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The Sept. 11 meeting of the Miami Town Council began with Town Manager Alexis Rivera thanking Town Clerk Norris, Finance Director Lopez, Community Services Director Duarte, Officer Woodliff and Public Works Director Derhammer for their help during the recent fire along US 60. Rivera also noted that the new police chief, Louis Scichilone, will start on Sept. 25.
Evelyn Vargas, the economic development director, reported that she spoke with people interested in a trail plan for Miami.
The first person to answer the Call to the Public was resident and business owner Ray Webb. He wanted the town to be aware that an investor has been actively buying property and now has ownership of over 100 parcels in the general area. (A check of Gila County records indicates that many of the purchases are clustered, as if they were assembled for future redevelopment.) According to Webb, discrepancies between Gila County maps and title descriptions of properties have already caused friction. He concluded with an observation that if the boundary problem is not solved, it could trigger a class action lawsuit against the county.
Mayor Angel Medina instructed the town manager to check into the mapping issue.
Town Lawyer Joe Estes noted that the town is not responsible for mapping or boundaries and that the council can have the item on the agenda for discussion only.
A.J. Castaneda was next up to speak. His concern was that removal of the asphalt in front of his barber shop left a 4-inch discrepancy between the curb and the gutter, which causes problems for passengers getting out of parked cars. He moved on to criticize special events for monopolizing the street during weekends, when his business is open. “Why not move activities to Veterans’ Memorial Park?”
Janet Laney followed Castaneda. She was worried about the integrity of flood-damaged side walls of the buildings next to Bloody Tanks Wash. When the wash was cleared, trees were cut down that helped hold the side walls together. She wants side walls inspected and, in the future, let the trees remain.
Gila County Supervisor Tim Humphrey spoke last. Town Clerk Norris sent an email to County Manager Menlove and Deputy County Clerk Trimble requesting a copy of the Copper Mountain Transit IGA so she could schedule renewal of the agreement on a council agenda. The email was not acknowledged for four months. Humphrey recognized the mistake and helped get the process back on track. The IGA is now scheduled to go before council on Sept. 25. The Miami town manager and the Miami transit manager will request approval of the IGA at the Oct. 10 meeting of the Gila County Board of Supervisors.
Matt Bingham of Colby and Powell PLC presented the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Audit Report. Bingham noted that there were some preexisting weaknesses that have not been remedied, but that overall recent audits have shown consistent improvement over the past. Council voted to accept the audit.
Council also considered approval of an IGA with Tri-City Fire District and the City of Globe for fire protection services. Because the existing contract had expired several years ago, Council Member Sammy Gonzales wondered whether there would be any changes. The town manager assured him things would remain unchanged.
Miami Police Officer Ronald Roanhorse wondered whether the IGA could cover animal problem calls. Snakes, coyotes and even a bear have been encountered in town limits.
Town Manager Rivera said the IGA would cover snake calls, but calls for aid with other animals would require a separate IGA with the county.
Council approved the IGA for fire protection services. They also approved installation of a disc golf course at Bullion Plaza.
