Attachment A - September 11, 2024 EDH Minutes.pdf

Attachment A 
 
Phoenix City Council 
Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson Street 
Phoenix, AZ 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, Chair 
        Councilwoman Kevin Robinson  
Vice Mayor Debra Stark  
Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington 
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman O’Brien called the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee to 
order at 10:02 a.m. with Vice Mayor Stark and Councilwoman Kesha Hodge 
Washington present. 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
Chairwoman O’Brien opened the floor to public comment. 
 
Mr. Eric Neilsen voiced concern regarding limitation of economic activity in downtown 
area due to street vendors only being active on Wednesday nights and proposed the 
City to issue monthly parking passes for public parking in downtown area to generate 
more revenue. Mr. Neilsen also thanked 9/11 first responders for their service. 
 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee Meeting 
Vice Mayor Stark made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2024, 
Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-8) 
Items 2-8 were for consent action. No presentations were planned, and staff was 
available to answer questions. 
2. Head Start Birth to Five Program Request to Purchase Equipment Over $5,000 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
3. Head Start Birth to Five Governance and Leadership Capacity Report 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information.

4. Cortez Park Well Site Public Art Project Fabrication and Installation Contract 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
5. Laveen Heritage Park Artist Selection 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
6. Significant Amendment to the Housing Department's 2024-2025 Annual Agency 
Plan 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
7. Resolution to Participate in and Support Bid to Host the National League of 
Cities’ 2030 Congress of Cities Conference 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
8. 2025 Downtown Enhanced Municipal Services District Work Plan and Budget 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEM 9)  
9. Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report – July 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 10-11)  
10. Head Start Governing Board Orientation 
Human Services Director Jacqueline Edwards and Deputy Human Services Director 
Patricia Kirkland presented on the item. 
 
Vice Mayor Stark commended the work being conducted by the Education Division in 
the Human Services Department. Councilwoman Hodge Washington thanked the 
Education Division for ensuring the program continues to serve the most vulnerable 
population in the city. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if there is any waitlist to enter the Head Start Program and 
its size.  
 
Ms. Edwards replied it is a requirement of the Head Start program to have a waitlist for 
the program and she will get back to the Chairwoman with its size. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien commended the work of the Education Division and stressed the 
importance of the program to Phoenix families.

11. Mobile Career Unit Update  
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and Business and 
Workforce Program Manager Deb Furlong presented on the item. 
 
Vice Mayor Stark asked for follow-up regarding events involving the Mobile Career Unit 
so that she can promote the events via social media. 
 
Ms. Mackay replied, upcoming events will be included in the department reports to plan 
for the events in advance. 
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked which industries placed the most hires as part 
of the initiative.  
 
Ms. Furlong answered many positions have been entry level positions in retail and staff 
stays in contact with the individuals to continue to advance their career. She stated her 
team is working to place individuals into careers in sectors with high wage and high 
demand jobs to align with the five in-demand industries identified by the City of Phoenix 
Workforce Development Board. 
 
Ms. Mackay added while the service sector has been the early adopters of the Mobile 
Career Unit due to a requirement to offer contingent job offers onsite, she expects to 
see other industries making greater number of hires in the future. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked about tracking of participants and feedback mechanisms of 
the program. 
 
Ms. Furlong answered there is a required post-employer survey, and the participants 
are tracked as if they are enrolled in Arizona@Work.    
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if there is a survey for participants that have been employed 
through the program. 
 
Ms. Furlong stated program feedback will be incorporated into a later report.  
 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 12-14)  
Items 13 and 14 were presented out of chronological sequence. 
12. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Phoenix–Hermosillo Trade Office Results and Funding 
Authorization 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and Community and  
Economic Development Program Manager Juan Batres presented on the item. 
 
Vice Mayor Stark made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0.

14. Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Venture Cafe Events Programming 
Sponsorship 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and Community and  
Economic Development Program Manager Claudia Whitehead presented on the item. 
 
Vice Mayor Stark made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
13. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Bioscience Healthcare Strategic Initiative 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and Community and  
Economic Development Program Manager Claudia Whitehead presented on the item. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien commended the Mayor for having the foresight to diversify the 
industry and job market in Phoenix and thanked Councilwoman Hodge Washington for 
her work during the Bio 2024 International Convention.  
 
Vice Mayor Stark made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
Chairwoman O’Brien opened the floor to public comment.  
Ms. Missy Pruitt stated she founded Arizona Advocats to bring awareness of stray cats 
that are roaming the streets in Phoenix.  
 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman O’Brien adjourned the meeting at 11:33 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Brian Seo 
Management Fellow