Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 20, 2025
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Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
February 20, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Chandler City Council Chambers
88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Hartke at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Council Attendance
Appointee Attendance
Mayor Kevin Hartke
Joshua Wright, City Manager
Vice Mayor Christine Ellis
Kelly Schwab, City Attorney
Councilmember Angel Encinas
Dana DeLong, City Clerk
Councilmember Jane Poston
Councilmember Matt Orlando
Councilmember OD Harris
Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins
Invocation
The invocation was given by Pastor Roy Cheriyan, International Assembly of God Chandler.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Encinas.
Scheduled Public Appearances
1. Proclamation - Disability Awareness Month
MAYOR HARTKE read the proclamation for Disability Awareness Month and invited Tom Fay,
Chair of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, and members of the committee to
celebrate.
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2. Recognition - Disability Awareness Awards
MAYOR HARTKE invited Chair Fay to present the 2025 Disability Awareness Awards.
CHAIR FAY invited recipients of the award forward and presented each with an award.
Students of the Year – Jordan River Mobley and Sarvesh Chandran
Educator of the Year - Erica Marsh
Volunteer of the Year - Ally Anhalt
Employer of the Year - Sarha Clark, MOD Pizza
Disability Ally of the Year - Fire Battalion Chief Blas Minor
3. Recognition - 2024 & 2025 CEASE Designations
MAYOR HARTKE invited up the 2024 and 2025 CEASE Designations Stacy Sutherland, Nancy
Baldwin, John Meza CEO of Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network, Police Sergeant Lowe, and Police
Lieutenant DePodesta to be recognized.
JOHN MEZA, CEO of the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network, expressed pride in being a Chandler
resident and praised the city for earning the CEASE designation again. He highlighted the city's
dedication to combating sexual exploitation through annual training and emphasized the
importance of equipping the workforce to recognize and respond to trafficking crimes. Mr. Meza
thanked Mayor Hartke, City Manager Wright, Assistant City Manager Wille, the City Council, and
the Chandler Police Department's Human Trafficking Unit for their efforts. He explained that the
CEASE program empowers cities to fight sex trafficking by training at least 75% of their workforce.
Mr. Meza concluded by presenting a plaque to the city, recognizing their commitment to ending
exploitation and creating a safer Arizona for all.
Consent Agenda and Discussion
Discussion was held on items 2, 7
City Clerk
1.
Approval of Minutes
Move City Council approve the Council meeting minutes of the Work Session of February 3,
2025, the Special Meeting of February 3, 2025, the Study Session of February 3, 2025, and
the Regular Meeting of February 6, 2025.
Community Services
2.
Neighborhood Park Naming for Orangetree Park
Move City Council authorize the naming of the park site located at 2134 N. Bullmoose Drive
as "Orangetree Park".
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO expressed gratitude to citizen Duane Lidman for his efforts in
naming a park in the Bullmoose area of North Chandler, a community that has long lacked a park.
He thanked Mr. Lidman for his leadership, patience, and dedication in working with neighbors,
the city, and developers to make this project a reality. Councilmember Orlando emphasized that
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this achievement is a testament to how one person can make a meaningful difference in both
their own life and the lives of those around them.
Development Services
3.
Ordinance No. 5116, Final Adoption of Rezoning, PLH24-0024 Costco Business Center,
Located at the Southwest Corner of Alma School Road and Pecos Road
Move City Council adopt Ordinance No. 5116 approving PLH24-0024 Costco Business
Center, Rezoning from Planned Area Development (PAD) for an office park with ancillary
retail and restaurant uses to PAD for a wholesaling, a fuel service station, and commercial
uses permitted under the Community Commercial District (C-2), subject to the conditions
as recommended by Planning and Zoning Commission.
4.
Resolution No. 5873, Annexation of Maricopa County Right-of-Way Located at the Following
Locations: on a Portion of Chandler Heights Road South of the Southwest Corner of
Chandler Heights Road and Alma School Road, on a Portion of Appleby Road West of the
Consolidated Canal, on a Portion of Chandler Heights Road between Arizona Avenue and
East of the Union Pacific Railroad, on a Portion of Chandler Boulevard Between McQueen
Road and Lakeview Boulevard, and on a Portion of Frye Road between Gilbert Road and
Country Place
Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5873 approving annexation of county
right-of-way located at the following locations: on a portion of Chandler Heights South of
the Southwest corner of Chandler Heights Road and Alma School Road, on a portion of
Appleby Road west of the consolidated canal, on a portion of Chandler Heights Road
between Arizona Avenue and east of the Union Pacific Railroad, on a portion of Chandler
Boulevard between McQueen Road and Lakeview Boulevard, and on a portion of Frye Road
between Gilbert Road and Country Place; contingent upon approval by Maricopa County.
5.
Resolution No. 5871, Authorizing a Wireless License Agreement between the City of
Chandler and New Cingular Wireless, LLC, for a Macro Cell Site to be Located on City-Owned
Real Property within the Denver Basin Regional Drainage Facility, 625 S. Hartford Street
Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5871, authorizing the Mayor to execute
the license agreement between the City of Chandler and New Cingular Wireless, LLC, and
authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute other documents as needed to give
effect to the agreement.
6.
Resolution No. 5868, Authorizing a Wireless License Agreement between the City of
Chandler and New Cingular Wireless, LLC, for the existing SRP Cooper Substation Macro
Cell Site, Located on the East Side of Cooper Road South of Queen Creek Road
Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5868, authorizing the Mayor to execute
the license agreement between the City of Chandler and New Cingular Wireless, LLC, for
the existing SRP Cooper Substation macro cell site, and authorizing the City Manager or
designee to execute other documents as needed to give effect to the agreement.
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Economic Development
7.
Agreement No. ED2-918-4422, Amendment No. 3, with 2060 Digital, LLC, for
Digital Marketing Services
Move City Council approve Agreement No. ED2-918-4422, Amendment No. 3, with 2060
Digital, LLC, for digital marketing services, in an amount not to exceed $400,000, for the
period of one year, beginning March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked about an item related to digital advertising, noting that the
$400,000 allocation was a significant amount of money. She asked for a broad overview of how
the funds would be utilized, clarifying that while it falls under economic development, the scope
of the initiative appeared to be broader.
MATT BURDICK, Communications and Public Affairs Director, said the $400,000 digital advertising
contract serves multiple departments. It is used to promote tourism through Visit Chandler
programs, as well as raise awareness for various initiatives like community surveys, fireworks and
water safety, and water conservation. The funding helps the city compete in today's media
landscape, where digital advertising is essential for capturing attention. He also highlighted a
recent campaign to educate residents about new ordinances on brass knuckles and unruly
gatherings, which has been successful in preventing incidents. Digital advertising helps ensure the
community is informed about important city actions and programs.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked how many years the city has been participating in digital
advertising, noting that it has become a "pay-to-play" world in today's media landscape. She
sought clarification on the duration of the city's involvement in this type of advertising.
MR. BURDICK said the city has been engaged in digital marketing since the COVID-19 days when
there was a need for various communication efforts. He clarified that the item on the agenda
tonight represents the second year of a five-year contract extension. Additionally, the city has
been utilizing digital marketing for about three to four years before the current contract.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON said there was also a separate contract for the city’s city-wide
recruitment.
MR. BURDICK said the city has a separate contract for city-wide recruitment, which serves two
main purposes: maintaining the city website and running advertising campaigns to promote
career opportunities within the city. He explained that this contract has now moved into more of
a maintenance phase, focusing primarily on website upkeep, pay-per-click ads, and search engine
optimization to target potential applicants. However, he noted that the significant advertising
efforts seen in 2022 and 2023 are no longer in place.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON said the item is a not to exceed budget, meaning the city only pays for
what is used in terms of pay-per-click services. She referenced previous conversations with both
Mr. Burdick and the City Manager, noting that the city has a highly skilled staff who create the
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video content, collateral, and campaigns. She asked if the city also has a role in selecting the
platforms used for the campaigns.
MR. BURDICK said the city works with a media buyer, providing them with creative assets to create
ads. The media buyer handles platform selection based on the target audience, such as using
different platforms for a teen audience versus homeowners. All efforts focus on Chandler
residents and businesses, except for the Visit Chandler campaign, which targets a broader
audience. He also clarified that for transparency, the contract specifies that the vendor cannot
receive more than 33% of the campaign budget for their fees, covering reporting, ad purchases,
and creative assembly.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON said that in the previous recruitment campaign, a larger portion of
the budget went toward payment, noting that the current contract has a 33% cap, which falls in
the $120,000 to $130,000 range. Councilmember Poston expressed support for the current item
but raised a concern about adding staff, especially after the recent budget discussions.
Councilmember Poston suggested that in the future, staff, including the City Manager, should
consider whether it might be more cost-effective to hire a person to manage digital advertising,
either by training current staff or bringing in a new hire. She emphasized that this approach could
be more efficient in the long run, as digital advertising needs are likely to grow.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS asked if Councilmember Poston's suggestion would change the scope
or parameters of how the contract is executed. He inquired whether this would require a motion
or if staff would approach the matter differently, noting that it seemed like the approach might be
shifting.
MAYOR HARTKE clarified Councilmember Poston is in favor of the current contract but suggests
looking into the future possibility of handling digital advertising differently, without affecting the
current contract.
Management Services
8.
License Series 12, Restaurant Liquor License Application for Andrea Dahlman Lewkowitz,
Agent, IPC License Holdings, LLC, DBA Clarendale of Chandler
Move for recommendation to the State Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for
approval of the State Liquor Job No. 326326, a Series 12, Restaurant Liquor License, for
Andrea Dahlman Lewkowitz, Agent, IPC License Holdings, LLC, DBA Clarendale of Chandler,
located at 5900 S. Gilbert Road, and approval of the City of Chandler, Series 12, Restaurant
Liquor License No. 308875.
9.
License Series 12, Restaurant Liquor License Application for Lauren Kay Merrett, Agent, MVP
Sports Bar and Grill, LLC, DBA MVP Sports Bar and Grill
Move for recommendation to the State Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for
approval of the State Liquor Job No. 328247, a Series 12, Restaurant Liquor License, for
Lauren Kay Merrett, Agent, MVP Sports Bar and Grill, LLC, DBA MVP Sports Bar and Grill,
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located at 980 E. Pecos Road, Suite 5, and approval of the City of Chandler, Series 12,
Restaurant Liquor License No. 308922.
10.
New License Series 10, Beer and Wine Store Liquor License Application for Perry Charles
Huellmantel, Agent, Quiktrip Corporation, DBA, Quiktrip #1523
Move for recommendation to the State Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for
approval of the State Liquor Job No. 306444, a Series 10, Beer and Wine Store Liquor
License, for Perry Charles Huellmantel, Agent, Quiktrip Corporation, DBA, Quiktrip #1523,
located at 2000 W. Ray Road, and approval of the City of Chandler, Series 10, Beer and Wine
Store Liquor License No. 308878.
Neighborhood Resources
11.
Purchase of ADA Passenger Vans
Move City Council approve the purchase of two ADA passenger vans, from San Tan Ford,
Inc., utilizing State of Arizona Contract No. CTR059323, in the amount of $130,810.40.
Public Works and Utilities
12.
Ordinance No. 5117, Introduction and Tentative Adoption Amending the Code of the City of
Chandler, Chapter 52 Water Services, Article VI Sustainable Water Allocation Regulations, to
Add High Density Residential, Reclaimed Water, and Redevelopment Regulations
Move City Council introduce and tentatively adopt Ordinance No. 5117, amending the code
of the City of Chandler, Chapter 52 Water Services, Article VI Sustainable Water Allocation
Regulations, to add high density residential, reclaimed water, and redevelopment
regulations; providing for the repeal of conflicting ordinances; and providing for
severability.
13.
Resolution No. 5869, Adopting Tier I Water Allocations Under City Code Chapter
52,
Article VI, Sustainable Water Allocation Regulations
Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5869, Adopting Tier I Water Allocations
Under City Code Chapter 52, Article VI, Sustainable Water Allocation Regulations.
Consent Agenda Motion and Vote
Councilmember Encinas moved to approve the Consent Agenda of the February 20, 2025, Regular
City Council Meeting; Seconded by Vice Mayor Ellis.
Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Briefing
14.
Resident Bond Exploratory Steering Committee Executive Summary by Chair Jay Tibshraeny
and Deputy City Manager | CFO Dawn Lang
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JAY TIBSHRAENY, Bond Committee Chair, gave the following presentation.
Resident Bond Exploratory Committee Executive Summary
Resident Bond Exploratory Steering Committee
• Jay Tibshraeny, Chair
• Garry Hays, At Large Member
• Kari Zurn, At Large Member
• Craig Gilbert, Facilities, Sustainability and Technology Subcommittee Chair
• Nina Mullins, Parks & Recreation Subcommittee Chair
• Rick Heumann, Public Works Subcommittee Chair
• Trinity Donovan, Public Safety Subcommittee Chair
Committee Timeline
Public Communication
• Staff presented public information options in October to the Steering Committee
• Input gathered helped to create a public information campaign regarding the work of
the Resident Bond Exploratory Committee
• Bond election website created as the central source for resident information
• Social posts and articles released
• Additional public information activities will occur as the City Council receives the
recommendations from the Resident Bond Exploratory Committee and determines
whether to process with a bond election
Chandler Bond History
• Valley Bond Elections Since 2000
• Comparison of GO Bond Use in Chandler & Large Valley Cities
• Bond Authority Requested
• Bond Authority Approved
Steering Committee Recommendations
• Over a period of five months, the Resident Bond Exploratory Steering Committee
reviewed and evaluated 37 possible bond projects with an estimated total cost of $728,
095, 600
• Prioritized fiscal conservancy by focusing on the highest-need projects
• Final recommendations of 24 projects with a $475,000,000 bond need in the areas of
Fire, Police, Streets, and Parks and Recreation for approval in the November 2025 bond
Election
• If approved, this $475 million recommendation to City Council would not increase
primary or secondary property tax rates using current projections.
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO said during the development of communities in Chandler, the city
had multiple options for funding infrastructure. These included the use of bonds, one-time dollars,
or impact fees. He noted that Chandler was at the forefront of utilizing impact fees and believed
that the city was among the first to approve and implement them. Councilmember Orlando
shared that he was recently asked why bonds are being used today. In response, he explained
that during the city's build-out phase, impact fees were the primary source of income used to fund
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infrastructure, which allowed new residents to bear the cost. As a result, existing residents were
not burdened with those expenses. He highlighted that now that the city is largely built out, impact
fees are decreasing because there is very little new development, or fertile ground left. Due to this
decline, bonds have become increasingly important for funding necessary infrastructure,
particularly when it comes to maintaining and upgrading older infrastructure. He concluded by
asking if his explanation was correct, expressing confidence that it was.
DAWN LANG, Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, said that Chandler used revenue
from growth to support various infrastructure projects, such as wastewater treatment plants,
water treatment plants, and additional roads. Now that much of this growth-related infrastructure
has been built, the city is focusing on maintaining and caring for its aging systems. Ms. Lang
emphasized that bonds are crucial for maintaining this aging infrastructure and adding new
amenities as needed.
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO said that the city is losing one revenue source but is relying on
another to help maintain its progress as a community.
DAWN LANG, Deputy City Manager – Chief Financial Officer gave the following presentation.
Steering Committee Recommendations
• Over a period of five months, the Resident Bond Exploratory Steering Committee
reviewed and evaluated 37 possible bond projects with an estimated total cost of $728,
095, 600
• Prioritized fiscal conservancy by focusing on the highest-need projects
• Final recommendations of 24 projects with a $475,000,000 bond need in the areas of
Fire, Police, Streets, and Parks and Recreation for approval in the November 2025 bond
Election
• If approved, this $475 million recommendation to City Council would not increase
primary or secondary property tax rates using current projections.
Parks and Recommendation Subcommittee
• Maintain existing parks was the top priority
• Community and recreation center repairs and improvements
• Higher priority for AJ Park renovation
• Folley Pool Prioritized as high impact project for the surrounding neighborhood
• Include Phase 2 of Mesquite Groves Regional Park due to increased cost since the 2021
Bond election
• Park improvements to impact all areas of Chandler
• Tumbleweed Ranch, Multi-Gen expansion, and Mesquite Groves Phase 3 pushed out to
future bond election
Proposed Ballot Question
Question 1
Enhance Chandler’s Parks and Recreation Amenities to Improve Quality of Life in the Community
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Shall the City of Chandler, Arizona, be authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds of the
city in the principal amount not exceeding $158,000,000 to provide funding for community,
neighborhood, and regional parks, aquatic centers, arts and cultural centers, recreational facilities,
buildings, and improvements? Projects may include, but are not limited to those intended to:
• Renovate and improve existing neighborhood and community parks, recreational facilities
and buildings,
• Design and construct new city parks and recreational facilities, buildings and
improvements,
• Construct or improve multi-use fields, playgrounds, and other facilities at city parks, which
may include Snedigar Sports Complex, Desert Breeze Park, Mesquite Groves Park, and Dr.
A.J. Chandler Park, and
• Renovate and improve existing pools and aquatic centers, which may include Folley Pool.
Generated funds will be used to pay for all necessary design, acquisition, construction,
reconstruction, improvement, repair, renovation, equipment and installation, and associated
costs including the acquisition of land or interests therein necessary for such.
These bonds will be issued as general obligation bonds, and the issuance of these bonds will result
in a property tax increase sufficient to pay the annual debt service on bonds unless the governing
body provides for payment from other sources.
Public Safety – Fire Subcommittee
• Prioritized facilities to meet the changing
needs of Chandler
• Rebuild • Fire Station #284
• Construction of new Fire Sation #2812
• Fire emergency vehicle replacements
• Remodel of Public Safety Training Building A was moved to be paid by General Fund
Proposed Ballot Question
Question 2
Enhance Chandler Fire Department Services and Response through Improved Facilities and
Equipment
Shall the City of Chandler, Arizona, be authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds of the
city in the principal amount not exceeding $88,000,000 to provide funding for public safety and
fire facilities and improvements, related equipment, vehicles technology and communication
systems? Projects may include, but are not limited to, those intended to:
• Construct a new city fire station and related public safety facilities,
• Repair and renovate existing city fire stations and related public safety facilities, and
• Acquire emergency vehicles which may include fire engines and ladder trucks.
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Generated funds will be used to pay for all necessary design, acquisition, construction,
reconstruction, improvement, repair, renovation, equipment and installation and associated costs
including the acquisition of land or interests therein necessary for such purposes.
These bonds will be issued as general obligation bonds and the issuance of these bonds will result
in a property tax increase sufficient to pay the annual debt service on bonds unless the governing
body provides for payment from other sources.
Public Safety – Policies Subcommittee
• Prioritized facilities to meet the changing needs of Chandler
• Police Main Station renovations
• Radio communications equipment
• Police emergency vehicle replacements
Proposed Ballot Question
Question 3
Enhance Chandler Police Department services and response through improved facilities and
equipment
Shall the City of Chandler, Arizona, be authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds of the
city in the principal amount not exceeding $46,000,000 to provide funding for public safety and
police facilities and improvements, related equipment, vehicles, technology and communication
systems? Projects may include, but are not limited to, those intended to:
• Renovate and improve the city Police main station,
• Acquire technology and radio communication equipment to enhance
police responsiveness, and
• Acquire emergency vehicles.
Generated funds will be used to pay for all necessary design, acquisition, construction,
reconstruction, improvement, repair, renovation, equipment and installation and associated costs
including the acquisition of land or interests therein necessary for such purposes.
These bonds will be issued as general obligation bonds and the issuance of these bonds will result
in a property tax increase sufficient to pay the annual debt service on bonds, unless the governing
body provides for payment from other sources.
Public Works Subcommittee
• Maintain existing infrastructure through repaving and collector street improvements
• Placed higher priority on upcoming needed street and intersection improvements
o Kyrene Road, Arizona Avenue and Warner Road Intersection, McQueen Road
• Additional phases for McQueen Road and Warner Road moved to a future bond election
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• Ocotillo Shared Use Path moved to future bond election
• Washington Street improvements moved to be paid by General Fund
Proposed Ballot Question
Question 4
Keep Chandler streets safe and improve traffic for Chandler residents
Shall the City of Chandler, Arizona, be authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds of the
city in the principal amount not exceeding $183,000,000 to provide funding for streets, avenues,
alleys, highways, transportation and shared use path improvements, related equipment,
technology and communication systems, and traffic signals, signal control systems and signage to
keep streets safe and improve traffic flows for city residents? Projects may include, but are not
limited to, those intended to:
• Repave and repair existing streets and intersections in the city,
• Improve and repair traffic signals and signal control systems,
• Improve city streets, which may include improvements to McQueen and Kyrene Roads,
• Improve city intersections, which may include the Arizona Ave./Warner Road intersection
and Kyrene Road/Chandler Blvd. intersection, and
• Design and construct shared use paths.
Generated funds will be used to pay for all necessary design, acquisition, construction,
reconstruction, improvement, repair, renovation, equipment and installation and associated costs
including the acquisition of land or interests therein necessary for such purposes.
These bonds will be issued as general obligation bonds and the issuance of these bonds will result
in a property tax increase sufficient to pay the annual debt service on bonds, unless the governing
body provides for payment from other sources.
Facility, Sustainability, & Technology Subcommittee
• Multiple projects reviewed overlapped with other subcommittees
o Sports Field LED lighting, water conservation improvements, Fire Station #282
rebuild, and Police Main Station renovations
• Consensus was to shift these projects to their respective subcommittees for a more focused
evaluation
• Steering committee recommended the citywide fiber upgrades and existing city building
renovations & repairs be moved to be paid by General Fund
Financial Considerations
• City of Chandler maintains AAA bond rating
• Correlates to lower taxes and utility rates for residents
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• As the city ages and gets closer to buildout, much of the infrastructure must be maintained
or replaced to continue to provide a great quality of life for our residents
• Selling bonds is a common practice to fund capital/infrastructure needs in a community
• State law requires a city to obtain voter approval through bond authorization
Financial Considerations
• The secondary tax levy funds GO bond debt, with additional capacity created by either
increasing revenue or paying down debt
• Arizona law limits GO bond debt to 20% of secondary assessed value for most projects and
6% for special purpose bonds, with the city well below these limits
• Maintaining a stable tax rate requires balancing assessed values and tax rates, with state
law capping assessed value growth at 6.20% for five years, then 1.22% annually
o Recommendation caps growth at 4.50%
• Next Steps
• Thank you To Our Committee Members
Informational
15.
Special Event Liquor Licenses and Temporary and Permanent Extensions of Liquor License
Premises Administratively Approved
16.
Contracts and Agreements Administratively Approved, Month of January 2025
Unscheduled Public Appearances
None.
Current Events
Mayor's Announcements
MAYOR HARTKE expressed gratitude to the CAPA team for their outstanding work on the State of
the City event, as well as the fifth-floor staff and video team. Mayor Hartke thanked everyone who
attended or watched the event, highlighting how it showcased the courage, intelligence, and heart
of the community. Mayor Hartke also gave special thanks to Team CAPA for their contributions to
the event's success. He mentioned that many people stayed engaged throughout the event, with
the most common question he received being, "Where did you get those red shoes?" Mayor
Hartke appreciated the positive response and felt that the event created a strong sense of
connection within the community.
Mayor Hartke announced that on Saturday, February 22, at 9:00 a.m. at Tumbleweed Park, former
Mayor Jay Tibshraeny will be inducted into Celebration Plaza in honor of his dedication and service
to the City of Chandler. Mayor Hartke shared a personal memory of meeting Tibshraeny while
working on a project and being invited to serve on the charter revision committee and later the
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Human Relations Commission. Mayor Hartke expressed gratitude, noting that Tibshraeny's
guidance helped pave the way for his own service as mayor.
MAYOR HARTKE invited everyone to attend the Innovation Fair on Saturday, February 22, at 10:00
a.m., noting that it is one of his favorite events of the year.
MAYOR HARTKE encouraged everyone to join Hamilton High School in celebrating the inductees
for the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 a.m.
MAYOR HARTKE shared information about the Mother Language Day event at Tumbleweed Park
on Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 a.m.,
MAYOR HARTKE shared that Chandler was recently recognized as one of the best cities in the
nation for small businesses, a distinction awarded by B2B Review. Mayor Hartke expressed
excitement over the continued accolades that highlight the city’s support for its business
community and residents. Mayor Hartke stated that Chandler is proud to be home to many
thriving small businesses and remains grateful to the entrepreneurs who choose to make
Chandler their home.
Council's Announcements
COUNCILMEMBER ENCINAS shared that he, along with Mayor, had the opportunity to attend the
Chandler Fun Run and join youth and teens in a mile-long walk, with many running in celebration.
The event focused on celebrating and empowering youth with developmental disabilities.
Councilmember Encinas thanked the organizers, volunteers, and especially the educators, noting
that it was a fun and successful experience for everyone involved. He congratulated all the
participants on another successful run and expressed gratitude for being part of the event.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON provided an update during the last Council meeting, addressing
federal issues and how they will impact Chandler residents and the city. Since then, staff has set
up a web page at chandleraz.gov/executiveorders to help answer questions residents may have
about executive orders affecting local services. Councilmember Poston mentioned that while not
all answers are available yet, the web page will be continuously updated as more information
becomes available. She also thanked residents for reaching out with their concerns and
encouraged them to keep doing so, assuring them that updates will follow as more answers are
obtained.
VICE MAYOR ELLIS invited everyone to join the Night of Hope event on Sunday at 5:00 PM at Grace
Church in Tempe. She emphasized the city's commitment to addressing human trafficking and
ensuring the well-being of its residents, stating that efforts like this contribute to improving the
quality of life in the community.
VICE MAYOR ELLIS emphasized the importance of Black History Month by highlighting five
influential Black women in nursing. She recognized Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first Black registered
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nurse in the U.S., and Harriet Tubman for her nursing work during the Civil War. Vice Mayor Ellis
also mentioned Susie King Taylor, who treated soldiers without formal training, and Estelle Mosley
Osborne, the first Black nurse with a master’s degree. Finally, she honored Mabel Staupers for her
advocacy for Black nurses in the military and the American Nurses Association. Vice Mayor Ellis
reflected on how these women's contributions opened doors for her career and her daughter's
medical school graduation, encouraging respect and learning from history.
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO shared that former Councilmember Heumann initiated the
Innovation Fair. The Chandler Unified School District was invited to participate, merging two
separate events, and the budget was increased to accommodate the growth, leading to higher
attendance. Councilmember Orlando reminded everyone that the Innovation Fair will be held this
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AJ Chandler Park by the main stage, and he added that there
will also be food available for attendees to enjoy.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS recognized Chandler’s High Schools Spring athletics.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS shared that he will be recognized with the Humanitarian Award this
Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS spoke about Black History Month, emphasizing the importance of
learning about African American contributions to the community. Councilmember Harris
highlighted Dr. Gilbert as a "Living Legend" in Chandler, acknowledging his outstanding work with
the Chandler Unified School District and his ongoing service, even as he nears retirement.
Councilmember Harris also recognized Dr. Bill Crawford for his tireless contributions to various
committees and projects. He encouraged everyone to connect with and celebrate these two great
men, praising their continued impact on the community. Councilmember Harris expressed
gratitude for their mentorship and contributions to the City of Chandler.
COUNCILMEMBER HAWKINS shared that for the first time last year, she enjoyed the Chandler
Public Safety Fair, which is coming up again on March 1. The event will be held behind the Chandler
Police Main Station and is designed for families, featuring a variety of activities. Councilmember
Hawkins highlighted the SWAT vehicles, demonstrations, the K9 unit, a robot dog, and a fire truck
for kids to explore. She encouraged everyone to attend, as the event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
on Saturday, March 1, and promises to be a fun and informative experience.
City Manager's Announcements
JOSHUA WRIGHT, City Manager, shared that the city has officially accepted the 2024 and 2025
CEASE designations. He credited Emilia Krajewski, an intern in the City Manager's office, for leading
the effort. Ms. Krajewski, who is pursuing her master's degree at Arizona State University through
their Marvin Andrews program, joined the office a few months ago. A Chandler native, she grew
up and attended high school in the city. Mr. Wright expressed excitement about having her work
on impactful projects and thanked her for her contributions.
Page 15 of 15
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
ATTEST: _______________________
______________________________
City Clerk Mayor
Approval Date of Minutes: March 24, 2025
Certification
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of Regular
Meeting of the City Council of Chandler, Arizona, held on the 20th day of February 2025. I further
certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
DATED this _______ day of March 2025.
__________________________
City Clerk