2025-09-16 Council Meeting 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 -TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 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
Introduction of new City employees
Robert Nilles, Deputy City Manager, gave a brief background and introduced Regan Jepson,
Community Partnership Administrator, in the Administration Department.
 
3.
PROCLAMATIONS
 
1.
Proclaiming September 2025 as Deaf Awareness Month (Administration)
Mayor Hermosillo proclaimed September 2025 as Deaf Awareness Month.
  
 
2.
Proclaiming October 5-11, 2025, as Fire Prevention Week in the City of El Mirage. (Fire)
Moved to the October 7, 2025 Council 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.
Philip Bynum, resident, stated the Parks and Recreation Department has been doing an
outstanding job.
Jim McPheters, resident, complimented the Fire and Police Departments and suggested more
time, effort, and money be put into public safety. Mr. McPheters commented on the employment

spending spree, providing service to the citizens, and protecting the budget.
Jeff Lach, resident, thanked Jorge Gastelum and the city council for the speed humps on Varney.
Mr. Lach spoke about the increased spending on the Tolleson dispatch contract and future RICO
spending.  He stated that all the money gained is from warehouses, which don't bring retail
money, and the only people who made money were the Long family, who had property going
from agriculture to commercial. He stated CarMax will employ 250 people, but they will go out
of town because there is no place to eat here. Mr. Lach asked what the $23,000 spent on Cigna
Tactical Wellness would be for.
 
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 Council meeting held on
Wednesday, September 3, 2025. (City Clerk)
  
 
2.
Consideration and action to assign the City of El Mirage's allocation of the Maricopa County
Opioid Settlement to Maricopa County. (Community Services/Grants)
  
 
3.
Consideration and action to approve the appointment of Thomas Gouer to fill a regular position
on the City of El Mirage Planning and Zoning Commission (City Clerk)
  
 
4.
Consideration and action to approve Amendment No. 2 to an Intergovernmental Agreement
(IGA) for police dispatch services between the City of El Mirage and the City of Tolleson at a
cost not to exceed $1,167,815 (Police).
Vice Mayor Parsons moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston, to approve the Consent
Agenda, as amended.
Motion carried. (6/1)
NAY: Councilmember Gentry
  
 
6.
REGULAR AGENDA
 
1.
Consideration and action to appoint Planning and Zoning Commissioner Review Board
members. (City Clerk)
Jill Boltz, City Clerk, stated there are three positions on the Planning and Zoning Commission
that will be coming up or expiring in June of next year, and per the Code the process should start
six months in advance. In addition, there are two vacancies for alternate members who have the
ability to move into a regular position when there is less than a quorum of the full planning and
zoning body. She stated that the plan is to fill these vacancies in tandem and create a contingency
for those vacant positions coming up in June. She stated the council needs to assign a
commissioner review board per the code, and it is made up of three councilmembers, who are
appointed by the council. She stated the Mayor has made a suggestion or recommendation for
Councilmember Gentry, Councilmember Winston, and Councilmember Dorcey to make up this
three-member review board.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved, seconded by Councilmember Winston.
Motion passed unanimously (7/0).
  
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September 16, 2025

2.
Consideration and action to adopt Resolution R25-09-11, establishing the City of El Mirage
Youth Advisory Commission (EMYAC) and adopting bylaws. (Mayor/Parks & Recreation/City
Clerk)
Jill Boltz, City Clerk presented a resolution to establish an El Mirage Youth Advisory
Commission.  The new initiative will be led by Jill Boltz, Sean VonRoenn, Amber Wakeman,
Macy Walker, and other key staff.  Research was conducted on other similar boards and
commissions to develop a plan for the El Mirage Youth Advisory Commission.  The resolution
establishes the commission and adopts bylaws to help guide the planning, development, and
implementation.
Sean VonRoenn, Parks and Recreation Director, stated a draft timeline has been developed that
includes an application process for review and appointment recommendations for council's
consideration. He stated the timeline would include coming back to the council in March 2026
with final appointments. The first term of appointment is anticipated to run from the time of the
final appointment through June 2027. He stated the Youth Advisory Commission will be part of
regular city council meetings on a periodic basis and give reports on their activities, community
engagement, and outreach.
Mayor Hermosillo stated at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference last month that
youth across the state are actively engaged in their communities. This is an opportunity for the
City of El Mirage to empower young residents by fostering civic engagement and creating space
for open dialogue around the issues that matter most to the youth. This also ensures their voices
help shape the direction and priorities of our community.
Councilmember Eldridge spoke in favor of the Youth Advisory Commission and stated that he
had an opportunity to talk with a bunch of the youth at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Conference about how much engagement they have with their city. He stated that we need our
youth involved more in the city, and thinks this is a good step.
Councilmember Gentry asked if this would need to be budgeted and stated that she is not for
another position. She stated she went to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference and
is about being fiscally responsible to the residents.
Ms. Boltz stated that there is no hiring of additional staff. She stated this would be done by
current staff along with herself, Mr. VonRoenn, Ms. Wakeman, and Ms. Walker.
Vice Mayor Parsons stated that she supports this effort. 
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel stated this has been a long time coming. She stated she has
been to numerous League Conferences through the years, and most cities have this, and it is
something we need. This will help the community be engaged and will help parents, as well as
develop leadership for the young people. 
Councilmember Winston stated she is excited to see this because of the community awareness
and learning about city governance.
Councilmember Dorcey stated that for years, she has read scholarship applications for the Dysart
Community Education Foundation. The students often have this type of connection. She stated
that they are learning and developing, and we have those kids here in our community.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved, Councilmember Winston seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. (7/0)
  
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3.
Consideration and action to approve the agreement with Know Your Talents (LearnKey) for their
employee engagement training plan using Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organization (RICO)
Federal funds for the first year at a cost of $10,760, and authorize the Finance Department to
make the necessary transfers (Police).
Ian Takashige, Police Lieutenant, provided background history on the shift of officers with 20
years or more experience diminishing significantly valley wide. He stated this has affected the
law enforcement community as a whole. He stated Know Your Talents is an employee
engagement training plan that would benefit El Mirage Police Department. This tool enhances
cohesion and employee satisfaction by helping understand individual strengths, motivations, and
work styles. With this knowledge, the El Mirage Police Department can enhance employee
engagement, improve culture, boost retention and morale, and foster better interpersonal
relationships. He stated the program would be paid for using federal Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organizations (RICO) funds.
Mayor Hermosillo stated that she believes in the benefit and value of leadership development and
team building. Healthy teams and high-performing teams create exceptional results and supports
this item.
Vice Mayor Parsons stated she supports this item.
Councilmember Eldridge stated programs like this bring value for its employees. This is going to
be a big morale booster, and we will see a lot of officers staying around for longer.
Councilmember Dorcey stated that over the years of her professional experience she has had the
opportunity to be exposed to similar concepts and found them to be very helpful. 
Councilmember Winston stated this is important because it builds cohesion, camaraderie, and
the ability to get to know oneself better. 
Councilmember Gentry asked why the RICO funds were not used first and then brought to the
council, and what RICO means.
Lieutenant Takashige stated the amount of the funds for this agreement passes the spending
threshold and requires council approval. RICO funds are money under the federal
Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, passed in 1970. He stated that any
materials that are gained through the course of criminal activity that qualify under the RICO Act
are subject to civil forfeiture. Those monies can then be used by the government to develop
training or obtain materials to purchase equipment necessary to further combat those criminal
enterprises.
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel asked how many supervisors would be included in the plan.
She stated that she was aware that Glendale and Scottsdale participated in this program and
noticed a change. This is a functioning tool that helps foster better communication, collaboration,
and understanding of how humans work. We need our officers to stay instead of the revolving
door, and she is excited to see this program.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved, Councilmember Winston seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. (7/0)
  
 
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4.
Consideration and action to approve the agreement with Sigma Tactical Wellness for a cost not
to exceed $23,383 (Police).
Chief Marzocca presented the Sigma Tactical Wellness Heartstart Program. He stated this is a
proactive cardiac risk detection system used in law enforcement. This program integrates the
Lp-PLA2 testing into officer wellness programs. He stated that cardiovascular disease is the
leading cause of officer fatalities, and traditional screenings miss early vascular inflammation.
The Lp-PLA2 is a vascular-specific biomarker that provides early detection of cardiovascular
and stroke risk, especially in high-stress professions like policing. He stated the benefits of the
Lp-PLA2 testing are fewer cardiac emergencies, lower disability claims, improved officer health
and longevity and proactive interventions that reduce on-duty health emergencies and long-term
medical costs.
Mayor Hermosillo stated that stress is a big concern and wants to make sure the service members
are being supported and that elements are in place to mitigate any future health issues. 
Councilmember Winston stated she hopes this is also being offered to the Fire Department.
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel stated this is a good program and the cost is well worth it.
Councilmember Eldridge stated this is going to be a value item for the Police Department. He
stated that he agrees with having more tools at your disposal to help deal with mental wellness
and physical wellness of the officers and agrees that Fire Department employees should be
included.
Councilmember Gentry asked how many officers would be participating, whether the money was
budgeted for HR exams, and whether RICO funds could pay for this program. Chief Marzocca
replied that 63 officers would be participating, the money was budgeted from the human
resources budget and not the police department's budget, and this program does not qualify to use
RICO funds.
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel asked if regular health insurance would cover the cost of these
tests for officers. Chief Marzocca stated that it would not.
Councilmember Dorcey asked how much it would cost if an officer had a heart attack on duty. 
Crystal Dyches, City Manager, stated a lot more than $23,000. 
Chief Marzocca stated that in federal alone, it would be up to $400,000, plus additional costs for
rehab or disability. 
Vice Mayor Parsons moved, Councilmember Norton seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. (7/0)
  
 
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 comments or questions.
Ms. Dyches reminded the Council of upcoming events. Fiesta de la Gente, one of the largest
community events of the year, is on Friday, September 26th, at Bill Gentry Park and Luke Air
Force Base town hall on October 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center.
 
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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 stated she attended the Surprise school safety meeting and the West Valley
Chamber Gala.
Councilmember Dorcey had no comments.
Councilmember Eldridge stated he attended the West Valley Chamber Gala and met many small
business owners, and he will be hosting a small business roundtable with the Vice Mayor. He
stated last week there was an attack on Charlie Kirk, and we should be free to gather and speak
our minds without fear of an attack.
Mayor Hermosillo stated that gun violence is a very big issue in this country and would raise
awareness in the month of June for Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Councilmember Gentry stated that she attended the West Valley Chamber Gala and represents
the city at the West Valley Chamber.
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel had no comments.
Councilmember Winston stated she and others had a get-together with the Surprise City Council
and attended the West Valley Chamber Gala.
 
1.
Consideration and action to adjourn into Executive Session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03.A.3
and A.4 for discussion, consultation, and/or direction to the City’s attorney regarding El Mirage
Cares. (City Council)
No action.
  
 
9.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
 
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the Regular El Mirage City Council
Meeting held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and a quorum was present. 
  
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