Tempe City Council Regular Meeting (January 22, 2026): Drink Spiking Prevention, Public Comments, and Approvals
Tempe City Council Regular Meeting (January 22, 2026): Drink Spiking Prevention, Public Comments, and Approvals
The Tempe City Council held a regular meeting on January 22, 2026, from approximately 6:00 PM to 9:24 PM. Key items included recognition of heroic staff, public comments on Shalomar Golf Course and Flock cameras, and a first hearing on a drink spiking prevention ordinance. The council also approved several items including consent agenda, a lease for Ken McDonald golf course, and various zoning and easement items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved meeting minutes (7-0)
- Accepted board, commission, and committee meeting minutes (7-0)
- Approved the consent agenda (7-0) including miscellaneous items (7A1-7A3), awards of bids and contracts (7B1-7B8), and resolutions (7C1-7C4).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Shalomar Golf Course: Multiple residents and representatives spoke in support of saving the golf course and opposing rezoning. Speakers highlighted its role as a community anchor, green space, and venue for junior golf. Specific concerns included traffic impacts, loss of urban canopy, and the desires of residents.
- Flock Cameras: Bobby Nichols requested termination of the Flock safety contract, citing concerns over data sharing with federal immigration enforcement based on research from Colorado and the University of Washington.
- Drink Spiking Ordinance (8B3): Extensive testimony was heard. Supporters included ASU students, sorority representatives, business owners (e.g., Drink Me Tea Room), and nonprofit leaders (No More, Think Twice, Scrunchie). They cited high prevalence of drink spiking (e.g., 54% of students know someone affected), underreporting, and the need for prevention tools. Opponents included the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association and the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, who raised concerns about mandates, liability, and provisions allowing outside containers. Business owners also worried about the cost of security plans and enforcement.
Discussion Items
- Drink Spiking Prevention Ordinance (8B3): Councilmember Keating presented the first reading. The ordinance would require bars serving alcohol after midnight to provide drink spiking test kits (minimum 10), with incentives for offering drink covers (25% rebate on annual liquor license fee). Stakeholder feedback led to changes: scope reduced from ~137 to ~60 businesses (series 6 and 12 licenses serving after midnight), penalty structure revised, liability language added, and signage moved to restrooms. Police expressed support. Council questions focused on accuracy of test kits, administration of security plans (already existing for ~75-100 businesses), the tax incentive (specifically annual liquor license tax), the open container provision (concerns about allowing patrons to bring their own cups), and the need for a robust education campaign. Councilmember Keating acknowledged the issues and agreed to meet with stakeholders to refine the ordinance for a second reading.
- Marlot's Garage (8B1): First hearing for a general plan and zoning amendment to allow adaptive reuse of a historic 1922 gas station into a commercial space with a food truck plaza. Council expressed strong support for preserving the building and activating the site.
- Priest and Alameda (8B2): First hearing for rezoning ~25 acres from mixed-use to general industrial to attract advanced manufacturing jobs. The developer committed to keeping an existing parking garage to buffer nearby residences and to pursue LEED Silver certification. Council discussed truck delivery times, green building code compliance, and solar readiness.
- Ken McDonald Golf Course Lease (8A1): Approved 7-0 to amend and restate the lease and management agreement.
- 250 Rio (8C1): Second and final hearing for a 16-story, 110-unit residential building. Approved 7-0 after discussion of green building initiatives and plans to work with the Veterans Commission on the Veterans Way project.
- Sewer Code Amendment (8C2): Approved 7-0.
- Waterline Easement Abandonments (8C3): Approved 7-0.
- Baseline Road Property Purchase (8B2? – listed as 882 in transcript): Approved 7-0 to authorize purchase of real property at 950 East Baseline Road.
Key Outcomes
- All voting items (consent, 8A1, 8C1, 8C2, 8C3, Baseline Road purchase) were approved unanimously (7-0).
- The drink spiking ordinance will return for a second hearing after revisions based on stakeholder meetings scheduled for the next day.
- Recognitions: Escalante Multi-Generational Center employees and police officers honored for their response to a January 7 attack; proclamation for departing aide Mariana Pena.
- Announcements: Regional Unity Walk (Saturday), Tempe Boat Cruising now accepting reservations, Tempe Blooms event this weekend.
- Next regular council meeting: February 5, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening everyone, welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting agenda. Item number one is call to order. Council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel 11 and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe Eleven. Members of the public, we also attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams. Before we begin, I want to know to change to the order of tonight's agenda. We've received a large number of speaker requests for item 8v3, the drink spiking education and prevention ordinance, which is listed later on in the agenda. But to accommodate those speakers and help move the meeting along, I'll be introducing item eight B three earlier in the meeting. Public appearances will still occur first, followed immediately by consideration of item eight B three. So if you submitted a speaker card to speak on a matter, not on tonight's agenda, you'll be recognized during the public appearances section in the order in which your card was received, which is item number six. Please note that if you choose to speak on an agenda item during public appearances, that will be your only opportunity to speak on that topic. You may not speak again when that item is heard later on in the meeting. Speakers will be called to the order in which the cards were received and will be asked to state their name and city of residence for the record. Uh once again, I if you wish to speak on an agenda item but have not submitted the speaker card, please make sure to do so uh and give your card to the city clerk prior uh to the item actually being called, and of course I will announce your time, your t your name when it's your turn to speak. Now uh I'd like to ask everybody 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 into the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. So that's agenda has a number of items that the city council was 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're now going to 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. Stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city. Embodying cultural values that are integral to their identity and way of life. The author and deposit 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. Thank you very much. Next up, item number four, meeting minutes tonight will be assisted by Vice Mayor Garland. Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to make a motion to approve the Council City City Council meeting minutes for A1. Okay, it's been moved by Vice Mayor Garland and seconded by Councilmember Keating.
openpublica.com