View As Webpage | Forward Email to a Friend

Hello District 3,  

In this newsletter you will find the latest news, announcements, and event details I want to share with you.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office with questions, comments, or concerns at 602-262-7441 or council.district.3@phoenix.gov.

Respectfully, 

Councilwoman Debra Stark 

April Recap

'Slope Fest

'Slope Fest 2025 was a huge success! Thank you to East and West Sunnyslope Neighborhood Associations and Block Watches, theHUB, Washington Elementary School District, and all the organizations that tabled. We can't wait for next year!

AIDS Mural Unveiling Event

I was so excited to attend the unveiling of the new AIDS Mural at the Parsons Center for Health and Wellness in Downtown Phoenix alongside Mayor Gallego, Councilwoman Laura Pastor, and Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira. The mural honors HIV advocacy and is a symbol of the goal to end the HIV epidemic.

John Jacobs Block Watch Pancake Breakfast

John Jacobs Block Watch hosted another wonderful Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. John Jacobs Block Watch is such a hardworking community and I am proud to support them!

Sheaborhood Springfest

Mayor Gallego and I joined one of our newest business alliances, Sheaborhood Business Alliance, at their first ever Springfest. We were delighted to enjoy delicious food, wonderful music, and the best company in our D3 residents!

Books on 7th 35th Anniversary

Thank you, Books on 7th, for being a wonderful part of our community. Here's to (at least) 35 more!

Rose Mofford & Turtle Rock Basin Parks Tree Plantings

I had the pleasure of working with the Parks Department and Volunteer PHX to plant 88 trees between two District 3 parks. Thank you to the Phoenix Suns for your generous donation in helping to make Phoenix shady!

Communitywide Budget Hearings

Thank you to all who participated in our communitywide budget hearings. It is always a pleasure to hear what you value in our city and I am looking forward to passing a budget that meets the needs of our residents.

Phoenix Mayor and City Council Inauguration

I am delighted to serve, once again, as the council member for District 3. Thank you for choosing me - now let's get back to work!

District 3 Highlights

Glendale Union High School District Recognitions

Thunderbird High School played an active role in the success of the second annual Moon Valley Strides4Schools event.

The Thunderbird Band opened the day with a performance, followed by hosting an engaging drumming clinic for attendees. The Thunderbird Theatre Department teamed up with Mountain Sky Theatre to offer face painting and more to bring a fun and creative element to the festivities. Additionally, members of the Thunderbird Administration Team joined in on the “Pie in Your Face” activity, representing the school with enthusiasm.

The event was made possible through the hard work of volunteers and the support of generous sponsors. Community members are encouraged to join in the fun again next April.

The Cove Grand Opening

City of Phoenix Updates

Phoenix Police Department

Smart Notification Program

The Phoenix Police Department has launched the Smart Notification Program. The voluntary program will create a pathway for community members or legal guardians to provide information to the police department regarding mental health concerns, cognitive issues, communication methods, or other important information about themselves or those in their care. The hope of the program is to help officers respond with care by having as much important information as possible about individuals they may interact with, and to also us the information to locate missing individuals if needed. 

Anyone interested in the program should first fill out a form with the information online. Once the form is submitted, the information will then be entered into our communications system. This information would then be available for dispatchers and officers as they respond to the specific address entered. 

Blue Envelope Program Partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation

We're pleased to announce our partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on the Blue Envelope program. This initiative provides autistic drivers with a designated Blue Envelope to keep their vehicle registration, insurance card, and emergency contact information in one accessible place. These are the documents typically requested during a traffic stop.

The Blue Envelope also includes clear instructions for both the driver and the officer, aiming to improve communication and increase officer awareness during these interactions. This focused approach can help reduce stress and promote safer encounters.

We are proud to join the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Arizona, and the University of Arizona Police Departments as partners in supporting the Blue Envelope Program.

This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding for all members of our community. For further details about the Blue Envelope program, please visit: https://azdot.gov/mvd/driver-services/blue-envelope-program-for-autistic-drivers .

Neighborhood Services Department Consolidated Plan

Share your thoughts and feedback on how federal funds should be spent in our City! Based on your valuable input, the Neighborhood Services Department has created a draft of the five-year Consolidated Plan (2025-2029), which includes the Annual Action Plan for 2025-2026.

This plan will help guide how we use federal resources to improve our community, and we want you to be part of the process. We encourage you to review the draft and provide any additional thoughts or suggestions to ensure we are meeting the needs of all Phoenix residents.

How to Get Involved:

• Visit phoenix.gov/yourvoice to read the draft document and submit your comment!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The City of Phoenix is proud to recognize May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the first year the City is commemorating "Mental Health Matters," a campaign to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and provide resources to support mental health and wellness.

Mental and physical health are equally important; it’s estimated more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Learn more at phoenix.gov/mentalhealthmatters.

Eviction Services

The Eviction Legal Services Program assists Phoenix residents experiencing a current or past eviction crisis. Eligible residents may receive:

• Access to mediation outside a courtroom proceeding
• Legal representation in court
• Post-eviction services to address possible impediments to future renting opportunities

There is no cost to residents for these services for those who meet the eligibility requirements. 

To find out if you are eligible, visit phoenix.gov/evictionservices 

The city also provides workshops and one-on-one counseling for tenants and landlords to know their rights. Visit phoenix.gov/landlordtenants for more information. 

These programs do not provide rental assistance funds. 

Recycle Plastic Bags with Recyclops

You can now help recycle plastic bags through a new pilot program with Recyclops! While you should never put bags in your blue curbside bin (they get tangled in our sorting machines), Recyclops offers a subscription-based service that helps divert difficult-to-recycle plastics away from the landfill.

Sign up for doorstep pickups for plastic bags and soft film recycling at recyclops.com/phoenix and get your first 3 months FREE!

If you're ever unsure about what should go in your blue bin, use the Recycle Right Wizard.

Scrap the Food Waste!

The City of Phoenix has teamed up with Mill and R.City to work toward our goal of becoming a zero waste city by 2050. Now you can try a new way to put food scraps to good use at home. Mill's food recycler is no larger than a typical kitchen trash can. It accepts fruits, vegetables, grains/breads, meat, eggshells, and more. The device works automatically while you sleep to turn the food scraps into dehydrated grounds. Every month, R.City collects Food Grounds from Phoenix homes, schools, and offices — turning them into compost for local farms. Sign up risk free for 30 days, or learn more about home composting from City of Phoenix Public Works Department. If you join Mill, you'll receive either a box of farm produce or a bag of compost every quarter!

Yard Sign Pilot Program

The Yard Sign Pilot Program aims to influence safer driver behavior on neighborhood streets where children and other pedestrians are likely to be walking, jogging or bicycling. Residents and businesses are encouraged to plant a free sign on their property.  

You can pick up your sign in person at any one of five designated Parks and Recreation Department community centers:  

• Goelet A.C. Beuf -3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd.  
• Maryvale - 4420 N. 51st Ave.  
• Longview - 4040 N. 14th St. 
• Pecos- 17010 S. 48th St. 
• Cesar Chavez - 7858 S. 35th Ave. 
• Residents can also pick up a sign in person at Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St, 5^th Floor.     

The signs are free to the public and include a yard stake. Funding for the signs comes from money the Mayor and Council specifically set aside for road safety education and infrastructure improvements.  

Vision Zero Community Advisory Committee Student Positions

Community Canopy Grant Program

The City of Phoenix Office of Heat Response and Mitigation reopened its Community Canopy grant for residents interested in receiving free trees and planting support from contracted arborists. Grant recipients will receive a supply bag featuring information about their tree, a t-shirt, a 100-foot water hose and an irrigation timer.

Single-family residents, homeowners, neighborhood associations, small businesses, multi-family residences, and churches can apply to have trees planted on private property. Single-family residents can receive up to two trees per home, up to 20 trees for businesses, churches and multi-family residences and between 30 and 200 hundred trees per neighborhood.

Residents can check their eligibility requirements and apply here. 

Heat Relief Programs

The City of Phoenix is offering heat relief by extending hours at three library locations and offering a 24-hour respite center. Now through Sept. 30, Phoenix will operate a 24-hour respite center at 20 W. Jackson St. Additionally, Yucca, Cholla, and Harmon libraries will stay open as cooling centers offering full library services Mondays through Saturdays until 10 p.m. On Sundays, these three locations will open as cooling centers from noon to 10 p.m.

Check out phoenix.gov/summer for more information and resources.

Youth Interactions Survey

The City of Phoenix Youth Interactions Survey aims to help the City of Phoenix, and the Phoenix Police Department develop policies and practices to improve police interactions with the youth in our communities. The survey is available to youth and parents.

Upcoming Events

☕︎ May Coffee Chat ☕︎

Please join us for the District 3 Community Meeting on Thursday, May 22nd, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Mesquite Library.

We are pleased to welcome guest speakers from the Library to share information about their programming.

Food and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP by May 20th by calling 602-262-7441 or email council.district.3@phoenix.gov!

¡ Sombra! Experiments in Shade Sunnyslope Unveiling

Step into the artistic vision of landscape architect and artist Jessica Arias with Reflections on Sunnyslope—an impressive shade structure inspired by Sunnyslope Mountain. Part of ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade, this temporary installation creates a unique gathering space where visitors can find relief from the sun while contemplating the beauty of the surrounding environment. With a canopy that mimics Sunnyslope Mountain, adorned with colorful drawings from local residents, Reflections on Sunnyslope forms a striking, collaborative representation of the natural world.

Join us for the unveiling on May 17th at 5pm at Sunnylope Park!

Aviation Department Business Opportunity Information Sessions

Give your business wings! Join the Aviation Department for one of their upcoming business information meetings!

Have information you'd like us to include in upcoming newsletters?

Please email us at council.district.3@phoenix.gov.