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Our next budget meeting will be May 19, 2009 @ 6:15 p.m.
We will have it open for any discussion on any pending items.
We are close to wrapping this item up. The necessary forms will be completed by June 2, 2009 for tentative adoption.
We are still out advertising for Public Works Director. We have received 18 applications so far.
We are working on bringing a contract to Council for training to be done by Doug Muehl.
Candy is out of the office for the next 2 days.
Community/Economic Development
Project: 2009 CDBG Grant.
- The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet is now on the street. The advertisement for bids is in the Parker Pioneer. The publication dates are April 29th and May 6th.
- We have a Pre-submittal meeting scheduled for May 12, 2009. This is a non-mandatory conference.
- So far, 4 architectural forms have requested RFQ packets.
Project: Task Force Facility Procurement.
- The final draft plans are at the town engineer for review.
- When the review is complete and all revisions done the construction may begin.
Project: REDI Grant
- The new website is now online. We are adding new content to it to make it more informative and useful.
- Please check it out at www.ci.parker.az.us.
- If you find any problems or discrepancies with the web page, please report it to the Community Development Dept. at cdev@ci.parker.az.us.
Project: ADOT Grant – West California Ave. Traffic Enhancements
- This project is now in the scoping phase. No further news on this project other than it is progressing at ADOT.
Project: Stimulus Package Funding
- We are preparing, at least, three projects for possible funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
- The Parker Cemetery Beautification Project will include cemetery fencing, portable shade structures and landscaping etc.
- The Western Park Little League Baseball Fields project will include two new ball fields and include lighting, fencing and equipment such as backstops and dugouts.
- We are also preparing a project to retrofit all the lighting in the three Town buildings: the Town Hall / Police Dept., the library and the senior center. This will replace existing lighting with new energy efficient models that will save approximately 18% on electrical costs. This should easily offset the expected APS rate increases that are going into effect next year. This will be handled through the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program that the Dept of Commerce is administrating.
- I attended a seminar sponsored by APS regarding stimulus funding. This is where I decided to go after the EECBG grant for the retrofit for lighting. This conference was very informative and gave us some new ideas. I also found out that USDA has funds available from the stimulus that could be helpful in our other projects. I spoke with many contractors, engineers, architects, government officials and APS representative during the seminar and found many suggestions and ideas that will assist us to get our share of the Stimulus funds.
Project: T-Mobile Cell Tower
- We are currently working with T-Mobile to permit them to install a cell tower at the Town of Parker maintenance facility located at Desert Ave. and 8th Street. This will be a 150’ monopole located by the vehicle Town of Parker maintenance yard.
- Our attorney’s have reviewed and edited T-Mobile’s lease agreement. A lease agreement is forthcoming and we are currently negotiating a rental price.
- The contract will then be taken to the Town Council for approval.
Project: RECON 2009
- We are preparing for the RECON convention which will take place from May 17th to the 20th of this year.
- We are currently making appointments with retailers for meetings. We have at least 8 appointments with various retailers at the conference.
- We have completed work on our displays and publications for the conference. They have been delivered to the conference and will be on display in the Public Sector Showcase during the duration of the RECON.
Project: Round 17 – ADOT Traffic Enhancement Grant
- We are preparing a new grant application for round 17 of the ADOT TE Grants. We will be applying for funds to complete the sidewalks and curb & gutter for the other side (northwest side) of West California Ave.
- PBS&J is helping us with the budgets on this application.
- This application is due on Friday, August 14, 2009. It will need to be turned in to WACOG a few weeks prior to this date.
Project: Board of Adjustments Variance Requests
- We have received 4 variance applications this month. This is the most we have ever had in one month and may portend an increase in upcoming building activity.
The meeting of the Board of Adjustments is scheduled for May 20, 2009.
Police Dept.
- Officers investigated cases involving a drug overdose, criminal damage, theft, a non-injury traffic accident, a vicious dog, a stolen vehicle and an assault later determined to be unfounded.
- Officers assisted CRIT PD with a non-injury traffic accident and a curfew violation.
- Officers arrested suspects for armed, aggravated robbery, an employee theft from a local business, possession of marijuana, a failure to appear warrant, five warrants for contempt of court, DUI and possession of stolen property.
- Officer Mike Bailey will be attending joint K-9 training Friday, May 8, with Quartzsite PD K-9 officers.
- The Cinco de Mayo Golf Fundraiser, held on Saturday, May 2, was a rousing success. Funds are earmarked throughout the year to assist local youth and families at Christmas.
- Sgt. Mike Thompson conducted a follow-up investigation on a robbery case from April 26. After interviewing the suspect, Sgt. Thompson arrested him for aggravated, armed robbery.
Library
Parker Public Library
- In the last week, members of the community visited Parker Public Library 1654 times for computers, books, dvds, talking books, etc.
- Also in the last week, 5 volunteers worked a total of 70 hours. They donated $1365.00 worth of in-kind service to the community through the library.
- Social Security helped 62 people in the library last week.
- PPL also had adult book discussions and classroom visits with 7th & 8th graders with the One Book Arizona program which included 13 adults and 27 teens.
- Ariana had 2 programs for Headstart—one in the library and one at Headstart—attended by 99 children and 14 teachers and parents.
Other Libraries & Bookmobile
- The library also continues to work with the La Paz Economic Development Committee to develop a grant proposal for a Rural Business Enterprise Grant for La Paz County and a Rural Broadband proposal under the economic stimulus bill.
- Heather Nolen was hired as the new Part Time Manager for the Bouse Public Library. Nikki Mackey, current manager, and Ruthie Davis are currently training her.
- La Paz County Supervisors and Town of Parker Town Council both took steps in the last week to terminate the current lease for the Indian Hills Public Library at its expiration on June 30 and relocate it to the new Centennial Community Center adjacent to Centennial Park between Wenden and Salome.
- April Outlying Services Report – Ruthie Davis, Outlying Services Coordinator
(March figures reported in parentheses)
· Bookmobile: April was a quiet month with snowbirds gone and schools taking their Aims tests. One Book Arizona is over, and the 2 schools that read the book enjoyed it very much.
- circulation 914 (1196)
- new patrons 10 (17)
- bookmobile visitors 891 (878)
- miles driven 871 (1103)
· Indian Hills Public Library: April has been pretty quiet. County officials and Librarian Dale Savage have been having some meetings with Tri-Valley Improvement Association to get the library moved out to the Community Center. We have been talking about changing the name to Centennial Public Library. Mexican Consulate was at the library in April, and we had 372 people and Crisis Center had 21 people for there program.
- new patrons 9 (16)
- library visitors 1353 (1432)
- computer usage 234 (383)
· Bouse Public Library: We hired a new manager on the 27th her name is Heather Nolen. Nikki is training her for 2 weeks and then she will retire. I will miss her greatly.
o new patrons 11 (23)
o library visitors 413 (581)
o computer usage 0 (0) – due to Internet connectivity issues with Starband
Upcoming Events:
- Summer Reading Program – June 9-June 25
Schedule of Upcoming Events
Mon., May 11, 2009 @ 4:00 p.m. – Parks & Recreation Meeting
Thurs., May 14, 2009 @ 10 a.m. – Senior Center Committee Meeting @ the Center
Tues., May 19, 2009 @ 6:15/7:00 p.m. – Work Session/Regular Council Meeting |