OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Meeting Summary - October 29, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, October 29, 2025
BodyPhoenix, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, October 29, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 30:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:37

Good afternoon.

0:38

It is October 29th, 2025.

0:41

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

0:53

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

1:00

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.

1:09

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.

1:15

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

1:21

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.

1:29

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

1:33

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

1:38

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

1:43

That message still speaks powerfully to us today.

1:46

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.

1:53

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.

2:03

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?

2:11

Help us instead of criticizing, try being curious.

2:15

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

2:17

What might they be afraid of or hoping for?

2:20

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

2:24

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

2:32

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.

2:39

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

2:46

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

2:55

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.

3:52

Councilwoman Hernandez here.

3:54

Councilwoman Hodge Washington.

3:55

Here.

3:56

Councilwoman Pastor.

3:57

Here.

3:58

Councilman Robinson.

3:59

Here.

4:00

Councilwoman Stark.

4:01

Here.

4:01

Councilman Waring.

4:03

Vice Mayor O'Brien.

4:05

Mayor Gallego.

4:06

Here.

4:08

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

4:12

Mario, would you introduce your team?

4:14

Yes, Mayor, thank you.

4:16

Good afternoon.

4:16

Once again, my name is Mario Barajas.

4:18

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

4:26

She will be doing the simultaneous interpreting.

4:28

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

4:33

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

5:13

Muchas gracias.

5:14

Thank you, Mayor.

5:17

Thank you.

5:18

Well, the city clerk read the 24-hour paragraph.

5:21

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.

5:29

Ordinance number G7438 and S52352 through 5237.

5:38

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

5:41

Thank you, Mayor.

5:42

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

5:46

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

5:51

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.

5:57

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

6:03

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.

6:13

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

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████████36%
Public Transit████████████12%
Miscellaneous████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Workforce Development██████████10%
Land Use██████████10%
Disability Rights█████5%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Meeting Summary - October 29, 2025

The Phoenix City Council convened on October 29, 2025, to conduct regular business including the approval of board nominations, liquor licenses, and various planning and zoning items. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rabbi Levurtov focusing on compassion and justice, followed by the swearing-in of new members to the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities. The Council proceeded to vote on multiple agenda items with predominantly unanimous support, though a single opposition vote occurred regarding a citizen petition.

Consent Calendar

  • Council unanimously approved Mayor and City Council boards and commission nominations (8-0).
  • Council unanimously approved liquor license items #2 through #10, with the explicit exception of items #8 and #9, which were scheduled for individual item consideration. This included the approval of the special event liquor license for the Phoenix Public Library Foundation (District 7) and Collective Coffee (District 7), both passing 8-0 following expressions of support from Councilwoman Hernandez regarding community engagement and local business support.
  • Council unanimously approved new business planning and zoning items #11 through #40, with the specific exclusion of items #13, #26, #28, #31, and #40 to allow for individual discussion. Item #31 was noted as corrected in the record.
  • Council unanimously approved Item #13, a claim settlement in the Garcia case (8-0), with Councilman Hernandez explicitly offering sincere apologies to the family and emphasizing the city's responsibility to prevent recurrence.
  • Council unanimously approved Item #28, the FTA low or no emission bus grant program and bus facilities competitive program (8-0), with Councilwoman Hernandez and Councilwoman Pastor expressing strong support for electrifying the bus system to improve air quality and align with the climate action plan, citing the disproportionate impact of pollution on people of color and those with respiratory conditions.
  • Council unanimously approved Item #31, an ordinance amending local speed limits at nine locations (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jerry Van Gas: Speaker expressed deep praise for the late Councilmember Greta Rogers, describing her as principled and noting her history of holding officials, specifically Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, accountable. He stated Rogers' actions indirectly contributed to the team's competitive success.
  • Tim Sirikowski: Speaker advocated for a memorial for Greta Rogers, acknowledging her 45 years of unpaid service to the city. He proposed naming a park or placing a plaque in her honor.
  • Kim: Speaker delivered a confrontation to the council regarding a proclamation previously signed by the Mayor. She expressed that the document was a "shame" and returned it, stating that the Mayor would face divine judgment if not careful.
  • Maxwell Ulan: Representing Unite Here Local 11, the speaker highlighted a job transition issue at Sky Harbor Airport involving Sky Chefs. While thanking the council for helping secure jobs for 120 workers, the speaker expressed significant concern that 60 workers were facing layoffs due to a lack of cooperation from the new contractor, Sky Cafe. The speaker advocated for a comprehensive worker retention policy to prevent future disruptions.
  • Tamra: Speaker strongly opposed the rezoning cases (Z-139-24-1 and GPA-NG-1-24-1/NG-2-24-1) for North Park, characterizing the project as "overdevelopment" that would "severely harm" the community. The speaker raised concerns about "outside special interest" lobbying and transparency. Additionally, the speaker petitioned the city to commission a review covering the period from 2019 to assess the effects of special interest involvement, campaign finance, and lawmaker financial activities.

Discussion Items

  • Item 26 (FTA Grant Submittals): Councilwoman Pastor expressed support for federal transit funding, stating it is necessary to keep buses and trains moving. She voted yes, noting the funding ensures the transit system has what it needs to operate.
  • Item 31 (Speed Limits): The Council reviewed an ordinance amending Chapter 36 of the Phoenix City Code regarding speed limits at nine locations. The discussion was procedural, with no recorded debate before the unanimous vote.
  • Item 40 (Citizen Petition - Jarrett Maupin): Two speakers, Mr. Maupin and Mrs. Anne Ender, appeared virtually. Mrs. Ender's audio could not be heard by the council due to technical difficulties. The Council discussed a motion to approve the staff recommendation.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion Passed: Approval of Mayor and City Council boards and commission nominations (8-0).
  • Motion Passed: Approval of liquor licenses for Phoenix Public Library Foundation and Collective Coffee (Item #8 and #9), each passing 8-0.
  • Motion Passed: Approval of Planning and Zoning items 11-40, excluding items 13, 26, 28, 31, and 40 (8-0).
  • Motion Passed: Approval of Garcia case claim settlement (8-0).
  • Motion Passed: Approval of FTA grant submittals (Item #26) with one dissenting vote (7-1).
  • Motion Passed: Approval of FTA low/no emission bus grant (Item #28) (8-0).
  • Motion Passed: Approval of speed limit ordinance (Item #31) (8-0).
  • Motion Passed: Approval of staff recommendation for citizen petition Item #40 (7-1), with Councilman Waring voting against it.

Meeting Transcript

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.

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