Issued by: The Mayor & Council Members, City of Globe
The Globe City Council reports a phenomenal rate of project completion as they address a multitude of issues that affect the good of our community. In fact, due to the completion of most of their year’s goals in the first quarter, the Globe City Council recently met again with city staff to review accomplishments and to set new goals and priorities for the second half of their fiscal year. Mayor Fernando Shipley states, “This is a great council filled with people who hit the ground running. They’re not afraid of hard work and have a great vision for the future of our community!”
Besides regular council meetings, the Globe City Council members have met for three extended work retreats, have reactivated participation in various civic organizations and committees, and have attended several multi-day trainings sponsored by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns. Additionally, they have been busy addressing a wide range of issues and have accomplished achievements in the areas of legal services, fiscal responsibility, water and sewer, public safety, blight reduction, youth and senior services, personnel matters, and community enhancement.
In the area of legal services, the council hired a full-time city attorney, started addressing longstanding and unfinished legal cases, posted for a legal assistant position, and spent months of arduous work reviewing and revitalizing the city code which has not had a major overhaul since 1973. In the area of fiscal responsibility, the council is working on budget issues, reviewed the audit of all city books, had a special training on city finances, supported the League of Cities and Towns in opposing the reduction in fees to cities and the expectation that cities needed to refund money received to the state, and objected to the Department of Public Safety wanting us to give extra money to them for crime lab.
In water and sewer, the council advanced several water and sewer capital improvement projects for the community, such as improving the pipeline along Ash Street and drilling two new city wells. For community safety, the council supported the purchase of up-to-date air support equipment for the fire department, proposed the development of Neighborhood Watch Associations, supported the creation of a local firing range for the police, purchased generators for continuity of city services during power outs, and worked with APS on site remediation for city land with century-old contamination concerns. For building safety and blight reduction, the council passed 10 sets of universal building codes, bought two 40’ plastics recycling bins, supported the enforcement of blight codes, and continue to work on property maintenance codes that address the challenges caused by negligent property owners.
For youth, the council created the City of Globe Youth Council and voted to support the creation of the Globe Boys and Girls Club, supplying a city-owned building for the club’s use. For seniors, the council supported completion and correction of building improvements for the Senior Center and voted to oversee sewer connection to new senior housing planned for the Skyline area. In personnel matters, the council investigated and improved the matrix system for all city employees, supported on-going wellness programs for staff, work to recognize outstanding achievements by city employees, and are exploring the need for a Personnel Director. To enhance council meetings, the mayor has opened up the meeting for constituents to comment on anything on the agenda and the council adopted a consent agenda to facilitate the timely completion of routine business.
For community enhancement, the council supported the opening of the Globe Tool Lending Library, supported the rebuilding of the local movie theater, supported involvement in the Ore Cart Trail, supported creation of the Old Dominion Historic Mine Park, and worked to help draft code and then supported the formation of the Highway 60-70 Visual Enhancement and Design Review Committee. Additionally, the council has worked hard to revitalize the Parks and Recreation Committee which is working to create a master parks plan and business plan for the hire of a Recreation Director. The council also dedicated Round Mountain Park to Stan Gibson, former mayor of Globe and the driver behind the development and continued improvements of the park.
Looking to the future, the council is working to create a city web site and developing a master plan for our northeast corridor region. They are looking into technological support for city departments, investigating economic development opportunities, and considering grant writing options. They are exploring the enhancement of the public library, city pool, and city cemetery. They are investigating issues of sustainability with particular attention paid to water conservation and green building practices. The council is starting to explore a Triple B tax to improve our historic downtown region and fund community projects. As a part of this, the council is looking into innovative resources for the acquisition of land and completion of city projects, & Mayor Shipley is sponsoring several Downtown Improvement Town Hall meetings.
If you are interested in learning more about what is happening in the City of Globe or want to contact your district representative, please feel free to attend the City Council meetings on Mondays at 6 pm at the City Hall building or leave a message for your council member at 425-7146. Next week, look for a second article that addresses many of the individual achievements and community involvement by your Globe City Council representatives.