Council discusses traffic safety grant and City fee updates at January 28 meeting

Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant to focus on pedestrian and vehicle safety

Mayor Gameros and Grants Manager Connie Calloway presented an update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. The grant focuses on the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and life-changing injuries by 2040. The initiative prioritizes pedestrian and vehicle safety, particularly in the downtown area of Globe, focusing on reducing automobile speed and improving intersections and crosswalks.

The Vision Zero program is part of a nationwide movement to make streets safer for all, recognizing that the loss of life on roads does not have to be inevitable.

The grant was awarded in the amount of $24,846, and it is a demonstration grant that could lead to an implementation grant. The grant includes a large public engagement component, including surveys, town hall meetings, and focus groups to provide input on feasible safety improvements.

“Every resident in our city deserves freedom from the fear of being gravely injured or killed by an automobile in our historic downtown district.” Mayor Gameros

The demonstration phase will last 18 months and will take place in downtown Globe, from US 60 to Jess Hayes. Data will be collected and later used to apply for an implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that would pay for extending the project citywide. The timeline for submitting the implementation grant is projected for 2027.

Mayor Gameros urged members of the public to submit comments and suggestions about ways the City's streets could be made safer, such as stop signs and crosswalks.

In a related discussion, Councilman Pastor pointed out that Third Street and Ash is a very dangerous intersection. Calloway said the grant can't help with issues on US60 because the highway is controlled by ADOT, and the grant must be used only for city streets. Jepson said in the future, the City may be able to convince ADOT to take action on safety issues on US60. Manfredi said Globe PD has been monitoring that area for traffic enforcement, and the City can put in traffic-calming devices and is looking at doing this. Jepson said one of Chief Walters' top priorities is reducing fatalities on the 60.

City starts process to update City fee schedule

Paul Jepson presented the City's proposed fee schedule update for 2025. The update is needed due to increased development and changes in the city's growth, he said, adding that some of the fees have not been adjusted in years, while others are outdated or missing.

Jepson said the main purpose of the fee adjustments is to ensure cost recovery for services provided by the City to developers and other individuals. This would prevent taxpayers from bearing the costs of services that should be covered by the individuals benefiting from them.

Jepson pointed out that the City has experienced a dramatic increase in activity and development, necessitating a reevaluation of fees to keep up with growth.

The proposed update results from a comprehensive review across multiple departments, including development services, fire, public works, and recreation.

“By collecting the proper and reasonable fees for what we do in the way of helping individuals, we're actually saving money for the taxpayer, to make sure they're not footing the bill.” City Manager Paul Jepson

Jepson gave an example where the City audited a development within the City, with staff doing about $30,000 worth of work to perform the audit - but the City could not charge the developer because the correct fees aren't in place.

Council agreed that the process for moving forward with the fee updates should involve breaking into work groups based on different areas of responsibility, such as public safety, fiscal sustainability, quality of life, and infrastructure.

“We need to be ahead of this curve so that we recover the fees, to help pay for this development that I predict is already on its way.” Councilman Mariano Gonzalez

Jepson singled out the trash fee as needing attention immediately, and pointed out that it was already discussed at a previous council meeting in December. The rest of the fees will be reviewed and discussed by the work groups before being posted for public comment.

Council will revisit the issue during the next meeting, and ultimately aims to have the fee schedule finalized by July 1.

City bids goodbye to Beth McCreary, welcomes new code compliance inspector

Chief Dale Walters and the council recognized Beth McCreary for her 37 years of dedicated service to the Globe Police Department. Beth began her career as a dispatcher and later transitioned to records management. She was a familiar presence at community events and was known for donning the McGruff the Crime Dog costume. Chief Walters praised her unwavering support and extensive knowledge of the department, city, and community. The City presented her with a commemorative watch and a shadow box honoring her time with the department.

Community Development Director Tony Manfredi announced the addition of a new staff member, Building and Code Compliance Inspector Gary Grimes. Gary is a graduate of Miami High School but previously worked in Las Vegas and Tucson, where he gained valuable experience installing alarm systems and reviewing building plans. He returned to Globe to be closer to his family.

Council also recognized Aubrey Silverberg on her five-year anniversary with the museum, where she's lead clerk. She manages the orders for the gift shop, recreation scheduling for sports leagues, and field trips for school groups, as well as helping organize the Festival of Lights and other events, including a new two-day 4H camp for kids. Aubrey also served in a temporary administrative support role at the police department for eight months, while the museum was closed during the COVID pandemic. Leana McGill praised her versatility, dependability, positive attitude, and excellent customer service.

Motions approved

Council also approved motions for the following:

• Accounts payable in the amount of $352,032.78
• Approving fall bed tax distributions for the 1st and 2nd quarter of FY 2024-25 for the Globe-Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $25,556.25 and for the Gila County Historical Society/Museum in the amount of $25,556.25. Jepson pointed out that instead of making quarterly payments, the City is now making them semiannually in the spring and fall. As a result, the numbers are twice as high as they used to be. He also pointed out that the City is doing equal distributions to the bed tax organizations.
• Approving a resolution to abandon approximately + 1,755 square feet of City of Globe right-of-way, located south of North Globe Street and east of North Byerly Street. Travis Ashbaugh explained that the City had deemed the right-of-way unnecessary after reviewing all utility easements, and there were no objections from utility companies. The property will be deeded to the abutting property owners, Kimble Hansen and Living Waters Church, although the church plans to quitclaim their part to Hansen, according to Travis. Justin Redford, who is associated with Kimble Hansen, explained their intent to build a new 2100-sf house on the lot, including a retaining wall and other improvements to beautify the property, which he has experience doing. Councilmembers expressed support for the project, emphasizing its potential to enhance the area and help address the need for housing in Globe.
• Accepting a grant award from Freeport-McMoRan Mining for $28,000 for the Food Insecurities Initiative programming provided by the City of Globe Library. The grant will pay for hands-on cooking workshops where participants will learn how to make healthy recipes using crock pots and Instapots, and each family will receive these devices along with a set of healthy recipes. The program’s goal is to break down barriers to healthy eating and improve the community's health outcomes.
• Moving forward a contract with Cactus Asphalt Inc. in an amount not to exceed $49,760, to perform striping at the intersection of Hill, Maple, and Sutherland Streets. Travis Ashbaugh explained that the striping will be thermoplastic with diamond beads. The upgrade will also include rumble strips, stop signs with solar-powered flashing red lights, and stop-ahead warning signs with flashing yellow lights. The contract was moved forward due to details still needing legal review.
• Approving an increase to the City's procurement authorization to $2,000,000 for job order contracting construction services and approving a contract with Apache Underground to complete the Fairgrounds 12-inch water line replacement. Travis Ashbaugh explained that the contract utilizes a cooperative contract between Apache Underground and the Pine Strawberry Water Improvement District in the amount of $1,471,058.15. The City expects to receive reimbursement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through a 595 grant. Construction is expected to be commenced within four months, after a required environmental assessment is done.
• Approving an engagement letter with Colby & Powell PLC for the FY2023 financial audit and annual expenditure limitation report. The financial audit is scheduled for the week of February 11, and Colby and Powell’s staff plan to visit Globe to conduct the audit. Jepson said once the 2023 audit is completed, the City will proceed with the 2024 audit.

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.

To view this meeting online, visit City Council Meeting - January 28, 2025.

To view documents related to this meeting, click here. 

Full minutes can be found by visiting 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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