Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting

City Hall

City of Maricopa

39700 W. Civic Center

Plaza

Maricopa, AZ 85138

Ph: (520) 568-9098

Fx: (520) 568-9120

www.maricopa-az.gov

Meeting Minutes - Final

City Council Regular Meeting

Mayor Nancy Smith

Vice-Mayor Vincent Manfredi

Councilmember Eric Goettl

Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr

Councilmember Amber Liermann

Councilmember Bob Marsh

Councilmember Henry Wade

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

6:00 PM

Council Chambers

Call to Order

Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A moment of silence was held by Mayor

Smith, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Marsh.

7 -

Present:

Mayor Nancy Smith, Councilmember Eric Goettl, Councilmember

AnnaMarie Knorr, Councilmember Amber Liermann, Councilmember Bob

Marsh, Councilmember Henry Wade and Vice Mayor Vincent Manfredi

Proclamations, Acknowledgements, Awards and Presentations

Drinking Water Week Proclamation

3.1

PROC 26-06

PROC 26-07

PRES 26-08

Mayor Smith presented the Drinking Water Week Proclamation, proclaiming the week

of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Drinking Water Week in the City of Maricopa. She

shared that the proclamation honored the essential role of clean and reliable drinking

water in public health, fire safety, and quality of life, and recognized the dedicated

professionals who work to deliver safe water to residents. The proclamation was

presented to representatives of Global Water.

Read

Peace Officers Memorial Day Proclamation

3.2

Mayor Smith presented the Peace Officers Memorial Day Proclamation, which

recognized the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, proclaimed May 15,

2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and designated May 10 through May 16, 2026,

as Police Week. Lastly, she shared that the proclamation called upon citizens of

Maricopa to observe the week and requested that flags be flown at half-staff on Peace

Officers Memorial Day.

Read

3.3

Maricopa Citizens Leadership Academy (MCLA) Spring 2026 Session

Acknowledgement.

Communications Coordinator Luis Villa announced the completion of the 27th session

of the Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy. Mr. Villa shared that it was one of the

higher-graduating classes with 27 individuals completing the program. He added that

over 450 alumni have now taken part in the initiative since its inception. Mr. Villa also

informed the public that registration for the next session would open in September,

with information available at maricopa-az.gov/mcla. He called upon each graduate to

receive their certificate.

The Presentation was heard.

Report from the Mayor

Councilmember Marsh reported attending the Board of Adjustments and Appeals

Meeting on April 23rd, which was followed by a budget work session later that day. On

April 27th, Councilmember Marsh attended a public review of the draft General Plan,

which he described as a strong foundation for the next decade. Next, on April 28th, he

reported attending the Pinal Partnership Government Relations Committee Meeting,

which featured Senator Shope, where the Senator confirmed there were no State Route

347 project slashes. Later that day, Councilmember Marsh reported attending the Pinal

County Water Augmentation Authority Board Work Session. On May 1st, he reported

participating in the Pinal Partnership Breakfast. On May 4th, Councilmember Marsh

reported attending the Pinal Partnership Water Committee Meeting, where it was

announced that the lower basin states agreed on a proposal involving a reduction of

760,000 acre-free in Arizona’s Colorado River allocation for 2028-2029. Lastly, he

reported attending the floor signing at the new Field House at Copper Sky.

Councilmember Knorr reported attending the Maricopa Water Safety Coalition's

renewed efforts to raise awareness about drowning prevention ahead of National

Drowning Prevention Day in July and invited interested community members to

participate. Next, she reported attending the Blaze Ministries Council Meet and Greet,

describing it as a valuable opportunity to engage with residents on community

questions and concerns. She also attended the Copper Sky Field House floor-signing

ceremony and expressed enthusiasm about the facility's imminent completion.

Additionally, Councilmember Knorr reported attending the first-ever Maricopa Fire

Foundation charity golf tournament. Lastly, she thanked community members who had

submitted ideas for a new park, noting she had received over 40 emails with detailed

suggestions, which she planned to compile into a document to share with Council and

city staff.

Councilmember Goettl encouraged residents to engage with the ongoing General Plan

update process, directing them to www.maricopaGP.com to review the draft, while

adding that the next opportunity for public input before Council would be at the May 19

meeting. He announced a candidate public safety forum on the evening of May 6 at

Leading Edge Academy, beginning at 7:00 PM, where all seven city council candidates

would respond to questions from public safety organizations. He congratulated high

school seniors approaching graduation season, encouraged community members to

attend award ceremonies at local high schools, and noted Desert Sunrise High

School's awards ceremony on May 7. Lastly, Councilmember Goettl shared that the

first Memorial Day event to be held at the newly dedicated Veterans Memorial, located

across from Copper Sky, on May 25 at 9:00 AM, and invited the public to attend.

Councilmember Liermann thanked the Maricopa library staff in honor of National

Library Week, praising the quality and breadth of programming offered to all age

groups. She reported on a Pinal County youth internship initiative in which 110

applicants aged 16–18 interviewed for 35 paid positions at $15.15 per hour. Next, she

recognized May as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, noting a recent

proclamation presentation to Janelle Gomez of Learn with Aloha at Audubon Circle on

Earth Day, and announced a forthcoming proclamation to be presented to Kevin

Okuma at the Farmers Market on May 10. She acknowledged Military Spouse

Appreciation Day on May 8, and invited military spouses present in the chamber to

stand, and expressed gratitude for their sacrifice. Councilmember Liermann also

recognized the organizers of a recent powwow held at Maricopa Elementary School on

May 2 and highlighted a Global Water rebate and conservation event scheduled for

May 18.

Vice-Mayor Manfredi shared his appreciation on the high level of civic engagement

demonstrated by the Maricopa Citizens Leadership Academy graduating class, noting

the program has a waitlist due to its popularity. Next, he highlighted the forthcoming

Ambassadors of Maricopa (AMP) program as an extension of this engagement. Lastly,

Vice- Mayor Manfredi also remarked on the scale and significance of the Copper Sky

Field House, estimating its capacity at approximately 990 people, which he shared is

more than double the size of the existing Copper Sky gymnasium.

Mayor Smith reported on her attendance at a Greater Phoenix Economic Council

delegation trip to Washington, D.C., where she participated in discussions with Senator

Gallegos and Congressman Stanton on water availability and the CHIPS II Act. She

also participated in a semiconductor panel and met with LG executives, to whom she

promoted Maricopa as a future business location. Mayor Smith also reported attending

a tour and speaking event at Southbridge Marketplace, noting the progress of Phase 1

development. She concluded by describing the Blaze Church City Council

meet-and-greet as a model for community engagement, noting her intent to expand

similar outreach to other congregations.

Report from the City Manager

City Manager Ben Bitter confirmed that Governor Hobbs had vetoed the state budget

approximately one hour prior to the meeting, with the House adjourning until June 1. He

indicated a final budget was expected by the end of June. City Manager Bitter then

introduced Multimedia Coordinator Elle Ortega to present the new Ambassadors of

Maricopa Program.

Ms. Ortega described the Ambassadors of Maricopa Program as an extension of the

Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy designed to keep graduates engaged in ongoing

city advocacy. She added that participants would be eligible to receive quarterly

briefings from city staff on current topics, and could choose their level of involvement

under a tiered recognition system, which would be categorized as bronze, silver, and

gold.

She shared that eligibility requires participants to be 16 or older, reside in Maricopa, be

a Maricopa Citizens Leadership Academy graduate, and complete a standard volunteer

screening. Ms. Ortega added that applications were announced to open on May 7 at

10:00 AM at maricopaaz.gov/amp, with the first quarterly meeting planned for the

following month ahead of the July 4th event. General conversation ensued regarding

the program.

Call to the Public

Mike Buskuhl acknowledged Desert Sunrise High School students, who placed sixth

out of 30 teams at a Health Occupations Students of America competition, which he

shared focused on disaster preparedness.

Chrystal O'Jon outlined her community service background, including founding the

Maricopa Veteran Care Center and co-founding the Black Maricopa Chamber of

Commerce. She also announced that Maricopa Lifestyle Magazine would host "Woven

in Strength," a Maricopa Fashion Week event in May 2027 celebrating indigenous

design.

Torri Anderson spoke on behalf of Open Arms Vocational Living Center, described

plans for a vocational living facility featuring tiny homes and announced a fundraiser

event on June 27 at Duke's Roadhouse.

Josh Eads, representing Maricopa firefighters, and Cole Homan, president of Fraternal

Order of Police Lodge 978, jointly reminded the community of the public safety

candidate forum on May 6 at Leading Edge Academy at 7:00 PM, noting all seven

candidates had confirmed attendance.

Tim Nuanes addressed the Council to inform the community of his candidacy for Pinal

County Precinct 4 Constable.

Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Councilmember Amber Liermann, seconded by

Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr, to Adopt the Consent Agenda. The motion

carried unanimously.

7.1

7.2

RES 26-08

A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, accepting

public improvements and maintenance responsibility for all local internal streets within

El Rancho Santa Rosa Parcel 7A, into the City Street/Road Maintenance System.

Discussion and Action.

This Resolution was Approved.

SPEVLIQ 26-05

The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and take action on recommending approval

to the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control for an application for a special

event liquor license provided by Nick Brooks to allow Roots Eatery to serve alcohol

during a special event known as Great American 4th on Saturday July 4, 2026 at

Copper Sky, 44345 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Maricopa AZ 85138.

Discussion and Action.

This Special Event Liquor License was Approved.

7.3

7.4

7.5

MIN 26-30

MIN 26-31

MISC 26-10

Approval of Minutes from the April 21, 2026 City Council Regular meeting and the April

23, 2026 City Council Work Session. Discussion and Action.

These Minutes were Approved.

Acceptance of meeting minutes from the March 23, 2026 Planning and Zoning

Commission meeting. Discussion and Action.

These Minutes were Approved.

The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and take action on canceling the July 21,

2026 City Council Regular meeting, reinstating the August 4, 2026 meeting that was

previously canceled, and call a special meeting on July 14, 2026 to comply with the

City Code's requirement of holding one meeting per month. Discussion and Action.

This Miscellaneous Item was Approved.

Regular Agenda and/or Public Hearings

8.1

RES 26-11

A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, adopting

a Special Community Designation Requests Policy to establish a process for official

City of Maricopa recognition of a special community designation. Discussion and

Action.

Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown presented the proposed Special Community

Designation Requests Policy, which was brought forward in response to a Council

request from the January Futures Planning session. She shared that the policy

establishes a formal process by which organizations may seek official City recognition

for special community designations and its core principles are that designations must

be community-initiated, community-led, and community-funded, with final approval

resting with the City Council.

Ms. Brown added that the policy outlines eligibility standards requiring a recognized

external framework, meaningful community impact, achievable and sustainable

requirements, demonstrated community support, and alignment with city values. She

shared that it also defines the distinct responsibilities of the sponsoring organization,

city staff, and the City Council, and specifies that approved designations would be

recognized through the city website, standardized city hall signage, and official city

communications channels.

Councilmember Liermann expressed strong support for the policy, sharing a personal

account from a community member whose family member experiences sensory

overstimulation at public events, illustrating the tangible quality-of-life benefit that such

designations could provide. She cited several examples of organizations that could

partner with the city on designations. Next, Councilmember Liermann proposed one

amendment to the policy, which was the removal of "realistic for Maricopa," from item

three under the community eligibility standards.

Councilmember Knorr sought and received clarification from Ms. Brown that city staff

would actively assist applying organizations in understanding and adhering to the city's

branding guidelines, rather than leaving organizations to navigate those standards

independently.

A motion was made by Councilmember Liermann, seconded by

Councilmember Wade, that this Resolution be Approved as Amended, which

would remove the term "realistic for Maricopa," from the community standards

section. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Executive Session

No executive session was held.

10.

Adjournment

This meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Certification of Minutes

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the

minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of Maricopa, Arizona, held

on the 5th day of May, 2026. I further certify that the meeting was duly called

and held and that a quorum was present.

Dated this 19th day of May 2026.

__________________________

Vanessa Bueras

City Clerk