Eloy City Council Meeting – March 9, 2026

The Eloy City Council met on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (the agenda listed 5:00 p.m., but the transcript indicated a 6:00 p.m. start) in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, a quarterly financial update, the approval of a consent agenda, a status update on the General Plan, and the unanimous approval of an employment contract for Mackenzie Letcher as the new City Manager. The meeting adjourned after an executive session was listed but not discussed publicly.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:
  • Approval of minutes from the January 26, 2026, and February 9, 2026, work sessions.
  • Adoption of Resolution No. 26-1649 authorizing street name changes to twenty street segments in various Toltec subdivisions.
  • Consideration and ratification of Exhibit A to the First Amendment of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Pinal County for continued participation in the Regional SWAT Team.
  • Approval of Case No. PP2024-002: Daybreak Industrial – an 8-lot subdivision on approximately 118.63 acres with General Industrial (I-2) zoning.
  • Adoption of Resolution No. 26-1650, Ordinance No. 26-999, and Resolution No. 26-1651 for the TES Eloy major General Plan Amendment and Rezone (338 acres at the northeast corner of West Battaglia Road and West Frontier Street) from Single-Family Residential (R1-12) to Mixed Use (MU) and Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) with a Planned Area Development Overlay (PAD).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sayyidina (Eloy resident): Complained about the conduct of City Attorney Mr. Cooper and Community Development Director Daniel Seimer regarding a nuisance abatement case on his property. He alleged that the city obtained a court order to remove nuisances (abandoned cars, dead horses, etc.) but that no such nuisances existed when enforcement arrived. He claimed that the removal crew moved his property (benches, fencing, light poles, fountains) and hired a beekeeper who killed his honeybees and sprayed chemicals, harming his children and animals. He stated that he would post details online.
• Brent Grizzell (representing Matera LLC, Riverside): Expressed support for the city continuing to explore bond financing mechanisms (revitalization districts, CFDs) to fund infrastructure (sewer, water, streets) for large developments, including his company's 835-acre property at Sunshine and Battaglia. He noted that such financing would make it easier for home builders to develop in Eloy.
• Lenora Ruby (Eloy resident, Robson Ranch): Expressed concern about the Free Point project, citing her experience as a former school principal in Tacoma, Washington, where a chemical plant deposited sulfuric acid particulates and lead into the soil of nearby schools and neighborhoods. She urged the council to closely examine Free Point's particulate measurement practices, noting that the EPA has charged the company previously.

Discussion Items

• General Plan Update – Status Update and Public Review Period: Dan Symer, AICP, Community Development Director, and Ryan Stevenson of Logan Simpson presented the final phase of the General Plan update. The 60-day public review period began March 9, 2026, and will run through May 3, 2026. Key engagement statistics: 7,500 community engagements, 306 virtual questionnaire responses, 3,500 web page views, 2,300 unique subscribers, and 6 community workshops with 159 participants. The plan is organized around four themes: purposeful growth, prosperous economy, balanced environment, and resilient infrastructure. A mobile immersion lab (immersive virtual experience) will be held on March 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at City Hall. The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a hearing on May 20, 2026, the council will consider adoption on June 22, 2026, and the plan will go to the November 2026 ballot for voter approval. Council members discussed outreach methods (physical copies, water bill inserts, school district collaboration) and noted that 40% of participants self-identified as Hispanic, reflecting diverse input.
• Approval of Employment Contract for Mackenzie Letcher as City Manager: City Attorney Mr. Cooper presented the contract terms: an open-ended contract with a $177,210 annual salary (midpoint of city manager salary chart), a $7,200/year car allowance, a phone and technology allowance, continuing education benefits (ICMA membership and travel), annual performance reviews, and a nine-month severance if the council terminates without cause. The council read a letter of recommendation from David Malwitz, former Eloy Assistant City Manager (now in Pasadena, California). Council members expressed strong support, citing Letcher's professionalism, relationship-building skills, and vision. Letcher accepted the position, thanking his family (parents, wife Stephanie, mother-in-law Sandra) and the council for the opportunity. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda, including street name changes, the SWAT team IGA, the Daybreak Industrial subdivision, and the TES Eloy General Plan Amendment/Rezone, was approved by a 7-0 vote.
• The General Plan update will enter its 60-day public review period (through May 3, 2026), with a mobile immersion lab on March 26, 2026, and a council adoption hearing scheduled for June 22, 2026.
• The council unanimously approved the employment contract for Mackenzie Letcher as City Manager, effective immediately. Mr. Letcher will serve as City Manager with the terms discussed.
• The council directed staff to bring forward the Code of Ethics resolution (passed in 2021) for all elected officials to review and sign, especially with upcoming elections.