On Wednesday, the Phoenix City Council held a formal meeting in a hybrid format to discuss issues related to the City of Phoenix. Prior to council votes, citizens were allowed to call into the meeting to provide their opinions.
The issues voted on that relate to Downtown Phoenix were:
Selection of Vice Mayor
Councilmember Carlos Garcia, District 8, was voted as Vice Mayor. Effective as of the end of the meeting, Garcia replaces Councilmember Betty Guardado, District 5, as Vice Mayor of Phoenix.
MOU with American Forests on Tree Equity Projects
The council voted to enter a “Memorandum of Understanding” with nature conservation nonprofit American Forest to “achieve a shared vision of ‘tree equity,’” according to the agenda. This initiative passed with hopes of restoring an urban forest to help achieve a “standard of tree canopy cover that is feasible and appropriate for the city’s desert climate and conditions by 2030.”
Downtown Shared Electric Scooter Pilot Program Fee Increases to Ensure Full Cost Recovery (Ordinance G-6835)
The council has increased the fees for electric scooter vendors to operate in downtown Phoenix in order to recoup costs incurred by the City’s scooter retrieval contractor. This measure was taken in effort to keep the Pilot Program “cost neutral” to the City.
Agreement with Valley Metro Rail, Inc. for Northwest Extension Phase II Light Rail Train Project Utility Relocation Services – WS85500330 (Ordinance S-47478)
The council has voted to enter an agreement with Valley Metro allowing them to move infrastructure related to Water that interfere with the Northwest Extension Phase II Light Rail Train Project. The City will reimburse Valley Metro for construction costs, not to exceed $6.5 million.
Contact the reporter at caball2@asu.edu
