Eloy City Council Meeting – September 22, 2025

The Eloy City Council met on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, multiple reports and announcements, a consent agenda, and discussion of several business items. Key topics included a chamber of commerce quarterly report, authorization to pay off $2,343,899.52 in WIFA debt, an update on the General Plan visioning process, and the acceptance of the city manager's resignation (discussed in executive session). The meeting was adjourned temporarily for executive session at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the September 15, 2025 Work Session were approved unanimously.
• Special Event License: Approved a recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for a Series 15 Special Event License to the Eloy Chamber of Commerce for the Eloy Glow event scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Faith Palis (Eloy resident): Expressed concern that the senior center is frequently rented out, forcing seniors to remove decorations (including a Christmas tree). She requested that the center be reserved for seniors only and be open on Fridays. She highlighted that the interior is unwelcoming and asked if alternative revenue sources could be found so seniors can have a permanent space.
• Bill Znuski (5445 West Corral Drive): Complained about the new garbage service provided by Waste Management. His recycle bin was crushed twice in a 16-week period, and it takes a full week to get a replacement. He also criticized the communication process, noting that previously residents could call the company directly but now must go through the city, creating delays.

Mayor and Council Reports

• Mayor's Announcements (Mayor Andrew Sutton): Recapped several community events including the FAI World Cup of Canopy Piloting at Skydive Arizona (USA placed second and third), Fiestas Patrias celebrated by Corazón de Latinos Unidos, the opening of the new hospital, the 9/11 breakfast with first responders, and the Suicide Prevention Walk hosted by the Sparrow Campaign. He also presented a proclamation declaring September 15 – October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month and recognized the contributions of the Latino Familia Initiative and Corazón de Latinos Unidos.
• Council Members' Announcements: Various council members reported attending the 9/11 breakfast, Fiestas Patrias, the Steps of Love suicide awareness walk, and the Coolidge Centennial celebration. Councilmember Garcia mentioned a Cops and Clergy meeting hosted by Chief Bonales.
• City Manager's Announcements (David Malowitz): Announced the Silent Witness event (Tuesday, 6-9 p.m. in Casa Grande), a vaccination drive-through at City Hall (Saturday, 8-10 a.m.), and the start of ball break activities at Troy Thomas Center. He also requested council input on a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission on October 15, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. to kick off the Air Park Master Plan. Council members suggested starting the meeting at 5:00 p.m. instead of 5:30 to allow adequate time.

Reports and Presentations

• Quarterly Report from Eloy Chamber of Commerce (Andrew Rodriguez, Executive Director):

  • Outreach statistics: Social media reach grew from 319,400 (2024) to 359,947 (2025); event attendance increased from 8,570 to 9,048; marketing reach from 22,500 to 23,100; membership from 176 to 205 (now about 215); office contacts from 1,668 to 2,043.
  • The Eloy Historic Museum and Visitor Center received $25,000 in donations; landscaping and lighting are complete. A new "Shop Eloy" section sells branded merchandise.
  • The board voted to rename the Sunland Visitor Center to the Eloy Visitor Center and the Santa Cruz Valley Historic Museum to the Eloy Historic Museum; they requested the city's blessing to change the building signage (costs covered by the chamber).
  • New programs include a Government Affairs Committee (monthly meetings), a Local First business partnership, and continued work with USDA Rural Development and Pinal County tourism.
  • Council discussion: Councilmember Curtis expressed interest in collaborating more on events like Fiestas Patrias. Councilmember Tarango asked about tours for the one-room schoolhouse (hours: Mon/Thu 9-1, Tue/Wed/Fri 9-3). Councilmember Valdaska requested quarterly financial reports with a CPA sign-off; the chamber noted that an audit would cost $15,000–$20,000 but offered to provide a signed CPA review. The chamber also reported that the café tenant's space lacks sewer/water connections limiting kitchen use; council suggested exploring upgrades using rent set-aside funds.

• General Plan Update Visioning Summary (Terry Hogan, Logan Simpson):

  • The 18-month process began in February 2025. To date, over 3,300 people have been engaged, including 251 respondents to an online questionnaire, 56 listening sessions with stakeholders, and 500+ interactions at community drop-in events (e.g., Robson Ranch, Easter Egg Hunt, Fiestas Patrias).
  • A vision statement was drafted: "Eloy is growing with purpose, rooted in history, guided by community pride, focused on improving quality of life for all." Four themed aspirational statements (Purposeful Growth, Prosperous Economy, Balanced Environment, Resilient Infrastructure) were also presented.
  • Next steps: Community Workshop Two on October 18, 2025 (Robson Ranch 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and City Hall at 5:30 p.m.), drafting the future land use map, and a 60-day public review in early 2026. The plan will go to the ballot for ratification in November 2026.
  • Council members commended the process and expressed support for the vision statements.

Discussion Items

• Authorization to Use General Fund Reserves to Pay Off WIFA Debt: City staff presented a proposal to pay off four Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) loans (obligations 910103-09, 92A150-10, 920216-12, and 910164-15) totaling $2,343,899.52. Paying off the debt early will save approximately $180,000 in interest and free up capacity for future water/wastewater infrastructure borrowing. Council members had no questions. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously (7-0).

• Consideration of Acceptance of Resignation of City Manager: The council discussed the resignation of City Manager David Malowitz. After public business, the council voted to convene into executive session (A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(1),(3),(4)) to discuss the resignation process, the recruitment or selection of a new city manager, the appointment of an interim city manager, and negotiation of salary and terms.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• WIFA Debt Payoff: Approved 7-0.
• Chamber Name Change: Councilmembers expressed support for renaming the visitor center and museum to include "Eloy"; no formal vote was taken, but the chamber will proceed with design and request building signage changes.
• General Plan Next Steps: Council endorsed the vision and aspirational statements and encouraged continued community outreach.
• Executive Session: The council entered executive session (starting at approximately 7:00 p.m.) to discuss the city manager's resignation. The meeting was temporarily adjourned for that purpose; no further open session action was taken.