Attachment A - Oct. 11, 2023 EDH Minutes.pdf

Attachment A 
 
Phoenix City Council 
Economic Development and Housing (EDH) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present                  Subcommittee Members Absent 
Chairman Kevin Robinson, Chair 
 
Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari 
 
Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington 
 
Councilwoman Debra Stark  
 
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairman Robinson called the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee to 
order at 10:00 a.m. with Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari, Councilwoman Kesha Hodge 
Washington and Councilwoman Debra Stark present.  
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee Meeting 
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the minutes of the Sept. 13, 2023 
Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-5)  
 
2. Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board (THAB) Funding Recommendation 
  
3. 2024-25 Housing and Urban Development Consolidated Plan Annual Action 
Plan Process 
 
4. Artist Contract for 55th Avenue Promenade Public Art Project 
 
5. Artist Contract for State Route 303 Public Art Project 
Vice Mayor Ansari made a motion to approve the items. Councilwoman Stark seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.

INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 6-9) 
6. Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report – August 
Information only. Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked about preschool attendance 
between July and August.  
Deputy Human Services Director Patricia Kirkland clarified preschool attendance was 
not fully in session during this time period.   
7. Head Start Birth to Five Full Enrollment Initiative (FEI) Quarterly Report Update  
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
8. Summer Reading 2023 Results  
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
9. San Carlos Hotel 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEM 10)  
10.  FY2022-23 Phoenix-Hermosillo Trade Office Results  
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay, Community and 
Economic Development Program Manager Juan Batres and City of Phoenix Trade 
Representative in Northern Mexico Antonio Proto presented on the Phoenix-Hermosillo 
Trade Office results for FY 2022-23.  
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 11-13)  
 
11.  2024 Downtown Enhanced Municipal Services District Work Plan and Budget  
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and President and 
CEO Downtown Phoenix Devney Majerle presented on the item.  
Vice Mayor Ansari expressed support of work plan for the Downtown Enhanced 
Municipal Services District. She asked about the potential of operating public 
bathrooms.  
Mr. Chan replied the City Manager’s Office is working with the Police Department and 
Downtown Phoenix, Inc. to gather information from peer cities for public restroom 
options. 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked what the process is to move forward once the research is 
complete.  
Mr. Chan stated operating costs would need to be identified.  
Ms. Mackay added there is an identified fund within the Community and Economic 
Development Department to cover the initial cost.  
Vice Mayor Ansari made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.

12.  Vacant Property Registry Update 
Neighborhood Services Director Spencer Self and Neighborhood Services Code 
Compliance Manager Christina Vasko presented on the item.  
Vice Mayor Ansari asked about blight issues on small lot sizes.  
 
Mr. Self responded the use of a separate identified process for proactive engagement of 
smaller lot sizes.  
 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked how to use the registry to encourage development of vacant 
land.   
 
Mr. Self stated staff will proactively enforce on parcels of land.   
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked for clarification on residential properties with 
50 or more units.  
 
Mr. Self replied staff welcomes any recommendation from the subcommittee or if there 
is a need or desire to adjust the number after a given amount of time once the program 
is launched.  
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked about staff’s ability to handle properties if the 
owner is believed to be deceased or if there is some level of litigation determining the 
ownership. 
 
Mr. Self responded staff is in the process of working on more creative ways to address 
these concerns.  
Vice Mayor Ansari made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Stark seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
13. Head Start Birth to Five Slot Reduction/ Conversion   
Human Services Director Marchelle Franklin and Human Services Deputy Director 
Patricia Kirkland presented on the item.  
Councilwoman Stark commented on slot vacancies being lost but there being no actual 
loss of children.   
 
Ms. Kirkland confirmed Councilwoman Starks’ comment.  
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington expressed support for revisions of Head Start Birth 
to Five Slot Reduction/ Conversion. She asked what the program looks like if it does not 
reach full enrollment.  
 
Ms. Franklin responded the Office of Head Start under the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services can reduce the program slots based upon their assessment as 
well as funding.

Councilman Robinson expressed support for the Office of Head Start efforts.  
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the item. Vice Mayor Ansari seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None. 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Councilman Robinson adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Johnathan Gates 
Management Fellow