Divided public weighs in as Mayor Madrid faces removal hearing deadline

"It's very hard to come on council with no experience at all. I feel like once you've been on council for a couple of years, you can get the gist of what's going on.”

A passionate crowd turned out to support Miami Mayor Gil Madrid at the August 10 town council meeting, where he faces possible removal from office.

The controversy stems from the mayor's conduct on the dais, which prompted a special executive session on July 29th. During that session, council members and their attorney discussed concerns over Madrid's disregard for open meeting laws and the potential liability those violations could create for the town. Removing a mayor requires affidavits from two council members, and Councilmen Jose "Angel" Medina Sr. and Don Reiman — both of whom lost in last month's primary election — filed theirs following a contentious July 13 meeting.

Public comment at the August 10th meeting was sharply divided. Much of it targeted Medina, while other speakers called for council unity.

"Mayor Madrid should not be removed because of disagreements or politics. If there is real wrongdoing, it should be proven with facts," said Miami resident Noreen Prater. "There should be no need for one last political battle on your way out the door."

Not all comments favored Madrid. Resident Chuck Broeder said the mayor had allowed and even encouraged negativity at council meetings. "Negative comments are not helping bring business to Miami," Broeder said.

Madrid now has 14 days to request a hearing on his possible removal. He defused some of the tension by withdrawing a previous request for a time extension, explaining that a hearing request would trigger another 14-day period on its own, making the extension unnecessary.

In separate business, Councilman Michael Sosh introduced a proposal directing the Town Attorney to draft an ordinance requiring two years of council service as a prerequisite for running for mayor. "It's very hard to come on council with no experience at all," Sosh said. "I feel like once you've been on council for a couple of years, you can get the gist of what's going on."

The council approved Sosh's proposal unanimously. Before the vote, Madrid suggested the town might eventually consider electing mayors directly by public vote rather than through the council. "There's a lot of people doing that in other cities and towns," he said. "Why is Miami different?"

Flood mitigation work update

Wilson & Company updated the Council on flood mitigation work under the Emergency Watershed Program project.

Company representatives said the project at Latham Basin was about 30 percent complete. Gabion baskets were being installed, blocks were added along the maintenance road, and a culvert was planned for the site. Patrick Wolf, of Wilson & Company, said construction at Latham Basin would end in about three weeks.

Wolf added that design was complete for the project's Adonis Basin phase. Those plans included replacing the top of the dam, which eroded by more than a foot in October, and providing improved output for flows. They will also add an inlet control structure, design two channels, place additional grounded riprap, and improve the access road. Wolf said the company hoped to submit the design plans to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for review on August 11.

Wolf also mentioned “Bloody Tanks Phase Two,” which proposes a new three-foot-high flood wall along unfenced areas of Bloody Tanks Wash. “It's an ADOT Jersey barrier that they anchor into the top of the bank and then grout it so it's waterproof,” Wolf said. The company also plans to add erosion protection along First Avenue and remove sediment in the wash's upper section. Wolf said it would probably take two to three weeks to design “Bloody Tanks Phase Two.”

Property tax rate approved

The Council approved a resolution fixing the property tax rate for fiscal year 2026/2027 at 4.34 cents of $100 assessment and valuation, which Town Manager Alexis Rivera said was a reduced property tax valuation.

In addition, the Council adopted the July 21primary election results and appointed five people to the Town Planning and Zoning Commission. Joanna 23, Christa Jennings, and Kiyomi Tiffany “Daphne” will serve three-year terms on the Commission, while Wayne Jones and Courtney Odom will serve two-year terms.

Also approved was a $46,000 payment to JCH, Phoenix Service, to repair lift station pumps at the sewer plant. Rivera said the payment would come from the Town's general fund, after which the Town would be reimbursed by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona.

Call to the Public

The Call to the Public wasn't all about Mayor Madrid, as Sara K Foundation President/Co-founder Monica Magoon thanked the Town and Ray Webb brought up water and road issues.

Near the start of the meeting, Madrid proclaimed August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day - “a proclamation I want to read for all the right reasons,” he said.

Magoon thanked the Town for the proclamation and for bringing awareness to the issue. “Our mission is to put love into action by empowering underserved communities, breaking down stigma, and raising awareness through acts of kindness, community events, and charity contributions,” she said. “This work is especially important to our rural communities.” 

Webb brought up water leaks from Arizona Water Company, including one on Reppy Avenue he said has been continuing for months. “It is running underneath the street and it is breaking down the roadway,” he said. “That needs to be taken care of.” Webb said he had written the Arizona Corporation Commission about a different months-long leak - “We got something done,” he said - and planned to write them again about this one.

Webb's second issue was with Gila County granting a dirt work permit on County land, work he said caused more debris to come down Reppy Avenue. “The County did not do any studies; they just wrote him a permit right off the bat.” Webb added that he had asked to see the permit and was denied. He suggested that residents along the avenue come together and sue Gila County.

July 4 parade awards

Jesse Bryant, president of the Gila County Public Safety Memorial Association, announced the Cobre Valley Independence Day Parade winners to the council. The award checks themselves were not presented, since the association's treasurer was unable to attend the meeting. The winners were Central Heights Baptist Church, first place; Leon Garlinghouse, second place; Globe-Miami Indivisible, third place; and James Phelps, Judges' Choice winner.

Executive session

Near the meeting's end, the Council went into executive session for “discussion or consultation for legal advice with the Town Attorney and discussion or consideration of employment, assignment, salary, promotion, demotion, or discipline of Town Manager Alexis Rivera.” No actions were announced afterward, but on returning to regular session Councilman Sosh requested a future work session “for goal setting for our town manager.”