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Record of Proceedings

December 16, 2025 Community Services and Education Subcommittee Meeting Summary

City Council — Tuesday, December 16, 2025
BodyPhoenix, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, December 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 59:18

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0:42

Good morning, everyone.

0:42

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:44

Welcome to the December 16, 2025 Community Services and Education Subcommittee meeting.

0:50

I'd like to introduce City Attorney David Benton.

0:54

Mr.

0:54

Benton, please explain the role of public comment.

0:57

Morning, madam chair, members of the subcommittee.

0:59

During citizen comment, members of the public may speak to the subcommittee for up to three minutes on issues of interest or concern to them.

1:07

However, the matter is addressed must be within the jurisdiction of the council and the subcommittee with which it has authority.

1:29

However, um subcommittee members may respond to criticism.

1:34

Thank you, Madam Chair.

1:35

Thank you, Mr.

1:36

Benton.

1:37

I would like to also introduce our interpreter, Elsie Duarte, who will be provide who will provide a brief announcement.

1:45

Thank you, Madam Chair Hodge Washington.

1:47

My name is Elsie Duarte.

1:49

I will be providing Spanish interpretation during today's community services and education session.

1:57

I will now take a moment to address our Spanish speaking audience.

2:34

Thank you, Madam Chair.

2:35

Thank you so much, Elsie.

2:37

We will begin with a call to the public.

2:39

Um do we have any registered speakers?

2:44

Okay.

2:45

No registered speakers.

2:46

We'll move on to item number one, which is the approval of the CSE minutes from the November 18, 2025 meeting.

2:53

Do we have a motion?

2:54

I move to approve.

2:55

Second.

2:57

All in favor?

2:59

Aye.

2:59

Aye.

3:00

Motion carries.

3:02

Next up is item number two, which is to request the approval of the Head Start Birth to Five Childcare Report and Policy.

3:09

I move to approve.

3:11

Second.

3:17

All right.

3:18

Um in favor.

3:20

Aye.

3:20

Aye.

3:21

Motion carries.

3:23

Moving on to item number three.

3:25

It's a head start burnt to five monthly report for October.

3:30

Any questions?

3:32

All right, no requests to speak.

3:34

Can I get a motion?

3:35

Oh, it's just information.

3:36

Yeah, move on.

3:37

Um next we will move on to item number four.

3:41

It's an update on the progress of the city's naloxone program.

3:44

It's third year implementation quarterly report for August through October.

3:51

Will some of you didn't appear input only also?

3:54

Any questions?

3:56

Okay.

3:57

Moving on.

3:58

Uh to our housing department.

4:00

Item number five is an overview of the housing department's Wi-Fi and digital initiatives.

4:04

We will welcome Housing Assistant Director Aubrey Gonzalez and Deputy Director Angela Duncan and Housing Manager Courtney Anderson to the table.

4:14

Good morning.

4:29

Today we will be providing an overview of the housing department's Phoenix Housing Connect program and digital initiatives, including an overview of program history and milestones, our partnership with Cox Communities, and an introduction to the hives at two of our community centers.

5:00

Department of Housing and Urban Development's Connect Home Initiative.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Senior Programs██████████████████████22%
Technology and Innovation█████████████████████21%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Public Health██████████10%
Procedural████████8%
Youth Programs████████8%
Affordable Housing████4%
Public Transit██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Community Services and Education Subcommittee Meeting - December 16, 2025

The December 16, 2025, meeting of the Community Services and Education Subcommittee convened to review routine minutes, approve policy updates, and hear detailed presentations regarding digital inclusion, senior programming, and strategic planning. The subcommittee received significant support for ongoing initiatives, particularly regarding affordability and accessibility for marginalized populations, including seniors and youth.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes from the November 18, 2025, meeting.
  • Approved the Head Start Birth to Five Childcare Report and Policy.
  • Accepted the Head Start Birth to Five monthly progress report for October as information only.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jeannie Subno (representing the 44th Community Alliance/Swirl Branch Library area): Expressed welcome and strong desire to partner with the library to share information on library events and align alliance events with library programming.
  • Council Member (unidentified in transcript, referencing personal experience): Expressed deep appreciation for the memory cafe program, citing personal loss due to dementia, and affirmed that senior centers are vital to the community.
  • Council Member (unidentified): Expressed encouragement regarding the focus on early memory screening, culturally responsible programming, and staff training for high-quality service delivery.

Discussion Items

Phoenix Housing Connect: Digital Inclusion

  • Project Sponsor (Assistant Director Aubrey Gonzalez, Deputy Director Angela Duncan, Manager Courtney Anderson): Presented the Phoenix Housing Connect program, a response to the digital divide magnified by the pandemic. Key details included:
    • Distribution of over 3,600 devices (tablets, Chromebooks, etc.) via partnerships with T-Mobile, CompuDopt, and nonprofits.
    • Partnership with Cox Communities providing free in-home internet to tenants in 33 city-owned affordable and senior housing sites, addressing the financial barrier of the average $400 monthly bill.
    • Establishment of two "Hives" (digital learning centers) at Edmont McLaughlin and AeroTerra Community Centers, featuring 3D printers and VR equipment.
    • Statistics: 1,631 visits to Hives from August to November 2025; 34% of households used connectivity to apply for benefits.
  • Council Member (unidentified): Expressed full support for the program, specifically highlighting the importance of the senior-focused digital literacy curriculum and the accessibility of technology for aging residents.
  • Council Member (unidentified): Expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing that internet connectivity is critical for youth education and that technology without training is ineffective without the support of programs like the Hives.
  • Council Member (unidentified): Expressed enthusiastic approval, noting that 44% of families reported improved grades post-internet connection and that eliminating the internet bill expense aids in household stability.

Memory Cafe Program Update

  • Project Sponsor (Director Jacqueline Edwards, Assistant Director Tracy Hall): Presented the expansion of the Memory Cafe program (support for dementia living residents and caregivers) from a pilot to a monthly program at all 15 senior centers (2 in-person, 1 virtual per month) following the expiration of ARPA funding.
    • Statistics: 208 activities held from Jan-Nov 2025 with 4,373 duplicate participants (a 1,299 increase from 2024); 97% of attendance was in-person.
    • Program status: Integrated into the senior programs division budget; fees ($20/$40) help offset costs.
    • Services include memory stimulation, music therapy, and free memory screenings connecting residents to medical and community resources.
  • Councilman Abra: Requested clarification on the virtual frequency (confirmed as one virtual cafe per month citywide) and expressed support for the reimagining of the program to ensure sustainability without one-time ARPA funding.
  • Council Member (unidentified): Expressed strong appreciation for the program's continuation and the culturally responsible nature of the services provided.

Phoenix Public Library 2026-2029 Strategic Plan

  • Project Sponsor (Director Erin McFarland): Presented a new strategic plan based on five core values (adaptability, inclusion, integrity, kindness, making a difference) and extensive community feedback (15,000+ survey responses, 95% positive).
    • Pillar 1 (Evolving Needs): Hiring a social worker and partnering with external departments (Home Solutions, Public Health) to address complex community needs like homelessness and medical access.
    • Pillar 2 (Access & Collections): Addressing "library deserts" via bookmobiles, book lockers in city facilities, and future library construction funded by bond measures.
    • Pillar 3 (Inspiring Spaces): Enhancing physical flexibility and community-centered design.
    • Pillar 4 (Thriving Minds): Focusing on lifelong learning, local culture, and youth engagement.
    • Specific Initiatives: Expansion of College Depot services to multiple branches (e.g., ACATIO, South Mountain, Century, Mesquite) and discussions for a branch at Innovation 27.
  • Vice Mayor: Expressed strong support for the comprehensive plan and specific questions regarding concrete examples of pillar implementation (social worker hiring, library desert mitigation) and the expansion of College Depot beyond the Burton Barr location.
  • Council Member (unidentified): Expressed enthusiastic endorsement of the plan's emphasis on equity, bilingual services, and addressing library deserts, noting that the plan reflects resident desires for proven services rather than reinvention.

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals: Minutes, Head Start Policy, and October Monthly Report approved unanimously.
  • Programmatic Continuity: The Memory Cafe program confirmed to continue without ARPA funding, integrated into the regular senior programs budget.
  • Strategic Roadmaps Established:
    • Housing Department to expand digital internet connectivity to 580 additional units in Edison East Lake in 2025.
    • Library Department to begin implementing the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, with goals to expand College Depot reach and address library deserts via technology and construction.
  • Community Engagement: The subcommittee received and acknowledged public support from community alliances and expressed personal appreciation from council members regarding the impact of senior and digital services.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned with no further action items or public comments scheduled.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Welcome to the December 16, 2025 Community Services and Education Subcommittee meeting. I'd like to introduce City Attorney David Benton. Mr. Benton, please explain the role of public comment. Morning, madam chair, members of the subcommittee. During citizen comment, members of the public may speak to the subcommittee for up to three minutes on issues of interest or concern to them. However, the matter is addressed must be within the jurisdiction of the council and the subcommittee with which it has authority. However, um subcommittee members may respond to criticism. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr. Benton. I would like to also introduce our interpreter, Elsie Duarte, who will be provide who will provide a brief announcement. Thank you, Madam Chair Hodge Washington. My name is Elsie Duarte. I will be providing Spanish interpretation during today's community services and education session. I will now take a moment to address our Spanish speaking audience. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you so much, Elsie. We will begin with a call to the public. Um do we have any registered speakers? Okay. No registered speakers. We'll move on to item number one, which is the approval of the CSE minutes from the November 18, 2025 meeting. Do we have a motion? I move to approve. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Motion carries. Next up is item number two, which is to request the approval of the Head Start Birth to Five Childcare Report and Policy. I move to approve. Second. All right. Um in favor. Aye. Aye. Motion carries. Moving on to item number three. It's a head start burnt to five monthly report for October. Any questions? All right, no requests to speak. Can I get a motion? Oh, it's just information. Yeah, move on. Um next we will move on to item number four. It's an update on the progress of the city's naloxone program. It's third year implementation quarterly report for August through October.

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