5.2.2023 Regular Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT

City of El Mirage — Regular Meeting (2023-05-16)

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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, MAY 2, 2023
Minutes
 
   
       
   
1.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Vice Mayor David Shapera; Councilmember Roy Delgado;
Councilmember Monica Dorcey; Councilmember Bob Jones; Councilmember Anita Norton;
Councilmember Donna Winston 
2.
CALL TO ORDER - MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
Introduction of new City employee
City Engineer Jorge Gastelum introduced Code Compliance Officer Bruce Godsoe.
 
3.
PROCLAMATION
 
1.
To proclaim May 21-27, 2023 as Emergency Medical Services Week in the City of El Mirage.
(Fire)
Fire Department Chief Michael Long provided background information on the 49th Annual
Emergency Medical Services Week.
Mayor Hermosillo proclaimed May 21-27, 2023, as Emergency Medical Services Week in the City
of El Mirage.
  
 
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.
Resident Ryan Eldridge stated the time is not right to have a bond election in El Mirage.  Mr.
Eldridge stated rents will increase which would be a burden on many residents and the
Councilmembers that voted yes for the bond election should consider resigning immediately.  Vice
Mayor Shapera stated property taxes have been lowered in the last two years and asked Mr.
Eldridge if his rent was lowered as well.  Mr. Eldridge stated his rent had not gone down.  Vice
Mayor Shapera stated it is important to allow the residents to vote on this issue and that the
Council has done numerous studies that show the need for the bond.  Councilmember Winston

stated the Council and staff have worked hard to determine the need for the bond election and she
has spoken with many residents who are in favor of the bond. Councilmember Delgado stated the
Council spent an entire day working on budget items for the City and this Council is the most
cohesive one he has experienced in his twenty-one years in El Mirage. 
 
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 Tuesday,
April 18, 2023. (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 approve a one-year purchase agreement with Skillsoft for IT training
for an amount not to exceed $600 ($537.42 plus approximate sales tax of $52.58). (Information
Technology)
  
 
4.
Consideration and action to enter into a construction contract with Combs Construction Company
to reconstruct Dysart Road and the south half of Olive Avenue for an amount of $16,474,578, plus
a 10% contingency of $1,647,458 and authorize the Finance Department to increase the project
budget to $20,868,500 and reduce the Special Projects Fund Other Financing Uses line item by
the amount needed to budget for this project fully. (Development Services) 
This item was pulled from Consent for discussion.
  
 
5.
Consideration and action to enter into a Professional Services Contract with EPS Group for the
construction management of the Dysart Road Improvement project in the amount of $645,580 and
authorize the Finance Department to make any necessary transfers. (Development Services) 
  
 
6.
Consideration and action to approve the purchase of two vehicles from Peoria Ford in an amount
not to exceed $71,239 as part of CIP #62302. (Public Works)
  
 
7.
Consideration and action to approve the purchase of a vehicle from Peoria Ford in an amount not to
exceed $46,448 as part of CIP #62103. (Public Works)
  
 
8.
Consideration and action to approve the purchase of a vehicle from Peoria Ford in an amount not to
exceed $46,448 as part of CIP #62036. (Public Works)
  
 
9.
Consideration and action to approve the purchase of a skid steer loader and attachments from
Bignham Equipment Company in an amount not to exceed $53,023.75 as part of CIP #62304.
(Public Works)
  
 
10.
Consideration and action to approve a contract with Woodruff Construction to provide remodeling
services to the Senior Center facility at 14010 N. El Mirage Road for an amount not to exceed
$52,648.55 and authorize the Finance Department to make any necessary transfers.  (Public Works)
  
 
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11.
Consideration and action to approve Resolution R23-05-12 replacing Resolution R22-06-16, stating
the intended uses of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allotment through the
American Rescue Plan Act.  (Administration) 
  
 
 
Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve Consent Agenda items 1-3, and 5-11 as presented;
seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
6.
REGULAR AGENDA
6.1.a  Consideration and action to enter into a construction contract with Combs Construction
Company to reconstruct Dysart Road and the south half of Olive Avenue for an amount of
$16,474,578, plus a 10% contingency of $1,647,458 and authorize the Finance Department to
increase the project budget to $20,868,500 and reduce the Special Projects Fund Other Financing
Uses line item by the amount needed to budget for this project fully. (Development Services) 
Councilmember Norton asked Deputy City Manager Robert Nilles to explain this item to her. 
Mr. Nilles stated the money for this project was originally planned for next year but the contractors
are now ready to begin.  Councilmember Norton asked how much neighboring companies were
contributing to the cost and Mr. Nilles answered Microsoft is paying $3.5 million and Tippman is
paying $271K.  Councilmember Norton asked the parameters of the project and City Engineer
Jorge Gastelum detailed the specific areas of construction involved.  Mr. Gastelum also stated
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is providing $6.5 million for this project.  Vice
Mayor Shapera reminded Council that the Long group donated the right of way to the City.
Councilmember Norton moved to approve a construction contract with Combs Construction
Company to reconstruct Dysart Road and the south half of Olive Avenue for an amount of
$16,474,578, plus a 10% contingency of $1,647,458 and authorize the Finance Department to
increase the project budget to $20,868,500 and reduce the Special Projects Fund Other Financing
Uses line item by the amount needed to budget for this project fully; seconded by Vice Mayor
Shapera.
VOTE:  7-0 Passed Unanimously
 
1.
Consideration and action for a Public Hearing, closure of public hearing, to maintain City Code
Chapter 111. PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS, in compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes
(A.R.S.) § 9-842.  (Administration/Police)
Mayor Hermosillo opened the Public Hearing.  
Police Department Chief Paul Marzocca provided background information on City Code Chapter
111.  Vice Mayor Shapera stated he does not recall anyone being cited for this and Chief
Marzocca stated he was not aware of specific numbers of citations but there had been resident calls
regarding this issue.  Councilmember Norton asked which groups would be excluded from this
and Chief Marzocca stated those selling newspaper subscriptions, non-profit youth organizations,
school-sponsored fund-raising activities and religious organizations.  Councilmember Jones
asked if other agencies utilize this procedure and Chief Marzocca stated yes.  Councilmember
Norton asked if the business receives anything once the fee is paid and Chief Marzocca stated a
permit is issued and is to be carried with the person conducting the business.  
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Hermosillo closed the Public Hearing.
  
 
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Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve the maintaining of City Code Chapter 111 PEDDLERS
AND SOLICITORS; seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
2.
Public Hearing, closure of Public Hearing followed by consideration and action to approve
Resolution R23-05-11 setting water and wastewater rates or rate components, fees or service
charges. (Administration)
Mayor Hermosillo opened the Public Hearing.
Fiscal Services Administrator Macy Walker provided background on the Resolution. 
Councilmember Winston asked when the rates had been raised last and Ms. Walker stated 2013.  
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Hermosillo closed the Public Hearing.
  
 
 
Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve Resolution R23-05-11 setting water and wastewater rates or
rate components, fees or service charges; seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
3.
Consideration and action to approve Resolution R23-05-13 setting miscellaneous fees and service
charges for FY 2023/24. 
Ms. Walker presented information on the fee and service charge changes being proposed.  
Councilmember Norton asked when the Accessory Structure fee was added to the schedule and
Mr. Gastelum explained that the fee has been a part of the schedule for quite a while and is not
new.  Mr. Gastelum stated he would get clarification on the fee and provide updated information at
a later date.  
  
 
 
Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve Resolution R23-05-13 setting miscellaneous fees and
service charges for FY 2023/24; seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
4.
Consideration and action to approve Ordinance O23-05-09 amending City Code Chapter 33,
Section § 33.40 (A)(B)(C) COURT ENHANCEMENT AND SECURITY FEE, and CITY COURT
ENHANCEMENT AND SECURITY FUND, by removing reference to a specific dollar amount
and changing assessment of fees to per charge instead of per case to align with the updated 2023
Fee Schedule.  (Court/Administration)
Court Administrator Cristina Fuentes provided background information on the ordinance.  
  
 
 
Vice Mayor Shapera moved to Ordinance O23-05-09 amending City Code Chapter 33, Section
33.40 (A)(B)(C) Court Enhancement and Security Fee, and City Court Enhancement and Security
fund; seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
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5.
Consideration and action to recommend and appoint Phil Bueno to fill a Commissioner vacancy on
the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term that expires June 30, 2027 and appoint Cornelia
Nelson to fill an Alternate Commissioner vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission with a
term that expires June 30, 2027.  (Commission Review Board - Mayor Hermosillo,
Councilmembers Norton and Shapera)
  
 
 
Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve the appointment of Phil Bueno to fill a Commissioner
vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission and to appoint Cornelia Nelson to fill an Alternate
Commissioner vacancy; seconded by Councilmember Norton. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
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.
 
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 Shapera stated he and Councilmember Jones attended the Knights of Columbus
Appreciation Dinner where some staff were recognized for their service to the community and he
appreciates the efforts of the Police Department addressing the traffic issues on Thunderbird Road.  
Councilmember Delgado stated he had been told the funding for the new fire truck was coming
soon and he complimented Community Services Manager Dr. Autumn Grooms on her hard work
for the funding.  Councilmember Dorcey thanked the staff for their efforts on Earth Day to clean
up Basin Park.  Councilmember Jones stated his grandson is a first responder and he had no idea
of the dangers faced by first responders each day.  Councilmember Jones stated he enjoyed the
Knights of Columbus dinner and appreciates all of the hard work done by first responders.  Mayor
Hermosillo stated she attended the school district math championship and was proud to see El
Mirage Elementary students win.  Mayor Hermosillo also announced and congratulated Planning
and Zoning Chairperson Marie Houston on her recent graduation from Arizona State University
with a Masters in Public Administration.    Vice Mayor Shapera stated it was Teacher
Appreciation Day and he appreciated the teachers in El Mirage. 
 
9.
ADJOURNMENT - MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:03 PM
 
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Sharon Antes, 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, May 2, 2023, and a quorum was present. 
  
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