HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Water Utility Commission - 3/9/2026MINUTES
WATER UTILITY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
March 9, 2026
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Smejkel called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Rebecca Badruddoja, Commissioner
Alan Forrest, Commissioner
Joe Hornat, Vice Chair
Steven Linder, Commissioner
Michael Smejkal, Chair
Niranjan Vescio, Commissioner
Absent: Greg Hitt, Commissioner
Staff Present: Peter A. Abraham, Water Utility Director
Lee Jacobs, Engineering Division Manager
Attendees: Councilmember Mary Murphy, Council Liaison
CALL TO AUDIENCE - at this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Commission on any
issue not listed on today’s agenda. Pursuant to the Arizona open meeting law, individual Commission
members may ask Town staff to review the matter, ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda, or
respond to criticism made by speakers. However, the Commission may not discuss or take legal action on
matters raised during "Call to Audience." In order to speak during "Call to Audience", please specify what
you wish to discuss when completing the blue speaker card.
No public speakers
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
1.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 9, 2026 REGULAR SESSION MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Vice Chair Joe Hornat, seconded by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio to approve the February 9, 2026
regular session meeting minutes.
Vote: 6 - 0 Carried
2.TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS/COMMUNICATIONS (COUNCILMEMBER MURPHY)
3/9/26 Water Utility Commission Regular Session Meeting Minutes 1
Councilmember Murphy provided the following updates:
Transportation Art By Youth (TABY) ribbon-cutting event
Naranja Multi-Use Path is still under construction
NWRRDS pipe-line is ~50% complete
Council approved the notice of intent to increase the potable water rates on 3/4/26
Issues with cell-phone reception North of Tangerine- Police is also trying to advocate for better
receptio
3.UPDATE, DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON WATER UTILITY ANNUAL REPORT (P. ABRAHAM)
Water Utility Director Peter A. Abraham thanked the Commission for their input and comments on the
2026 Water Utility Annual Report, as the comments are important.
Water Utility Director asked for final input on the 2026 Annual Report. Small changes that Maritza
Valenzuela will change. Any suggestions will be due by Friday, March 13, 2026.
Motion by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio, seconded by Vice Chair Joe Hornat to make a recommendation to
include minor revisions by March 13, 2026 to rendered to Council.
Vote: 6 - 0 Carried
4.UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE NWRRDS (L. JACOBS)
Water Engineering Division Manager Lee Jacobs provided the following updates regarding the NWRRDS
projects:
In 2017, Metro Water, Marana and Oro Valley unanimously approved the NWRRDS IGA, a 50-year
IGA with Metro lead agency.
Is a significant project for Oro Valley and its neighboring cities.
Partnered Project Foundation:
Marana, Oro Valley & Metro Water
Capacity Entitlement
Cost share
CMAR Delivery method
History of the NWRRDS partnered project
Independent Project:
History of the independent project
4 transmission main projects
3 booster stations
All projects are slated for completion by February 2027
Discussion ensued among the Commission and Water Utility Staff Peter A. Abraham and Lee Jacobs
regarding both the partnered and independent NWRRDS projects.
5.UPDATE & DISCUSSION ON THE COLORADO RIVER (P. ABRAHAM)
Water Utility Director Peter A. Abraham provided the following updates regarding the Colorado River:
Colorado River System
The current Drought Contingency Plan expires in October 2026
Colorado River is in the midst of a 26-year drought
Negotiated Agreement deadlines missed
Colorado River States missed critical 2/14/26 deadline
Federally Imposed Solutions in review
Discussion ensued among the Commission regarding the Colorado River updates.
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6.DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE WATER UTILITY COMMISSION FIELD TRIP
IN APRIL (P. ABRAHAM)
Water Utility Director Peter A. Abraham provided the following information regarding the upcoming Water
Utility Commission upcoming field trip set to happen in April 2026:
Tentative dates
Schedule
Tour of NWRRDS Project (Partnered & Independent)
Peter A. Abraham asked Commissioners to send their availability to Maritza Valenzuela by Friday, March
13, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Vice Chair Joe Hornat, seconded by Commissioner Niranjan Vescio to adjourn the meeting at 6:34
p.m.
Vote: 6 - 0 Carried
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the
Town of Oro Valley Water Utility Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 9th day of March 2026. I further
certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
___________________________
Maritza M. Valenzuela
Senior Office Specialist
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