Attachment A - 11.12.24 Subcommittee Minutes.pdf

Phoenix City Council 
Economic Development and the Arts (EDA) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Arizona. 
Subcommittee Members Present 
 Subcommittee Members Absent    
Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien, Chair       
Councilwoman Debra Stark 
Councilman Kevin Robinson 
Councilwoman Laura Pastor 
CALL TO ORDER 
Vice Mayor O’Brien called the Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee to 
order at 10:01 a.m. with Councilman Kevin Robinson present. Councilwoman Debra 
Stark attended virtually.  
Councilwoman Laura Pastor joined the meeting at 10:05 a.m. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee Meeting
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2025,
Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee meeting. Councilman Robinson
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0.
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION 
2. Light Rail’s Impact on Economic Development and Community Visioning
Light Rail Administrator Markus Coleman, Planning and Development Director Joshua 
Bednarek, Valley Metro Marty Ziech, and Acting Community and Economic 
Development Director Eric Johnson presented on the item. 
Councilman Robinson thanked staff for an excellent presentation and highlighted how it 
showcased collaboration across multiple departments including transit, economic 
development, and planning. 
ATTACHMENT A

Councilwoman Pastor asked when the community would be able to provide input about 
the light rail track placement.  
Mr. Coleman stated that community input was the starting point for light rail track 
placement discussions.  
Councilwoman Pastor noted while Valley Metro was involved in community 
engagement, the City should lead the effort and work closely with the community. She 
asked staff if this collaborative planning approach was accurate. 
Mr. Coleman explained how the City’s Planning and Development Department leads 
most Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) or Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) 
processes. He noted these efforts help shape the community’s vision not only for the 
light rail and high-capacity transit projects but also for broader land use and corridor 
planning. 
Councilwoman Pastor reflected on the long-term impact of light rail in the Central 
Corridor, noting the community was seeing the results of years of planning, including 
increased density and economic development. She thanked staff for the presentation 
which highlighted both current and future benefits. 
Vice Mayor O’Brien noted voters have approved light rail funding multiple times, yet 
concerns about cost persist. She acknowledged the significant return on investment 
shown in the presentation and asked staff how they would respond to those who still 
question whether light rail was a good investment for the City. 
Mr. Coleman clarified light rail was never intended to stand alone but to complement 
and enhance the broader transit system, including buses, express routes, and future 
bus rapid transit. He stated light rail improves the overall efficiency and reach of the 
transit network, serving as a vital tool to meet the needs of entire communities. 
Mr. Johnson added while economic development takes time, the groundwork laid since 
2004 has shown a strong multiplier effect, with light rail serving as a significant amplifier 
of growth along transit corridors. He emphasized infrastructure investment attracts 
development, increases density, and ultimately delivers a higher return on investment 
through greater use and tax revenue. 
Vice Mayor O’Brien noted the significant role light rail played in the nearly billion-dollar 
investment in the metropolitan area, helping revitalize a long-overdue corridor. She 
thanked staff for the presentation.  
Councilwoman Pastor noted light rail has improved transportation access across the 
City, especially in areas that previously had limited transportation options. She 
highlighted how light rail, working in coordination with bus routes, was helping more 
people travel efficiently and has exceeded initial ridership expectations.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION  
3. Phoenix Sister Cities Update 
Acting Community and Economic Development Director Eric Johnson, President/CEO 
Phoenix Sister Cities Rita Marko, and International Relations Administrator Joseph 
MacEwan presented on the item. 
Councilwoman Stark thanked Ms. Marko for her outstanding leadership and 
contributions to the City of Phoenix. She expressed support for the Sister Cities, which 
fostered economic development and collaboration with other cities. 
Councilman Robinson shared his positive experiences participating in Sister Cities and 
noted the tangible benefits these programs have brought to local businesses. He 
thanked Ms. Marko for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the City of 
Phoenix. 
Councilwoman Pastor shared her appreciation for Ms. Marko’s leadership and reflected 
on their shared Sister Cities experiences..  
Vice Mayor O’Brien expressed appreciation for the presentation, noting it effectively 
highlighted the unique way the City of Phoenix integrates cultural, artistic, and economic 
elements through its Sister Cities program. She shared her gratitude for Ms. Marko’s 
leadership and mentorship, reflecting on the program’s growth and impact, and 
welcomed Joseph MacEwan as the incoming leader. 
Councilwoman Pastor made a motion to approve the item. Councilman Robinson 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
4. Employer-Developed Registered Apprenticeships Program Memoranda of 
Understanding 
Acting Community and Economic Development Director Eric Johnson, Deputy 
Community and Economic Development Director LaSetta Hogans, and Business and 
Workforce Operations Manager Deb Furlong presented on the item. 
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked staff where do the funds for the apprenticeship program 
come from.  
Ms. Hogans explained the program was initially launched using funds from the Arizona 
Quest Grant, part of a National Dislocated Worker Grant from the U.S. Department of 
Labor. Subsequent funding came from the Semi Foundation, with current staffing 
supported by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) resources within 
Community and Economic Development Department.

Councilman Robinson made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Stark 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0. Councilwoman Pastor declared 
a conflict of interest on Item 4.  
5. Employer-Developed Registered Apprenticeships Employer Program Contracts
Acting Community and Economic Development Director Eric Johnson, Deputy 
Community and Economic Development Director LaSetta Hogans, and Business and 
Workforce Operations Manager Deb Furlong presented on the item. 
Councilman Robinson made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Stark 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
Ginnie Ann Summer requested an update on the refurbishment of the public art 
installation in the old Crosscut Canal Park, located between McDowell and Thomas 
Roads. Ms. Ginnie proposed a more cost-effective approach involving concrete repair 
and repainting. She noted the original artwork was completed when the park opened on 
August 25, 1997, and expressed that refurbishment was appropriate given its age. She 
shared she was informed that the goal was to complete the project by the end of 2025 
but expressed concern about the limited time remaining and requested ongoing 
communication and updates. 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman O’Brien adjourned the meeting at 11:16 a.m. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Dayana Rosas  
Management Fellow