[ EXECUTIVE SESSIONS Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03, the Town Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, to discuss certain matters.]

CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? I'LL MOVE ON THAT MAYOR, TO ADJOURN FOR ITEMS E.2 AND E.3.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. AND AGAIN, WE APOLOGIZE. ALSO APOLOGIZE FOR BEING SO COLD IN HERE.

THE AIR CONDITIONER IS STUCK ON. LIKE, LITERALLY, IT JUST KEEPS CYCLING.

AND SO WE APOLOGIZE FOR THAT ALSO. AND WE'LL RETURN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

HEY I APOLOGIZE 1 OF THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

AND SO I APOLOGIZE TO YOU FOR HAVING TO WAIT FOR US.

WE ARE BACK IN SESSION, MISS FAIRALL. MR. MAYOR, IF WE COULD HAVE A MOTION ON ITEM E.2 TO DIRECT STAFF TO PROCEED, AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? ITEM PASSES.

AND THEN LIKEWISE ON ITEM E.3. IF WE COULD ALSO HAVE A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO PROCEED AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SO MOVED. SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. AYE. ITEM PASSES. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.

[ CALL TO THE PUBLIC At this time any member of the public is allowed to address the Town Council on any issue within the jurisdiction of the Town Council, except for items scheduled for a Public Hearing at this meeting. The speaker may have up to three minutes to speak. Any persons wishing to address the Council must complete a speaker card located outside the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Town Clerk prior to the commencement of the meeting. Individuals addressing a meeting at the Call to the Public will not be provided with electronic technology capabilities beyond the existing voice amplification and recording capabilities in the facilities. Pursuant to the Arizona Open Meeting Law, at the conclusion of Call to the Public, individual members of the Council may respond to criticism made by those who have addressed the Council, and may ask staff to review the matter, or may ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda.]

AT THIS TIME IS CALL TO THE PUBLIC. AT THIS TIME, ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IS ALLOWED TO ADDRESS THE TOWN COUNCIL ON ANY ISSUE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL, EXCEPT FOR ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS MEETING.

DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS? YES, MR. MAYOR, I HAVE 16 SPEAKERS.

16 SPEAKER CARDS. FOR THE ICE DETENTION FACILITY.

AND 1 ON A SEPARATE TOPIC. OKAY. SO WE WILL NOT LIMIT THE INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS, BUT WE WILL LIMIT THE OVERALL TIME TO 30 MINUTES. SO IF YOU GUYS COULD LIMIT YOUR TIME A LITTLE BIT, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH ALL OF THE SPEAKERS TONIGHT. WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT 2 WEEKS AGO.

IT WORKED OUT VERY, VERY WELL. AND SO IT'S, YOU KNOW, I KNOW EVERYBODY WANTS TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU.

SO, JILL, IF YOU'LL GIVE US THE FIRST SPEAKER.

YEAH, THE FIRST SPEAKER IS DEAN WINGERT. HE'S STILL HERE.

[00:05:19]

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KATIE GILSON, RETIRED TEACHER AND PIMA COUNTY RESIDENT.

2 WEEKS AGO, I WAS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE INJUSTICES ICE IS INFLICTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND TO OPPOSE THE BUILDING OF AN ICE DETENTION FACILITY IN MARANA.

DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM THE COMMUNITY, IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL CAN'T STOP THE FACILITY.

HOWEVER, SUGGESTIONS WERE MADE AS TO WHAT COULD BE DONE TO DELAY THE FACILITY.

TODAY I COME WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY.

YOU AS A MARANA GOVERNMENT HAVE THE OPTION TO BE THE HERO OR THE VILLAINS.

OTHER CITIES HAVE COME UP WITH STRATEGIES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

MARANA COULD DO THE SAME. HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR RESPOND TO ANY REPORTED INCIDENTS INVOLVING FEDERAL AGENTS.

UPON ARRIVAL, THE SUPERVISOR WILL CONDUCT AN INITIAL INVESTIGATION, WHICH MAY INVOLVE INTERVIEWING WITNESSES AND COLLECTING VIDEO.

IF FEDERAL AGENTS ARE STILL PRESENT AT THE SCENE, THE POLICE SUPERVISOR COULD ATTEMPT TO MEET WITH THE AGENT IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARREST TEAM, INCLUDING ASKING MASKED OR UNIDENTIFIED INDIVIDUALS TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND THEIR AGENCY.

THE RESPONDING SUPERVISOR WILL DOCUMENT THE INVESTIGATION AND REPORT THE CHIEF OF POLICE COULD REVIEW THE INCIDENTS AND TAKE NECESSARY ACTION, WHICH MAY INVOLVE COORDINATING WITH THE ARIZONA ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION.

PROVIDE ICE FREE AREAS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, SCHOOLS, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND PARKS.

PUT SIGNS UP IDENTIFYING THESE LOCATIONS AS ICE FREE ZONES.

IF FEDERAL AGENTS USE CITY PROPERTY IN VIOLATION OF ICE FREE ZONES.

THE CITY WILL INVESTIGATE THE VIOLATION AND, IF NECESSARY, SEEK A COURT ORDER REQUIRING THE FEDERAL AGENTS TO VACATE THE PROPERTY.

PARTNER WITH STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE ARIZONA ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION, AND THE PIMA COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, TO REPORT AND RECORD VIOLATIONS OF STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.

IN ADDITION, REQUIRE ALL FEDERAL AGENTS TO PROVIDE WARRANTS, WEAR IDENTIFICATION, AND NOT WEAR MASKS.

PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS CAN VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATE IN A CITYWIDE NETWORK THAT PROTECTS RESIDENTS FROM ICE OPERATIONS WITHOUT A VALID WARRANT.

TALK TO OTHER TOWNS, COUNTY AND STATE OFFICIALS ABOUT DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

ARIZONA HAS A STRONG DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL, AS WELL AS 2 DEMOCRAT SENATORS, WHICH MAKES US A TARGET. REJECT THE ICE PROGRAM THAT LETS LOCAL OFFICERS ACT AS DEPORTATION AGENTS.

DEVELOP COMMUNITY NETWORKS AND PROVIDE TRAINING TO CREATE ICE ALERTS.

CHICAGO AND CHARLOTTE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THIS.

LOOK TO THEM FOR SUGGESTIONS. IT'S BETTER TO BE PROACTIVE THAN REACTIVE.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO THE PEOPLE OF MARANA, NOT THE FASCIST ADMINISTRATION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

VIVEK BARTHON. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. I'VE ENJOYED THE WONDERFUL GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF OUR BELOVED MARANA FOR DECADES. THE TOWN COUNCIL, I THINK, HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF BEAUTIFYING OUR BELOVED MARANA AND PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE. BUT THIS ICE PRISON, IN MY VIEW, IS A HUGE MISTAKE.

I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN THE REPORTS OF THE HISTORY OF MTC, OF THE ABUSES, THE FINES THEY'VE HAD TO PAY IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, OF FINES THEY'VE HAD TO PAY. THE CLOSURES THEY'VE HAD TO MAKE, AND THOSE ARE IN PRISONS WHERE THEY HAVE ALLOWED PEOPLE TO GO IN AND OBSERVE THEM. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO GO INTO THEIR PRISONS TO OBSERVE.

THEY'RE NOT ALLOWING YOU INTO A PRISON IN YOUR TOWN.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANYONE IN TO OBSERVE.

THAT MAKES ME QUESTION WHAT'S GOING TO GO ON THERE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THEIR HISTORY.

IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE I LOVE THIS TOWN AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR DECADES.

IT'S A SHAME THAT PROPERTY VALUES WILL PLUMMET.

IT'S A SHAME THAT PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE TO MOVE TO OTHER TOWNS LIKE ORO VALLEY.

IT'S A SHAME THAT WILL BECOME ANOTHER TOWN LIKE FLORENCE, ARIZONA.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT SPEAKER IS VIVEK BARTHON, AND AFTER THAT WILL BE SHANNON CARDIA.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS VIVEK. I'M HERE FROM TUCSON.

[00:10:02]

I'M NOT IN THE HABIT OF VISITING OTHER TOWN COUNCILS AND MAKING STATEMENTS, BUT I'M HERE BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO AFFECT OUR ENTIRE REGION AND OUR WHOLE COUNTRY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON 2 TOPICS.

ONE IS THE ICE DETENTION CENTER, AND THE OTHER IS THE 2 DATA CENTERS THAT ARE PLANNED BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE RELATED.

I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK MUCH ON THE ICE DETENTION CENTER BECAUSE FOLKS ARE GOING TO SAY THAT. BUT I DO URGE YOU TO DO EVERYTHING WITHIN YOUR POWER TO STOP IT FROM FROM FUNCTIONING. IT WASN'T LONG AGO THAT WE USED TO BUILD THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT BENEFITED MORE THAN JUST THE RICHEST OF THE RICH, AND HERE WE ARE. IT SEEMS THE ONLY INDUSTRY THAT'S ACTUALLY GROWING IS CRUELTY, AND IT COMES IN THE FORM OF FUNDED INSTITUTIONS LIKE ICE THAT ARE ROUNDING UP PEOPLE IN THE STREETS, ABDUCTING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES AND AND DETAINING THEM IN FACILITIES LIKE THE 1THAT, THAT, THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING TO BUILD HERE. WHEN FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS ARE DRYING UP, MUNICIPALITIES ARE FORCED TO COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER IN A RACE TO THE BOTTOM AND CHASE THE MONEY THAT'S THERE. BUT YOU HAVE TO SAY, NO, WE CANNOT ALLOW OUR COMMUNITIES TO PROFIT FROM CRUELTY.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE BEING FORCED TO DO IN THIS SITUATION.

IT'S THE SAME WITH THE DATA CENTERS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED.

THE ONLY OTHER INDUSTRY THAT SEEMS TO BE GROWING NOW, AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE CRUELTY THAT ICE AND THIS DETENTION CENTER WILL DELIVER. IT'S WHERE THEY STORE SURVEILLANCE DATA AND AGGREGATE IT TO SPY ON EVERYONE, INCLUDING U.S. CITIZENS SERVING COMPANIES LIKE PALANTIR FLOCK, RIGHT? THESE ARE THE COMPANIES THAT ARE GROWING RIGHT NOW.

AND THEY'RE GROWING BECAUSE THEY'RE BUILDING. THEY'RE GROWING THEIR SURVEILLANCE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PRODUCING SURVEILLANCE SOFTWARE TO BE STORED IN THESE DATA CENTERS.

THESE ARE TIMES THAT REQUIRE COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I HOPE YOU'LL DO THE RIGHT THING AND JOIN US IN FIGHTING ALL THESE PROJECTS AND FINDING SOLUTIONS THAT BENEFITS ALL OF US AND THAT DON'T SERVE CRUELTY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT SPEAKER IS SHANNON CARDIA, FOLLOWED BY BENNETT BURKE. HELLO. I'M NOT IN THE HABIT OF DOING THIS, SO EXCUSE MY NERVES.

LET ME START BY STATING MASS DEPORTATION IS INHUMANE.

THAT IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE, AND IT SHOULD REQUIRE NO FURTHER EXPLANATION.

HOWEVER, SINCE WE SEEM TO BE FACED WITH AN AGENCY LACKING IN HUMANITY.

LET ME ADD THE FOLLOWING. ICE AGENTS ARE NOW OPERATING IN CITIES WHERE THEY ARE NOT WELCOMED.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS RULED THAT ICE VIOLATED A CONSENT DECREE BY MAKING WARRANTLESS ARRESTS IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

THEY HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF UNLAWFULLY DETAINING INDIVIDUALS WHO ALREADY WON THEIR IMMIGRATION CASES.

THERE HAVE BEEN CASES OF U.S. CITIZENS FACING BEING DETAINED BY IMMIGRATION AGENTS, SOMETIMES WITH AGENTS DISREGARDING ACTUAL PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.

ONCE DETAINED, THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE FACING INADEQUATE AND SUBSTANDARD LIVING CONDITIONS.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL BE PLACING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE SYSTEMIC FAILURES IN MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE THAT HAVE CAUSED PREVENTABLE DEATHS IN ICE DETENTION.

ICE MEDICAL STAFF MADE INCORRECT OR INCOMPLETE DIAGNOSIS IN THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE CASES.

AN ANALYSIS OF 52 CASES OF DEATH REVEALED 88% WERE DUE TO INCORRECT, INAPPROPRIATE OR INCOMPLETE DIAGNOSIS.

GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG REPORTS HAVE INDICATED THAT ICE FREQUENTLY FAILS TO PENALIZE THE CONTRACTORS FOR NOT MEETING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, EVEN AFTER DOCUMENTING THOUSANDS OF DEFICIENCIES AND INSTANCES OF SERIOUS HARM.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO PLACE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

NEARLY 74% OF PEOPLE HELD IN ICE DETENTION HAVE NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION, ACCORDING TO DATA AS CURRENT AS OF NOVEMBER.

WE CAN'T LOSE SIGHT OF HOW SERIOUS IT IS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TAKES AWAY SOMEONE'S LIBERTY.

DETENTION SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR LOVED ONES AND THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

IT DESTABILIZES COMMUNITIES AND LEAVES FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR BILLS AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

I AM A NATIVE ARIZONAN AND I AM ASHAMED OF OUR NATION AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

I AM A MILITARY SPOUSE. I HAVE A GRANDSON WHO SERVES IN THE MILITARY.

THIS IS A SHAMEFUL BLIGHT ON OUR NATION. IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING AT ALL.

WE HAVE TURNED OUR BACK ON HUMANITY AND ALLOWING THIS FACILITY IN OUR COMMUNITY IS REPREHENSIBLE.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BENNETT BURKE, FOLLOWED BY GLORIA MENDOZA.

[00:15:02]

MAYOR. COUNCIL. TOWN STAFF. THIS IS NOT ABOUT PERMITS.

IT'S NOT ABOUT LAND USE OR ZONING. I TAKE THIS PERSONALLY BECAUSE WHAT TRUMP IS DOING IS GROSSLY IMMORAL BY ANY STANDARD. AS A MARANA RESIDENT AND A FOLLOWER OF JESUS, I'M FIRMLY OPPOSED TO AN ICE DETENTION CENTER IN THE TOWN IN WHICH I LIVE.

TRUMP HAS BEEN USING ICE RAIDS BASED ON RACIST LIES AS AN EXCUSE TO CREATE A MILITARIZED POLICE STATE, WHICH THREATENS THE RIGHTS OF ALL. AND IT'S JUST THAT AN EXCUSE.

IMMIGRANTS HELP INCREASE WEALTH AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL AMERICANS.

AND YET THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS ARE SPENDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO EXPAND ICE SO THEY CAN DETAIN AND DEPORT PEOPLE INDISCRIMINATELY, EVEN AS THEY CUT ESSENTIAL SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE MEDICAID AND SNAP, WHICH HARM NON-IMMIGRANTS.

AND WHILE SOME OF THE IMMIGRANTS IN DETENTION HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS, 70% OF THEM HAVE NONE.

UNLIKE DONALD TRUMP [LAUGHTER] BY ANY MEASURE OF A HUMANE AND HEALTHY SOCIETY, TRUMP'S MASS DEPORTATION PLAN IS BARBARIC AND CRUEL.

I SAY THAT HAVING SPENT DECADES WORKING WITH IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES AND DECADES AS A PRIEST, UPHOLDING THE ACTUAL TEACHINGS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH.

THAT'S THE STANDARD OF DECENCY. I CARE ABOUT HOW THE BIBLE AND JESUS TELL US TO TREAT IMMIGRANTS.

IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT THE SO-CALLED CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS DRIVING THIS HORROR PAY MORE ATTENTION TO WHAT STORYTELLERS WHO NEVER MET JESUS SAY ABOUT HIM THAN THEY DO TO THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS HIMSELF.

HERE'S JESUS HIMSELF IN THE 25TH CHAPTER OF MATTHEW.

I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME FOOD. I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME DRINK.

I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU WELCOMED ME. IN THIS CONTEXT, STRANGER CLEARLY MEANS IMMIGRANT.

TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, AS YOU DID THIS TO THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DID IT TO ME.

SO WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? THE ANSWER IS CLEAR. HE STOOD WITH IMMIGRANTS WHEN HE WALKED THE EARTH.

HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS TELL HIS TRUE FOLLOWERS TO STAND WITH THEM NOW AS ICE HUNTS THEM DOWN IN THE SERVICE OF WHITE SUPREMACY.

I STAND HERE TONIGHT IN UNWAVERING OPPOSITION TO AN ICE DETENTION CENTER IN MARANA, I PLEDGED TO CEASELESSLY OPPOSE TRUMP'S SAVAGE TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES AND ALL OTHER MARGINALIZED HUMAN BEINGS, NOT ONLY IN THE NAME OF JESUS, BUT BY HIS WORD AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE EXAMPLE OF HIS LIFE. AMEN.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THE NEXT SPEAKER IS GLORIA MENDOZA, FOLLOWED BY JULIE PRINCE. I TOO HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I LIVE IN MARANA BECAUSE I FEEL SAFE.

AND I KNOW THAT IF WE HAVE AN ICE DETENTION CENTER, THERE WILL BE DAYS WHEN THEY DON'T HIT THEIR QUOTA AND THEY WILL BE SKIMMING THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND I DON'T WANT TO CARRY MY PASSPORT WITH ME EVERYWHERE I GO.

I DO HAVE A HISPANIC LAST NAME. MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WERE BORN IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

I DON'T WANT TO BE AFRAID. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JULIE PRINCE, FOLLOWED BY SUE RITZ. GOOD EVENING. I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF COMMENTS.

JUST A FEW NOTES I MADE. I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE'RE ALL IMMIGRANTS.

I HAVE SICILIAN ROOTS. [APPLAUSE] I HAVE FRENCH ROOTS.

I HAVE SWEDISH ROOTS. ALL OF MY GRANDPARENTS WERE THEY WERE BORN HERE, BUT THEIR PARENTS WERE BORN IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

THE ICE FACILITY, IT WILL BE JUST EXACTLY. THEY'RE GOING TO MEET THEIR QUOTAS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR NEIGHBORS. I HAVE NEIGHBORS THAT I'VE ADVISED TO GET THEIR PASSPORTS AND HAVE THEM HANDY AND THEIR PASSPORT CARDS.

AND I RECENTLY TOOK A TRIP ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND I WAS STOPPED.

AND I'M AS WHITE AS I CAN BE, AND I'M BILINGUAL IN SPANISH.

I DIDN'T DARE SPEAK SPANISH, THAT'S FOR SURE.

I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO, YOU KNOW, RESEARCH, RESEARCH AND LOOK AT NEWS AND READ NEWS THAT'S OUT OF YOUR NORMAL BUBBLE, THAT'S OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE TO ACTUALLY REVIEW THINGS THAT YOU NORMALLY WOULDN'T WATCH, CHANNELS YOU WOULDN'T WATCH. NOT JUST A PARTICULAR CONSERVATIVE STATION OR NETWORK, BUT TO ACTUALLY REALLY IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THIS

[00:20:05]

SUBJECT SO YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND IT. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, AND THERE'S A LOT TO IT, A LOT THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN I DON'T KNOW. AND I WATCH NEWS A LOT.

AND FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT 5 OF YOU ARE UP FOR ELECTION IN 2026.

5 OF YOU, EVERYONE EXCEPT MR. CAVANAUGH AND MS. ZIEGLER. AND WE'RE WATCHING AND VERY MUCH WATCHING.

PLEASE LISTEN TO US. AND PLEASE, LIKE I SAID, INFORM YOURSELVES.

GO OUT OF YOUR BUBBLE AND PLEASE LOOK INTO EVERYTHING.

THANK YOU.[APPLAUSE] THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SUE RITZ, FOLLOWED BY BILL SAKALA. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS SUE RITZ. I AM A RETIRED MASTER SERGEANT IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY NO TO MTC USING ALL THE TOOLS IN YOUR TOOLBOX.

AS I WOULD TELL MY SOLDIERS LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY, MTC IS NOT A GOOD EMPLOYER.

THEY HAVE UNTOLD NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS TO THE TUNE OF $28 MILLION.

THEY HAVE PAID IN FINES FOR EVERYTHING FROM DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION, UNDERSTAFFING, FAILURE TO PROVIDE MEALS AND BREAKS, AND OVERTIME AND WAGE VIOLATIONS.

THEY ARE NOT A GOOD EMPLOYER. ON TOP OF THAT, IN 1994, WHEN THIS FACILITY WAS FIRST ZONED, THE MAYOR AT THE TIME SAID ANYBODY THAT HAD COMMITTED A CRIME WITH A KNIFE OR A GUN OR A SEXUAL CRIME WAS NOT ALLOWED TO COME TO THE FACILITY. THAT WAS IN 1994. WELL, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MR. MAYOR, THAT HAS NOT CHANGED. AS FAR AS I KNOW, AND I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THAT ZONING DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE CURRENT ZONING AND CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT LAND USE CHANGE.

I SUGGEST THAT WE LOOK TO OUR LAWYER AND SAY, HEY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO PUT SOME BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THIS THING? WHAT CAN WE DO TO SLOW THIS DOWN? WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE MTC KNOW THEY ARE NOT WELCOME? AND IF THEY ARE GOING TO COME HERE, WE WANT TO INDEMNIFY OURSELVES AND OUR TOWN FROM THEIR MISDEEDS.

HOW ABOUT $100 MILLION BOND BEFORE THEY COME HERE? HOW ABOUT GUARANTEEING THEY PAY THEIR PEOPLE? LET'S DO EVERYTHING. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THIS COUNCIL AND BE SOMEBODY WHO GETS TO WALK THROUGH BUCHENWALD, AS GENERAL PATTON DID IN 1945, WHEN HE TOOK THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF WEIMAR THROUGH THAT CONCENTRATION CAMP AND SHOWED THEM THE ATROCITIES THAT WERE BEING COMMITTED.

LET'S NOT GO THERE. LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN TO STOP THIS NOW.

[APPLAUSE] THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BILL SAKALA, FOLLOWED BY HAZEL HEINZER. MAYOR COUNCIL.

I'M BILL. I'VE LIVED IN THE TUCSON AREA SINCE 1947.

I'VE WATCHED THIS TOWN GROW. I'VE WATCHED THE CITY GROW.

I'VE WATCHED THE COUNTY GROW. YOU AS A COUNCIL, HAVE PUT A LOT OF GOOD WORK INTO MAKING MARANA A CITY, NOT JUST A TOWN. WE'RE LOOKING GOOD IN THE EYES OF A LOT OF OUR TOURISTS THAT COME THROUGH HERE.

I HAPPEN TO WORK OUT AT STAR PASS, AND I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT STAY IN THIS AREA THAT, LIKE MARANA, ALL THE GOOD WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE CIRCUMVENTED BY A NEGATIVE APPEARANCE OF A DETENTION CENTER RUN BY ICE. ICE IS NOT THE ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEMS. I'M NOT IN THE GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT, BUT I AM AN INDIVIDUAL THAT CAN PROTEST IT.

STAND UP AND VOICE MY OPINION ON IT AND I'M VOICING MY OPINION TO THE COUNCIL.

IT IS A FEDERAL FACILITY AND THERE ISN'T A WHOLE LOT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT, BUT WE CAN ADDRESS IT THROUGH ISSUES OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN A DETENTION CENTER. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE DETENTION CENTER, AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND I LOOK AT YOU, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND SAY, STEP UP AND DO IT.

PLEASE KEEP OUR TOWN A GOOD TOWN. [APPLAUSE]

[00:25:10]

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS HAZEL HEIZER, FOLLOWED BY MARIA [INAUDIBLE].

GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. MY NAME IS HAZEL HEINZER.

I'M A LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST AND A RESIDENT OF PIMA COUNTY.

I AM HERE TO OPPOSE THE ICE DETENTION CENTER, AND TO ASK YOU ALL TO DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO TO STOP THE DETENTION CENTER FROM REOPENING. I UNDERSTAND YOU MIGHT NOT THINK YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, BUT I ASSURE YOU, IF WE CAN ALL BE CREATIVE AND THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN SPEAK OUT.

CONTACT ANY STATE OFFICIAL YOU CAN THINK OF. I HEARD MANY SUGGESTED SUGGESTIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO SPOKE BEFORE ME.

SO I IMPLORE YOU, PLEASE, LET'S DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO STOP THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO READ SOME INFORMATION FROM A FRIEND OF MINE, JOANNA RYAN, WHO SPOKE A FEW WEEKS AGO.

SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. SHE BASICALLY.

SHE SERVED 10 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND WAS A COMBAT VETERAN DURING THAT TIME.

IN 1 OF HER DEPLOYMENTS, SHE SERVED AS A GUARD FOR A POW DETAINEES DURING OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

RECENTLY, SHE WAS A FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS.

SHE QUIT THAT JOB A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. AS SHE DESCRIBES IT, BECAUSE IT BROKE HER, AND SHE HAS WITNESSED FIRSTHAND SOME OF THE ABUSES EXPERIENCED BY PEOPLE IN PRISONS, WHICH IS THE SAME AS DETENTION CENTERS.

SHE'S WITNESSED IT FIRSTHAND. AND SO SOME OF HER STATEMENT SPEAKS TO THAT WHICH OTHER PEOPLE HERE HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TO.

SHE SHARES A FEW OTHER STATISTICS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.

WELL, I'LL JUST READ WHAT SHE WROTE. IF SOMEONE SUPPORTS THIS DETENTION CENTER OPENING BECAUSE THEY THINK IT WILL BRING JOBS, THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER. THESE ARE NOT THE JOBS YOU WANT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

THE BRUTAL REALITY IS WORKING AT A DETENTION CENTER WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK A PERSON.

UNDERSTAFFING CREATES STRESSFUL CONDITIONS LEADING TO CORRECTION FATIGUE.

THERE'S VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE, WHICH OFTEN TRANSLATES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE HOME.

A STUDY FOUND THAT OVER 11% OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS REPORTED BEING PHYSICALLY VIOLENT TOWARD AN INTIMATE PARTNER, AND 33% KNEW OF COLLEAGUES WHO HAD COMMITTED UNREPORTED, UNREPORTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

OVER 25% OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION, WITH SOME STATE LEVEL STUDIES SHOWING RATES AS HIGH AS 36%.

THIS IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL ADULT POPULATION RATE OF 8%.

OFFICERS EXPERIENCED TRAUMA FROM WITNESSING AND UPHOLDING THE INHUMANITIES THAT ARE STANDARD PRACTICE.

19% TO 34% OF THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS SUFFER FROM PTSD, SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION RATE OF 6.8%.

THE SUICIDE RATE FOR CORRECTIONAL WORKERS IS ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST 39 TO 40%, HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL WORKING AGE POPULATION.

YOUR COMMUNITY WILL FACE THESE ISSUES ONCE THE CENTER IS IN OPERATION.

IS IT WORTH IT FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUT-OF-STATE CORPORATION PROFITING FROM THIS COMMUNITY'S RESOURCES.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS COMMUNITY WANTS OR NEEDS.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA JANIS, FOLLOWED BY BRAD DEMATTEO. HI. MY NAME IS MARIA JANIS. AND IF IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO SAY, IT'S BECAUSE I'M THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AND MY NAME COMES FROM YIDDISH.

AND SO IT'S CHALLENGING FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, BUT IT'S MARIA JANIS, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY AND A VOTER HERE IN MARANA, AND I'M HAPPY TO BE PART OF THIS CONTINUING CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO IN RESPONSE TO THE ICE DETENTION CENTER THAT'S PLANNED FOR OUR TOWN. I HAVE A PROCLAMATION THAT I'M GOING TO GIVE TO THE TOWN CLERK TO DISTRIBUTE TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT IT BE PUT AS AN AGENDA ITEM AT YOUR NEXT MEETING TO VOTE ON THIS PROCLAMATION. I THINK YOU OWE IT TO THE VOTERS OF MARANA TO TAKE A STAND.

EACH 1 OF YOU ABOUT THE IDEA OF A DETENTION CENTER.

AND SO I'M BRIEFLY GOING TO READ THIS. IT CAN BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS PROCLAMATION OR YOU CAN OF COURSE, MODIFY IT. SO PROCLAMATION OF THE MARANA TOWN COUNCIL OPPOSING THE SITING OF AN ICE DETENTION CENTER IN MARANA.

WHEREAS THE TOWN OF MARANA IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING A SAFE, WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY TO ALL OUR RESIDENTS.

AND WHEREAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT DETENTION CENTER WITHIN OR NEAR MARANA HAS RAISED SIGNIFICANT

[00:30:08]

CONCERNS REGARDING COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, LOCAL RESOURCES, AND ALIGNMENT WITH THE TOWN'S VALUES.

AND WHEREAS SUCH A FACILITY WOULD NOT SUPPORT MARANA LONG TERM GOALS FOR PUBLIC TRUST, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OR PUBLIC OR QUALITY OF LIFE. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE MARANA TOWN COUNCIL DECLARES THAT AN ICE DETENTION CENTER IS NOT WELCOME WITHIN THE TOWN OF MARANA. AND BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT THE COUNCIL URGES FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PRIVATE CONTRACTORS TO REFRAIN FROM PROPOSING, PLANNING OR SITING SUCH A FACILITY WITHIN MARANA BOUNDARIES OR AREAS OF INFLUENCE.

IF YOU PLACE THIS AS AN AGENDA ITEM AT YOUR NEXT MEETING, IT WILL BE A BABY STEP TOWARDS WHAT THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BRAD DEMATTEO, FOLLOWED BY TORY RUSSELL.

HI, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND ALSO THANK THE SPEAKERS FOR THEIR STATEMENTS PREVIOUS TO MINE, MUCH MORE ELOQUENT, MUCH MORE ELOQUENT THAN I'VE EVER BEEN A COMMUNITY FARM, A MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION FACILITY, A COMMUNITY CENTER WITH FREE RESOURCES, A VACATION, A VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER, AN EMERGENCY HOUSING HEALTH CARE FACILITY, COMMUNITY FUND CENTER WITH BOWLING, THEATER AND ROLLER SKATING.

ANYTHING THAT IMPROVES PROPERTY VALUES, REPURPOSE THE ABANDONED MARANA PRISON TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN ICE FACILITY WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO INTIMIDATE. FOLLOW A HATEFUL RHETORIC BEING SPEWED FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

AGAINST IMMIGRANTS, AND SEND FEARS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

IT DOES NOT KEEP OUR DESERT AND COMMUNITY LIVABLE AND THRIVING.

PLEASE WORK TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING. JANE FAIRALL, OUR TOWN ATTORNEY, IS BRILLIANT.

YOU'VE DONE SOME GREAT THINGS TO GET AROUND AND WORK AROUND LEGALLY TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

LET'S ALL PUT OUR BRAINS TOGETHER AND HAVE THAT HAPPEN.

LET'S SUPPORT 1 ANOTHER. NOT IN PRISON. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TORY RUSSELL, FOLLOWED BY HOWARD DRUIN. HELLO, I'M TORY RUSSELL, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF MARANA AND ARIZONANS ACROSS OUR ENTIRE STATE WHO ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF USING THE FORMER MARANA PRISON AS AN ICE DETENTION FACILITY.

FIRST, THIS IS A MORAL ISSUE ACROSS ARIZONA'S DIVERSE FAITH AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS.

WE ARE ALL TAUGHT TO CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE AND TO WELCOME THE STRANGER, NOT CAGE THEM.

A HUMAN BEING CANNOT BE ILLEGAL. MANY OF OUR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS CAME TO THIS COUNTRY SEEKING SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY, AND OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM SHOULD REFLECT THAT FACT AND THE VERY BEDROCK OF OUR COUNTRY'S PROMISE.

WE NEED REAL PATHWAYS TO CITIZENSHIP, NOT MORE FACILITIES.

FACILITIES THAT DISAPPEAR PEOPLE FROM THEIR LOVED ONES.

SECOND, THIS PROPOSAL MAKES NO ECONOMIC SENSE FOR MARANA ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, DETENTION CENTERS HAVE NOT DELIVERED GOOD, STABLE, LIVABLE WAGE JOBS.

WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS DEPRESS PROPERTY VALUES, DRIVEWAY BUSINESSES AND DRAIN LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE WATER, WHICH ARE REGIONS SIMPLY CANNOT SPARE A DETENTION CENTER WOULD UNDERMINE MARANA'S ECONOMIC GOALS, NOT ADVANCE THEM. THEN THERE IS THE RECORD OF MTC AND AS WE KNOW, IT HAS ALREADY OPERATED FACILITIES LIKE THESE AND UNSURPRISINGLY, LEFT BEHIND A TRAIL OF ABUSES, SAFETY VIOLATIONS AND HARM TO BOTH INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR STAFF.

THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULD OPERATE AN ICE FACILITY ANY DIFFERENTLY TODAY.

THIS PROPOSAL ALSO CONTRADICTS THE IMAGE MARANA HAS WORKED SO HARD TO BUILD A FAMILY FRIENDLY TOWN, INVESTING IN PARKS, TOURISM AND RECREATION. AN ICE DETENTION CENTER WOULD REPLACE THAT IMAGE WITH FEAR.

FEAR AMONG PARENTS. FEAR AMONG CHILDREN. FEAR IN OUR MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY, WHERE MORE THAN A THIRD OF ARIZONA RESIDENTS HAVE HISPANIC HERITAGE.

WE SHOULD NOT NORMALIZE RACIAL PROFILING OR CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE FAMILIES WORRY THEY COULD LOSE A LOVED 1 TO DETENTION.

DESPITE ALL THE SECRECY AROUND ATTENTION AND ICE ACTIONS THEMSELVES, THE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD OF ICE DETENTION CENTERS NATIONWIDE IS WELL DOCUMENTED.

THERE ARE STORIES AND EVIDENCES AND EVIDENCE OF OVERCROWDING.

LACK OF MEDICAL CARE. LIMITED. LIMITED OR NO ACCESS TO ATTORNEYS, POOR SANITATION AND FAMILIES UNABLE TO LOCATE THEIR LOVED ONES.

JUST THIS MONTH, A FEDERAL JUDGE HAD TO ORDER ICE FACILITIES.

ICE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE BASIC NECESSITIES LIKE FOOD, WATER, CLEAN CLOTHING, AND ATTORNEY ACCESS TO A DETENTION FACILITY.

[00:35:08]

THESE ABUSES ARE NOT RARE. THEY ARE SYSTEMATIC.

IF A FACILITY LIKE THIS OPENS IN MARANA, THE TOWN WILL HAVE LITTLE TO NO OVERSIGHT OR RECOURSE TO STOP SIMILAR ABUSES.

FINALLY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE UNIVERSAL HARM THESE FACILITIES CAUSE TO ALL INVOLVED.

MTC GUARDS THEMSELVES REPORT REPORTED TRAUMA, BURNOUT AND MENTAL HEALTH HARM FROM WORKING IN SUCH CONDITIONS.

A HIGHER RATE OF SUICIDE AMONG PRISON GUARDS IS NOT THE KIND OF JOB CREATION THAT OUR TOWN SHOULD SUPPORT.

FOR ALL THESE REASONS MORAL, ECONOMIC, HUMANITARIAN AND PRACTICAL, WE URGE YOU TO REJECT THE USE OF THIS FACILITY AS AN ICE DETENTION CENTER.

MARANA DESERVES DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHENS FAMILIES, SUPPORTS OUR ECONOMY, AND ALIGNS WITH OUR VALUES.

THERE ARE COUNTLESS BETTER USES FOR THIS PROPERTY. WE MUST PUSH FOR AND CHOOSE A PATH THAT BUILDS COMMUNITY, NOT ONE THAT CAGES IT. [APPLAUSE] MR. MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I SAW THAT THERE WERE ADDITIONAL CARDS. I HAVE 4 MORE AFTER MR. DRUIN. SO YOU CALLED HIS NAME? WE'LL DO HIS. AND THEN.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT I COULD ADD TO ALL THE ELOQUENT STATEMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SAID MY NAME IS HOWARD DRUIN.

I HAVE BEEN IN TUCSON SINCE 1985. I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA LAW SCHOOL IN 1996, AND I RETIRED AFTER 22 YEARS AS A VICTIM ADVOCATE FOR THE PIMA COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

SO I DEFINITELY BELIEVE IN THE RULE OF LAW. AND I'LL JUST SAY A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, ARE TRYING TO CREATE AN EXPANSION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION PRESENTATION FOR UNDOCUMENTED MINORS.

YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR A KID TO CROSS THE BORDER AND AND BE IN A COURT AND NOT EVEN SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.

IT'S CALLED THE PIMA COUNTY JUSTICE FOR ALL INITIATIVE.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS SIGNED IT OR WILL SIGN IT BEFORE THE JUNE 30TH, 2026 DEADLINE FOR THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

THE REASON WE NEED AN INITIATIVE LIKE THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE CLIMATE OF FEAR, INTIMIDATION AND PREJUDICE AND XENOPHOBIA THAT'S BEEN CREATED BY THE THE CURRENT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, BASICALLY AS AN EXERCISE IN POLITICAL THEATER.

I KNOW FROM, YOU KNOW, YEARS OF ATTENDING COURT HEARINGS WITH VICTIMS, YOU HEAR A LOT OF OTHER HEARINGS WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, WHO DON'T HAVE STATUS, WHO ARE CONVICTED OF CRIMES, ARE ROUTINELY SUBJECT TO TO REMOVAL FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DEPORTATION AFTER THEY'VE SERVED THEIR SENTENCE.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT. THERE'S THERE'S NO NEED TO POLITICIZE HATRED AND AND PREJUDICE AGAINST IMMIGRANTS ON A MASS SCALE LIKE THIS ADMINISTRATION IS DOING. I MEAN, YOU COULD TELL FROM THE EXAMPLE OF, YOU KNOW, THE HORRIBLE INCIDENT WHERE, YES, WE'RE ONE AFGHAN IMMIGRANT COMMITTED, SEEMS TO HAVE COMMITTED, ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED A HOMICIDE. AND THAT'S AWFUL.

BUT THE WAY YOU CAN TELL, THE WAY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS TALKING ABOUT CASTING BLAME, YOU KNOW, ON THE ENTIRE AFGHAN REFUGEE POPULATION, THAT'S THE MENTALITY THAT DRIVES THE ANTI-IMMIGRANT, XENOPHOBIC FERVOR. AND THAT'S WE SHOULD HAVE LEARNED THAT LESSON FROM FROM NAZI GERMANY.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THANK YOU TO ALL THAT CAME OUT TONIGHT TO SHARE YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE COUNCIL.

YOU KNOW, IF IF GENERALLY WE'RE MOVING ON WITH OUR MEETING, IF YOU GUYS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY.

PLEASE DO. VERY FEW PEOPLE DO. BUT IF IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEAVE, NOW WOULD BE THE THE TIME TO LEAVE.

BEFORE WE MOVE ON. AGAIN, YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY THE ENTIRE MEETING.

[00:40:49]

PICTURE? THEY HIT ME WITH RODEO.

I DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVING RIGHT ALONG.

[ MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS]

MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS. COUNCIL MEMBER CAVANAUGH.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THE TIME I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT A NEW APARTMENT IN MARANA CALLED SOLSTICE MARANA OVER THERE ON AIRY DRIVE BEHIND THE TARGET. AND IT'S A IT'S IT'S NOT ENTIRELY BUILT OUT, BUT PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN, AND I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RENTS ARE A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THEY ANTICIPATED, BUT IT'S SUCH A NICE PLACE. THEY SIGNED THE LEASE ANYWAY, AND THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE THE RESIDENT ALSO SAID THAT THEY LOVED THIS MARANA LOCATION. SO IT'S FILLING UP THOSE APARTMENTS FOR A LONG TIME COMING.

THEY'RE NOW OPEN. PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. MAYOR. COUNCILMEMBER COMERFORD. FOSTER, I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A COMMENT FROM A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER THAT IS.

OH, SO GRATEFUL AND SO HAPPY OF THE WORK DONE ON THE WASH, AND COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW QUICKLY AND WELL TOWN CAME IN AND TOOK CARE OF THAT WASH, AND SHE CAN'T WAIT TO TO GO WITH ANOTHER INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE THEIR INSURANCE WOULDN'T. WOULD NOT.

INSURE HER WITH THAT. TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY NEXT TIME.

SO SHE HAD TO GO WITH ANOTHER COMPANY. BUT SHE'S VERY GRATEFUL.

AND YOU KNOW, WE DON'T GET TO HEAR THOSE THINGS SO MUCH.

SO THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE. YOU DID IT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR AND EVERYTHING.

SO HAPPY. HAPPY CUSTOMER, BUSINESS OWNER. THANK YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER OFFICER. NO REPORT MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER MURPHY.

NO REPORT. COUNCILMEMBER KAI. NO REPORT MAYOR.

VICE MAYOR. NO REPORT MAYOR. YOU KNOW, I, I DO WANT TO MAKE MENTION THAT LAST WEEK WAS THE 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF OF MAYOR HONEA.

WE HAD A MOMENT OF SILENCE OUT HERE IN THE FRONT FOR HIM.

THAT WAS VERY, VERY WELL ATTENDED. YOU KNOW I'VE KNOWN MAYOR HONEA SINCE I PLAYED LITTLE LEAGUE HERE ACROSS THE STREET JUST SO MANY YEARS. AND HE BECAME SUCH A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, AND I.

AND I DO MISS MY FRIEND. I DO MISS HIM DEARLY.

MR. ROZEMA. MR. MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

[ MANAGER’S REPORT: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS]

A NUMBER OF ITEMS HERE TO BRIEF THE COUNCIL ON.

AND ALSO OUR COMMUNITY. OUR SFRS ARE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.

UPDATE FOR THE MONTH 70 FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR, AS A COMPARISON, 48. SO MAYBE BEGINNING TO SEE A TRENDING BACK TOWARD SOME OF THOSE REGULAR NUMBERS THAT WE HAD SEEN IN THE PAST GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT A REAL PRESERVE AND WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE FILLED BACK UP.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO CLEAN IT UP. THEY'RE GOING TO BEGIN FILLING IT ON DECEMBER THE 12TH.

AND THEY ANTICIPATE WE'LL HAVE A FULL BODY OF WATER THERE.

ON THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL BE THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, BUT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ANYWAY.

WE DO HAVE THE HOLIDAY FESTIVAL AND CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING EVENT.

[00:45:01]

AS A REMINDER, IT IS THIS COMING SATURDAY BEGINS AT 2:00 AND GOES TILL 9:00.

WILL LIGHT THE TREE. I THINK I BELIEVE IT STARTS AT 6:00.

YES. 6:00 WITH AN ENCORE AT 8:30. ALSO A REMINDER TO OUR RESIDENTS THAT A NUMBER OF THE ROADS WILL BE CLOSED AS A RESULT OF THE HOLIDAY FESTIVAL.

SO MARANA MAIN AND CIVIC CENTER DRIVE. A GOOD PORTION OF BOTH OF THOSE ROADS WILL BE CLOSED SO THEY CAN BEGIN DOING THE SETUP FOR THE EVENT.

AND BIG NEWS FOR THOSE, ESPECIALLY WHO LIVE OVER IN THE CONTINENTAL RANCH AND SAGUARO BLOOM AREA.

BUT TWIN PEAKS ROAD PROJECT IS VERY CLOSE TO BEING COMPLETED.

IT IS OPENED UP. IT IS STRIPED. THE LIGHT TRAFFIC LIGHT IS UP.

AND SO THEY HAVE JUST SOME MINOR WORK RELATIVE TO LANDSCAPING WHATNOT THAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED.

AND THEN LASTLY OUR MARANA POLICE VOLUNTEER FOUNDATION.

WHAT AN AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE. THEY DO A PHENOMENAL JOB.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS THEY'RE UP TO NOW, BUT I WANT TO SAY THEY'RE IN THE MID 30S OF VOLUNTEERS.

AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB. THEY WENT OUT AND GOT A GRANT FROM THE STATE, FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY FOR A LITTLE OVER $6,000, SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CAR SEATS TO FAMILIES THAT NEED THEM AND THEY INSTALL THEM, DO THE THE WHOLE BIT. SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE 80 FAMILIES WITH NEW CAR SEATS THROUGH THAT GRANT.

SO GREAT JOB TO THEM. THEY DO AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK.

SO I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THEM AND GIVE A TIP OF THE CAP TO THEM.

AND THAT'S ALL THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT, MR. MAYOR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CONSENT AGENDA. DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE?

[ CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda contains items requiring action by the Council which are generally routine items not requiring Council discussion. A single motion and affirmative vote will approve all items on the Consent Agenda, including any resolutions or ordinances. Prior to a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, any Council member may remove any item from the Consent Agenda and that item will be discussed and voted upon separately.]

MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION. AND A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? ITEM PASSES.

[ Relating to Risk Management; discussion and direction regarding an offer for the Town of Marana to participate in an accelerated payment program related to settlement funds for the Settlement Agreement between Public Water Systems and 3M Company in the multi-district litigation entitled In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2:18-mn-2873-RMG (Jane Fairall)]

D.1, ITEM D.1, RELATING TO RISK MANAGEMENT. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING AN OFFER FOR THE TOWN OF MARANA.

TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ACCELERATED PAYMENT PROGRAM RELATED TO SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS AND 3M COMPANY IN THE MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION ENTITLED IN RE: AQUEOUS FILM-FORMING FOAMS PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION, MDL NO.

02:18-MN-2873-RMG . MS. FAIRALL. MAYOR POST VICE MAYOR ZIEGLER.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THIS IS A DIFFERENT ITEM THAN WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, ALTHOUGH BOTH ARE RELATED TO THE PFAS LITIGATION.

SO WITH BACK IN 2023, 33M, WHICH IS ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS, THE LARGEST DEFENDANT IN THE CURRENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT THE TOWN IS PARTICIPATING IN THAT IS FILED AGAINST MANUFACTURERS OF THE FOAM PRODUCTS THAT LED TO PFAS CONTAMINATION IN OUR WATER SYSTEM. 3M REACHED A SETTLEMENT WHERE THEY WOULD PAY BETWEEN $10.5 BILLION AND $12.5 BILLION TO PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN THE US FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN CONTAMINATING THE WATER.

THE TOWN IS PARTICIPATING IN THAT SETTLEMENT.

WE FILLED OUT ALL THE FORMS WHERE WE PUT WHAT OUR LEVEL OF CONTAMINATION IS, WHAT OUR FLOW RATES.

AND AS A RESULT OF ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED A LITTLE OVER $4.1 MILLION IN IN ONE OF THE FUNDS, WHICH IS THE PHASE 1 ACTION FUND, WHICH IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR THE 3M SETTLEMENT.

WE BEGAN RECEIVING SETTLEMENT FUNDS THIS YEAR, AND WE'VE RECEIVED ABOUT $2.1 MILLION SO FAR IN PAYMENTS, AND WE ARE ESTIMATED TO RECEIVE $2,046,500 OVER THE NEXT 6 OR 7 YEARS.

AND OUR ATTORNEYS OFFERED US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ACCELERATED PAYMENT PROGRAM, WHERE THEY WOULD GIVE US A LUMP SUM. AND INSTEAD OF WAITING OVER THE 6 OR 7 YEARS TO RECEIVE THE PAYMENTS.

BUT THERE ARE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT WHICH I PUT IN THE COUNCIL AGENDA MATERIALS.

ESSENTIALLY, IF WE TOOK THE LUMP SUM PAYMENT, INSTEAD OF RECEIVING $2,046,000, WE WOULD RECEIVE ABOUT $1.5 MILLION AFTER ALL THE TRANSACTION FEES. AND ALL OF THAT IS TAKEN OUT OF OUR SETTLEMENT AMOUNT.

WE HAD OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND OUR FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS EVALUATE THE OFFER, AND OUR RECOMMENDATION AT THIS TIME IS THAT WE DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE ACCELERATED PAYMENT PROGRAM. BUT AS IT IS A SETTLEMENT, IT IS UP TO THE COUNCIL.

SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT. AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.

[00:50:02]

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS FAIRALL? I TEND TO AGREE WITH NOT 10.

I DO AGREE WITH STAFF THAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO DO.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO. I DO SEE THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN WHAT YOU WOULD GET IF YOU TOOK THE IF YOU WAITED A WHILE.

SO THAT'S SIGNIFICANT TO THE TOWN. MAYOR POST COUNCILMAN CAVANAUGH.

SO THE, THE DECREASE WOULD BE IF WE TOOK THE LUMP SUM PAYMENT.

NOW WE'LL GET MORE IF WE TAKE IT OVER PAYMENT.

EXACTLY RIGHT. SO. AND MAYOR POST, IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN USUAL BUT I WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF, IF THIS IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL, TO DIRECT US TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS, TO DECLINE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. YOU KNOW, JANE, WE WERE GOING TO DISCUSS WHAT WHAT THE WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THAT MONEY, HOW WE'RE USING THAT IN OUR GENERAL FUND WE ORIGINALLY PAID FOR OR ARE PAYING FOR THE 2 TREATMENT FACILITIES OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND. AND I'M ASSUMING THAT WE'RE JUST USING THAT MONEY TO REIMBURSE OUR GENERAL FUND, ALTHOUGH WE DO HAVE A WIFA LOAN ON A PORTION OF THAT.

IS THAT TERI? YEAH. MR. MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

MAYBE I SEE JOHNNY STANDING UP. SO THAT MEANS JOHNNY PROBABLY DOES HAVE THE NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF HIS HEAD.

YES, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. WE HE RECEIVED 2 WIFA LOANS, ONE IN THE AMOUNT OF $15 MILLION AND ANOTHER ONE IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION. THE SECOND WHIFF LOAN WAS MOSTLY FORGIVABLE, WITH A LITTLE OVER 50% OF IT BEING FORGIVABLE.

THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF DEBT SERVICE THAT THE GENERAL FUND HAS BEEN CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE 2 TREATMENT FACILITIES THAT WERE BUILT WITH THOSE 2 WIFA LOANS IS JUST UNDER $1 MILLION A YEAR. SO IN THAT RESPECT YOU COULD SAY THAT WE ARE PAYING IT FOR A FEW YEARS. CORRECT. OKAY. MAYOR POST, IF I COULD ADD, THERE IS UNDER THE 3M SETTLEMENT AND THE DUPONT SETTLEMENT AS WELL.

THERE ARE A SPECIAL THERE'S A SPECIAL NEEDS FUND, WHICH IS WHERE WE CAN SUBMIT CLAIMS FOR THE COSTS THAT WE'VE EXPENDED TO TREAT THE WATER TO MITIGATE THE CONTAMINATION.

SO WE HAVE SUBMITTED ALL OF THAT AS WELL. AND WE DO ANTICIPATE GETTING SOME ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENT FUNDS FROM THAT SPECIAL NEEDS CLAIM FUND AS WELL. HOPEFULLY SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IS WHAT WE'RE THINKING.

BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT WILL IN ANY WAY BE WHAT WE SPENT TO BUILD THOSE TREATMENT PLANTS, BUT IT WILL BE ANOTHER ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF MONEY COMING FROM THIS.

I THINK WHAT WE YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE ALL SEEING WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR WATER RATES AND IT IS TRULY DRIVEN, OUR WATER RATE INCREASES ARE TRULY BEING DRIVEN BY OUR NEED TO TREAT THIS WATER, NO FAULT OF OUR OWN.

I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE USE SETTLEMENT MONIES TO PAY FOR THAT.

I FEEL LIKE OUR STAFF HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF KEEPING COSTS DOWN ON OUR DELIVERY OF WATER UNTIL WE HAVE TO TREAT THIS, AND THEN IT'S BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THIS SMALL TOWN, AND IT'S DRIVING OUR WATER RATES THROUGH THE ROOF.

AND SO I THINK VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE UTILIZE THIS MONEY AS IT COMES IN TO FEED, TO HELP KEEP THOSE WATER RATES MANAGEABLE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

I NEED A MOTION TO REJECT. TO REJECT? YES. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? OKAY. YOU MADE THE MOTION. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO SAY ANYTHING.

WELL, WE HAVE ONE. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? I'LL SECOND YOUR MOTION. OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. D.2. ITEM D.2. ITEM D2 RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS.

[ Relating to Development and Public Works; update, discussion, and possible direction regarding public and private projects and development applications on the Town’s Marana Current and Proposed Projects internet site (Jason Angell)]

UPDATE, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS ON THE TOWN'S MARANA.

CURRENT AND PROPOSED PROJECTS. INTERNET SITE.

MR. ANGEL. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I'LL TRY AND BE BRIEF, BECAUSE I KNOW A COUPLE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS ARE FREEZING IN THE BACK.

AS WE DO THE FIRST OF EVERY MONTH DO A DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY UPDATE ON THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE COME IN RECENTLY.

SO I'LL JUST QUICKLY RUN THROUGH SOME OF THESE AND BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS.

THE FIRST ONE UNDER COMMERCIAL PROJECTS IS CLEAN FREAK CAR WASH.

THIS IS A NEW CAR WASH THAT IS PROPOSED NEXT TO THE CIRCLE K.

[00:55:03]

THAT IS OVER AT LON ADAMS AND TANGERINE BY THE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE NEWS FRY SHOPPING CENTER.

IN THAT SAME LOCATION, THERE IS A MULTI-TENANT BUILDING WHICH IS THE HERITAGE PARK, LOT 3.

1 OF THE TENANTS IS IDENTIFIED AS A DENTAL OFFICE THAT IS PROPOSING TO GO IN THERE.

THE OTHER SPACES IN THAT BUILDING ARE YET TO BE DETERMINED.