City renews contracts, moves forward with economic development and airport studies

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The Maricopa City Council, in a double-header meeting that lasted from 5 to 10:40 p.m. Tuesday including work, executive and regular sessions, voted to extend contracts with three high-dollar consultants and one who assists Public Works part time, approved the purchase of four portable traffic signals and wished the Maricopa Police Department a happy first birthday.

The City Council meetings generally begin at 6 p.m. but started an hour earlier to allow for an extended executive session, Mayor Anthony Smith said.

On the executive agenda were matters related to the Legacy Settlement between the city and M.A. Maricopa, LLC, a pending claim against the city filed March 10 by former City Manager Rick Buss and a challenge to the city’s recent annexation effort.

City officials did not report back to the public any results of its confidential discussion with counsel on any of those matters.

It did, however, discuss most regular agenda items at length.

The one exception was when the Council moved to table discussion and possible action regarding guidelines for Maricopa 20 Television.

Whether to renew the contracts of an economic development consulting firm and one that handles aviation stood out in particular.

In the end, Council unanimously passed the renewal of contract with economic development consulting firm, IO, Inc., and passed the contract with Aviation Group Limited Partnership despite nay votes from Councilmen Carl Diedrich and Marvin L. Brown. Councilman Joe Estes was not present.

Additional details regarding specific outcomes and discussions from the meeting are pending publication.