OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Meeting – May 4, 2026: Solid Waste Rate Increase, K9 Contract, and Memorials

City Council — Monday, May 4, 2026
BodyPhoenix, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, May 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:03:47

Transcript — Verbatim
0:35

Thank you so much.

0:38

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

0:43

Thank you, Rabbi Levratov.

0:50

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

0:58

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

1:05

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

1:10

Each person deserves.

1:11

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

1:19

But debate must be carried with dignity.

1:22

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

1:26

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

1:30

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

1:35

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

1:39

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.

1:49

Let disagreement refine us rather than divide us.

1:53

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

1:59

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.

2:15

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.

2:31

Grant them wisdom and clarity, courage and humility.

2:34

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

2:41

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

2:49

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.

3:01

Thank you, Rabbi.

3:03

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

3:28

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

3:31

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

3:42

Thank you, Mayor.

3:44

Last week we lost uh Michael Peterson in Kervaya.

3:47

He worked, he was uh worked in my office.

3:50

Um he was uh a brother.

3:54

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

3:57

We were he was my work husband.

3:59

Um but together we were Cagney and Lacey.

4:01

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.

4:14

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

4:26

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

4:34

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.

4:49

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.

5:01

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.

5:14

I bless his soul.

5:16

I miss him every day.

5:18

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.

5:27

Maybe try another one.

5:29

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

5:37

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.

5:55

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

6:04

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

6:09

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.

6:22

So thank you for listening.

6:26

Thank you.

6:27

Councilman Hernandez.

6:29

Thank you, Mayor.

6:30

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

6:34

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.

6:44

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

6:49

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

6:51

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.

7:02

Councilwoman Guardado.

7:04

Thank you, Mayor.

7:05

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

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████████████23%
Homelessness█████████████████████21%
Procedural████████████████16%
Personnel Matters██████████████14%
Public Safety██████6%
Disability Rights██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Public Health████4%
Animal Welfare█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Phoenix City Council Meeting – May 4, 2026

The Phoenix City Council convened on May 4, 2026, at 10:45 AM. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rabbi Levratov, the Pledge of Allegiance, and memorials for two prominent community members: Michael Peterson, a former city staff member, and Dr. Gene Blue, a civil rights leader and educator. The council then proceeded through a lengthy agenda, including a significant discussion and vote on a residential solid waste rate increase, approval of a K9 services contract with PetSmart, multiple affordable housing projects, and a contract for accessible visual inclusion services at Sky Harbor Airport.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (Item 1): Approved unanimously.
  • Boards and Commissions (Item 2): Approved unanimously; new commissioners sworn in.
  • Liquor Licenses (Items 3–10): Approved unanimously.
  • Bulk Approvals (Items 11–63): Vice Mayor Hodge Washington moved to approve items 11–63 with the exception of items 11, 12, 15–21, 28, 32–34, 43, 48, 49, 51, 55, and 58, which were considered individually. The remaining items were passed 9-0 by roll call.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • MOU with Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (Item 19): Leonard Clark expressed concern about officer interactions with citizens and requested transparency. The vote was deferred to a later meeting.
  • Election Materials (Item 21): Leonard Clark voiced concerns about ballot security and federal interference. The item passed 9-0.
  • Civil Service Board Hearing Officer (Item 28): Leonard Clark spoke in support, calling for public education on the board’s role. The item passed 9-0.
  • Accessible Visual Inclusion Services (Item 43): Rebecca Rosenberg, CEO of Reboca, described the technology’s benefits for travelers with low vision. The item passed 9-0.
  • Solid Waste Rate Increase (Item 48): Two speakers addressed the item:
    • Jennifer Scheipe, President of Keep Phoenix Beautiful, expressed support, citing the need for infrastructure sustainability.
    • Mike Rellis, representative of LiUNA Local 777, supported the increase, highlighting equipment delays and workforce dedication.
  • Citizen Comment Session (30 minutes):
    • Jack and Lexi (LDS Church) thanked council for supporting the Giving Machine Initiative (Dec 2025), which raised funds for local charities.
    • David (SOS shelter resident) described being threatened with exit for noncompliance due to disability status and inability to work.
    • Frank Urban (Fund for Empowerment) criticized the proposed park ordinance limiting food sharing to twice per month, calling it harmful to homeless individuals.
    • Faith Kearns (Fund for Empowerment) argued the park feeding restrictions violate compassion and First Amendment rights.
    • Lee opposed nutrition assistance work requirements while filing for disability.
    • Rhonda Savage (SOS) thanked council for soap and paper towels but reported black mold and flooding at the shelter, urging remediation.
    • Tony Harris (Fund for Empowerment) proposed allowing food drop-offs without permits as a compromise.
    • Leonard praised unions and Senator Mark Kelly, and requested a monument for Senator John McCain.
    • Elizabeth Fenable (Fund for Empowerment) echoed concerns about black mold at SOS and argued the food-sharing ordinance would infringe on religious and free speech rights.
    • Randy reiterated health issues at SOS (mold, flooding, dog pen sanitation).
    • Clarissa (SOS) criticized poor food quality and staff inaction.
    • Sue recalled 72 heat deaths in 2023 and opposed the park permit requirement.
    • Stuart Tanner described being wrongfully discharged from SOS and accused the shelter of insurance fraud.

Discussion Items

  • Contract with PetSmart for Canine Units (Item 11):

    • Councilwoman Hernandez asked about the K9 unit breakdown (36 dogs total across bureaus) and the public comment period for canine policy updates (through May 31, 2026).
    • She noted she would vote yes (dogs need food) but expressed personal concerns about canine units as dog abuse and their use as weapons against the community.
    • The item passed 9-0.

  • Motel Conversion to Senior Affordable Housing (Item 12):

    • Councilwoman Guardado highlighted the La Perla project (126 units for seniors 55+, at ~25% completion, opening early 2027), funded via ARPA, NSP, and a congressional earmark. She called it a model for combating homelessness.
    • Passed 9-0.

  • Special Meeting for Presiding Judge Appointment (Item 15):

    • Councilwoman Hernandez explained the process: interviews will be held May 12, 2026, with the council selecting the chief presiding judge, who serves as the court’s administrative officer.
    • Passed 9-0.

  • Federal Home Funds for Affordable Housing (Items 32 & 33):

    • Item 32 (Second & Roosevelt): 60 units for families. Passed 9-0.
    • Item 33 (Wood Street): 45 units for seniors at or below 60% AMI (some at 40%). Vice Mayor commended the city’s strategic use of funds. Passed 9-0.

  • Rio Fresco Emergency Shelter Operations (Item 34):

    • Vice Mayor Hodge Washington shared success stories from the shelter and emphasized the need for the full continuum of care. Mayor Gallego noted funding via CDBG and expressed concern over the president’s proposal to eliminate such programs.
    • Passed 9-0.

  • Solid Waste Service Rate Increase (Item 48):

    • Deputy City Manager Stevenson and Public Works Director Felipe presented the revised fee schedule: a three-year tiered increase of $5 (July 2026), $5 (2027), $4 (2028), plus an inflationary adjustment (max 5%) from 2029–2033. The original proposal of $6–$6–$5 was reduced after community feedback.
    • Additional features: increased discount for 60-gallon containers (from $3 to $5/month), doubled contribution to Project Assist (to $440,000/year, total cap $1.5 million), and commitment to future efficiency studies.
    • Council discussion highlighted affordability concerns, recycling/compost improvements, and the need for multilingual outreach about assistance programs.
    • Several council members (Hernandez, Vice Mayor, O’Brien, Stark, Guardado) acknowledged the difficulty but emphasized necessity due to inflation (labor +32%, trucks +52%, construction +40%) and the fund’s enterprise status.
    • Councilwoman Guardado voted no, citing the burden on residents amid inflation and federal benefit cuts.
    • Vote: 8-1 (Guardado opposed). Passed.

  • SRP Street Light Installation (Item 51):

    • Vice Mayor highlighted 30 new lights on Broadway Corridor (24th St to 32nd St), improving safety and equity. Passed 9-0.

  • Phoenix Connected Active Neighborhood Program (Item 55):

    • Vice Mayor noted resident engagement in Levine and Estrella for transportation connectivity. Passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Solid Waste Rate Increase Approved (8-1): Monthly residential rate will rise $5 in July 2026, $5 in 2027, $4 in 2028, with subsequent inflationary caps. Green organics subscription fee set at one-fourth the residential rate. Low-income assistance (Project Assist) doubled to $440,000.
  • K9 Contract with PetSmart Approved (9-0): Food and supplies for 36 police dogs across multiple bureaus.
  • Senior Affordable Housing Projects Approved (9-0): La Perla (126 units) and Wood Street (45 units) moving forward.
  • Presiding Judge Interviews Scheduled: May 12, 2026 special meeting for selection.
  • Accessibility Tech at Sky Harbor Approved (9-0): Contract with Reboca for low-vision navigation aids.
  • Multiple Infrastructure Contracts Approved: Street lights (SRP), active transportation planning, wastewater treatment, and civil service board hearing officer.
  • Public Comment Recorded: Multiple citizens raised concerns about SOS shelter conditions (mold, sanitation) and opposed the new park food-sharing ordinance (to be voted on at a later date).

Meeting Transcript

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.

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