Remarks by Kesha Hodge Washington
104 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 5
- Play at 24:16
“Motion to approve items 2 through 24. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 24:40
“Motion to approve items 25 through 81, except for the following. Items 30, 44, 46, 47, and 63. Noting that item 33 is continued to October 7, 2026, and item 45 is withdrawn. And can the clerk confirm if there are any other items that should be excluded for in-person public comment?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 28:57
“Thank you so much, Mayor. I move to approve item 46. Second. Thank you, Mayor. If I may continue, I am especially proud to see the master leasing continue to move forward in Phoenix. It is an approach I've advocated for because we need more tools to move people from homelessness into stable housing, and I'm pleased to see that advocacy become real action. Master leasing is an important part of the housing strategy. Today, we are taking another step toward creating the capacity to bring properties online, connect people to housing, and provide the support they need to remain housed. I also…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 31:11
“Motion to approve Item 47. Second. Thank you. Again, I'm very excited about this investment in our Levine neighborhood. Our seniors deserve spaces where they can stay active, build relationships, access services, and continue to be an active part of our community. Over this past summer, I was able to sponsor senior programming at the Prickly Pier Library, and there was an overwhelming amount of support from the seniors in this area. I would like to publicly thank the Human Services Department for filling in that gap this summer. This project is particularly meaningful because the general…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:30:14
“Thank you, Mayor. I actually had a question before I make the motion. I just want to make sure I clarify on this. One of the stats that stood out to me was on slide 13 was the current backlog status for body-worn cameras being 1.7 to 2.4 years. And then when you pair that with slide 17, it says 40% of the existing backlog are commercial requests. If I had to interpret that, that would say 60% of the backlog are non-commercial or general public requests, correct?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:30:52
“I would love to hear specifically what are we trying to do, because I find I know we're here to talk about the fee, but I find that backlog to be the most troubling of the group, to think that someone has to wait almost two and a half years to get a copy of the body worn camera footage. I would love to hear specifically what we plan to do, because I don't see a slide that explains our projected timeframes for these. I just want to hear a little bit more on this one.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:32:21
“So did I hear you correctly that the intent or the goal is with this additional staffing that this would be reduced from 1.7 to 2.4 years down to a hope of within one year?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:32:47
“Okay. That's very helpful to hear because, like I said, I find that to be a little troubling. My next question is, I guess slide 22 is probably the best way to look at this. With respect to the video under the proposed, it says the primary is free. How long does it take to get the primary redaction done and out to a resident or a requester?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:34:32
“So I guess I maybe could be just kind of forthright with my question. I'm trying to get us some clear parameters so we can determine expectations for our residents. Is it going to be... Because I think your last comments would throw me off. Your last comment said, we hope to have it within days after rectifying the backlog or something similar to that. And my question is... The primary, for example, someone wants a primary video. How long can the average Phoenix resident, not for commercial use, a general non-commercial user, how long can they expect to receive one of these primary videos…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:36:19
“No? Not necessarily. So let me ask it this way. If we're funding these additional staffing through increased fees, how will we measure whether or not these new positions are actually improving access for residents?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:37:27
“If we were to approve the fees that has been requested, this fee schedule proposed changes, you were able to get the additional positions that have been requested. At what juncture do you expect that we will be caught up on this backlog in order to have a more shorter timeframe for responding to these outstanding, not just outstanding, all public records requests from police departments?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:38:55
“Thank you so much for that. That is helpful. And I I WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE CLARIFICATION. SO WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE POSITIONS BEING FILLED OR ONE YEAR FROM OUR APPROVING THIS ADDITIONAL FEE STRUCTURE?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:39:34
“And are these 30, my last question, these 35 positions, they are considered sworn or are they considered civilian position?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 1:39:44
“Thank you, Mayor, for allowing me to ask my additional questions. I would move for the approval of item 63. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 2:07:38
“Thank you. Our next speaker is James Peltner.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 2:10:49
“NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKERS ARE RICHARD VENEK AND ELISA GRIERADO.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 2:14:12
“I'll be back with more on this, all right? Trust me. Thank you. Our next speaker is Elisa Greer-Herrata.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 2:15:00
“Is it possible to reset her time and let her start over so I can make sure we can hear her? Okay. Thank you.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 2:15:46
“Thank you so much for your time. And then our final speaker will be Craig Weaver.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 23, 2026
- Play at 15:40
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 22:53
“Thank you, mayor. Move to approve the minutes from January 7, 2026. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 23:08
“Yes, mayor. Motion to approve the mayor and city council's boards and commission nominations. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 25:31
“Thank you. Motion to approve items 4 through 28? Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 25:54
“Phoenix Pride. Thank you, Mayor. I'm excited to welcome the Phoenix Pride Parade and Festival to District 8 in downtown Phoenix. Pride celebrations, as we know, are a way for us to ensure that all members of our community are supported and feel that they have a home here in Phoenix. I look forward to marching in the Pride Parade and joining in celebrations at the Arizona Center. See you next month.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 27:44
“Yes. Motion to approve items 29 through 106, except for the following. Item 61, 64, 94, 99, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106. Noting that item 49 is continued to September 23rd, 2026. And can the clerk confirm if there are any other items that should be excluded for in-person public comment?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026