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Residents urge literacy program partnerships, praise traffic calming, raise park and meter concerns during El Mirage call to the public
Summary
During public comment at the April 15 El Mirage council meeting, speakers described a new Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate program, praised recent speed cushions, and raised concerns about water-meter replacement costs and park safety.
Several residents and community partners addressed the El Mirage City Council during the April 15 call to the public, covering a range of topics including a literacy program, neighborhood traffic-calming, water-meter replacement costs and park safety.
Ron Klopockey, identifying himself as a member of the Rotary Club of Surprise and Sun City West, said his club had become an affiliate of Dolly Parton
Imagination Library, a program that mails a free book monthly to children ages 0 to 5. He said the local partnership pays a wholesale price of $2.60 per book, that the Rotary
charitable fund committed $10,000 and launched the program April 5, and that online registrations exceeded the initial funding limit (he said more than 300 applications, roughly 340, had been received), forcing a temporary registration pause. Klopockey asked council to consider strategic partnerships and invited staff to arrange a formal presentation, saying he would seek additional funding partners for the second year.
Several speakers praised recent traffic-calming work. Jim McPheeters thanked council for speed-cushion work on Varney and urged attention to interior streets. Jeff Locke also thanked engineering for speed cushions and said he expected resident satisfaction. Both speakers credited staff and engineering for the outcome.
Other public comments raised concerns. Jim McPheeters questioned a proposed $8,000,000 water-meter replacement item in the draft CIP, saying the city should examine warranties and consider replacing meters only as they fail. He urged the city to ensure value for taxpayer dollars and explore phased replacements. Steve Gilliam described Sundale Park as "unbelievably small and unbelievably in a dangerous situation" and recommended installing a fence or barrier to keep people in the wash from entering the park, citing child safety concerns. Gilliam also urged civility in online discourse about city issues.
Council and staff acknowledged the comments during the meeting and directed staff to continue outreach and to provide additional information as requested by council members.
