Draft Minutes October 6, 2026

D R A F T
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF EL MIRAGE
EL MIRAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT - BLUE HONOR ROOM
12401 W. Cinnabar Avenue, El Mirage, AZ 85335
6:00 PM — TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
Minutes
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Vice Mayor Jacquelyn Parsons; Councilmember Monica
Dorcey; Councilmember Ryan Eldridge; Councilmember Scottie Gentry (online);
Councilmember Donna Winston (online)
Absent: Councilmember Anita Norton (excused)
2. CALL TO ORDER - meeting called to order at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
3. PROCLAMATION
1. Proclaiming October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
(Administration)
Mayor Hermosillo proclaimed October 2026 Domestic Violence Awareness and
Prevention Month.
4. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Citizens desiring to speak on any issue within the jurisdiction of the public body may do
so at this time. Comments shall be limited to three (3) minutes per person and shall be
addressed to the City Council as a whole. At the conclusion of the Call to the Public,
individual City Council Members may (1) respond to criticism made by those who have
spoken, (2) direct staff to review or follow up on the matter, and/or (3) direct that the
matter be put on a future agenda.
Miguel Santiago Ramirez, a citizen, expressed concerns about Flock cameras and his
opposition to Proposition 314.
Jason Chavez, a citizen, expressed concerns about Flock cameras and his opposition to
Proposition 314.
Angelina Estrada, a resident, recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
and stated that approximately 20 to 40 percent of law enforcement families experience
domestic violence, and expressed concerns about Flock cameras.
Jim McPhetres, a resident, stated he is not in favor of the Save contract because he

Regular Meeting - Council Minutes October 6, 2026
believes it is a way for the city to pass a bond measure without voter approval.
Todd Balash, a resident, stated his opposition to approving the Municipal Advisory
Services Agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. According to his
research, this company is not in good standing with the Financial Regulatory Authority or
the Better Business Bureau.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed under the Consent Agenda will be voted on with one motion. If discussion
is desired regarding any Consent Agenda Item, that item will be removed from the
Consent Agenda and voted on separately.
1. Consideration and action to approve the minutes of the Work Session and Regular City
Council meeting held Tuesday, September 15, 2026. (City Clerk)
2. Consideration and action to approve the City of Phoenix Police Department to serve as
fiscal and reporting agent and accept the El Mirage Police Department’s FY2026 Edward
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Local Formula allocation in the amount of
$10,911. (Administration)
3. Consideration and action to approve a Professional Services Contract with Engineering
Alliance, Inc. for surveying and engineering design services for Thompson Ranch Road
valley gutter and roadway improvements in an amount not to exceed $59,966.
(Development Services)
4. Consideration and action to approve the purchase and installation of emergency
equipment for five 2027 Ford Explorers from Arizona Emergency Products (AEP) under
City of Chandler Contract PD5-055-4859 at a cost of $171,105.75. (Police)
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.4,
seconded by Councilmember Winston.
Motion passed 5/1 (NAY - Councilmember Gentry)
6. REGULAR AGENDA
1. Public Hearing, closure of Public Hearing, followed by consideration and action on a
request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a retail smoke/vape shop in the
Urban Corridor zoning district at 11713 W. Thunderbird Road, El Mirage, Arizona 85335.
(Development Services)
Mayor Hermosillo opened the public hearing at 6:29 p.m.
Jose Macias, Senior Planner, presented a conditional use permit for a retail vape and
smoke shop located at 11713 W. Thunderbird Road. The building is 4,413 square feet,
and the last known use was an HVAC company. The site is within the Thunderbird Road
Core planning area of the 2020 El Mirage General Plan. The zoning is urban corridor, and
the site is within the Thunderbird Road only district. It is an existing building and is not
subject to the overlay regulations. There are no flood zone issues to be addressed. The
official proposed use is a retail vape and smoke shop, which requires approval of a
conditional use permit before the applicant may proceed with tenant improvements and
open the business. Under the stipulations, the applicant must obtain permits for the
tentative improvements, which include signage and interior upgrades. Staff will work with
the applicant to address any concerns and bring the property up to code, including
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parking, signage, trash enclosure, and interior improvements. The Technical Advisory
Committee has reviewed the application and determined that the project is appropriate
to move forward with public hearings. Staff has received no comments regarding this
item.
Mustafa Shanaab, applicant, stated he has one location in operation and is looking to
expand to the City of El Mirage.
Jay Powell, Pastor of God's House of Worship, stated he is concerned because the
business would be open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week, which could
cause traffic problems for his congregation on Sundays.
Councilmember Winston asked Mr. Powell to clarify which hours of operation he was
concerned about. Mr. Powell stated the hours on Sunday, starting at 10:00 a.m. The
congregation meets at 9:00 a.m., and the concern is the parking availability.
Councilmember Dorcey asked if staff could provide more information on the parking
requirement. Mr. Macias stated that, based on the square footage used for retail, it would
require 8 parking spaces.
Mr. Shanaab stated he did not expect to have more than 5 to 10 customers per hour on
Sundays, and those customers would be in and out of his business very quickly.
Mayor Hermosillo closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m.
Councilmember Eldridge stated that he supports small businesses and the owner's
passion to succeed. He cannot support this because El Mirage is 9.9 square miles, and
there are 5 locations selling the same product.
Councilmember Dorcey stated that it is not within the council's purview to limit the
number of businesses of the same type.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a
retail smoke/vape shop in the Urban Corridor zoning district at 11713 W.
Thunderbird Road, El Mirage, Arizona 85335, seconded by Councilmember
Winston.
Motion passed 5/1 (NAY - Councilmember Gentry)
Mayor Hermosillo recessed the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
Mayor Hermosillo resumed the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
2. Public Hearing, closure of Public Hearing, followed by consideration and action on a
request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Sonoran Bloom public art mural on an
existing building in the Commerce Park zoning district at 8376 N. El Mirage Road, El
Mirage, Arizona 85335. (Development Services)
Mayor Hermosillo opened the public hearing at 6:51 p.m.
Jose Macias, Senior Planner, presented a request for a conditional use permit for public
art. The proposed mural site is located on an existing building owned by the Arizona
Cannabis Society at 8376 N. El Mirage Road. The property is approximately 1.6 acres and
is situated within the Commerce Industry Park planning area of the 2020 El Mirage
General Plan. The zoning for this area is Commerce Park and falls within the Noise
Contour Zone of Luke Air Force Base and military airport territory. There are no flood
items to be addressed. The current land use is a marijuana establishment, and the
proposed use is for a public art mural. A conditional use permit is necessary for the mural
to be installed. The images will be installed on the east and south walls and on the pillar
in front of the building's entry wall. The Technical Advisory Committee has reviewed the
application and determined that the project is appropriate for public hearings to proceed.
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The applicant will be required to consent to the Technical Advisory Committee
stipulations per the memorandum dated August 26, 2026. Luke Air Force Base reviewed
the project and provided comments. No negative impact is anticipated; potential risks
were identified, and those conditions have been incorporated. Staff received one inquiry
about the project, with no additional comments for or against the proposed development.
Ms. Leah Stugan, applicant, stated she is the artist behind the design. The purpose of the
mural is to educate the local community about Arizona's native flowers, beautify the
surrounding areas, and serve as a potential landmark for the community.
Jim McPhetres, a resident, stated the artwork was beautiful.
Mayor Hermosillo closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the
Sonoran Bloom public art mural on an existing building in the Commerce Park
zoning district at 8376 N. El Mirage Road, El Mirage, Arizona 85335, seconded
by Councilmember Winston.
Motion passed 6/0
3. Public Hearing, closure of Public Hearing, followed by consideration and action reference
Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control, for a renewal license application #
09070602 for Walgreens located at 12244 W. Cactus Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335 (Police).
Mayor Hermosillo opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m.
Assistant Police Chief Tim Mason gave background on the application for a liquor license
for Walgreens located at 12244 W. Cactus Road. He stated there was no recommendation
from the Police Department.
Mayor Hermosillo closed the public hearing at 7:06 p.m.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve the recommendation for a renewal
license application # 09070602 for Walgreens located at 12244 W. Cactus Rd, El
Mirage, AZ 85335, seconded by Councilmember Winston.
Motion passed 6/0
4. Consideration and action to approve a Municipal Advisory Services Agreement with Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, utilizing SAVE Contract RFP C-005-2223, through
June 30, 2028. (Administration)
Robert Nilles, Deputy City Manager, stated that the addition of a financial advisor does
not authorize the city to issue general obligation debt. This contract has been
competitively bid by a third party, and other entities are authorized to use it.
Jack Lieber, Stifel, stated that a municipal bond advisor brings current data, specialized
industry software, financial models, and recent transaction experience to municipalities.
Many cities use a municipal advisory service, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson,
Flagstaff, Chandler, Gilbert, Cave Creek, and Avondale. The municipal advisor is licensed
through and regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. All
bankers who will serve El Mirage have their Series 50 Municipal Advisor License. The
advisor helps the city plan its debt, evaluate financing options, and choose the right time
and method to access the market. The advisor has a fiduciary duty to the city, which
means Stifel must act in the city's best interests and provide informed, diligent advice.
The city retains all decision-making authority. The municipal advisor recommends, and
the staff and council make the decisions.
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Regular Meeting - Council Minutes October 6, 2026
Councilmember Eldridge moved to table the item to a future date to look into
some of the disclosure events and the sanctions that were reported tonight,
seconded by Councilmember Gentry.
Motion failed 2/4 (NAY - Mayor Hermosillo, Vice Mayor Parsons, Councilmember
Dorcey, Councilmember Winston)
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve a Municipal Advisory Services Agreement
with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, utilizing SAVE Contract RFP
C-005-2223, through June 30, 2028, seconded by Councilmember Winston.
Vice Mayor Parsons stated that she believes city employees did due diligence and does
not feel that there will be any problems with this agreement.
Councilmember Dorcey stated the city will benefit from this kind of professional advice.
Councilmember Winston thanked Deputy City Manager Nilles for clarifying misinformation
that was shared during the call to the public portion of the meeting. This is a fiduciary
responsibility for a business that has been in operation for years, and other cities and
towns use this business.
Mr. Lieber stated that Stifel has not had any material regulatory issues with the Phoenix
Public Finance Office. The regulatory disclosures that were required to be made to the
city are included in the financial advisor agreement. Employees in Stifel were using
personal cell phones to conduct financial business, as were most of Wall Street, and
everyone was hit with the same finding from the Securities and Exchange Commission,
so the organization agreed to a settlement. To remedy that situation, employees now
have two cellular phones.
Councilmember Gentry asked whether any current employees can do this job, whether
the city wants to refinance its bonds, and whether any of the city's accounts have gone
into collections. Mr. Nilles stated that current employees lack the necessary licenses to
perform these functions. The city has no general obligation bonds planned in its current
five-year forecast, and all general obligation bonds have been refunded. Mr. Nilles stated
that he was unaware that the city's accounts had been sent to collections.
Motion passed 4/2 (NAY - Councilmember Gentry, Councilmember Eldridge)
7. CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS & SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS
The City Council may not act upon any matter in the City Manager's summary, but may
have general comments or questions.
8. MAYOR'S COMMENTS and COUNCIL SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS
The Mayor and City Council may not discuss or act upon any matter in the summary
unless the specific matter is properly noticed for legal action.
Councilmember Dorcey stated she is very happy with the Music in the Park events.
Councilmember Eldridge stated there are 16 days left until the Anniversary Party, and it
will be a lot of fun.
Councilmember Gentry stated she attended Dysart High School Homecoming event.
Councilmember Winston stated she has heard good things about the Music in the Park
Events and is looking forward to the El Mirage Cares walk on October 17th.
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Regular Meeting - Council Minutes October 6, 2026
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Consideration and action to convene into Executive Session pursuant to A.R.S. §
38-431.03(A)(3) and (A)(4) to receive legal advice from counsel and to discuss matters
relating to the Mountain States Pipe & Supply metering system contract,
including potential warranty claims, associated legal and contractual risks, available
options, and related next steps, and to provide direction to staff consistent with that
legal advice.
Mayor Hermosillo stated the Executive Session scheduled for this meeting has been
postponed to the next scheduled meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT - meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the Regular El
Mirage City Council Meeting held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and a quorum was present.
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