Chandler City Council Study Session – April 21, 2026
Chandler City Council Study Session - April 21, 2026\n\nThe Chandler City Council held a study session on April 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations for National Police Week, Water Safety Month, and Earth Day; a briefing on proposed charter amendments for the November 2026 ballot; presentations on federal grant funding allocations for affordable housing and community development; a briefing on contracts for sober living services; and an overview of the integrated water master plan. No formal votes were taken, as this was a study session.\n\n### Proclamations & Public Appearances\n- National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day: Mayor Kevin Harkey proclaimed May 10–16, 2026, as National Police Week and May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Assistant Chief Perez accepted on behalf of the Chandler Police Department.\n- Water Safety Month: The Mayor proclaimed May 2026 as Water Safety Month. Chris Smith from Chandler Aquatics, along with police and fire representatives, emphasized community partnerships for drowning prevention. A retiring firefighter with 25 years of service spoke about water safety and thanked the council.\n- Earth Day: The Mayor proclaimed April 22, 2026, as Earth Day. Theo Englin and Derek Gerson from the Chandler Nature Center accepted, highlighting sustainability efforts.\n- Teen Advisory Group (TAG): Volunteers were recognized and invited for a photo with the council.\n\n### Discussion Items\n\n#### Proposed Charter Amendments (Item 11)\nCouncilmember Orlando called for discussion on four proposed charter amendments to be placed on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot:\n1. Selection of Vice Mayor term beginning in January of each year.\n2. Residency requirements for appointed officials and department directors.\n3. Reducing ordinance readings from two to one, with council authorized to require two readings via city code for certain matters (e.g., fines, taxes, revenue, land purchases).\n4. Resign-to-run timing: resignation triggered upon filing petitions.\n\nStaff clarified that the charter language would authorize the council to require more than one reading for specific items, and that a subsequent city code would define which items require two readings. Councilmember Orlando sought clarification on ensuring state law requirements for two readings are not violated. Councilmember Poston asked about potential conflict between charter and subsequent code. Staff confirmed the language authorizes council to set more readings via ordinance, and that the city could adopt more restrictive ordinances. Council asked staff to review the language for clarity before the June 8 ballot deadline and possibly bring back amendments.\n\n#### Federal Grant Funding – CDBG & HOME (Items 12–14)\nCouncilmember Ellis introduced presentations by Karen (Neighborhood Resources) on three resolutions:\n- Resolution 5998: HOME Investment Partnership funds directed to tenant-based rental assistance for low/moderate income Chandler residents.\n- Resolution 5997: Annual action plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, supporting public services and capital projects for decent housing and suitable living environments.\n- Resolution 5995: Homeowner Rehabilitation Program (via FSL Home Improvement) providing repairs (HVAC, roof, ADA modifications) for low/moderate income homeowners. In FY2025, 33 households were served; 70% were aged 62+. Staff reported a $13,000 increase in CDBG allocation and a $1,200 decline in HOME funds for FY2026.\n\n#### Sober Living Services Contracts (Item 15)\nRyan Falch presented agreements with five licensed sober living providers selected via RFP. Contracts provide 176 beds across 19 homes (some in Chandler, others in the valley) for unhoused individuals and those in recovery. Services include wraparound case management by city navigation team (behavioral health, employment, benefits). Funding primarily from opioid settlement funds and general funds. Outcomes: 78% of clients had zero income at entry; 71% did not return to homelessness in Maricopa County.\n\nCouncilmember Harris expressed concern about Chandler dollars going to homes outside Chandler, stressing that residents should remain in the community. He requested intentional efforts to find Chandler-based providers. Staff noted they did solicit all known Chandler agencies and will do further outreach. Councilmember Ellis countered that specialized licensed care is limited and expanding geographic scope ensures enough beds, noting that Chandler residents are still served and many homes are within the city.\n\n#### Integrated Water Master Plan (Item 20)\nCouncilmember Orlando called for a briefing on the contract with Black & Veatch for an integrated water, wastewater, and reclaimed water master plan. The 600-day effort will incorporate the 2026 General Plan land uses and, for the first time, automated meter infrastructure (AMI) daily demand data. It will guide future capital programs. Councilmember Orlando asked about flexibility for development during the study period; staff confirmed that individual development proposals would be evaluated separately and would not be delayed.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- No formal votes were taken during the study session; all items were for briefing and discussion.\n- Staff will review charter amendment language for clarity before the June 8 ballot submission deadline and may bring back revisions.\n- Council expressed support for the homeowner rehabilitation, CDBG, and HOME programs.\n- Staff will conduct additional outreach to identify Chandler-based sober living providers for future contracts.\n- The water master plan contract and scope were explained; council had no further questions.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the uh Chandler City Council study session. Thank you all for being here. Apologize for being a couple minutes late. I'd like to call this meeting to order and clerk, please take the roll. Mayor Harkey. Here. Vice Mayor and Sinus. Councilmember Poston. Here. Councilmember Ellis. Councilmember Orlando? Councilmember Harris. And Councilmember Hawkins. Here. We have a call. Great. Thank you so much. Next on our agenda is scheduled public appearances. Councilmember Poston, please join me up front. All right. First up for scheduled public appearances is a proclamation for National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day. If Assistant Chief Perez can come up and join us. And whereas the members of our police department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and weak against oppression. And whereas the men and women of the Chandler Police Department unceasingly provide a vital public service to the community and are deserving of being honored as heroes. Now therefore I Kevin Harkey, Mayor of the City of Chandler, do here I proclaim May 10th through May 16th, 2026, and May 15th as National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day. I know I've had the opportunity to be in D say DC with you and our department two or three times. Really, the people are the police and police are the people. Our next proclamation is water safety month. If Chris Smith uh can come forth, and if you'd be accompanied by Chandler Aquatics, fire and police team members. All right. All right, are we ready? Excuse me a sec. I came prepared. I'm sorry. Okay. Whereas Chandler celebrate swimming and aquatic related activities as a source of recreation, relaxation, and connection, enriching the physical, mental, and overall well-being of residents of all ages. And whereas water safety education is a shared responsibility and a powerful tool to prevent drowning and water-related injuries and empowers individuals and families with the knowledge and confidence to stay safe around water. And whereas it is crucial to always maintain layers of protection, including adult supervision, barriers around bodies of water, classes like learn to swim and CPR lessons, and encourage the use of certified flotation devices for all non-swimmers, and whereas water hazards can be found in everyday places from backyard pools and neighborhood lakes to bathtubs and buckets, making vigilance and preparedness essential at all times. And whereas the City of Chandler's aquatics, police, and fire departments are united in their commitment to promoting water safety awareness through education, outreach, and community partnerships. Now thor now, therefore, I, on behalf of Kevin Harkey, mayor of the city of Chandler, Arizona, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as water safety month, and encourage all citizens to celebrate by learning water safety guidelines and pledging to be a water watcher when participating in recreational water activities in the company of family and friends. I just want to thank Mayor and Council for all their support in this uh upcoming water safety month. And we're very fortunate here in Chandler to have a strong partnership with aquatics, police, and fire. We really work year-round um to put on these water safety events for the community and just give them the tools and knowledge to prevent drowning. So that's the ABCDs of water safety and our updated uh uh strengthening of pool rules at our sites this summer, and we're excited to get the summer rolling and see all of you out at our sites. Great. All right, let's do a photo. Thank you. All right, and uh before this before this fine gentleman leaves us, uh has served the city for 25 years. He's had a pretty storied career from major league baseball to city of Chandler. You've served in quite a few roles, and I understand this is gonna be your last meeting with us.
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