Queen Creek Town Council Regular Meeting – September 16, 2026

The Queen Creek Town Council held a regular meeting on September 16, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Community Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, committee reports, public comment, and a series of final action votes on water and wastewater rate notices of intention. Council also heard a presentation on high-impact transportation projects.

Ceremonial Matters

• Constitution Week was recognized; winners of the Constitution Week Poetry and Art Contest were announced (Brooklyn Jones, Rory Maristica, Holland Maristica, Efe Lee).
• Proclamations declared National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (Sept. 13-19) and Military Families Month.
• Queen Creek's Mayor's Teen Advisory Committee received the Arizona Parks and Recreation Youth Enrichment Award.
• Christabel Eminem was recognized as a Hometown Hero Leader of Tomorrow and a three-year MTAC member.

Committee Reports

• Mayor's Teen Advisory Committee (MTAC) reported on August 11 and September 15 meetings, including plans for Teen Fall Fest on October 17.
• Downtown Arts & Placemaking Committee (DTAP) met September 3; elected new chair and vice chair, reviewed mural proposals for Switch Air Development, and judged Constitution Week contest entries.
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) met September 8; received updates on QC Heat Softball (548 participants, 153 volunteers, 19,000+ hours), water strategy, MTAC work plan, Placer AI data, and park usage report. Six new members were welcomed.
• Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) met September 10; approved minutes, elected new chair and vice chair, and received updates on general plan update, water strategy, CIP, and low-cost high-impact transportation projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comment included one speaker on non-agenda items (concerns about Flock cameras) and multiple speakers on the water rate proposals.

• G. Richie expressed concerns about Flock cameras, citing potential for misuse and abuse.
• Eli Slover (irrigation customer, 30-year resident) stated his annual water bill would rise from $7,700 in year one to nearly $21,000 by year six under the proposed fee, totaling over $83,000 over six years. He questioned why CAGRIT-exempt properties and septic system users (who return water to the aquifer) receive no credit.
• Fernando Vigil (21-year resident, irrigation customer) said the proposed fee would represent about a quarter of his annual salary and argued the town overbuilt without planning for water.
• Wendy Feldman Kerr (civil designer) supported reliable water supply but asked for a customer impact analysis for rural and agricultural large-lot properties, particularly septic and CAGRIT-exempt properties, before adopting the fee.
• Wendy (last name not given) urged council to stop the process and return with a more equitable plan, noting that for her 33-year property the water bill could exceed property taxes.
• Robert Schneider (county island, irrigation customer) said his year-one monthly fees alone would be $440 on a current $300 bill, and by year six his annual bill could reach $100,000, jeopardizing retirement. He warned of a "camel's nose under the tent."
• Lance Coleman (irrigation customer) requested that flood irrigation customers be removed from the water resource fee or that it be postponed until a separate irrigation cost-of-service study is completed. He cited a 445% first-year increase (from $391 to $2,131 per month) and questioned why customers reach full rate in six years while debt repayment spans 40 years.
• Amanda Parker (water-only and irrigation customer) argued the fee structure disproportionately burdens large-lot properties, noting water-only households use 45% more water but receive no wastewater credit, while multifamily developments (e.g., 250+ apartments) receive an 80% credit. She requested that a usage study be made public.
• CJ Og (Orchard Ranch resident) said the fee would destroy the "grandfather clause" water right that allows horse ownership and would end the equine agribusiness community. He objected to the fee not being put to a popular vote.
• Gregory Beers (engineer, 2-acre property) stated his year-six bill could exceed $200,000. He questioned why flood irrigation customers should pay a replenishment fee when the water naturally returns to the aquifer. He said he would shut off irrigation if the fee passed.

Discussion Items

Water and Wastewater Rate Notices of Intention (Items 9A-9F)

Deputy Town Manager Scott McCarty presented a detailed proposal to start the 60-day public hearing process for six rate and fee adjustments:

• New development water capacity fee (one-time, paid by new development)
• New development water resource capacity fee (one-time)
• Adjustment and increase of water rate cost-of-service fees (ongoing)
• New water resource fee (ongoing, based on replenishment, not consumption)
• Increase in wastewater rate cost-of-service fees
• Increase in solid waste rates and fees

Key points from the presentation:

• The water resource fee would be phased in over six years for single-family homes. For combined water/wastewater accounts (average 9,000 gallons), year-one fee would be $16/month (total new bill $16), increasing to $24 in year two. For water-only accounts (average 13,000 gallons), year-one fee would be $40/month ($40 increase), rising to $59 in year two.
• A 40% wastewater credit applies to combined accounts; no credit for septic users.
• The fee is intended to replace the CAGRIT assessments the town has been offsetting for seven years.
• Communication and Marketing Director Constance Hallen and Deputy Finance Director Marcus Steele outlined an online rate calculator (queencreekaz.gov/waterfuture) and a schedule of public meetings and office hours.
• For HOAs and irrigation customers, staff summarized aggregate impacts: HOAs represent 20% of replenishment requirement; net impact after CAGRIT offsets would be $800,000 increase in year one. Flood irrigation customers represent 5% of replenishment; year-one fee cost $1.5 million, with fully phased annual bill over $5 million.

Public comment on the items (summarized above) raised strong concerns about disproportionate impacts on irrigation, large-lot, and CAGRIT-exempt customers.

Utilities Director Mark Skosepik acknowledged the concerns and stated staff is developing alternatives to address irrigation and other equity issues, with details to be presented at the next meeting. Mayor Wheatley and council members affirmed the fee structure is not final and that the 60-day process allows refinement. They committed to studying alternative phasing and structures, particularly for irrigation customers.

The council then voted on each Notice of Intention:

• Item 9A (new development water capacity fee): Approved 7-0.
• Item 9B (new development water resource capacity fee): Approved 7-0.
• Item 9C (water rate cost-of-service fee increase): Approved 7-0.
• Item 9D (new water resource fee): Approved 7-0.
• Item 9E (wastewater rate cost-of-service fee increase): Approved 7-0.
• Item 9F (solid waste rates and fees): Approved 7-0.

Presentation: CIP Update

CIP Director Dave Lapinski provided a brief update on capital projects, including the police department headquarters (full building permit obtained), Power Road project (base pavement complete, slurry seal planned), and ARPA-funded water projects (tanks, mainline water lines).

Discussion and Direction on High-Impact Transportation Projects

Transportation Director Mohammed Yousuf and Deputy Director Julian Driesang presented a list of 20 low-cost high-impact transportation projects (turn lanes, median modifications, short widenings, etc.) totaling about $5 million in programmed funds. A prioritization matrix resulted in four tiers. Staff will request proposals from contractors if council supports the approach. Council expressed strong support for the program, noting its positive impact on daily commutes.

Consent Calendar

• Item 8A: Approved minutes of September 2, 2026 Special and Regular Meetings (unanimous).
• Item 8B: Approved a cost-reimbursable grant from ADEQ ($58,120) and a cooperative contract with Kary Environmental for HHW curbside collection (up to $160,000 annually), with budget adjustment.
• Item 8C: Approved Project Order 04 for Black & Veatch (CIP WW200: Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility) and budget adjustment of $685,905.
• Item 8D: Approved IGA with Maricopa County and Mesa for Sossaman Road and Germann Road Intersection Improvement Project.
• Item 8E: Approved professional services contract with MGT Consulting (up to $150,000 plus $50,000 contingency) to update impact fees.
• Item 8F: Approved Resolution 1679-26 for property acquisition along Rittenhouse Road and Cloud Road for roadway improvements.
• Item 8G: Approved Delegation Resolution #1681-26 for Fleet Maintenance Facility expansion (up to $23,000,000).

Public Hearing Consent Agenda

• Item 10A: Series 6 Bar Liquor License for Kilkenny's Irish Pub (approved unanimously).
• Item 10B: Series 7 Beer & Wine Bar Liquor License for The Sacred Pint (approved unanimously).

Public Hearings

• Item 11A: Public hearing for Case P26-0080 Carder Development Parking Lot Expansion annexation (0.72 acres). This was the first required annexation hearing; no action taken.

Key Outcomes

• All six Notice of Intention resolutions (9A-9F) were approved 7-0, initiating a 60-day public process leading to a November 18, 2026 public hearing on final adoption of the new and increased water, wastewater, and solid waste rates and fees. Council and staff committed to investigating alternatives for irrigation and large-lot customers.
• Consent agenda and public hearing consent agenda items were approved unanimously.
• The council expressed strong support for the High-Impact Transportation Projects program; staff will proceed with requesting proposals.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:50 PM after a brief recess.