During Monday evening’s regular council meeting, when Mayor Ernie Bunch asked if there were any requests for future agenda items, Councilwoman Eileen Wright requested bringing forward the sign, lighting and noise ordinances for review.
Town Manager Carrie Dyrek said since it was the last meeting of the calendar year, she wanted to make mention of the town’s accomplishments.
Dyrek said, generally speaking, the water rate study is underway, the town developed a water policy based on very valuable and valid recommendations from the water advisory committee, financial issues and reporting, financial assurances for Cahava Springs Development and the water standpipe project for west side residents is on the agenda.
She also enumerated all the events the town has been involved in throughout the year.
Cave Creek Town Council chambers were packed. The first item on the agenda was a presentation by Brian J. Hemmerle, a partner in the accounting firm of Henry & Horne LLP, presenting the town’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. He was very complimentary of the town’s finance team and the report showed that both assets and revenues work for the town while liabilities and expenses were down.
On tap next was awarding a bid for the Cave Creek standpipe bulk loading water station. Water has been a big issue on the west side of town for a number of years, and it looks like relief may finally be close by. Approximately 90 residents who have been dealing with wells that have gone dry and hauling water have formed an LLC and only the 90 people who are part of the LLC will have access to the water from the standpipe. Next a Domestic Water Improvement District (DWIT) will be form for the creation of infrastructure with the intention of having water lines in place within 5 years. Currently residents have been hauling water from a City of Phoenix water source. However, Phoenix is discontinuing that option.
According to resident Bill Basore, the current average cost of having water hauled for the people affected is $350 a month with water from Phoenix. Since Phoenix is discontinuing access to water for non-residents, the other option they faced was having water hauled for from Peoria, which could cost upwards of $1,000 monthly per household. The average water bill for a Cave Creek resident on the municipal water system is $85.
Basore praised council and said, “This is what good government looks like – averting a problem before it happens.
Council voted unanimously to award a contract to Elemech Inc. in an amount not to exceed $32,695, including the standpipe, water loading station, and software. Town Engineer Dave Peterson said the town will also incur approximately $6,800 in other expenses to get the site ready with most of that work being done by town employees.
An item placed on the agenda by Councilwoman Mary Elrod to discuss possible amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding racing in the town was what drew the large crowd. Dyrek gave a little background on this.
Originally noise complaints over tractor and other motorized racing where received and investigated. Upon review of the zoning ordinance, motorized racing activities, such as the events being held at Outlaws Bar & Grill, is not permitted and a cease and desist order was issued.
Town Attorney Bill Sims recommended the council table the issue, as changes to zoning should not originate with the council, but should first be heard by the planning commission. As part of that process people will have the opportunity to voice their opinions both for and against amending the ordinances. The decision to table was unanimous.
Referred to the town manager was an item to create a comprehensive list of everything that needs a permit. The original desire was to develop a mechanism to make it simple for people to see what needs a permit in town. Mayor Ernie Bunch said, “We’ve had a history in this town where people feel it’s better to get forgiven than to get permission.” Rather than create a list of all items requiring a permit, council voted unanimously to direct Dyrek to meet with Sims to develop language pursuant to permits for publication.
Finally, Sims updated the council on a situation regarding the Cahava Springs
development. Some years ago one of the subdivisions in town didn’t post the proper performance bond. The town now has an assurance agreement with Cahava utilizing
$2 million in funds it already has in trust and making the town a third party beneficiary should there be a performance issue.
