DRAFT Minutes - April 15, 2025
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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 -TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 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 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence 3. PRESENTATION 1. Presentation of Dysart Unified School District/El Mirage Essay Contest winners. Amber Wakeman, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, gave a presentation to recognize essay winners from 3rd-12th grade students from El Mirage Elementary Schools and Dysart High School. Ms. Wakeman stated the essay prompt for the 3rd-8th grades was "I Love El Mirage, What is it about El Mirage, Arizona that makes it a place that you love" and, for grades 9th-12th, the essay prompt was "How do the citizens of the City of El Mirage work together to embrace progress while respecting its grand heritage." Mayor Hermosillo thanked the students who participated in the Dysart Unified School District Essay Contest. She stated that she, along with her Council colleagues, had the honor of selecting the winners and are so proud of all the students who participated and encouraged each of the students to do well in school. Mayor Hermosillo announced the winners of the contest: 3rd - 5th Grades: First Place - Immanuel Mason; Second Place - Eli Resendez; Third Place - Elida Acherbo; 6th - 8th Grades: First Place - Ayah Alrafal; Second Place - Sophia Estrella; Third Place - Kamila Spragner; 9th - 12th Grades: First Place - Kayla Wahl; Second Place - Joseph Watts. Mayor Hermosillo congratulated the students, parents, and family members for doing great work and supporting this effort. 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. Ron Klaphake, Rotary Club of Surprise and Sun City West member and City of Surprise resident, spoke about literacy at the young level. He stated that he belongs to a club that has embraced the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and has become an affiliate of the library. Mr. Klaphake stated he is looking for grant funds for the foundation so that it can keep operating and offering services to the youth. Jim McPhetres, resident, thanked the council for the traffic-calming on Varney because it is working very well. He stated that he was disturbed by one item in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the water meter replacement project. He suggested, instead of replacing all the meters, that the meters should be replaced as they break or fail. Mr. McPhetres stated that there are a lot of vehicle replacements coming up in the next few years, and there should be some other form of maintenance to preserve the vehicles. Jeff Lach, resident, stated he wanted to thank the Council for putting efforts behind engineering speed cushions on Varney. Steve Gilliam, resident, stated that he went to Sundial Park, and it was an incredibly dangerous situation with the homeless people living in the wash. He stated it is paramount for the safety of children visiting the park that a fence be built. Mr. Gilliam suggested that Capital Improvement Plan money be used to build the fence. Mr. Gilliam stated there was a lot of back and forth and people slamming the council on social media. He wished everyone could get along. Mr. Gilliam stated that everyone does not have to agree with each other, but should work together to make El Mirage better. 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 Regular City Council Meeting held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, and the Budget Work Session held on Monday, April 7, 2025. (City Clerk) 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. § 41-151.19. (City Clerk) 3. Consideration and action to accept grant funds in the amount of $4,000 from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) for the El Mirage Police Department to participate in the 2025 Click It or Ticket National Enforcement Campaign. (Grants/Police). 4. Consideration and action to approve R25-04-03, adopting the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of El Mirage (COEM) and the El Mirage Police Employees Association (EMPEA) for the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. (Administration) This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda and discussed under Regular Agenda Item 6.1.a. 5. Consideration and action to accept a Public Water Easement and Pedestrian Access Easement due to the construction of the Walmart Fuel Station at 12950 West Thunderbird Road. (Development Services - Engineering) Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve Consent Agenda items 1-3 and 5; seconded by Councilmember Winston. 2 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes April 15, 2025 Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously 6. REGULAR AGENDA Consent Agenda Item 5.4 was pulled and discussed as Regular Agenda 6.1.a. 6.1.a. Consideration and action to approve R25-04-03, adopting the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of El Mirage (COEM) and the El Mirage Police Employees Association (EMPEA) for the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. (Administration) Councilmember Gentry asked that this item be discussed under the Regular Agenda because residents have asked her why contracts are on the Consent Agenda. Dawn Kurek, Human Resources Director, gave a presentation on the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Tentative Agreement Process. Ms. Kurek outlined the significant changes to the tentative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Police Department. Discussion included why there was an increase in some of the benefits included in the Memorandum of Understanding, the importance of El Mirage being competitive compared with other municipalities, and the importance of retention for officers. Councilmember Gentry moved to table this item for further discussion. No second received; motion failed. Mayor Hermosillo stated this was the normal practice for municipalities and praised the City Manager for the time dedicated to long studies, comparable costs, and maintaining police officers. Councilmember Winston clarified that the 457 contribution was $100, not an increase of $100, and the purpose of the item being on the Consent Agenda is that, prior to coming to the Council, this plan went through a long process of back and forth and negotiations, and the Council is not involved until it comes up for approval. Councilmember Winston also stated it was a win-win for both the City of El Mirage and the Police Department. She stated this is a very good MOU and gave kudos to the Association, the City Manager, and the Human Resources Department for making this happen. Councilmember Dorcey encouraged members of the public to contact the City Manager to get answers to questions regarding agenda items. Councilmember Gentry stated she would like there to be more fiscal responsibility in the contracts. Councilmember Eldridge stated he liked the fact that the MOU provides the ability to stay current with equipment that is used by first responders. Vice Mayor Parsons thanked the staff for a lot of hard hours and noted the Police Department is short-staffed and deserves this contract. Councilmember Norton moved to approve R25-04-03, adopting the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of El Mirage (COEM) and the El Mirage Police Employees Association (EMPEA) for the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, as presented; seconded by Mayor Hermosillo. Mayor Hermosillo asked for a roll call vote. Motion Passed - (6/1) NAY- Councilmember Gentry 3 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes April 15, 2025 1. Consideration and action to approve the Statement of Work with Civic Plus for a Mass Notification System in the amount of $5,509.79 for FY25 and $12,750.00 for FY26. (Administration) Amber Wakeman, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs/Public Information, gave a presentation on the Statement of work with Civic Plus for a Mass Notification System. Ms. Wakeman discussed the features of the system and the timeline for the roll out of the program. Discussion included the types of messages, how residents are signed up, the frequency of use of the system, and how residents would be informed about the new system. Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve the Statement of Work with Civic Plus for a Mass Notification System in the amount of $5,509.79 for FY25 and $12,750.00 for FY26; seconded by Councilmember Winston. Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously 2. Consideration and action to approve Resolution R25-04-02 adopting the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. (Administration) Macy Walker, Budget Manager, gave a presentation on the adoption of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Ms. Walker outlined the changes made to the Capital Improvement Plan based on the previous council discussion on April 7, 2025. Ms. Walker stated there are currently 45 items in the CIP totaling $64 million dollars. Ms. Walker highlighted the next steps in the process would be for council to approve the CIP and budget. Discussion included the clarification of the Capital Improvement Program, repairs to 121st avenue, replacement vehicle schedules and retention, length of projects on the Plan, grant funding for projects on the Plan, and each item coming to council for approval before the project has started. Councilmember Winston moved to approve Resolution R25-04-02 adopting the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030; seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. Motion passed - (6/1) NAY - Councilmember Gentry 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 comment or questions. Crystal Dyches, City Manager, provided a brief update on recent activities and upcoming events across the organization: Economic Development: Upcoming ribbon cuttings include the Walmart Gas Station on May 13. CarMax is also nearing completion and will schedule its celebration following final occupancy. Infrastructure: Compass PHX II has begun grading work on its 120-acre data center campus at El Mirage Road and Peoria Avenue. This project represents a major private investment and induces significant infrastructure improvements along Peoria Avenue. 4 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes April 15, 2025 Public Safety: Police and Fire departments responded to several significant incidents over the past two weeks, including a fatal vehicle collision. I am also pleased to share that Officer David Patterson was honored by the Knights of Columbus for his dedicated service as a School Resource Officer and community leader. El Mirage Police Department Annual Awards: On April 11, the department held its Annual Awards Banquet, celebrating exemplary service and professionalism. I'd like to take a moment to recognize this year's award recipients: Department Awards Officer of the Year - Officer David Patterson Outstanding Supervisor - Sergeant Mike Vanorski Professional Support Staff Employee of the Year - Amy Bytnar Investigator of the Year - Detective Sebero Torres Volunteer of the Year - Chaplain Jose Valenzuela Unit Award - Cadet Post #3227 Officer Haleigh Wheat Officer David Patterson Officer Adrian Rodriguez Officer Christopher George Janie Garcia Special Commendations: Life Saving Award - Officers Cardoza, Fraire, George; Sergeant Slater Distinguished Service - Officer Salvador Montes Medal of Merit - Officer Lance Basden Medical Aid Award - Officer Christopher George Certificate of Recognition - Officer Miles McLane Please join me in thanking these individuals for their extraordinary service to the City of El Mirage. Human Resources: Open Enrollment is currently underway through April 23, 2025. Public Works: The final week of the Spring Bulk Trash Collection program is in progress, with more than 900 appointments scheduled. In addition, the Water Division recently completed a comprehensive valve inspection program, evaluating approximately 5,000 water mainline valves to enhance emergency preparedness. Parks and Recreation: Gateway Park's turf maintenance will begin on May 5. Over the next four weeks, the fields will close in phases. 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. Vice Mayor Parsons attended the Spring Faire and the Police Awards Banquet and had a great 5 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes April 15, 2025 time. Councilmember Dorcey attended the Police Awards Banquet and stated it was very well done. Councilmember Eldridge attended the Spring Faire and Police Awards Banquet, and it was great fun. Councilmember Gentry attended the Spring Faire and the Police Awards Banquet, won several prizes and had a great time. Councilmember Norton was very impressed with the youth entrepreneurs at the Spring Faire and made an announcement that El Mirage Cares would be holding a virtual forum on Sexual Assault Awareness on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Hermosillo stated that El Mirage Cares has been a valued program of the City and there was recently a transition to oversight by city staff. Mayor Hermosillo stated that a 501(c)(3) was created by a Councilmember for the El Mirage Cares Program. Mayor Hermosillo stated Councilmembers want to see El Mirage Cares thrive and be an amazing program that continues, and there should be more discussion regarding this item. Mayor Hermosillo directed the City Manager to put an item on a future agenda and the City Attorney to provide further legal advice regarding the transition process. Councilmember Winston asked for clarification on whether the Sexual Assault Awareness event was a city-sponsored El Mirage Cares Event. She also stated she had a great time at the Spring Faire and was unable to make it to the Police Awards Banquet because of an emergency. 9. ADJOURNMENT - meeting adjourned at 7:28 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 Regular El Mirage City Council Meeting held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 and a quorum was present. 6 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes April 15, 2025