Scottsdale council votes 6-1 to investigate Axon referendum timing amid ethics allegations against Graham
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA — July 2, 2025

Scottsdale council votes 6-1 to investigate Axon referendum timing amid ethics allegations against Graham

Contentious Scottsdale city council meeting marked by significant public criticism of council members over sustainability plan repeal, Axon rezoning referendum delay, parking garage hearing denial, and allegations of ethics violations and abuse of procedure against Councilman Barry Graham.

Scottsdale Council Fractured Over Ethics Allegations, Sustainability Repeal, and Axon Referendum Delay

In a contentious July 2, 2025 meeting marked by hostile public comment, competing procedural motions, and mutual accusations of misconduct, the Scottsdale city council heard nine speakers condemn the repeal of the Community Sustainability Plan and challenge Barry Graham integrity, while debating the timing of a voter referendum on a 1,900-unit apartment rezoning.

The meeting exposed deep fractures within the council and between the governing body and residents over transparency, parliamentary procedure, and the city's commitment to environmental sustainability. Multiple public commenters presented video evidence, police report citations, and accusations of ethics violations, false police reports, and abuse of parliamentary rules, while council members disputed allegations, invoked points of order, and clashed over the proper scope of public comment.

Key Speeches

"Sustainability isn't optional. It's essential for preserving the exceptional quality of life Scottsdale residents cherish and depend upon." — Josie Kolan, resident

"I was absolutely devastated to learn that the city council had repealed the community sustainability plan and its task force. This completely broke my heart because I believed in your leadership. This plan was a result of three-year effort involving residents, city officials, local businesses, and experts in the field. It was approved by the community. It had been adopted by the council in December of 2024. So, I've got to ask, why the repeal so suddenly and with little public notice?" — Whitney Warman, architect, Scottsdale Museum of the West expansion

"The signatures were verified in January of 2025, and the next available election would have been May of 2025. But because the council balked on holding a timely election, Axon was able to secure special legislation exempting them from local zoning. Delaying the election to November of 2026 is meant to benefit incumbent Barry Graham and former Kathy Littlefield, who will be running for election along with the Axon referendum." — Michael Fernandez, citizens petition organizer

"Barry, you have a problem with the truth. And your response to call people speculative or defamatory is truly vile. And then to say that it breeds distrust and agitation in the community, well, I think you should turn that mirror back on yourself. Nothing breeds distrust and agitation in the community than an elected official who lies, bullies, and defames." — Jason Alexander, resident, presenting video evidence of Graham's contradictory statements

"Council members Debasquez and Quasman are licensed lawyers subject to discipline from the state bar. Supreme Court rule of professional conduct. 'It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthy, or fitness as a lawyer.' Mr. Debasquez, Mr. Quasman, Barry Graham, if you truly want a cohesive, unified city council, it is time for you to acknowledge your wrongdoing and apologize." — RL Whitmer, resident, citing professional ethics standards

"Barry Graham, why would your next action be to broadcast knowledge of this incident by informing Rod Pritchette to post in his blog that I made a threat and I am now on a police department watch list? Why would you and Rod Pritchette make a public comment that could increase the danger to your children by potentially provoking violence from someone you believe is threatening violence?" — Steve Sutton, resident, disputing Graham's account of alleged threatening comments

Timeline

Opposition

Number of speakers against council policies/conduct: 9 (Kolan, Warman, Isaac, Alexander, Fernandez, Whitmer, Sutton, Escudero, and indirectly Wood—though Wood did not appear).

Main concerns:

  1. Sustainability Plan Repeal: Council repealed the December 2024 Community Sustainability Plan in January 2025 despite three years of community input, 350+ resident emails opposing repeal, and council's own recent adoption. Residents cite accelerating climate impacts (heat, dust storms, water scarcity, air quality) as requiring proactive city leadership. Plan was voluntary and did not impose mandates; repeal contradicts Scottsdale's historical environmental legacy (Indian Ben Wash greenbelt, saguaro preservation, wastewater recycling pioneering).

  2. Councilman Barry Graham Ethics and Conduct Allegations: Multiple speakers (Jason Alexander, Steve Sutton, RL Whitmer) presented specific accusations:

    • Barry Graham made contradictory statements about ethics conviction terminology (guilty vs. not guilty), documented in video and Independent article.
    • Barry Graham filed false or unfounded police reports against residents (Sutton, Mayor Barowski) and county attorney complaint (parking-gate bribery allegation, dropped).
    • Barry Graham abuses points of order and parliamentary sidebars to silence discussion, violating council rules.
    • Barry Graham told Kathy Littlefield how to vote in violation of decency and independence.
    • Barry Graham misrepresents facts as CPA and violates Board of Accountancy ethical standards.

  3. Axon Rezoning Referendum Delay: Council failed to set election date for 26,000-signature voter referendum on 1,900-unit apartment rezoning. Verified in January 2025; next legally available date was May 2025. Council defaulted to November 2026, allegedly benefiting four council members (Debasquez, Barry Graham, Quasman, Kathy Littlefield) facing 2026 re-election. Delay allowed Axon to secure state legislation exempting project from local zoning. Citizens petition requests November 2025 or March 2026 election.

  4. Parking Garage Public Hearing Denial: Council denied two petitions (5,000+ signatures each) requesting public hearing on parking garage in historic Old Town. Denied May 20 request and re-requested June 24 (4-3 vote). Fernandez characterized decision as "pigeon holing" petition with city manager.

  5. Abuse of Points of Order: Dan Isaac documented repeated violations: Barry Graham and Quasman call points of order to shut down unfavorable discussion; both engage in prohibited sidebars; Barry Graham told Kathy Littlefield how to vote, requiring two re-votes to clarify her motion.

  6. Procedural Injustice: Mayor Barowski and City Attorney Santea limited public comment scope, ruling that Fernandez's criticism of council members' electoral timing constitutes prohibited "advocacy for ballot measures/candidates." Residents disputed this interpretation, arguing ethics and referendum timing are within council jurisdiction.

  7. Parks Maintenance Neglect: Jose Escudero documented non-functional fountains, rat-infested untrimmed palms (20 years), foul-smelling empty pond (health hazard), golf ball hazard without netting, wasteful sidewalk replacement widening from 8 feet to 10 feet.

Most compelling arguments:

Organized groups: No formal organized opposition mentioned; however, citizens petitions with 5,000+ signatures (parking garage and Axon referendum) suggest grassroots mobilization.

Support

Number of speakers supporting council or specific policies: 0 (No speakers defended council's sustainability repeal, Graham's conduct, or referendum delay timing.)

Barry Graham defense:

Councilman Adam Quasman's procedural interventions:

Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield:

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead:

Lisa Borowsky:

Project Details

Citizens Petition — Axon Rezoning Referendum Election Date

Parks Watering and Seeding Program (Agendaized for Future Presentation)

Lagging Left Turn Signals and Red/Amber Light Timing (Items 8 & 9, Agendaized)

Fire Department Fire Mitigation and Prevention Efforts (Agendaized)

Median Standing Ordinance (Code Chapter 17, Motor Vehicle and Traffic)

Associate City Judge Recruitment (Work Study Session — Direction Provided)

Vote Breakdown

Item 1: Approval of Special Meeting Minutes (June 10, 2025) and Executive Session Minutes (June 10, 2025)

Item 2: Acceptance of Agenda as Presented

Item 3: Approval of Consent Agenda Items 1–5

Item 4: Citizens Petition — Motion to Agendaize Axon Referendum Election Date for Future Discussion (Mayor Barowski's Motion)

Item 4 (Alternate): Citizens Petition — Motion to Direct City Manager to Investigate and Prepare Written Response (Councilman Graham's Motion)

Item 4 (Reconsideration): Motion to Reconsider and Substitute Option 2 (Councilwoman Whitehead's Reconsideration Motion)

Item 5: Agendaize Staff Presentation on Lagging Left Turn Signals and Red/Amber Light Timing (Items 8 & 9)

Item 6: Agendaize Staff Presentation on Parks Annual Seating and Water Program

Item 7: Agendaize Staff Presentation on Fire Department Fire Mitigation and Prevention Efforts

Item 8: Direct City Attorney to Agendaize Code Changes to Chapter 17 (Median Standing Ordinance)

Outcome & Next Steps

Axon Rezoning Referendum Election Timing: After 20+ minutes of procedural wrangling, the citizens petition requesting an earlier Axon referendum election did not result in immediate agendaization for future hearing. Instead, the council voted 6-1 (with Barry Graham dissenting) to direct the city manager to investigate the matter and prepare a written response to the council and petitioner. Mayor Barowski and Solange Whitehead supported agendaizing the petition for a future public hearing and discussion of election date options, but that motion failed 4-3. Solange Whitehead invoked a reconsideration motion (as a member of the prevailing side on Graham's alternate motion) to prevent residents from leaving "empty-handed," substituting a written response requirement. The council will receive a staff response and written legal/procedural analysis, but no guarantee of a future hearing or earlier election date at this time.

Traffic Safety Improvements: Mayor Barowski successfully agendaized items 8 & 9 (lagging left turn signals, red and amber light timing) for a staff presentation at a future council meeting. Motion passed 7-0. City traffic engineers will present data on safety improvements, potential costs, and feasibility of uniform traffic signal systems across Scottsdale.

Parks Maintenance and Watering: Mayor Barowski agendaized a staff presentation on the parks annual seeding and watering program, limited to city-owned and operated parks (excluding McCormack Ranch-managed facilities). Motion passed 7-0. Staff will provide options, costs, and water-impact analysis to inform council decision on enhanced grass maintenance funded by the 58% voter-approved tax increase.

Fire Department Mitigation Efforts: Mayor Barowski agendaized Fire Chief Tom Shannon's presentation on fire retardant application and volunteer wildfire fuel mitigation expansion. Motion passed 7-0.

Median Standing Ordinance: Vice Mayor Debasquez will have the City Attorney agendaize code changes to Chapter 17 (Motor Vehicle and Traffic) to prohibit standing in medians for safety reasons, consistent with campaign sign prohibitions. Motion passed 7-0.

Judicial Recruitment: Council provided direction for recruiting a replacement for retiring Judge James Blake (September 2025). The Judicial Appointment Advisory Board (JAB) will recommend a minimum of three candidates by September 10. Council will interview candidates in executive session with presiding Judge Maryanne Bayardi present, then vote on appointment in public session. Target appointment: early October 2025.

Controversies & Context

Sustainability Plan Repeal: The Community Sustainability Plan, adopted by council in December 2024 after three years of community input, was repealed by a 4-1 vote in January 2025. Residents Josie Kolan and Whitney Warman expressed profound disappointment, citing accelerating climate impacts (heat, dust storms, water scarcity, air quality decline) and Scottsdale's historical environmental leadership (Indian Ben Wash greenbelt, saguaro preservation, wastewater recycling pioneering, 2021 Green Construction Code adoption). Warman, an architect on the Museum of the West expansion project, noted that the city successfully implemented 80% construction waste reduction through green building standards, demonstrating operationalizability. Mayor Barowski and Solange Whitehead have expressed support for sustainability measures; the repeal was cited as cost-related by the council majority, though Solange Whitehead questioned whether future federal funding cuts to human services should be anticipated.

Councilman Barry Graham Ethics and Conduct Crisis: Multiple public speakers presented specific, documented allegations against Barry Graham:

  1. Ethics Violation Terminology Dispute: Jason Alexander played video of Graham's contradictory statements about whether his ethics violation constitutes a "guilty verdict." Alexander cited Jay Greyber's Independent article explicitly stating "Barry Graham found guilty of ethics violation," contrasted with Graham's claim that the terminology is "baseless, unproven speculation." Alexander challenged Barry Graham to hire a lawyer and pursue defamation, noting that discovery would expose Graham's communications.

  2. False Police Reports: RL Whitmer cited Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2907.01(A), prohibiting knowingly false reports to law enforcement, and noted Barry Graham is a licensed CPA subject to Board of Accountancy ethical standards requiring "acceptance of responsibility to the public." Whitmer referenced false bribery complaint filed by Debasquez, Quasman, and Barry Graham against the Mayor regarding parking-gate issues; county attorney dropped investigation after interviews.

  3. Threat Fabrication: Steve Sutton disputed Graham's claim that Sutton made threatening comments. Sutton presented video of Graham's own contradictory statements and questioned the logic: if Barry Graham felt threatened for his children's safety, why broadcast the incident via Rod Pritchette's blog? Sutton concluded Barry Graham fabricated the threat for political purposes.

  4. Abuse of Points of Order: Dan Isaac documented repeated violations of council procedure rules: Barry Graham and Quasman call points of order to shut down unfavorable discussion; both engage in prohibited sidebars with council members; Barry Graham told Kathy Littlefield how to vote, requiring two re-votes to clarify her motion.

Graham's Response: Barry Graham disputed characterizations as "baseless, unproven speculation," defended his police report against Sutton as justified and intended to remain private, and objected to negative intimations about Barry Graham did not comprehensively address individual allegations.

Axon Rezoning Referendum Delay and Electoral Timing Allegations: Michael Fernandez presented a timeline showing that 26,000 registered Scottsdale voters signed a petition in December 2024 to refer the Axon 1,900-unit apartment rezoning to ballot. Signatures were verified in January 2025; the next legally available election date was May 2025. The council failed to set a date, defaulting to November 2026. Fernandez alleged that four council members—Debasquez, Barry Graham, Quasman, and Kathy Littlefield—benefit from the delay because they face re-election in 2026, allowing them to run concurrently with the Axon referendum. Fernandez also cited former Councilman Bob Littlefield's June 22 column stating "We are not cancelling the November 2026 election," raising questions about coordination. Notably, Axon subsequently secured state legislation exempting the project from local zoning, effectively circumventing the referendum. Fernandez characterized the delay as denying voters a voice and requested the council agendaize a discussion of holding the referendum in November 2025 or March 2026 instead.

Parking Garage Public Hearing Denial: Fernandez also reported that the council denied two petitions (5,000+ signatures each) requesting a public hearing on a parking garage in historic Old Town. The first petition was submitted May 20 and denied; Fernandez re-requested June 24, and a 4-3 vote denied the request. Fernandez characterized the decision as "pigeon holing" the petition with the city manager, denying residents a voice on a project affecting the historic district.

Procedural Justice and Public Comment Scope: A dispute arose over the scope of public comment. Mayor Barowski and City Attorney Santea ruled that Michael Fernandez's criticism of council members' referendum timing constitutes prohibited "advocacy for ballot measures or candidates." Santea stated that "advocacy, political advocacy for ballot measures and candidates is never appropriate" during public comment. However, Councilman Quasman challenged this interpretation, arguing that referendum timing and council member electoral calculations are within the city's jurisdiction and thus appropriate for public comment. Quasman requested the City Attorney clarify whether Fernandez's speech constitutes "advocacy" or legitimate public comment on city matters. Santea acknowledged a "gray area" but maintained that advocacy for candidates or ballot measures falls outside the scope. The tension suggests disagreement on where to draw the line between public comment on city governance and prohibited campaign advocacy.

Back-and-Forth Between Council and Public: Mayor Barowski explicitly warned at the outset of the public comment period against "banter back and forth" between council and speakers, urging speakers to "leave it at that without the back and forth." However, the meeting devolved into multiple instances of council members responding to, interrupting, or debating public commenters: Barry Graham disputed Jason Alexander's characterization, Councilman Quasman challenged the scope of Fernandez's comments, and the Mayor had to rule points of order and defend her decision to allow Alexander additional time after Graham's interruption. The protocol broke down despite the Mayor's attempt to enforce decorum.

Parks Maintenance and Infrastructure Complaints: Jose Escudero detailed specific maintenance issues on the Osborne-to-Chaparral Lake walking path: three of four fountains non-functional, five palm trees untrimmed for 20 years and infested with rats, a pond near Indian School nearly empty and foul-smelling (potential mosquito breeding ground and health hazard), a golf ball hazard from Continental Golf Course (Escudero was hit at ~200 mph on his car), and wasteful sidewalk widening from standard to 10-foot slabs. Solange Whitehead asked Escudero to meet with staff to document issues for further study; Kathy Littlefield also requested notes for further investigation. No immediate action was taken, but the complaints were referred to staff for review.

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