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?

Everyone goes we're going to be able to do that.

We can head over there if you find it, you'll validate it and be there.

Thank you so much.

I really appreciate that.

Thank you.

And we look forward to seeing everybody out at Juneteenth this Wednesday.

Thanks, Max.

Um Marcella, any unscheduled public appearances?

I don't have any cards.

Thank you, Mayor.

I have not received any requests to speak.

Item number four is consent agenda.

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

Seeing none.

Can you voice your motion and second?

Okay.

I have a motion from Councilmember White.

A second from Councilmember Salario.

Marcella?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you, Mayor.

That was easy.

Do we like that better?

Do we like that better?

I think so.

Ron, the next two items are going to be I'm guessing we done together.

Yes, Mr.

Mayor 5A and 5B will be presented by Andy, our director of human resources.

Hi, Andy.

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

Before you tonight are proposed amendments to the city's Chapter 5 classification and compensation policy.

And Chapter 6, employee benefits.

To give some background regarding uh Chapter 5.

So human resources really conducted uh recently conducted a review of Chapter 5, and opportunities were identified to realign chapter and policy language.

Some of the chapter language is mainly operational and administrative in nature, and this level of detail is more appropriately addressed in an administrative policy with city manager approval.

Administrative policies are dynamic and able to be modified to align with changing operational needs based on the foundational framework established by council in in chapters.

So based on what I'm what I'm proposing, uh the this allows the city to be flexible and responsible and responsive to operational needs or market conditions that require new or enhanced classification and or compensation strategies.

So our proposal associated with chapter five is to retain the foundational framework, which really includes and is reflective of council's philosophy and priorities associated with the city's classification and compensation program, which again will provide that that next level or that next step for the administrative policy.

So we'll retain foundational framework related to the purpose of the classification plan, which includes definition and authority, the purpose of the compensation plan, which outlines the philosophy, the purpose objectives, establishing that an administrative policy would be created, and then the maintenance of the plan, which also makes reference to cost of living and merit pay increases as budget permits that that council has traditionally supported.

We also recommend the addition of the following language, which really outlines the authority of the city manager.

Um so allows for flexibility, uh establishing new or modifying existing compensation strategies based on operational needs or market conditions.

And it's important to note that it it's everything that exists within the current budget.

So it's not something that would go beyond the budget that's been approved by council.

Anything like that would have to come back to council for discussion and approval.

Um so anything related to modifications or or um modifying strategies would be within the current allocated budget for the city.

Um and then we would transition the operational and administrative aspects of uh the language that's in the current chapter five to an administrative policy titled compensation.

Um and I believe a copy of the proposed administrative policy was included in the agenda materials for council's reference.

Um and then if council is supportive of this approach between chapters and administrative policies, uh the goal would be that HR would continue to review the remaining chapters and propose additional amendments for council approval kind of in the same vein or the same nature.

Um so before I move forward with outlining chapter six, I'm gonna pause here to ask if there's any questions related to the chapter five amendments.

Are there any questions from council on this?

For me, I think this is a positive move.

I think I think it gives city leadership the chance to make decisions when it comes to these items more quickly.

There's times we might not have a meeting for two weeks or a month by the time we get on an agenda, and we're behind the eight ball at that point.

So uh not seeing any objection.

I think this is a a good move, and I think it puts us ahead of other cities in this.

Can I get a motion on this item then?

We have a motion from Councilmember Nielsen, a second from Councilmember Saloria.

Actually, Mayor, I believe we have uh kind of a combined motion at the end.

Is that is that right, Marcella?

Thank you, Andy.

Yes, that is correct.

We'll take the motions at the end.

Okay.

Um but I do have the motion screen.

I just have it separately.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, thanks, Mayor.

So regarding chapter six, um, most of the proposed amendments are in preparation for the new benefits being offered for fiscal year 25.

So uh previously we we had I had uh completed a presentation to council about paid parental leave, personal leave bank, public safety retention program, and some other um items that we would be rolling out for FY25 and subsequent administrative policies with city manager approval are being implemented specific to these topics.

Um so in chapter six, we're just outlining that these are new um leave programs or new uh benefits that are being that that are being offered with really the the meat of the policy uh existing in an administrative policy.

So the reference in chapter six would go back to an administrative policy that has more detail about the operational and administrative aspects of that policy.

The one difference is um holiday leave.

So currently holiday leave exists in chapter six and in an administrative policy, um, which increases the potential for inconsistencies and confusion.

So an employee might look at a chapter uh at a chapter language and and not know that there's an administrative policy that exists that may have what we found is is there's some language open to interpretation when we have two areas that exist.

Um so our recommendation is to really remove that holiday leave section from chapter six and really rely on the administrative policy.

And so part of what we've provided for council's reference is what that administrative that revised administrative policy would look like as part of this change.

And then there's just some other non-substantive updates that are being proposed to better clarify chapter six language.

So there were just some wording things that we felt would be better as far as um enhancing clarity and and and what policy was intending to indicate as as part of chapter six.

So uh our proposal is to add and revised language to chapter six, establishing the following for FY25.

So pay parental leave, personal sick lead bank.

Um we have the two programs for our police officers and sergeants, the sick leave sellback program and then sick leave compensation program for officers and sergeants upon retirement.

Um we also modified language to um indicate that the benefits effective date for new employees would now be the first of the month following their higher date.

Um we are proposing to remove holiday leave language and then again the details will exist in administrative policy and then implement the not some the non-substantive language revisions to add clarity.

Um I believe again we're we're set to go.

So if if this uh proposal is adopted, we have the administrative policies ready to implement for July 1.

So on the screen there are the recommendations.

Um again, I believe they have to be two separate motions.

Is that correct?

Thanks, Andy.

So any discussion on items uh uh A or B.

So the first motion was uh Councilmember Nielsen, the second was from Councilmember Shallorio.

Can I get a uh voice vote on that, Marcella?

Councilmember Condi.

Aye, Councilor Malone.

Aye.

Council Mr.

Nielsen.

Aye, Councilman Solario.

Aye, Councilmember White?

All right, Vice Mayor Paneda.

Aye, Mayor Weiss.

Aye.

Thank you.

It passes 70.

Uh motion 1074-0624.

Can I get a motion on that one, please?

Second.

I have a motion from the Vice Mayor, a second from Councilmember White.

Marcella.

Councilmember Conde.

Aye.

Councilor Malone.

Aye.

Councilman Nielsen.

Aye.

Councilmer Solario.

Aye.

Councilmember White.

Aye.

Vice Mayor Paneda.

Aye.

Mayor Weiss.

Aye.

So thank you, Council.

Andy, Ron, thank you for all the hard work on that.

Thank you.

Ron, next item, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor and Council.

Next up, we have a presentation by uh Renee, our director of finance and budget, I believe will be our last piece of the puzzle for this next year's budget.

Is that a little Renee?

Good evening, that is true.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

I am here to present the fiscal year 2025 final budget.

So the final budget did not change from what was last presented to council for the tentative budget.

The total stayed the same at 443 million, 221,000 dollars.

So as we've been um doing all along, we are keeping up with any changes from the last version.

So in this final budget, the total didn't change, but we do have some revisions that took place within so a total of five.

The first two are carryover adjustments for vehicle replacement and some um fire inspector services.

What that means is that monies were appropriated in fiscal year 24 are being pushed into 25, and therefore we're making the adjustment in the final budget.

The next one is just a funding change.

So community development block grant monies are being appropriated to the old town Avondale project.

And the last two are changes from department to department.

So in the first case, from parks to marketing and from finance to the non-departmental.

So any adjustment here was offset in the unanticipated revenue to ensure that the total budget limit did not change.

I do want to point out along with the actual um budget documents, we do have some other documents.

One being a final budget summary, this is the narrative that was attached.

We did it for the tentative and updated it for the final.

The others are administrative awards over 50,000.

This is for procurement to give them the authority to execute contracts and such in the new fiscal year.

Some schedules for interfund transfers and loans, as well as the five-year capital improvement plan.

So with that, our recommendation is to conduct a public hearing for the fiscal 2025 final budget to adjourn from the regular council meeting and convene in a special council to take action on resolution 1056-0624, setting forth the final budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.

Thank you, Renee.

Let me go ahead and open up this for the public hearing.

Is there anybody in the audience or online who'd like to speak on this issue?

Thank you, Mayor.

I have not received any request to speak.

Thank you, Marcella.

With that being noted, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing.

Open up to council for any questions or comments.

I'd like council to note on this.

When you look at the budget from this year to last year, it's actually 22 million dollars less than it was last year.

Um and a significant part of that, part of that, 179 million dollars was capital improvement projects, which is the commitment that council made to many years ago to catch up on those things.

Um we have the aquatic center off our backs right now, but there's big projects that are coming forward, and um I'm glad that we took a very conservative approach to budgets.

I see cities out there that are doing five to ten percent increases, um, and that that makes me nervous for them, but I'm very happy with this budget and where we're at right now.

Ron, any comments on the budget at all?

Was your second budget with us?

It is, Mr.

Mayor, thank you.

No, uh again, a big thank you to uh Renee and I saw Rob there, Rob and the team and all the department directors.

Also, in addition to that uh lower budget that uh one of the reasons we were able to accomplish so much was because almost every department, I think minus one, but I won't call out the fire by name, uh, gave back money from their budget, so had a fire ahead of uh reduction.

I'm I'm sorry that was slipped.

I'm sorry, Chief.

Sorry, big school.

Um but he and him and I know the reasons, very valid reasons.

He's absolutely a big team player.

But um uh so every department gave back uh uh we cut over two million dollars from department operational expenses so that we could afford to program uh positions and priorities that council believed in and uh to meet the needs of our community, so it could be more uh appreciative and thankful to uh the whole uh leadership team in making this budget, and a lot goes to say by getting uh uh to council a lot of thank yous to council for clear direction, clear setting of priorities, uh putting our community first, and I'm grateful to to work in such a wonderful place.

Thank you, council.

And I think when you look at this budget and you look at last year's budget, which which was also a very mild when you when you take inflation into account, I don't even think it was an increase.

But you look at the what we've done this year with uh taking care of our employees, police and fire on pay raises the investments we've made in the city.

I think this will pay off for councils going forward, especially in those lien years that are coming up in 26 and 27.

So public hearing is closed.

Um we're gonna have the we're gonna come back to this in about three minutes uh for a special meeting.

So uh with that being said, um next item is the summary of current events from from us.

Anything, council you guys want to update us on?

Anything happening out there?

Um today was my last meeting on the MAG Executive Committee.

Uh so that was that was uh I've been on there for a while.

I know I have my TPC meeting tomorrow.

Uh Max, I believe.

Are you who's taking over that role?

Max, you're taking over that role for TPC going forward.

Mr.

Mayor, what's TPC?

Uh the MAG Transportation Policy Committee.

So it goes hand in hand with what we do on RPTA.

So tomorrow will be my last meeting on that board.

I've been on that board since I was a council member.

Um, but it's gonna be in really good hands, and I think Max brings that knowledge of how RPTA and TPC mesh together for cities.

So anyone else?

Thank you, Mayor.

I just have one thing.

Um, I wanted to thank city manager's office.

Um, I had the opportunity to to attend um NLC summer meeting in Rancho Cordova, and I did convene with the Transportation and Infrastructure Policy Committee.

So we're doing a lot of work trying to hone down how we make our policy statements, and really it was really great and refreshing to go visit Caltrans just to give you guys a heads up.

Our um station right across the street.

We won't even talk about it too much, but it looks much better than the Cal Trans dispatch area, um, much less our own police department.

So you guys were kind of leaps and bounds way ahead of what they need in regards to dispatch actually.

Caltrans and CHP and Sacramento share a dispatch area.

So I know we have shared services here.

Really won't go further than that, but it's really amazing.

So thank you, council, for allowing me to sit in the space of transportation.

I feel like I got the opportunity to learn a lot, see a lot, and safety is first.

So when we talk about transportation, we'll make sure we keep that first here as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

All right, can I get a motion to adjourn?

Oh sorry.

I have a motion from Councilmember Salario, a second from Councilmember Malone.

Marcella?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

I'm going to go ahead and close the regular meeting.

I'm going to go ahead and open up the special meeting.

Marcella, do you mind doing roll call, please?

Councilmember Condy here.

Councilmember Malone.

Here.

Councilmember Nielsen.

Here.

Councilmember Solario.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Here.

Vice Mayor Paneda?

Here.

Mayor Weiss.

Here.

Can I get a motion on resolution 1075-0624, please?

I move.

It was a tie on second.

All right.

Um a motion from Councilmember White, a second from Councilmember Solorio.

Marcella?

I'm gonna do a roll call vote, Mayor.

Councilmember Condi?

Aye.

Councilmember Malone?

Aye.

Councilmember Nielsen?

Aye.

Councilmember Solario?

Aye.

Councilmember White?

Aye.

Vice Mayor Paneda?

Aye.

Mayor Weiss.

Aye.

Thank you, everyone.

Our budget passes for this year, Renee.

Congratulations.

Can I get a motion to adjourn to executive session?

I move we adjourn the executive session.

Did we?

All right, Mayor Max?

Second.

Motion for Max, second from Mike, Marcella?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

No.

Thank you.

We are adjourned.

Everyone?