Eloy City Council Meeting - May 12, 2025

The Eloy City Council met on Monday, May 12, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the Eloy City Council Chambers. The meeting included reports from the Mayor, Council, City Manager, and a police briefing, followed by the Consent Agenda and four business items. Key actions included approval of community outreach funding with several amendments, adoption of an ordinance regulating high-usage non-potable water industrial users, authorization of up to $250,000 for drilling a replacement well, and authorization to sell approximately 81 acres for mixed-use development.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Approved the minutes of the April 14, 2025, Special Joint Work Session with the Planning & Zoning Commission. Motion approved unanimously.

Reports & Announcements

• Mayor’s Announcements: Attended promotion celebration for Sergeant Stretton, Villa Oasis Student Project Showcase, and Career Day at Eloy Junior High.
• Councilmember Announcements: Councilmember Galindo reported on the Penelope Breakfast meeting (state water bill progress, medical job priority bill), Recreation Board meeting, and an Early Childhood Head Start forum. She highlighted the importance of Head Start, noting Eloy’s all-day program, $7 million economic impact, and the need for childcare.
• City Manager’s Announcements: Reminded of upcoming special council meeting (May 19-20 for budget), Planning & Zoning meeting (May 21), Memorial Day events (May 26-27), and summer kickoff (May 23). Reported onboarding 30 summer recreation positions. Noted passing of longtime supporter Al Germondo.
• Police Briefing (Capt. Jerome): Reported departmental restructuring, new support services supervisor, field services sergeant, and personnel/training corporal. Highlighted community engagement: adopt-a-school program, Blue Envelope Program (autism), MLK Day, Read to Kids, coffee with cop, etc. Enforcement stats for April 2025: 1,362 phone calls, 219 investigations, 180 citations, 30 traffic collisions. Noted two incidents: accidental shooting by juvenile (arrested), and suspect apprehended via drone (Delta-1).

Discussion Items

• A. Community Outreach Funding Requests (FY 2025-2026): Staff presented recommendations from a review panel (Councilmembers Vodraska, Curtis, Garcia). Total requested $130,550; panel recommended $111,050. After presentations and council discussion, amendments were made. The final approved funding totaled $120,470, an increase of approximately $4,000 over last year.
  • Eloy Lions Club ($2,000): Vision program (glasses). Speaker Bill Carnell reported 112 pairs in 2024, 62 so far in 2025. Letter of gratitude read.
  • Ministerial Alliance (originally recommended $1,000, increased to $1,500 per Councilmember Schneider): Thanksgiving dinner. Speaker Debbie reported serving 320 last year, planning for 400-500.
  • Corazón de Latinos Unidos ($10,000): Fiestas Patrias entertainment. Speaker Leticia Tarango outlined attendance over 5,000, 30+ vendors, free event.
  • CARA ($10,000): Utility assistance for water/trash. Speaker Jason Roberts reported $5,000 helped 23 households; requested all $10,000 for 46 households. Councilmember Galindo suggested financial education. Approved.
  • Pinal Alliance for Economic Growth & AARP Reading Program: Original recommendation $7,800; council increased to $9,260 (an additional $1,460) to fully fund the reading program for Toltec schools (restricted to City of Eloy portions). Speaker Patty King highlighted program serves 317 students, 6,000+ tutoring hours, 83% progressed one grade level.
  • Sparrow Campaign ($4,000 total for Steps of Love Suicide Awareness and Hunger Awareness 5K). Speaker Sinetta Cherry Federico reported previous donations to CARA food pantry (~$6,500) and Hundred Club ($2,697.28). Approved.
  • Eloy Chamber of Commerce: Requested $55,000; panel recommended $40,000. Council debated, ultimately approved $47,500 (increase of $7,500 over recommendation). DMO discussion deferred to a later work session. Speaker Andrew Rodriguez reported 200 members, 98% retention, visitor center reached 20,080 visitors.
  • Santa Cruz Valley Historical Museum ($2,000): Approved.
  • Sunland Visitor Center ($18,000): Approved.
• B. Ordinance No. 25-987 – High-Usage Non-Potable Water Industrial Users: Staff proposed amending Chapter 19 to establish a threshold of 250,000 gallons per day for high water use, and new water quality standards. Council added clarifying language “average day demand” per developer request. Ordinance read by title and approved unanimously.
• C. Authorization for CAIDD Services – Replacement Well #3: Staff authorized up to $250,000 (plus taxes) for initial tasks to drill a replacement well. The existing well has casing cracks; new well will be drilled within 100 feet. Total budget allocated $350,000 current year, $900,000 next fiscal year for completion. Expected operational by March 2026. Approved unanimously.
• D. Sale of City-Owned Property (81+/- acres): Authorized purchase and sale agreement with Eloy Community Development Partners, LLC for $1,486,000. Property at NW corner of Houser Road and 11 Mile Corner Road. Developer plans mixed-use: 10 acres apartments, 10 acres townhomes, 45 acres single-family, 5 acres self-storage, 10 acres neighborhood shopping center. City committed to paving Houser Road (part of CIP). Developer to realign Houser, install traffic light, lift station. Two-year feasibility period with city repurchase option. Council expressed support; concerns addressed regarding airport influence zone (small portion), dark-sky lighting, and aesthetics. Approved unanimously.
• E. New Job Classifications: Tabled to a later date.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Community Outreach Funding: Approved with amendments totaling $120,470. Specific increases for Ministerial Alliance ($500), AARP reading program ($1,460), and Chamber of Commerce ($7,500). Council directed to prepare separate contracts for reading program and ensure funds are restricted to Eloy city limits. City Manager authorized to sign contracts.
• Ordinance 25-987: Adopted (second motion) with inclusion of “average day demand” language. Roll call vote 5-0 (Vice Mayor excused, Councilmember Schneider absent).
• CAIDD Authorization: Approved $250,000 for replacement well drilling. Roll call vote 5-0.
• Land Sale: Approved purchase and sale agreement. Roll call vote 5-0.
• Next Steps: Budget meetings May 19-20; Planning & Zoning May 21; Memorial Day events May 26-27; DMO discussion for future work session.