OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting – April 16, 2026

City Council — Thursday, April 16, 2026
BodyTempe, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, April 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:10

Transcript — Verbatim
2:34

Good evening, everyone.

2:36

Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting.

2:39

Uh I remember what is called order.

2:41

Council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel 11 and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe Eleven.

2:47

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

2:51

If you have signed up to speak on items on 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.

3:13

If you wish to speak on an agenda item and you haven't filled out a speaker card yet, please make sure to fill out and submit your completed card to the city clerk prior to the item coming forward for council discussion.

3:22

I will call your name when it is your turn for public comment.

3:25

I would now like to invite everyone who's able and willing to stand to join us in a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

4:27

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

4:34

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

4:46

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

5:00

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.

5:07

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.

5:16

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.

5:24

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

5:30

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.

5:38

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

5:42

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

5:46

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

5:52

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

6:05

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

6:18

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

6:29

The landscape is sacred to them.

6:31

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

6:43

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

6:57

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

7:12

Next up, item number four, meeting minutes.

7:14

Tonight will be assisted by Council Member Hodge.

7:16

Councilmember Hodge.

7:17

Yeah.

7:18

I move to approve the city council meeting minutes for item 4A1.

7:23

Okay, it's been moved by Council Member Hodge.

7:25

Do I have a second?

7:26

Second.

7:27

I think seconded by Councilmember Adams.

7:29

Please vote.

7:36

I'll just say yes.

7:37

And that item passes seven to zero.

7:41

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

7:45

Councilmember Hodge.

7:49

I move to accept boards, commissions, and committee meeting meetings in items 4B1 through 4G7.

7:57

It's been moved by Councilmember Hodge and seconded by Councilmember Keating.

8:00

Please vote.

8:04

And that item also passes seven to zero.

8:09

All right.

8:09

Next up, got a few announcements here.

8:45

All right, first up, item five A one, Kids Own Awards presentation.

8:51

So the mayor's office and the Tempe City Council are interested in honoring outstanding children in our community and adults who help provide quality care and education for those children.

9:01

Tonight we are proud to honor and recognize those children and adults because of their outstanding participation in the kids' oen enrichment programs, serving 16 elementary and middle schools in the Tempe Elementary School District.

9:13

So to help me with this presentation this evening, it wouldn't be right if I didn't invite up the superintendent of the Tempe Elementary School District, Dr.

9:21

James Driscoll.

9:32

So for those of you who don't know, but I'm pretty sure if you're here tonight, you already do know.

9:36

So this is for the benefit, I guess, of those at home.

9:39

Kid Zone is an award-winning, state-accredited school age enrichment program administered by the City of Tempe in cooperation with the Tempe Elementary School District.

9:48

It offers an exciting, safe place for students from preschool through eighth grade, where they may interact with their friends and participate in enrichment activities and develop new interests after school.

10:00

KidZone could not have provided these services without the help and support of some outstanding school partners from the Tempe Elementary School District.

10:07

While there are too many to mention this evening, there are three we'd like to particularly recognize.

10:12

The dedicated school partners we honor tonight are individuals who demonstrate cooperation, mutual respect, and knowledge of the importance of quality out of school time in Richmond.

10:22

They understand that significant learning still takes place before and after the school bell rings.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Youth Programs█████████████13%
Public Safety████████████12%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Pending Litigation██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Community Engagement███3%
Active Transportation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting – April 16, 2026

The Tempe City Council held a regular meeting on April 16, 2026, at 2:15 PM (actual start time approximately 7:07 PM adjournment). The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public comment, consent agenda approval, multiple contract awards, first and second public hearings on zoning and financial ordinances, and council announcements. All votes were unanimous (7–0) unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval (Item 4A1): Approved 7–0.
  • Board, Commission, Committee Minutes (Items 4B1–4G7): Approved 7–0.
  • Consent Agenda (Items 7B1–7B13, 7C1–7C3): Approved 7–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brennan Metcalf (Tempe Lake neighborhood): Expressed concern about Colorado River negotiations, urged the council to accelerate the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility project, noting Congressman Greg Stanton’s $3 million earmark for FY26.
  • Danielle Davis (Tempe resident 3.5 years): Described a perceived decline in quality of life: safety concerns at Tempe Beach Park (approached by a student warning of danger), increased graffiti and trash, an incident of public indecency on Mill Avenue, and housing insecurity near her apartment. She asked the council to restore the city’s historic character and safety.
  • Alex Logman (Tempe resident): Criticized the city attorney’s office for not enforcing Arizona campaign finance laws (Prop 211) regarding illegally placed political signs. He requested a written legal opinion on ARS 16‑1019B before the May 19 runoff and questioned the city attorney’s competence.
  • Noah James Markham (Tempe resident): Raised several issues: presence of private security downtown (preferring police), desire for better restaurants to attract visitors, support for women police officers, defending the homeless, and expressing support for ICE.
  • Janet Hamlin (Tempe resident): Thanked the council and staff for the new Kyrene Canal crossing on Warner Road, stating it greatly improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Discussion Items

  • Kids’ Own Awards Presentation (5A1): Mayor Woods and Tempe Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. James Driscoll honored children and adult partners in the KidZone after‑school enrichment program. The program serves 16 elementary and middle schools. Awardees’ names were read.
  • Arbor Month Proclamation (5A2): Urban Forester Richard Atkins joined the mayor in declaring April 2026 as Arbor Month in Tempe, marking the 154th anniversary.
  • Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation (5A3): Mayor Woods read a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month with the theme “25 years stronger.” The city’s Care 7 Victim Services team served 503 individuals and families reporting sexual violence last year.
  • Sustainability & Resilience Commission Appointment (5A4): Brian Fellows was appointed to the commission (item 7A1).
  • First Public Hearings (Items 8B1–8B3):
    • 8B1: Zoning map amendment from Residential Office to Commercial Shopping and Service for 3910 S Rural Road (Lux Holdings). Applicant Adam Baugh described a plan to rezone only the northern building and courtyard for occasional event space (with a good‑neighbor policy limiting hours to 9 PM weekdays/10 PM weekends, on‑site parking attendant, complaint response). No public testimony. Final hearing April 30, 2026.
    • 8B2 & 8B3: Introductions of ordinances authorizing General Obligation bonds and Excise Tax Revenue Refunding obligations. No public testimony. Final hearings April 30, 2026.
  • Second Public Hearings (Items 8C2–8C5): All approved 7–0.
    • 8C2: Zoning map amendment for Novus Parcel 5F (720 & 800 E Rio Salado Parkway) – moving from MUED planned area development overlay to ASU Athletic Facilities District Planning Area Overlay. No substantive changes.
    • 8C3: Ordinance amending City Code Sections 2‑365 and 2‑367 regarding member selection process.
    • 8C4: Partial abandonment of alley right‑of‑way north of 7th Street and east of Myrtle Avenue for 108 E 7th Street.
    • 8C5: Abandonment of ingress/egress and public utility easements south of Apache Boulevard and west of Price Road for 2152 E Wildermouth Avenue.

Key Outcomes

  • Contracts Approved (Items 8A1–8A3):
    • 8A1: Awarded irrigation replacement contract at Ken McDonald Golf Course to Mid‑America Golf and Landscape Inc. (Project 6311491).
    • 8A2: Awarded wastewater collection system rehabilitation job order (Phase 2) to TF Contracting Services LLC (Project 3221024).
    • 8A3: Approved addenda with five contractors (Cactus Transport 2, MR Tanner, Nesbitt Contracting, S Paveg, Talus Construction) for paving master job‑order contracts (2020‑2025).
  • Continuance (8C1): A zoning/development item was continued to the June 4, 2026 regular council meeting with the condition that no further continuances will be granted without extraordinary cause. Approved 7–0.
  • Council Announcements:
    • Councilmember Hodge: Congratulated student sister‑city ambassadors, upcoming All‑Abilities awards, and Music Under the Stars (April 24 at 7 PM).
    • Councilmember Amberg: Promoted Zero Waste Day on April 25 (7 AM–1 PM) for Tempe and Guadalupe residents.
    • Councilmember Adams: Encouraged citywide celebration of Earth Day (April 22).
    • Mayor Woods: Recognized Deputy City Clerk Mike Sue for earning the Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM. Next regular meeting scheduled for April 30, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting. Uh I remember what is called 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 may also attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams. If you have signed up to speak on items on 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. If you wish to speak on an agenda item and you haven't filled out a speaker card yet, please make sure to fill out and submit your completed card to the city clerk prior to the item coming forward for council discussion. I will call your name when it is your turn for public comment. I would now like to invite everyone who's able and willing to stand to join us in a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Should individuals inside the council chambers become disruptive so that city business is not able to be conducted. 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. All right, 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 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 Bosch 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. Next up, item number four, meeting minutes. Tonight will be assisted by Council Member Hodge. Councilmember Hodge. Yeah. I move to approve the city council meeting minutes for item 4A1. Okay, it's been moved by Council Member Hodge. Do I have a second? Second. I think seconded by Councilmember Adams. Please vote. I'll just say yes. And that item passes seven to zero. Next up, item four B, acceptance of board, commission, and committee meeting minutes. Councilmember Hodge. I move to accept boards, commissions, and committee meeting meetings in items 4B1 through 4G7. It's been moved by Councilmember Hodge and seconded by Councilmember Keating. Please vote. And that item also passes seven to zero. All right. Next up, got a few announcements here. All right, first up, item five A one, Kids Own Awards presentation. So the mayor's office and the Tempe City Council are interested in honoring outstanding children in our community and adults who help provide quality care and education for those children. Tonight we are proud to honor and recognize those children and adults because of their outstanding participation in the kids' oen enrichment programs, serving 16 elementary and middle schools in the Tempe Elementary School District.

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