The Miami Town Council's April 13 meeting included discussions reviewing town code, a highway project update, and an update on a flood-related funding request.
The council, in a pair of agenda items introduced by Councilman Phil Stewart, decided to hold study sessions on town code sections dealing with noise and with calls to the public during council meetings.
The first item, spurred by a noise complaint related to construction at the old Inspiration School, was meant to align town code with state statute regarding noise. The state statute, Stewart said, prohibits early-morning construction noise restrictions from May through October. However, the complaint was apparently about workers playing loud music rather than the work itself.
In the second item, concerns included speakers exceeding their time limit or addressing individual council members during council meetings, and council members’ ability to respond. Councilman Jose “Angel” Medina pointed out that code allows members to reply to criticism. One suggestion was to follow Globe's example and introduce speaker cards.
Councilman Michael Sosh gave an update on a meeting with the Arizona Department of Transportation concerning their Highway 60 project. Sosh said the project would create a left turn lane all the way through town. He said that no left turn arrow was currently planned, but that ADOT would look into it.
Town Manager Alexis Rivera reported that Miami, with help from Arizona Public Service, was preparing a quote for the library HVAC system. He said the town is waiting to see whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency will approve a declaration of emergency tied to last fall's floods.
“The moment we receive that communication, funding is going to be available for our municipality in order to take action on those repairs,” he said.
He reported that Miami was working with the Governor's Office, the Arizona Financial Authority and the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona to obtain the town's 25% funding match — approximately $2.2 million — for the Bloody Tanks Wash project. He added that expectations were to start the project April 22.
Mayor Gil Madrid asked Rivera where the town stood on HVAC equipment for the police station. Rivera replied that the first step was upgrading its electricity.
“Is that in progress?” Madrid asked.
“Not yet,” Rivera said. “We're going to start working with the requisition and everything this week in order to start, and see the ability of the company, how fast, how soon they can be there.”
The town’s sitting attorney Jon Paladini cut the exchange short, reminding Madrid that it was not an agendized item, and its discussion was a potential open meeting law violation.
The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Gila County for election drop boxes, one of which is already outside the Miami Police Department; installation of a bronze plaque commemorating Lester F. Quinn on the outside wall of the Alicia Garcia Senior Center; and closure of Bullion Plaza Circle on the evening of June 12 for a concert by The Band Imagine.
Also approved was an intergovernmental agreement with the county for consolidated administration and operation of limited jurisdiction courts.
Councilman Don Reiman asked why the agreement included a $400 per month increase. Rivera replied that staff could request a breakdown of costs.
Reiman moved to approve with the stipulation that council receive that breakdown.
Madrid reported on a recent Central Arizona Governments meeting. According to Madrid, the town was told it would receive funds for work on the Senior Center parking lot within two to three weeks. Rivera added that the funding was also for some of Miami's streets.
Councilman Dan Moat presented the first Neighborhood Crime Watch newsletter, with the slogan “Make Miami Arizona Great Again,” not to be confused with any similar slogans, he said.
Moat said the newsletter and a group chat will replace crime watch meetings.
The council added another member to Miami's Economic Development, Annexation and Abatement Advisory Committee, appointing Evelyn Vargas to a three-year term.
In his current events summary, Madrid noted that the committee held its first meeting April 8 and will meet again April 22.
In a pair of proclamations, Madrid rescinded the town's Sept. 27 flood emergency declaration and declared April 19 through 25 National Library Week.
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