Cheryl Covert

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and a roll call. Key agenda items included recognizing Council Member Sher Weiss for being selected as the distinguished nurse of the year by the March of Dimes. The City Manager's report introduced Marco Pon, the new project manager in the CIP division, detailing his extensive background in various departments in Phoenix, including right-of-way management for major downtown projects. The Council also recognized Officers Daniel Benvdas and Jared Redmond for receiving the Bronco Rise Up award for their community service, involvement with schools and the unsheltered community, and their work on the 1010 podcast. A presentation was given to kick off the city's 80th anniversary celebration scheduled for the end of the year, detailing plans such as a marketing campaign, special merchandise, theme integration in the State of the City event, a dedicated float in the Billy Moore Days parade, and a final celebration at Winterfest. Following the presentations, the Mayor read a proclamation declaring 2026 as the celebratory year for Aendale's 80th anniversary.

The meeting initiated with a roll call to establish a quorum, followed by the approval of the minutes from the October 15, 2025 meeting. The primary agenda item was a public hearing for conditional use permit application PL-25-0235 regarding the Allure Venue Reception Center, which proposed repurposing approximately 4600 square feet within an existing commercial building at 725 North Central Avenue. Staff presented an analysis confirming the proposal met all zoning requirements and was consistent with the General Plan 2030 and specific area plans. The applicant, Adriana Mendoza, addressed the commission, emphasizing her goal to create memorable experiences and support local businesses. Following the public hearing, the commission approved the conditional use permit for the venue, which is permitted to operate seven days a week with a maximum occupancy of 50 guests. Commission announcements and a report from the planning division regarding active development applications were also heard.

The meeting included the approval of the previous minutes. The primary agenda item involved a public hearing and discussion regarding application PL-25-0291, a city-initiated zoning code text amendment for the removal of the city center district from the zoning ordinance. This action was triggered because all properties within that district had been rezoned to other designations, such as the Boulevard zoning district or specific plan area developments. The staff recommended approval of the text amendment to ensure code compliance and improve usability. Commission announcements noted the appointment of a new chair and vice chair for the upcoming year, as this was the final meeting for the current chair. The planning division reported receiving 18 new applications for the month of November, resulting in 130 active cases.

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and roll call. Key agenda items included the introduction of several new employees to the public works department, such as Sergio Mahia (Civil Engineer) and Frederick Flatt (Lead Solid Waste Equipment Operator), as well as four others introduced via video. The Council then recognized Government Communicators Day with a proclamation detailing the evolution of communications within the City of Aendale since 2000, highlighting the role of various departments in public engagement. Following the proclamation, the consent agenda was approved quickly. In current events, updates were shared regarding ribbon cuttings for new coffee shops and business openings, details about the Governor's Black History Month kickoff panel, and information from the APS CEO concerning data center power rates not affecting resident rates. Additionally, preparation for the upcoming State of the City video highlighting 80 years of progress was noted. Council members also shared positive experiences, such as attending a 'Movie in the Park' event featuring free pizza and celebrating a resident's 100th birthday.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Key discussions included the recognition of exceptional students from various school districts for their academic, extracurricular, and personal achievements. The Council also recognized two Aenddale schools, La Hoya Community High School and West Point High School, for receiving an 'A' letter grade achievement from the Arizona State Board of Education, with principals detailing the factors contributing to this success, such as teacher dedication and community support. Furthermore, the accomplishments of the 2025 School Spirit Food Drive were presented, noting a significant increase in collected weight compared to the previous year, benefiting local food banks. Finally, a new 'Aenddale Business Spotlight Program Award' was introduced to formally recognize local business owners making a meaningful impact through donations of time, talent, and resources.