HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.1206.TCRM.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL
December 6, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Dickey called the Regular Meeting of the Fountain Hills Town Council held on
December 6, 2022, to order at 5:30 p.m. and led the Council and audience in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
A moment of silence was held.
3. ROLL CALL
Members Present Mayor Ginny Dickey: Vice Mayor Peggy McMahon; Councilmember
Gerry Friedel; Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski; Councilmember Alan Magazine;
Councilmember Mike Scharnow; and Councilmember David Spelich; Councilmember
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager Grady E. Miller; Town Attorney Aaron D. Arnson; Town
Clerk Linda Mendenhall
Audience: Approximately One Hundred twenty-five members of the public were present.
4. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COUNCILMEMBERS
A. Comments from the Outgoing Councilmembers
Councilmember Alan Magazine expressed his appreciation to the voters for
giving him the opportunity to represent them and placing their trust in his abilities.
He thanked the current council and expressed his appreciation for the Town Staff
for their dedication to the welfare of their citizens.
Councilmember Mike Scharnow expressed his appreciation to the residents of
Fountain Hills for this unique opportunity to serve. He thanked the past council
members, current council members, and incoming council members for their
commitment and dedication to the Town.
Councilmember David Spelich expressed his appreciation to the residents of
Fountain Hills mentioning it was an honor and privilege to serve them. He
expressed his appreciation to the Town staff for their hard work and their
commitment to the residents and thanked the current council for their service to
the community.
B. Comments from the Current Councilmembers
Vice Mayor Peggy McMahon thanked the current council mentioning that it has
been a pleasure to serve with them for the past two years. She congratulated the
outgoing council members and wished them well in their new endeavors.
Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski spoke about individualism and how it ruins
towns mentioning the need for open conversation around what's best for the
entire town and not for individuals sitting at the table. She expressed her
appreciation to the outgoing council members for their points of view and how
she learned from their discussions.
Councilmember Gerry Friedel expressed his appreciation to the outgoing council
members for their dedication and service.
Mayor Ginny Dickey expressed her appreciation to the outgoing council
members and recounted some of the challenges over the years as a public body.
She thanked the outgoing council for their expertise, service, and commitment.
C. Comments from the Public
The following Fountain Hills residents provided comments to council:
Cynthia Magazine, a Fountain Hills resident and wife of outgoing councilmember
Alan Magazine spoke about the journey of her husband on council as well as
recalling her observations of the other councilmembers and their growth over the
years.
Kim Wolborsky, a Fountain Hills resident, thanked the outgoing councilmembers
for their service and hopes that the new council can all buckle up and work
together.
D Presentation of Pins
Mayor Dickey presented outgoing Councilmembers Alan Magazine, Mike
Scharnow, and David Spelich with their Fountain Hills pin created by Sami's Fine
Jewelry.
5. SWEARING -IN CEREMONY
A. Swearing -in of the Mayor and the incoming Councilmembers by the Town of
Fountain Hills Municipal Court Judge Robert Melton
Judge Robert Melton administered the oath of office to Mayor Dickey who was
accompanied by her husband James Dickey, incoming councilmembers Brenda
J. Kalivianakis, who was accompanied by her friend, David Lovrak, Hannah Toth
who was accompanied by her father Rick Toth, and Allen Skillicorn who was
accompanied by his wife, Heather Skillicorn.
6. RECESS
Town Council recessed from 6:07 p.m. and reconvened at 6:29 p.m.
7. ROLL CALL
Members present: Mayor Ginny Dickey: Vice Mayor Peggy McMahon; Councilmember
Gerry Friedel; Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski; Councilmember Brenda J.
Kalivianakis; Councilmember Hannah Toth and Councilmember Allen Skillicorn
8. COMMENTS FROM THE INCOMING COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Hannah Toth thanked everyone who came to the meeting and the
outgoing councilmembers for their service. She thanked the people of Fountain Hills for
trusting her to serve on the council.
Councilmember Brenda J. Kalivianakis thanked everyone who came to the meeting and
encouraged future attendance at meetings. She expressed her appreciation for the staff
and the extremely important work that they do. She looks forward to serving with the
new town councilmembers, and working with the Mayor and current council to serve the
people of Fountain Hills.
Councilmember Allen Skillicorn thanked the residents of Fountain Hills for placing their
trust in him to serve the community. He promised to listen to and represent them; he will
only listen to them and not to special interests or lobbyists.
Mayor Ginny Dickey expressed her appreciation to the people that have helped her
along the way and the citizens who gave her the opportunity to continue to serve the
community.
9. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. g3e<31.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) an matters NOT listed on the agenda. Any such comment O
must be within thejunsdiction of the Council. and pills subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Council will not
discuss or take legal action on matters raised during Call to the Public unless the matters ere properly noticed for discussion and legal
action. At the conclusion of the Call to the Pudic, individual councllmembers may (p respond to criticism, (Mask staff to review a matte. or
OM ask that the matter be placed on a future Council agenda.
Written statement provided by:
Kathy Killian
Barry Wolborskv, a Fountain Hills resident, addressed council regarding traffic safety
and the emphasis council places on speeding. He suggests that the emphasis should be
placed on bad driving and not speeding.
10. REGULAR AGENDA
A. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the proposed 2023 Town
Council Meeting Dates and Summer Break.
MOVED BY Councilmember Skillicorn to approve the Consent Agenda, SECONDED
BY Councilmember Gerry Friedel.
Vote: 7 — 0 passed — Unanimously
Councilmember Friedel Aye
Councilmember Grzybowski Aye
Councilmember Kalivianakis Aye
Councilmember Skillicorn Aye
Councilmember Toth Aye
Vice Mayor McMahon Aye
Mayor Dickey Aye
11. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/DIRECTION to the TOWN MANAGER
Items) listed below are related only to the propriety of (if placing such item(s) on a future agenda for action, or (ii)
directing staff to conduct further research and report back to the Council.
Councilmember Allen Skillicorn asked to have the following items added to a future
council meeting agenda for consideration: Invocation, Repealing the Sign Ordinance,
and Resolution 2012-31.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Mayor Ginny Dickey adjourned the Regular meeting of the
Fountain Hills Town Council held on December 6, 2022, at 6:42 p.m.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
n
hall, Town Clerk
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of
the Regular Meeting held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills in the Town Hall Council
Chambers on the 6'h day of December 2022. I further certify that the meeting was duly
called and that a quorum was present.
DAT 1 this 17°F
ay gf January 2023.
Lin.a G. endenhall, Town Clerk
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS Page 1 of 20
DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Post -Production File
Town of Fountain Hills
December 6, 2022 Town Council Meeting
Transcription Provided By:
eScribers, LLC
r w t r s
Transcription is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may not
be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings.
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR DICKEY: Good evening, everyone, and welcome. So happy to see you all
here tonight.
Please, stand for the pledge and remain standing.
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.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you.
Please, remain standing for a moment of reflection. Thank you.
Roll call, please?
MENDENHALL: Mayor Dickey?
MAYOR DICKEY: Here.
MENDENHALL: Vice mayor McMahon?
MCMAHON: Here.
MENDENHALL: Councilmember Friedel?
FRIEDEL: Present.
MENDENHALL: Councilmember Schamow?
SCHARNOW: Here.
MENDENHALL: Councilmember Magazine?
MAGAZINE: Ilere.
MENDENHALL- Councilmember Spelich'?
SPELICH: Present.
MENDENHALL: Councilwoman Grzybowski?
GRZYBOWSKL Present.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you.
So I'm going to give you an overview of what's going to happen so those of you that have
plans to go celebrate, you'll know what to expect.
We're going to start with hearing from our outgoing councilmembers, if they would like.
We'll ask our current colleagues, if we would like to comment, and invite members of the
public to say farewell remarks to Councilmen Schamow, Magazine, and Spelich.
I will present them with their beautiful fountain pens made by Sami, and then I'll pass the
gavel to the vice mayor, and we will proceed with the oath of office. And our own Judge
Robert Melton, will come in and give us the oath of office to the incoming members.
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Then, following the oaths, Peggy will call recess, so we can meet in the lobby and have
some refreshments before we'll proceed with the regular meeting with our new members,
who wilt have the opportunity, also, to comment. We'll have our regular call to the
public at that time and a very, very brief agenda.
So again, welcome. We're very happy to have you here.
We're going to start with hearing from our outgoing members. And were going to start
with Alan Magazine, who's been here for two terms, and we're also going alphabetical.
So there you go.
Alan.
MAGAZINE: Thank you, Mayor.
I have a prepared statement.
Let me begin by saying it's been an honor, a tremendous honor, to represent the citizens
of Fountain Hills for the past eight years. I very much appreciate trust the voters have
shown in my ability to best represent the Town. And I want to thank the other
councilmembers with whom I have served. I firmly believe that, despite occasional
disagreements, which occurs with every elected body, in my eight years on the council I
have not witnessed any animosity. Disagreements? Of course. Strenuous debate?
Naturally. But when the vote is recorded, majority rules. You shake hands, and you
move on.
That's what happens in our democratic system. Differences of opinion can be related to a
person's experience, education, background, staff recommendations, and so on. We
never, and we should not, question a colleague's underlying motives other than to do
what is in the best interest of our citizens.
This also goes for elections. They can be rough and tumble; emotions run high. But
when the votes are counted, the people have spoken.
It's not easy to be on the losing end; I am competitive. I hate to lose. But for the good of
the public that we serve and the stewardship of our town, we must put it behind us and
congratulate the winners; and I do so.
Who do I want to heap the most praise on? Our staff. Every community should have
staff members who are as dedicated to the welfare of their citizens. We are so fortunate
to have these people who work long hours with very little recognition. And the job isn't
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
easy. At times, they have to deal with cranky councilmembers and citizens. Mistakes,
we all make them. I certainly have. But you can't dwell on them. There are no do-overs.
You try to learn and improve and move on. That is what the citizens expect and deserve.
My best to the new council as they tackle both old and new issues that come before them.
Thank you.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you, Alan.
Councilman Schamow?
SCHARNOW: All right. Well, thank you, Madam Mayor. And before 1 begin my
formal comments, we're not having our regular reports, but we did have a Thanksgiving
morning Turkey Trot out here. I did not run in that, although 1 did years ago, believe it or
not. And I understand it was a record turnout, so that's awesome. And then afterward,
between the Town and Chamber, was a very nice parade. A lot of us were in that parade,
and we had fun. And it was very crowded.
And then, just this past Saturday, as part of Noon Kiwanis I had opportunity to be part of
Breakfast with Santa and we had 200-plus people at the Community Center for sitting
with Santa and having breakfast. And then afterward, there was a Sensitive Santa event
from 11:30 to 12:30, and I was honored enough to be part of that as well. We had some
special needs and autistic children come in and meet with Santa. So that was very
rewarding. And I just want to thank Jennifer and Kim over at the Community Center for
helping with that and coordinating that, and also the Town took on a much bigger role
with Breakfast with Santa. So we appreciate their cooperation and sponsorship for that.
So moving on. It's certainly a bittersweet moment for me, being up here, since a large
part of me did want to continue in public service. As 1 told people, I've enjoyed probably
95 percent of the time being on the council. And no, 1 didn't choose not to run because
the other five percent, but rather it's time to move on to other adventures and open new
chapters in my book of life. And this chapter of serving on the town council has been a
privilege and honor, just as Councilman Magazine has stated. And 1 spent many years as
a journalist covering this town and this council. So I never really thought I'd be sitting up
here in this role. In fact, several times over the past several decades, I told people you've
got to be crazy to run for council and subject yourselves to this, right?
So with that, 1 do want to thank all my supporters for their encouragement over the years,
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
and I will certainly miss interacting with our professional staff, including long talks about
a wide variety of issues with Aaron and Grady, Justin, Rachel, Capt. Larry, Bo, Chief
Dave and many, many others. As Alan said, we truly do have great employees here, and
I thank them.
I want to thank my business partner, Jerrod Steames, for acting as a contrarian sounding
board over the years. And of course, my wife, Brenda, was always there for me on this
rollercoaster ride of enumerable ups and downs. [Spanish language].
I've enjoyed the banter and discussion among my fellow councilmembers over the years.
Well, maybe just 95 percent of the time, and that five percent can be brutal. But
regardless of our similarities and differences we and a relatively short list of our fellow
citizens have stepped up and answered the call to serve in this very public life. To open
up ourselves to not only applause but criticism as well. Although I would say most of it
is not warranted, but that's just my opinion. Those who have stepped up they're all
pictured on the back wall back there. And so I commend all of you who are staying up
here. Those who are leaving office, those who have served in the past, and those who
will be sworn into office here in a little bit.
I want to thank you all for your commitment and dedication to the Town. We've had
differing views on some issues, as Alan stated, but it should be about the public service
not the critics. And in a speech given in 1910, famed President Teddy Roosevelt said
this, "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man
stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to
the man who is actually", well the man and the women, "who are actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who
comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming,
but who does actually strive to do the deeds".
So I give you all credit, we all have strived valiantly in our own ways. And I think it's
fair to say our faces on occasion have been marred by dust and sweat and blood. But we
have done many good deeds, and I look forward to many more good deeds being done in
this arena.
So thank you Fountain Hills for this unique opportunity. I sincerely wish the best for
everybody.
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DECEMBER 6. 2022 TOWN COUNCIL. MEETING -"'
Thank you.
MAYOR DICKEY: Councilman Spelich?
SPELICH: Well, for the last time, thank you, Madam Mayor.
I have never considered myself a politician, but an advocate for the Fountain Hills
residents. I want to thank the townspeople of Fountain Hills for electing me to the town
council four years ago. I want you to know that I have always done my very best for you,
my best for the Town, and my best for the citizens of this town. I have never taken my
role on this council lightly. My votes and my actions have always been to promote what
I believe is right, not what is easy or nonconfrontational or uncomplicated, but what I
believe to be the best decision within the given context.
It was an honor and a privilege to serve you, and I hope I made you proud. It has been
my core focus to always look out for you and to spend your tax dollars wisely. My only
regret is that the issue of resolving the overcharges by MCSO Administration is still in
progress, and at this time the taxpayers of Fountain Hills are owed a refund of your tax
dollars due to MCSO not fulfilling their contractual obligations these last four years, and
I hope that the new council will tackle this issue and get the monies that each and
everyone of you are owed.
I want to thank each and every town employee for their hard work and their commitments
to the residents. 1 want to especially thank the following staff that I have interacted with,
depended on, and pestered on a weekly basis.
Page 2. They are Rachel Goodwin, Justin Weldy, David Pock, Kevin Snipes, and Mike
Ciccarone, who constantly changes my password and shows me how to log on. And last,
but not least, the amazing executive assistant, Angela Espiritu, who constantly reminded
me of where to be and what time to be there.
As you are all well aware, I have an extreme fondness for our town first responders. I
want to start by thanking Capt. Larry Kratzer and Lt. Jonathan Halverson, and all the men
and women of MCSO for placing their lives on the line for us daily and making Fountain
Hills one of the most safest communities in Arizona.
To Capt. Dave Ott, and the men and women of Fountain Hills Fire Department, thank
you for protecting our lives and thank you for protecting our property. May God bless all
first responders.
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Dickey, thank you for all that you do, and although at times, we did not agree on
various issues, we did agree for our love for this community. And that always shone
through.
To Councilman Gerry Friedel, we started this journey together more than four years ago,
I leave you to carry on. To my fellow councilmembers, thank you for your service to this
community, and I wish you many blessings and success in your years moving forward.
To the new town councilmembers, let me go on the record saying this will be the hardest
damn $400 you will ever make in your entire lifetime.
To my wife, Marsha, thank you for all your support, thank you for your patience through
the endless phone calls, cold dinners, and especially when I came home from council
meetings wanting to throw things against a wall.
To my many friends, thanks for always standing beside me these last four years. I love
you guys. I realize how much I looked forward to going out around town, not having to
hear what a moron I am. How they can't believe I voted for or against something. I will
delight in my returning to my private life.
Four years ago I ran on common-sense government as the foundation for my campaign. I
believe I have delivered on that. Promises made and promises kept.
God bless Fountain Hills. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you so much all of you.
Would any of the current council like to say a few words? Vice Mayor?
MCMAHON: Good evening, everybody.
And I would like to say thank you to Mayor Dickey and my fellow councilmembers. I'm
letting you know that it has been a pleasure serving with you over the past two years.
While at times we've disagreed on various matters, for the most part we've been
respectful in our discussions, ultimately making decisions that have been in the Town's
best interests. To Alan and Mike and David, congratulations on your retirement. Your
service has been invaluable and is reflected in the success of our award -winning town
today. And you should be really proud of that. Each of you have brought a personal and
unique perspective to the hundreds -- it seems like the millions of decisions we've made
on behalf of the Town sitting up here. Some were funny other times not so much, but it's
been really great working with you guys.
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I've leamed a lot from your comments and your insights, which will continue to aid me as
I move forward as a councilmember. I will definitely miss serving with you and wish
you the best in your new endeavors and your retirement.
Thank you and good luck.
GRZYBOWSKI: 1 wasn't expecting to go next.
We all saw the red campaign signs over the summer. I believe that instead they should
have read individualism ruins towns. In my experience, when someone brings
individualism to the table, they come in with a closed mind. Discussion and compromise
are impossible with a meeting full of closed minds but are an integral part of any board,
commission, or council. The people sitting on the dais aren't always a good
representation of our constituency. We need to be open to conversation around what's
best for the entire town, not what's best for the individual sitting at the table.
Individualism should be reserved for things like your hair color, tattoos, piercings, what
you drive, or the tie you pick out when you get up in the morning.
Alan, Mike, and David, I truly enjoyed sitting on this dais with you for the past two
years. I appreciate your points of view and learned from our discussions. We may not
have always agreed, but you respected your position on the council enough to listen and
thoughtfully consider what was being shared. Each of you responded to me kindly and
with respect. I hope you felt the same from me.
I truly hate saying goodbye. I consider each of you friends and hope that we'll keep in
touch.
Thank you.
FRIEDEL: Thank you, Mayor.
I'd like to start off by saying that the trust that is put in each one of us is very important,
and as an elected official I think that that trust was shown by the three of you that are
leaving office today.
David, thank you for being a great mentor, means a lot to me. Your sense of humor and
your sharp tongue will not be forgotten. And thanks for always standing up for what is
right for our residents in this town. I think that they all appreciate that.
Alan, thanks for your experience and your dedication to the Town, and continued success
in your artwork; I know you'll have a full-time job there.
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And Mike, thanks for stepping up. And I know you've got a lot of work going on with
the Coalition, so that will be your next big adventure. So thanks for doing that for our
town; it's an important part of our town, and we appreciate that.
So thank you, all three of you.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thanks so much.
So I feel a little bit like Dorothy saying goodbye to three friends who took us through
quite an adventure. Adventure together that you know you -- well, I don't want to
mention the COVID and all of that, but literally we all went through quite an adventure.
So everybody, all three of you, certainly have brains, certainly have courage, but you
most importantly had heart and you have heart. To a man, there was never a doubt --
you're going to make me cry now. To a man, there was never a doubt that the
community as a whole is your priority, always. Thank you. Was your priority -- is your
priority.
We faced so many challenges and we faced a lot of losses, and literally unprecedented
losses and issues. But with communication and honesty, as has been brought up here, we
were able to navigate through despite, as also has been brought up, some differing views.
At the same time though, we managed to usher in a lot of new activities, businesses,
projects, including improvements in infrastructure, parks, and public safety.
So speaking of public safety, David. David's vast experience in law enforcement was
valuable and very much appreciated. We are going to continue to rely on him, as we did
during his tenure. And as you mentioned, when I spotted that red light go on on your
microphone, I could guarantee what would come next was never going to be boring or
predictable. And Dave, I will say your -- we'll call him your fiscal notes, kept us aware
of your goal though, and this is serious, to always make sure that we were giving and
getting a fair shake. And you were very successful with that.
We had another tax dollar watchdog, as a matter of fact, in Alan Magazine. Over his
eight years serving on the council, we could depend on him to look at all the angles and
give serious thought to your decisions that were always based on facts. The talent for
strategic planning and economic development, Alan demonstrated a good balance of
forward -thinking and town identity while preserving the qualities that make Fountain
Hills so special. He's going to continue his involvement with our branding and with other
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issues, as we go along.
You're not off the hook.
Councilmember Scharnow. Your commitment to that extraordinary blending of character
and our community, has always been crystal-clear. He garnered a unique perspective
from his decades of witnessing and then living in Fountain Hills. With the eye of a
journalist, Mike has the knowledge to appreciate various sides of an issue. While his
experience as a resident and a prolific volunteer, starting way back when at parks and rec,
showed his unabashed public service. We look for his insights into future issues and as
mentioned also, particularly those involving our youth.
It's commendable how this council would take up individual items, researched and
backed by our professional staff and our commission's recommendations, so we could
arrive at solutions and pursue ideas, new ideas, in good faith for everyone. It's been an
honor to work with David and Alan and Mike who, along with Gerry, Peggy, and Sharron
made sure that when you live in Fountain Hills there is indeed no place like home.
So I would like to invite the public, if they would like to come up and say a few words
about our -- this is a nice night -- about our outgoing councilmembers.
As I mentioned, we'll have our regular call to the public during the regular meeting. So if
anybody would like to come up and share a few words, you're certainly welcome to do so
at this time. Or you can do so privately. There, come on over.
You can state your name if you don't mind, but we're not all that formal.
MAGAZINE: Oh, no.
MAYOR DICKEY: You better watch out. I believe this is Mrs. Magazine.
FRIEDEL. Can't you save that for home?
MAGAZINE: I'm with you.
MAGAZINE. Is this on? Okay.
Alan didn't expect this, and neither did I. But as I sat in the audience, I felt that I had to
say several things about this council and about Alan.
Before I met him, he spent eight years at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in
Virginia. Eight years when he was pursuing a PhD, working at EPA in public relations,
and was driving to get a lot on his resume. I don't think that's the way he put it, but that
was the way it came out.
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I met him later, after that part of his life, and lived with him in Virginia while he had
several interesting jobs in the CEO category. When we moved to Fountain Hills, he kept
saying what am I going to do now. And I said why don't you get in touch with the town
manager, who wasn't Grady at the time, and see if there's some way you can give public
service. No, he said, it's too soon.
So he waited and joined strategic planning advisory commission and became its
chairperson, developing the strategic plan for the town. Then he decided to run for
council. And it was interesting going through that election, as there was almost no
competition. But he won, a relative unknown in the community.
He teases me because I usually stay home, and I watch council meetings. first, it was on
Channel 11, and now it's on YouTube. And I sit there, cozy, on my sofa with a glass of
wine sometimes, and I watch what this group does. I have come to appreciate David's
humor is just -- he has me in stitches, and I'm sitting there in our house by myself, and he
doesn't know that I'm laughing and enjoying how much he is contributing both in humor
and in being THE fiscal watchdog for this town.
Alan has been similar, and I've watched over the last two years -- four years. I've
watched them spar with each other, create a lot of humor, and come to appreciate each
other.
I've watched Ginny, as mayor, grow by leaps and bounds. And she has done a fabulous,
fabulous job as mayor. And I'm so glad you're back, Ginny.
I should also mention Sharron, who I knew way before she ever ran for council. An
interesting woman of varied taste and sensibilities.
Mike Schamow was the editor of the Fountain Hills Times when I first met him. He's
been a quiet, intelligent, and caring voice on the council and for the community, and
someone who has grown up with Fountain Hills and has seen that happen. We were
lucky to have you, Mike, on the council these four years.
Gerry, we met, I think it was when you first ran, you and David, together. And you came
to a democratic meeting with David. Both of you walking in and saying what are we
doing here. These are -- David said, wait till I tell my wife. I came to this meeting of all
women of opposite persuasion. And Gerry showed his walking shoes with holes in them,
because he and David had gone neighborhood to neighborhood to neighborhood. Your
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
time came later, Gerry, and you came also through the strategic planning advisory
commission. So you came with some experience. Thank you for what you're doing.
Peggy. Peggy, I've known you for what? Eight, ten years in a different capacity. When
you and Sharron both ran at the same time, you kept calling Alan and saying aren't we
supposed to do something, because there was no competition. It was just the two of you,
and you walked into this job and probably wondered what you'd gotten yourselves into.
I also want to speak to Grady and Aaron.
Grady, I have told you privately that you're the best town manager I've ever worked with.
And that includes town manager of Berkely, Califomia who was outstanding. I've seen
you grow in this job. it's been an amazing growth that I've seen, the staff that you've
developed and nurtured.
Aaron, I've seen you grow in the job too. Remember the unfortunate circumstances that
brought you to us, but it's been a good thing.
I wish you both the very best going forward, and the same to those of you remaining on
the council. I had no idea I was going to do this.
MAGAZINE: (Indiscernible). I want to thank you for reading the script that I wrote
very carefully.
MAYOR DICKEY: Does anybody else like to come up? Yes, ma'am.
WOLBORSKY: Hi. I'm Kim Wolborsky, and I would just really like to thank the
outgoing members of the council for their service. You know, a lot of us are on different
sides of different issues in this town, but we're a town, and I understand I wouldn't do it.
That S400 wouldn't be worth it to me. So I really appreciate it, and I hope that the new
council can all buckle up and work together, in spite of the differences, and that we can
just be a town.
Thanks.
MAYOR DICKEY: Well, I think right now, we'll move on to the presentation of the pins
for our folks that are outgoing. They're lovely. I'm not going to take them out of the box
because the boxes are gorgeous. But they're like this that I was honored to get when I left
council. You can see how beautiful they are.
And there's yours, Mike. Thank you so much. And there's yours.
MAGAZINE: Thank you.
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR DICKEY: And the last one for David. Here --
SPELICH: How much did these cost? A waste of money.
MAYOR DICKEY: We'll be happy to send you the bill.
SCHARNOW: We had to hire a consultant first to figure out which --
MAYOR DICKEY: Yeah, we did a study.
SCHARNOW: -- pins to --
MAYOR DICKEY: We did a study.
So I think we're going to call the judge up here. I'll hand the gavel over to Peggy, and
well do the oaths of office. Thank you.
MAGAZINE: We've got to leave?
MAYOR DICKEY: You don't have to leave.
SPELICH: Are they sitting now?
MAYOR DICKEY: We're doing the oath of office, and then we're going to have our
reception outside. So --
SPELICH' Time to go home.
MAYOR DICKEY: You're free to sit here while we do this.
Come up here, with the person that's going to hold the book for you, and Judge will do
the oath of office.
[Pause]
JUDGE MELTON: All right. Thank you. Oh, I think I can do it. If not, I'll figure it out.
All right. Take a deep breath. Raise your right hands. Okay. And repeat after me.
I, names.
ALL: I --
JUDGE MELTON: -- do solemnly swear that --
ALL: -- do solemnly swear that --
JUDGE MELTON: -- I will support the Constitution of the United States.
ALL: -- I will support the Constitution of the United States.
JUDGE MELTON: -- and the constitution and laws of the State of Arizona.
ALL: -- and the constitution and laws of the State of Arizona.
JUDGE MELTON: That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same --
ALL: That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same --
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
JUDGE MELTON: -- and defend them against all enemies --
ALL: -- and defend them against all enemies --
JUDGE MELTON: -- foreign and domestic.
ALL: -- foreign and domestic.
JUDGE MELTON: That 1 will faithfully and impartially --
ALL: That I will faithfully and impartially --
JUDGE MELTON: -- discharge the duties of --
ALL: -- discharge the duties of --
JUDGE MELTON: -- Office of Mayor.
MAYOR DICKEY: Mayor.
JUDGE MELTON: Councilmembers.
ALL: (Indiscernible) --
JUDGE MELTON: -- according to the best of my ability --
ALL: -- according to the best of my ability --
JUDGE MELTON: -- so help me, God.
ALL: -- so help me, God.
JUDGE MELTON: Congratulations.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you.
Thank you, everybody.
We would like to invite all of you into the lobby for a reception. And we are now taking
a 20-minute recess.
[Recess from elapsed time 0:48:52 to 1:10:30]
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you. We're reconvening right now.
I want to thank Judge Melton for everything. We had a little snafu there, but we made it
just fine. I want to thank everyone here in attendance, and I want to congratulate to the
new council.
We're going to proceed with the roll call. Linda?
MENDENHALL• Thank you. Mayor Dickey?
MAYOR DICKEY: Here.
MENDENHALL: Vice Mayor McMahon?
MCMAHON: Here.
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MENDENHALL: Councilmember Friedel?
FRIEDEL: Present.
MENDENHALL- Councilwoman Grzybowski?
MW. GRZYBOWSKI: Present.
MENDENHALL. Councilwoman Kalivianakis?
KALIVIANAKIS: Here.
MENDENHALL• Councilwoman Toth?
TOTH: Here.
MENDENHALL: Councilmember Skillicom?
SKILLICORN: Present.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you.
We are going to begin with comments from the incoming council people, if they would
like.
So Hannah, would you like to say anything?
TOTH: Absolutely. Thank you, Madam Mayor.
1, first of all, want to thank everyone who came tonight. I know there's plenty of other
things you could be doing on a Tuesday. So I appreciate you taking time out of your day
to come and watch as the new council is sworn in and our previous councilmembers take
their leave. And I want to thank the previous councilmembers for their service to this
town. I know that were all here, at the core, for the same reason, which is that we love
this town. Fountain Hills is a beautiful place that we are all very blessed to live in. And I
look forward to working with each and every one of you for the betterment and the
improvement of our community. I appreciate the opportunity, and I'm truly honored that
the people of Fountain Hills trusted me to serve on this council. So I know that this is all
just a bunch of thank yous, but that's how I feel. I'm very full of gratitude at the moment.
So thank you, everyone.
KALIVIANAKIS: Thank you, Mayor Dickey. Thank you, council.
I'd like to thank everybody tonight for coming. This was a spectacular crowd, and what a
show of support for your town council. 1 would encourage you to continue coming to
town council meetings because an engage citizenry and the input that were going to get
from you is how we should be making our decisions. And so please, keep attending even
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
though there's no party and reception during half-time, okay.
I promise to keep this short, but again, I want to thank the Mayor, the current council. I
want to thank Grady Miller. I want to thank the town staff, like they said earlier with the
former council, the town staff is extremely important to the work that gets done here.
And so we are very visible, they are not, but they deserve a great deal of credit for all
they do. I've met all of them. They're sincere, they work hard, they love this town, and
we have to support them.
It is with a great deal of humility and gratitude that I have been seated tonight on the
Fountain Hills town council. I will draw on a lifetime of experience in my career as
attorney, as a business owner, and my service to United States Coastguard Auxiliary,
would be utilized to represent the people of Fountain Hills with dignity, with loyalty, and
with a servant's heart.
I look forward to serving with our new town councilmembers, Hannah and Allen. I look
forward to working with the mayor, and I look forward to working the dedicated
colleagues that still remain. It is my deepest desire to put aside past contentions, to Listen
to the better angels of our soul, and to serve the people of Fountain Hills with a sense of
unity and respect. The people have entrusted us, all of us, to be leaders and lead this
great town, the greatest town in Arizona. Let us transcend any differences we may bear
to serve the people, to serve all the people well.
God bless Fountain Hills, and God bless the United States of America.
SKILLICORN: So this seat I'm in, literally this seat right here, is not my seat. It's the
peoples' seat, and I'm humbled and honored that the people of Fountain Hills chose me
and trusts me with this responsibility. My promise here to the people and also the people
that are watching online, is that 1 will listen, I will represent you, and I will not be
listening to special interests, and I will not be listening to lobbyists. I will only be
listening to the people, because this is about you. This is about our town of Fountain
Hills. So I've once been told that short speeches are the best speeches. So God bless our
town, God bless our state, and let's get to work.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you, all.
Our outgoing members and all of us sitting up here now would agree and we've heard
that we owe a debt of gratitude to so many people who've helped us along the way.
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DECEMBER 6. 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
My husband, Jim, I can't even begin to express all he has done over the years. He is a
leader and a true partner; I'm so thankful for him and for my whole family. My late
parents took a chance on a fledgling community in the '70s, and my siblings who
followed them, all of us west to Arizona. To our kids and our grandkids and some of
whom -- and some who just left, but actually came back and live in Fountain Hills. Very
lucky for them and lucky for us.
I appreciate my energetic and my supportive friends and colleagues for sure and the
citizens who gave me the opportunity to continue serving Fountain Hills; and 1 thank you
for that.
So now, we will move onto our call to the public. Do we have any speaker cards?
MENDENHALL: Yes, Mayor, we do. The first one is a written comment that you have
at your seat on the dais, and it's from Kathy Killian. So she's talking about streets. And
then our next one is in person, and it's Barry Wolborsky.
Barry?
WOLBORSKY: I'm Barry Wolborsky, and I'm a resident of Fountain Hills. And if I talk
enough up here, you'll get my name right. Never tell your wife she has bad hair. Ever.
Actually, what happened is the sidewalk attacked me. I went to the emergency room, and
they took a CAT scan. And luckily I don't have a brain, so nothing happened there.
What I want to talk about tonight is traffic safety in Fountain Hills. And for quite a while
the emphasis on traffic safety from the council and from the mayor, has been on
speeding. I drive a fair amount in Fountain Hills every day, and 1 don't see a lot of
reckless speeding. On the other hand, I see stuff that scares me to death. I see people
making lefthand turns from the right lane on four -lane streets. Righthand turns from the
left lane on four -lane streets. I see people blowing through stop signs all the time. Twice
this week I've had a car stop dead in front of me, on four -lane Palisades, just in the
middle of the road, which is always kind of surprising and gets your adrenaline going.
I won't even talk about the roundabout which to me, is like sort of like Russian roulette,
where you have six cars in a row going through from one lane, and everybody else sitting
around trying to wait to get in. The three-way and four-way stops are like demolition
derbies, and you take your life in your hands every time you go with them.
Meanwhile, because the sheriff's deputies have been directed to do speeding, they're
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
sitting on side streets and alleys and parking Tots with their radar guns not seeing any of
this. When you put people to do speeding that's what they're going to do. I noticed the
deputy a number of times down off Shea Boulevard, just past Fry's, right at the end of the
town line there. They're really not observing anything in Fountain Hills.
I think we need to get more patrolling on the streets and less sitting in alleys with radar
guns. I think the emphasis needs to be more on bad driving than on speeding. And I
think that will cut the accident -- you know, what surprises me about the accident rate in
Fountain Hills is there isn't more of it. Not that there's as much as there is, because I
think the only reason there isn't more is because we don't have a big population. So
generally speaking, when you do something bonehead, there's nobody there to hit you.
But I really think that more patrolling and less sitting with radar guns would really
improve our traffic and our traffic safety in this town.
That's all I've got.
MAYOR DICKEY: Any more?
MENDENHALL: No, Mayor, there is not.
MAYOR DICKEY: All right. Thank you so much.
So our regular agenda is really short and sweet. Our first item, Grady, is our calendar.
First and only item.
MILLER: So Mayor and council, before you is the proposed meeting dates and a
summer break. So essentially, it's following the first and third Tuesday of the month for
the year, and then we take a brief break in the summer. We will have our last meetings
prior to the summer break at the second meeting in June, and then we have a break. And
then we come back in August for a meeting, because we have a lot of typical business
that happens that really can't wait until September.
So the meeting schedule is before you, for your consideration. If you wish to make some
changes or take action, you can make some suggested changes tonight as part of a motion
to approve the calendar for the year.
Once this is approved, we'll go populate the calendar on the town's website. And so the
public will know for the upcoming 12 months when you'll be meeting. The one thing I
did want to point out is you'll see that we have work sessions and such, and we've been
trying to do those on the same days that we have council meetings. But there may be an
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DECEMBER 6, 2022 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
occasion when we may need to do that on an off meeting. We'll do our best to try to just
use the current council meeting twice a month to try to schedule that. But there may be
some, like I have already talked to the mayor, and we're going to try to bring one or two
items to the council annual retreat, which is held at the end of February.
This schedule also includes the workshops that we have on the budget as well as the
council retreat; I believe it's on February 28th.
With that, I'll be happy to answer any questions you have, and again, this is the council's
calendar not the staff. So this is up to you to decide what your schedule is for the year.
Thank you, Mayor.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you. Any questions or comments?
Do we have any speaker cards on this item?
MENDENHALL: No, Mayor, we do not.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you.
Would someone like to make a motion, please, on page 4?
SKILLICORN: I'll make a motion to approve the 2023 meeting dates and summer break
schedule.
FRIEDEL. Second.
MAYOR DICKEY: Thank you.
All in favor please say aye.
ALL: Aye.
MAYOR DICKEY: Any opposed?
Thanks so much.
So that was our only action item. Our next item is something that's on every agenda,
which is our council discussion, direction to town manager. Sometimes, if someone like
the gentleman speaks, we'll say that we'll bring some of that information back or anything
for the good of the order. So if there's anybody that would like to ask anything?
Yes, sir.
SKILLICORN: Madam Mayor, just a couple of items I want to add to next agenda. One
of them, I want to restore the invocation instead of the moment of silence. And the
second item that I'd like to add to the agenda is repeal the sign ordinance. That is going
to be 6.07 and 6.08 of the zoning sign regulations and resolution number 2012-31.
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I can -- Grady, I can send those in an email.
MILLER: Thank you.
MAYOR DICKEY: No, we can't discuss, correct?
MILLER: No.
MAYOR DICKEY: No? Okay. Thank you. Thank you for that.
Anything else?
Thank you. We're adjourned.
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