Avondale Special and Regular City Council Meeting - May 15, 2023
Avondale Special and Regular City Council Meeting - May 15, 2023
The Avondale City Council held a special meeting followed by a regular meeting on May 15, 2023. The special meeting featured introductions of new employees and recognitions, including a heartwarming reunion between a fire crew and a child they saved. The regular meeting included a public comment on infrastructure issues, approval of a minor general plan amendment and rezone for Live Communities Avondale, a wage amendment for the firefighters' union, and an update on multiple park development and improvement projects. All votes were unanimous.
Note on date discrepancy: The raw transcript indicates the meeting took place on May 15, 2023, while the instruction provided a date of 2025-10-22. This summary uses the date from the transcript.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda for the regular meeting was approved unanimously (7-0). Items included routine approvals; no items were pulled for separate discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Charlotte Kurtz (address: 11401 West Lower Buckeye Road) addressed the council regarding construction on Lower Buckeye Road (project T0173). She stated that the project destroyed irrigation ditches used for her farm animals, causing water to run into the street instead of her yard. She said the engineer's plan did not account for the need for a proper curb against loose dirt and that she was not adequately informed. She requested assistance. The city engineer offered to speak with her after the meeting.
Special Meeting Recognitions & Introductions
- Fire Chief Larry Rooney introduced two new paramedics: Brendan Weiss (paramedic of the class) and Jose Guzman Alvarez. Council members expressed appreciation for their additional education.
- Corey Lariva (Assistant Director of Parks and Rec) introduced Mark Foote as the new Aquatics Supervisor, the first member of Avondale's Aquatics Division. Foote said he is looking forward to building a new pool from the ground up. Councilmember Conde noted community excitement about the pool.
- Police Chief Espinoza introduced several new police employees: Sabrina Medina Feigna (records clerk), Araceli Garcia (records clerk), Daniel Vasquez (senior management analyst), Alyssa Taylor (park ranger), Daniela Gazy (center coordinator at Southwest Family Advocacy Center), Toby Story (patrol, raised in Avondale), Tevin Forrest (patrol, attracted by community engagement), Abigail Whitman (patrol, grew up in Avondale), and Robert Simington (patrol, family from Avondale). Each briefly stated their assignment and reason for joining.
- Kirk Beatty (Director of Public Works) introduced two new employees: Amber Hughes (Water Conservation Coordinator, with extensive education and experience) and Tom Aikins (Environmental Coordinator for stormwater program, from Washington). A video introduced additional public works employees in solid waste, wastewater, and water treatment, including military veteran Josh Wrangle.
- Fire Chief Larry Rooney recognized the crew of Engine 173 (Chris Fire, Travis Lambert, Tim Lambert, and Brandon Russell) for saving a baby born at 23 weeks weighing one pound in a backyard shed on December 21, 2020. The crew reunited with the child, Frankie, and her adopted mother on March 22, 2023. A video of the reunion was shown. Council members praised the crew's heroism.
- Proclamation for National Public Works Week (May 21-27, 2023): Kirk Beatty presented the proclamation, and Vice Mayor Pineda read it, designating the week in Avondale. The public works department employs 116 full-time staff.
- Citizens Water Academy Recognition: Eric Bay (Assistant Director of Public Works) presented the 2023 Citizens Water Academy, a five-night program teaching residents about Avondale's water systems. Participants Daniel Shu and David Garrison spoke positively, noting they learned a lot and appreciated staff enthusiasm. Councilmember White, who attended, praised the program and noted 70% of Avondale's water is local. A group photo was taken.
Discussion Items: Live Communities Avondale (Items 4A & 4B)
- Michelle Samardich (Senior Planner) presented two items: a minor general plan amendment (4A) and a rezone (4B) for Live Communities Avondale at the southwest corner of 99th Avenue and Indian School Road (17.92 acres).
- 4A sought to change the land use designation from mixed-use to high-density residential (14.62 acres) and local commercial (3.29 acres). 4B sought to rezone from Parkside PAD to Live Communities PAD, allowing 333 apartment units and future commercial uses. The PAD includes deviations: reduced garage parking (exceeds covered parking by 71 spaces), reduced private open space (balconies 74-88 sq ft vs required 80 sq ft), reduced landscaping due to open irrigation, and greater separation between entrances/exits for three-story buildings.
- Staff reported no public comments on Avondale Connect and two attendees at a neighborhood meeting (concerns about traffic and management). The Planning Commission recommended approval 4-0 on April 19, 2023.
- Council Questions: Councilmember Conde asked about deceleration lanes on Indian School Road. City engineer confirmed a deceleration lane was not warranted, but a left-turn bay and signal at Parkside Boulevard exist. Councilmember Malone asked about vehicle queuing at the gated entrance. The applicant's representative, Brian Greathouse, explained there is no gate at the Parkside Boulevard access, and the main gate area has sufficient queuing space. Councilmember White noted the plan includes ample parking.
- Votes: Both items passed 7-0.
Discussion Item: Firefighters MOU Amendment (Item 4C)
- Andy Musquita (Director of Human Resources) presented an amendment to the MOU with the Avondale Professional Firefighters Association (APFA) for FY 2024. The amendment increases wages beyond the original 2022-2024 MOU: firefighters by ~4% (total 4-9% with step movement), fire engineers by ~3% (total 3-7%), and fire captains by ~3% (total 3%). The increases aim to align with market data and upcoming city staff raises. Funding is included in the tentative budget. APFA President Ryan Tessing supports the amendment. No council comments. Motion to approve passed 7-0.
Discussion Item: Park Development and Improvement Projects Update (Item 4D)
- Brian Hughes (Director of Parks and Rec) provided an update on five key projects:
- Mountain View Community Center Renovation: Under construction, completion expected early fall. Features: multi-purpose room, esports room, game room, meeting room, arts & crafts room, large lobby, renovated restrooms. Public input requested game room, fitness classes, banquet room, and study space.
- Civic Center Park Development: Design 100% complete. Includes shade trees, turf, seat walls shaped like stacked books, sidewalk connectivity, public art location, and a food truck alley. Aesthetic water feature removed due to drought preparedness plan.
- Sand Volleyball Complex at The Boulevard: Five competition-grade courts, restroom facility, and plaza. Funded partly by a $165,000 AZ Sports & Tourism Authority grant. Construction to start late summer 2023.
- Mountain View Park (Infill Project): Restroom, shade, picnic areas, and new playground on former water tank site. 90% design complete, construction expected later fall. Uses CDBG funds. Restrooms were top public request.
- Dennis D. Consini Park: Upgrades to failing irrigation, picnic ramadas, sidewalk connectivity for ADA compliance. Includes concrete cornhole boards and ping-pong tables (may swap for fitness structures). Boys & Girls Club feedback included obstacle course and in-ground trampoline (lava not feasible).
- Donatella Park (Conceptual): Part of Coldwater Park conversion. 118 survey responses prioritized playground, shade trees, picnics. Two concepts shown: Concept A includes a picnic grove, walking path, playground, half basketball court, restroom, limited parking. Concept B adds pickleball courts (but noise concerns for neighborhood). Further public input planned after NPS approval.
- Council Questions & Comments: Councilmembers asked about water fountains, dog waste stations, ADA parking, pickleball (noted Friendship Park to get 8-12 courts in 2025-2026 timeframe), trail connectivity, and equipment checkout. Director Hughes confirmed amenities and noted smart irrigation and low-water plants. Councilmember White requested trail designation on renderings. Vice Mayor Pineda praised diverse amenities and food truck alley. Councilmember Conde asked about staffing at Mountain View Community Center (2 full-time + part-time). Discussion concluded.
Key Outcomes
- Amendments to MOU with Avondale Professional Firefighters Association (Item 4C) passed 7-0.
- Live Communities Avondale minor general plan amendment (Item 4A) passed 7-0.
- Live Communities Avondale rezone (Item 4B) passed 7-0.
- Consent agenda passed 7-0.
- No votes were taken on the park update; it was informational.
- The special meeting and regular meeting were adjourned.
Note: The meeting date per transcript is May 15, 2023; the instruction provided a date of 2025-10-22. This summary uses the transcript date for accuracy.
Meeting Transcript
Whoa, quiet. Okay, I'd like to call to order the special council meeting of May 15th, 2023. Margaret, can you please do roll call? Councilmember Condi. Councilmember Malone. Councilmember Nielsen. Councilmember Solario. Councilmember White. Here. Vice Mayor Pineta. Here. And Mayor Weiss. Here. Thank you. Ron Item two, please. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. Uh, first up is uh Larry Rooney, our fire chief, making a presentation uh introducing two employees. Chief. Thank you. Mayor and Council, it's my pro pleasure and privilege to introduce you to the two newest uh paramedics for the Avondale Fire and Medical. Um first is uh Brendan Weiss, which is no relationship to the mayor. Um and the annex is Jose Guzman Alvarez. And uh I just wanted to show you because it they were in a program for about a year, and uh uh along with doing their own jobs and everything else and taking care of their families. And uh they uh not only did well, uh Brendan here got the uh paramedic of the class. He came out on top. So uh wanted to introduce him to you and and just uh um say thank you to your time and and uh we appreciate it. Thank you pretty much. Is there is there anything they'd like to add? This is the this is the time where I say you can feel free to ask them any questions. Well, first and for first and foremost, as Chief Werner mentioned, uh aside from your daily uh position uh and the busy lives that you hold, the fact that you're out getting additional education uh to help you with your uh position uh says a lot. And so is there anything that you want to add into what you've learned or uh something that you've taken a little nugget you took away from the training. No that makes it really easy. All right, well, I appreciate you all being here tonight. Thank you so much. Uh Mr. Vice Mayor, next up we have uh Corey Lariva. I probably get that wrong every time. He's our assistant director of Parks Rec introducing one of their new employees. You did great on the last name. Uh good evening, Vice Mayor, members of the council. Tonight we are Brian and I are excited to introduce Mark Foote. Uh Mark joins our team with an extensive recreation aquatics and project management background. He has worked for the cities of Chandler and the City of Mesa. He holds his bachelor's degree in Parks Recreation Management from ASU and his MBA from GCU. He is the first member of Avondale's Aquatics Division and will be serving as the leader as our aquatics supervisor. Uh so with that excitement, uh Mark is also a data home to four kiddos to include three daughters and one son. So and the opportunity to asking questions. Let's let's use it. Sure.
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