1.17.2024 Regular 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, JANUARY 17, 2024 Minutes 1. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Vice Mayor David Shapera; Councilmember Monica Dorcey; Councilmember Bob Jones; Councilmember Anita Norton; Councilmember Donna Winston Absent: Councilmember Roy Delgado (Excused) 2. CALL TO ORDER - MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:05 PM Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence Introduction of new City Employees Police Chief Paul Marzocca introduced Police Officer Andrew Palen. 3. PRESENTATION 1. 2024 state and federal legislative update. (Administration) Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Amber Wakeman provided an update on the upcoming 2024 legislative session which included information on state and federal legislative issues that she will be monitoring. She will be providing updates to Council on issues that may affect El Mirage as they occur. 4. PROCLAMATION 1. Speak Up, Stand Up, Save-a-Life January 2024. (Administration) Ms. Wakeman provided background information on Speak Up, Stand Up, Save-a-Life January 2024 and introduced Ms. Gina Godbehere to provide additional information. Mayor Hermosillo proclaimed January 2024 as Speak Up, Stand Up, Save-a-life month and encouraged citizens to take part in the program. 2. Recognizing January 2024 as Anti-Human Trafficking Month. (Administration) Ms. Wakeman provided information on the Anti-Human Trafficking proclamation and Councilmember Norton also provided background information on the issue. Mayor Hermosillo proclaimed January 2024 as Anti-Human Trafficking Month and encouraged residents to assist in the movement. 5. 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 Pablo Ante stated he is concerned with the work of the pavement sealing that was completed in his area a few months ago, and he would like to discuss the issue with whoever is in charge of city streets. Mayor Hermosillo asked Mr. Ante to leave his contact information with the City Clerk. Resident Stephen Gilliam read a quote from President Ronald Reagan and stated the Community Resources book he saw at the El Mirage Library is outdated and needs to be updated with current information. Mr. Gilliam stated City Hall needs to be open more often, so residents can reach staff when needed. Resident Susan Hutchinson thanked the Public Works staff for being so responsive when she called about street sweeping. Ms. Hutchinson then stated she has a list of seven homes in her neighborhood that need Code Enforcement intervention. Ms. Hutchinson thanked the Police Department and Code Enforcement for all that they do and asked if code violators should be fined for not resolving violations. 6. 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. Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve Consent Agenda item 1 as presented; seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. Vote: 6 - 0 Passed - Unanimously 1. Consideration and action to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held Wednesday, January 3, 2024. (City Clerk) 2. Consideration and action to approve updates to the Judge's contract as discussed in Executive Session on 1/03/2024. (Administration) This item was pulled from Consent for discussion. 2 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes January 17, 2024 7. REGULAR AGENDA 7.1.a Consideration and action to approve updates to the Judge's contract as discussed in Executive Session on 1/03/2024. (Administration) Councilmember Norton called Judge Parascondola to the podium and praised him for his exemplary performance. She stated it is important for the community to understand his accomplishments and asked him to provide information on some of those accomplishments. Judge Parascondola stated he and staff stress civic engagement and work to breakdown barriers residents may face with fines and counseling to ensure a positive outcome. Judge Parascondola stated he is always promoting the City of El Mirage and the judicial system with other organizations and stakeholders. Councilmember Winston recognized Judge Parascondola's efforts to coordinate the West Valley Veterans Court program. Councilmember Dorcey thanked the Judge for all of their efforts and also stated these are the reasons a new court facility is needed in El Mirage. Councilmember Dorcey stated a new court facility would allow for these programs and efforts to continue and keep the court culture thriving. Vote: 6-0 Passed - Unanimously 1. Consideration and action to approve Resolution R24-01-01 for the Call of Election for the 2024 Primary and General Elections. (City Clerk) Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve Resolution R24-01-01 for the Call of Election for the 2024 Primary and General Elections; seconded by Councilmember Dorcey. Vote: 6 - 0 Passed - Unanimously 8. 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. 9. 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. Councilmember Dorcey stated now that the multi-use trail is open, there are a lot of pedestrians crossing Cactus Road and 123rd Avenue, and she would like staff to look into possibly lowering the speed limit in that area. Councilmember Norton stated she recently attended an art class at the library and was very impressed with the class and the turnout. She stated she would like more programs like that being offered. Councilmember Winston stated the State of the State Luncheon was wonderful, and she has noticed more residents taking advantage of the lower rates at the YMCA. Mayor Hermosillo stated she would soon be participating in the National League of Cities and Towns meeting in March an would provide a report to Council following the conference. 10. ADJOURNMENT - MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:00 PM 3 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes January 17, 2024 _____________________________ 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 Wednesday, January 17, 2024, and a quorum was present. 4 Regular Meeting - Council Minutes January 17, 2024