OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting – June 11, 2026

City Council — Thursday, June 11, 2026
BodyTempe, Arizona
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, June 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:21
Transcript — Verbatim
1:29

Yes, y'all.

1:45

Councilmember Adams, this is Jason Wolf.

1:48

We're doing an audio check.

1:49

Could you please unmute yourself and uh I'd like to see if we can hear you inside the council chambers, please.

1:55

Yes, can you hear me, Jason?

1:57

I can hear you loud and clear.

1:59

Thank you so much.

2:48

Good evening, everyone.

2:49

Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting.

2:54

Just want to note too.

3:01

Item one is called order.

3:03

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

3:08

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

3:11

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.

3:23

I'd now like to invite everyone who is able and willing to stand and join me in a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

4:33

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

4:40

Oh yes.

4:43

The landscape is sacred to them.

4:46

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

4:58

The author MPOS continue to maintain a deep spiritual connection to this land.

5:11

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

5:24

Okay, thank you very much.

5:26

Next up, item number four tonight will be assisted by Councilmember Hodge for the meeting minutes.

5:29

Council Member Hodge.

5:30

Yes.

5:31

I move to approve the city council meeting minutes.

5:34

Item 4A1 through 4A3.

5:37

Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Hajj to have a second.

5:39

Seconded by Councilmember Amberg, please vote.

5:44

Yes.

5:46

And Councilmember Adams.

5:51

Yes.

5:51

Yes.

5:52

Sounds good.

5:53

Thank you.

5:53

That item passes 6 to 0 with Councilmember Chin absent.

5:56

Next up, item 4B, acceptance of board, commission, and committee meeting minutes.

6:00

Council Member Hodge.

6:01

Yes.

6:01

I move to accept the board, commissions, and committee meetings, and item four A1 through 4B3.

6:10

Excuse me, 4B1 to 4B3.

6:13

Excellent.

6:13

That's what I was just about to say.

6:14

Okay.

6:14

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

6:17

Seconded by Vice Mayor Garville.

6:18

Please please vote.

6:21

Hi.

6:21

Yes.

6:22

And that item passes six to zero with Councilmember Chin absent.

6:26

That brings me to item number five reports and announcements.

6:28

First of all, I have item 5A1, which is our 2026 community survey.

6:32

I'd like to take a moment to encourage our residents to participate in the City of Tempe's 2026 community survey.

6:38

At the City of Tempe, we value the partnership and input of our community.

6:41

Hearing directly from residents helps us better understand the needs, priorities, and concerns of the people that we serve.

6:47

Beginning June 1st, which is already passed, but surveys will be mailed to residences throughout the city of Tempe.

6:53

The survey will remain open through August 1st, and residents can return their completed survey using the enclosed postage paid envelope.

7:00

Residents also have the option to complete the survey online by visiting Tempe.gov slash surveys or by scanning the QR code included in the printed survey.

7:09

Participation in the survey is important because the results help guide City Council decisions on key services and programs that affect our community every day.

7:17

This includes public safety, parks and recreation, economic development, code enforcement, and other essential community services.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████25%
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Personnel Matters███████████11%
Community Engagement██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Animal Welfare█████5%
Active Transportation████4%
Pending Litigation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting – June 11, 2026

The Tempe City Council held a regular meeting on June 11, 2026, beginning in the evening and adjourning at 7:11 PM. Several council members were absent during the meeting: Councilmember Chin was absent for the early votes, and later Councilmembers Adams, Keating, and Chin were absent for the consent agenda and the settlement item. The agenda included public appearances, reports, public hearings on code amendments and a motel conversion, and consent items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the city council meeting minutes (Items 4A1–4A3) and board/commission/committee meeting minutes (Items 4B1–4B3) with a 6–0 vote (Councilmember Chin absent).
  • Approved the consent agenda (Items 7A1, 7C1–7C2) as a group with a 4–0 vote (Councilmembers Adams, Keating, and Chin absent).

Reports & Announcements

  • Mayor encouraged residents to participate in the 2026 Community Survey, mailed June 1 through August 1, 2026, to help guide council decisions.
  • UAEA President Joel Guy recognized 16 Employees of the Quarter from four quarters (Q3 2025 through Q2 2026) for exemplary performance.
  • The Tempe Professional Development Network awarded two $1,000 James L. Alexander Scholarships to graduating high school senior Venice Lee and higher education student Silas Butler, both children of city employees.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Sokolowski (virtual, Tempe resident) argued that the city underestimates housing needs, citing a need for 22,000 units by 2030 but losing over 1,000 units due to zoning decisions. He criticized NIMBYism and warned of state intervention if Tempe does not approve more housing.
  • Philip Amorosi (50-year Tempe resident) criticized the council’s decision at the June 4 meeting to grant a six-month continuance for the Marshall & Spence student housing project, arguing the developer had failed to address neighborhood concerns and that the council prioritized developers over neighborhoods.
  • Mario Martinez (Tempe resident) opposed a proposed raise for the city manager, criticized police oversight and the handling of an arrest involving Kate Tierney, and accused the council and police of using “banana republic style” tactics.
  • Kim Gaffney Loza (North Tempe) testified in opposition to the Tempe Oasis motel conversion (Item 8B1), citing the owner’s history of permitting prostitution and sober living abuses, and expressing distrust that the project would benefit the neighborhood.
  • Danny Fang (owner of Tempe Oasis) testified in support of the conversion, describing his seven-year effort to transform the property from the “worst hotel in Tempe” to a top-rated hotel, and his commitment to safety and community improvement.
  • Ed Buffard (Tempe resident, 76 years) spoke in support of the animal code amendments (Item 8B3), urging stronger enforcement of pet licensing and praising prior council efforts on animal welfare and the dog park at Kowan’s Park.
  • Julie Buffkin (Tempe resident) spoke during public appearances about e-bike and scooter regulations, supporting Vision Zero and urging continued infrastructure improvements such as speed bumps and video surveillance.

Discussion Items

  • Item 8C1 (First & Farmer project) — Second and final public hearing on transferring property interests and executing an amended development agreement. No public testimony. Council voted 6–0 to adopt the ordinance (Councilmember Chin absent).
  • Item 8B2 (Motorized/electric mobility devices code amendment) — First public hearing to amend city code regarding e-bikes and scooters. No public testimony. The second and final hearing was scheduled for June 25, 2026.
  • Item 8B1 (Tempe Oasis motel conversion) — First public hearing to establish development standards for converting a motel into 143 multifamily units (131 one-bedroom, 5 studio, 7 two-bedroom) at 1635 N. Scottsdale Road. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the owner’s past involvement in sober living facilities and lack of access during previous inspections. Staff noted that the applicant still must complete design review and obtain building permits. The second public hearing was set for June 25, 2026.
  • Item 8B3 (Animal code amendments) — First public hearing to amend city code on animal impoundment and general animal regulations. One public speaker (Ed Buffard) supported enhanced enforcement. The second reading was scheduled for June 25, 2026.
  • Item 8A1 (Settlement agreement with OIG) — Approved a settlement with the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with a budget appropriation transfer. Passed 4–0 (Councilmembers Adams, Keating, and Chin absent).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes and consent items (6–0 or 4–0 votes).
  • Adopted the ordinance for the First & Farmer project (6–0).
  • Authorized the settlement agreement with OIG (4–0).
  • Set second public hearings for June 25, 2026, on items 8B2 (mobility devices), 8B1 (Tempe Oasis), and 8B3 (animals).

Meeting Transcript

Yes, y'all. Councilmember Adams, this is Jason Wolf. We're doing an audio check. Could you please unmute yourself and uh I'd like to see if we can hear you inside the council chambers, please. Yes, can you hear me, Jason? I can hear you loud and clear. Thank you so much. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting. Just want to note too. Item one is called order. Council meetings can be watched in real time via Coxcable Channel 11 and at Tempi.gov slash Tempe Eleven. Members of the public may also attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams. 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'd now like to invite everyone who is able and willing to stand and join me in a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The ancestral land of the author and the stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city. Oh yes. The landscape is sacred to them. Embodying cultural values that are integral to their identity and way of life. The author MPOS 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. Okay, thank you very much. Next up, item number four tonight will be assisted by Councilmember Hodge for the meeting minutes. Council Member Hodge. Yes. I move to approve the city council meeting minutes. Item 4A1 through 4A3. Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Hajj to have a second. Seconded by Councilmember Amberg, please vote. Yes. And Councilmember Adams. Yes. Yes. Sounds good. Thank you. That item passes 6 to 0 with Councilmember Chin absent. Next up, item 4B, acceptance of board, commission, and committee meeting minutes. Council Member Hodge. Yes. I move to accept the board, commissions, and committee meetings, and item four A1 through 4B3. Excuse me, 4B1 to 4B3. Excellent. That's what I was just about to say. Okay. So it's been moved by Councilmember Hodge to have a second. Seconded by Vice Mayor Garville. Please please vote. Hi. Yes. And that item passes six to zero with Councilmember Chin absent.

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