Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025
Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025
The Avondale City Council held a regular meeting on October 15, 2025, at 6:09 PM. The meeting included new employee introductions, a presentation on the Wayfinding Master Plan amendment, the consent agenda, a resolution accepting a federal Safe Streets grant, a discussion on mobile food vendor regulations, and an update on the pavement management program. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items not requiring separate discussion) was approved unanimously, with the exception of Item C, which was pulled by Councilmember White for separate consideration.
Discussion Items
- New Employee Introductions: Several new city employees were introduced: Katie Gregory (Assistant City Manager), Andrea Sanchez and Juliana Ramirez (Court Clerks), Naeli Caranza (Finance Specialist), James Corless (Risk Manager), Greg Lockmott (Safety Officer), Jill Kruger (Policy and Procedure Analyst), Christopher Rurellis (Wastewater Collections Operator), Anthony Arona (Water Distribution Operator), Willie Hall (Wastewater Collections Operator), Ryan Garrett (Environmental Technician), and Jasmine Allercon (Customer Service Representative). Each was welcomed by council members.
- Wayfinding Master Plan Amendment: City Engineer Kim Moon and CIP Division Manager Rick Carr presented updated designs for gateway monument signs, including vertical (27 feet tall) and horizontal (18 feet tall) options with "Welcome to Avondale" lettering, internal lighting, and natural elements. Five new locations were proposed. Council members expressed support for the larger size and aesthetics, and discussed potential additional locations. The current FY25 CIP includes funding for one monument per year. Councilmember Mayor Weiss suggested accelerating the schedule if possible.
- Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant (Item C): Councilmember White introduced a resolution to accept a $560,000 federal grant (with a $140,000 city match) from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a safety action plan and demonstration projects. The grant will help identify accident-prone areas and work toward zero fatalities. Staff noted that after the action plan, they may seek additional implementation grants. The resolution was approved unanimously.
- Mobile Food Vendor Regulations: Code Compliance Manager Josh Perez presented an overview of current ordinances, which allow mobile food vendors in commercial districts but prohibit them within 250 feet of residential zones. The city does not require a business license for mobile vendors (changed in 2022). Mayor Weiss raised concerns about health and safety, economic fairness, and unlicensed vendors, and suggested updating definitions and considering designated food truck areas. Council members discussed the need for education, alternative locations, and special event permits. No action was taken; staff will return with potential ordinance updates.
- Pavement Management Program Update: Public Works staff (Harold and Gustavo Garcia) presented the program's results. In FY24, 33 lane miles of neighborhood roads were treated at a cost of $1 million (saving $2 million from the original $3 million budget), allowing an additional 10 lane miles (including Jimmy Johnson Drive) to be resurfaced. For FY25, the plan includes treating nearly 70 lane miles (including Glenarm Farms, Westwind, and Rio Vista) and resurfacing Avondale Boulevard from I-10 to Broadway, with ADA ramp upgrades and bike lane buffers. A new pavement assessment and software will be implemented. Council praised the cost savings and communication efforts.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously, minus Item C.
- Resolution 1084-0824 (Safe Streets Grant): Adopted unanimously, accepting $560,000 in federal funds and authorizing execution of the grant agreement.
- Mobile Food Vendors: No vote; council directed staff to return with potential ordinance revisions and to explore designated food truck locations.
- Pavement Management: No vote; council commended the department's work and savings.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call the regular meeting of Monday, August 26th to order. Would you all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Reflection? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice wrong. Thank you, everyone. Marcella, do you mind doing roll call, please? Councilmember Conde. Here. Councilmember Malone. Here. Councilmember Nielsen. Here. Councilmember Solario. Councilmember White. Here. Vice Mayor Paneda. Here. Mayor Weiss. Here. Ron, item number well. Mr. City Manager, item number two, please. Thank you, Ms. Mayor. Council. I get the uh honor, the privilege of introducing our first new employee tonight. I think most of you have met her by now, but we have Katie Gregory. She has joined the City of Avondale as our newest assistant city manager. She comes to us with more than uh three decades in local. I didn't write this, by the way. I would never put those numbers in there. Um but it was written, so I'm reading it. Uh and 10 years of executive level management. Katie's background includes strategic planning, public finance, economic and community development, and general administrative services. She began her career as a parks and recreation professional and has maintained her passion for connecting with the community, improving the quality of life. Katie has a master's in public administration from ASU? Yay, yay, ASU. And has spent most of our last 25 years serving the West Valley in the cities of Glendale and Peoria. Her innovative approach to problem solving and her commitment to excellence have consistently driven positive outcomes in the community she has served, making her an invaluable addition to the city's leadership team. Katie is married to Mike, a retired parks and recreation professional, and has three children. I love this part. Embracing their independence and walking slowly into adulthood. I don't know a single teenager who walks slowly into adulthood, but I love it. Um she spends most of her downtime driving her kids to and fro sporting events and school events or hanging out at home with the three pups, Orville, Wilbur, and Amelia Earhart. Katie. Thank you, Ron. And I just want to say my interview process, I actually forgot one of my children. So I'm very happy that this here actually has all three of my kids in there. I would they ask me which one I would actually get rid of, and I I don't know.
openpublica.com