Desert Messenger

16 www.DesertMessenger.com September 20, 2023 • Birth • Obituary • Anniversary Place it FREE in the: Desert Messenger! 928-916-4235 Got something to share? CONFERENCE CON'T FROM PAGE 1 The conference is held annually in late summer and provides a unique opportunity for local officials to gather together to attend training sessions designed to aid in more effective and efficient management of Arizona's municipalities, to hear from state and legislative officials, as well as share common concerns and ideas for problem solving. Mayor Simpson said, "Benefits of attending the conference included training in areas of interest to pub- lic officials, such as establishing networking, roundtable discus- sions with othe municipalities, for- mal presentations by established leaders and updates of legislation affecting municipalities." Conference highlights included: -General Luncheon on Thursday, August 31 recognized local officials who have served on municipal coun- cils from 8 to 36 years. In addition, the League presented our Legisla- tive Friends and Champions Award, honoring local government support- ers from the state legislature. -Nicci Collier attended the Sev- enteenth Annual Youth Program, with more than 160 youth delegates from cities and towns throughout the state. Delegates participated in sessions and activities planned spe- cifically for youth interested in local government and interacted with lo- cal elected officials, networked with other youth delegates and learned about issues and challenges facing Arizona. Quartzsite hopes to start a Youth Council soon! -More than 30 educational ses- sions on topics ranging from water to council-manager relations, eco- nomic development, budgeting, legislation impacting cities and town, energy, planning, and eco- nomic development to just name a few. In addition to the many education- al sessions and networking events at the conference, mayors and councilmembers from across the state met during the event to devel- op resolutions for the League's Mu- nicipal Policy Statement. The policy statement represents the collective interests of cities and towns state- wide and will guide the League of Arizona Cities and Town's lobbying efforts during the upcoming legisla- tive session that begins in January 2024. Next year's League confer- ence will be held in Phoenix, August 27 – 30, 2024. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is a voluntary association of all the 91 incorporated cities and towns in the state of Arizona. It pro- vides policy and legislative advo- cacy, information and inquiry ser- vices, along with publications and educational programs to strengthen the quality and efficiency of munici- pal government. It was founded in 1937 to serve the interests of cities and towns and to preserve the prin- ciples of home rule and local deter- mination. For more information, visit www. azleague.org. By Shanana Rain Golden-Bear "Quartzsite's got things happening that we can feel good about!"- Jim Ferguson Town Manager Jim Ferguson gave an Economic Development update to Quartzsite Town Council during their regular meeting on September 12. He explained he put the item on the agenda because, "In the past, I've given a report through the Town Manager's Report, but that doesn't give opportunity to discuss." Ferguson listed development activity which included the new Terrible's last year, TESLA Su- percharging station that recently opened. Starbucks will be located just west of Terrible's. Starbucks said Quartzsite is going to be "one of the smallest, if not the smallest town that we've ever located in," and they recognize that Quartzsite sits in a good location for freeway traffic. Ferguson explained that I- 10 is still an economic engine that is driving Quartzsite's economy, and will continue for some period of time. He said we need to capital- ize on that. The Car Wash will also be located near Terrible's. Ferguson plans on updating the council in the next couple of months. 3-bays is what has been proposed, 1 automatic, 2 service, but staff suggested it would be better for the older population to have 2 automatic with 1 manual. The company said they will be monitor- ing it and can change it later on. "Folks that bought the property west of Loves are going back and forth on their project. They are vis- iting with Town staff about a water line and development. We want to insure the extension of the utilities are taken care of in such a fashion that the development community pays their fair share and is benefi- cial to the town," said Ferguson. There's a firm talking about buy- ing a piece of property for another EV charging. He said, "The market place drives it, not ours." Economic Development in town There's activite at the corner of 95 & Main at La Mesa company. Town is providing them with data. It's a pretty sizable company. Staff spends time meeting with them via Zoom with the Phoenix company. They're gathering information at this time. Another Dollar General Store will be near Main and Plymouth, just east of there. "Once again, people will say we don't need another one. But they want to be here. We are working with them," he said. The development on the east side of town is moving along nicely, wait- ing for review from ADOT to decide if there will need to be another light there. "We've been working with them for almost 2 years. Hopefully construction will start this winter," Ferguson added. Best Western Hotel and Black Bear Diner, will be located between Arco and Chevron stations on Riggles. Ferguson said, "They indicated the diner will probably start between October & November. Motel hopes to start by December. But things do happen, financing changes." The Town meets with APS on a reg- ular basis. With TESLA, the power increased by 25% for future growth. The Town is looking for a grant for infrastructure to fire district and hospital clinic. La Paz Regional Hospital is very interested in bring- ing an Assisted Living Facility to Quartzsite. There are two facilities in LHC. They are planning a 15-bed facility and possible housing there, as they own property from the clinic all the way to Plymouth Ave. "We are now back in working re- lationship with La Paz Economic Development. It's a very open rela- tionship now." For the Transit, the Town is looking at a new grant for new routing options. Council Member Karey Amon said, "It seems clear that Town's don't grow towns. Towns provide infra- structure for growth that outside entities bring to us.

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