Avondale City Council Meeting April 20, 2026: Proclamations, Zoning Approvals, and Budget Overview
Avondale City Council Meeting Summary – April 20, 2026
The Avondale City Council held a regular meeting on April 20, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting featured multiple proclamations recognizing volunteers, crime victims, and student achievements, along with presentations on budget, traffic safety initiatives, and the city's contributions assistance program. The council also voted on zoning amendments for two residential projects: a 99-unit for-sale condo development (Cerro Vista) and a 291-unit income-restricted duplex project (Rosalind Villas). The meeting concluded with a vote to recess into executive session.
Proclamations & Presentations
- National Volunteer Week Proclamation: Chief of Police presented the proclamation for National Volunteer Week (April 19–25, 2026). Police Volunteer Coordinator Suzanne Hogue recognized 24 VIPs (Volunteers in Police Service) who contributed 3,572 volunteer hours in 2025. Council members expressed gratitude for the volunteers' service.
- National Crime Victims Rights Week Proclamation: Victim Advocate Supervisor Brandy Datcher discussed the importance of providing victims with a blue brochure resource card. The proclamation marked the 45th anniversary of National Crime Victims Rights Week (April 19–25, 2026). Several council members praised the victim services unit and the Southwest Family Advocacy Center.
- Avondale Fire-Medical Citizens Academy 2026 Graduation: Fire Chief Larry Rooney and Senior Management Analyst Kristen Zipprich presented 23 graduates of the eight-session academy. The program included CPR and stop the bleed certifications, hands-on fire and EMS training, and community education. Graduate Natasha Edmonds spoke about her experience and encouraged support for future public safety bond measures. Councilmember Sherry Weiss noted she completed all four citizen academies and recommended them to residents.
- Avi Star Student Recognition: Youth and Community Engagement Manager Donna Gardner recognized six students from local school districts for academic, extracurricular, and personal achievements. Students honored included Adrian Almanza (11th grade, Alhambra High School), Lissandro Aparicio Flores (6th grade, Avondale Middle School), Jalen De Jesus (6th grade, White Tanks Learning Center), Aliyah Keyes Valenzuela (6th grade, Lakin Prep Academy, absent), and Rema Co (5th grade, Canyon Breeze). Council members praised the students for their kindness, leadership, and community service.
- Avondale Business Spotlight Award: Business Development Manager Adam Shipley presented the award to Cossack, a local distribution and transportation company, for buying local, hosting 30 high school teachers for logistics education, supporting ASU West Valley internships, hosting the Canadian consulate and 23 international businesses, and supporting Luke Air Force Base. Bobby Cossack accepted and thanked the council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mona Lopez (Resident): Lopez stated she is an heir to the historic "Town of Avondale," claiming the city lacks authority over land purchased by her grandfather from the Bureau of Land Management. She alleged that city officials entered a property without a warrant or proper condemnation notice and requested acknowledgment of the original town boundaries. The assistant city manager agreed to meet with her after the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Traffic Safety Initiatives: Chief Espinoza and City Engineer Kim Moon presented a joint update on the Traffic Safety Committee, formed in January 2026. The committee meets bi-weekly and uses accident data, officer observations, and public input (via a traffic hotline and AviWise app) to target high-accident locations. Enforcement strategies include adding LIDAR and radar guns (increasing from 20 to 48 LIDAR guns and from 6 to 21 radar guns), deploying four additional traffic officers (bringing the unit to one sergeant and six officers), and participating in the West Valley Speed and Aggressive Driving Task Force. Statistics showed a 413% increase in traffic stops (from 61 in February 2025 to 313 in February 2026) and a 351% increase in citations (from 61 to 275). Engineering efforts include the "Look Before You Turn" campaign focused on left-turn safety, intersection improvements (offset lines, protected left turns), speed limit updates, and traffic signal retiming on Dysart Road. Council members supported the educational approach and requested consideration of more flashing yellow left-turn arrows.
- Fiscal Year 2027 City Manager's Recommended Budget: Budget Director Renee Weatherless presented a 512.9 million total budget for fiscal year 2027. General fund revenues total 123.9 million (47% from sales tax, 33% state shared revenue, 3% property tax) and expenditures total 185.6 million (32% public safety, 20% general government, 14% capital outlay). The city does not plan to increase the primary property tax levy by the allowable 2%. Key priorities include 1.3 million in economic development funds, new public safety equipment (drone program, license plate readers), and funding for parks projects (Agua Fria Pedestrian Bridge, Friendship Park playground). The budget includes 7.5 new FTEs. The council will adopt the tentative budget on May 4, 2026, and final adoption is scheduled for June 1, 2026.
- Fiscal Year 2027 Contributions Assistance Program: Neighborhood & Family Services Assistant Director Edith presented the 200,000 program, allocating grants to nonprofit agencies providing health and human services to Avondale residents. In FY26, 33 agencies received funding. A council subcommittee (Vice Mayor Nielsen, Council members Conde and Garcia) will review applications. Two grant-writing workshops were held in April with 29 organizations attending. Applications are due May 15, 2026, with council approval expected in June and award presentations in August. Council members emphasized avoiding duplication of services and ensuring funds benefit Avondale residents directly.
Key Outcomes
- Cerro Vista Minor General Plan Amendment (6A): The council voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt Resolution 1026-0426, changing the land use designation from high density residential to medium-high density residential for the 10.1-acre site at 12104 West Van Buren Street.
- Cerro Vista Rezoning (6B): The council voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt Ordinance 2010-0426, rezoning the property from R4 multifamily residential to the Cerro Vista Planned Area Development (underlying R3), allowing a 99-unit single-story for-sale condo development. The developer, Lennar Homes, confirmed the project is for sale only and units will be individually condo-platted. The vote followed discussion ensuring the product would help first-time homebuyers and address housing affordability.
- Rosalind Villas Major PAD Amendment (6C): The council voted 5-2 to adopt Ordinance 2011-0426, approving a major amendment to the Avondale Townhomes on Dysart Planned Area Development. The new plan allows 291 income-restricted duplex units (60% area median income) with a 30-year deed restriction, replacing a previously approved townhome project that had not been built. The development includes amenities such as a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, splash pad, and playgrounds. Councilmembers voting in favor cited the need for workforce housing for teachers, firefighters, and military families. The two dissenting votes (Mayor Pineda and one other unnamed member) expressed a preference for more for-sale affordable housing rather than additional rental units and concerns about traffic congestion and strain on city services.
- Motion to Recess into Executive Session: The council voted unanimously (7-0) to recess into executive session after the regular meeting.
Next Steps
- Budget: Tentative adoption on May 4, 2026; final adoption on June 1, 2026; property tax levy hearing on June 15, 2026.
- Contributions Assistance: Applications due May 15, 2026; subcommittee review June 11, 2026; council approval and award presentations in August.
- Traffic Safety: May 19, 2026, West Valley Task Force detail in Avondale; continued education and infrastructure improvements.
- Executive Session: Closed session following adjournment.
Meeting Transcript
I to call to order the council meeting of April 20th, 2026. Would you all please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence? And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under individual with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Marcella, can we get roll call, please? Councilmember Condi. Here. Councilmember Garcia. Here. Councilmember Solario. Here. Councilmember Weiss. Here. Councilmember White. Present. Vice Mayor Nielsen. Here. Mayor Pineda. Here. Thank you so much. Ron, next item, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. First, we have a proclamation for National Volunteer Week 2026. I believe our chief of police will kick it off. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council. With me is San Hogue, who is the PD's volunteer coordinator. Suzanne will be saying a few words and recognizing a couple of our VIPs, our volunteers in policing, before turning it back over to you for the National Volunteer Appreciation Week proclamation. Suzanne. Thank you. Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members, thank you so much for having us here to celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week. There are currently 24 volunteers in police service, known as VIPs with the Avondale Police Department. Some of them are here tonight, and I'd like to invite them to now stand while I read the rest of the speech. The VIPs assist the professional and sworn employees of our police department in various ways and areas throughout the city and at events as well. Our VIPs chose Avondale because they wanted to volunteer with an agency that is committed to strengthening the community. In 2025, the VIPs volunteered a total of 3,572 hours and are greatly contributed and greatly contributed to the continued success of the City of Avondale. The Avondale Police Department proudly recognizes and expresses our gratitude to the VIPs during National Volunteer Appreciation Week. I'd be honored to. Whereas we firmly believe that the value of compassion, empathy, and community support are the foundation of a united and harmonious society, fostering connections that transcend differences, and whereas the strength and prosperity of our city is based on the selflessness of its residents to serve and uplift one another. And whereas we acknowledge the profound impact that can be achieved when we extend a helping hand to our neighbors, especially those of diverse backgrounds, lifting them up and collectively working to improve lives. And whereas we nurture a culture of giving within our cities, emphasizing that volunteerism is not just a duty, but a source of personal fulfillment and a community strength. And as we work side by side with and learn from one another, mutual understanding increases, misconceptions can be corrected, and new friendships are built. And whereas we encourage all citizens to care for one another, volunteer and engage in acts of service and kindness that contribute to our city's betterment and its inhabitants, regardless of background or belief. And whereas the City of Avondale has joined a growing list of supporters, including the President of the National League of Cities and hundreds of leaders to date in making a commitment to volunteerism. And whereas April is now national volunteer month, a month dedicated to recognizing the importance of volunteering and a time for us to thank our City of Avondale volunteers. Now, therefore, on behalf of the Avondale City Council, the City of Avondale, Arizona, here bright hereby proclaims April 19th through the 25th as National Volunteer Week and proclaims the month of April as National Volunteer Month and affirm our city's commitment to volunteerism. Thank you for what you do. Thank you, Chief. And again, just uh thank you for all you do.
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