[0:00] Detail is intentional. Firefighters have
[0:02] immediate access to washing machines and
[0:05] showers, two sets of turnout so they
[0:07] always have a clean set available
[0:11] and ventilated gear rooms to keep
[0:13] contaminants contained. Even the
[0:16] flooring, the ventilation systems, and
[0:17] the separations between living quarters
[0:19] and apparatus bays are designed to
[0:20] reduce exposure. All of these features
[0:23] matter. They matter to our members who
[0:25] appreciate the support by this city, by
[0:28] the department, and by the community. In
[0:31] a few minutes, Gerald from Pearlman
[0:33] Architects will talk will share more
[0:34] about the specific design features that
[0:36] make this station one of the safest and
[0:38] most innovative in the country. But
[0:40] before I close, I want to thank everyone
[0:41] here today, our city leaders, our
[0:44] partners, our firefighters, and the
[0:46] community. Fire Station 74 represents
[0:49] collaboration, innovation, and
[0:51] commitment.
[0:53] But most importantly, it represents our
[0:55] promise to you that when you call, we
[0:58] will be there ready, trained, and
[1:01] equipped to serve. Thank you.
[1:06] [applause]
[1:08] [cheering]
[1:11] » Uh good morning everybody. It's a
[1:14] pleasure to be here today. I drove up
[1:17] from Tucson. We had our state convention
[1:20] there and the I10 was shut down for a
[1:22] bit. So, I'm a little late, but happy to
[1:24] be here. Uh, first want to take thank
[1:28] the mayor, Councilman Robinson, uh, Ed
[1:31] Zurker, the city manager, Councilwoman
[1:34] Pastor, thank you to senior staff, and,
[1:38] uh, most importantly, thank you to the
[1:40] community for allowing us, partnering
[1:43] with us to make this happen today.
[1:46] And also want to thank the firefighters.
[1:49] This fire station is going to save
[1:51] lives.
[1:53] Somebody that otherwise wouldn't be here
[1:55] without this being built is going to
[1:57] benefit from this. Uh I had the pleasure
[2:01] of working at Battalion SE 7 which is at
[2:04] fire station 43 on 40th Street in
[2:08] Chandler Boulevard. We used to have a
[2:10] decent amount of mountain rescues at
[2:13] this mountain just just uh west of here.
[2:16] Back then, unfortunately, the highly
[2:19] trained people that uh Chief Duran was
[2:22] speaking about had to come from the city
[2:24] of Chandler to assist on those rescues.
[2:27] Now, your Phoenix firefighters will be
[2:30] able to do the job that they're paid to
[2:33] do and protect the community.
[2:36] Uh we've had a lot of progress these
[2:39] last few years with getting fire
[2:41] stations built, getting more members to
[2:44] serve your community or our community, I
[2:47] should say, cuz we all live and work in
[2:50] this city. Uh and I want to say thank
[2:54] you to you guys for that. Thank you to
[2:55] senior staff and again, most
[2:58] importantly, thanks for the community
[3:00] for voting
[3:02] uh and and putting good uh good
[3:06] politicians in place to allow us to to
[3:09] build what we got coming. Um, local 493
[3:14] appreciates all the partnership. We love
[3:16] our community, love our fire department,
[3:19] and appreciate everybody. Have a
[3:21] wonderful day. [applause]
[3:27] Good morning and welcome. Uh first and
[3:29] foremost, welcome to the community
[3:30] members and to our distinguished guests.
[3:32] It's a pleasure uh to be able to speak
[3:34] in front of you today. Um it's it's hard
[3:37] for me to imagine being here today. Uh
[3:39] as a as a kid who grew up in the Awatuki
[3:42] foothills and moved here 43 years ago,
[3:44] this was definitely not on my bingo
[3:46] card. Uh and I had more hair when I had
[3:49] my visions then. Um, I want to start out
[3:51] by thanking uh the city of Phoenix,
[3:53] Sylvio, Haimey, and Kyle. Thank you for
[3:56] being amazing partners through this this
[3:58] delivery. Uh, this is an absolutely
[4:00] beautiful facility and and we're excited
[4:02] to deliver it. Thank you to Gerald at
[4:04] Pearlman Architects. He's been an
[4:05] absolutely wonderful partner to work
[4:07] with and collaborate with um in
[4:10] delivering this absolutely beautiful
[4:11] facility uh to our our family members at
[4:13] the city of Phoenix. I want to
[4:15] especially thank uh the team at BFL,
[4:17] Ducks, Jake and Shawn who really uh
[4:21] really stepped up to deliver uh this
[4:23] grand opening in in in such a beautiful
[4:25] fashion. Um the fire department, I'm I'm
[4:28] excited for you folks to have this
[4:30] beautiful new facility and just want to
[4:32] say welcome home. Thank you very much
[4:34] for this opportunity and including us.
[4:36] Uh and congratulations.
[4:38] [applause]
[4:43] Finally, I'd like to welcome the
[4:45] president of Pearlman Architects of
[4:46] Arizona, whose partnership over the
[4:48] years has been invaluable, Gerald Adams.
[4:52] [applause]
[4:57] » All right, for uh good morning and for
[4:59] one day, I I guess I'll clarify. I'm not
[5:01] the president, but it's an honor to be
[5:02] here. It's an honor to be working on
[5:04] these projects. Uh my job is a director.
[5:06] All right. And so our job is to bring
[5:09] this facility to life. We talk to the
[5:11] the people, the community, the
[5:14] firefighters, all of our engineers, and
[5:16] I'm going to start by saying thank you.
[5:17] It's an honor. Um we're always honored.
[5:19] We don't take these for granted. We we
[5:21] look forward to working with these every
[5:22] year and every every possible chance we
[5:25] get to work on a fire station. Um
[5:27] whenever you think of a fire station, I
[5:28] think three things come to mind.
[5:31] Commitment, dedication, and service. And
[5:33] I think this fire station slow idolizes
[5:35] that particular message. The commitment
[5:38] from the city and the leadership in the
[5:40] community to put this fire station on
[5:41] this site to make this happen for this
[5:44] community is huge. The dedication all
[5:46] the men and women it took to build to
[5:48] design to construct this facility to be
[5:51] supported for the service for the
[5:53] firefighters that are going to serve
[5:54] this community for the next 50 to 75
[5:56] years. So in a nutshell, this is about
[5:58] commitment, dedication, and service.
[6:01] Now, I get the honor to tell you a
[6:02] little bit about what's in the station,
[6:04] how it's designed, the sustainability
[6:06] and the technology. This station has
[6:08] been built once before. In an effort to
[6:10] try to keep cost down, we rebought the
[6:13] station back to life, put it in this
[6:15] neighborhood, but we update it for the
[6:16] modern technology that we need in this
[6:18] station. And that has to do with the
[6:20] decontamination. Everybody's talked
[6:22] about hot zone. We have red zones,
[6:24] yellow zones, and green zones. And as
[6:26] you tour the facility this afternoon or
[6:28] a little bit, you'll see signs. And each
[6:30] of those signs represent a different
[6:31] color. Those colors represent the areas
[6:33] of closed contamination, minimum
[6:36] contamination, and clean zones. And so
[6:38] what we're trying to do is educate
[6:40] everybody, the firefighters, and every
[6:42] visitor here when in a particular zone,
[6:44] not to carry the the carcinogen
[6:46] exposures from one zone to another. We
[6:49] want to keep our firefighters healthy,
[6:51] happy, and able to preserve their health
[6:53] so that they can take care of all of us
[6:55] when we need it. So, there's a lot that
[6:57] goes on behind the scenes. Just real
[6:59] quickly, this building is very energy
[7:01] efficient. It looks like a block
[7:03] building. It's really not. It's a block
[7:05] veneer over an ICF building, which means
[7:08] we have an R48
[7:10] envelope on this building, which is off
[7:12] the charts. Most people's homes are like
[7:13] R20 to R30. So, we're saving cost every
[7:17] single day this operation. We're saving
[7:19] cost of taxpayer dollars to run this
[7:21] facility. And fire stations are big.
[7:23] They use a lot of power, a lot of water.
[7:25] Our goal is to reduce all of that by
[7:27] these these things that we're doing. A
[7:29] lot of the systems now are automatically
[7:31] turning off, turning on. We're lowflow
[7:34] water. We're doing a lot of
[7:35] sustainability. So these all these
[7:37] walls, roofs, overhead. This building is
[7:39] very comfortable right now. It's end of
[7:41] May and we're comfortable in this room.
[7:42] Um so as you tour the rest of the
[7:44] building, you'll you'll see that the
[7:46] alerting I think there's five and a half
[7:47] miles of cable I believe in this
[7:49] building that's buried behind the walls.
[7:51] And you notice a lot of these walls are
[7:53] cleanable. They'll spray them down.
[7:54] They'll keep all the carcinogen
[7:55] exposures off. We'll start at the scene
[7:58] or the firefighters will start at the
[7:59] scene. We want to bring them back to the
[8:00] station as clean as possible. Again, on
[8:02] behalf of Proman Architects, our entire
[8:04] design team, there's a lot of our
[8:05] consultants here that helped us make
[8:07] this a reality today. Thank you for your
[8:10] time, your energy, and your commitment,
[8:12] and it's an honor to work on these, and
[8:13] we look forward to the next one. Thank
[8:14] you.
[8:16] [applause]
[8:21] All right, that concludes our formal
[8:23] remarks for this morning. I'd like to
[8:25] thank everybody for joining us. We are
[8:27] going to ask our distinguished guests to
[8:29] join us for the ceremonial ribbon
[8:30] cutting. For everyone else that's here
[8:32] today, please stay and enjoy this
[8:34] beautiful facility.
[8:45] » [music]
[8:52] » Kayla Kuren is a passionate advocate for
[8:54] urban forestry whose work is
[8:56] transforming neighborhoods across
[8:57] Phoenix. She co-developed the city's
[8:59] first equity focused tree planting
[9:02] grants, including Canopy for Kids and
[9:04] the innovative community canopy program,
[9:07] initiatives that in just 18 months have
[9:09] planted more than 4,100 trees in areas
[9:12] with the greatest need. Her leadership
[9:14] also helped secure a remarkable [music]
[9:16] $10 million US Forest Service grant,
[9:18] doubling the city's annual tree planting
[9:21] pace and advancing environmental
[9:23] justice. Kayla is a [music] certified
[9:25] arborist and Spanish speaker, allowing
[9:27] her to connect personally with thousands
[9:29] of residents as she educates, supports,
[9:32] and empowers them. Whether reviewing
[9:34] site photos, hosting neighborhood
[9:35] events, or delivering tree care kits,
[9:38] Kayla builds trust, answers every
[9:40] question, and creates positive
[9:42] experiences that keep residents engaged.
[9:45] Her work strengthens [music]
[9:46] communities, expands shade, and
[9:48] redefineses what it means to serve both
[9:50] people and the planet. We're so proud
[9:53] that she won. She is great [music] with
[9:55] people. She uh spends a lot of time on
[9:59] the phone with the public and she's so
[10:02] kind [music] to them. So proud of you,
[10:04] Kayla, and we know you're going to excel
[10:07] [music] at everything you do.
[10:12] Nicholas Bleo has made a remarkable
[10:14] impact on how the city manages its
[10:16] telecommunications. Through sharp
[10:18] analysis and collaboration across
[10:21] departments, Nicholas identified
[10:22] inefficiencies and created a new
[10:24] quarterly review system that brought
[10:26] accountability and clarity to mobile
[10:28] line usage. His efforts led [music] to a
[10:31] 9% reduction in monthly costs and nearly
[10:34] $1 million in annual savings by removing
[10:36] thousands of unused lines. [music] He
[10:39] also negotiated more competitive mobile
[10:41] plans, adding another $100,000 in yearly
[10:44] savings, all while improving device
[10:46] tracking and [music] ensuring every line
[10:47] is properly assigned. Nicholas's
[10:50] thoughtful, datadriven approach has
[10:51] strengthened operations citywide and set
[10:54] a new standard for fiscal responsibility
[10:56] and innovation. He's an exceptional team
[10:59] player. He goes over and beyond with all
[11:02] his duties. He steps in when there's
[11:04] vacancies. He doesn't just do the
[11:08] minimum. He's a great [music] coach to
[11:10] his team. He's great with all the
[11:12] vendors. The vendors really enjoy
[11:14] working with him. [music]
[11:15] He's enthusiastic about his job. He
[11:17] brings tons of passion. Great employee
[11:20] to work with.
[11:24] The housing support and relocation team
[11:26] took on a challenge rooted in something
[11:28] far deeper than logistics. When Mville
[11:31] Parkway Terrace underwent full
[11:32] rehabilitation,
[11:34] 103 senior and disabled residents were
[11:36] asked to leave the place they considered
[11:38] their safe and familiar home. For many,
[11:41] this meant confronting mobility
[11:43] barriers, medical needs, and an
[11:45] overwhelming fear of losing stability.
[11:47] That is why the team's work mattered so
[11:50] profoundly. They responded with
[11:52] extraordinary empathy, calling residents
[11:54] daily, sometimes late into the evening,
[11:56] simply to reassure that they weren't
[11:58] alone. They protected medications,
[12:01] oxygen equipment, pets, and personal
[12:04] belongings. They kept essential services
[12:06] running, and they handd delivered
[12:07] paperwork to reduce stress. Housing
[12:10] placements were chosen thoughtfully to
[12:12] keep residents close to their doctors,
[12:14] groceries, and community ties. And when
[12:17] residents returned, the team stayed
[12:19] beside them, making sure every
[12:21] homecoming felt safe. Their compassion
[12:23] resulted in zero escalated complaints
[12:26] and countless moments of heartfelt
[12:28] gratitude
[12:29] >> after the renovation. When the seniors
[12:31] » after the renovation. When the seniors
[12:31] came back, they were amazed of what they
[12:34] were coming back to. Newly renovated
[12:37] apartment that they could call home. And
[12:40] I want to congratulate the team for
[12:42] doing such a great job relocating our
[12:45] residents, taking the time, the care
[12:47] [music] that was needed to make this
[12:50] project a success.
[12:54] In just [music] her probationary year,
[12:56] Megan Mullen delivered achievements that
[12:58] would challenge even a seasoned
[13:00] professional. She coordinated the roll
[13:02] out of 2,000 smartphones [music] across
[13:05] police precincts, ensuring specialized
[13:07] access and smooth transitions for units
[13:10] with unique needs. She then played
[13:12] [music] a key role in the citywide
[13:14] Windows 11 migration, supporting more
[13:16] than 5,400 police department computers
[13:19] and even coordinating an overnight
[13:21] upgrade of 1,000 devices, contributing
[13:24] to a 96% [music]
[13:26] completion rate and significant cost
[13:29] avoidance. Megan also supported the
[13:31] launch of the new records management
[13:33] system, streamlining [music] complex
[13:35] vendor processes with automation. Her
[13:38] adaptability, technical skill, and
[13:40] determination strengthened
[13:41] infrastructure, saved city funds, and
[13:43] improved public safety operations, all
[13:46] in her first year.
[13:48] >> Megan's demonstrated a strong leadership
[13:50] » Megan's demonstrated a strong leadership
[13:50] since the moment she got to the
[13:51] department. She's not only motivated
[13:53] members of her own team, but members of
[13:56] staff [music] across all parts of the IT
[13:58] bureau. I'm looking forward to all the
[14:01] future projects that Megan will be
[14:02] overseeing and running. Megan,
[14:04] congratulations on this well-deserved
[14:06] award.
[14:10] » While on duty near 42nd Avenue, Arnold
[14:12] Gracia witnessed a young child run into
[14:14] [music] traffic, visibly terrified.
[14:17] Without hesitation, he safely stopped
[14:19] the vehicle, blocked traffic, [music]
[14:20] and reached the child, who ran into his
[14:23] arms for safety. Arnold protected him on
[14:25] the sidewalk, coordinated with
[14:27] bystanders, [music] and contacted police
[14:29] to ensure the boy received immediate
[14:31] help. He remained with him until
[14:33] officers arrived and later learned the
[14:35] child had been missing for several
[14:37] weeks. When the child's mother asked to
[14:39] meet him, Arnold humbly declined, saying
[14:41] he simply had done what any [music]
[14:43] responsible person would do. His quick
[14:46] action, calm presence, and compassion
[14:48] made a profound difference in a moment
[14:50] of crisis.
[14:51] >> And you know, it's just part of Arnold's
[14:53] » And you know, it's just part of Arnold's
[14:53] character. He he's a he's that fatherly,
[14:56] strong, you know, uh person. and he know
[15:00] you know when that I'm sure that kid
[15:01] didn't feel any safer any other person
[15:04] in the world. He's a big old bear. I'm
[15:07] proud to be able to that I was nominated
[15:09] him for the award [music] and that he
[15:10] received it. I couldn't see it going to
[15:12] a better person.
[15:14] [music]
[15:15] >> Clayton Freed recognized a critical
[15:17] » Clayton Freed recognized a critical
[15:17] challenge in recruiting engineers and
[15:19] saw an opportunity to build something
[15:22] transformative. [music]
[15:23] Drawing on his past experience, Clayton
[15:25] led the creation of the water services
[15:27] [music] rotational engineer
[15:29] apprenticeship program, one of the first
[15:31] state registered [music] programs of its
[15:33] kind. He conducted deep research,
[15:35] coordinated with HR and operations,
[15:37] [music] and designed a 4-year program to
[15:40] prepare the next generation of
[15:41] engineers. The program [music]
[15:43] successfully launched with four
[15:45] apprentices selected from over 50
[15:47] applicants. Clayton also helped meet
[15:50] immediate workload needs by training
[15:52] [music] contracted project managers,
[15:54] boosting the department's workforce
[15:56] pipeline. His vision, persistence,
[15:58] [music] and collaboration created a
[16:01] sustainable path for future engineers
[16:03] and set a model for other departments to
[16:05] follow.
[16:06] >> Not only is Clayton Free a fantastic
[16:08] » Not only is Clayton Free a fantastic
[16:08] [music] engineer, but he saw a problem.
[16:11] He saw a challenge, something that is
[16:13] very difficult, not only for the water
[16:15] services department, for the rest of the
[16:16] [music] city as well. So Clayton, thank
[16:18] you very much. Great job on finding a
[16:21] solution that will not only help the
[16:22] water department, but it'll also help
[16:24] the city of Phoenix in the future.
[16:28] » The Phoenix Community Court team is
[16:30] transforming lives by meeting people
[16:32] experiencing homelessness with dignity,
[16:34] compassion, [music] and unwavering
[16:36] support. Bringing together the office of
[16:38] homeless solutions, the municipal court,
[16:40] the prosecutor's office, and the public
[16:42] defender, the team helps individuals
[16:44] break the cycle of repeated arrests
[16:46] related to survival needs. They connect
[16:48] participants with shelter, treatment,
[16:50] health care, employment services, and
[16:53] long-term case management, ensuring
[16:55] every person is seen and supported.
[16:57] Since its launch, [music] the court has
[16:59] worked with nearly 700 participants with
[17:02] 180 graduates already [music] achieving
[17:04] stability and hope. Their work restores
[17:07] trust, builds confidence, and
[17:09] strengthens the entire community through
[17:11] patience, perseverance, and humanity. I
[17:14] would like to say to my team how proud I
[17:15] am to be a part of this, of everything
[17:18] that you're doing, showing an
[17:20] unparalleled [music] commitment to our
[17:22] mission, to our vision, and to
[17:25] alleviating the suffering of those
[17:26] people most in need in our community.
[17:29] I'm very proud of you, [music] and you
[17:31] should be proud of yourselves.
[17:35] Lexi Van Heron has advanced Sky Harbor's
[17:38] global connectivity in extraordinary
[17:39] [music] ways. Serving as the airport's
[17:42] sole air service representative, she
[17:44] secured the first non-stop flights to
[17:46] Asia with Starlux [music] Airlines and
[17:48] China Airlines, an achievement requiring
[17:51] extensive strategic planning, high level
[17:53] coordination, and international
[17:55] engagement. These new [music] routes are
[17:58] projected to generate over $170 million
[18:01] annually. Lexi also brought the
[18:04] prestigious Cranky Network Forum to
[18:06] Phoenix, [music]
[18:06] drawing record airline participation and
[18:09] elevating the city's global visibility.
[18:12] Her strong airline partnerships
[18:14] delivered measurable results, including
[18:16] expanded [music] service with Air France
[18:18] and the restoration of daily flights to
[18:20] Mexico City. Lexi's leadership,
[18:23] communication, and innovation position
[18:26] Sky Harbor as a worldclass aviation
[18:28] gateway. So, it really just goes to show
[18:30] that Lexi's commitment [music] and
[18:32] passion to be able to deliver air
[18:35] service to our community that we were
[18:37] able to get [music] not just one but two
[18:39] Asian carriers. She really does live
[18:41] that vision that we have to welcome the
[18:43] world to Phoenix and she [music] is the
[18:45] one that helps us be able to deliver on
[18:47] that message.
[18:51] The revenue collections team delivered
[18:53] an extraordinary year of financial
[18:55] stewardship, recovering more than $23
[18:58] million in delinquent balances, a nearly
[19:01] 180% increase over the previous year.
[19:04] Their improved Dunning letter process
[19:06] alone generated almost $19 million and
[19:09] strengthened communication with
[19:11] customers. They also developed a new
[19:13] citywide collections policy, improved
[19:16] account accuracy, [music] and expanded
[19:18] the use of aging schedules to help
[19:20] departments respond proactively.
[19:22] Additional achievements included
[19:24] bankruptcy claim processing, lean
[19:26] management, improved liquor license
[19:29] review procedures, and detailed
[19:31] reconciliation of hazardous materials
[19:33] accounts. Through teamwork, [music]
[19:35] strategic thinking, and datadriven
[19:37] improvements, the revenue collections
[19:39] team strengthened the city's long-term
[19:41] fiscal health.
[19:42] >> Laura, Marco, Jude, Nate, thank you for
[19:45] » Laura, Marco, Jude, Nate, thank you for
[19:45] [music] your continued dedication and
[19:47] your commitment to excellence. These
[19:48] achievements reflect so much more than
[19:50] numbers. It demonstrates exactly what
[19:52] can [music] happen when a team is
[19:53] committed to continued process
[19:55] improvements and a commitment to [music]
[19:58] financial excellence. Congratulations.
[20:03] » Phoenix Fire Chief Danny Guile has led
[20:05] support services through a year of major
[20:07] improvements that strengthen safety,
[20:09] accountability, and financial
[20:10] stewardship by introducing letters of
[20:13] intent for fire apparatus purchases. He
[20:15] protected the city from escalating costs
[20:17] and secured savings estimated at $2
[20:19] million.
[20:21] He redesigned the boot procurement
[20:23] process, creating a voucher system that
[20:25] saves a4 million dollars annually,
[20:27] allowing reinvestment into uniform
[20:29] upgrades for sworn members. Chief Guile
[20:32] also rebuilt the department's equipment
[20:34] tracking system, enabling [music]
[20:36] real-time accountability and projecting
[20:38] more than half a million dollars in
[20:40] annual oversight improvements. His
[20:42] thoughtful member focused leadership
[20:44] continues to enhance operations and
[20:47] support every firefighter in the
[20:49] department. Chief Guile oversees our
[20:52] support services division. In his time
[20:54] there, he's done an absolutely
[20:56] remarkable job. Chief Guile continues to
[20:59] look for opportunities [music] to uh
[21:02] create cost savings and better
[21:04] efficiencies within the Phoenix Fire
[21:06] Department and he's very deserving of
[21:08] this award.
[21:12] When a fire caused severe damage [music]
[21:14] to critical systems at the 91st Avenue
[21:16] Wastewater Treatment Plant, the unified
[21:19] recovery team [music] sprang into action
[21:21] with extraordinary skill and
[21:23] determination.
[21:24] Instrumentation and controls
[21:26] specialists, user tech staff, and
[21:29] electrical crews work [music] side by
[21:31] side to assess damage, restore power,
[21:34] and rebuild the systems that allow
[21:36] operators to monitor and manage [music]
[21:38] this essential regional facility. They
[21:41] repurposed fiber lines, installed
[21:44] temporary [music] controls,
[21:45] reestablished electrical feeds, and
[21:48] brought vital equipment back online
[21:50] [music] within days, restoring service
[21:52] that supports multiple cities and even
[21:55] the [music] Palo Verde nuclear power
[21:56] plant. Their creativity, teamwork, and
[22:00] long hours [music]
[22:01] turned a major emergency into a rapid,
[22:04] coordinated recovery. This team's
[22:06] dedication protected public health and
[22:09] ensured uninterrupted [music]
[22:10] wastewater treatment for the entire
[22:12] region.
[22:13] >> And all this happened within three or
[22:15] » And all this happened within three or
[22:15] four days was was really outstanding. It
[22:17] really highlighted the talent, the sense
[22:19] of ownership and just the work ethic
[22:21] that the city of Phoenix has at the
[22:23] staff here at 91st Avenue. It really
[22:25] exemplifies employee [music] excellence,
[22:27] not just for the city of Phoenix, but
[22:28] also for the surrounding municipalities.
[22:34] Jacob Leachchetta is known throughout
[22:36] the city as a leader who brings [music]
[22:37] out the best in people. When the IT
[22:40] project management office faced burnout
[22:43] [music] and low morale, Jacob listened
[22:45] closely to staff and rebuilt operations
[22:47] with empathy and structure. The new
[22:50] procedures [music] he developed improved
[22:52] efficiency by 68% and restored
[22:55] confidence across the team. Jacob is
[22:58] also widely recognized [music] as a
[23:00] mentor who never gives up on anyone,
[23:02] providing guidance, support, and
[23:04] encouragement through both professional
[23:06] and personal challenges. He empowers
[23:08] project managers, creates opportunities
[23:11] for staff to lead, and inspires
[23:13] innovation at every level. His approach
[23:16] to leadership has [music] strengthened
[23:17] the organization, and shaped future
[23:19] generations of city leaders.
[23:22] >> Jacob [music] is extremely caring. He
[23:24] » Jacob [music] is extremely caring. He
[23:24] has an ability to recognize when people
[23:27] feel uncomfortable and he reaches out
[23:29] [music] and he brings them into the
[23:32] virtual fold so to speak of caring
[23:35] [music] and he helps people to see that
[23:38] they really are important and not just
[23:40] see it but they begin to feel it thanks
[23:42] to Jacob.
[23:46] After being launched by the Office of
[23:47] Emergency Management just [music] two
[23:49] years ago, the Bleeding Control
[23:51] Initiative team has quickly brought
[23:52] life-saving skills directly into the
[23:55] community. By adapting the national stop
[23:57] thebleleed program, the team trained
[23:59] hundreds [music] of city employees and
[24:01] community members to act confidently in
[24:03] emergencies. They installed bleeding
[24:05] control stations in key facilities,
[24:07] expanded public training sessions across
[24:09] every council district, and secured
[24:12] creative funding that stretched
[24:13] resources while maximizing impact. Their
[24:16] efforts have already proven critical,
[24:19] most notably when trained library staff
[24:21] used a bleeding control kit to stabilize
[24:23] a shooting victim until EMS arrived.
[24:26] Through collaboration across six
[24:28] departments, more than 4,500 hours of
[24:31] work, and a passion for public safety,
[24:34] this team is building a safer, more
[24:36] prepared Phoenix.
[24:38] >> We didn't have a budget for instructors.
[24:41] » We didn't have a budget for instructors.
[24:41] We didn't have a budget for labors to
[24:43] put up stations. Um, we didn't have a
[24:46] budget for space.
[24:48] And this team came together and we saw
[24:53] for all those things. When you talk
[24:56] about collaboration, working together
[24:58] across city departments,
[25:02] this team, we did that. [music]
[25:07] » For more than 20 years, Jeremy Le has
[25:10] helped shape the city of Phoenix,
[25:11] guiding [music] the growth of districts,
[25:13] destinations, and some of the city's
[25:14] most ambitious civic projects. His
[25:17] career spans community and economic
[25:19] development, law, the Phoenix Convention
[25:22] Center, and the office of the city
[25:23] engineer. experience that has made him a
[25:26] trusted steward of major city assets.
[25:29] Most recently, Jeremy completed the $190
[25:32] million renovation of a 27story tower
[25:35] into the new Phoenix Police
[25:36] Headquarters, redefining the footprint
[25:39] of public safety downtown. He now leads
[25:41] [music] progress on the citywide geo
[25:43] bond program, helping deliver critical
[25:46] investments across Phoenix. Previously,
[25:48] Jeremy oversaw the $240 million
[25:51] reimagining of the downtown arena, the
[25:53] Mortgage Matchup Center, modernizing the
[25:56] home of the Phoenix [music] Suns and
[25:57] Mercury. He also facilitated the sale of
[25:59] the Sheridan Phoenix downtown, Arizona's
[26:02] largest hotel, strengthening a
[26:04] cornerstone of the city's hospitality
[26:05] portfolio. Jeremy has negotiated and
[26:08] overseen major real estate deals across
[26:10] sports and tourism, including multiple
[26:12] MLB spring training complexes. Jeremy's
[26:14] mark on the city of Phoenix can be seen
[26:16] wherever people go, and we're forever
[26:19] grateful for his dedication to making
[26:20] Phoenix a great place to live, work, and
[26:23] visit.
[26:38] » Hello everybody.
[26:39] >> I am an occupational therapist.
[26:42] » I am an occupational therapist.
[26:42] Occupational therapy [music] is a
[26:43] profession not a lot of people know
[26:45] about unless you or a family member or
[26:48] loved one has worked with an OT
[26:49] directly. I've been an OT for over
[26:51] [music] 10 years. I currently work in
[26:54] the Paradise Valley Unified School
[26:56] District in the learning for
[26:57] independence program. So I work [music]
[26:59] with students kindergarten through 22
[27:02] years old with moderate to severe
[27:04] physical and cognitive disabilities.
[27:07] When [music] I teach my OT students, I'm
[27:09] like, it's not a disability. It's a
[27:12] different ability. We have to figure out
[27:14] the different [music] way that they can
[27:15] get this done. We are going to have a
[27:18] fun day today with the learning for
[27:20] independence program. It's a lot of
[27:22] hands-on life [music] skills. So, what I
[27:25] try to incorporate is creative job
[27:28] skills and [music] job readiness skills.
[27:30] Today, we are going to be working as
[27:31] Costco employees. They will be [music]
[27:34] prepping and handing out samples.
[27:36] They'll be working on their fine motor
[27:38] skills, their social interaction skills,
[27:41] and just [music] overall problem
[27:43] solving, motor planning, what it would
[27:45] take to have a job after high school.
[27:47] It's not always about what you have, but
[27:50] what you give. I put [music] a smile on
[27:52] these kids' face. They are motivated.
[27:54] They remember, oh, Miss Kelly did this
[27:56] really fun thing with us and go home and
[27:58] tell their parents, [music] it doesn't
[28:00] matter your disability. It's who you are
[28:02] inside that really is what's most
[28:04] important. Occupational therapy is such
[28:06] [music] a selfless profession. I'm never
[28:09] doing it for me. I'm doing it for the
[28:10] students I [music] work with. I'm doing
[28:12] it for the families that I work with,
[28:14] educating them, providing them the
[28:17] opportunities that they might not have
[28:19] without the education or the knowledge
[28:20] that I know. I'm just so thankful. I'm
[28:23] just so shocked that I won this award.
[28:26] To be recognized is such a big honor.
[28:29] It's such a collaborative [music] um
[28:32] profession that I work with teachers, I
[28:35] work with physical therapists, vision
[28:36] and hearing [music] specialists, that
[28:38] all of these collaborators have one
[28:40] common goal of helping children succeed.
[28:43] [music] That it's such an honor that I
[28:46] got recognized, but the individuals that
[28:48] I work with [music] deserve the
[28:50] recognition. It just betters the lives
[28:52] of our future and just deserves to be
[28:55] recognized.
[29:05] I didn't know a lifetime achievement
[29:07] award. Okay, that's taking me back a
[29:09] little bit. Okay.
[29:12] Um
[29:14] I don't think anyone in the nonprofit
[29:16] world does this for accolades. We do it
[29:19] because of our mission and what we're
[29:20] trying to do for the community. I got
[29:23] involved with the Foundation for Blind
[29:24] Children when my son was born. Uh, Max
[29:27] was three months when his doctor said
[29:30] something's wrong with his eyes. And the
[29:33] last thing the doctor told us to do is
[29:34] to call the Foundation for Blind
[29:36] Children and called them and they showed
[29:38] up on our doorstep the next day and from
[29:41] that moment on we were a part of
[29:43] Foundation for Blind Children. My wife
[29:45] and I got on the board. Once I was on
[29:47] the board, our CEO retired [music] and I
[29:51] looked at my wife and I said, "I think
[29:53] this is what I'm supposed to be doing."
[29:54] and I sold my company [music] and came
[29:57] to work here and that was 17 years ago.
[29:59] We've built this into the largest
[30:01] braille library in the country. We built
[30:03] this from the largest preschool in the
[30:05] country. Uh we serve blind and visually
[30:07] impaired people of all ages from the day
[30:09] they're born the day they leave us. Our
[30:11] oldest client right now is 101 years
[30:13] old. We are [music] overcoming major
[30:17] chronic problems. We didn't have enough
[30:19] teachers, so we built a teachers program
[30:21] with ASU. We didn't have a low vision
[30:23] clinic, so we built a low vision clinic.
[30:25] We needed more classroom space, so we
[30:27] built a new school. Whatever the
[30:29] obstacle is, we will [music] overcome
[30:31] it. And that's what we teach our
[30:33] students. Vision loss is not the end of
[30:35] the world. It's just a different world.
[30:37] The Foundation for Blind Children really
[30:39] gives parents that hope and give those
[30:42] students, those children that hope that
[30:44] they could do anything. And we've proven
[30:46] it over and over again. They do
[30:48] everything. We took eight blind [music]
[30:51] students to the top of Mount Kilimaro
[30:53] 19,340
[30:54] ft. We set four world records. We had
[30:57] the longest blind group, largest blind
[30:58] group ever. We had the first blinded US
[31:01] vet to reach the top, first person with
[31:03] albvinism to reach the top. And my son
[31:05] was the youngest blind climber ever
[31:07] reached the top and still is. That's my
[31:09] favorite part about my job. I get to
[31:11] tell the story over and over and over
[31:14] again, and it inspires people to do
[31:17] bigger and better things.
[31:19] I love the foundation for blind
[31:20] children. I love our students. I love
[31:22] our families. I truly believe [music]
[31:25] that
[31:27] doing right for them
[31:29] completes me, makes me who I am. When
[31:32] the mayor's office recognizes you for
[31:35] what we do every day, it's pretty
[31:37] special. I know that over my lifetime,
[31:41] I've done some special things. I've seen
[31:43] some kids do some special things. I've
[31:46] led some [music] kids in the top of
[31:48] mountains, across oceans, and
[31:52] um I didn't do it for the accolades, but
[31:55] I did it for the kids. And but it's
[31:58] always nice when the mayor [music]
[31:59] recognizes you.
[32:17] What a wonderful day it is to be here as
[32:20] we welcome China Airlines with the first
[32:22] ever non-stop service from Taipei to
[32:25] Phoenix, Arizona. What a great day it
[32:27] is.
[32:35] » [music]
[32:37] » It was an honor to be on that inaugural
[32:39] flight from Taipei, Taiwan to Phoenix.
[32:42] It is indicative of what I know is a
[32:46] tremendous partnership that is really
[32:48] going to propel this region, the
[32:51] relationship between the two countries.
[32:54] This new route is more than just
[32:56] connection between two cities. It's a
[32:58] bridge between two dynamic regions. The
[33:01] economic impact of this year round
[33:05] service is expected to exceed $100
[33:08] million on an annual basis. Passenger
[33:11] traffic between Phoenix and Taipei has
[33:14] surged by more than 400% since 2019,
[33:18] highlighting the growing demand for this
[33:20] connection. We are thrilled to welcome
[33:23] travelers from the Silicon Island to the
[33:25] Silicon Desert. The future is bright and
[33:29] this is just the beginning.
[33:31] This flight is not only about tourism.
[33:33] It's about forging more collaboration uh
[33:36] in our industries, in our technologies,
[33:39] in our exchanges, in education and in
[33:42] all fronts.
[33:44] [cheering and applause]
[33:44] >> We truly believe in this city potential
[33:49] » We truly believe in this city potential
[33:49] and uh look forward to building even
[33:52] stronger partnership together in here.
[33:55] The milestone is possible because of
[33:58] your dedication.
[34:00] you had the confidence to make sure that
[34:01] this day happened and I just want to
[34:03] thank you and the entire China Airlines
[34:04] team for allowing us to make that today
[34:06] possible.
[34:23] » [music]
[34:33] [music]
[34:54] » Good morning. Thank you for attending
[34:56] today's meeting. If you could please
[34:57] find your seats, we will begin in one
[34:59] minute.
[35:42] Good afternoon. It is July 1st. Welcome
[35:45] to Phoenix City Council Chambers. We are
[35:48] celebrating many things uh with today.
[35:51] If you came in from the north, you may
[35:53] have seen the America 250 bus, which is
[35:56] one of the ways our city will mark our
[35:58] country's 250th anniversary. We are also
[36:02] celebrating our deputy city manager,
[36:04] Amber, who this will be her final
[36:06] meeting with us, and she's served our
[36:08] city in so many different roles,
[36:10] including steering our budget process.
[36:12] So, Amber, thank you and congratulations
[36:14] on your retirement.
[36:23] We'll begin today with an invocation
[36:25] from police chaplain Harry Ston.
[36:38] Madame Mayor, honorable council members,
[36:41] ladies and gentlemen, my prayer today is
[36:43] based upon Psalm 144:es 3 and 4 that
[36:47] reads, "Lord, what is a human that you
[36:50] care for him? A son of man that you
[36:52] think of him? A human is like a breath.
[36:55] His days are like a passing shadow." Let
[36:58] us pray.
[36:59] Oh father, I want to start by thanking
[37:01] you for each person here who sits upon
[37:05] this council.
[37:08] Oh Lord, while we acknowledge our
[37:10] frailties, we know from your word that
[37:12] you have raised them up for this time
[37:15] and purpose.
[37:17] So Father, we beseech that you grant
[37:19] them peace as they carry the heavy
[37:22] burden of leadership.
[37:24] Father, give them unity even as you,
[37:27] your son, and the Holy Spirit are
[37:29] united.
[37:30] Let them guide our city with a level of
[37:32] compassion and understanding that can
[37:35] only be attributed to your hand.
[37:38] And give them the strength to endure
[37:41] that they may finish well and bring
[37:44] goodness to our community.
[37:47] Amen. [clears throat]
[37:50] » Thank you so much, Chaplain Ston.
[37:52] Councilman Wearing, would you lead us in
[37:54] the pledge of allegiance?
[38:18] Thank you, Councilman Wearing.
[38:20] I'll now call the formal meeting to
[38:22] order. Will the clerk call the role?
[38:24] >> Councilwoman Waldo,
[38:25] » Councilwoman Waldo,
[38:25] >> here.
[38:26] » here.
[38:26] >> Councilwoman Hernandez here.
[38:28] » Councilwoman Hernandez here.
[38:28] Councilwoman O'Brien here.
[38:30] >> Councilwoman Pastor here.
[38:32] » Councilwoman Pastor here.
[38:32] >> Councilman Robinson
[38:34] » Councilman Robinson
[38:34] >> here. Councilwoman Stark
[38:37] » here. Councilwoman Stark
[38:37] >> here.
[38:38] » here.
[38:38] >> Councilman Wearing.
[38:40] » Councilman Wearing.
[38:40] >> Vice Mayor Hajj Washington
[38:41] » Vice Mayor Hajj Washington
[38:41] >> here.
[38:42] » here.
[38:42] >> Mayor Ggo
[38:43] » Mayor Ggo
[38:43] >> here.
[38:45] » here.
[38:45] >> Mario Barahas and Elsie Darte are with
[38:47] » Mario Barahas and Elsie Darte are with
[38:47] us to provide Spanish interpretation.
[38:49] Mario, would you introduce yourself?
[38:51] >> Yes, mayor. Thank you. Good uh good
[38:53] » Yes, mayor. Thank you. Good uh good
[38:53] morning. Uh my name is Marioas. I'll be
[38:57] working uh with Elizart Spanish
[38:59] interpreters.
[39:01] I'll now take a moment to introduce
[39:03] ourselves to our Spanish speaking
[39:04] audience.
[39:19] facilit.
[39:42] Thank you, mayor.
[39:44] >> Thank you so much. Will the city clerk
[39:46] » Thank you so much. Will the city clerk
[39:46] read the 24-hour paragraph?
[39:48] >> The titles of the following ordinance
[39:49] » The titles of the following ordinance
[39:49] and resolution numbers on the agenda
[39:51] were available to the public at least 24
[39:52] hours prior to this council meeting and
[39:54] therefore may be read by title or agenda
[39:56] item only. Ordinances number G7525
[39:59] through 7532S
[40:01] 53065 through 53089
[40:04] and resolutions 22388
[40:06] through 22390.
[40:09] >> Will the city attorney explain public
[40:11] » Will the city attorney explain public
[40:11] comments?
[40:11] >> Yes. Thank you, mayor. Members of the
[40:13] » Yes. Thank you, mayor. Members of the
[40:13] public may speak for up to two minutes
[40:15] to comment on agenda items. Comments
[40:17] must be related to the agenda item and
[40:19] the action being considered by the
[40:20] council. General comments that go beyond
[40:23] the scope of the agenda item should be
[40:24] made during citizen comment session at
[40:26] the end of the agenda. The city council
[40:28] and staff cannot discuss or comment on
[40:30] matters related to pending
[40:31] investigations, claims, or litigation.
[40:34] Additionally, any member of the public
[40:35] who appears before the council in their
[40:37] capacity as a lobbyist must, as required
[40:40] by Phoenix City Code, disclose this fact
[40:42] before addressing the council. The city
[40:44] code states that speakers must express
[40:46] their comments respectfully and
[40:47] courteously. Use of profane language
[40:50] threats or personal attacks on members
[40:52] of the public, council members, or staff
[40:54] are not allowed. Such comments are
[40:56] disruptive and unrelated to the
[40:57] council's business. Any person who
[40:59] violates these rules may lose their
[41:01] opportunity to speak further and could
[41:02] be asked to leave. Thank you, mayor.
[41:05] >> Thank you so much. Item number one is
[41:07] » Thank you so much. Item number one is
[41:08] the for is formal meeting minutes.
[41:09] Councilwoman Gordado, do you have a
[41:10] motion on item one?
[41:12] >> Motion to approve item one.
[41:14] » Motion to approve item one.
[41:14] >> Second.
[41:15] » Second.
[41:15] >> Motion and a second. All those in favor
[41:17] » Motion and a second. All those in favor
[41:17] say I.
[41:18] >> I.
[41:18] » I.
[41:18] >> Any opposed? I
[41:20] » Any opposed? I
[41:20] >> passes unanimously. Item number two, we
[41:23] » passes unanimously. Item number two, we
[41:23] have a great group of commissioners for
[41:25] boards and commissions. Vice Mayor, do
[41:27] we have a motion?
[41:27] >> Motion to approve the mayor, the revised
[41:29] » Motion to approve the mayor, the revised
[41:29] mayor and city council boards and
[41:31] commission nominations. Second.
[41:33] >> We have a motion and a second.
[41:35] » We have a motion and a second.
[41:35] >> Roll call.
[41:38] » Roll call.
[41:38] >> Yes.
[41:39] » Yes.
[41:39] >> Ernnandez,
[41:39] » Ernnandez,
[41:40] >> yes.
[41:40] » yes.
[41:40] >> O'Brien,
[41:41] » O'Brien,
[41:41] >> yes.
[41:41] » yes.
[41:41] >> Pastor,
[41:42] » Pastor,
[41:42] >> yes.
[41:43] » yes.
[41:43] >> Robinson,
[41:44] » Robinson,
[41:44] >> yes.
[41:44] » yes.
[41:44] >> Stark,
[41:46] » Stark,
[41:46] >> yes.
[41:47] » yes.
[41:47] >> Wearing,
[41:48] » Wearing,
[41:48] >> yes.
[41:48] » yes.
[41:48] >> Hudge Washington,
[41:49] » Hudge Washington,
[41:49] >> yes.
[41:49] » yes.
[41:50] >> Figo,
[41:50] » Figo,
[41:50] >> yes.
[41:51] » yes.
[41:51] >> Passes 90.
[41:52] » Passes 90.
[41:52] >> Congratulations to our new commissioners
[41:54] » Congratulations to our new commissioners
[41:54] on your unanimous approval. We'll ask
[41:57] you to come forward for a swearing in
[41:58] ceremony.
[42:10] Congratulations.
[42:22] Please raise your right hand. I state
[42:25] your name. Ians
[42:27] >> do solemnly swear
[42:29] » do solemnly swear
[42:29] >> do solemnly swear
[42:30] » do solemnly swear
[42:30] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[42:31] » that I will support the Constitution of
[42:31] the United States
[42:32] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[42:34] » that I will support the Constitution of
[42:34] the United States
[42:35] >> and the Constitution and laws
[42:37] » and the Constitution and laws
[42:37] >> and the Constitution and laws
[42:38] » and the Constitution and laws
[42:38] >> of the State of Arizona
[42:40] » of the State of Arizona
[42:40] >> of the State of Arizona
[42:41] » of the State of Arizona
[42:41] >> that I will bear true faith
[42:43] » that I will bear true faith
[42:43] >> that I will bear true faith
[42:44] » that I will bear true faith
[42:44] >> and allegiance to the same
[42:45] » and allegiance to the same
[42:45] >> and allegiance to the same
[42:47] » and allegiance to the same
[42:47] >> and defend them against all enemies
[42:49] » and defend them against all enemies
[42:49] >> and defend them against all enemies,
[42:51] » and defend them against all enemies,
[42:51] >> foreign and domestic.
[42:52] » foreign and domestic.
[42:52] >> foreign and domestic.
[42:53] » foreign and domestic.
[42:53] >> And that I will faithfully and
[42:54] » And that I will faithfully and
[42:54] impartially I faithfully
[42:57] >> discharge the duties of the office of
[42:59] » discharge the duties of the office of
[42:59] >> discharge the duties of the office of
[43:01] » discharge the duties of the office of
[43:02] >> state your office
[43:03] » state your office
[43:03] >> commission
[43:06] » according to the best of my ability
[43:07] >> according to the best of my ability.
[43:09] » according to the best of my ability.
[43:09] >> So help me God.
[43:10] » So help me God.
[43:10] >> So help me God.
[43:11] » So help me God.
[43:11] >> Congratulations. Thank you for
[43:13] » Congratulations. Thank you for
[43:13] continuing to serve our city.
[43:27] Or you can shake the hands.
[44:27] Thank you so much to our boards and
[44:29] commissions members. Such an important
[44:30] role in the city of Phoenix. We next
[44:33] move on to appointments of municipal
[44:37] court judges. And we have two today.
[44:39] Vice Mayor motion to approve the
[44:41] swearing in of Judge Laura E. Lori and
[44:44] Judge Tina Solomon as Phoenix Municipal
[44:47] Court judges.
[44:48] >> Second.
[44:49] » Second.
[44:49] >> Have a motion and a second. Roll call.
[44:52] » Have a motion and a second. Roll call.
[44:52] >> Yes.
[44:53] » Yes.
[44:53] >> Hernandez,
[44:54] » Hernandez,
[44:54] >> yes.
[44:54] » yes.
[44:54] >> O'Brien,
[44:55] » O'Brien,
[44:55] >> yes.
[44:56] » yes.
[44:56] >> Pastor,
[44:57] » Pastor,
[44:57] >> yes. Yes.
[44:58] » yes. Yes.
[44:58] >> Robinson,
[44:59] » Robinson,
[44:59] >> yes.
[45:00] » yes.
[45:00] >> Stark,
[45:02] » Stark,
[45:02] >> yes.
[45:03] » yes.
[45:03] >> Wearing,
[45:03] » Wearing,
[45:03] >> yes.
[45:04] » yes.
[45:04] >> Hodgej Washington,
[45:05] » Hodgej Washington,
[45:05] >> yes. FGO,
[45:07] » yes. FGO,
[45:07] >> yes.
[45:08] » yes.
[45:08] >> Passes 90. Both judges are longtime city
[45:11] » Passes 90. Both judges are longtime city
[45:11] of Phoenix public servants and we are
[45:13] excited to unanimously approve their
[45:16] swearing in. Today we'll conduct two
[45:18] separate ceremonies. We'll begin with
[45:19] Judge Lowry and then we will do a second
[45:21] ceremony for Judge Solomon.
[45:38] Thank you. And do you want to introduce
[45:41] who are with us? This is my son Nick
[45:44] Lowry, his wife, and my daughter-in-law,
[45:47] Lauren Lowry. And in two weeks, it'll be
[45:50] my first grandchild, London Lowry.
[45:58] Huge congratulations to the whole
[45:59] family. I state your name.
[46:01] >> I, Laura Lowry,
[46:02] » I, Laura Lowry,
[46:02] >> do solemnly swear
[46:03] » do solemnly swear
[46:03] >> do solemnly swear
[46:05] » do solemnly swear
[46:05] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[46:06] » that I will support the Constitution of
[46:06] the United States
[46:07] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[46:08] » that I will support the Constitution of
[46:08] the United States
[46:09] >> and the Constitution and laws of the
[46:11] » and the Constitution and laws of the
[46:11] State of Arizona
[46:11] >> and the Constitution and laws of the
[46:13] » and the Constitution and laws of the
[46:13] state of Arizona.
[46:14] >> That I will bear true faith and
[46:15] » That I will bear true faith and
[46:15] allegiance to the same.
[46:16] >> That I will bear true faith and
[46:17] » That I will bear true faith and
[46:17] allegiance to the same
[46:18] >> and defend them against all enemies.
[46:20] » and defend them against all enemies.
[46:20] >> and defend them against all enemies,
[46:22] » and defend them against all enemies,
[46:22] >> foreign and domestic.
[46:23] » foreign and domestic.
[46:23] >> foreign and domestic. and that I will
[46:24] » foreign and domestic. and that I will
[46:24] faithfully and impartially
[46:25] >> And that I will faithfully and
[46:27] » And that I will faithfully and
[46:27] impartially
[46:27] >> discharge the duties of Phoenix
[46:29] » discharge the duties of Phoenix
[46:29] Municipal Court Judge
[46:30] >> discharge the duties of Phoenix
[46:31] » discharge the duties of Phoenix
[46:31] Municipal Court Judge
[46:33] >> according to the best of my ability.
[46:34] » according to the best of my ability.
[46:34] >> according to the best of my ability.
[46:36] » according to the best of my ability.
[46:36] >> So help me God.
[46:36] » So help me God.
[46:36] >> So help me God.
[46:37] » So help me God.
[46:37] >> Congratulations. Thank you for your
[46:39] » Congratulations. Thank you for your
[46:39] service.
[46:39] >> Thank you so much.
[46:57] We'll let the city council congratulate
[46:58] Judge Lowry and then we will conduct the
[47:00] swearing in ceremony for Judge Solomon.
[47:08] » Ready? Okay.
[47:22] Okay, it's fine. Thank you.
[47:24] >> Please raise your right hand. I state
[47:26] » Please raise your right hand. I state
[47:26] your name.
[47:26] >> I, Tina Solomon,
[47:28] » I, Tina Solomon,
[47:28] >> do solemnly swear
[47:29] » do solemnly swear
[47:29] >> do solemnly swear
[47:30] » do solemnly swear
[47:30] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[47:31] » that I will support the Constitution of
[47:31] the United States
[47:32] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[47:33] » that I will support the Constitution of
[47:34] the United States
[47:34] >> and the Constitution and laws of the
[47:36] » and the Constitution and laws of the
[47:36] State of Arizona
[47:37] >> and the Constitution and the laws of the
[47:38] » and the Constitution and the laws of the
[47:38] state of Arizona.
[47:39] >> That I will bear true faith and
[47:40] » That I will bear true faith and
[47:40] allegiance to the same.
[47:41] >> That I will bear true faith and
[47:43] » That I will bear true faith and
[47:43] allegiance to the same.
[47:44] >> and defend them against all enemies.
[47:45] » and defend them against all enemies.
[47:45] >> and defend and defend them against all
[47:47] » and defend and defend them against all
[47:47] enemies.
[47:47] >> Foreign and domestic. forward and
[47:48] » Foreign and domestic. forward and
[47:48] domestic.
[47:49] >> And that I will faithfully and
[47:50] » And that I will faithfully and
[47:50] impartially
[47:51] >> And that I will faithfully and
[47:52] » And that I will faithfully and
[47:52] impartially
[47:53] >> discharge the duties of Phoenix
[47:54] » discharge the duties of Phoenix
[47:54] Municipal Court Judge
[47:55] >> discharge the duties of Phoenix
[47:57] » discharge the duties of Phoenix
[47:57] Municipal Court Judge
[47:58] >> according to the best of my ability.
[47:59] » according to the best of my ability.
[47:59] >> according to the best of my ability.
[48:00] » according to the best of my ability.
[48:00] >> So help me God.
[48:01] » So help me God.
[48:01] >> So help me God.
[48:02] » So help me God.
[48:02] >> Thank you for stepping up for our city.
[48:35] Thank you so much to our municipal court
[48:38] judges. We have one of the best
[48:39] municipal court systems in the country
[48:41] and they keep innovating and trying to
[48:43] serve our community even more
[48:44] effectively. We next go on to the liquor
[48:47] license bingo and offtrack betting
[48:48] applications portion of our agenda. The
[48:51] Phoenix City Council serves an advisory
[48:52] role to the state of Arizona on liquor
[48:54] licenses. Vice Mayor, do we have a
[48:56] motion?
[48:57] >> Motion to approve items 4 through 36,
[48:59] » Motion to approve items 4 through 36,
[49:00] except items 35 and 36.
[49:02] >> Second.
[49:03] » Second.
[49:03] >> We have a motion and a second. All those
[49:04] » We have a motion and a second. All those
[49:04] in favor, please say I.
[49:06] >> I. Any oppose? Nay.
[49:09] » I. Any oppose? Nay.
[49:09] >> Passes unanimously. We next go to item
[49:12] » Passes unanimously. We next go to item
[49:12] 35.
[49:14] Item 35 is Garden of Eden Grill. This is
[49:17] in district two. Uh we do have uh one
[49:22] speaker on that. Councilman Wearing,
[49:24] should we hear from the speaker or do
[49:25] >> Yes, please.
[49:26] » Yes, please.
[49:26] >> All right. Uh
[49:28] » All right. Uh
[49:28] >> Alliance Zawadi, if you could please
[49:30] » Alliance Zawadi, if you could please
[49:30] come forward.
[50:16] You may begin when you're ready.
[50:22] » Thank you so much. Um,
[50:24] I want to say that um
[50:28] some of u the report from police is
[50:31] incorrect. Um one is that he uh the
[50:36] police said there's a stage in the
[50:38] restaurant but that's incorrect. There's
[50:41] no stage anymore. That was for the
[50:43] previous owner. There's no stage in in
[50:46] the restaurant right now.
[50:51] Okay. Another one he said that uh
[50:57] the sign outside it says private party
[51:02] and uh live entertainment but there's
[51:05] not I have a proof of uh how the outside
[51:09] sign look like right now. So there's no
[51:12] uh live entertainment.
[51:18] Uh also he say about the neighbors being
[51:21] complaining about the noise. Uh also
[51:24] that's incorrect. I have uh 11 business
[51:29] neighbors the sign or the papers for me
[51:34] saying that I never have a problem with
[51:37] any noises or anything. So I have all
[51:40] the proof of it.
[51:43] Also he say about um me not making like
[51:47] the restaurant is now making 40% of the
[51:49] sale of the food. That's also incorrect.
[51:54] I have all the proof of uh like all the
[51:58] sales
[51:59] with me right now. So I have it and I
[52:02] send it to him via text message and um
[52:06] also email.
[52:18] He also mentioned about
[52:22] » You can finish the thought.
[52:24] >> Okay. He also mentioned about um about
[52:28] » Okay. He also mentioned about um about
[52:28] uh May 30 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
[52:32] 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
[52:33] 11 11 11 11 11 1150. They say the police
[52:37] uh saying that I have party at the
[52:39] restaurant also. That's incorrect. It
[52:43] was my brother graduation dinner. So
[52:46] they eat after they I cook the buffet
[52:49] for them. They eat after they they eat.
[52:52] I crossed the restaurant around 11:30.
[52:55] So, they went outside. What happened
[52:57] outside? I didn't know what's happened
[52:59] outside.
[53:00] >> Wonderful. Thank you so much for letting
[53:02] » Wonderful. Thank you so much for letting
[53:02] us have that person important
[53:03] information. Uh,
[53:05] >> mayor, may we have a response from
[53:06] » mayor, may we have a response from
[53:06] police and the clerk?
[53:11] » Yeah, if you don't mind, I kind of go
[53:12] through a few things with that. So, uh,
[53:14] there was some changes made to the
[53:16] property. Um, and again, good morning,
[53:18] mayor and council members. Um I guess
[53:21] introduce myself. So I'm Jeremy
[53:22] Campbell. I'm a community action officer
[53:24] out of Black Mountain precinct um where
[53:26] Guardian Grill is at. So um we do stand
[53:29] by the disapproval um Phoenix Police
[53:31] Department and Gardinina Grill. Um an
[53:33] inspection there is also further stuff
[53:35] that um
[53:37] brings issues. Um there is color
[53:40] changing lights in the inside and there
[53:41] is still music equipment in the stands
[53:43] uh with huge speakers inside. Um the
[53:46] neighboring businesses did identify
[53:48] concerns about the changes made to the
[53:50] interior of the restaurant um as it
[53:53] appears more like a banquet hall and a
[53:55] club. Um the application is for a series
[53:58] 12 license which is bonafideed
[53:59] restaurant like a casual eery or dining
[54:02] um where primary sales for food is at
[54:04] least 40% not a club. Um the diagram
[54:07] submitted with application did not match
[54:09] match excuse me the on-site visit. Uh
[54:12] the limited food which is in the fridge
[54:14] is nothing that appears to match what is
[54:15] listed on the menu at the location and
[54:17] this minimal food could not even support
[54:19] a restaurant. Um when looking in the
[54:21] fridges the menu outside shows
[54:23] Mediterranean food and the applicant
[54:25] stated is Ethiopian cuisine which was
[54:27] submitted with the application. [snorts]
[54:30] Uh the neighboring business is advised
[54:32] they usually leave about 8 to 8:30 at
[54:34] night and the business is never open
[54:35] when she identified that she is open
[54:37] from Wednesday to Sunday from 2:00 p.m.
[54:39] to 11:00 p.m. [clears throat] Um since
[54:42] the applica application was submitted uh
[54:45] there has been several police calls
[54:46] regarding Garden of Eden uh grill
[54:49] [clears throat] uh one of which was a
[54:50] large gathering um which Alliance speaks
[54:53] of with individuals outside and this was
[54:55] after midnight. officers responded,
[54:57] spoke to individuals, and they
[54:58] identified, uh, that there was a party
[55:00] at the venue, uh, which is not supposed
[55:02] to be a venue. There's also been
[55:04] multiple alarm calls, uh, to neighboring
[55:07] businesses, and when the officers
[55:09] arrived, there's loud music coming from
[55:12] Garden Eden and Grow, which has been at
[55:13] 1:00 in the morning. Um, so, mayor and
[55:16] council members, I just like to say, um,
[55:18] this is a few of the reasons the Phoenix
[55:20] Police Department does recommend
[55:21] disapproval based on the above findings.
[55:24] The applicant has not shown that she is
[55:26] capable, qualified, or reliable to hold
[55:27] a liquor license. In addition, based on
[55:29] the recent calls for service, which is
[55:31] of great concern, I expressed by
[55:34] neighbors, the establishment does not
[55:35] meet the requirements of a series 12
[55:37] liquor license and the community will
[55:39] not substantially be served by the
[55:41] issuance of this license. Thank you, ma.
[55:44] Mayor, council members,
[55:45] >> thank you so much. Councilman Wearing,
[55:47] » thank you so much. Councilman Wearing,
[55:47] >> I'm ready to make a motion. Mayor, I
[55:49] » I'm ready to make a motion. Mayor, I
[55:49] move to disapprove.
[55:50] >> Second.
[55:51] » Second.
[55:52] We have a motion and a second. And do
[55:53] Kristen, do we need the whole reason for
[55:55] disapproval?
[55:57] >> Uh, thank you, mayor. Only if the
[55:59] » Uh, thank you, mayor. Only if the
[55:59] council requires us.
[56:00] >> Great.
[56:00] » Great.
[56:00] >> All right. Roll call.
[56:05] » Yes.
[56:06] >> Hernandez,
[56:07] » Hernandez,
[56:07] >> yes.
[56:07] » yes.
[56:07] >> O'Brien,
[56:08] » O'Brien,
[56:08] >> yes.
[56:09] » yes.
[56:09] >> Pastor,
[56:10] » Pastor,
[56:10] >> yes.
[56:11] » yes.
[56:11] >> Robinson,
[56:12] » Robinson,
[56:12] >> yes.
[56:12] » yes.
[56:12] >> Stark,
[56:14] » Stark,
[56:14] >> yes.
[56:15] » yes.
[56:15] >> Wearing,
[56:15] » Wearing,
[56:15] >> yes.
[56:15] » yes.
[56:15] >> Hodge Washington,
[56:18] » Hodge Washington,
[56:18] >> yes.
[56:18] » yes.
[56:18] >> Passes 90. [clears throat]
[56:22] » Passes 90. [clears throat]
[56:22] Thank you. Item 36 is Sky Market. It is
[56:26] in district 3. We do not have anyone
[56:28] registered to speak on this item.
[56:29] Councilwoman Stark.
[56:32] >> Yes. I'm prepared to make a motion. I
[56:35] » Yes. I'm prepared to make a motion. I
[56:35] recommend that we disprove this liquor
[56:38] license uh for two reasons. First, we've
[56:41] had neighborhood protest. And secondly,
[56:44] the applicant has not resolved the
[56:48] pending City of Phoenix building and
[56:51] zoning requirements.
[56:53] >> Second.
[56:55] » Second.
[56:55] >> We have a motion and a second. Roll
[56:57] » We have a motion and a second. Roll
[56:57] call.
[56:59] >> Yes.
[56:59] » Yes.
[56:59] >> Hernandez,
[57:01] » Hernandez,
[57:01] >> yes.
[57:01] » yes.
[57:01] >> O'Brien,
[57:02] » O'Brien,
[57:02] >> yes.
[57:03] » yes.
[57:03] >> Pastor,
[57:04] » Pastor,
[57:04] >> yes.
[57:05] » yes.
[57:05] >> Robinson,
[57:06] » Robinson,
[57:06] >> yes.
[57:06] » yes.
[57:06] >> Stark,
[57:08] » Stark,
[57:08] >> yes.
[57:09] » yes.
[57:09] >> Wearing,
[57:09] » Wearing,
[57:09] >> yes.
[57:10] » yes.
[57:10] >> Haj Washington,
[57:11] » Haj Washington,
[57:11] >> yes.
[57:11] » yes.
[57:11] >> GGO,
[57:12] » GGO,
[57:12] >> yes. passes 90.
[57:15] » yes. passes 90.
[57:15] >> All right, that concludes the liquor
[57:16] » All right, that concludes the liquor
[57:16] license portion of our agenda. City
[57:18] clerk, are we ready for ordinances,
[57:20] resolutions, new business, planning, and
[57:21] zoning?
[57:21] >> Yes, mayor.
[57:23] » Yes, mayor.
[57:23] >> Vice Mayor, motion to approve item.
[57:26] » Vice Mayor, motion to approve item.
[57:26] Motion to approve items 37 through 91
[57:29] except for the following items 51, 52,
[57:33] 60, 65, 75, 77, 89, 90, and 91. Noting
[57:40] that item 48 is as revised, item 83 is
[57:43] withdrawn, item 89 has additional
[57:46] information. And can the clerk confirm
[57:48] are there any other items that should be
[57:49] excluded for in-person public comments?
[57:53] >> Mayor, Vice Mayor, no other items to
[57:55] » Mayor, Vice Mayor, no other items to
[57:55] exclude at this time.
[57:56] >> Second.
[57:57] » Second.
[57:57] >> Have a motion and a second. Roll call.
[58:00] » Have a motion and a second. Roll call.
[58:00] >> Ward,
[58:01] » Ward,
[58:01] >> yes.
[58:02] » yes.
[58:02] >> Hernandez,
[58:03] » Hernandez,
[58:03] >> yes.
[58:03] » yes.
[58:03] >> O'Brien,
[58:04] » O'Brien,
[58:04] >> yes.
[58:05] » yes.
[58:05] >> Pastor,
[58:07] » Pastor,
[58:07] >> yes. Robinson,
[58:08] » yes. Robinson,
[58:08] >> yes.
[58:09] » yes.
[58:09] >> Stark,
[58:11] » Stark,
[58:11] >> yes.
[58:11] » yes.
[58:12] >> Wearing,
[58:12] » Wearing,
[58:12] >> yes.
[58:13] » yes.
[58:13] >> Hodgej Washington,
[58:14] » Hodgej Washington,
[58:14] >> yes. GGO,
[58:16] » yes. GGO,
[58:16] >> yes.
[58:16] » yes.
[58:16] >> Passes 90.
[58:23] Next is item 51, which is a public
[58:25] hearing on the adoption of the property
[58:26] tax levy for 2026 2027 fiscal year.
[58:33] We'll open the public hearing. We have
[58:34] one member of the public to testify.
[58:36] Elizabeth Venal.
[58:42] » I'm not going to say anything that
[58:44] exciting, but I support this property
[58:46] tax because I support the need to
[58:48] generate revenues from the city of
[58:50] Phoenix through its programs.
[58:54] » Thank you so much, Elizabeth. You've
[58:57] long advocated for general fund funding
[58:58] for fighting homelessness, and this is a
[59:00] big year for that. uh property tax levy.
[59:04] The property tax will notch down in the
[59:05] property tax rate. So a small decrease
[59:07] in the property tax rate.
[59:10] Close the public hearing. The next item
[59:12] is a related item which is the adoption
[59:14] of the property tax levy for the 2026 27
[59:17] fiscal year. Vice Mayor motion. Motion
[59:20] to adopt the property tax levy for the
[59:22] 2026 2027 fiscal year.
[59:25] >> Second.
[59:27] » Second.
[59:27] >> We have a motion and a second. Roll
[59:29] » We have a motion and a second. Roll
[59:29] call. Ward,
[59:31] >> yes.
[59:31] » yes.
[59:32] >> Ernnandez,
[59:32] » Ernnandez,
[59:32] >> yes.
[59:33] » yes.
[59:33] >> O'Brien,
[59:34] » O'Brien,
[59:34] >> yes.
[59:34] » yes.
[59:34] >> Pastor,
[59:36] » Pastor,
[59:36] >> yes.
[59:37] » yes.
[59:37] >> Robinson,
[59:37] » Robinson,
[59:37] >> yes.
[59:38] » yes.
[59:38] >> Stark,
[59:40] » Stark,
[59:40] >> yes.
[59:41] » yes.
[59:41] >> Wearing,
[59:41] » Wearing,
[59:41] >> yes.
[59:42] » yes.
[59:42] >> Hodge Washington,
[59:43] » Hodge Washington,
[59:43] >> yes. Viego,
[59:44] » yes. Viego,
[59:44] >> yes.
[59:45] » yes.
[59:45] >> Passes 90. Wonderful. This concludes our
[59:48] » Passes 90. Wonderful. This concludes our
[59:48] budget process. Thank you to everyone
[59:50] who worked on it and a special thank you
[59:53] to Amber on your your last budget
[59:56] process. Appreciate it.
[1:00:00] want a sec. Frank wants a second round
[1:00:01] of applause.
[1:00:08] It's worth a budget that invests in
[1:00:10] public safety, child care, helping our
[1:00:12] most vulnerable. So, worth worth
[1:00:14] celebrating. And thank you, Amber, for
[1:00:16] your work on it. We next go to item 65,
[1:00:20] Cactus Park Architectural Services.
[1:00:22] Nope.
[1:00:22] >> 60.
[1:00:23] » 60.
[1:00:23] >> 60. I don't see that up there. 60. All
[1:00:27] » 60. I don't see that up there. 60. All
[1:00:27] right. 60.
[1:00:28] Uh, item 60 by Vice Mayor. Motion to
[1:00:32] approve item 60.
[1:00:35] >> Second.
[1:00:37] » Second.
[1:00:37] >> We have a motion a second. Counciloman
[1:00:39] » We have a motion a second. Counciloman
[1:00:39] Hernandez.
[1:00:39] >> Thank you so much, Mayor. Um, just want
[1:00:41] » Thank you so much, Mayor. Um, just want
[1:00:41] to start by thanking the Arts and
[1:00:42] Culture Department for all of their
[1:00:44] amazing work and just have a couple of
[1:00:47] questions.
[1:00:49] Thank you so much. Um, my first question
[1:00:52] is, how is the city measuring the impact
[1:00:54] of these investments on neighborhood
[1:00:57] pride, economic activity, or community
[1:00:59] well-being?
[1:01:01] >> Mayor and council, I have Carrie Brown,
[1:01:03] » Mayor and council, I have Carrie Brown,
[1:01:03] interim uh, arts and culture director,
[1:01:05] answer the question.
[1:01:07] >> Great. Mayor, members of council,
[1:01:09] » Great. Mayor, members of council,
[1:01:09] council member Hernandez. Uh we use a
[1:01:11] number of different tools to measure
[1:01:12] impact including online surveys, focus
[1:01:15] groups, um individual conversations that
[1:01:18] we have when we're out in the community
[1:01:19] presenting to community groups. Um but
[1:01:22] through our work on the Sombra
[1:01:24] experiments and shade project, we really
[1:01:26] kind of elevated our efforts um based on
[1:01:28] some of the grant requirements. So, with
[1:01:30] those lessons learned, we've been um
[1:01:32] implemented those into our public art
[1:01:33] program, including an assessment that we
[1:01:36] do at the beginning of each project
[1:01:37] where we're looking at um the best ways
[1:01:39] to engage the community, where is their
[1:01:41] input most needed, um what does that
[1:01:43] followup look like, how and when they're
[1:01:45] engaging with the artist. Um and that
[1:01:47] evaluation also includes um dollars
[1:01:50] spent. So, we know that the majority of
[1:01:52] our budgets are spent locally, even when
[1:01:54] artists are from out of town. Um but
[1:01:57] again through that SRA project we were
[1:01:58] able to look more closely at some of the
[1:02:01] local businesses that participate in our
[1:02:04] um celebration events. So we're seeing
[1:02:06] that broader picture there. And then
[1:02:08] lastly um I'll mention that when we have
[1:02:10] our older projects that might have been
[1:02:12] in the community for 15 20 years and
[1:02:14] they need refurbishment we will also
[1:02:16] reach out to the community then. Um
[1:02:19] especially if the project needs to be
[1:02:21] altered or removed for some reason we
[1:02:22] definitely want that feedback. So that's
[1:02:24] another way we can kind of assess the
[1:02:26] impact of the projects in those
[1:02:28] communities through that work.
[1:02:29] >> Thank you so much for just that detailed
[1:02:31] » Thank you so much for just that detailed
[1:02:31] explanation. Um and then just my next
[1:02:33] question, as we integrate public um art
[1:02:36] into like heat mitigation projects, um
[1:02:38] are we prioritizing neighborhoods that
[1:02:41] have some of the highest vulnerability
[1:02:44] um and the least existing shade?
[1:02:46] >> Mayor, members of council, and council
[1:02:47] » Mayor, members of council, and council
[1:02:47] member Hernandez, yes. Um and I'll
[1:02:49] mention the summer project again. We did
[1:02:51] work really closely with the heat office
[1:02:53] to identify some park locations. There
[1:02:55] were other factors that kind of went
[1:02:56] into the decision-m but that was where
[1:02:58] we started. We also um worked with them
[1:03:01] on another project that was permanent
[1:03:03] where they identified locations and then
[1:03:05] we participated in the design of the
[1:03:07] shade structures. So we're definitely
[1:03:09] using that data to inform our
[1:03:11] decision-making. Of course there's other
[1:03:13] things that come into play like can we
[1:03:15] dig in this ground? Is it you know in
[1:03:17] the right of way? things that we have to
[1:03:18] consider, but we definitely start with
[1:03:20] looking at that data and lean on our
[1:03:21] partners in the heat office to help us
[1:03:23] determine best locations.
[1:03:24] >> Thank you so much for that. And the
[1:03:25] » Thank you so much for that. And the
[1:03:26] Sombra was amaz the Sombra project was
[1:03:28] amazing. Got to partake in that. Um, but
[1:03:30] no, thank you so much for that. I'm just
[1:03:31] really glad to see that we're continuing
[1:03:33] to move on making more investments in
[1:03:36] art here in Phoenix. Um, I'd like to
[1:03:38] highlight one specific component with
[1:03:40] the within the arts and cultures
[1:03:42] proposed public art plan, which is the
[1:03:44] Rio reimagined. Um, Rio is a central fe
[1:03:47] feature to uh my districts as it cuts
[1:03:49] through the heart of Estustrala and into
[1:03:51] the tulles parts of the district. Um, I
[1:03:54] am proud that some of the artwork
[1:03:55] featured at the Rio uh will elevate Odo
[1:03:59] ODM community's relationship with the
[1:04:00] river. This is a powerful statement and
[1:04:02] I'm proud to support it. I also want to
[1:04:05] quickly um speak on item 61 which I know
[1:04:08] was in the consensus agenda uh but it is
[1:04:11] connected to arts and culture and I
[1:04:14] learned from you you and your staff uh
[1:04:16] that the panelist's response to the
[1:04:18] recommended 138 applications
[1:04:21] uh is that the caliber of arts and
[1:04:23] culture organizations and projects has
[1:04:26] grown to be especially outstanding um
[1:04:30] transparent data driven and community
[1:04:33] embedded work. So, I think that just
[1:04:35] speaks in in and of itself. So, really
[1:04:38] thank you, Carrie, the entire arts and
[1:04:40] culture department for all the
[1:04:41] astounding work that you bring um and
[1:04:43] the high quality of work that you bring
[1:04:45] into D7 and across the city. So, uh
[1:04:47] really happy to support this today.
[1:04:49] Thank you so much, Mayor.
[1:04:51] >> Thank you. Roll call
[1:04:55] » Thank you. Roll call
[1:04:55] >> yes.
[1:04:55] » yes.
[1:04:56] >> Hernandez,
[1:04:56] » Hernandez,
[1:04:56] >> yes. O'Brien,
[1:04:58] » yes. O'Brien,
[1:04:58] >> yes.
[1:04:58] » yes.
[1:04:58] >> Pastor,
[1:04:59] » Pastor,
[1:04:59] >> yes.
[1:05:00] » yes.
[1:05:00] >> Robinson,
[1:05:01] » Robinson,
[1:05:01] >> yes. Stark,
[1:05:03] » yes. Stark,
[1:05:03] >> yes.
[1:05:04] » yes.
[1:05:04] >> Wearing,
[1:05:05] » Wearing,
[1:05:05] >> yes.
[1:05:05] » yes.
[1:05:05] >> Hodgej Washington,
[1:05:06] » Hodgej Washington,
[1:05:06] >> yes. Diego,
[1:05:08] » yes. Diego,
[1:05:08] >> yes.
[1:05:08] » yes.
[1:05:08] >> Passes 90.
[1:05:10] » Passes 90.
[1:05:10] >> Item 65 is the Cactus Park precinct
[1:05:12] » Item 65 is the Cactus Park precinct
[1:05:12] architectural services.
[1:05:15] Do we have a motion?
[1:05:17] >> Motion to approve item 65.
[1:05:19] » Motion to approve item 65.
[1:05:19] >> Second. Councilman [clears throat]
[1:05:20] » Second. Councilman [clears throat]
[1:05:20] O'Brien.
[1:05:21] >> Thank you, Mayor. As one of the council
[1:05:23] » Thank you, Mayor. As one of the council
[1:05:23] members who represents the Cactus Park
[1:05:25] precinct, I'm especially pleased to
[1:05:27] support this item. To say that this
[1:05:29] project is long overdue is certainly an
[1:05:31] understatement. The current precinct was
[1:05:34] built before women were even allowed to
[1:05:35] serve as Phoenix police officers, and
[1:05:38] there are still ashtrays in the
[1:05:40] bathrooms. The new precinct at 31st
[1:05:43] Avenue in Thunderberg will provide
[1:05:45] modern, functional spaces and updated
[1:05:47] technology. Our officers deserve
[1:05:49] facilities that reflect the
[1:05:51] professionalism and dedication they
[1:05:53] bring to the job every day. This
[1:05:55] investment demonstrates that we value
[1:05:57] their service and want to ensure they
[1:05:59] have the tools to succeed. Just as
[1:06:01] importantly, residents deserve a
[1:06:03] precinct that can keep pace with growth
[1:06:05] and support the high level of public
[1:06:07] safety services they expect. The new
[1:06:10] campus will create a welcoming space for
[1:06:12] community meetings and strengthen the
[1:06:13] relationship between residents and the
[1:06:16] police department. I'm excited that the
[1:06:18] former Fry Electronics, an iconic store
[1:06:21] for many residents, will be transformed
[1:06:23] from a vacant retail site into a major
[1:06:25] public safety asset. The new precinct
[1:06:28] will take up more than 8 acres with the
[1:06:30] remaining four acres to be used for a
[1:06:32] future fire station. I want to thank the
[1:06:34] voters who approved the 2023 bond
[1:06:37] program. Their support makes projects
[1:06:39] like this possible and helps build the
[1:06:41] infrastructure we need. I appreciate
[1:06:43] everyone's work to bring us to this
[1:06:44] point and look forward to seeing it move
[1:06:46] forward. Thank you, mayor.
[1:06:48] >> Thank you, Councilwoman, and thank you
[1:06:50] » Thank you, Councilwoman, and thank you
[1:06:50] to our voters who supported general
[1:06:51] obligation bonds to be able to make this
[1:06:54] improvement and so many others in our
[1:06:56] city. When you vote, it really does
[1:06:58] matter.
[1:07:00] >> Roll call.
[1:07:03] » Roll call.
[1:07:03] >> Yes.
[1:07:03] » Yes.
[1:07:03] >> Hernandez,
[1:07:04] » Hernandez,
[1:07:04] >> yes.
[1:07:05] » yes.
[1:07:05] >> O'Brien,
[1:07:06] » O'Brien,
[1:07:06] >> yes.
[1:07:06] » yes.
[1:07:06] >> Pastor,
[1:07:07] » Pastor,
[1:07:07] >> yes.
[1:07:08] » yes.
[1:07:08] >> Robinson,
[1:07:08] » Robinson,
[1:07:08] >> yes.
[1:07:09] » yes.
[1:07:09] >> Stark,
[1:07:11] » Stark,
[1:07:11] >> yes. Wearing
[1:07:12] » yes. Wearing
[1:07:12] >> yes.
[1:07:13] » yes.
[1:07:13] >> Hodgej Washington.
[1:07:14] » Hodgej Washington.
[1:07:14] >> Yes. VGO.
[1:07:15] » Yes. VGO.
[1:07:15] >> Yes.
[1:07:16] » Yes.
[1:07:16] >> Passes 90.
[1:07:18] » Passes 90.
[1:07:18] >> We next move to item 75 which is water
[1:07:21] » We next move to item 75 which is water
[1:07:21] service department mutual aid agreement.
[1:07:23] Vice mayor.
[1:07:24] >> Motion.
[1:07:25] » Motion.
[1:07:26] >> Motion to approve item 75.
[1:07:27] » Motion to approve item 75.
[1:07:28] >> Second.
[1:07:28] » Second.
[1:07:28] >> We have a motion and a second.
[1:07:30] » We have a motion and a second.
[1:07:30] This is a really important partnership
[1:07:32] that will allow us to work with other
[1:07:34] communities to make sure we secure our
[1:07:37] water supply. As Phoenix and communities
[1:07:40] across Arizona feed significant cuts to
[1:07:42] our Colorado River resources, we need
[1:07:45] increased flexibility, water sharing
[1:07:47] options, and options to encourage
[1:07:49] creative conservation projects. Phoenix
[1:07:51] takes seriously our leadership role in
[1:07:53] the state and the region. And I'm proud
[1:07:55] that our team has played a key role in
[1:07:57] delivering this new mutual aid framework
[1:07:59] known as the secure water Arizona
[1:08:01] program or swap. It will help
[1:08:03] communities who find themselves in
[1:08:04] emerging situ situations by providing a
[1:08:07] clear pathway to access resources from
[1:08:09] communities who have the ability to help
[1:08:11] all through completely voluntary
[1:08:13] transactions that respect the unique
[1:08:15] needs of every community. SWAP also
[1:08:18] provides a framework to incentivize
[1:08:19] creative conservation projects, allowing
[1:08:22] communities to support conservation
[1:08:23] efforts in other parts of the state and
[1:08:25] to acquire some of the water saved. SWAP
[1:08:28] creates a mutual support framework as we
[1:08:30] all face significant cuts to our
[1:08:31] Colorado River supplies. It's a
[1:08:33] practical program that will allow our
[1:08:35] state the flexibility to weather the
[1:08:36] uncertainties in the Colorado River
[1:08:38] basin and it reflects our commitment to
[1:08:40] one another. We've particularly heard
[1:08:42] from some other cities who want to know
[1:08:43] if Phoenix might be able to partner with
[1:08:45] them through a very uncertain time. It's
[1:08:48] a real point of pride for me that we're
[1:08:49] moving this item forward and that we can
[1:08:51] be good partners. I'll next turn to Vice
[1:08:54] Mayor Haj Washington. Thank you so much,
[1:08:56] Mayor. As the city's representative on
[1:08:58] Ammo, I too wanted to take a moment to
[1:09:00] highlight the mutual aid agreement as an
[1:09:03] important solution in our collective
[1:09:04] effort to as we are facing uh the
[1:09:07] challenges that we are facing regarding
[1:09:08] the Colorado River water supply. I am
[1:09:11] proud of the work that we as a city are
[1:09:13] doing to ensure that our 100-year water
[1:09:15] supply remains intact even with some
[1:09:17] uncertainty from the Colorado River. As
[1:09:20] we prepare for potential water resources
[1:09:22] cuts from the central Arizona project,
[1:09:24] we must and we continue to be innovative
[1:09:26] in our approach and work with our
[1:09:28] partners throughout the region to
[1:09:30] provide real solutions to this very real
[1:09:32] challenge ahead of us. As mentioned,
[1:09:34] these agreements will create a emergency
[1:09:36] reserve of water to help address
[1:09:38] potential shortage. It will also help
[1:09:40] establish a reduction offset program and
[1:09:43] lastly provide an opportunity to work
[1:09:45] with partners on new water transactions
[1:09:48] making us more nimble in our approach to
[1:09:50] this issue. I also would like to take a
[1:09:52] moment to thank our water services and
[1:09:54] water resource team. Brandy Kelso's
[1:09:56] leadership gives me confidence in our
[1:09:58] water and wastewater services and Max
[1:10:00] Wilson as her water resource advisor has
[1:10:03] done an excellent job in keeping the
[1:10:04] council updated and involved in the
[1:10:06] critical water negotiations. Just last
[1:10:09] week, Max presented the mutual aid
[1:10:10] agreements to the members of Ammoa and
[1:10:12] did a great job explaining to our
[1:10:14] regional partners the importance of this
[1:10:16] solution. Lastly, I would be remiss if I
[1:10:18] did not again emphasize to the other
[1:10:20] communities that rely on the central
[1:10:22] Arizona project to join us in these
[1:10:24] agreements. These agreements are a
[1:10:26] testament to our continued effort to
[1:10:28] ensure that residents in our beautiful
[1:10:29] desert city will have continued access
[1:10:32] to water and our willingness to
[1:10:34] collaborate with willing partners. So
[1:10:36] this is a step forward not just for the
[1:10:38] city but for the region as a whole. So
[1:10:39] thank you mayor.
[1:10:41] >> Thank you so much vice mayor. Roll call.
[1:10:45] » Thank you so much vice mayor. Roll call.
[1:10:45] >> Yes.
[1:10:45] » Yes.
[1:10:45] >> Hernandez.
[1:10:46] » Hernandez.
[1:10:46] >> Yes.
[1:10:46] » Yes.
[1:10:46] >> O'Brien.
[1:10:47] » O'Brien.
[1:10:47] >> Yes.
[1:10:48] » Yes.
[1:10:48] >> Pastor.
[1:10:48] » Pastor.
[1:10:48] >> Yes.
[1:10:49] » Yes.
[1:10:49] >> Robinson.
[1:10:50] » Robinson.
[1:10:50] >> Yes.
[1:10:50] » Yes.
[1:10:50] >> Stark.
[1:10:52] » Stark.
[1:10:52] >> Yes.
[1:10:53] » Yes.
[1:10:53] >> Wearing.
[1:10:54] » Wearing.
[1:10:54] >> Yes.
[1:10:54] » Yes.
[1:10:54] >> Hodge Washington.
[1:10:55] » Hodge Washington.
[1:10:55] >> Yes. VGO.
[1:10:57] » Yes. VGO.
[1:10:57] >> Yes.
[1:10:57] » Yes.
[1:10:57] >> Passes 90.
[1:10:59] » Passes 90.
[1:10:59] Item 77 is next, which is the
[1:11:02] abandonment of eel easement for Thistle
[1:11:04] Landing Drive.
[1:11:07] We do have several members of the
[1:11:09] public. Do you want to hear them first?
[1:11:10] All right. Uh we'll go
[1:11:13] first to
[1:11:16] Alex Johnson
[1:11:19] and Alex will be followed
[1:11:23] by Kathy Monk.
[1:11:32] All right. Morning council and Mayor Ggo
[1:11:35] for holding this meeting.
[1:11:37] >> Could you move the microphone up or
[1:11:39] » Could you move the microphone up or
[1:11:39] >> right here? Great.
[1:11:40] » right here? Great.
[1:11:40] >> Thank you.
[1:11:41] » Thank you.
[1:11:41] >> Um I've been a Phoenix resident almost
[1:11:42] » Um I've been a Phoenix resident almost
[1:11:42] my entire life. Um I've lived in
[1:11:44] multiple districts and now I'm a
[1:11:46] homeowner in district 6 in Awatuki. Um
[1:11:49] which is often a forgotten part of
[1:11:50] Phoenix. Um, first and foremost, I
[1:11:53] object any future permits or zoning
[1:11:56] plans for this data center in my
[1:11:58] neighborhood until our um questions as a
[1:12:01] community have been answered. It is my
[1:12:03] understanding that we have given answer
[1:12:05] or questions to the planning department
[1:12:07] and our council and our mayor mayor uh
[1:12:10] at the end of April which has been two
[1:12:12] months. We've not heard anything since
[1:12:14] then. It is also our understanding that
[1:12:16] this land is not zoned properly. And
[1:12:18] it's also ironic that tomorrow we
[1:12:20] celebrate one year of the city council
[1:12:21] putting red tape around data centers
[1:12:23] which thank you for doing so. Um feels a
[1:12:27] little bit reactive but I understand
[1:12:28] that this has taken us all by storm. Um
[1:12:33] but that being said uh that initiative
[1:12:36] has not been applied to our project and
[1:12:38] has not been applied to other projects
[1:12:40] that are being uh especially waved into
[1:12:43] development. As the planning and
[1:12:45] development news release a year ago said
[1:12:49] they understand that data centers have
[1:12:51] negative impacts on neighborhoods. It is
[1:12:52] recorded. It is proven there are
[1:12:54] communities all over the country, all
[1:12:55] over the world that are being impacted
[1:12:57] by these. I have a one and a
[1:12:59] halfyear-old at home and [clears throat]
[1:13:01] um I work from home and I want Awatuki
[1:13:03] to be my home. It's my wife's home. It's
[1:13:05] her family's home and a data center has
[1:13:07] no business being in our neighborhood.
[1:13:09] It is 300 ft from a friend of mine
[1:13:12] backyard. The city has expedited
[1:13:15] construction by allowing uh the
[1:13:17] developers extended hours. They yet to
[1:13:20] respond to our concerns. This is waking
[1:13:22] up families in our neighborhoods. It's
[1:13:24] already a disturbance. That being said,
[1:13:26] the infrasound hasn't started. The
[1:13:28] pollution hasn't started. There are
[1:13:31] plenty of environmental reasons to stop
[1:13:33] this project, which the city has also
[1:13:35] failed to complete. Noise, ground,
[1:13:37] pollution, etc. And they refuse to
[1:13:39] answer to us, the residents of Aatuki,
[1:13:41] and the taxpayers. So, um I would just
[1:13:45] like to object and suggest that you guys
[1:13:47] consider um what is happening in our
[1:13:49] community before we move forward
[1:13:51] granting these developers any more um
[1:13:53] rights to development until you hear
[1:13:55] from us. So, thank you.
[1:13:58] >> Thank you so much. Uh Kathy is next,
[1:14:00] » Thank you so much. Uh Kathy is next,
[1:14:00] followed by Taylor.
[1:14:10] Do we have anyone online? No one online.
[1:14:12] So, we don't have any additional
[1:14:13] speakers on this one. All right. Well,
[1:14:15] then uh we'll turn to Councilman
[1:14:17] Robinson.
[1:14:20] Ta
[1:14:20] >> Taylor. Okay. Wonderful. Uh just for uh
[1:14:23] » Taylor. Okay. Wonderful. Uh just for uh
[1:14:23] background in in the future, we have two
[1:14:25] lists, one for virtual and one for in
[1:14:28] person. And so we if you register for
[1:14:29] virtual, we check you to see if you're
[1:14:31] logged in online and then called from
[1:14:32] that. Uh so easier to register for in
[1:14:35] person so we know where to look. Taylor,
[1:14:37] floor is yours.
[1:14:38] >> Thank you. Uh good morning. My name is
[1:14:40] » Thank you. Uh good morning. My name is
[1:14:40] Taylor Twitchell. I am with the Awatuki
[1:14:42] Community Alliance a 501c3 we have
[1:14:44] formed this spring in response to this
[1:14:46] data center that is being built in our
[1:14:47] community. I'm seeking today on item 77
[1:14:50] the abandonment of the drainage easement
[1:14:52] on the water line easement of the
[1:14:54] thistle landing drive. We recognize this
[1:14:56] item presents as routine. We are asking
[1:14:58] that it not be treated that way. The
[1:15:00] easement abandonment supports a 257
[1:15:03] megawatt data center campus, five
[1:15:04] buildings, nearly a million square feet
[1:15:07] of land just hundreds of feet from
[1:15:08] daycare, surrounding homes, schools,
[1:15:10] churches, and a senior care facility. An
[1:15:12] independent acoustic study submitted to
[1:15:15] the city in April found that the
[1:15:17] facility as designed is predicted to
[1:15:19] exceed Phoenix own 55 dibel noise
[1:15:21] standard. No noise review appears
[1:15:23] anywhere in the city's 31 permit
[1:15:25] findings for this project. A
[1:15:28] peer-reviewed ASU study published this
[1:15:30] year found data centers raise the
[1:15:32] downward temperatures up to 2.2 degrees
[1:15:34] C. This facility is larger than any of
[1:15:37] the facilities that were studied in that
[1:15:39] study. We also want to flag the broader
[1:15:42] process. This project was approved in
[1:15:43] 2024 through stipulation modification
[1:15:46] described to the public at that time as
[1:15:48] a quiet user and a technology center.
[1:15:52] 3 weeks later, it was renamed and the
[1:15:54] developer's own attorney described it in
[1:15:56] writing to the city as a data center. On
[1:15:58] April 27th, we submitted 31 written
[1:16:01] questions to the planning and
[1:16:03] development. The only response response
[1:16:05] we've received is confirmation that
[1:16:08] they've received it. We have received no
[1:16:10] answers to our questions of substance.
[1:16:12] Each item that moves this project
[1:16:14] forward, including the drainage
[1:16:15] easement, narrows the window for the
[1:16:17] city to require studies its own
[1:16:19] ordinances contemplates. We're asking
[1:16:21] the council to hold this item at this
[1:16:22] time. I would also like to speak
[1:16:24] directly to my council member uh
[1:16:26] Councilman Robinson. We have reached out
[1:16:28] to you several times to attend our
[1:16:29] meetings. We meet bi-weekly. We have
[1:16:31] heard no response to that. You have come
[1:16:34] out and you have said that there is no
[1:16:35] legal standing to stop this data center.
[1:16:38] However, here we are voting today and we
[1:16:42] ask you that you hold this finding at
[1:16:44] this time. Thank you.
[1:16:46] >> Thank you. And is Kathy in person? We
[1:16:48] » Thank you. And is Kathy in person? We
[1:16:48] had a Kathy registered to speak not
[1:16:50] here. Okay,
[1:16:53] Councilman Robinson.
[1:16:55] >> Thank you, Mayor. [clears throat] First
[1:16:57] » Thank you, Mayor. [clears throat] First
[1:16:57] of all, if I could, I'd like to go to uh
[1:16:59] Mr. Victor Derek. Um Josh, could you
[1:17:02] speak to the the issue that was raised
[1:17:05] by I think Mr. Johnson with regard to
[1:17:07] the property not being zoned properly?
[1:17:12] » Mayor, Councilman Robinson, members of
[1:17:14] the council, the property is zoned
[1:17:15] Commerce Park, uh General Commerce Park.
[1:17:18] It's been zoned that way for uh several
[1:17:20] years. Uh I the reference may be in fact
[1:17:24] uh to the the issue that the city
[1:17:26] council approved a regulatory framework
[1:17:28] regarding data centers that was approved
[1:17:30] just last year about a year ago. There
[1:17:33] was a provision in that ordinance that
[1:17:35] said if a property had secured
[1:17:39] preliminary site plan approval prior to
[1:17:41] the adoption of that ordinance, the
[1:17:42] ordin that that property wouldn't be
[1:17:44] subject uh to the new standards. that
[1:17:46] that that is the case for this property.
[1:17:48] So, it is it is a allowed use on the
[1:17:51] site and it is it does not is not
[1:17:53] required to adhere to the new standards
[1:17:55] because it had preliminary site plan
[1:17:57] approval prior to council's adoption of
[1:17:59] the ordinance last year.
[1:18:01] >> Okay. Thank you very much. And also I I
[1:18:04] » Okay. Thank you very much. And also I I
[1:18:04] see Mr. Nick Wood in the audience, the
[1:18:07] zoning attorney for the property. Mr.
[1:18:09] Wood, could you take the um podium for a
[1:18:11] couple quick questions, please?
[1:18:17] Mayor, members of the council, Nick
[1:18:18] Woods, Snelling Woman, one East
[1:18:20] Washington Street, and I represent
[1:18:21] Menllo.
[1:18:22] >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Wood for being
[1:18:24] » Okay. Thank you, Mr. Wood for being
[1:18:24] here. Could you um again, um Josh just
[1:18:28] explained or gave an explanation about
[1:18:31] the zoning for the particular area and
[1:18:32] some other things were said, I think
[1:18:34] Miss Twitchell, with regard to the noise
[1:18:37] and a host of other things. Can you talk
[1:18:40] about the mitigation that your client is
[1:18:43] going to be required to follow through
[1:18:46] with through our planning department as
[1:18:48] they move further into the building of
[1:18:50] this particular facility?
[1:18:52] >> Sure. Mayor, Council Member Robinson.
[1:18:55] » Sure. Mayor, Council Member Robinson.
[1:18:55] Um, as you know, you heard Josh say,
[1:18:57] this was approved, the zoning was
[1:18:59] approved decades ago. Um we did an
[1:19:03] amendment back in 2024 to permit uh the
[1:19:06] data centers. It's a combination data
[1:19:08] center and office. Um basically much of
[1:19:10] the mitigation includes uh setbacks um
[1:19:14] and the fact that the property is
[1:19:16] actually significantly below grade.
[1:19:18] There's a lot of uh landscaping and
[1:19:20] other things around it. Um but the
[1:19:23] buildings themselves are set back I
[1:19:25] think almost 200 to 300 ft.
[1:19:28] >> Okay. Can you also explain the efforts
[1:19:31] » Okay. Can you also explain the efforts
[1:19:31] you went through with regard to
[1:19:32] contacting neighbors and what efforts
[1:19:35] you put in that particular area?
[1:19:38] >> Sure. U Mayor, Council Member Robinson,
[1:19:41] » Sure. U Mayor, Council Member Robinson,
[1:19:41] um we had an outreach team that
[1:19:44] basically knocked on a thousand doors in
[1:19:46] the area, uh connected with over 400 and
[1:19:50] we had several hundred letters of
[1:19:52] support.
[1:19:53] >> Okay. Thank you very much.
[1:19:57] Nick, may I actually ask you a question?
[1:19:59] Mr. Wood, one more question if you don't
[1:20:02] mind. So, we at the city have been
[1:20:04] asking data centers to be good neighbors
[1:20:06] and data centers have done things like
[1:20:08] we had a community that wanted a park
[1:20:09] where they built a park. Others have
[1:20:11] wanted some local community support.
[1:20:12] What What is Menllo's commitment to the
[1:20:14] Awatuki community?
[1:20:16] >> Uh, mayor, we included a park. Uh, in
[1:20:18] » Uh, mayor, we included a park. Uh, in
[1:20:18] fact, we work with the community to
[1:20:20] design the park. It's a couple of acres.
[1:20:22] It includes some pickle ball courts and
[1:20:24] some other things. We'll maintain it.
[1:20:26] Um, it won't be at the cost of the city
[1:20:28] and it'll be open to the public.
[1:20:31] >> Thank you.
[1:20:34] » Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Mr. Woods.
[1:20:36] You know, I want to begin by
[1:20:37] acknowledging the concerns from the
[1:20:40] residents. We have heard you. Um, I
[1:20:43] understand it. We're still um having
[1:20:47] discussions with segments of the
[1:20:49] community, not all of them. Clearly,
[1:20:51] you're shaking your head, Miss
[1:20:52] Twitchell. I know there's a couple
[1:20:53] groups that let us know usually a day
[1:20:56] before their meeting. I have not been
[1:20:58] able to make those meetings. If I'm
[1:21:00] given a little bit of notice, I will be
[1:21:02] there. And I'm personally spoken with
[1:21:05] several community meetings and our
[1:21:06] office will continue to have those
[1:21:08] conversations and we're also working to
[1:21:10] schedule broader meetings over the
[1:21:13] summer to give everyone an opportunity
[1:21:15] to voice or for their voices to be
[1:21:17] heard. Now, the action before us today
[1:21:20] is not an approval of the data center
[1:21:22] itself. The property owner already has a
[1:21:25] zoning entitlements to build a data
[1:21:28] center. And that approval came many
[1:21:29] years ago. As Mr. Wood just said, this
[1:21:32] item is, albeit doesn't appear that way
[1:21:35] to some, a minor administrative
[1:21:37] function. The abandonment of the
[1:21:39] existing drainage easement was approved
[1:21:41] on September 16th, 2025.
[1:21:44] This step does not
[1:21:46] expand, accelerate, or alter the data
[1:21:50] center project. It simply addresses a
[1:21:52] technical requirement tied to the site's
[1:21:55] layout. One year ago, as the mayor
[1:21:58] mentioned, the council recognized
[1:21:59] community concerns about data centers
[1:22:01] and took action by creating a data
[1:22:03] center ordinance. As part of that
[1:22:06] process, we had to establish an
[1:22:08] applicability period, a clear line that
[1:22:10] defined which projects
[1:22:13] which projects the new regulations would
[1:22:15] govern. After careful legal legal
[1:22:17] guidance, discussion, and consideration,
[1:22:20] council determined that the ordinance
[1:22:22] would not apply to developments that
[1:22:24] already had preliminary site approval at
[1:22:27] that time. Mr. Nick, Mr. would um
[1:22:30] mention that that it was some time ago
[1:22:33] that they were given approval for that
[1:22:35] particular site. This particular
[1:22:37] development is one of two sites that
[1:22:38] already had preliminary site approval
[1:22:41] before the ordinance was adopted. This
[1:22:44] was an inter this is this was an
[1:22:46] intentional boundary set by the council
[1:22:49] to ensure the ordinances was legal and
[1:22:51] sound and enforcable.
[1:22:54] Approving this item does not diminish or
[1:22:56] dismiss the concerns of the community.
[1:22:59] Our office will continue to listen,
[1:23:01] meet, and work collaboratively with
[1:23:03] residents throughout the summer and
[1:23:05] beyond. With that context and
[1:23:07] recognizing both the administrative
[1:23:08] nature of this item, I move to approve
[1:23:11] item 77, adopt the and adopt the related
[1:23:16] resolution. Thank you, mayor, for the
[1:23:18] time.
[1:23:19] >> Second.
[1:23:20] » Second.
[1:23:20] >> We have a motion and a second. and and
[1:23:22] » We have a motion and a second. and and
[1:23:22] to our neighbors just want to speak to
[1:23:24] you. I understand this is frustrating.
[1:23:26] There was an article that came out in
[1:23:27] the Wall Street Journal this month that
[1:23:29] said Phoenix is mecca for data centers.
[1:23:31] It's not the word I would have chosen
[1:23:33] and it's not our goal. We've been
[1:23:35] working very hard on reforms. When we m
[1:23:38] moved this data center permit through,
[1:23:41] it was leading in the nation. We got
[1:23:43] deep criticism from the data center
[1:23:45] industry that we went way too fast and
[1:23:48] that we did not take into account the
[1:23:50] business needs. But we passed it
[1:23:53] unanimously because we thought it was
[1:23:54] very important. The number of data
[1:23:56] centers in this community
[1:23:58] makes us one of the epicenters in the
[1:24:00] world. The greater Phoenix area has one
[1:24:02] of the highest concentrations of data
[1:24:04] centers anywhere. Part of that is the
[1:24:06] tax incentives.
[1:24:09] In my state of the city, I pushed very
[1:24:11] hard that data centers should pay the
[1:24:13] same tax rate as our small businesses.
[1:24:15] These are some of the wealthiest
[1:24:16] companies in our country and in the
[1:24:18] world. It is good news that the state of
[1:24:21] Arizona on a bipartisan basis passed a
[1:24:23] budget with a three-year moratorium on
[1:24:25] the most generous of the tax incentives,
[1:24:28] but there are data centers that will
[1:24:31] still get it in our community.
[1:24:34] We have a lot of work to do on reform
[1:24:36] and we are working very hard. Uh, I've
[1:24:38] spent a lot of time working with mayors
[1:24:41] all over the world, frankly, who are all
[1:24:43] facing this issue. This industry is
[1:24:44] expanding at an unprecedented rate.
[1:24:47] We're working very hard to be as
[1:24:50] responsible as we can, but we have more
[1:24:51] than $700 million in threatened
[1:24:53] litigation from data centers. So, we're
[1:24:56] trying to navigate the best we can. We
[1:24:58] want to be prudent stewards of City of
[1:25:00] Phoenix tax dollars.
[1:25:03] The counciloman and I just spoke about
[1:25:05] our water challenges. We want to make
[1:25:07] sure we're using the highest our water
[1:25:09] for the highest and best uses in
[1:25:11] Arizona. We are building power plants
[1:25:12] that will use groundwater to power data
[1:25:15] centers. That's a real conversation we
[1:25:17] need to keep having and we are trying
[1:25:19] very hard at the city of Phoenix to be
[1:25:21] at the forefront
[1:25:23] and and we're committed to continuing to
[1:25:25] do this. I know this is frustrating, but
[1:25:27] we got to do it within Arizona's
[1:25:29] parameters that they have set for us and
[1:25:31] and we have to work with the state
[1:25:32] legislature and continue to make changes
[1:25:34] so that we can protect the health and
[1:25:36] safety of our community. So, thank you
[1:25:38] for being here. I know it's been
[1:25:39] frustrating. Believe me, I spent a lot
[1:25:42] of time on this and I'm also very
[1:25:43] frustrated. Anyone want to make
[1:25:46] additional comments?
[1:25:47] >> Vice Mayor, thank you, [clears throat]
[1:25:48] » Vice Mayor, thank you, [clears throat]
[1:25:48] mayor. I I just wanted to echo that some
[1:25:50] of the mayor's sentiment as well as
[1:25:52] Councilman Robinson's sentiment. I know
[1:25:53] this probably does not feel like a
[1:25:55] victory, but I can tell you one thing I
[1:25:57] know about Councilman Robinson. He's a
[1:25:58] man of his word and if he said he's
[1:26:00] going to continue to engage with you, I
[1:26:01] trust that he will. And I will ask if
[1:26:03] anything, can we also ask the planning
[1:26:05] department to respond to the 31
[1:26:07] questions because I do think that's
[1:26:09] important. I do think that our
[1:26:11] residents, this is not an easy issue. We
[1:26:13] see this issue popping up on the
[1:26:14] national level and there's a lot of
[1:26:16] uncertainty regarding data centers and
[1:26:19] their place in residents in residential
[1:26:22] neighborhoods. Um, but as mentioned, we
[1:26:25] uh we are bound by what the law provides
[1:26:28] for us and our own ordinance that we
[1:26:29] provided. But I will say I actually want
[1:26:32] to just kind of echo what Councilman
[1:26:34] Robinson said to the developers and de
[1:26:36] developers attorney on this. Please
[1:26:38] continue to engage our community.
[1:26:40] Continue to engage the residents. show
[1:26:42] them that it is possible for us to work
[1:26:44] collaboratively on this and hear their
[1:26:46] concerns and move the issue forward. We
[1:26:49] can't undo the process at this juncture,
[1:26:51] but we can make sure that the process
[1:26:52] works for both the uh the developer and
[1:26:55] the residents in that area. So, thank
[1:26:57] you, mayor, for the opportunity.
[1:27:00] >> Thank you. Roll call.
[1:27:03] » Thank you. Roll call.
[1:27:03] >> Yes.
[1:27:03] » Yes.
[1:27:03] >> Hernandez,
[1:27:04] » Hernandez,
[1:27:04] >> no.
[1:27:05] » no.
[1:27:05] >> O'Brien,
[1:27:06] » O'Brien,
[1:27:06] >> yes.
[1:27:07] » yes.
[1:27:07] >> Pastor, yes.
[1:27:08] » Pastor, yes.
[1:27:08] >> Robinson,
[1:27:09] » Robinson,
[1:27:09] >> yes. Stark,
[1:27:12] » yes. Stark,
[1:27:12] >> yes.
[1:27:13] » yes.
[1:27:13] >> Wearing,
[1:27:14] » Wearing,
[1:27:14] >> yes.
[1:27:14] » yes.
[1:27:14] >> Hodgej Washington,
[1:27:15] » Hodgej Washington,
[1:27:15] >> yes.
[1:27:16] » yes.
[1:27:16] >> VGO,
[1:27:17] » VGO,
[1:27:17] >> yes.
[1:27:17] » yes.
[1:27:17] >> Passes 81.
[1:27:21] » Passes 81.
[1:27:21] >> All right. We next move to yet another
[1:27:23] » All right. We next move to yet another
[1:27:23] data center. 89. Authorization to grant
[1:27:25] 5C data centers a binding waiver of
[1:27:27] enforcement of the special permit
[1:27:29] provisions for data centers. Uh we do
[1:27:32] have testimony on this one as well. So,
[1:27:35] we'll begin there. Uh, we'll begin with
[1:27:37] Mike, followed by Luis, and then Alex.
[1:28:13] Good morning, mayor, uh, council members
[1:28:15] and cities. My name is Mike Mariciano.
[1:28:18] I'm here on behalf of Hypert USA. I'm
[1:28:20] the president company headquartered
[1:28:23] Phoenix.
[1:28:25] We've been here for about 15 17 years.
[1:28:28] Uh now
[1:28:30] we are proud to support 5C data centers
[1:28:33] as a technology reseller and partner of
[1:28:35] the Phoenix01.
[1:28:37] We strongly support this project. We
[1:28:39] believe it represents the type of
[1:28:41] investment that helps Phoenix move
[1:28:43] forward. The Phoenix project is not
[1:28:46] simply a data center. It is a modern and
[1:28:48] digital
[1:28:50] in infrastructure that supports the AI
[1:28:52] future. cloud computing and advanced
[1:28:55] manufacturing, education, healthcare,
[1:28:57] government services, and b business
[1:28:59] innovation. The project can bring
[1:29:01] meaningful benefits to Phoenix and the
[1:29:04] Encanto neighborhood. It will help
[1:29:07] revitalize an area of the city that is
[1:29:10] well positioned for new investment while
[1:29:13] we also create long-term opportunities
[1:29:15] for local businesses, skilled workers,
[1:29:17] and service providers. From a hypertext
[1:29:20] perspective, this project will directly
[1:29:22] support the creation of an additional 30
[1:29:25] to 50 jobs in support of this data
[1:29:28] center and they're highpaying jobs. That
[1:29:30] means they're engineers, uh, high paid
[1:29:33] technicians, no knock center employees.
[1:29:37] And this will help us scale um to a
[1:29:40] level that we've never been at before.
[1:29:42] And the community uh around us, it will
[1:29:46] support the restaurants. It will support
[1:29:48] bringing home great money to their
[1:29:50] families, so on and so forth. In
[1:29:53] addition to those direct roles, a
[1:29:55] project of this scale creates broader
[1:29:57] benefits through construction,
[1:29:59] electrical, mechanical trade, security,
[1:30:01] facility management, logistics,
[1:30:03] maintenance, and local supplier
[1:30:05] relationships.
[1:30:07] Hypert will play a role in all these uh
[1:30:10] projects and servicing this data center.
[1:30:13] We're looking forward
[1:30:18] Thank you.
[1:30:20] >> Thank you.
[1:30:21] » Thank you.
[1:30:21] Luis is next, followed by Alex.
[1:30:44] » Hi, my name is Luis. Um, I've been a
[1:30:47] long-term resident from Phoenix and I've
[1:30:51] been looking over this data center for a
[1:30:52] while. I went to the boys and girls
[1:30:56] community um, meeting that they had two
[1:30:58] weeks ago and they made some I really
[1:31:02] think this will benefit the community
[1:31:04] because they made great points about
[1:31:07] the water system. It's actually a closed
[1:31:10] loop. They use this I did some research
[1:31:12] myself. They use this system with glycol
[1:31:16] which actually they use less water than
[1:31:20] the other data centers in the whole
[1:31:22] valley. So I really think it it will
[1:31:27] benefit the residents on Palm Lane and
[1:31:31] also the security. um there's a lot of
[1:31:35] um homeless people in that area and I
[1:31:38] think the security that brings it with
[1:31:40] the data center will actually benefit
[1:31:42] all of us around. So yeah,
[1:31:49] » thank you. And do you um tell us you
[1:31:52] work in a a service provider for the
[1:31:55] data center industry?
[1:31:56] >> No, no, I'm just a a a resident.
[1:31:59] » No, no, I'm just a a a resident.
[1:31:59] >> Wonderful. So you live near the near
[1:32:01] » Wonderful. So you live near the near
[1:32:02] data center. Thank you so much for
[1:32:03] taking the time to testify. We really
[1:32:04] appreciate that.
[1:32:05] >> Thank you.
[1:32:06] » Thank you.
[1:32:06] >> Alex is next,
[1:32:11] followed by Thomas.
[1:32:14] » Me again. Um
[1:32:17] my understanding that this uh developer
[1:32:20] is seeking a special waiver for the city
[1:32:22] to allow them to build here. Um and it's
[1:32:26] my understanding, again, I may be
[1:32:27] incorrect, city documents are very
[1:32:29] difficult to read and understand. uh but
[1:32:31] that this data center company is
[1:32:33] claiming fair market value property
[1:32:35] loss. Everybody in your neighborhood
[1:32:37] Luis will also lose uh property loss
[1:32:40] values as well. It is recorded and
[1:32:42] common amongst nations across or cities
[1:32:46] across our nation that property values
[1:32:47] decrease by a minimum of 20%. Again,
[1:32:51] it's all speculative, but so is the um
[1:32:54] the the dollar figures that the data
[1:32:56] centers are bringing to your table. Um,
[1:32:59] I'd like people who live in Phoenix to
[1:33:01] understand what data centers do to our
[1:33:03] environment and the health um, risks of
[1:33:06] it. Cognitive and learning impairments
[1:33:08] in children, my daughter, your daughter,
[1:33:11] your grandchildren, arterial
[1:33:12] hypertension, increased risk of heart
[1:33:14] attack, strokes, the weakening of heart
[1:33:16] tissue from infrasound. That's a cool
[1:33:18] one. Migraines, insomnia, vertigo, high
[1:33:21] blood pressure, anxiety, fluid in ears,
[1:33:22] and elevated cancer risk. That is what
[1:33:25] everybody who supports data centers is
[1:33:27] comfortable with in their neighborhood.
[1:33:30] Industrial-grade pollution,
[1:33:32] industrial-grade sound, diesel fumes
[1:33:35] because the industry is lacking the
[1:33:36] infrastructure to build them properly.
[1:33:39] So they'll be using diesel powered
[1:33:41] generators to fire up all of their
[1:33:43] servers. As a small business owner, as
[1:33:46] somebody who works in the creative
[1:33:47] field, it is um not uh unbeknownst to me
[1:33:50] that I benefit from data. I do. Um, also
[1:33:54] for my business, I buy solid state
[1:33:57] drives and the data center boom has
[1:33:59] created a product that was once $300 for
[1:34:02] me, $1,400.
[1:34:04] That is problematic. The health issues
[1:34:07] are worse. Economic growth should not
[1:34:09] happen at the expense of our health or
[1:34:12] the property values. And our city
[1:34:13] council and de development uh department
[1:34:16] needs to seriously consider that.
[1:34:21] » Thank you, Thomas.
[1:34:25] Hello. Uh, good afternoon, mayor and
[1:34:27] council members. My name is Tom Branch.
[1:34:30] I serve as a director of the Aluki
[1:34:32] Community Alliance, and I want to speak
[1:34:34] briefly on item 89 and a fairness
[1:34:37] question it raises. The waiver before
[1:34:39] you today locks in real recorded
[1:34:41] protections for the neighbors of the 5C
[1:34:44] site. specific decibel limits day and
[1:34:47] night, equipment setbacks, generator and
[1:34:50] hazmat disclosure, fire department
[1:34:52] pre-planning. That's a meaningful
[1:34:54] improvement over having no enforceable
[1:34:57] standard at all. And I think it's a
[1:34:59] reasonable model. My question is about
[1:35:02] consistency.
[1:35:04] A separate data center proposed at
[1:35:05] Thistle Landing in Awatuki is being
[1:35:08] treated as exempt from the 2025
[1:35:10] ordinance because its permits predated.
[1:35:15] But based on public records I've
[1:35:17] reviewed, that project's site plan is
[1:35:19] still an active correction. Its plat is
[1:35:21] unrecorded and its easement abandonments
[1:35:24] haven't been completed. It isn't finally
[1:35:27] entitled
[1:35:29] in the way that a true vested project
[1:35:31] would be. I'd ask the council and staff
[1:35:33] to consider if an older project's
[1:35:35] approvals are still open, shouldn't its
[1:35:37] neighbors get the same floor of
[1:35:39] protection you're establishing here
[1:35:41] today?
[1:35:43] I'd welcome the opportunity to share a
[1:35:45] documentation with staff on this point.
[1:35:48] Thank you for your time.
[1:35:53] » Thank you so much. I believe that is all
[1:35:54] our speakers on this item. So, uh, we
[1:35:58] will next turn to city council. And I
[1:36:01] understand we have an a representative
[1:36:02] for the applicant on this item. If you
[1:36:04] could come forward, that would be great.
[1:36:19] Thanks so much. Uh there was a gentleman
[1:36:20] who testified earlier about 30 to 50
[1:36:23] jobs. How many jobs long-term will be
[1:36:25] created on site
[1:36:26] >> uh over the mayor council
[1:36:28] » uh over the mayor council
[1:36:28] >> post construction?
[1:36:30] » post construction?
[1:36:30] >> Mayor council Jason Morris with you
[1:36:32] » Mayor council Jason Morris with you
[1:36:32] Morris Ball on behalf of the applicant.
[1:36:34] Uh thanks for the opportunity on this
[1:36:36] one. In terms of job creation, uh 30 to
[1:36:39] 50 is the range long-term. Uh that
[1:36:42] wasn't just a short-term number.
[1:36:44] >> Wonderful. And those will be on site.
[1:36:45] » Wonderful. And those will be on site.
[1:36:45] They're direct employment at the site.
[1:36:48] >> That is correct.
[1:36:49] » That is correct.
[1:36:49] >> Wonderful. Thank you so much. The state
[1:36:51] » Wonderful. Thank you so much. The state
[1:36:51] of Arizona has I think starting today a
[1:36:54] moratorum on a very generous sales tax
[1:36:58] incentive. Uh will your client be paying
[1:37:00] the traditional sales tax rate or using
[1:37:04] the sales tax incentive?
[1:37:06] Mayor, council members, I did not. First
[1:37:09] of all, it's my understanding that the
[1:37:11] property owner is the one that has to
[1:37:12] apply uh for that use. I I'm not aware
[1:37:16] of whether the property owner applied
[1:37:18] for the tax credit before today. Um
[1:37:21] given the state of this and what's
[1:37:24] occurred on this, and if you don't mind,
[1:37:25] I'm going to give a little bit of
[1:37:27] background so that we understand really
[1:37:29] what's occurred on this site. This this
[1:37:31] was a 2024 application by 5C for this
[1:37:35] site. At at the time they were actually
[1:37:37] working in conjunction with both uh
[1:37:40] regional economic development and local
[1:37:42] economic development for the reuse of an
[1:37:45] existing building. It's a very small
[1:37:47] site frankly as far as data centers go.
[1:37:50] This is a 7 acre site. Uh the amount of
[1:37:52] power is is considerably less just by
[1:37:55] way of scale. The last item on the
[1:37:58] agenda that you just considered was I
[1:38:00] believe 275 megawws. We heard this is a
[1:38:04] 20 megawatt site. Uh this is a a 7 acre
[1:38:08] site versus I think the the last one was
[1:38:10] roughly almost a full section almost a
[1:38:13] 40 acre site. So this is a small infill
[1:38:16] more importantly an adaptive reuse. uh
[1:38:19] this building exists and uh when 5C
[1:38:23] initially moved forward, they went to
[1:38:25] planning and they went to economic
[1:38:27] development. They made sure that the
[1:38:28] path was clear, actually went to APS,
[1:38:31] paid out a significant money uh amount
[1:38:33] of money in order to get the planning
[1:38:35] and and power done. But then they paused
[1:38:39] uh and were actually working with new
[1:38:42] tenants for the building. During that
[1:38:44] time, unbeknownst to them, uh the city
[1:38:47] of Phoenix passed a a a very holistic
[1:38:50] data center ordinance that was referred
[1:38:52] to earlier. And that data center
[1:38:55] ordinance, as we recognize, has
[1:38:57] essentially made data centers uh uh in
[1:39:03] terms of land use at least
[1:39:06] inappropriate in any district that does
[1:39:08] not have special permit. This is one of
[1:39:10] the last sites I believe that will come
[1:39:12] before you in this manner. Uh because
[1:39:16] anything else is going to be a new data
[1:39:18] center entitlement.
[1:39:20] Based upon what we've seen and heard and
[1:39:22] what we understand and the city's
[1:39:24] concerns, that's not likely to happen.
[1:39:27] So this site has been left over and we
[1:39:31] are now re-engaging because of the
[1:39:34] existing ordinance through the waiver
[1:39:36] process. uh but given their existing
[1:39:39] zoning, the adaptive reuse of the
[1:39:41] building, and I'll just for what it's
[1:39:42] worth point out that this building since
[1:39:45] it's been vacant uh over the last 2
[1:39:47] years has been broken into 13 times. Uh
[1:39:51] this is really an attempt to put a
[1:39:54] viable small use into an existing
[1:39:58] building uh without disrupting the
[1:40:00] neighborhood. So, I'm sorry that's a
[1:40:02] very long answer to a question that I'm
[1:40:04] not sure was answered, but I just want
[1:40:06] wanted to allow the council to
[1:40:09] understand the site.
[1:40:10] >> Wonderful. It's important history. One
[1:40:12] » Wonderful. It's important history. One
[1:40:12] of the things that I understand is
[1:40:13] positive about this site is you will not
[1:40:15] need to bring in any new electric
[1:40:17] transmission, the existing grid
[1:40:18] capacity.
[1:40:20] >> Mayor, council members, that's correct.
[1:40:21] » Mayor, council members, that's correct.
[1:40:21] We are bringing in two we are
[1:40:23] essentially extending underground to
[1:40:26] existing lines from a uh substation.
[1:40:30] >> So it won't disrupt any of the neighbors
[1:40:31] » So it won't disrupt any of the neighbors
[1:40:31] in terms
[1:40:32] >> that's correct. It's it's entirely
[1:40:33] » that's correct. It's it's entirely
[1:40:33] through the industrial property. Okay. I
[1:40:35] think that makes it a in some ways a
[1:40:37] better site. But one concern I do have
[1:40:40] is there's residential on on two sites.
[1:40:43] As you know early in my time as mayor,
[1:40:46] Phoenix firefighters responded to a
[1:40:48] lithium battery fire.
[1:40:50] Uh some firefighters from a neighboring
[1:40:53] city were pretty severely injured at
[1:40:55] that fire and so the fire code has
[1:40:57] changed.
[1:40:59] When there is a lithium battery, we will
[1:41:01] now let the fire burn out, which could
[1:41:03] be a week of a fire burning.
[1:41:06] That is a use that I have some concern
[1:41:09] right next to residential.
[1:41:12] To me, it seems more appropriate with
[1:41:13] diesel generators and lithium batteries
[1:41:15] to be in an industrial
[1:41:17] area if there could be a fire. And it
[1:41:20] certainly doesn't help that it seems
[1:41:21] like this this project will not pay the
[1:41:23] full sales tax rate of it's that its
[1:41:25] neighboring businesses will pay. So,
[1:41:28] help me understand with the lithium
[1:41:30] battery and the diesel why we should put
[1:41:31] that right up against residential.
[1:41:34] >> Uh, mayor and council members, I I
[1:41:36] » Uh, mayor and council members, I I
[1:41:36] appreciate your concern and it's
[1:41:38] warranted. Uh I was aware and that
[1:41:40] certainly was brought forward during the
[1:41:42] data center conversation when the
[1:41:43] ordinance was passed last year. In this
[1:41:46] instance, we're not talking about
[1:41:48] bringing a new industrial use. In fact,
[1:41:50] unlike most of the other data centers
[1:41:53] that have created new buildings, this
[1:41:55] building has had all of the nomclature
[1:42:01] of industrial use. Meaning this over its
[1:42:05] lifetime has been a manufacturing
[1:42:07] facility that has used chemicals. It has
[1:42:10] been a storage facility of flammable
[1:42:12] materials. This is not bringing in this
[1:42:15] application or in in fact that's not
[1:42:17] application. This waiver is not bringing
[1:42:20] any new use to this area. It was zoned
[1:42:23] A1. It will still remain an A1 site and
[1:42:26] it is in as as you pointed out this
[1:42:29] transitional area where on two sides
[1:42:32] there are residences and on two sides
[1:42:34] there are industrial intense industrial
[1:42:37] uses with similar attributes.
[1:42:42] >> Thank you. We are trying to push these
[1:42:44] » Thank you. We are trying to push these
[1:42:44] data center operators to give back to
[1:42:46] our communities. This data center is
[1:42:48] going to do some small things. Will you
[1:42:49] tell us about those? Uh, mayor and
[1:42:52] council, thanks for that opportunity as
[1:42:53] well. Uh, frankly, we're constrained by
[1:42:56] size. As you mentioned, some of the
[1:42:58] other users, some of the other data
[1:43:00] centers, the newer, larger data center
[1:43:02] opportunities have also had land where
[1:43:05] they can offer either a pocket park as
[1:43:07] was the case in the last uh, or as
[1:43:09] you're aware, soccer fields or other
[1:43:12] amenities. This being a 7acre site with
[1:43:14] an existing building, it is essentially
[1:43:16] building and parking. So, we've looked
[1:43:18] for other opportunities at the
[1:43:20] neighborhood meeting. Uh, one of the
[1:43:21] questions that was asked, I believe, by
[1:43:23] the council member is what does the
[1:43:25] community want to see, specifically the
[1:43:28] residential community for this site? And
[1:43:31] there was a request for enhanced
[1:43:33] landscaping, larger mature trees, a
[1:43:37] mural for the area. There was talk of uh
[1:43:39] whether it would be appropriate to keep
[1:43:41] this in a a gated landscape setting and
[1:43:44] what that would look like, whether it
[1:43:46] would be secure, whether there were
[1:43:48] cameras, uh 24-hour personnel, that type
[1:43:51] of thing. Those were the major concerns.
[1:43:53] Beyond that, in terms of community
[1:43:55] outreach, the applicant, I'm sorry, I'm
[1:43:58] so used to using that term, uh 5C in
[1:44:01] this instance, the the request for
[1:44:03] claim,
[1:44:05] has agreed to do a uh a fund for the
[1:44:08] community that the community would have
[1:44:10] access to and would work in conjunction
[1:44:12] with the city and the community to make
[1:44:15] sure there were funds available for
[1:44:16] things that were important to the
[1:44:17] community.
[1:44:19] >> Thank you. And how many folks attended
[1:44:20] » Thank you. And how many folks attended
[1:44:20] the community meeting? Uh I believe it
[1:44:22] was and I'm going to give you all of the
[1:44:25] numbers that have been given to me.
[1:44:26] There were over 400 homes I think 410
[1:44:30] homes invited. Uh there were 148 where
[1:44:34] there was actual interaction with the
[1:44:36] neighbors and of that probably less than
[1:44:39] 20 attended the meeting.
[1:44:41] >> Okay. I had heard four. Does that seem
[1:44:43] » Okay. I had heard four. Does that seem
[1:44:43] possible? I
[1:44:44] >> I was not at that meeting.
[1:44:45] » I was not at that meeting.
[1:44:45] >> It's actually
[1:44:49] it was six.
[1:44:52] Okay, thank you. All right, that is all
[1:44:54] of my questions. Does anyone have any
[1:44:56] additional questions?
[1:44:57] >> Wonderful. Thank you so much.
[1:44:59] » Wonderful. Thank you so much.
[1:44:59] >> Thank you.
[1:45:06] » Right.
[1:45:08] >> This would not be my favorite site for a
[1:45:09] » This would not be my favorite site for a
[1:45:09] data center. It does have residential on
[1:45:12] two sides, but uh we did have
[1:45:17] a press release go out saying that uh
[1:45:20] the regional economic development folks
[1:45:22] and councilwoman were excited about that
[1:45:25] which makes it a little bit more
[1:45:26] complicated as well and it is
[1:45:29] complicated with the timing but I'm
[1:45:31] speaking to the industry. I really hope
[1:45:32] that you will look for locations in
[1:45:34] industrial land and not immediately
[1:45:37] adjacent to residential. Counciloman
[1:45:39] Pastor.
[1:45:43] » Yes. Um, all of us have the same
[1:45:46] concerns. Um, in particular, we all have
[1:45:49] the same concerns of the mayor. Uh, this
[1:45:52] area is in an industrial area. It's an
[1:45:54] A1 and and what these neighborhoods are
[1:45:57] surrounded in an by an industrial park.
[1:45:59] So, I believe um and I'm going to go
[1:46:02] back and look at some history. uh that
[1:46:04] probably originated as an industrial
[1:46:07] park and then uh homes were built around
[1:46:10] it. Um, and it's unfortunate uh we're at
[1:46:15] the space that we're at right now. as
[1:46:17] the mayor the mayor is correct that
[1:46:20] there was an article where I do have a
[1:46:23] quote stated and it does talk about uh
[1:46:26] bringing jobs and it talks about uh the
[1:46:29] data center in a in a space uh where at
[1:46:34] that time because it's an industrial
[1:46:35] center where is appropriate um and in
[1:46:39] the data center space we all have uh
[1:46:43] entered in uh wanting data centers when
[1:46:47] I entered uh there was a big uh push for
[1:46:51] wanting data centers and then uh as we
[1:46:55] moved and evolved we realize what is the
[1:46:58] impact it has in our community. Um this
[1:47:01] item is a was entered and in placed in
[1:47:07] 2024.
[1:47:08] Uh there is a letter stating that a data
[1:47:12] center can be built here. uh we passed
[1:47:15] the the regulatory pieces in 2025 and
[1:47:19] this is one of one um that is in the
[1:47:23] bubble or limbo that uh is now being
[1:47:26] presented.
[1:47:28] I I I move the approve item 89 per the
[1:47:31] memo uh dated July 1, 2026.
[1:47:36] That is my motion.
[1:47:37] >> Second. We have a motion and a second.
[1:47:40] » Second. We have a motion and a second.
[1:47:40] >> Roll call.
[1:47:42] » Roll call.
[1:47:42] >> Yes. Anonymous.
[1:47:44] » Yes. Anonymous.
[1:47:44] >> No.
[1:47:45] » No.
[1:47:45] >> O'Brien,
[1:47:46] » O'Brien,
[1:47:46] >> yes.
[1:47:46] » yes.
[1:47:46] >> Has
[1:47:47] » Has
[1:47:47] >> yes.
[1:47:48] » yes.
[1:47:48] >> Robinson,
[1:47:49] » Robinson,
[1:47:49] >> yes.
[1:47:49] » yes.
[1:47:49] >> Stark,
[1:47:51] » Stark,
[1:47:51] >> yes.
[1:47:52] » yes.
[1:47:52] >> Wearing,
[1:47:53] » Wearing,
[1:47:53] >> yes.
[1:47:53] » yes.
[1:47:53] >> Hodgej Washington, I'd like to explain
[1:47:55] » Hodgej Washington, I'd like to explain
[1:47:55] my vote first. Um, I I too share the
[1:47:59] concerns given the proximity to
[1:48:01] residential, but it's rare that we see
[1:48:03] neighbors come forward and speak in
[1:48:05] favor of the data centers. And while I
[1:48:08] want I want to respect their position.
[1:48:10] Um also it's not I was not present at
[1:48:12] the neighborhood outreach and I will
[1:48:14] defer to the councilman's uh who
[1:48:16] represents a district um where this is
[1:48:18] where this is placed. So I will vote
[1:48:20] yes.
[1:48:21] >> GGO.
[1:48:23] » GGO.
[1:48:23] >> Yes. Passes 81.
[1:48:25] » Yes. Passes 81.
[1:48:25] >> Next we go to item 90. A resoning
[1:48:27] » Next we go to item 90. A resoning
[1:48:27] application at the southwest corner of
[1:48:29] 56th Street and Ranger Drive.
[1:48:33] >> Mayor, may I make a suggestion?
[1:48:34] » Mayor, may I make a suggestion?
[1:48:34] >> Please. Uh may we hear from the people
[1:48:37] » Please. Uh may we hear from the people
[1:48:37] petitioning
[1:48:39] against
[1:48:41] first?
[1:48:42] >> Perfect. Uh we'll open the public
[1:48:44] » Perfect. Uh we'll open the public
[1:48:44] hearing and
[1:48:48] uh welcome the group that Councilman
[1:48:50] Wearing suggested and I understand they
[1:48:52] do have a PowerPoint.
[1:48:57] » Are we doing five minute PowerPoint?
[1:48:59] >> I don't think they have a PowerPoint.
[1:49:01] » I don't think they have a PowerPoint.
[1:49:01] >> Okay.
[1:49:01] » Okay.
[1:49:01] >> Yeah. So five minutes is fine. Yep.
[1:49:05] » Yeah. So five minutes is fine. Yep.
[1:49:05] They're not in. Yes, but there's no
[1:49:06] PowerPoint.
[1:49:07] >> Wonderful. If we could get five minutes
[1:49:08] » Wonderful. If we could get five minutes
[1:49:08] for this presentation. Thank you.
[1:49:12] >> Fortunately, I did have PowerPoint I
[1:49:13] » Fortunately, I did have PowerPoint I
[1:49:13] submitted. I'm not sure.
[1:49:14] >> Oh, sorry. I saw somebody nodding no, so
[1:49:16] » Oh, sorry. I saw somebody nodding no, so
[1:49:16] apologize. I guess there is a
[1:49:18] PowerPoint.
[1:49:18] >> Oh,
[1:49:26] okay. All right. I'm Doug Miller. I'm a
[1:49:29] resident in the Desert Ridge area that
[1:49:30] backs up against the wildfire wild fire
[1:49:33] wildfire golf course. And right now,
[1:49:38] Ranger Drive is my only access point to
[1:49:40] get to my house from Tatum Boulevard.
[1:49:55] All right. All right. So, I just wanted
[1:49:56] to give a little context of what was
[1:49:58] originally proposed. Um, Cayanian just
[1:50:02] put bought the property at the southwest
[1:50:05] corner and Ranger Road was supposed to
[1:50:09] connect to 56 during that construction.
[1:50:12] Um, that construction and that roadway
[1:50:15] was identified in the Desert Ridge
[1:50:17] specific plan and the street
[1:50:18] classification map for the last couple
[1:50:20] decades. Um it's also consistent with
[1:50:22] the approved traffic impact analysis and
[1:50:27] during that um construction that cost
[1:50:32] would be on the developer itself.
[1:50:39] Thanks.
[1:50:41] The new addendum states that the road
[1:50:44] will no longer go through and it'll be a
[1:50:46] a culde-sac that will be temporary. So
[1:50:49] it's not being removed from the plan
[1:50:51] itself. It's just being another
[1:50:54] temporary uh postponement of the
[1:50:58] construction and the connection. So
[1:51:01] unfortunately that shifts back the
[1:51:03] financial responsibility to the city as
[1:51:05] a capital improvements project
[1:51:13] and I've have I have attended uh two of
[1:51:16] the three planning meetings and listen
[1:51:19] to uh the public input as well and I
[1:51:23] want to kind of step back a little bit
[1:51:24] and just look at the community as a
[1:51:25] whole. Um, I pulled this map from the
[1:51:29] the MAG Northeast Valley Transportation
[1:51:32] Study and it just kind of highlights
[1:51:35] what the current traffic conditions are
[1:51:37] now. There's a lot of uh public input
[1:51:40] that that states there's an
[1:51:44] overabundance of traffic right now and
[1:51:46] it's it's building. Uh, Tatum right now
[1:51:48] carries over 30,000 vehicles and does
[1:51:51] have a lot of backup at the 101. But you
[1:51:54] also look at some of these other
[1:51:56] callouts where um people have made
[1:51:59] comments uh specifically to the Ranger
[1:52:02] Road at 56. There's one that says there
[1:52:05] should be connected to provide multiple
[1:52:06] access points to reduce congestion. Um
[1:52:09] there's other access points on Deer
[1:52:11] Valley and 64th
[1:52:13] Tatum um Deer Valley and 40th and it
[1:52:17] just basically I want to portray how uh
[1:52:22] the traffic is building right now,
[1:52:24] right? We're getting a lot of
[1:52:26] investment. There's a lot going on. Uh
[1:52:29] the the Cardinals facility going on
[1:52:33] along Scottsdale Road. The land at Deer
[1:52:36] Valley and 40th was also just purchased
[1:52:38] for uh residential. So there is more
[1:52:42] growth happening and we're already kind
[1:52:44] of seeing some implications of traffic
[1:52:48] issues.
[1:52:53] So I wanted to zoom in a little bit
[1:52:55] closer. Um Ranger Drive right now is
[1:52:59] seeing about 2,800 cars per day. And
[1:53:02] this data is coming from Placer AI who
[1:53:05] uses Interex for their their traffic
[1:53:07] data. And I wanted to just kind of
[1:53:08] understand um what the other similar
[1:53:13] connector roads currently do. So
[1:53:15] Pathfinder is a similar laid uh laid out
[1:53:19] road that has similar uh widths, bike
[1:53:23] lanes, and setbacks. They're doing a
[1:53:26] little over 3,000. Marriott Drives doing
[1:53:28] a little over 3,000. and Trailblazer
[1:53:31] Drive is doing a little over 2,000. So,
[1:53:33] it we're still in range. Um, I put this
[1:53:37] together because there was a lot of
[1:53:39] comments saying if you open this road,
[1:53:42] you're going to create a major arterial
[1:53:44] cut through. Um, this would suggest it
[1:53:47] does not do that. So,
[1:53:50] that was just uh
[1:53:53] trying to trying to support it being
[1:53:54] more more data driven than specul
[1:53:56] speculative.
[1:54:02] Um, so I'll just wrap it up with fiscal
[1:54:04] responsibility, right? That road has
[1:54:07] been planned for a couple decades now.
[1:54:10] It's in the general plan and it was
[1:54:14] there for the developer to complete when
[1:54:16] that land was purchased. Um, growth pays
[1:54:19] for growth. You're going to invest. I'm
[1:54:21] all for the investment. Um, but I think
[1:54:24] we should require them to also connect
[1:54:27] those roads as planned versus
[1:54:30] versus turn around and put it back on
[1:54:31] the taxpayers as a capital improvements
[1:54:34] project. All right. Thank you.
[1:54:37] >> Thank you so much.
[1:54:40] » Thank you so much.
[1:54:40] >> Uh, Councilman, do we want to hear from
[1:54:42] » Uh, Councilman, do we want to hear from
[1:54:42] the applicant or we do have three folks
[1:54:44] online and and then additional speakers
[1:54:46] in person?
[1:54:47] >> Uh, let's do additional speakers who are
[1:54:49] » Uh, let's do additional speakers who are
[1:54:49] against.
[1:54:50] >> Okay.
[1:54:50] » Okay.
[1:54:50] >> Okay.
[1:54:51] » Okay.
[1:54:51] >> All right. 90. We should have Barry.
[1:54:54] » All right. 90. We should have Barry.
[1:54:54] >> And I have a Neil Peterson who signed up
[1:54:56] » And I have a Neil Peterson who signed up
[1:54:56] after my list was printed. So I don't
[1:54:57] know if he's against or in favor, but
[1:54:59] Neil will go to you next.
[1:55:02] >> Neil's in favor.
[1:55:04] » Neil's in favor.
[1:55:04] >> Okay. And then the other two who are
[1:55:05] » Okay. And then the other two who are
[1:55:05] here are in favor. And then online, we
[1:55:09] do have
[1:55:10] >> three virtual speakers in support.
[1:55:12] » three virtual speakers in support.
[1:55:12] >> I'm sorry, Barry is against. So he would
[1:55:15] » I'm sorry, Barry is against. So he would
[1:55:15] be now.
[1:55:17] >> All right. Uh so Doug Miller and Barry
[1:55:19] » All right. Uh so Doug Miller and Barry
[1:55:19] are two opposed. Okay. So Barry, the
[1:55:20] floor is yours.
[1:55:23] Sorry for the confusion there.
[1:55:37] » Thank you, mayor and council members for
[1:55:39] the opportunity to speak. I'm Barry
[1:55:41] Goldfarb and I've lived in the valley
[1:55:42] for 50 years and I appreciate the work
[1:55:44] you do to make Phoenix a great city. I'm
[1:55:47] here today to speak about the connection
[1:55:49] of Ranger Road to 56th Street in Desert
[1:55:51] Ridge. I have served on Desert Ridge
[1:55:54] Community Association board for about 12
[1:55:57] years and currently serve as one of the
[1:55:58] officers. Desert Ridge specific plan
[1:56:01] expect um expects to have approximately
[1:56:04] 50,000 residents with 19,000 homes and
[1:56:06] 30,000 jobs. Yet unlike most of Phoenix,
[1:56:10] our community does not have the typical
[1:56:12] onem grid of east, west, and north south
[1:56:15] arterial roads. That limited road
[1:56:18] network already creates congestion and
[1:56:20] will only become worse as the growth
[1:56:21] continues and zoning changes increase
[1:56:23] density as this application.
[1:56:26] Today, just over half of the planned
[1:56:28] homes have been built. In addition,
[1:56:30] [clears throat] more than 2,000
[1:56:31] apartment units are under construction
[1:56:33] are currently being leased. Major
[1:56:35] commercial developments, including the
[1:56:36] new Trader Joe's and Sprouts
[1:56:38] Marketplace, are both located at or near
[1:56:41] 56th Street in Deer Valley, and both are
[1:56:43] slated to open very soon.
[1:56:46] Maricopa Association of Government in
[1:56:48] their Northeast Valley Transportation
[1:56:50] Study has stated that even after Loop
[1:56:52] 101 was widened to its full buildout, it
[1:56:55] continues to experience severe
[1:56:57] congestion on a regular basis. The east
[1:56:59] west ranger extension connects Tatum
[1:57:03] Boulevard to 56th Street has long been
[1:57:06] part of the area's transation plan.
[1:57:08] Residents who chose to live near the
[1:57:10] planned road extension knew or should
[1:57:12] have known that the road was planned.
[1:57:14] Delaying the project to the benefit of
[1:57:16] small number of nearby residents will
[1:57:18] negatively affect thousands of current
[1:57:19] and future residents, employee
[1:57:22] employees, and commuters. I respectfully
[1:57:25] ask that you reject the recommendation
[1:57:27] before you delay the rager road
[1:57:31] extension and allow this important
[1:57:33] transportation project and move forward
[1:57:34] as planned to help with the severe
[1:57:36] traffic we are already encountering.
[1:57:38] Thank you for your time and
[1:57:40] consideration.
[1:57:42] >> Thank you. So we do have two in person
[1:57:45] » Thank you. So we do have two in person
[1:57:45] in support and three online. Uh one us
[1:57:48] to speak if necessary.
[1:57:49] >> Uh why don't you go with the people who
[1:57:51] » Uh why don't you go with the people who
[1:57:51] want to speak who are in support. Okay.
[1:57:54] >> Um and then
[1:57:56] » Um and then
[1:57:56] I the applicant if necessary.
[1:57:58] >> Okay. I have uh Brandy in person to
[1:58:02] » Okay. I have uh Brandy in person to
[1:58:02] speak in support.
[1:58:05] We have the attorney for the applicant
[1:58:06] and then we'll go to virtual to Albert
[1:58:08] first.
[1:58:11] » Uh thank you for the opportunity to
[1:58:13] speak today. My name is Brandy Stab and
[1:58:15] I'm the resort manager at the JDM
[1:58:16] Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa.
[1:58:19] Um, I attended both the two village
[1:58:21] planning meetings and a planning and
[1:58:23] zoning meeting prior to this meeting.
[1:58:25] The turnout was robust from the
[1:58:27] community. Um, they all oppose the
[1:58:29] extension of Ranger Drive. Um, I would
[1:58:31] say that the resort appreciates the
[1:58:34] developers willingness to revisit the
[1:58:36] original plan and come forward with a
[1:58:38] revised approach as it pertains to
[1:58:40] Ranger Road and 56th Street. The
[1:58:42] cultisac design at the end of Ranger
[1:58:44] paired with a small park uh for the
[1:58:46] community is a thoughtful solution that
[1:58:49] avoids creating a direct connection to
[1:58:51] 56th Street and better aligns with the
[1:58:53] character and width of that road. From
[1:58:55] our perspective, this is a positive step
[1:58:57] forward and one we can support. Uh the
[1:59:00] portion of Ranger Road um that we're
[1:59:02] talking about is used regularly not only
[1:59:04] by nearby residents and local community,
[1:59:07] but also by golfers, resort associates,
[1:59:09] and golf operations, including beverage
[1:59:12] cart and golf cart crossings. If in the
[1:59:14] future Ranger was drive was to be open
[1:59:16] to 56th Street, the road would become a
[1:59:18] major thoroughfare, introducing a
[1:59:21] serious hazard to 36,000 golfers
[1:59:23] annually, golf course associates and
[1:59:25] maintenance staff, and residents who
[1:59:27] currently pass over Ranger. We would ask
[1:59:30] that Ranger is not extended and if in
[1:59:32] the future Ranger is open to 56th
[1:59:34] Street, we would ask that plans would
[1:59:36] include provisions for the safety of
[1:59:37] these individuals and that the cost of
[1:59:40] the road would be considered with
[1:59:41] tunnels uh and not uh toward the resort.
[1:59:45] Uh really our goal here is to create
[1:59:46] safety. Um when you look at Marriott
[1:59:49] Drive currently, which comes around the
[1:59:50] resort, um someone noted how many uh
[1:59:54] people drive on that road daily. I can
[1:59:56] tell you it's very very significant. The
[1:59:58] speeds that happen on that road uh
[2:00:01] create a danger to those even walking on
[2:00:03] the sidewalks and that's two lanes on
[2:00:04] each side which this road going through
[2:00:06] a community doesn't have the ability to
[2:00:08] have based on size. Thank you for your
[2:00:10] time.
[2:00:11] >> Thank you so much. We'll go next to
[2:00:13] » Thank you so much. We'll go next to
[2:00:13] Albert and followed by Claudia.
[2:00:20] Hi
[2:00:20] >> there. My name is El Karina. I'd like to
[2:00:23] » there. My name is El Karina. I'd like to
[2:00:23] thank you for the opportunity to address
[2:00:25] this council. I am the initiator of one
[2:00:27] of the 546 signatures of the petition
[2:00:30] opposing the proposed extension at
[2:00:32] Ranger Road. The concern is
[2:00:35] straightforward. Connecting Ranger Road
[2:00:37] to 56th Street will increase
[2:00:38] non-resident cut through traffic in our
[2:00:41] neighborhood, creating safety risks and
[2:00:43] challenging the character of our
[2:00:44] community from a quiet residential
[2:00:46] neighborhood into a pass through route.
[2:00:49] When our neighborhood was developed, the
[2:00:51] Desert Ridge Pacific Plan adopted on
[2:00:53] July 18th, 1980 uh 1990 made a clear
[2:00:57] commitment that local streets would loop
[2:00:59] through residential areas and discourage
[2:01:01] through traffic. Specifically, the plan
[2:01:03] states the local streets will loop
[2:01:05] through traffic uh will loop through
[2:01:07] residential areas created in
[2:01:09] neighborhood character. No shortcuts
[2:01:11] between arterial speed neighborhoods
[2:01:13] will be found, discouraging any traffic
[2:01:17] other than local. Many homeowners can
[2:01:20] purchase their home relying on that
[2:01:22] commitment, and we believe it should be
[2:01:23] honored today. The city's own
[2:01:25] neighborhood policy also recognizes that
[2:01:28] strong, healthy neighborhoods are
[2:01:30] essential to Phoenix's quality of life,
[2:01:32] and that preserving neighborhood
[2:01:34] character benefits the city as a whole.
[2:01:37] Policy states, "Do healthy neighborhoods
[2:01:40] are critical to the long-term vitality
[2:01:42] and success of Phoenix and to the
[2:01:44] quality of life of its residents." I
[2:01:47] also want to make it clear that many
[2:01:49] residents, including myself, are not
[2:01:50] opposed to the new Toro housing
[2:01:52] development. In fact, many of us have
[2:01:54] signed statements supporting the
[2:01:56] building. Residents have also reviewed
[2:01:59] and endorsed the builder's alternative
[2:02:01] plan, which includes a park and a
[2:02:03] turnaround instead of extending Ranger
[2:02:05] Road to 56th Street. Our objection is
[2:02:08] specifically to the road extension
[2:02:10] because it would invite additional cut
[2:02:12] through traffic and drivers seeking to
[2:02:15] avoid congestion on nearby arterial
[2:02:17] streets. The planning committee's
[2:02:19] previously two previous two meetings
[2:02:22] resulted in unanimous votes on this
[2:02:24] resolution. [clears throat] Since the
[2:02:25] last meeting, we have continued to
[2:02:27] gather additional signatures from
[2:02:29] residents who oppose connecting Ranger
[2:02:31] Road to 50 6th Street, demonstrating
[2:02:34] that community opposition remains.
[2:02:36] Claudia is next, followed by Brian.
[2:02:41] » And good [clears throat] morning, Mayor
[2:02:43] Ggo and council members. My name is
[2:02:46] Claudia Garza. I've been a resident of
[2:02:47] Desert Ridge for over 25 years. A lot of
[2:02:50] what has been said was initially what I
[2:02:52] was going to say. So, I will not repeat
[2:02:54] it. I will not bore you with all of
[2:02:55] that. What I will say is that when we
[2:02:58] purchased our home, we understood that
[2:03:00] growth would come to the area and with
[2:03:02] that growth comes comes more traffic.
[2:03:05] But I ask if is it necessary for
[2:03:08] congestion on our major streets like
[2:03:09] Tatum, Deer Valley, and Pinnacle Peak to
[2:03:12] to compromise Ranger Drive to make it a
[2:03:15] pass through. As was mentioned by Mr.
[2:03:17] Miller and my Miss Stab, yes, Marriott
[2:03:20] Drive is carrying a lot of traffic right
[2:03:23] now, but that is what will happen to
[2:03:25] Ranger Drive if it becomes a a full a
[2:03:28] street all the way through to 56th
[2:03:29] Street. A lot of the traffic on Marriott
[2:03:31] Drive right now is quote
[2:03:34] cut through traffic is the best I can
[2:03:36] describe it as. Um the the develop what
[2:03:40] the developer has proposed the the
[2:03:43] compromise that the developer has
[2:03:45] proposed is acceptable understanding
[2:03:47] that it is only temporary and can be
[2:03:49] changed by the city at any time or by
[2:03:52] another developer should they purchase
[2:03:54] another parcel within Desert Ridge. With
[2:03:57] that said, I sincerely ask that you
[2:03:59] accept the resoning application, which
[2:04:01] most of us do not have a problem with,
[2:04:03] but please deny the stipulation to
[2:04:05] extend Ranger Drive to 56 Street, at
[2:04:07] least for this time. Thank you for your
[2:04:10] time, and I appreciate it.
[2:04:12] >> Thank you. Brian is next, followed by
[2:04:14] » Thank you. Brian is next, followed by
[2:04:14] Neil Peterson.
[2:04:20] » Hello everyone and thank you for your
[2:04:22] time. My name is Brian Olsen, uh
[2:04:24] resident uh in the the corridor along
[2:04:26] Ranger Drive, and I I think all the
[2:04:29] other um folks that just spoke before
[2:04:31] me, we hit a lot of the same points. Um
[2:04:35] a few of the other ones that I would
[2:04:36] just like to um brief everybody on is
[2:04:40] the amount of time and energy that's
[2:04:41] gone into the redevelopment with uh Mr.
[2:04:44] Wood's help and and Snell and Wilmer's
[2:04:46] help has really addressed the concerns
[2:04:48] that that the neighbors have. Um as um
[2:04:52] Al had mentioned um there's more than
[2:04:55] 550
[2:04:57] um [clears throat] residents nearby that
[2:04:58] have um petitioned to support the
[2:05:01] culde-sac rather than the road going
[2:05:03] through. And I I just state it in a way
[2:05:06] uh with some of the other um that are
[2:05:07] are for the road to go through. Um they
[2:05:10] did all mention that traffic in this
[2:05:12] area is is very high and very strong.
[2:05:15] The thing that wasn't mentioned is that
[2:05:17] Ranger Road, if it does go through at
[2:05:19] 56th Street, would not have a street
[2:05:21] light. And because of that, I think it's
[2:05:24] going to encourage more traffic to cut
[2:05:25] across Ranger Road than go up to
[2:05:27] Pinnacle Peak, which I know in the
[2:05:29] future, Pinnacle Peak is supposed to be
[2:05:31] expanded. I think the the concern from
[2:05:33] our end is if Pinnacle Peak was expanded
[2:05:36] now, we wouldn't have as much concern
[2:05:38] with traffic coming down Ranger Road.
[2:05:41] However, because Pinnacle Peak is only
[2:05:43] one lane in each direction, people are
[2:05:45] going to look for thoroughares to cut
[2:05:46] through much like at the the JW Marriott
[2:05:49] um pass through. So, that that's a big
[2:05:52] point of contention. I also want to say
[2:05:53] too that within our community at Desert
[2:05:55] Ridge, Ranger Road is a unique road um
[2:05:59] because it does meander in and around
[2:06:00] the golf course. um a lot of the other
[2:06:03] streets in the other area or actually
[2:06:05] none of the other streets in the area do
[2:06:06] the same um meandering and without
[2:06:12] a good understanding if the road went
[2:06:14] through of what traffic mitigation would
[2:06:17] take place along Ranger Road. That is
[2:06:20] really the biggest concern. I personally
[2:06:22] know some some kids on bicycles that
[2:06:24] have been hit by cars. Um turning from
[2:06:27] Tatum onto Ranger and understanding that
[2:06:30] this road went through that traffic
[2:06:31] would be even more intense along Ranger
[2:06:33] Road is a major concern for most of it.
[2:06:36] >> Neil is next and then we'll have Nick
[2:06:38] » Neil is next and then we'll have Nick
[2:06:38] Wood on behalf of the applicant.
[2:06:49] » Thank you for your time this morning. I
[2:06:51] am um in favor of the revised plan. I'm
[2:06:54] very supportive of what was done. I
[2:06:56] thought there was a lot of effort put
[2:06:58] into this and we appreciate that. Um
[2:07:00] I've been a resident of Desert Ridge and
[2:07:02] actually uh be 29 years this month that
[2:07:05] I moved into the home uh near Ranger
[2:07:08] Road. And I will say Ranger and you've
[2:07:10] heard some of this I'm not going to
[2:07:11] repeat, but it is truly unique. If
[2:07:13] you've not traveled on that road,
[2:07:15] there's nothing like it in Desert Ridge.
[2:07:17] It is a meandering road. It does an
[2:07:19] outstanding job uh working as a
[2:07:21] neighborhood feeder street.
[2:07:24] It is not and should not have ever been
[2:07:27] considered initially when it was
[2:07:29] designed as an arterial street. It it
[2:07:31] would not be safe. It will not be safe
[2:07:33] if that's the case. Um
[2:07:36] it connects to 10 streets which uh go
[2:07:40] out to different neighborhoods. Does an
[2:07:41] excellent job of that. It also um
[2:07:44] borders nine golf holes on the
[2:07:46] championship two courses of the
[2:07:48] Marriott. Either the holes terminate on
[2:07:51] the street or they tee off from the
[2:07:52] street and whatever. There's no street
[2:07:54] in Desert Ridge like that whatsoever. Uh
[2:07:57] and as I said, it is meandering. It is a
[2:07:59] 40 foot wide street. It can't get any
[2:08:02] wider. That includes two bike lanes
[2:08:05] which are each 6 ft wide. It doesn't
[2:08:06] leave a lot of room in the center of the
[2:08:08] street. It's a single lane each way.
[2:08:10] There's no turn lanes whatsoever except
[2:08:12] at the very edge of Tatum and and uh
[2:08:17] Ranger for a right turn lane. That's it.
[2:08:20] So, it's again, it's not positioned to
[2:08:22] handle what will inevitably come to that
[2:08:26] street if it's opened up all the way to
[2:08:28] 56th. Yes, population is growing. And
[2:08:31] yes, in the age of GPS and people
[2:08:33] looking on their phones, what's the
[2:08:35] shortest route I can get? And you've
[2:08:37] heard the story about the Marriott
[2:08:38] Drive. We'll see that here at Ranger and
[2:08:41] that will be highly dangerous. Lots of
[2:08:43] children, lots of walking, lots of
[2:08:45] jogging, lots of biking have gone on
[2:08:47] over the many, many years that I've been
[2:08:48] there. Last thing, uh, if anything could
[2:08:51] be done with Pinnacle Peak, that would
[2:08:52] be wonderful. Uh, Pinnacle Peak I used
[2:08:54] to take to go see my house being built.
[2:08:56] It hasn't changed a bit except for the
[2:08:58] intersection at Tatum and Pinnacle Peak.
[2:09:01] Thank you for your time.
[2:09:02] >> Thank you so much. And I believe our
[2:09:04] » Thank you so much. And I believe our
[2:09:04] last speaker will be Nicholas Wood.
[2:09:11] Members of the council, Nick Wood,
[2:09:12] Snoman
[2:09:16] has a question for you.
[2:09:17] >> Thank you. Just a couple questions,
[2:09:18] » Thank you. Just a couple questions,
[2:09:18] Nick, to kind of move this along. So,
[2:09:21] uh, I appreciate very much you working
[2:09:23] with the community. uh when you called
[2:09:25] to say that this had failed at the
[2:09:26] village which I believe was in March
[2:09:29] when the road was part of the
[2:09:31] application um uh it was frustrating for
[2:09:35] me because here is a project that the
[2:09:39] the community seemed to embrace under
[2:09:41] your good ospices but it was a city
[2:09:45] demand that was causing it to fail that
[2:09:48] was the only issue I don't believe the
[2:09:49] project has changed other than the road
[2:09:53] between the first vote and the second
[2:09:55] the first vote it failed at the village.
[2:09:57] Correct.
[2:09:57] >> That's correct. Mayor Councilman Wearing
[2:09:59] » That's correct. Mayor Councilman Wearing
[2:09:59] yes it failed at the village.
[2:10:01] >> So I have you've worked with me for a
[2:10:03] » So I have you've worked with me for a
[2:10:03] long time but mayor you know if
[2:10:05] something fails at the village I I don't
[2:10:07] vote for it going forward. Now if
[2:10:09] something passes at the village I still
[2:10:10] feel I have discretion but it fails at
[2:10:13] the village the reason we have the
[2:10:14] village I have great respect for the
[2:10:15] people who serve on the village. Uh I
[2:10:17] want a kind of a ground level like what
[2:10:19] do they think? So that was very telling.
[2:10:22] the president of the uh board of Desert
[2:10:25] Ridge HOA. He's on that committee. He
[2:10:28] voted no. So, I definitely take that
[2:10:30] seriously as well. Long working
[2:10:31] relationship with them. Uh but uh we we
[2:10:34] worked together what what might be an
[2:10:36] acceptable alternative and we came up
[2:10:39] with what passed. So, the second
[2:10:41] iteration without the road I believe
[2:10:44] passed nine to nothing at the village.
[2:10:45] Was that the vote?
[2:10:46] >> Mayor, Councilman Wearing, yes. It was
[2:10:48] » Mayor, Councilman Wearing, yes. It was
[2:10:48] unanimous approval there as well as at
[2:10:50] the planning commission. So, at the
[2:10:51] planning commission, which was that six
[2:10:53] to nothing if memory serves, if you
[2:10:55] don't know off top of your head, but it
[2:10:56] was about 15 or 16 able-bodied adults
[2:10:59] who volunteer their time to do this
[2:11:03] and they all voted for this whereas the
[2:11:06] first iteration failed. Uh, somebody
[2:11:09] mentioned, I think it was uh, one of the
[2:11:10] gentlemen on line that 586 people had
[2:11:14] signed a petition against. heard in my
[2:11:16] office from vastly more people against
[2:11:18] the road than in favor and it wasn't
[2:11:21] close and it was my understanding that
[2:11:22] that's what turned out for the community
[2:11:24] meetings and the meetings that you held.
[2:11:25] Is that also correct?
[2:11:27] >> Mayor Congressman wearing yes there was
[2:11:29] » Mayor Congressman wearing yes there was
[2:11:29] in excess of 40 people at the first uh
[2:11:32] village hearing and probably 70 at the
[2:11:34] second.
[2:11:35] >> So I have done a lot of door knockocking
[2:11:37] » So I have done a lot of door knockocking
[2:11:37] in Desert Ridge over the years. So I'm
[2:11:39] very familiar with this road. not as
[2:11:40] much obviously I'm not claiming that as
[2:11:42] people who live there but I am very
[2:11:44] aware that they are sort of enclosed
[2:11:47] neighborhoods basically along that road.
[2:11:50] Uh some are gated but some aren't. I've
[2:11:52] been through there. It's to me it would
[2:11:54] be a really nice setup. I understand
[2:11:56] that this road has been on the plan for
[2:11:59] many years but I also didn't think it
[2:12:02] made sense at a time when we're trying
[2:12:04] to get more housing for the people
[2:12:06] moving here. You've got Mayo right
[2:12:08] there. The Cardinals were mentioned. You
[2:12:10] got TSMC not a far drive from this site.
[2:12:14] A lot of people want to live in Desert
[2:12:15] Ridge. They want the same fantastic
[2:12:17] amenities and lifestyle that the people
[2:12:19] who already live there have a wonderful
[2:12:21] [clears throat] community. It didn't
[2:12:23] seem to make sense for the purposes of
[2:12:25] this road to not have this project go
[2:12:29] through. I will also add uh Desert Ridge
[2:12:33] uh the resort is incredible. if you
[2:12:36] haven't been there. I've taken my kids
[2:12:38] there and so forth to use the lazy river
[2:12:40] over a long period of time. It's been
[2:12:41] there for about 25 years. Uh the fact
[2:12:44] that they were adamantly opposed also
[2:12:46] was very telling for me. They are a
[2:12:48] point of pride for district 2. Um
[2:12:51] thrilled to have them. Uh definitely
[2:12:53] take their concerns. Brandy, I
[2:12:55] appreciate you being here today. um was
[2:12:57] just out there with the general manager
[2:12:58] Paige Lond and your predecessors have
[2:13:02] done a wonderful job of building
[2:13:03] something that frankly all Arizonans
[2:13:05] could be proud of certainly Phoenix can
[2:13:08] u that brings visitors in if they think
[2:13:10] this doesn't make sense that's also very
[2:13:13] telling. So when you couple that with
[2:13:14] all the residents who spoke out against
[2:13:16] it, uh I heard Claudia Garza, I know she
[2:13:19] served on the village for years, uh
[2:13:21] Neil, people who have lived there for
[2:13:22] decades.
[2:13:24] It it wasn't that hard of a call to come
[2:13:27] up with what we came up with. Um
[2:13:28] particularly given my antipathy for
[2:13:31] projects that do not pass the village
[2:13:34] and this did in this iteration, not the
[2:13:37] other. And that really was the only
[2:13:39] thing that changed. Um, I will also say
[2:13:42] this. I appreciate your willingness to
[2:13:44] work with me to find a solution. Uh,
[2:13:47] really the one thing about this, I
[2:13:48] recognize I don't live in this
[2:13:50] community, but the one thing that was
[2:13:51] really impactful to me, I mentioned
[2:13:52] Desert Ridge and the working
[2:13:53] relationship with them and and how proud
[2:13:55] I think we all should be of their
[2:13:56] community. Um, I see Terrence Smith here
[2:13:59] who works uh intimately with the board.
[2:14:01] I've worked with him for 13 or 14 years.
[2:14:04] uh the board members, Barry is one of
[2:14:06] them who we've worked with uh in my
[2:14:08] office for the whole time I've been on
[2:14:09] the council and I've represented the
[2:14:11] area between that and the state senate
[2:14:12] for about 25 years about the same
[2:14:15] hotel's been there. Um we've developed
[2:14:19] long working relationships and they are
[2:14:21] to me heroes of our communities. They
[2:14:23] have worked their hearts out. If you
[2:14:25] live in Desert Ridge and you came here
[2:14:26] today, those people on that board, they
[2:14:29] put their hearts and souls into it. And
[2:14:31] I know Terrence does for sure. So, um,
[2:14:34] again, I take that feedback, but there
[2:14:36] were two board members, Barry was one of
[2:14:38] them, who actually did express that they
[2:14:40] had interest in the road going through,
[2:14:42] but the totality of the feedback was
[2:14:45] that the residents who lived along there
[2:14:47] were not in favor of that, even as they
[2:14:49] were in favor of the project itself. Uh
[2:14:52] my final comment about the Desert Ridge
[2:14:54] board is the plan we came up with as a
[2:14:56] park that your client is going to
[2:14:58] maintain. Correct.
[2:14:59] >> That's correct.
[2:15:00] » That's correct.
[2:15:00] >> So I appreciate that. So you're not
[2:15:01] » So I appreciate that. So you're not
[2:15:01] getting off scot-free. You're not
[2:15:03] spending less money or anything. This is
[2:15:04] just shifting the resources.
[2:15:06] [clears throat] But I very much
[2:15:07] appreciated your willingness to name the
[2:15:09] park after Doug Dixon, who was a
[2:15:11] longtime
[2:15:12] president of Desert Ridge, a great
[2:15:15] friend to District 2, great friend of
[2:15:17] mine, frankly, passed away suddenly a
[2:15:19] couple of years ago. So we have been
[2:15:21] trying in my office to find something
[2:15:22] some way to honor him. Hadn't be able to
[2:15:24] come up with it. So I very much
[2:15:26] appreciate your willingness to entertain
[2:15:28] that notion and to put it forward. I
[2:15:30] know you mentioned it uh to people at
[2:15:32] the village. So that wasn't the original
[2:15:35] impetus for the failure. You tried to
[2:15:38] get the project through with the road,
[2:15:40] but that didn't pass with the village.
[2:15:42] So that's not to me really an option
[2:15:44] here today. with all respect for the
[2:15:46] people who who brought good arguments
[2:15:47] and talked about Ranger going through.
[2:15:50] Um so I am going to uh move forward with
[2:15:54] the motion as presented. But people have
[2:15:57] had one concern. You know the people
[2:16:00] against the road don't really ever want
[2:16:02] there to be a road. So Mr. Miller in his
[2:16:04] presentation talked about the funding.
[2:16:06] Um Josh, I'm going to switch to you if
[2:16:08] that's okay. Mayor, uh, it is not, this
[2:16:11] road is currently not in our five-year
[2:16:13] rolling capital improvement plan. We
[2:16:15] just passed a budget last week or two
[2:16:18] weeks ago. So, can you kind of explain
[2:16:20] what that means in layman's terms?
[2:16:22] >> Uh, mayor, council mayor, members of the
[2:16:24] » Uh, mayor, council mayor, members of the
[2:16:24] council, it would require the council to
[2:16:27] identify funding in a future CIP budget,
[2:16:29] which would require the the approval of
[2:16:31] this council uh, and designate that
[2:16:33] funding to to see that come see the city
[2:16:35] develop it at some point. And I think
[2:16:37] the earliest mayor that could happen
[2:16:39] would be in fiscal 2031 at this point
[2:16:42] because it's not in the next five years.
[2:16:47] >> Mayor, members of the council, uh,
[2:16:48] » Mayor, members of the council, uh,
[2:16:48] Councilman Wearing, I I'd have to defer
[2:16:50] to our our budget director, city
[2:16:51] manager's office, or street
[2:16:52] transportation department to to to
[2:16:55] answer specifically about when the next
[2:16:56] available time that that uh,
[2:16:58] >> but it's a few it's a few years out.
[2:17:01] » but it's a few it's a few years out.
[2:17:01] Um,
[2:17:01] >> so at that point in time, council
[2:17:04] » so at that point in time, council
[2:17:04] members would have to vote to include
[2:17:06] it. There's no current funding. So, uh,
[2:17:09] I will be gone. I'm term limited, so uh,
[2:17:12] probably makes a lot of you happy, but I
[2:17:13] I won't be here for that uh, discussion
[2:17:15] should it ever arise. I don't know what
[2:17:17] my successors would do, but it will not
[2:17:21] um they would really have to go to the
[2:17:24] mattresses and convince, frankly, at
[2:17:26] least four other council members to
[2:17:28] frankly give up something in their
[2:17:30] district to pay for this. So, Mr. Miller
[2:17:33] is not wrong. We're shifting the costs
[2:17:35] from the developer to the city. We are
[2:17:39] getting the park out of it. That might
[2:17:42] not necessarily make sense if the plan
[2:17:45] was ever to build the road.
[2:17:47] I'm against the road because that seems
[2:17:49] what the neighbors and quite a few
[2:17:51] community leaders are against. I don't
[2:17:53] know what successors would do. I just
[2:17:56] feel having served on this council for
[2:17:57] almost 15 years. It is unlikely that
[2:18:00] this road is going to be built. So,
[2:18:02] while Mr. Miller raised a good point,
[2:18:05] that's only a good point if the road
[2:18:07] ever actually gets funded. I don't
[2:18:09] really necessarily see a path unless the
[2:18:12] neighbors completely flipped their views
[2:18:15] of what they want sometime in the future
[2:18:18] and the hotel who I also consider a
[2:18:20] constituent of frankly great value as
[2:18:22] well. They've told me they don't want
[2:18:25] the road period. They generated a lot of
[2:18:27] income for the city and we had that
[2:18:29] discussion with data centers and so
[2:18:30] forth. Well, this is one that I'd be
[2:18:32] hardressed to see what the negative is.
[2:18:35] Like people come in, they spend the
[2:18:36] money, they spend the money at the
[2:18:37] resort, they spend the money at Desert
[2:18:39] Ridge Mall, city collects tax revenues,
[2:18:42] very low crime. I mean, it's kind of a
[2:18:43] perfect setup. So, uh, I plan to support
[2:18:47] this. I think I've laid out sort of a
[2:18:50] fact-based argument of why I don't think
[2:18:52] there's going to be a road in the future
[2:18:53] either. Appreciate very much the
[2:18:55] developers willingness to work with me
[2:18:57] on this and appreciate the feedback from
[2:18:59] the community. Did I miss anything,
[2:19:01] Josh? my long herang
[2:19:04] >> mayor councilman wearing members of the
[2:19:05] » mayor councilman wearing members of the
[2:19:05] council I'd say your characterization of
[2:19:08] of the process is accurate the what I
[2:19:10] would just reiterate is that the
[2:19:12] stipulation is set up to still require
[2:19:14] the developer to provide the and
[2:19:16] dedicate the necessary ride ofway so the
[2:19:18] land will be in place
[2:19:19] >> some of it is pavement
[2:19:20] » some of it is pavement
[2:19:20] >> right so the the land acquisition is not
[2:19:22] » right so the the land acquisition is not
[2:19:22] in question what would be a a future
[2:19:25] discussion amongst the council is the
[2:19:27] funding to construct the road
[2:19:30] [clears throat]
[2:19:30] >> thank you Josh I apprei appreciate it.
[2:19:33] » thank you Josh I apprei appreciate it.
[2:19:33] >> Uh so, mayor, uh with your indulgence,
[2:19:35] » Uh so, mayor, uh with your indulgence,
[2:19:35] um I have a motion to approve for the
[2:19:37] planning commission recommendation and
[2:19:38] adopt the related ordinance.
[2:19:41] >> Close the public hearing. Thank you so
[2:19:43] » Close the public hearing. Thank you so
[2:19:43] much.
[2:19:44] >> Uh we have a second from Councilwoman
[2:19:46] » Uh we have a second from Councilwoman
[2:19:46] Pastor.
[2:19:48] Exciting vote. We're going to bring a
[2:19:50] lot of housing in. Uh roll call.
[2:19:52] [laughter]
[2:19:54] >> Yes.
[2:19:55] » Yes.
[2:19:55] >> Hernandez,
[2:19:55] » Hernandez,
[2:19:55] >> yes.
[2:19:56] » yes.
[2:19:56] >> O'Brien,
[2:19:57] » O'Brien,
[2:19:57] >> yes.
[2:19:57] » yes.
[2:19:57] >> Pastor,
[2:19:58] » Pastor,
[2:19:58] >> yes.
[2:19:59] » yes.
[2:19:59] >> Robinson,
[2:19:59] » Robinson,
[2:19:59] >> yes. Stark,
[2:20:02] » yes. Stark,
[2:20:02] >> yes.
[2:20:03] » yes.
[2:20:03] >> Wearing,
[2:20:03] » Wearing,
[2:20:03] >> yes.
[2:20:04] » yes.
[2:20:04] >> Hodgej Washington,
[2:20:05] » Hodgej Washington,
[2:20:05] >> yes.
[2:20:06] » yes.
[2:20:06] >> Yes.
[2:20:07] » Yes.
[2:20:07] >> Passes 90.
[2:20:09] » Passes 90.
[2:20:09] >> So that concludes the planning and
[2:20:11] » So that concludes the planning and
[2:20:11] zoning portion. And today we entitled up
[2:20:13] to 314 units of housing. We share this
[2:20:16] because all nine of us think housing is
[2:20:19] a big priority. We next go to item 91,
[2:20:22] which is a citizen petition from Jerry
[2:20:24] Van Guest. So I'll ask Jerry to come
[2:20:26] forward and he'll be followed by Jeremy
[2:20:27] Thcker.
[2:20:38] Good morning. I think it still is. Uh
[2:20:41] Jerry Van Gas here. Uh you have a
[2:20:44] petition in front of you expressing uh
[2:20:48] our desire to have you vote to rename
[2:20:51] the Caesar Chavez Park after
[2:20:55] uh Olympian humanitarian that lived his
[2:20:59] last decade here, Jesse Owens. Uh March
[2:21:03] 25th when the council directed parks to
[2:21:06] rename everything that had been named
[2:21:08] for Caesar Chavez, I was here to push
[2:21:11] for Jesse Owens. I had his medals
[2:21:14] sitting right here on the on the desk,
[2:21:16] the counter here. Uh, ironically, 50
[2:21:20] years ago this week, those medals were
[2:21:23] touring around the country on the
[2:21:26] freedom train part of our bsentennial
[2:21:28] celebration
[2:21:30] uh before they returned here to Jesse's
[2:21:32] house.
[2:21:34] Uh, and it's ironic that 90 years ago,
[2:21:38] 1936, Jesse won those four medals in the
[2:21:42] Berlin Olympics in front of Adolf Hitler
[2:21:45] where he was snubbed by Hitler. But
[2:21:47] Jesse came back here to the US and was
[2:21:50] also snubbed by our president, Franklin
[2:21:53] Delanor Roosevelt.
[2:21:56] Uh,
[2:21:58] coincidentally, this week, the same
[2:22:01] week, our 250th
[2:22:04] birthday, July 4th, Jesse's already been
[2:22:08] named by USA Today as the most important
[2:22:12] athlete in our 250 year history. And
[2:22:16] he'll undoubtedly be named the greatest
[2:22:18] track and field athlete on Saturday.
[2:22:22] So, we're asking that uh you know, we
[2:22:25] honor him. You know, we don't need to,
[2:22:27] you know, he's already been snubbed
[2:22:29] twice. That we honor him for what he
[2:22:32] did. He embraced Phoenix as his adopted
[2:22:35] hometown. Let's do this. Thank you,
[2:22:39] >> Mr. Vanas. Can I ask a question before
[2:22:42] » Mr. Vanas. Can I ask a question before
[2:22:42] you Thank you, ma'am.
[2:22:43] >> Oh, I forgot it's not called to the
[2:22:45] » Oh, I forgot it's not called to the
[2:22:45] public.
[2:22:46] >> Just one quick question. Um,
[2:22:49] » Just one quick question. Um,
[2:22:49] your end goal here is for us to honor
[2:22:51] the legacy of uh, humanitarian and
[2:22:54] Olympian Jesse Owens. Correct.
[2:22:55] >> Correct.
[2:22:56] » Correct.
[2:22:56] >> Thank you.
[2:23:00] » Thank you.
[2:23:00] >> Wonderful. Thank you so much. Our final
[2:23:02] » Wonderful. Thank you so much. Our final
[2:23:02] speaker on this item will be Jeremy.
[2:23:11] » Mayor Council U.
[2:23:14] as you, this may be a surprise to many
[2:23:16] of you, but sometimes I'm a bit of a
[2:23:17] cynic. Uh,
[2:23:21] so with all the stuff going on around
[2:23:23] us, I think what's why are we talking
[2:23:24] about renaming a park? What is gained by
[2:23:27] renaming a park? The answer is
[2:23:32] possibly nothing,
[2:23:34] but maybe everything.
[2:23:37] Like many Phoenicians, I wasn't born or
[2:23:39] raised here. When I got here, I didn't
[2:23:41] know the city's history, but I learned
[2:23:43] it through the names of the public
[2:23:44] places around me. Without those places,
[2:23:48] I may have never known about Sander Day
[2:23:49] O'Connor become the first woman to serve
[2:23:51] on the United States Supreme Court, or
[2:23:54] Margaret T. ants, Phoenix's first woman
[2:23:56] mayor who helped shape the city if it
[2:23:59] weren't for the park named after
[2:24:02] or the history of the Indian school and
[2:24:04] the plight of the Native Americans which
[2:24:07] reminds us and makes us empathize with
[2:24:08] the difficult chapter in our history if
[2:24:11] it hadn't been for the park in the
[2:24:12] street that I live by.
[2:24:16] Names matter. They tell us who we are,
[2:24:19] what we value, and whose stories we
[2:24:21] choose to pass on.
[2:24:23] Jesse Owens represents perseverance in
[2:24:25] the face of a prejudice, excellence in
[2:24:27] the face of doubt, and dignity in the
[2:24:30] face of hatred. His legacy reminds us
[2:24:33] every child that uh his legacy reminds
[2:24:36] every child that character, courage, and
[2:24:38] determination matter.
[2:24:40] A child visiting this park one one day
[2:24:42] may ask, "Who was Jesse Owens?" That
[2:24:45] simple question opens the door to a
[2:24:47] story that is worth telling and looking
[2:24:49] into.
[2:24:51] So, what is gained by naming the park
[2:24:53] after Jesse Owens? Maybe nothing, but
[2:24:57] maybe everything.
[2:25:00] Thank you.
[2:25:02] >> Thank you so much. That concludes our
[2:25:03] » Thank you so much. That concludes our
[2:25:03] test concludes our testimony. Vice
[2:25:05] Mayor,
[2:25:06] >> thank you, Mayor. I want to start off by
[2:25:09] » thank you, Mayor. I want to start off by
[2:25:09] saying extending my appreciation to Mr.
[2:25:11] Van Gas for bringing this petition
[2:25:12] forward and for emphasizing Jesse Owens
[2:25:15] and his place in Phoenix history.
[2:25:18] following a recent subcommittee, you
[2:25:20] gave me the opportunity to actually hold
[2:25:22] and see um Jesse Owens medals, which I
[2:25:25] would admittedly say I was a little
[2:25:26] surprised to learn that the medals were
[2:25:29] not currently on display for our entire
[2:25:31] community to see and learn about his
[2:25:33] inspirational story. Jesse Owens is one
[2:25:36] of the most extraordinary athletes and
[2:25:38] Americans in our nation history. His
[2:25:41] courage, perseverance, and achievements
[2:25:43] transcended sports and helped challenge
[2:25:45] prejudice on a global scale. He used his
[2:25:48] platform to bring light to injustices.
[2:25:50] He represented tenacity, resilience, and
[2:25:53] the continued fight for civil rights for
[2:25:55] all Americans. He is certainly the kind
[2:25:57] of individual whose legacy deserves
[2:25:59] recognition.
[2:26:01] And I would extend that sentiment to
[2:26:03] many other historic figures,
[2:26:04] particularly those whose contributions
[2:26:06] have been too often been overlooked. As
[2:26:09] a as a city, we should continue looking
[2:26:11] for opportunities to celebrate
[2:26:12] individuals whose stories have shaped
[2:26:14] our nation and inspired future
[2:26:16] generation.
[2:26:18] At the same time, I also believe we have
[2:26:20] a responsibility to respect the
[2:26:21] community engagement process. According
[2:26:24] to the staff report, the parks
[2:26:26] department conducted a month-long
[2:26:28] outreach effort receiving 1,843
[2:26:31] responses with nearly three quarters
[2:26:34] coming from residents within the park
[2:26:36] service area. The highest level of
[2:26:38] support was for Agila Park and Community
[2:26:40] Center. This information should be
[2:26:42] consider should be for the parks board
[2:26:44] to consider. While I recognize the
[2:26:47] petitioner's concern, I believe that we
[2:26:49] should be more intentional in how we
[2:26:50] recognize Jesse Owens or other deserving
[2:26:53] historical figures. Instead, I hope we
[2:26:56] continue identifying meaningful
[2:26:57] opportunities across our city to honor
[2:27:00] their legacies in ways that educate,
[2:27:02] inspire, and reflect the rich history of
[2:27:04] our community and our country. Um, Mr.
[2:27:08] Zacher, I'm going to quote your comment.
[2:27:11] You said, "What do we gain by regaining
[2:27:13] the park? Possibly nothing. I want us to
[2:27:15] be intentional." So, with that, I'm
[2:27:18] ready to make my motion. My motion is to
[2:27:20] accept staff's recommendation to deny
[2:27:22] the citizen petition and to direct staff
[2:27:25] to conduct a process that will identify
[2:27:27] a way to honor Jesse Owens and
[2:27:29] potentially other important historical
[2:27:31] figures of Phoenix, then return with an
[2:27:33] update to the relevant city council
[2:27:35] subcommittee by the end of 2026.
[2:27:38] >> Second.
[2:27:39] » Second.
[2:27:39] >> We have a motion and a second.
[2:27:41] » We have a motion and a second.
[2:27:41] Councilman Hernandez.
[2:27:43] >> Thank you, mayor. Um, I'll just be quick
[2:27:45] » Thank you, mayor. Um, I'll just be quick
[2:27:45] and to the point here. I have expressed
[2:27:47] my frustration to this up here on the
[2:27:49] council um to the parks department with
[2:27:51] how the naming process itself has
[2:27:53] unfolded in multiple places where the
[2:27:56] city is removing Cesar Chavez's name.
[2:27:58] You know, I have made it clear that his
[2:28:00] name never represented the power of the
[2:28:03] farm workers movement. He was only one
[2:28:06] person within the movement. The movement
[2:28:08] was made up of and it continues to be
[2:28:10] led by migrants, by women, farmers who
[2:28:14] fight for dignity and workers rights.
[2:28:16] The that movement was built on Mexican,
[2:28:18] Asian, and black farmers that harvest
[2:28:21] our food and fed this country. Workers
[2:28:23] across the United States owe so much to
[2:28:26] the farm workers movement itself. You
[2:28:28] know, my concerns that I shared back in
[2:28:30] March and were also shared by many
[2:28:32] residents that removing Chavez's name
[2:28:36] should not result and could not result
[2:28:38] in the whitewashing of our spaces and
[2:28:40] the eraser of the history and the spirit
[2:28:42] of those farm workers. But that's what
[2:28:44] really has transpired over this process.
[2:28:46] I'm not happy with the naming process of
[2:28:48] the parks department moved on, nor am I
[2:28:50] happy with how the options for renaming
[2:28:52] this park were proposed. Both Aguila and
[2:28:55] Lavine are generic names that do not
[2:28:57] honor or carry or continue to uh honor
[2:29:01] any of that history. And I do not agree
[2:29:04] with any park sport decision to renaming
[2:29:06] the park with either of those names.
[2:29:08] That brings me to this citizen's
[2:29:09] petition. Jesse Owens was a monumental
[2:29:12] figure in this nation's history. As a
[2:29:14] black athlete, he faced racism here in
[2:29:16] the United States. He also stood up on
[2:29:19] the global stage when called upon and
[2:29:21] put Nazi Germany in its place. at the
[2:29:23] 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin by winning
[2:29:26] four gold medals, setting individual
[2:29:28] Olympic records in each event, plus as
[2:29:31] another um another one as a member of
[2:29:33] the 400 meter relay. This was especially
[2:29:36] beautiful because both American
[2:29:38] politicians and Hitler himself claimed
[2:29:40] that Owens had no place um in the
[2:29:43] Olympics because he was black and that
[2:29:45] he would not be able to compete against
[2:29:46] obst ostensibly superior white athletes.
[2:29:50] So that was really a statement from
[2:29:52] Owens. Owens went on to retire here in
[2:29:54] Phoenix, which makes this power this his
[2:29:56] powerful story a part of Arizona's
[2:29:58] history. Owens was one of the greatest
[2:30:01] track and field athletes in our
[2:30:02] country's history. Um I I will be voting
[2:30:05] I would I support the citizens petition
[2:30:08] because his legacy is a type of story
[2:30:10] that should be told in our parks and his
[2:30:13] name will carry forward the spirit that
[2:30:14] farm workers also carried and for which
[2:30:17] the parks uh was intended to hold. Um, I
[2:30:20] do want to thank the mayor and I want to
[2:30:22] thank the vice mayor for your motion.
[2:30:24] Um, while I agree with you that we need
[2:30:26] to be intent, very very intentional in
[2:30:28] finding um, an appropriate place to name
[2:30:32] um, and to honor Jesse Owens, I still
[2:30:35] cannot support this because of the staff
[2:30:37] recommendation of requesting this
[2:30:38] citizen's petition, which the results is
[2:30:41] that the legacy of the fire workers
[2:30:43] movement is being whitewashed from our
[2:30:45] parks in Lavine. Thank you very much.
[2:30:49] Thank you. We're ready for roll call.
[2:30:52] Roll call.
[2:30:54] >> Yes.
[2:30:55] » Yes.
[2:30:55] >> Hernandez,
[2:30:56] » Hernandez,
[2:30:56] >> no.
[2:30:57] » no.
[2:30:57] >> O'Brien,
[2:30:58] » O'Brien,
[2:30:58] >> yes.
[2:30:58] » yes.
[2:30:58] >> Pastor,
[2:31:00] » Pastor,
[2:31:00] >> yes.
[2:31:01] » yes.
[2:31:01] >> Robinson,
[2:31:02] » Robinson,
[2:31:02] >> yes.
[2:31:02] » yes.
[2:31:02] >> Stark,
[2:31:04] » Stark,
[2:31:04] >> yes.
[2:31:05] » yes.
[2:31:05] >> Wearing,
[2:31:06] » Wearing,
[2:31:06] >> yes.
[2:31:06] » yes.
[2:31:06] >> Hudge Washington,
[2:31:07] » Hudge Washington,
[2:31:07] >> yes.
[2:31:08] » yes.
[2:31:08] >> Bego,
[2:31:09] » Bego,
[2:31:09] >> yes.
[2:31:09] » yes.
[2:31:09] >> Passes 81.
[2:31:11] » Passes 81.
[2:31:11] >> Thank you. That concludes our agenda
[2:31:13] » Thank you. That concludes our agenda
[2:31:13] business. And now we'll go to the final
[2:31:14] portion of the council meeting, which is
[2:31:16] our citizen public comment. I'll turn to
[2:31:18] our city attorney to introduce this
[2:31:19] portion.
[2:31:20] >> Thank you, mayor. During citizen
[2:31:22] » Thank you, mayor. During citizen
[2:31:22] comment, members of the public may speak
[2:31:24] to the city council for up to three
[2:31:26] minutes on issues of interest or
[2:31:27] concern. However, the matters addressed
[2:31:29] must be within the jurisdiction of the
[2:31:31] Phoenix City Council and on which the
[2:31:33] council has the authority to act. The
[2:31:35] citizen comment session is limited to 30
[2:31:38] minutes. The Arizona open meeting law
[2:31:40] allows the city council to listen to
[2:31:42] comments but prohibits council members
[2:31:44] from discussing or acting on the issues
[2:31:46] presented. However, council members may
[2:31:48] respond to criticism. Thank you, Mayor.
[2:31:51] >> Thank you so much. We'll begin with Alex
[2:31:53] » Thank you so much. We'll begin with Alex
[2:31:53] Johnson followed by David Morgan.
[2:32:02] Hello um council and mayor
[2:32:06] friends today. Thank you for your time.
[2:32:08] Um, a few things top of mind. Uh, first
[2:32:11] not related to data centers, which I'm
[2:32:13] sure will be a relief to y'all. Um,
[2:32:16] Awatuki is, uh, one half of a very oddly
[2:32:21] drawn district. If you're familiar, it
[2:32:23] represents Builtmore, Arcadia, and
[2:32:25] Awatuki, which are all
[2:32:28] considerably higher income
[2:32:29] neighborhoods. I think I speak for a
[2:32:32] majority of almost 80,000 residents in
[2:32:35] Awatuki that we consistently feel under
[2:32:38] represented.
[2:32:40] I hear it at little league games for my
[2:32:42] nephew. I hear it at family dinners. I
[2:32:45] hear it with people I've met who oppose
[2:32:48] the data center. Um,
[2:32:51] I don't know how we do this, but I
[2:32:52] suggest that the city considers
[2:32:54] reszoning district 6 into two districts
[2:32:57] to adequately represent not only very
[2:33:00] difficult or different geological
[2:33:02] location, geographical locations of the
[2:33:04] city, but also a very different
[2:33:06] demographic as well. Um, I'd also like
[2:33:09] to um acknowledge that in regards to our
[2:33:14] data center that our district has not
[2:33:16] made a public comment on their Instagram
[2:33:18] or social media regarding what's going
[2:33:20] on in our district or in our
[2:33:23] neighborhood. Um, the nonprofit that is
[2:33:26] organizing against the data center is
[2:33:28] public. It only takes one Google search
[2:33:31] to find out if there is resistance to
[2:33:34] the data center. So, I do not feel as if
[2:33:37] um our council members
[2:33:39] uh reasoning for not being available for
[2:33:41] meetings is adequate. I found out about
[2:33:43] it through the internet. That means
[2:33:45] everyone else can too. Um
[2:33:49] sec lastly, I think it's important that
[2:33:52] our city council acknowledges the health
[2:33:54] consequences of decisions that they make
[2:33:56] regarding growth and industrialization
[2:33:58] of our neighborhoods. I've lived a very
[2:34:01] privileged life in Phoenix. I'm not
[2:34:03] afraid to admit that. And I had an
[2:34:05] honest conversation with my wife the
[2:34:07] other day that
[2:34:09] I never thought in my lifetime, given
[2:34:12] the privileges that I have, would ever
[2:34:15] have to experience industrial-grade
[2:34:17] pollution in my neighborhood.
[2:34:19] I never thought when I bought my house 5
[2:34:21] years ago that I would have to consider
[2:34:23] moving because of the health
[2:34:25] consequences that I'm concerned about.
[2:34:28] It seems to me that many members of the
[2:34:29] council don't live within a data center
[2:34:31] and aren't faced with um the health
[2:34:34] consequences or maybe they're just not
[2:34:36] worried and to each their own. But these
[2:34:38] are legitimate issues. You could talk to
[2:34:40] doctors about it. You can talk to the
[2:34:42] medical offices that are adjacent to
[2:34:44] this data center about how it's going to
[2:34:46] impact how they treat their patients,
[2:34:48] how they treat our community members,
[2:34:50] seniors, people of my age, children.
[2:34:54] You work for the people. We elect you
[2:34:56] and we expect you to take care of us and
[2:34:58] listen to us and respond to our comments
[2:35:00] and emails and concerns. I have emails
[2:35:02] that are left unanswered and I would
[2:35:04] appreciate a response.
[2:35:06] >> Thank you.
[2:35:07] » Thank you.
[2:35:07] >> Thank you so much. We have David Morgan
[2:35:09] » Thank you so much. We have David Morgan
[2:35:09] followed by Clarissa Peterson.
[2:35:26] Thank you, Council Mayor. Um,
[2:35:28] [clears throat]
[2:35:29] as you know, I reside at the SOS
[2:35:31] shelter. Um, I represent Funds for
[2:35:34] Empowerment, and I've been voicing my
[2:35:37] concerns about things that are happening
[2:35:39] there.
[2:35:41] A lot of the sanitation issues have been
[2:35:43] addressed. Thank you. Thank you. We do
[2:35:46] have water and ice. Thank you.
[2:35:49] I don't think I've asked for more than
[2:35:51] the basic necessities of life up to this
[2:35:53] point. Today, I ask for my human rights.
[2:35:59] I have more rights in prison than I have
[2:36:01] living [clears throat] at the shelter.
[2:36:03] There is no course for disciplinary
[2:36:05] action. Their favorite excuse for
[2:36:08] exiting people is non-compliance.
[2:36:12] Very much like unsubordination. It's
[2:36:14] broad meaning for a lot of things and
[2:36:17] there's no way to fight it.
[2:36:20] Whatever they write, they write. We
[2:36:22] don't see it. There's no disciplinary
[2:36:25] recourse. There's no disciplinary
[2:36:27] hearing. At least I have that in prison.
[2:36:30] I don't even have that here.
[2:36:33] I'm asking, begging
[2:36:36] the people that run the shelters,
[2:36:39] you people that run them,
[2:36:43] pay attention. I'm still human. And so
[2:36:47] is the 250 people that live there. This
[2:36:50] is not just the SOS. It affects every
[2:36:53] shelter because the same entity runs all
[2:36:56] of the same shelters. the city of
[2:36:59] Phoenix through the Office of Homeless
[2:37:00] Solutions, CBI, Keys to Change, and
[2:37:04] Lionhe Heart Security. Thank you.
[2:37:13] Next, we have Clarissa Peterson,
[2:37:15] followed by Frank Urban.
[2:37:22] Hello, um, Mayor, um, council members.
[2:37:27] Um, I want to say that um, thank you for
[2:37:31] the sanitation that's going on right now
[2:37:33] at the on the turf that going on. And
[2:37:37] I'm talking for everybody. Um, there's
[2:37:40] always um,
[2:37:46] people being exited for no reason at all
[2:37:49] and it shouldn't be happening. And some
[2:37:51] have been working that have been let go
[2:37:54] from the shelter.
[2:37:56] Um there's always I mean they're
[2:38:01] the staff is always on the phone and
[2:38:04] they should be doing their jobs as
[2:38:06] they're supposed to be and
[2:38:09] tearing our phone cords or electronics
[2:38:14] out of the um outlets
[2:38:18] and
[2:38:19] not replacing them.
[2:38:23] And it seems like they're being lazy and
[2:38:26] not doing what they're supposed to do.
[2:38:31] And it's like they don't have no care
[2:38:33] for any of us out there at all.
[2:38:37] I don't think they have a heart for any
[2:38:39] anybody there.
[2:38:46] And it it's like um
[2:38:51] it's like people suffering
[2:38:55] should be like [clears throat] that.
[2:38:58] That's all I have to say.
[2:39:06] » Thank you so much. Frank is next and
[2:39:08] Frank is followed by Carla Kendall.
[2:39:13] Hello there, city council. As you know,
[2:39:15] I'm with Fund for Empowerment and I
[2:39:18] would like to speak about the bill you
[2:39:19] guys just passed.
[2:39:22] Uh, I believe that it's inhumane.
[2:39:26] Um, I mean to
[2:39:31] limit the amount of help
[2:39:35] a homeless person can get to two times a
[2:39:38] month per park in Phoenix. That's just
[2:39:42] ridiculous to be honest.
[2:39:45] Um
[2:39:55] uh this matters to me because I'm with
[2:39:57] Fund for Empowerment. The reason I
[2:40:00] joined Fund for Empowerment is because I
[2:40:02] was homeless myself for for a number of
[2:40:05] years now. I've had a place of my own
[2:40:08] for about three or three four three
[2:40:11] about three years now.
[2:40:14] Um,
[2:40:22] and yeah, that's all I have to say.
[2:40:26] Thanks so much, Carla. Next, followed by
[2:40:28] Faith.
[2:40:45] Good morning, Mayor Council. My name is
[2:40:48] Carla Kendall. I currently reside at the
[2:40:52] SOS
[2:40:54] and I have a few things to to discuss,
[2:40:57] but one thing is my mail. I've been
[2:41:01] residing there for about a year almost
[2:41:04] and I'm waiting for disability. Okay.
[2:41:10] And I got a phone call last week from my
[2:41:14] attorney stating that disability sent me
[2:41:17] letters and they received them back. I
[2:41:20] have not received one letter since I've
[2:41:23] been there and I don't know why but
[2:41:27] there is just not getting there. And
[2:41:31] so my future depends on my disabilities
[2:41:36] to hit me so I can move forward.
[2:41:39] And
[2:41:41] you know, they've been waking us up at
[2:41:43] midnight to disrupt us and have us go up
[2:41:48] to the day room because they've lost
[2:41:50] electricity.
[2:41:52] So the cord to the generator disappears,
[2:41:57] you know, so we have to be dragged with
[2:41:59] our bedding up to the day room with
[2:42:02] everybody else, them slamming doors. We,
[2:42:06] you know, we can't sleep like that. I
[2:42:09] have a heart monitor that I have to
[2:42:11] sleep next to all the time. So, I have
[2:42:15] to drag all that stuff up there and we
[2:42:17] can't even go back to our room until the
[2:42:19] next day whenever they decide to get it
[2:42:22] up and running again. And that has
[2:42:25] domino effects. You know, missing
[2:42:28] appointments the next day cuz you're so
[2:42:29] tired you can't keep your eyes open cuz
[2:42:31] you've been up all night. You know,
[2:42:33] stuff like this. It just it's not right.
[2:42:37] and they just need to get more
[2:42:40] professional within their description of
[2:42:44] what their purpose is, you know, what
[2:42:47] what they represent in their job details
[2:42:51] and I don't feel that they're [singing]
[2:42:54] adequate.
[2:42:56] Thank you.
[2:42:57] >> Thank you for that testimony.
[2:43:00] » Thank you for that testimony.
[2:43:00] Uh, Faith is next, followed by William
[2:43:02] Lockwood.
[2:43:21] I try to just let people know the order
[2:43:23] so you can be ready.
[2:43:32] Council
[2:43:35] I
[2:43:36] just like Frank Urban
[2:43:39] am with fund for empowerment. I too have
[2:43:42] been homeless.
[2:43:43] I've had my rotation of the shelters
[2:43:48] of other places to try to stay. I've
[2:43:51] been stabilized now for about three
[2:43:53] years.
[2:43:56] So, it is possible for any homeless
[2:43:58] person
[2:44:00] to be able to get out of that situation
[2:44:05] if given the chance.
[2:44:09] Unfortunately, it seems like
[2:44:13] all the homeless aren't being given a
[2:44:15] chance. They're homeless. They'll never
[2:44:17] get out of it.
[2:44:19] And that's bold.
[2:44:23] There needs to be more job support.
[2:44:29] There needs to be more understanding.
[2:44:31] And for goodness sake, please fix these
[2:44:33] shelters.
[2:44:35] They're despicable.
[2:44:38] They're dirty.
[2:44:40] And you really expect people to live in
[2:44:42] those and try to get their life
[2:44:45] together. It can't be done.
[2:44:48] And with that, I close.
[2:44:51] Thank you. William is next, followed by
[2:44:53] Jeremy Thcker.
[2:45:00] » Yeah, my my thing is that I went to SOS
[2:45:04] about a year ago. I was pretty sick and
[2:45:07] um they told me don't worry about
[2:45:09] anything right now. They said just worry
[2:45:11] about getting well. So, I I wasn't
[2:45:14] really saving up any money or anything.
[2:45:16] and um about a week ago or so when I'm
[2:45:19] you know I'm starting to get better at
[2:45:21] still healing and everything but they
[2:45:23] tell me um that uh I have to come up
[2:45:26] with a budget and save money. So um I
[2:45:30] said okay uh so we agreed on $200 a
[2:45:35] month and then uh when I went back to
[2:45:37] them again they says oh no no no uh $200
[2:45:42] is enough and I says well how much is
[2:45:43] enough? Well, whatever you can.
[2:45:47] So, I I feel like they're trying to come
[2:45:50] up with a a thing to get rid of me
[2:45:54] instead of giving me a chance to put
[2:45:57] things together so I can
[2:46:00] get a place. Thank you.
[2:46:03] >> Thank you. Jeremy is next, followed by
[2:46:05] » Thank you. Jeremy is next, followed by
[2:46:05] Elsia.
[2:46:16] Thank you all for your positions earlier
[2:46:18] on the renaming of the park.
[2:46:21] I wholeheartedly agree that fair and
[2:46:24] intentional should both be priorities
[2:46:27] for renaming parks. uh if you'd asked me
[2:46:30] a decade ago uh how we should name
[2:46:34] public properties, I would have told you
[2:46:35] with alphabet characters and numbers
[2:46:38] only that we didn't need that it was too
[2:46:41] controversial and it doesn't matter. Uh
[2:46:44] I don't know what it is about getting
[2:46:45] older but changes some of that view. Um,
[2:46:50] now I think we need to take those
[2:46:52] chances to inspire and not just uh,
[2:46:56] you know, not just take the easy
[2:46:57] choices. And I don't think we need to
[2:47:00] wash whitewash the park's history and
[2:47:03] get rid of uh, what represents. So I'm
[2:47:08] good goat was opportunistic about the
[2:47:10] Jesse Owens name because the decision
[2:47:13] had been made to uh, remove the name
[2:47:16] that was there. So, but I think the farm
[2:47:18] workers should be represented there.
[2:47:20] It's uh
[2:47:22] the land that was there and it's got an
[2:47:24] important history. So, we support that
[2:47:26] completely uh as well. And but we also
[2:47:29] do believe that Jesse needs to be
[2:47:33] memorialized. I mean, it's amazing that
[2:47:35] people don't know that he lived here. Uh
[2:47:37] we went by the medical center that's
[2:47:40] named after him, and it's uh
[2:47:44] it's amazing to hear people talk about
[2:47:46] him. we just visited with a few people
[2:47:47] that work there and uh the history. So,
[2:47:49] I I think it's impactful and
[2:47:52] I ask that you do it in the by the end
[2:47:54] of 2026 would be fantastic. I think that
[2:47:56] that's important because uh you know
[2:47:59] [clears throat] there's other people
[2:48:00] that need to be respected too. Not
[2:48:02] saying any names, but maybe somebody
[2:48:04] who's given a lot to parks and takes
[2:48:06] bananas and waters to all the parks
[2:48:09] daily. Takes watermelons to the uh
[2:48:12] junior Olympics and things like that. So
[2:48:14] yeah, say uh I appreciate it. Thank you.
[2:48:17] And I hope we can find a way to do that
[2:48:19] by the end of the year.
[2:48:22] >> Thank you. Elsa is next, followed by
[2:48:25] » Thank you. Elsa is next, followed by
[2:48:25] Elizabeth.
[2:48:47] Hi, mayor. I just wanted to tell you
[2:48:48] thank you for all the new restrooms and
[2:48:51] stuff going on with that cuz we really
[2:48:52] needed them. But I'm having a issue get
[2:48:55] keeping my wheelchair charged and now
[2:48:58] they're telling me I can't charge it in
[2:48:59] their office and I have to go to the day
[2:49:01] room and there's never any c or plugs to
[2:49:04] charge it. So, um, and I don't have a
[2:49:07] ramp to take it into my ex-w. So, I'm
[2:49:10] asking for some assistance with that
[2:49:12] because for the last two years, I've
[2:49:14] been able to charge it um per Miss
[2:49:17] Olsen, who is the director for city of
[2:49:20] Phoenix um in in the um office, but now
[2:49:24] all of a sudden I cannot. So, I'm just
[2:49:27] asking you for some help on that cuz
[2:49:30] this is it's not a toy. It's a medical
[2:49:33] prescription from Dr. Palmer and Dr.
[2:49:36] Majeski.
[2:49:38] Thank you.
[2:49:40] Thank you so much for bringing that to
[2:49:42] our attention. Uh, Elizabeth is next,
[2:49:44] followed by Lee Ellis.
[2:49:56] Okay. Elizabeth Fenal, Fund for
[2:49:58] Empowerment. Um, I think it's really
[2:50:00] good that you guys have been um
[2:50:03] proactive in addressing the ADA
[2:50:06] situation at the SOS lot. Um, I think
[2:50:10] it's good to look at the entire facility
[2:50:12] and see where like the X- Wings or other
[2:50:15] areas. I'm not allowed to go in the
[2:50:17] facility, so I can't tell you what might
[2:50:19] not be accessible, but to tour it maybe
[2:50:22] and and see what other improvements
[2:50:24] could be made because, you know, really
[2:50:26] it's a way it's it's a way for um, you
[2:50:30] know, it's a win it's a it's better for
[2:50:32] everybody. it's better for as a
[2:50:34] municipal facility and it's better for
[2:50:37] the residents, you know. Um I wanted to
[2:50:40] also echo the concerns about um the
[2:50:44] contractors on the SOS lot. Um I don't
[2:50:48] feel like their training is um
[2:50:52] sufficient. I've I've seen some of um
[2:50:55] the training materials of of the most
[2:50:59] prominent contractor and I don't find
[2:51:01] the number of hours to be um significant
[2:51:04] enough and and and the only reason I say
[2:51:07] that is um you know it has to come down
[2:51:10] to um you know efficiency again and some
[2:51:13] of that is the culture of the
[2:51:15] organization history inertia and some of
[2:51:19] it is um relationship building and um
[2:51:24] and that is also inertia from from past
[2:51:27] iterations of um the relationships with
[2:51:31] the city of Phoenix which have changed
[2:51:33] over time from being sort of like
[2:51:35] accompaniment to law enforcement to
[2:51:38] being more than that and having more
[2:51:41] scope in terms of running um shelters
[2:51:44] and and the outdoor facility the SOS and
[2:51:47] so um I think it's really important to
[2:51:50] look at, you know, sort of the culture
[2:51:54] of the programs, the culture of the
[2:51:56] organizations, and then also, you know,
[2:51:58] maybe the training because
[2:52:00] [clears throat] um
[2:52:02] the relationships I find are a real
[2:52:04] hindrance
[2:52:06] um to people um sometimes accepting
[2:52:10] services. And I don't even mean within
[2:52:12] the the SOS law. I mean, especially like
[2:52:16] when people go um out to accompany law
[2:52:18] enforcement or or separately um on, you
[2:52:22] know, driving around [clears throat]
[2:52:22] doing outreach. Um there's a lot of
[2:52:25] people who have reservations or um
[2:52:29] difficulty
[2:52:31] um working with certain contractors and
[2:52:33] and I and I really noticed a difference.
[2:52:36] I'll say this real quickly. About a year
[2:52:38] ago, I went to a um a budget hearing and
[2:52:42] it was in district three and there was a
[2:52:44] city of Phoenix employee that came out
[2:52:46] in a city of Phoenix vehicle and I don't
[2:52:48] know what organization they represented
[2:52:50] but they acted very professionally and I
[2:52:52] witnessed the entire interaction and it
[2:52:55] was exemplary and then I see other
[2:52:58] interactions with other contractors so I
[2:53:00] know it can be done.
[2:53:02] >> Thank you so much. Lee is next followed
[2:53:05] » Thank you so much. Lee is next followed
[2:53:05] by Dorian.
[2:53:12] How you doing? Thank you for having my
[2:53:14] time. Um, I stay at SOS. They have made
[2:53:16] some positive changes. I'm just more
[2:53:18] curious on to where uh they're going to
[2:53:20] bring into more programs like the worker
[2:53:22] and some more permanent housing
[2:53:24] solutions. They do have programs we can
[2:53:27] go out to Cass for the worker or
[2:53:28] whatever. Um, some of us aren't allowed
[2:53:30] on property there or whatever. more of
[2:53:32] these programs should be implemented uh
[2:53:34] to help us further our self-wealth. But
[2:53:37] thank you for your time.
[2:53:40] >> Thank you for your testimony. Dorian is
[2:53:43] » Thank you for your testimony. Dorian is
[2:53:43] next, followed by William Kirkland.
[2:53:50] » Hello Dorian Brendan, fun for
[2:53:52] empowerment. I got two points to talk
[2:53:55] about.
[2:53:56] Heat [clears throat] relief is key for
[2:53:58] the summer. Uh, and via direct outreach
[2:54:01] within the I17 corridor, people
[2:54:03] experiencing homeland homelessness or
[2:54:06] heat related issues have expressed a
[2:54:09] huge increase of ticketing and arrests
[2:54:11] across the board. Uh, use of heat
[2:54:14] relief, cooling centers, outreach, and
[2:54:16] targeted relief of high issue areas are
[2:54:19] the job we aim to do, not just arrest
[2:54:22] and ticket folks. uh and uh because of
[2:54:27] uh the issues we were talking about
[2:54:28] earlier as far as data centers uh that
[2:54:30] were mentioned uh I believe the people
[2:54:33] that are in opposition are actually
[2:54:35] asking for y'all to go forward with like
[2:54:39] more innovative ways to discourage these
[2:54:41] data centers uh and they're building uh
[2:54:44] and doing nothing but really spouting
[2:54:46] legal or bureaucratic speak moves the
[2:54:48] goalpost farther away from us having the
[2:54:51] ability uh to have control over our
[2:54:54] water, our land, and our communities.
[2:54:57] And personally, I don't care if Grock or
[2:54:59] Chad GPT go away. And the implementation
[2:55:02] of these is fast, dangerous, and at the
[2:55:05] expense of our living spaces and our
[2:55:06] resources. Thank you.
[2:55:09] Thank you. William is next followed by
[2:55:11] David B.
[2:55:18] » Good afternoon, y'all. My name's William
[2:55:20] Kirkland and uh I had something else I
[2:55:23] was going to say, but what they said
[2:55:25] today kind of changed my mind as far as
[2:55:28] I'm in the next wing myself. I'm
[2:55:30] Colonel. Um
[2:55:33] and the heat I think last week four
[2:55:36] times it went out. Four times we had to
[2:55:38] come out. Uh and we can't like I said we
[2:55:41] can't go back cuz last year I measured
[2:55:43] it. It was 135 in my X because it's all
[2:55:46] steel.
[2:55:47] But I do want to thank y'all for
[2:55:50] everything y'all done. Since I've been
[2:55:52] there
[2:55:53] chain, I want to thank you for that. But
[2:55:56] and also as far as the mail goes, I've
[2:55:59] lost so many jobs and stuff because it
[2:56:03] doesn't come. And then like just
[2:56:04] yesterday, I finally my wallet got
[2:56:07] stolen. I finally got my replacement ID
[2:56:09] and every time who gives them the right
[2:56:11] to open it? I don't understand. It's
[2:56:13] always open. And if there anything you
[2:56:15] get in the mail that feels like there's
[2:56:17] an ID in it or anything that ain't just
[2:56:20] a letter opened and if I'm not mistaken
[2:56:23] that's a federal offense.
[2:56:25] Not sure. But
[2:56:28] most importantly, thank you. I've
[2:56:29] noticed a difference. Appreciate it from
[2:56:32] the bottom of my heart. Thank you.
[2:56:35] >> Thank you, David Benfield, followed by
[2:56:38] » Thank you, David Benfield, followed by
[2:56:38] Nicole Robinson who will be our final
[2:56:40] speaker.
[2:56:49] Hi, how are you doing? Um,
[2:56:52] I just have a few things to say. Uh,
[2:56:54] I've been around uh the streets here for
[2:56:57] about 3 years roughly um all sides of
[2:56:59] town and I've noticed a a big change
[2:57:02] since then, but it has nothing to do
[2:57:04] with anybody but God. I don't see
[2:57:06] anybody doing anything about it. I see
[2:57:09] the the changes coming from things that
[2:57:11] God has done. You guys have had to do
[2:57:13] your job. And I and I don't know some of
[2:57:15] you have done your job because you
[2:57:17] follow God, but other than that, God is
[2:57:19] the only one that's worked out here. And
[2:57:21] I've seen that firsthand. So, I just
[2:57:22] want to read something real quick and
[2:57:23] I'll be done. Um, if that's all right.
[2:57:26] Um, let me go back.
[2:57:31] have mercy upon us, oh Lord. Have mercy
[2:57:33] upon us. For we exceedingly filled with
[2:57:35] contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled
[2:57:38] with the scorning of those that are at
[2:57:39] ease and with the contempt of the proud.
[2:57:42] If it had not been the Lord who was on
[2:57:44] our side.
[2:57:46] Now may Israel say, "But it had not been
[2:57:49] the Lord who was on our side. When men
[2:57:50] rose up against us, when they had
[2:57:52] swallowed us up quick, when their wrath
[2:57:54] was kindled against us, then the waters
[2:57:56] had overwhelmed us. A stream had gone
[2:57:59] over our soul and the proud waters had
[2:58:01] gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord
[2:58:04] who hath not given us as a prey to their
[2:58:06] teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out
[2:58:09] of the snare of the fowlers. The snare
[2:58:11] is broken and we are escaped. Our help
[2:58:13] is in the name of the Lord who made
[2:58:14] heaven and earth. Amen. That's it.
[2:58:22] Thank you. And just a reminder to folks,
[2:58:24] we need uh testimony on things that is
[2:58:25] under the jurisdiction of the city
[2:58:27] council. Nicole will be our final
[2:58:29] speaker.
[2:58:39] Nicole Robinson, could you signal if
[2:58:41] you're here? Nope.
[2:58:43] All right, then we are adjourned.
[2:59:00] to look at this cuz they'll want
[2:59:02] something this beautiful as well. Uh and
[2:59:04] hopefully one day we'll get this all
[2:59:05] throughout the city. But thank you so
[2:59:07] much. Thank you for being here and
[2:59:09] congratulations to the community.
[2:59:11] >> [applause]