November 19, 2025
During Call to the Public, Zander Ault explained the proposal for a multi-use trail that would begin at the first Harshaw Creek bridge,and extend along Harshaw Road to the old Arizona Trail Trailhead. The proposed route lies within Santa Cruz County, and stops near the Coronado National Forest boundary. As an unpaved, nonmotorized trail, it would be of use to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders.
Council approved a new job description for Deputy Town Manager. The primary function of the deputy town manager is to be backup when the Town Manager is not available, particularly in case of emergency. Requests for qualification will go out shortly.
Council approved Manager Ron Robinson to contract for design services with CPE consultants for the conceptual design of a Daycare Center, to be sited on the east side of the Town’s recently acquired five-acre parcel on Harshaw Ave, with affordable housing to be positioned on the west side. The cost associated with this contract was not discussed. The town will lease the Center for 1-2 years to an operator, who would assume liability for the operation. For economy, the Center will be a metal building. Initially, capacity will be for 15-20 children and related staff, and the building will be designed and sited for expansion.
The PAC (Pacific-Atlantic-Cycling) cycling group was approved for use of Doc Mock Park Gazebo on portions of three days in March of 2026, for their annual biking event. The times are 11am-1pm on March 9 and 8-9am on March 17 and 24. This event has been held for several years, and the group has a tradition of giving a portion of their profits to the Town.
Council approved Manager Robinson to apply for a $7,560 South32/ Hermosa grant for new Christmas decorations for the town, the current set being 40 or more years old.
Council approved Manager Robinson to begin discussions with CPE Consultants on the design, engineering and management for reconstruction of the Fourth Avenue Public Restrooms’ parking area.
Michael Young, president of the PVFR board, has written a grant request that was submitted to the Tohono O’odham nation, which distributes funds to communities in their ancestral lands. The $14,330 grant is intended to cover radio communications equipment for the Patagonia Volunteer Fire and Rescue. This grant would be facilitated by the Town, who would distribute the funds to PVFR.
Council approved the town manager to make a $500 contract with Michelle Girard, an approved Forest Monitor. The contract is for her to do inspection and the filing of proper paperwork under the U S Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Conservation Easement program. The easement program will ensure that 1,800 acres of land in the Sonoita Creek Wildlife Corridor remains in an undeveloped state. The money will come from interest on $25,000 which Borderlands Restoration Network had deposited with the Town in May, 2022, a form of endowment.
Mayor Wood was approved by Council to sign a letter of support for Santa Cruz County’s request for an Arizona Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant. The grant amount has not been finalized, but its intention is to build a biking and hiking trail along 1.6 miles of Harshaw Road, to separate non-motorized travelers from increased heavy traffic on that segment of the road. This is the project that Zander Ault had discussed in Call to Public.
Alan Sanchez, Santa Cruz County Flood Plain Coordinator, was appointed to the Flood and Flow Committee and introduced to the Council and community members in attendance.
Several items from previous meetings continue on the Future Agenda list, including firebreaks south of town.