Regular Town Council Meeting – October 14, 2025

The Gilbert Town Council convened on October 14, 2025, for a regular meeting that included proclamations, a detailed presentation on utility billing concerns, two public hearings on zoning changes, and extensive public comment. The meeting was marked by significant resident frustration over recent water rate increases and billing issues, as well as opposition to an American Legion parking-impacting road project.

Proclamations

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month – October 2025 was proclaimed by Councilmember Bongiolani. Keith Bradshaw reported 1,942 domestic violence calls in Gilbert over the past year and highlighted the upcoming awareness event on October 23, 2025.
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Vice Mayor Buckley read the proclamation; speakers included a cancer patient and an oncologist.
• Community Planning Month – Councilmember Lyons recognized the town's planning team and read the proclamation.

Water Utility Presentation & Council Discussion

Jessica Marlowe, Public Works Director, presented on high water bills, citing: (1) cumulative rate increases – 50% in 2024, 25% in April 2025, sewer +$30/month; (2) replacement of 3,400 meters in 2025 (0.4% warranty issues); (3) unpaid balances from auto-pay gaps; (4) summer usage and undetected leaks. She announced: a third-party audit of the AMI radio/meter system with public results; expanded customer support; extension of the late‑fee/disconnect grace period until audit completion; and future listening sessions. Councilmember Torgeson criticized former mayor Peterson for misstatements and defended the council's decisions on rate increases. Councilmember Bongiolani shared his own billing spike (from $180 to $850) caused by a broken meter and multiple leaks, and urged proactive leak alerts using the new AMI system.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4 through 30 were approved 7–0, including: a police command van ($1M), street striping contract, Freestone Rec Center flooring, and a utility billing portal grace period extension.

Public Comments & Testimony

Speakers addressed several topics:

• Water Bills – Dozens of residents described bills spiking to unsustainable levels (e.g., $152 for a single person, 75,000 gallons on a small lot). Many reported unresponsive customer service, faulty meters, and lack of historical billing data. The town was urged to pause further increases and provide immediate hardship relief.
• American Legion Post – Several members (Frank, Red Thomas, Herman Clock) opposed a planned road that would remove 10 public parking spaces critical to the Legion’s operations, warning it would effectively close the post.
• Ethics & Transparency – Maureen Hoppe alleged widespread corruption, conspiracy to withhold records, and retaliation by town officials. Another speaker questioned IT leadership and record retention.
• Other – A reporter requested interviews with the mayor; a resident raised a police records deletion issue concerning her daughter’s assault case.

Discussion Items

• General Plan GP24-08 / Zoning Z24-20 – Santan Mixed-Use – Developer presented a 357-unit apartment complex with 35,000 sq ft of ground-floor office/retail (increased from 16,000 sq ft after council feedback). Staff opposed due to insufficient commercial (7.5% vs. 20% required), but Planning Commission and Chamber of Commerce supported. Council approved 5–2.
• General Plan GP25-01 / Zoning Z25-02 – Willowbrook Rezoning – Request to rezone 26.4 acres to SF‑6 with deviations, adding 91 single‑family homes. Traffic concerns dominated: current 13-minute left‑turn waits, future signal warrants not met. Town engineer recommended vegetation clearing, a downstream U‑turn, and signal timing adjustments. Residents reported 11‑minute waits. Council approved 5–2 with conditions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda passed 7–0.
• Santan mixed‑use rezone approved (5–2).
• Willowbrook rezone approved (5–2).
• Town will conduct an independent audit of meters and AMI radios; no late fees or disconnects until audit completion.
• Future listening sessions on utility billing will be scheduled within 30–60 days.
• Item 38A (appointment to self‑insured trust board) postponed to October 28, 2025.