City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA, HELD JUNE 2, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M., AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS--RIVERFRONT LOCATED AT 1083 E. RIVERFRONT ROAD, COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA. A COMPLETE RECORDING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD JUNE 2, 2026, IS AVAILABLE HERE: (FULL AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING OF JUNE 2, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING) TIMESTAMPS FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM ARE PROVIDED BELOW THE CORRESPONDING ITEM DISCUSSED. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was taken as follows: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT Ann Shaw, Mayor Felicia Coates, Vice Mayor Stephen DeWillis, Council Member Christopher Dowell, Council Member Robert Marks, Council Member Joy Mosley, Council Member (Via Zoom) Debbie Wilden, Council Member STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Mario Cifuentez, II, City Manager (Via Zoom) John Gaylord, City Attorney Tami Mayes, City Clerk Michele Kostecki, Economic Development Manager Kirsten Lennon, Financial Services Director PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (AUDIO AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 P.M.) Mayor Shaw lead the Pledge of Allegiance. BRIEF SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS BY MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND/OR CITY MANAGER (AUDIO AT APPROXIMATELY 6:01 P.M.) Mayor Shaw and Vice Mayor Coates provided updates regarding recent City and community events attended by themselves and other members of the City Council. Vice Mayor Coates also expressed appreciation to staff, specifically recognizing Robert Gonzalez, for his efforts in preparing the Verde Valley Military Service Park for the Memorial Day event. She thanked him for the outstanding work completed to ensure the park was ready for the community event. Cottonwood City Council Regular Meeting June 2, 2026 Page 2 Mr. Cifuentez announced current and upcoming City and community events. Mayor Shaw announced the upcoming State of the City event and invited all to participate. PRESENTATION(S) (Audio at approximately 6:07 p.m.) Presentation of the annual update by Greater Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce in accordance with the Agreement between the Chamber and the City of Cottonwood Ms. Kostecki introduced representatives from the Greater Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide their annual update to the City Council. She explained that the Chamber receives annual funding from the City, with the current agreement providing $110,000 per year. She stated that an annual update presentation is required as part of the ongoing agreement between the Chamber and the City and provides an opportunity for Council and Chamber representatives to review accomplishments and engage in meaningful discussion. Ms. Kostecki stated that a future presentation would be provided to Council in July outlining the Chamber’s specific Fiscal Year 2026/2027 plans and the corresponding scope of services as part of the contract extension. She noted that the current presentation would focus primarily on accomplishments, while the July presentation would focus on future goals and initiatives. Ms. Kostecki emphasized that the partnership between the City and the Chamber is an important component of supporting the local economy. She stated that the relationship is built on a shared commitment to helping the business community thrive. She explained that the City’s role includes creating a stable, business-friendly environment through infrastructure, efficient processes, and economic development strategies, while the Chamber provides direct support to businesses through marketing, networking opportunities, advocacy, and resources. Ms. Kostecki stated that, through this partnership, the City and Chamber work together to ensure Cottonwood remains a vibrant and competitive place to conduct business. Ms. Kostecki then invited Mr. Christian Oliva del Rio to present the accomplishments of the Greater Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce to Council. PowerPoint presentation by Mr. Christian Oliva del Rio, President and CEO of the Greater Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce, a copy of which is attached to the agenda packet for this item. Questions and comments of Council. Council thanked Mr. Oliva del Rio for his presentation. Cottonwood City Council Regular Meeting June 2, 2026 Page 3 CALL TO THE PUBLIC (AUDIO AT APPROXIMATELY 6:42 P.M.) Kathy Ransom addressed Council regarding political yard signs and concerns regarding removing and tampering with those signs. CONSENT AGENDA (AUDIO AT APPROXIMATELY 6:46 P.M.) Consideration and approval of PLAT-26-002, Mesquite Hills Phase 2 Major Plat Amendment, to modify previously approved stipulations Consideration and adoption of Resolution Number 3398, adopting a Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Pension Funding Policy for FY 2027 Consideration and adoption of Resolution Number 3399, designating the Chief Fiscal Officer for officially submitting the Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Expenditure Limitation Report to the Arizona Auditor General Consideration and approval of a sole source procurement and professional services agreement to use CloudIT for Managed Services, Microsoft Licensing, Backup Services and VOIP Phone Management for FY 2027 in an amount not to exceed $280,000 annually for these services Consideration and adoption of Resolution Number 3401, approving an Affiliate Library Agreement with the Yavapai County Free Library District with an annual contribution of $131,904 to the City Consideration and adoption of Resolution Number 3402, adopting the City of Cottonwood Board and Commission Member Handbook, establishing standardized guidance, procedures, expectations, and operational practices for all City-appointed boards, commissions, and committees Consideration and approval of Amendment 1 to the agreement with Waste Management to allow an additional one-year extension for trash services in an amount not to exceed $51,000 Approval of Minutes—Regular Meetings of May 5 and May 19, 2026 MOTION: Council Member Wilden moved to approve the Consent Agenda as written. SECOND: Council Member DeWillis The motion unanimously carried. Mayor Shaw read the following by title only. Cottonwood City Council Regular Meeting June 2, 2026 Page 4 RESOLUTION NUMBER 3398 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA, ADOPTING A PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM PENSION FUNDING POLICY. RESOLUTION NUMBER 3399 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA, DESIGNATING THE CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER FOR OFFICIALLY SUBMITTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 EXPENDITURE LIMITATION REPORT TO THE ARIZONA AUDITOR GENERAL. RESOLUTION NUMBER 3401 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA, APPROVING AN AFFILIATE LIBRARY AGREEMENT WITH THE YAVAPAI COUNTY FREE LIBRARY DISTRICT. RESOLUTION NUMBER 3402 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA, ADOPTING THE CITY OF COTTONWOOD BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBER HANDBOOK. COUNCIL MEMBER REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEM (Audio at approximately 6:48 p.m.) Tentative Schedule for Future Agenda Items None. CLAIMS – JUNE 2, 2026 (Audio at approximately 6:48 p.m.) MOTION: Council Member DeWillis moved to approve the claims for June 2nd, 2026. SECOND: Vice Mayor Coates The motion unanimously carried. SET AN EXECUTIVE SESSION (Audio at approximately 6:49 p.m.) Discussion and possible direction to staff related to renewing the employment contract with the City Manager. Pursuant to A.R.S. Section 38-431.03(A)(1), (A)(3), and (A)(4), the Council Cottonwood City Council Regular Meeting June 2, 2026 Page 5 may vote to convene in executive session to discuss the employment of and proposed terms of an employment contract with the City Manager MOTION: Mayor Shaw moved to move into executive session. SECOND: Council Member Dowell The motion unanimously carried. Council adjourned into executive session at 6:49 p.m., reconvening into open session at 7:45 p.m. MOTION: Council Member Dowell moved to reconvene into open session. SECOND: Council Member DeWillis The motion unanimously carried. There was no further discussion and no action was taken by the Council upon reconvening into open session. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member DeWillis moved to adjourn. SECOND: Council Member Wilden The motion unanimously carried. The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.