HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.0505.TCRS.VERBATIM.TRANSCRIPTT�WN ❑F FQUNTAIN HfLLS
MINUTES �F THE REGULAR C�UNCIL MEETING
�F THE T�WN QF F�UNTAIN HILLS
MAY 5, 2026
A Regular Meeting af the Fountain Hilis Tflwn Cflun�il was canvened at 167�5 E.
Avenue of the Fauntains in apen and public sessivn at 5:3a p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Gerry M. Friedel; Vice Mayar Gayle Earle; Cauncilmember
Brenda Kalivianakis; Coun�ilmemi�er Rick Watts; Councilmember Peggy McMahon;
Councilm�mber Allen Skillicorn
Cvuncilmember Hannah Larrabee attended by telephane canference call
5taff Present: Town Manager Ra�hael Goodwin; Tawn Attorney Jennif�r J. Wright;
Tawn Clerk Bevelyn J. Bender
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Post-Production File
Town of Fountain Hills
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
M�y 05, 2�26
Transcription Provided 6y:
e5cribers, LLC
* * * � �
Transcriptian is pr�vided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may nat
be a totally verbatim record of the praceedings.
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Page 1 of 33
"rCWiV �F fOU�iTAIfV HILL5
MAY �S, 2�2C,, Tt]WN CUk�fVClt MEET�NG �VIIiVLliES
EARLE: Dkay. Now we will again, far those -- if anylaody �ame in late, our -- the
Mayor -- you might nat+ce I look a little different. He's ❑ver at the cammunity center ta
welcome guests ta aur town.
So I'd like to start -- oh. Let`s see. �alf to order first. I did that. ❑kay.
We will start with the Pledge af AElegiance.
ALL: I pledge allegiance to the flag af the United States of America, and to Che republic
for which it stands. �ne nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice far all.
EARLE: lNe now have the in�ocation. It's pro�ided by Regan Mit�hell. And please --
stand, if you so please.
MlTCHELL: First, I'd like to thank the Caun�il for inviting me, and I appreciate the
❑pportunity it is to da this today. If you are able and if y�u wauld like, wauld you baw
your heads and pray with me?
God, I pray far two things today, �.ord. We come on 6ehalf this Coun�il in ihis town. We
ask for unity and charity. Would we be unified in that we are here to represent the
town. We are here to represent the interests af the town. And I pray that each
member of the Cauncil today would have grace, would ha�� wisdom, and would have
�larity.
And then I pray far charity, Lord, that we in this roam, would ha�e charity for one
anather. While we may have disagreements, while we may disagree on things and
policies, wouid we ha�e charity with one anather as peopl�? And would we came
together? Would we be �ivil, and waulci we be kinci?
I pray these twa things Lard, charity and ur�ity. It's in Christ's name. Amen.
Thank you both.
Thank you, e�eryone.
EARLE: 7hank yau. Now, I'd like to call on the Tawn Clerk.
Can I please ha�e a rall call?
BEN�ER: Vice Mayor Earle.
EARLE: Nere.
BENDER: Cauncilmember Skillicarn.
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TQ1A1N GF FUUN'fAIN FlILLS
INAY Q5, 2p26, TQL'�1�i C�:;NCIL UIECi'ING MINU7E5
5KILLICORN: Here.
BENDER: Councilmem�er Kali�ianakis.
KALIVIAI�AKiS: Here.
BENdER: Cauncilmember Watts.
WATTS: Here.
6ENDER: Councilmember Larrabee.
LARRABEE: Here.
6ENDER: Cauncilmember McMahon.
MCMAHON: Present.
BENDER: Vice May�r, you have a quorum.
EARLE: Yhank you.
Now, I w�uld like t❑ call an the Town Manager.
GQQaWlN: Thank you, Vice Mayor.
I have a few updates for e�eryone this evening, so bear with me.
First, I want ta share a brief recognition of our finance team. The town recently
recei�ed its 3�th cansecutive Certificate of Achie�ement of Excellence in �inancial
Reporting fram the GF�A, the Go�ernment Finance ❑fficers Association, for Fiscal Year
2fl25.
This is the highest form of recagnition in gaver�ment accaunting and fir�ancial reporting,
and recei�ing it far 3� consecuti�e years reflects a long standing cammitment ta
transparency, accauntability, and sound financial stewardship. So cflngratulations ta
our fiinance staff and everyane involved in that e�fart.
Pau1, I kn�w you're out there. Thanks ta you and the team far get -- far making that
happen and �ontinuing 3� years a� su��ess.
I als❑ want to recognize that this week is bath Puf�li� 5er�ice Recagnition Week and
Professional Municipal Clerks Week, both celebrated May 3rd through 9th. This is an
opportunity t❑ recognize the dedicated public ser�ants at every le�el ❑f go�ernment,
in�luding our own town em�loyees wh4 work each day to serve this community. I want
to sin�erely thank caur staff for the work that they do, ❑ften behind the scenes, to hel�
Page 3 of 33
rovuN oF �oun�ruir� �t��ts
IVIAYfl5, 2026, TOL'h!N CUUNCI� MEEiING M�11fUT�ES
Fauntain HiEls keep m�ving forward.
Lastly, I want to remind e�eryone that aur Summer kickvff event is caming up next
Saturday, May 15th, right before school I�ts out. The program is fram 5:3Q t❑ 9:0� at
Faur Peaks Park. It's the secand year �f this very popular program. It's something that
we ha�e found to be �ery, very suc�essful. There'll be waterslides, foad, a foam cannan.
Ryan is super excited abaut the foam cannon. If yau ha�en't seen him on our social
media promating that, yo�a should. It's pretty entertaining.
And then, af course, new this year we ha�e a main stage featuring local yauth
performances, including a high school garage band, dance performances, and the
Fauntain Hills Vouth Theater.
Wrapping up the evening is going to be a showing ❑f Zootopia 2 on the 5�-foot screen
❑ver at reminder. It's at 4 Peaks ParEc, and a speeial thank yau t� Fountain Hilfs High
Schaal staff for he�ping caordinate the local performances.
Vice mayar, that's my update.
EARLE: Thank you.
GDODWIN: 7har�k yflu.
EARLE: With that, we'i! move �n T� the praclamations, and I'm gaing to read the first
one, whi�h is a proclamation to rededi�ate 250th ❑ay, which is May 3.7th, 2026,
whereas, the lJnited States ap�roaches its 250th anniversary, in�iting reflection ❑n our
faunding principles and heritage. And whereas, faith, gratitude, and unity ha�e long
been foundational to our nati�n, and whereas Rededicate 25� is a national ju6ilee ❑f
prayer, praise, and thanksgiving scheduled on May 17th, 2026 on the National Mal! in
Washington, ❑.C.
It aims to mark the LJnited 5tates' 250th anniversary �y rededi�ating the country as one
natian under God, featuring religiaus ser�ices, speeches, and perf�rmances ta celebrate
American history.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that I. I'm not Gerry, t�ut I'm reading it for Gerry Friedel,
Mayor af the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, d❑ herehy proclaim May 17th, 2�26, as
Red�dicate 25� day, and encourage all citizens to observe this clay with refle�tion,
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TnWN DF FOU�TAIIV HiILS
FJIAY 45, 202fi, fOWN CaIJfVCiL MEETING I�IElNUTES
gratitude, and unity.
And with that, next, I wauld like to in�ite Coun�ilman 5killicorn to please read the next
one.
SKI�LICORN: Thank you, Madam Mayor.
5❑ I'd like to read a proclamation about ihursday's National Day of Prayer. 5o whereas
Ameri�ans have long saught God's guidance and blessings through prayer, ar�d whereas
our natian's founding documents refle�t a reiiance on di�ine pro�idence, and whereas,
the National Qay of Prayer, established hy Congress in 1952, designates the first
Thursday of May far a Natianal pay of Prayer, and whereas the 2026 theme is Giarify
God among the nations seeking him in all generations, from First Chroni�les 1624.
Now therefore -- iher�fore be it resolved, that the town af Fauntain Hills and Mayor
Gerry Friedel d❑ hereby praclaim May 7th, 2026, as the National Day of Prayer.
EARLE: We have t�e Parr2as -- did E say that righi -- to accept this?
[PAUSE]
SKIL.L.ICORN: And this is Pastar Rick Panza from Calvary Chapel. And als�, is it president
af the Ministerial Assaciation. All right, Rick.
PANZ�: Hi. Thank you. We at the Fountain Hills Christia�r Ministerial Association, we
a�tually had a meeting taday, and all ❑f the �hurches were tagether. We enjoy serving
the community tagether, where aur mission is just ta ser�e the �ommunity the best we
can, providing whate�er we can as churches together, and indi�idually reaching out to
the community.
So we're really happy about getting tagether and daing s�mething in the National ❑ay
❑f Prayer. That -- we're going t❑ have prayer ❑ut at the fauntain on Thursday at 8 a.m.
They da a prayer walk a little while after that up the Overlook Trail, and they pray at
that time.
And then aiso at the flagpale right out here. We meet at naan, and we ha�e a time af
prayer where we ha�e the people came out, the churches eome out. And sa it's just a
great time ta remember that there's hape outside af the trou4�le that's going an in the
w�rld.
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Tfl411N CF FDIJ�dTAIy HsLLS
fVi�Y Q5, 2�25, "f�7WIV CaUfdGL M�ETING R�ltV'J7F5
So thank yau all. I in�ite you all ta jain in with us in thase events. Gad bless you.
SKILLICORN: Thank you past�r. Is there a wehsite that they can see the dates ❑r the
times?
PAN20: Yeah, there is a website, the FountainNillsCMA.org. �r you can ga to the
Fa�ebook page for Fountain Hilis Christian Ministerial Association on Facebook.
5o thank you.
SKILLICaRN: Thanlc you, sir.
EARLE: They're pointing at me.
�kay. 1Vext, we have CQuncilwoman M�Mahon presenting the next prgclamatian.
MCMAHON: Good e�ening. This is the 57th annual �rafessional Municipal Clerks Week.
And whereas the affice of the Prafessional Muni�ipal Clerk is a time honored and vita[
part af lacal ga�ernments that exist thraughout the world.
The office of the Prafessional Municipal Clerk is the Qldest amang p�ablic servants,
whereas the ❑ffiGe vf Prafessional Municipal Clerk pro�ides professianaE link between
the citizens, local go�erning bodies, and agencies of government at ather le�els.
Whereas professional municipal cierks ha�e pledged to be e�er mindful ❑f their
neutrality, and impartiality, and rencfering equal service to all.
Whereas the professional municipaf clerk serves as the informatian center on functions
❑f local go�ernment ar�d community, whereas, professional municipal clerks continually
strive to imprave the administration of the affairs of the office of the Professional
Municipal Clerk thraugh participation in education programs, seminars, workshops and
the annual meetings of their state, provincial, pro�incial -- county and international
professional organizations.
And whereas it is most appropriate that we recagnize the accomplishments of the office
af the Municipal Cler{c, and n�w they're -- naw for there be res�lved, that mayar Gerry
Friedel, Mayar af Fountain -- Town ❑f Fauntain Hills, excuse me, along with the tawn
Council, do recognize the week af May 3rd through 9th as professi�nal municipal clerk
week, and further extend appreciation t❑ Be�, aur -- ar�d our town Ckerk's ❑ffice, for the
vital ser�ices she perfarms and exernplary dedicati�n ta aur community.
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TQWN t7F FQL}NTA4N HI! LS
MAY 05, 2U2fi, TQWN CDUNCIL M�ETlNG iv11NLtTES
Thank you.
[PAUSE]
EARLE: It's ar�. It looks like I was suppased to gi�e this pro�lamation ta -- okay. 5o yau
tnld me there was nobody #�ere. It's okay.
Qkay. 5o we ha�e this if we want ta take a picture, and then if somebociy wants to say
something. But we do need t❑ carrect it, so we'll get you the carrect anes.
[PAl�SE]
[CR055 TALiC]
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Everyb�dy's going to be welcame on at 4:��. It'll be outside
and actually the patio of the chamber on 5unday the 17th. So all those present wili
hopeful{y you'll ail be present an the 17th too.
Thank yau very much.
EARLE: ❑kay. Next, we have -- I will call ❑n the Town Manager to present the next item.
GQQdWIN: Yes. Thank you. A number af ineetings ago, Cauncilman Vllatts asked abaut
aur efforts -- the town's efforts to make sure that we are following safety pr�cedures,
ensuring the safety of aur staff, and making sure that we are addressing any concerns as
it comes to staff safety.
Today we ha�e an update from our �eputy Town Manager and Administrati�e Services
Director, Qa�e Trimble. He's put together a number of slides ta kind af walk through
what the town does, how we do it, and why it's such a priority for us.
5o with that, I wiRl turn it aver t❑ you, Mr. Trimble.
TRIM6LE: �kay. Thank you.
And Vice Mayar, and Coun�il.
Yes. As Rachel was saying at the January Zflt� Cauncil meeting, Councilmember Watts
had asked about workplace safety, and parti�ularly in the town's non-fire department
functions. 5❑ that's what we'll facus on today.
We also menCioned the �SHA's tap ten list, and that just is a-- something that shaws
the safety issues that �SHA cites, most often, on a yearly basis.
5o as a f�ll�w-up tv that, we put together taday's presentation t❑ laok at the tawn's
Page 7 af 33
TC]WN �� FDLINTAIN HILLS
MAY 05, 2026,1OWN CDUN�IL MEETING MIiVUTES
injury record, you know, ❑5HA safety areas most relevant to tawn staff, and the safety
measures and training already in place.
And I am happy t� repart Chat the recflrd shaws ❑nly a small numher of isolated injuries,
and really n❑ pattern ❑f repeats tied to any one particular 05NA category.
And a little bit deeper on that. 5a we were able ta iaok at the last 12 years' worth of
data. And what we found is that the tawn had �.1 days away �ases, 11 injuries ❑ver that,
o�er that time frame. 50 obviausly �.1 o�er the course ❑f 12 years is pretty iaw. Those
mainly, again, were fairly minor and did nat show any repeated pattern af any ane
particular �SHA area.
And then also our warkers` compensation rates, as �xpected, have fallowed that govd
injury trend as well. So it did not suggest any -- any problems in That area.
As we looked at the most rele�ant topi�s or areas of cancern that �SHA has an their top
ten list, you see a lat af thase ❑n this slide. The ane that was not on their list is heat
expasure. And we definitely have aur fair s�are af that with our field staff. But that did
not make 05HA's list.
Qne thing that did make their list, that's nat an ours here, is farklift safety, because I
don't think we ha�e any forklifts.
5v we'll get into more things on the next page, here. INe talk about some of the risks
that we d❑ encounter. The main thing here, too, is just t❑ note that the tawn's risk
profile is significantly lower than some af the ather cities and towns aut there, just
hecause of the fact that we contract aut a lat af the big, larger scale work utilities. We
don't ha�e the water, sewer. Obviously, we contract out trash and police services. We
have a large landscaping contra�t. And you know, mast of the raad c�nstructian is ❑ut
there too, handled by contractors, scr that transfers that risk ta them.
Ha�ing saici that, though, we da ha�e ❑ur fair share af field aGti�ities, an�{ thase are what
we kind ❑f wanted to facus on. I won't read all those. You �an see them up there. But
you know, some of the �ighlights are, we deal witFr electricity, we operate tractors, front
loaciers, chainsaws, just on a little bit fawer s�aie than some vf the ather pla�es ❑ut
there.
Page 8 n! 33
TDVRlM OF F�UTdTRiN HILLS
MAY �5, �026, 7011UN COUNCIL f�lEE7l�ir MINUTES
5❑ s�me flf our safety measures that we do have in place is -- tF�ose are listed, kind ❑f on
a high le�ei ❑n this slide. I think ane of the most important ones, in fact, is our
supervision and hiring. 5o we really look for -- when we -- when we hire employees,
we're laoking for a safety mindset. And hapefully our supervisors are laying the
foundation for that, and bringing Chat gaod judgment to their day-to-day decisions, and
then our staff follows that.
And other things ar� here. Ob�iously, the tawn pro�ides persanal protecti�e equipment.
Whatever employees and super�isors want, we usualiy -- we always, that I know of,
ha�e gotten for them. And we require things like steel toe boots. 5o we ha�e a steel
toe work 6aot reimbursement program, and we also have aur bioodborn� pathogen
program.
We ha�e a bioha2ard �ieanup service that, hopefully, we don't use �ery often, but we
ha�e. Anc! when we ha�e used it, it's b�en very appreciated.
Other things, we ha�e hands ❑n training tFrat's happened in the past. So we've brought
aut �endars from ❑ur chainsaw supplier, ❑ur pressure washer peapfe, and trained
employees an that. Dur herbi�ide applicators ha�e to receive at least six haurs of
formal training each year.
We require heat safety plans, and those in�lude things like alfawing more water breaks.
We modify our schedules in the summertime ta start earlier. As you can see, providing
more -- more water, electrolytes, shade, things that kind of go without -- withaut saying
in aur �limate. 5❑ we definitely do that.
Additionally, autside re�iew. 5a AMRRP is our insurer, and they provid� a yearly site
�isit. 5❑ they send out a lass pre�ention caordinatar. Th�y d❑ a site visit. They �ome up
with a list of any deficiencies or things ta note. And staff always takes �are of those as
we -- as we are made aware af them.
And alsa, we're subject to state-type �isits too. 5� in 2fl3.5, same of us will remember
the lang list that Arizana f7epartment af 5afety came up with. Pretty comprehensi�e
list. No -- n❑ major fines or anything like that, but it was a I�ng list, and we remedied
thase. A lot ❑f thase were things that were permanent fixes. 5❑ there were one time
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T[7WN UF FDUNTFiN HiLLS
MAY 05, 2�2fi, TOWN CaU�1Clt MtE f11�G MIIVIJTES
fixes, and �bviously thase things remain in place to this day.
Next slide is a little bit more about our training. We ha�e online libraries. A couple
different ones, save persannel slash vector solutions, and we have safety source as well.
Those are through our AMRRP ❑ur insurer, at no additianal �ost as wel�.
Really large compreh�nsi�e libraries, aver 15� training Gaurses in there. 50 haurs plus
❑f -- af saf�ty training is availahle there. And then importantly, it tracks thc progress
and the courses that the employees ha�e taken. 5o we always ha�e that dacumentati�n
if we need to go back ta that.
And over the past fi�e years, ❑ur employees ha�e taken a�er 1,200 classes ❑nline and
then over 50D hours has been taken loy our employees in the last fi�e years. Also, yau
see up there injury trac€cing and 05HA recards. 5o we are subject to keeping ❑ur
records. 5a whenever there's an emplayee injury, we ha�e t❑ fill out t�e -- what they
calf an �S�IA 3Q1, right at the time of the injury.
And then yearly we ha�e two other reparts that we da. ❑r�e is kir�d af a detailed report
of e�ery injury. That's th� -- I think that's the 3�4. And then the 3Q0(aj is a repart that
is compiled. And it's just an ❑�erall summary of those injuries. 1t says how many. And
that is published, for anyone who wants ta see that.
5o finally here, on my last slide. I think the hottom line here is we ha�e a pretty good
track record. �nly a small number of isolated injuries o�er the past years. N❑ repeated
pattern aut there. And then fir�afly, we ha�e a comprehensive group of safety measures
that are in place t�rat we just kind ❑f talked about.
5o that concludes my presentation, and if there are any questions, I'll be happy to try to
answ�r them. Ant{ I ha�e my public warks directar and community ser�ices director, if I
get stuck stumped, so.
WATY5: aa�id, do we ha�e a safety officer on staff?
TRIMBLE: I think 1 woulci be the closest ❑ne t❑ that. We just met a c�uple weeks ago.
6rought a!I the departments together. But it's not necQssarily a hoots on t�e graund
position. But that we rely on our supervisors for that type of role.
WATTS: 8ecause I think when I asked to in�estigate some af this, the 3�a reports have
Page 10 of 33
7DWN �F FOUI1TAIf� ��ILLS
MAY a5, Z�Jzfi, TQWN C�L1NCiL MEETIAfti MIIV[1TE5
timelines �n them when you have to file those, depending upon the type of incident and
so on. But I was mare cancerned -- or equally as concerned about the safety
equipment.
The fire department is anything but bashful about asking far the most up ta date safety
equipment, and I waulcf like to make sure that town staff had that same ❑pportunity.
Whether it's fall pratection, the lackout, tag out. Communicatians look like they're goad
as long as people are taking advantage of them. Respirator equipment, eye and face
protection, all ❑f those things became important.
I hate t❑ see them expi�e. I've just wat�hed an arti�le the ❑ther day about samebody
that was in a tren�h, and I know we've gflt some trenches going on, and EPC�R does the
shoring, but sometimes it's easy ta dig a four foat trench and hop in and just fix the
issue, whate�er that issue may he, without shoring.
And i think we should strongly encourage people to make sure they take ad�antage of
the safety protocols and the safety equipment that we pro�ide, sa that they've ❑nly got
one life. Let's not compromise it. 50 -- and I think that`s the responsibifity af the safety
manager to dri�e hame.
S❑ thank you for the report, though.
TRIMBLE: Thank you. All right.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Next, Ra�hek?
GDODWIN: All right. Next up, we ha�e Director Weldy. He's going t❑ be gi�ing a
presentation on where we are at with aur wash maintenan�e efforts. As a reminder,
our wash maintenan�e is --is not a-- is not a simple ❑r quiGk process. It took a number
of years t❑ get us where we are. We �ontinue to make progress, and Director Weldy will
share where we are at, as of today.
WELaY: Thank you for the introduetion.
Mr. Mayflr. Coun�ilmembers.
The primary reason that that we picked t�is night is be�ause we are at the end af our
maintenanGe for this year, not anly far the fiscal year, but as we approach the summer
seasan. This is the time of year when we ha�e a lot of reptiles and ather creatures that
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T�VI��J OF FC�L1iViAIN HiLl:
MAY a5, 2026.1'aWN CQZ1fVCIL ME[TlfVC� PJilh}L�TES
start stirring. And if you'�e e�er walked in a wash, or been in a wash, you may or may
nat have disco�ered them.
Imagine, if you woufd, that yau were an indi�idual running a chainsaw, or dragging
{�ranches. It becomes in�reasingly difficult to hear those creatures, and it's an inherent
danger that's increased substantially for possible bites and wounds. The t�wn manager
led aff with this -- excuse me.
We are probably abaut at least twa decades �ehind and wash maintenance. There's
been a cansiderable amaunt of discussion with the Mayor and C�uncil on haw best C�
tackle this. Th� Mayor and Council has approved funding at se�eral different levels.
Currently, the funding level has allawed staff and contractors ta proceed. We're rnaking
great progress.
I will note, that after tonight's meeting, for thase listening ❑r wat�hing from home, or
reading, that they wilf be upset that their wash was not serviced. As earlier stated,
when we braught the contract for wash maintenance back to the Mayor and Council for
ratification and an amendment, we noted that we would be focusing on Ashbrook wash.
F�r the town's partion, that starts at Hampstead, that`s adjacent to the high school and
runs east all the way to the reservatian.
During this year and a small part af last year, crews managed t❑ make it �II the way to
Saguaro Baulevard in Ashbrook, wash. I�ncourage you, if yau have an opportur�ity
while the weather is nice -- that's this afternoon, appar�ntly -- to take a Eook down
there. There is a substantial difference in befare and after photos, and we have a few of
those we're going t❑ look at here tonight.
8ut I think it`s important ta nate -- and the Mayor, along with some ather
Councilmembers ha�e gane ❑ut and looked. We still are encauntering unprecedented
amaunts af trespass in the form ❑f illegal dumping, which amounts to tons and tons af
appliances, backyard grills, thase types of things. But we're als❑ encauntering fire pits,
stone and ❑r concrete type outdoor coaking, or fire apparatus. And all of this is in the
town's property.
6ricks. Block. I could keep going on in regards t❑ the amaunt of ConstruGtion debris.
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TOW�V AF FDUN7AIN HiLLS
MAY �5, 202fi, 7aWN C�UNCIL ME£T!!JG MiNUTES
And the reason !'m bringing all of this up is clearing all of that, or addressing all af that
takes a cansidera�le amount of time and money.
Having said that, the next portion where we'll return in the fall east of 5aguaro
Boulevard, is gaing to be one ❑f the most challenging lacations. If any af yau wauld like
to came out with me and take a look at the reason why, it's literally tons af material that
has been dum�ed o�er peapke's bacit fences. 5gme ❑f it is actually created additional
land, where one ar mare residents have encroac�red anto that, and planted gardens,
trees, shrubs, those kind af things.
Ha�ing said that, here is our wash map. This n�t ar�ly shaws our washes, k�ut it als❑
shows the dams that the town owns, and is responsit�le for. As noted eariier, we have a
little bit more than 2�0 acres of wash. It's roughfy Z� years behind in maintenance, and
the maintenance, and I'�e gone ❑ver this detail in the past is not to ciear cut and ar
remo�e everything. The primary facus is removing ladder fuels, and also remaving
in�asi�e species.
Here are s�me before and after pietures af the Ashbrook wash area. Will have some
updated pictures for the next ane. This is also another section ❑f Ashbroak, wash.
Please let me know if I'm mo�ing tao quickly ta the photos.
This is the ❑ne off location an 5aguaro at Emerald wash. As part af observatians from a
resident, it was noted that there were was trash in this area. Typically, when we get
communication fram the Tawn Manager to address these types of things, we're thinking
abaut a smal! amount of trash, maybe two ❑r three trash bags, a small trash can. In fact,
in this locatian, it was trucklaads.
We taok the opportunity at that time to remave all flf what we would cansider ladder
fuels or cambustikales, and also clean the area up, and hapefully discourage t�at type flf
acti�ity.
This is another angle to that same locati�n in Emerald wash. This is a close up ❑f that
area. And I always put this as ❑ur last slide. As a reminder, and there are certainly
representation from the fire department here, this is the defensible space. If you are a
property awner, this detail describes what you shauld do in regards to protecting your
Page 13 of 33
rflLL'hl QF Fal1N7'AIN liILLS
MnY OS, i026, 'fOWi� COUNCI:. MFETING f�9f�'11JTE5
h�me to the hest of your ability. And you'll nate that the defensilale spa�e there is from
the oeeupied dwelling, nat the fence vr the outbuilding or other part af the home t�at is
not occupied. And we'd like t❑ share that message.
There are considerable amount of people that belie�e that the defensible space, based
on a comment from their insurance company, or samething t�ey read, is consid�rably
mare. But this is the -- the -- I'm not sur� what standard this is. I got it from the fire
marshal some time back, and I cion't believe he's in the raom t� camment on the
background on that, but I'm certain that the chief wauld, if necessary.
INith that, that is our update. As a reminder, wash maintenan�e is ended, will he �ack
when it cools dawn and will be working in Ashbroak wash.
I'd be happy to answer any questians, if tnere are any.
MCMAHON: Thank you. Thank you for yaur presentation. I'm a little bit surprised that
we`re so far behind. It's not yaur fault or any�ody else's. It's 20 years of trash. Gi�en
the situation, are there any suggestions or things that we can do or the town can da, as
far as having a pragram or something like that, that wiil alert peaple to this, and ask
people ta not dump, et. cetera.
I dan't know. It's a 6ig -- there's so many hauses that run along here. I think it wauld be
difficult to send notices or anything like a campaign for cleanup, up, et �etera, hecause
you don't want peaple going out there and cleaning up. But is there any way we can
help aut?
WELDY: Mr. Mayor, Councilmember.
So the Mayor and Cauncil already helped by encauraging people ta speak. If you see
something, say som�thing. Also �isiting these sites� and we have a cansiderable amount
of outreach infarmation on the tawns website. And pfease nate, for the areas where
there is a trash pass, we cantact the praperty owner and make them aware of that, and
asEc them t❑ remave the items that can be reasona�ly removed without placing them in
harm's way.
You're welcam�.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Justin� just a quick questiar� an funding. How are you set far funding
Page 14 of 33
1'QWN OF F�UNTAiIV H�Li.�
MAY J5, 202fi, TQLNN CaLJNL"li MSETING MiNUTES
for additional wash maintenance?
WELDY: Mr. Mayar, we currently ha�e funding to take us through the end of this fiscal
year. It not �nly cflvers the Wash maintenance that fund, but it aiso co�ers same ❑f the
en�ironmer�tal ser�ices in regards to househald hazardous waste, thase types af things.
We �urrently ha�e an unspent fund balance and we're managing that. But we'I� be �ery,
very close to using the entire allotted amaunt by the end ❑f the fis�al year.
MAYQR FRIEDEL: Thank you.
WELdY: You're welcome.
EARLE: Thank you. I just had a resident request. What is -- what would be the
likelihood of placing trail cameras in the washes? And is there a fine for dumping?
WELbY: Mr. Mayor, Madam Vice Mayar, we actually -- and we don't like to discuss this
in great detail, but we already have se�eral la�ations where we ha�e cameras. W� had
same areas that were �ery prane to unauthorized d�mping of materials, typi�ally by
hame builders, poal builders, that they would sneak in and dump stuff in the wash. We
have had the support of the Maricopa County 5heriff`s �ffice and have been able to
address that and really reduce that ta the best ❑f our ability.
In regards to the -- over the back fence, there are simply ta❑ many iocations, so we
really fo�us on the primary entry points into named washes.
GQ�DWIN: I think to sart ❑f piggyfoack ❑n what y�u shared, Justin, sort af in line with
what yau shared, Councilmember, as well as you. I think the pracess here is that it's
6een twenty years, and sa it`s -- it's a hard habit to break when it's s�rt of been passively
allowed. 5o part af our uphill battle is Chis is making falks aware that that's not okay.
And this is why and this is -- and helping educate those behaviors and correct those
behaviors.
So working through Mike Peltfln anci aur, y4u know, our press releases and our
community newsletters and things like that. VIIe will eontinue ta try to better edu�ate
so that folks und�rstand the impact that that has and how to better dispose af thase
things. Sa we'11 cantinue dflwn that path too.
MCMAHON: Thank you. Is there any way in the process -- you're saying that there's a
gage 15 nf 33
TOL11i+1 �F FDIiNTAIi� HlLLS
iVIAY 05, 2a26, TOWN COlFh1Cl� ��]fETIAiG IV�INU i ES
lot of �onstruction, company dumping, et cetera? Is there any way in the pracess
through the town with construction workers and permits, et cetera, that they're notified
that they can't dump these things in the washes, et cetera? Is that something, if it's not
alreacly done, that can be included in that pra�ess, or is it already included?
WELDY: Mr. Mayor, Councilmember, I Gan't speafc in regards to building safety, but for
those that secure an encr�achment permit, they typicalky inquire and say we ha�e X
amount of �ubic yards ar tons of material. Do you have a lacation from them? In the
past, we'�e Gertainly accepted thousands of tons.
MCMAHOfV: Uh-huh.
WELdY: A go�c# example of that is by permit on4y t�e Ashbrook wash between Fauntain
Hills Boule�ard and Hampstead. We ha�e been working on that far the slo�e
stabilization.
MCMAHON: Uh-huh.
WELDY: That's a gaod example �f autharixed use of select materials in regards to
building safety. I would not be able to answer that. Mr. Wesley is not able ta be with us
tonight, but if the Mayor and Council would like a follow up, we can certainly ha�e a
conversati�n, he and I, and then get back ta the Mayar and Cauncil in the near future.
MCMAH�N: Rachef, what do y�u think of that? following up with Jahn, Director
Wesley?
GD��WIN: Sure. I think that's a great idea. 6ecause, again, you know, Justin's really
focused on the maintenanee side of this, where we're going into is sort of that
canstruction and you know, the vialations there of aur different ordinances and things.
5a I think what we can do is we can wark with John ta get an update �ut as ta where our
challenges ha�e been, what we'�e been able t❑ do t❑ address it, and if there's other
mare aggressive measures that we can potential{y consider.
MCMAHON: Thank you.
G�QdWIN: Sure. Absolutely.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Justin, carrect me if I'm wrong. When you and I were ❑ut, we saw a
lot �f �anstructian c�ebris from homeawners. It wasn't necessarily constru�tion
Page 1fi of 33
T�7WiV QF FpUNTA1Pa �IilRS
MAY D5, 2fl2fi, TOWfJ CALI;VCIi ME�71iVG MINUTf�.S
campanies. It was fram homeowners that were dumping stuff inta the wash arrd o�er
thefence?
WELDY: That is correct. You're wel�ome.
WATTS: And Justin, 5ycamore wash has always been kind of a tharn because af
dumping for staging for future use. 6ut I would note that a lot of the washes ha�e
signage that says pursuant to Ariiona Revised 5tatute and gives the numi�er that it's
illegal to dump. Ha�e we enforced any ❑f thase, or is it an issue of �atching the culprit,
so to speak?
WE�DY: Mr. Mayor, Cauncilmember in fact, we have. 5o when -- when they have been
caught, there is a process there. �ne of them is, w� natify the Mari�opa Caunty
5heriff's Office because it's a trespassing, illegal dumping.
As it goes thraugh that pracess, the tawn is simply referred to as the �ictim after that.
5o we don't geC involved in the prase�ution and to what extent'they ha�e them clean it
up ❑r pay a fine, it Ecind of �aries. More aften than not, they're more than willing ta
cQme in and remave their debris and apologize and pay the necessary fees for the
trespass that are adopted as part of our fee schedule.
WATTS: Thanks.
WEL�Y: Yau're welcome.
KALIVIANAKIS: I`d like to make a motian to approve the consent agenda.
EARLE: 5econd. 5econd.
MAYOR FRI�DEL: We ha�e a motian and a second for the consent agenda.
Town Cierk, can we get a rofl call, please?
gEN��R: Councilmemb�r Larabee.
Councilmem6er McMahon.
MCMAHnN: Aye.
BENDER: Cauncilmember Watts.
WAT�S: Aye.
BENDER: Councilmember 5killi�orn.
SKILLICflRI�: Yes.
Page 17 of 33
TOWIV QF �r�llNTA11i Hii�LS
fN?1Y f�5, 2026, TL]WN Ct7UNCil h'1E£TING h'IlNUTES
BEN�ER: Cauncilmem�er Kali�ianakis.
KALIVIANAKES: Aye.
BENDER: Vice Mayar Earle.
EARLE: Aye.
6ENbER: Mayor Friedel.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Aye.
BEN�ER: Mayar, six-zero.
MAYQR FRIE�EL: Thank you.
Moving on ta our regular agenda, we'�e got consideration and passible acti�n regarding
the purchase of a fire truck.
Rachel.
G�D�WIN: Thank you, Mayor.
Chief �tt is going t❑ walk us thraugh this, but essentially he has. ff I can Gorrect me if I'm
wrong, but y�u have �ne hrush truck on order, and it's -- we're alreaciy �oming up on
replacing hrush tru�k number two. Is that accurate?
DTT: That is corre�t.
GQ�bWIN: Ail right. Why don't you walk us through that?
DTT: All right. Goad e�ening, Mayor and Council and ❑ur -- welcame Town Attorney.
And first off, I want to say that as my involvement in things o��r the years -- I've never
been able to do anything without a goad tawn �lerk, and I'm just happy that we can
celek�rate Town Clerk's Week.
So with that �eing said, aur o�erall �ehicle replacement plan had been ta r�pkace a
brush truck in FY'2fi and one in FY `27. Bath of the trucks meet the requirements for
the �ehicle replacement poficy. They're flver ten years ald. I think we've done a ga�d
jah an the anes 2012 anes of 2�13. We'�e stretched the lifespan ❑f thase trucks out as
far as we �an, trying to be good -- good stewards of -- of our fundir�g.
So with that in mind, we came t❑ you in -- in Z�25, befare the summer break looking
at -- at trying to acquire a brush truck for FY '2�. We did a-- nflt t❑ exceed $39�,�OD for
that. We were able ta secure a truck far $313,�D�. Sa it was wefl below what we'd
Page 18 of 33
TC�!R7f�1 QF FUUN7�4iN HI�.L5
141A'! O5, 2026, TaWN CpUN�IL h�iFETI'VCi MlNiJTES
asked for in June of 2025.
Due to some construction defays on that truck, which is not unc�mman when yau're
doing specialty vehicles, they're not able to deliver that trucEc in FY 2QZ6. 5o in working
with finance, we kind of switched same things ar�und. We were able ta get another
truck that meets our needs a little bit iess than the $313,00� that will he a�ailable ta us
at the end of May, whi�h we will f�e af�le to take possession of in FY'25 -- or excuse
me -- FY'26. And then we mo�ed the truck that we came to last summer to ask you for
ta FY'27. Both of those vehi�les were fundeci in the �ehicle replacement fund, and
they're suffi�ient t❑ L15 dollars to ca�er both of those trucks.
5o what we're asking far tanight is the approval to g❑ ahead and get the FY'27 truck,
and FY'26, and move forward with that. If there's any questians, I'd be happy to fiefd
thase.
EARLE: I turned it off. Sorry. I wauld just like to make a motion to approve.
MCMAH�N: 5econd.
MAYOR FRIEQEL: Let me see if there's any �ommer�t cards first.
6EN�ER: Mayor re�eived far comment cards, none of whi�h wanted ta speak, and they
were for this item.
MAYDR FRI�a�L: Qkay. Thank you.
5o we have a mation and a second. Can I get a roll cal!? Vote, please.
BEN�ER: Councilmember5killicorn.
SKILLIC�RN: Yes.
S�NpER: Coun�ilmember Larrahee
LARRABEE: Aye.
BENDER: Couneilmember McMahon.
MCMAHDlV: Aye.
BENDER: Councilmember Kali�ianakis.
KAL.IVIANAKIS: Aye.
BEN�ER: Councifinember Watts.
VIIAiT$: Aye.
Page 19 of 33
?pWN OF faUNTAIh' M�LLS
P�iAY Q5, �U2fi, TQiN�I CUUNr_Il. M�ETING M�NLl1'E5
BENDER: Vice Mayor Earle.
EARLE: Aye.
BEN�ER: And mayor Friedel.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: Aye.
6ENDER: Mayar, seven-zero.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: Thank y�u.
❑TT: Thank yau �ery much.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Thank y�u.
Ma�ing ❑n t� regular agenda item B, Gonsicieration possihle action related to the FY '26
pa�ement management praje�ts.
Rachel.
GDODWIN: Thank yau, Mayor. We ha�e �irector Weldy back up with us again. 5hifting
gears a little bit. As we know, road maintenance is a-- is a priarity for this community.
This year's maintenance is weEl underway. If you'�e dri�en pretty much anywhere it�
tawn, you can see evid�nce ❑f that.
However, we da ha�e ❑ne propose� change f�r this year's pa�ement management that
Justin is going to walk us through this evening.
WELDY: Thank you for the introducti�n and the opportunity.
The pa�ement management plan is driven by data. That data was collected some years
ago. Each year, as part af the �udget planning pracess, the tawn staff works with the
vendor based an the proposed �audget to create an unrestrained s�enario. 5a e�ery
different type of treatment, ar�d e�ery different classification of road we ha�e is put into
the software, and it prv�it{es informatian.
From that the town staff, and there are four ❑r five of us that work an it, we sort
thr�ugh all of thase and we laok at sectians and if it picks just a small section ❑f a
particular road, we look at other ones that have been selected to determine if we can
take smaller segments and create a super segment, or complete an entire section, or an
entire length ❑f road.
We come baek to the May4r and Council with that infarmation that we'�e put together.
Page 20 of 33
1'�V1�N �F FOl1NTAIN HILLS
MAY Q5, 2�26, TOWN CDUAfCiI ME�iIPlG ININLITES
And in this particular case, we did come ba�k. ❑ne of thase that was selected was a
small portion of King 5treet. After the Mayar and Cauncil approved it and we were
underway, further observation of that area determined that that just wasn't the hest
use for the limited funding we have.
We spent the next several weeks and months laaking at our options, and the way we da
that is we take a look at the data and determine what the best use of the funding is.
And we primarily fa�us -- because we'�e already addressed the majar portian of it -- on
the backlog. And there are se�eral hammerheads and or cul-de-sacs, or very short
street segments that fall under that.
Having that information, we then go back t❑ the data. And aur starting pflint is the
pa�ement conciitian index, that is the PCI. We pulled that data, and it generated a lot af
information. We then had to sift through and physical�y observe each of those
locations, and then get it down t❑ the ones that we belie�e is in the best interest, and
best management practices.
5� we are here tonight to share those lacations with you and ask that the Council
�onsider reallocating the funding that was pre�iously approved for a short section of
King 5treet for thase short street segments and cul-de-sacs.
With that, we wil! get started with the list. This is Reg�ncy Place, which is ❑ff �f King
Street. It's also important ta nate that a lot af these short street segments and cul-de-
saGs wifl either tie into, based on the PCI data, an existing road that has afready been
paved, ❑r one that is in the five or ten year horizon, based ❑n the backlog and the
Gondition of the adjaeent roadway.
�his is Nightingale, just aff af Malta. This is Westminster Place. This is adjacent t❑
Ashbrook, wash. This is Cameron, which is Kind nf in the area of the Little Falcons
�ampus. Royal Court ❑nce again, this is aff of King Street. This is 5age �rive, and it gets
a little bit confusing there because af the dead end road. gut this is just a section that
we selected based on t�� conditian and the funding.
When we discuss pavement candition indexes -- so the data, it also -- the �ehicle that
drives o�er this is a �ery saphisticated and up ta date technologi�ally advan�ed piece ❑f
Page 21 of 33
Tr�w� oF �vitn�rasN �++��s
MAY D5, 202fs, TC}WN C�fJNCIL iVIEE7ING MI�tl1TE5
equipment.
It doesn't just loo�C at the pavement candition index, but it goes o�er the entire
spectrum. It IaoEcs at all af the �racking, whether it be block cracking, longitudinal, or
alligator, whi�h is sometimes haw we refer to it, and they also ha�e received fr�m us the
approximate date that the road was canstructed, pre-in�arparatian versus past
incorporation. That gi�es us a general idea ❑f what the subbase is like. And then town
staff takes a look at these segments to determine whether or nat it's viable.
Based on our obser�atians and the funding allatted, these are the locations that we
ha�e selected.
With that, I'll t�e happy to answer th� questions that I can to the best of my ability.
5K4LLICDRN: Thank you, Mr. Mayar. Directar. If appro�ed, what's the timeline for
addressing these cul-de-sa�s?
WELDY: Mr. Mayar, C�uncilmember byJune 3�th.
SKILLICORN: Mr. Mayor, Dire�tor. Completed t�yJune 30th or starting June 3�th?
WELdY: Suk�stantial �ompletian, Councilmember.
SKILLICQRN: Thank you so much.
KALIVIANAKIS: Okay. Next time they turn that ❑ff.
Anyway, Director Weldy, when I saw this on the agenda and �b�iously the thought that
went into redirecting road funds t❑ what was obviousfy not the top of the list, but to
redirect those funds based on your 19 y�ars of experience, and abviausly using the --
the data that you had, I just want to tell you, I think this is same of the best work you've
done to redirect those funds ta things that needed to be done more, and th�se
neighhorhoods and thase cul-de-sa�s. I'm sure they'll appreciate your re�ogni2ing that
their roads ne�d t❑ be done.
Sa I just wanted to te11 you, I when ! read that I said this -- this is when things are
working the best. When we i�ave peaple like you loakir�g, loaking out for the roads and
the People that li�e in those roads and redirecting assets that you eould ha�e just spent,
that you took the extra time and yau said, no, they could be hest spent here. 5a hats
off. I appreciate it.
Page 2z of 33
TO�L'N �F FOi1NTAIN Fill..1.5
MdY a5, �U2G, iOWN CC1i��1ClI. ME�TING MINUT�S
WELDY: Mr. Mayor, Councilmember. Thank you for the kind words. As a reminder, I
am the spakesperson. 5❑ while yes, I am involved, there's actually a small staff that has
spent an incredible amount �f time an this, and I will share thase kind words with them
tomorrow ciuring our meeting.
I{ALIVIANAKI5: Thank you for t�e �orrection, I appreciate that.
WATTS: Thank you far the presentation. Vllhile I'm disappainted that King Street isn't
being done, I think ultimate{y it's going to have to be done, similar t❑ what was -- what
occurred ❑n �alomino.
But I also nate that I ha�en't seen so much pothole repair equipment on King 5treet
except aver the last two ar three weeks. Maybe four weeks. Lots af pothales. It is
coming apart, I think. 6ut I think it's a goad apportunity to address those cul-de-sacs.
I'm very much supportive ❑f it.
MAYDR FRIE�EL: E'll �ust make one comment. I'll say that the data is important, but
getting out and se�ing these roads physically, the data sometimes daesn't tell the whole
stary.
So I appreciate the effort and the direet select of getting these brought up to speed.
Vice Mayor.
EARLE: I dicin't know we were doing camments now, sa 1'll make my comment befare I
�ote yes. ! do want t❑ also thank yau far your due diligence. And just -- I know there
was a time when peaple were upset at�out direct select, but this is why direct s�lect
worits when the actual get human eyes an there anci see what's best, not aiways
following just what the g05 system says. Thank yau.
MCMAH�N: Can I make a motian ar are we gaing to comment �ards first?
MAYQR FRIEDEL: I want ta see if there's any camment �ards, please.
BENbER: Mayor, we re�ei�ed six cards. Five are far it and ❑ne is against. They did not
want to speak.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: ❑kay. Thank yau.
Cfluncilwoman.
MCMAHON: Thank yau. 1'd like ta make a motion t❑ approve the reallacation of
Page 23 of 33
?OiAFh C]"r FOUi4iAl1! Hi�LS
MAYU�, Z�25, iG'vVN COU�VCiI PJi��TING M114UTt5
pre�iously -- previously authorized fiscal year'26 pa�ement management funding in the
amount flf 45,30� from King 5treet Bou�e�ard pro�ect to reconstruction of the seiecteci
cul-de-sa�s and street segments, as identified by staff and stated in your repart. �hank
yau.
EARLE: Second, that.
MAYOR FRIE�EL: We have a m�tion and a second, can we get a rall �all �ate, please?
BE�V�ER: Councilmember McMahan.
MCMAH�N: Aye.
BENOER: Councilmember Kalivianakis.
KALIVIANAKIS: Aye.
SENDER: Cauncilmember Larrabee.
WAT75: Aye.
BENDER: Counc�lmember. 5killicorn.
SKILLIC�RN: Yes.
BENDER: Counciimemb�r Watts.
WATTS: Aye.
BENDER: Vice Mayor Earle.
EARLE: Aye.
BENDER: And Mayar Friedel.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Aye.
BENDER: Mayor, seven-xer�.
MAYDR FRIEaE�: 7hank you.
Thank you, Justin.
WELDY: You're weicame.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Moving on to item C.
Rachel?
G�OQWIN: Thank yau, Mayor.
This is a-- a big item in terms af mo�ing forward with the FY'27 budget. Tonight is the
resakution setting fflrth the tentati�e �udget and estalplishing the maximum budget. So
Page 24 of 33
T(]WN DF FOLINTAIN H3�L5
MAY U5, 2025, TaWN CC1UAiCiL fVlEETING MlI�[JTES
remembering that tonight, we #�resent and yau guys pass what will be the maximum
expenditure farthe FY'27 hudget.
Paul is here ta walk us through. I know there ha�e been a few changes from aur last
f�udget conversatian. f think you're going to highlight those. Anti then he'S here ta
answer any adciitianal c�uestions yau might have.
Paul, I'll turn it o�er ta yau.
PAL1L: All right. Govd evening, Mayar, Vice Mayar, and Council.
Thank you for another opportunity tonight. We've talked about a lot -- we'�e had many
con�ersations about the fiscal year Z0�7 �udget, many of them required by statute.
This is one af those steps. And as Ra�hel mentiflned, the tentati�e budget under statute
sets ti�e maximum amount that the town can budget for next year. There were a cauple
of changes that I'll get inta, hut averall, this is a briefer presentation. Ke�in asked me
for five slides, but I brought farth, I tnink, 10 or 11, but I'd be happy to discuss any
questions you ha�e during the presentatian.
Sa just two u{�dates. E�erything's the same from th� proposed buc#get wark sessian that
we had until today, other than these twa changes that we made. The first ane was
actually something we naticed that was accidentally removed frflm the budget. It's
been the budg�t for years. We recei�e a grant from the Office af Tourism -- the State
Office ❑f iourism for tourism type pragrams, and it's been the budget -- for some
reasan, in the hustle and bustle af {�utting the budget tagether, we removed it by
mistake and final re�iews ❑f the budget.
We faund that error, and we added back in. 5o that's all that's being ehanged. $80,�00
of additianal expenditures ta be able ta spend the grants in the tourism Fund managed
by the Ecanamic Development ❑irectar and her division.
And the second one we have been we'�e gone through an energy auciit pra�ess that will
be bringing forth, passibly t❑ Council here before the end af the fiscal year. There's a
possible praject t�at we've been discussing. And so just to gi�e the Council additional
ability to be ahle to appro�e another pr�ject for next year, we had anot�er millian
dollars af budget in the Capitai Pr�jects Fund as a contingency. So that means the town
Page 25 af 33
T�;�r� �F ��un�rA�n� �-ti�.�s
�JiAY �5, Y02G, T'DWt3 �f)IJfaCIl. �JlEETING MINUTF_S
staff cauld not use that hudget unless the Council appro�ed a project to go along with
that cantingency.
So we add mi�lion dollars there and the Capital Pr�jects fur�d, which hrought ❑ur
contingency in t�at fund up to $1.7 millian from $7QO,�OQ. Sa thase are the tw❑
changes. Th�y went up, as you can see.
Real quick, just t� fncus ❑n revenues. Before we get inta the expenditure side, al1 the
revenues are the same fram the praposed budget that we afready discussed and went
❑�er at anflther work session, ta the tentative budget. We're prajecting $38.5 million of
revenues for next fis�al year, �26.8 million in the general fund, and so on and so farth,
gaing down the line af funds.
The vne thing that l want to kind of highlight here, that I haven't taid th� Council at this
point, or reported to the Council, is we've had an extremely strong first four months af
th�s calendar year. January through April ha�e prahably #�een the best faur months that
we'�e had as a town since I'�e been here. 5o next Cflun�il meeting we'll be discussing
that mare at length.
So just to gi�e yau an idea, we'�e had all these con�ersatians about the budget being
conser�ativ�. What other cities and tflwns are doing. I know you've probably seen the
news that some cities are facing budget defi�its going into next year. We're not in that
situation at all. We're in a safe, sound, situation from a re�enue perspecti�e, and we're
actually having a really goad run right naw. 5a we'll see how we go into next fiscal year,
but no changes fram the prapased hudget to the tentati�e b�dget. 38.5 million
praposed of -- af proje�ted re�enues.
Expenditures, yc�u'll see on your screen. The proposed budget we brought forth was
49.Z million, and 'this b�dget, the tentative budget is $50.3 million, and kind ❑f
highlighted the two changes I mentioned already, the capital projects, funds going up to
�11 million, and the economic de�elopment funds, including the tourism fund, went up
by that $80,�00.
The general fund contingency is the same. 5a our wiggle room for unfareseen,
unexpected hudgetary needs next fiscal year is a little bit ❑�er $1 million in the general
page 26 of 33
TOWN OF FQi1NTAlfd !�iLLS
MAY 05, 202fi, T�Whf CQl1NCIL MEET;NG MI�IU s F5
fund.
This is just a reiteration. We're required t❑ follow the Constitution when it cames ta the
ex{�enditure limitation. It's set by the 5tate e�ery year. That's the maximum we can
spend as a town. Except for re�enues that dan't caunt tawards the expansion limitatian
when we spend them. 5a we're just kind of shawing yau -- we went thraugh this
process, we ha�e enough exclusians and carry forward, which just means ex�lusiar�s
fram prior years that we've saved up, su�h as HERF reverrues. And we have enough to
make sure we're at least $1 below the expense limitatian ❑f $38.2 million.
The general funds, we like t❑ shaw this every tentati�e of budget. It's just a reminder
we have a canser�ati�e budgeting practice. We balance our or�going re�enues with our
angoing expenditures in the general fund. And be�ause we're conservative in our
projections, we generate typically more revenues than we praject. Anywhere from
thre� ta $4 millian mare in re�enues per year the past three years, and with our
expenditures, our -- aur financial systems and our policies restrict expenciitures to that,
that tap amount. Anci so we typically come in tw❑ to $3 million below.
5o that's where we get those general fund excess reserves at year end. Because this is
just kind ❑f shawing you haw our buc{get plays out and haw it r�sults in those savings.
And just to piggyback on that, w�'�e talked a lat about, well, we have excess reserve
savings. C�uld we be doing other things? There are opportunities to maybe laak at that
in future years. gut it's als❑ becaus� we have funding gaps. We don't have -- we dan't
set aside enaugh money systematically for aur facilities reserve. We -- this Cauncil has
found appartunities to put more money in the streets, fund things like that. We'�e
�een able to do that because of what's fln your screen here taday.
The only other thing to note that looks a little skewe�f in the expenditure chart. Fiscal
year '23, we used a�out �4 million �f federal funds far public safety. ❑idn't come out ❑f
general fund, s❑ that 15.7 million would have �een closer to 20 million �or fiscal year
'23.
5a again, general fund, nothing changed from the proposed budget to the tentati�e
budget $26.8 million, an increase flf 2.9%, k�r�ken �ut k�y department. Not much to say
Page 27 of 33
�I�WFV �F FL3l11dTAlN HiL[.5
MAY D5, 2JZfi, T�W�i Ca�1NCll Mt£T'IiVG MIAlUTES
there unless you ha�e questions.
And afl ather funds in the budget. 5� I kind of listed ali the major funds we talk abaut,
like the streets fund, capital projeGts fund, facilities reser�e, and all thase funds. W�
als❑ kind ❑f a�gregate or combine all the ❑f�er ten funds in the budget. They're all Ecind
of minor. We don't talk -- well, one af them is the �ehicle repla�ement fund that Chief
�tt just kind of inentioned, but across all those funds, $23.5 million in those budgets.
Qne natable thing that we've already taEked about is we -- staff prflpased an increase t❑
the Streets Fund budget to gi�e the �ouncil more ability to d❑ more raad pa�ing praje�ts
next year, $6 million. It's not as comparable because we did a lot this year with
Palomino adding that as a capital project. Sut it's an increase over previaus years. So
giving you more ability and it's still somewhat sustainable where we feel lil�e we'll have
enough fund balance t❑ wark with in future years.
Capita! projects fund up ta $11 million with that $� million ❑f contingency, as well as the
80,��� I already mentioned. 6ut in total, aur k�udget is going down t�y 14 per�ent from
fiscal year'Zb to fis�al year'27. A lot of that has ta da with the grant that we applied far
last year, that the Council appro�ed to wark with the dark 5ky Disco�ery Center. The
grant wasn't successful, so we didn`t receive that funding. We didr�'t spend that m�ney,
and we took it out of the budget far fiscal y�ar'27.
Proposed transfers. This is the first time we talk a�out transfers. We budget these, and
it's very similar to last year. With the Council ap�raval, we're able t� do this, will he able
to make these transfers thraughout the year.
The first ❑ne, the simple �xplanation for that is in the taurism fund that Amanda's team
manages. We do recei�e -- or project ta receive abaut $� 5fl,4�� of grants to spend on
tourism type projects and programs. But we also fund some of the tourism programs
from economic de�el�pment monies. S❑ we basicaliy d� this each year since I've been
here, ta just transfer s�me ❑'f the Eb manies o�er to tourism to al[ow for that spending.
Now the tourism fund.
The second one, this is actually a new ane. We have startecf to grow a large fund
halance for the Caurt enhancement fund. It's a there's a statute that allows courts ta
Page 28 of 33
TpWN OF F�UN7AIiV NILLS
MAY Q5, 2i126, TOWN C�iiNCiL MEETiNG I�Iif�VLiiES
charge a �ertain fee t� help supplement the Gosts of programs in the caurts. And we'�e
we have about $37�,000 in that fund at this point and kind of been grawing and -- and
so }ust finding a way ta use some af that money, we're budgeting to transfer up t❑
$35,00� from that fund t❑ the general fund to co�er some payrall casts far the -- for the
Court.
The third ane, $1.4 million from the Facilities Reserve Fund t❑ Capital Projects Fund.
This is just for capital praje�ts that are earmarked to he paid out of the facilities reser�e
fund.
Number one, the lake liner design, one million is the f�udget. Yau know, we'll see where
it cames aut. But e�ery time we pay a vet�dor for that design, we'll transfer maney to
reimburse out af that $5.7 milfion that's heen sa�ed up for the lake liner for next year.
Also, we ha�e one more praje�t, the air handier project, that's earmarked coming aut of
the facilities reserve fund, out of the nonlake liner sa�ings.
And Iastly, $1.9 million of development impact f�e transfers. 5❑ basically any time we
pay a �endor for a de�elopment impact fee project that we have sufficient fund balance
ta -- ta pay for, we'll make a transfer from the develppment impact fee funds into the
Capital Projects Fund ta co�er those costs. And so th�se are all �ery muCh planned and
included in the budget schedules that are within the resolution.
5a with that, the tentati�e budget is the final chance to malce any changes to the bucfget
befare you cflnsider adapti�n on lune Znd. Sfl any Coun�il dire�tian would he
welcomed at this point.
WATTS: Paul, one question. �n the slide that you had the 5treets Fund, where you had
included one million dollars. But it said in the footnote, up to six millian. Is the amaunt
in the 5treets Fund inelusive of the one million, or is it inciusi�e of the six million, and
what's -- can yau explain the footnote?
PAUL: Yes, absolutefy. Mayor. Councilmember.
5o the �$.3 million is inclusi�e of the six millian. 5o what I was trying t❑ con�ey th�re --
it's hard with such a small amount of space to put a faotnate. All I'm trying to say there
is we adcfed one millivn dollars to the k�udget compared ta fiscal, even fiscal year'26,
Page 29 af 33
?o�r��s a� �nu�r��ra K3� is
MAY U5, 2025, TDl/t'!v C��NCkL MEETI�f� tJI;NUTES
because we budget�d five million dollars directly �ut ❑f the streets fund, aTher than
Palomina for road paving projects.
We added one millian dollars to that. So we're up t❑ six miilion spe�ifically for road
pa�ing, and the six million is within the 8.3 milfion. And remember, we had a pretty long
con�ersation at, I belie�e, the February work session where we talked about there's a
lot ❑f other budgeted casts, how the streets fund, including the payroll for the staff,
landscaping, road striping, things like that all kind ❑f also come aut af that fund as well.
WATTS: 5o afl in the eight millian dollars includes the ❑ne plus the six, and the balance
is what was existing befor�?
PAL1L: Yes. ❑ne is within t�e six. The six is within the 8.3.
WATT5: Gatcha. Thanks, Paul.
PAL��.: Llh-huh.
MAYQR FRIEDEL Do we have any comment �ards?
BENdER: I�o, Mayor.
SKILLIC�RN: Motion ta appra�e.
MAYDR FRIEQEL: 5econd?
MCMAH�N: I'll seeond it.
MAYDR FRIEQEL: We have a motion and a second.
Can we get a roll call? Vote, pl�ase.
gENDER: Councilmember Larrabee.
LARRABEE: Aye.
BENQER: Councilmember McMahan.
MCMAHON: Aye.
BENdER: Coun�ilmember Skilficarn.
5lCILLIC�RN: Yes.
B�NbER; Councilmember Kalivianakis.
KALIVfANAKI5: Aye.
BENdER: Councilmemlaer Watts.
WAT�5: Aye.
Page 30 of 33
T�WN �� FOUf�TAlN F!lLl.S
MAY dS, Zi325, TDW^l CaIJNCIL MFkTlN� Nl�11Ui�S
BEN�ER: Vice Mayar, Earle?
EARLE: Ay�.
BENDER: And Mayor Friedel.
MAYOR FRIEDEL: Aye.
BENQER: Mayor, se�en-zero.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Thank you.
Thank you, Paul. Good pres�ntation.
PAUL: Thank you. Next up?
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Next up is the consideratifln and acCion on Arizona Cities and Towns
weekly legislative bufletin. poes anybody ha�e anything they want t❑ discuss?
N a?
GD�oWIN: �here was a-- there was a call this week far the first time in a while.
MAY�R FRfEDEI.: Yeah.
G��bWIN: But really, there wasn't a lot af action. It was just sart of letting e�erybody
know to hold steady.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: Yeah. And that the budget pra�ably isn't going to pass.
G���WIN: Exactly.
MAY�R FRIEDEL: 5o all right. Then we'll mo�e on to the call ❑f the public.
Tawn Clerk, do we have any speakers?
gENDER: Mayor, we have ane card and I may say her last name incorrectly. Linda
Sammo.
SOMMO: ihank you. Mayor. Councilmemhers.
My name is Linda 5ommo and I ha�e been a praud FQuntain Hills resident far almast
nine years now. I asked to speak tanight because I'm Gancerned that Fpuntain Hills
residents can't trust the veracity af same �f the Coun�il, particularly Cauncilmember
Skillicorn, and unfartunately, Mayor Friedel.
Mayor Friedel was sued and had t� settle a claim �y a cvr�stituent when he was caught
iying a�out what the constituent said and did. Mayor �riedel was de�eptive in claiming
that he had save� the count -- he t�wn ❑f Fauntain f�ills money with the MC5❑ cantract.
Page 31 af 33
TS?WN QF FUUh17AIN HILZS
MAY U5, 24Z6, T�WN CQLINCIL �111EETi�VG MiNUTES
It would actually had nothing to do with the cvnversatian that Mayor Friedel had with
5heriff 5heridan, because it had already been decided by the Maricopa Board of
5upervisors.
He aisv claimed that when they -- when yau set money asic#e far the replacement of the
liner on the lake, that it was under his leadership that this had started, when actually it
had started quite a while before. And I helieve he w�s part �f that when he was a
Councilmember at the time, and already five million dollars had heen set aside.
It's things like that that make me, as a citi2en, embarrassed, be�ause I can't trust the
informatian that �omes fr�m the Cpuncii.
Cauncilman Skillicorn recently valuntarily withc#rew his nominatian f�r �onstable when
he was at -- well, when his petitipns were questioned by citizens, and showec� that they
were not -- that was pra�en the accountability and the truthfulness was not there. 50
instead af being talc! that he didn't qualify, he voluntarily withdrew. 6ut then h�
released a news ad ❑r a newspaper information that everything was caus�d by his
opponent, his Repub€ican opponent, the incumbent Qan �iaz. Whereas that really was
not the case.
It's things like that that make me doubt what comes from this Cauncil. I wauld really
like ta be proud ❑f th� town where I live, and I hope that that will change in the future.
Thank you.
MAYOR FRiE�EL: Thank you for your carnments, and I will address thase since you
mentioned me by name.
First of afl, you were nat in the meeting with �erry 5heridan. There were three people
in that meeting, myself, the sheriff, and the town manager. All we reported -- the town
did a press release. All we report�d was that as a result of what he tald us in the
meeting, the t�wn received a 5.01 percent reduetion in the sheriff's contract cast.
That's all we did. ! didn't lie about it.
We didn't care what ather towns got. That's not our business. �ur business is the tawn
of Fountain Hil1s, first of ail. 5o maybe thase fa�ts gat distorted. You should really ha�e
the facts befare yflu accuse.
Page 3z nf 33
TO4Vh! DF faIJIVTAIN HI! L5
fviAY 05, 2fl76, T�WN CaUNCIL MEETliVG MiNUI'ES
5econdly, the lake liner was 10� percent under my direction. The first thing I c#id as a
Councilmember, I went to the town manager at the time, which was Grady Miller, and I
suggested we start a sinking fund t❑ save maney for a huge lake iiner replaceme►�t,
because haw could we, as a CounciE, g❑ to the residents ❑f this town and say, we'�e
done nathing to sa�e any maney far a lake liner that might cost, at the time, 14 million
d�llars?
Sa he said, Gerry, that's a great idea. That was under Ginny Dickey's administration. 1Ne
started sa�ing money under my directian, or questian, ta th� town manager at the time,
so I hope that clears that up for yau. I didn't lie about the MC5❑ contract. We reported
what we were told, and that was simple, and that was it. Thank you.
SnMM�: Thank you. And may I say something or not allawed?
MAY�R F{�IE�EL: No, we can't have a back and forth. Thank you.
SOMMO: flkay. Thank yau.
MAYaR FRiEDEL: �kay. 7hanEc yflu. l.et's see. We'll m�ve on then to Coun�il direGtion
to the town manager.
GOD[]WIN: Mayor. The anly direction � picked up to�ight was a follow-up from Director
W�sley in regards to the constructiar�, and the dumping af fines, et cetera.
MAYDR FR1EbEL� Okay. I'll let yau take care of that. Thank you.
G��bWIN: Yep.
MAYDR FRiEbEL: And do we ha�e any future agenda items? Cauncilman?
SKILLIC�RN: I was waiting for the next motion.
MAYQR FRIE�EL: Mo�e to adjaurn.
WAT�S: Motion to adjourn.
SKILLICORN: 5econd.
EARLE: 5econd, third, fourth.
MAYDR FRIEDEL: Thank you.
All in fa�or?
All: Aye.
Page 33 of 33
Having nv furfher fausiness, Mayar Gerry M. Friedel adjaurned the Regular
5essian ❑f the Fauntain Hills Town Council held on May 5, 2�2fi, at 6:�3 p.m.
1_►»:ti]►1���
TOWN OF FQUNTAIN HfL�S
���
Gerry M. iedel, Mayor
ATTEST:
�.o,r,� �.�.
Be�elyn J. B nd , 7own �leri�
C�RTIFICATI�N
I hereby certify fhat the foregoing minutes are a true and carrec# copy of the
minutes of the Regular Meeting he�d by th� Town Council of Foun#ain Nills on the
5th day of May 2Q2E. I furkher certify that the meeting was duly callsd and that a
quorum was present.
�.�� � ��L.
8evefyn J. Be der, own Clerk
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