Title
Consideration of a Citizen Petition
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to the citizen petition submitted by Mr. Andy Diaz Nunez at the Jan. 25, 2023, Formal Meeting (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
On Jan. 25, 2023, Mr. Andy Diaz Nunez submitted a citizen petition to ban the use of the City of Phoenix suite at the Footprint Center by Phoenix City Council members. Upon review by the Law Department, this submittal was determined to qualify as a citizen petition because it is an action within the purview of the City Council.
In 1989, the City executed a development agreement, operating agreement and other related contracts with the Phoenix Arena Development Limited Partnership and the Phoenix Suns to construct and operate a new downtown arena, now known as Footprint Center (the Arena). This City-owned multipurpose facility hosts concerts, family shows, conventions and professional sports events that occur every three days on average. As part of the operating agreement with the Suns, the City is provided a suite and twelve tickets for most events. The Community and Economic Development Department (CEDD) manages the use of the suite for the City and has adopted policies for such use. The current Arena Suite Policy, as revised in April 2019 (Attachment B), provides guidance for the use of the suite as follows:
Events hosted by City of Phoenix (City) staff in the Arena Suite (suite) are meant to foster connections between industry professionals, community stakeholders, community groups, and those actively considering the Phoenix market for business. City Council has approved the following specific uses for the suite:
1. Economic Development Activities.
2. Hosting distinguished guests of the City.
3. Promotion of the City.
4. Enhancing relations with other Public Agencies.
5. Employee award programs.
6. Activities for youth and/or developmentally disabled individuals.
A few of the other key elements of the policy include: For those events that are available, there are twelve tickets included as part of the use of the suite. An additional ten tickets may be purchased for the event, at cost as determined by the Arena. Requestors, Designated Hosts, and all guests are responsible for making sure that their use of the suite and conduct there complies with the City of Phoenix Ethics and Gift Policies. CEDD maintains records of the use of the suite including a Suite Request Form, a Preliminary Guest List and a Post Event Report. Designated Hosts must be either a current City employee or an elected official. Documentation will be obtained and approved for all requests to utilize the suite by City Council members and must be submitted to the CEDD Director and approved by the Deputy City Manager. For hosted events: a sign-in sheet for the event of the guests attending the event, including acknowledgements that the guests will adhere to the City's Lobbying Policy and agreed to comply with City ethics. On nights the suite does not have scheduled use by CEDD or the City Council, the suite can be made available to the City's Youth and Education Program as a City Council approved usage.
The Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee (EDE) Chair requested in early January 2023 that staff provide an update on the Arena Suite Policy as an EDE future agenda item, and the item will be heard at the Feb. 22, 2023, EDE meeting.
Options for Council Action:
A. Accept the petition and direct staff to amend the Arena Suite Policy to remove use by City Council members.
B. Deny the petition.
C. Other direction to staff related to amending the Arena Suite Policy.
Location
201 E. Jefferson St.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Community and Economic Development Department.