Residents press council on ballpark subsidy, rezoning notices, noise and traffic during public comment

Several residents used the March 24 comment period to press the council on neighborhood impacts and public spending.

Dan Kirchoff, a Goodyear resident, urged council to seek a neutral or net‑positive fiscal outcome in future negotiations over Goodyear Ballpark operations and spring training contracts. Kirchoff said an analysis he obtained through public records showed a five‑year total general‑fund subsidy for the ballpark of about $71,000,000; after applying Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) receipts he said the net cost to the city was about $60,000,000 for that period. Kirchoff reported a city subsidy per attendee of $128 for spring training games and $131 for all ballpark events. He cited an ASU economic study figure of about $421 spending per spring training attendee per day, and said attendees would need to spend roughly $5,134 in Goodyear per event to break even on a 2.5 percent sales tax, concluding: "In my opinion, our current agreement is not a winning proposition for our city." He offered his records to staff for review.

Jeff Redmond asked council to expand public notice for rezoning and land‑use projects beyond the current 500‑foot mailing radius and to improve signage. He described a proposed 1,000‑acre expansion near the high school along Estrella Parkway and said only 50–60 homes received mailed notices despite hundreds of adjacent homes being affected. He asked that planning staff review the 500‑foot notification rule and consider broader outreach to adjacent communities.

Solomon Jadidi complained about repeated loud parties in his neighborhood and the city's enforcement of the noise ordinance (Goodyear Municipal Code 11‑1‑8(c)). He said multiple calls to the non‑emergency line produced warnings and late‑night officer visits, and gave a tracking number for the incident (2025‑14379). He asked whether enforcement could be more decisive (for example, issuing citations rather than repeated warnings) so residents can expect peace and quiet.

Lacey Mason, an 18‑year Goodyear resident, described worsening traffic and two serious collisions near Cambridge and Pebble Creek, and said she observed an impaired driver in the entertainment district with little visible police presence. Mason asked for more enforcement and a regular officer presence during peak entertainment hours to help ensure safety.

Council and staff responded to individual requests: the city clerk accepted materials from Kirchoff for staff follow‑up; the city manager said staff would provide information back to Redmond and discuss the rezoning notice with planning; and the city manager and police chief indicated they would follow up on noise and enforcement concerns raised by Jadidi and Mason.