Eloy City Council Meeting – April 14, 2025

The Eloy City Council met on Monday, April 14, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, department presentations, routine consent items, and several business items. Key discussions focused on a water line replacement project on Houser Road, approval of a final plat for Eloy Commons, replacement of drainage culverts, a new consolidated rate and fee schedule, establishment of a standing work session, and appointment of a subcommittee for a parks board vacancy.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (March 24, 2025 Regular Meeting): Pulled from consent for discussion. Councilmember Snyder noted a discrepancy regarding the number of residents involved in contract negotiations with Waste Management. After clarification from staff, the minutes were amended to reflect that none of the principal negotiators were residents of Eloy. The motion to amend and approve passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 25-1614 (General Plan Update Public Participation Plan): Approved unanimously as part of consent.
• Professional Services Agreement with Lochner for Eloy Municipal Airport Drainage Improvements Phase III: Approved for an amount not to exceed $215,360.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Fink (property owner): Spoke after approval of the Eloy Commons final plat, thanking the council and staff for their work over two years. He reported that Blue Beacon expansion would close within weeks, Maverick would close around May 17, and a minor plan amendment for zoning would be submitted within 90 days. He praised city staff for exceptional cooperation.
• Bob and Marlowe Shu (residents on Houser Road): Requested to speak before discussion of the Houser Road Water Line item. They expressed frustration with lack of timely information and staff’s unfamiliarity with their property. They asked that any decision on phase two options involve direct consultation with affected residents. They committed to help get a signature from a reluctant neighbor.

Discussion Items

• Traffic Unit Presentation: Chief Benales and Corporals Stratton and Gordon presented the redeployment of the Eloy Police Department Traffic Enforcement and Investigations Unit. The unit aims to reduce collisions through education and strategic enforcement. Statistics for 2022: 246 collisions in Eloy, 108 with injuries, and 5 fatal collisions. The unit will use new vehicles (black patrol cars, motorcycles) and a LIDAR trailer. A commercial vehicle enforcement component was emphasized. The unit will begin with an education campaign before moving to enforcement, targeting a full launch by July 1, 2025.
• Final Plat – Eloy Commons (FP2025-001): Approved unanimously. The plat reconfigures 12 parcels into 3 lots (approx. 170 acres) along Sunshine Boulevard, including parcels for Maverick and Blue Beacon expansion.
• Drainage Culvert Replacement (North Toltec): Approved unanimously for up to $100,000 using a cooperative agreement with Pinal County. Five culverts will be replaced (reduced from 12 due to cost overruns) with work expected July–end of July 2025.
• Houser Road Water Line Capital Improvement Project: Council considered two phases. Phase one (extension of an 8-inch line along Houser Road to serve five of seven residences) was approved at a cost of $450,000, with work starting July 1, 2025, and completion by November 2025. For phase two (serving the Yoder and Shu properties), staff presented four options: (1) 4-inch line along Charleston Road right-of-way ($152,000); (2) 4-inch line across Yoder property with meter tap ($93,254); (3) 4-inch line along property line if right-of-way granted; (4) complete replacement of existing 3-inch line with 4-inch line across Shu property with easement ($237,000). Council tabled phase two after lengthy debate, directing staff to continue consultation with property owners, especially regarding future growth and alignment. A motion to table with continued work passed unanimously.
• Proposed FY2025-26 Consolidated Rate and Fee Schedule: Presented by Brian Wright as a guidance item. Changes include elimination of passport fees, increase of daily business license fee from $10 to $20, utility deposit increase of $5 (to $60), and sanitation rate adjustments based on new hauling contract (residential base fee rising from $25.73 to $30.04 plus fuel adjustment eliminated). The rate schedule will be posted for a 60-day notice, with a formal resolution vote on June 23, 2025. Council provided guidance to proceed as presented.
• Establishment of Standing Monthly Work Session: Council discussed setting a regular work session. Staff recommended the second or fourth Monday before regular meetings. Council majority preferred the first or third Monday (as needed), at 6:00 p.m., with attendance optional and agenda set by the Mayor and Vice Mayor. Direction was given to proceed with first Monday sessions as needed.
• Appointment of Subcommittee for Parks, Recreation and Library Advisory Board Vacancy: A subcommittee of three council members (Vice Mayor Tarango, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Galindo) along with a community services representative and a board member was appointed to review two applicants for one vacancy.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes amended and approved (unanimous).
• Consent items B and C approved (unanimous).
• Traffic unit presentation received; no formal action.
• Final Plat for Eloy Commons approved (unanimous).
• Drainage culvert replacement approved (unanimous).
• Houser Road Water Line Phase one approved (unanimous); phase two tabled with direction to continue consultation.
• Guidance given to proceed with proposed rate and fee schedule; formal vote scheduled June 23, 2025.
• Standing work session directed as first Monday as needed, 6:00 p.m., optional attendance.
• Subcommittee appointed for parks board vacancy (unanimous).