Good afternoon.

It is October 29th, 2025.

We'll begin today with an invocation from Rabbi Levurtov.

Almighty God, you taught us that ever since you told Abraham, go from your land, by decree of divine providence.

Each of us goes about our travels, and though we may sometimes feel lost or uncertain why we have ended up where we are, you remind us that we are exactly where you need us to be.

We just need to open our eyes to the opportunities before us to be of help and to fulfill the mission for which you placed us there.

The Bal Shem to have taught that just as water reflects a face, so too the heart of one person reflects another.

When we feel irritation or judgment towards someone else, it can be your gentle nudge, O God, to look inward to see what lesson you are teaching us about ourselves.

As in the story of Noah, Ham exposed his father shame.

Yet shame and Yafet chose compassion and quietly covered him, preserving his dignity.

You showed us that the choice of compassion over criticism is the path of righteousness and peace.

That message still speaks powerfully to us today.

When we feel unheard or dismissed by others, it is easy to react in anger or frustration and to call out those who are gaslighting us.

But you call upon us, Almighty God, to hold two truths at once, to stand firmly for justice and integrity, while also answering with kindness, curiosity, and grace.

Teach us to pause and not only call out the injustice and insist on being heard, but to also ask, what is this moment teaching me about myself?

Help us instead of criticizing, try being curious.

What's behind the person's view or behavior?

What might they be afraid of or hoping for?

We do not have to agree, but we can listen, respect, and look for the shared humanity underneath.

May we, like Shame and Yafet, choose compassion over criticism, preserve dignity, build understanding, and bring more kindness into this world.

We can be firm in defense of justice, and also gentle in how we relate to human beings, for that is how true unity begins.

Almighty God, bless our mayor and the honorable members of the Phoenix City Council with the insight to lead with both courage and humility.

May they preserve the dignity of every citizen and each other, seek understanding even in disagreement, and govern with fairness, kindness, and respect.

May they reflect the spirit of Shem and Yafet, choosing compassion over criticism and seeing each council member and resident as a reflection of your divine image.

Councilwoman Hernandez here.

Councilwoman Hodge Washington.

Here.

Councilwoman Pastor.

Here.

Councilman Robinson.

Here.

Councilwoman Stark.

Here.

Councilman Waring.

Vice Mayor O'Brien.

Mayor Gallego.

Here.

Mario Barajas and Elsie Duarte are here to provide Spanish interpretation.

Mario, would you introduce your team?

Yes, Mayor, thank you.

Good afternoon.

Once again, my name is Mario Barajas.

I'm going to be serving as an interpreter, Spanish interpreter, along with my colleague El Carte, who will be doing uh downstairs.

She will be doing the simultaneous interpreting.

I'll now take a moment to introduce uh ourselves to our Spanish speaking audience.

When I started, you soy Mario Barajas, Simultani, Staremo Silvienoles Cominterpretes para esta reunion.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Well, the city clerk 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 part of this council meeting and therefore may be read by title or agenda item only.

Ordinance number G7438 and S52352 through 5237.

I'll turn to our city attorney to explain the role of public comment.

Thank you, Mayor.

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

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

General comments that go beyond the scope of the agenda items should be made during the citizen comment session at the end of the agenda.

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

Additionally, any member of the public who appears before the council in their capacity as a lobbyist must, as required by Phoenix City Code, disclose this fact before addressing the council.

The City Code states that speakers must express their comments respectfully and courteously.

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

Such comments are disruptive and unrelated to the council's business.

Any person who violates these rules may lose their opportunity to speak further and could be asked to leave.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

We next turn to boards and commissions.

Item one.

Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

Yes, Mayor.

And before I make the motion, I just I'm very thrilled to see that we have some new members that are going on.

The mayor's commission on disabilities issue.

Several were on the task force.

And today, I have a loop system.

We are testing our loop system for people that are hearing impaired.

I am not listening to music.

I'm actually listening to you.

So Mayor, happily, I make a motion to approve mayor and city council boards and commission nominations.

Second.

We have a motion and second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, nay.

We'll now conduct a swearing in ceremony.

Congratulations to our new commissioners.

Thank you for serving our city.

Please raise your right hand.

Aye.

State your name.

Do solemnly swear.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution Laws of the State of Arizona.

And the Constitutional Laws of the State of Arizona.

That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

I will bear true faith and same.

And defend them against all enemies.

Foreign and domestic.

And then I will faithfully and impartially.

Discharge the duties of the office of.

State your office.

According to the best of my ability.

So help me God.

Congratulations, thank you for serving our city.

Thank you again to our commissioners.

We will now turn to the liquor license portion of our agenda.

The city of Phoenix provides an advisory role to the state of Arizona on liquor licenses.

Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

Yes, I move to approve items two through ten, except items eight and nine.

Second.

We have a motion and second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed nay.

Passes unanimously.

We next turn to item eight, which is the special event liquor license for the Phoenix Public Library Foundation in District 7.

I'll turn to Councilwoman Hernandez for a motion.

Thank you, Mayor.

I actually just had a couple comments.

Um just wanted to give a shout out uh on this event.

Uh my team will be there, and we're super excited to continue to support groups that are supporting our libraries.

Um, so I encourage everybody if you can make it, please consider joining um on this event.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh did you have a motion?

Yes.

Yes.

Uh I move I make a motion to approve item eight.

Second.

Sorry.

Motion and a second.

Any additional comments?

Roll call.

Yes.

And on this?

Yes.

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark.

Wearing.

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes 80.

Item nine is collective coffee, also in District 7.

Councilman Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, also want to really highlight collective coffee.

Um, it's great to have another local coffee shop back in Lavine.

Uh, recently, uh Collective Coffee uh hosted a cafe conana, went really, really great.

Um, and they've got delicious coffee over there.

So I encourage everyone to uh stop by their upcoming event.

Um super excited about that.

And I move to approve item nine.

Second.

Roll call.

Guardado.

Yes.

And on this, yes.

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Pastor.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Wearing?

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes eight zero.

City clerk, are we ready for ordinances resolution?

New business planning and zoning.

Yes, Mayor.

Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

Yes.

I move to approve items 11 through 40, except the following.

Items 13, 26, 28, 31, and 40, noting that item 31 is as corrected.

And can the clerk confirm if there are any other items that should be excluded for in-person public comment?

Mayor, vice mayor, members of the council, no other items.

We have a motion.

Do we have a second?

Second.

We have a motion and a second roll call.

Guardado.

Yes.

And on this?

Yes.

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Waring?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 80.

Item 13 is a settlement of claim in the Garcia case.

Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

I move to approve.

Second.

We have motion and a second.

Councilman Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just uh I'll keep this brief.

I just want to speak directly to the family.

Our city has a responsibility to make sure this doesn't happen again.

I'm sincerely sorry that this happened and that this family will be forever impacted.

Roll call.

Guardado.

Yes.

Hernandez?

Yes.

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Pastor.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Oprah.

Sorry.

Wearing.

Yes.

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes 80.

Item 26 is grant submittals to the FTA.

Do we have a motion?

I move to approve item 26.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any comments?

Roll call.

Guardado.

Yes.

Hernandez.

Yes.

Hajj Washington.

Yes.

Pastor.

I'm gonna make some comments before I vote.

Um, I just want to thank um, I'm just happy that we're getting uh federal transit funding, uh knowing that this will keep our buses and our trains moving and running and making sure that uh we have what we need in order to move our transit systems.

So I'm a yes.

Robinson?

Yes, Stark, yes.

Waring gallego, yes, passes seven to one.

Item 28 is grant authorization for the FTA low or no emission bus grant program and bus facilities competitive program.

Do we have a motion?

I move to approve item 28.

Second.

We have a motion and we have a second.

Councilwoman Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I was actually really excited to see this item on the agenda.

Um, we know that Maricopa County air quality uh is bad.

Transportation pollution is a huge problem, is a huge part of it.

Um, and we know that air pollution for cars disproportionately affects people of color, um, and air pollution especially impacts the 899,786 people in Maricopa County that live with pre-existing respiratory um and cardiovascular conditions.

So electrifying our bus system is one step that the city can take to do to do its part to improve our air quality.

So I'm excited to uh to see the city investing in these new electric buses, and I look forward to more conversations with transit on how we can convert our whole fleet to electric, and fingers crossed that we get this grant.

Councilwoman Pestor.

Yes, uh I just actually uh showed up from uh the clean air luncheon where we talked about uh all the strides that we have made uh currently, and the county was there giving us uh the update and and and demonstrating and showing us how we're moving forward.

Um this also the low and uh zero emissions transit option is necessary for our growing community and also necessary in the sense of our new electric bus.

Um councilwoman Mardado and former uh councilwoman Ansari and I sat happened to sit on the committee, really uh pushed for electric buses and sustainability in Phoenix.

Uh it also aligns with our climate action plan, and it shows that we are taking responsibility in building a sustainable city uh for the future generations with the lead of our mayor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Roll call.

Hernandez?

Yes.

Hodge Washington, yes, Pastor, yes, Robinson, yes, Stark, yes.

Waring?

Yes, yes, passes eight zero.

Item 31 is related to speed limits.

Will the city clerk read the title?

Item 31 is for ordinance G7438 and ordinance amending chapter 36 vehicles and traffic, article 12, section 36-158, schedule one of the Phoenix City Code relating to local speed limits at nine locations.

Thank you.

Do we have a motion?

I move to approve.

Second.

Any comments?

Roll call.

Yes.

Hernandez?

Yes.

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Waring?

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes 80.

Item 40 is a citizen petition submitted by Jarrett Maupin.

Uh we have two speakers on this item.

We'll begin with Mr.

Maupin.

Followed by Ann Ender.

Uh Mr.

Maupin.

All right.

Uh, then we'll go to virtual comment and enter.

And please go ahead.

The floor is yours.

Anne, we're unable to hear you.

Okay.

It is unmuted and we cannot hear Mrs.

Ender.

Um, do we have a motion to approve staff recommendation?

I will make a motion.

Recommendation.

Second.

We have a motion and a second roll call.

More lado.

Yes.

And then this?

Yes.

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Waring?

No.

Okay, you go.

Yes.

Passes 7-1.

We next go to the final portion of our council meeting.

Public comment.

I'll turn to the city attorney to introduce that portion.

Thank you, Mayor.

During citizen comment, members of the public may speak to the city council for up to three minutes on issues of interest or concern.

However, the matters addressed must be within the jurisdiction of the Phoenix City Council and on which the council has the authority to act.

The citizen comment session is limited to 30 minutes.

The Arizona Open Meeting Law allows the city council to listen to comments but prohibits council members from discussing or acting on the issues presented.

However, council members may respond to criticism.

Thank you.

We'll begin with Jerry Van Ges, followed by John Forsyth.

Good afternoon, uh Jerry Van Gas.

I couldn't think of a better place to be to throw a little praise on our good colleague that passed away uh three weeks ago, Greta Rogers.

And a lot of you knew her.

She nobody was indifferent.

They either liked her or whatever.

But um, you know, well, Greta was uh she was up here a lot, pretty much every council meeting.

And uh she was uh well read, principled, and uh you know her big goal was to you know make everybody accountable.

And uh she was uh well read, principled, and uh you know her big goal was to you know make everybody accountable and uh you know to that point uh you know it's it's pretty much infamous now when she went after uh the Phoenix Sons owner, Robert Sarver five, six, seven years ago, and pointed at him, you know, when he was trying to get money from the city to renovate his arena and said, uh, you know, you're so tight, you squeak when you walk.

Uh so that went viral, but it also embarrassed the hell out of Mr.

Sarver, who went out, took some of his money and bought some good players.

Consequently, three, four years later, they're in the NBA finals.

Then he's forced to sell the team because of sexual transgressions in the workplace and made a bundle of a windfall because he had a good team to sell.

And uh if he didn't thank Greta, he should have.

Uh she she was one of a kind.

Thank you.

Thank you for that testimony.

John is next, followed by Raul.

All right, uh Raul is next, followed by Tim.

All right, Tim, you're up.

Good afternoon, Tim Sirikowski.

I want to follow up with Jerry had to say because Greta was a friend of mine.

I appreciated Greta's humor.

She could be a handful at times, and I think everyone up here knows that.

If Greta didn't get her way sometimes, watch out, because she was going to make it well known her own way of doing things.

I was thinking about what we could do for Greta because she gave 45 years of her life for free to help people of the city of Phoenix.

And just she thrived on this.

So I think we should do something to give her a memorial.

Name a park after her.

Name something after her and put a plaque up somewhere.

Do something because she never complained about all the time she spent doing stuff here.

And I think a lot of people have no idea who she is, but we all know here in the city chamber exactly how great of a uh a woman she was and how she loved the city of Phoenix.

So let's think about doing something nice for Greta.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Kim is uh Kim is next, followed by Maria.

Thank you.

Um to the council.

I am I'm here to give something back to you to the mayor.

It's the proclamation signed signed by Kate.

See, I was raised by a real man.

And if you show me a snake, I would not question it.

If I see a snake, I know it's a snake.

So I'm here to shake my take the dust off my face and give you you back this because it's a shame.

It's a shame.

And I want you to know publicly, all of you, you will see him in the heavens.

Just wait.

Somebody I'm giving it back to you.

Why?

Because I said he is not to be played with, talking about God.

Don't play with him.

You might play with people, but don't play with him.

I don't want the proclamation.

You sh you keep it because I'm here to shake my the dust off my face.

Thank you.

Murray is next, followed by Maxwell.

Next, you're up.

And you will be followed by Ursula.

Hello, Council members.

Apologies.

I just uh walked in, so I heard the end of my name being mentioned.

But my name is Maxwell Ulan.

I'm an attorney with Unite Here Local 11.

Uh, we represent workers at many uh venues that the city operates, city properties like the convention center uh and uh and Sky Harbor Airport, including about 450 workers at Sky Chefs, who, as of next week on Wednesday, about uh 180 of whom are going to lose uh their jobs with uh at Sky Chefs.

We would like to thank the city and the Aviation Department and City Council members for uh for collaborating with us to help secure jobs for about 120 of those members who are being laid off, which is a great success of their successor employers, which are uh Eramark and Sky Cafe.

But we would also like to note that while ERIMARC has been extremely collaborative with us from the beginning in the job hiring process to replace uh or to fill those jobs.

Uh Sky Cafe has not been so collaborative, and it's the reason why now we are facing about 60 workers who have nowhere to go coming next Wednesday.

Um this is a huge issue for the members, obviously.

This is also speaks to a broader issue of disruption that comes from whenever contractors switch at places like American Airlines or other contractors at the airport, at the convention center, and why we really need a comprehensive policy, a worker retention policy that is able to ensure an orderly process of transition and ensure that workers who've dedicated many years of their lives to this city and to the facilities that it operates, that they have secure employment in the long term, and that we keep experienced, skilled workers there to avoid this kind of disruption in the future.

So I urge the council and I urge the mayor to hold Sky Chef's uh Sky Cafe, excuse me, accountable for the disruptions that are currently being caused uh because of this transition, and to make sure that we don't have this happen again with a new worker retention policy.

Thanks very much.

Thank you, Ursula is next, followed by Tamra.

U R S U L E Ursula Ursula, Ursul.

All right, uh Tamra will be our final speaker.

Hi, can you hear me?

Yes, we can thank you.

I submitted a citizen petition request regarding the rezoning of case number z-139-24-1 and general plan amendment case, GPA-NG-1-24-1, NGPA N G2-24-1.

As a homeowner in North Phoenix, I strongly oppose the resigning for North Park.

Rezoning case, V-139-24-1-and General Plan amendment case, NG 124-1, and NG24.

Sorry, NG 2-24-1.

This project represents overdevelopment that will severely harm our community.

There's outside special interest in lobbying concerns with this particular these particular cases.

This raises concerns for about transparency and ability for lawmakers to make objective decisions and undermines the integrity of the fair public processes.

I'm also petitioning the city to adopt a resolution to commission a thorough review and investigation commencing from 2019 to assess the effects of special interest involvement, campaign finance practices, contributions from lobbyists and developers, related contracts, zoning approvals for pertinent entities, committee appointments, comprehensive expenditure reporting, funding sources for trips and events, and review the personal investment activities of lawmakers and committee members within this period to verify that all transactions were conducted without reliance on confidential or non public information.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

We are adjourned.

She is our administrator of our communications bureau.

So Allie