Federal and Local Leaders Celebrate Light Rail Funding

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Public Transit

11/23/2021 9:00:00 PM

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Federal and Local Leaders Celebrate Light Rail Funding

<div class="ExternalClass54FA082EDE2441AFA7BB1609B7863679"><html> Federal and local dignitaries gathered Friday, Nov. 19 to celebrate the signing of a $158 million full funding grant agreement for the Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II (NWEII). The extension adds 1.6 miles of track, three stations and a multimodal transit center to the existing 28-mile light rail system. The event culminated an exciting week for transportation with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law on Monday. “This extension is going to enable more people to enjoy safe, fast, frequent and reliable public transportation, and it’s an environmentally-friendly project,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “This connection will tie people to downtown, to Arizona State University and Sky Harbor International Airport—high-activity areas where there is job generation.” Connecting from the existing end-of-line at 19th Avenue and Dunlap, the extension will provide greater transit access to Phoenix residents west of the I-17 thanks to a new rail-only bridge that will be built over the freeway and the first elevated station. It is expected to serve 5,700 riders each day. “With the Northwest Extension Phase II, we see a community identifying transportation needs, developing smart solutions, standing up for its values and investing local dollars in these projects.” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Thanks to this project, communities will now have better and more affordable access to jobs, healthcare, services, downtown and everywhere that Valley Metro reaches.” “The construction of this light rail connection will serve thousands of daily riders, opening up opportunities for folks to access education and good-paying jobs,” said U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. “That’s how we continue to make the Valley a great place to live and to work. Like the other infrastructure projects we will see in our state, it’s going to put folks back to work.” “One of the things I’m most proud of from my time as mayor is asking voters to grow our economy with an expansion of light rail into new neighborhoods throughout the city,” said U.S. Representative Greg Stanton. “But even with voter approval, it cannot happen without federal investment. Making this extension a reality is a catalyst for economic and social transformation, connecting the Northwest Valley to economic opportunities, jobs, education, health care, social services and more––in this region and beyond.” “This extension will power our economy, connecting new parts of the city to educational institutions, employment centers, and a vibrant offering of arts, culture, and sports,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Combined with support coming from President Biden’s new infrastructure plan, we will strengthen our multi-modal transit system, reduce greenhouse gasses, and speed towards our climate goals.” “Transit plays a major role in serving our diverse community and the fastest-growing county in the United States,” said Valley Metro Board Chair and Mesa Councilmember Francisco Heredia. “We will need all transit and transportation solutions on the table as we expect over a million more people to be coming to the Phoenix area in the next 10 years.” “Our system is relatively young—only 13 years old—but in that time, has changed our communities for the better,” said Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith. “We have seen unprecedented mobility, development and change for the good. Northwest Extension Phase II has a huge impact because of where it is, crossing a boundary between central and west Phoenix, and ending at one of the most exciting and unique redevelopment efforts in the entire country.” The project’s total cost is $401 million, paid for by the federal Capital Investment Grant, Proposition 400 regional funds and city of Phoenix Transportation 2050 funds. Construction began in September 2020 and the extension is scheduled to begin operating in 2024.For more photos of the event, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/valleymetro/albums/72157720177583457">visit the Valley Metro Flickr site</a>. For more information on Phoenix light rail projects <a target="_blank" href="https://www.valleymetro.org/project">valleymetro.org/project</a>. </html></div>

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Federal and local leaders sign light rail funding agreement

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Transportation 2050, T2050, Valley Metro Rail, Phoenix Public Transit, Federal Transit Administration, Light Rail Grants, Full Funding Grant Agreement, Northwest Extension Phase II, South Central/Downtown Hub Light Rail Extension

Brenda Yanez

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602-261-8254

brenda.yanez@phoenix.gov

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Phoenix Fire and Local 493 Host Annual RBO	https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/fire/2948	Fire	12/6/2023 7:00:00 AM		https://youtu.be/Hkfygd50EPc	Phoenix Fire and Local 493 Host Annual RBO	<div class="ExternalClassAD63F804788E4CC9A8CDFBB42B57C99B"><html>RBO is a rich and successful aspect of the Phoenix Fire Department’s history and culture.<br><br>This year marks the 34th Anniversary of our annual Relationships by Objective (RBO) annual Labor Management process. It is an important retreat that allows the Phoenix Fire Department and its partners in United Phoenix Fire Firefighters Association (U.P.F.F.A.) Local 493 to identify organizational priorities that affect our firefighters and civilian support staff. Labor management members work collectively on naming and achieving goals that are critical to helping our department thrive. <br><br>The process began in the late eighties after tumultuous challenges began to erode the relationship between fire labor and management. The RBO process, which is now deeply institutionalized, begins with a labor management retreat during which both sides bring organizational priorities to the table. Goals are identified and representatives from labor and management are assigned to find solutions. It allows the fire department to seamlessly come together on issues which effect our members. <br><br>This year’s annual retreat was held at the city of Phoenix Burton Barr Pulliam Auditorium. Approximately 75 members attended with the first order of business, to review the 2023 action items. The event was also broadcast live on the Phoenix Fire Department’s Youtube Channel and social media.<br><br>Action items from this year’s event included development of a strategic plan, examining staffing automation, evaluating a wellness fitness initiative, reviewing the labor management team procedure, an assessment of nature code responses, healthy work hours and a work schedule assessment, career development, and a pilot program on firefighter fitness and injury prevention.<br><br>In the afternoon labor and management leaders discussed new action plans for 2024. Some action items were carried over, such as the Strategic Plan Implementation and nature code response assessment. Others are new, such as staffing automation and integration, payroll efficiencies and solutions, developing internal and external workshops, and strategies for internal communication. Co-chairs representing labor and management were named for each new action plan. Each sub-committee will name quarterly goals and report regularly to labor management leadership.<br><br>Sometimes a group decision is not possible or not in one or both parties’ best interest. In those cases, the appropriate party (labor or management) will decide. The Fire Chief has the final decision-making authority for management decisions, and the Union President has the final decision-making authority for labor decisions. This is agreed upon by the participants and is a key to the effectiveness of labor/management process. <br><br>The beauty of the RBO process is that it is a “give and take” for both sides and the outcome usually represents what is best for the “greater good” of the organization. That is a win that both labor and management can always agree upon.<br></html></div>	https://www.phoenix.gov/fire	Video
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