Attachment A - 9.9.26 EDA Minutes.pdf

ATTACHMENT A
Phoenix City Council
Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee
Summary Minutes
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
City Council Chambers
200 W. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona
Subcommittee Members Present Subcommittee Members Absent
Councilman Kevin Robinson, Chair
Councilwoman Betty Guardado
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien
Councilwoman Debra Stark
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Robinson called the Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee to
order at 10:00 a.m. with Chairman Robinson, Councilwoman Guardado, Councilwoman
O’Brien, and Councilwoman Stark present.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
None.
MINUTES OF MEETINGS
1. Minutes of the Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee Meeting
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2026,
Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman Stark
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.
CONSENT ACTION (ITEM 2)
2. 2027 Downtown Enhanced Municipal Services District Work Plan and Budget
Item 2 was for consent action. No presentations were planned, but staff were available
to answer questions.
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve Item 2. Councilwoman Guardado
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEM 3)
3. Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis of Phoenix Convention Center Project
Item 3 was for information only. No Councilmember requested additional information.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEM 4)
4. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Bioscience Healthcare Strategic Initiative
Community and Economic Development (CED) Director Ryan Touhill and Bioscience
Healthcare Program Manager Claudia Whitehead presented on the Bioscience
Healthcare Strategic Initiative.
Mr. Touhill provide an outline of Bioscience Strategic Initiative accomplishments and a
request for authorization of funds for the BIO International Convention and membership
to the Arizona Bio Industry Association (AZ Bio).
Ms. Whitehead provided an overview of the Bioscience Strategic Initiative and the
annual BIO International Convention.
Mr. Touhill recommended that the Subcommittee approve the proposed 2026-27
Bioscience Healthcare Strategic Initiative, including the request for authorization of
funds for the BIO International Convention and membership to the AZ Bio.
Chairman Robinson asked if there is a specific science field that contributes to Arizona’s
high ranking job growth in biosciences. Chairman Robinson highlighted a potential
partnership between the City and The Leadership Consortium.
Ms. Whitehead shared that employment growth has been across sectors, and not in one
specific field of science. Ms. Whitehead offered to share data on employment growth
with the Subcommittee.
Chairman Robinson proposed to connect Ms. Whitehead, Mr. Touhill, and Deputy City
Manager Ginger Spencer with The Leadership Consortium.
Ms. Whitehead said she would be happy to engage with The Leadership Consortium.
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Stark
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEM 5)
5. Phoenix Economic Overview and Update: Part 6 – The Future of Phoenix’s
Economy
Community and Economic Development (CED) Director Ryan Touhill presented on the
future of Phoenix’s economy.
Mr. Touhill shared a recap of the previous five parts of the Phoenix Economic Overview
and Update and priorities for CED. He then shared the City’s sector strategies for
specific industries, such as workforce development and supply chain.

Councilwoman Stark requested staff include the promotion of affordable housing as a
priority area to support job growth.
Mr. Touhill thanked Councilwoman Stark for the suggestion and agreed that affordable
housing promotion could be prioritized.
Councilwoman O’Brien asked how various economic factors, including workforce,
contribute to conditions for sustainable growth.
Mr. Touhill shared that CED works closely with external partners for workforce
development. For example, CED works with partners on Innovation 27. He also shared
that sustainable growth relies on factors such as the availability of skilled workforce and
energy reliability.
Councilwoman O’Brien thanked Mr. Touhill for his response, for mentioning Innovation
27, and for making it a priority to support local businesses.
Councilwoman Guardado requested more information about housing developments,
Innovation 27, and economic relationships with Mexico. Councilwoman Guardado
requested continued meetings with Mr. Touhill regarding Innovation 27.
Mr. Touhill thanked Councilwoman Guardado for her comments.
Chairman Robinson thanked staff for their presentation.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilwoman O’Brien requested information on Phoenix’s strategy on advanced air
mobility.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Robinson adjourned the meeting at 10:42 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Emilie Boisedu-Poggi
Management Fellow