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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.0923.SPAC.AGENDA.PACKET NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION Chair Patrick Garman Vice Chair Geoff Yazzetta Commissioner Polly Bonnett Commissioner VACANT Commissioner Bernie Hoenle Commissioner Joseph Reyes Commissioner VACANT TIME: WHEN: WHERE: 4:00 PM - REGULAR MEETING DOORS OPEN 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS 16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC MEETINGS Request to Comment Cards - To speak or submit written comments, a Request to Comment card is required. Cards must be completed and submitted to the Clerk before the meeting begins. Late or incomplete cards will not be accepted. A separate card is required for each agenda item. Agenda Items (Consent or Regular) - Request to Comment cards must include the agenda item number, whether the speaker is FOR or AGAINST the item, and whether the individual wishes to speak or submit written comments. Call to the Public requests are accepted in person only. Request to Comment cards must be submitted prior to the meeting commencing. Speaking Rules - Speakers may speak only when recognized by the Presiding Officer and are limited to three (3) minutes. All comments must be directed through the Presiding Officer, not to individual commission members or staff. Request to Comment cards and submitted information are public records subject to public disclosure. Meeting Packet Page 1 of 29 1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. INVOCATION 3. ROLL CALL 4. STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION Anyone wishing to address the Commission regarding items listed on the agenda or during Call to the Public must completely fill out a Request to Comment card located in the back of the Council Chambers and hand it to the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Once the meeting has started, late requests to speak cannot be accepted. When your name is called, please approach the podium, speak into the microphone, and state your name and if you are a resident for the public record. Comments may not exceed three minutes. It is the policy of the Commission not to comment on items brought forth under "Call to the Public." However, staff can be directed to report back to the Commission at a future date or to schedule items raised for a future Commission agenda. To avoid disruption of the meeting, to maintain decorum, and provide for an equal and uninterrupted presentation, applause is not permitted, except during Proclamations, Awards, and Recognitions. All meeting participants must maintain proper decorum as specified in Section 6 of the Council Rules of Procedure. 5. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS BY DIRECTOR 6. PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONS 7. PRESENTATIONS 8. CONSENT AGENDA All items listed are considered to be routine, non-controversial matters and will be enacted by one motion and vote of the Commission. All motions and subsequent approvals of consent items will include all recommended staff stipulations unless otherwise stated. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commission Member or member of the public so requests. If a Commission Member or member of the public wishes to discuss an item on the Consent Agenda, he/she may request so prior to the motion to accept the Consent Agenda or with notification to the Director or Chairperson prior to the date of the meeting for which the item was scheduled. The item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item on the Regular Agenda. The remaining items on the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion and vote of the Commission. a. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approving the meeting minutes of the Strategic Plan Advisory Commission regular meeting held on August 26, 2026. 9. REGULAR AGENDA a. UPDATE: Review of Infrastructure Discussion with Town Staff b. UPDATE: Review of Economic Development Discussion with Town Staff c. UPDATE: Review of Work Groups Scheduled Discussions with Town Staff d. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Consideration of Future Agenda Items Pertaining to the Strategic Plan. 10. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01, or as prescribed by state law. 11. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/DIRECTION TO THE DIRECTOR 12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 13. ADJOURNMENT Dated this 16th day of September, 2026. Meeting Packet Page 2 of 29 Hannah Martin, Executive Assistant The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call (480) 816-5100 (voice) or AZRelay 7-1-1 the Thursday prior to the meeting to request reasonable accommodation. Meeting Packet Page 3 of 29 ITEM 8.a. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 9/23/2026 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Submitting Department: Administration Prepared by: Hannah Martin, Executive Assistant Staff Contact Information: Phone: 480-816-5107 Email: hmartin@fountainhillsaz.gov Request to Town Council Regular Meeting (Agenda Language) CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approving the meeting minutes of the Strategic Plan Advisory Commission regular meeting held on August 26, 2026. Staff Summary (background) The intent of approving meeting minutes is to ensure an accurate account of the discussion and action that took place at the meeting for archival purposes. Approved minutes are placed on the town's website and maintained as permanent records in compliance with state law. Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Risk Analysis na Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) na Staff Recommendation(s) Staff recommends approving the meeting minutes of the Strategic Plan Advisory Commission regular meeting held on August 26, 2026, as presented. Suggested Motion MOVE TO APPROVE the meeting minutes of the Strategic Plan Advisory Commission regular meeting held on August 26, 2026, as presented. ATTACHMENTS 1. 2026.08.26.SPAC.MINUTES.DRAFT 2. SPAC 08262026 Summary Meeting Packet Page 4 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 18 Post-Production File Town of Fountain Hills Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2026 Transcription Provided By: eScribers, LLC * * * * * Transcription is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings. * * * * * Meeting Packet Page 5 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 18 CHAIR GARMAN: So I call to order this meeting of the Fountain Hills Strategic Planning Advisory Commission. With that, can you all please stand and -- so we can do the Pledge of Allegiance? ALL: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and for the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. CHAIR GARMAN: Oh. I'm sorry. I don't know. Do you usually do that? I mean, the moment of silence when we're standing? I mean, but we'll do the moment of silence. All right. Thank you. Okay. Thank you all very much. Hannah, can you do the roll call for us? PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Chair, I'm actually going to help her today, being her first day, so I'll do the roll call. CHAIR GARMAN: Sure. PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Chair Garman. CHAIR GARMAN: Here. PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Vice Chair Yazzetta YAZZETTA: Here. PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Commissioner Reyes. REYES: Here. PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Commissioner Bonnett. BONNETT: Here. PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Commissioner Hoenle. We have a quorum. CHAIR GARMAN: All right. Thank you. Thanks. And we have a quorum. I don't think -- do we have anybody as far as the statement of participation? I don't think I need to read that, right? If there's nobody and no notes or anything. Okay. Thank you. All right. So we are down past 4. We're up to 5 now on our agenda, which is summary Meeting Packet Page 6 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 18 of current events by the director. Rachael, do you have some current events that you'd like to put out? GOODWIN: Well, kind of. We're just talking a little bit about. We have a number of roadwork projects going on around town right now that I would say tie directly back to some of our current strategic initiatives, specifically the Shea Boulevard widening. Jeff, if you didn't overhear us, there's going to be some additional closures. I know you're not in town right now, but we're -- we're on the home stretch, and so we expect to be done probably within the next 30 days. So -- or less. So that is actually ahead of schedule, which is great. And then we have the water line replacement going in with EPCOR along Palisades. That is probably in place at least till the end of the year, if not a little bit into the 2027 new year. So we have a number of projects. We have lots of things getting ready to kick off this fall with events returning and projects within the park. Some improvements. We'll be having a 9/11 ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary. We have all kinds of things happening coming down the pike. If you have questions about anything specific, I'd be happy to share. But it's been a busy summer, and it looks like we will continue the trend, and it'll be busy rolling into the fall too. CHAIR GARMAN: Do you have some of the specifics of the 9/11 ceremony, like when and where? GOODWIN: Yes, it will be -- I believe it's a 6 p.m. start. Let me double-check that. Actually, you know what? I can find out. I have a link right here. It'll be at the amphitheater down in Fountain Park. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. GOODWIN: Let's see. Here we go. We'll be hosting the remembrance ceremony, marking 25 years since the attacks on September 11th. The ceremony will be held at the amphitheater at Fountain Park from 6 to 7 p.m. We're partnered with Rotary, who will be setting up their replica towers, as well as planting 411 flags that the morning of the event. The flags will be left through Sunday Meeting Packet Page 7 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 18 evening, but the towers will be removed after the ceremony on Friday. We'll have solar lighting and other lighting as appropriate for the flags. And then there will be a number of speakers, as well as color guards, and the -- at the end we will do a placing of the white rose. So it'll be -- it should be a nice ceremony. CHAIR GARMAN: Will there be any bagpipes? As we need music. GOODWIN: TBD right now. CHAIR GARMAN: TBD? GOODWIN: Yes. We're running into a lot of folks being out of town, actually, that weekend. I don't know if it's a big football weekend. I don't know what's going on. It's not the holiday weekend, but we're running into a lot of folks that -- we're -- we're putting that together. I know there will be color guard. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. GOODWIN: But I don't know about the bagpipe, but I'll find out. CHAIR GARMAN: All right. Now, thank you. Any other questions from the commissioners? Okay. Thank you for that. There is a lot going on. Okay. We're going to move down to agenda item 6, which is proclamation, awards, and recognitions. I don't think we're recognizing anybody at the meeting today. Right, Angela? PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Correct. We are not. CHAIR GARMAN: We're not. Okay. So we're going to move down then to agenda item 7, which is presentations. And we don't have any presentations scheduled for the meeting this afternoon. So we can move on down to our consent agenda. And again, I don't think I need to read that paragraph out loud. Right? I haven't in the past. PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Correct. You do not have to. CHAIR GARMAN: Let's just say everyone can read. PADGETT-ESPIRITU: Yeah. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. But we are down under consent agenda, which is agenda item Meeting Packet Page 8 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 18 8. We have 8a, which is consideration for -- consideration of possible action, is approving the minutes of the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Regular meeting, which we held way back in May, and then the work session we had in June. First, I know we have we have two separate items here. They were put together in the notes. I didn't know if anybody wanted to make a motion just to -- to have it on record that we can consider them together for approval. REYES: Make a motion to consider them together for approval. CHAIR GARMAN: Motion. Is there a second? BONNETT: I second. CHAIR GARMAN: All right. Thank you. So we're going to -- what's on the table now for the motion is to -- to consider both those items, the regular minutes from May and the work session in June together. Does anybody have any discussion topics on either one of those? Nothing? I'm sure you all read every single word of the work session. REYES: Twice. CHAIR GARMAN: All the ums. It's very discouraging to read what you say. I did read through -- as always, I wanted to thank -- if it was you, Angela, or you, Hannah, for -- you know, it's really -- If -- that was my wife, so I'm going to pay for that later. So the summary of the minutes from the regular session, that that's really helpful too. I do read every one of those word for word. And I -- and I appreciate that very much. So I did read through those. I didn't have any -- any comments at all. Does anybody else -- any commissioners? Nothing? Okay. Motion on the table to approve the minutes and the work session minutes? BONNETT: I move to approve. CHAIR GARMAN: There's only two of you, so you've got to help me, so -- REYES: Second. CHAIR GARMAN: Second on the table. Okay. Meeting Packet Page 9 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 18 So the motion on the table is to approve both the minutes. Any comments? No comments. My left. No comments to my right. Okay. We'll proceed to a vote. All in favor of approving both the regular committee minutes from May 26th and the work session minutes of June 24th, say aye. ALL: Aye. CHAIR GARMAN: Any opposed? YAZZETTA: -- aye. CHAIR GARMAN: Sorry, Jeff. Any opposed? None. Okay. Hearing none, motion passes unanimously. Thank you all very much. Okay. So we're going to move on to agenda item number 9, which is update from the commission work groups. This kind of goes into the -- well actually we'll -- we'll wait to go down to b, but a -- Jeff, did you have any comments on any of the work groups or workshops that you held, any comments you wanted to put forth, or -- YAZZETTA: Nothing to add on to what I've shared at previous meetings, no. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. Thanks. Yeah. Appreciate that. So that was the only work group you had outstanding, and we completed that in the fall, so thanks, Jeff. Okay. So I'm going to move on to agenda item 9b, which is discussion and possible direction. This is where we're going to talk about how we can -- what's the words I -- I used on here, organize -- to interface with the town staff in order to review with the town staff on a small group basis, the -- the plan so far and to discuss, maybe validate some of the tasks that we can put in the plan for inclusion going forward. So we've talked about that. Now, this is not timeline specific. This is just split into small groups. So if you'll allow me -- I know we needed to assign each one of our strategic priorities to an individual on the -- on the commission to help us interact with -- with the staff. So Meeting Packet Page 10 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 7 of 18 this would be small group, not a quorum going forward. This would just be an interaction socialization. So I'm just going to go one through five because we have five strategic priorities. But I want to make sure and get these on record. The reason I have my right hand out that you can't see, Jeff, is because the first strategic priority is infrastructure. And Bernie had said outside of this meeting that he was interested in being the point of contact along with me for the infrastructure. So unless anybody else has any -- any -- any comments as far as infrastructure, you know, I was going to go ahead and assign that to Bernie, even though he's here -- he's not here right now. So that's -- anybody have any questions about that? Nope. Okay I know it's just -- so -- so number one, Bernie is going to be able to do infrastructure along with me. Moving down, the next one is finance. Just to move -- move the meeting along, Jeff, you had you had said that you might have interest in finance. Is that still the case? YAZZETTA: Yes, I am. That's correct. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. So I have your name down for finance. Are you good with being the POC along with me for finance interfacing with the town? YAZZETTA: Yes. Yes. CHAIR GARMAN: Awesome. Thank you Jeff. YAZZETTA: You're welcome. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. Now we're going to move down to strategic priority three, which is economic development. Joe, I think you had some interest in that area, correct? REYES: I did. I do. Still do. CHAIR GARMAN: Still do. REYES: Will do. CHAIR GARMAN: Everybody else seems to be okay with that. So are you okay with being a POC along with me for -- REYES: Sure. Meeting Packet Page 11 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 8 of 18 CHAIR GARMAN: -- economic development? Okay. That's Joe. Thank you. The next one is strategic priority four, which is quality of life and safety. I think we also had somebody who was interested in that. Is that right, Polly? BONNETT: Yes. I would like to be the point of contact for that. CHAIR GARMAN: Awesome. Thank you very much. It's just running like clockwork today. It's a -- it's beautiful. Okay. So Polly and myself would be the pair working on quality of life and safety. And then land use and development. This is another one I think that's near and dear to your heart, right, Jeff? YAZZETTA: Yeah. Since I really wanted this included in this iteration of the plan, I'd like to be point on land use and development. CHAIR GARMAN: Awesome. Thanks, Jeff. Okay. YAZZETTA: You're welcome. CHAIR GARMAN: So -- so we have we have a point of contact along with me as kind of the -- to go along the partnership, the secretary, whatever you want to call me. So I can make sure, and hear, and understand the conversation as well. So I look over -- what do you think about what we've done so far, as far as pairing off for each one of the strategic priorities, Rachael? GOODWIN: It looks good. It works good. CHAIR GARMAN: It works good. GOODWIN: Uh-huh. CHAIR GARMAN: I know that -- I'm looking over at Angela and Hannah. The one thing though, I want to make sure is like when we come and meet, like, we have two people now, but if we had like two topics or three topics, all of a sudden we might have like four people there. And we probably can't do that with open meeting laws. So we have to be careful how we meet. GOODWIN: Yeah, if anything, we could potentially put the two topics for -- that you and Jeff are sort of spearheading together on the same -- the same day, if we needed to. Meeting Packet Page 12 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 9 of 18 CHAIR GARMAN: Yeah. I just want to make sure and get that on record. So everybody's clear with that. GOODWIN: Yes. Correct. CHAIR GARMAN: Yeah. All right. Thanks. Thank you very much for that. I do appreciate everybody volunteering for those roles. Okay. Any other comments on that? I'm going to move on. Okay. Moving on to on the regular agenda 9c. Now this is more of a consideration of future agenda items. This is where we I really wanted to insert the -- kind of the timeline that we have to -- to accomplish our interactions with the town or town staff and -- and getting a good draft to the Council. Let's put it that way. So what -- what I've been exposed to so far is, if you all know, we -- we had an election, and so we have now incoming Council, mayor reelect coming in later on this fall. So the timeline that we kind of laid out now is just the timeline that I've used before here in Fountain Hills that worked pretty well, which is to head into this fall, get into the nitty gritty. Since we've already done the work of the -- the strategic priorities, the signature strategies, and we've -- we've toyed around with -- with some of the tasks that go under each one. To really now kind of validate those with -- with the town staff, come out with a -- with a -- a good solid draft over the next. I'm just throwing this out here maybe over the next couple of months, get something that we can stand behind, and start to socialize with the Council as early as, you know, later this fall, maybe. Maybe towards the November time frame and -- and hopefully if we do a good job and if we have a product that's acceptable to the Council, maybe we can get it in. Not maybe -- we'd like to get it in front of them to possibly vote on by their meeting before the -- before the Christmas holidays, which is December 15th, I believe. So the goal right now is then to formulate this plan that we've been working on, get a good solid draft, hand it over to the Council to -- to kick around, discuss, and hopefully vote on by the end of the calendar year or at their meeting in December before the holidays. And then the new Council can come back after the holidays and hit the ground Meeting Packet Page 13 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 10 of 18 running. Was there anything I said there that was, like, totally off -- off? Nothing? Good. Rachael, what do you think? I know I'm paraphrasing, but -- GOODWIN: I think that's the -- that's the timeline. CHAIR GARMAN: What do you think, Joe? You got the light on? REYES: I think we can live with it. CHAIR GARMAN: You think we can live with it? REYES: It is what it is. That's short and sweet. CHAIR GARMAN: Yeah. The good thing is, we've been working on this for a number of years, and I think we all have -- especially the folks that have been sitting on the -- on the -- on the commission for a while. We do have a solid background with to -- to draw from to help get this done. Jeff, that that timeline was probably kind of new to you. Any thoughts? How's that sound to you? YAZZETTA: I think we can make it work. Let's go for it. CHAIR GARMAN: Thanks. And just as a -- a reminder, I mean, last time around, five years ago we did the same thing. We socialized it, but it really took a couple months in the new year to make some of the changes that the Council had asked for. And then they ended up approving it in March. So it's not like we're very far off. We're only talking a few months here -- here or there. So -- so I do think it's doable. Okay. We've just made up a lot a -- lot of -- a lot of real estate there. We assigned teams and we also put out there the timeline that we're working for. I guess I'll wait. Rachael, do you have anything to input now, or do you want to wait till agenda item 11 to talk? I didn't know if you wanted to put out some guidance either now or later. GOODWIN: I mean, we can kind of take -- because we're talking about the next steps with the plan and just sort of laid out the timeline, in the way I understand it is we want Meeting Packet Page 14 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 11 of 18 to make go ahead and set up some meetings with staff that are specific to each of the areas. What I'd like to figure out is exactly how we want to do that, what works best for this group and the small -- this -- the pairings, if you will. Except Bernie, so we'll have to follow -- follow up with him later. But we are in -- we're headed back into Council meetings resuming. We're headed into what I'll call a heavy conference season. The fall tends to be where a number of conferences -- so we have staff in and out quite a bit. So I'd like to figure out if we want to establish a specific day or time that works for everybody. If it's easier to coordinate through Hannah and work with the staff schedule so that -- and just kind of take each one individually. How would you best like to do that? CHAIR GARMAN: I can start off the conversation before handing it over to Polly, but I just wanted to be flexible for you all, because you all are getting paid every day to work, and we're volunteers. I know some of us -- like, I generally work off kind of an East Coast schedule, so I'm up early in the morning and I'm done, you know, have more time after 2 or 3 in the afternoon just because of the time change. GOODWIN: Uh-huh. CHAIR GARMAN: But I know you all work, like ten hour days, right? GOODWIN: Uh-huh. CHAIR GARMAN: So even if it's early evening or evening or that would all be acceptable. I would just have a hard time if it's early in the morning. GOODWIN: Okay. That's -- that's fair. That's exactly what we need to know. So that if we can look at afternoon windows -- for instance, we were kind of trying to target at one point, we were brainstorming, you know, do we want to just pick a few Monday afternoons? Because Tuesdays are Council days and Wednesdays are heavy commission days for other not just our commission, but other commissions throughout the month. You Meeting Packet Page 15 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 12 of 18 know, so it gets a little hectic. So it is easier to pick a day and a time that we can put it on calendars internally because, like you said, there's a lot of staff, specifically our directors, like Public Works and Community Services that are not always in the building. I mean, they are boots on the ground doers as much as they are directors. So carving out that window of time, and I know -- Polly, I know you, you know, work out of town. So I want to be respectful of your calendar and time as well. Jeff, I know you're out of town right now, but I know you have a lot going on, so maybe what we'll do is we'll have Hannah just kind of put out a few days and times to see what might work best for everybody, and then we can kind of schedule those. Patrick, did you have a deadline of when you wanted to try to get these done by whether it's the next commission meeting, is it by a certain point in time, are we trying to get them done, maybe by the end of September? CHAIR GARMAN: That would be great. I think if we meet every week, we can get it done by the end of September. I'd like to have as many -- I'd like to meet -- I'm trying to think through the -- the time frame now, because it just turns to September next. I mean, I'd like to be complete by our meeting in October. GOODWIN: Okay. CHAIR GARMAN: So that's the -- when we do this, third or fourth week of October? GOODWIN: Uh-huh. CHAIR GARMAN: I'd like to be done you know, have something that's acceptable to all -- all -- all parties that weren't elected, by then. So I'm -- I'm ready to jump in as early as next week and start doing it weekly. If you want to front load anything, if you have time, if you want to do it two times a week for the first couple of weeks to get -- get front loaded, I'm available to do that. GOODWIN: I guess that's my question. CHAIR GARMAN: What? GOODWIN: How long are you seeing these meetings -- for instance, let's just -- okay, we're going to set up a meeting for economic development. I'm going to make sure Meeting Packet Page 16 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 13 of 18 (indiscernible) there. And we're going to make sure John from Development Services is there because they kind of dovetail with each other. Am I carving out an hour a couple of times? Am I carving out a bigger chunk of time for everybody to sit? Do you expect dialog and then to come back and meet with them again after everything sort of been digested? CHAIR GARMAN: I was hoping that both parties could come loaded to be constructive -- GOODWIN: Okay. CHAIR GARMAN: -- in the meeting, and I would say if it's just one topic -- GOODWIN: Uh-huh. CHAIR GARMAN: -- one -- you know, we can get in and out and give me homework in 30 minutes. You know, if we're if we don't talk about each other's day and things like that so we can -- we -- it doesn't have to be a whole hour. I would think at least 30 minutes on each one of these topics. GOODWIN: Okay. CHAIR GARMAN: No less than that. GOODWIN: Sure. I can do that. CHAIR GARMAN: And then if both teams are -- both teams, both sides. We're all on the same side. Both groups are -- are -- are tracking coming in with some of these drafts that we have. I mean, if we can get right into it and then I can -- you're right. I would do the homework afterwards and bring something back. GOODWIN: Okay. CHAIR GARMAN: All right. GOODWIN: We'll look to start scheduling those. CHAIR GARMAN: What do you -- what do you think, Polly? Did you have a recommendation? Because you also are working full time. BONNETT: Well, I was curious if there's prep work for any of the staff that they're -- they know they're prepared to come with, or if it's just discussion in the moment. We would do prep work. CHAIR GARMAN: I would definitely funnel -- I mean, you know, Rachael and her staff Meeting Packet Page 17 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 14 of 18 are very informed as well. But I would I would definitely -- we would -- we would talk ahead of time, and I'd provide them with what we're going to come with. All right. GOODWIN: Yeah. And just to follow up -- I mean -- so and Patrick knows this already, I did share -- well, actually the staff went back and actually wanted to see kind of what the result was of our last work session. And the document has been circulated internally with a lot of feedback. So I think that there's going to be quite a bit of dialog prepared there. So if there's an updated version of that or something else we want to give out, you know, between now and then, so that staff can kind of review it, that would be helpful. Otherwise they come to the table with what they know from the last work session. CHAIR GARMAN: If lunch was back, or dinner was back, or something like that, every Monday, it would be great. GOODWIN: Well, I don't know that every Monday's gong to -- we're going to have to look through all of that, because -- CHAIR GARMAN: I can only stop at Subway and bring something over for everybody. GOODWIN: Well, the challenge would -- REYES: Just for the record, Monday is my worst day. I just want you to know that conflicts with another event that I have weekly. CHAIR GARMAN: Every Monday afternoon, evening? REYES: We can find a spot. Yeah. So just that 5 to 7 spot or 6 -- 5 to 6 is -- other than that, I'm good. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. I -- I just want you to know that I know you guys are putting out time for this, so we will work hard to make it work. GOODWIN: Sure. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. GOODWIN: We can do that. The challenge with some of the Mondays is that we -- well, we have a holiday coming up. So -- and then I do know, because of calendars and some of the travel schedules, that kind of bumps into Mondays on a -- on occasion. We've looked out ahead a little bit. Meeting Packet Page 18 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 15 of 18 CHAIR GARMAN: Uh-huh. GOODWIN: I know. So we'll work to get a few dates and times out there for the group. You guys can kind of say, yes, this is the day that Polly can come. Yes, this is the day that Joe works good -- works for Joe. And then we'll start plugging them into calendars, because we would -- we would want to save that time and date with staff so that they know to be there. And that way, once you know who's going to be there and when, then we can give them any prep work or you know, preliminary things that we might want them to review between then. Does that seem okay? CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. So it sounds like instead of the same time every week, now we're talking about, you know, what's best for the people involved in that specific topic. GOODWIN: I was going to say, I think that's probably -- we will still target Monday afternoon as the primary -- as the preferred time. Joe, we'll keep in keep in mind you got -- you got places to be. You're a popular guy. And then Polly, we'll work with your work schedule, too, so you can let us know what works best. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. And I think for scheduling -- scheduling meetings, I can, like, establish, like, an email like Polly and I, and you, and Hannah, and Angela. Right? And then -- so then the two of us can find a good time. And the same thing with Joe, and the same thing with Jeff, and Bernie. And we just keep them all separate, though, just so everybody -- so we don't have a quorum. All right. Okay. I think we have a plan. I'll work on what is today? Wednesday. So we could jump on that. Even have initial meetings next week. The more we do front loading it here early on, the better. Thanks. Okay. So that was done for the regular agenda. I don't -- now we have call to the public all the way down at number 10. We don't have any call to the public. We don't have any public here to -- to listen. So nobody in the audience for that. Okay. So we're going to move on to agenda item 11, which is commission discussion or Meeting Packet Page 19 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 16 of 18 direction to the director. So now is the time -- you know, we used to start off this, I don't know if any of the commissioners are here present. And you as well, Jeff, if you had anything that you wanted to just bring up, kind of for the good of the order for SPAC at this minute, I'll look to my left first. Joe, anything for the group? No. Polly, anything you want to put out? Nothing? BONNETT: Not right now. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. Thanks. Jeff, is there anything you wanted to put out? YAZZETTA: No, not at this time. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. Thanks. Then hearing nothing from the commissioners, we're going to move on to 12 and future agenda items. This -- I'm just going to do a quick review for the minutes. And please keep me honest, because this is from memory. But we -- we started off the meeting, we assigned partnerships or two people, or a POC from the commission to -- to represent each one of our strategic priorities. So there's five of them. Just to review, Bernie in absentia is -- is infrastructure. Jeff, finances. Economic development was Joe. Quality of life and safety was Polly. Land use and development is also Jeff. We talked about a timeline. Just to reiterate, we're jumping into, right now, the socialization, validation, organization of the plan with town staff, with the hopes of -- of -- of getting a good, solid draft that represents the work we've done by our October meeting, and then to begin to socialize that, as they say, with -- with the Mayor and the Town Council with the hope of getting -- maybe doing some edits, make some changes per the Council -- the Mayor and Council's directions, and getting to a vote at the December 15th meeting. All right. And then the last thing on there is talking about the scheduling for us to meet with town staff. So we're looking at -- instead of having the same time every week, we're looking at Meeting Packet Page 20 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 17 of 18 what's best for the kind of the subject matter assigned -- or experts on each one of the strategic priorities. So I'll start the ball rolling with the email for that so we can pick a time, and hopefully we can start as early as -- as next week finding times to meet. Anything I forgot? Okay. This might be one of our shorter meetings. It still probably took a lot longer if I hadn't talked so much. So looking to my left, looking to my right. Is there a motion on the table for adjournment? BONNETT: I move to adjourn. CHAIR GARMAN: So you -- you have a motion? BONNETT: Yes. CHAIR GARMAN: Do you have a second? REYES: Second. CHAIR GARMAN: Joe has a second to -- the motion on table is to adjourn the -- the -- the SPAC meeting for the August 26th, 2026. Any discussion? Hearing none, we can move to a vote. All those in favor of adjourning the meeting right now, say aye. ALL: Aye. CHAIR GARMAN: I waited for you, Jeff. YAZZETTA: Thanks. CHAIR GARMAN: Any opposed? Hearing none. We are adjourned. Thank you. YAZZETTA: Thank you. Meeting Packet Page 21 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS AUGUST 26, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 18 of 18 APPROVED: ____________________________________ PATRICK GARMAN, CHAIR ATTEST: ____________________________________ HANNAH MARTIN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING MINUTES ARE A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE MINUTES OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING, FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA HELD ON AUGUST 26, 2026. I FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE MEETING WAS DULY CALLED AND HELD AND THAT A QUORUM WAS PRESENT. ________________________________ HANNAH MARTIN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Meeting Packet Page 22 of 29 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2026 1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Patrick Garman called to order the meeting of the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission at 4:03 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Moment of Silence 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chairman Patrick Garman; Vice Chairman Geoff Yazzetta; Commissioner Polly Bonnett; Commissioner Joseph Reyes Members Absent: Commissioner Bernie Hoenle Staff Present: Town Manager Rachael Goodwin, Deputy Town Clerk Angela Padgett- Espiritu, Executive Assistant Hannah Martin 4. STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION 5. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS BY DIRECTOR GOODWIN: • Shea Boulevard widening: The project is nearing completion and is expected to be finished within the next 30 days or less, ahead of schedule. Additional closures are anticipated. • Palisades water line replacement: EPCOR is replacing the water line, with work expected to continue through the end of 2026 and potentially into early 2027. • Fall activities: Several events and park improvement projects are scheduled to begin as the busy fall season gets underway. • 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: The Town will host a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11 at the Fountain Park Amphitheater from 6–7 p.m. The event is being held in partnership with Rotary, which will provide replica towers and place 411 flags at the park. The ceremony will include speakers, color guards, lighting for the flags, and a white rose placement. Music, including possible bagpipes, was still being determined. • Goodwin noted that the Town has a busy schedule of projects and events continuing into the fall. 6. PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONS None 7. PRESENTATIONS Meeting Packet Page 23 of 29 None 8. CONSENT AGENDA a. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the Minutes from the Regular Meeting Held on May 26, 2026 and the Work Session Held on June 24, 2026. i. MOVED BY Commissioner Polly Bonnett to APPROVE the Minutes from the Regular Meeting Held on May 26, 2026 and the Work Session Held on June 24, 2026 of the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission, SECONDED BY Commissioner Joseph Reyes ii. Vote: 4–0 | motion passed unanimously 9. REGULAR AGENDA a. UPDATE: from the Commission Work Groups • YAZZETTA: No updates b. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION: Organize Commission Teams to interface with Town Staff to review and validate tasks for inclusion in the Strategic Plan • The Commission discussed organizing small-group interactions with Town staff to review the strategic plan, validate proposed tasks, and provide input for future inclusion. The groups will remain less than a quorum to comply with open meeting requirements. • Commission point-of-contact assignments were established for each of the five strategic priorities: i. Infrastructure: Bernie and Chair Garman ii. Finance: Geoff Yazzetta and Chair Garman iii. Economic Development: Joe Reyes and Chair Garman iv. Quality of Life and Safety: Polly Bonnett and Chair Garman v. Land Use and Development: Geoff Yazzetta and Chair Garman • Town Manager Goodwin agreed that the pairing structure works well. The Chair also emphasized the importance of being mindful of Open Meeting Law requirements, particularly if multiple strategic priorities or Commission members are involved in the same meeting. Goodwin suggested that the two topics assigned to Jeff could potentially be addressed on the same day if needed, while still maintaining compliance. c. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Consideration of Future Agenda Items Pertaining to the Strategic Plan. • The Commission discussed the timeline and next steps for completing the strategic plan and coordinating with Town staff. • The goal is to work with Town staff in small groups to validate the strategic priorities, strategies, and proposed tasks, then develop a solid draft of the plan. • The Commission hopes to begin sharing the draft with the Town Council in November and, if possible, have it considered for approval at the December meeting before the holidays. Meeting Packet Page 24 of 29 • The group agreed the timeline is achievable, noting that the previous strategic plan took additional time for Council revisions and was ultimately approved in March. • Small-group meetings with staff will be scheduled for each strategic priority. Because staff schedules are particularly busy in the fall, Hannah will help coordinate dates and times with the individual participants. • The Chair would like to complete the staff meetings by the October Commission meeting, with the possibility of meeting weekly or holding additional meetings early on to move the process forward. • Meetings are expected to be at least 30 minutes per topic, with participants coming prepared for focused, constructive discussions. • Staff will review the materials from the previous work session and any updated documents provided in advance so they can come prepared with feedback. • Monday afternoons are the preferred meeting time, but schedules will be coordinated individually based on staff and Commission member availability. • The Chair emphasized that the individual meetings should remain separate to avoid creating a quorum and ensure compliance with Open Meeting Law requirements. • Overall: The Commission agreed to move quickly into staff discussions, with initial meetings potentially beginning the following week, in order to have a draft strategic plan ready for Council consideration by the end of the year. 10. CALL TO THE PUBLIC None 11. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/DIRECTION TO THE DIRECTOR None 12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None 13. ADJOURNMENT • MOVED BY Commissioner Polly Bonnett to APPROVE adjourning the meeting of August 26, 2026, of the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission, SECONDED BY Commissioner Joseph Reyes. Vote: 4–0 | motion passed unanimously Chairman Patrick Garman adjourned the meeting of the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission at 4:33 PM Meeting Packet Page 25 of 29 ITEM 9.a. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 9/23/2026 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Submitting Department: Administration Prepared by: Hannah Martin, Executive Assistant Staff Contact Information: Phone: 480-816-5107 Email: hmartin@fountainhillsaz.gov Request to Town Council Regular Meeting (Agenda Language) UPDATE: Review of Infrastructure Discussion with Town Staff Staff Summary (background) Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Risk Analysis Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) Staff Recommendation(s) Suggested Motion ATTACHMENTS None Meeting Packet Page 26 of 29 ITEM 9.b. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 9/23/2026 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Submitting Department: Administration Prepared by: Staff Contact Information: Phone: Email: Request to Town Council Regular Meeting (Agenda Language) UPDATE: Review of Economic Development Discussion with Town Staff Staff Summary (background) Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Risk Analysis Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) Staff Recommendation(s) Suggested Motion ATTACHMENTS None Meeting Packet Page 27 of 29 ITEM 9.c. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 9/23/2026 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Submitting Department: Administration Prepared by: Hannah Martin, Executive Assistant Staff Contact Information: Phone: 480-816-5107 Email: hmartin@fountainhillsaz.gov Request to Town Council Regular Meeting (Agenda Language) UPDATE: Review of Work Groups Scheduled Discussions with Town Staff Staff Summary (background) Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Risk Analysis Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) Staff Recommendation(s) Suggested Motion ATTACHMENTS None Meeting Packet Page 28 of 29 ITEM 9.d. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 9/23/2026 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Submitting Department: Administration Prepared by: Hannah Martin, Executive Assistant Staff Contact Information: Phone: 480-816-5107 Email: hmartin@fountainhillsaz.gov Request to Town Council Regular Meeting (Agenda Language) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Consideration of Future Agenda Items Pertaining to the Strategic Plan. Staff Summary (background) Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Risk Analysis Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) Staff Recommendation(s) Suggested Motion ATTACHMENTS None Meeting Packet Page 29 of 29