HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.0120.TCWS.VERBATIM.TRANSCRIPTT�WN ❑F F�UNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES �F THE WDRK 5E551�N
DF THE FDLJNTAIN HILLS T�WN COLJNCIL
JANLIARY 2�, 2d26
A Work 5ession ❑f the Fountain Hills Town Cvuncil was �an�ened at 167a5 E.
Avenue of the Fauntains in apen and public s�ssi�n at 4:fl0 p.m.
Members Pr�sen#: Mayar Gerry M. Friedel; ViGe Mayar Allen 5killicorn;
Councilmember Gayle �arle; Councilm�mber 6renda J. Kalivianakis;
Cauncilmember Ri�k Watts; Councilmember Hannah Larrabee; Councilm�m�er
Peggy McMahan
5taff Pres�nt: T�wn Manager Rachael Goodwin; Tawn Cl�rk Be�elyn Bender,
Tawn Attarney Jennifer Wright
��TAI��1
� i ~. �\��
� �; � � �•,�
,
� � 4 �}` 1 �' z
�r�l`�i� c'�
� , . ' �o
�•" � • '�
■ q ��.
lf��l�o�
�ha t i s A��ti
TOWN OF Fal1NTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 20, 202fi WORiC SE5510N
Post-Praductian File
Tawn of Fountain Hills
Wark Session
January 20, 2D26
Transcription Provided 6y:
e5cribers, LLC
* * * � *
Transcription is pro�ided in order to facilitate c�mmunication accessibility and may not
be a totally verbatim record af the proceedings.
* * * * *
Page 1 of 38
�QWN �F FaUN7AlN HILLS
iANl1ARY 2Q, 2fl26 WORIC 5E551�N
MAYOR FRIEQEL: I'm calling this wark session in order. Can we get a roll call, please,
Town Clerk?
T�WN CLERK: Mayor Friedei?
MAYOR FRiEDEL: Present.
T�WIV CL�RK: Vice Mayar 5killicorn?
VICE MAYOR SKILLICORN: Here.
T�WN CLERK: Councilmember Earfe?
C�UNCILMEMBER EARLE: Present.
TDWN CLERK: Councilmember Kalivianakis?
CDUNCILMEMBER KALfVIANAKIS: Here.
T�WN CLERK: Councilmember Watts?
COIJNCILMEMBER WATT5: Here.
TOWN CLERK: Councilmember Larrabee?
COIJNCfLMEMBER LARRABE�: Here.
TOWN CLERK: Councilmember McMahan?
CDUNCILMEMBER MCMAHQN: Nere.
TOWN CLERK: May�r, you ha�e a quorum.
MAY�R FRI��EL Thank you.
CDIJNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: 1 have a statement to make, please.
MAYaR FRIEDEL: I'm sarry?
C�l1NCILM�MBER MCMAH�N: I have a statement to make, {�lease.
MAY�R F�IEbEL: �kay.
COIJNCILMEMBER MCMANDN: I'm an the record objecting ta this work �ession,
because I went k�a�k and I looked at the -- the meeting, and after the vate, it was
discussed that we might k�ring �all ta the pu�lic back and r�vising that sectian of the
ru{es of pro�edure. As far as I know, we did nat authorize ❑r direct any other re�isians
to the rules ❑f pracedure.
In additian, it looks iike a �ammittee or something was formed ta d❑ this that lacks
transparency that I wasn't tald abaut. I don't ha�e an opportunity to participate in that.
Page Z of 38
TdWN �F FflllNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 20, 2026 WQRI[ SESSIQH
And I don't think that that's appropriate. And I think that we shauld not ha�e this work
sessiQn and move it to another work sessi�n, ❑r set up anather committee so we all
ha�e a-- sa we have an ❑pport�nity ta participate in the re�isians other than this in
public.
MAYDR FRIEbEL: Thank you. Yaur comments are noted.
Cauncilwoman Larrabee?
CDl11VCILMEMBER LARRABEE: Thank you. I just wanted t❑ state for the recard that
ac�ording to our policies as a cauncil, three councilmembers could ha�e theoretically
just asked for this to be an an agenda without a work sessian. And instead, we are
going thrvugh a more thoraugh pracess, ha�ing a work session, having a discussion
about it. My fellow councilmember is more than welcome to �ote against it, but I
believe her objection is silfy.
MAVQR F#iIEDEL: Councilwaman Earle?
C�LINCILMEMBER EARLE: Thank you, Mayflr.
I just want ta make it clear that I am the one wha asked tw❑ ❑ther councilmembers t❑
meet. I-- I viewed it -- reviewed this with our -- gat legal ad�ice from ❑ur town
attorney to make sure that this was ❑kay. I requested the -- the tawn manager and the
clerk be there as well, sa we cauld do a tharaugh laok through here and bring it back t❑
�ouncil. And that's what we're daing today, is we are sharing it with the entire cauncil
in frant af e�erybody.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Cauncilpersan Kalivianakis?
C�UNCILMEMBER KALIVIANAKIS: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Yeah. Just to kind ❑f wei�h in, I tl�ink it's Gertainly appropriate to hav� this --this
workshop to discuss the call to the public, he�ause that was, as � recall, put on the
agenda. I don'C recall -- or i was never notified as a cauncilmember that there were
three people that wanted ta add additionally ta what was gaing to be discussed taday. I
know when three councilmembers ask for something to be put on the agenda, and
when one reneges, it's been a common practice in the past that you can't renege flnce
you've set it on the statement, an t�e dais, that yau want something on the agenda. You
Page 3 of 38
TOWN OF FOLINTAIN HILLS
lAN[JARY 20, 202fi WORK SE551QN
can't withdraw that comment. It's gfling to k�e put on the next agenda.
So it does make sense to me, today, maybe we should talk about the �all to the public.
And then the other thing 1'd just like to point out is just -- just a-- and order of just of
business is there's a lat of confusian on this, this hundred page draft that we're looking
at today. Ail weekend long, I was laoking at an 800, 9fl0 page draft that 1 cauldn't make
any sense out of, and I was one of the peaple that said, I can't understand what we're
talking about here. And so I was gi�en today the -- the �undred page redline, which I
went through as well as I cauid, but i feel like I wauld be more prepared if we did this in
tw❑ weeks so I could go through it mare thoroughly, make more -- better notes, and so
we can have a laetter discussion af, yau know, the pros and cons ❑f what the cammittee
that yau put together had suggested. And so I could -- we could have just a better
�ommunication. $o I just put that out there.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: That's nated. And we are going aver this tonight. We're going t❑
make any �hanges necessary and then it will appear on an agenda. Sa we ha�e plenty of
time to go o�er it, plenty of time t�efore it hits an agenda. S❑ if I found the time to ga
through the document, I think every�Oody wau4d ha�e the time. Plus, yau did get the --
the updated �ersian of that.
Councilman Watts?
C�LINCILMEMBER WATTS: Just a point of �larification. This is phase one of prok�ably
multiple phases. The only thing we really lookeci at was call to the public and decorum.
So we didn't go any further than that. What yau may interpret as changes ar nat,
they're really formatting, that cleaned up the formatting, made it easier ta follow, but
the rest of the document, exclusive ❑f call to public, de�orum, has remained untouched.
There's a lot af grammatical errors, there's a lot of shoulds and mights and coulds and
that sort af thing that we're going ta ha�e to address at a later time. 5o this is focused
on eall to the public.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Caunciiwoman �.arrabee?
C�UNCILMEMBER LARRABEE: Yes. Thank yau, Mayor. And I wanted to echa my fellaw
coun�iimember's c�mment that, yes laoking at the redline, it is a longer document
Page 4 of 38
TOWN OF fOl1NTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2U, 2026 W�RK SE551QN
because part af it is the text color changed t❑ black. So when -- when yau have redlines
that are that extensive, but it's a formatting thing, sa that when you print it it's not
super light gray, which is actually what happened when we had aur first meeting ❑n this,
the -- the formatting ends up looking silly. So when you say, oh yes, this was a hundred
page document, it's a little ciishonest. �ur -- aur packet is sixty pages total. There's
forty-seven pages of the actual rules of procedure draft. 5a, na, we didn't just drop an
80Q-page dacument an anybody. We're not �ongress.
C�UNCILMEMBER KALIVIANAKIS: And just -- just ane more clarification. And that is ❑n
page 54, under Rules Qf �e�arum B-4, it says a councilmemt�er, once recagnized, shall
limit remarks to n� mflre than two minutes, should not be interrupted while speaking
unless the call af order hy the presiding officer. 50 limiting our con�ersation to two
minutes is mare than just a small minor change. That's -- that's -- the way I read this,
that when we discuss an agenda's item, we're limited to twa minutes, ane minute less
than the call to the pubaic. �hat`s not just a formatting change. That is a si�nificant
substanti�e change.
MAY�R FRIEaEL: Noted. Can we mo�e forward naw with ❑ur discussion, town
attorney? Thank you.
TQWfV CLERK: Mayar, we're going to ask the tawn attarney t❑ step to the podium here,
mostly so that she can get behind the wheel, dri�e, if you want to call it that, so that she
can manage the main screen so that the pubiic can hear what'� going an. Those that
may he watching from home can also. You'll see, ob�iously, ❑ur left screen wifl move
alpng with that. Your primary screen, if you cEick the middle tab, also has a �ersion of
the document for yau guys that yau can m��e yourself as well.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Thank you.
TOWN CL�RK: Absolutely. Thank yau.
TOWN ATTORNEY WRI�HT: Thank yau, Mayor. Thank yau, councilmembers.
Sa as yau recall an No�ember 18th, 2�25, we had the meeting in whieh we decided to
remove the call ta public. The reasaning for that was based off of the complaint that
was filed, that had concerns with the statements that were made during -- a constituent
Page 5 of 38
TOWf� pF F�UNTAIN HILLS
JANl1ARY 2fl, 2Q25 WDRI( 5ES510N
making statements, as well as �aunciamemk�ers. In order to restore t�e call ta pt�blic, we
needed t❑ make sure that the civil rights af all the people who present in front of --
present comments are maintained, as well as decorum is maintained.
5� the -- the rules here were functioning on the decorum. That's what we looked at. I
made the changes as requested by t�e members that met in the committee. And so the
ftrst few pages, and as I mentioned when I emailed ❑ut an eleGtronic �ersion of this
doeument, and going back t❑ the -- the emaiE ❑f it, I-- 1 was taday years ofd when I
found out that you can a�tually not print the formatting �hanges. 5o I Eearned that from
the IT specialist here. ! did not know that, I'm a lawyer, but I'm not an IT specialist. And
so I was today years old when I faund ❑ut you couid just remove those. So I apolagize
that when it was sent t❑ print, it included all the fflrmatting �hanges.
And to just back up as t❑ why there was a problem is the previous attorney for the town
did not pro�ide an electronic version of the -- of the rules of procedure, so the rules af
procedure were then scanned via �CR int❑ a word document, and it created a bunch ❑f
problems. And s❑ I had to then take the entire dacument, put it in a#�rand new
document, and start ❑�er. And that's why it looks like there are so many changes.
So, again, I apal�gize that the document -- again, 1 gave yau the electronic farmat s� yau
could �isually g❑ thrvugh, printing it then woufd ha�e been the long document. And
today �ur wanderful IT staff, Mike -- I can't pronounce his last name, Ci�er�ne -- sarry,
I'm not good -- Cicerone. Thanic you. I apologize, I'm really bad with names -- was able
to make it sa it was a more readable document in a printed format. But again, when we
sent this out, we sent an electroniG �ersion so that you could see all the changes that
were made. And I wanted to 6e very transpareni in the changes that were made.
We added a table ❑f �ontents -- or, I'm sorry, a title page. Again, many of the �hanges
that we are suggesting -- that were suggested actually were coming from the City of
5cottsdale's rules af procedure. So we adopted many of the things that they -- they
ha�e that are warkin� be�ause we want to make t�ese council meetings more
fun�tional, to make sure that we go through, and e�eryone's alale to pro�ide input and
comment and that -- but we maintain decorum. And so that was the purpose ❑f
Page 6 uf 38
TaWN flF FOUNTAIN H4LL5
JANUARY 2U, 202fi WDRK 5E5510N
updating the rufes af procedure.
5o we added the title page that has all ❑f the variaus dates and times of changes. And
actually now that I think about that, where it says amended, I cion't knaw, that's gfling
to be amended on February 3rd, 2QZ6, but that was a placehaEder far when it's set to be
on the agenda. 5a we added a table of contents to make it mare readable. And that in
and of itself t�ak seven pages. Anyway, sa then we added the rules of pro�edure. And
again, you'll natice that because of the OCR errars, things like on this first page you can
see that there's a-- an -- on letter C, it had 0-Garland or Garfieid Jones and it shauld
have t�een an a. So there was lots of various changes like that where there was typas
due to the �CR fram the P�F ta Ward. 5o that was one of the changes.
dther than that, I dan't bekieve there's any changes other than formatting changes in
these first few pages. Go through this. And like I said in the emai! that I sent out, I
would be going ❑ver all these changes here so that you guys can see what was ehanged.
50, all right, starting on the regular meetings, we had t❑ add back in that the council
may add a caEl ta a-- pu4�lic ta regular meetings. S❑ that's the first change in 3.1R, and
s❑ that statement was added. The council may provide for it.
�n -- �n 3.Z, I 6eiieve this was in the previous �ersion, as well, when we had the cail ta
the public, the recan�ened meetings d❑ not provide for a call ta the public. So that was
added back in.
Same with the special meetings, would nat pro�ide for a call to the puhlic. They -- they
ne�er have. They didn't prior to the other -- t�e original rules af procedure. And sa that
was added baek in here as well.
Let's see. And then same -- and I'm not sure if that's an actual change where it says,
ather than eonsensus or con�eying directians ta staff or far further a�tion. I think that
was already there. I knaw it says -- shaws red there. But I think that that in -- there was
some -- sometimes nat all the -- hecause ❑f the -- it was a �ompare document, I dfln't
belie�e that there was any major change in the previous language that was there.
But wark sessions have also never had a provide -- provide -- pro�ided for a call t❑ the
public, sa that was added back in.
Page 7 of 38
TpWN �F FOUNTAIN HlLL5
JAN[JARY 20, 2U2fi WpRIC SE551aN
And same with executive sess�ons. I did make clear that thase are already closed to the
public, but -- and that actually -- that statement wasn't in the original ruies -- rules ❑f
procedure. But just to clarify, I mean, I think e�eryone here in the council understands
that they're nat open to the pu�lic, and there's n❑ call to public, but just t� be
transparent so the pubiic understands that.
And then emergency meetings prior to the -- you knaw, when we had call to the puf�lic
before, also did not ha�e a call t❑ the public.
We did add in -- and this was -- again, this is part af decorum, and part of the, you knaw,
the operation of the meetings, and that was really the facus, was adding in that, of
course, members af the media are welcome ta attend events. And we made clear that
meetings shaulci be live streamed because that was nflwhere else written in. We
already do that. And recardings are archi�ed. That's t❑ make clear, tao, that those are
a�ailable ta any member of the media who wants to take information from thase. And
then we added to it that if inembers of the media want to come here using professional
audio��isual equipment to notify the town manager and get appraval. Part of that, tao,
is alsa k�ecause that can be disruptive ta the meeting, especially if you have multiple
outlets that are -- Mr. Maypr, there's -- do you want to --
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Da yau want t❑ field questions as you go?
TOWN ATTORNEY WRIGHT: That's up ta you, Mr. Mayor.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Councilwoman?
C�UNCILMEMBER MCMAN�N: Thank you very much.
I have a problem with this prQvision constitutionally because freedom of the press is
guaranteed by the First Amendment, which states that Congress shall make no law
abridging the freedom of speech or the press, ensuring that go�ernment can't �antral
the media, enabling it to inform the public and hald power accauntable. Under A.R.S.
38-431, it states that any recording, any -- you know, any recarding of the meeting can
be done by anyone. We record it, the puhfic reeords it, the press records it. I have not
seen any interference by a press or a camera ar anything. To me, I'�e watched them,
they've sat there, they'�e held the camera, they'�e k�een �ery, �ery careful.
Page 8 of 38
TOWN OF FOCINTAIN HILL5
JANUARY 2fl, zQ26 WORIC 5E551�N
W�y are we sin�ling out the press?
T�WN A7TORNEY WRIGHT: It say any prafessional equipment. It says --
COIJNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: If we --
TDWN ATTORIVEY WRIGHT: -- anyone -- anyone who wants t� use professional audifl ar
�ide❑ equipment -- I guess we should change that t❑ members of the public. We can
change that from members of the media. But if it's using professionai --
CDUNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: I don't think --
T�WN ATTORNEY WRIGHT: -- equipment --
C�iJNCILMEMBER MCMAHDN: -- think it's ne�essary. I really, really don't. I ha�en't
seen anything like that happen. As a generai rule, they don't interfere. And I think that
this is unconstitutional. And I went and I looked at the Reporters Committee for
Freedam of the Press, and in Arizona, it says all or any part of a public meeting or public
body may be recarded by any person in attendanGe by means of tape recarder, camera,
or any ather means af sonic repraductifln, provided that there is no active interference.
I have -- again, I haven't seen it.
The press understands this, and I believe that they abide by it. lJnder state law, there's
no pre-appro�al --
MAY�R FRIEQEL: ❑❑ you -- I'm sorry, Cauncikwoman. Do you ha�e a qu�stian?
CaL1NCILMEMBER MCMAHDN: Yes, I do. I'm making a comment, p�ease. Thank you.
S❑ I-- I'm wondering why again that you're requiring ar trying to require that the press
get pre-written appro�al be�ause that to me is a hindrance ta them reporting. And I--
and I thinlc iC's unconstitutional. I don't think it's something we can do. I don't think it's
samething we want to da. And I'm -- I'm nat for this at all. I don't -- 1 don't think -- I
think you're setting us up for a canstitutianal conflict and passibly a lawsuit.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Tharrk you.
Councilwaman Earle?
CDUNCILMEMBER EARLE: Yeah, I would -- I would like to request that we hold alf
questions t❑ the end, ❑r -- if we stop at every littfe thing, it's going t❑ -- we're not going
to have time here. 5o I would like us to hold the questions till the �nd and be able ta
Page 9 of 38
TQWN 4F FOUNTAIN HILLS
JANl1ARY 2�, 202fi WflRK SE5510N
hear e�erything.
C�UNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: I think that would t�e really canfusing.
CDUNCILMEMBER EARLE: Well, if we take n�tes, we'll knQw what things we have
questions with.
C�L1I�CILMEMBER MCMAH�N: I think that wauld be really, really confusing.
C�l1NCILMEMBER EARLE: D❑ we need to take up a-- okay.
COLINCILMEMBER MCMAHQN: This is a work session.
C�UNCILMEMBER EARLE: I'm sorry, I'm speaking to the Mayor.
MAYOfi FRIEDEL: This isn't -- this isn't a k�ack and fort}�. P4ease stop.
C�UNCILMEMBER EARLE: Mayor, can we -- if we need to take a �ote on that, can we d❑
that?
MAYOR FRiEQEL: We -- we can. Vi�e Mayor?
VICE MAY�R 5i{ILLICQRN: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Tawn Attorney Wright, is this your recammendation?
T�WN ATfQRNEY WRIGHT: I-- I-- see, it's my recommendation that you ha�e some
way ta be notified in advance when there's gaing to be professional audio and �ideo
equipment. There's nothing saying you can that -- which shall be granted, which is fine.
There's nohady saying they're not gaing to.
But we had instanees where we'�e had people -- you don't know whase equipment it is,
you dan't know why they're here, you could ha�e ten cameras here at ance. It's many --
many -- courtroams da this, other -- other government agencies da this where you
limit -- so yau can limit the number. There's nothing saying -- nothing in here says that
they wauld be denied. !t's just that they get appraval sa you knaw in ac#�ance. It's for
orderly conduct, that's �t.
VICE MAYOR SKILLICORN: Mr. Mayar, it sounds like this is a recommendation. A�d I
make a motion to hold all questions until the end af the attorney's presentation.
C�UNCiLMEMBER EARLE: 5econd.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: We -- this isn`t an actianable -- actianaiole item, but I'm going to say
that we need t❑ mo�e -- move forward with yaur presentation, and we'll hald the
Page 1� vf 38
T�WN OF �Ot1NTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2U, 2fl26 W�RI[ 5E551�N
questions till the end.
T�WN AT7�RNEY WRIGHT: Yeah. Again, I will say that these are recommendatians you
guys can choase to take -- keep -- take any af these things and remove -- keep ar
remove whate�er you'd like. This is your document. These are yaur rules ❑f procedure,
not mine.
C�UNCILMEM6ER M�MAH�N: But isn't a work session informal? And we have ba�k
and forth ❑n it. We ha�e in the past. That's the purpose of a work session.
MAYDR FRIEdEL: We can ha�e �ack and farth, but not argument.
C�UNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: In fact, we -- I'm not arguing.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: �kay.
C�IJNCILMEM6ER MCMAHON: And we've e�en sat dawn there.
MAYQR FRIEDEL: Ail right. Can we -- can we mo�e forward with the presentation?
Thank you.
TOWN ATTORNEY WRiGHT: Yeah. �kay. 5o that was that -- changes to that section.
And then ob�iously public comment is not taken. I just added in executi�e or work
sessians. Again, exe�uti�e is given. It's always been a given. Be�ause there's no public
at the executi�e. But, anyway, to make clear so that there's n❑ confusion.
Here's another example an the next page af a text error where it said arc instead of R,
so, again, just fixing same of the errors fram the transcriptian error from ❑CR to Word.
Na changes -- oh, there was anather ane set forth, it had a capital F. Again, there's -- it's
nat -- it wouldn't be a capital F in that location. 5a those were changes.
Then gaing t❑ -- we did make ane change based off of issue -- �oncerns �n page -- let's
see, what is this, 4.1-63 where -- or, I'm sorry, 4, where iC says a person or group could
request fram the town manager, that was rema�ed based ❑ff of discussian, in large part,
hecause that would kind of circum�ent the pr�cess that exists. Right naw, the Mayflr
can add something to the agenda ❑r councilmembers with the appro�al of three. As far
as I understand, the town manager is in fuil agreement that -- ta remo�e that s❑ that if a
persan or group wants something added t❑ the agenda, it goes through the ather
elected officials. Otherwise, it kind of creates a pracess that daesn't exist.
Page 11 vf 38
70WN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2Q, 2DZ6 WaRI{ SESSIDN
And then n❑ mare changes on the next few pages. This is just making the agenda laok --
s❑ a kot of the -- a lot of this document was trying ta make it mare legible and readable
and mare consistent with what the �urrent agenda looks like. 5a these were already the
numbering order for the current agenda. These were separated in the way they are
here. They were nat separated like that on the -- so we didn't a�tually add in an
invocatian, it was just moved down a line. The rall call is a separate item ❑n the agenda.
So these are just making it �onsistent with the ag�nda numbering sa that if we're
eomparing this to what an agenda loaks like, and what this do�ument Iflaks like, they
mateh.
And to make more clear, 1 think hefore we had proclamatians by the Mayor and
councilmembers, but really what this is, is the proclamations, awards and recognitions,
so making that agenda item more clear because that's -- that's what we da during that
periad ❑f time. And ab�iously those -- and I think it talks abaut later that those can be
made by the Mayar ar any af his designees, which aften he gives you guys the
❑pportunity, as he will be tanight, to -- to da those awards and recognitions.
I moved the explanatory paragraph just -- again, we go and describe these items later.
And sa this was just an odd, awkward place t� have it. That's not t�at that's not
existing, it's just it's being maved so that this is just the agenda and then later back
beyond this is when it's -- it's the description of these things.
And then also, like, again, changing regular agenda from, you know, just actian items,
because what it says on the agenda itself is regular agenda. 5a just trying to conform
the rufes af procedure with what we're actually daing in pra�ti�e. So there's really no
fun�tional changes an this -- in this page. 4t's just making it align with what we're doing.
Again, here's another mistake where it had a 1 instead ❑f an I in information, s❑ fixing
that.
And then here it's really, again, this is just to clarify, it's really follawing the invocatian
that we d❑ the roll call. That's where it is on the agenda. It doesn't need to be that long
statement. So just remo�ing that statement of participation.
And then we, again, we aren't disseminating the agenda -- or, I'm sorry, if we go down
Page 12 of 38
TOWN �F F�UNTAIN FiIiLS
JANUARY 2�, ZUZ6 WflRK 5E55EON
the statement of partitipat+an another way, it's included ❑n the agenda. And then
following roll call is either read ❑r displayed an the screen, which is what we'�e k�een
d�ing far quite some time now. And then states as fallows.
We did add to this, again, part of the orderly transmissian, is t�at anyane wishing to
address the council or during the call to the publi� must completely fill ❑ut a request to
comment card prior to the start -- prior t� the start of the meeting. That is a change. 5a
it's going to take same -- you know, that -- that was just trying to keep it m�re ❑rderly,
have these comment cards get in. A lot of times what we see during meetings is people
hear something, they get upset, they da a comment card. And you lcnow, this way
people can came ready ta present their issues and put them at the beginning of the
meeting. And then the comments may nflt exceed three minutes.
And then this is just restating what we haci before, which is council does nflt comment
on items braug�t to the call tfl public. That is a requirement under the Open Meeting
Laws. You �annat have discussian on items that are not ❑n the agenda. And that's --
that's what Che Open Meeting Laws state is, the staff can be directed t❑ report back ta
�ouncil at a future date or s�hedule items raised for a future agenda.
And then we made it mare �lear that, you know, we do allaw applause during the
proclamatians, awarcfs and recagnitions. And then we point people -- because people --
to make sure everyane understands that they tao are, yau knQw, anyane -- anyone
participating in the meeting is suk�jeGt to the rules of decorum, which is in 5ection 5 of
the rules of pra�edure, so people know where ta go, so that there's no questian they've
got notice and they can ❑btain a copy if they ha�re questi�ns ❑r can�erns.
And then cantinuing. So then the summary of current events by the tawn manager, I
moved the proclamations to the next -- next section because that's where it is on the
agenda as well. Thase are separate items, is the summary ❑f current e�ents. And then
that's nflt -- didn't make any functional changes t❑ what we've implemented at the
November �8th meeting.
And then the proclamations and awards, it just has a separate thing. It's the same thing
as it said before, except it made it more clear. It's read proclamations, present awards,
Page 13 vf 38
TOWN DF FOUNTAIN HIl.LS
IAHUARY 2Q, zOzfi WQRK 5E55iQN
and recognize members of the community or conduct any ot�er �eremonial matters. I
added that other ceremaniak matters because maybe there's something we ha�en't, you
know, that may als❑ be a ceremanial type issue. So that -- that -- that can be added in
that spot.
And t�en this is where I had -- before it had the explanatory statement for the consent
agenda. I just mo�ed that. This is, l believe, all the same statements that it said bef�re.
These are -- this is -- we couid prabably compare it against today's. Because it was
mo�ed, it kind ❑f laoks different. That was -- came hack fram the first page because
that's -- again, we were describing the agenda items later, and it was up there in the --
the averall ❑f the agenda, and now I've just mo�ed it to this partion. But that -- that is
tne same -- s�me statement that has always been -- has �een stated for a period af
time.
And Chis -- this was just if yau loak it says -- it had -- ! added a numlaer 1 and number 2
and number 3. 5o number 1, is -- it was there. And then that line that's �rossed out,
that was moved to make it a number 2, so it's just -- it's not actually remo�ing what was
there. And the number 1, it was just mo�ing it dawn. And then so the Town Clerk -- this
is during the regular agenda item. 5o when it's something that's on the agenda they --
they would present the request to comment cards in the -- at the point of time, the
speakers will be called in the arder that tF�e cards were received. And then, based off of
the dis�ussion that we had in the cammittee, is that we'd alternate between for and
against, so it'd still be in the ord�r they were recei�ed, sa ail the -- you know, they'd be
numbered. All the fars, 1 through 4, al! the againsts, 1 thraugh 4, and then it was gaing
to be ane for, one against, ❑ne far, ane against. 5everal af the c�uncilmemf�ers had
reGently been to some meetings where thaC was done, and they thought it was a very
good way to kind ❑f see a back and forth, and be able to get a kind of 6alanced �iew of
issues. So that's why we added that ir�. Thought it was an interesting way to run a
meeting and I-- you kngw, anyway, sa it's in there.
There'll be aflowed a maximum amour�t af three minutes ta address the council. i kind
of took it out continuous minutes because it's a maximum amount of three minutes.
Page 14 of 38
TOWN 4F FflUAiTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 20, ZD25 WnRI{ 5E551�N
They typicalfy get their --! mean, it's kind of -- it's saying the same thing. But it can be --
t�ut t�ere is a-- it �an be reduced or extended based ❑ff of if -- my advice, off af the
direct -- and that was in there before, at the directian of the Town Manager if noticed
twenty-four haurs before. Again, this was all in here 6efore. Consensus of the cauncil
meeting or the presiding officer at the meeting. 5a that was na functional change to
that. And just really changing the minutes to a maximum of three minutes.
And then this is -- this statement was there before but it laoks like it's new, but it's the
c{uestians and comments are limited to the subject matter. This is, again, during the
agenda item. This part is kind of new. 1t creates a-- a objecti�e way t❑ determine when
we might need to reduce the number of speakers ❑n a particular issue. 5v it's d�ing
thirty minutes per tapic item. Again, yau guys can extend that. You can suspend the
rules. You can �ate to gi�e more time on a particular tapic if you've got -- and you'll
know that by then, based on the number of comment cards. But that's going to then
raise -- if there's more than ten camment cards on an issue, that's going to bring that to
the forefront so that you guys can decide, do you want t�, you know, is this -- and I think
in the past, there's been tim�s where people have consofidated their arguments, gotten
together because, you know, it can get �ery wieldy having a meeting that goes hours
into the night, if you'�e got hundreds ❑f people on a topic ❑r samething. And I know
this isn't ar� issue that has come up a tan af times, sfl this isn't probably something that's
going ta impaGt a number of agenda item issues. But it's just, again, it's a �ery objective
way ta determine whether or not you might want to reduce the time allocated to each
speaker or reduce the number af speakers.
This is also the same as it's always been wit}� the lights and sounds. It's just, I added it --
I either add -- maved it in a section or added -- added a partian of it, but you'il see that
that's always been there. The anly new -- new part is that the Mayor, Tawn Clerk, or
❑ther staff can mute the micraphone when the speaker's time expires. We made that
clear. That technology has always been there, but that way peaple can expect that if
they're going well over their time -- again, it's to �reate decorum and order. And a lat of
communities use this. I think that actually was svmething, another -- that the
Page 15 of 38
T�WN nF FDUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2D, 2fl2fi WaRK SE5540N
councilmembers had been ta ather meetings where as soon as the three minutes were
up, the speaker was off. And it was just the way it worked at that particular meeting
they were at, and it kept the meeting mo�ing quickly and smaothiy,
And then if tf�e thirty minutes expires, the Town Clerk is going to notify that the thirty
minutes for that parti�ular agenda item has expired, and at that time yau guys can vote
to extend it. You know, if there's �igarous debate that you guys are really -- yau know,
that's adding ta your consideration ❑f an issue, there's nothing saying you can't extend
that time.
And then again request to comment form, that -- that's again, that's just a type.
CDLINCILMEMgER WATTS: Jerry, can I just ask a quick --just a q�i�k question --just a
clarification.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: We have a clarification.
TQWN ATTDRNEY WRIGHT: Yes.
CDUNCILMEMBER WATTS: Wauld this be for regular agenda items?
TOWN ATTaRNEY WRIGHT: Yes. This is regular agenda --
C�UNCILMEMBER WATTS: -- as we11 as the �ater call?
T�WN ATT�RNEY WRIGHT: The call to the public, it has similar rules but they're slightiy
different. So we'll go ❑�er thase in just a seeand.
COtJNCILMEMBER WAT1�5: Okay. So for regular agencia, we're going ta have a time
limit?
TQWN ATTORNEY WRIGHT: Yes.
COUNCILMEMBER WATTS: ❑kay.
TOWN ATTORNEY WRIGH7: Yeah. Well, we've always -- ah, for the thirty minutes?
That -- that really is just an abjective way because it really -- if you have mare than ten
comment cards, you knaw yau're gaing to ha�e more than thirty minutes.
COIJNCILMEMBER WATTS: Yeah.
T�WN ATTofiNEY WRIGHT: 5a that's an objecti�e way to -- so that the presiding
❑fficer or the Mayor, Can -- can try to consolidate the numlaer af arguments. And so it
just creates it -- but there's not going to be necessarily a}�ard -- this ❑ne's a little bit
Page 1fi of 38
TQWN dF FOUNTAiN HILLS
JANLJARY 20, 2U26 WQRI{ 5E5510N
more nefarious -- or not nefarious. Like, this isn't a hard stop. If there's, yau know, ynu
want to suspend the rules or, yau know, again, the presiding officer can, you know --
MAYDR FRIEbEL: There's same -- there's some flexibility.
TnWN ATTDRNEY WRIGHT: There's flexibility. 6ecause these are -- this is an item under
consideration. And ob�iously you guys want to hear and can suspend the rules and have
more -- mare camments. Like, it's not a hard rule.
CQIJNCILMEMBER WATTS: Thank you.
TQWN ATTORNfY WRIGHT: Um-hum. And al! ❑f this stuff, again, is in the rules of
de�arum -- like, the stuff that`s crossed out here, it's just we've kind of renumbered
things. I think I put it later in the rules af decorum. That was another thing we saw is
that a lot of the rules of decarum were kind of em�edded -- this is an example of that --
were embedded within, liice, the agenda area. 5a it was not -- you didn't go to one place
to figure out what the rules ❑f decorum were and the rules of procedure, you had to ga
to se�eral different places and kind of pull it -- pull it all together. 5o this stuff was a11
mo�ed to the rules of dec�rum. So it's clear, everyone knows go to 5ection b. 7hat's
where the rules are. You don't have to try ta read them within any other portians ❑f the
rules af procedure.
Yeah. Here's another example. I was just �hanging the -- 1 think maybe the lettering
was off. ❑h, I added in -- no, a�tu�lly that was afready in there, where it says
councilmembers may ask the applicant questions through the presiding officer, that's
always been in there. 5o I'm not sure why that's showing as a new thing. I'm not sure if
the numbering changed. But that's always the way it's been.
And that statement there, questi�ns ar comments are 4imited t❑ the subject under
conside�-atian. Remember, I said that was in there. I just mo�ed it ta the beginning af
that, when we're talking af�out the -- the eomments from the pu4�li�. So here there's
really na changes to the seGtion.
And then again, this -- if you can see here, before it was just the presiding officer may, at
the beginning of the agenda, iir-nit repetiti�e testimony, that -- yau know, limit the time.
Again, we �reated an ohjective criteria. I� you have more than ten, if it's gaing ta take
Page 17 of 38
TOWN bF FaUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 20, 2U26 WORIC SE551�N
more than thirty minutes, you know, expe�t t❑ take more than thirty -- patentially more
than thirty minutes.
And then this is the call to the pub4ic, adding that back in. 5❑ -- s❑ this is the time -- and
sa this -- much of this is very much the same, except now we've allo�ated the tatal
amount of time ta the call to the public to thirty minutes. As, --as you'll note, under
the -- first af all, unde� Arizona law, there's no requirement that we ha�e ca11 to the
public. We're alsa allawed to have reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. 5a
restricting the amvunt of time to thirty minutes is well within aur pur�iew because
people have other means and methods to also provide comment ta us.
5o for this, the -- the -- kind of the beauty af the thirty minutes is that there's no -- like,
there's n❑ maximum number af people, this isn't limiting it to ten. 5o if peopEe keep
their comments shart, you can ha�e a lot of people make comments in thirty minutes.
They can't -- so going through here, the clerk is gaing t❑ nate at the t�eginning of the call
to t�re publi�, the time, and say that in thirty minutes the -- the call t❑ the public will
conclude. Those -- they wi11 be all�wed a maximum ❑f three minutes. And they can't
take their three minutes and divvy it up. Althaugh, again, if they get off -- if they feave
the podium in iess than three minutes, and there's same6ody else wh❑ wants tfl �ame
up and speak, as many people who can fit into that thirty minutes can.
Df course, as normal, for call ta the puk�iic, the presiding affieer can anly do a few things.
�ne is to ask -- thank the speaker for addressing the issue, and ask the staff t❑ review
the matter. I remo�ed in here -- and we'll put it -- put in later, the ability ta respand to
direct criticism. And that's really t❑ make sure that we allow the speakers that ha�e
their thirty minutes, we've got a block that's dedicated ta people ta come in and say
their piece, they get that thirty minutes. And then you guys get your time, y�u know,
you didn't -- if you wanted tfl -- ta respond to criticism, you da that after the �all ta the
public's done so that we can get through that thirty minutes and we Gan get -- get as
many public comments in as possible,
7his is the same lights and sound as was in the pre�ious section. And, again, the
microphone can be muted when the time expires. So they get their three minutes and
Page 18 of 38
TflWN DF �OLfNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2Q, 2U2fi WORI[ 5E551nN
we -- and it can be muted. And then when the time has expired, that's it. Anyane
speaking will need t❑ canclude their remarks. And na further speakers allawed that --
that night. 6ut, again, speakers who are unable to speak can email comments to the
cauncil.
And then -- and then following that is the cauncil discussian and direction to the Town
Manager. Memhers af the council may request the Tflwn Manager to follow up on
matters raised at the meeting, request tw❑ minutes to respand t❑ directed criticism
raised at any partion of the meeting, and then -- or as has always happened, a
�onsensus the council may request the Town Manager research ancf report back. And,
again, this is trying t❑ -- I know you -- have a mare �rderly meeting and allow us to get
it -- ❑ut at a decent time. 5o this way, yau can, you know, if ypu felt like you were
unfairly �riticized, you can respand ta thase criticisms during this portion.
Ar�d then the future agenda items. And that, I think, is -- again, that's the same
statements, it's just been mflved. I don't belie�e I changed anything as to how the
councilmembers �an add something to the item.
And then we have clarified the request to comment cards. This is th� same as before.
We did include in a sample request t� comment card at the end of this. I don't think it
was included in this redline, but it is in the final document because we were waiting on
some technical issues ta be resol�ed for that ane. 6ut it is in the final document yau
ha�e in your pa�ket. It. It makes �lear that there are sufficient dQcuments, that they'I!
be retained -- actually, all this, even the green stuff -- oh, we did make clear tFrat the
speakers will be called in the ❑rder they were received between -- alternating between
those far and against. So that was added. That part was added, the for and against.
And then again, as it always has been, if a speaker choases not to speak when cailed,
they'�e waived their, his or her, opportunity. T�at's always been there.
And that statement to request a camment card submitted by those wha indicate they
will not speak will be grouped by for and against. That's always been in there. 5a again,
I'm not sure w�y it's saying -- it's redlined.
Maintaining proper de�orum in accordance with -- and sa, again, going instead af having
Page 19 of 38
TaWN �F Fal1NTAIN FiELLS
JANUARY 20, 202fi WORIC 5E551�N
lats of different dec�rum within this se�tion, 1'�e just referred peaple #�ack to Se�tian 5,
and noting that it has to be observed by councilmembers, by speakers, and providing
testimany and remarks by the audience. And that actualEy existed hefore, it was just, I
think, either somewhere else or -- but that was always the case.
Ar►d that the presiding afficer keeps control of the meeting in accardance with
subsectian 6.4. 5o that goes over the, you knaw, 6reaches -- what happens when
there's a breach af decorum.
And t{�en we made clear that the regular meeting li�e stream must 4�e a�ailable, and
that monitors are going to be pkaced ❑utside the �ouncil chambers so that, you know,
that it's a�ailable for people to watch, you know, both in -- in -- you know, in the hall
and in here and anline and that there's lots �f places for people -- for this meeting to be
publicly a�ailable. And I did add in, absent una�aidable technical difficulties, that's not
supposed ta be like, a�ps, I unplugged it, you know, like there's got to be a real reason,
justifiable reas�n for it to nat he li�e streamed. Like, I dan't know, YouTube is down.
Like, you can't -- mayhe I should ha�e put force majeure or something, you know, where
act of nature or God. But that's basically -- that`s the same thought, is it has t❑ be
completely unavoidabie and yau have ta be able to justify that, why it was una�oidable.
And then I think this is actually all the same -- this is for speciai meetings. I'm nat sure
why it's showing up as red here. This has always been t�e case, and I believe that's the
statements that it said k�ef�re, that the public comment is nat provided far special
meetings, faut may be appro�ed by consensus af council, unless there's a-- it's a public
hearing for some reas�n as a special sessian. But I believe -- I don`t belie�e I added that.
That's just maybe a m�ve ar change, but that's the way special sessions have always
beer�.
And then it has the -- I-- I just made clear where t❑ -- ❑h, that -- that referring back to
5.2. So rather than redefining e�erything, you're going back ta the agenda definitions in
the sectiar� before using the same agenda order. 5o we'�e gat call -- call ta order and
Pledge af Allegiance, roll call, consent. And not that there wauidn't he an explanatary
paragraph, just that that's -- we'�e already stated that the cansent agenda requires an
Page 20 of 38
TOWN �F FQUNTAIN HILLS
IANUARY 2�, 2025 WOR1( SE551ON
explanatory paragraph in the pre�ious section. Sa that's redundant here. So I was just
trying to refer back so that people know where ta go for definitians. This is just what
the agenda laaks iike. And again regular agenda is what we say. We dan't have action
items on the agenda. So eanforming that with aur practi�e.
And same ❑n this next seetion, work sessian. Again, referring people back to the
definitions in 5.2. And this is actuaEly, again, all the way -- the way it's always been. 5o
!'m nat sure why it's showing up as green. And the wQrk session agenda and just making
clear, state the following, we did add that there because that's different. That's nat
something that's on any other -- it's not in 5.2. 5a we had t❑ define that here. And
that's the end af that section. And that's why that's-- that's kind of the definition
within -- the additiona! definition that isn't in 5.2.
All right. And then conducting th� meeting. 5o I mflved around the rule -- some ❑f the
things in the rules of decorum, I put all ❑f the different mations in one section. 5o
they're all defined in the same place. 5a I didn't remo�e paints of order. I just mo�ed it
down ta where all the motions are, because you had one motion defined at the very
k�eginning, and the rest flf the mations all defined later on. Sa we didn't remove that,
we just maved it.
5o then -- we -- again, the appkication, this is -- this has afways been there. The rules flf
decarum apply t❑ counc+lmembers, employees, the public. And then again, moving it
hecause it's at��iously any unautharized remarks, like, all the kind ❑f how yau behave
are under the rules af decorum, like the pu�Oli� isn't -- doesn't have a different set af
standards. If a councilmember were ta start applauding, stamping their feet, whistling
❑r baaing, they would also ha�e issues. So that was ma�ed down t� the rules of
deeorum. Not that any of you �ouncilmer-n6ers have ever done any Qf these things, but
we're again making it more understandahle and putting all the rules in ane section, ar�d
wha it's applied t❑ ir� a different section.
So and then many -- same flf these rules of decorum we added from the City of
Scottsdale. For instance, I loelie�e, that this number 1 was fram the City af Scottsdale.
That was a really good statement, that all councilmembers shall preserve arc{er and
Page 21 of 38
T�WN �F FOLlNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2fl, 2DZ6 WQRI[ 5E551QN
de�arum and shall not delay ar interrupt cauncil proceedings, �r refuse to foliaw the
directian of the presiding officer or the rules af procedure. Again, that came straight
from City of 5cottsdale. It was a gaad statement to add in.
The next one also, too, all councilmembers shall use the queuing equipment t❑ indicate
their desire t❑ speak. Came from 5cottsdale. You guys �a�e queuing equipment. You
can use that ta indicate your desire to speak.
The presiding ❑fficer shall not unreasonably withhold recognition from a cauncilmember
requesting ta speak. Hawe�er, the presiding afficer may call for a �ote as ta whether to
cantinue repetitive discussion or motion. Again, that came straight fram City af
Scattsdale's rules af de�orum.
Sa I'm trying nat to make up things, you knaw, l�ut taking instructions from where it's
working in Qther t�wns, I thought -- or in cities, is a great way t❑ ga. And if I remember
correctly, this too was alsa in the �ity of 5cottsciale, is a councilmember once
recagni2ed, limit remarks to no more than two minutes -- actualky, it was -- and shall not
be interrupted by speaking unless called to ❑rder by the presiding ❑fficer, or point of
❑rder or pri�ilege raised by another �ouncilmember. This is to ensure that as many
people can make comments and that the meetings don't g❑ long. And so that, again, I
believe we pulled that one straight from 5cottsdale.
Councilmember shall not be recogr�ized by the -- recognized by the presiding officer ta
speak multiple times on an issue under debate until every coun�ilmember has been
given an oppartunity to speak ❑n�e. Again, straight from Scottsdale. It seems like a
great way to keep the meeting mo�ing and the �oun�ilmemhers in the -- in the
committee thaught that that was a good ❑pportunity ta make sure that all the voices
are heard among the cauncilmembers.
If a councilmember is �alled to prder while speaking, he or she ceases speaking
immediately until the �all -- the question of order is determined. If it's ruled t❑ be aut af
order, he ar she shall remain silent and shall alter their remarks as to comply with the
rules af the coun�il. I'm ninety percent sure that that was already in aur rules of
prQcedure, but if nat, that came fr-om 5cottsdale. Again, that's really compliant with
Page 22 of 3$
TOWN pF FaUNTAIN HI�LS
JANl1ARY 2�, 20Z6 WflRI[ SESSIDN
Robert's Ruies of Order. If somebody is -- if a paint of order is done, you're supposeci to
stop speaking, anc! allow the point of order to t�e decided ❑n. And so just making sure
that that's ciear.
Remarks and questions by councilmembers should be �onfinecf to the issue under
debate. The councii shall noC discuss or debate issues that are not an the formal
agenda. If that was not already on there, it should ha�e been because that is a Dpen
Meeting Law violation if you're dis�ussing things that are not on the agenda. And that's,
you know -- it akso, you know, if peaple start speaking out af order, that gi�es yau an
oppartunity to do a paint of order t❑ make sure we stay on agenda.
Councilmembers shall refrain from making statements adverse to the interests of the
tawn. The legal question must be resol�ed before actian can be taken, and
councilmember may raise a paint ❑f pri�ilege to mave to go int❑ exe�uti�e session.
And then this was already in there, it's just mo�ed. You can tell because it's green. 5a
this one, it -- the system got right. 6ut all comments shafl be addressed t❑ the presiding
officer, wh❑ should decide if -- if any response is warranted and wham, if any one, shall
address the �oncern. Councikmembers may request upon recflgnition, �larifieation of
comments, or materials presented by speakers. Anyway, that's all -- that was all there
6efore.
And this was also already there, it's just t�een ma�ed. 5peaker shall not question
directly or debate matters under consideration with staff, other speakers, the audience,
coun�ilmembers; all remarks are addressed to the presiding �fficer, That's typical
Robert's Rules anyway. And that's what it stated previously.
50, again, sflme af these things, it doesn't -- because I did sa many mo�ing, not al! the
�hanges were identified precisely.
The next ane is the presiding officer shall not permit any conduct or statements that
disrupt or interfere with the orderly cnnduct Qr business of the meeting, such as -- and,
again, much ❑f this was taken from 5cottsdale. 5ome af this was taken from what we
already have, and others af it was added in based flff of the -- the meeting. 5a -- and I
believe aiready an there was personal tax, indecorous ianguage, ar behavi�r, yes, that
Page 23 of 38
TOWN DF fOUNTAIN HILLS
IANUARY Z0, Z02fi W�RI( SE5510N
was in the pre�iaus rules because we had to iooi� up what indecorous means. And we
thought it -- it described things well. 5o that was in there before. Defamatory
statements are not a First Amendment right. And those, I believe, were pr�hik�ited
befare. And if not, yvu, aga�n, there's n� First Amendment right to make defamatory
statements. Imputing motives, that is something that is very commnn among councils,
is not ta impute matives of those on, yau know -- espe�ially because that really gaes
ir�to defamation in a lot of times. Unauthorized -- and this agair� -- this was just mo�ed,
like, nobody can d� unauthorized demonstrations or cfisruptive �uthursts, no
threatening or intimidating commer�ts ar condu�t, whether o�ert or inferred, no yelling,
shouting or screaming, na a�Ousive or profane remarks, n❑ incitement flf �ialence or
other illegal acts, na fighting wards. I mean, these are kind ❑f, yau know, I dan't thin�C
anyone can really argue that you want that icind �f behavior in your meeting. 6ut it's
just making clear so that e�eryane knaws the rules of the game.
The presiding officer must also respect the civil rights of citizens. This means that while
the presiding officer shall maintain decarum, the presiding officer may not restrict
speakers from engaging in good faith criticisms of the town or the actions of the council,
and the presiding officer may not engage in �iewpoint dis�rimination. So despite the
fact that you ean't da personal attacks, yau can �riticize the actions of your go�ernment.
That's a First Amendment right. That is ahsolutely protected speech. And -- and we
�annot ha�e �iewpoint or content discrimination. And I just wanted to make clear of
that in there.
Ar+d then adding in, there's the next statement, fa�e co�erings that conceal the identity
❑f the wearer are not permitted at meetings except for properly fitted medica4 grade
gas masks or respirators, for bona fide medical condition warn at ali times by the wearer
except when recognized ta speak befare the council, or religious face �ovQrings that are
part of the wearer's core tenet af faith and part of the wearer's consistent pulalic
appearance. We ha�e had some meetings as ❑f recently where -- when things got
disruptive, people started putting an masks. And that was a little unner�ing, I think, for
many of the cauncilmembers. And sa that was something that they wanted made clear
Page 24 of 38
TOWN DF F�UNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY Z�, 2UZ6 WQRIC 5E5510N
that that's not okay.
And then again, making clear -- this is the enforcement of decorum, and this -- this is
just so people know what the rules are so that there's no questian as to es�alatian that
if proper order is not maintained, the �residing officer and -- the presiding officer always
had this authority, but just making it spelled out �lear, recess the meeting to abate the
disruption, cfirect law enforcement -- and some of the stuff was already in here, but it
was movecf -- direct faw enforcement t❑ remove any persons, persan or persans, whose
candu�t is disorderly or disrupti�e, clear the cauncil ct�ambers and restrict access. That
one was nat -- the other two were specifically laid aut, I f�elie�e, before. And then the
third one was just to make clear that that's something that if -- if it becames disrupti�e
in here, we can -- and hopefully that ne�er happens again. I mean, the point is to ne�er
get t❑ this point again. But that that's an ❑ption if -- if it hecame necessary.
The presiding officer shali also maintain decorum and -- and that's just -- there's real4y
no functiona! change. It's jusC making it less wordy -- or mo�ing the words around. And,
yeah, that was all already there before, so it's just restating what was already there
before -- or in the previaus ❑ne, but I guess maintaining it in the same function it was.
And that's a little bit redundant. But it's -- anyway, that way it's crystal ciear.
There`s n❑ changes to tele�onferen�e procedures.
The change in -- this just adds ba�k in the call to the public here. And just making �lear
people have to fili aut a request to comment Gards. And then talking abaut how the call
to tt�e publi� is n❑ more than thirty minutes. And, again, all these ❑ther things were
already there. But, again, e�en during the agenda item, now, there's at least an
objecti�e standard, that if there's more than ten cards, ther�'s something t❑ be done.
Thirty minutes is kind of what we -- you guys anticipate is the maximum per agenda
item far pulali� discussian.
And then -- and same thing that -- that -- that the presid�ng officer can limit speakers if --
if we need ta end in a timely manner. Like, if rrve'�e got a really huge agenda, and we'�e
got a-- it just gi�es some tools in the taalk�ox if we've got a really, really large agenda.
And again -- yeah.
Page 25 nf 38
TQWN OF F�UN�AIN HILLS
IANUARY ZD, 2026 WORK 5E551QN
And then this goes k�ack into the motian. 5o I think before I said I moved the point af
❑rder, I moved it into this section because it makes mare sense ta describe all the
motions in ane place. I did take the point of arder as we had before. And then
honestly, again, I borrowed fram 5cottsdale be�ause they had some really great
descriptians as ta what a point flf order is. 5a we added in some of tne statements
af�out how -- haw and when to use a point ❑f order. I alsa -- like, we weren't �onsistent.
If you look up here, we weren't consistent with haw we -- like, so we had raise a
question af pri�ilege, but we actuaily called it -- defineci it as a paint of order in there,
but we didn't define paint of privilege, so I added point of arder, which we already had,
and then added in a point of privilege, be�ause those are two technically dif�erent
things.
And then we had limit or extend time t❑ the debate, but then we had limit or terminate
discussian was the name ❑f the motion. 5a I didn't -- I didn't create that motion. That's
what was already there. And sa I just wanted them to be -- the motion ta limit or
terminate dis�ussian, so I just wanted what we described as the motions to match what
we defined as the motions. 5o that's all that was. That's nat functionally changing
anything because that's how they're defined below.
And then I also put them in the same order in which they are up tap. 5a it starts with
the -- we did -- pre�iously, we did not define fixed time t❑ adjourn, adjourn or recess. I
didn'C add those in because � thought that was a little bit outside of the s�ope, because
this is mostly about decorum and about, you know, bringing ba�k call to the public and
these ❑nes kind af, the paint of order and point of pri�ilege, kind of go hand in hand
with thflse. 5❑ I didn't add in, except for point of privilege and extending the point af
order, new definitions. But I would say o�er time in phase twQ that we are a little bit
more explicit to make sure we define all matians, sa we don't ha�e to iook at multiple
documents. We don't ha�e t❑ go to Robert's Rules. We dan't ha�e to go to the ather
two baoks that we refer to for the -- what -- what's the definitian.
Y�ah. And so I'm not sure which partian af the poir�t af order is changed or different,
but we just made it -- again, taak what we had ir� there, added in same of what
Page 26 of 38
TOWN DF FOUNTAIN FiIL�S
JANUARY 2U, Z02fi WORI( 5ES51aN
5cottsdale said because it made it more understandable. And then, yeah. And then
paint of privilege, this included same of 5cottsdale stuff and then stuff ta make -- there
is twa different kinds of point af pri�ilege. There's persanaf pri�ilege and general
privil�ge. And so just made sure that those are clear. Sa people understand what point
of privilege is.
N❑ �4�anges to motions ❑n the table. Mation t❑ limit or terminate discussion. I ma�ed
the mation to amend. !t's identical except -- yeah. And then so again I just tried t❑ put
it ir� the same arder they were before. Motion ta �antinue, same with that, I didn't add
that in, it was just mo�ed. Motian to postpone indefinitely, same thing. That's just
been maved. It hasn't been added. Yeah, All af that was the same as before.
And then casting a vote. And I dan't think I added that in. I'm not sure why it's shawing
it did, because that's t�e way it's always been. I guess, right now, we always d❑ a rall
cafl �ote, t�ut I don't think that I-- that was not changed. Again, I'm not sure if because
it was a campare do�ument, it added -- it ehanged some things, but ol��iously the
pre�ious statement bef�re did not end within that, sa that's -- that's the way it's always
been. Oh, yeah, yoU �an see in the next page it -- it blocks -- it lines ❑ut what was there
before, which is identical t� what is up before. 5o I think it's just because it gflt moved.
And here's another example of where the �CR was wrong. It had an L instead of I in
interest an bath those statements, and actually on a{I four times it says interest an that
page, those were small Ls instead of the letter I. 5a thase aren`t functional changes.
They were just changes.
No change in conflict af interest. Oh, I just ta -- to be conforming like capitalizing
subsectian, and when we're referring to something else, that's just a canformity issue.
But that's not a change in anything. I certainly did not touch your cade of ethi�s, again,
except far here, that's a little L in influence instead ❑f a big i. 5o that's the -- that's why
there's a change there. 6ut none af that was changed.
Boards and �ommissions. And then -- oh, yeah, include -- as you can see here, it was
there, it's just -- I don't know why it's seeing that as a �hange because that was already
there. And then that was showing as it laoks like an L instead of a 1, sa changed that to
Page 27 of 38
TOWN OF F�UNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2U, 202fi WORK SE5510N
a 1.
Oo�s. Qid not mean to skip that page. Again, call for applicants. Again, this was just --
ah, it had a Eittle L instead of 1. And -- and then, yeah, there's -- I think I made -- oh, I
made that ane paragraph so via the tawn`s ❑ffi�ial that -- again, that's just making a
lawer�ase L.
No changes in ad�ertisement. No changes in staff review. No changes in these pages
here. And I didn't add that -- oh, yeah, you Gan see it deleted it from the page before.
S❑ I think there was a page break. And sa I pulled it up a page sa it laoked like it
deleted. But that's the identical language as you can see from the next page, be�ause I
was not tauching any other sections. Nathirrg in these pages.
And you can see an the bottom af this page, where it says ex afficio, you can see it
�rossed out again. This was just -- I was -- I t�ink there was some typographical error in
that, but you can see that it's the exact same language as what's crassed aut. 5a there
was no changes there.
And then here are anather one. It's a staggered tenns instead of terms. It had twa Ns.
So that was just making that staggered terms. Again, the next page alsa it said terms. It
had a 1-- I don't know how it got a 1. That's ❑CR far you.
N❑ ehanges ta any of these pa�es.
And then the sample request ta �omment card, which I believe is in your pa�ket -- in the
final version that you have there that has the request t❑ comment card. 5� you see that
in the agenda packet as the final document.
Ali right. 5o thase are all the changes, Mr. Mayor.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Vice Mayor?
VVC� MAYDR SKILLiCORN: Mr. Mayor, I assume you`re nat la�king fflr a formal motion.
How are you �lanrring on -- i know we're just looking far �onsensus t� mave forward.
How are you laoking t❑ gather that consensus?
MAYOR FRIEDEL: I ti�it�k a head nad to rnave this to an agenda item.
C�UNCILMEMBER EARLE: Yeah. At this point, I need t❑ know if there's concerns,
changes, things yau would like To see in this document so that we can make any final
Page �8 of 38
TaWN OF FQUNTAIN HfLlS
lANi1ARY 2fl, 202fi WaRK SE551QN
edits, and then either bring that back far another wark session discussian or if they are
minimal, bring that �ack for a fulf council discussion and patential adoption. 5a looking
to get a sense af fi�aw the body feels about these changes, about this draft, and any edits
you'd like to see.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Councilw�man Larra�ee?
CDIJNCILMEMBER LARRABEE: I just wanted to say that my -- my recommendation
wauld be to mo�e forward with no changes.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Councilwflman McMahpn?
COIJNCILMEMBER MCMAN�lV: Ti�ank you �ery much. How do we want to handle this
because I have some �on�erns abnut a �auple af the revisions and things an the -- on
the rules. 5o da y�u want me ta g� thraugh my concerns or da you want to, yau know,
if anybody else has a concern abaut any af the similar same things, allow them to
discuss it, ar haw do you want to handle this?
T�WN RTT�RNEY WRIGHT: That's up to Mr. Mayor.
MAYQR FRIEDEL: Can you list yaur concerns in a, I don't want t❑ say quick, but sa that
we can get -- you can address your canc�rns so we ha�e an idea ❑f what you're talking
alaout with a-- without a long dissertation. Can you do that for us?
COL1lVCILMEMBER MCMAHON: I'll do my best.
MAY�R �RIEDEL: Thank you.
COLINCILMEMBER MCMAHON: Because in reading this, and you know, the statement
of partiGipation, you know, na clapping. 5o now the anly time we can clap is
pro�lamation or awards, clarification on that, because --
T�WN ATT�RIVEY WRIGHT: Yeah, that's the way it currently is and that's the way it
was --
COUfVCILMEMBER MCMAHflN: -- people are going ta clap anyway.
T�WN ATTORNEY WRIGH�: -- in the prior one.
C�UNCILMEMBER MCMAHaN: Yeah. 50 --
T�WN ATTORNEY WR3GHT: 5a the prior one hatf the -- the -- the thing that yau could
not clap, although the -- it said limited in the statement af participation, that actually
Rage 29 af 38
TQWIV OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2U, 2fl2fi WQRi( 5E551nN
was the apposite of what it said in the rules of decorum.
COUNCILMEMBER MCMAH�N: Um-hum.
T�WN ATT�RNEY WRIGHT: Sa those need to be consistent. 5o that's not a�tually
changing the rules. It's just making sure people understand the rules, which I think is
very important.
CnUNCILMEMBER EARLE: Okay. S❑ also I'm cancerned about the Tawn Clerk having to
alternate between for and against in the camment �ards faecause, yau know, when I
❑bserved them, they're really busy. ihey're intent on, you know, doing everything
carre�t, et cetera. And I think ha�ing to report the �ards like that, I think would be
cumbersome for them. 5a I'm not sure that that's really a goad Edea to ha�e them do,
because when comment cards have �ame in before, they haven't read them, for the
mast part. They've said, you knaw, ten f�r, ten against, et �etera. So to me, I thought
that was pretty concise and -- and proper use -- you know, a wise use of their time, yau
know, ❑ther than being distracting and going ba�k and forth. 6ut that's for them ta talk
to the Town Manager about.
Under -- under call ta the pu4�lic, I am really concerned about a councilmemloer being
ahle to respond t❑ criticism. I think that my concern with that is when you're a person
speaking, it's not an an agendized item, antf we're all sitting here. And it was my
understanding that, ac�arding to the rules, the council should not discuss ar take actian
an a matter raised during call ta the publiG unless properly noticed, because t�rat was
when Open Meeting Law violatian, you know, came up a couple af times and --
T�WN ATTDRNEY WRIGHT: And t❑ -- o�, I'm sorry.
COLINCILMEMBER MCMAH�N: And I'm concerned because generally we can't for a lat
of reasons. I think it opens deloate. 1 think it -- it, yau knaw, that it's samething that it's
�ust nat agerrdized. And we ha�en't done it in the past.
In addition, and mayk�e I'm reading this wrong, under the rules of decorum, n❑
touncilmember shall en�age in debate dire�tly with such spea{cers, representatives, or
town staff. 5� it seems to me like if you're going to allow that, then this is a
contradiction ❑f that. And my conGern �s one o� the reasons why you gave for amending
Page 3� vf 38
TOWN QF FOUNTAIN HILLS
JANl1ARY 20, 2Q26 WORK 5E5510N
call to the pu�lic was so that we wouldn't have ❑pen Meeting Law �iolatiQns.
TOWN ATTORNEY WRIGHT: Yeah. 5a just to clarify, you'�e always had the ability ta
respand to criticisms. That's something t�at this council has used liberally. This is not
adding something you`�e ne�er had. Instead, it's actually limiting it t❑ some degree
where it's at the end af thE meeting, s❑ it's not directiy ba�k and forth with the
individual.
Second of all, I did loak inta this, and the attorney general, I think it was in Z018, issued
an apinion saying that you had ta pravide coun�ilmembers the ❑pportunity to respand
to criticism in -- during publi� meetings, that it would be �n �pen Meeting Violation to
not allow them -- ar maybe, I don't -- actually, I'd have to go ba�k t❑ see exactly which
violation it was. But, you know, we did -- I did loak at the -- the -- the legality of
responding to criticism. And what I found is that if i remaved it all together, that th�n
you would have a �iolati�n, accarding to an attarney general apinian that was issued
some time aga. Sa it remains there, but it's at the end, and you're allowed to respond
directly ta criticism.
I will say if there's defamatory statements or personal attacks, those can be a point of
personal pri�iiege. 5o if some6ody is alleging aflegatians and calling a councilmember,
ar any persan, foe�ause it's persanal attacks of any sort, so if there's an atta�k claiming
that samebody is a pedophile flr somebody is this or somebody is that, tii�52 -- UIlIE55
it's, yau kn�w -- that's personal attack and that's defamatory, potentially defamatory, 1
mean, unless they are a convicted pedophile. But in those cases, would be points af
personal pri�ilege, which wauld then also stop the -- the persan's ability ta make
statements that are, yau know, defamatory.
But if it's a criticism, like, I don't like the way yau're doing your jak� as a tflwn
councilmember, that's samething that we have to allow the public ta dfl under the First
Amendment, even if it's uncomfortable at times.
COIJNCII.MEMBER MCMAH�fV: �kay. I don't understand why we`re remflving the
coun�il shall nat dis�uss or take a�tion on matters not raised withflut praperly noticed. I
dgn't understand why we're remo�ing that.
Page 31 of 38
TaWN �F FOUNTAIN HlLLS
JANIJARY 20, 202fi W�RK SE551�N
TQWN ATTORNEY WRIGWT: We didn't remo�e it. We just mo�ed it.
C�UNCiLMEMBER MCMANON: And, in addition, future agenda items, isn't that going ta
be a burden on the staff ta ha�e something come up in the next three meetings?
6ecause often they're planned in ad�ance and they're planned according to the need, is
my understanding. 5a t❑ impase --
TOWN AYTORNEY WRIGHT: That's been in existen�e now since befare I was Town
Attorney. That's not something I added.
COIJNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: �kay. Thank you. I'm alsa wondering about the
camment abaut c�uncilmemloers �an't make statements adverse to the town. I knaw
where that's coming fram. But up here, when we talk as councilmembers, it's our
legislative -- it's our duty t❑ basically le$islate, discuss things, some things -- you know, if
I vote against something the staff re�ommends, is that ad�erse t❑ the tawn?
TOWN ATTQRNEY WRIGHT: No.
CDUNCILMEMBER MCMAH�N: If we takk about it or state things and debate it, et
cetera, then, you knaw, is that going ta be ad�erse t❑ the t�wn? I mean, that's a
suhjective thing. What's adverse t❑ the town in a Ivt ❑f ways --
T�WN ATTQRNEY WRIGHT: Making statements that the town --
CQIJNCILMEMgER MCMAHON: -- and ! think that --
TQWN ATT�RNEY WRIGHT: -- �iolated the law in same way, shape or farm wauld he
adverse to the town.
COUNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: You know, I think that we have a duty t❑ exer�ise
independent judgment and weigh in on legal staff advice, poli�y consideration, facts, et
cetera. It's nat uncammon far us to maybe question that or ha�e our apinian that might
lae ad�erse to same, but not adverse ta th� pers�n stating it. We can apenly disagree.
And my concerr� is, is that if you have that in there, it's hinciering us and infringing on
aur right to free speech and our thoughts and expressing them.
Because I always do my homework, I go through, I explain my vote fpr a reason. I
explain it so that our residents understand why I'm voting that way, and ta tell me that I
can't make statements adverse to the tawn, I think that's unconstitutiQnal. You know,
Rage 32 of 38
TOWN QF F�UNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 2U, 2UZ6 WORIC 5E5510N
like for in -- and we've all dane it. Even people voted to not defend a-- councilmembers
voted t❑ n�t defend a lawsuit against the town. Isn't that ad�erse? I mean, I-- I don't
think that that is constEtutianally --
MAY�R FRIE�E�.: ❑kay.
CQtJNCILMEMBER MCMAHDN: -- acceptabfe.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: We need to mo�e ❑n. We've got ❑ther cauncilmembers that need
to -- need t❑ chime in.
COUNCILM�MBER MCMAHDN: Welf, I didn't get t❑ participate in this. And now yau're
tellir�g me --
MAY�R FRIE�EL: Okay.
COLINCILMEMBER MCMAH�N: -- that I further can't participate in --
MAY�R FRIEQEL: You'll have -- yau'll ha�e --
COIJNCILMEMBER MCMAHON: -- expressing my camments on the rules af pracedure.
MAY�R FRIEDEl.: You will have another opportunity k�ecause when we agendize this --
CDUNCILMEMgER MCMAHQN: Jerry--
MAYOR FRIEDEL: -- item, you will ha�e -- you will ha�e more than ample time.
CDLINCILMEMBER MCMAHON: I of�ject to it. Thank yau.
MAY�R FRIEbEL: Thank you.
Councilman Watts?
CDl]NCiLMEMBER WATTS: Thank you, Mayor.
I think that the sky is not falling, but I agree with Peggy McMahon that the comment
abaut public photagraphy -- professianal photographers really is an accommodatian.
You never see any of the 5tate, Senate, Cangress, the phatographers are in back. We
ha�e t❑ make an accor-nmodation, we ha�e to make space. If there's a lot ❑f news
media, tfi�ere's a Iot of photographers, we ha�e to take away some �hairs. 5a l think
mayhe rewording a little bit to make sure that it's clear that we're not daing anything t❑
restrict, that we're simply doing it t❑ make accommadations. 5o I'm in agreement with
her an that. And --
MAYOR FRIEbEL: For the record -- for the record, I didn'i see that as limiting their
Page 33 of 38
TOWN flF FdUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 24, 2D26 WQRK 5E551pN
access to our meetings at all. Just giving notice.
CDUNCILMEMBEft WAYTS: Yeah, right.
T�WN ATTORNEY WRlGHT: N4. And rnaybe I need ta just -- instead of saying -- I think
mayk�e I used the word get written appraval, maybe I just need to say, you knvw, just
get -- just make nati�e, pro�ide notice, advance natice so that we can make
accommodations.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: That's -- that's fair.
COIJNCILMEM6ER WATTS: Perfect. Thank you.
T�WN ATTDRNEY WRIGHT: Um-hum. That's fine.
MAY�R FRIE�EL: Councilwoman Earle?
CDIJIVCILMEMBER EARLE: I just want to put it an the recard that I would like to see this
mo�e farward as is, and with those changes.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Vice Mayor?
VICE MAY�R SKILLICDRN: Yeah. I want t❑ agree with the ather coun�ilwamen that I
would like us to mo�e farward as discussed.
MAY�R FRI�QEL: Councilperson Kalivianakis?
CDIJNCILMEM6ER KALIVIANAICIS: Thank you, Mr, Mayar.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Brief, please.
C�LINCILMEMBER KALIVIANAKIS: I thank you for recagni2ing me.
MAY�R FRiE�EL: Yau're wel�ome.
C�UNCILMEMBER KALIVIANAKlS: Okay. I-- 1 would just like ta say to the body that I
object to this whole proceedin� taday. But mare impartantly, hecause it's -- we're on
the �erge of a town council meeting. We are -- this is suppased t❑ be a workshop. I'�e
been on this council for three years now, and I've dane a lot of workshaps. A workshop
is supposed to salicit the apinions flf the se�en. IVow, in this case, that was taken away
because it was put t❑ a cammittee of three who are naw chomping at the bit t❑ end
debate tonight. I-- and the nates that I ha�e, parti�ularly, on pages 28, 34, 40. 44, 52,
would -- I would �ike t❑ dis�uss with the Town Attorney. 1t would probably take a half an
hour �utting into ❑ur town council meeting.
Page 34 of 38
TDWN flF FQ[1fVTAIN HILLS
IANUARY 20, 2025 W�RI{ SES510N
I-- i think that these are issues that need tfl be talked abaut. I don't know what the rush
is, if we extendet{ this work sessian to another date, sa we can all -- like councilwomen
dflwn there, Councilman Watts, we da ha�e things that we'd like to flesh aut. Ef we go
straight from here to putting it an the agenda, it seems like it's gaing to be rubber
stamped. We're not gaing to have the thoughtful process that we are going to need to
write the best code that we Gan. This is nothing that should be hurried. This is
samething that shauld �e thoughtful. It should be deliberated. We shnuld he discussing
it. !f we have ta go back and forth, we can go baek and forth with respectful defaate.
You know, this limiting the �all to the pubEic to thirty minutes, and putting in at the end
of the meeting, and justifying it because, well, it's k�etter than what we did ending it, and
5�ottsdale did it. 5c�ttsdale is in turmoil. If yau read the articles, if you read 5cottsdale
Progress, if you read the newspapers, that's a-- that's a tawn in meltdown. And for us
to sit here like little soldiers and say, oh, we're going to justify it because our big sister
5�ottsdale is daing this, you know, I think that we should do better -- a hell of a lot
better than S�ottsdale has been daing lately.
! don't understand how we can limit the debate af this cauncil to two minutes. This --
this is kind ❑f becoming -- and this is all aver the country. Yau've got a very strong
executi�e branch, you've got a �ery strong 5upreme Cnurt, and the �flice af the
legislature, which is us, is all the sudden, an irrelevancy, samething that should just be
ignored. Oh, it's a-- it's the legislature. You know, we can just write executi�e orders
and take things to the Supreme Court. I reject that. When we discuss of -- the miflians
and millions of dolEars' worth of budget, we da major zoning, like we did with Sandar
and with Senderos, and with widening the 5hea Boulevard ant! many other things that
this councii has debated to two minutes is -- you knaw, when I give a speech, that's just
enaugh time to identify wha ! am and why I'm here.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Weil, maybe we need to �lean that up a little bit. But the urgency is
k�ecause the constituents in this tawn want the calf t❑ the public brought bacic. That's
part of the urgency. Yaur constituents, mine, Rick's, �ayle's, Peggy's, Allen's, and
Hannah's, that's --
Page 35 of 38
T�WN DF FQUNTAIN HILLS
JAIVUARY 20, 2U25 WdRIC SE55lON
CQUNCILMEMBER KALIVIANAKIS: Then let's bring it ba�k the way it was.
MAY�R FRIEQEL: -- that's -- that's the first thing. And, secondly, yau can bring up your
items. We're going ta agendi2e this. You ean bring up your thoughts for concern. I
dan't see demonstrative change ta wt�at we had ta what we're going to. ! don't -- I
dan't see a whole lot of change to it. There's -- there's a couple --
C�IJNCILMEM6ER KALIVIANAKIS: Limiting a defaate to two -- two minutes is -- is -- it's
ridiculaus.
MAY�R FRIE�EL: No, it's nat.
CnL1NCILMEMBER KALIVIANAIClS: Yau can't -- you can't make a cogent case in two
minutes.
MAY�R FR1EbEL: Yes, you can.
��UNCILMEMBER KALIVIANAKlS: It toak an hourjust t❑ describe the changes that were
said to be minQr here.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Well, that's because we went over --
CQLINCILMEMBER !(ALIVIANAKI5: Yau �an't --
MAYOR FRIEDEL: -- we went over e�ery grammatical error, all the punctuation and --
CQUNCILMEM6ER KALIVIANAKIS: We talk --
MAYOR FRIEDEL: -- and e�erything else.
CdUNCILMEMBER KALIVIANAKIS: -- we talk at�out issues that affect e�ery single life in
this tawn and the maney that we tax them on, and to limit the debate, ta just 6ring
things on the agenda, I'll gi�e you tw❑ minutes and rubber stamp it, is nat -- nat a good
way to do business. And it's nat a-- not a goad way ta proceed.
MAYDR FR4E�EL: A41 right.
COUNClLMEM6ER KALIVIANAKIS: That's why I think we sh�uld bring it back for one
more work session. We �an straighten it out, and therr we can proceed.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Your point -- yaur point is taken.
Vice mayor?
VICE MAY�R SKILLICORN: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. i just want to point aut, when I was in
legislature, I was limited to tw❑ minutes. I had to be �oncise.
Page 3fi of 38
rawN oF Four�rai� �ius
IANUARY 2U, ZQ26 W�RI[ SESSION
MAY�R FRfEDEL: Councilwoman Larrabee?
C�UNCILMEM6ER LARRABEE: Thank you, Mayor. I wanted to Glarify that it's -- it's
saying two minutes for the cauncilmember's comment. It's -- it's so that e�eryone an
this cauneil has an opportunity to speak on the issue. We don't -- it's pre�enting the
appartunity for a filibuster, right? And it's allflwing fflr, vkay, you'�e had your tw❑
minutes, you can respond afterwards, we can cont�nue debate. But we need tn allow if
we have multiple people wanting t❑ speak on an issue, we need to ensure that there are
time -- there is time far thase multi�le people ta speak on the issue. And it also means
that we go hame at a reasonable hour, So, for example, if we are ha�ing a spee�h ab�ut
aur issues with rules ❑f procedure, rarrdom example, and instead of speaking abaut aur
issues af the rules of procedure changes, we speak ahout the fact that we're angry that
we change the rules af procedure f�r ten minutes, maybe we cauld shorten those
camments. It�S fUSC d SUg��StlDllr completely random.
TaWN AT70RNEV WRIGHT: 1f I may? That is correct. It's two minutes for your initiai
statements, and then e�eryone else gets an opportunity s❑ that everyane on the counGil
has an ❑ppartunity to be heard on an issue. And then there's nothing saying you
couldn't be -- the presiding afficer ear�'t -- wouldn't recognize the speaker again for
further camments. 5a unless there's a motion to limit debate �r stop debate.
MAYDR fRIEDEL: Correet. 5o yau'll ha�e mare than tw❑ minutes.
We're going to end this right now 6ecause IT needs to get set up f�r the �ouncil meeting
that's coming up. 5o we're going t❑ adjourn this work session. And I think dire�tion has
k�een giver� ta k�ring this back as an agenda item so that ❑ther paints can 6e made.
Thank yau.
Page 37 af 38
TOWN �F FQUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY Z0, 2fl25 WORIC 5E551aN
HAVING N� Fl.1RTHER BU51NES5, MAYQR GERRY M. FRIE�EL A�JDURNEQTHE W�RK
SES5IDN OF THE F�UNTAIN HILLS T�WN C��INCIL HEL� ON JANUARY 20, 2026, AT
5:14 P.M.
APPROVEO: '
""-U
GERRY FRIEDEL, MAYDR
ATTEST:
BEVELYN J. NbER, TQWN CLERK
CERTIFICATION
I FiERE6Y CERTIFYTHATTHE FOREGQ4N�, MINUTES ARE ATRUE AI�❑ CORRECT C�PY OF
THE MINLJTES ❑F THE REGIJLAR TQWN C�UNCIL MEETiNG �F THE T�WN C�UNCIL,
TOWN OF �DUIVTAIN HILLS, HELD ON JANUARY 2�, 2026. I FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE
MEETING WA5 QIJLY CALLEd ANb HELD AN� THAT A QU�RUM WA5 PRESENT.
gEVELYN J. BENDER, ��WN CLERK
Page 38 of 38