Show Low council approves inspection services agreement, easement abandonment and cemetery property purchase

The Show Low City Council approved three property- and permitting-related items during its Feb. 4 meeting: a renewal of inspection services for manufactured housing with state oversight and a county agreement, abandonment of a 15-foot access easement, and purchase of property adjacent to the city cemetery.

Inspection services agreement (R202506) City staff said the Arizona Department of Housing contract allows local jurisdictions to perform permitting and inspections for manufactured homes and factory-built buildings under state standards, including mandated fee schedules, required training (paid by the city), and reporting obligations. Staff recommended the city renew its arrangement with the Department of Housing and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Navajo County for the county to issue permits and perform inspections within Show Low city limits. A council member declared a conflict of interest prior to the vote, noting Navajo County is a current client; the motion to adopt resolved R202506 was moved and seconded, and the mayor announced the motion passed (transcript: “motion passed unanimously with 1 sustaining”). The resolution approves the inspection services agreement and the county arrangement as described in staff materials.

Abandonment of an access easement (R202507) Staff briefed the council on a request from the owner of assessor parcel APN 210-14-050A (owner: Roger Hatch on behalf of Ram Holdings, Inc.) to abandon a 15-foot-wide access easement created in 1957 (recorded in docket 92, page 45 of Navajo County records). The easement crosses the owner’s property and historically provided ingress and egress to land now owned by the city (part of the Reedhead home acquisition). Staff recommended abandonment after reviewing documentation and concluding the easement is no longer needed for access to the city-owned parcel. A council member moved to adopt R202507, the motion was seconded and the council voted to abandon the easement; the mayor announced the motion passed unanimously.

Purchase of property adjacent to cemetery (Ordinance 2025-01) City staff said the property at 4540 E. Adams Place (APN 210-02-013E) is roughly 0.3 acre, includes an older home, and abuts the city cemetery. Staff negotiated a purchase price of $100,000 with estimated closing costs of about $2,000. The council adopted Ordinance 2025-01 to authorize the purchase and approved associated budget transfers to fund acquisition from previously set-aside property acquisition funds. The motion to adopt passed unanimously.

Consent calendar Earlier in the meeting the council also approved Resolution R202505 (approval of meeting minutes for Jan. 21 study session, budget study session and regular meeting). The motion was seconded and the mayor announced the motion passed unanimously.

What the actions mean - R202506 moves permitting and inspection duties for manufactured homes to an arrangement with Navajo County while maintaining state-mandated standards and reporting to the Arizona Department of Housing. - R202507 removes a 15-foot access easement recorded in 1957, a step staff said will facilitate potential private development of the parcel east of the Reedhead property. - Ordinance 2025-01 authorizes acquisition of a 0.3-acre parcel adjacent to the city cemetery for $100,000 (approximate closing costs $2,000) and uses previously budgeted acquisition funds.

Councilors asked few substantive questions during the votes; one member recused themself from discussion of R202506 because of a stated professional relationship with Navajo County. All three items were approved during the meeting; minutes and ordinance readings were completed as required by the city clerk.