Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025

The Avondale City Council held a regular meeting on October 15, 2025, to discuss new employee introductions, proclamations, a public hearing on the HUD Annual Action Plan, an animal control services presentation, amendments to personnel policies, and the city manager's recommended budget. The council also received public comments and approved several items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the purchase of a new building for the Southwest Family Advocacy Center, as referenced during the budget discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Johnson submitted a blue card request to speak regarding excessive truck traffic (18-wheelers) and cars with loud exhausts driving at excessive speeds on Van Buren Street between 107th Avenue and 111th Avenue. He stated the noise is intolerable, disrupts sleep, and called for a ban on truck traffic in that stretch and a zero-tolerance policy enforced by police. He attributed the issue to poor city planning and insufficient officer resources.

Discussion Items

• New Employee Introductions: Staff presented new hires across multiple departments, including the court (photo radar specialist), finance (senior buyer), parks and recreation (library, maintenance, lifeguards, pool manager), human resources (senior HR analyst), and public works (pavement program manager). The police department introduced 17 new officers, noting that sworn officers are fully staffed for the first time since 2012. The city manager thanked council for prioritizing public safety funding.
• Proclamations:
  • Month of the Military Child (April 2024): The council proclaimed April as the Month of the Military Child, recognizing the sacrifices of military children. Police Officer Matt O'Holleran, a U.S. Army Sergeant Major, shared his family's experience and introduced his wife and children. Purple Up Day (April 15) was encouraged.
  • National Library Week (April 7–13, 2024): The council proclaimed National Library Week, highlighting library services. Librarian Jamie Thompson reported over 100,000 visits, 4,000 new library cards, 12,000 computer sessions, and circulation of over 1 million resources in 2023. Programs, fine-free policies, and renovations were noted. Council members expressed support.
  • Week of the Young Child (April 6–12, 2024): The council proclaimed the Week of the Young Child, emphasizing early childhood education. Kelsey Perry from Parks and Recreation detailed the upcoming KidFest event, expected to draw 6,000 people, with touch-a-truck, foam pit, and new activities. Partners from Valley of the Sun United Way, First Things First, and the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children spoke in support.
• Public Hearing: HUD Annual Action Plan FY 2024-25: Chris Lopez, Director of Neighborhood and Family Services, presented the plan, which allocates approximately $650,000 in CDBG funds and $266,000 in HOME funds. Proposed activities include capital improvements at parks, youth summer employment, home repair, workforce development, and security/utility deposits for homelessness prevention. The plan was previously reviewed by the Neighborhood and Family Services Commission. No public comments were received. Council discussion noted the importance of workforce housing and the home repair program. The hearing was closed; action will be taken on April 22, 2024.
• Animal Control Services Presentation: Marissa Ruffinelli, Police Support Services Supervisor, presented an overview of the animal control unit, which has two full-time officers and provides 7-day service from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Responsibilities include enforcing leash laws, investigating bites, cruelty, and noise complaints, and impounding animals. In 2023, the unit responded to 1,491 animal problems, 262 noise complaints, 154 sick/injured animals, 54 cruelty cases, and 80 bites, and impounded 836 animals. The council discussed the city's noise ordinance (Code 15-11) for barking dogs, noting that two complaints from different citizens willing to testify are required for prosecution. The mayor indicated a future discussion on noise ordinances in June 2025.
• Amendment to Personnel Policies and Procedures (Chapter 4): Andy Miskita, HR Director, presented amendments to recruitment and selection policies. Key changes include: flexible minimum age for applicants (following state/federal law), city manager involvement in significant recruitment decisions, clarification of probationary periods (12 months for original, 6 months for promotional, with longer periods for public safety), and options for unsuccessful completion of probation (demotion or dismissal with appeal rights). The council adopted the resolution unanimously.
• City Manager's Recommended Budget Discussion: Keith, Deputy Director of Finance and Budget, reviewed the recommended budget for FY 2024-25, highlighting changes from the March presentation: the purchase of a building for the Southwest Family Advocacy Center, increased costs for the police communications bureau remodel (+$2.4M) and fire training tower (+$562K), and leasing costs for the new center. The budget remains structurally balanced, with ongoing revenues exceeding expenses, though future years are tight due to reduced rental sales tax and flat tax income. Priorities include employee compensation, 13.4 additional FTEs, maintaining programs (homeless services, recycling), and new initiatives (summer camp, website updates, WeRide adjustments). Next steps include adoption in June with truth in taxation hearings.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution 1035-0424: Amending personnel policies and procedures for recruitment and selection, passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing on HUD Annual Action Plan: Closed; council will consider approval on April 22, 2024.
• Council Comment: Mayor requested continued vigilance on revenue sources due to economic uncertainty. Council members thanked staff for the Health and Resource Fair (400 attendees) and the river bottom tour with the police department.