*REVISED
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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 Wednesday,
November 4, 2009, at 1:00 P.M.
located in Phoenix City Hall, Assembly Rooms A, B, and C,
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. |
THE TIMES
LISTED FOR AGENDA ITEMS
AGENDA ITEMS.
This item
is scheduled to give City Council members an opportunity to ask questions about
the Formal Agenda on
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ESTIMATED 1. l:00 P.M.- |
CALL TO
ORDER |
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Action Taken:
Mayor
Gordon called the meeting to order at
*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:
City
Manager Frank Fairbanks noted add-ons for the Formal Session scheduled for the
afternoon. Mr. Fairbanks also stated
staff was prepared to provide a summary of the current budget situation. Mr. Fairbanks introduced Deputy City Manager
Ed Zuercher and Budget and Research Director Cathleen
Gleason.
Mr. Zuercher stated the goal of the budget update was to
consolidate various budget information provided to Council in recent
weeks. Mr. Zuercher
recognized Mr. Fairbanks’ leadership and support in addressing the challenging
budget situation.
Ms.
Gleason provided an update on the City’s current budget situation, noting
continued declines in both City and State Sales Tax revenue. Ms. Gleason reviewed revenue shortfalls in
City funds, including the General Fund, Public Safety Initiatives, Transit
2000, and Parks and Preserves. Ms.
Gleason’s recommendations included a 15% reduction in Public Safety/Criminal
Justice programs and 30% reduction in other General Fund Departments. Ms. Gleason also presented the City’s budget
calendar for Council review.
Mayor
Gordon asked for continued updates throughout the budget process, noting
residents and staff needed to understand the severity of the current economic crisis. Mayor Gordon commented on the dramatic cuts
in services that had occurred over the last seven to eight years, acknowledging
the considerable impact the cuts had on City departments. Mayor Gordon clarified the current budget
situation was the result of the current economic downturn and not a reflection
of the City’s professional management strategies, noting the City’s effective
fiscal management strategies had recently earned S&P and Moody’s highest
bond ratings.
Mr. Zuercher stated the previous year’s budget reductions
amounted to $270 million. He noted the
overall impact the reduction would have on current service levels and
acknowledged the potential impact on future service levels.
Mayor
Gordon indicated it was still too early to determine what type of reductions
Council would support. He added many
cost-reduction measures would not equate to the levels of cost savings
necessary to significantly impact the deficit.
Mayor Gordon commented on the challenge of maintaining service levels
amidst staff and resource reductions. He
said services lost due to reductions could prove difficult to restore. Mayor Gordon expressed the need for a call to
action to assist staff and residents in understanding the severity of the
problem faced by the City.
Councilwoman
Neely acknowledged the need for extensive reductions,
indicating it was a sobering reminder of the difficult economic climate the
City faced. She added the City was bound
by charter to balance the budget and to provide basic services, noting the City
had always maintained the highest level of standards in service delivery. Councilwoman Neely
stated the City would not be able to continue operating as it had done in the
past, asserting the need for residents to engage elected officials to seek additional
alternatives to current challenges.
Mayor
Gordon indicated receiving State and/or Federal funding comparable to the
current deficit only served as a short-term solution to maintain current
service levels, adding the City would have to endeavor to retain or increase
additional revenues to resolve the deficit and maintain services.
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ESTIMATED 2. 1: |
RECOGNITION
OF |
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City and
community leaders, along with other community members, will recognize City
Manager Frank Fairbanks for his 37 years of public service with the City of
Action Taken:
Mayor
Gordon acknowledged City Manager Frank Fairbanks’ 37 years of service with the
City and Mr. Fairbanks’ wife, Ruth Fairbanks, for her ongoing support and
commitment to the City. He added Mr.
Fairbanks provided a strong foundation for the City, noting how fortunate the
City was to have had a City Manager of his caliber.
Mayor
Gordon introduced a video biography about Mr. Fairbanks produced by
Mayor
Gordon introduced Lloyd Harrell of the Arizona City Management
Association. Mr. Harrell commented on
Mr. Fairbanks’ tenure with the City of
Mayor
Gordon presented Proclamations from the Town of
Mayor
Gordon introduced Rick Simonetta of Valley Metro
Rail; Public Safety Manager Jack Harris of the Phoenix Police Department; Chief
Bob Khan and Captain Pete Gorraiz of Phoenix Fire
Department; and Mark Spencer of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. Each respective individual and organization
commended Mr. Fairbanks’ dedication and commitment to the City, awarding Mr.
Fairbanks with a gift as a token of their appreciation.
The Vice
Mayor and each Council member commended Mr. Fairbanks on his commitment and
dedication to the City, commenting on his leadership, professionalism, and
integrity throughout his tenure with the City.
Mayor Gordon and Council members presented Mr. Fairbanks with a gift as
a token of their appreciation. Councilman
Johnson also acknowledged Assistant City Manager Alton Washington’s retirement
and praised his tenure with the City.
Mr.
Fairbanks thanked everyone for their comments and support throughout his
career, acknowledging his wife for supporting his career with the City. Mr. Fairbanks also thanked the Mayor,
Council, and staff for their commitment and dedication to serving the
community. He also recognized Assistant
City Manager Alton Washington’s support and contributions, noting he was a
vital asset to the City.
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 español, 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