Council to talk on new city hall financing

Tonight’s Maricopa City Council meeting will focus largely on money matters.

•    The city council will consider approving transferring money to pay costs incurred by the  downpour that flooded the city and forced Mayor Christian Price to declare a state of emergency Aug. 22.

The state of emergency allowed the city to hire a contractor with a crew to operate the necessary machinery to mitigate the impact of the Sacaton Wash being breached and flooding that caused problems with a Global Water sewer lift pump.

According to city records, costs are not expected to exceed $50,000.

•    Three of the city’s largest capital improvement projects — the multigenerational and aquatic facility and abutting regional park at the corner of John Wayne Parkway and Bowlin Road, and the proposed City Hall complex at Bowlin and White and Parker roads — could continue to wind their way  through the administrative process if the council approves certain funding measures Tuesday.

The council will consider approving a full build-out of the regional park, which will add three months to the total project completion date, but allow the park to open with all amenities and functions in place.

Council members also will consider cash financing for the rest of the planned City Hall project, which would allow the city to save more than $900,000 in the general fund.

•    Council members will also consider applying for a grant for up to $500,000 to help the Maricopa Police Department better enforce compliance for commercial vehicle laws.

The grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,  and the city would meet its match requirement — 20 percent or $100,000 — by providing staff time, training, fuel, vehicles and associated maintenance costs.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, 26,266 vehicles with one or more trailers and multiple numbers of axles passed through the city in May alone on State Route 347.