Mayor have six oh five good evening everybody and welcome to tonight's special Eloy City Council meeting.

It is Monday, November 25th, 2024.

I call this meeting to order.

Mary, can I get a roll call, please?

Councilmember Sutton.

Here.

Councilmember Wannawatho Rodriguez.

Here.

Vice Mayor Curtis.

Here.

Mayor Powell?

Here.

Councilmember Schneider.

Here.

Councilmember Garcia?

Present.

Councilmember Tarango.

Here.

Thank you.

I believe we have somebody for an invocation.

If we can all stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Well, good evening.

I'm grateful for the privilege and the opportunity to be here with you all this evening for this special ceremony of commitment for Mayor Elect Andrew Sutton and Council members coming in, Joanne Galindo and Michael Rodrosca.

Have to tell you before I um offer the prayer that I've been reflecting on the question, what does November want from me?

That was a reflection that came up for me earlier in the month.

And my answer came fairly quickly, and it was Thanksgiving and trust.

But the harder piece is to implement that into practice.

Tonight we do give thanks for the women and men who have answered the call and were selected to serve the city and community of Eloy, and we entrust them with the responsibility to do so in a good and worthy manner.

As we look to the God of all that has been, all that will be, and all that is, I invite you to join me in invoking the blessings of trust and thanksgiving for the mayor and council.

Pray with me to the one you call holy, the divine, the one with many names.

Dear God, Alpha and Omega are beginning and our end, ground of our being, refuge, strength, safe place, protector, higher power, helper, healer, keeper of community.

We acknowledge the virtues of those who are stepping into leadership this day, their vision, their enthusiasm, their wisdom, their service, their commitment, their spirit of cooperation and community, all for the greater good of the city of Eloy.

We are thankful for them and for this time, looking forward with hope and expectation of new and good things for our community.

May they trust that your spirit will help them and all of us to trust and persevere when challenges or obstacles arise.

May there be a prevailing spirit of unity among all who serve this community.

And we ask for your blessing for those who are stepping into big shoes into new positions of leadership.

May this council entrust themselves to the divine spirit within, knowing and believing they are in God's hands, doing God's work, and please give them joy on the journey as they work together, promoting a healthy and robust community.

We give thanks for all who serve, bless us all and inspire us to take our part in the greater good of humanity, our neighborhoods, and our society.

Bless us and keep us, and may your light always shine on and within us all.

Amen.

One nation, under God, and the question.

Okay.

We have two that have signed in.

We are here to let's see.

Uh yeah, that you have three minutes to speak.

We cannot um discuss any of the topics that you guys talk about.

If I can have Irene Higgs up to the podium, please.

Mayor, you've got a good evening, Mayor Powell, Vice Mayor Curtis, Council Members.

My name is Irene Higgs, and I'm the executive director for the Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization.

On behalf of the Sun Quarter MPO, I am here to present a resolution of appreciation to Mayor Powell.

A resolution expressing the appreciation of the Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Planning Organization to the Honorable Mayor Micah Powell for his dedicated service to the Sun Corridor MPO region for four years.

Whereas Mayor Powell served with distinction as the Sun Corridor MPO executive board chairman in 2022, Vice Chairman in 2021, and Secretary Treasurer in 2024.

And whereas, under Mayor Powell's leadership, the City of Eloy was part of a unified voice joining with neighboring cities on major projects and policy issues, including the widening of Interstate 10 from Casagrande to Chandler, the future Interstate 11, Phoenix to Tucson Passenger Rail, the North South Corridor, and improving air quality in Penau County.

And whereas through Mayor Powell's partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Sun Corridor MPO, the City of Eloy has received 11.8 million dollars in funding for roadway infrastructure projects.

This included a pavement preservation project on the Bataglia Road from Sunshine Boulevard to La Palma Road.

Intersection lighting is being installed at Bataglia Drive and Tweety Road.

Rumble strips and advanced warning detection was added to Jimmy Kerr Boulevard from Casagrande Avenue till Milligan Road.

Transportation Alternative Funding was awarded for the design of a new sidewalk on Bataglia Road.

The city was awarded state funding for the reconstruction and the widening of Sunland June Road from Erica Road to ITN and community project funding was awarded for a mill and overlay project on Frontier Street.

And whereas, through Mayor Powell's collaboration with Penau County and the City of Coolidge, Penell County received a 15.3 million grant to improve roadway infrastructure in the inland port for the anchor tenant Nickel Motor Company.