And good evening, welcome to Glendale City Council meeting June 23, 2026. This meeting is called to order.
I will not call roll call because everybody's here, if you take note of that.
Next on the agenda is our Pledge of Allegiance and our prayer. Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Reverend Lydia Gonzalez.
She's with the National Governors Prayer Task Force. Lydia, if you'll come up to the podium.
Gentlemen, if it's appropriate, if you're wearing a hat, if you remove it, if it's not appropriate, keep it on your call.
Everyone, please stand for the invocation. Remain standing for a Pledge of Allegiance. Lydia?
Thank you, Mayor. It's good to see you again. It's been a while.
And I want to let you know since the last time we met, we were helping each other through the Christmas Parade,
and I wasn't able to complete that task because I had developed breast cancer.
But the good news is the Lord healed me of breast cancer. I don't have breast cancer
They've removed all the tumors and 10 years into it negative. So I don't need chemo or radiation
So the Lord is always with us who can trust him
We can lean on him. We can seek his counsel. We can seek his wisdom and father
I just thank you once again to come before your throne of grace for this great opportunity Lord to
To bless this city once again, and we thank you for every member that's here today every constituent Lord every city council
Everyone that's seated in government Lord God. We thank you Lord Jesus that you are guiding every
Step every agenda everything that needs to be taken care of tonight Lord will be done smoothly and peacefully and father
I thank you
For the wisdom that's upon this mayor Lord you have blessed him upon blessings
blessings, and we have seen this city grow and grow and grow with great prosperity, Lord.
We thank you for the families and residents that live among us, Lord God.
We thank you for our neighborhood, Lord God.
We thank you for every business, every church, every school, every college, Lord.
We thank you for every law enforcement, we thank you for the fire department.
We thank you, Lord, for every person that's contributing to the growth of this great
city.
Father, I ask you tonight for a special blessing upon the Lord, and I ask you, Lord Jesus,
to guide us and lead us in every way in Jesus' name. Amen.
Amen. Thank you. If everyone would join me with the
Pledge of Allegiance, keeping in mind America's 250th birthday is very, very soon. With that,
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for
which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.
Next on our agenda is the consideration of the minutes from the June 9,
2026 voting meeting. Council members, have you any corrections or additions to the minutes?
Seeing none, can I get a motion to approve June 9, 2026 voting meeting minutes?
Mayor, I move we approve the minutes of the June 9, 2026 voting meeting.
Second.
I have a motion from Council Member Turner.
Second.
Council Member Tomchop to approve the minutes.
Any discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor, please signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Any opposed, say nay.
Your ayes have it.
Do have it.
So be it.
Board's commissions and other bodies.
Approval, recommended appointments to boards and commissions and other bodies.
We're going to do just that.
Council Member Guzman, have you any nominations to offer?
Yes, Mayor.
I move to make the following appointments.
for the Arts Commission, Lisa Lovejoy to a term expiring January 31st, 2028, for the Audit
Committee, Councilmember Lauren Tomachoff to a term expiring January 31st, 2028, to the
Municipal Property Corporation, Michael Zaremba to a term expiring January 31st, 2027, and
to the Personnel Board, Kate Myers, to a term expiring January 31st, 2028.
Okay, I have a motion from Councilmember Goodman a second councilmember Tom and shop to make appointments all in favor please signify saying Mayor I have a discussion.
What discussion.
May you what may I are we having discussion may make a comment.
I guess we can we can have discussion if you want discussion.
Thank you very much.
I'd like to state my opposition to the appointment of council member Tom
much off to the audit committee. That was my seat on the audit committee and my
term was to be expired in 2028. And so that's why I'll be voting no tonight.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. With that said, we have a motion from
Who?
Council Member Goodman.
Mayor, may I make a comment?
Explain your vote.
Explain my vote?
Yes, I want to explain my vote.
Not yet.
Right now, did you make the motion?
She made the motion.
I second today.
You've made your second.
We have a motion in second.
All in favor, please sign up.
Well, wait a second.
We're going to do a roll call.
Council Member Guzman, how do you vote?
Let me explain my vote.
Go ahead.
The decision to place Council Member Tomachoff
was decided while council member conscious was not on the council. My vote is yes. Thank
you. Okay. With that said, we'll continue the roll call. Look, council member Turner,
how do you vote? Explain my vote please. Go ahead.
I wish that I'd been reminded of
the situation that created the appointment
to the audit committee tonight.
I regret that I didn't occur to me myself.
I would have liked to have worked to get council member
conscious back into that position,
but seeing as the motion's here before us
and we need somebody on the audit committee
and there are other commission seats
that are under the same vote. I will vote aye. Thank you.
Council Member Tomlachoff, how do you vote? Aye, Mayor. Happy to serve.
Council Member Baldenegro, how do you vote? Aye.
Vice Mayor Melner? Aye.
Vice Mayor Melner votes aye. Chair votes aye. Motion carries.
I don't think you did a roll call vote, but you actually didn't call on councilmember conscious, so you need to record a vote for a councilmember conscious.
Okay, well, you're right. Councilmember conscious, how do you vote?
May I explain my vote?
Okay, you already explained it once, didn't you?
That was your own discussion.
Good.
So I want to say thank you to everybody who has stepped up to join a border commission.
It's really important that citizens are engaged in this process.
And in terms of the audit committee, some of the things that I've been looking at and
working on with other council members include the airport.
And I'm really excited that we're going to have a strategy and a strategic plan
for the airport so that we can actually have it generate revenue.
And so I look forward to the work that the audit committee continues to do to serve the people of Glendale
And but with that I vote no thank you
Councilmember conscious votes no
It passes
Moving on to consent agenda items 3
What?
There's I know there's one person here to be sworn in that mr. Zaremba's here to be sworn in and I don't know if anybody else
Is here to be sworn in oh?
Yeah, you are
Yeah, who's here in the audience to be sworn in tonight?
Two people?
Mm-hmm.
Three people?
Okay, let's go ahead and do that.
Yeah, if you're going to be sworn in, if you'll come up close to the podium, please.
Yeah, you need to go up, too.
Right.
That wasn't...
Okay.
So, if you would all please hold your right hand up.
What I need you to do is find one that has the oath.
This isn't it.
You
do the short version.
I don't have an oath.
Okay.
We're going to start that over again.
Hold your right hand up.
Say, I then state your name.
Do solemnly swear or affirm.
That I will support the Constitution of the United States.
And the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona.
that I will bear truth, faith, and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies,
foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of my office
to the best of my ability, so help me God.
Okay, next is the consent agenda items 3 through 32
Items on a consent agenda their routine in nature
Or they've been previously studied by this council at a workshop session the items are intended to be acted upon in one
Motion by this council. Have we any speaker cards? No, sir
May I have a motion to approve consent agenda items 3 through 30. Yes, mayor. I move we approve consent agenda items 3 through 32
Second. I have a motion from Councilmember Tomachoff and Councilmember Goosman to approve
Consent and Agenda items 3 through 32 all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay.
If you guys do have it, that motion carries.
Ms. Barr, would you read Consent Resolutions items 33 through 40?
Item 33, Resolution number R26-65, a Resolution of Council of the City of Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona,
authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the
Maricopa County adminis- between Maricopa County administered by its human
services department and City of Glendale for workforce development services.
Item 34 resolution number R26-66 a resolution to counsel the City of
Glendale Maricopa County Arizona authorizing and directing the entering
into of an infrastructure cost-sharing agreement with VIP industrial holdings
Phase 2, LLC, item 35, resolution number R26-67,
a resolution that counsel the city
of Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona,
authorizing and directing the entering into
of an infrastructure cost sharing agreement
with Scannnell properties number 521, LLC,
an Indiana limited liability company
and SPMIM, Glendale LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company.
Item 36, Resolution number R26-68, a resolution to counsel the City of
Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona, authorizing the execution and acceptance
of deeds and easements at various locations in the city. Item 37, Resolution
number R26-69, a resolution to counsel the City of Glendale Maricopa County,
Arizona, authorizing and directing the entering into of contract
amendment number three to an intergovernmental agreement with the
Control District of Maricopa County, 2022A005 for the Apollo Garden Strainage Improvement
Project.
Item 38, resolution number R26-70, a resolution to counsel the city of Glendale Maricopa County,
Arizona, authorizing and directing the entering into of an intergovernmental agreement with
the cities of Avondale, Buckeye, Elmerage, Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise, Tollison,
and the town of Wickenburg, establishing the West Valley Mobile Field Force response
team to provide a pool of officers available to assist in responding to
incidents of civil disturbance, public demonstrations, or events involving large
crowds. Item 39, resolution number R26-71, a resolution council in the city of
Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona, authorizing the entering into of an
intergovernmental agreement with Tollison Union High School, district
number 214, for a school resource officer at Copper Canyon High School
during the 2026-27 school year and item 40 resolution number R26-72 resolution
the council the city of Glendale Maricopa County Arizona authorizing the
entering into of an intergovernmental agreement with Glendale Union High
School District for a school resource officer at Apollo High School Glendale
High School and Independence High School during the 2026-27 school year
That concludes the consent resolutions. All right. Thank you. Can I get a motion mayor? I
move that the council approve consent resolutions number
33 through 40 and waive reading beyond the title second
Councilmember conscious second councilmember Balnegr to approve consent resolutions item 33 through 40
All in favor signify by saying aye aye any opposed saying nay
Resolution number R26-73 a resolution to council the city of Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona amending the general plan map of the city of Glendale, Arizona by approving general plan amendment GPA 25-05 for property located east of the 91st Avenue and north of Cardinals Way.
Ordinance number 026-24, an ordinance that counsel the city of Glendale,
Maricopa County, Arizona, rezoning approximately 10 acres locally.
Okay, east of 91st Avenue and north of Cardinals Way from single residents, dash eight planned residential overlay, R1-8PRD to planned area development PAD for a development plan entitled Westgate Park amending the zoning map providing for an effective date and ordering that a certified copy of the ordinance is recorded, public hearing.
Thank you, Mayor, members of the council. We have Phil Martinez, senior planner from development services here.
Thank you Mr. Bancher and good evening mayor and city council. The applicant is proposing
a minor general plan amendment from medium density residential 3.5 to medium high density
residential 8. In addition, the applicant is proposing a rezoning from R18 with a PRD
overlay to PAD for approximately 10 acres. Per the applicant's narrative, the intent
of these requests is to develop a duplex subdivision.
Before you is a slide depicting the subject property
in a red highlight located here, east of 91st.
One will find the Buena Vida subdivision to the northeast
and south of the subject property while 91st Avenue
and the State Farm Stadium are located to the west.
The proposed general plan designation and PAD are
compatible with the subject property
and the surrounding area.
such propositions seek to provide an appropriate transition of densities and
intensities from the single-family houses in the Buena Vida subdivision that
proposed duplexes to the westward areas including the State Farm Stadium, West
Gate and the Vi Resort. Furthermore, this proposition seeks to provide
middle housing on a property that is close to employment centers, furthering
the goals of our general plan.
And I recommend the motions for this
evening. I'm sorry, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the proposed general plan amendment and rezoning, subject to the stipulation described
in the staff report, and on the slide before you. This concludes my presentation, and the
applicant and I would be happy to address any questions that you may have.
Yeah, one thing I'd like you to address is the church that's currently there. Now
what's happening to that? I believe it's intended that the developer
will have the applicant or developer would speak on that one.
Mayor, member of the council, Patrick Brown, city manager with DR Horton Homes.
My address is 7689 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, Arizona.
So my understanding is the church has not been operating the site and mainly been using
The income from the parking from the stadium and is looking to relocate a church elsewhere
I don't know if they've actually found a suitable site
Just yet. I think that they're looking for the proceeds of the sale to help them land a different location
You know anything about it
I'd ask councilmember
Guzman if she could brief everybody. Yeah, it's a
duplex development that's coming up the church is going to be relocating they
haven't found a location yet the surrounding neighbors the residents
are all in support of the project any other questions no other questions okay
thank you anyone else need to speak on this item public care is now closed may
have a motion for item 41 resolution r26-73 mayor I moved to prove
Resolution number our two six dash seven three second
Have motion councilmember Balnegro said councilmember Guzman for recommended action roll call vote councilmember Balnegro. How do you vote?
Hi councilmember conscious. How do you vote? Hi councilmember Guzman? How do you vote? Hi councilmember Tomachoff?
How do you vote? Hi councilmember Turner? How do you vote? Hi vice mayor? How do you vote? Hi chair votes I motion carries
Can I get a motion for item 41 ordinance zero to six dash two four mayor?
I move to approve ordinance number zero. That's using oh two six dash two four second
I have motion council member Balden egg or a second from council member Goosman to approve the recommended action roll call
Look council member Balden egg or how do you vote? Hi council member conscious? How do you vote? Hi?
That's member Goosman. How do you vote? Hi? That's member Tom achoff? How do you vote? Hi?
That's member Turner. How do you vote? Hi vice mayor? How do you vote? Hi chair? What's that motion also carry?
Don't move it on to ordinances this borough would read item 42 ordinances zero two six dash two five
Ordinance number 026-25 in ordinance of the Council of the City of Glendale Maricopa County,
Arizona, levying upon the assessed valuation of the property within the City of Glendale
subject to taxation, a certain sum upon each $100 of valuation sufficient to raise the
amount estimated to be required in the annual budget, less the amount estimated to be received
from other sources of revenue, providing funds for various bond redemptions for the
of paying interest upon bond indebtedness and providing funds for general municipal expenses
all for the fiscal year ending the 30th day of June 2027 and declaring an emergency.
Thank you, Mayor and members of the Council. We have Levi Gibson, Director of Budget and
Finance for that to present. Thank you, Mr. Bunger.
Getting any members of the Council, this item is to adopt an ordinance to set the
primary and secondary property tax rate for fiscal year 2027. The primary property
property tax rate will be 0.3096 per $100 of assessed valuation. And the secondary property
tax rate will be 1.0787 per $100 of assessed valuation. The total property tax rate will
decrease from 1.4538 to 1.3883 for fiscal year 2027. This concludes my presentation.
I'd be happy to take any questions. Mr. Gibson, would you explain to everybody
why we're saying this is an emergency. Yes, happy to do that, Mayor. So this ordinance
is adopted with an emergency declaration so that it takes effect immediately upon council
approval. State law requires the city to deliver a certified copy of the adopted ordinance
to Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, who hold a ministerial responsibility under
Arizona law to compile and adopt the countywide tax roll on behalf of all taxing jurisdictions,
including Glendale. Because the county operates on a fixed statutory deadline to
finalize tax rates, transmit levy information to the county treasurer,
and produce property tax bills, the city must provide its certified tax levy to
the county before the deadline passes. The emergency declaration ensures
there is no gap between council approval and the ordinance becoming
legally effective, allowing staff to transmit the required documents to the
county without delay and in compliance with the statutory time. Okay and then
just to make sure I heard what what I believe you said this is a decrease in
property taxes. Correct. This is the 11th year property tax rate decreases.
Thank you. Any other questions?
Hey, can I get a motion?
Mayor, right? I move we adopt ordinance 026 dash two five and wave
reading be on the title second motion I think I heard a second okay you kind of
whispered a little week okay mr. Turner made the motion miss Guzman made the
second to approve the recommended action roll call vote councilmember Balden
nigger how do you vote hi councilmember conscious how do you vote hi
councilmember Guzman how do you vote hi councilmember Tomachop how do you
vote hi councilmember Turner how do you vote hi vice mayor how do you vote hi
chair votes I moving on to new business miss Barr would you read item
43 by title consideration and action to direct the city attorney to act in
accordance with the city council direction provided at the March 25
20 25 work session executive session regarding Glendale's position in
connection with pending or count contemplated litigation with or in
settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation
regarding election law and conscious versus city of Glendale thank you
Mayor and members of the council,
we have Michael Bailey City attorney to present on this item.
Mayor and council, just as first order of business,
there was a typo in the notice that spoke to March 25th
of 2025, actually, that should read June 23rd of this year.
The executive session was held today
and I would ask the council for a motion to direct me
to act in accordance with the direction
that you provided to me in today's executive session.
Thank you.
So moved.
I do have a speaker card here. I'll second it. We have a motion in a second
We're going to go to a speaker card
Please forgive me your heart. You're reading. It's a little bit difficult to read
More more Saul
Am I saying it right?
Aim a I am is that right?
Mar is well Marisol. Okay. Yeah, just state the district. You're from your name and then you have three minutes
Let's go ahead.
My name is Marisol Oliva Valenzuela,
and I'm from the Akatiyo district.
It's just been really a nuisance for our community
on the vote that you guys decided with Lupe Conchas.
This has delayed a lot of different things
that have already been planned out and scheduled.
And it's just been one thing after another
get together from rescheduling
to doing different approaches
for our community on the
efforts that we're doing on our
part for this for for our
community and for Glendale
and that. Councilman conches
has been working with us so. I'm
sorry that he even lost the
other position. It's this has
just been. You guys just made
really bad decision. And it needs to be accountable. You guys made a really bad decision. That's
all we got to say. It's shameful. Thank you. Okay. We have a motion in a second. Any other
discussion? Roll call. Mayor. I had discussion. Question away. Okay. Thank you.
The agenda
says in accordance with city council direction provided at the today's work
session what was the direction?
Mayor and council in accordance with the
direction that would be something that council provided with regard to legal
advice but I will speak to the fact that based on the ruling the city
received recognizing that it implicates a citizen ratified code
provision with regards to the qualifications for a council member I
I believe not only for the city, but even in the best interest for council member conscious that the city appeal this ruling
And I would ask that you move in that regard. Thank you
Mayor you have a question discussion
Yeah, before this council makes a decision on whether to continue appealing this case
I want to speak directly to the cactus district residents
Thank you all for your support for your phone calls for your text messages for your emails for your hugs and
and the encouragement, the grace that you've all shown me.
I really appreciate that.
It's been a toll for all of us, not only on me,
but also on the district.
And it's also important to understand that
the money that the city is going to decide today
through this vote to appeal this court ruling,
that's money that's not gonna be spent
on the daily city services
that the Cactus District residents need.
And I am the duly elected council member
of the cactus district and I think that it's so important that we understand that in the
court ruling it said that I could serve on both the city council and also on the SRP board
and that the resolution and the action that the mayor and the council took was illegal
and void and so I respect the judicial system and the city has the opportunity to appeal
But I also just want the public to know that after a May workshop I went to the restroom
over here and the mayor was having a huddle with council members about this issue and
they said let's wait until he's sworn in.
And that's information that nobody knows about.
And so this has been planned out, they've known that they were going to do this and
they lost in court and they continue to appeal this, where they have been planning
this for a very long time, and there's a lot of information that will be coming out through
this process.
So thank you, Mayor.
I appreciate it.
Mayor?
Go ahead.
I'd like to also respond.
The decision to appeal the ruling in the case is rooted in a steadfast commitment
ensuring the law is applied with absolute clarity and fairness.
While the initial decision represents a single step in the legal process, a thorough review
of the record indicates it that critical nuances and foundational arguments warrant closer
examination by a higher court.
Pursuing an appeal is not merely about contesting the outcome, it is about seeking an accurate
interpretation of the law to ensure that justice is fully and properly served for
all parties involved.
An appeal ensures that complex legal principles are not left ambiguous and that every factual
and statutory angle receives a vigorous and rigorous scrutiny it deserves.
This step underscores a belief in the integrity of the appellate process to correct systematic
oversight and establish a reliable precedent.
that moving forward with this appeal is a vital measure to protect essential interest.
And that is the reason that I think this is brought forward.
Thank you.
Anyone else?
Okay.
We have a motion and a second, correct?
Yep.
Roll call vote.
Council Member Balnegro.
Nay.
Council Member Gonchis.
May I explain my vote?
Sure.
Thank you. The court ruling just ruled that the $60 SRP, the SRP pays is a per diem payment
and it is not compensation and it also ruled that the actions of
This council for resolution number 22-60 was void and illegal, so I vote no. Thank you.
Council Member Guzman. Aye.
Council Member Tomachow. Aye.
Council Member Turner. Explain my vote, Mayor. Go ahead.
As I said, when we considered the resolution to remove Council Member Contras, I felt that it was premature and I still feel it's premature.
I don't believe that we should be appealing this order.
The questions at hand were what was the nature of the word receiving and what exactly is meant by compensation.
The judge ruled on compensation and ruled that the $60 amount that members that attend in person only,
not virtually, but only in person, was in fact per DM and under state law, not compensation,
which made the question the first question about receiving moot I think we
have a to me what I consider to be a clear enough ruling from the judge
regarding our position and our ability to remove Mr. conscious we've been
directed to reinstate him and he has been and I believe that that's to be
construed as reinstatement with all the privileges he held at the time that
was removed and I think also too that appealing this is a waste of public
money that could be better spent elsewhere or who knows maybe not even
spent at all remarkable and without a vote now I thank you and I sit here and I
think about all the discussions going on fact that we have courts set up the
way they are for this very reason when there's a disagreement when there's a
ruling that one side doesn't agree with, you have the legal right to challenge it.
Everybody here knows that, and I don't know why everybody's getting upset about it.
The city's taking the action based upon a lot of things that we feel.
At the same time, we need clarity.
We have to have clarity, and our attorneys made it very clear.
Whether it's for this particular or in the future,
that clarity will make a lot of difference.
So I think it's something that needs to be done.
It's painful that we have to go through it.
Comment made earlier. I'm not even going to address that. I don't remember that conversation
I remember huddling up with anybody. I don't play football. So with that I do vote I
Passes
Council comments and suggestions. Mr. Balden anchor. Have you any I just want sir everyone I
Today is June 23rd
623 day I invite everyone downtown Glendale to enjoy all the festivities are having downtown
some businesses are
are participating with specials for today only.
Some are participating for the rest of the week,
the same special.
And then on Saturday we'll be culminating
into a Saturday sundown art crawl
instead of a Sunday brunch art crawl.
We're doing that Saturday evening from five to 10.
We'll have a live art.
The businesses downtown will be providing,
we'll be having meals obviously for purchase.
We'll have a DJ across the street in the park.
We'll be having a some soccer festivities for the kids
We're working on getting at least one possibly more professional players from the Phoenix Rising and there will be at least six different businesses downtown
With the viewing parties for the World Cup soccer game at 7 o'clock that night Saturday night
So I appreciate after we're all done here. Hopefully very quickly. We can all go down to the restaurants and enjoy a good meal
Thank you. Thank you councilmember conscious. Yes, mayor
It is getting to the end of the fiscal year the fiscal year goes from July 1 to June 30th
And so the cactus district residents I have worked with them
And we have planned out where the different monies are going to go from our district office fund because I believe in to
participatory budgeting, and so I can't make the the
determinations of where this money goes without citizen input and so the citizens and I we've decided that
$1,600 is going to transportation assistance through community services department
$4,044.88 is going to a Velma Teague portable sound system because the Cactus
District doesn't have a library in the Cactus District but a lot of our
residents use the closest one which is Velma Teague. We also allocated $1,000
to community services in collaboration with Parks and Rec to help plant 250
50 new trees for America's 250th birthday.
We also asked for $3,700 that we're allocating to Sunset Park.
Originally the proposal from Parks and Rec was one bench, but we had citizen input that
we needed to have two.
And so we're funding two of those benches.
Student scholarships for the Alhambra Foundation for the future of $166.08.
The Arizona Justice Center for Homelessness and Heat Relief of $900.
Glendale Community College for a Student Emergency Fund.
In case any of the students go hungry or they have a bill that they need to pay, that's allocated $900.
The Glendale Historical Society for Community Programs at $900.
The Glendale Women's Club for the Dolly Parton Early Literacy Program is $900.
and the Hope for Hunger Food Bank Food for Phoenix Rescue Mission was allocated at $900.
So the Cactus District overall allocated $15,010.96 for the community.
Thank you, Mayor.
Council Member Tomachal.
Thank you, Mayor.
As we wind down, I think our time over here at the Civic Center, I was thinking about
this today.
I mean, I know for a short time we moved back into the council chambers, but we've
been over here at the Civic Center for about six years.
I see the city clerk shaking her head.
We moved over here during COVID,
so we would have the space to let people come in and speak.
We were, I think, at the time,
we were probably the only city
that was still doing citizen comments,
and I'm really proud of that.
But we've been over here
for the better part of six years,
and we saw the council chambers last week
for the ribbon cutting.
It'll be exciting to be moving back over there,
but it seems like we've been over here forever.
So thank you to the staff that has you know worked hard to make this space work
It's kind of an unconventional place to be holding council meetings
But it's worked well for us over the period of years
But I know for the communication staff and the people who have to make sure that we're broadcasting and the things that this isn't a night
Is an ideal so I know it required a lot of extra work and I just want to say thank you for that and
And also wanted to say, Mayor, that it was said that the council is taking the month of July off.
I want to say, me personally, I am not taking the month of July off.
We vacate the council these meetings during the month of July because it's the first month of the fiscal year.
It gives staff a little bit of a breather to kind of get things, you know, wrap up the previous year, get started on the next fiscal year.
But the city is open for business, the Choya District Office is open for business, and I'm available the entire month of July.
Thank you, Mayor.
Thank you.
Councilmember Turner.
Thank you, Mayor.
I'd like to echo Councilmember Tomitroff's thanks to our staff for making this room work so well for us for so long.
I'd also like to thank our staff and especially Eddie Garcia for having been able to create
such great results that we saw last Thursday over at the ribbon cutting for City Hall and
to me a surprise that the council chamber was virtually finished and we were able to
utilize it except for a few things on the punch list there and hold the ribbon cutting
in Murphy Park itself which is almost completely finished.
That's a great accomplishment.
I think it's a great asset for our community.
It's a great statement for what we believe in here in downtown Glendale and in the future
of our city being rooted in this part of town.
And then, can't say enough, really, about Saturday, it was the 250th celebration in
our new amphitheater.
I'm sure staff had a hard time knowing what to expect and the way of turnout and bugs
that might, you know, technical bugs that might arise, but they seem to be well
prepared and we had a nice crowd. The summer band played. We had a cover band as
well. We had the drone show in the air that was, to me, every bit as exciting
as fireworks without any of the noise. And I think the animals, the dogs,
especially in the neighborhood, probably appreciated that if they'd even
understood but it was a great drone show too and it just looked to me and then
the foam for the kids just looked like to me everybody had a great time and
everybody was enjoying themselves and I like to rejoice in knowing that we'll
be able to do more and more of that in the coming years. Thank you Mayor.
Yes Mayor I have a few comments. First I want to offer my condolences to former
council member Joyce Clark. She lost her husband Charlie on June 13th. My prayers are with
you Joyce. Mayor, I would also like to respond to a question that was asked during the citizens
comment section of our last council meeting on June 9th. I believe the question was,
since the mayor and council will be in recess during the month of July, what expenses
Do we have that equates to $1,350 and that the Cactus district residents would like a response to that question?
Well, here's my response. Just because I am not attending council meetings during the recess, I am, however, still working.
and meeting with residents regarding issues in my district and I am still
meeting with stakeholders concerning projects that will be that will bring
jobs and affordable housing into the Yucca district and I am still attending
community meetings and attending community events during the month of
July just because the council meetings may be on recess I am not.
Further
comment regarding the City Hall ribbon cutting along with the other council
members it was quite an event I'd like to say thank you to everyone and every one
that every city department that was involved in putting the ribbon cutting
together the flyover of the two F-16 gents was from Luke Air Force Base was
the cherry on the top it was quite a quite an experience everybody really
enjoyed it. We had a lot of unexpected visitors to come and take part in that also. I'd like
to also thank Hawley Street Architect for the design of City Hall, the Council Chambers
and Murphy Park. And I'd also like to thank Oakland Construction for bringing it all,
for building it all. The work is beautiful and inspiring. And then of course on Saturday,
like Council Member Turner said, we celebrated our nation's 250th birthday. The whole
event was spectacular. I had several residents come up to me and tell me how excited they
were to see the Murphy Park open again and that they're very excited to see the Glendale
Glitters come back to Murphy Park. And I want to say to Director John Kennedy and all the
employees of Parks and Recreation and also our amazing Glendale police officers and
every city department that was out there Saturday night, thank you for all your hard
work you are appreciated and the event was a big success and I want to wish
everybody in Glendale all the residents a cool and fun summer and remember stay
safe and stay hydrated.
Thank you, Weismer. Thank you Mayor. I could just say
amen and probably call it good but I just wanted to say that what I really
enjoyed about the 250 anniversary celebration we had on Saturday was the
excitement to see all the people there that really enjoyed the event, residents
that came out, enjoyed the band, enjoyed the drone show, the atmosphere. It was
just really great to see downtown Glendale alive again and it all came about
because of our staff, you know, Parks and Rec who put that all together and
all those who are involved with that. Thank you so much and again have a
safe, uh, July. Okay. My comments, uh, is going to one is going to correct Councilmember
Guzman. F 35 is not F 16. Yeah, that's that's a few million dollars difference. Big, big
deal. Uh, certainly big deal to Luke Air Force Base. Uh, uh, on a personal note, uh,
doing
this as many years as I have and, and, and all the council here, we, we all have
issues with our personal lives and our business life and our families. Mine's
mine's good. The day after tomorrow will be my 44th wedding anniversary and I
haven't figured out why she stuck with me that long but I praise God every day
that she does. She's really been a blessing to allow me to come out and
be the mayor of this wonderful city and putting up with with some of the
things that we have to put up with on a daily basis. I would I would hope
that all of you every day would keep in mind of America's birthday, what it means to our country,
the fact that our veterans, many veterans went to war and didn't come home alive to try to protect
those freedoms. And I would hope that as much as sometimes politics is really messy, it's uncomfortable,
sometimes you don't get what you want, sometimes you do. But the fact that our veterans, our
liberties, our freedoms, we can sit here and talk about it. We can do the things that
unpleasant sometimes because of our veterans and because of them fighting
and sometimes giving their lives for for our freedoms so please don't forget our
veterans please think about the people that that served that flag served our
country served those freedoms I hope all of you have a very safe summer it's
not getting cooler it's getting hotter kind of keep an eye on the animals the
pets the kids and just as you're driving down the street watch watch
Most people as they're walking, if they don't look right, stop check on them or if you need
to call 911.
Dehydration is a real thing.
It's a real thing and we certainly don't want to be reading about it.
We want to take care of those issues early.
With that, we're going to open this up to citizens comments.
I have three speaker cards.
I'm not taking any more after that one.
We have Julie. Okay. I'll wait for you to bring that over.
Okay. We're going to start off
with Alex Neff.
You'll come to the podium. You have three minutes. I don't need your
address. You live in Glendale. Just state your district that you live in, sir. State
your name and you have three minutes. Go ahead. Thank you, Mayor. My name is Alex
Neff. I'm a member of the campus district. Sure. Put your microphone up, will we?
I apologize, I'm a little nervous up here.
You're long, so no.
Anyway, first I am glad to see my councilman seated here again.
The whole rigmarole with him being booted off kind of almost seemed like a parking space for my motorcycle again.
So anyway, I'm happy that Lupi's back up here.
I would also like to address the council on their meeting time. As a working
person, it's difficult to get here at 5.30 for a council meeting. When I went
through Glendale University or whatever it was, you folks met a little bit later
in the evening and I think if you would consider that, you might get a little
more participation. Anyway, that's all I've got. Thank you for having a great
call us good
evening I'm Judith Clark cactus district as a resident citizen
voter and constituent of the cactus district I reiterate my support of
councilmember conscious I hope his recent experience has made him a stronger
and more determined public servant and that it doesn't chill his exuberant
advocacy for the Cactus District. Some of the behavior I've seen this evening seems quite
self-serving on behalf of other council members this evening and it's very disappointing. I'm
concerned that you're forgetting your public servants and your disenfranchising voters.
I urge council members to work collegially and harmoniously to avoid unnecessary costs
to taxpayers when differences need resolution.
Knowing that you have many tools at your disposal before taking action that harms residents
and disenfranchises voters, it is unfortunate for you to have revealed yourselves as being
being uninformed of alternate options and the literal meaning of words. It does give
rise to the question of the motivation, dare I say nefarious, behind resolution 26-60.
I won't speculate here, but let's just say the facts are widely available. Thank you.
thank you James Diabler folks no James hi
my name is James Diabler I live in
Phoenix Arizona today I'm speaking to you a God in Glen Neal Council member
lip-bate chances I am pleased to learn that a Merrill Copper can he just has
reading a state Glendale Council member would pay chances to his position on the city council.
I just find that the city of Glendale has overstepping with authority in removing him
from the Glendale City Council last month. He's doing an excellent job on serving the
residents of the cactus district.
And thank you for taking some time to consider the matter.
Thank you, James.
Michael Kias.
Mayor, council members and members of the public,
thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.
My name is Michael Kias.
I'm from the Barrell District.
I've made it a priority to come to city council meetings
to listen, to observe, and to better understand
the work of the city from the ground level.
And what I have seen is clear.
here, Glendale has incredible potential. This is a city with strong neighborhoods, hard
working families, small businesses, public servants, young people with bright futures
and residents who care deeply about where they live, but potential alone is not enough.
Potential has to be matched with leadership, discipline, transparency, and a real commitment
to the people. Every decision made in this chamber should begin and end with one question.
Does this decision serve the people of Glendale?
Not special interests, not political agendas, not convenience, the people.
Every conversation in this chamber should be about the betterment of Glendale.
Conversations about economic development focusing on more than building going up.
It must mean good paying jobs, stronger wages, opportunities for small businesses,
and a city where working families can afford to live, grow, and succeed.
Every zoning decision should be made with economic conditions of residents in
mind, not just the financial position of the city. Our young families and our
children deserve clean parks, safe neighborhoods, strong communities, and a
city government that plans for their future, not just the next meeting
agenda item. Transparency in government is not optional. It is the
foundation of public trust. Residents should know what is being decided, why
it is being decided and how these decisions affect their daily lives.
Representation matters, but it only means something when the voices of the people are
actually respected and put into action.
Decisions must reflect real priorities of all the people of Glendale, not just the
handful.
For me, that means making sure our police officers and our firefighters have the
training, tools and resources they need to serve the public with professionalism
and accountability.
It means making sure basic city services are done well, trash picked up on time,
streets maintained, parks kept clean, and residents treated with respect when they reach out for help.
At the end of the day, the city government is not supposed to be distant from the people.
It's supposed to be closest to the people.
I would love to see a survey of the people of Glendale asking when the last time they had been contacted by their council member.
Every vote, every dollar, every project, every policy should reflect the will and needs of the residents who call Glendale home.
Thank you.
Okay, there being no further business before the council tonight, I'd like to thank everyone for attending. Please have a safe, safe summer.
There's no objection from the council. Meetings adjourned.