Clock ticking on Pinal Creek work

Globe City Council’s March 31 meeting focused on ongoing flood recovery efforts, with updates on the large-scale Pinal Creek mitigation project and the next phase of downtown rebuilding. City officials outlined progress on sediment removal planning, emphasized the urgency of completing key work before the upcoming monsoon season, and spoke to public concerns about the pace of visible activity.

Council also discussed the return of code enforcement in the downtown area, as the city shifts from emergency response to long-term recovery. Staff will continue working with property owners while moving to address stalled properties, safety concerns and damaged structures, including the potential demolition of some historic buildings that cannot be repaired.

Clock ticking on Pinal Creek mitigation work

Fire Chief Gary Robinson updated council on ongoing flood recovery efforts, followed by a discussion on structures and code enforcement downtown by Public Works Director John Angulo.

The City of Globe, as part of its flood cleanup and mitigation efforts, is working with engineering firm CivilTec and Tiffany Construction on a large-scale project focused primarily on sediment removal and channel stabilization along Pinal Creek within city limits.

Tiffany Construction, a contractor out of Flagstaff with extensive experience with this kind of project, is leading the sediment removal. Their goal is to be in and out prior to monsoon season, Robinson said.

City Manager Paul Jepson emphasized that significant progress has been made in planning and coordination, although visible construction work has not yet begun. Engineering work is currently about 60% complete.

CivilTec is designing and engineering the channel through the entire City of Globe corridor, Robinson said. CivilTec has been analyzing historical data, prior mapping, and LiDAR surveys, and is in the process of refining updated mapping to determine the volume and distribution of sediment in the creek corridor.

The project is designed not only to clear debris, but also to stabilize areas where creek banks were damaged during flooding.

“Our staff is working countless hours to meet the requirements to get the project going. … It’s a very complex project.” — Mayor Al Gameros

The project is funded through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and all work must follow strict federal requirements, including environmental and cultural reviews. A required 30-day cultural clearance process is currently underway. Until these steps are completed and approvals are in place, construction cannot begin.

Angulo pointed out that crews were recently working in the Jesse Hayes and Oil Circle roads area, but that was to clear a downed tree and wasn’t related to sediment removal.

Jepson acknowledged the public’s frustration with the pace of visible progress, but emphasized that the city is moving “lightning speed” within the constraints of federal funding rules.

The overall project is expected to cost more than $20 million. Approximately $16 to 18 million is reimbursable through federal funding, while the city is responsible for an estimated $5.5 million match, and the city is seeking additional federal funds to cover that.

“There is still damage within the City of Globe, damage we have not ever seen before, even after three floods and a forest fire. I don’t see any government entity with the ability and wherewithal to fix all that. … I wish we could fix it all right now, but we can’t.” — Councilman Mariano Gonzalez

Jepson underscored that the city must follow proper procedures in order to receive NRCS reimbursement, making compliance critical.

Tiffany Construction has already begun preliminary fieldwork, including blue staking, or marking underground utilities, and is also exploring disposal options for removed sediment. Several potential sites have been identified, but final decisions have not yet been made.

Due to NRCS requirements, the project has a strict 220-day timeline, with approximately 159 days remaining at the time of the meeting. Robinson said an extension may be possible but would require demonstrated progress. As a result, the city is prioritizing work that can be completed within the timeframe. Tiffany Construction is expected to work with local subcontractors where feasible, given the scale and timeline of the project.

“We have 159 days, 5 hours, 5 minutes. … We’re watching the clock.” — Chief Gary Robinson

Jepson said the first and most critical phase will be sediment removal, which is both achievable within the timeline and essential for reducing flood risk ahead of monsoon season. Bank stabilization will follow depending on available time and funding.

Additional improvements, such as retaining walls, foundations and other reinforced concrete structures, are in the design phase, but are not expected to be completed within the 220-day window due to their complexity.

Jepson said the goal is to complete as much sediment removal and stabilization as possible before the start of monsoon season.

Code enforcement returning to downtown

Tony Manfredi, Globe’s community development director, discussed the status of the downtown area, including damaged buildings and the code enforcement process. Manfredi emphasized that, for the sake of overall recovery, rebuilding and stabilizing buildings must move forward in parallel with sediment removal and creek mitigation.

The city is holding Dumpster Days on April 17 through 19, giving residents and business owners an opportunity to dispose of debris and work on their own recovery projects.

Manfredi also announced that the city will resume normal code enforcement on April 6. In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, the city relaxed certain requirements, such as exempting certain permits and easing review processes, to allow residents and businesses time to recover. 

Angulo said the focus now must shift toward long-term progress and public safety.

“Whether they’re family challenges or community challenges, we have to overcome.” — Tony Manfredi, Globe Community Development Director

Manfredi outlined several concerns driving this transition, including structurally compromised buildings, potential contamination, pedestrian safety risks, and the impact on tourism, local businesses and property values. With monsoon season approaching, he stressed the urgency of addressing these issues to reduce further risk.

The building department will continue to work with both commercial and residential property owners, and said owners of properties that are stalled can expect the city to contact them. Manfredi emphasized that enforcement is not intended to be punitive; it’s meant to move projects forward and restore safe, functional conditions downtown.

Gameros acknowledged growing frustration among business owners and residents, especially where damaged buildings are still fenced off, which can limit sidewalk access and cause safety issues. 

Manfredi said progress is being made, even though it might not be visible yet.

“We’re just trying to make things move further and get Globe back on its feet, and prepare for anything that comes our way in the near future.” — Tony Manfredi, Globe Community Development Director

Jepson noted that fencing has been removed from several locations, and cleanup efforts have taken place in parts of downtown.

Manfredi pointed out that in some cases, the extent of structural damage may require some historic buildings to be demolished. The city has already received at least one demolition permit application, and expects additional buildings may be beyond repair. Many of the affected structures are more than a century old, and floodwaters undermined foundations, causing shifting, twisting and structural instability that would be either prohibitively expensive or impossible to fix.

Manfredi acknowledged that the loss of historic structures is difficult, and said the city is beginning to explore long-term options for redevelopment and reuse of those sites.

City employees recognized for 30 years of service

Council recognized three city employees for 30 or more years of service to the City of Globe:

Jodi Martin, Water Office Supervisor: Angulo praised Martin for her hard work and love of Globe. He noted that when she started working, the department was using rotary phones and creating bills by hand. Martin also manages compliance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, in addition to the day-to-day operations of the water office. She also headed the 911 addressing project years ago, and has overseen four meter upgrades over the years, including the new digital meters.

Frank Baroldy, Water Treatment Plant Operator: Angulo recognized Baroldy for 30 years of service, and praised his flexibility, passion and dedication. He noted that Baroldy was the city’s first responder during the storms for supervisory control and data acquisition issues, involving midnight phone calls. He has been involved in many water and sewer projects, and currently is the main operator at the Cutter wells. He also served as superintendent and supervisor at the sewer plant for many years prior to retiring, and then returned to work in the water department. He continues to provide expertise at the sewer plant as needed.

Dave Propeck, Water Treatment Plant Operator: Angulo honored Propeck for attaining 36 years of service with the city on February 5.

David Bejarano, Deputy Fire Chief: Robinson recognized Bejarano for 30 years of service, including 25 years in a leadership capacity and the past 10 years as deputy fire chief. Chief Robinson praised his professionalism, accountability and dedication to the community while filling a critical role. Bejarano gave a statement of gratitude for the way the city came together during the floods.

Motions approved

Council also approved motions for the following:

• Accounts payable in the amount of $1,829,704.56. Jepson explained that the amount is high because it includes some very large items approved at the last council meeting, including the Apache Underground contract for the 595 Fairgrounds Water Line project, the final payment to Meridian for bridge work, and some flood costs still being paid to Action Towing and Apache Underground. The amount also covers three weeks instead of the usual two due to the rescheduling of the meeting.
• Approving the fall bed tax distribution requests for the Globe Downtown Association, Cobre Valley Center for the Arts, and Southern Gila County Economic Development Corp. for the 1st and 2nd quarters of FY25-26, each in the amount of $25,000.
• Writing off uncollectable water debt in the amount of $6,516.91 for FY2025. Martin explained that this step is taken every year to clear accounts of people who haven’t paid. The water office makes every effort to contact people to obtain payment. The amount is 0.1% of the city’s water and sewer revenues. Mayor Gameros urged anyone who has allowed their water, garbage or sewer bill to become delinquent to visit City Hall and make arrangements to avoid the possibility of their water being shut off. Martin said letters are about to go out to 19 customers.
• Approving the submission of an Transportation Alternatives Grant application through the Arizona Department of Transportation for construction funding for the Broad Street Sidewalk Replacement project in the amount of $2,084,207. The project requires a local match of approximately $126,000.
• Approving a contract with Atlas Technical Consultants LLC to provide hazardous testing services for flood-related debris in the not-to-exceed amount of $28,558.13, with 75% of the cost expected to be reimbursed by the state’s Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. Connie Callaway, the city’s grants manager, explained that this relates to testing the temporary debris site for lead, asbestos and E. coli.
• Ratifying a contract in the amount of $4,997.85 with Atlas Technical Consultants LLC to conduct an asbestos survey on the Haven Health Senior Center roof to meet document requirements for a Brownsfield Grant application deadline. The amount will be reimbursed through the Brownsfield Grant should it be awarded. Callaway explained that the city is applying for a $4 million Brownsfield Grant to mitigate the building, but the roof had to be tested on a short timeline prior to the application being submitted.
• Awarding a contract to Seneca Electric LLC to replace the Cutter variable frequency drive for the amount of $19,921.50. Councilmember Freddy Rios explained that the drive is an electric panel that drives a motor and can ramp it up or down, rather than being only either on or off, which creates efficiency and can keep water pressure more stable.
• Issuing an invitation for bid for the Cedar Street Sidewalk & Drainage Improvements project and moving forward with the advertisement. Travis Ashbaugh, the city’s assistant public works planning director, explained that problems emerged with drainage along the sidewalk after the flooding. A section of the sidewalk will be replaced, with work likely starting in July.
• Approving a contract with American Ramp Company to provide improvements at the skate park for the amount of $229,893.99. Funds for this project are through the Community Development Block Grant program administered by Central Arizona Governments. Ashbaugh explained that the project includes new skate equipment, a path from the adult exercise equipment to the skate park, and pads for picnic tables next to the tennis court, with the project expected to be completed by August 1. Mayor Gameros pointed out that the CDBG grant comes around every three years and is shared with Superior and Miami. The city has to pay administration fees, but otherwise the grant is fully funded.

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