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And I'll have Vice Mayor Henry Wade, lead us in the pledge of allegiance. So we'll do a moment of silence since Pastor David Anderson is stuck on 347, pray for him as well. All right, just a moment of silence.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you very

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much.

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Thank you to Vice Mayor Henry Wade.

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Thank you.

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We appreciate that.

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Let's go to the roll call.

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Please councilmember Gettel, councilmember Norm.

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Councilmember Leerman.

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Councilmember Marsh.

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Councilmember Manfredi.

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Vice Mayor Wait.

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Mayor Smith.

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Madam Mayor, we have a form.

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Thank you very much.

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That'll next take us to section on

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Proclamation,

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acknowledgments, awards and presentations.

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And we have two Proclamations and some

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wonderful awards to give away today.

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So, I'll come down and the first will be mental awareness.

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Did you want to join me?

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Okay.

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What are you saying?

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All right.

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I'd like to invite a Brianna Rinehold.

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Is she here?

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She's stuck on 347.

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Oh, that's right.

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Brianna is from Northern Lights Therapy.

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Whereas, mental health awareness month has been observed in May since 1949,

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and provides an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health,

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reduce stigma and educate the public about the importance of mental well-being and whereas mental

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health affects all individuals regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic background

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and one in five Americans experiencing mental health condition each year.

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Yet many do not seek the health they need and whereas mental health conditions including

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anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders can have significant effects on individuals,

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families, and communities. But they can be treated, managed, and prevented through timely intervention

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support and education. And whereas it is essential to recognize that mental health is an

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integral part of overall health and well-being, and that promoting mental wellness contributes to

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driving of individuals and the community as a whole.

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And whereas the City of Maricopa is committed to creating a supportive environment that

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fosters mental well-being, promotes access to mental health services, and ensures that every

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resident has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and healthy life.

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And whereas during mental health awareness month, we recognize the importance of open discussions

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about mental health, offer support to those struggling with mental health issues and encourage

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those in need to seek help and support from professionals, loved ones, and community resources.

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And whereas the City of Maricopa acknowledges the valuable contributions to mental health

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professionals, caregivers, advocates, and organizations who are dedicated to improving mental

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health services and promoting mental well-being across the community.

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Now, therefore, I Nancy Smith, Mayor of the City of Maricopa, do hereby proclaim the month

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of May 2025 as mental health awareness month in the city of Maricopa and encourage all residents

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to learn more about mental health, reduce stigma, and support those affected by mental

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health conditions and contribute to the well-being of our community.

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Thank you.

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All right, this next group is a big group of people.

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First, I'm going to ask councilmember Norr to join me.

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And then call up our fire representatives, police representatives, be awesome representatives, boys and girls club, global water and exceptional community health.

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And Maricopa Seals.

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Yeah, very good.

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Come on up.

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There you go. Whereas, water-related activities are enjoyed by residents of all ages in the city of Maricopa, including swimming, boating, and plain impulse and splash pads. And whereas, water safety education is essential to preventing drownings and water-related injuries, which occur quickly and often silently. And whereas, drowning remains a lead cause of accidental death among young children. And many of these treasures,

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are preventable through increase awareness, supervision, and education.

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Whereas, the City of Maricopa is committed to promoting the health, safety, and

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well-being of its residents by supporting water safety efforts in collaboration with local

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schools, swimming structures, first responders, and community organizations.

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And whereas, National Water Safety Month observed in May, serves as an opportunity to

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I like the importance of learning to swim, designating water

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watchers, wearing life jackets, and following the water safety

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rules in all environments.

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Now, therefore, I Nancy Smith, mayor of the city of

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America, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2025 as

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national water safety month.

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In the city of America, I encourage all residents to

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participate in water safety programs and take steps to

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protect their loved ones around all bodies of water.

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And I'm going to invite Councilmember Norris,

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say a few words.

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Thank you, Mayor, for allowing this important

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proclamation.

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I just want to recognize all of the different groups

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who have come together to start this initial

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Maricopa Water Safety Alliance.

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They have these types of promotional water safety

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groups in Maricopa County.

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And I know they're in other areas.

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And we just realized there really was a need here in Maricopa.

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that had been organized yet, and protecting our kids around water, protecting everyone around

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water is such an important thing we can do to save lives and prevent accidental drownings.

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And so if anybody would like to be involved in this, please feel free to reach out.

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Everyone is welcomed.

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This is going to be something that we're going to do year-round to help promote this cause

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and get the word out.

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So thank you, Mayor.

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Okay.

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Next is our amazing group that went through the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy class.

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And we have some certificates to pass out and I'm looking for the staff member that has those.

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Oh, there you are, Luis.

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Thank you very much.

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Luis, would you like to say thank you?

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Thank you, Mayor.

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I am pleased to be here this evening to say that the 25th session of the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy is now complete.

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And these graduates are joining over 400 others who have completed the Academy prior.

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And this session is quite special for two reasons.

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Number one, it's one of the largest group of graduates we've had, approximately 27 individuals

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have completed the academy.

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As well as for another note, I've worked with a teacher at the Maricopa Unified School District.

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And we've worked together to speak with the Arizona Department of Education and have now gotten

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them to approve the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy as an approved program for Maricopa

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High School students to earn their seal of civics literacy. Now there are

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four different

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seals that high school students can learn showing competency in business language arts or civics

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and the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy is just one of the programs that they can

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take part in, and if you are looking to take part in the America Business and Leadership Academy,

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I invite you to subscribe to our newsletter.

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We host two sessions every year in the fall and in the spring and our next session will be hosted

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approximately in September.

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So please be on the lookout for that.

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So without further ado, I would like to call out the name of graduates.

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I want to call your name, please step up and take your certificate from L.

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And then we invite you to come up over.

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We're here and stand up for a photograph at the very end. And we have since this is a very large group of everyone

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asked to hold your applause until all the names have been called. So please, all right, number one,

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at least Alexander, Elijah Alexander, Lisa Alexander, window boom, Mark Brown, Melinda Clark,

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Erica Fabri, Sherry Hazelman, Jim Hart, Kimi Huangt, Brandy Holman, Taisa Jones,

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Katherine Kisik, Jake Norr, Janae Knox,

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James Liggins, Ken Longman, Leslie McCloskey,

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Sandra McWyer, Andrew Miller,

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Andrew Mossback, Kelly Nelson,

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Jamie Owen, Alana Steward,

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Ryan Tuffoya, Lisha Vila, and Tom Weiss.

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They want to know what the table is correct, and I think after the dance on it, I think

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that will take

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us to the report from the mayor in Council. Council members, would you have something you'd like to share?

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Yes, Council member Marsh.

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Okay, it's been three weeks since the last council meeting, and it's been busy.

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On March, April 16th, I attended an Epinal County Volunteers Appreciation Luncheon in Florence,

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with 200 of my closest friends.

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I'm on a couple of boards for the county thanks to supervisor Ritiel,

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and it was a fun

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after noon on the 17th week.

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I had a luncheon there and for seniors in the community center hosted by Tom Ray. On the 19th, my HOA, I'm on the HOA board. My HOA had a spring fling in the park, and it was well attended. On the 21st, we had a senior advisory committee meeting. Ron Smith presented on dementia-friendly city program. Memory Cafe is going to be on September 25th.

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That's for people and caregivers of people with Alzheimer's and dementia.

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Okay, on May 10th, we're hosting a shred of thorn, it's 8-12 noon in the MUSD parking lot.

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And there's information up on the city website.

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The next senior advisory council meeting is going to be on the 19th of May at 4 p.m. in the cotton

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conference room. So, if you're a senior, if you want to be a senior someday, it's an open

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meeting and you can sit in and it's very interesting.

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On the fifth of May, I attended a

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and I'll partnership a Water Resource Committee meeting.

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We're trying to remove poison pills from a couple of water bills

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that we're supporting, working with Representative Martinez,

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who was here tonight.

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Thank you for coming, and Senator TJ Shope,

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who's one of our close friends.

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And that's about it.

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Thanks, Mayor.

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Thank you, Councillor Miller.

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Marce, Councillor Miller, nor.

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Thank you, Mayor.

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It has been a busy couple of three weeks since our last meeting.

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I was able to attend the Western Way Energy meeting in Casa Grande a couple of weeks ago.

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And that was a group of local elected officials learning about the energy needs that currently exist.

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The energy demands that we're going to see over the next 10 years.

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And then how renewable energy can play into that.

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And we also toured a solar farm in supervisor Vitello was there as well.

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for the tour and the meeting, and it was really interesting because the economists, Jim

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rounds, gave us some information that over the next 10 years, the energy demands that

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are going to be needed are three times our current demand today in 10 years. It's going to

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be triple because of AI and technology and the demand they put on the energy grid. And so

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how we're going to solve that dilemma and what we can do and plan for that. So it was really

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interesting. And then I was at the Maricopa Infite School District Bond Accountability Meeting,

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and that is a group of local citizens who are going to be brought together quarterly to make sure

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that the money that is raised from the bond is going to the projects that the district committed,

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It would go to and so it'll be great to be on that and make sure that those funds are used the way they should be and

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Just the transparency involves in that committee is really great and on that note

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They will be doing a groundbreaking for the new K8 school next week

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So that's really exciting that'll be in Sorrento

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And then

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Sorry my phone mocked up and I have to keep notes

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They are also going to expand career development opportunities at MHS with some of the bond funds.

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So that's really exciting and I'm really looking forward to that project as well.

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On May 3rd, I participated kind of in the Chamber Fairway to Success Golf Pat Pat Event,

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which was amazing, I'm just not a golfer, but it was well organized.

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it was really neat, it's such a creative way to get folks involved in the business community

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and how to the different businesses. So Kudos to the Chamber. I look forward to that happening

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again next year and recruiting more people to participate because it really was a neat concept.

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And next year I'll just recruit some golfers and I'll just watch. I think that's going to be my

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plan. But I highly encourage everyone to do that next year. And the other thing I wanted to talk

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about is coming up this weekend,

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the is called Mac at Mac Farms.

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And it is the Maricopa Arts Council,

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Mac at Mac Farms Art Gallery,

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and they're going to unveil

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the brand new abstract art gallery out there.

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And then they're also gonna have the orchestra

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and chorus together and concert at 3 p.m.

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And then the opening of the new exhibit

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and it should be a fantastic afternoon

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at Mac Farm starting at three for the musical entertainment and then

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So, if you have a mom, that's a great idea. Take her out there for Mother's Day and enjoy the local arts that we have here. And then, finally, I just wanted to remind everyone that it's teacher appreciation week. So give your teachers an extra thank you because they do a lot for our students and they deserve our appreciation. That's all I have.

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Thank you, Councilmember Nor, Councilmember Leerman, would you want to share some experiences from the last city council meeting?

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Yes, May I thank you very much.

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I would like to start out by remembering an honoring local Vietnam veteran, Joe Abodeen.

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He passed away this last week and I wanted to thank him for his service to our country.

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He served as the Grand Marshal in our America prevention parade in 2020.

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I also want to thank all of the teachers in Maricopa that serve our students and our families and they do an amazing job and contribute so much to our community.

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And then I would like to invite the community to participate in Taste of Copa and this is sponsored by the Chamber.

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It's a 200 value card for $25.

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And you get discounts at Tai Chilies, Nando's, water and ice, man, and he's wine bar,

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a royal grill, roots, really bees, veils, pizza, I could go on and on, cold beer and cheese

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burgers, frouts, all kinds, crumble, cook the all kinds of places.

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So, I would highly encourage everyone to try and get your hands on one of those cards

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so you can save up to $200.

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And then lastly, I just wanted to mention that May 5th through the ninth is he Awareness

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week. I just want to remind people that it's that time of year to carry around your water bottles

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where like clothing, wear hats, use umbrellas and put on your sunscreen, never leave your

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children or pets in the car. Check on your family and friends, try and stay indoors with the

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air conditioning, and then Maricopa's cooling center is the Maricopa library. Thank you very much,

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Mayor, you're welcome.

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Vice Mayor, Wade.

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Thank you, Mayor.

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I did have one thing I want to talk about,

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and one thing I want to acknowledge.

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On April 12, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony

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at Hopper Sky Lake for the booths that they had on the pot out.

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And it was really pretty nice to have

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the people come out on Saturday morning.

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It was a beautiful day, lots of kids and families were out.

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And so the booths seem like it's going to be a hit.

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The owner was extremely happy with the turnout and so something fun to go do something for the family

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Go do and then finally with the youth council members please stand up particularly those who attend to the academy

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All of them

235
00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:00,280
Thank you

236
00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:06,120
These are the young men and women who broke the seal on having youth at the academy

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00:23:06,120 --> 00:23:09,960
It came through they attended all of the classes that were required

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This time it was the five classes instead of four and they contributed to the conversation and they were going on to do some great things

239
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So you'd cost them as well. There's a couple more that are out there are hiding

240
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But just want to acknowledge them in front of the community those are your future leaders

241
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Make sure you get a whole of the check their hands and everything now if there's pretty simple progress. He's going to have to best

242
00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:39,940
Thank you, man. Thank you, Vice Mayor. All right, just a couple of things since we know we have a long meeting today

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We have two items on state transportation, state route 347, so I'm not even going to mention an update there until that point.

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However, I want to take this moment just to ask anyone in the audience or even up here who went to the Benson Arizona State Transportation Board meeting.

245
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And here's the important thing, on their own dime for gas, on their own dime for lodging

246
00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:12,840
because it's a trip down there to speak on behalf of the citizens of the city of

247
00:24:12,840 --> 00:24:18,340
Maricopa for state route 347, please stand so that we can acknowledge you.

248
00:24:31,530 --> 00:24:32,110
Thank you.

249
00:24:32,590 --> 00:24:33,590
They're pretty fantastic.

250
00:24:33,890 --> 00:24:40,690
We had six people speak in person and five people speak via virtual meeting, a fantastic

251
00:24:40,690 --> 00:24:42,890
turn out once again for the city of Maricopa.

252
00:24:43,610 --> 00:24:51,050
More about that in the rest of our agenda, I do want to mention Kathy Palsen, many of you

253
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know her.

254
00:24:51,870 --> 00:24:58,770
She passed away her and her husband, Mr. Palsen, Dallas Palsen were very much a big advocate

255
00:24:58,770 --> 00:24:59,970
here in the city of America.

256
00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:10,260
I hope for many different things. Dallas actually served. Sometimes, as city council member, well, his wife passed away and I just would like to take a moment of silence for that, please.

257
00:25:17,090 --> 00:25:33,010
Thank you. And lastly, I will be creating a city council task force to discuss potential for honoring founders. We don't really have the ability to do that in a controlled environment like with parameters like, what does it mean to be a founder?

258
00:25:33,010 --> 00:25:42,710
Establishing those parameters establishing how do we honor those folks and so I've assigned or have asked I haven't assigned you

259
00:25:43,390 --> 00:25:52,990
They said yes. I asked Councilmember Gettel and Councilmember Marship. They would serve with me our first meeting will be here at City Hall on May 14 at 4 p.m.

260
00:25:52,990 --> 00:26:00,870
So I just want to make that announcement. That's what I officially have to do and that's your report from the mayor city manager. Do you have a report nothing tonight? Thank you

261
00:26:00,870 --> 00:26:02,810
Okay, very good at this time

262
00:26:02,810 --> 00:26:09,050
to the call of the public. I have six speaker cards. I believe or for call of the public,

263
00:26:09,470 --> 00:26:14,270
which at this point I want to explain. We have a public hearing as well on the have sent

264
00:26:14,270 --> 00:26:20,890
road tax. I would like to separate those speakers from this call to the public. So if I call

265
00:26:20,890 --> 00:26:26,190
your name and your intention is to speak on have sent sales tax, please let me know and we'll move

266
00:26:26,190 --> 00:26:28,250
to the public hearing.

267
00:26:29,390 --> 00:26:31,250
So my first speaker card is

268
00:26:31,710 --> 00:26:32,530
Priscilla Benke.

269
00:26:34,290 --> 00:26:35,410
Oh, she's.

270
00:26:35,410 --> 00:26:37,430
She wants to make a drink.

271
00:26:41,220 --> 00:26:43,200
Oh, will come forward for your.

272
00:26:44,020 --> 00:26:45,120
She has to.

273
00:27:07,790 --> 00:27:08,950
Does the green light on?

274
00:27:09,150 --> 00:27:09,250
Yes.

275
00:27:10,090 --> 00:27:10,230
Okay.

276
00:27:10,530 --> 00:27:11,090
You're good.

277
00:27:11,350 --> 00:27:11,650
All right.

278
00:27:12,150 --> 00:27:12,730
Thank you.

279
00:27:13,450 --> 00:27:13,690
Mayor.

280
00:27:14,250 --> 00:27:14,530
Esmith.

281
00:27:14,950 --> 00:27:16,090
Vice Mayor Wade.

282
00:27:16,650 --> 00:27:17,450
And city council members.

283
00:27:17,950 --> 00:27:20,870
I'm up here today because I'm going to be putting on for me.

284
00:27:20,870 --> 00:27:25,730
I don't know, for Maricopa, but for me, I'm putting on the first super-starting business fair.

285
00:27:31,120 --> 00:27:33,260
So this is the first time I've done this.

286
00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:39,840
So if there are children ages youth 10 to 17 and they sell, they crochet, they sell,

287
00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:41,320
they get a rate, they do anything.

288
00:27:41,660 --> 00:27:45,080
This is an opportunity for them to get their feet wet, actually, into doing business.

289
00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:48,240
So when they come out, well, I'll be holding it at Pacana Park.

290
00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:51,860
And it took a little bit of time, so this is the best way I could kind of advertise

291
00:27:51,860 --> 00:27:54,600
because special permits tickle while to get.

292
00:27:55,540 --> 00:27:57,760
So after I got it, I just wanted to make sure

293
00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:00,200
that if anybody has used anybody that once

294
00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:03,280
they're child to participate, they have to market,

295
00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:06,400
they have to talk to the patrons, they have to do everything.

296
00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:09,060
So parents can be there and say go,

297
00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:12,320
but they can't talk to them, they can't put all the signs of like,

298
00:28:12,340 --> 00:28:14,440
come and talk to my baby and buy their stuff.

299
00:28:14,780 --> 00:28:16,440
You can't do that.

300
00:28:17,100 --> 00:28:20,320
So if you want to, anybody can participate,

301
00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:22,500
If you're 10 to 17, please come out.

302
00:28:22,620 --> 00:28:23,960
This is like I said, this is the first time

303
00:28:23,960 --> 00:28:26,720
I'm bringing out your canopy use, your tarps, anything

304
00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:29,060
that you want, make sure that you, of course,

305
00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:33,780
nail down your tents or whatever that is.

306
00:28:34,020 --> 00:28:35,780
So they don't blow because sometimes we have wind

307
00:28:35,780 --> 00:28:38,640
and you can use any kind of wagons, stuff to bring it on.

308
00:28:38,740 --> 00:28:41,160
And if you are a vendor, please bring your stuff

309
00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:43,140
onto the asphalt when the parking lot

310
00:28:43,140 --> 00:28:45,700
so that if you want to also be a part of that,

311
00:28:45,740 --> 00:28:47,220
I will encourage you to do that.

312
00:28:47,380 --> 00:28:49,580
And if you want to volunteer, so this is the first time,

313
00:28:49,580 --> 00:28:54,280
it's going to look a little messy. So if you want to help and you want to see if this will continue on,

314
00:28:54,580 --> 00:28:59,520
I would greatly appreciate any help support. Please bring your youth. It will be May 17, 7, 3,

315
00:28:59,560 --> 00:29:05,420
3, to 4, 30. Break down time 4, 30, 7, 3, in the morning. So please come out. It will be 17,

316
00:29:05,580 --> 00:29:08,720
Saturday. So I hope to see you all there. Thank you guys so much. Thank you, Tadinka.

317
00:29:15,700 --> 00:29:21,560
The next speaker card I have is Joshua Aids. Hopefully I said your last name correctly.

318
00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:24,400
Okay, thank you.

319
00:29:28,940 --> 00:29:32,580
Mayor Smith, Council members, City Manager, bitter staff.

320
00:29:32,980 --> 00:29:39,120
As you know, my name is Josh Eads, and I'm the president of the Professional Firefighters of Maricopa, local 4561.

321
00:29:39,740 --> 00:29:45,520
First, I want to take a quick second to extend a sincere appreciation to the Council

322
00:29:46,560 --> 00:29:50,600
from our members for this past year and your support for public safety.

323
00:29:52,020 --> 00:29:58,440
Your investment in fire-based ambulance service and additional personnel will help our response

324
00:29:58,440 --> 00:29:59,600
times in the city.

325
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:11,660
And patient care outcomes. I'm here tonight to speak on agenda item 7.7, memorandum of understanding, contract with our organization in the city.

326
00:30:12,940 --> 00:30:28,980
It represents a collaborative effort between our organization and the city management. I'd like to take a quick second to show our appreciation for city manager bitter and his team for their professionalism and willingness to work with our organization. Thank you.

327
00:30:28,980 --> 00:30:38,140
This contract, while it doesn't fulfill all the goals we set out to achieve, it does

328
00:30:38,140 --> 00:30:41,280
address some of the most depressing issues facing our department today.

329
00:30:42,180 --> 00:30:46,940
This MOU includes competitive wages to strengthen our recruitment and retention efforts,

330
00:30:47,540 --> 00:30:53,340
a critical priority as we compete for qualified talent in a limited workforce, workforce,

331
00:30:53,660 --> 00:30:56,680
while continuing to serve the fastest growing city in the state.

332
00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:01,560
It also provides funding for cancer screenings for our members.

333
00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:10,180
As you may know, cancer and firefighters are 9% more likely to get cancer and 14% more likely

334
00:31:10,180 --> 00:31:11,220
to die from it.

335
00:31:11,540 --> 00:31:16,800
Cancer is now the leading cause of firefighter death nationwide at 72%.

336
00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:18,940
This screening will save lives.

337
00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:26,520
This MOU also includes a pathway to explore post-medical employment benefits, helping ensure

338
00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:31,900
members can access the care they need after decades of service to this community.

339
00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:37,340
Lastly, with the future development coming to the industrial complex, we're proud to support

340
00:31:37,340 --> 00:31:43,340
the build-up of our hazardous materials team. This agreement provides new compensation tools for

341
00:31:43,340 --> 00:31:49,700
our members who step up to meet the specialized need through advanced training and operational readiness.

342
00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:56,500
This is more than a contract. It's a statement that the City of Maricopa cares about the

343
00:31:56,500 --> 00:31:59,960
and the professionals that take care of the citizens.

344
00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:03,280
Thank you for your support, appreciate you.

345
00:32:03,460 --> 00:32:05,940
We look forward to years of collaboration,

346
00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:10,980
and as we continue to grow public safety in this community.

347
00:32:11,640 --> 00:32:11,880
Thank you.

348
00:32:11,940 --> 00:32:12,500
Thank you, Josh.

349
00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:22,700
All right, the next speaker card is Peg Chapados.

350
00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:35,240
Thank you, Mayor, by Mayor Council.

351
00:32:35,800 --> 00:32:39,300
Here tonight is the chair of the Cultural Affairs and Arts Committee

352
00:32:39,300 --> 00:32:42,740
to officially recognize one of our committee members

353
00:32:42,740 --> 00:32:47,200
who's going to be leaving our committee and that's Laura Olivier, I understand that the

354
00:32:47,200 --> 00:32:51,600
nominating council member, Mr. Marsh, is going to replace her, but on behalf of the committee,

355
00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:56,800
I just want to publicly thank her. She's been our secretary, and she has contributed greatly

356
00:32:56,800 --> 00:33:01,420
to the affairs of the committee, so she's going to be sorely missed, and we appreciate her service,

357
00:33:01,900 --> 00:33:07,080
and also because she is the vialist with the Maricopa Music Circle. Again, extend the invitation

358
00:33:07,080 --> 00:33:12,500
to everybody to attend this Saturday's Mother's Day concert out at the Ag Center. You know,

359
00:33:12,500 --> 00:33:18,040
have a concert, reception, and art all in one afternoon, so it will be a full cultural arts

360
00:33:18,040 --> 00:33:18,920
awareness day.

361
00:33:19,380 --> 00:33:20,200
Thank you.

362
00:33:20,500 --> 00:33:21,100
Thank you.

363
00:33:27,140 --> 00:33:29,900
My next speaker card is Brad Follett.

364
00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:42,300
Good evening.

365
00:33:42,600 --> 00:33:43,100
Thank you, Mayor.

366
00:33:43,340 --> 00:33:45,140
Council members have appreciated this evening.

367
00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:49,140
I want to speak tonight about something a little bit different than what you use to involve

368
00:33:49,140 --> 00:33:50,680
in global water resources.

369
00:33:51,600 --> 00:33:57,400
Over the years has been continuing to be able to identify different things in their water billing.

370
00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:01,220
Tonight, I want to speak about something different, and that's their wastewater billing.

371
00:34:02,500 --> 00:34:06,860
No doubt that water and wastewater in our environment are very important.

372
00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:08,400
They're not political issues.

373
00:34:08,860 --> 00:34:10,360
They're actually human rights issues.

374
00:34:11,340 --> 00:34:15,320
So tonight, we're looking at the base billing for residential water.

375
00:34:15,700 --> 00:34:17,060
For residents, it's $70.

376
00:34:17,620 --> 00:34:18,660
And two cents per month.

377
00:34:19,460 --> 00:34:23,040
This is not comparative to other areas like Phoenix and Chandler.

378
00:34:23,040 --> 00:34:30,060
actually it's a $30 or a charge that has to be reviewed. This would represent additional

379
00:34:30,060 --> 00:34:38,240
$366 a year per household and for 27,000 residents reaching almost $10 million a year

380
00:34:38,240 --> 00:34:46,140
this is not food apartments. Some of the things that are involved in this are what is called a water

381
00:34:46,140 --> 00:34:52,660
profile that comes in for a portable water, a pot of water, and also the water profile for

382
00:34:52,660 --> 00:34:53,180
wastewater.

383
00:34:53,840 --> 00:34:54,740
They're totally different.

384
00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:59,140
So we have to identify what's actually in our wastewater to be built.

385
00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:07,960
All those items are cyanide, hexavalent, chrome, oil, grease, increase solids, and suspended solids.

386
00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:17,000
It disrupted five day BOD, VOCs, TOCs, as a residential users, we are forced to pay the additional amount.

387
00:35:17,660 --> 00:35:24,760
On that wastewater there's not arms. Plus being taxed on it, it's not equal, fair, or just.

388
00:35:25,720 --> 00:35:30,240
Now, the city has a memorandum of understanding with global water that was initiated in January

389
00:35:30,240 --> 00:35:34,000
first of 2006 and was updated, and I believe it was in 2020.

390
00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:41,080
There's two aspects of that that they are required to obey, and that's section 9.8 compliance

391
00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:45,800
with the laws, and 9.13 has their substances.

392
00:35:47,540 --> 00:35:52,420
At issue here, the city of America hope it does not have any specific detailed code,

393
00:35:52,420 --> 00:35:57,980
city codes about the environment, and does now necessary and a pair to the such code be developed

394
00:35:57,980 --> 00:36:03,400
and implemented of which commercial industrial users are required to follow and global

395
00:36:03,400 --> 00:36:08,700
waters to trace point source polluters and put in place pre-treatment pursuant to Arizona

396
00:36:08,700 --> 00:36:21,740
Revised Statutes, 49201331, the Clean Water Act is 1972 and 33 US code 1251-1376. In closing,

397
00:36:21,740 --> 00:36:24,000
I would just like to add this to the agenda.

398
00:36:24,720 --> 00:36:26,920
It's a real important issue for all the residents of Maricopa.

399
00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:31,660
The $30 a month has a lot, but it has to be a just and be corrected.

400
00:36:32,840 --> 00:36:33,300
Thank you.

401
00:36:33,420 --> 00:36:34,060
Thank you.

402
00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:46,860
And the last speaker card I have is Kim Daniels, but it does say sales check.

403
00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:51,180
So if it's okay with you, I'm going to move that to the agenda item.

404
00:36:52,180 --> 00:36:56,300
Is there anyone else in the public that would like to approach the podium

405
00:36:56,300 --> 00:37:00,200
on a item that's not on the agenda.

406
00:37:01,540 --> 00:37:02,900
We always offer this opportunity.

407
00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:05,560
Very good.

408
00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:08,440
Then at that, I will close the call to the public.

409
00:37:10,060 --> 00:37:12,340
That'll take us to consent agenda items.

410
00:37:12,460 --> 00:37:14,550
7.1 through 7.7.

411
00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:18,440
I have no speaker cards on the consent agenda.

412
00:37:19,280 --> 00:37:22,240
And so, Council, I ask do you have any questions?

413
00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:24,260
Are you wanting to pull any items?

414
00:37:26,660 --> 00:37:29,340
Seeing none, do I have a motion?

415
00:37:30,600 --> 00:37:31,740
Motion to approve.

416
00:37:32,040 --> 00:37:34,740
Motion to approve and seconded by Vice Mayor.

417
00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:37,140
Motion was made by Councilmember Norr.

418
00:37:37,220 --> 00:37:38,200
Any additional comments?

419
00:37:39,580 --> 00:37:41,760
Very good. All in favor say aye.

420
00:37:42,840 --> 00:37:43,680
Any opposed?

421
00:37:44,940 --> 00:37:45,960
That motion carries.

422
00:37:46,860 --> 00:37:47,400
Thank you.

423
00:37:47,580 --> 00:37:51,600
That will take us to the regular agenda item and public hearings.

424
00:37:51,980 --> 00:37:53,560
First item is 8.1.

425
00:37:53,560 --> 00:38:06,280
This item is for a couple of council members to be able to make appointments to the board's committees and commissions and we will start with council member Lairman who is on the phone.

426
00:38:07,300 --> 00:38:07,720
Thank you, Mayor.

427
00:38:07,760 --> 00:38:09,540
I'm excited for this this evening.

428
00:38:10,220 --> 00:38:15,900
I am going to be reappointing two people and then appointing two new people.

429
00:38:15,900 --> 00:38:20,520
So the first person I'm going to re-appoint is Mr. Robert Brahms.

430
00:38:20,780 --> 00:38:23,980
I believe he's there this evening, if he could stand.

431
00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:28,380
He's standing, yes he is.

432
00:38:29,180 --> 00:38:32,780
Robert, I want to thank you for serving on the planning and zoning committee.

433
00:38:32,980 --> 00:38:36,760
I want to thank you for your knowledge, your professionalism and your reliability.

434
00:38:37,600 --> 00:38:44,880
Robert is just a steadfast guy who knows this topic really well and he's done a great job on this committee.

435
00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:53,100
Then I'll also want to thank them for being willing to be re-appointed because this is a big commitment with time and effort and energy.

436
00:38:53,520 --> 00:38:58,980
So thank you so much Mr. Runs for serving in this way and for being willing to continue to serve.

437
00:38:59,240 --> 00:39:01,200
If you guys could just come around to the five.

438
00:39:09,460 --> 00:39:16,300
First of all, I'd like to re-appoint is Ms. Janine Editt, Editt, Editt. I'm so sorry.

439
00:39:16,580 --> 00:39:18,280
I can't say your last name, Editt.

440
00:39:19,420 --> 00:39:23,480
Janine serves on the PRL committee, Parks and Rec Committee.

441
00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:25,340
Is she there this evening as well?

442
00:39:25,720 --> 00:39:26,020
Yes.

443
00:39:27,340 --> 00:39:27,520
Yes.

444
00:39:27,640 --> 00:39:28,020
Wonderful.

445
00:39:29,260 --> 00:39:33,560
Janine, I want to thank you for the enthusiasm that you bring to this committee and your

446
00:39:33,560 --> 00:39:35,240
dedication to this topic.

447
00:39:36,060 --> 00:39:45,820
She's fine to listen to about the topics that come up with the URL and I want to thank her for her service and for her willingness to continue to serve in this way.

448
00:39:55,640 --> 00:39:55,840
Thank you.

449
00:39:55,840 --> 00:39:56,700
Thank you.

450
00:39:56,700 --> 00:39:57,440
Go keep going.

451
00:39:57,460 --> 00:39:59,980
I have two ladies that I was...

452
00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:08,860
I'd like to appoint for the first time, both of these women put in their application for city council, when

453
00:40:08,860 --> 00:40:15,580
council member Gettel was appointed. And so I want to just thank them for their willingness to serve our community.

454
00:40:16,440 --> 00:40:24,260
The first person is Ms. Pristol O'John. I've asked Pristol to serve on the cultural arts and affairs committee.

455
00:40:24,260 --> 00:40:29,540
She actually started in December and so she's been serving for a while.

456
00:40:30,300 --> 00:40:37,600
Crystal has a natural creative spirit and passion for the topic of cultural and arts.

457
00:40:38,580 --> 00:40:42,140
And so I want to thank her for her willingness to serve in this way.

458
00:40:49,880 --> 00:40:52,640
And then the last person is Miss Sharon Walker.

459
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:56,100
I believe Sharon is there as well.

460
00:40:56,460 --> 00:40:58,040
Yes, she is.

461
00:40:59,720 --> 00:41:03,800
She is going to be serving on the Senior Advisory Committee.

462
00:41:04,500 --> 00:41:09,120
She also put in her application first that you can't so and just has a big heart to serve

463
00:41:09,120 --> 00:41:09,840
our community.

464
00:41:11,040 --> 00:41:16,120
I want to thank her for being willing to serve on this particular committee and bringing

465
00:41:16,120 --> 00:41:21,000
her life wisdom and servant attitude to this committee.

466
00:41:21,160 --> 00:41:22,740
So thank you so much for sharing.

467
00:41:29,220 --> 00:41:33,940
Council Member Lairman, I had a couple things going on at the same time. Who was your

468
00:41:33,940 --> 00:41:35,160
parks in REC nominee?

469
00:41:37,040 --> 00:41:40,240
I'm gets a reappointment. I'm just Jimmy Edda.

470
00:41:40,720 --> 00:41:41,580
Okay, thank you.

471
00:41:41,760 --> 00:41:42,140
I'm editing.

472
00:41:43,900 --> 00:41:44,180
Okay.

473
00:41:48,700 --> 00:41:51,420
All right. Very good. That'll take us to Council Member Mars.

474
00:41:53,340 --> 00:41:58,900
Yes, I also have two reappointments and two new appointments on the reappointment side.

475
00:41:58,900 --> 00:42:01,660
for the Senior Advisory Committee.

476
00:42:01,940 --> 00:42:03,880
I'm re-appointing Tom Raine.

477
00:42:04,680 --> 00:42:05,420
Tom, would you stand?

478
00:42:12,680 --> 00:42:14,540
Tom is the cornerstone of that committee.

479
00:42:14,960 --> 00:42:16,660
He's the heart and soul of it.

480
00:42:16,660 --> 00:42:19,360
He also hosts the senior lunch and learns

481
00:42:19,360 --> 00:42:20,500
at the Community Center.

482
00:42:20,980 --> 00:42:22,460
Thank you for your service, Tom.

483
00:42:28,340 --> 00:42:29,940
And for the Planning and Zoning Commission,

484
00:42:30,040 --> 00:42:31,580
I'm re-appointing Ted Yokem.

485
00:42:32,320 --> 00:42:34,420
Ted comes out of the insurance industry

486
00:42:34,420 --> 00:42:36,080
and his attention to detail

487
00:42:36,080 --> 00:42:38,860
is understanding of planning and zoning,

488
00:42:41,900 --> 00:42:44,440
and the subdivision ordinance is outstanding.

489
00:42:45,240 --> 00:42:51,840
He participated in the rewrite of those two volumes of code, and that was several hundred

490
00:42:51,840 --> 00:42:54,680
pages of work over 24 months.

491
00:42:55,700 --> 00:43:01,600
He's a star on the commission, and I want to thank him for staying on it for another

492
00:43:01,600 --> 00:43:02,220
four years.

493
00:43:09,750 --> 00:43:14,070
Our new be on Parks and Rec is James Leggins, James, are you here?

494
00:43:16,390 --> 00:43:17,130
Thank you, James.

495
00:43:17,430 --> 00:43:18,650
Thank you, thank you.

496
00:43:22,190 --> 00:43:25,830
When I read his application, I saw he was going to be really good at this.

497
00:43:26,150 --> 00:43:27,550
Have a good time with it.

498
00:43:27,770 --> 00:43:29,350
Have some fun, do some great things.

499
00:43:29,670 --> 00:43:30,050
Thank you, James.

500
00:43:36,140 --> 00:43:39,820
And for the Cultural Affairs and Arts Committee, I'm appointing Edith Castro.

501
00:43:40,520 --> 00:43:43,940
She's a well-known artist and contributor to the community.

502
00:43:44,720 --> 00:43:45,860
Edith, thank you for serving.

503
00:43:51,620 --> 00:43:57,280
There you go. Very good. Thank you. Council, do you have any questions or comments on any of these appointments?

504
00:43:58,540 --> 00:44:01,640
Mayor, I'd like to move to approve all eight.

505
00:44:01,860 --> 00:44:05,860
Very good. I have a motion to approve all eight nominations. Do I have a second?

506
00:44:06,080 --> 00:44:07,240
I'd like to second.

507
00:44:08,180 --> 00:44:09,980
Seconded by Councilmember.

508
00:44:11,460 --> 00:44:12,540
Get up.

509
00:44:12,540 --> 00:44:13,840
I have wait, Doctor.

510
00:44:14,260 --> 00:44:14,980
Get up.

511
00:44:23,340 --> 00:44:27,400
I believe that Vice Mayor has an appointment to make.

512
00:44:28,480 --> 00:44:29,540
That's perfectly fine.

513
00:44:30,080 --> 00:44:30,520
Please do.

514
00:44:31,060 --> 00:44:32,220
I have to change your motion.

515
00:44:35,600 --> 00:44:41,280
I'm so surprised that this individual has not been on one of the boards of commission

516
00:44:41,280 --> 00:44:48,160
before, because she is a complete advocate for her, the community, particularly as it relates

517
00:44:48,160 --> 00:44:55,040
to the young people, teens, and that's Priscilla Binky of No. 9 of her for the Parks

518
00:44:55,040 --> 00:44:58,380
recreation and parks recreation and committee.

519
00:44:58,380 --> 00:44:59,400
Thank you.

520
00:45:05,010 --> 00:45:12,110
Okay, I need you to adjust your motion. I would like to amend my motion to approve all nine. Very good. Very good.

521
00:45:12,190 --> 00:45:16,050
And I'd like to second that amended motion. Very good. Thank you, Council Member Gettle.

522
00:45:18,470 --> 00:45:33,430
There's a lot going on here tonight, folks. Okay. So, the motion is to approve all nine for Council Member Lairman, Robert Bremes from PNZ, Crystal Ojo and for CAC, Sharon Walker for Senior Advisory Committee and Ginne,

523
00:45:33,430 --> 00:45:35,970
Eric Edick for Parks and Rec.

524
00:45:36,490 --> 00:45:39,890
For Council Member March, it is Senior Advisory Committee

525
00:45:39,890 --> 00:45:43,870
Tom Raine, PNC Ted Yokem, Parks and Rec, James Legan,

526
00:45:44,150 --> 00:45:48,550
C-A-A-A-C, Edith Castro, and for Vice Mayor Wade,

527
00:45:48,930 --> 00:45:51,530
it is for Parks and Rec, Priscilla Benke.

528
00:45:52,350 --> 00:45:53,250
Any additional comments?

529
00:45:54,430 --> 00:45:55,990
All in favor, say aye.

530
00:45:56,110 --> 00:45:56,510
All right.

531
00:45:56,890 --> 00:45:57,630
Any opposed?

532
00:45:59,090 --> 00:45:59,890
That motion carries.

533
00:46:00,690 --> 00:46:01,650
Congratulations to all of you.

534
00:46:01,650 --> 00:46:02,450
All

535
00:46:08,720 --> 00:46:14,820
right, that'll take us to the next item, which is A.2, and we have a presentation from Jennifer.

536
00:46:21,470 --> 00:46:23,190
Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

537
00:46:23,650 --> 00:46:27,530
Tonight, I am going to bring to you our updated strategic priorities.

538
00:46:28,490 --> 00:46:34,910
So our strategic priorities are essentially what drive staff work, what drives our budgetary decisions,

539
00:46:35,210 --> 00:46:39,010
and are put together to provide a lot of transparency to our residents.

540
00:46:39,010 --> 00:46:45,190
So, we first started this list in February of 2023 at our futures planning.

541
00:46:45,670 --> 00:46:51,950
This past February we brought them back again and staff recommends some updates, Council

542
00:46:51,950 --> 00:46:53,470
provided a lot of input.

543
00:46:53,870 --> 00:46:59,710
We merged all of that together and have what we have before you tonight on the idea now is

544
00:46:59,710 --> 00:47:07,430
to bring this before you for discussion and action so that these are approved by you and that

545
00:47:07,430 --> 00:47:12,570
residents are able to easily see them and easily know what priorities were working on.

546
00:47:12,970 --> 00:47:17,450
A couple of things in your packet, there is information that was a red line, so you're

547
00:47:17,450 --> 00:47:20,790
able to see the changes that were made to those pretty easily.

548
00:47:21,390 --> 00:47:26,850
These are numbered, the numbers are not to say priority, they're really for us, for tracking

549
00:47:26,850 --> 00:47:33,190
purposes, because we tie them back into the budget, and these can be changed at any time.

550
00:47:33,190 --> 00:47:39,370
So, if next week we decided there's another one to add to the list, we can always come back and do that.

551
00:47:39,410 --> 00:47:44,810
There's no timing on this, but our intention is to definitely always bring them back at future planning.

552
00:47:45,310 --> 00:47:52,170
So, I'm going to go through, I know we have a lot to get to tonight, so I'm not going to read word for word, but I'm going to go high level.

553
00:47:52,410 --> 00:47:57,630
If there's any that you want me to dig into a little more, I am more than happy to do that.

554
00:47:57,630 --> 00:48:08,670
So we'll go with first is transportation, and so this is really looking at how we can be connected within the city and how the city can be connected to the region.

555
00:48:09,510 --> 00:48:15,970
And so all of these are set up with focuses and the actions under each one, and so the actions under the transportation focus.

556
00:48:16,030 --> 00:48:26,190
The first one is looking at how we can get support from our county state federal partners to improve state route 347 and our other regional connections.

557
00:48:26,190 --> 00:48:32,930
Action 1.2 is to consider the half-cent local sales tax, which we'll talk about later this evening.

558
00:48:33,530 --> 00:48:41,330
And Action 1.3 is to do all we can to improve roadways sooner without increasing any property taxes.

559
00:48:42,270 --> 00:48:45,970
Questions and feel free to stop me if you have questions or comments on any of these.

560
00:48:46,250 --> 00:48:53,210
Focus 2 is job creation and business development, so this is focusing on bringing high quality jobs to the city of Maricopa.

561
00:48:53,210 --> 00:48:59,130
Action 2.1 is really focusing on our pursuit of developing the Maricopa Business Park.

562
00:48:59,250 --> 00:49:01,710
That work has been wandered away for years and will continue.

563
00:49:02,330 --> 00:49:03,110
Here's another future.

564
00:49:03,730 --> 00:49:10,750
Action 2.2 is looking at how we can make sure that we have an educated workforce to be able to fulfill those jobs.

565
00:49:11,030 --> 00:49:19,250
And so how we can partner with our local educational institutions as well as small businesses to make sure that we're supplying the right folks for the jobs.

566
00:49:20,560 --> 00:49:26,900
focus three is focusing on housing and so that's really looking at how we can have high

567
00:49:26,900 --> 00:49:33,280
energy neighborhoods that have a wide array of housing options within them. So

568
00:49:33,280 --> 00:49:39,520
action 3.1 really focuses on how to have diverse housing options throughout the

569
00:49:39,520 --> 00:49:45,480
city. Action 3.2 is looking at how we can continue to support local control in

570
00:49:45,480 --> 00:49:51,880
zoning decisions to ensure that our residents have a voice in how our zoning happens.

571
00:49:52,800 --> 00:49:59,900
Action 3.3 is really focusing on those village center cores that include retail.

572
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:07,900
All restaurants, all of that in different areas of the city, and we're looking at how we can bring that into our general plan update that is coming up here soon.

573
00:50:09,300 --> 00:50:16,240
Focus for is quality of life. I'm really looking at how we can maintain that high quality of life that we all enjoy here in the city of Maricopa.

574
00:50:16,640 --> 00:50:24,180
And action 4.1 under that is the creation of our iconic park, which will just go to the east here of city hall.

575
00:50:24,180 --> 00:50:27,780
that's already working on design on that.

576
00:50:27,960 --> 00:50:30,200
Action 4.2 is how we can enhance

577
00:50:30,200 --> 00:50:34,220
what's happening at Copper Sky with more outdoor activities

578
00:50:34,840 --> 00:50:36,580
and culinary experiences.

579
00:50:36,580 --> 00:50:38,740
I think the pedal boats is a great example of one

580
00:50:38,740 --> 00:50:40,280
that's fallen into that.

581
00:50:40,660 --> 00:50:43,800
Action 4.3 is walkability and bike ability.

582
00:50:44,160 --> 00:50:46,580
You'll have proved a trail master plan.

583
00:50:46,720 --> 00:50:49,120
And now we're really looking at the details of that

584
00:50:49,120 --> 00:50:51,080
and how what portions we're going to complete

585
00:50:51,080 --> 00:50:53,100
what portions developers make complete

586
00:50:53,100 --> 00:51:00,780
how that's all going to come together. Action 4.4 is how we can champion local art initiatives

587
00:51:00,780 --> 00:51:06,640
and celebrate the arts here with public art projects and various experiences and finally

588
00:51:06,640 --> 00:51:11,820
action 4.5 is when we've talked about a lot here and how we can seek partnerships to enhance

589
00:51:11,820 --> 00:51:14,120
the opportunities that we have within the city.

590
00:51:16,540 --> 00:51:18,860
Focus 5 is about becoming a destination city

591
00:51:18,860 --> 00:51:23,920
and how we can invite and encourage visitors to come to our city and the action under this one

592
00:51:23,920 --> 00:51:26,920
really focuses on sports and event tourism,

593
00:51:27,060 --> 00:51:28,100
some things we're already doing,

594
00:51:28,220 --> 00:51:29,980
and some things that'll happen into the future

595
00:51:30,400 --> 00:51:34,140
to bring folks here to enjoy the city of Maricopa.

596
00:51:35,200 --> 00:51:38,100
And then our last focus is public safety

597
00:51:38,100 --> 00:51:40,660
and how we can continue on

598
00:51:40,660 --> 00:51:42,980
as one of the safest cities in the state of Arizona.

599
00:51:43,760 --> 00:51:47,960
And the first underaction 6.1 is using data

600
00:51:47,960 --> 00:51:49,880
to inform our decisions

601
00:51:49,880 --> 00:51:52,260
and how we make sure that we have appropriate response

602
00:51:52,260 --> 00:51:55,740
and resources for various things.

603
00:51:56,100 --> 00:52:00,220
Action 6.2 is prioritizing community policing

604
00:52:00,220 --> 00:52:04,200
to engage our residents in the safety aspects of things.

605
00:52:04,740 --> 00:52:09,720
And Action 6.3 is constructing our fifth fire station.

606
00:52:10,480 --> 00:52:14,520
Action 6.4 is establishing a hazardous materials.

607
00:52:15,120 --> 00:52:16,320
Special Operations Program.

608
00:52:16,360 --> 00:52:19,400
You heard a fire department talk a little bit about that earlier.

609
00:52:19,400 --> 00:52:28,580
And action 6.5 is, again, that launch of the in-house ambulance service and how we're preparing for that and getting ready to establish that.

610
00:52:29,120 --> 00:52:32,440
So, that goes through those those priorities if you have any questions.

611
00:52:33,060 --> 00:52:34,100
I'm sure to answer them.

612
00:52:34,280 --> 00:52:35,440
Yes, council, any questions?

613
00:52:35,880 --> 00:52:36,340
Yes, council.

614
00:52:36,540 --> 00:52:38,340
Yeah, no question just a comment.

615
00:52:38,500 --> 00:52:39,120
If I may may.

616
00:52:40,400 --> 00:52:45,160
Just thank you, Jennifer, to you and your team for being able to put in, especially that sixth focus.

617
00:52:45,160 --> 00:52:49,800
and re-emphasizing the importance of our public safety and the direction that we really want to

618
00:52:49,800 --> 00:52:50,980
head here is the city.

619
00:52:51,460 --> 00:52:55,300
I think with our MOUs, this coming online in our budget that we'll be talking about later

620
00:52:55,300 --> 00:53:00,960
this evening, all really underlines and emphasizes our need to continue to support our men and

621
00:53:00,960 --> 00:53:06,360
women that are our first responders and how much we value the safety in our city.

622
00:53:06,660 --> 00:53:07,680
So thank you for that work.

623
00:53:08,780 --> 00:53:09,160
Thank you.

624
00:53:09,320 --> 00:53:09,820
Other comments?

625
00:53:10,200 --> 00:53:15,180
Council members? Thank you, Jennifer. Seeing none, do I have a motion?

626
00:53:16,200 --> 00:53:20,340
So moved to approve? So moved by Council member Ghetto, seconded by Council member

627
00:53:20,340 --> 00:53:25,620
Marsh, any additional comments? Seeing none, all in favor say aye?

628
00:53:26,740 --> 00:53:34,640
Aye. And you post that motion carries. All right, that takes us to item 8.3, and we

629
00:53:34,640 --> 00:53:39,860
We are going to start with a presentation on the half-cent sales tax by city manager Ben

630
00:53:39,860 --> 00:53:40,400
Bitter.

631
00:53:44,170 --> 00:53:44,710
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

632
00:53:45,010 --> 00:53:45,650
Members of the council.

633
00:53:46,470 --> 00:53:51,730
Obviously this has been a long time coming and something we've discussed for many years,

634
00:53:53,010 --> 00:53:59,450
and so I want to certainly give it the time to provide some education and some information

635
00:53:59,450 --> 00:54:04,710
background as to how we got to this point and what the purpose of all of this is.

636
00:54:04,710 --> 00:54:09,750
The real goal of what we're discussing tonight is improving our commuting corridors.

637
00:54:10,670 --> 00:54:18,630
How do we enhance our travel between Maricopa and our surrounding region and really our

638
00:54:18,630 --> 00:54:19,550
employment centers?

639
00:54:20,170 --> 00:54:25,170
Ultimately, the less time that we spend in traffic is more time spent with our families,

640
00:54:25,750 --> 00:54:30,250
more dollars spent at our small businesses, and an improvement of the health safety and

641
00:54:30,250 --> 00:54:31,710
general welfare of our residents.

642
00:54:32,750 --> 00:54:44,510
But before moving on to the next slide, I just want to point this out because this is the best slide that shows the visual with 347 widening on the early stages of design where 8 out currently stands.

643
00:54:45,050 --> 00:54:55,670
I wanted to point out that the existing right away is not changing, so all of the widening is occurring within the existing easement, which is towards the center of the roadway.

644
00:54:55,670 --> 00:54:59,130
So the additional lane would be, we paved towards the middle,

645
00:54:59,410 --> 00:54:59,970
there'd still be a sh-

646
00:55:02,720 --> 00:55:12,280
So, the existing easement is in place and things are ready to move forward. So, this was the easiest slide to show that on and so I thought I'd mention that now.

647
00:55:13,300 --> 00:55:24,700
But really, the basis for the discussion tonight is really framed in a lack of funding for the long-range transportation plan for the Arizona Department of Transportation.

648
00:55:24,700 --> 00:55:31,800
If you see on this slide, overall the needs over the next 20 years or so is about $231 billion

649
00:55:31,800 --> 00:55:36,580
of which the state has about $69 billion of available funding.

650
00:55:37,460 --> 00:55:40,300
That $162 billion gap will only grow.

651
00:55:41,120 --> 00:55:46,580
As we look into the future and as costs for construction continue to rise, as needs arise

652
00:55:46,580 --> 00:55:48,080
even in just been out county.

653
00:55:48,980 --> 00:55:51,280
That gap widens in widens year by year.

654
00:55:51,280 --> 00:55:58,680
When we talk about State Route 347 and the widening, there are really a handful or five projects

655
00:55:59,280 --> 00:56:02,260
that are being discussed as part of this effort.

656
00:56:02,880 --> 00:56:05,080
That's the Queen Creek and I-10 interchange.

657
00:56:05,640 --> 00:56:07,200
That's the rigs road overpass.

658
00:56:07,440 --> 00:56:09,020
That's widening in Maricopa County.

659
00:56:09,420 --> 00:56:13,600
That's the intersections that cost the Blanca and Mammoth Way or at the cement plant.

660
00:56:14,060 --> 00:56:15,960
And it's also the widening in Penal County.

661
00:56:15,960 --> 00:56:28,900
Each of those projects is in various stages, but the funding for the Maricopa County segment is already in place because that is proposition 479 passed by Maricopa County voters.

662
00:56:29,540 --> 00:56:42,140
The proposition for Penal County is not in place. There is no funding currently assigned to that, and there is no timeline for the widening of Penal County at current.

663
00:56:42,640 --> 00:56:53,140
And so, what we looked at is, over the course of the past few years, really since we started discussing this at futures planning two or three years ago, what's how do we move this forward?

664
00:56:53,260 --> 00:57:02,080
How do we get that time back? How do we get that money back into our small businesses and how do we improve the health safety and welfare of our residents?

665
00:57:02,080 --> 00:57:08,120
And as we looked into the state transportation board policies, we noticed that their policies,

666
00:57:08,140 --> 00:57:13,340
multiple policies mentioned that the projects could be reprioritized and given additional

667
00:57:13,340 --> 00:57:17,440
priority, if there was local contributions for the projects.

668
00:57:17,720 --> 00:57:24,900
And so as we looked on our recent scoring and prioritization from the ADOT process, we found

669
00:57:24,900 --> 00:57:28,420
that we were ninth on the list, and that's not good enough to get funded.

670
00:57:28,420 --> 00:57:45,060
It's too far down on the list and we weren't going to get funded and so really our plan became how do we work with our partners at eight out at the State Transportation Board to ensure that this project that is so vital to our community can move forward on the list and that meant local contributions.

671
00:57:48,930 --> 00:57:56,870
Now some of the questions that we've often heard are hey we've done this before and and other things have not yielded the widening so why would this?

672
00:57:56,870 --> 00:58:04,490
And I think it's important to note that the discussion that we have on the half-cent local sales tax is an entirely new solution.

673
00:58:05,490 --> 00:58:12,570
The half-cent propositions that have gone before voters in Penal County and the past have had various levels of success.

674
00:58:13,090 --> 00:58:16,810
Proposition 417 and 2017 was passed by voters.

675
00:58:16,810 --> 00:58:25,750
was passed by Maricopa voters at a rate of 58 percent. Ultimately, it was adjudicated to be

676
00:58:25,750 --> 00:58:31,170
in congruent with state law and it was overturned by a vote of 4 to 3 of the Arizona

677
00:58:31,170 --> 00:58:36,250
Supreme Court. That same Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the dollars that had been collected

678
00:58:36,250 --> 00:58:42,330
at that point about four or five years into the collection of Proposition 417 would be paused

679
00:58:42,330 --> 00:58:44,850
and allowed for refunds to the taxpayer.

680
00:58:45,510 --> 00:58:50,190
And as Arizona defines taxpayer as the business that pays the tax,

681
00:58:50,530 --> 00:58:55,250
not the resident or individual that goes into a business and pays the fee,

682
00:58:55,870 --> 00:59:01,170
those taxes were refunded or are being refunded to the businesses that paid to the tax.

683
00:59:01,670 --> 00:59:07,490
So we did not see any improvements to state route 347 or any other

684
00:59:07,490 --> 00:59:10,010
transportation network within Penal County.

685
00:59:10,010 --> 00:59:20,850
The interesting thing for Proposition 417 was that that time, State Route 347, in the plan, was to get 28.8 million dollars towards the widening.

686
00:59:21,130 --> 00:59:21,890
That's an important number.

687
00:59:22,130 --> 00:59:31,590
We'll come and talk about the next Propositions as well. Proposition 469 was just recently voted on, but voted down by Penalty voters.

688
00:59:31,590 --> 00:59:40,070
Maricopa voters actually increased the support from 58% in Proposition 417 to 63% in Proposition 469.

689
00:59:41,090 --> 00:59:47,090
Now, on this one, the interesting thing is that the amount scheduled to go to State Route 347 was only $12 million.

690
00:59:48,110 --> 00:59:50,970
And so it was actually less than was with Proposition 417.

691
00:59:51,790 --> 00:59:59,690
But this was something that we knew as voters within Penal County and with certainly within the city of Maricopa, that this was a priority for us even then.

692
00:59:59,690 --> 00:59:59,970
and

693
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:07,840
And so, Maricopa voters supported that at a rate of 63%. Recently, this last election cycle, Proposition

694
01:00:07,840 --> 01:00:13,800
486, was before voters in Penal County. This is the maintenance tax, and it was approved by

695
01:00:13,800 --> 01:00:20,440
Maricopa residents at a rate of 74%. The maintenance tax is not typically used for expansion.

696
01:00:20,920 --> 01:00:27,980
It is maintained the roads within our communities. And so, we get a contribution every month and every

697
01:00:27,980 --> 01:00:33,980
and use that to ensure that there are fewer potholes and that roads are smoother, that we have cleaner

698
01:00:33,980 --> 01:00:35,740
right of ways within our operations.

699
01:00:40,030 --> 01:00:44,310
One other thing, I'll point out, it's not specifically mentioned on here as it wasn't a proposition,

700
01:00:45,490 --> 01:00:52,970
but also as we've looked at past efforts and as state route 347 was first created as state route 347,

701
01:00:53,150 --> 01:00:57,730
I think it's important to note, it was originally old Maricopa Road and it was a one-lane dirt road in each direction.

702
01:00:57,730 --> 01:01:02,890
When they widened that to two lanes and paved that, it was through a road improvement district, a local tax.

703
01:01:03,690 --> 01:01:12,050
That our local residents paid and contributed into that tax to widen that and to make it two lanes and to create state route 347.

704
01:01:13,090 --> 01:01:25,950
Similarly, in about 10 years ago, the federal government awarded a tiger grant to the city of Maricopa and to aid out to fund the overpass of on 347 over the railroad.

705
01:01:25,950 --> 01:01:29,350
also required a local contribution from the city of Maricopa.

706
01:01:29,570 --> 01:01:35,130
So again, our taxpayers paid for a roadway that was owned and operated by a dot at that time.

707
01:01:38,420 --> 01:01:44,400
As we talk about the hascent sales tax, what that is, what that means to us on a day-to-day basis.

708
01:01:45,220 --> 01:01:49,280
The first thing that's important to note, and this is different in Arizona than in many other states.

709
01:01:49,980 --> 01:01:57,260
But as we have growth that comes to our community, as we have developers and people that construct things here in town,

710
01:01:57,260 --> 01:02:00,060
They don't actually pay sales tax at the point of sale.

711
01:02:00,420 --> 01:02:03,000
They pay it where they are constructing the development.

712
01:02:03,880 --> 01:02:10,420
And so what that means is about 40% of all of the sales tax dollars that we receive as the city of Maricopa on a regular basis.

713
01:02:10,820 --> 01:02:16,060
About 40% of that comes from the development activity, meaning growth is paying for growth.

714
01:02:16,600 --> 01:02:21,020
And in this case, instead of all of that tax burden being shifted to our taxpayers,

715
01:02:21,580 --> 01:02:25,760
40% of it approximately would be coming from those that are building within our community.

716
01:02:27,080 --> 01:02:33,740
So, over the course of the tax, as we continue to grow and have additional retail opportunities

717
01:02:34,740 --> 01:02:39,500
as, you know, lows opens and home-deep will continue to thrive and we continue to see

718
01:02:39,500 --> 01:02:44,460
additional buildings, like maybe in some future world, we'll see a target or a Costco.

719
01:02:45,080 --> 01:02:50,900
As those facilities open in the future, we'll continue to increase the how much we collect

720
01:02:50,900 --> 01:02:51,940
on a regular basis.

721
01:02:51,940 --> 01:02:57,680
And so today we look to see about $8 million per year by the end of the sunset of the 20-year

722
01:02:57,680 --> 01:02:58,220
tax.

723
01:02:58,600 --> 01:03:03,940
But we may see a little bit more than that, $10-15 million per year, but each of that would

724
01:03:03,940 --> 01:03:08,700
be collected and spent on a regular basis through an annual budget process.

725
01:03:10,520 --> 01:03:16,360
What does this mean on our, in terms of a day-to-day impact, well, this is not going to be charged

726
01:03:16,360 --> 01:03:20,920
on groceries, the category, and the tax law is called food for home consumption, so it would

727
01:03:20,920 --> 01:03:27,960
be taxed against food for home consumption. It does not hit the fuel at the pump, so both eggs

728
01:03:27,960 --> 01:03:32,940
or milk or whatever. That would all stay the same price before and after. Same with gas. If

729
01:03:32,940 --> 01:03:40,540
it were 299, before or 329, before it would stay 329 after, it would hit things like fast food

730
01:03:40,540 --> 01:03:48,140
or appliances at the home improvement store. And so you'd see the impact there for example on a

731
01:03:48,140 --> 01:03:50,760
Well, dollar fast food meal, the impact would be six,

732
01:03:50,920 --> 01:03:52,060
and to be 12.06.

733
01:03:52,660 --> 01:03:55,280
On a large purchase, like a refrigerator, for example,

734
01:03:55,800 --> 01:03:59,680
instead of $800, $800, $800, $800, so that would be the impact.

735
01:04:01,480 --> 01:04:07,020
Now, when we talk a little bit about how costive gone up,

736
01:04:07,240 --> 01:04:11,900
and we're not immune to that on an individual basis,

737
01:04:12,100 --> 01:04:14,380
and certainly not as a basis of a city,

738
01:04:14,580 --> 01:04:16,720
as we face rising cost and construction,

739
01:04:16,720 --> 01:04:20,820
want to take a minute to talk a little bit about the environment that we operate in.

740
01:04:21,020 --> 01:04:24,520
A.D. produces a regular construction cost index.

741
01:04:25,560 --> 01:04:31,300
And they go back to 2016 and say, if 2016 something cost a dollar, what would it cost today?

742
01:04:32,660 --> 01:04:35,540
They're recently quarterly update put that at $2.14.

743
01:04:36,740 --> 01:04:41,500
So if a road cost a dollar per mile effectively now would be costing $2.14.

744
01:04:41,740 --> 01:04:43,580
And it's much more than that, I promise.

745
01:04:44,880 --> 01:04:57,960
By way of comparison, we had our friends at Maricopa Association of Governments, did a little bit of an analysis on State Route 24, and that route was built in fiscal year 2021.

746
01:04:58,660 --> 01:04:59,700
It cost 66.

747
01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:14,620
Five million dollars in fiscal year 2021. If they were to go out and build that construction project again in fiscal year 2024. So last fiscal year, it would have cost $157 million, $135 per cent increase.

748
01:05:15,440 --> 01:05:21,520
And so when you think about the size and scope of large projects and how quickly those budgets can run,

749
01:05:21,520 --> 01:05:28,500
really, too, an amount that becomes unsustainable for us, a $90 million increase, is almost

750
01:05:28,500 --> 01:05:30,380
a full year of our operating expenses.

751
01:05:32,580 --> 01:05:37,440
And so those are large increases that would have dramatic impact on communities like us

752
01:05:37,440 --> 01:05:38,640
and similar.

753
01:05:39,900 --> 01:05:46,220
And so there are a couple of different routes for approving sales tax increases in Arizona,

754
01:05:46,220 --> 01:05:49,260
on a some constitutional, some statutory,

755
01:05:50,440 --> 01:05:54,460
but really the difference comes down to time and timing.

756
01:05:55,600 --> 01:05:58,820
And if we're to go to the city council

757
01:05:58,820 --> 01:06:02,600
as we are tonight, within 60 days we post the ordinance

758
01:06:02,600 --> 01:06:04,380
and that is what's on the agenda tonight.

759
01:06:04,860 --> 01:06:07,860
If approved tonight, that tax would be able to be collected

760
01:06:07,860 --> 01:06:10,060
starting on October 1st of 2025.

761
01:06:10,780 --> 01:06:11,940
If this were sent to the voters

762
01:06:11,940 --> 01:06:14,020
because of consolidated election laws,

763
01:06:14,500 --> 01:06:16,060
it wouldn't be able to be on a ballot

764
01:06:16,060 --> 01:06:22,800
until November of 2026, and because of the law of how that is collected and adjudicated, that means

765
01:06:22,800 --> 01:06:29,320
it wouldn't be collected until April 1st of 2027. So the difference of 18 months could mean an

766
01:06:29,320 --> 01:06:34,720
increase of costs on the inflation side. It could certainly mean a loss of momentum in terms of

767
01:06:34,720 --> 01:06:42,480
how we operate and the agreements that we may have in place with AdOT, and certainly the most important

768
01:06:42,480 --> 01:06:47,160
is it has an effect on the safety of our community and the fatalities that we've experienced

769
01:06:47,160 --> 01:06:53,040
in the accidents and the injuries that have all come as part of the existing framework

770
01:06:53,040 --> 01:06:55,080
of state route 347.

771
01:06:57,230 --> 01:07:02,630
As we held multiple open houses in the public, we heard questions about how do we ensure

772
01:07:02,630 --> 01:07:05,330
that this money is going to go to the right spot?

773
01:07:05,610 --> 01:07:09,670
How do we ensure that this is actually going to happen and move forward?

774
01:07:09,670 --> 01:07:11,770
And so we certainly wanted to have some time

775
01:07:11,770 --> 01:07:14,970
to discuss that and really just kind of explain

776
01:07:15,530 --> 01:07:18,170
how revenues are collected generally in government.

777
01:07:18,450 --> 01:07:20,590
Government accounting is one of the most difficult things

778
01:07:20,590 --> 01:07:22,250
for anyone to understand.

779
01:07:22,570 --> 01:07:26,070
That's why we have smart CFOs like Matkaz Lauske

780
01:07:26,070 --> 01:07:27,290
that will speak to us in a bit.

781
01:07:28,370 --> 01:07:30,150
But we tried to break this down into a simple

782
01:07:30,150 --> 01:07:31,710
of a process as possible.

783
01:07:32,150 --> 01:07:34,350
In Arizona, the Arizona Department of Revenue collects

784
01:07:34,350 --> 01:07:38,550
all of our revenues and then distributes those back to us

785
01:07:38,550 --> 01:07:44,710
monthly basis. And so all of our sales tax revenue gets deposited into our account, and then

786
01:07:44,710 --> 01:07:48,630
it's up to us to get that receipt and say, okay, this portion is this, this portion

787
01:07:48,630 --> 01:07:56,150
is that and put it where it's intended to go. And so in this case, as we, if we were to approve

788
01:07:56,150 --> 01:08:02,110
of a sales tax for improving commuting corridors, that money would be deposited first into the

789
01:08:02,110 --> 01:08:07,570
general fund, and then we would make the transfer into the sales tax fund for commuting corridors.

790
01:08:07,570 --> 01:08:13,850
further we would ensure that all spending on that out of that fund would be reported through

791
01:08:13,850 --> 01:08:19,010
our capital improvement plan so every year as part of our annual budget and through our transparency

792
01:08:19,010 --> 01:08:23,850
portal on our website we certainly provide updates in terms of where all of our capital

793
01:08:23,850 --> 01:08:29,750
improvement projects are funded, which funds are supplying the dollars for those projects that

794
01:08:29,750 --> 01:08:35,350
would occur in this case and then finally a third party audit occurs every single year that

795
01:08:35,350 --> 01:08:40,290
would be able to verify that those funds were collected and spent according to the ordinance.

796
01:08:44,280 --> 01:08:48,480
Where does this put us and how does the city of Maricopa rank as it relates to sales tax rates?

797
01:08:48,780 --> 01:08:54,060
Currently only eight cities out of 91 in the state have a lower sales tax rate than Maricopa.

798
01:08:55,680 --> 01:08:58,620
The median sales tax rate in the state is 2.95.

799
01:08:59,520 --> 01:09:05,480
So even under the proposed rate of 2.5 for our general sales tax, the city of Maricopa would

800
01:09:05,480 --> 01:09:10,660
it well below the median of the state, and currently as it relates to how much we collect

801
01:09:10,660 --> 01:09:16,760
the city of Maricopa ranks 70th out of 91 cities in terms of per capita collections

802
01:09:16,760 --> 01:09:17,580
for sales tax.

803
01:09:18,000 --> 01:09:24,040
So a lot of our funds are going out to the Chandlers and the Maricopa County cities.

804
01:09:24,640 --> 01:09:30,440
We know from previous reports that about $1.3 billion per year is spent by Maricopa residents

805
01:09:30,440 --> 01:09:32,340
outside of the city of Maricopa.

806
01:09:32,340 --> 01:09:36,180
if we could bring some of that back, then we would be able to fund our small businesses

807
01:09:36,180 --> 01:09:37,380
and I'm much higher rate.

808
01:09:41,290 --> 01:09:45,830
The other thing I think is important to talk about is really

809
01:09:45,830 --> 01:09:53,670
the context of how we look at the burden on the taxpayer, and our goal is to provide an increasingly

810
01:09:53,670 --> 01:09:58,770
lower burden on the taxpayer each year, and not to steal Matt's thunder as we get to the budget

811
01:09:58,770 --> 01:09:59,930
little bit later but I'm going

812
01:10:01,120 --> 01:10:09,160
Our proposed rate actually lowers the property tax, both primary and secondary rates for the 7th year in a row.

813
01:10:11,480 --> 01:10:20,520
This is our commitment to try and find a balance of really ways to again lower that overall tax burden.

814
01:10:20,520 --> 01:10:31,820
How do we find a way to not be burdensome to our residents that obviously are going to be paying a large portion of the sales tax?

815
01:10:32,060 --> 01:10:36,560
And so part of that is to offset our primary and secondary property tax rates.

816
01:10:40,920 --> 01:10:46,800
Just a couple more pieces of information I think are important for us to focus on.

817
01:10:46,800 --> 01:10:52,720
But we had a conversation with economists, Jim Rounds, that Council Member Norton mentioned earlier,

818
01:10:53,460 --> 01:11:00,400
specifically on the impacts to state route 347 and what widening state route 347 could mean for our community.

819
01:11:00,900 --> 01:11:07,280
And I think the quote at the bottom left of the screen is really kind of a good summary of his recommendation.

820
01:11:07,580 --> 01:11:15,140
She said substantial improvements along the state route 347 corridor is projected to significantly reduce transit times, entering and exiting the city.

821
01:11:15,680 --> 01:11:22,440
Improvements are expected to further unlock new economic development opportunities within Maricopa and support long-term growth

822
01:11:23,740 --> 01:11:28,440
Obviously our primary focus is to improve the health safety and welfare of our community

823
01:11:28,440 --> 01:11:32,760
But there's also a secondary benefit that if we can bring additional jobs to our community

824
01:11:33,380 --> 01:11:39,480
That that means there are people less people traveling on state route 347 because there are more jobs here

825
01:11:39,480 --> 01:11:44,240
And those that are traveling on state route 347 will be able to do it in a quicker and more efficient manner

826
01:11:48,020 --> 01:11:54,640
Now, as we've talked to this, the sales tax issue would be to focus on improving commuting

827
01:11:54,640 --> 01:11:55,080
corridors.

828
01:11:55,420 --> 01:12:00,840
If we simply focused on state route 347, we could find ourselves in a similar position

829
01:12:00,840 --> 01:12:02,560
in five or ten years.

830
01:12:03,120 --> 01:12:05,540
So what are we doing to think about the future?

831
01:12:06,820 --> 01:12:12,760
Now there's nothing set in stone as it relates to, yes, something is guaranteed to happen,

832
01:12:13,040 --> 01:12:17,400
but everything that we are doing is focused on the future on how we can prepare for that

833
01:12:17,400 --> 01:12:21,980
next step. And so on this slide, there are some examples that we're working with a

834
01:12:21,980 --> 01:12:27,160
Healer River Indian community on creating loop roads or alternate access points.

835
01:12:27,500 --> 01:12:31,880
If you want to think about that way, that we could get cars on and get cars off of state

836
01:12:31,880 --> 01:12:37,140
route 347 in a more convenient way. For example, if you see in the red on this, that could

837
01:12:37,140 --> 01:12:42,280
be a green road loop that would be able to get some of those trash trucks off of the state

838
01:12:42,280 --> 01:12:47,180
route 347 and not go through the intersection. It's smithink and we would be able to have

839
01:12:47,180 --> 01:12:53,260
a lot better traffic through there, similarly to the east, you see the yellow, the blue, purple,

840
01:12:53,760 --> 01:13:00,120
and green, to seed farm road as part of I-10 expansion. Arizona Department of Transportation

841
01:13:00,120 --> 01:13:06,120
will be building a new interchange at seed farm road where that kind of green terminus ends at I-10.

842
01:13:06,720 --> 01:13:12,660
That interchange will also serve the City of Sacatone for the heat of a raining community,

843
01:13:12,660 --> 01:13:19,860
But they also want to see pavement going west, and so they're actually planning to pay in the first couple of miles west of that point.

844
01:13:20,780 --> 01:13:23,700
And so what options to that provide for us in the future?

845
01:13:23,820 --> 01:13:31,100
Can we connect our east side to that route and have a six mile trip to the east to connect I-10?

846
01:13:31,680 --> 01:13:39,460
And could that help the 347 corridor and get cars off of that route and create a longer, more sustainable play?

847
01:13:39,460 --> 01:13:43,440
And so we're certainly working with them on that and hope to see some movement on that in

848
01:13:43,440 --> 01:13:44,700
the coming years as well.

849
01:13:47,090 --> 01:13:51,390
With that, obviously we've got people that are going to speak and I won't spend too much

850
01:13:51,390 --> 01:13:58,930
time on this and I think we've had a great opportunity to reach out to community partners

851
01:13:58,930 --> 01:14:04,370
and see their thoughts on the issues, certainly opportunity to reach out to the community

852
01:14:04,370 --> 01:14:09,550
and hear from them at any of our three public meetings and through emails and phone calls

853
01:14:09,550 --> 01:14:15,210
public comment at various times, but really thought that there were some meaningful

854
01:14:15,210 --> 01:14:20,650
comments that we received in some letters of support that were on here, and so

855
01:14:20,650 --> 01:14:26,490
thought we would highlight that. But ultimately, as we have this opportunity today

856
01:14:26,490 --> 01:14:33,390
to make a difference into our commuting corridors moving into the future, it wouldn't

857
01:14:33,390 --> 01:14:38,990
be possible for us to be here without the work of so many people. While may or

858
01:14:38,990 --> 01:14:44,810
don't often like to share the spotlight or to have that spotlight shine on you, you certainly

859
01:14:44,810 --> 01:14:49,770
have been a leader as we've gone to state transportation board meetings, former mayors,

860
01:14:49,930 --> 01:14:55,490
Christian prices has gone to state transportation board meetings for years. The 347 FACC

861
01:14:55,490 --> 01:14:59,750
group has been tremendous at bringing in support.

862
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:13,880
Or the state route 347. And I think most importantly, our partner at A.D., the Arizona Department of Transportation has really stepped up and worked with us really well over the course of the last couple of years in particular.

863
01:15:14,240 --> 01:15:23,080
I think the next item on the agenda is the intergovernmental agreement where they would commit to designing and constructing the widening of the state route 347.

864
01:15:23,080 --> 01:15:39,920
All of those things I think are symbolic of the support and the strong relationship that we have to collaborate with the Arizona Department of Transportation on this important network for the city of Maricopa and so with that I'm happy to take any questions and anything you may have.

865
01:15:41,240 --> 01:15:42,400
Thank you very much.

866
01:15:44,860 --> 01:15:46,700
Yes, I was just going to say councilmember Nor.

867
01:15:46,820 --> 01:15:50,820
Is it all right if we let the public hearing occur first?

868
01:15:51,480 --> 01:16:02,260
I just wanted City Manager better to explain how this proposal that we are considering tonight

869
01:16:02,260 --> 01:16:07,360
is not the same as the one that the courts threw out and so we aren't going to be subject

870
01:16:07,360 --> 01:16:13,140
to that same uncertainty and lawsuits because it's a different dynamic.

871
01:16:14,340 --> 01:16:16,780
Yeah, I think you met a Mayor at Councilmember Norr.

872
01:16:16,780 --> 01:16:19,600
Yeah, the propositions that were passed previously

873
01:16:19,600 --> 01:16:22,460
as shown on the screen were through the Penal Regional

874
01:16:22,460 --> 01:16:23,660
Transportation Authority.

875
01:16:23,840 --> 01:16:28,120
It was a statewide, sorry, a county-wide proposition.

876
01:16:28,540 --> 01:16:30,960
That was approved by voters in the case of Proposition

877
01:16:30,960 --> 01:16:31,700
417.

878
01:16:32,300 --> 01:16:33,560
That was overturned.

879
01:16:33,560 --> 01:16:35,680
It was a lawsuit by the Goldwater Institute.

880
01:16:36,220 --> 01:16:39,620
And really focused on the word variable that

881
01:16:39,620 --> 01:16:44,060
was put into that resolution at that time.

882
01:16:44,060 --> 01:17:04,900
That set a variable rate for any purchases above $10,000, and they set that variable rate at 0, and that was what the Supreme Court ruled on a 4-3 vote that was not within the statutory authority for the Penal Regional Transportation Authority to do, and so this is an entirely different process.

883
01:17:04,900 --> 01:17:11,880
this is a process that the city is given under constitutional authority to enact sales tax

884
01:17:11,880 --> 01:17:19,600
increases for its general welfare. We are able to do various levels of tax increase under the

885
01:17:19,600 --> 01:17:26,820
model city tax code and these are done strictly through the league of Arizona cities and towns

886
01:17:26,820 --> 01:17:31,540
and in corroboration with them and their partners and so we're very confident moving forward.

887
01:17:31,540 --> 01:17:37,790
Thank you. Thank you. City manager bitter. That was a great presentation. At this point

888
01:17:38,440 --> 01:17:43,210
We'll open the public hearing. I have several speaker cards

889
01:17:44,480 --> 01:17:52,120
Imagine that. The first speaker card I'd like to go to is a one that was sent in to our city clerk

890
01:17:52,120 --> 01:18:00,620
It is from Rachel LaFal and I will read for the benefit of all here what she has to say. My name is Rachel LaFal

891
01:18:00,620 --> 01:18:05,780
and I am a city of Maricopa, resident and I support the Hassan sales tax that is being proposed

892
01:18:05,780 --> 01:18:12,400
to aid in the Highway 347 improvements. This is another proactive effort by our city to demonstrate

893
01:18:12,400 --> 01:18:17,760
the importance of making this main thoroughfare safer for our Maricopa residents, travelers,

894
01:18:18,020 --> 01:18:24,260
suppliers, emergency responders, and more. I am thankful that council and staff are working together

895
01:18:24,260 --> 01:18:30,600
with other agencies including A.D. and Greg to ensure that our safety and prosperity are

896
01:18:30,600 --> 01:18:36,260
not deprioritized. This improvement affects everyone including those who state they do not

897
01:18:36,260 --> 01:18:43,420
travel on 347 since food, gas, merchandise, emergency transportation and a list of other necessities

898
01:18:43,420 --> 01:18:50,860
and indulgences are transported using this route. I appreciate the transparency and checks and

899
01:18:50,860 --> 01:18:57,780
I've been included in the plan and look forward to the continued growth and safety of our great city.

900
01:18:58,620 --> 01:19:02,640
Moving forward, I'd like to ask Priscilla Benke to come forward.

901
01:19:02,940 --> 01:19:04,920
Madam Mayor, she's coming forward.

902
01:19:04,960 --> 01:19:07,440
Are you setting any sort of a time limitation as part of this?

903
01:19:07,440 --> 01:19:10,200
The question is, I would like to, there are many cards.

904
01:19:10,540 --> 01:19:14,500
The question is, since I allowed the three minutes during the call to the public,

905
01:19:14,780 --> 01:19:17,560
can I adjust this to two minutes?

906
01:19:17,560 --> 01:19:21,380
Okay, I would like to do that because there are a bunch of cards.

907
01:19:21,940 --> 01:19:22,700
All right, Priscilla.

908
01:19:23,040 --> 01:19:23,180
Thank you.

909
01:19:23,180 --> 01:19:24,220
I'm an effective speaker.

910
01:19:24,380 --> 01:19:25,800
I don't need that much time.

911
01:19:26,700 --> 01:19:27,320
Good evening.

912
01:19:27,540 --> 01:19:28,480
Adam Mayer and Council.

913
01:19:29,200 --> 01:19:34,040
I'm here tonight to voice my support on behalf of the Half-Sale Sales Hacks for the SR-347.

914
01:19:34,460 --> 01:19:36,700
It's the highway version of Groundhog's Day.

915
01:19:36,900 --> 01:19:42,160
It's the same delays, the same stress, the same waste of time, every single day.

916
01:19:42,620 --> 01:19:43,680
The state has made it clear.

917
01:19:43,680 --> 01:19:49,440
they know that there's a $162 billion shortfall but they're not doing anything about it.

918
01:19:50,740 --> 01:19:55,560
They haven't prioritized fixing it and at some point attacks will most likely have to be implemented

919
01:19:55,560 --> 01:19:59,980
to reach that. The only real question is, do we wait around for someone else?

920
01:20:00,000 --> 01:20:07,120
Just to do it, or do we take the lead? I applaud you as a council for choosing to lead, raising part of the funding

921
01:20:07,120 --> 01:20:11,760
ourselves, puts us at the front of the line, instead of the bottom of the pile. This is a smart

922
01:20:11,760 --> 01:20:17,240
bold and innovative move. This tax isn't permanent, it's a temporary bridge to real solutions.

923
01:20:17,840 --> 01:20:22,900
And for Mayor Copa families every day, we don't act, it's another dinner missed, another opportunity

924
01:20:22,900 --> 01:20:29,720
lost, and another reason for frustration to grow, and God forbid another loss of life. Let's be

925
01:20:29,720 --> 01:20:34,420
city that steps up, not the one that's stuck in traffic for another five years. Complaining

926
01:20:34,420 --> 01:20:37,480
about how no one else has fixed it. Thank you.

927
01:20:37,580 --> 01:20:38,200
Thank you.

928
01:20:42,290 --> 01:20:44,310
I'd like to call up to Nika Drake

929
01:20:47,060 --> 01:20:51,460
and the next person will be Tina Dugan so

930
01:20:51,460 --> 01:20:54,640
that we can kind of, yeah. Thank you, Tina.

931
01:21:06,920 --> 01:21:17,520
Thank you, Mayor, my Mayor and Council. I'm here to just voice my opinion and concern for the

932
01:21:17,520 --> 01:21:24,540
I learned was, I needed to be educated about how was happening, and those open houses were very, very

933
01:21:24,540 --> 01:21:30,540
Indrical and getting the education. There's a lot of misinformation and disinformation that has been

934
01:21:30,540 --> 01:21:37,120
spewed and it's all incorrect. So one of the things I liked was being educated by a lot of

935
01:21:37,120 --> 01:21:43,060
well-versed people in educating me on how this is going to happen where it's going to come from, and for me

936
01:21:43,060 --> 01:21:47,380
I hate going on 347 and seeing to the right of me.

937
01:21:48,220 --> 01:21:52,180
There's some catastrophic accident, and something's covered,

938
01:21:52,260 --> 01:21:55,640
or someone is covered, and then I go again on a different day.

939
01:21:55,840 --> 01:21:59,500
And onto the left of me, there's a whole bunch of accidents and ambulance.

940
01:22:00,040 --> 01:22:03,300
I don't really like to see a whole bunch of that, because I've got four kids,

941
01:22:03,680 --> 01:22:07,340
and I travel that often, because I have to go to the VA and all of those things.

942
01:22:07,840 --> 01:22:11,640
So I just want to say I'm in support of it, definitely life is important,

943
01:22:11,640 --> 01:22:14,520
and we want to bring more here as well.

944
01:22:14,840 --> 01:22:17,620
And I don't want our city to just be thought of as,

945
01:22:17,620 --> 01:22:19,240
oh, it's Mayor Copa, the 347.

946
01:22:19,320 --> 01:22:21,320
We don't need to be attached to it like that,

947
01:22:21,460 --> 01:22:23,860
because the Mayor Copa has such beautiful things,

948
01:22:24,180 --> 01:22:26,420
but nobody gets past 347 to know them.

949
01:22:26,820 --> 01:22:27,960
So that's what I want to say.

950
01:22:27,960 --> 01:22:29,040
I'm in support of it.

951
01:22:29,260 --> 01:22:29,680
Thank you.

952
01:22:29,880 --> 01:22:30,940
Thank you very much.

953
01:22:34,080 --> 01:22:34,740
Tina Dugin.

954
01:22:36,080 --> 01:22:37,920
And on Jack is Kim Daniels.

955
01:22:39,100 --> 01:22:40,840
Good evening, Mayor Smith and City Council.

956
01:22:40,840 --> 01:22:45,980
I speak here tonight as a long time resident who moved here when there was one

957
01:22:45,980 --> 01:22:50,800
lane each direction on what was known as Maricopa Road. I pushed hard for a

958
01:22:50,800 --> 01:22:56,820
safer and wider 347. I've spoken at the A.D. meetings. I actually spoke at the

959
01:22:56,820 --> 01:23:00,720
House Appropriations Committee this year and supported the rigs overpass

960
01:23:00,720 --> 01:23:06,620
funding. And every time that we go the answer is always the same. There is no

961
01:23:06,620 --> 01:23:11,260
funding and without that, the 347 will not progress to the five-year plan.

962
01:23:12,880 --> 01:23:17,200
Basically, you're considering what equates to 50 cents for every hundred dollars.

963
01:23:18,060 --> 01:23:22,960
And I know, because I make myself stay informed that every penny stays here in

964
01:23:22,960 --> 01:23:27,480
Maricopa and goes for the transportation needs that we have as a community.

965
01:23:28,760 --> 01:23:30,580
I support this tax.

966
01:23:31,280 --> 01:23:37,900
If we wait for a citywide vote, I know that the earliest elections November of 26 and this

967
01:23:37,900 --> 01:23:44,000
would push our chance to join the five-year plan to 2027 or later, two more years of

968
01:23:44,000 --> 01:23:46,480
gridlock and higher construction costs.

969
01:23:47,040 --> 01:23:51,060
Tonight's vote is the spark we need to start the widening.

970
01:23:51,280 --> 01:23:56,720
This funding also jumps starts alternate routes such as seed farm road and the Sanoran Desert

971
01:23:56,720 --> 01:24:01,680
Parkway, easing traffic while 347 is built out.

972
01:24:02,380 --> 01:24:06,220
Also, the green road bypass which is vital for the big trucks,

973
01:24:06,360 --> 01:24:08,080
like the one that my child drives.

974
01:24:09,940 --> 01:24:13,120
I'm asking you to please adopt this half-cent tax tonight.

975
01:24:13,760 --> 01:24:15,580
We can't wait any longer.

976
01:24:16,460 --> 01:24:18,560
And as you know, my favorite saying,

977
01:24:19,240 --> 01:24:21,840
let's be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

978
01:24:22,120 --> 01:24:22,580
Thank you.

979
01:24:22,640 --> 01:24:23,180
Thank you.

980
01:24:28,410 --> 01:24:31,670
This is Kim Daniels, and on deck will be Ron and Jeremy.

981
01:24:32,610 --> 01:24:33,690
Good evening, Mayor and Council.

982
01:24:33,770 --> 01:24:37,050
My name is Kim Raleigh Daniels, and I have lived in Maricopa for over a decade.

983
01:24:37,610 --> 01:24:42,970
And now I'm attending our local college CAC, and I'm thinking about what comes next in my own future,

984
01:24:43,530 --> 01:24:45,730
like starting a career and a family here.

985
01:24:45,950 --> 01:24:47,970
But one big question keeps coming up.

986
01:24:48,230 --> 01:24:50,030
Can I build a future here?

987
01:24:50,370 --> 01:24:52,010
What will it look like over the next decade?

988
01:24:52,430 --> 01:24:57,570
For years, I watched my father spend hours on the 347 just to get to and from work.

989
01:24:57,570 --> 01:24:59,910
and I do not want my future to be defined.

990
01:25:00,000 --> 01:25:07,440
By the same traffic and lost time. I know this tax is temporary, but the benefits will last for generations. It shows that

991
01:25:07,440 --> 01:25:18,840
America is serious about solving problems and not just waiting for the state to maybe help. That's the kind of city I want to live in. So I want to support the half-cent sales tax. Thank you. Thank you, Kim.

992
01:25:22,720 --> 01:25:26,360
This is Ron Andrew Army, and on deck is Tore and Torel.

993
01:25:27,380 --> 01:25:31,940
Thank you, City Council. For the opportunity to speak about state route 247 and the proposed sales tax.

994
01:25:31,940 --> 01:25:36,860
My name is Ron Andrew, and I've been working with the 347 facts team for over two years

995
01:25:36,860 --> 01:25:41,280
of attended eight out board meetings during this time and have developed a reasonable understanding

996
01:25:41,280 --> 01:25:43,660
of what's working and what's not.

997
01:25:44,220 --> 01:25:49,040
Over these two years, I personally deliver heartfelt messages of lives lost, I presented

998
01:25:49,040 --> 01:25:54,500
a hard data on the growing number of accidents, along with 347, a 347 facts team has sent

999
01:25:54,500 --> 01:25:58,280
that over 120,000 emails to 1200 concerned citizens.

1000
01:25:59,880 --> 01:26:02,780
We are still not on 8,8x5 year plan.

1001
01:26:03,840 --> 01:26:06,920
The last month at an 8 o'clock board meeting, I heard something new.

1002
01:26:07,300 --> 01:26:10,900
For the first time in two years, board members spoke with support for the 347.

1003
01:26:11,540 --> 01:26:12,500
They acknowledged it.

1004
01:26:12,660 --> 01:26:14,820
They said, this is something we have to do.

1005
01:26:15,440 --> 01:26:16,500
Why the change in tone?

1006
01:26:16,900 --> 01:26:20,540
I believe it was driven from the proposal from the City of Maricopa and

1007
01:26:20,540 --> 01:26:24,240
Penalty County to contribute $50 million for the widening of 347.

1008
01:26:24,800 --> 01:26:26,980
The funding offer changed the conversation.

1009
01:26:26,980 --> 01:26:32,400
And here's the reality, if we don't pass this tax increase and we don't offer the money,

1010
01:26:32,840 --> 01:26:35,120
there's zero chance we're going to get on the five-year plan.

1011
01:26:35,980 --> 01:26:40,000
Albert Einstein once said, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and

1012
01:26:40,000 --> 01:26:41,700
expecting the results to be different.

1013
01:26:42,420 --> 01:26:43,860
We've attended the eight out meetings.

1014
01:26:44,240 --> 01:26:49,240
We've sent the emails, our mayor and our government representatives like Katie Proctor

1015
01:26:49,240 --> 01:26:52,900
and countless other government and community members have fought for years.

1016
01:26:52,900 --> 01:26:57,000
We've made progress, but the breakthrough is what we need.

1017
01:26:57,600 --> 01:27:00,160
This tax increase is an easy, but it's necessary.

1018
01:27:00,660 --> 01:27:01,500
It's a new strategy.

1019
01:27:02,220 --> 01:27:05,320
Let's do something different, because different is what we need.

1020
01:27:05,940 --> 01:27:08,100
Let me close with a quick passage from the Bible.

1021
01:27:08,720 --> 01:27:10,980
In John 21, the story of the disciples,

1022
01:27:11,260 --> 01:27:13,120
fishing overnight, and catching nothing.

1023
01:27:13,860 --> 01:27:16,760
When they return to shore, Jesus tells them to try again.

1024
01:27:17,040 --> 01:27:20,280
But this time, through the net on the other side,

1025
01:27:20,280 --> 01:27:25,160
They do, and the next bills were fish, so many fish that are nearly breaks.

1026
01:27:25,880 --> 01:27:29,580
Now, what do you think would have happened if they threw the net on the same side?

1027
01:27:30,400 --> 01:27:31,440
They would have come up empty.

1028
01:27:31,900 --> 01:27:32,640
Do we get differently?

1029
01:27:32,720 --> 01:27:33,840
They change the outcome.

1030
01:27:34,520 --> 01:27:37,700
So tonight, let's throw the net on the other side.

1031
01:27:38,040 --> 01:27:38,640
Thank you.

1032
01:27:44,340 --> 01:27:44,720
All right.

1033
01:27:44,780 --> 01:27:46,560
This is Torn Terrell.

1034
01:27:46,960 --> 01:27:49,440
And next up is Tenika.

1035
01:27:49,700 --> 01:27:50,580
Didn't I call your name?

1036
01:27:51,060 --> 01:27:51,240
Yeah.

1037
01:27:51,500 --> 01:27:51,740
Okay.

1038
01:27:51,780 --> 01:27:53,060
I must have two cards for you.

1039
01:27:53,220 --> 01:27:54,520
Next up is Bill Robertson.

1040
01:27:55,990 --> 01:27:59,490
Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. Vice Mayor.

1041
01:28:00,450 --> 01:28:03,930
Wasn't really expecting to speak tonight, but here I am.

1042
01:28:04,150 --> 01:28:08,190
Pleasure my support for the half syntax for 347.

1043
01:28:08,650 --> 01:28:11,810
For the past seven years, eight years,

1044
01:28:12,490 --> 01:28:13,910
that I've been a resident of Maricopa.

1045
01:28:15,590 --> 01:28:20,810
I have been forced to have to sit on the 347.

1046
01:28:20,890 --> 01:28:23,310
Much like many of the rest of us here.

1047
01:28:23,310 --> 01:28:27,070
I can't tell you how many times, how many accidents I have seen,

1048
01:28:27,530 --> 01:28:36,210
the things that have really, just made it difficult to want to travel to and from, you know.

1049
01:28:37,350 --> 01:28:38,330
So, but we need better.

1050
01:28:38,410 --> 01:28:43,430
We need a lot better than this than what we endure on a daily basis.

1051
01:28:44,250 --> 01:28:48,550
I know a lot of people that are outside of this city, they don't get to see what we see.

1052
01:28:48,550 --> 01:28:55,450
There are some people in this city that don't get to see what we see because they probably have retired here where they probably sit here

1053
01:28:56,470 --> 01:28:58,030
But we need something

1054
01:28:58,510 --> 01:29:03,130
We really need this absent tax to go forward to that way we can get on this five-year plan

1055
01:29:03,750 --> 01:29:05,670
Now I started out as a complainer

1056
01:29:06,570 --> 01:29:11,970
with a mayor one day put me in a group that said you can actually do something

1057
01:29:12,830 --> 01:29:14,070
So I joined

1058
01:29:15,270 --> 01:29:17,930
And after being on both sides of that

1059
01:29:18,770 --> 01:29:22,110
track, we really need this absent tax.

1060
01:29:22,250 --> 01:29:24,290
So please consider it, please pass it.

1061
01:29:24,390 --> 01:29:25,330
And with that, I thank you.

1062
01:29:25,390 --> 01:29:26,330
Thank you, Tyne.

1063
01:29:31,200 --> 01:29:34,620
OK, this is Bill Robertson, and on deck is Brandi Home.

1064
01:29:36,000 --> 01:29:36,900
Thank you, Mayor Council.

1065
01:29:38,380 --> 01:29:42,100
I'd like to recognize Chairwoman Daniels

1066
01:29:42,100 --> 01:29:44,160
from the Arizona Transportation Board

1067
01:29:44,160 --> 01:29:45,000
as with us tonight.

1068
01:29:45,100 --> 01:29:46,780
It's great to have you to hear directly

1069
01:29:46,780 --> 01:29:48,700
from the people in our photographs.

1070
01:29:49,400 --> 01:29:50,080
Thank you.

1071
01:29:53,320 --> 01:29:55,880
She's seen a lot of us in the last couple months.

1072
01:29:56,920 --> 01:29:59,740
Anyway, and I do have a beef to start off with.

1073
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:06,840
Manager Bitter, you stole all my thunder. A lot of the points you made were great, so I actually can get this done in two minutes.

1074
01:30:07,180 --> 01:30:14,020
All right. So we'll get started. First of all, a sales tax is the best way to fund big projects like this.

1075
01:30:14,040 --> 01:30:19,880
It's grants the cost out to everybody that used the roads, not just Maricopa Taxpayers and Residents.

1076
01:30:19,880 --> 01:30:27,280
The soccer team that comes to town buys a bag of ice, and some bag of oranges, and the

1077
01:30:27,280 --> 01:30:31,080
different people that come to visit, they go to the restaurants, and they're using

1078
01:30:31,080 --> 01:30:31,840
our roads.

1079
01:30:32,160 --> 01:30:35,300
So it's the fairest way for big projects to be funded.

1080
01:30:35,360 --> 01:30:36,940
There's just no doubt about it.

1081
01:30:37,180 --> 01:30:40,280
The lane expansion is not in the current five-year plan.

1082
01:30:40,380 --> 01:30:41,220
It's just not there.

1083
01:30:41,640 --> 01:30:47,500
We will be in Bullhead City next week, addressing the transportation board, and we will be

1084
01:30:47,500 --> 01:30:53,360
the transportation board meeting in peace and in June to also continue to advocate and get this

1085
01:30:53,360 --> 01:30:58,440
done. It's all about getting into five-year plan this time, then getting to funding in place,

1086
01:30:58,800 --> 01:31:04,360
gives us that significant local funding that does move the needle. As former Mayor of Christian

1087
01:31:04,360 --> 01:31:10,420
Price demonstrated with the overpass, we put money on the table, things happen. I support this

1088
01:31:10,420 --> 01:31:13,740
tax and encourage you to vote yay. Thank you. Thank you, Val.

1089
01:31:18,190 --> 01:31:19,930
All right, this is Brandy Homeman

1090
01:31:19,930 --> 01:31:22,010
and an on-deck is Cooper Price.

1091
01:31:23,570 --> 01:31:24,970
Good evening Mayor and city council.

1092
01:31:25,150 --> 01:31:27,310
Today I want to speak about a critical decision

1093
01:31:27,310 --> 01:31:28,370
facing the city of America,

1094
01:31:28,670 --> 01:31:30,890
but the proposed has sent sales tax dedicated

1095
01:31:30,890 --> 01:31:33,410
to widening state route 347.

1096
01:31:33,950 --> 01:31:36,810
For years, state route 347 has been a lifeline connecting

1097
01:31:36,810 --> 01:31:38,650
America to the greater Phoenix area,

1098
01:31:38,910 --> 01:31:40,430
yet as our population is surge,

1099
01:31:40,830 --> 01:31:42,210
the highway has not kept pace.

1100
01:31:42,750 --> 01:31:45,470
Every day more than 30,000 vehicles travel this route,

1101
01:31:45,470 --> 01:31:48,790
and unfortunately as seen thousands of injuries per year

1102
01:31:48,790 --> 01:31:54,850
to congestion and safety issues. Despite repeated efforts, including county-wide tax proposals

1103
01:31:54,850 --> 01:31:59,170
and appeals for state funding, Maricopa Zee has been overlooked leaving us at the back

1104
01:31:59,170 --> 01:32:04,870
of the line for improvements. The proposed have since sales tax is bold and proactive step.

1105
01:32:05,470 --> 01:32:09,230
If it proved it would generate about 8 to 10 billion annually for the next 20 years,

1106
01:32:09,410 --> 01:32:14,970
funding the widening of SR-347 and positioning the projects for inclusion in the Arizona

1107
01:32:14,970 --> 01:32:17,170
Department of Transportation's five-year plan.

1108
01:32:17,710 --> 01:32:22,190
Without the local funding match, A.D. simply cannot prioritize our project and we could be waiting

1109
01:32:22,190 --> 01:32:23,230
decades for a relief.

1110
01:32:24,150 --> 01:32:27,830
Importantly, the tax will not apply to essentials like gas and groceries in America, but

1111
01:32:27,830 --> 01:32:31,010
would still have one of the lowest sales tax rates in the state.

1112
01:32:31,170 --> 01:32:34,890
The money rates would stay local, directly improving the safety and efficiency of the road

1113
01:32:34,890 --> 01:32:35,930
we all depend on.

1114
01:32:36,630 --> 01:32:38,210
This isn't just about widening a road.

1115
01:32:38,370 --> 01:32:41,930
It's about making America a safer and more accessible and ready for the future.

1116
01:32:41,930 --> 01:32:47,310
by investing in SR-347, we're investing in our community's prosperity and ensuring our families

1117
01:32:47,310 --> 01:32:48,270
can get home safely.

1118
01:32:49,370 --> 01:32:49,570
Each day.

1119
01:32:49,690 --> 01:32:50,090
Thank you.

1120
01:32:50,090 --> 01:32:50,670
Thank you, Brandon.

1121
01:32:55,410 --> 01:32:55,710
All right.

1122
01:32:55,730 --> 01:32:58,470
This is Cooper Price, and on deck is Peg Chapados.

1123
01:33:00,670 --> 01:33:01,010
Good evening.

1124
01:33:02,310 --> 01:33:03,330
My name is Cooper Price.

1125
01:33:03,450 --> 01:33:09,750
I've lived in America for the past 18 years, my entire life, and I've seen firsthand how SR-347

1126
01:33:09,750 --> 01:33:13,930
affects just about everything, not just getting to work or into town but safety.

1127
01:33:13,930 --> 01:33:17,350
The road is too congested, and the stop and go traffic is dangerous.

1128
01:33:17,890 --> 01:33:20,570
My peers have witnessed an experienced serious accidents.

1129
01:33:21,550 --> 01:33:25,670
Now that I graduated, I'm thinking about what comes next and honestly, I don't want

1130
01:33:25,670 --> 01:33:27,870
to spend the next 18 years navigating that same road.

1131
01:33:28,690 --> 01:33:32,550
I support this temporary sales tax because it's an investment in the infrastructure of our

1132
01:33:32,550 --> 01:33:38,590
city and that needs to support young people like me, safer commutes, better job access,

1133
01:33:38,750 --> 01:33:39,790
and more time with our families.

1134
01:33:40,610 --> 01:33:43,350
Waiting on others hasn't worked, this is our chance to step up.

1135
01:33:43,350 --> 01:33:46,110
Thank you for moving forward and for fighting to invest in our future.

1136
01:33:46,830 --> 01:33:47,250
Thank you, Cooper.

1137
01:33:52,790 --> 01:33:52,930
All right.

1138
01:33:52,990 --> 01:33:55,810
This is Peggy Chapados, and next up is Sharon Walker.

1139
01:33:56,850 --> 01:33:57,390
Good evening, Mayor.

1140
01:33:57,490 --> 01:33:58,410
Vice Mayor Council.

1141
01:33:59,070 --> 01:34:00,810
Tonight for me, this is all about the numbers.

1142
01:34:01,750 --> 01:34:06,630
There's a lot of people who's collaboration and cooperation went into this agenda item tonight.

1143
01:34:07,450 --> 01:34:11,210
So first of all, thanks foremost to Mayor's former council members,

1144
01:34:11,570 --> 01:34:15,450
especially former Mayor Kelly Anderson and former Mayor Christian Price,

1145
01:34:15,450 --> 01:34:19,590
together, the stars aligned to help us get the overpass after 15 years.

1146
01:34:20,090 --> 01:34:26,030
When I moved here in 2006, it was just after the voter approved widening of 347 from two

1147
01:34:26,030 --> 01:34:31,850
lengths to four lengths happened. That was 19 years ago. Imagine what we can do 19 years from now.

1148
01:34:32,650 --> 01:34:36,930
Maricopa is now a city to that went from being the poster shelf of our closure to the poster

1149
01:34:36,930 --> 01:34:43,030
shelf for growth in the nation. I've lived here. I've seen the recession. I've seen the one in

1150
01:34:43,030 --> 01:34:44,550
for homes for closure.

1151
01:34:45,050 --> 01:34:46,830
I've seen all of the stuff that's happened.

1152
01:34:47,350 --> 01:34:49,570
I want to thank you for your foresight

1153
01:34:49,570 --> 01:34:52,830
and initiative, the 347 facts.com that's happened.

1154
01:34:53,690 --> 01:34:55,730
But most of all, I want to give you anywhere

1155
01:34:55,730 --> 01:34:58,310
from 50 million to 134 million reasons

1156
01:34:58,310 --> 01:34:59,490
why this is a good thing.

1157
01:34:59,770 --> 01:34:59,970
Thank you.

1158
01:35:00,000 --> 01:35:01,580
Thank you. Thank you, Ted.

1159
01:35:05,340 --> 01:35:08,600
All right. This is Sharon Walker, and on deck is Ron Flaming.

1160
01:35:09,980 --> 01:35:15,980
Good evening, everyone. Good evening, Mayor. Vice Mayor's wave and council members. I'm going to just what I initially

1161
01:35:15,980 --> 01:35:20,920
was going to say because everybody spoke with before me has said everything so eloquently and I really

1162
01:35:20,920 --> 01:35:28,680
do appreciate Mr. Bitter's presentation on everything. And basically, I'm in support of the half-cent tax.

1163
01:35:32,080 --> 01:35:32,600
And

1164
01:35:32,600 --> 01:35:37,540
this one in particular is a necessary evil to get what we need with regard to all of the issues

1165
01:35:37,540 --> 01:35:43,340
regarding 347. We've all said what issues we have with traveling it every day, safety, time,

1166
01:35:43,360 --> 01:35:47,200
and everything. I think this would be a reasonable and prudent decision to make and I hope that the

1167
01:35:47,200 --> 01:35:50,380
Council and the mayor will approve it. Thank you. Thank you, Sherry.

1168
01:35:54,610 --> 01:35:56,250
This is Ron Flaming and on deck

1169
01:35:56,250 --> 01:36:04,900
is Christian Price. Good evening, Mayor and Council. It's great to be here tonight on such an important

1170
01:36:06,260 --> 01:36:12,340
issue. My name is Ron Flamingoy. I am the President in CEO of Global Water. First, I've never

1171
01:36:12,340 --> 01:36:16,380
met the gentleman that spoke earlier in the call to the public. He's never reached out

1172
01:36:16,380 --> 01:36:24,640
to me. And if you had, we'd have the opportunity to educate him. And I invite that. But

1173
01:36:24,640 --> 01:36:34,080
I think that approach tells you all you need to know. But tonight is not about water and

1174
01:36:34,080 --> 01:36:40,480
elected leaders of this community, and I often find myself saying that I don't envy you

1175
01:36:40,480 --> 01:36:43,960
in the position you're in or that of city manager better.

1176
01:36:45,280 --> 01:36:50,600
Although global water is a private company, there is a lot of similarities when it comes

1177
01:36:50,600 --> 01:36:59,000
to helping a city grow and be successful, so when it comes to planning, budgeting, quality

1178
01:36:59,000 --> 01:37:05,060
of life, economic development in a sustainable way, just doing the right things.

1179
01:37:05,640 --> 01:37:09,400
You have lots of balance, and there are always trade-offs.

1180
01:37:10,820 --> 01:37:13,120
But even inside of that, there is a mandate.

1181
01:37:13,840 --> 01:37:19,120
And the mandate is reliable service and a safe manner.

1182
01:37:20,520 --> 01:37:26,820
So when it comes to compliance and safety, that is our top mandate, and I know how seriously

1183
01:37:26,820 --> 01:37:33,640
you in the city take it as well and the fact of the matter is highway 347 is not safe

1184
01:37:34,240 --> 01:37:39,380
and it is not reliable which means something needs to be done now. So because of that

1185
01:37:39,380 --> 01:37:46,660
fact we support the sales tax initiative as well and we commend the council for having

1186
01:37:46,660 --> 01:37:51,340
the courage to to think outside the box with your team and come up with the solution.

1187
01:37:52,360 --> 01:37:56,020
This building was built and started during the great recession.

1188
01:37:58,710 --> 01:38:04,770
The city has acquired a lot of land when it was at a great value for future economic development.

1189
01:38:06,010 --> 01:38:10,350
A lot of people have talked about the overpass of the double rail.

1190
01:38:11,450 --> 01:38:16,550
Those are also courageous, bold moves to help move the city forward.

1191
01:38:17,450 --> 01:38:20,710
That's what I love about the city. I find myself telling the story about it often.

1192
01:38:21,330 --> 01:38:27,030
We've like, what makes the city of Maricopa so special is the fact that you believe in yourself

1193
01:38:28,130 --> 01:38:32,910
and you invest in yourself and you don't wait for others to come fix it.

1194
01:38:33,430 --> 01:38:37,490
So I appreciate what you're doing here, thank you for it and thank you for letting me speak tonight.

1195
01:38:37,930 --> 01:38:38,450
Thank you, Ron.

1196
01:38:44,370 --> 01:38:45,730
Christian, I'm sorry.

1197
01:38:46,070 --> 01:38:47,290
I misread your card.

1198
01:38:47,490 --> 01:38:48,450
Would you still like to speak?

1199
01:38:48,550 --> 01:38:49,390
No, not at all.

1200
01:38:49,570 --> 01:38:51,330
I want to speak on this topic at all.

1201
01:38:55,070 --> 01:38:55,950
All right.

1202
01:38:55,950 --> 01:38:57,570
But can you do it under two minutes?

1203
01:38:57,870 --> 01:39:03,850
No, that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that I have

1204
01:39:03,850 --> 01:39:06,090
supplanted four more speaker guards in there.

1205
01:39:06,310 --> 01:39:12,890
So don't worry very quickly thank you again term for this you know as I thought about

1206
01:39:12,890 --> 01:39:16,790
what I was gonna say tonight I thought it was gonna be easy I've been talking about this for

1207
01:39:16,790 --> 01:39:22,830
so long didn't know I was gonna get emotional over this but this is a truly a historic moment

1208
01:39:22,830 --> 01:39:26,530
And you have the opportunity to govern as my friends and colleagues.

1209
01:39:28,090 --> 01:39:33,330
I've poured my blood sweat and tears into this road for so long.

1210
01:39:33,630 --> 01:39:38,890
When I moved here, I didn't know that my decision was going to be based on a roadway.

1211
01:39:39,190 --> 01:39:42,170
I didn't know that my existence was going to be based on a roadway.

1212
01:39:42,390 --> 01:39:47,130
I didn't know it was going to have such a confluence of my life and to be standing here before you today.

1213
01:39:47,650 --> 01:39:50,490
Really, again, it means a lot.

1214
01:39:52,050 --> 01:39:59,970
This is our opportunity, it takes money to make money, you want to make money back on your investments, then you invest in your business.

1215
01:40:00,000 --> 01:40:25,300
I remember myself, just like Ron said. I remember my very first day in office. Gosh, what was that? Now, 13, 14 years ago. And somebody came to me and said, this overpass is never going to happen. And 347 is never going to be widened. And I remember thinking, game on, okay? It's go time. But it takes years. The stars have to align. You have to pour everything into it. Everything.

1216
01:40:26,660 --> 01:40:34,300
I had the benefit and luxury of going to almost every single A dot meeting across the state

1217
01:40:34,300 --> 01:40:36,520
for 11 years

1218
01:40:38,570 --> 01:40:43,890
and it had wonderful outcomes but you took it to the next level and you're

1219
01:40:43,890 --> 01:40:44,830
here today.

1220
01:40:45,730 --> 01:40:47,730
Governance requires courage,

1221
01:40:53,240 --> 01:40:57,600
courage is not easy but bold moves have phenomenal impacts and

1222
01:40:57,600 --> 01:41:00,540
when we talk about economic development we talk about the future of the city.

1223
01:41:00,540 --> 01:41:02,900
This is what it means to plan for the future.

1224
01:41:03,400 --> 01:41:07,380
I encourage you to pass this, and of course, I'm in support of the IJ

1225
01:41:07,380 --> 01:41:08,720
following should this pass.

1226
01:41:09,120 --> 01:41:09,500
Thank you.

1227
01:41:09,800 --> 01:41:10,740
Thank you.

1228
01:41:14,790 --> 01:41:17,270
And Christian, I'm glad I have a couple more speaker cards

1229
01:41:17,270 --> 01:41:19,670
because I was telling myself, all day, don't get emotional.

1230
01:41:19,930 --> 01:41:20,470
Don't get emotional.

1231
01:41:21,110 --> 01:41:23,010
The next speaker is Rich Vidyela.

1232
01:41:24,190 --> 01:41:25,610
And on deck is Robert Club.

1233
01:41:29,070 --> 01:41:30,210
Good evening Mayor, council.

1234
01:41:31,630 --> 01:41:33,190
Ladies and gentlemen, of Maricopa.

1235
01:41:34,010 --> 01:41:38,130
How many people drive up to 347, at least once or twice a week?

1236
01:41:39,190 --> 01:41:41,430
Look, you're actually here, God bless you.

1237
01:41:42,270 --> 01:41:43,330
You made it.

1238
01:41:43,510 --> 01:41:44,930
That's what this road's all about.

1239
01:41:45,510 --> 01:41:49,650
I've stayed in front of you, not numerous times, giving a story of my buddy Ezi.

1240
01:41:51,630 --> 01:41:55,430
Who's, like I said, in a vegetated state, and we'll probably never come out of it.

1241
01:41:55,750 --> 01:41:59,530
We don't need anybody else dying or getting hurt or crashing on this road.

1242
01:42:00,010 --> 01:42:05,290
I first want to thank the Council for doing what they're doing here today. It's very difficult to do attacks.

1243
01:42:05,810 --> 01:42:10,990
We all don't like taxes, but you know, sometimes you got to as Christian said, you got to make money.

1244
01:42:11,130 --> 01:42:19,710
The only way to make money is to spend some money. The other issue is I like to thank many people, and I'm going to start off with Theresa Martinez.

1245
01:42:19,710 --> 01:42:23,890
She got us $19 million for the $347.

1246
01:42:23,990 --> 01:42:29,750
Chris is working on $12 million, Chris Lopez, and TJ show is also got us $19 million.

1247
01:42:30,610 --> 01:42:37,850
As a supervisor and a person who lives in this city as your supervisor, I was able to work with

1248
01:42:37,850 --> 01:42:40,430
my board members, almost at council members.

1249
01:42:41,450 --> 01:42:47,390
For the last three months I was able to convince them for $20 million, so

1250
01:42:52,030 --> 01:42:54,030
this is a team effort

1251
01:42:54,030 --> 01:43:05,070
And let me tell you something, those 1213, 1400, 100,000 emails, I get those, and I encourage them to continue to come.

1252
01:43:05,670 --> 01:43:10,430
And I want to also thank Jen Daniels, because back in the day, which he was just on the board,

1253
01:43:10,890 --> 01:43:18,390
was she would actually, we would hear the, the verbić, do it the Maricopa way, God bless and pass this tax.

1254
01:43:18,390 --> 01:43:20,750
Amen. Thank you.

1255
01:43:24,590 --> 01:43:27,230
All right. And last is Mr. Robert Clobe.

1256
01:43:28,430 --> 01:43:33,830
And thank you for having me follow Christian in rich. Thanks, guys.

1257
01:43:38,360 --> 01:43:42,680
Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Council members. I'm Robert Clobe, I'm a resident of Glenwild.

1258
01:43:43,340 --> 01:43:46,740
Thank you for the opportunity to address today on this proposed half-sense sales tax.

1259
01:43:47,120 --> 01:43:51,020
Dedicated to improving state Route 347 and other future Ontario roads.

1260
01:43:51,020 --> 01:43:54,800
I'd like to show you how your yes vote isn't merely about pavement.

1261
01:43:55,520 --> 01:43:58,480
It's about safety, prosperity, and the promise of the stronger America.

1262
01:43:59,800 --> 01:44:04,600
Enhancing safety, every day thousands of us, our families, our friends, and our neighbors travel

1263
01:44:04,600 --> 01:44:06,020
straight out through 347.

1264
01:44:06,440 --> 01:44:12,840
Over the past decade, congestion has been more than doubled and a serious risk of serious

1265
01:44:12,840 --> 01:44:13,360
crashes.

1266
01:44:14,000 --> 01:44:18,000
This dedicated funding lets us partner with Aida on extra travel lanes, turn zones, and

1267
01:44:18,000 --> 01:44:24,900
overpasses, improvements proven to cut collisions and save lives. Driving economic growth,

1268
01:44:25,420 --> 01:44:29,060
reliable roads keep commerce moving. When freight can get here without delay, our local

1269
01:44:29,060 --> 01:44:33,520
businesses thrive and new businesses are drawn by easier access. More business opportunities

1270
01:44:33,520 --> 01:44:37,920
mean people in America can shop local instead of enriching the communities of Chandler

1271
01:44:37,920 --> 01:44:41,900
Phoenix, the MCAS grant. Studies show that every dollar spent on road infrastructure

1272
01:44:41,900 --> 01:44:47,200
returns two to three dollars in economic activity, benefiting sales tax revenue wages and small

1273
01:44:47,200 --> 01:44:51,400
business profits right here at home, ensuring accountability and local control.

1274
01:44:51,620 --> 01:44:55,940
This tax applies only to road projects you have identified, and intergovernmental agreement

1275
01:44:55,940 --> 01:44:59,900
will ensure full transparency with regular progress reports in public notification.

1276
01:45:00,700 --> 01:45:27,080
Reasons can see exactly how and where these funds are spent. Finally, upholding fiscal fairness, at just 50 cents for every $100 spent, this tax will raise millions annually, enough to push aid out to tackle our worst challenges, but also prepare for future growth without digging into our general fund and raising property taxes. The choice is clear. We can accept longer commutes and greater risks for at least another decade waiting on aid out, or we can seize this opportunity to build a safer, more prosperous America.

1277
01:45:27,760 --> 01:45:32,540
approving this half-cent sales tax isn't just practical, it's visionary. Together, let's

1278
01:45:32,540 --> 01:45:36,000
pave the way to a brighter future. Thank you. Thank you very much.

1279
01:45:41,380 --> 01:45:42,560
So that is the end of my

1280
01:45:42,560 --> 01:45:47,720
speaker cards. Is there anyone else in the audience who would like to approach the podium? No.

1281
01:45:49,040 --> 01:45:50,680
Yes, sir. Please state your name.

1282
01:45:54,090 --> 01:45:57,350
Thank you, Mayor. Vice Mayor, council members and staff. My name is

1283
01:45:57,350 --> 01:46:03,530
Ryan Safoya. I have been a proud resident of Maricopa for all 21 years of my very long life.

1284
01:46:04,250 --> 01:46:12,170
But I have had the profound gift of living and growing up here and meeting families that have

1285
01:46:12,170 --> 01:46:15,050
affected my life in ways I never would have imagined.

1286
01:46:15,990 --> 01:46:21,570
They have brought me love that I did not think possible, but that love has also brought

1287
01:46:21,570 --> 01:46:28,750
me pain when I stand next to my friends and mourn the loss of their parents or I stand next

1288
01:46:28,750 --> 01:46:30,750
to their parents and mourn the loss of my friends.

1289
01:46:31,850 --> 01:46:44,890
I have laid flowers on the tributes to these people on the 347, for many years, too many years and I'd like for there to be no more years.

1290
01:46:45,730 --> 01:46:57,150
I hope that the result of the vote today means that going forward throughout my life and for my children, I can give more flowers in celebration rather than mourning.

1291
01:46:57,710 --> 01:46:58,290
Thank you.

1292
01:46:58,290 --> 01:46:59,350
Thank you.

1293
01:47:04,580 --> 01:47:06,620
Is there anyone else that would like to approach the podium?

1294
01:47:09,050 --> 01:47:12,110
All right, seeing none. I will close the public hearing.

1295
01:47:13,050 --> 01:47:16,170
That'll take us to questions and comments from the council.

1296
01:47:17,870 --> 01:47:19,070
Councilmember Manfredi.

1297
01:47:19,590 --> 01:47:21,610
Yeah. Thank you.

1298
01:47:22,770 --> 01:47:28,510
I'm quite surprised, actually. Sitting here today, I told my wife before I came today.

1299
01:47:28,870 --> 01:47:34,310
I was getting dressed and she's like, well, be calm tonight. And she thought that it would be

1300
01:47:34,310 --> 01:47:41,190
everybody in this room screaming at us and yelling at us and I'm quite surprised there's not

1301
01:47:41,190 --> 01:47:47,750
one person here that stood at that podium and told us don't do that but I'm kind of a Facebook

1302
01:47:47,750 --> 01:47:52,850
troll I guess you would say I'm one of those guys that's always on Facebook it's my thing I do it

1303
01:47:53,930 --> 01:47:59,830
so I deal with it all day every day and I answer the questions that people put out there

1304
01:47:59,830 --> 01:48:07,330
non-stop. As a council member, small business owner, I understand our daily challenges that we face in

1305
01:48:07,330 --> 01:48:14,470
Maricopa. I'm an opponent of tax increases. From my whole life, I hate tax increases. It's one of the reasons

1306
01:48:15,870 --> 01:48:22,810
why, you know, for the last six years, I've pushed to make sure we lower property taxes at all points.

1307
01:48:22,990 --> 01:48:28,750
I mean, whenever we can, we're going to lower property taxes first, primarily property taxes as well as secondary.

1308
01:48:30,750 --> 01:48:34,270
I've never voted on council for to raise taxes.

1309
01:48:34,630 --> 01:48:36,430
I said that I would hardly ever do that.

1310
01:48:36,650 --> 01:48:38,130
I won't do it.

1311
01:48:38,490 --> 01:48:39,930
I've always said that.

1312
01:48:40,430 --> 01:48:41,790
Stay around 347 though.

1313
01:48:41,890 --> 01:48:45,490
Directly impacts our community safety, economy, and future.

1314
01:48:46,430 --> 01:48:48,910
The SR-347 is more than just a road though.

1315
01:48:49,290 --> 01:48:51,210
As we've heard from everybody out there,

1316
01:48:51,470 --> 01:48:54,070
some very emotionally, some more less emotionally,

1317
01:48:54,470 --> 01:48:56,150
I gotta say I almost broke down a little bit

1318
01:48:56,150 --> 01:48:57,750
when I heard Cooper back there talking.

1319
01:48:57,750 --> 01:49:02,790
I've seen him when he was a baby, and I've seen him when he was a little guy running around the neighborhood,

1320
01:49:03,270 --> 01:49:07,130
and to see him stand up here and talk, I almost lost a little bit.

1321
01:49:07,490 --> 01:49:09,850
So I can't imagine how Christians doing it.

1322
01:49:10,450 --> 01:49:13,730
They're names are the same by the way if you didn't realize it last names.

1323
01:49:14,650 --> 01:49:17,670
Thousands of residents rely on that route right there.

1324
01:49:17,890 --> 01:49:22,210
For work, education, essential services to shop, to buy things.

1325
01:49:22,210 --> 01:49:26,330
I mean, this 347 is used by every single person

1326
01:49:26,330 --> 01:49:30,430
in the city of Maricopa, 58,000 cars

1327
01:49:30,430 --> 01:49:32,410
or vehicles, sorry, including trucks,

1328
01:49:32,690 --> 01:49:35,830
travel on it, traverse it on a daily basis.

1329
01:49:36,630 --> 01:49:38,970
However, current infrastructure, as we know,

1330
01:49:39,690 --> 01:49:40,390
is insufficient.

1331
01:49:41,070 --> 01:49:44,430
It leads congestion delays, safety hazards,

1332
01:49:44,970 --> 01:49:47,690
and if we all remember not many of us,

1333
01:49:47,770 --> 01:49:49,050
because not many of us were here then,

1334
01:49:49,290 --> 01:49:51,830
but the late 90s is when it was improved.

1335
01:49:51,830 --> 01:49:59,790
We had a couple people mention it. Tina mentioned it that she was here when it happened and we expanded that road in the late 90s

1336
01:50:00,000 --> 01:50:06,540
Crazy time, no remember. We didn't have many people that lived here back then. And we're probably

1337
01:50:06,540 --> 01:50:15,540
what is it, a couple thousand people, so we're 70 times that now. In 2019, we made significant

1338
01:50:15,540 --> 01:50:22,400
progress. We did that by completing a six-lane overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad,

1339
01:50:22,540 --> 01:50:28,280
eliminating a major roadblock in the city that held up the city from any progress it had.

1340
01:50:28,280 --> 01:50:35,100
And I tell this story and it's a funny story is that I was standing I was sitting in my car

1341
01:50:35,100 --> 01:50:41,420
And I had an old Ford Bronco when New York conditioning at the time and I was sitting at the overpass

1342
01:50:41,420 --> 01:50:52,340
Well, no, I'm sorry at the railroad crossing and I had this guy that lived close to me and he was he was the mayor of the city of Maricopa at the time and

1343
01:50:52,340 --> 01:50:56,720
I was sitting there and I was like God think cuz you know what was there, right?

1344
01:50:58,180 --> 01:51:02,860
So it was a good 20 minutes, I'm getting late for work, I'm like, son of a, and I texted him,

1345
01:51:02,880 --> 01:51:04,800
I'm like, dude, fix this damn thing.

1346
01:51:05,100 --> 01:51:05,720
It's ridiculous.

1347
01:51:06,080 --> 01:51:07,500
It was mad.

1348
01:51:08,020 --> 01:51:10,840
And he said to me, hey, I'm two cards ahead of you.

1349
01:51:11,120 --> 01:51:11,780
And I'm like, dammit!

1350
01:51:14,410 --> 01:51:18,310
At that point, he said, step up, do the work, get involved in it.

1351
01:51:18,410 --> 01:51:20,190
We need help, we always need help.

1352
01:51:20,350 --> 01:51:21,610
Run for office, do something.

1353
01:51:22,330 --> 01:51:26,150
He had me help with the zoning code that we did, and then I ran for office here.

1354
01:51:26,150 --> 01:51:32,530
And we worked our tails off to get that done, and that's what we're doing today when we look at the 347.

1355
01:51:33,150 --> 01:51:38,890
It's uncommon for a city to do what we're doing, or at least talking about doing.

1356
01:51:39,250 --> 01:51:45,490
And it takes that courage, and it takes the courage of sometimes going against what people want.

1357
01:51:46,170 --> 01:51:53,110
or people say, but then again I sit here in this room, adding you a one person, telling

1358
01:51:53,110 --> 01:52:01,070
me not to do it, not one person. Now if you listen to Facebook, this would be 90, 10 against

1359
01:52:01,070 --> 01:52:08,030
it, right? But it's not true. I've saw people on Facebook say, I'm going to support this.

1360
01:52:08,030 --> 01:52:12,270
This is a great idea, and they were attacked to the point where I was like, oh, I'm never

1361
01:52:12,270 --> 01:52:18,510
this again. So the silent majority of the people understand why this has to be done.

1362
01:52:19,330 --> 01:52:25,930
Adjusting the challenges in the 347 requires the United approach. The project is not just a city initiative.

1363
01:52:26,410 --> 01:52:30,630
It's a collaborative effort between Hillary and a community,

1364
01:52:31,010 --> 01:52:34,270
Penalty, Maricopa County, Maricopa County, Maricopa, Association of Governments,

1365
01:52:35,090 --> 01:52:39,090
Arizona Department of Transportation, and yes, us, the city of Maricopa.

1366
01:52:39,090 --> 01:52:42,850
But we can't sit back and say, fix this for us.

1367
01:52:43,470 --> 01:52:44,530
That's not what happens.

1368
01:52:45,390 --> 01:52:49,550
When you do that, you wind up waiting 10, 15, 30, 50 years.

1369
01:52:49,990 --> 01:52:52,470
And you're sitting here going, why didn't that ever get done?

1370
01:52:53,010 --> 01:52:54,390
That's not what we can do.

1371
01:52:55,430 --> 01:52:57,930
I understand a hesitation regarding tax increases.

1372
01:52:58,210 --> 01:53:00,270
I genuinely hate paying taxes, as I said.

1373
01:53:00,490 --> 01:53:06,450
However, infrastructure projects of this magnitude require some substantial investment.

1374
01:53:06,450 --> 01:53:11,570
Then stole the lot of what I was going to say, but I'm going to repeat some of it because it's important.

1375
01:53:12,570 --> 01:53:15,670
I've consistently opposed unnecessary tax hikes.

1376
01:53:15,850 --> 01:53:19,190
I recognize a strategic investment in our infrastructure, our essential.

1377
01:53:19,970 --> 01:53:26,590
A sales tax increase of just a half a cent is a small price to pay for needed infrastructure and peace of mind.

1378
01:53:26,930 --> 01:53:31,550
This tax will not be charged on our basic needs, like food and groceries.

1379
01:53:32,130 --> 01:53:35,990
Well, it'll be charged on your fast food.

1380
01:53:36,270 --> 01:53:39,470
Now you go out of that, so I'm going to pay some of this tax myself, right?

1381
01:53:39,810 --> 01:53:44,010
Over 40% of it is paid for by development, new development.

1382
01:53:44,430 --> 01:53:46,870
So that's one of the things I hear all the time is,

1383
01:53:47,030 --> 01:53:48,610
make the new people pay for it.

1384
01:53:48,850 --> 01:53:49,930
Well, we are, right?

1385
01:53:50,450 --> 01:53:51,610
Sales tax does that.

1386
01:53:51,610 --> 01:53:53,290
Property tax doesn't do that, right?

1387
01:53:53,710 --> 01:53:55,230
Sales tax does that.

1388
01:53:55,890 --> 01:53:58,610
Property tax makes us all pay in equal amount.

1389
01:53:58,610 --> 01:54:05,630
A sales tax allows us to broaden the tax base and bring in more money than just from our residents.

1390
01:54:06,250 --> 01:54:07,630
We've all said that, right?

1391
01:54:08,110 --> 01:54:10,390
A portion is paid by folks visiting the city.

1392
01:54:10,710 --> 01:54:14,850
A portion is paid by people that stop while they're coming through and going to San Diego.

1393
01:54:16,010 --> 01:54:17,150
And stop at a local restaurant.

1394
01:54:17,810 --> 01:54:19,990
A sales tax is a fairer way.

1395
01:54:20,870 --> 01:54:21,870
I got a lot of stuff.

1396
01:54:23,070 --> 01:54:23,990
Thankfully, she does it.

1397
01:54:24,390 --> 01:54:26,270
She doesn't hit the button for us.

1398
01:54:26,270 --> 01:54:29,010
And so I was surprised when Christian did two minutes.

1399
01:54:30,750 --> 01:54:33,890
So anyway, there's been a lot of questions online.

1400
01:54:34,050 --> 01:54:36,070
And what's going to happen is tomorrow.

1401
01:54:36,350 --> 01:54:40,110
If we were to pass this tomorrow out there on the social media,

1402
01:54:40,670 --> 01:54:42,410
people are going to be like, oh, it's pretty determined.

1403
01:54:42,750 --> 01:54:43,930
I don't have a little bit of the energy complain.

1404
01:54:44,390 --> 01:54:46,690
And they're going to say the same questions again.

1405
01:54:46,910 --> 01:54:48,090
And I'll answer them again.

1406
01:54:48,450 --> 01:54:51,010
But I want to answer some of them today for you guys.

1407
01:54:51,110 --> 01:54:52,750
So you understand what's happening.

1408
01:54:53,070 --> 01:54:54,730
And for the people watching online.

1409
01:54:54,730 --> 01:54:57,830
and for the people who are going to read about this tomorrow.

1410
01:54:58,850 --> 01:54:59,970
A lot of people ask why no...

1411
01:55:00,000 --> 01:55:06,540
No vote on the tax, why there's no vote on the tax as a community. Why isn't the entire community voting?

1412
01:55:07,040 --> 01:55:12,860
It's pretty simple. Ben explained some of it earlier. But the reality is, the city sales tax was established

1413
01:55:12,860 --> 01:55:16,600
with an effective date of January 1st, 2004.

1414
01:55:18,720 --> 01:55:23,180
A coinciding with the city's incorporation. This is not a new tax.

1415
01:55:23,180 --> 01:55:26,300
The same as with our property taxes is not new.

1416
01:55:27,260 --> 01:55:30,000
Our secondary property taxes were voted into place

1417
01:55:30,000 --> 01:55:33,340
by the people of Maricopa and provided needed amenities

1418
01:55:33,340 --> 01:55:34,700
like Copper Sky.

1419
01:55:36,180 --> 01:55:39,100
So today we're not talking about a new tax,

1420
01:55:39,640 --> 01:55:40,440
which I would agree.

1421
01:55:40,960 --> 01:55:42,980
She'd go to voters if it's a new tax.

1422
01:55:43,380 --> 01:55:46,180
We're talking about a minor adjustment to a current tax

1423
01:55:46,180 --> 01:55:49,000
that's been in place for over 20 years.

1424
01:55:49,360 --> 01:55:50,260
As I mentioned above,

1425
01:55:50,260 --> 01:55:56,340
The city adjusts our voter, voter approved property taxes all the time.

1426
01:55:57,480 --> 01:56:01,440
Unfortunately, I'm sorry, fortunately, they've gone down and not up, right?

1427
01:56:01,660 --> 01:56:03,020
So there hasn't been a lot of complaints.

1428
01:56:03,740 --> 01:56:06,180
But the reality is, we can do these things.

1429
01:56:06,360 --> 01:56:08,300
We can raise our taxes, lower our taxes.

1430
01:56:08,380 --> 01:56:10,260
These are voter approved things in the first place.

1431
01:56:10,800 --> 01:56:14,920
It just so happens, this one has not changed in over 20 years.

1432
01:56:18,410 --> 01:56:19,350
I only got a couple more.

1433
01:56:20,390 --> 01:56:23,090
Second, you'll notice some folks from A.D. and our meeting today.

1434
01:56:23,090 --> 01:56:28,070
I mean, I think they're ready to get this ball rolling.

1435
01:56:28,770 --> 01:56:32,630
So remember before when Ben talked about how much of a delay

1436
01:56:32,630 --> 01:56:35,910
this could cause by going to voters in a year and a half

1437
01:56:35,910 --> 01:56:39,730
from now or 18 months, I think they're ready to get the ball rolling.

1438
01:56:39,890 --> 01:56:41,730
I think they're sick of seeing us at their meetings.

1439
01:56:42,950 --> 01:56:45,190
I mean, I would be sick of us too.

1440
01:56:45,430 --> 01:56:46,590
They're sick of our emails.

1441
01:56:46,910 --> 01:56:48,730
The legislatures, sick of our emails.

1442
01:56:48,970 --> 01:56:50,970
I mean, when I talk to people from the legislators,

1443
01:56:50,970 --> 01:56:53,490
They're like, well, not to reach, of course.

1444
01:56:55,230 --> 01:56:59,230
They're not sick of it, but of course, some of the people that don't live here

1445
01:56:59,230 --> 01:57:01,510
or represent us are like, hey, stop the emails.

1446
01:57:01,770 --> 01:57:04,110
We know what we keep going.

1447
01:57:06,310 --> 01:57:07,450
They want to get things going.

1448
01:57:07,610 --> 01:57:10,790
The city cannot simply sit and wait when hands open,

1449
01:57:10,910 --> 01:57:12,690
expect in the road with no contribution.

1450
01:57:13,250 --> 01:57:16,830
We must be ready to commit, and we must be ready to commit now.

1451
01:57:17,550 --> 01:57:25,150
If we wait to the end of 2026 to host an election for a new tax, believe it or not, that's

1452
01:57:25,150 --> 01:57:28,970
what we did before, we're props for 16 and 417.

1453
01:57:29,370 --> 01:57:36,610
That was a new tax, and yeah, even though it would pass, we had a deal with a year of just

1454
01:57:36,610 --> 01:57:42,330
the first court case that we lost and we won a card case and we lost the Supreme Court

1455
01:57:42,330 --> 01:57:47,390
And eventually, you leave it in the hands of judges.

1456
01:57:48,990 --> 01:57:50,190
I prefer not to do that.

1457
01:57:50,530 --> 01:57:52,970
I prefer to leave that in the hands of the people in Maricopa.

1458
01:57:54,390 --> 01:57:57,010
Funding must be established to start the expansion,

1459
01:57:57,350 --> 01:58:01,390
not waiting to 27 or 28, if it's unacceptable to me,

1460
01:58:01,550 --> 01:58:05,590
it should be unacceptable to everybody who uses that road daily

1461
01:58:05,590 --> 01:58:07,390
to push another two years ahead.

1462
01:58:07,690 --> 01:58:08,610
It just doesn't make sense.

1463
01:58:09,290 --> 01:58:10,150
It has to happen.

1464
01:58:10,150 --> 01:58:17,630
In 2017, like Ben mentioned, Prop 416-417 passed with a super-majority in the city of

1465
01:58:17,630 --> 01:58:25,950
Maricopa at 58%, and 2022, Prop 469 was a proposed tax that failed in Penal County.

1466
01:58:26,770 --> 01:58:27,530
It failed.

1467
01:58:28,830 --> 01:58:33,730
But Maricopa County, a Maricopa City residents passed it by 63%.

1468
01:58:33,730 --> 01:58:39,390
That is again a super-majority of the people of Maricopa, understand the needs that we

1469
01:58:39,390 --> 01:58:46,990
face. And in 2024, Prop 486 extending our half-cent maintenance facts, which is not used for

1470
01:58:46,990 --> 01:58:53,470
new construction, but only for maintenance, passed at 74% in the city of Maricopa.

1471
01:58:54,910 --> 01:59:01,090
So when people tell me, why not just go to a vote of the people? We have. The people of

1472
01:59:01,090 --> 01:59:06,670
Maricopa want this road taken care of. And suffering, I'm not suffering, I'm sorry, I don't

1473
01:59:06,670 --> 01:59:12,430
to say it that, but dealing with the people on social media who are pushing to say, no, no,

1474
01:59:12,570 --> 01:59:18,450
no, go to the vote, go to the vote, and waiting two years makes no sense to me. None. I'll

1475
01:59:18,450 --> 01:59:22,430
get to local roads in a minute, but we need to make sure we cover them. Another question

1476
01:59:22,430 --> 01:59:27,930
of common here is the city's not, it's not a city road, it's a state highway, and 100%

1477
01:59:27,930 --> 01:59:35,290
true, this is not a city road, it is a state highway. But it's a state highway that 100% of

1478
01:59:35,290 --> 01:59:36,910
America for residents use.

1479
01:59:37,490 --> 01:59:38,350
100% of us.

1480
01:59:38,470 --> 01:59:40,390
There's not one person that lives in America, but it doesn't

1481
01:59:40,390 --> 01:59:41,170
use this road.

1482
01:59:43,240 --> 01:59:46,120
We use it to get back and forth to work, visit doctors, shop,

1483
01:59:46,180 --> 01:59:48,540
get to the airport, entertain ourselves in the valley.

1484
01:59:48,860 --> 01:59:49,680
We all use it.

1485
01:59:49,880 --> 01:59:52,400
We're not looking to fund an entire project either.

1486
01:59:53,140 --> 01:59:55,180
In the city of America, but we're looking to bring together

1487
01:59:55,180 --> 01:59:58,000
some money to invest a portion of the construction.

1488
01:59:58,500 --> 01:59:59,980
It's a little, maybe a little above.

1489
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:10,740
20% of the total cost of the panel county side of expansion. So we're not paying for all of it. We're taking a little bit of money and putting it towards it. And I'll go over that now.

1490
02:00:11,180 --> 02:00:24,540
And estimated $230 million is used for is needed to widen the 347. It's a lot of money. The good news is 143 million of that is panel county alone.

1491
02:00:24,540 --> 02:00:30,560
Meaning 87 million or 90 million dollars comes from Maricopa County and in Maricopa County

1492
02:00:30,560 --> 02:00:36,320
they pass the half-sense sales tax just recently that provides that 87 million dollars.

1493
02:00:36,720 --> 02:00:41,520
So I like when people online say, I won't shop in the city Maricopa if you pass this.

1494
02:00:41,840 --> 02:00:42,980
I only shop up north.

1495
02:00:43,460 --> 02:00:44,380
That's good.

1496
02:00:44,440 --> 02:00:45,940
It provides the 90 million dollars.

1497
02:00:45,980 --> 02:00:48,620
I don't care where you shop both sides of the county.

1498
02:00:49,120 --> 02:00:50,680
Shop in Maricopa County shop here.

1499
02:00:50,680 --> 02:00:54,340
I prefer you shop here because I like the local

1500
02:00:54,340 --> 02:00:58,980
economy helped but if you shop in Maricopa County is going to help us too just don't shop

1501
02:00:58,980 --> 02:01:07,740
in Casa Grande. They ain't helping. $20 million is proposed by Penal County and this is something

1502
02:01:07,740 --> 02:01:13,680
we've been working on for years and having rich there allows us to finally put together a coordinated

1503
02:01:13,680 --> 02:01:19,320
effort from Penal County from another $20 million. So what we're talking about is about $30 million

1504
02:01:19,320 --> 02:01:26,520
from the city of Maricopa, sounds like a lot of money, but over 20 years it's not that much.

1505
02:01:27,040 --> 02:01:33,400
It's really not that much money, and that leaves about $80,90 million to be funded by A.D.

1506
02:01:33,740 --> 02:01:44,720
Now if you can give A.D. a project in which more than half 60% or so is paid for already, it's much easier to get on a five-year plan.

1507
02:01:44,720 --> 02:01:48,740
There are multiple projects on the 347, the rig's TI,

1508
02:01:48,740 --> 02:01:51,940
Moment Way, on the cement plan road, Casa Blanca,

1509
02:01:52,440 --> 02:01:55,020
but today we're discussing one fix and one fix only,

1510
02:01:55,280 --> 02:01:57,560
it is widening of the 347.

1511
02:01:58,420 --> 02:02:01,680
We're remember 58,000 cars or vehicles

1512
02:02:01,680 --> 02:02:05,320
are putting it to the test every single day.

1513
02:02:06,060 --> 02:02:09,160
All right, so I know people right now are saying

1514
02:02:09,160 --> 02:02:12,080
shut up and move on, so I'll move on.

1515
02:02:12,520 --> 02:02:14,060
One other question I get

1516
02:02:14,060 --> 02:02:17,260
is the governor stole our money.

1517
02:02:18,420 --> 02:02:22,260
Well, unfortunately, it's kind of true, but not really true.

1518
02:02:22,540 --> 02:02:25,120
There's no context to what they say out there,

1519
02:02:25,460 --> 02:02:28,300
but this comments made by some, and it's correct,

1520
02:02:28,600 --> 02:02:31,080
but not entirely accurate, as it leaves out

1521
02:02:31,080 --> 02:02:32,120
a whole bunch of context.

1522
02:02:32,700 --> 02:02:35,020
One, it's talking about the rig's TI,

1523
02:02:35,640 --> 02:02:38,280
and not widening of the 347, right?

1524
02:02:38,740 --> 02:02:41,320
So while facing a budget shortfall, the governor

1525
02:02:41,320 --> 02:02:46,540
and the legislature had to cut some projects, but they did not, they did not cut the

1526
02:02:46,540 --> 02:02:52,100
rigs TI. What they did is moved it forward because, unfortunately, even if they funded

1527
02:02:52,100 --> 02:02:56,900
it a year ago, eight out was not ready to build it. So they moved it forward a couple of years.

1528
02:02:57,180 --> 02:03:02,140
It wasn't stolen, it was pushed forward just a little. What we're doing today and rich mentioned

1529
02:03:02,140 --> 02:03:07,060
that when he was talking is bringing some of that money back into place and putting together a plan

1530
02:03:07,060 --> 02:03:13,080
to build the rigs TI, hopefully at the same time we're building these lanes. Hopefully. Well,

1531
02:03:13,120 --> 02:03:17,680
figure that out. But what it does is it saves us money by doing it together. So this is

1532
02:03:17,680 --> 02:03:23,060
important stuff to remember. All this stuff you read online, all this and you guys all agree,

1533
02:03:23,200 --> 02:03:27,020
because nobody stood up and said no. But there's people listening online and there's people are

1534
02:03:27,020 --> 02:03:33,780
going to watch this tomorrow. I want them to understand that stuff they see online is not always true.

1535
02:03:33,780 --> 02:03:37,580
And just because it's on the internet, does not make it true.

1536
02:03:38,740 --> 02:03:40,700
All right, so the governor didn't steal our money.

1537
02:03:41,720 --> 02:03:43,940
Now, here's the best one, right?

1538
02:03:44,340 --> 02:03:48,360
We did this before and they stole our money.

1539
02:03:48,680 --> 02:03:51,400
I always ask who they is, because it kind of driving nuts.

1540
02:03:52,180 --> 02:03:53,640
But you're again, but they're correct.

1541
02:03:54,340 --> 02:03:57,260
We did this before and then talked about it before.

1542
02:04:00,120 --> 02:04:01,900
I should get endorsement money.

1543
02:04:03,200 --> 02:04:04,860
You're again correct with this one here.

1544
02:04:04,860 --> 02:04:11,860
We had a county-wide tax vote by the people of a large majority that we mentioned before past this.

1545
02:04:12,160 --> 02:04:16,940
I've said publicly and we're ready to reiterate now, with the county-wide tax was flawed because it only

1546
02:04:16,940 --> 02:04:21,720
taxed the first $10,000 and then it had a tiered system and not left a crack.

1547
02:04:22,480 --> 02:04:30,300
And if you give the judicial system a crack, it creates, I don't know, a big, big split.

1548
02:04:30,900 --> 02:04:37,980
And then what they do is they have a split vote and they say four to three, hey, you can't have that tax and then we're all screwed, right?

1549
02:04:38,540 --> 02:04:44,660
So what you have to do is you have to ensure that when you put something together, you put it together correctly, and that's what we're doing today.

1550
02:04:45,360 --> 02:04:56,520
This left a small crack for some to challenge in court. Soon after the half-cent, county tax was passed, the Conservative Goldwater Institute decided that they're going to sue.

1551
02:04:56,520 --> 02:04:57,720
And they sued.

1552
02:05:01,560 --> 02:05:25,100
It's crazy that I didn't even know if they had standing to sue there from Phoenix, who knows? I don't know. But they sue us, and they challenged the new tax, because they believed that two tier system was not allowed. The county lost in court, the county of one in court, the county won on appeal. The county lost finally as a four, three votes of the Supreme Court, by the way, one of the four was used to be the leader of the Goldwater Institute. So, go figure.

1553
02:05:28,040 --> 02:05:33,980
This, the money then was decided at the time what should happen is pretty simple.

1554
02:05:34,720 --> 02:05:36,460
They said, let's give it back to business.

1555
02:05:37,020 --> 02:05:39,780
Not you, not you, not the people who paid it.

1556
02:05:39,960 --> 02:05:42,560
Let's give it back to businesses because hey, why not?

1557
02:05:43,020 --> 02:05:44,640
It's not their money.

1558
02:05:45,560 --> 02:05:47,920
So it became a win fall for businesses in Penalty.

1559
02:05:48,520 --> 02:05:52,820
So instead of using that money on roads in Penalty, what we did is we said, hey, Wal-Mart,

1560
02:05:52,820 --> 02:05:57,700
would you could use a check for a cup of million dollars and we gave them their money right so

1561
02:05:57,700 --> 02:06:03,760
businesses were able to then apply for refund and as of last month about a little over half of

1562
02:06:03,760 --> 02:06:09,180
that money has been refunded to businesses in Pinal County and the fight happening today now

1563
02:06:09,180 --> 02:06:16,940
is what happens when the time to request a refund is no longer available what happens to that money

1564
02:06:16,940 --> 02:06:22,140
We in Penal County, especially as I hope in Maricopa, say,

1565
02:06:22,400 --> 02:06:24,320
hey, give it to us for user for roads.

1566
02:06:24,840 --> 02:06:28,320
But unfortunately, there's some folks who think, no,

1567
02:06:28,780 --> 02:06:32,260
you should not be able to use it for roads because they want to punish us

1568
02:06:32,260 --> 02:06:36,860
and say we should use it in the state for roads, not just in Penal County.

1569
02:06:37,400 --> 02:06:38,700
So we're working through it.

1570
02:06:38,980 --> 02:06:43,460
Trees says going to fight for us as we know our legislators are going to fight for us

1571
02:06:43,460 --> 02:06:46,680
and we're going to make sure that that money comes back to Penal County.

1572
02:06:46,680 --> 02:06:52,660
But the reality is we're never going to get enough to do the 347 with it because maybe this 40 million left

1573
02:06:52,660 --> 02:06:57,480
Divide it by per capita in the county. Maybe we get four five million dollars at it

1574
02:06:57,480 --> 02:06:57,840
Maybe

1575
02:06:59,120 --> 02:07:05,360
All right, so anyway, I apologize. This was a business gift. It was sent out to the businesses and so yes

1576
02:07:05,360 --> 02:07:07,020
They stole your money

1577
02:07:07,020 --> 02:07:10,940
It wasn't me. It wasn't the county. It wasn't the city

1578
02:07:10,940 --> 02:07:16,480
It was the people who were behind the lawsuit. I don't want to say gold water. It's oh, I said it

1579
02:07:16,480 --> 02:07:24,200
Um, decided that you couldn't have your money back. Okay? So last one. Well, no, it's not dang it.

1580
02:07:24,960 --> 02:07:26,260
Huh? Yeah.

1581
02:07:27,340 --> 02:07:28,580
All right, so this tax

1582
02:07:29,960 --> 02:07:36,800
This tax will be used for more than a 347 people complain about that online and say it and it is true again

1583
02:07:36,800 --> 02:07:43,700
It's true, but there's there's understanding of it. It's going to be used for the 347. Yes, that's what we're going to use for

1584
02:07:43,700 --> 02:07:46,660
Ben showed you a slide that said there's

1585
02:07:46,660 --> 02:07:51,200
Other things that are going to be used for this is not a trick. It's not a bait and switch

1586
02:07:51,200 --> 02:07:59,560
We're going to use it for the 347 widening 347 winding project. They were going to use it. I hope to complete the green road loop

1587
02:08:00,440 --> 02:08:10,720
An eastern loop off the 347 taking people off of smithanky taking people off of lake view alleviating that pressure in town

1588
02:08:12,040 --> 02:08:20,560
fixing the Y 347. So even if we're doing other things that are not on 347, they are impacting the 347.

1589
02:08:21,040 --> 02:08:28,660
This tax is used to make sure the commuting corridors in the city of Maricopa are good.

1590
02:08:29,000 --> 02:08:34,420
And that's what we all need in one. So lastly, someone's been spreading a false rumor that A.

1591
02:08:34,420 --> 02:08:40,040
thought has already the widening project on the five-year plan.

1592
02:08:40,260 --> 02:08:45,780
It's not true, false, mistaken, and I've told them a few times, and to be clear, that

1593
02:08:45,780 --> 02:08:47,620
is a hundred percent misinformation.

1594
02:08:48,160 --> 02:08:53,320
While the 347 is mentioned on the A.D. plans, it's an illustrator project that's not funded.

1595
02:08:53,740 --> 02:08:57,160
This is the conversation we're having to do that in conclusion.

1596
02:09:01,100 --> 02:09:04,140
I usually don't talk to this much, I really don't, I really don't.

1597
02:09:04,660 --> 02:09:10,100
The goal is to create more ways to get in and out of Maricopa, everyone wants this done.

1598
02:09:10,740 --> 02:09:15,680
It seems that some want a magical road fairy, though, to come in and fix the roads and

1599
02:09:15,680 --> 02:09:17,960
not have to pay for it and that's not happening.

1600
02:09:19,040 --> 02:09:25,540
Somebody has to pay for everything and let my father told me nothing is ever free.

1601
02:09:27,380 --> 02:09:38,620
Improvement SR347 is not just about reducing commute times, it's about ensuring the safety of our residents, fostering economic growth and preparing our city for the future.

1602
02:09:39,200 --> 02:09:46,280
We can build stronger safer America for future generations by working together and making informed decisions.

1603
02:09:46,880 --> 02:09:48,740
So thank you so much for everybody that came today.

1604
02:09:49,280 --> 02:09:54,020
And thank you the Mayor. Thank you everybody on staff for giving me the opportunity to chat a little bit.

1605
02:09:54,020 --> 02:09:55,940
And that's it.

1606
02:09:56,120 --> 02:09:56,460
Thank you.

1607
02:09:56,560 --> 02:09:56,700
Thank you.

1608
02:10:03,090 --> 02:10:04,530
Council member, ghetto.

1609
02:10:06,660 --> 02:10:15,000
I almost fell asleep. Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. You've told me that this is so important. You did a great job. You did a good job.

1610
02:10:17,080 --> 02:10:24,560
I approach this decision tonight with some mixed emotions and I wanted to explain those a little bit today and perhaps even explain my vote a little bit.

1611
02:10:25,140 --> 02:10:30,180
Two of the emotions I wanted to describe today is a little anger and then on the flip side

1612
02:10:30,180 --> 02:10:30,920
some pride.

1613
02:10:31,860 --> 02:10:39,400
Those of you know me pretty well I don't get angry hardly ever and today I'm really frustrated

1614
02:10:39,400 --> 02:10:45,360
that I've been put into the position of violating some of the principles that I hold

1615
02:10:45,360 --> 02:10:48,320
pretty important to that of being anti-tax.

1616
02:10:48,320 --> 02:10:56,240
I feel strongly that most taxes are horribly immoral and we just don't need more taxes.

1617
02:10:58,240 --> 02:11:04,580
But we have a broken system that has been set up by our state to fund these roads.

1618
02:11:05,260 --> 02:11:06,300
And it's not working.

1619
02:11:07,040 --> 02:11:08,900
We have a lot of great partners in ADOT.

1620
02:11:08,920 --> 02:11:14,260
We have a lot of wonderful partners in our state legislature, but we don't have collectively

1621
02:11:14,260 --> 02:11:30,040
state a lot of resolve to fix this issue in its core. But we still have a broken road and it still needs to be fixed yesterday not ten twenty thirty years into the future. And so that's why I'm a little frustrated

1622
02:11:30,040 --> 02:11:39,360
This is why I'm a little angry today being put into this position where I have to consider raising taxes here on our residents and those who shop here in a city to fund a project that really

1623
02:11:39,360 --> 02:11:41,360
does need to be funded on the state level.

1624
02:11:42,040 --> 02:11:46,900
Now having said all of that, let me come to the more positive side of Pride, has been said

1625
02:11:46,900 --> 02:11:51,500
here several times very eloquently by several of our speakers today that we belong

1626
02:11:51,500 --> 02:11:53,000
to a very special city.

1627
02:11:53,780 --> 02:11:58,960
And we were not the individuals that are going to sit here and let a problem be a problem

1628
02:11:58,960 --> 02:12:01,020
without trying to find a solution.

1629
02:12:01,620 --> 02:12:05,880
Without trying to think outside of the box, trying to figure out how do we continue to

1630
02:12:05,880 --> 02:12:10,080
move this ball forward and literally a breakneck speed.

1631
02:12:10,320 --> 02:12:13,140
We are moving quick in our development as a city.

1632
02:12:13,920 --> 02:12:20,580
And so I'm proud that we have such a remarkable team that has spent so much time, so much

1633
02:12:20,580 --> 02:12:22,900
energy in developing this plan moving forward.

1634
02:12:23,280 --> 02:12:25,760
And I'm excited to be a part of that as well.

1635
02:12:28,400 --> 02:12:29,800
The 347 has to be fixed.

1636
02:12:29,840 --> 02:12:33,920
I have not met anyone that I've talked to in the city that disagrees with that statement.

1637
02:12:34,300 --> 02:12:35,380
It has to be fixed.

1638
02:12:35,380 --> 02:12:40,760
But infrastructure requires funding, and that's where we are then this evening.

1639
02:12:41,980 --> 02:12:45,300
I do want to say that money, however, is only part of the problem.

1640
02:12:45,540 --> 02:12:49,300
It also takes relationships to make this type of a project happen.

1641
02:12:49,740 --> 02:12:52,540
And this is another part of why I'm so proud to be a part of this team

1642
02:12:52,540 --> 02:12:57,000
is that our team has worked so diligently over the last several decades, even,

1643
02:12:57,460 --> 02:13:01,480
to build those relationships with our state partners, with our county partners,

1644
02:13:01,480 --> 02:13:06,420
partners with our eight dot partners, with our federal partners, with our tribal partners to be able

1645
02:13:06,420 --> 02:13:07,760
to move this project forward.

1646
02:13:08,340 --> 02:13:13,600
And so I just want to commit, and not only are we adding, if this goes through tonight in

1647
02:13:13,600 --> 02:13:18,440
the affirmative, money to the solution, but we're also bringing decades of relationships

1648
02:13:18,440 --> 02:13:24,360
to the solution as well, and I hope that we will have a speedy resolution to 347 issues.

1649
02:13:25,500 --> 02:13:34,380
Lastly, maybe just the message to our residents, even if this passes this evening, we must be patient with this process.

1650
02:13:34,520 --> 02:13:40,600
We want it fixed yesterday, it needed to be fixed yesterday. But we don't have that magic wand, as it was mentioned,

1651
02:13:41,220 --> 02:13:46,340
and this is a lengthy process, and it's going to include some growing pains.

1652
02:13:46,720 --> 02:13:52,160
The 347 is going to be more of a nightmare than it is today when that construction hits.

1653
02:13:52,160 --> 02:13:58,860
We're going to work with our partners to make it as painless as possible, but there will be pain in that process.

1654
02:13:59,680 --> 02:14:09,740
So please, Maricopa, slow down, calm down, drive more carefully, and please shop local.

1655
02:14:10,260 --> 02:14:13,920
That will help fund this project at a faster clip as well.

1656
02:14:14,280 --> 02:14:20,140
And so with that Mayor, I intend to vote in the affirmative of this ordinance this evening for those reasons.

1657
02:14:20,140 --> 02:14:22,820
and I appreciate you allowing me the time to explain.

1658
02:14:23,220 --> 02:14:24,300
Thank you, Councilmember Ghetto.

1659
02:14:25,520 --> 02:14:26,220
Councilmember Mars.

1660
02:14:29,430 --> 02:14:30,750
It's all been said.

1661
02:14:33,020 --> 02:14:34,140
We've heard the story.

1662
02:14:35,300 --> 02:14:36,600
We've heard from the people.

1663
02:14:37,840 --> 02:14:39,580
Let's get this vote done.

1664
02:14:40,080 --> 02:14:42,180
I moved to approve this ordinance.

1665
02:14:42,960 --> 02:14:45,040
I'll wait for a motion for just a little bit, Bob.

1666
02:14:45,280 --> 02:14:46,420
But I'll come back to you.

1667
02:14:47,800 --> 02:14:48,980
Okay, Councilmember Leerman.

1668
02:14:53,350 --> 02:14:54,050
Thank you, man.

1669
02:14:56,270 --> 02:14:58,450
I've lived in my cup of for 21 years

1670
02:14:58,450 --> 02:14:59,970
and in the amount of time you have to.

1671
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:24,600
I have a lot of conversations about the 347. I've had conversations with grandparents, moms and dads and teenagers, working as a peaceful counselor. I have lots of conversations with parents whose children are getting their driver's license and teenagers who are getting on 347 for the first time, and so there's been a lot of talk about this road over the last years.

1672
02:15:24,600 --> 02:15:32,840
I want to thank each person who is there tonight at City Hall and those who have the courage to step back and speak on this issue.

1673
02:15:33,660 --> 02:15:45,820
I want to thank you, Mayor, for the our leadership and the spirit head of 347 facts.com and really creating a movement and momentum in our city.

1674
02:15:45,820 --> 02:15:54,380
like Mayor Price said about kind of taking it a step forward and so I want to thank you Mayor for your leadership on this particular issue.

1675
02:15:55,560 --> 02:16:01,240
I just have three short reasons why I also support this decision.

1676
02:16:01,460 --> 02:16:04,080
Number one is safety, timing is critical.

1677
02:16:04,520 --> 02:16:07,080
We don't have any more time to wait any more longer.

1678
02:16:07,460 --> 02:16:12,960
I believe that this vote is a life-saving vote and so it's not an option for me to vote now.

1679
02:16:12,960 --> 02:16:23,260
Number two, there's another more talk we need to take action and thank you for the opportunity to position us to have the ability to take action.

1680
02:16:24,240 --> 02:16:31,020
Number three, I'm voting yes because parents try to get home to make it on time for their child's birthday party.

1681
02:16:31,540 --> 02:16:40,560
People are trying to get to work on time, get to a doctor's appointment on time, make a flight on time, and just get home after the long bad day.

1682
02:16:40,560 --> 02:16:48,320
We need to get people home safely and in a reasonable amount of time, and that's not happening right now, and it's not acceptable.

1683
02:16:50,180 --> 02:16:57,060
The last thing I just want to mention, and then I'll be done, is I've been talked to about taxation without representation,

1684
02:16:58,200 --> 02:17:06,700
and I can tell you that out of all the conversations I've had with people, this is a super majority that people are in favor of this,

1685
02:17:06,700 --> 02:17:09,460
and they want the 347 fixed.

1686
02:17:10,020 --> 02:17:13,120
It's a very, very small portion of people

1687
02:17:13,120 --> 02:17:16,440
that I've talked to that are not in favor of this.

1688
02:17:16,640 --> 02:17:21,400
And so I feel like I do have a very good pulse

1689
02:17:21,400 --> 02:17:25,140
on what people want and on this topic.

1690
02:17:25,380 --> 02:17:26,040
Thank you, Mayor.

1691
02:17:26,520 --> 02:17:27,760
Thank you, Councillor Layerman.

1692
02:17:28,340 --> 02:17:29,460
Councillor Nourth.

1693
02:17:31,150 --> 02:17:31,870
Thank you, Mayor.

1694
02:17:32,230 --> 02:17:35,930
I'm just quickly, I think a lot has been said here tonight.

1695
02:17:36,050 --> 02:17:37,990
And I think it's all been very important

1696
02:17:37,990 --> 02:17:41,490
And I really appreciate everyone who came out to voice

1697
02:17:41,490 --> 02:17:42,430
at your opinion.

1698
02:17:42,690 --> 02:17:45,110
I'm thrilled that they were all in support

1699
02:17:45,110 --> 02:17:46,410
of the Ascent Cell Tax.

1700
02:17:46,790 --> 02:17:49,090
But I just really thank you for being part

1701
02:17:49,090 --> 02:17:52,850
of the solution coming and speaking to your elected officials.

1702
02:17:52,870 --> 02:17:54,110
I think that's so important.

1703
02:17:54,270 --> 02:17:55,290
And I know it takes time.

1704
02:17:55,590 --> 02:17:56,390
And it takes courage.

1705
02:17:56,410 --> 02:17:57,710
And I want to thank you for that.

1706
02:17:57,990 --> 02:18:04,170
I also want to thank the 347Facts.com team.

1707
02:18:04,610 --> 02:18:07,350
Because without them, we would not be here today.

1708
02:18:07,350 --> 02:18:08,530
And that's the truth.

1709
02:18:09,130 --> 02:18:11,950
Without them, we would not be this far down the road.

1710
02:18:12,350 --> 02:18:13,770
And we would not be at this stage.

1711
02:18:14,030 --> 02:18:15,230
And we would not have the opportunities

1712
02:18:15,230 --> 02:18:18,130
that we have tonight, because some volunteers

1713
02:18:18,690 --> 02:18:22,910
that were organized by our amazing mayor got together

1714
02:18:23,590 --> 02:18:26,270
and started, I've been in politics a long time.

1715
02:18:26,870 --> 02:18:29,790
One of the top three most significant grassroots campaigns

1716
02:18:29,790 --> 02:18:30,850
I've ever seen.

1717
02:18:31,570 --> 02:18:33,670
By people who just got together and said,

1718
02:18:34,010 --> 02:18:36,350
here's a problem, how are we going to fix it?

1719
02:18:36,350 --> 02:18:45,890
It's impressive, what you've done, your dedication, your commitment, it's truly remarkable, and I really just want to thank you for that, it's very important.

1720
02:18:46,910 --> 02:18:51,830
And so I did not want this to go by without thanking 347FACS.com.

1721
02:18:52,230 --> 02:19:00,810
Just shortly, when I about a year ago, I sat down there and answered questions from the council when I applied for the vacancy.

1722
02:19:01,590 --> 02:19:09,570
And the Council asked a lot of great questions, and one of them was, what is your biggest priority for the city of Maricopa?

1723
02:19:10,050 --> 02:19:11,870
And I said fixing the 347.

1724
02:19:12,770 --> 02:19:16,070
Because that is the biggest priority for the people of Maricopa.

1725
02:19:16,290 --> 02:19:18,010
And it's an issue that we have to address.

1726
02:19:18,430 --> 02:19:20,010
And so I stood there, and I answered.

1727
02:19:20,290 --> 02:19:28,770
And so there's no way I could not support doing something tonight to help make that promise come true.

1728
02:19:28,770 --> 02:19:37,610
And to really provide the solutions we need to the 347 and the transportation corridors because you guys I'm excited about this 347.

1729
02:19:39,070 --> 02:19:46,370
But the other transportation corridors in combination with this, it's going to be life changing, it's going to be amazing.

1730
02:19:47,290 --> 02:19:52,770
And our city has been planning for this and we've been having the conversations and I'm just super excited about what this will bring.

1731
02:19:52,770 --> 02:19:59,350
some thank you mayor for your leadership on this you truly been an amazing leader on this

1732
02:19:59,350 --> 02:19:59,970
issue and I think.

1733
02:20:00,000 --> 02:20:15,460
Thank you. Thank you very much, Councilor Renoir. You're trying to make me cry, aren't you? I am. No one's done it yet, so. Yeah. No, not yet. Okay, Vice Mayor Wade. Thank you, Madam Mayor. My fellow council members. Community.

1734
02:20:19,760 --> 02:20:33,120
I used to drive the 347 every day twice a day going back and forth between the now eight year in downtown Phoenix. I've seen a lot of accidents. It's seen a lot of cars put a little side of the road. Was actually engaged in one. What?

1735
02:20:33,260 --> 02:20:38,980
The young lady they hit me from the back said, this is my third accident I've had in three weeks.

1736
02:20:41,720 --> 02:20:46,800
I gave her one of my counseling with my cards and said, I tell you what, next time you get on the road you give me a call let me know that you're out there.

1737
02:20:49,990 --> 02:20:52,470
Because I don't want to be out there at the same time as you.

1738
02:20:54,170 --> 02:21:00,670
But where I do want to be and where I have been for the last three cycles is a member of this council.

1739
02:21:01,730 --> 02:21:06,310
And I've seen a lot of it, and I didn't realize when I came on council that I was going

1740
02:21:06,310 --> 02:21:14,990
to be walking through large buildings, lengthy buildings, what a guy whose stride was twice

1741
02:21:14,990 --> 02:21:20,050
his mind when he talked to the people about improving equality of life from America.

1742
02:21:20,890 --> 02:21:28,130
It was the overpass that we were talking about, but it's the same thing, this community support,

1743
02:21:28,130 --> 02:21:31,030
community safety thinking about our children.

1744
02:21:31,810 --> 02:21:39,630
I'm a frantic, put a 16-year-old grandson who will eventually get on the 347 even though

1745
02:21:39,630 --> 02:21:43,390
I told him not to, because he just wanted to see what was all about.

1746
02:21:44,690 --> 02:21:49,970
So I'm pleased I've been blessed to be a part of this.

1747
02:21:50,190 --> 02:21:53,330
I'm also going to be blessed as a part of the solution that's going to happen here tonight.

1748
02:21:54,790 --> 02:21:56,290
You're going to do the right thing.

1749
02:21:57,390 --> 02:22:00,590
You're going to make it so that you're a expense,

1750
02:22:01,290 --> 02:22:03,230
that you're just speaking out, you're writing,

1751
02:22:03,970 --> 02:22:06,210
you're contacting folks, you're visiting visits,

1752
02:22:06,670 --> 02:22:08,210
all been worthwhile.

1753
02:22:09,230 --> 02:22:10,110
And you're going to do the right thing.

1754
02:22:10,270 --> 02:22:10,990
What you know what?

1755
02:22:11,270 --> 02:22:13,610
I thank you for me being able to now

1756
02:22:13,610 --> 02:22:15,270
to go to the supermarket,

1757
02:22:16,570 --> 02:22:18,530
and the vegetable section,

1758
02:22:19,170 --> 02:22:19,990
and by vegetables,

1759
02:22:19,990 --> 02:22:22,090
to sit there and talk in about the 347.

1760
02:22:23,690 --> 02:22:26,030
You know, I don't have a problem with it whatsoever.

1761
02:22:26,270 --> 02:22:27,530
We want to talk with this talk.

1762
02:22:28,490 --> 02:22:30,050
But let's talk about reality.

1763
02:22:30,650 --> 02:22:33,850
Let's talk when we have those driveway conversations.

1764
02:22:34,590 --> 02:22:39,490
They go way off fast Facebook, way off past Twitter,

1765
02:22:40,170 --> 02:22:44,070
just because someone thought they knew what they thought they knew

1766
02:22:44,070 --> 02:22:46,050
and didn't know what they didn't know.

1767
02:22:47,450 --> 02:22:53,250
So, I want to thank you for that, when I thank you for the fact that how we're going to vote.

1768
02:22:53,850 --> 02:23:01,270
And I assure you that when we do the right thing, the other members of the community will step in line and go, you know what?

1769
02:23:01,390 --> 02:23:03,210
That wasn't that that hurt to decide.

1770
02:23:05,270 --> 02:23:13,210
Living for my kids, living for my grandson, living for your kids and your grandchildren, means something.

1771
02:23:13,210 --> 02:23:18,290
And you're going to do something right about it here when it comes time to make the vote

1772
02:23:18,290 --> 02:23:19,550
to decide to move forward.

1773
02:23:20,270 --> 02:23:23,570
And we're going to be here again for something else, something down the road.

1774
02:23:23,930 --> 02:23:26,470
It's going to cause us to come together like this and we'll be able to say,

1775
02:23:26,870 --> 02:23:30,010
you know, when we had that fight about the 347,

1776
02:23:30,970 --> 02:23:33,390
that was nothing compared to what this is.

1777
02:23:34,290 --> 02:23:35,330
And we'll do this.

1778
02:23:35,450 --> 02:23:36,870
We'll make sure we get this done.

1779
02:23:38,230 --> 02:23:40,370
So thank you for doing that.

1780
02:23:40,370 --> 02:23:42,450
Thank you for giving us a look.

1781
02:23:42,590 --> 02:23:45,710
I look through the window as to where we're going.

1782
02:23:46,290 --> 02:23:50,770
Thank you to pioneers of Maricopa for building a place

1783
02:23:50,770 --> 02:23:53,410
where people like you and I could come and sit down

1784
02:23:53,410 --> 02:23:55,630
and have this conversation and feel like

1785
02:23:55,630 --> 02:23:56,970
we're a part of something special.

1786
02:23:58,890 --> 02:24:00,430
They're gonna have to roll me out of here

1787
02:24:01,190 --> 02:24:02,830
because I'm not going anywhere.

1788
02:24:03,670 --> 02:24:05,970
I love Maricopa, I love what is done for my family.

1789
02:24:06,490 --> 02:24:13,050
I love what's done for me, it slows me into life, I love the guy they had to hide, the

1790
02:24:13,050 --> 02:24:18,250
long stride, they took me on their shoulders and taught me things that I would never

1791
02:24:18,250 --> 02:24:22,650
have been in the thought of, I would never tell myself, you know, city councilmen, city

1792
02:24:22,650 --> 02:24:28,990
miracle, are you kidding me? But then, as I saw and looked where people were doing and

1793
02:24:28,990 --> 02:24:34,550
how people were treating each other and how they were concerned about the well-being of

1794
02:24:34,990 --> 02:24:43,650
other. All in. All in. And I'm all in on this. So come on join with me. Let's get this

1795
02:24:43,650 --> 02:24:43,890
tough.

1796
02:24:50,760 --> 02:24:55,120
Thank you, Vice Mayor. All right. I'm going to keep it brief because man, what a great

1797
02:24:57,440 --> 02:24:59,960
great sharing. He's over here apologizing.

1798
02:25:00,080 --> 02:25:30,060
A great sharing by all of you. Thank you very, very much. I just want to share a couple of things and some fun things. One of the first fun things is I went to the second and third open house. Why to engage with the people that were there? And it was phenomenal. The people that were there, some came in support, some came against. And I had fabulous conversations with all of them, but the ones that I was most amazed with were the ones that were against. And once they walked around the room and saw

1799
02:25:30,060 --> 02:25:36,540
the same boards that you saw here tonight, they made it a point to come over to one of us

1800
02:25:36,540 --> 02:25:44,540
or maybe many of us and say, you changed my mind. You changed my mind because this is being done

1801
02:25:44,540 --> 02:25:55,900
the right way. I asked one lady, a sweet lady, she came in so against the text and so loud and I just

1802
02:25:55,900 --> 02:26:01,220
I'll hold her around the room and just enjoy experiencing what she wanted to learn.

1803
02:26:01,540 --> 02:26:02,340
Her name is Irene.

1804
02:26:02,380 --> 02:26:05,420
I won't give you her last name, but she said I could, but I'm just going to give you

1805
02:26:05,420 --> 02:26:05,800
Irene.

1806
02:26:06,340 --> 02:26:14,560
And she came up to me at the end of the last open house and said, Mayor, I'm in support of this.

1807
02:26:14,880 --> 02:26:17,320
I can't understand why I was against it.

1808
02:26:17,900 --> 02:26:20,440
We all know why we all hate taxes, right?

1809
02:26:20,440 --> 02:26:33,860
But just for her to just openly share that with me, and many of them did, and so I really appreciate everyone that attended, and I enjoyed those interactions phenomenally.

1810
02:26:34,580 --> 02:26:50,420
When Mayor Price decided to move on to a different job, and he said, here you go, Mayor 347, and I'm like,

1811
02:26:50,420 --> 02:26:58,140
group that will help us get to our elected officials at the state, our elected officials at

1812
02:26:58,140 --> 02:27:05,040
the county, the Healer River Indian community, even amongst ourselves, get to us, you know,

1813
02:27:05,040 --> 02:27:11,200
if you need to do that. This group, I put the call out, I ended up with about 10 people,

1814
02:27:11,500 --> 02:27:17,960
and you know what, I still have those 10 people plus a few more. It's amazing. I love what

1815
02:27:17,960 --> 02:27:28,560
and said he said I came here not wanting to do this and I joined and I'm telling you he has spoken at some of the eight dot meetings with passion. All of them have. It's amazing.

1816
02:27:29,340 --> 02:27:36,980
So I too want to make sure we recognize those 347 facts.com because just to put a website together is phenomenal.

1817
02:27:37,500 --> 02:27:47,520
But that group is responsible for well over 1400 emails going to over 100 elected officials.

1818
02:27:47,520 --> 02:27:53,140
and helping to make a change, including the State Transportation Board, and A.D., as well.

1819
02:27:54,120 --> 02:27:54,840
That's impressive.

1820
02:27:55,440 --> 02:27:57,520
And that board, I just love them.

1821
02:27:57,520 --> 02:27:58,460
They're not really a board.

1822
02:27:58,500 --> 02:27:59,200
We're not official.

1823
02:27:59,560 --> 02:28:00,960
We just want to make a change.

1824
02:28:01,820 --> 02:28:08,000
But that group of people, we've been talking fun things about, you know, if we end up on the five-year plan,

1825
02:28:08,060 --> 02:28:08,980
what do we do next?

1826
02:28:09,000 --> 02:28:09,980
They don't want to stop.

1827
02:28:10,500 --> 02:28:16,840
And we were talking about, and I've been working with Hila River to put four by eight signs out on 347.

1828
02:28:16,840 --> 02:28:23,320
And one of our ideas loved it, loved it, was, and Tina, are you still here?

1829
02:28:23,860 --> 02:28:25,400
Yeah, it came from her husband.

1830
02:28:26,140 --> 02:28:29,600
You can cry on my shoulder, but don't drive on my shoulder.

1831
02:28:30,360 --> 02:28:31,680
And I'm like, that's a good one.

1832
02:28:32,100 --> 02:28:34,860
So, be looking out sometime in the near future,

1833
02:28:34,860 --> 02:28:39,060
and I want to thank Global Water for financially helping us be able to do that

1834
02:28:39,060 --> 02:28:42,100
when the time comes. I really appreciate that.

1835
02:28:42,980 --> 02:28:49,100
We've developed partnerships with A.D. and many other organizations like has been stated tonight.

1836
02:28:49,740 --> 02:28:54,320
But I really want to thank A.D. I want to thank the State Transportation Board.

1837
02:28:54,780 --> 02:28:59,580
They accept us with smiles every single time we show up.

1838
02:29:00,820 --> 02:29:04,360
And the fact that they're both here tonight is amazing to me.

1839
02:29:04,440 --> 02:29:08,100
And I appreciate you being here tonight because this is important.

1840
02:29:08,100 --> 02:29:13,900
I want to thank our reps, Representative Martinez, Representative Lopez.

1841
02:29:14,140 --> 02:29:17,620
I do want to thank Senator Shope, even though he was unable to come.

1842
02:29:18,040 --> 02:29:23,140
And you know who else I want to thank, I want to thank Representative Brett Roberts, who

1843
02:29:23,140 --> 02:29:29,260
used to be a representative and got the initial money for Rig's Road Overpass.

1844
02:29:29,420 --> 02:29:30,660
Thank you all.

1845
02:29:31,140 --> 02:29:34,840
And to our State Transportation Board, and to A.D.

1846
02:29:34,840 --> 02:29:38,980
If those policies that you have in place didn't exist,

1847
02:29:39,320 --> 02:29:41,960
I don't know if we'd be here tonight and I'm hoping

1848
02:29:41,960 --> 02:29:46,540
because the final decision will be made on June 20th,

1849
02:29:46,580 --> 02:29:48,500
and that's when we will know for certain.

1850
02:29:48,900 --> 02:29:53,200
But I'm hoping that we will have a solution formulated

1851
02:29:53,200 --> 02:29:57,300
in on that June 20th, final five-year plan for ADA.

1852
02:29:57,300 --> 02:29:59,980
But those policies helped us.

1853
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:12,720
Let's put this together in terms of matching contributions. Just so you know, every year, the funding for transportation in the state of Arizona for things that are responsible to the state.

1854
02:30:13,120 --> 02:30:27,900
The funding gap grows every single year. And you know what happens, that makes that funding gap, especially for new roads, is that the maintenance and the costs, just as city manager bitters talked about, goes up year after year after year.

1855
02:30:27,900 --> 02:30:36,820
And what does that mean for the funding that hasn't changed since 1990 is that the ability to

1856
02:30:36,820 --> 02:30:44,060
fund new roads, expansions of roads, new roads is shrinking every single year.

1857
02:30:44,280 --> 02:30:57,880
This is a problem because we are growing at such a fast rate and not just the city of

1858
02:30:57,880 --> 02:31:00,480
you start considering how are we going to solve this problem?

1859
02:31:00,820 --> 02:31:06,540
Because it's impacting the rural areas that need the funding for new roads, huge problem.

1860
02:31:07,660 --> 02:31:12,940
One question, and I'm speculating, but if we don't take this action tonight,

1861
02:31:15,510 --> 02:31:16,350
would we even

1862
02:31:16,350 --> 02:31:20,010
see the IGA as the next agenda item?

1863
02:31:21,590 --> 02:31:22,510
Yeah, thank you, Madam Mayor.

1864
02:31:23,050 --> 02:31:27,890
The next agenda item for the Intergovernment Agreement between the City of Maricopa and the Arizona

1865
02:31:27,890 --> 02:31:32,170
Department of Transportation would not be necessary if we don't pass the sales tax

1866
02:31:32,170 --> 02:31:32,630
issue.

1867
02:31:33,410 --> 02:31:33,550
Exactly.

1868
02:31:34,490 --> 02:31:37,050
That means it wouldn't be on the five-year plan more than likely.

1869
02:31:37,310 --> 02:31:41,890
I don't want to speculate that it would or that it wouldn't, but we are number nine and

1870
02:31:41,890 --> 02:31:45,950
there are several ahead of us that aren't funded and then more that are funded.

1871
02:31:46,550 --> 02:31:52,950
And so I don't want to speculate, but I believe that we're so close and I hope we crossed

1872
02:31:52,950 --> 02:31:54,770
the line on June 20th.

1873
02:31:54,770 --> 02:32:04,410
Again, for our health, our safety, and our welfare, those are the most important things to me of our people, we must do this.

1874
02:32:05,070 --> 02:32:07,670
So any additional comments questions from the council?

1875
02:32:08,510 --> 02:32:09,470
Okay, given that.

1876
02:32:09,470 --> 02:32:09,990
Can I speak?

1877
02:32:10,050 --> 02:32:10,390
No.

1878
02:32:14,210 --> 02:32:17,130
Given that, I'm going to go back to Councilmember Mal, he was joking.

1879
02:32:17,350 --> 02:32:18,530
I would never tell him that.

1880
02:32:18,630 --> 02:32:21,590
I'm going to go back to Councilmember Mars for emotion.

1881
02:32:22,090 --> 02:32:27,010
Yes, I'm happy to move that we approve this ordinance now.

1882
02:32:27,010 --> 02:32:28,690
Do I have a second?

1883
02:32:29,470 --> 02:32:29,790
Second.

1884
02:32:29,790 --> 02:32:30,030
Second.

1885
02:32:30,210 --> 02:32:31,290
By Councilmember Nor.

1886
02:32:31,970 --> 02:32:33,050
Any additional comments?

1887
02:32:35,390 --> 02:32:36,630
All in favor say aye?

1888
02:32:38,310 --> 02:32:38,970
Any opposed?

1889
02:32:40,230 --> 02:32:41,690
That motion carries.

1890
02:32:54,110 --> 02:32:54,350
All right.

1891
02:32:54,430 --> 02:32:57,450
That takes us to our next funded agenda item.

1892
02:32:57,970 --> 02:32:59,970
Is item 8.4.

1893
02:33:00,030 --> 02:33:02,230
It's regarding the IGA with A.D.

1894
02:33:02,230 --> 02:33:04,370
And I'm a turn it over to Ben for a few words.

1895
02:33:04,370 --> 02:33:09,330
Thank you madam mayor members of the council as previously mentioned this is the

1896
02:33:09,950 --> 02:33:14,390
intergovernmental agreement between the city of Maricopa and the Arizona Department of Transportation

1897
02:33:14,390 --> 02:33:23,370
Basically what this does is agrees creates a commitment for the city of Maricopa to make a payment to a dot by June 1st of

1898
02:33:23,370 --> 02:33:24,230
2026

1899
02:33:24,230 --> 02:33:30,750
In exchange for making that payment a dot will continue with the design and construction of the widening state route

1900
02:33:30,750 --> 02:33:37,210
347 and he overages in the costs beyond the 50 million dollars would not be the responsibility

1901
02:33:37,670 --> 02:33:38,510
of the city of America.

1902
02:33:38,670 --> 02:33:41,930
That would be the responsibility of theirs on an apartment of transportation.

1903
02:33:42,870 --> 02:33:44,290
So with that, happy to answer any questions.

1904
02:33:44,550 --> 02:33:45,190
Very good.

1905
02:33:45,350 --> 02:33:46,790
Any additional questions, comments?

1906
02:33:49,080 --> 02:33:49,300
Not yet.

1907
02:33:52,630 --> 02:33:54,630
I just want to make a point there.

1908
02:33:55,470 --> 02:33:57,190
Let me think, what was the point?

1909
02:33:57,870 --> 02:33:58,630
So much information.

1910
02:34:02,610 --> 02:34:03,230
I'm so sorry.

1911
02:34:03,230 --> 02:34:05,510
I lost it by Manfredi over there.

1912
02:34:08,940 --> 02:34:09,220
Oh.

1913
02:34:09,420 --> 02:34:10,460
I do have a speaker card.

1914
02:34:10,740 --> 02:34:11,820
Mr. Robert Clobe.

1915
02:34:14,000 --> 02:34:14,180
Okay.

1916
02:34:14,760 --> 02:34:15,300
Very good.

1917
02:34:15,460 --> 02:34:16,060
Very good.

1918
02:34:17,160 --> 02:34:20,080
That will then take us to a motion.

1919
02:34:21,000 --> 02:34:25,020
I'd like to make a motion to approve IGA25-7.

1920
02:34:25,620 --> 02:34:25,960
Thank you.

1921
02:34:26,100 --> 02:34:26,840
Do I have a second?

1922
02:34:27,220 --> 02:34:28,780
Seconded by Vice Mayor Wade.

1923
02:34:29,360 --> 02:34:30,260
Any additional comments?

1924
02:34:31,440 --> 02:34:31,680
Yes.

1925
02:34:32,520 --> 02:34:33,720
I remember what I wanted to say.

1926
02:34:34,600 --> 02:34:59,980
So I was asked about how, and, and, and, and, and, and City Manager bidder explained it very well in terms of how do I follow the money? Why do you need it a 20 year? Why not a five year? Why not a 10 year? And the answer was very well given in terms of your summary of this IGA. We are immediately going to turn around and write a check in some time between now and what was the date you said? June 1st.

1927
02:35:00,000 --> 02:35:13,960
June 1st, for $50 million to aid out. You don't have to follow the money. You don't have to follow the money. That money will be consumed in six and a half years of this half-cent sales tax.

1928
02:35:14,600 --> 02:35:25,740
And so I don't want you to worry about how to follow the money. You can because we showed you a way. But that's an important point to make, and I think it's very important to understand.

1929
02:35:25,740 --> 02:35:32,200
And then the other projects will extend the ability to do those projects and help the community in corridor.

1930
02:35:32,660 --> 02:35:33,560
That was my point.

1931
02:35:33,820 --> 02:35:36,200
Any additional comments, questions?

1932
02:35:37,760 --> 02:35:39,420
Seeing none, I have a motion in a second.

1933
02:35:39,600 --> 02:35:40,800
I'll in favor say aye.

1934
02:35:40,860 --> 02:35:41,240
Aye.

1935
02:35:41,760 --> 02:35:42,440
Any opposed?

1936
02:35:43,080 --> 02:35:43,760
Thank you.

1937
02:35:43,900 --> 02:35:44,940
And that motion carries.

1938
02:35:51,900 --> 02:35:52,220
Okay.

1939
02:35:52,500 --> 02:35:57,940
So we're going to pause the meeting here, because I have to tell you, I believe in my 10 years

1940
02:35:57,940 --> 02:36:05,300
serving. This is the most important meeting I have ever been a part of. So important because

1941
02:36:05,300 --> 02:36:13,680
it saves lives for on 347. It gets us a solution on 347. It's an important meeting. And this

1942
02:36:13,680 --> 02:36:19,340
IGA is important. So I'd like to take the time to invite Council. There's a table down there.

1943
02:36:19,660 --> 02:36:25,600
And if you'll stand behind the table, Council, I'd like to invite Senator Schopen. He was not able

1944
02:36:25,600 --> 02:36:32,060
make it. Representative Martinez and Representative Lopez. Thank you for being here tonight.

1945
02:36:32,440 --> 02:36:37,900
I'd like to invite a supervisor video. I would like to invite up eight-at-state transportation

1946
02:36:37,900 --> 02:36:43,720
board chair, Jen Daniels. And I would like to invite up eight-at-s representative Stacey

1947
02:36:43,720 --> 02:36:50,880
Goin. And I would like to invite Katie Ben and Annie Staff that helped to serve at the open

1948
02:36:50,880 --> 02:36:57,000
houses because you are a major part of this evening as well, and I'm not done yet.

1949
02:36:57,020 --> 02:36:58,460
This is going to be a big crowd of may take.

1950
02:36:58,680 --> 02:37:00,300
We may not have anyone in the crowd left.

1951
02:37:00,960 --> 02:37:07,880
I would like to invite up the 347 facts team, please come up, and Mayor Anderson was attempting

1952
02:37:07,880 --> 02:37:14,420
to be here, and was unable to be here, Mayor Price, please come forward, Mayor Anthony Smith

1953
02:37:14,420 --> 02:37:19,380
wanted to be here, but he had a conflict as well, Mr. Ron Fleming from Global Water,

1954
02:37:19,380 --> 02:37:29,760
Please come up and if you wrote one of those 14 hundred emails, please come up and join us, so come along.

1955
02:40:04,240 --> 02:40:05,120
Thank you for joining us.

1956
02:45:07,860 --> 02:45:09,860
Let's get it done.

1957
02:46:51,480 --> 02:46:53,320
We can go ahead and get started.

1958
02:46:53,320 --> 02:46:55,080
Councilmember Ghetto will be here shortly.

1959
02:46:55,660 --> 02:47:01,580
So I'd like to call Matt to start our presentation on Budgeting.

1960
02:47:01,680 --> 02:47:03,520
Matt really knows how to clear a room.

1961
02:47:10,600 --> 02:47:11,540
Can you guys hear me clearly?

1962
02:47:11,920 --> 02:47:12,280
Yes.

1963
02:47:12,380 --> 02:47:12,940
I'm tall.

1964
02:47:13,120 --> 02:47:15,200
I need to make sure this is actually getting into the microphone.

1965
02:47:16,020 --> 02:47:17,180
Mayor Smith, members of Council.

1966
02:47:17,340 --> 02:47:18,280
Thank you very much.

1967
02:47:18,660 --> 02:47:21,540
I am Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, Matt Kuzlowski.

1968
02:47:22,260 --> 02:47:23,100
I apologize.

1969
02:47:23,500 --> 02:47:28,340
We have made a tactical error of following up everything that we just done with the

1970
02:47:28,340 --> 02:47:34,600
city budget. So I will do my best to make it as quick as possible. But I know some people

1971
02:47:34,600 --> 02:47:39,660
still like to hear what's going on and we want to show them exactly where it is. You're

1972
02:47:39,660 --> 02:47:40,900
always excited about this.

1973
02:47:43,180 --> 02:47:46,120
So I had so much of my head I was going to say earlier, I knew

1974
02:47:46,120 --> 02:47:49,500
what I was going to say and to be quite frank. I'm a little awestruck for everything that's

1975
02:47:49,500 --> 02:47:54,380
happened tonight. So I will do my best to make sure I cover everything city manager bitter.

1976
02:47:54,580 --> 02:47:56,980
If I miss anything, please feel free to jump in and share.

1977
02:47:56,980 --> 02:48:01,900
You know, as long as you keep it shorter than Councilmember Manfredi's presentation, probably

1978
02:48:01,900 --> 02:48:02,460
be all right.

1979
02:48:02,700 --> 02:48:04,180
My goal is half a manfredi.

1980
02:48:05,060 --> 02:48:06,460
That was good.

1981
02:48:07,720 --> 02:48:10,140
So this will be the cover of our budget book this year.

1982
02:48:10,600 --> 02:48:12,940
Our budget theme was finding our way.

1983
02:48:13,720 --> 02:48:16,300
This was discussed as our futures planning topic.

1984
02:48:16,440 --> 02:48:18,360
We discussed this as a staff and council.

1985
02:48:19,180 --> 02:48:23,680
And we will see in this budget presentation that many of the things that we are prioritizing

1986
02:48:23,680 --> 02:48:29,120
align very strongly with the strategic priorities that Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown

1987
02:48:29,120 --> 02:48:30,440
shared with everybody earlier.

1988
02:48:32,460 --> 02:48:36,080
So, this chart right here is a chart of what our budget process looks like.

1989
02:48:36,720 --> 02:48:40,960
The reality of a budget process is in government, this is a year-round process.

1990
02:48:41,760 --> 02:48:47,220
We are constantly assessing, constantly reprioritizing, constantly working to build the

1991
02:48:47,220 --> 02:48:50,000
most efficient and effective budget that we possibly can.

1992
02:48:50,700 --> 02:49:09,260
This is a public process at the end of the day, much of this has been public, the entire time, there are multiple committee meetings with our budget and finance committee, things are discussed during our futures planning and here we are again tonight making sure that our public is aware of what is contained within our budget and we want that public process to be known and shared with our citizens.

1993
02:49:10,720 --> 02:49:21,180
So what comes next, okay, tonight we are here doing the budget presentation and pending your approval that will be a approval of the tentative budget, okay?

1994
02:49:21,800 --> 02:49:27,840
By May 13th we will have the budget forms for the tentative budget posted to the city website.

1995
02:49:28,560 --> 02:49:37,540
At the council meeting on June 3rd, council will have the ability to approve final budget adoption, and then by June 10th we will have the final budget forms posted to the city website.

1996
02:49:37,540 --> 02:49:43,720
Not long after that, our goal will be to have all of the capital improvement projects and our budget book as well.

1997
02:49:44,000 --> 02:49:52,600
Posted to the city website pending some things we are waiting on from our vendor that has introduced that software and that capability to us.

1998
02:49:54,240 --> 02:49:58,580
This was shared at the April 23rd Budget and Finance Committee meeting.

1999
02:49:58,980 --> 02:49:59,980
These are the key strategic.

2000
02:50:02,960 --> 02:50:10,300
We will talk about the fact that we have a city revenue plateau and the impact of legislative reductions to state shared revenues and how those are contributing.

2001
02:50:10,820 --> 02:50:15,800
We will talk about the value of our large CIP investments and a new fiscal reality for the city moving forward.

2002
02:50:16,340 --> 02:50:24,220
We will talk about our continued reductions in property taxes. We will talk about the large operating investments that we are making in services that our citizens desire.

2003
02:50:24,220 --> 02:50:29,040
We will talk about the public transparency that, quite frankly, we have had ad nauseam tonight

2004
02:50:29,040 --> 02:50:32,940
when it comes to the commuting corridor sales tax initiative and we will talk about the fact

2005
02:50:32,940 --> 02:50:38,660
that 60 percent of our capital expenditures in the next fiscal year are dedicated to transportation.

2006
02:50:40,930 --> 02:50:46,150
This comment from City Manager Bitter's letter in the budget book.

2007
02:50:46,310 --> 02:50:49,250
I will not sit here and read the entire thing at this point.

2008
02:50:49,290 --> 02:50:54,110
I think we can all do that ourselves but it comes back to finding our way

2009
02:50:54,110 --> 02:50:57,950
and finding the opportunities we need to move forward.

2010
02:51:01,180 --> 02:51:06,200
Real quick, we'll talk about big picture financial stability in the city,

2011
02:51:07,160 --> 02:51:10,560
back in August, which feels like years ago at this point.

2012
02:51:10,780 --> 02:51:15,300
The city did receive an upgrade from fish ratings to our IDR,

2013
02:51:15,560 --> 02:51:20,340
which is a very important rating mechanism for if we want to do a bond.

2014
02:51:20,340 --> 02:51:25,420
So our GO bonds related to Copper Sky, we're also affirmed as a triple A rating.

2015
02:51:26,100 --> 02:51:29,620
So, Maricopa Resons can understand that they live in a triple A rated city.

2016
02:51:32,830 --> 02:51:37,570
So really quick, we've talked about the fiscal responsibility that comes along with running

2017
02:51:37,570 --> 02:51:38,350
the city of Maricopa.

2018
02:51:39,130 --> 02:51:45,850
There was an interesting article in Asi Central recently that talked about other cities and

2019
02:51:45,850 --> 02:51:50,670
the debt they are needing to take out to fund operations or projects or whatever that might

2020
02:51:50,670 --> 02:51:50,910
be.

2021
02:51:50,910 --> 02:51:54,370
And if you open up a city's financial statements,

2022
02:51:54,790 --> 02:51:58,410
you will actually find something called a debt per capita number.

2023
02:51:58,810 --> 02:52:01,390
This is how much debt the city has relative

2024
02:52:01,390 --> 02:52:04,150
to each resident that lives in that city, okay?

2025
02:52:05,330 --> 02:52:08,770
What we did was we took each of these cities financial statements

2026
02:52:09,350 --> 02:52:12,410
and then applied the most recent census data

2027
02:52:12,410 --> 02:52:14,670
from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity

2028
02:52:14,670 --> 02:52:16,670
to figure out what that rate is per city.

2029
02:52:16,950 --> 02:52:19,390
And we've pulled cities that are very comparable

2030
02:52:19,390 --> 02:52:25,250
to us in various ways, cities that have grown fast or are growing fast and what that number

2031
02:52:25,250 --> 02:52:27,370
is in each one of those cities, right?

2032
02:52:27,850 --> 02:52:33,250
Buckeye, Chandler, Gilbert, and we see, all along the way, all of these cities, thousands

2033
02:52:33,250 --> 02:52:35,570
of dollars per resident in debt.

2034
02:52:35,870 --> 02:52:41,470
We get to Queen Creek, $7,656 per resident.

2035
02:52:42,330 --> 02:52:47,130
The community were probably most compared to because they are the second fastest growing

2036
02:52:47,130 --> 02:52:48,890
of the American, we are the fifth fastest.

2037
02:52:49,830 --> 02:52:52,490
So then you take a look at where Maricopa is at

2038
02:52:52,490 --> 02:52:55,350
and the fiscal responsibility that we have showed as a council.

2039
02:52:56,770 --> 02:52:58,790
And we are at $950 per resident.

2040
02:52:59,490 --> 02:53:03,350
So we are growing at the same rates or better rates

2041
02:53:03,350 --> 02:53:06,610
of these towns at a fraction of the debt.

2042
02:53:09,400 --> 02:53:14,020
So now let's talk about what that means for our actual city budget

2043
02:53:14,020 --> 02:53:16,820
and how we are going to manage the next fiscal year.

2044
02:53:17,020 --> 02:53:18,760
We're going to start with our general fund revenues.

2045
02:53:18,760 --> 02:53:21,480
We're going to talk a lot about general fund here for the next few minutes.

2046
02:53:22,740 --> 02:53:25,100
I mentioned earlier that we have a revenue plateau.

2047
02:53:25,660 --> 02:53:31,440
The three numbers in front of you are the last fiscal years, actual numbers from our financial

2048
02:53:31,440 --> 02:53:32,000
statements.

2049
02:53:32,980 --> 02:53:37,560
The projected numbers for the end of this fiscal year ending June 30th in a couple of months,

2050
02:53:37,940 --> 02:53:42,140
and then what we are projecting for the 2026 budget that you are considering for approval

2051
02:53:42,140 --> 02:53:42,500
tonight.

2052
02:53:42,500 --> 02:53:52,200
Those three numbers in terms of general front revenues are 105 million 102 million and 108 million for lack of a better term, that's flat, right?

2053
02:53:52,580 --> 02:54:03,400
That is a revenue plateau and it is very different from what we are used to experiencing as a community where we had seen 10, 20, 30% growth rates in those revenues in past years.

2054
02:54:03,780 --> 02:54:10,880
That means we have a new reality when it comes to managing our finances and what we're going to be able to invest in.

2055
02:54:10,880 --> 02:54:17,060
Okay, I'm going to show now how those revenues come in from the various revenue sources that we have.

2056
02:54:17,420 --> 02:54:20,860
There are four main revenue sources that contribute to those general fund revenues.

2057
02:54:21,000 --> 02:54:23,700
The first one is intergovernmental or state shared revenues.

2058
02:54:24,280 --> 02:54:27,600
In 2024, that was 32.3 million.

2059
02:54:28,280 --> 02:54:33,640
Where we're going to end this year is about 2 million less than that, and we are projecting that

2060
02:54:33,640 --> 02:54:35,640
we will stay flat next year.

2061
02:54:35,640 --> 02:54:41,280
So, intergovernmental revenues, which was one of our strongest revenue growth rates, is now

2062
02:54:41,280 --> 02:54:43,820
flat or down for three straight years.

2063
02:54:44,240 --> 02:54:48,000
When it comes to local sales taxes, this is indicative of the growth we're experiencing

2064
02:54:48,000 --> 02:54:49,060
in our local economy.

2065
02:54:50,200 --> 02:54:54,080
More residents move in, more spending is taking place locally, our local sales taxes are indicative

2066
02:54:54,080 --> 02:54:54,900
of a growing community.

2067
02:54:54,960 --> 02:54:58,380
The fifth-fastest growing in the nation is spending money in its town.

2068
02:54:59,160 --> 02:54:59,960
when it comes to you.

2069
02:55:00,000 --> 02:55:14,180
Two other licenses, fees, permits of this nature. That is at the end of the day a relatively flat two. We did experience a spike in 2024. That was a one-time spike based upon some incredible growth rate, particularly in the commercial sector with things like Home Depot.

2070
02:55:14,840 --> 02:55:21,480
But the 16 million or so deaths in front of you for the rest of the numbers is a pretty static number, and that's what we're projecting to happen again.

2071
02:55:21,480 --> 02:55:28,480
And then our property taxes, if we talked about being responsible property taxes, that number is relatively flat over three years as well.

2072
02:55:28,900 --> 02:55:32,800
And the increase is that you're seeing there are actually mostly related to new construction.

2073
02:55:33,200 --> 02:55:34,740
And we'll talk about that in a few minutes.

2074
02:55:35,120 --> 02:55:39,820
But as we can see, flat, flat, flat, flat, pretty much everywhere.

2075
02:55:41,120 --> 02:55:43,080
So why are some of these things flat?

2076
02:55:43,360 --> 02:55:44,160
Stage shared revenues.

2077
02:55:44,840 --> 02:55:48,200
Here is a five-year trend of what has been happening in stage shared revenues.

2078
02:55:48,300 --> 02:55:50,220
I talked about how fast these were growing in the past.

2079
02:55:50,220 --> 02:55:56,640
We went from 20 to 25 to 32 down to 30 and then down to 30.

2080
02:55:57,340 --> 02:56:06,100
Those two numbers and red on the far right columns are revenues that if those changes have not been enacted by the state legislature,

2081
02:56:06,700 --> 02:56:09,600
those funds would have been paid to the city of Maricopa.

2082
02:56:10,260 --> 02:56:15,720
$3 million projected by the end of this fiscal year and almost $6 million next fiscal year.

2083
02:56:16,400 --> 02:56:17,540
What are those things that changed?

2084
02:56:17,540 --> 02:56:22,680
it was a couple of things, mainly the reduction to the two and a half percent flat rate for

2085
02:56:22,680 --> 02:56:28,880
the income tax, but it also has to do with the fact that there were reductions in rental

2086
02:56:28,880 --> 02:56:33,520
revenues, right, apartments, right. Something that would have been a very high growth rate

2087
02:56:33,520 --> 02:56:38,680
opportunity for us is now gone because the legislature decided not to tax that anymore.

2088
02:56:41,080 --> 02:56:44,600
Okay. Let's look at this a different way for a second. Here are those same revenues laid

2089
02:56:44,600 --> 02:56:52,020
three years worth. And what I want to highlight here, very simply, is in the local sales tax

2090
02:56:52,020 --> 02:56:59,400
column, you focus on the 24 actuals of 35 million, the projected of 38 million for this

2091
02:56:59,400 --> 02:57:05,640
fiscal year 25. And then in 2026, the growth of 43.75 million, there's the half-cent increase

2092
02:57:05,640 --> 02:57:10,930
that was just approved by council and the impact it will have. Beginning October 1st, we

2093
02:57:10,930 --> 02:57:15,210
elections, it will be about $5 million in collections for the fiscal year.

2094
02:57:15,810 --> 02:57:19,350
The two different color shades you see, reference something that was talked about earlier.

2095
02:57:19,530 --> 02:57:24,610
40% of this is actually coming from construction sales tax and not AmeriCorps residents.

2096
02:57:25,090 --> 02:57:29,330
So we've highlighted those two differences, but we can see that even our local sales

2097
02:57:29,330 --> 02:57:33,810
tax, if the half-set, we're not occurring, is actually relatively flat.

2098
02:57:34,830 --> 02:57:35,870
Why is this all important?

2099
02:57:36,470 --> 02:57:40,250
Well, we know that this is how capital improvement projects get funded at the end of the

2100
02:57:40,250 --> 02:57:42,970
are the revenues that are coming in from these various sources.

2101
02:57:43,190 --> 02:57:44,590
We're going to talk about that in a minute.

2102
02:57:45,330 --> 02:57:47,650
First, let's talk about property tax.

2103
02:57:48,530 --> 02:57:50,470
Now, so, remember, in Freddie reference this earlier,

2104
02:57:51,090 --> 02:57:54,650
our primary property tax in FY26 is going to be decreasing

2105
02:57:54,650 --> 02:57:59,250
by 17 basis points from 3.64 percent to 3.47 percent.

2106
02:58:00,370 --> 02:58:02,710
Total dollars, it will go from 17 million

2107
02:58:02,710 --> 02:58:05,750
and primary property tax levity to 17.7 million.

2108
02:58:06,190 --> 02:58:08,410
But all of that growth is coming from new construction.

2109
02:58:08,410 --> 02:58:12,950
If we look at this blue column here in the middle, you'll see that the values go up by both

2110
02:58:12,950 --> 02:58:18,730
new construction and the increase in a homeowner's assessed value city council is decided

2111
02:58:18,730 --> 02:58:23,290
to give all of that assessed value back to his residents and only new construction will contribute

2112
02:58:23,290 --> 02:58:25,610
to the increase in primary property tax collections.

2113
02:58:27,250 --> 02:58:31,710
Secondary property tax is tied to the general obligation bonds for copper sky that is reducing

2114
02:58:31,710 --> 02:58:33,590
an additional 10 basis points as well.

2115
02:58:33,850 --> 02:58:38,150
About a year and a half ago we did a refinancing that saved the city tax payers about 1.3

2116
02:58:38,150 --> 02:58:42,290
million dollars, and this is where those savings are reflected in the secondary property tax

2117
02:58:42,290 --> 02:58:42,730
reductions.

2118
02:58:44,070 --> 02:58:47,510
Okay, Mayor Smith, I know you're always a fan of this chart.

2119
02:58:47,770 --> 02:58:52,250
We actually shared this as a part of the process with the half-cent open houses.

2120
02:58:53,090 --> 02:58:57,810
We are very proud of the fact that over these last six years, anywhere from five to seven

2121
02:58:57,810 --> 02:59:03,410
percent reductions every single year, in a five-year period, that is a 25 percent reduction.

2122
02:59:03,410 --> 02:59:08,510
I'm pretty impressive and I think it was council member and Freddie who has said show me

2123
02:59:08,510 --> 02:59:12,430
another community in the same five years who's done that.

2124
02:59:13,430 --> 02:59:19,250
Seven years of savings from Maricopa residents let's just say in 2020 that your property

2125
02:59:19,250 --> 02:59:26,550
had an assessed value of $360,000 in this theoretical situation your primary property tax

2126
02:59:26,550 --> 02:59:31,110
bill would have resulted in $2,150 of primary property tax.

2127
02:59:31,110 --> 02:59:36,470
Okay? What has that seven years of reductions meant to a maricopa-resort?

2128
02:59:38,710 --> 02:59:39,470
That same assessed

2129
02:59:39,470 --> 02:59:48,410
value would now be $1466. A reduction of $700 for a homeowner who was assessed a $360

2130
02:59:48,410 --> 02:59:54,510
dollar valuation. That is a significant change. And we talked about the total tax burden

2131
02:59:54,510 --> 02:59:55,810
for Maricopa residents.

2132
02:59:56,630 --> 02:59:59,750
Those property tax savings mathematically.

2133
03:00:00,740 --> 03:00:07,180
Depending on situation, should outweigh any increases that are being experienced by the half-cent for America

2134
03:00:07,180 --> 03:00:12,400
President, because they're not paying for the food. They're not paying for the gas. There's no tax there.

2135
03:00:13,000 --> 03:00:20,580
So, the overall burden is being reduced. So, our council was committed to making sure that an overall tax burden is reducing for

2136
03:00:20,580 --> 03:00:28,500
resident and mathematically speaking, it is, here's a representation of that. Okay, so this

2137
03:00:28,500 --> 03:00:33,000
slide, I'll try to move a quick, but we wanted a visual representation of what this

2138
03:00:33,000 --> 03:00:38,840
experience has been since 2021, okay. So let's talk about our general fund revenues over

2139
03:00:38,840 --> 03:00:46,180
that timeframe. We have gone from 65 million and 2021 to a 25 projected number of 102 million.

2140
03:00:46,180 --> 03:00:48,240
And that's a pretty impressive growth rate, okay.

2141
03:00:48,680 --> 03:00:52,760
During that same timeframe, here is what those general fund expenditures looked like.

2142
03:00:53,400 --> 03:01:00,400
46 million to where we're going to end about 63 million projected for fiscal year 25.

2143
03:01:01,300 --> 03:01:05,800
That is maybe even a little bit aggressive or in this term conservative, making sure that we

2144
03:01:05,800 --> 03:01:09,640
collect, I'm sorry, we account for every possible expenditure that could take place within this

2145
03:01:09,640 --> 03:01:10,480
fiscal year.

2146
03:01:10,740 --> 03:01:15,480
But in the same timeframe that revenues have gone up almost $40 million, expenditures have

2147
03:01:15,480 --> 03:01:22,440
up only $17 million. That's a pretty impressive rate. Okay. Now, what happens when you have revenues

2148
03:01:22,440 --> 03:01:28,340
over expenditures in the general fund? We always like the point out that those revenues go

2149
03:01:28,340 --> 03:01:34,000
to pay for capital improvements. This blue line and these blue numbers are how much was spent

2150
03:01:34,000 --> 03:01:40,000
on capital improvement assets or projects in that exact same time frame. Okay. We have projected

2151
03:01:40,000 --> 03:01:45,420
that at the end of 2025 we'll have spent $66 million this fiscal year on capital projects.

2152
03:01:45,560 --> 03:01:52,600
Last year we spent $88.7 million, quite literally in the past two years alone, $150 plus

2153
03:01:52,600 --> 03:01:57,780
million on capital projects and assets for the city of Maricopa. It's pretty impressive, right?

2154
03:01:58,200 --> 03:02:04,480
Now where are we going in 2026? Let's talk about that. $108 million in revenue, which we talked

2155
03:02:04,480 --> 03:02:08,700
about earlier, budgeted expenditures of 81.87 million.

2156
03:02:08,900 --> 03:02:12,400
What I want to point out real quick is that 81.87 million

2157
03:02:12,400 --> 03:02:15,680
that looks like a pretty significant leap from 63.5 million.

2158
03:02:16,260 --> 03:02:20,560
But we, as a state, have a law that says that once you

2159
03:02:20,560 --> 03:02:23,980
approve, tended to budget tonight, we can expend no more

2160
03:02:23,980 --> 03:02:24,900
than what you approve.

2161
03:02:25,320 --> 03:02:28,540
So we have to be prepared for every expenditures scenario

2162
03:02:29,120 --> 03:02:31,520
and budget that whether it's going to happen or not.

2163
03:02:31,760 --> 03:02:33,920
It is a conservative methodology and we are making sure

2164
03:02:33,920 --> 03:02:37,820
we are prepared for any possibility to represent that real quick.

2165
03:02:38,520 --> 03:02:42,120
In these same fiscal years above, I'm sorry, before.

2166
03:02:42,800 --> 03:02:46,820
You can actually see how much we budgeted versus how much

2167
03:02:46,820 --> 03:02:49,620
we actually spent, right?

2168
03:02:50,060 --> 03:02:53,500
Consistently somewhere between five to $15 million

2169
03:02:53,500 --> 03:02:56,300
below what we actually budgeted.

2170
03:02:56,420 --> 03:02:59,800
So that 81.87 is not going to be 81.87

2171
03:02:59,800 --> 03:03:05,160
at the end of the day, it's far more likely to be something 70 to 75 million dollars at the end of the day.

2172
03:03:05,320 --> 03:03:15,980
But we are prepared for all possibilities. For FY26, we have $197.8 million dollars up in that far-right corner budgeted for capital improvement projects.

2173
03:03:16,420 --> 03:03:19,300
We're going to talk about some of those relatively soon.

2174
03:03:19,600 --> 03:03:28,160
Okay. As I mentioned before, budget versus actuals and what we spend on, those revenue over expenditure dollars go towards capital projects.

2175
03:03:28,160 --> 03:03:32,540
This is just a visual representation of that from our financial statements.

2176
03:03:33,520 --> 03:03:43,600
I bring this chart back now without all of the fancy clicking so we can move on and start talking about what that 81.87 million dollars is covering from an operating expenditure perspective.

2177
03:03:44,480 --> 03:03:45,680
So let's talk about those.

2178
03:03:46,440 --> 03:03:49,080
Here are our budget operating expenditures by department.

2179
03:03:49,360 --> 03:03:51,300
We won't go through all of these. There's a lot of numbers.

2180
03:03:51,300 --> 03:03:56,620
probably available for everybody to see, we do want to point out in highlight that 45% of that

2181
03:03:56,620 --> 03:03:59,540
operating expenditure budget goes towards public safety.

2182
03:04:00,100 --> 03:04:04,920
Assistant City Manager Brown talked about that as one of our strategic priorities and 45%

2183
03:04:04,920 --> 03:04:06,760
of our expenditures go towards that.

2184
03:04:07,380 --> 03:04:11,520
In total, 71% of our operating expenditures are spent on personnel.

2185
03:04:12,740 --> 03:04:16,640
That sounds like a lot, but I've pointed out before in these meetings, that's actually pretty

2186
03:04:16,640 --> 03:04:16,960
impressive.

2187
03:04:16,960 --> 03:04:24,840
we have studied other city budgets and found that their general fund, 80, 85, 90% of their general

2188
03:04:24,840 --> 03:04:29,000
fund is spent on personnel. So we are making sure that we have enough funds left over to

2189
03:04:29,000 --> 03:04:33,840
get to the operating expenditures. We have to basically run a little leaner and a little

2190
03:04:33,840 --> 03:04:39,280
meaner because we got to get things done and we don't have the funding sources that other

2191
03:04:39,280 --> 03:04:43,860
cities do. And as we saw earlier, we don't take out the debt that other cities do to get

2192
03:04:43,860 --> 03:04:45,200
those things done.

2193
03:04:47,480 --> 03:04:50,100
Now, let's talk about the new operator request real quick.

2194
03:04:50,520 --> 03:04:51,840
From a personnel perspective,

2195
03:04:52,500 --> 03:04:54,740
you're looking at three different numbers on this chart.

2196
03:04:55,080 --> 03:04:59,180
The $51.1 million what we'll call recurring personnel costs,

2197
03:04:59,300 --> 03:04:59,980
really what we have.

2198
03:05:00,110 --> 03:05:06,370
At current date, with, again, some of those operating expenditure capacities built in, just in case.

2199
03:05:07,350 --> 03:05:13,030
We have 4.5 million in compensation adjustments coming to this budget in the form of multiple things,

2200
03:05:13,130 --> 03:05:19,370
including MOU agreements with our police and fire unions. And then we also have a class in comp study that is being performed.

2201
03:05:19,790 --> 03:05:25,550
We have budgeted for every possible capability there. It is incredibly likely that not all of those will be spent.

2202
03:05:26,010 --> 03:05:29,050
But, again, given state law, we have to make sure we are prepared for everything.

2203
03:05:29,050 --> 03:05:30,630
and that has included in the screen number.

2204
03:05:31,090 --> 03:05:33,930
We also have $2.8 million in new personnel requests.

2205
03:05:34,210 --> 03:05:35,430
We'll talk about those soon.

2206
03:05:35,670 --> 03:05:38,650
From an operating perspective, current recurring 21.61,

2207
03:05:39,230 --> 03:05:42,270
and we have 1.85 million in new operating requests.

2208
03:05:42,850 --> 03:05:44,490
We'll talk about some of those in a little bit too.

2209
03:05:44,630 --> 03:05:49,150
All in all, it increase in 12.6% to our operating expenditure budget.

2210
03:05:49,850 --> 03:05:52,730
So this is again a new reality for us.

2211
03:05:53,130 --> 03:05:55,110
We have talked about revenue growth,

2212
03:05:55,590 --> 03:05:57,630
outpacing expenditure growth in past years.

2213
03:05:57,630 --> 03:06:03,350
Our revenue growth is about five or six percent, and our operating expenditure increases are 12.6 percent

2214
03:06:03,350 --> 03:06:09,610
budgeted versus actual. We've talked about so that may not all be spent, but it's a different story that we've talked about in the past.

2215
03:06:11,760 --> 03:06:18,420
Okay, so what are some of those expenditures and the increases to the budget that we are expanding? First of all,

2216
03:06:18,620 --> 03:06:25,880
investments in public safety, right? New MOU agreements with our unions. First of all, strong market-based increases for those

2217
03:06:26,380 --> 03:06:30,540
fire fighters for those police officers making sure that they have competitive wages.

2218
03:06:31,640 --> 03:06:35,300
One of the things that both unions made incredibly apparent to us during the process and we

2219
03:06:35,300 --> 03:06:38,920
listened and we came to understand was that recruiting is very important to them.

2220
03:06:38,960 --> 03:06:43,440
The ability to find and locate and hire the best talent in order to do so.

2221
03:06:43,740 --> 03:06:47,260
We have to make sure that we have an incredibly competitive wage at the entry level.

2222
03:06:47,760 --> 03:06:51,840
So as a part of this process, we all agree to that and we are making sure that they will

2223
03:06:51,840 --> 03:06:55,040
have access to hiring the best people to attract them in the city of Maricopa.

2224
03:06:55,040 --> 03:06:57,560
Well, but there are a few other things that we did as well.

2225
03:06:57,800 --> 03:07:03,180
Some of them were covered earlier by Captain Eads, for instance, increased funding for cancer

2226
03:07:03,180 --> 03:07:07,380
screening for firefighter, something that every single one of us believed in very strongly

2227
03:07:07,380 --> 03:07:08,820
and couldn't agree with more.

2228
03:07:09,380 --> 03:07:11,340
The Hazmet pay on the far right there.

2229
03:07:12,160 --> 03:07:18,020
The introduction of ambulance services, the introduction of business parks, we have to be ready

2230
03:07:18,020 --> 03:07:22,420
to be able to handle hazardous material situations that is an increase in budget at the end

2231
03:07:22,420 --> 03:07:22,880
of the day.

2232
03:07:22,880 --> 03:07:28,780
But these are this and requests that we have for services that they wish to see, so we're operating budget reflects

2233
03:07:29,340 --> 03:07:32,160
expenditures that they want us to commit to.

2234
03:07:32,780 --> 03:07:34,680
And then specialty pay as well for officers.

2235
03:07:35,200 --> 03:07:39,260
There are different things that different officers do that we have to make sure that we are paying appropriately for.

2236
03:07:39,360 --> 03:07:42,100
And we agreed to make sure that they're well taken care of as well.

2237
03:07:43,320 --> 03:07:48,200
Also with public safety, we had a number of operating increases for things that are required for them.

2238
03:07:48,460 --> 03:07:53,580
If we're going to commit two ambulance services, well, we have to make sure we're sending folks the paramedics school.

2239
03:07:54,460 --> 03:08:00,280
We have to make sure that we have increased police training budgets to make sure that our police officers are up to speed on what they need to be able to do.

2240
03:08:00,820 --> 03:08:03,280
We have a body camera action assistant we have to pay for.

2241
03:08:03,840 --> 03:08:06,320
We have fire hose replacements and fire hose it's 10 years.

2242
03:08:06,440 --> 03:08:08,840
We have to be able to go ahead and replace that.

2243
03:08:08,980 --> 03:08:12,560
Somewhere hoses are doing that, so we have an operating commitment to that.

2244
03:08:12,820 --> 03:08:15,720
Video, long word, I can't pronounce this late at night.

2245
03:08:15,720 --> 03:08:18,880
It's also very important, though.

2246
03:08:19,220 --> 03:08:20,060
The range of scope.

2247
03:08:21,140 --> 03:08:21,440
Who did it?

2248
03:08:21,600 --> 03:08:21,720
Who's that?

2249
03:08:23,120 --> 03:08:24,180
Thank you.

2250
03:08:26,540 --> 03:08:30,480
But there are open air requests that are happening outside of public safety as well.

2251
03:08:30,960 --> 03:08:34,460
As a part of future planning, we committed to bring back stage coach days.

2252
03:08:35,300 --> 03:08:43,080
This will be something that is taking place every October, right around our incorporation date to celebrate Maricopa.

2253
03:08:43,720 --> 03:08:47,520
We're all very excited about this and this is a part of the operating increase as well.

2254
03:08:48,040 --> 03:08:51,180
We also have a city website update that is a part of the budget increase.

2255
03:08:51,820 --> 03:08:55,900
We need to make our site more mobile-friendly, more user-friendly.

2256
03:08:56,560 --> 03:08:59,300
So this will be a budget initiative in the next fiscal year.

2257
03:08:59,840 --> 03:09:07,120
And then city committees, we do have some funding available for initiatives that are being generated from our city communities with our council members.

2258
03:09:09,340 --> 03:09:11,660
Okay. Last but not least, people investments.

2259
03:09:11,660 --> 03:09:19,620
Okay? We make sure that the head count that we commit to is in line and congruent with our city mission and our city objectives.

2260
03:09:20,440 --> 03:09:27,200
Right? 23 new full-time hires authorized in the next fiscal year. 20 of them dedicated to public safety.

2261
03:09:27,800 --> 03:09:34,560
87% of our new hires dedicated to public safety. This is the large operating investments that we talked about.

2262
03:09:34,560 --> 03:09:37,540
12 of these are firefighter recruits.

2263
03:09:37,740 --> 03:09:43,140
The ability to begin preparing an advance for the ambulance services that we're going to be offering our residents.

2264
03:09:43,980 --> 03:09:48,740
We need to hire them in phases over the next few fiscal years to get them trained up, get them ready,

2265
03:09:49,060 --> 03:09:51,560
and be prepared for one that ambulance service goes active.

2266
03:09:52,180 --> 03:09:54,480
This is the first phase in doing so.

2267
03:09:55,720 --> 03:09:59,960
As always, we retain the budget flexibility to make sure that we can add positions earlier.

2268
03:10:00,740 --> 03:10:09,920
There are four new police officers that are being added. The great news with our budget methodology and having those funds available and being a little conservative, projecting a little more.

2269
03:10:10,400 --> 03:10:16,380
It actually gives city manager better the opportunity to approve a position ahead of time if he thinks operationally it makes sense.

2270
03:10:16,760 --> 03:10:27,500
So, of those four police officers, three have already been approved. So, police chief Goodman, co-out and get those people much earlier and get them on the street and not have to wait for July 1st in the new budget to allow him to do so.

2271
03:10:27,500 --> 03:10:34,080
that budget flexibilities important to us and it's just another way that we're making sure that we act different and we act bold in the city of Maricopa.

2272
03:10:35,400 --> 03:10:43,920
Okay, here's a nice little chart where our head count exists when it's committed to 50% of our head count as a city is dedicated to public safety.

2273
03:10:45,400 --> 03:10:49,680
Everybody else can see the other departments pretty well spread out but it is a good representation.

2274
03:10:49,680 --> 03:10:55,380
the fact that we are committed to making sure public safety is vital and funded in the city of

2275
03:10:55,380 --> 03:11:00,720
America. Okay. We don't have to belabor this too much at this point. We've talked about it

2276
03:11:00,720 --> 03:11:05,700
a lot tonight, but one thing we are doing as a city is we are being incredibly transparent

2277
03:11:05,700 --> 03:11:10,660
about our community corridor sales tax fund that was just approved. Here in this budget sheet

2278
03:11:10,660 --> 03:11:16,100
you cannot possibly see it more clearly than this. There it is, the sales tax fund out on its own,

2279
03:11:16,100 --> 03:11:27,740
There are the revenues, there are the expenditures taking place, completely transparent for the public to see and something that we will maintain and update on a regular basis so people know exactly how those funds are being managed.

2280
03:11:29,520 --> 03:11:40,980
We've already shown this slide. I bring it back just for reference again because what we're going to do now is we're going to talk about that blue box on the far right. We're going to talk about our capital improvement plan and what's happening there.

2281
03:11:40,980 --> 03:11:46,100
Okay, CIP, we a few years ago shifted from a five year to a ten year plan.

2282
03:11:46,600 --> 03:11:50,720
Just a quick reminder, what a ten year plan looks like and why it is laid out that way.

2283
03:11:51,340 --> 03:11:55,700
Funds in years one through three are the projects that are the highest priority.

2284
03:11:56,300 --> 03:12:04,300
Just because we have $197 million CIP budget this year, we cannot spend $197 million on all those capital projects.

2285
03:12:04,700 --> 03:12:09,980
But that means that those projects are placed in the highest priority level and we're looking for all the funding sources possible

2286
03:12:09,980 --> 03:12:12,000
to make sure that we can accomplish those projects.

2287
03:12:12,640 --> 03:12:17,340
Years four through six, higher priority, but less priority than years one through three, and

2288
03:12:17,340 --> 03:12:20,300
years seven through ten are really long-term, long-range planning.

2289
03:12:20,460 --> 03:12:24,400
We know we need to get two things that are still important, but things that just have a little

2290
03:12:24,400 --> 03:12:28,100
bit less priority than the items and years one through three are years four through six.

2291
03:12:29,160 --> 03:12:32,640
Our ten-year capital plan, there's an image of all the roadway projects that are going to

2292
03:12:32,640 --> 03:12:34,060
take place in the next ten years.

2293
03:12:34,520 --> 03:12:38,460
The reason I love this image, there is an announcement, an inch of the city that is not

2294
03:12:38,460 --> 03:12:41,780
being hit in those transportation project plans, right?

2295
03:12:42,280 --> 03:12:46,140
Our 10 year CIP, $886 million, okay?

2296
03:12:46,740 --> 03:12:51,340
In 2526, 71% of those projects will go towards

2297
03:12:51,340 --> 03:12:53,800
streets infrastructure and economic development

2298
03:12:53,800 --> 03:12:54,720
or job creation.

2299
03:12:55,820 --> 03:12:57,420
Earlier, when we went through those strategic priorities,

2300
03:12:57,900 --> 03:13:00,760
priorities one and two were streets, transportation,

2301
03:13:01,340 --> 03:13:02,200
and job creation.

2302
03:13:02,740 --> 03:13:07,240
I think 71% of $197 million capital plan

2303
03:13:07,240 --> 03:13:10,240
shows that we're putting our money where it mouth is when it comes to prioritization.

2304
03:13:11,880 --> 03:13:12,720
Where is that money spent?

2305
03:13:12,820 --> 03:13:14,880
Here's that slide and break down for your right there.

2306
03:13:15,220 --> 03:13:20,640
197.8 million with 60% of that going towards streets infrastructure, 11% towards economic

2307
03:13:20,640 --> 03:13:25,840
development job creation, 11% towards new building construction, the vast majority of that,

2308
03:13:25,880 --> 03:13:29,720
is a project we'll talk about a little bit, which is the AmeriCorps Field House and then

2309
03:13:29,720 --> 03:13:30,780
a few other dollars elsewhere.

2310
03:13:31,120 --> 03:13:33,580
That public safety number is low for the first time in a few years.

2311
03:13:34,580 --> 03:13:34,680
Why?

2312
03:13:34,680 --> 03:13:42,300
We've finished a pretty nice new police station right across the street so a little lower than we've seen in past but still public safety

2313
03:13:42,300 --> 03:13:44,560
We've shown we're well committed to

2314
03:13:44,560 --> 03:13:48,040
Okay, let's talk about some of these projects real quick. All right

2315
03:13:48,040 --> 03:13:51,740
It's an amazing everything we've talked about tonight. Everything we've been doing recently

2316
03:13:52,320 --> 03:14:00,140
We don't want to forget about the fact that business triangle or that business park is still a vital component of our strategy as a city

2317
03:14:00,140 --> 03:14:06,160
A part of the budget this year is for a final land payment tied to that business triangle or that business park.

2318
03:14:06,520 --> 03:14:11,780
We also have other funds committed with the master plan for designing that business park.

2319
03:14:12,360 --> 03:14:14,560
We are actively working on that project.

2320
03:14:15,280 --> 03:14:22,800
I don't want that to get lost and everything else we've done because it is still an incredibly important part of what we are trying to accomplish as a city.

2321
03:14:23,540 --> 03:14:25,980
Now, finding our way to connection, right?

2322
03:14:26,300 --> 03:14:30,120
The pedestrian overpass at UPRR and Maricopa Road, all right?

2323
03:14:30,540 --> 03:14:32,180
This one has been talked about for a while.

2324
03:14:32,420 --> 03:14:33,840
Let me go get a couple of my facts here,

2325
03:14:33,940 --> 03:14:35,420
real quick, so I can keep you guys updated.

2326
03:14:35,820 --> 03:14:38,880
But we do have funds available in the budget for this next year,

2327
03:14:39,040 --> 03:14:39,260
okay?

2328
03:14:39,700 --> 03:14:41,440
Where is this project at?

2329
03:14:41,920 --> 03:14:45,960
Well, it is slated to start this month.

2330
03:14:46,780 --> 03:14:47,940
In this little component to the project,

2331
03:14:48,060 --> 03:14:50,360
I've slated to begin this month, right?

2332
03:14:51,720 --> 03:14:56,720
completion sometime next year. So this is no longer some dream, this is no longer some

2333
03:14:56,720 --> 03:14:59,820
project, which is just being talked about, it is ready to go, right?

2334
03:15:00,000 --> 03:15:29,800
And why is this important? It's not just an overpass. This is a vital component of economic development. This is a vital component of connection of public safety. So kids don't have to cross the railroad tracks. It's also a vital component of our trail's plan, right? We have multiple components of our trail's plan in the CIP plan, as well this year, in addition to this project. So I want to make sure we understand that, even though I'm not highlighting trail tonight, our trail's plan is something that is still vital and important and being worked on, and this bridge is a part of it.

2335
03:15:30,980 --> 03:15:36,340
Okay, critical services, we are filing our way to enhancing critical services.

2336
03:15:36,700 --> 03:15:40,440
Here's the investment in those ambulances, as we've talked about, right?

2337
03:15:41,500 --> 03:15:44,040
Items like this have incredibly long lead times.

2338
03:15:44,280 --> 03:15:46,900
We have a multi-year effort to plan for these kind of things.

2339
03:15:47,220 --> 03:15:51,480
So the budget is making sure that we are committing the initial process to getting those things

2340
03:15:51,480 --> 03:15:54,020
ordered, planned, and built.

2341
03:15:56,160 --> 03:15:59,860
Okay, finding our way to enhancing critical services with a future fire station.

2342
03:15:59,860 --> 03:16:04,400
Okay, we've talked about needing the hazardous materials work, we've talked about the paramedics.

2343
03:16:04,840 --> 03:16:16,380
Well, they're going to need somewhere to be and this future fire station will be located somewhere near the business triangle or the business park, and we'll have hazardous materials capabilities.

2344
03:16:16,840 --> 03:16:23,620
So if we're going to make these investments operationally, we need to make the capital investment necessary to make sure that they actually come to life.

2345
03:16:23,980 --> 03:16:28,340
So we want to make sure we highlight that this is a very important project for the city at this time as well.

2346
03:16:28,340 --> 03:16:36,880
Okay. Let's find our way to some fun. This has always been one of my favorites. The Maricopa field house. Okay. Let's talk about timelines on this real quick.

2347
03:16:37,100 --> 03:16:45,120
Early procurement processes are already underway. Planned estimated start for this project. Next month June 25. Right.

2348
03:16:45,480 --> 03:16:52,100
Estimated completion. Sometimes summer fall of 2026, which is pretty exciting. Right. New court space, new opportunities.

2349
03:16:53,500 --> 03:16:57,100
I am incredibly excited about this project, I know everybody is.

2350
03:16:57,780 --> 03:17:01,040
It's a very important one for our community to take the next step forward

2351
03:17:01,040 --> 03:17:03,980
and what we can accomplish recreationally, right?

2352
03:17:04,480 --> 03:17:06,000
But that's not it when it comes to recreation.

2353
03:17:06,100 --> 03:17:07,440
We've highlighted this project before.

2354
03:17:07,500 --> 03:17:11,200
I want to highlight a couple of smaller quality of life upgrades, right?

2355
03:17:11,720 --> 03:17:13,620
We always talk about these very large projects.

2356
03:17:13,800 --> 03:17:15,600
We're looking to accomplish, but there are some smaller ones

2357
03:17:15,600 --> 03:17:18,460
that we understand to bring quality of life on grades two.

2358
03:17:18,460 --> 03:17:20,440
I'll pick a ball court expansion, a copper sky.

2359
03:17:20,880 --> 03:17:23,060
We are working on that design process right now.

2360
03:17:23,440 --> 03:17:26,120
Shave structures at Pekana and Lakeview Park, right?

2361
03:17:26,800 --> 03:17:30,920
It sounds simple, but a lot of parents have been out of those parts.

2362
03:17:31,660 --> 03:17:34,040
And they don't have the shade protection that we have a copper sky.

2363
03:17:34,200 --> 03:17:36,680
It's time to make sure that those other parks have it as well.

2364
03:17:39,800 --> 03:17:40,820
Finding a way to better roads.

2365
03:17:40,880 --> 03:17:43,080
The 347 is dominated the conversation tonight,

2366
03:17:43,080 --> 03:17:44,240
but that's not all that's happening.

2367
03:17:44,840 --> 03:17:46,820
About the SR-238 widening process.

2368
03:17:46,820 --> 03:17:50,280
We're going to widen this from the 347 to the city

2369
03:17:50,280 --> 03:17:52,480
limits two miles west, okay?

2370
03:17:52,800 --> 03:17:54,560
Where is this project at at this point?

2371
03:17:55,320 --> 03:17:57,840
Right now, design plans are at 90%.

2372
03:17:57,840 --> 03:18:02,000
Okay, we anticipate being at 100% design later this year

2373
03:18:02,000 --> 03:18:05,160
and that construction will start in spring of 2026

2374
03:18:05,160 --> 03:18:08,560
and we'll take about 1.5 years after that to complete.

2375
03:18:08,980 --> 03:18:10,560
So we're talking about beginnings,

2376
03:18:10,780 --> 03:18:13,660
spring of 26 completion sometime in 2027.

2377
03:18:14,120 --> 03:18:15,660
This is an incredibly large project

2378
03:18:15,660 --> 03:18:18,020
coming in at right now in the budget,

2379
03:18:18,020 --> 03:18:20,460
of $31.5 million dollars, right?

2380
03:18:20,660 --> 03:18:22,920
Some of this has been funded via grants.

2381
03:18:23,080 --> 03:18:25,120
Eight authors, a number of funding sources for this

2382
03:18:25,120 --> 03:18:28,000
that we have, the great news is our city website

2383
03:18:28,000 --> 03:18:30,040
will contain all of those details for our residents

2384
03:18:30,040 --> 03:18:31,760
to be able to see everything they want to see

2385
03:18:31,760 --> 03:18:33,980
and understand about these projects.

2386
03:18:36,690 --> 03:18:38,910
A new initiative we've had and city manager bidders

2387
03:18:38,910 --> 03:18:40,830
mentioned this in prior meetings recently,

2388
03:18:41,790 --> 03:18:43,590
our traffic strike force team, right?

2389
03:18:44,310 --> 03:18:47,850
We have $2 million set aside for what we are calling

2390
03:18:47,850 --> 03:18:52,090
traffic strike force, the ability to react quickly, to new information where you're

2391
03:18:52,090 --> 03:18:54,910
seen about transportation and traffic needs in our community.

2392
03:18:55,630 --> 03:18:58,390
The truth is, some of these dollars have actually already been spoken for.

2393
03:18:58,730 --> 03:19:03,850
These funds will be used to fund a new stop light at Smith-Think and Desert Greens.

2394
03:19:05,010 --> 03:19:07,370
What happens and why we need to be ready for things like this?

2395
03:19:07,650 --> 03:19:11,730
When you do a traffic or transportation study and the data shows you that something needs

2396
03:19:11,730 --> 03:19:13,590
to change, you got to be able to react to it soon.

2397
03:19:14,090 --> 03:19:17,670
This gives us the budget capacity to react to it as soon as we have that information and

2398
03:19:17,670 --> 03:19:20,690
have to wait another year to come back to you guys and have that project approved.

2399
03:19:21,690 --> 03:19:25,170
So again, bold, courageous and ready to act now.

2400
03:19:26,490 --> 03:19:30,410
Last but not least, here's the CIP item for everything we've talked about tonight.

2401
03:19:30,890 --> 03:19:34,850
The 347 widening, the local contribution to get this project done.

2402
03:19:34,910 --> 03:19:37,270
We have the full budget capacity to act on this.

2403
03:19:37,610 --> 03:19:41,510
In any way we need to, any mixture that it is done and any timing that is necessary,

2404
03:19:41,890 --> 03:19:43,630
we will be able to accomplish it.

2405
03:19:43,830 --> 03:19:47,030
And as again, we have promised to our residents, it is fully transparent,

2406
03:19:47,030 --> 03:19:51,930
to fully trackable and fully easy to understand and if they have any questions, council members

2407
03:19:51,930 --> 03:19:55,070
and city staff will always be happy to answer anything they have.

2408
03:19:55,970 --> 03:19:59,970
So I wrap up the presentation by saying if we want to stay informed, we ask you to.

2409
03:20:00,000 --> 03:20:05,840
We hope you do. Please visit the city website. Go to departments, click on budget, and right there

2410
03:20:05,840 --> 03:20:10,260
on the right. There is every link you can possibly imagine to prior budget books. There will

2411
03:20:10,260 --> 03:20:15,120
be links to our capital improvement plan. People will be able to see anything they want, and

2412
03:20:15,120 --> 03:20:20,040
we want them to see that. We want that transparency. We invite it. So I share this with the

2413
03:20:20,040 --> 03:20:24,400
republic, so they understand exactly where they need to go and exactly how they can access this

2414
03:20:24,400 --> 03:20:25,120
information.

2415
03:20:26,660 --> 03:20:32,180
Budget processes are long, they are arduous, I simply sit here and I thank City Council for

2416
03:20:32,180 --> 03:20:35,040
everything that you do, all the efforts you put into this.

2417
03:20:36,120 --> 03:20:40,820
I am the one who stands up here and says this, but I am simply representing an entire staff

2418
03:20:40,820 --> 03:20:42,500
of people who will accomplish something amazing.

2419
03:20:43,000 --> 03:20:48,080
Our department directors, our executive team, our city staff who put in countless hours to

2420
03:20:48,080 --> 03:20:52,600
make sure that this budget is covering everything that our priorities ask, and everything that

2421
03:20:52,600 --> 03:20:53,900
we know our residents require.

2422
03:20:55,540 --> 03:20:57,100
So I can't thank everybody at the day.

2423
03:20:57,280 --> 03:21:00,620
I do want to take a minute to recognize the budget team.

2424
03:21:00,820 --> 03:21:02,100
They are sitting behind me at the table.

2425
03:21:02,680 --> 03:21:05,520
They are the ones who make us look good about this at the end of the day.

2426
03:21:05,680 --> 03:21:06,360
It's not me.

2427
03:21:06,640 --> 03:21:07,500
I'm just talking.

2428
03:21:07,980 --> 03:21:09,320
They're the ones who get things done.

2429
03:21:09,960 --> 03:21:12,580
Guys, I know you don't want the attention, but please stand real quick.

2430
03:21:12,660 --> 03:21:14,940
So you can receive the attention that is so well deserved.

2431
03:21:25,610 --> 03:21:26,450
Thank you.

2432
03:21:26,750 --> 03:21:28,690
They deserve that recognition more than I can possibly

2433
03:21:28,690 --> 03:21:29,770
verbalize at this point.

2434
03:21:29,770 --> 03:21:35,190
But I'm going to do what everybody wants us to do, and I'm going to finish and get us out of here.

2435
03:21:35,710 --> 03:21:37,430
After I answer any questions that you may have.

2436
03:21:37,670 --> 03:21:38,150
Very good.

2437
03:21:38,630 --> 03:21:39,770
What questions do you have?

2438
03:21:40,010 --> 03:21:40,110
Yes.

2439
03:21:40,170 --> 03:21:40,510
Councilman.

2440
03:21:41,130 --> 03:21:42,150
My great job.

2441
03:21:42,350 --> 03:21:43,070
Thank you so much.

2442
03:21:43,170 --> 03:21:45,570
I got a couple of things I want to ask.

2443
03:21:46,790 --> 03:21:47,970
Can you do a quarter-man for any?

2444
03:21:48,530 --> 03:21:50,650
Can you go back to pages on two slides?

2445
03:21:51,790 --> 03:21:58,710
The $50 million is just explained the $50 million quickly for me.

2446
03:21:59,490 --> 03:22:06,630
It's not $50 million from the city of Maricopa, but it is $50 million from the 50

2447
03:22:06,630 --> 03:22:10,130
Maricopa, because it's taken into account why.

2448
03:22:10,590 --> 03:22:11,610
So there's a couple of things to this.

2449
03:22:11,610 --> 03:22:16,390
Number one, we don't get understand how Penal County's contribution is going to come into

2450
03:22:16,390 --> 03:22:16,790
this.

2451
03:22:17,130 --> 03:22:19,590
Will they send those funds directly to aid out?

2452
03:22:19,630 --> 03:22:23,130
Will they send those funds through us and then we are the conduits to do that?

2453
03:22:23,550 --> 03:22:27,750
You have to have at the end of the day what we call budget capacity to send those funds,

2454
03:22:28,130 --> 03:22:38,510
So we have to have that full 50 million in the budget in case Penal County decides to flow those funds through us and then we need to remit them to a dot and they may do so in a number of

2455
03:22:38,510 --> 03:22:45,710
Factors and a number of fashions that we just need to be prepared for how we do it again if city manager better is talked about that payment going by June of

2456
03:22:45,710 --> 03:22:46,510
2026

2457
03:22:46,510 --> 03:22:55,490
It will likely be through a funding source called a revenue bond. We are able to bond against the funding source of the sales tax the half-sense sales tax

2458
03:22:55,490 --> 03:22:58,470
and then take those funds and pay that bond down.

2459
03:22:59,130 --> 03:23:01,330
We won't have $50 million or $30 million

2460
03:23:01,330 --> 03:23:02,770
or whatever it is in the bank.

2461
03:23:03,210 --> 03:23:06,930
By that June 1st, 2026 date, we'll have,

2462
03:23:06,930 --> 03:23:08,790
as we showed earlier, about $5 million.

2463
03:23:09,430 --> 03:23:11,710
So we need to have whatever mechanisms are necessary.

2464
03:23:11,910 --> 03:23:13,690
Remember, it would be that $50 million

2465
03:23:13,690 --> 03:23:15,890
allows for capacity to be at a revenue bond,

2466
03:23:16,330 --> 03:23:18,730
a grant that can be obtained, a payment from Penalty County,

2467
03:23:18,750 --> 03:23:20,610
whatever it is, we're ready to execute,

2468
03:23:20,790 --> 03:23:22,750
and then we figure those things out as we're going along.

2469
03:23:22,750 --> 03:23:28,590
Thank you and the reason I asked that is because there is confusion in some minds when you see it

2470
03:23:28,590 --> 03:23:36,230
Yes, I sat through an A dot work session and they work in sort of confused on was it 50 is it 70?

2471
03:23:36,730 --> 03:23:39,410
Right if you take 50 from us and 20 from the county

2472
03:23:39,410 --> 03:23:45,930
But we're talking about a 50 million dollar local contribution that includes a city of Maricopa and the county

2473
03:23:45,930 --> 03:23:48,010
Yes, and that just allows us to

2474
03:23:48,010 --> 03:23:52,850
basically pay up front for the county in case they have to pass that.

2475
03:23:53,390 --> 03:23:54,890
Correct. Thank you.

2476
03:23:54,890 --> 03:23:58,910
Thank you, Council Member Manfredi. Any additional comments, questions?

2477
03:23:59,310 --> 03:24:00,030
Council Member Mark.

2478
03:24:01,450 --> 03:24:03,970
Thank you for the presentation. That's great detail.

2479
03:24:05,810 --> 03:24:12,770
I'm just wondering about grant money to help us fund the 347 projects.

2480
03:24:12,770 --> 03:24:24,030
Is there any organization working on that anywhere in the hierarchy above us or at our staff?

2481
03:24:24,970 --> 03:24:29,170
A lot of times with grants of this nature, E.W. will actually work.

2482
03:24:29,470 --> 03:24:33,010
They have a staff of grant writers who will look for those grant funding opportunities.

2483
03:24:33,930 --> 03:24:36,770
They'll usually look towards federal resources at that point.

2484
03:24:36,770 --> 03:24:42,230
doesn't mean or limit that we can't do something of that nature as well but they have

2485
03:24:42,230 --> 03:24:46,850
far greater grant writing resources and far greater relationships at the federal level and these things

2486
03:24:46,850 --> 03:24:51,910
and we do. It doesn't mean that we can't, doesn't mean that we won't. A part of this process

2487
03:24:51,910 --> 03:24:56,110
once this gets on the five-year plan is working with data to figure out exactly how we're going to pursue

2488
03:24:56,110 --> 03:24:59,630
those opportunities. So that's again why we want the capacity to do so.

2489
03:25:00,000 --> 03:25:03,720
And then the work follows after and how we're going to get that and who's going to obtain it.

2490
03:25:03,860 --> 03:25:07,800
I'm just looking back at how we did the railroad overpass.

2491
03:25:08,120 --> 03:25:08,280
The tiger.

2492
03:25:09,540 --> 03:25:09,640
Yes.

2493
03:25:10,680 --> 03:25:15,600
So, tiger grants, and I won't go into too much detail, they get renamed every time somebody

2494
03:25:15,600 --> 03:25:20,080
knew steps into office and their raised grants or tiger grants and build grants, whatever they're called.

2495
03:25:21,260 --> 03:25:23,400
They're issued in limited quantities.

2496
03:25:24,200 --> 03:25:29,980
And if you look at the entire Western United States over the past 15 years, a number of grants that were

2497
03:25:29,980 --> 03:25:32,480
actually issued under that program was relatively small.

2498
03:25:33,300 --> 03:25:36,440
So I think it's fair to say we should pursue those things.

2499
03:25:36,920 --> 03:25:41,200
But if we've already received one of these grants for this road already,

2500
03:25:41,980 --> 03:25:47,300
our ability is a local entity to obtain that relative to what EDA could do to obtain it.

2501
03:25:47,300 --> 03:25:50,600
Their power, their ability to do so is probably greater than ours at this point.

2502
03:25:52,240 --> 03:25:53,320
Thank you.

2503
03:25:53,640 --> 03:25:54,420
Thank you, Councillor.

2504
03:25:54,420 --> 03:25:56,720
are there any additional comments questions?

2505
03:25:57,860 --> 03:25:58,640
I just have one.

2506
03:25:58,640 --> 03:26:01,240
Would you please go back to slide 16?

2507
03:26:02,900 --> 03:26:04,420
I should say I have two.

2508
03:26:05,540 --> 03:26:06,820
I'll be there in about five minutes.

2509
03:26:08,580 --> 03:26:13,800
Okay, this chart, I think, is really important for our community to understand.

2510
03:26:13,820 --> 03:26:15,920
You guys did a great job putting it together.

2511
03:26:16,160 --> 03:26:21,080
And the reason I say it's important for the community to understand is because you would

2512
03:26:21,080 --> 03:26:28,780
shocked how many times I hear our residents and groups within the city of Maricopa say

2513
03:26:28,780 --> 03:26:36,680
the city is rich and so if you were just to look at our revenues and say oh your operating

2514
03:26:36,680 --> 03:26:45,600
expense is like in 2025 63.5 you might go wow they are rich they could do anything they want

2515
03:26:45,600 --> 03:26:50,960
but what they're not understanding if you take that and if I get this wrong that let me know

2516
03:26:51,080 --> 03:27:02,720
If you take that 63.5 in 2025 and you add the 66.01, which is capital, it is more than the revenues for that year.

2517
03:27:02,900 --> 03:27:13,800
We are not rich. The reason we can do that is we have been fiscally responsible for all years of the existence of the city of Maricopa.

2518
03:27:13,800 --> 03:27:19,880
otherwise we wouldn't be able to do that. That's very important and so if in this example

2519
03:27:19,880 --> 03:27:28,780
you said in 2026, 81 million might become 70 million, that's perfect because that means that's

2520
03:27:28,780 --> 03:27:35,920
what we can put into the CIP budget for and this is what I try to share with people. They want more

2521
03:27:35,920 --> 03:27:42,600
signals, more roads, more sports fields, a senior center, a teen center. I mean the list goes on and on

2522
03:27:42,600 --> 03:27:49,600
and not everything is in this capital improvement plan yet, but a lot of things are and what

2523
03:27:49,600 --> 03:27:57,280
people need to understand is we can only move at the pace that our revenues allows us to move.

2524
03:27:57,920 --> 03:28:04,340
Plain and simple and just to finish that thought our revenues and I think someone mentioned it here

2525
03:28:04,340 --> 03:28:12,600
Tonight, our typically 40 to 60% less than cities our size in the state of Arizona.

2526
03:28:12,920 --> 03:28:13,780
That's important.

2527
03:28:14,280 --> 03:28:15,120
And why is that?

2528
03:28:15,120 --> 03:28:20,740
Because we're 21 years old because we have limited commercial retail and all the things

2529
03:28:20,740 --> 03:28:22,540
that contribute to our revenues.

2530
03:28:23,360 --> 03:28:25,800
And so people need to understand that.

2531
03:28:25,800 --> 03:28:28,540
I try hard to help them, but this is a great chart.

2532
03:28:28,600 --> 03:28:30,380
I might have to start using this chart.

2533
03:28:30,420 --> 03:28:32,900
I become my most favorite chart at this point.

2534
03:28:32,900 --> 03:28:36,940
What do you feel free? That's why we do this. That's right. I love it.

2535
03:28:37,080 --> 03:28:38,840
If you would go to slide 34.

2536
03:28:45,070 --> 03:28:54,930
It went really fast. Okay, so question for you. Yes. It says the funding source is capital project fund and carry forward of capital project fund.

2537
03:28:55,410 --> 03:29:00,670
Now we know that we asked our federal government to help us when we went to DC.

2538
03:29:00,670 --> 03:29:13,870
Explain to the public what happens to this number if we are fortunate enough to get a grant from our federal government for those ambulances Absolutely, so to try and be as brief as possible

2539
03:29:13,870 --> 03:29:21,350
We talked about operating capacity and budgeting everything just in case we also have to do that with something we call grant capacity

2540
03:29:21,350 --> 03:29:27,930
We actually put a number of about 60 million dollars of what we call grant capacity into the budget every year

2541
03:29:27,930 --> 03:29:34,970
For what we would say are large opportunities like that to go and obtain funds, but we don't know whether or not we're going to get them.

2542
03:29:35,410 --> 03:29:43,010
If we do receive those, we can actually, we have the budget capacity to bring those in, apply those funds towards this project,

2543
03:29:43,190 --> 03:29:48,790
and then that $2.7 million that is sitting in the $3.50 fund dedicated to these dams is right now,

2544
03:29:48,970 --> 03:29:54,270
can actually be re-aligned, reassessed, to re-appropriated to another project as we see fit.

2545
03:29:54,270 --> 03:29:59,970
So that grant opportunity allows us to take this 2.7 and put it towards something else at the end of the day.

2546
03:30:00,000 --> 03:30:11,960
And because we're planning ahead, we have this grant capacity number, we're ready for that opportunity, but you don't want to actually project it or budget for it, because you don't want to count on something that you know is not going to come, or you don't know is going to come.

2547
03:30:12,040 --> 03:30:14,120
Exactly. That makes care for the possibility.

2548
03:30:14,940 --> 03:30:18,540
And if so, 2.7 million dollars towards something else, something a pretty good idea to me.

2549
03:30:18,740 --> 03:30:26,440
Yeah, that makes sense. I'm just thankful that you were able to explain it to the public, because I get some questions in regards to our federal grants.

2550
03:30:26,440 --> 03:30:30,140
Okay, given that I'm finished with my questions as well.

2551
03:30:30,160 --> 03:30:36,200
I want to thank the staff, really great job on everything tonight, so phenomenal.

2552
03:30:37,440 --> 03:30:40,820
I want to thank police and fire for all the work that you do.

2553
03:30:41,780 --> 03:30:44,720
I just think that the city of Maricopa is special.

2554
03:30:44,760 --> 03:30:46,120
Who said that here tonight?

2555
03:30:46,400 --> 03:30:47,260
Was that everybody?

2556
03:30:47,380 --> 03:30:48,640
Everybody said that.

2557
03:30:49,380 --> 03:30:54,920
The city of Maricopa is special and yeah, I challenge any city to say they've lowered

2558
03:30:54,920 --> 03:30:56,720
the property tax seven years in a row.

2559
03:30:56,980 --> 03:31:02,740
I challenge any city to say they can fund the CIP out of being conservative over two

2560
03:31:02,740 --> 03:31:05,400
decades of fiscal responsibility.

2561
03:31:05,860 --> 03:31:10,940
We're special and you guys do a phenomenal job and I want to thank you.

2562
03:31:10,980 --> 03:31:13,180
I appreciate everything that you do.

2563
03:31:13,560 --> 03:31:16,200
Given that, are there any additional questions comments?

2564
03:31:17,320 --> 03:31:18,960
Do I have a motion to approve?

2565
03:31:19,360 --> 03:31:21,440
Motion to approve by Councilman Manfredi.

2566
03:31:21,600 --> 03:31:22,180
Do I have a second?

2567
03:31:22,780 --> 03:31:24,620
Seconded by Councilmember Mars.

2568
03:31:24,620 --> 03:31:35,680
Any additional comments questions? No, we're all tired. Okay, I'll see you in none. I'll in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed and that carries as well.

2569
03:31:36,000 --> 03:31:40,540
Thank you very much. Thank you all for being here tonight.