Attachment A - Nov. 16, 2022 TIP Minutes

Phoenix City Council 
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning (TIP) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 
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 10:03 a.m. with Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, Councilwoman 
Laura Pastor, and Councilwoman Betty Guardado present.  
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee
Meeting
Councilwoman Guardado motioned to approve the minutes of the Oct.19, 2022 
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee meeting. Vice Mayor Pastor 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-3)  
Items 2-3 were for consent action. No presentations were planned, but City staff was 
available to answer questions. 
2. Bus and Dial-a-Ride Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan -
Request for Approval
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
3. Amend City Code - Section 36-158, Schedule I, Local Speed Limits
at 27 Locations
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
Attachment A

Vice Mayor Pastor motioned to approve consent items 2-3. Councilwoman Guardado 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 4-9)  
4. Metro, Regional Public Transportation Authority and Maricopa 
Association of Governments Meetings 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
5. Citizens Transportation Commission Meetings 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
6. Freeway Program Update 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
7. Update on Colorado River Shortage Town Hall Meetings 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
8. Water Services Department Six-Year Capital Improvement Program 
for Fiscal Years 2023-28 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
9. Fiscal Year 2021-22 Transportation 2050 Annual Progress Report 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 10-13)  
 
10. Update on Momentum 2050 and the Extension of Proposition 400 
 
Chairwoman Stark called this item out of order. 
 
Chairwoman Stark invited Mr. Eric Anderson, Executive Director of the Maricopa 
Association of Governments (MAG), to provide an update on Proposition 400. 
 
Mr. Anderson gave an overview of a long-range transportation development investment 
plan his organization proposes called the Momentum 2050 and the Extension of 
Proposition 400. The proposed infrastructure development includes an excess of 360 
highway lane miles, 180 new high-occupancy vehicle lanes, 1,300 new or improved 
arterial lane miles, 12 miles of new light rail, and 37 miles of a new bus rapid transit.

Councilwoman O'Brien thanked Mr. Anderson for the presentation. She commented on 
Council District 1 being home to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 
and urged her constituents to pressure state legislators and Governor to pass the 
legislation enabling the extension of Proposition 400 to be placed on the ballot for 
Maricopa County voters. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado thanked Mr. Anderson for the presentation. She commented 
on receiving complaints from her constituents that traffic in Council District 5 is too 
congested. 
Councilwoman Guardado asked Mr. Anderson to confirm the Proposition 400 project 
had already passed the state legislators, but Governor Douglas Ducey vetoed it.  
Mr. Anderson confirmed that was correct. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado voiced support for extending Proposition 400 and advised Mr. 
Anderson to work with Governor-elect Katie Hobbs and reengage with state legislators 
to get it passed. 
 
Vice Mayor Pastor asked Mr. Anderson to comment on concerns regarding light rail 
transit projects included in the Proposition 400 extension funding package.  
 
Mr. Anderson acknowledged the existence of such concerns. He noted MAG’s proposal 
to limit the funding for the light rail project to 30 percent and an overall cap of 14 
percent.  
 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua added the Momentum 2050, which is the funding 
plan for the extension of Proposition 400, includes funding for light rail extensions going 
along Interstate 10 West and another extension that expands high capacity transit into 
West Phoenix.       
 
Public Request to Speak   
Ryan Boyd, from the Urban Phoenix Project, expressed support for the Momentum 
2050 and the extension of the Proposition 400 package as proposed by MAG.  
 
Vice Mayor Pastor asked Mr. Anderson to explain to constituents the step-by-step 
legislative process of getting Proposition 400 passed.  
 
Mr. Anderson gave an overview of the legislative process, which starts with getting 
Proposition 400 extension legislation through a special legislative session, securing the 
Governor’s approval, and having the Maricopa Board of Supervisors put it on the 
November 2024 ballot for the voters to decide on Proposition 400 development 
investment program.

Chairwoman Stark voiced support for the Proposition 400 extension, as it also functions 
as a development investment program.       
 
11. Planning and Development Department Process Improvement  
Update 
 
Chairwoman Stark invited Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson to provide an update 
on item 11.  
 
Mr. Stephenson introduced Assistant Planning and Development Director Josh 
Bednarek, Deputy Planning and Development Director Mary Ann Fotinos, and Assistant 
Planning and Development Director Jason Blackley.  
 
Mr. Stephenson discussed a shift of residential permit submittals to the City's planning 
and development from physical paper form to online due to COVID-19. Mr. Stephenson 
added that before the pandemic, 80 percent of customer submittals regarding permit 
requests, building plan reviews, and code inspections came in paper forms, while 20 
percent came electronically. Those submittal percentages have since reversed. 
 
Ms. Fotinos updated Subcommittee members on SHAPE PHX, the City's 24/7 online 
permitting and planning projects service. She discussed new SHAPE PHX features and 
capabilities that enable customers to submit applications, check the status of residential 
plans, and request to meet with planning and development staff.  
 
Mr. Blackley discussed operational enhancements to SHAPE PHX, including SolarApp+ 
software, a third-party application program that varies solar system design compliance. 
He also mentioned the use of contractors to assist the City’s planning and development 
staff to expedite residential permit application turnaround time. 
 
Mr. Bednarek updated Subcommittee members on the City's planning and development 
service model, including new SHAPE PHX tools and increased capacity. He also noted 
onboarding new staff and increasing workstations to reflect customer demands. 
 
Chairwoman Stark asked if customers prefer walk-ins vs. scheduled appointments to 
meet with planning and development staff. 
 
Mr. Stephenson replied customers prefer to have a scheduled appointment over the 
alternative. 
 
Chairwoman Stark asked Mr. Stephenson how closely the City’s Planning and 
Development staff coordinate with other departments to accommodate customer needs 
and synchronize services.

Mr. Stephenson confirmed that Planning and Development staff coordinates as closely 
as possible with other departments to accommodate customer needs and synchronize 
services across departments.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado thanked staff for the presentation. She asked Mr. Stephenson 
to clarify the time it takes for constituents to get an appointment with Planning and 
Development staff.  
 
Mr. Stephenson said most customers could get appointment slots within 2-3 days.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado asked for ways to expedite time-sensitive constituent 
applications or projects through virtual or in-person meetings and prevent the frustration 
of customers getting lost in endless back-and-forth emails. 
 
Mr. Stephenson replied with an overview of Planning and Development staff’s approach 
to customer service, including a dedicated customer service call center that manages 
incoming calls and schedules appointments. He also noted a new feature in SHAPE 
PHX that allows customers to speak with staff virtually.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado requested a quarterly report about the time it takes for staff to 
complete applications regarding inspections, permits, projects, and residential plans. 
 
Mr. Stephenson replied that staff would begin reporting that information quarterly. 
 
Chairwoman Stark asked Mr. Stephenson if Planning and Development staff could 
designate a day for constituent walk-in appointments. 
 
Mr. Stephenson replied that staff accepts same-day walk-in appointments.  
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if Planning and Development staff are working with other 
departments on the SHAPE PHX Portal site enhancement discussed to ensure 
seamless integration of Citywide systems.   
 
Mr. Stephenson confirmed that was correct.  
 
Ms. Fotinos added the City has an operational governance process that includes 
various departments, including Street Transportation and Water Services, to improve 
workflow across departments and streamline customer support.    
 
Public Request to Speak   
Ryan Boyd, from the Urban Phoenix Project, expressed support for the City’s efforts to 
enhance the SHAPE PHX Portal site.

12. Update on Proposed Water Conservation Measures for New 
Development 
 
Chairwoman Stark invited Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and Water Services 
Director Troy Hayes to give an update on item 12. 
 
Ms. Peters introduced the City’s long-term proposed water conservation plan for new 
development in response to the water shortage conditions on the Colorado River.  
 
Mr. Hayes discussed the continued decline of the Colorado River despite the City’s 
draught management efforts and substantial conservation gains. Based on coastal tree-
ring records, he noted, the Colorado River is the driest it has been in 1,200 years or 
longer. As a result of the shortage condition, Mr. Hayes continued, the City proposes 
the following three-pronged policy restrictions to address the water shortage situation: 
• 
Customers that use more than 250 thousand gallons of water daily must obtain 
approval for a water conservation plan.  
• 
Consumers that use more than 500 thousand gallons daily must recycle 30 
percent of their water use and obtain approval for a water conservation plan.  
• 
Annexations outside the City’s current water services boundaries will be halted. 
   
Chairwoman Stark asked whether the City still provides water to unincorporated areas 
or county islands located outside its geographical boundaries at a higher cost.   
 
Mr. Hayes confirmed that was correct.  
 
Chairwoman Stark asked whether the City has considered a water rate increase on 
county islands given the water shortage situations discussed.  
 
Mr. Hayes replied that such action would require City Council approval.   
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked Mr. Hayes to further explain water services provided to 
customers within the City boundaries and those outside its limits. 
 
Mr. Hayes explained the City provides water services to entities like the town of 
Paradise Valley from City-owned water utilities that are not within its boundaries.  
 
Mr. Bednarek stated the City proposes a series of best practices for water management 
across several planning and development types. These include participation in water 
efficiency initiatives, outdoor landscaping, restrictions on the size of new swimming 
pools, and utilization of drought tolerance.  
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked Mr. Bednarek to explain the City’s proposed rezoning 
limitations regarding new swimming pools.

Mr. Bednarek replied this is a new concept the City is developing that may not apply to 
most zoning cases. 
 
Councilwoman O’Brien said that the current language in the proposed zoning ordinance 
for water restrictions is too broad to receive her support.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado asked staff about the end goal of the proposed water 
restrictions policy.  
 
Mr. Stephenson replied that as the Colorado River drought worsens, the City aims to 
reduce the usage of water resources to support new developments.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado commented on the conditions of the Colorado River water 
shortage being urgent and the need to prioritize areas the City could make the biggest 
impacts. She does not think the proposed water restrictions go far enough to make a 
difference, as it primarily affects new developments.  
 
Ms. Peters explained the proposed water restrictions policy is intended to enhance 
existing water conservation practices and communicate to customers that commercial 
water use in new developments will not impede their ability to thrive.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado requested that staff provide the number of existing large-scale 
water users in the City.  
 
Mr. Hayes replied that of the 470,000 water service accounts, there are 15 customers 
that use more than 250,000 gallons of water daily. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado recommended that staff work with those 15 large-scale water 
users to reduce their usage. She indicated she would not support the proposed water 
restriction plan in its current form. 
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked staff to discuss recommendations from a previous 
meeting with developers regarding water conservation strategies for new developments. 
 
Mr. Bednarek stated that most of the recommendations from that meeting pertain to 
new development zoning stipulations. Those stipulations required land developers to 
preserve a significant amount of the land area as native open space. However, few 
developers could employ that as they are not dealing with native deserts. So, the City 
planners use the best water management practices discussed above as a basis for 
discussion and a lens to evaluate new development projects.  
 
Councilwoman O’Brien suggested staff come back to Subcommittee to provide 
information regarding conservation efforts to address current large-scale water use. 
 
Mr. Hayes replied staff would accommodate that request.

Vice Mayor Pastor recommended staff bring this policy item back to the Subcommittee 
for further discussions. 
 
Chairwoman Stark and Councilwoman O’Brien concurred. They asked staff to come 
back in December for additional discussions on the water restrictions plan.  
 
Mr. Stephenson replied staff would accommodate that request.   
 
Vice Mayor Pastor left the meeting at 11:40 a.m. 
 
13. Transition to Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Bus Fleet 
 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua introduced Public Transit Director Jesus Sapien. 
He noted Mr. Sapien’s leadership in the City’s efforts to transform the entire public 
transit bus fleet with zero-emission buses by 2040. 
 
Mr. Sapien gave an overview of the City’s transportation electrification policy, including 
a zero-emission plan, green technology investment, and a successful grant award 
totaling $16 million from the Federal Transit Administration. The grant funding helps the 
City purchase battery-powered electric buses, fund the transit workforce, and create 
charging locations.  
 
Mr. Sapien asked the Subcommittee to recommend that City Council approve the City’s 
Heavy-Duty Bus Purchasing Strategy and Zero Emission Fleet Transportation Plan for 
the next five years.   
 
Chairwoman Stark asked if the City could meet its goal of zero bus emissions before 
2040.   
 
Mr. Sapien said it could, contingent upon federal funding and technological innovations.   
 
Councilwoman Guardado thanked staff for the presentation and voiced her support for 
the City's zero-emission buses by 2040 proposal. She also asked for a timeline of the 
proposal's workforce training aspect and whether the City plans to contract out the 
maintenance service of those buses. 
 
Mr. Sapien replied that staff would provide more details to the Subcommittee regarding 
the training timeline, and City employees would perform maintenance needs of buses, 
not third-party vendors. 
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked whether the state’s inability to approve the Proposition 
400 extension impacts this program.

Mr. Paniagua noted that the City currently receives annual allocations from the previous 
Proposition 400 to purchase and replace buses. If this funding does not continue 
beyond 2025, the zero-emission by 2040 program would be negatively affected.   
 
Councilwoman O’Brien recommended that the Subcommittee revisit this item in 2023 if 
Proposition 400 does not pass in the state legislature.    
 
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve item 12. Councilwoman Guardado 
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 3-0.   
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None. 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
Chairwoman Stark adjourned the meeting at 12:04 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Yusuf Dirow 
Management Fellow