OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Work Study Session - November 13, 2025

City Council — Thursday, November 13, 2025
BodyTempe, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, November 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:05

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

I'm so sorry that same thing.

1:00

Uh Eddie, you all good?

1:02

All right, let's see here.

1:04

Yep.

1:10

Good afternoon, everyone.

1:11

Welcome to the Tempe City Council work study session agenda.

1:15

Item number one is called order.

1:17

Call council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel 11 and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe11.

1:23

Members of the public may also attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams.

1:27

Guidelines for conduct of city council meetings are on the table near the entrance for those in attendance at this afternoon's meeting.

1:33

We will now play a video with the proper protocol for ensuring the appropriate conduct at City Council meetings.

2:02

This includes behavior both inside and outside of the council chambers.

2:06

Should individuals inside the council chambers become disruptive so that city business is not able to be conducted.

2:15

There will be time for public comment during the call to the audience portion of the meeting.

2:19

If no cooperation, the mayor will issue a verbal warning and let them know that the continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers.

2:27

If there is still no cooperation, the mayor will issue a second verbal warning and let them know that the continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers.

2:36

If there is no cooperation after asking and two verbal warnings, then the mayor will ask security officers to remove only those individuals who were causing the disruption.

2:44

Security personnel should not engage in any way, but only escort them from the council chambers.

2:50

If individuals refuse to leave, security personnel shall warn them that they are trespassing and that the next step will be arrest by a Tempe police officer.

2:58

Tempe officers may have to arrest if individuals refuse to leave.

4:54

Yeah, can you hear me?

4:55

Yes, sir.

4:56

Please state your name and city of residence.

4:57

You have three minutes.

5:00

My name is David Sokolowski, I live in Tempe.

5:02

I want Tempe to increase funding for low-income housing because the city has one of the worst housing shortages in the state and is a leading cause of the housing crisis.

5:10

The city's housing report says we have 86,421 units with 50% low income.

5:16

The email from the city on July 22nd said in 2030, Tempe will have 33,504 low-income units.

5:25

That means Tempe's housing ratio will drop to 30% in the next five years.

5:30

The report says we need to build 15,000 low-income units.

5:33

And the general plan has 31,000 units.

5:36

That means Tempe would need to build 50% low income because Tempe can build 90% market rate housing and keep a 50% ratio.

5:45

I think it's very difficult to build 50% low income.

5:49

And we're going to need a lot of permit fees and money from the general fund.

5:53

We should create a very generous density bonus program.

5:57

The general plan has 71,000 new jobs.

6:00

And that brings a total to 30,000 low-income units.

6:03

It's possible to maintain a 50% ratio.

6:06

But Tempe needs to build 50% low income and also double the current rate of construction.

6:12

I think the city will be considered negligent if it fails.

6:15

Tempe's low-income housing shortage would increase 80% in five years to 28,000 units.

6:22

If the city was doing everything in its ability, we could reduce our housing shortage, build low-income housing, reduce homelessness, and fix our local housing crisis.

6:32

Tempe is not doing everything, and the city has other priorities.

6:36

It limits market rate housing like the Leo and the standard.

6:40

It limits low-income housing like Gracie's Village or Dorsey Station.

6:44

The city will cut funding for low-income housing.

6:47

And I assume you approve of the federal government cutting section eight.

6:50

If Tempe can cut low income housing, why not the federal government?

6:55

The city shows we have 50% low-income housing ratio, but it doesn't count the current low-income housing shortage or the future need.

7:03

It doesn't count overcrowding or homelessness.

7:06

It would take Tempe 60 years to eliminate our total housing shortage.

7:10

And we're projected to lose low-income units every day.

7:13

But the city thinks we're setting an example for the rest of the state.

7:17

Tempe is in a state of denial.

7:20

The city needs to build 50% low-income housing, and we'll also need to double the current rate of construction.

7:26

I recommend the city increase funding to build low-income housing.

7:30

And that's what I want to hear from all council members today.

7:33

Thank you for listening.

7:35

Thank you.

7:37

Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Transportation Safety██████████████14%
Procedural██████████10%
Community Needs Assessment██████████10%
Fiscal Sustainability██████████10%
Economic Development█████████9%
Performance Led Budgeting█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Work Study Session (Nov 13, 2025)

The Tempe City Council convened for a work study session to review public comments, survey data, strategic performance updates, long-range financial forecasts, and proposed roadway changes. The meeting emphasized data-driven decision-making, with significant updates on community sentiment regarding safety and streets, the city's financial resilience despite revenue challenges, and infrastructure safety initiatives. Council members also authorized a new subcommittee to review term limits policies.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1: Call to Order and Protocol Video Presentation
  • Item 4: Public Comment (No comments received on committee of the whole items)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Sokolowski (Tempe resident): Expressed strong concern regarding the city's housing strategy, stating Tempe has one of the worst housing shortages in the state. He argued the city should increase funding for low-income housing, build 50% low-income units, and double the current rate of construction to prevent an 80% increase in the shortage over five years. He criticized the city for limiting both market-rate and low-income housing developments and suggested the city is in a "state of denial" regarding the crisis.
  • Mayor (回应 to Sokolowski): Corrected a specific assertion made by Mr. Sokolowski regarding Section 8 benefits, clarifying that no council member is in favor of cutting Section 8 benefits and that such a stance is "not in keeping with the values of the city council." The Mayor expressed this position "in any way, shape, or form." No other public comments were received.

Discussion Items

2025 Community and Business Survey Results (Chris Tatum, ETC Institute)

  • Resident Survey: Tempe continues to rank significantly above national and mid-size averages in areas such as overall service quality (34% above average), trash collection (37% above average), and value for taxes (26% above average). However, slight decreases were noted in customer service and information availability, though these declines mirror national trends. Key priorities identified by residents include homelessness, street conditions, and police services. The "Importance-Satisfaction" (IS) rating indicated that street conditions are the highest priority for improvement.
  • Business Survey: 90% of business owners rate Tempe as business-friendly, a 7% increase from 2023. Perceptions of safety (day and night) improved significantly. Notable decreases in satisfaction were reported regarding physical appearance and maintenance of business locations and street maintenance. Top priorities for businesses include police, fire, economic development, and traffic street conditions.
  • Demographics: Residents aged 18-30 showed significantly lower satisfaction levels across various issues compared to other age groups.

Strategic Management and Performance Update (Waddell Holmes, Strategic Management and Innovation Director)

  • Performance Measures: The city is integrating housing inventory, unemployment, and household savings into a new "economic stability" measure. The START tool will be distributed to council members on November 14th to prioritize 101 performance measures, focusing on alignment rather than new funding.
  • TAP Program: The "TAP" (Technical Acceleration Plan) program continues to drive results. Accelerated measures include trends in ending homelessness, housing inventory ratio stability, increased feelings of safety (supported by real-time command center cameras and Street Shield operations), and police satisfaction linked to proactive interactions.
  • Pavement Quality: The Pavement Quality Index (PQI) has increased by five points since the November 2024 bond election, putting the city on track to exceed the industry standard goal of 70 by reaching the 80s over the next four years.

Long Range Financial Forecast Update (Lissette Camacho & Robert Baer)

  • Revenue Challenges: The forecast accounts for the loss of $21 million annually in residential rental revenue (impacting General, Transit, and Arts funds) and a slowdown in sales tax growth. The incorporation of Santan Valley is expected to reduce state-shared revenue in Fiscal Year 2027.
  • Balancing Measures: To maintain a fund balance of 20-30% and a triple-A bond rating without expansion, the city is recommending: no new employees, no program expansion, increased drawdowns of post-employment reserves, a reduction in transfers to the Transportation fund, and a suspension of the municipal arts transfer.
  • Economic Outlook: The forecast does not assume a recession. However, federal tax conformity provisions could result in an annual loss of $2.5 million in the General Fund. Council members emphasized that economic development is critical for a landlocked city to maintain its tax base and service levels.

Proposed Speed Limit Changes (Shelley Beckley, Transportation and Sustainability Director)

  • Proposal: Five-mile-per-hour reductions on seven roadway segments to improve consistency and safety:
    • Broadway Road: 45 mph to 40 mph.
    • Priest Drive: 45 mph to 40 mph (between Alameda and Baseline).
    • Guadalupe Road: 45 mph to 40 mph (Kyrene to East City Limits).
    • Fifth Street & Veterans Way: 30 mph to 25 mph.
    • Miller Road: 35 mph to 30 mph.
    • McKellips Road: 40 mph to 35 mph.
    • Roosevelt Street: 35 mph to 30 mph.
  • Rationale: Changes align speed limits with land use, recent construction (e.g., roundabouts, pedestrian bridges, path crossings), and Vision Zero goals to reduce high-severity crashes.
  • Discussion: Council members raised concerns about traffic diversion, specifically whether slowing Guadalupe Road might push traffic to neighboring corridors like Baseline and Elliott. Staff agreed to review traffic impacts. Councilmember Bramberg noted that repairing streets has led to complaints about speeding, suggesting the need for additional speed mitigation strategies.

Key Outcomes

  • Council Subcommittees:
    • Approved: Formation of the "Tempe Term Limits Policy Review Council Subcommittee" chaired by Councilmember Keating, with Vice Mayor Garland and Councilmember Amberg as members, to explore term limits and enhance transparency.
    • Status Updates Provided: Age-Friendly Tempe (Dec 2), Animal Welfare (paused for holidays), Community Engagement (Dec 4), Drink Spiking Prevention (next meeting Dec 14), Mixed Use Space (Dec 8), Motorized Mobility (first meeting Jan 7), and Tempe Town Lake Revitalization (Dec 1).
  • Survey Analysis: Council acknowledged the data, noting that while Tempe ranks highly, street conditions and homelessness remain the most critical areas for resource alignment.
  • Financial Direction: Council accepted the long-range forecast acknowledging revenue shortfalls and the necessity of maintaining reserves through resource reallocation and cost containment rather than new revenue generation or service expansion in the immediate term.
  • Next Steps: The START tool distribution for council priority setting is scheduled for November 14, with results to be reviewed at the December 11 work study session. The public comment period for the proposed speed limit changes will be scheduled.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned with the next work study session scheduled for December 11, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

I'm so sorry that same thing. Uh Eddie, you all good? All right, let's see here. Yep. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Tempe City Council work study session agenda. Item number one is called order. Call council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel 11 and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe11. Members of the public may also attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams. Guidelines for conduct of city council meetings are on the table near the entrance for those in attendance at this afternoon's meeting. We will now play a video with the proper protocol for ensuring the appropriate conduct at City Council meetings. This includes behavior both inside and outside of the council chambers. Should individuals inside the council chambers become disruptive so that city business is not able to be conducted. There will be time for public comment during the call to the audience portion of the meeting. If no cooperation, the mayor will issue a verbal warning and let them know that the continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers. If there is still no cooperation, the mayor will issue a second verbal warning and let them know that the continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers. If there is no cooperation after asking and two verbal warnings, then the mayor will ask security officers to remove only those individuals who were causing the disruption. Security personnel should not engage in any way, but only escort them from the council chambers. If individuals refuse to leave, security personnel shall warn them that they are trespassing and that the next step will be arrest by a Tempe police officer. Tempe officers may have to arrest if individuals refuse to leave. Yeah, can you hear me? Yes, sir. Please state your name and city of residence. You have three minutes. My name is David Sokolowski, I live in Tempe. I want Tempe to increase funding for low-income housing because the city has one of the worst housing shortages in the state and is a leading cause of the housing crisis. The city's housing report says we have 86,421 units with 50% low income. The email from the city on July 22nd said in 2030, Tempe will have 33,504 low-income units. That means Tempe's housing ratio will drop to 30% in the next five years. The report says we need to build 15,000 low-income units. And the general plan has 31,000 units. That means Tempe would need to build 50% low income because Tempe can build 90% market rate housing and keep a 50% ratio. I think it's very difficult to build 50% low income. And we're going to need a lot of permit fees and money from the general fund. We should create a very generous density bonus program. The general plan has 71,000 new jobs. And that brings a total to 30,000 low-income units. It's possible to maintain a 50% ratio. But Tempe needs to build 50% low income and also double the current rate of construction. I think the city will be considered negligent if it fails. Tempe's low-income housing shortage would increase 80% in five years to 28,000 units. If the city was doing everything in its ability, we could reduce our housing shortage, build low-income housing, reduce homelessness, and fix our local housing crisis. Tempe is not doing everything, and the city has other priorities. It limits market rate housing like the Leo and the standard. It limits low-income housing like Gracie's Village or Dorsey Station. The city will cut funding for low-income housing. And I assume you approve of the federal government cutting section eight. If Tempe can cut low income housing, why not the federal government? The city shows we have 50% low-income housing ratio, but it doesn't count the current low-income housing shortage or the future need. It doesn't count overcrowding or homelessness.

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