Mayor, we're ready.

Okay.

I'd like to call an order the regular city council meeting of April 6th to order.

Would you please all rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence?

Thank you.

Julie, can we get roll call, please?

Councilmember Condi.

Councilmember Conde, can you hear me?

Yes, here.

Councilmember Garcia.

Here.

Councilmember Solario.

Councilmember Weiss.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Here.

Mayor Paneda.

Here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tracy, next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

We will start with employee announcements from Police Chief Memo Espinoza.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council.

Thank you for having us.

It is my pleasure to introduce the newest employees of the Avondale Police Department.

At this time, I'm going to ask all the employees to come up to the podium and state their name, tell us their position within the Avondale Police Department, where they call home, and if they can also let us know why they chose Avondale for employment.

Brandy, we'll start with you.

Good evening.

My name is Brian D.

Datcher.

I am a victim services supervisor with the Avondale Police Department.

Good year.

But as well as my lieutenant made it very clear when I first interviewed for this position that victim services was a priority here.

That's something that I hold very close to my heart.

Therefore, I knew Avondale was a place for me.

Hello, I'm Juan Garcia.

I am a records clerk.

A city that appreciates its employees.

Hello, my name is Bethany Horner.

I'm a police dispatcher.

And that was really something that I hold near and dear to my heart.

And so that's one of the reasons I chose Avondale and so far.

So good.

Thank you.

Hello, my name is Damon Daponse.

I'm a communications dispatcher, and the place I call home is Mexico because I was born and raised there.

And I live there 13 years.

And I chose Avendale because it was the first place I called home after moving from Mexico.

And it was the community that I wanted to serve and be a part of.

And it's been great.

Thank you.

Hello, my name is Evelyn LeCour.

Um, sorry.

I'm a communications dispatcher for Avon the Police Department.

Um I call home, New York.

That's where I was born and raised.

Um, but I did choose Avondale because of I guess I wanted to always be in the field, even as a kid.

And as the position opened, I did some research and I saw that you guys were very into your employees and very uh positive community, and that's always something I've looked for in the work field.

Thank you.

Hello, my name is Kayleigh Finkley.

I'm a therapist at Southwest Family Advocacy Center, where I call home is Waddell, Arizona.

Um I specifically chose Avondale specifically for the Advocacy Center and the work that we do with victims of crime.

Thank you.

Good evening.

I'm George Valez.

I'm a dedicated forensic interviewer.

Uh personally called home, Peore, Arizona.

Um chose Avondale because of the sense of community.

And also because the Advocacy Center is just amazing.

I'm doing amazing work for child safety, and I wanted to be a part of that.

Good evening.

My name is Noah Malina.

I um the Neilwood detention officer for RJO.

My call home of Phoenix, Arizona, I was born and raised in Maryville.

And I call my new uh position as uh detention officer.

And I chose Avon because I live here now.

I've been resi- I reside in Avondale for the last six years, and uh I love it.

Thank you.

Can we give our newest employees a round of applause?

Oh, hold on, there's a test actually now on.

Thank you all for joining Avonville, being a part team in chief.

Thank you so much for sharing their information.

Chasey.

The next item mayor is the proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

And this will be presented by Angela Destin, Police Communications Manager, along with Police Chief Memo Espinoza.

Good evening again, Mayor, Vice Mayor Council.

Uh with me is Angela Destin.

Angela is our communications manager at the Avondale Police Department.

Angela's gonna be up here saying a few words and introducing their her staff before uh turning it back to you to go over the National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week proclamation.

Angela.

Thank you.

Hello, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council members.

First, I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week coming up April 12th this Sunday through the 18th.

And secondly, for you guys' support and acknowledging the dispatchers during this time, we do appreciate that.

Uh can I get the dispatchers to stand up then?

Thank you.

All right.

So this week is about celebrating the amazing team behind me, the Avondale Police Department Communications Division.

What many people do not realize about them is that they carry an incredible weight of responsibility with them.

Every call they take could change somebody's life.

With that, with it, I'm sorry, when the line rings and is the caller pleading for help in an unimaginable situation, these are the men and women who are someone's calmness in the chaos.

They have the soft voice in someone's darkest hour, and they are the link of hope until help arrives.

They handle everything from emergency calls to non-emergency calls.

They coordinate police responses, manage high radio volumes, they ensure proper resources are sent, and they do it all with precision, professionalism, and composure.

This team makes critical decisions in split seconds, they problem solve complex issues and handle high-pressure situations with incredible accuracy and consistency.

The level of compassion and care this team brings to our citizens is what makes our department special and different from the others.

So thank you to my team for your hard work, your dedication, every day, weekends and holidays.

Thank you.

And with that, I'll turn it back over to you guys for the proclamation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Whereas emergencies that require police, fire, or emergency medical services can occur at any time.

And whereas when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property.

Whereas the safety of our police officers, firefighters, paramedics is paramount upon the quality and accuracy of the information obtained from citizens who call the Avondale Police Department Communications Center.

Whereas public safety communicate communicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services.

And whereas public safety communicators are the single vital link for our police officers, firefighters, and paramedics by monitoring their activities by radio and providing them information and ensuring their safety.

And whereas public safety communicators are the Avondale Police Department of the Avondale Police Department have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals.

And whereas each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year.

Now therefore, on behalf of the Avondale City Council, the City of Avondale, Arizona, whereby hereby proclaims April 12th through the 18th, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommuters Week Telecommunicators Week in Avondale in honor of the men and women who diligently and professionally keep our citizens and our city safe.

Thank you, Mayor Council.

Thank you, Chief.

And just really quickly, uh, Angela and uh what the words that you shared and what was written in the proclamation, I can't even imagine uh what you hear, what you guys uh come up against every shift.

I mean, work fires for me are one thing, but somebody in literal uh uh, you know, fear, being scared, terror, even I mean, I I don't I couldn't even I would be scattered, but I think I would freeze.

So uh the fact that this is what you do, uh, all of you and being recognized it for, we can't it can't go uh unnoticed, but more importantly, um we can't take it for granted.

So thank you for everything that you do and uh for our community, and we really appreciate it.

So thank you.

And I believe, Tracy, we're gonna be taking a photo with all of those that are here today.

So if you guys wouldn't mind hanging out a bit, we'll take photos as well as the new hires for the police department.

Uh next item, please, Tracy.

Next item here is the proclamation for the month of the military child, and this will be presented by Andy Musquita, our human resources director.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

It's my privilege to introduce tonight's proclamation for month of the military child.

April is designated as month of the military child, a time to honor the sacrifices made by military families worldwide with an emphasis on the experience of the dependent children and military members serving at home and overseas.

At this time, I'd like to acknowledge an important guest that has joined us this evening, Lieutenant Colonel Maria K.

Barardo.

Lieutenant uh Colonel Barardo is the commander of the 56th uh force support squadron at Luke Air Force Base.

She leads the wing's fourth largest and most diverse squadron of 471 airmen and civilian members in the delivery of premier customer focused manpower, personnel, education, sustainment, family and recreation services to the Air Force's largest fighter wing.

Additionally, each year we recognize a current Avondale employee who has served in the military and understands the sacrifices made by military families.

This year it's my privilege to introduce and recognize Sergeant Cesar Othon from the police department.

Sergeant Laton and his family will uh be here tonight.

Sergeant Othon is a dedicated public servant with over 25 years of combined military and law enforcement service, a U.S.

Navy Master Chief and veteran of multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Department of Defense response to COVID-19.

He has served in both active duty and reserve roles, including leadership positions, supporting Navy and Marine Corps forces around the world.

In civilian life, Sergeant Lathon has spent 18 years with the Avondale Police Department, where he served in patrol, SWAT, and as a field and academy training officer.

He holds a master's degree in leadership and is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and is deeply committed to service, mentorship, and the community.

Mayor, I'd like to turn it back to you for any acknowledgments or comments, and then for the reading of the proclamation.

Thank you.

I know that uh Councilmember Garcia will be reading the proclamation uh before we get there.

You know, it just not only just for what was stated, but you know, I I did not serve in the military, uh, but I had friends and family my dad served um in the army.

Uh, but just and we weren't uh one of the families that traveled and had to move a lot, but I know that some of my friends have and had to, and many of the families here uh who were raised by military families or military parents probably had to do this, but just uh the um the sacrifice that the family makes so that one of their family members can serve and provide that service to this country.

I commend both of you uh for what you've done for the country, what you do for the city of Avondale, and um quite frankly, I mean I know that's not even enough, but I just want to make sure that I communicated that.

And if you would uh Councilmember Garcia, if you could read the proclamation.

Yes, I would love to.

Um before I read it, I just want to say, as a military child, you guys mean so much to your parents.

You guys give them a reason to come home, give hope when they're really far away.

So I want you guys to know that you're loved by everyone and your parents love you and are doing everything for you guys when they're out there um serving this country.

Proclamation month of the military child.

Whereas, since 1986, the Department of Defense has recognized military children during the month of April.

Because of their service, commitment, and sacrifice to support the military mission, it is important to honor and celebrate our military's youngest heroes.

And whereas April 2026, month of the military child theme is celebrating military children and youth, strength in every story.

Military children show resilience and quite quiet strength by adapting to every ever changing environment defined by service and sacrifice.

And whereas the children of military service members and veterans face unique challenges and experiences due to their parent services, including frequent moves, changing schools, and emotional impact of deployments, reintegration, or an injured or fallen parent.

And whereas the month of a military child highlights our commitment to providing excellent education, child care and youth services to support military children and help them overcome the challenges they face.

And whereas the city of Amadale honors and appreciates the military connected children and families in our community from their positivity, resilience, and sacrifices they make.

We also recognize the dedication of military parents who serve while raising their families.

Whereas the city of Avondale is proud to be home to many military connected families, particularly staff members who continue to serve and resident stationed at Luke Air Force Base, one of the largest and most important military installations in the country.

Our community has strong ties to the base, and we recognize the sacrifice and resilience of both the military children and the families who serve our nation from this vital installation.

And now, therefore, on behalf of Avondale City Council and the City of Avondale, Arizona, hereby proclaim April 2026 as a month of the military child in Avondale and call upon the residents of Avondale to celebrate the challenges and triumphs of our military connected children.

Do it.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council.

Thank you so much for inviting Luke Air Force Space to be part of your proclamation this evening.

A special thank you to Miss Liz and Mr.

Andy for making sure I got here at the right spot.

So on behalf of the installation, Brigadier General Birklin and Chief Christensen and the Thunderbolts at Luke Air Force Base, just thank you so much for the warm invitation to have us present with your proclamation to celebrate Month of the Military Child.

At Luke, particularly in my squadron, we care for over 300 military children in our child care and school age facilities.

And we support over 46,000 military connected children across the state of Arizona, which includes a lot of our West Valley communities here as well.

So to have your support this evening and always is just incredibly meaningful, and it directly contributes to the welfare and resiliency of our Luke Thunderbolt children.

Again, it's an honor to be a part of your community, to have your partnership, but most importantly, your advocacy.

Again, thank you on behalf of General Birkland, Chief Christensen, and the men and women and children of Luke Air Force Base.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Council members, fellow employees, family, and friends.

It is truly an honor to stand before you tonight as we recognize the sacrifice and service of military families in our community, especially grateful to be here alongside my wife and children.

The people who have stood beside me through every step of my military career.

Any service I have given has never been just by myself.

It has always been shared with them.

Raising a family is challenging under the best of circumstances.

Racing one while serving in the military brings a different kind of weight.

It means long separations, miss milestones, and moments you never get back.

Birthdays, anniversaries, school dances, concerts, even something as simple as meaningful as sitting down together for dinner.

And yet military families endure, they adapt and they grow stronger.

I'd like to share a little bit about my family.

My oldest daughter, Ariana, she couldn't be here tonight.

She's 22 years old, an aspiring author, working and attending Australia Mountain Community College.

When I asked her what my service meant to her, she answered simply, I wish you were here more.

Those words are honest.

They're powerful, and they remind us that behind every uniform, there's a family that feels a cost of service.

My middle daughter Elena.

She's a high school junior, a scholar in the making, and the first chair of violinists in the West Valley Youth Symphony.

When I asked her how my service shaped her, she said, I was depressed when you were gone because I missed you.

But I understood you were needed somewhere else, using your gifts to serve our country.

She went on to say something that struck me deeply.

That while some of her generation may not always recognize these sacrifices, military service has pushed her to step up, to lead, to take care of others.

She feels she is serving her country in her own way through us.

And there's my youngest son, Lucas.

He's 11 years old, a fifth grader, a chess player, martial artist, and a proud Fortnite expert.

When I asked him what it meant to be a military child, he paused, thought carefully, and said, My parents fought for my country.

Sometimes my dad is gone.

I have to help out more, like taking out the trash.

But then he added something else.

He said, I think there's a high expectation of me.

And he's right.

You see, military children, whether they choose to serve in uniform one day or not, already understand what service means.

They understand sacrifice, they understand responsibility.

They understand that service is often about putting others before self.

They don't choose this life, but they rise to meet it.

They carry it with pride.

They wear it as a badge of honor.

And in doing so, they become leaders, caregivers, contributors to their communities, long before anyone ever asked them to.

Tonight, as we honor military families, let us remember that behind every service member stands a family who serves alongside them, quietly, faithfully, and with incredible strength.

To all military families here tonight, we see you, we thank you, and we honor you.

Thank you.

Well, that was powerful.

Thank you so much, Caesar, for sharing those words.

And uh also, I mean, Luke Air Force Base, what an incredible asset to have in our community.

Not only the service numbers there, but the fact that we have uh something of that importance in our backyard.

So please share with General Berkeley our appreciation for everything that you guys do.

And thank you so much, Andy.

We appreciate it.

And hopefully you'll stick around for a picture as well.

Thank you so much.

Tracy, next item, please.

Mayor, excuse me, Mayor Item D proclamation, National Library Week and 2026 Bookmark Contest, and this will be presented by Marissa Daly, Stacy Swainston with the Parks and Record Libraries Department.

Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council Members, good evening.

Park Parks, Recreation and Libraries is about to celebrate National Library Week.

Here to present on our amazing libraries is Marissa Daly, our arts, culture, and libraries manager.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council.

I'm grateful to be here and to talk about the impressive achievements of Avondale Public Library in the Year 2025.

In 2025, both libraries saw over a hundred and forty-two thousand visits.

Uh over 70,000 at Sam Garcia Western Library and more than 72,000 at Civic Center Library.

Between both branches, we registered over 5,758 new library cards, logged more than 10,000 computer sessions, and circulated over one million resources.

Additionally, we have signed a reciprocal lending agreement effective later this month, that will provide Avondale residents access to digital collections of 11 additional libraries, such as Kima County Public Library, Tempe Public Library, and more at no cost.

It's something we excel at.

Last year, library staff attended over 46 off-site community engagement events, connecting with over 8,000 patrons.

Avondale Public Library held 1,334 programs with a total attendance of almost 49,000.

In partnership with the public art with public art and the municipal art committee, Avondale released seven new library cards which display various public art installations across the city.

Lastly, with support from the Avondale One program, we have purchased more than 700 books for the library book trailer, Words on Wheels.

These books are given intentionally to attendees of programs such as Cash and Has Heart and will be available at KidFest on April 11th, summer reading kickoff program on March or May 30th, and our Juneteenth event on June 18th.

Each book provided from Avondale One has a sticker to promote youth empowerment, drug prevention, and community engagement.

There is also a large advertisement on our book trailer.

This initiative has provided a meaningful way to engage with the community and further the library's mission of promoting literacy in Avondale.

The Parks Track and Libraries Department is proud to announce the winners of our second annual bookmark contest.

This year's contest showcased the creativity and talent of young artists throughout throughout our community.

This year's theme, Avondale's 80 Years, celebrated the city's 80 years of incorporation.

Participants were encouraged to interpret the theme in their own unique way, resulting in a wide range of creative and inspiring designs.

Entries were carefully reviewed by department staff who selected winners across three grade categories: kindergarten through third, fourth through eighth, and ninth through twelfth.

We also honored, we were also honored to have members of the municipal art committee and the parks recreation and library board uh participate participate in the judging process.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Musical Art Committee for generously funding this year's contest and for their continued support of young artists in Avondale.

So, with that, when your name is called, please step forward to receive your award.

Kindergarten through third grade category winner, Zerenity Alvarez.

Okay, grade winner.

Grade winner, fourth through eighth, uh.

Okay.

Congratulations to all of our participants.

Umgratulation to everyone for sharing their creativity and helping make this year's contest a success.

Bookmarks are available here this evening, but also at both libraries afterwards, so make sure to pick up one for yourself.

Thank you so much for the presentation.

Uh, hopefully you're able to stick around and take a picture with us here just a second.

Umly that we have copies of your bookmarks up here so that we can display them and utilize them.

Or throw them just kidding.

Um, so that we can, you know, make sure that uh what your your hard work and how it paid off and how we can show this off to the community.

So thank you for providing those.

Congratulations on winning.

And if you wouldn't mind, counsel, if you would join us down below, we'll take pictures with that.

Yes, please, uh, Councilmember Weiss.

If you don't mind reading the proclamation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, the proclamation for National Library Week.

Whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can find joy through exploration and discovery.

And whereas libraries serve as a vibrant community centers connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment.

And whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive.

And whereas libraries nurture young minds through story times, STEAM programs, and literacy initiatives, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

And whereas libraries support the opportunity for all individuals to read, learn, and explore a wide range of ideas, fostering access to information and encouraging the open exchange of knowledge.

During this week, I encourage all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate all the ways that the library helps our community find joy.

Okay, item number three is unscheduled public appearances.

I don't see any blue cards, but Julie, we have any requests to speak.

Okay, thank you.

Item number four is consent agenda.

Are there any council members who wish to have an item removed for separate consideration?

See none.

Can I get a motion?

Got a motion by Councilmember White, a second from Council Member Solorio.

Please vote.

And Julie, do we thank you, Councilmember Conde?

Okay.

Item passes unanimously.

Item number five, regular agenda.

Tracy.

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

Uh item five A is uh application PL twenty six zero zero four eight.

This is a bull of a public hearing to consider a city initiated text amendment to the zoning code, conduct a public hearing and take appropriate action.

With the last update occurring uh in January of twenty twenty six.

Under the current code, all site plan and design review applications except for those in the Boulevard District are approved administratively.

With the adoption of House Bill Twenty Four Forty Seven.

Section twenty-eight-six will address all site plan and design review applications, while section twenty-eight-nine one refers to development plans specifically within the boulevard district.

To date, no comments have been received.

This was after discussion where staff clarified that this would be an administrative approval for site plans taking place within the Boulevard District.

And with that, staff is recommending approval of application PL 260048.

Request for text for text amendments to the Avondale zoning ordinance for the reasons set forth in the staff report.

Thank you, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thank you, Josh, for the presentation.

At this time, I'd like to open the public hearing for comments.

Julie, any requests to speak?

No, Mayor, we have not.

Okay.

With that, I am going to close the public hearing, and at this time I'd like to open up the floor to comments from City Council.

Are there any comments?

Questions.

With that, can I please get a motion on item 5A?

Got a motion from Councilmember White, a second from Vice Mayor Nielsen.

Please vote.

And Councilmember Condi, how do you vote?

Aye.

Okay.

Item 5A passes by uh unanimously 70.

Thank you so much.

And at this time we'll move on to item 5B.

Tracy.

Thank you, Mayor.

The next item is the water resources update presented by Kirk Beattie, our public works director.

Good evening, Mayor.

Vice Mayor and Council members, thank you for the opportunity to provide this update on the state of the city's water resources.

The City of Avondale has a robust water portfolio, and nothing has really changed that fact.

However, there are some external pressures that may influence the resiliency of our portfolio in the future, and those are the items that we'll be discussing this evening.

This evening's presentation will cover current status of the water resources in Avondale, some of the issues we're seeing at the state level.

I'll talk about drought and the Colorado River, and then we'll go back and talk about the future of the resources in Avondale and some other water-related concerns, and then we'll open it up for questions and discussion.

Assistant public works director, Eric Bay and Water Resources Manager Cole Peel are also here this evening.

Between the three of us, we will be able to answer any of your questions later this evening.

So as I mentioned, Avondale maintains a robust water resource portfolio.

You're familiar with this, and we still have the same three renewable resources that we've had.

So our Salt River Project water makes up 44% of our of our portfolio.

Our Colorado River water makes up 18% delivered to us for the Central Arizona project.

And then we have our effluent making up another 33% of our portfolio.

In addition to our renewable resources, we have a groundwater allocation of 46,880 acre feet.

And we've developed approximately nine years of long-term storage credits, which equates to 143,200 acre feet that we can use for in times of shortage.

That's based on our current demand that we have today.

So we have nine years to meet we would be able to meet nine years of demand based upon our current use.

All of this totals up to an additional five percent to provide 100% of our portfolio.

In the table on this slide, I'm comparing the volume of water delivered to our customers, what we're going to call used against our total portfolio or our designation of assured water supply, which includes 30,883, 833 acre feet.

That's our total total portfolio.

Year over year, Avondale sees an increase in the overall use of our portfolio based on the water demand in the city.

And from our recent annual water report, which was just submitted last week to the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

So just a little over half of our portfolio was used.

With the majority of that water coming from the Salt River Project and used on the Salt River Project Service Area, which is kind of indicated in the orange piece of the pie chart.

Less than half of our Colorado River water, so 2,408 acre feet is being used each year to meet demand.

And the remaining amount is being stored as long-term storage credits.

So this is an important point that I'm going to discuss a little further in the presentation.

We talk about the Colorado River.

And as we discuss water resources and their use, it's important to remember some of the rules of where the water can be used.

So you've seen this map several times before, and it depicts the Salt River Project Service Area in dark blue, what we call on project, and the non-SRP service area in the light blue color, which we call off project.

So recall that SRP water can only be used on project, and we only get to use what we use.

We can't store that water for future for future use use.

Our effluent and our Colorado River water can be used anywhere in the city, but the main use of that is to meet the demand off project, and that water can also be stored for long-term storage credits.

So it's important to note that while our Colorado River allocation is only 18% of our total portfolio, our renewable resources, it is actually 35% of the resources dedicated to our off-project area where the growth is occurring.

So, especially in the southern part of Avondale in areas like Alamar, Shadow Ridge, Introda, Three Rivers Ranch, and along the State Route 30 corridor.

So as we consider possible reductions to the Colorado River allocation for the city, which I'll discuss in a moment, we have to keep in mind that the Colorado River water is more than a third of our resource off project, and we have to think about what will happen if we were to lose a portion of that allocation and how that would affect the future growth of the city.

Water resources in Avondale are subject to regulations.

The city still has a designation of insured water supply.

We applied for renewal of our designation in December of 2023 as stipulated by ADWR.

There is under Department of Water Resources.

Unfortunately, ADWR has not taken any significant action on that to approve our DOS, but we're not the only ones.

Several of the cities in the in the valley are in the same situation.

The delay is believed to be partly because of the situation and the uncertainty about the Colorado River and how that's going to be resolved, along with a few other related concerns.

The Avondales Wetlands Underground Storage Project or Underground Storage Facility, also known as the McDowell Recharge Facility, which is our recharge facility just north of Friendship Park on the east side of the Aberfrea River.

It's a permitted underground storage facility.

The permit renewal application was sent to ADWR in December of 2023, and no action has been taken by ADWR to date on that item either.

But we continue to operate on the under the existing permit.

And then you'll recall the council adopted the water resource management ordinance in July of 2025, and this ordinance is in effect.

The ordinance ensures that all the departments involved with the development with development are taking water resources into account as future projects are being considered and ensures that prospective developers are aware of the water resource use criteria that's being applied to their proposed projects.

We're still working on some of the final implementation and documentation details, but the ordinance is being followed, and it's going to help us to better manage the use of our water resources in the future, especially as we consider development off project.

An example of this implementation of the ordinance is the development of data centers.

So Avondale insists that data centers have low water demand through a closed loop cooling system.

One specific data center complex that's under development in Avondale will use 1,644 gallons per day of water at its completion, which is an amount equivalent to the use of only six single-family residential homes.

So we're really taking a hard look and making sure that those big water users don't use as much water as they can in other locations.

Finally, Avondale continues to be in a stage one drought or stage one of the city's drought preparedness plan, which has replaced as placed requirements on the city to reduce use where possible by conducting water efficiency checks and changing some of the regular practices that we've had, like overseeding grass.

We hope to get those wrapped up by the this summer.

In stage one of our drought preparedness plan, our residential and commercial customers are encouraged to reduce their use.

And the city continues to provide water conservation education and rebate programs for turf conversion, plumbing fixtures, rain barrels and cisterns, and the reduced reduce your use program to assist customers in their water conservation efforts.

The voluntary reduce year use program required participating residents to take a city water conservation course and then demonstrate a 10 to 20% reduction in one year's worth of water use compared to their previous year.

This program was also funded by a WIFA grant.

We had 150 participants who saved over two million gallons of water at the completion of their part of the program, and they received $7,300 in rebates in total.

So these results help to demonstrate how education can lead to meaningful conference conservation.

Water conservation classes are offered through a collaborative effort between Avondale, Bucca, and Goodyear.

And the host and location rotate among the three cities to maximize attendance because we don't always get a lot of people at one location, so we can combine everybody can come to one of those other options, and we get more folks.

So Avondale residents can find out more about these classes by going online and researching those on the city's website.

Other cities are also in similar stages of their drought preparedness plans.

However, there's been some discussions taking place among the municipalities about moving to higher levels, especially in response to the Colorado River situation where we're going to be possibly with reductions.

Each water provider's plans and their portfolios are different.

So part of the discussion we've had collectively is will we all move up at the same time in order to provide a consistent message across the region regarding water resources and shortage.

And that's still under consideration.

We'll see how that develops over the next few months.

So now I'd like to pivot to water issues at the state level.

Where over the last two years we've brought forth many concerns regarding water resources.

There's been groundwater concerns as resulted in a moratorium on development that's dependent upon groundwater.

There's been many pieces of proposed legislation aimed at loosening the grip on that moratorium to ensure growth, especially in housing, and that has continued.

This legislative session has seen 122 pieces of water-related legislation that was introduced.

Forty-nine of those appear to still be active.

Our intergovernmental affairs administrator, Liz Barker Alvarez, along with Cole Peel have worked closely with the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association to review these bills, and AMA has led our efforts to take positions on 28 of those bills to either support it or oppose them.

The bills are prior primarily are aimed at resuming development that was halted by the groundwater shortage and the moratorium, but they also aim to dismantle parts of the 1980 Groundwater Management Act.

Some bills that I think are important to highlight, and you're familiar with some of them.

HB 2166 appropriates another $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund to support the expected litigation that's going to be coming with the Colorado River.

HB 2099 and SB 1201 would prohibit municipal water providers from earning long-sterm shortags or storing CAP water during a period of shortage on the Colorado River.

This is going to have a direct impact on Avondale's ability to store the Colorado River water that we store now.

And then finally, HB 430 or ACR 2016 would prohibit municipalities from raising rates and fees, including utility rates until fiscal year 31.

We the dis we discussed the need for rates increases to our previous council meeting.

And this measure, if successful, would severely hamper Avondale's ability to keep up with the rising costs to operate our utilities and some of the ability to meet our customer needs and to complete some of the projects that we need to meet for treatment other things, as well as as well as new resources, not only for water, but also sewer and also for solid waste.

There's a number of other bills that AMWA is monitoring and following on our behalf along with Liz and Cole.

I want to talk about those that just be the aware that they're out there.

So regarding other state related issues, you may recall the release of the Phoenix Active Management Area Groundwater model in June of 2023.

That was what I was referring to regarding a moratorium.

The model predicts a groundwater shortage in parts of the active management area, specifically on the fringes, which are the red areas on the image in this in this slide.

The model led to the governor's prohibition of development that relies solely on groundwater, and that's where renewable resources aren't available.

And this decision opened the door to volumes to the volume of legislation that we're seeing, as well as the creation of some new programs and some lawsuits.

So one of the new programs is the alternative designation of assured water supply.

It's an alternative path to designation designed for water providers that don't have a designation and can't meet the standard of the 100-year designation similar to Avondale.

So providers can get an alternative designation through a commitment to obtain some non-groundwater supplies, then also to offset their groundwater pumping in the future.

So that's a vehicle for resumption of development in some areas.

At this time, there's only two water providers in the state that have actually achieved an ADAS.

But there are some lawsuits stemming from the prohibition of development and lawsuits about ADOS.

And I'm not here to discuss the specific of those, but just rather to let you know that they exist and the eventual outcomes of those lawsuits could impact the rules of groundwater and the use in the future.

AMWA is monitoring those, and we'll be they'll be advocating on our behalf and we'll be watching those closely.

But the biggest water item in the news right now is the condition on the Colorado River and the ongoing stalemate with the users of the Colorado River water and the federal government's involvement in finding a solution.

So the Southwest remains in a long-term drought that's lasted over 25 years, impacting renewable water resources in Arizona, and it's going to impact the water resources here in Avondale.

So on the next few slides, I'll provide a status of the watersheds in Arizona and the latest developments on the Colorado River.

So close to Avondale is the Salt River Project watershed and reservoir system.

Overall SRP's water system is at 57% full at the moment, down from 68% this time last year.

Precipitation over the watershed, which is the mountains primarily to the north and east of the valley, have been higher than average in 110%.

And this is in large thanks to the volume of rain that we received in the fall.

But substantial snowpack this winter has not developed, and so inflows into the river now have been well below average since January.

The situation on the Colorado River is worse.

Lake Mead is 34% full.

Lake Powell is 25% full.

Snowpack in the Colorado River Basin is 67% of average.

Last year it was 83%.

So that snowpack has gotten worse.

We're just not getting a lot of water coming down the river this year.

So just as a reminder, seven basin states and Mexico share in the water derived from the Colorado River Basin.

The upper basin states of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Mexico share seven and a half million acre feet.

The lower basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada share another 7.5 million acre feet.

They don't share it equally.

And then Mexico shares the remainder for a total of 16 and a half million acre feet.

But that 16.5 million acre feet was determined by water volume in the river in 1922, when the Colorado River Compact was executed.

At that time, the water amount was overestimated.

We weren't in a drought.

Today, unfortunately, due to the ongoing drought, the Colorado River doesn't produce 16.5 million acre feet anymore, and it maybe never will.

The estimates are now that we may only see 12 million acre feet per year coming down the river.

And this difference is termed the structural deficit.

And what this really means is there's less water for all the states to share.

When the Central Arizona project was funded and approved, Arizona agreed to hold a junior right, which means that in times of shortage on the Colorado River, Arizona is the first to give up its portion of its allocation, which currently is a 2.8 million acre feet, is what we have today.

You've seen these diagrams of the Colorado River Droughtingency Plan and the CAP water delivery priorities several times.

The seven states in Mexico adopted the drought contingency plan in May of 2019, and the purpose of this plan was to develop a framework for how shortages on the Colorado River would be determined, the severity of these shortages, and the impact to water deliveries.

Over the course of the last five years, I've been up here and I've talked to you about tier one shortages and tier two shortages and what that means.

But in October of 2026, this plan is gone.

And we don't know what is going to replace it.

So what does that mean for the Colorado River?

The plan after 2026, after October 26, has to accommodate the structural deficit, and just have that realization that there's less water to go around.

The seven basin states were given two deadlines to come up to an agreement on how they would manage the Colorado River going forward, but they failed to meet both deadlines.

One in November of 25 and then the latest one in February of 2026.

There's a large disagreement between the upper and lower basin states upon how they'll overcome the deficit, how much East Beach Basin is going to cut back, and how the cuts will be administered.

But again, Arizona is expected to take the biggest cut.

A draft environmental impact statement for new operations was developed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

The alternatives contemplated in the environmental impact statement result in significant reductions to Arizona and the Central Arizona project, and I'll show those in a moment.

Now the Bureau of Reclamation is stepping in to make a decision on behalf of the states and resolve the issue prior to October 2026.

Beyond the allocation questions, there's other concerns like the ability to generate hydropower at Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam, and the overall safety and operation of those dams when the water levels are so low, if it's safe to pass water through the through the dams without damaging that infrastructure.

So what kind of decision can the Bureau make?

There are seven alternatives considered in the environmental impact statement.

The first two are either a continuation of concurrent practice or the do-nothing alternative.

The remaining five are the ones that are truly being considered.

This graph shows each alternative and the shortage or reduction that will be applied to the upper basin, the lower basin, and to the Central Arizona project.

So these actions, those five, are the basic coordination plan, the enhanced coordination alternative, maximum operational flexibility, supply-driven priority, and supply-driven prorata.

They all have a bunch of different details, but there's two important things to note on this slide.

First is that in all scenarios, the upper basin doesn't realize any reductions in their Colorado River allocation, which is depicted by the red arrows on the slide.

Second, the blue bars indicate the amount of reduction impacting the Central Arizona project, which ranges from 32% of a reduction up to a 98% of reduction in flows in the from Central Arizona project.

That 98% reduction is essentially a dry Central Arizona project canal.

None of the basin states are in agreement with the results of the environmental impact statement.

Industry experts believe that the basic coordination alternative will is the most probable alternative to be selected by the BOR, and it still calls for a 70 cent percent reduction to the CAP, which can drastically impact water providers at high have a high reliance on CAP.

For some of the cities here in the valley, Colorado River is 60% to nearly 100% of the water of their water portfolios that they provide to the residents every day.

So the CAP cuts will be significant to those cities.

For Avondale, we're expecting that our CAP allocation will be reduced by 50 to 60 percent.

So that's nearly equivalent to the amount of water that we store every year as long-term storage credits.

So what's next for all of that?

So the interested parties, we've all had an opportunity to comment on the environmental impact statement.

Avondale provided comments through AMWA and through Central Arizona Project.

The U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation has received all these comments and they haven't shared them with anybody yet, so we don't know exactly what everybody else thought.

So we're all curious to see what happens.

The upper basin states have no intention to take any cuts.

They've made that clear.

Arizona has been adamant that the state will not bear all of the cuts, citing impacts to local and national economy and national security.

Arizona is preparing for litigation with the additional funds provided by the legislature, as I mentioned earlier.

There's about $3 million in that fund now for litigation.

And then finally, the CAP developed the coalition for protecting Arizona's lifeline formed by cities, tribes, and economic partners for the purpose of messaging to the public the importance of Colorado River water and the CAP to the state of Arizona.

And Avondale is a member of this coalition.

So things are going to be very interesting over the next few months regarding the Colorado River, and we'll continue to monitor the situation, and we'll continue to think about how the outcomes will impact Avondale, and we'll keep you informed of those as they develop.

So finally, what does this all mean for Avondale's water future?

The state of Avondale's water resources are stable because our predecessors had the predecessors had the foresight to set us up for success.

Just like a diverse financial portfolio, our water portfolio is invested in a variety of resources that creates resiliency and the ability to weather the downturns from shortage.

We've saved water through long-term storage credits that we can draw upon when we need to in time of shortage.

But we continue to invest in this infrastructure with new wells, upgrades, maintenance, and qualified personnel to keep our systems up running.

We have an amazing team of partners and experts that we collaborate with every day.

We work closely with the other municipalities across the valley on storage credits.

For example, we're storing water in our McDowell recharge facility on behalf of the City of Phoenix.

City of Phoenix treats a portion of our Colorado River water and delivers it to us through an interconnect to their system.

We work with municipalities to trade and consolidate storage credits because we've had we've got storage credits stored all over the place.

We're now everybody's trying to combine consolidates those credits closer to home so that we can access them, access that water easier when we need to.

This is one of the most likely water projects to move forward in the next decade.

Avondale can is continuing to be a partner in this project that unfortunately has risen in cost since it was first conceived over five years ago.

We talked about that.

The overall cost is 30 points 3.7 billion dollars, previously a 1.1, and our contribution is significant of 45 million for the allocation we seek to get.

Advanced water purification is gaining ground with Phoenix and other cities partnering or even doing their own projects for advanced wastewater treatment facilities.

So this is the practice of cleaning wastewater to drinking water standards.

Avondale is not part partnering with any of these efforts, but we're monitoring the progress because we know that AWP is going to be a part of the regional solution for water in the valley.

And then finally, the water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, long-term water augmentation fund is exploring new water supply projects like desalination, importation, and reuse.

Avondale is a member of what's called the Off Taker Committee.

And so we're sitting at the table to help the decision making on these particular types of projects and protecting our options for participating in these projects if they come to fruition in the future.

Another expanding water resources resources are effluent.

You know about the project with the wharf.

We talked about that at the last meeting and the cost.

We'll start construction this summer.

But I want to reinforce the importance of our effluent water portfolio.

It's a third of our portfolio and 65% of the water that we use off project.

The other 35% being Colorado River.

So expanding the wharf increases our volume of effluent in our portfolio, which helps offset potential losses in Colorado River allocations.

And then finally, water quality is a key element of our water resources.

Our designation of assured water supply requires our water resources to be legally, financially, and physically available, to be renewable, and to be of good quality.

So we must continue to meet water quality regulations.

Two most notable being the lead and copper rule revision and the requirements of reduced PFAS in our drinking water.

So the lead and copper rule revision, you may recall it was an inventory project to determine the amount of lead service lines in the in municipal water provider service areas.

We've met all the initial deadlines for the inventory.

We've got all the information in the database.

We're currently investigating a few water lines that we were unable to verify in the original inventory.

We'll get that done, and we believe that we will be considered a zero-led certified organization by the time that this effort is complete.

We've talked a lot about PFAS, so I'm not going to say anything more about it other than just say that does play an important role in our water quality in our DAWs.

So in closing, Avondale is in a good state with regard to water resources.

The drought continues.

And with that, Eric Cole and myself are here.

We are happy to answer any questions that you have.

Thank you, Kirk.

I mean, this is such a complex issue, yet one that is extremely important for many reasons.

And I appreciate as part of the slide deck here, the comment regarding prior councils who've taken on uh significant proactive measures to get us to where we are today.

And so while it sounds like the sky is falling, doesn't mean that things are getting better, but Avondale has done all the things necessary in the past to prepare for the future.

And there's more to do, obviously, through your presentation last or yeah, during last week's or two weeks ago's council meeting and tonight's council meeting regarding this update for water, which uh all of us are going to have to participate in some of those decisions moving forward.

But I think just this really provides our community and us just more information that is required because we see throughout this the slide deck and your report that variables, while we might be remaining consistent and proactive variables around us are changing.

So we have to adapt to those those uh those variables, which is not always easy and definitely not cheap.

So I, for one, am appreciative of the staff uh and the expertise that we have here to help us as we navigate these these challenges.

So I'm gonna open it up to council and see if there's any discussion and questions.

I'm gonna go first to Councilmember Condi, who is on on the phone.

Do you have any questions or um any comments, Councilmember Condi?

Thank you, Mayor.

I I don't have any questions, but I just do have some comments.

Um I just want to thank you, um, Kirk and your team for really kind of keeping the eye on the ball and kind of what we need to do to prepare for the future.

And just like Mayor mentioned, you know, our previous council members um we're mindful about the future of our water portfolio.

And you know, I like the fact that you said the state of Abundell's water resources stable.

So I'm praying and believing that it'll continue to be that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Conde.

Councilmember White, any questions?

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Kurt, for the presentation.

I really appreciate it.

Um I live in an on project area for SRP, so I really wanted to uh make sure we highlight for um not only council but our audience and our residents um that kind of that that that difference because when I look at how much we get the largest portion of our water portfolio is from SRP, but our population isn't centered there.

So uh the does that have a negative impact on us?

Because we can't store that because it looks like it's over 50% of what we have access to.

And we can't not store that, correct?

Mayor Council member, that's correct.

We cannot store that water.

We have we use what we we get what we use.

Um but uh but I will say an interesting piece of that is the part that goes down the drain goes to the wharf, and then it gets becomes effluent, and then we can use that water anywhere.

So in some respects, our our water reclamation facility is kind of like a water converter.

It takes our SRP water and turns it into something else that we can use elsewhere.

So we definitely like to see the Salt River Project water go down the drain.

Um more down the drain and less on your yard would be great.

But uh, yeah, it it the SRP is is a big big part of our success for sure.

Well, that is extremely um heartening to hear because if it goes down the the toilet and the the the like sink drains, that that's water we can reclaim, and that's new kind of to the system, um, which is amazing.

We're in um stage uh one of drought preparedness.

Is stage four the worst level or is zero?

Uh stage four is the worst level.

And are we uh because it looks like it's ticking up towards two, and I know you were saying that each municipality might change independently.

Um are we looking like we're going back towards zero?

Because it sounds like a really good report that you just delivered to us.

So mayor, council member, no, we have no intent to go back to zero.

Um, just given the fact that we know that there's cuts coming with the Colorado River.

Um my guess is that we will probably the three of us will make a recommendation to city management, probably maybe uh the winter that we might move to a stage two, a little more conservation-minded.

Um, not necessarily that we're issuing any restrictions on anybody's use, but we're probably maybe considering some limits.

The drought preparedness plan is a document that was approved by council, and there's actions that are taken into the vario stages.

Um certainly not something that we want to take lightly.

Um we have to be very careful because, like I said, there's there's a couple cities out here in the valley that are going to be severely impacted with Colorado River, and they're going to take measures.

They're talking about doing that in October.

We may not want to react quite that quickly, or we might want to, as a member of Amwa, help to spread the message that you know this is a regional concern to not a city-by-city concern, but that's a something we'll talk about when that opportunity comes up.

And our thank you so much, Kurt.

I appreciate that.

And our changing that level, that's gonna be contingent on this organization coming together and really determining what's gonna happen with the um with the Colorado River water.

We've missed two deadlines.

Any any hope in sight of coming of a new agreement coming out?

Because I know February was the last deadline, miss.

What is your projection if you're able to offer?

So, mayor, council member.

So it's now in the hands of the Bureau of Reclamation.

They have to make the decision.

My guess is whatever decision is made will probably go into litigation.

Nicole, he has a lot of discussion with those folks.

So it may not even be resolved in October 2026, or it may not be resolved for another couple of years.

Um the inflow for the Colorado River, we look it up today.

There's what two million acre feet of water coming into the Colorado River right now above Lake Powell.

So let's not even keep keeping up with what's going out.

And um the prediction right now is Lake Powell can drop to the point where they will not be able to generate power in Glen Canyon Dam by what December.

Maybe even a little sooner than that.

So all of those are concerns are huge for the Bureau and for the states.

But then when you throw in other things that could happen, maybe maybe lesser water on the SRP watershed or regulations that change or something like that, that might be what sways us to move our our needle to a different stage.

I I really appreciate that, Mayor.

Just one final um inquiry.

If it goes in the litigation, does the spit cut off?

I'm sorry.

If it goes into litigation, so we're going into litigation with the Colorado River water as a region.

Um does the spigot cut off or are they gonna cease use and access, or how does that what is the what is the contingency plan if it isn't litigation?

So Mayor Council Member, I I don't think that they'll cut us off.

I think they'll probably find a a point, maybe just continue what we're doing type of a solution until they get through the litigation process.

So we would see water coming to us until there just isn't any more water to send down.

Um there's a point in time where water can't get through Glen Canyon Dam.

There's a water elevation where it can't get through Glen Canyon Dam.

And then no water goes down to through the Grand Canyon, into Lake Mead, through Hoover Dam, down to the CAP.

So that's one of the things we really have to watch for.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilmember Weiss.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Kirk.

Um, I did have a question.

There's one slide, I think it said um the water use 30,000 plus acre feet, and then we use about 52% of that in our portfolio.

So like 15,000.

Um is most of that SRP.

Can we s can we hold that water?

That what's left over that we're not using.

Am I thinking about that correctly?

So Mayor, Councilmember, the debt total designation is 30,833.

We're using 15,000 nine oh nine acre feet, so just a little over half.

That's that 52%.

And that's our pain.

We can't use any more than that.

We can't use any, we can't store any more of that.

Like we get what we get.

So the only flexibility we have with storage is our effluent, our CAP water, and of course our long-term source credits are already already established.

Perfect.

Thank you.

And then I had another question.

Thank you for talking about the data center.

Um, because that was a question I had a resident that asked me about it last week.

So I'm grateful that you addressed that.

I thought it was 10 homes, so that's even better news that it's only six.

Um I didn't know about the rebates and for um families who conserve water.

So um grateful to hear that.

I'd like to see, you know, if there's any education that's getting put out in the public so that people can know that since since we are um we've discussed raising rates also over the last um year or so.

And then one of the things that I had read, I thought it was in our land use assumptions that we have two percent of the water meters and we use about 23% of the water as a city.

Um and I think so.

One of the questions I had was was that eighty eight hundred and fifty thousand gallon leak part of that water use, maybe.

So, Mayor, Councilmember Weiss, yes, that's that was part of that use.

Okay, I'm so glad that we did an audit and that we found that.

That is great news.

Um, and the other question I had was cisterns and rain barrels.

Do we have any of them in use as a municipality to help us collect rainwater when we do get it?

Mayor Council Member Weiss, we did not.

And um I think the reason why we wouldn't do that is they're really intended for small scale collection, so folks that are watering their garden and things like that.

What we're gonna focus on is obviously making sure we don't have any any leaks, you know, that we're that like we have with the with the water feature, but also reducing overseeding, so we're not doing that watering in the winter, which not only helps us with with the water, but also saves us money because we're not mowing, and we're also not generating carbon dioxide by running you know, or carbon release by running lawnmowers and things like that, so that's a good thing.

Um, the other thing I think it's important to note is that every year we have to report to AEWR on what's called lost or unaccounted for water.

So water that we pumped out into the system, but then we didn't meter.

So that's water that might get lost because of a leak in our in our system or a water break, or maybe water that was stolen, maybe a contractor cooked up and filled up a water truck without a meter.

Our water loss for FY for f for calendar year 2025 was 5%.

The maximum allowed by ADWR is 10%.

So we're well below the the water loss requirements, which are good.

Um there's actually some legislation that was proposed to reduce that 10% down to 8% for cities, and we're like, go for it.

We're all we're good with that because we know we're doing well on that.

So those are the areas that we can focus on because they're bigger volumes than what we can really generate with a rain barrel.

I just appreciate the fact that we're being proactive and thank you so much.

Thank you again.

Thank you.

Council Mr.

Silario.

Thank you for the presentation.

Um I wanted to go ahead and recognize Amber's efforts.

Um my family went through the my parents did the water class, uh the water academy, and they received a 20% rebate for lowering their water usage.

I know it was very eye-opening that I know, right?

They're very surprised.

I know it's very eye-opening being there and doing that because I wish that everybody would take that.

Um it's great to have the other academies, but I think one of the biggest things with water is nobody really realizes the actual use per their home.

I will say that I'm guilty of that.

My showers are a l are less now.

That not that I use the timer or anything, but um it was I do take I used to take really long showers, and that's water that shame on me.

So it was very eye-opening to go through that, and then the people that go through that also are they give you so many uh resources and things for like the what is it, the toilet flusher um and things for irrigation and such to send home with folks for you know for their own awareness and for educating other family members in the house.

So I think that's really huge.

Um I kind of wish we had more of that.

I know that you guys are kind of reaching out to wherever and you know, you can reach out to the points of that, but I think water conservation, even I think you said the fourth grade, right?

Is it the fourth grade?

Even younger to realize those resources, you know, um, for kids that you know it's just not kids come my nephews come to me, oh give me water, you know, to at that age to realize that you know it's not forever.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Garcia.

Vice Mayor Nielsen.

I just want to thank Kurt for all the work that he and his staff has done on this.

It's it's important for us as a council to know what's going on because in the future I do sit on the AMO board down there, and the big concern is you need to know what's going on in your community because you're gonna hear on the news all this doom and gloom and everything else from the soothsayers and whatever it is.

And I appreciate you being able to present to us and say that we're in a good position.

And if we don't get in a good position, you're gonna be back here to tell us what it is so we can understand what we can tell the residents here.

So I really appreciate that.

Uh speaking with one of my other hats about HOAs with all the number of HOAs and in our HIV is we've gone to smart controllers.

We didn't overseed last year, and we've been able to take some other uh meters and go down from two inch meters to one and a half inch meters to reduce costs and whatever else might be.

And that's probably a good place where we need to be rescuing your group, whatever is getting with the HOAs that they want to do something, as many as I've talked to about the the administrators and the management, they want to do something with the people in the in the HOA don't know what to do.

So you're doing the effort that you can that maybe just you know one or one other aspect of it.

And I think just the other question maybe one of two of them, the effluent that goes back.

We pump that back up to the recharge area.

That water that we pump up there today, we don't get out tomorrow.

Mayor Vice Mair, that's correct.

It takes a little time for it to go down into the So once it gets back up there, we pull out whatever is essentially what goes in comes out, or is there a five percent difference, or do we take out more or whatever?

How does uh the recycle and that actually?

So there, Vice Mayor, some of the water that we go to that gets sent to the recharge pond when it's sitting in the recharge pond, it evaporates, so we lose some for evaporation, and then of course you know percolates down at the aquifer, and you have to remember the first moving, it's not it's not bounded by the city boundaries, it kind of goes all over the place.

So the water moves.

And as it moves, it picks up contaminants and release gets rid of contaminants and those kinds of things.

So if I could say every drop of that water we have is underneath our feet, no, it's definitely not.

Um then one of the concerns we have is as we start to see these reductions on Colorado River water and the municipalities start to run their wells, then that causes water migration of the water in the aquifer.

And you know, there's a big city that's kind of in the middle of the valley that if they turned on all their wells, we would probably see that water just go their direction.

So and that's another reason why we're collaborating with all of our partners because we all know that one of the one something that somebody does or how somebody's affected or one municipality is affected is going to impact all of us some way or another.

And maybe just one last one.

Uhndale, we're at 100,000 or 106,000 maximum build out.

I don't know what that would be.

How would that impact the water and the you know the the consumption would go up?

But I mean, is there a maximum that we can go to before we can't expand anymore or whatever?

So, Mayor Vice Mayor, one of the um criteria for designation of sugar's water supply is our population at build-out, which right now is I think right around 160,000 or so.

So if you think about that, we're at about 100,000 now, and we're at 52 percent.

Um we've made commitments of another about 3,000 acre feet.

So we've made commitments for about uh so to take us up to about 60 percent.

When I say commitments, I'm talking about development that we haven't realized yet.

That's in that's in process right now, some of the subdivisions and things like that.

We never want to be to 100%.

And the reason being is I mentioned the ordinance, we're making decisions on what developments will receive allocations of our water.

We talked about that in the city, and council has the um ability to allocate more water to a particular development if we feel like it meets the needs for the city.

Maybe it provides um uh you know amenities that we need or brings in a revenue or job creation that we really want to have, so we can say, hey, such and such developer, you're gonna get a little more water than than what we originally planned for that parcel to get.

That comes out of that little bit of savings that we have.

So we never want to go right up to the nth.

But I think generally we're seeing our water, our water use is pretty much tracking.

We would we're not seeing anything in our usage right now that's a surprise to us.

We're we're what we feel is we're right on track.

And if you don't mind, I'd like to mention also you brought up HOAs.

Amber does a I think it's monthly, not quarterly quarterly meeting with the HOAs, and so we're working with them actively on water uh conservation um opportunities like that as well.

So we're we're definitely trying to reach out to those big water users.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate it again, Rick.

We appreciate you and the staff and all that you're doing for not only me but my grandkids and maybe your grandkids and whatever else for the next hundred years.

Thanks.

Okay.

Just really quickly want to pick up on on something that the vice mayor alluded to uh that may not have been his question directly but indirectly.

A couple weeks ago when we were doing the budget discussion, you talked about development, especially specifically in the southern part of our city where there's x amount of gallons that we are that we we have to provide correctly, which is correct.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but which is why the conversation in regards to uh the new treatment facility and other things is so important because of the number of gallons that we have uh as a city, and these are my words, not yours, but uh have uh agreed to as part of that development.

So if we fall short, then we are not uh abiding by our own agreements, is that correct?

Mayor, council members, so we have we have um across the city we've allocated our designation to the parcels of land in the city.

Some of those parcels are already using that water, but a number of parcels are not.

And so with the app with the ordinance that was passed, what we try to do is make sure that every last parcel will have access to water that we haven't allocated or reallocated that water to to somebody else to the first in the door and the last in the door gets nothing.

What changes the picture though is if we don't have the resource.

So if we lose 2500 acre feet of Colorado River water, then we have to think, okay, how does that impact us when we reach that 160,000 population and when it whenever we reach that?

And that could be a case where we are cutting back on the allocation, or we may have to look at development a little bit differently.

Uh, I think it's too early to make that decision now.

Um again, right now we're okay, but we we can only deal with what Mother Nature sends us, and then we just manage it from there.

Yeah, I'll pick up on that in a second.

Uh is um there's a lot of numbers, big numbers being thrown around here, as well as during our budget discussion.

And so, you know, I'm just I'm happy that we're doing this.

It's it's uh I would assume that most residents are not keyed in to this discussion and are not aware, right?

So all they're gonna see at some point is us coming before them to say, here's what we need, here's why.

And that might be a shock to them if they're not educated early through discussions like this.

And so I think we need to all do our part here on council, but uh, even as an organization, just to continue to pump that information out to the best of our ability, knowing that not everybody is going to uh to get that or to get it.

Um so anyway, I just wanted to make sure that I said that.

And then the final question that I have, and this is more about education, and we don't have to go into to a deep dive, but considering the upper basin states seem to be those that have uh climates where there's an abundance of of snow and other things, uh unlike here.

Is there a collection site where their runoff stops and doesn't make it all the way down, or as uh a cumulative effect between all states, is that precipitation just down so that even if we believe that they're getting a lot more snow than we would here in Arizona, there just is not enough even at the upper basin states for it to make its way down to Arizona, or is there a collection point where they hold it for the upper basin state, and we just get whatever our region produces.

So, Mayor, Councillor, that's a great question.

So if you think about the Colorado River Basin and those seven states, the snow is predominantly to the north of Arizona, right?

It's up Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and they are already they're seeing the impact now.

There's no snow or very little snow in those areas, some of the driest that they've ever seen.

The water starts to contribute to the Colorado River high up in those mountains, and there's other contributors to the Colorado River like the Green River.

I think it's the Green River, and several different reservoirs like Flaming Gorge.

So a lot of that water gets captured way above Lake Powell, and that's where those upper basins begin to use that.

The compact says that the upper basin is supposed to send to the lower basin seven and a half million gallons a year.

Um that's a discussion that actually really hasn't even taken place yet, but they call a compact call, regardless of what these decisions make.

The law of the river in 1922 says Arizona or lower basins get there cut.

They use Lake Powell as the as the you know, kind of the lineation between upper and lower basin.

But by the time the water gets down to Lake Powell, the upper basin's already missed out because that water has already flowed downstream, but they're still going to hold on to it.

So what the upper basin says is we aren't even using the seven and a half that was already been allocated to this to the upper basin, but you all in the lower basin are using entirely your share.

You've done nothing to curb your use.

And we still need the opportunity to grow into ours.

So there's two things there.

Is one is there's not enough water to go around regardless of upper basin or lower basin, and then just a philosophical difference between what the upper basin thinks is there is their um right to use and then the belief that that those of us that live in the desert are just irresponsible with our water, which is not the case.

The records show that water use has remained steady or even decl is really declined over the years, um, even with a growing population because of conservation efforts and good sound water management.

So there's just a philosophical difference between the two groups, but they're definitely from the standpoint of runoff there in Snowpack, they're hurting up there as well.

Thank you for taking the time to share that.

I appreciate if there's no other questions, then um we could this was just for discussion only.

So thank you so much, Kurt and all uh all of your team for providing all of this information will continue again.

And if you wouldn't mind maybe creating a jingle that says something about you know, water goes in the drain, not in the ground.

That would be very cool.

Don't worry about that.

Uh but thank you again.

We appreciate it.

Thank you very much, Kelsey.

Thank you.

Tracy, next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

The next item is the summary of current events from Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members.

Mr.

Mayor.

Actually, I believe it's Dill, right?

If I may uh address item six on the agenda.

Yes, please.

I know Tracy is scouring her agenda to find item six.

Anissa and the team has been very good about hiding a little secret from her over the past week.

Um but thank you, Mr.

Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council for allowing me the time to address a very important topic tonight.

Um if I could, could I have assistant city manager, Tracy Stevens come down and join me?

Just a couple more times through that door, Tracy.

She only has a week uh opportunity to get even with me.

Uh but I did not do this alone.

So on behalf of Mr.

Corbin, our city management team, and really all the employees for our city.

Um we're here to recognize her 19 years with the city of Avondale.

Over 30 years experience in government work.

Um I I challenge you to think of a project, a development, uh many things that go on the city that over the years Tracy did not have her hand in, her touch, her opinion of.

Uh she has drunk done a tremendous job in developing our city over the past 19 years.

Um with that, we still would like to wish her the best in her opportunities in that funny state to the West.

Um but uh if you join me in thanking her and congratulating her on her service to the city of Avondale.

Thank you.

Tracy, would you like to oh go ahead, sorry?

If I may, Mr.

Mayor, I just want to remind I know most of you have received the email.

Uh next Monday, we will be celebrating her service with the city at the VIC at one o'clock.

So look for that on your calendar.

With that, I turn it back over to you, Mr.

Mayor, for for comments.

I I I would love for all of us to make comments, but first, Tracy, if you wouldn't mind saying a few words and inspiring us with history.

This was a surprise.

Thank you.

Um it's been it's been a journey here and really in the West Valley, but most of the time here in Avondale.

And uh when I came here in 2007, it it was really a lot of open land, a lot of open property, and I was really excited for what the future would hold for Avondale.

And I just really appreciate you, Mayor, and the past mayors and the council and all the support that you've always provided um to all of us as a team here and in making those projects come forward and and approving them and seeing them built.

And I I I couldn't I think I'm very lucky to be just be able to serve the residents of Avondale, but more so work with just this amazing team, everybody in on the leadership team and all of the employees.

Um it that's what it really takes to to make these projects work and and to run a city is is the whole entire team.

And um, I feel lucky and privileged to be able to have done that with so many people with so much support along the way.

And I'm gonna get emotional now.

So thank you very much, and I appreciate it.

Thank you, Tracy.

Are there members of council that would like to share or some comments or okay?

Councilmember Weiss.

Tracy, you will be missed.

Um, and I'm gonna say that for myself and my husband because um he just really thought so much of you working here.

So just thank you.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you.

Councilmember Garcia.

I want to say thank you so much for your kindness and your grace, especially as a new council member.

You have always been very welcoming and open to questions when I don't know something, you were able to educate me very well.

Um and thank you for serving this beautiful city for as long as you did because it is beautiful part of because of you.

So thank you.

Councilmember Slorio.

Tracy, thank you for your service to Avondale.

Um I was very fortunate to meet you back in the days when I well before council and you were over planning and I was on planning and zoning.

And you were always uh very gracious and answered any and all of my questions off ball and whatnot.

But yes, I learned a lot from you when I served on planning and zoning.

Councilmember White.

Thank you for your 19 years of service, Tracy.

I really enjoy um looking at Avondale, knowing that your fingerprint is on much of what I see.

You came to the job in 2007, but I came to the city in 2008.

So I have lived through a lot of what you have delivered.

Thank you very much.

Councilmember Condi, do you have anything you'd like to add?

Thank you, Mayor.

Um thank you, Tracy, for your years of service, and I wish you the best of luck in your new season that's coming up.

And I will see you next week.

Thanks, Tracy.

Vice Mayor Ilson.

I think I'm gonna pass because I know I will get emotional.

But Tracy, thank you for our friendship and for all that you've done for the city and for your thoughtfulness and everything else.

It it goes outside the city, it goes to different places.

I know other people have appreciated you and all that you've done here.

So we all wish you the best in whatever you endeavor to do in the future.

And uh and appreciate again you and your service here.

Thanks.

You know, as as policymakers, often we rely on, I would say most of the time we rely on the expertise of our staff within the organization.

And one of the benefits of 19 years of history with the city is, and you alluded to it just as uh uh assistant uh city manager Nanogame mentioned, is uh the context that you can provide in regards to all of the projects, understanding development, understanding who the developers are and uh working with them so many times that uh you can kind of give us uh an insight as to how things work, but more importantly, uh the context of that history.

And so uh that uh while you may be leaving, as I shared with you before, you're and even though you may be uh as uh as Nanagay said, uh crazy West State away.

Uh did I say crazy out loud?

I don't mean that.

I just mean the states of the West.

Uh um that you're close by phone.

And I will not hesitate to pick up the phone to give you a call because there are so many things in the queue that are again you're gonna have your fingerprints on them as others have said, uh, that I will look to you for assistance and help.

But more importantly, um just looking to you as uh as a guide and somebody who understands Avondale and what it was, what it is, and what it'll become.

So thank you so much for your time.

I'm sure we all look forward to seeing you next Monday and celebrating with you.

Uh but uh just so appreciative of the service you provide to the city of Avondale.

So thank you.

Thank you, Mayor, Council.

Appreciate it.

Okay, so now we will move on to item number seven summary of current events.

We got a couple of hands up.

All right, let's start with Councilmember Solorio.

I did not attend this event, but I saw it on our social media, which was the Torch Run.

So thank you to both chiefs because I saw a fire person out there hanging out with the police doing that, which is really good to show the community that camaraderie that you guys have.

Also, kudos to Mr.

Corbin who was out there because I went on a consent agenda meeting with him like an hour later, and I had no idea he was out there doing that.

So thanks, you guys.

Any other members of the council?

Councilmember Condi, do you have anything you'd like to share?

Well, I'm good, thank you, Mayor.

Okay, Councilmember Weiss.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I attended the extravaganza at Donny Hill on Thursday, and then also stopped over at Mercy House, and that was a great event, and it was packed, and our team, as always, just did an amazing job.

So it was very exciting to see.

And I'm in the fire academy right now, and I'm having a ball.

So I encourage everybody to go out to all the four academies.

Thank you.

Councilmember White.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

I had the opportunity to represent the city as well as Valley Metro at the Women's Transportation Seminar, Metro Phoenix chapter, annual scholarship and awards ceremony.

Um also um it's a really basic thing, but I did attend our audit and finance subcommittee meeting last week for Valley Metro as the chair.

I just wanted to share that we went through our first peer audit and the preliminary results are that Valley Metro for the first time ever will be um a peer red book audited shop certified.

So that's really exciting.

Um last um on April 1st, I uh visited West Point High School's National Honor Society induction ceremony.

And today I had the opportunity to represent um the city and Valley Metro at Arizona Statewide Transit Conference.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Uh for myself, um, thank you for everybody who attended Coffee with Council of Starbucks last week.

I myself was only able to be there a short while, but I know that members of council were there as well as staff to greet community.

So thank you so much for being a part of that.

Um, in addition um to that on last Wednesday, uh our director of economic development, Jen Stein, uh, was the moderator for a panel as part of the Fast Track to Global Connections, where we had many different representatives of international business looking to uh discuss kind of what is happening not only here in the city of Avondale, but with uh Latasha Kazi, president of the Phoenix Raceway.

So thank you, Jen, for participating in that and highlighting Avondale.

That was a great event.

And as well as joining Ishrava Ganza last week.

I see the Silvas in the audience there.

Thank you for Cashing As Heart for what you do in the community and uh Parks and Rec uh for the undertaking of providing this event to our community.

I know it's a it's a large deal, it's a large undertaking as well.

So thank you for putting your time and effort into that.

And I think that is it.

So thank you so much, everybody.

Um, at this moment in time, if we can get a motion to go into executive session.

Got a motion from Councilmember White, a second from Council Member Weiss.

Please vote.

Councilmember Connie, how do you vote?

Thank you so much.

And at this time, we'll adjourn to executive session.

Everybody, please drive home safe, and we'll see you at the next meeting.