[00:00:02]
I HAD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 21ST, 2024.
WILL Y'ALL JOIN ME WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION, MY PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STANDS? ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
[1. ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK]
THANK YOU, MAYOR.[a. New Employee Introductions]
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.WE HAVE OUR FIRST SET OF PRESENTATIONS.
IT'S GONNA BE, UH, RENEE WEATHERLY, OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, INTRODUCING TWO NEW EMPLOYEES.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
UM, I HAVE THE PLEASURE TONIGHT TO INTRODUCE FIRST TWO, SEAN PIERCE.
SEAN HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING IN GRANTS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
DURING HIS CAREER, HE SUPPORTED NONPROFITS AS WELL AS MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.
WITH GRANTS MANAGEMENT, SEAN HAS FOCUSED HIS CAREER ON PROVIDING DIRECTION TO MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF GRANT FUNDING.
AND IN HIS NEW ROLE HERE AT AVONDALE AS OUR GRANTS COORDINATOR, HE'S EXCITED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS, TO INTEGRATE GRANTS INTO THEIR FUNDING PORTFOLIO, AND ALSO TO BUILD STRONGER CONNECTIONS WITH DEPARTMENTS AND CONTINUE TO ENHANCE OUR INTERNAL STRUCTURE OUTSIDE OF WORK.
SEAN ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY AND HIS DOG SUSHI.
AND NEXT I HAVE, UM, THE PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE, UH, LAURA ROBINSON.
LAURA ROBINSON IS OUR NEW PROCUREMENT OFFICER.
SHE STARTED WITH THE CITY IN SEPTEMBER 16TH.
LAURA COMES FROM MARICOPA COUNTY JUDICIAL BRANCH, WHERE SHE WORKED FOR 12 YEARS IN PROCUREMENT, HANDLING COMMODITIES AND SERVICES AND IT PROCUREMENT.
PRIOR TO THAT, LAURA WORKED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR DOING PROCUREMENT AND STEEL MANUFACTURING.
LAURA HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FROM A SU AND HER FAVORITE HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR IS HALLOWEEN.
WELCOME, IF YOU DON'T MIND, UH, SEAN, AND, UH, SORRY, SEAN AND LAURA, UH, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME COMMENTS, UM, HOW HAS IT BEEN SO FAR WORKING FOR THE CITY OF AVONDALE? ANYTHING TO THAT EFFECT? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR IT.
WELL, GOOD EVENING, UH, SO FAR I LOVE IT.
I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE IS REALLY NICE.
I, I ENJOY WORKING WITH EVERYBODY.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKE AN IMPACT.
UM, I LOVE WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY, SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY DEAR TO ME DOING PROCUREMENT AND, AND MAKING A CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THAT FOR AVONDALE.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
HOW DO I FOLLOW THAT, RIGHT? I MEAN, AS A PUBLIC SERVANT, IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO REALLY HELP IN ALL ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO IN REALLY MAKING THOSE CONNECTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING THE, THE CITY AS WELL AS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER AS WE, UH, REALLY DO SPEND OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY TO MAKE THAT BETTER.
AND THANKS FOR CHOOSING AVONDALE.
[b. Exceptional Student of Avondale Recognition (Avi Star Student)]
NEXT.WE HAVE A PRESENTATION BY MARYELLA GONZALES, OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR WITH NEIGHBORHOOD AND FAMILY SERVICES, MAKING ONE OF OUR, UH, MOST FAVORITE PRESENTATIONS OF OUR AEY STAR STUDENTS.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TONIGHT.
I AM THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR, ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
AND I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE OCTOBER EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT OF AVONDALE NOMINATIONS.
THIS IS A FUN AND WONDERFUL INITIATIVE TO RECOGNIZE THE AMAZING THINGS THAT OUR STUDENTS WERE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I'M ALSO HONORED TO BE PRESENTING THESE RECOGNITIONS ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATORS, PRINCIPALS, AND THE EDUCATORS FROM EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE ACHIEVEMENTS BEING RECOGNIZED MAY BE ACADEMIC, EXTRACURRICULAR, OR PERSONAL, AND HIGHLIGHT THE IMPACT THAT THE STUDENT HAS MADE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND THE COMMUNITY.
AND I ALSO WANNA GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE FAMILIES WHO ARE HERE TODAY WHO ARE SUPPORTING EACH AND EVERY ONE
[00:05:01]
OF THESE STUDENTS AS WELL.AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE WALK UP TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD RIGHT OVER HERE AND THEN STAY STANDING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE PRESENTATION.
AND FIRST UP, FROM AGUA HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE HAVE MARLEY MARFO.
HE ATTENDS RIA HIGH SCHOOL, AND MARLEY IS BEING RECOGNIZED AS HE DEMONSTRATES EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION TO HIS SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.
MARLEY IS A LEADER AMONGST J-R-O-T-C CADETS AND HAS HELD SEVERAL LEADERSHIP ROLES SUCH AS FLIGHT COMMANDER, COLOR GUARD COMMANDER, DRILL TEAM TRAINER, AND IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE PROGRAM'S SENIOR LEADERSHIP.
IN THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, MARLEY HAS VOLUNTEERED AND LED OVER 80 EVENTS ACCUMULATING OVER 100 COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.
SINCE JOINING ROTC, MARLEY EARNED THE OUTSTANDING CADET RIBBON AND THE NATIONAL SOJOURNER AWARD FOR HIS HIGH SCHOOL MORALE, HIGH MORALE, CHARACTER, AND LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL.
HE HAS PARTICIPATED AND LED COLOR GUARD TEAM IN DRILL COMPETITION AND HAS PLACED EVERY TIME HE CONSISTENTLY EXCELS IN COMPETITIONS WITH THE COLOR GUARD TEAM AND MAINTAINS A 3.75 GPA WHILE BALANCING ACADEMICS AND EXTRACURRICULARS.
UP NEXT FROM OUR AVONDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS RICHARD GONZALEZ.
RICHARD GONZALEZ IS IN THE SEVENTH GRADE AND ATTENDS AVONDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
RICHARD GONZALEZ IS AN OUTSTANDING STUDENT KNOWN FOR HIS CONSISTENT ACADEMIC EFFORT AND EXCELLENCE ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS.
HE ACTIVELY SEEKS FEEDBACK AND IS ALWAYS WILLING TO ASSIST OTHERS.
HE ACHIEVED A PERFECT SCORE ON HIS MATH, A A SA ASSESSMENT AND DEMONSTRATED HIGH PROFICIENCY IN ELA.
RICHARD IS INVOLVED IN MULTIPLE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY AND STUDENT COUNCIL.
RICHARD IS KIND, SUPPORTIVE AND PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
TEACHERS COMMEND HIS HARD WORK, RESILIENCE IN CHALLENGING SITUATIONS AND RESPECTFUL INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS.
HIGHLIGHTING HIM IS AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT AT AVONDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
MS. MARCO ANDERSON STATED, RICHARD IS A VERY KIND AND RESPECTFUL STUDENT WHO STRIVES TO DO THE VERY BEST IN EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES.
NOT ONLY WITH HIS GRADES, BUT ALSO WITH HIS INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER STUDENTS AND STAFF.
HE IS TRULY AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT.
UP NEXT FROM OUR LITCHFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS MIA MORENO.
MIA IS IN THE THIRD GRADE AND ATTENDS COR SIERRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
MIA IS AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT WHO COMES TO CLASS WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK AND AN OPEN MIND.
SHE IS IN THE TRADITIONAL ACADEMY CLASS AT CORTES SIERRA ELEMENTARY, AND HER LOVE FOR LEARNING IS EVIDENT IN THE CLASSROOM.
MIA AIMS FOR SUCCESS IN ALL SHE DOES.
MIA IS INVOLVED IN TWO CLUB SPORTS AFTER SCHOOL AND STILL MAINTAINS HER STRAIGHT A'S.
SHE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT, AND MS. HILLMAN IS VERY PROUD OF HER.
UP NEXT FROM OUR PENDERGAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS JACOB BEIT ALONSO.
JACOB IS IN THE EIGHTH GRADE AND ATTENDS RIO VISTA ELEMENTARY.
JACOB IS AN EXEMPLARY LEADER BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.
HE COLLABORATES WELL WITH PEERS AND TEACHERS ADVOCATES FOR FRIENDS IN NEED AND ASSIST CLASSMATES WITH THEIR WORK OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.
HE IS INVOLVED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES SERVING AS THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, PARTICIPATING IN THE YMCA TUTORING YOUNGER STUDENTS, AND REPRESENTING RIO VISTA ON THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT COUNCIL.
DESPITE HIS BUSY SCHEDULE, HE MAINTAINS GOOD GRADES AND ATTENDS ADDITIONAL MATH CLASSES AT A SU.
WE ARE PROUD OF JACOB'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS FUTURE SUCCESSES.
AND FROM SUN VALLEY ACADEMY, WE HAVE DAVIAN DE SANTIAGO.
DAVIAN IS IN THE EIGHTH GRADE.
DAVIAN IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO HER ACADEMICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND FRIENDSHIPS.
AS A LEADER IN THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY, SHE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN SERVING FOOD TO THE HOMELESS AND SUPPORTS ANIMAL SHELTERS.
DAVIAN IS A STRAIGHT A STUDENT.
SHE EXCELS IN EVERY ASSESSMENT AND ASSIGNMENT.
DAVIAN IS A WELL-ROUNDED YOUNG WOMAN, AND THE STAFF IS VERY EXCITED TO WITNESS HER CONTINUED SU SUCCESS THROUGHOUT LIFE.
[00:10:01]
IT FOR DAVIAN.THAT CONCLUDES THE FIVE NOMINEES WE HAD FOR THIS YEAR.
SO THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THE FAMILIES WHO ARE HERE IN THIS ROOM SHOWING SUPPORT FOR THESE FIVE AMAZING INDIVIDUALS.
I KNOW YOUR FAMILIES ARE PROUD OF YOU, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU GUYS KEEP CONTINUING THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO.
NOW, I BELIEVE WE'RE GONNA TAKE A PHOTO WITH, UH, THE STUDENTS, BUT BEFORE WE DO, UH, I'D LIKE TO HEAR IF WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.
BUT, UM, I WILL START BY SHARING THAT I'M, IT'S JUST GREAT TO SEE SO MANY PARENTS INVOLVED WITH THEIR STUDENTS AND, UM, MAKES ME, AFTER LISTENING TO ALL OF THE SERVICES BEING PROVIDED BY ALL OF THESE STUDENTS, MAKES ME QUESTION IF I'M DOING ENOUGH
I SAY THIS ALL THE TIME WHEN WE GO THROUGH THIS AWARD CEREMONY THAT STUDENTS AND ESPECIALLY THE STUDENTS HERE BEING HONORED TONIGHT, UH, TYPICALLY DON'T DO THIS FOR THE AWARDS.
AND IT'S JUST GREAT TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESS, UM, BECAUSE IT'S, I BELIEVE IT'S JUST INTRINSIC.
I HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU HERE SITTING ALONG THIS DAY SERVING YOUR COMMUNITIES OR THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH YOU LIVE.
AND SO CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HARD WORK.
ARE THERE OTHER, ANY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL THAT WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OR ASK? ANY QUESTIONS? I WOULD LIKE TO NO.
GUYS, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR, YOUR PARENTS FOR BEING HERE.
AND YOU GUYS ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB.
UM, THE CITY IS, UH, COUNTING ON YOU GUYS TO BE UP HERE AND BE GREAT LEADERS.
SO AT THIS TIME, COUNCILORS LIKE TO JOIN ME DOWN AT THE FLOOR.
WE CAN TAKE A PICTURE WITH, UH, WITH THE STUDENTS PARENTS.
YOU CAN COME FORWARD AND GET PICTURES IF YOU WANNA GET A LITTLE CLOSER AND GET A PICTURE OF THE GROUPS.
I, YOU SEE ALL OF ME? AND THEN CAN I HAVE YOU GUYS OPEN YOUR CERTIFICATES? PROUD.
AND THEN I'LL HAVE YOU GO AHEAD AND JUST HOLD THAT TOP PART.
[00:15:40]
OKAY.[3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES]
UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES.MARCELLA, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A BLUE CARD, SO AT THIS TIME WE CAN CALL NATASHA EDMONDS UP TO THE PODIUM.
AND TO CONFIRM WE ONLY HAVE ONE REQUEST TO SPEAK FOR TONIGHT.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE RECORD.
MY NAME IS NATASHA EDMONDS AND I AM HONORED TO BE SPEAKING AS THE FOURTH CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE IN THE 2024 PRIMARY ELECTIONS WHERE I RECEIVED 3,374 VOTES.
AND I WILL CONTINUE, UH, FOR MY RUN IN 2026 ELECTION.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANNA EXTEND MY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR MIKE NITA.
I AM REALLY EXCITED TO SEE, UH, THE POSITIVE CHANGES THAT YOU ARE GONNA HAVE WITHIN OUR CITY.
I ALSO WANNA CONGRATULATE COUNCIL MEMBER GLORIA SOLORIO AND NEWLY SWORN JEANETTE GARCIA AND SHERRY WISE ON THEIR SUCCESSFUL RUN.
NOW THAT YOU ARE SEATED IN THIS IMPORTANT ROLE, I BELIEVE YOU ALL CAN TRULY REPRESENT AND SERVE ALL OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS NO MATTER WHAT PARTY THEY REPRESENT.
LET'S STRIVE TO DO BETTER FOR EVERYONE IN AVONDALE, AND I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST IN YOUR LEADERSHIP MOVING FORWARD.
MARCELLA, I APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION LAST WEEK.
HOWEVER, I MUST SHARE MY DISAPPOINTMENT REGARDING THE UNIQUE OPTION SHARED IN THE PROCESS.
CHOOSING, UH, TO FILL THE RECENT COUNCIL MEMBER SEAT AS HIGHLIGHTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE, THERE SIMPLY WASN'T ENOUGH TIME GIVEN FOR THIS CRUCIAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.
IT'S ESSENTIAL TO FULLY CONSIDER ALL OPTIONS AND ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE TIME TO EVALUATE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.
ADVOCATING FOR ONESELF CAN BE NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE RECOGNIZE THAT NOT EVERY VOICE IS HEARD AUTOMATICALLY.
THEREFORE, I MUST ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF.
I OWE IT TO THE 3,374 PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR ME.
I BELIEVE THAT KEY LEADERS IN OUR CITY SHOULD HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILL A COUNCIL MEMBER VACANCY UTILIZING THE, UH, NOTICE OF INTEREST PERIOD.
THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT WE TAP INTO DIVERSE TALENTS AND PERSPECTIVES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR CITY DESERVES A COUNCIL THAT LISTENS TO AND FULLY CONSIDERS ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING ME, UM, TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
I APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL IN THE FUTURE.
UM, ITEMS NUMBER FOUR, CONSENT AGENDA.
[4. CONSENT AGENDA]
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, SORRY, WHO WISH TO HAVE ANY ITEM REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION? SEE NONE.UH, ACTUALLY WE HAD A MOTION FROM, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER SOLORIO.
CAN I GET A SECOND? SECOND? OKAY.
CAN WE GET A VOTE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[a. Ordinance 2030-1024 - Authorizing the Acquisition of Real Property for Public Use as a Trailhead and Related Parking Area]
YOU MR. MAYOR.NEXT UP WE HAVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC USE AS A TRAILHEAD AND RELATED PARKING AREA PRINTED BY JAMES, OUR CITY PROJECTS ADMINISTRATOR WITH, UH, MY OFFICE.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR COUNCIL AGAIN.
MELANIE, I'M YOUR CITY'S PROJECTS ADMINISTRATOR AND TONIGHT I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT PURCHASING SOME PROPERTY TO BE USED AS A TRAILHEAD.
SPECIFICALLY MARICOPA COUNTY HAS PUBLICLY LISTED APPROXIMATELY
[00:20:01]
3.36 ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY FOR SALE.THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED SOUTH OF BUCKEYE ROAD AND ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE AWA FRIA TRAIL OR AWA RIVER.
AND THE, UH, ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN ADOPTED BY COUNCIL IN 2022 NOTED THAT TRAIL HEADS ARE TO BE INSTALLED TO ALLOW ACCESS.
STAFF BELIEVES THIS SITE WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION FOR A SMALL PARKING LOT RAMADA.
UM, OTHER TRAIL PERS TO GIVE ACCESS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO ACCESS THE AQUA RIVER.
LOOKING FROM THE AERIAL IMAGE, YOU CAN SEE THE SITE OUTLINED IN RED, UH, TO THE, UH, DUE WEST IS TWO APARTMENT COMPLEXES, THE VILLAGE AT AVONDALE AND SIESTA POINT.
AND THEN THE RIGHT OBVIOUSLY IS THE RIVER BOTTOM.
AND THEN IF WE TOOK A STREET VIEW FROM GOOGLE STREET VIEW, YOU CAN SEE A DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE RIGHT NOW USED BY MARICOPA COUNTY FLOOD DEPARTMENT.
UH, WE WOULD LIKELY USE THE SAME DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE AND SHARE IT WITH THE COUNTY UPON PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY.
SO THE PROCESS FOR THIS FOLLOWS ON THESE KIND OF FOUR STEPS.
THE APPROVAL OF TODAY'S ORDINANCE WOULD ALLOW STAFF TO PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE.
THAT'S THINGS LIKE GETTING A ALTA SURVEY OR PHASE ONE ENVIRONMENTAL.
WHEN COMPLETE, WE WOULD THEN ENGAGE THE COUNTY IN NEGOTIATIONS, WHICH HONESTLY KIND OF BREAK DOWN TO THE VALUE IDENTIFIED IN THE APPRAISAL.
UH, WE WILL THEN RETURN TO COUNCIL TO ASK FOR A BUDGET TRANSFER LIKELY AT THE QUARTERLY TRANSFER PERIOD, EITHER IN JANUARY OR APRIL.
AND THEN DURING THE NORMAL BUDGET PROCESS, WE'LL BE REQUESTING FUNDING FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF ANY AMENITIES TO BE INSTALLED OUT ON THE SITE.
STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS AN APPROVAL TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE 20 31 0 2 4 AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC USE.
AND I AM AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL LOOK FOR COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL AND I'M GONNA START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE, UH, WHO'S ON THE PHONE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR PINEDA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, JAMES, FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I WAS TAKING A LOOK AT THE AERIAL VIEW AND I NOTICED WHEN YOU SAID THE DRIVEWAY WE WOULD SHARE STILL WITH MARICOPA COUNTY.
UM, DOES THE COUNTY STILL HAVE REAL PROPERTY DOWN THERE THAT WOULD NOT BELONG TO US? UM, IN, IN LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER BOTTOM, IS THAT STILL COUNTY LAND? WHY WE WOULD HAVE TO SHARE THAT? OR WOULD THEY, UM, HAVE ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET TO THEIR PROPERTY? OTHER THAN THAT, UH, YES.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, WHITE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE, THE COUNTY WOULD STILL OWN PROPERTY IN THE RIVER BOTTOM AND THEY STILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE LEVY, BUT WE HAVE NOT HAD THOSE FINALIZED DISCUSSIONS YET.
I THROW THEM OUT THERE AS A LIKELY POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO KEEP SOME SORT OF ACCESS MI MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE AND ALSO CLARIFY.
WE, UH, THAT'S A BIG ASSUMPTION ON OUR PART.
UM, WE WOULD BRING A PROJECT FORWARD, UM, FROM OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, FROM KIM'S TEAM AND HELP US DETERMINE WHERE, HOW, WHEN, WHY.
AND THEN WE'D HAVE TO GET AN IGA AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY ON THAT.
UM, WE WOULDN'T, WE WON'T BUY THE PROPERTY UNLESS WE CAN GET ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY.
SO THAT'LL BE A FOR SURE THING.
BUT THIS IS REALLY JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LAND POSSIBILITY, WHERE THE DRIVEWAY IS, WHERE THE PARKING IS, WHERE THE RAMADA IS, WATER LIGHTING, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
THAT'LL ALL COME BACK TO COUNCIL ON A PROJECT.
UM, WE JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, NORMALLY WE PUT THINGS IN THE BUDGET LIKE THE PURCHASE OF LAND AND, AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO COME BACK FOR THAT.
SO WE JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT COUNSEL'S OKAY, PURSU PUR PURSUING THIS AND THIS IS THE DIRECTION THEY WANT US TO GO.
I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD.
COUNCILMAN WHITE, COUNCILMAN NIELSEN.
I GUESS I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION THERE.
MULTIMODAL IN MY MIND IS BICYCLES AS WELL AS FOOTPATH, THIS APPEARS TO BE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE RIVER OR THE BIKE PATH ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIVER.
AND IF THEY ARE, HOW WOULD WE GET FROM ONE TO THE OTHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE SAND OR WHATEVER
SO WE ARE LOOKING AT MORE CONNECTIONS AND TRAILS ALONG THE, UM, THE RIA BOTTOM.
THERE'S CURRENTLY A PROJECT THAT COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED.
IT'S IN DESIGN RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD BRING IT ACROSS, UM, ACROSS TO THE WEST SIDE AND THEN DOWN TO FRIENDSHIP PARK OR FESTIVAL, FESTIVAL FIELD, SORRY.
UM, SO YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP RIGHT THERE AND BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT AND THEN GO TO THE RIVER BOTTOM, CROSS OVER.
UM, THAT'S PART OF THE NEGOTIATION DESIGN IS REALLY WHAT THAT BOTTOM CROSSING LOOKS LIKE.
UM, IT'S A BALANCE BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE CAN PUT THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED LATER ON BY A FLOOD.
THANK YOU JAMES, FOR THE PRESENTATION.
[00:25:01]
THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE CORRECT.WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL TO ESTABLISH AN AREA LIKE THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, JAMES.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE I'VE BEEN ON, UH, COUNCIL, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, USING IT, UH, WHEN IT COMES.
THANK YOU JAMES FOR THE PRESENTATION.
SO, UM, CITY MANAGER JUST MENTIONED SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME IS WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE LIGHTING, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GONNA BE TRAVELING DOWN THERE ON BIKES, ON FOOT.
UM, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT WHEN WE STARTED THE DISCUSSION OF THE TRAILHEADS.
SO, UM, I GUESS THAT'LL COME TO US A LATER TIME, BUT I JUST WANTED JUST TO, UM, MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE WELL AWARE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
UM, THE LIGHTING AS WELL AS ANY TYPE OF WATER OR, UM, WILL THAT ALSO BE THERE, MR. MAYOR AND COUNSEL? I, I GOT A THUMBS UP FROM OUR, UH, PARKS, UH, AND TRAILS DIRECTOR.
WE'RE GONNA ADD TRAILS TO YOUR TITLE COREY.
UM, BUT WE GOT A THUMBS UP OVER THERE SO HE'S AWARE, AWARE OF THE DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL, BUT WE'LL BRING THAT PROJECT FORWARD AT SOME POINT.
UM, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION WAS, YOU KNOW, MANY RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY WHILE MANY OF US WERE OUT CAMPAIGNING OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, IS LISTENING TO THE RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR INFORMATION REGARDING THE LACK OF TRAILS OR THE TRAILS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE AND HOW THEY'RE NOT LINKING UP YET.
AND WHEN, UH, DISCUSSING PURCHASING THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY.
YOU KNOW, MY QUESTION WAS, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO HAVE A HODGEPODGE OF ALL THESE PIECES OF PROPERTY THAT DON'T CONNECT, BUT, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SHARED WITH ME, WHICH MAKES SENSE, AND I JUST WANT TO STATE THIS FOR THE RECORD, UH, BY ASSISTANT MANAGER GREGORY, WAS THE FACT THAT A CITY LIKE PEORIA, WHICH I WOULD NOT SAY MAYBE IS THE STANDARD, BUT I THINK WE'RE ALL VERY WELL AWARE OF THEIR EXCELLENT SY TRAIL SYSTEM, UM, TOOK OVER 20 YEARS TO DESIGN THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING.
SO WHILE RESIDENTS MAY QUESTION WHY WE HAVE THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY AND, AND THAT TRAIL, BUT YET THEY DON'T CONNECT, UM, IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO NOTE AND EDUCATE THEM ON THE FACT THAT THIS IS A LONG-TERM PROJECT.
AND IN ORDER TO MAKE IT COME TO FRUITION, SOMETIMES WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO, UH, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS, THEN WE NEED TO DO SO.
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I CONVEYED THAT AS IT WAS COMMUNICATED TO ME.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
THAT WAS FIVE A, UM, THANK YOU MAYOR.
WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE SCREEN.
CAN I GET A MOTION? UH, MOTION? DO I NEED TO READ IT OR JUST MAKE THE MOTION? YOU CAN READ IT, PLEASE.
FROM COUNCIL MEMBER SOLORIO, A MOTION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE 2030 DASH 10 24 AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC, UH, USE AS A TRAILHEAD AND RELATED PARKING AREA AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND OR CITY COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
WE HAD A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER NIELSEN AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SOLORIO.
[b. Selection of New Vice Mayor]
OF VICE MAYOR AT THIS TIME.THERE IS NO FORMAL PROCESS, UM, AS WE, UH, WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS LAST WEEK OF SELECTING THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST HAS PRETTY MUCH BEEN THAT AS A, AS A BODY, AS A COUNCIL, THAT WE'VE ALL KIND OF UTILIZED, UM, SENIORITY AS ONE OF THE INDICATORS OF SELECTING A VICE MAYOR.
UM, I KNOW THAT I FULFILLED THAT ROLE.
I KNOW THAT COUNCIL MEMBER MALONE HAS FILLED THE ROLE OF VICE MAYOR.
AND IN TERMS OF SELECTING A NEW VICE MAYOR, UM, I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO, UH, MAKE A MOTION TO, UH, NOMINATE, UH, COUNCILMAN NIELSEN AS OUR NEXT VICE MAYOR.
UH, AND APPOINT HIM, I'M SORRY, TECHNICALLY, UH, TO THE ROLE OF VICE MAYOR BEING THAT NOT ONLY JUST IS IT ABOUT SENIORITY, BUT WHAT HE'S DONE AND WHAT HE'S BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL IN TERMS OF HIS, UM, HIS COMMENTS, HIS COMMUNICATION, UH, HIS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY, I THINK, UH, IS, UH, HE'S A PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK HE WOULD BE A, A GREAT, UH, VICE MAYOR.
AND SO AT THIS TIME, I WILL THROW THE MOTION TO, UH, APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBER NIELSEN AS THE VICE MAYOR, BUT I WILL NEED A SECOND.
[00:30:02]
SECOND.SO COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA JUST SECONDED.
UH, BUT AT THIS TIME WE NEED TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION.
SO IS THERE ANYBODY HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE SOME WORDS? NO, THANK YOU.
THANK COUNCIL MEMBER MCCONNEY.
YOU SAID EVERYTHING THAT I WAS THINKING
YOU KNOW, FOR THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS I KNOW THAT, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER NIELSEN IS ALREADY OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I THINK FOR SOME REASON, IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO BE HERE, THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO STEP IN AND, UM, CHAIR THE COUNCIL MEETINGS.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS? COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE ON THE PHONE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY, UM, DISCUSSION TO ADD? YES.
I DO ENJOY TREMENDOUSLY WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER NIELSEN.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT SEAT IS EMPTY TONIGHT.
UM, I, UH, HAD MY HAND UP AS THE ITEM CAME UP JUST BECAUSE, UM, I ACTUALLY HADN'T REALIZED BEFORE SENIORITY WAS, UM, ONE OF THOSE, UM, GUIDING FACTORS.
I ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION, UM, UH, FOR MARCE, BUT I THINK YOU ANSWERED IN YOUR, IN YOUR PRESENTATION SHARING THAT THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS.
BUT IS, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE SELECTION OF VICE MAYOR IN THE CITY CHARTER THAT WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF PRIOR TO TAKING OUR VOTE THAT WE CAN RECEIVE GUIDANCE FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN ON NICOLE MAYOR COUNCIL.
SO, UM, THE ONLY, UH, SECTION THAT TALKS ABOUT OUR VICE MAYOR JUST SAYS THAT WE SHALL SELECT ONE, UM, IN JANUARY AT THE FIRST MEETING AND THEY SHOULD SERVE FOR TWO YEARS.
SO THERE ISN'T ANY METHOD OR PROCESS FOR SELECTING.
SO IT'S KIND OF WHATEVER CRITERIA COUNCIL WANTS TO USE.
AND AS YOU MENTIONED, MAYOR, UM, IT'S KIND OF BEEN A SENIORITY SORT OF ROLE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING DESIGNATED IN OUR CHARTER CITY CODE THAT LAYS OUT THE PROCESS FOR HOW TO SELECT THE VICE MAYOR JUST SAYS, COUNCIL MUST SELECT THE VICE MAYOR.
AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE FILLING IN FOR THE VACANCY.
UM, THERE'S NOT A TIMEFRAME OF WHEN WE HAVE TO FILL THAT ROLE.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO DO IT FOR COUNCIL AND MAYOR.
THAT SECTION WAS CLEARING THE CODE.
WE HAD TO DO IT WITHIN 31 DAYS, BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THAT FOR VICE MAYOR.
SO IT'S PRETTY OPEN TO WHATEVER COUNCIL DECIDES TO DO.
THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.
COUNCILOR WHITE, IS THERE ANY FOLLOW UP THAT YOU HAVE TO THAT QUESTION? UH, THE APPOINTMENT OF VICE MAYOR AT, AT THIS JUNCTURE WOULD STILL NEED ANOTHER REAPPOINTMENT FOR, UH, A NEW VICE MAYOR IN, IN JANUARY.
IS THAT WHAT, UH, THE CHARTER INDICATES? MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE.
UM, I'M SORRY, THERE'S NOT A VICE MAYOR YET.
UM, SO YES, WE WOULD BE APPOINTING SOMEONE TO FILL THE VACANCY AND THEN PER THE CITY CHARTER IN JANUARY, WE WOULD HAVE TO SELECT A VICE MAYOR TO SERVE FOR TWO YEARS.
ANY OTHER FOLLOW UP? COUNCILMAN ROY? I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I GET ALL OF YOUR, YOUR QUESTIONS IN BEFORE I MOVE ON.
NO, I'M, I'M NEW TO THIS PROCESS AND I THINK ALL OF US ARE, WELL, I, I THINK A FEW OF US ARE, SO I'M JUST MAKING SURE THERE'S CLARITY HERE.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE QUESTION.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
UM, ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD BEFORE WE MOVE TO A VOTE? SEE NONE, MARCELLA.
CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCILMAN NIELSEN.
[6. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS]
CURRENT EVENTS.IS THERE ANYBODY HERE, UH, INCLUDING COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE ON THE PHONE WHO HAS ANYTHING TO SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL AS, AS A PART OF THIS? I'D LIKE TO TAKE JUST A MINUTE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR CONFIDENCE AND CONCERN IN ME.
SECONDLY, COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA, MYSELF, MY WIFE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FRIDAY TO COME TO THE VISITOR, SENT OVER HERE TO SEE THE PRESENTATION BY AMAZON AND THE DRONES THAT WE'LL BE DELIVERING PACKAGES HERE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
[00:35:01]
IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE HOW AND WHAT THEY'RE GONNA BE DOING.THE, THE BIG DRONE'S GONNA COME IN.
IT'S GOT A SEVEN AND A HALF MILE RADIUS FROM HUNDRED SEVENTH AND VAN BUREN.
IT'LL COME AND LAND IN YOUR FRONT.
IT WON'T LAND IN YOUR FRONT YARD.
IT'LL COME TO YOUR FRONT OF THE YARD AND 13 FEET UP.
IT WILL OPEN ITS LITTLE CHUTE, WHATEVER IT IS DOWN THERE.
AND IT DROPS 13 FEET INTO YOUR FRONT YARD, BACKYARD, OR WHEREVER IT MIGHT BE.
AND IT CAN ONLY HANDLE FIVE POUNDS AT THE PRESENT TIME.
SO IT WAS JUST REALLY EXCITING TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY HERE WITH, WITH, WITH AMAZON AND OTHER THINGS.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, UM, TO VISIT GOODWILL.
UM, THE FOOD BANK HERE IN AVONDALE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA AS WELL, AND COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT WISE, ONE THING WE LEARNED FROM LEANNE, UM, OVER AT THE FOOD BANK IS THAT WE, WE DON'T HAVE, UM, AS MANY VOLUNTEERS AS WE HAD BEFORE DURING COVID.
AND THE AFRI OF FOOD BANK IS SEARCHING FOR A, ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE NEW BOARD MEMBERS.
I WANTED TO JUST HONOR COUNCIL MEMBER CONDI FOR SITTING ON THAT BOARD IN THE PAST.
BUT A PART OF OUR VISIT WAS REALLY A CALL TO ACTION FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE BOARD MEMBERS.
UM, AND SO THERE WAS A, A DISCUSSION THAT I, I COULD NOT SPEAK ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL FOR, BUT JUST LOOKING TO THE MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE SERVED BY THE AFRI OF FOOD BANKING, SEEING IF OUR COUNCILS CAN SUPPORT THEM ON THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WOULD BE SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT TWO OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT THERE AND A COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT WERE THERE FOR THAT TOUR OF THE AFRI OF FOOD BANK.
THEY PROVIDE FOOD, SHOWERS, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, AND UM, THEY ALSO HAVE A CLOTHING CLOSET THERE THAT OTHERWISE, UM, IS NOT STAFFED.
SO THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GIVE OUT AS MANY CALLS AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO.
UM, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE IN OUR COMMUNITY, UM, AND HAVE PUT OUT THAT CALL TO ACTION.
ANYONE ELSE? COUNCIL MEMBER CONDI.
UM, I JUST WANNA CONGRATULATE AND, UM, RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER MALONE.
UM, LAST WEEK I WAS HONORED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT HER, UM, AN AWARD FOR THE AFI HALL OF FAME.
AND, YOU KNOW, THEY GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I HAD SOME SPEAKING POINTS, BUT OF COURSE I WENT OFF A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I REALLY JUST WANTED TO SHARE FROM MY HEART.
'CAUSE NO ONE REALLY REALIZES THE WORK, UM, THAT SHE REALLY DOES BEHIND THE SCENES THAT WE DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE ON FACEBOOK OR SOCIAL MEDIA.
YOU KNOW, I EXPRESSED TO THE GROUP THAT DAY THAT SHE'S THE KIND OF, LET'S ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND LET'S GET IT DONE TYPE OF PERSON.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER MALONE, IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THAT TO YOU.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE THAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY.
THAT IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR SURE.
I WENT TO THREE EVENTS THIS WEEK, UH, WITH ALMOST ALL THE COUNCIL, BUT WHAT I WANT TO SHARE IS HOW AMAZING IT IS TO SEE THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AND WHAT I'M OUT THERE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR, FOR THOSE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP AT THE FOOD BANK, FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE BIG HEART FOR OUR CITY, IT WAS JUST SO HUMBLING AND SUCH AN HONOR TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE.
AND I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH ONE OF YOU ON, YOU KNOW, THE FOOD BANK, LIKE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE SAID THAT THEY NEED HELP.
THAT'S, THEY NEED THE HELP SERVING OUR PEOPLE, LET'S GET THEM WHAT THEY NEED.
BUT THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE HONOR TO BE HERE UP WITH YOU AND BEING ABLE TO SERVE THESE PEOPLE THAT I LOVE.
WITH THAT NEXT ITEM IS ADJOURNED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
CAN I PLEASE GET A MOTION? I'LL SECOND GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER MALONE.
SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CONDI.