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MINUTES STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 18, 2021 HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM 11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE

REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 4:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Cuffari called the meeting to order at 4:01 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present:	Joan Brown, Commissioner
	Gary Mattson, Commissioner
	Joseph Cuffari, Chair
Absent:	David Parker, Vice Chair
	William Thomas, Commissioner
Staff Present:	Paul Keesler, Director Public Works
	Aimee Ramsey, Assistant Director Public Works
	John Spiker, Stormwater Division Manager
Attendees:	Harry Greene, Town Council Liaison

Commissioner Thomas asked to be excused.

CALL TO AUDIENCE

There were no speakers at this time.

COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

Councilmember Greene gave congratulations to Director of Public Works Paul Keesler and Stormwater Division Manager John Spiker for their super job of explaining the amendments to Town Code Chapter 17 (Floodplain and Erosion Hazard Management) Ordinance before Town Council and getting the Council on board to pass last night's resolution.

DIRECTORS REPORT (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

Mr. Spiker reported on the following:

ADEQ issued a new small Phase 2 MS4 permit on October 1, 2021. The Town submitted a notice of intent and paid permit fees for the 2021-2022 permit year. Staff is working on amendments to the Stormwater Management plan, so that we may remain in compliance with the updated state permit. We hope to present the updates to the Commission sometime this spring, this is a 5 year permit, but changes to Stormwater Management Plan are due June of 2022. Before we finalize the Management Plan we will bring it to the Commission for review.
The Town Council did approve the amendment to CH 17, Floodplain and Erosion Hazard Management, this allows the Town to remain compliant with a state model floodplain ordinance which allows us to be eligible for the National Flood Insurance program.
New Stormwater Commissioner will be approved at TC meeting in December 2021 and should join the Commission in January 2022.
New billing software pushed back to spring of 2022.

REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 MEETING MINUTES


				Motion by Commissioner Gary Mattson, seconded by Commissioner Joan Brown to approve the September 16, 2021 regular session minutes as written.

Vote: 3 - 0 Carried

Other:	Vice Chair David Parker (ABSENT)
	Commissioner William Thomas (ABSENT)

DISCUSSION OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Mr. Spiker reported on recent and upcoming meetings and events.

RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSIONER JOAN BROWN

The Stormwater Commission and Staff made farewells to Commissoner Brown and wished her well.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ANNUAL STORMWATER UTILITY RATE ANALYSIS RECOMMENDATION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR FY 2023

Assistant Public Works Director Aimee Ramsey presented on the annual Stormwater Utility Rate Analysis recommendation to Mayor and Council for the FY 2022-2023. Ms. Ramsey stated that we are within budget compliance for this year. Should the Commission want to do a deep dive into the rate review to determine if the rate should be changed to accommodate CIP projects it would take approximately 18 months, with a good idea being to start January 2022 for the FY 2023-2024.


				Motion by Chair Joseph Cuffari, seconded by Commissioner Joan Brown to approve a recommendation to Mayor and Council to support a status quo base rate for the Stormwater Utility for the upcoming fiscal year 2022-2023.

Vote: 3 - 0 Carried

Other:	Vice Chair David Parker (ABSENT)
	Commissioner William Thomas (ABSENT)

DISCUSS POSSIBLE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR STUDY SESSIONS TO DISCUSS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND RATE ADJUSTMENT SCENARIOS FOR FUTURE FISCAL YEARS

Mr. Spiker reported that study sessions are an opportunity for Commissioners to better understand what our current financial situations are and what our needs might be out into the future. Mr. Spiker offered up to the Commissioners to discuss consideration of a time frame of study sessions that could take place in 2022 and by this time next year be confident to make a recommendation to council.

Mr. Keesler suggested that Staff bring to the Commissioners an outline of steps to give them something manageable to accept, change or modify.

Discussion ensued among the Commissioners and staff. Clarification of the dates to put a recommendation before Council were discussed, that a recommendation by the Commission should be determined by November/December 2022 in order to follow the timeline of the adoption of the FY 23/24 Town Council budget. Understanding that the Town Managers recommended budget will probably be brought to Council in April 2023. Due to a mandate of public notice Stormwater would need to start with Notice of Intent for a rate increase published 60 days prior to that in February 2023.

REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE OCTOBER 29, 2021 STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION FIELD TRIP

Discussion ensued among the Commission and Staff. It was agreed that following one particular wash through the city helped to understand the impact the wash had on different parts of the city. Mr. Spiker stated that a benefit was to be able to showcase our partnerships with Town of Marana and Pima County, who have helped us out tremendously.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE STORMWATER UTILITY REGULAR SESSION MEETING SCHEDULE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022

Discussion ensued among the Commission and Staff. Commissioner Brown asked whether the Field Trip would be held in the Spring. Staff recommends keeping the Field Trip in October, one reason being that it is post monsoon.

Chair Cuffari asked about the possibility of moving the meeting start time to 3:30 p.m. from 4:00 p.m. Mr. Keesler stated that staff would need to check with the both the Town Clerk and the Town Manager to understand if there are any legal ramifications for a change like that, as it is not just for this body but for the public as well.


				Motion by Chair Joseph Cuffari, seconded by Commissioner Gary Mattson to continue this item at the next Stormwater Utility Commission meeting, no action to be taken today.

Vote: 3 - 0 Carried

Other:	Vice Chair David Parker (ABSENT)
	Commissioner William Thomas (ABSENT)

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CANCELLATION OF THE DECEMBER 16, 2021 SWUC REGULAR SESSION MEETING


				Motion by Chair Joseph Cuffari, seconded by Commissioner Gary Mattson to deny cancellation of the December 16, 2021 SWUC meeting.

Vote: 3 - 0 Carried

Other:	Vice Chair David Parker (ABSENT)
	Commissioner William Thomas (ABSENT)

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Potential study sessions timeline to discuss the idea of a rate increase
Revisit scheduling of Stormwater Utility Commission meetings in 2022

ADJOURNMENT


				Motion by Commissioner Joan Brown, seconded by Commissioner Gary Mattson to adjourn the meeting.

Vote: 3 - 0 Carried

Other:	Vice Chair David Parker (ABSENT)
	Commissioner William Thomas (ABSENT)

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 18th day of November, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

___________________________
Yarina Hynd
Office Specialist