OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Avondale City Council and CFD Board Meetings - June 2, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyAvondale, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 58:47

Transcript — Verbatim
0:50

The mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council welcome you to the Avondale City Council meeting.

0:56

As a courtesy to others, please silence all phones.

1:01

Anyone wishing to address the council regarding items listed on the agenda or under unscheduled public appearance should complete the request to speak form online at WWW.avondale AZ.gov slash request to speak.

1:18

Or complete a blue card that is located at the back of the council chamber and hand it to the city clerk prior to consideration of that agenda item.

1:27

When your name is called, please approach the podium and give your name for the public record.

1:32

Please limit your comments to three minutes.

1:35

If more than five requests to speak are received, comments may be limited to one minute.

1:40

A countdown clock will be easily visible on the speaker's podium.

1:44

If your comments concern an item not listed on the agenda, Arizona open meeting law restricts mayor and council actions.

1:53

If your comments concern item that is not listed on the agenda, mayor and council may respond to criticism, request that staff review the matter, or request that the matter be scheduled on a future agenda.

2:07

Thank you for your interest in the Avondale City Council meeting.

2:20

Would you all join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection?

2:55

Thank you.

2:56

Marcella, can we get roll call, please?

2:59

Board member Garcia.

3:03

Here.

3:03

Board Member Conde.

3:05

Here.

3:06

Board Member Solario.

3:08

Board Member Weiss.

3:09

Here.

3:10

Board Member White.

3:11

Present.

3:12

Vice Chair Nielsen.

3:13

Present.

3:14

Chair Paneda.

3:15

Here.

3:16

Thank you, Ron.

3:17

Next item, please.

3:19

Thank you.

3:20

Uh, Mr.

3:21

Mayor.

3:22

Yeah, Mr.

3:23

Chairman, so I was looking for the word.

3:25

Uh, first up, we have our uh public hearing for proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and tax levy going to be presented by uh Renee Weathels, your district treasurer.

3:36

Good evening, Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the Alamar Community Facilities District Board.

3:41

We are here tonight for the um fiscal 2027 proposed um sorry, a final budget and public hearing.

3:51

So in the fiscal twenty twenty-seven budget for the Alamar CFD.

3:55

Um the total budget is six point two million, and that includes um five million of debt proceeds, which was an estimate.

4:04

We have an item later.

4:05

Um we will talk about the issuance of some debt.

4:08

So the district itself is planning to levy um both a primary and secondary tax with a combined tax rate of four dollars and fifteen cents.

4:18

The primary rate is which is limited per statute is thirty cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation and generates just over eighty-six thousand dollars.

4:29

And those revenues are used for the operations of the district itself.

4:33

The secondary tax rate, which will be three dollars and eighty-five cents per 100 of assessed valuation will generate just over one point one million dollars.

4:45

So our recommendation tonight is to open the public hearing for the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and tax levy, and then to adjourn and reconvene to adopt resolution CFD resolution three-2026, setting forth the final budget for fiscal year 2027 and CFD resolution four-two zero two six, setting the property tax levy for fiscal year ended June 30th, 2027.

5:13

So that concludes my presentation.

5:15

I will take any questions.

5:16

Thank you, Renee.

5:17

Are there any questions from any of the board members regarding the presentation?

5:23

Okay.

5:23

Hearing none at this time, I'd like to open up the public hearing on item 2A.

5:28

Marcella, do we have any requests to speak at this time?

5:31

Thank you, Chair.

5:32

We have not received any requests to speak.

5:34

Okay, thank you so much.

5:35

At this time, I'll close the public hearing on item 2A.

5:40

Again, this is for discussion.

5:44

And no action is to be taken.

5:47

Do you have any questions on anything that was provided by Renee in the presentation?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████████████████27%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Youth Programs██████6%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Personnel Matters███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Avondale City Council and Community Facilities District Board Meetings - June 2, 2026

Note: Although the transcript references June 1, 2026, the official meeting date is recorded as June 2, 2026. This session included several consecutive board and council meetings: the Alamar Community Facilities District (CFD) Board public hearing on the FY2027 budget and bond issuance, the LMR CFD Board special meeting, the regular Avondale City Council meeting, and a special city council meeting for judicial reappointment.

Alamar Community Facilities District Board – Public Hearing and Bond Authorization

  • Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and Tax Levy (Item 2A): Finance Director Renee Weatherless presented the proposed final budget of $6.2 million, including $5 million in estimated debt proceeds. The district plans to levy a combined tax rate of $4.15 per $100 of assessed valuation — a primary rate of $0.30 generating ~$86,000 for operations and a secondary rate of $3.85 generating ~$1.1 million for debt service. A public hearing was opened and closed with no public comments. No action was taken on this item (discussion only).
  • General Obligation Bond Issuance (Item 2B): A public hearing was held on the feasibility study for issuing up to $4 million in general obligation bonds for the Alamar CFD. The district, established in 2018, covers ~1,086 acres with a planned build-out of 4,036 single-family units; as of April 2026, over 1,232 lots had been sold. To date, $12.4 million in bonds have been issued across four prior sales. The new bonds will reimburse the developer for public infrastructure. Councilmember Garcia requested an explanation for residents on how the CFD tax works. The board unanimously adopted Resolution CFD 2-2026 (7-0) authorizing the bond sale, leaving at least $53.6 million in remaining authorization.

LMR Community Facilities District Board – Special Meeting

  • The LMR CFD Board convened a special meeting. The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0), and the meeting was adjourned.

Consent Calendar (Regular City Council Meeting)

  • The consent agenda for the regular city council meeting was adopted unanimously (7-0) without any items removed for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No formal public comments were received on any agenda item. However, the mayor invited two Boy Scouts from Troop 91 (working on Citizenship in the Community merit badge) to introduce themselves. Scoutmaster Christopher Getting D. explained their purpose, and council members offered encouragement. This was not a scheduled public appearance.

Discussion Items

  • Green for Good Community Sustainability Grant Awards: Sustainability Officer Kim Anderson presented the 2026 grant recipients. The program, developed by intern Madison Bigham, allocated $15,000 to four projects from 14 applicants. Awardees:

    • Desert Bloom Compost Program (Global Shapers Phoenix) – $5,000 for food waste reduction with five Avondale restaurants.
    • Multi-Campus Cooling Initiative (Littleton Elementary School District) – $5,000 for planting trees at four elementary schools to increase shade and reduce energy loads.
    • Heat Relief and Hydration Program (Mercy House) – $2,544 for solar-powered outdoor lighting at a cooling center.
    • Makers Warehouse (AZ Community Impact) – $2,500 for upcycling materials into furniture and hygiene items for families in need. Council members expressed strong support for all projects, particularly the tree planting and solar lighting. Anderson will provide a final report at the end of the grant period (June 2027).

  • Fiscal Year 2027 Final Budget and Tax Levy Adoption (Discussion Only): Renee Weatherless and City Manager Ron Corbin presented the final budget of $514,304,500. Key points:

    • The property tax rate remains flat at $1.4592 per $100 assessed valuation (primary: ~$4.5M; secondary: ~$6.8M; total ~$11.4M). No truth-in-taxation hearing is required because the levy is not increasing by the allowable 2%.
    • Changes from the tentative budget included a $43,000 increase for general fund salaries, a $60,000 vehicle purchase fund correction, and adjustments to carryover appropriations offset by contingency reductions.
    • Corbin highlighted budget priorities and successes: $3.5 million for the Roosevelt and Avondale Boulevard corner property to expand parking and support development; nearly $1 million for Old Town Plaza improvements; $2.5 million for park upgrades (including an accessible playground at Friendship Park); $700,000 added to sports/aquatics programming; $1.2 million in community assistance programs (housing, homelessness, seniors, youth); expansion of McDowell and Dysart intersection; and $100,000 for public safety home buyer assistance. The city maintains a 35% reserve and a $5 million CIP reserve.
    • A public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. Formal adoption of the property tax levy will occur on June 15, 2026.

  • Summary of Current Events: Council members reported on recent community activities:

    • Councilmember Weiss: New art exhibit at the library, “Seeds of Growth” sculpture at Civic Park, summer reading kickoff, and Memorial Day service.
    • Councilmember Conde: Thanked library and parks staff for the summer reading event, noting it attracted residents from Goodyear.
    • Councilmember Garcia: Attended Memorial Day service and VFW, honored SSgt. Donald Stacey (killed in Afghanistan, 2011) during the moment of silence.
    • Vice Mayor Nielsen: Participated in GPEC economic development presentation and AC Community Impact’s bed delivery (63 beds for children).
    • Councilmember White: Gave tours of the memorial pathway at the courthouse, commended Councilmember Conde and Vice Mayor Nielsen for interfaith council leadership.

Special City Council Meeting – Judicial Reappointment

  • Reappointment of Presiding Judge Craig L. Jennings: HR Acting Director Ted Floor presented the Judicial Advisory Board’s unanimous recommendation to reappoint Judge Jennings for a two-year term. The board collected survey responses: full staff participation (15), 27 litigant responses, and 6 attorney responses — all positive with no concerns. No disciplinary actions were noted. The board formally interviewed Judge Jennings. The item was for presentation only; council members expressed support. Judge Jennings has served since 2014.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes and Decisions:
    • Alamar CFD Board: Adopted Resolution CFD 2-2026 authorizing up to $4 million in general obligation bonds (7-0).
    • LMR CFD Board: Approved consent agenda (7-0) and adjourned.
    • Regular City Council: Approved consent agenda (7-0); heard budget presentation (no vote); adjourned (7-0).
    • Special City Council: Heard judicial reappointment presentation (no vote); unanimously approved motion to adjourn to executive session (7-0).
  • Next Steps: The FY2027 budget and property tax levy will be formally adopted at the June 15, 2026 council meeting. Grant projects will run from June 15, 2026 to June 30, 2027, with a final report to council.

Meeting Transcript

The mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council welcome you to the Avondale City Council meeting. As a courtesy to others, please silence all phones. Anyone wishing to address the council regarding items listed on the agenda or under unscheduled public appearance should complete the request to speak form online at WWW.avondale AZ.gov slash request to speak. Or complete a blue card that is located at the back of the council chamber and hand it to the city clerk prior to consideration of that agenda item. When your name is called, please approach the podium and give your name for the public record. Please limit your comments to three minutes. If more than five requests to speak are received, comments may be limited to one minute. A countdown clock will be easily visible on the speaker's podium. If your comments concern an item not listed on the agenda, Arizona open meeting law restricts mayor and council actions. If your comments concern item that is not listed on the agenda, mayor and council may respond to criticism, request that staff review the matter, or request that the matter be scheduled on a future agenda. Thank you for your interest in the Avondale City Council meeting. Would you all join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection? Thank you. Marcella, can we get roll call, please? Board member Garcia. Here. Board Member Conde. Here. Board Member Solario. Board Member Weiss. Here. Board Member White. Present. Vice Chair Nielsen. Present. Chair Paneda. Here. Thank you, Ron. Next item, please. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Mayor. Yeah, Mr. Chairman, so I was looking for the word. Uh, first up, we have our uh public hearing for proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and tax levy going to be presented by uh Renee Weathels, your district treasurer. Good evening, Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the Alamar Community Facilities District Board. We are here tonight for the um fiscal 2027 proposed um sorry, a final budget and public hearing. So in the fiscal twenty twenty-seven budget for the Alamar CFD. Um the total budget is six point two million, and that includes um five million of debt proceeds, which was an estimate. We have an item later. Um we will talk about the issuance of some debt. So the district itself is planning to levy um both a primary and secondary tax with a combined tax rate of four dollars and fifteen cents. The primary rate is which is limited per statute is thirty cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation and generates just over eighty-six thousand dollars. And those revenues are used for the operations of the district itself. The secondary tax rate, which will be three dollars and eighty-five cents per 100 of assessed valuation will generate just over one point one million dollars. So our recommendation tonight is to open the public hearing for the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and tax levy, and then to adjourn and reconvene to adopt resolution CFD resolution three-2026, setting forth the final budget for fiscal year 2027 and CFD resolution four-two zero two six, setting the property tax levy for fiscal year ended June 30th, 2027. So that concludes my presentation. I will take any questions. Thank you, Renee. Are there any questions from any of the board members regarding the presentation?

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