OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Avondale City Council Regular Meeting – October 15, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, October 15, 2025
BodyAvondale, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, October 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:31:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

I'd like to call the regular meeting of Monday, September 9th, 2024 to order.

0:06

Would you all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:08

And I would ask you to keep in your thoughts and prayers Officer Zane Coolidge, his wife, and their young baby daughter.

0:14

Officer Coolidge was killed last week in a senseless shooting.

0:18

Also, uh Matthew Haney was also injured in that shooting.

0:21

We ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

0:26

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

0:31

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:33

One nation under God.

0:36

Indivisible Liberty and Justice.

0:52

Thank you, everyone.

0:56

Marcella.

0:57

Councilmember Condi.

1:00

Here.

1:00

Councilmember Malone.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Councilmember Nielsen.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Councilmember Solario.

1:06

Councilmember White.

1:07

Here.

1:08

Vice Mayor Paneda.

1:09

Here.

1:10

Mayor Weiss.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Ron.

1:13

Thank you, Mr.

1:14

Mayor.

1:14

Council.

1:15

First up, we have the city manager's office, Anisa Romo, our uh management analyst, actually interim senior management analyst to introduce our intern.

1:30

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

1:32

Today I'm excited to introduce our new Marvin Andrews intern, Sandy Moshe.

1:37

Uh Sandy is a Marvin Andrews Fellow, which is a nationally recognized program that prepares graduate students for a career in local government.

1:45

She's completing an internship with the city manager's office while pursuing her master's in public administration through Arizona State University.

1:53

Prior to her selection as a fellow, Sandy led operations and outreach for Congressman Greg Stanton, led operations for our taught rehabilitative programming for formerly incarcerated man and mentored youth from a Title I school.

2:07

Sandy plans to use her experiences to advance innovative and research-driven local government that need that meet emerging needs.

2:16

So we're very excited to have Sandy on our team.

2:20

Welcome aboard.

2:21

Anything to say.

2:24

Thank you.

2:25

I'm just really glad to be here and a part of such an incredible team.

2:28

I always say West Valley is the best valley, so I'm very excited to be serving with Avondale.

2:33

And Anisa and the team in uh uh um introduced her to the Avondale uh second city hall at New Penny Cafe today.

2:40

So they were there when I was having lunch with Liz.

2:43

So it was good.

2:44

It was incredible.

2:45

I call it our satellite office.

2:46

There you go.

2:47

You already understand.

2:48

It's good to have you aboard.

2:49

Thank you.

2:53

All right, Mr.

2:53

Mayor and Council.

2:54

Up next, we have uh Jody Novak, our director of development services, introducing a couple of her new employees.

3:02

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

3:05

Um I am happy to introduce two of our newest employees here in our development services department.

3:10

Um, first I'll introduce Mark Byrd.

3:12

Here's our new deputy building official, which is a new position within our department to support our chief building official Benjamin Carr and overseeing our building services division.

3:21

Um Mark moved here with his wife from Fremont, Nebraska.

3:25

So he's just finished getting himself settled in here in the West Valley.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████████26%
Arts And Culture█████████████████17%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Animal Welfare█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Avondale City Council Regular Meeting – October 15, 2025

The regular meeting of the Avondale City Council was called to order on October 15, 2025, with all members present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of remembrance for Officer Zane Coolidge, who was killed in the line of duty, and for Matthew Haney, injured in the same incident. The council then heard a series of staff presentations, public hearings, and votes on consent and regular agenda items.

New Employee Introductions

  • City Manager's Office: Sandy Moshe, Marvin Andrews intern, pursuing MPA at ASU, formerly worked for Congressman Greg Stanton.
  • Development Services: Mark Byrd, Deputy Building Official (from Nebraska, 25+ years experience); Christina (Tina) Lavelle, Senior Planner (from Glendale, WA experience).
  • Engineering: Chris Ray, CIP Project Manager (focus on parks, trails, wayfinding; 7th week).
  • Finance and Budget: Emily Zenck, Senior Budget Analyst (CPA, speaks Mandarin); Vasile Smertinian, Revenue Manager (ultra-distance runner, former ADOT).
  • Fire Department: Firefighter Alan Galvez (pianist, former lending consultant); Firefighter Parker James (legacy hire, parents are Avondale fire captains).
  • Information Technology: Tanner Inglehart (IT help desk, Avondale native, former Best Buy).
  • Parks, Recreation, and Libraries: Mary Sol Ortiz (recreation programmer, mariachi singer); Brittany Garcia (administrative assistant, granddaughter of Sam Garcia); Stacy Swainston (Assistant Director, promoted from within).
  • Economic Development & Tourism: Nikki Taylor recognized for earning Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) certification – only one of three in Arizona.

Proclamation: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

  • September 2024 proclaimed National Suicide Prevention and Action Month. Proclamation accepted by Alexis Perez (Touchstone Health Services) and Cathy Via (Southwest Behavioral Health Services). The Avondale Youth Advisory Commission will host a prevention workshop.

Presentation: Public Art Program Update

  • Dominic DeCono and Stephanie Flood reported on the program. Highlights:
    • 13 projects completed in 2024, including "Humble Roots" sculpture at Aquatic Center, "Memoria Entre Las Flores" mural, and historic marker.
    • 3 projects in progress: "Nexus" kinetic sculpture (North Public Safety Facility), "Inspiring Young Minds" mural (Mountain View Community Center), and "Confluence" sculpture (Park Avenue Plaza).
    • Public art fund balance: ~$525,000; $314,000 budgeted for CIP projects this fiscal year.
    • Upcoming projects: art at Visitor & Conference Center, murals at Park 10 (including Cooper's Hawk Winery), Civic Center Park sculpture, historic photo timeline, and more.
    • Councilmembers praised the program; Vice Mayor noted value of lit sculptures; Mayor suggested expanding to auditory art forms.

Presentation: Aquatic Center Summer Success

  • Mark Foot, Aquatics Manager, reported:
    • Over 75,000 visitors since April 2025 opening.
    • Google rating 4.3 stars; 95% of swim lessons/classes had waitlists.
    • Room rentals filled every weekend through October.
    • Revenue: $230,000 (exceeding $100,000 estimate per fiscal year).
    • Programs: dive-in movie (Jaws), swim meets, lifeguard competitions, partnership with Michael Phelps Foundation.
    • Award: Outstanding Facility from Arizona Parks and Recreation Association.
    • Year-round operations continue; fall programs include Pups Plunge, duathlon, CPR event.
    • Councilmembers expressed gratitude; Councilmember Solario noted importance of resident-only access (initially debated).

Consent Calendar

  • Consent agenda items were approved unanimously with the exception of Item G, which was pulled for separate consideration (see backfowl ordinance).
  • Motion by Councilmember Solario, second by Councilmember White; all ayes.

Discussion Items

1. Potential General Obligation Bond Election – November 2025

  • Renee Weatherless, Finance Director, presented a proposal to form a Citizen Bond Election Committee to explore a bond election for capital projects (e.g., public safety substations, trails, water reclamation). Current available authorization: $15.5M for water/sewer, $9.2M for streets; none for parks, libraries, public safety, or general government.
  • Recommended adoption of Resolution 1092-0924 creating the committee and bylaws.
  • Council discussion: Mayor emphasized selecting financially literate residents. Timeline: recruit now, call election by May 2025.
  • Motion by Councilmember White, second by Councilmember Solario; passed unanimously on roll call.

2. Backyard Chickens Code Amendments (Items 4G & 5B)

  • Staff reported on state law (HB 2325) effective September 14, 2024, allowing up to 6 chickens on single-family lots. Proposed amendments to Chapters 3 and 28 of city code to comply.
  • Public hearing (Item 5B) held; no public comments. Planning Commission recommended approval.
  • Council vote: Item 4G (first ordinance) passed unanimously. Prior to vote on Item 5B, Mayor expressed concern about state overreach into charter city authority but acknowledged need to comply. Item 5B also passed unanimously.

Councilmember Comments

  • Mayor shared information about a fundraiser for Officer Zane Coolidge's family (Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, September 10, 2024).
  • Councilmember Nielsen reported on Sleep in Heavenly Peace event over the weekend: 40+ volunteers built and delivered 33 beds to children who previously slept on floors.
  • Several councilmembers thanked participants and noted ongoing volunteer opportunities.
  • Mayor reminded council of 9/11 anniversary and urged reflection.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 1092-0924 adopted to create a 2025 Citizen Bond Election Committee (7 members + 2 alternates) – unanimous.
  • Ordinance 2026-0924 (Chapter 3) and Ordinance 2024-0924 (Chapter 28) adopted, amending city code to permit backyard chickens per state law – both unanimous.
  • Consent agenda (minus Item G) approved unanimously.
  • No other votes; presentations and proclamations were informational.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call the regular meeting of Monday, September 9th, 2024 to order. Would you all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? And I would ask you to keep in your thoughts and prayers Officer Zane Coolidge, his wife, and their young baby daughter. Officer Coolidge was killed last week in a senseless shooting. Also, uh Matthew Haney was also injured in that shooting. We ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I pledge allegiance to the cloud of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible Liberty and Justice. Thank you, everyone. Marcella. Councilmember Condi. Here. Councilmember Malone. Here. Councilmember Nielsen. Here. Councilmember Solario. Councilmember White. Here. Vice Mayor Paneda. Here. Mayor Weiss. Here. Ron. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council. First up, we have the city manager's office, Anisa Romo, our uh management analyst, actually interim senior management analyst to introduce our intern. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members. Today I'm excited to introduce our new Marvin Andrews intern, Sandy Moshe. Uh Sandy is a Marvin Andrews Fellow, which is a nationally recognized program that prepares graduate students for a career in local government. She's completing an internship with the city manager's office while pursuing her master's in public administration through Arizona State University. Prior to her selection as a fellow, Sandy led operations and outreach for Congressman Greg Stanton, led operations for our taught rehabilitative programming for formerly incarcerated man and mentored youth from a Title I school. Sandy plans to use her experiences to advance innovative and research-driven local government that need that meet emerging needs. So we're very excited to have Sandy on our team. Welcome aboard. Anything to say. Thank you. I'm just really glad to be here and a part of such an incredible team. I always say West Valley is the best valley, so I'm very excited to be serving with Avondale. And Anisa and the team in uh uh um introduced her to the Avondale uh second city hall at New Penny Cafe today. So they were there when I was having lunch with Liz. So it was good. It was incredible. I call it our satellite office. There you go. You already understand. It's good to have you aboard.

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