[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6464061,"mediaKeyId","5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874","parentId",5784538,"title","Chandler selects Willmeng for preconstruction work on new forensic lab funded by 2020 bond","audioSeconds",163,"startMs",3733000,"endMs",3896000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874&start=3733&end=3896","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874/thumbnail_3733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6464061/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Chandler-selects-Willmeng-for-preconstruction-work-on-new-forensic-lab-funded-by-2020-bond","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464061-071fafdeb8b9ce1b84e8030b36ddedd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078819&Signature=ZCZOyff-H136U0r5x7OYpnkzRuxdDBVX6TMTLf85vALP-zQe~l93E72-pqJGiDEaq3C8vFfLVhLk1oggsrKhy5mtw0pf6c03AJL2g~H97svAJh9OVBMsu9aWbL-1iDHyrgP3mJ8Z-Bs7HcSVcA7iSaw7NyIwkwxaYE~tiENiMLB6Xg5M4bifX6B-hrHSvhHg2BCjiZlEBbMpd3F~cdoZGczFI00LDk8zlOw-fOFp5jqag49K-b8LguNgy47RZemUWo60EAhP95HLxOMrZsXPIUU7ntxLG8nf-TOW-xX~F8ArV0kOKtRNSRC6fKDp~Wz16i78m7iZzp1d8bPPOD23ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chandler","date","2025-09-16T15:14:49Z","article","City staff told the Chandler City Council on Sept. 15 that they will seek approval of a construction manager at risk (CMAR) preconstruction services agreement with Willmeng Construction for a new forensic services facility funded largely by the 2020 Public Safety Bond.

Alicia Rosenberg, forensic services senior manager, said the existing laboratory—located inside the main police department and constructed in 1999—offers about 5,500 square feet and lacks the infrastructure needed to support expanded or newer forensic technologies, including in‑house DNA analysis. Rosenberg said bringing DNA and enhanced digital forensics in‑house will create additional investigative leads and reduce reliance on the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which staff described as overburdened.

The proposed facility is at concept site plan stage and would be located off Pecos Road on a secure campus connected to the city’s property-and-evidence building to allow secure transfer of evidence directly into the new lab. Rosenberg listed current 24/7 services (crime scene response, fingerprint and blood alcohol analysis, seized drugs analysis and latent fingerprint processing) and said the new laboratory would add DNA testing, expanded blood‑drug analysis and enhanced computer/digital evidence examination.

Dan Haskins, capital projects manager, described the CMAR procurement. The city received eight statements of qualifications and advanced four teams to interviews; the four interviewed teams were Willmeng, CORE, Oakland and Mortensen. A seven‑member subcommittee (city CIP staff, police representatives and an unaffiliated contractor representative) scored interviews independently and ranked Willmeng highest. Haskins said the subcommittee followed Arizona statutes for qualifications‑based selection and that the selected preconstruction services contract will not include an adviser who had been listed during the SOQ stage; staff told council the adviser will not be part of preconstruction or the construction contract.

Council members asked about process transparency and cost. Haskins and Rosenberg explained the CMAR process: staff will negotiate preconstruction services and then receive cost estimates and a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) later in design; state statute limits disclosure of certain dollar information until a GMP is negotiated with the selected firm. One council member asked about the overall project budget; a council member referenced a figure “close to $60,000,000” that was discussed in the session as an engineer/earlier estimate; staff said an exact GMP is not available at the preconstruction stage.

Staff presented the preconstruction contract for council review in the study session; no final vote occurred that evening. Staff said they will return with the preconstruction agreement and subsequent GMP recommendation for formal approval at a future council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Chandler Council Meeting & Study Session 9/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Chandler City Council on Sept. 15 that they will seek approval of a CMAR preconstruction services agreement with Willmeng Construction for a new forensic services facility funded largely by the 2020 Public Safety Bond.","taxTitle","Chandler, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2211,"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},6464066,"Chandler staff seek extensions for hotel shelter contracts; cite high exit rate and summer heat relief",235,3011000,3246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874&start=3011&end=3246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874/thumbnail_3011000.jpg","/articles/6464066/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Chandler-staff-seek-extensions-for-hotel-shelter-contracts-cite-high-exit-rate-and-summer-heat-relief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464066-42cd563d66da2e8764f2d595cfa5522f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078819&Signature=FRSOE9G0EBsfn1croHwbn9yGGHOkKe2ybROcqYKa8VaR1FywhijSx1VDDwov1yTIhUe7guAm0pdJU8T7rrwdqqvo0NIuSLBT6w0yhMkflD6QV-93BJEeNolZ0CkbKGtX0vIVOZSQfoBqIxoTXtnguwyiQswTV8BqmYg7u0plYJCbX4dnCq3DRSKh74dj7eWkNJKwVTmHdiaamVilvyEWBRWUF1HCbXmiuGEecQovUUjUe56wTTj0hPPveHdpI~~CHlpkXBX4e881Gk5DeEX9ANBueXPZZC-Gx2bcRlPKE4SurPdMzE6XaPI~aclX29Xnv8XeLrHAkwe7YeoUskdv1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on Sept. 15 briefed the Chandler City Council in a study session about proposed contract amendments (Agreement No. 4638, Amendment 2 and Agreement No. 4758, Amendment 3) to continue two hotel partnerships used for Operation Open Door, the city’s non‑congregate shelter program.

Ryan Balch, acting neighborhood resources director, said the program began in 2020 when congregate options were limited and has continued to provide low‑barrier overnight shelter for people who are older, disabled or families with children. Balch told council the program’s purpose is to provide immediate safety, intensive case management and a pathway to permanent housing or to a more robust emergency shelter appropriate for families.

Program details presented by staff included the nightly block of rooms the city maintains: 15 one‑bedroom units and 10 two‑bedroom units. Staff said contracted flat rates for the vendor hotels remain competitive: approximately $105 per night for one‑bedroom units and $140 per night for two‑bedroom units. Balch said the average length of stay last year was about 80 days and that the program achieved a 96% successful exit rate to permanent housing or to the next‑step shelter.

Staff also described summer operations: the city partnered with Ascend (a local service provider) and other internal teams to operate a low‑barrier heat‑relief shelter at the senior center and reported filling 40 overnight spaces nightly during peak periods. Balch said staff believe the overnight shelter saved lives during extreme heat and that many participants later transferred into longer‑term programs such as the city’s iHealth program.

Council members asked about raw counts and trends. Staff provided multiple figures in the presentation: at one point Balch said the program served “about 353 families” in the previous year; at another point staff cited serving “182 households” and “over 350 individuals” during the same referenced period. The transcript shows both sets of figures in staff remarks; staff did not provide an on‑the‑record reconciliation during the study session and said final program totals are still being compiled.

The amendments were presented in the study session for council questions; no formal vote was taken that night. Staff said the amendments will be placed on an upcoming council agenda for formal approval.","City staff on Sept. 15 briefed the Chandler City Council in a study session about proposed contract amendments (Agreement Nos. 4638 and 4758) to continue hotel partnerships supporting Operation Open Door, the city’s non‑congregate shelter program.",{"_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},6464076,"Chandler to seek tribal pass-through grants for arts, STEM and teen crisis services",82,2375000,2457000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874&start=2375&end=2457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874/thumbnail_2375000.jpg","/articles/6464076/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Chandler-to-seek-tribal-pass-through-grants-for-arts-STEM-and-teen-crisis-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464076-181fdb95a245b70cdcf4fa983dc447a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078819&Signature=QU1LRkd3rU-PJr544feYeJatxj2Y-C0EJyFNEXARNOvzEuVeSs20KK94ywTEnOtvy5mUlHlOkg3OKy8pz4T5B5T-ibRzc37JxoUHuGBtpojn0Z6UKmVNGNmjbcvlE2vTgVYx1F0HsIQuWHq6B7jxPF3dNPnzjA6dIkqRPmxmZsGoioY27430N2KkpnEtqOvIY8y-Mu2paP53F3BUNkhFDFUWETxTVWkrenv--xxZMzJXirWBFh~QHlbHSLV17I-P~dZyw2e48lA3HKUBr5ZgnObxLmoWsu6DDAyukOP-VwlSyKgHNfn75Tp7dA0GavEbymzbo15lHFdDR9OSgrDINA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on Sept. 15 told the Chandler City Council during a study session they will bring a resolution (No. 5934) forward authorizing pass-through submittals of tribal gaming grants awarded by the Gila River Indian Community to three local nonprofits.

Grants program manager Rosalind Sleet said the awards recommended for pass-through are: $20,000 to the Chandler Cultural Foundation for its Connect Kids arts programming; $20,000 to the Si Se Puede Foundation for a STEM program serving roughly 100 youth annually; and $100,000 to Teen Lifeline for crisis services and suicide-prevention outreach. Sleet said the Connect Kids expansion would enable classroom-based arts access for about 300 additional students.

Sleet cautioned that applicants must be recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits and that organizations may also apply directly to tribal partners. “Typically, nonprofit organizations do seek grant applications or grant funding on their own. We do have information provided on our website,” Sleet said when asked about application pathways. Vice Mayor Christine Ellis asked whether the city is actively recruiting organizations or primarily serving as a pass-through; Sleet said nonprofits usually pursue grants on their own but the city supports both internal departments and external partners seeking Indian gaming grant awards.

Teen Lifeline staff presented outreach metrics used in the request: staff said Teen Lifeline has participated in more than 34 outreach events in Chandler and works with school systems and personnel, citing figures in the presentation that the organization has contact with more than 43,000 students and parents and more than 2,800 school personnel (figures provided by the applicant in the presentation).

The resolution was presented for discussion in the study session; no final council action was taken that night. Staff said the item will be placed on an upcoming council agenda for formal consideration and vote.","City staff on Sept. 15 told the Chandler City Council during a study session they will bring a resolution (No. 5934) forward authorizing pass-through submittals of tribal gaming grants awarded by the Gila River Indian Community to three local nonprofits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6464071,"Chandler, local school districts plan joint campaign to attract young families",159,2595000,2754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874&start=2595&end=2754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784538-c65998db8cc30e3847dc15d30b442874/thumbnail_2595000.jpg","/articles/6464071/Chandler/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Chandler-local-school-districts-plan-joint-campaign-to-attract-young-families","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464071-edb21e1adc33f275cd2a9540e2908c49/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078819&Signature=fhKCz-iuiqWz9ndrfO~LjjfSYpLtpg78P7Egnrk5UzOl7O1uAOVsZsvCUG7c5HhWUD3-s-~2M~R9HJw34WFcU6CGqXQ90jg61lcPvyMvIq-YY9KtbvE5X2Q1WHYFQ6zPyaSwyonqEAE26stL3dfAXBSuUHdtrn6JQ91BrRyODDbtDYDVz86TzOSJvN2ehOlXgKtyMAUyNWHMmYN83ytt7hFlhj3V0Hu84YfN-xcto006~w3UqcyHqgv7ZE-bFerDVxxJs6xm7c3-jpVE~~TdAxtw9g44FPwlolLYO7ptEIhxigDj6MTZoTo00vhAWo2~CqKjAXW7rL2mp5l0MtYOHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Chandler City Council on Sept. 15 that the city and four local school districts are moving forward with an intergovernmental agreement to co‑design a marketing campaign aimed at attracting young families and working professionals.

Staff said demographic analysis over the past 15–20 years shows Chandler’s population age pyramid has flattened into a “box” shape, creating long-term economic and workforce challenges. City staff (presenter identified as Mike) said the campaign’s goal is to “get back to sharing the story as to why Chandler is a great place for young families and professionals,” with a target launch in 2026.

Staff outlined how the partnership will measure progress. Short-term (leading) indicators will include campaign penetration metrics—media impressions, pickups and anecdotal feedback from schools—while long-term (lagging) metrics will be changes in school enrollments, population shifts in targeted areas and employer feedback on recruitment impacts. The project team will include marketing representatives from the participating partners; staff noted the working group will include five partner organizations (the city plus the four districts).

Several council members raised housing affordability and school‑specific pressures in follow-up questions. Council member Orlando cited potential school downsizing in the Kyrene School District as a driver for urgency and asked how the campaign’s success will be measured against factors such as housing availability and costs. Staff said the research phase will investigate why families choose surrounding competitor communities and will include housing among the factors analyzed.

Staff presented the IGA concept in the study session for discussion; no binding council vote occurred that night. Staff said the group will work with an external research/marketing firm and return with campaign materials and recommended metrics for council review.","City staff described an intergovernmental partnership with multiple school districts to develop a marketing campaign intended to reverse long-term demographic shifts and boost K–12 enrollment; staff said the campaign would launch in 2026 and use leading and lagging metrics to measure progress.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chandler selects Willmeng for preconstruction work on new forensic lab funded by 2020 bond

Chandler staff seek extensions for hotel shelter contracts; cite high exit rate and summer heat relief

Chandler to seek tribal pass-through grants for arts, STEM and teen crisis services

Chandler, local school districts plan joint campaign to attract young families