Public comment roundup: pickleball lights, traffic signals and childcare proposals
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Summary
During public comment the council heard multiple non-agenda items: a request to allow pickleball lights to turn on at 5 a.m. in summer months; concerns about inconsistent traffic signal timing and school drop-off congestion; and a proposal to prioritize childcare infrastructure and employer-driven childcare models.
Several residents used the Aug. 25 public-comment period to raise local operational issues and community proposals.
Pickleball lights: Eric Oster, a Goodyear resident, asked the council to consider allowing Goodyear Community Park pickleball court lights to be turned on at 5 a.m. during the hot months (MaySeptember). "Many residents enjoy playing at 05:00 a.m. or earlier to beat the heat," Oster said, describing early work schedules and parents who need early recreation windows. City staff told him the current timer system does not allow that programing and the city manager said staff would check for regulatory or ordinance restrictions and follow up.
Traffic signals and school drop-off: Tom Blackman, a Cantamia resident, said drivers encounter inconsistent signal timings at intersections across Goodyear and urged the city to consider a uniform delay (for example a 30-second extension) to reduce unsafe decisions at changing lights. He also described heavy queuing and left-turn backups at Estrella Foothills High School, asking the city to study intersection redesigns and potential pullouts or drop-off lanes to improve morning congestion. Staff acknowledged receipt of his written correspondence and said they'd follow up through traffic engineering.
Childcare infrastructure and workforce supports: Theresa Christiansen, founder of Bright Beginnings Early Child Development Center, urged city leaders to prioritize childcare infrastructure and pilot employer-driven childcare models to support workforce retention. Christiansen suggested the city could help convene employers, leverage state and federal funds and create co-funded childcare slots that do not rely solely on taxpayer funds.
City staff responded to each speaker indicating that their contact information was captured and that staff would follow up. The council did not take action during the meeting but directed staff to investigate potential ordinance or operational changes where appropriate.