Mayor and Council - Regular Meeting

Mr. Mayor, it's time. I like to call the special meeting to order. Roll Roll call, please. Mayor Jose Segarra Here. Council member Ida Pedregon Present. Council member Jose Montaño Council member Gustavo Barroso Council member Rey Shalton Present. Council member Maria Dilman Here. Council member Richard Acosta City Manager Arnold Kiefer Present. City Attorney Dennis Fitzgibbons City Treasurer Alejandro Martinez Here. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Acosta is excused. We were supposed to be or we are expecting Mr. Durazo and Mr. Montaño. Said he might be here, but if he's not because he had an appointment in Tucson, he is excused. Item three, persons wishing to address the council in writing or verbally on any item not on the agenda. Ms. Clark, I know we have one. Yes. We have two. Is Daniel Lamarra

[clears throat]

What I was going to say, uh I'll I'll vamp a little bit up so that you don't have to wait. Um Diane Lamar, 1303 F Avenue in Douglas. Uh good evening council, mayor, and uh community. I just I I know that it's not possible to get put everything on an agenda, so I'm very well of well aware of that. But, I did want to um acknowledge that April is also sexual assault awareness month, and it provides an opportunity to listen to and honor survivors and remind those impacted by sexual violence that they're not alone. Sexual violence includes any sexual activity without consent. It can happen in person or online and affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. In the United States, more than half of women and nearly one in three men experience sexual violence in their lifetime. As technology advances and becomes a bigger part of everyday life, technology-facilitated sexual violence is also increasing. This includes behaviors such as online harassment and stalking, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, sextortion, deepfakes, and AI-generated sexual images, predators using online platforms, gaming spaces, or dating apps to target victims. Um so, this is an invitation for all of us to learn more uh about this issue, to support survivors, and to help prevent gender-based violence. Uh Uh I bring this up also in light of the recent investigative reporting on the subject. Um

And I just wanted to say that this is not a faceless uh uh crime. There are people in this room that have experienced sexual violence. I've experienced it myself once um someone unknown to me, another time someone known to me, and also in a medical, clinical um environment with a health care professional. Um not to mention numerous, innumerable times of um unwanted advances, cat calls, what have you. So, I invite us all to be open to our friends and our family members, to offer support, and to uh not to be passive. If we see something, hear something, um be courageous and speak up so that we can um try to change the course of this problem. Thank you. Thank you. Item uh item four, uh presentation on public hearing. Mr. Martinez. Close your mouth. Uh good afternoon, good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the council, and community members. Um This is a public hearing pertaining to our 2026-27 property tax levy. Every fiscal year, the city of Douglas is required to adopt its property tax levy and submit the certification uh to Cochise County Board of Supervisors no later than the third Monday in August. This year, the certification must be submitted uh on or before August 17th, 2026. It actually is on August 17th, 2026.

On February 10th, 2026, the city received the 2026 net net assessed primary valuation um with the following uh numbers. Our primary assessed value was uh 69,631,000 679. We added 1.121004 million dollars to the tax rolls in new construction. We are proposing to leave our uh property tax rate at 1.0783, which is the same as last year per 100,000 of assessed value. Again, there is no change because leaving the tax rate the same as last year will produce a higher uh tax levy uh of 750,838 compared to 724,941 from last year, we are required to have this hearing. Uh I want to reiterate that we're not increasing the um the tax rate. We're leaving it exactly the same. And the um increase in uh the actual dollar amount of our property tax levy is derived from two sources. One is higher uh valuations on our properties and also uh adding uh new constructions to our tax rolls. The net increase, if we took away new construction, just comparing apples to apples, last year to this year, just because of uh increased uh values, is an additional $14,000. Um So, again, because uh we're leaving the tax rate the same and we're levying more money uh property taxes, we are required to have this uh truth in uh taxation hearing for the public. Thank you. Uh So, after his uh presentation,

we will give 3 minutes if there if there's any public um participation. Mr. Mayor, just as information, uh we do have the city attorney and and council member Durazo trying to connect. Trying to? Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. If I may add, uh this is again, this is just a public hearing. There is no action to be taken tonight. Uh the first reading will be in the uh June regular council meetings. And then the second reading uh will be uh on uh on a special meeting in July. So, this again, this there there there is no action at this point. It's it it it really it truly is just a public hearing. And in June and July, would help if you start off with we're not raising taxes before your speech and then end it with we're not raising taxes. Mr. And Dennis is here. Thanks, Mayor, for letting me in.

[laughter]

Excuse me. It's me. Allergies, I'm not sick. And Mr. Durazo is also in the meeting. Is he here? Council okay with ending the public hearing? Uh thank you, Mr. Martinez. Item five, reading of proclamations. We have four right now, but I again, I would like to thank and apologize to Ms. Lamar uh for not including that one, and thank you for bringing it to our attention. Proclamation for Municipal Clerks uh Professional Municipal Clerks Week. Whereas the office of the Professional Municipal Clerk, a time-honored and vital part of local government, exists throughout the world. And whereas the office of the Professional Municipal Clerk is the oldest among public servants. And whereas the office of the Municipal Clerk, a Professional Municipal Clerks, provides the link between the citizens, local governing bodies, and agencies of government at other levels. And whereas Professional Municipal Clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rendering equal service to all. And whereas the

Professional Municipal Clerk serves as the information center on functions of local government and community. Whereas Professional Municipal Clerks continually strive to improve the administration of the affairs of the Municipal Clerk office through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops, and the annual meetings of their state, provisional, and county, and international professional organizations. Whereas it is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the office of the Professional Municipal Clerk. Now, therefore, let it be resolved that I, Jose Galva, Mayor and on behalf of the city of Douglas Council, do hereby proclaim the week of May 3rd through May 9th, 2026 as Professional Municipal Clerks Week and further extend appreciation to our Municipal Clerk Office and to our Professional Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent. I'd like to thank our clerks. They keep everything for us organized and in check. And if you don't know, she probably wrote that for me. So, we thank Alma and and Cynthia for all the hard work that they do for us. The next proclamation, the National Day of Prayer. Whereas, throughout America's history in times of both trial and triumph, people have turned to prayer for courage, comfort, guidance, and celebration, seeking the light and extending it to others in need. And whereas, from the earliest days of our nation, beginning with our founding fathers and continuing through present-day leaders, Americans have encouraged have been encouraged to unite in prayer for God's guidance, mercy, and protection. And whereas, the National Day of Prayer has been an important part of our heritage since its declaration by the First Continental Congress Congress in 1775 and its establishment as public law by the United States Congress in 1952, later affirmed in 1988, designating it the first Thursday of each May as the National Day of Prayer. And whereas, communities across America will observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 7th, 2026 with the

theme "Pour out to the God of hope and be filled", encouraging neighbors to join together in prayer for our nation, our communities, and one another. And whereas, through prayer we express our faith, exercise our freedom, and unite our hearts in humility, love, and hope, trusting that God hears the prayers of his people. Now, therefore, let it be resolved that I, Jose Grijalva, mayor and on behalf of the city of Douglas Council, do hereby proclaim May 7th, 2026 as the National Day of Prayer throughout the city of Douglas and I commend this observance to all our citizens. You know, just to know we've I think we prayed for so many years that our city and our economy grows, and I pray that we don't forget God once that happens because we're very close to the finish line on that. Amen to that. Next one, Frontline Workers Appreciation Month. Whereas, frontline workers are the builders of our community, exercising curiosity, compassion, courage, and creativity to provide essential services that ensure the safety, health, and education of our residents. And where whereas, over 9 million healthcare workers across the United States serve in hospitals, clinics, and long-term healthcare facilities, often placing themselves at risk to provide life-saving care. And whereas, firefighters respond respond to an estimated 36 million emergency calls each year. Over 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers nationwide work tireless tirelessly to uphold the law and ensure public safety. And emergency medical services EMS personnel to respond to more than 240 million calls annually. And whereas, teachers dedicated their careers to shaping the future of our communities with over 3.7 million educators in the US providing knowledge and guidance to our youth. And whereas, frontline workers embody the essence of builders, flexible thinkers, and constructive problem solvers who respect the dignity of all people by dedicating themselves to overcoming

challenges and uniting communities. Now, therefore, let it be resolved that I, Jose Grijalva, and on behalf of the city of Douglas Council, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 Frontline Worker Frontline Worker Appreciation Month in the city of Douglas and encourage all residents to join in recognizing and honoring the heroic contributions of our healthcare workers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and teachers. I'd like to thank our firefighters represented here, our police represented here, um educators that are up here and in in the crowd if they are, and also Mr. Durazo, who's a healthcare worker. Thank you for all that you do because you're the ones that, you know, when we're in an emergency, even our teachers our teachers I was always taught or your teacher is your second parent because your school is your second home cuz you spend most of the time over there. So, thank you all for everything that you do. And the next proclamation, National Mental Health Awareness Month. Whereas, mental health is an essential component of our overall being and is integral to leading a fulfilling and productive life. And whereas, millions of individuals worldwide are affected by mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and many others, often resulting in significant challenges in their personal, professional, and social lives. And whereas, mental health conditions do not discriminate based on age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, or any other factor affecting individuals across all demographics and communities. And whereas, Mental Health Awareness Month provides an opportunity for society to raise awareness about mental health, eliminate stigma, promote understanding, and emphasize the importance of seeking help and support. And whereas, increasing public knowledge and understanding about mental health helps to dispel misconceptions and encourages encourages early intervention, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life for individuals living with mental health

conditions. And whereas, Mental Health Awareness Month, communities, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to engage in educational activities, public discussions, initiatives that promote mental health awareness, advocate for access to mental health services, and foster supportive environment for those affected by mental health conditions. Now, therefore, let it be resolved that I, Jose Grijalva, mayor and on behalf of the city of of Douglas Council, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as National Mental Health Awareness Month and call upon all citizens, organizations, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and government agencies to join in raising awareness about mental health, combating stigma, and promoting understanding and compassion. I urge everyone to support and participate in events, programs, and activities that promote mental health awareness, provide resources and information, and create an inclusive and supportive community for all individuals affected by mental health conditions. We are our brother's keeper and our prayers go to our first responders too because you're the first people that we call when we need something and a lot of the times you see things that we would never dream about seeing. So, we're here for you, too. Thank you for all that you do. Item six, discussion decision on approval consent agenda items. Item A, Finance Committee appointment of Ida and Pedrogo as chair of the Finance Committee. Item B, Industrial Development Authority appointment IDA of Javier Fimbres. And item C, resolution number 26-1731, a resolution of the mayor and council of the city of Douglas, Cochise County, Arizona, approving the selection of Titan for the amount of $459,912.70 and authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement for a safety action plan and complete street study funded by the Safe Streets and Roads for All SS4A grant program. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items? Mayor. Mrs. Dilman.

Mayor. Mrs. Dilman. I um sorry. I move that the mayor and council approve um consent agenda items A, B, and resolution C. Do I have a second? Second. Motion by Mrs. Dilman, second by Mr. Shelton. Um we do have a discus- any We do have um a form to discuss, so I will be pulling item C. We'll be voting for items A and B and then we'll discuss item C. Um So, then uh So, do we have any discussions on items A and B? Hearing none, roll call for items A and B. Councilmember Pedrogo. Yes. Councilmember Durazo. Yes. Councilmember Shelton. Yes. Councilmember Dilman. Yes. Mr. Mayor. Yes, motion passes. Now, item C. Um this is the resolution number 26-7231. We do have um someone who would like to speak, Mr. Halbrick. The discussion was I I I don't need to bring it back on the floor since we brought it back and we just pulled it, right? Right, Dennis? I don't need a motion again. Yeah, Mr. Mayor, it was pulled from consent, so now it's its own item on the agenda. So, I I bring it up for a motion? Well, did somebody want to speak to this item? Yeah. I think it's it's on the agenda, so we can Okay. Go ahead. Please step up, Mr. Oh, so we'll have him present, Mr. Halbrick, and then after him, you can come up. Mr. Rockwell. I pulled it just so you can talk, by the way. This is your turn. Uh Mayor and council members, this is a

a grant we got from the Federal Highway Administration. Uh the purpose for it is to study our streets. Um it's called a Safe Streets for All program. Um but it's also a complete street study um that looks at at the streets as a whole, uh not just uh for for motor vehicles, but also for safety, for alternate uh transportation, for uh what condition, you know, what condition it is in terms of um American Disabilities Act. And it it also it it coincides with our RAISE grant cuz the RAISE grant required a complete street study of those of those nine streets that are in the raise grant. So, we're using this grant to do the the complete street study on those on those streets. And as far as the raise grant go, eight out of going ahead and selecting a consultant and going going forward. So, they're going to be actually working in their design engineer's going to work be working with our engineer on this on this raise grant on those specific streets, but they're going to look at Douglas as a whole and look for the the safety aspects. So, what we can what we can do to really improve our uh uh the safety on all our streets. And then we will end up with a a safety action plan, something we can follow going forward to to improve our streets and make them more safe. Uh the selection process was was difficult. We received eight excellent proposals from from professionals. Uh we we formed a uh a committee of professionals among our

our staff and rated each each proposal separately with a point system and came back with with the and then we came back and and discussed our findings and and we came up with the best proposal which is T.Y. Lin. Um and then with with your approval, we're going to go go forward with this with with the contract with T.Y. Lin. The the project's going to take about a year, but we're going to emphasize that they get the complete street study going right away in conjunction with the with the raise grant that's going on in design by ADOT. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Rockwell? Ms. Pedro. You mentioned that there was eight professionals within the city that did this. Uh there were four professionals on our on our uh our our team our what do you call it the ranking team. We each independently read all the proposals and they were they're like 40 something pages long. Uh all the experience they had, where they'd worked in other communities. We looked for their their success and engagement with the community. Uh and then if they'd worked on in other other border cities, too. So, wasn't city employees. It's other people that did this? This was the That's my question. It was city employees that that ranked the the the proposal, yes. Mr. Mayor. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Where is this firm from? It's T.Y. Lin International.

a a large firm, but they're they're their this office is based out of out of Phoenix. Okay. Now, do they go all over the west or the country or Uh yes. And yeah, they're they're they're very large firm and they've done studies in in other southern Arizona cities. But very similar similar to what what we're doing what we're doing here. Yeah. If this does pass, when will we start? Uh right away. Okay. I Well, we got we got to get get a contract uh together and the city manager would would then sign, you know, go into a contract for for this.

then we'll have to find a place to put them. Well, they they I I what what I really like to get them going is get them down here for our Douglas Days and they'll have a pop-up tent with information and they'll be talking to everybody and trying to get get input from the community. That would be excellent. Yeah, that that's that was that was what I really saw in this in this particular consultant is their engagement with the with the community, getting community input. Okay. So, that would be that would be neat. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Anyone else? Councilman Della. Uh Mr. Durazo, any questions before we move before we move on to the speaker? No questions. Thank you. Uh Mr. Hilbrick. Stephen Hilbrick, 1303 F Avenue, Douglas, Arizona. Um let's see. I just wanted to understand the executive summary and a little bit how this is going to happen. Um I didn't the raise grant was was for the 23 million. Correct? Correct. And then the the safe streets was a grant that we got and that had came funds. 10%. So, 10 that so 20. So, 20% match. 20. So, the the SS4A grant was part of the raise grant application. The raise grant application as we submitted it, we included that we would provide as well a safety action plan for the commercial corridors, the nine corridors and there

was a a match amount for that. Uh but it the entire raise packet was approved with the understanding that we also had to complete that commitment. So, now we're we're working with ADOT to do the 23 and a half million for the nine commercial corridors, but we now have to align this as SS4A safety action plan. Uh which will um hopefully work alongside design and engineering to see for each of those corridors plus as as our engineers mentioned, we'll include um areas beyond as well. But as they match up to these nine corridors, they'll look at things like um bike lanes or safety lights or um improvements from a safety perspective. And this is not construction, this is an action plan so that engineering can incorporate that. So, what I'm hoping is that as they align each of the corridors, uh the safety action plan is completed a corridor at a time in that order so it doesn't hold up the design team on the ADOT side from actually producing the design and engineering on it if that makes sense. Yeah, so those those are uh construction documents. Right. So, the um Okay. So, the there's the eight corridors and my guess my question why why wasn't A Avenue included in those one of those eight corridors? And that I think uh uh as important as Washington. Um We established the nine commercial corridors. I think there's nine. Are we down to eight? Uh We're inventorying incorporating one of them.

Um but we we used gosh, that was so long ago when we this we went for two cycles on the raise grant application and I I can't tell you at the moment why we didn't include A Avenue, but I have that documentation on how we produced it. But staff, can you speak to the A Avenue portion at the microphone? Yeah. Thanks. Basically, we we maximized the grant amount request and prioritized the streets that hadn't received a lot of attention. A Avenue, uh although it it needs some work, but it had received treatment before. So, we kind of prioritized the other streets that had uh uh a lot more need based on the PCI index and based on the budget amount of our grant request. And doesn't mean that A Avenue will later not get attention. It's just with this grant that's um what we were able to do. But it could be also it will it will be also covered under the safe streets and roads for all grant.

For all. Yes. Um and cuz I can see that could become a bike lane that goes up A

Yes. I think that's a great corridor. And it also aligns with other effort that efforts that are being worked on with pathways with Cochise County and regional partners. So, a lot of these things align in in a very positive way. I think that's great. Uh let's see. We're going to give J2 another 38,000 38K for their and then we'll give them the contract. He is a a subcontractor to T.Y. Lin. T.Y. Lin. Is that how you pronounce it? How do you pronounce it? T.Y. T.Y. Lin. And they're really a they size. They're very large. Okay. And then I would say the the other thing would be with that study, then we would need additional money to implement any other construction documents. That would come out of the safe streets study. Not the components that will be incorporated from the in any additional In additional, yes. Based on the raise

Correct. Um Correct. So, even in the race That's what it sounds like the so in in the race grants there's $500,000 for the complete Street study. Is that in addition to the So we didn't know that we were going to get the SS4 a grant. That's why we put that $500,000 in the race grants. So instead, we're going to get that money and use it for construction. So we saved that. We saved that $500,000. Instead, we got an additional grant through the SS4 a that would actually supplement the the project then so And that and that design build so that $500,000 design build part of this budget It would go towards the construction additional construction money because we we had already allocated design money. I think it's under under 2 million of design and and we had already allocated. So so that goes back into the construction budget. Okay. And then my last question would be Well, I have two more fade the phase two

on the Kino Road environmental study has been completed. That's correct. And what were the results of that? There is a landfill underneath. Yeah. And then has Freeport agreed to uh pay for any of that? Not at not at this time. No. Is that in the construction budget for Kino Road? Yeah, so they're going to look at different alternatives for Kino Road. Again, digging out those trash contents or potentially doing some kind of uh grouting injection

injection Right, that could stabilize that roadway. It just depends on what the engineers come up with and the solutions are budget given to that stream. Okay, um and then the other question I have the Brian uh Brian's Way Brian's Way Yeah, the the little boy that was killed. um Has there was some funds from the O'odham Nation earmarked to install Holly Vista Crosswalk. Has that has that been completed? No, that's I think it's a 40 or $45,000 grant for Brian's Way, but because race is going to come through G to correct other areas, we're waiting to align with that as well. I would say the intersection. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Halbrick. Any other discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please. Who's already on the phone? I'll make the motion. Do I have a motion for item C? I move that the mayor and council approve resolution number 26 that 1731 letter C. Do I have a second? Second. She was going to say Mrs. Pedrogo second. That's why I started laughing. I move that the motion by Mr. Shelton is seconded by Mrs. Pedrogo. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please. Council member Pedrogo

Yes. Council member Durazo Yes. Council member Shelton Yes. Council member Yes. Mr. Mayor Yes, motion passes. Item seven discussion decision on approvals agenda addendum agenda item posted April 20th, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. Item one A resolution number 26 - 1732 a resolution of the mayor and council of the city of Cochise of Douglas Cochise County, Arizona authorizing the city of Douglas to accept grant funding and enter into a subgrantee agreement with the state of Arizona Department of Homeland Security for a reimbursable grant fund allocation in the amount of $3,000 for reallocation equipment under Operation Stone Garden fiscal year 2023 grant program reallocation. Lieutenant or interim Chief, what do you prefer?

Lieutenant fine. Thank you.

Good evening, mayor, council, and community members. The Arizona Department of Homeland Security selected the department to receive $3,000 of funding under the FFY 2023 Operation Stone Garden grant program reallocation. The performance period for this grant cycle is April 13th, 2026 through July 31st, 2026. The department was selected to receive the following equipment under the grant. Vehicle speed measurement device, essentially a radar. Operation Stone Stone Garden program was implemented to enhance security along the nation's border regions. This is achieved through a cooperative and coordinated enforcement effort between state and local law enforcement agencies in the US Border Patrol targeting specific routes of egress that could potentially be used by criminal organizations to smuggle terrorist weapons of mass destruction and other contraband into the United States from Mexico. The police department has participated in the Operation Stone Garden program since its inception and today all expenditures have been reimbursed in full. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve resolution number 26 - 17 1732? I move that the mayor and the council approve resolution number 26 - 1732. Motion by Mrs. Pedrogo. Do I have a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Dillman. Um any discussion? Just on a on a quick note, Mr. Halbrick, you just put seven here. So is it 7A So the next one. Okay. Um comments And thank you because you all do your these own grants, right? So thank you for your time. Hearing no no other discussion, roll call, please. Pedrogo Yes. Council member Durazo

Yes. Council member Shelton Yes. Council member Dillman Yes. Mr. Mayor Yes, motion passes. Now item 7A second reading of ordinance number 20 26 - 1230 an ordinance of the mayor and council of the city of Douglas Cochise County, Arizona authorizing the acceptance of donated vacant unimproved real property from Ray Meehan consisting of a 6.35 acre parcel with assessors parcel number 410 - 12 - 035 in the city of Douglas Cochise County, Arizona establishing severability of components of ordinance and establishing an effective date thereof. Mr. Pedroso Good evening, mayor, members of council. Mr. Ray Meehan approached the city about donating the parcel 410 - 12 - 035 adjacent to the city's golf course and SR80. The unimproved parcel has property taxes owed in the amount of $33,154.27 accrued since 2008. Mr. Meehan is no longer interested in developing the property and wants to donate it. The city negotiate with Mr. Meehan and accepted the donation. He would like the city to absorb those property taxes. The parcel is 6.35 acres with an assessed valuation of 36,378. Parcels not improved, but utilities are are nearby. You'll see in the a map on your packets. The site is zoned residential, but certainly has a potential to be rezoned to commercial. The location of the parcel next to the golf course presents opportunities for commercial residential and even more golf course development. The acquisition of the properties would allow the city to market to developers the availability of prime real estate for development and advance the city's goals to increase population, tax revenues, and attract businesses.

Thank you. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the second reading of ordinance number 26 - 1230? I move that the mayor and council approve the second reading and ordinance number 26 - 1230 by member and title motion. Motion by Mrs. Pedrogo. Do I have a second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Shelton. Any discussion? The taxes on this property Do you know the amount that we would be paying on the taxes? Yes.

And if there were any in arrears that were in arrears taxes that were in due. Oh, yes, Council member Pedrogo. The taxes is $33,154.27 since 2008. That is

Yes. That's why it's assessed at that value. No, not necessarily. It's uh it's just been assessed at that value by the by Cochise County. And that's how much in back taxes they owe? Yes. They haven't paid them since 2008. Thank you. Any other questions? Mr. Pedroza. Mr. Don. It Sorry, Mayor. Oh, I'm sorry. Um is the land a dump? I mean, are they they've been dumping out there? You're going to have to clean out also the property or So, Mayor uh Council Member Dillman, uh not not to our knowledge, but we will do a title report so which will also allow us to review history of what's happened in that parcel. Uh but at the moment, uh we don't see uh visual issues with the property. Okay, thank you. Any other discussions question? Hearing none. Mr. Alfrecht. I'll try and speak into the microphone. Steve Alfrecht, 1303 F Avenue, Douglas, Arizona. Um I would like to speak on the I'm calling it the Meham property, is that correct? Um I One thing is that a gift a donation is a donation, but a donation when you're paying his taxes isn't really a donation. I believe it's very much like a gift from the city to him, a private citizen. So, I'm I think that's uh a little bit questionable. Um as far as the parcel goes, uh about the donation. As far as the parcel goes, um

I'm under the belief if it hasn't been developed by now, it won't be. So, in the end that because of access, I don't see it clear access. I see flood plain issues. Um uh I think that it's not a very good property for the city to buy, essentially buy for $33,000. Um I think it should stay into the private sector, and I think it should go uh the um there's two there's uh a family that owns two adjacent parcels to the east, and I would consider that they would be the ones to to absorb this parcel so they could have one big parcel for development. I do not see any clear access for infrastructure. Um they have to go through another um parcel to the north to get to the road. I don't believe you're going to get access off the drive. Because I think it's too close to the uh intersection of the Peria intersection. So, and that would need to be confirmed. So, I think you have a parcel here that you really the the development costs are too high. So, I think if they want to give the parcel if he wants to give the parcel to us and let us deal with it, that's right. That's good. That's solid. But not paying its taxes. Uh the development strategy of buying this proper getting this property in 2008 and not paying your taxes for 18 years. Do you guys pay your taxes? I pay my taxes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Alfrecht. What's that like, Council? Any the concerns, rather?

I would defer to um Donnis on on any gift clause situations. I know we've discussed this uh internally, and we feel that it's uh an investment for uh continued development and growth and aligns with some of the plans that we have discussed along that path. Um on the access issues, uh I think it's part of a development plan, which is what we would entertain and bringing in interest and investors to that area. Uh as part of our growth plan, there is opportunities for development in as we've talked in the past as well, and uh those are aligned with the strategies that we've been pursuing. Thank you. Any discussions from Council after? I'll let you go back up, Mr. Alfrecht. Since it's a second reading. I think that the city development strategy is to concentrate commercial to the parcel west of the Peria entrance. And then the parcels to the right or to the to the east, which is this is one of them, would be I think either low density residential or medium density residential. But I just don't see it as a developable property in and of itself. So, that it will never be a commercial property. It will be a it may be neighborhood commercial in if to serve the neighborhood, but it's not your your your development plan and your general plan and your zoning really moves the commercial development to the west and and to the east of Leslie Canyon. Mr. Percy. Thank you. Thank you.

Any other discussion? Hearing none. I was just going to say, Mayor, that it clears none. I I would say if there's some questions, and personally, I don't feel comfortable voting because I was I'm not sure that some of these questions have been answered. So, can I refrain from voting for this? No. I just have to say no.

No. No. Yeah, okay. Thank you. Hearing none. Any other Let's go go ahead. Because I think those are some valid questions that we should be answering before we you know, cuz it is purchasing. It's not a gift. I agree. For $36,000. Right. And um as Mayor Pedroza, I would respect that we haven't been part of the conversations on this specific item. Um So, I don't know if there's other guidance there. Um I'll I'll entertain a motion to table this to the next regular meeting. To catch up, Miss Pedroza.

her up. Thank you. I'll make the motion for that. Do I have a second? Second. Seconded by Mrs. Dillman on the motion to table to the next meeting. Um any discussion? Mr. Mayor, would that be to postpone the

The table until the next postpone it until the regular meeting in May. Hearing none. Um Miss Clerk, roll call, please on the postponement. Council Member Pedroza? Yes. Council Member Don? Yes. Council Member Shelton? No. Council Member Dillman? Yes. Is Mr. Mayor here? I'll vote yes. Uh motion passes. We will postpone this item until the next regular meeting. We can catch She's only been in office for a week, so I don't blame her. Uh thank you. Item B, first reading of Ordinance Number 26-1231, an ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Douglas, Cochise County, Arizona, amending Chapter 2.02 of the Douglas Municipal Code, specifically as to Section 2.02.020, Rules of Conduct for Council Meetings, establishing severability of components of ordinance, and establishing an effective date thereof. Ms. Andrade. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Mr. Council. This matter has been item by the direction of the Mayor. The Cochise County updates uh as a standing item uh will be noted if approved by Mayor and Council. If so, there is a need to modify the Douglas Municipal Code Chapter 2.02.020 under the Rules of Conduct for Council Meetings. And if you can see under the background information, Item I, this is in capitalized and in bold, meaning that Cochise County government updates to be a standing item in the agendas, and we did provide any

information that the Council requested. Um very simple uh ordinance amending the second the first reading, I'm sorry, um Chapter 202. And I entertain any questions you may have. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the placement of Ordinance Number 26-1231? Mr. Mayor. Mr. Shelton. I move the Mayor and Council approve the first reading of Ordinance Number 26-1231 and replace it on second reading by number and title only. Do I have a second? I second. Motion by Mr. Shelton, seconded by Mrs. Pedroza. Any discussion? Um Miss Clerk, does it Is this for only this item tied onto it? Yes. So, they go to the clerk. Uh, so hearing no more discussion, roll call, please. Council member Pedrego? Yes. Council member Shelton? Yes. Council member Grijalva? Yes. Council member Dillman? Yes. Mr. Mayor? Yes, motion passes. An ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Douglas, Cochise County, Arizona, amending Chapter 2.02 of the Douglas Municipal Code, specifically as to Section 2.02.020, Rules of Conduct for Council Meetings, establishing severability of components of ordinance, and establishing an effective date thereof. May I have a motion to approve the first reading of ordinance number 26-1231? Mrs. Pedrego? That the Mayor and Council approve the placement of ordinance number 26 1231, and to place it on the first reading by November and title only. Number and title only. Do I have a second? Second.

Motion by Mrs. Pedrego, second by Mr. Shelton. Any discussion? Um, I'd like on the possibility of just leaving this open, kind of like what the Mayor re-arranging, because if someone, let's say we have a state representative, I could put them on the line item there instead of call to the public where they have 3 minutes, and then there's no discussion from Council, giving the Mayor leeway and staff leeway of basically adding something. Um, and and if it doesn't work out, we could always have Council come back and vote, you know, in case you have a future Mayor that wants to add like 20 things, then you know, uh, you can Council can come back in and um, and strike that down, but I I I just like the the the the freedom if we have any representative or something where we can have a discussion with with their updates where something can be added basically uh, more loosely. That's okay. For the second, then we can have a roll call here. Mr. Uh, Dennis? Yes, I think you wanted to just call it governmental update, Mr. Mayor, and that would keep it wide open. Yeah, that'd be perfect.

You call it governmental update, and then you could put a lot of people under that. Do you want me to to make a a motion to amend, or you're good with just doing it next meeting on the second reading, Dennis?

Yeah, I think you do it on the second reading that we can, I mean, cuz there's already been a motion and second to vote on this, but Okay, thank you, Dennis. Um, any other discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please. Council member Pedrego? Yes. Council member Grijalva? Yes. Council Yes. Council member Dillman? Yes. Mr. Mayor? Yes, motion passes. An ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Douglas 2.02 of the Douglas Municipal Code specifically as to Section 2.02.020, Rules of Conduct for Council Meetings, establishing severability of components of ordinance, and establishing an effective date thereof. Thank you. Item 8, adjournment. Do I have a motion to adjourn? Mayor, I motion that we adjourn. Mrs. Pedrego motions, do I have a second? Second. Motion by Mrs. Pedrego, second by Mr. Shelton. All in favor, say I. I. Any I's have it. We adjourn at 6:24. Have a good evening, Dennis. Yeah, have a good night, everyone. Good evening. All right.