Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025

Like to call to order the regular city council meeting of May 5th, 2025.

Would you all please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence?

Thank you.

We have roll call, please.

Councilmember Conde.

Here.

Councilmember Garcia.

Here.

Councilmember Weiss.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Present.

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Here.

Mayor Pineta.

Here.

And Councilmember Solorio has an excused absence tonight.

Thank you so much.

Ron, next item, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

Uh up first we have our police chief, uh, Chief Espinoza, uh, presenting his new employees.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

Uh, two weeks ago we had the opportunity to introduce our new uh sworn staff.

Well, today we have the opportunity to introduce our non-sworn staff.

We have three new employees.

I'm gonna have them come up here.

I'm gonna have them uh state their name, their position, where they call home, and what brought them uh to Avondale, and then after that I would like to introduce uh two of our latest promotions.

Hagan Hi, my name is Hagan Lombana.

I live in Ledgefield Park, Arizona.

I'm currently working as a police records clerk at the police station, and I chose Avondale because of the sense of community and just the people like I I like coming into somewhere every day where people know who I am and know what I do.

And then home to me somewhere where I can go every day and you know yeah.

Avondale.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Hi, good evening.

My name is Evan Goldberg.

I am a detention officer.

Um I started back in January of 27 of 25.

Um the read night shows um Avondale.

Um from what I've seen and what I researched is very, very.

Um I have wife and three kids, and I take them fishing in Avondale.

We do a lot of things in Avondale.

Um the food and the meeting in Avondale, so we come out here all the time for food.

Um I'm from Chicago, so if not as good as Chicago food, but it's pretty close.

Um, and I'm happy to be here and look forward to a long career with the city of Avondale.

Did Portillos follow you out here, or were you here before?

Portillo is White Castle.

Follow me out there.

Well, well, thank you for bringing them out out here to Avonville.

Oh, Chicago food coming to the West Coast, so I'm happy.

Awesome.

Well, thank you for being a part of the Avondale family.

Thank you.

My name is Mike Morton.

I'm a police assessor.

I show I live in a certain way, and I showed Avenue for the sense of environment and relationships here.

I really enjoy just everyone's like relationships and how they talk to people and relate to people.

It's a nice place to work for.

Well, thank you, Samantha, being here, and uh you have such a difficult position, and so we appreciate everything that you do and bring to the table.

Thank you.

All right, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council.

Next to me is Donald Douglas.

He was uh one of our community service officers.

He was recently promoted to our park ranger supervisor.

Next to him, I have uh Richard Reyes, who was one of our uh detention supervisors and was recently promoted as a detention manager.

I'm gonna have him come up here and just uh state what brought you to Avondale and where you call home.

Mr.

Mayor, City Council members, thank you for having me today.

Uh my name's Don Douglas, like uh the chief had mentioned.

Recently promoted to uh park uh park ranger supervisor.

Uh I come from uh California.

Don't hold that against me.

Um but uh after uh about 30 years in public safety in California, I knew my uh my job wasn't done, and uh my wife and I decided to uh relocate to Arizona.

That was in the plan for for quite some time.

Uh we live uh just uh north of Avondale on a county island.

Um I can't tell you how happy I am to be a part of the Avondale family.

Uh it it's been a fantastic experience.

Uh I've just been here a little over a year, and uh uh thankful that uh the administration has seen my value.

And uh, like I said, I really appreciate the family environment and just the kindness and helpfulness of of everybody that uh I've come in contact with thus far.

Thank you and uh congratulations on the transition, and we appreciate you being part of the Avondale family.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Richard Reyes, I'm from Eloy, Arizona.

Um just recently promoted to detention manager.

Um what brought me to Avondale is I did a lot of business in Avondale.

Uh my kids play in the youth sports, a lot of tournaments at Festa Fields, and then uh I did a lot of business here and just got a lot of friends here and just seeing how the how the community comes together and how the people are.

I just when I saw the posting, I said I'm gonna you know try it out and give it a shot because I'm here often.

While I've been here as a for a year as a detention uh supervisor, I noticed that I'm I I really was engaged with the leadership.

I really like the leadership and and the direction that the department was going.

Have a lot of respect for the leadership and the way that the uh patrol and then the support services work together and work hand in hand because even though we're a growing community, we're still got the small community mindset and very family-oriented.

So it's been an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to having uh being here for a long time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And currently, do you live in Eloy or you do?

Wow, so you make the commute.

Yeah, so I was coming up here two, three times a week, anyways, because uh like I said, I had my own business and I was I come up here for business, and then I got my kids in the youth program, so we play a lot at festive fields.

So and then with the 202, it helps.

So just a little bit.

Yeah.

Well, we uh really appreciate you being here, and again, congratulations on the transition and uh for being part of the Avondale family.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Can we get in?

You have a round of applause for all of the new employees.

Thank you, Chief.

All right, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

Up next is our finance director um to introduce a couple of her new employees.

Good evening, Mayor Vice Mayor and Council.

Tonight I have the pleasure of introducing Celine Garcia, who's a customer service rep in the revenue division and is one of the friendly faces you'll see in the cashiering stations here at City Hall.

Prior to joining Avondale, Celine worked in the healthcare sector for three years, most recently uh at the VA as an advanced medical support assistant.

Celine is also a U.S.

Army veteran with nine years of service where she worked in human resources, onboarding, and supporting soldiers.

Celine's originally from Southern California and has lived in the valley for the past few years.

She enjoys hiking, reading, general outdoors, and looks forward to working with Avondale residents.

Well, welcome aboard, Celine.

If you wouldn't mind sharing, being that you know our residents are calling in and you're the voice that they receive on the other end of the phone.

What are some of the things that you will do to uh brighten up their day or to at least make sure that uh they are receiving the service that they need.

Uh as customer services, I think we always have to treat everybody uh with technology and respect and always have a smile on our face, even if they can't see us.

We can't smile over the phone.

That way that customers at their being listened to uh they feel welcome and want to come back.

Awesome.

And thank you for your service.

As was mentioned, and welcome to Avondale family and thank you for being a part of it.

Thank you.

And uh we have a second employee who unfortunately was unable to be here tonight.

She had to take a breathing leave.

Um that's Maria Garcia, she's a senior customer service rep in utility building.

She joined us from the city of Buckeye, where she served as a development service permit technician for three years.

She also worked in several areas across municipal government, including zoning, permitting, economic development, and customer service for water department.

Um and Maria is an Avondale resident for 15 years.

Thank you.

Appreciate that.

Hey, Ron, next item, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Up next, we're going to hear from our director of economic development, uh uh Jen Stein.

Oh, she's already here.

She moves very fast, Mayor.

You gotta it's hard to keep up with her.

Thank you, City Manager.

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

So I'm Jen Stein, Economic Development Director, and it's really an honor tonight to present what I am calling a trifecta of weeks recognizing economic development, not just one, but three different categories.

So it's a very exciting month.

First, we kick off the month of May recognizing small business week, which acknowledges the critical role of America's entrepreneurs and is really the heart and soul of our community.

And to celebrate Small Business Week, we will be delivering Love Local Window decals and encouraging everyone to just shop local and support our small businesses.

In addition to small business week, May is also small business month.

In addition, we have travel and tourism week from May 4th to May 10th.

National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual celebration created by the U.S.

Travel Association to spotlight the travel industry.

And we are celebrating Avondale's tourism assets through our destination marketing Discover Avondale.

And that will highlight different tourism attractions, and we will be running a social media campaign on Discover Avondale, showcasing our five most visited destinations.

We will continue the celebration into my recognizing economic development week from May 12th to May 16th.

And this showcases this week initiatives that generate jobs, enhances career opportunities, and improves the overall quality of life in communities worldwide.

And so we will also be showcasing through a social media campaign our most recent locates, updates on the boulevard, highlights of Avondale's newest tech park, and how Avondale is in the center of it all.

So make sure you are following us on LinkedIn and keeping an eye out on an interview with our very own mayor, um, highlighting the strategic growth in Avondale.

But more importantly, I want to recognize my incredible team.

I have Adam and Stephanie.

Can we back there?

It's a small but mighty team that's working hard.

Um we cannot do what we do without our team's support.

They are incredibly dedicated, um creative, and work really hard.

We actually um Sicily is out today, and Nikki, who is uh leads our tourism on maternity leave, and Cheryl and Jamie are pitching up a storm right now to about 30 life science and health care companies that we hope to bring to Avondale recruit and attract soon.

So we are always in motion every moment of the day, um, highlighting and showcasing and pitching Avondale to potential businesses, as well as with Adam back there helping support our existing business community by making sure that they find success through all the resources that we offer.

So thank you for this opportunity to highlight our incredible team and all that goes into economic development.

And with that, I thank you, and I'm gonna turn it over to Mayor Paneda to read the proclamation.

Thank you so much, Jen.

I'd be happy to whereas the International Economic Development Council remains the largest professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing economic development efforts worldwide, and whereas the Avondale Economic Development Department promotes economic well-being and enhances the quality of life for the community by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that drive growth, increase wealth, and strengthen strengthened the tax base.

And whereas the U.S.

Travel Association continues to represent and advocate for all sectors of the travel industry as the national nonprofit organization supporting tourism and travel.

And whereas the city's destination marketing organization, Discover Avondale, was established in 2020.

And whereas the City of Avondale attracts over 1.8 million visitors annually, reinforcing its status as a leading destination.

And whereas the city of Avondale celebrates local small businesses and recognizes the vital contributions they make to the economy and the community.

And whereas the Avondale Economic Development Department supports vibrant communities to enhance the quality of life for Avondale residents, creates jobs, boosts our local economy, and preserves our communities, and now therefore it be a resolve on behalf of the mayor and council of the city of Avondale, hereby proclaims May 2025 as economic development tourism and small business month, and encourages the community support local businesses, expand career opportunities, and celebrate the positive impact of economic development and tourism.

Congratulations.

And thank you, Jen, and thank you for the team and everything that you do to promoting Avondale and making Avondal a place not only just making it a place for those to call home better, but more importantly, seeking out those that look to invest in our community.

So thank you.

Ron, next item, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

Up next, we have Nicole Harris, our city attorney, and Judge Jennings to uh share a proclamation on Law Day.

Good evening, Mayor, Council, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council, Nicole Harris, City Attorneys, City Attorney's Office, and I have with me Judge Craig Jennings, presiding judge of the Avondale City Court.

Law Day is observed annually on May 1st, and it's a national day dedicated to celebrating the rule of law and understanding how it protects liberties and justice.

It's a time to reflect on the principles of law and its impact on society.

The American Bar Association plays a key role in Law Day, selecting an annual theme, providing resources and encouraging participation.

The theme this year is the Constitution's promise out of many one.

The Constitution enshrines our collective responsibility to one another, and the 2025 Law Day theme urges us to take pride in a constitution that bridges our differences to bring us together as a united nation.

Our civic lives tie us together as one we, whether through legislative efforts that serve the common good, through military service, or by working together every day to fulfill the promise of out of many one.

Some of the key aspects of Law Day, it highlights the importance of a legal framework that ensures fairness, equality, and protection of rights for all.

It provides an opportunity for citizens to learn about the legal process, its purpose, and how it contributes to freedom and justice, and law day encourages the legal community, schools, and civic organizations to host events, discussions, and educational programs to promote legal awareness.

Law Day was this past Thursday, May 1st, 2025.

I currently serve as president of the Arizona City Attorneys Association, and I was up in Flagstaff at our annual conference discussing various legal concerns with city and town attorneys from across the state.

Thank you, Nicole.

I just briefly wanted to thank you for uh participating in this recognition, obviously, our our country's uh nation of laws or state is uh state of laws or cities founded on laws, and so uh laws and and fairness and access to justice is is paramount to our system of life in this country, and so we appreciate the council uh taking the time for this.

And now turn it over to you, Mayor, for the reading of the proclamation.

Thank you, Nicole.

Whereas in 1958, President Eisenhower proclaimed Law Day to honor the role of law in the creation of the United States of America, and in 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution declaring May 1st, La Day.

And whereas La Day celebrates the role of law in our society and cultivates a deeper understanding of the legal profession and the theme for La Day 2025 is the Constitution's promise out of many one, derived from the motto e plurbus unum, or out of many, or out of many one, a phrase adopted on July 4th, 1776 by representatives of the 13 original colonies, which symbolize the unity of a nation founded in the pursuit of ideals of liberty, equality, and justice, and whereas the drafters of the Constitution seeking to prevent rule by any one group separated the powers of the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary among three branches of government, ensuring the rule of law and government governmental checks and balances.

And whereas throughout our nation's history, legal professions have played a crucial role in our society by upholding the rule of law, adjudicating and advocating for justice for all, and serving as well-informed advisors to respective clients in an effort to assist parties in navigating complex legal systems in the inevitable conflicts that arise in society.

And whereas the courageous and persistent efforts of our nation's legal community have impacted the lives of many Americans to ensure the promise of a more perfect union as prescribed in the preamble of the Constitution, and to uphold our nation's promise of equality and justice for all.

And whereas legal professionals throughout the nation, this state, and this city continue to serve others, foster unity, and carry forward the founding principles of e.

And whereas the Avondale City's attorney's office and the Avondale City Court have upheld the foundational principles of the rule of law by advising, advocating, and assisting clients and adjudicating legal matters.

And whereas the Avondale City Council extends its appreciation to the entire legal community for the legal services provided to all to ensure unity, liberty, equality, and justice throughout our nation and our city.

And now, therefore, be it resolved, on behalf of the mayor and council, the City of Avondale hereby proclaims May 1st, 2025 as Law Day in Avondale to promote the rule of law and fulfill the shared civic responsibilities and commitment to the values of liberty, equality, and justice that makes us out of many one.

Thank you so much.

Ron, next item, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

Up next, we have a proc proclamation on National Water Safety Month.

And I believe Brittany, our new recreation manager with Parks and Rec will make the presentation.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of the council.

I wanted to talk to you today about National Water Safety Month and some upcoming things that are happening at the Avonale Aquatic Center.

To kick off our summer season, May 1st was not only law day, but also the opening of our registration for all of our programs at the Avondale Aquatic Center, including some lessons and adult fitness programs.

Currently, we are hosting adult laps on four days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays, Sundays all in the morning.

And we're gonna be kicking off our summer season on May 24th, where we'll turn over to a seven-day a week operation.

That's gonna be from one to five every day with extended hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Currently, we are open to Avondale residents on Saturdays from one to five, but kicking off those full-time hours starting soon.

And then all those programs that are re are currently open for registration are going to begin on June 2nd.

And again, that includes our infant swimming lessons, adult lessons, and youth programs, as well as things like water fitness and our river fitness and even a drop-in cuddleboard yoga class on Saturdays.

Some fun events that we have at the Avondale Aquatic Center this year are our dive-in movies.

So we had our inaugural showing last year of Jaws, which was a huge hit.

Um got a lot of great feedback for that one.

So we are looking to host more this summer.

We're having three, including Top Gun Maverick, Surfs Up, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Um May 26th is just one of our few theme days that we're going to host throughout the summer.

Um, we encourage people to kind of dress for that theme, so Memorial Day wearing a red, white, and blue, and we'll have some additional giveaways and some games to play at the center.

And then one other event that I really do want to highlight is our first ever Dunkin' Dash.

So this is a swim and run event.

We're working in conjunction with our sports division on this event because they have their run series already going, but it's where they can swim 20 laps or 500 meters in the pool, and then go ahead and jump into that run at a two and a half mile run there, finishing up their first duathlon.

So we encourage people of any um athletic levels to go ahead and join and jump in with the whole family for that one.

Um, in preparation for this month for National Water Safety Month, I do encourage you guys and help um ask that you help promote the education of this water safety month by reviewing the ABCs with our valued community members.

So A is for that adult supervision, encouraging an adult to be present at all times when there are children around water.

This includes making sure our phones are put away, um, our books are put down, and we're really present and alert in that moment.

Things can happen really quickly, and we want to make sure that we're truly dedicated to those while in the water.

B is for barriers.

So an obvious one for this one is making sure that gates and latches are shut and locked so that children are able to get in, but including things like toilet seat lid covers and buckets and making sure that those are taken care of in the home as well for small children.

And then C is for our classes.

The Avondale Aquatic Center does have a clutter of classes that are available for all age levels, but not only swim lessons and everyone learning to swim, but getting adults certified in CPR.

Um, the Avondale Aquatic Center is reaching out and working with the um Avondale Fire Department this summer, and we have two CPR classes hosted one in June and one in July for our adults to win the CPR as well.

Um are there any questions before I pass it off to Vice Mayor Nielsen?

See no questions, just really quickly.

Um I love the ABCs of water safety is just you know, you think that uh one reminder every year, every season is enough, and uh honestly it's just not you'll start to see unfortunately as we move forward to the summer more and more accidents that have occurred, and so just kind of reinforcing, and if I can uh you know, just share something personal is that while we have the ABCs of water, and we typically look at those as humans in terms of education and um supervision and barriers and other things, you know.

Unfortunately, a week ago we lost our 16-year-old dog who uh fell in the pool when nobody was home and did not make it.

So, in addition to humans, your kids and family members, also I would be, you know, I I hope that some of you are also looking at this as in in as for pets as well.

So just thought I would share that.

And so sorry.

Councilmember White.

Thank you so much for the presentation.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

I did have a question.

You don't have to answer this now.

This is not to put you on the spot, but I'm not sure if we have a way to identify non-swimmers to send them over to get life jackets.

I just want to make sure that we identify the non-swimmers when they're coming in so they know we know that they can't swim.

We are currently right now.

Um then our summer camps that come on Thursdays.

Our summer camps do come a little early, and they are participating in a um swim test, but at the current moment we don't have a full um swim test, but we do have the signage for those, and then we do have light jackets available for free at checkout, and we have a lifeguard station there, and they actually help fit the jackets on all of the children as well and provide education to parents that if you are using a life jacket that they should always be U.S.

Coast Guard approved.

Great, great question, Councilman White.

Okay, Vice Mayor, Nielsen.

I'm ready.

Whereas swimming and aquatic related activities play a vital role in maintaining good physical and mental health and enhancing the quality of life for all people, and whereas water safety education is essential to prevent drowning and recreational water-related injuries.

And where is awareness of the contributions made by the recreational water industry as represented by the organizations involved in the National Water Safety Month Coalition, and developing safe swimming facilities, aquatic programs, home pools and spas, and related activities providing healthy places to recreate, learn, grow, build self-esteem, confident sense of worth, which contributes to the quality of life in our community, and where is understanding the vital importance of communication, water safety rules, programs to families and individuals of all ages, whether owners of private pools, users of public swimming facilities, or visitors to water parks.

Now therefore, be it resolved on behalf of the mayor and council of the city of Avondale here by proclaims May 2025 as National Water Safety Month, and to urge all those in the City of Avondale to support, educate, and promote this observance.

And then our new employees from the PD as well, if we get a few of those.

Yes, we have two, Mayor.

Okay.

Do you have two more?

Uh no, just the two for unscheduled.

Oh, got it.

Okay.

I have a total of three up here.

Is one gonna be red?

Uh one's on the regular agenda for the public.

Got it.

Okay.

All right.

Uh Adam Decker.

Good evening, Mayor.

Vice Mayor of the Council.

I come to you this evening with some discerning news uh within and out over here off of Dysart Road.

Um I've almost been hit three times there.

Uh the last one here, the closest one here or back when was here uh the twenty-seventh of this month.

April, anyways, or we're in where we're in May.

Uh about eight about eight fifty-eight.

And uh the traffic was backed all the way up to the off ramp.

And they're blocking the uh I was on my mountain bike.

They were blocking the uh pipeline.

And as I was trying to go to get around it, here come another car, and it almost got me.

It missed me by that much.

I'm in therapy now because I got hit by a car off of uh a hundred and eleventh of Van Buren over here.

And um so I uh I figured I better come here and ask in and and in the name of public safety that we c that you, sir, uh counsel, vice mayor, uh, write a beautiful letter uh to the CEO of them people.

It's a wonderful business, but it is outgrown the city of Adlendale has outgrove that little mom and pop burger joint, and it is it's just dangerous.

Uh they allowing squatting after they uh they're basically kids, and they're allowing them just to squat on the parking lot and it's a mess.

You can go there any Friday, Saturday night and uh see it for yourselves and you'll be quite shocked.

And uh if they haven't had an accident over there because of that, knock on wood, but it's gonna happen.

Um so I figured I'd come and address and they are violating uh let's see, code ordinance thirteen three seven by doing that.

Um but the state of Arizona has actually twenty-eight eight fifteen D for the same thing, so it's over pick whichever one.

Now they're not being cited or anything.

Um what's the answer?

That's your job, Chap, ladies and gentlemen.

Yeah, and uh so I figured I'd bring it to your attention and I hope and pray that there's a a good outcome on this for everybody, because at the end it's gotta be public safety.

That's all.

Thank you.

We appreciate that.

And Ron is there any kind of communication.

We've been aware of the situation in and out burger and working with the uh the managers and the owners there.

Um on this one, um I'd be happy to have either Chief or Kim uh speak with him offline.

Um I think Kim's team has been working with In and Out Burger, but I know that Chief has had some of his officers working with him as well, trying to do what we can to put as much traffic on the uh premise as possible.

Okay.

Uh if you'd like, um Chief, would you have a word with Mr.

Decker after um he leaves the chambers?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, so if you want to speak with Chief Espinoza as you step outside, this way you guys can exchange information.

Okay, thank you so much.

Appreciate it.

Uh Teresa DeSanted.

My name is Teresa DeSante.

It's been a month since I bought it to your attention about the red fire pickup truck.

Are you asked Chief Rooney to talk to me outside, which he did, and he stayed here.

He never did.

He never called me.

I guess it wasn't important to him.

I have 20 years of working in the medical field.

I was an operating room surgical technician.

What I saw on that day of April the 5th, 2025, excuse me, my neighbor's brother, the injured that took place the next day he had spinal surgery.

I saw two inexperienced EMTs trying to do their job.

I wonder why they didn't carry an EKG machine, oxygen, IV, medication that is needed.

I only saw blood pressure machine, stethoscope, and a fingertip pulp pulse monitor.

If you want that red fire pickup truck to make a go of it, the right way is to put experienced paramedics on that truck.

Put the inexperienced EMTs on the fire engine to get hands-on experience.

With the experienced pyramidics on the fire engine truck.

Not until that red pickup truck is fully equipped with experience, paramedics, heart monitor, oxygen equipment, IV delivery equipment, and the same medication that is on the is on the fire engine truck as well.

Every life matters.

Avondale's getting big.

Remember, Avendell residents, we need Chief Rooney to get on the ball and make it happen.

And now thank you.

Thank you, Mrs.

Santi.

Um Mr.

Mayor and Council, if I can uh respond to a little bit of critic criticism there.

Sure.

Clearly, there's been a uh inability to make contact with each other.

I followed up personally with uh Chief Rooney today, actually.

He's attempted to reach out to her and they haven't been able to connect.

So uh now that they're here, let's let them connect again.

He has a different um uh based on his research on the information he believes to be the same incident, he has a different uh take on the incident, and so he'd be happy to follow up with her now that they're both here.

But he did an attempt, but I uh but he was unable to make contact with her.

So they can step outside now.

Yep.

Yes, uh, so Mrs.

Would you be happy to step out?

Chief Rooney, if you wouldn't mind, please, and you guys can uh have a conversation.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Ron.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

Okay.

Item number four consent agenda.

Are there any council members who wish to have an item removed for separate consideration?

Mayor.

Yep.

Uh sorry, councilmember white.

Thank you, sir.

Uh item number F.

Okay, we can get a motion to approve the consent agenda minus item F.

Got a motion from Councilmember Conde, a second from Councilmember White.

Please vote.

Thank you.

Ron Mr.

Mayor Council White, did you want to go first or you want me to just we did do uh uh Councilman White spoke to us earlier about a couple of questions?

We do have a small presentation for you.

Um, but we can start with the presentation if that works and then go from there.

Okay, thank you so much.

Hello, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council.

I'm Kim Moon, the city engineer, director of the engineering department.

This is Ross Shalton, the city uh traffic engineer, and we have prepared a few slides for your consideration.

You have before you this evening uh uh proposal to uh modify the city code by ordinance, specifically the traffic chapter 23 with regards to the speed limit tables and the responsibilities of the city engineer.

So the first change is for maximum speed limit tables that are currently embedded in the city code, and the proposal is to uh leave the policy and guidance in the city code, but remove those tables and have them on file with the city clerk.

Maximum speed limits are based on engineering and traffic studies, reasonable and prudent under existing conditions.

They're designated by the city manager who's authorized designing in compliance with Arizona revised statutes, and as I mentioned earlier, the proposal is that they be on file with the city clerk's office.

So we're going to the next slide.

The second change is a part of this ordinance is an addition of a general duty of the city engineer to provide for placement and to maintain or remove traffic control devices, place maintainer remove additional traffic control as necessary, also in compliance with city code uh governance and policy in Arizona revised statutes.

Why am I proposing these changes?

We have a lot of existing conditions that change over time.

We have new roads that are added to the system with all these developments.

And we we want to maintain compliance with all the the requirements on the speed limits and make sure they are in compliance with FHWA mutes the manual of uniform traffic control devices.

So in a nutshell, those are the two changes that I'm proposing for your consideration.

And I'm happy to answer any questions.

Council Member White.

Thank you so much.

I appreciate such a quick presentation.

Um and Raj.

I wanted to um I guess my concern multi-level, so I'll share all the items.

Um the first concern is we have been doing traffic enforcement, I think, in many areas with our speed cameras.

Um that is in order to cut down accidents in Avondale.

I I think the public commentary really um it speaks to my heart because I live off of 11th Avenue in Van Buren, and that's one of the first places we had one of those cameras.

So is this gonna be a rinse and repeat where we're gonna go and study the areas with traffic cameras in that same fashion?

Um, because I've also heard it alleged to be a violation of some type of constitutional right, maybe the Sixth Amendment.

Can you speak to that for me, please?

Councilmember White, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council.

I'm not aware of any violations.

Um there is currently a speed study being done uh by our uh team, our department in the engineering department, the traffic division that's currently underway to supplement and check the current speeds.

Uh Raj and his team just a couple months ago uh went across the city and confirmed all the current speed limits are uh valid and accurate.

So it is it is current.

I do have some information about how speed studies conducted if you're interested in that.

Um but otherwise everything appears to be in order.

And I I do want that offline.

I think that's because I also have the dual role that council has appointed me to serve in the transit functions sitting on Valley Metro RPTA, and I have the opportunity to represent us on MAG TPC.

So I just want to make sure as policies and our code changes here in the city of Avondale that we make it make sense to not only our residents, but it makes sense across the greater Maricopa County.

Um I also am interested in understanding is it necessary to test speed to determine if we um change speed limits.

Yes, uh Councilmember White Mayor Vice Mayor and Council.

Um the speeds are um the speed study, and actually I I'm gonna skip forward to a slide.

A traffic or speed study, Raj and I were talking about this earlier, um, looks for the 85th percentile of speeds.

So for example, out of a thousand drivers, 850 will probably be driving the appropriate speed for the road condition.

Road conditions are lane width, uh horizontal and vertical curves, um, driveways and road surface, a variety of factors.

Speed limit um doesn't always dictate the behavior of the driver.

Often it will be based on what the driver perceives to be safe as they drive along the roadway.

And for the most part, it's very rare that the 85th percentile would be wrong for the conditions of the roadway at any given situation.

So, in addition to that, um the arterial roadways, for example, here in Avondale would never exceed 45 miles per hour unless the speed study would dictate otherwise for the conditions of the roadway, and that's just standard policy.

And so, if we see like on MC 85, the speed go up to 50, is that because that's a Maricopa County um throughway in our jurisdiction?

That is um a different type of roadway that uh one of our goals is to standardize over time.

Um but right now it is a county roadway, it's uh got some historical reference, and also it is a thoroughfare, but it's something that we can look at.

Uh I don't know, Raj, if we've included that as part of our study.

We all need okay.

We're we're doing the study of the city roadways at this time, but over time, as you've seen maybe in other areas of the city as roads are developed, and they may come into the city system and we look at it at that time.

Thank you very much.

Thank you so much for the presentation.

I appreciate the comprehensive information in such a quick time frame.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

Can we get a motion?

Would you like to we have to have the motion read?

Chris, no.

Okay.

All right.

So we got a motion by Councilmember Condi, uh, second by Councilmember Weiss.

Please vote.

Okay, item passes.

Thank you so much.

And thank you for the presentation, Kim Raj.

All right.

Uh on to item number five.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

Up next, we have the adoption of our fiscal year 2026 tentative budget, and we have uh our director of finance and budget.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

I'm here tonight to present the fiscal 2026 tentative budget.

So we are down the stretch for the budget process tonight with the tentative budget adoption, and we'll be back in June for the final budget adoption.

So as we've been presenting to you, um, we're presenting just the changes that you've seen since the last version of the um city manager's recommended budget.

Tonight the tentative budget um sets the maximum expenditure limit, which means that um we can still make some changes.

We just cannot increase um in the final budget.

And um when we're just making changes between departments and such, those can be amended throughout the fiscal year.

So um we just had a handful of changes since our last study.

The first being the compensation study.

We did have a spaceholder at the time we prepared the city manager's um recommended budget.

We have since calculated all the actuals and hitting all the funds in all the departments.

In addition to that, we had an increase to the fire training tower project budget of 961,000.

We had an increase of 68,000 to the citizens access portal for development services, and an increase to a position in the city of attorney's office as well as some adjustments to carry over.

Again, that gets adjusted through the remainder of the year as um all of our invoices get paid.

So after tonight, we have um a few more steps to get to that final process of the budget.

We have a couple of um public notices for the budget and the truth and taxation in the month of May.

We will be returning to council on June 2nd for a public hearing on the budget and a public hearing um for truth and taxation and to adopt the final budget.

We'll then return um again on June 16th to adopt the property tax levy.

With that, our recommendation is to adopt resolution 1021-0525 setting forth the fiscal 2026 tentative budget.

That concludes my presentation, and I will be happy to answer any questions.

I see we have a motion.

Thank you so much, Renee.

Are there any comments though by council before we move forward?

Okay, Councilmember Weiss.

I do have a question, Ron.

Um Renee, thank you for your presentation as always.

Um I will be gone in May from the rest of the month.

Um and I do have one item that's on the budget that I do want to talk about eventually or have it looked at.

Is that something that I'll have a chance to do in June?

Mr.

Mayor, Vice Mayor Council.

If uh Renee, if you could go back to the calendar.

So the adoption is June 2nd, so it'll be at that meeting.

Uh my current plan is based on your question offline is to get you the information, and then for you and I have a discussion, so we'll have it teed up for council discussion if necessary on June 2nd.

Perfect.

Prior to the adoption or the recommendation of the budget.

Awesome, thank you.

It's it's a CIP item, and so it's just a uh wrap-up little thing.

Okay, thanks.

Thank you.

Councilmember White.

Renee, uh, for the public, can you share the size of the Avondale budget and millions, please?

Bunch.

300 million ish for the total that not just the general fund, but talking all funding sources.

Um we have the uh to attach to tonight's we have the um a summary which will show the overall chart of all funding sources as well as total extenses.

Thank you so much for all the work that you're doing to ensure that we are fiscally responsible in the city.

Thank you so much.

See no other comments.

We've got a motion from Councilmember White, second from Councilmember Neil, uh, I'm sorry, Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Mayor Council uh up next is uh Renee your finance director and budget director uh to make the next set of presentations as a side note items 5B and 5C will be presented uh together by uh the director I do believe you'll have to have two sub public hearings uh and I'm sure Chris will be able to walk us through that process oh just one B just one public hearing on 5B um but we'll walk you through that process I know we have at least one call to the public for that for it as well.

Thank you.

Okay.

Mayor, vice mayor and council I am here tonight to present the adoption of the utility rates.

So um as Mr.

Corbin mentioned we do need to hold a hearing on the proposed water and sewer rates per state statute.

And then after the hearing we would vote on the resolution modifying water and sewer rates and then also vote on a resolution modifying solid waste rates.

So council received an initial presentation from staff on utility rates back in February on the 24th and then on March 3rd we posted a notice of intent um it was filed with the clerk and posted on the city website which started the 60 day public notice that's required prior to a public hearing a public notice was also published in the newspaper and published on the city website 20 days prior to the public hearing as required by state statute.

Staff utilized an array of public outreach methods including hosting three open houses and one Cafecito meeting with community members notices were posted on social media the city website and an ad was published in the West Valley newspaper.

We offered an an online utility bill calculator on our websites where residents could go to plug in their service levels and see the anticipated impact um on their utility monthly bill we also provided information on our online payment system our paper bills and at our front cashier counters and we are also scheduled to present to the Avondale Citizens Academy.

All documentation was provided in both English and Spanish so this is just a summary of our recommendation recommended rates so for water in fiscal year 2026 it's a 6.7% rate increase on both the base and the tier in addition to a 7.5% water treatment fee on the total water bill and a 6.2% water resource fee on the total water bill then in fiscal 2027 it would be just a 6.1% rate increase with no change to the treatment fee of the water resource in sewer and fiscal 2026 would just be a 2% rate increase in 26 and a 2% rate increase in 27 solid waste is a flat dollar amount increase for one trash bin one recycle bin of $1.60 cents in fiscal 26 and $1.75 in fiscal 27.

So what that looks like for the average Avondale residential customer who uses 9,000 gallons of water 8,000 gallons of sewer and has one trash bin and one recycle bin their current bill is 1050 cents.

They would see an increase of $9.33 on January 1 of 2026 and another five dollars and nine cents in January 1 of 2027 when you look at the at our rates currently and given the proposed rates that we have tonight you can see that Avondale is currently in the bottom half in comparison to other cities across the valley and would move potentially to the middle of the pack again with other cities making adjustments in the future so we have made some operational changes to help offset rising costs.

We wanted to note some of the things that have been done with the water fund we're now distributing our water quality report electronically and have saved on some printing and distribution costs.

We're also purchasing parcel eight it's located on Thomas Road east of the Agua Fria as part of a project to treat the PFAS this will save millions for the city because it will be able to treat the water at the site instead of having to pump the water across the city to treat it elsewhere.

In the sewer fund, we're installing variable frequency drives, which is specialized equipment that can optimize control and efficiency and will reduce our electricity usage, which is one of the largest operational costs at the reclamation plant.

We also have a program where we're able to rehabilitate our sewer mains without having to trench and tear into our roads, which is a cost savings to the city.

In solid waste, we reconfigured our bolt trash zones and have seen some improvements prior to that reconfiguration.

Staff was working long hours, five to six days a week, and now we can service the entire city within four days.

Residential trash and recycling days had not been changed prior to that point for 20 years.

With the new configuration, we successfully evened out the number of customers that can that are serviced per day, and as a result, we have reduced our driving times by performing recycling services in the morning and trash in the afternoons.

So our next steps would begin with the first solid waste rate increase on July 1 of 25, followed by the first water and sewer rate increase on January 1 of 2026.

Then the second year increases would take effect with solid waste on July 1 of 2026 and water and sewer on January 1 of 2027.

Lastly, we just wanted to mention that we are not the only city that's affected by the need to increase utility rates.

There are a number of other cities.

Um this is just a sample of of what we have found.

So our recommendation tonight to hold a public hearing on updating water and sewer rates, and then to adopt resolution 1022-0525 updating city Avondale water and sewer rates, and then to also adopt resolution 1023-0523 updating solid waste fee schedule.

So this concludes the presentation.

I'll take any questions.

Thank you so much, Renee, for the presentation.

We have any comments from the rest of the council before we open up the public hearing.

Yep.

Okay.

So before we go through questions or discussion, let me at this time open up the public hearing.

And we do have one request to speak.

Uh Natasha Edmonds, please.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

I stand before you today to express my concerns regarding the proposed increase for the utility rates of 1442, possibly over the next two years total.

While I understand the need for sustainable infrastructure and services, I believe we must understand.

I'm sorry.

Um I believe we must exhaust all other options before resorting to additional financial burdens on our residents, especially during these unprecedented times.

My primary question to the council is whether this increase is truly necessary at this moment.

Could we consider delaying this proposal allowing us to reassess economic conditions as they stabilize?

If an increase is unavoidable, I urge you to consider extending the implementation over four years instead of two.

This approach would ease the immediate impact on our residents, providing them with some breathing room to adjust financially.

Furthermore, I propose exploring possibilities of rebates or financial assistance for our seniors, low-income families.

By doing so, we can ensure that this decision does not disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of our community.

It is also important to recognize that there is no certain city at all.

The surrounding cities will take similar action.

By postponing our decision, we allowed science to evaluate how regional economic trends develop and how changes and the average household income might impact our community.

Until we obtain clear answers to those questions and consider the necessary adjustments, I recommend that we refrain from moving forward with this proposal.

Our community deserves thoughtful and considerate decision making that prioritize the well-being of all the residents.

Thank you for considering my points.

Thank you.

Are there any other blue cards or any other members of the public to speak?

Uh no, Mayor, we have not received any additional requests to speak.

Thank you, Chris.

At this time, I'll close the public hearing and open it up to council for comments.

There are any members of council that wish to share any comments, make a statement in regards to this matter.

None.

One of the things that I had asked for was uh that was listed under operational changes in regards to all other options being explored, is that um before at least speaking for myself, I would want to increase the rate on any resident.

I'd want to make sure that as an organization that we are being mindful and as I mentioned it to city leadership was squeeze as much juice out of the barrier as possible when it comes to looking at any sort of efficiencies as an organization.

To that end, what was listed as part of operational changes is some of the things that have been done, whether it's looking at um changing zones for trash pickup for bulk trash, um, looking at other opportunities within water when it comes to infrastructure and other things.

And in other words, before we raise rates, what have what can we do?

And at this moment in time, a lot of those efficiencies have been explored and more importantly have been executed.

And one of the situations that this council we find ourselves ourselves in is that for many years prior to all of us being on council, water rates were never um increased, and they were not increased over a long extended period of time.

And for that reason, as time has evolved as prices have gone up, and yes, I I fully understand about not navigating the economy and economic conditions that are happening out there.

The issue is at hand is that uh that was that was the act uh that was performed over all those years, and here we are.

We're the council now who is now responsible to addressing those needs and concerns.

And so to continue to wait and kick the can down the road.

Uh I am I I am not one to be in favor of increasing rates for any resident.

Um I just you know don't see um a whole lot of benefits of that until the fact that we start looking at our budgets and and seeing as uh expenses start to umpersede revenues that we're finding ourselves in some major challenges.

And if the first thing that we can do is look at an organization, figure out how do we become more efficient internally first, which we did, I think that's an important first step.

And so for that, I just wanted to make sure that I uh conveyed those comments, but before I move forward with a recognition, I'm sorry, with a vote.

Uh, Councilmember White?

Mayor, I just want to commend you.

We we don't always have to see eye to eye, but I think this is one of those things where uh not only did we find efficiency, we found uh uh a people satisfier.

I think that our public work staff, they were working so many more days per week, and imagine they don't have to work like Fridays anymore.

They're now just the four-day work week that everybody else was doing.

So we've cut off a whole work day for people.

We don't have to work on the weekends to do trash collection at the holidays.

They work holidays now and only take off four per year.

So I I just I I totally don't believe in in putting our residents in a bad situation.

But if we do kick the can down the road, what's the worst thing that can happen?

Failed infrastructure, and we still have the problem that we have to repair and it's gonna cost double.

So, you know, uh ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

And I just would like to make sure I publicly acknowledge you because I know we we are on the same page with I think it's not good to make residents have to pay more, but you've done everything to find every other way to avoid rate increases and and we have to protect our infrastructure and and the water resources and the sewage in in the city.

Thank you, Councilmember White, Councilmember Weiss.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I do understand your concern with regards to um you know a burden on people who may not be able to afford the increase in the water rates.

But I so Chris is here from um neighborhood and family services.

I think we do have programs to help with assistance, correct?

Uh Mr.

Mayor and do we uh Vice Mayor Councilmember Owise, yes.

Um again, those are funded through the federal government, um, passed down through the state and the county.

Um, but we do administer those at our resource center, and if if if anybody's in need, they can reach out to uh the resource center.

So we do have some resources to help.

Yeah.

Thank you, Councilmember Weiss.

Councilmember Condi.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um so that was something.

So being on since being on council in 2017, that's kind of been a discussion that we've had here on this dais is um we didn't want to increase um rates, and we prefer to do little nugget increases so that folks can kind of start planning ahead and thinking, okay, I've getting this increase coming up.

Um that was one thing we did, but kicking the can down the road is better.

If we wait, it's gonna be a larger increase, a one-time increase.

So for me, I think that um we have a good strategy.

Um, it's necessary at this time, and I do know one thing that we've asked again um neighborhood and family services to provide those resources for those folks that might need some help.

Um, but I live here too.

My dad lives here too.

We're all gonna get the increase.

And you know, as much as we don't want it to happen, it's something that I think is necessary um to have it done because if we don't, again, in a couple years, if it's something that we need to do, it's gonna be a larger increase than what we're doing now.

Thank you, Councilmember Condi.

Anybody else?

Council Councilmember Garcia.

Um I do not see the same as Mike Peers up here at the moment.

Um, I didn't I will be voting no on this.

Um a lot of the other what you were saying is my are my concerns as well.

Um, but also we're speaking about hypotheticals.

We're um we might not need the infrastructure, and if we're asking residents to pay for it now, and we don't get it, um, they still are paying for something that wasn't needed.

So I would prefer to wait um for that to happen.

So that is one reason I'm voting no, and just because other cities are doing something doesn't mean we have to do it.

Um comparing Avondale to Scottsdale and Gilbert, um, even just on salary-wise based off of our residents is dramatically different, and maybe they could afford to do it, but me as a single mom who makes minimum wage, I understand the difficulties that $10 can be for a mother and her utility is being raised.

So that is one reason I will be voting no today.

Thank you, Councilmember Garcia.

Okay, with that in mind, if we can get we got a motion from Councilmember White, second from Councilmember Weiss, please vote.

Okay, thank you so much.

Item passes.

Um and then we have item 5C, correct?

Yes, Mr.

Mayor.

Okay.

And who who's providing the presentation?

Oh, it's oh, sorry, that's right.

It was all it was all tied together.

Renee is things are moving so quickly up here.

Yeah.

All right, so we had a we have a it's uh council uh we got a motion from council member white, a second from council member conde.

Please vote.

Item passes.

Thank you so much.

Okay, item six.

Summary of current events from members of council.

So anybody here that would like to member white.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

We had the opportunity to hang out at the Avondale Fiesta this past Saturday night, and it was a treat.

Um, I will say in honor of councilmember Solario um that uh for lack of better terms, I'll just speak it the way she said it wasn't as culturally um engaging.

Um, and so a lot of our Mexican Americans in the past, our residents felt maybe insulted by some of the things that they saw there, but this event was a lot different.

Um I had a few of my um Spanish speaking residents who came up to me and felt at home because a lot of what they were hearing they could understand without translation, and I know we do that in Cafe Cito, so I had a really great time, and then my adopted parents, Hoovie and Letty, um, gave me these beautiful things to wear.

So I just want to publicly thank my adopted parents for making sure I dressed appropriately to attend the event, and I would like to acknowledge parks and recs, all of the vendors that came out, all of the performers that came out, all of the residents that came out, public safety was there in full support, fire, um, P D.

Um, I don't have a preference.

I love you both the same.

Um I do.

Um, but I thank all of the uh members of the staff that were there during we had a great time, and and thank you so much, Mayor, for kicking off the event.

It was amazing.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

Okay, Councilmember Weiss, and then we'll go to Vice Mayor.

Well, um, I sponsored a golf team this weekend.

Um you're gonna have to say the name of the golf tournament though.

Um but it was for Pep Guzman.

Um Judge Guzman, he had he runs uh this golf tournament every year, and it's been going on for 20 something years.

And our team came in third.

So I wasn't there, but the team came in third, and that was it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Okay, Councilmember Garcia.

Um, so I got to attend the FFA dinner last week, and it was so wonderful to see those young leaders so articulate, and it just warms my heart to see you know our agriculture is so important.

I I know we have wonderful agriculture here in Avondale as well as the entire West Valley, so that was just wonderful to see.

And I also attended the West Side um recreational uh golf tournament.

I got to volunteer and meet so many people, but just to see the community come together for a wonderful cause.

I think 21 teams were there from the West Valley, and it just warmed my heart to see the community come together for a you know for the kids.

So it was great.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

I had the opportunity Monday to go downtown to the Industrial Commission of Arizona, where they recognize individuals, companies, and uh of whatever for some of the work that they've done.

Uh, just uh accolades to the city of Avondale, who uh was received a banner and and some big uh you know just a banner and and the recognition as a safe workplace for a large employer with all the things that we do here and repairing ourselves and the instructions that are given to the individuals on safety and whatever else.

It was very well done and presented and and uh we got a big banner somewhere we got to put up and show all the work we've done.

Secondly, on Tuesday, I had an opportunity to participate in the Lower Gila River Cooperative.

They made a presentation there of all the things that are going along the Gila River and how all the different groups have to work together.

I think 15, 18, 20 different groups have to work together to decide what's gonna happen there.

But they talked about the plants in the river as well as the things in the river.

They had the Indian reservation there, and I was just impressed how many people are actually working on that from uh tollison all the way over to highway uh 85 there, just trying to make that a nice waterway eventually it'll be a really beautiful place, but it's gonna take a little while to do it.

There are little individuals, uh groups that are doing things there to take care of the plants and see which ones are indigenous and work and grow the best there.

And uh, I guess the thing that interested me is there was uh an individual from the Gila River who talked about the mesquite tree and all the advantages of mesquite.

You can make flour out of it, you can make sweets out of it, you can run it for shade and all kinds of other things.

It was just really nice to participate in thank you and thank Avendale for all the safety work and things that they're doing to keep safety in front of their vision.

It also uh adds great flavor to barbecue.

So just want to say that really quickly.

I got I got 26 many of the events have already been covered, but really quickly with the 17 seconds.

Uh two Saturdays ago participated in the Arbor Day event.

Many, many trees were planted at Donny Hill Park among other places.

A lot of shade there for the community.

Great job, Avondale Parks and Red, great job.

All the organizations participated, and then Wayfest.

Another awesome opportunity to engage with community.

All right.

Well, that said, can I get a motion for adjournment?

Got a motion from Councilmember White, second from Councilmember Condi.

Please vote.

Thank you so much.

Item passes.