12.02.2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes.pdf
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December 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF BUCKEYE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 2, 2025
MINUTES
City Council Chambers
530 E. Monroe Ave.
Buckeye, AZ 85326
6:00 p.m.
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3) the Council may, by majority vote, recess or adjourn to executive
session at one or more times during the meeting, as needed to confer with the City Attorney for legal
advice regarding any item listed on this agenda.
1.
Call to Order/Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call
Mayor Orsborn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.; Ellen Berry of New Jerusalem Ministries led
the invocation; Vice Mayor Heustis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present:
Councilmember Berry, Councilmember Goodman, Councilmember Beard, Vice
Mayor Heustis, and Mayor Orsborn.
Members Absent:
Councilmember Youngker, Councilmember HagEstad.
Departments Present: Acting City Manager Javier Setovich, Deputy City Manager Dave Roderique,
Deputy City Manager Jared Askelson, City Attorney Scott McCoy, City Clerk
Lucinda Aja, Police Chief Robert Sanders, Water Resources Director Terry
Lowe, Public Works Director Amy Murray, Chief Human Resources Office
Cindy Camarata, Program Management Office Director James Shano,
Development Services Director Miranda Gomez, Information Technology
Director Greg Platacz, Interim Chief Financial Officer Rick Langley, Assistant
Fire Chief Rayne Gray, Deputy Director of Communications John O’Halloran,
and Deputy Director of Planning Adam Copeland.
2.
Comments from the Public – None.
3.
Awards/Presentations/Proclamations
3.A
Sounds of Autism presented Mayor and Council with a Unified Responder Community Award.
3.B
Mayor Orsborn proclaimed the month of December as Unified Responder Community Month
in the City of Buckeye.
4.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS / NEW BUSINESS
Approval of items on the Consent Agenda - All items with an (*) are considered to be routine
matters and will be enacted by one motion and vote of the City Council. Mayor Orsborn
declared a conflict of interest on Item *4.G and recused himself from discussion and voting on
this Item; stated a Notice of Conflict-of-Interest Form has been filed with the City Clerk’s Office.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Heustis and seconded by Councilmember Goodman to
December 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
approve Items *4.A, *4.B, *4.C, *4.D, *4.E, *4.F, *4.G, *4.H., *4.I, and *4.J. Motion passed
unanimously.
*4.A
Council to take action on Resolution No. 96-25 approving the Regional Signal
Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal
corporation and Buckeye Phase I Owner, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and
further authorizing the transfer of funds from the Contingencies account to the
Completed Capital account to fund the reimbursement for approved regional signal
construction costs.
Staff Liaison: Ron Moll, City Engineer
Council adopted Resolution No. 96-25 approving the Regional Signal Reimbursement Agreement
between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation and Buckeye Phase I Owner, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, and further authorizing the transfer of funds from the Contingencies
account to the Completed Capital account to fund the reimbursement for approved regional signal
construction costs.
*4.B
Council to take action on Ordinance No. 30-25 approving the transfer of certain rights-of-
way and roadways generally located along Watkins Street from the east right of way of
South Miller Road, east approximately 625 feet.
Staff Liaison: Ron Moll, City Engineer
Council adopted Ordinance No. 30-25 approving the transfer of certain rights-of-way and roadways
generally located along Watkins Street from the east right of way of South Miller Road, east
approximately 625 feet.
*4.C
Council to take action to ratify and approve the submission of a Grant Application in the
amount of $491,003, with a City of Buckeye match in the amount of $27,683, for the
Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Closeout Funding Grant opportunity through the Maricopa
Association of Governments to support the Miller Road-Monroe Avenue Intelligent
Transportation System Capital Improvement Program: Project Number 101760; and
authorize and direct the Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk to carry out
the purpose and intent of said Grant Application.
Staff Liaison: Rob Roach, Grant Program and Procurement Manager
Council ratified and approved the submission of a Grant Application in the amount of $491,003, with a
City of Buckeye match in the amount of $27,683, for the Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Closeout Funding
Grant opportunity through the Maricopa Association of Governments to support the Miller Road-
Monroe Avenue Intelligent Transportation System Capital Improvement Program: Project Number
101760; and authorize and direct the Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk to carry out
the purpose and intent of said Grant Application.
*4.D
Council to take action on the transfer of $702,000 and authorize the associated fund
reallocation from Contingency Appropriations 30531108-570020 fund to Automotive
Equipment greater than $5,000 - 10002140-541050 fund, for the purchase of fire
apparatus equipment for two Sutphen Pumper fire trucks; and approve the funds
transfer from Impact Fees-Streets 6004-101010 fund, to Highway User Revenue Fund
(HURF).
Staff Liaison: Rob Roach, Grant Program and Procurement Manager
Council approved the transfer of $702,000 and authorize the associated fund reallocation from
Contingency Appropriations 30531108-570020 fund to Automotive Equipment greater than $5,000 -
10002140-541050 fund, for the purchase of fire apparatus equipment for two Sutphen Pumper fire
December 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
trucks; and approve the funds transfer from Impact Fees-Streets 6004-101010 fund, to Highway User
Revenue Fund (HURF).
*4.E
Council to take action on the City's grant of a utility easement, as set forth in the Utility
Easement Agreement, between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation,
and Arizona Public Service Company ("APS"), an Arizona corporation; and authorize the
City Manager to execute and deliver said Utility Easement Agreement on behalf of the
City upon the Maricopa County Superior Court's entry of the Final Order of
Condemnation in City of Buckeye v. Dusty Cool Ltd. Partnership, case number 2025-
023201.
Staff Liaison: James Zwerg, Project Manager
Council approved the City's grant of a utility easement, as set forth in the Utility Easement Agreement,
between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation, and Arizona Public Service Company
("APS"), an Arizona corporation; and authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver said Utility
Easement Agreement on behalf of the City upon the Maricopa County Superior Court's entry of the
Final Order of Condemnation in City of Buckeye v. Dusty Cool Ltd. Partnership, case number 2025-
023201.
*4.F
Council to take action on the acceptance of a Special Warranty Deed from Copper Falls
Buckeye 72 Acres LLC, an Arizona limited liability company, conveying real property to
the City of Buckeye for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 100720 –
Westpark Fire Station #706; and authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver all
necessary documents on behalf of the City of Buckeye.
Staff Liaison: James Zwerg, Project Manager
Council approved the acceptance of a Special Warranty Deed from Copper Falls Buckeye 72 Acres
LLC, an Arizona limited liability company, conveying real property to the City of Buckeye for Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 100720 – Westpark Fire Station #706; and authorize the City
Manager to execute and deliver all necessary documents on behalf of the City of Buckeye.
*4.G Council to take action on Delivery Order No. 1 to Job Order Contract (JOC) No. 2025089
between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation, and S.D. Crane Builders,
Inc., an Arizona corporation, to perform construction of landscaping, irrigation, and
median aesthetic improvements along Verrado Way and Roosevelt Road as part of
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 107930 – Gateway Enhancement
Program – Verrado; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents
related to said Delivery Order on behalf of the City of Buckeye.
Staff Liaison: James Zwerg, Project Manager
Mayor Orsborn declared a conflict of interest on Item *4.G and recused himself from discussion and
voting on this Item; stated a Notice of Conflict-of-Interest Form has been filed with the City Clerk’s
Office.
Council approved Delivery Order No. 1 to Job Order Contract (JOC) No. 2025089 between the City of
Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation, and S.D. Crane Builders, Inc., an Arizona corporation, to
perform construction of landscaping, irrigation, and median aesthetic improvements along Verrado
Way and Roosevelt Road as part of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 107930 –
Gateway Enhancement Program – Verrado; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary
documents related to said Delivery Order on behalf of the City of Buckeye.
*4.H
Council to take action on the Cooperative Contract Purchase Addendum (CCPA)
(Contract No. 32600096) between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation,
December 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
and OMJC Signal, an Iowa corporation, for the purchase of one pair of 25 foot wireless
traffic control systems and two 25 foot portable solar powered traffic signals; and
authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver said CCPA on behalf of the City of
Buckeye.
Staff Liaison: Amy Murray, Public Works Director
Council approved the Cooperative Contract Purchase Addendum (CCPA) (Contract No. 32600096)
between the City of Buckeye, an Arizona municipal corporation, and OMJC Signal, an Iowa
corporation, for the purchase of one pair of 25 foot wireless traffic control systems and two 25 foot
portable solar powered traffic signals; and authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver said
CCPA on behalf of the City of Buckeye.
*4.I
Council to take action on the removal of Tyrus Davidson as a Regular Member of the
Buckeye Pollution Control Corporation, the removal of Nathan Madden and Matthew
Dudley as Regular Members of the Community Services Advisory Board, the
reappointment of Howard Rubin as a Regular Member of the Public Safety Retirement
Board (Fire) with a term expiration date of December 2029, the removal of Adam Lewis
and David Frost as Regular Members of the Public Safety Retirement Board (Police), the
appointment of Howard Rubin and William Reynolds as Regular Members of the Public
Safety Retirement Board (Police) with a term expiration date of December 2029, the
reappointment of Tedy Burton (at-large) as a Regular Member of the Planning and
Zoning Commission, the reappointment of Charles Hester (at-large Alternate) and Jennie
Ragsdale (District 2 Regular) as Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission with
a term expiration date of December 2029, and the removal of Ryan Belshee (District 2) as
an Alternate Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Staff Liaison: Summer Stewart, Deputy City Clerk
Council approved the removal of Tyrus Davidson as a Regular Member of the Buckeye Pollution
Control Corporation, the removal of Nathan Madden and Matthew Dudley as Regular Members of the
Community Services Advisory Board, the reappointment of Howard Rubin as a Regular Member of the
Public Safety Retirement Board (Fire) with a term expiration date of December 2029, the removal of
Adam Lewis and David Frost as Regular Members of the Public Safety Retirement Board (Police), the
appointment of Howard Rubin and William Reynolds as Regular Members of the Public Safety
Retirement Board (Police) with a term expiration date of December 2029, the reappointment of Tedy
Burton (at-large) as a Regular Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the reappointment of
Charles Hester (at-large Alternate) and Jennie Ragsdale (District 2 Regular) as Members of the
Planning and Zoning Commission with a term expiration date of December 2029, and the removal of
Ryan Belshee (District 2) as an Alternate Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
*4.J
Council to take action on the October 21, 2025 Council Workshop Minutes, October 21,
2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes, November 4, 2025 Special Council Meeting and
Council Executive Session Minutes, and November 4, 2025 Regular Council Meeting
Minutes.
Staff Liaison: Summer Stewart, Deputy City Clerk
Council approved the October 21, 2025 Council Workshop Minutes, October 21, 2025 Regular Council
Meeting Minutes, November 4, 2025 Special Council Meeting and Council Executive Session Minutes,
and November 4, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes.
5.
Public Hearings / Non-Consent - New Business
5.A
Council to take action on the Transit Master Plan Update.
Staff Liaison: John Willett, Deputy Director of Transportation
December 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Mr. Willett presented an update on the transit master plan, highlighting the need to update the plan
due to Buckeye's growth and the need for public transit. The plan involved community surveys and
public comments, revealing a demand for some form of transit service, especially among low-income
residents. The findings indicated that Buckeye's scattered population makes a fixed-route system
challenging, suggesting an on-demand micro transit service as a more viable option. Short-term
strategies include implementing a pilot program with extended hours and a reservation system, while
long-term strategies involve working with Valley Metro and expanding City investment in public
transportation. The City has hired a transit coordinator and ordered new buses, aiming to start the pilot
program within three to six months. Councilmember Goodman requested further information about
how the transit system would work, specifically whether it would be a point-to-point reservation system
or if it would involve bus stops. Mr. Willett responded that the system would be similar to Uber, where
residents can book a ride in advance, and the City service would pick them up at their house and drop
them off at their destination. The goal is to maximize the number of riders going to the same
destination. Vice Mayor Heustis asked about the operational details of the transit system, specifically
how the City would manage the buses and drivers, and how they would handle early morning
appointments. Ms. Gomez explained that they had hired a transit coordinator to iron out these details;
adjustments will be made based on demand; clear information will be provided to residents once the
system is ready. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Heustis and seconded by Councilmember
Goodman to approve the Transit Master Plan Update. Motion passed unanimously.
5.B
Council to take action on the nomination and appointment of a Vice Mayor for a one-year
term beginning December 2, 2025.
Staff Liaison: Lucinda Aja, City Clerk
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Heustis and seconded by Councilmember Berry to nominate
and appoint Councilmember Goodman as Vice Mayor for a one-year term ending in December, 2026.
Motion passed unanimously.
6.
Comments from the Mayor and Council
Councilmember Heustis: presented comments regarding the recent food drive donation event and
upcoming Employee Holiday Party; congratulated Councilmember Goodman on his nomination and
appointment as Vice Mayor.
Mayor Orsborn: thanked Councilmember Heustis for his service as Vice Mayor over the last year.
7.
City Manager's Report and Summary of Current Events
Mr. Setovich presented a summary of current events.
8.
Proposals for Future Agenda Items – None.
9.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Orsborn adjourned the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
_________________________________
Eric W. Orsborn, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk
December 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the Regular Council Meeting
held on December 2, 2025. I further certify that a quorum was present.
_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk