Phoenix City Council Meeting - May 7, 2025
Phoenix City Council Meeting - May 7, 2025
The Phoenix City Council met on May 7, 2025, at 10:30 AM (UTC) / 3:30 PM local time. The meeting began with two special district board meetings (Park Central Community Facilities District and Verdin Community Facilities District), followed by the formal council meeting. The council addressed consent items, public hearings, and citizen comments, approving all agenda items with minor discussion.
Special District Board Meetings
- Park Central Community Facilities District Board: Approved resolution PC 21, approving the proposed FY2025-26 budget and five-year financial forecast. Vote passed 9-0.
- Verdin Community Facilities District Board: Approved resolution V6, approving the proposed FY2025-26 budget. Vote passed 7-0.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting Minutes (item 1): Approved meeting minutes without comment.
- Meeting Minutes from February 5, 2025 (item 2): Reviewed and approved.
- Boards and Commissions: Approved mayor and city council boards and commission nominations as revised. Passed unanimously.
- Liquor Licenses (items 4-12): Approved advisory recommendations on liquor licenses. Passed unanimously.
- Consent Agenda (items 13-62): Approved items 13-62, except 28, 38, 54, 60-62, and item 59 withdrawn. Passed 8-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 60: Jimmy Morose (resident, Point Tapatio) presented HOA concerns requesting traffic control; Alan Bodwin (Norris Design, applicant) agreed to install a traffic control device at the main entry off Peoria Avenue.
- Item 61: Dwight Watland (neighbor) supported the resolution; Kate (Kimley Horn) representing Home Depot confirmed no opposition.
- Item 62: Jewel Clark and John Fox both supported the revised stipulations after community engagement.
- General Citizen Comments:
- Ernest Martinez (Fallen Heroes Memorial) expressed concerns about a construction project at Piestewa Peak blocking access without public notice; requested a stop to construction.
- John Forstet discussed civil rights, democracy, police vacancies, and leadership issues.
- Hill (name not provided) raised issues about early morning trash pickup and a Southwest Gas property damage claim.
- Nicole Rodriguez submitted a citizen petition urging high-visibility crosswalk markings and stop bars at pedestrian crossings.
- Tim Serkowski, Jerry Van Gas, and others echoed concerns about the Piestewa Peak project, demanding transparency and accountability.
- Elia (speaking Swahili) asked for assistance for immigrants and refugees, via translation.
- Elizabeth Venable spoke about quality services and fiscal responsibility, opposing outdoor lots as shelters.
- Stacy Champion submitted a citizen petition to remove the 7th Avenue and 7th Street rush hour reverse lanes.
- Jeremy Thacker supported the petition to remove reverse lanes and submitted another petition on golf course water use.
Discussion Items
- Item 28 (VOCA Grant): Councilwoman Hernandez asked about services; staff confirmed the grant funds five positions in the Prosecutor's Office for victim services. The motion passed 8-0.
- Item 38 (Crime Lab HVAC Contract): Council discussed the necessity of investing in the crime lab despite police headquarters moving, funding from the public works capital improvement budget, and community engagement. Councilman Robinson cited a notable case to underscore the importance. Passed 7-1.
- Item 54 (Historic Preservation Grant): Council approved the grant for the preservation of a historic building at 412 West Roosevelt Street. Passed 8-0.
- Item 60 (Zoning at Cave Creek Rd & Peoria Ave): The public hearing was held; the applicant agreed to a traffic control device. Motion by Councilwoman Stark; passed 8-0.
- Item 61 (Zoning at I-17 & Thunderbird Rd): Public hearing held; no opposition. Motion by Councilwoman Stark; passed 8-0.
- Item 62 (Zoning at 20th Ave & South Mountain Ave): Public hearing held; speaker thanked council and staff for revised stipulations. Motion by Councilwoman Hodge Washington; passed 8-0.
Key Outcomes
- All agenda items were approved with the noted exceptions.
- Item 38 passed 7-1; the dissenting vote was not identified in the transcript.
- The consent agenda passed 8-0 with items 28, 38, 54, 60-62 removed, and item 59 withdrawn (per the motion).
- The council adjourned after citizen comments; some registered speakers deferred to the May 21st meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Welcome to our May 7th meeting. Before the formal city council meeting convenes, we will have two meetings of special financing districts. We'll begin with the Park Central Community Facilities District. I will call that board meeting to order. Will the clerk call the roll? Board Member Conlin. Here. Board Member Gervais. Here. Board Member Wardado. Here. Board Member Hernandez. Here. Board Member Hodge Washington? Here. Board Member Pastor. Board Member Robinson? Here. Board Member Stark. Here. Board Member Waring? Here. Vice Chair O'Brien. Chairwoman Gallego. Here. We'll begin with resolution PC 21, which approves the proposed district budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and a proposed five-year financial forecast and calls for a public hearing on such a budget and forecast. Uh board members Conlin or Gervais. Do either of you have a motion? I would like to. Yes, Gallego. I move to adopt resolution PC 21, approving the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Second. We have a motion and second. Any comments or questions? Roll call. Conlin. Aye. Gervais. Aye. Guardado? Yes. Hernandez? Yes. Hodge Washington? Yes. Pastor. Robinson? Yes. Stark?
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