OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, October 15, 2025
BodyAvondale, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, October 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:32:29

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

I would like to call to order the regular city council meeting of October 6, 2025.

0:06

Would you please all stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence?

0:13

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:18

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all the thank you.

0:43

Marcella, can we have roll call, please?

0:46

Councilmember Condi.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Councilmember Garcia.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Councilmember Solario.

0:52

Councilmember Weiss.

0:54

Here.

0:54

Councilmember White.

0:56

Present.

0:56

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

0:57

Here.

0:58

Mayor Peneva.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Thank you.

1:00

Ron, next item, please.

1:02

Thank you, Mr.

1:02

Mayor and Council.

1:03

Up first is Jody Novak, our Development Services Director to present uh the proclamation for Community Planning Month.

1:14

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members.

1:17

Uh National Community Planning Month has been around for many years and it celebrates the city planning profession, its importance to growing cities and managing the pattern of development, as you see all the growth and development happening within our own community of Avondale.

1:30

I want to say a congratulations to our planning division team for the professional management of the development projects that you see coming to fruition.

1:37

Josh, Cole, Monica, Martin, and Zach, our planning division manager who's our Deputy Director of Planning, Catherine can't be here this evening.

1:45

And also a congratulations to our chairman of our planning commission, Larry White, and our Vice Chairman Alex McBurney, who are here as well standing behind me.

1:54

And as uh we go forward and celebrating all the great things going on as we build Avondale, um, I will turn this over to Councilmember Conde to read the proclamation.

2:03

Thank you.

2:04

Thank you, Jodie.

2:06

The proclamation for community planning month, whereas change is constant and affects all cities, towns, suburbs, counties, rural areas, and other places, and whereas planners can help navigate this change with data-driven insight and expertise that provide better choices for how people work and live.

2:28

And whereas community planning provides an opportunity for all residents to be meaningful, involved in making choices that determine the future of their community, and whereas the full benefits of planning require public elected and appointed officials who understand support and demand excellence in planning and plan implementation, and whereas the American Planning Association endorses National Community Planning Month as an opportunity to highlight how planning is essential to every community and how planners are uniquely positioned to identify solutions to communities' most difficult housing, transportation, and land use questions.

3:15

And whereas the celebration of National Community Planning Month gives us the opportunity to publicly recognize the participation and dedication of appointed planning commission members who have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of the City of Avondale.

3:35

And whereas we recognize the many valuable contributions made by the local government planning and development professionals of the City of Avondale and extend our heartfelt thanks to the continued commitment to public service by these professionals.

3:52

Now, therefore, on behalf of the Avondale City Council, the City of Avondale, Arizona, hereby proclaims the month of October 2025 as community planning month in conjunction with the celebration of National Community Planning Month.

4:16

Thank you so much to your team.

4:18

And again, as you mentioned earlier, it's uh economic development that residents typically see as things start to erect out of the ground.

4:25

Um, but there is such a uh an important role that is played behind the scenes often through your department uh that allows for our ideas and for economics economic development's ideas to actually come to fruition.

4:37

So thank you for the important role you all play in our city, and more importantly, thank you to all of you for being a part of Avondale.

4:43

We really appreciate you.

4:44

Thank you so much.

4:48

Ron, next item.

4:49

Thank you.

4:49

And really quickly, will we be taking photos with all of yes?

4:53

If we could, if people could stick around uh after we finish the uh proclamations, we will um take pictures uh for council and the group being recognized.

5:00

Thank you.

5:01

Thank you.

5:02

Up next, Mr.

5:02

Mayor and Council is uh the proclamation for fire prevention week going to be presented by Fire Chief Larry Rooney.

5:13

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

5:16

Uh charge into fire safety, lithium ion batteries in your home is the theme for fire prevention this year.

5:23

And so I'd like to just uh say a few things about uh those batteries and the and the importance for the fire safety, and then we'll get on with the proclamation.

5:32

When purchasing electronics uh with lithium ion batteries, look for safety certification marks from nationally recognized testing laboratories.

5:41

This ensures the product has been tested and meet safety standards.

5:45

Avoid cheap uncertified products from questionable vendors, these low price, low quality items can pose a greater fire risk.

5:54

Handle with care, follow the man manufacturers' instructions.

5:58

Use only the charging equipment that comes with the product, store batteries away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.

6:05

Charge larger devices such as e-bikes away from your exit path outside of your home if possible.

6:11

And do not charge large devices overnight.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████17%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████16%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Miscellaneous██████████████14%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Procedural████████8%
Community Engagement████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Animal Welfare███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025

Note: The meeting transcript begins with a call to order for October 6, 2025, but the official meeting date provided is October 15, 2025. This summary uses the latter date as instructed.

The meeting included proclamations for Community Planning Month, Fire Prevention Week, Code Compliance Month, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, along with the presentation of Property All-Star Curb Appeal Awards. The council held a public hearing on proposed land use assumptions and infrastructure improvement plan for wastewater development fees, and received a capital improvement program update on transportation projects. Two members of the public addressed the council.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously with a motion from Councilmember White and a second from Councilmember Condi. No items were removed for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Maribakka Chew (spelling from transcript) expressed concern about ICE raids and praised the Avondale Police Department for not handing over a detained farm worker to ICE, allowing her to return to her seven children. The speaker voiced support for the city's action and emphasized the importance of protecting families.
  • A resident (name not provided) complained about the Avondale Police Department's failure to enforce parking violations at the intersection of West Siena and North Silver Sand Lane in Garden Lakes Estates. The resident provided photographs showing vehicles parked in violation of city codes and obstructing the intersection, creating a dangerous situation. The speaker stated that multiple calls to the police dispatcher over two and a half years resulted in no change in behavior.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations: Four proclamations were presented and read by council members: (1) Community Planning Month (October 2025) – read by Councilmember Conde; (2) Fire Prevention Week (October 5–11, 2025) – read by Councilmember Solario; (3) Code Compliance Month (October 2025) – read by Councilmember Weiss; (4) Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October 2025) – read by Councilmember Garcia. Staff and commission members were recognized.
  • Property All-Star Curb Appeal Awards: Presented by Josh (Code Compliance Division). Commercial award: Gina and Jason Kaiser (Kaiser Construction) for property at Indian School Road and Santa Fe Trail. Residential award: Everett and Janet Mansfield for their home in historic Avondale, also recognized for the Los Amigos Neighborhood Blockwatch Program. A holiday edition of the awards was announced.
  • Public Hearing on Land Use Assumptions and Infrastructure Improvement Plan (wastewater development fees): Finance Director Renee presented the rationale for updating wastewater development impact fees, driven by the $155 million expansion of the water reclamation facility (adding 3 million gallons per day capacity). The proposed fee for a standard single-family residence (3/4-inch meter) would increase from $3,153 to $10,854, raising total development fees from $14,432 to $22,133. Consultant Todd Cristiano (via video) and Public Works Assistant Director Eric Bay explained the cost allocation (15% rates, 85% impact fees). Stakeholder meetings were held; an adjustment was made after a comment on assumptions, reducing the fee from the originally posted $13,000. The process will continue with adoption of assumptions on November 17, 2025, and fees effective no earlier than May 9, 2026. Councilmember Weiss asked about grandfathering (answered: only projects after effective date), and about the impact on non-residential development. Vice Mayor Nielsen asked about future expansions (another expansion to 15 MGD expected around 2036–2037) and facility life expectancy (50 years). Councilmember Conde emphasized the principle of growth paying for growth and appreciated the reduction. No public speakers were present.
  • Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project Update: Engineering Director Kim Moon presented transportation projects, including:
    • McDowell Road & Dysart Road: intersection improvements, construction scheduled 2027.
    • Thomas Road & 11th Avenue: new traffic signal (four warrants met), includes a new Canadian geese policy with natural deterrents and signage.
    • Encanto Boulevard & 99th Avenue: new traffic signal, construction 2026.
    • McDowell Road & 116th Avenue: new traffic signal, developer contributions.
    • Roosevelt Street & 107th Avenue: new traffic signal, city funds to developer.
    • Avondale Boulevard & Miami Avenue: new traffic signal for new grocery store and residential.
    • Avondale Boulevard & MC 85: additional northbound lane, construction 2027.
    • Lower Buckeye Road widening: $28.6 million federal grant (MAG ALCP) with $7.7 million city match, total over $35 million. Design concept report near completion.
    • Sidewalk and trail projects: Western Avenue Pedestrian and Decorative Lights Project, Van Buren and McDowell bridge lighting, Agua Fria River trail connections.
    • Upcoming ribbon cuttings: Fire Station 171, Civic Center, Friendship Park. Councilmembers asked about signal spacing, geese policy, and thanked staff for grant success.
  • Councilmember Current Events: Councilmember Solario attended the NALEO Policy Institute on Transportation and Infrastructure. Councilmember White attended the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation conference and advocated for transit dollars. Councilmember Weiss visited Project Connect (homeless services) and the Literacy Hub at Lattie Coor School. Councilmember Garcia attended the Mercy House Gala and a new farmers market at Estrella Mountain Community College. Vice Mayor Nielsen praised the success of Mercy House graduates and attended the QANES inauguration. Mayor Peneva thanked Parks and Rec for the Parks and Treats event.

Key Outcomes

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
  • The public hearing on the land use assumptions and infrastructure improvement plan was held; no action was taken. The council will consider adoption of the assumptions on November 17, 2025, with a subsequent public hearing on fees and effective date of May 9, 2026.
  • The CIP update was informational; no votes were taken.
  • The meeting adjourned to executive session.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the regular city council meeting of October 6, 2025. Would you please all stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all the thank you. Marcella, can we have roll call, please? Councilmember Condi. Here. Councilmember Garcia. Here. Councilmember Solario. Councilmember Weiss. Here. Councilmember White. Present. Vice Mayor Nielsen. Here. Mayor Peneva. Here. Thank you. Ron, next item, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. Up first is Jody Novak, our Development Services Director to present uh the proclamation for Community Planning Month. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members. Uh National Community Planning Month has been around for many years and it celebrates the city planning profession, its importance to growing cities and managing the pattern of development, as you see all the growth and development happening within our own community of Avondale. I want to say a congratulations to our planning division team for the professional management of the development projects that you see coming to fruition. Josh, Cole, Monica, Martin, and Zach, our planning division manager who's our Deputy Director of Planning, Catherine can't be here this evening. And also a congratulations to our chairman of our planning commission, Larry White, and our Vice Chairman Alex McBurney, who are here as well standing behind me. And as uh we go forward and celebrating all the great things going on as we build Avondale, um, I will turn this over to Councilmember Conde to read the proclamation. Thank you. Thank you, Jodie. The proclamation for community planning month, whereas change is constant and affects all cities, towns, suburbs, counties, rural areas, and other places, and whereas planners can help navigate this change with data-driven insight and expertise that provide better choices for how people work and live. And whereas community planning provides an opportunity for all residents to be meaningful, involved in making choices that determine the future of their community, and whereas the full benefits of planning require public elected and appointed officials who understand support and demand excellence in planning and plan implementation, and whereas the American Planning Association endorses National Community Planning Month as an opportunity to highlight how planning is essential to every community and how planners are uniquely positioned to identify solutions to communities' most difficult housing, transportation, and land use questions. And whereas the celebration of National Community Planning Month gives us the opportunity to publicly recognize the participation and dedication of appointed planning commission members who have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of the City of Avondale. And whereas we recognize the many valuable contributions made by the local government planning and development professionals of the City of Avondale and extend our heartfelt thanks to the continued commitment to public service by these professionals. Now, therefore, on behalf of the Avondale City Council, the City of Avondale, Arizona, hereby proclaims the month of October 2025 as community planning month in conjunction with the celebration of National Community Planning Month. Thank you so much to your team. And again, as you mentioned earlier, it's uh economic development that residents typically see as things start to erect out of the ground. Um, but there is such a uh an important role that is played behind the scenes often through your department uh that allows for our ideas and for economics economic development's ideas to actually come to fruition. So thank you for the important role you all play in our city, and more importantly, thank you to all of you for being a part of Avondale. We really appreciate you. Thank you so much. Ron, next item. Thank you. And really quickly, will we be taking photos with all of yes? If we could, if people could stick around uh after we finish the uh proclamations, we will um take pictures uh for council and the group being recognized. Thank you. Thank you. Up next, Mr. Mayor and Council is uh the proclamation for fire prevention week going to be presented by Fire Chief Larry Rooney.

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