San Tan Valley elects Schnep mayor, retains counsel for $95K monthly

Garrett Glover: That's good. You know. You, that's better. I was raised a local, I know. Apparently, that's not a good. Yes. This person. Council member Oaks. Can you hear us? Dan Oakes: I can you. Garrett Glover: And perfect. I just to avoid any feedback. Could you meet your mike when you're not speaking? and then audience, I please just as a reminder, meet your cell phones, this entire room is being recorded. So even Some whispers in the back can be picked up from the microphones.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Garrett Glover and I'm assisting in a volunteer capacity to help facilitate this initial meeting of the newly incorporated town of Santan Valley in accordance with Arizona Law. This initial meeting is being held to organize the town council and initiate formal governance. For the new municipality notice of this meeting were Electronically posted on the Arizona League of Cities and Towns website and physically posted at this building.

At this time, I will call the meeting to order and conduct a roll call vote of the council members. Council member Hudgins President. That's a member hunt here. That's a number over pleasant. Councilmember Oaks. Dan Oakes: Present. Garrett Glover: That's what number Smith is it? Council number Tyler, present. Council member Jenkins. We get everyone. We got okay. Thank you with a quorum present. We will now proceed with the pleasure of Allegiance, please raise.

The United States of America and to the Republican for, which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We will now proceed with an invocation. Invocation is offered voluntarily by a representative of a local religious organization to provide a moment of reflection for the council participation is completely optional. No one is required to stand or participate.

I will now invite has their cliff daily if he's available and if not Ken Bell to do the invocation, See. I'm number two. Our Heavenly Father will give you thanks for this day and we ask Your blessing on this new Form council. We thank you for all government that helps us live ordered lives. So, we ask that through these proceedings and a bunch ahead. The San Tan Valley would be a place of prosperity, a place of generosity a place of order. And that we may prosper and live in peace.

We ask these things in your Son's name. Amen. The first, I know the business is agenda item for a presentation in the discussion, regarding the roles and responsibility of the Mayor and Vice Mayor, will assist the Council making informal selections later in this meeting. It will now turn the time over to Alan Quist a municipal warrior who has been serving as legal counsel during the incorporation process and will be presenting on stopping. Thank you. Garrett.

Good evening Councilmembers for this first. inaugural meeting of the town council of the town of San Tan Valley, the first action items that are going to come before you tonight are the selection of the town's first mayor, followed by the possible selection of the town's vice mayor. Now, as to the selection of the mayor that is a statutory requirement under Arizona law. Specifically, the law provides that within 20 days of being appointed.

So September 17th, you were appointed the Council, must meet to select. A mayor from among its members. So that's one of the very important reasons why. we're meeting now within that 20-day period. so, And, and choosing the mayor and possibly advice Mayor. I thought it would be helpful to, for the benefit of the Council for, whoever's, ultimately selected and for the members of the public, if I shared a brief presentation on some of the the standard roles duties functions of these positions.

So, with that being said, a direct your attention to the presentation And I promise, this will be brief will move through a fairly quickly. But its statutorily, if you look what the principle statue, creating this office of mayor is located at ARS at 9 to 36 and as far as statutes go, it's it's fairly simple which is rather refreshing. Right?

It simply provides the mayor of the Common Council, shall be the chief executive officer of the town, and importantly, shall perform such duties, as maybe prescribed by law and and ordinance. So, this statute doesn't list off all the specific day-to-day functions of a mayor. Instead, it directs you to laws and ordinances and when it comes to the ordinance part, that's where you, as a council come in right.

Every municipality the council part of your work in the coming weeks, months, and years is going to be to establish, the ordinances, those foundational ordinances that govern that town. One of those ordinances are codes, is going to be description of the mayor's duties. So, if you were to perform a survey of of other neighboring municipalities Like Queen Creek Florence. Coolidge, Gilbert Eloy, Casa Grande, Maricopa Apache Junction. You're going to see without fail.

They're gonna have a code code section that's going to describe. This is what the mayor does. This is what the vice mayor does. And you might be surprised if you were to look at those various jurisdictions. they're all going to have. Very similar functions.

And duties for those roles, in fact, it looks like a little cutting and pasting was going on right from one municipality to the next maybe in the spirit of not reinventing the will right now, some jurisdictions have little quirks, some will have, you know, they'll have the mayor give a state of the town address once a year. But for the most part, you're going to see these core. Responsibilities. Let's see. Here, if you wouldn't mind just advancing through. There. Thank you.

You're gonna see these core responsibilities amongst jurisdictions and those are the mayor serves. As a presiding officer, the chief executive mayor will have emergency powers, he or she will be the ceremonial head of the municipality and the signatory and just briefly covering some of these these roles. Presiding officer. that's going to be probably the most visible role that the mayor will play when members of the public come to a meeting such as this.

They're typically going to see the mayor call the meeting to order. You're going to see the mayor go through each agenda item. Call out the agenda item, facilitate discussion on that agenda call for votes. It declare the the results of those votes and just generally manage the meaning and mean maintain the decorum and timely effective leading process. So that is a key role of the mayor and a very visible role. The mayor will play The next role Chief Executive.

The statutes and ordinances, don't define that clearly, I think it dovetails nicely into the, the ceremonial head to some degree or another the mayor it is. In many ways going to be the de facto face of the town and we'll play a role in to some degree in public relations, right? The mayor will also typically have emergency powers under under the ordinances, and we saw the importance of this recently, with the flooding in Miami, Globe area colleague, at my firm.

Assisted The mayor of Miami in preparing a declaration of emergency following that flooding. So that's, that's an important role. The mayor may play, they may or may play. signatory the last one there.

If you ask a town clerk, what the most important role of the mayor is, it's going to be this last one, because the clerk, you know, following a meeting is gonna have a stack of solutions, ordinances agreements and that clerk's going to be trying to track down the mayor who's going to be glad-handing the audience but it's gonna want to try to get those signatures from the mayor and of course, the mayor and the council can can delegate some of that duty that signatory authority to a manager in the future.

But those are the, the core responsibilities. It's important to note that in a meeting, the mayor's vote. It's, it's one vote. Of the seven. So The mayor provides these leadership and and service role for the council in the town. So yeah, why. This is stopped working. Here, thank you. That's great. so, what a mayor is not in Arizona, I mean municipalities follow what's called the council manager form of governance.

and under this form of governance, the mayor's not the day-to-day administrator of the town. The mayor he or she is not supervising staff or managing specific departments Instead, those roles those functions fall to the town manager. The town manager is going to have the ability to hire fire department, heads and that town manager in turn is going to be held accountable by the council as a whole, a majority of the Council.

Can it any point, remove that manager, and the intent of this Council manager form of governance in contrast to the strong mayor form of governance. Is that it leaves more power? It distributes that power more evenly amongst the council. So you don't have a mayor that's managing the daily operations. All right. Here, and so, so the just a brief summary.

you have the mayor, the presider, the chief executive has emergency authority typically the public face in some capacity for the for the municipality, I haven't spoken a lot about the vice mayor but essentially the vice mayor's gonna serve in the mayor's house. So the mayor's not present at a meeting, the vice mayor will step in and preside and share the meeting.

um, the Council is the legislative policy making authority, and then finally, you have the town manager who is the administrative and operational lead for for municipality So I know that's kind of a quick tour of the various roles and duties of the mayor, keeping in mind that the discussion as to who that individual will be will occur at a later. Agenda item.

I wanted to ask at this point in the meeting, if there's any questions or discussion the Council would like to have about the roles functions duties of mayor or vice mayor. address, um my understanding and then correct me if I'm wrong and maybe different municipalities are different in this way.

I had a recent discussion with Mayor Wheatley from Queen Creek about it regarding the role's responsibilities time from her perspective in Queen Creek, she was talking about the town council that could town council member may work 10 or 20 hours a week, allowing them to maintain a full-time job on the side but also do county council in the evenings or perhaps weekend in her opinion though.

She saw thought that it would be very difficult for a mayor to have a full-time job because of the time, expectation is more than that. She said, several times more than that, is that does that sound consistent with the municipalities that we talking about here? That that would be the case as well.

Councilmember Hunt A, I haven't checked with all the municipalities on that specific issue, but I think it'd be fair to say that the mayor will end up putting in a few more hours than additional hours as opposed to the rest of the council. That is a possibility. Mayors, oftentimes will assist and, you know, work with the manager and agenda formation which can take some time. So outside of the meetings are some additional responsibilities there.

So, yes, I think there would be additional time required as part of that role. Something? Like during the day, that would interfere with the full-time job type of the responsibilities. I I think mayors can can maintain a full-time job, typically, I don't know. Tom Bell. She and the League here and they yeah, several do is what they're indicating. So, yeah, that shouldn't be a problem. The other questions. All right. Thank you, Mr.

Chris, for that overview, we will now move to agenda item for b discussion and selection of mayor for the town of San Tan. Valley pursuing to Arizona revived statue. Sections, 9 dash, two, three, two C. And 9 - 2 3 6, the Council shell select America from amongst its members We will proceed as follows. I will first open the floor to nominations Individual Council members may nominate any member of the Council including themselves to service mayor. The second is not required to make a nomination.

Once all nominations have been made, I will close the four to nominations. The nominated council members will be given an opportunity to speak. Afterwards. The Council may if it desires engage in discussion regarding the nominated individuals. after discussion has concluded, or if the Council chooses to proceed without discussion, I will then ask for a motion to select one of the nominated individuals to the position of mayor, If a motion receives a second, we'll proceed with a roll.

Call vote on the motion. If the motion passes by a majority of the Council that individual will be the mayor and will assume the role as presiding officer for the remainder of the meeting. if the motion does not pass the Council, may consider additional motions until a mayor selected from among the nominated individuals. At this time, the floor is now open for nominations for the position of mayor council members, please state, the name of the individual, you wish to nominate.

I'd like to nominate there and You know. Somebody. I'd like to nominate Tyler Hudgens. I'd like to nominate myself. Yeah. Dan Oakes: I'd like to nominate Darren Schnapp. Garrett Glover: Any further nominations. Hearing no further nominations. I declare the nominations close at this time. Each nominated council member will be. Give We'll have the opportunity to speak briefly if they wish about their interest in serving as mayor. We will proceed in order. Here, is this working?

Do you want us to use this? I believe it is working. We can pass it around. Maybe that we is that working? Yeah. Well I can see it on video. I can see it working. Looks like it's working. I think they can hear you on the on the video. Maybe not here. Let's see. That's new testing. Mr. Garrett, try to moving forward up. Is it possible to draw my name from you made the client the nomination or if the person who nominated you wants to withdraw that. Thank you. Okay, just working.

The outfit right again, that working. Can you hear can you hear over? really? Should I just talk loud? Ellen. First of all, I I'm grateful and honor for the opportunity that my name has been selected. To serve as mayor. I'm I will accept that and go forward with whatever the Council's. Pleasure is on that. It will be an honor and I would do my best to uphold that position and on this council and understanding that, I am just one of seven.

I am no greater or no less than any other one on this on this council and I respect every one of them on this council and we have a lot of work to do and we need every one of us and we need the citizens. Support too. So Councilmember Hudgins. Yeah, thank you so much for the nomination. I really appreciate it. I will be happy to serve at the will of the Council in whatever the Council wants to do. I'm exciting part of this team.

I think the counties that a wonderful job selecting individuals, our community has really excited to see. There was 86 individuals, that have stepped up to say, Hey, I want to serve and so I think our future is bright. And the way I'm looking at this is in three parts. Walking running and sprinting. Look at the incorporation effort as the walking phase.

Are learning to get to move forward, and I got to be a part of the incorporation effort and to be the face of the incorporation to move this forward. I'm thankful for the committee members that gave me that pleasure and that opportunity, that was the daunting task and a really difficult experience. But it was one that was beautiful, because now we get to see a formation of community.

And now with the council in place, we're going to have to run And we're gonna have to be prepared for the county handoff on July 1 2026. Which is exactly nine months from today. And there's a lot of work that has to be done. I think this council's prepared to roll up. It's up to sleeves. But there's going to be a lot of moving parts. I I think what I can bring that strengths to that is the ability to communicate with the public to be a face relational capital.

I've been engaged municipal work, a lot of 17 years, a lot of relationships with the cities and towns around us, but it's mayors Council members. We have issues like, you know, trying to get our state shared revenue dollars to come in or any support from surrounding communities. I'm ready to go and to utilize some of those relationships and to be able to move this forwards that we're prepared on July 1 2026 to move this thing forward and and to be sprinting.

And so I'm just super excited for the opportunity. And like I said, this is a great team and no matter whoever is in this role or vice mayor role, we all get a lock arms and do what's best for 100,000 people. And cancel member Khan. I like to come prepared. So I want to share this friends, neighbors, fellow Council members. This is a big day for San Tan Valley for the first time we're sitting here, as a town council, it's history in the making.

Before I say anything about myself, I want to start with this. Any one of us up here, could do a good job as mayor, every person at this table has worked hard to get us. Here, we all bring strengths experience and leadership to the table. Were equals, and this choice isn't about who work the hardest before tonight. It's about how we lead together from here on out. For me, stepping forward, comes down to something, simple. It's my duty. You need to God and duty to the country.

I don't think anyone else has brought this up yet, but it matters to me. It guides how I live and how I lead at the oath of office ceremony. I did say God Bless America and May God bless Santan Valley and I meant it with all my heart. I also bring with me a background that I believe will serve this council and our community. Well for the past year and a half, I've worked in government right here.

In Pinal County, my focus has been leadership development, teaching county leaders, the skills they need to strengthen their teams and communicate better. and to create a culture where people want to stay and do their best work I've seen first-hand how leadership can break down trust, and, or build it up? And it brings and I want to bring the same focus here, helping us to build, trust with each other and with the people of San Tan Valley. Beyond my work. I simply love public speaking.

I love building relationships. I love inspiring and motivating people to action, that's what energizes me. I believe, that's exactly. The kind of energy. Our first mayor needs. My vision is simple. We just not just to create a town on a map but to create a hometown. a place where people live work and play a place where neighbors know each other. we're businesses want to grow and we're families feel safe and proud a community built on unity and respect.

So, I'm not here saying I'm the only choice. I'm here. I'm saying. I'm ready? ready to serve. Ready to listen and ready to lead side by side with each of you. Thank you. Thank you nominees council members. You now may discuss the nominations if you wish. Is there any discussion regarding the nominees for mayor? Question, how, what happens if we have ties? So as there are seven Council members, the is not the possibility for a tight. you each will vote on the motion.

For example, if I nominate council member Joe Smith, you will vote on that nomination either in favor or against, In the first one to get the four, majority vote for votes is the one. Any further discussion. I just wanted to echo that we have three equally dynamic and well qualified candidates for mayor, this will be a very difficult decision. So do not look upon me to be the typebreaker There is no further discussion.

I will now ask for a motion to select one of the nominated individuals as mayor. You have to say anything good. I you have to make any one of the Council members makes them motion. I would like to make a motion select one of the nominated individuals to the position of mayor of the Scene, 10 Valley. And which, which one you remember? Well, Like to make a motion to nominate Darren Smith as their to select their and select that. Yeah. Is there a second? Dan Oakes: I second.

Garrett Glover: A few seconds. We will now proceed with a roll. Call vote on the motion to select. Darren Smith as mayor. Tyler Hudgins Post. Council member hunt opposed. Alright. Let's remember Jenkins. Councilmember Oaks. Yeah. Dan Oakes: In favor. Garrett Glover: How Summer said, hi? Council member Tyler. I here though, of five eyes two, A's zero, not voting asking membership. You are now near sniff I will now pass the gavel over to you. For the record.

It says Chairman might might Goodman on this. We will not ask him to come forward. I appreciate that. So at this point, I am taking over the meeting. Okay? And I appreciate it little council members before the meeting working with each of you. Okay, this will bring us to item number four D. far. Or c. discussion selection of Icemare for the town of San Tan Valley, the Council will deliver it and take action to select one council member to serve, advice Mayor.

We will proceed in the same manner as we did before in this election of the Mayor with nominations followed by discussion. If any And conclude with motions. At this time, the floor is open for nominations for the position of vice-mare council members, if you will, please state the name or individual, you wish to to nominee. Tyler Hudgens. Like the nominate myself. Any other nominations at this point. Hearing none. and having no further nominations, I'll declare the nominations closed.

And at this time, each nominated Councilmember will have the opportunity to speak briefly if they wish about their interest in serving as the vice mayor and will proceed in the order of nominations that were received. Would be Tyler Hudgens honor to share with you Mr. Mayor. and in my comments, I've never prepared speech. No, I'm good. I stand by what I said before.

I'm happy as the town council, I'm happy is be, but it would be an honor to serve with you as a and serve the council as vice mayor. So I'd stand by what I said earlier. Thank you. Okay, thank you nominees counseling numbers will. We may now discuss any of the nominations if you wish. Is there any discussion regarding the nominees for the vice mayor? Well, I wanted to bring up why I nominated Mr. Tyler Hudgens for both Mayor and Vice Mayor again.

I feel like we need to recognize how we instrumental Mr. Hutchins has been in spearheading the Santan Valley Incorporated movement. This is something that he was able to bring across the finish line. His ability to be able to mobilize our community, towards something that again on its face is not necessarily given. I'm the testament to the hard work that him and his organization had put in. So that is my rationale for nominating Mr. Hudgens for the vice mayoral. I need to be excellent.

I want a second that I agree. Thank Any other further comments? Okay. If there is none, I will now ask for a motion to select one of the nominated individuals as vice mayor. And we'll just like Tyler Hutchins as vice mayor. Is there a second? My second. We have a second. You will now proceed with the roll, call vote on the motions. Like Tyler, Hudgens as vice mayor. Council member hudgins. Yay. Councilmember Hunt. Yay. That's member Jenkins. Yeah. Councilmember Oaks. Dan Oakes: Yes.

Garrett Glover: House number Tyler. That's one of our welfare, I Mr. Mayor. Hi. Bye here. The vote, seven zero, okay, with the motion, it passes. Congratulations, Vice Mayor Hudgens. Appreciate you. He has been selected as a vice mayor of Newly formed town of San Tan Valley. Okay, we will now move to the next time. We're just rolling through these everybody.

We got to get through these a lot on our agenda, the item 4d discussion possible appointment of Garrett Glover as the interim volunteer town clerk of the town of San Tan Valley. Pursuant to Ars 9-237 every incorporated town shall have a town, clerk responsible for maintaining records and performing other administrative duties. the council will consider appointing Garrett. Glover as intern. Volunteer town, clerk effective immediately to assist with these administrative functions. For the record.

I will note that a reporting outlining Mr. Glover's background and some of the responsibilities. For this volunteer position was included in the agenda materials. At this time, I will open the floor for discussion on the item on this item. I move to a point Garrett Glover as the interim. Believe Here, Town clerk the town of San Tan Valley. Okay, the administrative, and clerical functions of the town, I was reading the whole thing. Second, I have emotion and I have a second All those in favor.

Please say hi. It passes. Garrett, Glover will be the end term town clerk for the town of San Tan Valley. Dan Oakes: I, Garrett Glover: We will now move to item 4E presentation and discussion regarding key municipal formation steps, and legal transition, for the town, San Tan Valley Mr. Quist, a municipal attorney with Pierce Coleman will provide an overview of key legal financial and operational steps necessary to transition, San Tan Valley from incorporation, municipal independence, Mr, Quiz.

Thank you, Mayor Council members. so, Clickers. Now, we're here. If you can, please advance it. So at September 17th, 2025. As of that date, the town of Santan Valley became an official corporate political body that dates September. 17th is a key milestone in the towns formation because as of that that the town is now enabled to govern locally to begin adopting codes ordinances policies to enter into contracts. To begin the process of budgeting.

to begin the process of long-term planning to begin evaluating the delivery of services that the town will need to to make to its residents. So that that is a key date. So what are those services that the town will be required to provide to its residents? So, this PowerPoint slide here. Oh yeah, okay. On this slide, you'll see some of those those required. services based on Arizona statute. They include things such as police, services streets and transportation planning.

Land, use code enforcement permitting and for the provision of municipal court services, and under each of those blocks, you'll see the relevant statute tied to those services. So, in addition to these required services, the town also have the ability to provide a set of discretionary services, optional services to the residents and those include things such as fire, services, utilities, libraries and parks, and recreation. So that's that's a tall order, right? Those are a lot of services.

The good news is, is that under Arizona's statute error, S9 - 104. The Canal County is required to continue, providing core operational services up until July 1st. That's the start of the municipal fiscal year the next municipal, fiscal year 2026 and the counties required to provide those at its expense.

So some of those services, some of those core services include the police services street Maintenance permitting, zoning enforcement, so what this all means is that Let's go back one here, please.

The town has this nine-month window as vice Mayor Hudgens indicated a nine-month window to transition into operational independence and provide services directly to its residents or through contracts right contracts perhaps with the county through or other cities and towns through intergovernmental agreements or perhaps Contracts with private service providers. So a lot's got to happen in those nine. These nine months that are coming I'm gonna go ahead and list these out.

I've created a list of nine steps, but before going through, these just a caveat, these are not all of the steps, by any means there are many more, but these are some of the, the core steps that as I see them, they're not list. They're listed and rough approximate order, but there's gonna be some overlap and some of these steps, shouldn't should be pursued, simultaneously. and also each of these steps could probably warrant its own presentation, right?

So tonight, this is just a general overview of what's coming. Some of the bigger ticket items that we're gonna be looking at and we'll be exploring hopefully and further detail and subsequent meetings of the So with that in mind, just a brief overview of some of these these different steps. The first that I've listed here, Is to secure. state shared revenues and there's only of cities and towns has been very been helpful, coordinating with me and, and the corporation effort.

and there was a projection that they put together. that given an assumption of 100,000 population, in San Tan Valley, which it may be more, maybe less than that. But if that is the case, if that's what the final certification census certification comes in, at That the town might expect somewhere in the. Amount of 47 million dollars in state shared revenue annually. So that is the estimate assuming that 100,000 population.

as far as securing that state shared revenue, which is going to be the lifeblood of the new town. As it started try it starts to transition and provide into providing services To secure that. First, we had to have an order from the county, declaring, the town incorporated, So, once we have that in hand on September 17th, we're then able to work with the US, Census Bureau, to submit to them an application. So that they can provide us with a population certification.

We have been in communication with the US Census Bureau, we have submitted that so that has been submitted now if you're following the news, there's been you know, a government shutdown going on and that has impacted the Census Bureau and and we are work. We're gonna continue to work with them. The timeline isn't certain though as to when they will get that certification back to us in the exact form of that certification or still working through those details.

But hopefully we'll get that certification in hand sooner than later. Once we get it. Then we can go to various Arizona State, departments, Arizona Department of Revenue, Arizona Department of Transportation and State Treasurer's Office, we provide that certification and that allows them to start to release state shared revenue. to the new municipality. There's various buckets of state, shared revenue different types, vehicle license, tax state, sales tax, her funding.

So there's some different buckets and depending on the bucket may determine when it determines when that funding can be released. Most of them will can be released in, you know, the next few months as soon as we get everything lined up, there's one though that will won't be released until July of next year at the start of the fiscal year. So, that's that's a process that needs to be worked through now. And the next step on this, this overview would be to explore local revenue options.

and so in addition to state shared revenue to provide the services to the town, the Council will be considering perhaps a sales tax or props, other means of of know sales taxes are very common across municipalities in Arizona. I think it's pretty much universal, right? The sales tax amongst other units is equalities so that that's going to be coming up in short order.

Third on this list is the potential to explore some stopgap, funding or bridge funding from, perhaps a neighboring, municipality or other governmental entity that might be able to to assist in providing some funds in this interim period While we're waiting for state, shared revenue to come in and so that's something we're exploring currently. next and it is probably simultaneously with these other steps that preceded, it contracting with key personnel.

So there's going be work looking for the town manager, the town clerk, the town finance director, All of these roles are key for the new municipality getting it set up on a strong foundation. Five. We'll be looking at adopting an interim budget. Statutes allow us. Even though we're off cycle, we're not on the normal Budgeting cycle of municipalities the statutes allow us to prepare an interim budget and there's a process for doing that.

But as part of that process, we're going to want a finance director. We're gonna want some of these key personnel. So things to look at Um, we're gonna begin the long-term strategic planning. We're going to be drafting foundational codes and policies. We're going to be preparing for the next full fiscal year budget. The 2026 2027 budget that process is going to start next year, February March, next year.

And then, finally, we're going to be looking to enter into agreements for course services and start bringing on employees once once the foundation is late for that. So I know that was a bit of a whirlwind tour there of some of the next steps. But what's, what's the council's? A role in this process. Well, the Council is going to be at the center of it. really the council is going to provide the direction, the oversight, they're going to establish policy priorities long-term vision.

They're going to point the key personnel be involved in the budget process. Approve agreements ordinances resolutions and lead the community engagement as we work through this. All right, so that was a lot. Any, any questions based on that high level overview at this time and we'll hopefully be coming back as I said with full some on each of those steps. Any questions from the council members? Thank you, Alan.

Okay, so we're going to go to our next item for F, presentation, discussion and possible. Appointment of Pierce Coleman. The LLC as the town attorney and approval of legal service. Consideration of the appointment of Pierce Coleman. Yell, LLC to serve as town Attorney pursuant to ARS 9-237, including a presentation of the proposed legal Service Agreement and possible Council action. We will start with the presentation by Mr. Justin Pierce with Pearson Coleman.

I'll know for the record that a copy of A proposed legal service agreement was included in the agenda. Material provided to Council, prior to this meeting and is on file with the town clerk. Pierce. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, Vice, Mayor Members of Council. This is cool. I just as a starting point. and I have in the presentation we represent a lot of Arizona, cities and towns.

But this I hope that this feeling continues, sometimes we go to council meetings and they aren't, they don't feel quite as great. And I know there will be times Of course, for you will have spirited debates on things and that's great. But at least so far in this meeting it's just Spend all love and we it's, it's great to to see that. Hope I'm gonna keep the love going here. I thought that it would be good for me to come to present on this item.

You guys have known Alan, Alright, especially on the Corporation effort and and the work that Allen has done over the last year and a half and extensively. I say, Alan it's really within our entire firm. We've we've worked on a lot of different items. There's been a lot of different issues that come up. We have lawyers in our firm that that have particular expertise in election related issues.

For example, in fact, Christina Estes were there spend a lot of time helping in that Christina was the former general counsel to the League of Arizona Cities in towns and also state elections. Director, today was the first day, a lawyer started at our firm. She's a former general counsel to The secretary of state's office. And so we've assembled a team of lawyers that are very experienced in all of the different facets and areas of municipal law, it's an old picture upon the screen.

There's, they're actually 17 lawyers in our firm today. but wanted to introduce you a little bit to to the firm. Our firm has been for many years now designated as a here one regional best law, firm US News and World Report multiple lawyers in the firm recognized in either or both best lawyers in America, super lawyers.

And we are currently the city or town attorneys contracted, which is what we're talking with you about today for 22, Arizona municipalities and for for easy math, that's about a quarter of the cities and towns in Arizona, the contract with us to do these services and so and in fact, many of our of the cities and towns that we represent the vast majority of them over the last several years.

have actually seen a, a return of of their premium from the insurer based on their, their good, their good status, their members of the Arizona, Municipal Risk Retention Trust, which I'm just gonna explain a little bit about that too in Arizona. There's 91 municipality too. At the time. gamble, you 92 Arizona municipalities so 22. Again our contracted with this as their as their general counsel, the City Town attorney. 76 of them.

We are the exclusive employment law, provider through the Arizona Municipal Risk, Retention Pool. And then all of the others we have done work for via special projects again, you land. Use election. Prosecution etc. All the other 91 That's about this and to that end we we have what our arts, our group of attorneys well over 200 years of combined, experience in municipal law.

In Arizona, we are by far the most experienced law firm in Arizona in go back to these these areas, so, our approach is one of collaboration because of that when we have people again, I mentioned to you about those election law, experts. You, if you call me and you say, Hey Justin, can you give me some input on this election law issue? I'm going to say I could But I have somebody who's gonna be able to do it much more efficiently and much and probably get you a better answer.

if it's a land use issue, if it's a development agreement issue, if it's a remote employment, law issue, depending on what, what those issues are, we try to use a collaborative approach and and use the expertise that we've been able to develop over those years, to get our clients to the, to the best possible outcome and result. So that's how we that's how we use.

Although we do typically try to put a, we'll say a face of the franchise for for each of our municipalities a, a primary point of contact. And then often a secondary point of contact so that you know, if the mayor or the clerk or whoever has meats to talk to somebody right away, they've got a contact that they're working with all the time. I'll give you a one guest as to who we would be proposing to do that for the town of San Tan Valley. And by the way, I will say.

And I know I'm gonna sound very biased here, but you can't. You, I dare you to find a better lawyer, municipal lawyer in Arizona, then all just Terrific. And I know you've experienced this from, especially, from the incorporation committee that the detail but again, it's, it's Alan. But it's also Allen's ability to call upon the expertise of the firm. You should see the email chains daily within our group and especially the Municipal Law Group Multiple emails a day to the entire group of.

Hey, anybody ever seen this issue? you've ever had this sort of thing, you got this development agreement or that or whatever it might be and and just it's it's a really fun thing to be able to do that. And we can, we can use that to support a town like town of Santana Valley. So we're excited to propose a Oh gosh, I thought this was my night. I did want to tell this is the exclusive law Employment Law Services for the municipal risk pool. I think the sensors, right? Am I blocking it? No, no.

Is that what it is? No, no. I don't think it is. I don't think it's what the with the risk pool. That exclusive representation that I told you about are the risk full administrator at the last board meeting of the risk pool. Told the board that the flat fee arrangement that we have with them. It's one of the things that we're that we do differently than a lot of firms. As opposed to just in and we can do hourly arrangements.

But what I've always thought it's weird that a lawyer would charge by the hour and and essentially, it's like, I'm getting paid more to be less efficient, you know, like the longer it takes me to do this. The more you're gonna pay me.

So we came up with a with an arrangement, where we did a flat fee with the risk pool on all these employment, law matters, and and the risk, full administrator told the board that this flat fee arrangement with our firm over the left, over the last many years, has saved the Pool, Seven figures. and and there were other reasons for that to not just in terms of the, the actual amount.

But it means that that our clients don't have to worry that every time they pick up the phone, the the clicker is going to go on and we're going to to start running and you're gonna have all those those fees. And so we we try to incentivize our clients to call us as much as you need. Let's work on as much as we need to work on. Let's get the job done. Let's not talk about how long it's gonna take to get the job done and it's worked out really well for for a good good.

Number of our clients in this area. So, Oh, I did have if an insurer believes in the arrangement, there must be something to it because insurers are in the business of making money. So if they if they think this is a good idea, then obviously something must be going, right? So What a lot of our, those 22 cities and towns that we that we work with. And the reason that they contract with us, An in-house municipal law department. Can have a lot of costs associated with that.

There are a lot of indirect costs for example, Well, first of all costs of doing business, just over the last several years. I'm this is not news flash, it's got expensive and so overhead has gotten extraordinarily expensive. West Law is, You know, we don't have law libraries anymore, you know, big rooms of law. In fact, it's funny when I started practicing law a long time ago. 20, Something years ago, there were, you know just had a room full of of those books.

You probably seen those and you've seen the movies with all the books all those books right here. I've got access to them as much as as, as I would have had in those in those libraries just in a in the palm of my hand. So, West Law is that service, according to the West Law, municipality would be charged at least two thousand dollars a month, just for one just for one single user, you know, doing the math and now you know, 24,000 a year.

Just just to have that other technology document management system administrative support which, you know, whether it's paralegal legal assistance, Office space that goes along with that. When we contract with our our clients, our municipal clients that we're taking on. Wait, we take all that, all that overhead, that's not that the city or town has to has to worry about that the asrs benefits and the pensions and everything that goes along with that.

So there's a lot of of indirect costs that is is absorbed by us. It doesn't the the city or town doesn't have to doesn't have to take that on and so, Payroll taxes. Pay time off all of those things. so what we have for you guys is a what I'm calling a no risk proposal because we'd love for you to appoint us as your as your contracted town attorneys. Um, in Arizona. a client always has the right to choose their attorney at any point in time.

So I could come up here which we're not actually proposing but I could go up here and say, You know what, we want you to sign a contract with us for us, to be your town council for the next four years or whatever. And you could sign that agreement, it wouldn't be worth the paper. It's printed on because You are always 24 hours away from posting an agenda and saying we want to make a change and you can always do that.

So what we're proposing is for us to be appointed as your town council, but nothing would stop you. From three days from two days, from now saying, And we've changed our mind. Let's put another agent. Put it on the agenda. Let's let's do something different. We're not not inviting you to do that. I hope you won't do that. But it's a possibility, which is why Appointing us as your town council is not, is it truly is a no risk proposition. What we'd like? For you to consider.

Is a month to month arrangement, no long-term commitment for us to be able to continue to provide these services. We've been happy, we truly have been happy to to contribute to the effort of the incorporation and everything that we've done. But at some point, Alan's gonna have to put food on the table for his family. And so, we, we need to be able to, to contract with with you with an amount that we believe fits with what the needs are going to be of the town.

In fact, actually, I should have changed my proposal. I hadn't seen Allen's list of all the things that are gonna need to be done over the next nine months, actually, a little nervous that maybe I did under shoot it. What? Equal. Be okay.

And here's, here's what we're proposing and and the rationale for it The incorporation committee and the vice mayor will probably you probably remember this was projecting that, that in an interim budget, that it would probably take about one about 1.5 million dollars a year for legal services. To keep the town going. We I believe we can be that by about 25 percent and so I've done that math. Like I said, I hope I'm right. But again, it's a month to month deal.

So, if I'm, if I, if I undershot it too much, I'll be coming back here and saying, please, we need you to put more money in the budget, but I'm, I'm fairly confident we can do that. Plus we understand, obviously we've been working with you guys on these issues. We understand that you there's no money So we're okay, still floating for a little bit longer until we can get those state shared revenues until we can start getting over the bridge loan or whatever.

It is to start paying for the services. We can continue to float that. so, As I projected it. There's going to be a senior lawyer again, usually Allen. It's probably going to put about 30 hours a week into the into the into the services, in the effort. Other senior lawyers in the firm for different things. So when I say 30 hours, I'm not saying 30 hours for Alan and then others 30 hours of time spread across Senior lawyers in the firm. I can tell you already.

I know that numbers is that number is probably low, at least this month, and we haven't even been appointed as your, as your counsel, the amount of time he's spent just to the last couple of weeks, so it's, it's more than that but at the same time that's okay because I believe that that once we get settled and going that we can take some of that time and shift it around too, to associates would look, lower level attorneys, extraordinarily competent, but also don't, don't cost quite as much and also paralegals.

So what I've what I've projected is 30 hours a week of a senior lawyer. 40 hours a week of associate. I'm not not one single person, but spread out among a lot of people and paralegal time about 25 hours.

If you do that math based on on the hourly rates that we would that we extend to the risk pool, which is discounted significantly from what typical lawyer rates would be for, you know, other other situations those numbers are about what it would take per week to to pay for those services on an hourly basis 9900, 10,000 3750 again. That's discounted rate. That would come to 104 for 50 or 483 33 a month. Or about 1.253 a year which is again still less than what the incorporation committee.

We'd like to propose cutting another $10,000 off of that and just setting it at 95,000 a month, which is about 1.14. Reduction from what the what the proposed budget would be. Now I know these are still big numbers and get used to them. By the way, you're gonna start seeing something numbers, But as I said, this is truly a no risk proposition because we would want to monitor this regularly at the beginning.

I mean, we, we might come into this and, and there may be, there may be vastly more than we're thinking is there's gonna be required. We would just come back to you and say, Here's what's here's what's being required. Now, we have a history. i one of my, one of my municipalities that I'm the primary point of contact with we said it, we set a flat fee. The second year we had to bump it up a little bit because of the work that was being done.

The next year, we found some efficiencies that where we weren't going to have to do some stuff and and we shifted that to some other some some internal staff and we reduced we reduced the flat feet the next year and then we reduced it again the next year. So we we truly try to look at it from the standpoint of.

It has to be a win-win, you know, I mean it has to be, it gives you surety in your budget, it gives us an idea of like what Need to plan for to be able to get the work done for you and all along the way. It's it's a partnership for us to be able to, to provide those services and do it in a way that that is best in the town's best interest. So, like I said, regular review of things. Any questions on on the proposal? Our firms qualifications. Anything that anything that's comes to mind. Mr.

Mayor Councilmember Hunt. Thank you Mr. whenever it comes to our San Tan Valley, taxpayer dollars and such I just want to make sure we pause and look at, you know, all the all of this I don't want to jump into something financially and regret it later, but With that said, I do recognize, we are brand new and I have been very impressed with Mr. Twist in his thoroughness and his communication, he's at A, in my opinion, has a very good job, leading us where we need to go.

Yeah, you said these are big numbers and I appreciate that. I get that the hours that you have estimated here, the 30 hours. For the senior lawyer, the 40 hours for associates, 25 hours for paralegals. Is that common among municipalities or is that one? Just because we're starting off and it's projected higher because we're getting started. Mr. Wonderful Question Councilmember. I have multiple several answers to that based on historical things. First of all, we do have in our, in our firm.

I mentioned, you know, some of the expertise we also three of our lawyers were in-house city, attorneys one, at a sit, in a city about similar size in population. So we do have a lot of experience just even with with cities of this side including the some of the project work we do with some of the others to include your neighbors to Queen Creek and others that are also similar in size. We know what they spend in their budgets and it is more than this. I believe that.

It will probably this is probably the type of budget that you you'll see. Consistently across the board from for probably many years. I don't see this going down a bunch after your your established. I do think there could be some initial a lot of initial upfront work but what will happen then is you will have all that up for work is gonna be, highly legal intensive, but then when the legal intensive work stops on the organization, you're gonna have a town manager. How to have finance structure.

You can have the directors, you're gonna have potentially public safety thing and and now as the infrastructure of the town gets built, the legal needs will shift from Creating the the framework to maintaining the framework and and we I feel questions all day long from different from representatives of municipalities mostly directors and other things. Hey, I've got this issue. Hey, we've got this land, use issue.

We've got again, whatever it might be, so I the I'll give you for example, a town of Buckeye. Their budget is significantly more than this. They're pretty close in population. Town of Queen Creek. Their budget is interesting because they have a legal services component, which is about, you know, 1.1 or so. But they also some of their legal services and needs.

When they, when they have legal performing work, they'll they'll assign that that work to another department and that, that department's budget So, from from my conversations, with their counter manager, who I know pretty well. there, there in the one point five plus Million dollar range in terms of legal services and they've been established.

So I do think that these numbers and I agree with you by the way and I'm glad to hear you, you should be a very you should be a thoughtful steward of the taxpayers money in in San Tan Valley. If you're not, they will remove you.

So I, it's an important thing and we we viewed it the same way we want to make sure that you are that you are You're spending, what you, what you legitimately should be spending for those legal services, and I think that these numbers are probably what you you will expect, should expect to see on an ongoing basis. in the other council members have Questions, Council member will All of us are thank you very much for your presentation in front of us this evening, just after viewing the contract.

Again, we mentioned the flat fee, the 95,000 per month, there is an additional item here in the contract regarding reimbursable expenses. so, Just want to be certain, we're as close to actual cost as possible. Would you be able to give us any projections at least in our initial year as it moving town? What you figure those will be so that there are no surprises at the end of the day. Absolutely.

That number is going to be really, really small and Mike's again, this comes from experience for others that have that exact same language in their contract. Can't remember the last time I sent an expense reimbursement for it. It would where it would come up is say, there's some say there's some litigation that pops up and we're handling some litigation and there needs to be a deposition or something like that.

So a court reporter has to come and take the deposition and you get charged a thousand bucks by the court reporter. We would pass pass that those are the types of costs and it's extraordinarily rare here. The only one I can think of Far that I think we've already incurred and we already paid for the census. Yeah, not yet, but That we will pay for it and it, I can't remember what it is, but 1700 1700 dollars because you don't have any money yet.

So we're gonna we're gonna pay that for you and and it's it's a cost that we're, it's not like our work. It's just, we're just paying that cost for you. That's what those costs are. It's not, it's not to pay us anything. It's to reimburse us if we front a cost for you, Absolutely. And again, it's just super small anything. Any ballpark figures? just again because we're not the first? Yeah, second I would guess a few thousand dollars a year at most very small amount.

Sometimes once you're set up to, I mean like the census thing. I, I who would have known that there was a, you know, a cost going to be set aside for that. But once you're once, you're up and going on a regular basis, as I said, some of the municipalities I've worked, I cannot remember the last time I, I had to send a cost along so it could be zero. But but certainly not. More than a few thousand dollars.

And by the way, we always work with the manager or the account, if there's going to be a significant expense for something, say, say that we would have found out. Oh wow we we have to pay $10,000 for this this thing or whatever we would come to you and say, Hey, here's this cost that we're gonna have to incur for you. you. You know, we want to make sure you're okay with that first.

Or in, you know, if there's another way we counsel with you guys about that because we don't, we don't want to spend your money, either like that. The question. Um, so I'm looking at the agreement and I mean, there's detailed stuff but not super detailed so like for instance, like IgA you guys would come up with the iga's if we are into a contract with someone, you'll look at the tnc's, all of it. and then you say on your term here that it's renews automatically year.

So at this point, are we would we be locked in for a year? Because you say month to month, but the contract says different. so, the language of that, in terms of renewing year to year is just for convenience purposes, only so that we don't we don't have to come back every month and say You know we put it on an agenda for you know, renewal it just it just renews automatically.

The reason I say it's month to month is because at any given time, I mean truly it's I guess it's day to day in that sense but it's it's just for convenience only. So that we the idea would be this is the number we're going to try to keep you through. this fiscal year. When we start the budgeting process for 20 for 26, 27, Will be a part of that process and come to you as well.

And say, Hey, here's where this is looking for the next year, let's set it at this and it is setting it for for like for a year. It's setting the number. But again, at any at any point in time and at any meeting we can come back and say Hey That number is not really working out what way or the other we would come to you and say, Hey, we can reduce this here. Don't get your hopes up but we will do it. We really will. If it turns out that that's where the the workload is is leaning. Questions.

So when some of this stuff like you say that certain special counsel services, need to be outsourced from your department on how often would you see that happening as far as at this point I can only see the taxes and bonds. So are you guys What's the extent that you can? You guys can deal with without outsourcing? It's most everything else I started, Mr. America just there. That's more Jenkins the this just happened recently. In fact, it's rare, it truly is rare.

That it's not something that that we would would do just under the flat feet. This happen in one of my other municipalities where a very complex tax issue arose and we we could probably look at it and do pretty well. well, but it's such a specialized area that we we engaged and that the technicity that city engaged, a specialized tax lawyer to look at because the potential liability was pretty big and want to say, you know, it's is a few thousand dollars of fees.

For that services for those services, those are the types of things that we would typically not you want to take on ourselves, but we also communicate that when we did that I can we communicated with administration. We said, Hey given this issue, we should probably look at at engaging somebody on this and they said, Yes, let's absolutely do that. We don't want to do that within within the flat fee. Here, we want to do that special services, somewhere else for us Special Services.

Really would be. If if it's a if it's a legal matter that is not typically what an in-house legal department would even do some litigation services and things like that. But again, we wouldn't we don't just do these things. We would come to you and say, Hey, we gotta notice of claim or whatever it is on this issue over here.

Because litigation, as you can imagine some sort could blow that out of the water just just the litigation alone as opposed to trying to provide the general services, but we communicate on that. We would come to the Mayor the Vice Mayor. And you guys bring it to counsel if we needed to to say, Hey, here's here's what we just we just got this again, notice of claim or or here's a, Here's an issue that just arose.

And and if it looks like it's outside of what what would it, what typical in-house department would do as I mentioned all, we do a lot of special projects for other cities in towns who have big in-house legal departments. But our goal is to do as much as possible within the flat fee and my experiences. Almost everything is yet. It's taken care of. Within that. I we it's a rare thing for us to need to go outside of that. You say? Taxes code. No, we do that. No, no, we do that. Yeah, we do that.

What I meant by taxes was like like, Hey the there was a and I'm not This isn't the example. Of this situation. I'm trying to keep you know, keep a client from from Oh that's what they did. Like a there wasn't with hope there wasn't with holding on on pension contributions, that was appropriate and now there's potential liability Going back, three years or something. What do we have to reimburse? You Other questions, right? Dan Oakes: Have one more. Can you hear me? Yeah.

um, you Thank you again for your proposal. Garrett Glover: You're? Dan Oakes: Services. Alan's provide. grateful for his Service. I just had a question about General Services versus litigation is the no risk, proposal include any litigation. Garrett Glover: In. That, that would arise under the flat fee as long as it. What typically will happen, you're going to get insurance. You're gonna, I mean, you're gonna be either through the risk pool or something soon.

And so most of our cities and towns that we that we represent under these flat fees, let's say, somebody there's an accident in a town vehicle. I'm projecting here several months, town vehicle. Employees driving. There's an accident. There's a notice of claim because something happens most, most of the time that's going to go and be covered by an insurance policy.

And we've probably talked to you about the Arizona, Municipal Risk, retention pool who covers most of our cities in towns on those things. And they have panel counsel that they would assign those two, but that's not costing. You anything extra at that point in time. It's just being covered by insurance. We do stay involved in those even when insurance counsel is handling those, we stay in the loop and help advise on all of those things as part of the flat fee. So we don't do that.

That's not special services. We just do that. Rubber flat feet. And other question. Dan Oakes: Okay, one other question. Garrett Glover: You step. Dan Oakes: You said that no risk proposal month. If you discover that there. And say we should pay more, is there transparently? You know, if we're less That we come back and say other. Garrett Glover: I, I did hear Reset. And the answer is, is absolutely. Yes, we will come.

We we loosely I say loosely because, you know, when we're on a flat feet, I don't need to nickel in time. Every little, you know, minute that I spend on everything but but we do keep track, generally of the time we're spending on those sorts of things internally. We do that and what absolutely be happy at any point in time to come with, you know, Councilmember oaks. If you, you said, Hey can I, can I get an idea of how much time you spending on these things?

We can meet with you and talk to you and share with you all those all those things there or others, whoever whoever wants to get that information. Dan Oakes: There's not a standard. Garrett Glover: that you Dan Oakes: We'd have to ask for it. Garrett Glover: Um there there's not. I mean we could we could establish a standard process if you said, Hey every month please, you know, get us this, we can absolutely do that for you. We? Dan Oakes: Okay, thank you.

Garrett Glover: just we don't have it set up, you know, we wouldn't do it. I mean yeah unless you asked for it, but if you said, Hey, I want, I want this every month, we can get that. For. Dan Oakes: Thank you. Garrett Glover: you, meaning recognizing the services that you've done that right in that 30, right? And also recognizing with, so would they flat fee? Like this. It is a My experience on. This has been, you know, some months.

It's gonna be way up here and someone that's gonna be like this. And so the idea is to try to, to try to get it here where it's like this. So in any given month, I mean, I'm not gonna come back to you if, if in October, if October closes and we spend the equivalent of $200,000. I'm not going to come back to you go. Hey guys, we're way low. We need to jack this up. Because I understand that that could happen. And then the next month, it could be 50, you know?

So but but if it's 50, I I wouldn't want you guys go why we can reduce it to 15. I'd say, No, no. It's, it's all about this. It's so that we can have a surety in what we're doing in the budget. So I I say month to month and we look at it month to month. But I like to take at least a few months of a sample size before we before we jump one way or the other to say, Hey, here's where we need to have this. Thank you. Dan Oakes: Thank you so much.

Garrett Glover: Okay, we're gonna recognize council member Jenkins again. Um so I think it's important to have a statement. For transparency and accountability. So that's my opinion. Absolutely. Happy to do it. Absolutely happy to do. I'll recognize myself real quick and so for the adjustments that you said, you were talking about you say you give it a few months out. You give it more than that less. Is that something you come back to us and say, Hey, listen.

Costs are exceeding, what we Had a promised or set up, front or agreement? Then you have a discussion with us. Yeah, yes, absolutely Mary. So and if and it sounds to me, like, at least, at least a couple, like, hey, I'd like to see, you know, what it's looking like each month. So at any point in time, I mean you're gonna get those, we'll get those to you. And, and we can talk about them and say, Hey, here's what it's looking like. I think there's going to be a lot here at the beginning. I know.

Because there's a lot of work to be done, there's a lot of things to Go into and contract. So, and that's why I don't want to have a knee-jerk reaction, what one way or the other on it in terms of what, what it's going to require. We We're excited to work with you guys. I mean, I mean like I said and what Alan's been doing for the last year and a half of you, we office in the same in the same ops. We talk about it all the time and the it's been an exciting day to see this to see this coming.

Fruition. In fact, I mean, not that it's why we've we've done this work pro bono first for so long is you know we used to say who who gets to be a part of the you know the beginning of a municipality and say much less the largest incorporation and the States history to be a part of the ground up and that is just been so exciting for us that, you know. Yeah. We're just, we're stoked to be here with you guys and to be a part of this. So You know, we want to keep doing this.

I want to keep working with you and for us, we want to Kind of agree with with Councilmember Jenkins we want to be as transparent as we can with the public. Because you know, these are limited funds at the beginning and we got to make sure they work and they go as far as they can. So you can understand the question Put out. Absolutely. Yeah. I if you weren't asking that question at some point down the road, I would be counseling. You and saying You should be asking these questions.

So I I we really appreciate your questions we want. We're gonna be completely transparent with YouTube. It doesn't work if it's not. This has to be as a trust relationship. I mean, this this has to work for everybody and we have a pretty good track record of it being of it working. So Okay. Is there any other questions from the council members? for the next repair to make comment? You want to make?

Yeah sure, you know, without representation that the committee had, I don't think that we'd be sitting here having a discussions right now. So I would like to, you know, think Thank you guys for everything you've done. It's been great work and much appreciated. Thank you. I'd love to go Councilmember Tyler's comments. I know for agree.

I know for a fact we would not be here for your firm and there were so many instances where Alan and your firm had our back and it actually freed us up to do the work that we need to do. And so I think, you know, just having this agenda prepared The things coming tonight, just being able to show up. Your firm is done has been vital and revital to the work we have going forward, and Alan, you did a solid job and really appreciate you. And everything you guys did. Thank you so much.

Thank You Council member Hudgins Vice Mayor Hudgens. If we have any no further comments or discussion, I will open it. Open to the floor for motion and this is the motion for retaining. Justin Pierce with Pierce our Pierce Colon Law group as the town of Santan Valley's legal council, moving forward. MR. I moved to a point Pierce Coleman. Pllc as town attorney the town of San Tan Valley, pursuant to Ars 9-237.

And to approve the Legal Services Agreement as presented Council member Hunt has put a motion on the floor. Do I have a second Dan Oakes: A second. Garrett Glover: The council member Hudgens, our Vice Mayor Hudgens, I'm gonna give you smear Hudgens has seconded. We will now proceed to a voice vote. All those in favor of pointing the law firm of Pierce Coleman as a town attorney and approving, the Legal Services Agreement as presented. Please say I I any opposed Very none.

The passes and we will retain Pierce Coleman as our legal counsel for the San Tan Valley. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. We're getting close to an hour and a half. Does anyone need to take a break on? Mondays? Okay, we're gonna move to Item 4g Discussion and possible adoption of Ordinance. Number 2025-01 Establishing Council Meetings, Schedule Council will discuss possible meeting locations dates and times prior to taking possible action.

before we consider a motion, I'd like to open the floor for council discussion to help guide our conversation. And I suggest we take this into three parts The first is we discuss on how often we would like to hold regular meetings each month. The second is, which day of the week and what time works best for the council members and third, which venue would be the most suitable for our meetings. So we'll begin with the first question, the frequency of our regular meetings.

I now open the floor for discussion on how many times per month, the Council would like to meet and plan to meet on a regular basis. Right? Can I ask our legal counsel recommendation on that again? What do you feel Mayor? Councilmember Tyler in the initial formative stages? I would recommend meetings twice a month. To just make sure that we're meeting regularly for version items. That's, that's not absolutely required.

If the council needs we can do it once a month and then call special meetings as necessary. But, but maybe in that initiative, the is to two would be be my recommendation. I think I'll concur with that. I think twice a month would be a very good thing for us to meet and to counsel together moving forward. So I agree, I think anything less than twice a month. I don't think we were getting what we've done, especially through the beginning. Yeah, Mr. May, I agree with that too.

Twice a month, I would forget that. Okay, so With that being twice a month. Second question is, what day of the week? And what time should we meet for these regular meetings? Smear my preference to the 6pm? If not, Wednesday 6pm would be my second choice. Okay. Any other thoughts from the council members? This may I agree anything, but a shoulder day. So, ideally Wednesday seems to work. Fine myself. It's very good. Wednesday's 6pm work. Best for baseball. I'm good at Tuesday or Wednesday.

Dan Oakes: Wednesday. Garrett Glover: Good, Wednesday. And I Dan Oakes: Wednesday works, great. Garrett Glover: Say so. We have it down as twice a month on Wednesday. At 6 pm. Is that correct? Mr. Mayor, I would suggest the first and third Wednesdays of the month, if we're gonna follow the two twice monthly, Meeting up tempo. Any other discussion on the on the days of the weeks? You should say. Okay. Okay. Now so we have Wednesday, 6:00 pm, twice a month first and third weeks. 6pm.

So now we're gonna need a have a discussion on the location. What would be the best suited location for us to meet twice a month? for these council member discussions and meetings for the public? This American we give an options. We can we can. We'll ask Alan Quist if he can give us any insight on that fear Council members the county has graciously, allowed us to use this facility.

The good news is, is if the count the Council settling on Wednesday, that is an ideal day for this venue a Tuesdays and Thursdays other organizations have made reservations of this room. But Wednesdays is my understanding, this room would be available in the interim. As we're, we're establishing the town. so that is certainly an option. Other options might include the cacility that benefit of that it's that it's a larger space.

I believe the county at least for the time being is willing to to let us use it free of charge. Is our as far as other facilities. We could look at local high schools, another other options. But right now I've been primarily looking at this facility but there are the drawback would be the sides right there are capacity issues. with the occupancy of 60. but we are our work with the county to live stream so people can watch online as well so that that my factor into the attendance.

And then, this could be. just a temporary setup. Anyways, if you found another location somewhere down the road in the next few months that might be better suited. We could always move there. But we could, we could get this place set up that it's a continual on these days that we agree to that, we would have this room available to us. They're being said, Wednesdays would be Yes. So we would have to choose Tuesday or Thursday. Oh no, it'd be Wednesday that this facility would be available.

Okay, Wednesday. So yeah, I believe that is a viable, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the ones that they were using. Yes, it already. Yes. There's open an open reservation, Reservation process for Tuesdays. And Thursdays is my understanding, but the county sets it aside for government use on Wednesday nights is my understanding So this would be an option if we select ones, good. At this point at this sound, like we have kind of a consensus on, on the weeks. the day, the time, and the day.

So with that, I think we're ready to move forward with a formal action on ordinance. Number 2021, establish the regular meeting schedule at San Tan, Valley Town Council and set procedures, for special meetings and meeting cancellations. If you intend to move forward with the motion adopting, a specific meeting schedule. Please be sure to state the date today, Time and location for the Council's.

Regular meetings, for reference draft motion language is included in the agenda packet that can be used for adopted as needed. At this time, I will entertain motions from the Council. Mr.

Mayor, I moved to adopt ordinance, number 2025-01 as presented establishing the town Council shall hold its regular meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at six o'clock pm at the San Tan, Valley County complex, 31505 North Step Road San Tan, Valley Arizona, 85140, Council member will third has put a motion on the table. Do we have a second? We have a second from council member Jenkins. The motion will now. Need a voice vote. All those in favor.

Say I, I Any opposed hearing nun, the motion passes Florida's number two, zero two five. that's zero, one will be adopted. Okay, we'll now go to item number 14. This is discussion and possible adoption of a statement designating posting locations for public meeting notices. This is pursuant to ars38-431.02 Council will consider adoption of a statement.

Identifying the physical and electronic locations were notices of public meetings will be posted including meetings of the town council boards, commissions, committees, and subcommittees. I would note that the material included with this agenda. Item include a statement of posting that proposes physical, excuse me, physical posting of meeting locations at two locations, at the Pinal County San Tan, Valley, complex located at 31505 North Sheff Road.

Santan Valley Arizona 85143, including one, the bulletin board inside the foyer and to the glass adjacent to the entrance doors to this administrative building, The statement further provides for electronic postings. On a website maintained by the League of of Arizona Cities and Towns. Is there any discussion on the items? Presented. Yuri Nano will at this time. I will entertain a motion from the Council.

I moved to approve as presented, the statement of locations where all of the meetings Downtown Valley will be posted. I have a motion by council member Jenkins to is there a second? This is a voice vote on the motion, all those in favor. Say hi. You're none the motion carries. Okay, we'll now move to the next item on the agenda item. 4I discussion and possible adoption of resolution number 2025-01 established establishing financial disclosures requirements for officials.

This is pursuant to ars38-545 The Council will consider adoption of a resolution. Prescribing standards of financial disclosure applicable to local public officers in the town of San Tan consistent with the State Law Requirements, Council discussion and and possible action may fall. This agenda item was accompanied by a report and proposed resolution. I opened it up. Is there any discussion on the floor for Any at all. Okay. Are there any motions to be made? It's very move forward.

I moved to adopt resolution number 2025-01, as present establishing financial disclosure requirements for local public officers in the town of San Tan Valley. It's just so which state law At the moment. Tyler puts a motion on the table. Is there a second? I also remember Wolford. Has seconded. This is a voice vote all in favor say aye any opposed. Motion carries. Well now go to item, 4j.

Presentation and discussion regarding options for filling key municipal Staffing needs through temporary staffing, and consulting services, Mr. Quist will provide an overview of the options available to the town to fill essential administrative financial and operational roles through service agreements with firms, such as intern public management, Pat Walker consulting and educational Services Inc, ESI followed by possible Council. This Council discussion in action, Mr.

Quist Thank you very Here. If I could get that presentation, that should be presentation. For, I believe. Here. So, in the coming months, where was this? What's the secret of this? It's me a secret, I'm in the way. Gobbled myself, if I could. Alright, so in the coming months, the Municipality Municipality is going to start receiving state, shared revenues And/or. There may be some stopgap funding that starts to come into the town. and the town canal, start to prepare.

When those funds come in to bring on key, personnel, the clerk, the town attorney. key positions, right? But there are additional positions, they're gonna be vital for the town as it gets up and running. Are some of the major ones are going to have the town manager, right? The town managers get going to work closely with the council and agenda formation and implementing the vision that the council has the day-to-day operations. The town clerk. We have Garrett as an interim volunteer.

The Garrett Scott is day job, right? And he's doing a great service for the new town, but that that's a position that the Council can can look to for perhaps more permanent. Some of the fill that on more permanent basis. finance director, a very important for the new town to have that finance director in place to manage funds to assist in the preparation of the budgets that we're going to be working on. So we've got some key roles To fill. And there's really, really to two options.

and my recommendation would be to go with with option one, but option one would be to use temporary staffing and consulting services to fill. The interim needs that the town will have Some of the pros of doing that is that it could be fat a faster process. There's still going to be council oversight.

Typically these consulting companies will bring may bring candidates before you that you can then vet and decide upon and one of the pros also is that it allows the town to move forward immediately without having your payroll, your HR, your benefits structures, all of that needs to be developed right before we can bring on an employee a direct hire. So that that is a benefit of using the temporary staff and consulting services. Some cons is that it could potentially be higher in cost.

and some of the the consulting firms will actually have you know, basically a buyout cost or you'll pay a fee at the end if you decide to hire that person on bring them on full-time. but the models are different depending on which agency or consulting group, you go with the other option, of course, would be direct recruitment. A direct hire council, would obviously maintain a lot of control over that process, but it could take longer.

And, perhaps less effective at a meeting the towns immediate operational needs. so as far as temporary staffing and consulting, there are various options I've been in communication with a couple different organized, companies interim, public management LLC. I believe there's a representative from IPM here with us tonight. John John Cross.

there's Pat Walker Consulting, Educational Services, Inc, ESI IPM has its own slide that I'll cover with you shortly but briefly Pat Walker consulting her resumes included in your materials. She has the wealth of experience in financial consulting with municipalities across the state. so she might be one option as far as finance director or financial consulting. Educational Services Inc ESI This is an interesting option in the sense.

It, their standard business model is to work with a government employee. Who wants to retire start drawing benefits? But to do that, they have to leave employment with the government entity. They're working for and what ESI does it comes in and they become an employee of ESI essentially, and then can be go back to that governmental entity and continue to work for them.

Now, I've talked in speaking with ESI, they've indicated that this would be somewhat of a unique model for them but that they're interested in pursuing it and so that if You had a government employee, who's interested in coming over. To the town. The ESI is not going to. They're not a headhunter, they're not going to go find people but if the town has people that are interested in these these positions, they could facilitate that.

So that instead of bringing that person on an employee as an employee contract with ESI directly, and then pay ESI, who would then pay this this person, their benefits and everything. So, so interesting option model there for ESI IPM. you know, slide on that they will actually go and find. They have a stable of candidates. potential, people, feel these roles. They do a lot of work in Arizona, a lot of municipalities use them to fill temporary staffing.

That the Council could consider tonight if it wishes and enter into under that agreement with them, they would provide candidates per position. So they've listed three positions in the retainer letter clerk manager and finance director. They would provide candidates they they would vet the candidates indicate that they'd be ready immediately and then the council would then have discretion to select reject or negotiate with with those candidates and the contract with IPM.

Um, one term in that retainer letter, an important one is that the town agree to work exclusively with IPM for the next 30 days. So that means we wouldn't be able to pursue other options, right? 30 days IPM would would get to do this work present, you know who they have and the town could go from there. So the options for counsel is the council could decide to table.

This item, come back, the council could decide to move forward with a potential retainer agreement for one, two or all three of those positions. Perhaps Council says, You know, we want IPM to go find us some some manager candidates but maybe we want to explore ESI or see if there may be interested candidates. and I think there might be interested candidates out there.

They would want to join Team has an FYI that there's a lot of professionals that are excited about San Tan Valley incorporation and might want to join. and be a part of this this process. So, so that so there's some decisions we can table it, it's really up to the will of the Council what you would like to do. But those are some of the options that we've been developing. For you.

The decisions for council, is there an interest in using staffing companies and consultants if so, which is the Council interested in, possibly entering that 30-day? There's no, no funds, our committed. There's no financial obligation. The 30 day exclusivity So, Mayor Council members. I happy to answer any questions and There are none. Okay, thank you, Mr. Quiz. Do we have any questions for Alan. Mr. Number Wolford, it's a Mr Quiz so just I'm sorry I'm clear regarding the process moving forward.

Are we going to be doing two things in parallel? Finding an interim town, manager, town clerk, etc. And then, at the same time, be executing executing, a search for a permanent one, or the idea to eventually appoint that into room, hoping that they present themselves. Well, so the interim typically and we can negotiate the term but they're typically going to A year for six months, maybe a year.

So we have a term with them and hopefully there'd be enough continuity there that they could get things up and running at a minimum right and then at the end of that period Council could evaluate. you want to bring them on full time and that's if we go with with IPM, right? ESI and, you know, that I don't, you know, they're not gonna have, I don't think a fee at the end to if we want to bring the person on full time so that's it.

That's a benefit of ESI I believe but this is a new model for them and they're still working through the logistics of how that would work. with any option that we pursue want to keep in mind, though that We still don't have the funds coming in yet and and we'll need those in place to bring these individuals on most likely. so, thank you, the other questions. Okay, well yeah, vicement Mr, Quiz. So if we go forward with a temporary company, Do we start another search for a permit Council? Member?

Not Councilmember but town manager. What would that look like? Process look like. So a permanent search? Yeah, we put out requests, it's usually a few month, long, several months of process where we're putting out notices. were developing a group of candidates, they're coming before the council. But yeah, we're that would be a several month process and it could be, you could do it. Concurrently, if I thought would be to get the interim in place.

Let them get going, maybe have them for six, maybe months, maybe a year and then start the process or permanent, maybe three months in six months in. And so we got some continuity there. Okay. That wasn't sure if we should do it in parallel or give this time. Yeah. I I would recommend some time with the inner Any other questions from the council members? I, I've known I have a question on like for the IPM example, says that we have to work with them exclusive for 30 days.

Is that a 30 day and then another 30 day? How does that work? It's it's 38 period and then after that we could open up our search, we would. no longer be exclusively with that. but if we wanted to do another 30 with them, That would be out there. We could we and we could say, Hey you know, maybe the first go around, we just have them look for a town manager for us. and then the next go around, maybe we could add additional Candidates that we're looking for.

And there is a represented from IPM here. If the Council would like to hear Friend. I would like to hear from IPL. I agree with Council memo Tyler and If he would like to come forward, is that Mr? Cross. Yes, Mr. Cross would like to come forward. We'd love to hear his thoughts. Good evening, Mary Council, that's good to be with you, congratulations. I'm here, representing Tim Pickering. The chief Executive officer Tim, unfortunately is out of the country, otherwise he would be here in person.

I'm the former chief operations officer, but I asked him or he's asked me around to stand in, for him and try to answer any questions you might have time. I'm happy to do that. and run through the process with you and answering other questions you might have with respect to the work. That firm does to try to recruit for your interim. Positions, whatever those requests might be. So Questions for Mr. Cross from the Council, Mother Mr. Cross Mr.

Welfare, thank you very much for appearing here tonight. Going over the letter again. That was provided to us by Mr. Pickering, it does mention here that you subject to this letter within 15 business days of the day of this letter September 15th would have up to three. potential resumes per position. So that brings it to this Monday. October 6th. Do you stand with that date? You would have potentially three per role available for review by the Council. Mr.

Wolford, I think the entity wants the retainer letter is actually executed by the Mayor or Mr. Quiz, it's 15 days after that. All right. So if it's tonight to be 15 days, Then you your firm assistant. Forgive me if I butcher this thing to our friends in Tucson but you assisted Tucson with their incorporation efforts, correct.

that is correct to see on the as it's a confusing pronunciation I have but yes, I was some time ago but they very successful process that occurred up there and very helpful to be able to get them up running as well. Other Questions Councilor. Tyler? How How would it look if we actually the first 30 days we wish to continue services? What does that look like? Um, interpreted the Miss Mary in terms of the exclusivity period, you mean?

And Yeah, I think what's envisioned with the process is depending on direction we received this evening, if that's, in fact, the truth is of the Council. if it's one position or if it's all three positions for just two positions or two of the three that could be within that first 30-day period. If, if there's a request to add a position beyond either one, two or three and then it exclusivity period would start upon execution of the sign, retainer letter at that particular point in time.

So just another 30 days period, to be able to go through that process. There's a lot of back and work that we do to not only re-engage potential qualified. candidates but also go through the vetting process within to make sure that they're completely engaged and available for the time period that you're going to need them for tools. Another questions for Mr. Cross. The Council. Would your your part be in this role? If You were IPM was selected. Well, Mr.

Harris, since I am no longer actually a formal employment with them, and colleague at Tim's is their former chief executive or chief operations officer, to accept that Tim might need me as a liaison. I'm happy to help whatever capacity he might need and you mentioned a permanent replacement certain point in time when you're ready to go through that process for your next manager or other position.

As the case may be, that's actually what I'm doing on the other side of things is more than permanent executive search at placement sort of things, mostly doing right now, but I'm assisting. Tim volunteer basic basis. Basically when he's not available to be at a certain meetings Okay. And Mr. Cross has some experience in town management as he has been with the town of Queen Creek. So he does have a lengthy experience. sheet, so that's something to consider. Any other questions for Mr? Cross.

On his representation of the company IPM. Okay, and then thank you, Mr. Cross appreciate that. Now. I will say that. This is a, This is something that can be tabled. Doesn't have to be decided tonight if we needed to have more further thought and any questions that might come up, we can also move to retained one IPM Jose and if we so choose.

So so let's make sure that every Council member understands that at this point in juncture, so, I'd like to say that if the Council is interested in moving forward with retaining IPM for the next 30 days at no cost to the town. To search for the position of town manager. Town, clerk and town, finance director. If so if there's a motion To retain IPM for the next 30 days, pursuant to the terms of their engagement letter. To table. Okay, right, we have, is that your motion to table? Yes.

Okay, I have a motion from Councilmember Jenkins to table this. Is there any discussion on that or do we have a motion? I don't hold on three of a second. A second is what I meant, sorry. I'll second that. Okay, Councilmember hunt seconds. It so, this is Sorry. All in favor any discussion. There's Oh yeah. Is there any discussion on this We have a motion and a second. Mr. Marriage. Why my comments, I think it's imperative that. We start this process immediately getting a town manager.

Delaying this process only hinders our ability to move forward. So I figured I I feel tabling that with hinder our progress moving forward, especially because IPM comes at no cost to us over the next 30 days. I feel that we should Definitely move forward with this or I'd love to hear Council member Jenkins and Hunt's position on tableing for the benefit of this council and the benefit for the public, just their perspective. Okay.

And so, so you're you're a recommendation, are your discussion was and in favor of Well, no, he's saying that more discussion because I used to table the matter. I'd like to do more research on my own to see what the best case scenario would be for the citizens of San Tan Valley. I just think this is brushing into it is my opinion. I'd like to ask Alan. Legal ramifications for going for 30 days at no cost to us with IPM. Mayor Council members.

If that search proves fruitless, then those are 30 days lost that the council could be pursuing other options. So there is the law in time. But yeah, the exclusivities for that 30-day period. Can. Yeah, right? I had a question. Do we have representation from the other? proposed Walker Consulting or We do not, but we could have most likely have someone present at future meetings.

If, if we were to and justify if we were to take to table it, would we then schedule on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting and invite those to come speak to us at that point? Is that would that be appropriate to do if they're willing to? I don't know if they're very council member hunt. That's that's certainly Could work to do is get present. On the 15th. Of this month.

Would that be something that then the motion should be modified to state the next council member meeting The date and time on that. Yes, the motion was to table and it could be to a date. Sir pronounced, a member Jenkins, wishes to modify her motion in that regard, making it tabled until October 15, meaning Council member Jenkins wished to do that. Yes. Any other further discussion? Comments questions, Mr.

Merritt like to concur with a council member Tyler's point there about wanting to move forward as urgently as possible. I think it's important for us to capitalize on the energy of the new incorporation, effort into seek to locate as quickly as possible. Just, again, in the interest of Stabilizing armed corporation effort. So, I would At 30 days. No, cost would not be of detriment to us at all. so, Any other comments? Okay, at this point, we do have a motion. And is there we have a second?

Maybe we should do a roll. Call Garrett on this one. For sure. this is the motion to table it. Take table weeks, table it for two weeks, until our next scheduled Council member meeting on the 15th. I believe that was the day. Yes, ma'am. Awesome. Yay. Councilmember Jenkins. Councilmember Oaks. Dan Oakes: Yeah. Garrett Glover: Council over Tyler. No. That's what we're wolford name. Vice Mayor Hudgins. Hey. Marionette Nate. Time breaker.

okay, that motion does not carry is there a another motion that Somebody would like to make. Mr. Brown like the motion to move forward with IPM. And council member by me. as to all three positions or as to I I would like just Brad. I'd like to move forward to move forward with IPM for all three positions. And then can you state those two positions? Town manager, county, clerk and financial director. We have a motion on the table. Who is there a second? What's your name?

That's one question placement. Are we required to hire all three of those positions or clean. Take just two or one. How's that work? You're not required to hire any back candidates. So yeah. So, we have a motion by Commit Council member Tyler. Is there a second? Second Vice Mayor Hudgens seconds. This will carry of, we'll do a roll. Call on this one. Council member hunt. I, Had someone Jenkins. Councilmember Oaks. That's why we're Tyler. Hi. Vice Mayor Hudgens. I Mr. Mayor. Hi.

Matt motion carries. Okay. Somebody in 30 days. it's not waste any time. Okay? Thank you. We'll now go to item, 4j presentation and discussion regarding options for feeling key Municipals to hope, We already did that one. We're not going to replay that one again. We'll move to item. 4k presentation discussion regarding the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, Mr.

Tom Belshi Director of the League of Arizona, Cities and Towns will provide an overview of the league's role services and resources available to municipalities followed by Council discussion on how the League may assist the town of San Tan, Valley Mr. Belch Floor is yours. Mr. Mayor members of the town council, my pleasure to be here tonight. I was sitting in and thinking about this, this is I've been working with cities and towns for 32 years.

at the end of this year, I will be retiring as the executive director of the League, but I was thinking about I've been involved in the incorporation of Five different communities. And I just want to tell you that. The preparation that's been done for this meeting is second to none. I, I want you to know that the work that's been done for you by by Alan is tremendous. Let me just tell you a couple experiences I had in First Incorporations.

I remember when The, the town of Tuesday and incorporated. and we were the first presentation at that meeting the first Council meeting and as soon as I started, speaking, a gentleman walked past me. And served. A summons to the members of the town council. They were that they were going to be sued for an illegal incorporation. So you know, you don't have that, which is great. So, you know I I just I also want to tell you that this is a community that's been waiting for this for a long time.

And I've been involved in several other. incorporation efforts here and just want to congratulate you on finally getting it done. And just to let you know that the League is here to help. What the League is all about is is providing value to cities and towns. And we are very proud of the fact that except for one year or one city was not a member of our All cities and towns have been members of the League since 1937. And so that's something that we take very, very seriously.

And we're here to help. I also want to tell you that despite the fact that Justin has stolen employees of mine in the past. I still given that my highest recommendation, and we'll let you know that that in all seriousness, they, you know, They don't teach municipal law. In law school.

That was something that came as a surprise to me and and so adequate representation of a city in town is extremely important when I go out and talk about incorporation with seasons and tell them that having a good attorney is absolutely critical especially in your informative years that you're doing these things. So, I can congratulate you on making that choice. I also want to tell you that. I have worked with all the companies that have been represented here tonight.

I have a personal relationship with them. I'm happy to talk to any council member that wants to talk to me about the kind of work that they do. And normally what what we will do, as the League is, if there's questions that you have, or if there's companies that you want to know about, we don't make recommendations. But what we can do is say We know that they worked on this project with this city, you can contact them to see you know what their feelings were.

That's the kind of help that we can do. We don't try to push you in any one direction. But what I can tell you is I have worked with companies that are being presented here tonight. I worked with them over the last 30 years that I've been involved with cities and and they do tremendous work.

And so that I just wanted to say that in the beginning because I know that it's difficult for you sitting up here, you got the weight of people's expectations of you making the right kind of decisions and making sure that you're doing it and efficient and effective manner and making sure that you're protecting the public interest. So I want you to know that we take that very seriously. So, talk a little bit about the League.

Okay, we are a voluntary nonpartisan nonprofit association comprised and I hope I got all of the 91S because giving Justin a hard time I Hope I didn't make the same mistakes. I went through and I tried to double check it before. So I'm gonna have egg on my face otherwise. But again this is a it's a voluntary. Cooperative association. We're not trying to association. we hope as I talk about the services, what we hope is you'll see is that we, we are just here.

We hope you see us as the first call If you have a question about something, now, normally we will work with your staff. And and that's fine because again and I'm sure you'll be happy talking about this with the council manager form of government. What is expected of you is to set the visit for the community not to do that day-to-day work. That's why people have put you on here, is to watch what's being done. But to also, You know, provide the vision for your community.

And so what we try to do is is help you with that anyway that we can. So let's just jump into some of the services that we provide. Let's see if there's a magic way of doing. Yeah, it's me. so, Our biggest most important thing that we do for you is protect your authority and your revenue at the state legislature. That has been that the two biggest things, local decision making over local matters and and protection of your revenue.

Mostly that means your, your ability to adopt a local sales tax and the four types of shared revenue, which I know you're going to be talking a lot about you know, over the next few months. And so, those are things that again. That's why we reformed and our mission has not changed and I wish I could say that there wasn't attempts to take away that authority and to take away that revenue but we face it every year. Okay. I'm gonna skip state because we've been here a long time already.

I'm gonna skip the Civics Lesson. But we have 92 incorporated cities and towns in Arizona. Now the vast majority of cities and towns, the only cities and towns that haven't formally adopted the council manager form of government are very smallest communities that basically they're so small, they need just a clerk to operate but they still operate under the same principles. We have 19 charter cities, believe me. That's another discussion. Maybe 10 years down the road. for you.

But charter cities are another aspect of municipal life and Arizona. The next one. Okay, so I just knew that was gonna happen. Okay. Well Justin, I owe you lunch, I guess. I talked about our legislative ad, we could see. That's that's the most important thing we do.

We have We have three staff members that are dedicated to that, you'll get to know our legislative director, Tom Savage, he is watching these proceedings tonight and and uh, also we have two others Marshall P Mantel and yet Elizabeth Caballeros and They do a great job. They are our boots on the ground, over at the legislature and we appreciate very much the work they do. Renee again, my one of my deputies and I also are very involved in that. And again.

We've protect your interest as well as we have policy committees where each year we develop our own legislation. And so, as a town, for example, if there's something that you think needs to change in state law You have the Opportunity Council members, the mayor alike to be a part of those policy committees and decide what our legislative agenda is going to be.

and that's a very a very good process and then it ends at our did, any of you have an opportunity to go to the League conference this year? I know we made invitations. Okay. Vice Mayor. Hey Hudgens, sorry The lead conferences, kind of the culmination of of all of that process and it leads into our new legislative year beginning in January. And so our resolutions Committee meeting is one city. One vote. And so every city or town, no matter what size.

Has the opportunity to to vote and provide one vote on our each of our legislative items that come up in that meeting. That is a something that we take very seriously. There have been Efforts in the past to to turn it into a weighted vote in a larger cities. Have have, you know, more of a say legislation, but we have fought that. And so we believe very much that every city in town should have an equal say in. And how we pursue legislative issues.

We also do technical assistance and this is what I was saying that. We not only. What I would say is we facilitate your opportunities to have your staff for example, the toughest jobs around and I know again. my many years of doing this are City attorney. City clerk. Finance director in City Manager. Okay, very difficult jobs. what I would say to you starting out as before you even have those employees Come on. Is assume that they're trying to do the right thing.

Too often these days we have people who assign nefarious. activities to their staff. It's something that I don't understand. And usually, those staff are trying very, very hard to provide you with good information which to make your decisions. and so, When you get Doom, the courtesy of actually reading that information before the council meeting. Don't open the packet up on the Deus. And try to read it. During the council meeting that does them a great disservice.

We're here to put you in contact. Let me just tell you what a typical day at our office will be, we'll get a phone call that says, you know, we have a question about how an expenditure limitation works. So, we have a staff member that specializes in that and so we will direct your staff member to that that person.

If it's more specialized than that, we also know which cities and towns have already been through that or may have a similar situation as you do and we can make a phone call and facilitate Finance, director, from another city to contact your finance director and say, Hey, this is how we did it. And if you'd like, I can send you a sample. The Municipal Clerks Association, you know? Clerks are an interesting breed. Okay, these are the kind of people that now I think we show up early the meetings.

Okay, I remember we one of the things that we do at the League, is we? We staff all of the professional development associations. Okay, so the City Manager, Association City, Clerks Association the finance Directors, Association in the Attorneys Association. We are the staff for those those groups. And the reason that we do that is because we want to make sure that they know. Okay.

Here are the things that have changed in state law that you need to know about, We want to make sure that all cities and towns. Know what they need to do to comply with state law. That's very important, because guess what kind of bill we get at the legislature, all these cities and towns are doing this one thing. Okay. So, we take that very seriously and so we work with those associations.

We go to the Clerks Association meeting we show up 7:30 and there's already 15 clerks signed lined up, waiting for us to open the doors. That's the kind of people that that clerks are They want to make sure that everything is perfect that your records are good There is a lot. That that they that they have to do. We provide a way to facilitate. We have those groups if there's a, if your clerk has a question about what do you do?

If you're going to have, you know, well This just popped into my head, please don't take this personally recall. election. So, let's say that there's a recall called out against you. They've never, they've never had that experience before they, they can call the league and either Nancy can answer their question Nancy as our general counsel we appreciate her being here tonight and or we can put them in touch with somebody who's had a recent recall.

So that's the way our technical assistance works. And it's And we think it's a very good way for your staff now. What does your? What is your interface with us? Okay. I want to be very careful. We start off on the right foot. When there are questions that, that are legal in nature. Okay, often? What councils want to do is they'll get an answer from their attorney that they don't like, and so they'll come fishing or another opinion from the league.

It happens all the time, same thing with the reporters. They like to you know they like to come to the league and and have us say well is that normally what cities and towns do? What we prefer is, if you have a question, that's legal in nature. You ask your attorney. If your attorney feels that they need our opinion or they'd like to get a second opinion from us, then it's up to them to talk to us. Why do we do that? The reason is, We don't represent you in court. Your attorney does.

So what your attorney says goes, we are simply there to help Nancy, facilitate the work, she facilitates, the work of the city attorneys in the state. They get together and collaborate on new bills, they'll come up with with sample ordinances and they work to make sure again our main purpose with the technical assistance, is to make sure that all cities and towns are in compliance with state and federal law. We do communication and education. We'll have we have lots of training.

I'm wearing a button I think. Yeah, from Civic Craft, which is we have two types of training that that we provide to cancel members. One is what we call. The newly elected officials training which we hope you all attend and that talks about The basics. It talks about the things mostly about legal requirements. Kind of the things that will keep you out of hot water. And then we also have this new program with civic craft which is about best practices.

You'll want to do as a council member and as, as a council. In whole, you'll want. To do you want to focus on best practices? Not just doing what's legal. You, we want you to be educated about what is right and what is wrong in your, in the job that you do. But more importantly we feel like there are some best practices that have been figured out over time. And and if you are operating under the principles of best practice, you're automatically going to fill Fulfill the law.

So we hope that you'll take advantage of those of those trainings. The League conference has we hit a new record for attendance this year. We had 1700 people includes, you know, usually have Senators And/or Congress. People we have lots of state legislators that attend mayors and council members from across the state and and also city staff and sponsors from companies that work with cities and towns as well. And so, The director of the County Supervisors. Association is a dear friend of mine.

We've worked together for a long time. He tells me, he gets more work done at our conference than his own because even county people attend, that's a joke, It's obvious. I don't want to get Craig in trouble. I know you've got to supervisors here. So it's it's really, really important again that as you participate, and if there's things that you want to know or if there's things that you're that you're undertaking that you want special training in. We can provide that for you.

If you, if there's something that you want to know about, and we can come out and do you know an education session before a regular council meeting any variety of topics or we can suggest experts that we know of that will do that for you. So again that those are the three areas that we kind of work. Next slide. We have a 25 member executive committee. 25 Mayors from around the State. We look at geographical coverage as well as a size of city.

When when we're making those decisions, we have a nominating and We have a four-year term so that every two years just like, with your elections, every two years we're having people, come on and come off of the executive committee. and, and so, that it has been my pleasure for all this time I worked at work with for mayors across the state and I am a true believer in what you all do, I have had the pleasure to work at at the state, it wasn't as much of a pleasure as working for cities and towns.

However, I think local government is really where the proverbial rubber meets the road, I think that what you do every day for citizens is much more important to them than anything that has done in Washington DC. and, and unfortunately, Most citizens, don't know. The extent of the things that you'll be talking about and on their behalf. And so that's something that we try to do too is inform the public about the really important work that we do. Next slide. Is our?

Current executive committee members. President. Kevin Hartke from the city of Chandler is our president and And our officers are really involved in our day-to-day. And, you know, it's it's interesting. We are a nonprofit association. And I always know that to be true because we test the non-partisanship of our of our elected officials and asking them to take certain positions that maybe but we've reached an agreement as all cities and towns on a position.

We may be taking on a bill And that may not be the exact position of the of the President of the Association, but because they're the officers they go out and they carry that message regardless of their own personal feelings. And so we have a lot of respect for the people that are an executive committee and and do the things that they do each day and it is truly a group that a 25 people that have very, very Ideas about how things ought to be done.

But I think when they commiserate and when they come up with a decision, There's been very few times in my in my 30 years of service that I thought that they were doing get the wrong way. And so we have a lot of respect for what they do. Next slide. This is our wonderful staff. We have a, we have a small staff, but They are all kind of generalists. They know about All of the different operations. that the League provides when you're a small operation. I remember, I tell my staff the story.

They don't believe me but when I started at the League, one of my jobs was to do the sprinkler system because I had some knowledge in that having been on the grounds crew, at my university. And so that was part of my duties when they hired me because we were small association and they were trying to save money. Now, I don't do that to my to my staff now. But He there are all of our staff is involved in legislation. All of our staff is involved in.

sort of education and also in the They all work very, very hard. And I'm gonna miss all of them. When I, when I retire at the end of the year. But this is a very good solid group of people. And also, we have relationships with some very good consultants, as well. consultant lobbyists, as well as data analysts economists and other folks that that we use to help us to get good data that we can use in our answers and our work over at the legislature. Next slide. About that.

Let's go to the next one. Okay, so we will we have a policy statement that we we worked off of and we will have a new one for the beginning of next year in 2026, our legislative session starts with a second week of January. The other thing that we do is every Monday morning if you want to. Keep up on what's going on at the legislature. We do a We do a zoom call.

where you can sit in and we talk about all of the bills of interest that are going on those that are going to be heard at the legislature. And you're welcome to sit in and ask questions and what we also like to do is we hope that you'll develop relationships with your legislators so that we can call you and say, Hey, you know, we'd like you to reach out to representative, so, and so and tell them This is how you feel about this Bill.

And they get very tired of seeing league staff as you might imagine. We're not always their favorite people. But you are the politically active people in your community. And your interest, in legislation carries weight carries much more weight. Then the league staff does. And so we really depend on our elected officials to be involved. And so we hope that that you'll do that. Thanks. Okay, it's let's see.

We talked about the sometimes, depending on on if you have a unique experience, or if there's an issue that's really important to, we may ask you to testify in committee, now, that one of the things that we do, if we ask an elected official to testifying committee, we will prep them, talk to them about the kind of questions, they might might be asked, but that's, that's another thing that we do. We also provide to you and to your staff. The We read every single bill.

That has dropped at the legislature. It's a couple thousand bills at least every year. And and then we've choose we figure try to figure out the ones that have an effect on cities of towns and then we'll summarize those. And that's the ones that we will talk to you. Every once in a while and this isn't something that that we like to do.

But every once in a while, we will also if we believe that the law has been violated and cities and towns have have been wronged and we think the state statute has been broken. We will, we will file lawsuits. Now, sometimes the cities have to, we may choose a city that does that on our behalf and sometimes the League may have standing but Those are, those are the things that we do for legislative Adv. Ocates. Okay, we talked about the Monday update calls, okay? The next one.

These are the different organizations that we worked on now. Justin talked about Go back. One slide is real quick. Justin talked about Amr Orp. That is. Liability insurance company that the League helped to establish. Back in the early 1980s. And this is, we think that this is a fabulous organization. Not only because they provide affordable liability insurance but they have a number of programs that we just think that we use ourselves. Their impact on on AMRP.

One of the things that has they have really helped us out with, for example, is Let's say, I'm, you know, a brand new town manager somewhere, and I'm a member of the pool. And we're gonna we're gonna terminate someone for the first. Okay, I've never gone through it before and I, you know, I don't know what to do. They call the league and say, we have the situation. I immediately tell them. Well, as a member of the pool, you have a free hour with an expert. Employee law.

You can call and get that help with and they'll walk you through step by step number you need to do I have used their services on occasion when we've had. Thankfully, I've had mostly very, very good stats but I have taken advantage of that. Land use contracts. There's all kinds of things that they do also. I will call them from time to time because I'm also it pains me to say that sometimes council members You know, they may be doing things or staff, maybe doing something.

That again, if it comes, light is going to hurt other cities and towns. So we will send AMRP out to remind Council and staff. Hey, this is the law. because if you're doing something as a town, and as a member of that pool, The cast of Ed light on the town. It only casts a bed light on the town, it casts a whole bad life on the pool. And that may affect your membership in the pool.

So, what we like to do is before that becomes an issue, we'd like to do training and so we're always available to come out and talk about and answer questions. Sometimes what we find and this is what we try to do in the front end. Is that some of these things that happen are done out of ignorance of the statute? now, unfortunately, that doesn't, you know, get you out Of problems with the law.

It doesn't matter how new you are as a city, doesn't matter how small you are, doesn't matter how big you are. You have to fall estate, statute, and so we're here to help with that. And so as amrapy, I hope that you'll have in one of your meetings, have it representative from them come out and speak with you. But It'll probably be Advantel. He's been around forever. Great guy. And Yeah, I think that's all I wanted to talk about. Let's go to the next slide. We have a ton of publications as well.

the only ones that are listed there, that we don't put up on the website, are the Municipal Budget and Finance Manual and the municipal election Emanuel. The reason that we do that is those are specifically for employees. and so, if they, if you want to get a copy of it, your staff is going to get a copy of it. If you want to see that, we absolutely can provide it to you. It's an electronic format but it is the basics of and As a tutorial especially the municipal Budget and Finance manual.

I think it's an excellent tutorial on finances in Arizona. So I I really sit highly suggest that you take a chance and just read it, it makes it talks about budgeting it talks about expenditure limits, it talks about all the things that you'll be dealing with us. and then any of those other subjects that are there, I think you're away from any of them, but I also suggest reading the council manager form of government. That's a very good publication and It's something that I really believe in.

We do a lot of presentations on council manager, former government in the state, Next. Okay, we talked about our Our local government directory. We do at the beginning of the year, some people like to have that hard copy version I will just tell you we send those out and you'll get a copy of it.

That's that's you know, specific information on every city in town, all the elected officials, all the key staff, your phone numbers, and also data about them, you know, everything from their elevation to when they hold their council meetings, it's all in that book. It's also online, the online version is We update that in real time. Obviously as soon as we send out that hard copy version it's automatically bad after we send it out, there's just turnover, you know how that goes?

But we try very hard again, we want you to form relationships with other cities and towns and we want you to have that at your Okay, there's our We talk about. Day-to-day things. in our newsletter but we also have fun things. Like If towns have a specific festival coming up or, you know, we'll do a spotlight on a particular community or we try to do interesting things there and so we hope that that That would be interesting to you. Okay. Next slide.

We are on social media, we hope that you will follow what we're doing. We We tried to highlight the things that you're doing. we hope that when you all do something cool, that you'll let us know and that we can highlight it on our on our social media channels, everything from new businesses opening in your community to you know, just just things that you think. New housing developments. Um, anything like that that is newsworthy. We'd love to highlight that on our social media. Excellent.

and we talked about the conference, Let's go to the next slide. Okay. We? Have trainings and classes on all of those subjects. Somebody asked about the model city tax code. That's something that that Alan will be talking to you about but we are very involved in that that code is the basis of your local sales tax.

I'm not even going to talk anymore about that tonight because again, you've been here a long time so but that is a very important document for you to understand and we'll we can help again and Alan already knows that that, you know, we have quite a bit of knowledge on how that tax code works and can help answer questions about that. Yeah, let's go to the next slide. And that's it, I'll just end by saying that again, congratulations on on this big step. We're here to help.

We hope that you'll feel like membership in our organization, brings you a lot of value and here to help if you have any questions you can call us, I will always be honest with you as to whether or not I think something that we can help you with Sometimes I'll direct you back to your own attorney. But most of the time, what I can tell you is Hey this city's experienced this or Hey, this company provides that kind of expertise.

I know if you talk to City X they've used them, they can give you a recommendation or not. Those are the kinds of things that we can help you with. And so we hope that you'll take advantage. Of that. Mr. Marion, I'd be happy to answer any questions. I have one question. There was 91 incorporated, cities and towns was the 92nd one. The one that broke your back. Yeah, I made that decision before you guys because so that's A great. Make sure we got that on record. No.

Any questions or discussion Vice President. It's like to comment. Thank you so much for getting us a Web page. We can post notices for the public to be able to do we really appreciate the police assistance in that. Also I when I had the chance to attend the League conference on one of the evenings, they they played a song where they went through, all the cities and said something about the cities and towns and Santiam Valley was included in it. Thanks.

And what was stated was, Santiam Valley is here to stay. So, no matter what these presentations say we are here recommend if anyone has That song, it's on the Link website. It's on the Link website. It's actually really. And so, just really impressed with that, you know. We used to have a very boring president's report on Thursday night. You could barely hear it because people were talking over the top of it.

Mayor Kathy Carlett from the city of Peoria was the first one to do a video for her and it changed the whole thing now, Whenever a new president comes in, they try to up the Annie which is great and people have loved what they've come up with and I think it really captures the essence. Of each of those towns when I listen to it. And my understanding is it was a member of the staff that Called out, they cut. They asked us a couple questions. What would you say is unique about the staff?

Because When I first started this job, I worked for a man by the name of Jack. Depolski Jack was the executive director of the League from 1957 to 1997. Okay. And and so, Jack when he would take me out and we would visit a city, he would tell me something unique about that. I remember going to Nogales and he had a favorite place and he always bring a cooler and he would have a dry ice and he would pack Chorizo from this one little place and, and Nogales.

And we would go to the Gadsden Hotel in Douglas and You know, we went to the sundial and carefree and just Those are the things that that have stuck with me. All of these years is that there's a reason that people decided to live in San Tan Valley. There's a reason I chose to live in the town of Gilbert. That's a personal decision for every person and so you are going to reflect the values of your community and that's what we hope. And we want to do the same thing.

We want to reflect that diversity of all of the cities and towns. So, as you all develop, and as you bring in new unique characteristics, you know, whether it's an ostrich race or you know, or something like that, you know, I'm not saying copying other cities in town as you come up with your own things, that that is what's gonna and, and that's what's exciting about what you're doing, is, you're gonna create new that people are gonna recognize you. With that.

Again, I'm here to engineer the questions. Anybody any other other comments or questions are discussion with Mr. Belsheen. I appreciate your presentation and I need you for several years. as far as getting information and I just recently just asked for the finance budget manual. So okay. That's sent to me this morning. Okay, great. You my new Santana. We have expertise. With our employees as well as other people that we know.

And that's, that's what we're here for is to make your job easier and believe me. All of the people that work for the League are also true believers in what you do as well. And So again, we hope it'll make use of thank you Mr. Bill Thing for your time and on your next venture luck. okay, this will bring us to item five Request for future agenda items Under this item Council members may request that topics be placed on a future agenda for consideration.

For the record, I want to emphasize that in accordance with Arizona Open meeting law. This is not the time to debate or discuss the merits of any proposed item, the sole purpose here is for the individual council members to identify potential topics for future. Agendas without discussion between Council members on those items at this time, the floor is open for council. Members to state any request for a future agenda item. Mr. American Question.

Yes, have topics that are already on schedule for future meetings. We should have some. already, there's many, many times, but this is council's opportunity. If there's a specific topic that you would like to see address to add on, but in the meantime, I'll be working with Garrett. Near the vice mayor to build an agenda for you for each subsequent meeting. I would like to put. There's a couple that I would like to put on for a future agenda.

One is the call to the Council for like current events. Something that we might have wind of or no, that is happening in the community that we can discuss and talk and let people know. And the other one is the call to the public for meeting decorum. Kind of an understanding. Now that we're new, and we're going to have a call to the public. What the you know emphasis is what what is it? That is expected. and the quorum of the public Looking for us.

So those are two, I'd like to get on to the future agenda. Something else. We if we have a quick, if we, if we think of something after the meeting, can we contact Garrett or Alan or who? If here's the man, I would like to see Yes, doesn't have to be done right now. We could do it in an email or something, and talk to you discussion, okay? Okay good. So I think Garrett's got those two that I put down. Forward with that. We're now go to item number six. Call to the public.

This is a time set aside for citizens to address the Council. On any issue. Within the jurisdiction of the town, each speaker will be limited to three minutes. We do have a heart out at 9:30 in this room in this building. So, you could try to keep that within the three minutes or less, we would appreciate that. So you'll be given three minutes subject to adjustment if needed based on time constraints or meeting management issues.

um, depending on the time, it may be appropriate to notify that meeting. Like I just said needs to conclude it at 9:30, so depending on how many will be wanting to voice, Their opinions or thoughts, concerns or whatever. We may have to adjust that as we get further down in the call to public. So in accordance to Arizona meeting open, open meeting law, the Council cannot discuss or take action on matters, raise during the call to the public at the conclusion of this item.

Individual council members may one respond to criticism made by those who have spoken direct staff to review or follow up on a matter or request, that matter be placed on a future agenda. At this time, I invite members of the public and I do have a couple of comic cards that will ask to come up first, who wishes to be. First one is Genie Stockton. If you'd like to come forward.

and you're on the clock, the minute you say your first word, Okay, so the three questions and congratulations everybody. Congratulations congratulations. I actually recruited Alan to be the attorney for San Tan Valley. He was a godsend and thank you for letting him do it, pro bono. so all of my questions you guys have kind of answered but I'm really excited to find out where we're going to find out about volunteer opportunities, maybe Chamber of Commerce opportunities.

What's gonna be on the ballot in May Are if that's when the ballot is going to be, are we going to be having? And this might be food for your next agendas are we going to have an opportunity to vote on fire suppression services and how that would be covered. There's just a whole lot of things you guys have to deal with and if you do come out with volunteer opportunities, where people can help You know, focus on one item or another or get a group together.

I'm here to tell you that I'm willing to do that and I and I really do want to be involved with the children. So, After saying that, thank you all for being number 92, representatives. Thank you. You must Next up, we have Mike Goodman. It's Mike Goodman, still in the house or did he come home and sleep? Well. I think it was Dan Oaks in our inauguration of all of you. I think he made the comedy he said, you know, Politicians should be. Heard less.

And listen more and so I'm going to follow that suit. But before I before I say anything, I would just like to say that. Justin correct. You know. And I'm telling you, you have two great attorneys that came directly from the county that covered our fanny very well. And so you guys drink? Good hands with the decision you made to retain these gentlemen. the other thing is, is that I just wanted to bring some events. To your point that are happening. We are celebrating a hundred and fifty years.

Of Pinal County being a governing agency within the state of Arizona. 150 years. That's a long. Good defeat that we've been able to accomplish and do over these years. I want to personally invite each and every one of you and your families. To come on this Saturday. From three to six. Three to nine. And there will be food enjoyment, entertainment bands, everything that you could possibly think of At. We have many sponsors that have put the money together. So this is not at the taxpayers expense.

This is many of the sponsors that have helped us put this off in a big bang. So by all of you and your family to come to that there will be a fireworks that evening, as well as a, a drone show that's gonna take place. So, it'll be a pretty a party big festivity, and it's at the, Um, Park area right there near the public library. Okay. Then on we started the county itself. Started in here in District 2. And by the way, I might Goodman I'm the district to supervisor for this area.

So I need to make sure I should say the and I'm gonna play on rules. I'm gonna suggest that we take a three minutes we take a playbook of your guys play book and that is hold call to the public at the very end of the meeting that way. They're all leaving before you actually listen to them. Complain about everything. We have a bike rodeo, there is a committee that's been put together several years ago called San Tan Valley Council.

That was something that we decided here in this district to get the input from the public as a whole So that Santa Valley. Council is taken over this bike rodeo, it will be October 18th. From 10 am to 2 pm. At the Home Depot, parking lot, and now Winco. And so, comment and joy, bring your family members. The whole stereo behind this scenario.

Behind this is adopted, A Bike Program, We have many individuals that have donated their bikes, we have various institutions that are helping to repair these bikes and make them available for the young people of this community to have a bite. Then there is the Florence Unified School. District is having a hoot night? At Walker Butte, and that's Thursday, October 23rd at 6:00 pm. Then there is for our community San Tan Valley.

This is another organization that we help put together with many of our Non-denominational or non nonprofit organizations. And there's a lot of good that this particular organization does. Tyler has been a part of that with us over the last few months, as we've been getting this off for the ground. We've been, we've been doing this for some time. Dan Oaks was part of part of that several years ago. This particular organization. We were approached by the local. What was that?

Boys and Girls Club here in San Tan Valley. And they identified 90 families. 90 Families that we're gonna. We're struggling and they needed Thanksgiving meal. They called our office and asked us a, we'd be able to help. We had identified the different organizations in this community that we can pull together. And it was one of the most. Sorry, for the three minutes. it was one of the most humbling experiences I've had. Within 30 minutes.

We had those entire families taking care of just at the table in my conference room and they were all And there was a date to bring all the food and everything to the Boys and Girls Club. And that was it was a humbling experience to be a part of and to see all of the organizations come together to be able to deliver that. I invite as you guys have monks, you To avoid the open meeting laws. I invite you to be a part of that. In other community city of Mesa, they call it Golden Rule.

They called the Golden Rule banquet and they get together every year. So that just give you an idea there. Then, last but not least. is Homeschool district is having a target treat at the Combs High School and that is October 25th at 6pm. Now. When I first, Took office in 2017. I got a call phone call from one of our legislators that was elected the same time I was And he asks, Mike, What do you need? I've never had. A politician, ask me that particular question.

Somebody of that magnitude And he delivered. I told him certain roads that needed to happen. and he delivered, he got us the funds, the, He opened the path because we were looking Meridian, Road, we had five different governing agencies. And this man delivered with a simple law. That allowed and forced all five of those agencies to be at the table. So with that, in light. What can we do for you? Just ask. We've already started that process with this room here.

There's other things that we can do. And that's all. You know. I I commend each and every one of you for what what's happening here. It's no longer one guy. It's eight of us together. That's been a long time coming. To be able to lean on the shoulders of others as we move forward in a positive way for this community. And thank you. And God bless, and God Bless America, and God bless our city, our community. Thank you. Have that until you get your own mallet then. I wasn't gonna ask.

Is there anyone in the public? That would like to come up please. And when you come up, please state your name and And where you generally live? it's in Sandton Valley. Okay, my name's debt and I live in Johnson Ranch. So love the location of these meetings because I won't have far to go to get home. So that's great. Just a couple of requests going forward. Can you ask them to make the the room a little warmer? Just but congratulations to you all.

This has been a long time coming and I'm so happy to see you. Of, but I didn't want to just get some clarification. I was on the STD Inc, Committee and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns was like my Bible. And until Mr. Goodman, had supervisor Goodman. Sorry had his town hall. I was under the impression that the election, the first election following our incorporation was going to be in May and then all of a sudden, you know, there I am with my Bible and Mr.

Belshi is saying it's August I was thrown for a loop and I know we've gone back and forth. and I think I've seen even the county has said both dates and you've been sticking with August the last couple of times, but can we get 100% clarification on what it's supposed to be? Who are we supposed to listen to? Because I know Alan you looked into it. And I think you still had some kind of, they were still a little gray area or something that you were looking into last.

I heard, so, just as one of the things to request, well, let our town clerk, get that down and put that On and then I apologize. I write, I arrived a little late so I didn't think about I just was trying to get to a seat but where can we get a copy of the agenda? and that information prior to the meeting because you guys have to post it by a certain time. So where do we go to get that? I know you're new and it's just the where are we gonna be able to find that? Allen.

Do you let us know maybe next time after respondent our wait till after? Yeah, after the meeting, we Could. Yeah. All right. If you could just send an email out to everybody, let them know or something like that because I'm sure others would like to know as well. Yeah. And I'm gonna echo Jeannie's thing. I am excited for this. I will be in the audience pretty much every time. I may be a pain in your butts every once in a while, but I'm very passionate about making sure that this is a success.

I am more than happy to volunteer once you guys get things. Going, just let me know what you need. Thank you so much, you guys. Thank you. Congratulations again and good luck. Anyone else in the public? Like, I'm up. please do so state, your name Hi, my name is Cameron and I do live in San Tan Valley, okay? So I just have some questions and Answers. But just put it out there during the attorneys presentation, under the next steps for the town. as others have stated Genie and Deb.

I'm also very interested. So, I was wondering, would there be committees or task force to be able to help with any of those? You know, Supervisor Goodman made a statement before at the inauguration that there were 86 of us that applied. So there are a lot of people that are willing to step in and take a little section and do our homework to present back to you. I really want to just put that out there. Um, Again, I won't reiterate but agendas where they'll be posted and how that can be shared?

My Hoa has a meeting room that has a capacity of 100. Excuse me, 200, but it can be broken down. So if you need to find something else on a short-term basis, my age weight has that This is a question. I'm going to ask and Probably going to get glared out from the back row. Is it possible? I did mention it at the inauguration. For a moratorium to be put on our commercial land through Pinal County until the Council is in place to not change any more commercial to anything else.

That's what I'm sorry, I'm staring right at you. Sorry, Darren here. I'm sorry but it was just something that has been asked of me having been involved with planning and zoning myself, and I just didn't know how to go about it. Now, that you're seated. That would be a great topic for next. Agenda. The clerk right that down so that we can make sure that right down for you. Obviously, in the public comment. We don't answer questions and stuff but we let you speak and get what you need out.

So is there anyone else in the public that would like to please come forward? Say your name. I think I'm too short for this. Um Hi. My name is Donna. Holman I've been a resident here for 30 years. I just want to thank all of you. It was very interesting watching the interview I watched all of it live because I have an Elderly. Yeah, he's a little older than me. Husband, that has been doing well, but I think you all for your service I just have to tell you that I was always against incorporation.

I've lived out here a long time. I always keep an even kill, I believe in looking at pros and cons. I want to help with this venture and I'm willing to help. Hopefully, I'm gonna mimic mimic Genie. And Karen. I know them both lived here a long time. Garrett, I've met you in person not too long ago, but thank you guys. I've been a president of an Hoa for 10 years. I know how it is, the most thankless job you could ever do as a volunt. Eer.

And I just want to watch you lots of success and I know it's gonna be great things. So I'm glad it shrunk down for maybe six square miles. So thank you. And if anyone else from the public, I'd like to come up and have a comment or Anyone at all? Okay, seeing none, I'll close the public. Comment period, and we'll move on to item number seven. this is, Tonight the town council meeting an executive session item concerning contract negotiations.

With rural Metro before seeing if there is a motion to go into executive session on this item, I would note that the following this item, the Council will convene back into open session, but there will be no further business before the Council tonight. Other than adjournment. With that said, is there a motion to convenient to executive session at this time here? executive session out of seven regarding contract negotiations? Is there a second? We have a motion and second all in favor. Say hi.

Okay, we are now convened into executive session. It is. I know that I will meet in this room right here behind us. That I don't know. How are you doing? Exactly. You guys. A little pro already. Mike my wife right down there, right? Well it's oh well, just That's my mom. That's my wife. Or something. Comes up here. You can have really done so you're going to appreciate you look forward. Great success with you? Allen. Get out of here. All right. because, It was apologize.

You know, I didn't go to that would make, you know, so, you know, there was a lot Right. Right here. It was still crying and there's only other brothers. tell me that she literally, that is true and I would just