RECREATION & FIRE SERVICES IN ESTRELLA

Goodyear City Council Work Session Recap

PICKLEBALL OPPORTUNITIES

Goodyear Parks and Rec Director David Seid admitted the department missed the ball and "the original scope and associated budget request were grossly underestimated" regarding pickleball courts.

The City Staff Report states, "As a result, staff evaluated and identified the existing sport court area within the park as the ideal location for the pickleball facility. Staff determined that a modification of the existing courts could retain existing amenities as well as accommodate a new pickleball facility."

And, "... staff explored an additional option (1) to accommodate adult softball play within Foothills Community Park. Staff determined that an expansion of an existing youth sized baseball field to an adult sized field could continue to accommodate youth baseball, as well as youth and adult softball. Adding additional user groups to the field does not impact current users as the scheduled use times do not conflict. Little League, the primary user of the facility, fully supports this option."

Seid provided a couple of options about moving forward with pickleball courts and it appears Council is leaning toward Option 1... a $130,500 additional cost to complete ball field options at a total of $448,500.

ESTRELLA FIRE STATION

As we blogged last week, Goodyear Fire is looking at building Estrella's 2nd fire station at a previously dedicated site of Rainbow Valley and Willis Roads. As you may recall, a $53,000 fire station conducted by a foreign company identified Estrella Parkway and Willis Road as the most optimal location for a new fire station.

During tonight's work session, it appeared Council is in agreement the Willis Road location will be the new home for the new fire station.

Council was presented with a cost analysis, as well.

During the Regular Council Meeting, I was able to ask about timelines.

Specifically, I want to know if Estrella's 2nd fire station is still expected to open Summer 2019 as stated a year ago. And when will the first family move into a home in Lucero?

Lucero is a community of 1,250 homes and hiking trails being built just south of Star Tower as you drive into the Estrella community on Estrella Parkway.

In 2016, I asked Council to delay construction of Lucero until additional fire services were in place. Estrella is a linear community and when one part of the community is stretched further... as Lucero will do... it puts additional strain on safety services. Goodyear already has 17+ minute response times to parts of CantaMia per the fire study.

Now that construction is well underway at Lucero, I want to know what these two timelines look like today. Will a new fire station be up and running before the first family moves into Lucero?

Goodyear's newest city manager, Julie Arendall, said the City would respond to me at a future date.

THE NEW RESTAURANT AT THE PRESIDIO

Also on the agenda tonight was a Series 12 Liquor License for Beach House Food and Spirit. Amy Jo Schlecht is the applicant for Beach House Food and Spirits which will operate in Estrella's Presidio Residents Club.

MY TWO CENTS

Tonight's Regular City Council Meeting was mostly attended by City staff.

The meeting ran late due to additional meetings... but residents are always invited to attend and get involved.

Council won't know what resident needs are unless you go and speak up.