Okay, we're gonna go ahead and get started.

Like to call the special meeting for order.

We can get roll call.

Councilmember Condi.

Councilmember Malone.

Councilmember Nielsen.

Councilmember Solario.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Here.

Vice Mayor Pineda.

Here.

And Mayor Weiss has an excused absence.

Thank you so much.

Okay, Ron, I believe item number two, new employee introductions.

Thank you, Mr.

Vice Mayor.

First up is from my office.

I believe Torin's going to introduce one of our new employees.

Vice Mayor Pinita, Council members.

I am excited to introduce two new employees this evening.

I'm going to start with the one who's not with us.

So first we have Dylan Collier, who is unable to join us this evening due to his classes at ASU.

But Diller joined us in August as our Marvin Andrews management intern who is completing his master's in public policy at ASU.

Just a couple of quick facts about Dillard.

He was born and raised in Kentucky.

He explored his early public series public service profession through opportunities with Kentucky General Assembly and the Louisville City Government.

He moved to ASU to pursue his master's in public policy and is now getting his master's degree from ASU while he is interning with us in the city manager's office.

Second is our newest employee, Alexis Ayala, who is standing behind me and just joined our team last week as the city manager's office administrative assistant.

Alexis is a proud City of Avondale native and Agu Fria High School alumni.

For the past seven years, she was employed by the Arizona Dunvax as their security control room operator.

And Alexis is excited to be a part of the Avondale team and to make a difference in her community.

Everybody, please welcome Alexis.

Thank you, Torrin.

So Alexis, I know you've been here for such a short time, but what's uh the one thing that has stood out to you for being here uh over about a week or so?

I am used to a friendly welcoming community being from the Downabac, and this is like a lateral move.

Everyone's been incredible.

So that's my favorite part.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Thank you for being a part of Avondale.

Appreciate it.

Thank you, Torrin.

Next up, Mr.

Vice Mayor and Council, is a presentation by Marcella Carrio, our city clerk on a promotion in her department.

And this is a photo of Dillard that was presented from Torin.

So just case you wanted to see his smiling face.

So Vice Mayor and Council, I have Emily Soria here with me tonight.

Emily joined Avondale in October of 2022 as our passport agent within the office.

And she previously worked at U.S.

Bank as a banker for over three years.

She was recently promoted to our city clerk specialist position.

Many of you may know that Salali Salas took an awesome promotional opportunity via deputy city clerk right next door to our East and Tollison.

So we're very sad to see Silico, but very happy for Emily to have this promotional opportunity in the department.

So Emily will be joining us at some of our council meetings.

So you'll be seeing her face around here some more often rather than as a passport agent.

And then we are hiring somebody to fill Emily's position, hopefully in the next few weeks.

So thank you.

Thank you, Marcella.

So Emily, you've been here for about a year.

So just as I asked Alexis, kind of what is something that is split out to you here with the city of Avondale that you've learned over that last year.

Same thing.

The environment.

Everyone's so friendly.

Every single person now walks to City Clerk's office, and I'm right there.

They greet me with a good morning.

Hi, how are you doing?

And it makes you excited to come to work every single day.

Oh, that's great to hear.

So you have an excellent team, as you mentioned, and uh thank you for being a part of Avondill as well.

Thank you.

Mr.

Vice Mayor and Council.

Next up is uh Jeff Sheets, our director of IT to present new employees.

Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council.

Um I am excited tonight to introduce our two newest employees to IT.

Uh the first one is Carlos Garcia.

Um Carlos has been he's our new network analyst.

This was a brand new position in this year's budget, so we're excited to get him on board.

Um he's been here three weeks.

Um he came to us um from the state of Arizona from the Department of Corrections, um, where he um worked on very similar projects with them as he's doing for us.

Um he spends much of his time out in the field installing new network equipment, uh, especially working on all of our new buildings that we have going on in Avonville as well.

Um Carlos is uh he says he's a family man.

He enjoys fixing up old homes.

Um he is a resident of Buckeye.

Um so we're excited to have him join our team.

He's already getting um backlog taken care of that we've had um be um redeployed for asset replacement future.

So he's been helping us already.

And then the other new employee who's also been here three weeks uh is Abby Schultz.

She's our IT applications manager.

Um is a leader who has a proven check record of building new relationships with both the employees and the business.

Um really excited to have her in that role.

Um she has experience in the energy and utility space as well as the tech technology industry.

Um she's gonna really manage the team that manages 150 applications throughout the city.

So Abby's initially from Chicago, or I'm sorry, Oswego, Illinois, um, and moved into Arizona in 2011.

She likes to spend time with family and friends, concert sporting events.

Um, and she's uh involved in a couple of nonprofits, March of Dimes and Play for Peace.

So we're excited to have both of them on our team.

Awesome.

Well, thank you so much, and welcome Carlson Abby to the team.

And um, you know, with the Portillos nearby, I'm sure that's something that you're pretty familiar with.

And uh we welcome you to the Avondale staff and the Avondale team.

Thank you so much.

All right, Mr.

Vice Mayor and Council.

Up next is our Parks Recreation Department.

I believe our Corey uh Corey, I just had a I just lost it.

Our assistant director of Parks is going to be making that presentation.

Sorry, Corey.

Martha fellows got.

Oh, you're way more organized than I was.

I apologize.

Uh good evening, Vice Mayor, members of the council.

Tonight we are very excited to introduce you to several new employees of the Parks Recreation team.

Uh so I'm joining us virtually, and then we have a few in person as well.

So I'm going to start with the virtuals, and I believe this will play on your screen.

Hi, my name is Ally Mondrell.

I'm an intern of the parks and recreation department until December, and my favorite hobbies are.

Hello, my name is Juan Castillo.

I'm a park maintenance worker over at Fiscal Fields.

I started working with the City of Avondale July 24th this year.

Uh one of my favorite hobbies is fishing.

Heard Laura, Arts Maintenance Worker.

I started uh September 5th.

I'm hoping the Washington Cardinals, and I build custom gaming.

My name is Lucilla Nagata.

I'm a part of maintenance worker at Alamock Park.

My first day was September 18th, 2023.

And my favorite sport.

Um general in sport, uh, soccer and baseball.

Hi, my name is Chris Almeria.

I'm a librarian one here at Fun Garcia Library.

Um, my first day was June 26th of this year.

Um, my favorite activity to do is quoting.

Perfect.

And then in addition to the team that we have on screen, we also have several candidates here in person.

Uh first up, actually, is not in person.

Lane Secret.

Lane Sea Christ joined their team as a recreation programmer overseeing special events.

Lane is flexing today off uh after surviving the busy building more days weekend, um which uh Lane had a lot of fun planning and being a part of.

Uh Lane started with the city as a recreation assistant and was later promoted to his current role as a recreation programmer.

And then Lane comes with us with a strong background in marketing and a passion for the arts.

Uh excited at Lane.

In person today, we have Estevan Fauna joining us as our aquatics maintenance coordinator.

So we're growing our aquatics division.

Estevon has prior experience from private sector working with AES, which is aquatics environmental systems, and he joins us with eight years of experience in the pool industries.

Uh Estevon was born in the Bronx, New York, and raised here in Phoenix.

And a fun fact about Estevon is he is a volunteer coach for his seven-year-old son's flag football team.

In addition to Esteban, we have Brittany Westland.

Brittany is the third employee on our aquatics division team here.

Brittany fulfills the role as our aquatics coordinator.

Brittany graduated college from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics.

No stealing finance.

Brittany's prior experiences come from the City of Kings Aqualic Department, where she managed a facility and taught lifeguard and swim instructor courses.

Brittany was also a full-time math teacher in Paradise Valley High School, where she also coached a swim team and worked with the National Honor Society students.

Brittany is born in Wisconsin, making her a Packers fan.

But grew up here in Arizona, and Brittany recently bought her first home.

So fun fact.

And then in person again, Victoria Robertson, joining our team on the library's division as a librarian two over at the Civic Center Library.

Victoria graduated from the Arizona State University with a master's in education and has 10 years of experience professionally.

Prior to the city, Victoria worked for Phoenix Union High School District, where she filled various roles from teacher to librarian, professional development, and professional development specialist and an instructional leader.

Victoria is a Phoenix native, and I hear she's an Avondale resident.

All right.

And then lastly, I do have two honorable mentions who don't normally get to attend the council meeting, so I'd like to recognize two staff in the audience.

Denise Truman, who is our branch manager over at the Civic Center Library.

And Jamie Thomston, who is also our branch manager over at the Sam Garcia Library.

And with that, that concludes the new staff on Parkson Creation.

Yes.

Thank you, Corey.

And you know, this team is growing, and that's awesome.

And I know that there's uh quite a few council members here who are vying to be the first one down the uh the water slide.

Uh so we're really excited for the Aquatic Center.

I know the uh that's why I'm doing this.

Uh the community is ready uh for it to be opened, and I'm sure you're looking forward to the experience as well.

So thank you all for joining us and the team uh both online and here in person.

Welcome to Avondale and thank you for being here.

Appreciate your service.

Thank you.

Thank you guys.

Up next is our uh police chief, uh Memo Espinoza presenting his new employees.

Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to our newest employees, and we'll start with our sworn employees who recently graduated from the law enforcement academy.

What I'm gonna do is I'm gonna have them uh come up here, state their name, briefly tell us where they call home, and why they came to Avondale.

Hello, I'm Officer Valentin Peru IV, and I'm born and raised in Arizona.

And the reason why I chose Avondale is because Avondale just seemed like the fit, the perfect fit, as it just seemed like one big family.

Well, welcome.

I'm Officer Rafael Spindola.

Um originally from LA.

Uh moved here in 2021.

Um the reason why I chose Avondale is the community approach in policing that uh the city has, and that's what I look forward to doing, serving the community.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Hello, my name is Frank Rollers Gertz.

I moved to Arizona, uh, Avendal, 13 years ago from California.

And the reason I chose Avondel is because just the growth of the city.

I remember moving here 13 years ago.

It was pretty kind of empty, but the last like two years they have skyrocketed with a lot of people, so I'm looking forward to working with Avindome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh good evening, I'm Officer Burton Van Rand.

So I'm normally from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

After I retired from the military, I moved to Arizona where my sister and my parents live.

And so I resident out in Buckeye, and then I put an application in with uh Avondale when I saw it on LinkedIn.

They were the first ones to call back, and I love it ever since.

It's been real friendly and everyone's real warm.

And I enjoy it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we have uh Mr.

Greg Harsha.

He recently joined us as our support services manager, Mr.

Hartha will be overseeing our detention center, our park major program, our animal control officer program, and our fleet.

Mr.

Harsh, if you can come up here, tell us where you call home and why you chose Avondale.

Evening.

I currently live in Buckeye.

Uh I chose Avondale, partly uh my wife works here.

She's worked here for the last eight years in dispatch.

I also have a brother-in-law who's a sergeant here with Davondale PD, and they both encouraged me to uh to apply, and I did, and fortunate enough to be selected and happy to be here.

Thank you for choosing Avondale.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Thank you, Chief Espinoza.

And uh as you know, Council, we really appreciate our public safety.

So welcome to Avondale.

Okay, Ron, item number three.

Thank you, Mr.

Vice Mayor and Council.

Uh now we're gonna have a uh proclamation on domestic violence awareness month.

We have our police chief Espinoza, Jenny Chavez, our sergeant, and uh Ream George, our advocacy center director, to help make the presentation and others.

Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council members.

My name is Jenny Chavez.

I am a sergeant at the police department that oversees victim services.

Um October, well, thank first of all, thank you for having us here for this proclamation, um, which is very special to us here in Victim Services.

So we really appreciate you all taking the time to be here for this.

October was first declared domestic violence awareness month in 1989, and studies show one in three women are affected by domestic violence.

One in four men are also affected by domestic violence, and one in three juveniles will be affected by domestic violence.

So with that approach, we are hoping that by talking about the situation and getting the information out there while the while people are still young, it can help prevent it.

At the Avenel Police Department, we have taken various strides to help spread awareness.

Um we started our social media campaign on social media, just posting facts about domestic violence and resources that are out there.

Additionally, we lit our building purple, the exterior of it for the month of October.

We also dedicated our Citizen Police Academy one night dedicated to domestic violence and talking about domestic violence cases.

Um and then lastly, our events that we've had in October have also been dedicated to domestic violence and providing resources to the community while we're out there engaging.

Um again, I also brought these.

I wasn't expecting all these people to be here, but I have these purple ribbons, and I hope that you guys will take a ribbon and help us raise awareness for this.

I'll leave them, I don't know exactly where, but I'll leave them here for now.

Um and with that, I'll turn it back to you, Vice Mayor.

Thank you so much for the presentation.

Before I read the proclamation, are there any members of council that wish to express any comments?

Councilwoman White.

Thank you so much, uh Sergeant Chavez.

Thank you to the entire um police department here this evening for all you do out in the community to create awareness and to protect and make lives better here in Avondale.

Um I think that each and every day uh folks are victims, um, but we make them become victors.

We turned them into victories here in Avondale.

We want to create survivors and we want to allow people a safe space throughout the entire city to be able to ask for help.

And I feel like we've created that environment, Chief Memo.

Thank you for all you do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Nelson, do you have anything?

Councilwoman McCarthy?

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Well, thank you guys for being here for this important proclamation.

Um you made a valid point.

I think awareness is key.

You know, we hear oftentimes about after the fact when something has happened to people.

And so I'm a big supporter of awareness, and I know that we provide resources.

And thank you, all of you ladies, for being here and all the work that you do.

Thank you for our PD, um, for our officers, Chief Espinoza, thank you for leading the way.

Um I just want to thank you guys for your hard work that you do.

Thanks.

Okay.

Councilwoman uh Solorio, do you have anything uh to address?

Thank you for your presentation, and um I think I've said it before, all the great campaigns that you guys are doing on um Instagram and Facebook, it really shows to our community and truly speaks at not only are we a public safety, you know, very well-oriented department, but just the amount of time that takes um to really showcase certain you know social issues and such really shows and the care and uh that really shines through when you guys are doing like your social media posts.

So I just want to thank I know Jenny's behind a lot of that.

I really want to say thank you to everyone, but thank you to Jenny, especially for showcasing that.

Thank thank you, Councilwoman Solario.

Councilwoman Malone.

Yes.

Thanks guys for the presentation, and thank you for bringing the awareness out, not just today, the month of October, but you guys are truly always also advocating for our community.

So thank you so much.

I appreciate it.

And to that point, I mean you see not only members of our public safety, but also the different resources and so that United Front allows for our residents to access education earlier to prevent uh some of these things from occurring in the community.

So with that said, I'm gonna read the proclamation.

Whereas one in three women and one in four men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

72% of all murder suicides involve an intimate partner.

And 94% of the victims of these murder suicides are female.

And whereas one in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.

And whereas more than 10% of the community residing older adults experience physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, or neglect at the hands of a trusted individual annually in the United States.

And whereas elder abuse is believed to be widely underreported, with only one in 24 cases reported.

And whereas victims of domestic violence are more likely to experience long-term mental and physical health concerns, including a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and risky behaviors.

And whereas promoting healthy, respectful and nonviolent relationships can help reduce the occurrence of intimate partner violence and lessen the harm on individuals and families.

Now therefore, I am that by virtue of the authority invested in me as vice mayor of the city of Avondale, Arizona, do by here proclaim October 2023 as domestic violence awareness month, and encourage all Avondale residents, businesses, schools, and hospitals to support domestic violence survivors and stand against all form of violence and abuse in relationships.

Thank you.

I believe we're going to take a photo, but we'll do that after we wrap up the Vice Mayor.

Correct.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, Ron, number four.

Item number four.

Sorry, sir.

Uh Vice Mayor Council.

Next up is Marcella Carrillo, our city clerk, making a presentation on boards and commissions.

Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council again.

I would like to announce that we are holding our board and commission open house tonight in the lobby of City Hall as part of our ongoing recruitment efforts with our boards and commissions program.

Attendees who participate in the open house will be entered into a raffle to win an Avondale swag bag.

So some did this from the visitor and conference center.

And at this time, I would like to play our new recruitment video that we will have posted on the website very shortly.

Great.

Did you know that you can play a critical role in making decisions that will directly impact the future of the city of Avondale?

All you need to do is volunteer to serve on one of Avondale's boards and commissions.

We have over 10 of these important boards, and most volunteers serve for three years.

Avondale's board and commission members help shape public policy, provide guidance to city council, and serve as a voice for Avondale residents.

They advise the city on topics related to parks, future construction projects, public art, sustainability, and much more.

City leaders consider board and commission members vital.

And those who serve consider it a rewarding experience.

To qualify, applicants must be in registered voter and have lived in the city of Avondale for a minimum of one year.

Think of it as a fun way to give back to your community.

Interested, consider applying today.

Visit WWW.avendale A Z.gov slash boards to learn more.

Thank you very much.

And again, this is a presentation for the audience.

So if anyone in the house tonight is interested, see a staff member in the lobby of City Hall.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you, Marcella.

And Marcella, is there any way that we uh could get a leak to that?

Absolutely.

And as uh Marcella mentioned, you know, when we're out in the community, often residents ask how they can get involved.

Um this is the easiest way.

One of the you know, boards, one of the commissions, there are several.

Uh some of them might be passion projects in regards to your current experience, uh career related experience, regardless.

If you're looking to get involved, please consider applying to join one of our boards and commissions.

We would really, really appreciate it.

And so uh thank you so much, Marcella, for the presentation.

Vice Mayor.

Uh, yes, sorry, Councilwoman White.

One commendation to the city clerk's office the voice that did this is so amazing.

It was beautiful.

So I just want to commend.

Um I I noticed the voice, it was beautiful, and it made me want to apply.

I just want to reiterate the top though, right?

I want to reiterate the deadline if we have that available uh for application for this round of review.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

So there is no true deadline.

We always accept applications, but right now, October 31st is our next cutoff date where we will pull the applications and do a next review.

Um but if you don't make that date, we will always accept an application.

Councilwoman Slower, do you have anything to add as you are on the boards of commissions committee?

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Um I would just like to add that I think it's really great that we're doing, we're showcasing our boards and commissions as a person that has served on boards and commissions prior to being on council and four different uh boards since 2013.

Um I I told I spoke to a few people this weekend that were asking about getting involved, and it was huge to me because it really does make a difference, and it made me that much more aware to where I'm at now in council and having just a wealth of knowledge from having received that from being on different boards and commissions.

So it's really a good stepping stone, and especially if you want to continue on and be involved in council or even just continue being involved in the community.

Thank you, Councilwomen.

Um Councilman Nielsen.

Uh I would just like to say that every one of us here started as a member of Board of Commissions.

I think every one of us Veronica, Mike, all of us.

At one time we're on a board and commission.

I started on the first board of commission in 2004 when we first moved here on the what was the water board at that time, and then it was later changed to Energy and National Resources.

My wife is involved now with parks and rec and it's a wonderful opportunity to see what happens in this city.

So you have an idea, and then you can go and let other neighbors run whatever else I know.

And if you want to grow up to one day, be a council member, that's an opportunity that's available to you as well.

It's just you get the bug if you can say that, and you enjoy working with other people.

The people in Avondale are great, the staff's great, and it's just something you want to do, and that's why we serve because we started out that way, and we continue to do it to serve you here today.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Councilman McCondi.

Thank you, my friend.

Thank you, Marcella, for your presentation.

Well, I'm laughing because it started off where we did leadership academy, a citizen's leadership academy, and then we did the police leadership academy.

And at that time it was Pierre and Sandy.

They kept encouraging people in our in our class.

You guys have to be on a boards and commission, be on a boards and commission.

And so I had the opportunity to be on the arts committee and the Nebhin Family Services, and I absolutely loved it.

And having that education and kind of um a little a better understanding of the process on how things happen within the city, uh position came up on council.

And so I always tell everybody if I can do it, you can do it.

So absolutely, I it was a great journey, and I would encourage everybody to become involved because you guys have great ideas and solutions too, and we can definitely use that input.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Wall.

Thank you for the uh video.

It's nice.

And we were laughing because we were in the same class for the police and the citizens' academy.

So Tina was like, well, I'm gonna fill out this information, and I said, All right, this is Citizens Academy, right?

I said, I think I'm just gonna run for council.

She's like, What?

And I did, and by the time we got to the police academy, I was Councilwoman Alette.

And I said, Don't worry, Tina, you're gonna sit next to me.

And she goes, No, I'm not.

So Tina is sitting next to me.

Uh it's our passion, our drive, and we love our community, and we enjoy what we do.

So thank you.

Thank you again, Marcella.

Thank you.

Council, next up, uh, is what everybody's been waiting for.

All these smiley young faces out there tonight.

We're excited.

We're gonna have a presentation by Donna Gardner, a community engagement member of Youth Services, to talk about exceptional students of Avondale recognition, our Abby Star students.

Good evening, Vice Mayor and members of the council.

I'm Donna Gardner, Youth and Community Engagement Manager for Neighborhood and Family Services Department.

It's always an honor to come before you quarterly to highlight the impact uh these wonderful students have had on um the Avondel community or Avondell community, uh themselves, their friends, their family, or their school.

So I would like to go ahead and just recognize these exceptional students of Avondale.

The first student is from Awa Freya, Awafria High School within the Awa Freya High School District.

Her name is Alexandra Davis.

She is a 12th grader, and Alexandra has held a 3.7 or higher GPA.

She has earned an academic letter and pen from Awa Freya several times.

This is her third year as captain of the Awa Freya Color Guard.

She spends most of her evenings at practice, football games, or competitions or color guard, and she pours her heart into this sport and team.

She is a leader, and her nominator has stated that she is a leader not only in Color Bar, but in the classroom and also the community.

With a busy schedule, she finds time to hold a part-time job and also help at home caring for her foster siblings.

She's an absolute rock star.

So I'd like to invite Alexandra Davis up to receive her certificate and medal.

The second student is from Lattie Horror School within the Avondale Elementary School District.

And her name is Alma Salcido.

Alma is a first grader.

Alma is generous.

She often shows people they belong with kind gestures.

She is a natural leader.

An example of her leadership is when she connects with students during a small group reading to help them learn and read.

Alma is great at using her social emotional skills to remind her peers to do the same and be an example.

Alma, if you could come down, please to accept your certificate and medal.

Following that is an individual that attends White Taints Learning Center within the Litchfield Elementary School District.

This individual's name is Tanner Gillespie.

Tanner is a seventh grader, and Tanner consistently steps up as a leader for classroom activities.

He supports younger students, quickly engages when learning in the classroom.

Tanner is self-aware and able to handle situations appropriately.

He sets goals for himself and achieves them.

Tanner, you two come down.

Lyric Brown is a seventh grader.

Lyric is an amazing student who comes to school with a positive attitude and smile on her face.

Lyric works hard in the classroom and after school.

She also takes part in sports every season.

Her nominator states, I would like to recognize Lyric for all her hard work and dedication as she embodies the qualities of what it means to be a Trace Rios Puma.

Lyric.

Carter Rigby.

Carter is an eighth grader and he is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

He is a top performer in all four of the core content areas, participates in advanced courses through ASU Prep, and is an excellent role model for his peers.

He treats everyone with the utmost respect and kindness.

Carter volunteers in a variety of capacities, which contributes to the betterment of Garden Lake School community and the Avondale community.

He assists in planning and organizing quarterly family fun nights.

He's involved with several community service projects that enhances the campus and mentors and tutors other students.

Carter's nominator has stated that Carter's achievements not only reflect his exceptional abilities, but also he inspires those around him to strive for greatness.

He embodies the spirit of an exceptional student of Avendell through his outstanding achievements.

Carter.

The next student attends St.

Thomas Aquinas Catholic School.

David Weishard.

He's a seventh grader, and David is a reliable, high-achieving, kind student.

He plays multiple sports throughout the year, all while maintaining straight A's and volunteering in the Abenville community.

David's nominator states, whether it's leading our 500-plus body in all school announcements, reading or altar service for mass, participating in student council as an officer, or service club.

David is confident and remarkable in those positions.

David, you could come down, please.

Mia Guerrero is an eighth grader.

Mia is courageous and kind.

She has worked so hard to maintain her grades.

Mia is an athlete that strives to try new experiences and pushes herself beyond her own limits.

Mia.

Next is a student that attends La Jolla within the Tallison Union High School District.

And she often is seen tutoring her peers and helping those around her.

Congratulations to all the students.

And at this time I'd like to open it up for uh questions or comments to Vice Mayor and members of the council.

Thank you, Donna.

I think what we see up here are all the we talked about boards and commissions and getting involved.

And I think uh many of you here uh will probably take us up on that challenge.

And uh just congratulations to all of you as uh Donna was reading the information and your uh what the uh the ones who nominated you were stating about each one of you.

You could see the expression on your faces and how happy that made you and the families uh just how proud they are of all of you and just keep up the good work and you can tell that doesn't matter what age you are, kindergarten, first grade, or senior in high school, that a leader is a leader and so just congrats.

Um there are there members of members of council that would like to add some words?

We'll start with Councilwoman Wade.

Vice Mayor, thank you so much.

Uh in the best interest of time, I didn't want to add words.

I want to give them a chance to take pictures and do all the things and move that we adjourn if we can go to the turn.

Okay.

Anyone else?

Okay, we can do we can do that too.

Okay, then at that time uh we'll adjourn and we will meet down here for pictures.

Can I get a vote?

Or can I get a motion?

Sorry, to adjourn.

Got a motion made by Councilman Malone, seconded by Council McConde.

All those in favor, or please vote.

Uh Councilman Solaria, how do you vote?

Aye.

Okay.

Six six oh passes.

Let's go ahead and adjourn.

Thank you.

Marcel, if we can get a roll call.

Uh Councilmember Condi.

Councilmember Malone.

Here.

Councilmember Nielsen.

Councilmember Solario.

Here.

Councilmember White?

Here.

Vice Mayor Pineda?

Here.

And Mayor Weiss has an excused absence.

Thank you, Chris.

Sorry about that.

Okay.

Item number three, consent agenda.

Do we have any members of council that would like supporting the items?

Vice Mayor, we do have one request to speak for tonight.

Yes, we do.

And he just handed it to me and I apologize.

That is okay.

Okay, if we can have Laura Gonzalez come up, please.

Maybe you can just state your name for the record.

My name is Laura Gonzalez and good evening to everybody.

I'm here on behalf of me and the citizens of Avondale pertaining the Billy Moore's parade event that happened this weekend.

There's a lot of citizens and family and friends that went to this event and are very, very disappointed.

I c I have details, but I will write it all in the email and email everyone and the parts and recs.

But one two incidents.

And so I just left because there was nothing there at the carnival.

Sunday afternoon evening, um, I went at four o'clock with some family and rode some rides, got tickets.

Um then at uh five o'clock, my brother-in-law came with his son, and we went up to the ticket booth.

Ticket booth was closed at five o'clock with a huge line of parents and kids wanting to go to the carnival, with the carnival was supposed to stay open till seven, and all the parents and kids were upset.

Kids were crying, parents were upset, and I just thought that that was not cool.

It's just like a lot of parents said we came here to spend money here in Avondale instead of going to the state fair, which is a lot more expensive.

They wanted to spend their money here in Avondale.

And I'm just here to talk about that experience with the city, and that it needs to do better.

Because I've lived here my whole life, 53 years old, had a business here also, and I know how the Billy Moore event goes, and this one was not up to par.

So I just want it to be known and it needs to be better.

And I was also on one of the committees for the Billy Moore days, and this year we were never called to get our input.

So you have my number.

And you know, I wanted just to have a good time for our community.

I love my city.

I love being here, that's why I live here, and I had a business here.

So that's all I ask of the city is that needs to do better.

Thank you, Laura.

Thank you.

Brian, uh, would you mind having a few words with with Laura?

Um side or in private.

Thank you.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Okay.

Item number three, consent agenda.

Again, are there any members of council who would like to pull any items?

I'm just yes, uh Vice Mayor.

I'm looking at uh consent agenda item 3A.

Should it say October 9th?

September.

We're usually a couple meetings behind on the minute.

Thank you.

I got a motion by Councilwoman Malone and seconded by Councilmember White.

Please vote.

Thank you.

Uh Councilwoman Salario.

Okay.

That item passes.

Thank you, Mr.

Vice Mayor.

Council.

Next up we're gonna have a presentation by Mark Foot, our Aquatic Supervisor of Parks and Recreation.

Um give me an update on the Avondale Aquatic Center.

Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council.

I went too high.

Thank you for allowing me to come here and give a quick update of our aquatic center project.

We're super excited where the project is and how we're going, and so we want to make sure that you guys were updated on where our progress stands and just give you some updates and get your input on a couple things.

So again, my name is Mark Foote.

I am the aquatics manager with Professor Creation.

Um so this is our quick project update uh project description.

This is our aquatic center.

Um right now it's a 10-lane competition pool with a play pool that has some water features and amenities that are similar to some of the other aquatic centers that are uh around the valley, but we also have some unique ones that make it more of a water park fill as well.

Uh project budget is 32.5 million.

Um right now the project status budget is on budget, but we are late.

We're scheduled for completion this January.

Um as you can see, we have some pictures here.

Um we did our water tightness test, so you can see there was actually water in the pool.

You won't go wouldn't want to go swimming in that.

Um, but there was water in the pool as we were doing our water tightness test.

Equipment has gone into the pump room, uh, finishes are starting to go into the restrooms, shade structures are starting to go in.

I have some other photos as well.

Um there's an aerial of the site.

You can see um some of the work that's going on.

Um pool shells are all complete, um, finishes are going in the pool shells, um, tile lane uh markers are going in, site work continues, some of the decking um is starting to be poured.

Um this is even a few weeks old.

This aerial photo and and site progress is has sped up significantly since since this photo has been taken.

Um again tile work in the pool is being done and then decking is is going on around the pool as well.

Uh obviously our big uh the wave shade structure in the middle of the the facility is is installed as well.

Again, shade structure, we have lots of shade around the facility, which will be nice for our residents and for the all the activities that we have planned for this facility.

Um equipment in our pump rooms are going in.

So this is the the pump pit, so this is where all of our pumps will exist for our circulation pumps as well as our amenity pumps that will be in our facility.

Um this is our um one of the sections of our play pool.

This will house our lily pad feature, which is uh a water park feature that the kid will have the netting above that the kids will be able to go across, and then you can see our slides in the background as well.

Um so we'll go through some of our preliminary openings.

Um right now with our January opening.

Um we'll start our lifeguard recruitment once we open.

So we'll start getting in there and start doing some of our lifeguard recruitment and um classes.

We'll be using our Star Guard certification, which is different than Red Cross, which is historically what what has been used, but Star Guard is is a newer certification, but it's um a little bit more up-to-date.

It's one of those uh a little bit more medically um up to date than Red Cross is.

Um we're scheduling a ribbon cutting in February.

Uh it's scheduled to host the state of the city this year sometime in the spring.

And then our first sort of soft opening will be April Pools Day, which is the kickoff of the summer season.

It's also a water safety event that starts that water safety telling people to be safe around the water as we start to really heat up here in the Phoenix area.

Uh it'll also be opportunity for staff training.

After that April Pools Day at the end of April, we'll planning on having some soft openings, some light hours up until Memorial Day weekend, and that's when we'll really start our full summer operations.

So we'll be working to get staff trained and ready to go up until that date, and then we'll be off and running full operations starting Memorial Day weekend.

So preliminary operation schedule will have four different season um seasons that we'll be running.

So we'll have summer, which is Memorial Day to Labor Day, late summer high school season, which is the start of the school season through October, beginning of November, and then winter will be November through spring break, and then spring will be spring break through Memorial Day, and that's how we'll program this facility.

So we'll have our seasons, and that's how our programming will change and hours will change based on those seasons.

Our preliminary program offerings will have open swimming, swimming lessons, swim teams, aquatic fitness classes, lap swimming, pool and facility rentals.

We will be showing you some tentative proposed fees that we've based off of market analysis.

We will have a fee schedule come to council at a future date.

But right now, what we're showing you tonight is just based on market analysis what we've done, but we'll be bringing those to council later on.

We'll also be working with clubs in the area to make sure that we're utilizing all of our pool space.

So we'll be utilizing uh club aquatic programming to bring in swimming teams, our public high schools as well as our charter high schools to make sure that we're facilitating all of those as well.

So this is a preliminary summer schedule for us.

We'll go through each one of these individually as well.

Um but I wanted to be able to show you the full summer schedule to show you how busy we will be for this first summer.

Essentially, we'll be open 5 a.m.

in the morning till 9 p.m.

in the evening, most days Monday through Thursday, and then we'll have Friday, Saturday, Sunday hours as well.

So we're planning on keeping this pool as busy as we possibly can so that we can keep these residents of Avondale in the water cooling off.

So most important public swimming, open public swimming, essentially every single day, 12 to 5, and then we'll have extended hours, a handful of days during the week, and then on Saturdays as well.

We're looking at having a $3 admission fee when that'll be a flat fee.

We won't have a different rate for adults.

We're trying to propose that we're not penalizing adults for coming to the pool.

We want everybody to come to a pool.

We don't want to have to become really cheap babysitting in the city of Avondale.

We want parents to bring their kids to the pool and have a really great time.

Um important thing is we are offering no resident re residency restrictions.

We'd like to be able to offer everybody to be able to come to this facility, whether they're Avondale residents or not.

However, we do want to set up a system in which Avondale residents are given priority.

My experience comes from the city of Chandler.

I was there during COVID, and at one of our facilities there sat on the Gilbert Queen Creek border.

Um, and during COVID, we ended up having issues with those residents coming in and utilizing that facility, and we had to set up a similar system that worked well to be able to give Chandler residents the opportunity to use that facility first, and so we'll set up something similar for our public swim system so that we give Avondale residents the opportunity to have first right and priority access to this facility, even though we're opening it up to all residents.

We will have season passes available as well.

We'll have family passes that will provide a discounted rate as well.

As you can see, this is where our fee will be in comparison to some of the surrounding municipalities here in the Phoenix metro area.

Um we'll be offering summer swimming lessons.

Our swimming lessons will begin with ages six months and older.

Um we'll have adult lessons available as well.

We do plan on offering lessons in Spanish when we can.

Um, and all of our lessons will include a water safety education component to it.

So our goal with our swimming lessons will be making sure that we can provide opportunities to teach the residents of Avondale how to be safe around water, in addition to teaching them how to swim.

We'll be utilizing the Starfish Swimming Curriculum, which is a subsidiary of the Star Guard curriculum that we're utilizing for lifeguard training.

Uh we'll be offering both morning, which is a traditional swimming lesson programming during summer, but we'll also be offering swimming lessons in the evening.

Um we'll be offering a five to seven Monday through Thursday swimming lesson, as well as a Saturday and Sunday morning offerings.

Um Saturday is pretty typical, but Sunday morning lessons is a non-traditional time that we uh feel that will be an opportunity to serve residents with a non-traditional offering where residents are home and available that hasn't always been utilized.

Um there's our proposed fees.

We'll have a $25 for eight, essentially it's eight classes, so eight 25-minute classes for $25.

Um most of the time in the summer, that'll be based on a two-week session, so Monday through Thursday for two weeks.

Um, but we'll break that up if it's a Saturday class, it could be for a month, or if it's all summer, it'll it'll vary how that's broken up.

But eight 25 minutes classes is how that fee will be based.

And then you can see that breakdown again, how it is in comparison to the the rest of the municipalities in the Phoenix Metro area for similar eight classes.

And then we will have a non-resident rate for our swimming lessons of 20% increase for anybody who lives outside of Avendale.

Uh we will host our own summer recreational swim team.

Um we will host that.

We won't have an outside organization run that.

Um it'll be again uh available for participants from ages six to eighteen.

We'll have both morning and evening teams available.

Um it'll go for the entire summer, and that fee will be $80 for residents, 96 for non-residents.

Uh, it'll be eight weeks, four to practice days a week, 55 minute practices.

And then we'll have meets during that, then we'll be working with uh we have been in talks with some of the other municipalities to create a coalition or to join a coalition that they have that to be a part of their competitions, so we'll float to city to city to host competitions and be part of competitions for that summer swim team.

And then you can see again how we compare with those those swim teams as far as those fees.

Additionally, aquatic fitness classes will be offering.

Uh, we'll start with some traditional water fitness classes.

Our facility gives us the ability to do a lot of unique water fitness classes, including water walking with our lazy river.

Um we've just recently purchased some paddleboard yoga mats to be able to do um aquatic yoga on those paddleboard match, which is a new thing.

Um so we're super excited to be able to do some of those things.

Uh but those will align with our swimming lesson time.

So parents who want to bring their kiddos to swimming lessons will be able to do that, and they'll be able to participate in those water fitness classes.

So and the fees will be aligned with our swimming lesson classes.

Um we also want to be able to offer lap swimming, our lap swimming times will be available anytime that we're open for public swimming.

We'll have dedicated lap swimming lanes available, but we'll also have an early morning lap swimming time available seven days a week.

So Monday through Friday we'll have 5 to 7 a.m.

available for lap swimming, and then Saturdays and Sundays from 7 to 9, we'll have lap swimming available.

So it'll be uh available for the for those swimmers that want to come and swim, and again, those lap swimming charges.

Um this is just our summer lap swimming during the other parts of the year.

Um we do want to be able to offer this if we can make it sustainable and we can make it pay for for itself.

Uh, we will likely have to charge a premium on those admission fees during those times where we have to kick on those heaters, and so this fee is based on a summer lap swimming fee.

And and the comparison that I'll show you here in a second will be based on probably those times where those other cities are charging those um increased rates for for when they're utilizing heated water.

Additionally, um we will have pool and facility rentals.

So when we're open for public swimming, um we have two multi-purpose rooms at the facility.

We have a multi-purpose room on the play pool side of the facility as well as the competition pool side of the facility that will be available for citizens to rent out for if they want to host their private party and have a room and a space available to be able to host a party.

We'll have that be available for rental.

But additionally, on Saturdays and Sundays after our public swim hours, people will be able to rent out the entire facility to host their party, their corporate event, or church event, um, and so we'll make those times available that we'll be able to rent out that whole facility, and we'll provide the lifeguards and all of those things.

So that's something that we'll be able to provide.

We're still working on some of those fees and how we'll we'll base that fee because it'll be based on how we'll pay those lifeguards, and we'll still working through some of those those details right now.

And then again, just that full summer schedule.

We're we're gonna be busy, it's gonna be uh it's gonna be a um a busy, busy, fun summer.

Um but with that, we're gonna need a lot of staff.

So if you know any of any 15 to 17 year olds that want to work for us, let me know.

Um, how we're gonna be basing this is um when we're open and we're fully open and we're fully busy.

Um, we're anticipating needing about 19 staff to be able to staff that a lazy river creates uh quite a few staffing challenges to make sure that you have eyes on all the different parts of the water, and so that's where the majority of the staffing need comes in.

Uh a traditional square pool doesn't necessarily need the number of staff that some of those uh water park amenities need, and so that's where that bigger staff number comes from, and so as you can see, this would be our rotation additionally.

We have to give those staff members an opportunity to come in and get out of the heat on a regular basis.

And so it takes a small army to run a pool this size, and so that's where it's gonna come in.

And so um our recruiting effort is gonna be hot and hot and heavy for the next little bit as we as we work up to get these staff, and so as we start that pool, as the pool gets finished and we start those recruiting classes, we're gonna be really pushing out our recruiting effort getting into the schools to make sure that we can get enough staff to offer all the things that we're wanting to be able to offer to the residents of Avondale.

So in total, we'll be hiring about 70 part-time staff.

Um you met my two full-time staff members this evening, uh, my aquatic maintenance tech and my aquatics coordinator.

Um, and then we'll have 70 part-time staff that'll be helping us run all these programs for this upcoming summer.

Um so our recruitment plan is be working with the high schools and swim teams.

We've already started and working with them.

Uh we'll be getting out to swim teams here in the next few weeks as they wrap up their seasons, um, and then we'll be co connecting with local high schools, social media, RAVE will be coming out here in the next little bit that'll have our class information, and then we'll be potentially looking at recruitment incentives, just depending on how our recruitment goes throughout the season.

So with that, I'll take any questions.

Um I can answer anything you may have.

Thank you for the presentation, Mark.

Let me turn it over to Council Councilwoman alone.

Thank you for the presentation.

Um I wanted to go back a couple of slides where uh you said that we were going to open it up for everyone, but we're gonna give um Abidel um priority.

Can you explain how um how that will work and just kind of uh I I understand Gl Good Year has it just for Goodyear residents?

Can you speak on that?

Yeah, so um there's a couple different ways that you can do it.

There's an online system that you can so they would be able to go in and pre-register for that.

We can also set aside a s uh a set amount of our uh our capacity each day for residents of Avondale.

So essentially as they come to the window, we could have a certain number that would be able to be reserved online ahead of time, and then we could set aside a certain number for walk-ups that you would need to show some sort of proof of residency, and then we would have the other part that would be open for just whoever to be able to come in.

What's the capacity of the aquatic center?

So right now we're we're targeting about 500 for uh for capacity um for operational use.

My two couple of questions, so thank you for answering.

Of course.

Council McCartney.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Thanks, Mark.

This is so exciting.

So exciting.

I I I wrote so many notes, but most of I just really want to just thank you guys for being flexible on the times for lessons.

Like I just like it that they can do different times during the day, during the week, and I think that that's so important and having that safety water safety is so critical to our residents and whoever comes to use our pool.

Um and I also want to just say thank you guys for making the classes.

The safety class is so affordable.

My daughter takes my grandson and she pays more than this for one class.

And so for us to be able to offer eight 25 minute classes is amazing.

So thank you guys for doing that and really kind of getting that information and really kind of bringing that to us so that we can offer the best services and with good quality, it sounds like good quality programming.

Um I did have a question.

Um of course we're always I for me a big thing is making sure that we have enough shade.

So I know that we had this discussion when we were talking about um building the aquatic center.

And I didn't know, and I don't know if other cities do it.

I was wondering if we once we get the facility open and we feel like we need to add more shade, if there's a possibility in the future that we can add maybe rentals for lounge chairs or umbrellas, or you know, if you know if other cities have done something like that.

So we will have uh deck furniture available.

Um so we we've purchased a lot of deck furniture, so we have lots and lots of chairs and and we have a mixture of of chase lounges and chairs that will be available on deck in addition to our just significant amount of shade in between the wave that's in the middle of the facility, and then we have shade on each side of the facility.

So I'm I'm I'm not concerned with the amount of shade that we have.

Um there are other facilities that have added shade additionally on the back end.

It's honestly not something I'm worried about operationally with my experience that I've had with given the amount of shade that we we do have at this facility and the way that it's cast during the day.

If you go and walk that facility during the day and at the different times of day, um the way that that shades cast, I think operationally will be perfect for swimming lessons, for teams, for people just coming to the pool to enjoy the facility.

And another thing, will there be lockers there?

Ooh, that's a good question.

Um I believe there are lockers in the restrooms that are but I don't believe I think it'll be able to bring your own self-lock, but there will be lockers.

I got that right.

James has given me the thumbs up.

And then you mentioned like the age that we're not going to charge separate different fees per age.

What will be the age that people that the kids can come by themselves?

So we haven't established that policy yet.

Um traditionally, most municipalities, um, it's anywhere between eight and twelve is when they set that age.

Um I've worked in municipalities that have let eight-year-olds come in by themselves.

Um it's it's really uh and that that's part of this presentation.

If you guys have feedback on that, we're more than willing to hear that, just as we set those policies internally.

So I think that's all I have, but I just wanted to say thank you all.

Thank you for your team.

You guys are done a great job, and I'm looking forward to the opening.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Solario.

Um hi, thank you for the presentation.

It was really great.

I have a few questions.

Um was there a reason why we didn't make it just exclusive to our Avondale residents?

Because I know that we when we do functions throughout the city, we open it up to different folks and whatnot.

But I was kind of looking at like City of Goodyear's aquatic, and it really gives an opportunity for the residents that live there.

They do have to show proof of residency that they live there to use those facilities.

I get that we are going to as I heard um uh councilmember Malone had mentioned that you know, how would we like monitor, you know, to make sure our residents have preference, and I and I had heard that, but um was there a reason why we're opening it up to everybody?

Just because I know that you know that in itself is a lot of folks, a lot of neighboring cities who are going to be using that.

And then, secondly, is it possible to have two rates, one for an Avondale resident and one for a non-resident that's a little bit higher so that it gives our residents a little bit more of an advantage.

Yeah, so um one of the feedbacks that we heard from from Goodyear and and the staff at Goodyear specifically is that the implementation of of that policy is is very difficult to monitor and they've had issues with it.

Additionally, um there have been instances where there's even been people selling passes or whatnot for that facility on secondary markets to be able to utilize that.

And so there's been some policing issues with actually those residents being able to utilize that and people misusing some of those passes in those systems, and so um we wanted to eliminate some of that and allow our staff to really focus on the quality of our our experience versus having to police people coming into the facility.

Um then as far as admission different prices for resident and non-resident, um that's really historically um it becomes um an issue of uh just facilitating again a good customer experience as you're coming into that facility when you're doing with a capacity of 500 people to push that many people through and be checking residency as they're coming in, it can become quite um burdensome and and creating lines when you're trying to push 500 people through a facility.

Um so um to be able to open it up to the entire facility when you're just running an aquatic center.

Goodyear is a little bit different of a case where they have a um a recreation center that's attached to that aquatic center, um, and and they have some full-time uh front desk staff that can process through that residency check in addition to the aquatic center, um, can facilitate that a little bit better.

And so we made the decision that we'd like to focus on the experience and making sure that we can just push those people through and then provide some opportunities for Avondale residents to have priority registration, and then we can also be flexible if we feel the need if if we open up and the our residents are giving us that feedback that they're not having the ability to, then we can be very, very nimble and flexible and create some of those systems quickly to switch that up and provide that.

But we'd like to go in focusing on the experience of walking into the aquatic center, um, providing it for everybody and not providing systems that are restrictive.

Thank you.

Councilman White Mark thank you so much I could see the excitement so I just want to let you know I'm thankful for your excitement.

Couple of call-outs um I noticed that there is a time probably between five and seven p.m every evening where it is not open swim which I think is a really great precaution for heat exhaustion in the summertime.

So I just wanted to say whatever we're doing during that class space time it's probably better that we're breaking that time space up.

I noticed that that was great.

I like the adult swim lessons I think that there's some type of um shame out there if you're not a swimmer and you're an adult so seeing that was really exciting for me.

I am a swimmer I really have a mean float so I I get very proud of that and I add a stroke so and boy I moved through the pool really well.

So I'm I'm proud of the fact that we're going to be able to offer to our residents I think that will that will save a lot of lives.

I like the safety focus of everything that we're doing I I've said it before to Ron and a lot of folks and my fellow council members I really do like things being exclusive about Avondale but I also like Avondale for one like that you know a nice old western town we really are so being able to open up our pool to the community I think is important.

But I think we're going to have to have some pretty strict guardrails on there.

To me I think walking in with an eight year old knowing that somebody off the highway who knows our pool only costs $3 is scary to me.

I'm just going to call that out so I think maybe we'll have some better age requirements in place.

Maybe we'll, you know, say if you can't drive you you can't be here our drivers can drive on their own I think at 16 so you know I I think that that would want me to have it be family oriented be be people oriented and you know come with your parents because if we are open to the public we're going to need a lot more supervision than we want to pay for here and I think parental guidance is the best guidance to ask for if you're coming to use public facilities.

So to me if if we're definitely open to the public then we want our public to be responsible for their kids too.

That's it.

Mr Vice Mayor Councilmember White if I may for a second.

You left something out I heated up for you we're going to do yoga on those on those ads or are you going to be an instructor I won't be an instructor I'd have to leave my beautiful job on the dais but I will be taking the first round of classes of our um of our paddle board yoga.

So I I will definitely be one of the first residents to sign up I promise you that.

And I'm the first on the slide.

In addition to being a great swimmer I hear you're going to be an excellent slide tester.

So I will be there call me I I will be there mayor council there there's more than one slide and I there's some competition going on there and Daniella's welcome.

But we've got two slides covered thank you.

Councilman I don't know that I don't see anything better than what's already been said.

The one thing that I guess sticks out in my mind capacity of 500 I know that's optimistic suppose things go really well and you've got 550 five you know 600 do we just cut off at the particular time and say you can't come today or whatever and come back another time and I mean we just may need to look at that if it becomes that you know exciting about it.

It looks really busy.

You've got the times down there.

I mean I've done scheduling in the past and you've got overlapping and everything else I just want to make sure we keep it straight.

And I think the last thing just we've all talked about it is Avondale residents once this thing gets out and everybody finds out how exciting it is and what's going on here we will have others from out.

I remember a number of years ago I got an opportunity to collect signatures at the Sports Center.

And for the hour that I was there I contacted probably about 75 people residents I didn't get very many signatures that day.

So we just you know with that there it's going to be an inn and something else we just need to make sure we give the Avondale you know some opportunities to be there but it looks great.

I appreciate it.

I appreciate all the work's been done and organizing it and get ready the research you've done on identifying costs and other things out we really appreciate it.

So thank you for your help effort.

Mr.

Vice Mayor and counsel if I can just add uh a reassurance we'll continue to evaluate the use and ensure that Avondale residents have access to uh their aquatic center um having um been responsible for a facility that had a resident and non-resident fee it does back up the line quite a bit and it was one of my number one complaints of people trying to get in.

So we're going to try this online just so you know the 500 capacity is a uh self-imposed what we believe we can handle with our lifeguards and the volume we're well below the um fire mandate uh capacity so we have a little bit of flexibility in how the pool fills staffing levels and those but we'll make every effort to make sure our Avondale residents get to use their pool.

Council Member?

I have one follow-up question.

Do we know what the capacity is in the Goodsyear Aquatic Center?

And do they need the capacity during the summer term?

Ooh, I don't know off the top of my head what their capacity is.

I know initially they were hitting capacity, and that was one of the reasons they implemented that restriction of residency.

I visited this year, and I know they are not meeting capacity on a daily basis.

Correct.

Okay.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Just really quick because there were a lot of good questions asked.

I like the consistent pricing, regardless of who you are.

Also, I trust an experienced staff in regards to the system with resident non-resident, and so I'll trust your experience in regards to how we deal with that.

But one of the question I did have is will residents be allowed to bring food in to the facility?

Again, that's something we're we're that'll be a policy decision that we're working through because we're working through we had that the facility is designed to host food trucks.

We'll have two bays for food trucks, and so depending on how we set up those things.

But whether that's provided through a fender or whether we allow residents to bring that in, we're still working through those processes.

Yeah, we have maybe some sort of designated area outside or just because I don't know what the parameters are, uh the legalities are for that, but just to be sensitive to budget.

So if family wanted to pack a lunch for you know for the day and swim in the pool, I think it would be a nice touch to be able to have a designated area for them to be able to participate with their picnic or lunch.

So the future park across the street will facilitate some of that as well.

Yep.

Well, thank you so much for the presentation.

We appreciate it.

Thank you, Ms.

Mr.

Rice Mayor.

If I can, um I'm gonna uh go ahead and present uh B, C and D.

You will need to vote and act on them separately.

Okay, but your HR director um is going to be up here to make a presentation.

Uh so uh Andy Mosquita is up.

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

Uh the items before you, 4C, 4D, and 4E are proposed amendments that will allow for the designation of certain key executive level positions to be at will.

Under at will employment, either the employee or the employer can end the employment relationship at any time.

Uh employers can terminate an employee for or without cause.

Um, even with at will employment bill, employers must continue to comply with all state and federal employment laws, and employers cannot discipline employees for discriminatory reasons.

To provide a little bit of background, uh, currently all employees working under the city manager are covered employees with the right to appeal disciplinary actions unless they're on original probation.

Flexibility is limited for the city manager to ensure the city's leadership team is united in implementing the council's goals and objectives in a manner that's aligned with the city manager's vision.

Certain positions within the city have a significant impact, both among current staff and with community stakeholders.

Because these positions can have significant influence on the work environment and were critical relationships in the community.

It's imperative that employees in these roles work in the best interest of the city at all times while executing the vision set forth by council and the city manager.

When employees in these roles have demonstrated that they are unable or unwilling to embrace and execute the vision of city leadership, flexibility is necessary to ensure the city manager can take prompt and appropriate disciplinary action.

Without this flexibility, the potential exists for the work environment to be negatively impacted or relationships andor services to be strained with external stakeholders.

So the human resources department researched other local municipalities to evaluate at will language included in their city codes or policies.

So you'll see an overview of that in the chart that's presented.

But guide Goodyear and Glendale, all this department directors and above is at will.

Surprise has a more expansive definition to include department directors and above, as well as specific positions and departments and whole.

So you'll notice areas like all employees in the mayor or council office, all employees in human resources, all employees in the IT department, and employees in the office of the city clerk and those that report to the city auditor.

The outwell language proposed for the city of Avondale most closely aligns with that of the city of Scottsdale, which indicates positions where administrative necessity dictates that the position be more responsive and accountable to city policy, including all management, executive, administrative, and professional positions as defined by the class and plan.

Again, this is the one that probably is closest to Avondale, but we're still not as expansive as the language in the city of Scottsdale.

In summary, the proposed amendments would allow the city manager to identify key executive level positions as they become vacant to be at will for employees appointed on or after October 30th, 2023.

Additionally, an emergency clause is included requesting that amendments are effective immediately upon passage and adoption.

To provide additional context, at this time, there is only one department head that is not covered.

The purpose of the October 30th date is to align with the upcoming appointment of our new city engineer, Kimberly Moon.

To give additional context, we communicated with Ms.

Moon at the time of the offer to be transparent and to let her know that we were in the process of seeking these amendments, which, if approved, would make the city uh engineer position at will.

At that time, Ms.

Moon expressed no concerns with the change and actually indicated that her position with the city channeler was also at will.

In the future, if we have a covered employee currently that accepts appointment into a position that is designated as at will, their employment classification will change at that time from covered to out will.

So our first recommendation is uh adding the following language to Chapter 18 discipline, which states policy implementing executive level positions or above as determined by the city manager and appointed on or after October 30th, 2023, have no appeal rights for actions outlined in these policies.

We know that assistant city managers and department directors will be included.

However, no decisions have been made on other positions as a city manager and will work with in conjunction with department directors to identify positions that meet this criteria and an administrative policy will be established to outline those positions.

Our next recommendation is to add the following language to Chapter 19 appeals.

The right of appeal shall not apply to policy implementing executive level positions or above as determined by the city manager and appointed on or after October 30th, 2023.

Staff also recommends adding clarifying language that the appeal process is only an option if applicable to distinguish between covered and at will employees.

Lastly, our final recommendation references City Code Chapter 2 Administration, Article 2, Division 3, Section 2-36.

The City Code includes appointments and promotions in the city's merit system and authorizes the human resources director to establish a disciplinary appeal system as approved by City Council.

The current language of City Code Section 2-36 includes appointments, promotions, demotions, discharges, and reinstatements in the merit system scope.

The Avondale chapter and administrative policies defines a merit system as a system whereby employees are promoted or rewarded based on ability.

Based on the language of the city code and the city chapter definitions, the merit system is applicable to the appointment process and the promotion process.

Currently, City Code 2-36 integrates the merit system and disciplinary appeal system.

Therefore, staff recommends the reference removing the reference to the motions of discharges and reinstatements as it pertains to the merit system from Section 2-36 to provide consistency with other applicable city provisions.

In closing, just a reminder that each of these recommendations would have to be voted on separately.

And I'm happy to entertain any questions you may have.

Are there any questions or comments by the council?

Councilmember Solorio?

Do you have any comments or questions?

No.

Okay.

Then can we entertain a motion for item 4B?

Do these Marcella, do these have to be read?

Okay.

Okay, looks like we got a motion by Councilmember White, seconded by Councilmember Condi.

Please vote.

Aye.

Thank you, Councilmember Solario.

Item passes.

Can we get a motion in the second for item 4C?

Got a motion by Councilmember Malone and seconded by Councilmember White.

How do you vote?

Councilmember Solorio.

Aye.

Okay.

Item passes.

Can we get another motion and second for item 4D?

Got a motion by Councilmember White, seconded by Councilmember Nielsen.

Please vote.

Councilmember Soloria, how do you vote?

Yes.

Okay.

Item passes.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Andy.

Okay.

Item 4E.

Thank you, Mr.

Vice Mayor.

Council.

Next up, you will receive a presentation on our capital improvement plan update, our quarterly budget transfers, and ARPA update presented by Robert Baer, our budget manager of finance and budget.

And I'll just in the background is our CIP administrator who can also answer questions if needed.

All right, good evening, Vice Mayor, Council.

I'm here before you to present the quarterly budget transfers.

We were last in front of you in July.

Our goal is to keep budget transfers that require council approval to a quarterly basis.

So our first round of transfers are transfers between departments.

So per our adopted financial policies, any transfer or budget appropriation between two city departments requires council approval.

So we are transferring the landscaping budget, some remaining landscaping budget from Siliconus Department to the Parks and Recreation Department to consolidate our ground maintenance budget.

And then we are also transferring a CIP project for Sam Garcia and CERNS Plaza improvements from NFS to Parks and Recreation to reflect that library now is managed by parks and recreation.

Our second category of budget transfers are related to operating carryover adjustments.

So as a reminder, as part of the fiscal year 24 budget, we included budget appropriation for expenses projects that were originally planned for in the fiscal year 23 budget, but were not planned to be completed until fiscal year 24.

So we included an estimate of that in our budget.

Now we are reconciling that since we had to include that estimate prior to the adoption of uh prior to the start of the fiscal year, so we didn't have exact numbers.

So the total um total amount of those carryover adjustments is 723,670 dollars.

And on the next slide you can see that broken out by fund.

The next category of budget uh transfers is related to the American Rescue Plan Act, ARPA.

So the federal rules related to ARPA are um continually being updated.

Um so based off of the latest update of those rules and uh the fact that we want to deploy those ARPA dollars in our community as fast as we can.

We are recommending that we remove two projects from ARPA funding and fund those out of the general fund, and that would be the citywide fiber expansion and redundancy project and the fiber optic connectivity and parks.

And then we would use that capacity with an ARPA to fund the Kinsini Park Enhancement Project, a portion of that project, and the Mountain View Park Enhancements project.

Um we are also recommending moving some eligible expenses that occurred in fiscal year 23 to ARPA.

Um none of this requires additional appropriation overall, it's just a changing of the funding source for those projects.

And the next slide uh summarizes that in a table.

Finally, we are recommending some uh budget adjustments related to CIP projects.

So per our adopted financial policies, any transfer of $50,000 or greater between two CIP projects requires council approval.

So related to that, we are recommending um transferring from the Aquatic Center project, which has some savings in it.

Um, one to fund a vehicle for aquatic maintenance throughout the city.

Um a second one to fund a land use study for a parcel that is adjacent to the aquatic center.

Finally, we're also recommending a budget transfer between two phases of old town um improvements.

Um the issue here was there was some design for phase three that was actually paid out of the phase two budget.

Um so we are compensating the uh um phase two budget, which um had heavier use uh with phase three budget on this you can see the uh the site that is uh being considered for that uh study um adjacent to the aquatic center.

With that, um that is our recommendation to approve budget transfers detailed in exhibit A and modify the city's American Reserve Plan Act plan as summarized in exhibit B.

Thank you.

Thank you for the presentation.

Are there any members of council have any comments or questions?

Councilmember Solorial, do you have any comments or questions?

Councilmember Connie?

Not currently.

Okay.

No, I'm good.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Thank you for the presentation.

Can you go back to the next to the last slide that shows where the study is going to be done?

Yes.

So future park area, and then we're still planning across the street from that for future park as well, right?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Yes, across the Civic Center Drive, there will be the Civic Center Park next to the library.

We're just working through some grants compliance issues.

Um and once that's completed, we'll start uh construction on that project.

Okay.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, uh Councilmember, I want to be clear, our Mr.

Vice Council.

Um want to be clear.

It's a future parks activity facility.

We it's not going to be a park probably, but we're going to explore some options, everything from a physical fitness trail kind of stuff going along with the trails around it, indoor pickleball court with some facilities for parks and rec.

We think it's large enough there to fit a building if council has another idea, but we are going to use a little bit of money to begin to plan it.

Currently the plan is to uh put some cover on it so it doesn't create a dust thing for a pool.

Um but we do need to begin to think about next steps for that land and kind of finish out our um campus.

Thank you.

Okay.

There's no questions.

Can I get a uh motion for this?

Is this just for discussion or is there a vote on this?

Oh, yeah, there is.

So I can get a motion.

I got a motion by Councilmember Nielsen, seconded by Councilmember White.

Please vote.

How do you vote Councilmember Salario?

Yes, I'm captain.

Okay.

Pass the 6-0.

Thank you so much.

Item five, summary of current events.

Any council members with a summary of any events?

No.

Okay.

Then can I get a motion to adjourn, please?

Got a motion by Councilmember Fondi, seconded by Councilmember White.

Please vote.

Councilmember Solaria, how do you vote?

Aye.

Thank you.

We are adjourned.

Everybody have a safe or a great night and drive home safely.