Council HQ

The Sierra Vista City Council adopted the program year 2021 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) describing how the City used federal funds granted under the Community Development Block Grant Program at its regular meeting on Thursday.

The CAPER details how the City used U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development CDBG funds between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Projects and programs completed using these funds include: improvements to Soldiers Creek Park, improvements to Eddie Cyr Park, COVID-19 relief provided through the Emergency Crisis Fund, parking lot improvements at St. Vincent De Paul, a kitchen remodel at Good Neighbor Alliance, and the Emergency Home Repair Program.

In other business:

• Mayor Rick Mueller proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month in and for the City of Sierra Vista.
• Mueller proclaimed October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in and for the City of Sierra Vista.
• Mueller proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in and for the City of Sierra Vista.
• The Commission on Disability Issues presented its VistAbility Award to Texas Roadhouse for its efforts to accommodate and support citizens of varying needs and/or limitations.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Oct. 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 City Council approved the annexation of 19 commercial properties located immediately south of the current City limits at its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8.

The area, referred to as the South City Annexation Area, is on the east side of Highway 92 south of Canyon de Flores. Staff began reaching out to businesses in that area last year, a move that was prompted by a sewer line extension being constructed to service the Veritas Christian Community School. The efforts resulted in 10 owners who signed pre-annexation and development agreements, eight of whom have properties that fall in the proposed annexation area. The remaining two could not be included because the annexation of their properties would create a county enclave.

The property owners who signed pre-annexation agreements said they were motivated by the ability to connect to City sewer and property tax savings. They account for a majority of the properties in the proposed area and a majority of the property value, which is required for the annexation to move forward. Following Thursday’s final approval, the annexation will take effect in 30 days.

In other business:

• The City Council approved two amendments to the intergovernmental agreement with the Cochise County Community College District and the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office to continue the partnership to operate the southeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy (SEALETA). The first amendment allows the county to provide and be reimbursed for one additional recruit training officer. The second amendment removed the $2,500 per recruit program fee. This change is a result of the state legislature reinstating funding for AzPOST to reimburse academies for recruit officer training.
• The City Council approved the acceptance of Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Grant Funding to enhance DUI/impaired and aggressive driving enforcement. The grant award of $36,237 will cover overtime reimbursement, employee related expenses, and reimbursement of one SOTOXA portable saliva drug test kit.
• The City Council approved the authorization of the Sierra Vista Industrial Development Authority’s issuance of Education Facility Revenue Obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $7 million and declaring an emergency.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Sept. 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.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council appointed Marta Messmer to fill the vacant seat left open by Mayor Pro Tem Rachel Gray, who recently resigned to run for mayor.

Eleven people applied for the council vacancy and the City Council interviewed four finalists. On Thursday, the council members shared that the high quality of the applicants made it a difficult choice but Messmer stood out.

“I think we’ve all made the right decision,” Mayor Rick Mueller said.

Messmer is a second-generation native of Sierra Vista. Her father, Nacho Valenzuela, spent decades working to preserve an area of Fry Pioneer Cemetery where many of the family’s ancestors are buried. Marta became the chairperson of the Fry Pioneer Preservation Committee in 2019, spearheading major restoration efforts at the cemetery. She also actively supports the City’s Cultural Diversity Commission, West End Commission, Carmichael Neighborhood Association, and the Sierra Vista Historical Society.

“I’d like to thank the mayor and fellow council members for the opportunity and the honor to serve the City of Sierra Vista,” Messmer said, after being sworn in as a council member on Thursday. Messmer’s term will end on Dec. 31, 2024.

In other business the City Council approved the property tax levy for fiscal year 2023. The rate of $0.1098 per $100 of assessed value is slightly lower than last year due to an increase in valuation of taxable property. Lowering the rate ensures citizens pay the same amount as last year. The City’s estimated property tax revenue is $379,068, which is an increase from $377,145 in fiscal year 2022 due to new construction

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Aug. 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.

On Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council adopted the City’s final budget for the new fiscal year that began on July 1 with no changes made since the tentative budget was approved in June.

The final budget of about $204 million reflects a 76.5% increase over last fiscal year primarily due to pending grant applications. The value of all potential grants must be included in the City's budget under Arizona state law so that, if awarded, the funds can be spent. These grants account for $81.4 million of the final budget and are largely focused on road maintenance and improvements with significant federal transportation money available this year.

An energy initiative being completed with Schneider Electric accounts for about $26 million, which is funded through bonds issued this year. The initiative tackles major City needs and numerous strategic objectives set by the City Council without requiring any additional tax burden on local citizens as the debt service will be repaid by a portion of the City’s sales tax collection reserved for capital improvements. It will also result in significant energy and water savings over time.

Notable projects in the budget include significant improvements to the Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex, various infrastructure upgrades that will improve energy and water efficiency, the installation of EV charging stations in some public parking lots, and the next phase of streetscape improvements in the West End that will extend along North Garden Avenue.

The council also held a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for fiscal year 2023. The proposed rate of $0.1098 per $100 of assessed value is slightly lower than last year due to an increase in valuation of taxable property. Lowering the rate ensures citizens pay the same amount as last year. The City’s estimated property tax revenue is $379,068, which is an increase from $377,145 in fiscal year 2022 due to new construction. The property tax levy will return to the council for final action in August.

Council reaffirms annexation proceedings

The City Council also voted to continue the process to annex 19 commercial properties located immediately south of the current City limits.

The area, referred to as the South City Annexation Area, is on the east side of Highway 92 south of Canyon de Flores. Staff began reaching out to businesses in that area last year, a move that was prompted by a sewer line extension being constructed to service the Veritas Christian Community School. The efforts resulted in 10 owners who signed pre-annexation and development agreements, eight of whom have properties that fall in the proposed annexation area. The remaining two could not be included because the annexation of their properties would create a county enclave.

The property owners who signed pre-annexation agreements said they were motivated by the ability to connect to City sewer and property tax savings. They account for a majority of the properties in the proposed area and a majority of the property value, which is required for the annexation to move forward. Following Thursday’s reaffirmation, the City Council will be able to take its final action to approve the annexation in August. The annexation will take effect 30 days after final approval.

In other business the City Council approved:

• The donation of the Sierra Vista Police Department’s forensic computer to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.
• An amendment to the personnel rules and regulations allowing more flexibility in the use of public safety take-home vehicles to benefit employees living outside Sierra Vista on a case-by-case basis. This change will help retain and recruit police officers.
• The designation of Chief Financial Officer David Felix as the person authorized to sign and submit the City’s Annual Expenditure Limitation Report for fiscal year 2023.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, July 29, 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.

The Sierra Vista City Council approved plans to use the City’s annual allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant funds for improvements at Soldiers Creek Park and for the City’s Emergency Home Repair and Disabilities Modification Program at Thursday’s regular meeting.

The City Council also approved plan amendments needed to accept the City’s third allocation of CARES Act CDBG funds dedicated to crisis relief provided due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest allocation of $77,209 brings the City’s total of CARES Act CDBG funds to $476,457. The new funds will be used primarily to provide rent and utility assistance, emergency hotel/motel vouchers, and continue hosting the monthly Community Connect event at the Ethel H. Berger Center.

The City has worked with the United Way to distribute these crisis relief funds and Mayor Rick Mueller said the nonprofit has done a good job getting the funds to the folks who need it. The City is working on an agreement with United Way to disburse this latest allocation and that agreement will come to council for approval at a later date.

As for the City’s regular annual share of CDBG dollars, the City expects to receive $252,172. The Council approved the Plan Year 2022 CDBG Annual Action Plan, which allocates $227,172 to improvements at Soldiers Creek Park and $25,000 to continue the City’s Emergency Home Repair and Disabilities Modification Program.

The park improvements will be completed concurrently with the renovation of North Garden Avenue to create a more pedestrian-friendly, attractive streetscape, suited to holding special events. Improvements include landscaping, irrigation, lighting, and recreational features like an embankment slide to enhance the upper portion of Soldiers Creek Park that was previously unusable. If budget allows, landscaping improvements will also extend to Landwehr Plaza located across North Garden Avenue.

Residents who live in the Sierra Vista City limits and own their home may be eligible to receive aid with emergency home repairs to substandard housing conditions. The funds approved Thursday will continue this program but previous funding is still currently available as well and the City is currently accepting applications. Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements and have lived in their home that they own for the preceding year. Accessibility modifications needed for elderly and disabled people are also eligible.

Applications are considered based on eligibility under the program and priority of the emergency repairs. Application forms are available online at www.SierraVistaAZ.gov by searching for “emergency home repair” or in-person at City Hall. For more information, call the Community Development Department at (520) 417-4413.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, July 15, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

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/your-government/mayor-council/council-meetings/.

The Sierra Vista City Council approved 10 pre-annexation agreements at its regular meeting on Thursday, paving the way for staff to move forward with annexing several commercial properties along State Route 92.

Staff contacted property owners south of Golden Acres Drive and east of State Route 92 to measure and assess interest in annexation. Through these contacts, staff secured 10 signed pre-annexation and development agreements covering 12 tax parcels. Property owners pursing annexation cited property tax savings and the ability to connect to sewer as key factors for signing the agreements.

With Council’s unanimous vote approving the pre-annexation agreements, staff will proceed with filing petitions with the Cochise County Recorder’s Office and holding public hearings. Notices will be posted on the City’s website and in the Sierra Vista Herald.

In other business, Council held public hearings on amendments to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Five-Year Consolidated Plan, the PY 2019 Annual Action Plan, and the PY 2022 Annual Action Plan.

Proposed amendments to the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and PY 2019 Annual Action Plan were spurred by a reallocation of $77,209 in CDBG funds to the City. These federal dollars were made available through the 2020 CARES Act, an economic relief program set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but were unclaimed by other communities.

The PY 2022 Annual Action Plan outlines the programs and activities the City will undertake in the coming year to implement the strategies of the Consolidated Plan. The funding level approved for the City’s CDBG program is $252,172, slightly less than last year’s amount.

The proposed CDBG amendments and PY 2022 Annual Action Plan are open for public comments until July 8, 2022.

City Council also approved a pre-annexation agreement for a property in Fry Townsite, which is zoned for multifamily residential use, and approved the City’s FY23 annual budget. Both items passed with unanimous votes.

More information from the Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, June 23, City Council meeting. They can be accessed in the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov.

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

The Sierra Vista City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement between the City, Cochise College, and Cochise County Sheriff’s Office to continue partnering on the operation of the Southeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy at its regular meeting on Thursday.

Under the agreement, one SVPD officer may serve as a recruit training officer, while Cochise College agrees to reimburse the City for up to $11,800 in overtime for the officer while assigned to the academy. The college hosts the academy at its Douglas campus and SVPD allows the academy to use its defensive tactics room for training when needed.

Several council members voiced support for the academy based on its success in lowering the cost for local agencies to train recruits and because the recruits receive instruction from personnel working for local agencies. To date, 17 SVPD recruits have graduated from the academy, which began instruction in January 2019.

In other business:

• The City Council approved an amendment to the contract of the City Attorney’s annual base salary to correlate with the current market salary of the Cochise County Deputy Attorney.
• The City Council approved an update to the City Council Practice and Procedure Guidelines. The primary change was the addition of a contract review during the annual litigation update.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, June 9, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

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/your-government/mayor-council/council-meetings/ or on this page.

The Sierra Vista City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Palominas Elementary School District to provide the district fleet maintenance and repair services at Thursday’s regular council meeting.

The school district reached out to the City to request the services and the City has capacity to meet the district’s vehicle maintenance needs. Agreements like this one help both the City and its local government partners maximize the benefits and minimize the costs associated with fleet maintenance.

In other business:

• Mayor Rick Mueller proclaimed the month of May as Nurse’s Month in and for the City of Sierra Vista.
• The City Council received a presentation on the City’s annual audit in accordance with a new state law.
• The City Council approved the codification of code ordinances and declared a 30-day public record before final adoption. This codification is an administrative process to adopt recent code amendments as a permanent record of the City.

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 Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

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/your-government/mayor-council/council-meetings/ or on this page.

The Sierra Vista City Council authorized staff to proceed with the issuance of up to $25 million in Municipal Facility Revenue Bonds to fund the second phase of an energy initiative with Schneider Electric at its meeting on Thursday.

The project will result in significant energy and operational savings, which will help recoup its cost over time. It tackles major City needs and numerous strategic objectives set by the City Council without requiring any additional tax burden on local citizens as the debt service will be repaid by a portion of the City’s sales tax collection reserved for capital improvements. The exact terms of the bonds will depend on the interest rates the City receives, but they may not exceed a 5 percent interest rate or a 20-year maturity, with a preference for 15 years.

The project will kickstart implementation of the Citywide Parks Master Plan and initiate redevelopment of the Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex to include replacing the old Apache Middle School football field and track. The new field and track will be a modernized facility with artificial turf and efficient LED lights suitable for both soccer and football. It will also feature bleachers with a capacity for 2,500 people.

Other sports-related improvements include the installation of two new lighted basketball courts, lights at the tennis courts and future sand volleyball courts, plus the inversion and improvement of the softball field. ADA accessible pathways between parking and facilities will also be constructed.

This initiative will advance Sierra Vista’s commitment to responsible energy and water use with the installation of a smart irrigation system Citywide, significant renovations at The Cove, solar covered parking spaces, numerous facility renovations and building envelope upgrades, the installation of LED lighting at multiple facilities, the addition of EV charging stations in public parking lots, and more.

The project is estimated to generate more than $37 million in savings and $101 million in economic impact over its 25-year lifecycle. It advances numerous strategic priorities set by the City Council, to include a goal to generate an additional $3 million in sports tourism over the next two years. It will also save more than six million gallons of water each year.

The project is also funded in part by a Land Water Conservation Fund grant of $1.5 million, which will assist with improvements at the Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex.

“We have seen tremendous results from our first phase of this initiative, with improvements generating significant savings and economic impact,” Assistant City Manager Victoria Yarbrough says. “Field and sports facility upgrades have enabled us to assist local sports organizations with attracting numerous tournaments that have brought in new dollars and new visitors to our community.”

The phase I energy initiative with Schneider Electric resulted in five artificial turf soccer fields at Cyr Center Park and the Domingo Paiz Sports Complex, while upgrading sports field lighting at 17 fields and courts, among numerous improvements. It facilitated the attraction of 18 tournaments in 2019-21, bringing in about 11,490 visitors with an economic impact of about $3.3 million to the community.

For more information about phase II of the energy initiative with Schneider Electric, access the presentation made to council in the April 12 City Council work session folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

In other business on Thursday, the City Council approved:

• An intergovernmental agreement with Cochise County for election supplies and services associated with conducting the City Council election during the General Election on Nov. 8, 2022. The City has budgeted $25,000 to cover costs associated with the election.
• Acceptance of a $523,623 grant from the Arizona Department of Administration, Office of Grants and Federal Resources, Arizona 9-1-1 Program for Southeastern Arizona Communications (SEACOM). The grant will reimburse the City for costs associated with regional 9-1-1 services provided by SEACOM.
• A pre-annexation agreement with the Cochise College Foundation for a residential property it owns located at the northwest corner of East Theater Drive and North 6^th Street.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, April 28, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

The Sierra Vista City Council accepted a $100,000 grant for a new multi-use path and related improvements at Cyr Center Park at its meeting on Thursday.

The grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and is provided by the Arizona State Parks Non-Motorized Grant Program. The City will contribute an in-kind cash match of $3,250.

The grant will fund the construction of an ADA compliant path, related drainage improvements, two ADA ramps, and signage along the pathway. The new path will connect the existing pathway around Cyr Center Park with another existing path just south of Kayetan Drive. It will also provide pedestrian access from the new public parking lot being constructed at the park.

In other business, the City Council approved the issuance of economic development revenue bonds by the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista. The proceeds of the bonds will be loaned to the Georgetown Community Development Authority, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, for the purpose of financing and refinancing the acquisition and improvement of community facilities.

While these facilities are in Seattle, Washington, the fee paid to the Sierra Vista IDA will be used by the IDA to spur economic development efforts here in Sierra Vista. The Council approved IDA bonds for the same purpose in October 2021 and these new bonds were issued based on an opportunity to expand the efforts of the Georgetown Community Development Authority.

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.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, April 28, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

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/your-government/mayor-council/council-meetings/ or on this page.