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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting: ALPR Ordinance, Proclamations, and Consent Items — September 24, 2026

City Council — Thursday, September 24, 2026

BodyTempe, Arizona

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, September 24, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:37:33

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

2:10

I know that was rather aggressive, I apologize.

2:12

So good evening, everyone.

2:16

Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting.

2:19

As you can see, there are two empty chairs next to me, so apparently I forgot to bathe this evening.

2:24

Um but I want to note too that Councilmember Keating is going to be joining us online, and he'll be participating virtually, so actually once there are motions and second and comments, uh the city clerk will actually enter his votes on his behalf.

2:35

Just wanted to let you know.

2:36

Uh Council uh Vice Mayor Chin will not be here this evening, but uh Count uh Council McKeating will be here kind of watching from the sky.

2:43

So with that said, item number one is called order.

2:46

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

2:52

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

2:55

Public speaker sign up in the council chambers is electronic.

2:58

If you would like to speak during tonight's meeting, please scan the QR code displayed in the chambers and select the agenda item or public appearances period you wish to address.

3:07

If you need assistance signing up, please see a staff member at the back of the chambers.

3:11

If you submitted an online comment card before the meeting and requested to speak, you do not need to sign up again.

3:16

As the presiding officer, I may take agenda items out of order to accommodate scheduling, address items with a large number of speakers, or otherwise to expedite the business of the meeting.

3:54

You may speak during only one of the two public appearance periods.

3:58

If you speak during the public appearances regarding an item that appears later on in tonight's agenda, that will be your opportunity to address that item, and you may not speak on the same topic again when the item is considered.

5:09

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

5:23

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

5:33

The landscape is sacred to them.

5:36

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

5:48

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

6:16

Thank you very much.

6:18

That's going to turn me to it number four to the uh the meeting minutes, I should say.

6:23

That's easy for me to say.

6:24

I'm going to look to Councilmember Amberg to assist with those.

6:26

Item number four A, approval of City Council meeting minutes.

6:29

Councilmember Amberg.

6:30

Yes, thank you, Mr.

6:31

Mayor.

6:31

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

6:35

Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Amberg.

6:37

Do I have a second, and that's from Councilmember Garland?

6:40

All right.

6:41

Please vote on the approval.

6:43

And Councilmember Keating.

6:47

Yes.

6:48

Okay.

6:49

And that item passes six to zero with Vice Mayor Chin absent.

6:53

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

6:57

Councilmember Amberg.

6:58

Yes, thank you, Mr.

6:59

Mayor.

6:59

I move to accept the board commission and committee meeting minutes in items 4B1 through 4B5.

7:05

Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Amberg and seconded by Councilmember Garland.

7:08

Please vote on the approval.

7:11

Yes.

7:12

And that item passes six to zero with Vice Mayor Chin absent.

7:18

Next up, mayor's reports and announcements.

8:04

The Healthy Aging Month Proclamation, I'd like to see if we have staff from our community health and human services team and community services department who can join me down here at the front.

8:36

All right.

8:38

So this proclamation reads: whereas Tempe is a city that values and supports its aging population, recognizing the importance of ensuring that every individual can age with dignity, independence, and a sense of belonging.

8:49

And whereas Tempe is honored to partner with the World Health Organization through AARP Arizona to be an age-friendly community, a designation received in 2022.

8:58

And whereas the City of Tempe's community health and human services and community services departments are committed to fostering an inclusive community where people of all ages and abilities can stay active, build connections, participate in meaningful events, and thrive.

9:13

And whereas by 2030, when all baby boomers will be older than age 65 and are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S.

9:21

history, it is more important than ever to ensure that comprehensive support systems are in place for our aging population.

9:27

And whereas the City of Tempe is developed and is implementing its 2026 to 2030 age-friendly Tempe Action Plan to serve the diverse needs of our community.

9:36

And whereas the action plan supports civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and human services, housing, outdoor spaces and buildings, respect and social inclusion, social participation, and transportation.

9:51

And whereas this work is a testament to the values that define our city, compassion, inclusivity, and a dedication to improving the lives of all who call Tempe home.

10:00

Now, therefore, I, Corey Woods, mayor of the city of Tempe, Arizona, do hereby declare September 2026 as Healthy Aging Month in Tempe, Arizona.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety███████████████████████████████████████████43%

Procedural██████████████████18%

Technology and Innovation████████████████16%

Workforce Development████4%

Public Engagement███3%

Zoning and Land Use███3%

Mental Health Awareness██2%

Hispanic Heritage██2%

Engineering And Infrastructure██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Regular Meeting — September 24, 2026

The Tempe City Council met in regular session on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Mitchell Government Center (Tempe City Hall, 31 East Fifth Street). The council approved consent and routine items, issued four proclamations, and conducted first public hearings on an ordinance that would codify the city's ban on automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and on a power distribution easement for Arizona Public Service Company. No substantive votes were taken on the introduced items. The council briefly recessed and reconvened at 9:25 p.m. for the non-consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

Moved by Councilmember Garlid, the council approved the City Council meeting minutes (items 4A1–4A2), covering the Federal and State Advocacy Review Council Subcommittee (August 14, 2026) and the Revitalization of Tempe Town Lake Council Subcommittee (April 20, 2026).
The council accepted Board, Commission, and Committee minutes (items 4B1–4B5), including the Development Review Commission Regular Meeting and Study Session (both August 25, 2026) and the Transportation Commission meeting (August 11, 2026).
The consent agenda (item 7) was enacted as a group with one motion.
The council approved the utilization of a one-year State of Arizona contract with Fisher Co. (item 8A1).

Proclamations

Mayor Corey Woods proclaimed September 2026 as Healthy Aging Month, September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, September 15 – October 15, 2026 as National Hispanic Heritage Month, and National Community Planning Month, with Community Development Department staff present.

Public Comments & Testimony

During the public appearances period (item 6) and the ALPR hearing, community members addressed housing, emergency preparedness, and ALPR privacy:

A speaker said that because one housing project was difficult to build, the city should not conclude it has done enough to allow housing.
A speaker described the city's roughly 190,000 residents, asking who would help a resident living alone who suffers a stroke and cannot call for help.
Multiple speakers supported codifying the ALPR ban. One said the action would honor America's 250th birthday and continue Tempe's state leadership by protecting residents. A Chandler resident said a 'strong majority' of community members support placing Tempe's decision to stop using ALPRs into city code.
A speaker argued ALPRs capture not just plates but also date, time, location, make and model, bumper stickers, and dents, and that the devices have been abused by local and federal authorities, violating the spirit of the Fourth Amendment.
Another speaker argued 'new rules will not change' the underlying surveillance and questioned the effectiveness of a new ordinance.
One speaker raised the hypothetical that a future state government could use ALPR dragnet surveillance to identify women traveling out of state under a Texas-style abortion ban.
A resident of the Town of Guadalupe said videotaping and photography are not allowed during ceremonial prayers and urged protection for ceremonial practices.
A speaker said residents near a new detention center in the area were more concerned about potential protests over the facility than about the facility itself.

Discussion Items

ALPR Ordinance — Introduction and First Public Hearing

The ordinance would codify the city's decision to stop using ALPRs. It prohibits the city from using ALPR data and provides that, if state or federal law requires the city to permit an installation, the city grants no greater access than the law requires and discloses each installation on the city website. It also bars using ALPR data to reveal a person's location, movements, or identifying information.
Consistent with the City Attorney's advice, the ordinance does not require private businesses to change their operations.
Councilmember Nichols, who introduced the ordinance, has held additional public meetings and continues to meet with stakeholders.
The version before the council was described as very different from the version circulated weeks earlier, and the language was noted as still changing. The public input process included two community input sessions, an earlier council meeting, a survey, and an additional meeting scheduled for October 1, 2026.
Councilmembers expressed caution about treating the survey as a clear mandate while the language continues to change; frustration over the lack of Tempe-specific data on ALPR effectiveness since the city began using the technology around 2022–2023 (with one member noting 'Tempe loves data'); and concerns about multi-jurisdictional task forces, including whether a partner agency's ALPR-derived evidence could be used and whether the ordinance would hinder Tempe's participation in regional narcotics and other task forces.
Councilmembers also discussed whether officers would know in advance what information they may use 'without risking discipline or firing'; whether adequate 'guardrails' exist; and a view that, because no vendor currently provides the needed guardrails, the city should meet the present moment rather than leave the issue to a future council.
No substantive vote was taken on the ALPR ordinance. Further public meetings were scheduled for October 1, 2026, and a final version is expected at a subsequent council meeting.

Power Distribution Easement — First Public Hearing (item 8B5)

The council introduced and held the first public hearing on an ordinance authorizing the city manager (or designee) to negotiate a power distribution easement to Arizona Public Service Company. No vote was taken.

Other Business

A development item concerning the Emerald Center was discussed, including required street trees and how CC&R restrictions limit what the Architectural Board can allow within the Emerald Center; one public speaker testified.

Announcements

Councilmember Amberg announced that the Government Representation and Elections Committee will meet Friday, October 16, 2026, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Key Outcomes

City Council minutes approved; Board, Commission, and Committee minutes accepted.
Consent agenda adopted; one-year State of Arizona contract with Fisher Co. approved.
Proclamations issued for Healthy Aging Month, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and National Community Planning Month.
ALPR ordinance introduced and first public hearing held; no vote. An additional public meeting on the ordinance is scheduled for October 1, 2026.
APS power distribution easement ordinance introduced and first public hearing held; no vote.
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

I know that was rather aggressive, I apologize. So good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting. As you can see, there are two empty chairs next to me, so apparently I forgot to bathe this evening. Um but I want to note too that Councilmember Keating is going to be joining us online, and he'll be participating virtually, so actually once there are motions and second and comments, uh the city clerk will actually enter his votes on his behalf. Just wanted to let you know. Uh Council uh Vice Mayor Chin will not be here this evening, but uh Count uh Council McKeating will be here kind of watching from the sky. So with that said, item number one 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. Public speaker sign up in the council chambers is electronic. If you would like to speak during tonight's meeting, please scan the QR code displayed in the chambers and select the agenda item or public appearances period you wish to address. If you need assistance signing up, please see a staff member at the back of the chambers. If you submitted an online comment card before the meeting and requested to speak, you do not need to sign up again. As the presiding officer, I may take agenda items out of order to accommodate scheduling, address items with a large number of speakers, or otherwise to expedite the business of the meeting. You may speak during only one of the two public appearance periods. If you speak during the public appearances regarding an item that appears later on in tonight's agenda, that will be your opportunity to address that item, and you may not speak on the same topic again when the item is considered. 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 empty fashion 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 author empty posh continue to maintain a deep spiritual connection to this land. Thank you very much. That's going to turn me to it number four to the uh the meeting minutes, I should say. That's easy for me to say. I'm going to look to Councilmember Amberg to assist with those. Item number four A, approval of City Council meeting minutes. Councilmember Amberg. Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move to approve the City Council meeting minutes in items 4A1 and 482. Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Amberg. Do I have a second, and that's from Councilmember Garland? All right. Please vote on the approval. And Councilmember Keating. Yes. Okay. And that item passes six to zero with Vice Mayor Chin absent. Next up, item four B, acceptance of board, commission, and committee meeting minutes. Councilmember Amberg. Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move to accept the board commission and committee meeting minutes in items 4B1 through 4B5. Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Amberg and seconded by Councilmember Garland. Please vote on the approval. Yes. And that item passes six to zero with Vice Mayor Chin absent. Next up, mayor's reports and announcements. The Healthy Aging Month Proclamation, I'd like to see if we have staff from our community health and human services team and community services department who can join me down here at the front.

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