Prescott Valley council approves $211,650 auditorium AV upgrade, prelim approval for Aldi site and zoning change; creates separate Parks & Recreation department

Prescott Valley’s Town Council on March 13 approved several items that affect municipal facilities, development and departmental organization: a $211,649.97 audio‑visual upgrade for the town auditorium, a preliminary development plan for an Aldi grocery store, a zoning map amendment for a parcel on North Wagon Way, and a formal separation of the Community Services Department into two departments for Parks & Recreation and the Public Library.

Council approved an agreement with vendor Level 3 Audio Visual to update the auditorium’s sound, video, conferencing and timing systems and authorized use of $211,649.97 from the FY24–25 non‑departmental contingency to fund the work. Casey Danner of the town’s IT department outlined a four‑part plan: audio upgrades (including an additional lectern microphone, a crowd microphone, an assisted‑listening Bluetooth system and a directional speaker array); a NanoLumens dual 180‑inch video wall to replace aging projectors; an improved countdown timer visible to speakers; and a Zoom/conferencing appliance to improve remote participation. The council approved the contract after discussion about costs and alternatives; Council member Williams voted no and the motion passed.

On development, the council authorized the mayor to sign Resolution 2025‑2412 approving the preliminary development plan (PDP 204‑5) for an Aldi grocery store on a 2.37‑acre vacant parcel in the Glassford Hill Marketplace, north of the North Commercial Center, with primary access from Veterans Way. Staff described the single‑story building as roughly 12,645 square feet with a 28‑foot‑10‑inch height, drought‑tolerant landscaping and EV charging stalls. The applicant said an opening date depends on regional distribution‑center timing. The council approved the PDP unanimously.

On land use, the council gave final approval to Ordinance 2025‑950, rezoning 4600 North Wagon Way (APN 10328479) from R1L‑10 (residential single‑family limited) to RS‑4 (residential and services). The ordinance will take effect 30 days after passage.

The council also approved a staff recommendation to divide the Community Services Department into two separate departments — Parks & Recreation and the Public Library — without adding supervisory positions. The council then read and placed on final passage Ordinance 2025‑951 to update the town code to reflect the new Parks and Recreation department; the ordinance passed.

During debate on the AV upgrade, councilors asked about alternatives to the $132,183 video‑wall component and whether a lower‑cost projection could meet needs; staff responded the proposal was modular and that council could approve portions of the project separately. Staff also warned of potential tariffs and noted the vendor would provide a one‑year support package.

Votes at a glance - Auditorium AV upgrades (Level 3 Audio Visual agreement and $211,649.97 allocation): approved (motion carried; Council member Williams recorded a no vote). - Aldi preliminary development plan (Resolution 2025‑2412, PDP 204‑5): approved unanimously. - Zoning map amendment for 4600 North Wagon Way (Ordinance 2025‑950): adopted unanimously; effective 30 days after passage. - Division of Community Services into Parks & Recreation and Public Library (Resolution/implementation and Ordinance 2025‑951): approved unanimously.

The council directed staff to phase the auditorium work, beginning with audio upgrades, to limit meeting disruption, and to return with additional cost comparisons if council members wanted alternatives to the proposed video‑wall purchase.