Attachment A - May 17, 2023 TIP Minutes

Phoenix City Council 
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning (TIP) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, May17, 2023 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present     
 Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilwoman Debra Stark, Chair 
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien 
Councilwoman Laura Pastor 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Stark called the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning 
Subcommittee to order at 10:01 a.m. with Councilwoman Betty Guardado, 
Councilwoman Laura Pastor, and Councilwoman Ann O’Brien present.  
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
Cristen Steiner-Graves stated her house had flooded more than once and requested the 
City help her with this issue.   
RJ Price expressed safety concerns about the downtown pedestrian crossings at 
intersections. Mr. Price voiced safety concerns about the downtown pedestrian 
crossings at intersections. He recommended the City use scramble technology to 
manage pedestrian crossings at major intersections.  
Patrick McDaniel expressed support for the City’s Micromobility Program. He 
highlighted the need for additional e-bikes and pedal bikes and asked for information 
about this program.      
Carmen Terrell expressed opposition to increasing light rail funding.  
  MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee
Meeting
Councilwoman Pastor motioned to approve the minutes of April 19, 2023, 
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman 
O’Brien seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
Attachment A

CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-8)  
 
Items 2-8 were for consent action. No presentations were planned, but City staff was 
available to answer questions. 
 
2. Alternative Transportation Programs Contract Extension 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
3. Proposed Amendment to the 2018 International Building Code Section 310.4.1 - 
Care Facilities Within a Dwelling 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
4. Biomass Power Production Partnership with Salt River Project 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
5. Renewable Liquefied Natural Gas Contract - IFB PTD 23-001 - Request for 
Award 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
6. U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant 
Opportunity for Federal Fiscal Year 2023 - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
7. Amend City Code - Section 36-158, Schedule I, Local Speed Limits at 25 
Locations 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
8. Amend City Code to Establish the Shared Micromobility Program 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
Public Comment 
 
Dave Jenkins expressed support for item 8.   
 
Councilwoman Pastor motioned to approve consent items 2-8. Councilwoman O’Brien 
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.

INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 9-12) 
 
9. Metro, Regional Public Transportation Authority and Maricopa Association of 
Governments Meetings 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
10. Citizens Transportation Commission Meetings 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
         
11. Freeway Program Update 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
12. October 2023 Proposed Bus Service Changes and Public Outreach 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 13) 
 
13. Building Automation Systems Update 
 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua introduced Public Works Director Joe Giudice, 
Assistant Public Works Director Chris Ewell, and Interim Phoenix Convention Center 
Director Bob Fingerman to discuss item 13. 
 
Mr. Ewell discussed the City’s 70 Building Automation Systems (BAS), including 
lighting, heating, air conditioning, and fire safety. 
 
Mr. Fingerman spoke about the Convention Center’s automation systems.   
 
Chairwoman Stark asked if the City would factor its building modernization efforts to 
include existing older facilities. 
 
Mr. Giudice replied staff is exploring effective ways to ensure all City buildings are 
provided proper investments. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked how the City plans to retrofit Citywide buildings to ensure 
they are equipped with BAS technology.  
 
Mr. Giudice answered staff would return to the Subcommittee to provide more details 
about the City’s plan to retrofit existing buildings.  
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 14-16)

14. Active Transportation Plan 
 
Chairwoman Stark invited Street Transportation Director Kini Knudson and Assistant 
Street Transportation Briiana Velez to present item 14.  
 
Mr. Knudson spoke about the City’s Active Transportation Plan, including a 
comprehensive Bicycle Master Plan, extended bike lanes, pedestrian, and micromobility 
walking paths.  
 
Ms. Velez discussed the community engagement aspect of the City’s Active 
Transportation Plan, noting that staff had conducted an online survey and poster polls at 
two large community events, resulting in over 700 responses. Ms. Velez stated the 
feedback from the community included options for equitable active transportation, 
neighborhood connections, and the need for safer roads. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor noted that 65 percent of the residents surveyed for the Active 
Transportation Plan indicated they did not know how to provide feedback on bicycle and 
pedestrian projects. She asked how the City plans to address this issue. 
 
Mr. Knudson replied staff is deploying multiple means, including mailers, door hangers, 
and meetings to ensure the community is aware of the Active Transportation Plan. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked about the Active Transportation Plan recommendations 
and how they influence the City’s Transit Oriented Development.  
 
Mr. Knudson answered the objective of the recommendations of the Active 
Transportation Plan is to take a broader approach to ensure the proposal is 
comprehensive and inclusive.    
 
Councilwoman Guardado asked for an explanation about extending bike lanes and 
building bike networks to marginalized areas of the City. 
 
Mr. Knudson replied equity is one of the four pillars of the City’s Active Transportation 
Plan, and staff is engaging with the Village Planning Committees about building bike 
lane networks and ensuring all residents have transportation options. 
Councilwoman Guardado emphasized the importance of creating equitable active 
transportation throughout the City, especially in West Phoenix, Maryvale, and Alhambra 
Villages. She expressed support for item 14.     
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if staff has assigned any order for the discussions with 
the Village Planning Committees (VPC) and how that correlates to their priorities. 
 
Mr. Knudson answered that staff has not yet assigned any order for the VPC meetings.

Councilwoman O’Brien expressed support for item 14.  
 
Chairwoman Stark thanked staff for their diligent work on this issue and expressed 
support for item 14.  
 
Public Comment on Item 14 
 
Dan Penton expressed concerns about hazardous obstructions of bike lanes caused by 
parked or moving vehicles. He called for increased enforcement to mitigate such 
hazards in downtown and school zones.       
 
Councilwoman Pastor motioned to approve item 14. Councilwoman O’Brien seconded 
the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
15. Street Planning and Design Guidelines Manual Update 
 
Mr. Knudson introduced Street Transportation Deputy Director Chris Kowalsky to 
discuss item 15.   
 
Chairwoman Stark asked if the City was referencing appropriate regional municipalities’ 
design manuals through the Maricopa Association of Governments to ensure cohesive 
street design guidelines.   
 
Mr. Kowalsky replied yes.  
 
Mr. Kowalsky gave a presentation on item 15, noting the proposed design manual 
reduces it from 12 to 9 chapters, aligns with local, state, and federal requirements, 
removes excessive text, and provides ease of use through exhibits and images.  
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if the design manual handout discusses the various plans 
and improvements staff have incorporated into the new manual guide.  
 
Mr. Kowalsky replied yes.  
    
Councilwoman Pastor motioned to approve item 15. Councilwoman O’Brien seconded 
the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.

16. Phoenix Bus Rapid Transit Program Planning Support Services Contract 
Amendment 
 
Mr. Paniagua introduced Public Transit Director Jesus Sapien, Bus Rapid Transit 
Administrator Sara Kotecki, and Matthew Taunton from HDR Engineering to present 
item 16.  
 
Mr. Sapien summarized item 16, noting residents approved Proposition 104 in 2015, 
which outlined Transportation 2050 (T2050), including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) 
system. 
 
Ms. Kotecki discussed the T2050 plan, noting it includes improvements to the City’s bus 
and light rail systems and creating the first BRT corridors identified in the T2050. She 
added the City has signed an agreement with HDR Engineering to help implement the 
BRT project with a three-year base contract and a one three-year option.     
 
Chairwoman Stark asked if the new request for $5.5 million funding would go into effect 
when the money in the current contract runs out. 
 
Ms. Kotecki replied yes. 
 
Chairwoman Stark expressed support for the BRT program.   
 
Councilwoman O’Brien expressed support for the BRT program. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked how much of the requested funding would go into 
community outreach.  
 
Ms. Kotecki said she estimates that over half of the requested funding would go to 
community outreach, education, and engagement with local businesses. She added the 
City hopes to reach property owners along the 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street 
corridors.    
 
Mr. Sapien replied the City had received some initial feedback from the community and 
would continue to solicit resident input about the design of the BRT program.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked if the BRT would be modeled after Houston’s BRT 
program.  
 
Mr. Sapien replied not quite. He stated the BRT program would have some of the same 
basic elements as Houston's BRT system, but Phoenix BRT would be different based 
on  community input that is gathered in the coming months, as well as specific corridor 
constraints.     
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked if the BRT program would be modeled after another city’s 
BRT.

Ms. Kotecki responded the fundamental principles would be similar to other BRT 
programs being used in cities such as Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Omaha, and 
Albuquerque while also reflecting the City’s goals and community needs.  
 
Councilwoman O'Brien stated the BRT program should closely align with the objectives 
of the City rather than copying how other cities developed their BRT systems. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado questioned the aim of the BRT program. She asked for an 
explanation of the type of BRT-related projects the City plans to build along the 35th 
Avenue corridor. 
 
Mr. Sapien replied staff would engage with Council members and key community 
stakeholders about the guiding principles of the BRT program and the type of projects 
that would be implemented along the 35th Avenue corridor.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado highlighted the importance of community outreach and getting 
buy-in from local businesses. She requested a written plan discussing how the City will 
conduct community outreach.       
 
Mr. Paniagua replied staff would provide the information. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked about the City’s plan should the community reject the BRT 
proposal. 
 
Mr. Paniagua replied  staff would return to Council for direction.  
        
Councilwoman Pastor motioned to approve item 16, stipulating that Council members 
are included in the implementation discussion.  
 
Councilwoman O'Brien seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
Chairwoman Stark, Councilwoman Guardado, Councilwoman O’Brien, and 
Councilwoman Pastor congratulated Mr. Giudice on his upcoming retirement and 
thanked him for his years of service to the City.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
 
None.  
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
• Downtown Pedestrian Safety 
• Micromobility  
• Impact of Recent Legislation (SB 1103) 
• Downtown Signal Timing 
• Street Maintenance - Grates 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
Chairwoman Stark adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Yusuf Dirow, Management Fellow