City seeks letter of interest for vacant council seat

Moving Forward

City seeks letters of interest for vacant council seat

The City is accepting letters of interest from Sierra Vista residents who are interested in filling a City Council vacancy created by the resignation of Mayor Pro Tem Rachel Gray on Monday, July 11.

Gray submitted petitions to run for mayor on Monday and has been qualified to appear on the General Election ballot in November. She resigned her current seat on the City Council to run for mayor, which is required by state law.

Community members may submit letters of interest to fill the remainder of Gray’s term, which is due to end on Dec. 31, 2024. Letters and any supporting materials can be submitted from 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20. The letters must be submitted via email to Jill.Adams@SierraVistaAz.gov or delivered personally to City Hall at 1011 N. Coronado Dr.

The letters must contain the following information:

The applicant’s name, address, and telephone number
A statement of what the applicant considers to be their qualifications for serving on the City Council
Reasons why they would like to serve on the City Council
A notarized statement attesting that they are a qualified elector of the City and have lived in the City continuously for a one-year period prior to the date of application. A form for this statement is available from the City Clerk upon request.

Anyone with questions regarding the required documentation to be considered by council may contact City Clerk Jill Adams at (520) 439-2145 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

City News

Council approves CDBG funds for park improvements and more

The Sierra Vista City Council approved plans to use the City’s annual allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant funds for improvements at Soldiers Creek Park and for the City’s Emergency Home Repair and Disabilities Modification Program at Thursday’s regular meeting.

The City Council also approved plan amendments needed to accept the City’s third allocation of CARES Act CDBG funds dedicated to crisis relief provided due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest allocation of $77,209 brings the City’s total of CARES Act CDBG funds to $476,457. The new funds will be used primarily to provide rent and utility assistance, emergency hotel/motel vouchers, and continue hosting the monthly Community Connect event at the Ethel H. Berger Center.

The City has worked with the United Way to distribute these crisis relief funds and Mayor Rick Mueller said the nonprofit has done a good job getting the funds to the folks who need it. The City is working on an agreement with United Way to disburse this latest allocation and that agreement will come to council for approval at a later date.

As for the City’s regular annual share of CDBG dollars, the City expects to receive $252,172. The Council approved the Plan Year 2022 CDBG Annual Action Plan, which allocates $227,172 to improvements at Soldiers Creek Park and $25,000 to continue the City’s Emergency Home Repair and Disabilities Modification Program.

The park improvements will be completed concurrently with the renovation of North Garden Avenue to create a more pedestrian-friendly, attractive streetscape, suited to holding special events. Improvements include landscaping, irrigation, lighting, and recreational features like an embankment slide to enhance the upper portion of Soldiers Creek Park that was previously unusable. If budget allows, landscaping improvements will also extend to Landwehr Plaza located across North Garden Avenue.

Residents who live in the Sierra Vista City limits and own their home may be eligible to receive aid with emergency home repairs to substandard housing conditions. The funds approved Thursday will continue this program but previous funding is still currently available as well and the City is currently accepting applications. Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements and have lived in their home that they own for the preceding year. Accessibility modifications needed for elderly and disabled people are also eligible.

Applications are considered based on eligibility under the program and priority of the emergency repairs. Application forms are available online at www.SierraVistaAZ.gov by searching for “emergency home repair” or in-person at City Hall. For more information, call the Community Development Department at (520) 417-4413.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, July 15, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the “City Council” folder on the City’s document server at docserve.sierravistaaz.gov/.

City 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 at www.sierravistaaz.gov/your-government/mayor-council/council-meetings/ or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

Extraordinary Activities

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at our Christmas in July Bazaar on Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ethel H. Berger Center.

This bazaar features unique and one-of-a-kind items in addition to commercial vendors. Browse through candles, glassware, jewelry, quilts, woodwork, and much more!

Uncommon Recreation

Help us celebrate the end of Summer Reading with a party at the park! We'll have a foam dance party, bouncy houses, face painting, games, and more.

The Summer Reading Finale and Rec & Roll will run from 10 a.m. to noon in Veterans Memorial Park. Rec & Roll events feature fun, family friendly activities for all to enjoy. They are available to kids of all ages at no cost.

Social Snapshot

In celebration of National Park and Recreation Month, we're highlighting the history of some of our recreational spaces and how they serve our community today in a series of videos. Please enjoy the last video of the series and learn about Sierra Vista's largest park, Veterans Memorial Park!

Veterans Memorial Park (National Parks & Rec Month)

City Announcements

The City of Sierra Vista is refreshing its website with a new look, improved stability, and better navigability. The new site launches Tuesday, July 19, with the same URL as before. We hope you enjoy exploring the new site!

Recent Business Licenses

Melts Sandwich Shoppe — 2200 El Mercado Loop (Kiosk)

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