Eloy City Council Regular Meeting - September 23, 2024

The Eloy City Council met on Monday, September 23, 2024, at approximately 6:08 p.m. (the agenda listed 5:30 p.m., but the meeting was called to order later). The meeting included a consent agenda, a presentation by Pinal County, public hearings, and several business items. Key actions included approval of a conditional use permit for an AT&T wireless facility, adoption of a zoning amendment for a large solar and battery storage project, and updates to the city clerk's appointment and position status.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the September 9, 2024, regular meeting.
• Recommended issuance of a liquor license to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
• Adopted Resolution 24-1590 accepting a $98,284.04 grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation for playground shade structures at Jones and Trekell Parks.
• Approved the final plat for Sonoran Sales Company (FP2024-001), replatting 41.54 acres into four industrial lots and dedicating Ivy Court as a public right-of-way.
• Adopted Resolution 24-1594 authorizing an application for $84,005.98 in Proposition 202 grant funds from the Gila River Indian Community for two cardiac monitors for the Eloy Fire District.
• All consent items were approved unanimously by roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker representing approximately 40 property owners and other residents opposed the solar farm project (Item D). He argued that the solar panels would cause glare for drivers on Sunshine Boulevard, reduce property values, hinder future commercial development, and that the city would receive less tax revenue compared to commercial or residential development. He also disputed the applicant's claim that few trees would be cut, stating that one square mile of trees would be removed.
• Tom Lozy (Las Vegas, Nevada) spoke in support of the solar project, thanking the council and staff for their work and requesting approval.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Pinal County on Proposition 486: County Engineer Chris Wanamaker presented on the continuation of the half-cent sales tax for roadway maintenance and pavement preservation. The tax has been in place for nearly 40 years and is up for renewal. Eloy received approximately $1.6–$1.7 million per budget year from this fund. Council members discussed the population-based allocation formula, which may disadvantage Eloy, and public outreach efforts. The measure will appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot.
• Item B – Conditional Use Permit for AT&T Wireless Facility: Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval for co-locating antennas on the existing 180-foot city-owned tower at 95 W. 7th Street. Council members asked about existing antennas, weight capacity, and emergency communications redundancy. The public hearing was held, and no additional public comments were made. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
• Item C – Resolution 24-1593 (Public Record for 1st Amendment to Rancho Del Sol Brillante PAD): This action made the PAD amendment document a public record without requiring full publication. Councilmember Snyder asked about public access and fees. The resolution passed 6-1, with Councilmember Garcia opposed.
• Item D – Ordinance 24-975 (Zoning Map Amendment for Solar/ Battery Storage): The applicant, Savion (a Shell subsidiary), requested to modify the Rancho Del Sol Brillante PAD to allow solar utility-scale generation and battery storage on approximately 1,584 acres. Presenter Court Rich highlighted benefits: 8.3 miles of roadway improvements, water savings, tax benefits for schools/fire district, construction jobs, and a scholarship program with Central Arizona College. The project received support from the nearest neighbors, the Chamber of Commerce, and the fire district. A public hearing was held with two speakers (one opposed, one in support). The ordinance was adopted 5-2 (Councilmembers Tarango and Garcia opposed).
• Item E – Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Financial Services: Staff requested $34,000 for an update to the water and wastewater rate study and long-term financial plan. The existing rate plan includes incremental increases (4% years 1-3, then 11% for years 4-5) to fund $13 million in capital projects. The study will assess whether current rates cover increased costs and inform future rate adjustments. The agreement was approved unanimously.
• Item F – Change Order #1 for Sunrise Engineering: For the design of Sunland Gin Road and Arica Road improvements, a hydrology and hydraulic analysis was needed unexpectedly. The additional $35,000 change order covers this work. The design is approximately 60% complete. The change order was approved unanimously.
• Item G – Adoption of 2024 Eloy Strategic Plan: Staff presented the final plan, which incorporates actionable verbs and a linear project layout. The plan is a living document, linked online to the budget for deeper justification. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
• Item H – Ordinance 24-974 (City Clerk Appointment by City Manager): This ordinance amends city code to remove the city clerk’s appointment from the city council and place it under the city manager. The effective date is no later than January 3, 2025, or upon hiring a new clerk. The current clerk (Mary Myers, who is retiring after 35 years) will remain under council until then. Councilmembers discussed ensuring the job description includes liaison duties to the council. The ordinance passed unanimously.
• Item I – Resolution 24-1591 (Removing City Clerk from At-Will Exceptions): This administrative change updates personnel policy to remove the city clerk from the list of at-will positions, making the new clerk subject to standard personnel policies. The resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All consent items approved unanimously. Items C, D, H, and I were approved with recorded votes (6-1, 5-2, and unanimous).
• Next Steps: The city manager will proceed with hiring a new city clerk. The Pinal County sales tax renewal will be on the November ballot. The solar project will move forward pending further permits. The rate study with Willdan will be completed in 90 days, with a presentation to council in early 2025.
• Administrative: The 2024 Strategic Plan is adopted; staff will align CIP projects accordingly. The change order for road design hydrology work is approved.
• No executive session was held (agenda listed an executive session, but the meeting adjourned without entering one).