Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee Meeting - April 9, 2025
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Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee Meeting - April 9, 2025
This meeting of the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee covered several informational presentations and action items, including the Phoenix Public Libraries Summer Reading Program, Mental Health Awareness Month, urban street activation and retail vacancy rates, a partnership with the Phoenix Tool Bank, and the annual GPEC contract. All action items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The subcommittee unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke.
Discussion Items
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Phoenix Public Libraries 2025 Summer Reading Program: Aaron McFarland and Wendy Resnick presented the program, which runs from May 1 to August 1 with the theme "Color Our World." They highlighted the importance of preventing summer learning loss, noting that students can lose two to four months of learning. On average, only 30% of third graders in Phoenix public schools are proficient readers. The program offers free enrichment activities, including STEM, cultural programs, and teen volunteer opportunities (150+ teens recruited). Registration begins May 1 online. Council members expressed strong support, noting the program's lifelong impact and the role of libraries during hot summers.
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Mental Health Awareness Month: Jacqueline Edwards, Human Services Director, presented plans for the city's first Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2025. Background: 20% of U.S. adults experience mental illness yearly; anxiety and depression are top health issues in Phoenix; 58% of residents have difficulty accessing care. Activities include lighting City Hall green, a resource fair on May 8 at Travis L. Williams Family Services Center, a social media campaign, and employee wellness webinars. The initiative was developed by a 17-member task force. Council members praised the effort and noted the importance of reducing stigma.
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Urban Street Activation, Development Codes, and Retail Vacancy Rates: Deputy City Manager Alan Stevenson, Planning Director Josh Bednarik, and Economic Development Director Christine Mackey presented on form-based codes and retail vacancy in mixed-use buildings. They explained frontage types (e.g., stoop, porch, storefront) that promote activity without requiring retail. Vacancy rates: downtown Phoenix 10% (healthy), midtown 32%, East Lake 100% (one building). Councilwoman Stark noted that ground-floor activation does not require retail; flexibility is key. Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked about East Lake, and staff committed to exploring interim activation strategies. The discussion emphasized that retail follows rooftops; downtown now has 30,000 residents, 176,000 workers, and 300,000 conventioneers. Staff noted ongoing efforts like the downtown redevelopment plan and code text amendment on the agenda.
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Phoenix Tool Bank Partnership: Neighborhood Services Director Yvette Roder, Program Manager Greg Gonzalez, and Phoenix Tool Bank Executive Director Jana Ferraro presented a partnership to merge the city's tool lending program with the Tool Bank. The Tool Bank has over 550 tool types, 35,000 items, and served 52,000 loans in 2024. Under the agreement, no money changes hands; neighborhood groups continue to borrow at no cost and gain access to a wider inventory and online reservation system. The partnership will also use the city's graffiti busters warehouse for expanded storage. Council members unanimously supported the partnership, citing cost savings and expanded access for neighborhood associations.
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GPEC Amendment (Annual Contract): Christine Mackey, Brian Smith, and Thomas Maynard from GPEC presented the annual contract for fiscal year 2025-26, requesting $831,362 (48 cents per capita). They highlighted GPEC's results: in the current fiscal year through February, 436 jobs located in Phoenix with average wage of $108,000, and $250 million in capital investment. Over five years, GPEC has generated $149 return for every dollar spent by Phoenix, totaling $600 million in city revenues. The contract is part of a regional partnership with 22 cities. The subcommittee unanimously approved forwarding the recommendation to full council.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approval of the minutes.
- Unanimous support for the Phoenix Public Libraries Summer Reading Program (informational, no vote needed).
- Unanimous support for the Mental Health Awareness Month initiative (informational).
- Unanimous support for the partnership with Phoenix Tool Bank (motion approved).
- Unanimous approval of the GPEC contract recommendation to full council.
- Future agenda item: Councilwoman requested an update on the Tenant Assistance Program, which is scheduled for the May subcommittee meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the April 9th, 2025 Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee meeting. I'd like to call the meeting to order. I will first turn to our city attorney, David to explain public comment. Good morning, uh Madam Chair and members of the subcommittee. The open meeting law permits the subcommittee members to listen to the comments, but prohibits members from discussing or acting on members on matters presented to them. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you so much. And then I will um ask that our interpreter, Elsay Dorte introduce herself. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Buenos días, my number is El C Duarte. Estarei interpretando les a nuestra audiencia de Ala Hispana durante esta sesión de desarrollo economico y vivienda. Sous comentarios serán interpretados al momento que usted termina de hablar. Gracias. Thank you. Thank you so much. We don't have any members of the public to speak at this time, so we will go to item one, which is approval of the minutes. Do I have a motion? Move to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. The motion passes unanimously. Items two and three are for information only. Do members have any questions? Wonderful. So item four is our Phoenix Public Libraries 2025 Summer Reading Program. And today we have with us Aaron McFarland and Wendy Resnick to tell us about these programs. Thank you for joining us. Thank you. Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the subcommittee. The library summer reading program kicks off May 1st and ends on August 1st. This year's theme is color our world. I'm excited to introduce Wendy Resnick, who will provide additional information about this year's program. Thank you, Erin. Good morning, Vice Mayor O'Brien and fellow council members. I am so happy to be here to talk about what is really the most iconic of library programs. Summer reading has been going uh strong in Phoenix for more than 50 years. And really, it's about stopping the summer slide. Studies have shown that students can lose the equivalent of two to four months of learning in the summer, particularly in math and reading. They start the next school year behind, and the effects are cumulative. And make no mistake, our students are struggling. On average, only 30% of third graders in Phoenix public schools are proficient readers. And in some districts, it's less than 20%. Literacy is one of the most critical civil rights issues of this generation. Because as Cesarchav has said, you cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. Everything from arts and crafts to African dance troops. And you know, the library is one of the few free educational and air-conditioned outings for families when it gets to be 115 degrees. And that's why our door count is typically up by 15% in the summer months.
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