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MINUTES
WICKENBURG COMMON COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, December 16, 2024 - 5:30 P.M.
155 N. TEGNER - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85390
A. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Bratcher called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Darcy Wekell
C. INVOCATION - Led by Pastor Josh Hitchcock, First Southern Baptist Church
D. ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor BG Bratcher
Vice Mayor Brian Jones
Councilmember Kristy Bedoian
Councilmember Shawn Clark
Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
Councilmember Art Rubash (Left at 7:49 PM)
Staff Present:
Andy Granger, Interim Town Manager
Trish Stuhan, Town Attorney
Tim Suan, Deputy Town Manager/Economic Development
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director
Amy Brown, Town Clerk
Les Brown, Police Chief
Tarah Mayerhofer, Human Resources Director
Ed Temerowski, Fire Chief
Herschel Workman, Public Works Director
E. MAYOR & COUNCILMEMBERS REPORT ON CURRENT EVENT
• Councilmember Rebecca Rovey thanked the town for a great tree lighting and
light parade.
• Councilmember Margaret Nyberg stated that the tree lighting was a great
evening.
• Councilmember Shawn Clark thanked the town for the tree lighting as it was an
amazing event, and the parade was lots of fun.
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 2 of 11
• Councilmember Bedoian stated that the whole park was packed for the tree
lighting, now if there wasn’t an insurance issue to stop some of the arts and craft
vendors from participating.
• Mayor BG Bratcher thanked the town and Elks for the free coat giveaway at the
library. She attended the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional
Council meeting, Holiday Music Walk, Cops Who Care car show, West Valley
Mayors and Managers meeting, League training for newly elected officials and
the parade.
• PROCLAMATION – Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life – January 2025
F. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
• Community Development Director Steve Boyle gave an update regarding the
zoning code as was requested by the Council. Matrix is done with 75% of the text
and are sending to staff to review. The new sign code will be coming soon with a
complete rewrite. It will take a few meetings to review the entire code with this
planned to start at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in January.
There will also be a community engagement portion with public participation. The
plan is for final adoption in late spring, possibly in April with it coming for final
approval to the Town Council after being approved by the Planning and Zoning
Commission.
• Interim Town Manager Andy Granger reviewed the holiday schedule for town hall
being open on the Mondays and part of Tuesday of each of the next two weeks.
The Town Hall lobby and restrooms will be renovated during that time, so there
will be limited access for the front counter only.
G. FINAL CALL for Request to Speak Cards to be turned into the Town Clerk.
H. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
• Vern Correa, Out-of-Town Resident, thanked Interim Town Manager Granger
for his work for the town and was mad that he was leaving. He thanked him for
moving the project along for the football field for the kids.
I. NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on the Consent Agenda -
MOVED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian to approve items a and c of the
consent agenda
SECONDED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 3 of 11
a. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meetings of
November 18, 2024 and December 2, 2024 and Special Meeting of
December 6, 2024
By a 7-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the
minutes of November 18, 2024, December 2, 2024 and December 6, 2024.
b. Consideration and Action Regarding Reappointments and New Appointments
to the Board of Adjustment, Community Programming Advisory Committee,
Economic Development and Transportation Advisory Committee, Parks and
Trails Advisory Committee, and Planning and Zoning Advisory Commission
Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported in her Council routing form that the Town
Clerk's Office has advertised openings on the various Boards, Committees
and Commissions with all applications due by November 7, 2024. Mayor
Bratcher has reviewed the list of applications to fill most of the open seats on
the committees. All the recommended members live in the town limits. All
seats are recommended for a two-year term.
The town didn't receive any extra applications in order to fill the alternate
seats and still has one vacant position on the Board of Adjustments. If
residents still want to apply, they can put in applications, and they can be
appointed to the alternate positions on the committees. Below is a list of the
appointments:
Committee
Name
Member Name
Application
Received /
Status
Term
Expiration
Decision
Today
Board of Adjustment
Mike Heath
10/21/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Teresa Underdown
8/28/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Community Programming
April Douthett
10/16/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Amy Monesmith
11/6/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Emily Morse
10/2/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Alyssa Standard
9/5/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Economic Development and Transportation
Geri Fair
10/21/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Dwight Zemp
9/3/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Alternate
Bob Beacham
Alt- Appoint
Dec-25
Appoint
Alternate
Craig Froeter
Alt- Appoint
Dec-25
Appoint
New
Christal James
2/28/2024
Dec-26
Appoint
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 4 of 11
Parks & Trails
Cindy Chamberlin
9/9/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Alternate
Linda Brockwell
Alt- Appoint
Dec-25
Appoint
Alternate
Nancy Craig
Alt- Appoint
Dec-25
Appoint
New
Morgan Barnes
9/9/2024
Dec-26
Appoint
New
John Oplinger
9/26/2024
Dec-26
Appoint - Alt
Planning & Zoning
Bill Green
8/28/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Mitch Jackson
8/29/2024
Dec-26
Reappoint
Alternate
Terry Belieu
Alt- Appoint
Dec-25
Appoint
New
Kristi Henson
11/6/2024
Dec-26
Appoint
New
Tom Pollei
9/9/2024
Dec-26
Appoint
New
Darcy Wekell
11/6/2024
Dec-26
Appoint
Mayor Bratcher announced that Mike Shubic withdrew his name for
consideration on the Economic Development and Transportation Committee.
She also asked the Town Clerk to tell about the process for filing the
vacancies. Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported that she will advertise for any
open positions in January for them to complete an application and return to
the town. Ads will be placed on social media and the town website. Below is a
list of the remaining openings on the boards, committees and commissions:
• Board of Adjustment – 1 opening
• Community Programming – 2 alternate positions
• Economic Development and Transportation – 1 regular opening and 2
alternate positions
• Parks and Trails - 1 alternate position
• Planning and Zoning - 2 alternate positions
MOVED BY Vice Mayor Brian Jones to approve the listed reappointments
and new appointments
SECONDED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
c. Consideration and Action to Approve the Renewal of the Intergovernmental
Agreement (IGA) with the City of Glendale that Allows the Wickenburg
Municipal Court to Refer Cases Involving Veterans to the West Valley
Regional Veterans Court
Rosa Garcia-Marquez, reported in her Council routing form that in late 2016,
the East Valley Regional Veterans Court, which is considered a specialty
court, was created. This included six municipal courts on the east side of
Maricopa County. It was initially created utilizing grant funds. After the grant
expired, the municipalities have been sharing the cost based on the number
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 5 of 11
of cases that are processed in the specialty court, as referred by each
individual court.
On December 8, 2022, the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court signed
Administrative Order No. 2022-158 establishing the West Valley Regional
Veterans Court. The participation of the Wickenburg Municipal Court was
approved by council on December 19, 2022, and then renewed in December
2023. The Wickenburg Municipal Court would like to renew it for one more
year.
The West Valley Regional Veterans Court was established with the goal of
improving the quality of life for veterans and their families, including to
maximize available resources and ensure the participation of the Veteran's
Justice Outreach specialist from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
This is a cooperative effort among judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys,
members of the Veterans Health Administration, the Department of Veterans
Affairs Justice Outreach program, human services and Mercy Maricopa
Integrated Care.
Benefits of the Veterans' only program include but not limited to:
•
The program is for veterans only, to help them address the pending
charges and life situations that include medical conditions, mental health
and drug or alcohol abuse that may be a contributing factor to the
Veterans' charges.
•
Veterans are able to utilize the same benefits earned through service,
which gives them Veteran-specific resources.
•
Plans are unique to the individual veteran.
•
Participation helps minimize recidivism.
•
Treatment is conducted through the VA or Social Services.
Veterans are eligible to participate if they are charged with a misdemeanor
charge or the case cannot be processed through a diversion program. The
Prosecutor's Office can refuse admission to the program if it would violate the
law or the interest of justice. If the Veteran is challenging the charge, it will
remain with the Wickenburg Municipal Court to resume regular court
proceedings. A veteran enrolls by asking their attorney, the prosecutor, or the
judge to determine eligibility.
When the program started, Judge DiPiazza, presiding judge of the Glendale
Municipal Court, obtained a grant from the Department of Justice in the
amount of $197,235, that had been utilized by all the Municipal Courts that
chose to participate in the West Valley Regional Veterans Court. This is to be
used by the year 2025. The grant covered 75% of the cost associated with
processing of each case; the municipal courts that are currently participating
are responsible for paying 25%.
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 6 of 11
•
The estimated cost per case is $400.
•
The Wickenburg Municipal Court will be billed annually.
•
If no cases are referred, there is no cost to the court.
The Wickenburg Town Court assigned two (2) cases this past fiscal year
(FY24) and two (2) cases in the current fiscal year. The invoice paid for FY24
was $157.28. This is a benefit for veterans to receive treatment services that
are offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs office.
By a 7-0 vote under the Consent Agenda, Council moved to approve the
Renewal of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Glendale
that Allows the Wickenburg Municipal Court to Refer Cases Involving
Veterans to the West Valley Regional Veterans Court.
2. Consideration and Action to Recommend Approval of a Temporary Extension of
Premises/Patio Permit for Vulture Peak Brewing Company for January 16, 2025
until June 15, 2025
Amy Brown, Town Clerk, reported that Vulture Peak Brewing Company is
requesting a temporary extension of the premises permit in order to allow liquor
to be brought outside their building from January 16, 2025 until June 15, 2025.
They currently have a liquor license for alcohol sales, service, and consumption
only inside their building. This permit requires Town Council approval, which will
then be sent to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for final
approval. All liquor license applications are reviewed by the Community
Development and Police departments for compliance. There was an issue
identified by the Community Development department.
Steve Boyle, Community Development Director, reported that the request for
extension of premises for a liquor license involves an additional seating capacity
of 78 persons. The actual permanent building has an occupancy of 35 persons
which requires a permanent restroom facility which is in place as of today.
Adding the additional 78 persons for an extended period of time in staff's opinion
necessitates the addition of a complete restroom as the code requires 1 restroom
with sink for each 40 persons. A temporary use is generally approved for 60 days
or less and this application is for 5 months of the year. Staff's recommendation is
that if the patio extension is granted, a permanent restroom needs to be
constructed to accommodate the new capacity. Portable toilets and sinks are
generally reserved for special events which last 7 days or less.
Mayor Bratcher asked if it could be for a trial of 4-5 months with the porta potties.
She would like to see an enclosure around them and have them locked when
they aren’t open.
Councilmember Rovey also requested a shield around them for a temporary
exception to the code.
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 7 of 11
Councilmember Bedoian stated that she received a concern from a neighbor with
the porta potty being in their back yard. She attended a wedding once where they
had a much nicer portable restroom that looked like a building instead of the
plastic construction porta potties. She would like to see them work with the
neighbors.
Vice Mayor Jones stated that he would like to help a local business but wondered
about a rolling 30-day temporary permit to make sure they aren’t creating issues
in the neighborhood with the porta potties and any other issues.
Director Boyle stated that the town can monitor this under the occupancy issue to
see if they are exceeding the number where an additional bathroom is
necessary. The code is the code. The restrooms need to be clean and nice
bathrooms. They can deal with it on a complaint basis.
Town Attorney Trish Stuhan stated that the application is actually a Temporary
Extension of Premises permit from the Arizona Department of Liquor which the
Council can either recommend approval or denial. The Council can approve it
and tell them to work with Town Hall regarding plans for a permanent solution to
the restroom issue, if the occupancy requires it but it would be a code
enforcement issue. The state is the final decision on liquor licenses, the town just
sends a recommendation to them. The state will either approve or deny for the
requested five months, but it will be up to the town to enforce code issues.
Mayor Bratcher asked if there could be a temporary acceptance of the extension.
Town Attorney Stuhan stated that this is based in International Building Code of a
standard number of restrooms needed per occupancy in order to protect the
health and safety of patrons. The codes need to be the same for everyone,
without giving exceptions. The town will usually allow temporary exceptions for
special events that are only a few days, not five months.
Director Boyle stated that there is little wiggle room in the I-Codes. He would like
to see maybe a conditional approval with enforcement protocols such as
occupancy issues or complaints about the restrooms not being cleaned.
Susan Webster, In-Town Resident, stated that her husband and herself own the
brewery. They visited with Deputy Town Manager Tim Suan in October about the
temporary extension of premises. The state doesn’t have requirements for
restrooms for any extension. She is okay with camouflaging the restrooms and
locking them when they are not open. They will be in the rear of the building, so
they will not be visible from the street.
Councilmember Clark asked about the cleanliness of the restrooms. Ms. Webster
stated that they will be cleaned daily and weekly by the company.
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 8 of 11
Councilmember Nyberg asked about camouflaging them. Ms. Webster stated
that they can put up fencing. The ones they are renting will have a sink and are
only available for a month-long rental at a minimum.
Councilmember Bedoian would like to do this in two steps, one to approve the
liquor license tonight and then come back to the Council with what they are going
to do for the restrooms and talk to the neighbors. Director Boyle expressed that it
would be appropriate for the staff to review the installation and any shielding of
the units.
Town Attorney Stuhan stated that staff enforces the building codes, so if this is
approved, it would be good to give options of what staff should be looking for.
Councilmember Clark stated that the Council should let staff do their job.
MOVED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey to recommend approval of the
temporary extension of premises permit for Vulture Peak Brewing Company from
January 16, 2025 until June 15, 2025 provide temporary restrooms are added
that are screened from view and the owners work with staff
SECONDED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
3. Consideration and Action to Approve Payment of $20,000.00 to Rosenbauer
America for a Down Payment of New Fire Department Aerial Apparatus
Ed Temerowski, Fire Chief, reported that the town has reserve fund 110-110-
95150 for Fire apparatus replacement currently at $1.25M. The CIP for this
current fiscal year was pushed into next Fiscal year for the Aerial replacement
project, with the current status of the 1986 Aerial apparatus being out of useful
life cycle, and the build time on firefighting apparatus as the industry standard
from time of order to completion 24–36 months. We are requesting to use the
current funds for a down payment of $20,000.00 on the unit that is currently in
production and using the CIP for FY25/26 to fully fund the project upon
completion in the spring of 2026 at a total cost of approximately $1.6M. This will
save 2 years of build time, $250,000.00 in increased costs if we hold the order
until July 2025. The unit specifications meet the needs of the community and will
be the direct replacement for our current unit which will be out of useful service in
2025.
The current unit we have is a 1986 model Aerial apparatus, which had a
refurbishment completed in 2015, to extend the duty cycle until 2025. NFPA
standard: Fire Apparatus over 20 years is to be placed in reserve status and be
removed from service after 25 years. We have the reserve funding for the down
payment and will need the additional amount which will be budgeted in CIP for
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 9 of 11
FY25/26. This unit is a demo unit for $1.6 million with a build time of 18 months.
If we wait to order it is expected to cost $1.8 million and take 36 months to build.
Councilmember Clark asked what the town does in the meantime when the other
truck is taken out of service. Chief Temerowski stated that the town will not have
a ladder truck at that time.
MOVED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey to approve the down payment of
$20,000.00 to Rosenbauer for the future purchase of an Aerial Apparatus, from
the fire truck reserve line item 95150
SECONDED BY Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
4. Discussion, Direction to Staff, and/or Action Regarding Council Liaisons for
Committees and Commissions
This item was heard at the end of the meeting after items 5 and 6.
Council decided on the following liaisons for the different committees and
organizations:
• Community Programming Advisory Committee – Councilmember Shawn
Clark
• Economic Development and Transportation Advisory Committee –
Councilmember Kristy Bedoian
• Parks and Trails Advisory Committee – Councilmember Margaret Nyberg
• Planning and Zoning Advisory Commission – Councilmember Art Rubash
• Valley Metro – Mayor BG Bratcher
• WESTMARC – Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
• CDAC – Primary is Councilmember Margaret Nyberg and Alternate is
Councilmember Shawn Clark
• GPEC – Vice Mayor Brian Jones
• MAG Regional Council – Mayor BG Bratcher
• PSPRS Boards – Mayor BG Bratcher
• MPC – Mayor BG Bratcher and Vice Mayor Brian Jones
5. Consideration and Action to Appoint an Interim Town Manager
MOVED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian to adjourn into executive session at
6:18 PM for items 5 and 6
SECONDED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 10 of 11
Council returned to session at 7:49 PM. Councilmember Art Rubash left the
meeting at 7:49 PM.
Tarah Mayerhofer, Human Resources Director, reported that the Council has
decided to continue the contract with Interim Public Management (IPM) and hire
Troy Smith as the interim town manager, being paid through general fund
contingency. In addition, there will be costs for travel and lodging that will also be
paid through general fund contingency.
MOVED BY Vice Mayor Brian Jones to continue the contract with IPM for the
placement of Troy Smith as the Interim Town Manager effective January 9, 2025
with expenses from General Fund Contingency and place the Deputy Town
Manager as the acting Town Manager during the interim
SECONDED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
VOTE: 7 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers
Bedoian, Clark, Nyberg, Rovey, and Rubash)
6. Presentation and Possible Action Regarding the Recruitment Process for the
Town Manager Position
Tarah Mayerhofer, Human Resources Director, reported that the Council has
requested to table this item to the first meeting in February and reach out to the
companies for new proposals.
J. EXECUTIVE SESSION - (Council May Vote to Go Into Executive Session Pursuant
to A.R.S §38-431.03(A)(3) to Receive Legal Advice from the Town Attorney on Any
of the Above Agenda Items.)
1. An executive session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3) and A.R.S. § 38-
431.03(A)(1) for legal advice with the Town Attorney regarding appointment of an
Interim Town Manager and consideration by Council of options for appointment
through a contract with Interim Public Management, LLC (IPM).
K. SCHEDULING OF FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS - None
L. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Councilmember Kristy Bedoian to adjourn at approximately 7:58 PM
SECONDED BY Councilmember Rebecca Rovey
VOTE: 6 – 0 (Yes – Mayor Bratcher, Vice Mayor Jones, Councilmembers Bedoian,
Clark, Nyberg, and Rovey) (Councilmember Rubash left early)
BG Bratcher, Mayor
Town Council Minutes of December 16, 2024
Page 11 of 11
ATTEST:
Amy Brown, Town Clerk
CERTIFICATION
I, Amy Brown, the duly appointed and qualified Town Clerk of the Town of Wickenburg,
do hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes
of the regular meeting of the Town Council of Wickenburg, Arizona held on December
16, 2024. I further certify the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was
present.
Amy Brown, MMC
Town Clerk