OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Regular Meeting - January 15, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, January 15, 2025
BodyPhoenix, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, January 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

Happy New Year.

0:17

Welcome to our January 15th meeting.

0:19

We'll begin with an invocation.

0:21

Please welcome police chaplain Fesmair.

0:27

You're welcome to join me in prayer.

0:30

Almighty God, giver of life.

0:32

Renew our hope in this new year through your great mercies given new with each new morning.

0:38

Renew and restore our need to focus on the priorities of this life that live into eternity.

0:44

Renew our strength and our courage to live for something greater than ourselves.

0:49

Protect us in the preservation of your purpose.

0:53

And may we all be held accountable in our words and our actions as we are covered in your amazing grace.

1:00

May we strive for excellence in the imperfection of our lives.

1:03

Bless those who bless you and protect our protectors.

1:07

For we pray this in your holy name.

1:09

Amen.

1:12

Thank you, Chaplain.

1:13

Vice Mayor, will you lead us in the pledge?

1:23

One of the justice.

1:36

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

1:37

Thank you all and welcome.

1:39

I'll now call the meeting to order.

1:41

Will the clerk call the role?

1:46

Councilwoman Guardados here.

1:48

Councilwoman Hodge Washington?

1:50

Here.

1:50

Councilwoman O'Brien.

1:52

Here.

1:53

Councilwoman Pastor.

1:56

Councilman Robinson?

1:58

Here.

1:59

Councilman Waring.

2:00

Vice Mayor Stark?

2:02

Here.

2:02

Mayor Gallego.

2:04

Here.

2:06

We'll now go to Spanish interpretation and we welcome back an old friend, Mario Barajas.

2:10

Could you introduce yourself?

2:12

Thank you, Mayor.

2:14

Good afternoon.

2:15

My name is Mario Barajas.

2:17

Glad to be back.

2:19

We're going to be serving as Spanish interpreters, both uh Carmen Cota and El C Duarte, along with uh myself will be serving as uh the interpreters.

2:31

I'm gonna take a moment to introduce ourselves to our Spanish speaking audience now.

2:36

We want to start this.

3:29

Thank you, Mario.

3:30

Glad to have you.

3:31

Will the city clerk please read the 24-hour paragraph?

3:34

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.

3:42

Ordinances number G7343 through 7349 S 51538, 51541, 51564 through 51597, and resolutions 2271 through 2274.

3:57

Thank you so much.

3:57

Will the city attorney please explain the role of public comment?

4:00

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

4:01

Members of the public may speak for up to two minutes to comment on agenda items.

4:05

Comments must be related to the agenda item and the action being considered by the council.

4:10

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.

4:17

The city council and staff cannot discuss or comment on matters related to pending investigations, claims, or litigation.

4:23

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.

4:34

The city code requires speakers to present their comments in a respectful and courteous manner.

4:38

Profane language threats or personal attacks on members of the public, council members, or staff are not allowed.

4:44

The person who violates these rules will lose the opportunity to continue to speak.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████████38%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Public Comment█████████████13%
Liquor Licensing█████████9%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Transportation Safety████4%
Public Safety████4%
Religious Observance██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Regular Meeting - January 15, 2025

The Phoenix City Council convened on January 15, 2025, at 9:45 AM for a regular meeting. The agenda included approval of minutes, consent agenda items, public hearings, and citizen comments. Key actions included the election of a new Vice Mayor, approval of park improvements, a sidewalk shade structure project, and two rezoning items. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the formal meeting minutes from May 29, 2024 (unanimous).
  • Approved mayor and city council boards and commission nominations, followed by a swearing-in ceremony for Sharon Hong (Phoenix Women's Commission) and Jessica Plotino (Phoenix Aviation Board).
  • Approved liquor license items 3 through 17, except item 5, noting that item 3 was originally submitted for disapproval but the finance department now recommends approval (unanimous). Item 5 (candy store, district 2) was approved with a motion of no recommendation (8-0).
  • Approved items 18 through 78 (ordinances, resolutions, new business, planning and zoning) with the following exceptions: items 30, 46, 63, 77, 78 were pulled for separate discussion; item 53 was withdrawn; item 54 was continued to March 26, 2025. The consent agenda enabled 306 units of housing (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Missy Pruitt (founder of She's All Cat, Arizona's first cat cafe, recognized as a Great 48 by Phoenix Magazine) spoke about animal welfare. She reported a recent incident in the Garfield neighborhood where a cat was strangled and killed; responding police officers did not know animal cruelty is a felony. She offered to train officers and requested a meeting with the Mayor scheduled since November 6, 2024, which had not been answered. She warned that if no action is taken, she would rally supporters to fill future meetings.
  • Ann Ender (president of Operation Blue Ribbon) expressed concern about the Los Angeles fires and asked about Phoenix's disaster recovery plan, given the dry conditions. She requested that the council review or present the plan.

Discussion Items

  • Selection of Vice Mayor (Item 30): Outgoing Vice Mayor Stark nominated Councilwoman Anne O'Brien. Council members praised Stark's leadership on safe streets, the TIP subcommittee, accessibility strategic framework, and constituent service. Councilwoman Guardado explained her no vote, stating she was concerned that O'Brien may not be adequately prepared to serve all communities. The vote was 7-1 in favor of O'Brien. Vice Mayor Stark will continue in the role through the meeting; O'Brien will assume the position the following week.
  • La Pradera Park Improvements (Item 46): Councilwoman Guardado moved approval, noting the project is part of the 2023-28 capital improvement program. She thanked partners including SRP, Block Watch, and city departments. Approved unanimously (8-0).
  • Phoenix Sidewalk Shade Structures (Item 63) – ARPA Design Bid Build Services: Dr. Andula explained the selection process: eligible areas were limited to 25% of the city meeting ARPA requirements; locations were prioritized based on pedestrian/bicycle activity, low tree canopy, and heat-related health issues. Candidate sites were shared with council staff and at a public meeting. Councilwoman Guardado expressed frustration that District 5, one of the hottest districts, received only one of 19 structures, and criticized the lack of direct communication and briefing. Councilwoman Hodge Washington also noted insufficient community feedback and design renderings not shared. The motion to approve passed 8-0.
  • Items 77 and 78 – Rezoning at 69th Avenue and Thomas Road: Councilman Galindo Elvira moved approval per the planning commission recommendation. Both items passed unanimously (8-0 each).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes, boards/commissions, and consent agenda items (all unanimous).
  • Elected Councilwoman Anne O'Brien as Vice Mayor (7-1).
  • Approved La Pradera Park improvements (8-0).
  • Approved Phoenix Sidewalk Shade Structures contract (8-0) with noted communication concerns.
  • Approved rezoning at 69th Avenue and Thomas Road (8-0 for both items).
  • No action taken on citizen comments due to Open Meeting Law restrictions.

Meeting Transcript

Happy New Year. Welcome to our January 15th meeting. We'll begin with an invocation. Please welcome police chaplain Fesmair. You're welcome to join me in prayer. Almighty God, giver of life. Renew our hope in this new year through your great mercies given new with each new morning. Renew and restore our need to focus on the priorities of this life that live into eternity. Renew our strength and our courage to live for something greater than ourselves. Protect us in the preservation of your purpose. And may we all be held accountable in our words and our actions as we are covered in your amazing grace. May we strive for excellence in the imperfection of our lives. Bless those who bless you and protect our protectors. For we pray this in your holy name. Amen. Thank you, Chaplain. Vice Mayor, will you lead us in the pledge? One of the justice. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you all and welcome. I'll now call the meeting to order. Will the clerk call the role? Councilwoman Guardados here. Councilwoman Hodge Washington? Here. Councilwoman O'Brien. Here. Councilwoman Pastor. Councilman Robinson? Here. Councilman Waring. Vice Mayor Stark? Here. Mayor Gallego. Here. We'll now go to Spanish interpretation and we welcome back an old friend, Mario Barajas. Could you introduce yourself? Thank you, Mayor. Good afternoon. My name is Mario Barajas. Glad to be back. We're going to be serving as Spanish interpreters, both uh Carmen Cota and El C Duarte, along with uh myself will be serving as uh the interpreters. I'm gonna take a moment to introduce ourselves to our Spanish speaking audience now. We want to start this. Thank you, Mario. Glad to have 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 G7343 through 7349 S 51538, 51541, 51564 through 51597, and resolutions 2271 through 2274. Thank you so much.

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