Council Workshop — Buckeye, AZ
Date: 2026-04-22

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BUCKEYE
 ARIZONA


 CITY OF BUCKEYE
 COUNCIL WORKSHOP
 APRIL 21, 2026
 MINUTES

City Hall - 1st Floor / Executive Conference Room
530 East Monroe Avenue
Buckeye, AZ 85326
3:30 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Orsborn called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

Members Present: Councilmember Youngker (arrived at 3:33 p.m.), Councilmember Berry,
Councilmember Beard, Councilmember Heustis, Vice Mayor Goodman, and Mayor Orsborn.

Members Absent: Councilmember HagEstad.

Departments Present: City Manager Doug Sandstrom, Deputy City Manager Javier Setovich, Deputy
City Manager Dave Roderique, Deputy City Manager Jared Askelson, City Attorney Tosca Henry, City
Clerk Lucinda Aja, Development Services Director Brian Craig, Economic Development Director
Suzanne Boyles, Director of Program Management Office James Shano, Water Resources Director
Terry Lowe, and Aviation Director Scott Gray.

2. Workshop Items

2.A Luke Air Force Base 944th Fighter Wing presentation.
 Staff Liaison: Christa Lancaster, Assistant to the City Manager

Mayor Orsborn introduced Colonel Todd Riddle and summarized his bio; Colonel Todd Riddle
commands the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, overseeing training and global operations
for fighter pilots across multiple locations. He has over 3,600 flying hours, extensive combat
experience, and a background that includes active duty, reserve leadership, Pentagon assignments,
and a Secretary of Defense Education Fellowship. Colonel Todd Riddle explained that the 944th
Fighter Wing is a highly experienced reserve unit at Luke Air Force Base, operating across five
locations and multiple aircraft types. He emphasized their role as a force multiplier, filling operational
gaps and providing continuity by retaining top talent from active duty. The wing contributes significantly
to global missions, training nearly half of the world’s F-35 pilots, and supporting both military and
civilian communities. Colonel Riddle highlighted the flexibility and value of the reserve model, which
allows members to balance service and civilian careers, and underscored the importance of
community partnerships for long-term stability and mission success. Mayor Orsborn asked Colonel
Riddle to speak about the value proposition the reserve provides to the overall Air Force, especially at
Luke Air Force Base. Colonel Riddle responded that the reserve model delivers significant cost
savings, with reserve airmen costing about 27 cents on the dollar compared to active duty, since
civilian employers cover much of their salary and benefits. He also explained that reserve retirement
and healthcare benefits are delayed, further reducing costs, and emphasized that the reserve fills
critical operational gaps and provides highly experienced personnel, which is essential in a resource-
constrained environment.




April 21, 2026 Council Workshop Minutes
2.B Presentation and discussion by City staff and consultant Logan Simpson to seek the
 Council's feedback regarding the Airport Specific Area Plan (ASAP), a planning
 document that will guide future development around the airport, within the Airport
 Activity Center identified within the City's General Plan.
 Staff Liaison: Mandy Woods, Principal Planner

Ms. Woods opened the presentation and introduced Terry Hogan, Project Manager with consultant
Logan Simpson. Ms. Hogan described the Airport Specific Area Plan (ASAP) as a refined land use and
policy document focused on guiding development around the Buckeye Municipal Airport, distinct from
the City’s general plan. She explained the ASAP aims to promote compatible development, protect
airport operations, and enhance the area’s economic potential by considering physical, environmental,
and operational constraints. Ms. Hogan outlined the collaborative planning process, including
stakeholder engagement, public workshops, and the integration of concurrent studies such as the
airport master plan and economic development initiatives. She emphasized the importance of defining
the project boundary, considering both core and transition areas, and adapting the plan to support
long-term vision and growth. Ms. Hogan also highlighted the use of immersive tools and scenario
planning to visualize future development and ensure community input shapes the plan’s character and
opportunities. Mayor Orsborn commented that the ASAP project boundary should be as wide as
possible to protect airport operations and prevent incompatible development, especially residential
uses under arrival and departure corridors. General discussion was held regarding the importance of
including transition areas beyond the core activity center and suggested expanding the boundary west
and east of the Hassayampa River. Councilmember Youngker asked whether the City is allowed to
plan for areas outside its current planning boundary, specifically west of the Hassayampa River, and
what impact that has on the ASAP boundary. Deputy Director of Planning Adam Copeland answered
that while the City can study impacts beyond its jurisdiction, it can only control areas east of the
Hassayampa River. He also mentioned that the municipal planning boundary could be expanded
during the upcoming general plan update, and that the ASAP is a living document that can be revisited
and updated as the City grows. Vice Mayor Goodman commented that input should be gathered from
plural communities, not just residents, including cargo carriers, military, and other key stakeholders.
He emphasized the importance of fine-tuning which communities are consulted and suggested
targeted engagement with major stakeholders first, before broader public input. Ms. Hogan stated that
public engagement needs to be broad and multifaceted, involving meetings with large stakeholders
like Luke Air Force Base, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), State Land, as well as residents. She
emphasized the importance of targeted engagement to ensure comprehensive input for the airport
area plan. Mayor emphasized the need to move quickly to prevent development that could hinder
airport expansion; expressed a desire for the area to support both business and public service,
envisioning future passenger service and innovative, future-oriented design and character for the
airport and its surroundings. Councilmember Youngker emphasized removing residential uses to
prevent complaints, noted that development will largely depend on private sector decisions, and stated
that stakeholder input will help refine economic opportunities and uses around the airport.
Councilmember Berry expressed a desire for the airport to serve both business and public needs,
advocated for forward-thinking and innovative design that would make the airport a desirable and
enjoyable landmark, and highlighted the importance of providing passenger service to the community
in addition to freight and business uses. Councilmember Youngker suggested that the area’s character
should be more aviation-driven, with landscape, signage, and possibly a mid-century modern tone,
and noted that the large area makes it difficult to define a single character. Councilmember Heustis
emphasized that initial development should focus on industry and freight, as it is easier and more
profitable than accommodating individual travelers, suggesting that passenger services could be
added later once income from business and freight operations is established. Mr. Copeland
emphasized that the ASAP process is intended to be comprehensive and adaptable, aiming to capture
as much information as possible to inform Council decisions. He highlighted the importance of
ensuring Council feels confident and well-informed about the plan, acknowledged that there is much to
learn throughout the process, and assured that updates will be provided regularly, including a planned


April 21, 2026 Council Workshop Minutes
summer update and interim memos as needed. He concluded by expressing appreciation for the input
and reiterated that the process is open-ended.

2.C Presentation and discussion of the City's proposed Cost Recovery Ordinance and
 implementation framework.
 Staff Liaison: Riley Quinlan, Deputy Director of CIP

Mr. Quinlan explained that the updated cost recovery ordinance replaces the previous scalloped
streets ordinance, focusing on recouping City costs for expanding arterial roadways by levying those
costs onto developments. Based on questions from Mayor Orsborn and Vice Mayor Goodman, Mr.
Quinlan clarified the ordinance applies only to City parcels, not County parcels, and assessments are
based on permanent costs such as design, right of way, construction, and testing. The process
involves estimating costs, determining necessity, completing construction, levying assessments via
Council action, and recording them for collection. Mr. Riley clarified that assessments can only be
applied to parcels annexed into the City at the time of assessment, but cost estimates are tracked so
that when County parcels are annexed and developed, the City can recoup costs through development
agreements or stipulations. The ordinance includes a ten-year window for recouping costs, and the
City aims to build ultimate roadways regardless of annexation status, with cost recovery as an added
benefit. The tracking process integrates with the City's development services workflow to alert
developers early about assessments, and once payment is made, the assessment is removed from
county records. Mr. Riley also noted that the ordinance will be presented at the next city council
meeting, followed by a public comment period and future project assessments. Councilmember
Youngker asked about the northwest corner of Lower Buckeye and Miller. Mr. Quinlan answered that
those parcels had already developed and completed their half-street improvements, so no assessment
was placed. Based on questions from Councilmember Youngker, Ms. Henry responded that
historically, Buckeye does not determine fair market value for real property at the time of development,
so dedication is the usual process. Mr. Quinlan summarized the collection of assessments process
and next steps.

3. Adjournment.
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Orsborn adjourned the meeting at 5:21 p.m.

 ______________________________________
 Eric W. Orsborn, Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the Council Workshop held on
April 21, 2026. I further certify that a quorum was present.

_____________________________________
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk




April 21, 2026 Council Workshop Minutes