Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Referral of Bond Issue for Renovations to Talking Stick Arena at Election on March 12, 2019
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Mr. Michael Pierce at the Jan. 9, 2019 Formal City Council meeting regarding the referral of a bond issue for renovations to Talking Stick Arena at the March 12, 2019 election (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
The petition requests that the Mayor and City Council set aside any future vote to approve $150 million of bond funding to renovate Talking Stick Arena. Instead, the petition requests that the Mayor and City Council refer approval of the bond issue to City of Phoenix voters at the next election scheduled for March 12, 2019.
The deadline for submitting measures to be placed on the March 12, 2019 ballot has passed. The City Council called the election and adopted the form of the ballot for the March 2019 election on Dec. 5, 2018.
Voter approval of the $150 million in bond funding is not legally required. Chapter XXVII, section A of the City Charter requires voter approval for amounts greater than $3 million for new construction of a sports complex or arena. The funding currently being discussed is to be used for renovation of an existing sports facility, not the construction of an entirely new sports arena. In addition, the arena renovations will be funded through the City’s Sports Facilities Fund, designated by the City Council through an ordinance comprised primarily of tax revenue from tourists on rental cars and hotels.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by the City Manager's Office and the Law Department.