Attachment A - April 6, 2022 Draft CCI Minutes

Phoenix City Council 
Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, AZ 
Subcommittee Members Present     
 Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado, Chair 
Councilwoman Debra Stark 
Councilmember Carlos Garcia 
Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari       
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Guardado called the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee to 
order at 10:06 a.m. with Councilwoman Stark, Councilmember Garcia, and 
Councilwoman Ansari present. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
No call to the public. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee Meeting
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2022
Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman Ansari
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously 4-0.
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-3) 
2. Artist Design Contract for North 32nd Street Improvement Public Art Project
3. Arizona Commission on the Arts FY 2022-23 Creative Capacity Grants
Application
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the consent items. Councilwoman 
Ansari seconded the motion, which passed unanimously 4-0. 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEM 4) 
4. Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report – February 2022
Councilwoman Stark made a motion to approve the information only item. 
Councilwoman Ansari seconded the motion, which passed unanimously 4-0. 
Attachment A

INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION (ITEMS 5-7) 
5. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update 
Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar presented an update on the Parks 
Master Plan. She discussed the previous master plan instituted in 1988. Ms. Aguilar 
spoke about outreach efforts to gain feedback on the new plan. Ms. Aguilar stated the 
COVID-19 pandemic impacted the master plan process but that several City 
stakeholders were working in partnership to institute the updated Parks and Recreation 
Master Plan in the 18-month timeframe. 
Councilmember Garcia commented on the activation of park spaces and asked staff 
about additional funding sources for parks. 
Ms. Aguilar noted bond consideration would be included in the Parks Master Plan 
timeline and stated there would be other potential funding opportunities. She gave 
examples of grant opportunities, additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, 
and the Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative Program fund. 
Councilmember Garcia asked staff to elaborate on partnerships between City 
departments, specifically the Parks and Recreation Department and the Phoenix Office 
of Arts and Culture (POAC). 
Ms. Aguilar replied some partnerships between departments occur naturally, but in the 
future there would be a formal process. She specifically highlighted the partnership 
between POAC and Parks and Recreation and expressed the need to support efforts in 
each department. 
Councilwoman Ansari asked staff to provide additional details regarding the timeline of 
the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. She also asked if the City Council would be able 
to assess budget deficiencies in the plan. 
Ms. Aguilar replied the Parks and Recreation Master Plan would span 10 years with 
updates every five years and noted staff could return to the City Council and adjust 
budgetary efforts to promote equity in each district. 
Councilwoman Ansari noted there were many vacant lots in her district that could be 
potential sites for new parks given funding opportunities. 
Ms. Aguilar noted Councilwoman Ansari was correct and stated there was a 
prioritization of previously existing commitments. 
Chairwoman Guardado asked if there was an update from staff to utilize federal 
infrastructure dollars to create new parks.

Ms. Aguilar noted there was no current updates but that the department had connected 
with the Office of Government Relations to identify earmarking opportunities for 
additional park sites. 
Chairwoman Guardado requested staff conduct bilingual door to door education about 
City resources, park safety, and the Parks Master Plan. 
6. Aquatics Update 
Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar gave an update on the 2022 Phoenix 
Aquatics season and the lifeguard hiring effort. Ms. Aguilar spoke about the decline in 
lifeguard recruitment and retention rate and the need to hire an additional 400 lifeguards 
to open all 29 City pools. She discussed the lifeguard incentive pay announced in early 
March and issues with absenteeism for the lifeguard certification classes, a shortage of 
swim lesson instructors, and pool managers. Ms. Aguilar discussed the 2022 Aquatics 
Season timeline, which would begin on Memorial Day Weekend and end on Labor Day. 
Councilwoman Stark asked what the age requirement was for lifeguards. Ms. Aguilar 
replied that lifeguards must be at least 15 years of age to be hired with the City. 
Councilwoman Stark asked for an update on lifeguard recruitment efforts at local high 
schools. Ms. Aguilar noted the City worked closely with local high schools throughout 
the year to conduct recruitment efforts and heavily markets lifeguard positions to swim 
and dive teams. She also noted that staff conducts virtual and in-person recruitment 
events at several high schools. 
Councilwoman Stark asked if staff had reviewed the pay level for lifeguards. Ms. Aguilar 
replied that Parks and Recreation staff was focused on adding incentive pay for the 
2022 swim season but would adjust the base hourly wage in future swim seasons. 
Councilmember Garcia asked if staff had reviewed the pay level for City pool managers. 
Ms. Aguilar replied the current starting wage for pool managers was $25 an hour for the 
2022 swim season when the incentive pay was included. 
Councilmember Garcia asked for an update on the transportation of residents from 
closed pool locations to open pool locations during the aquatics season. Ms. Aguilar 
replied that staff planned on transporting residents from closed pools to open pools. 
Councilwoman Ansari asked how staff would plan for a continued decline in lifeguard 
recruitment due to individuals finding better job opportunities elsewhere. Ms. Aguilar 
noted that staff discovered a certification process for shallow swim lifeguards which 
would be less arduous than traditional lifeguard certification. She also discussed the 
idea of regional or destination type pools that could serve a larger community while 
reimagining smaller pools as splashpads or other aquatic parks.

Councilmember Garcia asked if there was an ability for the City to retain pool staff year-
round. Ms. Aguilar replied that Parks and Recreation had conducted preliminary 
conversations with the Human Resources Department to see if there is a classification 
opportunity to retain pool employees year-round. 
Councilwoman Guardado expressed urgency around opening pools and noted staff 
should conduct community outreach to understand how they would like their pools to 
change.   
Councilwoman Ansari noted her excitement for a possible two-year fellowship program 
and noted it would be a unique way for the City to retain workers who may begin their 
career as a lifeguard. 
Councilwoman Guardado noted the importance to keep high school students engaged 
in the recruitment process early on before the swim season. 
7. Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan Task Force Recommendations to the 
City Manager 
Deputy City Manager Gina Montes, Community Pastor and Healthy Giving Council 
member Jerome Parker, Former CEO of United Methodist Outreach Ministries Darlene 
Newsom, and Madison Pioneers Coalition member Bill Morlan presented the Strategies 
to Address Homelessness Plan Task Force recommendations to the City Manager. Ms. 
Montes discussed the background of the task force and the members involved. She 
then discussed the four task force recommendation areas, which included outreach and 
resources, shelters, housing, and neighborhoods. 
Mr. Parker discussed the outreach and resources recommendations, which included the 
implementation of best practices, targeted outreach, and additional support of the 
Healthy Giving Council and public education. He also noted that individuals 
experiencing homelessness may be at different levels of service readiness and 
recommended the City find an alternative term for service resistant individuals. Mr. 
Parker discussed the task force shelter recommendations, which included a trauma 
informed design, smaller specialized shelter facilities, and the addition of new shelter 
beds as soon as possible. 
Ms. Newsom spoke about the task force housing recommendations, which focused on 
prioritized initiatives in the Housing Phoenix Plan. She stated the City should focus on 
those most in need, redevelop City-owned land, and expand efforts to preserve 
affordable housing. Ms. Newsom also discussed the creation of a policy to preserve 
affordable housing units and convene a panel of affordable housing experts to evaluate 
housing policies and needs. 
Mr. Morlan spoke about the task force neighborhoods recommendations, which focused 
on targeted resources to neighborhoods most impacted by homelessness, the 
expansion of the Gated Alley Program, and identification of shelter locations in each

Council district. He also expressed the need for an all-day public safety plan with 
shelters and services. 
Ms. Montes highlighted the successful implementation of Project Haven, funding of 10 
agencies for homelessness services and the sprung structure, and expansion of hours 
at the Brian Garcia Welcome Center to all day. She also discussed key takeaways such 
as the distribution of shelters in each council district, better use of data, and quick 
action. 
Jeff Spellman expressed their appreciation for the task force neighborhood 
recommendations including structured campgrounds and the good neighbor agreement. 
Nadine Alauria expressed their support for the task force recommendations including 
structured campgrounds. 
Bastien Andruet spoke on behalf of the Arizona Multi-Housing Association (AMA) and 
expressed appreciation for the task force recommendations and spoke about the 
affordable housing need in Phoenix.  
Craig Tribken thanked staff for their task force coordination efforts and expressed the 
need to focus on neighborhood strategies to solve homelessness. 
Councilwoman Guardado asked staff to elaborate on the good neighbor agreement. Ms. 
Montes replied the shelter guidance included the good neighbor agreement as a 
recommendation to the City Council. 
Councilwoman Guardado expressed the need for equitable solutions and recommended 
that staff keep in mind the number of miles between shelter locations. She asked what 
the current distance was between shelter locations. Ms. Montes replied the City would 
recognize the location of shelters but noted that future shelter locations may be 
challenged by zoning requirements. 
Councilmember Garcia expressed gratitude for the taskforce recommendations and 
stated equity would need to remain a focus area throughout the recommendation 
implementation process. He asked the task force to continue to update and engage with 
the City Council to implement recommendations. 
Councilwoman Stark expressed her support in bringing affordable housing experts 
together to create policy solutions. She expressed her interest in providing funding to 
third party groups that conduct important work around homelessness and housing. 
Councilwoman Stark asked staff for an example of structured campgrounds for 
individuals without shelter. 
Ms. Montes noted there were examples of structured campgrounds in other states, but 
that it could be providing a sprung structure and air-conditioning for individuals.

Councilwoman Ansari asked how many low to no barrier shelters there were in Phoenix 
as well as how staff was expanding the storage program. She asked what other needs 
were missing from the budget for homelessness. 
Ms. Newsom replied landlords were more likely to lease to individuals or families 
experiencing homelessness when offered an incentive. She noted that incentives would 
help families or individuals find secure housing and free up bed spaces in shelters. 
Mr. Morlan recommended the City focus on homelessness prevention and that unspent 
ARPA dollars could go to that effort. 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEM 8)  
8. Add Public Health Advisor Position 
Assistant City Manager Lori Bays discussed the introduction of a new Public Health 
Advisor Position. She noted policy adjustments made by the City in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic and said the City received assistance from a public health 
consulting group, 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Consultants, LLC. Ms. Bays stated that 
State law established County health departments as the local health board but that 
cities could provide health services to residents beyond the county’s basic level of 
service. She discussed the proposed health advisor role and responsibilities, including 
coordinating resources, serving. as a liaison to the public health community, briefing the 
City Manager on matters of concern, and implementing approved public health 
programs. She discussed the qualifications of the position and noted the Mayor and City 
Council may create a Public Health Commission before deciding next steps. Ms. Bays 
requested the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee recommend City 
Council approval to add a Public Health Advisor position to the City Manager’s Office. 
Councilwoman Ansari asked how Phoenix would compare to other major cities with 
public health experts. 
Ms. Bays replied that many major cities have a public health department and that State 
statute restricts Phoenix from creating a local health department. She noted the City 
could provide services that go above and beyond the operations of the County public 
health department.  
Councilwoman Ansari asked if there were any limitations of requiring the Public Health 
Advisor have a Doctor of Medicine degree? 
Ms. Bays replied that hiring an individual with a Doctor of Medicine would be beyond the 
City salary capacity but noted the Council could create a higher-level employee position 
that could accommodate a higher salary. 
Councilmember Garcia noted his excitement for the Public Health Advisor position and 
described life expectancy issues in his District.

Councilmember Garcia motioned to approve staff’s recommendation. 
Councilwoman Ansari seconded the motion which passed unanimously.  
Councilwoman Guardado thanked staff for the presentation and expressed her support 
for the Public Health Advisor Position. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
No call to the public. 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
No future agenda items. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman Guardado adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Cooper Payne 
Management Intern