City Council

Tuesday night’s City Council meeting got started with monthly reports from the department heads (see accompanying story) and moved into Call To The Public. The Call To The Public covered everything from the dirt on Allen Street to the Cub Scout cleanup of Landin Park.

Dawane “Hoss” Harris started out the call by talking about the dirt on Allen Street. A group of citizens met with Bob Kirk of Southwest Desert Images (SWDI) to discuss what could be done to maintain the appearance on Allen Street while dealing with the dust issue. SWDI has a product guaranteed to give us a “dustless roadway.” They put a special product on the surface of the existing dirt and then run a special machine through to mix the dirt and application together. The resulting bond keeps the historic look without the dust and erosion of the dirt alone. It creates a flexible roadway surface so that the stagecoach wheels will not crack it. Harris reported that the cost for this treatment is expensive at $1.75 per square foot but it would solve the dust and erosion problems. Harris requested that the city immediately look into a grant to get the resurfacing done because, as they were told by Kirk, the oncoming monsoons could very realistically wash all of the dirt currently on Allen Street far down the street creating more problems.

Harris’ time ran out and Hannah Hanes continued on the same subject by suggesting that the Bed Tax be used as emergency funding to complete the project and reimburse the Bed Tax Fund with whatever grant or grants may be available.

Jerry Alves also addressed the dust issue by telling the council about one of the guests who had stayed at his B&B. Mr. Rossi is a contractor who works on a military base. Rossi told Alves that they use a polymer compound application on the military airstrips to keep the dust down. The polymer needs to be applied every three months, but it is not an expensive application and allows rain to filter through. Alves also said that he and his wife, Sally, have informally polled their guests about the look of Allen Street and everyone has said it’s one of the best improvements that Tombstone has done.

Moe Sinsley addressed the council regarding the security of the water storage area and the chlorine treatment system saying that it is a Homeland Security-type issue and must be resolved. He also pointed out that Tombstone has still not completed the redistricting that was mandated in 2002. He told council that there are four public work sessions that are required, and then the council has to draw up the redistricting plan and submit it to the Federal Government. The government then takes about 60 days to approve or deny the redistricting plan.

Ben Traywick got up and addressed the agenda item closing 5th Street for Hawg Wild Dayz this weekend. He also cautioned the council about approving parking on Toughnut for motorcycles only because if another event wanted to close parking in a similar way, the council must approve it for that event as well.

Marty Stout reported to the council on the Cub Scouts’ cleanup of Landin Park. She said that they had worked hard to clean up the area and requested that the water be turned back on in the restrooms out there. She also said that the trash the Cub Scouts had collected had been picked up but the existing trash barrels had not been emptied. Stout also requested that the city post a speed limit sign for the park because the trucks from the gravel pit drive through the park “pretty fast.”

Steve Goldstein discussed the hawking-on-the-street laws. He stated that he realized it was not an agenda item, but wanted the existing law enforced. He said that it hasn’t been enforced because of questions regarding constitutional rights of the hawkers; but he said that his constitutional rights are also being violated. There was some discussion with City Attorney Ed Matchett regarding the enforcement of the existing law. Matchett said he has been working with Marshal Jay Smith to determine the best way to enforce it.

Paul Rahrict got up and said that the motorcyclists who are coming to Tombstone will be parking their motorcycles in public areas and said that it would be best if that parking were controlled.

Following the Call To The Public, Agenda items were as follows:

Approval of Accounts Payable in the Amount of $135,608.91 was approved.

Request from the Tombstone Hawg Corral for street closure on 5th Street from Highway 80 (Fremont) to Toughnut Street (the intersection of 5th and Allen would remain open) on April 22-23, 2006 for the 3rd Annual Hawg Wild Dayz and to reserve public parking places for motorcycles on Toughnut between 4th and 5th Streets was approved after some discussion about security and parking. Casey Whitman of the Hawg Corral said that she had volunteers who would be acting as security during the event to make sure that bikes are parked properly and that noise levels are not excessive. Mayor DeJournett asked if they would be using any kind of radios for communication during the event. Jim Clark said that he had radios that he uses for the Film Festival that he would be willing to loan to Whitman. City Marshal Jay Smith discussed a memo he had sent to council regarding the parking issue and asked if the parking on Toughnut could be limited to the south side only. Whitman agreed to that suggestion.

Resolution #2006-05-Sanitation Fees were approved as follows (all fees are monthly):

The request from Sonrise Sport Aviation for use of the City Generator for the 4th Annual Wings and Spurs to be held on May 6th and 7th died for lack of a motion.

The Tombstone Volunteer Fire Department request for renewal of their quarterly permit to sell Firefighter Souvenir items on Allen Street was approved.

The Special Use permits from the Tombstone Small Animal Shelter to allow members Tim Eichorn and Bertie Flood to ask for donations for photos of their dogs dressed in costumes on Allen Street and for a donation table in front of Tombstone General Store were approved.

Under Tabled Items, the ordinance revising the existing Title 3 “Building” of the City Code was removed from the table and then re-tabled for another work session. Ordinance #2006-03 adding a new chapter to TITLE 10 “Zoning,” entitled CHAPTER 23; “Property Maintenance” was removed from the table and passed.