2025-07-08 Special City Council Meeting minutes_attachments

1
Jill Boltz
From:
Alexis Hermosillo
Sent:
Monday, June 30, 2025 11:13 AM
To:
Anita McDaniel; Anita Norton; Anita Norton
Cc:
Justin Pierce; Jill Boltz; Jacque Parsons; Crystal Dyches
Subject:
Notice of Disciplinary Concern Regarding Pattern of Conduct
Attachments:
2025-06-19 Complaint_Norton-McDaniel.pdf
Dear Councilmember Norton-McDaniel, 
 
I am writing to formally address an incident that took place on June 19, 2025, involving your interaction 
with a City staff member. A notarized statement has been submitted documenting that the staff member 
felt your tone and behavior were inappropriate, aggressive, and discomforting—particularly over a 
routine matter related to mail delivery. 
 
This situation, while troubling on its own, is unfortunately part of a broader pattern of conduct that has 
been brought to my attention on multiple occasions for a number of years—by both council colleagues 
and City staff. While I have previously addressed some of these concerns informally—particularly since 
October 2023—this most recent incident has escalated the matter to a formal stage, as outlined in the 
Council Handbook. 
 
The Council Handbook (pages 58 and 63) is clear: Council members are expected to treat staff with 
professionalism, dignity, and mutual respect at all times. Poor behavior toward staff is not acceptable 
and undermines the trust and cooperation required for effective governance. 
 
This letter is not written lightly. It reflects my sincere disappointment that, despite prior conversations 
and opportunities for reflection, this pattern has continued. It is now necessary to move forward with the 
next step as outlined in our protocols: a meeting with the Mayor. The intent of this meeting is to explore 
whether resolution is possible. 
 
You are invited to propose a time to meet with me, at your convenience, to discuss your perspective, the 
impact of your actions, and your intentions to address the harm caused. A formal apology to the staff 
member may be an appropriate and meaningful step toward resolution. 
 
Further, I will bring this matter before the full Council for further review and potential disciplinary action, 
as allowed under the Code of Conduct. 
 
I trust you understand the gravity of this situation and the need to uphold the standards that each of us 
has committed to. I remain open to constructive dialogue and sincerely hope you will take this 
opportunity to engage in a path forward. 
 
 
Respectfully, 
Mayor Alexis Hermosillo

From:
Alexis Hermosillo
To:
Anita Norton
Cc:
Justin Pierce; Crystal Dyches; Jill Boltz; Anita Norton; Robert Nilles; Jacque Parsons
Subject:
Re: Request for Rescheduling of July 8 Special Meeting
Date:
Monday, July 7, 2025 12:13:18 PM
Dear Councilmember Norton-McDaniel,
Thank you for your message and for your stated interest in a transparent and accountable
process.
The special meeting scheduled for July 8 will proceed as planned. This meeting serves to
present to the full Council the notarized complaint submitted by a staff member, along with
additional documentation that has since been provided. While I understand your request for a
postponement, the nature of the concern—paired with its alignment to a broader pattern of
behavior that has been previously brought to my attention—warrants timely review by the full
Council.
With regard to your note that this timeline has not allowed for a proper meeting with the
Mayor, I would respectfully clarify that you were notified in writing on Monday, June 30, of
the matter, with an invitation to propose a time to meet. Since that notice, I have not received
any request or acknowledgment from you to schedule such a meeting. You were also present
at the Council meeting the following day and did not approach me to request time, express
concern, or indicate a desire to address the matter. In that context, I do not find that you have
been denied the opportunity; rather, the opportunity has not been taken.
You are welcome to attend the July 8 meeting telephonically should you be unable to
participate in person. Several members of Council have made adjustments to attend during our
summer recess, which speaks to the seriousness of this issue and our collective responsibility
to give it the appropriate attention.
To honor your request to postpone full deliberation until you are able to be present in person, a
second meeting will be scheduled following your return. That meeting will allow for further
discussion and, should it be the Council’s will, the consideration of disciplinary action. Any
decision of that nature rests solely with the full Council and will be addressed at that time.
While you have shared that an apology was offered and the conversation with the staff
member was cordial, the employee’s subsequent written statement reflects a different and
more concerning experience. That account will also be included in the materials presented to
the Council.
Finally, as you correctly noted, A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(1) affords you the right to request that
either or both meetings be held in open session. That right will be fully respected.
I want to reiterate, this process is rooted in our shared responsibility to uphold the integrity of
this Council, to maintain the public’s trust, and to foster a workplace culture grounded in
mutual respect, accountability, and professionalism. I remain committed to a thoughtful and
principled path forward, and I trust that you do as well.

Respectfully,
Mayor Alexis Hermosillo
On Jul 7, 2025, at 10:38 AM, Anita Norton <anorton@elmirageaz.gov> wrote:

Good morning,
I am writing to respectfully request the postponement of the executive
session scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, regarding an alleged misconduct
matter involving me.
I first became aware of the complaint at noon on Monday, June 30, and was
genuinely surprised by its nature. Within hours, I personally apologized to the
employee involved, expressing sincere regret that our prior interaction had
caused her distress. The conversation was cordial. As noted in the mayor’s
email, a formal apology was advised, and I responded immediately that
same day.
Following my conversation with the employee, I inquired with City Manager
Crystal Dyches about whether video footage from the city camera above the
employee’s workstation had been pulled, as I believe it would clearly
contextualize our interaction on June 19. I submitted a formal request on
Wednesday, July 2, for the footage and all related documentation regarding
this matter. However, on Thursday morning, July 3, I was informed that my
request would not be honored. Considering the serious implications of these
proceedings, I believe I have a fundamental right to access all relevant
evidence and continue to await this information.
Late Thursday evening, July 3, I was notified that an executive session had
been scheduled for July 8 — less than four days after my initial awareness of
the complaint, and during an extended holiday weekend when city offices
were closed. This accelerated timeline has denied me the opportunity for a
proper meeting with the mayor, as required under the El Mirage City Council
Code of Conduct, and has not allowed sufficient time to review
documentation or prepare a response. Rescheduling this session would
allow due process to be observed.
Additionally, my husband and I have longstanding travel plans, and I will be
out of town and unavailable for the remainder of July. City Manager Crystal

Dyches is also on vacation and unavailable to attend. Given her pertinent
role and knowledge of the situation, I believe it is essential for her to be
present to ensure transparency and fairness.
Since the council is currently on hiatus until August 16 and this matter does
not constitute an emergency, I respectfully request that this item be
rescheduled to a date following the hiatus. I remain fully committed to
addressing this issue in a transparent and accountable manner
and welcome the opportunity to do so in an open session, which I also
request as permitted under A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(1) upon my return.
To proceed with a July 8 special meeting—during council hiatus, without
adherence to required procedures, and in my absence—would be
inconsistent with the principles of due process and public accountability.
Thank you for your consideration.
 Anita Norton-McDaniel
Anita Norton-McDaniel
City of El Mirage
10000 N. El Mirage Road
El Mirage, Arizona 85335
P:623-640-3814
anorton@elmirageaz.gov