MEETING
NSD Business Office
1326 W. Highway 92 #12
Bisbee, AZ 85620
May 3, 2024
Minutes
Regular Meeting
2:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 2:02 PM. Stephen Dey, Charles Behney, Jesus Guerrero, and Angelica Coronado were present. Andrew Foster was absent.
Mr. Dey reported that he and Mr. Behney met earlier in the morning with engineers from Kimley-Horne concerning regionalization of wastewater management, cooperation with the Camp Naco and Camp Riff projects, and the need to mitigate the problems regarding Green Bush Draw effluent trespass, and the expanding sulfate plume that threatens the Naco-Bisbee sole source aquifer. Mr. Dey stated that we needed to “go through the process” (of bids) with Kimley-Horne expressing interest in regionalization to better serve the transboundary communities with coordinated planning and engineering for the upcoming Naco projects.
Mr. Behney reported that he and Mr. Dey had attended the Cochise County Planning and Zoning meeting regarding the Camp Riff project, with the NSD expressing support for the proposal. The Camp Riff project passed with a vote of 4 in favor and 3 against. NSD agreed to provide up to 25,000 gallons per day to Camp Riff in a phased build-out.
Mr. Dey stated that NSD had over $20,000 with $30,000 in taxes still to be collected. Mr. Behney said the Camp Riff project and its 170 acres will be annexed to NSD. Details and legal procedures will be worked out during the next fiscal year. Green Bush Draw will then be within NSD boundaries. A minor emergency regarding the flowmeter was solved onsite. Mr. Behney will receive training on the flowmeter soon. A gaming fund for grants is available for Naco, and should be pursued. Mr. Dey suggested a vacuum truck or backhoe could be obtained with such grants. The county sent this to NSD, and its cooperation was noted.
Mr. Behney recapped the earlier meeting with Kimley-Horne engineers and RCAC program manager Ramon Lucero, who also attended by phone. Interest in the USDA-RD SEARCH grant for Preliminary Engineering Review was discussed. This included an asset inventory and canvassing the collection system and lagoons since they are at end of life phases. Mr. Lucero is assisting in the PER advertisement for bids, and Kimley-Horne wants an onsite inspection. Mr. Behney will also provide an aerial survey. There are several possible phases, including pipes to Sonora, a constructed wetlands with a sequential batch reactor, clean-up of Green Bush Draw, and walkways from the proposed constructed wetlands, to Camp Naco and Camp Riff.
NSD Municipal Attorney Jon Paladini joined by phone. Mr. Paladini was informed of the preliminary meeting with Kimley-Horne. Mr. Dey stated the PER advertisement will be published in the Bisbee Observer. Kimley-Horne is highly regarded, and is already working with Camp Riff and Camp Naco.
New Business
The minutes for March 1, 2024 was discussed and approved with minor changes. The motion was passed unanimously.
Mr. Behney then read the proposed utility will serve letter for the Camp Riff:
Re: Parcels 10257305B & 10257194C Permission to Connect to Naco Sanitary District Sewer Systems
Dear Erin Harris and Samone Marquez :
The Naco Sanitary District grants permission to you to connect Parcels 10257305B & 10257194C to the Naco Sanitary District pipes and system. We allow for Kimley-Horn engineers to plan and connect sewer lines as needed for Camp Naco. No other permission is granted other than sewage services and wastewater treatment by the Naco Sanitary District.
We request plans, maps and other code related information from the Contractors and inspections by NSD before you bury Camp Naco service connections.
Naco Sanitary District will provide 3000 gallons per day of wastewater discharge and treatment for Camp Naco, as agreed on April 25, 2024 between the City of Bisbee and NSD.
The City of Bisbee offered to pay for services in a Memorandum of Understanding, even though they are not on the property tax roles. Details will be forthcoming for NSD.
Mr. Paladini approved the letter as written. Mr. Dey made a motion to approve the letter as written, to be sent to the City of Bisbee and Kimley-Horne. The motion was seconded by Mr. Behney and it passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
Mr. Dey discussed annexation. The owner must request annexation with the Board of Supervisors according to ARS Title 48. The proper procedures for annexation need to be researched. The tax base could increase by 30%, depending on property valuation. Rates for NSD residents could go down significantly. Mr. Behney suggested speaking with the County Assessor, now that the planning and zoning has been approved.
Mr. Dey then summarized the budget proposals for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. For the most part, the budget would have some salary and office increases due to inflation, but would be the same as the current budget, without any other increases or changes. There would be carry-overs to cover last year expenses. Ten thousand dollars covers site maintenance. Maintenance expenses will increase slightly to cover inflation. The Operations and Maintenance and Emergency Reserve funds will be merged. These accounts are already established with the County Treasurer and will not need to be set up. If a grantor requires a separate reserve account, then it would be established as needed. Reserve accounts will be funded with NSD taxes.
Mr. Paladini suggested a special meeting for the budget, since the proposed budget approval as not on the agenda.
There were no other comments from the board nor the public. The meeting was adjourned at 2:27 PM.
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Stephen T. Dey
Naco Sanitary District Chair
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