Meeting Time: April 20, 2021 at 5:30pm MST
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Agenda Item

PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CITY MANAGER'S TRIAL BUDGET

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    Christy Vezolles over 3 years ago

    Funding for Climate Change & Heat Readiness initiatives, a new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and for the 2025 Phoenix Food Action Plan are imperative. I support the proposal to implement a program for trained citywide crisis response teams in the Fire Department. Adequately funding these programs and services, as well as for Arts & Culture, is necessary for ensuring that Phoenix has a sustainable environment and quality of life for all residents.

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    Stacey Champion over 3 years ago

    I applaud the inclusion of $2.8M for Climate Change and Heat Readiness initiatives to increase the community’s capacity to prepare for and respond to both extreme heat events and the increasing frequency of high temperature days; increase shade canopy and ensure equitable distribution of City services. I support and hope to see the investment in climate, sustainability, environmental and equity leadership and programs continue as a permanent and critical part of the City’s operations.

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    Amanda Jones over 3 years ago

    I support building and maintaining the park on Samantha Way. It is long overdue.

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    Jennifer Redd over 3 years ago

    Phoenix needs a Neighborhood Organized Crisis Assistance Program (NOCAP) that is:
    -Independent from any other department
    -Commits to community oversight and control
    -Guarantees secure and long-term funding
    There is no other way forward. Phoenix needs to be intentional and urgent in this action.

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    Sarah Schweiger over 3 years ago

    Over the past year, while on City Council calls I observed how irritated some of you all got when community members would call in, and interrupt your talking schedule. My impression is that people had become desperate to get your attention. People are trying to get you to HEAR them. And this Budget Proposal indicates that you did NOT hear the pleas from the people. We want to invest in positive, proactive and protective programs. Not more in policing. Switch it up. We can do better.

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    Tom Coffeen over 3 years ago

    I am a Phoenix native in District 4. Respectfully, the police are over-budgeted and under-accountable. Most of their budget should go instead to truly help community health and safety: E.g., Provide $15 million for the Crisis Response Program; No to $10 million for a “Crime Suppression Squad”; No to 75 new Phoenix police civilian positions. Fund the community instead! E.g., free transit and bus-only lanes; more rehabilitation services; low barrier-to-entry shelter and housing support. Thank you.

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    Ezri Tyler over 3 years ago

    All additional funds going to the police need to be diverted into community based funding. Our police force is one of the most violent in the nation, having fired at more people than law-enforcement officers in any other city in 2018. And according to Mental Health America, Arizona is ranked 50 out of the 50 states and Washington D.C. for providing access to mental health services. Our schools, public transport, community centers, and mental health services are chronically underfunded.

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    Devynn Good over 3 years ago

    I oppose extra funds to the Phoenix Police. During this time, it is necessary for extra funding to be invested in underprivileged communities as they try to recover the pandemic. I hope the council members listen to the concerns of Phoenix residents and decided not to move forward with granting Phoenix PD the extra resources.

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    Perla Macias over 3 years ago

    Our communities are in pain and in need of help! crisis teams (NOCAP) is the way to go. Not only will it prevent police encounters, but it will also help our communities in their time of pain and need. Police are not equipped to answer mental health crisis calls, nor should they as we have seen again and again. This should also be its separate agency due to the lack of transparency and accountability. We want peace, resources and empathy not militarization of police nor mass incarceration.

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    Ginger Sykes Torres over 3 years ago

    I support 2.8M in funding for Climate Change & Heat Readiness initiatives in the Trial Budget, which includes an Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, and will invest in the Tree and Shade Master Plan, Cool Corridors Program and Climate Action Plan. I also support $270k for a new Office of Diversity, Equity and inclusion and $300k to help achieve the goals of the 2025 Phoenix Food Action Plan. These investments will enhance our city’s resilience and benefit our public health and economy.

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    Rebecca Perrera over 3 years ago

    I generally support the budget but urgently request the following park improvements in Laveen:
    1. Building and maintain a park at Samanta Ave
    2. Add a shade structure at the Trailside Point Splash Pad
    3. Initiate a plan to address all undeveloped parks in Laveen

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    Emily ONeil over 3 years ago

    A new city budget should not include additional funding for police staff and their "crime suppression squad".

    It should include funding for free transportation and bus only lanes, regab
    No to 75 new civilian positions for Phoenix police, rehabilitation services and a center in West Phoenix, low barrier and affordable housing, direct redistribution of resource, and a climate change mitigation strategies.

    The city can provide all of these service by diverting funds from Phoenix PD.

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    Felipe Medrano over 3 years ago

    Please include the construction and annual maintenance costs for the Park at 55th Ave. & Samantha Way (Laveen) in the upcoming budget. The land has been designated as a City park but continues to remain undeveloped with overgrown trees, weeds and the occasional pack of coyotes. It is an eyes sore, especially for those of us who have fronted this property for 14 years. Benefits to the nearby communities include the park's amenities and green space. Thank you for your consideration.

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    Katie Hensley over 3 years ago

    I do not support giving additional funds to the police. Our police force has shown that they continue to kill people despite expensive reforms that have been put in place. It's time to hold our police accountable by rerouting funding into areas where it will really make a difference: housing, mental health resources, parks, and libraries.

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    Izabel Acosta over 3 years ago

    My name is Izabel Acosta. I would like for the park located off 55th Ave and Samantha Way to be built. This would be in Laveen, AZ. I’m a resident of the Paseo Point community.

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    Caitlin OHara over 3 years ago

    We need to fund a low barrier shelter for our neighbors, not 75 new positions for Phoenix Police.

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    Josh Bennett over 3 years ago

    We're thanking the Mayor and Council for its support of the arts sector with COVID relief money this past year and endorsing the City Manager's trial budget that increases the Phoenix Office and Arts and Culture budget by $200,000 -- $110,000 for grants, $60,000 for public art maintenance, and $30,000 to support youth, professional development, and community programs.

    However - I do not support any increased money to Phoenix PD.

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    Joanna Martinez over 3 years ago

    I can’t support more money going to Phoenix PD. If your goal is to increase transparency, foster trust, and increase the safety of civilians and officers, contact between community members and police needs to be reduced. You do this with a crisis assistance program organized and led by the community, independent from police and fire departments, as well as ICE. You fund this organization using funds from the police budget. More money used for civilian positions is an excuse, not a solution.

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    Jess Paul over 3 years ago

    Please fund the Park at 55th Ave and Samantha in Laveen so it can be completed. This land that has been designated for a city park, but has sat undeveloped, covered in weeds, and fenced off for, 14 years. The families of Bridlewood and surrounding Laveen deserve more parks and green spaces! Please approve and provide the funding to build and maintain the park. We do not want this land to be rezoned for more condensed housing options, please build the park. Thank you!

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    Jena Chalmers over 3 years ago

    I urge you to reject this budget. It allocates entirely too much money for Phoenix PD, an action that has been tried an failed to make our community safer. Please reject this budget in favor of one with allocates our resources toward making our community stronger and safer through affordable housing, public transportation, and education.