The Phoenix City Council convened on October 29, 2025, to conduct regular business including the approval of board nominations, liquor licenses, and various planning and zoning items. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rabbi Levurtov focusing on compassion and justice, followed by the swearing-in of new members to the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities. The Council proceeded to vote on multiple agenda items with predominantly unanimous support, though a single opposition vote occurred regarding a citizen petition.
Good afternoon. It is October 29th, 2025. We'll begin today with an invocation from Rabbi Levurtov. Almighty God, you taught us that ever since you told Abraham, go from your land, by decree of divine providence. Each of us goes about our travels, and though we may sometimes feel lost or uncertain why we have ended up where we are, you remind us that we are exactly where you need us to be. We just need to open our eyes to the opportunities before us to be of help and to fulfill the mission for which you placed us there. The Bal Shem to have taught that just as water reflects a face, so too the heart of one person reflects another. When we feel irritation or judgment towards someone else, it can be your gentle nudge, O God, to look inward to see what lesson you are teaching us about ourselves. As in the story of Noah, Ham exposed his father shame. Yet shame and Yafet chose compassion and quietly covered him, preserving his dignity. You showed us that the choice of compassion over criticism is the path of righteousness and peace. That message still speaks powerfully to us today. When we feel unheard or dismissed by others, it is easy to react in anger or frustration and to call out those who are gaslighting us. But you call upon us, Almighty God, to hold two truths at once, to stand firmly for justice and integrity, while also answering with kindness, curiosity, and grace. Teach us to pause and not only call out the injustice and insist on being heard, but to also ask, what is this moment teaching me about myself? Help us instead of criticizing, try being curious. What's behind the person's view or behavior? What might they be afraid of or hoping for? We do not have to agree, but we can listen, respect, and look for the shared humanity underneath. May we, like Shame and Yafet, choose compassion over criticism, preserve dignity, build understanding, and bring more kindness into this world. We can be firm in defense of justice, and also gentle in how we relate to human beings, for that is how true unity begins. Almighty God, bless our mayor and the honorable members of the Phoenix City Council with the insight to lead with both courage and humility. May they preserve the dignity of every citizen and each other, seek understanding even in disagreement, and govern with fairness, kindness, and respect. May they reflect the spirit of Shem and Yafet, choosing compassion over criticism and seeing each council member and resident as a reflection of your divine image. Councilwoman Hernandez here. Councilwoman Hodge Washington. Here. Councilwoman Pastor. Here. Councilman Robinson. Here. Councilwoman Stark. Here. Councilman Waring. Vice Mayor O'Brien. Mayor Gallego. Here. Mario Barajas and Elsie Duarte are here to provide Spanish interpretation. Mario, would you introduce your team? Yes, Mayor, thank you. Good afternoon. Once again, my name is Mario Barajas. I'm going to be serving as an interpreter, Spanish interpreter, along with my colleague El Carte, who will be doing uh downstairs. She will be doing the simultaneous interpreting. I'll now take a moment to introduce uh ourselves to our Spanish speaking audience. When I started, you soy Mario Barajas, Simultani, Staremo Silvienoles Cominterpretes para esta reunion. Muchas gracias. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Well, the city clerk read the 24-hour paragraph.