Highlights from the Florence Town Council Meetings held on February 21st & 22nd, 2023

- Mayor Walter presented Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Henry Farring (left), with an Outstanding Employee Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to the Town of Florence. The outstanding employee award program is based on employee nominations and each employee recognized receives a $75.00 gift certificate to a local business of their choosing. Reading from Henry’s nomination letter, Mayor Walter added “Henry brings an extremely diverse skill set and professional work ethic to an oftentimes difficult and challenging occupation. As a United States Air Force veteran, he continuously demonstrates a disciplined, courteous, and friendly demeanor towards co-workers and the general public alike.” Keep up the great work Henry!

- Mayor Walter presented a Proclamation honoring National Engineers Week to the Town of Florence Engineering team and Public Works Director, Chris Salas (right). Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, National Engineers Week (EWeek) is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. The 2023 theme is “Creating the Future!” By working together to develop new technologies, products, and opportunities, engineers create new possibilities that make the world a better place. The Town Council would like to thank our amazing engineering team for the work they do and for helping to create the future town of Florence!

- Community & Economic Development Director, Harvey Krauss, discussed the town’s new residential RV parking requirements, which do not allow commercial / recreational vehicles to be permanently parked in front of residential homes. Council asked staff to place a brief moratorium on the enforcement of this code provision while staff evaluates options for Council’s consideration.

- Per Mayor Walter’s request, Library Manager, Lisa Lewis, led a discussion regarding the purchase of additional equipment for the Viney Jones Library Learning Commons/Makerspace, which has experienced a significant increase in the use of its equipment in recent months. Current Makerspace equipment includes a laser printer, 3D printers, a Cricut machine, a t-shirt press, jewelry-making tools, a button maker, embroidery machines, and digitizing equipment. With this increased use, the library has received requests for additional equipment such as a poster printer, a sewing machine, power tools, and another laser printer. Council voted unanimously to accommodate these requests and purchase a second Glow Forge, a Cannon Prop Poster Printer, power tools and supplies, and a Singer sewing machine using $8,750 in Council contingency funding. Thank you Florence Town Council! We’ll be sure to let everyone know when the new equipment has arrived!

- Finance Director, Becki Jimenez, requested Council authorization to post a schedule of proposed fee increases and a notice of public hearing, which will be held on May 1, 2023. While the town’s Utility and Development Impact Fees (DIF) have been regularly updated in conjunction with various rate/fee studies, many of the town’s fees have not been recently updated or adjusted to cover current service costs. To view the town’s notice of intent and review the Finance Department’s report supporting the town’s new or increased fees, please visit the Public Notices section at the bottom of the town’s homepage.

- Communications & Intergovernmental Relations Manager, Jeff Graves, shared a legislative update recapping bills of interest to the community. In particular, Graves highlighted Senate Bill 1117, which would eliminate single-family zoning in Arizona, abolish public review processes, override all locally adopted General Plans & residential building codes, and would remove all local oversight regarding housing matters. Both the town and the League of Arizona Cities & Town are requesting residents to reach out to their local legislators and voice their opposition to this bill (bill summary and link for legislators above).

- At the Special Meeting held on February 23, the Florence Town Council held a public hearing to receive comments regarding The Irish Cowboy’s Series 12 Restaurant License. The restaurant’s owner, Kevin Johnston, was in attendance to answer any questions and thanked the Council for holding the special meeting. He stated the restaurant has received an outpouring of support on social media and that he and his fiancé had recently moved to Florence and are excited to be a part of the community. The Council thanked Kevin and wished him luck with the restaurant, which will open in 4-6 weeks according to Johnston. Welcome to Florence – we can’t wait to stop by the Irish Cowboy!

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To watch this meeting, visit the Town's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TownOfFlorence

And to view the agendas for this or future meetings, visit: https://www.florenceaz.gov/town-council/