Minutes of the Special Meeting held on January 9, 2025

Meeting Minutes 
City Council Special Meeting 
 
January 9, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. 
Chandler City Council Chambers 
88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 
 
 
Installation of Newly Elected Councilmembers 
 
Oaths of Office 
1.  
Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins 
JENNIFER HAWKINS was joined by her family and was given the Oath of Office by Alicia Skupin, 
Presiding City Magistrate.  
 
2.  
Councilmember OD Harris 
OD HARRIS was joined by his family and was given the Oath of Office by Pastor Drew Anderson, 
Legacy Christian Center. 
 
3. 
Councilmember Christine Ellis 
CHRISTINE ELLIS was joined by her family and was given the Oath of Office by Pastor Brad Davis 
and Pastor Becky Davis, Desert Springs Church.  
 
Call to Order of New Council 
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Hartke at 6:34 p.m. 
 
Roll Call 
Council Attendance 
 
 
 
 
Appointee Attendance 
Mayor Kevin Hartke  
 
 
 
 
Joshua Wright, City Manager 
Vice Mayor OD Harris 
 
 
 
 
Kelly Schwab, City Attorney  
Councilmember Angel Encinas   
 
 
Dana DeLong, City Clerk 
Councilmember Christine Ellis 
 
 
 
  
Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins  
 
 
Councilmember Matt Orlando  
 
 
 
Councilmember Jane Poston

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Invocation  
Pastor Palmer Chinchen, The Grove Church.  
 
Action Agenda and Discussion 
1. 
Election of Vice Mayor for a One-Year Term 
Move City Council elect a Vice Mayor of the Council with a term beginning January 10, 2025 and 
ending January 8, 2026. 
 
Action Agenda Motion and Vote 
Mayor Hartke moved to elect Councilmember Christine Ellis as Vice Mayor of the Council with a term 
beginning on January 10, 2025, and ending on January 8, 2026, Seconded by Vice Mayor Harris.  
 
Motion to elect Councilmember Ellis as Vice Mayor carried unanimously (7-0). 
 
Current Events 
Mayor's Announcements 
MAYOR HARTKE welcomed new Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins and congratulated her and the 
two returning Councilmembers, expressing confidence in their commitment and passion to help 
the city continue moving forward. Mayor Hartke looks forward to achieving great things in the 
upcoming year. 
 
MAYOR HARTKE announced that today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and extended his 
gratitude to the police officers present. Mayor Hartke expressed deep appreciation for Team 
Chandler’s courage, integrity, and dedication to serving the community, applauding their efforts 
to keep the city safe.   
 
MAYOR HARTKE announced that the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Program Ceremony will be 
held on Friday, January 17 in the Council Chambers starting at 4 p.m. to celebrate the contributions 
of Chandler residents who are dedicated to promoting human and civil rights.  
 
MAYOR HARTKE announced the 30th annual Multicultural Festival on Saturday, January 18 at Dr. 
A.J. Chandler Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature international films, performances, 
a shopping market, and a custom cruise car show.  
 
Council's Announcements 
COUNCILMEMBER ENCINAS congratulated the new Vice Mayor, returning Councilmembers, and 
the new Councilmember. He looks forward to working with everyone to make 2025 successful. He 
is open to helping with each person's priorities. He thanked everyone and is excited about working 
together.

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COUNCILMEMBER ELLIS expressed gratitude to the Mayor and colleagues for their trust as she 
takes on her role in Chandler. Councilmember Ellis stated her commitment to leading with 
compassion and maintaining an open-door policy. She emphasized the importance of community 
engagement and reflected on ways to enhance the city. Councilmember Ellis plans to elevate 
Chandler's global presence, confident in collaborating with organizations like the Chamber of 
Commerce. She concluded by celebrating her historic appointment as the first Black woman and 
first Haitian American Vice Mayor in the City’s 113-year history.  
 
VICE MAYOR HARRIS expressed his gratitude for the honor of serving as Vice Mayor in 2024 and 
praised Councilmember Ellis for their historic partnership – noting that they are likely the first two 
Black Councilmembers to serve together on the Council. Vice Mayor Harris emphasized that these 
achievements reflect the community's progress and its desire for representation which affirm 
Chandler's strength in embracing diversity. Vice Mayor Harris congratulated Councilmember 
Jennifer Hawkins. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO congratulated Councilmember Christine Ellis, Councilmember OD 
Harris, and Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins.    
 
COUNCILMEMBER HAWKINS thanked everyone for attending and congratulated her fellow 
Councilmembers. She is eager to collaborate and learn from them and looks forward to building 
on their successes together.   
 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON congratulated Councilmember Ellis, Vice Mayor Harris, and 
Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins and offered assistance and an open door.  
 
City Manager's Announcements 
JOSHUA WRIGHT, City Manager, thanked the Mayor and Councilmembers and congratulated new 
Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins. Mr. Wright welcomed her to the City of Chandler and noted 
that the staff enjoyed working with her during her orientation. He expressed eagerness to 
collaborate with her in the coming year.   
 
Adjourn 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm. 
 
 
 
ATTEST:  _______________________  
______________________________ 
                       City Clerk                                                   Mayor 
 
 
Approval Date of Minutes:  January 23, 2025

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Certification 
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special 
Meeting of the City Council of Chandler, Arizona, held on the 9th day of January 2025.  I further 
certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. 
 
DATED this _______ day of January, 2025. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
__________________________ 
                                                         
           City Clerk