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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.10.28.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, OCTOBER 28, 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 23 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 September 23, 2026. 9. REGULAR AGENDA a. UPDATE: Review of Past Month's Discussions with Town Staff b. DISCUSSION: Regarding the Draft Strategic Plan c. 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 21st day of October, 2026. 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 Meeting Packet Page 2 of 23 AZRelay 7-1-1 the Thursday prior to the meeting to request reasonable accommodation. Meeting Packet Page 3 of 23 ITEM 8.a. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 10/28/2026 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) CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approving the meeting minutes of the Strategic Plan Advisory Commission regular meeting held on September 23, 2026. 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 1. 2026.09.23.SPAC.MINUTES.DRAFT 2. 2026.0923.SPAC.MINUTES.SUMMARY Meeting Packet Page 4 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 14 Post-Production File Town of Fountain Hills Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes September 23, 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 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 14 CHAIR GARMAN: So I call to order this meeting of the Fountain Hills Strategic Planning Advisory Commission, on the September 23rd, 2026. So the first thing on our agenda today after I call to order is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you could all please stand. ALL: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. CHAIR GARMAN: Thank you. And before we sit down, we also are going to have an invocation or a moment of silence. All right. Thank you. Hannah, could you do roll call for us, please? MARTIN: Chair Garman. CHAIR GARMAN: Here. MARTIN: Vice Chair Yazzetta. YAZZETTA: Here. MARTIN: Commissioner Hoenle. HOENLE: Here. MARTIN: Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Bonnett. Okay. We have three, so we have a quorum. CHAIR GARMAN: So based on the -- having two open seats, we have five active members. We have three present. So we have a quorum. Oh wow. GOODWIN: Thank goodness, Joe. CHAIR GARMAN: Now there's no doubt. GOODWIN: It's essentially open meeting law. REYES: That was the only one upstairs. I went and printed it out. CHAIR GARMAN: Hannah, did you want to go back and amend the roll call? MARTIN: Yes. So we have Commissioner Reyes here as of 4:08 p.m. CHAIR GARMAN: Awesome. So now we have four and we have a definite quorum. So thanks everyone. Meeting Packet Page 6 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 14 So statement of participation, I don't know, we probably don't have any cards. We don't have anybody in the audience. So I don't need to read the statement of participation. So moving down to Agenda Item 5 is a summary of current events by the director. So Rachael, I will say, you know, we haven't got down to the last minutes, but the update you gave last month were really good. I read them a few times this month, so I very much appreciate your updates. So over to you. GOODWIN: Sure. Happy -- happy to offer updates. CHAIR GARMAN: It's good. GOODWIN: Really -- what do we have going on? I mean, we're really in a full swing with counsel being back in session, a number of events happening, a number of projects around town going on, including tomorrow evening, we have the return of the Ballet Under the Stars. Then we have Oktoberfest the following weekend. We have -- and then of course, the park is undergoing undersea -- scalping and overseeding. That takes place pretty much through the month of October. And then nestled right into the heart of October is the homecoming parade, which is typically earlier in the year, usually in September, so that it can be along the avenue. This year the school chose to do it in October, and I believe the parade is now going to be held on Park View. So that's a little change, but still fun and festive in our downtown. We have already we've begun meetings with Chair Garman and a number of other commissioners to begin meeting with staff and getting feedback on the upcoming strategic plan. That has been -- we kicked that off this week. I think we have some more meetings scheduled tomorrow, so that is underway. I'm sure the Chair will share more about that. And then tomorrow we are hosting, as you can see the chambers have been converted, we are going to be hosting the Leadership Academy. I know a number of you went through Leadership Academy. So tomorrow is the know your government day, so Meeting Packet Page 7 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 14 should be fun. If there's any questions or any information you'd like on any of that, or other things, let me know. CHAIR GARMAN: One thing. Did the Oktoberfest move this year? Where is it taking place? GOODWIN: The Oktoberfest is taking place at the Centennial Pavilion. So the open area there between the library and community center, that's where it was held last year as well. So that change in location ultimately came for a number of reasons, but I think it was a little more manageable for the organizers and the volunteers and whatnot. So -- but it's being held out there October 2nd and 3rd. HOENLE: Okay. CHAIR GARMAN: Any other questions? Comments? Hearing none. Thanks. Okay. I lost my place. Sorry. So many current events down -- Number 6, Proclamation, Awards, and Recognitions. I don't think we're recognizing anybody today. So move on. I don't think we have any presentations for us today either. So that was Number 7. Down to Number 8 is our consent agenda. We do have something on that, and that is the reviewing and possibly approving the minutes from last month. Anybody have any comments on -- on the meetings after -- the meeting minutes after reviewing them? Seeing no comments. Is there a motion on the floor about the minutes from last month? YAZZETTA: Moved to approve last month's minutes. HOENLE: I'll second. CHAIR GARMAN: And we have a second. Any discussion on the motion to approve the minutes from last month's meeting, which would be August 2026? Hearing none, we can proceed to a vote. All those in favor of -- by the way, thank you very much for the overview of the minutes always getting through all the ahs and ums is Meeting Packet Page 8 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 14 sometimes cumbersome, but the review is really nice, so I definitely appreciate that. So now we can move on to vote. All those in favor of approving the minutes from August 2026, say aye. ALL: Aye. CHAIR GARMAN: Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, the motion passed unanimously. The -- the minutes are approved. Thank you. Okay. Now we're going to move on to regular agenda. Now we're going to talk about the -- the meetings we've started to have that we outlined last month. Kind of the small group informational meetings with town staff and spec members who are kind of the POC for that area -- specific area within our strategic plan. So the -- the first meeting -- the first topic we met on Monday, 21st, I guess of September here at the town hall. And I was joined by with Bernie and I was going to turn it over to Bernie to see if you had any highlights, things you wanted to review, how you thought the meeting went. HOENLE: So we covered quite a bit of ground with infrastructure. Starting off with roads and having the explanation about PCI ratings, how they were generated, and how they come about, and how they help guide the -- the progress, and selection of which roads are next in the queue. And then we talked a little bit about irrigation, water management, wastewater management, who does what, and how it's evolved over time over the last several years. And it's become more efficient with some of the things that Kevin Snipes has said that they've implemented. So that was all good news. I'm going to go back to the roads. I didn't mention -- we talked a little bit about funding, but one of the main points that was driven home to us by Justin was the backlog. They're -- they're keeping up pretty well on what they're doing for the different types of road structures, whether it's the collectors, the main roads, locals, and all that. But it's getting down to the backlog and the backlog continues to grow. So that's the biggest issue when it comes to trying to figure out funding and how we Meeting Packet Page 9 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 14 move forward. Okay. So back on the irrigation, we wound up talking about medians being separate from recreational areas, which was a new topic for us, and how they're managed, and how that's developing as the roads are progressing, and as the parks are progressing. So there's a relationship there, but there are different entities that are managing the water flow on those. And the last part of it was really on public-private partnerships. And actually the town is engaged in, so to speak, public private partnerships with the library, Dark Skies, the museum, Kiwanis, the community garden, Elks, Sonoran Conservancy, disc golf. I mean, there's a lot of different events that go on that require teaming and working together so they could be considered in a broader definition of public-private partnerships, and how we move forward, and continue what we're doing, and maybe add some more to it. So that's pretty much high level. CHAIR GARMAN: Got a great memory, Bernie just wrote this down. I just let him know and he just -- that was pretty amazing. Rachael, do you have anything to add because you sat in as well? GOODWIN: No, I think you did. You captured it very well, Bernie. I think having some of that insight from both Justin and Kevin around the table is helpful again, to just sort of again, differentiate the details of, you know, whether it's irrigation or you know, what is currently in use. Just again, to get a little more in depth with those topics. So I don't have anything else to add. I thought it went well. CHAIR GARMAN: Any other questions from Jeff or Joe? No. All right. We will continue discussion, but I thought it was -- it really was -- it gave us a lot, a lot of things to think about, a lot of things to include, a lot of things to align with -- with the town staff on. So very successful meeting. And I just want to make sure say thanks, Rachael, to you and your staff for -- for working with us and being there and having a great discussion. Okay. The second topic that we talked about, the second pillar was economic development. We had that discussion. Amanda Jacobs, and Joe, and I were there for Meeting Packet Page 10 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 7 of 14 that as well as Racheal and Hannah. Joe, I didn't know if you had anything you wanted to update and talk about how the meeting went. REYES: I'm at a bit of a disadvantage because I didn't bring my notes. But if you give me the -- what was it -- the oh, I'm sorry. If you give me the four -- or five actually, areas that we went and discussed, I can pretty much recall what happened on each of those. CHAIR GARMAN: Downtown planning. REYES: Yeah, I got that one. What else? [LAUGHTER] CHAIR GARMAN: Outdoor activities and tourism. REYES: That was it. Tourism. CHAIR GARMAN: Shea Corridor, and -- REYES: Okay. CHAIR GARMAN: -- diversification in business recruitment. REYES: All right. It was an interesting and very good, I think, session. We spent a bit of time initially discussing some of the changes in terms of the format or the process by which we identify and add the -- the various tasks and deadlines for -- for all of the projects that sit under those four headings. But once we got started -- actually prior to that, Amanda had provided a very good overview that served, really as the basis for us to then go through and discuss each one of those areas. And when I say discuss, it was really actually more you guys -- you guys being Amanda and Rachael, for the most part, did an excellent job on bringing us up to date on what the thoughts and the deadlines were for each one of those. The -- the downtown section -- well we -- that's probably the one that -- well, there was some good questions in there, because the questions that came up were, okay, how does it differ now from what we thought earlier or what we're thinking, like, something like five years out? And there were a couple of things that I actually had forgotten all about, like trying to get those business entities that fall in there to, let's say, congregate kind of in a certain Meeting Packet Page 11 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 8 of 14 area. So that -- so that the business sector is not all over the town, but collected within that, that certain area. There were a lot of discussions on -- actually the milestones that have already been achieved are very close to -- to getting there. I'm sorry, what was your second one that I wrote down here, that I can't see my writing? CHAIR GARMAN: Diversification -- REYES: Oh, the tourism and -- CHAIR GARMAN: Tourism is what I put. REYES: The tourism. Yes. And kind of in alignment or related to the Dark Sky, since that's actually a big one that drives discussions currently in that regard. And I -- I think maybe a couple others were a bit surprised that there are already a lot of discussions and actions that are being undertaken in that regard. And I was just -- I was surprised to find out that, yeah, I knew we were going to look and continue to market, shall we say, the Dark Sky activity is outside of and throughout -- well, the US and maybe beyond, but I didn't realize that we actually were considering to promote building additional facilities, and basically a hotel resort, you know. Unknown as to what exactly and to what sizing, but the -- some additional areas to support the activities that would be announced and marketed throughout. So I think that the -- the other elements kind of pale by comparison, because let's face it, the, the dollars and all the activities and much of the planning are really focused on -- on the Dark Sky and some of the things that they'll be rolling out. The Shea Corridor. The Shea Corridor is moving along. It has certainly had its -- over the years -- various projects that have brought it to the current stage. I was kind of thinking about that as I drove up Shea today. And still the construction is -- it's moving along very well. Glad to see that -- we're -- glad to see that we're. MARTIN: Monday. Monday. REYES: Oh thank you. I was going to say I'm glad to see that they're starting to move everything out. And it looks like it's going to be clearing out. Yeah. I guess by Monday then all of that will be returned to the -- the regular thoroughfare that -- and actually, I Meeting Packet Page 12 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 9 of 14 think it's going to be a faster moving areas, because I've noticed that the lanes seem a little bit more generous, this striping, and everything's new, and everything's new, it just kind of keeps everyone in place. So kudos to everyone for that one because that that project is really looking very good. What was that, diversification? CHAIR GARMAN: Business diversification and recruitment. REYES: I think that's -- that's when I left you. I'm going to have to -- I'm going to have to turn that one over to you inform them. CHAIR GARMAN: Well, I do know we didn't make it all the way through and that we were going to reconvene with -- REYES: Yeah. CHAIR GARMAN: -- with Amanda in the future. And I know she's going to be part of the land-use discussion -- REYES: Oh, yeah. CHAIR GARMAN: -- when we meet with her again. So yeah, just to piggyback. It was it was a good discussion. What I kind of took out of it and thinking about it was, you know, since our -- our last plan, there's so much going on. I mean, downtown has its own strategic plan just for the downtown. So much going on with Shea Corridor. She let us know some of the stuff that was going on with that -- with the tourism and business recruitment. So you know, I kind of left with, you know, how can we support what your staff is already -- already doing, and keep emphasizing it as we go forward? And if I turn it over to you, Rachael, if you have any comments. GOODWIN: Yeah, I definitely second that. I think the ideal scenario is the strategic plan sort of dovetails with, you know, and reinforces, and hopefully you know, strategic plan is probably a little more generalized than the downtown plan, but it is intended to help support it and cross promote what those efforts are. So I was glad to hear that that is -- a lot of what Amanda shared is in line with that. And what we can do, and I know we talked a lot about, you know, what we can do, where Meeting Packet Page 13 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 10 of 14 we have challenges, you know, and what -- what areas we think we -- we can make strides in and whether that's in the downtown in the tourism, I think Dark Skies, you mentioned that a lot. You know, that was a big part of the because yes, we have the Dark Sky Discovery Center, but there's so much more that supports being a Dark Sky community, just like Skyview Park, coming online and creating other opportunities for that type of tourism experience. So I think all of that was really a good conversation and helping use some of the guiding documents we have to help dovetail into this new document that we're producing. CHAIR GARMAN: Any comments anybody else about -- any comments? Yeah, Bernie? HOENLE: Yeah, is that mostly concentrating on the center of town area? GOODWIN: I would say there was a lot of discussion about the Shea Corridor as well, not just the downtown -- I mean, the downtown plan is focused on what we define as the downtown boundaries, which really essentially are the avenue through over to Palisades, up to La Montana. So the primary corridor, but a lot of the other pieces that we talked about extend beyond that, whether that's for the Dark Sky efforts or the Shea -- just the Shea Boulevard, you know, what's emerging through that corridor. Is that was that your question, Bernie? Okay. CHAIR GARMAN: Bernie, to add on to it, where I think you also might be going, I was -- you know, in the downtown plan that Amanda has, they have it split up into different zones. So there's actually a business zone in the downtown plan. There's an entertainment zone in the downtown plan. So we reviewed all of that. And I thought that was pretty interesting as well. So it was even -- yeah, as you break apart the downtown plan, there was different zones or areas within that plan. So -- awesome. Okay. Thank you for that review. Thanks, Joe. So now we're going to review a little bit with -- with Hannah's help the work groups or Meeting Packet Page 14 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 11 of 14 the small groups that we have scheduled going forward. I can try to do it by -- by -- by memory a little bit, but I know we have one -- oh, you have in front of you? I won't stumble, then. MARTIN: I have them written down. CHAIR GARMAN: Okay. If you could review those with -- for us. Thanks. MARTIN: So we have quality of life and safety. That's tomorrow at 4. And that's Chair Garman and Commissioner Bonnet. Excuse me. And then our next ones are on Wednesday, October 7th. They're both with Chair Garman and Vice Chair Yazzetta. At 3, we're doing finance, and at 4 is land use and development. CHAIR GARMAN: Seven. October. Three. Did you say it was a -- is that a Wednesday, Thursday? MARTIN: Wednesday. CHAIR GARMAN: Wednesday. Okay. Wednesday. Okay. Yeah, I see. Bernie. Go ahead. HOENLE: I was just going to ask if I could be in that land use one. CHAIR GARMAN: As long as there's somebody that can do the math on the open meeting laws to make sure we don't have -- depending on who's -- who's sitting here, who's not sitting, you know what I mean? Who's -- I don't have any issues as long as we don't have a quorum. HOENLE: I give you some notes. CHAIR GARMAN: But I would I would welcome that, any information. Okay. Thanks. So that was -- now that was Agenda Item 9C. So we're going to go down to 9D, now, which is consideration of future agenda items pertaining to the strategic plan. So really now, what we're looking at -- September. This is October. So the goal is -- you know, we have this these small groups, the first couple this week, first couple weeks of October. You know, we work through -- we work every day, work through a weekend, try to get a draft to be able to circulate to be able to present to all Meeting Packet Page 15 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 12 of 14 involved. You know, I hate to put it on -- in electrons here, but you know, by the October meeting, to have a soft draft from these small group meetings, because we need to work through it together, all of us to have something to start to be able to show the council in November, right? And I think that's our goal. So we can start circulating -- socializing it. I know there was a goal. Socialize November, possibly a vote in December. But -- so we need to make sure and be ready for that. Any comments about what I just reviewed as far as the future? Sound decent? Okay. GOODWIN: Actually I will -- I will share one. If there is a need for us to schedule follow up meetings, for instance, if we don't get through a topic or we want to refine something, please let us know. Hannah will work to get those meetings set, just so that you know, we don't want to slow down the process. We want to try to make staff as available as possible. If needed, just let us know. CHAIR GARMAN: Yeah, we need to make sure -- you know, nothing will go up to -- of course, the -- the counsel until this commission is -- is good, gives me a thumbs up, the town based -- from you, Rachael gives us a thumbs up and it's ready to go. Okay. Okay. That was 9D. I'm going to move down to call to the public. There is I don't think there's any call to the public today. Nobody wants to talk to the SPAC this afternoon. I'm going to go down to 11, which is commission discussion and direction to the director. I mean, we can kind of make this -- does any of the commissioners have anything else, any comments as far as anything for this meeting? Looking to my left, to my right, and nobody's saying anything. So no comments. I think I said everything that I was going to said so far we're off to a good start. We've really distilled, I think the -- the plan that we have. We have the bones of the plan. And I think we're just working on some of the specifics right now. And so far, all signs point to us having a good draft within the next month. 12 -- Agenda item 12, Future Agenda Items. We already talked about that. Meeting Packet Page 16 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 13 of 14 But next -- next month at the October meeting, we should review the small group sessions, review what has happened over the next 30 days, and have a draft to circulate ahead of time. Sound good? All right. Anybody else have any comments before we move on to agenda item 13? Left. Right. Good. I know you're probably done for the day, Rachael. Okay. So we're moving on to 13, which is possible adjournment. I think we've done everything on the agenda -- we -- we -- we were supposed to do. Is there a motion on the table? YAZZETTA: Move to adjourn. CHAIR GARMAN: We have a first. We have a second for adjournment? HOENLE: Second. CHAIR GARMAN: Second. Any discussion on adjourning today? I think I beat that dead horse. So no discussion. We'll move on to a vote. All those in favor of adjourning the meeting today say aye. ALL: Aye. CHAIR GARMAN: Any opposed? Hearing none, the motion passes unanimously. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Meeting Packet Page 17 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 14 of 14 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 SEPTEMBER 23, 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 18 of 23 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION SUMMARY OF MEETING MINUTES September 23, 2026 1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Garman called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence were observed. 2. INVOCATION A moment of silence was observed. 3. ROLL CALL A quorum was established. Chair Garman, Vice Chair Yazzetta, and Commissioners Hoenle and Reyes were present. Commissioner Reyes joined at 4:08 p.m. 4. STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION No public comment cards were submitted, and no members of the public were present. 5. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS BY DIRECTOR Director Goodwin provided updates on Town activities and projects, including Ballet Under the Stars, Oktoberfest scheduled for October 2–3 at Centennial Pavilion, park scalping and overseeding during October, and the homecoming parade planned for Park View. Staff meetings with commissioners to review the strategic plan had begun. The Town was also preparing to host the Leadership Academy. 6. PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONS No proclamations, awards, or recognitions were scheduled. 7. PRESENTATIONS No presentations were scheduled. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Vice Chair Yazzetta moved to approve the minutes of the August 26, 2026, regular meeting, and Commissioner Hoenle seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 9. REGULAR AGENDA a. UPDATE: Review of Infrastructure Discussion with Town Staff Commissioner Hoenle summarized the September 21 discussion with Town staff regarding infrastructure. Topics included pavement condition index (PCI) ratings and how they inform road repair priorities; road maintenance funding and the growing backlog; irrigation, water and wastewater management; coordination of water management for medians and recreational areas; and opportunities to continue or expand public-private partnerships. Director Goodwin agreed that the discussion provided useful detail and context for the strategic plan. b. UPDATE: Review of Economic Development Discussion with Town Staff Commissioner Reyes summarized the discussion with staff on downtown planning, outdoor activities and tourism, the Shea Corridor, and business diversification and recruitment. Staff reviewed existing efforts, milestones, and anticipated timelines. Discussion included alignment with the Downtown Plan, business and entertainment areas, Dark Sky-related tourism opportunities, potential supporting facilities, and progress along the Shea Corridor. The Commission emphasized that the strategic plan should reinforce and complement Meeting Packet Page 19 of 23 existing Town plans and initiatives. The business diversification and recruitment discussion was not completed and will continue at a future meeting. c. UPDATE: Review of Work Groups Scheduled Discussions with Town Staff Upcoming staff discussions were reviewed. Quality of life and safety was scheduled for September 24 with Chair Garman and Commissioner Bonnett. Finance and land use and development were scheduled for October 7 with Chair Garman and Vice Chair Yazzetta. Commissioner Hoenle expressed interest in participating in the land use and development discussion, provided participation complies with open meeting requirements. d. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Consideration of Future Agenda Items Pertaining to the Strategic Plan The Commission discussed the timeline for completing the strategic plan. The goal is to prepare a preliminary draft for review at the October Commission meeting, circulate it in advance, and begin presenting and discussing it with the Mayor and Town Council in November, with a possible Council vote in December. Additional staff meetings may be scheduled as needed. The draft will be brought forward only after the Commission and Town staff have reviewed and agreed it is ready. 10. CALL TO THE PUBLIC No members of the public were present to address the Commission. 11. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/DIRECTION TO THE DIRECTOR No additional comments or direction were provided. 12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS At the October meeting, the Commission plans to review the staff work-group discussions and progress made over the following 30 days, with the goal of having a draft strategic plan ready to circulate in advance. 13. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Yazzetta moved to adjourn the meeting, and Commissioner Hoenle seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Packet Page 20 of 23 ITEM 9.a. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 10/28/2026 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 Past Month's Discussions with Town Staff Staff Summary (background) Review of discussions with town staff regarding strategic priorities Quality of Life and Safety, Land Use and Development, and Finances 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 21 of 23 ITEM 9.b. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 10/28/2026 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: Regarding the Draft Strategic Plan Staff Summary (background) na Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Risk Analysis Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) Staff Recommendation(s) na Suggested Motion ATTACHMENTS None Meeting Packet Page 22 of 23 ITEM 9.c. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: 10/28/2026 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 23 of 23