City Council Formal Meeting - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon, thank you for joining us. Police Chaplain Harry Sexton will provide an invocation in keeping with the tradition of a legislative prayer for the council. Participation is entirely voluntary. Anyone may step outside or remain seated. Chaplain Sexton.

Thank you, Chaplain Sexton. I will now ask Councilman Robinson to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you, Councilman Robinson and Chaplain Sexton. I'll now call to order the meeting of the Phoenix City Council. Will the clerk call the roll?

Mario Barajas and Elsie Duarte are with us to provide Spanish interpretation. Mario, would you introduce your team?

Before we begin the approval of the meeting minutes, we have an important retirement of our retirement administrator this week. If Scott could please stand up. Nearly 32 years of service, including with the... several positions at the city including roles in police city manager's office city clerk's office and retirement we are so thankful that among other things so many people have been able to retire thanks to your excellent good work on our behalf and we wish you an incredible retirement well deserved thank you for your service And now we go to item number one, approval of the meeting minut

Thank you, Mayor. I move to approve the minutes of the formal meeting on December 17, 2025. Second.

All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Passes unanimously. Item two, boards and commissions, vice mayor.

Motion to approve the mayor and city council boards and commission nominations. Second.

We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Aye. Passes unanimously. We will now conduct a swearing in ceremony. Congratulations to our commissioners on your unanimous approval. Please raise your right hand. I state your name. Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the laws of the state of Arizona, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially Discharge the duties of?

According to the best of my ability. So help me God. Congratulations and thank you for serving our city. Yell again. We're excited to thank our commissioners who are serving on Arts and Culture and the Development Advisory Board. Again, congratulations and thank you for serving our city. We provide an advisory role to the state of Arizona on liquor licenses and we'll turn to that portion of our agenda next. Vice Mayor.

Motion to approve items three through 16. Second.

Motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? passes unanimously. Included today were several special events and Cocina Madrigal, so. City Clerk, are you ready for ordinances, resolution, new business planning and zoning?

Motion to approve items 17 through 79, except for the following, items 23, 32, 35, 46, 48, 57, 62, 63, 70, and 74, noting that item 41 is withdrawn and item 47 is as revised. And can the clerk confirm if there are any other items that should be excluded for in-person public comments?

Vice Mayor, do you have a motion to suspend the rules and take items out of order?

Yes, Mayor, I would move that we suspend the rules and take items 62, 63, and 65 out of order.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. We'll begin with item 62, the Joan Gantz Cooney Way ceremonial street name, and I'll turn to Councilwoman Stark.

Thank you so much. We'll go to the Vice Mayor and Julia, if you would mind coming down, we will recognize you shortly.

Thank you, Mayor. I echo the sentiments of Councilwoman Stark. I am proud to support this item because I think it's a true opportunity to recognize someone from Phoenix whose impact reached children and families across the world. Having Joan born and raised here in Phoenix and through her creation of Sesame Street, She made learning more accessible, more engaging, more joyful for many of generations of children, including myself. She understood the power of education and media to teach children who may otherwise may not have had access to these type of opportunities. I think there's something

Wonderful, thank you, Julia, and thank you to the councilwoman for bringing this forward. The Gantz family has had an incredible legacy in our city. Because of Joan, we have tested Sesame Street, so our kids got to be consultants for the show and there are many people who see references to Phoenix as well. I was a Sesame Street kid and as a mom, I'm excited this will move forward and it's such a special location near one of the best spots for kids in Phoenix. Roll call.

Yes. Passes eight, zero. Item 63 is the Mel Martin Mile Ceremonial Street name signage. Councilwoman O'Brien.

Thank you, Mayor. I move to approve item 63, and then I have comments.

Thank you. So I have to, I'm so honored to be able to get to do this, and just want to share a little bit that Mel Martin is the first business person I met at a chamber event after being elected, but before being officially elected. inaugurated into office. And we both showed up to a meeting very early and had a lot of time to chat. And he is just such an incredible man with great stories. And so I learned quickly that he had an auto museum in my district, that he was in the process of moving. And We've, I think, become good friends, but I have a few things that I've written down so I don't f

Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you for recognizing Mel. Mel, thank you for what you've done for our city and our region, whether it be your philanthropic investments or just making sure that when we have parades such as Veterans Day that we have the wonderful cars to celebrate our history. And we're very, very thankful for your investments. My son is particularly thankful for the transformer that you have at the... Mel Martin Auto Museum, but from multiple generations of my family, thank you for your investment. And Mel, why don't you stand since we're starting a bit of a tradition.

Yes. Passes eight, zero. Next we go to item 65, Serbian Heritage Way Ceremonial Street Name, Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. I move to approve item 65 and then I'll get comments. Second. Thank you. Recognize for comments.

Thank you so much. I am very pleased to support item 65 because recognizing our history means recognizing the many communities and institutions that helped make Phoenix the city it is today. St. Salva Serbian Orthodox Church has been an anchor in this Phoenix neighborhood since 1958. For nearly seven decades, it has provided cultural, spiritual, educational, charitable, and community support while preserving Serbian American heritage for generations. What I particularly appreciate is that this recognition also celebrates the way culture can bring people together. ServFest gives thousands of pe

Thank you. I'm looking forward to supporting this item. We have a wonderful Serbian community here. If you have not had a chance to visit this location, it has several very impressive and beautiful buildings, including stained glass and other artwork that has come from Serbia, a real gem and a jewel for our city. And again, SerbFest, incredible food. Culture and dancing. All right, roll call.

Passes 8-0. We next go to item 23, settlement of claim.

Vice Mayor. Motion to approve item 23. Second.

Thank you, Mayor. Just have a couple comments on this. You know, I just want to acknowledge that this is one of two settlements that puts us as roughly $600,000 in settlements that the city is being asked to approve for accidents involving on-duty police officers who are driving their vehicles. That's $600,000 in public dollars that could otherwise be invested in youth programs and housing and to human services and other resources our communities really need right now. I am going to be voting yes on this because when residents are harmed, they deserve repair and accountability. At the same tim

We next go to item 25, which is an agreement with NAU related to the Center for Service and Volunteerism, Arizona Health Corps, and Environmental Literacy Corps, AmeriCorps. Vice Mayor.

Item 32 is next outside legal counsel by spare motion to approve item 32 second motion.

A second will begin with public comment. Jeremy Thacker followed by Kristen listen.

Thank you, Mayor. I just have a couple of questions on this item. As the newest member to the council, just trying to understand, and for the public, My first question is, can you elaborate a little bit on what the purpose of the Ethics Commission is and how people are selected to join the Ethics Commission?

Okay, thank you so much. And who does, when those reports come in, those complaints come in, they only go to the, I mean, obviously they go to the Ethics Commission. And then who do they report? I guess, where's the reporting hierarchy there?

Okay. Thank you so much. And what are, if there's ethics violations found or substantiated, what are the consequences there and who determines that?

Okay, thank you so much. And then my final question is really around this, the amount on this item. Is there anything we can provide to answer to some of the questions that we just heard in public comment on what the expansion of this contract is looking to really focus on?

Okay, thank you so much. You know, I think there are I think optically and for the public right there, exist concerns when we're talking about ethics commission and I don't think that exists just to Phoenix. This was the same structure that is modeled at the state legislature where ethics complaints for elected members go through the committees that are served by the elected members. So I think there's an opportunity across different jurisdictions to really look at how we structure ethics committees. to ensure that our residents are seeing those bodies as independent and actually could provide

Thank you. I have a couple questions also. Without talking about the actual substance of the work that's being done, I think, so this is a contract or an amendment of a contract to provide additional resources for legal services. Is it possible to give us high level about some of the work that the Ethics Commission has been doing that has resulted in the need for this additional legal services?

So... from what I gathered from what you said is I feel like the ethics commission, this is my summary, so you can post something if I'm incorrect. I feel like the ethics commission, given the newness of the role, the newness of the procedural structure, the newness of what they're being asked, I got the impression that they have been asking council to make sure that they're going down the right path and have the right procedure in place. Is that kind of what you were saying in this instance?

And is legal counsel assisting the commission with the actual investigation of these 27 or 29 complaints?

And if the determination was made to move something towards an investigation, would that instruction, that direction, be public notice?

Okay. So I guess I was trying to fill in some blanks for members of the public and for myself also, that part of the services being provided by outside counsel is actually to assist in the investigation to determine whether or not there is validity or no validity to the complaints that have been raised. And given the amount of... petitions or complaints that we have and the circumstances of each petition that may necessitate the urgency of having additional funds to complete that process.

But I was correct. You were not in, but I don't think you said yes. Oh, yes.

So it's fair to say that outside counsel in essence is also helping the ethics commission in carrying out their responsibilities to be able to investigate more efficiently and independently. Yes, that's correct. Okay. And can you talk a little bit about how the additional $150,000 was determined and why this level of funding was appropriate for the needs from the commission through the end of the contract?

Okay, so is it fair to say one of the outcomes that the council and the public can expect if this motion carries with the additional availability of legal counsel is at a minimum some recommendations in response to the citizen's petition, at a minimum the rule considerations, as well as hopefully to resolve the petitions or the complaints that are pending?

That's a fair distinction, but the goal is to at least be able to help them to vet and review that information and have council opine to the commission confidentially as to what their recommendation is. That's correct. Okay. Thank you, mayor. Those are my questions. Thank you both.

We next go to item 35, related to the State Housing Trust Fund. Vice Mayor?

Motion to approve item 37. Five. 35? Oh, I'm sorry, 35. Second.

Hernandez. Mayor may I explain my vote? Yes. Thank you so much. I just want to take a moment to highlight a really amazing item on the agenda today, which is this item, the proposed $500,000 grant application to support a workforce readiness program and onsite case management and navigation services at the Phoenix Navigation Center. This program would provide daily employment opportunities through the neighborhood brigade workforce readiness program, along with case management, onsite navigation services, behavioral health support, and assistance with housing placement. This is the kind of wra

Next is item 46, contract with the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to host Olympic torch relay and related events, Vice Mayor.

The United States will host our next Summer Olympics and the city is thrilled about the prospect of participating in LA 28's historic torch relay. We're currently working directly with LA 28 regarding the next steps in the consideration process. This builds on my efforts to make sure Phoenix remains connected with all possibilities for the 2028 Olympics. I have convened a statewide committee to examine opportunities including hosting qualifying events or international teams to train in our market given our close proximity to Los Angeles. The entire nation can be proud of the games and Phoenix

Thank you, Mayor. I am too. I'm also very excited to support this item because just having the opportunity to potentially bring the Olympics torch relay to Phoenix would be a tremendous win for our city. Especially, I know the mayor, as mentioned, has been working very hard on this for some time. And the Olympics represents so much more than competition. It is a recognition of individual and team excellence. It also represents perseverance, friendship, and the ability to bring people together. And I think those are values that we should continue to celebrate here in Phoenix. I also appreciate

Thank you, roll call. Oh, I'm sorry, Councilwoman O'Brien.

Thank you, Mayor. I am excited to support Phoenix's opportunity to be part of the 2028 Olympic torch relay. After the Olympic flame is lit in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the games, the flame will travel through all U.S. 50 U.S. states for the first time ever. The full route will be announced next year, but with the council's approval today, we know Phoenix will help carry the spirit of friendship across Arizona and ultimately to Los Angeles for the summer games in 2028. Phoenix knows how to welcome the world. We've hosted multiple Final Fours and NBA All-Star games, along with Super Bow

Yes. Passes 8-0. Next is item 47, authorization to enter into agreements with the DEA for reimbursement for police services, Vice Mayor.

We have a motion and a second. Leonard-Clark?

Passes 8-0. Next is item 48, covert track global positioning system units. Vice Mayor. Motion to approve item 48. Second. Leonard Clark.

Thank you so much, Mayor. Just have a couple questions on this item.

Perfect. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. My first question around this is how is the tracking currently being used?

And where is that information stored? That's all with the court. Okay. And it only lives with the court? Yes. Okay. And I guess because it lives there, how are we- Councilwoman Hernandez, I'm sorry.

Okay. And what auditing mechanism do we have? Is that all? Go ahead, Dave. Okay, ma'am, once more. What auditing mechanism do we have around the use of this technology to ensure that access is not being abused to this tool?

Okay, thank you. And if there's any misuse there or any gaps in that process that you just walked us through, what measures of accountability are there in place?

Okay. Thank you so much. I just have a lot of concerns around any tool of mass surveillance, especially right now when our communities are calling on us for more accountability and transparency in our police department and with use of all of the surveillance equipment that law enforcement has at their disposal. Because what we've seen in a lot of different is that there's no proper parameters that we have been able to put in place to absolutely protect our residents from privacy data breaches. And I have a lot of concerns supporting this item. for a lot of those reasons right there. We're seei

Thank you, Mayor. I was going to ask that question because it was my understanding that this is not like a, it's not like flock cameras where you're surveilling every vehicle that passes through intersection. My understanding of this is it's more similar to like a micro tracker, similar to vehicles that have been, for example, leased and have not been fully paid off. Sometimes the owner of the vehicle will put a tracking device on that vehicle so they know where that vehicle is at that time. So it's an actual physical apparatus that is attached to a specific vehicle, is that correct?

And before that tracker is affixed to a vehicle, you file a petition with the court, you outline the probable cause as to why you believe not only that a crime has occurred or is in progress, but you also identify why you believe that specific vehicle is involved and why you believe that tracking is necessary in order to apprehend or to document the criminal activity that's suspected, correct? That is correct. Okay. And it's only after a judicial officer has issued, you called it a court order or a warrant, is at that juncture when the microtracker is attached to the vehicle, correct? Correct.

Okay. And it's also my understanding that these trackers have a certain shelf life, for lack of a better word. Can you tell me what the shelf life is for that?

So it's not an indefinite tracker that lasts? Okay, that's what I wanted to make sure I understood as well. Okay, thank you for those clarifications. I appreciate that. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you so much. Roll call.

Passes seven, one. Item 57 is Backflow Assembly Testing Repair and Replacement Services. Vice Mayor?

Motion to approve item 57. Second. Tammy Weaver?

Tammy? So I'm speaking on item number, can you hear me? Yes, it's the backflow assembly testing.

Thank you. If you sign up, available to speak if necessary, then we call on you if people have questions. All right, roll call.

Item 70, Water Services Department Engineering On Call. Vice Mayor.

Next we go to item 74, retroactive approval to apply for an Arizona State Historic Preservation Office certified local government pass through grant for federal fiscal year. Vice Mayor.

Motion and a second. We have two comments. We'll start with Kristen followed by Jeremy.

Thank you, Councilman. I certainly consider the Murphy Bridal Path to be a citywide amenity. People come from all over our community to enjoy it. When we talk about what we'd like to see in terms of shade and walkability, it is often one of the most cited examples in Phoenix.

Item 75 is next, approve of a Phil Gordon threatened building grant for 330 North 18th Avenue in the Oakland Historic District in D7. Do we have a motion? Motion to approve item 75. Second. We have a motion and a second. We named these grants for our former mayor, Phil Gordon, who was such an advocate for historic preservation and protecting the city of Phoenix's history. We do have public comment on this. We'll begin with Christian followed by Jeremy.

Thank you. Next up, we have Jeremy Thacker.

Thank you. Any questions from the council? All right. Councilman Stark?

Next up, we have item 76. which is the approval of a Phil Gordon threatened building grant in District 8 at 927 North 8th Street. Can I get a motion, please? I move to approve. Thank you. For that, we have two speakers, Michael Buchbacher and Kristen Lyson. and Jeremy Thacker.

Thank you so much. Next up, Kristen Liza.

Thank you. Those are lots of our speakers on that item. I will ask Josh Benarik and Helena Rutter to come forward to answer a couple questions for me, please. Thank you. I thought it might be helpful to give you an opportunity. My question, I guess, in simplistic terms would be, can you articulate the public benefit that the residents of Phoenix would receive as a result of this item?

Thank you so much for that. And I just want to make sure I'm clear, because you mentioned it. You said from the initial one-year period, the demolition, to the duration of the conservation easement. And just to make sure it's clear, the duration of the proposed conservation easement is 25, sorry, 30 years in this case, correct?

Okay. So that takes it from a conservation easement from having it from one year to for up to, well, not up to, but 30 years addition. So there is some... there is definitely impact. And you also talked about a little bit of enhanced enforcement. Can you expound a little bit more on that?

Thank you so much for the clarification. Question for Councilman Stark.

Okay, thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you so much, Councilwoman Stark. Seeing there are no further questions, I'll go ahead and proceed with the roll call vote.

Next, we will proceed to our citizens' comment. I will turn to the city manager to provide Statement.

Thank you. We will start with our first speaker is Faith Kerns, followed by Frank Urban.

Thank you so much. Next speaker is Frank, followed by Clarissa Peterson.

Thank you so much, Frank. Our next speaker is Clarissa, followed by Eric Richardson. Moving on to Eric Richardson, followed by Lauren Carrasso.

Thank you so much. Next is Lauren, followed by Christopher Carrazzo. And then Clarissa could go next if she's back.

Okay, thank you. And are you Lauren or Christopher? I'm Lauren. Thank you. Christopher, followed by Clarissa, if she's back. And if Clarissa's not back, we're going to go to Antonio Harris.

Our next speaker is David Morgan, followed by Lee Ellis II.

Thank you. Next speaker is Natalie Miller, followed by Charles Whiteside.

Thank you so much. Charles Whiteside is next, followed by Jerry Van Gass.

Thank you so much. Jerry Van Gass, followed by Jeremy Thacker. Good afternoon, Jerry Van Gass.

Thank you so much. Jeremy is next, followed by Devonte Stanley.

Thank you. We are approaching the 30-minute mark. So this may be our last speaker, depending on how long Mr. Devante Stanley takes. Hello.

Thank you. We have one more speaker. Leonard Clark, go ahead.

Thank you so much. We've reached the end of public comment in terms of... Yeah, you can bring that to the clerk. You can bring that up to the front of the clerk to receive that. For anyone who is registered to speak for public comment that didn't get called today, you're invited to return at our next meeting and your names will be called first during our public comment. With that, we are adjourned. Thank you.