Attachment A - Oct. 7, 2020 TI&I Minutes

Attachment A 
 
Phoenix City Council 
Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson Street 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilwoman Thelda Williams, Chair 
         
Councilwoman Debra Stark 
Councilwoman Laura Pastor* 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado  
 
*Councilwoman Pastor joined the meeting during discussion on Item 16. 
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Williams called the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation 
Subcommittee to order at 9:01 a.m. with Vice Mayor Guardado and Councilwoman 
Stark present via Webex.  
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. For Approval or Correction, the Minutes of the Transportation, Infrastructure 
and Innovation Subcommittee Meeting on Sept. 2, 2020 
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the minutes of the Sept. 2, 2020 
Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee. Vice Mayor Guardado 
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-11) 
Items 2-11 were for consent action. No presentations were planned but staff was 
available to answer questions.  
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve consent items 2-11. Vice Mayor 
Guardado seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
2. Maricopa County Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Small Project Assistance Program

3. Shaw Butte Mountain Service Tower Access Road Drainage Improvement 
Project 
4. Applicant Agreement with Department of Emergency and Military Affairs for 
Palm Lane Storm Drain Mitigation Project 
5. Applicant Agreement with Department of Emergency and Military Affairs for 
Mandan Street Flood Mitigation Project 
6. Facility Lease with Civil Aviation Training Solutions, Inc. at Phoenix Sky Harbor 
International Airport  
7. Peak Supply Chain Solutions Inc. Facility Lease at Phoenix Sky Harbor 
International Airport 
8. Traffic Barricade Manual Update 
9. Transit Scheduling and Dispatch Software Upgrade 
10. Request Authorization to Submit Federal Transit Administration Grant 
Application and Enter into Grant Agreements - South Central 
Extension/Downtown Hub Light Rail Project 
11. Request Authorization to Submit Federal Transit Administration Grant 
Application and Enter into Grant Agreements - Northwest Extension Phase II 
Light Rail Project 
 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 12-15) 
12. Metro, Regional Public Transportation Authority, and Maricopa Association of 
Governments Meetings 
No Councilmember requested additional information. 
13. Citizens Transportation Commission Meetings 
No Councilmember requested additional information. 
14. Freeway Program Update 
No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
15. LED Streetlight Conversion Project Update 
No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEM 16) 
 
Councilwoman Pastor joined the meeting during discussion on Item 16.

16. Capitol/I-10 West Light Rail Extension Phase I Recommendation 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua introduced Light Rail Administrator 
Markus Coleman to present on the Capitol/I-10 West Extension. Mr. Coleman provided 
an overview of the light rail extension and introduced Deron Lozano, Project Manager at 
Valley Metro.  
 
Mr. Lozano provided an overview of the alignment approved by City Council in 2012, 
explaining that it was organized into two phases: Phase I from downtown Phoenix to the 
Capitol Area and Phase II from the Capitol to the West Valley along the I-10 Freeway. 
He provided an update on activity since 2019, including public meetings, a review of 
other transit types and commuter transit solutions, funding examination, engagement 
with West Valley cities, and discussion about extending service to Desert Sky Mall.  
 
Mr. Lozano summarized the public outreach strategy, which focused initially on 
reengaging previous stakeholders. He stated public meetings began in early 2020 to 
present and gather input on the project history, status, downtown route options, Phase II 
transit type options, the potential extension to Desert Sky Mall, and options to advance 
the project to completion.  
 
Mr. Lozano discussed public outreach conducted online due to the COVID-19 
pandemic, which included virtual public meetings and opportunities for the public to 
provide feedback on the Valley Metro website. He shared 1,355 people viewed the 
public meetings, 57 attendees to the two live call-in sessions, and 334 people who 
provided feedback through direct communication, the online survey, and meetings. 
 
Mr. Lozano provided an overview of the feedback, stating that 75 percent of 
respondents preferred the light rail option for Phase II and 77 percent of respondents 
felt positively about the possible extension to Desert Sky Mall.   
 
Mr. Lozano discussed the Phase I route alignment originally approved in 2012 and 
presented the revised options that were shown to the public during public meetings. He 
added the presentations of each alignment option and also shared associated 
challenges, including the configuration of the alignment from Downtown Phoenix to the 
Capitol and its connection to the South Central Light Rail Extension.  
 
Mr. Lozano presented the current leading alternative, Concept C, which proposes a 
single-track loop option operating westbound on Washington Street to 18th Avenue or 
19th Avenue, then back eastbound on Jefferson Street. He stated that this concept 
outperformed the other options due to its impact to transit ridership, economic 
development, right of way, access to historical and cultural resources, operational 
efficiency, and mobility. He stated this leading alternative was presented to the public, 
and he noted that 67 percent of respondents felt positively about the Concept C route 
option, with 19 percent feeling neutral and 14 percent feeling negatively.  
 
Mr. Lozano discussed feedback received about this concept, including accessibility and 
traffic concerns. He also mentioned Arizona Department of Public Safety was

conducting its own analysis of the Phase I segment to see how the alignment would 
impact the State Capitol area.  
 
Mr. Lozano shared some considerations for future evaluation and public input, including 
the number of stations, detailed alignment of tracks, storage tracks/special trackwork, 
Traction Power Substation (TPSS) locations, and streetscape elements. 
 
Mr. Coleman discussed the next steps for the project, including requesting action from 
the City Council, engaging the environmental assessment process and preliminary 
design for Phase I, and continuing analysis of Phase II.  
 
Mr. Coleman stated the Citizens Transportation Commission voted to approve Concept 
C as the amended Phase I Locally Preferred Alternative for the Capitol/I-10 West Light 
Rail Extension, with a 9-1 vote on Sept. 24, 2020. 
 
Mr. Coleman concluded the presentation by requesting Transportation, Infrastructure 
and Innovation Subcommittee approval to City Council to approve Concept C, 
18th/19th Avenue Option as the amended Phase I Locally Preferred Alternative for the 
Capitol/I-10 West Light Rail Extension. 
 
Vice Mayor Guardado made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation. 
Councilwoman Stark seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 17-19) 
17. Active Transportation Program Update 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua introduced Street Transportation Director 
Kini Knudson to present updates to the Active Transportation Program.  
 
Mr. Knudson introduced Assistant Street Transportation Director Briiana Velez and 
provided an overview of the various transportation modes included in the Active 
Transportation Program.  
 
Ms. Velez provided an overview of the updates to the Program. She discussed the 
annual target to increase bike lanes, completed and future canal projects in partnership 
with Salt River Project (SRP), and outreach on policy changes to the Active 
Transportation Plan.  
 
Ms. Velez discussed the Citywide bicycle and walking counts, demonstrating changes in 
recreational and non-recreational bicycling and walking throughout the week. She 
highlighted the City’s bronze designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community for 2020-24 
and discussed staff’s plans to achieve a silver designation. 
 
Ms. Velez discussed the next steps for the Program, including ongoing implementation 
of bikeways and infrastructure, buffered and protected bike lanes, Active Transportation 
Plan, and canal projects.

Mr. Knudson concluded the presentation by providing an update on the e-scooter 
program, which had been approved for an extension by City Council and restarted on 
Oct. 1, 2020.  
 
Chairwoman Williams opened the floor for public comment. 
 
Ryan Boyd expressed support for the Active Transportation Plan and advocated for 
further prioritization of pedestrian and bicycle safety.  
 
Vice Mayor Guardado shared her excitement for the canal projects extending into the 
West Valley for community recreation and exercise.  
 
18. City’s Floodplain Management Plan Update 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua introduced Public Works Director 
Ginger Spencer, Deputy Public Works Director Ray Dovalina, and Civil Engineer 
Elise Moore to present updates to the city’s Floodplain Management Plan.  
 
Ms. Spencer began the presentation by highlighting the city’s Class 5 designation in the 
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS), which 
provides a discount on flood insurance premiums to residents. 
 
Mr. Dovalina provided an overview of the floodplain plan to reduce future flooding in the 
City. 
 
Ms. Moore discussed the City’s participation in the CRS and discussed the discounts it 
provides to residents in a flood hazard area. She discussed the flood planning 
committee’s goals and recommended updates, including improvements to public 
outreach, annual assessment of the level of flood insurance, and increased inspections 
and maintenance.  
 
Ms. Spencer concluded the presentation by sharing next steps, including conducting 
additional public outreach and recommended changes to the planning committee, and 
mentioned there was not currently a bond program in place.  
 
Vice Mayor Guardado expressed her support for additional public input and further 
progress on the plan.  
 
Councilwoman Pastor asked about the public input process, specifically whether staff 
would present a plan for public approval or if they will ask questions about the 
community’s experience with floodplain management. She provided an example of the 
Central City corridor, which was once considered a flood plain area, where residents 
continue to experience challenges with flooding in that area.

Ms. Spencer responded that staff initially planned to share recommended changes, but 
she agreed that gathering input on resident impacts and concerns should be involved in 
the public input process. Mr. Dovalina provided an update on floodplain management 
efforts in the Central City corridor, sharing that staff was actively working with the flood 
control district and had engaged Maricopa County to assist in the study area. He further 
explained there was an active local drainage program that subsequently leverages the 
flood control district.  
 
Councilwoman Stark asked when staff would present the results of public input to the 
Subcommittee. Mr. Dovalina responded staff would return next spring to discuss the 
results of outreach.  
 
Councilwoman Williams expressed appreciation for the work that had been done in her 
district related to flood plain studies and supported more public meetings, as light rail 
construction had impacted water flow. 
 
19. Recycling Equipment Upgrade and Market Update 
Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua introduced Public Works Director 
Ginger Spencer, Assistant Public Works Director Joe Giudice and Jon Powell, 
Vice President of Closed Loop Partners, to present updates on the recycling equipment 
upgrade at the North Gateway Transfer Station (NGTS) and the recycling market.  
 
Mr. Giudice described the challenges experienced at NGTS before the upgrades, 
including obsolete infrastructure, changes in the composition stream, and changes in 
quality specifications. He provided an overview of the $4.5 million upgrade investment 
and timeline, explaining the project was financed through partnerships with the Closed 
Loop Fund, which funded a $3 million, zero percent interest loan, and the City of Peoria, 
which provided a $1 million investment. He also shared the upgrade goals of meeting 
new quality specifications and improving operational efficiency. 
 
Mr. Powell provided an overview of Closed Loop Partners, describing their investments 
in the circular economy, as well as their work providing financial and operational 
expertise to transform material and recycling handling systems. He explained 
infrastructure funds, which were below market rate loans to help increase supply, 
improve sorting, and enable sophisticated material processing.  
 
Mr. Giudice described the capital improvements to the Materials Recovery Facility 
(MRF) and the facility’s new equipment, such as the drum feeder, anti-wrap star screen, 
and optical sorters, which ensure continuous flow of material and improve material 
sorting and capture.  
 
Mr. Giudice shared the results of the investments, noting substantial improvements in 
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, paper, aluminum, and cardboard recovery. He 
stated revenue had exceeded forecasts done prior to the upgrade, and that additional 
revenue was anticipated relative to the payback of principal to the Closed Loop Fund.

Mr. Giudice mentioned obsolete equipment capital improvement needs at the 
27th Avenue Transfer Station MRF. He stated staff would return with a plan for updating 
the facility.  
 
Mr. Giudice provided an update on the recycling market and described an improvement 
in the sales of cardboard and paper. He stated staff was forecasting an improved year 
in recycling revenue relative to last year.  
 
Ms. Spencer concluded the presentation by thanking the Subcommittee for their support 
and the Closed Loop Fund for their investment.  
 
Councilwoman Williams asked if the recycle market was better than it was a year ago. 
Ms. Spencer stated there were still the same restrictions in place internationally, but the 
City had been able to improve the quality and capture of recyclables. Mr. Giudice 
explained staff was seeing an improvement in cardboard and paper markets, but that 
other markets had remained relatively stable since last year. He added there was an 
improved domestic market and new international interest outside of China. 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None.  
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman Williams adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Adeoffer-Marie Rabusa 
Management Intern