1 22 2025 REG Minutes DRAFT

D R A F T
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EL MIRAGE
EL MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
10000 N. EL MIRAGE ROAD
6:00 PM - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025
Minutes
 
 
         
   
1.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Vice Mayor Monica Dorcey; Councilmember Ryan Eldridge;
Councilmember Scottie Gentry; Councilmember Anita Norton; Council Member Jacquelyn
Parsons; Councilmember Donna Winston 
2.
CALL TO ORDER - meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
Introduction of new City employees
 
3.
PRESENTATION
 
1.
2025 State and Federal Legislative Update.  (Administration)
Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs/Public Information Amber Wakeman gave a
PowerPoint presentation on the 57th Legislature noting Governor Hobb's emphasis in her State of
the State Address and her proposed 2025 Executive state budget.  Ms. Wakeman then outlined the
Arizona State Legislature identifying State and House leadership, and identified issues to watch
that include border security, investing in affordable housing, ESA - school voucher program
guidelines, and increasing teacher pay/renewing prop. 123.
  
 
4.
PROCLAMATION
 
1.
To recognize January as Anti-Human Trafficking Month. (Administration)
Deputy Director Amber Wakeman introduced Mr. Scott September and Pastor Bob Hake of
Pureheart Church from the Not in Our City organization.  They each thanked the City of El Mirage
for their support and spoke briefly about the organization, explaining they are a
community-centered coalition united against human trafficking in Arizona.  Mayor Hermosillo
proclaimed the month January 2025 as Anti-Human Trafficking Month and a group photo with
Council was taken.

5.
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.
Resident Jim McPhetres complimented Council on the Anti-Human Trafficking proclamation,
voiced opposition to the abrupt change in the Vice Mayor's position, and expressed concern over
hiring an out-of-state company to prepare the master plan for the parks.
Resident Mark Beland commented he was in favor of selecting a new Vice Mayor and expressed
support for Councilmember Norton to serve in this position, stated he was pleased to learn about
the public meeting regarding the parks master plan, and noted he is very pleased with the local
YMCA.
Resident Steve Gilliam stated he hoped more residents would attend and participate in the Parks &
Rec public presentation at the Senior Center on Thursday evening, and he noted the City is only
nine square miles and cannot be compared to the needs of much larger cities.
Resident Donald van Neville commented he did not believe it was appropriate for the previous
Council to have appointed a new Vice Mayor and is in favor of a vote at tonight's meeting; he
supports Councilmember Norton.
 
6.
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 Regular Council meeting held Tuesday,
December 3, 2024, the Special Council meeting held Thursday, December 5, 2024, the Council
Work Session held Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and the Regular Council meeting held Tuesday,
January 7, 2025. (City Clerk)
  
 
 
Vice Mayor Dorcey moved to approve Consent Agenda Item 1 as presented with corrections to the
minutes for the December 2024 meeting, amending the motion to reflect it being seconded by
Councilmember Norton on Regular Agenda Item 5.9 and for the January 7, 2025, Council meeting
to add a second to the motion by Councilmember Gentry to Regular Agency Item 5.1.; seconded by
Councilmember Parsons. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
2.
Consideration and action to approve the destruction of municipal documents that have reached the
end of their retention period as authorized under A.R.S. § 41 -15I.19. (City Clerk)
Moved to Regular Agenda Item 7.1.a
  
 
3.
Consideration and action to extend an Inspection Services Agreement (ISA) between the Arizona
Department of Housing (ADOH) and the City of El Mirage to monitor and enforce the installation
standards of quality and safety for manufactured homes, factory-built buildings, and mobile homes.
(Development Services)
Moved to Regular Agenda Item 7.1.b
  
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January 22, 2025

7.
REGULAR AGENDA
7.1.a - Consent Agenda Item 6.2 was pulled from Consent and discussed under Regular Agenda
Consideration and action to approve the destruction of municipal documents that have reached the
end of their retention period as authorized under A.R.S. § 41 -15I.19. (City Clerk)
Councilmember Gentry requested this item be discussed on the Regular Agenda in order to
advise the public on the reason some City documents are destroyed.
City Clerk Antes explained State law A.R.S. § 41.151.19 stipulates that certain documents shall be
destroyed according to a schedule provided by the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public
Records. She explained there are varying retention periods and documents such as non-awarded
bids, completed contracts or grants, expired agreements or IGAs are types of records the State
requires to be destroyed according to their retention schedule.  Permanent documents include
minutes of Council meetings (including Executive Session minutes), resolutions, ordinances,
Council agendas, and Council packets with backup and notes.
Vice Mayor Dorcey moved to approve the destruction of municipal documents that have reached
the end of their retention period as authorized under A.R.S. § 41 -15I.19.; seconded by
Councilmember Winston.
Vote: 7–0 Passed - Unanimously
7.1.b. - Consent Agenda Item 6.3 was pulled from Consent and discussed under Regular Agenda 
Consideration and action to extend an Inspection Services Agreement (ISA) between the Arizona
Department of Housing (ADOH) and the City of El Mirage to monitor and enforce the installation
standards of quality and safety for manufactured homes, factory-built buildings, and mobile homes.
(Development Services)  
Councilmember Gentry requested this item be discussed on the Regular Agenda in order to
clarify the terms of the proposed contract and what was the purpose of the contract.
Building Official Brigham Bennett spoke in-depth about the inspection process, noting that by
having the City perform the inspections rather than the County, accelerated the inspections and
provided better customer service. Councilmember Gentry inquired about installation specifics and
Mr. Bennet gave an in-depth explanation of setting and securing modular units.
Vice Mayor Dorcey moved to extend an Inspection Services Agreement (ISA) between the Arizona
Department of Housing (ADOH) and the City of El Mirage to monitor and enforce the installation
standards of quality and safety for manufactured homes, factory-built buildings, and mobile homes;
seconded by Councilmember Winston.
Vote: 7-0 Passed - Unanimously
 
1.
Consideration and action pertaining to the office of Vice Mayor for a new Council member to be
nominated by the Current City Council.  (Councilmember Eldridge and Councilmember Parsons)
Vice Mayor Dorcey nominated Jacque Parsons to serve as Vice Mayor, seconded by Mayor
Hermosillo.
Procedural discussion followed with Councilmember Gentry stating she was cut off when she
attempted to make a nomination and that she should be heard first. Councilmember Eldridge read
a statement that he believed the position of Vice Mayor was an important position and careful
  
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January 22, 2025

consideration should be given to who is appointed.  Vice Mayor Dorcey stated her reason for
nominating Councilmember Parsons was that it is important to communicate well with all
Councilmembers, and she believed Councilmember Parsons would make an excellent Vice Mayor.  
Councilmember Parsons also read a statement noting it is essential for a new Vice Mayor to
communicate.  Mayor Hermosillo echoed others' comments and stated there are many
considerations and building relationships is vital.  Councilmember Gentry said all the new
Council members have a lot to learn, and she believed Councilmember Norton has more
experience.  City Attorney Pierce advised Council that the Mayor had control of the meeting and,
procedurally, all was correct. Councilmember Norton (on-line) strongly disagreed with comments
stating this is not a popularity contest, and while she supported all three of the new
Councilmembers, none have enough knowledge to properly serve in this role. Mayor Hermosillo
said all were elected, all can learn, and time served should not be a factor, noting that
Councilmember Winston is an experienced Council member and supported Councilmember
Parsons.  She then called for the question and requested a roll-call vote.
AYES - Mayor Hermosillo, Vice Mayor Dorcey, Councilmembers Eldridge, Parsons, and
Winston
NAYES - Councilmembers Gentry and Norton
Vote: 5-2 Passed
Councilmember Parsons was selected to serve as Vice Mayor.
 
2.
Consideration and discussion related to audiovisual systems provided in the council chambers,
including closed captioning, cameras, streaming services and work session setup.  (Information
Technology)
I.T. Director Tom Bacome provided a PowerPoint presentation on potential options for audiovisual
system upgrades.  He covered four main areas, explaining each and seeking guidance from Council
on moving forward. The four areas were 1) Closed Captioning, 2) Cameras, 3) Council Streaming,
and 4) Work Session set up.  There was considerable discussion on each area, but it was
determined that more information was needed, and the Mayor requested a Work Session for
Council to learn more and have more time to digest information received thus far.
  
 
8.
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 comment or questions.
City Manager Dyches advised and invited all residents to attend the Parks and Recreation public
input work session to be held at the Senior Center, 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
 
9.
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.
Vice Mayor Parsons thanked everyone for appointing her and providing her with the honor of
serving as Vice Mayor.
Councilmember Dorcey congratulated VM Parsons on becoming Vice Mayor and also advised
that a representative from the new Emergency 24/7 medical facility recently joined the YMCA
Board.  Councilmember Eldridge reported on attending the Jiffy Lube ribbon cutting and
welcomed their business. Councilmember Gentry also attended the Jiffy Lube ribbon cutting and
encouraged all residents to participate in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan public session at the
Senior Center on Thursday, January 23rd. Councilmember Norton announced there will be a
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January 22, 2025

Teen Dating Violence meeting on February 12, 2025, held at the El Mirage Library and invited all
to attend. Councilmember Winston stated she also attended the Jiffy Lube ribbon cutting. Mayor
Hermosillo congratulated Jacque Parsons on her new Vice Mayor appointment.
 
10.
ADJOURNMENT 
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Councilmember Winston. 
Vote: 7-0 Passed - Unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
 
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Sharon Antes, City Clerk
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the Regular El Mirage City Council
Meeting held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, and a quorum was present. 
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