Attachment A - Oct. 18, 2023 TIP Minutes

Phoenix City Council 
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present     
 Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilwoman Debra Stark, Chair 
Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington 
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien  
Councilwoman Laura Pastor  
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Stark called the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning 
Subcommittee to order at 10:06 a.m. with Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington, 
and Councilwoman Laura Pastor present. Councilwoman Ann O’Brien joined the 
meeting via phone at 10:30 a.m.   
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee
Meeting
Councilwoman Pastor made a motion to approve the minutes of the Sept. 20, 2023,
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning meeting. Councilwoman Washington
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0.
There were two e-comments on this item with one opposed and one with no position. 
Chairwoman Stark stated that they would take Items 4, 5, and 6 out of order and 
address those items before Items 2 and 3, as there were individuals requesting to speak 
on Items 2 and 3. The Subcommittee proceeded with Items 4, 5, and 6, which are 
information-only items. 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 4-6) 
4. Citizens Transportation Commission Meetings
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information.
Attachment A

5. Freeway Program Update 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
6. Water Services Department Six-Year Capital Improvement Program 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
3. Metro, Regional Public Transportation Authority and Maricopa Association of 
Government (MAG) Meetings 
Information only.  
 
Jeff Caldwell expressed his opinion that MAG should be abolished because it does not 
accurately represent the community. 
 
Chairwoman Stark reiterated the report in the packet was a standing item. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor mentioned the Mayor is the City’s representative on MAG who 
speaks for the community. 
 
This item was taken out of order as requested by the Chairwoman. There were 18 e-
comments on this item with 16 opposed and two with no position. 
 
CONSENT ACTION (ITEM  2) 
 
 
2. Speed Limit Ordinance Changes 
Chairwoman Stark noted the item was routine and added to the agenda every six 
months. She introduced Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and Street 
Transportation Director Kini Knudson, mentioning this would be Mr. Knudson’s last 
meeting before retirement. 
Mr. Stephenson clarified there would be no presentation since the item was listed for 
consent.  
Chairwoman Stark invited Mr. Knudson to provide a brief overview of the routine 
process and the 12 recent changes. 
Mr. Knudson described the routine process in spring and fall of evaluating speed limits 
for 5,000 miles of City streets, which includes addressing citizen requests and safety 
data. 
Jay Beeber, a member of City Vision Zero, argued lowering speed limits doesn’t result 
in reduced driving speeds and raised concerns about the study’s accessibility to the 
public.

Chairwoman Stark asked Mr. Knudson to clarify where the public can obtain copies of 
the study. 
Mr. Knudson clarified staff only attach recommendations, not the studies themselves. 
He suggested Mr. Beeber submit a public records request. 
Chairwoman Stark stated staff post notifications when traffic patterns change. 
Mr. Knudson confirmed event signage informs people of any traffic control changes. 
Chairwoman Stark mentioned signage at 7th Street and Peoria has been in place for a 
while. 
Jeff Caldwell opposed proposed speed limit changes, citing their disproportionate 
impact on less fortunate residents struggling with fines, and requested the item's 
removal from the agenda. 
Chairwoman Stark asked Police Executive Assistant Chief Sean Patrick Connolly about 
ticketing and officer discretion, mentioning the desire for more motorcycle officers and 
questioning whether officers can use discretion when enforcing speed limits in newly 
changed areas. 
Chief Connolly confirmed officers have discretion, and if there were speed limit 
changes, they could begin with warnings before issuing citations. 
Chairwoman Stark expressed concerns about speeding in the city and emphasized the 
importance of evaluating and setting appropriate speed limits to enhance street safety. 
Councilwoman Pastor sought clarification on the inclusion of studies in the packets, 
public access to studies, and the selection process for packet inclusion. 
 
Chief Assistant City Attorney Deryck Lavelle noted it's at the department's discretion to 
attach studies to materials, with no legal requirement for study disclosure.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor emphasized transparent and equitable study inclusion in council 
packets, called for clear policies on what's included, especially on confidential matters, 
and highlighted public access importance. She also raised concerns about the speed of 
public records availability and asked for clarification on the matter. 
 
Mr. Knudson explained public requests are handled similarly to other public records 
inquiries, adhering to a set timeframe for gathering documents and providing an 
appropriate response. 
 
Mr. Stephenson acknowledged Councilwoman Pastor's comment about inclusive 
studies and committed to discussing it with the City Manager and staff for future 
considerations.

Councilwoman Stark expressed gratitude for routine actions and past safety 
improvements on Thunderbird between 7th Street and Cave Creek by Mr. Knudson. 
She asked if there were any further questions. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington inquired whether any of the proposed changes were 
deemed necessary for immediate or emergency implementation to ensure resident 
safety. 
Mr. Knudson clarified changes aren't immediate or an emergency, emphasizing the 
biannual speed limit assessments.  
Councilwoman Hodge Washington expressed concerns about the transparency of the 
study. She asked if it would be burdensome for the department to determine whether 
the study could be shared with the public and included in a future subcommittee item. 
Mr. Knudson mentioned staff could delay council approval to address transparency 
concerns and share the study with the public. 
Mr. Stephenson assured the subcommittee staff would make the study a public record 
and provide it to Mr. Beeber promptly, allowing time for review before the council 
discussion. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington recommended including the study when the matter 
proceeds to the full council, allowing for public discussion and commentary at that time. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington made a motion to proceed with the proposal as 
presented but asked for the study to be included in the public packet before it reaches 
the Council. Councilwoman Pastor seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-
0. 
Chairwoman Stark recommended having studies available online to reduce paper use. 
Mr. Stephenson sought clarification from Councilwoman Hodge Washington about 
whether a link to the study would meet the request. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington replied yes. 
There were 25 e- comments on this item with 23 opposed and two with no position. 
 
 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 7-8)  
7. Automated Enforcement 
Chairwoman Stark introduced discussion and action items, recognizing Councilwoman 
O'Brien's participation via phone around 10:30 a.m.  
Mr. Stephenson introduced Mr. Knudson and Chief Connolly to present the item.

Mr. Knudson provided a presentation on automated enforcement which included data 
on balancing equity concerns and road safety and stated staff sought the 
Subcommittee's approval of an Automated Enforcement Safety Program.  
Chairwoman Stark raised concerns about population density and engineering designs in 
older parts of the city compared to newer areas like Desert Ridge, with fewer accidents. 
Mr. Knudson explained diverse factors, including red light running and speeding, 
contribute to high-injury incidents.  
Chairwoman Stark prioritized red light cameras and mobile speed enforcement and 
provided Paradise Valley as an example, highlighting recent accidents involving a red-
light runner, a motorcyclist, and a pedestrian, emphasizing the need for additional tools 
to enhance traffic safety. She requested Chief Connolly provide a brief update on 
current traffic enforcement due to limitations with motorcycle officers. 
Chief Connolly confirmed officers' effectiveness in traffic programs but stressed 
resource limitations due to reduced numbers. He discussed automated enforcement as 
a force multiplier, complementing sworn officers' expertise and enabling focused 
deployment. 
Chairwoman Stark emphasized the aim to recruit more officers to reinstate a robust 
motors program. 
Chief Connolly affirmed the goal of expanding the traffic enforcement motors program, 
with precincts also contributing, as the traffic enforcement unit can concentrate on it full-
time. 
Councilwoman O'Brien inquired about the historical and current staffing levels of the 
traffic unit within the department. 
Chief Connolly stated in the early 2000s, the traffic enforcement units had over 130 
officers, but the current number decreased to approximately 40 officers. 
Chief Connolly stated that technology would be an asset in impacting driving behavior in 
the City. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington preferred looking at the speed on green and 
suggested it strikes a better balance for those concerned about inadvertent camera 
triggers. She inquired about the minimum score used to identify intersections in the 
high-injury network. 
Mr. Knudson clarified intersections and roadway segments were included in the high-
injury network based on the number of fatalities they experienced, with over 5,000 
serious injury and fatality accidents over five years and approximately 12 locations 
meeting the criteria.

Councilwoman Hodge Washington stated she prioritized saving lives over ticketing at 
high-injury locations, emphasizing the positive impact of enforcement on behavior 
change. She preferred portable or mobile speed enforcement for flexibility. 
Councilwoman Pastor stated she preferred mobile speed vehicles in school zones, 
highlighting the need to protect these areas for safety reasons, especially after a 
previous discussion in 2019 when the school zones were a concern.  
Councilwoman O'Brien supported red light running enforcement, portable speed towers, 
and mobile speed vehicles, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and safety for the 
police department and the community. 
Mr. Knudson presented less common enforcement options, such as school bus stops, 
railroad crossings, work zones, and license plate recognition enforcement. He sought 
the Council's interest in these options for a potential program. 
Councilwoman Pastor asked for clarification on school bus stop enforcement. 
Mr. Knudson suggested using automated enforcement, particularly in school zones with 
school bus stops, to address non-compliance with safety rules. 
Councilwoman Pastor sought clarification on the types of automated enforcement, 
specifically inquiring about mobile enforcement, railroad crossing enforcement, and 
photo enforcement in the event of barrier crossings. 
Mr. Knudson explained construction work zone enforcement would typically involve 
mobile units to ensure compliance with traffic laws and speed limits in work zones. 
Chairwoman Stark inquired about the enforcement methods in work zones, referencing 
a specific example on I-17. 
Mr. Knudson confirmed automated enforcement in long-term work zones is possible, but 
its implementation depends on the Council's interest and consideration. 
Councilwoman Pastor sought clarification on the license plate recognition system's 
function, distinguishing it from standard photo enforcement. 
Mr. Knudson explained the license plate recognition system primarily serves law 
enforcement by capturing and reading license plates for crime-related information. 
Councilwoman O'Brien mentioned an alternative option for school bus stop photo 
enforcement using onboard technology to capture violations is worth considering. 
Councilwoman Pastor sought clarification regarding the technology's purpose, 
questioning whether it primarily monitored the behavior of the bus driver and students 
on board or if there was a different intended use.

Mr. Knudson clarified the school bus stop enforcement plan discussed by 
Councilwoman O'Brien includes external cameras on buses to catch drivers who fail to 
stop. He also mentioned the potential use of mobile units for implementation. He 
presented a site selection approach focusing on safety, data analysis, and addressing 
red light running and speeding, seeking input on whether other factors should be part of 
the selection criteria. 
Chairwoman Stark expressed concerns about red light running and speeding based on 
frequent complaints. She emphasized the need for fair site selection, focusing on areas 
with the highest accident and fatality rates to enhance street safety. 
Councilwoman Pastor expressed confusion about the focus of the discussion, noting the 
presentation initially centered on red light cameras but now includes various 
enforcement technologies. She sought clarity on whether the Subcommittee was being 
asked for direction on the types of options and the broader application of enforcement 
technologies, particularly license plate recognition. 
Mr. Knudson highlighted the importance of defining automated enforcement within the 
context of Phoenix's needs. He suggested whether to replicate past programs or 
expand to include speed enforcement on regular roadways, focusing on reducing 
speeding-related accidents and fatalities.  
Chairwoman Stark clarified her priority for red light cameras but acknowledged the 
broader discussion about automated traffic enforcement devices. She emphasized the 
importance of addressing school safety, speeding on major thoroughfares, and 
gathering input on collective concerns from the committee.  
Councilwoman Pastor expressed the need for a more comprehensive discussion before 
taking any action. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington suggested updating the data used for site selection 
to ensure its relevance and accuracy, as the current data is from 2019 or 2020. 
Councilwoman O'Brien expressed support for involving the community in discussions 
related to camera technology, drawing parallels to previous efforts with drones. She 
suggested providing input to the staff, gathering additional community input, and 
eventually returning with a staff recommendation to the subcommittee. 
Mr. Knudson acknowledged the potential for public input and outreach as part of the 
process. He emphasized the need for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to 
developing a program, considering the time required for crafting such a program and the 
involvement of the public. 
Councilwoman O'Brien expressed her support for red-light enforcement and addressing 
speeding citywide.

Chairwoman Stark suggests having separate meetings in council districts to gather 
more public input and feedback on the automated traffic enforcement proposal. 
Mr. Knudson presented different contract models and suggested staff could consider 
them to decide on a proposed program. 
Chairwoman Stark concurred with the idea of not pursuing automated enforcement to 
generate revenue but to ensure safe road behavior. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington emphasized the program's goal should be changing 
driver behavior rather than generating revenue. She suggested a staggered 
enforcement mechanism, especially for underserved communities, with warnings initially 
and reinvesting any income in roadway safety and Vision Zero initiatives. 
Chairwoman Stark expressed support for a trial period focused on education and 
awareness, ensuring that the approach is more about encouraging compliance with 
traffic rules than imposing fines. 
Councilwoman Pastor emphasized starting with education and raising concerns about 
situations where a driver must make a subjective decision about running a red light to 
avoid an accident and how a police officer's response in such cases could result in a 
ticket or an education approach. 
Chief Connolly explained an officer would have discretion in issuing a citation for 
running a red light, but individuals could challenge the citation in court if they wished to 
do so. 
Councilwoman Pastor raised concerns about the financial burden on individuals in 
underprivileged areas who may receive citations from traffic cameras. She emphasized 
the need for an educational component, particularly in areas with language and cultural 
differences, to address aggressive driving behavior and ensure safety. 
Chairwoman Stark expressed her appreciation for the suggestion of starting with 
education before enforcement, believing it could help assess performance metrics and 
evaluate the impact of automation on traffic safety.  
Councilwoman Hodge Washington suggested it might benefit the community to 
understand how performance metrics apply. She proposed setting clear goals for 
reducing pedestrian fatalities and severe accidents to measure the program's 
effectiveness and discussed the importance of transparency. 
Councilwoman Pastor expressed the need for a comprehensive plan, cost analysis, and 
information on various enforcement methods. She emphasized the importance of 
gathering data and feedback from the community to ensure an equitable approach.

Chairwoman Stark inquired if it was possible to assess various scenarios, from 
implementing all proposed measures to just a specific set of actions. 
Mr. Knudson replied feedback from the Subcommittee would help in shaping the 
proposed enforcement measures and staff would develop various scenarios based on 
the input. 
Councilwoman Pastor raised a question about when public input would be sought. 
Mr. Knudson suggested staff develop specific scenarios and options before seeking 
public input to make the process more focused and Council would determine the timing 
of when to involve the public. 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington suggested exploring potential engineering or design 
improvements and alternative modes of addressing traffic safety issues in addition to 
automated enforcement.  
Mr. Knudson stated staff is currently implementing engineering improvements to 
address traffic safety issues based on data analysis, independent of the proposed 
automated enforcement program, and aims to target specific problems on the City's 
roadways effectively. 
Ed Hermes from the Vision Zero Street Safety Committee expressed support for 
automated enforcement due to the high number of street deaths and injuries in Phoenix. 
John McMullen objected to red-light cameras and proposed using speed bumps at high-
risk intersections to slow traffic and prevent accidents. He recommended testing this 
approach in one intersection first. 
James Farley from the Vision Zero Committee expressed concerns about the red-light 
camera proposal, particularly how it could penalize safe drivers, increase rear-end 
collisions, and its moral implications. 
Jay Beeber emphasized the effectiveness of engineering countermeasures over 
ticketing cameras for reducing red-light running. He called for evaluating these 
improvements before considering automated enforcement, highlighting equity concerns 
in low-income and minority communities. 
Jane Breakiron supported lengthening yellow light times to reduce red-light violations, 
highlighted the issue of jaywalking in Phoenix, and suggested the need for more police 
officers at problematic intersections. 
Marissa Hamilton argued red-light cameras mainly serve as surveillance, highlighting 
the neglected need for road maintenance and engineering improvements. She 
proposed alternatives such as warning signs, speed monitors, and extending yellow 
light durations to improve safety.

Jeff Caldwell expressed concerns about photo traffic enforcement and emphasized that 
more police officers are needed for effective enforcement. He referenced information 
from the Arizona Senate issue brief and recommended in-person ticketing by officers as 
a more impactful approach. 
Chairwoman Stark suggested the scenarios be refined and brought back for public 
input, like the approach used for the drone policy. 
Mr. Stephenson agreed with Chairwoman Stark's proposal to refine scenarios and seek 
public input. 
Chairwoman Stark expressed gratitude and requested staff provide a timeline for 
returning to the subcommittee. She also acknowledged Mr. Knudson's imminent 
departure and thanked him for his service. 
Councilwoman Pastor sought clarification on whether the next step would involve a 
Policy Session. 
Mr. Stephenson expressed the need to gather input from all Council members, whether 
through a policy discussion or individual feedback, to ensure comprehensive 
consideration of the scenarios and outreach plans. 
There were 24 e-comments on this item with 22 opposed and two with no position. 
8. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment for Parking Reductions for Multifamily and 
Affordable Housing 
 
Chairwoman Stark introduced the next agenda item.   
 
Mr. Stephenson introduced Planning and Development Director Josh Bednarek, 
Planning and Development Deputy Director Tricia Gomes, and Planning and 
Development staff Chris DePerro.  
 
Ms. Gomes initiated the presentation with the original staff proposal for parking 
reductions and feedback from the public. 
 
Mr. DePerro presented on amending the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to add definitions, 
modify parking requirements for multifamily and affordable housing and add 
requirements for passenger loading zones. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor inquired about parking requirements for three-bedroom units 
under the Walkable Urban (WU) Code, specifically concerning the two-space mandate 
for such units in the current code.

Mr. DePerro discussed the WU Code in the presentation, proposing a .75 parking space 
per unit increase for multifamily housing and maintaining the status quo for the WU 
Code for affordable housing. 
 
Chairwoman Stark opened comments to the public. 
 
Christian Solorio supported parking reform in affordable housing, enabling projects to 
align with community needs and reduce costs. He advocated for citywide affordable 
housing parking reductions to promote housing opportunities and reduce segregation. 
 
Nicole Rodriguez opposed the current revisions and supported original parking reform 
recommendations, emphasized the emotional attachment to cars, and called for 
coherent parking planning and shared parking. She criticized the lack of consultation 
with disability advocacy groups and urged evidence-based arguments. 
 
Shane Gore endorsed staff's recommendation with empirical data, proposed a pilot 
program in the approved villages, and called for a unified transportation plan 
accommodating various modes while emphasizing parking flexibility. 
 
Ryan Boyd expressed support for the proposal. 
 
Patrick McDaniel urged the subcommittee to make decisions based on facts and expert 
input, emphasizing the need for an evidence-based, rational approach in a city with 
diverse requirements across its areas. 
 
Sandy Grunow expressed support for the recommendation and challenged the idea that 
affordable housing residents have fewer cars, emphasizing the importance of private 
vehicles for disabled individuals, veterans, and older adults. 
 
Chairwoman Stark addressed Ms. Grunow's concerns about ADA compliance and 
parking for disabled individuals, emphasizing the commitment to uphold the American 
Disabilities Act. 
 
Larry Whitesell expressed support for the recommendation with minor requests for 
consistency in the text amendment. 
 
Paul Davenport expressed support for the recommendation.  
 
Neil Haddad expressed support for the recommendation.  
 
Jeff Caldwell opposed the item due to significant village planning committee disapproval 
and concerns about car usage in affordable housing areas and potential restrictions on 
parking. He referenced a statement by Vice Mayor Ansari about the role of public 
transportation.

Jane Breakiron opposed parking reductions, citing personal experiences and safety 
concerns. 
 
Merissa Hamilton highlighted the emotional importance of car ownership, citing personal 
experiences related to safety and poverty. She recommended alternative solutions and 
emphasized prioritizing affordable housing residents' needs. 
 
Chairwoman Stark expressed support and appreciation for staff's efforts, especially in 
considering housing for special needs and the aging population.  
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked if the decision to designate one and a half 
miles from light rail versus one quarter in the infill project was intentional. 
 
Mr. Bednarek explained the text amendment did not change the existing infill boundary 
and highlighted the need for thorough analysis before making any alterations, 
considering code boundaries, single-family boundaries, and the potential impact on 
Proposition 207. 
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington inquired about the revised proposed language 
regarding the special needs population, expressing concern that it was not found in the 
packet. 
 
Mr. Bednarek clarified the presentation today focused on the concept and staff will 
prepare the specific language for consideration at a future Formal meeting. 
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington sought clarification regarding the scope of the 
special needs population, whether it only encompassed disabled and elderly individuals 
or could extend to include other groups like those in transitional housing or individuals in 
need of assistance. 
 
Mr. DePerro explained the current concept includes a reduction and a definition stating, 
"special needs populations included, but not limited to elderly, disabled." He suggested 
adding a clause with a definition allowing for approval by the zoning administrator for 
other populations. 
 
Councilwoman O'Brien inquired about the change in citywide requirements, especially in 
areas with many bungalow-style rentals like District One and expressed concerns about 
the impact on families moving into these apartments due to affordability issues and 
lower walkability compared to downtown. 
 
Mr. DePerro provided information on rental properties designed like single-family 
homes, focusing on parking and noted proposed changes involve minimums, not caps, 
with about 10% of units being three bedrooms. He added outside downtown, few single-
bedroom units are provided, resulting in similar parking requirements based on 
percentages.

Councilwoman O’Brien sought confirmation if it was citywide. 
 
Mr. DePerro replied yes. 
 
Councilwoman O'Brien expressed concern about the proposed changes and mentioned 
possibly voting against them.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor expressed concern about the minimum parking requirements for 
three-plus bedroom dwellings and requested research to find a compromise. She 
requested clarification on how the proposed changes will impact various housing types 
and affordability levels. 
 
Mr. DePerro clarified reductions do not overlap, and the original WU Code requirements 
apply to developments in that zone.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor inquired about the role of infill development. 
 
Mr. DePerro stated infill development district reductions do not overlap.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor raised a scenario where a developer has a property that falls 
under both WU code infill and has market rate and affordable housing on the same 
land. She questioned which parking requirements would apply and how this would 
impact a developer's choices. 
 
Mr. Bednarek clarified rezoning to the WU Code is necessary for areas under this code 
and noted infill standards apply to properties that are not rezoned to the WU Code. 
 
Mr. DePerro added the draft language specifies reductions for the WU Code do not 
apply to infill development districts.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor made a motion to approve the item 8. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion which passed, 3-1. Councilwoman O’Brien opposed 
the recommendation. 
There were 48 e-comments on this item with 25 in support, one with no position and 22 
opposed. 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
Jeff Caldwell expressed concern about policies that might reduce driving capabilities, 
infringe on the Fourth Amendment, and use of outdated data.

Merissa Hamilton expressed concern about public input and transparency in 
policymaking, particularly regarding surveillance cameras in the city.  
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman Stark adjourned the meeting at 12:58 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Kat Consador 
Management Fellow