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ASSEMBLY ROOMS A, B, |
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200 WEST |
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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 13, 2009, at 2:00 P.M. located in the Assembly Rooms A, B, and C, Phoenix City Hall Lobby, 200 West Washington, Phoenix, Arizona. Council members may participate by telephone. As indicated in the Agenda, the City Council may vote to go into Executive Session, which will not be open to the public, for the purpose of discussing those matters listed on the Agenda. |
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AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS CALLED FOR THIS
TIME AT THE POLICY MEETING OF |
THE TIMES LISTED
FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Action Taken:
Mayor Gordon called the meeting to order at
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ESTIMATED |
COUNCIL INFORMATION |
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:
Council members made general announcements; commended staff for work completed, and submitted questions for staff follow-up.
CONSENT AGENDA.
There is no Consent Agenda for consideration this week.
CALL FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
A vote to call an Executive Session may be held.
Action Taken:
Councilwoman Neely motioned City
Council, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 38-431.02.A, meet in
Executive Session on
This item is scheduled to give City Council members an
opportunity to ask questions about the Formal Agenda on
Action Taken:
None.
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:
None.
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ESTIMATED 2. |
Federal/Phoenix Joint Task Forces |
Staff: Washington, Harris |
This report provides information to the Mayor and City Council on the types of interagency cooperative agreements the Phoenix Police Department maintains with Federal law enforcement partners.
This item is for information only. No City Council action is required.
Backup included in Council Packet/City Clerk’s Office.
Action Taken:
Jack Harris, Public Safety Manager introduced the item and Jerry Harper, U.S. Attorney; Nate Gray, FBI SAC – Phoenix Field Office; Jim Needles, ATF SAC – Phoenix Field Office; Beth Kempshall, DEA SAC – Phoenix Field Office; Jason Kidd DHS ICE SAC – Phoenix Field Office.
Mr. Harris provided information on the types of Interagency Cooperative Agreements the Phoenix Police Department maintains with Federal law enforcement partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF); Department of Homeland Security (DHS); Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Mr. Harris highlighted various interagency programs, including the Home Invasion Kidnapping Enforcement (HIKE) Task Force; FBI Violent Street Gang Task Force; FBI Bank Robbery Task Force; AZ Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force; Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC); and Phoenix Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative.
Mr. Harris stated Interagency Cooperative Agreements served
to build strong law enforcement partnerships geared toward reducing crime
within the City, noting additional collaboration and partnerships with the U.S.
Attorney, State and
Mayor Gordon thanked the group for their effort and dedication to enhancing law enforcement operations, offering his appreciation for the many officers in the field who selflessly risked their lives every day. He added he would be remiss not to mention the recent passing of a Phoenix Police Officer, noting the heartfelt sorrow of the community and the City’s desire to honor its fallen officer.
Councilman Johnson stated he was proud to have been a
member of the Phoenix Police Department and continues to have working
relationships with the department and many of its state and federal
partners. Mr. Johnson expressed his
appreciation for each officer’s dedication to ensuring the safety of
Councilman Mattox noted the significant impact law
enforcement collaborations made in reducing instances of crime in
Councilwoman Williams commented on her longstanding involvement with the Phoenix Police Department, noting her husband’s career as a Phoenix Police Officer. Ms. Williams thanked the officers for their continued efforts and ongoing support of the Phoenix Police Department.
Councilman Nowakowski thanked Mr. Harris and the Phoenix Police Department for their hard work and dedication, acknowledging recent police work to reduce crime in the Lindon Park Neighborhood of District 7.
Councilman Gates commented on the high level of collaboration between Phoenix Police and Federal law enforcement entities, noting such partnerships serve as a model for other agencies.
Mayor Gordon noted the importance of American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding in providing additional support to local law
enforcement agencies that are under funded and under staffed. Mayor Gordon urged City staff, law
enforcement personnel, and residents to continue to express their support for
additional federal funding opportunities for local government.
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ESTIMATED 3. |
VALLEY FORWARD AWARDS |
Staff: Seelhammer, Diane
Brossart (Valley Forward Association) |
Valley Forward and
This item is for information only. No City Council action is required.
Backup included in Council Packet/City Clerk’s Office.
Action Taken:
Deputy City Manager Cynthia Seelhammer introduced the item and Diane Brossart, President of the Valley Forward Association.
Ms. Brossart stated the City of
Mayor Gordon left the meeting at
Ms. Brossart presented a video
highlighting the Crescordia Awards and Awards of
Merit the City of
Councilwoman Neely stated Mayor
Gordon has had a unique vision for downtown
Councilman Mattox acknowledged the wealth of sustainability
efforts in
Councilman DiCiccio left the
meeting at
City staff from departments who won Crescordia Awards and Awards of Merit joined the Council on stage for a photo opportunity.
Councilman DiCiccio rejoined the
meeting at
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ESTIMATED 4. |
Employee service recognition announcements
(no report) |
Staff: Washington, Smith |
This item is for information only. No City Council action is required.
Action Taken:
Councilwoman Williams presented an Employee Service Recognition award to Ms. Nora Vega Cruz for 25 years of service with the City.
Councilman Gates presented an Employee Service Recognition award to Ms. Pamela Lansden for 30 years of service with the City.
Councilman Johnson presented an Employee Service Recognition award to Mr. Dale Larsen for 25 years of service with the City.
Mayor Gordon returned to the meeting at
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5. |
Budget Status update |
Staff: Zuercher, Gleason |
This report
provides the first discussion about the upcoming budget. It is being presented about three months
earlier than it would be in a year without a severe revenue shortfall. In this early report, results are provided
from the recently completed 2008-09 fiscal year, initial estimates for the
2009-10 fiscal year, limited information available for
the 2010-11 fiscal year, and a recommended calendar for the 2010-11 budget
process. Staff recommends adopting the
April calendar that requires final Council decisions in March with reductions
to programs and services implemented in April.
This allows the City to take advantage of 15 months of savings, while
giving time to understand the implications of labor negotiations on the 2010-11
budget.
This item is for
information, discussion and possible action.
Back-up included in Council packet/City Clerk's Office.
Action Taken:
Deputy City Manager Frank Fairbanks introduced the item, explaining the report was an early briefing on the City’s budget. Mr. Fairbanks explained the City’s ongoing cost-savings activities had served to prevent a serious budget crisis. Mr. Fairbanks introduced Deputy City Manager Ed Zuercher and Budget and Research Director Cathy Gleason.
Councilwoman Neely
left the meeting at
Mr. Zuercher stated that City departments performed admirably in enacting cost-savings measures, noting many were able to save more money than expected. He added the budget update was intended to provide a look at year-to-date numbers and an outlook for the rest of the year and the following year. Mr. Zuercher deferred to Ms. Gleason for specific budget details.
Councilwoman Neely
rejoined the meeting at
Ms. Gleason outlined the 2008-09 General Fund Results. She reviewed 2009-10 City and State Sales Tax figures and provided a budget outlook for 2009-10, noting General Fund revenues are anticipated to be flat. Ms. Gleason stated City departments had implemented several City Council ideas for generating additional revenues and creating budget savings. Ms. Gleason explained the 3+9 budget process was revised to provide incentives for departments to recognize efficiency savings.
Ms. Gleason reviewed the City of
Mayor Gordon asked if the Federal government’s auto purchase incentives program played a role in mitigating a larger sales tax decrease. Ms. Gleason explained that overall, no significant improvement in retail sales tax could be attributed to the program. Mr. Zuercher added the car program did not have the huge impact on sales tax as initially expected. Mr. Fairbanks commented predicted budget numbers were lower than expected; however, relative to last year, sales tax revenue seems to have found the bottom. He indicated the sooner the City began planning and implementing its cut process, the less it would have to cut later.
Councilman Mattox asked if Moody’s projected negative outlook was due to the state legislature’s inability to balance its budget. Ms. Gleason stated state budget considerations were a factor, but noted Moody’s could revisit Phoenix’s outlook rating and upgrade it to stable or positive, depending on how the year progresses.
Ms. Gleason presented three budget calendar options for the Council to consider, recommending the April calendar option as the most appropriate course of action.
Mayor Gordon called attention to the potential for more unfunded mandates from the State, commenting the City would have to make a strong claim to the legislature about the adverse effects to critical services such mandates would have. Mayor Gordon noted the difficulty in motivating stakeholder groups to lobby against such cuts and stressed the importance of informing the public and media early, to provide sufficient time to act.
Mr. Fairbanks explained the City’s methodology in conducting the reduction process, noting the first round of reductions entailed reducing what least affected the community. Mr. Fairbanks added that additional rounds of reductions would have significantly more impact to City programs and services.
Councilwoman Neely stated the April calendar implementation date was appropriate, but noted the need for a contingency plan if the state legislature had not resolved its budget issues.
Councilwoman Neely moved to adopt the April calendar, stipulating City staff also develop a list of contingencies exploring possible shortfalls ranging from $25 million to $100 million. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion, which passed 8:0.
Mayor Gordon indicated the budget update included several assumptions, noting there were still additional considerations that could affect budget projections.
Mr. Fairbanks concurred, clarifying the update was a broad look at the budget that did not include specific projections. Mr. Fairbanks added increases in wages would also serve to increase potential shortfalls, noting a cost of at least $10 million for every 1% wage increase in staff salaries.
Mayor Gordon commented past increases in revenue and staff attrition allowed for sustainability and continued growth. Mr. Fairbanks responded the situation was a result of 18-months of declining revenue.
Mayor Gordon stated unless the economy changed dramatically, the City could be faced with potential layoffs. Mr. Fairbanks added the situation posed a difficult situation with a need for unavoidable trade-offs.
Councilman DiCiccio stated departmental incentives to save were a good approach for the City, adding the City should mitigate budget cuts to direct services. Mr. DiCiccio suggested revisiting staff pay raises and income levels to determine constructive solutions to dealing with the possibility of cutbacks in staff.
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 español, por favor llame a la oficina
Councilwoman Baier
Councilman DiCiccio
Councilman Johnson
Councilman Mattox
Councilwoman Neely
Councilman Nowakowski
Councilwoman Williams
Vice Mayor Simplot
Mayor Gordon