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

Guylene Ozlanski, Arts and Culture Administrator introduced Hilary Craiglow, Senior Manager Library Consultant representing Attain Partners to give the presentation. 

Ms. Craiglow stated that the city contracted with Attain Partners to conduct the Library Master Plan to meet the city's strategic plan goals. She discussed the details of the plan which included evaluation of the current state of library operations, comparison of operations to valley benchmark cities, analyzing library trends, and future opportunities for expansion of services. She added that the development of the plan included a robust outreach program to gather feedback from the community.

Ms. Ozlanski then outlined two operational models as a result of the study, which were to continue to outsource library operations to Maricopa County Library District or transition to a self-operating municipal library. 

Council discussed the high satisfaction rating among residents with our current operating model and discussed ways to expand services including a second location for a library. Council provided consensus to continue to outsource library services in partnership with the county. 

City Engineer Steve Scinto gave a brief background on traffic and signal management. 
 
Deputy Director of Engineering Chris Bridges provided an update regarding the two-phase pilot program to evaluate traffic signal timing for Litchfield Road, Bullard Avenue, Estrella Parkway/Pebblecreek Parkway, Van Buren Street, McDowell Road and Indian School Road. Mr. Bridges said that based on the pilot programs, the city is operating on the phase one model which includes traffic signal coordination along the corridors seven days per week from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. He added that staff continues to evaluate the length of each corridor and review opportunities for improvements. 

Mr. Bridges then discussed updates to traffic management center (TMC) operations that includes improving communications between the TMC, police, and parks and recreation staff for special events and creating formal traffic management plans for city staff to utilize during emergencies or other major events. He also discussed other improvements such as participating in regional conversations, evaluating staffing and resources, improving traffic performance metrics, and implementing technology enhancements such as radar detection and "e-daptive software". 

Council discussed the technology enhancements and the challenge with human behavior. Council also expressed appreciation for TMC staff collaborating with police on event traffic. 

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

Mayor Pizzillo called the Work Session back to order at 6:29 p.m.

City Attorney Roric Massey presented information on the conversion of business registrations to a business license. Mr. Massey explained that Council tabled the item at the Regular Meeting held on April 29, 2024 in order to address concerns with the proposed ordinance. Mr. Massey highlighted the revisions to the proposed amendment to business licenses which included clarifying the definition of casual business sales and exempting certain businesses such as home-based businesses from obtaining a business license. He discussed additional updates regarding enforcement and penalty regulations for operating without a business license. 

Council discussed the process for obtaining the initial business license. Council also discussed requiring a business to provide proof of their ability to operate legally and how staff will verify that information. Council requested an update on legislation regarding sober living homes and clarification on the types of businesses that would be required to obtain a license.  

Mr. Massey clarified that the business license procedure would be administered uniformally to all businesses.

There was Council consensus to add the requirement for a business to provide proof of license to the ordinance. 

Deputy City Manager Justin Fair introduced the item regarding several intiatives related to traffic signal cameras, license plate readers, and real time crime center. 

City Engineer Steve Scinto provided an update on the current use of traffic signal cameras and discussed the request to purchase equipment in order to record traffic signal camera footage. He explained that the city's current traffic signal cameras are used to monitor real-time traffic and do not record. He added that the ability to record will provide the city with the means to better assess and investigate traffic concerns.

Council discussed the importance of policy development and identifying best practices.

Interim Chief of Police Art Miller introduced Deputy Chief of Police David Farrow and Jeff Mercy who provided an update on the license plate readers and real time crime center (RTCC) initiatives.

Deputy Chief Mercy highlighted the benefits of license plate readers and explained that the city purchased 16 cameras with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) funding and reqested an additional 25 cameras as part of a supplemental request in the FY2025 budget. 

In response to Council inquiry, Deputy Chief Mercy explained that officers will receive automatic notification for an alert for a stolen or otherwise wanted vehicle that was placed into the system. 

Council expressed privacy concerns with a third party vendor for the cameras but was supportive of the initiative. Council inquired about RICO reports and requested additional information regarding those funds.

Deputy Chief David Farrow then discussed what a real time crime center is and outlined the steps to begin implementing Goodyear's RTCC. He explained that Phase I implementation includes starting small, evaluating technology and staffing needs, location, and potential grant funding opportunities. 

Council expressed support for the RTCC and inquired about next steps and consideration for a regional approach.