[0:01] And good evening, welcome to Glendale City Council meeting June 23, 2026. This meeting is called to order.

[0:08] I will not call roll call because everybody's here, if you take note of that.

[0:13] Next on the agenda is our Pledge of Allegiance and our prayer. Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Reverend Lydia Gonzalez.

[0:23] She's with the National Governors Prayer Task Force. Lydia, if you'll come up to the podium.

[0:29] 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.

[0:35] Everyone, please stand for the invocation. Remain standing for a Pledge of Allegiance. Lydia?

[0:41] Thank you, Mayor. It's good to see you again. It's been a while.

[0:45] And I want to let you know since the last time we met, we were helping each other through the Christmas Parade,

[0:51] and I wasn't able to complete that task because I had developed breast cancer.

[0:55] But the good news is the Lord healed me of breast cancer. I don't have breast cancer

[0:59] They've removed all the tumors and 10 years into it negative. So I don't need chemo or radiation

[1:05] So the Lord is always with us who can trust him

[1:09] We can lean on him. We can seek his counsel. We can seek his wisdom and father

[1:15] I just thank you once again to come before your throne of grace for this great opportunity Lord to

[1:21] To bless this city once again, and we thank you for every member that's here today every constituent Lord every city council

[1:28] Everyone that's seated in government Lord God. We thank you Lord Jesus that you are guiding every

[1:34] Step every agenda everything that needs to be taken care of tonight Lord will be done smoothly and peacefully and father

[1:41] I thank you

[1:42] For the wisdom that's upon this mayor Lord you have blessed him upon blessings

[1:47] blessings, and we have seen this city grow and grow and grow with great prosperity, Lord.

[1:52] We thank you for the families and residents that live among us, Lord God.

[1:56] We thank you for our neighborhood, Lord God.

[1:58] We thank you for every business, every church, every school, every college, Lord.

[2:03] We thank you for every law enforcement, we thank you for the fire department.

[2:06] We thank you, Lord, for every person that's contributing to the growth of this great

[2:12] city.

[2:12] Father, I ask you tonight for a special blessing upon the Lord, and I ask you, Lord Jesus,

[2:18] to guide us and lead us in every way in Jesus' name. Amen.

[2:22] Amen. Thank you. If everyone would join me with the

[2:26] Pledge of Allegiance, keeping in mind America's 250th birthday is very, very soon. With that,

[2:31] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for

[2:38] which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

[2:51] Next on our agenda is the consideration of the minutes from the June 9,

[2:55] 2026 voting meeting. Council members, have you any corrections or additions to the minutes?

[3:01] Seeing none, can I get a motion to approve June 9, 2026 voting meeting minutes?

[3:06] Mayor, I move we approve the minutes of the June 9, 2026 voting meeting.

[3:10] Second.

[3:11] I have a motion from Council Member Turner.

[3:13] Second.

[3:13] Council Member Tomchop to approve the minutes.

[3:15] Any discussion?

[3:16] Hearing none, all in favor, please signify by saying aye.

[3:19] Aye.

[3:19] Any opposed, say nay.

[3:21] Your ayes have it.

[3:22] Do have it.

[3:23] So be it.

[3:24] Board's commissions and other bodies.

[3:26] Approval, recommended appointments to boards and commissions and other bodies.

[3:30] We're going to do just that.

[3:31] Council Member Guzman, have you any nominations to offer?

[3:33] Yes, Mayor.

[3:34] I move to make the following appointments.

[3:36] for the Arts Commission, Lisa Lovejoy to a term expiring January 31st, 2028, for the Audit

[3:43] Committee, Councilmember Lauren Tomachoff to a term expiring January 31st, 2028, to the

[3:49] Municipal Property Corporation, Michael Zaremba to a term expiring January 31st, 2027, and

[3:56] to the Personnel Board, Kate Myers, to a term expiring January 31st, 2028.

[4:04] 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.

[4:14] What discussion.

[4:16] May you what may I are we having discussion may make a comment.

[4:22] I guess we can we can have discussion if you want discussion.

[4:26] Thank you very much.

[4:27] I'd like to state my opposition to the appointment of council member Tom

[4:33] much off to the audit committee. That was my seat on the audit committee and my

[4:37] term was to be expired in 2028. And so that's why I'll be voting no tonight.

[4:42] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. With that said, we have a motion from

[4:49] Who?

[4:51] Council Member Goodman.

[4:52] Mayor, may I make a comment?

[4:56] Explain your vote.

[4:57] Explain my vote?

[4:58] Yes, I want to explain my vote.

[4:59] Not yet.

[5:00] Right now, did you make the motion?

[5:01] She made the motion.

[5:02] I second today.

[5:03] You've made your second.

[5:04] We have a motion in second.

[5:06] All in favor, please sign up.

[5:08] Well, wait a second.

[5:09] We're going to do a roll call.

[5:10] Council Member Guzman, how do you vote?

[5:12] Let me explain my vote.

[5:13] Go ahead.

[5:14] The decision to place Council Member Tomachoff

[5:17] was decided while council member conscious was not on the council. My vote is yes. Thank

[5:25] you. Okay. With that said, we'll continue the roll call. Look, council member Turner,

[5:30] how do you vote? Explain my vote please. Go ahead.

[5:36] I wish that I'd been reminded of

[5:40] the situation that created the appointment

[5:45] to the audit committee tonight.

[5:48] I regret that I didn't occur to me myself.

[5:52] I would have liked to have worked to get council member

[5:59] conscious back into that position,

[6:02] but seeing as the motion's here before us

[6:04] and we need somebody on the audit committee

[6:06] and there are other commission seats

[6:08] that are under the same vote. I will vote aye. Thank you.

[6:14] Council Member Tomlachoff, how do you vote? Aye, Mayor. Happy to serve.

[6:20] Council Member Baldenegro, how do you vote? Aye.

[6:24] Vice Mayor Melner? Aye.

[6:26] Vice Mayor Melner votes aye. Chair votes aye. Motion carries.

[6:37] 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.

[6:45] Okay, well, you're right. Councilmember conscious, how do you vote?

[6:48] May I explain my vote?

[6:49] Okay, you already explained it once, didn't you?

[6:51] That was your own discussion.

[6:52] Good.

[6:53] So I want to say thank you to everybody who has stepped up to join a border commission.

[6:59] It's really important that citizens are engaged in this process.

[7:03] And in terms of the audit committee, some of the things that I've been looking at and

[7:07] working on with other council members include the airport.

[7:10] And I'm really excited that we're going to have a strategy and a strategic plan

[7:14] for the airport so that we can actually have it generate revenue.

[7:18] And so I look forward to the work that the audit committee continues to do to serve the people of Glendale

[7:24] And but with that I vote no thank you

[7:27] Councilmember conscious votes no

[7:30] It passes

[7:32] Moving on to consent agenda items 3

[7:34] What?

[7:35] 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

[7:42] Is here to be sworn in oh?

[7:44] Yeah, you are

[7:47] Yeah, who's here in the audience to be sworn in tonight?

[7:51] Two people?

[7:52] Mm-hmm.

[7:52] Three people?

[7:53] Three people?

[7:54] Okay, let's go ahead and do that.

[7:58] Yeah, if you're going to be sworn in, if you'll come up close to the podium, please.

[8:07] Yeah, you need to go up, too.

[8:11] Right.

[8:13] That wasn't...

[8:27] Okay.

[8:29] So, if you would all please hold your right hand up.

[8:33] What I need you to do is find one that has the oath.

[8:39] This isn't it.

[8:40] You

[8:43] do the short version.

[8:43] I don't have an oath.

[8:52] Okay.

[8:52] We're going to start that over again.

[8:53] Hold your right hand up.

[8:54] Say, I then state your name.

[8:58] Do solemnly swear or affirm.

[9:00] Do solemnly swear or affirm.

[9:01] That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

[9:06] And the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona.

[9:09] that I will bear truth, faith, and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies,

[9:20] foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of my office

[9:29] to the best of my ability, so help me God.

[10:22] Okay, next is the consent agenda items 3 through 32

[10:27] Items on a consent agenda their routine in nature

[10:30] Or they've been previously studied by this council at a workshop session the items are intended to be acted upon in one

[10:36] Motion by this council. Have we any speaker cards? No, sir

[10:48] 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

[10:55] Second. I have a motion from Councilmember Tomachoff and Councilmember Goosman to approve

[11:01] Consent and Agenda items 3 through 32 all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay.

[11:08] If you guys do have it, that motion carries.

[11:12] Ms. Barr, would you read Consent Resolutions items 33 through 40?

[11:17] Item 33, Resolution number R26-65, a Resolution of Council of the City of Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona,

[11:23] authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the

[11:27] Maricopa County adminis- between Maricopa County administered by its human

[11:32] services department and City of Glendale for workforce development services.

[11:37] Item 34 resolution number R26-66 a resolution to counsel the City of

[11:42] Glendale Maricopa County Arizona authorizing and directing the entering

[11:46] into of an infrastructure cost-sharing agreement with VIP industrial holdings

[11:50] Phase 2, LLC, item 35, resolution number R26-67,

[11:56] a resolution that counsel the city

[11:57] of Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona,

[11:59] authorizing and directing the entering into

[12:02] of an infrastructure cost sharing agreement

[12:04] with Scannnell properties number 521, LLC,

[12:09] an Indiana limited liability company

[12:11] and SPMIM, Glendale LLC,

[12:15] a Delaware limited liability company.

[12:17] Item 36, Resolution number R26-68, a resolution to counsel the City of

[12:22] Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona, authorizing the execution and acceptance

[12:26] of deeds and easements at various locations in the city. Item 37, Resolution

[12:32] number R26-69, a resolution to counsel the City of Glendale Maricopa County,

[12:36] Arizona, authorizing and directing the entering into of contract

[12:40] amendment number three to an intergovernmental agreement with the

[12:43] Control District of Maricopa County, 2022A005 for the Apollo Garden Strainage Improvement

[12:50] Project.

[12:51] Item 38, resolution number R26-70, a resolution to counsel the city of Glendale Maricopa County,

[12:56] Arizona, authorizing and directing the entering into of an intergovernmental agreement with

[13:02] the cities of Avondale, Buckeye, Elmerage, Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise, Tollison,

[13:06] and the town of Wickenburg, establishing the West Valley Mobile Field Force response

[13:12] team to provide a pool of officers available to assist in responding to

[13:16] incidents of civil disturbance, public demonstrations, or events involving large

[13:20] crowds. Item 39, resolution number R26-71, a resolution council in the city of

[13:27] Glendale Maricopa County, Arizona, authorizing the entering into of an

[13:31] intergovernmental agreement with Tollison Union High School, district

[13:35] number 214, for a school resource officer at Copper Canyon High School

[13:39] during the 2026-27 school year and item 40 resolution number R26-72 resolution

[13:47] the council the city of Glendale Maricopa County Arizona authorizing the

[13:51] entering into of an intergovernmental agreement with Glendale Union High

[13:54] School District for a school resource officer at Apollo High School Glendale

[13:58] High School and Independence High School during the 2026-27 school year

[14:03] That concludes the consent resolutions. All right. Thank you. Can I get a motion mayor? I

[14:10] move that the council approve consent resolutions number

[14:12] 33 through 40 and waive reading beyond the title second

[14:17] Councilmember conscious second councilmember Balnegr to approve consent resolutions item 33 through 40

[14:23] All in favor signify by saying aye aye any opposed saying nay

[14:34] 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.

[14:51] Ordinance number 026-24, an ordinance that counsel the city of Glendale,

[14:56] Maricopa County, Arizona, rezoning approximately 10 acres locally.

[15:00] 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.

[15:22] Thank you, Mayor, members of the council. We have Phil Martinez, senior planner from development services here.

[15:31] Thank you Mr. Bancher and good evening mayor and city council. The applicant is proposing

[15:36] a minor general plan amendment from medium density residential 3.5 to medium high density

[15:41] residential 8. In addition, the applicant is proposing a rezoning from R18 with a PRD

[15:47] overlay to PAD for approximately 10 acres. Per the applicant's narrative, the intent

[15:53] of these requests is to develop a duplex subdivision.

[16:01] Before you is a slide depicting the subject property

[16:03] in a red highlight located here, east of 91st.

[16:07] One will find the Buena Vida subdivision to the northeast

[16:10] and south of the subject property while 91st Avenue

[16:14] and the State Farm Stadium are located to the west.

[16:18] The proposed general plan designation and PAD are

[16:21] compatible with the subject property

[16:23] and the surrounding area.

[16:25] such propositions seek to provide an appropriate transition of densities and

[16:29] intensities from the single-family houses in the Buena Vida subdivision that

[16:33] proposed duplexes to the westward areas including the State Farm Stadium, West

[16:38] Gate and the Vi Resort. Furthermore, this proposition seeks to provide

[16:42] middle housing on a property that is close to employment centers, furthering

[16:46] the goals of our general plan.

[16:52] And I recommend the motions for this

[16:53] evening. I'm sorry, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended

[16:56] approval of the proposed general plan amendment and rezoning, subject to the stipulation described

[17:01] in the staff report, and on the slide before you. This concludes my presentation, and the

[17:05] applicant and I would be happy to address any questions that you may have.

[17:08] Yeah, one thing I'd like you to address is the church that's currently there. Now

[17:13] what's happening to that? I believe it's intended that the developer

[17:17] will have the applicant or developer would speak on that one.

[17:30] Mayor, member of the council, Patrick Brown, city manager with DR Horton Homes.

[17:36] My address is 7689 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, Arizona.

[17:42] So my understanding is the church has not been operating the site and mainly been using

[17:48] The income from the parking from the stadium and is looking to relocate a church elsewhere

[17:55] I don't know if they've actually found a suitable site

[17:59] Just yet. I think that they're looking for the proceeds of the sale to help them land a different location

[18:05] You know anything about it

[18:09] I'd ask councilmember

[18:11] Guzman if she could brief everybody. Yeah, it's a

[18:14] duplex development that's coming up the church is going to be relocating they

[18:19] haven't found a location yet the surrounding neighbors the residents

[18:24] are all in support of the project any other questions no other questions okay

[18:30] thank you anyone else need to speak on this item public care is now closed may

[18:37] have a motion for item 41 resolution r26-73 mayor I moved to prove

[18:44] Resolution number our two six dash seven three second

[18:48] Have motion councilmember Balnegro said councilmember Guzman for recommended action roll call vote councilmember Balnegro. How do you vote?

[18:54] Hi councilmember conscious. How do you vote? Hi councilmember Guzman? How do you vote? Hi councilmember Tomachoff?

[18:59] How do you vote? Hi councilmember Turner? How do you vote? Hi vice mayor? How do you vote? Hi chair votes I motion carries

[19:05] Can I get a motion for item 41 ordinance zero to six dash two four mayor?

[19:09] I move to approve ordinance number zero. That's using oh two six dash two four second

[19:14] I have motion council member Balden egg or a second from council member Goosman to approve the recommended action roll call

[19:20] Look council member Balden egg or how do you vote? Hi council member conscious? How do you vote? Hi?

[19:24] That's member Goosman. How do you vote? Hi? That's member Tom achoff? How do you vote? Hi?

[19:27] That's member Turner. How do you vote? Hi vice mayor? How do you vote? Hi chair? What's that motion also carry?

[19:31] Don't move it on to ordinances this borough would read item 42 ordinances zero two six dash two five

[19:37] Ordinance number 026-25 in ordinance of the Council of the City of Glendale Maricopa County,

[19:43] Arizona, levying upon the assessed valuation of the property within the City of Glendale

[19:47] subject to taxation, a certain sum upon each $100 of valuation sufficient to raise the

[19:54] amount estimated to be required in the annual budget, less the amount estimated to be received

[19:58] from other sources of revenue, providing funds for various bond redemptions for the

[20:03] of paying interest upon bond indebtedness and providing funds for general municipal expenses

[20:08] all for the fiscal year ending the 30th day of June 2027 and declaring an emergency.

[20:15] Thank you, Mayor and members of the Council. We have Levi Gibson, Director of Budget and

[20:19] Finance for that to present. Thank you, Mr. Bunger.

[20:22] Getting any members of the Council, this item is to adopt an ordinance to set the

[20:26] primary and secondary property tax rate for fiscal year 2027. The primary property

[20:32] property tax rate will be 0.3096 per $100 of assessed valuation. And the secondary property

[20:39] tax rate will be 1.0787 per $100 of assessed valuation. The total property tax rate will

[20:47] decrease from 1.4538 to 1.3883 for fiscal year 2027. This concludes my presentation.

[20:55] I'd be happy to take any questions. Mr. Gibson, would you explain to everybody

[20:59] why we're saying this is an emergency. Yes, happy to do that, Mayor. So this ordinance

[21:04] is adopted with an emergency declaration so that it takes effect immediately upon council

[21:09] approval. State law requires the city to deliver a certified copy of the adopted ordinance

[21:15] to Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, who hold a ministerial responsibility under

[21:20] Arizona law to compile and adopt the countywide tax roll on behalf of all taxing jurisdictions,

[21:26] including Glendale. Because the county operates on a fixed statutory deadline to

[21:31] finalize tax rates, transmit levy information to the county treasurer,

[21:36] and produce property tax bills, the city must provide its certified tax levy to

[21:40] the county before the deadline passes. The emergency declaration ensures

[21:44] there is no gap between council approval and the ordinance becoming

[21:48] legally effective, allowing staff to transmit the required documents to the

[21:52] county without delay and in compliance with the statutory time. Okay and then

[21:57] just to make sure I heard what what I believe you said this is a decrease in

[22:02] property taxes. Correct. This is the 11th year property tax rate decreases.

[22:07] Thank you. Any other questions?

[22:10] Hey, can I get a motion?

[22:12] Mayor, right? I move we adopt ordinance 026 dash two five and wave

[22:17] reading be on the title second motion I think I heard a second okay you kind of

[22:24] whispered a little week okay mr. Turner made the motion miss Guzman made the

[22:30] second to approve the recommended action roll call vote councilmember Balden

[22:33] nigger how do you vote hi councilmember conscious how do you vote hi

[22:36] councilmember Guzman how do you vote hi councilmember Tomachop how do you

[22:39] vote hi councilmember Turner how do you vote hi vice mayor how do you vote hi

[22:43] chair votes I moving on to new business miss Barr would you read item

[22:47] 43 by title consideration and action to direct the city attorney to act in

[22:53] accordance with the city council direction provided at the March 25

[22:56] 20 25 work session executive session regarding Glendale's position in

[23:01] connection with pending or count contemplated litigation with or in

[23:06] settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation

[23:10] regarding election law and conscious versus city of Glendale thank you

[23:15] Mayor and members of the council,

[23:16] we have Michael Bailey City attorney to present on this item.

[23:19] Mayor and council, just as first order of business,

[23:22] there was a typo in the notice that spoke to March 25th

[23:28] of 2025, actually, that should read June 23rd of this year.

[23:32] The executive session was held today

[23:35] and I would ask the council for a motion to direct me

[23:37] to act in accordance with the direction

[23:38] that you provided to me in today's executive session.

[23:41] Thank you.

[23:43] So moved.

[23:45] I do have a speaker card here. I'll second it. We have a motion in a second

[23:51] We're going to go to a speaker card

[23:54] Please forgive me your heart. You're reading. It's a little bit difficult to read

[23:58] More more Saul

[24:01] Am I saying it right?

[24:03] Aim a I am is that right?

[24:06] Mar is well Marisol. Okay. Yeah, just state the district. You're from your name and then you have three minutes

[24:11] Let's go ahead.

[24:12] My name is Marisol Oliva Valenzuela,

[24:14] and I'm from the Akatiyo district.

[24:17] It's just been really a nuisance for our community

[24:22] on the vote that you guys decided with Lupe Conchas.

[24:28] This has delayed a lot of different things

[24:31] that have already been planned out and scheduled.

[24:35] And it's just been one thing after another

[24:40] get together from rescheduling

[24:41] to doing different approaches

[24:44] for our community on the

[24:46] efforts that we're doing on our

[24:48] part for this for for our

[24:50] community and for Glendale

[24:51] and that. Councilman conches

[24:54] has been working with us so. I'm

[24:58] sorry that he even lost the

[24:59] other position. It's this has

[25:03] just been. You guys just made

[25:06] really bad decision. And it needs to be accountable. You guys made a really bad decision. That's

[25:14] all we got to say. It's shameful. Thank you. Okay. We have a motion in a second. Any other

[25:21] discussion? Roll call. Mayor. I had discussion. Question away. Okay. Thank you.

[25:30] The agenda

[25:31] says in accordance with city council direction provided at the today's work

[25:38] session what was the direction?

[25:44] Mayor and council in accordance with the

[25:48] direction that would be something that council provided with regard to legal

[25:50] advice but I will speak to the fact that based on the ruling the city

[25:54] received recognizing that it implicates a citizen ratified code

[26:02] provision with regards to the qualifications for a council member I

[26:04] I believe not only for the city, but even in the best interest for council member conscious that the city appeal this ruling

[26:11] And I would ask that you move in that regard. Thank you

[26:19] Mayor you have a question discussion

[26:21] Yeah, before this council makes a decision on whether to continue appealing this case

[26:25] I want to speak directly to the cactus district residents

[26:27] Thank you all for your support for your phone calls for your text messages for your emails for your hugs and

[26:34] and the encouragement, the grace that you've all shown me.

[26:37] I really appreciate that.

[26:39] It's been a toll for all of us, not only on me,

[26:41] but also on the district.

[26:43] And it's also important to understand that

[26:46] the money that the city is going to decide today

[26:50] through this vote to appeal this court ruling,

[26:55] that's money that's not gonna be spent

[26:56] on the daily city services

[26:59] that the Cactus District residents need.

[27:01] And I am the duly elected council member

[27:04] of the cactus district and I think that it's so important that we understand that in the

[27:09] court ruling it said that I could serve on both the city council and also on the SRP board

[27:15] and that the resolution and the action that the mayor and the council took was illegal

[27:19] and void and so I respect the judicial system and the city has the opportunity to appeal

[27:27] But I also just want the public to know that after a May workshop I went to the restroom

[27:34] over here and the mayor was having a huddle with council members about this issue and

[27:40] they said let's wait until he's sworn in.

[27:42] And that's information that nobody knows about.

[27:44] And so this has been planned out, they've known that they were going to do this and

[27:49] they lost in court and they continue to appeal this, where they have been planning

[27:57] this for a very long time, and there's a lot of information that will be coming out through

[28:03] this process.

[28:04] So thank you, Mayor.

[28:05] I appreciate it.

[28:07] Mayor?

[28:08] Go ahead.

[28:09] I'd like to also respond.

[28:13] The decision to appeal the ruling in the case is rooted in a steadfast commitment

[28:20] ensuring the law is applied with absolute clarity and fairness.

[28:26] While the initial decision represents a single step in the legal process, a thorough review

[28:31] of the record indicates it that critical nuances and foundational arguments warrant closer

[28:37] examination by a higher court.

[28:40] Pursuing an appeal is not merely about contesting the outcome, it is about seeking an accurate

[28:46] interpretation of the law to ensure that justice is fully and properly served for

[28:51] all parties involved.

[28:52] An appeal ensures that complex legal principles are not left ambiguous and that every factual

[29:00] and statutory angle receives a vigorous and rigorous scrutiny it deserves.

[29:07] This step underscores a belief in the integrity of the appellate process to correct systematic

[29:14] oversight and establish a reliable precedent.

[29:17] that moving forward with this appeal is a vital measure to protect essential interest.

[29:24] And that is the reason that I think this is brought forward.

[29:29] Thank you.

[29:30] Thank you.

[29:31] Anyone else?

[29:34] Okay.

[29:35] We have a motion and a second, correct?

[29:38] Yep.

[29:39] Roll call vote.

[29:40] Council Member Balnegro.

[29:41] Nay.

[29:43] Council Member Gonchis.

[29:45] May I explain my vote?

[29:47] Sure.

[29:47] Thank you. The court ruling just ruled that the $60 SRP, the SRP pays is a per diem payment

[29:55] and it is not compensation and it also ruled that the actions of

[30:00] This council for resolution number 22-60 was void and illegal, so I vote no. Thank you.

[30:06] Council Member Guzman. Aye.

[30:09] Council Member Tomachow. Aye.

[30:11] Council Member Turner. Explain my vote, Mayor. Go ahead.

[30:17] 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.

[30:27] I don't believe that we should be appealing this order.

[30:30] The questions at hand were what was the nature of the word receiving and what exactly is meant by compensation.

[30:39] The judge ruled on compensation and ruled that the $60 amount that members that attend in person only,

[30:47] not virtually, but only in person, was in fact per DM and under state law, not compensation,

[30:52] which made the question the first question about receiving moot I think we

[30:57] have a to me what I consider to be a clear enough ruling from the judge

[31:02] regarding our position and our ability to remove Mr. conscious we've been

[31:09] directed to reinstate him and he has been and I believe that that's to be

[31:15] construed as reinstatement with all the privileges he held at the time that

[31:18] was removed and I think also too that appealing this is a waste of public

[31:23] money that could be better spent elsewhere or who knows maybe not even

[31:27] spent at all remarkable and without a vote now I thank you and I sit here and I

[31:38] think about all the discussions going on fact that we have courts set up the

[31:42] way they are for this very reason when there's a disagreement when there's a

[31:47] ruling that one side doesn't agree with, you have the legal right to challenge it.

[31:52] Everybody here knows that, and I don't know why everybody's getting upset about it.

[31:56] The city's taking the action based upon a lot of things that we feel.

[32:01] At the same time, we need clarity.

[32:02] We have to have clarity, and our attorneys made it very clear.

[32:06] Whether it's for this particular or in the future,

[32:09] that clarity will make a lot of difference.

[32:11] So I think it's something that needs to be done.

[32:13] It's painful that we have to go through it.

[32:15] Comment made earlier. I'm not even going to address that. I don't remember that conversation

[32:19] I remember huddling up with anybody. I don't play football. So with that I do vote I

[32:26] Passes

[32:28] Council comments and suggestions. Mr. Balden anchor. Have you any I just want sir everyone I

[32:34] Today is June 23rd

[32:36] 623 day I invite everyone downtown Glendale to enjoy all the festivities are having downtown

[32:42] some businesses are

[32:44] are participating with specials for today only.

[32:47] Some are participating for the rest of the week,

[32:50] the same special.

[32:51] And then on Saturday we'll be culminating

[32:53] into a Saturday sundown art crawl

[32:57] instead of a Sunday brunch art crawl.

[32:59] We're doing that Saturday evening from five to 10.

[33:01] We'll have a live art.

[33:03] The businesses downtown will be providing,

[33:05] we'll be having meals obviously for purchase.

[33:07] We'll have a DJ across the street in the park.

[33:10] We'll be having a some soccer festivities for the kids

[33:13] 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

[33:23] With the viewing parties for the World Cup soccer game at 7 o'clock that night Saturday night

[33:28] 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

[33:33] Thank you. Thank you councilmember conscious. Yes, mayor

[33:36] It is getting to the end of the fiscal year the fiscal year goes from July 1 to June 30th

[33:41] And so the cactus district residents I have worked with them

[33:45] And we have planned out where the different monies are going to go from our district office fund because I believe in to

[33:51] participatory budgeting, and so I can't make the the

[33:55] determinations of where this money goes without citizen input and so the citizens and I we've decided that

[34:01] $1,600 is going to transportation assistance through community services department

[34:07] $4,044.88 is going to a Velma Teague portable sound system because the Cactus

[34:13] District doesn't have a library in the Cactus District but a lot of our

[34:16] residents use the closest one which is Velma Teague. We also allocated $1,000

[34:22] to community services in collaboration with Parks and Rec to help plant 250

[34:27] 50 new trees for America's 250th birthday.

[34:32] We also asked for $3,700 that we're allocating to Sunset Park.

[34:40] Originally the proposal from Parks and Rec was one bench, but we had citizen input that

[34:44] we needed to have two.

[34:46] And so we're funding two of those benches.

[34:51] Student scholarships for the Alhambra Foundation for the future of $166.08.

[34:56] The Arizona Justice Center for Homelessness and Heat Relief of $900.

[35:02] Glendale Community College for a Student Emergency Fund.

[35:05] In case any of the students go hungry or they have a bill that they need to pay, that's allocated $900.

[35:11] The Glendale Historical Society for Community Programs at $900.

[35:15] The Glendale Women's Club for the Dolly Parton Early Literacy Program is $900.

[35:20] and the Hope for Hunger Food Bank Food for Phoenix Rescue Mission was allocated at $900.

[35:27] So the Cactus District overall allocated $15,010.96 for the community.

[35:33] Thank you, Mayor.

[35:34] Council Member Tomachal.

[35:37] Thank you, Mayor.

[35:39] As we wind down, I think our time over here at the Civic Center, I was thinking about

[35:45] this today.

[35:46] I mean, I know for a short time we moved back into the council chambers, but we've

[35:50] been over here at the Civic Center for about six years.

[35:53] I see the city clerk shaking her head.

[35:54] We moved over here during COVID,

[35:57] so we would have the space to let people come in and speak.

[36:01] We were, I think, at the time,

[36:02] we were probably the only city

[36:03] that was still doing citizen comments,

[36:05] and I'm really proud of that.

[36:06] But we've been over here

[36:07] for the better part of six years,

[36:09] and we saw the council chambers last week

[36:12] for the ribbon cutting.

[36:14] It'll be exciting to be moving back over there,

[36:16] but it seems like we've been over here forever.

[36:19] So thank you to the staff that has you know worked hard to make this space work

[36:24] It's kind of an unconventional place to be holding council meetings

[36:27] But it's worked well for us over the period of years

[36:30] 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

[36:37] Is an ideal so I know it required a lot of extra work and I just want to say thank you for that and

[36:42] And also wanted to say, Mayor, that it was said that the council is taking the month of July off.

[36:50] I want to say, me personally, I am not taking the month of July off.

[36:54] We vacate the council these meetings during the month of July because it's the first month of the fiscal year.

[37:01] 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.

[37:08] But the city is open for business, the Choya District Office is open for business, and I'm available the entire month of July.

[37:17] Thank you, Mayor.

[37:17] Thank you.

[37:18] Councilmember Turner.

[37:19] Thank you, Mayor.

[37:21] I'd like to echo Councilmember Tomitroff's thanks to our staff for making this room work so well for us for so long.

[37:30] I'd also like to thank our staff and especially Eddie Garcia for having been able to create

[37:38] such great results that we saw last Thursday over at the ribbon cutting for City Hall and

[37:44] to me a surprise that the council chamber was virtually finished and we were able to

[37:48] utilize it except for a few things on the punch list there and hold the ribbon cutting

[37:53] in Murphy Park itself which is almost completely finished.

[37:57] That's a great accomplishment.

[38:00] I think it's a great asset for our community.

[38:02] It's a great statement for what we believe in here in downtown Glendale and in the future

[38:06] of our city being rooted in this part of town.

[38:10] And then, can't say enough, really, about Saturday, it was the 250th celebration in

[38:19] our new amphitheater.

[38:20] I'm sure staff had a hard time knowing what to expect and the way of turnout and bugs

[38:26] that might, you know, technical bugs that might arise, but they seem to be well

[38:31] prepared and we had a nice crowd. The summer band played. We had a cover band as

[38:36] well. We had the drone show in the air that was, to me, every bit as exciting

[38:43] as fireworks without any of the noise. And I think the animals, the dogs,

[38:50] especially in the neighborhood, probably appreciated that if they'd even

[38:53] understood but it was a great drone show too and it just looked to me and then

[38:58] the foam for the kids just looked like to me everybody had a great time and

[39:03] everybody was enjoying themselves and I like to rejoice in knowing that we'll

[39:07] be able to do more and more of that in the coming years. Thank you Mayor.

[39:14] Yes Mayor I have a few comments. First I want to offer my condolences to former

[39:19] council member Joyce Clark. She lost her husband Charlie on June 13th. My prayers are with

[39:26] you Joyce. Mayor, I would also like to respond to a question that was asked during the citizens

[39:32] comment section of our last council meeting on June 9th. I believe the question was,

[39:38] since the mayor and council will be in recess during the month of July, what expenses

[39:43] Do we have that equates to $1,350 and that the Cactus district residents would like a response to that question?

[39:52] Well, here's my response. Just because I am not attending council meetings during the recess, I am, however, still working.

[40:01] and meeting with residents regarding issues in my district and I am still

[40:07] meeting with stakeholders concerning projects that will be that will bring

[40:11] jobs and affordable housing into the Yucca district and I am still attending

[40:17] community meetings and attending community events during the month of

[40:21] July just because the council meetings may be on recess I am not.

[40:31] Further

[40:31] comment regarding the City Hall ribbon cutting along with the other council

[40:37] members it was quite an event I'd like to say thank you to everyone and every one

[40:43] that every city department that was involved in putting the ribbon cutting

[40:47] together the flyover of the two F-16 gents was from Luke Air Force Base was

[40:52] the cherry on the top it was quite a quite an experience everybody really

[40:57] enjoyed it. We had a lot of unexpected visitors to come and take part in that also. I'd like

[41:03] to also thank Hawley Street Architect for the design of City Hall, the Council Chambers

[41:09] and Murphy Park. And I'd also like to thank Oakland Construction for bringing it all,

[41:14] for building it all. The work is beautiful and inspiring. And then of course on Saturday,

[41:20] like Council Member Turner said, we celebrated our nation's 250th birthday. The whole

[41:25] event was spectacular. I had several residents come up to me and tell me how excited they

[41:31] were to see the Murphy Park open again and that they're very excited to see the Glendale

[41:36] Glitters come back to Murphy Park. And I want to say to Director John Kennedy and all the

[41:40] employees of Parks and Recreation and also our amazing Glendale police officers and

[41:45] every city department that was out there Saturday night, thank you for all your hard

[41:50] work you are appreciated and the event was a big success and I want to wish

[41:54] everybody in Glendale all the residents a cool and fun summer and remember stay

[41:59] safe and stay hydrated.

[42:02] Thank you, Weismer. Thank you Mayor. I could just say

[42:06] amen and probably call it good but I just wanted to say that what I really

[42:12] enjoyed about the 250 anniversary celebration we had on Saturday was the

[42:17] excitement to see all the people there that really enjoyed the event, residents

[42:24] that came out, enjoyed the band, enjoyed the drone show, the atmosphere. It was

[42:33] just really great to see downtown Glendale alive again and it all came about

[42:38] because of our staff, you know, Parks and Rec who put that all together and

[42:42] all those who are involved with that. Thank you so much and again have a

[42:47] safe, uh, July. Okay. My comments, uh, is going to one is going to correct Councilmember

[42:54] Guzman. F 35 is not F 16. Yeah, that's that's a few million dollars difference. Big, big

[43:01] deal. Uh, certainly big deal to Luke Air Force Base. Uh, uh, on a personal note, uh,

[43:10] doing

[43:10] this as many years as I have and, and, and all the council here, we, we all have

[43:15] issues with our personal lives and our business life and our families. Mine's

[43:21] mine's good. The day after tomorrow will be my 44th wedding anniversary and I

[43:27] haven't figured out why she stuck with me that long but I praise God every day

[43:31] that she does. She's really been a blessing to allow me to come out and

[43:35] be the mayor of this wonderful city and putting up with with some of the

[43:40] things that we have to put up with on a daily basis. I would I would hope

[43:44] that all of you every day would keep in mind of America's birthday, what it means to our country,

[43:50] the fact that our veterans, many veterans went to war and didn't come home alive to try to protect

[43:57] those freedoms. And I would hope that as much as sometimes politics is really messy, it's uncomfortable,

[44:03] sometimes you don't get what you want, sometimes you do. But the fact that our veterans, our

[44:09] liberties, our freedoms, we can sit here and talk about it. We can do the things that

[44:13] unpleasant sometimes because of our veterans and because of them fighting

[44:17] and sometimes giving their lives for for our freedoms so please don't forget our

[44:21] veterans please think about the people that that served that flag served our

[44:25] country served those freedoms I hope all of you have a very safe summer it's

[44:30] not getting cooler it's getting hotter kind of keep an eye on the animals the

[44:36] pets the kids and just as you're driving down the street watch watch

[44:39] Most people as they're walking, if they don't look right, stop check on them or if you need

[44:43] to call 911.

[44:44] Dehydration is a real thing.

[44:46] It's a real thing and we certainly don't want to be reading about it.

[44:49] We want to take care of those issues early.

[44:52] With that, we're going to open this up to citizens comments.

[44:56] I have three speaker cards.

[44:58] I'm not taking any more after that one.

[45:00] We have Julie. Okay. I'll wait for you to bring that over.

[45:17] Okay. We're going to start off

[45:18] with Alex Neff.

[45:22] You'll come to the podium. You have three minutes. I don't need your

[45:26] address. You live in Glendale. Just state your district that you live in, sir. State

[45:31] your name and you have three minutes. Go ahead. Thank you, Mayor. My name is Alex

[45:34] Neff. I'm a member of the campus district. Sure. Put your microphone up, will we?

[45:39] I apologize, I'm a little nervous up here.

[45:43] You're long, so no.

[45:45] Anyway, first I am glad to see my councilman seated here again.

[45:52] The whole rigmarole with him being booted off kind of almost seemed like a parking space for my motorcycle again.

[46:00] So anyway, I'm happy that Lupi's back up here.

[46:03] I would also like to address the council on their meeting time. As a working

[46:08] person, it's difficult to get here at 5.30 for a council meeting. When I went

[46:14] through Glendale University or whatever it was, you folks met a little bit later

[46:19] in the evening and I think if you would consider that, you might get a little

[46:24] more participation. Anyway, that's all I've got. Thank you for having a great

[46:33] call us good

[46:44] evening I'm Judith Clark cactus district as a resident citizen

[46:50] voter and constituent of the cactus district I reiterate my support of

[46:55] councilmember conscious I hope his recent experience has made him a stronger

[47:00] and more determined public servant and that it doesn't chill his exuberant

[47:06] advocacy for the Cactus District. Some of the behavior I've seen this evening seems quite

[47:14] self-serving on behalf of other council members this evening and it's very disappointing. I'm

[47:21] concerned that you're forgetting your public servants and your disenfranchising voters.

[47:28] I urge council members to work collegially and harmoniously to avoid unnecessary costs

[47:37] to taxpayers when differences need resolution.

[47:42] Knowing that you have many tools at your disposal before taking action that harms residents

[47:48] and disenfranchises voters, it is unfortunate for you to have revealed yourselves as being

[47:57] being uninformed of alternate options and the literal meaning of words. It does give

[48:05] rise to the question of the motivation, dare I say nefarious, behind resolution 26-60.

[48:14] I won't speculate here, but let's just say the facts are widely available. Thank you.

[48:21] thank you James Diabler folks no James hi

[48:32] my name is James Diabler I live in

[48:36] Phoenix Arizona today I'm speaking to you a God in Glen Neal Council member

[48:42] lip-bate chances I am pleased to learn that a Merrill Copper can he just has

[48:50] reading a state Glendale Council member would pay chances to his position on the city council.

[48:59] I just find that the city of Glendale has overstepping with authority in removing him

[49:08] from the Glendale City Council last month. He's doing an excellent job on serving the

[49:16] residents of the cactus district.

[49:20] And thank you for taking some time to consider the matter.

[49:24] Thank you, James.

[49:25] Michael Kias.

[49:36] Mayor, council members and members of the public,

[49:38] thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

[49:39] My name is Michael Kias.

[49:41] I'm from the Barrell District.

[49:42] I've made it a priority to come to city council meetings

[49:45] to listen, to observe, and to better understand

[49:47] the work of the city from the ground level.

[49:50] And what I have seen is clear.

[49:51] here, Glendale has incredible potential. This is a city with strong neighborhoods, hard

[49:57] working families, small businesses, public servants, young people with bright futures

[50:01] and residents who care deeply about where they live, but potential alone is not enough.

[50:06] Potential has to be matched with leadership, discipline, transparency, and a real commitment

[50:11] to the people. Every decision made in this chamber should begin and end with one question.

[50:16] Does this decision serve the people of Glendale?

[50:20] Not special interests, not political agendas, not convenience, the people.

[50:26] Every conversation in this chamber should be about the betterment of Glendale.

[50:30] Conversations about economic development focusing on more than building going up.

[50:35] It must mean good paying jobs, stronger wages, opportunities for small businesses,

[50:40] and a city where working families can afford to live, grow, and succeed.

[50:45] Every zoning decision should be made with economic conditions of residents in

[50:50] mind, not just the financial position of the city. Our young families and our

[50:55] children deserve clean parks, safe neighborhoods, strong communities, and a

[51:00] city government that plans for their future, not just the next meeting

[51:03] agenda item. Transparency in government is not optional. It is the

[51:08] foundation of public trust. Residents should know what is being decided, why

[51:14] it is being decided and how these decisions affect their daily lives.

[51:19] Representation matters, but it only means something when the voices of the people are

[51:23] actually respected and put into action.

[51:26] Decisions must reflect real priorities of all the people of Glendale, not just the

[51:31] handful.

[51:33] For me, that means making sure our police officers and our firefighters have the

[51:37] training, tools and resources they need to serve the public with professionalism

[51:41] and accountability.

[51:42] It means making sure basic city services are done well, trash picked up on time,

[51:48] streets maintained, parks kept clean, and residents treated with respect when they reach out for help.

[51:54] At the end of the day, the city government is not supposed to be distant from the people.

[51:59] It's supposed to be closest to the people.

[52:01] 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.

[52:08] Every vote, every dollar, every project, every policy should reflect the will and needs of the residents who call Glendale home.

[52:18] Thank you.

[52:19] Okay, there being no further business before the council tonight, I'd like to thank everyone for attending. Please have a safe, safe summer.

[52:27] There's no objection from the council. Meetings adjourned.

Jun 23, 2026 City Council Regular

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