El Mirage council approves city clerk hire, YMCA classroom remodel and movie-in-the-park contract; OKs liquor license and land purchases

The El Mirage Common Council on Jan. 7 approved a series of personnel, contracting and property actions, including the appointment of a new city clerk, authorization to complete a classroom remodel at the Northwest Valley YMCA using a Tohono O'odham Nation grant and a one-night movie-in-the-park contract, and approval of a liquor license and four small parcel acquisitions.

The actions were taken at a regular meeting at El Mirage City Council Chambers. Councilors debated the movie-in-the-park contract and asked questions about the YMCA remodel contingency before voting.

The meeting opened with roll call and two staff introductions. During the public-comment period residents raised local concerns, including traffic access to the new emergency room and public-access hours for City Hall. Resident Cheryl Logalbo urged the council to provide an additional entrance to improve access to the new emergency room; resident Steve Gilliam asked the city to keep municipal facilities available to the public five days a week.

Appointment of city clerk Vice Mayor Monica Dorsey moved and Council Member Norton McDaniel seconded the appointment of Jill Bolts as city clerk with a start date of Jan. 23, 2025. After a brief exchange on compensation the council approved the appointment. The mayor announced the item passed by a recorded count that was ultimately taken as 6 yes, 1 no.

Movie-in-the-park contract The council considered authorization for the city manager to enter into a contract with Times 2 Entertainment for a movie-at-the-park event at Bridal Gentry Park on or about March 7, 2025, for an amount not to exceed $2,000. Several council members asked for more detail about the vendor, timing and site logistics before signing a contract.

Council Member Scottie Gentry said the item lacked sufficient detail and raised concerns about cost and what the contractor would provide: "this is a lot of money to be paying for 1 night for 1 movie." Staff responded that movie licensing and a commercial public-performance license are costly and that the vendor would submit a final site plan to the city’s planning and special-events teams for review. The presenter, identified in the record as Sean (staff member), said staff had vetted the contract with the city attorney and that many of the operational details (final movie choice, exact times, food-vendor selection and site plan) are typically handled at the staff level.

Council debate balanced the desire for fiscal oversight with a preference to let experienced staff finalize event logistics. Vice Mayor Dorsey moved to authorize the contract; Council Member Jackie Parsons seconded. The motion passed 6–1; Council Member Gentry cast the lone vote against.

Liquor license for Pueblo El Mirage Council held a public hearing on an application for a new Series 007 beer-and-wine license for Pueblo El Mirage at 11201 North El Mirage Road. Christine Finacarro, who identified herself as resort general manager, said the request transfers an existing license into Pueblo El Mirage LLC to allow beer and wine sales on the golf course and described the request as a housekeeping action. The police department reported a records check and provided no recommendation. Vice Mayor Dorsey moved to approve the city’s recommendation to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control; the motion was seconded by Council Member Scottie Gentry and approved by the council.

YMCA classroom remodel and grant-backed construction contract The council authorized the city manager to enter into a contract with Woodruff Construction to complete a classroom partition and remodel project at the Northwest Valley YMCA under a Tohono O'odham Nation 12% gaming distribution grant. Staff said the grant award is approximately $123,778; the project estimate from Woodruff Construction is close to that amount and the council authorized a project not to exceed $130,000 to include a 5% contingency ($6,199.75) if unforeseen conditions arise. The city’s in-kind match for the grant was listed at about $5,300 and consists of staff time for plan review and inspections.

City staff said the work will divide one large classroom into two separate teaching spaces to meet state licensing guidance and to expand capacity for three-, four- and five-year-old classrooms. Mary Davis, identified as executive director of the Northwest Valley YMCA, told the council there is a current wait list of six children for the program. Vice Mayor Dorsey moved and Council Member Norton McDaniel seconded the contract authorization; the council approved the item.

Land acquisitions The council approved submitting offers to the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Office to obtain deeds to four parcels in and near the Lower El Mirage Wash. The parcels and proposed acquisition prices are: parcel 50133940C (approx. 4.32 acres) for $1,000; parcel 501-33-939A (approx. 0.566 acres) for $250; parcel 50133-012H (approx. 2.441 acres) for $500; and parcel 501-33-938 (approx. 0.5 acres) for $250, for a total of $2,000. Staff explained these properties were foreclosed by the state because back taxes could not be collected; the city’s payment covers the administrative fee to secure deeds, not outstanding back taxes. The motion passed.

Other votes and items The council approved routine consent-agenda items (items 2 and 4–8) in a single motion after removing items 1 and 3 for discussion. The council also approved a final plat and easement acceptance for Avanti Windows and Doors (agenda item listed on the regular agenda) and moved into an executive session at the end of the meeting with several staff members in attendance.

Why it matters The actions combine personnel changes, small-scale capital work and event contracting that affect everyday services for El Mirage residents: city staffing, youth childcare capacity at a nonprofit partner, municipal event programming, local business licensing and rights to small parcels in a floodplain corridor. The YMCA project in particular addresses state child-care licensing requirements and a small local wait list for preschool slots.

What’s next Jill Bolts is scheduled to start as city clerk on Jan. 23, 2025. The YMCA remodel contract work is slated to be completed within the grant’s one-year timeline, with staff aiming for completion this spring and summer to meet a fall grant deadline. The movie-in-the-park event is tentatively planned for March 7, 2025; staff said final site plans, vendor approvals and a confirmed movie/time will be completed at the staff level and posted when available.

(Notes: all votes, dollar amounts, dates and parcel numbers are taken from council discussion and agenda materials presented at the Jan. 7, 2025, El Mirage Common Council meeting.)