Well, I don't know.

Well I may put it down in the water small, but I think that's what we're doing.

So we do something on a model.

Yeah, I know.

Oh, yeah.

I was pretty much planning.

Yeah, yes.

So it's nice and very funny.

Yeah, I think it's just a lot.

Well, if you go to the same round, it's not a good thing.

So these are both microphones.

So you can stand either here or here.

And then when you're done, calling everyone up, but like when we take a picture, you're welcome to walk up with them.

And then just you know he's only gonna call it an email, but everyone does want to come up with these.

Okay.

And then they can just actually walk up to the pot.

And then do I call the auditor and captain?

Yeah, perfect.

Yeah, you can call up on that.

Hello.

I didn't know here's what I'm trying to figure out.

I have channel free.

So I don't know.

Vice Mayor Ellis.

Yes, I'm here.

Thank you.

Can you hear us?

Yeah, if I can hear you.

Okay, we'll start in a couple minutes.

Yeah.

You found a little far away, though.

Okay.

I always manage.

I never like to say yes.

Okay.

So unless you don't believe that maybe you can make some screens.

So yes, can we get back to you?

Hey Mark.

Hi.

I think I'll take you back.

I guess we can have a week.

I I can be able to be able to do that.

Yeah, so we're sometimes sometimes don't see it.

Good evening.

And welcome to the regular meeting of the Chandler City Council.

We had a work session before this discussing the initial look at our budget.

We have this meeting, then there is a and most of you are here for that.

Then we have a study session immediately after that meeting.

So several meetings tonight.

With that, I would like to call our meeting to order.

And Clerk, please take the roll.

Vice Mayor Ellis.

Councilmember and Cinus?

Here.

Councilmember Poston is absent excused.

Councilmember Orlando.

Here.

Member Harris?

Council Mayor Hopkins.

Here.

We have a quorum.

Thank you so much, City Clerk.

Our invitation will be delivered by Reverend Jimmy Thomas of the International Assembly of God.

Chandler, downtown Chandler, our Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Orlando.

Pastor.

Greetings to you, Honorable Mayor Kevin Hartke, and the entire council members over here.

We are gathered here in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And as Chandler has become the economic growth and prosperity for those who want to make this as a home, we are really grateful for your leadership.

I thank and praise God for the vision that God gives you, especially to the leaders over here, the mayors and the council members, as we all seek divine wisdom.

Let us pray.

Lord, we come to your throne of grace and mercy.

I thank you, God, our Lord for appointing able leaders over us.

We pray for our honorable mayor.

We pray for our council members.

We pray for all those who are in leadership for our divine wisdom, understanding, and guidance that is needed to care to serve and to govern this great community of yours, O Lord.

We pray, Lord, that every decision that's made, every plans that's made, are anointed by the Holy Spirit, and we pray that you continue to direct your esteemed leaders to make this city a city of hope, a city of light in the coming months and years to come.

Luke 10 2 says like this.

Jesus says, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers of you.

Therefore, Lord of the Harvest, we pray for these laborers of yours.

Lord, we pray over these laborers as they labor for the community to serve the community.

We pray for strength and endurance, O Lord.

We pray for the understanding of Daniel, the strength of Samson, the grace of Esther, the shepherd heart of David, the wisdom of Solomon.

As our forefathers have prayed, we pray here too, O Lord, our God, to you, our Savior.

Oh God, we pray.

We pray that you become our helper.

We pray that you become our protector.

We pray that you save the lost.

We pray you comfort the afflicted.

We pray that you raise up the fallen.

We pray that you heal the sick.

We pray that you speak to the ungodly.

We pray that you have mercy on us all.

We look to you, Master, our Lord, our God, King Jesus.

In your name, I pray.

Amen and amen.

Please join me to pledge allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Thank you, Recovery.

One nation.

Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Pastor Jimmy.

Thank you, Councilmember Orlando.

Next is scheduled public appearances.

And I would like to invite Councilmember Harris to join me up front.

Bring your reading glasses.

Acting city manager John Pambier.

First, I'd like to invite up the city magistrate and Marla Palmer.

Please come forward.

Mayor and Council, it's my honor to recognize Marla Palmer for 25 years of service.

Marla has proudly served the city of Chandler for 25 years with dedication and heart.

As a police dispatcher, she played a vital role in keeping our community safe, guiding officers during emergencies, staying calm under pressure, and offering reassurance to citizens in moments of fear until help arrived.

Now, in her role as a court clerk with us for over five years, Marla continues her commitment to public service by assisting callers, processing in custody cases, and helping ensure the court runs smoothly every day.

Marla is caring, dependable, and deeply respected among our team Chandler family.

Her many years of service reflect her genuine dedication to helping others and making our community a better place.

She is joined today by her two lovely daughters and her husband, who is also retired detective Ryan Palmer, who served our city of Chandler for 21 years as well.

So it's in the family.

And let's give her a round of applause.

Okay.

Mayor, next up, if I could have Matt come down.

And if Jennifer Honey would come down.

Mayor, council members.

Jennifer, as you know, is a champion and cheerleader of Team Chandler.

As a public information officer, she publicizes Chandler news, events, and programs for residents and employees, and serves as the PIO for multiple departments.

She also produces the monthly utility newsletter, Cityscope that our residents receive and promotes Chandler's customer service excellence.

She also manages our internal communication platforms and supervises the City Hall information desk.

Well, as you can see, she's got a lot of plates that she's balancing every day.

She's integral to the success of Chandler programs and serves on internal committees that support customer service and employee engagement.

Our recent Team Talk City Manager was one of those programs.

Her passion for Team Chandler and customer service values comes through on every project she takes on.

She has outstanding interpersonal skills and relates well to people from all walks of life in our in our workforce.

Her can do attitude, her great relationships and excellent communication skills benefit our city.

Jennifer, thank you for 25 years of dedicated service to Team Chandler and our community.

Congratulations.

Next, I would like to request that Ryan from Neighborhood Resources come down.

And Jerry Oaks, please come down.

Thank you, Mayor and Council.

Over the course of three decades, Jerry has truly done it all.

From his early days as a housing quality standards inspector, working hands-on in the field to ensure safe and decent housing, to serving as a maintenance supervisor, leading teams and keeping operations running smoothly, and ultimately advancing to housing housing project coordinator, where he has overseen critical housing improvement projects.

Jerry has embraced every role with commitment, professionalism, and integrity.

What sets Jerry apart is not just the depth of work he's accomplished, but the heart he brings to it.

Jerry's leadership shines through in his actions.

He mentors others, embraces challenges, and never hesitates to put the hard work in alongside his team.

Even after 30 years, he remains eager to learn, willing to grow, and ready to adapt, showing that true leadership is built on humility and resilience.

Jerry's accomplishments in building upgrades have been instrumental in improving the overall quality standards of our housing units, some of which date back more than 50 years.

His dedication has ensured that even our oldest properties are modernized, safe, and maintained at a level that reflects reflects both pride and care for the families we serve.

Joining Jerry today to celebrate this milestone is his wife Grace, who is also a part of our outstanding housing team here at Chandler.

We thank Jerry for a career of service, dedication, and compassion that has made a lasting impact on housing and on the Chandler community.

Congratulations, Jerry.

Mayor, for our final service recognition, I'd like to ask our police chief to come on down.

And as he comes down, Mayor, I think it is fairly rare when an employee is known by a single name.

In this instance, a 30-year employer, I will ask Chewy to come join us also.

Tonight I'm honored to recognize Lieutenant Jesus Chewy Deanda for 30 years of distinguished service to our department and community.

Chewy began his journey as a police cadet while in high school.

He was hired as a detention officer in 1995, worked as a dispatcher before becoming a sworn officer in 1999.

Over the years, he served with distinction as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, criminal apprehension unit detective, patrol sergeant, gang unit sergeant, narcotics unit sergeant, and then promoted to lieutenant.

It's been said the only job Chewie hasn't held at the police department is custodian.

But he has three years left, so there's still time.

Chewy is consistently exemplified professionalism, leadership, and dedication to the mission of public safety.

He's regarded as a trusted and respected voice within the organization, and his influence continues to shape the future of our agency.

Beyond his professional achievements, Chewy also serves the community as a member of the board of directors for ICANN, further demonstrating his commitment to making a difference in Chandler.

Throughout his career, he's made a lot of wise choices, none wiser than convincing Melissa to marry him.

He is a husband, father, grandfather, son, marginal golfer, and foodie extraordinaire who does not enjoy leftovers.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Chewie for his loyalty, service, and dedication.

Congratulations on 30 years.

Next on our scheduled public appearances is a proclamation National Friends of the Library Week.

Whereas Chandler Public Libraries serve as cornerstones of our community, providing resources and space to engage in lifelong learning, community enrichment, and connection.

And whereas many of these resources are made possible because of support from the Friends of the Chandler Public Library, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization of dedicated advocates who collectively support the mission, innovation, and inclusivity of our libraries.

And whereas through their unwavering commitment, the Friends of Chandler Public Library support many library programs, events, resources, help expand collections and foster a love of reading and lifelong learning among citizens of all ages.

And whereas the contributions and volunteerism from the friends of the Chandler Public Library have helped make our library community more vibrant, accessible, and enriching spaces for learning, discovery, and community connection.

And whereas National Friend of Friends of the Library Week celebrates the vital role that volunteers, advocates, and donors play in our community and recognizes the significant impacts of friends of Chandler Public Library.

Now, therefore, I, Kevin Hartke, Mayor of the City of Chandler, to hereby proclaim October 19 through 25 as National Friends of Library Week.

Woo.

Who would like to share a couple words?

Thank you, Mayor and the City.

I'm very happy to accept the proclamation on behalf of the friends of Chandler Public Library.

I'd like to thank our donors and volunteers.

And this year we are especially happy about being partnering with the city to uh maybe make the mobile library possible.

So we are very excited about that.

Thank you.

All right, we're gonna take a photo.

Our next proclamation, National Code Enforcement Month.

Can we have our code enforcement team?

Come on up.

I'm reading today.

So proclamation, whereas code enforcement officers or as designated in the city of Chandler, neighborhood preservation officers provided essential services that protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors and communities across the nation.

And whereas neighborhood preservation officers not only uphold local calls and ordinances, but also serve as educators, problem solvers, and partners in strengthening neighborhoods and fostering community pride.

And whereas these dedicated public servants work diligently and often work often without recognition to prevent blight, promote neighborhood vitality, and support economic development.

And whereas neighborhood preservation officers regularly collaborate with residents, businesses, community groups, and other government agencies to resolve issues, build trust, and strengthen the quality of life for all.

And whereas, whoo, it's a lot, the city of Chandler, you guys are doing a lot.

The city of Chandler wishes to honor and recognizes the dedication and professionalism and commitment to his neighborhood preservation officers who serve with integrity, fairness, and compassion.

So now, therefore, I, Kevin Harkey, mayor of CEO of Chandler, Arizona, do here by do here by proclaim the month of October 2025 as National Code Enforcement Month.

Mayor Council, we want to thank, first of all, thank you for your support for quote enforcement and um the city management as well.

We want to thank the public.

And we also want to, I'm not sure if everyone's aware of this.

Our code department was recently recognized as the best in the state of Arizona.

And uh we're proud of proud of that achievement.

And later later this month, we have some staff that'll be going out to the American Association of Code Enforcement uh conference, and we'll be competing nationally.

So we hope to bring home a national award.

Uh, but we'll wait and see what happens.

So we want to thank you again.

It's uh exciting to be recognized, and uh, we appreciate again everyone's support.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, let's do a photo.

Well, for a moment there, I was taller, younger, and had less hair and more building, too.

All right, quickly moving on.

Quickly moving on.

Item number four, recognition for the Chandler Exchange Club Awards to Chandler firefighters and police officers.

So I think Liana Gray and uh are there others coming up too?

All right.

Whoever else coming up.

Every year, the Chandler Exchange Club honors two of our exceptional Chandler First responders.

As mayor and council, we're excited to be part of this, this annual recognition this evening.

So Leanna, do your honors.

Good evening.

My name is Leanna Gray, and I am the current president of the Chandler Exchange Club.

I would like to thank you for having us this evening.

Um it is an honor to be here to honor two of our Chandler first responders.

Um Evan Sprague and Office uh and Captain Scott Onett want to come forward.

Officer Evan Sprague began his law enforcement career with Chandler Chandler Police Department in 2023.

Officer Sprague performs his assigned duties in truly efficient, reliable, and professional manner.

His resourcefulness and strong sense of professionalism are reflected in his every action.

Officer Sprague has received numerous commendations for from the public regarding his calm and professional manner in handling the most trying of situations.

Furthermore, Officer Sprague has taken several training courses.

Um everything from advanced driving under the influence skills to phlebot phlebotomy training.

Since taking advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement, Officer Sprague can now perform all the required investigative steps involved in a driving under the influence investigation.

Officer Sprague's confidence in himself and pride in the Chandler Police Department are readily apparent by the enthusiasm and zeal displayed with each assignment.

It is truly an honor to recognize Officer Evan Sprague with the first responders award.

Captain Scott Oignette has has been a dedicated member of the Chandler Fire Department since 2010.

Captain Oignette has earned both the recognition of his peers and superiors as paramedic of the year for 2023 and firefighter of the year for 2024.

Captain Ognet is an extremely flexible leader whose maturity allows him to confidently make correct and spontaneous decisions related to every changing operational every to ever changing operational demands.

Captain On Yet is also vice president of the local firefighter union where he advocates for his colleagues, making sure they have the training, equipment, and support they need to excel in the performance of their duties.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Exchange Club.

Councilmember Harris, there's one more.

Recognition of the achievement of excellence in financial reporting and achievement of excellence in procurement.

So if we could have Christy Smith, our management services director come on up.

So I think we can all agree that we are excited to recognize the outstanding contributions of our accounting and purchasing staff within the management services team who recently received two prestigious awards for their exceptional work.

So Christy Smith, share, tell us more.

Thank you, Mayor and Council.

Chandler has an amazing accounting team who take pride in their accurate reporting.

Tonight with us, if you'll please come forward, we have Julie Gosher, our accounting senior manager, Joanne Chang, senior accountant, Sarah Story, also a senior accountant, and Julie San Miguel, an accounting specialist, here to accept the award for the preparation of the financial accounting award for fiscal year 2324.

I'm happy to report that the City of Chandler has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for our annual comprehensive financial reporter, the ACFER, for the forty-third consecutive year after completing the annual audit.

Established in 1946, the certificate program recognizes state and local governments whose annual financial reports conform to the high standards established by the government accounting standards board or GASB and the government finance officers association, the GFOA, the ACFER has become the nationwide standard for local government financial reporting.

This report requires about four months of intense work by our accounting staff as the city completes the annual audit and prepares this report.

Our auditors are actually in again tomorrow, so they're nice and stressed, we'll call it.

Ultimately, as Don likes to say, Team Chandler rocks.

Here to receive this award is our procurement and supply senior manager Christina Pryor and Christian Johnson, procurement officer.

Unfortunately, the other five team members from their division could not be here tonight.

Ultimately, they've all contributed to the award application.

The distinguished award recognizes organizational excellence by measuring an agency's commitment to continuous improvement in the area such as innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership.

The city has received this award for 21 consecutive years and is one of only 13 agencies in Arizona and only one of eighty-five cities in the U.S.

and Canada to receive this award.

Chandler's purchasing division belongs to an elite group of purchasing organizations in government that operate with the highest standards of quality and efficiency, receiving the best value with our city tax dollars for our goods and services.

Many thanks and appreciation to our outstanding purchasing division team for their commitment and dedication to their profession, the city, and the community.

What did you say?

I think that co-hoos everything.

Council, we have an amazing team working for Team Chandler, don't we?

So next on our agenda is the consent agenda.

There's a couple items on there.

Council, how would you like to proceed?

Mayor.

Councilmember Harris.

I would like to approve the consent agendas for items one and two.

All right, we've got a motion.

Is there a second?

Second.

Second by Councilmember Orlando.

Questions, comments, recusals.

Seeing none, please vote.

Vice Mayor Ellis.

Yes.

Motion carries unanimously.

All right.

Council, that concludes the regular meeting.

Welcome to the study session of October 13th of the Chandler City Council.

Clerk, please take the roll.

Mayor Hartkey?

Here.

Vice Mayor Ellis.

Here.

Councilmember Encinas?

Here.

Councilmember Poston is absent, excuse.

Councilmember Orlando?

Here.

Councilmember Harris.

Here.

Member Hawkins.

Here.

We have a quorum.

All right, thank you.

Council, one item has been called in item number 11, which is the downtown region area plan by myself.

I'd like to have a brief briefing by Elisa.

Alisa Peterson, come on down.

And Council, there's a memo at your at your in front of you describing this action or the are the requests different from this.

Alicia.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.

I think the question that you were wondering about was related to the change that we just completed, and that's in the addendum memo that you have before you.

This applies to a land use designation that we've just created as part of this downtown region area plan update.

This is the high density residential with integrated uses.

We have updated that language so that this is applying strictly to redevelopment properties only within the downtown region.

Any properties that have never been developed would be out excluded from that.

So we have added the language that says the general vision for key gateway locations along Arizona Avenue and Ray Road, Chandler Boulevard and Picos Road intersections is for mixed-use development to create that vibrant and dynamic downtown environment.

Therefore, proposed redevelopment, again qualifying that as redevelopment properties only, would be required to provide at least redevelopment properties on those intersections that front under two arterials would be required to provide mixed use developments that include a minimum of two designated uses.

We did qualify that even further to say sites exceeding 10 acres would be required to provide a 20 minimum of 20 percent of commercial or office uses.

But the the important change that we made just moments before we came to uh council tonight was that we did identify and and qualify this land use designation as applying only to redevelopment sites within the downtown region.

Well, very good.

And I I know that I've had conversations with Leah and Kevin about the percentages and and the goal of this.

This has always been to get more middle housing on uh really on on property that's underperforming or that's has flagging retail, and I think this will be a uh a good development.

But since I did request uh uh a last minute change, I did want to bring it to council.

Council, any questions or comments?

Councilmember Lando.

So Alicia appreciate and may appreciate the comments here.

So 10 acres or more.

Um you're looking at just the corner properties.

We've identified those key gateway locations as yes, being those three intersections at Arizona Avenue, Ray Road, Chandler Boulevard, and Pecos Roads.

Um we've uh identified those as being really important um locations where we do anticipate seeing that vibrancy that comes with um mixed use developments.

So how many of these properties you think will fit the 10 acres?

Um we have done a little bit of exercise looking at that.

Um the 10 acre qualification is just for those properties that would be required to be mixed use.

Properties that are less than 10 acres would be allowed to do both single use developments and and mixed use developments.

So those those core large site uh sites that are 10 acres or more, they're really they're really going to be at those primary intersections.

Um, one chandler, for example, that's that's not even a three-acre site.

So um the 10-acre sites we're really looking at those large developments, potentially uh at Pecos Road, it could be it would be the Walmart site, the southeast corner of Pecos and Chandler Boulevard.

We don't have a lot of those, so we really are identifying those large redevelopment sites as meet as needing to meet that additional criteria.

So potentially one other scenario, I could have a five-acre parcel, and I could put another five or ten acre parcel with that, would that qualify, or just be the corner property?

So the requirement is that any property that would be considerable of this designation at those key locations would have to front onto two major arterials.

So Arizona Avenue and either Ray, uh, Chandler Boulevard or Pecos.

Um so I mean, I guess you could do some assembly of properties, um, but it it has to meet those those selection of criteria.

And further, and more importantly, it is really only applying to redevelopment sites.

So something uh that has been built upon previously has been developed once already, we would consider that a redevelopment site.

Okay.

Well, I like the concept of mixed use, so we're we're that's good given 10, 12, 15 acres.

We could get get down the road on that, but it's a good starting point from here when you say.

Appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Additional questions, comments?

All right, thank you.

Thanks so much.

Council, that's all that has been called in for tonight on Thursday.

We will also have a session before, as well as uh the ability to vote on our study session items.

Look forward to seeing you all.

That concludes our meeting.