Agenda

Return
MINUTES STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 16, 2023 HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM 11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE

REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 4:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER
Chair Crocker called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present:	Richard Hawkinson, Commissioner
	Gary Mattson, Commissioner
	Richard Crocker, Chair
Absent:	William Thomas, Vice Chair
Staff Present:	John Spiker, Stormwater Division Manager
Attendees:	Dr. Harry Greene, Town Council Liaison

Vice Chair William Thomas arrived at 4:09. Councilmember Greene was excused from the meeting at 5:42.

CALL TO AUDIENCE
There were no speaker requests at this time.

COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)
Councilmember Greene commented that the Council has engineers looking into the settlement of soil in the housing areas considered for development around Moore Loop.

Chair Crocker asked for clarification of what Moore Loop is.

Stormwater Division Manager John Spiker commented that it is Moore Rd east of Rancho Vistoso Blvd, in the Valley Vista and Alterra subdivisions.

DIRECTORS REPORT (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)
Stormwater Division Manager John Spiker commented on the following:

There is a storm front moving into the Tucson Region through the weekend. Be aware of flooded low water crossings.
A late season fire in the northwest portion of the Santa Catalina Mountains which burned 300 acres before it was extinguished with no property damage or loss of life. We will monitor for flooding post-fact.
Pima County Flood Control District (PCFCD) was awarded a 2.3 million dollar hazard mitigation grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Construction is to begin next calendar year to raise the bank elevation along the Canada del Oro (CDO) Wash. From Oracle Road to La Canada is to be enhanced. The PCFCD grant application was in the cycle ahead of the Towns' three applications.
There will be a Stormwater Utility Commission (SWUC) Commissioner shirt order next year.

REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING THE COMMUNITY'S NEXT 10-YEAR ACTION PLAN, KNOWN AS OV'S PATH FORWARD

Principal Planner Milini Simms and Senior Planner Rene Olvera presented the Community's new 10-year action plan, known as OV's Path Forward.

Discussion ensued amongst the Commissioners and staff regarding the new 10-year action plan, known as OV's Path Forward.

Residents are encouraged to visit the webpage ovpathforward.com to view the questions and discussions. You need to Register to add comments.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 17 AND SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 MEETING MINUTES


				Motion by Chair Richard Crocker, seconded by Commissioner Gary Mattson to approve the August 17, 2023 meeting minutes with the following change: Commissioner Hawkinson provided comments toward the MS4 Annual Report.

Vote: 4 - 0 Carried


				Motion by Commissioner Richard Hawkinson, seconded by Vice Chair William Thomas to approve the September 21, 2023 meeting minutes.

				Vote: 4 - 0 Carried

	3.			RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSIONER WILLIAM "ED" THOMAS
				The Stormwater Commission and Staff made farewells to Commissioner Thomas and wished him well. Mr. Spiker thanked Commissioner Thomas for always giving back to his community.

	4.			DISCUSSION OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS
				Mr. Spiker discussed recent meeting and events.

	5.			REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE OCTOBER 16, 2023 STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION FIELD TRIP TO KINO ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROJECT (KERP)
				Mr. Spiker recapped the Stormwater Utility Commissions field trip to the Kino Environmental Restoration Project (KERP) where former Director of Pima County Flood Control District Suzanne Shields gave a presentation and tour of the facility. Mr. Spiker gave an overview of the field trip which focused on the multi-use aspects of the KERP. The uses being flood-control, stormwater harvesting, vegetation restoration, and recreation.

	6.			DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION OF THE CANYON DEL ORO BIBLE CHURCH PRIVATE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
				Mr. Spiker made a presentation on the Canyon Del Oro Bible Church private drainage improvements. One main purpose was to show that the town isn't the only one doing stormwater and flood control improvements. Mr. Spiker noted that Mr. Lowell Jensen, who spearheaded most of the Canyon Del Oro Bible Church drainage improvements, was in attendance in the audience. Mr. Spiker commented that a couple years back, Mr. Jensen had contacted the Stormwater Utility asking for guidance and additional help with the sediment and erosion issues. The damage was mostly caused by sediment transport. Mr. Spiker continued the presentation by showing a series of photos documenting the timeline of the work that needed to be done. Discussion ensued where it was questioned if HOA's would be able to obtain advice or assistance from the Town regarding drainage issues. Mr. Spiker commented that since the issue is regarding an HOA, it is private property and is not eligible for Town funding, but that the Town and the Stormwater Utlity are here to offer our experiences and guidance to HOA's and commercial properties. We can come out to do assessments, to evaluate scopes of work you might receive from contractors or consultants, and to help you understand the regulations you will need to meet. We certainly are here to help.

	7.			DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ANNUAL STORMWATER UTILITY RATE ANALYSIS RECOMMENDATION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR FY 2024/25
				Mr. Spiker gave an overview of the Stormwater Utility projected revenues and expenses, its fee structure and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) regulations the Town is mandated to meet. Discussion among the Commission and staff affirmed the need and the ability of the Stormwater Utility fee first and foremost to meet the required mandated regulations. Discussion ensued regarding the concern that in the future the Towns Next 10-Year Action Plan does not provide the Town with additional developable space and its related sales/construction tax revenue and that there is concern that the Town will face a funding shortfall due to the lack of revenue. At this time, our funds are going to existing maintenance and not future projects. We have been deferring capital investments, and we will have to deal with aging infrastructure. What will the council's direction be with this 10-Year Plan. We will need to find more money. With inflationary pressures, next year we will need to revisit the $4.50 fee and start a detailed discussion on a change to the fee structure, the rate change, and the measurement value. Keeping in mind the objective of maintaining the quality of life in Oro Valley. It was agreed to save discussion on the budget for another time and to make a motion concerning the base rate for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025, which will be July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. Mr. Spiker commented that starting next year at Stormwater Utility Commission meetings different scenarios will be presented, while taking into consideration what will be the idea from the council about where revenue streams will be generated from.


				Motion by Chair Richard Crocker, seconded by Vice Chair William Thomas to approve a recommendation to Mayor and Council to support a status quo base rate for the Stormwater Utility for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025.

				Vote: 4 - 0 Carried

	8.			DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CANCELATION OF THE DECEMBER 21, 2023 SWUC REGULAR SESSION MEETING


				Motion by Chair Richard Crocker, seconded by Commissioner Richard Hawkinson to cancel the December 21, 2023 SWUC Regular Session Meeting.

				Vote: 4 - 0 Carried

ADJOURNMENT


				Motion by Vice Chair William Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Gary Mattson to adjourn the meeting.

				Vote: 4 - 0 Carried
				Chair Crocker adjourned the meeting at 5:54 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 16th day of November 2023. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

___________________________
Yarina Hynd
Senior Office Specialist