I'd like to call to order the regular city council meeting of February 10th, 2025.

Would you please all join me in the step and stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under our indivisible justice current.

Thank you so much.

Julie, can we have roll call, please?

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Conde.

Here.

Councilmember Garcia.

Here.

Councilmember Solario.

Here.

Councilmember Weiss.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Here.

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Here.

Mayor Paneda.

Here.

Thank you.

Tracy, next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

Tonight we have employee announcements.

The following new employees will be presented to City Council.

This item is for discussion only.

And to begin, we will have uh Judge Craig Jennings and a Brill Ruiz O'Teger for the courts.

Good evening.

Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

Brill and I and Sheree, one of our supervisors is over there.

She told me for moral support.

So we're all uh honored to be here tonight to present to you Bonnie Ibrahim.

Uh Bonnie recently was uh promoted within the court.

She started off as a court clerk one for us way back in 2015.

I just told her I didn't realize she'd been there almost 10 years, uh, but we're very proud of that.

I would have guessed it was eight or so.

But uh she was recently promoted to a court clerk too.

So she's going from front counter handling people and and all that busyness uh to being in the courtroom and working on traffic cases, both civil and criminal.

And so she was recently promoted to this position.

We had somebody leave us after having a child, and so Bonnie has stepped up, so we're very fortunate for that.

So Bonnie, thank you uh so much for joining and and remaining with the city.

Congratulations on your promotion, and uh, we welcome you on behalf of the council to the city of Avonia.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Next, I'd like to introduce Andy Mosquita, Director of HR.

Good evening, Mayor Vice Mayor and Council.

It's my pleasure to introduce our US employee to the HR department.

Uh her name is Keely Farrow, and she's our senior management analyst.

Um Keeley joined the City of Avondale on January 27th, and in her role as senior management analyst, she's responsible for supporting policy development, HR information systems, and process improvements.

Prior to joining Avondale, Keeley spent the last 25 years working for Maricopa County in a variety of HR leadership roles.

Keighley holds a bachelor's degree in justice studies from ASU, a master's degree in human resource management from National University, and is currently certified as a senior professional in HR through the HR Certification Institute and a senior professional through the Society of HR management.

Uh, when not at work, Keely spends her time traveling the world.

Her most recent trip was to Ireland, and her next trip uh will soon be Norway during the summer.

So please join me in welcoming Keely to our department.

Thank you so much, Keighley, for choosing Avendale.

Appreciate having you we appreciate you being here and joining the team.

Thank you.

And from the Office of Public Safety, I'd like to introduce Lieutenant Lopez to introduce his two new employees.

Uh Henry Castro, our newest member to the City of Avenue municipal security team.

Henry was born and raised in San Diego, California.

A lot of people from California, I know.

Um with his love for law enforcement, he joined the San Diego Police Department in 1993.

His senior there, he worked with patrol before transferring to the Traffic Bureau working the last 19 years there.

He kept his community safe by arresting several DUIs every year.

And he now he enjoys his time uh here in Arizona where he moved.

His love for law enforcement doesn't stop.

His wife currently works for Glenn.

As they raise a 14-year-old daughter.

So now he is part of our municipal security team.

And to keep our campus safe and free from bad people, right?

Visiting our campus.

So we welcome Henry to the city.

To my right, I have Michael Morada.

I have the pleasure of introducing Michael to our co-compliance team.

Michael has 40 plus years living here in Arizona, who I know it's not heard of, but he's a native here.

Um he also has a love for law enforcement and worked for the Glenda Police Department.

As a police officer there, he worked various areas in Glendale, which has led him to being a uh field training officer, teaching you guys what it is to becoming a police officer.

Mike, after 20 years, he retired in 2024 and closed a chapter of law enforcement with his wife and three adult kids.

He enjoys traveling and spending time with them.

Now he wants to continue serving the community by joining our compliance team, and we welcome Michael to the city.

Thank you.

Thank you both for choosing Avondale and welcome to the team.

We appreciate you being here.

Thank you.

And next from our public works department, I'd like to introduce Kirk Beattie, Director of Public Works.

Good evening, Mayor Rice Mayor and Council.

Before I show you a video of the four employees that we've recently hired who are at home, hopefully getting some sleep because they're early risers.

I want to tell you a little bit about each one of them.

William Denickey is a water reclamation operator.

He joined our team after a short stint with the um Taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company, Phoenix, DSMC.

You probably heard the acronym.

Prior to that, he worked at the company called Plumbing Masters for three years, and he served also at the United States Marines.

Will is an avid martial arts enthusiast, has a love for the outside doors, which he's passing on to his three young boys, Liam Thomas and Sullivan.

And he and his wife are also proud of her parents of a baby daughter who was born last month.

The next person you'll see on the video is Noah Green.

He's a water production and treatment operator.

Noah attended the water systems program as West Smeck Vocational Center during his senior year in high school.

And upon graduation, he interned for the city of Buckeye in the water production treatment field.

Success successfully obtained his ADEQ certification to become a certified operator when he's not working.

He enjoys um hanging out with his friends and playing video games.

He's he's a youngster.

The next one is uh is Jimmy Hill, solid waste equipment operator.

He's an experienced equipment operator who worked for the city of Phoenix in their solid waste area.

Um he wanted to work for Avondale because he lives here, takes pride in his community.

He and his family relocated to Avondale a couple of years ago.

Uh his wife and kids all work or go to school here in Avondale.

He actually walks to work from his neighborhood over to the mosque, so that's he's nice and close.

Um we're just really happy to have such an experienced person and somebody that's enthused to be working for the city of Avondale.

And the last person you'll see on the video is Andrew Slava, a water reclamation operator.

He came to us um after working in the medical gas service as a technician providing certification uh and training for medical gas usage in hospitals.

He's also a 14-year veteran of the U.S.

Navy.

He's been married for 17 years with his to his wife Mara, and they have three boys, Andrew, Santiago, and Daniel.

He loves spending time outdoors, uh, camping and fishing, and is currently teaching his boys how to perform for mechanical work on ATVs and the family cars.

So with that, I'll just let them say hello on the video.

My name is Will Dinneggy, a wastewater reclamation operator.

And what I like most about my job is the service that we provide to the public by cleaning all the water.

It's a very detailed process that ensures our water is clean for all of our cities.

My name is Noah Green.

I'm in the public works department.

I'm a water production operator.

And my favorite part about working at the city is having my own truck.

One thing I like about working for City of Avondale is that culture, like Irma, like McCollin.

Hello, my name is Andes Leva.

Uh I work at the Wastewater Facility Treatment.

And I am a wastewater operator.

And what I like about my department is the morale and the people I work with.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you, Kirk.

We appreciate that.

Tell them good morning for us when you see them.

Next, I'd like to introduce Al Bates, Assistant Police Chief of the Police Department.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council.

It's my honor and privilege to be here tonight to introduce you not only to new employees, but as well as some recent promotions that we've had.

I'm going to introduce them, and then I'd like for each of them to kind of come forward, state their name, their position, and what you know tell us a little bit about themselves and why they chose Avondale.

So I'll start with our promotions.

Sergeant Benjamin Beebe.

He's been here for approximately two and a half years, and he's a lateral uh from another agency.

We have Sergeant Leslie Green, who's been here for possibly two years and is also a lateral from another agency.

And then we have Sergeant William Sexton, who's been here for approximately six and a half years.

And he's this is his first agency if I'm not mistaken.

But our new employees, we've got several new employees.

We've got Officer JC Duncheon.

Uh she just graduated the academy, along with Officer Jacob Carnes.

Park Ranger Trent Phillips, detention officer Antonio Mendoza and Matthew Parks.

And dispatchers Corina Coda and Aaron Metzger.

We also have Mackenzie Wetlow who could not be here tonight.

But at this time I'd like for each of them to come up and just tell us a little bit about themselves, uh, their position and why they chose Avondale.

Okay, thank you.

Uh hi, I'm Ben Beebe.

Um, as uh Chief said, I'm bilateral from Flag South uh Arizona.

I've served up there for approximately eight years.

Um back to Avondale.

I grew up in Avondale, um, so I'm local here.

Um I like the culture of the city um and the police department as a whole.

Um so it's nice to be back or I grew up here.

So welcome home.

Thank you.

I'm Sergeant Leslie Green, as well as a lateral.

I came from Surprise where I spent about five and a half years.

I'm currently the Sergeant number squad at 10.

And the reason I chose Avondale is I want to work for the best city and the best chief in the valley of Phoenix.

And that's that's now on record.

Thank you for being here.

Hello everyone, I'm Sergeant uh William Sexton.

Uh I this is my first and only agency.

Um I uh came from active duty service with the Marine Corps.

Uh my whole family was law enforcement.

The majority of all work for Phoenix.

I wanted a uh agency that was a little bit closer, a community family environment, and after only a couple years I realized I made the right choice.

So thank you all for your time.

Thank you for your service, and thank you for choosing Avondale.

Appreciate it.

Hello, I'm Officer Jacob Carnes.

I've been on the road now about three months, and the reason why I chose Avondale is because I like the sense of family, the whole city, not just the department.

It feels like one big family.

And even only being on for a couple months, I I feel like now everybody just loves teaching, helping it helping everybody else throw.

Well, thank you for choosing Avondale.

We appreciate you being here.

Hello, I'm Officer JC Duncan.

So I chose Avondale because I actually went to the Citizen Police Academy in 2023.

I really liked meeting all the different officers and everyone in the different departments that I met.

So um I decided to apply here.

And thank you for sharing your story.

And as a result, uh again, as she mentioned, in joining one of the academies, it inspired her, and here she is with the badge and serving our community.

So it's a great story.

Thank you so much.

Hello, my uh park ranger Trent Phillips.

Um I actually came from the city of Phoenix as a park ranger.

Um why I chose Avondale is like the about the same is the family.

We are accepted from day one, and uh it's best in that and made mode.

Thank you for choosing Avenue and being here.

Uh good evening.

Good evening.

My name is uh Tony Mendoza.

Uh I work for the City of Avondale as a detention officer.

I came from MCU so where I spent 11 years there.

And the reason I chose to come to Avondale from MCSO is uh the love that the city has for the community and the uh how family oriented everything is to be closer to home for me as well.

Thank you for being here and choosing Avondale.

Hi doing on Matthew Parks.

Um I'm also a transfer.

I retired from NCSO.

And I came to Avondale because I have friends that work here, but also enjoy the family in the smaller community that is.

It's a lot tighter community in the smaller department.

Well, it's nice that you're able to reconnect with former friends.

And so again, thank you for choosing Avondale and being a part of the team.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

I'm Aaron Mesker.

I'm a dispatcher.

And I chose Avondale because I nurse it from Montana.

And Avondale was about the size of the whole county that I used to work for, so it felt comfortable in that regard.

All volume is about the same.

Uh here, so that's why I chose it.

And I left out with all the other attributes that I got when I got here.

Well, thank you so much for choosing Avondale.

Hello, my name is Gary Nacopa, and I'm a dispatcher.

And the reason why I chose Avondale is kind of paid back off of these amazing people, just great community, you know, amazing environment, and uh it's just a blessing overall to be here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And again, thank you all for choosing Avondale and being a part of the team.

We really appreciate you so much.

Thank you.

Tracy, next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have a proclamation for Engineers Week, and this will be presented by Kim Moon, our Director of Engineering.

City Council will present the proclamation recognizing February 16th through February 22nd, 2025 as Engineers Week.

This item is for discussion only.

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

National Engineers Week is from February 16th to February 22nd this year, and this year's theme is design your future.

Aimed at inspiring the next generation of engineers.

This is an opportunity to celebrate the profession of engineering to support activities that get students interested in engineering and to promote future careers in science, technology, and months.

We have representatives from many of the departments here this evening.

So at this time I'm going to ask the engineering department team to please stand.

We also have engineers in the public works department.

So any engineers in the public works department, please stand.

Okay.

And we have lots of technicians and uh the lots of people that work on design and construction throughout our city.

So everyone, please join in standing with us.

Uh anyone who's involved in development, design, and construction, I invite you to stand and be recognized.

Come on, Jody Catherine.

So thank you for this recognition this evening and promoting engineering weight.

Thank you.

Thank you, Kim.

Thank you, Kim.

And um I'd like to read a proclamation if I will, if I can.

Whereas engineers provide the talents and skills necessary to analyze and solve complex problems and create the infrastructure essential for the high quality of life which our citizens enjoy.

And whereas the support of an understanding and informed citizenry is vital to the efficient planning, design, construction, and operation of the public infrastructure, which includes water, sanitary, and storm sewers, streets and highways, bridges, public buildings, communications, and electricity and natural gas distribution.

And whereas the health, safety, welfare, comfort, and economic vitality of this community, as well as the success of project renewal, greatly depends on sound public infrastructure.

And whereas engineers address the major technological challenges of our time, from rebuilding towns devastated by natural disasters to designing infrastructure that will take our county, our country, through the 21st century.

And whereas the quality and effectiveness of the public infrastructure is vitally dependent upon the effort, talent, and skill of public and private sector engineers.

And whereas the city of Avondale is fortunate to have highly qualified and dedicated engineers whose professionalism materially influences the people's attitude and understanding of the importance of the work they perform.

And now, therefore, it be resolved that the week of February 16th through February 22nd, 2025 is hereby designated as Engineers Week in the City of Avondale.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

And Mayor, I do want to note we will take photos after the last uh presentation item.

So, staff, if you would like a photo, please stay.

Thank you so much, Marcella.

Okay, Tracy, next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

Our next item is a proclamation for Black History Month.

We would like to welcome Lisa Cobb, President of the Arizona West Valley Alumni Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to the podium to accept the proclamation and share a brief overview of her organization.

City Council will present a proclamation recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month.

This item is for discussion only.

Good evening.

May I have all the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, please stand.

Good evening to the esteemed city officials of City of Avondale and all of our fellow community members.

On behalf of the members of Arizona West Valley Alumni Chapter, we are truly honored for the significant recognition of this Black History Month proclamation.

It is both humbling and inspiring to receive this honor.

For over a century, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has remained committed to fostering positive change within our communities through principles of sisterhood, scholarship, and service.

We are very proud of the impact of our chapter has made on the City of Avondale to address critical issues that are affecting our neighbors, our friends, and our families.

This recognition is particularly special to receive during Black History Month as we honor the legacies of those who have come before us.

The importance before us and the uh work that we have done in the City of Avondale.

So again, thank you for recognizing our organization, and we look forward to continuing to serve along the side of the City of Avondale for many years to come.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And thank the chapter as well for joining us tonight.

And uh too have a proclamation that I'd like to read.

Whereas in 1926, the first celebration of Negro History Week was started by the educator and scholar Cardi Carter G.

Woodson to honor the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

The objective was to educate people about black history, share traditions from black culture, honor the contributions and focus positive attention on African Americans in the United States.

And whereas in 1976, President Gerald Ford extended the celebration to a month.

And in 1986, Congress passed public law 99-244 to designate February as National Black Afro-American History Month.

And whereas by celebrating Black History Month, we are celebrating the generations of African Americans who have been in this country since the 17th century have worked tirelessly to shape and strengthen the fabric of our city, our state, our nation, and have enriched every aspect of our global identity.

And whereas Black History Month honors and affirms the importance of African American history throughout our nation by recognizing the significant contributions of the African American community over the years.

It is also important to understand the many accomplishments that were made by Black Americans amid undue hardships, slavery, inequality, and extreme forms of institutionalized racism and violence.

And whereas while Black History Month initially began as Negro History Week, it is vital to continue to learn about and to celebrate the outstanding yet often overlooked contributions and achievements of the strong community of black people throughout each year.

And whereas the City of Avondale recognizes the enrichments of African Americans to the West Valley's rich heritage, seeing success through the many impressions of those who came before us and those who live here now.

We celebrate our city's diversity, recognizing we must work to extend the American dream to black people in our city as we make lives better for all.

And now, therefore, mayor and council of the City of Avondale, Arizona, do hereby proclaim February 2025 as Black History Month in Avondale, and urge all residents to celebrate the rich heritage, immense strength, and substantial contributions of people of African descent in our community today and every day as we continue our efforts to support the principles of freedom and equality for a must just for a more just society.

Thank you so much.

Tracy, next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

The National Children's Alliance reaccreditation of the Southwest Valley Advocacy Center recognition will be presented by Reem George, Family Advocacy Center, manager with the Avondale Police Department.

Evening, Honorable Mayor Padeda and the Castle members, thank you so much for having me.

I just wanted to provide some of the information for the Southwest Family Advocacy Center and our accreditation process that took about a year and a half.

And we just recently got accredited.

As you know, we were established in 2006.

Um and we were first accredited back in 2013.

And the process is every five years.

So we go through the process every five years to make sure that we are up to the national standards, that we meet the standards, and that we are uh working to assist crime victims, and we're doing it in a manner that is safe psychologically and physically safe for our children.

Uh we are only one we're we're one of two advocacy centers in Maricopa County that is fully accredited, and one of five in the state of Arizona.

So it is a big deal.

Uh it is a pretty rigorous uh process.

It's a one-stop uh shop model where crime victims come to our center and all the services that take place, it takes place inside our center.

They don't have to go to a hospital, they don't have to go uh inside a police station.

It's all it all happens all in the same facility.

Um I just wanted to share some of the standards.

There are 10 core standards that we have to meet, 110 essential components for us to actually be accredited.

Uh so we did go through that process uh to make sure that we had uh everything that we need, all the documentation that we need.

Uh we had um a lot of um pieces of documentation from all of our partners the county attorney's office, all the police departments that make up our advocacy center, which is Avondale, Backaya Goodyear, and the Sheriff's Office.

We have Honor Health, Phoenix Children's Hospital.

All these partners had to come forward and bring in accreditation documentation and credentials for all their staff so we could meet those standards.

Um we had a lot of pieces of information.

Of course, I don't have uh too much uh time to go into it, but we had to provide a lot of these documentations to ensure that uh we're up to standards.

Um on November 21st, uh, we did have site auditors that came in.

They attended our multidisciplinary team meeting, and then they took a center tour and met with different uh staff from different disciplines, uh, including um uh law enforcement, uh, our forensic interviewer, victim advocates.

They met with our uh chief of police as well, as uh as well as uh uh the chief of Baccaye PD as well.

They met with our board members and then they closed out the meeting uh with me about uh you know whether we pass, you know, some of the recommendations that they had.

Um just some of the accreditation benefits.

Uh it includes membership on a national level.

So, for example, if I need to reach out on the national level because I need help with a certain topic, uh, I could do that because there is that uh sense of cohesiveness and membership online and in person as well.

We also have a state chapter as well.

Um we also have a lot of grant opportunities that gets presented uh to us.

We recently got uh a grant um uh through the National Children's Alliance.

Uh we get training and technical assistance, online peer support, um, and it's just to uh it's just that standard practice for child abuse investigation and prosecution uh to make it so we're up to uh national standards, we meet all the requirements.

Um and we have a lot of you know different partnerships and then a lot of resources uh that are beneficial to our facility.

That's all I have.

I could I could go on.

Um if you have any questions, please.

Well, first and foremost, Reen, thank you so much.

Um, as you mentioned, uh being one of two in the state that is fully accredited, and uh I know that there is a lot of work that goes into that.

I mean, you covered this so quickly and briefly, and we appreciate it, but there was just so much work that went in between you, your team, the city, the other uh cities that are participating.

I you know, I know this is truly a a uh tremendous asset that we have.

Uh, it's unfortunate that you know this service exists, but it does, and what better way to at least um show our commitment by participating.

And I know that there's other members of council that also participate as part of this board as well.

And if there's any members that would like to share uh anything or ask any questions, and that would be a great time.

And I know that we have uh council member Weiss on the line.

I'll come to you in just a second, but Councilmember Condi, if you will.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Ring, for the presentation.

But most of all, I want to thank you and your team.

I know that this has been a lot of work for you.

One thing I would like to say is Councilmember Weiss and I were interviewed by the folks that came to help you to do the accreditation.

And one thing I think I heard from them is how impressed they were with you and the center.

And I just want to just say thank you for your hard work and dedication.

And it's really an honor to be able to serve in the capacity that I do on the Friends Board, and where we are able to raise funds for the center for items that aren't covered in the center's budget.

So again, thank you for your hard work and your dedication.

Any other members of council here?

Or councilmember Weiss, is there anything you'd like to add?

Good evening, Mayor.

Yes, I just really wanted to acknowledge Ream and her team.

They uh do a wonderful job day in and day out, and they are really truly supported by PD of all of the agencies.

And then it's just an honor to be able to work with this wonderful um center.

Um, the way that you know we've been able to support the victims that go through the that go through through it.

I'm so sorry.

We will stop talking, I'll start coughing.

But that's it.

Thank you so much for all you do, Rain, and your team.

Thank you, Councilmember Weiss.

Anybody else, thank you very much.

Oh, thank you.

Hello, no?

Okay.

Councilmember Garcia.

Oh, sorry, Councilmember Garcia, I apologize.

Oh, it's uh it's okay.

She she I don't see her anymore.

I just want to say thank you for all the work they do.

Um, I know Tina and Sherry work on there.

Um I've I'm a I'm a survivor of both domestic and sexual assault.

So knowing that there's a program in the West Valley that helps people in those situations is wonderful.

And um, I had an incident uh earlier this year where I had to um go to councilmember uh Condi for for help um about information and she always says you know she speaks so highly about the advocacy center and to always recommend to send anyone there, even if it's something small that you guys are able to help.

So thank you so much for everything you guys do.

Thank you for sharing that uh councilmember Garcia, I appreciate it.

Um, Tracy, before we go to the next item, um, if we could just back up really quickly.

I know that we have um our our visitors here from the chapter, and we have a participating member here on council, councilmember White, and I just skipped over so quickly, but is there anything that you would like to share uh about um being as part of the group, party being the sorority chapter that you uh sit on?

Thank you so much.

Oh, yes, of the residents.

Yes, thank you.

I I actually uh want to acknowledge um thank you for allowing the proclamation to be presented to the Delta chapter here in the West Valley.

Um a part of the reason I think I sit on this dais is because on April 17th of 2021, we chartered this chapter here in the city of Avondale.

And I think that's what makes this chapter so special at this meeting on this day, this time, um, because um all of the work that we've done to cultivate um we we Delta goes to black communities and we support them where they are.

So that just really meant in 2021.

We had a reason to be here, right?

Some of us have been here much longer than that as I look at some of my neighbors and friends.

Um and as I think about our city attorney and the integrity that she has and delivers, she is not a member of our chapter, like a few other of the SORORs um who are in the audience.

Um, however, wherever we go, whatever we do, the one thing that keeps us together is is sisterhood and service.

And so I think as we have to demonstrate scholarship to become Deltas, the service that we give is the price we pay to live.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Tracy item E, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

The Holiday School Spirit Food Drive Awards presentation will be presented by Mary Allen Gonzalez, our youth and community engagement coordinator with neighborhood and family services, and Stacey Arlano, neighborhood and family services coordinator.

Hello, hello, good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of the council.

Thank you so much for having us here tonight.

As mentioned, my name is Marila Gonzales.

I'm the youth and community engagement coordinator with our neighborhood and family services department.

I first off want to express my gratitude for those who are attending this evening and their involvement in our 17th Annual School Spirit Drive.

Since 2008, the Neighborhood and Family Services Department has worked with our Avendale schools to help address the increasing demand faced by our local food banks to help the community with that.

So we're also pleased to have our Avondale Youth Advisory Commission here in attendance.

They actively participate in this by encouraging engagement and also advocating for resources in our community.

I also have Diana Amaya, who is our Avondale Youth Advisory Commission chair who's going to assist with handing out the trophies.

And I also have Stacy Ayano, who will be recognizing our participating schools.

This year's drive ran from November 4th, 2024 through December 6, 2024, and we had nine total participating schools, and we're incredibly grateful for their participation as we know this food that's collected is going to go back to our residents of Avondale.

Listed here are those that participated in the 17th Annual School Drive.

Again, we greatly appreciate their partnership in this yearly event that our department coordinates.

We received feedback from multiple schools expressing their enjoyment and being able to be part of this initiative.

So I want to share it last year's numbers.

We collected 4,351 pounds of food, which is equivalent to 3,628 meals.

But I'm even more excited to announce that this year that number increased.

So this year we gathered 6,040 pounds, which is equivalent to 5,033 meals.

Through the involvement of our schools hosting the drives at their respective schools and spreading awareness is that we're able to achieve this number here.

So each contribution, no matter the amount, is plays a vital role in supporting those and ensuring that everyone has food on their table.

So with that, I'll go ahead and turn it over to Stacy, who will be presenting awards to our schools.

It's been a pleasure coordinating this year's School Spirit Food Drive, and I'm honored to be here this evening to recognize the amazing efforts of the participating schools.

As I call your school's name, please send a representative to the podium to receive your participation plaque.

Please return to your seat after receiving your award.

You will be invited to the front of council chambers for a group photo after all presentations are completed.

Star Academy.

Who collected three thousand forty-six pounds, equivalent to two thousand five hundred thirty-eight meals.

I'd like to give a special shout out to Diana Amaya, the Avondale Youth Advisory Chair who supported and rallied behind her school.

Thank you again to all the participating schools.

You have made a difference in the community of Avondale.

This wouldn't be possible without you.

Thank you.

Do you have any questions?

Just great job, everybody.

Great job to not only those who participated, leadership from all the surrounding school districts, uh, not just for the participation, but even just for the impact that will come back to the communities in which you serve.

It's much appreciated, and um can't say enough about that, but I'd like to turn it over to my fellow council members.

Are there any comments from council?

Anyone online?

Councilmember Weiss.

Go Dragons.

You got it.

Sorry, gold dragons.

Anybody online, Councilmember Weiss, Councilmember Garcia.

Okay.

Well, thank you again so much for participation.

Thank you, Maria Elena, for helping in directing this uh event.

I appreciate it.

Stacey as well, sorry.

Tracy, next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

The next item is the Exceptional Students of Avondale Recognition Program, known as our AV Star students.

This will be presented by Donna Gardner, youth and community engagement manager with neighborhood and family services.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of the council.

This is such a fun and wonderful uh initiative to recognize the amazing things that uh these students are doing here in our Avondale community.

I'm honored to be here uh presenting these recognition on behalf of school administrators, principals, educators, and nominators that are um present with us this evening uh to support these students.

Uh the achievements being recognized, maybe um academic, extracurricular, or personal, and or highlight uh the impact that these students have had for themselves, their friends, um, family, or community.

Um students, as I call your name, uh please come to the podium to receive um your certificate.

And um, you're welcome to take a seat after you receive your certificate.

Um the list of um these wonderful things that these students are doing is incredible.

Um so just be prepared because the the list is uh absolutely amazing and just goes on and on.

Okay, so first up, um this student is within the Ala Freya Union High School District.

Um she is a 12th grader at Ala Freya High School.

Her name is Injay Chuol.

Um Jay is the president of uh HOSA, which is health occupation for students of America at Awa Freya High School.

Uh she is the Al Closet co-president, National Honor Society Secretary, historian for Awa Freya, uh Black Student Union, Senior Class Treasurer, a key part of the freshman mentor program, a varsity athlete for cross-country.

She um plays soccer and track also.

NJ is uh present and active in all of these commitments while maintaining a high GPA.

Uh, she challenges herself by taking AP classes and is in the top five percent of her graduating class.

She assists with planning community service events uh to list just one of the many.

Um, NJ assisted with the Angel Tree Community Service Project by helping organize over 500 gifts and delivering them to local middle schools.

She has a positive impact on freshmen by being a link crew leader.

A link crew uh member is part of the freshman mentorship program, where uh in Jay and her group of three plan lessons around organization, study tips, mental health, school resources, and course selection.

NJ's nominator states she's truly an exceptional student and has been giving back to the community of Avondel all four years at Awa Freya High School.

The next student is with Avondel Elementary School District and attends Laddie Core.

She is in first grade, and her name is Lynette Salazar.

Lynette is kind and helpful.

She goes out of her way to support her friends.

She shows resilience, responsibility, and passion for learning.

Lynette also shows willingness to always do her best and excitement for new challenges.

She embodies the qualities of thoughtfulness and is also an engaged learner.

Her positive attitude uplifts those around her.

Sammy is a great leader.

Everyone at school loves getting to work with Sammy because of his contagious energy.

He continues to make improvements in his schoolwork and creates meaningful relationships.

Her kindness and willingness to help others creates a sense of community in the classroom.

She is a positive role model not only in her classroom, but also throughout her school and community.

She shows dedication, leadership, and kindness to all.

So I'm remembering your name.

Grant Goutry.

Congratulations to all of the students nominated for Exceptional Student of Avondale.

Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council, thank you.

Students will be invited to take a photo after all presentation items have been completed.

Thank you so much for the presentation.

Can we all hear these wonderful students?

Another round of applause.

Are there any other members of council that would like to express any comments?

Anyone online?

Okay.

Well, thank you very much, and again, congratulations to all of you for the hard work that you put into not only uh school, but uh your community, your friends, your family, and uh all those that you come in touch with.

So congratulations again and thank you both for participating.

We appreciate it.

Thank you.

Tracy, at this time um we are moving to uh the Amidal Avondale Ambassador Program, correct?

And then will we be doing pictures right after that before we go to public?

Okay, thank you so much.

All right, Tracy.

Thank you, Mayor.

So our next item is the new Avondale Ambassador Program, and these will be our introductions from Dilliard Collier, our management analyst with the city manager's office.

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

My name is Sylvain Collier.

I'm a management analyst in the city manager's office, and tonight I have the privilege of introducing the Avondale Ambassador Program and our inaugural cohort of Avondale Ambassadors.

So this year-long program provides an opportunity for residents to engage with city programs, services, events, and high priority projects, really empowering community members to share information and resources with their neighbors, friends, and visitors.

And through this experience, the ambassadors will attend quarterly meetings to learn about city services and upcoming projects, host information tables at city events, attend monthly city council meetings and city board commission and committee meetings, attend the annual say of the city events, uh, and be active on Avondale social media accounts and community engagement platforms like Aviwise and Avondale Connect.

And pictured here was our first quarterly meeting, which was held last Wednesday, where the ambassadors received a welcome from city council and city management, learn more about the program, and were provided a guided tour of the city.

So now I'll introduce our 2025 Avondale Ambassadors.

There are 21 program participants.

So when I call your name, please stand if you're able and be recognized.

Al Nunez, Amanda Duncan, Ben Ruadi, Brian Swanson, Sherry Gerlach, Cindy De La Riva, Crystal Lopez Davy, Cynthia Caesar, Dan Shu, David Garrison, Deanna Sapata, Janet Beeson, Jessica Valdez, Lindsay Coth, Mike Martin, Natasha Edmonds, Paul Lemon, Ramon Sanchez, Rhonda Bell, Walter Gonzalez, and Bill Reeves.

Please join me in welcoming our 2025 Avondale Ambassadors.

So, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members, thank you for your support of this program, and our participants will come down to take a photo with mayor and council after the presentations.

Anyone online?

So one of the things we discussed as part of uh the ambassador program while we were there last week was that you know, as members of council, we are only able to do uh what we can within our own networks and uh I guess our own spheres of influence.

And it takes much, much more than that uh as it um pertains to not only the ongoings of what happens here in Avondale, but more importantly, uh the connectivity that we look to engage with residents.

And so all of those members of this ambassador program before you have been tasked with just that of getting out there and sharing the information by receiving information and becoming educated on what's going on here with the city so that they too can go out and share that information with their friends, their family, and other residents of the community.

And what we're looking for, hopefully, is that some of you sitting here today who are not a part of the program and our next cohort would join, and then others after that again to become engaged with your community that you live in.

And I know the council and I really look forward to uh progress with that group and just all of the connections and engagement that will happen so thank you so much all of you for participating we really appreciate you uh being here so thank you.

Okay now if everybody would join me down here uh below the day is we will take some photos and then we will move on to um yes or I'm sorry uh to public appearances and unscheduled public appearances

I will be able to do it.

So Marivelle, if you could come uh and feel free to share with us what you're doing.

Hi.

Uh good afternoon, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council members.

Thank you guys for having me.

My name is Mayor Bal Cachou, and I am a farm worker advocate working for the migrant community in the West Valley, as you guys all know me.

I'm just coming here at this time just because I really want to be mindful of expressing first and foremost the beauty of my city, right?

I just heard it all right now.

You hear me saying how we're family, we're all one community, and that's just that's why I love my city so much, but it's also why I'm here.

I want to make sure that you know, moving forward or as we continue that our leadership is representing us all.

There is, you know, as we do know there's a migrant community within Avondale, and uh whether we're undocumented or not, we are still um taxpayers in the city, we are still the people who built the city, and I'm just hoping to come and really come before you guys and just remember that.

And that so when we are speaking about the community that we're mindful of the words that we're using so that nobody feels excluded within the community and that they feel safe in knowing that our leadership is here to represent us all.

And that's all I really have to say.

Thank you guys also for all your support you've always given us.

Okay.

Sorry.

Item number four is consent agenda.

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

Good evening, Mayor.

Um, this is Councilmember Weiss.

Um, I would like to pull item 4G from the consent agenda for separate consideration.

Okay, item G.

Can I get a motion for all items excluding item G.

Actually, our system is not voice vote.

Go to voice vote.

Okay.

I have a motion from Councilmember Condi and a second from Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Okay.

We don't have on our screen.

Nothing showed up there?

No.

Not in Mayors.

Okay.

Councilmember Condi.

Aye.

Councilmember Garcia.

Hi.

Councilmember Solorio.

Councilmember Weiss.

Aye.

Councilmember White.

Aye.

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Aye.

And Mayor Paneda.

Aye.

Motion passes 7-0.

Okay.

Tracy item G.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have Jody Novak, Director of Development Services here, to answer any questions.

Here.

Yes, Councilmember Weiss.

I do have a question.

Okay.

Okay.

We uh at this moment we do have uh Jody Novak up to we'll provide some information and then we'll open it up to questions.

Okay.

Thank you.

Good evening, Jody.

Hi, good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members.

Um I know you're speaking here on regards to item 4G.

Uh this is an engineering plot.

Um, this land has already had its land use determined um for this project.

It's been zoned for multi-family use since 2000, uh, when the land was rezoned by our council.

And we've been working with this property owner for a few years now.

They're actively in plan review and permit review.

Um this is an engineering tool that's before you tonight to amend a final plat specifically for the dedication of public and private sewer line easements that would help this project keep moving forward.

So if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

Councilmember Weiss.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, thank you, Jody.

Um, when I was knocking on doors last summer and just meeting with residents, um, a lot of um residents voiced their concern about apartments um versus condos and townhomes.

And um, and so that's why I brought it up this morning um in my um council briefing, just trying to understand the process.

And um it was explained to me, but I just felt that it might be um though there might be residents who may also have the same question I have, you know, when you're looking at the consent agenda, and they may not um understand that this is the final plot that um changes um we could have made would have been 20 years ago, I guess, in the zoning of this property.

Um but that's really why I wanted to come up, just so that you could explain it to me just so I can learn.

I'm new to I'm the newest member of council, and I really want to learn.

Um, but I want to be able to answer residents when they ask, you know, why are you approving um apartments?

Um when it says that it's being replatted from condos.

And that was it.

Thank you, Jody.

Thank you, Mayor.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions from any other member of council?

And and I appreciate Jody that you provided that insight.

I know that you know, as uh council member Weiss said that indeed, while uh you know many of us are out there, even if it's you know we're campaigning or not, that um the amount of multifamily coming out of the ground was uh was a concern and um you know it's just important that as Councilmember Weiss said that we communicate the fact that we are either moving with uh in that direction or not.

But in this case, uh it's important also to note for residents that there are other projects that are still in the queue or have not come to fruition yet that have been approved way uh you know uh prior to maybe even this council.

And so those as they come to fruition, while it may look like we're continuing to approve more and more projects, that these are just the result of some of those that have been sitting in that queue.

So um thank you, uh Councilmember Weiss for the question.

And um, I look at this moment in time for a motion uh to approve.

Uh or looking for a motion.

Got a motion from Vice Mayor Nielsen and a second from it went by too fast.

Councilmember Conde was a second.

Sorry about that.

Councilmember Conde?

Thank you so much.

Rest of us please vote.

Councilmember Garcia, how do you vote?

Um sorry, I have a question.

Um I don't think she answered um Councilmember Weiss's question.

Or did I miss her answering it?

Uh through the mayor, vice mayor and council member Garcia.

Um I don't know that there was a question, and so correct me if I'm incorrect, House Member Weiss.

I think it was just clarification to present what this item is on the agenda.

Um then just a statement about sometimes residents may not be familiar with what a plat is, um, not understanding there's some zoning entitlement work that may have happened prior.

Uh what I could say is staff will continue to work on how we present the information for PLATS so that there's additional information that could assist the public on the agenda and even staff understand what it is, uh, maybe provide a little bit of the history of when it had been zoned as this sites had zoning on it as part of a master plan development back in 2000.

So it's one of those long-standing sites that's already been pre-zoned for multi-family, and um only in recent years did the developer decide they wanted to move forward.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Councilmember Garcia.

Um with that I vote aye.

Thank you.

Councilmember Weiss, how do you vote?

I vote aye.

Okay, item passes 7-0.

Thank you so much.

Okay, we now are transition to the regular agenda.

Chasey.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to introduce Nicole Harris, our city attorney, to speak on training on the open meeting law.

Oh, do I just push?

Ah, there we go.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council.

Um, before I get started, I just want to clarify one thing.

I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta, the national sorority.

Um, I'm not a member of Councilmember White's chapter.

There's multiple chapters.

So I know she mentioned that I'm not a member of her chapter, so I didn't want you guys to think I stood up trying to be a part of something.

I am part of it on a national level.

Um, but with there are multiple chapters in the state, so we're not part of the same chapter.

Back to that integrity.

I love it.

Thank you.

So I'm here to provide you with open meeting law training tonight.

You've all had this training in the past, and uh council member Garcia and Councilmember Weiss, I gave them a quick overview right when um they after they were elected.

But we like to do this refresher every one to two years just to remind council of the requirements and also make you aware of any changes in the law.

So started just a little brief history.

So um open meeting law, it's 10 statutes, it's located in Title 38.

It's a pretty easy read.

So if you ever want to, you know, in your free time, go take a look.

It set for us all the requirements pretty clearly.

Um it's was adopted in 1962, so we've had it around for quite a while.

It was amended in 1982, um, subsequent amendment to authorize um the Arizona Attorney General and County Attorneys to enforce the statute and pursue legal action against violators.

So my office does not prosecute or investigate any open meeting law complaints, all of that's done by those two agencies.

And then some of the other significant amendments through the years 2017, it was amended to clarify what constitutes a meeting.

There are now three definitions for a meeting, and I'll go through those.

And then in 2020, it was amended to add a new executive session, which allowed for us to discuss security plans and assessments of our infrastructure and our facilities in executive session.

And then two years ago it was amended to add a requirement that councils have sufficient seating for participants.

And then currently, right now, there is a bill in the legislature that would amend where we place our call to the public on scheduled public appearances on the agenda.

It would have to come before any regular business is conducted.

So right now we have discretion to place it wherever, but that bill is currently in the legislature, so we're watching that one.

And then there are various AG opinions on the application of the open meeting law.

AG opinions are not binding, but they provide guidance on the interpretation of the open meeting law.

So whenever we have a question, if we're not sure about how something applies, we can send it to the AG and they'll give us their opinion.

As I mentioned, it's not binding, but since they are the enforcement arm for the open meeting law, it's a good practice to try to look to them for guidance.

So what is the purpose of the open meeting law?

So the statute includes the declaration of public policy.

It's one of the few statutes that clearly states why we're doing this, and it's to maximize public access to the government process.

There's an AG opinion that says it prevents public bodies from secret decision making.

So it's not a set of obstacles to overcome or challenges to overcome.

Openness and transparency is the goal.

So any person that's charged with interpreting the open meeting law statutes should always interpret them in the open and in the in favor of open and public meetings.

So this is the second statute after the definitions, it's pretty clear.

This is the meat and potatoes of the open meeting law.

Meetings of public bodies must be public.

Anyone can attend and listen, and all legal action must occur in a public meeting.

So tonight I'm gonna discuss what's considered a meeting, who are the public bodies, what is legal action, and what is it required for the public to attend and listen.

So what is a public body?

You guys, councils.

Uh that's a great picture, by the way.

That's why I want to use it.

Um city and town councils, um, all boards and commissions of the city, so think our planning commission, municipal arts committee, and neighborhood and family services commission, just to name a few.

All corporations and other instrumentalities whose boards or directors are appointed or elected by a city council.

So think our um what is it, our Alamar community facilities district.

That would be one of those corporations.

Um, and then all quasi judicial boards of the city, that's our board of adjustments, and then all standing special or advisory committees of this of the city.

So that would be our bond committee, which we most recently adopted, and then say your boards and commissions, council subcommittee.

All of those are public bodies that must comply with the open meeting law.

So what is a meeting?

So definitions pretty clear.

Meeting, it means the gathering in person or through technological devices of a quorum of the members of the public body at which they discuss, propose, or take legal action, including any deliberations by a quorum with respect to such action.

So it's any in-person meeting like we're here right now, but that also includes through technological devices, so that would be email, um, text, Zoom meetings, telephone calls, conference calls, all of those avenues.

If you get a quorum of the public body and you guys are discussing, proposing, deliberating on council business, that is considered a meeting that would need to comply with the open meeting law.

Meeting also includes a one-way electronic communication by one member of the public body that is sent to a quorum of the members of the public body, and that proposes legal action.

So propose means to put forward for consideration, discussion or adoption.

So discussion is not necessary to meet this definition of a meeting, and you only need one-way communication.

So an email or a text message.

So I may use some examples, you know, I may use your names, but none of these, these are just hypotheticals.

So say Mayor Paneda texts three other council members and says the city should vote on building new office space for the city attorney's office.

That's a one-way communication to three other council members.

So that's a quorum, and that proposes legal action because it says vote at a at a meeting on a specific topic.

So that would be a violation of the open meeting law because nobody needs to respond.

It's just one-way communication proposes and it's to a quorum.

So the last definition for a meeting means an exchange of electronic communications amongst a quorum of the public body that involves a discussion, deliberation, or the taking of legal action by the public body concerning a matter likely to come before the public body for action.

So that could be anything, all sorts of things.

So but just remember electronic communications, that could be email.

So if you're emailing your thoughts, opinions on a matter of council business to the whole council, and then someone else responds with their thoughts, then you've got an exchange, and then you could have a meeting, and that needs to comply with open meeting law requirements.

So here's some examples.

So a council member wants to adopt an ordinance with new zoning restrictions.

The council member calls three other council members to discuss and obtain their support for passage of the item.

Open meeting law violation.

Yes, it does discuss potential council business and includes a quorum of the council.

So after a public meeting, one council member tells another the council should increase public safety salaries this year.

That council member agrees, so you have two and relays that idea to another council member and the mayor for further discussion.

So yes, that discusses taking legal action, saying increase public safety salaries, includes a quorum of the council.

That should have been agendized and discussed at a meeting.

So that would be a violation of the open meeting law.

So as those two examples show, it's not necessary for the public body to communicate simultaneously in order for a meeting to occur.

So you all don't have to be on the same email or on the same text thread or on the same call.

We call this a walking quorum.

When you talk to one and then get their ideas, and you go talk to another and get their ideas and share what the other said, you've created a quorum and created a meeting.

So be careful, be careful of that.

So emails are you want to be very careful with emails because it's really easy to create a meeting.

Here are just a few examples.

I already discussed some of them, but I wanted to go over them again.

So this is an email to a quorum of the council proposing legal action.

Remember, that's one-way communication, and it proposes legal action.

An email exchange of facts andor opinions if it's foreseeable, but the topic may come before the council for action.

And then forwarding or responding to emails and involving a quorum of the council.

So be careful of chain emails.

So Ron's not here, but I'm going to speak for him.

That's why he always, you know, blind copies and always tells you guys just to respond to him or to his staff, because we want to, you know, eliminate the risk of having an email forwarded to other council members that includes the thoughts or opinions or ideas of other council members.

So here are a few examples where it's these seem like they may be violations, but they're not.

So you have a member of the public who emails a quorum of the council members, and there are no further emails among the members.

So it's just a one-way communication from a member of the public.

That's not an open meeting law violation.

Even though the email went to the whole council, as long as there's no other communication, that's not a violation of the open meeting law.

And as Ron would say, forward that to Ron, forward that email to Ron and his team.

An email request by a council member to staff for specific information.

That does not violate the open meeting law, even if other members are copied.

So that could be if one of you were emailing, say Dillard, like what's the what is the location for the event we're attending, and everybody else is copied on it.

That's not a violation.

Then staff can reply to everybody and say, here's the address for the location for the event, as long as they don't include information or opinions of other council members.

However, council members, if they reply with their opinions or communications, and that includes a quorum that would violate the open meeting law.

So you want to be very careful of just probably just only responding to staff and try not to copy other council members because you could get easily have an open meeting law issue.

So text messages, open meeting law applies to text messages.

They are considered public records if you're conducting any business on your text messages.

I think in the past we've had some requests for text messages, public records requests, and we've sent that to you guys to see if you've had anything.

So be careful when texting.

Discussion should occur during the public meeting and not via text.

So that's even if you're at a meeting right now and you're texting each other, you're you could be creating a meeting within a meeting.

So the goal is that any thoughts and opinions you have should be shared to the public so they can hear.

So be mindful of that when you're texting.

So there is a section of the statute that allows council members to express their opinion or discuss an issue with the public outside of a public meeting, um, on personally on their own time, um, through technological means or another form of broadcast communication.

So this is exactly out of the statute.

Some of it doesn't make sense to me, but you know, this probably would be a good one for us to ask the AG, like what do you actually mean?

But it does allow for for council members to express their opinion to the public as long as their opinion is not principally directed at or directly given to another council member, and there is no concerted effort to engage in collective deliberation to take legal action.

So all of this is in the statute and it's allowed, it's kind of tricky.

So my advice would always be council members should not post comment on each other's website, the city's website, social media pages where those comments could be interpreted as proposing legal action or discussing or deliberating on council business, because that would create a meeting when you get into council members discussing business on pages or social media pages or other things.

So I would just advise to be mindful of that.

So this next section of the open meeting law talks about the notice and agenda requirements, and it's really geared towards providing the public with the right to attend and listen.

All of this is mostly handled by Marcella's team, the clerk's office, with a little bit of help from me, but they do a good job.

Um, but it requires that we post all meetings and agendas in a designated place throughout the city.

I believe we both post them on our website and at two locations, um, City Hall and the Sam Garcia Library.

We're required to post our meetings at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Um that includes Saturdays, um, and there is one exception to the 24-hour rule, and that would be if we have to have an emergency meeting.

That's very rare that we would need to have a meeting of less than 24 hours.

Um I'm the AG's office really doesn't, I've never seen anything approved like that.

It would have to be a state of emergency.

Think like the fires in California, if you know one of if the city of Avondale had an emergency like that, and council had to meet with less than 24 hours, that would be the situation where you wouldn't be required to post it.

You can have your meeting and then afterwards post that there was a meeting and what was discussed.

So the meeting agenda notice and agenda have to include the date, time, and place of the meeting, um, must include the time that the public will have physical access to the meeting.

Um, the agenda must list the specific matters to be discussed, considered or decided at the meeting, and it must contain information reasonably necessary to inform the public and members of what will be considered.

And council may only discuss or consider matters listed on the agenda.

So discussions must be on topic.

The agenda is a roadmap for the to the public of what's going to happen at the meeting.

If someone is here in the audience and they're listening to the discussion and they look at the agenda and they can't tell what agenda item it relates to, you may have an open meeting law issue.

So you want to the agenda what you want to be specific and you want to keep the discussion on topic.

You want to stay away from items in the agenda, general categories like new business, old business, personnel, announcements, reports.

That's not enough information to provide the public with what's the council going to talk about so they can decide if they want to attend.

And then you also want to stay away from legalese acronyms, technical terms.

We're familiar with terms like IFB, RFP, IGA, MOU, but the public may not be.

So you always want to spell those those items out so the public can get the information.

We're required to take minutes and recordings of the meeting, minutes or recording, we do both.

And we have to keep the minutes forever.

They're a permanent record.

The minutes do not have to be a transcript.

They can summarize what has transpired.

So if you ever look at our minutes and you're like, hey, this is an act accurately capture what I said, I made this specific comment.

It doesn't have to be verbatim.

We just have to summarize what happened.

Of course, we have to include how each member voted and the name of who made the motions and accurate description of the legal actions, but it doesn't have to be verbatim.

Minutes need to be available to the public three working days after the meeting.

So if somebody wanted to attend and they weren't able to come, no later than three days, they could find the minutes and see what happened.

And then after council approves the meeting, the meeting minutes, they have to be on the website within two working days.

So the open meeting law does allow council members to speak on items not specifically listed on the agenda.

And this is a summary of current events.

So as long as you have an agenda item that says there will be a summary of current events, council is allowed to speak on those.

Now it's a little confusing because it says summary of current events, but you're only allowed to report on events that have already happened.

So past events you've attended or things you went to.

It's not to talk about events that are upcoming.

So but even though it's summary of current events, it has to be something that has already transpired.

And the council is not allowed to propose, discuss, deliberate, or take action at the meeting on anything reported on in the summary.

So call to the public, as I mentioned earlier.

The public has a right to attend and listen, but not participate.

Unless there's a public hearing item, of course, we open that to the public, they have a right to.

But every other agenda item, it's the council's meeting, it's the council's time to discuss business.

So the statute provides we can have a call to the public.

We're not required to have it.

We do here in Avondale, and it allows the public to come speak to us about matters within the public body's jurisdiction.

And councils limit to responding to personal criticism.

They can ask staff to review a matter, or they can ask staff that uh the matter be put on a future agenda item.

And so the council shall not discuss or take any legal action on any matters raised during the open call to the public.

Executive sessions, there are limited exceptions when the you as a public body may discuss business outside of the public view.

There are nine executive session categories.

You're familiar with a few of these.

You know, number three, legal advice from myself or other attorneys for the city.

Um, we do contract negotiations, we talk about litigation and settlements.

Um, number one is personnel, that's you know, hiring, uh, promoting salaries of uh employees, and then the other four property transactions.

So we we discuss a lot of those, or we talk about the purchase, sell or lease of real property, and then as I mentioned earlier, number nine is the newest one that allows you to discuss safety or security of our buildings, facilities, and operations.

There is requirements for executive sessions.

Um you have to agendize it, and you must include detail of the item to be discussed.

You can't just say here's a statute reference, and we're going into executive session pursuant to the statute.

You got to give a little bit more information, but you don't have to give enough information that would defeat the purpose of the executive session or compromise the attorney client privilege or confidentiality.

No legal action or final vote shall take place in executive session.

Council may direct staff and attorney as provided in the statute.

Final vote must take place in a public meeting, and all business discussed in executive session is confidential.

So I wanted to just show you're very familiar with our agenda.

Just wanted to point out a few things where how we're doing a great job of being in compliance with the open meeting law.

Here that we have our notice and agenda.

We've got our name our the date, the location, the time, our location.

Then here we have where we have the physical access to the council chamber, will be available 30 days, 30 minutes prior to the meeting and the meeting time.

Here, this is a great example of providing specific information on what's going to be discussed.

We've got the MOU for the firefighters grant.

We've listed all of the cities that are parties to it, some of the fire districts.

We talk about it will allow for training for each partner city in the district.

We talk about the amount of grant funds the city's going to receive and where we're getting the grant from, and then we also talk about the city's 15% match requirement.

So very detailed.

And then here we have our unscheduled public appearances, the call to the public, as they call it in the statute, but that's we have that right before the regular business.

So if that law does go into effect, we're already in compliance.

And then here, as I mentioned, we have the summary of current events from the mayor and vice mayor and council.

It doesn't list what's going to be talked about because it's not required, but we do have that on our agenda.

And lastly, we have our executive session.

And you see, we have more than just the statute reference.

We have a little bit of detail about what's going to be discussed, mid-year performance evaluation salary of the city auditor.

So we're doing a great job complying with the open meeting law.

So it's not a violation for council to be at a social event for a quorum of counsel to be at a meeting as long as they don't at it not at a meeting, at a location, as long as they don't talk about city business.

So it's easy to talk to your work colleagues about work when you're out of the office, but we want to make sure you stay on track.

I know there's often times where a quorum or more of you are at an event, so you just want to perception is reality.

You know, if members of the public see you all out somewhere, they may automatically assume that you're talking about city business, but it's fine for you to be there as long as you don't.

The city may post a courtesy agenda to announce that a quorum will be present at an event, and no city business will be discussed.

So it is a violation of open meeting law for anyone to try to circumvent the requirements of the open meeting law.

So the statute says a member of the public body may not knowingly instruct staff to communicate in violation of the open meeting law, and sanctions may be imposed upon any person who knowingly aids, agrees to aid, or attempts to aid another person in violating the open meeting law.

So there was a case of a school district that had a superintendent that organized a dinner at his house.

He invited a quorum of the board members to his house to discuss city business outside of a notice agendized meeting, and he was found to have violated the open meeting law, and also the count the board members were also found to have violated the open meeting law.

So this is uh pretty strict on you know not trying to get around the requirements, as I mentioned earlier.

It's openness and transparency is the goal.

So, what happens if there's an open meeting law violation?

Um, all legal action taken during that unnoticed meeting will be null and void.

So it just has no legal effect because the meeting wasn't properly noticed or held.

Um, but you can ratify the action to give it legal effect, but that must happen within 30 days after discovery of the violation.

And you must provide a detailed description to the public.

It has to be a notice meeting.

You have to say that you're ratifying action.

So basically letting the public know, hey, we didn't do this properly the first time, so we're ratifying our action.

And then it will uh have legal effect.

And then the attorney general's office or the county attorney can launch an investigation into the open meeting law violation upon receipt of a complaint.

The enforcement authority, as I mentioned earlier, it's the Arizona Attorney General's office is charged with enforcing.

They have subpoena powers, so they can um request records from the city, they can um request interviews with individuals who they believe are involved in any open meeting law violations.

Um the attorney general and the county attorney can sue uh for violations of of the open meeting law in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Um and then the Maricopa County Superior Court can impose penalties and fees against anybody found to be in violation.

Um the statute does allow, I only put here the attorney general county attorney can commence suit against individuals, but it says any person affected by an alleged violation, the attorney general or the county attorney.

So it does allow a member of the public to also um commence suit for violation of the open meeting law.

And um here are the penalties that can be assessed.

It's a $500 up to $500 for a first offense and up to $2,500 for any second and subsequent offense for any person found guilty of knowingly violating the law.

Umingly means with the intent to deprive deprive the public of information.

So I've never seen this, but remove they can remove the officer from office.

So the court can order that someone be removed from office for violating the open meeting law.

And the court can also assess the officer with all cost awarded to the plaintiff.

So anyone who files suit, if they're successful, um the defendant may also have to pay the attorney's fees.

And the statute provides the city may not pay the penalty for the officer or reimburse the officer for paying the penalty.

And the city cannot pay the legal fees to retain a lawyer to defend the officer unless the city approves the expenditure at a public meeting.

And lastly, there's the open meeting law resources, as I mentioned, it's in Title 38 of the readvised statute.

It's 10 statutes.

Um there's also the attorney general's handbook that goes into more detail with examples and cases of what the their interpretation is of the statutes.

There's the Arizona Ombudsman's website.

They are an ombud the ombudsman is an independent agency, it's not associated with the AG's office, um, and they're available to provide training and resources and assist with understanding the open meeting law.

And then there's the ombudsman's publications.

Um they have two books that they produce.

They have one on the open meeting law and one on the public records.

Um it's a great resource also if you uh have free time, don't have anything else to do.

And then there's also the city attorney's office, my office, we're always available for questions on how to interpret or if there if if you have questions about the open meeting law.

And with that, I'll take any questions.

Thank you, Nicole.

Um, wow, that was pretty in depth, but considering that we have our new counsel or a new body with new mayor and new council members.

I this is a great way to start the year of just you know giving us a refresher and a reminder.

And you know, I've been here myself, I'll speak uh on my own behalf uh eight years, you know, as a council member, and yet as as a new mayor almost made one of these uh an error uh inadvertently without even knowing it, you know, trying to be proactive and thinking about you know preparing for a strategic planning, asking the council members to share some information.

And it wasn't until speaking with our city manager that he said you can't do that because that's uh policy making.

And so even though I was trying to be proactive and and uh be prepared, something as simple as that could lead to an error.

So uh you know, again, just having this sort of refresher, I think is is um a benefit for all of us and just a you know a reminder of just how easy something can happen, even if you're not being malice or acting with malice, I guess is the is the point.

So um any members of council uh here at Dayas are online.

Okay, council member White.

Thank you so much, um, City Attorney.

I really appreciate it.

Um I do have a couple questions though, because I just I'm not sure I understand because we have a process in place also as council members to request things to be placed on the agenda.

It sounds like we're breaking meeting off.

We have to go get the number of members of council uh to request an item be placed on the agenda.

If it's not something automatically agendized by going directly to the mayor, we have an alternative option in our city charter.

Um mayor, vice mayor, uh, council member white.

I know that our council rules of procedure require that you get at least things are put on the agenda either by the mayor, by the city manager, or by three council members.

So um three's not a quorum.

But you may have to talk to four to get to three.

I yeah, that could be a problem.

Yeah.

So um I suggest maybe trying to use your city manager to kind of assist with that.

Um but yeah, I guess if you're talking to each trying to get support, that could be a violation.

So if we are talking to each other, trying to get support for anything we ultimately vote for on the dais.

Once it hits a quorum, that's when we've violated open meeting law.

If we have not hit that quorum number, which is four for our body of seven, it is not a violation of open meeting law.

All the definitions say a quorum of the public body.

So if you're under a quorum and it's just staying the information staying with three or less, then you haven't violated the open meeting law.

I can talk to chair one, empty chair two, I am number three, no violation.

Once I add one of the people on the dais to this conversation, that is the violation.

Correct.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

Um any other members of council have a question?

I I do uh piggybacking actually off of um council member white's question.

Is there a way to add because I wanted to add something to the agenda, and they're like, oh, we can't do that until six months when I ask the city manager.

Um is there a way to add onto the agenda like new business that way we could ask in the during the meeting?

Or um because I know in other in other places with the Roberts rules that we utilize, they have that option that we were able to ask those questions with the public and with the entire body present and be able to bring up uh things that we want to put on the agenda.

That way we're not trying to figure out if we're breaking um the meeting laws.

Council uh Mayor Pineda, Vice Mayor, Council, Councilmember Garcia.

So I'm not aware of any six-month rule.

I think our the way our council rules uh procedure state, you know, it's just the mayor can request something we put on city manager or three council members.

Um and also the agenda is the mayor's agenda.

So and you know, working with the manager, so you know, we added the summary of current events, I think two or three years ago under Mayor Weiss.

Um, you know, if you wanted to add um another category where you talk about things that you want to put on, um mayor, I would leave that to you to kind of talk to maybe Ron about moving forward.

Um, how if you want to add other categories to the agenda?

Um but yeah, it's it's it's an option.

Uh Councilman Garcia, any other question?

No, that was it.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Councilmember White?

Thank you so much, Mayor.

I uh wanted to just share as the member of the RPTA Valley Metro and chair of the audit and finance subcommittee uh what we normally do, our final agenda item before we close out our meeting is report on current events as we have here, as well as suggested future agenda items, which that way the public can hear your suggestion.

It's still ultimately the chair of our committee of you know, the the chair of the board, the mayor in this instance decision to make it, but that way we bring it to the public by including that on the agenda and making sure it is a public information item.

Um it's only for information, you can't really talk about details unless the mayor would ask why, what does this mean?

And then the suggestion was made, it has to kind of draw deadlight there.

Okay.

That's that's an option, yes.

Yeah, and then I can definitely have that conversation with Ron as well to see about adding something to that effect or not based upon communication, but I'll have that conversation with him.

Okay.

Any other questions from members of council?

Okay.

Thank you so much, Nicole, for again uh providing us that information and uh educating us on some of the issues that we could get ourselves into if we're not not being careful.

So thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I'm always available for questions.

Thank you so much.

Okay, with that being said, summary of current events.

Does any member of council have anything they'd like to share?

Okay, council member white.

I just wanted to recognize um Liz Alvarez Barker for hosting and putting together the LD22 meeting here in Avondale.

It was really awesome to be able to have our legislators come out to the city with other um cities in the area in our legislative district.

And I was it was great participating and having fun conversations.

It was great to see all the city leadership that was out.

So I just want to recognize you, Liz.

A lot of times we kind of you're like our unsung hero.

We just expect you to do all the things all the time, and you do.

And so I just want to thank you publicly and let you know that was an awesome event.

I also had the opportunity this past Saturday to attend um the Black Philanthropy Initiative Gala.

Um their organization is uh they're hosted through, they're managed through the Arizona Community Foundation, and it was just a great night to get out and see a lot of grants that were given.

One of the um grants that was given was to future stars, and Shirika Jackson got the opportunity to go up and speak about how she provides STEM education in the community.

And when I thought about what Sharika Jackson was talking about, she actually provided STEM education on hands to my children.

So just being able to go out and support that initiative, which is a part of the Arizona Community Foundation was amazing.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

Any other council members?

Uh, those online, councilmember weiss, councilmember Garcia.

Hello, Mayor.

Um, good evening.

Um, Councilmember Condi and I were able to um go to an event um hosted by HSP um for the um Friends of the Southwest Advocacy Center.

So our um that body that supports the victims was recognized um last week, and um at least we had the ability to let everybody know about our gala coming up in March.

Thank you so much.

Okay, with that said, uh at this moment in time I'd like to adjourn into executive session.

Can I please get a motion?

Got a motion from Councilmember Solario, second from Councilmember Condi.

Please vote.

Councilmember Garcia, how do you vote?

Aye.

Sorry, Councilmember Weiss, how do you vote?

Aye.

Okay, item passes.

We are now adjourned into executive session for those listening online.

This concludes the regular city council meeting.