Council hears from community groups, YPD
Deputy mayor Knight questions extension permit, rezoning request
During the Tuesday work session, the Yuma City Council heard several presentations from community organizations and police and reviewed the agenda for Wednesday’s regular meeting.
In an effort to focus on election results, the Yuma Sun has published this brief overview of the Tuesday meeting and will publish detailed stories in the following days.
The presentations included a briefing by Steve Pallack, “el presidente” of Caballeros de Yuma, regarding current activities and plans for the future.
Frank Nunez and Terry Lowe presented the North Star program, a locally based and communitydriven initiative to engage Yuma’s underserved youth through recreational activities.
Linda Morgan, executive director of Visit Yuma, presented a mid-year report of current activities and a strategic plan for the future of the visitors bureau.
Sgt. Lori Franklin provided a briefing and demonstration of the Yuma Police Department’s Crime Mapping software program.
As for the agenda review, the council members only had a few questions. Deputy Mayor Gary Knight asked whether Takos & Beer, 2071 S. 4th Ave., would have sufficient parking space if the permit for permanent extension of the premises and patio is granted. Owner Heriberto Guzman is requesting an extension to a fenced patio to the north of the business.
City Clerk Lynda Bushong replied that the application had been sent to the Department of Community Development, which looks at parking, and it approved it.
The application was also sent to the Police and Fire departments and Business Licensing for review, and no objections had been received, Bushong said.
Knight also asked whether police had received any noise complaints about the business. Police Chief John Lekan said no complaints that been brought to his attention.
If the council recommends approval, the application will be forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for final processing.
Knight also questioned an ordinance that is set to be introduced. It proposes rezoning of 5.75 acres at the southwest corner of 16th Street and Arizona Avenue and a portion of Maple Avenue from general commercial and light industrial to general commercial with an aesthetic overlay. The property owner would like to construct a new restaurant and self-storage units.
Knight asked about storage sizes and whether they would accommodate motor homes. Community Development Director Laurie Lineberry said she believes that the facility would only have mini-storage units but could only be certain once staff received the full site plan.
The deputy mayor also wanted to know whether the storage units and parking space would be visible from Arizona Avenue and 16th Street. Lineberry noted that none of that would be visible.
“Part of the having the (aesthetic overlay) on the property is that we review it with visitor eyes so that we make sure we’re putting our best sides of all our buildings towards where the public will be seeing it,” she said.
Mayor Doug Nicholls noted that the council would be hearing an update on the proposed pay plans during Wednesday’s meeting. “It will be a pretty extensive presentation, so we look forward towards that tomorrow.”
Human Resource Director Monica Welch, Finance Director Lisa Marlin and possibly other administrators will be giving the update, which the council requested.
The regular meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 City Plaza. To view the complete agenda and staff reports, go to www.yumaaz.gov.