Lori Bays

The community budget hearing for District 1 focused on the proposed 2026-27 city trial budget, balancing the budget, and allocating resources for city services. Key discussion topics included the implementation of street lighting improvements, the need for a barrier at Telephone Pioneer Park, concerns regarding the age and maintenance of solid waste vehicles, priorities for police and fire department staffing, and future fire station planning at the Metro Center area. City representatives provided insights on how the city manages its financial position, balances the budget as required by law, and incorporates community input into the final budget adoption process.

The board discussed consent agenda items and received a detailed presentation from the water resources management advisor regarding the city's water supply. The discussion focused on water challenges, specifically the declining supply from the Colorado River, the impacts of rising temperatures on water flow, reservoir levels, and the city's drought management plan. Future projections and federal operating guidelines for the Colorado River were also reviewed.

The document provides the 2026 calendar and schedule for City of Phoenix City Council meetings, including designations for formal meetings, policy sessions, and work study sessions. It also specifies the recurring meeting times for subcommittees, including Public Safety and Justice, Economic Development and the Arts, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning, and Community Services and Education.

The session was a tip-off press conference for the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four in Phoenix. Discussions focused on the excitement surrounding the event, noting it is the first time the Final Four returns to the West Coast since Denver in 2012. Key topics included the increasing attention and energy surrounding women's basketball, record-breaking attendance and viewership, and the global reach of the game. Panel discussions addressed sustained success, investment in women's basketball, the significance of the ESPN partnership providing extensive broadcast coverage, player and coach storylines driving fandom, the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on student athletes, and community engagement initiatives such as the Read to the Final Four program and the NCAA Women's Final Four Legacy Project benefiting the Alhamra Village neighborhood.

The meeting included discussions and updates regarding various Parks and Recreation initiatives funded by mini grants. Topics covered included sponsorship of underserved Phoenix youth to attend Camp Collie, equipment purchase for tree health data tracking via GIS technology, the establishment of a tree steward volunteer program, improvements to the community garden at Mountain View Park including pathway refinishing and educational signage regarding monarch butterflies, and the maintenance of existing Walk Phoenix walking routes by replacing weathered signs. Park rangers also discussed educational programming, including events promoting community awareness about leash laws in partnership with Maricopa County Animal Control, free fishing events, and educational board games on US birds and monarch butterfly migration. Furthermore, an update was provided on the Mayor's Monarch Butterfly Pledge, detailing city actions since 2021, the renewal of the pledge, the proclamation of September as Planting for Monarchs Month, and the work of the interdepartmental working group. Specific departmental contributions, particularly from Parks and Recreation, to habitat creation, native milkweed planting, and efforts to reduce pesticide use were highlighted, alongside a discussion on the role of the Phoenix Parks Foundation in supporting park missions and programming activation.