Community Pool opening pushed to October in an update at August 23 Council meeting

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.

Community Center Pool slated to be filled in late September, open in October

Project Manager James Neville updated the Community Center Pool rehabilitation project. Neville said the project is now 62% complete, with 97% of the materials for the project having been procured and paid for. The only items not yet received, but paid for, are the slide pumps, the bulkhead, and the splash pad components. All other items are on site.

Neville said since his last update, the main gutter system has been installed, the roof frame assembly is being installed, the rough-ins for the plumbing and electrical in the pavilion have been completed, and the first six courses of the block have been laid. The backfilling has commenced, the bases for the floodlights have been set and wired, the new stairs and lights for the pool have been set in place, and the main pump is in the ground and backfilled.

Neville said there have been uncontrollable delays that are still affecting the schedule. When they were ordered in May and June, some of the materials were scheduled for delivery in three to four months, which means they are only now arriving on site.

Neville expects no further delays and plans to have “water in the pool” in four to five weeks. Tests will be done and the water will be chemically balanced. Neville said the pool should be able to be opened about four to five days after it’s filled with water. If so, the pool should be open in early October; however, neither Neville nor City Manager Paul Jepson specified a date.

McSpaddens retiring from McSpadden Ford

During the special presentations and ceremonial matters portion of the meeting, Council recognized Udon and Kim McSpadden and McSpadden Ford for 53 years of service to the Globe community. The McSpaddens are retiring and have sold the dealership. The new owner is Dale Hicks, and the dealership will be named Courtesy Ford of Globe, not related to the Courtesy business in the Valley. Udon McSpadden said he and Kim will be staying in Globe.

Motions approved

Council also approved motions for the following:

• Accounts payable in the amount of $415,186.27
• Distribution of bed tax funds for the fourth quarter of FY2021-22 to the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts in the amount of $12,422.41. Upon request of Councilman Gonzalez, Council tabled a distribution of bed tax funds to the Globe Downtown Association for the first, second, third, and fourth quarters of FY2021-22 in the total amount of $58,266.63, pending a meeting with GDA to clarify the timing of distributions. Councilman Gonzalez will reintroduce the distribution at Council once he’s spoken with GDA.
• Moving forward adoption of the results of the August 2, 2022, primary election. Races were held in Districts 3, 4, 5, and 6. The results were as follows:
  • District 3 – Councilman Leetham ran unopposed and was declared the winner.
  • District 4 – Councilman Stapleton ran unopposed and was declared the winner.
  • District 5 – Councilman Gonzalez was in a race with Matthew Storm and Councilman Gonzalez won, receiving more than 51% of the votes.
  • District 6 – Councilman Shipley ran unopposed and was declared the winner.

This item was advanced to the next meeting for a second read and final approval.

• An invitation for bid for the Globe Community Center Sewer Line Replacement Project. City Engineer Jerry Barnes said this item has been approved through both WIFA and CAG and is ready to advertise. The line starts at Tri-City Fire and goes to the Boys and Girls Club, and ties in Besh and all of the Community Center. It will be available as a major trunk line for future expansion, including for private property owners. Barnes said an engineer’s estimate of the cost is $700,000. This item will come back before Council to approve the lowest bid.
• A funding request for the Gila House in the amount of $15,000 to support short-term housing. Council also approved reporting requirements with regard to this grant. Council discussed this item at its previous meeting. Police Chief Dale Walters pointed out Gila House has been a “huge benefit to the community,” including providing crucial services during the fires and floods.
• A contract with McSpadden Ford for the purchase of a 2023 Ford F150 4X4 for the Water Department in the amount of $51,357.17. The vehicle is due to be delivered in March.
• A resolution expressing support for the appointment of Drew John to the Arizona State Transportation Board.
• A resolution supporting a USDA loan application to fund the construction of a new fire station for an amount not to exceed $13.5 million. Mayor Gameros, City Manager Jepson, and Chief Gary Robinson all emphasized the need for a new station due to the age of the existing station – over 100 years old – and the need for a facility that protects the health and safety of fire department personnel and complies with current regulations. The building will have two stories, three and a half bays, and a drive-through, with direct access to Highway 60. Mayor Gameros pointed out this project is being funded through the recently implemented 1% sales tax increase. The City will not be going out to bond for this project or raising funds through any other method that would cost money to City taxpayers.
• A contract with Pro Force Law Enforcement for purchasing firearms and equipment in the amount of $35,011.02. Police Chief Dale Walters said this is the second installment in updating the Police Department’s equipment and completes the overhaul. It includes a patrol rifle for every sworn officer, three updated less-lethal weapon systems, Glock handguns, sights and slings, and more.
• A service agreement and contract with Vigilant Solutions, LLC, to purchase license plate reader program equipment for a contract amount not to exceed $40,912. Chief Walters explained that these readers will automatically report in to dispatch and will help in situations such as Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, and traffic data collection. These units are mobile dashboard mounted. Chief Walter said that the PD has been testing a unit for the last several months. This contract is for four new units.

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

The Globe City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are currently open to the public at 50% capacity. Members of the public are requested to wear a mask except when seated. Seating is limited to allow for social distancing.

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