Avondale City Council Regular & Special Meeting Summary – October 15, 2025
Avondale City Council Regular & Special Meeting Summary – October 15, 2025
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.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda, comprising routine approvals, was approved unanimously by voice vote. No items were removed for separate consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public requested to speak during the public hearing on the final budget or during any other portion of the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Juneteenth Proclamation: Councilmember White read a proclamation declaring June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth in Avondale. The council recognized the city’s second annual Juneteenth event at the city hall amphitheater on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Mayor Weiss noted that Juneteenth is the anniversary of his home purchase in Avondale in 2008.
- Human Resources Policy Amendments (Items 5A & 5B): Andy, Director of Human Resources, presented amendments to Chapter 5 (Classification and Compensation) and Chapter 6 (Employee Benefits) of the city code. The changes move operational details to administrative policies approved by the city manager, allowing flexibility to respond to market conditions within the existing budget. New benefits for FY25 include paid parental leave, personal sick leave bank, and two programs for police officers and sergeants (sick leave sellback and compensation upon retirement). Holiday leave language was removed from the chapter and will reside solely in an administrative policy. Councilmembers expressed support for the increased efficiency. Two separate motions were made; both passed unanimously.
- Final Budget Presentation & Public Hearing (Item 6): Renee, Director of Finance and Budget, presented the fiscal year 2025 final budget totaling $443,221,000, unchanged from the tentative budget. Five revisions were made within the total (carryover adjustments, a funding source change for the Old Town Avondale project, and two departmental transfers). The council opened and closed the public hearing with no comment. Mayor Weiss noted the budget is $22 million less than the previous year and praised the conservative approach. City Manager Ron thanked departments for returning over $2 million in operational funds to prioritize council priorities.
- Summary of Current Events: Councilmembers reported on recent activities. The Mayor announced his last meeting on the MAG Executive Committee and noted Councilmember Max will take over the Transportation Policy Committee role. Councilmember White reported attending the NLC summer meeting and visiting Caltrans, noting that Avondale’s dispatch facilities are superior.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
- Item 5A (Chapter 5 Amendments): Motion by Councilmember Nielsen, second by Councilmember Solario. Approved 7-0 (roll call: Condi, Malone, Nielsen, Solario, White, Paneda, Weiss – all aye).
- Item 5B (Chapter 6 Amendments): Motion by Vice Mayor Paneda, second by Councilmember White. Approved 7-0 (same roll call).
- Special Meeting – Resolution 1075-0624 (Final Budget Adoption): Motion by Councilmember White, second by Councilmember Solario. Approved 7-0 (roll call vote).
- Adjournment to Executive Session: Motion by Councilmember Max, second by Councilmember Malone. Approved unanimously (voice vote).
Meeting Transcript
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?
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