PINE-STRAWBERRY WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Thursday November 30, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
PSWID Administrative Office
6306 W Hardscrabble Rd.
Pine, AZ 85544
- 1. CALL TO ORDER
Cory Ellsworth called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
- 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Conducted by Cory Ellsworth
- 3. PRAYER
Offered by Larry Bagshaw.
- 4. SWEARING IN OF MICHAEL BRENT PRUETT.
Morgan Motz, notary public, administered the oath of office.
- 5. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
Conducted by Cory Ellsworth: Board members present: Sharon Hillman, Cory Ellsworth, George Gorkowski, Brent Pruett, and Larry Bagshaw. A quorum was present. Paul Hendricks, EUSI, Kristi Allen, accountant, and Steve Bowen, manager, were also present. Steve Wene, the district’s attorney, was present via phone.
- 6. CALL FOR MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
October 26, 2023 – Regular Meeting Minutes. Sharon Hillman moved the minutes be approved.
Cory Ellsworth seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
November 16, 2023 – Special Session Minutes. Sharon Hillman moved the minutes be approved.
Cory Ellsworth seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
- 7. REPORTS TO THE BOARD
- a. WIFA/EUSI Program Manager’s Report– As posted to the website.
- b. Field Operations Report – 8 leaks were repaired. A new field crew member is being hired.
- c. Treasurer’s Report – As posted to the website.
- d. Secretary’s report – None.
- e. Vice Chairman’s report – As posted to the website.
- f. District Attorney’s Report –Steve Wene reported that he had worked on several issues. He has not heard anything further from the Attorney General’s office regarding the Nelson EOC claim. The district received a demand letter from Apache Underground and most of the issues addressed in it are being resolved. USDA was given information regarding the Halperin James lawsuit. The litigation is ongoing on the Halperin James lawsuit and will be discussed in the executive session.
- g. Chairman’s Report – None
- 8. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
- I. Tiffany Halperin stated that the deep well site should be an asset to the neighborhood and not a degradation to it.
- II. David Diggs commented that the board made several mistakes concerning the location of the deep well. He reiterated again that the board did not do community outreach and that the board does not have the respect of its customers. He accused the board of lying and covering up information.
- 9. BUSINESS. Discussion and possible action regarding the following items:
- I. APPROVING THE 2023 AUDIT REPORT. Sharon Hillman. Hinton Burdick completed and provided the audit report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023, for both the Regular Audit and the Single Audit for the Federal Government required based on funds received during the year from USDA. All Board members have been provided with an electronic copy as well as a bound copy of the reports. The report contains no recommendations this year as all records reviewed follow the Rules & Regulations and Internal Controls in place by the district. The approved Audit Reports will be available to the public and posted to the website on December 1, 2023. Sharon Hillman moved the board accept the 2023 audit reports as presented and approved posting to the district website. George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
- II. APPROVING THE PORTALS 1 & 2 WATERLINE REPLACEMENT CONTRACT TO MOUNTAIN HIGH EXCAVATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,833,807. Sharon Hillman. The Portals 1 & 2 Waterline Replacements were let for bid on October 19, 2023. The bid opening was held with five bidders present. The lowest bidder was Mountain High Excavating in the amount of $4,833,807. All required information has been submitted to USDA for approval. Sharon Hillman moved that the board approve the Notice of Award and Contract dated December 19,2023, for the Chairman’s signature with the Notice to Proceed dated January 19, 2024, for the signature to Mountain High Excavating in the amount of $4,833,807. George Gorkowski seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
- III. APPROVING THE COST ESTIMATES ON THE MILK RANCH I WELL REHABILITATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,295.60. Sharon Hillman. The plan is to have KP Ventures insert a 150gpm test pump and a video tube so Pacific Surveys, LLC can video the well during operations to determine where the sand is coming from as well as test pump the well to see if we can get more capacity than the current 19gpm. The video as well as a spinner survey will be done at the same time. The total cost estimates are $53,095.60 +- a new pump if the one gets damaged for around $14,000. The entire total could be $67,295.60. Clear Creek Associates — Engineering – $ 6,500.00 Pacific Surveys, LLC— Video & Spinner – $7,580.00 KP Ventures, LLC – $39,015.60 +- new pump. Sharon Hillman moved that the board approve the proposals from Clear Creek Associates, KP Ventures, LLC and Pacific Surveys, LLC for a total not to exceed $67,295. 60 for the Chairman to sign. Larry Bagshaw seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
- 10. IDENTIFY POTENTIAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON DECEMBER 28, 2023.
None as of now
- 11. ADJOURNMENT.
George Gorkowski moved the meeting to be adjourned. Sharon Hillman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.