Council HQ

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council approved amendments to the City’s development code that provide additional flexibility and clarity.

The proposed text amendments were unanimously recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission and received no comments during a 30-day public comment period. The amendments revise the definitions of “finished grade” and “building height” to be less restrictive than the previous standard and provide more flexibility. This is consistent with City Council Strategic Plan objectives, which have sought to reduce unnecessary code provisions and make the City more collaborative and efficient.

The amendments also exempt essential communication facilities for emergency, police, and medical service dispatch located on public property from the requirements of the Communication Facilities Section of the development code. This will expedite the review and construction of emergency communication facilities.

In other business, the City Council approved the City’s Program Year 2020 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), which outlines activities performed using the City’s allocation of Community Development Grant Dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Sept. 23, 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.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 9, the Sierra Vista City Council authorized City Manager Chuck Potucek to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of the City in support of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Resource Management Plan.

Several years in the making, the MOU is an agreement between the BLM, Cochise County, Fort Huachuca, and the City, which reaffirms the partners’ commitment to water and ecological conservation of the San Pedro River and the Sierra Vista subwatershed area.

The MOU also provides a plan to ensure the achievement of mutual goals, including: a healthy San Pedro River and ecologically viable San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA); adequate long-term water supplies for residents, property owners, and the SPRNCA; more opportunities for continued economic growth and development within Cochise County; and an operationally secure Fort Huachuca that can accomplish national defense missions, have a safe and adequate water supply, and comply with all obligations under the Endangered Species Act.

In other business:

• The City Council approved an increase in City sewer connection fees. The fee increase will affect new construction and will not impact current commercial and residential properties.
• The City Council approved an application for a liquor license for Urban Axe Yard, a new business venture. With Council’s approval, the license is forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for final approval.
• The City Council approved a resolution to permit reimbursement to itself for capital expenditures if they occur before related financing is in place, as required by the Federal Treasury. The requirement covers vehicles, equipment, and land purchases noted in the FY2021-2022 City budget, Schedule C. The budget can be viewed on the City’s website, SierraVistaAZ.gov, under the City Departments menu (select Finance).
• The City Council designated the City as the official Destination Marketing Organization for Sierra Vista. Although the City has been performing promotional duties for three decades, the official action enables the City to continue to apply for state and federal dollars to aid tourism marketing efforts.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Sept. 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 live on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at SierraVistaAZ.gov/your-government/mayor-council/council-meetings/ or on this page.

The Sierra Vista City Council adopted a comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan at its regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 12.

The plan was informed by extensive public input provided by a community survey on Citywide park amenities and proposed options for Veterans Memorial Park and adjacent sports facilities acquired by the City from the Sierra Vista Unified School District. The plan was also based on a needs assessment conducted by staff and was identified as an objective in the City Council’s Fiscal Year 2020-21 Strategic Leadership Plan.

The plan outlines proposed upgrades to existing parks and sports facilities, maintenance needs, and new park development. It is intended to both improve quality of life for local residents and continue positioning Sierra Vista as a destination for sports tournaments to bolster economic development and tourism efforts.

Projects outlined in the plan will be accomplished as funding opportunities can be secured. City staff will continue to pursue grants to help carry out the plan in the coming years.

In other business:

• The City Council moved a series of code amendments to the City’s Development Code forward for a 30-day public comment period. The proposed text amendments will provide flexibility and clarify existing code language, which is consistent with City Council initiatives intended to make processes easy for residents and business owners. The amendments pertain to communications facilities, architecture and design review applicability, and definitions for building height and finished grade. To review the proposed amendments and submit comments, go to www.SierraVistaAZ.gov and click the link to the “Public Comment Item” webpage.
• The City Council adopted amendments to Chapter 33 of the City Code. This chapter defines details about City departments including the role of each director or chief, divisions of each department, and duties. The amendments reflect changes to departmental names and reorganizations.
• The City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Property Tax Levy at a rate of $0.1108 per $100 of assessed value, generating an estimated $377,145.
• The City Council approved acceptance of a $32,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for American Rescue Plan Act funding. The funds are intended to address operational impacts from COVID-19 and will be used at the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Aug. 12, 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 view the videos on this page.

The Sierra Vista City Council adopted the Final Budget for fiscal year 2021-22 at a special meeting on Monday, July 26.

The final budget of $115,711,558 remains unchanged from the Tentative Budget that was approved on June 24. The budget, which is for the fiscal year that started July 1, is about 32 percent higher than the previous budget due to numerous one-time expenses and grant applications, not operational changes that would incur ongoing costs. In order to accept and use grant funding, the City needs to include the potential grant amounts in its budget.

Significant projects in the Tentative Budget include improvements to West Fry Boulevard and Garden Avenue, construction of a new Emergency Medical Services Substation, airport improvements, a purchase of property from the Sierra Vista Unified School District for a future park, and potential grant-funded improvements at the Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex.

The final budget book will be developed and made available online, at City Hall, and at the library by early October. To hear a detailed breakdown of the budget, listen to the June 25 episode of the City’s podcast Let’s Talk Sierra Vista. It’s available on popular podcasting apps and on the City’s website at https://www.sierravistaaz.gov/city-departments/public-affairs/lets-talk/.

The City Council also held a public hearing to set the annual property tax levy, which is scheduled for a vote on Aug. 12. The proposed tax rate equals $0.1108 per $100 of assess valuation and the overall property tax revenue estimate at that rate is $377,145. This revenue is slightly higher than the previous year due to new construction.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Monday, July 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 in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

The Sierra Vista City Council adopted the Tentative Budget for FY 21-22 at its meeting Thursday, which caps the City’s budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

Adjustments within the total budget amount of about $115,711,558 can still be made until the City Council votes on final budget adoption at its meeting on July 22 but the budget amount cannot be increased. The Tentative Budget Book and recent updates made prior to Thursday’s vote can be viewed online at the City’s website www.SierraVistaAZ.gov.

The FY 21-22 budget proposal is about 32 percent higher than the previous budget due to a large amount of one-time expenses and grant applications, not operational changes that would incur ongoing costs. In order to accept and use grant funding, the City needs to include the potential grant amounts in its budget.

Significant projects in the Tentative Budget include improvements to West Fry Boulevard, construction of a new Emergency Medical Services Substation, airport improvements, a potential purchase of property from the Sierra Vista Unified School District for a future park, and improvements at the Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex. The sports complex improvements are contingent on a pending grant application.

For a detailed breakdown of the budget, listen to the latest episode of the City’s official podcast Let’s Talk Sierra Vista. It’s available on popular podcasting apps and on the City’s website at https://www.sierravistaaz.gov/city-departments/public-affairs/lets-talk/.

In other business:

• The City Council adopted a development code text amendment establishing a Recreational Vehicle Park Overlay District as an option for owners of manufactured home parks on properties of no less than 10 acres.
• The City Council approved a declaration of intent to increase sewer connection fees to fund future plant expansion at the Environmental Operations Park when new construction reaches the point where more capacity is needed. A public hearing on the proposed increase is set for Aug. 26.
• The City Council moved forward amendments to Chapter 33 of the City Code for a 30-day public comment period. This chapter defines details about City departments including the role of each director or chief, divisions of each department, and duties. The proposed amendments reflect changes to departmental names and reorganizations.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, June 24, 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 in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Vista City Council unanimously appointed Mark Rodriguez to fill the vacant council seat left open following the recent resignation of Sarah Pacheco.

The City received 22 applications for the vacant seat and the City Council narrowed the pool to four candidates who were selected for interviews with the council conducted early this week. After being sworn in following Thursday’s council meeting, Rodriguez will serve the remainder of Pacheco’s term, which ends Dec. 31, 2022.

A retired U.S. Army Soldier who served for 21 years, Rodriguez is originally from San Antonio, Texas, and relocated to Sierra Vista in 2014. Rodriguez is currently a noncommissioned officer academy senior trainer with ORSA Technologies LLC on Fort Huachuca.

Being an active volunteer in the community and a father of six children — three of his own and three of his partner’s — has enabled Rodriguez to hear from many different community members and learn about different facets of Sierra Vista. He loves working here and is invested in the community.

“So when the opportunity presented itself I could not pass it up. I hoped that the council would allow me to join them so that I may plug myself in wherever I may be needed to help our city grow economically as well as form better partnerships with our surrounding neighbors,” Rodriguez says.

“My goal is to engage with as many of our citizens as possible and bring their ideas, issues, and needs back to our council so that we can collectively make our City a better place,” he says

In other business:

• The City Council approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, and Cochise College to continue a partnership to operate the Southeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy on the college’s Douglas campus. Since the academy’s first class began in January, 2019, SVPD has had 10 recruits graduate. SVPD plans to send five more recruits to the class starting in July. The local academy enables SVPD to avoid additional costs that would be incurred sending recruits to other academies in the state.
• The City Council accepted the resignation of Patricia Olson from the Planning and Zoning Commission and appointed Daniel Coxworth to fill her seat. Coxworth’s term will expire on Dec. 31, 2021.
• The City Council approved capital financing for two refuse trucks purchased in the current fiscal year.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, June 10, 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 (and on this page). 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 a proposed Recreational Vehicle Park Overlay District for public comment at its regular meeting on Thursday. It will return to council for final consideration after a 30-day comment period.

The proposal was developed to help facilitate the redevelopment and revitalization of manufactured home parks in the West End. The Sierra Grande, Garden Canyon, Mountain Vista, and Los Arcos manufactured home parks were all acquired by new ownership last year and are now being renovated. The owners are following an aggressive demolition schedule to clear out vacant, non-livable mobile homes, which leaves many empty spaces to fill.

The Recreational Vehicle Park Overlay District offers park owners the flexibility to use spaces for RVs, while also allowing those spaces to be used for manufactured homes in the future without needing a rezoning process. This improves the economic viability of the parks and could help spur additional investment. Currently, manufactured home parks can lease up to 30 percent of the overall spaces for recreational vehicles. The proposed overlay district would remove that cap for parks of 10 acres or more, provided certain standards are met.

Good Living Ventures, which owns the Sierra Grande, Garden Canyon, and Mountain Vista manufactured home parks, worked closely with the City on development of the proposed overlay district and provided a letter in support of it. Good Living Ventures Architecture and Planning Manager Ben Wilde also addressed the City Council at Thursday’s meeting.

“The overlay will allow us to bring RVs into our parks at quicker rate then we could fill them with mobile homes,” Wilde said. He said Good Living Ventures also sees potential in one of their properties becoming a destination for snowbirds and tourists with RVs seeking to stay in Sierra Vista on a short-term basis.

The proposed RV overlay district is now open for public comment before it comes back to the City Council for final consideration after 30 days. The City Council also approved Codification of its Code of Ordinances for a 30-day public comment period on Thursday. To learn more and provide comments on these items, head to engage.sierravistaaz.gov/ or use the Public Comment Items webpage linked from www.SierraVistaAZ.gov.

In other business:

• City Council Member Sarah Pacheco announced her intent to resign from the City Council, which is necessary because she is moving outside the City limits. Details on the process to fill her seat will be announced after Pacheco submits a formal notice of resignation.
• The City Council approved the acceptance of two grants from the Arizona Department of Administration, Office of Grants and Federal Resources, Arizona 9-1-1 Program in support of Southeastern Arizona Communications (SEACOM). The first grant in the amount of $415,529 will cover a variety of costs associated with providing 9-1-1 services through June 30, 2023. The second grant in the amount of $79,576 funds contract services with DATAMARK for Geographical Information Systems data management software and support services.
• The City Council approved an Arizona State Parks and Trails Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application to help fund improvements at the Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex to include installing artificial turf at the football field, updating the wellsite, and replacing the irrigation system. The grant requires a 50 percent City match and 6 percent surcharge for the $3 million project.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, May 13, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

The City of Sierra Vista’s Draft 2021 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan is now open for a 30-day public comment period after being presented to the City Council at a public hearing on Thursday.

The plan was revised based on the guidance provided by the City Council at a public hearing in March when City staff and three nonprofit organizations presented proposals for how to use the City’s anticipated allocation of $254,678 for the plan year starting July 1, 2021. The City receives CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development each year. CDBG funds must benefit low to moderate income persons, aid in the prevention of slums and blight, or meet another urgent community need.

The projects recommended for inclusion in the 2021 Annual Action Plan are:

• Improvements at Cyr Center Park ($170,733) — The proposed funding will be combined with last year’s CDBG allocation to complete a proposed 113-space parking lot in a single construction phase, which will reduce development costs. This proposal builds upon previous improvements to the soccer fields and surrounding area, including demolition of the old public works yard.
• Emergency Home Repair and Disabilities Modification Program ($50,000) — This program offers funding assistance to Sierra Vista homeowners for emergency repairs to correct substandard housing conditions. Accessibility modifications needed for people who are elderly or disabled are also eligible for support under the program.
• Good Neighbor Alliance Kitchen Remodel ($18,945) — The local emergency shelter’s kitchen has not been remodeled since 2005 and needs new countertops, cabinets, drawers, a pantry, and a dishwasher. Good Neighbor Alliance currently prepares about 750 meals each year for the clients they serve.
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul, St. Andrew Conference Paved Parking for Barrier-Free Access and Client Safety ($15,000) — This project entails grading and paving seven additional parking spaces and a drive aisle to provide barrier free access to the food bank and conference offices where clients meet with case workers.

The full Draft 2021 CDBG Annual Action Plan is available for review and public comment.

Council accepts FAA grants

The City Council approved the acceptance of two grants from the Federal Aviation Administration for use at the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport at its meeting on Thursday.

One grant in the amount of $839,469 will completely cover needed pavement rehabilitation work on an apron area near the airport’s terminal and on a nearby taxiway. This grant is being provided through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program.

The second grant totals $13,000 and is being provided through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriates Act. The purpose of the grant is help maintain safe and efficient airport operations, to include increased expenses associated with heightened sanitation measures. This includes reimbursement for airport operational and maintenance expenses incurred no earlier than Jan. 20, 2020, or debt service payments that occur on or after Dec. 27, 2020.

The City Council also approved the acceptance of a 20-foot-wide sewer easement to accommodate a sewer line extension for the Dutch Bros site planned for 475 N. State Route 90.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, April 23, 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.