Minutes of the Special Meeting Action Item held on November 24, 2025

Meeting Minutes 
City Council Special Meeting 
 
November 24, 2025 | 4:30 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 7:01 p.m. 
 
Roll Call 
Council Attendance 
 
 
 
 
Appointee Attendance 
Mayor Kevin Hartke  
 
 
 
 
John Pombier, Acting 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 
 
*Vice Mayor Ellis and Councilmember Harris attended virtually.  
 
Staff in Attendance 
 
Tadd Wille, Assistant City Manager 
Dawn Lang, Deputy City Manager / Chief Financial Officer  
Ryan Peters, Deputy City Manager  
Leah Powell, Deputy City Manager  
 
Invocation 
The invocation was given by Mayor Kevin Hartke.  
 
Pledge of Allegiance 
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Hawkins.

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Discussion and Possible Action 
1. 
Appointment of City Manager and Approval of Employment Agreement 
Move City Council appoint John Pombier as City Manager and approve an Employment 
Agreement for the term of December 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER ENCINAS shared that over the past three to four months, Mr. Pombier, the 
Acting City Manager, has helped keep the city and its organization moving forward, building a 
foundation of stability and trust with the community. He took a moment to acknowledge and 
thank Mr. Pombier for the work he has put in during this time. Councilmember Encinas 
emphasized that from the beginning of the process, he has been clear about his commitment to 
honoring the city's traditions and established processes. He recalled that back in June, he stated 
that he would proceed with a nationwide recruitment process to explore leadership opportunities 
for Chandler's future. This process would allow for a competitive selection and ensure that 
residents, employees, and community partners had a voice in the decision. While Councilmember 
Encinas reaffirmed his commitment to that approach, he acknowledged that Council had chosen 
a different path. Though it was not the approach he advocated for, he respected the decision of 
Council. He clarified that his vote that evening was not a reflection of the Acting City Manager's 
experience or ability, but rather a vote on the missed opportunity to explore all possibilities for 
Chandler's future leadership. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON shared that she agreed with Councilmember Encinas' comments and 
was both surprised and pleased when she learned that Councilmember Hawkins wanted to bring 
the item forward. She expressed confidence that Mr. Pombier is the best candidate for the role, 
though she initially hesitated about not making the process competitive, as she wanted Mr. 
Pombier to have the opportunity to prove his qualifications to everyone. Councilmember Poston 
also expressed concern about the short timeline, noting that posting the item on Friday and voting 
on it by Monday didn’t allow enough time for public input or for the community to review the 
contract, especially with the changes made that evening. Despite these concerns, she expressed 
her support for moving forward, emphasizing that her vote was in favor of the contract. She 
concluded by commending the Council for having a respectful discussion, even when opinions 
differed, and reaffirmed her belief that Mr. Pombier is the best choice for the city. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO expressed concern about the process, noting in the past, Council 
has conducted a nationwide search, which was both thorough and cost-effective. He 
acknowledged that Council had agreed to move forward in June but was troubled by the short 
timeline for this meeting, posting the item on Friday afternoon and voting on it by Monday, which 
didn't allow for sufficient public input or proper preparation. Councilmember Orlando also 
mentioned his long history with Mr. Pombier, appreciating the opportunity being given to him, but 
reiterated that he felt the process lacked transparency and citizen involvement. He emphasized 
that, while the majority of Council chose to deviate from the traditional process, he would respect 
the democratic decision but remained concerned about the precedent being set. Ultimately,

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Councilmember Orlando stated that while he had reservations about the process, he would abide 
by Council’s decision and vote on the contract. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER HAWKINS addressed the city manager selection process, acknowledging her 
initial concerns but reaffirming her support for Mr. Pombier. She shared that, despite her doubts 
at the start, she promised to back his appointment because she believed Chandler succeeds when 
he succeeds. Over the past few months, feedback from residents, employees, and business 
owners has shown that Mr. Pombier has earned the community's trust and confidence. 
Councilmember Hawkins emphasized that Mr. Pombier has consistently proven himself through 
his leadership. Given his performance, deep understanding of Chandler, and strong community 
support, she believes moving forward with this contract is the right decision. She concluded by 
stating that launching a national search now would not align with the Council’s values of 
transparency and fiscal responsibility, especially when a proven leader is already in place. She 
thanked everyone for their input. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS addressed the city manager’s contract and the process leading up to 
the decision. He emphasized that under the city charter, it is the Council, not the City Manager, 
that sets the contract terms, within the framework approved by voters. He stressed that the 
process was lawful, charter-driven, and rooted in voter direction. Councilmember Harris explained 
that the decision was not made overnight. Over the past four months, he closely observed Mr. 
Pombier’s performance, including his interactions with Council, staff, and the community. He 
noted Mr. Pombier’s ability to handle pressure and lead the city effectively, with no delays in 
service to residents. He outlined that Council, in line with the charter, negotiated the terms and 
severance, ensuring everything was responsible and legally sound. The final decision was made 
transparently in a public meeting, allowing for community input. He stated his vote was based on 
a smart, people-first approach, protecting both the organization’s integrity and taxpayers’ 
interests. He reiterated that his vote was not about personality or politics but based on a thorough 
evaluation process and Mr. Pombier’s proven leadership. Councilmember Harris concluded that 
Chandler deserves a city manager who answers the people, and he would honor that 
responsibility with his vote. 
 
VICE MAYOR ELLIS explained that her vote tonight is for the people of Chandler, who entrusted 
her to serve their best interests. She recalled how, a few months ago, she trusted her colleagues’ 
judgment that Mr. Pombier was the best candidate, and she has seen firsthand his ability to lead 
under pressure and build a strong team. She emphasized that Mr. Pombier's leadership is about 
understanding Chandler’s needs and creating a team to address them effectively. Her vote reflects 
her trust in Mr. Pombier, her colleagues, the staff, and the people of Chandler, who have 
expressed a need for stability and continued leadership. Vice Mayor Ellis concluded that her vote 
is for the 291,000 residents of Chandler and for the city's employees, ensuring they have a leader 
who will continue to guide them forward. She thanked the people of Chandler for giving her the 
opportunity to vote in their best interest.

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MAYOR HARTKE expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the Council, noting that 
while they may not always agree, they work together thoughtfully and diligently. He commended 
each Councilmember for their commitment to making Chandler a better place, recognizing the 
responsibility they all carry. Reflecting on the process, Mayor Hartke admitted that while he didn't 
like how they got to this point, he was glad they did. He expressed confidence in Mr. Pombier’s 
ability to represent Chandler’s business community, nonprofits, schools, and residents, noting 
that Mr. Pombier had provided valuable insights and wise advice during his brief time as Acting 
City Manager. Mayor Hartke concluded by acknowledging that he had been won over by Mr. 
Pombier’s leadership and was grateful that he applied for the position. He thanked the Council 
and the community for their continued trust and for placing the future of Chandler in their hands, 
expressing hope that Mr. Pombier would accept the contract. 
 
Public Comment 
SALLY PUTNAM, 1912 W. Thompson Way., Chandler, AZ, 85286, as a resident of Chandler and a 
local business owner, she expressed her strong support for the city's current City Manager. In her 
statement, she emphasized her active involvement in the community, noting her role on the board 
of directors for the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Putnam praised Mr. Pombier for his 
effective leadership, stating that he has been instrumental in addressing various issues and has 
been approachable and willing to engage in difficult conversations. She stated that with Mr. 
Pombier in place, there is no need for the city to spend time or resources searching for a new City 
Manager, as he is already providing strong and effective leadership. She concluded by reiterating 
her support for Mr. Pombier and his continued role in the city. 
 
CHUCK WOLF, 721 N. Apache Dr., Chandler, AZ, 85224, as a business owner in Chandler, he 
expressed his strong support for the city's current Acting City Manager, Mr. Pombier. He noted 
that Chandler has always been a community that fosters economic growth, business expansion, 
and partnerships, and that Mr. Pombier has continued these efforts. Mr. Wolf defined Mr. Pombier 
as professional, direct, and responsive, and emphasized that Mr. Pombier has also taken the time 
to understand the long-term needs of businesses in Chandler. He pointed out that when 
companies decide to grow, they need certainty, and a city partner who is present, informed, and 
collaborative. Mr. Wolf said that there was no need to waste taxpayer money or time on a search 
when Mr. Pombier is already a qualified candidate. He concluded that confirming Mr. Pombier as 
City Manager would help maintain momentum, reassure businesses and residents, and 
demonstrate Chandler’s commitment to stability and continued growth. 
 
Action Agenda Motion and Vote 
Mayor Hartke moved to appoint John Pombier as City Manager and approve an Employment 
Agreement for the term of December 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 with amendments to include 
salary of $360,000 per year with a $10,000 sign on payment, clean up 60-day language in Section 
8.I-1, and change Section 3.B-3 to allow for six months to relocate consistent with the City Charter; 
Seconded by Councilmember Ellis.

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Motion carried by majority (6-1), Councilmember Encinas dissenting. 
 
Adjourn 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. 
 
 
ATTEST:  _______________________  
______________________________ 
                       City Clerk                                                   Mayor 
 
 
Approval Date of Minutes: December 8, 2025 
 
 
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 24th day of November 2025.  I further 
certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. 
 
DATED this _______ day of December, 2025. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
__________________________ 
                                                         
           City Clerk