2026-06-16 City Council Meeting Minutes_DRAFT

D R A F T
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF EL MIRAGE
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
10000 N. EL MIRAGE ROAD
6:00 PM -TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026
 
Minutes
 
         
1.
ROLL CALL
Present: 
Mayor Alexis Hermosillo; Vice Mayor Jacquelyn Parsons; Councilmember Monica
Dorcey; Councilmember Ryan Eldridge; Councilmember Scottie Gentry;
Councilmember Anita Norton; Councilmember Donna Winston 
2.
CALL TO ORDER -  meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.
  
Presentation of Colors
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Moment of Silence
 
3.
PRESENTATION
 
1.
Presentation for El Mirage's 75th Anniversary.
Mayor Hermosillo stated that tonight marks the official kickoff of the City of El Mirage's
75th Anniversary Celebration. The exact anniversary date is Jun 25, 2026. October 22,
2026, to October 24, 2026, there will be a three-day anniversary fiesta featuring
community festivities, a special parade, and two drone shows lighting up the skies. There
is a presentation that honors dignitaries and legacy business partners from across the
region, and a second video honoring the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that
continues to drive the city forward.  
Video Presentation
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to recess the meeting for twenty minutes, seconded
by Councilmember Winston.
Motion passed (7/0)
At 6:43 p.m, Mayor Hermosillo resumed the regular meeting.
 
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.
Jim McPhetres, a resident, stated the property tax increased from $3.276 million in fiscal
year 2025/2026 to $3.421 million for fiscal year 2026/2027. The total fund equity is
$108,810,878, and he does not understand why there is a need to raise and increase the
property tax levy. The total fund equity balance for water is $33.9 million, and he does not
know why water rates have increased. 
Todd Balash, a resident, stated that he found in the 2025/2026 budget a fund called the
Highway User Revenue Fund with a balance of $4 million that would be used to repair
roads. After reviewing the year-end balance sheets, he found only three expenditures
totaling $170,000 for road repairs. There is an item on the agenda to repair roads for over
$1 million, and he would like to know why road repairs were not done at the beginning of
the fiscal year. 
Steve Gilliam, a resident, stated he would like to know whether the elected officials in
Surprise notified the elected officials in El Mirage about the Rinchem project coming into
their city, since it is close to El Mirage. There are Rimchem vehicles parked along Dysart
Road, and if there is an accident, there will be a big problem with chemicals being
released and affecting El Mirage residents. He asked if the grant funds being applied for
through the Community Development Block Grant Program would be used to revitalize the
original El Mirage. 
Philip Bynum, a resident, said that three minutes during public comment is not enough
time for residents to illustrate what is on their minds. He would like the council to give
residents more time to express their ideas and viewpoints.
 
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, June 2, 2026. (City Clerk)
 
2.
Consideration and action to approve Resolution R26-06-12 authorizing a Cooperation
Agreement between Maricopa County and the City of El Mirage, to enter into a
Cooperation Agreement with Maricopa County to participate in the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program
(CDBG) for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029. (Admin - Grant)
At the request of Councilmember Norton-McDaniel, Consent Agenda Item 5.2
was pulled for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.a.
 
3.
Consideration and action to approve the purchase of the Darktrace artificial intelligence
(AI)-powered cybersecurity appliance from SHI International Corp., utilizing Sourcewell
cooperative contract 121923-SHI, for an amount not to exceed $50,000 ($48,353.34 plus
a contingency of $1,646.66). (Information Technology)
At the request of Councilmember Eldridge, Consent Agenda Item 5.3 was pulled
for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.b.
 
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June 16, 2026

4.
Consideration and action to approve Ordinance O26-06-02 adopting the City’s property tax
levies for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.  (Administration)
At the request of Councilmember Norton-McDaniel, Consent Agenda Item 5.4
was pulled for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.c.
 
5.
Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a multi-year contract
with ClearGov Inc. for budget software and approve the purchase in an amount not to
exceed $200,376.67 fiscal year 2027-2029.  (Administration)
At the request of Councilmember Eldridge, Consent Agenda Item 5.5 was pulled
for consideration and action on the Regular Agenda as 6.1.d.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve Consent Agenda Item 5.1, seconded by
Councilmember Winston.
Motion passed (6/1) NAY - Councilmember Gentry
 
6.
REGULAR AGENDA
6.1.a Consideration and action to approve Resolution R26-06-12 authorizing a
Cooperation Agreement between Maricopa County and the City of El Mirage, to
enter into a Cooperation Agreement with Maricopa County to participate in the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community
Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029.
(Admin - Grant)
Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was pulled for discussion by Councilmember
Norton-McDaniel.
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel provided background on the Community Development
Block Grant Program (CDBG). This program allows the City of El Mirage to participate in
the Department of Housing and Urban Development's HUD Community Development Block
Program. This program receives limited funds, approximately two million a year, which are
distributed among a number of cities. The funds must then be used for specific purposes.
In the past, we have used these funds for various infrastructure projects, such as sewer
repairs, broken water lines, and road construction. This application is not approving any
particular project at this time, but saying that we want to participate in the program. 
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel moved to approve Resolution R26-06-12
authorizing a Cooperation Agreement between Maricopa County and the City of El
Mirage, to enter into a Cooperation Agreement with Maricopa County to
participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD)
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for fiscal years 2027,
2028, and 2029, seconded by Mayor Hermosillo.
Motion passed (7/0)
6.1.b. Consideration and action to approve the purchase of the Darktrace
artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cybersecurity appliance from SHI
International Corp., utilizing Sourcewell cooperative contract 121923-SHI, for an
amount not to exceed $50,000 ($48,353.34 plus a contingency of $1,646.66).
(Information Technology)
Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was pulled for discussion by Councilmember Eldridge.
Councilmember Eldridge asked staff why they did not purchase this agreement directly
from Darktrace. Tom Bacome, Information Technology Director, stated that government
entities must use a cooperative contract because Darktrace does not sell directly to
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Regular Meeting - Council Minutes
June 16, 2026

municipalities. To procure their product, the city had to use a Darktrace certified partner. 
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel stated that she researched this project, and that SHI
International Corp is one of the top source partners for Darktrace, and that we would not
be able to buy from them directly.
Vice Mayor Parsons moved to approve the purchase of the Darktrace artificial
intelligence (AI)-powered cybersecurity appliance from SHI International Corp.,
utilizing Sourcewell cooperative contract 121923-SHI, for an amount not to
exceed $50,000 ($48,353.34 plus a contingency of $1,646.66), seconded by
Councilmember Winston.
Motion passed (6/1) NAY - Councilmember Gentry
6.1.c. Consideration and action to approve Ordinance O26-06-02 adopting the
City’s property tax levies for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was pulled for discussion by Councilmember
Norton-McDaniel.
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel stated she had this item pulled to offer more explanation
to the residents. Some residents believe this is an increase in the property tax and even
though the amount in the primary property tax is more than last year, there are more
entities that are contributing to the total amount being collected. 
Mayor Hermosillo moved to approve Ordinance O26-06-02 adopting the City’s
property tax levies for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, seconded by Councilmember
Winston. 
Motion passed (5/2) NAY - Councilmember Eldridge, Councilmember Gentry
6.1.d.  Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a
multi-year contract with ClearGov Inc. for budget software and approve the
purchase in an amount not to exceed $200,376.67 fiscal year 2027-2029. 
(Administration)
Mayor Hermosillo stated this item was pulled for discussion by Councilmember Eldridge.
Councilmember Eldridge asked for clarification on the terms for this contract.
Robert Nilles, Deputy City Manager, stated this is a three-year agreement with ClearGov
Inc. for a total of $200,376.67.
Mayor Hermosillo moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a multi-year
contract with ClearGov Inc. for budget software and approve the purchase in an
amount not to exceed $200,376.67 fiscal year 2027-2029, seconded by Vice
Mayor Parsons.
Motion passed (6/1) NAY - Councilmember Gentry
 
1.
Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Shade
N' Net to complete the outdoor basketball court shade structure installation at the
Northwest Valley YMCA, funded through a private donation from Compass Datacenters for
an amount not to exceed $110,573.12, and authorize the Finance Department to make
any necessary transfers. (Parks and Recreation)
Sean VonRoenn, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that this donor-funded outdoor
basketball court shade structure project was brought to us by a partnership with the YMCA
of Northwest Valley and Compass Datacenters. Compass Datacenters will cover the full
project cost of $110,573.12, and YMCA is the non-profit partner. The City of El Mirage is
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June 16, 2026

the property owner and will provide construction oversight of the project. Shade N' Net is
the preferred vendor and a dedicated shade industry professional who has recently
completed six shade structures at local parks and has unveiled them.
Councilmember Norton-McDaniel asked who would pay for the contract line items marked
as unpaid.  Mr. VonRoenn explained that the items left unmarked are not anticipated to be
part of this project.
Councilmember Eldridge asked how often the basketball courts are used and whether it is
possible to have the shade structure placed at Gateway Park.
Mary Davis, Northwest YMCA Executive Director, stated that the basketball courts are
used quite often during the season and that there are currently 380 kids enrolled in a
summer program.
Mayor Hermosillo stated that the basketball court would be used more once a shade
structure is in place and spoke about respecting the desire to donate to the YMCA.
Councilmember Eldridge spoke to pursuing additional grant funding for lighting or other
expenses that might be needed down the road.
Mayor Hermosillo moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract
with Shade N' Net to complete the outdoor basketball court shade structure
installation at the Northwest Valley YMCA, funded through a private donation
from Compass Datacenters for an amount not to exceed $110,573.12, and
authorize the Finance Department to make any necessary transfers, seconded by
Councilmember Dorcey.
Motion passed (5/2) NAY - Councilmember Eldridge, Councilmember Gentry
 
2.
Consideration and action to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a
contract with Weems Asphalt for pavement resurfacing in the neighborhood between
Grand Avenue and Thunderbird Road, in an amount not to exceed $1,182,840, and to
authorize the Finance Department to make any necessary budget transfers. (Public Works).
Nick Russo, Public Works Director, provided background on the pavement resurfacing
project between Grand Avenue and Thunderbird Road. Many of the neighborhood's
roadways are recommended for a mill-and-overlay process. Select areas that are still in
serviceable condition will receive a double-coat microseal application to extend the
pavement's life. This project also includes reinstallation of any striping, raising all roadway
utilities to grade, and traffic control. Project funding will come from the HURF fund that
includes a savings balance of $1,140,774 from two previous projects. 
Mayor Hermosillo moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute
a contract with Weems Asphalt for pavement resurfacing in the neighborhood
between Grand Avenue and Thunderbird Road, in an amount not to exceed
$1,182,840, and to authorize the Finance Department to make any necessary
budget transfers, seconded by Councilmember Dorcey.
Motion passed (7/0)
 
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 comments or questions.
 
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Regular Meeting - Council Minutes
June 16, 2026

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.
Councilmember Dorcey stated she was very pleased with the El Mirage Anniversary video.
Councilmember Eldridge attended the Phoenix Zoo event at the Senior Center.
Councilmember Gentry has been gathering names to recognize former elected officials and
employees as part of the El Mirage 75th Anniversary.
 
9.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
 
_____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST:
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the Regular El
Mirage City Council Meeting held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and a quorum was present. 
  
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Regular Meeting - Council Minutes
June 16, 2026