Council HQ

The Sierra Vista City Council approved a contract with Justice of the Peace, Precinct V Judge Kenneth Curfman for magistrate court services at its regular meeting on Thursday, Dec. 22.

The proposed agreement came before Council on Dec. 8 and was tabled. After removing it from the table on Wednesday, City Council approved the proposed agreement with a 4-3 vote, placing Curfman in the position of City Magistrate until December 31, 2024. The agreement may automatically renew for an additional two-year period.

In 2020, the City of Sierra Vista entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Cochise County for court co-location and operations, establishing via ordinance that the Justice of the Peace, Precinct V, shall be the City’s magistrate. Curfman was re-elected to that position in the November 2022 general election.

No other business was brought before Council.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Dec. 22, City Council meeting, available on 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 canvass of the Nov. 8 General Election results at a special meeting on Tuesday.

The City Council is required to canvass the results no less than six days and no more than 20 days after the election. The canvass affirms that the City Clerk and City Council have found the election was run and processed by the Cochise County Elections Department according to law.

Of the three candidates running for mayor, Clea McCaa received the highest number of votes and will take office effective Jan. 1, 2023. Of the four candidates running for the three open City Council member seats, William Benning, Mark Rodriguez, and Carolyn Umphrey received the most votes and have been reelected to the council, with new terms starting Jan. 1, 2023.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Nov. 23, 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 acceptance of $350,000 from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs border security funds to upgrade the City’s VHF radio system at its regular meeting today.

This system is used as a backup for the Sierra Vista Police Department and is the primary radio system used by Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services. The upgrade will ensure SVPD can transition to a reliable VHF system if its primary system goes down. It will also provide improved reliability for SVPD to communication with SVF&MS personnel during critical incidents.

There are no matching dollars from the City required for these funds.

In other business, the City Council tabled an intergovernmental agreement with Patagonia Union High School to provide Commercial Driver’s License training and exam licensure.

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

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Cochise College for the college to construct a driver’s safety course on a 10-acre piece of City-owned land located east of Fire Station 3.

The driver’s safety course is part of a First Responders Academy Cochise College plans to construct in Sierra Vista. The paved driver’s safety course will enable the college to conduct public safety and other driver’s training and certification programs, including CDL certification. It will be used for training recruits in the Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy.

In exchange for the land improvements, Cochise College will receive priority usage of the course at no cost. The City will receive the next priority use, followed by general public use. When the property is not being used by the college, the City may use it for driver’s training, certification courses, activities, event overflow parking and other public uses.

In other business:

• The City Council approved a resolution supporting a $17,000 grant awarded to Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services by the Tohono O’odham Nation for a Medical Chest Compression Device.
• The City Council approved a resolution stating the City’s intent to reimburse itself for capital expenditures it makes, if those expenditures take place before related financing is in place. This complies with Federal Treasury regulations.
• The City Council approved the renewal of an intergovernmental agreement with the Whetstone Fire District to provide ambulance billings services. This IGA was originally established in 2017.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Oct. 27, 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 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.