Phoenix City Council Formal Meeting – April 3, 2026
Phoenix City Council Formal Meeting – April 3, 2026
The City Council met for a formal session on April 3, 2026. The agenda included board and commission appointments, liquor license advisories, ordinances, settlements, a pay classification amendment, public art, police aviation training, transit investments, and citizen comments on homelessness, transit, and public safety. Key decisions included approval of most consent items, a settlement over a police driving incident, a pay grade review directive for senior program supervisors, and a pilot simulator training contract (passed 8-1).
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 (Boards and Commissions): Approved unanimously. Ruben Knock was sworn in to the North Mountain Village Planning Commission.
- Items 2–12 (Liquor Licenses): Approved except item 12.
- Items 13–48 (Ordinances, Resolutions, New Business, Planning and Zoning): Omnibus motion passed 9-0, excluding items 13, 15, 19, 21, 24, 26, 30, 36, and 37.
- Item 24 (Gift from Carnegie Corporation): Accepted for Phoenix Public Library’s America 250 celebration. Unanimous.
- Item 26 (Sweno Park Public Art): Approved. Councilwoman Pastor highlighted the community benefit and artist Joe Ray.
- Item 36 (Airport Electric Buses): Approved 9-0. Eight buses for $12 million for airport shuttle service.
- Item 37 (Mayo/ASU Shuttle and Bridge Grant Application): Approved 9-0. Public-private partnership for infrastructure in North Phoenix.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 12 (27th Avenue Market Liquor License): Applicant Ishmael Abu Shinab spoke in support, noting the location previously held a Series 9 license since 1983, his $500,000 investment, and a neighborhood agreement. Council voted to make no recommendation.
- Item 19 (Streets Property Acquisition): Blue Crowley commented on ADA curb cuts and bus stop inadequacies, urging more bus infrastructure.
- Item 21 (Pay Classification Amendments): Tyler Smith, Senior Program Supervisor, spoke against the recommended pay grade (052), asking for 059–061. He described responsibilities including dementia-friendly certification and food manager duties. The item passed with a friendly amendment to revisit two classifications.
- Item 30 (Pilot Simulator Training): Chief and Commander explained training benefits. Councilwoman Hernandez asked about drones versus piloted aircraft. Councilwoman Gallego voted no, arguing the police air fleet is a militarization that diverts from social services.
- Item 36 & 37 (Transit Items): Diane Barker supported cleaner buses and the Mayo shuttle grant. Blue Crowley criticized light rail spending and called for more bus routes and bus stops.
- Citizen Comment (end of meeting):
- Blue Crowley: Criticized RPTA funding priorities and called Phoenix a “transit desert.”
- Mahogany Sevier: Urged a housing-first approach to homelessness, more low-barrier shelters, and mental health teams instead of enforcement-only sweeps.
- Diane Barker: Praised CNG and electric transit but urged measuring total emissions.
- Lee Ellis: Raised safety concerns about at-grade light rail after an accident.
- David: Thanked council for SOS improvements, requested more disabled bathrooms.
- Elizabeth: Thanked council for progress.
- Teresa Hill: Thanked police; argued that enforcement is needed against homeless criminal activity and that housing-first is failing.
Discussion Items
- Item 13 (Settlement – Police Driving Incident): Councilman Hernandez questioned Police Chief about training and accountability after an officer collision that broke a resident’s leg. Chief described the driving analysis committee, possible retraining, and supervisory counseling for first-offense traffic violations. Approved 9-0.
- Item 21 (Pay Classification Amendments): Extended debate. Tyler Smith (senior program supervisor) opposed the proposed pay grade. Council members Stark, Pastor, Guardado, Hernandez, and O’Brien discussed process, internal equity, total compensation, and the need for a streamlined employee appeal process. The mover accepted a friendly amendment to re-evaluate two classifications and report back. Approved 9-0 with the amendment.
- Item 30 (Pilot Simulator Training – $74,000 contract): Councilman Robinson moved approval after testimony from Police Air Support unit. Councilwoman Hernandez asked about drones; staff explained complementarity. Councilwoman Gallego voted no, stating the air fleet is militarization and not a safety investment. Passed 8-1.
- Item 15 (Annexation Public Hearing – 19th Ave & Alameda): No public comment; hearing closed without vote.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Consent Calendar (items 2–11, 14, 16–18, 20, 22–23, 25, 27–29, 31–35, 38–48): Unanimous.
- Item 13 (Police Driving Settlement): Approved 9-0. Police Chief outlined internal investigation and training protocols.
- Item 21 (Pay Classification): Approved 9-0 with a friendly amendment to direct HR to re‑examine two classifications (senior program supervisor and comparable roles) and report back to council.
- Item 30 (Pilot Simulator Training): Approved 8-1 (Gallego dissenting). Funding for Simco Aviation training for PC-12 aircraft.
- All other individual items (12, 15, 19, 24, 26, 36, 37): Approved as noted above.
- Next Steps: HR will revisit the pay grades for senior program supervisors and provide a briefing on the classification process. Council will consider total compensation data in future compensation studies.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. It is February 18th. Thank you for joining us for formal. We'll begin today with an invitation and a special recognition for a member of our City of Phoenix employee family from police chaplain Jim Williams. Thank you, Mayor. Would you join me in a moment of silence for Susan Hawkins? The municipal court hearing officer and her family. Thank you. Now would you join me in a prayer of invocation, inviting God to join us in our meeting today? Lord, I come to you reaching out and requesting your participation in our city council meeting today. I lift up to you, our mayor, our council, and their staff members. And for that, Lord, I give you thanks. These are precious and willing individuals. They constantly share their leadership and talents with us in the city. Father, I ask you to draw the mayor and council close to you, granting them favor, washing them in your wisdom and discernment as only you can. Lord, I ask that you protect all of our city leaders and our city employees, thus keeping them healthy and safe. Thank you so much, Chaplain Williams. I pledge allegiance. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you so much. 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 prior to this council meeting, and therefore may be read by title or agenda item only. Yes, 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 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. City code states that speakers must express their comments respectfully and courteously, used to profound language, threats, or personal attacks on members of the public. Council members are 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. And with public comment, and at the end of the meeting, uh Blue Crowley, as promised, will be going first. Item number one is boards and commissions. Vice Mayor, do we have a motion? Yes, motion to approve the mayor and city councils, boards, and commission nominations. Second. Motion and second. Any comments? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Passes unanimously, and we will now conduct a swearing-in ceremony. Please raise your right hand. I state your name. I, Ruben Knock. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear.
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