Thank you so much.

We'll begin today's meeting with an invocation from police chat from Levrotov.

Thank you, Rabbi Levratov.

Almighty God, during this period between Passover and the Festival of Weeks, the Jewish community reflects on a tragic moment in our history.

The Talmud tells us that thousands of students of the great sage, Rabbi Akiva, were lost in a short span of time.

A loss our tradition attributes to their failure to treat one another with respect.

Each person deserves.

You remind us, Almighty God, that disagreement is not a weakness, but a sign of engagement, of care, of responsibility.

But debate must be carried with dignity.

When respect is lost, even truth itself becomes harder to hear.

Here in this chamber, where decisions shape the lives of so many.

Let us learn from what was lacking in the students of Rabbi Akiva and choose a better path.

Teach us to speak with honesty, never at the expense of another's dignity.

When disagreements arise, grant us the strength to listen not only for flaws, but for understanding, and to seek not victory over one another, but wisdom together.

Let disagreement refine us rather than divide us.

And help us remember that the person across from us is not an obstacle, but a fellow bearer of your image.

Almighty God, we ask you also to bless and protect those who serve beyond this chamber, the men and women of our armed forces who stand guard over our freedoms, as well as our civil servants, first responders, and law enforcement officers who dedicate themselves each day to the safety and well-being of our city.

Watch over them and their families, grant them strength, protection, peace, and the comfort of knowing their service is meaningful and valued, and bless Almighty God, the mayor, and the honorable members of this city council and their families who share in the burdens and sacrifices of public service.

Grant them wisdom and clarity, courage and humility.

May they lead with integrity, treat one another with respect, and serve this community with a deep sense of responsibility and care.

Finally, bless all who are gathered here today and all the residents of this city with health, peace, and prosperity.

May we be ever mindful that we are exactly where you have placed us with the opportunity to bring more respect, more understanding, and more goodness into the world, and let us say Amen.

Thank you, Rabbi.

Um Councilwin O'Brien, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Thank you, Councilwoman, and thank you, Rabbi Levratov.

We have lost several important members of our community since we last convened.

Thank you, Mayor.

Last week we lost uh Michael Peterson in Kervaya.

He worked, he was uh worked in my office.

Um he was uh a brother.

Um we called, we teased and we talked to each other.

We were he was my work husband.

Um but together we were Cagney and Lacey.

Um and so we lost him, and I just want to pay uh my respects uh and honor him in the sense that what he gave to the city and the community.

Uh he worked tirelessly on constituent uh issues, solved a lot of issues, and then also um made sure that everybody was okay.

I do want to thank him for discovering and really bringing uh Brian Beck's family to the forefront.

Uh Brian Beck was a firefighter who was uh battling cancer, uh a work cancer, and he his family contacted contacted us and was losing the battle.

And in that time, the one thing that uh Brian Beck's family had asked for was he wanted his uh workman's comp to make sure that his family was taken care of.

And that's when the story began on the cancer work that we all started and continue to do as we move forward for our public safety, in particular our firefighters.

I bless his soul.

I miss him every day.

He would be texting me right now and saying, uh, your hair is a little off, the lipstick's not on, um, that color looks great.

Maybe try another one.

Uh, because when he uh retired, and uh he would watch the council meetings to give me critiques.

And so I know he's here today in spirit, and I know he is watching over all of us because he cared for each one of our uh council members and their staff, and really had a laughter that you could carry through the 11th and the 12th floor.

You could hear every conversation going on, and he had a smile that radiated throughout our building.

In addition to that, what he also brought was Nobu and Cleo.

Uh, it was our emotional pets, and it was at first I was very cautious, but then I realized because they were in our office, many people from many different departments would just come down and visit.

So thank you for listening.

Thank you.

Councilman Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor.

And you know, I just want to offer my condolences to Michael's family and loved ones.

Um, I didn't get to enjoy working with him as long as Councilwoman Pastor, but he was so instrumental when I was at the state senate, when we would partner up on community events.

Um we knew that we would call Michael, like, hey, we need to we need help with this.

Um, and he was on it and he would always figure it out for us.

So just thank you for sharing him with with the state staff, also uh Councilwoman Pastor and to his family and loved ones for sharing him with all of us.

Councilwoman Guardado.

Thank you, Mayor.

As well, just want to give condolences to to Michael's family.

I also got to work with Michael as our neighbor with District 4 and District 7 with District 8, I'm sorry, and with all the other work that we that we did during the pandemic, um, you know, when we were all stressed about whether we should wear a mask or not wear a mask.

Um, Michael was the one that brought you know so many great things into our offices, brought in so many ideas, did so many great things.

Um, Noble was one of my best friends whenever I would I would get into the 11th floor, and I was stressed about what we were doing with our COVID dollars and what we were doing during the pandemic, and being able to work with Michael and seeing how inspiring he was.

And even though he was not feeling well that day, he would put on his best face and laugh all the time.

And he was just such a joy to all of us in District 5 and all everything that we that we did together, a lot of fun things.

We took a lot of tours at the airport and did so many fun things, and we distributed a lot of mass, a lot of a lot of different things, and I just enjoyed working with him.

And he's um he's been missed um since the day that he retired, and he now will deeply be missed um by a lot of us um and all the and all the work that we did together and the ideas that he brought to the table, and and so many good things.

Um, so my condolences to the family.

Um, you know, and but I know that he's here right now.

He's probably laughing at all of us.

Um thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

We will do now uh a moment of silence for Michael, and then in a moment we will have a second moment of silence.

Thank you all for remembering Michael and his incredible contributions to our city, and Councilwoman Pastor, thank you for that remembrance.

We also lost Dr.

Gene Blue, and I'll turn to the vice mayor and any members of the council who would like to uh provide comments on his incredible contribution to our city.

Thank you, Mayor, for the opportunity.

Um I wanted to take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Dr.

Gene Blue.

Um, Dr.

Blue was a in every sense a giant in our community.

He was a man who refused to accept injustice, not in only in words, but in his actions.

As a young man, he refused to sit in the back of the bus.

He stood on the front lines of change, protesting week after week against segregation, believing firmly that dignity and equality were not privileges but rights.

That courage never left him.

He grew into a lifetime of service.

Dr.

Blue went on to break barriers in education, earning his Doctor of Philosophy and Behavioral Science, and in Drew to his character, he returned home to help lift others up.

For more than five decades, he led the Arizona Opportunities and Industrialization Center, transforming lives by helping people help themselves, opening doors to employment, stability, and hope for thousands of individuals and families across Phoenix.

His leadership extended far beyond one institution.

He helped shape our city through his work on the Planning Commission, the downtown Phoenix Policy Board, and the Citizens Transit Committee.

And through his decades of leadership in Arizona's Martin Luther King Jr.

celebrations, he and he ensured that Dr.

King's message did not fade, but instead continue to guide and inspire generation.

But perhaps what mattered most was not just what he did, but who Dr.

Blue was.

He was a man of faith, a mentor, a builder of community, a believer in second chances and new beginning.

So we can take comfort in this.

His work did not end with him.

It lives on in every life he touched, every opportunity he created, and every person who stands a little taller today because he believed in them.

To his family, extend my deepest condolences and to all who knew and loved him and share in your loss.

So as we honor Dr.

Blue, not only with our words, but with our silence, reflection, and a renewed commitment to the values he lived every day.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you for that very powerful recognition.

Would anyone else, Councilman Robinson?

Thank you, Mayor.

Just to follow up a little bit on what the vice mayor was saying about Dr.

Blue and the privilege of meeting Dr.

Blue.

Problem is from 1987, 88.

And one thing that I don't know a whole lot of people will know this.

I city manager might know this, but um Dr.

Blue was associated, obviously he ran Phoenix OIC, but there was a component of Phoenix OIC that was responsible for the greater making sure that both the police and fire department were had a great had a great deal of diversity by their outreach and the programs that they sponsored over I don't know how many years, but well, clearly it goes back through the 80s.

And Dr.

Blue was a force to be reckoned with.

You know, I don't know where you, I don't think I don't care where you went anywhere in the valley.

People knew him.

They understood what he was about, and a lot of things that the vice mayor was saying.

He was truly about pushing people forward, giving them an opportunity.

And he will be missed to his family and friends.

My deepest condolences, and I think it's appropriate that we recognize him today.

So thank you, Mayor, for the opportunity.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Well said.

Councilwoman Pestor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, actually, Dr.

Blue watched me uh rise in my career and watched me grow up.

Um, Dr.

Blue's family has always been part of our family, in particular in the fight for the MLK holiday and uh continuing the marches and making uh sure that there is equity everywhere.

Um he was also a very gentle man, yet powerful, and was able to his words, he'd be silent, and then all of a sudden, Dr.

Blue would speak and everybody would listen.

And he was powerful in that sense.

Um he was also um welcomed everyone.

He was open to everybody and felt everybody was uh a child of God, and he would open and embrace them.

I will tell you this one story in the sense of uh Dr.

Blue.

Uh Michael and I went to an MLK um breakfast, and we were I was sitting in the back reflecting about the power of how MLK came about and who came together in communities that had uh collectively uh worked together to make it happen.

And uh we were uh at the MLK breakfast, and it was really small.

And I said, Oh, I remember all these things as a kid and how this this breakfast was powerful and made and made the movers and the shakers of the city were there.

Um, next thing I know, um, that following year, Michael had gone to introduce himself to Dr.

Blue, and Dr.

and Michael had said, um, the councilwoman and I, along with the committee would like to uh help with MLK.

And um, we would like to help with the breakfast.

And I had to go in front of the committee, and Dr.

Blue's like, okay, but you have to come into a committee, you have to get it blessed, let everybody know.

And so um, what ended up happening is I asked for permission to be part of the committee and to be the chairwoman that year.

And I got questioned by several committee people.

Um, in the sense of, are you doing it just to put your name there?

Are you doing it?

Is it this truly uh something that you want?

And my response was look, I grew up with Dr.

Blue.

I knew the power of witnessed and was part of uh the MLK breakfast as a child.

Um, and this has nothing to do with my name and putting my name on anything.

This is have having to do with the legacy of MLK and moving it to another level in the sense of the breakfast and rebuilding the breakfast.

So I want to give shout outs to Valerie, because Valerie took it over and has done an amazing job, and Ron Williams was part of it also.

Um, and the whole committee and the whole I OIC family and his family because they're all interconnected into this space.

So I just needed to tell that story because it included uh Dr.

Gene Blue and Michael uh becoming little buddies together.

So I'm glad to know that they're together.

So thank you.

Thank you to my colleagues for such great remembrances.

Dr.

Blue was quite an icon in our city and really made sure we did a better job as city government.

He was a wonderful civil rights leader, and as you've heard, led our city's celebration of Dr.

King's legacy.

He did that service for 20 years, which is an incredible time frame, and he did it in a way that really tried to lift up our young people.

He later in life started calling himself the OG.

And he would say, Well, the OG's got to pay it forward and make sure the next generation of leaders are ready to step up.

And I think Dr.

Blue is smiling down because thanks to his work, there is an incredibly large generation of young people who are ready to step up.

So, Dr.

Groot, Dr.

Blue, thank you for a life well lived, and then I'd ask everyone to join me in a moment of silence for Dr.

Blue Thank you all.

Thank you for honoring two very important people to us at the city of Phoenix.

With that, I will call the formal meeting to order and ask the clerk to call the role.

Councilwoman Guardado here.

Councilwoman Hernandez here.

Councilwoman O'Brien.

Here.

Councilwoman Pastor.

Here.

Councilman Robinson.

Here.

Councilwoman Stark?

Here.

Councilman Waring?

Here.

Vice Mayor Hodge Washington?

Here.

Mayor Gallego.

Here.

Mario Parajas and Elsie Duarte are with us to provide interpretation.

Mario, would you introduce your team?

Yes, Mayor.

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

My name is Mario Borajas as and as indicated El C Duarte will be helping out as well.

We're going to be serving as Spanish interpreters for our residents or Spanish speaking residents today.

I'll now introduce ourselves to our Spanish-speaking residents.

There's a manera Vamos a poder interpretarles a la mejor manera possible.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you so much.

Will the city attorney explain the role of public comment, please?

Yes.

Thank you, Mayor.

Members of the public may speak for up to two minutes to comment on agenda items.

Comments must be related to the agenda item and the action being considered by the council.

General comments that go beyond the scope of the agenda item should be made during the citizen comment session at the end of the agenda.

The city council and staff cannot discuss or comment on matters related to pending investigations, claims, or litigation.

Additionally, any member of the public who appears before the council in their capacity as a lobbyist must, as required by City Phoenix City Code, disclose this fact before addressing the council.

The city code states that speakers must express their comments respectfully and courteously.

Use of profane language threats or personal attacks on members of the public, council members, or staff are not allowed.

Such comments are disruptive and unrelated to the council's business.

Any person who violates these rules may lose their opportunity to speak further and could be asked to leave.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you so much.

Well, the city clerk read the 24-hour paragraph.

The titles of the following ordinance and resolution numbers on the agenda were available to the public at least 24 hours prior to this council meeting, and therefore may be read by title or agenda item only.

Ordinance is numbered G seven five zero eight through seven five one zero s five two seven seven one through five two eight zero nine.

Thank you so much.

Councilman Stark, do you have a motion on item one?

Yes, I move to approve the minutes.

Second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, nay.

Motion carries.

Item two is boards and commissions.

Vice Mayor, do you have a motion?

Motion to approve Mayor 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.

If our new commissioners and returning commissioners could come forward, today includes uh members of our citizens transportation committee who do such important work for our city.

Please raise your right hand.

I am Michael Huggins.

Do solemnly swear.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

That will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution and Laws of the State of Arizona.

And the constitutional laws of Arizona.

That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

True faith and allegiance to the same.

And defend them against all enemies.

Foreign and domestic.

And then 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.

Thank you so much for your service to our city.

Thank you, Mm.

Congratulations to our new commissioners and many returning longtime servants of our city.

We are so thankful to you.

The city council provides an advisor roll to the state of Arizona on liquor licenses.

Vice Mayor, do you have a motion on that portion of our agenda?

Motion to approve items three through ten.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any comments?

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?

Motion to approve items 11 through 63, except the following items 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32, 33, 34, 43, 48, 49, 51, and 55.

And can the clerk confirm whether any other items that should be excluded for in-person public comment?

Yes, Mayor, Vice Mayor.

Also items 21, 28, and 58.

That's 21, 28, and 58.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Roll call.

Yes.

Yes.

O'Brien.

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Waring?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Fallego.

Yes.

Passes nine zero.

Thank you so much.

And uh, we have a number of folks who are here for public comment, and it uh I would guess it would be at least an hour or 90 minutes before we get to that public comment.

But we know we have a lot of public comment today.

We will go to agenda item 11, which is a contract with PetSmart, Vice Mayor.

Motion to approve item number 11.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Councilman Hernandez.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

I just have a couple questions for uh PD for Phoenix PD.

Councilwoman Assistant Chief Brian Lee and Commander Brian Regan are coming down to the table to answer your questions.

Thank you so much, Lori.

All right.

Um, just trying to get a sense of the size and scope of our canine units.

Um, the briefing sheet mentions that we have dogs across a few boroughs or bureaus.

Um what are the different dog position titles and types across those bureaus and how many dogs in each bureau?

Good afternoon, Mayor, members of council, councilwoman Hernandez.

Uh with me today is uh Commander Brian Rigan, who oversees the uh the canine unit, or at least the one that we have for uh PD.

Uh and he can speak exactly to the the breakup and the composition of that squad.

Uh thank you, Mayor, council, councilman Hernandez.

Um, they're spread out among the crime lab, canine unit, bombs, drug enforcement bureau, airport, uh, transportation uh bureau, communications bureau, and the family investigations bureau, the dogs, uh total of uh 36.

I can tell you, I don't know the exact breakdowns of the rest of the units.

The canine unit has 12, the bombs has three, and then the rest would be the remainder of them.

Okay, thank you.

But 36 total.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

Um, and around our policy side of the K9, uh around the canine policy.

I know currently we have an open survey uh where the public can comment and provide feedback on the updates to our canine policy.

Um, when does that survey can you just remind us when that survey closes?

Mayor, members of council, councilwoman Hernandez.

Uh currently the um policy went out for public comment on April 16th.

It'll run for 45 days through May 31st.

Uh it was released in both Spanish and English.

Okay, thank you so much.

And then my last question is uh currently under what circumstances can an officer deploy a K9 on someone.

Mayor, members of council, councilwoman Hernandez.

Um Councilwoman, uh can we just go to the city attorney?

Uh we want to be there's a very important debate, and we have a citywide policy session on public safety where this would be a perfect question.

But Julie, is it an appropriate question for a Pet Smart?

I can save my question for the policy session.

Okay.

I think the very appropriate discussion to have, but we gotta follow the okay happy to take it over to policy, no problem.

Perfect.

Um, all right, so that's the end of my questions.

Just have a couple comments.

Um be voting yes uh here because our canines still need to eat, but I just want to be clear that I have some real issues with the canine units overall.

Personally, I feel that having canine units is dog abuse, and I don't want to support that.

Um the city does not need 36 dogs, and this department has a long history of using canine units as weapons against our community.

Um, and I believe that that role, the role we ask these dogs to play can be replaced with less violent options.

Um, so I'll be voting yes, but please get these dogs some high quality food through Pet Smart.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Stark.

I just want to put in a plug for the city of Phoenix.

I know uh the handlers may not live in Phoenix, but I sure hope they shop in Phoenix.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, and Pet Smart certainly has local ties.

Roll call.

Guardado, yes, Hernandez, yes, O'Brien, yes, Pastor, yes, Robinson, yes, Stark, yes, Warren?

Hodge Washington, yes, Gallego.

Yes, passes nine zero.

Do we have uh next is item 12, which is uh contract with black hawk construction related to the motel conversion to senior affordable housing for the office of homeless solutions.

Do we have a motion?

Motion to approve item 12, second motion and a second, Councilman Gordado.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'm proud to speak in support of item 12, the change order from Blackhawks Construction work on La Perla.

This is an incredible project that takes a former super eight on Black County Highway and Northern Avenue and transform it into 126 units of safe, dignified, and truly affordable housing for seniors in our community.

Seniors 55 and older who need it the most.

We know the reality, seniors experiencing homelessness is increasing, and the need for deeply affordable housing has never been more urgent.

In District 5, we are taking that challenge head on, combating homelessness by actually building real housing solutions that meet people where they're at where they are at.

Black Hawk Construction has been making strong progress since breaking ground last November, and the project is already about 25% complete.

And while hotel conversions can come with unknowns, I want to commend the Office of Homeless Solutions for doing the upfront work, planning responsibly and budgeting appropriately so we can keep this project moving forward.

This effort is also a great example of partnership bringing together resources like ARPA, NSP, and federal support, including a congressional earmark secured through Senator Mark Kelly's office.

And this is part of a broader momentum.

We're building we're building in District 5.

Just recently, we celebrated the opening of the Glendale, which will provide 45 senior senior families with an affordable place to call home, complete with a community center fitness space and outdoor courtyard designed to support quality of life.

We also broke ground on the Helen Drake Village, which will deliver 80 units of senior housing with affordable options for residents earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area media income, all made possible through strong partnerships with developers, nonprofits, and the state.

Because of the coordination and commitment, La Perla remains on track to open in early 2027.

When it will begin welcoming seniors into place, they can finally call home.

This is what it looks like when we lead with purpose and deliver for our community.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Roll call.

Yes.

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Waring?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes 9-0.

Item 15 is a call for a special meeting of the Phoenix City Council on May 12th.

Vice Mayor.

Motion to approve.

Item 15.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Councilwoman Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just have a couple questions to make sure the public knows how we're continuing in this process.

Just a couple, none of them are should be a problem.

Thank you so much.

Just want to give you a couple questions to just really have the community follow along with this process on how and why the council is involved in appointing the presiding judge.

What are the responsibilities of the presiding judge?

Thank you, Mayor Count members of the council, Councilmember Hernandez, our chief presiding judge is essentially the administrative officer of our court helping to oversee the day-to-day operations.

Awesome.

Thank you so much, Ember.

And why is Council tasked with appointing the presiding judge?

Yes, thank you, Councilwoman Hernandez.

The chief presiding judge is one of two classifications that report to on our and are appointed directly by the mayor and the council.

Okay, thank you.

Um I know on our when we voted to appoint uh interim presiding judge Hernandez.

Uh I did ask like what the process is.

So thank you, Ed, for walking everybody through that process.

Um, just want to continue on.

So on the May 12th meeting, what is the final piece of the process that we will work on that day?

Mayor, members of council, Councilman Hernandez.

On May 12th, we will be conducting the interviews of the candidates that council has selected to interview and potentially making an appointment of the chief presiding judge.

Okay, thank you so much.

Um, there's been just thank you for sharing that information out.

Um, I've gotten questions around this process, so I want to make sure uh the public knows what is happening along the way.

Um, and you know, I just want to take a second to thank the mayor, um, the rest of the council, uh the city's legal team, and especially the JSAP committee.

I know they've put a lot of work into recommendations for in this process.

Um, and so and also HR, thank you to you as well for all the work that has gone into creating um what I've I'm hearing is a very transparent process as we select the next presiding judge for the city.

Um, and for community members who are interested, we look forward to hearing from you on the May 12th uh meeting to complete this process.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

That's a great recognition for our judicial selection advisory board.

We're so thankful to them and thankful to our presiding judge who is with us right now as well.

Roll call.

Guardado, yes, Hernandez, yes, O'Brien, yes, Pastor.

Yes, Robinson, yes, Stark?

Yes.

Wearing Hodge Washington, yes, Gallego.

Yes, passes nine zero.

As part of the city council's process, the city of Phoenix's process with our labor unions.

We have memorandum of understanding and opportunities for the public to comment.

We'll now go to that portion of our agenda.

Item 16 is a memorandum of understanding with the laborers international union.

Item 17 is Ask Me Local 2384.

Item 18 is Ask Me Local 2690.

I'm just coming back to 19.

And then item 20 is the firefighters local 493.

At the moment, we don't have anyone registered on those, uh, but appreciate the opportunity for public if you're interested.

Uh so we will move past those, but we do have public comment on 19, which is the MOU between City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.

So we will now go to item 19.

This is a public comment only.

The actual vote will occur at a later council meeting.

So I will call Mr.

Clark forward for comment on the memorandum of understanding between the city and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.

Thank you, Mayor and Council members.

I I appreciate it.

I wasn't sure if it was just to uh to discuss or do the vote, but uh I'm just uh waiting to see more information because uh I know there's a lot of concerns.

I'm thankful that we have our officers who place their lives on the line, but I'm also worried because there are other big concerns about interactions uh between our citizens and uh our law enforcement.

So I'm looking forward to the hearing all of that.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

All right, that concludes public comment on the MOUs, and we will have a vote later.

We'll next go to item 21.

So Mr.

Clark, stay close.

Uh the election materials.

Um and I guess Vice Mayor, you want to move item 21.

Motion to approve item number 21.

Second the uh approve.

I uh my name is Liver Clark.

I've lived here pretty much all my life, might move back, but uh you know, I am just uh very thankful that you're going to vote on this.

Um I'm just concerned because of all the uh uh uncertainty that's going on as to whether you have uh uh things built in within this contract with this contractor vendor or whatever uh on election materials because I'm just deeply concerned as a citizen because you know we have people out there that think that you know we shouldn't have melon ball ballots, and so what's gonna happen if somehow some kind of you know uh declaration is put out by the individual in the white house.

I'm just hoping that you'll have built-in redundant like safety concerns on that because I think you know, as a person born in Phoenix, I just don't want to wake up one day and it's like hey, you can't you your melon ballot doesn't count.

The individual in the white house has said, hey, he's put out a proclamation, we can't have that anymore.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Roll call.

Mordado, yes, Hernandez, yes, O'Brien, yes, Pastor, yes, Robinson, yes, Stark, yes.

Waring?

Yes, Hodge Washington, yes.

Callego.

Yes, passes nine zero.

We next go to item 28, civil service board hearing officer contract, and we welcome Mr.

Clark back.

Motion to approve item 28.

Sorry, Vice Mayor.

Second.

We have a motion for the Vice Mayor with a second from Councilman O'Brien.

You thank you for your patience.

Um it's only a couple more because I know you have like the five item limit.

So but uh I you know I just think a lot of citizens out there in Phoenix might not be aware of the uh of this board, civil service board, and I know sometimes when certain uh employees, whether wrongfully or rightfully want to be uh they have to go before this board, so like say the police chief or the fire chief or some department chief says this employee is guilty of this infraction.

That a lot of times uh I think it's like two or three member board here, the civil service board.

Uh, you know, they can overturn that.

So I think that you know it would I'm glad that you're doing this, and you've got this very competent law firm.

But I think a lot of people would uh in Phoenix, it would be you know it sounds boring, but I think maybe we could have an education process on the civil service board because they can overturn any discipline that the chief does or the fire chief of these types of things.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Roll call.

Yes, Hernandez?

Yes, O'Brien, yes, Pastor?

Yes, Robinson, yes, Stark, yes, Warren?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Yes, passes nine zero.

Item 32 is federal home funds for second and Roosevelt Affordable Housing Program development.

Do we have a motion?

Motion to approve item 32.

Second.

Councilwinner Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I just wanted to take a moment to highlight this very important project.

Um, in a moment where we continue to see a need for affordable housing options.

This is exactly the type of solutions we can work with partners to deliver for all of our residents.

This particular project will bring on 60 units of affordable housing for residents.

And what that really means is that this is an opportunity for 60 of our families to have access to housing that will put them on a path to building a safe, stable, and secure home.

So love to see it.

This is an exciting project for District 7.

Um, and just thank you to everyone involved in making it happen.

Uh thank you so much, Mayor.

Thank you.

Roll call.

Guardado?

Yes.

Hernandez?

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor.

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Waring?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Callego.

Yes.

Passes 90.

Item 33 is federal home funds for the Wood Street of Senior Affordable Housing Development.

I'll recognize the Vice Mayor for a motion and comments.

I'll go ahead and make the motion first to approve item number 33.

Second.

And I just wanted to also take a moment to um vocalize my support for item number 33, which invests in the Wood Street Senior Affordable Housing Development in District 8.

This project will create 45 units of affordable housing for seniors serving residents at or below 60% of the area median income, with even with some units even lower at 40%.

This is exactly the type of targeted investment we need.

Our seniors, particularly those that are on fixed income, are increasingly at risk of being priced out of the communities they help to build.

Developments like this allow them to age in place with dignity and stability.

I want to highlight that this project leverages federal home funds along with other finance and sources such as tax credits.

It's ensuring we maximize impact while also being fiscally responsible.

This is thoughtful, strategic.

It's the type of investment that aligns our goals around housing stability and equity, and I am proud to support it.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Roll call.

Yes.

Hernandez?

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Waring?

Yes.

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes nine zero.

Item 34 is the authorization to amend the contract with community bridges for Rio Fresco emergency shelter operations.

Vice Mayor.

Thank you.

Again, motion to approve item number 34.

Second.

And I'll recognize the Vice Mayor for comments.

Thank you.

I again wanted to echo my strong support for this item, which continues critical operations at the Rio Fresco Emergency Shelter through our partnership with Community Bridges.

I've been able to spend some time at the shelter system through one of my Keisha on the job episodes.

And I've experienced firsthand or saw firsthand the efficiency of the services provided there.

This specific item ensures that shelter services remain available for individuals experiencing homelessness while also funding necessary facility improvements like fire safety upgrades and roof repairs.

It also secures the site as an emergency shelter for at least the next 10 years, which is incredibly important for long-term stability in our system.

How important and how life how transformational that has been for them.

Including I've had the opportunity to meet individuals who were applying for a job, they've gotten their job, and we had the opportunity to follow along with them now that they're in their own place.

To me, this is exactly what city services are supposed to look like or supposed to be the safety net for our community.

And this is a great example of us doing this.

I believe if we are continuing to be serious about addressing homelessness, we have to invest in the full continuum of care.

And that of course includes build-in housing, but it also means maintain maintaining safe, reliable sheltered options and connecting people with the services they need to transition into permanent housing.

I haven't seen firsthand those success stories.

I just wanted to again give uh kudos also to our Office of Homeless Solutions for the work that they do in the community.

Um so thank you for that, Mayor, for allowing me to speak.

Thank you so much for those important comments.

This item is funded with community development block grants, so it means it's done in partnership with the federal government.

The home funds we did early earlier also done in partnership with the federal government.

Those have been great programs for the city of Phoenix, and I do want to note at the moment the president's federal budget proposes eliminating those programs or not funding them this year.

I certainly hope that does not move forward.

Roll call.

Guardado?

Yes.

Yes, O'Brien?

Yes, Pastor, yes, Robinson, yes, Stark, yes, Waring?

Yes, Hodge Washington, yes, Gallego.

Yes, passes nine zero.

We next go to item 43, accessible visual inclusion services contract.

Vice Mayor.

Motion to approve item 43.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

We do have one comment on this item.

So we will begin with public comment.

Hello, everybody.

Good afternoon.

Can you hear me?

Rebecca, we can hear you.

Fantastic.

Good afternoon.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

My name is Rebecca Rosenberg.

I'm the founder and CEO of Reboca.

But before I was an entrepreneur, I was one of the nearly 250 million people worldwide living with low vision, and I still am today.

Because our needs are often invisible, even accessibility considerations are rarely designed with us in mind.

People with low vision are often still highly visual.

We want to use the site we have instead of defaulting to audio only or tactile only options, or to rely solely on another person for help.

Traveling with low vision is particularly daunting.

For so long, the only solutions offered within an airport were for a low vision person to request wheelchair assistance.

While this is absolutely vital for some, these options can strip away a person's agency when they're unnecessary.

A traveler shouldn't be forced to choose between a wheelchair they don't need or struggling through a terminal alone.

They should be empowered to travel independently through technology.

At Reboca, we believe a truly inclusive space allows individuals to move on their own terms.

We've built technology that bridges this gap between a user's vision and their environment, and we know it makes a massive impact for people with low vision who want to travel independently.

By supporting these initiatives, the City of Phoenix is making a powerful statement that independence is not a luxury.

Growing up, I flew through Phoenix many times and am proud that this partnership ensures that the city is not just a hub for travel, but a global leader in inclusive innovation.

When we invest in low vision tools, we're fostering a city where everyone, regardless of their disability, has the right to move freely and confidently.

We're proud to work alongside this council to ensure every traveler can navigate Phoenix with clarity.

Thank you for your time and thank you for your commitment to an accessible city.

Thank you, Rebecca, for developing such a great inclusive project product.

I want to recognize Councilwoman Stark, who really started our airport on this journey.

She responded to a constituent who had a suggestion that we could do better for low vision travelers.

And then Sky Harbor has run with it.

I guess that's how we get to be the top airport in the country.

We want to serve everyone in the way they want to be served.

I'll turn to Councilwoman O'Brien for a comment, followed by the Vice Mayor.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

And I want to make sure to acknowledge the ongoing work led by Councilwoman Deborah Stark to make our entire city more welcoming.

For example, the hearing loop technology available here in council chambers and a more inclusive design and our residential building code.

Phoenix is committed to improving access, but that work has been led by Councilwoman Stark, and it's not just been led by her.

She's been a fierce advocate for making sure that there is accessibility for all.

And I too want to acknowledge our aviation department as well as Director Chad Mikoski for continuing to lead with technology programs and services to make our airports not only accessible but one of the best in the nation.

So thank you both to Councilwoman Stark and Director Mikowski.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor.

Thank you.

I too wanted to thank Councilwoman Stark for her work in this area.

She has shown us that accessibility is more than compliance.

It is about dignity, independence, and ensuring that every resident and visitor feels seen and considered in how we deliver services.

For individuals with disabilities who rely on visual aids or accessible designs, such as these improvements make a meaningful difference in their everyday interactions.

As Phoenix continues to grow and lead the way at Sky Harbor Airport, we have a opportunity to show others how our thoughtful design can be implemented to remove barriers rather than create them.

Investments like these help ensure that our infrastructure and public spaces continue to be welcoming and functional for everyone.

So I really also want to echo the sentiment and thank staff's commitment to making sure that we continue to build a more inclusive city.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Stark.

I'm just excited we have a loop system in the city council chambers because I think I heard some compliments for me.

Wow.

I I joke, I joke.

I I am very I'm passionate about I really am passionate about this.

As I age, I really do see how important it is that we are accessible.

But I do want to thank our aviation director uh especially because he's very committed to this, and that's why we are the friendliest airport in the country.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

That was nicely done.

Roll call.

Yes.

And then this?

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Warren?

Hodge Washington.

Yes.

Paygo.

Yes.

Passes 90.

We next go to item 48.

And I'll ask the city clerk to read the title.

Item 48 is for ordinance G7510 and ordinance amending chapter 27, Article 7, Section 27-48 level of solid waste fees, no exceptions of the Phoenix City Code to increase residential solid waste service rates, including an increase to the monthly curbside green organics collection subscription fee and providing for an effective date of the first bill date of July 2026.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, yet we will begin.

I'll turn it over to Deputy City Manager Stevenson for a very short presentation.

Thank you, Mayor, and members of council.

We're here as Denise described to discuss the solid weight service rate adjustment.

Rate was last raised in 2020, and since that time there's been considerable inflation throughout the world.

That has impacted the Solid Waste Fund as well.

As a mayor and council know, uh the Solid Waste Services are an enterprise fund and do not receive any general fund monies that pay for things like police and fire.

So this fund has to uh charge for what it uh costs to provide this valuable public health service to all of our 425,000 customers.

With that, I'd like to uh thank Felipe, uh Lorizelda, and Samantha for their great work on behalf of the public works team here, and then uh Felipe will walk us through the presentation, answer any questions.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor, members of the council.

As Alan mentioned, uh with the current inflationary costs, uh the Solid Waste Fund is not immune to these experiences of of just cost increases and overruns in three key areas.

Those are primarily our people at 32% increase in our labor, followed by we've seen a 52% increase in our trucks, which is the key mechanism to continue and carry out our service every week.

And 40% construction increase costs for infrastructure maintenance and construction for our landfill, transfer stations, compost, etc.

If you recall back in February, we went to policy and we came with an initial recommendation of a multi-year increase of $6 in July 2026, followed by an additional $6.27 and finally a $5 increase in 28.

That also included an inflationary increase not to exceed 5% from July 2029 through July 2030, primarily to ensure that we were mitigating and controlling costs in the out years to avoid large increases in those out years.

We also want to increase the green organics collection subscription fee to one-fourth the residential rate beginning July 2026.

Since that time, we went out and did robust outreach to the public, starting with the dedicated solid waste rate webpage for our residents to learn about the proposed increase and our services, as well as we held 35 public meetings.

It was a combination of meetings hosted by the public works department as well as meetings hosted by council members.

We thank you for that support to get the word out to be transparent about what we're uh proposing, why we're proposing it, and get feedback.

We also instituted a survey to the community as well.

With that, we did hear the public and we heard your leadership, Mayor and Council, um, to continue to keep affordability top of mind and to take the sentiments of our public seriously.

We know affordability is tough out there for everybody.

So we came back and sharpened our pencil and we have come back with the proposed final recommendation.

And that increase is looking at shaving the rate by $3 in total.

Um, so a dollar off each year, starting with the $5 increase July 2026.

We still recommend, and more important to have that inflationary factor in those out years starting in July of 2029 through July 3033 to again control costs incrementally if needed and to maintain or mitigate the need for large spikes in the out years.

We continue to recommend the one quarter of the residential rate increase for curbside green organics.

And with that, we do have a final recommendation.

There are a couple other things we'd like to do.

So again, the monthly residential rate, we're looking at a $5 increase in 26, followed by another $5 in 27 and a $4 increase in 28, with the inflationary factor not to exceed 5% starting July 29 through 2033.

The curbside green organics fee as mentioned would be a quarter of the applicable rate.

We are looking to increase the discount for our 60-gallon container.

That seemed to be a popular service for those who don't generate a lot of trash.

So increasing that $3 monthly discount to $5.

So that's something that we hope people can take advantage of.

We're also looking to double the solid waste contribution to project assist to $440,000 annually, which would take the total cap of available funds to 1.5 million.

And we would continue to curr evaluate our current services and revenue streams that are director approved rates to ensure that we are constantly being as efficient as possible with everything we provide to our customers.

And with that, I'll be happy to take any questions.

Questions for Felipe.

Councilman Hernandez.

Thank you, Mayor.

And Felipe, just really thank you to you and their entire team, Alan, just for all the endless questions that we had for all the briefings, the updates, the presentations on this issue.

I know we talked various times because we had a lot of questions and a lot of feedback on what we were hearing.

And my hope is that we can move toward more sustainability focused and economically responsible waste management practices.

The biggest, you know, my biggest concern is for our residents who may struggle with these rate increases.

I, you know, just want to make it clear that support services exist.

That is something that was highlighted, I know, in the meetings.

Um, and you shared that with us.

Um, and I strongly just encourage those residents that who believe that they may be priced out or facing financial difficulty to contact the city and speak with the uh Phoenix Public Works Department who then can navigate them to support uh support options.

Um the programs are meant to help residents stay connected to essential services, and I'm happy that the city departments have thought through different avenues of support for our residents along you know with these increases in such a tough time.

Um I want to emphasize to our staff the importance of outreach on this matter.

Um, if assistant programs exist, we need to make sure people know about them.

That means proactive communication, multi-ling my multilingual outreach and partnerships with community orgs, um, so that the families, especially our seniors, our working class uh households, and those already living on really tight budgets are aware that those uh that that support is available to them.

Um, I also want to acknowledge the residents that challenged our my team specifically to think of more creative and progressive and think more creatively and progressively about how we handle um waste in the city.

And you know, we shared a lot of that feedback in these briefings and updates.

Um, and we got a lot of questions from the residents specifically, like on right recycling and compost.

Uh, what efforts does public works um already have underway to improve our recycling and compost?

Great question, Mayor, members of the council, councilman Hernandez.

Uh, recycling continues to be our flagship diversion program.

It's been since the 80s, and we've been a leader in that space.

However, um, some of the areas that we've really focused on is to lean into technology.

Um, we had in the last couple years improve the technology at our 27th Avenue Materials Recovery Facility that's allowing us to capture more recyclables with with good advanced AI technology and infrared technology that's um reducing the the lost material that's getting landfilled.

So it's that paired with continued outreach and education to our customers.

We have a very talented zero waste team that continuously gets out to the community, tables, events, does school presentations.

We offer tours at our transfer station for those who believe maybe we don't do it the right way to come and see it for themselves.

Um, and those are things that we definitely heard from the community that we need to continue to lean into and continue to provide and step up our efforts to make sure we're getting the word out and invite people in to see the process.

Thank you so much.

And then just my next question.

You know, we got questions around how the city is working to lower bills for low trash producers or even changing billing for low-income areas of the city.

Like what creative ideas has public works identified from reviewing our trash fee structure?

Great question, mayor, members of the council, councilman Hernandez.

Mayor members of the council, Councilman Hernandez.

You know, when you look at different container sizes and volumes, a lot of factors go into trash production.

Some of it is that continued education around how can we reduce waste overall?

The least amount of trash being produced equates to savings in the end about what we have to bury and handle.

I think a good first start was the saving you as reduce and recycle program where we offer that lower container at a discount.

And I think we want to continue to lean into those opportunities to find ways to reward residents who are recycling more and diverting more waste and producing less and seeing how we can continue to refine our programs to align with our sustainability goals as well as to make it economically feasible for the resident.

Thank you so much for the being again.

Just thank you for you know tackling the very tough issue of increases in a time that's so sensitive to so many people in affordability.

And I think it's so appropriate that we're actually having this conversation on Earth Day, uh, which I would be remiss to try not to almost forgot to say and think that today is Earth Day.

So I think this is just such an appropriate conversation to have on Earth Day.

So happy Earth Day to everybody that are celebrating.

Um, and once again, thank you to uh you and the entire staff, Alan, um, and the entire public works team on this.

So thank you so much, Mayor.

Thank you so much.

Vice Mayor.

Thank you.

I want to start off by saying thank you to the public works department, um, Alan, Felipe, thank you, Ginger also.

Um, when this verse was brought to us, we brought it, you brought it as a 665, and you now return with the 554.

And I think that's important because one of the consistent concerns that we hear every day is about affordability.

And I understand there is a financial component for the operation of our solid waste.

Um, but I also I'm grateful to see that we are taking into account some of the efforts, um, some of the concerns from our community.

I'm curious, we want to spend a little bit more time sharing about what was the results of the survey and how we plan to address some of those concerns.

Great question, Mayor, members of the council, vice mayor.

Um, our survey, we really wanted to make sure that we accomplished two things.

One, obviously, hear how people feel, but also make sure that they understood what we were asking for and why we were asking for it.

And so the results, obviously, affordability was top of mind in terms of the biggest concern.

Um, and uh residents that did uh respond to the survey, we had about 6,700 responses out of our customer base, uh, respond to the survey.

Most of that was just around challenging us to continue to look at uh our operation to figure out how we can continue to be more efficient, accomplish our goals, um and be cost effective in the future to keep affordability top of mind in everything that we do.

Um, some of those things that we continuously look at is how we route our services, the technology we can lean into, um if there are different models and more cost effective ways of providing services that incentivize the right thing, um, but also don't break the bank and still align with our sustainability goals, as well as making sure that um one of the biggest things we heard too is accountability.

Residents want more accountability out there because a lot of people are very passionate about trash and doing the right thing with that trash, and they want to make sure that we are holding to account people who are doing the wrong things.

So that's supporting illegal dumping, um, cares cleanups, all of the things out there to keep our neighborhoods safe and clean.

So those are the things we took to heart to really go back and dig deep and refine our toolbox to figure out better ways to provide these services, keeping affordability always at the top of mind, but also making sure that we're providing the services that our customers rely on and deserve.

Thank you for that.

I just thought it was very important and that the public know that we've we've reviewed those responses and we're not making this recommendation is not made lightly.

It is incorporating their feedback.

Um, we are in an interesting situation.

The team has outlined the need for this increase.

They have outlined the significant cost increases in both labor in labor, equipment, and infrastructure since the last adjustment, and understand that it's it's a growing structural deficit, but we want to make sure it also takes into consideration the impact on our community.

Um, and I think it might be helpful for us to also share as we're looking at um right now we're talking about the solid waste proposed fee increase.

Um are there any other other rates that are within the realm of public works that you are considering also for um so it's not being so I want our customers to understand it's not being bored by just simply one component of our population?

Mayor, vice mayor, members of the council, great question.

Yes, there are several other rates that are actually called director approved rates that uh do not require council action.

Um, these are rates such as residential roll-off fees where people want to rent a bin for large construction projects, um, the commercial gate rate is what we call it for commercial businesses that use the transfer station.

Um that's that's part of what generates revenue, as well as uh institutional rates.

So these are your condos, townhomes that pay a rate through their HOA, it's not necessarily a per household rate.

Those are things that we do want to look at and evaluate and increase in proportion to the residential rate to ensure that to your point, Vice Mayor, that we are not subsidizing these other customer services on the backs of a residential rate payer.

Thank you for that.

And and I jumped ahead in one of my questions.

I forgot to ask this.

Um, when you were talking about looking into considering more of the uh of the plan of analysis of just looking at the affordability component, do you have a time frame in which you anticipate that to be completed by?

Yes, maybe members of the council vice mayor.

Um I can tell you we're doing a lot of that analysis as we speak.

Um we are going to be looking in the next year to dig deep and looking at all of our services to figure out where we can optimize where possible, continuing to achieve all the goals we need to achieve, um, but become more affordable within the next year, year and a half.

We hope to come back with even more robust ideas uh for consideration to really see how we can just move our organization forward into the future, knowing that we have changing demographics, changing needs, the new normal of affordability is always going to be top of mind and how we can make sure that we are uh well positioned for the future to provide that service.

Thank you so much for that.

And I just again I want to say I really appreciate the continued commitment to ensure an operational efficiency and service models and uh and the fact that we're trying to continue to keep our city clean.

Um, as you mentioned, the uh solid waste fee includes cleanup, it includes a whole lot more than just pickup, and I think this gave us an opportunity to educate the community on all the ways in which public works is able to help ensure our communities continue to stay safe, clean, and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

So thank you for that.

I know this was probably a difficult conversation to have, and I thank you for your diligence in moving this forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Should we hear public comment?

Councilwoman Stark.

Thank you.

I just wanted to thank Public Works and besides having your own public meetings.

I know you came to a lot of our community meetings and set up tables and had really uh engaging discussions uh with the public, and I do appreciate that.

And I will tell you, we did have a community chat about six months ago when public works came, and I think a lot of my residents were surprised on all the different services that you do provide besides picking up recycling and trash.

You have a moving service, you have hazard materials, you team up with keep Phoenix beautiful.

And I my residents were shocked at the level of uh assistance that you give them.

I hope you can continue to promote that because I think that's part of the education.

It's not just recycles, it's not just um picking up the trash on a weekly basis.

Um, I think you do so much more than you really brag about.

You need to start bragging about all the several service you you have.

And I will tell you, I was quite surprised that most people at our hearings were accepting of the raise uh in increase increase in the rates.

And I think it's because they realize you provide such a flawless service.

I I know uh yeah, my cousin lives up in Prescott Valley, and um they all have to pick their own trash service.

And so on her street, there's probably like five different companies, and every day there's a trash uh trash truck going up and down the street.

It's just it's just disorganized, and I I think we just give such flawless service.

So thank you for what you do.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

We'll go to Councilman Gardado and then Councilman O'Brien.

Thank you, Mayor.

As as well, just want to thank thank you, Felipe, for all of your hard work.

Um, everyone in our department and so many services that you guys offer um towards city and the goal to trying to keep our our city clean.

Um, and also thank you for bringing the hard conversations.

I know this is not an easy, an easy conversation.

I was already on council when we did um the last increase, and I see um the importance of all the work that you guys do every day.

And I but I also know that this is not an easy conversation for a lot of folks in my district.

So I appreciate you going back and looking at the numbers and trying to bring the most affordable option um forward um for our residents given inflation, given everything um that is that is going on in our city, but I also know that our residents will not want to once again go back to um the situation we had of a couple of years ago where bug trash wasn't being able to be picked up, and it was a very challenging moment for a lot of our a lot of our residents, and we had a lot of phone calls about it, and I um trust that you will continue to move um our city forward and the department forward, and that you all let us know whenever there's hard conversations to be had.

And I'm very appreciative of this council that we continue to have these hard conversations, but at the same time making sure that we're responsible to our residents and that we're listening to them as well.

So thank you for all of your hard work.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman O'Brien.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I too want to thank you all for coming out to community meetings.

I know that um I attended the community meeting in the north part of my district, and there were, I think 10 or so folks there, and they weren't just there to listen, they were out there to ask tough questions.

Um, and you all answered them well and had good information and data, and also took well the recommendations they made for the future.

It was also surprising to find out.

Well, I realized that's a small number or a big number, depending on your perspective.

You you all said you had some meetings with no people come or only one person.

Um, that those folks left um, you know, not necessarily thrilled to pay more for a service, but they didn't object to the rate increase.

Um that was a refreshing for me.

However, I do want to say that I don't take lightly um how an increase at this time impacts our families who are already stretched thin.

You've covered that since our last adjustment in 2020, you know, vehicle costs are up 50%, infrastructure is up 40%, staffing is up more than 30%.

Um, but you all have to charge the rate and pay for the service you were provided.

We don't provide you general funds, and that's important.

Um, if we don't take action, the service levels that uh councilwoman Stark and some others have named.

We can't continue to provide all those service levels, and they're important services.

Uh, I also want to acknowledge that our residents were heard because you went back and you did the tough work of lowering um the original three-year increase by nearly 17%.

Uh, I think thanks to a community engagement, the solid waste division will also continue to examine those industry trends and best practices to minimize our future um rate impacts.

It's responsible stewardship informed by the people that we serve.

So I want to thank every resident who answered the survey, every resident who showed up at a community meeting, and for those reasons today, I will be voting yes and supporting this item.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

We have two members of the public to comment on this item.

And it's a on April 22nd.

It's very special to have Jennifer and Cindy from Keep Phoenix Beautiful here with us.

So thank you for the work you do to make everyday Earth Day.

We'll have Jennifer next, and then our final speaker will be Mike, who also helps keep Phoenix Beautiful.

Good afternoon, Mayor Gallego and Vice Mayor Hodge Washington and Council members.

It's wonderful to see you all and happy, happy Earth Day.

It is a perfect day for this conversation.

As mentioned, my name's Jennifer Scheipe, and I am a 30-year resident of Central Phoenix and the president of Keep Phoenix Beautiful.

Over the last two years, I've had the privilege of working alongside many of you on projects that directly impact our neighborhoods.

It's very inspiring.

I'm here today on behalf of our board of directors to express our support for the proposal proposed solid waste service rate increase.

As a 44-year-old nonprofit, Keep Phoenix Beautiful is a key partner in the city's zero waste goals.

Whether we are hosting our iRecycle Phoenix events, teaching sustainability in K through 12 classrooms, or tending to our community gardens and pollinator habitats, our mission is simple.

Landfill diversion and a cleaner city.

We do not take this support lightly.

We understand the reality of rising equipment costs, maintenance, and the inflationary pressures on our infrastructure.

I have personally toured this SR-85 landfill and our MERF facilities many times.

They are impressive to say the least.

However, I appreciate the public works team and their leadership.

They've been thoughtful and transparent.

This three-year-tiered plan, the bin size option, and the project assist support ensures that we can maintain our essential public works services from solid waste.

You can finish your thought.

Thank you.

Uh, from solid waste, hazardous waste, bulk trash, and looking out for those who need help.

I truly value this partnership that we have with the city of Phoenix and the public works department.

And I want to thank you all for your service to our city.

Uh, happy Earth Day.

Thank you so much.

And then uh wanted to our final speaker on the item will be Mike with our Lyuna, local 777, many of our uh city employees who help do this important work.

Good afternoon, Mayor and members of city council.

My name is Mike Rellis, and I'm a representative of Layuna Local 777.

We cover the SWEOs, also known as the garbage drivers, and the landfill operators.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

I'm here to express our support for the proposed rate increase.

We understand raising rates is never easy.

We recognize the impact it has on the residents.

However, we believe that the increase is both necessary and responsible to ensure the long-term sustainability, safety, and quality of our city's solid waste services.

For years, our sanitation workers have carried an increased burden.

They have adapted to grow growing service demands and the challenges that come with maintaining essential public services in a changing environment.

Through it all, they have continued to show up reliably, professionally, professionally, and with a strong commitment to the community they serve.

One of the key challenges we are now facing is the lasting impact of COVID era supply chain disruption.

During that time, departments across the country experienced delays in receiving critical equipment and replacement parts.

Those delays created a backlog that is now cut up to us.

Aging trucks are staying in service longer than intended, repairs are taking more time, and the strain on both equipment and personnel has increased.

Our workers are doing the jobs with the equipment that is overdue for replacement, leading to inefficiencies, higher maintenance costs, and safety concerns.

At the same time, we're also now facing increased costs due to inflation.

And yet, despite all these challenges, residents have not felt the impact on their day-to-day service.

Trash is being picked up on time, routes are still being completed, neighborhoods remain clean and safe.

That level of consistency is not by accident.

It is a direct result of the dedication, flexibility, and extra effort of our workforce and the entire public works department.

This proposal is not just about infrastructure or budget, it's about people.

Thank you for your testimony.

Councilwoman Pestor.

Yep.

That concludes public comment.

Thank you.

Actually, Layuna brought up a good point.

And that point that I have been listening to for many, many years have been about the trucks and how the trucks have been little by little falling apart.

Them not being able to find parts now for some of our trucks because that's how old they are.

Also, the fact that there are some refurbished trucks that we have purchased because we wanted to save money, and how those trucks are now falling apart because of the use and how much impact we are doing with them.

And the rate, um I know it the rate is especially at this moment about affordability because it is about affordability.

We can't afford a house.

And utilities.

Where I'm going is this is a a cycle that we all have to go through.

Where I'm going is this is a uh a cycle that we all have to go through in that space, and I'm gonna bring this up because I was asked this question, was also uh in our budget process in our budget hearings was a comment made to me as to why are we increasing in uh rates, employee salaries or giving a bump uh because we were in this in the space that we are in today.

Well, as many of us know, as everything increases, inflation increases, we are gonna have to increase our salaries.

And it's not just Phoenix, it's everywhere.

And so this the reason why I'm saying this story, and the reason why I'm going here, because it's a vicious cycle, it's a cycle that we go through every year.

Um, I asked Philippa not to bring me rates because I I will be uh terming out, and uh I asked him not to bring it to me, but he he said I couldn't wait, and you know you know the workers and you know what they need.

So my point is we need to do this because if we don't do this, um, we won't have the equipment to pick up trash, but we also won't have the services that we're used to having.

And I think now we have to really do an analysis of all the services that we provide and really what the cost is and how that's gonna look like in the future.

So I want to thank staff.

I know how hard it is to come to us and ask us for these things, but it's much harder to go to the community and also uh ask and um explain what is happening uh within our why we're doing a rate.

So thank you, everybody, and thank you to my all our constituents.

Thank you.

Do we have a motion?

Motion to approve staff's final recommendation for rate increase to the monthly residential solid waste rate, um, as outlined in the last slide.

Second.

Thank you.

We have a motion and a second roll call.

One of the other one.

Yes.

And on this, may I explain my goal?

Please do.

Thank you.

I would be voting yes on this increase, and as I do, I am hyper hyper aware of that this increase comes at a time when residents are facing an increasingly difficult financial uh reality.

One of those things around that financial reality that the mayor and I have discussed discussed at lengths, isn't on of our residents and our especially our children that have lost their access to their benefits like SNAP.

Um, and we are seeing inflation hit at the same time that we are paying more for gas and other services because of Trump's illegal war against Idan.

I'm glad that we've we've agreed to provide some relief in the annual increase, and I will be looking for updates and studies on how we can improve our servicing in the future to avoid big increases at one time to our residents.

Um, and with that I vote yes.

O'Brien.

Yes.

Pastor, yes, Robinson, yes.

Stark?

Warren?

Hodge Washington.

I'd like to explain my vote, please.

Please do.

Again, I appreciate I appreciate the department's work here.

Um, and I really am excited to see that you're still committed to reviewing the operational efficiencies and service models to reduce future rate impacts.

Um, community feedback made it very clear that residents want both accountability and affordability, and those outsteps that you've outlined, I think will help should strike that balance.

So I just wanted to say that because it's very important to me to ensure that our residents know that we are listening to them, that we have heard them, and that we are planning for that.

So with that, I vote yes.

Thank you.

Yes.

Passes 8-1.

We next go to number 49.

Will the city clerk read the title?

Item 49 is for ordinance G7509 and ordinance amending chapter 36, vehicles and traffic, Article 12, Section 36-158, Schedule 1 of the Phoenix City Code relating to local speed limits at 13 locations.

Do we have a motion?

Motion to approve item 49.

Second.

Roll call.

What is that one?

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark.

Waring?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Yes.

Passes 9-0.

Item 51, Salt River Project Distribution Design and Construction Contract.

Vice Mayor.

Motion to approve item 51.

Second.

Turn to the Vice Mayor for comments.

Thank you so much.

I just really wanted to take a moment to highlight this because this advances an important infrastructure improvement that will install 30 new street lights in the Broadway corridor between 24th Street and 32nd Street, north of Rosier Road and south of Broadway Road.

This is a very important as this area has been one that my residents have been requesting better lighting infrastructure for some times.

Street lights may seem like a small investment, but they have a significant impact on neighborhood safety and quality of life.

Improved lighting enhances visibility for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.

It helps residents feel safer when walking to bus stops, schools, parks, and local businesses.

For many communities in that area, light infrastructure has historically lagged behind other areas in the city, and projects like this demonstrate our commitment to addressing these disparities and bring in long overdue investments to neighborhoods that deserve safe and reliable public infrastructure.

This is more than lights.

This is about equity, neighborhood safety, and ensuring our residents feel connected and supported in the communities they call home.

I appreciate the partnership with Salt River Project, and I support moving this work forward.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Yes.

Hernandez?

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Wearing?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes 9-0.

Next, we go to item 55, the Levine and Estrella Phoenix Connected Active Neighborhood Program Engineering Service.

Vice Mayor.

Thank you.

Motion to approve item 55.

Second.

I just also wanted to highlight this.

We have quite a bit of activity in the district.

And item 51 represents, I think, an important step in thoughtful community-centered planet in the Levine and Estria villages through the Phoenix Connected Active Neighborhood Program.

This effort focuses on identifying transportation and connectivity improvements that make neighborhoods safer and easier to navigate by walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation.

To me, what makes this program so meaningful is its emphasis on resident engagement.

As Levine and Estria continue to experience growth, we have to be more intentional about building infrastructure that keeps in pace with that growth.

Safe mobility options are essential for families, seniors, students, and working families who rely on accessible neighborhood connections.

As my last meeting on Monday in Levine, one of the things that was brought up was the Levine Conveyance Channel, continuing to invest in those types of active engagements.

And I think this investment is an example, and this continues to ensure that future transportation planning is shaped by community voices and grounded in equity.

I appreciate the focus on long-term neighborhood connectivity and look forward to see how resident feedback informs future improvements.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Roll call.

Guardado?

Yes.

And on this?

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor?

Yes.

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Such a good program.

Yes.

Waring?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes nine zero.

Last agendized item, wastewater treatment facilities contract.

Vice Mayor, do we have a motion?

Motion to approve item 58.

Second.

Leonard Clark.

Okay.

Leonard is marked in support of maintaining our wastewater facilities.

Roll call.

Guardado.

Yes.

And on this.

Yes.

O'Brien?

Yes.

Pastor?

Robinson?

Yes.

Stark?

Yes.

Wearing?

Hodge Washington?

Yes.

Gallego.

Yes.

Passes nine-zero.

That concludes our agendai's business today, and then we'll go to the final portion of our meeting.

I understand we will have some good news.

Uh but will our city attorney introduce.

Thank you, Mayor.

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

However, the matters addressed must be within the jurisdiction of the Phoenix City Council and on which the council has the authority to act.

The citizen comment session is limited to 30 minutes.

The Arizona Open Meeting Law allows the city council to listen to comments but prohibits council members from discussing or acting on the issues presented.

However, council members may respond to criticism.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I should say uh happy birthday to Trish.

All right.

Uh we will begin today with uh Jack.

If you could come forward.

And Jack will be followed by David Morgan.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Mayor, and members of the council.

My wife Lexi and I are city leads for the Life the World Giving Machine Initiative.

We are here today to express our appreciation to Mayor Giego and Councilwoman O'Brien for their support of the initiative during the launch event at Desert Ridge Marketplace in December 2025.

The Giving Machine Initiative is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a mission to lift individuals and unite communities through Christ-like service.

During our three weeks of operation in December, we had over 1,000 volunteers help with the initiative.

There were close to 5,000 donations made that will impact thousands of Phoenix residents.

Over 10,000 people visited the Giving Machine Initiative and had the opportunity to feel the spirit of giving to those in our community that are in need.

100% of those donations are going directly to the charities represented in the machines.

Four of those organizations are headquartered in Phoenix and have leadership representatives in the audience today.

We would like to take just a moment and have them stand to be recognized for the good work that their organizations are doing in this community.

They are as follows.

Thank you for granting us some time to speak today.

Well, thank you so much.

And if you can make it through 10 more speakers, we would love to do a photo if your schedule allows, but you've been very patient so far.

Thank you, thank you.

David is next.

Uh, followed by Janae.

Um, normally I comment on trying to help the homeless in one way or another, but a very confusing situation is approached me today, and I don't know who to address about it other than the city council.

So I do live and reside at the SOS shelter, and I have been there since September of 2024.

I was told today that I'm going to be exited for noncompliance because I don't have nameful employment.

Problem with this is that I'm going for full disability.

I have two rotator cuffs that are torn the left and the right, and I had back surgery in 1994.

We put that for 30 plus years now, and it's getting worse.

I'm 58, I'm not 28, so it's a little rougher now.

I can't bend, I can't live, I can't stoop, and I can't do the things I'm used to doing as a laborer.

Labor work is what I know.

In the past year and a half, I've lost 40 pounds.

I weighed 190 very close to it when I hit the shelter.

I had every muscle in my body was defined, and every rope in my arm, as far as my veins are concerned, was exposed.

I have nothing left.

I'm about this big around.

Um I don't see how I'm supposed to move forward with disability.

If I have gainful employment, they'll deny me disability.

How does this work?

And why is the system set up this way at the shelters?

I thought we were trying to move forward, not stay stagnant or get kicked while we're down.

It doesn't make sense to me.

I've spoken in the meetings before.

I've shared stories about how airport service workers who keep Sky Harbor running are suffering from low wages and the high cost of living.

I will keep speaking out until you hear us and take action and support a $25 an hour wage standard as part of the Phoenix Sky Harbor commercial use permits.

The major airlines hire contractors.

And the contractors compete against each other, bidding for the contract from the major airlines.

You all know how that works.

The lowest bid gets the contract.

The airlines aren't going to offer more money, so the wages can be raised.

Right now, there is a horrible situation with the airport workers.

There's a high turnover rate, and this rate affects the airport safety and security of everyone.

The contracting company that I work for secured their bid, secured the contract with the low bid by eliminating the position of the cleaners for the airplanes.

So a lot of times in the evening shift, which I work, there are four to five agents working the ticket counter.

Then three to four of them go up to manage two or three flights that come in either at the same time or within half an hour of each other.

Why one person manages the gate, another person cleans the plane.

We have seven minutes to clean the plane.

And to do it quicker.

This is not the way to run a safe airport.

By having a standard that all must follow in order to do business at the airport.

Right now it isn't.

People are tired.

We're burnt out.

We're stressed.

Please stand up and make sure we have the pay and standards we need to do our jobs and keep our airport safe and secure.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Frank is next, followed by Faith.

And if folks don't mind coming closer to the podium when we uh call you for the undex spot, that would be great.

Faith will be followed by Lee Ellis.

Hello, as many of you know, my name is Frank Urban.

I'm with Fund for Empowerment.

I am here today to comment on the utterly ridiculous bill that you guys have put forth about the homeless in the parks to and only limiting stuff like medical aid to the homeless and feedings to the homeless to twice a month.

That is utterly ridiculous for one reason.

Well, the main reasons probably uh that a lot of the homeless um just don't have the resources to go to the parks to get the aid.

Now the ones that are already there, that's fine.

But you know, if uh uh say a park has already had uh has already had two two people come through, they have to wait uh till next month to get aid that they probably need immediately.

And um if not, that's putting not only their lives in danger, but also the the general public's as well.

Uh because a lot of them some might be in wheelchairs, some might be uh on crutches or mentally not all there.

You know that they don't understand that um legally they can their aid cannot come to them, and they're there 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

So um and this is uh important to me and a lot of other people.

Well, per it's important to me personally because I was homeless a few years ago.

I know what it's like.

Uh and with that, I'll close.

Thank you.

Faith is next, followed by Lee.

Faith, if you were here, could you okay?

Mayor, council, thank you for allowing me to speak.

My name is Faith Kearns.

I am with Funds for Empowerment.

This fund for empowerment group.

Help the homeless pretty much on a daily type of thing.

Every day we find somebody that needs help.

This ridiculous proposal that you guys have about the parks and the homeless.

You want to talk about compassion.

You have a rabbi speak on compassion and love and understanding.

Well, I think some of those rules apply right now because the way you're treating them is not love, it's not companion, and it sure in the heck isn't respect.

Would all of you want to be treated like that if you were in the same situation?

I don't think so.

I'm just asking for some rational thinking on this.

And with that, I'll close Lee is next, followed by Paul.

Thank you for your time.

I just want to speak on the nutrition assistance program.

Um I recently spent five hours in the US trying to reapply.

Um I was told that I have to either go back to the workforce or complete a drug and alcohol course.

Um, I was not given any place to go for the substance abuse program.

I have no problem going.

I don't use um, but as far as the workforce program, I'm filing for disability.

So if I work the uh amount of hours they're expecting me, um, I wouldn't need the nutrition assistance, but it's denying my claim of my disability.

I just think it's something we need to look into a little bit better.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Uh Paul Garcia, followed by Rhonda Savage.

Paul, could you kind of indicate you're here?

Okay, Paul left.

Uh Rhonda is next, followed by Tony Harris.

Good afternoon, councilman panel.

Uh thank you again for hearing us.

It's important on this side that somebody listens.

I wanted to say thank you again for the soap and the paper towels at the bathroom washing center.

It's first it's been very nice having clean hands after the bath saying that we have a really bad issue still with black mold at the center.

Um, I do reside at SOS, and it's something that is gonna end up having long-term effects if it's not managed.

I do appreciate the councilwoman pillar or pestle, excuse me, uhvocating for two more bathrooms for the handicap.

I wanted to say thank you for that too.

But at the same time, the ones that we have there right now, the showers as well, are developing black mold and they're not being managed.

And so I would like to ask if there's a way that we can get that at least addressed, looked at maybe a solution would be cleaning them better underneath, not just the inside.

Those tanks and those structures there hold water and moisture, and that is a bad combination for black mold.

So maybe if there's a way that we can just clean a little better, um it would be nice.

I appreciate your time and thank you again.

Thank you.

Tony is next, followed by Leonard.

Thank you.

I'm with fund for empowerment.

Um about the um the new ordinance for the park feedings.

Um so many homeless people uh rely on these groups to come and feed at the parks.

That um just because some people might leave like paraphernalia around all of them shouldn't have to suffer by having to find another place to eat at because um I'm hearing that um with the new bill from last year on the food stamp cuts.

Almost half a million people are gonna lose their food stamps.

And um it's gonna put them in a bind.

Because a lot of these people are expecting these groups to come out on the on a scheduled basis.

And uh a good compromise would be to um that some of these groups come to the parks and just drop off food the people as opposed to they have to get the permit twice a month.

They can just drop the food off and leave without uh having to worry about getting cited by any of the park rangers or anything.

So thank you.

Thank you, Tony.

Leonard's next, followed by Elizabeth.

Thank you, uh Mayor and Council members.

I am humbled by hearing beautiful spirits that go through a lot more than I do every day.

But um that's why um I'm just very thankful that I'm sure you're going to do the best you can do for our brothers and sisters in our unions, because without that, you know, we wouldn't have the 40-hour work week, we wouldn't have overtime.

And now in this day and age, you know, when we have billionaires taking all the our taxes and subsidies, uh billionaires welfare, corporate welfare.

It's more important than ever that our unhoused brothers and sisters here and the ever increasing heat of uh city of Phoenix.

Uh that nobody is left behind on that.

And uh so I'm proud that my father was a member of uh Carpenter's Union for 50 years.

And uh I think people should look back to the Roosevelt era.

That's what we need now.

But uh also um I also wanted to bring up that um I'm hoping you will show public support for our excellent senator, uh both our senators, of course, Ruben Gallego, but uh Senator uh Mark Kelly, because you know the citizens of Phoenix uh he has done right by the citizens of Phoenix.

This is a good man, and I am just concerned about threats to have them arrested, you know, by again the occupant in the White House.

You know, this is a good man, combat veteran served honorably multiple times being shot at, you know, went up there in the space shuttle.

Uh so uh I'm hoping that we can we can work on that.

The other thing is the uh uh I'm very concerned now because as the heat increases, you know, I know there are different ways to survive in a have uh an urban environment in the desert, and I'm not sure, but maybe someday we're gonna be looking about people working at night, going underground.

It's getting really it's getting hotter and hotter.

And then um also, even though I disagreed with him politically, he was nice enough to meet with me, but he lived here in Phoenix for a time, I believe, and that's uh the late Senator McCain.

I would love to see more.

I know we've had part of an airport dedicated to him, and I didn't agree with all of his politics, but one thing I liked about Senator McCain was he stood up for the Constitution, and uh, you know, and we know who he angered again in Washington in the White House.

So maybe you could think of a monument to him for a man, an actual maverick, a former, well, we used to call them Republicans, a Republican, a Lincoln Party man who stood up for the Constitution.

Maybe we could have a monument to Senator McCain to show that doesn't matter how big the bully is the senators and the people from uh the state of Arizona and Phoenix, we don't put up with bullies, we stand for the constitution.

Thank you.

Thank you, Elizabeth is next, followed by Randy.

Um I just Elizabeth Fenable, Fund for Empowerment.

Um I just want to echo some of the concerns that um some of the people in my group have.

Um the first would be about the black mold.

I mean, you can't just get that out through cleaning.

That's it, and it grows into the into the walls.

Um I would highly encourage you to look into that black mold in the shower situation.

We have photographs, and they're pretty graphic.

And um, it's not just on the it's in the ceilings, it's it's it's it's sort of permanently embedded into there as a structure, and and it's dangerous.

Um compromised individuals, and I don't know if that counts as something under the ADA, but it might, you know.

Also, health code.

Um and then I wanted to um say that it's frustrating about the food sharing um ordinance.

I know that you know it's going to be approved.

Um, I don't think that it actually does pervert uh preserve First Amendment rights.

Um I think it you say that in the beginning of the uh the presentation, and I think it's not factual.

Um there are a lot of circumstances that um would probably um make it so it's unenforceable, but whether or not those are um respected, um, such as if it was a protest, such as if it was a gathering for people that qualified for access.

Um are we allowed to have gatherings for people that qualify for access and have food at them?

Am I allowed to make questions without request for information without submitting in paper?

Do I have to because that's my question?

Are we allowed to have gatherings of access patients?

Period, right?

Or is it really about giving out trash, or is it about not wanting to have certain groups of people in the parks?

Um, and it's unfortunate.

Um the people that serve um other people in the parks, you know, they won't necessarily go away, but you know, it's it's it's sad to me that they're gonna face a potential misdemeanor because somebody applied for a permit form it's prior and they had no idea about a permitting process and probably couldn't afford insurance anyways.

A group like ours could potentially afford insurance, but most of these informal food sharing sessions couldn't.

And and really it does infringe on their religious and first amendment rights.

Thank you.

Randy is next, followed by Clarissa.

Uh thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Council.

I appreciate your time to listen to me on an issue that's been ongoing with the SOS, uh, keys to uh change.

Uh the black mold has been continuous, as I said, and it's becoming a healthy issue.

I myself, who lives in the SOS itself, but I think so have actually gotten sick and things from the black mold itself, gone to the hospital itself.

Um the other issue that's going on with the uh black mold is that the it's not getting cleaned the way it's supposed to be with any type of uh what is called cleansing cleanser or uh solvents or anything like that to actually get rid of it.

Okay.

The second issue, I think, is with what's going on with the uh bathrooms are over there, they're continuously flooding.

Okay, because that's so that's another healthy issue that's going on because you got urine and possibly uh feces that's going on inside there.

So it's another issue that people may are also getting sick from as well.

The third and final thing is the dog pen that they have over there, okay, underneath the uh tarp, the uh for the uh animal school uh bathroom and urine and or whichever it may be.

It's not properly being clean or things with any type of solvent or set.

And in when they clean, they're using just the hose itself or things that's getting washed out into the park lot itself, or things, not just into the sewer drain itself.

Okay, and the uh final one are set when they did a uh cleaning that's supposedly a cleaning underneath the tarts where the tents are.

They all they did was just mark the areas where the tents are supposed to go and just went over it with a uh like a some sort of a vacuum or something like that without lifting the tarp and cleaning underneath it.

That's another health issue itself.

Um I don't know how you how it can be addressed or anything said, how imperative that a person's health does matter over there, but it's very serious thing, and if and people are getting sick over there, it needs to be addressed.

Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you.

Clarissa is next, followed by Eric.

Good afternoon, Mayor Council.

I stay at the SOS shelter, and this is my first time being homeless.

And I see a lot of things going on out there.

The food is not good for any of us that live there.

Uh I think it needs to be um better than what we get there, and the restrooms and everything that's there is not good for any of us, and we're getting sick, and the staff there don't really look out for our anything that we do there.

Um, it's like they look away and let the problems be not being solved for any of us.

And there's usually mice is there too that we see.

And some of you need to go over there and see for yourself with your own eye.

Oh, I can say thank you.

Eric is next, followed.

Uh Eric is next.

Oh, okay.

Eric is unable to testify.

Sue is next.

Um, Mayor, it is an honor to be able to speak today.

Um I was previously at the lot.

The reason that I had to take the housing that I have now is because there was so much so much unfairness to us.

We would have to be out of I wish some of you guys would just look at us and not look away.

When you see a homeless person laying in the park, ask them what do they need?

Are they okay?

Make sure they're alive.

There were 72 deaths due to the heat back in 2023 that cast, and that was my sleeping on the sidewalk there.

I just really sad.

The parks, people want to go there to eat.

They say they has to be uh what do you call that?

Um permit to be in the parks to serve food.

Well, what if there's a graduation, a confirmation, a birthday, or something that is very special.

Do they have to have permits?

No.

So it's not fair for us to have to have permits to serve food in the park.

With that, I'll close.

Thank you.

Our final speaker will be Stuart Tanner.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you for having me here.

My first council meeting I've ever been to.

However, I'm familiar with Elizabeth.

I've been knowing her.

And um, I also would probably be put in the category what they would call a homelessness.

I rather do not use that title, prefer to think of myself as outdoor survivalist.

I carry myself a little bit different.

I have participated in the SOS program on two occasions.

One recently, as of this new year.

I think I've been out of it for about uh the last three or four months.

I probably made it uh see through Christmas, a little after New Year's I was out of there.

Um I felt like I was wrongfully uh put out because of uh feeling type of intellect or speaking out of about the uh how do you say the inadequies or incompetencies of the uh staff to client relationships or security?

Mine was basically uh actually I thought the rest of the uh see staff was kind of professionally doing their job, but there were uh mine was mainly dealing with the rogue security guard, and it's time they recruited me into the SOS program.

I was staying downtown and I had a um room paid up already at a hotel.

I had a pull away luggage that I just picked up from my brother's house, so I they came up to me in a pickup truck, basically in um Shanghai me.

I mean, they were like, I was like, no, I got a rook to I got on like controlled environments, and they like pick grab my leg.

Come on, you'll like it, do it in the back of pickup truck, and they take you over there, and then they're like, Well, he's registered in it to it, and the main thing they're asking you is do you have insurance?

And I now I'm starting to see kind of like what's really going on.

I kind of feel like it's a scam to just hustle insurance companies, and they probably need to be audited.

Um both times.

Um I got barricole marijuana that I smoke, and um, I was they they asked you all these questions, and I let them know that this is what I do.

Um, the security guard things I was going through through the gate, they never said anything about my cartridges, but here come Mr.

Rogue security guard.

Well, one brother, it's like you can't have these.

I was like, okay, you guys never told me that.

And they never told me that the the clients that was uh checking me in.

So this one rogue security guard.

Um I don't like the fact that they pretty much make me downsize.

I had nice stuff, nice sleeping bag and um nice blanket and all that type stuff.

But they want you to give up all your possessions and use their cheap sleeping bag, I could say that, and cheap blanket.

And um, it was winter time, also like it was this time, and um basically you're in a tent uh with that tarpa, whatever they have on the surface type thing.

And I was just checking out everything.

Uh I uh went to Walmart, got a brand new comfort route, probably cost me pretty close to 70 dollars or so, and I had a receipt and I kept it and this and that.

They kicked me off for one of foul agreements after being assaulted by the security guard for um, you know, and then that's a it's a contradiction of um their what they're saying they were here to help you, but yet still they put you out in the code with no thank you for that testimony.

That is all of the speakers on my list.

We are adjourned.

To non-emergency medical care through telemedicine.

So we are not going to be an emergency facility, but for non-emergency