Feb. 11, 2026 – Regular Meeting

• Mayor Andrea Wood reported on a very successful science fair by the elementary school students on Feb. 11.

• Zay Hartigan, chief of the Patagonia Volunteer Fire and Rescue, reported that the department responded to 22 calls during the previous month. These included 17 medical calls, two not in Patagonia, two public assists, a landing zone event by the clinic, one smoke report and one structure fire. 

• The mayor and council voted to approve the renaming of Forrest Road, whose name had mistakenly been written as Forest Road.

• In new business, the mayor and council gave approval for Antonia Garcia, with Croppers Auto of Nogales, to set up three vehicles near the Doc Mock Park gazebo at Fourth Avenue for a Feb. 21 event. The organizers will pay the $225 regular park use fee for the event, which will raise money for auto shop program at Patagonia Union High School.

Feb. 25, 2026 – Regular Meeting

• During the Call to the Public, Carolyn Shafer – a longtime member of the Flood and Flow Committee – noted that the Forest Service had not responded to a request made years ago for a comprehensive groundwater study to serve as a baseline understanding of local watersheds before mining at the South32 Hermosa mine begins. Shafer also mentioned that the year ending in August 2025 was the sixth hottest on record and that long-term regional drought is continuing. She urged the town and other local government entities involved in the negotiations with South32 over the Community Benefits and Protections Agreement to be sure that strong protections for water are an integral part. 

• Also during the Call to the Public, Alex Johnson asserted that, from the residents’ point of view, South32 has accountability for potential water toxicity and questioned whether it skirted regulations in obtaining a permit adjustment from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. He said the company’s most recent public presentations lacked specifics of water quality monitoring and the company’s responses to exceedances. He recommended keeping corporate accountability on Town Council agendas.

• The mayor introduced Carmen Fuentes, the new deputy town manager and community specialist. Fuentes described her 30 years of experience with Santa Cruz County government, including stints with planning and zoning, the county clerk’s office, and Human Resources.

• Geohydrologist Chris Gardner gave an update on his recent water monitoring in Harshaw Creek. He asked the council to request increased testing of discharged water as well as dye tracer studies.

• The mayor and council approved rental of a 5-acre parcel on Harshaw Road to Destination Trail for the Arizona Monster 300 race. The parcel will be used for race headquarters and the finish line for the race, which runs from March 27 to April 3. Destination Trail will pay $3,600.

• The mayor and council approved a liquor license requested by the Patagonia Community Garden for an Earth Day fundraiser for general garden support and for its scholarship fund. The event will be held at the garden, at Smelter Avenue and Fourth Avenue, on April 22.

• German Quiroga, president of the Patagonia Museum board of trustees, spoke about an upcoming visit by the “Road to 250: Arizona Traveling Museum,” which commemorates Arizona’s history since the United States was founded. The mobile museum will visit Patagonia on March 7.

• The mayor and council adopted Town Ordinance No. 26-02, which amends Administration Section 3-3-1, regarding procurement procedures, and Section 3-2-3, regarding special appointments of attorneys to represent the town in specific cases or issues.

• Council Member Francesca Claverie announced that there would be a benefit at the Patagonia Lumber Co. on March 1 for Keith Spooner’s bird-inspired sculpture in the Town Park.