Draft_March 4, 2025 Work Session Minutes

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
4:00 PM -TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025
Minutes
 
           
   
1.
ROLL CALL 
Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Vice Mayor Jacquelyn Parsons; Councilmember Monica Dorcey;
Councilmember Ryan Eldridge; Councilmember Scottie Gentry; Councilmember Anita
Norton; Councilmember Donna Winston 
2.
CALL TO ORDER - meeting called to order at 4:00 p.m.
 
3.
WORK SESSION PRESENTATION
 
1.
Clarification on Oversight, Resource Allocation, and Alternative Approaches for the El Mirage
Cares Program.
Mayor Hermosillo gave background on the El Mirage Cares Program. Mayor Hermosillo
discussed how important the program was to the Council as well as how vital it is to the
residents of El Mirage and asked Councilmembers for suggestions on how to move the program
forward.  Discussions centered on the background and history of the program, effectiveness,
attendance, and staff involvement. Councilmembers agreed staff will manage the program in the
manner other programs are currently operated. The City Manager will bring back to the Council
a plan on how to move forward with El Mirage Cares.
  
 
2.
The proposal seeks to amend the current order of business by incorporating a prayer/invocation,
replacing the moment of silence, at the start of each City Council meeting.
Discussion centered on incorporating a prayer/invocation that would replace the moment of
silence during Council meetings. Councilmembers discussed other cities who allow for prayer
around the state at the meetings and the 1st Amendment. Attorney Quist gave history and
current practices that allow for prayer in public meetings. Attorney Quist noted that prayer
would need structure, followed by robust policy and guidelines if implemented. The Mayor and
Council continued discussion with some Councilmembers wanting to have prayer at the
beginning of the council meeting, while other Councilmembers were opposed because of
possible consequences and legal implications and would prefer the moment of silence at the
beginning of meetings continue. The Mayor and Council discussed the possibility of having an
Interfaith Council in the future. The Mayor and Council reached a consensus not to move
forward with including prayer in meetings.

3.
Review of legal topics impacting municipal governance and operations.
Attorney Allen Quist gave a presentation on legal topics for municipal governance and
operations. Mr. Quist discussed the Mayor and Council's responsibilities as elected
officials. Due to time constraints, further discussion was postponed to a later date so that
additional items could be discussed.
  
 
4.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
 
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Jill A. Boltz, City Clerk
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the El Mirage City Council Work
Session held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 and a quorum was present. 
  
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Work Session  - Council Minutes
March 4, 2025