City Council Meeting: Introductions, Proclamations, and Short-Term Rental Regulation – October 22, 2025

Note: The transcript of this meeting repeatedly states the date as October 9, 2023, which conflicts with the supplied date of October 22, 2025. This summary uses the provided date as instructed, but the discrepancy is noted.

The meeting began with a special pre-meeting segment featuring introductions of new city employees, proclamations, and award recognitions, followed by the regular council meeting. The regular meeting included a unanimous consent agenda and a detailed presentation and discussion on proposed short-term rental regulations.

Introductions of New Employees

• Finance Director Renee Weatherless introduced Terry Chavez Ronaldo, a new accounting specialist with over 30 years of experience, who has volunteered with the VITA tax program.
• Chief of Public Safety (unnamed) introduced Philip Washington, a new municipal security officer with 22 years of service as a police officer in Glendale.
• Director of Neighborhood and Family Services Chris Lopez introduced several new staff, including customer service representative Giovanna Marquez, Jacqueline Guerrero, homeless outreach specialist Adam Stone, and senior center drivers Fortino Garcia, Lakonda Pullard Hall, and Mara Isabella Soto.
• Director of Public Works Kirk Beatty introduced two new street maintenance workers (Yurio Carrillo and Nathan Street) via a video presentation, along with other new hires in public works, including an environmental technician, water distribution operators, and a wastewater operator. Notable names included Lake Powell (water reclamation operator) and a staff member with the last name “Streets.”

Proclamations

• Code Compliance Month: Chief of Public Safety (Chief Nanegate) read a proclamation declaring October 2023 (as stated in transcript) as Code Compliance Month. Two code compliance officers were recognized: Stephanie Robinson (moving to Prescott Valley) and Claudia Rojas, who was named National Code Compliance Officer of the Year by the National Association of Code Compliance Officers.
• Fire Prevention Week: Fire Chief Larry Rooney presented a proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, October 8–14, 2023, with the theme “Cooking safety starts with you.” The proclamation noted that cooking fires cause over 2,800 deaths and 338,000 home fires annually in the U.S. The city’s annual open house will be held on October 28, 2023, at Fire Station 175.
• National Community Planning Month: Director of Development Services Jody Novak presented a proclamation for October 2023 as Community Planning Month, recognizing the planning division staff and the importance of community involvement in shaping the city's future.

Awards and Recognitions

• Director of Marketing and Public Relations Pierre (23-year city employee) presented awards from the City County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA). The city won two first-place Savvy Awards: one for best use of humor (Avondale Police Department social media series on traffic tips) and one for graphic design (new police patch). Two Silver Circle Awards were also received: one for communications and marketing plans (quarterly marketing trainings) and one for best publications (new employee guide). The city tied for first place in graphic design, an unprecedented achievement.

Consent Calendar

• Mayor Weiss called for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Vice Mayor Paneda made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Nielsen. The vote passed 7-0, with Councilmember White joining later and confirming her vote. No items were removed for separate consideration.

Discussion Items: Short-Term Rental Regulation

• Assistant Director of Finance and Budget Keith Falstrom presented a proposal to regulate short-term rentals (STRs) following recent state legislation. An estimated 445 STRs exist in Avondale, based on AirDNA data. The state allows cities to require licenses and impose specific conditions. Staff sought council guidance on several options:
  • Notification of neighbors: Required, one-time written notice to adjacent and directly across-street properties. Council agreed.
  • License number on advertisements: Required. Council agreed.
  • Liability insurance: Up to $500,000 recommended; most marketplaces already provide $1 million. Council agreed.
  • Background checks on applicants: Staff recommended an attestation that the applicant is not a registered sex offender or convicted of certain felonies (murder, serious injury, or deadly weapon use within five years). Council agreed, with Councilmember White expressing concern about fairness and the need for an appeal process.
  • Sex offender background checks on guests: Required, with an exemption if the marketplace performs the check. Council agreed.
  • Penalty amounts: Recommended following statutory maximums: $500 or one night’s rent (first violation), $1,000 or two nights (second), $3,500 or three nights (third). Council agreed.
  • License fee: Recommended $250 for new and renewal, aligning with other cities. Current fee schedule has $50 new/$25 renewal, so an update is needed. Council agreed.
• Councilmember Condi asked about capping the number of STRs; staff noted it is not allowed by statute.
• Mayor Weiss raised concerns about pool safety requirements for existing STRs with pools, noting that hotels require pool fencing. City Manager Ron explained that treating STRs differently may not be allowed, but staff will review the issue and report back.
• Councilmember Solario asked about ADA requirements; staff was not aware of any specific requirements for STRs.
• Chief Espinoza (Police) reported that from October 1, 2022 to October 1, 2023, there were only six calls for service related to STRs: one assault and five loud music complaints, all of which were resolved with officer intervention. The new ordinance will provide contact information to assist enforcement.
• The proposed timeline: ordinance draft on October 23 (2023 per transcript), 60-day fee notice, implementation in January 2024, licensing open February 1, 2024, with penalties delayed until May 1, 2024 to allow for compliance.

Key Outcomes

• Council provided unanimous direction to staff to draft an ordinance based on the discussed options, with additional review of pool and ADA requirements.
• The draft ordinance will be brought back to council on October 23 (2023 per transcript) for consideration, likely on the consent agenda unless council members pull it.
• The fee schedule will be updated to $250 for both new and renewal licenses.
• A motion to adjourn the regular meeting was made by Councilmember Malone, seconded by Councilmember Condi, and passed unanimously.

Note on date discrepancy: The transcript consistently refers to October 9, 2023, but the meeting date was supplied as October 22, 2025. This summary uses the supplied date, but the actual meeting appears to have occurred in 2023.