Regular Meeting 3/7/2025
10:00 AM
NSD Business Office
1326 W. Highway 92 #12
Bisbee, Arizona 85603
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 10:34 AM. NSD Chair began the meeting without roll call. Board Director Stephen Dey noticed this mistake so the meeting was restarted with a roll call.
Charles Behney, Jesus Guerrero, Andrew Foster and Stephen Dey were present. Mr. Dey was present by a remote call.
The minutes for 2/7/2025 were discussed. Mr. Guerrero found two grammatical errors and typos which were corrected. Mr. Behney made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Mr. Foster. The minutes were approved unanimously.
The next item was the discussion and possible action on the Letters of Interest regarding the NSD vacancy. Mr. Behney stated that the NSD had posted notice of the board vacancy on the NSD website for at least a month. NSD received a Letter of Interest from Mr. Luis Silva stating his qualifications and interest in joining NSD. Mr. Behney read Mr. Silva’s letter to the board. His qualifications included being a lifetime resident of the NSD district, a professional contractor, and a supporter of the Naco Community. A motion to approve Mr. Silva was made by Mr. Behney and was seconded by Mr. Foster. The approval of Mr. Luis Silva to become an NSD director on the board passed unanimously.
The next item was the discussion of the status of the USDA SEARCH grant for NSD including the Preliminary Engineering Review Request for Proposals. Mr. Behney discussed an advertisement for a Request for Proposals for the SEARCH grant, to be published in the Bisbee Observer in the next edition.
The status of the ADEQ Notice of Violation and the ongoing efforts of NSD staff and contractors to bring the wastewater treatment plant back into full compliance was discussed. This detailed the ongoing work from Tanner Well Services. Brent Weller’s progress in improving the road to Monitor Well #3 and lagoon 4 embankment and vegetation deficiencies was also noted. Actions that remain to reach full compliance were reported by Mr. Behney
Next, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Notice of Violation (NOV) was discussed. Mr. Behney stated that the three monitor wells were on schedule to be repaired and fully operatonal and compliant before March 30th. Tanner Well Services had Monitor Well #3 almost operational. The current depth of MW #3 was 94 feet. Tanner’s crew removed sand and sludge, and should have Monitor Well #1 back in working condition soon. Silvics Electric has ordered a control panel for MW #2, to replace the old control panel. NSD crews were continuing work on the berms and embankments as needed. Site Manager, Chris Willhoite has the Naco Fire Chief ready to do controlled burns on Lagoon #4. He also stated that the shed was cleaned of junk and debris. Holes were being repaired. A giant rat was no longer living inside. High winds impeded Mr. Brent Weller’s repair of the berms and embankments. The NOV’s remaining problems should be repaired and completed before the deadline with ADEQ. Quarterly testing by March 30th should be conducted within its quarterly deadline with ADEQ.
For New Business, a Resolution to the Greater Arizona Development Authority (GADA) for $100,000 funding was next. Mr. Behney read a draft resolution to GADA to the board. The resolution shows board support and approval to seek funds from GADA for a Preliminary Engineering Review (PER) for the NSD WWTP. This PER would analyze NSD system assets and provide guidance for approaching the North American Development Bank (NADB) to seek funds from the Border Environmental Infrastructure Funds, which NSD qualifies for. Mr. Dey expressed his full support and approval for this resolution, and hhe made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Mr. Foster. The GADA resolution passed unanimously.
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Charles Behney, NSD Chair