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Chandler City Council honors long‑serving employees and Forest City Day volunteers
Summary
At its July 13 meeting the Chandler City Council recognized multiple city employees for milestone anniversaries and honored nearly 700 volunteers and sponsors from the 15th annual Forest City Day, citing about 2,800 volunteer hours and an estimated $97,000 community value for neighborhood projects.
Chandler — The Chandler City Council used its July 13 meeting to recognize long‑serving municipal employees and to honor volunteers and sponsors behind the city’s annual Forest City Day community service event.
Council and staff recognized a string of milestone anniversaries, including a 20‑year celebration for Captain Donaldo Lopez of the fire department, 25 years of service for two employees in real estate and planning, and a 30‑year milestone for Joseph Alvarado in building and facilities. City Manager John Palmier asked colleagues to join him in thanking the honorees for their years of service and leadership.
"Please join me in congratulating Captain Donaldo Lopez for 20 years of service with the Chandler fire department," a presenter said while praising Lopez’s mentorship and community work. Staff also noted Joseph Alvarado’s rise from custodian to supervisor during his 30 years with the city and described Eric’s and Kevin Mayo’s contributions to major city projects.
The meeting also highlighted the city’s Forest City Day, a one‑day community revitalization event held March 21, 2026, in the Traditions East neighborhood. Priscilla Aquila, neighborhood programs manager, summarized the effort: "This year nearly 700 volunteers, including 100 City of Chandler employees, came together to serve our community, each donating about four hours of their time, together contributing more than 2,800 volunteer hours, representing an estimated community value of $97,000." She added that volunteers completed 38 neighborhood projects, spread 80 tons of gravel and painted more than 57,000 square feet of wall.
Aquila also thanked corporate and nonprofit partners that supported the event. She listed sponsors at multiple recognition levels and named specific donations, including Sherwin‑Williams’ contribution of 331 gallons of paint (valued at more than $12,800) and Waste Management’s provision of 14 large dumpsters (valued at $13,400). The presentation noted the broader Celebration in the Park generated an estimated $176,688 in combined community value.
Council members and department leaders used the recognitions to underscore volunteerism and long institutional service, and the meeting concluded with a reminder that a study session would follow and additional votes were expected on Thursday.
The council did not take formal policy votes on the recognitions; they were ceremonial acknowledgments and announcements.
