Snowflake Town Council approves library grant, SRO IGA, $342,576 Well 4 contract and several equipment purchases

Snowflake Town Council on Jan. 5 unanimously approved a series of measures including a $39,000 Arizona State Library grant to expand the public library's children's area, an intergovernmental agreement to place a school resource officer in local schools, a $342,576.71 contract for improvements at Well 4 and purchases of municipal equipment and a vehicle.

The council accepted the State Grants‑in‑Aid award for the Snowflake‑Taylor Public Library after library staff member Ella McAdams described plans to convert storage space into a meeting and programming room and expand the children's area. McAdams told the council the award is a reimbursable grant and noted it is the largest award in the state for that cycle. Mayor Lynn Johnson said she “highly recommends letting her give a tour of her vision.”

Teresa Harvey of Divina Management updated the council on the town pool renovation, saying the project has “started on time, ahead of schedule at the moment,” and that securing more bids, especially from local contractors such as Rocky Mountain Plumbing and Restore Pro, helps the town control building costs. Council members said residents are asking about the pool and expressed support for the progress.

Chief Martin presented the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with SUSD to station School Resource Officer Richie Brewer at local schools. The council approved the IGA; Chief Martin said Brewer will complete additional training during the summer while on the police payroll and noted that Taylor Intermediate and George Washington have requested DARE programming this year.

On infrastructure, staff recommended awarding the Well 4 improvements contract to Southwest Tank and Steel for the low bid of $342,576.71, a contract the council approved unanimously. Brian Richards summarized prior work with Painted Sky and said the town expects long service life from the improvements.

Council also approved routine and operational purchases: acquisition of 20 Club Car golf carts to replace leased units, and purchase of a 2019 Ram Tradesman from Arizona Motor Group for $26,799.26 for Parks. The council authorized demolition of an already‑condemned orchestra building south of the pool and approved the sale of the town's interest in parcel 202‑11‑134B (the Andrew Locy Rogers cabin) to the family that placed the winning bid after public notice; staff noted the Heritage Foundation had deeded its portion back to the Don Papa family prior to the sale.

The council approved the FY20 audit report and the annual expenditure limitation report as required by state statute and to be filed with the Auditor General.

Votes at a glance: all motions recorded in the minutes passed unanimously. Key recorded motions included approval of the consent agenda (motion by Kerry Ballard, second by Cory Johnson); approval to demolish the orchestra building (motion by Cory Johnson, second by Bob Flake); acceptance of the $39,000 State Grants‑in‑Aid (motion by Allison Perkins, second by Byron Lewis); approval of the SRO IGA with SUSD (motion by Kerry Ballard, second by Lynn Johnson); purchase of 20 Club Car golf carts (motion by Greg Brimhall, second by Byron Lewis); purchase of a 2019 Ram Tradesman for $26,799.26 (motion by Kerry Ballard, second by Bob Flake); sale of parcel 202‑11‑134B (motion by Allison Perkins, second by Cory Johnson); award of Well 4 contract to Southwest Tank and Steel for $342,576.71 (motion by Byron Lewis, second by Lynn Johnson); and approval of the FY20 audit report (motion by Cory Johnson, second by Lynn Johnson).

The meeting closed after brief council reports about local safety, senior center services and planning for growth; the manager's report noted no additional items and the council adjourned.