City Council Meeting Summary - January 22, 2026
City Council Meeting Summary - January 22, 2026
The City Council of Chandler held its regular meeting on January 22, 2026, beginning with a prayer by Rabbi Mandy Deutsch and the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda featured the recognition of the 2025 Parade of Lights winners, the unanimous approval of the consent agenda, and action on the acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The meeting included unscheduled public comments regarding civil liberties and canal safety, followed by a variety of community event announcements and council reports.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 through 28: Approved unanimously. Councilmember Landy noted that concerns previously raised regarding a specific application (Item 10) had been resolved through further communication between the applicant and residents, citing positive feedback and the applicant's proactive engagement.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Noah James Markham (Tempe resident):
- Expressed support for the right of men to remove shirts in public spaces, including sidewalks and businesses like grocery stores and gas stations.
- Argued for improvements to downtown Chandler, suggesting more buildings, restaurants, and events such as a Pride Event.
- Encouraged continued investment and new ideas for the Chandler Mall.
- Stated a position in favor of hiring more female police officers, citing a lack of representation.
- Brooke Beal (Chandler resident):
- Expressed concern regarding the city's handling of the consolidated canal and called for an address from the Bureau of Reclamation's interim regional director.
- Expressed fear and indicated feeling threatened with assault after taking photos of lawbreaking on the canal, specifically regarding a parent's reaction to documenting a minor's violation.
- Expressed a position that the canal is unsafe, citing criminal activity (upwards of 10 individuals breaking the law per hour) and a perceived lack of enforcement by Chief Chapman, which he argued empowers bullies.
Discussion Items
- Parade of Lights Awards: Recognized 2025 winners across categories including Best Lit Musical/Dance Group, Community Group, Business Group, Biggest and Brightest, and Judge's Choice. Winners included Moonlight Sirens Tribal Belly Dance Company (First Place, Musical/Dance), Santan Elementary Student Council (First Place, Community), Stars in Motion Dance School (First Place, Business), TDC Fellowship (First Place, Biggest and Brightest), and Move Martial Arts (Judge's Choice and Second Place, Community). A group photo was taken at the start of the segment.
- Resolution 5970 (Financial Audit):
- Julie Goucher (Accounting Senior Manager) and Joshua Jumper (Heinfeld Meach, Audit Firm) presented the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
- The audit firm reported an "unmodified opinion" (a clean opinion) on the city's financial statements, dated November 26, 2025.
- No internal control deficiencies were noted.
- The city spent $33 million in federal grant expenditures reported in the single audit package.
- Mayor Harkey expressed strong support, praising the accounting team and the city's fiscal responsibility.
- Council Announcements:
- Councilmember Poston discussed a recent joint meeting with legislative delegation members regarding water security and local control.
- Councilmember Poston announced open applications for the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities scholarships (up to $1,000) and Disability Awareness Awards.
- Vice Mayor Sinus announced upcoming events: Chandler Municipal Airport Day (Jan 24), Downtown Developer Summit (Jan 30), and the Chandler International Film Festival.
- Councilmember Harris announced the "Boost and Buckaroos Barnyard Dance" (Jan 31) and passport services.
- Councilmember Hawkins announced the Marty Gross Festival (Feb 7) in downtown Chandler.
- Councilmember Hawkins also announced open applications for the Teen Leadership Academy (March 10).
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 5970: Adopted unanimously, accepting the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2025 and certifying compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes (AR§§ 35-481, 41-1494).
- Parade of Lights: 10 winning groups were officially recognized and photographed.
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously including the clarification on Item 10.
- Public Safety: No immediate actions taken on canal safety or law enforcement enforcement positions; staff noted they would follow up on unscheduled public comments.
Meeting Transcript
Oh my god, I have to be off. Good evening, and welcome to the regular city council meeting of January twenty second. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Clerk, please take the role. Vice Mayor and Sinus. Here. Council Member Poston. Here. Councilmember Ellis. Here. Council Member Orlando. Council Member Harris. Councilmember Hawkins. Here, we have a quorum. Thank you so much. Our indication tonight will be presented by Rabbi Mandy Deutsch from Habad of the East Valley. Our Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Hawkins. A good act. A God of heaven, mass of the world, graciously bless these distinguished individuals chosen by many who have entrusted them with the responsibility of legislating for the well-being of the constituents and families. There is a small book that is called the Hayom Yom Daily Insights, Daily Ideas. And there's one insert that says, one action is better than a thousand sighs. We often hear of other people's troubles, and we go, oh what's most important is to take action. The times we are living in today, we don't have time to talk or to have committee meetings or other types of meetings. We need to act. According to Jewish tradition, actions speak louder than words. Our actions are pri of primary importance, and we can only understand a fellow human being, a fellow person based on their actions more than their feelings in their heart. Living in this amazing city of Chandler, we benefit from the incredible friends and neighbors that live in our communities, who often come into the synagogue just to show their friendship, their support, say a prayer. And this is what it means to live in a world where we have the opportunity to look at our surroundings as a beautiful garden. May we be blessed that indeed we should see everything around us as a blossoming place where we can make a difference every single day. We can do so by learning about the seven Noah High Laws and keeping these laws and living a just and righteous life. We implore God to grant each and every one of our amazing elected officials, all those that are standing here in front of us, the police, the fire who protect us every single day, and all the members of the city, the staff, and volunteers. Bestow upon them wisdom, justice, grace, and empathy, enabling them to bring honor to your name and blessing to mankind. Thank you. Amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge Allegiance. One nation under God. Thank you, Rambi. Thank you, Councilmember. We uh next on our agenda is scheduled public appearances, and we have recognition from the parade of light winners. And uh I'd like to invite Councilmember Orlando to join me out front. And Amanda Jensen, our special events senior specialist is going to recognize our winners as each group is called. Uh, please come up. We'd like to take uh a picture with each group and then a large picture with everybody at the end. Amanda. Good evening, Mayor and Council. I'm Amanda Jensen, and I'm the special events senior specialist, and it's my honor to recognize the 2025 Parade of Lights winners. The Parade of Lights is a long-standing tradition for the city of Chandler. Many families, organizations, schools, businesses, and businesses attend the parade each year. We are excited to present the winners of the 2025 Parade of Lights and thank them for their hard work and participation.
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