Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Payson Town Council Meeting: Farewells, Proclamations, and New Council Swearing-In, December 11, 2024

Town Council & Planning and Zoning — Wednesday, December 11, 2024

BodyPayson, Arizona

SessionTown Council & Planning and Zoning

DateWednesday, December 11, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:24:07

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

2:00

All right, welcome everyone.

2:01

Like to call tonight's peace in town council meeting to order.

2:13

And uh I'd like to ask uh Miss Lois Johnson, Crossroads Four Square Church from Crossroads to come up for the invitation.

2:22

If everyone could please stand, be quiet at this time for prayer, remove your hats.

2:29

Thank you.

2:29

Well, greetings for Mayor Higgins and the town council, town staff, and all the public.

2:36

Tonight I'm gonna start by reading a short portion of scripture, and then I'll go into prayer.

2:41

And I'm reading from first Peter two verses thirteen through seventeen.

2:46

Submit yourself for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men, whether to the king as a supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

3:04

For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men, live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil.

3:20

Live as servants of God.

4:41

And not be concerned that somebody's gonna grab them and say, Why aren't you taking care of this?

4:46

And why aren't you doing that?

4:48

They can now just rest peacefully.

5:00

New opportunities.

5:01

They will just find life in this new chapter of their life to be very exciting.

5:07

And Lord, for the four members coming in, I just pray, Lord, that you would give them additional stamina, endurability, and fortitude, that you would bless them with an increase in their emotions and their wisdom and their knowledge and their physical abilities, as they now have to deal with things they never thought they'd have to deal with.

5:31

Because you know, Lord, how difficult it is to get working with people.

5:35

But I thank you, Lord, change can be good.

5:39

Change can be difficult.

5:41

But we ask, Lord, as a new council comes into place.

5:45

We ask that they and the town staff will find peace in their transactions.

5:52

They will be able to work together, Lord, in smooth transition.

5:57

We know there'll be many questions.

5:59

Each person is going to come in with a different personality, different ideas.

6:04

But we pray, Lord, for the betterment of our community, that things will run smoothly.

6:10

And Lord, I just ask for your safety and your protection over the entirety of Rim Country.

6:19

We know the town of Payson does play an important role in the whole of Rim Country.

6:25

We ask, Lord, that wise decisions will be made by the council and implemented by staff, that our town will continue to crow.

6:35

We will have new opportunities for families, for workers, for children, and just for the entire community, Lord, that we do make progress, that we continue to be a town that is shows favor, that we care for one another.

6:53

And Lord, I just ask for each one of us, as I read these scripture verses, that we will think about how do we show our respect for one another.

7:03

Instead of slamming up ourselves about being a bad driver or being an ear to a customer in a store, Lord, I pray that we would think about our fellow man.

7:18

How can we show we respect and we care for them?

7:22

Even the homeless people on the street, because they are people too.

7:27

I ask, Lord, that we learn to smile at one another.

7:31

We learn to listen to one another, we learn to open doors for one another.

7:35

We learn to pick up things that have been dropped by one another, and just show we care, that our town really becomes a much better place to live in.

7:45

We can be proud of Payson, we can be proud of the citizens that we see wherever we go.

7:51

And Lord, I ask these things in your name, and I thank you that you have shown your favor upon this town.

7:59

And as we are now in the season of Christmas, I ask, Lord, that we just truly find ways of being nicer people to one another, and that we can all enjoy a blessed and merry Christmas according to your will.

8:15

I ask and send your name dear night, dear Lord.

8:18

Amen.

8:19

Thank you, Lois.

8:23

I'd be happy to.

8:24

I pleased.

8:33

Why should we start?

8:44

And Michelle, can we please get a roll call?

8:55

All right, great.

8:57

Uh this time, call to the public, have some speaker request forms first, uh, Miss Rebecca or a hood.

9:04

Could we turn on the microphone back here, please?

9:07

All right.

9:09

Let's see.

9:10

How about that?

9:11

Is that any better?

9:12

No.

9:13

No.

9:14

No microphone still.

9:17

Um, let's see.

9:19

Well, the mics are on.

9:24

There we go.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural████████████████████████████████████36%

Personnel Matters████████████████████20%

Community Engagement██████████████14%

Public Safety████████8%

Government Efficiency███████7%

Parks and Recreation████4%

Transparency████4%

Economic Development██2%

Veteran Affairs██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Payson Town Council Regular Meeting — December 11, 2024

The Town of Payson Common Council met on December 11, 2024, at 303 North Beeline Highway, Payson, AZ. Mayor Chris Higgins called the meeting to order at approximately 4:02 p.m. The agenda included no consent calendar items, hearings, resolutions, unfinished business, new business, or miscellaneous items. The meeting consisted of public comments, a town manager report, two proclamations, farewells to outgoing council members and the mayor, a reception, and the administration of the oath of office to the incoming mayor and council. Council Member Susan 'Suzy' Tubbs participated electronically via Zoom. Council Member Jolynn Schinstock was absent; her farewell remarks were read by Council Member Brett Flaherty. The meeting recessed at approximately 4:46 p.m. and reconvened at 5:04 p.m., adjourning at approximately 5:40 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

Becky Orohood, a Payson resident, thanked the outgoing council for having the wisdom and fortitude to address items that had been postponed for years. She commended Vice Mayor Barbara Underwood's years of service and urged the incoming council to remain open to the Town's needs. She also expressed concern about comments from a new member regarding spending on fire trucks, saying a ladder truck can save buildings and lives.
Cindy Linford, a Payson resident, thanked the council for their sacrifices, teamwork, and efforts, noting that disagreement is normal but the team worked together well.
Tom Dunning, a 20-year Payson resident, said the outgoing council's dream of improving Payson for everyone would continue, citing road fixes, an event center, and a year-round aquatic/recreation center as examples.
Mike Quinn thanked outgoing officials for understanding the importance of investment, saying Payson can grow and prosper if the town invests in facilities and quality of life. He emphasized that investment requires taxes but yields returns, and he hoped the next council would continue on the same track.

Staff Report and Presentations

Town Manager Troy Smith summarized the December 11, 2024 Town Manager Report. Highlights included: the Payson Police Department's 'Beards on Patrol' fundraiser raised $9,991 for a cancer survivor, with notable donations from Roadrunner ($2,000), Payson Chapman ($500), Walmart ($500), and Lowry's ($400).
Engineering and Streets divisions completed a roadway restriping project for the season.
Parks and Recreation announced Winter Wonderland at Green Valley Park on December 14, including the Electric Light Parade at 6 p.m. and a real ice skating rink open from December 14 through January 19, 2025.
Smith also noted Wreaths Across America on December 14 at 1 p.m. and the retirement of transportation coordinator Juanita Coghill.
Council Member Flaherty thanked town staff for assisting with a memorial at the rodeo grounds and for hosting Winter Wonderland.

Proclamations

Mayor Higgins read a proclamation declaring December 14, 2024 as National Wreaths Across America Day in Payson. Jessica Weinland accepted the proclamation and noted this was the sixth year the town has supported the event.
Mayor Higgins read a proclamation recognizing Troy Smith, Town Manager, for his service since October 19, 2020. Smith thanked the council, staff, and community, joking that the proclamation violated his own five-'whereas' rule.

Farewells to Outgoing Officials

Council Member Scott Nossek read a farewell proclamation for Council Member Joel Mona, who served from March 22, 2023 to December 11, 2024. Mona expressed gratitude, praised town staff, and said he is optimistic about Payson's future, citing a secure water supply and the community's dedication.
Council Member Flaherty read a farewell proclamation for Council Member Jolynn Schinstock, who served four years, and then read her farewell comments. Schinstock called the last four years challenging, thanked town staff and leadership, and wished the council well.
Mayor Higgins read a farewell proclamation for Vice Mayor Barbara Underwood, who served eight years. Underwood thanked staff and the council, said she has been blessed to call Payson home for 47 years, and indicated she would remain involved.
Vice Mayor Underwood read a farewell proclamation for Mayor Chris Higgins, who served ten years. Higgins thanked staff, council colleagues, residents, his family, and outgoing Town Manager Troy Smith. He said Payson is an incredible town and encouraged the incoming council.

Special Ceremonies: Reception and Oath of Office

A reception honored outgoing members and welcomed incoming members.
The Honorable Timothy M. Wright, Division 2 Presiding Judge of Gila County Superior Court, individually administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Stephen Otto and Council Members Charlie Bell, Jim Ferris, Dallin Haws, and Scott Nossek.
The new roll call showed Mayor Stephen Otto and Council Members Charlie Bell, Jim Ferris, Brett Flaherty, Dallin Haws, Scott Nossek, and Susan 'Suzy' Tubbs present; Tubbs attended via Zoom.

New Council Goals and Aspirations

Council Member Charlie Bell said he won by only one vote, emphasized that every vote counts, and stated his focus is on revitalization and fixing what the town already has.
Council Member Jim Ferris called for a cultural change in Payson, with transparency, integrity, accountability, accessibility, communication, and fiscal responsibility. He said he wants a pool and believes it will happen.
Council Member Brett Flaherty thanked outgoing officials and said he looks forward to serving with the new group.
Council Member Dallin Haws noted that only about four votes separated the successful candidates and pledged to represent everyone with integrity, transparency, and an open mind.
Council Member Scott Nossek pledged to represent all residents, respond promptly and honestly, and work to move Payson forward.
Council Member Susan 'Suzy' Tubbs, participating via Zoom, said she is currently caring for someone and apologized for not attending in person. She thanked outgoing members, expressed hope for harmonious work, and emphasized that children are watching how council members behave.
Mayor Stephen Otto thanked State Senator Wendy Rogers and her husband, his campaign supporters, and his family. He said communication with residents will guide the council and that the town will get things done.

Key Outcomes

No formal votes or ordinances were taken during the meeting; all agenda items were ceremonial or informational.
The outgoing council members and Town Manager were recognized with proclamations.
The new mayor and council members were sworn in and seated, beginning the new council term.

Meeting Transcript

All right, welcome everyone. Like to call tonight's peace in town council meeting to order. And uh I'd like to ask uh Miss Lois Johnson, Crossroads Four Square Church from Crossroads to come up for the invitation. If everyone could please stand, be quiet at this time for prayer, remove your hats. Thank you. Well, greetings for Mayor Higgins and the town council, town staff, and all the public. Tonight I'm gonna start by reading a short portion of scripture, and then I'll go into prayer. And I'm reading from first Peter two verses thirteen through seventeen. Submit yourself for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men, whether to the king as a supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men, live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil. Live as servants of God. And not be concerned that somebody's gonna grab them and say, Why aren't you taking care of this? And why aren't you doing that? They can now just rest peacefully. New opportunities. They will just find life in this new chapter of their life to be very exciting. And Lord, for the four members coming in, I just pray, Lord, that you would give them additional stamina, endurability, and fortitude, that you would bless them with an increase in their emotions and their wisdom and their knowledge and their physical abilities, as they now have to deal with things they never thought they'd have to deal with. Because you know, Lord, how difficult it is to get working with people. But I thank you, Lord, change can be good. Change can be difficult. But we ask, Lord, as a new council comes into place. We ask that they and the town staff will find peace in their transactions. They will be able to work together, Lord, in smooth transition. We know there'll be many questions. Each person is going to come in with a different personality, different ideas. But we pray, Lord, for the betterment of our community, that things will run smoothly. And Lord, I just ask for your safety and your protection over the entirety of Rim Country. We know the town of Payson does play an important role in the whole of Rim Country. We ask, Lord, that wise decisions will be made by the council and implemented by staff, that our town will continue to crow. We will have new opportunities for families, for workers, for children, and just for the entire community, Lord, that we do make progress, that we continue to be a town that is shows favor, that we care for one another. And Lord, I just ask for each one of us, as I read these scripture verses, that we will think about how do we show our respect for one another. Instead of slamming up ourselves about being a bad driver or being an ear to a customer in a store, Lord, I pray that we would think about our fellow man. How can we show we respect and we care for them? Even the homeless people on the street, because they are people too. I ask, Lord, that we learn to smile at one another. We learn to listen to one another, we learn to open doors for one another. We learn to pick up things that have been dropped by one another, and just show we care, that our town really becomes a much better place to live in. We can be proud of Payson, we can be proud of the citizens that we see wherever we go. And Lord, I ask these things in your name, and I thank you that you have shown your favor upon this town. And as we are now in the season of Christmas, I ask, Lord, that we just truly find ways of being nicer people to one another, and that we can all enjoy a blessed and merry Christmas according to your will. I ask and send your name dear night, dear Lord. Amen. Thank you, Lois. I'd be happy to. I pleased. Why should we start? And Michelle, can we please get a roll call? All right, great. Uh this time, call to the public, have some speaker request forms first, uh, Miss Rebecca or a hood. Could we turn on the microphone back here, please?

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com