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.