This week, the city welcomed newly-elected Mayor Kate Gallego at her first formal City Council meeting in the role and discussed a few items that pertain to downtown Phoenix.
Authorization to Enter into Development Agreement with Hyatt Regency Phoenix Hotel Company, LP for Streetscape Improvement Project in Downtown Phoenix
City Council authorized the city manager Ed Zuercher to enter into a development agreement with the Hyatt Regency Hotel, which is undergoing $40 million in renovations. The renovations include upgrades to guest rooms, public spaces and new food and beverage options. The developer has also agreed to improve the streetscape around the hotel as part of the project and incorporate more shade and enhanced hardscapes along Adams Street. In return, the City will reimburse $280,000. The one-time construction will require approximately $900,000 in tax revenue to the city.
Establish a City of Phoenix Starting Full-Time Wage
City Council authorized Zuercher, to establish minimum hiring wage of $15.00 per hour for full-time City of Phoenix employees. Now approved, city employees will have their pay increased to the new rate as of May 2019. City employees hired after May 2019 will be paid no less than $15.00 an hour.
Designation of Voting Centers for the May 21, 2019 Runoff Election
City Council will designate voting centers for the Runoff Election on May 21, 2019. The election will choose the council members for Districts 5 and 8. Of the 11 cites, the downtown Phoenix center will be at Phoenix City Hall. Registered voters can go to any voting center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 20; and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21.
Appoint Election Officials and Boards for May 21, 2019 Runoff Election
For the Runoff Election on May 21, 2019, City Council will appoint the required election officials and boards for processing the early, mailed in ballots and workers to run the designated voting centers during the election. The city clerk is also authorized to appoint any additional boards of workers that are needed.
Margaret T. Hance Park Phase I Improvements
This project’s goal is to reconstruct and add to Margaret T. Hance Park. There will be different improvements including new parking, re-cladding of Central Avenue Bridge, new planted terraces and trees, improved stairs and ramps, new park offices and storage, restrooms, shade canal gardens and shade structures and lighting. City Council authorized Zuercher in a 7-1 vote to enter into an agreement with Haydon Building Corporation, who will aid in design plans and reconstructions.
Purchase of Light and Medium Duty Vehicles
On behalf of all city departments, the Public Works Department is responsible for purchasing light and medium vehicles, like trucks, vans and police cruisers, for multiple city departments including Police, Fire, Water Services and Street Transportation. City Council authorized Zuercher in a 7-1 vote to enter into separate contracts with Chevrolet, Sanderson Ford and San Tan Auto Partner who are doing business as San Tan Ford. The estimated expenditure for the entire time of the agreement is $75 million. The contract will be a one-year term and have four option years in increments of up to one year for a total contract term of five years, starting on April 1, 2019.
Contact the reporter at ldiethel@asu.edu.
Lisa Diethelm is the Politics editor for the Downtown Devil while she studies at The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in downtown Phoenix. She grew up in California and started her journalism career in high school.
