Gilbert Town Council Regular Meeting – April 8, 2026

The Gilbert Town Council held a regular meeting that began on April 7, 2026, and continued into the early hours of April 8, 2026. The meeting included volunteer recognition, proclamations, a comprehensive water meter audit presentation, public comments, consent calendar approvals, and public hearings on three major zoning items. Key actions included approval of the revised Harvest Grove development (4–3), postponement of the Higley & Octoo Retail Center rezoning, and approval of the Tuscany at Gabriella Point PAD amendment (4–3).

Consent Calendar

• Items 8–22, 24–33 were approved unanimously (7–0). Notables include: Item 8 (IGA with Maricopa County for traffic permit fee waiver), Item 10 (cooperative purchase with Carrier Environmental Services for decontamination), Item 12 (purchase of Granular Activated Carbon media for water treatment, up to $10 million), Item 15 (cathodic protection system replacement on 48-inch raw water pipeline, total agreements ~$5 million), Item 19 (Sound Bites Music Festival contracts: $90,000 for BT Touring and $30,000 for Spin Doctors – discussed with councilmember Torgeson suggesting partnering with outside promoters), Item 22 (traffic signal at American Heroes Way and Gilbert Road), and Item 32 (authorization to advertise for sale of 18.9 acres of surplus property).
• Item 23 (change order with TY Lynn International for Vaughn Ventilator CIP) was approved 6–0 with one recusal (Councilmember Buckley).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barbara Coleman (Gilbert resident) criticized the council’s handling of utility rates and infrastructure, stating the town neglected proper planning and called the approach “disgraceful.” She expressed frustration that residents feel unable to fight city hall.
• Maureen Hoppy (Gilbert resident) alleged that some council members have unpaid personal debts – specifically referencing Councilmember Buckley’s credit card lawsuit and Councilmember Torgeson’s unpaid property taxes – and accused them of hypocrisy while raising fees on residents.
• Noah Markham (Gilbert resident) supported various topics including extending light rail, supporting ICE agreement, celebrating Black History and Women’s History months, and advocating for more diversity in police force.
• Mindy Brocker (Gilbert resident) accused Vice Mayor Bon Giovanni of harassing residents who question the council, called for transparency, and alleged he demanded citizens ask campaign questions from the dais. She requested the council remind him that campaigning from the dais is illegal.
• Additional speakers on the Harvest Grove project (see Discussion Items) and water concerns were heard.

Presentations & Proclamations

• 2026 MVP Volunteer Recognition – Awards presented for town values: Driven (Ashley Maddox), Kind (Jordan Woodworth), Bold (Sherry Daydlow), Humble (Brandon Lettner), Youth (Shila Abreau), and Group (American Legion Post 39).
• Special Recognition – Assistant Town Manager Mary Goodman honored for 13 years of service; remarks praising her leadership.
• Proclamations – April 2026 proclaimed Fair Housing Month; April 24, 2026 proclaimed Arbor Day; April proclaimed Bike Gilbert Month.
• Sister Cities Update – Elaine Kessler, President of Gilbert Sister Cities, reported on cultural exchanges, youth ambassador program, and scholarship initiatives.
• Water Meter Audit Presentation – Tyler Kaye and Paige Helfenstein (Kimley Horn) presented results: 97.1% of 93,000 accounts accurate; 2.9% had anomalies (overbilling average $125, underbilling average $110 per account over six years). Key findings: no systemic issues, multiplier configuration errors affected 506 residential accounts; physical meter testing showed meters failing due to age, not manufacturing defects. Recommendations: implement automated multiplier health checks, system flags for billing code mismatches, continue meter replacement program. Staff (Finance Director Hawken Hanson) acknowledged findings and committed to reviewing each affected account, issuing credits/refunds, and strengthening processes.

Discussion Items

• Harvest Grove (GP2503 / Z2503) – A 311-acre mixed-use development at Germann and Higley. Applicant (Lennar) revised plan after previous denial (January 20, 2026). Changes: reduced units from 1,676 to 1,106; removed all multifamily; replaced with single-family attached/detached homes and 33 acres of commercial (including a Fry’s grocery). Density in Santan Character Area lowered to 3.15 dwelling units per acre (below target 3.5). Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Public comments: 31 emails in support, 69 opposed; speakers raised concerns about traffic, density, property values, and compatibility; supporters cited need for workforce housing and economic benefits. Council discussion centered on whether the changes were sufficient, with Councilmember Torgeson (who moved reconsideration) stating he believed the removal of apartments deserved evaluation. Councilmember Bucklin and Koprowski supported, citing need for young families and housing diversity. Vice Mayor Bon Giovanni and Councilmember Lyons opposed, arguing the land should be used for revenue-generating commercial/employment uses. Vote 4–3 to approve the General Plan amendment and rezone (ordinance 2981).

• Higley & Octoo Retail Center (Z2513) – Request to rezone 16.14 acres from Shopping Center (SC) to General Commercial (GC) to allow a single tenant (Target) of ~128,000 sq ft (exceeds SC 75,000 sq ft cap). Applicant (Simon CRE) proposed two deviations: reduced parking lot landscape islands from every 8 spaces to every 12 in the online order pickup area, and a 25-foot southern landscape setback (instead of 40 ft) behind an 8-foot wall. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Public comments: 54 emails opposed, 14 in support; residents cited traffic concerns, scale, parking reduction (77 spaces), and lack of compatibility. Architect Chad Brosman argued no Target in Arizona sits on under 20 acres and the project is a forced fit. Councilmembers Bucklin, Bon Giovanni, and Torgeson expressed concerns about fit, parking, and truck access. Council voted unanimously to postpone the item for two weeks to allow staff to address specific questions raised (traffic, parking, semi-truck use of Wilson Way).

• Tuscany at Gabriella Point PAD Amendment (Z2519) – Amendment to reduce common open space from 43% to 40% on ~19.5 acres of multifamily-medium development to allow extended private yards for ground-floor units with view fencing (80% solid screening replaced by 3-foot landscape buffer). Staff noted no public opposition; Planning Commission recommended approval. Councilmember Bucklin supported, noting the fencing enhances privacy and safety. Councilmember Lyons agreed it was minimal and improves aesthetics. Vice Mayor Bon Giovanni and Councilmembers Torgeson and Buckley dissented, citing previous denial and “too many do-overs.” Vote 4–3 to approve.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar (items 8–33) approved with item 23 approved (recusal).
• Harvest Grove General Plan Amendment and Rezone approved (4–3).
• Higley & Octoo Retail Center rezoning postponed to April 21, 2026.
• Tuscany at Gabriella Point PAD Amendment approved (4–3).
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report accepted; 34th consecutive certificate of achievement; clean audit opinion.
• Proclamations and recognitions adopted.
• Meeting adjourned just after 1:27 AM on April 8, 2026.

Note: The meeting was called to order on April 7, 2026, but the transcript timestamp indicates the meeting concluded after midnight; the provided instruction states the meeting date is April 8, 2026.