Payson Town Council Regular Meeting – March 12, 2025

The Payson Town Council met on March 12, 2025, at 4:04 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers, recessing at 6:00 p.m. and reconvening at 6:08 p.m., with adjournment at 9:02 p.m. The meeting featured presentations on the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), the Payson Area Trails System (PATS) update, and wildfire fuels reduction efforts, followed by the unanimous approval of two grant resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of January 15–22, 2025 meetings: Approved 7–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cindy Linford expressed concern regarding the Police Chief vacancy and Police Department staffing shortage, suggesting promoting advancement opportunities within the department.
• Guy Pfister voiced concern that the 0.88% sales tax funding the PSPRS should be in its own silo, not co-mingled in the General Fund.
• Charlie Seraphin questioned Council’s spending priorities, citing expenses for consultants, temporary staff, and studies, and encouraged reducing wasteful spending to generate revenue. He stated Payson “isn’t broke” but priorities are “out of whack.”
• John Pajerski commented on the destruction of trees at the Juniper Pines Development on Highway 260 and asked who issued the “at-risk” building permit, what penalties would apply if the developer fails to complete the build, and submitted a printed copy of an email requesting answers.
• Sharon Arnz spoke on affordable housing, inquiring about the status of various housing projects (Juniper Pines, Tyler Parkway Rhythmia Village, Doll Baby Road development, Pinion Creek property, manufactured homes near Rumsey Park, Main Street apartments, hospital housing, and two hotel projects) and whether Council would approve developer plans.
• Inga Chouinard requested clear answers as to why Payson’s tax rate is the seventh highest in the state with a deficit despite taxes raised in anticipation of a bond that never materialized. She also asked about the status and process for recruiting a new Town Manager and who makes hiring decisions; she believed Charlie Seraphin should have been hired as Interim Town Manager.
• Zackery Wilson commented on Capital Funding for Granite Dells Trails, stating trails are critical to the town’s success and economy, and requested Council approve funding reflecting residents’ requests.
• Tom Dunning stressed the dangers of a fire in Payson and urged the community to follow Fire Department and Town recommendations for funding even without federal grants.
• Mike Quinn requested the Town enforce ordinances requiring property owners to clean up junk yards and messy properties to improve property values, community appearance, and decrease fire and rodent risks.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager’s Report: Acting Town Manager Sheila DeSchaaf summarized articles highlighting various departments, including the Rim Country Community Wildfire Symposium (April 12), streets department late-winter storm management, Parks and Rec improvements (remodeling central restroom at Green Valley Park, repairs on pedestrian bridges at Rumsey Park), and spring soccer registration (387 participants, 26 teams). The report also noted 135 active land use projects.
• Proclamations:
  • Council Member Bell read a proclamation declaring March 2025 as the 23rd Annual March for Meals Month. Janice Chesser, Director of Development of the Payson Senior Center, accepted and thanked Parks and Rec for assisting with the first annual March for Meals.
  • Council Member Flaherty read a proclamation declaring March 29, 2025 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Art Schaier, Chairman of the Elks Lodge, shared Vietnam War statistics (2.7 million served, 58,000 killed, 300,000 wounded) and invited the community to a celebration on March 29 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge.
• PSPRS Presentation: Finance Director Dana Ohanesian introduced Clark Partridge, Senior Executive Consultant with PSPRS, who presented on how the pension and unfunded liability are calculated. Key points: the funded status improved from 50.8% to 54.4% for police and 63.3% to 65.4% for fire; additional contributions ($450,000 police, $150,000 fire) helped; salary increases above actuarial estimates negatively impact funded status; Payson selected a 20-year amortization schedule (12 years remaining); no penalty for non-payment of unfunded liability except reduced investment earnings; the town typically votes to make a $600,000 additional contribution from the General Fund annually; the 0.88% sales tax generates approximately $1.54 million annually (based on $17.5 million in TPT revenue). Council Member Ferris asked if everyone could be placed on a defined contribution program; Partridge stated such a change would require a statute change. It was confirmed Payson is on track to pay off the unfunded liability within 20 years, but gains/losses are continually amortized.
• Payson Area Trails System (PATS) Update: Parks and Recreation Director Steve Richardson reported on PATS history, progress, and development. Collaborative efforts yielded a $550,000 grant from Arizona State Parks and Trails for trail planning, development, and maintenance. The Rim Country Trail Fund (RCTF) was formed as a new 501(c)(3). The USFS approved eight miles of social trails and six miles of new trails in the Boulders area. An application for an ATIIP federal grant for design and engineering of a paved multiuse path on Granite Dells and Rumsey connection is pending. A Capital Improvement Project (CIP) was requested to fund design and engineering of Cypress and Granite Dells Trailheads. Trevor Creighton of Rim Country Mountain Biking Association spoke on economic benefits: non-motorized trail users contribute to sales and bed taxes; the Highline Trail was featured in Single Tracks Magazine (reach of 43 million); $150,000 grant awarded for additional loops; partnerships with Rim Country Middle School Outdoor Adventure Club and REI employees for maintenance; annual Highline Hold'em mountain bike poker run attracts 200 participants. Angie Abel of USFS reported on funding for new trails and parking at Granite Dells, noting additional funds needed; the goal is to prevent motorized use, increase public awareness, reduce congestion on Phoenix Street, and connect Granite Dells Trails to PATS. Council members commended the working group. Michael Browning (Pine Strawberry Fuel Reduction, RCTF VP) emphasized the need for a local volunteer trail crew and funding for tools. Amber Halberson and Anna Van Zile (RCTF President) spoke in support, with Van Zile requesting Council approve the CIP. Patrick Vogel agreed trails are important.
• Firewise Fuels Reduction Presentation: Fire Chief David Staub and Fuels Manager Kevin McCully presented on wildfire prevention. McCully reviewed wildfire history (1990 Dude Fire, 2002 Rodeo-Chediski, 2004 Willow Fire, 2020 Bush and Piles fires), factors affecting fire behavior, and methods of control. He reported on grant challenges: grants are cumbersome, each property eligible only once, and costs often exceed grant amounts. The town has a fuel mitigation code adopted in 2020; enforcement sent 81 letters, 75 mitigated through cooperation, five in progress, one in litigation. McCully proposed a fuels crew (similar to Flagstaff, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott) costing approximately $1 million initially and $750,000 annually for four people and an engine. Chief Staub noted the building hardening code will be presented in April; approval of mitigation codes improves insurability and grant prospects. Risk assessments are continuous; the wildfire outlook is currently lower due to recent snow. Evacuation planning uses Ready, Set, Go levels; Gila Alerts registration is encouraged. Chief Staub is working with Hannah Lusk on a forward-facing evacuation plan. The Rim Country Community Wildfire Symposium is scheduled for April 12, 2025, at Gila Community College. Jeff Robbins commented that the grant process is not reliable and urged funding a fuel crew from the 1% sales tax.
• Resolution No. 3435 – Local Border Support Grant: Police Commander Josh Haines requested acceptance of a $125,600 grant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with $75,000 for Flock License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras and $50,600 for overtime related to interdiction and human smuggling investigations. The cameras (18 units) will be leased at $54,000 to $61,000 per year; billing starts when cameras go live (anticipated February/March 2026). Haines stated LPR technology is a key tool for law enforcement on smuggling corridors (Highways 87 and 260). Flock representative Mark Solano noted alert notifications for Amber and Silver Alerts. IT Director Jeff Benedict confirmed the subscription covers all entry/egress points. The motion carried 7–0.
• Resolution No. 3436 – OHV Grant: Commander Haines requested acceptance of an $86,000 grant from Arizona State Parks Board (Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund), with an $8,600 town match, to purchase a side-by-side vehicle for enforcement, education, and access to difficult-to-reach areas. The vehicle will be used for OHV law enforcement, reckless driving enforcement, and public education. Discussion included outfitting with a stretcher: Chief Staub recommended against it for maneuverability. The motion carried 7–0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 7–0.
• Resolution 3435 (Local Border Support Grant): Approved 7–0. The Town will accept $125,600 for LPR cameras and overtime, with a one-year lease commitment for Flock cameras.
• Resolution 3436 (OHV Grant): Approved 7–0. The Town will accept $86,000 with an $8,600 match to purchase a side-by-side vehicle and equipment.
• PSPRS Presentation: Council received information and will consider additional contributions during budget discussions. No formal action was taken.
• PATS Update: Council acknowledged the presentation and CIP request; no formal vote, but support was expressed for continued trail development.
• Firewise Update: Council received information; Chief Staub indicated a building hardening code will be presented in April. No formal action taken on the proposed fuels crew or grant support, though Council was encouraged to reach out to legislators.