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MINUTES STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION AUGUST 19, 2021 MEETING HELD VIA ZOOM

REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 4:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Cuffari called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present:	Joan Brown, Commissioner
	David Parker, Vice Chair
	Joseph Cuffari, Chair
Absent:	Gary Mattson, Commissioner
	William Thomas, Commissioner
Staff Present:	John Spiker, Stormwater Division Manager
	John Lynch, Stormwater Project Manager
	Dennis Roberts, Senior Stormwater Engineer
	Scott Bennett, Stormwater Utility GIS Analyst

Commissioner Mattson joined the meeting at 4:03 P.M.

CALL TO AUDIENCE

There were no speaker requests or raised hands during the Call to Audience.

COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

CM Greene commented on this year's unusual monsoon season, he spoke of Golder Ranch Fire Department and how they are periodically pulling people from washes. He is also appreciative of the work Stormwater Utility has done this busy monsoon season.

DIRECTORS REPORT (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

Stormwater Division Manager John Spiker reported on the following:

Stormwater Utility is appreciative of CM Greene's comments.
We are approaching record-breaking monsoon rainfall, there has been lots of debris, lots of sediment and lots of cleanup
In-person meetings may be possible for September. Mr. Spiker suggests everyone take a look at the renovation done to the Council Chambers.
Recognition was given to staff for receiving certifications
- Scott Bennett - Certification through Cartegraph as an administrative user
- Jane Hutchins - Certification with ADOT Erosion Control in July
- Dennis Roberts - Certification with ADOT Erosion Control in September
The Stormwater Budget will not be presented at this meeting due to an issue in the reconciliation of the Stormwater and Finance numbers.
Presentation to the Commission regarding CH 17 amendments will be done at a later date as staff is still addressing questions and concerns of Town Councilmembers.

REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE JULY 15, 2021 MEETING MINUTES


				Motion by Chair Joseph Cuffari, seconded by Vice Chair David Parker to approve the July 15, 2021 regular session minutes as written.

Vote: 4 - 0 Carried

Other:

Commissioner William Thomas (ABSENT)

DISCUSSION OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Mr. Spiker reported on recent and upcoming meetings and events. Mr. Spiker attended the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) Stormwater Pollution Prevention (SWPP) Committee meeting and found of interest a presentation by Dr. Mary Nichols from the USDA regarding low tech rock check dams, a way to slow down water and control sediment transport.

DISCUSSION OF THE 2021 MONSOON AND BIGHORN FIRE SCAR UPDATES

Mr. Spiker updated the Commission on the rainfall totals.

To date the 2021 monsoon season has delivered 8.5" of rain at the Pima County rain gauge #1230 here at the Stormwater Utility. Year to date Gauge #1230 it has seen 10" of rain.
Tucson International Airport has registered 11.69" of rainfall this monsoon season, year to date rain has been measured at 13".

One of the worst hit areas in Oro Valley, the Rancho Catalina Subdivision, had been hit really hard from the July 22 - 25 storms, with 2.5" of rain in an hour, which caused sediment and debris to come down the mountain and inundate streets and front yards. We assessed the problems were, for the most part, that some drainage systems were overwhelmed.

Areas in Pima County were impacted much more than Oro Valley. Mr. Spiker also spoke about recent swift water rescues. He mentioned the August rescue at Overton and the CDO where the Road Closed signs were not put up in time and people made their way into the wash and had to be rescued. There is a necessity to get the hot spots closed down as soon as we see rainfall, especially since the ground is already saturated.

The top of Mt. Lemmon, has seen nearly 36" of rain year to date, directly over the top of the burn scar. We are not seeing the boulders or tree trunks that possibly could be washed down the mountain.

Mr. Spiker commented that the messaging is getting out, the Town of Oro Valley has given away over 5000 sandbags, people are signing up for alerts and registering for flood insurance.

Chair Cuffari added that Pima County is calling this the 3rd wettest monsoon on record right now and has the potential to become the 2nd wettest. Chair Cuffari also commented regarding the Overton and La Cholla swift water rescue, Pima County did investigative research on why there were no barricades up. It was found that all the water running into that area was from natural drainages, not necessarily coming from CDO yet, the CDO alarm triggers didn't indicate that there was much flow at the time, and people thought they could drive through.

DISCUSSION OF TOWN OF ORO VALLEY'S 2021 MS4 ANNUAL REPORT AND DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORT

Stormwater Utility GIS Analyst Scott Bennett reported on the MS4 Annual Report and highlighted the practices done in the 4th quarter to bring the Town into compliance and reporting:

Brochures were mailed to portable toilet providers, businesses that potentially affect Stormwater quality.
Brochures were mailed to 21,000 plus Oro Valley Water Utility & Stormwater Utility customers, geared toward educating people what the Town water quality requirements are and what the Stormwater Utility is doing.
Annual Inspection was done of the Town's two maintenance yards.
Town of Oro Valley Stormwater Utility webpage has increased traffic this fiscal year.
Encouragement of public participation - volunteer groups through the Mayor's program Keep OV beautiful.
This Annual Report is to be turned in by September 30, 2021

Mr. Spiker encouraged the Commissioners to read through the Annual Report and send us any feedback by the end of August.

Vice Chair Parker asked about required updates to the Stormwater Management Plan and do we anticipate that there would be an additional resource requirement to the Town based on changes. Mr. Spiker answered that the state is currently looking at a Small MS4 update that is supposed to go live October 1, 2021. If the Small MS4 draft permit becomes live it will require a change to our Stormwater Management Plan and we should be able to absorb the costs of new processes.

DISCUSSION OF THE FALL 2021 STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION FIELD TRIP

Mr. Spiker reported that we are looking at having the Field Trip in October, a date will be selected, and we will zero in on prospective locations. More details will be forthcoming. Mr. Spiker asked the Commissioners to look at their October calendars as we try to determine a date that works for everyone.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Suggestions for future agenda items are as follows:

Potential dates and stops for the 2021 Field Trip - Revisit in 2021 some stops made in 2019
Monsoon Update
Presentation on Flood Insurance
Stormwater Budget as a part of Stormwater Annual Fee Audit

ADJOURNMENT


				Motion by Vice Chair David Parker, seconded by Commissioner Gary Mattson to adjourn the meeting.

Vote: 4 - 0 Carried

Other:

Commissioner William Thomas (ABSENT)

Chair Cuffari adjourned the meeting at 4:44 P.M.

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the Town of Oro Valley Stormwater Utility Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 19th day of August, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

___________________________
Yarina Hynd
Office Specialist