OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Chandler City Council Regular Meeting – September 19, 2025

Public Meetings — Friday, September 19, 2025
BodyChandler, Arizona
SessionPublic Meetings
DateFriday, September 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 47:36

Transcript — Verbatim
0:51

Oh that's all yeah.

1:00

I don't know.

1:18

So there's a lot of people.

1:20

And I can see my people.

1:39

So we have the kids.

2:10

Right, right.

2:11

Yeah, that is true.

2:22

I said to continue to come right.

2:36

Yeah, and that's true.

2:44

What are we gonna say?

2:58

Yes.

3:02

How are you?

3:05

Yeah.

3:11

Just recognizing our important things to say that are that are different.

3:17

Yeah, they're all new.

3:19

They're gonna get more.

3:25

Have you met Mikhaila before?

3:27

Hi.

3:29

I almost said you were our strategic initiative, but now Ryan's assistance to be here.

3:34

So I'm trying I'm trying to promote you.

3:50

No, everything I'm ready for.

3:53

Yeah, so I think that's a good question.

4:05

Good evening.

4:07

Welcome to the September 18th, 2025 regular meeting of the Chandler City Council.

4:13

I would like to call this meeting to order.

4:15

Clerk, will you please take the role?

4:16

Mayor Hart Key.

4:17

Here.

4:18

Vice Mayor Ellis.

4:19

Here.

4:19

Councilmember and Cenas.

4:20

Here.

4:21

Councilmember Poston.

4:22

Here.

4:22

Councilmember Orlando.

4:23

Here.

4:24

Councilmember Harris.

4:25

Here.

4:25

Councilmember Hawkins.

4:26

Here.

4:26

We have a quorum.

4:27

Very good.

4:29

Our indication is going to be provided by Pastor Ruth Escobar from Vita Abundante Church Iglesia, Chandler.

4:40

And our Pledge of Allegiance by Vice Mayor Ellis.

4:43

Pastor.

4:49

Thank you, Mayor.

4:51

Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight as we begin this important work for the city of Chandler.

5:00

We ask for your wisdom to guide the members of the City Council, the mayor, and all the city staff as they deliberate on the matters before them.

5:06

Grant them clarity of thought, integrity in their decisions, a shared commitment to the common good of our city.

5:15

Help them to listen to one another with open minds and to serve our residents with fairness and compassion.

5:22

We pray for your community, for the families of businesses and all of those who call Chandler home.

5:29

We ask for your blessing of safety, prosperity and peace for all.

5:34

May our city continue to be a place of opportunity and a model of cooperation for each and every person residing in Chandler.

5:44

In your name we pray.

5:45

Amen.

5:47

Please join me and recycle the pledge.

5:50

I'm of the United States of America.

5:58

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

6:07

Thank you, Pastor Escobar.

6:09

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Education Funding███████████████15%
Procedural██████████████14%
Technology and Innovation████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%
Arts And Culture██████████10%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Workforce Development███████7%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Chandler City Council Regular Meeting – September 19, 2025

The Chandler City Council met on September 19, 2025, for a regular meeting. The agenda included proclamations, recognitions, approval of the consent agenda, and unscheduled public appearances concerning trail enforcement, artificial intelligence use, and proposed Kyrene School District closures.

Proclamations and Recognitions

  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October 2025): A proclamation focused on the intersection of technology and domestic violence, noting that nearly 60% of survivors report being monitored via technology. The Domestic Violence Commission thanked the council for support.
  • Library Card Sign Up Month (September 2025): Encouraged residents to sign up for free Chandler Public Library cards; non-residents living in Maricopa County are also eligible. The library will launch a mobile branch this winter and will host a Hispanic Heritage Month event on September 20.
  • Water Festival Sponsors Recognition: The 2024 Water Festival educates approximately 1,200 Chandler fourth graders each year. Sponsors were recognized for supporting volunteer meals and supplies.
  • HAWP Hop Award and Vitalin Blood Drive Awards: The city received a Platinum-level Healthy Arizona Worksite Program award for integrating wellness into the community, and the blood drive coordinator was recognized for exceeding expectations.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved items 1–45 with an amendment to item 9 under Section 1. The amendment added four prohibited uses: (1) bus depots, (2) lumber yards, (3) wholesale ice distribution, and (4) third-party parcel distribution centers in excess of 400,000 square feet in aggregate, with no single parcel distribution building greater than 200,000 square feet. The motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brooke Beale (85 West Teakwood): Expressed frustration with the city's enforcement of canal trail rules, citing ongoing ATV and pocket rocket use. He opposed the city's plan to expand the Consolidated Canal Paseo Trail by 1.5 miles, stating he would attempt to block SRP approval until police enforcement improves.
  • Tobias Gusto (822 West Armstrong Way): Criticized the city for using generative AI to sing in a League of Arizona Cities and Towns video, arguing it disrespects local artists and increases water usage. He noted that AI contributes to water scarcity, a concern for drought-prone Arizona. Councilmember Harris responded that the city is forming an AI advisory committee and suggested adding high school and college representatives.
  • Belinda Russell (5850 West Venus Way): Opposed the Kyrene School District proposal to close three Chandler schools (Kyrene Traditional Academy, Maruta Elementary, and Pueblo Middle School), stating that 43% of displaced Kyrene students would be from Chandler—a disproportionate impact. She argued that closing top-performing schools harms property values, housing demand, and the city's tax base. Councilmember Orlando asked the city manager to gather economic data from economic development and planning departments to share with the district.
  • Kristen Cox (2208 West Stage Fresh Court): A 35-year Chandler resident, she urged the council to oppose the closures, noting that Maruta Elementary has positive net enrollment and is the second-highest elementary enrollment in the district. She provided details of upcoming meetings: a board meeting on October 14 and a community hearing on November 6, and offered to share further information.

Discussion Items

  • Kyrene School District Closures: Councilmembers discussed the proposed closures, with Councilmember Harris noting he attended a district meeting and that the district president is considering fewer than 10 closures. The city manager was directed to contact the district and gather economic data from the city's departments to support the city's position. Councilmember Harris also suggested reaching out to the public speakers for potential solutions.

Key Outcomes

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously with the amendment to item 9.
  • The city manager was directed to contact the Kyrene School District and to provide economic data (from economic development and planning departments) to help inform the district's decision on school closures.
  • Councilmember Harris announced that the city is forming an AI advisory committee and will consider including youth representatives.
  • The meeting was adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Oh that's all yeah. I don't know. So there's a lot of people. And I can see my people. So we have the kids. Right, right. Yeah, that is true. I said to continue to come right. Yeah, and that's true. What are we gonna say? Yes. How are you? Yeah. Just recognizing our important things to say that are that are different. Yeah, they're all new. They're gonna get more. Have you met Mikhaila before? Hi. I almost said you were our strategic initiative, but now Ryan's assistance to be here. So I'm trying I'm trying to promote you. No, everything I'm ready for. Yeah, so I think that's a good question. Good evening. Welcome to the September 18th, 2025 regular meeting of the Chandler City Council. I would like to call this meeting to order. Clerk, will you please take the role? Mayor Hart Key. Here. Vice Mayor Ellis. Here. Councilmember and Cenas. Here. Councilmember Poston. Here. Councilmember Orlando. Here. Councilmember Harris. Here. Councilmember Hawkins. Here. We have a quorum. Very good. Our indication is going to be provided by Pastor Ruth Escobar from Vita Abundante Church Iglesia, Chandler. And our Pledge of Allegiance by Vice Mayor Ellis. Pastor. Thank you, Mayor. Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight as we begin this important work for the city of Chandler. We ask for your wisdom to guide the members of the City Council, the mayor, and all the city staff as they deliberate on the matters before them. Grant them clarity of thought, integrity in their decisions, a shared commitment to the common good of our city. Help them to listen to one another with open minds and to serve our residents with fairness and compassion.

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