Mayor Lord called the Retreat to order at 5:10 p.m.

City Manager Julie Karins welcomed everyone to the Retreat

Council discussed their vision for 2031 which included a well-planned infrastructure.  They spoke about smart and balanced growth to bring retail and residential while providing for water and a good transportation system to move people.  Council commented about staying ahead of the curve and enhancing the quality of life by completing the second half of the Goodyear Recreation Campus park, providing more amenities in the southern end of the city, and including more variety in the colors and facades of the homes that are being built.  Council spoke about long-range planning to include a master plan to allow future Councils to continue to work towards the same goals.  Council also commented about completing what they have already started and synchronizing the traffic lights along roadways.  Council added that they would like the city to remain non-partisan, socially moderate and create more private-public partnerships with the community.  Council spoke about innovative pilot programs and being a leader in sports and recreation while providing a village atmosphere, Class A office space and high-end development.  Council commented on having a performing arts center and being aggressive about new ideas for growth.  Council added that now is the time to improve those areas of traffic congestion and issues and the possibility of building a resort and conference center, having high-paying jobs, and more tourism.

Council continued the discussion about strategically moving forward with growth and seeking out revenue sources.  They expressed concern about several of the left turn lanes not being long enough to allow traffic to move through the intersection.  Council additionally spoke about supporting the Arts and assisting with the connections to allow private industry to thrive.

Mayor Lord recessed the meeting at 6:06 p.m.

Mayor Lord reconvened the meeting at 6:18 p.m.

City Manager Julie Karins introduced Public Works Director Javier Setovich, Water Resources & Sustainability Manager Gretchen Erwin, and the city's Water Attorney Michele Van Quathem.  Mr. Setovich explained the key points of the Integrated Master Water Plan including the role of conservation, the value of recycled water and the need for surface water.  Ms. Erwin reviewed the water resources balance sheet for the water planning areas 2, 3, 4 and 5.  She spoke about Rainbow Valley and the build-out demand compared to the available supply.  She also spoke about the population growth rate in comparison to the water supply rate commenting that it was not a one to one ratio.  Council asked if the aquifer was being used in Mobile and what were the farmers using.  Ms. Erwin responded that the aquifer was separate in Mobile and the farmers are able to pump their own water.  Council asked if the developers in Rainbow Valley had their own wells and if that would be their water supply.  Mr. Setovich replied that the city would be the supplier of water in Rainbow Valley.  Council inquired about the difference in taste between groundwater and surface water.  Mr. Setovich responded that it would be different.  

Ms. Quathem discussed the CAP water and the potential reductions that the city could face if the current shortage continues and reviewed the Tier plans that go through 2026.  Council asked if the increased costs would impact the rates.  Mr. Setovich responded that any increased costs may not impact rates but could impact future plans.  

Ms. Erwin provided information about the infrastructure and water resource opportunities including pursuing conservation and the reuse of existing water supplies.  She reviewed the programs currently in place and partnerships with incoming development to provide the water needed.

Mr. Setovich explained how brine is a by-product of recycled water and how it was being pumped into the reclamation plant. He reviewed the options that could address the brine issue and spoke about recycled water including a soil aquifer treatment facility, vadose zone wells and the aquifer storage and recovery wells.

Ms. Quathem reviewed the options for new leases for the Gila River Indian Communities or other communities and non-Indian Agricultural CAP re-allocated water which is unreliable and CSIF water.  She then covered the pros and cons of acquiring water now and acquiring water later.

Council inquired as to the processing of effluent and what would be removed.  Mr. Setovich spoke about the ADEQ and EPA requirements and the dependence upon technology to remove some things.

Council commented about the funding and how the costs would go more towards future growth rather than the current users.  

Council asked if anyone in Arizona was doing the direct potable reuse.  Mr. Setovich responded that Scottsdale has stated they are.

Finance Director Doug Sandstrom discussed the cost of implementation and the inclusion of water projects in the infrastructure improvement plan.  He spoke about the use of impact fees to pay for the implementation.  He explained the funding options and the restrictions that applied to each.  Mr. Sandstrom reviewed the recommendations from staff which included pursuing DPR (One Water) as the next water source, studying the Rainbow Valley sub basin, continuing to require developers to bring water in the Rainbow Valley area or using alternative funding for water resources needed in planning areas 4 and 5.

Council discussed G.O. bonds and the possibility of having residents paying for something they don't use.  Council continued that the city needs to use a number of options to pay for the water and the infrastructure and putting a portion of the burden on the new development coming into the area.  Council added that there is not a single solution to fund the solution, that it has to be multi-pronged.

Ms. Karins summarized the conversation including using DPR ("One Water"), a discussion about GO bonds and continuing the city's conservation efforts.