HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.1202.TCRM.VERBATIM.TRANSCRIPT.TQWN OF FQUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGi1LAR MEETiNG
�� THE FQLJNTA4N HILLS TOWN C�UNCIL
DECEM6ER �, 2QZ5
A Regular Meeting of the Fountain Hills Town Council was canvened at 167�5 �.
Avenue of the Fountains in apen and public sessian at 5:30 p.m.
IVlembers Present: Mayor Gerry M, Friedel; Vi�e Mayar Allen 5killicorn;
Cauncilmember Gayle Earle; Cauncilmember grenda J. Kali�ianakis;
Cauncilmember Rick Watts; Cfluncilmember Hannah Larrabee; Caun�ilmember
Peggy McMahon
5taff Present: Town Manager Rachael Goodwin; Town Cleric 6evelyn Bender;
T�wn A#tvrney Jennifer Wright
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Post-Production File
Tnwn nf Fountain Hills
Town Cnuncil Meeting Minutes
December 2, 2a25
Transcription Pr�vided By:
e5cribers, LLC
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Transcription is provided in order t❑ facilitate communicatian accessibility and may not
be a totally v�rbatim record of the proceedings.
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Page 1 of A5
Tow�v a�- ��uNrQiN r�i��s
DFC£MBER 2, 2a25 tO1NN CCUNC%i. INEETiNG MIIVUTfS
MAY�R FRfE�EL: I'd like to call this meeting ta order. Anci if you would please rise far
the Pledge of Allegiance.
MULTIPLE SPEAKERS: I pf�dge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and
to the r�publi� for which it stands, ❑ne natian, under God, indivisible, with liherty and
justice fnr all.
MAYDR FRiEbEL: And if you �hoose, please rernain standing. The in�ocatian will be
gi�en by Pastor Claytan Wilfer fram Joy Church.
WILFER: �et's pray. Dear Hea�enly Father, we thank yau for this town and for all the
blessings you have given us. We pray for the leaders of this council, that they may be
guided by your wisdom. Grant them and all of us the desire and at�ility to follaw your
word, which says that we shauld be quick to hear, s�ow t❑ speak, and slow ta anger. We
pray that yaur grace, lave, and peace be with all wh❑ have gather`ed here. We pray all
of this in the name af Jesus. Amen.
MULTIPLE 5PEA10ER5: Amen.
MAYDR FRIEaEI.: 7awn clerk� can I have a roll call, please?
BENQER: Mayar Friedel?
MAYDR FRIE�El.: Present.
SENdER: Vice mayar 5killicorn?
5KILLIC�RN: Present.
BENRER: Cauncilmember Earle?
EARLE: Here.
BEN�ER: Councilmember Kalivianakis?
KALIVIANAKIS- Here.
BENaER: Couneilmember Watts?
WATTS: Here.
gEN�ER: Councilmember Larrahee?
LARRA6E�: Here.
6ENDER: Councilmember McMahon?
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MCMAH�N: Here.
BENDER: Mayor, you ha�e a quorum.
MAYQR FRIEbEL: Thank you. And I believe e�erybody was given a statement af
participation on their way into the meeting tonight, sa please follow accordingly. Town
manager.
G�DOWIN: Thank you, May�r. As we beg+n tonight's meeting, I'd like to take a moment
ta recognire a few of aur wonderfu! community e�ents from this past week and those
that are on the horitan, c�ming this weekend.
First, a big thank yau to e�eryone who participated in our annual Turkey Trot. Vlle saw
record br�aking attendance this year, and it was a fantastic way ta wat�h sa many
residents and families kick off the holiday family weekend together. And a special nad,
of c�urse, to Mayar Friedel for lacing up his sneakers and joining us for the run this year.
Thank you far representing the town so well.
FoEl�wing the run, ❑ur annual parade brought many -- e�en mare energy and
excitement to the dawntown. It was great ta see many �ommunity groups, families,
and spectatars turn ❑ut t❑ celebrate.
We also hasted aur sold-out breakfast with 5anta, which brought a lot of joy to our
youngest resid�nts here in Fountain Hills. ❑ur ser�sitive 5anta saw a significant increase
in att�ndance, providing a calmer, more �omfortak�le experien�e for those who henefit
from a quieter setting.
We'r� grateful t❑ e�eryone wh❑ helped make these e�ents wel�oming and accessible to
all.
Looking ahead, we don't stop there -- Thanksgi�ing weekend is nat just -- is just the
start. L�oking ahead, we in�ite the cammu�ity to join us this weekend far the stroll in
the glaw along the Avenue. It's a wonderful way to celebrate the seasan, enjay the
lights, and spend time with friends and neight�ars. We hape to see you there.
5peakin� of lights, we often get asked where to find the i�est holiday displays in tawn.
And we have the perfect answer. Residents are in�ited to hefp light up the town t�y
entering their hames in aur annual Light Up the Tawn holiday taur. The deadline t❑
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enter is Wednesday, December 1�th and ar��e registered, participants de�orate their
homes and we put together an interacti�e map that falks can dawnload and it will guide
them throughaut the t�wn ta all participating homes, and it will f�e a�ailable an
M�nday, Decemk�er �5th and the taur wili run thraugh December 31st. You can �ote far
your favorite houses, your fa�arite -- favorite decor, prizes will be distributed. It's a
great way to sort of celebrate the season on yaur awn time and enjoy a daztiing, self-
guided taur around Fountain Hills.
With that mayor, thase are my updates.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Thank yau. As you can see, we'�e been �ery busy. 5o right now I'd
like to da a special recognition. I ha�e a�itizenship award that I want ta 6estow upon
Bob Burns. Bab has been a rep�rter, loca€ reporter here in town for 38 years, I helieve.
Is that right, Bob?
BURNS: 37.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: 37. Okay. I gave you an extra year's �redit, so we'll knock that out of
yaur pension. I'm just kidding. Bob, for your cansistent reparting, thoughtful co�erage,
and unwavering dedication t❑ k�eping the residents of Fauntain Hills informed, your
presence at t�e town council meetings and your passian for lacal jaurnalism ha�ing left
a lasting impact on aur community, thank you for your years of ser�ice and
congratulations an your retirement. And with that, we ha�e a special little -- we`re
going to take a couple minute recess because we braught same cupcakes in hanor of
your retirement. If you'll came up and a�cept this award and then maybe say a few
words, that would be great.
B�RNS: My �oi�e isn't very goad tanight, s❑ I'll just say that I had mast af what I said
and said it in prir�t this week, and I appreciate the recagnition and thank you very much.
MAY�ft FRIEDEL: Hey, grent, da you and Ryan want t� get a picture with Boh? Why
don't you and Ryan came up and get a pic'ture with Bob? And then you can roll the
cupcakes out. If everybady wants ta take a minute and get a cu�cake, t�at wfluld be
great.
We'll take a little pause fQr cup�aEces. I'm sarry. They`re �ut in the labhy. Thank you.
Page 4 of 45
TDL`!N {]F F011NFAIPI fiILLS
�FCEM6EH 2, 2025 TiZ1NN CpUNCIZ MEETING MIN417E5
[PAUSEy
MAYDR FRIEbEL: Thank you again, Bah, for yaur years ❑f servi�e. And naw we're going
t❑ start with ❑ur presentatians. Town rr-ianager?
G�ODWIf�: All right. Thank you, Mayor. ❑ur first presentatian tonight is from the
Fountain Hills 5ister �ities Carporation. Christine, I think yau're going t� be giving an
update t❑ ❑ur mayor and council, is that right? Da you have a P�werP�int or anything?
Okay. Great. Justin, wauld yau mind helping her if she needs any techni�al support up
there?
Mayor and cauncil. This is Christine Cawley �ph.]. Many of yau know her and a lot af
different capaciCies, but she is alsa part of our 5ister Cities program here in Fountain
Fkills and leads the way in a number of aur ather initiatives.
All right. Christine, I'll turn it ❑�er t❑ yflu.
CAWLEY: Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, City Council, and Rachael. If I may, if we
were in Dierdorf, our German sister city, yau would be greeted. {Speaking German]. I'm
Christine Cawley. 4'm a 30-year resident of Fauntain Hiils. We made our home her� in
1995 and I've nev�r looked back. 5o I'm h�re today ta tell you a little bit about 5ister
Cities that was faunded in 20�0. And I'm often asked, what is a sister city? S❑ let me
te�l you. It's basically a relatianship that is formed between two municipalities. It
happens after visit�rs have identified a desire to partner with a city in a foreign �auntry.
Visits are made and exchanged, and then the community decides that this relationship is
a pasiti�� ga forward, and the relatianship is cemented with the signature by the
highest elected afficials af the cammunities.
We are in good �ompany in this count�y. 5ister Cities International f�sters 54Q
natianwide chapters, with 214� sister �ity partners in 145 countries. Arizona alone has
7.3 sister city �hapters with 58 internatianal sister cities.
Wh❑ we are. Fountain Hills 5ister Cities is a nonprofit organization managed all by
�alunteers. We qrovide appartunities far a!I people in our area t❑ de�elop and
participate in international reiatianships. We are �olunteers, as I said; we're passianate
ab�ut working with sister cities -- acrass the world. We seek to pramote peace, hope,
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harmany, and deeply human connecti�ns through international �itizen diplomacy. As
part of this vision, we identify partnerships with �ities that are like us and like us means
we agree an con�epts. We liice each ❑ther. We like our culture. �ur sister cities vary
greatly, so it's n�t a sister city that is the same size, the same Io�ativn, the same --
�ierdorf, for example, is a town of 6,000 peopl�. 5o is Ataco and Zamosc is 3�,��Q, but
we faund canne�tions in those cities that made the relati�nships initiate and grow.
Why we do it. We are a passionate group af pe�ple that really enjay to work in
different cultures and maintain and grow those relationships in those cultures --. We
fulfill the original concept of the Sister Cities ma�ement started in 1956 by President
Eisenhower, whose mission was ta reunite -- a fractured, post-World War world, ane
community at a time, people-to-peaple style.
Here are our sister cities. Ataco, EI Sal�ador that originated with Enrique Melendez,
wh❑ is from EI Sal�adflr, and he is the hanarary Consul emeritus at the time. And this
happened in Novemk�er 2007. And Waliy Nichols �ph.j went with Enrique to Ataco. And
I 4�elieve they turned on the lights in Atac❑ for the first time when they visited there.
Mayar Linda Ka�anagh was in charge in June ❑f 2Q14 when Elizabeth and Bogamil
Horsham (ph.} -- Elizabeth is here and Elizabeth was born in 2amosc. And that's how
that relatians�ip was established. And so they went to Zamos� at the time and ta sign
the agreement.
dierdorf, Germany came on baard in 20D5, also with Mayor Walfy Nichols, and we had a
long relatianship in the high schoal with Dierdarf already, because they were daing
student exchanges with as many as 35 kids at one time when I moved here and learned
abaut that. So it was easy t❑ -- identify that as a proper sister city. And I'm from
Germany, sa I manage that relatiflnship with pleasure. Exeuse me. 5o what ha�e we
been doing? 1Ne �elebrate five, 25 years with our first exchange to ❑ierdorf, and we
take high s�haol students between ❑ierdorf and Fauntain Hills and 2amosc and Fountain
Hifls and these kids come ba�k with life-changing experienees. The last time Polish
students were here, and ! was at t�e bus when they departed, and the ane boy said to
his father, yau know, I always wanted a hrather, and naw I have one. So it's
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heartbreaking the reiationship these kids establish. We da some humanitarian efforts
and Ataco suffers fram fl�ods from �ad weather there. And s❑ we support them in a
way by providing f4ad pa�kages. We had at one time, 45 -- 44 Fountain Fiills students
that tra�eled to Ata�a t❑ rebuild the homes. It was a really wonderful experience for
these students to experience Ataco.
And then we supporteci Zamosc for the Llkraine refugees that they took in at the time.
We do international culturai events. Like I said, we're passianate abaut the
internatianal aspect. We do �ktaberfest. I hope all ❑f you attended it this year. The
Polish have a great Palish festival with 1�,�00 attendees. We did the Oktaberfest, the
❑ctaber Heritage Month, which is Octaber for Hispani� Poland and Germany.
Managing these sister �ities' relatianships fasters tourism far Fauntain Hills. Df cflurse,
the word gets ❑ut haw beautifui Fauntain Hills is and that dri�es more -- visitors to see
what it's -- like here. Many European visitors are here because they'll stop !�y on the
way to the Grand Canyon.
Our wei�site, ane, the number twa in the 5tate, which is a real accamplishment be�ause
we ha�e so many -- others. And alsa we won two awards as the -- best �ountain Hills,
the hest sister cities in 24�9 and 2�12. And that was granted by Sister �ities
International for population under 25,OaD.
Passion among our baard members. The lives we t�uch wor�dwide, as I mentioned, and
the memaries we share have a lifelong impact. The involvement af our ambassador
hape far the better future is an in�estment in our youth. We reach ❑ut t❑ them. We
offer scholarships, sponsorships to international youth leadership summits. This is a
very exclusive summit, and we will be sending ❑ur third member this spring. And t�e
twa that have been have embarked on a successful career as a result of having been
there; and ir� our funding resources, our memhership we are a recipient of the
prafessiflnal services agreement with the town, and we thank you for that. We d❑ e�ent
sponsorships t❑ earn funds and we sell event ti�kets.
A hunt is an far our next sister �ity. We have targeted Italy and that is quite act+ve, but
it is a long process in finding a right partnership in that area. But we will kee� you
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informed. Any questions?
MAYOR FRIEQEL: Thank you.
CAWLEY: Thank you far the �ppartunity.
MAYDR FRIEaEL: Rachaei, ❑ur next presentati�n?
G�DDWiN: Yes. ❑ur next presentation is from aur MCSO captain, Captain Thomas,
giving us, sharing with us his quarterly update.
THOMAS: I might need same technical support. I'm not seeing it on here. Yes.
Right here. This one. Thank yau. All right. Mayor, town manager, council, I appreciate
the chance to came up and speak in front of you guys, because e�ery time 1'm coming
up here, I'm speaking on behalf of the rnen and wamen that wear this uni�orm and ga
❑ut there and perform the public service t❑ the community af Fountain Hil[s fln a daily
basis. And -- and they really d❑ an exceptionai jab. I have a cauple ❑f those members,
Tanner �ph.} and Justin {ph.}, back there that are working with me today that are
instrumental in a I�t of the things that I d❑ get ta come up here and brag ahout.
Before I get into that, I just wanted ta go aff topic real quickiy and just say that when I
first �ame ta Fountain Hills and the commander positian, I was intraduced to Bab Burns,
and he was just such a�leasant person ta deal with, talk to. He pro�ided me some
background informatian on t�e town, haw ii operates, and the peaple that ar� involved
and -- about what I would experience stepping into this role. And he was just such a
genuine and gaod person. And in many peaple's li�es and careers, they're really lucky if
they ever make it 20 years ta finish off a career for -- so 37 is amazing and i for ane,
appre�iate your time, 8ob, and yaur -- help that you gave me. 5o thank you.
I'm going to be brief with this one. I think I spa€ce pr�viously abaut a three-year
comparative that I'm warking on, which I plan ❑n deli�ering the next quarterly MCSn
f�riefing to you guys. 5o I have analysts putting that together. And if yau guys
remember the one from '22 and '23, it basically t�ak Glendale, 5�ottstiale, Fauntain Hilis
and did a comparison on what they see from a pubiic safety standpoint and where --
those similarities and differences really shined a light an haw safe this cammunity is.
And sa I'm daing a new one since it's been enough time ta put a three-year comparative
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TtiWN OF FQUNTAIN HiLLS
[S�CEMBER 2, 2025 "fd:"d!v CGUyCIL MEE"I'iliG MINUTES
down. So -- that'll be �oming.
In the interim here for this quarterly upciate, I just wanted ta paint aut a coupie af data
points that kind of show where we're at. 5o the chart that we have up here is one of
our informatian systems. And ❑ne af the things I'll say as we laok at these numhers is to
understand that sametimes the haundaries araund Four�tain F{ills get a little bit blurry
with ❑ur CAD system and e�erything. S❑ sometimes these numbers might reflect stuff
that's technically autside of the city limits of Fauntain Hills.
This is basically a breakdown of our calis for service, ❑ur top 20 radio codes, and what --
we -- these -- men and women that go out there and patrol the streets daily, what they
are dealing with.
As you can see here if yau loak at that far right category, those are the ones that really
produce reparts. And -- -- really go to our summaries that we put out on what the
newspaper puts ❑ut, what we see trend-wise. ihe big point on that, I would just say is
you'll see the tap ones are vehicle crashes, some criminal damage, same assaults,
whether that's mutual fights and stuff like that. And thase numbers are not big at all.
But in the middle description, you'll see the radi❑ code descriptions and that middfe
❑ne, it'll start aff with �acation patr�l watch. But that cflmmunity policing ane is what I
want to facus in an for a minute there, because that's showing a significant increase
o�er past quarters because we partnered with the mayor an his �isibility initiati�e, on
getting aur people out there in the cammunity with the businesses, listening t❑ what
the Goncerns are and haw we can inter�ene and �opefully sol�e some af these quality ❑f
life problems, as long -- as well as the publi� safety stuff we deal with on a regular basis.
And that's a few sections down fram that community palicing area. Yau`li see the follaw
up. And ta me, as the commander af the di�ision, that tells me that these guys are
actually going out there after the fact, after these things happen, and ta{cing secand and
third ioaks, trying ta resal�e issues.
Just because it was interesting, I put up here this bar graph that shows where our calfs
for ser�ice e�ents really fall upon. And i thought it was interesting that, you know,
Friday, 5aturday, and Sunday as you see down here, we c{an't ha�e near as many
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incidents as we do iuesday, Wednesday and Thursciay. I don't understand why the
middle of the weeEc is -- the busiest. And t�ris next infflgraphic, it's going ta be just more
of ine showing some of the feedback we get from the �ommunity on whether it's
speeding issues, red light runners --, just basi�ally wanting patrol in some certain areas
to help resal�e thase issues. It's the warnings and citations. Vllhat you see there is them
going ❑ut and using bath education and enforcement as tools to help dri�e those things
to impro�e.
Now this is -- yau've heard me talk about 5quad 5 before, and this goes back to when I
first came int❑ Fountain Hills working with the mayor on the visibility initiative, getting
that more community-focused approach to our patro! d�puties. Since that's happened
and -- you can see here, Lieute�ant Jerry Vance is the �ammander that we put over that
unit to kind of help drive the directi�n, set the standard, and make sure we're --
fallowing through with what we need. Yau'll see a 20 percent in�rease in aur Calls far
servi�e from iast quarter that 5quad S dealt with, who were mainly focused ❑n
eommunity-oriented policing issues.
And that secand section that says 2� percent increase in on view traffi� is what that
means. That means these guys are out there and gals are out there loaking around,
driving the neighborhoods, checking the businesses, intera�ting with people, loaking for
ways to be resaurces far the community, as well as be a deterrent to crime, �oth
�isually and with their investigatian and follow-up actions. And the 20 or the 277
percent community poiicing actians, so that's basically all of our things we check auf on
wY�ether we're meeting with the -- corporation commission meetings, whether we go ta
somethin� like 7oastmasters and sit in and talk to people, �r goin� to door t� door ta
some of t�ese strip mall areas that have businesses and -- updating trespass orders or
getting feedback for issues that they're -- -- experiencing. That's what that -- increase
really represents is th�se �uys taking a praactive appraach and di�ing in and gettin� into
the cammunity.
And the impartant part on this, I won't g❑ int❑ muGh an this, but if y�u guys car� see my
curs�r, I'm sarry that the definiti�n is nat that great, but we did a third quarter 2�24 ta a
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third quarter Zd25 comparison. And what you'll see here is in 2�24, this total calls for
service for this -- unit -- for this time frame mo�ed up drastically. 5a that's if you can't
see it, that's 16,00� over here. And this is 5,3�� over here. Dver the difference �f one
year by taking your initiati�e and aur dri�e for that �ommunity engagement and really
making it the core af what these guys are going ❑ut and doing, and they take the reins
and they just take ❑ff with it and get that -- engagement. And what i'm seeing an the
ba�k end is a lot af follow up from business awners and community coming up and
telling me about their interactions with these guys and -- addressing these prohlems.
As we're �oming up ❑n the halidays, I'll leave with this. The e-bikes, electric scooters
and stuff like that are stil! just like in previaus years, a big present item. MCSD through
our school resource afficer and the Fauntain Fiills 5chaal District ha�e partnered up and
put out information to edu�ate at the school le�el and ultimately in the community
the -- information n�eded for e-bikes. And we'll we gat pamphlets like this aut at our
ia�by. 1Ne're sharing them with the schoal, and aur deputies will have them t�o. S❑ if
they ha�e the chance to have these conversations ❑ut there just in the puhlic, they'll do
it. But the bi� thing on this is that hopefully parents, thraugh this -- what the sehaol is
implementing and throu�h dealing with us, they can understand there's a difference in
these e-hikes he�ause there's �lassifications and something that yau think is a little
motar to heip somebody get -- araund is much different than what we're see�ng aut
there and what's becoming a problematic safety wise and just quality of life, you know,
neighk�arhoad issues wise. Because yau gat a lot of people that don't understand that
you need to be 16, have a dri�er's license far a lot of these, depending an the class.
Anc� -- the parents may unwittingly be setting their kids up far issues legally by getting
aut there on th� raad with the vehicle that they're probably not handling able to handle
and not legally allowed ta. 5o with that, I'll be glad to answer any questions.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Councilpersan?
KALfVIANAKfS: Thank you, Mr. Mayar. Y�ah. I just want to tell you, I think we ail f�el in
aur community safe and taken care af because af MC5❑ under your leadership, and we
appreeiate it. ❑oing a-- just a great jai�. And I think e�erybody in this raom can came to
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an agreement an that. The ❑ne thing we did have somebody brandish a weapan at the
Skybox the ather day and is there any resofutian? Was there an apprehension of the
perpetrator perhaps?
TH�MAS: Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. An arrest was made.
KALIVIANAKIS: Thank you.
MAYDR FRIEDEI.: Captain, I'il just make a �omment. Your community policing efforts
are really taking roat in the town, and I hear a lot of positi�e things about it. And then
to s�e the data backing it up. So that's a huge improvement from where we were. So
we really appreciate that in t{�e town. I know a lot of residents do as welf. And -- so do
the commercial businesses as well. S❑ thank you for yaur efforts on that.
�HOMAS: Thank you.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Thank you. Rachael, befare we call up the next speaker, I just want to
make a comment about these -- different presentations. Christine Cawley gave us a
presentation on sister cities. It's important t❑ know what they do, why they d❑ it, how
they da it. We don't see them �n a reguiar basis. 5a tFrat's why it's important for you to
come in. And we appreciate yaur time doing that. Sa thank you for that. And the same
with the captain. We d�n't see you. But yau know, we hear about it onCe a quarter or
what's in the paper. But again, t❑ see thase fa�ts and figures behind what you're doing
is really a starEc improvement. 5o we appreciate that. Thank you both. And with that,
we'll have our next presentatian. Ra�hael?
G��QWIN: Yes, thank you, mayor. And you make a good paint. This is a chance for
you guys ta sort af ha�e a little hit more hands-an canversation he�ause, again, a lot of
this gets passed on either through reports or updates fr�m me or you know, updates
thraugh the media ❑r whatnot. Sa this -- is a chance for you to kind of have that
intera�tion. 5peaking af the next cauple af updates -- the next two presentations are
updates regarding ❑ur capital impro�ement projects. Again, these are projects that
were talked abaut and discussed and appro�ed as part of aur budget. We are about
halfway through our budget year, not quite. 5o bath Ke�in and Justin will be gi�ing
updates as to where we're at with the variety of projects. 5o with that, I'll turn it aver to
Page 12 of 45
To�vr� c�c FL'��tiTAlI� H11�5
❑ECkP!lRER �, 2f]25 7�WN �dUlVGi McEl'!N� �JIINLiTES
you, Directar Snipes.
51�IPES: Thankyau. Mayor, Cauncil, as Rachael was saying, we are abaut halfway
through aur year, so we'll get started with showing yau where we're at s❑ far. The first
project here is the Golden Eagle playground replacement, which is just the areas that
are undern�ath the shade canopy. And this is a cantinuation, kind �f, af the ariginal
repla�ement that we did. We didn't have the funding to do the entire park when we did
it ❑riginally. And so this year we were able t❑ get that finished up and it came out really
nice. Added a lot of new features a�er there for aur kids ta be able to use, and it has
been acti�ely heing used since we �ompleted it about a few months ago. 5o it's gaing
really well.
Dur next one here is our A�enue Linear Park impro�ements. This is year two of three.
We gat �ompleted the shade installation, which has been being used heavily during our
farmers' market, especialfy, and thraughout the week for people to find some shade and
picnic tables to b� able t❑ sit at and enjoy lun�h or dinner out on the A�enue. We alsa
were able t❑ get the rest of the event re�eptacles installed. They went far their first test
dri�e here with our fair that we had here a couple weeks ago, and we had zer❑ issues for
the first time since I've been #�ere. I g�t zer❑ calls about needing ta come ❑ut, not
having power or having this issue or that issue. I call that a success. I don't care haw
you look at it, that -- was great for us. And they look really gaod. We'�e gotten lats of
compliments on haw they -- look, as well as how they fun�tian. S� that was -- a praject
that I think was far v�erdue t❑ make the A�enue look hetter.
Our next here is we're just completing design work on Pleasant�ille Park. We do have
the designs completed. I just put a couple af images in here so you can kinci ❑f see the --
general look and layout of the park. There will be -- we were really cautious about
headlights on this project t�ecause we're wanting it to be able ta be a stargazing park.
And so we just got these back abaut a week aga. We're still going through this set t❑ da
flur final impressions on it, and then we'fl be ready to mave farward on t�is one.
Here's kind of an image ❑f that center area where we're setting up to be ❑ur darkest
locatian out there, where we'll be able to d❑ some stargaxing within this -- the big
Page 13 of 45
Tt7l+llh �lr FQUNTAlP1 IiI�LS
pECEMBER 2, 2G2S FQW;V C�UIVCiI MEETfNG Mi�'UTES
center �ircle -- circular area. And we'il be moving forward on this as saon as we get
done going thr�ugh aur side of the plans and getting back to mafte sure that we're all
goad before we put it out to bid.
�oa�wi�v: �c���n, can I interject? I wanted to say that i know you`�e been working with
representati�es from the ❑ark 5ky, including Vicki �ph.} and Ted �ph.], I think --
SNIPES: Llh-huh.
G�ODWIN: -- and I know that that has been abviously, we wanted to make sure that
this park functioned the way we envisioned it and having their help and their
partnership has �een a big part of t�at. 5a thank you for taking that time ta -- do that
and wark through that with them.
SNIPES: Yeah, we -- we've certainly we started out early with it. I have not had a chan�e
to g❑ aver this final set with them, but they've been activeiy involved along the way of
the design of the park.
Here's aur community center fans and lighting that we did this year. This was part ❑f a
k�igger projeet that starfied last year. ❑ff to the left there you �an see the ald lights.
They were�'t in the greatest of shape, ta say the least. T�hey definitely needed to be
updated. And the new lights and the fans and the blinds and the di�iders have made a
huge difference in the functionality of the community center. Over the summer, I gQt
zera complaints about a hot lobby. That's the first time that's happened. The motorized
blinc{s did a great jab in helping that out. And the fans just moving the air around in the
room has made it sa we hav� s❑ much more contral af that area. And so I know that all
of our staff and ❑ur users are thankful for that. 5o thank you guys for -- being
supparti�e af that pro}ect.
G���WIN: Kevin, I'm gaing to jump in there. And unless you saw the update that we
just got a few minutes ag❑ t� afaout that part af this praject, one af the highlights, and
this was not necessarily the intention, but it's been a great additianal, is that by daing
these upgrades, we were able to qualify for a rebate through SRP.
5N1PES: I didn't see it �ame in.
G�ODWIN: Ye�. No.
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T�JWN O� F�U{11TAIfJ i'lILi3
�ECEMBEF2 2, ��7t57JWf� C�UI�CfL MF.ETI�If�, MINU7'£5
5NIPE5: It's hflt off the press.
GODDWIN: It is hot off the presses. It is an update, f�ut it's just a bit o�er 100,04Q that
we'll be doing, getting a re�ate back far. 5a this is a smart in�estment on many le�els.
SNIPES: We're --
G�D�WIf�: 5o thanks to Paul and the finance team for h�lping get that dane too.
SNIPE5: Yes, Paul has be�n working fln that for the last month and a half or so. We've
been sharing infarmation and trying tfl figure out where we can get rebates. And so this
number naw is going t❑ 6e further under budget. 5� let's call that a win. We had to
work really hard ta -- keep this within budget and we had some -- great support frvm
❑ur �endors and ❑ur ele�tricians that did the installs fflr us as well as we had a lot af
help fram ❑ur staff from the public warks side that came over and helped us ❑ut with
getting pawer where we needed it and doing the things that we �ould in-house t❑ help
make this a project that was a win-win far e�eryone. So that's great news. Thanks,
Rach, for sharing that.
These are the projects that we're still working on. For the splash pad, shade lighting.
We -- met with vendors last w�ck and started talfcing about best ways to light and ❑ur
electricians. 50 -- we're working on best type ❑f lighting to use ❑�er there. We did the
same thing with the Centennial pavilion shade lighting. We're pretty close t❑ being
ready t❑ -- place the order for the lights a�er there. And again, it's ❑ne that we're
extremely cautiaus of The Disca�ery Center being right next door. !'m hoping that
within this budget, I can expand it aut t❑ red� the shoe box lighting that are around th�
edges as well. k'm waiting on a quote ta came hack from that right now, where they can
just da a retrafit for the lights that are out t�ere. We've been working with a company
that does a lot of retrofitting, and I've been really impressed with the quality of lights
and their willingness t❑ come aut and take a look at -- e�en our bollard lights around the
fauntain. We have one aut there right now that we're testing, and so far it's --working
very well, and we Chink it's gaEng to be a realiy good solution to, moving forward, to help
make that m�re bark Sky compliant than -- what it was when they were originally
installed. And we have had aur aark 5ky group went out and did some light testing an
Page 15 of 45
zavUn; �r �o�rrrr�i� �!�ts
❑EL:Eh'I6�R 7., 2U24 T�bVN [_uUNC6L h9£�7ilVC; MlNLITt:i
it, and the light test came back realiy positive. 5o they were �ery happy about it as well.
5a you'll hear more about that as we move through budget season.
The Qesert Vista dog park. We're still in process ❑f -- getting things scheduled to -- t�
come in and make some impro�ements in there. 5ame with ❑ur -- two pump hauses.
We ha�en't met with any�ne yet. Ga ahead.
MAY�R FRIEp�L: Can I ask you a qui�k question on ❑esert Vista?
5NIPE5: Uh-huh.
MAY�R FRfED�L.: We've gotten a I�t -- some questions ❑n the dog park. When do you
expect that to start? Da you ha�e any idea?
5NIPE5: 5❑ we've been gaing through a lot of staffing issues here in the past, s� it
certain{y put us behind where we want to be at this time. But that's samething that
we'll will be starting on in short order at the first of the year.
And the fina! is the Fountain Park remodel replacements. We've been talking to some
shade vendars and some ciem❑ vendars t❑ where that we can work on getting three of
these done this year. And that's samething that will be caming dflwn the pike as well.
With that, I'll take any questions.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Councilwaman Earle?
EARLE: Thank ynu, Gerry -- Mayor. 5orry. V�u mig�t not know the answer ta this, 6ut
h�w many shade structures do we have naw?
SNIPES: Wh�t?
EARI.E: How many s}�ades --
SNIPES: We have a whale lot of different types.
EARLE: Dkay.
SNIPES: S❑ I don't know exactiy what you`re.
EARLE� Well, I guess my --
SNIPES: As far as ramadas or clath type shad� or metal or --
EARLE: The canvas shade structures. Qa we have a lot of those?
SNIPES: We i�ave --
EARLE: �kay. 5o you dan't E guess the number doesn't matter that much. But my
Page Z6 vf 45
TpWN RF FOUNTAIN HILLS
DECEMBER 2, 2025 TflWN COUNCIL MEETIIVG MINUTES
questian is what is the life expectan�y of them? And are we setting aside money for
replacement because hopefully they don't a�l come due at the same time?
SNIPES: Yep. Sa it's �ertain�y samething that we were cautious of e�en when we were
k��ilding it. There's a substantial cost in t�e structure itse�f and a �ery small amount that
gaes t❑ the actual --
EARLE: Just the canvas.
SNIPE5: -- canvas. 7hey're -- warranted for twel�e years. So we get a long life
expectancy out of them when you figure that the let's gfl the ❑ther way and go with the
ramada structures that were installed at Fountain Park in 20�2 are �ompletely rotted
aut, and we`re replacing th�se. And those are prohahly two tfl three times more the
cost. 5a yau know, the -- c�st �f the cover isn't nearly what the cost of the structure is.
And so it's -- and I did Iook at that early on. i can't remember aff the tap ❑f my head --
EARLE: Okay.
SNIPES: -- but it's a few thausand �ersus 1�fl,�00.
EARLE: Are those ramadas that you're redoing yau're not going to da thase inta th�
can�as shade structures, are you?
SNkPES: Na, they're still going t❑ be �indiscernifoley
EARLE: And then congratulations ❑n the SRP rehate.
5N I PES: Thanks.
EARLE: And I aEs❑ want t❑ say the �ommunity cer�ter is s❑ beautiful.
5NIPE5: �fhank yflu.
EARLE: I iike the changes and updates that yau made ta it. And it laoks really festive
right now and it's really ni�e. Thank you.
SNIPES: Really appreciate it. We had a lat of -- a lot ❑f staff in�ol�ed in that ane,
inclutiing ❑ur community center staff anci our -- building facility guys, and making sure
that looth the maintenanee and the -- -- look was right. And I think it came out really
gaod. 5o thank you. I'm really, really glad that that's the case.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Councifman Watts.
WATTS: A Cauple af easy anes, Kevin. They're always easy.
Page 17 of 45
T�WN aF FOUNTAIH HILLS
�ECEMBER 2, ZD25 TflWN COl1NCIL MEETING MINUTES
SNIPES: Right.
WATTS: The Pleasantville, which ! still think we ought to have kind af a naming contest
for Pleasantville. It reminds me of Jim Carrey ma�ies.
SNIPES: Yeah, we stiil can.
WATTS: 5o just saying.
SNIPES: It's just what`s on the docket.
WATTS: I got it. 5o n❑ wayfinding signs with that name on it yet?
SfVIPES: Right.
WATTS: That's -- that's good. ❑kay. S❑ I noticed that that roafing structure wasn't -- a
can�as structure like some of the ath�r on�s in town. �id you intentionalfy match it t❑
the ❑ark Sky Disco�ery �enter s❑ there wauld be some consistency? It sure iaoks like it
was.
SNIPE5: Yes, then, absolutely. That's exa�tly what we did. Na, we d+dn't.
WATrS: Wow. How astute.
SNIPES: No, it was -- just part of the design as we started walking aur way throug� it.
And I wanted it to be rustic, because that's kind of the theme that is in most af our parks
where like Fountain Park, it's -- it has -- a classier feel to it than -- than yaur colorful,
hright shade structures would wheth�r that was metal ar can�as. But that was the main
reason why, was to just ha�e it have a rustic look that we ha�e a lot argund tawn.
WATTS: Coincidentally, it realiy loaks nice and it kind of directs you to the ❑ark 5ky
Disco�ery Center. The sa�ings that we deri�ed from the 5alt River participatian -- are
the mo�able walls retrofittable to mo4�ilize them? 1 ftnow we made them manual to
begin with.
SNIPES: Uh-huh.
WATTS: Is there any lagic ta lo�king at the laloor cflsts versus the amaunt ❑f maney that
we got back? Nat that I'm -- nat that I'm anxious ta spend all ❑f it, but if we gained our
labor costs bacic in two �r three years, it might be worth I�oking inta.
SNIPES: Yeah. ❑nce we -- laoked into the motorization factar, we were gaing to iose
se�eral feet into our hallway and several feet out onta the back patio, which would have
Page 18 of 45
TOIAiiU C7G FUUNTA=N HI�LS
DEiE�JI$ER 2, 20Z57�iNJ�U CC�IiN�li MEETING MlltiilTE5
been a huge cast to t}-�at that wasn't recognized by the vendor when we first started
laaking into it. Sa doing it w�uld -- not be neariy as cheap as what we were ❑riginally
thinking. And even that was 7.D�,�D�, � think, more or something like that. 5o i dan't
think it would be practical for us ta go that route.
WATTS: Right. Thanks.
SNIPES: Uh-huh.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Thank you. Good information.
5NIPE5: Thank you.
MAY�R FRIEQE�: Rachael, we ha�e one mare.
GOQdWIN: We have ane more on the same topic. CIP updates. These are more
related to our public works programs around tawn. Qirector Weldy is goi�g to walk us
through where we're at with our -- this year's projects. Justin, you were my te�hnical
support. If you need help, I dar�'t knaw.
WELDY: Thank yau for providing a brief distraGtion. Madam, Mayor and Council, this is
an update to se�eral of the projects that you are well aware of. It's going to be bri�f
here foe�ause there's --not much change since the last time we �isiteci about these.
The biggest change is going to be this first slide right here, the 5hea Boulevarci widening.
7his segment is eastbound between Palisades and Fauntain Hifls Boulevard. We did
apen the bids on that. They were substantially lower than the engineer's estimate.
7here's going to be some additional con�ersation abaut this tonight be�ause it's an
agenda item durir�g the regular agenda.
This is the Palomin❑ Baulevard pav�ment reconstruction. There was also a substantial
deerease in th� anti�ipated funding for this. We had ❑riginally estimated that it would
be clase t❑ $6 million, 3�ut as you �an see, we're substantially belaw that at just over 3
million for the pa�ement. Vlle will ha�e additi�nal infarmatian related ta not anly the
Palomino pr�ject, but the 5hea Praject and their schedules in early 2026.
This is a multiyear project for those of you that motor around the town or move ak�out
the town, regardless af your m�de ❑f transp�rtation, You know that public safety, not
anly does the mayor and council take it seriously, but so does the town manager and
Page 19 a# 45
T[?WN �F FaUNiAfN HI��:�
UrGEINBEF3 2, >02� T�WN COUNCIL MEE7ING PJl�NU7E5
staff. We have installed several marked �rosswalks. We have also included the
assaciated ramps, and the safe havens in the middle of raised medians where
appropriate and necessary.
This is the ane adjacent to the high school on Golden Eagie Boule�ard that comes off af
Brittlebush.
T�ese are sQme of the newer ones down on La Montana k�etween 5aguara and
Palisades.
This is just an adciitional look at th�se from a different angle.
This is the ane closest to 5aguaro, but this one alsa right here depicts som� of our
sidewalk gap eliminat+on. This is on La Montana North side.
7his is a section that we did where we had a little gap down on Hamilton.
There has heen no su�stantial mo�ement in this project outside of paying for same
funding far same minor work that was done on same guardrail in the beginning of this
fiscal year. We do anticipate, howe�er, utilizing the balan�e of this funding to make the
necessary impravements and repairs t� a cauqle of sectians ot� Palisades.
Wayfinding, which is a multi-year, nearly a de�ade now, so we are in the final phase of
this section, which is instaliing the signs. We ha�e dis�o�ered same challenges along the
way. In the �ar`riing council meetings, staff will be returning to this council ta ask far
same additi�nal funding. The funding that we will k�e asking for is unspent funding fram
last fiscal year. Whiie that d�esr�'t make a difference because it wasn't budgeted in this
year, it's a relatively small amount. We'll have more about that in our ask to the couneil
iater an passifoly in December, most likely in January.
This is phase 2 of the Golden Eagle impoundment. This phase primarily addresses the
impoundment right in frant af the face of the dam, and it also addresses the trash racks
that pre�ent large debris from entering the dam and clogging it up and creating
backflow anto the fields. This is still being re�iewed by ADEQ and the Niaricopa County
Flood Control ❑istrict. Their re�iews aftentimes can take months.
This is an upc{ate ta a project that we shared with you earlier this fiscal year. This is an
area down on Wendo�er Court where we had a �ery narraw dirt �hannel ti�at was
Page 20 of 45
71}'NN OF EC�UIV1'AIH FiI�iS
[IECEP�BER 2, 2Q25TUWN CflliiVCfL M1IIE�TIN�, MINLtTES
o�ergrown with trees and shrubs, where we had water that vvertopped the area and
entered anto pri�ate property and it�C❑ pri�ate hames. This is an in-hause design that
was completed and �uilt this year. Fortunate for us, we were a�le t❑ test some of these
dr'ainage struGtures recently thanks to Mother Nature. I wauld like fo nate that this ane
here performed as designeci, as did the Galden Eagle impoundment. Dn a side note for
this one, when the flow is relati�ely hea�y, it souncis like a musi�al instrument. Now,
that wasn't intended, but as I listened to it there and I watched the video again, ! ask
others, daes it saund like there's a musical instrument playing? Anci they agreed. 50
this -- one is a benefit. We would like t❑ thank you far this funding, not only far this
project, but the other drainage projects. ❑ftentimes, we ha�e t❑ wait a considerable
amount of time to test them, and we'�e had that appartunity.
This is the chiiler replacement. We'�e had numeraus dis�ussions abaut this over time,
including an update rem�nding the ��uncil that the parts were stu�k overseas and we
were unable t❑ complete it last year. The majority of the mechanical and or some af the
smaller pieces ha�e been compEeted, but it's currently scheduled for nexi week for the
lion's share of it ta be done.
This is the downtown streetscape. This is concentrating on Verde River between
A�enue ❑f the Fountains and Palisad�s and Parkview between 5aguaro and La Montana.
The -- there was a preser�tation to the council late last month for the 15 percent design
�oncept. We have now maved an. We'�e spent the grant funding and we are mo�ing
on to town funding. We were engaging Kimley-Horn and Asso�iates t❑ continue ta
design this project. 6rief -- any questions related to any of th�se projects that I might be
able to answer? It's awfully quiet.
MAYDR �RIEDEL: Thank you for tf�e updaCe. I just want ta make a camment though
about the chiller area. Boy is that clean in there.
WELDY: 7hank yau for the campliment, sir. I'll let the staff know.
MAY�R FRIE�EL: Let them know. Thank you. Okay. We'll move on t❑ �ur consent
agenda.
LARRABEE: Motian to appro�e cansent agenda.
Page 21 of 45
�'GlhlN UF F(7i1A'�'A!!'! �-fIL;.S
L7EL:EMBER �, 2025'f'J1Alfd C�l.iiVi:lL Nic�T�f4G 41i111VUi'�S
EARLE: SeGond,
MAYQR FRIEDEL: A mation and a second. Can I get a rall call, please?
BENDER: Couneilmember Earle?
EARLE: Aye.
B�IVDER: Councilmember Larrabee?
LARRABEE: Aye.
BENQER: CounCilmemher MeMahon?
MCMAH�N: Aye.
BENDER: CounGiimember Kali�ianakis?
KALIVIANAKIS: Aye.
BENpER: C�un�ilmember Watts?
WATTS: Aye.
BEH�ER: Vice -- mayor 5killicorn?
SKILLICORN: Aye.
6ENDER: And Mayor Friedel?
MAY�R FRIEpEI.: Aye.
BENDER: Mayor, 7-�.
MAY�R F�IEbEL: Thank you. We'll mo�e ❑n ta our first regular agenda item, which is
consideration for proceeding with the canstruction of 5hea 6oule�ard widening proje�t.
Ra�hael?
GD�dWIN: As airector Weldy just kind of gave you a pre�iew, the 5hea Boule�ard
praje�t is mo�ing forward slowly t�ut surely. They just ❑pened bids a �vuple weeks ago
to -- ou�' delight and our excitement they came in helow what we were expecting and
we had a number of more bidders than we traditionally do on a project like this, so that
was great ta see as well. But there are a coupke of caveats that go aiang with this
con�ersatian. I bekie�e pirector Welciy and our street superintendent Je�f Pierce are
here tonight to kind of walk thraugh next steps and seek your direction.
All right. This is aur street superintendent, Jeff Pierce. Jeff has not joined us before in
the meetings, but he's going ta be helping with these projects. 5a he's g�ing to gi�e you
Page 22 of 45
iCU11N OF FOL1N7"AIN Nf} �5
�7ECEMB�R 2, 2i725 TpL�lhl iDUNCiL NlFETIItiG NllTt!'�7t5
a rundawn af where we're at an 5hea Boulevard.
PIERCE: Thank yau.
G�OQWIN: Thanks, Jeff.
PIERCE: It's been quite some time. I think the last time we're the only time wa5 far the
LE❑ stap signs. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmembers. I
stand here before yau tonight Io�king for approval for proceeding with the canstruction
of 5hea Boule�ard widening ar�d the ne�essary budget transfers to go alang with it. The
background ❑n this lo�ks kike it's a3�aut $3 miliion was budgeted for the fiscal year'26
budget for this praject.
This project, as shawn on the slide earlier, takes place between eastbaund 5hea
between Palisades Boulevard and Fountain Hills Baulevard. In a partnership with MAG
we went Qut for bids for this proje�t. We had several back, ranging from 3 million and
c�ange all the way up to $9 millian. A bid was selected. Contractor was also selected as
well. Preliminary -- preliminary meetings ha�e k�een held with that contractar basically
talking about and discussing concerns involving traffic control. That's about as far as
we've gone with them bringing up issues and concerns with that. Both the public w�r�Cs
director and the town engineer were in that to discuss that.
Maving forward witF� this project, we d❑ ha�e a shortfall ❑f budget that we need ta
request t❑ complete this phase 1 project. It lo�ks like in arder ta complete this with the
bid that was submitted anci some ❑ther constructianal services roughly around
$525,00o will be nee�ed ta camplete this first phase �f the project.
We are laoking tonight far the faudget authority and transfer far this and the appro�al
far this budget ta start. Dnce we start ar get the appra�al for this, more meetings will
be held with the selected �antra�tor, further schedules and timelines will also he
discussed at that time anc{ brought forth to yau as public works directar stated in early
2026. Any questions?
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Coun�ilwoman Earie?
EARLE; Thank you, Mayor. My understanding is that later down the road we have in
❑ur packet here the praposition 475, we may �e able to get reim�ursement for the
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pE�EI1+1E3ER Z, 2U25 TC33NAi CDIJ�JCiL IL1EE7'IMG iVIIIVUT'E5
remainder of the -- flur expense on this, is that correct?
PIEF�CE: Carre�t. There was a letter atta�hed t❑ this staff rep�rt that was sent ta Tawn
Manager Goodwin, stating that MAG has reviewed that and there is a portion of that
that will be able to be refunded. The only ea�eat to that is that we won't he able to see
that unti! about 2030.
EARLE: Not too far off. Thank you.
PIERCE: Welcflme.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Councilman Watts?
WATTS: Was -- the cantractor that was awarded the suc�essful -- bidder is it a local
contractor ar in state or aut of state?
PIERCE: It's an in-state �antract�r.
WATTS: In-state cantractor?
PIERCE: Yes, sir.
WATTS: And no adds or change orders anticipated at this paint?
PIERCE: At this point, not ta my knawledge, no.
WATTS: Thanks.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Vice Mayar?
SlCILLICDRN: Thanlc you, Mr. Mayor. I'm goir�g t❑ be a broken recard because I know
❑irectar We1dy knvws this is I complain about this particular pro}ect is that this really
isn't for Fountain Hills resicients. This is for people that live in the �alley that since it's
eastbound, basically, it's Friday mornings in the summertime when people are trying t�
get up north into the cooler weather. And I've always thought it was not fair for
Fountain Hills residents ta have to pay f�r 30 percer�t of this. 5o that's gaing to be why I
d❑ nat suppart it. And 1 alsa -- it �oncerns me a6out the $200,ODQ shortfall. Again, this
is valley residents that are taking really tal�ing advantage of people of Fountain Hills. 50
that's samething that I just renew that objection. And you know, again, it's also an
❑ppartunity and I knpw �irect�r Wefdy knows this, is that you knaw, there needs t❑ be
engineering solutions for the intersection af 5hea Boule�ard and Palisades. And we --
we recently had a very seriaus a�cident there because of the -- because of the
Page 24 of 45
TQ;Il�N GF F�?LI�TAIA' hfILLS
❑EC�MBER 2, iJZS Tf1;f`J�t �OUir'C!L MECTING MINUTES
engineering problems with that intersection. And I krrow that that is also on the future
roadmap that`s going t❑ happen, but pers�nally, I think that those engineering solutions
should take priority than making it easier far �alley residents to get ta Paysan. Thanks.
MAY�R F#�IEbEL: Councilperson McMahon?
MCMAH�N: ThanEc you �ery much far yaur presentation. I appreciate it. If you dan't
mind, I'm gaing to ask for clarificatiot�.
PIERCE: Yes, ma'am.
MCMAH�N: It says down ❑n page 2 that the shortfall is 197,497..57. 5o right naw,
thaugh, we're asking for 523, but MAG is going ta be paying back the within like the 197
amount?
PIERCE: Carrect.
MCMAH�N: Okay. 5o we're not -- so we're nat spending -- it's just he�ause right now,
we need the money t❑ start and do the project and due to the differenee in the
management af the new propasition and money there we have a shortfali. However,
that money is going to �ome back to us, all but 197,000?
PIERCE: Yeah --
MCMAH�N: Yes, no, maybe so?
PIERCE: Kind of. Mayor and Council, basicaliy MAG is gaing tv co�er 7� percent ❑f it,
but --
MCMAHON: Right.
PIERCE: -- there`s only a certain allocatian a�ailable. It's in yaur agenda item at Z.25
miliion.
MCMA�iON: Uh-huh.
PIERCE: S❑ if th�re is a shortfall, there may he up ta $20D,000.
MCMAH�N: ❑kay.
PIERCE: lNe ha�e ta �over that up front and they wauld reimburse us in 2030.
MCMAH�N: �kay. Thank you �ery much. I just wanted Glarification.
PIERCE: And sarry --
MCMAHON: That's akay.
Page 25 of 45
TUWN �F FDiJN7RlN H#iLS
�]ECEM6ER Z, 2025 TG'J'111i CD�JiVCIi. PIIEETiNG fVIINLITES
PIERC�: -- our tawn share is mostly paid from impact fees. We ha�e abaut $1 miliion
sa�ed up of streets' impact fees, and mast ❑f the m�ney that we're paying will be from
impact fees �indiscernible}
MCMAHON: Right. Thank you.
MAYQR FRIEDEL: Cauncilwoman Earle?
EARLE: I wauld like ta move to appro�e --.
MCMAH�N: 5econd.
EARLE: Oh, sorry.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Can I check for commer�t cards first?
EARLE: Yes. 5orry.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Do we have any camment cards an this one?
BE�iQER: No, Mayar.
MAYOR FRI�DEL: �kay. Ga ahead.
EARL.E: Okay. I'il g❑ again. I move ta appro�e proceeding with constructian of the
current phase ❑f the 5hea gauEe�ard widening and necessary budget transfers.
MCMAHaN: Second.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: We ha�e a motion and a second. Can we get a roll call vote, please?
BENdER: Cauncilmernber Earle?
EARLE: Aye.
BEN�ER: Cauncilmember Larrabee?
LARRA6EE: Aye.
BENfl�R: Coun�ilmember Kalivianakis?
KALIVIANAKIS: Aye.
BENflER: Cfluncilmember McMahon?
MCMAHON: Aye.
6END�R: Councilmember Watts?
WATTS: Aye.
BENDER: Vice May�r Skillicorn?
SKILLI�ORN: IVo.
Page 26 of 45
T�IR'A! UI� FalEN7�ai1� ;-iii�:;
❑ECERhBEFf 2, 7_1725 T�VJCV C�7l1N�6L MFETiNG MfPlLITES
BEN�ER: And Mayor Fri�del?
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Aye.
BENDER: Mayar, 5-7..
MAYDR FRIEbEL: Thank you.
GD�pWIN: Thanks, Jeff. Good jok�.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Thank you. Then we'll mo�e on to regular agenda item B, possible
discussion and passible actian relating to selaing town-awned parcels n�t reEated t�
washes.
GQODWIN: Correct. I had a iat of calls about this one, a!at of questions. 5o I'd like to
give a little bit of a background on this. This item is actually at the mayor's initiative. He
has had some con�ersations with myself as well as staff about tawn-awned parcels
speeifically. And we've been going thr�ugh there are some that are �onneGted to
washes and have assaciated restriGtions, and there are other parcels that do not. And
the con�ersati�n was, are we ahle to sell them? How does that work? 5a this is caming
before you for discussian ❑n!y'tonight. T�ere has not been a lot of work done by staff at
this point until we understanci what the council's direction is. Director Weldy has
prepared a �ouple ❑f sample items. This is not representative of all af the whafe town
�r all ❑f the parcels, but we wanted to go ahead and at least give you some e4ements to
begin the discussian. But with that, mayar, would yau like to take it from there?
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Yes. Sa my thought pracess �ehind this was if we`re sitting on �acant
pareels that we're not using and we don't ha�e a use for in the future, why nat find a
way ta sell those parcels and h�lp fund road repairs? We'�e got a iake liner that's got t❑
f�e replaced at some point, too. 5a if we've got sev�ral millian dollars' worth af property
sitting there that we're not using and it's not producti�e fflr us, why not put that into
our roads that we need, that we drive �n every single day? And we've gat a lake liner
that's facing us with a big -- bill ❑n that too. 5� my thought is to get some dire�tion from
t�is cauncil ta proceed with some ❑f the bigger parcels that might have same value to
them that we're not doing anything with, and see what -- we've got, and then ha�e staff
spend a little tirne an this to see where we are and what we've gat in ❑ur in�entary.
_ ...............:........:.........:.:........:........... .........................................................- ..........._..................... ... .
Page 27 af 45
744:'N �r r�liaP�Ei'F11iV i-:!I iC
OECEM6ER 7., 2d'ts Tf]WN CGI.J^�+��L �lllEETICJG �JI3�Il1TE5
Councilman Watts?
WATTS: I think Councilwaman McMahon was hefore me.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Councilwoman McMahon?
MCMAHON: Thank yau. Justin, the praperties that we're taiking about, are there any of
them designated for parks ar anything like that that will affect future build ❑ut of parks
and community? And also, an�ther question. I d�n't know if yau can answer this
because this is just for dis�ussian. And it's prafaa�ly going t❑ be part of our dis�ussion, is
that if and when -- if and when praperties sell, I'd like council to consider that some -- ❑f
that money, if not half ar whate�er, goes ta the lake liner depending upor, the Value �f
what sells, et cetera and the -- reality ❑f laeing able ta do that. 5❑ because it would
reduce the bond or whatever we're gaing to need to get. But anyway, �ould you please
address my question about parks? Thank yau.
WELDY: Mr. Mayor, councilmembers, so !'!I be able ta address the first part of that.
Ob�iously, the second part is a decision by the elected body. In my staff report, I
disco�ered an error late this afternoon while I was rereading it. I did note in there that
nane af the praperties include the properties shawn an the Parks and Rec's master plan
I errared there. 7here is one piece of property that was designated to !�e a park, where
there is clearly not gaing ta be ane right now, ❑n the carner of SunRidge Canyan and
Desert Canyon there. So the balar�ce of the properties that we will be describing ar�d
looking at tonight, and, if so, the future are not associated with any af th�se praperties
shown in the Parks and Re� master plan.
MCMAH�N: Okay. And then alsa if and when any of these prpperties sell, you're g�ing
to ha�e to look at the zoning, see what can be done with them. You knaw, like
development wise, traffic studies and all that kind of stuff, right, depending upan the
purchaser and what that entity or person wants to do with them, correct?
WELDY: Ta some extent, Councilmember. So prior to offering any piece of property up
far sale, Public Works Department will work with de�elopment ser�ices �o ensure that
the apprapriate zoning is applied prior to it being placed up for sale. !f there is anything
that requires a zonin� ehange, that comes ta this hady ta make that decision. In regards
Page 28 of 45
7UW�1 G+F FC,iJNTr11h NIL! S
QECEf+IIBER 2, ��7Z5 i'OV,lN C�L�NCfL fU?E�l'ING MINUiES
to traffic impact analysis related t❑ s�me af them, it's nat likely the majority will do that.
The reasan for that is we are primarily looking at a series of single-family home lots and
�r a lat k�ig enough for townhames. There are some much iarger parcels aut there, but
we'll ha�e to look at that and discuss access, floodplain, and se��ral other issues. And
again, just some examples is what we're discussing tonight.
MCMAHflN: Right. ❑kay. And thank yau. And ti�is is a pretty long pra�ess, it's nat just
something that's going t❑ be done in the next month, et cetera, and it will he 6rought
back to caun�il frequently probably, yeah?
WEL�Y: If a de�isian is made tonight to mo�e forward --
MCMAH�N: Uh-huh.
WEL�Y: -- we will iaring it to the council in pie�es.
MCMAHON: �kay.
WELbY: And asEc for permissian t❑ sell it. And then as part of that we will alsa have a
sur�ey and an appraisal done ❑n them.
MCMAHON: Uh-huh. Okay. And also as part of th� discussion, you know, I'd like to
address each parcel where it is. So we have a clear understanding af what it is, what the
town is gi�ing up, and that, yau know, that won't have an adverse effect an the tawn
and its assets and things like that too. Okay. Thank yflu.
WELDY: And t❑ further your and t❑ a�tual�y answer your question, we're I�aking at 12-
pfus months. If it was the only thing that we had to do, it migi�t take less time. But it's
just one of severa� things that we will be working on during that time frame.
MCMAHON: Thank yau, Mr. Weldy.
WELQY: Y�u't'e welcome.
MAY�R FRIEbEL: Vice Mayar.
SKILLICDRN: 1 don't think I was next. aoesn't matter. Well, Mr. Mayar, and ❑irector
Weldy, I guess same af t�is is related to a little bit the aspect, the Ashbroak, that's what
four or five different {�lots there -- f�ur differen't lots, I see and those would be zoned
residential, Gorrect?
Vu"E�DY: Mr. Maya�', Vice May�r, �orrect. They would be zoned appropriately for that
Page 24 of 45
70U+J�! f7F FUiJNTAlN �ilL�S
Dti:EI1R�3�R 2, 2Q2� T�WM C�UNCIL P�'E'cTI�VG MiNlJTE5
lo�ation. So whate�er the zoning is for the remainder of them, tt�at's what it wauld be.
SKILLICORN: And Mr. Mayor, Qire�tor, is that currently what the zaning is ar is there --
they're nat zaned?
WELQY: IC's zoned for, I think, it's single famiiy ar eondos. The designation I'm nat
certain of, because I dan't deal with that much zoning, but we can get clarification from
❑ire�tor Wesley --
SKILLECORN: Okay.
WEL�Y: -- if necessary.
SKILLIC[JRIV: And then, Mr. Mayar, I don't know, director, if you remember this, the
SunRidge ane -- is that the parcel that there was the parks had planned like a pathway
there that the community --
W E LQY: Yes.
SKILLlCaRN: -- did not want?
WELDY: That is correct.
5KILLIC�RN: Dkay. Thank yau for that answer. And yau knaw, to these issues I am
gaing to really 6e on the sic{e of mare open space. I don't knaw if I really like the id�a of
having these, selling these properties and de�elaping them. I mean, for different
s�enarips, for ea�h ❑ne I'd actually like to see i'd like, you know, i can see a map here,
but I, I'd like to go and like, check out the Ashbroak site. I mean, I think open spa�e
prabahiy is desirak�le. It almost seems like an extension af the wash there although
technically it may not. Sa I'd like to see that myself, but I'm pra�abiy, again, going to
lean tawards open space. And really the same thing with SunRidge. I mean, we had
people that didn't want extra traffic there. They didn't want people parking their cars
and going for hikes there. I dan't think the peaple, the same peaple that were opposed
ta that, and a couple of them are here, wauld like the idea ❑f �andos or something being
an that pro�erty.
So I mean, I`m leaning against that, against selling ti�ese praperties. I was really going t�
decide to open spac� here and maintaining as much open spaGe as we �an. 6�t also 1
think that Mr. Mayar, I think Director mentiat�ed asking far permissian to sell those. Is
_ _ _ _. _.....
Page 30 of 45
To►vr� v� FauNT�rR �;ii.ts
aECEnnstR z, 217251'OiiVN C.CIUNC�:. I`�EET!!'JCa MINUTES
that permission from the courrcil ar is that permission fram the vaters? Would that go
to ga on the �allot f�r people to vote �n?
GDODWIN: It's my untier5tanding. And Jen, feel free to jump in, is that any parcel if it's
❑wr�ed by the town, the council would need to gi�e that directian and appro�al for sale.
7he mast recent ane that I can think af is prabably the ald fire station.
WELDY: The abandoned fire station is how I ref�r t❑ it was one that we sold, and we
eurrently ha�e one an t�e market on Genoa that this body appra�ed.
GD�DWIN: Yes.
WELDY: If I may, for some clarification in regards to the pie�e af property on SunRidge
and �esert Canyon, that is zoned for single family homes, and it w�uld lae identical to
thase across the street which the topography and the mauntain range was very, very
similar there. And there's a preser�e behind them with same open spa�e.
SKILLIC�RN: Thank you, thank you. And then, Mr. Mayor, I-- think this should go to the
Pe�ple ta �ote ❑n. I mean, if -- the cauncil wants ta sell these, ! wauld urge the cauncil
ta let it go t❑ a vate to the people.
MAY�R FRlE�EL: Councilman Watts?
WATTS: Thank you. �ustin, when we consider the impact f�es and we were doing that
schedule af costs, we projected how many parks we would need at some poir�t in the
future, that five or ten years and Paui can probably answer that, but I would ask yau to
make sure we consider that by s�lling off this land, w� retain whate�er that prfljected
number was. That's first -- that's kind of a statement.
Secand one is I'd like t❑ know, even though they are zaned when I'm -- laoking at the
Ashbrook one, there's tw� dwelfing units an ane. ihe other ones loak like single family
lats. For some reason they're zoned a little bit differently, but they're still suhject to
�ariances and having something go on. My Cancern there is that the adjoining lats --
and this is for the residents more than anything else. If I hought a lot and built a hause
and I never -- and I was tofd that that was preserved land and I would ne�er have
anything there, I'd be real canCerned about somehody all of a sudden selling that off
and putting a two-stary house up. 5o I would ask y�u ta �onsider that as well.
Page 31 af 45
TOVUN Ur F�kJ�1TAf�1 Nlli_S
UECEMBER 2, 2025 T�WN CC3i1N�!� MEETIIVG fVIINJTcS
I'm als❑ not a supparter af selling aff land until we get questions like that. And kike
Councilmember 5killicarn asked, C❑ make sure that w�'re daing e�erything we �an to
protect what the interests are af the hameawners and m�re I'm ieaning on the
hameowner side as apposed ta the town's side. I Ecnow it's a lak�or burden ta keep
washes and right af ways all �lean, but i wauidn't want to be the homeowner that had a
lat and you sald my !ot ar sold an adjoining lat aff and build a two-stary house. I'd be
concerned.
WELQY: I understand that. Mr. Mayor, Councilmember, if I may. 5❑ on average in
publi� works, we prabably get 50 calls a year demanding that construction stQp on a
home. And the primary reason far that is my realtor said nathing would ever be built
acrass the canyan. Sa I understand that concern. In regarcis ta wi�eCher or not
someane has ar has nat been told that, I don't think that in public warks that we have
any contro� over that. Regardin� ea��r individual pie�e �f iand there shall be no
fa�aritism fram anybody an the staff related to that pie�e ❑f �and. All the same
conditions that would apply to any other unde�eloped piece of property, whether it's a
single family or a duplex, would apply. All of them w�uld ha�e ta go thraugh the same
process as a landowner and a future home builder and�or resident.
WATTS: I understand. But my point is just rriaking sure that we cio e�erything we can to
prote�t those that were told that nathing would e�er be built there t❑ obstruct their
�iews or whate�er happens to be built there. And there's afways that potential for
#�a�ing somebody rezane it far samething other than what it's stipulated at this point or
anticipated at this paint. 5c� just we're nat voting an it tonight. I just want to make sure
that we're considering all of these things as best we can before we get tfl that point.
WELDY: Understood.
WAT�S: Thank you.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Coun�ilwoman Earle?
EARLE: Thank you, Mayor. I'm glad this is just a suggestion tanight ❑r fflr discussion. I
cfo nat support this. I-- think the tawn si�ould hang on to its land because I-- disagree
with y�u, I'm sorry, but I don't think we knaw w�at -- needs there will be in the future.
.. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... .
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T0�`�N Qf' ft}lJN7Al�E Ni�� 5
DE�:EMCiER a, Za25 TaV'r f� CDU�ICi� IV}EF.Ti�ll� MINUTES
We can't tell the future. We maybe don`t need it naw, but we're nat in dire straits
financially, s� I don't see the need flf selling these off, And I like ha�ing a little more
open land. And if we did need something in the future and we sold off our land, we'd
have to pur�hase that land at the going rate at that time, which may cost us more
money, so -- and also the time that we will be asking the staff t❑ put into this. 5a I
would not be a supporter of it. �ihank you.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Cauncilwoman Larabee.
LARRABEE: Thank yau, Mayor. !-- guess I take a little bit mare ❑f a middle ground
appraach. But I-- also d❑ lean toward open space. I love the idea of getting s�me
money put away for the lake liner. Howe�er, I d❑ think, and yau explained that this is a
long process, so this is aur first discussion about it. I'm going t❑ have an open mind, and
I personaliy will be cansidering each indi�idual piat separately, and whether it's wise to
sell that or ta hald ❑n to it f�r yes, the community interest, but then also, financially
speaking, that's an appreciating asset in the long term, right, say for huge �mergencies
and then econamy heals itself. Point being land is an appreciating asset. And God
forbid, if we were fo be in dire straits as a town, it wauld be helpful t❑ have some ❑f that
land in case we are in a pasition where we really need ta sell it. I guess what I'm trying
t❑ communicate is i'm not necessarily apposed to selling any, but I wili lean toward
prak�ably selling fewer.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Are there any speaker cards on this?
6�NDER: Yes, Mayor, we ha�e five cards. First card is Larry Myers, falloweci by Crystal
kCa�anaugh.
MYERS: Larry Myers, r�sident, 44 years. Mayor, Council, staff, sa I'm going to take a
perspective af looking at the indi�iduaf inventory af what's out there, and lean mare
hea�ily towards ad�ocating that these parcels are assets and 1aai�ing at it from a
business perspective, what's the return ❑n in�estment right now? Open space, I like it, I
like ❑pen space. But I sit on a e�onomic de�elapment cammittee with an ec�nornic
development directnr, and all we talk ab�ut is �ow things wauld �hange here if we had
an anchor corparat� headquarters. 5o there are -- there is land that we dan't have t❑
� ......:....................................................... ............._ ............................... ..................................
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7GWIV �F F�IfAEfAiN MI�L5
�JF[:�iV16E4 ?., �[725 iOWN C�Uf�Ci: �JEEETi�lG fd!lNUT�tS
grab fram s�mebady else that the town awns. And I don't look at it as an asset for
selling, be�ause then you have ta worry about selling it ta wham and what will they do
with it? As one of the council persons mentioned or Justin mentioned, you dan't knaw
what the next persan is going to want to d❑ with it. 5o I loak at it as an asset that the
town owns that might �e a �arrat t❑ bring someone here, t❑ be an anchar emplayer, to
create jqbs, t❑ put kids in s�hools, all the things that we talk about every month in this
Economic De�elaprnent Committee meeting.
And I kn�w -- there's ar�e. I dan't know if there's more than one, but I think you aught
t❑ cansider it from a business perspe�tive, not necessarily a revenue producer to co�er
expenses that I know we're going t❑ ha�e, but if you I�ok at it from a business
perspecti�e, yau might get more aut af it and end up with the revenue to pay for the
lake liner as well, and all the ather associated benefits that that would bring. 5a I would
advoeate for that, ancf especially for our e�anomic de�elopment director, who's gat a
tough job and just trying to do it. �hanks.
BENDER: Crystal Ca�anaugh, Fountain Hills resident.
CAVANAUGH: I'm gaing ta speak specifi�ally t❑ the SunRidge Canyon one. This is the
❑ne that I think it was a cauple years ago, and I do thinEc it was zoned open space
recreation. And it's at the carner of SunRidge and ❑esert Canyon. And at the time, it
started ❑ut to just be a natural hiking trail that they were going ta just put through
there. But then suddenly the plan was t❑ k�uild a parking �ot first, so then we didn't
kn�w what was gaing on, and then suddenly it wasn't just natural. Then they're going t�
add ramadas, and then they were gaing to add electricity. And luckily the cauncil
listened to the residents who said, we don't want this, and I am a SunRidge Canyon
resident.
5o now that this is coming up again, my only concern is ab�iously my first choi�e is to
lea�e it natural. It's not that big, and I don't know how mu�h maintenance the town
actually has to spend ❑n it. It's natural. And my other thaught is definitely ta emphasize
if e�er it got sold, it would ha�e ta be single family hames. There are no candos right
around that area. There are no townhames right around that area. The oniy thing is the
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Page 34 of 45
?vw�v a� �a�r�rr�ird !�FLir
L}�CEMB�R 2, 7.a25 TQUi1N CDi.l�Cll. MEEiING MINUTES
golf course maintenance shed is there, but then there's hames off of Qesert Canyon.
There's salitude hames, and then there's homes across the street from that. 5❑ I urge
you to just leave it as open space. But if it does get rezoned, it absalutely has to be
single family. Thank you.
BENbER: 5helby Blecher, followed by Linda Kavanaugh.
BLECWER: Mr. Mayor, Councilmemk�ers, 5helby BleGher, ❑ne day shy of a twa-year
resident in Fountain Hills. I alsa live in SunRidge, and 1 go by the property at SunRidge in
�esert �anyon on quite often. It's a very smail par�el, and I appreciate a11 the comments
that you made abaut open spa�e and the need for hiking trails and whatnat. There is
pienty in SunRidge Canyfln. ❑ur hpmes are not sitting an top of ane another. They're
very we{I placed aut. I`m in favor of selling aff that one property as long as I know that
the homeowners' associatians around there will build in a fashio� that is similar t❑
what's already there. 5ingle family hames across the street, single family h�mes ta the
narth of it, to the south of it, and a hole of golf below it. Yau can't really see it from the
streets. As lang as the setba�ks are reasonable f�r pubiic safety, for peaple to �ross the
street, because there are a lot of pedestrians that wallc their dogs around there, there's
a lot af hike riders around there. I don't see why that small property needs ta be in the
town's inventory. The rest ❑f the properties I�an't speak with, but like I said, this is my
neighborhaod, s❑ thank yau.
KAVANAGH: Mayor, Vice Mayor, Cauncil, Linda Ka�anagh, Fountain Hills resident. I'm
glad I listened ta the presentation first because I say something a little bit differently
right naw. I'm gaing to agree with Councilwoman Larahee. I think you need to look at
each of the parcels, ar�d some might be in an area where you really do need ta sell it,
and it would fit ri�ht into the neighborhood as residential and others mayt�e not, maybe
might be conduci�e ta a little poeket park or something like that. 5a yau laok at each
❑ne indi�iduafly and then -- you decide keeping in mind that peopl� built their home
there knawin� that it was 2oned residential single family. And that's -- what they wauld
want ta see if yau decide ta sell that piece of property.
The way I see it is that, yau know, when -- people buy their hames, that's th� zoning is
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T�lA1N t?F f�L1ti iAl"F HILlS
l7frCEi`JIBER �, 20257�WN �DUNCfL h�EFTIPJt; MlNiJTE5
actually a promise ta those people that this is what's going to be here. Whatever
happens, yau can be guaranteed that it's -- going to be that zoning. And I think that's
only fair. The ❑ther question I ha�e, which ! didn't �ear anyh�dy tauch ❑n, was, how are
yau going to ga about selling these? What's the process? Is iC -- gaing to b� is it gaing to
be you put out for bid? Is it going t❑ be real estate? I mean, I just like t❑ �Cnaw that.
And that's basically all I have for comment. Hi, Rachael.
GDODWIN: Hi. I don't know if I'm allowed t❑ answer, but I'm gaingto just because it is
a-- it is a c�mman question. And -- Justin, I think yau can chime in toa. But munici�ally,
we are baund to do it in one of two ways, which I think is we ha�e to a�cept -- we have
to da a bid process for it for fair market value. Qr we can do an auction. 5� thase are
the twa ways, again, f�ecause of limits by the 5tate that we ha�e to do it that way.
KAVANAGH: ❑kay. Thar�k you.
GQOdWIN: 5ure.
KAVANAGH: Thank you.
6ENDER: Mayor, the last speaker is Kim Malborskie.
MAL60RSKIE: Mayor ar�d Council, I'm Kim Malbarskie, a six-year resident of Fountain
Hills. ! think I gat up here a cauple months aga and said it was going t❑ �e five. But my
tax accountant pointed out ta me that my math is bad, but I think my logic is stiil
warking. 5❑ I hate to disagree with the mayor be�ause I think the mayor is a star and
I'm very grateful that he is aur mayor. But I alsa feel that this land should be kept as
ap�n spa�e. Open spa�e is habitat. I may not laok like it, but I'm a greenie and I love all
little animals that live in ❑ur neighborhood. And I knaw a lot af them are living up there.
And I think it's important. I thinEc it's I think it adds 'ta the beauty and th� character of
the town to have as much apen space as we have. That being said, if it daes have t❑ be
develaped, I agree it needs ta k�e not only single-family hom�s, 4�ut single-family h�mes,
as �ustin said, that are in the same character and size lots and as the rest flf the
neighbvrhoad. It's also -- it's surrounded k�y SunRidge Canyan HDA. And I am a resitient
❑f SunRidge Canyon HDA. So I belie�e that ideally it waulcf b� a part of our HDA that
w�uld be part of our community if that happened. But again, I`d rath�r ha�e, you know,
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1C31n�N t]F �41JN7AIfV �il� i5
DFTEh9R�R Z, 2,725 TOV'JIV C�U�VCiL MEE71Ni; MIAllJTtS
fittle pa�krats and ja�elinas li�ing up there than those guys. S� thank yau.
BENDER: That was the last speaker.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Thank you. I think I need to be clear. I don't think we're I�aking t❑
have any zoning changes dane on this. And we shauld look at each parcel -- individually.
And maybe the SunRidge HDA would �e interesCed in buying that -- corner par�el. S�
again, my thflught was just t❑ laak at what we ha�e, see if it makes sense and develop a
plan. Like Justin said, it's going to take a year anyway ta do this. So that's my thaught
on it anyway. We're nat loaking ta put apartments ❑r condos where there's single
family residents. T#�at's not what not -- nat what the intent of this is.
WELDY: Mr. May�r and Caundlmembers, if i may, based an same of the speakers, the
town currently does not ha�e any �ommercial praperty that would be included in this.
This is primarily al! singie-family home and�or a duplex or townhome, and each one of
those designations would depend ❑n the existing zoning around it. There would i�e na
changes to that. The exception would t�e SunRidge, �esert Canyon, changing that to the
appropriat� zoning, which I think the density there would generate ahout ten lats. Be
identi�af t❑ everything else that was devel�ped in there.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Councilperson?
ICALIVIANAKIS: 7Frank you, Mr. Mayor. �irst aff, I just want ta appre�iate the
�onversatifln we're having. When ! first saw it on the agenda, I said, this is autside the
box, thinking it makes good sense. Let's talk about this �onversation. Initially, I was kind
af for it, and then I'm not naw. And I d❑ agree with many of the coun�ilmembers that
spoke. It -- seems like land is an appre�iating asset, and it makes us look a little
desperate that we need money selling an appreciating asset. It's kind of like eashing in a
life insuran�e policy for a new sports �ar. You know, after in five years, you're not going
t❑ have a life insurance policy ❑r the sports car. So you'�e just salc! your future. I'd like
ta a�oid that.
I also d❑ when ! look at the SunRidge Canyon and the Ash�raok, yau know, it's going
to -- there's going to be some rezaning and they`re going to be building hauses where
residents didn't -- didn't expect there ta be houses. And I da want to respect the xaning
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Page 37 vf 45
� �wr� �� Fou��rair� �E�ss
fSECEMBER 2, Z025 i'L?'NH �t'�U1�CiL MEETING MINUI'E5
is a sacred bond between the town and its citizens. And if we decide to change zoning,
not because a realtar said, oh, don't worry about it, but we really change the zoning.
And they said, naw the towr� did it, the peopie aren't gaing t❑ appreciate that. 5o i'm
gfad we're ha�ing the discussion, but I d�n't think we shauld g❑ here. And I do think we
should keep the ❑pen spaces.
G��DWIN: Mr, Mayor, I've hearc� a wide range af things tanight. What I really need ta
knaw, and what ❑ur staff needs to knaw is what, if any, steps does the majority want to
take far this process, if -- any?
MAYQR �RIEDEL: Coun�ilwoman Earle?
EARL.E: N❑ steps. Is that clear?
MAYQR FRIEDE: C�un�ilman V1Jatts?
WATTS: I think we need more information t�efore w� mo�e forward -- and I think
co!lecting that infarmation --
G�DOWIN: That's what I'm saying. That is staff time and resources, right. If we're
going to do that, that's a step forward.
WATTS: That's -- I don't t�rink you �an make a decision whether t❑ sell ❑r not sell or do
something with it, whatever, without knawing more about what we've got taday. I
don't think we'�e gat gafld, clear answers on where we're at today or the why.
GQQbWIN: I just need t❑ know if you want the time and effort put towards putting that
tagether. It sounds like that's a yes from you.?
WATTS: For me, it's a y�s. Yes.
GQQdWIN: �kay.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Couneilwoman?
LARRABEE: I'm sarry, Mayor. I'm still reco�ering from, I think, whiplash. The -- previous
con�ersation, ! think, was really valuable. I would like t❑ see same -- I wauld fike ta s�e
this return to an agenda with plots identified for us to cflnsider. I want t❑ stress, I do
want t❑ consider these indiviclually and cansider the surrounding community or
surrounding land for those areas. Yeah, the neighbors.
Again, --I'm just going to k�e �ery frank. I lean taward open spa��. I think I'll lean
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�'i7WN aF fQUh7AE!V Hiil_5
s.;ECEM�ER 2, 2�25 TQWN �OLJNCIi MEETIfUC; MIYVUTES
toward selling less af these. �kowe�er, I d❑ want to identify the ones that are worth
seiling, and I believe that same flf that money going toward the lake liner -- the la�Ce
liner is nat a hot rod. The lake liner is something we all know we're going to need and
soon. And I want t❑ d� e�erything in my pawer to a�oid a band, to a�oid asking the
taxpayers t❑ �arry a f�urden for something that we know that we can sa�e far. 5❑ I want
ta consider that balance sa please understand and be patient with me, �e�ause I might
be someane who lengthens this process, but I want to balan�e that ❑pen space wit}�
preparing for the future.
MAYOR FRI��EL: Vice Mayor?
5KILLICORN: Mr. Mayor, a lot af times in the budget process, we ask far a green light,
yellow light or red light? Red light.
MAYOR FRIEQEL: Thank yau. Councilwoman M�MahQn?
MCMAH�N: Thank you very mueh. I'm not going t❑ put staff -- I don't intend to put
staff on yau knaw, ha�ing t❑ say yay or nay right now and�or Paul for the budget, but I
think what I would like is more infarmation from your �antage paint as managers of the
praperties, managers of the budget, et cetera, and is there a need ta sell the p�-operties?
Is it something that, you know the timing on yau think that it's in the best interest ❑f the
t�wn to get ric! of ane or two of th�m? Dr a�e you guys fin� with leaving it as the status
quo? And also given, you know, some ❑f t�e community input, not just tonight, buT
before ahout the area an the ridge up there. Will there be any �ommunity impact, you
know, hearings on this or anything like that? That's really going way above, I think, what
we're talking about tanight. But I think for me, I'm leaning towards moving farward
because I want more infarmation t� -- so that a more educated decisian can be made
about it with staff input, because I kind af feel like I'm gaing at it blind here a little bit.
Justin laoks at me like, huh? d❑ yau understand what I'm asking?
GOD�WIN: I dfl, I think.
MCMAHDN: Thank you.
G��DWIN: I think there's a-- balance ta be struck he�ause the depending on the le�el
af information that's requested �r expe�ted --
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���Lv{r' pF FCUNTAIr,! i�ILLS
;�Er.�MBEk x, �42� T�Wf+1 C�t!{VCSL !VlEETIiVG Mi!IftiTES
MCMAH�N: Right.
GDOQWIN: It's a significant ask on staff t❑ pull the Gf5 ta do --
MCMAH�N: I kn�w.
G�DbWIN: -- ali of the different measurements. And I knaw the next q�estion is gaing
to be, well, how much do you think they're warth? That's a whole other process.
MCMAH�N: I know, but I guess what !'m saying is, loak, you guys are know our
in�estment p�rtffllia. ❑kay. Gaod investars and stuff take a lo�k at that. They balance
what we have. They balance, you know, if we're making maney or our assets are
increasing in value, et cetera. I guess that's what I'm asking, is to take a ivok at our
portfolio and see, is it in aur best interest t❑ possibly sell ❑ne or twa ❑r whatever lots?
That's, I guess, what I'm asking. The laattom line.
G�DDWIN: Are you looking for that assessment naw ar t❑ �ome �ack with another
item --
MCMAHON: f�a, no, no, not right now.
GOD�W I N: �kay.
MCMAHDN: ❑h, n❑ i dan't want t❑ put you an the spot like that. I just -- I guess I`m
asking -- !'m not saying you ha�en't conside�ed that already, but I'm -- asking 'tt you have
and just ta came back and ha�e a conversation. Period. ❑kay.
MAY�R FRIE�EL: Councifpersan Kali�ianakis?
KALIVIANAKI5: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just -- t❑ cfarify with -- the town manager, is this
somethir�g that you can spend a little time an, or is this going to be a major time sink? I
ask that because in our report this is authorization ta give y�u the ga ahead is t❑
proceed with appraisals of all the praperties, valuatians, identify surplus parcels,
prepare for z�ning adjustments, public notifications, public input. It seems like this is
gaing t❑ be a over a year-long project t❑ a staff that I think has already 6een
�verworked. �id you see that as, is this something that just we could just loak into it a
little? �r is this a headfirst in t�e paol?
GDODWIN: I think to that paint, yes, we �an ha�e further can�ersation. There's nothing
wrong with that. What I'm conGerned with is that we won't be ahle to answer a lot af
,.
Page 4fl of 45
TL'LVN �F GDUNTAiN f!IL�S
DECEMP,ER 2, 2�25 TGVsI"J �COiJ�v'C!!_ MEETiP�G Mi1fU ��5
the -- all af the questians that have �ome up tanight, because those are ail contingent
an what you just said. I can't gi�e you a �aluation. We would need to ga get it valued.
We woulci need t❑ g❑ get it survey�d. A lot ❑f those go hand in hand with a lat af the --
the logistic and logical questions that have c�me up tanight. �here's -- -- it makes
complete sense where the questions came from.
And Justin �an kind of speak to this is -- is he and I kind of had a meeting af the minds to
say, where is it that we put the brakes an and say, we're going to sa�e our -- our -- our
time and energy until we know what you guys would like from us. Again, !'�e kind of
thrown out you know, we have a new GIS staff person who's been here three weeks,
fflur weeks maybe. 5a this would be their first major project. 5a there is conversatian
that we can have and come hack with a IittEe more detaif, �ut I am �ery cautiaus abaut
using staff time for something that may nat be where we want ta go with this.
Ta your point, I absolutely agree each parcel has its own iclentity and its own
characteristics and its ❑wn impact ta the �ommunity. You knaw, the SunRidge parcef
has loeen a t�pic of conversation far a lot af different things, and I really �alue the, you
know, what that means ta that c�mmunity. Justin mentioned earlier we have a parcel
on Genaa that is aut far is it -- it is up right now?
WEL�Y: !t is out for k�id.
GOODWIN: It is aut for bid right now, which is a pareel that we talked abaut with this
b�dy and staff supported. Yeah, this seems like a reasonable thing, and we have taken
them one f�y one as interest came from a private person. But we have not initiated any
❑f this as a staff-driven project. And I think that may go �ack to what you were saying.
Councilmember McMahon, this isn't samething the staff has come forward and said,
hey, we really -- got to look at this.
WELDY: Mr. Mayar and Cauncilmembers, if I may, and Racha�f, I would suggest to
streamline this and get back to the council with some definitive answers that we just
focus ❑n the building lots. These are single family lots that don't require any rezoning
on Ashbrook Qriv�. They are attached to tonight's agenda. That is relatively
uncomplicated. We'�e already done a little bit of wark there in regards to {ot size,
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Tt]'Js1iV OF FOUNiR31V MI�.LS
DECEMBER �� 20Z5 T'OWIV CDl1'r'CIL NlEF71NG MIiViJTES
setba�ks, zaning. So that's just a small piece. We eould certainly c{ig deeper into that, if
that's a consensus and �ome ba�k to yau in in the spring, sometime February, March
with additional information just about those.
MAYDR FRIE��L: I think that's a good suggestion. Cauncilwaman Larrak�ee?
LARRABEE: Yes. I was mastly just going ta ech❑ that. I think that's a goad suggestion to
just start small. Let's get those ❑n the agenda. We'll consider thase, and then maybe in
the future, we can consider other plats. !-- think that this is a worthwhile initiati�e, but
I also rec�gnite the amount af time and wark that gets put into it. And as someone who
has worked in G15, please give ❑ur employee my candolences. It's a very difficult
pragram. I lave it, but very difficult. Anyway, I understand the amount of work it takes
and the amount af time ea�h individual shape you're adding to the map takes. Sa I want
t❑ say I'm grateful for that person and to Fimit their wark, let's start on Ash�rook.
MAY�R FRIE�EL: Cauncilman Watis?
WATTS: I think, Justin, you said it pretty succin�tly. Y�u don't need t❑ get inta the
weeds on this. You need -- yau've got same information, whether it's samething like
loaking at value ❑f lots on �illflw ❑r talking to a realtor, bringing it up a le�el. And then I
want to make sure that we balan�e the needs of the town and the beliefs af the
r�sidents in the area and thase types of impacts. So I don't think that there's a deep
dive necessarily, but c�ming k�ack with some general guidelines as here's what we can
anticipate. Is it warthwhife? And frankly, we ha�en't agreed on what it is ❑n the table
for next year. Nat at this paint anyway. So you may not ha�e anything ta do. And this
may just be filling up yflur plate.
WELbY: And i� I may, Mayar and Council, in regards to the Asht�rook lacation, that was
a�tually intended t❑ f�e a road that went from Ashbrook to Hamilton, acrass to Ashbrook
wash. But the tapography and the elevation change is about 3D or 4� feet, sa MC�
elected, and there are se�eral af t�em along Ashbrook wash, wher� they were originally
suppased to he crossover roads. They simply decided nat to build. And the example
that we're sharing with yau tonight is one of thase locations. It was intended t❑ be a
crossaver road o�er Ashforaok wash.
Page 42 vf 45
7�Wh �F F�[1lVTAIN HILLS
❑ECEi',ABEk 2, 2U25 TLzV'l;V Cf7UI�CIL MEtTiNG iVIiI�UTES
WATTS: And just so I'm clear on it, this is the first time we'�e looked at this opportunity,
is that correct?
WELRY: For th+s locatian, yes, sir.
WAi75: �kay. Thank yau.
MAYQR FRIEDEL: I'd als❑ like ta remind this council that we're sitting on 40 or �5D
million worth of backlogged road work and a$15 millian lake liner replacement. 5o I'm
not saying we need t❑ sell every single par�el in this town, f�ut you don't want to bond
far either -- of thase projects. We have t❑ In�k at some alternatives. Sa I think this is a
goad way ta start. Let's see what we've got and then we move from there.
GO��WfN: Thank you for the discussi�n, lt sounds like we'll be bringing hack the
Ashbrook parcel as you mentioned, Justin, and we'll take it from there.
WELQY: Yes, thank yau far the appartunity.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Qicay. We'I! mo�e on now to counci! direction to the town manager.
Is there anything for the tawn manager? Councilman Watts?
WATTS: I'd like, you knaw, the Palisades and 5hea has been intermittently prahlemati�.
Accidents, people. Every day 1 see peopie just simply rall thraugh the sign. Is there any
way that we can loak at the cost of -- warnin� sign that midway up the hill that says
crossing traffic, much like a crossing truck sign flr something to that effect? That, I
mean, we'�e got these flashing stoplights. We may as weil add to the ex�itement k�y
putting another flashing sign. If there was a sensar Chere that said there is crossing
traffic or something like that.
GODaWIN: 5ure, let me get with staff and we can take a loak at what that would he.
WAiTS: It may be kind of a way to mitigate it. And in lieu ❑f doing something like that,
if we own the road, anc! Councilman Skilli�orn brought up an interesting point -- do we
own the road? Does Maricopa Caunty own it? If we own it, mayt�e there's other things
we can do wiCh it tfl generate some revenue. �olf bridges come to mind.
G��DWIN; You said Palisades and 5hea or did I mishear yau?
WATTS: Yes. Palisades and Shea.
GO�pWIN: That's a stoplight.
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TUWf� C�F FC}L1NTAlP! HiLLS
E�ECEi4'16ER 2, 20z5 TQ1Ai�V COUNCEL frIE�T;ti� rr�itiur�s
WATTS: It's a na turn on red that people --
GOd�W I N: Got it. The no turn. That's been a constant prablem. It's been repeated
time and time again ❑n �ow to fix that. And it just hasn't been a doable job because ❑f
t�e expense, et ceCera. 50.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Dkay. Do we have any future agenda items? Can I get a motian to
adjourn?
EARLE: 5o maved.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: We ha�e a motion.
LARRABEE: Second.
MAYQR FRIE�EL� All in fa�or?
MULTIPLE SPEAKERS: Aye.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Thank you.
Page 44 vf 45
i ���'Jhf O: FC]IJN7AlN H�t �.�
DEC�IifIB�R 2, 'LO?5 TC}W�! CDilfvC.i� MEEiIf�C MIfJU7lE5
HAVING NO FU€�THER BUSINESS, MAYDR GERRY M. FRIEDELA�JOLIRNE� THE REGULAR
MEETING QF THE F�UNTAIN HILLS TOWN C�UNCIL HEL� ON �ECEMgER 2, 2025, AT
7:77 P.M.
APPR�VEd: �� j�
�x}
GERRY M. RIEDEL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
��� -
BEVELYN J. NDER, TOWN �LERK
CERTIFICATI�N
I HERE6Y CERTIFYTHATTHE FQREGDING MINU�ES ARE ATRL.IE ANb CQRRECT CQPY QF
THE MINUTE$ OF THE REGl1LAR TQWN CQUNCIL MEETING �F THE T�WN C�UNCIL,
FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA HELD ON �ECEMBER 2, 2025. I FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE
MEETII�G WAS bULY CALLED ANb HELb ANb THAT A QUORUM WAS PRESENT.
E3EVELYN .}. BE ❑�R, TOWN CLERK
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