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Mayor’s Monthly Report: November 2023

Mayor Al Gameros
Posted 12/5/23

At the Nov. 14 Council meeting, the graduates of the city’s fifth Citizens Academy were presented with their certificates.

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Mayor’s Monthly Report: November 2023

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Citizens Academy Graduation

At the Nov. 14 Council meeting, the graduates of the city’s fifth Citizens Academy were presented with their certificates. We want to thank the participants for their commitment to this program. Congratulations to the following students: James Yostrum, Maria Hannah, Tammie Grenier, Joseph Skamel, Marsha Skamel, Jesse Robertson, Bonnie Stidham, William Goslin and Anthony Toner.

Freeport McMoRan Foundation Community Investment Grant

We were informed that the City of Globe was one of the recipients of this year’s Community Investment Grant. This is an annual competitive local grant sponsored by the Freeport McMoRan Foundation. This a very complex grant application that requires partnerships, a scope of work and a sustainable project. The amount of this grant is $160,000. It will be used to help stabilize the walls and roof of the ruins at Besh Ba Gowah. This grant does require a city match of $32,500. The city match will be split up in two payments. The first payment will come from the Economic Development Capital Outlay account and the second payment will be allocated as part of the FY2025 budget.        

Arizona Community Foundation Grant

The City of Globe was awarded $25,000 from the Arizona Community Foundation. These funds will go towards the construction of the concession stand at the Community Center Pool. Our staff continues their efforts to raise the amount needed to complete this project.  

Additional

Miscellaneous Grants Awarded

Our staff was also notified of the awarding of these additional grants. A $25,000 APS grant was awarded for the purchase of a 6-foot by 12-foot trailer to store equipment for Globe’s First Friday events. A Boyce Thompson Arboretum grant was awarded for the purchase of six indigenous trees (three velvet mesquite and three foothills palo verde). An Arizona Foundation Grant in the amount of $500 was awarded to the Fire Department for the 2023 State Fire School tuition cost. A Walmart Community Grant in the amount of $3,600 was awarded to the Police Department to be used for local events and operational costs.

  

School Resource Officers

Council approved an IGA with the Globe Unified School District after being awarded state funds in the amount of $420,000 per year for three years that covers the cost for three School Resource Officers in three schools. This amount is for salaries, benefits, training and equipment. There is no match to the city.

City Water Sustainability Study

Council approved a contract for professional services from EUSI to perform a citywide water sustainability study to evaluate the pumping capacities of our ground water wells. The cost of the study is $60,000, which has already been allocated in this year’s budget. This is another part of the continued efforts to evaluate and secure water for our city’s future.  

Water Meter Project

Council approved setting aside $750,000 from the budgeted line item, “securing future water account,” to be used as matching funds for the $3 million Water Conservation Grant that was awarded to the city. The scope of the project is to upgrade 3,299 AMR meters to AMI meters, complete a meter inventory, complete a lead and copper assessment, replace 475 lineal feet of waterlines on 4th Street, replace 1,790 lineal feet of waterlines on Daybreak, and upgrade our water billing system. The upgrade to AMI meters offers significant advantages to both the citizens and city staff. AMI meters communicate to the city utilizing cell towers, providing real-time data updates to the customer and utility office. These meters eliminate the need for city staff to collect data, improve billing, offer real-time leak detection and water resource management.

First Fridays

First Fridays have become a monthly signature event and continue to grow each month with more participation from downtown businesses, vendors and cruisers. Our economic development team spends an enormous number of hours planning this event. This event is not only enjoyed by our local residents in the community, but by many more people who are now coming from out of town on this day with an average participation of approximately 9,000 people. Everyone is invited to participate in the downtown cruise that begins at 5:30 p.m., starting at the Active Adult Center. We invite the community to come downtown, support the participating businesses and enjoy live music, food trucks and vendors. Anyone wishing to set up a vendor booth during any First Friday event may do so at no cost by contacting Melissa Steele at 425-7146.