So I start a new meeting.

And so just keep your screen on.

All right.

Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to the City Council's special budget meeting agenda.

Um, let's see here.

I don't remember what is called 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.

We're now going to play a video with the proper protocol for ensuring the appropriate conduct at City Council meetings.

The public appearances portion of the Tempe City Council agenda welcomes people to address the Tempe City Council on city-related issues.

Speakers will generally be taken in the order in which they have signed up to speak.

No visual aids or pre-recorded materials are allowed.

People may speak once during public appearances for up to three minutes.

If there is a large number of speakers, the mayor may limit the amount of time allotted for each person.

However, rules of decorum are in effect, and behavior that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any city council meeting is not permitted.

This includes behavior at the podium inside or adjacent to the council chambers.

Speakers shall refrain from name-calling, making personal or insulting comments or slanderous remarks while addressing the city council or while attending the meeting.

Should a speaker become disorderly, action will be taken.

First, the mayor may issue a verbal warning, and if the speaker continues disruptive behavior, the speaker will forfeit any remaining time for public comment and will be asked to leave the podium.

Further disruption beyond that may result in removal from the council chambers, and the mayor may ask security officers to remove the speaker.

If the speaker refuses to leave, security will warn the speaker that they are now trespassing, and the next step is an arrest for disorderly conduct, trespassing, or both.

If necessary to maintain order, the mayor may recess the meeting.

Your right to address the Tempe City Council is important to us.

These rules are intended to create an atmosphere that is conducive to thoughtful public speech.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Next up here, we're going to go to item two A, which is to hold a public hearing to adopt a resolution adopting the fiscal years 2026-27 through twenty thirty thirty-31 capital improvements program.

So, first of all, Council members, any questions for staff regarding items 2A through 2D.

Okay, this is also a public hearing item, so I'm gonna look to see if there's any public testimony on this item.

If so, can you get my attention?

Let's see.

Let me make sure.

Okay, and I've got cards for 2C.

Um, let me just make sure I'm doing this appropriately.

Yep, okay.

So anything on item two A here from any member of the public?

Okay.

Seeing none, I will go ahead and close the public testimony portion of the public hearing.

Uh, council members, any comments or discussion?

Okay, if none, I'm gonna look for a motion on item two A.

Okay.

It's been moved by Councilmember Hodge to have a second.

Seconded by Vice Mayor Garland, please vote.

And that item passes five to zero with council member Adams and Councilmember Keating absent.

Okay, the next item under the section is two B, which is to hold a public hearing is required under the state's truth and taxation statute and adopt a resolution indicating the city's intention to adopt a primary property tax levy that excluding amounts related to new construction will be greater than last year's primary property tax levy.

All right.

This is also a public test public hearing item.

So if there's any public testimony on this item, can you please get my attention?

Yes.

Please come forward and state your name and city of residence.

You have three minutes.

My name is Mario Martinez.

I live in Tempe.

In this address, I will vote my opposition to the proposed property tax increase.

If I am not interrupted, I can quickly complete my statement.

In the light of the way that the council has chosen to waste our tax dollars, they prove that they do not deserve a penny more.

Here is a brief summary of the fiscal waste referenced.

For a two-word two million dollar sign or one million dollars per word, they hung a piece of visual pollution over Mill Avenue.

By a 720 vote, the council voted approving the city manager uh $370,000 per year, despite the city manager's obvious lack of police oversight uh qualifications.