Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Goodyear public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Public Art Plan
The city is commissioning artists to paint traffic signal cabinets and create heART of Goodyear public art pieces for fiscal year 2027. The subcommittee's artist selections shape which artwork residents will see around town.
City Employee Health Plan Financial Performance
The health care trust fund's finances, claims experience, and usage trends affect the cost and quality of health benefits for city employees and retirees. Rising claims costs could eventually mean higher premiums or plan changes.
Mural and public art regulations under new zoning ordinance
The city's newly adopted zoning ordinance includes rules for murals and public art, and commissioners are getting an informational briefing on them. This shapes what artists and property owners can do with murals and art installations around Goodyear.
Health Benefits Contract RFP Process
The city is preparing to put its health benefits contract out to bid. The RFP timeline, including when a contract award will be announced, could affect who administers employee health coverage going forward.
Goodyear Municipal Court Caseload Growth and Facility Needs
The current court facility is dangerously overcrowded — staff tripled since 2008, jury quarters are cramped, and secure parking is inadequate. Old City Hall won't work without a $71.2 million gut renovation, so council is leaning toward exploring a new purpose-built courthouse and a facility master plan.
Regional economic development strategy (GPEC)
GPEC's update showed Goodyear is getting a strong return on its investment — $204 back per dollar — but the region is shifting from warehouses toward advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and semiconductors. Council wants to position Goodyear for the 303/State Route 30 intersection opportunity and court more international investment.
TerraSante PAD Rezone (1,019.5 acres)
Goodyear's largest proposed development in years would add thousands of homes, 142 acres of commercial space, and a hoped-for regional medical center near Rainbow Valley Road and the future Loop 303 extension. The Commission recommended approval; City Council makes the final call on November 16.
Palm Valley Crossing 6th Amended and Restated PAD Rezone
An update to the Palm Valley Crossing PAD covering about 137.77 acres at a major Goodyear intersection. The changes could affect what gets built near Van Buren Street and Litchfield Road.
Rainbow Valley Development Legal and Contract Matters
Residents of an unincorporated community just outside city limits told the Commission that master-planned developments keep creeping toward their rural ranching lifestyle, and some favor annexation by Buckeye over Goodyear. They asked for bigger buffers between new development and existing homes.
New Life Center thrift store revenue at risk from hotel construction
The New Life Center, Maricopa County's largest domestic violence shelter, gets about a quarter of its $4 million budget from its Hope's Closet thrift store nearby. Its CFO warned that construction traffic blocking donation drop-off could cost the shelter hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Leadership conduct, candidate fairness and menorah placement
Resident speakers criticized the mayor over a campaign ad, candidate events that left out a sitting council member, and three years of resistance to displaying a menorah with the city's Christmas decorations. They asked for empathy, fairness and equal treatment of all traditions.
Firming Water Delivery Agreement With CAWCD
Goodyear faces a 1,504 acre-foot shortage on its Colorado River allocation next year. The new agreement lets the city recover water Arizona banked underground — either through CAWCD's canal system or the city's own wells — to keep supplies whole.
Participation in Arizona Child Abduction Response Team
The Council will consider an IGA to have Goodyear police participate in the Arizona Child Abduction Response Team, a multi-agency team that responds to child abduction cases. Joining gives local detectives access to specialized resources and regional coordination when the worst happens.
Commissioner Engagement at 2027 Special Events
The subcommittee will pick two events from January through June 2027 where arts commissioners will engage directly with the community, bringing arts and culture presence to city events.
National League of Cities Conference Selection Process
Upperclassmen hoping to join the annual Washington DC trip now know the deal: they need to give a 3-minute presentation at the November meeting and log volunteer hours to be considered.
Special Olympics Fundraising Initiatives
The commission explored ways to raise money for Arizona Special Olympics with guidance from the city's adaptive recreation coordinator.
Youth Commission Bylaws Revisions
The Chair and Vice Chair brought proposed bylaw changes to a City Council sub-committee and reported back on how it went. The changes could reshape how the youth commission operates.
Heat mitigation — permanent shade structures
Council wants a future discussion on installing permanent shade structures at city facilities and parks to help residents deal with Arizona heat.
WeRide Saturday Public Transit Expansion
Council asked for an evaluation of the We Ride program to see how it's performing.
Larger outdoor event space and city-hosted events
Council asked staff to explore a bigger outdoor event space and more city-hosted events, such as a Memorial Day celebration and a holiday festival with a synthetic ice rink.
Community funding strategy and potential charter election
Council requested future discussions on a community funding strategy and a potential charter election — both could shape how the city raises and spends money.
Annual Update to City Strategic Plan
Goodyear is refreshing its Strategic Plan with 21 new action items and sharper project descriptions. The plan will steer the City Manager's recommended budget, so this discussion shapes city priorities for the coming years.
After Hours Art Talk Topics and Scheduling
The popular evening lecture series may move to a bi-monthly schedule at an earlier hour, with new community workshops featuring past speakers. Commissioners liked the workshop idea especially.
2027 Library Fine Art Show Themes
The themes chosen will shape what artwork appears at the library's fine art shows next year, giving local artists direction for submissions. Three themes were selected from a longer brainstorm list.
Branches of Honor Mural Artist Concepts
The city is commissioning a Branches of Honor Mural Experience, and the subcommittee picked from concepts pitched by six artists. This public artwork moves closer to being realized for the community.
GRC Phase II irrigation pond safety
Staff recommend a 3-acre, 14-foot-deep irrigation pond to cut $415,000 a year in water costs, but several councilmembers worry about young children near open water at a busy park and want liability answers before signing off.
Recreation Campus Parking and Traffic Management
Big events draw crowds that park across busy Australia Parkway, and the mayor has seen people crossing on foot. Council wants better parking agreements (possibly with the nearby church), safer crossings, and total cost figures for a parking garage versus surface lots.
Pavement Management and Road Maintenance Funding
The city assessed all 99 bridge structures for the first time since 2021. Eight need repairs in the next few years; four are scheduled this fiscal year. Officials stressed nothing is failing — these are preventive fixes.
Additional Community Meeting Space and Senior Programs
Every senior program has a waitlist and there's no big venue for weddings or events in town. Staff floated a 6,200-square-foot community room (~$9-10 million) for Phase II; council likes the idea but wants revenue and operating cost numbers first.
Changes to retirement board member terms
Staff reported the City Council recently passed an ordinance removing term limits for civilian members of the Local PSPRS board and standardizing term end dates across city boards and commissions.
Police Personnel Retirement and New Hires
Seven lateral police hires still haven't officially entered the state retirement system because medical records are incomplete — the item was tabled to the next meeting.
Kyle Cluff disability pension review
The board ordered an independent medical examination for Kyle Cluff's disability case, pending additional medical records. The outcome will determine his disability retirement benefits.
Committee terms under Ordinance 2026-1654
A recently adopted ordinance sets committee member terms to expire December 31 on an alternating annual basis — affecting who serves and when.
Water Allocation Policy development
Staff are developing a Water Allocation Policy that will go to the City Council in the coming months — it will shape how water is allocated as the city grows.
2026 State and Federal Legislative Priorities
Newly adopted federal operating guidelines for the Colorado River affect Goodyear's water supplies — a reminder that the city's water future is tied to regional river management.
Elevated TTHMs in drinking water
Quarterly testing found the average for total trihalomethanes — a byproduct of water disinfection — was above the standard in one area. The city is already installing treatment systems to bring it back into compliance.
Designation of Assured Water Supply Modification
The state is close to issuing a decision on Goodyear's modified water supply designation, which secures enough water for the next ten years of growth while protecting existing customers' supply.
Fall and winter special events calendar
Goodyear has a packed schedule through December: Rhythm and Roots, the Fall Festival, Veterans Week, Chalk Art in the Park, and holiday events at Civic Square, most free or low-cost for residents.
Bullard Wash Trail construction
The $32 million Bullard Wash Trail is nearly fully designed and construction begins in December 2026. It will connect neighborhoods, include a trailhead with restrooms and a classroom, and route all arterial crossings under the I-10 freeway.
Goodyear Community Park dog park and playground upgrades
The dog park moves to the park's northeast corner with a $2.6 million upgrade split into "passive" and "active" areas, and a $5 million aviation-themed playground rebuild starts in January 2027.
Goodyear Airpark Project Contract Negotiations
The council met behind closed doors to receive legal advice and strategize regarding contract negotiations for Project Green.
Comprehensive Water Strategy and Conservation
The city's new zoning ordinance requires water-efficient landscaping, irrigation, and development standards for new construction — meaning future subdivisions will use less water.
Curtis Commons HOA Turf Conversion Dispute
A representative from Curtis Commons HOA spoke out against Development Services for denying their turf removal application using unadopted zoning standards, prompting council to direct staff follow-up.
Community Volunteering and Event Participation
Commissioners organized volunteer shifts for upcoming community events like the Fall Festival, Make a Difference Day, and the GoodyearConnects Resource Fair.
In Re: Fire Apparatus Antitrust Litigation
City officials discussed ongoing antitrust litigation involving fire apparatus manufacturers to protect municipal interests and equipment purchasing costs.
General Plan and Development Trends Report
Goodyear is growing rapidly, adding about 27,000 residents since 2020. The city's housing mix has matured from heavily single-family homes to include more townhomes and multi-family options, creating a more balanced community.
Fall arts and culture events calendar
The city has a busy slate ahead: a heritage lecture July 16, an Everyday Wonders Art Show reception August 6, Veterans Day murals, and a new Commissioner's Choice Award at the reception.
Expansion of Non-Potable Water for Park Irrigation
City staff outlined a strategic plan to increase non-potable water usage for park irrigation from 27% to 75%, reducing reliance on expensive potable drinking water. Council members generally supported the initiative while noting potential concerns regarding water salinity and infrastructure costs.
Public Concerns Regarding Flock Automated License Plate Reader Cameras
A resident raised privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns regarding the city's use of Flock automated license plate readers, requesting a dedicated public discussion and contract cancellation. Council directed staff and the city attorney to provide a formal response.
Fire Resource Management Building Replacement
The fire department presented plans for a new 30,000-square-foot facility funded by voter-approved general obligation bonds to replace outdated and environmentally constrained space. The project is slated to come before council for funding consideration during the fiscal year 2028 budget cycle.