[00:00:01]
WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING
[ Call to Order]
OF NOVEMBER 9TH, 2026 OF THE CHANDLER CITY COUNCIL.I KNOW THAT COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS IS ON THE WAY IN THE BACK THERE, BUT LET'S, I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
AND CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL? MAYOR HARKEY.
AND WE'RE WAITING ON COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS.
UM, AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ODI HARRIS TO LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ORLANDO.
LORD, WE THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
LORD, THAT WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD, UH, BLESS THE HANDS AND, AND GUIDE THE, THE THOUGHTS OF EACH COUNCIL MEMBER THAT WE MAY BE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE OVER YOUR PEOPLE, THAT YOU MAY GIVE US THE WISDOM THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO PROPERLY ADJUDICATE THE LAW AND ADJUDICATE THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS.
NOW, GOD, I ASK THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOUR LOVING ARMS AROUND US AS WE GO TO AND FRO FROM THIS PLACE, THAT WE MAY FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN.
AND WE ASK, IN JESUS NAME, WE PRAY.
PLEASE JOIN ME TO PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC OF WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER.
[1. Service Recognitions]
NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES.I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE VICE MAYOR SINAS TO JOIN ME UP FRONT.
CITY MANAGER, I BELIEVE THOSE ARE ALL YOURS.
MAYOR, COUNCIL, I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, KIM MOYERS, TO COME ON DOWN.
AND WHILE SHE DOES, I WOULD INVITE SEAN, AND I WAS GONNA SAY HIS LAST NAME, BUT HE'S AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN BY THE CITY AS ITALIAN SEAN, PLEASE COME ON DOWN, TO CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
MAYOR COUNCIL, TONIGHT WE PROUDLY, UH, CELEBRATE SEAN'S 20 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITY OF CHANDLER.
JOINING HIM FOR THIS SPECIAL OCCASION ARE HIS WIFE, DANIELLE, AND HIS SON, CONNOR.
SEAN BEGAN HIS CAREER IN PARKS AS A GROUNDSKEEPER BEFORE MOVING TO STREETS AND EVENTUALLY SPENDING MUCH OF HIS CAREER IN WATER DISTRIBUTION.
THERE, HE HELPED BUILD AND MAINTAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT KEEPS OUR CITY RUNNING, CONSTRUCTING WATER MAINS, MAINTAINING FIRE HYDRANTS, AND RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES TO ENSURE RELIABLE WATER SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
IN 2025, SEAN BROUGHT HIS EXPERIENCE AND DEDICATION TO THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT TEAM AS THE DOWNTOWN OPERATIONS SPECIAL EVENT SPECIALIST, WHERE HE CONTINUES TO MAKE MEANINGFUL IMPACT, MAINTAINING THE DOWNTOWN, KEEPING IT SAFE AND CLEAN FOR US TO ENJOY.
FROM LEADING MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AND REPAIRS TO ADDING SEASONAL FLOWERS AND CHAMPION ENHANCEMENTS AT DR.
AJ CHANDLER PARK, SEAN TAKES PRIDE IN THE DETAILS THAT MAKE DOWNTOWN SPECIAL.
WITH HIS NATURAL EYE FOR DETAIL AND PASSION FOR HIS WORK, SEAN KEEPS MAKING DOWNTOWN BRIGHTER, MORE WELCOMING, AND MORE VIBRANT FOR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND, UH, VISITORS ALIKE.
THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, SEAN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR HIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE, STRONG WORK ETHIC, AND PROFESSIONALISM.
HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS TEAM AND COMMUNITY HAS BEEN UNWAVERING.
THANK YOU, SEAN, FOR 20 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE CITY OF CHANDLER.
[00:05:23]
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, NEXT I'D LIKE TO ASK, UH, MATT BURDICK, THE CAPA DIRECTOR TO COME UP AND RICK SEFNER.WE'RE CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SER- SERVICE.
OKAY, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, RICK SUPERVISES THE CITY'S PRINT, MAIL AND GRAPHICS DIVISION.
HE OVERSEES PRINT PRODUCTION, MAIL DISTRIBUTION AND GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES.
HIS PASSION FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND I'LL SAY FLY FISHING AS WELL, UH, COMES THROUGH ON EVERY PROJECT AND EVERY TRIP THAT HE TAKES UP NORTH.
HE OFFERS, UH, OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRINTING KNOWLEDGE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO, TO THE SUCCESS OF CHANDLER EVENTS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THROUGH HIGH QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVE PRINT AND GRAPHIC MATERIALS.
HE'S UPGRADED OUR PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES TO FULFILL ABOUT 3,000 GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRINTING REQUESTS EVERY YEAR.
HIS TEAM ALSO PROCESSES ALL INCOMING, OUTGOING, AND INTEROFFICE MAIL FOR THE CITY, INCLUDING UTILITY BILLS THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED TO UTILITY CUSTOMERS.
THAT AMOUNTS TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF MAIL ANNUALLY THAT, THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED AT A FRACTION OF THE TRADITIONAL POSTAGE COST, THANKS TO RICK AND HIS TEAM.
THAT SAVES THE CITY AND OUR RESIDENTS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR.
RICK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO TEAM CHANDLER AND OUR COMMUNITY.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, NEXT UP IS OUR POLICE CHIEF BRIAN CHAPMAN.
WE ARE RECOGNIZING LISA MEEKER FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, PLEASE DENIGHT TO PRESENT ELISA MEEKER, UH, FOR SERVICE RECOGNITION.
SHE HAS PROUDLY SERVED THE CITY OF CHANDLER FOR 20 YEARS, BEGINNING HER CAREER IN 2006 AS A POLICE COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER.
ELISA LATER BECAME A DISPATCH TRAINER WHERE SHE TRAINED AND MENTORED NUMEROUS EMPLOYEES, SHARING HER KNOWLEDGE AND HELPING PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATING PROFESSIONALS.
IN 2021, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO DISPATCH SUPERVISOR, CONTINUING HER COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
ELISA ALSO COORDINATES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS EMPLOYEES, STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CHANDLER RESIDENTS WHILE PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION.
THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, SHE SERVED AS A SPANISH INTERPRETER, ENSURING SPANISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS RECEIVE THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEED.
A PROUD CHANDLER RESIDENTS, RESIDENT, ELISA ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH HER FAMILY AND ATTENDING ASU SUN DEVIL FOOTBALL GAMES.
HER LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION AND CARE FOR OTHERS HAVE MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON HER COLLEAGUES AND THE COMMUNITY SHE SERVES, AND IT IS A FAMILY AFFAIR.
HER HUSBAND JUST RETIRED FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A SERGEANT WITH 30 YEARS EARLIER THIS YEAR, SO IT'S QUITE A FAMILY DEDICATED TO CHANDLER.
THANK YOU, ELISA, AND CONGRATULATIONS.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, NEXT I'D LIKE OUR PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES DIRECTOR, JEREMY ABBOTT TO COME DOWN.
JEREMY TODAY WILL BE CELEBRATING THREE EMPLOYEES.
THE FIRST ONE WE WILL START WITH IS STEVEN OCHOA BEING RECOGNIZED FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
[00:10:08]
WE'D LIKE TO CRA - CONGRATULATE STEVE OCHOA ON REACHING 20 YEARS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT AND HIS SERVICE IN THE STREET SWEEPING GROUP.20 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE IS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT REFLECTING AND A REFLECTION OF COMMITMENT, HARD WORK, AND PRIDE IN THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, STEVE HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND ON MA- MAINTAINING CHANDLER STREETS, SUPPORTING DAILY OPERATIONS AND HELPING PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO OUR RESIDENTS.
STREET SWEEPING IS NOT ALWAYS THE MOST RECOGNIZED OPERATION, BUT ITS IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY IS SIGNIFICANT.
IT TAKES DEPENDABLE EMPLOYEES, TEAMWORK, AND DEDICATION LIKE STEVE BRINGS EVERY DAY.
STEVE TRULY IS AN ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO OUR CREW.
OUTSIDE OF WORK, STEVE LOVES TO GO TO DISNEYLAND WITH ALL HIS FAMILY AND HIS GRANDCHILDREN.
CONGRATULATIONS, STEVE, ON 20 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE CITY OF CHANDLER.
WE SINCERELY PRE - APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AND ALL THE WORK YOU BRING TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
NEXT, I WOULD ASK THOMAS MUELLER TO COME DOWN TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR HIS 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
THOMAS HAS PROUDLY SERVED THE CITY OF CHANDLER FOR 20 YEARS, BEGI- BEGINNING HIS CAREER IN 2006 AS A TRAFFIC SIGNAL STREETLIGHT TECHNICIAN.
HE QUICKLY ADVANCED TO SENIOR STREETLIGHT TECHNICIAN, BRINGING HIS KNOWLEDGE OF ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING, SKILLS, AND SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
TOM PARTICIPATED IN THE VERY FIRST LED STREETLIGHT CONVERSION WITHIN THE CITY, INSTALLING ROUGHLY 3,000 LED STREETLIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY'S AREA.
TODAY, HE SERVES AS A SENIOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL TECHNICIAN SPECIALIZING IN MAINTENANCE, INSTALLATION, AND TROUBLESHOOTING THE CITY'S COMPLEX TRAFFIC SIGNAL INTERSECTIONS.
HE'S PARTICIPATED IN MANY OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND IS A VALUABLE PART OF THE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS TEAM.
THOMAS'S DEDICATION TO HIS JOB AND COMMITMENT TO HIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING.
OUTSIDE OF WORK, THOMAS IS AN AVID HUNTER, FISHERMAN, AND LOVES BEING OUTDOORS.
HE PLANS TO TRAVEL THE UNITED STATES UPON RETIREMENT, SO WE HEAR.
CONGRATULATIONS, TOM, ON 20 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE WITH TEAM CHANDLER AND THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, OUR FINEST, FINAL SERVICE RECOGNITION OF THE EVENING GOES ALSO TO PUBLIC WORKS AND JOHN ARDANS FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.
JOHN ARDANS WORKS CLOSELY WITH BOTH CHANDLER'S WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. MOST PARTICULARLY, HE OVERSEES SEVERAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS. AMONG ARDAN'S MANY TALENTS, HE ALSO SERVES AS THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY PLANNING LIAISON, ENSURING OUR CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLANS AND OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS REMAIN CURRENT, ALL WHILE COORDINATING CLOSELY WITH THE CITY'S EMERGENCY MANAGER.
ARDANS BEGAN HIS CAREER IN NOVEMBER OF 2001 IN PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES AS AN INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN AND WAS LATER PROMOTED TO WATER SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT IN MAY OF 2008.
[00:15:01]
TOOK ON A BROADER ROLE AS UTILITY MAINTENANCE MANAGER.DURING THAT LAST DECADE, HE FACILITATE - FAC- FACILITATED MANY MAJOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS WITHIN THE WATER SYSTEM, FOCUSING ON OUR REMOTE WATER FACILITIES AND PRODUCTION WELLS.
HIS CURRENT FOCUS IS ADVANCING OUR ASSET MANAGEMENT AND INCORPORATING PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES TO IMPROVE SYSTEM RELIABILITY AND LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE.
WHILE EVERY PROJECT IS A TEAM EFFORT, JOHN HAS BEEN A KEY INDIVIDUAL AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS ARE INVALUABLE TO CONTROLLING COSTS, MITIGATING RISK, AND ENSURING PERSONAL SAFETY.
IN HIS SPARE TIME, JOHN LOVES ELK HUNTING AND OFTEN TRAVELS TO COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVALS AND HIS RV.
CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN, ON 25 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE CITY OF CHANDLER.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION, LEADERSHIP, AND MANY CONTRIBUTIONS YOU HAVE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT.
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND BEING SUCH A VALUABLE PART OF OUR TEAM.
ALL RIGHT, IF MY NOTES SERVE ME WELL, THAT'S THE END OF OUR, UH, SERVICE RECOGNITIONS.
IS THAT RIGHT, CITY MANAGER? THAT IS CORRECT, SIR.
SO COUNCIL, BEFORE WE PROCEED TO THE STUDY SESSION, WE HAVE A CONSENT AGENDA AND ONE ACTION ITEM OF WHICH THERE IS ONE SPEAKER FOR THE ACTION ITEM.
BUT BACK TO YOUR CONSENT, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROCEED, MAYOR? COUNCIL MEMBER ORLANDO.
UH, PROPOSE A MOTION TO MOVE AND APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA OF NOVEMBER 9TH, 2026, REGULAR MEETING ITEMS ONE THROUGH SIX.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER ORLANDO, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
SEEING NO ACTION TO DO ANYTHING ELSE, COUNCIL, PLEASE VOTE.
I WAS, UH, GOING TO RECUSE ON TWO ITEMS. THE ADMINISTRATION, DID YOU ADD THAT FOR ME? ANNEXATION AND ALSO THE, UM...
IS THAT ON STUDY SESSION? THIS IS THIS MEETING.
IT'S ON THE STUDY SESSION? NO, THIS ONE.
MAYOR, IT LOOKS LIKE OUR VOTING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING.
WE'LL HAVE TO DO A VOICE VOTE.
[ Consent Agenda Items listed on the Consent Agenda may be enacted by one motion and one vote. If a discussion is required by members of the governing body, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion and determination will be made if the item will be considered separately. Proposed Motion: Move to approve the Consent Agenda of the November 9, 2026, Regular Meeting, Items 1 - 6.]
AGENDA[7. Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 5181 - Adjusting Certain Water, Wastewater and Reclaimed Water Rates and Fees Move City Council adopt Ordinance No. 5181, amending the Chandler City Code Chapter 50, Sections 50-11 (Water Rates), 50-11.1 (Reclaimed Water Service Rates) and 50-12 (Wastewater Service Rates), effective January 4, 2027, and approve a $25,000 transfer from the General Fund, Non-Departmental, Contingency Account, to the General Fund, Local Social Service Donations Account, to provide additional funding to the Acts of Kindness (A-OK) program to assist residents in need with utility bills. Council Focus Area(s):]
[10. Action Agenda]
IS AN ACTION ITEM, THE FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 5181, ADJUSTING CERTAIN WATER, WASTEWATER, AND RECLAIMED WATER RATES AND FEES.AS I STATED, I DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD RELATED TO THIS.
UH, I HAVE A MR. JOE ROCHROCK.
UH, I'M MISPRONOUNCING YOUR NAME.
STATE YOUR NAME, CITY OF RESIDENCE, AND YOU HAVE UP TO THREE MINUTES TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS, SIR.
UH, I LIVE HERE IN THE CITY OF CHANDLER, BEEN HERE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
UH, I DON'T AGREE WITH THE INCREASING OF WASTEWATER FEES.
I DO AGREE ON THIS POINT OF TRANSFERRING THE 25,000
[00:20:01]
TO PEOPLE THAT DO NEED IT, BECAUSE THERE IS PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN THAT DO NEED IT.I DO NOT FEEL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE AN INCREASE OF WATER RATES EVERY YEAR.
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, 15 YEARS, THIS CITY HAS BEEN A 2%, 4%.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT'S 9% LAST YEAR AND NOW IT'S, BUT YOU WANT ANOTHER 9%.
AND I KNOW I'VE HEARD, UH, MANAGEMENT SAY, "EXCUSE ME, BUT WE'RE FIXING PIPES.
NO, THEY'RE PUTTING MAINS IN." NOW, UH, THERE'S A NUMBER OF COMPANIES THAT I'VE SEEN THE CITY DO THINGS THAT I DID NOT LIKE AT ALL, WHICH BASICALLY IS THEY TURNED AROUND AND THREW GRAVEL ON SOME RETENTION BASINS, WHICH COST THE TAXPAYERS $3.7 MILLION.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS DEALING WITH A COMPANY SELLING THEM 55,000 MORE GALLONS PER DAY OF WATER.
SO I FEEL THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO, WE SHOULD HAVE A COST OF SERVICE, AND I, BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL VOTES ON IT, I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY SEE IT AND REVIEW IT MYSELF.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT, ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT INCREASE UNTIL THERE'S A COST OF SERVICE REPORT, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT IT SAYS BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE.
UM, MAYOR? COUNCIL MEMBER ORLANDO.
UM, CAN YOU REFRESH OUR MEMORY WHEN THE COST OF SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE FOR...
YES, CERTAINLY THROUGH THE MAYOR, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ORLANDO, UH, THE COST OF SERVICE STUDY IS UNDERWAY AND WE WOULD ANTICIPATE IT BEING COMPLETED BY APRIL OF 2027.
WHICH WOULD THEN GO IN EFFECT FOR NEXT YEAR? UM, SO THAT WOULD BE - WE WOULD REVIEW IT, RIGHT? THESE WOULD...
WE WOULD REVIEW IT NEXT YEAR TO SUPPORT THE INCREASE NEEDED THEN IN 2028.
AND THEN, UM, AND JOE, YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS EARLIER.
THE UNIQUENESS ABOUT THIS COST OF SERVICE, WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, IS THAT IT'S REFRESHABLE.
WHEN I HAVE TO WAIT FIVE OR SIX YEARS, IT'LL BE REFRESHED PERIODICALLY, CORRECT, WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME? YEP, THROUGH THE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER ORLANDO, THAT IS CORRECT.
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE ASKED OF OUR CONSULTANTS TO HAVE A MODEL THAT WE CAN USE AND UPDATE ANNUALLY.
AND AGAIN, THIS WOULD HELP US GIVE US REAL-TIME DATA SO THAT WE'LL KNOW WHO IS USING THE FEES, WHO, WHO'S USING THE WASTEWATER, WHO'S USING THE WATER, AND GIVE IT A, A OBJECTIVE VIEW OF WHERE WE'RE GOING ON THIS, ON THIS ISSUE.
WHAT WAS THE CITIZEN NAME? JOE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR...
JOE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TO COUNCIL AND EXPRESSING YOUR CONCERNS.
I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES IT, IT'S KIND OF LIKE ONCE WE KIND OF, ONCE THE INFORMATION KIND OF GOES OUT, IT'S OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, AND WE'RE ALREADY AT THAT DECISION, UM, NOTION, BUT, UM, I'M GONNA ASK, MAYBE IT'S THE CITY MANAGER OR DAWN, UM, I KNOW THAT IF THIS FITS, THIS MAY NOT FIT YOU, BUT DO WE HAVE A PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE? BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THE INCREASE MAY BE A QUARTER OR 50 CENTS IN TERMS OF WHAT THAT 15% LOOKS LIKE, UM, IS THERE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE THERE TO HELP SUPPORT, LIKE, OUR SENIORS OR OUR VETERANS OR, YOU KNOW, TO HELP IF THEY NEED HELP WITH THEIR WATER SERVICE, DO WE, DO WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT, LIKE THAT IN THE CITY OF CHANDLER TO HELP THEM WITH THAT? UH, THROUGH THE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS, YES.
AS PART OF THIS, UM, WE DO HAVE A COMMITMENT FOR COUNCIL TO TRANSFER 25,000 INTO A PROGRAM CALLED THE AOK, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS THOSE IN NEED WHEN IT COMES TO UTILITY BILLS.
UM, IT IS, IT IS MANAGED THROUGH ASCEND, UM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR CARES TEAM AND NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES.
SO THAT IS A PROGRAM THAT IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS IN NEED.
AND, AND DON, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO US IF THAT FUND KIND OF FINDS ITSELF DEPLETING BECAUSE OF THE NECESSITY AND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY? WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO BRING THAT BACK TO CITY COUNCIL SO WE CAN LOOK AT MAKING FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS OR ADDING MORE MONEY IF IT'S, IF IT NEEDS, NEED TO HAPPEN? UH, THROUGH THE MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS, WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.
WE ARE MONITORING THAT ALONG WITH ASCEND AND WE CAN CERTAINLY LET COUNCIL KNOW WHEN THE FUNDS START BEING DEPLETED.
AND THEN HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE SOME HELP AND SOME SUPPORT AND I JUST WANT THE NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THE COST OF LIVING CONTINUES TO GO UP, INFLATION'S HIGH AND, AND I KNOW THAT AFFORDABILITY IS A BIG THING, BUT JUST KIND OF WANT
[00:25:01]
YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE'RE GONNA WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO WORK THROUGH, BUT I THINK AFFORDABILITY IS A BIG ISSUE.UM, SO WE'RE GONNA BE THOUGHTFUL AND CAREFUL AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE WE HAVE FUNDS AND MONEY TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED.
SO IF YOU ARE OUT THERE, YOU'RE IN NEED, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU COME AND TALK TO US SO WE CAN HELP SUPPORT YOU, UM, THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BEFORE WE VOTE? MAYOR, I THINK WE WANTED TO, UH, ASK - CLARIFY.
YEAH, CLARIFY WITH, UH, CITY MANAGER.
YOU WANNA ASK HIM? COUNCIL MEMBER POST.
IT WAS 25,000 THAT WE ADDED WHEN WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION LAST TIME.
I GUESS MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT WE HAD USED THE 25 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, OR IS THERE 25 IN THERE NOW, AND THEN SO WE WOULD HAVE 50? UM, THROUGH THE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER POSTON, UH, WE HAVE, UH, THROUGH THE YEAR BEEN DRAWING DOWN ON A CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE WITH ASCEND.
UH, THE 25,000 THAT WAS AUTHORIZED IN 2026 IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, UM, WITH THIS ADDITIONAL MOTION ON THE RATES THAT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 4TH, UH, ANOTHER 25,000 WOULD BE, UH, ALLOCATED FOR THE AOK PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE ACTS OF KINDNESS PROGRAM.
UH, I GUESS TAKE THE POLL THE COUNCIL.
MOTION WOULD BE IN ORDER, WOULDN'T IT?
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, UM, TO APPROVE, UM, TO APPROVE THE, UM, FINAL ADOPTION ORDINANCE NUMBER 5181.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY VICE MAYOR ENCINAS.
I HAVE MOTION CARRIES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ORLANDO VOTING NO.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.