Phoenix City Council Formal Meeting Summary – August 26, 2024
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Phoenix City Council Formal Meeting – August 26, 2024
The Phoenix City Council held a formal meeting on August 26, 2024, addressing a range of items including liquor license applications, consent agenda approvals, grant proposals for eviction prevention and community wireless networks, and public comments on police reform and community concerns. The meeting opened with remarks highlighting the economic impact of the 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four, noting that nearly 115,000 out-of-state visitors came to Arizona primarily for the event, spending an average of $482 per day over 3.9 nights, reaching over 40 million viewers.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: Approved minutes from multiple prior meetings (July 1, 2022; August 31, 2022; September 7, 2022; September 21, 2022; June 26, 2024; July 1, 2024; April 19, 2023; May 31, 2023). All passed unanimously.
- Boards and Commissions: Approved nominations and conducted a swearing-in ceremony for new commissioners, including Samuel Woolworth.
- Liquor Licenses (Items 16–43): Approved items 16 through 43 with the exception of items 30 and 43, which were pulled for separate discussion. The motion passed unanimously (8-0).
- Consent Agenda (Items 44–117): Approved with exceptions of items 53, 54, 75, and 78 (pulled for discussion), noting item 114 as corrected. Passed unanimously (8-0).
Discussion Items
- Item 30 – Sugar Cane Liquor License (District 4): Staff presented a new liquor license for a restaurant previously licensed. The 60-day processing deadline had passed but a time extension was requested. A neighbor, Leslie Sorens, spoke on behalf of residents expressing support for the business but requesting restrictions: earlier closing hours, DJ music ending by 8 p.m., closed doors/windows during DJ, no amplified music on the patio, and street parking enforcement. Staff clarified that liquor license stipulations cannot bind these conditions; zoning permits would be the appropriate avenue. Council voted no recommendation (8-0) to allow additional time for district staff and the applicant to address neighborhood concerns.
- Item 43 – Warehouse 215 Liquor License (District 8): Staff reported the location already has a Series 6 license and a new lottery license would be parked and later transferred. One protest letter was received regarding traffic, safety, and noise. Councilwoman Hodge Washington noted that denying the license would not prevent current operations and urged the applicant to work with her office and the neighborhood. Council approved the license (8-0).
- Item 75 – Eviction Prevention Grant Application to HUD: Councilwoman Hodge Washington and Councilwoman Guardado expressed strong support for the grant, emphasizing its goal to reduce eviction complaints, improve outcomes for tenants, and increase housing stability. They thanked deputy city manager Gina Montes and staff for pursuing the grant. The item passed unanimously (8-0).
- Item 78 – Community Wireless Network Amendment: Councilwoman Hodge Washington highlighted that 25% of students lack internet access, calling the expansion critical. Councilwoman Guardado praised the proof-of-concept success in District 5 and thanked Councilwoman Pastor for leadership. The item passed unanimously (8-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Julia Taggart raised concerns about the North Mountain Visitor Center, noting sun-damaged exhibits and lack of a crosswalk for safety. She also announced a celebration of life for Weba Wells Grandmude (September 28).
- Elsa (Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro) called for accountability for Phoenix Police, citing the DOJ report and demanding justice for Jacob Harris and his friends, budget reallocation from police to community, and policy changes including ending youth enhancements and qualified immunity.
- Carolina Hernandez (not present? Actually Elsa spoke; Carolina listed but not transcribed).
- Armand spoke as a Black man feeling unsafe due to Phoenix PD harassment and beating, referencing the DOJ report and urging reform after 10 years of Mayor Gallego's tenure.
- Kathy expressed concern for police morale and recruiting, opposing DOJ consent decree as harmful to public safety.
- Reverend P.J. Boone emphasized need for accountability and data to hold city officials responsible.
- James Wright spoke about the Myrtle Wash area destruction by a city contractor, requesting restoration of the nature trail after 66 trees were cut down, and noting property value loss of 10-15%.
- Denise supported police based on positive experiences with her youth program, but acknowledged bad apples and urged fairness.
- Roland (Jacob Harris’s father) detailed his son's killing by police, criticized lack of accountability, and called for removal of bad officers, stating he fears for his children daily.
- Christina Narcy (Independent Women's Network) urged council to reject a DOJ consent decree, arguing it would increase crime and costs (citing Maricopa County Sheriff's Office $300 million), and praised Phoenix PD's existing reforms.
- Paul Parisi (Our America) opposed federal oversight, advocating local control and community-based policing.
- Mimi was called but no comment transcribed; meeting then adjourned.
Key Outcomes
- Item 30: No recommendation vote (8-0) to allow continued engagement between district staff, applicant, and neighbors.
- Item 43: Approved liquor license (8-0).
- Item 75: Approved eviction prevention grant application (8-0).
- Item 78: Approved community wireless network IGA amendment (8-0).
- Consent Calendar items: All approved unanimously.
- Public comments: No council action taken; comments were received for the record.
Meeting Transcript
That abundantly clear. Nearly 115,000 out of state visitors came to Arizona primarily because of the 2024 NCAA men's final four. Over 68,000 of these visitors had tickets to at least the Saturday game, and they stayed an average of 3.9 nights. They spent an average of 482 dollars per day, and they were accompanied by more than 5600 friends and family. And that really says a lot. And another 3300 out of state delegates came to attend the National Association of Basketball Coaches Convention, which is held annually with the men's final four event. The games were televised nationwide, globally, really, and we reached a combined total of 40.3 million viewers and 2100 media impressions. So that's an incredible opportunity for Arizona to be showcased on the international stage. Amen. Councilman Galinda Vida. Here. Councilwoman Guardado. Here. Councilwoman Hodge Washington? Here. Councilwoman O'Brien? Here. Councilwoman Pastor. Councilman Robinson. Here. Councilman Waring. Vice Mayor Stark? Here. Mayor Gallego. Here. Thank you for joining us. We have new technology for this meeting, thanks to our team who worked so hard to deliver it, and we may ask for some grace as we learn to use it. Carmen Cota is here with us to provide interpretation. Karma, would you introduce your team? We will be providing Spanish interpretation for today's City Council formal meeting. I will now take a moment to introduce ourselves to our Spanish speaking audience and review some guidelines. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Will the city clerk please read the 24-hour paragraph? The titles of the following ordinance and resolution numbers on the agenda were available to the public at least 24 hours prior to this council meeting, and therefore may be read by title or agenda item only. Ordinances number G 7286 through 7291 S51146 and 51166 through 51210 and resolutions 22233 through 2240. Nicely done. Will the city attorney please explain the role of public comment? Yes, thank you, Mayor. Members of the public may speak for up to two minutes to comment on agenda items. Comments must be related to the agenda item and the action being considered by the council. General comments that go beyond the scope of the agenda item must be made in the citizen comment session at the end of the agenda. If the city council and staff cannot discuss or comment on matters related to pending investigations, claims or litigation. Additionally, any member of the public who appears before council in their capacity as a lobbyist must, as required by Phoenix City Code, disclose this fact before addressing council. The city code requires speakers to present their comments in a respectful and courteous manner. Profane language threats or personal attacks on members of the public, council members, or staff are not allowed. A person who violates these rules will lose the opportunity to continue to speak. Councilwoman O'Brien, do you have a motion on items one and two? Mayor, I move to approve items one and two. Second.
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