Phoenix City Council and Assisted Housing Governing Board Meeting - September 18, 2024

The meeting began with the Assisted Housing Governing Board convening to approve Resolution 224, followed by the regular City Council meeting. The council addressed a consent calendar of routine items, several contested agenda items, and heard public testimony on a range of topics including liquor licensing, fire station funding, trailhead maintenance, and transit fare changes. Key decisions included denying a liquor license for a store near a children's learning center, approving new fire station property, and authorizing a trailhead janitorial contract after a lapse in service.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–3: Approval of meeting minutes from May 3, 2023 and June 14, 2023 (unanimous).
• Item 4: Board and commission nominations and swearing-in ceremony for Youth and Education Commission members (unanimous).
• Items 5–31 (except item 16): Liquor license applications approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda.
• Items 32–94 (with exceptions): Ordinances, resolutions, and planning/zoning items approved on consent (9–0). Items 37, 42, 53, 57, 66, 75, 81 and others were pulled for separate votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 16 (Foothills Beer & Wine): Ram Rahman Rana, owner of a Kumon Learning Center next to the proposed store, spoke in opposition. He stated that 40 letters from families of students were rejected and that Arizona law does not protect child-care businesses. He noted safety concerns and suggested vacant suites further away. No speaker appeared in support.
• Item 42 (Fire station acquisition): Multiple written public comments were read — all in support. Comments highlighted rapid growth in Laveen and the need for additional fire services.
• Item 52 (Food systems): One speaker briefly discussed food bank services but was redirected to connect to agenda item; no formal opposition.
• Item 53 (CDBG loan agreement with CPLC): Elizabeth Venable spoke in support, encouraging flexible use of block grants.
• Item 60 (Trailhead custodial maintenance): Four speakers (Kelly Scholier, Jess Dobbs, Jerry Van Gas, Tim Surikowski) all expressed strong support for the contract but criticized the Parks Department for allowing the contract to lapse. They stated a ranger improperly terminated service without written notice, and that rangers had been forced to clean restrooms instead of performing their duties. Speakers called the situation mismanagement.
• Citizen Comment (non-agenda):
  • Coco Garcia (founder of Handover Rover animal rescue) asked for help revising animal cruelty laws, citing a case where police could not intervene due to legal gaps.
  • Michael Norton (Rogers Ranch resident) requested better funding for park activation and noted a lack of financial planning in the parks master plan.
  • Kelly (trail user) complained about unsafe bicycle paths along the Grand Canal and Oak Street pedestrian bridge.
  • John Hines (bus rider) described problems with the new fare payment system and lack of response from Valley Metro and city officials.
  • Emily spoke about poor conditions in a city-contracted hotel program for homeless individuals, citing mold and broken promises.
  • Tim Surikowski again disputed the Parks Department's explanation of the janitorial contract lapse, calling it intentional mismanagement.
  • George Gallagher (60-year resident, public transit user) raised concerns that the new fare system would exclude seriously mentally ill adults who lack smartphones or credit cards.
  • Eric Nilson made a general comment about police shooting rhetoric and read a quote from George W. Bush.
  • Christy Margario introduced PAWS (Phoenix Animal Welfare Solutions), a group offering to help address pet overpopulation.
  • Elizabeth Hannibal cited data showing poor outcomes for street outreach: out of 648 exits, only 35 achieved permanent housing and 17 temporary housing; 514 ended in homeless situations. She questioned contractor accountability.

Discussion Items

• Item 16 – Denial of Liquor License: Councilman Robinson moved to deny the license for Foothills Beer & Wine, citing proximity to a children's learning center. He noted the decision would go to the state for a full hearing. The motion passed 9–0.
• Item 42 – Fire Station Acquisition at Baseline and 67th Avenue: Councilwoman Hodge Washington thanked the Laveen community and firefighters at Station 58. The item was approved 9–0.
• Item 52 – Food Systems (residential garden systems): Approved 9–0 with no substantive discussion.
• Item 53 – CDBG Loan Agreement with CPLC: Approved 8–0 (Councilman Galindo Elvida recused).
• Item 57 – Ordinance amending rules on poultry, rodents, and minimum area limitations: Approved 9–0.
• Item 60 – Trailhead Custodial Maintenance Services: Councilman Hodge Washington questioned Parks Director Cynthia about the contract lapse. Director stated that Bayel Janitorial's contract was not extended due to an oversight, and rangers filled in temporarily. Councilman O'Brien clarified that council approval was required due to the contract amount. The motion passed 9–0.
• Item 62 – Cooperative Agreement with FEMA for Arizona Task Force One: Approved 9–0 after brief public comment about disaster preparedness.
• Item 63 – Accept Funds from 100 Club of Arizona for Antidotes: Approved 9–0.
• Item 65 – Agreement with US Capitol Police: Approved 9–0.
• Item 66 – Intergovernmental Agreement with Valley Metro Rail for Public Safety Video: Councilman Robinson and Councilwoman Pastor spoke in support, noting it was a first-of-its-kind IGA with Phoenix. Approved 9–0.
• Item 75 – TOD Planning Grant Application: Approved 8–1 (Councilman Waring voted no).
• Item 81 – Engineering Service Agreement for 56th Street (Thomas to Camelback): Councilman Robinson thanked Arcadia residents and the street transportation department. Approved 9–0.

Key Outcomes

• Liquor license denial: Item 16 (Foothills Beer & Wine) denied 9–0; will proceed to state for final determination.
• Fire station property: Item 42 approved 9–0, adding a new station in District 7 (Laveen) funded partly by federal spending and the 2023 bond program.
• Trailhead janitorial contract: Item 60 approved 9–0, authorizing continuation of contract services and ending ranger cleaning duties.
• All other contested items: Approved with votes as noted above.
• Public comments: Mayor and council referred follow-ups on transit fare, animal welfare, and outreach data to appropriate staff.