Council considers Gila House funding at brief August 9 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 except Councilman Leetham.

Council hears funding request for Gila House

Gila House is a volunteer-based nonprofit agency serving the Globe-Miami area since 2010, whose mission is to provide living assistance to families that have suffered life-altering events that might result in homelessness. Council considered a funding request for Gila House in the amount of $15,000 to support short-term housing. 

City Manager Paul Jepson explained that Gila House had submitted the request during the recent budgeting process, and Council did approve setting aside $15,000 for a direct grant. 

Debbie Cox, Gila House’s president, appeared before Council and said the funds will go mostly to the domestic violence shelter, which she said is very rarely not occupied. She said Gila House also has housing that’s available for displaced families, such as people who lost their homes during the fires and floods. The agency also offers emergency repairs for senior citizens who can’t afford to pay for them, such as for swamp coolers. 

Specifically, these funds under discussion would be used for supplies, baby diapers, food, and transportation costs, Cox said.

“Domestic violence is alive and well in our community. That’s a sad state affairs, but it truly is.” Chief Dale Walters

Chief Walters, who is a member of the board of the Gila House, commented that the Gila House has been critical to the PD’s work in regard to domestic violence cases and is a “tremendous benefit and asset” to the community.

Jepson pointed out that Gila House is a regional organization that does serve the entire region, and individuals who benefit from the funding might not be residents of Globe.

Gila House will be reporting back to Council on a semiannual basis about how the funds are used. Today’s session was for information only, and the item will come before Council again at its next meeting for action.

Employee recognitions

Council recognized Kathleen Vega, Globe’s body-worn camera analyst, for five years of service and Frank Ogden, van driver for the Active Adult Center/Meals on Wheels, for ten years of service.

Motions approved

Council also approved motions for the following:

• Accounts payable in the amount of $305,338.02
• A contract with EDA Land Planning for the development of the Cemetery Land Use Master Plan in an amount not to exceed $45,000. Jepson explained that the City is in the planning stages of expanding the cemetery. There is currently a moratorium on non-residents (or first-degree relatives) purchasing cemetery plots because of a shortage of space, and one issue is that out-of-town people had been purchasing plots because Globe’s rates are lower than many other places. This contract is for long-range planning for the next five, ten, and twenty years.
• A contract with Arizona Correctional Industries for office furniture for Phase II of the Police Department remodel in an amount not to exceed $57,252.04. Police Chief Walters explained that the furniture will be for the brief/debrief room and the locker room, including the lockers. The remodel will be finished in September or October, and the PD will hold an open house.
• A contract with WesTech for Waste Water Treatment Plant clarifier rehab equipment in the amount of $107,757. Vince Mariscal, Globe’s water facilities manager, explained that this purchase is for the wear parts to be replaced, including the lower rake, skimmer blade, flush valve, and a few other items. RAM Specialists is performing the work and WesTech is supplying the materials. The contract was split up due to supply chain concerns.
• Extension of a contract with the Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Jepson explained that this a standard renewal contract that is renewed every year.

To view this meeting online, visit.

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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