Desert Messenger

April 20, 2022 ww.DesertMessenger.com 7 Quartzsite Town Council recap The GFWC Quartzsite Women's Club elected new offi cers at their monthly meeting March 29, 2022. As seen in the photo above (left to right) President Lisa Anderson, Vice President Lois Dupre, Secre- tary Tomacita Pecina, and Treasur- er Rovena Turnage. The new directors are Brenda Burks, Lynda Goldberg, Marilyn McFate and Terry Bashore. The club won fi rst place at the South- western District Spring Convention held earlier this month for increas- ing membership. We've added 20 new members over the past year. The 1880's Pioneer Experience spon- sored by the club at the Quartzsite Buck Connor's Western Days event was a very well received and we would like to sponsor it again. Kids of all ages enjoyed taking part in ac- tivities they might have experienced in the 1880's. The Vitalant Blood Drive goal of 18 pints was exceeded with 28 pints donated. Upcoming drives will be May 22, November 20, 2022, Janu- ary 30, March 26, May 22 and No- vember 20, 2023. Becky Johnstone (208)634-9304 can put you on the schedule for any of the upcoming donation events. Our next meeting will be held at noon, April 25 at the Quartzsite Communi- ty Center. We are always looking for new members and projects. By Becky Johnstone GFWC Women's Club updates and new officers April 12th Town Council meeting recap Mayor Norm Simpson read a Proc- lamation declaring Friday, April 29, 2022 as Arbor Day. Mayor Norm Simpson read a Proc- lamation declaring April 2022 as Fair Housing Month. Dan Jackson of Willdan Financial Services presented a 2022 Waste- water & Water Rate Study & Fi- nancial Forecast. Mr. Jackson pro- posed a fi ve-year rate program with annual increases to accommodate infl ation and operating cost adjust- ments. These will permit the utility fund to be self-funding and not rely on the Town's General Fund. Council approved Consent Agenda items ledger of Accounts paid in the total amount $458,532.54, and the March 22, 2022 regular meeting minutes. Council adopted Resolution No. 22-07 undertaking actions to affi r- matively further fair housing in rec- ognition of the Federal Fair Hous- ing Act. This is an annual action the Town takes to stay in compliance with the Community Development Block Grant Program. Council adopted Resolution No. 22006 approving the sale, execution and delivery of excise tax revenue refunding obligations, Series 2022 Bonds; approving the execution of a purchase agreement and other necessary agreements for such sale and declaring an emergency. This is an opportunity to save the Town funds by refi nancing Town water and wastewater obligations using a lower interest rate. Council voted to approve rezone application #8910 for 140 acres generally described as the Des- ert Gardens property located east of Quartzsite Boulevard, south of Kuehn Street and west of Q Moun- tain Vista Subdivision, rezoning the property from Suburban Ranch (SR) to General Commercial (C-2) and Heavy Commercial (C-3). This rezoning brings the current uses on the Desert Gardens property into compliance with the Town Zoning Code. Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 22-02 Amending the Offi cial Zoning Map refl ecting the rezoning of property locate APN's 306-29- 010O and 306-24-004C, 1240 Aca- cia Street, Quartzsite from SR (Sub- urban Ranch) to C-2 (Commercial) and C-3 (Heavy Commercial). Council voted to approve an IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) with La Paz County for Town of Quartzsite Building Inspector Services. Tracey Hess, Building Inspector, explained the Town will provide building in- spection services to unincorporated areas such as Vicksburg, Brenda, Sa- lome, Wenden, Rainbow Acres and La Paz Valley. This should be a tem- porary arrangement until the County hires a full-time inspector. March 22 Regular Council Meeting recap Vice Mayor Warner called the meeting to order as Mayor Simpson was absent. The Quartzsite Denim n' Dust 4-H group conducted the pledge of alle- giance and Zander Barber presented a short video about their participation at this year's La Paz County Fair. Police Chief Clay Romo intro- duced the newest offi cer to the Quartzsite police Department, Sa- mantha Penninger. She recently graduated the academy and is on fi eld training assignment. Council approved Consent Agenda items ledger of Accounts paid in the total amount of $204,822.15, and the March 8, 2022 regular meeting minutes. The Vice Mayor requested volun- teer Council Members to the league of Arizona Cities and Towns Policy Committees. These committees re- view policy recommendations that have potential impact on Arizona municipalities. Council voted to ap- prove the Council Member Steve Schue to serve on WACOG'S Re- gional Council On Aging. Council adopted the recommen- dation from the Town Manager to move to a four (4) day work week starting March 28, 2022. This is a longer time period than has been adopted in previous years. Coun- cil will revisit this item in October 2022 to determine if the Town con- tinues with the shorter work week. The change does not impact the Po- lice Department or Camel Express Transit Services. Council voted to approve Resolution No. 22-05. This resolution will ap- point a trustee(s) for the Quartzsite Employment Retirement Program replacing Kay Kruen and Beverly Cunningham. Deptuy Manager Kik- ki Tunnel is the appointed trustee. Council voted to appoint a new Council member to fi ll a cacant seat on the WACOG (Western Arizona Council of Governments) Regional Council On Aging (RCOA). WACOG Executive Director Brian Babiars will be informed Council Member Steve Schue has been appointed. Council voted to direct the Town Manager to continue discussions Ed Options about lease arrangement for the Town to use one of the large classroom building for expansion of the code enforcement and Police Department administrative needs. Council reviewed the proposed budget calendar presented by Depu- ty Town Manager Kikki Tunnell and agreed upon the recommended dates and Community Center location. Quartzsite Town Council meets 7:00 p.m. the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at Town Hall, 465 N. Plym- outh Ave. Quartzsite. 928-927-4333

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