Apr 21, 2025 City Council

IN THE AVONDALE

[00:00:01]

[1. ROLL CALL BY THE CITY CLERK]

WOULD JOEL ALL PLEASE STAND WITH ME FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH THE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU, MARCELLO.

IF WE COULD HAVE ROLL CALL PLEASE.

COUNCIL MEMBER CONDI HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER SOLORIO.

HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER WEISS HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE HERE.

VICE MAYOR NIELSEN HERE.

AND MAYOR PINEDA HERE.

THANK YOU, MARCELLA RON, NEXT

[a. Employee Introductions​]

UH, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL UP.

FIRST WE ARE GONNA HAVE A PRESENTATION BY TED FLORES, OUR HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, INTRODUCING ONE OF HIS NEW EMPLOYEES.

GOOD EVENING MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING LEILANI ANDERSON TO THE HR TEAM.

LEILANI JOINED THE CITY OF AVONDALE ON MARCH 24TH AS A BENEFITS ANALYST RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING CITYWIDE BENEFITS AND WELLNESS PROGRAM.

PRIOR TO JOINING THE CITY, LEILANI SPENT THE LAST 10 YEARS WORKING IN A VARIETY OF BENEFITS AND HR ROLES FOR SUN HEALTH.

WITH HER LAST POSITION BEING DIRECTOR OF TOTAL REWARDS, LEILANI HOLDS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FROM BAYLOR UNIVERSITY AND IS CURRENTLY A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN HR THROUGH THE HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE.

A FUN FACT ABOUT LEILANI, PRIOR TO STARTING HER CAREER IN THE HR BENEFITS WORLD, SHE WORKED AS A STORE MANAGER FOR STARBUCKS IN BOTH ARIZONA AND TEXAS FOR 10 YEARS.

SO SHE MIGHT HAVE SOME TIPS AND TRICKS IF SHE DIDN'T SIGN AN NBA OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO YOU CAN ASK HER ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS AT STARBUCKS.

.

THANK YOU.

WELL, WELCOME ABOARD LEILANI.

UM, SO JUST REALLY QUICKLY, JUST, JUST TODAY I WAS GIVING A LECTURE TO MY, MY BUSINESS STUDENTS AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FUNCTION OF HR AND I ASKED FOR A SHOW OF HANDS, HOW MANY OF YOU ARE LOOKING TO, YOU KNOW, ENGAGE IN A CAREER IN HR AND NOBODY RAISE THEIR HANDS.

SO COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH NOT ONLY US, BUT EVERYBODY LISTENING, JUST HOW WONDERFUL HR CAN BE? I LOVE THE STIGMA THAT HR HAS.

'CAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL REFER TO US AS THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, PEOPLE IN HR REALLY DO CARE ABOUT HUMANS AND WE DON'T WANNA LOSE THE HUMAN INHUMAN RESOURCES, WHETHER IT'S BENEFITS, WHETHER IT'S PAY, WHETHER IT'S INVESTIGATIONS.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS TO IT, AND WE'RE HERE FOR, FOR EVERYONE.

SO IT'S WORTH IT.

YOU GOT HAVE THICK SKIN, BUT IT'S WORTH IT.

AND CONSIDERING YOUR FORMER OCCUPATION AS A BARISTA AND MANAGER, I'M SURE, UH, I'M SURE THAT CORRELATES WELL WITH WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN GENERAL, RIGHT? THE SAME SKILLS APPLY, YES.

I HAD A VARIETY OF PERSONALITIES, AGE RANGES, AS WELL AS AT SUN HEALTH.

SO THE MULTI-GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, YOU LEARN A LOT ABOUT COMMUNICATION, BUILDING BRIDGES, THEY WERE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND CHOOSING AVONDALE FOR YOUR PLACE TO CALL HOME.

THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.

COUNSEL, BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT DEPARTMENT, I JUST WANNA MAKE A QUICK NOTE ON THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

UM, THEY ARE CURRENTLY FULLY STAFFED.

UM, SO I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP BECAUSE I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT IT AFTER THIS NEXT PRESENTATION AS WELL.

SO NEXT UP I BELIEVE WE HAVE, UM, OUR CHIEF, UH, POLICE CHIEF ESPINOZA TO INTRODUCE SOME OF HIS NEW UH, OFFICERS.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

UH, AS ALWAYS, IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

IF I CAN, UH, INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR 10 NEWEST UH, OFFICERS.

WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS, BECAUSE WE HAVE 10 OF 'EM, WE'RE GONNA HAVE, UH, THEM COME UP HERE ONE AT A TIME.

THEY'RE GONNA STATE THEIR NAME, WHERE THEY CALL HOME AND WHY THEY CHOSE AVONDALE.

BUT BEFORE WE DO THIS, IF I CAN TAKE A SECOND JUST TO THANK MR. CORRIN AND HIS, UH, EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT IS CLEAR TO THEM THAT, UH, IT IS SO CRITICAL FOR US TO HIRE GOOD POLICE OFFICERS.

THESE 10 OFFICERS ARE EXCELLENT.

UH, THEY HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT, UH, BY HIRING GOOD, UH, EMPLOYEES, IN TURN THEY WILL BE GOOD TO OUR RESIDENCE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY POLICE SERVICES.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M GONNA HAVE YOU GUYS COME UP HERE ONE AT A TIME.

YOUR NAME, WHERE YOU CALL HOME, AND WHY YOU

[00:05:01]

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME NAME'S DANTE HERRON.

UM, I CALL HOME, UH, DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

I MOVED OUT HERE WHEN I WAS, AND WHEN I WAS IN ABOUT THE EIGHTH GRADE.

UM, SO AVONDALE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CITIES THAT WE LIVED IN, SO I WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE AREA.

UH, SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I DID APPLY HERE.

UH, ONE OF THE FEW DEPARTMENTS THAT I APPLIED IN, I WAS GLAD THAT THEY ACTUALLY PICKED ME UP.

SO I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU.

NICE.

WELCOME ABOARD.

UH, GOOD EVENING.

UH, MY NAME IS , 26 YEARS OLD.

I CALL AVONDALE HOME.

I WAS BORN IN PHOENIX AND I MOVED TO AVONDALE WHEN I WAS ABOUT FOUR YEARS OLD.

SO, AND I GREW UP RIGHT DOWN THE STREET NEXT TO, UH, QUINN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THAT'S WHERE I WENT TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SO, AND THEN THAT'S THE REASON WHY I CHOSE AVONDALE.

'CAUSE AVONDALE IS MY HOME AND THAT'S WHERE I WANNA PROTECT MY FAMILY LIVES IN AVONDALE.

SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I CHOSE AVONDALE.

THANK YOU.

WOW.

WELCOME.

GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS MARCO ESP ESPINO AND I ACTUALLY GREW UP IN AVONDALE, SO I SEE AVONDALE AS MY HOME.

NOT ORIGINALLY FROM HERE, BUT I MOVED HERE WHEN I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD.

STAYED HERE TILL I WAS 18, JOINED THE ARMY AND THEN DECIDED TO MOVE RIGHT BACK.

AND, UH, YEAH, SO I CALL AVONDALE MY HOME.

MY FAMILY LIVES HERE AND I FEEL REALLY CONNECTED TO THE CITY, AND THAT'S WHERE I CHOSE AVONDALE.

IT'S ACTUALLY THE ONLY PLACE I APPLIED TO.

AND, UH, THANKFULLY I GOT HIRED.

WELL, WELCOME ABOARD, AND IF YOU'RE COUNTING, THAT'S THREE FOR THREE.

AVONDALE .

GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME'S SEAN BRANER.

I'M FROM PHOENIX, BUT I WAS PRETTY MUCH RAISED IN GOODYEAR.

UM, I CHOSE AVONDALE BECAUSE, UH, IT HAS THAT SMALL TOWN FEELING WITH ALSO ALL THE RESOURCES AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT FROM A BIG CITY.

EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY HERE.

THEY LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

AND THAT'S WHERE I WANTED TO COME AND BE FROM.

UH, I JOINED THE MILITARY, SO THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY THE SMALL TOWN FEELING AND THE CAMARADERIE IS A BIG, UH, DEAL FOR ME.

SO THAT'S WHY I CHOSE ALLENDALE.

WELL, WELCOME ABOARD.

GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS JOHN HORTON.

UM, I'M FROM NEW MEXICO.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED.

I DIDN'T MOVE OUT HERE UNTIL ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

UM, I CHOSE AVONDALE BECAUSE IT HAS THE, UH, SMALL TOWN FEELING AS BRANDON WAS SAYING.

UM, I'M FROM A VERY, VERY SMALL TOWN WHERE EVERYBODY DOES KNOW EVERYBODY AND, UH, IT, IT JUST REMINDS ME OF HOME.

SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT I GET TO BE HERE AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING AND PROTECTING THIS COMMUNITY.

WELCOME ABOARD.

GOOD.

EVERYONE, EVERYONE, EVERYONE.

UH, MY NAME IS RAUL ALALA.

UM, UM, I LIVE HERE IN AVONDALE, ORIGINALLY FROM MEXICO.

UH, I CHOSE AVONDALE 'CAUSE I WAS A PRIOR VOLUNTEER IN POLICE SERVICES HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CITY.

I LOVE EVERY SINGLE INTERACTION THAT I HAVE WITH EVERYONE HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY.

SO THAT MADE ME APPLY FOR AVONDALE.

UM, SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH YOU GUYS.

UM, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU GUYS PRETTY SOON.

WELCOME.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

UH, GOOD EVENING.

UH, MY NAME IS JOSEPH DEL POSO.

I'M ORIGINALLY FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, AND I LIVE IN SURPRISE CURRENTLY.

UM, THE REASON I CHOSE AVONDALE IS TO GET A CHANCE TO WORK WITH MY BROTHER, WHO IS ALSO NAMED JOSEPH DELPO .

UM, SO IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE.

I'VE HEARD A LOT OF GREAT THINGS AND I'M EXCITED TO GET OUT THERE.

SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M O RAMIREZ.

I WAS BORN HERE IN ARIZONA, AVONDALE.

UM, THE REASON I CHOSE AVONDALE IS 'CAUSE I WANNA SERVE MY COMMUNITY.

AND IT'S A PLACE WHERE I LIVE.

UM, .

YOU SIR.

SO I CHOSE AVONDALE JUST BECAUSE I WANNA SERVE MY COMMUNITY AND I LIVE HERE.

MY PARENTS LIVE HERE, AND EVERY, EVERYONE ELSE IN MY FAMILY LIVE HERE.

SO THANK YOU.

WELL, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AVONDALE.

GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS JE.

I'M 53 YEARS OLD.

UH,

[00:10:01]

UH, ABERDALE WAS MY FIRST HOME HERE.

AND, UH, CURRENTLY LIVE, LIVE IN GOODYEAR.

BUT, UM, I WANT TO SERVE THE CITY OF AVONDALE AND, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND I'M JUST HONORED TO BE HERE AND GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

UH, MY NAME IS JOHN MUNOZ.

UH, I'VE CALLED ARIZONA HOME SINCE 2001.

UM, ALWAYS BEEN A WEST VALLEY GUY.

UH, CURRENTLY LIVE IN GOODYEAR.

UH, THE REASON I CHOSE AVONDALE WAS, UM, I WAS DOING SOCIAL SERVICES WORK FOR A SMALLER APARTMENT COMPLEX HERE IN AVONDALE, AND DECIDED THAT BY JOINING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I COULD HAVE A LARGER IMPACT WITHIN THE CITY.

NOT ONLY WITH THOSE I WAS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH, BUT EVERYBODY ELSE ABROAD.

SO THAT WAS MY REASON FOR CHOOSING AVONDALE.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT AND WELCOME ABOARD.

THANK YOU MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

AND THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.

BEFORE HE STEPS DOWN, UM, UH, ONE, ONE MORE THING CHIEF DID, DID HE HAVE A TOP GRADUATE AT THE, UH, AT THIS LAST ACADEMY WE DID.

OFFICER DEL POSO WAS OUR ACADEMICS.

UH, TOP RECRUIT IN ADDITION, MR. MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

UM, UH, TODAY, IF EVERYBODY SHOWED UP AND I DIDN'T HEAR OTHERWISE, UH, WE ARE FULLY STAFFED AGAIN IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

100%.

THAT'S EVEN BETTER.

WELL, AS CHIEF, UH, SPINOZA SAID, THANK YOU RON, AND TO YOUR TEAM AND EVERYONE INVOLVED, UH, TO MAKE THIS, UH, A REALITY, UH, BEING FULLY STAFFED AND MORE IMPORTANTLY JUST PROVIDING, AGAIN, ALL OF THAT PROTECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND YOU WILL SEE THEM IN THE COMMUNITY AND, UH, LOOK OUT FOR THEM IN A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU AND SLOW DOWN OR YOU'LL SEE THEM, UH, , .

JUST KIDDING.

JUST A JOKE.

BUT WELCOME ABOARD EVERYBODY, WE APPRECIATE IT.

UH, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.

[b. Proclamation - Commitment to Volunteerism]

GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WITH ME IS HOGUE.

SHE IS OUR VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR.

SHE'S GONNA BE SAYING A FEW WORDS ABOUT, UH, NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK, BUT BEFORE SHE DOES THAT, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS AND POLICING.

THEY DO AN AMAZING JOB FOR OUR, OUR COMMUNITY AND WE THANK 'EM, UH, ON BEHALF OF THE PD.

SO THANK YOU.

OKAY.

HELLO MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE THIS EVENING TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK.

LIKE HE SAID, MY NAME IS SUZANNE.

I'M THE COORDINATOR OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

UM, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 29 VOLUNTEERS IN POLICE SERVICE, ALSO KNOWN AS VS.

UM, AND MANY OF THEM ARE HERE TONIGHT AND I'D LIKE TO INVITE THEM TO STAND NOW TO BE RECOGNIZE THE VS.

ASSIST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

AND THEY ALL HAVE A COMMON GOAL TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IN 2024, THE VS VOLUNTEERED A TOTAL OF 3,532 HOURS AND PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO ALL AREAS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO AT NUMEROUS CITY EVENTS AS WELL.

THE AVONDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROUDLY RECOGNIZES AND EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO OUR VS.

DURING THIS NATIONAL APPRECIATION WEEK, NATIONAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK.

AND I'LL NOW TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU, MAYOR, UM, TO READ THE PRO PROCLAMATION.

YES, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

WHEREAS WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THE VALUE OF COMPASSION, EMPATHY, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT ARE THE FOUNDATION OF UNITED AND HARMONIOUS SOCIETY, FOSTERING CONNECTIONS THAT TRANSCEND DIFFERENCES.

AND WHEREAS THE STRENGTH AND PROSPERITY OF OUR CITY IS BASED ON THE SELFLESSNESS OF ITS RESIDENTS TO SERVE AND UPLIFT ONE ANOTHER.

AND WHEREAS WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROFOUND IMPACT THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED WHEN WE EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO OUR NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF A DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, LIFTING THEM UP AND COLLECTIVELY WORKING TO IMPROVE LIVES.

AND WHEREAS WE NURTURE A CULTURE OF GIVING WITHIN OUR CITIES, EMPHASIZING THAT VOLUNTEERISM IS NOT JUST A DUTY, BUT A SOURCE OF PERSONAL FULFILLMENT AND COMMUNITY STRENGTH.

AND AS WE WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING INCREASES, MISCONCEPTIONS CAN BE CORRECTED AND NEW FRIENDSHIPS ARE BUILT.

AND WHEREAS WE ENCOURAGE ALL

[00:15:01]

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AVIL HAS JOINED A GROWING LIST OF SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AND HUNDREDS OF LEADERS TO DATE IN MAKING A COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTEERISM.

AND WHEREAS APRIL IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH, A MONTH DEDICATED TO RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERING.

AND A TIME FOR US TO THANK OUR CITY OF AVONDALE VOLUNTEERS.

NOW THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THE CITY OF AVONDALE HEREBY PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF APRIL AS A NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH AND AFFIRM OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTEERISM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, RON.

THANK YOU MS. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

[c. Proclamation - Building Safety Month]

YES.

UH, GOOD EVENING MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UM, ON BEHALF OF THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, I'M HAPPY TO PROMOTE OUR BUILDING SERVICES DIVISION, UM, FOR THE NATIONAL BUILDING SAFETY MONTH.

PHOTOS ARE PLAYING ON THE SCREEN OF OUR TEAM IN ACTION.

UM, THEY'RE BOTH IN OUR OFFICE AND THEY'RE OUT IN THE FIELD ON A DAILY BASIS.

UM, OUR TWO DIVISION MANAGERS ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THEIR TEAM MEMBERS.

BEN CARR, OUR CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL ON MY LEFT, AND OUR DEPUTY BUILDING OFFICIAL MARK BYRD.

AND WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL OF OUR, UH, TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE BUILDING, UH, SERVICES DIVISION THAT ARE HERE AS WELL IN OUR AUDIENCE IN THE FRONT ROW.

UM, OUR BUILDING SERVICES DIVISION INCLUDES A LOT OF INSPECTORS, PLAN REVIEWERS, PERMIT TECHNICIANS AND MANAGEMENT.

AND THEY REPRESENT AVONDALE EVERY SINGLE DAY AND SOMETIMES EVEN ON WEEKENDS WHEN THERE'S EMERGENCIES NEEDED TO, UM, HELP OUT OUR RESIDENTS OR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY.

AND THEY MAKE SURE OUR CITY IS SAFE.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN ALLOWING US TO HELP BUILD AND GROW AVONDALE AS WELL AS, UM, HAVE YOU PRESENT OUR PROCLAMATION FOR A BUILDING SAFETY MONTH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, JODY.

CAN WE HAVE MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM STAND FOR ME BEFORE I READ THE PROCLAMATION TO BE HONORED? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

I'M GONNA READ THE PROCLAMATION FOR BUILDING SAFETY MONTH, WHEREAS OUR CITY IS COMMITTED TO RECOGNIZING THAT OUR GROWTH AND STRENGTH DEPENDS ON THE SAFETY AND THE ESSENTIAL ROLE.

OUR HOMES, BUILDINGS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAY BOTH IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND WHEN DISASTERS STRIKE.

AND WHEREAS OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE RESILIENCE, RESILIENCE OF THESE BUILDINGS THAT MAKE UP OUR COMMUNITY IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE DEVOTION OF DILIGENT GUARDIANS, BUILDING SAFETY AND FIRE PREVENTION OFFICIALS, ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, BUILDERS, TRADESPEOPLE, DESIGN PROFESSIONALS, LABORERS, PLUMBERS, AND OTHERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WHO WORK YEAR ROUND TO ENSURE THE SAFE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS.

AND WHEREAS THESE GUARDIANS ARE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, A NONPROFIT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS WHO ARE EXPERTS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT THE HIGHEST QUALITY CODES TO PROTECT US IN THE BUILDINGS WHERE WE LIVE, LEARN, WORK, AND PLAY.

AND WHEREAS THESE MODERN BUILDING CODES INCLUDE SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM HAZARDS SUCH AS MONSOON STORMS, MICROBURSTS, WILDLAND FIRES, AND FLOODS.

WHEREAS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH IS SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL TO REMIND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE CRITICAL ROLE OF OUR COMMUNITIES, LARGELY UNKNOWN PROTECTORS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, OUR CODE OFFICIALS WHO ASSURE US OF SAFE BUILDINGS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR PROSPERITY.

AND WHEREAS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH ENCOURAGES US ALL TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE AND RESILIENT CONSTRUCTION, FIRE PREVENTION, DISASTER MITIGATION, ENERGY CONSERVATION, WATER SAFETY, TRAINING, THE NEXT GENERATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

AND WHEREAS EACH YEAR IN OBSERVANCE OF BUILDING SAFETY MONTH, PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE ASKED TO CONSIDER THE COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE BUILDING SAFETY, RESILIENCE, AND ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AT HOME AND IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ESSENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDED TO ALL OF US BY LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE PREVENTION BUREAUS AND PROTECTING LIVES AND PROPERTY.

NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED.

ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE, WE HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY, 2025 AS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CELEBRATION OF BUILDING SAFETY MONTH BY THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MY DEPARTMENT'S FULLY STAFFED AS OF TODAY.

.

YEAH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU JODY .

VERY NICE.

RON.

SORRY, MR. MAYOR COUNCIL.

I'M TRYING TO GET IT TOGETHER.

.

I ACTUALLY, I I FEEL BAD NOW

[00:20:01]

VERY HARD TO, HARD TO FILL.

ALRIGHT,

[d. Exceptional Student of Avondale Recognition (Avi Star Student)]

BUT WE HAVE, UH, DONNA GARDNER, OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER WITH NEIGHBORHOOD AND FAMILY SERVICES.

GOOD EVENING MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

UM, THIS IS ALWAYS A, A FUN AND WONDERFUL INITIATIVE TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE, UH, THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT STUDENTS ARE DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

UM, SO WITH ME, I HAVE EDITH REZ, OUR, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD AND FAMILY SERVICES ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TO HELP PASS OUT THE AWARDS.

UM, SO THE FIRST EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT OF AVONDALE, UM, AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE WALK UP TO THE FRONT OF THE PODIUM TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD AND STAY STANDING, UM, AS I, UH, CALL ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS' NAMES.

AND AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION, YOU WILL BE INVITED, UH, TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THE FIRST STUDENT BEING RECOGNIZED IS WITHIN THE AWA FRIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ATTENDS AWA FRIA HIGH SCHOOL.

UM, HIS NAME IS MICAH MCCULLOUGH.

MICAH.

MICAH IS A 12TH GRADER.

MICAH IS ALWAYS UPLIFTING THOSE AROUND HIM.

HE IS GENUINE AND SELFLESS.

HE IS ON THE AWA FREE OF VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND HIM VOLUNTEERING TO COMPLETE TASKS, WHETHER THAT BE HELPING TO PUT ON, UH, PUT UP THE NET MENTORING FRESHMEN, CLEANING UP TRASH, OR PUTTING AWAY CHAIRS AND STUDENT COUNCIL.

HE'S ALWAYS ON TIME TO EVENTS AND TAKES INITIATIVE TO SET THINGS UP OR HELP WHEREVER HE IS NEEDED.

THE PRINCIPAL SELECTED MICAH TO BE A STUDENT AMBASSADOR AT AWA GALA FUNDRAISER.

MICAH GAVE TOURS TO ALUMNI AND SAT WITH DONORS FOR THE EVENING TO EXPLAIN, UM, WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT AWA FREEA.

MICAH IS POLITE AND WELL-SPOKEN.

HE PUSHES HIMSELF IN AP CLASSES AND IS TAUGHT A TOP-NOTCH STUDENT WITH VERY HIGH GRADES.

FOLLOWING MICAH IS JOSLYN PEREZ.

JOSLYN IS WITHIN THE AVONDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ATTENDS MICHAEL ANDERSON.

JOCELYN IS AN EIGHTH GRADER.

JOCELYN PUTS FORTH GREAT EFFORT IN HER ACADEMICS.

SHE HAS EARNED NUMEROUS AWARDS DUE TO HER GRADES AND ACHIEVEMENTS.

JOCELYN TAKES PRIDE IN BEING A GOOD STUDENT AND ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS.

SHE IS KIND AND CARING.

JOCELYN HAS DEDICATED NUMEROUS HOURS OF HER TIME TO SERVING HER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.

JOCELYN HAS BEEN A PART OF NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.

SHE, UM, IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT LEADERSHIP IS.

SHE IS THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY PRESIDENT.

NOT ONLY IS JOCELYN AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT, SHE IS A GREAT PERSON.

SHE HAS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR HER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY DURING HER ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS.

GREAT JOB.

NEXT IS SCOTT BROWN.

SCOTT BROWN IS IN WITHIN THE LITCHFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SCOTT, AND IS A FIFTH GRADER AT CORTE SIERRA SCOTT IS A KIND AND CARING INDIVIDUAL AND IS ALWAYS MOTIVATING OTHER STUDENTS.

HE IS ALWAYS GIVING HIS BEST EFFORTS IN ALL, UM, ACTIVITIES.

HE ENCOURAGES OTHERS AND ALWAYS HAS KIND REMARKS FOR OTHERS.

HE IS ONE OF THOSE KIDS WHO CAN BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY WITH A SMILE AND A FRIENDLY HELLO OR HUG.

GREAT JOB SCOTT.

FOLLOWING THAT IS MARIO VEGA.

MARIO IS WITHIN THE LITTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ATTENDS COUNTRY PLACE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

MARIO IS A SEVENTH GRADER.

MARIO IS INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES AT HIS SCHOOL.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, HE WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY GOLF.

HE WROTE A

[00:25:01]

THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, MARIO WAS ABLE TO ASSIST WITH RECEIVING $4,000 IN GOLF EQUIPMENT.

STUDENTS NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO PLAY GOLF AT COUNTRY PLACE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY BECAUSE OF MARIO'S LEADERSHIP.

NEXT IS IZZY PARRA, IZZY , .

IZZY ATTENDS GARDEN LAKES ELEMENTARY IS AN EIGHTH GRADER.

IZZY DOES EVERYTHING WITH EXCELLENCE.

HER ACADEMIC WORK NOT ONLY MEETS THE STANDARD, BUT SHE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND.

SHE HAS WORKED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS TAKING EXTRA CREDITS FOR HIGH SCHOOL.

SHE SERVES THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

UM, BY HELPING TO TUTOR OTHER STUDENTS.

SHE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP TEACHERS AND HELP HER CLASSMATES.

GREAT JOB, IZZY.

SO AT THIS TIME, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST, UM, APPLAUD YOU AGAIN FOR THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU'RE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.

I CAN'T SAY I WAS DOING THESE AMAZING THINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING, .

UM, SO I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU.

GREAT JOB MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THESE WONDERFUL ABBY STARS TO YOU, DONNA.

THANK YOU.

AND FOR ALL OF YOU STUDENTS WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO GET TO THIS POINT AND BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS, CONGRATULATIONS.

AND, UH, SOUNDS LIKE ALL OF YOU'RE GONNA HAVE REALLY, REALLY GOOD FUTURES AHEAD OF YOU, UH, AS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE ALREADY.

SO CONGRATS ON ANYTHING.

IS THERE ANY MEMBER OF COUNCIL THAT WOULD LIKE TO, TO SHARE ANYTHING WITH THAT? IF WE COULD TAKE SOME PICTURES WITH YOU GUYS, I'D BE HONORED TO DO THAT.

SO IF YOU WOULD JOIN ME DOWN THERE, COUNSEL.

[00:35:26]

[00:35:26]

NO.

OKAY.

MARCELLA, DO YOU HAVE, UH, ANY REQUEST TO SPEAK? THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REQUESTS TO SPEAK.

OKAY.

NEXT

[4. CONSENT AGENDA]

ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WISH TO HAVE AN ITEM REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION? UH, AND MAX, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? NO, SIR.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

OKAY, I SEE WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER SOLORIO.

A SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WEISS, PLEASE VOTE.

COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE.

HOW DO YOU VOTE? AYE.

OKAY.

ITEM PASSES.

THANK YOU.

ITEM FIVE,

[a. Fiscal Year 2026 Contributions Assistance Program]

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

UH, UP FIRST IS OUR FISCAL YEAR 2026 CONTRIBUTIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND I BELIEVE EDITH WILL BE MAKING THE PRESENTATION.

GOOD EVENING MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS EDITH BALTIERREZ AND I'M THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

I AM HERE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SO FIRST WE HAVE, UH, JUST A OVERVIEW OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION TO PROVIDE YOU WITH BACKGROUND AND HISTORY, UPDATE ON NONPROFIT AGENCIES FUNDED IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, PROVIDE A CRITERIA OVERVIEW.

WE ALSO WILL SHARE SOME PREPARATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND THEN, UH, PROVIDE A REVIEW OF THE PROCESS AND THE TIMELINE.

SO THE BACKGROUND HERE IS, UH, THE CONTRIBUTIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ALLOCATES FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT AGENCIES WITH 5 0 1 C3 STATUS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO AVONDALE RESIDENTS.

LEVEL FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 OF 200,000 IS INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET.

IN FISCAL YEAR OF 20 25, 32 AGENCIES WERE FUNDED PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDED DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, LIFE SKILLS FOR YOUTH, AND SUPPORTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, UH, WITH RESOURCES.

OKAY, SO THESE ARE THE CURRENT AWARDEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

ALL RECIPIENTS ARE ON TRACK TO EXP EXPEND FUNDS BY JUNE 30TH, 2025.

I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT, UH, TWO NEW AGENCIES, ANGELS ON PATROL.

THEY ACCEPT REFERRALS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION SUPPORT BEYOND, UH, WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY BE ABLE TO DO TO HELP.

AND ALSO THE FOSTER ALLIANCE.

THEY SUPPORT FOSTER CARE FAMILIES WITH FURNITURE, CLOTHING, AND OTHER ITEMS WHEN RECEIVING, UH, FOSTER CARE PLACEMENTS.

HERE'S THE CRITERIA ORGANIZATIONS MUST ADHERE TO WHEN APPLYING AND IF AWARDED.

SO NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE PROVISION OF DIRECT SERVICES WHICH IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF AVONDALE.

RESIDENTS PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO SERVICES AND INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT AND ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL GOALS.

SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE ARIZONA COMPLETE HEALTH AVONDALE RESOURCE CENTER WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.

PRIORITY WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO SPECIAL PROJECTS.

HOWEVER, REQUEST FOR OPERATING SUPPORT TOWARD DIRECT AND MEASURABLE SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED FIVE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT CURRENT, TIMELY AND ACCURATE REPORTS.

ALSO, ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE FUNDED WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN QUARTERLY REPORTING AND DEMONSTRATE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARDS STATED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.

SEVEN.

WE HAVE ABILITY TO GENERATE REVENUE FROM OTHER SOURCES.

AND NUMBER EIGHT, ALL AWARDS MUST MEET OR EXCEED THE MINIMUM FUNDING AMOUNT REQUESTED BY THE ORGANIZATION.

THIS MINIMUM IS SET TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE THE PROPOSED PROJECT.

HERE I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE WHO IS APPOINTED TO REVIEW, SELECT, AND DETERMINE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL, WE HAVE VICE MAYOR CURTIS NIELSEN AND COUNCIL MEMBERS TINA CONDI AND JEANETTE GARCIA.

IN PREPARATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, STAFF HAS

[00:40:01]

THESE WORKSHOPS WERE FACILITATED BY JEREMIAH SMITH, THE FOUNDER OF EVERYONE, INC.

MR. SMITH PROVIDED VITAL INFORMATION AND PRACTICAL TOOLS TO CREATE COMPELLING GRANT PROPOSALS TO HELP ATTENDEES OBTAIN POTENTIAL FUNDING.

FURTHER INITIATIVES TOTAL OF 25 ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATED WITH 31 ATTENDEES PRESENT.

WE ALSO WELCOMED 11 NEW ORGANIZATIONS HOPING TO FORM PARTNERSHIPS WITH WITH AVONDALE.

SO OUR PROCESS AND TIMELINE ON APRIL 22ND, APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE.

A PRESS RELEASE WILL BE ISSUED.

CURRENT RECIPIENTS, INCLUDING NEW ORGANIZATIONS WHO ATTENDED THE GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS, WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL AND STAFF WILL ALSO PROMOTE THE PROGRAM VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE HAVE A DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION SUBMITTALS ON MAY 15TH.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON MAY 27TH FOR REVIEW.

THE COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE WILL MEET ON JUNE 18TH TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND DETERMINE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS ON JULY 14TH.

A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF FUNDING, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS WILL GO TO CITY COUNCIL.

AND THEN THE AWARD PRESENTATIONS, UH, WILL TAKE PLACE SOMETIME IN AUGUST.

SO THANK YOU MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR TIME.

THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.

EDITH.

ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL WHO WISH TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS, MAKE ANY COMMENTS? UH, MAX, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? NO, REALLY GRATEFUL THAT THE, UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, EDITH, FOR THE PRESENTATION.

I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THE CITY STILL HAS OVER 200,000.

UM, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE FOR BEING ABLE TO, UH, MAKE SURE WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY THAT WAY.

MM-HMM .

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COUNCIL MEMBER, WHITE COUNCIL MEMBER CONDI.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

THANK YOU EDITH, FOR THE PRESENTATION.

SO BESIDES THE AVY WISE, AVY STUDENT STAR PRESENTATIONS, THIS IS MY NEXT BEST FAVORITE THING TO DO AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.

UM, AND I'M SO GLAD THAT COUNCIL MEMBER GARCIA IS GONNA BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF IT THIS YEAR.

YOU'LL GET TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE AMAZING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO SUCH GOOD THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

AND I'M ALSO EXCITED TO KNOW THAT THERE'S 11 NEW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, UM, THAT WILL BE HOPEFULLY COMPLETING APPLICATIONS.

AND, UM, ONE THING I KNOW IN THE PAST I THINK MAYOR HAD TALKED ABOUT IS MAKING SURE THAT THOSE FOLKS HAVE SOME ASSISTANCE IN WRITING THOSE APPLICATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, THEY'RE COMPLETE AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GONNA BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SOME FUNDING.

SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO.

THANK YOU.

CITY MANAGER SO MUCH.

200,000.

IT GOES A LOT OF A LONG WAYS TO SO MANY GREAT ORGANIZATIONS.

AND THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL FOR SUPPORTING.

DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY NEEDED.

THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER CONDI, VICE MAYOR NIELSEN.

I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL.

EDITH AND TINA AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND WE'VE SEEN THIS, UH, PROCESS COME FROM WHERE IT'S TAKEN A LONG, LONG TIME.

IT'S STREAMLINED, IT'S MAKING IT A LOT EASIER FOR THESE, UH, INDIVIDUAL, UH, AND GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS.

AND IT'S JUST WONDERFUL TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO STRENGTHEN AND REINFORCE AND TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE AND NONPROFITS WITHIN OUR, UH, UH, COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN.

THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR.

ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY, UH, AS, AS COUNCIL, UH, MEMBER CONDI SAID, I'M JUST REALLY GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE PULLING TOGETHER THE RESOURCE TO ASSIST SOME OF THESE NONPROFIT GROUPS TO APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS.

UM, BECAUSE AGAIN, WHILE SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THEY DO THIS EVERY DAY, SOME WHO ARE NEW TO THIS MAY NOT KNOW THE ROPES OR, YOU KNOW, HOW TO POSITION THEMSELVES, SO TO SPEAK.

SO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A RESOURCE TO ASSIST IS, UH, IS GREAT.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMMITTEE HERE REVIEWING ALL THE GRANTS THAT'LL BE COMING IN AND TO LEARN WHO WAS, UH, AWARDED THE GRANT AND TO TAKE ANOTHER FUN PICTURE THAT WAS, UH, DEPICTED THERE IN OUR FIRST SLIDE WITH EVERYBODY HOLDING UP THE BIG CHECKS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, EDITH.

THANK YOU CHRIS.

AND THANK YOU, UH, EXECUTIVE TEAM AND RON FOR ALL OF THE ASSISTANCE AND COUNSEL FOR, UH, THE BUDGET TO DO THAT.

SO THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

OKAY, ITEM NUMBER SIX.

UH, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.

WE'LL

[b. Update on Park Development and Improvement Projects]

NO, THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

UH, UPDATE ON OUR PARK DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

UH, YOUR PARKS, UH, RECREATION LIBRARIES, DIRECTOR COREY WILL MAKE THE PRESENTATION.

AS A SIDE NOTE, THERE IS A, UH, UH, I'M SURE A SLIDE AT THE END THAT SAYS, UH, QUESTIONS OR, THANK YOU.

WE REALLY ARE, UH, UH, YOU'RE GONNA SEE SOME PROJECTS FOR THE FIRST TIME TONIGHT, SO MAKE SURE YOU GIVE US LOTS OF FEEDBACK IF WE'RE GOING THE RIGHT DIRECTION, NOT GOING THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

UM, BUT WE ARE, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM COUNCIL THIS EVENING.

[00:45:01]

UH, GOOD EVENING MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS COREY LUVA AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS RECREATION LIBRARIES.

AND I HOPE WE'RE READY TO HAVE SOME FUN.

WOOHOO.

MORE FUN.

.

ALRIGHT, UH, EXCITED THAT TONIGHT PRIDE DO AN UPDATE ON SEVERAL PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT ARE GONNA BE UNDER, THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, OR WILL BE COMING UNDER CONSTRUCTION HERE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

UM, AND, AND COMPLETION OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, HOPEFULLY.

UH, SO JUST AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE'LL BE TOUCHING ON TODAY IS SIX KEY PROJECTS, UH, INCLUDING SOME HERE ON CAMPUS, UH, BUT ULTIMATELY, UH, A LITTLE BIT OF A PROJECT IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITY.

UM, UP ON THE ROSTER, STARTING OFF RIGHT HERE IN THE BACKYARD OF OUR CIVIC CENTER CAMPUS, A PROJECT UPDATE ON THE CIVIC CENTER PARK, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

AND JUST AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT THAT THE AMENITIES ADDED WILL BE A SHADED PLAYGROUND, PICNIC RAMADA, OPEN TURF SPACE PER SIDEWALK LOOPS, BOTH INSIDE THE PARK AS WELL AS ALONG THE ROADWAY WHERE A SIDEWALK CURRENTLY DIDN'T EXIST.

UH, A READING GROVE FOOD TRUCK ALLEY FOR FUTURE EVENT PURPOSES, AS WELL AS A LOCATION FOR PUBLIC ART.

UM, CURRENTLY, UH, YOU'LL SEE THAT AREA UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

IT WAS A 4.9 ACRE PARCEL, UH, THAT WE'RE ACTIVATING THERE.

THERE IS A LOT OF ONSITE DRAINAGE THAT WE ARE GONNA BE RETAINING, UH, TO HELP BENEFIT THE ENTIRE CIVIC, OUR CAMPUS, BUT ULTIMATELY ACTIVATING THOSE SPACES, UM, FOR PASSIVE AND ACTIVE RECREATION.

UH, CURRENT STATUS, YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF THE UNDERGROUND WORK DONE.

SIDEWALK INSTALLATIONS ARE COMPLETE BOTH INSIDE AND AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE PROPERTY, AS WELL AS, UH, I THINK THE MOST RECENT IS, UH, THE ERECTION OF THE LIGHT POLES, UH, THAT TOOK PLACE LAST WEEK.

SOME RENDERINGS THAT WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU, SHOWCASING WHAT THE PARK WILL LOOK LIKE FROM A USER STANDPOINT.

UH, I DO WANT TO PREFACE THAT YOU WILL SEE SOME INTERESTING SHAPES OR SHADOWS IN SOME OF THESE RENDERINGS.

THOSE ARE JUST LOCATIONS DESIGNATED FOR FUTURE PUBLIC ART THAT IS NOT A TRUE DEPICTION OF WHAT THE FUTURE PUBLIC ART WILL BE.

WE'LL BE WORKING WITH OUR MUNICIPAL ART COMMITTEE THROUGH ARTIST SELECTION AND, UH, AND, UH, UH, DETERMINING WHAT GOES IN THOSE LOCATIONS AS THESE PROJECTS PROGRESS.

UH, BUT HERE YOU'LL SEE, UH, A GRAY ENTRYWAY, UH, TO THE, THE PARK FROM THE LIBRARY SPACE.

YOU ALSO GET A GLIMPSE AT THE SHADE RAMADA THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE FACILITY.

UH, SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THERE IS THIS REALLY COOL FEATURE OF THE FACILITY.

THERE'S THESE SEAT WALLS THROUGHOUT THE PARK THAT LOOK LIKE, UH, SPINES OF BOOKS, UH, PAINT HOMAGE TO THE LIBRARY NEXT DOOR.

AND WE DO SEE THIS PROJECT AS SOMETHING THAT'LL TRULY BENEFIT, NOT JUST OUR EMPLOYEES ON CAMPUS AND VISITORS, BUT THE PATRONS THAT ARE OFTEN VISITING THE LIBRARY, AS WELL AS THE FAMILIES THAT COME OVER FROM THE AQUATIC CENTER.

ANOTHER COUPLE ANGLES OF THE PARK, YOU'LL SEE THE LARGE SHADED PLAYGROUND FACILITY AND SOME OF THE PARK MONUMENTATION.

AGAIN, AS YOU ENTER THE PROPERTY, UM, FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE, OF THE PARK.

UM, I WILL CALL OUT THAT THIS PROJECT DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A, UH, PERIMETER FENCE SURROUNDING THE PLAYGROUND AND THE DESIGN, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ADDING, UM, POST-PROJECT, UM, TO KIND OF BRING IT BACK UP TO OUR NEW STANDARD THAT WE'VE HAD SO MUCH SUCCESS WITH AT THE RECENT DECONCINI PROJECT.

MOVING OVER TO OUR BELOVED FRIENDSHIP PARK, ONE OF OUR HIGHLY VISIBLE, HIGHLY VISITED, UH, FACILITIES AND FOCUSING KE OR FOCUSING SPECIFICALLY ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE PARK WHERE WE HAVE OUR DOG PARK.

UM, THIS PARK WE KNOW IS WELL LOVED BY OUR COMMUNITY AND IS SERVING A TON OF OUR PUBLIC.

UM, ULTIMATELY WE SEE THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING SOME AREAS OR SOME AMENITIES BACK UP TO SNUFF AND REALLY REJUVENATE THEM INTO THE NEW AVONDALE WAY.

UH, SO A DOG PARK IMPROVEMENT IS SOMETHING WE ARE, ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH.

UH, YOU CAN SEE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS OUT THERE ARE, ARE NOT THE BEST WE WANT.

WE WANT TO EXPAND SHADE, WE WANT TO GET THAT TURF CONDITION UP TO SPEED.

UM, SOMETHING TO NOTE ABOUT THIS AREA OF THE PARK IS THE CURRENT IRRIGATION IS, IS TIMED AND BUILT INTO THE SAME IRRIGATION SYSTEM THAT THE SPORTS FIELDS, UM, ARE BEING, ARE UTILIZING CURRENTLY.

UH, AND THOSE TWO TYPES OF TURF DEFINITELY HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NEEDS.

UM, SO RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ISOLATE THE DOG PARK AND WATER AND MAINTAIN IT SEPARATELY THAN WE DO THE SPORTS TURF.

UM, SO ULTIMATELY YOU SEE ONE SUFFER WHILE ONE SUCCEEDS.

RIGHT NOW THE SPORTS TURF WOULD BE SUCCEEDING.

THE DOG PARK IS NOT.

UM, BUT ULTIMATELY WE KNOW THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE THIS, THIS CHANCE TO CORRECT IT.

HERE'S A GREAT BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF WHAT THE FACILITY UPGRADES WILL LOOK LIKE.

I JUST WANT TO CALL OUT SOME, SOME OF THE, THE, THE HIGHLIGHTS, UH, MULTIPLE SHADE CANOPIES, I THINK FOUR TO BE EXACT, ARE CURRENTLY INCLUDING THE DESIGN, REALLY EXPANDING THE AMOUNT OF SHADE ON SITE.

BUT WE'RE ALSO TAKING, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THE MATURE SHADE TREES.

YOU'LL SEE SEAT WALLS AND SEATING AREAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY UNDER THE REALLY TALL TREES THAT EXIST THERE.

SO REALLY, REALLY CAPITALIZING ON THE SHADE, UH, THAT MIGHT NOT BE UTILIZED RIGHT NOW, UM, BUT POSSIBLY ALREADY ON SITE WITH THOSE EXPANSIVE SHADE TREES.

UH, NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEM AS DISCUSSED, CENTRALIZING THE ENTRY PLAZA RIGHT NOW, UH, AT THE FACILITY RIGHT NOW.

IF YOU'RE VISITING THE DOG PARK, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THE ENTRANCES AND EXITS OF THE DOG PARK ARE ON THE PERIMETER SIDEWALK THAT A LOT OF OUR MORNING WALKERS OR EVENING WALKERS ARE ON.

SO, IF YOU'RE A FAMILY WITH DOGS AND A FAMILY WITH STROLLERS, AND IF THERE'S, THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF

[00:50:01]

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A STUTTER STEP.

UH, SO WE'RE TRYING TO CENTRALIZE AN ENTRY PLAZA SO THE FAMILIES WITH THE DOGS CAN PULL INTO THE DOG PARK AND PULL OUTTA THE DOG PARK WITHOUT NECESSARILY, UH, CREATING THAT, THAT CONFLICT THERE ON THE SIDEWALK.

UH, IMPROVE MAINTENANCE ACCESS AROUND THE FACILITY.

RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE GREAT PERIMETER ACCESS FOR ALL OUR MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT, SO WE'LL BE ADDING AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET OUR MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT ALL THE WAY AROUND THE DOG PARK PROPERTY DRINKING FOUNTAINS, BOTH FOR THE, THE ADULTS AS WELL AS THE, THE DOGS, UM, AND, AND THE CHILDREN AS WELL.

UM, AND THEN ALSO A DESIGNATED LOCATION FOR FUTURE PUBLIC ART.

I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THE DOG PARK WILL REMAIN A LIT AMENITY.

IT CURRENTLY IS A LIT AMENITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO, TO MAINTAIN THAT STANDARD.

THERE.

HERE ARE SOME RENDERINGS.

AGAIN, DON'T MIND THAT GHOSTLY IMAGE OF A, OF A ART STRUCTURE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS YET, BUT THAT'S THE LOCATION THAT THE ART WILL BE, UH, DESIGNATED FOR.

AND WE'RE, WE'RE PLANNING ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND ALL THOSE THINGS RIGHT NOW IN THE PROJECT.

UM, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT ENHANCED, UH, ENTRY SPACE THERE, THAT PLAZA THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

SEVERAL LOCATIONS TO SIT AND GATHER, WHETHER YOU, YOU WANNA ISOLATE, UM, AND ENJOY THE SHADE ON YOUR OWN OR MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS AND, AND, AND SOCIALIZE.

THERE'S THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT, UH, GREETINGS THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY.

SOME MORE PERSPECTIVES HERE WHERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THOSE DRINKING FOUNTAIN FACILITIES.