9.4.2024 Regular 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 -WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
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 (via phone) 
2.
CALL TO ORDER - MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
Introduction of new City employees - Police Lieutenant Tim Mason introduced Police Officers
Benjamin Horga, Sean Unarce, and Tyrus Young.
 
3.
PROCLAMATION
 
1.
National Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation
Police Chief Paul Marzocca introduced Councilmember Norton who provided background
information on suicide prevention.
Mayor Hermosillo proclaimed September 2024 as National Suicide Prevention Month.
  
 
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 Jim McPhetres stated he did not understand the need for a rate study when one was
completed just two years ago.  Mr. McPhetres then stated the vehicle fleet was already enormous,
and another vehicle was not needed.  Mr. McPhetres stated the City should better manage their
resources to maintain the current fleet.
Resident Steve Gilliam stated the residents of El Mirage need to think outside the box and that
Councilmember Jones explained how the cameras at the parks operated.  Mr. Gilliam stated the
videos are erased after thirty days. He then stated employees and residents should communicate
more to prevent misinformation.

Resident Jeff Loch asked to see what was changed in the updated Council Handbook.  Mr. Loch
asked why competition was waived for the rate study and then asked who would be paying for the
infrastructure needed for the new project on Olive Avenue.  He also asked what exactly is being
inspected in the sewers, where they are going to be inspected, and why Public Works is not doing
the inspections themselves.  He further asked how much the City will be matching for the $400k
grant.
 
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,
August 20, 2024. (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 -15I.19. (City Clerk)
  
 
3.
Consideration and action to approve the updated Council Handbook.  (City Clerk)
  
 
4.
Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Willdan
Financial Services and Pat Walker Consulting LLC (collectively the Willdan Team) to complete a
water, sewer, and sanitation rate study for a cost not to exceed $51,640 and waive the competitive
bid process. (Administration)
This item was pulled from Consent for discussion.
  
 
5.
Consideration and action to approve a final plat to accept and record public utility and access
easements for a 58.6-acre industrial property at 13500 West Olive Avenue, El Mirage, Arizona
85335 Submitted by Centerpoint Consulting LLC. (Development Services - Planning and Zoning) 
  
 
6.
Consideration and action to accept the award agreement from the State of Arizona Office of the
Attorney General for the FY2025 Victims' Rights Program in the amount of $12,100 for the El
Mirage Police Department and authorize Finance to make the necessary budget transfers.
(Police/Grants)
  
 
7.
Consideration and action to accept the award agreement from the State of Arizona Office of the
Attorney General for the FY25 Victims' Rights Program in the amount of $12,100 for the El
Mirage City Prosecutor's Office and authorize Finance to make the necessary budget transfers.
(Police/Grants)
  
 
8.
Consideration and action to approve the El Mirage Police Department's participation in providing
the Maricopa Community College District with Law Enforcement instructors, on a shared basis
with other West Valley police agencies, to teach various required AZPOST training modules for
police recruits (Police).
  
 
9.
Consideration and action to authorize budget authority for the purchase of a vehicle for the water
department as part of CIP 62068 (vehicle replacement program) in an amount not to exceed
$75,041.97 and authorize the finance department to make any necessary transfers. (Public Works)
  
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10.
Consideration and action approve contract(s) PW24-RFP-JOC01 with selected vendors.  (Public
Works)
  
 
11.
Consideration and action to approve a contract with Ancon Marine for services to video inspect the
City's sewer collections system as part of CIP 62227 (collections system replacement program) in
an amount not to exceed $80,000. (Public Works)
  
 
12.
Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to order 1826 acre feet (AF) of Central
Arizona Project (CAP) sub-contract water and pay the associated delivery and recharge fees in the
amount of $662,838 and authorize the finance department to make any necessary transfers.  (Public
Works)
  
 
13.
Consideration and action to approve purchase of goods and services from James, Cook, and
Hobson (JCH) for CIP 62079 (WRF process improvements) in an amount not to exceed $60,000.
(Public Works)
  
 
14.
Consideration and action to request and accept funds, if awarded, to submit a 2024 Maricopa
Association of Governments (MAG) Call for Projects grant application in an approximate amount
of $400,000 with a required match of 5.7% for the purchase of a street sweeper and authorize
Finance to make necessary budget transfers. (Grants/Public Works)
 
  
 
 
Vice Mayor Shapera moved to approve Consent Agenda items 1-3 and 5-14 as presented, seconded
by Councilmember Dorcey. 
 
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
 
6.
REGULAR AGENDA
6. 1a Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Willdan
Financial Services and Pat Walker Consulting LLC (collectively the Willdan Team) to complete a
water, sewer, and sanitation rate study for a cost not to exceed $51,640 and waive the competitive
bid process. (Administration)
Public Works Director Nick Russo provided background information on the need for a rate study
and Budget Manager Macy Walker detailed the current needs via fund totals.  Vice Mayor
Shapera stated there are many reasons behind the need for a rate study and the Willdan Team is
experienced with El Mirage.  Vice Mayor Shapera stated the new Council will need the updated
information from the study to better determine the future needs of the City.  Councilmember 
Norton stated there were several items that were not included in the last study that need to be
considered now. Councilmember Norton asked if the meter change-out was not contemplated in
the last study and Mr. Russo explained it was considered, but now the needs have changed, which
has moved the item up to FY26. Councilmember Norton asked if the cost of services and
overhead costs were included in the last study and Mr. Russo explained the intent of each study
dictates the costs of services.  Councilmember Norton stated she understood why the residents are
concerned about another rate study, and she also understands the reasons behind the need for
another study.  
Vice Mayor Shapera moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Willdan
Financial Services and Pat Walker Consulting LLC (collectively the Willdan Team) to complete a
water, sewer, and sanitation rate study for a cost not to exceed $51,640 and waive the competitive
bid process, seconded by Councilmember Norton.
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September 4, 2024

Vote:  7-0 - 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 Crystal Dyches announced that the Tohono O'odham Nation, through their 12%
Gaming Distribution Program, has announced they will award El Mirage $123,778 to remodel the
childcare room at the YMCA.  She then announced the Maricopa Association of Governments has
awarded El Mirage $126,650, through the Federal Transit Administration for enhanced mobility
for seniors and individuals with disabilities, to allow for the purchase of a bus.
 
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.
Mayor Hermosillo stated the news from City manager Dyches was amazing and that she is proud
to announce the Finance Department has been awarded the Government Finance Officer's
Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 5th consecutive year.  
Mayor Hermosillo thanked the staff for their amazing work.  Mayor Hermosillo then stated that
at the League of Cities and Towns Conference last week, Vice Mayor Shapera was recognized for
sixteen years of public service.  Vice Mayor Shapera thanked everyone for their support.  
Councilmember Delgado pointed out that Mr. Russo and his staff make every effort to be
cost-efficient and are not wasteful with City funds.  Councilmember Jones stated staff has done an
excellent job acquiring grants.  Councilmember Norton stated there are two upcoming El Mirage
Cares events; a community forum on suicide prevention on September 19th at 7:00 pm at the El
Mirage Library and a Domestic Violence Walk on October 19th.  Councilmember Norton said
more details about each event would be coming soon.  
 
9.
ADJOURNMENT - MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:51 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 Wednesday, September 4, 2024, and a quorum was present. 
  
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Regular Meeting - Council Minutes
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