• Passed an economic development work plan. High priorities include attracting major employers, a hospital and a college or university. It also calls for rapid infrastructure development for the Loop 303 corridor.

• Adopted a 12-month policy agenda to guide and prioritize city efforts in the year ahead. A number of agenda items focus on livability, including one that calls for new programs to enhance neighborhoods. The document also calls for a program to improve right-of-way quality and maintenance on arterial roads and directs the Engineering Department to study truck routes with an eye toward improving conditions in western Peoria.

• Approved the submission of a grant proposal to the Arizona State Parks Department State Historic Preservation Office for a study of the Hood Building at the corner of 83rd Avenue and Washington Street in Oldtown – as well as $10,000 in matching funds. (The grant was approved in June.)

• Accepted a $61,728 Waste Reduction Assistance Grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for expanding recycling to multifamily housing. The City Council also authorized matching funds.

• Rezoned 48 acres in northern Peoria for construction of the Peoria Regional Medical Center, to be built along Lake Pleasant Parkway north of Happy Valley Road.

• Authorized continuation of an agreement with Peoria Unified School District that enables the city to use school facilities for various recreation programs and other activities and events.

• Approved an agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation for development of a multiuse pathway and underpass along Skunk Creek between 83rd Avenue and Rio Vista Community Park. This segment will link the Skunk Creek trail east of 83rd with the New River trail. The City Council also approved $250,000 in matching funds for the project.

• Approved collective bargaining agreements with three unions representing city employees: the Peoria Police Officers Association, the United Phoenix Firefighters Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

• Adopted a resolution expressing the city’s position that a proposed Arizona Public Service (APS) power line should be located within the State Route 74 corridor rather than along the Carefree Highway alignment, which APS prefers.

• Accepted a $5,000 grant from Wal-Mart to help the Peoria Public Library pay for literacy programs. The City Council also approved matching funds.