OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Formal Meeting - March 5, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, March 5, 2025
BodyPhoenix, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, March 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:22

Good afternoon.

0:24

We'll begin with an invitation from police chaplain John Taylor.

0:30

Please stand.

0:35

Bow your heads and pray with me, please.

0:37

Dear wise and loving father, first let me say thank you on behalf of all who are gathered here today.

0:42

Thank you for your many blessings and thank you for life itself.

0:45

We thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work and for the freedoms that we enjoy in this great nation.

0:51

You have said that citizens should obey the governing authorities since you've established those very authorities to promote peace and order and justice.

0:58

And so I pray for our mayor for the various levels of city officials, and in particular for this assembled council.

1:04

I'm asking that you would graciously grant them wisdom to govern, a sense of the true needs and welfare of our people, a confidence in what is good, just and right, the ability to work together in harmony, personal peace in their lives, and joy in their work.

1:19

I pray for the agenda set before them today.

1:22

Please give them assurance of what would be pleasing to you and what would benefit those who live and work in and around our beloved city of Phoenix.

1:29

It's in your most blessed name I pray.

1:31

Amen.

1:33

Thank you, Chaplain Taylor.

1:34

Please join me in the Pledge of League of Allegiance.

1:36

I pledge allegiance.

1:41

And to the Republic for which stands.

1:59

Well now, call to order the formal meeting of the Phoenix City Council.

2:03

Will the clerk call the roll?

2:04

Councilman Galinda Vida.

2:06

Here.

2:06

Councilwoman Guardado.

2:08

Here.

2:08

Councilwoman Hodge Washington.

2:10

Here.

2:10

Councilwoman Pastor.

2:12

Here.

2:14

Councilman Robinson?

2:15

Here.

2:15

Councilwoman Stark.

2:17

Here.

2:17

Councilman Waring.

2:19

Vice Mayor O'Brien.

2:21

Here.

2:21

Mayor Gallego.

2:22

Here.

2:24

Thank you for joining us.

2:26

We have a packed agenda and we're celebrating an important birthday today, so we're hopeful for a very good meeting.

2:31

I'll begin by interducing our interpreter, Mario Barajas and Elsie Duarte.

2:36

Mario, would you introduce yourself for our Spanish speaking audience?

2:40

Yes, Mayor, thank you.

2:42

Good afternoon.

2:43

As Mayor said, my name is Mario Warajas, and together with uh the other part of my team, El C Duarte, we're gonna be serving as Spanish interpreters for today's formal meeting.

2:53

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

2:58

We want to start as you soon Mario Barajas Duarte.

3:33

Gracias.

3:34

Thank you, Mayor.

3:35

Thank you, Mario.

3:37

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

3:40

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.

3:49

Ordinances number G7359 7362 and 7364 through 7368 S5150 S51673 and S51683 through 51721 and resolutions 2277 through 22282.

4:08

Thank you.

4:09

Will the city attorney please explain public comment?

4:11

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

4:13

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

4:17

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

4:22

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.

4:29

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

4:36

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.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use█████████████████████████████29%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Public Health██████████10%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Public Comment█████5%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Veteran Recognition████4%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Formal Meeting - March 5, 2025

The Phoenix City Council convened on March 5, 2025, at 9:45 AM for a formal meeting with a packed agenda. The meeting opened with an invocation by Police Chaplain John Taylor, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. All nine members were present: Councilmembers Galinda Vida, Guardado, Hodge Washington, Pastor, Robinson, Stark, Waring, Vice Mayor O'Brien, and Mayor Gallego. The council approved minutes, boards and commissions, and a wide-ranging consent agenda, followed by individual hearings on numerous zoning, development, and policy items.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved minutes from October 2, 2024 (item 1), October 16, 2024 (item 2), and October 30, 2024 (item 3).
  • Boards and Commissions: Unanimously approved nominations (item 4).
  • Consent Agenda (items 5–19 except 10 and 14): Passed 9-0 after a motion and second.
  • Items 10 and 14 (liquor licenses): Approved 9-0 with no recommendation from the respective district councilmembers.
  • Items 20–83 (excluding specified items): Approved 9-0 on consent, with certain items held for separate hearings.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 41 (Tanner Thomas Village Affordable Housing): Kerwin Brown (applicant) confirmed agreement with conditions offered by Councilwoman Hodge Washington. He noted service providers include Faithland (veterans) and Arizona Elk Society (job readiness). No vocal opposition was heard.
  • Item 46 (City-owned asset leasing): Margaret Schultz (Worker Power) urged the city to lease rather than sell the site, citing long-term community benefits and revenue. She referenced the Edith hotel's delays as a cautionary tale.
  • Item 53 (Solar-powered EV charging contract): Vladimir Stewart expressed support but asked about federal funding availability under the IRA pause. Staff indicated they believed federal funds could still be used.
  • Item 73 (Historic preservation grants): Jeremy Thacker opposed the grants, arguing that the 24 homes receiving them (average value $675,000) do not need subsidies, and the money could instead help 55 first-time homebuyers.
  • Items 79 & 80 (7th Avenue zoning): Vladimir Stewart spoke in favor but raised concerns about state/county interference due to proximity to government buildings.
  • Item 81 (56th St & Shea): Eleven speakers testified, all in support after the developer worked with neighbors. Lisa Erickson (homeowner) described a collaborative process leading to withdrawal of objection. Rick Pasquale (appellant) withdrew objection but urged future use of RO instead of CO zoning for neighborhood protection.
  • Item 82 (20th Ave & Van Buren): Multiple community members opposed the rezoning from R3 to R5 for professional counseling services. Michael Novakowski (former councilman) argued it would compromise neighborhood integrity, noting that 80% of the neighborhood is Spanish-speaking and initial notices were only in English. Hilda Rosales (adjacent property owner) cited unknowns despite deed restrictions. Oscar Clotta collected 20 signatures in opposition. The applicant (Gary Plooster, Peter Furlow) emphasized deed restrictions and voluntary stipulations.
  • Citizen Comment (end of meeting): Speakers addressed police accountability (John Forsyth), keeping heat relief shelters open (John Paul, Frank Urban), preserving historic Alhambra gym (Sandy), homeless funding (Mark), property storage concerns (Elizabeth), and cat overpopulation (Missy).

Discussion Items

  • Item 39 (Reconsideration): Councilman Galinda Vida moved to reconsider item 37 from February 19, 2025; passed unanimously.
  • Item 40 (Temporary easement – Chicanos por la causa): Councilman Galinda Vida described the project as ADA-compliant affordable housing with 10 dedicated spaces for people with disabilities. Approved 9-0.
  • Item 41 (Tanner Thomas Village): Councilwoman Hodge Washington read nine detailed conditions into the motion (e.g., 24/7 security, community advisory committee, on-site case management, service provider certifications). Approved 9-0.
  • Item 46 (City-owned land leasing): Approved 8-0 (one absent).
  • Item 53 (EV charging contract): Approved 8-0.
  • Item 59 (Avenida de la Mujer sign): Councilwoman Hodge Washington and Councilman Galinda Vida highlighted the collaboration to honor women in the farm worker movement. Approved 9-0.
  • Items 70 & 71 (Reconsideration and approval – Chicanos por la causa): Councilman Galinda Vida moved to reconsider and then approve; both passed 9-0.
  • Item 73 (Historic preservation grants): Approved 9-0 despite public opposition.
  • Items 79 & 80 (7th Avenue zoning): Planning staff explained the general plan amendment and text amendment to allow higher density (up to 250 feet) and intensity. Approved 9-0 each.
  • Item 81 (56th St & Shea): After a continuance, the developer (Jason Morris) reported working with neighbors, adding stipulations and deed restrictions. Staff confirmed additions regarding garage design, notification, and signs. Councilwoman Stark noted the property straddles districts 2 and 3. Approved 9-0.
  • Item 82 (20th Ave & Van Buren): The applicant proposed rezoning from R3 to R5 for professional counseling services (part of Neighborhood Christian Clinic expansion). Voluntary stipulations included matching existing home design, no signage on 20th Ave, and a deed restriction running with the land limiting uses to R3 plus counseling. Parking would be shared with neighboring ministry. Approved 7-1 (O'Brien voted no).
  • Item 83 (Legal funding for 69th & Thomas): Councilman Galinda Vida moved to approve staff recommendation; required two-thirds vote. Passed 8-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved unanimously (9-0): Items 1–4 (minutes, boards), most consent items, items 10, 14, 39, 40, 41, 59, 70, 71, 73, 79, 80, 81.
  • Approved 8-0: Items 46, 53, 83 (legal funding).
  • Approved 7-1: Item 82 (rezone for counseling services) with Councilman O'Brien dissenting.
  • No votes recorded against any of the above items except the one no vote.
  • Key directives:
    • For Tanner Thomas Village, staff must include nine conditions in the deed of trust or loan agreement, including 24/7 security, a community advisory committee, on-site case management (M-F 8am-5pm), certified service providers, annual operational plans, quarterly metrics reports, and a complaint hotline.
    • For 56th St & Shea, developer agreed to stipulations and deed restrictions limiting uses.
    • For 20th Ave & Van Buren, a recorded deed restriction runs with the land limiting future uses to R3 plus professional counseling services, requiring written consent from the Rosales family and the clinic for any changes.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. We'll begin with an invitation from police chaplain John Taylor. Please stand. Bow your heads and pray with me, please. Dear wise and loving father, first let me say thank you on behalf of all who are gathered here today. Thank you for your many blessings and thank you for life itself. We thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work and for the freedoms that we enjoy in this great nation. You have said that citizens should obey the governing authorities since you've established those very authorities to promote peace and order and justice. And so I pray for our mayor for the various levels of city officials, and in particular for this assembled council. I'm asking that you would graciously grant them wisdom to govern, a sense of the true needs and welfare of our people, a confidence in what is good, just and right, the ability to work together in harmony, personal peace in their lives, and joy in their work. I pray for the agenda set before them today. Please give them assurance of what would be pleasing to you and what would benefit those who live and work in and around our beloved city of Phoenix. It's in your most blessed name I pray. Amen. Thank you, Chaplain Taylor. Please join me in the Pledge of League of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance. And to the Republic for which stands. Well now, call to order the formal meeting of the Phoenix City Council. Will the clerk call the roll? Councilman Galinda Vida. Here. Councilwoman Guardado. Here. Councilwoman Hodge Washington. Here. Councilwoman Pastor. Here. Councilman Robinson? Here. Councilwoman Stark. Here. Councilman Waring. Vice Mayor O'Brien. Here. Mayor Gallego. Here. Thank you for joining us. We have a packed agenda and we're celebrating an important birthday today, so we're hopeful for a very good meeting. I'll begin by interducing our interpreter, Mario Barajas and Elsie Duarte. Mario, would you introduce yourself for our Spanish speaking audience? Yes, Mayor, thank you. Good afternoon. As Mayor said, my name is Mario Warajas, and together with uh the other part of my team, El C Duarte, we're gonna be serving as Spanish interpreters for today's formal meeting. I'm gonna take a moment now to introduce ourselves to our Spanish speaking audience. We want to start as you soon Mario Barajas Duarte. Gracias. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mario. Will the city clerk please read the 24-hour paragraph?

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