Matt Kozlowski, Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, introduced a transit
feasibility study presentation. He explained that the city is now eligible for FTA 5307
funding rather than the previous ADOT 5311 program due to population growth, and
both agencies recommended a new transit study, as the last one from 2018 is
considered outdated.
Wendy Miller from the Maricopa Association of Governments presented details about
the transit feasibility study. The 15-month project aims to create a connected city by
providing residents and visitors with greater mobility and access to opportunities. She
added that the study will include benchmarking against peer systems, gathering input
from stakeholders and the public, analyzing existing conditions, conducting a market
analysis, and developing route and service recommendations. Ms. Miller stated that
public engagement will include a technical advisory committee, stakeholder interviews,
and community meetings, with the team planning to engage with residents at
Stagecoach Days. Lastly, she reported that the study is expected to conclude in
October 2026.
General discussion was held regarding the findings and implementations of the study
and if services would have to wait until the completion of the study.
The Presentation was heard.
8.5
The Mayor and City Council shall hear a presentation by Global Water who will provide
an update on a water quality event that occurred in August. Discussion only.
Chris Krygier Global Water's Chief Operating Officer, and Jon Corwin, Vice President
and General Manager, presented an update on a water quality event that occurred in
August. Mr. Corwin stated that the water is now safe and in compliance with drinking
water rules, with ADEQ confirming that the issue has been resolved. He explained that
this was not a public health crisis, as confirmed by ADEQ, and that all confirmation
samples taken since the initial detection have tested negative for E. coli.
Mr. Corwin provided background on drinking water regulations, noting that ADEQ is the
primacy agency for drinking water quality in Pinal County. He described Global Water's
comprehensive sampling protocols, which include over 1,000 water quality samples
annually, and explained their disinfection process using sodium hypochlorite to
eliminate 99.99% of bacteria and viruses. He added that Global Water had taken
several steps since the event, including providing public notice, posting FAQs,
emailing all Maricopa customers, and offering to meet with concerned customers.
Next, Mr. Krygier discussed lessons learned, including potential improvements to
customer notification, the importance of proactive sampling, exploring ways to shorten
sample testing timelines, and considering when precautionary notices might be
appropriate.
Mayor Smith shared information from her independent conversations with ADEQ,
confirming that this was not considered a medical health crisis. She noted that in
Global Water's 20-year history, this was their first and only E. coli positive result, and
that they take 90 samples monthly, placing them in the 90th percentile of water
companies for testing frequency. The Mayor outlined several lessons learned, including
improving communication by reposting Global Water notices on the city website, in
newsletters, and on social media, and recommended that Global Water consider using
ADEQ's template for precautionary notices and communicating to all residents even
when only certain areas are affected.
Dan Wilson, a resident of Acacia Crossings, expressed concern that many longtime
residents never received notification of the E. coli detection because they had signed
up for service before email notifications were common. He stressed the seriousness of