Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - 2025-10-15
Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - 2025-10-15
Note: The transcript of this meeting indicates it was held on October 21, 2024, but the instructions specify the date as 2025-10-15. This summary uses the assigned date while noting the discrepancy.
The Avondale City Council held a regular meeting on October 15, 2025, presided over by Mayor Pineda. The meeting included presentations recognizing new employees and exceptional students, a public comment, a consent agenda, a discussion on acquiring property for a trailhead, the selection of a vice mayor, and a summary of current events. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was passed unanimously without any items removed for separate consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Natasha Edmonds, a candidate for City Council in the 2024 primary election who received 3,374 votes, addressed the council. She congratulated the newly elected mayor and council members, expressed disappointment about the limited time given for the process to fill a recent council seat (as highlighted by Councilmember White), and advocated for herself to be considered for the role, urging the council to tap into diverse talents.
Presentations
- New Employee Introductions: Finance Director Renee Weatherless introduced Sean Pierce as the new Grants Coordinator and Laura Robinson as the new Procurement Officer. Both shared brief remarks about their excitement to work for Avondale.
- Avi Star Exceptional Students: Mariela Gonzalez, Youth and Community Engagement Coordinator, presented five students from different school districts for their academic, extracurricular, and community achievements. The students recognized were: Marley Marufo (Agua Fria High School), Richard Gonzalez (Avondale Middle School), Mia Moreno (Corte Sierra Elementary), Jacob Benitez Alonso (Rio Vista Elementary), and Davian de Santiago (Sun Valley Academy). Each received a certificate and was celebrated by the council.
Discussion Items
- Acquisition of Real Property for Trailhead and Parking Area: James (City Projects Administrator) presented a proposal to authorize due diligence on the purchase of approximately 3.36 acres of land south of Buckeye Road on the west side of the Agua Fria River. The property is currently owned by Maricopa County and would be used for a trailhead, small parking lot, ramada, and other amenities. The process includes due diligence, negotiation with the county, and a future budget request for design and construction. Councilmembers asked about access sharing with the county, lighting, water, and trail connectivity. Mayor Pineda noted that the city is following a long-term approach similar to Peoria's successful trail system, which took over 20 years. Council expressed strong support. The ordinance (2030-1024) was adopted unanimously.
- Selection of Vice Mayor: Mayor Pineda nominated Councilmember Nielsen for vice mayor, citing seniority and his contributions to the council and community. Councilmember Garcia seconded. Councilmember White asked about the process and received clarification from City Attorney Nicole that the city charter only requires council to select a vice mayor, with no specified method, and that the appointment would be for the remainder of the term until January, when a new two-year selection would occur. The motion passed unanimously, and Councilmember Nielsen was selected as vice mayor.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Ordinance 2030-1024: Adopted unanimously to authorize the acquisition of real property for a trailhead and parking area.
- Vice Mayor Selection: Councilmember Nielsen was appointed vice mayor unanimously.
- Adjournment: The council adjourned to executive session with a unanimous vote.
Summary of Current Events
- Councilmember Nielsen reported visiting Amazon’s drone delivery presentation at the visitor center, noting that drones will deliver packages within a 7.5-mile radius from 107th and Van Buren, capable of carrying up to 5 pounds and dropping packages from 13 feet.
- Councilmember White shared that she, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember-elect Wise toured the Agua Fria Food Bank. The food bank is seeking additional volunteers and 4-5 new board members and provides food, showers, personal care items, and a clothing closet. She urged council to support the board recruitment.
- Councilmember Condi congratulated Councilmember Malone on receiving the Agua Fria Hall of Fame award, praising her behind-the-scenes community work.
- Councilmember Garcia expressed gratitude for the community and noted attending three events with fellow council members, emphasizing the importance of serving small business owners and those in need.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call in order the regular city council meeting of October 21st, 2024. Will you all join me with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection? And to the Republic for Nation under the Liberty Justice. Thank you. Marcella, can we get a roll call? Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Conde here. Councilmember Malone. Here. Councilmember Garcia. Here. Councilmember Solario. Here. Councilmember Nielsen. Here. Councilmember White. Here. Mayor Paneda. Here. Thank you. Raw next item, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We have our first set of presentations. It's gonna be uh Renee Weatherless, our director of finance, introducing two new employees. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, I have the pleasure tonight to introduce first to Sean Pierce. Sean has extensive experience working in grants programs and services. During his career, he supported nonprofits as well as municipal, county, and state governments with grants management. Sean has focused his career on providing direction to maximize the impact of grant funding, and in his new role here at Avondale as our grants coordinator, he's excited to have the opportunity to support departments to integrate grants into their funding portfolio and also to build stronger connections with departments and continue to enhance our internal structure outside of work. Sean enjoys spending time with his family and his dog Sushi. Thank you. And next, I have um the pleasure to introduce uh Laura Robinson. Laura Robinson is our new procurement officer. She started with the city in September 16th. Laura comes from Maricopa County Judicial Branch, where she worked for 12 years in procurement, handling commodities and services and IT procurement. Prior to that, Laura worked in the private sector doing procurement and steel manufacturing. Laura has a bachelor's degree in supply chain management from ASU, and her favorite holiday of the year is Halloween. Welcome. If you don't mind, uh Sean and uh sorry, Sean and Laura, uh, if you would like to share some comments. Um, how has it been so far working for the city of Avondale? Anything to that effect, we'd love to hear it. Well, good evening. Uh, so far I love it. I think that the people is really nice. I I enjoy working with everybody. I'm looking forward to making an impact. Um, I love working for the community, so this is something that is very dear to me doing procurement and and making a change in our community. Looking forward to doing that for Avondale. Thank you so much.
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