Mayor Lord called the Work Session to order at 5:00 p.m.

Vice Mayor Hampton participated via teleconference. 

City Manager Julie Karins provided an introduction to the update on regional homelessness activities and introduced Lieutenant Ward, Officer Mitterbauer, Assistant City Attorney Lisa Maxie-Mullins and Amy St. Peter, representing Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) to present the item.

Officer Mitterbauer, representing the City’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), provided an overview of the program. He explained that the HOT Team’s primary purpose is to make contact with individuals experiencing homelessness and to connect those individuals with the resources they need. He further explained that the City does not criminalize homelessness, but rather seeks to connect with individuals first. Additionally, the HOT Team is trained to provide mental health/crisis intervention. He further added that the City partners with Phoenix Rescue Mission, in addition to other agencies and organizations, to provide individuals with the access to homeless assistance programs, shelter, housing and other resources they may need. Officer Mitterbauer briefly discussed the Trespass Enforcement Program (TEP) and provided an update on the signs being placed around the City regarding panhandling.

Assistant City Attorney Lisa Maxie-Mullins provided information regarding Martin v. City of Boise, Arizona Case Law, which prohibits city ordinances that criminalize sleeping, sitting, or lying outside on public property when no alternative shelter beds are available violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (cruel and unusual punishment). She explained that the Courts concluded that being homeless is generally caused by a person’s involuntary status and that the Boise ruling applies to Arizona municipalities.

In response to Council inquiry regarding public safety, Ms. Maxie-Mullins and Officer Mitterbauer clarified that the HOT Team will take enforcement action against an individual engaging in disorderly conduct or other criminal activity.

In response to Council inquiry regarding trespassing, Officer Mitterbauer explained the process and clarified that a car is treated as trespassing. He reemphasized the HOT Team’s primary purpose is to connect with the homeless population and assist them with getting the resources they need.

Amy St. Peter, representing MAG, presented information regarding regional efforts to address homelessness through the development of an action plan. She highlighted the rise in homelessness across the region and explained that the action plan focuses on reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness, increases access to homeless assistance programs and keeps people housed during and after the pandemic. She further explained that MAG has been conducting research, data analysis and surveys, in addition to, collaborating with other agencies to develop strategies for the Regional Homelessness Action Plan. She concluded that the draft plan will be available for comment and review in September with the proposed final plan for adoption at the end of the year.

Council expressed support for public outreach and providing increased access to assistance programs.

Fire Chief Paul Luizzi presented an overview of fire department operations, at the request of the Council, that included an update regarding staffing and services provided within Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction and the City’s role and participation in the regional Automatic Aid System. Chief Luizzi provided information regarding the seven fire stations located across the city and discussed the areas serviced, fire service delivery, staffing configurations and the fire trucks equipped at each station. He explained that the City is in the design process for Fire Station 188 which is anticipated to open in July 2023. He added that the Fire Department plans to conduct a fire station location study update that will review immediate needs, in addition to, long term planning.

Council expressed concerns with the two-person staffing at Fire Station 187 and that the safety of the crew members remains a priority.

In response to Council inquiry regarding the county islands within the City, Chief Luizzi confirmed that the county islands are serviced through Rural Metro and that any response to service calls provided by the City are billed to Rural Metro for payment.

In response to Council inquiry Fire Station 188, Chief Luizzi explained that the City went back out to bid for the construction of Fire Station 188. He added that the awarded contractor has spent time at Fire Station 181 and 186 to receive feedback from staff on the favored designed elements of these stations. Councilmember Stipp requested that Council be provided with the awarded proposal's submission regarding cost per square feet for the project.

Vice Mayor Hampton left the meeting at 6:25 p.m.