to do the variance. Councilman Innes asked if there would be an update. Terry said yes but we need to get some more changes because it takes a lot longer and is a more expense process because of the Growing Smarter Legislation.

Councilman Innes made motion to approve the Altec message board Councilman Merriman seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous Motion passed

C. Proclamation – Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15, 2009.

Mayor Rivera read the proclamation concerning Elder Abuse Awareness on June 15^thand stated he was glad to sign this proclamation.

D. League Resolution in Support of Governor Brewer’s 2009/10 Budget. Information Item.

Terry said in your packet there is a letter from Boyd Dunn Mayor of City of Chandler and on the League’s Executive Committee he says there are two budgets out there one from the Legislator and the other is the Governor budget. The one coming from Legislator has some big cuts and that one that will affect us is they will take part of our Vehicle License Tax and give it to the schools. That one loss would mean about a 75,000.00 to us.

Mayor Rivera said the common fear is for them to dig in to our revenue sharing. The Governor is asking for 1% sales tax for public to vote on. I think by supporting this we are telling our Legislator that we don’t want them taking our items so we need as Cities and Towns to back the Governor. Mayor Rivera said there is a letter that can be sent to the League. Terry said he would provide that letter I believe there needs to be seven different letters. They all agreed to sign a letter

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to A.R.S. Section 38-431.03 (A)(7) the Council may go into Executive Session to consult with the Town Attorney for legal advise.

Decision on Executive Session.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:

A. Town Manager’s Report:

Terry said the school project is going well the curbs are poured and they will start the bus lane. It looks real nice you should drive by and look. Next month the bid for paving on Highshool, 2^ndStreet and College Ave which will tie into the Fire Station will be on the agenda it will look real nice when it is finished.

We are still are making progress on stimulus project. Heath is filling out forms and has been getting help from the ADOT consultant. We are now working on the environmental process which should be the longest process. ADOT is pushing hard to get these projects in and done so the State of Arizona will spend there money and if another state doesn’t spend their allotted money in the time frame then we can maybe get some of that money. The new director of ADOT is pushing hard for this to happen we are thinking September or maybe October to put pavement on Johnson Street to the next cut and if we are lucky down to the next cut down to the condo’s. At the last Tac meeting they told us that if there was extra money it would be divided between us and Sierra Vista. I believe our portion is 280 thousand in addition to the 600 thousand. We are planning on do a rubberized overlay from Johnson down the hill. One stipulation is that we have to stay in the guide line of the original plan.

A motion for a summary judgment has been filed on our behalf on behalf of the Leader of the Town Houses up on the hill to get the infrastructure completed. I don’t see how the Judge won’t grant it we got a bond and he didn’t perform and that is what the bonds are for. We have taken our next step to get the bond back.

I have a lease for Val’s Building it is a clothing store and Attorney Welker is reviewing the lease to see if there are any problems it will be less expensive for us because they are putting up the walls. The judge will be moving over to that building Monday & Tuesday of next week.

If any of you drive up Reay Lane look at sign by our new building it is up we might have to put a light up for the night so it will be lighter. If we have the dedication during the week then all of the employees can attend. Mayor Rivera asked what day would be best. Terry said if we have it on June 24^th then we could have the Work Session after the dedication

One more thing on the Library the County does give money to Safford and Pima and if we have one they would have to give to us also. If the District is formed then we would be a satellite. One more thing on the library I think it might be worth the time to approaching the school and EAC to work together on a library that will be for little kids also.

Councilman Larson said someone ask him about the dirt in front of Town Houses in Daley Estates. Terry said I am not sure who is responsible for that area. Councilman Larson said I think some pea gravel would help when the wind blows the dirt won’t blow. Terry said my problem is if we do that will we have to put pea gravel on every shoulder in Town where there is dirt. Councilman Larson said maybe just spread the gravel out where there is not any. Councilman Griffin said on the girls peewee field the back stop screen is coming down it needs to be looked at the ball are coming through. Councilman Merriman asked if Terry knew if anyone was looking at going into the Long Johns Silver building. No but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t start up again after school begins. Councilman Merriman suggested the Subway store Terry said he would talk to the man that runs the Subway store he knew him that would be a good idea.

B. Fire Department Report.

Chief Payne said they have resolved the problem with the blue and red lights. Mike said we have tinted them with a red clear coat and it works they are LED lights so they won’t burn. BK Merriman is fixing them. Saturday there will be extraction training in Ft Thomas. We have applied for a grant for a training tower. Rue has his information on ladder truck for the work session meeting .They are tying the water line in for the condominiums which will help us with water on Stadium Ave. and also they are starting the new Nursing Building which that will help boost that building.

C. Police Department Report.

We are making an effort to ticket abanded vehicle and trailers. We try to verbally worn them first and then take action if we need to. Safeway ask that we keep an eye on their parking lot they don’t want it use for a place to sell vehicles. We are still waiting to hear on our Cops Grant hope to hear by September. David Perkins finished the new evidence room I am now in the process of disposing of the old blood that is not needed. We have to send that off to the Court and get permission before it can be disposed the cases have to be closed. The hospital said they would take that old blood. Dave did an outstanding job on the room.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

A. Safe House- Councilman Griffin said theit next meeting is the June 23^rd. They are like everyone waiting to hear on the budget from the State. The DES funding is getting cut which will affect them so that is what they are watching. Terry said we have the same donation this next year as usual. Councilman Griffin said the Governor is flavor of them and the Legislator are working to cut it out

B. Chamber of Commerce- Councilman Merriman said that Sheldon Miller has retired and a committee of four has been set up to hire a replacement. The leadership program is coming to an end this was the forth year. They already have money allotted for this coming year so they will take application for those interested. It is a 10 month course and it is one day a month. We received a report from Freeport the copper price is still 2.30 they don’t want to make to many moves but have been calling back a lot of laid off people so that is good. The vehicle dealers in the valley did not lose their dealerships however Lordsburg, Willcox, Silver City and Superior did. Councilman Merriman said there was talk on the library about making it a district. The County is in trouble they have laid off 8 employees and may have to lay off another 11 employees. The Salsa Feist is still going on with the book and the activities. Mayor Rivera said the Phoenix magazine had an article on the Salsa Feist.

C. SEAGO- Councilman Merriman said we had the last meeting with Richard Gaar and Randy Heiss will take his place. We had a speaker from legislator said they can’t agree on anything. So basically we have lost our Hurf money it is gone. We did vote in San Carlos they will be at the Seago meetings but they will have to work out some changes to their by laws. I believe the transition from Richard Gaar to Randy Hiess will go very smooth. Mayor Rivera said the Mayor of Douglas Dr. Michael Gomez is asking support in the form of a Resolution for Federal moneys for the Douglas port of entry. There has not been any remodeling in thirty years and that port of entry brings in the amount of 900 million dollars a year. He is asking all the Cities and Towns in the Seago area to support the resolution. If it is ok with this Council I will send a letter to Dr. Gomez stating our support.

E. Arizona Foundation - Councilman Larson said there was nothing new going on that will be later on this year.

Terry said I have given you a new copy of the Emergency Plan with the fixed typo and year.

ADJOURNMENT