| Yassamin Ansari Elected the 2023 Phoenix City Council Vice Mayor | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-7/2618 | | City Council District 7 | 1/4/2023 7:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2618/Newsroom_Council_News_07.jpg | | Yassamin Ansari Elected the 2023 Phoenix City Council Vice Mayor | <div class="ExternalClassA79F933422D1481BB48C58198DCF93DB"><html>
<div>Phoenix City Council elected District 7 Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari as Vice Mayor at the January 4, 2023, Formal Council Meeting. She will serve in the position for one year.<br></div>
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<div>“I want to thank Councilwoman Stark and outgoing Vice Mayor Pastor for their nomination and support. </div>
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<div>Phoenix is facing a multitude of crises. We need to address homelessness, an affordable housing shortage, dangerous air quality, hiring and retention across our departments, from police to public works, with the urgency it demands. As Vice Mayor, I’m committed to working with all of my colleagues to prioritize these issues and make 2023 our most productive year yet.</div>
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<div>We also have innovative and exciting projects on the horizon: we’re updating our climate action plan, the Super Bowl is coming to town, and a historic $500 million General Obligation Bond will be heading to Phoenix voters. Every corner of our city is set to see new investments in their neighborhoods.</div>
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<div>We have tough but important work ahead of us. And I’m excited to continue advocating for responsible and sustainable growth that better serves all who call Phoenix home,” said Vice Mayor Ansari.</div>
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<div>Ansari was sworn in as the District 7 Phoenix City Councilwoman in March of 2021. Her priorities include: expanding affordable housing, keeping neighborhoods safe, bringing in high-quality jobs, and ensuring clean air and water are accessible to all.</div>
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<strong>About Vice Mayor Ansari:</strong>
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<div>Yassamin Ansari is the youngest woman ever elected in Phoenix City Council history and the first Iranian-American elected to public office in the state of Arizona. She represents one of the most diverse districts in the fifth-largest and fastest-growing city in the United States.</div>
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<div>Since elected, she has enacted policies around transportation electrification, led the charge to pass Phoenix’s first Climate Action Plan, secured over $100 million in new investments to combat homelessness and passed a Roadway Safety Action Plan with a vision towards zero traffic related deaths.</div>
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<div>She is hyper focused on building a more sustainable and equitable city where everyone can afford to live and thrive.<br></div>
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<div>Prior to serving in elected office, Ansari worked as a senior policy advisor on the climate action teams of both U.N. Secretaries General Ban Ki-Moon and Antonio Guterres, as well as principal advisor to former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres at Mission 2020.<br></div>
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| Phoenix Commits to 100% Zero-Emission Bus Fleet by 2040 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-7/2600 | | City Council District 7 | 12/14/2022 7:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2600/Newsroom_Council_News_07.jpg | | Phoenix Commits to 100% Zero-Emission Bus Fleet by 2040 | <div class="ExternalClass8D9203E0DFC248A1A91F01EFC925C5CC"><html>
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<em><span style="font-size:13.3333px;">City Council also approves wage increases for bus drivers and purchase of first electric buses</span></em>
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<strong>Phoenix, Arizona —</strong> Today, Phoenix City Council voted 8-0 to transition 100% of the city’s bus fleet to zero-emission models by 2040. Phase 1 of this transition plan includes a moratorium on purchasing compressed natural gas (CNG) buses after 2024, thereafter purchasing only low- and zero-emission buses, including hybrid-electric, battery-electric, and fuel-cell-electric buses.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">This comes almost a year after City Council unanimously approved a $150 million request for proposals (RFP) for low- and zero-emission buses and put significant limits on a contract for (CNG) buses.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“Today's votes show just how far we’ve come as a city in the past year when it comes to clean transportation. A year ago, council was presented with a contract that did not even consider low- or zero-emission options. Today, we passed one of the strongest zero emission transition plans in the country,” said Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari, who led efforts with Phoenix Public Transit to pass this significant policy.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">This transition plan coincides with the City’s 2021 Climate Action Plan and 2022 Transportation Electrification Action Plan, both of which have goals around a more sustainable transportation system and improving air quality. Consumer advocates have also highlighted the long-term cost savings of an all-electric fleet.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Over the last several years, the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG) has released a series of reports noting the financial, air quality, and public health benefits of shifting to electric buses. Diane E. Brown, Executive Director of Arizona PIRG, stated, “Phoenix taxpayers will benefit by the City’s adoption and implementation of a plan to transition to a cleaner transit system. Cleaner buses have lower lifetime maintenance and operating costs, and having a transition plan opens the door for more federal funds. Phoenix residents and visitors will also benefit by improved air quality and public health.” </span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Also approved on Wednesday was a cooperative contract with the State of Washington to purchase low- and zero-emission buses and a raise for the city’s bus drivers, mechanics, and operators.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“When looking forward to a zero-emission transportation system, it’s important that residents are excited to utilize it. Reliability, frequency, and safety also need to be priorities.” Ansari added. “We need more drivers in order to provide that guarantee. That is why Councilwoman Guardado and I requested quick action to raise wages and Vice Mayor Pastor led efforts at Valley Metro – so that we can recruit and retain a talented workforce by paying them a fair wage.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">ABOUT COUNCILWOMAN YASSAMIN ANSARI</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Ansari is the youngest woman ever elected in Phoenix City Council history and the first Iranian-American elected to public office in the state of Arizona. Phoenix is the fifth largest and fastest-growing city in the United States. Ansari is determined to build sustainable, equitable communities that serve future generations.</span>
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| Councilwoman Ansari Hosts Inaugural Jolly Jamboree at Maurice C. Cash Elementary on Dec. 15 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-7/2589 | | City Council District 7 | 12/7/2022 7:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2589/Newsroom_Council_News_07.jpg | | Councilwoman Ansari Hosts Inaugural Jolly Jamboree at Maurice C. Cash Elementary on Dec. 15 | <div class="ExternalClass85EE5DA313EC454180E2AE1322F91E43"><html>
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<em>A Holiday Festival & Resource Fair Featuring Free Food, Music, Toys and Access to Job Opportunities</em>
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<div>It’s the season of giving, and in order to unite and empower communities across District 7, Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari is hosting the inaugural Jolly Jamboree on Dec. 15, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. This holiday festival will feature a resource fair focused on health, jobs and housing – connecting residents to a multitude of resources and services that the City of Phoenix and local partner organizations have to offer.<br></div>
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<div>“We know the holidays add additional pressure on parents and caretakers, so I partnered with local labor unions, businesses, and non-profit partners to give back to our young ones in District 7,” said Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari. “From hands-on support to navigate city hiring processes to free mental health resources, I want to ensure my residents have access to every critical city service we’ve recently invested in” she added.<br></div>
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<div>Our presenting sponsor, IDM Cares, is integral in ensuring we serve both kids and adults in a way that’s fun, collaborative and encourages future activation in the surrounding neighborhood.</div>
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<div>“As we head into the holiday season, we cherish the opportunity to give back to the community and join them in celebration. We are honored to be a part of this remarkable community,” said IDM Chief Executive Officer Jeff Gordon.</div>
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<strong>Additional Jolly Jamboree Details</strong>
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<strong>Food & Drink:</strong> Frybread Fanatics will have frybread and Tropical Sno will be offering hot chocolate.</div>
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<strong>What You’ll Enjoy: </strong>Photos with Santa, Food Trucks, Bouncy Houses, Live Music, gift card and toy giveaways, facepainting and so much more! <br></div>
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<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">Human Services Department with information on rent and utility assistance.</span>
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<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">Community and Economic Development Department will have their Mobile Career Unit and information on job opportunities throughout the City of Phoenix and the ARIZONA WORKS program. We’ll also have staff from the City of Phoenix departments including public transit and public work, among others.</span>
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<li>Local health care providers such as Mountain Park Health Care and Mercy Care will also be present at the event to provide information on mental health resources accessible to community members, and information on preventative healthcare.</li>
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<strong>Inaugural D7 Jolly Jamboree</strong>
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<strong>What: </strong>A holiday festival and resource fair focused on connecting residents to a multitude of City of Phoenix resources and services.</div>
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<strong>Who:</strong> Phoenix City Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari – District 7 and IDM</div>
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<strong>When:</strong> December 15, 2022 | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.</div>
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<strong>Where:</strong> Maurice C Cash Elementary School (Gym and Courtyard) - 3851 W Roeser Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85041</div>
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<strong>RSVP Link:</strong> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/councilwoman-yassamin-ansaris-inaugural-jolly-jamboree-tickets-471234754837</div>
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<strong>Media Contact:</strong> Maria Lopez, District 7 Chief of Staff, 623-703-6830 </div>
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<strong>ABOUT COUNCILWOMAN YASSAMIN ANSARI</strong>
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<div>Ansari is the youngest woman ever elected in Phoenix City Council history and the first Iranian American elected to public office in the state of Arizona. Phoenix is the fifth largest and fastest-growing city in the United States. Ansari is determined to build sustainable, equitable communities that serve future generations.</div>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district7 | News | district-7 |
