Safford public meetings in 2022

Planning and Zoning Commission Agendas

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for one residential rezone and recommended denial for another. The denied request involved two parcels near Highway 191 where residents expressed concerns over traffic and property values.

• Recommended approval to City Council for rezone Z-56-22 from conventional manufactured housing to R2 multiple family residential (7-0)
• Recommended denial of rezone Z-57-22 from R1-10 single family to R2 multiple family residential (6-0, 1 recused)
• Approved minutes of the October 17, 2022 regular meeting (unanimous voice vote)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will consider approving a $200 holiday bonus for full-time staff, council members, and volunteer firefighters, with $100 for part-time employees. Other action items include purchasing a sanitation truck, appointing planning commissioners, and a conditional use permit for an alcohol recovery facility. The council will also hold a work session on a police step program and an airport leasing policy.

• Holiday bonus: $200 net for full-time staff, council, and volunteer firefighters; $100 for part-time
• Purchase of Peterbuilt Model 520 sanitation truck from Short Equipment, Inc. under state contract
• Conditional Use Permit for Graham House, LLC to operate a community rehabilitation facility at 110 W 5th Street
• Second reading of Ordinance O22-004 to rezone parcels 102-18-032A and 102-18-032B from C-MH to C-1
• Adoption of updated Airport Minimum Operating Standards, Rules and Regulations, and Rates and Fee Schedule

The Council approved a $500 holiday bonus for employees and council members, overriding a staff recommendation of $200. Other key actions included purchasing a new sanitation truck and updating airport operating standards and fees.

• Approved $500 holiday bonus for employees and City Council (4-2)
• Approved purchase of Peterbilt Model 520 sanitation truck for $397,926.78
• Approved amended Right of Way agreement with El Paso Natural Gas for El Paso Park
• Approved appointment of four members to the Planning and Zoning Commission
• Denied Conditional Use Permit # Z-76-21 for Graham House, LLC
• Adopted Ordinance 022-004 rezoning parcels 102-18-032A and 102-18-032B to C-1 General Commercial
• Adopted Resolutions R22-043, R22-044, and R22-045 updating Safford Regional Airport standards, rules, and fees
• Approved Resolution R22-046 allowing obelisk headstones up to 6 feet at Municipal Cemetery

Small Business Support Program

The Small Business Support Program Commission approved a funding request for a local business owner. The commission also approved the minutes from the September 8, 2022 meeting.

• Approved $10,000.00 for Jenny Howard of Ginaveve’s Market Place (3-0)
• Approved September 8, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will hold a public hearing and consider rezoning two parcels at 1202 and 1220 W. 8th Street from manufactured home district to general commercial. The council will also discuss a compensation plan, a municipal code recodification, and consider approving $95,000 in contingency funds for roof repairs to the Chamber of Commerce building.

• Public hearing on rezoning Sawyer Property parcels 102-18-032A and 102-18-032B from C-MH to C-1 General Commercial
• Discussion and direction on the City of Safford Compensation Plan
• Discussion and direction on recodification of the City of Safford Municipal Code (Ordinance O22-003)
• Request to approve $95,000 in contingency funds for flat roof repairs to the Chamber of Commerce building
• Request to approve purchase of two Peterbuilt Model 520 sanitation trucks from Short Equipment, Inc. under state contract

The City Council approved the purchase of two new sanitation trucks and adopted a recodified municipal code. The Council denied a $95,000 request for Chamber of Commerce roof repairs to allow for local bidding. Additionally, a new police academy repayment policy was approved with an amendment for downsizing.

• Approved purchase of two Peterbuilt Model 520 sanitation trucks for $795,853.56 (Unanimous)
• Denied $95,000 in contingency funds for Chamber of Commerce roof repairs (6-1)
• Adopted Ordinance O22-003 and Resolution R22-039 to recodify the Municipal Code (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution R22-042 requiring police recruits to repay academy costs if they leave within 36 months, amended to exclude those terminated due to downsizing (Unanimous)
• Approved September 26 and October 10, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Directed City Attorney to attend council meetings telephonically
• Held first reading of Ordinance O22-004 to rezone parcels 102-18-032A and 102-18-032B to General Commercial

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Safford City Council will hold a work session to discuss and develop its vision priorities. The meeting includes standard items such as call to order, roll call, pledge of allegiance, invocation, and citizen comments on both agenda and non-agenda items.

• Discussion and development of City Council Vision Priorities (staff lead: John Cassella)
• Citizen comments on agenda items
• Citizen comments on non-agenda items
• Announcement of current events by Mayor or Council members
• Request for future agenda items

The City Council conducted a work session to discuss long-term vision priorities, including recreation, beautification, and utility infrastructure. No formal votes were taken on these priorities, though the meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn.

• Adjourned meeting at 7:42 pm (Unanimous)

Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

The committee elected leadership and reviewed updates for El Paso Park and the new park at 8th and Discovery. Members provided feedback on park layouts, including the relocation of a splash pad and zip-line to Discovery. The committee established a priority list for features at the 8th and Discovery park.

• Elected Nora Rogers as Chair (unanimous voice vote)
• Elected Tim Linden as Vice-Chair (unanimous voice vote)
• Agreed to relocate splash pad and zip-line to Discovery
• Prioritized 8th and Discovery park features: 1. Splash Pad, 2. Pickle Ball Courts, 3. Amphitheater, 4. Workout Equipment, 5. Teen Playground and Harper’s Playground

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on whether to recommend approval of a Series 12 Restaurant liquor license for Ginaveve's Market Place at 401 W Main Street. The council will also consider adopting a new policy on paycheck accuracy and a resolution on the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).

• Public hearing and vote on Series 12 Restaurant liquor license for Ginaveve's Market Place at 401 W Main Street
• Resolution R22-041 adopting a Paycheck Accuracy Policy
• Resolution R22-033 adopting a new PSPRS DROP policy
• Approval of August 22 and September 12, 2022 council meeting minutes
• Executive session to discuss PSPRS DROP and performance evaluation of City Manager John Cassella

The minutes from the October 24, 2022 council meeting were approved on December 12, 2022. No substantive decisions or actions are recorded in the provided text.

• Approved October 24, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council will hold a work session to discuss and provide direction on a proposed Compensation Plan that would establish formal policies for employee pay, including merit increases, cost-of-living adjustments, and market reviews. The plan consolidates seven existing policies into four and aims to attract and retain employees. No final votes are expected at this meeting.

• Discussion of a new Compensation Plan covering pay grades, merit increases, COLA, and market adjustments
• Proposal to set a market review schedule every three years
• Establishment of annual performance-based merit increases and probationary pay increases
• Longevity pay program: $200 at 5 years up to $1,000 at 25 years of service
• Differential pay: 5% language, 2.5-5% degree, $0.50-$1.00 certification differentials

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council will discuss using $1.2 million in reserves to manage natural gas price volatility affecting electric rates. The body is also deciding on several human resources policy updates and a variance request for shipping containers.

• Proposed use of $1.2 million in reserves for a PPA rate adjustment of $0.055 /MWH
• Public hearing for variance request to install over 320 sq ft of shipping containers at 402 5th Avenue
• Purchase of a Vermeer VX50-800 pothole trailer via Sourcewell contract
• Resolution R22-038 to terminate the VantageCare/Mission Square Retirement Health Savings plan
• First reading of Ordinance O22-003 to amend the City of Safford municipal code

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council is discussing personnel changes for the Safford Police Department, including adding one full-time position and increasing base wages. The body is also reviewing updates to human resources policies and airport fee schedules.

• Proposed $277,550 budget authority for one new police FTE, lateral incentives, and a $5,000 base wage increase for sworn officers
• Resolution R22-033 to extend the PSPRS DROP program participation from 60 to 84 months
• Proposed $4,260 budget authority for Enterprise Fleet Vehicles
• Ordinance O22-002 to update the appointment process for Planning and Zoning Commissioners
• Resolutions R22-035, R22-036, and R22-037 to update FMLA, sick leave, and vacation leave policies

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council is meeting to decide on a charitable donation to Feed My Starving Children and the purchase of two Altec bucket trucks. The body will also discuss updating the appointment process for Planning and Zoning Commissioners and review employee leave policies.

• Proposed $2,500 contingency fund donation to Feed My Starving Children
• Purchase of Altec AT40G and Altec TA60 bucket trucks from Global Rental Company
• Recommendation for Oktoberfest special event liquor license for Graham County Chamber of Commerce
• First reading of Ordinance O22-002 regarding Planning and Zoning Commissioner appointments
• Adoption of Resolution R22-034 to accept the August 02, 2022 Primary Election canvass of votes

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The Council will consider emergency funding for a landfill bulldozer engine and the addition of a police officer position. Other items include library policy updates, liquor licenses for Salsa Fest, and a golf course management agreement.

• Emergency purchase of a CAT Reman engine for the Landfill D7R Bulldozer
• Salsa Fest liquor license applications for September 22-24
• Resolution R22-033 regarding the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) DROP program
• Assignment of the Mt. Graham Golf Course Management Agreement to Troon Golf, LLC
• Proposed addition of a Police Officer position using reserve funding

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council is deciding on an intergovernmental agreement with the Safford Unified School District to share gymnasiums and recreational fields. The body is also appointing members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and discussing various employee leave policies.

• Resolution R22-032: Intergovernmental agreement with Safford Unified School District for facility use, including $10,000 annual monetary assistance
• Appointment of five applicants to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
• Work session on Family & Medical Leave Act, Employee Sick Leave, and Employee Vacation policies
• Discussion on Planning & Zoning Commission appointment process and Employee Cemetery Policy
• Executive session to discuss operations at the Safford Regional Airport

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding a liquor license application for La Quinta at 420 E. US Highway 70. Additional items include setting the property tax levy for fiscal year 2023 and amending municipal cemetery policies.

• Public hearing for La Quinta Series 6 Bar License at 420 E. US Highway 70
• Resolution R22-027 setting the property tax levy at $0.5135 per $100 of assessed valuation
• Resolution R22-030 amending Safford Municipal Cemetery policies regarding firefighter dependents
• Resolution R22-031 designating Graham County Chamber of Commerce as Destination Marketing Organization
• Executive session to discuss city owned property

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax levy before voting to adopt the Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. The body will also consider several resolutions regarding fee waivers, employee policies, and intergovernmental agreements.

• Adoption of Final Budget for FY 2023 with a maximum expenditure of $73,855,675
• Proposed increase in primary property taxes collected of $3,753 (1.34%)
• Resolution R22-021 to waive new home construction building permit, water capacity, and water meter fees from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023
• Resolution R22-024 for a Fire Protection Intergovernmental Agreement with Safford Rural Fire District No. 1
• Resolution R22-026 to change monthly dependent healthcare insurance premiums from 70% to 85%

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council is reviewing several items including a tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and updates to library policies. Discussion topics also include animal control services, bike routes, and cemetery entrance upgrades.

• Resolution R22-019: Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2023 Tentative Budget with a maximum expenditure of $73,855,675
• Resolution R22-018: Intergovernmental agreements for Dispatching and Animal Control Shelter
• Resolution R22-020: Reinstatement of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
• Library position modifications for two grant-funded part-time roles
• Proposed upgrades to the Safford City Cemetery entrance

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council is reviewing revenue projections for the FY2023 general fund. Additionally, the council will consider awarding a contract for runway rehabilitation at the Safford Regional Airport.

• FY2023 General Fund revenue projections presentation
• Construction contract award for Runway 8/26 Rehabilitation project to Sunland Asphalt & Construction
• $199,934.00 proposal from C&S Companies for airport construction management and observation services
• Resolution R22-009 regarding Human Resources Education Assistance policy amendment
• Review of City Council meeting minutes from February 28 and March 14, 2022

Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The City Council is reviewing the FY2023 budget summary and highlights of departmental changes. The body is also considering several resolutions and a property lease agreement at the airport.

• Purchase of three GE 69 KV breakers for the 2023 Substation Project
• Resolution R22-009 to amend the On Call Policy regarding Fatigue Recovery
• Resolution R22-016 to abolish the Parks and Recreation Committee
• Property lease agreement at the Airport for M. Industries Inc.
• FY2023 budget including $2,431,770 for 8th and Discovery park