Quartzsite Town Council agenda for Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The agenda for Tuesday night's Quartzsite Town Council meeting is now online at http://www.quartzsiteaz.com/http://www.quartzsiteaz.com/

NEW BUSINESS:


062811 – 1. Discussion and possible acceptance of Council Member Lizarraga’s resignation and discussion regarding filling the vacancy. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager
062811 – 2. Discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 11-10; declaring as public record that certain document filed with the Town Clerk and entitled “The 2010-11 Amendments to the Tax Code of the Town of Quartzsite”. (Not open for public discussion)
Karen Norris, Town Clerk

062811 – 3. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 11-07; adopting “The 2010-11 Amendments to the Tax Code of the Town of Quartzsite” by reference, establishing an effective date; providing for severability and providing penalties for violations. (Open for public discussion)
Karen Norris, Town Clerk

062811 – 4. Discussion and possible appointment of Public Defender for the Town of Quartzsite Magistrate Court. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

062811 – 5. Discussion and possible appointment of Prosecutor for the Town of Quartzsite Magistrate Court. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

062811 – 6. Discussion and possible approval to advertise a request for Statement of Qualifications for Professional Engineering and Related Services on a Task Order Basis on Town of Quartzsite Transportation and Public Works projects. (Not open for public discussion).
Al Johnson, Asst. Town Manager

062811 – 7. Discussion and possible censure of the Mayor regarding violation of the Quartzsite Council Procedure Manual by releasing for publication comments not shared by the majority of the Council, and without the knowledge or permission of the Town Manager. (Not open for public discussion).
Joe Winslow, Council Member

Quartzsite man arrested in fatal accident near Wilhoit, AZ

Wilhoit, AZ- Prescott Daily Courier reports William Swaggerty, 57, of Quartzsite was arrested after fleeing the scene of a fatal accident on Wed., June 22, 2011. An 8 year-old boy was killed when the vehicle driven by Swaggerty rolled down a steep embankment. The mother of the child was seriously injured. For the full Prescott Daily Courier story, see below.
http://www.prescottaz.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=95279

Quartzsite budget meeting Friday, June 24 10am

Quartzsite Town Council will hold a worksession to discuss the budget for the fiscal year 2011-2012. The discussion IS open for public comments.
The meeting will take place at Town Hall on Friday, June 24, at 10am.

ADOT Cancels Future Furlough Days

Operational efficiencies allow for

return of uninterrupted customer service

PHOENIX — Efforts within the Arizona Department of Transportation to reduce costs through increased efficiencies and an overall reduction in expenses has allowed the agency to cancel all future staff furlough days – assuming the financial picture remains stable.

Last week, ADOT Director John Halikowski announced to employees that the remainder of furlough days for the 2011-2012 calendar years have been canceled, acting on discretion granted by the legislature.

This is good news for ADOT customers.

Offices, including Motor Vehicle Division customer service centers, will return to offering uninterrupted service. Office locations and hours are available at www.azdot.gov.

“The credit for this accomplishment goes to ADOT employees who have helped make the department more efficient and productive, reducing operational costs and contributing to our financial stability,” Halikowski said. “These have been challenging times – for our customers and our employees – but we have worked together to confront these challenges. Everyone at ADOT looks forward to supporting our communities through our customer service, public safety, maintenance and operational efforts.”

ADOT would only consider future furloughs if unforeseen circumstances occur, such as a significant reduction of tax revenue to the State Highway Fund, and if furloughs were absolutely necessary to maintain the fiscal integrity of the State Highway Fund.

Quartzsite businessman offers $15 million to bail out La Paz Co

Charles Richard Oldham announced his group of businessmen is offering $15 million dollars to free La Paz County of it's debt to Yakima Compost Co. The new corporation, La Paz Disposal, LLC has it's proposal available online at http://wwww.lapazdisposal.com

DPS investigation report on Police Chief Jeff Gilbert available

Quartzsite, AZ- The original Arizona DPS Report investigating Chief Gilbert is available for review at the Quartzsite Library for anyone to look at. The report dated June 2010, stemmed from complaints made by Mayor Ed Foster.
It is a reference report and you can only read it at the library. It is not available for check-out. Just ask at the front desk staff if you need any help.


UPDATED JULY 3rd: regarding comment made by vigilante vendor:

Just to clarify facts about the report in the library: it was compiled by DPS(AZ Dept. of Public Safety), NOT the town council as stated by "vigilante vendor" "with nothing omitted. It is an exact copy," said Quartzsite Town Manager, Alex Taft. According to Taft, Jennifer "Jade" Haris-Jones' (AKA "vigilante vendor")complaints went to U.S. District Court in Phoenix and the case was dismissed. Then she hired an attorney and has refiled in La Paz County Superior Court.



Mrs. Jones has multiple criminal charges against her as well as other court cases pending. She has been arrested four times since returning to Quartzsite in October. She is also a candidate for mayor, however many residents have been vocal questioning the validity of her residency qualifications.

BLM announces Fee Free Day

Lake Havasu City, Ariz. - In celebration of the first day of summer, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District will be waiving entrance fees to local recreation sites.  The fee-free designation applies only to Tuesday, June 21, 2011.

“This is a great way to help some folks, who might otherwise not have the opportunity, to experience their public lands and develop a passion for them as others have,” stated District Manager Angie Lara.

Recreation areas in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District that will be free include:

Yuma Field Office - Squaw Lake Campground and Boat Launch, Senator Wash Boat Ramp and Day-Use Area, Senator Wash North Shore Campground, Senator Wash South Shore Campground, Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area, and Ehrenberg Sandbowl Off-Highway Vehicle Area in the Yuma Field Office,
Kingman Field Office - Burro Creek, Wild Cow Springs, and Windy Point Recreation Sites in the Kingman Field Office,
Lake Havasu Field Office - Crossroads Campground and Bullfrog, Bass Point, and Quail Hollow Day-Use Areas  

Site standard amenity and individual day-use fees at BLM recreation sites and areas will be waived.  Other fees, such as overnight camping, concession fees, and group day-use will remain in effect.

National Public Lands Day, which is scheduled for September 24, and the Veterans Day holiday weekend, November 11-13, will also be fee-free days.