After a comprehensive update on recovery and mitigation from the September 2025 flood during Globe City Council's Jan. 14 meeting, attention was turned to other issues, such as dog waste stations, demolition of the Rogue Building next to the library, and the signing a water service disconnection agreement with Arizona Water Company, which allows for improved sewer billing accuracy and enforcement action on sewer accounts that are delinquent by 90 days or more, preventing people from 'gaming the system.'
Kismet Foundation board member Sarah Alexander appeared before the council to request approval for installing donated dog waste stations on city property in downtown Globe, and she took the opportunity to present an overview of the foundation’s recent work.
The foundation’s 2025 activities included food bank donations, the Kismet Kids youth program at Hollis Cinema, fire safety education funding, the Furry Friends Festival for pet adoptions, and $24,000 in direct support to local businesses affected by flooding.
Alexander also highlighted the recent opening of Kismet Kloset, an upscale resale shop designed to generate ongoing revenue for the foundation while providing a part-time paid position.
Looking ahead to 2026, she outlined continued work across four focus areas — community rejuvenation, underserved populations, education, and animal welfare. In 2026, the foundation expects to run programs including:
Alexander emphasized that the dog waste station project aligns with the foundation’s community rejuvenation goals and responds to long-standing concerns about cleanliness and walkability downtown.
Seven of the stations will be located on Broad Street — one at Yuma Street, one near the Hanging Tree, one in front of Kino Floors & Interiors, one at Mesquite Street, one at Cedar Street, one near the water station at the library, and one at Sycamore Street — pending approval of local businesses. The eighth station will be located at Globe City Park (the Train Park).
Sundt Construction will donate labor, materials, and tools to install the stations. The Kismet Foundation will manage logistics, sponsorships, and ongoing maintenance, with all supply costs covered by the foundation.
Travis Ashbaugh, Globe’s Assistant Public Works Planning Director, explained the recently approved water service disconnection agreement between the City of Globe and Arizona Water Company. The agreement allows the city and Arizona Water to share water consumption data, which will improve sewer billing accuracy and also enable enforcement action on sewer accounts that are delinquent by 90 days or more.
For shared customers — those who receive water service from Arizona Water but sewer service from the city — the agreement will allow the city to request water shutoff if a customer has unpaid sewer bills and hasn’t made arrangements for a payment plan.
Ashbaugh said currently, there are 19 sewer accounts that are 90 days or more delinquent, totaling $43,435.25.
City Manager Paul Jepson emphasized that if residents have problems paying their utility bills, they should communicate with the city, and staff will work with them to arrange a payment plan. Jepson said those who do this will not be affected by the new disconnection agreement.
Council also discussed the possibility of using other enforcement tools in the future, such as property liens.
Ashbaugh emphasized that all customers in Arizona Water districts will receive a notice about the new agreement, but in reality, only the “shared” customers will be subject to the agreement’s enforcement provisions. There are only about 250 shared customers, and they are mostly located in the western part of the city.
The agreement will take effect Feb. 1.
Globe Fire Chief Gary Robinson recognized firefighter/EMT Emmanual Garcia for five years of service with the City of Globe. Chief Robinson highlighted Garcia’s prior experience with Tri-City Fire District and the mining industry, his leadership in the department’s technical rescue program, including rope and swiftwater rescue, and his current role mentoring newer firefighters. Garcia currently serves as interim engineer/driver operator on C shift.
Public Works Director John Angulo and Jepson provided an update on the status of the Rogue Building, located next to the library. The building is owned by the city, and has long been slated for demolition due to its poor condition.
The estimated cost of demolition is approximately $90,000, and the city has not yet been able to secure a source of funding. Jepson said that although the building was affected by last year’s floods, it will probably not qualify for DEMA emergency reimbursement because much of the damage had occurred before the floods.
Jepson said remediation work has already been completed to make the site safe.
“The funding has always been an issue, and more so now, so we’re going to keep searching for grants and looking for opportunities.” — Paul Jepson, Globe City Manager
Angulo also outlined several factors that will make demolition complicated. These include managing drainage from an uphill property, stabilizing a retaining wall near a neighboring historic home, and ensuring that demolition does not create new structural or water-management issues for adjacent parcels.
Under property law, the higher-elevation property owner is responsible for controlling runoff, and the city wants to ensure proper long-term solutions are in place rather than creating unintended consequences.
Jepson said the city bought the building years ago with the intention of using the land for parking, although Angulo said at one time the city was considering renovating the building for use.
Jepson said there will be more discussion about the building at the upcoming Strategic Action Plan meeting.
Globe Mayor Al Gameros convened a brief meeting of the City of Globe’s Municipal Property Corporation to give its president, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton, a chance to explain its purpose and why it is being revisited.
The MPC was established in 2007 as a legal financing tool to support city projects, but has never been actively used. However, as Globe’s infrastructure needs and financial complexity increase, staff are reviewing existing tools to ensure the city is prepared to plan responsibly.
Stapleton explained that before any future use of the corporation, its bylaws need to be updated to clarify roles, authority, and governance. Proposed amendments included changes to board membership qualifications and moving away from having the city’s council members automatically serve as the corporation’s board.
The intent is to ensure transparency, public accountability, and alignment with Council direction, Stapleton said.
Council formally approved the adoption of the amended bylaws of the MPC, which were previously vetted by the City Attorney.
Council also approved motions for the following:
To view this meeting online, click here.
To view documents related to this meeting, click here.
Full minutes can be found by visiting: https://www.globeaz.gov
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).
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