City Council - Regular Meeting

I'll tap the gavel softly and call the meeting to order. It is 6 o'clock on May 19th, 2026. Can we do a roll call, please?

Sure. Council Member DeWillis?

Here.

Council Member Dowell?

Here.

Council Member Marks?

Present.

Council Member Mosley? Present. Council Member Weldon? Here. Vice Mayor Coates? Here. And Mayor Shaw? Here. And we have a quorum.

Okay. Could we all please stand for the pledge?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, next we have a brief summary of current events. by mayor, council, or city manager. The public does not propose, discuss, deliberate, or take legal action on any matter brought up during this summary unless this specific matter is properly noticed for legal action. As a reminder, if you wish to speak to the council on a matter which is not listed on the agenda, you must submit a request to speak form to the city clerk or the city manager by the end of this brief summary of current events.

I'll start. So on Saturday, May 9th, Council and many other volunteers assisted at the Verde Valley Wine Festival at Riverfront Park. While many locals attended the event, at least half, I would say, were from Prescott and the Phoenix area, based on my questioning of attendees as to where they were coming from. And many said that they really enjoyed the event and that they plan to come back next year. The event organizers have said the event will be bigger and better next year. And this is, of course, all good news for our local economy. I want to promote the first ever Cottonwood Police Teen Academy for teens 15 to 18 years old. This academy is four days from July 6th through the 9th at the Cottonwood Police Station. This is a hands-on program providing high school students with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of police, including patrol tactics, 911 communication, canine work, and much more. And it is also free. And I'm promoting this event because I'm currently enrolled in the eight-week Citizens Police Academy, and it has really given me a vastly better understanding of police functions, their decision-making process, and their commitment to our community. And then lastly, I wanted to thank city staff for the pavement work that was recently completed on Candy Lane and at the west end of Grissetta Ranch Road. Both are huge improvements, but in particular Candy Lane, which many of us know was very rough and full of potholes. So thank you for that.

And let me say two things. It's an economic development. whatever. For every dollar that is spent in our community or city, it goes around three times. So it's really worth $3 throughout the community. So all of our events and happenings are very well needed and appreciated and help the citizens. Secondly, I was visited again by the fire department, not because of my health, because I'm too short and couldn't reach a 10-foot-tall smoke alarm. So they did a superb job and were there in about five minutes. So thanks to the fire department. I'm making them a cake for that, so they'll be rewarded. Right. One last thing I forgot. This is another who cares. I also went through a police academy at one time and my degree is actually law enforcement, which is bizarre. But I took the on the where you shoot against the machine or whatever. Well, I killed a nun. So don't give me a gun.

And this past Saturday I attended the city's national kids to park day event at the kids park. Ms. Dowell and the youth commission members helped the children color kites, masks, and create flower pot ornaments. I asked the parents how they heard about the event and those said that they had seen it on Facebook and a couple of them said they'd check our Facebook page regularly. So thankful to the person who does our Facebook page.

Last week, Councilmember Mosley and I were at the National Day of Prayer, which was a lovely event organized by and supported by many of our local pastors. It was really, really great to be with everyone in that moment and to address all of our All of our needs are hopes for ourselves as people and as a community. I want to mention too that Memorial Day, there is a Memorial Day ceremony coming up on Saturday, the 23rd. Preliminary to the ceremony itself, which is at 1 o'clock, there is the changing of the flags. This will start with... With a number of volunteers and also the veterans group who is overseeing the event, they will be there to change the flags. Then at 1 o'clock, there will be a series of speakers. So anyone who wants to come is welcome to come. We will be at the Military Park here in Cottonwood.

I just want to go on record to thank the Parks and Recreation Department for assisting us with the Cottonwood Pickleball Club with our spring tournament, which was held the 9th and 10th. The tournament was... well attended, not as well attended than it would have been if I scheduled it on a weekend other than the weekend of the Verde Valley Wine Festival and Mother's Day, you know, lesson learned for next time. The Parks and Recreation Department all the time bend over backwards to help, you know, the community, and it's really appreciated.

Madam Mayor, members of council, I have just a couple more to add. This Friday, May 22nd, from 9 to 2, will be the Operation Graduation event. This event provides graduating students with a safe and supervised place to celebrate this major milestone with friends while participating in games, activities, prize giveaway, and an opportunity to win the grand prize pot of $2,026. Also, the Cottonwood Aquatic Center outdoor pool officially opens for the summer season on Memorial Day, May 25th. Staff as well as many folks in the community are excited to welcome everyone back into the pool and families for another fun and active summer at the pool. The community is invited to join a fun and family-friendly bike ride with the mayor on May 30th. The ride begins at 9 a.m. at the Riverfront Park Youth Softball Fields and continues to the lagoons at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. All ages are welcome to participate and helmets are required for everyone's safety. The city is partnering with American Red Cross to host a blood drive on Tuesday, June 9th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Public Safety Multipurpose Room. Those donating during June will receive a $15 e-gift card to their choice of merchant and automatic entry for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards. Appointments can be booked by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or scheduling online at redcrossblood.org. Please use the sponsor code Cottonwood AZ. And then lastly, the city has openings on two of its boards, the Board of Adjustments and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Those press releases have recently gone out. The city of Cottonwood is accepting those applications. The Board of Adjustment hears and decides requests related to zoning variances, appeals, and interpretation of the city's zoning ordinance. and the Planning and Zoning Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Council on matters related to land use, zoning, development, and long-range community planning.

If I could just add, there was to have been a Board of Adjustment meeting this Thursday, and it had to be canceled because there's not a quorum. So there's a desperate need for persons in our community to volunteer for a seat on the Board of Adjustment.

Okay, if there's nothing further, and I'm sure there are many more things that we can address, but we'll save them for later. I'm going to skip call to the public. I have no request to speak, and therefore I will forego admonishing everyone about what that requires. Next, we have unfinished business. This is City Council's consideration and possible adoption of resolution number 3396, approving a monthly increase of $100 for the compensation of the mayor and council members.

Madam Mayor, members of council, I'll keep this item brief. This item is brought back at the request of council. We had a work session. The council hosted a work session to discuss this item. The decision at the end was for me to bring back a resolution to consider a $100 a month raise for the mayor and council. And so with that, I will turn it back to council. I can answer any questions or let you folks have a discussion related to this matter. Mayor, back in your hands.

Thank you. Is there any further discussion on this? Do you want to?

I just want to say something for the record. I understand that there's not a significant impact upon the budget. It's about $7,200 for the year. But as we discussed in the work session and was shown in the work session, the stipend that is paid to council members currently aligns with other cities and towns of similar size. That was agreed to during the work session. And that's an important point because I think that's the best benchmark that can be done. During the work session, it was discussed that council responsibility and time commitments have increased. Well, there may be some former council members and mayors who may dispute that. That's, to me, not the really bigger point. For me, the bigger point is that in a council manager form of government, the stipend philosophy is based on public service positioning elected roles as part-time civic duties and not as full-time or near full-time careers. Another point that was noted in the work session is the consideration of attracting working individuals to serve. Again, I don't believe this aligns with the philosophy of public service where the motivation should be. Serving in office comes from a desire to make the community better. So to me, the most important thing is we're already benchmarked favorably against other towns and cities. Thank you.

I won't repeat or say what Councilmember Marks said again, but I'll just say that I concur.

I made some notes. It was mentioned that the optics may look bad. I don't know if this is an argument, but I think the optics are it's been 22 years. And Vice Mayor Coats mentioned that she figured out it was minimum wage. And I would like to hope and think, as Council Member Marks mentioned, that we could pull in some younger people, if you will, and it's not going to affect the budget. And 22 years has been long enough. And I actually, because of the minimum wage, the kind of decisions we make and the things we talk about i think it's worth more than minimum wage and everybody up here has their talents and everybody up here is is is very good and the beauty of it is if if a council member doesn't want to take it which has happened in the past you don't have to take your stipend every month so there's that option if you want to take it um but i think we're worth it so it's a hundred dollars a month more and that's that's my take

I agree with that. I don't think that it really diminishes the quality of our public service because we take an additional $100 a month. That's $1,200 a year. I don't see that as equivalent to a full-time minimum wage job. I'm not sure. The responsibilities and all of what goes into this is worthy of some minimal compensation. And I don't think $100 a month brings us out of line with what other cities and towns are paying their almost all of them across the board. I mean, I looked through list after list after list. I looked at many municipalities and ones that I was surprised that actually paid substantially more than we do. But I would not ask for that. I do not think that that's necessary. The point is a point more of recognition for the service, I think, than it is as... regarding a salary. Any other comments?

Yes. I ran for city council because I wanted... integrity and confidence restored to this council. And that's my payoff. That this council is working to restore that to the residents of this city. And I was not aware there was even a stipend until I was asked to fill out the W-4 or whatever. This is not a job. This is not a job. And it's not... It is service to the people. For me, it's the service to the people of this community. And I'm content with the stipend I now receive.

Any further discussion? I'll accept a motion to... Adopt resolution 3396.

I move to adopt resolution number 3396, approving a monthly increase of $100 for the compensation of the mayor and council members.

Second.

Council member De Willis.

Yes.

Council member Dowell.

No.

Council member Marks.

No.

Council member Mosley. No. Council member Wilden.

Oh, yes.

Vice Mayor Coates?

Yes.

And Mayor Shah? Yes. And that motion carries.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you.

I'll go ahead then and read the resolution into the record. This is Resolution No. 3396, a resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Cottonwood, Arizona, increasing the monthly compensation for the Mayor and Council members to take effect after the current term. Okay, next is the consent agenda. We have four items on the consent agenda. The following items are considered to be routine and non-controversial by council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member or a citizen so requests, in which case the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. Are there any concerns, questions regarding the consent agenda? If not...

I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda items 1, 2, 3, and 4. Second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Okay, moving into new business, the following items are for council discussion, consideration, and possible legal action. Under new business is a discussion, consideration, and possible direction to staff regarding the City of Cottonwood Board and Commission's handbook, establishing standardized guidance, procedures, expectations, and operational practices for all city-appointed boards, commissions, and committees. Is there discussion to be had about this? Go ahead.

Welcome evening, council. I'm Tammy Mays, your city clerk. If... You ready? I could present to you what I have. Tonight I am presenting the proposed boards and commission handbook for discussion and consideration by this council. This handbook was originally created in 2008. However, it was never really formally adopted by the council. Over time, various provisions related to boards and commissions have existed in city code, Arizona revised statutes, individual bylaws, administrative practices, but the city has not had one centralized book that has been formally adopted by this council that establishes consistent expectations, procedures, and guidance for all of your advisory boards. So as the city has continued to grow and the responsibilities of our boards and commissions have become more complex, staff did identify the need for this handbook and the need to comprehensively update the handbook and bring it forward for council's consideration. So tonight, this handbook was included in the packet. I hope you all had a chance to review it. And I'm asking for council to adopt it or discuss it, and I'll bring it back. to a future council meeting. And with that, I'll leave it with you for discussion and consideration.

I had one question, just a clarification. On our flowchart, it shows we have a deputy city manager.

The position continues. We will keep it in the budget. It's not funded. We will fill it in this next budget year internally.

Second question is, if any of these rules are broken, what's the recourse? I mean, one is a felony if you, you know, one is listed as a felony, but that's serious money issues.

Ultimately, you know, I say this a lot, that commissioners serve at the pleasure of counsel. And so ultimately, as part of this, they're also subject to the code of conduct, the same code of conduct that counsel adheres to. And so what it does is just adds a level of ownership and responsibility to being a commissioner. I was asked recently when this item came up, what's the purpose of this? Was there a specific catalyst that brought it forth? And I said, no, much like the rules of procedure that I'll bring to you next month, the time to do these type of things is when there aren't specific issues, but that when folks come on, and I think one of the things, and Tammy and I had had this conversation, and I'd be remiss if I didn't, give her a tremendous pat on the back for the work she did in producing this document. But a lot of folks sometimes will run for these commissions for their own reasons and that sort of thing. There's a lot that goes into it. And part of this came out when John Gaylord and Tammy and I had a discussion about open meeting law and requiring that commissioners go through that same training that council members do. And then we thought at some point it would probably be good to set forth kind of some general set of requirements for all commission members and one thing that it did do for us is realize council has recently gone through and taken a list of the duties of the airport commission and some of the others but maybe it's time for council to take a look at at the municipal code and what it says for all the commissions and maybe realign some of those with what council has as a vision because each of the commissions has a very specific list of duties that they're responsible for reviewing and making recommendation to council, but ultimately they serve at the pleasure of council. And so this creates that set of guidelines and expected code of conduct that we hope anyone that has a desire to serve on a city commission, as the vice mayor said today, we're sorely in need of, but it would be great if they do so with their eyes wide open and in an educated manner that allows them to understand what their specific role is in our organization.

And if I might add, it also reinforces the city's commitment to transparency. It helps standardize all of the boards and commissions. It also helps clarify the advisory role of all of your commissions and the relationship between council and them, as well as it helps the staff liaison as well. So I think all of those items were touched on in the handbook that's been drafted. We also believe that we would like to do annual trainings for all boards and commissions, which we plan on doing in June sometime. That'll be in partnership with our city attorney's office. So the clerk's office and the city attorney's office will give boards and commission trainings annually. We'll also have the first one taped, I think, so we can give it to onboarding commissions, and then they'll be required to come to these trainings once a month, once a year.

Probably the meaning for my question is because it happened in the past. In this case, a family member was appointed to a commission and they should have been. What would happen in that case, for instance, if it ever happened again? What is the recourse?

I think, like Mario said, that would be in Council's purview, I think. Well, it was Council that did it. That's the issue.

Madam Mayor and Council Member Wilden, there is a mechanism for dealing with complaints, exactly what you described in this handbook. Section 19, page 46, has the process. Initially, it would be a discussion with the city manager. If additional action was needed, then there's an opportunity to... Conduct an investigation, and then if determined that additional steps need to be made, that would be an item that would be agendized, brought before the city council with a recommendation on how to.

So this could happen after the fact, correct?

That's correct.

Okay. Secondly, I love the Robert's Rules of Orders. That's great. There's tons of different Robert's Rules of Order, but that was well done, so thank you for that.

You're welcome.

I expected to have more questions and comments. I only found one little place where I thought maybe the wording could be shifted. We could take out two words. But everything looked good to me. It's consistent and clear. And that's what I really appreciated was I think that it makes sense. The roles that people are trying to fill here are very clear. I don't think there's a lot of wiggle room. I don't think it's vague. I think that people can understand very clearly what their role as a commissioner is. And the appendices to all of this have all of the specifics for the commissions that we do support. are part of the city processes here. So, yeah, I think it's a really good and very functional handbook.

Thank you. All right, well, I will bring it back for possible adoption on June 2nd, and thank you for hearing me tonight.

Yeah, that would be the thing. Just to clarify for council, we kind of set aside the approval, which we could have done, but we're going to include that on the consent agenda next time, and so that will be just something that we can go ahead and, if you're interested, If you're okay with it, it will go through on the consent agenda. Unless you have any clarifications or objections at this time, please speak right up and let's get them out there. I guess not. I guess we're good to go. Thank you very much. Well done, Tammy. Thank you.

Well done.

Okay, next is council member request for future agenda item. We already do have a nice list of agenda items coming up. Thank you, Mr. Suflentis. So, yeah, unless you have anything to add. Next is claims.

I move to approve the claims report for May 19th, 2026. I'll second.

All in favor?

Aye. I'd like to make a move for adjournment.

Second. All in favor?

Aye.

So who wins the... I lose. I lose.

No one won.

I did.