Extracted text (via pymupdf)
6269 characters
MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - 4:00 P.M. 155 N. TEGNER STREET WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85390 A. CALL TO ORDER - Chair Zemp called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM B. ROLL CALL Present: Dwight Zemp, Chair Peter Stachowicz, Vice Chair Robert Beacham, Member Geri Fair, Member Craig Froeter, Member Steve Hamilton, Member Karla Mortimer, Alternate Member (Attended via Zoom) Kristy Bedoian, Council Liaison Absent: Vince Barringer, Alternate Member Staff Present: Steve Boyle, Community Development Director Amy Brown, Town Clerk C. CALL TO THE PUBLIC – • Nancy Craig, In-Town Resident, requested an update on the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) transportation plan for the Town of Wickenburg. D. ITEMS OF BUSINESS 1. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of September 10, 2025 MOVED BY Member Froeter to approve the minutes of September 10, 2025 SECONDED BY Member Fair VOTE: 7 - 0 (Yes – Chair Zemp, Vice Chair Stachowicz, Members Beacham, Fair, Froeter, Hamilton, and Mortimer) 2. Discussion on Possible Options Concerning a Local Workforce Readiness Program Chair Zemp announced that the Council has moved to end the agreement with Maricopa County for workforce development. The county changed their approach at the county level with the participation going way down. He asked for the Economic Development and Transportation Committee Minutes of November 12, 2025 Page 2 of 3 committee’s thoughts on what will work in Wickenburg. Should it be one-on-one training for skills with practical training? Should it be hands-on training by working with businesses? Should it involve help from the local businesses in maybe three areas: retail, health, and food preparation or restaurant service? Wickenburg has a large tourist industry that needs workers for the retail and restaurants. Should the town look to provide financial assistance to businesses who hire someone who is unqualified and train them on the job? Member Stachowicz thought that training for entry level jobs would be helpful. It could include resume building or skills building and working with all ages. He saw the numbers of people getting help go down with the reduction in the number at the job fairs. He suggested partnering with local schools such as West MEC or Glendale Community College as they offer certificate type programs. With the passage of the bond, West MEC will be building a training facility in Wittmann. Member Hamilton suggested tapping the business community to see if anyone would be willing to mentor job seekers. The town could provide the location and invite people to come for help with resumes and interviewing. Most applications are not online with buzz words needed to get noticed. He said that this contract was costing the town around $60,000 per year, so it was good to cancel if the town isn’t getting their money’s worth. Member Fair said she had participated in a mentor program in the past, but no one showed up. Member Beacham stated that one of the issues is that many businesses are only open for limited hours in the summer, so it is hard for people to live here all year and find enough work. He suggested businesses work together to share employees. Councilmember Bedoian stated that the Maricopa County program was good originally as it taught people how to conduct themselves at work such as their work ethic. They also helped with resumes and interviews. She would prefer to train a new employee when they hire them instead of them coming in with skills. She would like to see more of a mentor program and practice interviewing. It would be good to teach people a work ethic or describe what that is, since many people don’t know that anymore. Member Mortimer thought that hands-on training would be helpful as many people need to understand work ethic. There are some businesses that keep the same hours all year but just cut down on the number of employees. Member Froeter thought that this would be a good thing for the Chamber of Commerce to do since they work with the businesses. They could survey the businesses regarding their needs and areas that they struggle to find help. Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, reported that the town usually Economic Development and Transportation Committee Minutes of November 12, 2025 Page 3 of 3 uses other groups to help with programs like this since the town doesn’t have employees to do this. He also suggested talking to AllThrive 365 as they see the people who need help and might be able to assist them in getting a job. Consensus of the committee was to bring ideas back to the next meeting. 3. Consideration and Action Regarding Amending the Approved Economic Development and Transportation Advisory Committee Strategic Plan Chair Zemp thought that the committee’s strategic plan should harmonize with the town’s strategic plan, so he would like to have both sent to the committee members and the committee can revisit and update their strategic plan. He would like to review a few budgets regarding tourism. 4. Discussion and Update on the Airport Hangar Development Project Community Development Director Boyle reported that the town received a proposal for hangar development. The Council wanted to receive public input, so there is a committee that is being developed to work with the town and the developer to come up with a plan that will work for Wickenburg. The town collected 20 applications for the committee that will consist of 10 members, with applications due on November 6th. There is a third party who is reviewing the applications. Member Froeter will chair the committee. The plan will look different when it is brought back, but it will take some time to work through that process. E. NEXT MEETING DATE – January 14, 2025 F. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY Member Froeter to adjourn at 4:41 PM SECONDED BY Member Hamilton VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Chair Zemp, Vice Chair Stachowicz, Members Beacham, Fair, Froeter, Hamilton, and Mortimer) Dwight Zemp, Chair Attest: Amy Brown, Town Clerk