Tempe City Council Meeting Summary - December 11, 2025
Tempe City Council Meeting Summary - December 11, 2025
The Tempe City Council convened on December 11, 2025, to address routine administrative approvals, commemorative proclamations, and significant development and ordinance items. The meeting featured tributes to late community leaders Jennifer Johnson and Kevin Daly, recognition of local business Bumblebee Air Conditioning, and updates on recovery efforts following the October 13th microburst. Public comments highlighted strong opposition to specific development proposals and requests for enforcement of noise ordinances. The Council proceeded with unanimous votes on the majority of agenda items, with Councilmember Keating absent due to surgery.
Consent Calendar
- Approved City Council meeting minutes (6-0, Councilmember Keating absent).
- Accepted board, commission, and committee meeting minutes (items 4B1-4B11) (6-0).
- Approved the entire consent agenda, including contracts, awards, and miscellaneous items (6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mario Martinez (Tempe Resident): Expressed strong opposition to and criticism of Mayor Corey Woods and the City Manager, labeling the City Manager a "puppet" and alleging illegal social media monitoring by the Council; stated full lack of support for the Mayor's administration regarding the arrest of a citizen over a social media post.
- Janilyn Granillo (Tempe Resident): Expressed full opposition to a proposed 24-7 autonomous car charging and distribution facility at 2105 South Terrace, arguing the site is inappropriate for single-family and apartment zones; requested a community meeting to explain the implications of HB 2447.
- David Alter (Tempe Resident, Homeless): Expressed concern that loud mufflers and backfiring engines are causing physical distress to his dog, Maxie; urged the Council to enforce the 50-decibel noise limit more strictly.
- Curtis Wood (Tempe Resident): Expressed firm opposition to the rezoning of the Shalomar Golf Course, noting thousands of signatures are collected against the development and urging the Council to oppose the rezoning.
- Carolyn Nelson (Tempe Resident): Expressed full opposition to the rezoning of Shalomar Golf Course, citing safety risks for children and loss of green space; stated support for affordable housing but argued this specific high-density proposal is unsuitable for the location.
- Patrick Michelson (Tempe Resident): Expressed strong support for protecting Shalomar as a green space and local landmark; argued the community should decide the fate of the land rather than out-of-town developers.
Discussion Items
- Climate Action Proclamation (5A1): Mayor Woods declared 2026 a "Year of Recommitment to Climate Action," focusing on heat vulnerability, sustainable building, and carbon neutrality. Staff and Commission member Kendon Young provided testimony, with Young expressing appreciation for the city's recommitment and noting the 70 days of temperatures over 110°F in 2024.
- Bumblebee Air Conditioning Appreciation Day (5A2): Mayor Woods declared December 11, 2025, as appreciation day for Bumblebee Air Conditioning after the company donated a free AC unit to the Tempe Women's Club. Owner Lisa Bain expressed gratitude and described the company's philosophy of generosity.
- Jennifer Johnson Remembrance (5A3): Mayor Woods declared December 31, 2025, as Jennifer Johnson Day. Council members and the public expressed deep support for Johnson's legacy in early childhood education and her impact on the community.
- Kevin Daly Remembrance (5A4): Mayor Woods declared December 11, 2025, as Kevin Daly Day, honoring the late musician. The community expressed support for Daly's legacy in music and recovery support.
- Care Inc. Award (5A5): Recognition was given to visionary leaders Hugh Hallman, Corey Woods, and Parrish Spice for founding the "For Our Cities and Towns" movement.
- Tempe Needs You Campaign (5A5B): Report stated the campaign raised over $23,000 in three weeks for storm recovery; the community expressed gratitude for the support.
- SBA Recovery Updates (City Manager): Danielle Haywood (SBA) and Monique Rodriguez (Emergency Ops) discussed recovery resources, including loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses, and the new Tempe Tree Donation Program; no specific positions taken other than informational advocacy for loan applications.
- Apache Character Area Plan (8A1): Staff proposed and presented an update to the Apache plan. Councilmember Garland expressed support and noted the unique history of flood irrigation in South Tempe. Staff proposed amendments to include flood irrigation history; the Council expressed support for the amendment and the plan.
- Photovoltaic Ordinance (8C2): Held second public hearing; staff recommended approval to align zoning with state legislation.
- Ordinances for Final Adoption: Discussions and votes held on utility easements (8C3, 8C4) and commercial property lease (8C5).
- Continuance (8C1): Motion made to continue the short-term rental ordinance discussion to April 16, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Resolution: Adopted the updated Apache Character Area Plan, inclusive of staff-proposed amendments regarding flood irrigation history and objectives (6-0).
- Contracts Approved:
- State cooperative contract for maintenance/repair equipment (8A2).
- Contracts for police 911 dispatch furniture (8A3).
- Contract for graffiti protection on city facilities (8A4).
- Pre-construction contract for South Tempe Water Treatment Plant (8A5).
- Construction contract for Grand Canal Multi-Use Path (8A6).
- Professional services contracts for pavement quality index acceleration (8A7, 8A9).
- Professional services contract for Fire Station No. 8 (8A8).
- Park infrastructure improvement contracts (8A10).
- Ordinances Adopted:
- Ordinance amending photovoltaic use and zoning standards (8C2) (6-0).
- Ordinance authorizing partial abandonment of public utility easement (8C3) (6-0).
- Ordinance authorizing power distribution easement to Salt River Project (8C4) (6-0).
- Ordinance authorizing lease of 125 East Fifth Street (Walker House) (8C5) (6-0).
- Continuance: Short-term rental ordinance (8C1) continued to the regular meeting on April 16, 2026 (6-0).
- Proclamations Issued: Decrees for Climate Action (2026), Bumblebee Appreciation Day, Jennifer Johnson Day, Kevin Daly Day, and Care Inc. recognition.
- Voting: All items passed with a 6-0 vote; Councilmember Keating was absent.
Meeting Transcript
Jennifer, Council members. Tempe Eleven Audio Check. Tempe Eleven Audio Check Testing One Two Three. Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats. Please take your seats. Please take your seats as quickly as possible. The meeting is about to begin. Council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel Eleven and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe Eleven. Members of the public may also attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams. If you have signed up to speak on items later on in the agenda, please know that as the presiding officer, I have the discretion to introduce items out of their regular order as listed on the agenda. So I'd now like to invite everyone who's able and willing to stand to join me in a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Tonight's agenda has a number of items that the city council must consider in order to conduct city business. Guidelines for conduct at city council meetings are on the table near the entrance for those in attendance at tonight's meeting. We will now play a video with the proper protocol for ensuring the appropriate conduct at City Council meetings. The City of Tempe welcomes public comment at this time. Disruptive behavior will not be allowed. Continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers. We need to be able to hear everyone in the room. Behavior that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any city council meeting is not helpful and is not permitted. 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. The mayor will first ask that the individuals allow city business to be completed. 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. Charges for trespass and disorderly conduct may apply, as well as other charges. Should anyone be asked to be removed, the mayor will recess the meeting. Thank you. We'll now play a video conveying the city of Tempe's native land acknowledgement statement. We acknowledge that Tempe lies on the ancestral land of the Native peoples who have lived here since time immemorial. The ancestral land of the autumn empty boss stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city. The landscape is sacred to them. Embodying cultural values that are integral to their identity and way of life. The autumn empty posh continue to maintain a deep spiritual connection to this land. We embrace the responsibility of caring for these places and vow to uphold this commitment in all our actions. I move to approve the city council meeting minutes in item 4A1. Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Hodge, seconded by Councilmember Adams, please vote. And that item passes 6 to 0 with Councilmember Keating absent. Next up, uh item 4B, acceptance of board, commission, and committee meeting minutes. Councilmember Hodge. I move to accept the board's commission and committee meeting minutes in item 4B1 to 4B11. It's been moved by Councilmember Hodge. Do I have a second? Second.
openpublica.com