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City Council Work Session City Hall - Canyon Trails Room 1 & 2 1900 N. Civic Square Goodyear, AZ 85395 Monday, December 9, 2024 5:00 p.m. Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER
				Mayor Pizzillo called the Work Session to order at 5:00 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: Wynette Reed, City Manager; Roric Massey, City Attorney; Darcie McCracken, City Clerk
AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION ALL ITEMS LISTED ARE FOR DISCUSSION ONLY. NO ACTION CAN NOR WILL BE TAKEN.
	1.			PRESIDING JUDGE RECOMMENDATION ON SPECIALTY COURTS
				Presiding Judge Manuel Delgado provided an update on the Council's objective to evaluate the creation of a specialty court. He outlined the purpose of specialty courts and provided background on the project, including a review and assessment completed by Arizona Court Consulting LLC in June 2024. Judge Delgado then discussed the various referral programs for veterans, individuals with mental health issues, and those experiencing homelessness, highlighting current partnerships with the City of Glendale and Maricopa County Superior Court to help provide these services. He addressed budgetary concerns regarding the establishment of a specialty court in relation to the current number of cases and recommended that the city not pursue the creation of specialized courts until the number of targeted individuals increases. He recommended that the city continue its current referral programs and establish a standing agenda item for justice group meetings between the Court, City Prosecutor, and Police Department to monitor caseloads and evaluate the effectiveness of current programs and resources. Additionally, he added that the Court will also continue to participate in the City’s Quality of Life Working group, which includes members from the Goodyear Fire Department CIT and Goodyear Police Department HOT programs. Court Administrator Crystal Whelan shared that the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Glendale resulted in 25 case referrals and 17 graduations last fiscal year. Currently, there are nine referrals, with one graduation and eight participants in the program. Council expressed support for the recommendation, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health and veterans' needs, and emphasized continuing the partnership with Glendale for veterans' services. There was Council consensus to explore mental health support with the City of Glendale's program.
	2.			REVIEW OF DEBT REFUNDING STRATEGY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026 BUDGET
				Finance Director Jared Askelson provided an overview of FY2025 one-time funds to support ongoing operating costs leading to a discussion on FY2026 budget policy. He reviewed and discussed each of the four ballpark related debt series, and presented a strategy to use $37.3 million in one-time funds to address annual debt service payments, potentially freeing up $6.2 million annually in ongoing operating costs. He explained that the impact is not yet known as the city works through preparation of the FY2026 budget and could potentially impact Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Projects, and is seeking Council feedback in incorporating this strategy.  Council discussed the strategy to free up ongoing funds and reduce interest payments without raising taxes. Council expressed support for the approach and emphasized fiscal conservatism, maintaining reserves, and agreed that the strategy supports budget stability and reduces future liabilities.
ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pizzillo adjourned the Work Session at 5:48 p.m.   __________________________ Darcie McCracken, City Clerk __________________________ Joe Pizzillo, Mayor Date:___________________