Mayor Pizzillo called the Work Session to order at 5:00 p.m.

City Manager Wynette Reed gave a brief overview about the history of this Council request for a feasibility study for a Hotel and Conference Center at GSQ.

Economic Development Director Wendy Bridges introduced Business Development Manager Joe Stewart and the consultant, Rob Hunden, CEO of Hunden Strategic Partners. Mr. Hunden explained the efforts that went into developing the market feasibility study including analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunties, and threats (SWOT), local supply of conference or event venues, and revenue impacts of a potential project. He concluded that the hotel conference center would serve as a catalyst to attract other developments and recommended the city continue to explore the opportunity. 

Council expressed support for a hotel to draw in conferences to Goodyear and discussed a desire to include a performing arts center nearby. Other Council concerns related to costs and demand for a conference center, and competing priorities such as infrastructure for GSQ. 

There was Council consensus to continue the conversation and evaluate funding priorities for other projects. 

Mayor Pizzillo recessed the Work Session at 6:06 p.m.

Mayor Pizzillo reconvened the Work Session at 6:17 p.m.

Presiding Judge Manuel Delgado, Jr. gave an update on FY2023 Goodyear municipal court activity which included an increase in charge filings, expansion of court hours, process automation improvements, continued collaboration and partnerships with the community and court compliance updates. Mr. Delgado expressed concerns with limited administrative hours and the need to assign additional Pro Tem hours.  

Council expressed concerns with the driving under the influence cases and requested the number of convictions the court processes. There was also discussion regarding large court dockets and opportunities for running multiple court rooms, costs for mental health evaluations, and consideration of expanding court hours to Saturday or operating virtually. 

Court Administrator Crystal Whelan provided an update regarding the court's renovations and future staffing opportunities. Due to the increase in cases, Ms. Whelan confirmed that the court will maintain a second docket and bring a Pro Tem in to oversee that docket.