City Council Formal Meeting - Regular Meeting

One of my favorites has been Project Reduce. I loved how the chefs were able to improve their bottom line but also the taste of their food.

I love it when doing the right thing for the environment also improves the bottom line financially and the taste of the product.

that have become really national models and our nonprofits have innovated so much through challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, but also just making sure we grow our food systems in a more sustainable water friendly way. And so it's great to see that work.

Welcome to Fillmore Gardens. We're excited to be with you here today to celebrate a new investment in water conservation. A huge thank you to Titus Matthews and the Housing Department for welcoming us to Fillmore Gardens. Nearly three years ago, we announced a similar program at Sunny Slope Manor. The program is a toilet leak detection program that helps maintenance crews learn in real time when residents had a toilet leak so that they could stop it right away. The program has already saved close to 850,000 gallons of water, reducing the amount of water used at Sunny Slope Manor by nearly 20%.

Underground is, we're investing in a wide variety of important policies. We have water underground as a strategic reserve for the future. We're investing in infrastructure that gives us more flexibility to use water where it's needed. We're investing in three advanced water purification facilities, the largest of which will serve cities across the metro and bolster resilience for the region. And we continue to work with partners across Arizona on collaborative water solutions for the future. But conservation is not only about large-scale infrastructure projects. It's about finding smart, pract

Good morning, everyone. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you to all of our partners from the Water Services Department, Housing Department, Pacific Institute, Sensor Industries, Target, and everyone who helped to make today possible. It is great to be here in Fillmore Gardens to highlight a project that may seem simple on the surface, but represents something much bigger for the future of Phoenix. When people think of water conservation, they often think of large infrastructure, projects, reservoirs, pipelines, or major policy decisions, and all of those are important. And those investments matter,

Good afternoon and thank you for joining us. Today is Wednesday, August 26th. We'll begin today with a recognition for a member of our community from Councilwoman Guardado.

Thank you, Mayor. Today I want to take a moment to honor Ken Duvall, who recently passed. He was a cherished resident of Phoenix's District 5, whose quiet dedication and commitment left a meaningful imprint on our community. For more than 22 years, since 2004, he generously shared his time and perspective on the Maryville Village Planning Committee. always striving to make his neighborhood a better place for everyone. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for his steady service and offer my condolences to his family. Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you so much for that important recognition. I'll now turn for the invocation. Chaplain Harry Sexton will provide an invocation in keeping with the tradition of legislative prayer for the council. Participation is entirely voluntary. Anyone may remain seated or step outside. Chaplain Sexton, thank you for joining us.

Councilman O'Brien, will you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? I'll now call to order the formal meeting of the Phoenix City Council. Will the clerk call the roll?

Here. Mario Barajas and his team is with us to provide Spanish interpretation. Mario, will you introduce yourself and your colleagues?

Thank you so much. Will the city attorney explain the role of public comment?

Thank you so much. We next move to boards and commissions. Vice mayor.

Motion to approve the mayors and city council boards and commission nominations. Second.

We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Passes unanimously. We're so thankful to our residents for serving in these important positions and we'll conduct a swearing in ceremony now. If you'll please come forward. Please raise your right hand. I state your name. I state your name. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona. And the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona. Tha

And defend them against all enemies. And defend them against all enemies. Foreign and domestic. And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of, state your office. According to the best of my ability. So help me God. Wonderful. Congratulations. Thank you for serving our community. Thank you again to our new commissioners. The City of Phoenix provides an advisory role to the State of Arizona on liquor licenses, and we'll move to that portion of our agenda. Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

Motion to approve items two through 45. Second.

We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Passes unanimously. City Clerk, are we ready for ordinances, resolution, new business planning and zoning? Yes, Mayor. Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

Yes, motion to approve items 46 through 130, except for the following items 57, 84, 90, 100, 106, and 111, noting that items 127 is as revised. Item 128 is continued to October 21st, 2026 agenda. And can the clerk confirm if there are any other items that should be excluded for in-person public comments?

We have a motion and a second. Roll call.

Thanks so much, and some very important items on our agenda, including helping grow our economy and public engagement. And we next go to customer engagement software number 57. Vice Mayor, do we have a motion? Motion to approve item 57. We have a motion and a second. We'll turn to Councilman Hernandez for comments.

Sorry, thank you, Mayor. Just a quick request for, sorry, we're on 57, right? Okay, thank you. Just a quick request for you, Ed. Is it possible to send my office a list of all the city departments, department contracts with Zen City, and the dollar amount that we are paying for each of that contract?

Okay, thank you so much. Mayor, I just have a couple comments. It's really been brought to my attention around this item by several residents that emailed and called our office that Zen City is an Israeli company that is actively providing services in support of the Israeli genocide in Gaza. I have serious concerns with our city financially supporting the murder of innocent people. I hope that we can continue to be intentional about who we are contracting with as a city because it is a huge reflection in our values. So I won't be able to support this item today. Thank you very much.

Yes. Passes 7-1. Item 83 is next, which is a development agreement with Civic Group LLC for the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the security building and annex building. Vice Mayor?

Motion and a second. Council Member Hernandez?

Thank you so much. I believe we have folks to speak on it. I'll wait until after public comment.

Thank you so much, Mayor. I believe the applicant is here. If he could, would you mind sending him to the podium? Just have a quick question for you. And while you get up there, you know, thank you so much for the community members for being engaged and following along. Here are your concerns, and I think I'M CONFIDENTLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND FOR OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM. WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESS. SO DEFINITELY GOING TO TAKE YOUR INPUT AND WE WILL LOOK AND SEE HOW WE CAN BETTER OUR PROCESSES SO THAT WE ARE FULL OF TRANSPARENCY WITH YOU ALL AS RESIDENTS. CHRIS

Thank you so much. And Chris, will you stay there? I was thinking during the boards and commissions portion in my early days as a village planning commissioner, there was the Phoenix Urban Research Lab at the roof of this building or the top story. And so I got to see the building. For those people who haven't been there, can you describe the building and a little bit about its history and particularly that space on the top, which is a special historic place in our city?

Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you so much. I think that's it. Roll call.

Item 84 is authorization to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Phoenix Union High School District to administer a youth outreach program. Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

We have a motion, we do have several members of the public to comment. I will start with in-person and then go to virtual. We will begin with Carol Berry followed by Pamela Neal. then we'll go with Roland Harris and then Anthony online.

grateful for your service. Thank you so much. Pamela is next followed by Roland.

thank you for that testimony roland is next uh councilman stark uh did you want to do the question for the speaker i just wanted to know if she was going to give us that gavel oh that is an awesome gavel And Roland is next, followed by Anthony.

MAYOR. CAN WE GET AN ANSWER TO WHAT MR. HARRIS SAID ABOUT THE QUESTION? Cause that's a little concerning if that's a question on the form.

And Anthony, we're going to take some questions and then we'll go to you.

Thank you. Anthony. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Anthony's not with us? Okay. Shannon, young people have wanted the opportunity to ask our officers different questions and to learn about police procedures. Could you give us an example of some of the questions that young people have asked through this pilot program?

Thank you so much, Mayor. I had the opportunity to attend the culminating ceremony for the students that participated in the pilot at South Mountain High School. And I just wanted to share a little bit about my experience and hear from you. I would say in addition to public safety, I felt like the students also walked away with a new sense of responsibility when it comes to civic engagement and community advocacy. Amongst the topics that I recall hearing from the students included climate change. There were some concerns about immigration and interactions with law enforcement and what they nee

Thank you for that. It was actually a highlight. I enjoyed speaking and meeting with those young people to hear their perspective. There was a variety of opinions presented on, for example, just on how we address the equity concerns. There were varying opinions presented by the students that participated in the program. I'm just curious, is there anything that we learned from the first group of students that completed this program and how are we using what we've learned to help strengthen this program and continue to build on the successes?

Thank you. And then my last question is, this is, it would be in collaboration with the school district. I think it, maybe it's nice to ask this way. The school districts are not forcing the students to participate. This is completely discretionary and it is up to the school district as to how it is implemented to a certain extent, correct? Or can you share a little bit more about how that partnership works?

Okay. And then I know we're just in this, we just completed the pilot, but are there any opportunities that we are foreseeing for graduates to continue to stay engaged in these types of activities or community advocacy or any type of leadership opportunities? So it's not a, I wouldn't say a one and done opportunity for them?

Thank you for that. I do remember exactly that conversation with the young men that presented that. Again, I think the Office of Accountability and Transparency appreciated the opportunity to speak and attend their first graduation program. I think it was incredible to see these students and witness some of their enthusiasm for this program. the civic engagement and the community leadership. I saw them as positioning themselves to be a part of the solution for the many, I would say the concerns that we have in our community. So I really appreciate Oath for creating this opportunity. Thank you,

Thank you. Thank you, Shannon. Our young people have really important questions and I'm glad we've given them another opportunity to ask them. Councilman Guardado and then Councilman Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, thank you, Shannon. I know you and I had a very deep conversation on how do we continue with these young leaders as they are finishing the program. And I'm very excited to see the type of information that we're giving to a lot of our students. But one question that I didn't ask you earlier, the students that just went through the program, can you just talk a little bit about in terms of ethnicities, ages, the students that just went through this program?

That's great. No, I mean, I just think this is a really great program. I think we're trying to serve a purpose. I know that we're not perfect, right? I mean, it's not, you know, this is just the beginning of something that I think can definitely elaborate I DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONNECT SOME OF THESE STUDENTS TO THE YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD. AS A CITY, WE CONTINUE TO SEE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY. WE HAVE PHOENIX TEENS, THEY CAN BE LIFEGUARDS, SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS. I JUST HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT All the opportunities where we can have them grow, where th

Thank you, Councilman Hernandez, followed by Councilman Pastor.

Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to come back to the question that we heard based off of Mr. Harris's comments. And I'm reading straight off the rubric. Under the perspective imbalance, it says demonstrates openness to multiple viewpoints, including pro-police and reform-oriented ideas. So based on how that question is structured on the rubric, I would disagree that Mr. Harris's comments were inaccurate. Because the way it's framed, right, if whoever's scoring this rubric you're giving them two choices on how they're being scored. So is that the accurate rubric? Is that what is being used to wh

But wouldn't you agree, then shouldn't that rubric change in the language by removing that, those two terms, like making it broader? Because I think you can ask, I think it would be fair to ask the question, if you are open to a multitude of viewpoints, and that's full stop, right? I don't think we need to add to further divide it into either or. I mean, Would that be an option here?

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Pastor. I want to ask one question to Julie. I'm currently running for Phoenix Union School Board, but I can still have a conversation and vote, correct? There's no conflict of interest.

While I'm running for Phoenix Union School Board, this is a vote. I'm not officially on the school board. I don't get any financial support. Pieces from it, I'm just asking, because then I won't join the conversation.

I just need a solid, I'm not going to go with that. I just need a solid or I'll back myself out of this conversation.

Does anyone wish to comment? All right. Noting that in an abundance of caution, Councilwoman Pastore will not be participating. Roll call.

Yes, and then this may explain my vote, yes, thank you it's no secret to all that I have some serious concerns about this curriculum in this contract. Primarily the fact that our local youth and advocates educators and leaders were not involved in the development and implementation of the program. in the way that I think would be the best serve for this community. The content of the program does not do its due diligence in properly addressing the safety of our youth. Instead, it teaches our youth how they need to be the ones that behave properly in the presence of police. However, there are no

We next go to item 90, critical incident psychological services contract. Vice Mayor.

We have a motion and a second. Councilwoman Hernandez.

Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. I have a couple questions for our police department on this item. All right, thank you, Chief. Wanted to really start with, you know, specific to this item and to what we're trying to do with this, what qualifies as a critical incident in association to this item?

OK, thank you so much. My next question, what are the success metrics to determine if the psychological evaluation services were effective?

OKAY. AND I GUESS CAN YOU REVIEW WHAT STEPS WE ARE TAKING TO REVIEW THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH OR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR OFFICERS OUTSIDE OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS CURRENTLY.

Thank you. And kind of same question as or another question. How do we measure the success in those measures? Because and I'm asking because our department continues to place officers on the streets that attack and are violent to my residents in District 7. So kind of curious on how we're measuring success in the current in the current tools.

Okay, thank you. And I mean, understandable, right? There's HIPAA laws, so there's going to be guardrails, or there's going to be limited information we get back on these evaluations. So can you speak a little bit more about the process once those are received? Like, what does that process look like to determine if our, specifically, I want to talk about officers, sworn officers, and how they, like, what the process looks like for them?

And thank you so much for answering my questions. You know, I don't disagree that we really need to focus on the mental health of all of our employees. I was pretty proud that when I was at the state legislature, we expanded around services to our dispatchers, right? And I was supportive of that. I still have some concerns, though, on how we're actually keeping officers that need more services more JUST MORE SERVICES OFF OUR STREETS. SO STILL HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS ON THAT. BUT I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP WITH SOME ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS AT A LATER TIME WITH YOU ALL. BUT THANK YOU VERY

THANK YOU MAYOR. CHIEF YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS IN AN and I worked on this in the past of making sure that there were services for public safety in general, police and fire, and making sure that the services were broad enough that if there was an incident, they go through this whole process and to be evaluated and to determine if, to come back, not to come back, but to start their regular schedule or daily schedule. And one of the things that in doing the work is that I discovered a lot of them wanted to go to services, but services outside of the City of Phoenix, meaning they didn't h

We next go to item 100, which is the fare policy amendment for public transit. Councilwoman O'Brien, I'll turn to you.

I move to approve item 100 as presented in the council report, excluding the provision authorizing four days per year when fares will not be required to allow for additional time to determine what criteria will be used to identify the proposed four free fare days understand what the projected revenue impact will be to the City of Phoenix, and to work collaboratively with Valley Metro to establish programs that promote ridership.

We have a motion and a second from the Vice Mayor, Councilwoman O'Brien, and then Pestor.

Thank you. I just want to say that I want to be clear that I support public transit, and as our city's representative on the Valley Metro Board, I'd like to see more investment and more riders. My concern is with one specific piece of this update, the new provision allowing the up to four days of free fares annually. And I'm not opposed to that concept, but as written, we don't know which four days, we don't know whether it's the same four days every year, and we don't know what the projected revenue loss would be to the city. Without that information, I don't think we can responsibly say yes

Yeah, I just wanna say thank you for bringing this forward, but also the free fair days have been discussed for over, I wanna say three years at Valley Metro. And I sat on those years as a study has come about, and a study came about and asked for the free fair days. I do agree that this could assist ridership and encourage residents to be out and about. I look at days of, for fair days, election day, where it's civic duty, 602 day, when the summer is hot and we want people out and about to our small businesses, even promoting civic engagement day, and really to bring community connectivity an

Thank you, Mayor, and I just have a question for Councilwoman O'Brien, just to need a little clarification. Your motion would be to go back and look at what four days would be selected and then bring that back to the Council before we make a decision?

Days and financial impact, so to understand more the financial impact and if we are going to look forward what those days would look like and be centered around, because it is not just for Phoenix, it's also for the entire Valley Metro region. But yes, I would like to bring it back. I want more information to really evaluate it. Okay, thank you.

Thanks, and Councilman Pester, what would be the four days that are considered?

There weren't four days, what I was doing is using an example of like election day, where there's civic engagement and we want riders on there and going to the election box, at least voting. I came up with 602 day, 602 day was a strong impact for our small businesses, it's in the summer, we need riders, items like that, but I think it's good. My question to Councilwoman O'Brien is, The motion is we are voting for the four fair days and then you're gonna come back with the economic impact and how days are selected. I'm trying to get clarity.

The motion is to remove that piece right now and have it come back at a later time to approve the rest of the motion but to remove that provision from this motion.

Thank you, Mayor. And I also, the way I understood the motion is that we would be taking it out to determine the financial impact. For me, once I understand the financial impact of it, we can determine whether or not four or some other number of days makes more sense. So that's my understanding of the motion. Is that correct? Okay, perfect. Thank you.

The only thing, Councilwoman, I would say that we put a timeline on it of when we wanted to come back, because I wouldn't want it to be something that's just going to drag. Is there a time that you think we'd be ready to bring this back?

I need Valley Metro's cooperation in that too. So I guess at this point, we could put a date on it. I just would maybe have to ask for it to potentially be extended depending on their resources. So I'm open to a date if you have a section.

We can just say the December 31st, the end of the year? Sure. Okay. So could I modify my motion to include a date to bring it back by the end of the calendar year?

Thank you. And I think I called Councilwoman Hernandez and then I'll go back to Councilman Pastor.

Yeah, but Councilwoman Guardado actually covered my question. I was wondering about the timeline, so. Thank you, Councilman Pastor.

When we're discussing Valley Metro, are we discussing light rail and buses? Yes. This item does discuss both, cover both. So the free fare piece, the impact, the city would determine on the buses. And then Valley Metro would do the calculation for the light rail, am I correct?

Well, I just want to be clear for constituents to understand that we run the buses. Even though we branded as Valley Metro, we run the buses. So those calculations would come from the city. And then the light rail piece will come from Valley Metro. And of course, we have to always work together because it's a city and Valley Metro running the transit system. So that's why I want clarity.

Okay, thank you. Did that answer the question or did you need, okay, great. All right, everyone. And I guess Councilman, if you know the financial impact, I mean, do you have that? No, I don't sit on Valley Metro anymore. Okay, you just had mentioned that you'd been to a lot of meetings on it.

Okay, we had meetings on the, we did have meetings discussing it and we did have meetings discussing the plan.

Wonderful. I think then we are ready for a roll call as amended.

We next go to item 106, which is a citywide general construction job order contracting services amendment. Vice Mayor.

Motion to approve item 107. Second. Apologies, 106. I apologize, second. All right.

And we have one council member wanting an individual vote. Any comments? Roll call.

We next go to 111 Van Buren Street from 7th to 24th Street, Signal and Pedestrian Improvements. Vice Mayor.

And I'll recognize the Vice Mayor for comments.

Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to take a moment to show my support for item 111, because I truly believe that investments like this are more than about infrastructure. They are about creating safer and more accessible streets for the people who live, work, and travel through District 8. This project will upgrade eight traffic signals across Van Buren Street between 7th Street and 24th Street, while also reconstructing sidewalks, driveways, curb ramps, and improving street lighting. These improvements will benefit pedestrians, drivers, transit riders, people with disabilities, and everyone who

We next go to the final portion of our agenda, which is citizen public comment, and I'll ask our city attorney to introduce this portion.

Thank you, and if we do not have time for everyone, we will take those people first at the next formal meeting. We'll begin with Bill Monk, followed by Jessica Staggers.

Thank you so much. Jessica is next. followed by Clarissa Peterson.

Thank you. Clarissa is next, followed by Brenner. Clarissa will be first, and then Brenner. Hello.

Thank you. Thank you for that testimony. Brenner is next, followed by Emmanuala.

Thank you. Amanullah is next, followed by Richelle Travis. Amanullah Muhammad Ali. Okay. Someone in the audience let me know that he had to depart, so we'll do Richelle next, followed by,

Thank you for the important testimony, Vice Mayor.

I was gonna ask one of my members of my staff to connect with Rochelle, please, before she heads out. Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you. Elsia is next, followed by William Kirkland. And happy to bring a microphone to you, if that would be.

Thanks for letting us know. William is next followed by Tim Surakowski.

Thank you so much. Ann Selma is next, followed by Jeremy Thacker.

Thank you. Jeremy is next. followed by Elizabeth Venable.

That's all I've got to say. Thanks. Thank you so much. Elizabeth is next, followed by Frank Urban.

Thank you. Frank is next, followed by Dorian.

Thank you. Dorian is next, followed by Lee.

Have a great day. Thank you. David Morgan.

Thank you for that testimony. We have hit our time limits. When we reconvene, Terrell, Jerry, John, and Noah will be our first speakers.

Thank you so much. I'm Phoenix Mayor Kate Gyago, and it is a pleasure to be with you here today as we celebrate the expansion of the family shelter. I'm thrilled to be here with Vice Mayor of the City, Councilwoman Keisha Hodge-Washington, who also represents this area on the City Council. The City of Phoenix is so grateful to the Salvation Army for this important investment. Unfortunately, we see too many families with unstable housing. And this investment will help not just mom and dad, but kids as well. The city is proud to partner and we have been able to invest at the $8 million level. We