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Nogales council approves border, public-safety and community grants, Gateway Arch contract and hires city manager; Stonegarden overtime item tabled
Summary
At its Feb. 5 meeting the Nogales City Council accepted multiple grants (including a $1.776 million Arizona DPS border grant and a SAMHSA overdose-response grant), approved downtown and vehicle purchases, adopted an animal-waste ordinance and appointed Joe Kramer as city manager; one Stonegarden overtime item was tabled for further review.
The Nogales City Council on Feb. 5 approved a series of grants, contracts and purchases affecting police operations, downtown redevelopment, community services and fleet replacement, and formally appointed Joe Kramer as city manager. Council also unanimously passed a new ordinance requiring pet owners to remove animal waste and tabled a Stonegarden overtime question pending pension-impact clarification.
Major approvals
- Arizona Department of Public Safety local-border support grant: The council accepted a grant award of $1,776,280 from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to support a Nogales Police Department 24-hour operations center, a mobile data project and K‑9 support. The award requires matching funds of $1,370,000; staff reported the match is budgeted from prior allocations.
- SAMHSA overdose-prevention grant and related contracts: The council authorized the police department to sign contracts with Hope Inc., Mariposa Community Health Center and the University of Arizona Prevention Research Center as part of a Department of Health and Human Services (SAMHSA) grant to combat overdoses and expand community training and referral services. Presenters described multi‑year reimbursements and a total program figure of about $1,418,676 over four years, split among the partners for program delivery and evaluation.
- Stonegarden equipment grant: Council approved an Arizona Department of Homeland Security subgrant for Stonegarden equipment purchases in the amount of $424,206 (reimbursement-based). A related item about reimbursable overtime from Stonegarden funding was tabled until staff confirm whether overtime and employee retirement expense (ERE) treatment would affect pension liabilities.
- Downtown Gateway Arch contract: The council awarded a construction contract to local contractor AJML Builders LLC to construct a gateway arch at Morley Avenue and Court Street. The contract was presented with an estimated value not to exceed $120,000 (including taxes); footings and sidewalk work were described as separate, pending additional pricing.
- Transit van purchase: The council authorized purchase of an extended-length ADA-accessible passenger van with an ADA ramp from RO Bus Sales under contract for $114,156.94 (includes sales tax); staff said remaining budget will cover repainting and rebranding the city fleet van.
- In-kind support for Boys and Girls Club event: The council approved in-kind support for the April 25, 2025 Palo Alto Fiesta Carnas hosted by the Boys and Girls Club.
- Police records fees and liquor license: Council adopted updated fees for certain police records and approved a special-event liquor license application for a Lourdes Catholic School fundraiser on March 26, 2025.
- Animal waste ordinance: By unanimous vote (single reading allowed because the vote was unanimous), the council amended city code to require removal and proper disposal of animal waste in public spaces; staff said the city will provide dog-waste bags and dispensers in parks.
Appointment and other personnel actions
- City manager appointment: After an executive session, the council voted to appoint Joe Kramer as city manager and approved an employment contract effective immediately. The city attorney noted an insurance-continuation amendment will be added subject to carrier approval.
- Swearing-in of department heads: The meeting also included formal swearing-in of Jessica Valencia as parks and recreation director and of Kenneth Lareba as fire chief; those were ceremonial actions preceding the council business.
Items tabled or deferred
- Stonegarden overtime reimbursement question: Council tabled an item concerning the use of Stonegarden funds for reimbursable overtime and EREs while staff seek written guidance on any pension or unfunded-liability implications from state retirement officials and bond counsel. The city manager asked for the item to return after the research is complete.
Process notes and next steps
Several items were approved on motions that did not record individual roll-call tallies in the minutes excerpted in the meeting transcript; outcomes were recorded as “motion passes” or “aye.” Staff will return to council with additional contract documents (corrected contract language, bonding requirements) and with follow-ups on items that were tabled.
Chief James Jimenez addressed concerns about immigration enforcement related to border grants, saying the Nogales Police Department will continue “business as usual” and will respect civil-rights protections for every person in the community while following legal guidance from the city attorney and any contracted legal counsel.
The council’s approvals free staff to proceed with contract execution, grant administration and equipment procurement. The Stonegarden overtime question will return at a future meeting after staff obtains written guidance about pension and retirement impacts.
