9.8.2022 Work Session Minutes DRAFT

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
5:00 PM -TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
Minutes
 
           
   
1.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Vice Mayor Monica Dorcey; Councilmember Roy Delgado;
Councilmember Anita Norton; Councilmember David Shapera; Councilmember Donna
Winston 
2.
CALL TO ORDER - WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:00 PM
 
3.
WORK SESSION PRESENTATION
 
1.
Fire Department Study Recommendations, Plans to Implement, and Tentative Timeline. (Fire)
Fire Department Chief Michael Long provided background information on the study
recommendations and the progress of each.  Councilmember Shapera asked if the Tolleson
dispatch center has been able to provide information when requested sooner than previously and
how the community services are progressing.  Chief Long stated Fire Prevention Specialist Dan
Cargill is currently working with the local schools and community groups on fire education and
currently the department is working with Tolleson to have our personnel sit with their dispatch
staff to monitor processes and report back to staff observations and suggestions.  Chief Long
stated he hopes to have recommendations for improvements by the end of this year. 
Councilmember Norton asked what kind of expansion the current fire station would require if
the bond were not approved and Chief Long stated they have not fully explored the options for
expansion at this time and are waiting on the results of the bond election.  Councilmember
Delgado asked if a location has been determined for a second firehouse if approved and Chief
Long stated the property to the west of City Hall affords a good location for providing service
to El Mirage.  
  
 
2.
Provide Council the current status of the recommendations from the Police Study conducted in
Spring of FY21/22. (Police)
Police Department Chief Paul Marzocca provided an update on the recommendations provided
by the police study conducted in the spring.  Councilmember Shapera stated the staffing
issues are cyclical and that there is not a lot El Mirage can do about staff going to other city
departments.  Chief Marzocca detailed a few of the positions being filled and already filled. 
Councilmember Norton asked if the current detective staff can handle the case load and Chief
Marzocca stated no, they need additional staff to work them all.  Assistant Police Chief
Hildebrandt explained the difficulties in investigating certain crimes and the time involved
requiring additional staff.  Vice Mayor Dorcey asked if other cities are fining
residents/businesses for false alarm calls and Chief Marzocca stated some cities are issuing
fines for false calls, and it is something that is being considered.  City Attorney Justin Pierce

stated City Code allows for fines to be issued for false alarm calls.  Councilmember
Delgado stated the ordinance is outdated and should be updated.  Councilmember Shapera
stated updating this code should be a priority for Council to address.  Councilmember
Winston asked if the many cold cases that are being worked are from the Sheriff's time in the
City and Assistant Chief Hildebrandt stated there are cases from that era, cases prior to that time
and after.  
 
4.
ADJOURNMENT - WORK SESSION ADJOURNED AT 5:43 PM.
 
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Sharon Antes, City Clerk
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the El Mirage City Council Work
Session held on Thursday, September 8, 2022, and a quorum was present. 
  
2 
Work Session  - Council Minutes
September 8, 2022