Join us for this year’s State of The City Address on April 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Veteran’s Park located at 150 N. Pine St. This is an opportunity to hear about the progress our city has made, reflect on the events of the historic flooding of September, and learn more about the priorities for the future.
March 24 through 26, Councilman Jessee Leetham, Councilman Fernando Shipley, City Manager Paul Jepson and I traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of our community and present several critical project priorities for our city.
Our first meeting was with Division Chief Ralph Smith of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. During this discussion, we focused on the potential for a 25% cost share match waiver on the projects for Gila County, Globe and Miami. Securing this waiver would be a significant step for our communities. It means relief for our communities that have already endured so much. It means the ability to move forward without placing an even greater burden on our local taxpayers.
Other meetings throughout the day included Congressman Greg Stanton, Representative Juan Cescomani, Congressman Eli Crane, Senator Ruben Gallegos, Congressman Andy Biggs and Senator Mark Kelly. In these meetings, we urged our legislative leaders to continue supporting the approval of the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration that would change our dollar match to 10% and open several resources and opportunities for our residents and businesses. Other projects that we presented with possible funding assistance for our city were for our new ladder truck, police vehicles, McCormick Tunnel, Michaelson Building and our 595 Waterline Project.
This $24 million project represents the first critical step in stabilizing our waterways and protecting our community’s infrastructure. The work will include removing debris from the 2.8 miles of city waterway and stabilizing sections of the creek banks where needed. Our city’s 25% match is $5.5 million.
Reaching the point of actual debris removal requires a thorough and deliberate process to ensure full reimbursement to the city. The project must be fully engineered and soil tested, right of entry from property owners must be obtained, appropriate sites must be identified for debris disposal, and a qualified contractor with the capacity to handle work at this scale hired. In addition, all necessary environmental and cultural assessments must be completed to ensure the project is carried out in compliance with all regulations. The project has a limited timeframe of 220 days.
Council approved Resolution 1829, waiving the collection fee associated with uncollectable water debt owed to the City of Globe. The total amount of this uncollectable balance was $6,516.91.
This Resolution is different from the agreement between the City of Globe and Arizona Water that went into effect on February 1. This agreement allows the City of Globe to request Arizona Water Company to shut off water service for customers with joint service accounts who are delinquent in paying their city sewer and garbage bills. The main geographic area affected includes city residents that live west of Auto Zone. There are currently 19 residents in this area who are delinquent in their payments for a total of $43,000. If you are one of the 19 residents listed, please contact the City of Globe Water Department as soon as possible to make payment arrangements and avoid interruption of water service to your home.
Bulk trash pickup is available by request through Waste Connections. Here’s how it works:
The Globe Clean and Beautiful Community Cleanup event is scheduled for April 17 through 19. Dumpster locations are as follows: Dog Park at 520 E. Cuprite St., 339 S. Broad St. at the teepee, Ash and Mesquite Streets City Parking Lot, and 621 5th St. The Dog Park location is the main staging area for metal, appliances, tires, furniture, electronics, batteries and green waste. No refrigerators with freon allowed.
The next Coffee with the Mayor is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m., hosted by Copper Cities Coffee, located at 1100 N. Broad Street, Suite F. This event offers a great opportunity for residents to meet with the mayor and vice mayor, ask questions, and get the most accurate and up to date information on city projects — past, present, and upcoming.
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