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During an emotion-charged Call to the Council during the February 12 Miami Town Council meeting, Christine Corkish, a catechism teacher at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (OLBD), told Council that a young boy walking from class had been harassed by a man in a car.
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During an emotion-charged Call to the Council during the February 12 Miami Town Council meeting, Christine Corkish, a catechism teacher at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (OLBD), told Council that a young boy walking from class had been harassed by a man in a car. Although scared, the child was not harmed. Ms. Corkish tried several times to contact the Town Police to tell them about the incident. When she finally succeeded, she was told that because no crime had occurred, no report could be taken. She felt this was unacceptable and change was needed “because next time we might not be as lucky.”
Frances Yanour followed. She said she had the same experience when trying to report a man who had harassed two little boys. She also complained about county and town police taking up to 1 1⁄2 hours to respond.
Carol Broeder, Volunteer Religious Director for OLBD, said that after the incident she contacted the town manager and received a caring response. Town Manager Alexis Rivera, she said, told her he made sure everyone in the Police Department had been informed about the problem. Broeder shared the class schedule with him and he arranged to have extra patrols monitor children at the end of classes.
Rivera then reported on projected projects for the 2024-2027 timeframe. The USDA has approved Miami for their Program 504. This covers $10,000 grants to homeowners for repairs to plumbing, electrical, roofs, and foundations. The Request for Proposal process will be utilized for contractor selection. Rivera did not believe that grants were linked to income limitations. He also noted that Local First Arizona had approved a $2.2 million grant to Miami for police vehicles, equipment, and IT infrastructure.
Town Clerk Karen Norris presented the schedule for the 2024 Miami elections:
March 1
Candidate packet distribution
March 1 – April 1 Circulate petitions
April 1, 5 p.m. Turn in packet
July 30 Primary election
November 5 General election
Three council seats will be open. In addition, the primary will have a proposition for home rule.
Julia Davis, program manager for ASU Project Cities, gave a slide presentation on the schedule for various aspects of the Town of Miami project. During the spring of 2024, focus will be on downtown revitalization. Council Member Sammy Gonzales suggested that Ms. Davis should work with the Town of Miami Economic Development Director.
The possibility of discontinuing the renaissance grant program generated heat on social media but thoughtful discussion at the actual meeting. Discussion of various options resulted in approval of a “one and done” choice by Council. There will be one more grant given, and then the program will be inactivated. Town Attorney Joe Estes assured Council that if, in the future, funds become available, the grant can be reactivated easily.
Upon learning that money had been budgeted and was available to purchase a 2023 Ford F-450 utility/dump truck, Council’s only question was usage. After being assured by Miami Public Works Manager Josh Derhammer that the truck would get frequent use, Council voted to approve the purchase.
The employment contract for the Town Clerk was approved, with Council Member Gonzales abstaining.
Council recessed to an executive session for discussion on changes to the Town Council Rules and Procedures and for discussion regarding a construction contract for the Hostetler swimming pool repair project. After reconvening, they voted to authorize Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center to move forward with a contract for certain repairs to the pool.
Council Member Michael Sosh gave an update on the US 60 bridge projects. Blasting closures will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., primarily Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. During that time all traffic, including ambulances and other emergency vehicles, will be routed on AZ 77 and AZ 177 through Winkelman. Completion is projected for October 2026.
Council approved a proclamation declaring February 2024 as Career and Technical Education Month. Aja DeZeeuw, school counselor for the Cobre Valley Institute of Technology, thanked the Mayor and Council during the Call to the Public for their support for technical education and listed welding, nursing, and other career areas where local students have been trained.
