Attachment A - Draft 6.7.23 CCI Minutes.pdf

Phoenix City Council 
Community and Cultural Investment (CCI) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 
 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado, Chair             
Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari 
Councilwoman Debra Stark 
Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington 
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Guardado called the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee 
to order at 10:03 a.m. with Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari, Councilwoman Kesha Hodge 
Washington, and Councilwoman Debra Stark present.  
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
Jerry Van Gasse expressed support for the City’s effort to redevelop Papago Park.  
   
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
 
1. Minutes of the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee Meeting 
 
Councilwoman Stark motioned to approve the minutes of the May 3, 2023, 
Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman Hodge 
Washington seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
 
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-6) 
 
2. Fiscal Year 2023-28 Public Art Plan 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
3. Artist Contract for Maryvale Grand Canal Crossing Public Art Project 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
4. Pueblo Public Art Deaccession 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information.

5. Artwork Donation - Hatcher Urban Businesses 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
6. Request Approval of the Head Start Birth to Five Infectious Disease Mitigation 
Policy 
 
Consent only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
Councilwoman Stark motioned to approve consent Items 2-6.  
 
Vice Mayor Ansari seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 7- 9) 
 
7. Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report - April 2023 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
8. 2023 Summer Solstice Celebration at Burton Barr Central Library 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
9. Phoenix Public Library's 2023 Summer Reading Program 
 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 10-11) 
 
10. Park Ranger Hiring Update 
 
Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar introduced Parks and Recreation Deputy 
Director Jarod Rogers to provide an update on Item 10. 
 
Mr. Rogers discussed City park ranger duties, such as helping improve visitor 
satisfaction, park safety, and park usability. He said about 69 Mountain Preserve park 
rangers, including eight vacancies, serve the City. Additionally, about 28 Urban park 
rangers support the City’s urban park system, including 186 parks, pedestrian 
pathways, and tunnels. 
 
Councilwoman Stark asked about a recent Parks and Recreation recruitment effort and 
whether what was targeted for all vacant positions.     
  
Ms. Aguilar replied this particular recruitment was targeted for the third shift.

Chairwoman Guardado expressed support for the City’s effort to hire new park rangers. 
She asked about the hiring process for new rangers.   
 
Ms. Aguilar explained the various methods to attract qualified candidates, including 
social media advertisement and a group hiring event. 
 
Chairwoman Guardado asked about the difference between City-employed parks 
rangers and private security guards Parks and Recreation recently used to patrol some 
parks.    
 
Ms. Aguilar answered the private security services were authorized to provide roving 
patrols to 12 specific locations between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. daily. The Park Rangers 
would also be patrolling the City’s 186 Urban Parks with an additional authority to issue 
trespass notices or citations.      
 
 11. Park Activation Neighborhood Grant Program Update 
 
Ms. Aguilar gave an update on Item 11. She noted some benefits of the City’s Park 
Activation program to promote a healthy lifestyle for residents, including new park 
amenities, park programming, and the new neighborhood grant opportunity funded 
through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). 
 
Councilwoman Stark asked for clarification of qualified census tracts. 
 
Ms. Aguilar answered staff uses the U.S. Census Tract definition of a qualified census 
tract to review parks located within the boundary or near those qualifying census tracts. 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked if staff could award some of the ARPA-funded neighborhood 
grants before the end of the year.   
 
Ms. Aguilar replied the City is hiring additional staff to administer the neighborhood 
grants program to help expedite the process.      
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked if the neighborhood grants opportunity is 
limited to programs, events, and activities or if it could also be used for other services 
related to park amenities as deemed by the Neighborhood Associations.      
 
Ms. Aguilar answered this particular grant opportunity is limited to programs and events.   
 
Chairwoman Guardado asked if local nonprofit organizations wanting to host events at 
City parks could qualify for the neighborhood grant funding.   
 
Ms. Aguilar replied yes.  
 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 12-13)

12. Recommend Fee Increase for Use of Phoenix Tennis Center 
 
Ms. Aguilar introduced Parks and Recreation Supervisor Stacia Homes to discuss item 
12. She also acknowledged Mr. and Mrs. Ragland sitting in the audience. 
 
Ms. Homes presented Item 12, noting the Phoenix Tennis Center is the largest in the 
metropolitan area serving 60,000 visitors annually through leagues, tournaments, and 
open play. She stated the Parks and Recreation Board recommended a fee increase 
from $4.00 to $5.10 for 90 minutes of court time and a light fee increase from $5.00 to 
$5.10 for a 90-minute court reservation at 6:00 p.m. or later. However, staff 
recommends the CCI Subcommittee increase the fee from $4.00 to $6.00 for 90 
minutes of court time and $5.00 to $6.00 for 90 minutes of court reservation at 6:00 p.m. 
or later. Junior fees remained unchanged at $2.00 for 90 minutes of court reservation.               
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked about the demographics of tennis center 
users by age and after 6:00 p.m. preservation statistics.    
   
Mrs. Veronica Ragland, Business and Legal Consultant for Ragland Tennis Services, 
replied Juniors represent 15 to 20 percent of the tennis center community. She added 
the tennis center court is reserved between 65 to 70 percent of capacity after 6:00 p.m.    
  
Chairwoman Guardado motioned to recommend the City Council approve increased 
fees for the Phoenix Tennis Center to $6.00 for 90 minutes of court reservation and 
$6.00 for lighting per 90 minutes. She further recommended that the City Council 
approve no change to the current junior fees of $2.00 per junior for 90 minutes of court 
time.          
 
Mr. Joe Ragland expressed support for the recommended fee increase. 
 
Mrs. Veronica Ragland discussed the increased expenses for operations and expressed 
support for the recommended fee increase. 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
 
13. Head Start Birth to Five Full Enrollment Initiative Plan 
 
Human Services Director Marchelle Franklin, Human Services Assistant Director 
Nichole Ayoola, and Human Services Deputy Director Patricia Kirkland presented Item 
13.  
 
Ms. Franklin gave an overview of Item 13, noting Fiscal Year 2022-23 enrollment 
numbers, efforts to address enrollment issues, and factors affecting enrollment.

Ms. Ayoola stated the Head Start Birth to Five program's enrollment is 68 percent, 
meaning 2,341 of the 3,451 available slots are filled. She mentioned some strategies 
staff has undertaken to increase enrollment, including community outreach, advertising 
on City garbage trucks, billboards, and various media platforms. 
 
Ms. Kirkland discussed resources staff used to identify critical factors impacting 
enrollment numbers, including existing data on enrollment, surveys completed by 
program participants and teachers, and the latest Community Needs Assessment, 
which identified four factors that have impacted total enrollment numbers: staff 
shortages due to low wages, a mismatch of family educational needs and program 
offerings, eligibility issues, and language barriers.   
 
Councilwoman Stark asked if the Human Services staff is collaborating with the City’s 
Youth and Education Office to assist with enrollment.   
 
Ms. Kirkland replied yes.  
 
Councilwoman Stark asked if there were ways the subcommittee could help promote 
the Head Start program. 
 
Ms. Franklin responded the subcommittee could help in several ways, including inviting 
staff to their Council District events, providing a contact listserv, and providing feedback 
on constituent needs and preferences.  
 
Councilwoman Stark asked staff to discuss how Covid-19 impacted the program. 
 
Ms. Ayoola replied the Covid-19 pandemic affected enrollment in different ways, 
including a shift in the needs of families and the workforce.  
 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked staff to elaborate on some of the language barriers noted in 
the presentation and how they affect enrollment. 
 
Ms. Kirkland answered the language barrier primarily impacts the Head Start program’s 
home-based service, where staff who visit participant families’ homes encounter 
language challenges due to some families' specific Swahili and Farsi dialects. 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari asked if the City is looking to hire more interpreters and translators to 
overcome this challenge.  
 
Ms. Kirkland replied staff is working with the current vendor to identify the specific 
Swahili and Farsi dialects needed to address this challenge.  
 
Vice Mayor Ansari stated many Afghan refugees speak Farsi, especially the dialects 
some of the families in the Head Start speak, and would appreciate an employment 
opportunity.

Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked if the recently completed Class and 
Compensation Study will address staff shortages caused by low wages.    
 
Ms. Franklin replied yes.  
 
Councilwoman Hodge Washington recommended the City consider parents and 
guardians of children who qualify for the Head Start program as potential employees. 
 
Chairwoman Guardado asked about the eligibility criteria for the Head Start program.   
 
Ms. Kirkland answered the eligibility for the Head Start program includes income, 
participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and homelessness. 
 
Chairwoman Guardado asked if children receiving free meals at school qualify for the 
Head Start program.  
 
Ms. Kirkland replied yes. 
 
Chairwoman Guardado asked if Council could raise the eligibility criteria at or below 140 
to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to allow more families to participate in 
the Head Start program.  
 
Ms. Kirkland replied the current qualification cap is at or below 130 percent of the 
Federal Poverty Guidelines, but staff would explore the existing procedures and report 
back to the subcommittee.  
 
Chairwoman Guardado asked if the Human Services staff is collaborating with the City’s 
afterschool PAC program.  
 
Ms. Kirkland replied yes.  
 
Chairwoman Guardado asked about the Head Start program’s home visitor staffing 
level.  
 
Ms. Kirkland responded the program has 28 positions, 13 of which are currently filled.  
Chairwoman Guardado noted the Head Start program pays some teachers $21 per 
hour while others receive $13 for the same job. She asked why there is a significant pay 
gap between educators doing the same work.      
 
Ms. Kirkland replied such pay inequities result from education levels and teaching 
requirement differences between school districts and nonprofit organizations. School 
districts require teachers to be certified through the state; nonprofits do not. 
 
Chairwoman Guardado recommended Head Start program teachers receive equal pay.

Chairwoman Guardado motioned to approve the submitted Head Start Birth to Five Full 
Enrollment Initiative plan. She also motioned staff to provide the CCI Subcommittee with 
a monthly update on the progress of the enrollment initiative plan. 
 
Vice Mayor Ansari seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
 
Chairwoman Guardado noted this was the last CCI subcommittee meeting before the 
summer recess. She thanked her colleagues and staff for their hard work.  
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
 
There were no speakers for public comment. 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
Chairwoman Guardado adjourned the meeting at 11:32 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Yusuf Dirow, Management Fellow