Council heard presentations from emergency management specialist Madison Rybicki, Fire Chief Gary Robinson, Police Chief Dale Walters, Public Works director John Angulo, Community Development director John Angulo, and Assistant City Manager Linda Oddonetto.
Emergency Management Specialist Madison Rybicki, on loan from Glendale’s Department of Emergency Management, gave an overview of the City’s coordinated response and recovery. She emphasized that Globe’s recovery is being supported by specialists from across Arizona and the country, who are assisting with operations, logistics, finance, and planning.
As Rybicki is leaving to return to Glendale, her job here will be taken over by Jack Bradley, an incident commander from the FDNY Incident Management Team.
Reporting on the initial emergency response, Chief Robinson described how the Fire Department provided staff to help with Public Works projects and with the incident management team. Chief Bejarano served as operations chief, and Chief Cormack worked primarily with debris management.
Later, the FD used mutual-aid compacts to bring in experts and extra hands from across the state and country.
Chief Walters reviewed police operations during and after the first flood and the three follow-on storms. After the initial flood, the PD helped identify victims and ensure no one else had been lost. The department also recovered 66 vehicles, not counting those lost at Courtesy Ford.
The PD has relied on Arizona DPS, the Arizona Rangers, and an off-duty staffing company for help, and has been at double staffing day and night since the flood.
Walters said most of Broad will stay closed at least through Sunday, with South Broad open only during daylight hours and only to local businesses and customers. North Broad will be closed for an undetermined time.
City Manager Paul Jepson outlined the City’s decisions to cancel upcoming events, including First Fridays and the remainder of the pool season.
Public Works Director John Angulo briefed the Council on the citywide impacts of infrastructure.
Angulo said the wastewater treatment system itself did not fail during peak flow, but debris and sediment did enter the sewer. The City made this a priority one, bringing in outside contractors to assist.
As to drinking water, there were three major line events, but Angulo said the system is now functioning. However, tank levels dropped, resulting in low pressure or no water in some areas.
At least 10 bridges were overtopped and battered by debris. Many had handrails taken out and vehicles hung up on them, and many will need concrete work, new handrails, and restoration of utilities that attach to the bridges.
Extensive work will be needed to address damage to streets and and culverts, including washed-out shoulders, undermined guardrails, downed signs, heaved sidewalks, and localized pavement failures. Some streets were washed out, such as Wadi.
Angulo said Public Works will keep focusing first on waterways and sewer and water systems, then roll into street restorations.
Community Development Director Tony Manfredi said his staff conducted 59 rapid assessments of commercial properties on Broad Street to assess damage. They identified 15 buildings that were deemed unsafe to enter, 12 with partial damage, and 32 with no visible structural concerns.
City staff also performed 14 residential inspections, resulting in 6 deemed unsafe, 4 partially damaged, and 4 safe to enter. In addition, state damage assessment teams carried out about 150 more residential evaluations across the city. Those reports are still being processed.
The City is temporarily waiving permit requirements for minor repairs. However, restaurants must still meet county health rules for sanitation, and permits and inspections are still necessary for structural work.
Assistant City Manager Linda Oddonetto outlined the City’s recovery plan and relief programs for the over 70 businesses and residents of 100 homes that were impacted.
The Small Business Administration is on site at the Chamber for three weeks, and low-interest loans are available to homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits in Gila County, as well as to the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The SBA is also offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans to provide working capital to small businesses, nonprofits, nurseries, and ag co-ops.
Oddonetto announced two grant initiatives administered through the United Fund of Globe-Miami and partners, which are providing over $1 million in flood relief for businesses and over $500,000 for residential.
Resolution Copper has committed $1,000,000 to United Fund for recovery and rebuilding, and many other local business, nonprofits, and individuals have made significant donations.
See the full report on our website, including the list of motions approved, by going to www.globemiamitimes.com.
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