PINE-STRAWBERRY WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Thursday July 27, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
PSWID Administrative Office
6306 W Hardscrabble Rd.
Pine, AZ 85544
- CALL TO ORDER
- Cory Ellsworth called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- Conducted by Cory Ellsworth
- PRAYER
- Offered by Larry Bagshaw
- ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
- Conducted by Cory Ellsworth: Board members present: Cory Ellsworth, Sharon Hillman, George Gorkowski, Victor Tayao, Steve Bowen, and Larry Bagshaw. A quorum was present. Paul Hendricks, EUSI, was also present. Steve Wene, the district’s attorney, was present via Go to Meeting.
- CALL FOR MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
- June 28,2023 – Study Session Minutes. George Gorkowski moved the minutes be approved. Sharon Hillman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- June 29, 2023 – Public Hearing & Regular Meeting Minutes. Sharon Hillman moved the minutes be approved. George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- REPORTS TO THE BOARD
- WIFA/EUSI Program Manager’s Report– As posted to the website.
- Treasurer’s Report – As posted to the website.
- Secretary’s report – None.
- Vice Chairman’s report – George Gorkowski reported that he was almost done gathering data and would be scheduling a study session in August.
- Committee Report – Victor Tayao reported that the Community Relations committee met on July 20. Enhancements have been made to the website. Blue forms are available online. The latest updates show first. Pictures and roles of staff will be online. The committee suggested that the board approve a deposit in lieu of a building permit for meters and that the board consider adding a procedure to the Rules & Regulations for removing a board member.
- District Attorney’s Report –Steve Wene reported that he had worked on 5 issues. The claims in the Wilson matter have been settled. The report on the community issues has been finalized and will be posted to the website. Nelson’s OEC complaint will be going into mediation next month. There has been no response to the Halperin James complaint about the SV3 wellsite from their attorney. The Lavendar Farm owners still want the district to move their meter to a new location, which is not possible due to the moratorium, but they also want to see if there is a way to see who on the meter wait list is serious vs land speculation.
- Chairman’s report – Cory Ellsworth thanked Steve Wene for his time and work on the issues. The board reviewed the resumes submitted for manager position and interviewed the top two candidates. Steve Bowen will be the district’s new operations manager. As to the moratorium, the board wants to act with correct production, storage, and usage data before making any decision.
- COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
- Yvette Meza submitted an online blue card stating she was against the moratorium. Kevin Rundstrom wanted an update on when he would get his meter and water service. Louis Presti also wanted an update on the moratorium, as he needs a date for his meter installation for his construction loan by October. David Diggs wanted to see if the district had a drawing of what the SV3 well site (former McKnight property) would look like after completion. Pam Mason also stated that social media posts showed concern about the looks of the site.
- BUSINESS
- DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING LETTERS OF ENGAGEMENT WITH HINTONBURDICK FOR AN AUDIT AND SPECIAL AUDIT. Sharon Hillman. HintonBurdick has been the auditors for the district for the past several years. We received the engagement letter for this year’s audit and the fee will increase from $21,150 to $22,500. The Special Audit for the USDA will increase from $3,500 to $4,100. We get reimbursed for the Special Audit fee from USDA’s interim financing with WIFA. Sharon Hillman moved that the board approve retaining HintonBurdick for the FY 23/24 audits and authorized the chairman and treasurer to sign the engagement letter. Larry Bagshaw seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VARIOUS PNC BANK SWEEP ACCOUNTS OFFERED TO EARN BETWEEN $4,000 TO AS HIGH AT $7,500 MONTHLY INTEREST WITH THE OPERATIONS ACCOUNT BALANCES. Sharon Hillman. Sharon and Kristi Allen had a meeting with PNC Bank about having the funds in the Operations account swept at night and returned the next day with interest added. The board looked at the three options and decided to try the Money Market Fund Sweep which would earn us about 4.7% interest and cost a monthly fee of $400. Sharon Hillman moved that the board approve selecting the Money Market Fund Sweep account with 4.7% interest and fee of $400. George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF STEVE BOWEN FROM THE BOARD AND ANNOUNCE AN OPEN BOARD POSITION. Cory Ellsworth. Sharon Hillman moved that the board accept the resignation. George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The board position applications will be posted online, can be gotten from the office, and the announcement will be in the Roundup.
- IDENTIFY POTENTIAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON August 24, 2023.
- Deposit in lieu of building permit for meter.
- Bids on the vacuum trailer
- Moratorium study session in August, and agenda item.
- Procedure to remove board member added to Rules & Regulations, even though it is covered by a state statute.
- ADJOURNMENT.
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- Sharon Hillman moved the meeting be adjourned. George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.