Remarks by Kesha Hodge Washington
104 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 4 of 5
- Play at 42:23
“Thank you. I wanted to just piggyback also and extend my gratitude to our OHS staff. I think this is an important, a valuable tool as we try to address homelessness in our community. I thank them for always approaching this with a spirit of continual improvement, and they've always heeded the opportunity to grow and learn from the residents' concerns. I think this is a definitely shows that it's a partnership between the residents and our Office of Homeless Solutions. I just wanted to say thank you for their work. And I think the fact that they've done such a great job is why the SOS…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 53:04
“Thank you, Mayor. Motion to approve per the Planning Commission's recommendation and related resolution on item 102. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 53:39
“Motion to approve for the Planning Commission recommendation and adopt a related ordinance as to item 103. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 54:15
“Okay, Vice Mayor, do you have a motion? Motion to approve the Downtown Arts Vending on Private Property Pilot Program per the staff recommendation and adopt the related resolution. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 57:19
“Cool. I'll kick it off. I want to just say, first and foremost, start off by thanking staff on this. Deputy City Manager, Alan Stevenson. Deputy Planning and Development Director, Tricia Gomes. Management Assistant, Danielle Varen. They helped us think outside of the box. I also want to thank all of our partners, Roosevelt Road, DPI, Art Link, and all of the stakeholders who assisted us in getting to where we are. Over the past year, we held a number of listening sessions, and hopefully we've shown that we've listened closely to the artists, to the neighbors, to the business owners about what…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:15:30
“Thank you, Mayor. I would love to call Rachel Milne from the Office of Homeless Solutions down to ask a couple questions. Thank you. Thank you so much for coming down. I just wanted to ask a few clarifying questions based on the testimony we heard from some of the citizens regarding the status at the SOS and other city-owned shelter. Can you explain to me how our city-owned shelters and SOS space deal with behavioral health recommendations?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:17:10
“Thank you. Given some of the testimony that I've heard today, it appears that there may be some lack of understanding of how one gets to speak to a behavioral health specialist or a mental health specialist. Could you share, if possible, how a resident at the safe outdoor space might be able to speak to someone regarding their behavioral or mental health needs?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:17:52
“Thank you so much for that. And this petition, one of the bases for recommend and a denial is because there is, if I can summarize it in my own words, is there is no true one entity that provides oversight for every shelter in Phoenix, is that?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:18:36
“And then just maybe for edification purposes, we both serve on the Maricopa Continuum of Care. Can you explain a little bit of the role of the COC?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:19:33
“Okay, thank you. And then I just want my second to last question is, can you speak a little bit about the ADA compliance at our city owned facilities?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:21:06
“Thank you so much. Those are my questions, Mayor. Thank you so much, Director Milne.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:31:14
“Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. I think it's worth clarifying that my understanding of denial, and please correct me if I'm incorrect, my understanding of the denial is the things that they're asking for as a petition as written was that it extended beyond the scope of the City of Phoenix. That's part one. And then part two of our analysis is for city operated shelters, we already have standards in place that ensure compliance with the ada and we already we also have mechanisms that ensure that that all of our participants have access to behavioral health and mental health and then part three…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:33:33
“And hopefully soon we will have some openings as we move on to Master Leasing. Correct, yes. Thank you. I believe we still do not have a motion on the table unless that was sort of a motion. My apologies. Mayor, the motion to deny citizens petition per staff recommendation on item 105. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:50:06
“Thank you so much, Mayor. I wanted to extend my support for this item and give honor to the farm workers who fought for workers' rights, fair wages and safe working conditions. The alignment of the spring holiday with the historic April 6th agreement between the National Farm Workers Association and a major agricultural grower showed intentionality, thoughtfulness and reaffirms the city's support for workers. This agreement came amidst the historic 300 mile march from Delano to Sacramento, which was organized to draw public attention to the exploitation of migrant field hands. On April 6th,…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:58:07
“And I said, hey, hey, hey, what's going on with all these colorful stuff in my yard?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 1:58:17
“There's no bulletin or explanation or nothing.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Sep 9, 2026
- Play at 17:38
“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…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 47:59
“Motion to approve the mayors and city council boards and commission nominations. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 50:49
“Motion to approve items two through 45. Second.”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 51:10
“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?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 1:13:01
“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…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 1:16:05
“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?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 1:17:53
“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?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 1:19:32
“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?”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026
- Play at 1:21:39
“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…”
City Council Formal Meeting · Aug 26, 2026