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Administration 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.
We had our benefit meetings today for open enrollment. We had 3 classes and all employees who were eligible attended.
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 held a Pre-submittal meeting on May 12, 2009. This was a non-mandatory conference. Eight architectural firms attended the meeting
- 23 architectural firms have received RFQ packets so far. We should have a good selection of Qualification Statements to choose from.
Project: Task Force Facility Procurement.
- The final draft plans are still at the town engineer for review.
- When the review is complete and all revisions done the construction may begin.
Project: REDI Grant
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.
- 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 confirmed appointments with various retailers at the conference. We will also visit many other retailers during the conference to discuss business opportunities.
- 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.
- Officer Mike Bailey attended K-9 training in Phoenix, along with K-9 officers from the Quartzsite Police department.
- Officers investigated a harassing phone calls case and a stalking case involving a violation of an Order of Protection.
- Officers assisted the CRIT Police Department with investigations involving criminal damage, criminal trespass, a shoplift, a non-injury traffic accident and an injury accident.
- Officers arrested suspects for the following offenses: disorderly conduct and assault at Parker High School, public intoxication, driving on a suspended license, two warrants for interfering with judicial proceedings, disorderly conduct, a violation of an Order of Protection and a contempt of court warrant.
Library
Parker Public Library
- In the last week, members of the community visited Parker Public Library 1462 times for computers, books, dvds, talking books, etc.
- Also in the last week, 7 volunteers worked a total of 53 hours. They donated $1034.00 worth of in-kind service to the community through the library.
- Social Security helped 93 people in the library last week.
Other Libraries & Bookmobile
- Bouse Public Library – Thursday May 14 was Library Manager, Nikki Cowel-Mackey’s, last day before retirement. The Bouse Friends of the Library and library staff hosted a retirement party for her in the afternoon. Heather Nolen, the new manager at BPL, is in place after two weeks of training.
Upcoming Events:
- Summer Reading Program – June 9-June 25
Schedule of Upcoming Events
Tues., May 19, 2009 @ 6:15/7:00 p.m. – Work Session/Regular Council Meeting
Wed., May 20, 2009 @ 4:30 p.m. – Board of Adjustments
Sat., May 23, 2009 @ 8:00 a.m. – Town of Parker Auction @ Town Yard
Thurs., May 28, 2009 @ 5:15 p.m. – Streets & Traffic Committee Meeting
Mon., June 1, 2009 @ 5:30 p.m. – Mayor’s Special Thanks *Open House* |