The Dewey-Humboldt Town Council Tuesday agreed to hire a technical environmental consultant that will advise town staffers about land-use planning in environmentally sensitive areas within corporate limits on an as-needed basis.
Town Manager William Emerson said he anticipates spending $6,000 of the $10,000 he is re-allocating from the fiscal year 2009-10 budget to pay for the services of a consultant, which he plans to hire in the coming week.
This decision comes on the heels of Environmental Protection Agency officials' work to piece together a reuse assessment for the land at the Iron King Mine and smelter Superfund hazardous waste cleanup sites off South Highway 69 in Humboldt.
Emerson said an experienced, knowledgeable consultant will help town officials know what conditions to place on conditional use permits and building permits when issued for environmentally sensitive activities at the Superfund sites and other spots along the highway, the Agua Fria River and old mining claims affected by former mining activities.
When necessary, and at the direction of the town manager, a staffer could call the consultant for advice about how to analyze a proposed residential or commercial development near an environmentally sensitive area.
"It's a resource for staff, and I like that," Councilman David Nystrom said. "When it comes to public safety, we need a consultant who knows how to give us the best information."
Added resident Jack Hamilton, "I'm in favor of the consultant, but make sure each project is viable first and make sure staff talks with the council first."
Councilwoman Denise Rogers suggested Emerson have the town's Environmental Issues Advisory Committee, or EIAC, review the applicants for the consultant's position - and consider someone from a state university or the Prescott area.
"We (staffers) are in the business of evaluating professionals and I would not recommend doing this with the EIAC," said Emerson, adding that he has a couple of names in mind for the job. "There are some locals who are good at this work, but there are also good ones in Tucson, New Mexico and Southern California."
Mayor Len Marinaccio clarified for the council that the town is not looking for a consultant to replace the EIAC, but rather one that could give technical assistance to the committee.
"Work will go to the EIAC when its members can answer the question at hand," he said.
Councilman Terry Nolan, who was the lone dissenting voice in council's 6-1 vote to hire the consultant, partly because of the cost, asked whether the individual would review all EPA Superfund paperwork related to the mine and smelter.
"No," Emerson said. "The intention is for the consultant to answer staff and council questions."
Nolan later suggested that a non-profit group in town could support paying for the consultant by applying for a technical assistance grant through the EPA. However, Emerson said the EPA is "not available for the services we need."
"That grant is available only for EPA work," Marinaccio said. "It's helpful to have a technical assistant go over the significance of what the EPA's giving us. But our plans for reuse are what we need help with. There are known problems with land and risk around the mine."
IN OTHER BUSINESS:
• Emerson said staffers will make a presentation to council at its Aug. 18 meeting about the town's new community outreach effort. Council is planning to meet with residents to learn what they value about Dewey-Humboldt's "rural" or "country town" character. From there, council hopes to lead residents toward consensus about how to implement those values.
• Staffers are encouraging residents to start taking advantage of the town's new municipal court at the main entrance to town hall, 2735 S. Highway 69, which opened in early July as part of the building's interior remodel.
Emerson said folks should visit town hall to file court paperwork and pay fines.
The new court is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Judge Joan Dwyer, the town's magistrate, will be available as needed on court days, Emerson added.
D-H's court will provide the same services that the Mayer Justice Court had performed for the town since 2005.
For more information, call court clerk Jeremy Gray at 928-632-0008.
