January 31st, 2025

If you have any concerns that you'd like to talk with me about, please email me at LBaldenegro@GLENDALEAZ.com, or you can contact me by phone at: (623) 930-2244

Councilmember Baldenegro will be available to meet Ocotillo District residents at 11am prior to City Council meetings at Pizza Old Roma in downtown Glendale.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns or would just like to speak in person, please stop by.

For dates of City Council meetings, click HERE.

Next City Council Meeting: February 11th, 2025

The City Council Voting Meeting on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 was productive, and as always, it is a pleasure to serve the residents of the Ocotillo District.

I encourage you to read the agendas, attend the City Council Workshop and Voting Meetings in person or watch the livestream and or YouTube videos, so you are up to date on agenda items that policy is being created for. Some highlights to point out from this meeting include:

• Congratulations to the Glendale Fire Department on the grant received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $2,352,477.15. This grant will allow Glendale to provide Leadership Training to 237 fire fighters within 10 West Valley Fire Departments.
• The permissible consumer fireworks within the city are prohibited except on May 4th-May 6th, June 24th-July 6th, and December 26th-January 4th, and the second and third days of Diwali. These amendment dates align with Arizona state law.
• Council reached consensus to not increase property tax. Property taxes make up a small percentage (3.5%) of Glendale's funding, due to this fact, the city can operate primarily on a budget with funds collected from other larger sources, such as sales tax. This is another reason why living in Glendale is beneficial and as a councilmember, I am committed to supporting property ownership for our residents.

I had the pleasure to sit down with Nick, the owner of Blue Corn Cafe & Bakery in Downtown Glendale this week, to learn about his family's delicious cafe and bakery. I have heard a wide variety of positive things about the food, coffee and artisan sourdough bread, so I felt honored to have this opportunity.

Blue Corn Cafe & Bakery fresh bakes its sweet and savory creations on a daily basis including homemade muffins, quiche, breads, tarts, cheesecakes, chocolate mousse domes, cookies, sandwiches and soups! They also incorporate a coffee bar offering locally roasted beans and an endless array of flavor combinations.

Blue Corn Cafe & Bakery also offers catering for birthday parties, corporate lunches and more! If you are in Downtown Glendale, be sure to stop by!

Thank you to Nick and his family for hosting us! To watch the video interview, click here!

Blue Corn Cafe & Bakery

7015 N. 58th Ave

Glendale, AZ 85301

www.bluecorncafebakery.com

Instagram: @bluecorncafebakery

Facebook: @bluecorncafebakery

The Velma Teague Library has a wide variety of STEAM Activity Kits for Children that are available for check out! They include educational projects, reading material, picture books and hands on equipment. Each kit is unique and is sure to spark imagination!

This week we are featuring their Animal Discovery themed activity kit which includes multiple games, animal themed books and informational cards.

Are you looking for a one-on-one session to learn how to type, use your new phone, or use Hoopla? Schedule a 30-minute session on Friday, February 8th, 2025, at the Velma Teague Library, to help you get comfortable using a device or an app.

Call to reserve your spot: (623) 930-3600

Appointment Times:

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Glendale Community Center Presents...YOU!

Join us for a night of creativity and expression at our Open Mic Night! Every Third Thursday of the Month 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or trying out your material for the first time, this is your chance to shine. All talents are welcome—music, poetry, comedy, storytelling, or any other form of art you’d like to share. Come support local talent, meet new friends, and enjoy a night of entertainment in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Call your girlfriends and head to Catlin Court and Old Towne Glendale for a Galentine's Day event that is sure to bring a smile to your face! This heartfelt event on February 8th, 2025, from 10am-4pm is intended to celebrate the special friendships women share.

Take a stroll down memory lane as you visit the quaint shops in Catlin Court. Photo ops will be available for that fun selfie memory of a girl's day out, along with Galentine's Day Themed Charm Bracelet trail AND a free Galentine's Day sticker design for the first 100 visitors who visit the Arizona Information Center booth in Memory Lane Trinkets and Treasures, located at 5836 W. Palmaire Ave.

For more information regarding this event, click here!

Dog Days of Glendale is coming up on Saturday, February 22nd from 9am-1pm at the Glendale Landmark School located at 5730 W. Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301.

Dog Days of Glendale will be celebrating a 15-year anniversary of holding this "Paw-some" event with Multiple vendors, Pet Adoptions, Raffle Booth, a Bark Busters Fun Zone, Charity Canine Fashion Show AND the first ever Toss and Fetch Challenge.

I will be sponsoring a booth and will be handing out "Dog-licious" treat bags along with informational city materials. So, stop by and have a chat; I look forward to seeing you and hearing from the residents of the Ocotillo District!

Are you planning on shopping in Downtown Glendale?

Check out the Peacock Trail Run! It is a fun and interactive way to explore various shops as you collect stamps from participating vendors...AND each completed passport receives a prize!

Visit the Arizona Information Center at: 5836 Palmaire Avenue to pick up your FREE passport.

For more information regarding this event and Downtown Glendale, click here!

Shopping is Paris is as easy as attending the Paris in the Spring event on Saturday, March 8th 2025 in Historic Downtown Glendale!

This one-of-a-kind shopping experience is will be presented by the Historic Downtown Glendale Merchants Association and will feature a wide array of open-air shopping, an assortment of sweet and savory dining options, various artist work displays and a fun charm trail.

For more information regarding this event and downtown Glendale, click here!

Glendale Police Chief, Chris Briggs, is retiring after spending his entire career – more than 32 years – serving the community.

In his role as Chief, Briggs steered the successful implementation of Arizona’s first “Real Time Crime Center.” He was also instrumental in establishing the West Valley Incident Response Team, which investigates critical incidents such as officer-involved shootings. Additionally, he led the department’s public safety efforts related to several high-profile events, such as Super Bowl LVII, the NCAA Men’s Final Four and multiple Presidential campaign stops held in Glendale.

“As we look to the future, you have to take opportunities that come your way and you have to sometimes recognize that it’s time to step aside and this is the perfect time for me to step aside,” says Chief Chris Briggs. “There is not a doubt in my mind that the Glendale Police Department is the best police department in the country, I know what we do and how we do it and I know the passion that we do it with and I couldn’t be prouder of this department.”

Chief Briggs began his service in 1992. During his time with the department, he served in various roles within every division, including as Patrol Officer, a Criminal Investigator and in Special Operations. “Chief Briggs has served with integrity, vision and unwavering commitment. His wealth of knowledge has been instrumental in shaping the department, and his efforts to modernize our technology have set new standards for public safety and efficiency,” said City Manager Kevin Phelps. “He leaves behind an incredible legacy of leadership and innovation that will continue to benefit our city for generations to come.” 

Thank you for your service, Chief Briggs, the city and community is better because of you. To watch Chief Briggs Exclusive Interview with AZ Family, click here!

Exciting news for Glendale and the West Valley; Nestle opens their $675 million, state-of-the-art, 630,000-square-foot production facility in Glendale, Arizona. In addition to Nestle's wide array of Coffee Mate products and flavors, this facility will also produce coffee lover fan favorite the Natural Bliss line. For those at home baristas, Starbucks gourmet creamer flavors such as Carmel Macchiato, Cinnamon Dolce Latte and White Chocolate Mocha, will also be produced.

The operation of Nestles new production facility is great news not only for all you at home baristas, but also for the residents of Glendale and the West Valley. Nestle projects employment opportunities for 300+ positions. Nestle also continues to demonstrate its support for local communities, with donating $100,000 to St. Mary's Food Bank to support food distribution and job training efforts in Glendale and throughout Arizona.

To help create a more sustainable future, Nestle designed their new production facility to feature several ecofriendly processes including renewable electricity to help reduce carbon emissions, recycling and repurposing up to 75% of its treated processed water and creamer bottles are made from food-grade recycled plastic at are also recyclable.

“The city of Glendale is honored to partner with Nestlé to bring jobs to our community and advance our economy as a hub to propel the food and beverage industry forward,” said Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers. “Nestlé’s presence will have a lasting and positive impact to pave way for our city’s vibrant future.”

Thank you Nestle, for your investment in Glendale, Arizona.

• Bethany Home Road, between Grand Avenue and 59^th Avenue – Crack sealing to take place in February to prepare for a Slurry Seal application to take place in Spring 2025.
• Streets between Maryland Avenue and Ocotillo Road, west of 69^th Avenue to 71^st Avenue – Slurry Seal application to take place in Spring 2025.
• San Miguel Avenue, Montebello Avenue and Rancho Drive – Partial reconstruction (thin mill and overlay) to take place in Spring 2025.
• Maryland Avenue, between 57^th Avenue and 59^th Avenue – Slurry Seal application to take place in Spring 2025.
• Missouri Avenue, 55^th Avenue to 59^th Avenue – Partial reconstruction (thin mill and overlay) to take place in Spring 2025.
• Streets between Ocotillo Road and Glendale Avenue, from 63^rd Avenue to 65^th Avenue – Partial reconstruction (thin mill and overlay) to take place in Spring 2025.
• 51^st Avenue, between Camelback Road and Montebello Avenue – Slurry Seal application to take place in Spring 2025.
• Missouri Avenue, between 51^st Avenue and 55^th Avenue – Slurry Seal application to take place in Spring 2025.

If you have any questions or want further information, please get in touch with the 24/7 Project Hotline at 602-532-6250. A map for 2024-2025 Pavement Management Program is now available on the Pavement Management website.

IMPORTANT LINKS (CLICK BELOW!)