Attachment A - PSJ Minutes 6.3.26

Phoenix City Council 
Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Arizona 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent         
Councilman Robinson, Chair                           
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien  
Councilman Jim Waring 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado 
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairman Robinson called the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee (PSJ) to order 
at 11:03 a.m. with Councilwoman O’Brien, Councilman Jim Waring, and  
Councilwoman Betty Guardado present. 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
Mr. Gregg Turner submitted a citizen petition under Chapter 4, Section 22 of the City 
Charter requesting the City provide guidance on dedicating a crosswalk or 
pedestrian-controlled intersection at or near 25th Avenue and Greenway. He stated a 
pedestrian was previously fatally struck by an unlicensed and uninsured driver at this 
location, and the driver faced no meaningful penalty. Mr. Turner emphasized similar 
dedications had been made in the past and asked the City Council to direct staff to 
review the process, criteria, and feasibility of dedicating the intersection to the victim’s 
memory. He added the significant personal impact on the victim’s surviving family and 
expressed hope the City would demonstrate its commitment to its residents and to 
prevent future tragedies. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee Meeting 
Councilman Waring made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2026 Public 
Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman O’Brien seconded the motion 
which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
CONSENT ACTION  
Items 2 was for consent action. No presentations were planned, but staff was available 
to answer questions.

2. Animal Ordinance Update 
Kate Sivolella shared about her ongoing efforts for over a decade advocating for 
stronger dog-protection legislation and had collaborated with council offices, Phoenix 
Police, and animal-welfare partners to identify practical and enforceable solutions. She 
reported her organization had routinely removed dogs from chains and had observed 
significant untreated medical issues and long‑term behavioral impacts associated with 
prolonged tethering. Thus, expressing support for the proposed ordinance and stated it 
moved the City in a positive direction for animal welfare. 
 
Don Bentley expressed support for the proposed updates to the City’s dog‑tethering 
ordinance. He expressed the current ordinance created confusion because tethering 
became illegal only when temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, making enforcement 
inconsistent and difficult for residents, police, and animal control personnel. He stated 
the proposed changes were described as addressing the core issue by banning 
tethering entirely unless the dog was under direct supervision. Mr. Bentley thanked the 
committee and asked for approval of the proposed ordinance changes. 
 
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve Item 2. Councilman Waring 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION  
3. Consideration of Judicial Reappointment 
Councilwoman O’Brien inquired about the process for reappointing Judges.  
Judge Hernandez explained surveys were distributed to attorneys and certain judges to 
evaluate judicial performance. Once responses were received, the results were tallied 
and compiled into a packet summarizing each judge’s performance over the prior 
two-year period. He noted these performance surveys were conducted on a biennial 
cycle. 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if jurors received a survey, too.  
Judge Hernandez reported jurors received surveys following each jury trial conducted 
by a judge. These surveys were distributed to the entire jury pool and asked participants 
to rate both the judge and court staff based on their experience during the trial. 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked about what was done with the survey information.  
Judge Hernandez noted all survey results from jurors and attorneys were compiled into 
a consolidated report. This report was provided to the chief presiding judge, the 
assistant presiding judge, and the individual judges so they could review any available 
feedback. He added some judges did not receive comments for every jury trial. When 
issues were identified, the presiding or assistant presiding judge addressed those 
matters directly with the judge involved.

Councilwoman O’Brien highlighted the importance of maintaining a fair and effective 
court system and noted the judicial performance surveys were intended to support 
continuous improvement. She emphasized the results helped ensure judges upheld 
standards of fairness and professionalism. Councilwoman O’Brien thanked staff for 
clarifying the evaluation and reappointment process as the Council prepared to vote on 
two judicial reappointments. 
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve the recommendation for the 
reappointment of Judge Laura E. Lowery as Judge of the Phoenix Municipal Court for a 
four-year term ending September 30, 2030. Councilwoman Guardado seconded the 
motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve the recommendation for the 
reappointment of Judge Tina Solomon as Judge of the Phoenix Municipal Court for a 
four-year term ending June 29, 2030. Councilman Waring seconded the motion which 
passed unanimously, 4-0. 
4. School Resources Officer (SRO) Agreements and Retiree SRO Update  
This item was taken out of order and presented at the end. Councilman Waring 
declared a conflict of interest and excused himself from participation in the discussion 
and action on this item.  
Assistant Police Chief Joe Kilma, and Assistant Police Court Hood presented on the 
item.   
Councilwoman O’Brien noted the demand for school resource officers had exceeded 
available staffing and highlighted the creation of the retired School Resource Officer 
Program as a solution developed in partnership with City staff and state leaders. The 
new program allowed retired Arizona police officers to return to school service without 
affecting their pensions or increasing taxpayer liability. The agreements included both 
active and retired officers, totaling 69 officers assigned across 20 school districts. She 
shared the initiative, exemplified effective governance and represented meaningful 
progress for school safety. 
Councilwoman Guardado noted the value of the work performed by officers in building 
connections with students and maintaining safe learning environments. She expressed 
appreciation for the expansion of the retired School Resource Officer Program, which 
helped address staffing needs by allowing experienced officers to continue serving. 
Chairman Robinson shared about his participation at a national conference on 
alternative public-safety responses and his intention to highlight the RSRO program. He 
thanked City staff and partners who had contributed significant behind-the-scenes work 
to support and expand the program, acknowledging their efforts to resolve operational 
challenges and secure necessary funding. He concluded by emphasizing that the 
program’s importance was grounded in its ability to save lives.

Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve the item. Councilwoman Guardado 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION  
5. Hiking and Heat Safety Update 
Assistant Fire Chief Mark Gonzales, and Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Jarod 
Rogers presented on the item.  
Councilwoman O’Brien emphasized heat-related incidents on trails endangered not only 
hikers but also firefighters and rescue personnel, who were required to carry heavy 
equipment in hazardous conditions. Data showed that most rescued hikers were 
Arizona residents, underscoring the risks of extreme heat regardless of acclimation. 
Councilwoman O’Brien encouraged the public to take heat warnings seriously, follow 
trail closures, and make responsible decisions to reduce preventable rescues.  
Councilwoman Guardado shared her support for the City’s trails heat-safety program 
and the broader efforts to protect hikers and first responders during extreme summer 
temperatures. She noted heat-related emergencies on mountain trails continued to pose 
significant public-safety risks and emphasized the importance of proactive measures. 
Councilwoman Guardado encouraged residents to hike earlier in the day as 
temperatures increased and expressed support for advancing the program. 
Councilman Waring remarked on personal experiences with extreme heat to emphasize 
the risks associated with outdoor activity in high temperatures. He noted that even 
individuals who believe they are acclimated may underestimate the physical strain, 
including elevated heart rates and other heat-related impacts. He stressed that such 
misjudgments could endanger not only the individual but also other trail users and first 
responders. Councilman Waring urged caution during extreme heat conditions and 
encouraged residents to recognize the seriousness of heat exposure. 
Chairman Robinson expressed appreciation for the work of City departments and 
affiliated organizations involved in heat-safety efforts and asked that gratitude be shared 
with all involved staff and team members. 
INFORMATION ONLY 
6. Community Assistance Program (CAP) Expansion Implementation Report 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
7. Police Hiring, Recruitment, and Attrition Update 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
8. Phoenix Fire Department Staffing and Response Time 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None.  
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairman Robinson adjourned the meeting at 11:51 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Dayana Rosas 
Management Fellow