Note: The transcript header indicates the meeting was called to order on Monday, June 17, 2024, but the provided instructions state the meeting took place on October 15, 2025. This summary uses the date supplied (2025-10-15) and notes the discrepancy.
The regular meeting included a Juneteenth proclamation, approval of a consent agenda, two human resources policy amendments, and a final budget presentation. After a public hearing with no speakers, the council adjourned the regular meeting and convened a special meeting to adopt the fiscal year 2024-2025 final budget. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn to executive session.
Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call the uh regular council meeting for Monday, June 17th, 2024 to order. Would you all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of reflection? Thank you, everyone. As you all know, we have a new system up here. The big screens do not have touch screen capabilities any longer. So if you need to speak, please hit the um right side button, and tonight will be uh voice votes only. So Marcella. Councilmember Condi. Here councilmember Malone. Here. Councilmember Nielsen. Here. Councilmember Solario. Here. Councilmember White. Here. Vice Mayor Paneda? Here. Mayor Weiss. Here. Ron, item number two A, please. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, actually, I'm going to turn it over to Councilmember White. Thank you so much, Mayor. Thank you so much, Mr. Corbin. I will be doing our Juneteenth proclamation. Whereas on January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, granting freedom to all those who were enslaved. And whereas the news of freedom did not become an immediate reality for more than 250,000 enslaved black people of Texas. And whereas on June 19th, 1865, over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Gal Americans in Galveston, Texas finally received word that they were free from bondage. And whereas those who were formerly enslaved were recognized for the first time as citizens, and black Americans came to commemorate June 19th as Juneteenth, with celebrations across the country, building new lives and a new tradition that we honor today. And whereas on Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice as we celebrate the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility. And whereas on March 17th, 2016, Governor Doug Ducy signed HB 2226, sponsored by Representative Reginald Bolding, recognizing June 19th as Juneteenth Day in Arizona, making Arizona the 45th state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, whereas Avondale officially recognized June 19th as the Juneteenth holiday as of our February 22nd, 2022 meeting, which represents one significant step amongst many in our 76-year history, which commits the city to eradicating racism against the descendants of former enslaved black Americans of African descent. Now therefore, I, on behalf of the entire city council of the City of Avondale, Arizona, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2024 as Juneteenth, and encourage all Avondale residents to reflect upon the value of freedom and join in Juneteenth celebrations across the valley. Thank you. Max, do you want to touch on just quickly to go along with that what we're doing for Juneteenth? Yes, we will be hosting our second annual uh Juneteenth um event right here at the amphitheater outside of our city hall chambers. So we invite everybody to come out. It starts at 5 p.m. this Wednesday. I believe Mayor Weiss will be there as well. I will be there, yep, with you and other council members and members of the city. And guys, I was just taking a look at something really interesting. Juneteenth is actually my anniversary for being in Avondale resident, my home. I closed on it on Juneteenth in 2008. Are you having everyone? Hold on. Are you having everyone over to your house after to celebrate?