City Council decides to purchase aerial ladder truck at busy April 8 meeting

City puts down deposit on new aerial ladder truck

The City is still seeking ways to finance a new ladder truck for the Fire Department – an item that will likely cost upwards of $2.6 million – but while staff work to put together the funding, Council has decided to go ahead and put down a deposit in order to hold its place in line for a truck.

The City will put down a $25,000 deposit with Rosenbauer Minnesota LLC to hold an aerial ladder truck (76069 King Cobra) for Globe’s Fire Department.

Jepson pointed out that if the City were to wait until funding is place, this would further delay delivery of the truck and could expose the City to cost increases. Jepson said the full cost of the truck will be about $2.6 million, although it could rise, as the deposit does not guarantee the price – it only reserves the truck. 

“Without (the truck), it’s going to a difficult challenge to preserve downtown Globe as it sits.” – Globe Fire Marshal Tom Murtha

Council has decided to purchase a “spec” truck (non-custom made). This will significantly shorten the amount of time it will take to receive the truck, to about 18 months versus around three years.

Mayor Gameros pointed out that tariffs on steel could cause the price to increase dramatically, but Jepson said the only way to guarantee the price would be to pay for the truck in full up front. 

Fire Marshal Tom Murtha pointed out that this deposit would get the City’s foot in the door to purchase an excellent and sought-after piece of equipment. He pointed out that currently neither the City nor Tri-City Fire has an operational ladder truck. The City is looking into leasing a ladder truck until the new truck is delivered.

The City has a grace period during which it could cancel the deposit if Council has second thoughts.

Council adopts 2025 Strategic Action Plan

Council adopted the City’s 2025 Strategic Action Plan after a presentation by Linda Oddonetto highlighting on new additions to the plan.

Oddonetto pointed out that the City has the following overall priorities:

1. Consistent communications with stakeholders and the community
2. Supporting SAP focus areas, which are public safety, infrastructure, economic development, quality of life, and financial sustainability
3. Workforce development opportunities for City departments

Oddonetto emphasized that the lists below include just a selection of some the projects that the City’s strategic plan includes, highlighting new items.

Under the umbrella of economic and community development, the plan includes the following components:

• Downtown redevelopment plan
  • Downtown beautification
  • Explore the creation of an Entertainment District
  • Downtown restrooms
  • Wayfinding, including bronze plaques and the Waygo app
  • Weekend transit trolley, expanding transit opportunities
• Housing
  • Research creating an investment fund
• Annexation, which could increase the City’s population over 10,000 and enable access to more state shared-revenue funds
• Michaelson Building/co-working space
• Childcare opportunities
  • Early childhood/youth programming

Under quality of life and recreational development, the plan includes:

• Expanding Community Center pool programming
• First Friday fresh-up, with new features
  • Coordinate with CVCA, Chamber, and other partners
• Adult exercise equipment and downtown water stations
• Parks and Recreation Director/Department revitalization
  • Parks improvement long-range plan
• Silver King planning area – demolition followed by new parking area and pocket park
• Library expansion planning 

Under infrastructure and public works, the plan comprises the following areas:

• Improve Historic Downtown lighting
• Broadband
  • Fiber
  • Downtown wifi
• Downtown parking, ways to maximize or redesign
• Northeast Corridor Waterline Project
• Floodplain/zone study
• Garbage collection – potential for City garbage collection
• Northeast corridor sewer expansion – possible 595 U.S. Army corps project
• The Safe Streets Initiative and sidewalks SS4A project
• Decrease water loss through infrastructure improvement projects
• Fleet replacement plan

Under public safety, the plan includes:

• City emergency plan – researching funding options
• New fire station – researching financing options
• Ladder truck replacement
• Community involvement and PR
• Retention and recruitment
• Fleet replacement plan

In terms of financial sustainability, the City’s plans include the following – most which will go into effect by May 1, according to Jepson:

• City fee schedule update
• Organizational staff retention and development plan
• Review of bed tax capacity building plan
• Water/wastewater fee and capacity study

Potential water conservation policy could reduce water costs and increase property values

Daniel Bradshaw from the Planning Center, a consulting firm in Tucson, presented a proposal for standards for a potential water conservation landscape design policy. Preparation of the proposal was paid for through a Growing Water Smart Grant sponsored by Sonoran Institute.

The proposal offers strategies and recommendations that could become part of future code. Bradshaw explained that the potential water conservation landscape design policy would be intended to update the existing standards and guidelines that are applied to landscape design for new development or the expansion of existing developments, when a major or minor site plan review process is required.

“Well-written landscape standards create outdoor spaces that reflect in pride in the community, can support economic development, improve curb appeal, encourage quality investment, and increase property values.” Assistant City Manager Melissa Steele

The intent of the potential water conservation landscape design policy would be to conserve water to the greatest extent feasible. The guidelines and standards would apply only to commercial new development and would not apply to residential yards or construction on individual lots.

The standards have five key elements:

1. Site resources, including existing vegetation
2. Plants, including native, near native, and drought tolerant
3. Shade and mulch
4. Contemporary irrigation technology
5. Rainwater harvesting

With regard to site resources, the proposal suggests that landscape designers do the following:

• Require an inventory of protected plant species growing within the project’s grading limits
• Determine if salvage is possible
• Require mitigation (replacement) of any protected plant that will be removed from the site

With regard to plant selection, Bradshaw pointed out that native, near native, and drought tolerant plants respond well to the local climate, growing healthier and stronger. They require less fertilizer, pesticides, and water, and provide optimal wildlife habitat. They also celebrate local character.

In connection with plant selection, the proposal suggests landscape designers do the following:

• Ensure that native plant mitigation requirements are included in the landscape plans
• Require that plants be selected from an approved list
• Prohibit problematic plants, which would require high water use or be invasive, for example. Turf grass should be limited to certain uses.

As to shade and mulch, Bradshaw explained that shade trees create cool microclimates, regulating soil temperature. They also filter air and enhance livability and can reduce radiated heat. Mulch retains water in the soil, helps to regulat soil temperature, suppresses weeds, and controls erosion. Organic mulch provides nutrients and improves soil fertility.

In connection with shade and mulch, the proposal suggests landscape designers do the following:

• Require trees along streetscapes, within buffer yards, among buildings, and throughout parking lots
• Require mulch in all landscape areas

With regard to irrigation technology, Bradshaw pointed out that automatic controllers have advanced significantly recently, and they can now be controlled by apps and automatically adjust water schedules depending on climate conditions, by communicating with flow sensors, soil sensors, weather stations, etc. Point-source drop irrigation and deep root irrigation systems can provide irrigation water to precise locations. This can reduce water waste and contribute to long-term cost savings, through process automation, remote monitoring, and comprehensive reporting.

In connection with irrigation technology, the proposal suggests landscape designers do the following:

• Require a dedicated irrigation meter
• Require permanent sub-surface point-source (drip) irrigation systems
• Require an automatic controller, with flow sensor and a weather-based sensor system

As to rainwater harvesting, Bradshaw explained that capturing rainwater to supplement irrigation can reduce irrigation demand by maximizing the efficiency of rainwater in the constructed landscape. Rainwater harvesting can consist of active harvesting, where water is stored in a cistern, or passive harvesting, where the water is collected in small basins in the landscape. The goal is to slow, spread, and sink the rainwater.

In connection with rainwater harvesting, the proposal suggests landscape designers do the following:

• Depress all landscape areas 4” to 9” where feasible

• Grade the site to drain through landscape areas
• Use roof drains, downspouts, sidewalk scuppers, and curb cuts to direct water from impervious surfaces toward the landscape
• Incorporate berms, swales, basins, gabions, check dams, etc. within landscape areas to slow, spread, and infiltrate water

Paul Jepson explained that the proposed policy will go through a long process of public discussion and decision-making to ensure it will fit Globe’s needs and Council’s desires. He assured that the policy would be only for commercial new construction and would not be retroactive.

Steele also pointed out that an extra benefit of adopting a water conservation policy is that it would help the City obtain certain grants that require showing such standards are in place.

The Planning Center is an award-winning firm out of Tucson that has been working around Arizona for over 40 years, providing land use planning and landscape architecture consulting services.

2025 Community Survey highlights concerns over housing, roads, and safety

Linda Oddonetto, Assistant City Manager, presented Council with the results of the City’s 2025 Community Survey. The survey is intended to make sure the City’s strategic action plan aligns with what people would like to see happen in the city, Oddonetto said.

This year, 161 people responded to the survey, which was conducted in December and January and was promoted across social media. Surveys were also available at the library and at City Hall.

Highlights from the results include:

• People would like to see more retail and entertainment options in the city, including arcades and family fun centers, as well as outdoor-oriented businesses. They also want more health and wellness businesses and professional services.
• Respondents shop mostly locally and online, although about 15% usually travel to neighboring cities such as in the East Valley.
• To attract more visitors, people’s top recommendations were for the city to develop more outdoor recreation areas, create more event and festivals, and preserve and promote historic sites.
• As to barriers to economic growth in Globe, most respondents cited the high cost of business and lack of workers and skilled labor. Many also mentioned limited marketing and promotion for Globe, but Steele and Oddonetto pointed out that the City’s extensive marketing efforts target people outside the city, so Globe residents wouldn’t necessarily see it.
• As to current challenges, the top responses were housing availability/affordability (70%) and limited recreational activities (60%). Steele interpreted this as saying people would like to see more recreation-oriented businesses in the City, as opposed to places. People also mentioned access to health care and transportation/transit. Mayor Gameros pointed out that the city needs a bowling alley.
• As to amenities and programs, most respondents felt the City needs more youth and teen programming, as well as more parks and trails.
• With regard to infrastructure, people rated road repairs and maintenance highest, and upgrades to parks and facilities second. Sidewalk improvements came in third, with reliable Internet at number four.
• With regard to a question about whether people had used Globe’s public transportation system, only about 10% said yes. And 20% of respondents said they didn’t even know Globe has a public transportation system, suggesting the City needs to do more education about what’s available.
• As to public safety, people’s top concern was police presence and response time, with disaster preparedness coming in second. Respondents ranked the safety of their neighborhoods 3.38 out of 5, on average.

About 65% of respondents had lived in Globe 10 years or more. About 90% were residents, and around 45% work in Globe.

In a side note, Oddonetto mentioned that Globe pulls consumers from a radius of about a 60 to 80-mile radius, including Tonto Basin, Hayden, Winkelman, Mammoth, and Safford. Globe’s McDonald’s is the #1 top-selling McDonald’s in the state and the sixth top-selling McDonald’s in the country.

Business licensing contributes to development and public safety

Community Development Director Tony Manfredi and Linda Oddonetto updated Council on the City’s business license process and explained the reasons why the City needs to issue business licenses.

Categories of business licenses include retail or wholesale, service industry, professional such as doctors and lawyers, mobile food vendors, other mobile vendors, liquor sales, marijuana/cannabis facilities, and utility services. 

“Any business that conducts operations in the City of Globe, whether brick and mortar or transient in nature, are required to have business licensing.” Tony Manfredi 

Manfredi pointed out the many benefits of business licensing, including being able to assure compliance with state and local laws, being able to keep track of development needs, and protecting the public by verifying the legitimacy of businesses and issuing certificates of occupancy to help ensure safe buildings. Also, a portion of business license fees go toward the costs of providing public safety.

Statistics for business licensing in Globe include:

• The City issued 481 business license renewals in the first quarter of 2025.
• 18 new licenses were issued in 1Q2025.
• 6 license renewals for nonprofit organizations were also processed in 1Q. These are no-fee.
• Of those licenses, 106 were one-time licenses for companies coming into Globe from out of town.
• 110 existing licenses were not renewed in 1Q. Manfredi said some business owners might have failed to renew because the City asks for information on its new application form, which some people might not want to provide. However, state, federal, and local laws require the City to have that information, and the City needs to be able to contact business owners. Manfredi said in the past, the City has found current business licenses that were under deceased people’s names.
• Globe took in about a quarter of a million dollars from business licensing in 1Q2025, almost $200,000 of which came from utility service businesses. These businesses pay 3% of their business income plus $500 per quarter, per ordinance. Regular businesses and vendors paid a total of $59,388 in 1Q.

Motions approved

Council also approved motions for the following:

• Accounts payable in the amount of $766,996.57
• Notification of application for the Arizona State Library 2025 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Express Hotspot Lending Grant for $4,000 that will continue funding the wifi for Seniors and Students Program. Library Director Rayel Starling explained that the library applies for this grant every year and expects to hear yes or no in May. Jepson pointed out that since it’s a federal grant, it could be affected by the ongoing cost-cutting in D.C.
• Approving submission of applications for two grants from the Governor’s Office, one for Highway Safety Grant Applications DUI Task Force Grant for $10,282 and another for a Traffic Enforcement (STEP) Grant for $12,604. These grants are part of Arizona’s 2026 Highway Safety Plan and are no-match. The DUI Task Force grant would pay for additional overtime and equipment, and increased impaired driving patrols. The STEP grant would pay for additional traffic speed enforcement radar units and additional overtime for speed enforcement. Jepson said both would help reduce serious accidents in Globe, which is a priority for Chief Walters.
• Moving forward an ordinance amending Article 3 of the City’s Purchasing Code for Goods and Services to increase the threshold requiring the use of competitive solicitation for professional services from $50,000 to $125,000, and increase the threshold requiring statement of qualifications solicitation for these services from $50,000 to $125,000. Jepson explained that this change will help the City get the best value for professional services by including time as well as cost in procurement decisions. He gave the example of costs going up for bridge projects and the community pool rehab because of delays, making time a critical factor. The change would allow the City more flexibility to consider timing in medium-size projects. Tony Manfredi spoke in support of the change, as it would help Public Works commence projects more quickly. This item will come back to council for final approval at the next meeting.
• Approving the write-off of uncollectible water debt in the amount of $3,301.60 for FY2024. This item was discussed at Council’s previous meeting. Mayor Gameros praised the low amount of the write-off this year and urged City staff to pursue the people who fail to pay their bills, including sewer, water, and garbage fees in areas that are Arizona Water.
• Approving a contract with 5D Mining & Construction Inc. in the amount of $40,668 for the installation of a concrete slab for outdoor adult exercise equipment near the skate park and soccer fields at the Globe Community Center. Vince Mariscal, Assistant Public Works Director, said it will be a 69 x 35 foot pad with an ADA ramp on two sides, and the money will come from a grant from BHP. The concrete will be poured this month and the equipment will be installed two weeks later.
• Approving a contract with Matrix New World in the amount of $40,316.45 to conduct an in-situ microcosm study and reporting for the underground storage tank remediation at the Public Works yard. Public Works Director John Angulo pointed out that this project is part of a long-term project to solve the problem of leaks from former underground storage tanks in the Public Works yard. The test will take around five to six months and will allow the City to do final treatment of the site. Angulo said the leaking has not affected any surrounding area or any well sites.
• Approve a contract with Jonovich Companies in the amount of $34,773.41, for wastewater treatment plant chlorine system upgrades. Vince Mariscal explained that the purpose is to switch from chlorine gas to liquid chlorine, which is safer for staff and equally effective in terms of treating the effluent.

 

Members of the Globe City Council: Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton (District 4), and Council members Freddy Rios (District 1), Mike Pastor (District 2), Jesse Leetham (District 3), Mariano Gonzalez (District 5), and Fernando Shipley (District 6). All members were in attendance at this meeting except Councilmen Shipley, Rios, and Leetham.

To view this meeting online, visit City Council Meeting – April 8, 2025.

To view documents related to this meeting, click here. 

Full minutes can be found by going to the City Hall website .

Members of the public can also participate in City of Globe public meetings by viewing the meeting live on YouTube. To view the Council meeting live stream, go to the City of Globe’s YouTube channel (search for City of Globe Arizona). Or click on the “Live Stream on YouTube” link at the top of www.globeaz.gov.

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