2025-07-01 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes_Draft
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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, JULY 1, 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 6:18 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence 3. PRESENTATION - there was no presentation for this meeting. 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. Thomas George, resident, stated the compensation study for $30,000 and paying $94,000 to cut grass was excessive. There was an item on the agenda for new defibrillators for $45,000 and asked if the current defibrillators are old and outdated and whether one has ever been used. The council should be better stewards of the taxpayers dollars. Jeff Lach, resident, stated he was opposed to the whole Consent Agenda. Items such as the compensation study, parks maintenance, defibrillators, turnout equipment and the Glendale Training Center are going to cost approximately $2.4 million dollars and the City should not be spending this money. 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 Council meeting held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and the Work Session of June 19, 2025. (City Clerk) At Councilmember Gentry's request, this item was pulled from Consent for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.A. Mayor Hermosillo moved, seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. Motion carried (4/3) NAY: Councilmember Gentry, Councilmember Eldridge, and Councilmember Norton 2. Consideration and action to adopt Ordinance No. O25-07-07, amending sections of the City Code related to the City Clerk. (City Clerk) At the request of Councilmember Gentry, this item was pulled from the Consent for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.B Councilmember Dorcey moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried (6/1). NAY: Councilmember Norton 3. Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for Sales Tax Auditing and Consulting Services with Howard Auditing Group. (Finance) 4. Consideration and action to enter into an agreement with Public Sector Personnel Consultants to complete a compensation study for a cost not to exceed $30,000. (Human Resources) At Councilmember Eldridge's request, this item was pulled from the Consent for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.C. Councilmember Dorcey moved, seconded by Mayor Hermosillo. Motion carried. (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry 5. Consideration and action to renew NEOGOV’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Agreement for their Insight job posting and application processing software subscription and the Perform employee evaluations management software subscription, for an amount not to exceed $23,000 annually. (Human Resources) 6. Consideration and action to allow parking restrictions on the north side of Ash Street, west of Main Street. (Development Services) 7. Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into budgeted goods and services contracts, according to the attached list of vendors, to allow Public Works to perform their duties during FY 25/26. (Public Works) At Councilmember Eldridge's request, this item was pulled from Consent for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.D. Vice Mayor Parsons moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried. (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry 2 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 8. Consideration and action to approve the purchase of landscape maintenance services for July through September 2025 for City facilities, parks, and rights of way with Brightview Landscape Services in the amount of $94,494.42. (Public Works/Parks and Rec) At Councilmember Eldridge's request, this item was pulled from Consent for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.E. Councilmember Dorcey moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried. (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry 9. Consideration and action to approve the additional nine License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras added to the current Flock Safety 5-year contract for an additional annual cost of $35,350 (including taxes), which will be added to our existing contract of $178,705.50 (including taxes) for an annual grand total of $214,055.50.(Police). 10. Consideration and action to approve the first of two available one-year amendment extensions to an agreement with W.W. Williams Company, LLC to provide Fire Apparatus Maintenance & Repair Services for the City of El Mirage, for an amount not to exceed $161,000, with a 4% increase in labor hourly rates, with other terms and conditions remaining unchanged. (Fire) 11. Consideration and action to approve the purchase of 18 replacement Automated External Defibrillators (AED) from Stryker Medical for an amount of $49,402.20. (Fire) 12. Consideration and action to approve the purchase of replacement fire structure turn-out coats and pants from L.N. Curtis for an amount not to exceed $34,046.95. (Fire) Vice Mayor Parsons moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.9 - 5.12 Motion carried (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry 13. Consideration and action to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the West Valley Cities and Fire Districts and the City of El Mirage for the use of fire apparatus on an as-needed basis to benefit public safety. (Fire) This item was removed to be brought back at a later date with additional information. 6. REGULAR AGENDA Consent Agenda Item 5.1 was pulled and discussed as Regular Agenda Item 6.1.a. Consideration and action to prove the minutes of the Work Session and Regular Council meeting held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and the Work Session of June 19, 2025. (City Clerk) Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was requested to be pulled by Councilmember Gentry. Councilmember Gentry stated that while looking over the minutes, she read everything discussed pertaining to the presenter and the employees, but there was no conversation detailing what the council had to say. She requested this item be tabled, so the clerk could put more information into the minutes. Councilmember Dorcey stated this is totally unnecessary. The Work Session is meant to speak 3 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 freely and converse about issues and exchange views. The work sessions are recorded. Taking away the opportunity and inhibiting opportunities for council to deliberate is contrary to good governance and a bad idea an oppose this item being delayed for approval. Mayor Hermosillo stated the meeting minutes are presented are very standard to the current procedural minutes. Every meeting is public and posted and citizens are allowed to attend in person or listen to witness conversations. There are various ways in which to engage and get information that was discussed during the meeting. Councilmember Norton stated that she disagrees and in this case the minutes do not cover any input by the council. It is not transparent to say that someone can attend meetings in person or listen to the video recording, and it is not fair to the public. Councilmember Gentry asked that this item be tabled to add dialogue on the various issues and ideas that were shared. There should be more open governance for the public. Mayor Hermosillo stated there have been a lot of previous conversations that have been had regarding different practices that have been put in place. We are consistently trying to be transparent to the public. Councilmember Eldridge stated he understands where Councilmember Gentry is coming from. The council should be as open to the public as possible. He stated he understands that you can't add everything to the reports, but he does not mind what he says being made public because he wants to be held accountable for his actions and words. Mayor Hermosillo moved to approve the minutes of the Work Session and Regular Council meeting held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and th Work Session of June 19, 2025, seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. Motion carried (4/3) NAY: Councilmember Gentry, Councilmember Eldridge, and Councilmember Norton Consent Agenda Item 5.2 was pulled and discussed as Regular Agenda Item 6.1.b. Consideration and action to adopt Ordinance No. O25-07-07, amending sections of the City Code related to the City Clerk. (City Clerk) Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was requested to be pulled by Councilmember Gentry. Councilmember Gentry stated that since 2018 the duties of the City Clerk have been in the handbook and have remained the same, and do not understand why the duties need to change at this time. The City Clerk had the charge of being the Treasurer for years and this City Clerk was hired to do this job, and it should stay the same. Jill Boltz, City Clerk, stated the new Ordinance language adds to the job duties that she was hired to do. This action would change the code and then subsequently allow necessary changes to update the handbook. The duties of the Treasurer are listed in the Arizona State Statute as part of a City Clerk's responsibilities. Most city clerk's throughout the state, other than small cities where they perform a dual role of Clerk/Treasurer, do not perform this duty, and it is the role of the Finance Director. This change better reflects what the common practices are and what is expected of the City Clerk position. Mayor Hermosillo stated that she has had conversations with the City Clerk since she came on board and she has been updating some of the internal processes and procedures that have been in place. This happens when there is a natural transition. The previous City Clerk took on different things that weren't necessarily within the role, but did so because she was the best person at the time for the job. 4 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 Councilmember Norton stated that the final version of the exhibit still says the City Clerk is the City Treasurer. She recommends that an adjustment be made to take away the description as City Treasurer and place the City Treasurer as the Finance Director, which is common practice. Ms. Boltz stated that she had discussed this with the City Attorney's Office and decided that it would be okay to either remove that portion of the job description in total or leave it in as written and have those duties delegated. Trish Stuhan, City Attorney, stated that it is written in the state statute that the Office of City Clerk shall also hold the Office of City Treasurer and then those duties are sometimes delegated. Councilmember Dorcey stated that she does not want the Finance Director to be the City Treasurer. She would like the City Treasurer to be accountable to the City Council as the City Clerk is currently. The duties that involve having money split, so there is a check and balance is totally appropriate and is done in corporations and non-profits as good accounting practice. Councilmember Norton stated the definition of a City Treasurer. Councilmember Winston stated that anything in statute the council should abide by. Mayor Hermosillo stated that she wants to abide by the statutes that are in place. Councilmember Eldridge stated he does not believe in one person having too much control, especially over money. Would it be possible to change this back later down the road if that decision was made? Ms. Stuhan stated council could always change the code by a majority vote, so if over time, practices change and things are not working, the council has the flexibility to make a change. Councilmember Dorcey moved to adopt Ordinance No. O25-07-07, amending sections of the City Code related to the City Clerk, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Norton Consent Agenda Item 5.4 was pulled and discussed as Regular Agenda Item 6.1.c. Consideration and action to enter into an agreement with Public Sector Personnel Consultants to complete a compensation study for a cost not to exceed $30,000. (Human Resources) Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was pulled by Councilmember Eldridge. Dawn Kurek, Human Resources Director, introduced the item and Bob Longmire, Public Sector Personnel Consulting Vice President to address any questions and concerns from the council. Councilmember Eldridge asked how many hours will be put into the study, how long will it take, and if the company currently has information from outside agencies. Mr. Longmire stated his organization does not currently have any outside information that will be used in the study as information on benefits and salaries are not stagnant and always changing. Data is gathered in a variety of ways and from different sources to obtain comparable information relevant to El Mirage employees. Councilmember Norton asked if the study would include all employee classifications and include information related to total compensation. Mr. Longmire stated this study does include all employees and benefit packages. It will compare current salaries as well as total benefit 5 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 packages against what is being offered by competitors. Councilmember Parsons asked if they would be using cities of the same size. Mr. Longmire stated they are using an existing comparator set of ten cities the area. Some of those organizations are the same and some are larger. The existing list has a good set of competitors where everyone is competing for local talent. Councilmember Dorcey moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Public Sector Personnel Consultants to complete a compensation study for a cost not to exceed $30,000, seconded by Mayor Hermosillo. Motion carried (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry Consent Agenda Item 5.7 was pulled and discussed as Consent Agenda Item 6.1.d. Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into budgeted goods and service contracts, according to the attached list of vendors, to allow Public Works to perform their duties during FY25/26. (Public Works) Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was requested to be pulled by Councilmembers Eldridge. Councilmember Eldridge stated that he pulled this item because he had questions on different contracts that were included in this item: Red Hawk Solutions, CBS contract and trash services. Nick Russo, Public Works Director, addressed each of the questions from Councilmember Eldridge. Vice Mayor Parsons moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into budgeted goods and service contracts, according to the attached list of vendors, to allow Public Works to perform their duties during FY 25/26, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry Consent Agenda Item 5.8 was pulled and discussed as Regular Agenda Item 6.1.e. Consideration and action to approve the purchase of landscape maintenance services for July through September 2025 for City facilities, parks, and rights of way with Brightview Landscape Services in the amount of $94,494.42. (Public Works/Parks and Rec) Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was requested to be pulled by Councilmember Eldridge. Councilmember Eldridge asked how we let this contract expire and would there be a need to do an emergency three-month extension of this contract, how many employees worked for this company, and what their hours of operation. Mr. Russo stated the procurement for the new contract did not go as expected as all the bids were above the total budgeted amount and the Request for Proposals had to be reissued. Brightview has three staff members on one crew who work 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.n. daily. In addition, they have a fourth technician who takes care of the weeds in the landscaped areas. In total, they currently maintain all 11 facilities, all the city parks, utility sites, well sites and do maintenance in all areas. Councilmember Norton asked what the total contract cost for the whole year. Mr. Russo stated the contract was approximately $31,000 per month for the year. Councilmember Dorcey moved to approve the purchase of landscape maintenance services for July through September 2025 for City facilities, parks, and rights of way with Brightview Landscape Services for the amount of $94,494.42, seconded by Councilmember Winston. 6 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 Motion carried (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry 1. Consideration and action to recommend Vice Mayor Jacque Parsons to serve as the primary committee member and Councilmember Ryan Eldridge to serve as the alternate committee member on the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) for the remainder of the FY2024- 2026 term. (Mayor & Council) Mayor Hermosillo stated a number of Councilmembers have expressed a desire to take on more leadership opportunities. At this time, it is recommended that Vice Mayor Parsons move into the primary representative role and Councilmember Eldridge serve as the secondary representative on the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC). This will create room for engagement and leadership development without over extension. This is about strengthening our collective capacity, fostering collaboration and ensuring council continues to grow both in depth and unity. Thank you, Councilmember Norton for your leadership on the CDAC committee and hope to count on her support as we build our leadership within the team. Councilmember Norton stated this appointment did not follow normal protocol as when the previous CDAC appointees left office in December 2024. She stated she was appointed by a majority council vote as the primary CDAC representative and the Vice Mayor as secondary representative. Since being appointed, she has taken the responsibility seriously and attended every meeting, participated actively and worked to represent the City of El Mirage with diligence and professionalism. Vice Mayor Parsos stated that there are no time restraints on removal from the CDAC committee. A member may not be eligible under bylaws, voluntarily steps down, removed by 2/3 vote of the CDAC seated members or removed by the appointing body. Councilmember Dorcey stated the removal is because of no confidence in Councilmember Norton. Mayor Hermosillo called for a point of order. Councilmember Dorcey moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried. (5/2) NAY: Councilmember Gentry and Councilmember Norton 2. Continued Public Hearing, closure of Public Hearing followed by consideration and action to recommend to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses & Control approval/disapproval of an application for a new license #340094 Restaurant Oaxaqueno Del Sol located at 12313 NW Grand Ave Unit F, El Mirage, AZ, 85335. (Police) Mayor Hermosillo stated this public hearing is now open and continued from the previous council meeting. Tim Mason, Assistant Police Chief, stated the Police Department had been in contact with the applicant since the previous council meeting. The Police Department does a comprehensive due-diligence investigation into those individuals that apply for a liquor license, but it is very limited and not a criminal investigation. After speaking with the applicant and a few rounds of emails and conversations, the Police Department does not have a recommendation for this applicant. Thomas George, resident, stated the young man looks like he deserves it and that he did his due diligence and council should vote yes. Mayor Hermosillo closed the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. 7 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 Vice Mayor Parsons moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried unanimously. (7/0) 3. A public hearing, closure of public hearing, followed by a discussion and action on a conditional use permit and site plan approval zoning application for a proposed multifamily dwellings project for a four-complex development in a Mixed-Use (MU) zone at 13225 N Main Street, El Mirage, Arizona 85335 submitted by ProCa Design LLC. (Development Services - Planning and Zoning) Mayor Hermosillo opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. Jose Macias, Senior Planner, presented a conditional use permit and site plan approval zoning application for a proposed multifamily dwellings project for a four-plex development in a Mixed-Use zone at 13225 N. Main Street, El Mirage, Arizona 85335 that was submitted by ProCa Design LLC. The project was first submitted as one building but based on comments from the Fire and Building department it was recommended the project break into two duplexes so fire codes are met. Each building is approximately 3644 square feet and will contain two units that are 1822 square feet. This conditional use permit would have six stipulations that are being imposed in order to be granted. These stipulations were outlined in a memorandum dated May 2025. Staff will ensure all stipulations are met before signing off on the conditional use permit. During this process, staff received a call from a neighbor asking general questions about the development. They inquired about the size and height of the building, would it be multiple stories, and whether the project would be required to sidewalk the entire Main Street on the East Side. Jeff Lach, resident, asked if the homes are going to be private or rental homes. Melissa Seinz, contractor, stated the homes would be rental homes. Council discussion included what side of the lot construction would be on, concrete or tile roofing, electric or gas power, street pavement, bus stops and sidewalks and affordable rent options. Mayor Hermosillo closed the public hearing at 8:19 p.m. Mayor Hermosillo, Vice Mayor Parsons, Councilmember Dorcey and Councilmember Norton stated this was a great project, and it is exciting to have additional housing projects brought into El Mirage. Vice Mayor Parsons moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston Motion carried unanimously. (7/0) 4. Consideration and action to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Glendale and the City of El Mirage for use of the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC) at a cost not to exceed $782,000 ($781,985 plus a contingency of $15) (Police). Paul Marzocca, Police Chief, gave a presentation on the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Glendale and the City of El Mirage for the use of the Glendale Regional Safety Training Center. Many years ago, cities had the opportunity to buy into this project, which is three miles down the road, and several cities did. El Mirage was not one of the cities that participated at the inception. The benefits of joining this facility will be the fact that El Mirage would not have to build its own, which would cost almost three and a half to four million dollars. The facility includes a shooting range, driving track, motorcycle proficiency course, Matt room, 8 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 canine training course, PO Pat, Fitness Assessment Course, a virtual reality room for judgmental decision-making on deadly use of force encounters and a shoot house for live fire training. Council discussion included sticker price shock, availability of use, annual cost, and options if El Mirage Police Department were not to participate. Councilmember Dorcey moved, seconded by Councilmember Norton. Motion carried. (6/1) NAY: Councilmember Gentry 5. Consideration and action to approve the 5-year agreement with Axon Enterprises for their multi-product bundle at a year one cost of $389,903.65 under Arizona State Contract CTR074570 and a total 5-year cost of $1,949,183.85 (Police). Chief Marzocca gave a presentation on the agreement with Axon Enterprises. The Police Department uses Axon Enterprises exclusively for body worn camera's, BWC licensing, and storage evidence, tasers, and Axon Air, which are drones. Previously, Axon would only allow one product per quote, resulting in many quotes. This also resulted in multiple start/stop dates and multiple invoices and billing schedules. This is a consolidated quote that bundles all current products into one contract. Council discussion included whether the products are owned or leased, replacement schedule and report writing capability. Vice Mayor Parsons moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston. Motion carried. (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. City Manager Dyches had no comments or summary of current events. 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 a League meeting and learned alot as well as attend a Chamber of Commerce Event. Councilmember Eldridge hosted a town hall with the Vice Mayor and met a lot of residents. He also attended the Pops and Parks Event and the Goodyear Event. He applauded the Police Department for its efforts on the Thompson Road area. Councilmember Gentry attended the Pops and Parks event and encouraged residents to complete and return the surveys. Councilmember Winston encouraged residents to stop by the Library or YMCA Paint Rock for Book Worm Rock Project. Mayor Hermosillo congratulated Councilmember Dorcey for being elected to the Community 9 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025 Initiatives Coordinating Committee as part of the Maricopa Association of Governments. 9. ADJOURNMENT - meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. _____________________________ Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Jill A. Boltz, City Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the Regular El Mirage City Council Meeting held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, and a quorum was present. 10 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes July 1, 2025