06.16.2026 Council Workshop Minutes.pdf

CITY OF BUCKEYE
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JUNE 16, 2026
MINUTES
City Hall - 1st Floor / Executive Conference Room
530 East Monroe Avenue
Buckeye, AZ 85326
3:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Orsborn called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
Members Present: Councilmember Youngker, Councilmember Berry, Councilmember Beard,
Councilmember HagEstad, Councilmember Heustis, Vice Mayor Goodman, and Mayor Orsborn.
Members Absent: None.
Departments Present: City Manager Doug Sandstrom, Deputy City Manager Dave Roderique,
Deputy City Manager Jared Askelson, Deputy City Manager James Shano, City Attorney Tosca
Henry, Deputy City Clerk Summer Stewart, Economic Development Director Suzanne Boyles,
Water Resources Director Terry Lowe, Public Works Director Amy Murray, Chief Financial Officer
Keith Fallstrom, Chief Government Affairs Officer John Raeder, and Interim Community Services
Director Robert Wisener.
2. Workshop Items
2.A Presentation and discussion on the 2026 Intelligent Transportation Systems
(ITS) Network Strategic Plan.
Staff Liaison: John Willett, Deputy Director of Transportation
Mr. Willett opened the presentation and explained that Buckeye’s 2026 Intelligent Transportation
Systems Network Strategic Plan aims to expand the City’s traffic signal network from 44 to 75
signals within two years, with a long-term goal of 350-400 signals as the City grows. The plan
emphasizes remote management and monitoring of signals through a Traffic Operations Center,
leveraging new fiber and micro duct technology for efficient installation and connectivity. Remote
access tools now allow staff to adjust signal timing from anywhere, improving traffic flow during
incidents and reducing the need for 24/7 onsite staffing. The plan also highlights partnerships with
City departments and neighboring jurisdictions to share fiber infrastructure and information, and
stresses the importance of ongoing updates every five to seven years to adapt to technological
advances and changing development patterns. Mr. Willett noted that the system’s flexibility enables
real-time adjustments for events like freeway closures and shift changes at major employers, and
that future staffing will focus on specialized ITS roles to maintain and optimize the network. Vice
Mayor Goodman and Councilmember HagEstad asked why the City would want internal
maintenance over certain traffic signals rather than leaving it with the Arizona Department of
Transportation (ADOT). Mr. Willett answered that having internal control allows the City to better
coordinate signal timing across its own corridors, giving the example that ADOT’s timing patterns
often do not align with the City’s, which can disrupt continuous traffic movement. Councilmember
Heustis asked whether the older downtown traffic lights are controlled by the City’s system and if
June 16, 2026 Council Workshop Minutes

the electronic network includes those lights. Mr. Willett replied that while the City can currently see
and remotely communicate with those signals, they are not yet connected via hardwired fiber. A
separate project is planned to install fiber along Miller Road and Monroe, which will provide a direct
connection. For now, adjustments can be made remotely, but not through the wired network. Based
on questions from Vice Mayor Goodman, Mr. Willett explained the upcoming traffic signal pattern
changes.
2.B Colorado River update by Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD)
Board President Terry Goddard and introduction to proposed citywide Water Policies
by Water Resources Director Terry Lowe.
Staff Liaison: Terry Lowe, Water Resources Director
Mr. Goddard presented an update on the Colorado River, emphasizing that Arizona’s water supply
is heavily dependent on the river, which is facing severe shortages due to a prolonged drought and
reduced runoff. He explained that most river water is used for agriculture, and municipal and
industrial users are not the primary consumers. The drought, which has lasted since 2000, has led
to record-low inflows into Lake Powell and Lake Mead, with reservoir levels dangerously close to
“dead pool” where water cannot be extracted. Negotiations between the upper and lower basin
states have failed to produce a new agreement as the 2007 guidelines expire, and the Department
of Interior is expected to impose new contracts with potentially devastating cuts. Arizona has
already taken significant voluntary reductions, but further cuts are likely, and the state is exploring
options such as desalination, water reuse, and regional partnerships. Mr. Goddard stressed the
need for aggressive planning, conservation, and diversification of water sources, noting that while
there is still water available, it is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to secure.
Councilmember Heustis asked for clarification regarding the City’s water usage. Mr. Goddard
answered that Buckeye receives less than one-third of its supply from the Colorado River, with a
contract for about 2,200 acre-feet, and that the City has a diversified supply. He also confirmed that
72 percent of Colorado River water statewide is used for agriculture. Councilmember Heustis asked
about the prospects for importing desalinated water from San Diego or Mexico. Mr. Goddard
responded that while there are hopes for desalination, it is expensive and long-term; he mentioned
Buckeye’s local brackish water stream as a potential source and stressed the need to consider all
options for new supplies. Councilmember Heustis inquired about the feasibility of importing water
from the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers. Mr. Goddard explained that while engineering studies have
shown it is possible, political approvals are lacking, and interstate issues make it unlikely. He also
discussed the challenges of importing water from the Great Lakes and other regions. Mayor
Orsborn asked about the $400 million in federal funding for water augmentation. Mr. Goddard
clarified that most of the money was spent on short-term agricultural supplies, with no permanent
augmentation achieved, and that the remaining funds must be committed soon or will be lost. Mayor
Orsborn asked about Arizona’s potential participation in California’s wastewater reclamation
projects. Mr. Goddard explained that Arizona is at the table for feasibility studies and could invest in
purification infrastructure in exchange for a share of California’s water, but transportation costs
would need to be considered. Mr. Lowe introduced Buckeye’s approach to citywide water policies,
explaining that the purpose is to establish a clear framework for how the City manages water
resources and guides staff decisions with respect to development and interagency cooperation. He
outlined five main policy areas: strategic water planning, water acquisition and funding, water
allocations and designated areas, water conservation, and the use of reclaimed water. Strategic
planning involves regularly updating the integrated water master plan and aligning water
management with economic development goals. Water acquisition and funding policies define the
types of water assets available and the mechanisms for financing new supplies, including ratepayer
revenues and bonding. The allocation policy addresses how the City will ensure both current and
future customers have reliable water, especially as Buckeye grows and faces new designation
requirements. Conservation policies consolidate existing ordinances and plans to promote efficient
water use, while reclaimed water policies identify the best uses for recycled water, balancing
June 16, 2026 Council Workshop Minutes

recharge with economic opportunities. Mr. Lowe emphasized that these policies are designed to be
flexible and responsive to changing conditions, with regular reviews and stakeholder input, and that
Buckeye is actively monitoring market developments and participating in regional projects to secure
future supplies. Councilmember Heustis asked whether the City’s water policies would be reviewed
more frequently than every five years, suggesting that rapid changes might require updates every
two or three years. Mr. Lowe answered that while the official review period is five years, staff
constantly monitors water market conditions and developments, and the city remains flexible to
adjust policies as needed. General discussion was held regarding the City’s approach to
businesses with heavy water use and whether some industries are inappropriate for Buckeye’s
water-constrained environment. Mr. Lowe confirmed the City considers water use when evaluating
economic development opportunities and aims to attract businesses that align with Buckeye’s water
management goals. Mayor Orsborn asked about the impact of El Niño and the early start of the
monsoon season, specifically whether El Niño would bring more rain and how it might affect water
supplies. Mr. Goddard responded that CAP’s weather experts do not make predictions about El
Niño, and while there is hope for increased rainfall, it is unclear where the rain will fall and whether
it will benefit the Rocky Mountains, which are critical for Arizona’s water supply. He emphasized
that even several years of above-normal precipitation would be needed to recover from current
shortages
3. Adjournment.
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Orsborn adjourned the meeting at 4:59 p.m.
______________________________________
Eric W. Orsborn, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the Council Workshop held
on June 16, 2026. I further certify that a quorum was present.
_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk
June 16, 2026 Council Workshop Minutes