OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting - March 26, 2026

City Council — Thursday, March 26, 2026
BodyTempe, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, March 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:47:34

Transcript — Verbatim
2:59

Good evening, everyone.

3:00

Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting.

3:04

Item number one is called to order.

3:06

Council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel Eleven and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe Eleven.

3:12

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

3:15

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.

4:51

Continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers.

5:00

Behavior that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any city council meeting is not helpful and is not permitted.

5:05

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

5:09

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

5:15

The mayor will first ask that the individuals allow city business to be completed.

5:19

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

5:23

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.

5:31

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.

5:40

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

5:48

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

5:53

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.

6:02

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

6:05

Charges for trespass and disorderly conduct may apply, as well as other charges.

6:10

Should anyone be asked to be removed, the mayor will recess the meeting.

6:15

Okay, we're now going to play a video conveying the City of Tempe's native land acknowledgement statement.

6:30

We acknowledge that Tempe lies on the ancestral land of the Native peoples who have lived here since time immemorial.

6:43

The ancestral land of the autumn and deposit stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city.

6:53

The landscape is sacred to them.

6:56

Embodying cultural values that are integral to their identity and way of life.

7:08

The autumn empty posh continue to maintain a deep spiritual connection to this land.

7:21

We embrace the responsibility of caring for these places and vow to uphold this commitment in all our actions.

7:36

Wonderful.

7:36

Next up, item number four, our meeting minutes.

7:42

Thank you, Mayor.

7:43

I move to approve the City Council meeting minutes and items 4A1 and 482.

7:50

It's been moved by Councilmember Chin, and I believe seconded by Councilmember Keating.

7:54

Please vote.

7:59

And that item passes seven to zero.

8:02

Next up, item four B, acceptance of board commission and committee meeting minutes.

8:06

Councilmember Chin.

8:07

Thank you, Mayor.

8:08

I move to accept the board commission and committee meeting minutes and items 4B1 through 4B 12.

8:16

It's been moved by Councilmember Chin and seconded again by Councilmember Keating.

8:20

Please vote.

8:22

And that item also passes seven to zero.

8:26

Next up, item five, reports and announcements.

8:30

I've got one announcement down to the front.

8:42

And actually, while I'm still standing up here, I would just say if the Tempe Public Safety Telecommunication staff can join me down to the front, that would be perfect for the reading of the proclamation.

9:08

Well, I've got a couple of these here, so let's see.

9:15

Go ahead and read that one here.

9:18

Perfect.

9:18

I promise I'll give it back.

9:19

So I always do.

9:22

If you leave with the proclamation in your hand, you've not done your job.

9:25

So this proclamation reads, Whereas the public safety dispatch professionals of the City of Tempe Police Department Communication Center provide life-saving services vital to the people in our community, working in partnership with all city departments, including Tempe Fire, Medical Rescue, Care 7, homeless outreach, transportation, and our neighboring jurisdictions.

9:45

And whereas 911 call takers provide over-the-phone support and emergency instructions that save lives every day on every shift, handling over 136,471 calls for service and more than 338,000 telephone calls in 2025, all while performing heroically despite ongoing staffing impacts.

10:06

And whereas police dispatchers serve as a critical link between those experiencing the emergency and the responding emergency crews, ensuring that the commensurate personnel and resources are dispatched to the call.

10:18

And whereas police communications personnel are our community's first responders, going above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis in situations of great distress and suffering to facilitate resolution of emergency situations, including deaths, drownings, vehicle collisions, fires, and other emergency calls for assistance.

10:36

And whereas the health and safety of the Tempe community and its residents depend greatly on these services and the dedicated professionals who provide them.

10:43

And the city of Tempe is proud to recognize their efforts.

10:46

Now, therefore, I, Corey Woods, mayor of the city of Tempe, Arizona, do hereby declare April 12th through the 18th, 2026, as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Tempe, Arizona.

11:07

One, two, three.

11:32

Next up, item 5A2, Board and Commission appointments and reappointments.

11:38

Congratulations to the following individuals on their new appointments.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use██████████████████████████████████34%
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Safety████████8%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Cannabis Regulation████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Pending Litigation███3%
Historic Preservation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting - March 26, 2026

The Tempe City Council held a regular meeting on March 26, 2026, covering a wide range of topics including acknowledgments, public comments, consent agenda items, a quasi-judicial appeal of a massage establishment use permit, a pilot program for automated license plate readers (ALPR), first readings of zoning and code amendments, and final adoptions of easement abandonments and a code amendment. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM.

Proclamations & Reports

  • Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: Mayor Woods read a proclamation declaring April 12–18, 2026, as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Tempe, honoring dispatchers who handled 136,471 calls for service and over 338,000 telephone calls in 2025.
  • Board and Commission Appointments: New appointments to the Commission on Disability Concerns (Marcia Hertz, Marcus Mason), Family Justice Commission (Trisha Schultz), Risk Management Trust Board (Jonathan Brown), and reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission (Dr. Shireen Lerner, Ray Lynn Williams) were announced.
  • City Manager’s Report: City Manager announced Tempe was named one of the global “Smart 21 Communities” for data-driven decision-making and innovation. Additionally, the city received two Arizona Forward awards: the Chris Gordia Award (highest honor) for the Tempe Microgrid Master Plan, and an Award of Distinction for the Tempe Municipal Operations Center (TMOC) and International Green Codes.
  • Mayor’s Remarks on Campaign Activity: Mayor Woods reminded attendees that campaign-related electioneering is prohibited during the official meeting due to the 2026 election season.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda included items 7A1–7A5 (miscellaneous), 7B1–7B20 (awards of bids and contracts), and 7C1–7C7 (resolutions), with the exception of items 7A2 (appointment of presiding judge) and 7B6 (ALPR pilot program) which were pulled for separate consideration. The consent agenda passed 7–0.
  • Item 7A2: Appointment of James Sampanis as Presiding Judge of Tempe Municipal Court was approved 7–0 after remarks from the council.
  • Item 7B6: Approval of a trial program to test Axon Outpost Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) solution at no cost to the city. The mayor and council members expressed support, citing public safety benefits and safeguards against data sharing with ICE/HSI. The pilot was approved 7–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Sokolowski (Tempe): Opposed mandatory green building codes (IGCC), arguing they could increase rents by 10–30% and make housing less affordable. Suggested reducing lot sizes and supporting state efforts for starter homes on small lots.
  • Aaron Dowdy (Tempe): Advocated for ranked-choice voting (RCV) to increase voter participation and save costs, noting that less than 30% of registered voters participated in the recent primary and the city spent nearly $200,000 on the election. Urged the council to hold a work study on RCV.
  • Janilyn Grineo (Tempe): Opposed preemptive state laws that remove local control over housing and development, praising the city for its efforts to protect historic districts. Asked the city to continue opposing such legislation.
  • Robert Tienney (Tempe): Urged the city to mediate a solution for the Charlmarr golf course redevelopment, suggesting a mix of restored golf amenities and limited single-family homes. Noted a neighborhood developer and potential bond funds (through 2029) could support the project.
  • Bobby Nichols (Tempe): Commended the council for the small step of piloting Axon ALPR as an alternative to Flock Safety, but continued to oppose all ALPR due to privacy and ICE-sharing concerns. Called for full termination of ALPR use.
  • Elmyra Mills (Phoenix): Spoke in memory of Sean Bickings, who drowned at Tempe Town Lake in 2022 while under police watch. Asked for justice and accountability.
  • Therese Torrell (Mesa): Mother of Sean Bickings, stated the city had promised actions after his death but did not follow through. Asked the city to honor his memory and noted she filed a lawsuit.
  • Andrew Gooden (Tempe): Proposed a policy to limit campaign signs to one per organization per intersection to reduce visual blight and prevent an arms race in election spending. Also spoke later on a zoning item (8B1) requesting pedestrian staircases from the bridge to the waterfront.
  • Rob Ferraro (Chandler): President of the Tempe Officers Association, spoke in support of ALPR technology, emphasizing its effectiveness in solving crimes and officer safety. Urged the council to focus on strong policy and oversight rather than eliminating the tool.

Discussion Items

  • Item 8A1 – Appeal of Massage Establishment Use Permit: The council held a quasi-judicial public hearing on an appeal filed by Matt Smith against a use permit for “Massage ACEs” at 1761 East Warner Road. The appellant argued that massage establishments inherently disrupt neighborhood character and are incompatible with adjacent businesses, citing 56 neighbor signatures and anecdotal evidence from other locations. The applicant (Yin Yu Shi LLC) stated they comply with all laws, have operated Golden Reflexology nearby without incidents, and agreed to additional conditions (transparent windows, six-month review, right to inspect). City staff confirmed no police issues at the existing location. The council, following legal advice, focused on the specific applicant and found no basis to deny. The appeal was denied 7–0, effectively approving the use permit.
  • Items 8A2–8A8: These items were approved unanimously without discussion: custodial cleaning services contract, playground equipment supply contract, digital scoreboard for Tempe Diablo Stadium, intergovernmental agreements for transit and mobility services, wastewater collection system rehabilitation contract, and general construction services addenda.
  • Item 8B1 – Zoning Map Amendment for Novus Parcel 5F: First public hearing for rezoning 5.5 acres (720 & 800 E. Rio Salado Parkway) from MUED with a PAD overlay to MUED with the ASU Athletic Facilities District Planning Area Overlay to allow office and residential development. The applicant (Gammage & Burnham on behalf of ASU and Catellus) noted the parcel is currently a parking lot and no density changes are proposed. The second hearing is scheduled for April 16, 2026.
  • Items 8B2–8B4: First readings and public hearings for code amendments (board member selection process), alley abandonment, and easement abandonment were introduced; no testimony was offered. Second hearings set for April 16, 2026.
  • Items 8C1–8C2: Second and final public hearings for sewer line easement abandonment and adding youth members to the Commission on Disability Concerns. Both were adopted 7–0.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: All consent agenda items (except those pulled) passed 7–0. The presiding judge appointment passed 7–0. The ALPR pilot program passed 7–0. The massage establishment appeal denial passed 7–0. All other action items (8A2–8A8, 8C1, 8C2) passed unanimously.
  • Next Steps: The ALPR pilot program with Axon will be implemented at no cost. The second hearings for items 8B1–8B4 are scheduled for April 16, 2026. The council will also consider a work study on ranked-choice voting and continue to monitor state legislative actions on local control.
  • Directives: None specific outside of votes. The mayor acknowledged the one-time holiday “Day of Recognition for Women Farm Workers” adopted via consent (item 7C7), with future discussion on the permanent holiday name.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting. Item number one is called to order. 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. Continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers. 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 are 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. Okay, 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. The ancestral land of the autumn and deposit 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. Wonderful. Next up, item number four, our meeting minutes. Thank you, Mayor. I move to approve the City Council meeting minutes and items 4A1 and 482. It's been moved by Councilmember Chin, and I believe seconded by Councilmember Keating. Please vote. And that item passes seven to zero. Next up, item four B, acceptance of board commission and committee meeting minutes. Councilmember Chin. Thank you, Mayor. I move to accept the board commission and committee meeting minutes and items 4B1 through 4B 12. It's been moved by Councilmember Chin and seconded again by Councilmember Keating. Please vote. And that item also passes seven to zero. Next up, item five, reports and announcements. I've got one announcement down to the front. And actually, while I'm still standing up here, I would just say if the Tempe Public Safety Telecommunication staff can join me down to the front, that would be perfect for the reading of the proclamation. Well, I've got a couple of these here, so let's see. Go ahead and read that one here. Perfect. I promise I'll give it back. So I always do. If you leave with the proclamation in your hand, you've not done your job.

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