Council HQ

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved the final plat and improvement plans for the development of Buffalo Soldier Ranch subdivision.

The Buffalo Soldier Ranch plot is located to the southeast of the intersection of Buffalo Soldier Trail and State Route 92, directly east of the Holiday Retreat subdivision and north of Golden Acres Drive. It includes 349 lots for single-family detached homes. Originally, the developer submitted the final plat for review in March of 2007, but postponed due to unfavorable market conditions. The land has remained undeveloped since.

Last night, City Council approved revised plans from Canyon Vista Land, LLC, which is interested in purchasing and developing the property. Council passed three separate resolutions concerning the development: acceptance of the final plat, a five-phase development plan, and revised developer obligations consistent with the VISTA 2030 General Plan and applicable Development Code requirements. Once development begins, each phase is expected to take two years, with full build-out anticipated in 10 years.

In other business:

• The City Council approved rezoning the property located at 405 South Garden Avenue from a manufactured home residence to manufactured home residence/recreational vehicle park overlay district to facilitate redevelopment, revitalization, and the repositioning of a once largely abandoned mobile home park. The property currently contains 231 spaces, and redevelopment plans include a clubhouse, pool, playground, and dog park.
• The City Council approved four resolutions to accept pre-annexation agreements for properties in Fry Townsite. Pre-annexation agreements may be utilized by the City in future annexation attempts but carry no inherent financial impact in and of themselves.
• The City Council authorized the renewal of an existing intergovernmental agreement between the Sierra Vista Police Department and Phoenix Police Department/Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Lead Agency for future grant funding.
• The City Council voted to accept the resignation of Patrick Murphy and to appoint Joelle Buffa to the Sierra Vista Environmental Stewardship Commission.
• The City Council voted to appoint Ann Lund as a temporary, interim hearing officer, until such time as a formal search for a hearing officer takes place and a person is selected and subsequently approved by Council.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Nov. 9, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or on this page.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council authorized acceptance of grant funding in the amount of $29,254 for overtime costs associated and other employee-related expenses tied to DUI and aggressive driving enforcement.

The Sierra Vista Police Department has been a member of the Southeastern Arizona DUI Task Force for over 20 years. This task force operates DUI/Impaired driving enforcement deployments throughout the county, with most deployments occurring in the greater Sierra Vista area. While on these deployments, officers are committed to focus on DUI/Impaired and aggressive driving enforcement and are not subject to handling regular on-duty calls for service.

SVPD applied for and was awarded a grant through the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to enhance these operations throughout the City of Sierra Vista and surrounding area. The grant funds will reimburse the City for overtime in the amount of $20,900 and employee related expenses in the amount of $8,354.

In other business:

• The City Council authorized an Intergovernmental Agreement with Whetstone Fire District that allows the City of Sierra Vista to provide fueling services to them for the actual price per gallon paid by the City plus a 5-cent per gallon flowage fee. The initial term of the agreement is Sept. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and may be renewable for successive one-year terms as of July 1 each year.
• The City Council approved the 2023 Title VI Nondiscrimination Plan for the City of Sierra Vista/Vista Transit. The Federal Transit Administration and Department of Transportation require that the City/Vista Transit update and reapprove this plan every three years.
• Mayor Clea McCaa proclaimed the week of Oct. 29 through Nov. 4 as Veterans Small Business Week.
• Mayor McCaa presented an Economic Development Commission Business Recognition Award to Doc’s Watering Hole as the Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. To learn more about Doc’s Watering Hole and this award, see the story published on the City’s website www.SierraVistaAZ.gov, in the City’s email newsletter, and on the “City of Sierra Vista” Facebook page today.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Oct. 26, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Cochise College to provide an expedited fire certification program for fire recruits hired by the City.

Recruits in the academy will be prepared to complete the state fire service exams, fire I and II certification, along with HazMat training within a two-month period. The recruits will go to school 40 hours per week to fulfill the requirements needed to take the final tests. This process normally takes one year.

Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services has eight cadets signed up for the expedited program. They will be ready to be in service by February of 2024. This program may be expanded in the future to include other area agencies.

In other business:

• The City Council approved the Program Year 2022 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report for the City’s Community Development Block Grant fund program.
• The City Council approved the adoption codification of ordinances passed between July 14, 2022, and August 10, 2023, in the City Code of Ordinances.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Sept. 28, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

The Sierra Vista City Council approved a development agreement for the construction of a new charter school within the Tribute Specific Plan area located east of Highway 92 and Buffalo Soldier Trail at its regular meeting on Thursday.

The development agreement between the City, Sierra Charter, LLC, and Castle & Cooke Arizona pertains to the construction of a public charter school, American Leadership Academy. The school’s construction requires an extension of Buffalo Soldier Trail east to connect with Ben Franklin Boulevard, a future street in the Tribute development.

The extension of Buffalo Soldier Trail is the City’s cost responsibility and the City’s budget includes up to $2 million for estimated construction expenses. If the cost exceeds $2 million, the agreement will return to the City Council for authorization of the additional amount. The first phase of the new school campus is scheduled to be completed by next summer in time for the start of the 2024 academic school year.

In other business:

· The City Council approved proceedings of the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista regarding the issuance of Education Facility Revenue and Refunding Bonds for the Liberty Traditional Project in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20 million.

· The City Council approved the donation of four surplus vehicles to Sierra Vista’s sister city Cananea, Mexico.

· The City Council approved the appointment of Douglas Phillips, Aaron Hennequin, and Rebecca Smith to the Tourism Commission, said terms to expire April 30, 2025.

· Mayor Clea McCaa issued a proclamation declaring October 2023, as Fire Prevention Month in and for the City of Sierra Vista.

· McCaa issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 17 through Sept. 23, 2023, as Minority Enterprise Development Week in and for the City of Sierra Vista.

· McCaa presented the Economic Development Commission’s business recognition award for Minority Enterprise Development Week to Choson Martial Arts.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Sept. 14, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

The Sierra Vista City Council approved the codification of the City’s Code of Ordinances, declaring it a 30-day public record, at its regular meeting on Thursday.

This item will return for final action by the council after 30 days. It is an administrative process that will adopt various code amendments made since the previous codification as official record of the City. It does not impact any of the effective dates of the amendments, which have already been approved and implemented.

The City’s updated Development Code will be published and will be available on the City’s website, www.SierraVistaAZ.gov.

In other business the City Council approved:

• A Conditional Use Permit for Chabad of Sierra Vista to expand into 597 E. Fry Blvd.
• The acceptance of the resignation of Aubrey Travis from the Sierra Vista Youth Commission.
• The appointment of William Indelicato to the Sierra Vista Transportation Commission, said term to expire April 30, 2025.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Aug. 24, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved the acceptance of a $108,000 Border Security Fund Grant from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs that will aid the Sierra Vista Police Department.

The grant will be used to purchase five P25-compliant in-car dual band radios and eight Grappler devices for use by SVPD. The radios will be installed in SVPD vehicles to enhance public safety communications and operability daily. The Grappler bumper system will also be installed on police vehicles so they can be deployed to safely end vehicle pursuits. The Grappler system dispenses a net that tethers to a rear tie on a fleeing vehicle, enabling the officer to bring the vehicle to a stop safely.

In other business:

• The City Council adopted the proposed property tax levy rate at $0.1056 per $100 of assessed value, which will generate an estimated $382,261 this fiscal year. The rate was adjusted slightly lower than last year due to an increase in valuation of taxable property, so the amount paid by citizens remains the same. The total revenue is slightly higher than the $379,068 collected last year due to new construction.
• The City Council approved amendments to Chapter 94 of the City Ordinance after receiving no public comments during a 30-day comment period. The amendments designated specific operating hours for several sports complexes and facilities to better serve the public and mitigate safety concerns. Specifically, fields and facilities at the Cyr Center Sports Complex, Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex, and Tacoma Sports Complex will be closed at dusk or one hour after the last reservation. In addition, pickleball and tennis courts will be closed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• The City Council approved acceptance of a Federal Aviation Administration grant for an Airport Master Plan update in the amount of $510,000. This includes $464,406 from the FAA, $22,797 from the Arizona Department of Transportation as a state match, and a $22,797 match from the City.
• The City Council approved proceedings for the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista to issue revenue bonds for two school projects not located in Sierra Vista. One resolution authorized the issuance of Education Facility Revenue Bonds for the Champion Schools Project not to exceed $35 million. The second authorized the issuance of Charter School Revenue Bonds for the Delta Academy Charter School Project not to exceed $30 million. The IDA receives revenue from the fees associated with these bonds, which it can then use to further economic development efforts in Sierra Vista.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Aug. 10, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or on this page.

The Sierra Vista City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Final Budget at its regular meeting on Thursday.

The budget amount of $175,145,445 remains unchanged from the Tentative Budget approved on June 23. Following its adoption, the final budget book will be developed and made available in early October. The public will be able to access the budget book on the City’s website, at the Sierra Vista Public Library, and at City Hall. The City's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

The City Council also held a public hearing on the adoption of the proposed property tax levy rate at $0.1056 per $100 of assessed value, which would generate an estimated $382,261 this fiscal year. The rate was adjusted slightly lower than last year due to an increase in valuation of taxable property, so the amount paid by citizens remains the same. The total revenue is slightly higher than the $379,068 collected last year due to new construction.

The City Council will take final action to adopt the property tax levy at its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 10, at 5 p.m.

In other business, the City Council approved:

· The donation of four surplus Ford Crown Victoria vehicles to Sierra Vista’s sister city Cananea, Mexico.

· The abandonment of two alleyway sections located between Cyr Center and North Garden Avenue.

· The granting of utility easements to provide Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative and Century Link access for maintaining their utilities on the alleyways being abandoned by the City.

· The rezoning of a parcel located on the southeast corner of Kayetan Drive and Elledge Drive from Neighborhood Convenience to Manufactured Home Residence.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, July 28, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or on this page.

At a special meeting on Tuesday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation needed to accept $1.8 million of state funds for improvements to Theater Drive between 7^th Street and Carmichael Avenue.

Developed as a joint effort between the City of Sierra Vista and Cochise County, this project was submitted for potential appropriation by the Sierra Vista Metropolitan Planning Organization. The project will improve pedestrian and bicycle access, standardize the roadway cross section, incorporate drainage improvements, and add on-street parking along Theater Drive in Sierra Vista’s West End.

Ownership of this section of Theater Drive is split between the City and Cochise County. Both the City and County were involved in the conceptual design process. Now the City will work with Cochise County to plan next steps for the project.

In other business the City Council approved:

• Amendments to Chapters 150 and 152 of the City Code of Ordinances, adopting the latest International Building Codes and updating local codes with minor changes. One new amendment pertains to residential homes using battery storage systems.
• An amendment to Chapter 33 that cleans up a conflict found with the personnel rules regarding contracts for executive staff.
• Authorization to proceed with an intergovernmental agreement between the City, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cochise County Community College District continuing a partnership to operate the Southeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy on the Cochise College Douglas Campus.
• An addendum to the City Attorney’s Contract.

More information from Tuesday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Tuesday, July 11, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved the reinstatement of a health insurance benefit that allows retired City employees, with adequate years of continuous service, to retain health coverage until they are Medicare eligible.

This allows City employees reaching a normal retirement with the Arizona State Retirement System or Public Safety Retirement System to retain healthcare coverage for themselves through the state health insurance plan. The City offered a similar benefit until July 1, 2012, when it was discontinued due to budget concerns. It is being implemented again to help retain employees longer to reduce recruitment demands.

Under the benefit, City employees reaching normal retirement who have 20 years of continuous service with the City since July 1, 2012, will be reimbursed for the out-of-pocket premium for the state health insurance coverage. Employees who have less than 20 years of service with the City but have 10 or more years of service since July 1, 2012, must pay a pro-rated share of the premium. The City will reimburse 5 percent per year worked based on years of City service with 20 years being 100%

In other business the City Council approved:

• The proceedings of the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista regarding the issuance of education facility revenue refunding obligations for the San Tan School Project in an amount not to exceed $18 million. This action has no impact on the City’s budget because the IDA is a separate entity, however the City Council’s approval is required to finalize the issuance of bonds by the IDA. The City has no fiscal liability associated with the issuance or repayment of the bonds.
• The designation of the City Chief Financial Officer as the City’s agent for completing all documentation for receiving donations.
• Moving forward for a 30-day public comment period amendments to Chapters 150 and 152 of the City Code of Ordinances, adopting the latest International Building Codes and updating local codes with minor changes. One new amendment pertains to residential homes using battery storage systems.
• The appointment of Chanse Frenette to the Commission on Disability Issues, said term to expire April 30, 2025.
• The appointment of Shelly Short to the Environmental Stewardship Commission, said term to expire April 30, 2025.
• The appointment of Anthony Isom to the Transportation Commission, said term to expire April 30, 2025.

The Sierra Vista City Council also recognized the 2022 Sierra Vista Police Department award winners.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, June 8, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or on this page.

At its regular meeting Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved the Plan Year 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Annual Action Plan, laying out how the City’s allocation of about $250,075 will be spent.

Under federal regulations, 15% of the funds can be used for public services (about $37,500), 20% for administration (about $50,000), and the remainder (about $162,575) for eligible projects. CDBG-funded activities must benefit low to moderate income persons, aid in the prevention of slums and blight, or meet other urgent community needs such as disaster relief.

Council approved the staff proposal to dedicate $162,575 to install fire hydrants in the Montebello subdivision that was annexed into the City in 2010. The subdivision does not meet requirements for fire hydrants in a residential area, which poses problems with emergency response and increases the possibility of increased loss due to a fire.

The portion dedicated for public services was approved to be split between three local organizations that presented requests this spring. The United Way of Sierra Vista and the Cochise County Family Advocacy Center will each receive $15,750, while Southern Arizona Legal Aid Services, which requested a smaller amount, will receive $6,000.

In other business the City Council:

• Approved an amendment to Chapter 33 of the City code for a 30-day public comment period. The change cleans up a conflict found with the personnel rules regarding contracts for executive staff.
• Approved the preliminary plat for Castle & Cooke Arizona’s Independence Village, a 376-lot residential subdivision that encompasses 109.25 acres east of Highway 92 and north of Buffalo Soldier Trail.
• Approved a request to proceed with an alleyway abandonment from Cyr Center to North Avenue.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, May 26, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.