TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOR CITY COUNCIL PACKET
The
The November 3, 2009 Policy Session has
been Cancelled (Council Run-off Election and Special Election)
The Formal meeting will be held
GENERAL INFORMATION
RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FROM
COUNCIL/CITIZENS
The following information report(s) responds to requests form citizens at the Citizen's Request Sessions:
|
Mr. Nicholas Collins |
Ÿ |
Packet Date:
|
LIQUOR LICENSE
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE PERIOD OF |
|||||
|
GENERAL
INFORMATION |
|||||
|
TO: |
Lisa Takata Executive Assistant to the City Manager |
PACKET DATE: |
|
||
|
FROM: |
Mario Paniagua City Clerk |
|
|
|
|
|
SUBJECT: |
LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE
PERIOD OF |
||||
|
|
|||||
This report
provides advance notice of liquor license applications that were received by
the City Clerk during the period of
INFORMATION
The liquor license application process
includes the posting of a public notice of the application at the proposed
location for twenty days and the distribution of an application copy or a copy
of this report to the following departments for their review: Finance,
Planning, Police, Fire, Street Transportation, Development Services, and the
Maricopa County Health Department.
Additionally, License Services mails a notice to all registered
neighborhood organizations within a one-mile radius of each proposed business
location (excluding Special Events).
Additional information on the items listed
below is generally not available until the twenty-day posting/review period has
expired.
LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS
Application Type Legend
|
O- Ownership |
L- Location |
N- New |
OL- Ownership & Location |
Acquisition of Control |
SE- Special Event |
Liquor License Series Definitions
|
|
1 In State Producer
|
* |
7 On sale-beer & wine
|
|
11 Hotel/Motel-all liquor on premises
|
|
|
3 Microbrewery
|
|
8 Conveyance
license-sale of all liquor on board planes & trains |
|
12 Restaurant-all
liquor on premises |
4 Wholesaler
|
|||||
|
|
5 Government
|
|
9 Off
sale-all liquor |
|
14 Clubs-all
liquor on premises |
|
* |
6 On sale-all liquor
|
|
10 Off
sale-beer & wine |
|
15 Special
Event |
|
|
|
||||
|
* |
On-sale retailer means any person operating an establishment where
spirituous liquors are sold in the original container for consumption on or
off the premises and in individual portions for consumption on the premises. |
||||
|
Dist |
|
App. Type |
|
Agent/Owner Name Business Name/Address Phone |
|
Lic. Type |
|
Protest Period Ends |
|
Within 2,000 Feet of Light Rail |
|
Proposed Agenda Date |
|
1 |
|
SE |
|
Weronika Ilnicka Our Lady of 2828 West Country 602-680-7646 |
|
15 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
1 |
|
SE |
|
Lyndon Woto Liberian
Association of ( 602-760-8024 |
|
15 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
* |
|
4 |
|
|
|
Sahar Arekat, Agent Camelback Liquors 602-246-2961 |
|
9 |
|
|
|
Yes |
|
|
|
4 |
|
SE |
|
Annette Thomson ( 602-264-5291 |
|
15 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
6 |
|
SE |
|
Lori Logan Esperanca, Inc. ( 602-252-7772 |
|
15 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
8 |
|
SE |
|
Sangeetha Sethia ( 480-390-4316 |
|
15 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
*Event Date –
Application not received in time for Council review.
For further information regarding any of the
above applications, please contact the City Clerk Department, License Services
Section, at 602-534-3365.
RECOMMENDATION
This report is
provided for information only. No
Council action is required.
|
|
|||||
|
GENERAL
INFORMATION |
|||||
|
TO: |
Lisa Takata Executive Assistant to the City Manager |
PACKET DATE: |
|
||
|
FROM: |
Mario Paniagua City Clerk |
|
|
|
|
|
SUBJECT: |
POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION FOR |
||||
|
|
|||||
The attached memorandum supplements the Request for Council Action
reports for one liquor license item on the
Old Item
·
District 8,
For further information regarding this item, please contact the City
Clerk Department, License Services Section at 602-262-7003.
|
Police Department Liquor License
Investigative Summary |
|
Application Information |
||||
|
|
||||
|
Business Name |
|
District |
||
|
Business
Location |
|
|
|
|
|
Applicant Name |
|
Series |
||
— The
following criminal activity has occurred at other locations under the control
of the applicant:
Mr. Kuber is the owner of Three Cheers Restaurant and Sports Lounge
located at
1995- 1 count of A.R.S. 4-244.27, Unlawful Gambling
1 count of R4-15-205,
Draught Beer Signs
1 count of A.R.S.
4-244.40, Allowing customers to bring alcohol onto license
premises
A $750 fine was paid
1997- 1 count of A.R.S. 4-241.A, Failure to request I.D.
from an underage buyer
1 count of A.R.S. 4-244.9,
Sell, give, furnish underage person with alcohol
A $625 fine was paid
1998- 1 count of
A.R.S. 4-241.A, Failure to request I.D. from an underage buyer
1 count of A.R.S.
4-244.9, Sell, give, furnish underage person with alcohol
A $1500 fine was paid
2003- 1 count of
A.R.S. 4-244.12, Employee intoxicated/disorderly on duty
1 count of A.R.S.
4-244.13, Employee consuming on duty
1 count of A.R.S.
4-228, Front entrance locked
A $1750 fine was paid
2004- 1 count of A.R.S.
4-244.14, Intoxicated on premises for thirty minutes
A $2000 fine paid
2006- 1 count of A.R.S.
4-210.A.2, The license fails to maintain capability, qualification and
reliability
A $1500 fine paid
For more than 10 years, while under the ownership of Mr. Kuber, the
Three Cheers Restaurant had a history of violations. Mr. Kuber explained that the violations
occurred during a time he was expanding his business and was not present at the
restaurant. The restaurant was closed in
2007, and now the liquor license is used for the banquet hall of the
hotel. Mr. Kuber has not shown that he
is reliable, qualified or capable to own another liquor license due to the fact
that he was unable to address the problems at Three Cheers Restaurant over the
ten plus years it was under his ownership. The final citation for the Three Cheers
Restaurant was for failing to maintain capability, qualification and
reliability and the fine for this charge was paid on
This investigation summary is submitted by: Mike Ballentine #7294
|
SIGNATURES |
|
|
Investigating Detective |
|
|
Liquor Enforcement Detail Supervisor |
|
|
FOLLOW-UP: |
|||||
|
GENERAL INFORMATION |
|||||
|
TO: |
Mayor And City Council |
PACKET DATE: |
|
||
|
FROM: |
Frank Fairbanks City Manager |
|
|
|
|
|
SUBJECT: |
FOLLOW-UP: |
||||
|
|
|||||
Attached are the
|
CITY OF |
|
CITY COUNCIL WORK STUDY SESSION |
|
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38.431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the City Council and to the general public that the City Council will hold a meeting open to the public on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 2:00 P.M. located in the Subcommittee Room, 200 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona. |
|
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS CALLED FOR THIS
TIME AT THE POLICY
SESSION MEETING OF |
THE TIMES LISTED
FOR AGENDA ITEMS ARE ESTIMATED.
ITEMS MAY BE DISCUSSED EARLIER OR IN A DIFFERENT SEQUENCE.
Action Taken:
Mayor Gordon called the meeting to order at
|
ESTIMATED |
COUNCIL INFORMATION AND FOLLOW-UP REQUESTS. |
This item is scheduled to give City Council members an opportunity to publicly request information or follow-up on issues of interest to the community. If the information is available, staff will immediately provide it to the City Council member. No decisions will be made or action taken.
Action Taken:
There were no information requests.
CONSENT AGENDA.
This item is scheduled to allow the City Council to act on the Mayor’s recommendations on the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda has been publicly posted.
Action Item:
Mayor Gordon motioned for approval of the item on the Consent Agenda. Councilwoman Neely seconded the motion, which passed 5:0.
CALL FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
A vote to call an Executive Session may be held.
Action Item:
There was no call for an
Executive Session.
REPORTS
This item is scheduled to allow the City Manager to report on changes in the City Council Agenda and provide brief informational reports on urgent issues. The City Council may discuss these reports but no action will be taken.
Action Taken:
There were no reports by the City Manager.
|
ESTIMATED 2. |
STREET LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
OVERVIEW |
Staff: Zuercher, Naimark, Bearup, Larsen |
This report provides the City Council with an overview of street
landscape maintenance within the City of
Action Taken:
Deputy City Manager Rick Naimark introduced the item, Street Transportation Director Wylie Bearup, and Parks and Recreation Director Dale Larsen. Mr. Naimark stated the Street Landscape Maintenance Overview was being provided at Council’s request, noting budget cuts had affected how the Street Transportation and Parks and Recreation Departments maintained landscaping along major city streets. Mr. Naimark described the departments’ joint efforts to maintain streetscapes while facing the challenges of budget reductions.
Mayor Gordon asked if staff considered short, mid-, and long-term energy savings ideas when implementing cost-reduction strategies. Mr. Naimark replied budget savings considerations were included; however, staff would need to revisit opportunities for energy savings.
Mr. Larsen thanked staff for their ongoing collaboration and efforts to develop Street Landscape Standards. Mr. Larsen explained the maintenance of improved streetscapes was established by City Code in 1962 and required updating. Mr. Larsen described the City’s landscape maintenance activities, noting the Parks and Recreation Department was responsible for 725 miles of streetscape. Mr. Larsen added the department was in crisis-management mode due to budget reductions.
Mr. Bearup described the Street Transportation Department’s role in street landscape maintenance, outlining the department’s responsibilities and explaining how staff resolved obstructions of the right-of-way. Mr. Bearup noted the Street Transportation Department also maintained traffic circles and detention areas along City streets.
Councilwoman Neely asked for clarification on the department’s maintenance of traffic circles and detention areas. Mr. Bearup clarified the City owned and maintained the medians and traffic circles along City streets.
Mr. Bearup stated the Street Transportation Department had become reactive and complaint-driven due to budget constraints. Mr. Bearup stated City Code provisions allowed for the City to retroactively charge property owners for certain street landscaping improvements, noting the provision’s potential for revenue generation.
Mayor Gordon added such a provision should be revisited to determine its utility given the current budget situation.
Mr. Bearup delineated the department’s recent successes, noting the development of a Street Landscape Standards Manual which incorporated City landscaping standards since 2006.
Councilwoman Neely asked if drought-resistant landscaping measures were included in the manual’s standards. She further questioned if the Development Services Department reviewed plans for such landscaping measures. Mr. Bearup responded affirmatively, stating such measures were included in the manual. Mr. Bearup deferred to Assistant Street Transportation Director John Siefert for questions related to Development Services. Mr. Siefert added the Development Services Department reviewed all such plans for landscaping design standards.
Councilwoman Neely inquired if City residents would receive notice of landscaping violations. Mr. Bearup responded yes, stating residents would be provided with time to respond to violations prior to further City action.
Councilwoman Neely questioned if lien rights were implemented for violations. Mr. Bearup responded affirmatively, noting the department preferred implementing collection processes to imposing lien rights.
Councilman Gates asked if the City maintained landscaping on freeways. Mr. Bearup responded the City was only responsible for landscaping outside of the freeway wall, but the City paid for water used by freeway irrigation systems. City Manager Frank Fairbanks added the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) only included landscaping on freeways in instances where cities agreed to maintain the landscaping by paying for the water needed to support it.
Mr. Larsen explained current budget considerations exacerbated the City’s landscaping challenges, noting ADOT planned to increase freeway landscaping by 18 miles, requiring an additional $1.7 million. Mr. Bearup indicated new Light Rail landscaping costs required an additional $200,000 in water costs.
Mayor Gordon acknowledged Light Rail implementation and maintenance measures were not considered in the context of the current budget situation and advised staff to consider innovative alternatives to such challenges. Mayor Gordon noted Light Rail development had the potential to generate income in some areas, while generating expenses in another. He commented such instances required staff to consider alternative solutions, such as substituting structures for vegetation when economically feasible and focusing on landscaping vegetation already developed. Mayor Gordon suggested staff utilize pilot programs to enact new landscaping maintenance strategies.
Councilwoman Neely commented on the Desert Ridge and Tatum Ranch area medians, noting they were fully maintained by neighborhood homeowners associations. Ms. Neely stated staff should follow similar plans for other City neighborhoods to mitigate landscaping costs.
Mayor Gordon added landscaping standardization efforts should seek value for value in aligning needs with services, noting if services must rely on user fees or charges, then the City should bill for such services. He added fees and charges were value-added measures, providing the property owners with a tangible service. Mayor Gordon commented that under the existing ordinance, the model had not worked and should be revisited to allow for fines and charges similar to increasing a water or solid waste services bill.
Councilman Nowakowski asked what measures would be taken if homeowners associations were unable to identify a property owner. Mr. Bearup replied City staff conducted research and investigation in such instances to identify property owners and determine property lines.
Mr. Bearup reviewed the Street Transportation staff’s proposed next steps and made recommendations for landscape maintenance in accordance with current budget considerations.
Councilwoman Neely recommended staff consider subcontracting certain landscaping activities as cost-savings measures. Mr. Bearup responded the Street Transportation Department currently had a contractor, but utilizing the contractor was not economically feasible.
Councilwoman Williams suggested exploring subcontracting landscaping activities to other City departments to save money, noting the Public Works Department as a potential alternative.
Councilwoman Neely stated a managed competition process could also prove advantageous. Mr. Fairbanks indicated if the City contracted for the maintenance activities, it would have to lay off workers if it lost the bid.
Mayor Gordon suggested staff determine how much money was needed to bring landscaping maintenance up to standard and consider putting the activity out for bid. He added no decision would be made today; however, the goal was to get more people employed. Mayor Gordon asked if bond money could be used for maintenance activities. Mr. Fairbanks replied no, stating using bond money for maintenance activities violated bond regulations.
Mayor Gordon affirmed Councilwoman Williams’ suggestion, stating increasing residents’ solid waste services bill was a viable option. Mayor Gordon added staff needed to determine what the scope of the current problem is before proceeding.
Councilwoman Neely stated RFP considerations should include: ensuring the contractor abided by the stipulated contract and performed the maintenance accordingly; an ordinance written for full cost recovery from the resident; advance notification to all neighborhood residents of the proposed changes; and determination of the most viable product and price for the contracted service. Mr. Bearup stated the department had a centralized contractor and could put such options in place.
Councilwoman Williams clarified she did not suggest eliminating employees, but rather, contracting the work. She recommended including reasonable standards for routine maintenance items to keep residents apprised of potential costs and additional charges incurred on monthly bills.
Mr. Naimark stated staff could encourage residents to contact the landscape contractor for questions, noting such a contractor could partner with neighborhoods to align community needs with service array.
Mayor Gordon commented such a measure would relieve property owners of the added landscaping responsibility, noting residents would first be informed via public hearings before project implementation. Mayor Gordon pointed out that much like standard water or sanitation services bills, service costs for landscaping would also increase every few years.
Councilwoman Neely stated ADOT eliminated all budgeted funds for highway litter removal, expressing concern for ADOT’s continued maintenance of City highways. Mr. Bearup stated staff planned to review the City’s IGA with ADOT, adding staff was currently engaged in ongoing conversations with ADOT to address ongoing issues.
Mr. Jak Keyser expressed support for the City’s
consideration of alternative street landscaping maintenance measures, noting
the importance of street landscape improvements implemented in
Backup included in Council packet/City Clerk’s Office.
|
ESTIMATED 3. |
TRANSIT 2000 BUS PROGRAM
OPTIONS |
Staff: Zuercher, Cotton |
This report provides information regarding options for resource reallocations, fare increases, and expenditure reductions to balance the 20-year Transit 2000 (T2000) Bus program. City Council discussion and direction is requested on the priorities for resource reallocations, fare increases, and/or expenditure reductions as well as timing of options.
Action Taken:
Deputy City Manager Ed Zuercher introduced the item,
stating the report was a follow up to the recent Council meeting on
Ms. Cotton stated staff had compiled additional information for Council to review in considering transit expenditure reductions. Ms. Cotton briefly reviewed supplemental handouts provided, including a listing of bus routes, analysis of bus ridership and bus route productivity, and a departmental organizational chart.
Mayor Gordon asked for the department’s break-even analysis. Ms. Cotton replied the break-even point would be approximately $4.25 million in revenue per month. Ms. Wingenroth added such a revenue level was equivalent to ridership of approximately 50 million persons per year.
Mayor Gordon asked if raising fares by one dollar would allow the department to move closer to its break-even point. Mr. Zuercher explained the increase would have to be greater, noting the potential for elasticity of demand given any increase in fare.
Councilwoman Williams asked staff to identify which bus routes were created to compensate for Light Rail. Ms. Cotton reviewed several routes that were extended or modified due to Light Rail considerations, noting Council could refer to the supplemental packet for additional information.
Mayor Gordon stated the information provided was beneficial to Council in considering transit service reductions and fare increases, noting the difficult decisions Council would be making regarding transit services.
Councilwoman Neely asked staff to meet individually with each Council member to identify appropriate cuts within City districts. Ms. Neely commented transit services could not be reduced to 2001 levels, noting staff must continue to work with communities to align services with needs and encourage ridership.
Ms. Cotton stated ridership continued to decrease and revenue was below estimated levels, explaining that residents continued to pursue more creative travel options as an alternative to bus and Light Rail.
Councilwoman Neely questioned if Light Rail passes could be purchased from respective stations across the City. Ms. Cotton responded affirmatively, indicating passes could be purchased at stations and also at designated retail fare locations.
Ms. Cotton reviewed the City’s budget balancing options, noting staff’s recommended changes could decrease the overall shortfall by $7.2 million.
Councilwoman Neely noted a fare increase would be most feasible during the three-year budget balancing option, indicating such an increase could take anywhere from six to nine months to implement. Ms. Neely stated she did not see stimulus fund considerations in staff’s proposal, adding unused funds by the Street Transportation Department could potentially be utilized for transit operations.
Ms. Cotton explained that up to 10 percent of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds were available for operations costs, noting the Transit Department could benefit from any leftover funds from stimulus projects. Mr. Fairbanks added ARRA funds were currently fully allocated; however, there was a possibility for unused funds from various projects coming in under budget.
Councilwoman Neely inquired if ARRA unused funding information would be available in December. Mr. Zuercher responded the information would be available in January.
Ms. Wingenroth reviewed the department’s budget balancing options, noting administrative reductions, funding reallocations, and one-time capital project savings would allow for a savings impact of $7.2 million towards the overall $16 million deficit.
Councilman Gates requested clarification on whether the federal bus replacement funding of $3.6 million was a one-time savings measure. Ms. Cotton clarified the measure would be an annual cost savings measure with continued implementation contingent upon federal guidelines.
Councilwoman Neely asked when the City had last purchased new buses. Ms. Cotton replied new buses were last purchased in 2007.
Ms. Cotton summarized by stating staff recommended implementation of the proposed budget balancing options, explaining anticipated next steps included completing expenditure reviews with the Budget & Research Department, revising revenue estimates, and proposing actions in the citywide budget process.
Mr. Runningdeer stated he was attending the meeting on behalf of the homeless community, noting ongoing concerns for increasing public transportation costs. Mr. Runningdeer requested his name be placed on the Transportation Subcommittee distribution list.
Mayor Gordon thanked Public Transit and management staff for their work on the transit budget. He commented the City was currently in an economic crisis where funds were severely stressed, noting Council must balance the burden of increasing fares with the possibility of eliminating services. Mayor Gordon stated there would be an economic recovery, adding that in the interim, the City must consider multiple options which require community support for successful implementation.
Councilwoman Neely pointed out all budget balancing considerations were possibilities and Council needed staff’s continued assistance in identifying the proper timing for such measures.
Councilman Gates thanked staff for their work, adding staff presented many viable solutions to balance the budget. Mr. Gates stated the issue’s current status was much improved from previous conversations.
Backup included in Council packet/City Clerk’s Office.
ESTIMATED
Action Taken:
Mayor Gordon adjourned the meeting at
For further information, please call the Management Intern, City Manager's Office, at 602-262-4449.
For reasonable accommodations, call the Management Intern at Voice/602-262-4449 or TTY/602-534-5500 as early as possible to coordinate needed arrangements.
Si necesita traducción en espańol, por favor llame a la
oficina
Councilman DiCiccio
Councilman Gates
Councilman Johnson
Councilman Mattox
Councilwoman Neely
Councilman Nowakowski
Councilwoman Williams
Vice Mayor Simplot
Mayor Gordon
CITY
OF
CITY
COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA
200
WEST
RECOMMENDED
BY THE MAYOR FOR APPROVAL
All
items below are also recommended by the City Manager.
1.
Consideration
of City Council approval to adopt the 2010-11 Budget Process
Calendar which includes the dates for the Preliminary Capital Improvement
program as required by City Charter and the technical steps needed for legal
budget adoption.
APROVED: Zuercher, Gleason
|
|
|||||
|
GENERAL
INFORMATION |
|||||
|
TO: |
Ruth Osuna |
PACKET DATE: |
|
||
|
FROM: |
Lionel D. Lyons, Director Equal Opportunity Department |
|
|
|
|
|
SUBJECT: |
2008-09 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT |
||||
|
|
|||||
This report
summarizes the City’s 2008-09 Equal Employment Opportunity Report. The annual report, compiled by the Equal
Opportunity and Personnel Departments, summarizes the City’s progress in
maintaining a workforce that reflects the available labor market in
THE ISSUE
This report serves as a snapshot of the City’s employment profile as of
OTHER INFORMATION
City departments develop annual plans with employment objectives aimed
at increasing employment of women and minorities in job categories where City
employment levels are below the local available labor market. Year-end results are evaluated by the Equal
Opportunity Department (EOD) as part of the City’s Performance Achievement
Program (
The Equal Opportunity
and Personnel Departments perform regular statistical analyses of the City’s
progress in employing minorities and females compared to their availability in
the
Overall
Representation
|
·
As of
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
*Percentages may not total 100% due
to rounding ·
The
City work force decreased by 429 employees from 14,734 on ·
Labor
market data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau is used to determine whether
the City is at or below parity in its hiring of minorities and females. This determination is made by comparing the
City’s employment rates in each of eight federal occupational categories with
the civilian labor force for that group in |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Female Employment
|
·
As of
|
|
·
Employment
of females continues to be below parity in all occupational categories except
in the Office/Clerical job category.
Growth occurred in the Office/Clerical and Officials/Administrators
areas, where the percentage of female staff rose by 4.6 percent and 0.5
percent, respectively. |
Minority
Employment
|
·
Overall,
minority employment remains 12.1 percentage points higher than that of the
available labor force in |
|
|
|
·
Overall,
the City’s employment of minorities exceeds the |
The table below shows
workforce changes over the past three years.
|
from
2006-07 to 2008-09 |
|||
|
EMPLOYEE PROFILE |
2006-07 |
2007-08 |
2008-09 |
|
City Employees |
14,393 |
14,734 |
14,305 |
|
Women |
4,635 (32.2%) |
4,657 (31.6%) |
4,447 (31.1%) |
|
Minorities |
5,765 (40.1%) |
5,912 (40.1%) |
5,734 (40.1%) |
Continuing Efforts
Significant progress
has been made in increasing the diversity of our workforce. Continuing equal employment efforts are
needed to reflect the available labor force:
|
·
Encourage
females to enter nontraditional jobs in the Technicians, Protective Services
Sworn and Non-sworn, Skilled Crafts, and Service Maintenance job categories |
||||||||
|
·
Recruit,
hire, and promote members of specific groups in these job categories:
|
Anglo and Hispanic
employees are not included in the above groups as Anglos are a traditional
majority and therefore no efforts are required to increase the number of these
employees. The number of Hispanic
employees exceeds the available Hispanic civilian labor force in
CONCLUSION
This report is for information only. No City Council action is required.
|
|
|||
|
CITIZEN REQUEST |
|||
|
Mayor and City Council |
PACKET DATE: |
|
|
|
FROM: |
Lisa Takata Executive Assistant to the City Manager |
|
|
|
SUBJECT: |
RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL/CITIZENS |
||
|
|
|||
The following information report(s) responds to requests from citizens at the Citizen's Request Session:
|
Mr. Nicholas Collins |
· |
Mr. Collins requested
Council enact Ranked Choice Voting for Phoenix City Council’s election
process. He was concerned about the
added financial expense to individual candidates and the City and the
potential for delays and/or disruptions to the municipal government planning
processes for the run-off elections. |
|
|
|||||
|
CITIZEN REQUEST |
|||||
|
TO: |
Lisa Takata Executive Assistant To The City Manager |
PACKET DATE: |
|
||
|
FROM: |
Mario Paniagua City Clerk |
|
|
|
|
|
SUBJECT: |
RESPONSE TO CITIZEN REQUEST FROM THE |
||||
|
|
|||||
The purpose of this
report is to provide a response to a citizen comment received at the City
Council Formal Meeting on
THE ISSUE
Mr. Nicholas Collins,
with FairVote
OTHER INFORMATION
Ranked choice voting would not be
allowed by the City Charter which requires that “every voter shall be entitled to vote for one
candidate for [the] office of Mayor and to vote for one candidate for the
office of City Council Member from that voter's Council District” (Chapter XII,
Section 15). Ranked-choice voting would
allow electors to vote for more than one candidate by having them rank each
candidate. Similar provisions in State
law raise questions about whether the City could implement ranked-choice
voting.
In the City’s
history, only about one of every five elections for District Council Member
results in a runoff election. Contrary
to the assertion that runoff elections have lower voter turnout, in the last
ten (10) years, turnout for City runoff elections has been the same or higher
than the general election.
Another substantial
concern is that the State of
The ballots used for
ranked-choice voting are more complicated than a single-choice ballot and could
be confusing to many voters.
Additionally, there are unanswered questions such as how to count a
ballot for a voter that does not rank every candidate. Voter confusion could be increased if the
City utilizes ranked-choice voting while other jurisdictions do not.
RECOMMENDATION
This report is for
information only. No Council action is
required.