City celebrates early repayment of bond debt

Moving Forward

At Thursday’s meeting, the Sierra Vista City Council celebrated the early repayment of bond debt tied to many of the public facilities and amenities our community has been able to benefit from over the past two decades.

The bonds were originally issued in 2000 and 2008, before being refinanced together in 2017. They amounted to more than $38 million and paid for key projects including Fire Station 3 and the tower 3 fire engine, the Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center, Cyr Center Park, The Cove, the Pedro Castro Maintenance Center, a police station expansion, a parks maintenance building, and the Centennial Pavilion.

These projects provided needed public safety improvements and quality of life amenities. City Manager Chuck Potucek noted that by paying this debt off about a year and a half early the City positions itself well to address future needs.

“What that will do on behalf of the community is free up over a million dollars a year that’s been going toward that debt service,” Potucek said. “That will certainly help use with projects such as our parks plan, the payments we have to make toward the public safety retirement system, as well as our street maintenance. A lot of good is going to come out of this in the future and it’s nice to have more budget flexibility as a result.”

Holding a copy on the initial bond statement, Mayor Rick Mueller credited the City management team, as well as current and past city councils, for their prudent financial management that has put the City in a favorable position today.

“When you talk about this much money paid off early, it has a great impact on a City whose average budget for the last years has been just a little over 80 million,” Mueller said, shortly before tearing the ceremonial document to a round of applause.

“That’s a big deal. At one point we had $44 million of debt in the City and now we’re down to just a couple,” Mueller said. “And that’s over a period where we were going through a recession.”

City Council News

Grant will help fund park and sports improvements

The Sierra Vista City Council accepted a $1.5 million grant for improvements at Veterans Memorial Park and the adjacent Veterans Memorial Park Sports Complex at its meeting on Thursday. The grant was awarded by Arizona State Parks & Trails, with funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The grant will go toward improvements that will help conserve water, provide additional public park area, and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. The improvements include:

· Installing artificial turf at the sports complex football field

· Reconfiguring the sports complex soccer field and installing drainage improvements

· Updating the Veterans Memorial Park wellsite with a storage tank, booster station, and necessary electrical components

· Replacing the irrigation system at the sports complex

The total estimated project cost is $3,090,000, including a City match of $1.5 million and grant-required surcharge of $90,000 also paid for by the City.

In other business:

· The City Council approved an easement for Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative to place electrical lines needed to power the new emergency medical services substation being constructed at the corner of Buffalo Soldier Trail and 7^th Street.

· The City Council approved amendments to Chapter 30 of the City Code of Ordinances, which governs the council. The amendments update the code language to reflect current technology and practices.

· The City Council approved the reappointment of John Moreno to the Parks and Recreation Commission, said term to expire Dec. 31, 2023.

· Mayor Rick Mueller proclaimed Jan. 17, 2022 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in and for the City of Sierra Vista.

Details on the council meeting items are available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Jan. 13, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server.

Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more.

Extraordinary Activities

This month’s featured project at the Art Studio is Heart-Shaped Trinket Trays. These easy-to-make trays would make a perfect Valentine's gift or a keepsake.

The cost is $10 a person and includes two visits to the studio (one to build and one to glaze), clay, and use of other tools. For more information, email Mollie Shelton or call (520) 458-7922. You can also drop by the Art Studio Wednesday through Thursday from 2 - 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The Art Studio is located inside the Oscar Yrun Community Center.

Uncommon Recreation

The City of Sierra Vista has partnered with the Coronado Sports Club, a nonprofit sports organization, to provide a spring soccer league. Registration is now open, and the last day to register is March 12.

Registration is open to children born between 2003 - 2017 (ages 4-18). The league costs $85 per person, but returning fall players receive a $25 discount.

There will be a $10 late fee for registrations after March 5. The season is scheduled to run mid-March to mid- to late-May. You can register over the phone, in person, or online.

If you or someone you know is interested in coaching, email [email protected]. Coaches get one player free, plus practice space once per week.

Social Snapshot

This week, the Sierra Vista Police Department recognized #SVPolice Officer Phaydra Sperle not just for the actions she took to help save a young girl’s life in 2021 but also for her continued support to both the girl and the girl's mother following the incident. The incident in question also happened to be Officer Sperle’s first call for service on her first shift as a solo officer just off field training! Read more.

City Announcements

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative shared this week that Cochise County customers have been reporting scams involving people claiming to represent the utility (and other local utilities) both via phone calls and door-to-door visits. Learn more so you do not fall prey to a scammer.

All City facilities will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Monday’s trash collection will shift to Tuesday, Jan. 18. Tuesday’s trash pickup will occur on Wednesday, Jan. 19. No special pickups will be available on Wednesday.

Recent Business Licenses

Saguaro Learning — 1746 Paseo San Luis
Lotus Moon Esthetics — 1502 E. Fry Blvd. Ste. 4

Upcoming Meetings

There are no City Council meetings scheduled for next week.

Watch Council Meetings

Head to our YouTube Channel to stream City Council meetings live or watch previous meetings.

Accommodations

For any special needs or accommodations, please notify Jill Adams 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Reach Ms. Adams at (520) 458-3315 or through the Arizona Relay Service at 7-1-1.

City of Sierra Vista

(520) 458-3315

1011 N. Coronado Drive

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635