Votes at a glance: Council adopts fire‑code updates, approves wastewater and AV contracts, and updates procedures

The Florence Town Council on April 1 approved several ordinances and contracts aimed at updating technical codes, maintaining required environmental compliance and upgrading municipal facilities.

Highlights of council action included early adoption of international fire‑code provisions addressing energy storage systems, authorization to design a UV disinfection upgrade at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant to meet Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requirements, and approval of an audiovisual upgrade contract for the Florence Community Center. Council also adopted a clarified town code section establishing an administrative appeal path and approved updated council rules of procedure.

Ordinances and contracts approved

- Fire‑code adoption (battery/energy storage provisions): Council adopted an ordinance to add specific 2021/2024 International Fire Code provisions addressing energy storage systems (battery power plants), a measure the fire chief described as “proactive” given rapid technological change in that sector. The adoption applies to commercial and industrial energy storage facilities moving forward and focuses on plans, operational requirements and hazard mitigation.

- South Wastewater Treatment Plant — UV design contract: The council authorized a professional services contract with WaterWorks Engineers LLC for design of a new UV disinfection system at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $246,720. The town is operating under a consent order from ADEQ and described the design as necessary to meet permit and consent‑order requirements.

- Florence Community Center audiovisual upgrades: Council approved entering an AXI cooperative contract (contract number 223149) with Artesian Cinema and Sound LLC to upgrade audio‑visual systems in activity rooms, meeting rooms and the conference area to improve reliability and attract rentals; the item was presented by Community Services Director Paul King. The contract amount was listed as not to exceed $334,000 and includes warranties and staged installation plans; staff described vendor lead times as short and said some existing equipment would be repurposed to other town facilities.

- Town rules and appeals: Council voted to approve updated council rules of procedure dated April 1, 2025, which clarify appointments and removals for boards, commissions and committees. The council also adopted an amendment to the town code adding section 32.013 establishing an administrative appeal procedure to the town council for specified matters.

Votes and procedural notes

Most items were adopted by voice vote or reverse roll call as part of the regular agenda. The consent agenda (items a–g) was approved by motion and voice vote. The ordinance adopting the fire‑code provisions and the UV design contract were each approved after staff presentations; the audiovisual contract drew questions about equipment choices and future marketing of the center but passed after discussion.

Speakers and staff

Presenters included Tim Wainscott (utilities) for the wastewater item, the town’s fire chief for the code amendment, and Paul King (Community Services Director) for the community center A/V upgrade. Vendors and technical staff joined portions of the AV discussion; Nathan Thomas and Wayne Smith of Artesian Cinema and Sound participated in vendor Q&A via video.

What to watch next

- South wastewater upgrades: staff will submit engineered drawings to ADEQ for approval to construct and will return to council if construction authorization or additional appropriations are required.

- Community Center marketing: staff said it will pursue outreach to attract rentals now that staff plans to replace unreliable equipment; some older displays will be repurposed for other town facilities.

Speakers included councilors and department staff; formal vote tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes.