The Payson Town Council met on May 22, 2024, at 4:03 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including wildfire preparedness, a new program management office, a road improvement project, and approval of hay sales at the Event Center. The council also recognized the retirement of Police Chief Ron Tischer and proclaimed May 2024 as Older Americans Month. All votes were unanimous, with Council Member Suzy Tubbs absent for the last two items.
Deputy Town Manager Christine Smith and Project Manager Rod Buchanan presented a new PMO structure to manage the increased volume of capital projects. The PMO is an ad hoc, temporary, and scalable structure that reports to the executive team, with weekly updates and a project sponsor. Benefits include cost savings (e.g., $30,000 saved by combining two projects under one consultant), centralized reporting, and improved coordination. Rod Buchanan will serve as program manager. Council Member Mona asked about challenges; Buchanan responded the model is cost-effective and can be activated quickly.
Fuels Manager Kevin McCully, along with Forest Service officials Daniel Whatley (Fire Management Officer) and Matt Paciorek (District Ranger), presented the 2024 wildfire outlook. Key points:
Town Engineer Larry Halberstadt presented a project to fill a 1,200-foot sidewalk gap, add bike lanes, replace curb ramps, and repave Houston Mesa Road from McLean Road to B Line Highway. The design cost is $154,000 with a 5.7% local match ($8,778) plus $30,000 for ADOT administration. The project is part of the Payson Area Trail System (PATS) and uses federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds. Council approved unanimously (7-0).
Parks and Recreation Director Steve Richardson and Trevor Bales (owner of Bales Hay Sales, a sixth-generation family farm) proposed bi-weekly hay sales in a portion of the Event Center parking lot on Saturdays when not in use. The business would provide professional equipment, liability insurance, and pay TPT. Pricing: about $22-23 per bale for horse hay, with six dollars going to transport. Pre-orders and delivery options available. The council discussed flexibility and length; Trevor Bales was open to a trial. Council approved 6-0 (Tubbs absent).
Good evening, everyone. Like to call this evening's Pays and Town Council meeting to order. If Rick Kill, Pastor Rick Hill, if you are here, yes, sir. If you would like to come to the podium for the invitation, please, and if everyone would please rise. I pray that your wisdom will be imparted to them as they lead us. And we uh humble ourselves before your mighty hand in your throne. And I I do pray for peace in our hearts to begin with. Peace with you. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you, sir. Uh Larry, could you please lead us in the pledge? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Larry. Right. Ms. Can we please get a roll call? No, my friend's not here. Let the record show that all council members are present except for council member Flarity. Council members Mona and Tubbs Owensy. All right, and council member Flaherty will be coming in hot momentarily. That was the message I got. All right, uh, we'll start with our call to the public. Um let's see, Mr. Tom Dunning. Welcome. Hello, Mr. Mayor and Town Council. I am the ubiquitous Tom Dunning. Um I'm a 20-year resident of Payson. And um I just want to uh say a few things tonight. 2023 was the hottest year in recorded history. Now in 2024, temperatures around the world are already hotter than 2023. Lake Roosevelt is very close to being completely full. What does all this mean and have to do with Payson, Arizona? Our wet winter means that the fuel in our forests for wildfires is high. A summer hotter than last summer means that the threat of wildfires will be unavoidably higher. What are we doing here in Payson to protect Payson residents from the dangers of a wildfire season, which could be worse than any we have seen? We can see the plans and actions being taken to protect Payson residents in the agenda of tonight's town council meeting. First, our mayor and town council are establishing a cooperative agreement with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Pays and Fire Department to coordinate their efforts. Tonight we will also hear from our town fuels manager on Payson's wildfire preparedness and the state of this year's wildfire outlook. In other words, our town leaders are comprehensively planning now in order to be fully ready for wildfires endangering Pays and residents this coming summer. Thank you. Thank you. All right, next, uh Mr. Mike Quinn. Thank you.