01 13 26 City Council Meeting Minutes
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1 CITY OF TOLLESON 9055 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson, AZ 85353 • (623) 936-7111 • TTY users, dial 711 for Relay • www.tolleson.az.gov TOLLESON CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTION MINUTES TOLLESON CIVIC CENTER 9055 WEST VAN BUREN STREET, TOLLESON, AZ 85353 ZOOM WEBINAR ID: 840 6967 9194 TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026 6:00 PM Doors open to Council Chambers at 5:45 PM for public seating. The public may be asked to temporarily relocate if an executive session occurs. The public will be invited back into Council Chambers when the Council returns from executive session. Members of the public may also participate in the meeting via Zoom Webinar (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84069679194) with a computer or cell phone. A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rodriguez called the Tolleson City Council Meeting to order at 6:01 PM. B. INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by City Attorney Pierce, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tolleson Teen Council. C. ROLL CALL City Council: Mayor Juan Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Jimmy Davis, Council Member Christine Chavira, Council Member Clorinda Erives, Council Member Adolfo Gámez, Council Member Linda Laborin, and Council Member Cruzita Mendoza. Department Directors: City Manager Reyes Medrano Jr., Deputy City Manager/Chief Government Affairs Officer Pilar Sinawi, Deputy City Manager/Employee Resources Director Wendy Jackson, Chief Financial Officer Kevin Artz, Chief of Social Impact George Good, City Clerk Crystal Zamora, Development Services Director Jason Earp, Field Operations/Parks & Recreation Director Randy Babchuk, Fire Chief Michael Young, Library Director Mandy Carrico, Public Safety Director/Police Chief Rudy Mendoza, and Utilities Director Jamie McCracken. City Representative: City Attorney Justin Pierce D. FINAL CALL TO SUBMIT SPEAKER REQUESTS 2 All citizens and interested parties wishing to speak before the Council regarding non- agenda items or during a public hearing shall fully complete a Speaker Request Form and submit the form(s) to the City Clerk prior to the meeting being convened. Citizens must complete one form for each item they want to address. Speaker Request Forms are located at the entrance of the Council Chambers. For Zoom participants, click the chat button, and enter your name and the item you would like to address. Submissions should be made no later than the Mayor announcing the “Final Call to Submit Speaker Requests”. All speakers will be limited to 3 minutes unless otherwise noted by the Mayor. Speakers are not required to disclose their identities or personal information. You may also submit an online speaker request form at https://www.tolleson.az.gov/speakerrequest at least one hour prior to the meeting. E. CALL TO THE PUBLIC (NON-AGENDA ITEMS) This is the time for the public to comment on non-agenda items. Members of the Council may not discuss items that are not specifically identified on the agenda. Therefore, pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.01.H, action taken as a result of public comment will be limited to (1) responding to criticism; (2) directing staff to review the matter; or (3) asking that a matter be put on a future agenda. F. SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES AND PROCLAMATIONS – FOR DISCUSSION 1. Tolleson Teen Council Annual Update 2. Student Council Leadership Recognition – Arizona Desert and Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary Schools 3. Red Cross Collaboration Update – Edgar Olivo, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross for Arizona and New Mexico 4. City of Tolleson Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 – Baker Tilly 5. Proclamation declaring January 19-25, 2026 as Community Risk Reduction Week in the City of Tolleson, recognizing the importance of prevention, preparedness, and community partnership in reducing the occurrence and impact of emergency events and promoting public safety. – Michael Young, Fire Chief Mayor Rodriguez proclaimed January 19-25, 2026 as Community Risk Reduction Week in the City of Tolleson. 6. Introduction of New Employees: Employee Resources Department – Tatiana Maya Olea, ER Administrator Finance Department – Edith Maciel, Fiscal Assistant Field Operations Department – Christian Camacho, Parks Maintenance Fire Department – Fire Fighters Gabriel Arroyos, Caiden Camuti, Eduardo Esquivel, 3 Matt Foery, Dylan Hoyt, and Anthony Rubinov Development Services Department – Lisa Melton, Utilities Engineer and Rogelio Obispo, Streets Maintenance Technician Library Department – Matt Sanders, Library Assistant Police Department – Brian Romero, Police Officer Utilities Department – Timothy Brown, Water Manager Employee Promotions: Government Affairs Department – Aaliyah Brambila, Digital Media Coordinator Police Department – Hannah Jeters, Police Officer Employee Recognition: Maria Vanegas, Library Technician: Bachelor’s Degree in Library Information Science, University of Arizona G. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR – PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTION ITEMS H. CONSENT AGENDA – ACTION ITEMS Items on the Consent Agenda are of a routine nature and are intended to be acted upon in one motion. Council Members may pull items from Consent if they would like them considered separately. 1. Approve Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2025. (City Clerk Department) 2. Approve Claims and Bills Report for the period of December 3, 2025 to January 6, 2026. (Finance Department) 3. Approve First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Tolleson and Dibble & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc. dba Dibble, for on-call professional engineering and surveying services, and authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver said Amendment. The City desires to amend the existing Agreement to increase the compensation limit to an amount not to exceed $250,000 for additional services. (Development Services Department) 4. Approve First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) between the City of Tolleson and GHD Inc., for professional services related to utilizing excess capacity at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, and authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver said Amendment. The City desires to amend the existing Agreement to increase the annual aggregate amount from $100,000 to $200,000 per fiscal year and extend the term through June 30, 2026 for additional services. (Utilities Department) 5. Approve the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement between the City of Tolleson and Metron Farnier, LLC for water meters, materials, equipment, facilities, and services related to Water Meter Replacement with an Automatic Meter Infrastructure System on an as-required basis, and authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver said 4 Agreement. The City shall pay the Vendor an annual aggregate amount not to exceed $400,000 for equipment and services. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until June 30, 2026. (Utilities Department) 6. Approve the First Amendment to the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement between the City of Tolleson and Ferguson Enterprises, LLC for facilities and building supplies on an as-required basis, and authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver said Amendment. The City shall pay the Contractor an annual aggregate amount not to exceed $200,000 for materials and supplies. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until December 31, 2026. (Utilities Department) 7. Approve the Qualified Consultant List (QCL) for on-call water and wastewater utility engineering and surveying services for the design and construction of sewer and water mains, pump and lift stations, water distribution system appurtenances, wells, storage tanks, electro dialysis reversal systems, and general Public Works construction, consisting of the following firms: Black and Veatch Corporation; Brown and Caldwell; Canfield Engineering & Integration, LLC; Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc.; Colliers Engineering & Design; Consor North America, Inc.; Dibble & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc.; Kimley-Horn; GHD Inc.; Hazen and Sawyer; Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc.; Stanley Consultants, Inc.; Sunrise Engineering, LLC; Valentine Environmental Engineers; Water Works Engineers; and Wilson Engineers, for an initial term of one year with the option to renew for up to four additional one-year periods, subject to a maximum of $500,000 per individual Purchase Order or Authorization for Services and an aggregate annual cap of $1,000,000 per prime consultant. (Utilities Department) Council Member Gámez moved to approve Consent Agenda items 1. through 7.; the motion was seconded by Council Member Laborin. The motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Rodriguez – Aye Vice Mayor Davis – Aye Council Member Chavira – Aye Council Member Erives – Aye Council Member Gámez – Aye Council Member Laborin – Aye Council Member Mendoza – Aye I. REGULAR AGENDA – ACTION ITEMS J. WORK STUDY AND PRESENTATIONS – FOR DISCUSSION K. MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER’S REPORT OF CURRENT EVENTS – FOR DISCUSSION 1. Community Events Update – Randy Babchuk, Field Operations/Parks & Recreation Director 5 2. Notice of cancellation of the City Council Meetings scheduled on March 10, 2026 for spring recess, July 28, 2026 and August 11, 2026 for summer recess, November 24, 2026 for fall recess and December 22, 2026 for winter recess. The City Hall holiday closure is scheduled from December 21, 2026 to December 26, 2026. L. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Gámez moved to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting at 6:57 PM; the motion was seconded by Council Member Mendoza. The motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Rodriguez – Aye Vice Mayor Davis – Aye Council Member Chavira – Aye Council Member Erives – Aye Council Member Gámez – Aye Council Member Laborin – Aye Council Member Mendoza – Aye Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.01 and A.R.S. § 38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the Tolleson City Council and to the general public that the Council of the City of Tolleson will hold a meeting open to the public. Council Members of the City of Tolleson will attend by telephone/video conference call. Note: The City Council of the City of Tolleson, by a duly passed motion, may vote in public session to adjourn to executive session on any agenda item in conformation with A.R.S. § 38.431.03 for legal advice from the City Attorney. Zoom’s live transcription feature can provide automatic captioning by clicking on the Closed Caption (CC) button during the meeting. THE CITY OF TOLLESON ENDEAVORS TO MAKE ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. With at least two business days advance notice, accommodations can be provided at this meeting for individuals with vision, hearing and/or speech disabilities, including a transcriber, large print, an interpreter, an assistive listening device, etc. Please call the City Clerk at (623) 936-7111, or TTY users may dial 711 for Arizona Relay Service (AZRS), to request an accommodation to participate in this public meeting. The City will try its best to accommodate any last minute requests. LA CIUDAD DE TOLLESON SE ESFUERZA PARA HACER TODAS LAS REUNIONES PÚBLICAS ACCESIBLE PARA INDIVIDUOS CON DISCAPACIDADES. Con al menos dos días laborables de previo aviso, se pueden proporcionar adaptaciones en esta reunión para personas con discapacidades visuales, auditivas o del habla, incluido un transcriptor, letra grande, un intérprete, un dispositivo de asistencia auditiva, etc. Llame a la Secretaría Municipal al (623) 936-7111, o los 6 usuarios de TTY pueden marcar 711 para el Servicio de Retransmisión de Arizona (AZRS), para solicitar un alojamiento para participar en esta reunión pública. La Ciudad hará todo lo posible para satisfacer cualquier solicitud de último minuto. CHECK NUMBER CHECK DATE VENDOR NAME AMOUNT 101770 12/31/2025 CITY OF TOLLESON-MEDICAL $10,428.86 186473 12/11/2025 VAN LOON INDUSTRIES $10,507.89 186534 12/18/2025 HILL BROTHERS CHEMICAL COMPANY $10,884.41 101756 12/30/2025 ARMOR PROTECTION GROUP INC $11,001.38 186556 12/30/2025 LEA-ARCHITECTS LLC $11,280.49 186533 12/18/2025 CORE & MAIN LP $11,724.98 186428 12/11/2025 TOLLESON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIST.#17 $11,850.00 186534 12/18/2025 HILL BROTHERS CHEMICAL COMPANY $12,484.41 101747 12/18/2025 FORWARD TILT LLC $12,660.65 101747 12/18/2025 FORWARD TILT LLC $12,660.65 186533 12/18/2025 CORE & MAIN LP $12,939.28 101772 12/31/2025 PIERCE COLEMAN PLLC $13,500.00 101745 12/18/2025 CIVICPLUS LLC $13,921.93 186547 12/29/2025 VERIZON WIRELESS SERVICES LLC $14,052.32 186561 1/5/2026 ADAPTIVE ARCHITECTS INC $14,797.00 186465 12/11/2025 THE PARTY PEOPLE OF ARIZONA $15,776.12 186442 12/11/2025 HILL BROTHERS CHEMICAL COMPANY $16,225.53 101760 12/30/2025 FORWARD TILT LLC $16,853.82 101669 12/3/2025 VANGUARD TRUCK CENTERS LLC $16,926.64 101795 1/6/2026 KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. $17,382.84 186467 12/11/2025 TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. $17,600.00 186556 12/30/2025 LEA-ARCHITECTS LLC $17,726.49 186551 12/29/2025 WEST VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL $20,000.00 186553 12/29/2025 WHITE TANK MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY $20,000.00 186549 12/29/2025 WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA $20,093.75 186478 12/11/2025 WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA $20,105.04 101772 12/31/2025 PIERCE COLEMAN PLLC $20,250.00 101772 12/31/2025 PIERCE COLEMAN PLLC $20,250.00 186384 12/4/2025 GOODMANS INC $23,314.17 101699 12/12/2025 AZ MUNICIPAL RISK RETENTION POOL P & C $28,055.40 186391 12/4/2025 MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE $28,169.57 101699 12/12/2025 AZ MUNICIPAL RISK RETENTION POOL P & C $28,246.07 101783 1/6/2026 AZ PUBLIC SAFETY RETIREMENT, POLICE $28,289.01 101742 12/18/2025 AZ PUBLIC SAFETY RETIREMENT, POLICE $29,006.85 101676 12/5/2025 AZ PUBLIC SAFETY RETIREMENT, POLICE $29,454.12 101782 1/6/2026 AZ PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM $33,112.39 101750 12/18/2025 LYFT, INC. $34,396.55 186372 12/4/2025 TOLLESON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIST.#17 $37,604.27 101675 12/5/2025 AZ PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM $38,370.45 City of Tolleson Checks Recorded Check Dates: December 3, 2025 to January 6, 2026 PAYMENTS OVER $10,000 101741 12/18/2025 AZ PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM $40,541.96 101762 12/30/2025 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC $44,199.43 101685 12/5/2025 IMMEDIA $46,466.66 186548 12/29/2025 WACO LLC $50,967.47 186481 12/15/2025 ALEX AREVALO $56,830.00 186498 12/15/2025 PEORIA FORD $62,861.23 186498 12/15/2025 PEORIA FORD $65,552.34 101753 12/18/2025 UTILITY TRAILER SALES CO OF ARIZONA $85,987.31 186552 12/29/2025 WESTERN MARICOPA COALITION $120,000.00 101699 12/12/2025 AZ MUNICIPAL RISK RETENTION POOL P & C $145,970.86 101752 12/18/2025 PIERCE COLEMAN PLLC $148,500.00 101804 1/6/2026 PUMP PROS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION $155,368.00 101670 12/3/2025 VANGUARD TRUCK CENTERS LLC $156,635.84 101740 12/18/2025 AXON ENTERPRISE INC $165,986.22 186570 1/5/2026 CITY OF PHOENIX $229,532.64 101708 12/12/2025 CHASSE BUILDING TEAM INC $626,712.45 CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 19 Post-Production File City of Tolleson City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2026 Transcription Provided By: eScribers, LLC * * * * * Transcription is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings. * * * * * CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 19 DAVIS: (Indiscernible). This morning, I got (indiscernible) a locally owned coffee shop to do the ribbon cutting there. Mayor (indiscernible) and wasn't able to be there, so I had to speak on behalf of the council, and I did that. But I used to be the chair of our assembly committee at the high school, so I would have to see all of our assemblies. I was the MP of our assemblies. Like, 4,000, 5,000 students were in that program at the time. So I kind of got used to talking in front of a lot of people, but (indiscernible). These kids are awesome. (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). All of them have a part. I really, truly believe that, and it starts early on in how we care for each other when you're in school and -- and growing. And it's been a great opportunity to work hand in hand with Ruben (indiscernible). I appreciate all the hard work that you do in the community (indiscernible). So thank you for being here. I know you can all be at home watching TV or playing video games, but you're not. You're here. So thank you. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Many of you guys were (indiscernible) people that did, right? So (indiscernible). So we're very well surrounded by people that care about our community, but we're equally very lucky to know that the new generation leadership of the student council is in very good hands. (Indiscernible). So keep developing and becoming better. And someday, we'll need you to interrupt, and I'll sit back and I'll be completely happy about it and I will enjoy it, because I know you guys have the best heart in the room (indiscernible). All right. Now we have to move on. I did see (indiscernible) request form. One is from Natalie Rivera (ph.) , one is from Jordan Medina (ph.), and one is from (indiscernible), which I know all three, but I don't see any of -- are any of you present and hiding somewhere? Okay. Well, I have a theory that these are all dealing with the same subject matter. So I'm going to send it over to staff to set up a meeting, and talk to them, and see if we can address this in a more intimate sit-down setting so we can make sure we have everything understood. Yes, take it away Mr. Medrano. MEDRANO: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. (Indiscernible) for Mr. Earp's group and the three residents. CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 19 MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: I've heard that the City of Tulsa is very, very strict when it comes to dealing with this issue. That definitely has to be remedied. (Indiscernible). MEDRANO: Honestly, we know all of them and we all (indiscernible). It doesn't take much. We're very lucky. That's one of the -- the advantages of politics. Thank you, guys, for everything you do. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: I will ask, City manager, when you have the individual updates, if you could just update us on what (indiscernible). MEDRANO: Absolutely. It is a parking issue, and we will address that. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: All right. Call to the public (indiscernible). So Ms. Clerk, do we have any submissions for us tonight? ZAMORA: We do not, Mayor. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Okay. (Indiscernible) the proclamation. We have a number of them. But let's start off back to the council -- student council annual update. So one of the charges that council has thought about for a number of years is actually asking our student council to come and present to us some of their accomplishments throughout the years. Part of their charge is do community service hours and a bunch of other stuff here in Tolleson and beyond. So Student Council Vice Mayor Hazel Gallardo, you have the floor. If you want to come on down (indiscernible). GALLARDO: All right. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, council members, and city leadership. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. My name is Hazel Gallardo, and I'm the outgoing teen Vice Mayor. And alongside my fellow representatives, we are proud to represent the Tolleson Teen Council. We are grateful for your continued support and belief in youth leadership. Tonight, we're honored to share our year-end review and highlight how our pillars of advocacy, leadership, and service are being put into action. Over the past year, the Tolleson Teen Council has grown into a strong, consistent, impactful program. We supported over 75 active team leaders, participated in 12 months of structured programming, and remain focused on empowering youth across our city. Our council includes students from 7th through 12th grade, representing a CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 19 wide range of schools and backgrounds in the Tolleson community. This year, we held 24 formal teen council meetings, with an average attendance of 40 members per -- per meeting. This level of engagement reflects a deep commitment from our teams not just to show up, but to learn, lead, and contribute meaningfully to the City of Tolleson. One of the key ways we empower our members is through our first pillar, advocacy. And to share more about that work, I'll turn it over to Daviahna Velazquez. VELAZQUEZ: Thank you. Good evening to the -- the City officials and everyone else in this room. I'm Daviahna Velazquez and I'm one of the outgoing teen council elected officials. Advocacy is one of our core pillars. It goes along with education and elevating the youth voice. (Indiscernible) encourage children how decisions and how their voices can help their community. Through advocacy, (Indiscernible) by making it accessible, educational, and empowered. In action, our advocacy has taken our team so far beyond our city limits. From local and regional leadership summits in, one, the West Valley, and the Arizona Cities of Leagues in Scottsdale, to national Cities of Leagues conferences in Washington, D.C. and Salt Lake City, Utah. These experiences allow teens to engage in civic (indiscernible), understanding our government (indiscernible). This is where teens have hands-on responsibility. Members (indiscernible) elected officials, kids' committee members, and facility leaders, gaining hands-on experience in public speaking, meetings and presentation, and (indiscernible). Seeing leadership in action is not just by attending city events. We are planning them, leading them, and executing them. Our team gain real world skills that prepare them for future leadership in college, careers, and civic life. While advocacy and leadership help the team grow as individuals, our third pillar shows how they give back to the community. To share more about our service and our overall impact, I'll pass it on to Cruz. DALEY: Thank you, Daviahna. Hello council, everyone else in the chamber. My name is Cruz Daley. I am a teen council elected official (indiscernible). So our third pillar service CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 19 reflects our commitment to giving back to the community that invests in us. This year alone, teen council members have created over 3,500 volunteer service hours. (Indiscernible) hosted events, nonprofit partners, and youth service initiatives that have a real community (indiscernible). The impact of this service is significant. These hours translate into tens of thousands of dollars of volunteered time, extended support across multiple city departments, and increased capacity without added debt. Simply put, the teen council amplifies the city's (indiscernible) by building responsible, service-minded residents. But why does this matter? The Tolleson Teen Council's not just a youth program. It's an investment in the future of our city. It builds future civic leaders, strengthens trust between families and the local government, and delivers a long-term return on investment. As we look ahead, we're excited about what's next. In the coming year, we aim to expand advocacy opportunities, increase leadership training and certifications, and grow service partnerships to reach even more of you. On behalf of the Tolleson Teen Council, thank you for your continued support, guidance, and commitment to youth voice. We are proud to serve our city today, and even more excited for tomorrow. Thank you. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: All right. (Indiscernible) . MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Thank you very much. For (indiscernible). Now we're at 3,500 hours of volunteer work. (Indiscernible). I'm just kidding. Robert (ph.) and I work together; he's nice. (Indiscernible). DAVIS: I don't think I've ever heard someone present so well. I've been to national conferences where people are presenting, and they weren't as well put together as three of you, so great job. I think that's a testament to the program doing its job. You guys -- you guys are really shining stars, so keep it up and -- and (indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). In a world that's every day seemingly unkind, you display the opposite of that. And there is hope for our future. There's a lot of positive things in this world, and we just need to focus on the positive and not so much the negative. And I want to thank you -- thank you for being that positive light in our community. Thank you (indiscernible) . CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 19 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I just want to highlight you guys because I've been -- I have talked to other youth members and their city council is not as involved (indiscernible) as you guys. I think I have mentioned I am so beyond blessed to get -- to be given this opportunity to even be a part of city council. You guys do so much for your community and it's definitely going to follow through to the future. Thank you so much. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). I want to thank the outgoing members. You made this a better organization by having us be accountable to all of us. We're blessed to have you. We're going to miss. you. But you're not going (indiscernible). You're incredible. Thank you. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: So along the same vein, item number two is Student Council Leadership Recognition. We are pleased to recognize student council members at Arizona Desert Elementary School and Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School. (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Aztecs. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: All right. (Indiscernible) leadership, responsibility, and commitment to the school and their community. (Indiscernible). As I mentioned, (indiscernible), their administrators. I know a superintendent. (Indiscernible). He participated in providing support for the students and helped guide them along the way. So thank you, everybody. Have an amazing day. We're looking to grow the program and talk about some ideas for support. Taking some input from the teachers and students, I think, would be awesome as well. But it's a good -- a good day to do it. 2026 is beginning with a battery fully charged due to (indiscernible), and -- and so that's a beautiful thing to (indiscernible). No? Okay. We're good. All right. Moving on now to item number three, Red Cross collaboration update. We have Mr. Edgar Olivo with American Red Cross. Sir, you have the floor. OLIVO: Boy, I hope I can keep up with all of you. You were so good. Mayor, Vice Mayor, council members, city manager, staff, and neighbors, good evening. For the record, my name is Edgar Olivo, and I serve as the regional CEO for the American CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 7 of 19 Red Cross in Arizona and New Mexico. Thank you for welcoming me tonight, and thank you for the way Tolleson shows up for its people. When I think about the Red Cross, I think about one simple idea, neighbors helping neighbors. Tolleson is a city that lives that idea. Tonight, I'd like to share how a city in Arizona with a population of roughly 10,000 people is helping shape Red Cross work across the country. But first, I want to address something directly. We had a blood drive scheduled last Saturday that was canceled, and I know that was disappointing and frustrating for donors and for partners who planned around it. Here's what happened. Plainly and respectfully, a last minute staffing and logistics challenge came up that we did not identify early enough. Out of an abundance of caution and to protect donor safety and service quality, we postponed the drive. And we are now rescheduling with stronger confirmation steps in place, and I wanted you to hear that directly from me. We are going to make it right. We already are rescheduling. We are tightening up our confirmation steps. And we will work with you to not only recover those missed units, but to exceed our next goal because the patients counting on us cannot afford gaps in the blood supply. In many ways, it was blood -- a blood drive in 2023 that opened the door to our partnership, and that partnership has grown into something much bigger than any single event. We take our blood drives in Tolleson very seriously. (Indiscernible) and help patients in emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions that require ongoing transfusions. And as we strengthen the blood supply, Latino blood donors are essential to helping hospitals meet patient needs with the right matches when seconds matter. Since 2022, the Tolleson community has helped collect 69 units of blood, and 68 percent of those units were type O. The universal blood type O's in constant demand. That impact is real, and it is something you should be very proud of. And what I appreciate about Tolleson is that same spirit that brings people in to roll up their sleeves also shows up in how a city protects neighbors before an emergency becomes a tragedy. That is exactly what led to this next milestone in our partnership. In 2024, Tolleson helped us launch the very first extreme heat walk for the American CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 8 of 19 Red Cross. Not only the first in Arizona, but the first in the entire country. What began here since has become a blueprint for regions like ours nationwide. As temperatures continue to rise, this model is emerging as a powerful tool to help communities prepare for extreme heat and reduce heat-related illnesses and death. Because Tolleson's leaders and residents were willing to partner, the work done here became something we could share on a national scale. That kind of impact only happens when a city leads with both heart and practicality. When a community like Tolleson proves a model works, it strengthens the Red Cross mission everywhere. People across the country will be safer because of what you helped build here. That same commitment to prevention showed up in another powerful way through the smoke alarm installation effort last year in 2025, where together we organized one of the largest volunteer gatherings in the City of Tolleson to help families make their homes safer. This work matters because home fires remain one of the most common disasters we respond to day in and day out. Smoke alarms may be simple, but they are powerful. They protect children, they protect seniors, they buy time, and they save lives. What I saw in Tolleson was more than a project. I saw veterans from the local lodge working alongside ROTC students to make their neighbors safer, and partners from surrounding businesses joining community members to ensure families were ready in the face of a home fire. It was a clear reminder that Tolleson's legacy of service is strong and it is growing. I also want to share that our region has received a Presidential Award, the highest recognition the American -- within the American Red Cross. That honor reflects real results, and it is built on partnerships with communities like Tolleson that chose to lead, innovate, and mobilize alongside us. An award is not the goal, but it is a meaningful signal. It tells us the work is making a difference, and it tells us that the model of collaboration is worth growing. We would not have received this recognition without Tolleson's leadership. Now let me share with you what we are building next, because this is where it gets CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 9 of 19 really exciting. We are launching a local asset mapping effort, led by our Red Cross resilience facilitator, to produce a simple, practical tool Tolleson can use the moment an emergency hits. Think of it as a community-built guide that answers three questions fast. Who can help, what help is available, and where should people go? We'll start with city leaders to confirm trusted partners, key contacts, and proven locations that can support residents during extreme heat, home fires, power outages, and other incidents. Then we'll bring in community residents to add what only neighbors know, including informal gathering places, language and access needs, and the quickest ways to reach people block by block. The result is a clear, ready to activate resource that helps Tolleson coordinate faster, connect people to support sooner, and cut through confusion when minutes matter. And that work leads directly to April 7th, when we plan to host our -- our main shelter simulation and research showcase event. This will be a hands-on community -- this will be hands-on and community friendly. Residents will learn how an emergency shelter is set up, what roles volunteers play, and how everyday neighbors can support neighbors during an emergency. It is not about fear. It's about calmness. It is about helping families know if something happens now, I know what to do, and I know who is with me. I understand several of you have indicated that you may participate in the shelter simulation, and I hope all of you will consider being a part of it. You are the leaders of this community, and if we ever have to activate a shelter, your presence and familiarity will matter. It would be a -- it would be very meaningful to have you there with us. So Mayor and council, thank you again. Tolleson's partnership has helped the Red Cross deliver impact that travels beyond the city and strengthened how we serve across our region and nationally. My simple ask tonight is this, continue standing with us as we move into this next phase of community readiness, support the asset mapping effort, help us bring residents into the conversation, and help us make April 7th a proud Tolleson's moment that strengthens preparedness, community trust, and neighbor to neighbor action. Thank you for your time. I'm happy to answer any questions. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: (Indiscernible). I do want to -- I do want to make a little comment. CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 10 of 19 You mentioned many groups -- many events, and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge our -- our internal folks that have put in a lot of efforts on our end. That would (indiscernible) amazing partnerships. All of our firefighters (indiscernible). Thank you guys all for what you do. But you're right, type O is the blood of (indiscernible). And you know, we have-- in the Latino community, type O blood is (indiscernible). We want to be in a position to be able to help, but -- but we also want to be (indiscernible). First of all, congratulations on your award, and thank you all for everything you have done for the city that got that award. (Indiscernible) . UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you. Congratulations. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: So in 1998, our family home burned and we lost everything in that fire. And we were very fortunate because we were not home when the fire broke out, so my family was safe. The American Red Cross was one of the first people there, the first responders to see if we needed help. And we're very fortunate because we're a close-knit family, and our community was strong, and we didn't need any help at the time. But the Red Cross was there, and they never stopped acting as a (indiscernible), which was an amazing thing. It feels very good to reciprocate now the services that they wished to give us and the services that the Red Cross extends to families in very difficult times, and how important that is. So for our community to be ready in case of an emergency is an amazing opportunity, and thank you -- thank you for giving us the opportunity to do that, and thank you guys for creating a partnership with the community. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: I guess we can move on. Okay. Item number four, we're going to postpone. (Indiscernible) on Zoom. So Zoom is not working right now, but they did offer to call in and give us the presentation over the phone. But my thought is the Zoom's not working, and people that want to participate at home through Zoom won't be able to participate. So let's postpone it till the next meeting, work out the kinks, that way -- I know there's some other folks that wanted that information. CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 11 of 19 And it's about finances. So you know, I'm a strong believer that you can tell me what you prioritize, but until you show me your checkbook and I see how you spend your money, I will tell you what you prioritize. So if we're going to talk about money here in the City of Tolleson, everybody, from home or here in the -- in the City Council Hall, should have an opportunity to hear how that money is spent on their behalf. So for now, we'll move on to number five, the proclamation declaring January 19 through the 25 of 2026 as Community Risk Reduction Week in the City of Tolleson, recognizing the importance of prevention, preparedness, and community partnership in reducing the occurrence and the impact of emergency events and promoting public safety. Chief Young, you have the floor. YOUNG: Thank you, sir. I wish that I could've went before him because he stole my thunder. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). YOUNG: Mayor Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Davis, members of council, what we see every day in the fire service is that most emergencies do not start big events. They start in homes in small moments, and often in ways that are preventable. While the reality is that majority of our calls today are medical in nature, that doesn't mean that fires are not a serious threat. Many of those situations can be reduced through educational preparedness and early intervention, and that is the purpose of community risk reduction. It's a proactive, data informed approach that helps us identify the risks that are specific to our community and address them before they turn into emergencies. In Tolleson, that means continuing to work directly with residents through home safety education; our amazing smoke alarm program with our partners Red Cross, Arizona Burn Foundation, all the work the chief does put into establishing that; and risk reduction efforts that focus on prevention and not just response. This work relies on our strong partnerships, like the Red Cross, Arizona Burn Foundation, and our community, and it aligns especially well with the spirit of service that we recognize on Martin Luther King Junior Day, the day that encourages all of us to take action to strengthen and protect our loved ones. CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 12 of 19 MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Awesome. Thank you, Chief Young. I just want to tell you, (indiscernible). You did an amazing job at speaking after the kids and the representative for the Red Cross, who did an amazing job. But obviously, our fire department team is here, so you guys have done amazing work. And I'm -- I'm now at the age where my parents have, at times, suffered medical issues that need to be responded to. And every time we call, they're there in a matter of minutes. They're very professional. They're on top of their game. And my parents needed -- they needed to be transported. They gave me a call, and they got the services that they needed. And luckily, because of your guy's efforts, (indiscernible). In the City of Tolleson, we have public safety officers that are that committed to being able to serve. So I personally want to thank you guys. But I think as a community, we want to thank you as well for all that you do day in and day out, whether it's medical, fire, an accident -- responding to an accident, you fill in the blank because you guys are all coming from every angle (indiscernible) and get it done correctly. So thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. (Indiscernible). I do have a proclamation. (Indiscernible). So now therefore, I, Mayor Juan F. Rodriguez, do hereby proclaim January 19th to 25th, 2026, as Community Risk Reduction Week in the City of Tolleson. It is proclaimed. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Chief Mendoza. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Rudy -- UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: You have to come up. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: You know, you know. [CROSS TALK] UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: One, two -- okay. Got it. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: No. Just one more pic. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Well, (indiscernible) that I recognize. So it looks like we got a CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 13 of 19 couple of firefighters, among other city employees. So with that, I would move to item number 6, which is the introduction of new city employees. (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you, Mayor and council. I would be remiss if I didn't express my gratitude to the members of both student council and our teen council for being here today. I was nowhere to be found. So it only took 20-some years to get you to get set up with council, but I'm glad you came today and I'm honored to be here today with all of you. You made our day. You make our day every day. You. You are all the reason we do what we do, and that is a fact. I don't know how else to put it. And if you don't believe me, ask anybody around here (indiscernible). You're our primary focus. You're the future of this world serving this community. So thank you, and thank you (indiscernible). This is always a high honor to introduce -- oh, to introduce all of our new teammates, people that have made the choice to serve our beloved policy. So first, out of employee resources, we did have a great day. Wendy, you and your team are outstanding. I'm not surprised. I can see it actually unfold (indiscernible). The first person -- or the first and only new employee in employee resources did a wonderful job. And I just learned that she's a communications major and I'm not at all surprised. You are outstanding, Tatiana. Tatiana Maya Olea, ER administrator. Welcome. Thank you, (indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Now the front desk, as we all know -- I mean, I served in that capacity. And so keeping those that can attest, when we were dispatchers, we were the front desk. You had to be able to go through dispatch to get to finance, so everybody came to us asking us about everything beyond the police department, and we had to know. So we can appreciate that position. It is literally the face of the organization, and I can't think of someone any better. Every day I walk in, I intentionally walk in through the front door so I can say hello to Edith Maciel, our fiscal assistant. She's outstanding. I don't know if you mean it, but she's always greeting everybody with a smile on her face and a willingness to help. So thank you. CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 14 of 19 And I know (indiscernible) can attest, we're all from here. We all grew up here. It always brings great joy to me to -- to hire someone from Tolleson. So in the field operations department -- he is my cousin, I want to say publicly. But he qualifies under the City code too, and he avoids the nepotism law because, as you know, I'm related to pretty much the whole city almost. I mean, he's my brother, too. (Indiscernible). Christian Camach. And he's not here, but if you know Christian, you know how happy we all are that we're able to hire him. He is a relative of Donnie (ph.) Camacho, who was the young man who, in the 8th grade, demanded equal treatment of all students in the elementary school district. So his family has a storied history in politics. Welcome, Christian. Fire Department, you're right there. We are blessed to have several people to have chosen. Carlos and I met a lot of the new ones today, and most of them are younger than my kids, which makes me feel even that much more mature. But it was a pleasure to meet you all today. First, we have Gabriel. All firefighters, they just finished the academy. And Chief, I don't know if you can share the picture with council. Hopefully, we can share it with them. I love that picture. First, we have Gabriel Arroyos. Gabriel, you here today? (Indiscernible). Caiden Camuti. Indiscernible). Eduardo Esquivel (indiscernible). Eduardo might not be here. Matt Foery. Dylan Hoyt, (indiscernible). And Anthony Rubinov. (Indiscernible). Welcome. Thank you all. Next, in development services, I -- I have the pleasure of being on the second floor with her, our new utility engineer, Lisa Melton. Well, Jason made a very short case, then Danny made it very short. And the streets -- the Street's Maintenance Technician, Rogelio Obispo. Next to the library, another wonderful choice. Matt Sanders, library assistant. Mandy, great choice (indiscernible). Okay. It was Wendy. The first week he was helping us with all the -- the kindergarten for (indiscernible). It was fun. I'm used to it, even though I have (indiscernible). Police department. Brian Romero, police officer. (Indiscernible). Utility department. I met him at (indiscernible). Our new water manager, Timothy CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 15 of 19 Brown. (Indiscernible). We recruited him from Goodyear. [LAUGHTER] UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: The Goodyear city manager, she's retired, and she's not happy with us at all. I think, you know, (indiscernible) of the year. This is also a wonderful opportunity to -- to announce some new promotions. First, I am also blessed to share an office with her. Aaliyah Brambila, Digital Media Coordinator. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: The reason for the applause is because Aaliyah is a former teen council member. (Indiscernible). And I say children because I miss being one. I have grown up here. When I said that we take your happiness seriously and it's my job to get you to come work here, Aaliyah's a really good example. She was in the teen council and we literally -- she's a full-time employee with us now and works directly in our office, and she's outstanding. And she's one of several, and you'll meet them eventually when it's your turn. But we take it seriously. We're not joking. Next, we have in the police department, Hannah Jeters. I met her the other day. A police officer. She's not here today anyway. (Indiscernible). And she looked at me and went, of course. I didn't mean that, but she's so young and it's awesome. And anytime we can recruit a female employee in general, but especially the (indiscernible). And then employee recognition, I am absolutely honored, on behalf of my compatriots to the South, to announce that I will -- UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: What's wrong? UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: No, I'm not. But I gave him a lot of cash. [LAUGHTER] UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: My boy is (indiscernible). I'm going to turn it over to Mandy in a minute, but to congratulate Maria Venegas, library technician, for earning her master's degree in library information science from the University of Arizona. Go ahead, Mandy. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 16 of 19 CARRICO: I just want to add that her degree that she recently got was made possible through the tuition reimbursement plan that we have for employees. And as of this semester, she's continuing on to get her master's in library and information science through the same reimbursement plan. And the City and the library profession are lucky to be able to benefit from her efforts. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: No, no. She's going all the way through (indiscernible). MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: All right. Now we move onto item G, which is business from the floor. At this point, we don't have any. So we'll move on H, consent agenda action items. As to items one through seven (indiscernible). And I want to get a motion. GAMEZ: (Indiscernible). MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: We have a motion by Councilmember on record. LABORIN: (Indiscernible). MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: We have a second by Councilmember (indiscernible). All in favor of approving the consent agenda actions item, please say aye. ALL: Aye. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: All opposed? Not hearing any. This vote is accepted unanimously. (Indiscernible). Number one, community event updates. I'm going to hand it over to Parks & Recreation Director Randy Babchuk. BABCHUK: Thank you, Mayor, members of council. This Friday starts our 3rd Friday events or it's Friday down at The P.L.A.C.E. We are happy to bring live music by UPTOWN to the City of Tolleson, along with a silent disco. (Indiscernible) silent disco. It's amazing. You'll want to try it. Come on out. It's at The P.L.A.C.E. this Friday from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Both have me very curious. (Indiscernible). I've never done silent disco, but I've been told about it, and I look forward to watching all you guys getting down. [LAUGHTER] UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 17 of 19 MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Thank you, sir. Okay. Item number two is just a reminder the city council meetings cancelled on March 10th, 2026, for spring recess; July 28, 2026, and August 11, 2026, for summer recess; and November 24th, 2026, for fall recess; and December 27th, 2026, for winter recess. City Hall holiday closure is scheduled from December 21 to December 26, 2026. (Indiscernible) because your -- all want to be on top of all the city council meetings, so consider yourself reminded. With that, again, welcome 2026. It's going to be a fabulous year. We're starting it off in an amazing energy-filled room today. I mean, all these young people with all this energy, to me, it's just charging up my batteries. It gets me ready for a new year of much more success for the organization and for our City as a whole, so thank you very much. I will entertain a motion to adjourn. MEDRANO: Hold on, sir. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: City manager? MEDRANO: I believe (indiscernible) may be coming in in a second. Let's give it a second. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Okay. Anybody want a candy? [CROSS TALK] DAVIS: What grade are you guys all in? Are any of you -- what's the lowest grade that we have here? 7th grade? UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: 5th grade. DAVIS: We have 4th grade? Who's in 4th grade? Aw, man. Because that's what I (indiscernible). How many of you are in 5th grade? Okay. 6th grade? 7th grade? 8th grade? Wow. Are any of you guys in the (indiscernible) program? Yeah. That's an amazing program. I'm a musician. I sing. I (indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Mandy, (indiscernible). UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). MEDRANO: We're good. They left. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Go ahead and adjourn. They left. They left. CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 18 of 19 MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Okay. Yeah. So we were hoping to have a special member of the Arizona community. He's the chairman of the Tohono Oʼodham Reservation, Verlon M. Jose. He's a big-time supporter of the City of Tolleson. Him and his -- and the tribe and the community have been supportive, and we were hoping that he'd be here tonight so we can honor him for everything he's done for our community. And you want to talk about partnerships and (indiscernible) partnerships? He's probably one of the strongest that we have here in Tolleson. And so unfortunately, I don't know when he's going to be here, so I don't think it's fair to keep you guys here sitting when you guys can be home doing your homework. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: As the mayor, I'm going to entertain a motion to adjourn. GAMEZ: (Indiscernible). MEDRANO: They're on right now. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: We have one. Do we have a second one? MENDOZA: (Indiscernible). MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: Okay. I got a second -- MEDRANO: Oh, Mayor? Sorry, Mayor. George, you -- GOOD: Sorry. I wanted to take a moment to recognize one of the pillars of our community who turned 90 today. That would be Fred Davis from the police department. He's a great individual (indiscernible) and -- and a great friend of ours. So happy birthday, Fred Davis. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Happy birthday. MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: I had a first from Councilman Gamez, and a second from Councilmember Mendoza. All those in favor of adjourning this meeting, signify by saying aye. ALL: Aye. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible). [LAUGHTER] MAYOR RODRIGUEZ: You guys don't want to go home? All in favor of sticking around CITY OF TOLLESON JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 19 of 19 for another two hours say nay. All right. I'm glad. Let's go home. APPROVED: ____________________________________ JUAN F. RODRIGUEZ, MAYOR ATTEST: ____________________________________ CRYSTAL ZAMORA, CITY CLERK CERTIFICATION I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING MINUTES ARE A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TOLLESON, ARIZONA, HELD ON JANUARY 13, 2026. I FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE MEETING WAS DULY CALLED AND HELD, AND THAT A QUORUM WAS PRESENT. ____________________________________ CRYSTAL ZAMORA, CITY CLERK