Payson Town Council Regular Meeting – January 28, 2026

Mayor Stephen Otto called the regular meeting to order at approximately 4:00 p.m. on January 28, 2026, in the Town Hall Council Chambers, 303 North Beeline Highway, Payson, Arizona. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:11 p.m. All seven council members were present, with Vice Mayor Suzy Tubbs, Town Clerk Tracie Bailey, and Facilities Maintenance Manager Allen Rislund participating via Zoom. The amended agenda included the consent agenda, public comments, a pool committee dissolution request, and public hearings on home rule, self-certification, and peddler/solicitor licensing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darlene Younker DeLage asked for the difference between a solicitor and a peddler, discussed town-approved building materials and fire-resistant materials, and voiced opposition to Ordinance No. 2026-100, expressing concern that removing council from final plan approval would undermine checks and balances and eliminate appeal opportunities.
• Mike Quinn, a Payson resident and taxpayer, opposed the use of $2,000 in public funds for the new town manager to appear on KMOG, describing the station as a partisan platform. He urged the council to terminate financial arrangements with KMOG, use neutral communication channels, and adopt a transparent public information policy.
• Tom Dunning, a 21-year resident, expressed strong support for town staff and criticized the new seating arrangement that moved staff away from the front of the council chambers, calling the change symbolic and asking that staff seating be restored.
• Sharon Arnst proposed that Payson's future pool or aquatic center be named in honor of former Mayor Chris Higgins, such as the Chris Higgins Memorial Aquatic Center or Chris Higgins Memorial Pool.
• David Levendoski described being struck by a car in a crosswalk, said he had been nearly hit multiple times, and stated that Payson has five times the number of bicycles struck by cars per capita than any other Arizona city. He requested a meeting to discuss no-cost crosswalk safety solutions. Vice Mayor Tubbs asked staff to obtain his contact information for follow-up.
• Isaac Blake, a Payson resident, opposed agenda item B.2 to dissolve the Taylor Pool Stakeholder Committee, noting the council created the committee on December 10, 2025, and that it had not yet met. He requested the item be pulled for discussion and questioned the undefined replacement process, lack of an engagement plan, and whether an RFI should precede an RFP.
• Inga Chouinard defended the KMOG forum, saying she had not heard political statements from Mr. Coldwell, and explained that the changed staff seating arrangement was reportedly for safety reasons so first responders could monitor the room.

Consent Calendar

• Item B.2 was removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion. The council voted 7-0 to approve the remaining consent items: Resolution No. 2026-004 designating the Chief Fiscal Officer for submitting the FY2026 Expenditure Limitation Report; approval of the January 14, 2026 Special and Regular Council Meeting minutes; and Resolution No. 2026-006 approving an electric utility easement, which had been added to the agenda on January 27, 2026.

Discussion Item: Dissolution of the Pool Committee (B.2)

• Deputy Town Manager Sheila DeSchaaf said that when the RFP was in draft form, it would be attached to the agenda so the public could comment and provide feedback to the council.
• Council members discussed whether to dissolve the Taylor Pool Stakeholder Committee. Some argued the committee's mission had changed and it should be redirected rather than dissolved, while others said council members already represent stakeholders and that the community had provided years of input. Concerns were raised about unspecified engagement plans, delays, and the need to keep moving forward on pool decisions.
• A motion to approve dissolving the pool committee was made by Council Member Jim Ferris and seconded by Mayor Stephen Otto. The motion carried 4-3. Voting yes: Mayor Otto and Council Members Bell, Ferris, and Haws. Voting no: Vice Mayor Tubbs and Council Members Flaherty and Nossek. The transcript initially recorded a 5-2 vote before Vice Mayor Tubbs clarified her vote; the minutes finalize the result as 4-3.

Resolutions and Ordinances

• F.1 First Public Hearing – Resolution No. 2026-003 (Extension of the Alternative Expenditure Limitation / Home Rule): Finance Director Dana Ohanesian presented. Payson voters last approved home rule in 2022; the practice was first adopted in 1982 and has been renewed 10 times. The current authority expires after FY2026-27. Home rule allows the town to spend the revenue it collects. The town expects to spend about $60.2 million, while the state-imposed expenditure limitation is $17.4 million; even after an estimated $4.4 million in exclusions, the town would be restricted to $21.8 million, requiring cuts of more than $38 million if home rule is not approved. Home rule does not raise taxes. Mayor Otto opened and closed the public hearing with no public comments. This was the first hearing only; no vote was taken.
• F.2 Second Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2026-100 (Self-Certification and Expedited Plan Review): Zoning Administrator Nicole Adams presented. The ordinance implements House Bill 2447 by adding administrative approvals for qualifying applications when objective standards are met, an expedited review option for applicants with a demonstrated history of compliance, and a limited self-certification program by registered design professionals with town oversight. She clarified that administrative approval does not mean no review, that appeal rights remain in place, and that building, fire, and hardening regulations are unchanged. Mayor Otto opened and closed the public hearing with no public comments during the hearing. The motion to approve the ordinance was made by Council Member Jim Ferris, seconded by Council Member Charlie Bell, and passed 7-0.
• F.3 Second Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2026-101 (Amending Peddlers and Solicitors License Application Requirements): Commander Jesse Davies presented. The ordinance updates the town code to comply with Arizona Department of Public Safety requirements so fingerprint-based background checks can continue for peddler and solicitor licenses. Commander Davies also provided the town code definitions of solicitor and peddler. Mayor Otto opened and closed the public hearing with no public comments. The motion to approve the ordinance was made by Council Member Jim Ferris, seconded by Council Member Charlie Bell, and passed 7-0.

Awards and Announcements

• Mayor Otto presented Finance Director Dana Ohanesian with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. Deputy Town Manager Sheila DeSchaaf stated the award represents the highest level of recognition in government budgeting. Mr. Ohanesian noted this was his last council meeting and acknowledged Elizabeth Runzo and Emily Shy for their budget work.
• Council Member Charlie Bell reported that he, Mayor Otto, and Council Member Ferris met with American Red Cross representatives, who are seeking to re-establish a committee in Payson and recruit volunteers for disaster action teams and designated shelters. APS representatives also attended and discussed backup power options for potential shelter sites.
• Council Member Jim Ferris announced that the airplane planned for the roundabout near Airport Road had been approved, and the council thanked Deputy Town Clerk Megan Miller for her role in facilitating that project.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda, excluding item B.2, by a 7-0 vote.
• Approved dissolving the Taylor Pool Stakeholder Committee by a 4-3 vote.
• Approved Ordinance No. 2026-100 by a 7-0 vote.
• Approved Ordinance No. 2026-101 by a 7-0 vote.
• Held the first public hearing on Resolution No. 2026-003 regarding the home rule extension; no action was taken.
• Directed staff to follow up with David Levendoski regarding crosswalk safety issues. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:11 p.m.