Queen Creek Town Council Regular Session – October 15, 2025

The Queen Creek Town Council held a regular session on October 15, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Community Chambers. The meeting included an executive session first, followed by the regular session. Councilmembers McClure, Olifant, Benny, Brown, and Panilla were present; the mayor and vice mayor were absent. The council approved a consent agenda, heard public comments, received reports on the Recreation and Aquatic Center and a multimodal transportation study, and adopted an ordinance on special events permitting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously the following routine items:
  • Minutes of the October 1, 2025 regular session.
  • Reappointments and appointments to the Economic Development Commission and Downtown Arts & Placemaking Advisory Committee.
  • Budget adjustments and accounting entries for interfund loan payoffs and debt service.
  • Transfers of $35,134,160 from CIP new projects to the CIP Contingency Fund.
  • Expenditures over $75,000: additional $50,000 for Brinc Drones UAV system (total $450,000); additional $167,000 for Carahsoft LVT trailers (total $221,250).
  • Professional services contracts: $500,132 for Comprehensive General Plan Update; $133,237 for hydrological support at Sierra Vista Well.
  • Intergovernmental Agreement with Pinal County for Safety Roadeo.
  • Telecommunications licenses and conduit occupancy agreements with Cox, Google Fiber, and Crown Castle.
  • Resolution 1648-25 adopting an Artificial Intelligence Policy effective November 14, 2025.
  • Amendment to Ordinance 874-25 to correct exhibits.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Noah James Markham (Tempe resident) requested that the city provide sign language interpreters at all events, install T-coil systems in council chambers and auditoriums, and expressed opposition to any ICE agreement involving Mesa Gateway Airport. He also urged police to enforce speeding limits and consider speed cameras.
• Assistant Town Manager Shea Yocham reported on the town’s response to the weekend storms, praising the public works, utilities, police, and fire departments for preparation and coordinated efforts that minimized disruptions and reopened roads by Monday morning.

Discussion Items

Recreation and Aquatic Center Report

• Parks and Recreation Director Adam Robinson presented a six-month update on the Recreation and Aquatic Center, which opened March 29, 2025. Key statistics:
  • Over 32,000 day passes sold; nearly 9,000 total members (including family members); 3,000 memberships purchased.
  • Peak attendance day: 542 visitors (68% of pool capacity); average summer attendance ~50% capacity.
  • Weekly visitors peaked at 1,700 initially, now normalized to 3,500–3,900.
  • Revenue for first six months: over $1.1 million (33% from annual passes).
  • Successes included senior fitness classes, river walk aqua fitness (peak 85 participants), sold-out culinary classes, youth and adult sports leagues, and strong lifeguard retention.
  • Challenges: HVAC system (now fully commissioned), roof leaks (forensic roofing specialist hired), gym floor replacement needed (8–9 weeks at no cost under warranty), and lack of programming for ages 9–12. Recommendations included a pre‑teen room, extended hours for family swim on Friday evenings and weekends, and additional swim lessons and aqua fitness classes.
• Council members praised the facility and discussed minor adjustments; no action taken.

Superstition Vista Multimodal Transportation Planning Study

• Hannah Quincy (MAG project manager) presented a study covering 287 square miles in southeastern MAG region, including Queen Creek. The study forecasts 70% population growth and 152% employment growth by 2050. Recommended networks include 136 new/widened roadway projects, 34 intersection improvements, 12 freeway projects (including SR 24 conversion to full freeway), 199 non-motorized projects (multi-use paths, bike lanes), and potential fixed-route transit extensions. Projects are sourced from local CIPs and MAG plans; funding for many projects is not yet programmed. The study is expected to go to MAG policy committees for acceptance in the coming months.
• Councilmember Brown asked about design details (e.g., lane counts); Quincy explained the study identifies needs but not specific cross-sections. Councilmember Benning noted the lack of a dedicated funding mechanism.

Final Action: Ordinance 876-25 – Special Events

• Police Chief Bryce presented proposed amendments to the town code adding Chapter 19 (Special Events) and amending Chapter 9. The ordinance defines a special event as an intermittent gathering (<4 consecutive days) inconsistent with zoning, and sets six criteria that may require a permit: (1) use of town property, (2) deviation from permitted use, (3) impact on public safety, (4) use of fireworks/pyrotechnics, (5) amplified sound, (6) state liquor license required. Permit applications will be reviewed by a committee; standard submission is 60 days in advance (block parties: 14 calendar days; tournaments: 30 days). Denial criteria include resource constraints, false information, or public safety risks. Violations are civil offenses, with possible escalation to misdemeanor for continued noncompliance after warning. The ordinance includes an appeals process to the town manager. Chief Bryce emphasized that the goal is to facilitate safe events, not to restrict them.
• Discussion: Councilmember Padilla expressed concerns about the amplified sound criterion, arguing it was too vague and could apply to common backyard gatherings. He noted that existing noise ordinance already handles complaints (1,600 complaints, only 30 tickets) and suggested removing that section. Councilmember McClure supported the ordinance, citing examples of large unpermitted events that required extensive police resources (e.g., a party of ~1,000 juveniles with 22 officers deployed for four hours). Councilmember Brown moved to approve the ordinance as posted with a commitment to review in six months.
• Vote: Motion passed 4‑1 (Councilmember Padilla opposed). The ordinance will become effective November 14, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda and public hearing consent item (Circle K liquor license) approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 876-25 (Special Events) adopted on a 4‑1 vote.
• Recreation and Aquatic Center report and transportation study were for discussion only; no action taken.
• The council returned to conclude executive session business before adjournment.