2024 Chandler State of the City
Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024
6:30 p.m.
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2024-02-15 18:30:00
2024-11-23 20:19:11
2024 Chandler State of the City
Mayor Kevin Hartke and the Chandler City Council hosted the annual State of the City address on Feb. 15.
Guests enjoyed the Lobby Experience — a pre-event reception celebrating Chandler's fun, vibrant, family-friendly community with free food, game decor and networking. Before the Mayor took the stage, attendees experienced a riveting and heart-pounding Japanese Taiko drum performance.
If you weren't able to join us, read Mayor Hartke's speech and enjoy the accompanying videos below.
City of Chandler
info@chandleraz.gov
America/Phoenix
public
Mayor Kevin Hartke and the Chandler City Council hosted the annual State of the City address on Feb. 15.
Guests enjoyed the Lobby Experience — a pre-event reception celebrating Chandler's fun, vibrant, family-friendly community with free food, game decor and networking. Before the Mayor took the stage, attendees experienced a riveting and heart-pounding Japanese Taiko drum performance.
If you weren't able to join us, read Mayor Hartke's speech and enjoy the accompanying videos below.
- I’d like to officially welcome you to Chandler’s 2024 State of the City.
- People with diverse cultures, interests and talents expose us to new and exciting things.
- Food, games and music connect us.
- You’ve experienced a sample of that tonight.
- Our common love for Chandler resonates across all walks of life.
- Tonight, we’ll highlight areas that make us proud and ways our community brings people together.
- Let me begin our journey by introducing my colleagues.
- Vice Mayor OD Harris is on transportation, building safety and infrastructure boards at the regional and national level.
- Councilmember Mark Stewart is on regional economic development and national innovation and technology committees.
- Councilmember Matt Orlando is on literacy and water associations in Arizona and serves nationally on the League of Cities board of directors.
- Councilmember Christine Ellis is on regional domestic violence and national human development and policy committees.
- Councilmember Jane Poston serves on national public safety and crime prevention committees.
- Councilmember Angel Encinas serves on local business and workforce development committees.
- I serve as your Mayor. Later this year, I will also serve you as the Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council and President of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.
- As I prepared for tonight, I thought about our many accomplishments this past year.
- Chandler is consistently recognized among the safest cities in America and best places to live.
- Chandler was named the #1 city in the nation for renters.
- We’re among the most family-friendly cities in America and best places for veterans to live.
- A best place to start a side hustle and a city where Black Americans fare best economically.
- A city recognized for technology and finding innovative ways to address challenges.
- Residents gave us high satisfaction grades:
- Quality of Life – 99 percent
- Care by First Responders - 98 percent
- City Services – 96 percent
- Return on Taxes – 94 percent
- Feel Safe in Chandler – 92 percent
- Last year, we illustrated our evolution from a city of crops and fields to a city of fabs and chips.
- Today, we’re experiencing the fruits of that investment as more high-tech manufacturing and innovation companies expand operations.
- Intel’s presence in Chandler is nearing 45 years and today it is a centerpiece of America’s semiconductor industry.
- The billions being invested has a global impact, powering the most advanced technology in the world.
- Their continued investment supports a growing presence of semiconductor innovators in Chandler.
- Intel and the entire region are positioned well for semiconductor manufacturing growth. We are seeing that in Chandler.
- Edwards Vacuum opened a manufacturing facility to meet the demand for vacuum and abatement services in the semiconductor industry.
- EMD Electronics opened a factory that doubled its manufacturing capacity in the U.S. to produce semiconductor equipment and services.
- Bechtel opened an office for its advanced manufacturing and technology global business unit.
- Yield Engineering Systems opened space to create innovative manufacturing processes and prototypes for the semiconductor industry.
- Saras Micro Devices has co-located at this facility to build manufacturing space for its advanced power delivery solutions.
- Companies expanding operations weren’t limited to the semiconductor industry.
- Chandler was named the Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Our business-friendly tax climate and regulatory policies make it easy and attractive for companies to locate and expand.
- Here are a few more companies who chose Chandler to expand their operations.
- Vensure Employer Services opened its global headquarters to meet rising demand for human resources technology and services.
- Mastek opened an innovation hub to provide services on leading enterprise platforms.
- Raley's retained the Bashas’ corporate presence and opened a merchandising and operations support hub for its retail grocery stores.
- SCHEELS opened its first Arizona store at Chandler Fashion Center, transforming retail space to offer recreation and sport specialty shops.
- Andretti Indoor Karting and Games will open a new entertainment center this month featuring three-level go-kart racing and a variety of gaming experiences.
- A well-deserved congratulations to our own Micah Miranda for being named Arizona’s Economic Developer of the Year in 2023.
- One of Chandler's greatest strengths in attracting quality jobs is an educated population that creates a pipeline of talented workers.
- Workforce development illustrates the power of collaboration and innovation.
- Our broad approach engages the business community, higher education and tech platforms that connect people with training and jobs.
- Grand Canyon University opened a site for its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
- The University of Arizona expanded programs in Chandler to fill the need for talented workers.
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College offered degree programs and expanded specialized job training for Chandler industries.
- We worked with them to create internships for students to serve alongside city professionals.
- We partnered with Arizona State University to launch Chandler Endeavor, an incubator that advances early-stage and grow-stage ventures.
- Another program leverages ASU’s resources to equip Chandler Unified students with entrepreneurial tools and resources for success.
- And, congratulations to CUSD for being named the best school district in Arizona for both academics AND athletics.
- Quality jobs and great schools attract talented people from all over the globe.
- As such, Chandler is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Arizona with a unique international flavor.
- In 2023, we implemented our first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan.
- Language translation devices fostered customer service interactions in 120 languages and dialects.
- An award-winning online chat at our court provided access to services in multiple languages.
- By the way, does anyone know what Struthio means…
- It’s Latin for Ostrich.
- And, the Ostrich Festival is next month – the Chandler Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual event celebrating our early history with ostriches.
- A month-long series of Contigo events engaged the Latino community and our own Niki Tapia was nationally recognized as a Top Latino Leader.
- We celebrated Juneteenth as an official city holiday and the MLK Awards recognized residents’ dedication to human and civil rights.
- The Multicultural Festival showcased the people and cultures that make Chandler special.
- Art, dance, music and, my favorite, food, are some of the many ways that we all connect.
- As you’re ABOUT to see, our city offers diverse experiences that bring people together.
- Wow – there are so many ways to make lasting memories right here in Chandler.
- Let’s talk about the arts and our parks, recreation and libraries.
- The arts and culture industry has a $12 million economic impact in Chandler.
- Chandler Center for the Arts continues to attract diverse musical and theatrical performances.
- The Pueblo Alto mural was completed, and new murals are coming to Apache Park and Chandler Museum this year.
- The Chandler Public Library is adding a bookmobile with technology that will function as a mobile library.
- Nearly 300 Chandler youth in public housing were provided after-school and literacy programs.
- Our recreation centers will become certified autism centers to better serve residents.
- Our own Kennedy Terrill was nationally recognized for engaging teens in recreation programs.
- We’ve invested in parks and athletic facilities with improvements completed at 10 parks.
- Major improvements at Tumbleweed Park will add a four-field diamond sports complex and design a new 18-court pickleball complex.
- We’re adding multigenerational space at Tumbleweed Recreation Center and designing future improvements at Tumbleweed Ranch.
- Significant improvements are being made at the Chandler Boys and Girls Club, in partnership with the City and Chandler Compadres.
- The Galveston neighborhood is undergoing major improvements.
- We’re making substantial upgrades, removing residents from flood risk and updating Gazelle Meadows Park.
- CUSD is building a new elementary school and the nonprofit, Live Love, is creating a community center called The Oasis.
- We earned Tree City USA status for the 11th consecutive year.
- Grants are helping us develop a tree inventory and urban forestry management program.
- That includes engaging CUSD students to plant trees in neighborhoods and city parks.
- Our water and wastewater infrastructure and systems are reliable, secure and efficient.
- Water conservation rebates offer incentives for water-efficient technologies and grass removal.
- We saw a 900 percent increase in homeowner applications in the first 60 days of this program.
- Advanced water meters will empower customers with data about their own water consumption.
- We’ve converted more than 28,000 streetlights to LED fixtures that will reduce our electricity consumption by about $673,000 annually.
- Agreements with multiple providers offer residents more access to broadband speeds through fiber-to-home infrastructure.
- Planning has fostered innovation and investment that made us into the city we are today.
- It has guided decisions for decades – in the areas of water, land use and finances.
- Our General Plan gathers public input that creates the vision for development in Chandler.
- We’ll soon begin the process to update our plan and take it to Chandler voters for approval in 2026.
- It’s an important planning step that ensures residents guide how our community develops.
- Attracting companies and high-quality jobs would not occur without voter-approved plans that preserve space for employment.
- With that background, let me address some policy issues.
- A new state law eliminated residential rental taxes – an estimated $11 million loss for Chandler that takes effect next year.
- Chandler has the lowest combined taxes and costs for services because we plan and rely on diverse revenue sources to serve the community.
- State preemption has become an ongoing theme at the legislature – recently in the areas of water, housing and development.
- We oppose any legislation that overrides Chandler voters and bypasses local authority.
- Instead, we’re modeling best practices and offering solutions.
- A secure water position comes from long-range planning and wise investments over many decades.
- Companies and residents in our city have a 100-year assured water supply lasting for generations.
- We’re proactive in maintaining water and wastewater facilities, enabling Chandler to have the lowest overall utility rates in the Valley.
- Our water allocation policy preserves supply for existing and future economic growth.
- And, our reclaimed water system ensures every drop is reused many times over.
- We are working with county, state and federal agencies plus private developers to create housing options that address the needs of our community.
- Council has approved nearly 2,700 multi-family units and single-family homes in recent years that are pending construction.
- Clearly, we are not hindering, opposing or slowing down housing!
- For more than 50 years, Chandler has operated as a Housing and Urban Development-designated public housing authority.
- We manage more than 300 single-family and multi-family units.
- Plus, we administer hundreds of vouchers that supplement rent paid by tenants of privately owned units.
- Our own Vickie Ellexson was named Arizona’s Employee of the Year for administering housing choice vouchers.
- We use every tool in our toolbox to help Chandler families and individuals with housing.
- We’re using real-time data and technology to guide housing strategies and combat instability.
- We’re adding more affordable housing too.
- In partnership with a developer, construction of Villas at McQueen begins this year to add 157 multi-family affordable housing units.
- We’re reviewing proposals to redevelop two other city-owned sites to build additional units.
- Commercial redevelopment offers another opportunity.
- We’ve amended the Infill Incentive Plan to provide tools and promote redevelopment in parts of Chandler north of the Loop 202 freeway.
- It’s a win-win that protects local authority, diversifies economic development tools and spurs investment in a community.
- State lawmakers must work with cities to tackle these issues – not tie our hands – and not take decisions out of the hands of residents.
- We’d like to see legislation that offers cities tools to address underperforming retail centers and housing while preserving the rights of residents to have input on development.
- Downtown Chandler successfully illustrates redevelopment in action.
- It has become a destination for entertainment and dining experiences, attracting new businesses and housing.
- Eight new businesses opened last year, and DC Heights completed its first phase.
- The second phase of New Square will add hotel rooms, conference space and a new restaurant.
- One Chandler will create retail, office and multi-family housing at Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard.
- A two-story food hall featuring up to 12 restaurants will be built downtown.
- Improvements to streets and signage will help drivers and pedestrians navigate downtown.
- Voters will have another important decision to make this year regarding transportation.
- The regional half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation since 1985 is on the ballot this year.
- It has funded the development of the Valley’s regional freeway network and transit system plus numerous street and transit projects in Chandler.
- Proposition 479 is a critical source of funding to sustain and improve our streets, intersections, traffic technology and transit services.
- Council has nearly doubled investments in pavement restoration, ensuring the quality of Chandler roadways.
- Our award-winning streets crews completed over 150 miles of pavement restoration last year.
- Chandler Flex has proven to be a popular on-demand transit service since its inception in 2022.
- Residents have said they want bike lanes that are safe and offer improved connectivity.
- We completed a study of protected bike lanes as well as traffic calming measures on Hunt Highway.
- Frye Road will be our first protected bike lane, providing a 2.5-mile connection between Paseo Trail and San Marcos Park, west of downtown.
- We also have dedicated trails and paths that connect with neighboring cities.
- Serious crime rates hit historically low levels last year.
- And, our police department has produced a steady decline in crime during the past decade.
- That illustrates the supportive relationship that exists between residents, businesses and police.
- Partnerships with service providers freed up first responders to address other community safety needs.
- Integration of crisis and social service clinicians with police dispatchers diverted hundreds and hundreds of calls to behavioral health providers.
- We’re putting opioid settlement funds to use by working with prevention and intervention services.
- Human trafficking is a community safety issue that we’re facing head-on.
- Millions in grants and funding sponsored by Representative Julie Willoughby are going toward technology and resources targeted at human trafficking and Internet crimes against children.
- This includes investigative resources, technology and systems for a real-time police crime center.
- Staff from all city departments completed training to identify and report human trafficking.
- Our own Amanda Dahl was recognized by the Arizona Association of Crime Analysts as a stand-out new crime analyst.
- Chandler Fire has become an accredited paramedic program – the first fire department in the East Valley and only the second in Arizona.
- We equipped 24 graduates to become the newest paramedics serving Chandler.
- Our busiest fire station was rebuilt, and a second engine was added to address the demand for emergency services in north Chandler.
- This is the first major project completed using bonds authorized by voters in 2021.
- A future project planned using bonds is a Police Forensic Sciences facility.
- This new facility, to be built in the coming years, will feature a forensics team, consistently named a top-performing lab by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.
- First responders are exposed to unique health risks, so there are measures we have taken.
- Cancer prevention and diagnosis services for firefighters reduce their risk and exposure.
- Health screenings for police officers provide early detection of heart disease and cardiovascular risks.
- Mental health resources also are available for first responders.
- We have taken a unique approach to recruiting first responders to Chandler.
- Chandler Fire conducted its recruitment process, and 30 new firefighters will start serving our community this year.
- Chandler Police held ongoing recruitments - 48 police officers and 35 civilians were hired last year.
- We’ve adopted several ordinances to preserve the quality of life in neighborhoods.
- Our historic preservation ordinance promotes and preserves neighborhoods and landmarks.
- We’ve confronted the impacts of short-term rentals, data centers and animal cruelty and hoarding.
- We’re also working with other communities to prevent and address teen violence.
- We condemn teen violence and recognize the danger and harm it creates among our youth.
- We’re committed to engaging parents and youth to prevent and investigate these acts of violence.
- It’s imperative that residents continue sharing information about teen violence with police.
- A safe and resilient Chandler community begins with engaged residents.
- Nationally recognized, For Our City Day and Golden Neighbors, revitalized neighborhoods and connected seniors with resources.
- We’re one of only six cities nationally to receive the Global Cities Award from Just Serve, for connecting volunteers with community needs.
- These accolades reflect the great work of people and businesses who are invested in Chandler.
- We’re being proactive to prevent homelessness by connecting people with resources and housing.
- Our goal is to keep people housed and leverage social services that create stability.
- We administered rent and utility assistance for more than 2,000 Chandler households.
- We awarded $1.4 million to 48 nonprofits that deliver a variety of social services to residents.
- Community navigators connect people with a network of services to obtain housing, treatment and resources that stabilize their lives.
- As we look to the year ahead, we’ll continue our focus on excellent services and fiscal practices
- We have the lowest total cost of taxes and utility services in the Valley.
- Our sales tax is the lowest in the entire state.
- Council lowered property taxes for the eighth consecutive year.
- We’re the largest Arizona city to pay off our public safety pension obligation.
- Chandler is an appealing place, and we have many exciting things to come this year.
- We’ll welcome more world-class companies and innovators to Chandler.
- We’ll refresh the Sister City Program and broaden our international relationships.
- We’ll create a plan for Mesquite Groves, our 70th park.
- We’ll focus on community, service and excellence, not partisan division.
- Vision and planning are rooted in our heritage.
- We are innovators, inspired by possibilities.
- And, we take responsibility for shaping our community’s future.
- We’ve had an incredible year of announcements.
- Our city is safe.
- Our city is welcoming to all people, backgrounds and cultures.
- Our city is connected through traditions and technology.
- We are experiencing tremendous investment and prosperity.
- And we are proud to serve you as Mayor and Councilmembers.
- Thank you for being here!