[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6136396,"mediaKeyId","5667772-d22a7ddc9d7650fa85ceb2b8ef62dcc1","parentId",5667772,"title","Glendale council approves 25-year management deal for Black Lot parking with Vi Resorts after heated public debate","audioSeconds",1623,"startMs",666000,"endMs",2289000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667772-d22a7ddc9d7650fa85ceb2b8ef62dcc1&start=666&end=2289","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667772-d22a7ddc9d7650fa85ceb2b8ef62dcc1/thumbnail_666000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6136396/Glendale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Glendale-council-approves-25-year-management-deal-for-Black-Lot-parking-with-Vi-Resorts-after-heated-public-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136396-ba93ded1798bc7bafdf99b44fe57fc2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775058972&Signature=aLr1rorTyS5C94oOoHPp9oiDQFWgMtUlTJYekOTQkoCF23KGut-RI6c9npeo1FNRYHChPdGOae0eSfs3YF9EZnQu52H5W3OQqtfxZd1ApA6OkEpVv~KivDefEwX3UbANlWdJUDsh694lxzhx7037HLffkhs8ojd9llGkeCslkSy8rwjRVDHqkEQ-kG4mWTZIhyMPgXalx5oAlSkBjufOadu7m9ymn4r3ak8Ubkp2MN1-l-XcSgCF6gOTniB3YNpx9jmnafRGDINEkRGEpNCUuPWOPwemOFpCNgQhES2KY7M8ucXmhzykt9ZDfKo-EcxWiVr69muh0O9vYuCKWr-E8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Glendale Arizona","date","2025-06-25T00:00:00Z","article","Glendale City Council on June 24 approved entering a 25-year professional services agreement with Vi Resorts LLC to manage the city-owned surface parking lot commonly called the “Black Lot,” with an initial guaranteed payment of $500,000 in year one and an annual escalator tied to the consumer price index for the Phoenix region or 3%, whichever is lower. The contract begins Feb. 1, 2026, and includes options for the city to renew for two additional 10-year periods.

The vote followed a lengthy staff presentation and an extended public and council debate focused on projected revenue potential, contract terms and perceived process shortcomings. Levi Gibson, director of budget and finance, told the council the RFP drew four responses, an evaluation panel recommended Vi Resorts LLC as the most responsive proposer, and “These services will be provided at no cost to the city. Vi Resorts LLC has agreed to pay the city a fixed fee for the term of the contract ... with initial amount of $500,000 for year 1 of the agreement.”

Why it matters: Several council members and public speakers said the guaranteed payment understates the value of a 4,011-space surface lot located near the entertainment district and State Farm Stadium, and that alternative proposals offered revenue‑share models that the city rejected. Council members who opposed the award said the city may be leaving material revenue on the table; supporters said the guaranteed payment reduces city risk and provides predictable revenue where previously there was none.

Concerns raised during public comment and council discussion included: that Vi Resorts’s flat-fee approach effectively yields a lower net payment to the city after maintenance set‑asides described by public commenters; claims that competing bids (identified in public comment as “Premium Parking Service LLC” and other respondents) proposed revenue-sharing models that could produce higher returns; and that required insurance and fidelity/cyber liability limits described in the RFP were not included in Vi Resorts’ submitted proposal, a point stressed by council critics during debate. Roy Garey, speaking during public comment, said the award was “a sweetheart deal” and compared the net amount the city would receive to alternative proposals. Morning Star Bloom of Worker Power Institute told the council she had obtained records via public records request and said Premium Parking Service projected higher returns to the city.

Council action and votes: Councilmember Millner moved to approve the award (motion: approve RFP 25‑46; mover: Councilmember Millner; second: Councilmember Baldenegro). Roll call included these recorded votes in the transcript: Leandro Baldenegro — Aye; Lupe Conchas — No (she said her “vote will be no … because of the RFP process”); Diana Guzman — Aye; (Councilmember) Melner — Aye; Bart Turner — No (explained concerns and moved earlier to table); Vice Mayor Lauren Tomachoff — No. Mayor Jerry Wires recorded a yes, and the motion carried by a majority vote.

Discussion versus direction versus decision: Council debate included a failed motion to table the item (mover: Councilmember Turner), extended public comment and multiple councilmembers’ statements that they wanted more time or a different contracting approach. The approved motion was a formal award; council did not direct staff to reopen the RFP or renegotiate the terms at the meeting.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting: the RFP (25‑46) was advertised Feb. 19, 2025, four proposals were received March 20, 2025, the initial contract term is 25 years starting Feb. 1, 2026, with two optional 10‑year renewals; the Black Lot contains 4,011 parking spaces; staff said Vi Resorts will pay a fixed fee (initial year $500,000) and that the fee will escalate annually by CPI or 3% (whichever is lower). Members expressed differing interpretations of who would pay maintenance and whether $100,000 maintenance set‑asides were part of the final agreement — staff stated the city will receive the full $500,000 and that prior proposals for set‑asides were rejected.

Background and next steps: Staff said no protests were received during the procurement process and the evaluation panel recommended Vi Resorts as most responsive. The contract start date is Feb. 1, 2026; the council did not vote at this meeting to reopen the procurement or seek a different revenue model.

Ending: The award resolves a near-term question about management of the Black Lot but leaves open council and public debate over whether a long-term, fixed-fee contract was the best approach for maximizing public revenue from a high-demand surface parking asset.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Glendale City Council Meeting June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Glendale City Council on June 24 approved a 25-year contract with Vi Resorts LLC to operate and manage the city-owned Black Lot parking facility, with an initial guaranteed payment to the city of $500,000 in year one and annual escalators tied to CPI or 3%—a vote that followed extended public comment and divided council debate.","taxTitle","Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2564,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6136386,"Glendale council adopts new stormwater fee and multi-year water and sewer rate increases",919,4104000,5023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667772-d22a7ddc9d7650fa85ceb2b8ef62dcc1&start=4104&end=5023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667772-d22a7ddc9d7650fa85ceb2b8ef62dcc1/thumbnail_4104000.jpg","/articles/6136386/Glendale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Glendale-council-adopts-new-stormwater-fee-and-multi-year-water-and-sewer-rate-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136386-9dab93b9624939073a49dc54b6a1319e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775058972&Signature=ml--wt62pnLcp94HIbYBGNriDF1Weiaw2hnuu7gRgB10prEcvmMwJvn2w3RSJVc8-c7WLBOkaEKJEfouRkbc~aZK9-Z5G~UNcqxscVS3MIsNiUlJr-EI0jhPoFTLdGtdBkbfPv5nK-feAh8AJNyl28y97hCh7hMaGSjZ69a-prJauKlNZfbe4kAhZuyhnP0E5WTS5c2SW9z7KseP1dqngMzyq0G7988jw24CQIzc8DQgGl~BwZmQtZ8feMdgq7HsO1FW4KT0kOWCTroS26q4vIQ5crqLlSo~AfZzzms0r0MYkNLHmWgwlgK0lvGna5rqitvXQ~r58QskViMSwAAMFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glendale City Council on June 24 adopted an ordinance establishing a dedicated stormwater fee and approved a multi‑year package of water, sewer and urban‑irrigation rate adjustments.

Staff presentation and key elements: Ron Serio, director of Water Services, described the proposed stormwater fee as $2 per month for each single‑family residential unit, with variable charges for other customers based on meter size. Serio said about 83% of the revenue expected from the new stormwater fee is funding activities currently charged to the sewer fund; staff proposed reducing the sewer rate increase planned for the year by 3% to shift those costs, and that roughly 17% of the stormwater program’s cost had previously come from the general fund, freeing about $400,000 to reallocate to other uses. Serio said establishing the fee would set a dedicated funding stream for stormwater services that are already being performed by Water Services and Parks.

Separately, staff presented a consultant rate study and a proposed multi‑year increase for water and sewer services: the consultant recommended a 13.3% increase for water and a 7.5% increase for sewer over five years; staff reduced the sewer increase to 4.5% for the first year to accommodate the stormwater funding shift. Combined, the package produces an approximately 11% effective increase in year one across water/sewer/stormwater and about 8.9% for the remaining years. The water and sewer rate increases are scheduled to take effect in October 2025; an urban irrigation fee will increase by $71 per year effective April 2026.

Council discussion and votes: Councilmember Conchas voted no on both the stormwater ordinance (O25‑34) and the water/sewer rate resolution (R25‑73) and asked questions about fairness and distributional impacts. Councilmembers cited the city’s multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar capital program for water and sewer (staff said next fiscal year capital budget is about $77 million, rising to about $88 million in year 4 and a five‑year total in the neighborhood of $400 million) and noted the replacement value of water and sewer infrastructure is in the “multi‑billions.” The council approved the ordinance and the resolution on roll call votes as recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: Staff said the increases are intended to preserve system reliability, support large capital programs (pipe replacement and treatment plant needs) and avoid deferring capital work that would be costlier in emergencies. Mayor Jerry Wires and other council members emphasized that failing to invest proactively would raise long‑term costs and service risks.

Public outreach and schedule: Staff said the city held public outreach beginning in February, including two public meetings, and that rate adjustments will be phased per the study schedule. The stormwater ordinance establishes the fee in City Code chapter 33; the council set effective dates consistent with staff presentations.

Ending: Council approved a new stormwater fee and a multi‑year water and sewer rate schedule to support operations and capital programs; several council members requested additional review and information on capital allocation and inter-district equity in future work sessions.","Council approved a $2/month stormwater fee for single-family residential accounts, amendments to Glendale City Code chapter 33, and a multi‑year water and sewer rate package; staff said most stormwater work was already funded via the sewer fund and general fund, and the rate package is designed to support capital needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6136391,"Glendale approves up to $1.47 million to reimburse Camelback Ranch for fiscal‑year capital repairs despite council concerns",288,2308000,2596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667772-d22a7ddc9d7650fa85ceb2b8ef62dcc1&start=2308&end=2596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667772-d22a7ddc9d7650fa85ceb2b8ef62dcc1/thumbnail_2308000.jpg","/articles/6136391/Glendale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Glendale-approves-up-to-147-million-to-reimburse-Camelback-Ranch-for-fiscalyear-capital-repairs-despite-council-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136391-f0dfe3fb7bd7d52e1027b5f9dc2f03ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775058972&Signature=a2MAhThH~QgSeTHCMs1nIV0vnGPNwGyXfeH0cVVCjMD8d39Z29Z8CpVfqG-k0CEedg9SMO0zIoQa6pu1gooG5TdVFK9xruGnM8OATbGV~jLBAXHRfdneoAGdeDE5vTdUr7sbrrANVoYKl~TmmwZdXfTMQ6V48r~Hcldnoh6TNJPjJMnrzRvUT0tVJrduk6s2JnnD~gDbUXzBP4Zurgu8JaiDO49Z-wSKXqV2-84e8wnfznE-IvuUsWWMR1r32BTuhu3KA4BmxZ07HS08zJArt9JUXdpRcIpa4gpxDX0F7O-YTXecA3o8onnNUaV0MU8tlIXU0Z3-tZf5p50GvhbhMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glendale City Council on June 24 authorized the city manager to expend funds to reimburse Camelback Ranch Glendale Spring Training LLC for identified capital repairs and replacements in fiscal year 2026, in an amount not to exceed $1,472,000.

Michelle Wotanko, director of field operations, presented the request and described projects included in the FY 2026 capital repairs program: painting of the interior lobby, painting stadium steel and foul poles, assessment of HVAC systems, replacement of the Chicago White Sox fields number 1 and 2, assessment of stadium amplifiers and speakers, and parking-lot repairs. Wotanko said the city is the owner of the Camelback Ranch facility, opened in February 2009, and that the facility’s management lease agreement assigns responsibility for capital repairs to the city while routine operation and basic maintenance are the manager’s responsibility.

Why it matters: Several council members said the lease terms have resulted in maintenance and capital costs that outstrip revenue the city receives from the facility. Councilmember Turner argued the teams use the facility more extensively than the contract contemplated and that increased wear has shifted capital costs to taxpayers. Turner said he would be willing to “tackle this contract” with colleagues and look for ways to secure a better deal for residents.

Votes and debate: The motion to approve (mover: Councilmember Melner; second: Councilmember Baldenegro) carried on roll call with these recorded votes in the transcript: Leandro Baldenegro — Aye; Lupe Conchas — No; Diana Guzman — Aye; Councilmember Melner — Aye; Bart Turner — No; Vice Mayor Lauren Tomachoff — No. In debate, Turner said the city “receive[s] far less in tax income from there than we spend in the … maintenance” and urged a review of the management agreement.

Clarifying details: The reimbursement authorization is capped at $1,472,000 for FY 2026 and will be paid as identified projects are completed. The city staff and city attorney reviewed the listed projects and deemed them capital repairs the contract requires the city to fund. The facility opened in February 2009; the management lease defines the city’s funding obligations for capital work and the manager’s obligations for operations/maintenance.

Decision type: Formal — the council approved the authorization to reimburse Camelback Ranch Glendale Spring Training LLC for capital repairs up to the stated cap. Several members publicly committed to pursuing further review of the lease and the balance of costs and benefits for taxpayers.

Ending: Council members who opposed the reimbursement vote said they intend to pursue a review of the Camelback Ranch management agreement; the council took no further action on changing the contract at this meeting.","Council authorized up to $1,472,000 to reimburse Camelback Ranch Glendale, LLC for listed capital repairs in fiscal year 2026; several members said the underlying lease and usage have disadvantaged taxpayers and pledged to review the contract.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Glendale council approves 25-year management deal for Black Lot parking with Vi Resorts after heated public debate

Glendale council adopts new stormwater fee and multi-year water and sewer rate increases

Glendale approves up to $1.47 million to reimburse Camelback Ranch for fiscal‑year capital repairs despite council concerns