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City Council Meeting

Council’s first December meeting leaned heavily into fiscal housekeeping ahead of year-end: seating volunteers, creating a new finance staff role, previewing a supplemental budget, and debating how to deploy general-fund contingencies while home-stretch projects (new Public Works HQ, radar signs, ReLook scope) move forward.

Highlights

  • 👥 Consent agenda: Council approved the Dec 2 agenda, Nov 18 minutes, and Resolution 2286, reappointing Eric Lawson and Lisa Fry to the Economic Development Commission through Dec 31, 2028.
  • 🌳 Parks Board update: Chair Sherry Simmons delivered the board’s first quarterly update, detailing 2025 Movies in the Park plans, Phase 5 park amenities (futsal + half-court basketball), dog park maintenance, and long-term goals (Jesse Mays kitchen, eventual aquatics facility). Council asked for seasonal signage at the dog park and applauded the board’s structured reporting cadence.
  • 💼 Finance staffing: Resolution 2284 adopted a job description for a new Finance Technician hire—the city’s first entry-level accounting role—so daily data entry, cash receipting, and vendor setups stop bottlenecking higher-level work.
  • 🪑 Furniture funding preview: Staff foreshadowed a December 16 supplemental budget that will tap the Vehicle & Equipment Reserve for Public Works furniture (competitive bids ranged $80k–$200k; final estimate ~$100k) and properly record ARPA-funded radar signs.
  • 💸 Contingency debate: Bill Reed previewed a second Dec 16 resolution that would allocate $100k of the $200k general-fund contingency to referendum litigation, HNA defense, and the ongoing ReLook contract. Aaron Nichols urged council to preserve cash until the new council weighs the appeal; the current council signaled consensus to proceed.
  • 🧑‍💻 IT modernization: Staff noted the 2023–25 budget only set aside ~$7k for IT/cybersecurity because support was previously a moonlighting contractor; the impending supplemental budget will recognize ~$65k in actual costs now that the city has professionalized the service (critical before the new EOC comes online).
  • 🪑 Budget Committee appointments: With two seats open (Andrea Boone & Travis Robisch resigned) and only one candidate present, council nonetheless interviewed Don Weber, Travis Andreas, Shelly Taroka, Michael Schatz, and Chris Parsons. They ultimately appointed Travis Andreas and Andrea Boone (returning) despite objections from public commenters who wanted the applicants who “showed up” selected instead.
  • ⛏️ Executive session: Council recessed to executive session (likely litigation/personnel) before adjourning at 9:36 p.m.

Staff & Board Reports

  • Parks Board quarterly report: Outlined 2024 accomplishments (elementary programs, Movies in the Park pilot), highlighted the Phase 5 park design (futsal + basketball courts, inclusive playground), and reiterated long-term goals such as Jesse Mays kitchen upgrades and a future pool. Council welcomed the new reporting cadence and asked the board to explore seasonal dog-park signage.
  • City Manager: Reviewed upcoming agenda items (council rules second reading, supplemental budgets, Garfield rights transfer), and emphasized the need to finish both the furniture procurement and ARPA-recording resolutions on Dec 16.

Public Comment

  • Aaron Nichols urged council to forgo tapping the contingency for referendum-related legal spending, arguing the incoming council should make the appeal decision. Council responded that the $100k was already appropriated in the base budget and they must cover bills incurred to date.
  • Jim Reilly (public comment) criticized the Budget Committee selection process, arguing the council should have chosen the residents who attended rather than “people you trust.” The councilors stood by their picks, citing existing working relationships with applicants even if those applicants couldn’t attend.
  • Later, Aaron Nichols (during the budget item) reiterated his request to pause new legal spending until the new council deliberates.

Key Motions & Resolutions

  • Resolution 2284 – adopted the Finance Technician job description and authorized recruitment.
  • Resolution 2286 – reappointed Eric Lawson & Lisa Fry (EDC) through 2028.
  • Budget Committee appointments – council voted to appoint Travis Andreas and Andrea Boone (consent process from agenda item 12B).

Follow-Ups

  • Staff
    • Prepare the Dec 16 supplemental budget (furniture, radar signs, financial-statement overhaul, IT, contingency allocations) and the resolution assigning $100k of contingency spending; circulate drafts in advance so the incoming council has full context.
    • Coordinate with Parks Board on dog-park signage, Movies in the Park licensing, and futsal/basketball amenities for Phase 5.
    • Finalize the furniture procurement so delivery aligns with the Public Works HQ opening.
    • Update the Budget Committee roster, notify the appointees, and schedule their onboarding for the FY 2024–25 cycle.
  • Council
    • Expect the second reading of council rules and the supplemental budget package at the Dec 16 meeting (the final session before the new council is seated).
    • Evaluate whether additional contingency spending (beyond the initial $100k) is warranted once the incoming council weighs the referendum appeal.
    • Review the quarterly board reports format after Q1 2025 to confirm it’s meeting council’s needs.