PINE-STRAWBERRY WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Regular Meeting and Public Hearing

Thursday March 3, 2022, at 4:00 p.m.

PSWID Administrative Office

6306 W Hardscrabble Rd.

Pine, AZ 85544


  • CALL TO ORDER
    • Raymond Headings called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m.
  • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
    • Conducted by Raymond Headings
  • PRAYER
    • Offered by Larry Bagshaw
  • ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS
    • Conducted by Raymond Headings:
      • Board members present:
        • Raymond Headings,
        • Cory Ellsworth,
        • Tammy Albright,
        • George Gorkowski,
        • Tom Reski and
        • Larry Bagshaw.
        • Roger Childers was present via Go to Meeting.
      • A quorum was present.
      • David Dickinson, the General Manager, and Sharon Hillman, the Finance Manager were also present.
      • Riley Snow, the district’s attorney and Paul Hendricks, EUSI, were present via Go to Meeting.
  • CALL FOR MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
    • January 27, 2022 – Regular Meeting
    • Tammy Albright moved that the minutes be approved.
      • Tom Reski seconded the motion.
      • The motion carried unanimously.
  • REPORTS TO THE BOARD
    • WIFA/EUSI Program Manager’s Report and General Manager’s Report – As posted to the website.
    • Finance Manager’s Report – As posted to the website.
    • Treasurer’s report – As posted to the website.
    • Secretary’s report – none.
    • District Attorney’s Report –none
    • Chairman’s report – As posted to the website
    • Personnel Advisory Group Report – Revisions have been made to the Employee Guidebook and are on the agenda for approval.
  • CALL TO THE PUBLIC
    • None.
  • OLD BUSINESS
    • DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE GUIDEBOOK.
      • Raymond Headings/Tammy Albright.
        • More revisions than previously approved were made to the Guidebook, mostly concerning the start and end of the work week and eliminating some verbiage that was repetitive.
        • Tammy Albright moved that the changes to the Employee Guidebook be approved effective March 3, 2022.
        • George Gorkowski seconded the motion.
        • The motion carried unanimously.
    • DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ORDER FOR DENIAL OF THE REQUEST FOR DEANNEXATION.
      • David Dickinson/Riley Snow.
        • Riley had not prepared the order and provided it to the board.
        • He will do so in the next couple of weeks.
        • George Gorkowski moved to table this item.
        • Larry Bagshaw seconded the motion.
        • The motion carried unanimously.
    • DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ACCEPTING AND SIGNING THE SRP NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT.
      • Raymond Headings.
        • Per the discussion in the executive session preceding this meeting,
        • George Gorkowski moved that this item be tabled until after April 1.
        • Tom Reski seconded the motion.
        • The motion carried unanimously.
    • DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVING THE RCAC WATER RATE STUDY DRAFT REPORT AND CHOICE OF A RATE INCREASE OPTION FOR FY 2022-2023.
      • Sharon Hillman.
        • It was discovered that there were no ¾ inch metered connections, as all of them were replaced with 5/8-inch meters when the Radio Read meters were installed.
        • The study was revised to reflect that and any input from the January 27,2022 Public Hearing.
        • George Gorkowski moved that the rate study draft report be approved.
        • Cory Ellsworth seconded the motion.
        • The motion carried unanimously.
        • The board then needed to decide which of the three options to approve.
        • Option I was discarded, as it would not provide enough future revenue.
        • There were few differences between Option 2 and 3.
        • RCAC had recommended the district use Option 3.
        • George Gorkowski moved that the district adopt Option 3.
        • Larry Bagshaw seconded the motion and after a brief discussion,
        • The motion carried unanimously.
  • NEW BUSINESS
    •  DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE RAGHT CONTRACT RENEWAL.
      • Raymond Headings.
        • This was discussed in the prior executive session. We could renew for either 1, 3, or 5 years. Based on the previous discussion, Tammy Albright moved that the board renew the RAGHT Contract for 5 years and authorize the board chairman to sign the contract. Cory Ellsworth seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
    • DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVING A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE $17.5 MILLION WIFA LOAN.
      • Sharon Hillman.
        • The loan will provide interim funding for the USDA projects and was approved by the AZ Finance Authority on February 17. 2022. The district needs to provide the Borrower’s Resolution. The funds should be available in April 2022 for all the USDA construction projects. Tammy Albright moved that the board accept the WIFA Interim loan of $17.5M and authorize the Chairman to sign the Borrower Resolution. Larry Bagshaw seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
  • IDENTIFY POTENTIAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON MARCH 24, 2022.
    • Order for Denial of the de-annexation request.
    • Special meeting on RAGHT rates.
  • MOTION TO ADJOURN.
    • Tammy Albright moved the meeting be adjourned.
    • Cory Ellsworth seconded the motion.
    • The motion carried unanimously.