WAITING GAME

Goodyear City Council voted 6-0 to approve the final plat for CantaMia Pod 5 of 159 single family plots this evening.

I understand why. As the city attorney explained, this vote was an administrative 'double check.' To hear more, I invite you to view the meeting which took place at 6pm tonight.

I had a feeling this would be the result. When I was on council in 2012-13, a vote to approve another fast food joint in Estrella came to us. You could say I wasn't exactly "in favor" of the establishment. But, my councilmember 'hat' told me I had to make a "yes" vote.

Votes are not made on emotion or desire. They're made on what's best for the greater good or as procedural "next steps."

Just like the fast food joint.

Just like tonight's vote.

An administrative vote to approve this CantaMia plat was just that. An administrative nod.

To look at the positive side, the council spent 30 minutes, on the record, discussing fire demands in Goodyear, Arizona. Watch the video and you can determine how you feel about what was discussed. I am encouraged by requests from Councilmembers Pizzillo and Stipp. Thank you, Councilmembers Hohman, Osborne and Vice Mayor Lauritano for your comments and input.

City staff projects the study - the study we've referenced in past blogs to determine future fire station needs -  should be completed in October.

Then, the council will likely have a worksession to discuss the study.

Then, the council will make recommendations to staff on next steps.

Then, the council will take feedback from residents. (This was my only concern tonight. When the mayor mentioned there are people who don't want a fire station, I understood what she said. But, if the thresholds and triggers tell you your city needs a station, do a few voices of dissent sway you to reject it? Ugh. More questions.)

Then, the council will have a few more talks...

and a vote.

If the vote is a vote to move forward with the construction of fire station in Estrella...

Then, a fire station design for Estrella's Fire Station No. 186 needs to be finalized.

And approved. (The design is about 80% completed as we reported this weekend.)

Then, the city has to finalize the developer agreement with Newland Communities. (Go here to see what that's all about.)

Then, the city has to find the money to build it.

Then, the fire station has to be built.

Then, fire fighters have to be hired,

trained,

and outfitted.

Then...

And that's just for Estrella. Two more fire stations may be needed in west Goodyear.

Our councilmembers are strong supporters of safety services in Goodyear. I don't doubt that.

Tonight, "SAFETY FIRST" was a common theme. And has been since I've followed council going back to 2005.

I sincerely thank Mayor Lord and members of the council to take the time to hear me out and explain to the Goodyear residents why they continue to approve rooftops in Estrella and voted in favor of the CantaMia plat tonight.

That's all I asked. Thank you.

Sometimes the wheels of justice grind slowly." ~Terry Waite