Tempe City Council Regular Meeting - May 14, 2026

The Tempe City Council held a regular meeting on May 14, 2026, starting at approximately 2:15 PM and adjourning at 11:54 PM. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, a consent agenda, a public hearing on a nuisance ordinance, a resolution to place a sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballot, and several other items. Key decisions included approval of the nuisance ordinance (7-0), approval of the ballot language for a half-cent sales tax (6-1), and approval of a contract for a bridge shelter (6-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes (4A1 and 4A2) and board/commission minutes (4B1-4B6) unanimously (7-0).
• Approved the consent agenda (items 7A1-7A2, 7B1-7B7, 7C1-7C3) 6-0 with Councilmember Keating absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Diane Melrose (Tempe resident) criticized Councilmember Adams for unresponsiveness and alleged toxic behavior, citing an Arizona Republic article and code of conduct violations. She asked Mayor Woods to investigate.
• Jim Phipps (Tempe, Optimist Park) thanked the council for street resurfacing, pedestrian pathway improvements, and park upgrades in his neighborhood.
• Mario Martinez (Tempe) requested access to a social media dashboard discussed in earlier meetings, claiming the city is withholding records. The city attorney stated all records were provided in response to a public records request in May 2025.
• David Sokolowski (Tempe) expressed disappointment that the city proposed a transit tax without consulting the Transportation Commission, calling it disrespectful to the commission.
• Tim Palmer (Tempe, 65-year resident) criticized council members Adams and Hodge for lack of vision, and Mayor Woods for ineffective leadership on housing, street safety, and revitalization projects.
• Noah James Barkham (Tempe) commented on police cooperation with disabled individuals, Republicans in Tempe, Japanese American WWII veterans, and a smoke shop downtown.
• Steve Norris (Tempe) thanked the council for supporting no rezoning in Shalomar, citing a $135,000 equity hit on his property.
• Joe Forte (Tempe, DRC member) proposed a citizen budget review commission, noting a change.org petition with 238 signatures (70% Tempe residents).
• Lane Caraway (North Tempe, 32 years) supported the nuisance ordinance regarding Airbnbs and homeless feeding, but expressed concern about unintended consequences.
• Melinda Morrison Gullick (CEO of First Things First) urged support for including child care funding in the sales tax proposal.
• Multiple speakers (Brianna Vietta, Chelsea Brugerman, Ben Paulett) shared personal stories about the high cost of child care and urged support for Tempe Pre expansion.
• Henry Guerrero (Tempe, formerly homeless) described his journey from homelessness to housing with city assistance, but noted that an old warrant led to his arrest and loss of housing, questioning the city's approach.
• Megan (Tempe) opposed the parks ordinance, citing 4,500 signatures against it, and argued that criminalizing homelessness deepens the problem.
• Julie Buffkin (Tempe, 15 years) suggested focusing on traffic enforcement data rather than speed enforcement, and urged the council to ignore divisive language.

Public Hearing on Nuisance Ordinance (8C4):

• Opponents (including Catherine Kubalas Edic, Rev. Trish Winters, Melanie Bikeman, Barbara Miller, Nathan Charlton, Bianca Osorio, Austin Davis, Megan McCarrick, and others) argued the ordinance criminalizes compassion, targets churches and mutual aid groups, is constitutionally vague, and fails to address root causes of homelessness. They cited success stories and noted that the city should partner with service providers rather than penalize them.
• Supporters (including Erica Cowley, Tim Appleton, Jesse Kissle, Steve Kissle, Miriam Kissle, Sherry Toom, Mike Toom, Lisa Bain, Candice Dutton, and others) cited safety concerns, drug activity, needles, assaults, and the stabbing of a mother on Mother's Day. They argued the ordinance promotes accountability and responsible humanitarianism, and urged the council to pass it.
• The city clerk reported 128 signatures on a petition, 49 emails in support, and 40 emails in opposition as of 3 PM.

Public Hearing on Sales Tax (8A1):

• Supporters (including Rob Ferraro, Mike Scheid, Darlene Justice) emphasized the need for public safety funding, transit expansion, and early childhood education, noting the loss of rental tax revenue and increased demands.
• Opponents (including Catherine Dorn, Mario Martinez, Joe Forte) argued the tax increase is too large, should be unbundled, and that the council should first find efficiencies through a citizen budget commission.

Discussion Items

• Nuisance Ordinance (8C4): Council discussed the ordinance, which adds a new subsection to Chapter 21 of the city code. The ordinance targets regularly scheduled activities that predictably lead to public nuisances like drug use, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. Councilmember Amberg noted that the ordinance does not ban food sharing but requires accountability for impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. Mayor Woods stated the ordinance was updated to comply with Proposition 312, which passed in 2024. After public testimony, Councilmember Adams moved to approve, seconded by Vice Mayor Garland. The motion passed 7-0.
• Sales Tax Resolution (8A1): Staff presented a proposal for a half-cent sales tax increase (0.5%) to replace revenue lost from the state's elimination of the rental tax and other cuts. The tax would allocate 0.3% to public safety, 0.1% to transit, and 0.1% to early childhood education (Tempe Pre). Councilmember Keating proposed an amendment to prioritize Tempe residents, then teachers, then city employees, then non-residents employed by Tempe businesses for the early care funds. That amendment passed 7-0. Councilmember Amberg then moved to separate the three components into separate ballot questions, seconded by Vice Mayor Garland. After debate, the motion failed 3-4 (Amberg, Garland, Hodge in favor; Woods, Keating, Adams, Chin opposed). The main motion to approve the resolution with the bundled language passed 6-1 (Adams opposed).
• Legend City District (8B1): First public hearing on a zoning amendment for a mixed-use development at 1600 N. Priest Drive (former SRP building). The applicant, Mitch Rosen (SRP), explained the building has deferred maintenance and the site is planned for four residential buildings (~1,000 units). Public comment from Rob Moore expressed concern about density and character, and a resident asked about land patent restrictions. Rosen clarified the site is not part of Papago Park and is not encumbered. Second hearing scheduled for June 4, 2026.
• North Bend 2 (8C1): Second hearing and final adoption of a PAD amendment to reduce building height from five to four stories and modify lot coverage and landscape. The applicant, Alexis Proper, presented the changes. Public comment was none. The motion to approve passed 6-0 (Keating absent).
• Other Ordinances: Items 8C2 (speed limit amendments) and 8C3 (sidewalk easement abandonment) were approved 6-0. Items 8B2, 8B3, 8B4 (zoning code updates, construction codes, and waterline easement abandonment) were introduced for first hearing; second hearings set for June 4, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Nuisance Ordinance (8C4): Approved 7-0. The ordinance adds a new subsection to Title 21, defining certain regularly scheduled activities that lead to public nuisances as violations.
• Sales Tax Ballot Measure (8A1): Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Adams dissenting). The resolution orders a special election on November 3, 2026, for a 0.5% sales tax increase (0.3% public safety, 0.1% transit, 0.1% early childhood education). The ballot language includes an amendment giving priority to Tempe residents, then teachers, then city employees, then non-residents employed by Tempe businesses for the early care funds.
• Bridge Shelter Contract (8B2): Approved 6-0, awarding a two-year contract with renewal options to Family Endeavors Incorporated for operation of a non-congregate bridge shelter.
• Vehicle Purchases (8B3): Approved 6-0, authorizing purchase of 55 vehicles from various dealers.
• North Bend 2 (8C1): Approved 6-0, modifying the PAD to reduce building height and adjust lot coverage and landscape.
• Speed Limits (8C2): Approved 6-0, amending speed regulations.
• Sidewalk Easement (8C3): Approved 6-0, authorizing abandonments of easements.
• Other Items: First hearings held for Legend City District (8B1), zoning code updates (8B2), construction codes (8B3), and waterline easement abandonment (8B4). Second hearings scheduled for June 4, 2026.