OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Chandler City Council Regular Meeting - August 15, 2025

Public Meetings — Friday, August 15, 2025
BodyChandler, Arizona
SessionPublic Meetings
DateFriday, August 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 38:24

Transcript — Verbatim
0:48

Good evening and welcome to the August 14th regular meeting of the Chandler City Council.

0:54

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:56

Clerk, will you please take the role?

0:58

Mayor Hartkey.

0:59

Here.

0:59

Vice Mayor Ellis.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Councilmember Encinas.

1:03

Here.

1:03

Council Member Poston.

1:04

Here.

1:05

Councilmember Orlando.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Councilmember Harris.

1:07

Councilmember Hutkin.

1:09

Here, we have a quorum.

1:10

Thank you.

1:11

And Vice Mayor is out of town on a in a conference.

1:14

That's why she's calling in telephonically here.

1:18

So our invitation tonight will be presented by Rabbi Tracy Rosen from Temple Beth Shalom of the East Valley.

1:25

And Councilmember Hawkins, if you could lead us in the pledge afterwards.

1:29

Rabby.

1:36

Eternal source of wisdom and compassion.

1:39

We gather this evening in gratitude for the sacred trust placed in those who lead our community.

1:45

In the book of Exodus, chapter 18, Moses' father-in-law Jethro teaches that leadership is not a solitary burden, but a shared responsibility.

1:57

He counsels Moses to appoint capable, trustworthy, and God-fearing individuals to help guide help judge and guide the people so that the needs of the community may be may be met with fairness, clarity, and care.

2:13

We remember that this lesson is not only about delegation, but about listening, hearing the concerns of the people, discerning the right path, and acting with justice and compassion.

2:26

May the members of this council be blessed with open hearts to truly hear the voices of the residents they serve.

2:34

May they be granted wisdom to weigh each decision with integrity, patience to consider diverse opinions, and courage to act for the benefit of all.

2:46

Bless their work tonight and in the days ahead, that Chandler may continue to be a place of safety, opportunity, and dignity for every person who calls it home.

2:57

And may their service bring honor not only to the city, but to the highest ideals we all hold dear.

3:04

Amen.

3:08

Please join me in the Pledge of Legion.

3:19

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

3:27

Thank you, Rambi.

3:28

Thank you, Councilmember.

3:31

Council, before we go into our um consent agenda, we do have one special service recognition as we have been informed sadly ruefully that uh Andy is going to be moving closer back home.

3:49

And uh uh sorry, Deputy City Manager, so we appreciate your presence, your work here, and I want to call on acting city manager uh John Pombier to share some remarks, and if you would like to share anything after I do, certainly we all have opportunity.

4:21

And as you come down, we have behind you a mock-up.

4:33

So um before I start, I'm gonna hand this to Tad.

4:36

Tad has something he's going to share with the audience and then I will um sum it up.

4:42

Um good evening, uh esteemed council members, staff and residents of Chandler.

4:47

Um tonight we bid our heartfelt farewell to an exceptional leader, Andy Bass, who has served as our city with unwavering dedication and vision as the deputy city manager and prior to that as community services director.

5:02

Andy will leave us on August 22nd to embark on an exciting new chapter as executive director of the South Suburban Park and Recreation District in the Denver, Colorado area.

5:14

So you're going home starting September 8th, 2025.

5:19

Andy joined the city of Chandler in July 2019 as community services director, bringing expansive experience from leadership roles in parks and recreation across Colorado, Nevada, and Texas.

5:31

In this role, he transformed our parks and recreation system, overseeing the Chandler Public Library, recreation and aquatic programs, park operations, and park development.

5:41

Under his leadership, Chandler saw remarkable enhancements, including the expansion of Veterans Oasis Park, the design of Tumbleweed Recreation Center expansion, the Tumbleweed Park Diamond Fields, the Gazelle Meadows Park Renovation, and the development of the Homestead North Park and Montana Ranch Park, among others.

5:57

These projects introduced state-of-the-art trails, playgrounds, and aquatic facilities, creating vibrant, inclusive spaces that enrich the lives of families across the city.

6:07

In January of 2022, Andy was promoted to deputy city manager, where he excelled in overseeing critical departments, including cultural development, development services, neighborhood resources, and public works and utilities.

6:19

His leadership drove transformative projects, such as Boston Street and Wall Street Improvements, the ULI AZ TAP study that designated Southside Village as Chandler's first historic conservation district, City Hall and Alley Improvements, and Affordable Housing Initiatives like Beelas on McQueen and the forthcoming Haven Project.

6:37

Andy's professionalism and foresight in navigating these complex endeavors have strengthened Chandler's foundation and set the stage for continued growth.

6:47

As of personal note, Andy, your professionalism, collaborative spirit, and genuine care for the community have made not you not only an outstanding colleague, but also a true friend to many of us across the organization and the community.

7:04

Whether organizing pickleball tournaments between public works and development services, handing out ice cream during staff appreciation meetings and tours, um, sending particular perfectly timed memes to light intense meetings and bringing a calm, steady presence to the city manager's office.

7:22

You are truly an inspiring leader.

7:24

As you embark on your new chapter, no you leave behind a stronger, more vibrant Chandler.

7:30

So please join me in thanking Andy for his six years of remarkable service and wishing him best wishes in Colorado.

7:38

Thank you.

7:45

Mayor and Council, uh, when you're five days before you start as the Ikean City Manager and the deputy calls you to tell you he's leaving.

7:52

I will acknowledge that while it's not great timing, I didn't understand the loss.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters██████████████████████████████30%
Public Safety█████████████████████21%
Procedural████████████12%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Transportation Safety████████8%
General Plan Update████████8%
Public Engagement██████6%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Pending Litigation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Chandler City Council Regular Meeting - August 15, 2025

Note: The meeting was called to order on August 14, 2025, but the provided timestamp is August 15, 2025. This summary uses the date from the instruction.

The Chandler City Council held a regular meeting presided by Mayor Hartkey, with Vice Mayor Ellis attending telephonically. The meeting included an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, a special recognition for departing Deputy City Manager Andy Bass, approval of the consent agenda, public comment, and council member announcements.

Special Recognition — Farewell to Deputy City Manager Andy Bass

  • Acting City Manager John Pombier and Tad (staff) delivered remarks honoring Andy Bass, who will leave on August 22, 2025, to become Executive Director of the South Suburban Park and Recreation District in Denver, Colorado, starting September 8, 2025. Bass served Chandler since July 2019, first as Community Services Director and later as Deputy City Manager.
  • Under his leadership, notable projects included Veterans Oasis Park expansion, Tumbleweed Recreation Center expansion, Tumbleweed Park Diamond Fields, Gazelle Meadows Park Renovation, Homestead North Park, Montana Ranch Park, Boston Street and Wall Street Improvements, the ULI AZ TAP study that designated Southside Village as Chandler's first historic conservation district, City Hall and Alley Improvements, and affordable housing initiatives like Beelas on McQueen and the Haven Project.
  • Council members and the mayor expressed gratitude for his professionalism, collaborative spirit, and personal impact. Councilmember Harris noted Bass's work on the 311 system and Harvard experience. Councilmember Orlando highlighted partnership on the Common Ground Teen Safety Forum. Councilmember Poston praised his persistence on a traffic safety project. Councilmember Ellis thanked him for his service and noted his sense of humor. Councilmember Hawkinson recognized his contributions and presented him with a donut gift.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent agenda (items 1–29) by a unanimous vote (motion by Councilmember Orlando, second by Councilmember Encinas). No recusals were noted. The agenda included nominations for board seats: Jenny was appointed to the Domestic Disabilities Board (present), and Allison was appointed to the Charter Subcommittee (not present due to family bereavement).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brooke Beal (85 West Teakwood Place, Chandler) spoke about what he characterized as lies by police regarding e-bike legality on canals. He claimed a police sergeant told him pedaling an electric bicycle on the canal is legal, which Mr. Beal asserted is false. He requested the city attorney, city manager, and police chief issue documentation clarifying that e-bikes are illegal on canals and distribute it to all police employees. He also alleged that the Chandler Police Department concealed crimes: out of 42 crimes he reported via SMS in June, only 25 were entered into the calls-for-service dataset; in July, 29 of 49 were entered. He asserted that 37 criminal trespass reports over two months were not recorded, and that officers now use an “attempt to locate advised” call type instead of dispatching officers.
  • Councilmember Orlando raised a point of order, stating that calling a police officer a liar is disturbing and that such language is inappropriate in council chambers. He urged the city manager to resolve the e-bike issue and bring it back to a council subcommittee.

Current Events & Announcements

  • Mayor Hartkey announced the upcoming League of Arizona Cities and Towns annual conference (next week in Scottsdale), a pickleball facility ribbon-cutting at Tumbleweed Park on September 6, 2025 (18 lighted courts, restrooms, shade, parking), and the approval of the 2025–2027 City Council Strategic Framework.
  • Councilmember Encinas promoted the Good Neighbor 101 program starting September 2025 at the Chandler Innovation Center (free educational program, four sessions, registration at ChandlerAZ.gov/good-neighbor-101).
  • Councilmember Orlando acknowledged the passing of Terry Locke, a longtime community member and charter subcommittee member, and noted his celebration of life on August 28, 2025, at the Chandler Center for the Arts. He also welcomed Acting City Manager John Pombier with a community meet-and-greet on August 27, 2025, at the Vision Gallery (4:30–6 p.m.).
  • Councilmember Orlando updated on the General Plan update workshops: nearly 70 residents attended workshops that week; residents can still participate in the “Chandler Listening” virtual workshop through the end of the month at chandleraz.gov/generalplan.
  • Councilmember Harris issued a public service announcement about school being back in session, urging drivers to slow down, especially in school zones, and encouraged police presence for enforcement.
  • Councilmember Hawkinson announced that the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting vendor and performance group applications are open (ChandlerAZ.gov/tumbleweed-tree). She also introduced Assistant Chief Zikowski from the Chandler Police Department, who highlighted the Common Ground Teen Safety Forum on August 27, 2025, 6–8 p.m. at the Public Safety Training Center, targeting teen violence trends and new laws.
  • Acting City Manager John Pombier announced that a successor for Deputy City Manager Andy Bass will be announced the next morning (August 15) via an internal promotion, noting 10 qualified internal candidates.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously (items 1–29).
  • Board appointments confirmed: Jenny to Domestic Disabilities Board, Allison to Charter Subcommittee.
  • Strategic Framework for 2025–2027 approved (noted in consent agenda).
  • Council directed staff to address e-bike enforcement communication following public comment concerns.
  • Internal promotion for Deputy City Manager to be announced August 15, 2025.
  • Upcoming events: League of AZ Cities and Towns conference (August 2025), pickleball ribbon-cutting (September 6), Good Neighbor 101 (starting September), meet-and-greet for Acting City Manager (August 27), Common Ground Teen Safety Forum (August 27), Terry Locke celebration of life (August 28).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the August 14th regular meeting of the Chandler City Council. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Clerk, will you please take the role? Mayor Hartkey. Here. Vice Mayor Ellis. Here. Councilmember Encinas. Here. Council Member Poston. Here. Councilmember Orlando. Here. Councilmember Harris. Councilmember Hutkin. Here, we have a quorum. Thank you. And Vice Mayor is out of town on a in a conference. That's why she's calling in telephonically here. So our invitation tonight will be presented by Rabbi Tracy Rosen from Temple Beth Shalom of the East Valley. And Councilmember Hawkins, if you could lead us in the pledge afterwards. Rabby. Eternal source of wisdom and compassion. We gather this evening in gratitude for the sacred trust placed in those who lead our community. In the book of Exodus, chapter 18, Moses' father-in-law Jethro teaches that leadership is not a solitary burden, but a shared responsibility. He counsels Moses to appoint capable, trustworthy, and God-fearing individuals to help guide help judge and guide the people so that the needs of the community may be may be met with fairness, clarity, and care. We remember that this lesson is not only about delegation, but about listening, hearing the concerns of the people, discerning the right path, and acting with justice and compassion. May the members of this council be blessed with open hearts to truly hear the voices of the residents they serve. May they be granted wisdom to weigh each decision with integrity, patience to consider diverse opinions, and courage to act for the benefit of all. Bless their work tonight and in the days ahead, that Chandler may continue to be a place of safety, opportunity, and dignity for every person who calls it home. And may their service bring honor not only to the city, but to the highest ideals we all hold dear. Amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Legion. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Rambi. Thank you, Councilmember. Council, before we go into our um consent agenda, we do have one special service recognition as we have been informed sadly ruefully that uh Andy is going to be moving closer back home. And uh uh sorry, Deputy City Manager, so we appreciate your presence, your work here, and I want to call on acting city manager uh John Pombier to share some remarks, and if you would like to share anything after I do, certainly we all have opportunity. And as you come down, we have behind you a mock-up. So um before I start, I'm gonna hand this to Tad. Tad has something he's going to share with the audience and then I will um sum it up. Um good evening, uh esteemed council members, staff and residents of Chandler. Um tonight we bid our heartfelt farewell to an exceptional leader, Andy Bass, who has served as our city with unwavering dedication and vision as the deputy city manager and prior to that as community services director. Andy will leave us on August 22nd to embark on an exciting new chapter as executive director of the South Suburban Park and Recreation District in the Denver, Colorado area. So you're going home starting September 8th, 2025. Andy joined the city of Chandler in July 2019 as community services director, bringing expansive experience from leadership roles in parks and recreation across Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. In this role, he transformed our parks and recreation system, overseeing the Chandler Public Library, recreation and aquatic programs, park operations, and park development. Under his leadership, Chandler saw remarkable enhancements, including the expansion of Veterans Oasis Park, the design of Tumbleweed Recreation Center expansion, the Tumbleweed Park Diamond Fields, the Gazelle Meadows Park Renovation, and the development of the Homestead North Park and Montana Ranch Park, among others. These projects introduced state-of-the-art trails, playgrounds, and aquatic facilities, creating vibrant, inclusive spaces that enrich the lives of families across the city. In January of 2022, Andy was promoted to deputy city manager, where he excelled in overseeing critical departments, including cultural development, development services, neighborhood resources, and public works and utilities.

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