Council votes against funding swimming pool improvements at the Sierra Vista Golf Center at Pueblo del Sol
At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council voted against funding over $800,000 in improvements needed to reopen the swimming pool at the Sierra Vista Golf Center.
In Dec. 2024, Aquatic Design Group conducted an independent evaluation of the pool and provided a comprehensive assessment of its condition. The findings identified specific improvements necessary for the facility to comply with public safety, operational standards, and code requirements. The group estimated it would cost $799,200 to address the critical maintenance, repairs, and equipment upgrades needed to ensure a safe and code compliant municipal pool. Additional improvements at the adjacent bathhouse were noted in the study but not included in the estimate.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, City staff concluded that operational costs could not be recouped and that the City would need to subsidize operation and maintenance at a likely cost of $100,000 to $200,000 a year.
Funding for the resurfacing of the tennis/pickleball courts, estimated at $450,000 to $500,000, was also included in the resolution.
After receiving multiple reports from staff and feedback from citizens, City Council voted against funding the approximately $1.3 to $1.5 million in improvements needed for the pool and courts.
In other business:
• Mayor Clea McCaa presented Chief Financial Officer David Felix with the Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award on behalf of the Government Finance Officers Association.
• Council approved transfer of a Series 6 Liquor License for Paul’s Pub and a new Series 10 Liquor License for Dollar General.
• Council voted to accept an Arizona Department of Homeland Security Operation Stonegarden grant in the amount of $100,860. The grant supports enhanced cooperation and coordination among Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies. Locally, it funds Sierra Vista Police Department’s proactive enforcement of state drug trafficking and traffic statutes in Sierra Vista and the surrounding area.
• Council approved a budget deviation transferring $609,711.31 from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund to cover the forgiveness of the Castle & Cooke reimbursement note that Council approved in exchange for transfer of the Pueblo Del Sol Country Club property to the City.
• Council designated David Felix, CPA as the chief financial officer authorized to submit the annual Expenditure Limitation Report for FY24 and FY25.
• Council reaffirmed the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Umphrey and appointed Mayor Clea McCaa and Council Member Angelica Landry as the City’s designated representatives on the Sierra Vista Metropolitan Planning Organization Board of Directors.
• Council reappointed Mayor Clea McCaa and Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Umphrey and appointed Council Member Mark Rodriguez to the Upper San Pedro Partnership Advisory Commission. Council Member Angelica Landry and City Manager Chuck Potucek were reappointed as alternate members on the USPP Advisory Commission.
