City Council Regular Meeting on 2026-02-17 6:00 PM — Maricopa, AZ
Date: 2026-02-17

City Hall
 City of Maricopa 39700 W. Civic Center
 Plaza
 Maricopa, AZ 85138
 Meeting Agenda Ph: (520) 568-9098
 Fx: (520) 568-9120
 City Council Regular Meeting www.maricopa-az.gov


 Mayor Nancy Smith
 Vice-Mayor Vincent Manfredi
 Councilmember Eric Goettl
 Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr
 Councilmember Amber Liermann
 Councilmember Bob Marsh
 Councilmember Henry Wade

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 6:00 PM Council Chambers



 Procedure for Addressing the City Council


The Maricopa City Council values citizen comments and input. If you wish to speak on a matter
concerning Maricopa city government that is on the agenda, please fill out a speaker card and give it to
the City Clerk before the meeting starts. The Mayor will call your name when that portion of the agenda
is reached.

The Call to the Public portion on the agenda provides citizens an opportunity to identify for the City
Council matters of interest or concern related to city government that are not on the printed agenda.
Under the provisions of the Arizona Open Meeting Law, the City Council is prohibited from responding
to issues that have not been properly noticed. Therefore, the City Council may only listen to citizens
who wish to address them on non-agenda items. We regret that the City Council cannot respond
beyond thanking you for your comments. City staff will follow-up on your questions via telephone or
email, whichever is preferred. A speaker card is not required for this portion of the meeting but it is
appreciated.

Whenever any group of persons wishes to address the City Council on the same subject matter, it
shall be proper for the Mayor to request that a spokesperson be chosen.

The City asks that, when your name is called, you come forward to the podium, state your name and
then begin speaking. All speakers are expected to observe common standards of decorum and
courtesy. Personal attacks, political speeches, or threats of political action are inappropriate in this
forum and will be grounds, at the discretion of the Mayor, for ending a speaker's time at the podium.

In the event that the meeting is disrupted in any way that the City in its sole discretion deems
inappropriate, the City reserves the right to immediately remove the individual(s) from the meeting.
Reasons for removing an individual include but are not limited to making offensive remarks or
statements, disrespectful statements or actions, and any other action deemed appropriate.

All remarks shall be addressed to the City Council as a body and not to staff or the public. No person
other than a member of the City Council, the City Manager or the City Attorney and the person having
the floor, shall be permitted to enter into any discussion without the permission of the Mayor.
Depending on the number of items on the Council agenda and the number of speaker cards submitted,
the Mayor may establish shorter time limits for speakers.



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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Agenda February 17, 2026



1. Call to Order

 Invocation
 Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call


3. Proclamations, Acknowledgements, Awards and Presentations


 3.1 PROC 26-02 Sepsis Awareness Month Proclamation


4. Report from the Mayor

 The Mayor, members of Council or other designee, may present information related to
 the operation of the city.

5. Report from the City Manager


6. Call to the Public

 The procedures to follow if you address the Council are: Council requests that you
 express your ideas in three minutes or less and refrain from any personal attacks or
 derogatory statements about any City employee, a fellow citizen, or anyone else, whether
 in the audience or not. The Mayor will limit discussion whenever they deem such an
 action appropriate to the proper conduct of the meeting. At the conclusion of an open call
 to the public, individual members of the Council may respond to criticism made by those
 who have addressed the Council, may ask Staff to review a matter, or may ask that a
 matter be put on a future agenda. However, members of the Council shall not discuss or
 take legal action on any matters during an open call to the public unless the matters are
 properly noticed for discussion and legal action. Finally, a word on decorum at our
 meetings. Periodically, we may want to applaud a success or show our approval of a
 comment and occasionally, we may personally disagree with something that is said.
 However, when we’re hearing input from our City Council and our residents, whether we
 support their comments or disagree with their comments, please do not applaud or
 negatively respond to a speaker unless invited to do so by the presiding authority. It is
 important that every person who addresses the City Council has a right to speak and not
 be intimidated.

7. Consent Agenda

 All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine matters and will be
 enacted by one motion of the Council. There will be no separate discussion of these
 items unless the Mayor or a Councilmember so requests, in which event the item will be
 removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the
 agenda.


 7.1 RES 26-03 A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, approving
 and adopting a Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) Pension Funding
 Policy for Fiscal Year 2026. Discussion and Action.




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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Agenda February 17, 2026



 7.2 LIQ 26-01 The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and take action on recommending approval to
 the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control regarding an application for
 extension of premises/patio permit submitted by applicant Chris Spear on behalf of Roots
 Eatery, LLC located at 20046 N. John Wayne Parkway, Maricopa, Arizona 85139.
 Discussion and Action.


 7.3 SPEVLIQ The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and take action on recommending approval to
 26-03 the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and control for an application for a special
 event liquor license provided by Brenda Campbell to allow Mandy's Wine Bar to serve
 alcohol during a special event known as Concerts at the Park on March 8, 2026. at Mike
 Ingram Heritage Park 44240 W Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy. Discussion and Action.


 7.4 RES 26-05 A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, Renaming
 the Willow Room at the Maricopa Library & Cultural Center to the Willow Arts Studio and
 authorizing the City Manager to continue to name other rooms within city facilities as
 necessary. Discussion and Action.


 7.5 MIN 26-14 Approval of Minutes from the February 3, 2026 City Council Regular meeting. Discussion
 and Action.


 7.6 MIN 26-15 The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and accept the meeting minutes from the
 January 12, 2026 Cultural Affairs and Arts Advisory Committee meeting, January 12,
 2026 Senior Advisory Committee meeting and the January 26, 2026 Planning and Zoning
 Commission meeting. Discussion and Action.


8. Regular Agenda and/or Public Hearings

 Items on the agenda are open for citizen input. Please fill out a card and present it to
 the City Clerk before the meeting begins. The Mayor will call upon you for your
 comments.


 8.1 PRES 26-02 The Mayor and City Council shall hear a presentation from Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C.
 regarding the audit of the City of Maricopa Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
 (ACFR) and Annual Expenditure Limitation Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
 2025. Discussion Only.


 8.2 MISC 26-03 The Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, shall discuss and take
 action on Strategic Priorities to provide transparency to residents and direction to staff.
 Discussion and Action.


9. Executive Session

 The Maricopa City Council may go into executive session, which is not open to the
 public, for purpose of obtaining legal advice from the City’s attorney on any of the above
 agenda items pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03 (A)(3).




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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Agenda February 17, 2026



10. Adjournment

 Note: This meeting is open to the public. All interested persons are welcome to
 attend. Council members of the City of Maricopa City Council will attend either in person
 or by telephonic conference or video communication. Supporting documents and staff
 reports, which were furnished to the City Council with this agenda, are available for review
 on our website, www.maricopa-az.gov.

 Physical access to the meeting room will be available 15 minutes prior to the meeting
 start time.

 Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign
 language interpreter, by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 520-316-6970. Requests
 should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

 NOTICE TO PARENTS: Parents and legal guardians have the right to consent before
 the City of Maricopa makes a video or voice recording of a minor child A.R.S.
 §1-602.A.9. Maricopa City Council meetings are recorded and may be viewed on Channel
 20 and the Maricopa website. If you permit your child to participate in the Council
 meeting, a recording will be made. If your child is seated in the audience, your child may
 be recorded, but you may request that your child be seated in a designated area to avoid
 recording. Please submit your request to the City Clerk at (520) 316-6970.




City of Maricopa Page 4 Printed on 3/12/2026

City Hall
 City of Maricopa 39700 W. Civic Center
 Plaza
 Maricopa, AZ 85138
 Meeting Minutes - Final Ph: (520) 568-9098
 Fx: (520) 568-9120
 City Council Regular Meeting www.maricopa-az.gov

 Mayor Nancy Smith
 Vice-Mayor Vincent Manfredi
 Councilmember Eric Goettl
 Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr
 Councilmember Amber Liermann
 Councilmember Bob Marsh
 Councilmember Henry Wade

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 6:00 PM Council Chambers



 1. Call to Order

 The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. An invocation was led by Pastor David
 Anderson from Be Community Church, which was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance
 led by Councilmember Goettl.


 2. Roll Call
 Present: 7 - Mayor Nancy Smith, Councilmember Eric Goettl, Councilmember
 AnnaMarie Knorr, Councilmember Amber Liermann, Councilmember Bob
 Marsh, Councilmember Henry Wade and Vice Mayor Vincent Manfredi


 3. Proclamations, Acknowledgements, Awards and Presentations

 3.1 PROC 26-02 Sepsis Awareness Month Proclamation

 Mayor Smith proclaimed February 17, 2026, as Sepsis Awareness Day in Maricopa,
 presenting it to Ms. Fitzgerald. Mayor Smith added that sepsis is a critical condition
 caused by an infection that can lead to severe organ damage and death. Mayor Smith
 reported that the Center for Disease Control reports that 1.4 million people in the U.S.,
 including children, survive sepsis annually, while 400,000 adults and 7,000 children die
 each year—more than some cancer and opioid deaths combined. Mayor Smith
 highlighted recognizing symptoms with the acronym TIME: Temperature, Infection,
 Mental decline, and Extremely ill, stressing that awareness plus rapid treatment
 improves outcomes.


 4. Report from the Mayor

 Councilmember Marsh reported attending the Central Arizona Project annual dinner on
 February 4th, which focused on significant water allocation issues that are crucial for
 Arizona. He added that the discussions revolved around the complexities and
 challenges the state faces regarding the Colorado River water allocations, underlining
 their critical implications for Arizona’s water supply and the necessity of enhanced
 regional cooperation. On February 9th, Councilmember Marsh participated in the
 Senior Advisory Committee meeting. He highlighted the success of the Senior Info
 Expo, which drew over 600 attendees, showcasing impressive community engagement
 and interest. Additionally, on February 10th, Councilmember Marsh participated in a
 Zoom meeting organized by the Great Maricopa Business Alliance. He added that the

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 meeting was centered around discussions on pending Arizona legislation and its
 possible effects on Maricopa's small businesses, illustrating ongoing legislative
 engagement at the local level. Lastly, he shared that Attorney General Kris Mayes is
 scheduled to make an appearance at City Hall on February 27th, in which Ms. Mayes
 will address significant topics such as elder scams, fraud, and elder abuse, aiming to
 educate and protect senior residents within the community.

 Councilmember Goettl reported that he also attended the Central Arizona Project event
 on February 4th, where discussions were focused on the complex water allocation
 disagreements between the upper and lower basin states of the Colorado River. He
 elaborated on the significant impact Arizona's water reductions have on Pinal County,
 which is a major concern for the regional water supply. On February 6th,
 Councilmember Goettl attended the Arizona Game and Fish event at the Maricopa
 Library and Cultural Center, where he officially welcomed the commission and
 expressed gratitude to them for their collaborative efforts with the city on environmental
 projects, such as the fish stocking of local lakes, which is imperative for ecological
 balance and recreational purposes. On February 7th, he participated in the American
 Legion pancake breakfast fundraiser, an event dedicated to supporting local veterans
 and fostering community spirit. Lastly, Councilmember Goettl mentioned that, due to
 health concerns, he wasn't able to attend the State of the City address but watched
 virtually.

 Councilmember Wade reported on the valuable contributions of the Youth Council who
 supported the State of the City address, with particular recognition for Analise
 Alexander, who received the accolade of community champion, reflecting her ongoing
 dedication and excellence. He extended his compliments to Mayor Smith, praising her
 leadership and effective delivery of the State of the City presentation. Additionally,
 Councilmember Wade emphasized the significance of the Black History Month
 celebration at Leading Edge Academy, describing the event as phenomenal. He noted
 the impressive performances by sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who skillfully
 portrayed a variety of historical figures, enhancing the depth and educational value of
 the program, which included Ashley Anderson as the guest speaker, who delivered an
 impactful presentation that resonated with attendees.

 Councilmember Knorr reported attending the State of the City event. She also reported
 attending the Tales and Treasures fundraiser for the Maricopa Historical Society, which
 she described as impressive. She also reported on her participation in the American
 Legion Auxiliary Paint Night fundraiser at Luxe Lounge, sharing that it was her first
 experience with such an event. On February 16th, Councilmember Knorr shared her
 participation as the liaison in the Cultural Affairs and Arts Committee, in which, she
 praised the committee's extensive efforts to advance cultural affairs and the arts in the
 city. Lastly, she reminded everyone about the upcoming Copa Cultural event scheduled
 for Saturday, February 21st, and the Dancing for Our Stars fundraiser for the Boys and
 Girls Club on March 28th, featuring Richard Jackson. Additionally, she announced the
 Maricopa Fire Foundation's first annual golf event on Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, to be
 held at the Duke.

 Councilmember Liermann echoed praise for the State of the City event, expressing
 admiration for its successful execution and congratulating the students who were
 recognized as well as the community champions for their achievements. She shared
 information about exciting new programs at the Pinal County Animal Shelter,
 announcing initiatives such as allowing residents to enjoy short-term where they can
 take dogs out for a few hours or even overnight. Additionally, Councilmember Liermann
 reported on the Save A Life Saturday program, which offers waived adoption fees for


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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final February 17, 2026

 dogs over six months old, and the Five Dollar Fridays special. Lastly, Councilmember
 Liermann mentioned her attendance at the Arizona Game and Fish meeting, where she
 had the opportunity to meet Maricopa's dedicated wildlife manager, Travis Clarkson,
 noting his commitment to the region's environmental management and conservation
 efforts.

 Vice Mayor Manfredi reported participating in a Rural Transportation Advocacy Council
 meeting where various rural transportation issues, important for the growth and daily life
 of the community, were addressed. He highlighted the necessity of such advocacy to
 push forward significant transportation initiatives that benefit rural areas like Maricopa.
 On February 12th, Vice Mayor Manfredi had the honor of representing the mayor at the
 graduation and pinning ceremony for four new police officers joining the Maricopa
 Police Department. He praised the ceremony, stating it was one of the most enjoyable
 and memorable events he had attended in his entire 12 years on council. He also
 shared his involvement in a legislative call organized by the Arizona League, where
 significant discussions were held about bills impacting cities. He specifically
 mentioned HB 2290, which proposes a change in how sales tax is assigned to cities.
 Vice Mayor Manfredi added that this change could potentially redirect millions of dollars
 in revenue away from Maricopa, prompting him to urge residents to reach out to their
 legislators to express opposition to this bill. Lastly, he expressed high praise for the
 Broadway Maricopa dinner theater performance, considering it the most entertaining
 arts event he had experienced in Maricopa, thus showcasing the vibrant cultural life
 within the city.

 Mayor Smith reported attending the Maricopa Art Council Art Talk, which featured Terry
 Oldfield, who showcased his glass blowing talent. Additionally, she reported on her
 experience with the Broadway Maricopa, which she appreciated for its innovative
 approach to making art accessible and appreciated in the city, noting its remarkable
 success with five sold-out performances in just three days at the Central Arizona
 College facilities. Next, Mayor Smith reported attending the Veterans Pancake
 Breakfast, a community event filled with camaraderie and delicious food. Next, she
 expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the staff, youth volunteers, sponsors, and council
 members who contributed to the resounding success of the State of the City address.
 Lastly, Mayor Smith extended an invitation to the community, urging everyone to join
 the unveiling of the Mike Ingram Heritage Park on February 24th at 10:00 AM,
 highlighting the park’s stunning transformation and the significance it holds for
 residents.


 5. Report from the City Manager

 City Manager Ben Bitter recognized Andy Juarez, Deputy City Clerk, for achieving the
 Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
 He explained that this achievement requires significant education and commitment to
 the craft. He congratulated him on this accomplishment and expressed appreciation for
 staff furthering their education.


 6. Call to the Public

 Brandon Castro addressed the council.

 Brad Follett, president of Earth Month Network, addressed the council about a
 significant incident that occurred on February 3rd involving Global Water Palo Verde
 Utility Company. He detailed how the company experienced a mechanical malfunction,
 which led to an unauthorized discharge of wastewater into the Santa Rosa Wash at the

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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final February 17, 2026

 Rancho El Dorado Parkway. Mr. Follett asserted that this incident violated various
 environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act, due to the potential
 environmental nuisance caused by the release, which he claimed posed substantial
 risks by potentially contaminating the water table. Additionally, he raised concerns
 over Global Water's failure to adhere to public notification requirements, noting that
 there had been no transparency or communication about the incident with the public,
 prominent stakeholders, or even property owners. Despite previous assurances of
 improved transparency following an E. Coli outbreak incident in August, Global Water,
 according to Mr. Follett, failed to update their website with information regarding this
 discharge event, leaving the community uninformed and vulnerable.

 Jon Corwin from Global Water expressed gratitude to the city and community for their
 patience during the disruption caused by the closure of Rancho El Dorado Loop. He
 added that this closure was necessitated by a mechanical failure that required the
 diversion of water to the wash, temporarily impacting the area. Next, he shared the
 importance of water conservation, in which he shared of an upcoming Fix a Leak
 Week, organized by the Environmental Protection Agency in March as a significant
 initiative to raise awareness about water conservation. Lastly, Mr. Crowin detailed the
 availability of resources at the Global Water Center, aiming to assist community
 members in identifying and addressing leaks, thereby promoting active participation in
 conserving water.

 Peg Chapados and Ron Smith announced the continuation of Joan Koczor's
 newsletter, reassuring the public that it would carry on in an electronic format,
 distributed monthly. They explained that they are in the process of recreating the
 original mailing list to ensure a seamless transition and invited council members to
 actively contribute content to the publication. Mr. Smith elaborated on the motivation
 to preserve the unique charm and essence of Joan's newsletter, which was renowned
 for its blend of historical insights, humor, and whimsy. He expressed a commitment to
 maintaining the legacy of Ms. Koczor’s work by retaining these key elements, allowing
 the newsletter to continue serving as a cherished resource and a source of
 light-hearted connection within the community.

 Lei'sa Anderson announced the forthcoming Girl Yes event, highlighting its
 significance in empowering and bringing together business leaders and entrepreneurs
 within the community. During the announcement, she presented Mayor Nancy Smith
 with the distinguished 2026 Girl Yes Golden Girl Award. Ms. Anderson added that this
 accolade was in recognition of Mayor Smith's extraordinary community service,
 innovative achievements, and remarkable leadership qualities that have significantly
 impacted Maricopa. Mayor Smith expressed her deep appreciation for the recognition
 and the honor.


 7. Consent Agenda

 A motion was made by Councilmember Eric Goettl, seconded by
 Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr, to Adopt the Consent Agenda minus item
 7.4. The motion carried unanimously.
 Aye: 7 - Councilmember Eric Goettl, Vice Mayor Vincent Manfredi, Councilmember
 Amber Liermann, Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr, Councilmember Bob
 Marsh, Mayor Nancy Smith and Councilmember Henry Wade

 7.1 RES 26-03 A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, approving
 and adopting a Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) Pension Funding
 Policy for Fiscal Year 2026. Discussion and Action.

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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final February 17, 2026


 This Resolution was Approved.


 7.2 LIQ 26-01 The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and take action on recommending approval
 to the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control regarding an application for
 extension of premises/patio permit submitted by applicant Chris Spear on behalf of
 Roots Eatery, LLC located at 20046 N. John Wayne Parkway, Maricopa, Arizona
 85139. Discussion and Action.
 This Liquor License was Approved.


 7.3 SPEVLIQ 26-03 The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and take action on recommending approval
 to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and control for an application for a
 special event liquor license provided by Brenda Campbell to allow Mandy's Wine Bar to
 serve alcohol during a special event known as Concerts at the Park on March 8, 2026.
 at Mike Ingram Heritage Park 44240 W Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy. Discussion and
 Action.
 This Special Event Liquor License was Approved.


 7.5 MIN 26-14 Approval of Minutes from the February 3, 2026 City Council Regular meeting.
 Discussion and Action.
 These Minutes were Approved.


 7.6 MIN 26-15 The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and accept the meeting minutes from the
 January 12, 2026 Cultural Affairs and Arts Advisory Committee meeting, January 12,
 2026 Senior Advisory Committee meeting and the January 26, 2026 Planning and
 Zoning Commission meeting. Discussion and Action.
 These Minutes were Approved.


 8. Regular Agenda and/or Public Hearings

 7.4 RES 26-05 A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, Renaming
 the Willow Room at the Maricopa Library & Cultural Center to the Willow Arts Studio
 and authorizing the City Manager to continue to name other rooms within city facilities
 as necessary. Discussion and Action.

 Councilmember Goettl shared that the community would gain from an open
 conversation on this matter. He highlighted that although the city has a long-standing
 policy for naming facilities, this resolution would extend the power to the City Manager
 to name rooms, and thus merited public discussion. He stated the need to delve into
 the implications of this potential policy shift.

 Councilmember Liermann expressed gratitude to the city leadership for acknowledging
 the requests from the arts community for a dedicated space. She detailed how the
 Willow Room is perfectly suited for an art studio, noting that it includes suitable
 lighting, easels, storage for art supplies, water sources for cleaning brushes, power
 outlets, mobile drying racks for canvases, WiFi, printer access, and easy-to-clean
 flooring. However, she clarified that the space is not exclusive to art-related activities,
 retaining its versatility for various uses.

 Peg Chapados, who submitted a speaker card on this item, suggested the room be
 renamed the Judith and Gary Zaimont Art Space. She suggested this recognizing their
 major contributions to Maricopa's art scene since the beginning. Ms. Chapados

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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final February 17, 2026

 observed that the arts significantly enhance the city’s economic development,
 architecture, and overall quality of life. She also suggested a needs assessment by
 the Cultural Affairs and Arts Committee to further evaluate such spaces.

 Councilmember Knorr voiced concerns over transferring the naming authority to the
 City Manager, particularly the absence of council oversight and approval. She argued
 that retaining council involvement in naming decisions would uphold a process that is
 both inclusive and transparent.

 Councilmember Goettl made reference to city code section 2.5.70, which outlines that
 either the council or an advisory board/committee can submit facility naming
 recommendations. He shared that this section as support for maintaining a more
 democratic process, favoring exercising this existing mechanism over delegating such
 a critical function solely to the City Manager.

 Councilmember Wade reflected on the original objectives behind forming the Cultural
 Affairs and Arts Committee, which include facilitating community and council member
 involvement in cultural and arts-related decisions, such as naming buildings.

 City Manager Ben Bitter explained that this matter emerged from an unforeseen issue
 related to a rental fee policy passed last fall. This policy defined facilities as either
 buildings or rooms, creating ambiguity over the applicability of the code section on
 naming facilities to individual rooms versus entire buildings. Traditionally, rooms had
 been named administratively without council input, prompting a need for clarification on
 this practice.

 Vice Mayor Manfredi shared that the administrative process of naming rooms has been
 a long-standing practice. He shared examples include the Willow Room, Redwood
 Room, and various conference rooms which had been named through internal
 procedures. He commended Councilmember Liermann's initiative to designate a space
 that fosters a sense of belonging for artists, while emphasizing the continued
 multi-purpose nature of the room.

 City Attorney Denis Fitzgibbons elucidated that the resolution wouldn't alter the city
 code itself but would offer direction specific to this room, endorsing the continuity of
 staff-administered naming practices for new buildings. He shared that the council held
 ultimate authority to rename rooms, providing an option for council intervention when
 deemed necessary.

 A motion was made by Councilmember Liermann, seconded by
 Councilmember Wade, that this Resolution be Approved. The motion carried
 by a unanimous vote.
 Aye: 7 - Councilmember Amber Liermann, Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr,
 Councilmember Eric Goettl, Councilmember Bob Marsh, Mayor Nancy
 Smith, Councilmember Henry Wade and Vice Mayor Vincent Manfredi

 8.1 PRES 26-02 The Mayor and City Council shall hear a presentation from Heinfeld, Meech & Co.,
 P.C. regarding the audit of the City of Maricopa Annual Comprehensive Financial
 Report (ACFR) and Annual Expenditure Limitation Report for the Fiscal Year Ended
 June 30, 2025. Discussion Only.

 Finance Manager Chris Evripidou introduced Christopher Heinfeld, the audit partner
 from Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C., who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the
 results for the 2025 financial audit of the City of Maricopa. Mr. Evripidou highlighted the
 success of his small finance team in achieving their critical annual objectives,

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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final February 17, 2026

 particularly the timely issuance of the audit by December 31st, which was
 accomplished without any audit findings. He expressed his gratitude to his team
 members for their hard work and dedication throughout the audit process.

 Christopher Heinfeld elaborated on the audit results, explaining that the audit was
 conducted in compliance with several key standards: the statements on auditing
 standards by the AICPA, the government auditing standards, and the statements
 issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). He added that the
 audit process commenced in May 2025, with on-site work occurring in August and
 November, allowing the audit report to be successfully issued by December 22nd. Mr.
 Heinfeld announced that the city earned an unmodified or clean audit opinion,
 signifying no findings or disagreements with management, which is indicative of strong
 financial governance and accountability practices within the city administration.
 Furthermore, he highlighted the inclusion of a GFOA certificate of achievement in the
 report, noting that last year's feedback included only one minor comment within a
 comprehensive 40-50 page checklist review. Mr. Heinfeld concluded by extending his
 thanks to the finance services division for their seamless collaboration and
 commitment that greatly facilitated the audit process, ensuring its completion within
 the stipulated timeline and standard requirements.
 The Presentation was heard.


 8.2 MISC 26-03 The Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, shall discuss and take
 action on Strategic Priorities to provide transparency to residents and direction to staff.
 Discussion and Action.

 Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown presented updates to the city's strategic
 priorities, which were initially established in February 2023. She explained that these
 priorities guide budget decisions and daily work, focusing on items that move the city
 toward becoming a premier city.

 Ms. Brown started with Focus Area 1, Transportation, changes included updating
 action items to reflect leveraging local funds, including the additional sales tax,
 seeking support from county, state, and federal partners, celebrating achievements
 like the State Route 347 widening project approval, prioritizing needs for the
 commuting corridors half-cent sales tax, and utilizing a traffic strike force team to
 address high priority problem areas.

 Next, she shared that Focus Area 2, Economic Development, remained unchanged,
 continuing to emphasize business park development, educated workforce
 development, and partnerships with schools and businesses.

 Additionally, Ms. Brown shared that Focus Area 3, previously Housing, now Intentional
 Growth, the name was changed based on futures planning discussion to better reflect
 the broader scope. Action items were updated to focus on thoughtful planning, diverse
 housing, local control of zoning decisions, collaboration with regional partners to align
 development with the general plan and advancing regional floodplain solutions with
 hazard mitigation planning.

 Next, she reported that Focus Area 4, Quality of Life, was broadened to seek
 additional recreational opportunities at Copper Sky through partnerships and innovative
 solutions, while maintaining focus on an iconic park, trail system, arts, and
 partnerships.

 Additionally, Ms. Brown shared that Focus Areas 5, Destination City, priorities largely

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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final February 17, 2026

 remained unchanged.

 Lastly, Ms. she shared that Focus Area 6, Public Safety, continued to emphasize
 data-driven methods, community policing, a fifth fire station, hazmat team creation,
 and preparing for in-house ambulance service.

 During discussion, Councilmember Goettl proposed adding a focus on marketing
 Maricopa to attract economic development, which led to council agreeing to revisit this
 as part of the forthcoming economic development strategic plan review.

 Councilmember Liermann suggested infusing safety components into both the
 intentional growth and public safety sections, emphasizing a comprehensive approach
 to community safety and development.

 Councilmember Wade recommended expanding the language in action item 4.4 to
 encompass a wider array of cultural experiences, reflecting the city's diverse
 community beyond arts alone, which led to Vice Mayor Manfredi suggesting including,
 “diverse cultural experiences,” into the statement.

 In the end, council made the following changes: Action item 3.4 was changed to read,
 “Ensure Maricopa’s ongoing safety by advancing regional floodplain solutions.” Action
 item 4.4 was revised to read, “To enhance Maricopa’s cultural vitality, we will champion
 initiatives that celebrate the arts by investing in public arts projects and diverse
 cultural experiences.” Lastly, a new action item 6.6 was agreed on, which would read,
 “To review and enhance our current Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify other risks and
 guide resilience measures.”

 A motion was made by Councilmember Goettl, seconded by Councilmember
 Liermann, that this Miscellaneous Item be Approved as Amended. The motion
 carried by a unanimous vote.
 Aye: 7 - Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr, Councilmember Eric Goettl,
 Councilmember Henry Wade, Councilmember Amber Liermann,
 Councilmember Bob Marsh, Vice Mayor Vincent Manfredi and Mayor Nancy
 Smith


 9. Executive Session

 No executive session was conducted.


 10. Adjournment
 This meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.


 Certification of Minutes

 I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the
 minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of Maricopa, Arizona, held
 on the 17th day of February, 2026. I further certify that the meeting was duly
 called and held and that a quorum was present.

 Dated this 3rd day of March 2026.



 __________________________

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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final February 17, 2026

 Vanessa Bueras
 City Clerk




City of Maricopa Page 9