Safety problems becoming an emergency

Members of the Miami Town Council: Mayor Gil Madrid, Vice Mayor Sammy Gonzalez, and Councilmembers Jose “Angel” Medina, Dan Moat, Don Reiman, Michael Sosh, and Phil Stewart. All members were in attendance at this meeting.

In a regular meeting on Jan. 26, Miami’s Town Council discussed the dire condition of some town-owned buildings, including the police department, senior center and library. They also heard presentations about agreements with Arizona Public Service and Copper Mountain Transit that are up for renewal.

Town buildings face safety emergency

Calling the situation an emergency, the council discussed the need for Miami’s Town Manager to take action on installing HVAC equipment, roofing as needed, and other necessary repairs for safety at three town buildings, including the Miami Police Department, Alicia Garcia Senior Center, and the Miami Memorial Library. 

The discussion comes after a team of contractors toured the buildings to assess necessary renovations following the September 2025 storm. 

“It’s getting to a point where we've got to do something, and it's not big money. We can do that.” — Miami Town Mayor Gil Madrid

Mayor Madrid said he’d heard a door had collapsed at the police station and knocked a staff member to the ground. He also mentioned the use of space heaters at the senior center, creating a fire hazard, and a case where a woman tripped over a curb and had to be taken to the hospital.

The work would be paid for through contingency funds, which are dedicated funds for unexpected costs like natural disasters, economic downturns, or emergencies, to ensure financial stability and prevent disruptions in services.

The item was tabled until the next meeting so staff can present financial information and estimates of repair costs.

APS requests franchise agreement renewal 

Jessica Perry, APS Franchise Coordinator, gave a brief overview defining what a franchise agreement is and what needs to be done to renew the existing agreement between APS and the Town of Miami. The franchise agreement allows APS to build, maintain, and operate its electrical infrastructure within its rights of way of the Town of Miami, and it gives the company an unequivocal right to be present.

The agreement also outlines responsibilities and ensures the company is held responsible for any restoration and for following all relevant rules and regulations. Perry said these agreements are common, and almost all municipalities in the state have them.

APS is now asking for a renewal. The current agreement will end in April 2028 and has a term of 25 years. The company is asking for another 25-year term, which Perry said will allow APS to maintain consistency across leadership changes over the years and as employees come and go. 

“APS has been very good at taking care of the work they've done. … We have problems with about three other utilities that do not follow the rules.” — Miami Councilman Jose Medina

The agreement renewal will have to go to the voters, and APS is requesting that it be included in the primary ballot this year. 

APS will pay for all election costs and all legal notices involved in its outreach to the community. Perry pointed out that APS also collects a 2% fee from its customers and passes this on to the Town of Miami to cover the town’s costs associated with maintaining the rights of way.

The town clerk informed Perry that the primary is too close for APS’s request to be honored, but it can be included in the general election. Agreements with Southwest Gas and Arizona Water will appear on that ballot as well.

Petitioners ask Copper Mountain Transit to operate on Saturdays

Council approved a resolution to continue administering and operating Copper Mountain Transit. The resolution also includes an application to the Federal Transit Administration for Rural Public Transportation Program funds to provide public transportation services.

During the public hearing, Transit Coordinator Melinda Baeza explained the grant application. Called a 5311 grant, it covers administrative and operating costs, including salaries, vehicle maintenance, and day-to-day expenses. The application has to be submitted every two years.

Baeza pointed out that Cooper Mountain Transit provides much more than just transportation, including helping people stay safe and get their needs met.

She also said there has been a petition for operation on Saturdays, with about 80 signatures of people from Miami and the surrounding areas. Miami Town Manager Alexis Rivera said this possibility is being studied.

Miami Town Manager’s report

Rivera updated the council on several items related to town projects:

• With regard to an $11.3 million grant that the town anticipates from Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rivera said the opportunity for a 90/10 split, with the town funding a 10% match, is no longer available. As a result, the split will be 75/25, with the town funding 25%.
• For the reevaluation of damages presented by the town to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, Miami has until February to submit data and other information.
• Work on the Bechtel Tract project started on Friday the 23rd, including moving earth, cleaning the area, and working on the fence. That project is expected to be completed within two weeks.
• A project involving the senior center parking lot and community rooms, to be administered by Central Arizona Governments, will start in March.

Councilman Medina urges planning for flood mitigation

Councilman Medina commented on the importance of flood mitigation planning, saying his main concern is to go to the source of the flooding. He recommended working with the government to install catchments.

Councilman Medina also mentioned that he has missed recent council meetings because he has been attending other important meetings where he has been networking to raise funds, including one on Saturday in Prescott.

He also spoke briefly about Miami history, including how as a young man he would visit the town, going to Mitchell’s Tru Value Hardware Store, the 5 & 10 Cent store, the Grand Theater, United Jewelry, the Miami Commercial Company Store, the YMCA and the swimming pool.

Public comment

During public comment, Richard Huerta, from Gilbert, who is a committee member of the Miami High School Alumni Association and is active in the community, said he had been treated in a negative manner by Councilman Reiman. He exceeded his allotted three minutes of time to speak, but Mayor Madrid allowed him to speak further. 

A councilman objected, and discussion ensued about Huerta’s right to speak further, with Town Manager Rivera saying that the statute limits public comment time to three minutes. Rivera said if the mayor wants to extend the time to speak, this change has to be put on the agenda and go through legal review. The town’s attorney stated that due to the agenda stating three minutes, and there being an objection, the time could not be modified during the current meeting.

Motions approved

Council also approved the following motions:

• Payroll in the amount of $98,171.51 for Jan. 4, 2026.
• General demands for Jan. 2 through Jan. 15, 2026, in the amount of $164,068.37
• Tabling an item regarding the appointment of five members of the public to the town’s advisory committee for Economic Development, Housing and Blight, and Annexation. Town Attorney Estes pointed out that the committee has not yet been formally established, so the item was tabled to allow staff to prepare a resolution establishing the committee.
• Approving an amendment to the town’s employment agreement with Karen Norris, Miami Town Clerk. Vice Mayor Gonzalez abstained.

To view documents related to this meeting, click here.