Payson Town Council Regular Meeting - October 9, 2024

The Payson Town Council held its regular meeting on October 9, 2024, at 4:01 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting lasted approximately 29 minutes and included the approval of a consent agenda, several proclamations, a presentation from Payson High School students, and the approval of a $2,500 sponsorship for the first annual Spookeyfest. Council members present: Mayor Chris Higgins, Vice Mayor Barbara Underwood, Council Members Brett Flaherty, Joel Mona, and Scott Nossek. Absent: Council Members Jolynn Schinstock and Susan "Suzy" Tubbs. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

Consent Calendar

• B.1: Approved the minutes of the September 25, 2024 regular meeting.
• B.2: Resolution No. 3413 – Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
• B.3: Resolution No. 3414 – Approved an agreement with Gila County to provide funding for Beeline Bus services and services to persons with disabilities.
• All three items were approved on a single motion, carried 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Edwards addressed the Council, expressing appreciation for the multi-generational vision for Payson and thanking the Council and town staff for their competence and hard work. He also briefly mentioned affordable housing.

Discussion Items

• C.1 Town Manager's Report: Acting Town Manager Sheila DeSchaaf summarized the October 9 report, highlighting successful parks and recreation events (movie night, fiddle and food truck event, 54th annual state championship, and the Honeycomb Project), 317 fall soccer participants across 18 teams, progress on Granite Dells Road improvements (expected completion before Thanksgiving), a water department communication regarding EPA lead and copper rule revisions, and a successful Project WET event with 31 volunteers.
• D.1 Proclamation – Payson Days: Mayor Higgins read a proclamation declaring October 12, 2024, as Payson Days. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Richardson invited the community to the event at Green Valley Park from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., featuring food vendors, yard games, live music, and fireworks at 7:00 p.m. He thanked Sparklight for providing free Wi-Fi.
• D.2 Proclamation – Payson Aerofair Day: Council Member Mona read a proclamation declaring October 19, 2024, as Payson Aerofair Day. Aerofair Chair Larry Erdman noted it is the third largest public event in Payson, with U.S. military representatives, food vendors, and a Friday night showing of Top Gun: Maverick at the airport. He thanked Parks and Recreation and the Streets Department.
• D.3 Proclamation – Iron Horse Rodeo Run: Vice Mayor Underwood read a proclamation declaring October 19, 2024, as a Special Event Day for the Iron Horse Rodeo Run. Joy Mernagh of the Payson Rodeo Committee stated the event anticipates about 200 motorcycle riders starting from AJ, with stops, a dice run, bike competition, vendors, and a 50-50 drawing. Proceeds benefit veterans in Gila County.
• D.4 Payson High School Spookeyfest Presentation: Taylor Murray (FFA Advisor, filling in for Student Government Advisor L.J. Trevillyan) and four student government representatives (Carson Frederick, Arlee Rogers, Jeyten Johnson, Cohen Morris) presented the first annual Spookeyfest, a collaboration with the drama department’s haunted house. The event will be held November 2, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., featuring games, food trucks, bounce houses, and activities for elementary students. They requested a $2,500 sponsorship in exchange for naming rights on games, logo placement on all advertisements, and banners at the event. Mayor Higgins noted the Student Government often works behind the scenes and that town sponsorship would encourage them.
• H.1 Council Decision Request – Spookeyfest Sponsorship: Acting Town Manager DeSchaaf presented the request for $2,500 from the Council Contingency Fund. She corrected the staff report, noting the remaining fund balance after a prior transfer is approximately $48,000. The Council discussed and approved the motion.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (B.1-B.3): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Proclamations (D.1-D.3): Read and accepted; no vote required.
• Spookeyfest Sponsorship (H.1): Approved $2,500 from Council Contingency Fund, motion by Vice Mayor Underwood, second by Council Member Flaherty, carried 5-0.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 p.m.