Council ratifies Parks & Recreation director and appoints fire chief; approves two Homeland Security subgrant reallocations

After returning from executive session the Nogales City Council ratified two personnel appointments and approved two grant‑related orders.

Appointments: City Manager Joel Kramer recommended Jessica Valencia for Parks and Recreation director; the council moved and approved her appointment. The council also appointed Kenny LaRiva as fire chief; the motion to hire LaRiva was made, seconded and approved following a roll‑call sequence recorded in the transcript. The city manager said staff will complete standard hiring steps and contract matters through human resources.

Orders (grant reallocations): The council approved Order 2025‑01‑001, a subgrant agreement with the Arizona Department of Homeland Security reallocating $8,280 for a Storm Guardian grant reimbursement of mileage. The council also approved Order 2025‑01‑002, a subgrant reallocation for the Stone Garden grant in the amount of $31,448 for overtime reimbursement. Both measures passed by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies for those motions are recorded in the transcript.

Procedure note: The appointments were taken after an executive session that the council convened under state statute ARS 38‑431.03 to discuss personnel matters; the transcript records motions and approvals on the floor following the closed session.

Why it matters: The appointments fill senior operational roles for parks/recreation and fire services; the grant reallocations adjust budget lines for state homeland security funds used for mileage and overtime reimbursement.