OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Queen Creek Town Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026

Town Council & Commissions — Wednesday, January 21, 2026
BodyQueen Creek, Arizona
SessionTown Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, January 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:54:25

Transcript — Verbatim
1:01

I know I was here till nine last night.

1:07

This meeting is now called to order.

1:08

Maria, would you please call roll?

1:10

Mayor Wheatley.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Vice Mayor Martinow.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Councilmember for the Councilmember Brown.

1:17

I'm here.

1:18

Councilmember McClure.

1:19

Present.

1:20

Councilmember Olifant?

1:21

Here.

1:21

Councilmember Benny.

1:23

Here.

1:24

Mayor, we do have a full quorum.

1:25

Excellent.

1:25

Thank you, Maria.

1:26

The executive session will be handled as the first item on today's agenda.

1:30

We will adjourn from executive session at 6 30 and reconvene for the regular session at that time.

1:35

If any items remain on the executive session agenda after we reconvene for the regular session, they will be handled as the final item on today's agenda.

1:44

Do I have a motion to adjourn to executive session?

1:47

Second.

1:48

We have a motion and the motion by council member Benning, second by Councilmember McClure.

1:54

All those in favor?

1:56

Aye.

1:56

Great.

1:57

We will now attend any opposed.

2:00

Okay.

2:00

We will now adjourn to executive session.

2:27

This meeting is now called the order.

2:29

Maria, would you please call roll?

2:31

Mayor Wheatley.

2:32

Here.

2:32

Vice Mayor Martinell.

2:33

Here.

2:34

Councilmember the Here.

2:36

Councilmember Brown.

2:37

Here.

2:38

Councilmember McClure?

2:39

Here.

2:39

Councilmember Olifant?

2:40

Here.

2:41

Councilmember Benet.

2:42

Present.

2:43

We do have a full quorum.

2:44

Thank you, Maria.

2:45

Would everyone please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance?

3:15

This evening we are recognizing National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

3:20

And if you would please join me in a moment of silence to honor those who have been victim or have been impacted by the devastation of human trafficking.

3:51

Vice Mayor Martinau, would you please read this proclamation for us?

3:55

I will.

3:55

Thank you very much.

3:57

Human trafficking is a global plague that impacts millions of people each year, including tens of thousands of Americans.

4:15

Human trafficking impacts people across all demographics, ages, including teenagers and children.

4:21

The battle against human trafficking includes supporting efforts with schools, churches, nonprofits, law enforcement, and businesses to help prevent human trafficking.

5:00

So there's something very dear to my heart because I see the effects of this in our community.

5:04

And I just want to thank our law enforcement, our team here in Queen Creek, because I know the work that they're doing.

5:08

And I also know the work that many are doing all over the state to eradicate this horrible to mean the most evil thing that's happening on our planet.

5:15

And I just want, especially if teenagers in the room, we want them to know that there are resources and there are places that they can go.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability████████████████████████████████████36%
Public Engagement█████████████████████21%
Procedural███████████11%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Infrastructure█████5%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Human Trafficking Awareness███3%
Education██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Queen Creek Town Council Regular Session – January 21, 2026

The Queen Creek Town Council met on January 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Community Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, committee reports, public comment, approval of consent agendas, a discussion on the sale of $244 million in certificates of participation to fund a water purchase, and final actions on audit reports, impact fees, displaying “In God We Trust,” and appointing a new Vice Mayor. The meeting also included an executive session before and after the regular session.

Ceremonial Matters

  • Proclamation: National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Vice Mayor Martineau read the proclamation, noting the global impact and local efforts. Representatives from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and Not In Our City spoke.
  • Proclamation: National School Choice Week (January 25–31, 2026). Councilmember McClure read the proclamation recognizing educational diversity.

Committee Reports

  • Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee (Jan 13, 2026): Chair David Dopps reported on Santan Youth Football end-of-season (1,600 participants), water strategy presentation, trail system updates, and FY work plan progress including youth sports partnership templates and field allocation recommendations.
  • Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee (Jan 20, 2026): Chair Gabby Chambers reported on the Teen Drive & Movie event (over 100 attendees, positive feedback), plans for the spring QC event with a restructured teen area, and exploration of late-night teen-only programs at the Recreation Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Craig Ibanez (Legato community resident) expressed concern about dead trees and brush in the Queen Creek wash near Power Road, citing flood risk and potential wildfire. He requested mitigation and a forward-looking flood management plan. The Mayor directed staff to follow up.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (motion by McClure, second by Benning) the consent agenda including:
    • Approval of December 17, 2025 meeting minutes.
    • Council committee assignments for 2026.
    • Additional spending authority of $75,000 for Well and Booster Pump maintenance (total $150,000).
    • Annual Report on Dedicated Sales Tax Revenues.
    • Amendment to contract with Arrington Watkins Architects for Police HQ (increase of $691,784, total $5,028,485).
    • Lease agreement with Hughes Fire Equipment for 5,600 sq ft at Public Safety Complex.
    • First renewal of IGA with Town of Gilbert for reclaimed water delivery.
    • Resolution 1660-26 vacating right-of-way on McKenzie Road.
    • Resolution 1657-26 setting election dates for Primary and General Elections.

Public Hearing Consent Agenda

  • Approved unanimously (motion by Brown, second by Martineau) including:
    • New Series 12 Restaurant Liquor License for Queen Creek Olive Mill.
    • New Series 12 Restaurant Liquor License for Valley Taproom Queen Creek.
    • Ordinance 885-26 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Wireless Communications).
    • Ordinance 886-26 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Outdoor Storage in residential zones). No public comments were received.

Discussion Items

  • Results from Sale of Certificates of Participation: Deputy Town Manager/CFO Scott McCarty presented the successful sale of $244 million in Certificates of Participation to fund the purchase of 1.2 million acre-feet of water from Harquahala Valley (a 100-year water supply). Key results: 40-year term, 7 years interest-only, actual interest rate of 4.9% (below the expected 5.0-5.5%), and annual debt service between $11 million (interest-only) and $16 million (principal and interest). The bonds were rated AA (highest possible for this transaction). Major investors included BlackRock, Fidelity, Vanguard. The council praised staff for securing favorable terms and ensuring water security. No vote required.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 1658-26: Approved unanimously (motion by Olifant, second by Brown) to accept the Town’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 financial statements and audit reports. The audit received a clean opinion with no material weaknesses. Outstanding purchase orders of $16.2 million noted. Year-end fund balance of $213 million in various reserves.
  • Resolution 1655-26: Approved unanimously (motion by Brown, second by Benning) to accept the FY 2024-25 Development Impact Fee and Capacity Fee Reports. Collected $23.4 million in combined fees. Single-family impact fee reduced from ~$7,000 to ~$4,000 per the May 2025 update; current total fee $9,795 including capacity fees.
  • Display of “In God We Trust”: The council approved (5-2) a resolution to acknowledge and affirm “In God We Trust” as the national motto and to display it prominently in the Community Chambers in one or more locations. Supporters (Vice Mayor McClure, Councilmembers Martineau, Padilla, Wheatley, Olifant) argued it promotes patriotism and reflects community values. Opponents (Councilmembers Brown and Benny) expressed concerns about inclusivity and priority. The vote was 5-2. Council directed staff to bring location suggestions to agenda briefings.
  • Appointment of Vice Mayor: Mayor Wheatley recommended Councilmember Bryan McClure as Vice Mayor for a term ending January 2027. The council unanimously approved. Outgoing Vice Mayor Leah Martineau was thanked for her service.

Note: The meeting began and ended with executive sessions (not open to the public) to discuss legal matters.

Meeting Transcript

I know I was here till nine last night. This meeting is now called to order. Maria, would you please call roll? Mayor Wheatley. Here. Vice Mayor Martinow. Here. Councilmember for the Councilmember Brown. I'm here. Councilmember McClure. Present. Councilmember Olifant? Here. Councilmember Benny. Here. Mayor, we do have a full quorum. Excellent. Thank you, Maria. The executive session will be handled as the first item on today's agenda. We will adjourn from executive session at 6 30 and reconvene for the regular session at that time. If any items remain on the executive session agenda after we reconvene for the regular session, they will be handled as the final item on today's agenda. Do I have a motion to adjourn to executive session? Second. We have a motion and the motion by council member Benning, second by Councilmember McClure. All those in favor? Aye. Great. We will now attend any opposed. Okay. We will now adjourn to executive session. This meeting is now called the order. Maria, would you please call roll? Mayor Wheatley. Here. Vice Mayor Martinell. Here. Councilmember the Here. Councilmember Brown. Here. Councilmember McClure? Here. Councilmember Olifant? Here. Councilmember Benet. Present. We do have a full quorum. Thank you, Maria. Would everyone please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance? This evening we are recognizing National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. And if you would please join me in a moment of silence to honor those who have been victim or have been impacted by the devastation of human trafficking.

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