Avondale City Council Special and Regular Meeting - October 22, 2025
Avondale City Council Special and Regular Meeting - October 22, 2025
Note: The transcript for this meeting indicates the actual meeting occurred on Monday, November 6, 2023. The date of October 22, 2025 is used per instruction. This discrepancy is noted.
The City Council of Avondale convened in a special meeting followed by a regular meeting. The special meeting included the introduction of a new city engineer, recognition of the Citizens Police Academy graduates, and a presentation on a new micro-lending program. The regular meeting addressed consent agenda items, a public hearing for a rezoning (Vasquez building), and a continuance request for another development. All votes were unanimous 7-0.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0) without any items removed for separate consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public provided comments during either the special or regular meeting. One online comment in favor of the Vasquez rezoning was received via Avondale Connect.
Discussion Items
- Introduction of New City Engineer: Assistant City Manager Tracy Stevens introduced Kimberly Moon as the new Director of Engineering and City Engineer. Moon joined from the city of Chandler, where she served as city engineer over the Capital Improvement Program, with nearly 30 years of civil engineering and construction experience. She expressed gratitude and excitement to join Avondale.
- Citizens Police Academy Graduates: Police Chief Memo Espinoza and Sergeant Jenny Chavez presented the 2023 graduating class. Two graduates, Mariah Abasta and Tobias McKibben, shared their positive experiences, highlighting the academy's impact on their understanding of police work. Councilmember Maxine White also participated as a student but missed one session. The council praised the program and the graduates.
- Micro-Lending Program Update: Business Development Manager Adam Shipley introduced a new micro-lending program funded by a $400,000 grant to Growth Partners of Arizona. Loans will range from $10,000 to $35,000 at 9.25% interest, with a 60-month maximum term. The program aims to fill a financing gap for local businesses and is projected to launch in January 2024. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting the program's potential as an evergreen fund. Questions addressed the loan committee composition, partnership with Local First Arizona, and compliance with city codes. The executive director of Growth Partners of Arizona, Andre Whittington, was also present.
- Vasquez Commercial Building Rezone (Public Hearing): Senior Planner Josh Orton presented a rezoning request (PL220186) to establish a Historic Avondale Infill Overlay District on a 0.34-acre property at Main Street and Central Avenue. The existing building is slated for demolition; a new 2,100 sq. ft. commercial building (retail/salon) is proposed with alternative development standards (including reduced EV parking). A neighborhood meeting drew no attendees, and the Planning Commission recommended approval. The council unanimously approved the ordinance (7-0).
- McDowell Vista PAD Continuance: Item 4B was a public hearing for the McDowell Vista Planned Area Development. The applicant requested a continuance. The council opened and closed the public hearing (no comments) and voted unanimously (7-0) to grant the continuance to a specific date.
Key Outcomes
- City Engineer Introduction: Kimberly Moon formally welcomed as the new Director of Engineering and City Engineer. (No vote)
- Citizens Police Academy: Recognition and appreciation of the 2023 graduates. (No vote)
- Micro-Lending Program: Presentation received; no formal action required. The program is set to launch January 2024.
- Approval of Consent Agenda: Motion carried 7-0.
- Approval of Ordinance 2067-1123 (Vasquez Rezone): Motion carried 7-0.
- Continuance of McDowell Vista PAD Hearing: Motion carried 7-0.
- Adjournment: The special meeting adjourned after the micro-lending presentation; the regular meeting adjourned after councilmember brief remarks.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call the special meeting of Monday, November 6th, 2023 to order. Do you mind doing a roll call, please? Councilmember Condi. Councilmember Malode. Councilmember Nielsen. Councilmember Solorio. Councilmember White. Vice Mayor Pineda. Mayor Weiss. Here. Chris, do you prefer Christopher or Chris? Uh Chris. Okay. Thank you. Ron, item number two, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First up is gonna be Tracy Stevens, our assistant city manager. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, members of the council. Tonight I have the privilege of introducing our newest member of the leadership team, Kimberly Moon. She joins us from the city of Chandler, where she was the uh city engineer over the Capital Improvement Program. And she holds nearly 30 years of civil engineering and construction experience and a graduate from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's in civil engineering. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her role, including parks and recreation facilities, historic restoration, water and sewer systems, transportation, and roadway projects. And we're excited to have her lead the team of professionals in the engineering department as our new director of engineering and city engineer. Awesome. Hi. Hi. So how long were you with Chandler? I was with Chandler for almost seven years. Yeah. How long have you been with us now? How long you've been with? A couple weeks? Avondel? Yeah. One week and one day. So far, so good. Oh, two thumbs up. All right, so I'll make sure. Wonderful team. Excited to be here. Very warm welcome. Very knowledgeable people, and I'm very grateful and humbled to be there. Thank you. Good deal. We're glad you're with us. Thank you. Thank you. Ron, item number three, please. Thank you, Mr.
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