Globe — The Globe City Council voted to renew its insurance contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona at the May 9 council meeting.

This will provide insurance coverage for the city’s employees. The contract amount is $1.4 million, which is a 9.7 percent increase from last year. Globe had a large amount of claims on the insurance plan, which led to the increase. Globe still needs to determine how much of the increase will be absorbed by the city, and how much will be paid for by the employees.

Well repairs needed

The council approved an Invitation to Bids for Repairs and Rehabilitation of the Pine Street Well. The well, which is located adjacent to City Hall, had a pump installed in 1997. The pump was last serviced in 2004. Repairing and rehabbing the well will enable the city to apply for APS rebates. The item will be brought back to the city council at its June 27 meeting.

National Police Week

Police Chief Mark Nipp gave a presentation on May 15 being Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 14-20 being National Police Week. Nipp became visibly choked up as he spoke about the police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty during his 24 years as a cop.

Branding and Marketing Committee

The council approved the creation of the Mayor’s Branding and Marketing Advisory Committee. Voting members include:

• Mayor Al Gameros;

• One designee from each of the five Bed Tax organizations: Cobre Valley Center for the Arts, Gila County Historical Society, Globe Downtown Association, Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce and Southern Gila County EDC;

• Three small business owners;

• One designee from both APS and Southwest Gas; and

• One designee from the four local mining companies: BHP, Capstone, Freeport and Resolution.

Summary of Current Events

During the Summary of Current Events, Charlene Giles praised those involved with the “Peter and the Starcatcher” production at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. She also praised Code Enforcement Specialist Michelle Yerkovich. “She has done a lot for the city,” Giles said. “She’s getting people to tear down unsafe properties.”

Mayor Al Gameros announced that he will be on KIKO’s Open Line every second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. He also thanked those who put on the Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 6 in downtown Globe.

City Manager Paul Jepson gave a brief update on the city’s multi-million dollar liability to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). Jepson said that numerous other municipalities and organizations in Arizona are dealing with shortfalls to PSPRS, including DPS ($265 million). “We’re dealing with this and not putting our head in the sand,” Jepson said.