City Council - Regular Meeting

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All right. Where is Here she is. We good. Good evening and welcome to the April 23rd city council regular meeting. Thank you all for being here tonight. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Clerk, will you please take the role? Mayor Hark here. Vice Mayor Incas here. Council member Poston here. Council member Ellis here. Council member Orlando present. Council member Harris here. And council member Hawkins here. We have a quorum.

Thank you. Our invitation will be brought forth by Susan Stevens Clark of the Chandler Bahigh community. And sorry I didn't get a chance to ask you. Council member Hawkins if you would then lead us for the pledge.

I think you know it. If you join me in prayer, please. Oh thou kind Lord, this gathering is turning to thee. These hearts are radiant with thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of thy glad tidings. Oh God, let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees and render this just government victorious. Confer this revered nation to upra the standard of the oneness of humanity to promulgate the most great peace to become thereby most gracious and praiseworthy among all nations of the world. Oh God, this American nation is worthy of thy favors and is deserving of thy mercy. Make it precious and near to thee through thy bounty and bestow.

Thank you. Please join us in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Susan. Thank you, Council Member Hawkins. Next on our agenda tonight, we do have a couple special uh public appearances that we added, and I'd like to ask Council Member Orlando to please join me up front. All right, the first one is a fun one. If I could invite uh Terry Kimell from the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, president and CEO, to join us. Take your time. We've got three of us now in Chandler here that are

I know give back to the mayor to Thank you.

Thank you, mayor and council for allowing me this time tonight. Um tonight we are here for um some very exciting news. Each year um the Chandler Chamber um does their annual community awards celebration and um the city has been a true partner with us. But tonight we are here to honor a community award and a selection. And the recipient of this award that we are going to give tonight is usually selected for somebody who's gone above and beyond in their leadership roles in innovation, commitment to excellence, and a lasting positive influence on our community. This is more than just a formal honor. Tonight, the James R. Snediger Award goes to Chief Tom Dwiggins.

Go ahead. Go ahead. Would you like to say anything, Chief?

Sure. Uh, so thank you, Terry, into the chamber. Obviously, u I'm very honored uh to receive this uh not so much the award, the award is great, but the name of the award. And so that was 27 years ago. I was on duty when that happened. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a that was a tough shift for us. And then going to the funeral um and just seeing the men and women of the police department at the fire department, but even more so the community. We were a lot smaller back then. It was 1999. We had three stage coast buses with police and firefighters. and from where we started to where we ended, kids, business owners, you know, all of our residents, you know, it really was a a moving thing. And so, I really appreciate this. I think there's about 500 police officers and 250 firefighters that deserve it more. Um, but I will uh I will certainly accept it on behalf of all of Chandler Public Safety. We're blessed to to serve in a great community. The leadership, our city manager's office, the council always overly supportive for us, but not overly. Well, you're support. But, uh, this is a great a great place to work. I know, um, if if Officer Sneder was here today, he would be so proud of of where this police department has grown. Um, and I think that all of our, you know, all of our fallen police officers, firefighters, we work every day, uh, with them in mind, try to be professional, try to take care of, uh, our residents, our business community. Um, but it is, um, you know, it's something that we think about a lot. So, I I appreciate it. You are my classmate. I can't believe you did this to me, but So, thank you.

All right, let's do a photo. Actually behind at the bottom. Everyone perfect. One more. You say the winner.

We do have one other uh scheduled public appearance. Um if I could call up Koi Roma. So recently there is some federal legislation to rename our downtown Chandler post office. Uh so COY Roma from uh Congressman Greg Stanton's office, please share what this is.

Thank you very much and good evening. My name is Coy Roine and I'm here on behalf of the office of Congressman Greg Stanton to share a few remarks about the exciting news that in February, Congressman Stan introduced legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives to honor the life and career of a true public servant, former Chandler City Mayor Koi Payne, who passed away in 2019. This legislation will designate the USPS office building in downtown Chandler located at 101 North Colorado Street as the Mayor Koi Payne Memorial Post Office Building. Mayor Payne served in the United States Army during the Korean War and after his service earned a degree from Arizona State University and served over 30 years as an educator for the Chandler public school system. After two terms as a Chandler city councilman in 1990, Mr. Payne was elected mayor of Chandler, becoming the first black mayor in Arizona state history. Mayor Payne led as an example for all of us, dedicating his life to serving the vulnerable, giving back to his community, and being a compassionate leader and a thoughtful listener and a good friend. Mr. Payne, as he had said after his time as mayor, his first love was always the city of Chandler, Arizona, and its wonderful people. The congressman and his team are honored to introduce this legislation to dedicate the downtown Chandler post office building in Mayor Payne's name. And though there is not a definitive timeline for its passage into law, we are working with our fellow members here both in the delegation in Arizona and the entire house to get it passed as quickly as possible. And we will continue to push for its advancement in the House and we will be happy to

provide further updates as they develop. Thank you very much. No, we're good. Council, before we vote on the consent agenda, we do have a few speaker cards. Um, I'd like to call them up in order. So, two people speaking on three items for consent. Let me first call up uh Rick Hume. Mr. Mr. Humeman, you have up to three minutes to state your name, city you're from, share the item that you want to speak on, and you have again up to three minutes. Okay. Thank you, Mayor Rickman, 4310 West Dublin Street, Chandler, Arizona. I'm here on item number 11. Um, the charter changes. There's three of them that are pretty much just technical changes that I have no problem with. The fourth one of having changing the

requirement to have our employees work in our city at the director level above. I do believe that people should have skin in the game. I don't come here just to say no. I always have try to have solutions. Um I think if you have somebody, whether it's the parks department, public works, whatever, have worked their way up to the city, been in the city three years or more, um they shouldn't have to move back into the city if they lived outside. But anybody coming new to the city, I think should have skin in the game and should be here. Our director level positions pay very well, so they should be able to afford to be in our city. So, um I do support the first three. I don't support without some changes on the item about not having people live in our city. So, thank you. Our next two speaker cards and um uh is Noah James Markham on item number 17 and item number 20. Um Mr. Markham, you're welcome to come up and I'll just give you an aggregate time for both of these. state your name, city you're from, and your specific concerns. First on item 17, and then on item 20.

Okay. Um, aloha um, mayor and to the rest of the city council. My name is Noah James Markham and I'm from the great blue city of Pee. Um, yeah. Um, so number 17, I am so I'm really excited. I am excited that we are looking at the sewer here because it is disgusting. It is y'all. City manager, I don't know what you're doing, but it is disgusting still out there. I can smell it and I don't want to smell it. I don't I really don't. And another thing number 20 um thank you for taking care of our water because you know the legislators are not doing their job in the capital. So thank you so much and that's to comment about. Thanks

somebody left their phone. Uh someone leave their phone there. Okay. Great council. Those are all the um speaker cards. Uh next is our consent agenda. How would you like to proceed, Mayor? Um council member Orlando, I move that we approve the consent agenda agenda of January 23rd, 2026, regular items 1 through 21.

All right. So, we've got a motion by Council Member Orlando, a second by uh Council Member Ellis. Any additional questions, comments? Council member Orlando. Uh Mayor, I we asked this question the other night. Um, and and I guess uh I just want to clarify this is on items uh 17, excuse me, not 17, um 11, the uh proposed amendments for the article change. Um tonight we're approving to put this on the the ballot for November 3rd. Correct. Yes.

Uh through the mayor, Council Member Orlando. That's correct. So I and maybe I misunderstood you on Monday night when I asked if the language the actual charter language or the actual Yeah. The actual language of the charter could be amended before it goes on to the ballot or are we also approving the language tonight? And that's the the thing I'm getting confused about. I'll defer to our study attorney, but our the four resolutions do include ballot language as exhibits to the resolution.

Correct. Okay. So, they do approve, they do have the language, but if this council decides at a later date, hypothetically, I'm not saying this will, that we want to change that language or eliminate one of those. Do we have that option? And at what date do we have that option? Yes. So, you would have to do it on or before June 8th. That's the deadline to provide that ballot language. Those resolutions are what I provide to the county. That's just the ballot language only, not the publicity pamphlet, any of that activity. Correct. Well, those would go into the information pamphlet as well. That's what I start working on in June once that ballot language is approved.

Perfect. Okay. So, we did clarify it is the actual language or we could actually pull one of these off if we by June 8th. Correct. Okay. That's I want to make sure. So, I I was I was clear that night. Yes, I will not provide the language to them until Monday, June 8th. Got it. Thank you very much. Thanks, mayor.

Yeah, and I also thought the conversation was a specific question to the city attorney saying, was this the best language to be used and that gave council the flexibility I think on one and I think there was a big conversation about uh could it be more clear? Would that make it clearer, Mercury, or and a city attorney's opinion was that this gave us the most flexibility and was the clearest? Is is it Ton is that your recollections in conversation too? Mayor, yes, that is that is correct. Okay, good. Council member Ellis,

uh question for you. In view of the fact that we do have people saying that they don't agree with one of the ballot questions, uh what we are okaying tonight is to go to the public for them to vote on it. So we are not voting saying that we say yes to it. We're just putting it and giving it to the people of Chandler and let them make up their mind about it. It can pass and it cannot pass through the mayor. Council member Ellis, that is correct. All right. Thank you. Just wanted to make a clarification on records that this is what we're doing tonight. Thank you, mayor. Um, if I might, council, uh, yeah, go ahead.

This is the first reading of the ballot language. The second reading will come at another me another date in May. And should the council opt to not move one of them forward at that second meeting, it wouldn't get the second hearing or second vote to then proceed per our charter. That's a good clarification. Good. Thank you. Um, can I clarify, please? Actually, there's only one reading with the resolutions tonight. That approves the language. They will not come back to you at this point. Okay. It was only the ordinance like for the franchise that was twice. That's the other one that you're approving with the second read this evening. Okay. Um Vice Mayor, there need to be a second vote to take it back.

Mayor, there would be need to be a second vote to take it back after tonight. Correct, Claire? Tonight approves the ballot language. it will not come back to them unless they request to revisit those items and like repeal the resolutions that are getting appro approved tonight. Would that be the case if uh someone who's in the majority vote could bring this back up? So I I forgot that uh I believe in our in our in our language if you want to bring an issue back up you you are in the majority that you can. If you're in the minority you cannot. Is that correct? That's reconsider. Oh, that's recon. Okay. So, we're not talking a reconsider because we would have time. Is that correct?

Sorry to put you two on the spot here, but yeah. Um, mayor, if you wish to reconsider, you can recons move to someone could make a or anyone on the council, they can make a motion to reconsider at the next at either this meeting or at a next regular special meeting, but not later than 30 days after the date of the decision. Okay. But now we have a motion in the second on the on the floor here. We're just navigating. Um, Vice Mayor,

thank you, mayor. Um, I will just I wanted to notate that I will be voting no on item number 11. Um, I want to thank the committee for their time and their input for this. Uh, but I do feel like some of these items are foundational to Chandler's culture, foundation, and traditions, and I probably sit in the minority in this, but I do want to express that. And, uh, and we'll be voting no on these amendments. Okay. Seeing no further council, please vote

and motion carries unanimously with vice mayor and scenis dissenting on number 11.

Okay, thank you. That is our consent agenda. Next on our agenda is unscheduled public appearances and I have two cards related to that. First up is Mr. Bill. Mr. Bill, state your name and city in which you reside and you have up to three minutes to share your thoughts and concerns. Brookfield Chandler. Uh, I've attended a number of your city council meetings now and a few of your work sessions and I've got to say that um what I've learned from this is that you guys are are not great leaders. Uh, and honestly, you're not even good followers. Um, I would like to start off with a sincere thanks to Mayor Hartkey for reminding the bike riders on the 18th annual bike ride that ebikes are prohibited on the canal. Um, but a big no thanks to the Chandler Police Department for ignoring that and allowing them. Uh, there were eight or 10 that I saw uh breaking the law. Um, this tells me that Chandler Police Department does not observe the rule of law uh knowingly. So, um, but on to other things, uh, city council and city manager seem to be sort of fixated on these, uh, what has happened in neighboring cities and and to a certain extent, uh, government overreach when they're talking about the regulations for ebikes. Um, the Trust for Public Land has analyzed uh, park systems for a hundred of the largest cities in the United States. Um, seven of them are in Arizona and they include uh the neighbors that you often refer to and and check on. Uh, Chandler

received the worst of those seven Arizona and they were very close to the bottom number 93 in the United States as far as the quality of the park systems. So, um, while you try to follow the other cities, you're not doing a very good job. uh you know Scottsdale was number 48 so they were at least in the top half but so on to uh onto the ebike issue. Um your guidance that I saw two weeks ago sort of mimics the neighboring cities. You know you were talking about well what is what does uh Scottsdale do? What does you know what do these guys do? Um and nothing was new there. You you don't have any thinking outside the box. um you encourage uh riding on the sidewalk. U an ebike traveling 28 miles an hour, which is not unusual on the canal. Uh it'll cross Arizona Avenue, basically that wall to that wall in two seconds. And so if you're looking that way, then that way, and then that way to make a turn, that guy has already come across in front of you. And if you're not looking at the right time, you're you're going to hit him. So, um, why do I bring this up? Because a little over 60 years ago on July 2nd, 1965, uh, a friend of mine was killed when he was riding on the wrong side of the road. Car pulled out and ran him, struck him, and he was he died. Uh, that's the situation you are putting people in when you allow riding on on the sidewalk.

Thank you, Mr. Brooks. Mr. Be. Uh next we have uh Noah James Markham please again state your name city of residents and you have up to three minutes to share your thoughts.

Aloha mayor and to the rest of the city council. My name is Noah James Markham and I reside in the great city of Tempee. I I I love Chandler too. It's you know good city. Um but I have a problem with something. So, this incident that I had like a few weeks ago, I saw somebody randomly just have their gun, you know, in their car while they're driving, you know, just for fun, I guess, just there. And so, I hope that the police officers can watch that kind of stuff because it is scary and I don't like guns. I've never had a gun in my life and I don't want one in my life. So, please keep these guns at home. Okay. Um, and the next thing, um, I I am a I love women. I love women roles and I love that, um, you know, it it's great that we're seeing more women going to really high positions out there. Um, and the city manager, I I am so sorry, but I really need a woman city manager. I need a head of a a woman because she knows what she needs to do in the city of Chandler. Also, let's let's let's talk about the Phoenix police. I guess there was an incident here um that happened with a lot of um kids that were protesting ICE, right? Um and I guess he works in Phoenix, but he came and try to, you know, like a kid, you know, try to be with these other kids. I know we have adults that are kids and um you know they want to rattle them around. I don't understand why he did that. Um so shame on you, kid. Um and then also let's talk about Mesa um and the ICE agreement. Um and I do

support it. I do support it. I I really respect Greg Stanton um for funding the ICE agreement. I know I kind of said something before, but we need it. Um, and you know, it it's it's good to have, but we have to remember who has done a better job with the ICE agreement because we've had Obama, President Obama, we've had President Biden, and you know who does better with the ICE agreement? So, I I do understand why we we need ICE. Um even though I don't understand but um and then one more thing ICE they have a facility in Mesa and they they you know they have sardines in there. I guess it was the capacity of 21 people but they put 46 people in and thank you Greg Stanton for going out there. Congresswoman Adalita Graava and Yasmin Anasari. Thank you so much. Mahalo. All right. All right. Next on our agenda is current events. And I'll start. I'd like to take a moment to highlight the upcoming military bound ceremony. Chandler is honored to recognize more than 50 local students who have committed to serve in the US Armed Forces. This meaningful event celebrates dedication, courage, and selfless commitment of students who've chosen to serve their country following graduation. You are all invited to join us on Saturday, May 2nd from 10:00 a.m. till 12 pm at Chandler, I'm sorry, at Hamilton High School. Each enlisty will be individually honored. They will be presented with a commemorative military coin. This ceremony is a meaningful way for us to come together and show our appreciation for those who are stepping

forward. So, I hope that you will consider joining us. and uh council. It's always meaningful uh when they see us there as well. Secondly, I would like to invite you all to uh this Saturday we have our roads to riches financial literacy car show and night market. It's going to be right here at our at the city hall area at the city hall parking garage from 5:00 p. p.m. until 10 pm on Saturday, April 25th. This event features a lineup of cars, music, trucks, food trucks, vendors, but at its core, it's a focus on financial literacy for young people in our our community. Attendees will connect with organizations and resources that will help with budgeting, saving, investing, and building strong futures. And this event supports student success through scholarship opportunity, helping empower the next generation to achieve their goals as well. So I encourage residents to come out, take advantage of these resources and support a meaningful cause that supports our community. Council member Poston.

Thank you, Mayor. This last Saturday, I was able to attend the 100 Clubs Heroes Gayla. I was joined by Council Member Ellis and Council Member Hawkins. Um, what was really exciting about this event is that we had two Chandler police officers, Rupert Snedigger and Don Bacon, honored as the officers of the year for their heroic actions saving the life of a seven-year-old girl. I want to thank them both. Um, they are shining examples of our police department. Um, and as a as a side note, the 100 Club was actually originally started to support the families of fallen officers. It's since expanded to it to support all first responders and their families in multiple ways through scholarships and other ways that they might need community support. So, it was a great event and it was really wonderful to see Chandler get an award for the second year in a row. Thanks, Mayor.

Thank you, Council Member Ellis. A lots to talk about tonight, but nothing mayor right now. I like that. Council member Incenus,

that was a good one. Um, mayor, I want to share a information about a community event which is very popular here in town. It's Dia Delino envision toy drive celebration. It's kids day basically. Uh, the city of Chandler's partnering with the Chand Unified School District and Chavez Media, and they'll be hosting a uh toy drive for the children. toys um have been gathered uh through donations um all the way up until May 15th. So, they've already collected everything. They'll be distributing um the toys during the the Ninños event uh which is going to be taking place at Galveston Elementary School on April 25th, this Saturday from 1 to 5:00 p.m. During the event, every child who attends will go home with a new toy and a smile. So, we invite you to come out and celebrate with us um on this wonderful Saturday at Galveston Elementary School. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Blando.

Thank you, Mayor. I had a chance to um say a few words at the fifth annual Pacific Island Festival. Uh Vice Mayor Cena was there and council member Poston. I don't know if anyone else joined, but it was all day event. And if you did, if you did, that was great. I'm glad you all. It was great event. I know Ted P does not have this. Only Chandler has the uh the uh the Pacific Island Festival. It was it's brought to the community together for a vibrant celebration of Pacific Islander culture, dynamic dance performers, live music, authentic food, unique vendors, and a cultural education throughout the day. And you know, that's what Chandler does well. Uh we really embrace our diversity and we do have events. This event was in another city and they decided to come to Chandler uh because they felt more welcomed and it was a much larger event. So, we're we appreciate the performers and all the vendors and I believe last year they ran out of food at about six o'clock. This year they had extra uh trucks there. So, it was a great event. So, we'll see you next year.

All right. I got a thumbs up. All right. Go ahead. Coun member Harris.

Yeah. Um unfortunately, Matt, we're not the first person to do it. Is normally held at the Tempy Town Lake. No, but today tonight tonight I want to um be a little bit more serious um talking about the food and drink spiking ordinance um that I was proud to champion. Um this ordinance makes it a class one misdemeanor and Chandler to knowingly put any drug, substance or intoxins into someone's uh food or drink without their knowledge or consent or even attempt to do so. Um, this gives local or this local ordinance gives our local law enforcement um the ability to go after individuals who decides to um do something uh like this and it gives them the tools that they if the city if the county attorney decides not to go after u we have the tools here to do it. But this but by having this ordinance, it clearly defines what the drinking and food hampering as a crime in the city of Chandler. And this ordinance empowers victims to report incidents and reassures them that Chandler will take complaints seriously and act quickly. And as a council member who has championed mental health uh quality life and safe economic growth, I view this ordinance as a common sense step uh to protect both public safety and the long-term by vitality of channelers entertainment and hospitality sectors. Um the ordinance is a part of a broader push in the east valley with cities like Tempe adopting similar measures um for their community. And I want to especially emphasize uh council member Randy Keaton from the city of Tempee. And this also helps responsible business owners and ordinances reinforces existing expectations, train staff to watch for warning signs and respond

quickly when patrons reports a concern and work with law enforcement to keep their establishment safe. So truly thankful to have let this but also truly thankful for mayor and council to support such an effort to keep our community safe. As we continue to have amazing people to run our city, they now know that they're a little bit safer here in Chandler with the drinks with the food and drink um drink um tampering ordinance. Lastly, uh I want to make a special announcement. Uh it's graduation season and so many of us is going to be graduating. Um and so this graduation season is here. It's time to celebrate students moving forward from middle school, high school, and in college. And I'm excited to recognize and celebrate all those who have worked hard to reach the next level. Your dedication, perseverance have paid off. And this achievement is something to be proud of. And so I think there's a digital there's supposed to be something digitally on the screen. I don't know. Oh, there we go. Oh, personally, I'm excited to watch my wife Elizabeth uh graduate. Uh this um this coming up for all her hard work has truly paid off. Uh and she's she's going to be another person that we get to add uh to the lawyering community. So, I'm very proud of my wife. She's been doing a great job. and now um maybe one day she'll she'll work as a lawyer in the city government or something or maybe she'll go into it privately. I don't know whatever she wants to do. Uh but I'm glad to be adding an amazing person like that. Also, I wanted to make sure that I now since I'm talking about graduations, um Council Member Ellis is going to be receiving an honorary uh doctoral degree uh on May 2nd. Uh and she she don't mean

to brag. I'll just brag for her a little bit. Um, and so she's going to be getting in divinity. And so I think it's going to be, excuse me, I'm making your announcement. You want to make your announcement? It's going to be her third degree. But also on August 22nd, Council Member Ellis and I will be walking across the stage with we will be adding master's degrees to our portfolio and we're going to be graduating from the same time on August 22nd. It's going to be in San Antonio, Texas. We both going to be I'm going to be getting my MBA and she's going to be getting her nurse practition nurse practitioner

nurse practitioner and psych nurse. So, she's going to be we're going to be doing some amazing things. So, congratulations, Council Member Ellis. Absolutely. And congratulations to my beautiful wife who's going to do a fabulous job out there in the legal field. And I can't wait to see what's next for you. Thank you, Mayor. All right. It's always hard to follow him. I You want me to go or do you want Should I move you to What do you think? Let him be our closer. Council member Hawkins.

Okay. Um, so the city of Chandler recently celebrated a successful event honoring the dedicated boards and commissioners who play a vital role in shaping our community. Uh, their time, their expertise, and their commitment helped guide the important decisions and strengthen the quality of life for all our residents. So, thank you to each member for their outstanding service and continued dedication to Chandler. Uh, which leads me to ask question if you are interested in getting involved. Residents are encouraged to apply and participate in a board and commission to make a meaningful impact in Chandler. learn more about current opportunities and how to apply by visiting our city website and contacting or contacting the clerk's office. And that is all I have. Thank you. Thank you, city manager.

Mayor, council, first I'd like to recognize our own deputy city manager Ryan Peters and his department led by Mike Hollingsworth. Our fleet has been recognized as one of the top 100 fleets in the country. So I think that's an important recognition. I also want to point out that the Arizona Association for Economic Development honored City of Chandler employee Chandler Escalante with the workforce practitioner of the year award just recently. And I want to recognize Chandler and economic development. And that's all I have to All right, council. Thank you. We'll see you at the next