Phoenix City Council Meeting: June 26, 2024

The Phoenix City Council met on June 26, 2024, at 10:30 AM (local time) in a formal meeting that included approvals of consent items, several ordinance and resolution votes, and significant public comment. The meeting began with a short assisted housing governing board session that approved project-based vouchers (item 5) and the budget (item 4). The council then proceeded with its agenda, covering public safety infrastructure, sustainability projects, economic development, and a transit center naming. All action items passed with strong majority support, many unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the February 15, 2023, June 28, 2023, and March 2024 board meeting minutes (item 3).
• The budget for the assisted housing governing board (item 4) passed with a roll call of 9-0.
• Project-based vouchers for affordable housing (item 5) passed 10-0.
• The council approved items 1-4 (minutes, etc.) and items 6-12 (liquor licenses) without dissent.
• A block of 127 ordinances and resolutions (items 13-139) was approved via a single motion, with specific items excluded for separate consideration: 51, 71, 72, 91, 94, 95, 103, and 130. Items 20 and 94 were noted as revised; item 34 withdrawn; items 110 and 138 continued to later dates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cactus Park Precinct (Item 51): Stan Bates, a resident and block watch leader, spoke in strong support, noting the precinct’s outdated facilities (e.g., no women’s locker room, undersized for the number of officers). He thanked Councilwoman O’Brien for advocacy. The United Phoenix Firefighters Association submitted a statement of gratitude for the city’s active approach to public safety real estate.
• Container Vertical Farm (Item 71): No public speaker recorded, but Councilwoman Guardado praised the project as a sustainability model and noted community excitement from neighbors near North Glen Square.
• Electric Vehicle Partnership (Item 83): Diane Barker (District 7 resident) supported the application, but urged inclusion of infrastructure for electric bicycles and bike racks. She referenced the MAG $30 million grant opportunity.
• Innovation 27 (Item 91): Councilwoman Guardado highlighted the partnership with ASU, community colleges, and school districts; no public speakers besides staff.
• Gila Foothills Development (Item 94): Dan Penton (Laveen resident) expressed concern about the lack of a fire station in the first phase of development, citing wildland fire risks. Linda Abegan (chair of Laveen Village Planning Committee) spoke in strong support, saying the development agreement responsibly addresses infrastructure and public safety. Councilwoman Hodge Washington committed to prioritizing a fire station.
• Central Business District Boundary (Item 95): Susan Edwards (Arizona Neighborhood Alliance president) urged caution regarding South Phoenix due to HB 2721 (multiplex bill) and potential displacement. Councilman Galindo Elvida responded that historic preservation overlay likely provides protection.
• Interim Police Chief Contract (Item 103): Councilwoman Pastor asked for clarification; staff explained the extension to August 31, 2025, with a permanent chief search to occur during that period. No public speakers.
• Naming Central Station for Greg Stanton (Item 130): Numerous speakers testified in favor: Abby (constituent and daily transit user), Ling Ling Li (40-year resident), Stephanie (community advocate), Wenji, Yusuf Robb (United for Infrastructure), Gail Knight, Lori (District 3 resident), TC Chu, Wen Shwen, and Nadia Khaligi (Arizona Fair Housing Center). All praised Congressman Stanton’s leadership on transit, especially Proposition 104 (Transportation 2050) and his work securing federal funds. Vice Mayor Stark read a letter from former Councilwoman Peggy Billstein, who suggested protecting the Ed Pastor Transit Center on Central and Broadway while naming the new center for Stanton.

Discussion Items

• Cactus Park Precinct (Item 51): Councilwoman O’Brien expressed excitement about the new police and fire station, noting the existing precinct was built before women served on the force. Fire Station 62 in District 7 will open in September, and Station 74 at 19th Ave & Chandler Blvd will break ground soon. The item passed 9-0.
• Phoenix Resilient Food Systems Program/Container Vertical Farm (Item 71): Councilwoman Guardado highlighted partnerships with Salt River Project and ASU, and noted the farm at 2644 West Bellman Avenue will provide fresh produce and workforce training. Passed 9-0.
• EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Grant (Item 72): Councilwoman Pastor recused herself. The item passed 9-0 (roll call showed 7 yes and 1 no? Transcript reads “7-1” but no opposition was recorded; it may have been a miscount. The result was approval.)
• Electric Vehicle Partnership (Item 83): The council approved the grant application to MAG for EV infrastructure. Passed 9-0.
• Innovation 27 (Item 91): Councilwoman Guardado thanked Maricopa County for a $1 million grant. Councilwoman Pastor recused herself. Passed 9-0 (roll call showed 8 yes, with Pastor not participating).
• Gila Foothills Development (Item 94): Councilwoman Hodge Washington said the agreement funds trailhead improvements at South Mountain Park and a combined fire/police station in Laveen. Councilman Galindo Elvida commended the community-driven process. Passed 9-0.
• Central Business District Boundary Update (Item 95): Approved without debate after public concern noted. Passed 9-0.
• Interim Police Chief Contract (Item 103): Staff confirmed the contract extension for Interim Chief Sullivan to August 31, 2025, and a permanent recruitment effort will occur during that period. Passed 9-0.
• Naming Central Station for Greg Stanton (Item 130): Councilman Waring (Republican) noted his cross-party support, emphasizing Stanton’s dedication. Councilwoman Pastor voted yes, but urged better community engagement processes. Councilman Galindo Elvida abstained, citing consistency with a prior vote. The motion passed 9-0 (with one abstention).

Key Outcomes

• Approved a contract for container vertical farm (Item 71) as part of the Resilient Food Systems Program.
• Approved application for an EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Grant (Item 72).
• Approved an electric vehicle infrastructure grant application (Item 83).
• Approved a $1 million Maricopa County sub-recipient grant for Innovation 27 (Item 91).
• Approved a development agreement with Lions Family Entities (Item 94) for public improvements, including a future fire station and trailhead.
• Approved the central business district boundary update (Item 95).
• Approved extension of the interim police chief contract through August 31, 2025 (Item 103), with a permanent search to be conducted.
• Approved naming the Central Station Transit Center as “Greg Stanton Central Station” (Item 130). The council also acknowledged the need to strengthen and preserve the Ed Pastor Transit Center.
• All votes were decisive; most passed 9-0, with the exception of item 72 (recorded as 7-1 but with no opposing voices in transcript) and item 130 (one abstention).