Attachment A - April 26, 2023 EDE Minutes.pdf

Attachment A 
 
Phoenix City Council 
Economic Development and Equity (EDE) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent 
Chairwoman Laura Pastor, Chair          
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien 
Councilwoman Debra Stark 
Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari joined the meeting at 10:08 a.m.  
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Pastor called the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee to 
order at 10:06 a.m. with Councilwoman Ann O’Brien and Councilwoman Debra Stark 
present.  
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee Meeting 
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2023 
Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman O’Brien 
seconded the motion which passed, 3-0. 
Vice Mayor Ansari joined the meeting at 10:08 a.m.  
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 4-7)  
Items 4, 5, 6, and 7 were heard out of order as requested by Chairwoman Pastor.  
 
4. Authorization to Enter into a Development Agreement with IDM Companies for 
Reimbursement of Public Infrastructure Improvements 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and Deputy 
Community and Economic Development Director Nathan Wright gave a presentation 
requesting authorization to enter into agreements to reimburse IDM Properties for the 
installation of public improvements at Loop 202 and Dobbins Road.

Vice Mayor Ansari thanked staff for their hard work.  
Chairwoman Pastor opened the floor for public comment.  
 
Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer noted Carmen Terrell was not online.    
 
Chairwoman Pastor commented on the land’s history and opportunities to honor 
agricultural families within the area.  
 
Vice Mayor Ansari made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Stark seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
5. Authorization to Enter into a Development Agreement with Leon Capital Group 
for Reimbursement of Public Infrastructure Improvements 
Vice Mayor Ansari made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Stark seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
6. Request for Proposals for Redevelopment of Parcels Near Central and 
Columbus Avenues 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and Assistant 
Housing Director Aubrey Gonzalez gave a report requesting to issue a Request for 
Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of City-owned property located east of Central 
Avenue between Columbus and Weldon Avenues.  
 
Chairwoman Pastor discussed the importance of transit-oriented development and 
mixed-use planning including affordable and workforce housing. 
 
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the item. Vice Mayor Ansari seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
7. Affordable Housing and Housing Phoenix Plan Follow-Up 
Assistant Housing Director Aubrey Gonzalez provided an overview of housing 
terminology. 
 
Chairwoman Pastor asked for clarification on workforce housing.  
 
Ms. Gonzalez discussed how workforce housing could naturally occur in the market.  
 
Chairwoman Pastor commented on workforce housing nuances.   
 
Deputy City Manager Gina Montes summarized supply and demand factors impacting 
affordable and workforce housing.  
 
Deputy Housing Director Samantha Keating presented on the Housing Phoenix Plan 
Gap Analysis.

Planning and Development Director Joshua Bednarek summarized text amendment 
updates.  
 
Councilwoman Stark advocated for affordable housing incentive tools.  
 
Housing Manager Elenia Sotelo provided an update on the Housing Choice Voucher 
Program. 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked about the mobile home text amendments and what 
modernizing standards would accomplish for mobile homes. 
 
Mr. Bednarek responded the text amendments would make it easier to create new 
mobile home parks and continue investment in existing mobile home parks. 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked for clarification on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) text 
amendment. 
 
Mr. Bednarek discussed duplexes and triplexes.  
 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked what the process would be leading up to September.  
 
Mr. Bednarek summarized the text amendment timeline.   
 
Vice Mayor Ansari advocated for affordable housing and comprehensive zoning 
reforms.  
 
Councilwoman Stark made a motion that the full City Council consider adding $2 million 
to the Planning and Development Department to help with affordable housing projects.   
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked how staff would determine distribution of the $2 million.  
 
Mr. Bednarek replied distribution would be a future point of discussion. 
 
Ms. Montes added staff would return to the full City Council and provide details.  
 
Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson responded staff would help develop criteria 
based on feedback. 
 
Chairwoman Pastor thanked staff for their work on the ADUs.  
 
Mr. Bednarek replied more text amendments for affordable housing and housing options 
would come in the fall.  
 
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the item. Vice Mayor Ansari seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.

INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 2-3)  
Items 2 and 3 were heard out of order as requested by Chairwoman Pastor.  
2. Arena Suite Policy Update 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay gave a report on the 
Arena Suite Policy. 
Chairwoman Pastor asked if there would be financial value in giving up the suite. 
Ms. Mackay responded the development agreement did not provide financial benefit to 
the City.  
Chairwoman Pastor asked if staff would return to the committee with next steps.  
Interim Deputy City Manager John Chan replied yes.  
3. Phoenix Promise Program with The Maricopa County Community College 
District Foundation Update 
Chairwoman Pastor declared a conflict with Item 3 and noted Vice Mayor Ansari would 
lead the discussion. 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay and Workforce 
Administrator LaSetta Hogans provided an update on the Phoenix Promise Program. 
Councilwoman Stark expressed excitement for the program success and spoke to the 
need for assistance with trade skills as well.   
Ms. Hogans responded staff was looking into developing an apprenticeship program to 
focus on trade skills.  
Vice Mayor Ansari applauded program success and asked about program longevity. 
Ms. Hogans replied the Foundation was looking into long-term funding.   
Ms. Mackay added staff also wanted to explore private sector funding to continue this 
program. 
Councilwoman Ansari commented on possible opportunities for refugee communities to 
participate in the program.  
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None. 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
Councilwoman Stark requested an update on the Superbowl. 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari requested discussion and possible action on the scope and timeline 
for stakeholder outreach and passage of a prevailing wage ordinance.

ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman Pastor adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Danielle Vermeer 
Management Fellow