The Miami City Council held a special meeting and public hearing on February 1, addressing three topics:
· Hold public hearings to discuss and approve projects requesting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.
· Review the discussions and votes from the last meeting on the creation of an Intergovernmental Public Transport Authority (IPTA). This was rejected at the last meeting.
· Approve a petition to the Gila County Supervisory Board to establish an IPTA in Gila County, approve the town’s participation in the formation of the IPTA, and authorize the town to become a member of the organization.
Four proposed uses of the nearly $200,000 CDBG grant were quickly narrowed down to two: keystone stair restoration and road repair.Of the 6 citizens who gave their opinion, 5 supsported Stair restoration. A sixth person said he recalled being told at the January 30 meeting that the blueprint needed to be completed before the council could vote to approve the project. he asked if this was correct. Town attorney Joe Estes reminded the council that they were not authorized to respond.
Alderman Michael Sosh asked Andrea Robles, Executive Director of the Central Arizona Government, if the street restoration would qualify for the grant. (A previous discussion had pointed out that repairs would not be eligible for her CDBG funding.) She replied that mill (grinding) and overlay work could be subsidized. but cheaper mills and fills do not qualify. Based on experience, an estimated 7 blocks can be recovered.
Several other council members commented on the unsafe condition of the streets.
Town Manager Alexis RiBella announced that it has submitted a $7 million FEMA grant application to restore Miami streets.
“When grants are involved, there are no certainties,” council member Mike Black reminded colleagues as the focus shifted to the Keystone Stairs.
A representative for Hearts of Miami Engaged (HOME) told the council that the project could be completed within a year after construction begins. Alderman Sammy Gonzalez weighed the long-term earning potential of the staircase project against his one-time gains from road restoration.
After further discussion, the council decided to use the CDBG grant for the Keystone staircase project.
In a review of whether Miami should join other Gila County towns in creating the IPTA, CAG Transportation Director Travis Ashbaugh, Gila County Administrator James Menlove, and Grove Town Administrator Paul Jepson endorsed the IPTA. attended by Mr. He has already approved six government officials in Gira, Grove, Payson, Star Valley, Hayden and Winkelman counties to petition the counties to form his IPTA. Once the board is formed, Hayden and Winkelman will be non-voting members as they have no transit.
Ashbaugh explained that the idea came out of six years of discussion and research. Financial analysis shows that consolidation leads to savings in insurance and administration.
Both Jepson and Menlove assured the council that the government had no interest in running public transportation. If Miami refuses to participate, the IPTA will proceed, but Miami will not be included in the plan, he will be competing with IPTA for funding, and ownership of the bus belongs to his ADOT, so he may lose the facility. There is even
Rivera said Miami could take advantage of the proposed IPTA because the town has the facilities and staff.
Gonzalez asked why San Carlos was not mentioned as a stakeholder. Ashbaugh said they were approached but didn’t want to be part of the group.
Mayor Jose “Angel” Medina reminded the council that the vote to establish the IPTA is not final.operationportunity If the town doesn’t like the way the project is going, stay until Miami pulls out.
After some brief discussion, the Council voted to approve its participation in forming the IPTA.
