City Council Retreat City Hall - Canyon Trails Conference Rooms 1 & 2 1900 N. Civic Square Goodyear, AZ 85395 |
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CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pizzillo called the City Council Retreat to order at 1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Joe Pizzillo; Vice Mayor Laura Kaino; Councilmember Sheri Lauritano; Councilmember Wally Campbell; Councilmember Bill Stipp; Councilmember Brannon Hampton; Councilmember Vicki Gillis
- Staff Present:
- City Manager Wynette Reed; Deputy City Attorney Sarah Chilton; City Clerk Darcie McCracken; Deputy City Manager Justin Fair; Deputy City Manager Kini Knudson
| AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION |
1.
WELCOME
Mayor Pizzillo introduced City Manager Wynette Reed who outlined the topics and introduced Mike Letcher of the Bridge Group LLC. Facilitator Mike Letcher reviewed the objectives of the meeting, which included a discussion on the Strategic Plan Projects and proposed changes.
2.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The City Council discussed the changes to the Strategic Plan (Plan) and the Draft FY25-28 Action Items.
The Council expressed support for a citywide strategy addressing water resources, affordable housing, and other changes to existing activities in the Plan. The Council continued to review the additions to the Plan and supported the additions with some minor changes.
The Council recessed at 2:25 p.m.
Mayor Pizzillo reconvened the Retreat at 2:39 p.m.
Council continued discussing CIP projects that had been added to the Plan in the Infrastructure section.
The Council expressed support for a citywide strategy addressing water resources, affordable housing, and other changes to existing activities in the Plan. The Council continued to review the additions to the Plan and supported the additions with some minor changes.
The Council recessed at 2:25 p.m.
Mayor Pizzillo reconvened the Retreat at 2:39 p.m.
Council continued discussing CIP projects that had been added to the Plan in the Infrastructure section.
3.
INTERNAL AUDITING RECOMMENDATIONS
Finance Director Jared Askelson outlined the current auditing actions taken by the City and spoke about the functions of an internal auditor.
After reviewing what other municipalities have in place, Mr. Askelson talked about the steps to start a program which included modifying current Audit Committee by-laws, adopting an ordinance to establish the program, and creating an audit charter. He added that there were Government Auditing Standards established by the Comptroller General.
Mr. Askelson discussed the recommendations to establish a program as part of the City Manager's Office in order to leverage current resources. He added that once the program is established the next step would be to move forward with a potential position and establish the reporting structure of that position.
Mr. Askelson also spoke about the changes needed to the Audit Subcommittee and the need for a third party risk assessment in FY2025.
Council asked if the costs were known for a risk assessment and Mr. Askelson said that he had not investigated costs for the assessment. City Manager Wynette Reed advised that she had spending authority up to $75,000 and anything higher would come back to Council.
Council asked that any auditing reports not stop at the Audit Subcommittee but wanted the reports to be shared with the full Council.
Council also spoke about wanting the Auditor to be independent and the need to have the ability to conduct audits within the city with limited control by the Manager.
Council was supportive of the actions to accomplish this Strategic Plan initiative.
After reviewing what other municipalities have in place, Mr. Askelson talked about the steps to start a program which included modifying current Audit Committee by-laws, adopting an ordinance to establish the program, and creating an audit charter. He added that there were Government Auditing Standards established by the Comptroller General.
Mr. Askelson discussed the recommendations to establish a program as part of the City Manager's Office in order to leverage current resources. He added that once the program is established the next step would be to move forward with a potential position and establish the reporting structure of that position.
Mr. Askelson also spoke about the changes needed to the Audit Subcommittee and the need for a third party risk assessment in FY2025.
Council asked if the costs were known for a risk assessment and Mr. Askelson said that he had not investigated costs for the assessment. City Manager Wynette Reed advised that she had spending authority up to $75,000 and anything higher would come back to Council.
Council asked that any auditing reports not stop at the Audit Subcommittee but wanted the reports to be shared with the full Council.
Council also spoke about wanting the Auditor to be independent and the need to have the ability to conduct audits within the city with limited control by the Manager.
Council was supportive of the actions to accomplish this Strategic Plan initiative.
4.
PARTING THOUGHTS
Mayor Pizzillo thanked everyone for their time.
| ADJOURNMENT |
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pizzillo adjourned the Work Session at 3:39 p.m.
| __________________________ Darcie McCracken, City Clerk |
__________________________ Joe Pizzillo, Mayor |
Date:___________________ |