9 9 2021 Minutes WS Draft

D R A F T
WORK SESSION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EL MIRAGE
EL MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
10000 N. EL MIRAGE ROAD
5:00 PM -THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
Minutes
 
           
   
1.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Councilmember Roy Delgado; Vice Mayor Monica Dorcey;
Councilmember Anita Norton (via phone); Commissioner Mike Hutchinson (via phone);
Councilmember David Shapera; Councilmember Donna Winston 
2.
CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm.
 
3.
WORK SESSION PRESENTATION
 
1.
Presentation by MAG Transportation Planning Program Manager Audra Koester Thomas and
MAG Policy and Government Relations Director Nathan Pryor on the new regional
transportation plan. 
Mayor Hermosillo introduced Audra Koester Thomas from MAG Transportation Planning
who presented information on the long term transportation planning.  The committee has been
given approval to move forward with a 1/2 cent 25 year tax to support the proposed changes. 
They will begin working with the legislature on these items beginning in January 2022.
Mayor Hermosillo thanked Ms. Thomas for the presentation and the collaboration provided by
MAG.  Councilmember Winston asked if I.T.S. plans would apply to GPS users in real-time. 
Ms. Thomas answered yes, this is one of many smart technologies they are working on
currently.  Councilmember Shapera stated he believed the1/2 cent decision is already creating
an underfunded situation for the future and said the one cent tax instead would better serve the
citizens.  He asked why MAG would choose the 1/2 cent over the one cent tax.  Ms. Thomas
answered they had asked for the one cent tax but also provided other options for policy
members to choose from.  Councilmember Shapera asked if they would have the opportunity
to go back and ask for more funding and Ms. Thomas answered yes.  Vice Mayor
Dorcey asked if there was consideration to extend Northern Parkway to the 51.  Ms. Thomas
stated it was considered and eliminated from the plan for various reasons.  Councilmember
Delgado asked if the light rail would be extended past El Mirage towards Wickenburg.  Ms.
Thomas acknowledged that commuter rail was a topic that continues to warrant more study. 
Ultimately, this was not included in the most recent plan.  It may be an opportunity for a
Federal Grant to fund.  Councilmember Norton asked if this was a continuation of a current
tax instead of an increase.   Ms. Thomas stated that was correct.
  
 
4.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 pm.

_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Sharon Antes, City Clerk
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the El Mirage City Council Work
Session held on Thursday, September 9, 2021, and a quorum was present. 
  
2 
Work Session  - Council Minutes
September 9, 2021