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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Meeting October 15, 2026 Adopts ALPR Ordinance and Approves Major Zoning Changes

City Council — Thursday, October 15, 2026

BodyTempe, Arizona

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, October 15, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:39:25

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

1:17

Good evening, everyone.

1:18

Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting.

1:21

Just as a note, uh Councilmember Garland is joining us virtually this evening as well, so we do have a full group here.

1:27

Also, uh not one's call to order.

1:29

Council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel 11 and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe11.

1:35

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

1:38

Public speaker sign up in the council chambers is electronic.

1:42

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 that you wish to address.

1:49

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

1:53

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

1:59

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

2:06

There are two opportunities for public appearances.

2:09

Item number six near the beginning of the meeting and item number ten near the end.

2:12

When signing up, please select the public appearances period during which you would like to speak.

2:16

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

2:20

If you speak during 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 item again when that time that item is considered.

2:31

Excuse me.

2:32

Thank

Unassigned speaker

2:32

you.

Unassigned speaker

2:32

Now

Speaker 1

2:33

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

Unassigned speaker

3:07

Okay,

Speaker 1

3:08

we will now play a video conveying the city of Tempe's native land acknowledgement statement.

Speaker 2

3:38

Stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city.

3:48

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

Speaker 1

4:26

Thank you very much.

4:27

We're gonna move to item number four meeting minutes, and tonight we'll be led by Councilmember Garland.

4:31

Council Member Garland.

Speaker 3

4:36

Thank you, Mayor.

4:37

Um I would like to make uh move to approve the city council meeting minutes in items four a one

Speaker 1

4:44

through

Speaker 3

4:44

four A four.

Speaker 1

4:45

Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Garland.

4:47

Do I have a second?

4:49

Second by Vice Mayor Chin, please vote.

5:03

Is it?

5:05

There we go.

5:06

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

5:10

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

Speaker 3

5:16

Thank you, Mayor.

5:16

I move to accept the board, Commission and Committee meeting minutes in items 4B1 through 4B6.

Speaker 1

5:24

It's been moved by Councilmember Garland.

5:26

Do I have a second?

5:27

Seconded again by Vice Mayor Chin, please vote.

5:32

And that item also passes six to zero with Councilmember Keating absent.

5:36

Next up, item five reports and announcements.

5:39

I have a few.

6:56

And whereas the 2026 theme is with survivors always, which draws attention to what it means to be in partnership with survivors towards safety, support, and solidarity.

7:06

And whereas by taking a stand, we remind the nation that there are countless people, victims and survivors, as well as their children, families, and friends who are impacted by domestic violence.

7:15

And whereas the city of Tempe offers a wide range of trauma-informed services across multiple city departments to ensure that victims are given the support and services they need.

7:25

And whereas the city's Family Advocacy Center is a model for serving victims of crime in a safe and healing environment in partnership with the Tempe Police Department and Arizona State University.

7:35

And whereas victims, survivors, and family members receive free services from Care 7 victim advocates that are tailored to meet their unique needs from the moment of crisis through healing and recovery.

7:46

And whereas any victim of crime can receive services through the Family Advocacy Center by calling the 24-7 care and hope line at 480-350-8004.

7:56

And whereas the City of Tempe is grateful for the support and expertise of our Tempe Family Justice Commission during domestic violence awareness month and beyond.

8:04

Now therefore I, Corey Woods, mayor of the City of Tempe, Arizona, do hereby declare October 2026 as domestic violence awareness month in Tempe, Arizona.

Unassigned speaker

8:50

All

Speaker 1

8:50

right, next up here, item 5A2, which is the Health Literacy Month Proclamation.

8:56

So I'd like to now invite the Tempe Community Health and Human Services Department who are present.

9:01

Please come down and join me yet again.

Unassigned speaker

9:08

It's

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████45%

Procedural███████████████████████████████31%

Technology and Innovation██████████10%

Zoning and Land Use████4%

Procurement███3%

Health and Human Services██2%

Disability Rights██2%

Public Health█1%

Public Engagement█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Tempe City Council Meeting - October 15, 2026

The Tempe City Council held a regular meeting on October 15, 2026, at the Harry E. Mitchell Government Center in Tempe, Arizona. The meeting began with approval of previous minutes, followed by proclamations, public appearances, and a consent agenda. The council then considered several non-consent items, including final adoption of an ordinance regulating automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and zoning changes for a mixed-use development. Councilmember Keating was absent for several early votes but participated later; votes are reported as shown in the transcript.

Consent Calendar

Item 7 – The consent agenda was approved 7-0, including miscellaneous administrative items, bid awards, contracts, and resolutions.
- Miscellaneous: Appointments to boards, liquor license recommendations for six establishments, and September 2026 payment report.
- Contracts: Renewals and awards for HVAC maintenance, firefighter medical exams, landscaping, diving services, water/wastewater equipment, safety supplies, and engineering/construction projects.
- Resolutions: Acceptance of a Historic Preservation Fund grant, a $200,000 playground donation from KaBOOM! for Esquer Park, an ambulance services IGA with the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, and multiple highway safety grants from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Also approved a waste-collection mutual aid IGA and a victims' rights grant.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Public Appearances (Item 6):
- Deborah Zajak (North Tempe) criticized contract worker compensation and questioned the need for equity consulting and social media influencer services, calling the latter “propaganda.” She referenced the “K-shaped economy” and a 50% increase in pension contributions.
- Noah James Markham (Tempe) requested sewer cleaning, a wave pool, indoor tennis court, better water taste, downtown businesses, and sign language interpretation; also raised disability benefits and safety concerns.
- Susie Sharkey Johnson and her husband (no name given) both urged the council to retain Flock cameras, citing Tempe’s responsible use, drug trafficking data (e.g., 51.4% of fentanyl seized through Arizona’s southern border, 21% Tempe overdose increase), and arguing privacy concerns are inconsistent with other everyday surveillance.
Second Public Appearances (Item 10):
- Mario Martinez asked about consultant David Liebowitz’s invoices, hourly rate ($300–400/hour versus city manager’s $178/hour), and an IRS lien. The mayor noted the item was not agendized and could not be discussed.
Public Testimony on Specific Agenda Items:
- ALPR Ordinance (8C4): Multiple speakers offered positions:
  - Caitlin Contreras (ACLU of Arizona) supported the ordinance as a first step but argued exceptions—especially the subpoena provision—undermine Fourth Amendment protections.
  - Catherine Doran (virtual, Tempe) supported the ordinance and urged expanding protections to exclude ALPR data from outside jurisdictions.
  - Eric Fowler (Maricopa County Libertarian Party) described the ordinance as a “butchered” ban with loopholes, including a “good faith” shield for officers, and pressed for public reporting requirements.
  - Deanna Alvarez (Tempe, speaking for AAPI for Equity) opposed ALPRs due to ineffectiveness (citing Atlanta clearance rates), inaccuracy (citing 10% misread rates on states), privacy, and climate impacts of AI data centers.
  - Nathan Taylor Taft (Chandler, ASU student) supported a full ban, citing constitutional concerns, low efficacy, and widespread constituent support.
  - Ethan Froylin (ASU student) opposed ALPRs as invasive.
  - Darling Justice (Tempe, 64-year resident) asked the council to continue or reject the ban and instead develop regional safeguards.
  - Isabel Hogan (Tempe) supported the ban but also criticized AI data center resource use.
  - Ash Heen (ASU student) opposed cameras on campus as unnecessary surveillance.
- Emerald Center (8C2): Noah James Markham supported the project and asked for more disability housing.

Discussion Items

ALPR Ordinance (8C4)

The council held its second public hearing on Ordinance O2026.46, regulating ALPR technology.

Councilmember Nichols (sponsor) said the ordinance reflects months of collaboration and reaffirms privacy rights.
Vice Mayor Chin opposed a wholesale ban as short-sighted but acknowledged the ordinance’s safeguards.
Councilmember Amberg praised changes that addressed his earlier concerns about lawful incidental use and said he would vote yes.
Councilmember Garland initially had concerns but now supported the ordinance after amendments allowed multi-jurisdictional cooperation and protected officers from liability.
Councilmember St. George supported on Fourth Amendment grounds, calling it a step forward for privacy.
Councilmember Burke (participating remotely) also supported, citing the balance achieved through compromise.
Mayor Woods noted the ordinance preserves officers’ ability to work with joint task forces and shields them from liability. The ordinance passed 6-1, with Vice Mayor Chin voting no.

Emerald Center Mixed-Use Development (8C2)

Final public hearing on a zoning map amendment from GID to MU-4 with a Planned Area Development overlay for 8550 South Priest Drive, including 376 multi‑family units.
Applicant Alexis Proper confirmed a traffic study had been reviewed by staff (Shelley Siler said all intersections operate at acceptable levels). Proper also noted the unit mix includes 30% two-bedroom and 4% three‑bedroom units, on the higher end of a market study for family‑sized units.
Councilmember St. George had previously requested more family units and was satisfied with the mix.
The ordinance was approved 7-0.

Other Non‑Consent Items

8A1 (CDBG): Second and final public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Action Plan Substantial Amendment for FY 2026‑27; approved 6‑0.
8A2 (RPTA): Authorized Amendment One to the IGA with the Regional Public Transportation Authority for transit services; approved 6‑0.
8A3 (Valley Metro): Approved Operations Funding Agreement No. 19 with Valley Metro Rail for light rail and streetcar; approved 6‑0.
8A4 (Concrete Improvements): Awarded a contract to Temcon Concrete Construction for minor concrete improvements; approved 6‑0.
8B1 & 8B2 (First Hearings): Introduced ordinances for a rooftop lease amendment at 525 South Mill Avenue and an easement abandonment for a residence; no vote taken; second hearings scheduled November 5, 2026.
8C1 (Assisted Living Training School): Zoning map amendment from R/O to CSS for 0.34 acres at 1843 East Southern Avenue; approved 6‑0.
8C3 (Group Homes Text Amendment): Adopted text amendment to comply with state SB 1473; approved 6‑0.
8C5 (Fire Capital Transfer): Authorized transfer from Fund 56 to Fund 52 for FY 2025‑26 and FY 2026‑27; approved 6‑0.
8C6 (APS Easement): Authorized a power distribution easement to Arizona Public Service Company; approved 6‑0.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda approved 7‑0.
ALPR Ordinance (O2026.46) adopted, 6‑1 (Vice Mayor Chin dissenting).
Emerald Center Mixed‑Use (8C2) approved 7‑0.
Assisted Living Training School (8C1), Group Homes Text Amendment (8C3), Fire Capital Transfer (8C5), and APS Easement (8C6) each approved 6‑0.
First readings for rooftop lease amendment and easement abandonment; final adoption scheduled for November 5, 2026.
Proclamations declared October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Health Literacy Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting. Just as a note, uh Councilmember Garland is joining us virtually this evening as well, so we do have a full group here. Also, uh not one's call to order. Council meetings can be watched in real time via Cox Cable Channel 11 and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe11. 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 that 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 to otherwise expedite the meeting. There are two opportunities for public appearances. Item number six near the beginning of the meeting and item number ten near the end. When signing up, please select the public appearances period during which you would like to speak. You may speak during only one of the two public appearances periods. If you speak during 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 item again when that time that item is considered. Excuse me. Thank you. Now I'd like to invite everyone who's able and willing to stand and join me in a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay, we will now play a video conveying the city of Tempe's native land acknowledgement statement. Stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city. Embodied cultural values that are integral to their identity and way of life. Thank you very much. We're gonna move to item number four meeting minutes, and tonight we'll be led by Councilmember Garland. Council Member Garland. Thank you, Mayor. Um I would like to make uh move to approve the city council meeting minutes in items four a one through four A four. Okay, it's been moved by Councilmember Garland. Do I have a second? Second by Vice Mayor Chin, please vote. Is it? There we go. And that item passes six to zero with Councilmember Keating absent. Next up, item four B, acceptance of board, commission, and committee meeting minutes, Councilmember Garland. Thank you, Mayor. I move to accept the board, Commission and Committee meeting minutes in items 4B1 through 4B6. It's been moved by Councilmember Garland. Do I have a second? Seconded again by Vice Mayor Chin, please vote. And that item also passes six to zero with Councilmember Keating absent. Next up, item five reports and announcements. I have a few. And whereas the 2026 theme is with survivors always, which draws attention to what it means to be in partnership with survivors towards safety, support, and solidarity. And whereas by taking a stand, we remind the nation that there are countless people, victims and survivors, as well as their children, families, and friends who are impacted by domestic violence. And whereas the city of Tempe offers a wide range of trauma-informed services across multiple city departments to ensure that victims are given the support and services they need.

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