Payson Town Council Regular Meeting - October 8, 2025
Payson Town Council Regular Meeting - October 8, 2025
The Payson Town Council met on October 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a proposed personnel policy amendment, a noise ordinance amendment, a fire department report, and extensive public comment on a proposed pool bond.
Consent Calendar
- B.1 – Approval of September 24, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lori Vanover expressed support for a new pool bond, citing the need to invest in a community amenity and noting the Taylor Pool would require millions in repairs.
- Diane Green opposed Resolution No. 3463, arguing that personnel policy changes should involve the Town Council and that allowing the Town Manager to unilaterally abolish positions could lead to abuse.
- Ron Vanover supported building a new pool at the Malibu location, stating the old pool is outdated and a bond would cost homeowners about $90 per year.
- Mike Quinn supported the new pool, presenting a handout on grants and arguing that opposition was political; he claimed $8–14 million in grants could be obtained.
- Michael R. Fox supported the pool bond, criticizing council members who oppose it and urging them to prioritize community needs.
- Jeff Robbins supported the Malibu pool location, emphasizing that the town needed to work together and that the site could also alleviate pressure on Rumsey Park.
- Tom Dunning opposed Resolution No. 3463, calling it a dangerous transfer of power from the elected council to an unelected town manager.
- Calvin Smedley opposed Resolution No. 3463, arguing it would centralize authority and reduce public representation.
- Jana DeForest described damage to her retaining wall from stormwater runoff, asserting the Town was responsible for approving improper drainage modifications; she requested the Town take action.
- Tom Thompson supported installing an airplane display at the Beeline/Airport roundabout, claiming the Town delayed the project; he opposed the pool bond, preferring to refurbish the existing Taylor Pool.
- Lori Anne Martinez promoted the “Lanterns on the Lake” event (October 16) and called for restoration of funding for the Time Out Shelter.
- Darlene Younker Delage opposed the pool bond and Resolution No. 3463.
- Barbara Buntin opposed the pool bond, questioning the motives behind the Malibu location.
- Lori Permenter opposed Resolution No. 3463, warning that shifting authority to the Town Manager would silence the public’s voice.
- Sharon Arnst asked the Council to postpone the vote on Resolution No. 3463 due to public confusion, but also expressed support for the pool as a positive community asset.
Discussion Items
- Resolution No. 3463 – Personnel Manual Amendments: Town Manager Darren Coldwell explained that the current personnel manual required council approval for changes, which conflicts with Arizona’s council-manager form of government. He stated the amendments would allow him to manage personnel (e.g., hiring, firing, policy updates) without council involvement, aligning with state law. Town Attorney Christina Estes-Werther noted the manual was outdated and that council involvement in personnel matters could expose members to legal liability. Council members discussed the separation of powers and the ability to reverse the change if needed. Multiple public speakers opposed the resolution. Council Member Dallin Haws expressed hesitation, citing concerns about transparency and the timing of the change.
- Ordinance No. 972 – Noise Ordinance (Summer Construction Hours): A second public hearing was held. No public comments were received. Chief David Staub noted the amendment brings the town’s noise ordinance into compliance with state law regarding summertime construction hours.
- Fire Department Report – Chief David Staub: Reported on the town’s ISO (Insurance Services Organization) fire protection rating. Payson has maintained a rating of 3 (on a 1–10 scale, 1 being best) for the past decade. The department scored above peer averages in community risk reduction, water supply, and deployment. Chief Staub noted that acquiring a ladder truck (already on order) could improve the rating to 2, which would further lower residents’ insurance costs. He explained that the rating places Payson among the top ~35,000 communities nationwide (out of over 105,000).
Key Outcomes
- Resolution No. 3463 passed by a vote of 5-1 (Council Member Dallin Haws dissenting; Council Member Brett Flaherty absent). The resolution adopts amendments to the personnel manual, giving the Town Manager authority over personnel policies without council approval.
- Ordinance No. 972 was approved unanimously (6-0). The ordinance amends Title XIII, Chapter 130, Section 130.20 to adjust summertime construction hours in line with state law.
- Consent Agenda approved (6-0).
- Introduction of Gregg Martinez as the new Economic Development Director; he addressed the Council briefly.
Meeting Transcript
I call this meeting of the Common Council of the Town of Pays into order October eighth, twenty twenty-five. It's four PM. And uh we're going to have the invocation. As we come before you today to discuss important town manners, we ask for your guidance and your wisdom. The Bible says in Proverbs three, five, and six, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways. If they get wrong, bang them out. Overwhelm. Yeah, always Don, would you give the roll call, please? The record show that all council members are present except for council members. That brings us to agenda agenda item A, call to the public. Now's the time for call to the public, which allows citizens an opportunity to speak on any issue within the legal authority and jurisdiction of the town of Payson. The town must abide by Arizona Open Meeting Law, and this agenda item is the public's opportunity to be heard. I'll just ask everyone to speak. Excuse me. Speak towards the microphone so your statements can be heard. You will address your statements to the council, not to the audience. So if I if I make a mistake and call you up before you want to be here, you need to tell me so. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. Direct staff to review or follow up on the matter, or direct the matter to be put on a future agenda. Purpose of this meeting is to conduct town business. Your courtesy and respect will be appreciated. And I will I will call you to the podium. Please give your name and uh we have you'll have three minutes. So, Lori Vanover. I didn't want to be first. My name is Lori Vanover. Good afternoon, mayor and town council and those in attendance. We have so much more in common with each other as neighbors and members of this community than we do with billionaires and media executives. I want, and I truly believe most of us want leaders like you who are duly elected by this community to work together, to listen to all points of view, even the ones you might not agree with, and to let go of the stuff that we see all the time. Whoops. I won't take three minutes. All right, thank you. On another subject, I'd like to publicly say that I want a pool in this community. It doesn't matter to me if I never use it. I want it for those who will. And I believe that $90 a year or whatever that happens to end up for our taxes and as an increase is warranted. That's my personal opinion. I believe that if we don't pass a bond, we're closing the door to a pool in Payson. And we've spent thousands of dollars on studies. We need to listen to the results of those studies, and we need to get a pool done for this community. My husband and I walked around the Taylor Pool site yesterday. What we saw is a facility that would need millions of dollars to bring it up to code and provide a beautiful safe pool for our community. And there just isn't enough money to do something like that without a bond. So let's get it done. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Diane Green. Good afternoon. Um to the mayor and council.
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