Bisbee Mayor Ronald Oertle said “this is a very good development.”
Sierra Vista has been allocated Transportation Improvement Project funds, but it is not ready to use the money for its Charleston Road improvement project. About $2.4 million of those funds can be made available to Bisbee in exchange for granting the right to that funding to Sierra Vista in the next federal fiscal year.
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“What this effectively does,” said Bisbee City Manager Stephen Pauken, “is it moves the money we need in order to construct the Arizona Street project up into, hopefully, when we have it tentatively scheduled for some time in the middle of next year. The funds won’t have to be borrowed to complete that construction any longer. The money is currently available.”
The Sierra Vista City Council will consider a similar resolution on the matter during a meeting next Tuesday.
Pauken said that if the federal government decides not to give the money, Bisbee will not proceed with the project. But he pointed out that government officials are currently focusing on putting money into infrastructure in order to provide economic stimuli.
“Since this is an already approved project, I am fairly confident this project will continue to be funded, even in light of the current state of the economy,” he said.
Peter von Gundlach, a local resident who analyzed the topic and had raised some concerns previously, told members of the City Council that he approves of the project. He stressed the need to preserve the road by regulating heavy vehicle use.
Also Tuesday night, the City Council took action on the following items:
• Approved the awarding of a design contract of $37,980 to Jevas Engineering, of Safford, for phase II of the Bakerville drainage improvements. The project consists of partially drainage work and primarily road work, said Russell McConnell, the city’s public works director.
• Approved on second reading an ordinance authorizing the sale and transfer of city property consisting of about 1,000 square feet designated as a flume located at 55 OK St. to Justine Race for $2,000.
• Approved a resolution adopting a fair housing policy and making known the city’s commitment to the principle of fair housing. City Clerk Sharyl Honstein said the action is an annual Community Development Block Grant requirement.
• Approved on second reading an ordinance adopting the city’s personnel rules and regulations.
• Heard a presentation of the Bisbee local government investment pool account summary.
Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
