Attachment A 5-1-24-PSJ Subcommittee Minutes - Final Draft.pdf

Phoenix City Council 
Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent         
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, Chair 
         
Councilman Kevin Robinson 
Councilman Jim Waring  
Councilwoman Guardado (Virtual) 
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman O’Brien called the Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) Subcommittee to order 
at 10:02 a.m. with Councilwoman Guardado, Councilman Kevin Robinson and 
Councilman Jim Waring present.  
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None. 
 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee Meeting 
Councilman Waring made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2024, Public 
Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting. Councilman Robinson seconded the motion 
which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 2-3)  
 
2. Reappointment of Chief Presiding Judge 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien introduced the item of the Reappointment of the Chief Presiding 
Judge. 
 
Councilman Robinson moved to reappoint Judge B. Don Taylor III. 
 
Councilman Waring seconded the motion. 
 
The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
3. Approval of the Neighborhood Block Watch Awards for 2024 
 
Attachment A

Chairwoman O’Brien introduced Assistant Police Chief Charmane Osborn, 
Neighborhood Services Director Spencer Self, and Assistant Street Transportation 
Director Briiana Velez to present on this item. 
 
Assistant Chief Osborn provided background on the Block Watch Grant Program, the 
2024 grand application process, and the request for an annual funding increase for the 
program.  
 
Ms. Velez gave an update regarding the Gated Culvert (Wash) Program. She provided 
the locations of completed gates and the installation schedule for future gates. 
 
Councilman Waring stated he appreciated the work staff has done to include District 2 
in this plan. He asked about the 46th Place and Ramuda Drive wash, and if there were 
any ongoing issues with the Homeowner’s Association (HOA). 
 
Ms. Velez stated the HOA determined there was not an issue right now but staff will 
continue to monitor the area. 
 
Councilman Waring thanked staff for ongoing observation of this area. 
 
Mr. Self provided an update on the Gated Alley Program and the process for identifying 
eligible alleys. 
 
Deputy Chief Osborn recommended the Subcommittee approve a recommendation to 
the City Council for full funding for 151 applications received, partial funding for six 
applications, and to increase the annual funding for the Neighborhood Block Watch 
Grant Program. 
 
Councilman Robinson made a motion to approve the item and make a recommendation 
for approval to the full Council. 
 
Councilman Waring seconded the motion. 
 
The motion passed unanimously 4-0. 
 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 4-5)  
 
4. Fire Staffing, Hiring, and Response Time 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien introduced Executive Assistant Fire Chief Scott Walker and 
Deputy Fire Chief Reda Riddle-Bigler to present on this item. 
 
Deputy Chief Riddle-Bigler provided an overview of sworn staffing levels and 
recruitment strategies.

Councilman Waring asked if the data reflecting a “passed” result on the test indicated 
each of those applicants became Firefighters, or if they just passed the test. 
Deputy Chief Riddle-Bigler confirmed the data only reflects applicants who passed the 
test. 
 
Councilman Waring asked if staff had an explanation for the percentage difference in 
the number of applicants who passed the test between 2015 and 2024. He asked if the 
test had changed. 
 
Deputy Chief Riddle-Bigler stated the test has not changed, but there are three 
firefighter academies running in 2024. 
 
Councilman Waring stated his concern with the declining number of applicants passing 
the test. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated staff is aware of these trends and actively trying to 
address them through changes to the testing and training processes. 
 
Councilman Waring asked if individuals could take the test more than once. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated individuals can take the test more than once, and once 
applicants pass the test, they are placed on an eligibility list. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if there are other factors that determine if an applicant is 
qualified. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated yes, just because someone applied or passed the test, it 
does not mean they are qualified for the job. He stated competition for these applicants 
from other fields also drives these negative trends.  
 
Councilman Guardado asked how retirements will impact the data presented. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated staff does have a two-year forecast planning for 
retirements. He stated the current number of applicants and those who passed the test 
meet the current need, as approximately 150 individuals are hired each year. 
 
Deputy Chief Riddle-Bigler provided details on the current testing and selection 
processes and the future changes including an online test option. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated staff is excited about these future changes and moving to 
an online hiring process, as it will broaden the pool of applicants.  
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if the online test would be scheduled or if the applicant 
could take it at their convenience.

Deputy Chief Riddle-Bigler stated there will be two hiring periods and applicants will 
have 30 days to complete the testing requirements. She discussed recruitment outreach 
and collaboration efforts. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker provided information on staff accomplishments including staffing 
increases. He discussed unit activity levels, overall response times, and response times 
by district. 
 
Councilman Waring noted the longer response times in District 2 and requested to see 
the breakdown of call volumes by district. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated staff can add that data into each presentation moving 
forward. 
 
Councilman Waring stated there is no reason for another district to call ambulances 
more than twice as much as another district. He asked staff to investigate this issue.  
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated staff does monitor this data. He stated there are three 
additional fire stations in the plans for District 2, and response times are a factor in 
determining priority for building stations.  
 
Councilman Waring stated Arizona State University (ASU) might be able to take this 
data and conduct research on why some individuals call 911 more than others.  
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked how long an average response time has to be for it to 
become unacceptable. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated staff does not have specific cut-off, since acceptable 
response times depend on the situation. He discussed the overall transport activity 
trend and noted activity levels have increased each year. He discussed what the needs 
would be for staff to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard and 
explained how staff quantified these needs. He stated staff would need nine more fire 
stations, 19 more apparatus, and 222 more sworn full-time employees.  
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if there is a formula for how many civilian staff would be 
needed. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker responded yes, there is a specific ratio of sworn to non-sworn 
staff. He explained response time variations including a map of response time variations 
in District 2. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien opened the floor to public comment.

Bryan Willingham stated he represented the United Phoenix Firefighters Association. 
He expressed concern over the pay for new firefighters receive and the lack of 
resources firefighters have to serve the community. 
 
Councilman Robinson asked if the trends in testing are consistent with other cities 
around the country.  
 
Deputy Chief Riddle-Bigler stated yes, staff is collaborating with other cities to discuss 
this shared issue. 
 
Councilman Robinson asked how effective affinity groups have been in helping to 
recruit people who are eventually hired.  
 
Deputy Chief Riddle-Bigler stated affinity groups are a foundational aspect of 
recruitment, and mentioned they contribute to diversity. 
 
Councilman Robinson stated concern regarding response times and mentioned his 
support for more funding for Firefighters to decrease response times. 
 
Councilman Waring stated concern regarding the implications of the long-term hiring 
trends for the department. He compared the data to police hiring, and stated the 
decrease in the number of applicants over time is especially concerning. He stated 
there should be focus on recruitment in schools and asked for input from ASU on this 
issue. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado asked why there are firefighters who still make 17 dollars an 
hour. 
 
Assistant City Manager Lori Bays stated the compensation is based on similar entry-
level positions from comparable cities. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado stated she understood, but she believes this compensation 
level is the main reason for hiring challenges. She stated it is important to find other 
solutions since the City might not have the funding to raise wages. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if the telehealth program had been implemented. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated yes, but staff has not seen the number of participants 
they hoped for, so they are working to retrain dispatchers on the program and increase 
participants. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if the general obligation bond covers the cost of the 
equipment necessary for the four identified stations.

Ms. Bays stated yes, the bond funds account for the cost of the stations and apparatus.  
She added that the budget projections also include the ongoing costs to staff the new 
stations. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if the stations on slide 14 were in priority order. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated the stations were in priority order. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if staff would build all the stations listed if the funds were 
available. 
 
Assistant Chief Walker stated yes, staff could justify the need for each station listed.  
 
Chairwoman emphasized the importance of this issue and thanked staff for the 
presentation. 
 
5. Firework Safety and Impacts 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien introduced Assistant Fire Chief Tim Kreis and Deputy Director of 
Community Risk Reduction Jennifer Hill to present on this item. 
 
Assistant Chief Kries provided background on Phoenix Fire codes prohibiting fireworks. 
He differentiated fireworks that are prohibited and those that are permitted by state law. 
 
Ms. Hill provided the Fire Investigations Task Force data review. She stated the key 
takeaway was that fire activities increase in months when the sale and use of fireworks 
are permitted. She provided data on fire incidents, specifically during the New Year’s 
Holiday and the Fourth of July. She described a three-step strategy to mitigate the risk 
of fireworks.  
 
Assistant Chief Kries noted the Police Department also experiences elevated call 
volumes during the previously mentioned holidays. He discussed community safety 
points including keeping a safe distance from the fireworks, taking care of pets, 
choosing safe locations, and disposing of fireworks properly. He discussed staff efforts 
in community risk education. 
 
Councilman Waring stated increased education might not cause people to change if 
they do not care about the rules. He stated this is a serious concern, but he does not 
know if these are effective methods to mitigate these behaviors.  
 
Assistant Chief Kreis played an educational video. 
 
Councilman Waring stated he understood the intent behind this initiative, and he 
thought the video was positive, but this is a difficult issue to address.

Assistant Chief Kries also discussed emergency response and stated the Fire 
Department is well prepared for these issues. 
 
Councilman Waring stated his office receives calls about this issue often. He stated he 
hopes staff is doing everything they can within the law to mitigate these issues. 
 
Assistant Chief Kries stated the staff is doing everything they can to improve this issue 
within state law. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if residents could report illegal fireworks sales through 
myPHX311. 
 
Assistant Chief Kries stated staff would prefer residents to report the issue directly to 
the Fire Marshal’s office. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked when the Fire Marshal’s office phone is monitored. 
 
Assistant Chief Kries stated the numbers are monitored during normal business hours. 
 
Chairwoman O’Brien asked if staff is helping residents understand what a safe location 
for fire work disposal looks like. 
 
Assistant Chief Kreis stated yes, staff is trying to provide clarity to residents. 
 
Councilwoman Guardado stated the Fire Marshal’s office phone number should be 
posted everywhere and asked for the information on a flyer so her office can provide the 
information to residents. 
 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 6-8)  
 
6. Phoenix Substance Use and Overdose Dashboard 
 
This item is for information only. 
 
7. Police Hiring, Recruitment, and Attrition Update 
 
This item is for information only. 
 
8. CAP Hiring, Recruitment and Metric Report 
 
This item is for information only. 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman O’Brien adjourned the meeting at 11:41 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Chloe Baldwin 
Management Fellow