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MINUTES STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION JULY 18, 2024 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, Vice Chair
	Rob Schlicher, Commissioner
	Richard Crocker, Chair
Staff Present:	John Spiker, Stormwater Division Manager
Attendees:	Dr. Harry Greene, Town Council Liaison

Commissioner Hawkinson attended via telephone.

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

COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

Councilmember Harry Greene mentioned the current progress of the elevator and entryway construction project at the Community and Recreation Center (CRC), which will be completed in a few months. He also commented that the Children's Program this summer at the CRC has been a great success and that the staff is diligent in making sure everyone stays hydrated.

DIRECTORS REPORT (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

Stormwater Division Manager John Spiker commented on the following:

Monsoon season is here. The National Weather Service is forecasting high winds and chances of rain through the weekend.
- For tips on preparing for the monsoon season, please visit orovalleyaz.gov and type in monsoon guide in the search bar.
- The Town of Oro Valley Stormwater Utility is once again offering Oro Valley residents free sandbags at James Kriegh Park. This is a self-serving station for residents of Oro Valley with the Town providing bags and sand to be filled by residents.
- The Oro Valley Stormwater Utility also serves up known property floodplain maps to the public. This information is used to assess known risks associated with flooding and is vital data for flood insurance agents and property owners.
Pima County Regional Flood Control District is underway with their Canada Del Oro Levee Augmentation project. This project involves increasing the levee bank height to accommodate increased flows from the CDO Wash and its tributaries due to post fire vegetation soil conditions left behind by the Big Horn Fire. The project takes place on the CDO levee from downstream of La Canada Drive in the Canyon Shadows neighborhood, to upstream of Oracle Road in the Rams Canyon Pass neighborhood. Work began this week and is anticipated to be completed toward the end of the 2024 calendar year. Impacts to the Chuck Huckelberry Loop are anticipated during construction. Please visit pima.gov and search for Loop Notices for more information.
The Oro Valley Stormwater Utility Commission still has an opening. Residents of Oro Valley can apply or find more information on orovalleyaz.gov and use the terms Boards and Commissions in the search bar.
The Stormwater Utility Commission meeting for August 15, 2024 will be canceled.

REGULAR SESSION AGENDA

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE MAY 16, 2024 AND JUNE 20, 2024 MEETING MINUTES


				Motion by Commissioner Rob Schlicher, seconded by Vice Chair Gary Mattson to approve the May 16, 2024 meeting minutes as written.

Vote: 4 - 0 Carried


				Motion by Commissioner Rob Schlicher, seconded by Vice Chair Gary Mattson to approve the June 20, 2024 meeting minutes as written.

		Vote: 4 - 0 Carried

	2.	DISCUSSION OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS
		Mr. Spiker discussed recent meetings and events. Mr. Spiker commented that as a part of our MS4 permit, the Stormwater Utility (SWU) is required to hold an internal training session for the MS4 every year. This year we targeted the Park & Recreation Operations and Maintenance Staff. A question was asked about which Town staff are required to take this training. Mr. Spiker explained that the Town staff are not required to take the training, the training by the SWU is a requirement from the state. The purpose is that the SWU educates Town employees about the things we are beholden to, as is the Town.

	3.	DISCUSSION OF 2023/2024 TOWN OF ORO VALLEY MS4 COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE, FOURTH QUARTER REPORT
		Mr. Spiker reported on the Towns 2023/2024 MS4 Compliance Schedule, Quarter 4, April - June time period. Some points discussed were: The Stormwater Utility pushed out an outreach brochure targeted to Waste Management firms that serve Oro Valley, to look at their vehicles, that they are not leaking and that their operators are not spilling trash out of the truck. The Stormwater Utility pushed out a Public outreach flyer to all Oro Valley residents. Internal training of the MS4 compliance to town staff focused this year on Parks and Recreation Operations and Maintenance staff. The Annual Report to the State in August, which is annually presented to Commission in September. Chair Crocker congratulated the Stormwater Utility for checking all the boxes on the 2023/2024 Town of Oro Valley MS4 Compliance Schedule.

	4.	DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION OF PRE-MONSOON MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
		Mr. Spiker gave a presentation on pre-monsoon maintenance activities. Included in the discussion was the maintenance done this year by Pima County on Mutterer / Pusch / Rooney Wash and the Valle De Oro/Gravel Pit Wash. Mr. Spiker also commented on the ongoing process of the SWU doing Drainage Asset Maintenance within the Town, where the SWU inspects private and public assets.

	5.	DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION OF THE SIERRA WASH AT VIA MANDARINA BOX CULVERT OUTLET APRON IMPROVEMENTS
		Mr. Spiker gave a presentation on the improvements being made to address the erosion and scour at the box culvert outlet apron in the Sierra Wash at Via Mandarina. Just north of Overton, near the NE corner of N La Cholla Blvd and W Naranja Dr, the Sierra Wash at Via Mandarina has been experiencing significant channel degradation. The Sierra Wash location at Via Mandarina will be addressed due to funding awarded by DEMA and FEMA and with supporting funds by the SWU. During the presentation, while reviewing the plans for the project, Mr. Spiker stated that it was designed 100% in house by the Stormwater Utility. Vice Chair Mattson stated that the SWU was very good at internalizing costs.

	6.	PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF ADOPTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 AND POTENTIAL FUTURE RATE SCENARIO
		Mr. Spiker presented the adopted FY 24/25 Town Council Budget for the Stormwater Utility (SWU) and a potential SWU financial scenario to address staying compliant with the State and Federal stormwater quality and floodplain management requirements. The discussion included future capital improvement projects and maintenance needs identified by the SWU to address aging infrastructure. The adopted budget was presented as part of the preferred future rate scenario as well. Forecasted revenues, expenses and reserves were discussed during the presentation. Timeframes for rate review report and potential rate adjustment were discussed. • Commissioner Hawkinson recommended that the multitude of scenarios presented to the Commission over the last 2 years be mentioned in the rate review report. • Commissioner Hawkinson recommended that the initial mission of the Stormwater Utility be discussed in the rate review report along with how the Stormwater Utility staff are accomplishing that goal now. • Commissioner Mattson mentioned that the preferred rate scenario was discussed at the May 2024 Stormwater Utility Commission meeting and that inflation was the primary driver in the proposed rate adjustment.

ADJOURNMENT


				Motion by Commissioner Rob Schlicher, seconded by Vice Chair Gary Mattson to adjourn the meeting.

				Vote: 4 - 0 Carried
				Chair Crocker adjourned the meeting at 5:47 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 18th day of July 2024. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

___________________________
Yarina Hynd
Senior Office Specialist