Attachment A - April 7, 2021 Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee Meeting Minutes

Phoenix City Council 
Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Washington St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent 
Vice Mayor Thelda Williams, Chair 
Councilwoman Debra Stark 
Councilwoman Laura Pastor 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado 
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Williams called the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation 
Subcommittee to order at 9:01 a.m. with Councilwomen Stark, Pastor, and Guardado 
present via WebEx. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
 
COUNCIL INFORMATION AND FOLLOW-UP REQUESTS 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua expressed his appreciation for Chairwoman 
Williams, highlighting her achievements as a Councilwoman. 
 
Aviation Deputy Director Charlene Reynolds recognized Chairwoman Williams efforts 
within the Aviation Department and her work with the Therapy Pet Program. 
 
Aviation Director Chad Makovsky thanked Chairwoman Williams for her work. 
 
Chairwoman Williams expressed appreciation for staff. 
 
Assistant Public Works Directors Joe Giudice, Felissa Washington Smith and Art 
Fairbanks thanked Chairwoman Williams for her work regarding solid waste and fleet 
and facilities. 
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked Public Works staff and noted their innovation and 
forward thinking. 
 
Street Transportation Director Kini Knudson introduced Assistant Street Transportation 
Director Briiana Velez and thanked Chairwoman Williams for her work. He noted her 
advocacy for pedestrian safety and the T2050 program t.

Ms. Velez thanked Chairwoman Williams for her support for safe roadways and her 
solution-oriented mindset. 
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked Streets Transportation staff for their efforts. 
 
Public Transit Director Jesus Sapien thanked Chairwoman Williams for her leadership 
throughout her time with the City and noted her efforts for T2050. He recognized the 
Chairwoman’s accessibility and knowledge and thanked her for her concern and 
guidance. 
 
Light Rail Administrator Markus Coleman thanked Chairwoman Williams for her insight 
and commitment to innovation and the community. 
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked the Public Transit Department for their work and their 
responsive staff. 
 
Water Services Director Troy Hayes recognized the initiatives Chairwoman Williams 
worked on throughout the City, noting her leadership. And thanking her for support of 
Water Services projects.  
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked the Water Services Department for their work, and she 
noted their efforts to set Phoenix apart from other cities.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado thanked and expressed her appreciation for Chairwoman 
Williams’ support, guidance, and mentorship. She highlighted her efforts working 
together at the airport and street paving projects. 
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked Councilwoman Guardado and expressed her 
appreciation. 
 
Councilwoman Stark noted Chairwoman Williams’ humility and her work regarding 
infrastructure, solid waste, public transit, streets and the airport. She recognized 
Chairwoman Williams leadership and expressed her appreciation for her work.  
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked Councilwoman Stark and thanked her for her friendship. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor recalled her experiences with Chairwoman Williams while serving 
on the Council and expressed support for her work. She thanked Chairwoman Williams 
for her leadership and mentorship. 
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked Councilwoman Pastor for her work and encouraged her 
to continue to eliminate animal cruelty.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. For Approval or Correction, the Minutes of the Transportation, Infrastructure, 
and Innovation Subcommittee meeting on March 3, 2021 
Councilwoman Pastor motioned to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2021 
Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee. Councilwoman Stark 
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0.  
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-9) 
Items 2-9 were for consent action. No presentations were planned, but staff was 
available to answer questions.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado motioned to approve consent Items 2-9. 
Councilwoman Pastor seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
2. Fiscal Year 2022 Assessments for the Arizona Municipal Water Users 
Association 
 
3. Fiscal Year 2022 Assessment for Water Industry Research and Partnerships 
 
4. Amend City Code – Section 36-158, Schedule I, Local Speed Limits at 19 
Locations 
 
5. Request Phoenix become a Signatory City of the C40 Clean Air Cities 
Declaration 
 
6. Parking Access Revenue Control System: Maintenance and Technical Support 
– Contract Extension  
 
7. Modern Industries, Inc. Executive Hangar Lease at Phoenix Sky Harbor 
International Airport 
 
8. Memorandum of Understanding with American Forests on Tree Equity Projects 
 
9. Request Authorization to Submit Federal Transit Administration CRRSAA Act 
Funding Grant Applications 
 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 10-14) 
10. Metro, Regional Public Transportation Authority, and Maricopa Association of 
Governments Meetings 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
11. Citizen Transportation Commission Meetings 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
12. Freeway Program Update

Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
13. Household Hazardous Waste Pilot Program Update 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
14. Update on Renewable Energy Program for Municipal Operations 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEM 15) 
15. Parking Meter Program Update and Issue Request for Proposals for Parking 
Meter Services 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua introduced Street Transportation Director 
Kini Knudson for the planned presentation. Mr. Knudson introduced Assistant 
Street Transportation Director Briiana Velez as well as the item.  
 
Ms. Velez gave an overview of the parking meter program and meter performance. She 
noted primary concerns, including quality and performance issues of LCD screens and 
inoperable meters. She highlighted performance improvements to existing parking 
meters, creating additional savings. Ms. Velez gave an overview of Fiscal Years 
2019-21 revenue, noting the change in revenue resulting from the pandemic. She 
requested Subcommittee approval to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for parking 
meter equipment and services. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor noted the issues related to existing meters and asked about the 
maintenance plan. 
 
Ms. Velez responded that weather conditions affect battery performance and the RFP 
would be written to ensure all meters were operable moving forward.  
 
Mr. Knudson noted increased efforts to fix meter operability issues and increase staff.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor motioned to approve to the item. Councilwoman Stark seconded 
the motion, which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 16-19) 
16. Fiber Optic Infrastructure Update 
Mr. Knudson gave an overview of the City’s fiber optics infrastructure and highlighted 
their importance for Street Transportation operations, including the connectivity of 
traffic, signals to traffic, and the management center. He also discussed several 
revenue sources, including the General Fund and T2050.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked if the fiber optic connecting to the Ed Pastor Freeway was 
in Laveen. 
 
Mr. Knudson affirmed.

Councilwoman Pastor asked about upcoming and proposed projects. 
 
Mr. Knudson replied upcoming fiber optic projects would be brought to the full 
City Council in the coming months. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor noted connectivity issues in Laveen around mountains.  
 
Mr. Knudson replied future projects could be created pending fiber line capacity. 
 
17. Light Rail Business Assistance Program Update 
Mr. Paniagua introduced Light Rail Administrator Markus Coleman, as well as 
Hillary Foose and Eileen Yurish from Valley Metro. 
 
Ms. Foose gave an overview of the goals and programs for the Business Assistance 
Program and noted the importance of minimizing impacts and supporting business 
retention efforts along light rail construction corridors. She highlighted these efforts, 
including construction mitigation and marketing, technical assistance, and direct 
financial assistance. Ms. Foose highlighted points of contact for businesses and gave 
an overview of construction mitigation and marketing.  
 
Ms. Yurish gave an overview of the technical assistance and professional consulting 
services and resources. She detailed the financial assistance timeline and provided an 
update on business participation.  
 
Ms. Foose, on behalf of Valley Metro, thanked Chairwoman Williams for her work. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked about the criteria required for Tier 1 and 2 direct business 
financial assistance. 
 
Mr. Paniagua replied that Tier 1 financial assistance only required that they be an 
eligible business located along a light rail extension construction corridor. To obtain for 
Tier 2 funding, businesses would need to demonstrate revenue loss during the time of 
light rail construction. He specified recent changes to 
the application based on Councilwoman Pastor’s request, explaining that businesses 
need only submit financial records for the months in question instead of the entire prior 
years’ financial records.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked how information from businesses was collected and 
utilized. 
 
Mr. Coleman responded the technical resources were completed by a consultant and 
the participating businesses conducted a business assessment. The information was 
provided to Valley Metro to increase program participation.

Ms. Yurish stated the information provided to Valley Metro was utilized as a starting 
point to follow up with businesses. She stated the recommendations that were 
developed by the consultants were given to the business owners.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked how many businesses were included in the data and of 
those, how many were a part of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD). 
 
Ms. Yurish replied 122 businesses were included in the data and 122 businesses were 
a part of the TOD. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor expressed concerns that the application process was 
cumbersome.  
 
Ms. Yurish detailed the steps and timeline to complete the Business Assistance 
process. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked why the 122 businesses that submitted information were 
not used as a starting point to provide assistance and connect with a consultant and 
asked about barriers to receiving technical assistance. 
 
Ms. Foose stated data from the TOD consultant was used as a baseline but was 
completed over a year and a half ago. She highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure 
relevant information was obtained to serve the business’ needs. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked how many coordinators spoke Spanish. 
 
Ms. Foose stated two business coordinators were Spanish speaking. 
 
Ms. Yurish stated five of the seven consulting firms had bilingual capabilities.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked if Spanish language assistance was utilized when the 
businesses were contacted. 
 
Ms. Yurish stated bilingual business assistance coordinators were utilized.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor expressed the importance of assisting businesses owners.  
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked staff and echoed the importance of providing business 
assistance.

18. Light Rail Program Update 
Mr. Coleman gave an overview of the presentation and provided an update on ongoing 
Light Rail programs around the City. He provided an update on the construction of the 
South Central Extension Downtown Hub and noted the costs and construction progress. 
Mr. Coleman provided construction updates on the Northwest Extension Phase II, also 
highlighting costs and construction progress. He gave an overview of the Capitol 
Extension and I-10 West extension noting the project history and the proposed Locally 
Preferred Alternative (LPA) Concept. Mr. Coleman highlighted the State of Arizona 
coordination partners and the next steps for the project. He also highlighted the I-10 
West Extension and gave next steps on the project.  
 
Councilwoman Guardado thanked Mr. Coleman and noted her participation with the 
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and stated the importance of the light rail 
extension on the west side of Phoenix. 
 
Councilwoman Pastor agreed with Councilwoman Guardado on the need for expanding 
light rail for both the west and south sides of Phoenix. She noted the need for equity 
and access and expressed the importance to engage with the community for light rail 
expansion projects.  
 
Chairwoman Williams noted the growth of the West Valley and the importance of 
expanding services.  
 
Mr. Coleman thanked Chairwoman Williams for her work and efforts regarding light rail. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado asked how light rail expansion to areas around the City could 
be conducted. 
 
Mr. Paniagua stated the City was conducting analysis and working with Valley Metro on 
expansion.  
 
19. Designation of Assured Water Supply 
Mr. Paniagua introduced Deputy City Manager Karen Peters, Water Resources 
Management Advisor Cynthia Campbell, and Water Services Director Troy Hayes.  
 
Ms. Peters gave an overview of the planned presentation; highlighted the Designation of 
Assured Water Supply (DAWS); and noted the application within Arizona’s five Active 
Management Areas (AMAs), including Phoenix’s AMAs. 
 
Ms. Campbell highlighted the importance of a DAWS in Phoenix and detailed the 
application requirements. She gave an overview of the changes since the City of 
Phoenix’s last designation, noting substantial growth within the City and potential 
challenges in obtaining the DAWS. Ms. Campbell concluded with details regarding the 
application process and timeline.

Councilwoman Stark asked how City partnerships affected the assured water supply, 
specifically in the northern part of the City near Anthem. 
 
Ms. Campbell responded there would be no impacts since the City of Phoenix buys 
water from Anthem on a wholesale basis, while Anthem provides the service to the City 
of Phoenix. 
 
Chairwoman Williams thanked staff and noted the upcoming challenges.  
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
Councilwoman Guardado requested: 
 An update on the Grand Canalscape Phase 3 from 47th to 75th Avenues, including 
grant funds leveraged by the Office of Arts and Culture and the Street Transportation 
and Parks and Recreation departments; 
 An update on the rollout of plexiglass shields on City buses; and 
 Information about health and safety protocols and measures taken at Phoenix Sky 
Harbor International Airport. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman Williams adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Ariel LeBarron 
Management Intern