Council to follow up on allegations against mayor

When it meets this week, the Yuma City Council will follow up on allegations that Mayor Al Krieger has abused his position.

Council members will discuss and take possible action on City Charter Article VII, Section 10, that gives the council the power to investigate the conduct of any city department, office or agency.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza.

Councilman Jerry Stuart had requested the item be placed on Wednesday's agenda after Marilyn Young, a former Yuma mayor, accused Krieger during the Jan. 4 meeting of conflict of interest, violating the city charter and abusing his position.

The council also will be discussing and taking possible action to set policy for the authorization of travel paid for out of the mayor and city council travel fund.

In other business, the council will:

• Hold a public hearing and take action on a resolution to designate the Yuma North End 16th Street and 4th Avenue Redevelopment Area. The action follows up on a presentation by city staff on a proposal to expand the North End Redevelopment Area south along 4th Avenue to include the intersection at 16th Street. The goal is to help facilitate new private investment in the area in combination with needed intersection improvements.

• Act on a companion resolution that would designate the combined existing Yuma North End Redevelopment Area and proposed Yuma North End 16th Street and 4th Avenue Redevelopment Area as a Combined Business District — an area in need of tax incentives to encourage private investment.

• Consider an extension of the agreement with Steven Moore to serve as city attorney for the city.

• Approve a contract increase of $506,696 to DPE Construction for the reconstruction of Avenue 3E between 24th and 32nd streets and 24th Street pavement replacement from Avenue 3E to 23rd Lane. During construction, it was discovered that part of the work on 24th Street had been omitted from the original bid package, resulting in change orders for the project.

Prior to Wednesday's meeting, the council will hold a work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers. Julie Engel, president and CEO of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., will present the organization's midyear report.

Complete agendas for both meetings are available on the city's website at yumaaz.gov. City council meetings and work sessions are broadcast live on Time Warner Channel 73.

Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/jlobeck or on Twitter at @YSJoyceLobeck.