Avondale City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2025

The Avondale City Council held its regular meeting on October 15, 2025. The council approved the consent agenda, adopted amendments to personnel policies regarding sick leave for part‑time and temporary employees, received an extensive update on water resources and regional water issues, and reviewed the FY2023 annual comprehensive financial report, noting audit findings and corrective actions.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Item 4) was approved unanimously by a vote of 7‑0.

Presentation

• City Manager Ron introduce Chief (new Deputy City Manager), who was formally recognized for his long service and appointment to the city manager’s office.

Discussion Items

• Personnel Policy Amendments (Item 5A): HR Director Andy Musquita presented proposed changes to Chapter 6 (Employee Benefits). The amendments add a definition for temporary employees, change sick leave accrual from a front‑loaded 40‑hour bank to an accrual of one hour per 30 hours worked for part‑time and temporary employees, align temporary employee accrual caps with state law (40 hours per calendar year), and eliminate sick leave payout for temporary employees upon separation. Discussion covered the 90‑day waiting period for use, the impact on seasonal hires (e.g., lifeguards at the upcoming Aquatic Center), and the carryover of sick leave for returning employees. The changes are prospective.
• Water Resources Update (Item 5B): Director of Public Works Kirk Beatty, Assistant Director Eric Bay, and Water Resources Manager Cole Peel presented a comprehensive update:
  • Southwest drought continues with Lake Mead 36% full and Lake Powell 35% full; snowpack at 98% of average (down from 150% last year). Avondale remains at Stage 1 drought preparedness.
  • State legislation: 94 water‑related bills introduced; 39 not advancing. Key bills opposed by AMWA include HB 2366 (carryover of unused groundwater), HB 2030 (mandatory audits for large water providers), and HB 2020 (long‑term storage credits for runoff). HB 2366 did not receive a hearing—a positive sign.
  • Avondale’s Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) expires Dec. 31, 2025; renewal application submitted by the December 2023 deadline, now under ADWR review. The new DAWS will be for 10 years (down from 15) and includes ~20,000 acre‑feet annually to cover current demand plus 5,000 additional acre‑feet for growth.
  • Underground storage facility renewal (Avondale Wetlands UFC) also submitted; operates under continuation while ADWR reviews.
  • New River Agua Fria Underground Storage Project (NAUSP): Avondale now majority storage entitlement holder (18% acquired from Chandler). Short‑term leases to Chandler (8%) and Peoria (5%) generate revenue while preserving future capacity.
  • Dam projects: Roosevelt Dam temporary deviation and new Bartlett Dam feasibility study—Avondale’s allocation would be 4,682 acre‑feet at a cost of $13M of the $1.1B project. White Mountain Apache Tribe water lease continues to be funded.
  • Water quality: Lead and copper rule compliance (60% survey completed, zero lead service lines found; completion target October 16, 2024). Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) focuses on 29 PFAS compounds and lithium; EPA expected to finalize PFAS drinking water standards in mid‑2024. Avondale coordinating with ADEQ. Direct potable reuse (DPR) via Phoenix’s 91st Avenue plant—city declined direct participation but monitors exchange opportunities.
  • Infrastructure projects: Dredging at Crystal Gardens wetlands (not done in 20 years), five well projects ($18M total investment), Charles M. Wolf water resource expansion (design $8.4M, total $130M, exploring grants/bonds).
  • Conservation: “Reduce Your Use” rebate program (200 residential pilot, funded by WIFA grant) launching around May 2025.
• FY2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (Item 5C): Director of Finance Renee Weatherless and auditor Brittany Williams (Heinfeld & Meech) presented the audit results. The audit gave an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements and on federal awards. A significant deficiency was reported for financial statement preparation, comprising five findings; three major ones involved unreconciled operating bank accounts ($25K remaining from $230K in FY22), unreconciled restricted cash accounts (bond and debt service), and investments not recorded at fair market value. Management has implemented monthly reconciliations and year‑end checklists to correct these issues. The single audit tested the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds with no findings. The annual comprehensive financial report and single audit report were issued January 29, 2024 (sic, per transcript), but for the purposes of this meeting the council acknowledged the reports.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 1024‑0324 approving the proposed amendments to Chapter 6 (Employee Benefits) was adopted unanimously (7‑0).
• The council received the water resources presentation and directed staff to continue monitoring legislation and pursuing partnerships.
• The annual comprehensive financial report and audit findings were accepted; corrective actions are underway.
• The meeting was adjourned at the conclusion of current events discussion.