Mayor, councilman exchange heated words over Yuma airport project

June 21--Mayor Al Krieger and Councilman Paul Johnson exchanged heated words during Wednesday's Yuma City Council meeting over a resolution involving the Yuma County Airport Authority, which has been a sore subject in the past.

The resolution sought council approval for the deferral of city development fees and water and sewer capacity charges for the Amelia Earhart Hangar to be built at the Yuma International Airport for future use by defense contractors. Million Air, the airport's fixed base operator, has proposed developing the hangar in two phases: install a shell metal building in phase one and finish it when a tenant is identified, within five years.

The city has been deferring the fees for other projects in an effort to create jobs and stimulate the local economy.

Krieger took exception to the hangar request, saying the first phase would create only a handful of jobs for a couple of months.

"Then it could sit empty for years," he said. In the meantime, the services of the city's police or fire department might be needed.

"I feel (this project) veers off from the intent of the deferral," he said. "The problem is that it's asking the taxpayers to be the bankers. I don't agree with that."

Councilman Cody Beeson responded that it was his understanding the deferral's real intent is in the jobs that a project could bring to Yuma. "If we can bring in aerospace jobs, we should bend over backwards."

Johnson said he wanted it noted for the record that a year ago the mayor sent a letter to the Airport Authority asking to be appointed to the board.

"When told why you legally couldn't be on the board, you as a representative of the city continued your efforts to force the board to amend its bylaws and allow you to be appointed," Johnson accused the mayor.

Krieger tried to interrupt but Johnson continued by saying that the mayor had hindered three rezoning requests by the Airport Authority in recent months in retaliation.

The rezoning requests were brought to the council in December but Krieger pulled them from the agenda with a "long discourse on why they shouldn't be approved," Johnson said, noting that the rezonings conformed to the city's 1997 General Plan that voters had approved.

The rezoning requests again came before the council in January and were approved.

"When will you stop obstructing economic development in an effort to get seated on the airport board?" Johnson asked Krieger.

Krieger responded that it's OK for council members to express their own opinions but felt Johnson was out of order for his comments and called for the question.

The council approved the development agreement, with Krieger casting the lone no vote, mentioning again that he was trying to look out for city taxpayers.

After the meeting, Krieger said he felt Johnson's comments were "unfair and unprofessional."

In other business, the council approved the fiscal year 2012-13 preliminary budget that sets a cap on expenditures for the coming year that starts July 1. It is based on the property tax rate of $1.5787 per $100 assessed valuation, the same rate as last year.

After making some adjustments, the budget was set at a total of $200,280,297. That includes an operating budget of $147,137,554 and a capital improvement budget of $53,142,743.

The final budget is scheduled to be adopted by the council during its next regular meeting on July 18. The council will not meet the first week in July because of the Fourth of July holiday.

During a special presentation, Becky Chavez, Parks and Recreation director, recognized Destiny Christian Church for donating its skateboard equipment to the city. "I'm recognizing and thanking you with all my heart," she said.

She also noted that there will be a grand reopening celebration at 7 p.m. June 29 of the newly expanded Kennedy Skate Park.

"We're really excited and glad to have (the equipment) go to a good home," said Robert Lopez, who represented the church for the recognition. "We know it will be a blessing to the city."

Copyright 2012 - The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.