[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6194823,"mediaKeyId","3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e","parentId",3863147,"title","Council approves longevity pay plan for contracted employees after debate; vice mayor votes no","audioSeconds",474,"startMs",3522000,"endMs",3996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e&start=3522&end=3996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e/thumbnail_3522000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194823/San-Luis/Yuma-County/Arizona/Council-approves-longevity-pay-plan-for-contracted-employees-after-debate-vice-mayor-votes-no","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194823-d5ca19a5c498a5ebe0155c62766a3ac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137895&Signature=V~XEF6ROuiWew~NDsr-sIl~FDpHEnw-1XaXsacxk~XGV5C~5KJ4OravyvRcXynzORzyfcEbav8fEhdrtA0doRydmVpaLU-vaYxGCQVF9hduSyr8xYbvVMdocGtihWSsS52zPGzePcYuR3eQD-0R47RYKZkdJjBjpew6XDeAXzOLN3rfQf6erX5tTIsdCuzSOdBk9Z~7CRe9UW6f2AY~13Ft5N4MUqSR-Ms71UEQl81d4rhKMfuhYoSctfe2q2jWLlBG25eeNWDrOR9PmIU7jrGhjwJEIwgmagXZhV-~cgaKj1r97McQSXBvw4oxkZkwAaGHEa6LEGd6dQQU4cHLUuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of San Luis Arizona","date","2025-06-19T00:41:28Z","article","The San Luis City Council voted 5–1 to adopt Resolution No. 23-63, approving the city’s longevity pay plan for contracted employees after discussion about the appropriate process for contract-related compensation decisions.

Adela Cortez, director of human resources, told the council the city’s March 28, 2025 salary competitiveness policy allowed a longevity pay plan for employees and that implementation for contracted employees requires additional authorization under state law and the city code. Cortez said the resolution ensures the plan’s implementation complies with applicable laws.

Vice Mayor (name recorded on the roll call as Thaddeus Ayl de la Goya in the meeting transcript) questioned whether contracted employees’ pay adjustments should be discussed in executive session or made public when contract terms change. Cortez and the city attorney’s office explained that while executive session may be appropriate for certain contract negotiations, including contracted employees in the longevity plan has been done through budget processes and the current resolution is an administrative authorization to implement the plan. The vice mayor indicated discomfort but declined to force an executive session; he cast the lone nay when the council took a roll call vote.

The roll call recorded Council Member Lizette Cervin, Council Member Maria Cecilia Cruz, Council Member Esteban Rosales, Council Member Javier Vargas and Mayor Nieves Bridal as voting aye; the vice mayor voted nay. Mayor Bridal announced the motion carried 5–1. Council members discussed scheduling an executive session as an option if further contractual detail was desired, but the resolution moved forward that night.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wednesday, June 18, 2025 -City of San Luis Special Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council adopted Resolution No. 23-63 to authorize implementing a longevity pay plan for contracted employees; debate focused on whether contract employees’ pay changes should be considered in executive session or separately, and the vote passed 5–1.","taxTitle","San Luis, Yuma County, Arizona","taxId",53256,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194828,"Salvation Army opens San Luis satellite office in rent-free space provided by mayor; food pantry serves 66 households first week",178,1560000,1738000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e&start=1560&end=1738","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e/thumbnail_1560000.jpg","/articles/6194828/San-Luis/Yuma-County/Arizona/Salvation-Army-opens-San-Luis-satellite-office-in-rent-free-space-provided-by-mayor-food-pantry-serves-66-households-first-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194828-a2229499fd5c916cb50c794456a6e172/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137895&Signature=G1tfifltMPVsaUvhuNYpjwRWXmedQotaRMzAwvymXyFWuGl6UsEaB1CSdqwVwEZKICCyQPPr9O4R-v7lS9nX~d2DQgzbSJ5SevqpaL00ftnSWcSdRxozOGF8-OzSzXZLGKp6ounDIhfnh1KQFbc18pvuPE-1y8AqdnXueUG8282-K6Bnh2cuAFz5qcU4TTB8KQ19D9FFDj7B0QjZfL02Be1PZnewg87YhLEsfVSkhoBV0Wi1ndsKLIRBLgXO~zZqdLPRXd4YUyaU2f7C-w~3wAT7EYTKx8cW8w0lLah4zRHUf~z9T6AYiYmpRC9n2LLeH0Lk~60weHDbshQrhe43Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salvation Army has established a satellite office and client-choice food pantry in San Luis in space provided rent-free by Mayor Nieves Bridal, the organization announced during a city council meeting.

Lieutenant Jonathan Herzog, speaking for The Salvation Army, said the group was offered rent-free office space for three years in Plaza Rydell by the mayor and that the satellite office began operations immediately. Herzog said the pantry served “over 66 households” in its first week and that services will include food assistance, utility assistance referrals, connections to adult rehabilitation centers, and summertime camp opportunities for eligible children. He invited council members to visit the office at 1910 East Cesar Chavez Boulevard in Plaza Rydell.

Lizvette Vasquez, a local volunteer and advocate, said the office had processed nearly 70 applications in two days and thanked volunteers and board members for their work. City leaders, including Mayor Nieves Bridal, expressed appreciation for the Salvation Army’s presence; the mayor said providing space was “one of the few things that I enjoy being the mayor.”

The Salvation Army said the client-choice pantry will operate Tuesdays and Thursdays, with service windows from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and that services are available to Yuma County residents with a simple annual registration. The council’s discussion was a presentation and recognition rather than an action item; no formal council vote was required to accept the presentation.","The Salvation Army announced a new satellite office and client-choice food pantry in San Luis operating rent-free in space offered by Mayor Nieves Bridal; organizers said the pantry served more than 66 households in its first week.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194833,"San Luis authorizes $68,964 contract for port-of-entry traffic signal upgrades",98,2117000,2215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e&start=2117&end=2215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e/thumbnail_2117000.jpg","/articles/6194833/San-Luis/Yuma-County/Arizona/San-Luis-authorizes-68964-contract-for-port-of-entry-traffic-signal-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194833-39a6519162868adf59a017eb71357ec3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137895&Signature=oU8~h4DktqcPf7JDCHWcWyNwatX5077wh9SyKX1J2~8crnS6xyN0Wba8Md72liymJqeQUI6HVBUUR~oeIru7NxEk-YTJxA-w6-P3SVTRsHM2uTlnrHmPYlJh-8JodMs6Rz1G~A5Q~7U1GaLOFfqHKz7frxIDNRIr-vVzuibcWmYWBy5SwMmGEzveIMeOnTdNZHxvlqVs2y0xXHFE8jfQS0I6StIU11OTD8Xk3Az-ZD3VZTHRbdbG1xcje-FxLQwdwm84LMqb21w9yG9tYmIL0hom9u8B1fo0xYKkfHvTVjZ1apklosd0qSfyPOdl1GdiiPM1rFojAWsVXj-MS6xJTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City public works staff asked for and received council authorization to contract with Westmore Electric Inc. for required traffic control improvements connected to the port of entry expansion.

Manuel Hernandez, assistant director of public works, said the work is required under the city’s intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the port of entry expansion. The scope described by staff includes curb, gutter and sidewalk work, salvaging and modifying signal equipment, and controller upgrades to support new traffic flows. Public works requested authority to accept Westmore Electric’s construction proposal of $68,964, to waive formal procurement procedures, and to approve the related budget transfer so materials could be ordered in a timely manner.

Hernandez also noted Westmore informed staff that materials were scheduled to arrive in July, and council members approved the purchase order and waiver by voice vote. The authorization allows staff to issue the purchase order so materials can be ordered on the schedule provided by the vendor.

The work is one of several municipal obligations tied to the port expansion; the city’s obligations are governed by the IGA with GSA, which assigns responsibility for certain local traffic-control and pedestrian improvements.

No dissent was recorded on the motion to award the contract and waive procurement.","The council authorized a $68,964 purchase order and contract with Westmore Electric for required traffic control improvements tied to the port of entry expansion and waived formal procurement to expedite ordering.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194838,"San Luis council moves to change collection fee amid $1.2 million in ambulance bills sent to collections",138,2752000,2890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e&start=2752&end=2890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e/thumbnail_2752000.jpg","/articles/6194838/San-Luis/Yuma-County/Arizona/San-Luis-council-moves-to-change-collection-fee-amid-12-million-in-ambulance-bills-sent-to-collections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194838-2d97deca327eec70523d0583d1380627/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137895&Signature=CVz3H9ARkrqgvSArj8cJK90BDfwNEo5n-AWr~2pZ6mOyrIIcNFiWxY4Jv3OACaBgjTRCC1xaQyyFwuaWP2rCYhq7rJ1HecpVB830IeODHnSH6YL2~tbplD-dX5Ba5MHTiCP7vc68YuTLG4tYPZEzF1HIof6E5vscdohIM0iX-j7u4FcWhqsDNw62lTwP0rJ2xQYPNDR-nuO4yr06uFiJMAL65wcRw4MEScEdqoExfVUEESUJ5fEhYLsbEi8P4snlRsDlyoSFAWRkZtGR~yE55C~uDFMHlMwdUspknzSEZZyHABDdUXxn4wBxyLLiRmkdUnplXiwTtIfg4OS6Cy6UCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Luis City Council approved a notice of intent to amend collection fees for delinquent utility and ambulance accounts after staff presented collection performance figures and proposed moving to a local collections agency.

Edgar Esparza, billing and collections manager, told the council the city previously sent utility accounts and ambulance bills to Valley Collection Services. He said the city sent $46,239.43 in utility accounts and recovered $11,678.98 (roughly 25% recovery) and sent $1,224,995 in ambulance accounts and recovered $22,653 (about 2% recovery) under the current arrangement. Esparza said a local Yuma-area collection firm reports higher collection rates but charges a higher fee: 25% for utilities (5 percentage points higher than current), higher ambulance fees, 30% on accounts under $25 and 40% on out-of-state accounts.

Council members asked about the age and makeup of the accounts. Esparza said utility accounts in collections dated from 2015 to the present and ambulance accounts dated from October 2020 to the present. City staff explained that closed utility accounts often reflect prior occupants or household account setups; staff said the city prevents new service when an individual has an outstanding balance but that joint-account situations can leave others unaffected.

Representatives from the city’s emergency medical/ambulance team said the department cannot refuse transports and that unpaid transports contribute to the deficit. A fire department speaker said billing staff’s collection performance is “above average compared to other cities” but that unpaid balances remain significant.

The council moved to approve the notice of intent to amend collection fee policy as presented; the motion carried by voice vote. The notice of intent does not itself change contracts or immediately switch collection agencies; it initiates the formal process for amending the fee structure for accounts referred to collections.","The council approved a notice of intent to amend collection fees for utility and ambulance accounts and heard that $46,239 in utility debt and $1.225 million in ambulance charges had been referred to an out-of-area collector with low recovery rates.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194842,"San Luis awards preconstruction contract for West wastewater plant, approves design change adding reuse pump",225,2242000,2467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e&start=2242&end=2467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863147-4964657ef6a14fc0dd65bd05f312c58e/thumbnail_2242000.jpg","/articles/6194842/San-Luis/Yuma-County/Arizona/San-Luis-awards-preconstruction-contract-for-West-wastewater-plant-approves-design-change-adding-reuse-pump","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194842-1bfafd500d42686951a4e52c90723268/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137895&Signature=g-mRlkKia1LK~t-PbeMmxhWz58gerhUZXbh-JEyiOteJkG3lp1VP4N9QcTuBZrGZs61tjNogD1tE4AJRJjX3BLUCZLQCJJO7hcAsOksw0Jq3-iwBa9H6i~adrD~LdWlulqk8NwfaTdgNwXdxf6TSgvaA~jRgfTwUx3KGXecVweC45HMtDCjJBCLUCrfbYUHx7pFLhK67bvVzMSLmqKyQANO~ENnTdY5JIYOg1OiUF5Chpg-0Vy86jqFWZFX65OKhQAeWSASs7baMUPpjlEWUr7CTTnLRQKTVVDsfp0l0QD8rrwJ~FsoDexqighE3hQU3OEmQXzMYz6qGqavYlU~2YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of San Luis on a unanimous vote approved a preconstruction services agreement with PCL Construction Inc. and separately accepted a design change order to add a reuse pumping station and power-system study to the West Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.

City public works staff told the council the PCL preconstruction agreement covers the project’s preconstruction design phase and was offered after earlier negotiations with the top-ranked firm failed to yield agreed contract terms. Jorge Perez, assistant director of public works, said, “we began negotiations with the number 1 rank firm… but we couldn't agree on the contract terms,” and that PCL, the next-ranked firm, would proceed with preconstruction work for $339,214.96.

The council also approved change order No. 1 to the design contract with Pacific Advanced Civil Engineering (PACE) for $125,470. Perez said the design now includes a pumping station inside the treatment plant to enable reuse of the plant’s Class A effluent within the facility immediately and to support future off-site reuse such as irrigation; the change order also covers a required electrical power study. Perez noted the design is approximately 90% complete and staff planned a contractor workshop the following week to review that design.

Council members moved and seconded the two measures separately; both motions carried with no recorded nays. The preconstruction agreement and the design change were presented as distinct steps: one secures PCL for preconstruction services, and the other expands the engineering scope already underway with PACE.

Background: city staff said the overall expansion project is ongoing and that selecting a preconstruction services provider and finalizing the design scope are steps toward construction. The reuse pumping station will allow the plant to produce Class A effluent intended for internal reuse and possible future irrigation. Funding sources and longer-term implementation timelines were discussed in general terms during the presentation but were not specified in the motion records.

The council did not amend the contracts during the meeting; both actions were approvals to proceed with the stated amounts.","The City of San Luis approved a $339,214.96 preconstruction services agreement with PCL Construction and a $125,470 design change order to add a reuse pumping station and power study to the West Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves longevity pay plan for contracted employees after debate; vice mayor votes no

Salvation Army opens San Luis satellite office in rent-free space provided by mayor; food pantry serves 66 households first week

San Luis authorizes $68,964 contract for port-of-entry traffic signal upgrades

San Luis council moves to change collection fee amid $1.2 million in ambulance bills sent to collections

San Luis awards preconstruction contract for West wastewater plant, approves design change adding reuse pump