Avondale City Council Meeting: Recognitions, Citizens Leadership Academy, and Consent Agenda Approval - October 15, 2025
Avondale City Council Meeting – October 15, 2025
Note: The meeting date is provided as 2025-10-15, but the transcript references the "2024 Citizens Leadership Academy" and events occurring in September–December 2024 (e.g., academy starting September 25, 2024). This discrepancy is noted; the summary below uses the given date but reflects the content as presented.
The meeting included employee recognitions, the swearing-in of new staff, recognition of outgoing board and commission members, a presentation on the 2024 Citizens Leadership Academy graduates, and approval of the consent agenda with one item pulled for discussion (Item 4C regarding ARPA-funded affordable housing). The meeting adjourned to executive session.
Employee Announcements
- Deputy City Manager Del Nanagay was recognized for his professionalism and assistance to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. A letter of appreciation was read aloud, noting he met with Lieutenant John Dorsey and ASU students on his day off to demonstrate the city’s Spillman Records Writing System.
- Whitney Castro (Management Analyst), Addison Dunlap (Accounting Specialist), and Angela Tolliver (Human Resources Analyst) were introduced as new employees. Each shared what they look forward to in their roles, emphasizing relationship-building and learning about the city.
Recognition of Outgoing Board and Commission Members
- Denise Stanfield (Planning Commission, appointed June 2018, completed two full terms plus a partial term)
- Linda Warren (Planning Commission, appointed January 2019, completed two full terms)
- Oliver Morrison (Neighborhood and Family Services Commission, appointed February 2017, completed two full terms plus a partial term)
- Council members expressed gratitude for their service, with several noting their contributions to shaping Avondale’s vision.
Citizens Leadership Academy Graduation
- Senior Management Analyst Anisa Romo presented highlights of the 2024 Citizens Leadership Academy, a 12-week program (September 25 – December 2, 2024) that included department presentations, hands-on activities (budget simulation, mock council meeting, parade participation, tours of public works and fire facilities), and field trips.
- Three graduates spoke: Timothy Barrett highlighted the dedication of city employees; Nika Pangelina Johnson appreciated learning about city operations and meeting staff; Cynthia Caesar shared her personal story and praised the academy for giving her purpose during her breast cancer journey. Tim Kroll noted that every department presenter said this was the best job they’ve had.
- 23 graduates were named. Council members encouraged them to become ambassadors, join boards/commissions, and consider future council service.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved with a motion from Councilmember Malone and second from Councilmember White, except Item 4C was pulled for separate discussion.
Discussion Item: Item 4C – ARPA Funds for Affordable Housing (Legacy Phase III)
- Councilmember White requested clarification on the $1.2 million (approximately) in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds being used for infill housing. Chris Lopez (Neighborhood and Family Services) explained that the funds will develop nine affordable units in the Legacy Phase III project, which will maintain long-term affordability for households earning up to 120% of area median income. He noted this is a continuation of earlier projects that sold homes to low-income families.
- Councilmember White emphasized that this is a continuation of prior work, not a new program. The item was then approved unanimously.
Summary of Current Events
- Mercy House provided food, clothing, and hygiene items to the community before Thanksgiving.
- Judge Pep Guzman is hosting a fundraiser for West Side Recreation to provide scholarships for Avondale students in the Pendergast and Littleton Elementary School Districts (December 6).
- Avondale Firefighter Charities Christmas toy drive: December 7 and 14, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cole’s.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda (excluding 4C) approved unanimously.
- Item 4C (ARPA affordable housing funds) approved unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned to executive session (motion by Councilmember Malone, second by Councilmember Solorio, passed unanimously).
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. Marcella, if you wouldn't mind doing roll call, please. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Condi. Councilmember Garcia. Here. Councilmember Solario. Councilmember Malone. Councilmember White. Here. Mayor Pineda. Here. And Vice Mayor Nielsen has an excused absence tonight. Thank you. Ron, next item, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Do something abnormal. Actually, Chief Man and Mayor Council up next is the uh on the agenda is uh employee announcements. And there's a little side note that I think uh I hope uh some people missed. Um but uh once in a while I get the privilege of recognizing outstanding work by one of my employees, one of my uh uh great co-workers, one of the people that I'm very happy to have in my office. So uh the uh county attorney, Maricopa County Attorney's Office sent us a letter of appreciation in recognition of some things that uh uh deputy city manager Nanagay had done. So if if uh you don't mind mayor, I'd like to read the letter. Of course, please do. So mister Mr. Corbin, I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for Deputy City Manager Dell Nanagay's invaluable assistance to Lieutenant John Dorsey of the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Lieutenant Dorsey works for me in our investigation division, has been tasked with developing a comprehensive records management system for our division. During the process, he partnered with ASU through the Capstone Project and is working with several computer engineering students to develop a system. They are also researching different systems to get an idea of how modeling systems function. Lieutenant Dorsey contacted Mr. Nanegay during the process, who he knew from Tempe PD and asked to review Avondel PD's Spillman Records Writing System. Mr. Nanagay graciously agreed and met Lieutenant Dorsey and the student on October 23rd in your civic center, even though this was Mr. Nanagay's scheduled day off. He did an outstanding job for presenting your Spillman system, patiently answering everyone's question, and provided his contact information in case of case of future questions. Deputy City Manager Del Nanagay is a model of professionalism, and the students spoke very positively about his expertise and consideration. We could not be more impressed with the leadership, competence, and courtesy of your organization. Please contact me at the Maricopa's County's office if we can ever be assistance to you and your organization, best regards. So I just wanted to recognize uh Dell for his professionalism and outstanding work he does. Without telling anyone, without asking, without um any fanfare. I thought maybe it's time to provide a little fanfare for Dell. So Dale, thank you. Thank you. All right, next up I'm gonna turn it over to um oh, my office, uh Anisa. Hello, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members. Um I have the honor of introducing our new management analyst, Whitney Castro today. Uh Whitney Castro was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona. She lived in Springfield, Illinois for a couple years and has been back in Arizona for nine years. Uh prior to being at the city, she worked at Bunger Still, local metal building manufacturer as a marketing manager for eight years. Uh she has a 12-year-old son who loves play uh playing competitive flag football and has two dogs.
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