January 14, 2026

At Call to Public, Patagonia Middle School eighth graders Isabella Felix and Ayla LaDage requested Council to approve their bake sale on Feb. 7, at Quiroga Lane, to raise funds for an end-of-year field trip. It was later approved in New Business. 

The legacy and life of former Mayor Richard “Ike” Isakson was honored by a statement by Mayor Wood and a minute of silence.

In New Business, Chris Gardner, a registered geologist, reported on antimony in South32’s discharge to Harshaw Creek and potential mobilization of existing contamination in the Harshaw Creek watershed.

Mayor and Council approved the Town Manager to sign a $33,290 contract with KE&G construction for well cap repair and work on the wastewater treatment plant’s electrical panel.

Three Town Ordinances were adopted, modifying the Town Code. No. 25-01 adds a new subsection on Town Manager’s duties as an amendment to Town Code Section 3-2-1. 25-02 provides changes to Chapter 12, Water and Sewer. These changes implement the fees and rates previously adopted by the Town Council, and replace all references to “Town Clerk/Treasurer” with “Town Manager.” 25-03 amends Section 7-1-5 of Chapter 7, Building, to reduce overall building fees and simplify the process of assigning value to a construction project. 

Council voted to repeal Town Code Section 2-6-3 in order to allow passage of Town Ordinances in one reading, streamlining the former two-reading process. 

Presiding Magistrate Concepcion Bracamonte swore in Judge Miguel A. Lopez as Court Magistrate pro tem, for a term of one year. 

Jan. 21, 2026

Council consulted in executive session with Town Attorney Mike Massey and received legal advice concerning the “Early Actions Funding Agreement” draft now being considered among signatories in the Hermosa Community Protection and Benefits Agreement (CPBA) process.

January 28, 2026

Council chambers were standing room only, with about 50 people at the meeting, and another half-dozen or so on Zoom. 

The Mayor noted a change of date for the eighth-graders’ bake sale from Feb 7 to Feb 13, at the same location. 

In Call to Public, Anna Darian, Executive Director of Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, expressed concerns she’d been hearing from residents about possible toxicity of local water supplies from Hermosa water discharges. Chris Werkoven raised questions of whether there could be a “plume” of toxicity after the closure of the Hermosa, and wants to be sure strong monitoring is part of the protections that get written into the CPBA. Gregg Gorton presented a fact sheet on antimony and its effects. 

South32 Hermosa President Pat Risner gave an extended update on Hermosa water monitoring results. He claimed some facts on the timeline had been distorted by those questioning the discharge practices, testing and results. Risner went on to explain the timing of sampling and why a single exceedance of a water standard is not viewed as a health risk. He explained the design of Hermosa’s water treatment plants, and their flexibility to respond to changing conditions.

Spirit 100 cycling event organizer Zander Ault recapped last November’s event. He said 450 visitors had come to the town for the weekend, spending an average of $670, with 77% staying for the whole weekend. Riders spent an average of $2,000 on race weekend. His data shows that $234,505 was spent in Patagonia during the event; $30,000 was gifted to the Arizona Trail organization. Ault appreciated three local organizations as partners: Borderlands Restoration Network, Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, and the Patagonia Museum. 

Ault said that for this year’s Spirit World event, planned for November 5-8, organizers hope to be granted permission by Council to use the main park area for a Saturday evening music event, and to use the Town’s property along Harshaw Ave. for visitor camping. 

Council adopted Ordinance 26-01, which allows for the passage of Ordinances in one reading by repealing Town Code’s Section 2-6-3.

Council voted to recommend to the AZ Department of Liquor License and Control that a special event license be granted to Community Homes of Patagonia for a brunch and concert fundraiser on February 14. 

Council approved the paying of the Town’s current bills.