Avondale City Council Meeting Summary

Date: December 16, 2025 (Note: The transcript states December 1, but the provided metadata indicates December 16, 2025. This summary uses the latter date as instructed.)

The regular city council meeting covered new staff introductions, proclamations, recognition of outgoing board/commission members, a public comment on council member conduct, and detailed updates on parks, recreation, and aquatic center operations. All actions were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Employee Introduction

• New Traffic Control Inspector: City Engineer Kim Moon introduced Eddie Black, who started November 24, 2025. Black is Avondale’s first full-time traffic control inspector, focused on construction projects and special events. He has private-sector and City of Mesa experience. Black will review traffic control plans, issue permits, and conduct field inspections.

Proclamations

• Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day: Homeless Services Manager Brian Planty praised the city’s SONAR outreach team. Councilmember Condi read the proclamation, recognizing December 21, 2025 (the first day of winter) as Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day. A community remembrance service will be held at Avondale Baptist Church on that date.
• World AIDS Day: Councilmember White read a proclamation designating December 1, 2025 as World AIDS Day in Avondale, encouraging reflection, education, and commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.

Recognition of Outgoing Board and Commission Members

• City Clerk Specialist Emily Soria recognized seven individuals who completed at least one full term (minimum three years): Fabian Bravo, Jan Graham, Janet Beeson, Larry White, Linda Warren, Stephanie Robinson, and Stephanie Rodriguez. They received certificates. Larry White and Janet Beeson shared brief remarks. Councilmembers and staff joined for a group photo.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0) without any items removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Linda Yeager (Avondale resident): Expressed deep concern about recent allegations involving Councilmember Jeanette Garcia, including a lawsuit describing kidnapping, false imprisonment, and sexual misconduct. Yeager said the allegations damage Avondale’s reputation and erode public trust, and urged leadership upholding high standards. Mayor Paneda responded that the matter would be dealt with in court.

Discussion Items

• Parks, Recreation, and Special Events Update: Recreation Manager Mark Foote presented a fiscal year-to-date summary:
  • July 4th “Light Up the Sky”: ~10,000 attendees, 4-star rating. Changes included a new layout and air-conditioned barn.
  • Blink Canvas Summer Showcase (August): 213 participants, 135 canvases displayed, 5-star rating.
  • Barks and Treats (October): ~1,300 attendees (double last year), 4.85-star rating, 43 dog costume contest participants.
  • Billy Moore Days (October 16-19): ~27,000 visitors (excluding parade), 4.85-star rating. Parade had ~2,000 attendees and 41 entries.
  • Creeping Candy Crawl (October 30): ~5,000 attendees (nearly double last year), 4.8-star rating. Moved from Halloween to Thursday prior.
  • Mercados and Melodies (new youth entrepreneur market): 600+ attendees, 43 youth vendors. Two more planned in January and March.
  • Run Series: Dunkin’ Dash (68 participants), West Valley Vet Run (over 250 participants, raised $40,000 for veterans). Upcoming: Avondazzle Dash (December 20) and Hoot and Hustle (March 21).
  • Upcoming signature events: Winterfest (December 20), Trace Rios Nature Festival (February/March at Basin Meridian Wildlife Area), Kid Fest (April), Avondale Fiesta (May 2).
  • Councilmember Murphy asked about future biking events; Parks Director Corey noted the earlier Cycle Avondale event did not meet registration goals and cited high costs for safe routes across I-10. Future trail expansion may enable such events.
• Aquatic Center Update: Recreation Manager Brittany Sherminski reported:
  • Google rating: 4.2 stars; swim lesson ratings: 4.7 out of 5 (up from 4.5).
  • Swim lessons, classes, and teams: 2,300 participants (up 800 from last year). Programs include infant-parent, youth, adult, fitness (paddleboard yoga, river fitness), recreational swim teams, and new water polo.
  • Regular rec swim: ~58,000 swimmers (slightly down from ~60,000 due to rain in September/October).
  • Revenue: FY26 already at $129,000 toward $205,000 annual target. Room rentals and facility rentals are very popular; exploring Ramada rentals.
  • Special events: Wave Fest (2nd annual), Dive-In Movies (3 events, last one sold out), Arizona Lifeguard Challenge (revived), Dunkin’ Dash (first ever, 4.9-star rating), Hispanic Heritage Splash Bash. Wave Fest won an APRA Outstanding Aquatic Program award (second consecutive year for an APRA award).
  • Community partnerships: Tolleson Union High School District (4 swim teams practice), Phoenix Water Polo (expanding to spring/summer/fall), Desert Paddle Boards (sound bath), food trucks (from 4 to 7).
  • Staffing: 64 team members, over 20,000 hours. Recruitment for 2026 opened December 16; interviews in late January, training February/March.
  • Upcoming: Spring hours (April), Annual Wave Fest (early April, moved from late April), Pups Plunge (April 12), summer hours start Memorial Day weekend, Dive-In Movies (2), Lifeguard Challenge (late June), Hispanic Heritage Splash Bash (moved earlier).
  • Councilmember Condi and others expressed appreciation for the facility and programming, especially for families and safety training.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Councilmember Solorio: Announced election to a position on the National League of Cities board (first Avondale representative since 2013). Councilmember White was re-elected to a second term on the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, winning with 40% of the vote.
• Adjournment: Motion by Councilmember Solorio, seconded by Councilmember White, passed unanimously. The meeting ended without additional business.