May 8, 2024
In Call to Public, Ralph Schmitt responded to Ron Ochoa’s “First Annual Patagonia Mountain Bike Charity Event,” proposed for May 25 and 26. He raised concerns about the lack of detail in the request for this event, including liability, safety, parking, insurance, camping, sanitation and other permitting. For the event planning group, Shelton Sherrill addressed some of these concerns, stating that his group’s primary interest was in working with community and the town for a successful event, a fun ride intending to comply with all ordinances of Town and County. Post-race events were to feature food, drinks and live music, with proceeds partially benefiting Patagonia Food Bank and Voices from the Border.
The event’s request for a liquor license was not approved. The event’s proposal to use town roads (Fourth Ave. and Franklin) to access Mr. Ochoa’s property was tabled for lack of specificity.
Under New Business, the Council approved the 2025 Fiscal Year budget.
The Mayor and Council approved the resolution adopting the Santa Cruz County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024.
The contract services agreement between the Town of Patagonia and Micaela De la Ossa was renewed.
The Updated Library Policy was approved.
Summer Smith was appointed as a paid intern assistant to the town’s Manager/Clerk and the position was added as a permanent part of the Town’s administrative staff.
Councilor Reibslager moved for approval of town action on Accounts Receivable with a now-classic line, “Madame Mayor, I propose we pay the bills.” No one disagreed.
May 29, 2024
In the absence of the Mayor, the meeting was run by Vice Mayor Stabile.
Philip Brister, a board member of the Senior Citizens’ Center, supported the town’s approval of the Center and presented a short report on their activities.
Fatima Escobedo, an assistant to Ron Ochoa, thanked the Council for producing an event checklist that would help her group in refining its proposed event, now being considered for Labor Day Weekend.
Councilor Finch gave a summary of Planning and Development activities, explaining that in the last year there’d been a three-month pause in the committee’s work because of “lack of business,” i.e. no use permit applications or other issues needing their attention. He added that there’d been a two-year review of the ReLeaf marijuana operation, with no major concerns found.
The sale of a town parcel to Nate Porter was accepted. At 63 cents/sq. ft., the sale price was $945.00.
The special event permit application from the Ron Ochoa group was tabled for further consideration. Councilor Finch had reviewed what other municipalities have in place for event permitting, noting that the town may not need the word “Special” in the permit’s title, and that many other towns had administrative provisions that interfaced event permitting with other aspects of the regulations, such as definitions, a review process, provisions for violations and fees.
Gerry Isaac’s resignation from the Planning and Development Committee was approved, with thanks for his six-year participation.
The Vice Mayor, acting for the Mayor, and Council approved the Patagonia Senior Citizens Community Center Management Agreement for the period July 2, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
A Special Council Meeting and Executive Session was scheduled for 6:00 pm Wednesday June 5, 2024, to discuss elements of the Community Protections and Benefits Agreement.
For the Phase 5 McKeown Ave. Road Project, CPD Consultants, construction managers, presented a project description and rough schedule.
Robert Proctor was approved as Town representative to the Rural Water Working Group, an Arizona Dept. of Water Resources initiative called the Rural Watershed Initiative, addressing water supply issues for areas outside Arizona’s six Active Management Areas.