Phoenix City Council Formal Meeting – March 26, 2025

The Phoenix City Council convened on March 26, 2025, at 10:45 AM for a formal meeting that included an assisted housing governing board session, ceremonial recognitions, and discussion and action on a wide range of items including homelessness services, technology infrastructure, economic development, and public safety. The meeting lasted several hours and included public testimony on multiple agenda items and a citizen comment period.

Assisted Housing Governing Board

• The board approved minutes from previous meetings, a resolution (passed 8-0), and Resolution 226 (passed 8-0) as required by the federal government. The board then adjourned.

Invocation and Pledge

• Fire Chaplain Troy Holtor delivered an invocation. Vice Mayor O'Brien led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar (Minutes, Boards & Commissions, Liquor Licenses, Omnibus Ordinances & Resolutions)

• Minutes: Approved unanimously for November 13, 2024, November 20, 2024, and December 4, 2024.
• Boards and Commissions: Approved unanimously; new commissioners were sworn in.
• Liquor Licenses: Items 5–12 approved unanimously, with item 7 withdrawn.
• Ordinances, Resolutions, New Business: Items 13–81 approved 9-0, with items 52 and 81 withdrawn and items 30, 64, 66, and 69 excluded for separate public comment.

Discussion Items

• Item 18 – Brycon Corporation Payment Ordinance (Shelter at 71st Avenue & Van Buren): Approved 9-0 after discussion. Councilman Waring questioned the $8.5 million cost. Staff explained that the payment covered the final build-out of the new shelter at 7171st Avenue & Van Buren, including shade structures, sprung structures, removal of a temporary tent, and preparation for two additional X wings and restrooms. The facility shelters up to 280 individuals per night and is a referral site offering wraparound services. Councilman Galindo Alvira noted the grand opening that morning.
• Item 30 – Pay Changes: Approved 9-0. A public speaker, Scott Kirk, expressed dissatisfaction with the city's handling of pay equity and cultural competency, though he thanked staff for meetings.
• Item 37 – Fast Track Cities HIV/AIDS Community Outreach Event: Approved 9-0. Councilwoman Stark and Pastor highlighted the $250,000 budget for outreach, partnerships with multiple community organizations, and a 20% increase in HIV diagnoses in the last year. Councilman Galindo Alvira praised their leadership.
• Item 66 – Wallace and Ladmo Way Ceremonial Street Name (taken out of order): Approved 9-0. The council suspended rules to take this item early. Multiple speakers, including Pat McMahon (cast member), Julia Caggert (Sunny Slope Historical Society), Randy Murray (building owner), Rita Davenport, and Dan Horn, testified in support, emphasizing the show's cultural significance and fundraising. Councilmembers shared personal memories. The street sign will be placed near the mural at the old KPHO studio. Councilman Galindo Alvira announced that a limited number of Ladmo bags would be available at the event.
• Item 38 – Christown LLC Lease Modification (Yucca Library): Continued to April 9, 2025, by a vote of 9-0. Councilwoman Pastor requested continuation to explore purchasing the property or relocating the library, given the 50-year lease extension. Staff noted the landlord is not interested in selling but the city could negotiate terms.
• Item 48 – Acquisition of Property in Rio Reimagined Area: Approved 9-0. Councilman Galindo Alvira described the parcel as a catalytic anchor for the Rio Reimagined corridor, supported by the 2023 bond question. Councilwoman Pastor (daughter of the late Congressman Ed Pastor) expressed personal pride. Mayor Gallego noted additional upcoming investments including a pedestrian bridge.
• Item 50 – Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board Certification: Approved 9-0. Councilwoman Pastor highlighted the program's innovations, including mobile career units, youth summer employment, and the nation's first semiconductor apprenticeship program.
• Item 56 – Customer Engagement Software Contract (Blockwise for Police Department): Approved 9-0. Councilman Robinson and Councilwoman Pastor discussed the software's purpose to measure community perceptions of safety, fairness, respect, and voice, and to improve transparency and accountability. Staff clarified that Blockwise is a feature within existing Zen City software, specifically for policing surveys.
• Item 60 – Fiber to Home Code Amendment (Chapter 5D): Approved 9-0 after a substitute motion by Councilwoman Pastor. The amendment allows licensed fiber optic providers to install infrastructure in city rights-of-way. Key provisions include a 3% fee on direct gross revenue for providers that also serve as ISPs, 6% for wholesalers, and a minimum annual fee of $6 per home passed until revenue fees exceed that. Public testimony from Kelly Henshaw (BAM Broadband) and Andrew Novoselski (Novos Fiber) supported the ordinance; Jeremiah (CWA) and Fernando Roman (CWA) urged strong oversight. Councilwoman Pastor's motion added requirements for contractor registration numbers, pre-construction meeting forms, and the city's right to revoke licenses for non-compliance. Staff noted a micro-trenching pilot with Google starting in May.
• Item 64 – Terminal 4 Lobby Retail Solicitation Contract: Approved 9-0. Councilwoman Guardado questioned the 10-year term and the $576 per square foot investment. Staff explained the pre-security location's lower demand, the need to amortize capital investment, and that the contract includes heat safety and anti-discrimination provisions. The winning bidder, Parity's Lagarde Air, committed 30% to local small businesses.
• Item 67 – Small Business Enterprise Program Extension: Approved 9-0. Mayor Gallego noted that over the last five years, the program directed $555 million in construction dollars to small businesses, with nearly 3,300 contracts and over 300 new certified firms.
• Item 69 – Rio Reimagined Third Street Rio Salado Bridge: Approved 9-0. Public testimony supported the pedestrian and bike bridge. Council members noted its importance for connectivity and economic development.

Public Comments & Testimony (on specific agenda items)

• Item 18: No public testimony.
• Item 30: Scott Kirk spoke about pay equity concerns.
• Item 37: No public testimony.
• Item 66: Pat McMahon, Julia Caggert, Randy Murray, Rita Davenport, Dan Horn, and Ben Tyler testified in support, sharing personal memories and the show's legacy.
• Item 38: No public testimony on the item itself (later continued).
• Item 48: No public testimony.
• Item 56: No public testimony.
• Item 60: Kelly Henshaw (BAM Broadband) and Andrew Novoselski (Novos Fiber) spoke in support; Jeremiah (CWA) and Fernando Roman (CWA) emphasized oversight and transparency.
• Item 64: David Bonia and Lucia Salinas (both Unite Here Local 11) urged the city to hold contractors accountable for heat safety and anti-discrimination standards.
• Item 69: Suzanne Day, Gina Thomas, and Nicole Sanderson spoke in support of the bike/pedestrian bridge and urged connectivity to downtown.

Citizen Comments (general)

• Bill Sheel thanked the council for bike infrastructure and expressed disappointment that the county dropped the Bike to Work event.
• Coco Garcia (Handover Rover) asked for council support for SB 1658, which would mandate potable water and adequate shelter for animals.
• Missy (animal rescuer) described the cat crisis and urged the city to take action.
• John Forsyth criticized the city's civil rights record, citing police incidents and the presence of officers at council meetings.
• Jerry questioned the use of 3PI funds, particularly the $49 million spent at South Mountain Park.
• Emily Stirrup (Handover Rover board) called for animal welfare legislation as a way to increase empathy.
• Tim Sirikowski requested transparency on 3PI spending and suggested a forensic audit.
• Christina Tyler requested ADA accommodations at county meetings, updates on the Burton Barr Library bookstore, and compliance with HB 2431 regarding police detainees.
• David Erberly described a visit from police and planning inspectors without a complaint, and his subsequent complaints to the Office of Accountability and Transparency.
• Diane (District 7) urged the city to prioritize paving on major streets over alleys..

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously (9-0): All minutes, boards and commissions, liquor licenses, and the omnibus ordinance/resolution package (except items withdrawn).
• Item 18 (Brycon Corp. payment): Approved 9-0.
• Item 30 (Pay changes): Approved 9-0.
• Item 37 (Fast Track Cities HIV/AIDS event): Approved 9-0.
• Item 66 (Wallace and Ladmo Way): Approved 9-0.
• Item 38 (Christown/ Yucca lease): Continued to April 9, 2025, by a 9-0 vote.
• Item 48 (Rio Reimagined land acquisition): Approved 9-0.
• Item 50 (Workforce board certification): Approved 9-0.
• Item 56 (Customer engagement software): Approved 9-0.
• Item 60 (Fiber to home code amendment): Approved 9-0 with a substitute motion adding contractor transparency requirements.
• Item 64 (Terminal 4 retail contract): Approved 9-0.
• Item 67 (Small business enterprise program extension): Approved 9-0.
• Item 69 (Rio Reimagined bridge): Approved 9-0.
• Directives: Staff to update fiber-to-home license agreements with contractor registration, pre-construction meeting forms, and revocation authority; continued exploration of micro-trenching pilot.