OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Meeting Summary - November 19, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, November 19, 2025
BodyPhoenix, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, November 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:54:37

Transcript — Verbatim
0:39

Thank you so much for joining us today.

0:41

It is November 19th, and we'll begin this convening with an invocation from police chaplain Jim Williams.

0:47

Please rise if you are able.

0:57

Madam Mayor, Council and Staff, thank you so much for what you do for our city.

1:03

Please join me in a prayer of invocation, inviting the Lord to join us today.

1:08

Heavenly Father, I come to you requesting your participation as I lift up to you, our mayor, our city council, and their staff members.

1:16

As we near the end of the year, I'd like to offer a personal thank you for all these precious and willing individuals that constantly share their leadership, talents, gifting with our great city.

1:29

Father, I ask you to draw the mayor and the council close to you.

1:33

Anoint them as only you can, understanding and discernment as only you can provide.

1:41

Grant them favor and draw them close, allowing them to know and understand and fulfill your purposes.

1:48

Father, please put a hedge protection around all of our city leaders, employees, and their families, keeping them healthy and safe.

1:56

And Lord, I thank you in advance for your decisions and discernment and your love extending to our city.

2:02

And to you, Father, we give all the praise and all the glory.

2:06

Amen.

2:08

Thank you so much for your words.

2:10

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:12

I pledge allegiance to the flag.

2:21

Under God, indivisible, liberty, justice.

2:32

Thank you so much.

2:33

I'll now call the meeting to order.

2:35

Will the clerk call the roll?

2:37

Councilman Guardado.

2:38

Here.

2:39

Councilwoman Hernandez here.

2:41

Councilwoman Hodge Washington.

2:44

Here.

2:45

Councilwoman Pastor.

2:47

Here.

2:48

Councilman Robinson.

2:50

Councilwoman Stark?

2:51

Here.

2:52

Councilman Warren.

2:54

Vice Mayor O'Brien.

2:56

Here.

2:57

Mayor Gallego.

2:58

Here.

2:59

Thank you to everyone who is joining us, but a special thank you if you are celebrating your birthday today.

3:05

Uh Mario is here with Mario Brajas and Elsie Duarte are here with us to provide interpretation.

3:11

Mario, would you introduce your team?

3:13

Yes, Mayor.

3:14

Thank you.

3:14

Good afternoon.

3:15

Once again, my name is Mario Warajas.

3:17

I'll be working today with uh El C Duarte as far as uh Spanish interpreters.

3:22

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

3:26

When I started, you'll say Mario Warajas.

3:52

Novamente, eso is para ayudarnos a poderle el service interpretación del Espanyol.

4:00

Muchas gracias.

4:01

Thank you, Mayor.

4:03

Thank you so much, Mario.

4:05

I will now turn to our city clerk to read the 24-hour paragraph.

4:10

The titles of the following ordinance and resolution numbers on the agenda were available to the public at least 24 hours prior to this council meeting, and therefore may be read by title or agenda item only.

4:18

Ordinances numbered G seven four four six through seven four five one.

4:23

S five two three five one five two three nine one through five two four three six and resolutions two two three four five through two two three four seven.

4:33

Thank you.

4:34

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

4:37

Thank you, Mayor.

4:37

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

4:41

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

4:46

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

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████28%
Affordable Housing█████████████████████21%
Historic Preservation██████████████████18%
Land Use██████████████14%
Public Safety███████7%
Public Engagement████4%
Public Health██2%
Workforce Development██2%
Racial Equity█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Meeting Summary - November 19, 2025

The Phoenix City Council convened on November 19, 2025, to address a variety of agenda items including board confirmations, court appointments, procurement contracts, and critical zoning changes mandated by state law. The meeting was dominated by extensive public testimony and robust debate regarding the implementation of Arizona's new middle housing law (HB 2721), with a strong focus on the potential impacts on historic neighborhoods. The council ultimately approved the state-mandated text amendment and overlay district within a one-mile radius of downtown while commissioning a future study on citywide expansion.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved nominations for mayor and city council boards and commissions, followed by the swearing-in of new commissioners.
  • Unanimously approved the appointment of two new municipal court judges, following a Q&A session with the nominees regarding their prosecutorial and judicial backgrounds and proposals for court accessibility.
  • Unanimously approved liquor license items for resolutions 22345–22347.
  • Unanimously approved the ballot sorting system lease and contract with Bobby Yang for Head Start dental care services.
  • Unanimously approved apprenticeship program contracts for semiconductor and tech initiatives.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Middle Housing Opposition: A significant portion of public comment focused on items 71 and 72 (Middle Housing). Residents from historic districts (Willow, FQ Story, Encanto, Del Norte) argued that the state mandate would lead to the destruction of historic character, the loss of historic designation protections if 50% of contributing homes are altered or demolished, and increased density without ensuring true affordability. Speakers cited personal stories of homeownership struggles and warned against the influx of out-of-state investors converting single-family homes to short-term rentals or luxury units. Several speakers requested a 90-day delay to lobby the state legislature for an exemption or a sunset clause.
  • Middle Housing Support: Other speakers argued that middle housing is essential for addressing the housing crisis and increasing supply. They contended that fear arguments were often rooted in classism and racism, noting the city's history of racist zoning practices. Supporters suggested that citywide expansion should be studied immediately.
  • Airport Workers: Several employees of Sky Harbor International Airport (Swabba/Spark) testified regarding poverty wages, the inability to afford basic necessities like rent and food, and the need for a living wage (specifically $25/hour). They urged the council to mandate an economic impact study focusing on worker wages and benefits.
  • North Park Development: Residents of the Stetson Valley neighborhood expressed strong opposition to the proposed North Park development near the Sonoran Preserve, citing concerns about heavy industrial uses (microchip manufacturing), environmental impacts, water scarcity, and lack of transparency regarding TSMC's involvement.

Discussion Items

  • Airport Air Support Contract (Item 38): Councilman Hernandez opposed the avionics equipment contract, expressing concerns about the militarization of the police force, surveillance of protesters, and the use of military-grade aircraft. Councilman Warren defended the air support unit as a vital tool for rescue, high-speed pursuits, and apprehending criminals, contrasting the "air support" terminology with the term "air force." The council proceeded with the vote.
  • ALPR Database Subscription (Item 40): Councilwoman Cordado opposed the contract renewal for the Learn Database (Automated License Plate Reader) services, citing mass surveillance concerns, potential data sharing with federal agencies like ICE, and historical misuse of such technology. Councilwoman Pastor and others argued for the tool's utility in solving crimes, leading to a substitute motion requiring that ALPR data be used only for local law enforcement and prohibiting vendors from sharing data with data brokers or third parties.
  • Data Center Waiver (Item 70): Councilman O'Brien presented the data center waiver, highlighting the city's role as a hub for AI infrastructure demand. Councilwoman Hodge Washington highlighted the collaborative process with the applicant to include specific protections, such as fire safety measures, heat emission controls, and a community dog park, framing it as a model for responsible development.
  • Middle Housing Text Amendment & Overlay (Items 71 & 72):
    • Procedural Debate: The council debated the feasibility of a 90-day delay. City Attorney advised that a delay would trigger a "poison pill" clause in state law (HB 2721), causing middle housing to become allowed by right citywide without limitations, which the council wished to avoid.
    • Amendments: Councilwoman Stark proposed an original motion to approve the state-mandated items with a study to be conducted by the Morrison Institute (ASU) to assess impacts and potential expansion areas. Councilwoman Pastor offered a substitute motion adding a sunset clause (terminating historic district provisions if the state exempts them) and a deadline of December 2026 for the study. Councilwoman Hodge Washington opposed the deadline, preferring the study scope be determined by researchers. The substitute motion with the sunset clause failed (2-7).
    • Final Vote: Councilwoman Stark's motion, amended to include a one-year timeframe for the study (December 2026), passed unanimously (9-0).
    • Councilman Warren explained his vote in support, noting the fiscal consequences (losing funding under ARS 1487) of non-compliance with state law, despite his skepticism about the housing crisis solution.
    • Councilman Robinson and others expressed commitment to the study process and potential advocacy at the state legislature for historic district exemptions.

Key Outcomes

  • Middle Housing Adoption: Items 71 (Text Amendment) and 72 (Overlay District) were approved (9-0) for the one-mile radius around downtown, as required by state law to avoid citywide mandatory upzoning.
  • Morrison Institute Study Mandated: A substitute motion passed (9-0) directing staff to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Morrison Institute at Arizona State University to conduct a study within one year (by December 2026). The study will assess infrastructure impacts, recommend expansion areas for affordability, and propose incentive strategies.
  • ALPR Policy Restrictions: Item 40 passed (9-0) with a stipulation that Phoenix-generated ALPR data is limited to local law enforcement purposes and the vendor is prohibited from selling or providing data to data brokers or third parties without council and law department approval.
  • Airport Contract Approval: Item 44 (Sell Police Canine) passed (9-0) despite opposition regarding the training and use of police dogs.
  • Zoning Changes: Several rezoning items were approved unanimously, including the ACE Hardware PUD (Item 66) and the LKY Real Estate data center waiver (Item 70).
  • Fiscal Warning: The council noted the risk of losing state funding if the middle housing ordinance is not adopted, reinforcing the decision to vote for compliance despite community concerns.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you so much for joining us today. It is November 19th, and we'll begin this convening with an invocation from police chaplain Jim Williams. Please rise if you are able. Madam Mayor, Council and Staff, thank you so much for what you do for our city. Please join me in a prayer of invocation, inviting the Lord to join us today. Heavenly Father, I come to you requesting your participation as I lift up to you, our mayor, our city council, and their staff members. As we near the end of the year, I'd like to offer a personal thank you for all these precious and willing individuals that constantly share their leadership, talents, gifting with our great city. Father, I ask you to draw the mayor and the council close to you. Anoint them as only you can, understanding and discernment as only you can provide. Grant them favor and draw them close, allowing them to know and understand and fulfill your purposes. Father, please put a hedge protection around all of our city leaders, employees, and their families, keeping them healthy and safe. And Lord, I thank you in advance for your decisions and discernment and your love extending to our city. And to you, Father, we give all the praise and all the glory. Amen. Thank you so much for your words. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag. Under God, indivisible, liberty, justice. Thank you so much. I'll now call the meeting to order. Will the clerk call the roll? Councilman Guardado. Here. Councilwoman Hernandez here. Councilwoman Hodge Washington. Here. Councilwoman Pastor. Here. Councilman Robinson. Councilwoman Stark? Here. Councilman Warren. Vice Mayor O'Brien. Here. Mayor Gallego. Here. Thank you to everyone who is joining us, but a special thank you if you are celebrating your birthday today. Uh Mario is here with Mario Brajas and Elsie Duarte are here with us to provide interpretation. Mario, would you introduce your team? Yes, Mayor. Thank you. Good afternoon. Once again, my name is Mario Warajas. I'll be working today with uh El C Duarte as far as uh Spanish interpreters. I'll now take a moment to introduce ourselves to our Spanish speaking audience. When I started, you'll say Mario Warajas. Novamente, eso is para ayudarnos a poderle el service interpretación del Espanyol. Muchas gracias. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you so much, Mario.

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