[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] All right, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Tempey City Council, regular council meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd. The time is now officially 6 p.m. Just as a note, Council meetings can be watched live on Cox Cable Channel 11 and at Tempe.gov slash Tempe 11 and virtually through Microsoft Teams as you are this evening. Just a couple of quick notes here. Regarding item 8a8, if you submitted an electronic speaker card to speak on item 8a8,
[0:29] Discussion and possible reconsideration regarding the July 1, 2025 vote on ordinance number
[0:37] 02025.25, which was Amusements and Parks and Recreation Code Amendments, please note that
[0:43] public comment will take place after Council and staff discussions on that item, which will
[0:47] be moved up in the agenda to be considered immediately after we get done with City Manager's
[0:53] announcements.
[0:54] Also, just want to note, too, that speakers will be called in the order in which our speaker
[0:59] cards were received, and will state their name and city of residents for the record.
[1:03] Also regarding public appearances, which is item number six, if you submit an electronic
[1:08] speaker card to speak on a matter that's not on tonight's agenda, you will be recognized
[1:12] in the order in which your card was received during the public appearances portion of the meeting.
[1:18] Just as a note, too, if you speak on the agenda item during public appearances, that will
[1:22] be your only opportunity to speak on that topic.
[1:25] you may not speak again when the scheduled item comes up later in the meeting.
[1:29] Also instructions for public speakers this evening.
[1:32] So if you visit www.tempi.gov slash council comment.
[1:38] So once again www.tempi.gov slash council comment and complete the electronic speaker card
[1:46] and select the first option I will be attending the meeting virtually to personally comment.
[1:51] When it's your turn to speak, I will call your name, you will be then given the ability
[1:56] to unmute your microphone, and you'll have up to three minutes to address the City Council.
[2:01] A countdown timer will be visible on the screen to help you keep track of your time.
[2:06] For tonight's meeting, we kindly ask that you submit your card no later than 6.15 p.m.,
[2:12] so 12 minutes from now, or 11 minutes from now, to ensure the smooth operation of this
[2:16] virtual meeting.
[2:17] Please note that when Microsoft Teams, which is the vehicle that we're using for tonight's meeting,
[2:22] the hand raised function is not monitored during city council meetings,
[2:26] as it is not practical for staff to manage that while trying to run the meeting at the same time.
[2:31] Submitting the electronic speaker card at once again www.tempi.gov slash council comment
[2:37] is the best way to guarantee your place in the speaker queue.
[2:42] So I now like to invite everyone to join me in a moment of silence followed
[2:46] by the Pledge of Allegiance.
[2:59] Thank you.
[3:02] Next up, item number three, the Pledge of Allegiance.
[3:06] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic
[3:12] for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[3:22] Tonight's agenda has a number of items that the City Council was considering order to conduct
[3:26] city business. We will now play a video with the proper protocol for ensuring the appropriate
[3:33] The City of Tempe welcomes public comment at this time.
[3:36] Disruptive behavior will not be allowed.
[3:39] Continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers.
[3:43] We need to be able to hear everyone in the room.
[3:45] Behavior that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any city council meeting is not helpful and is not permitted.
[3:53] This includes behavior both inside and outside of the council chambers.
[3:57] should individuals inside the council chambers become disruptive so that city
[4:01] business is not able to be conducted. The mayor will first ask that the
[4:04] individuals allow city business to be completed. There will be time for public
[4:08] comment during the call to the audience portion of the meeting. If no
[4:11] cooperation, the mayor will issue a verbal warning and let them know that the
[4:15] continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the council chambers. If
[4:19] there is still no cooperation, the mayor will issue a second verbal warning and let
[4:23] them know that the continued disruptive behavior will lead to removal from the
[4:26] council chambers. If there is no co-operation after asking and to verbal warnings, then
[4:31] the mayor will ask security officers to remove only those individuals who are causing
[4:35] the disruption. Security personnel should not engage in any way, but only escort them from
[4:40] the council chambers. If individuals refuse to leave, security personnel shall warn them
[4:45] that they are trespassing, and that the next step will be arrest by a Tempe police officer.
[4:49] Tempe officers may have to arrest if individuals refuse to leave.
[4:53] Charges for trespass and disorderly conduct may apply, as well as other charges.
[4:58] Should anyone be asked to be removed, the mayor will recess the meeting.
[5:03] Thank you very much. We're now going to play a video conveying the city of Tempe's
[5:07] latest native land acknowledgement statement.
[5:10] We wish to acknowledge that Tempe is the homeland of the native people
[5:14] who have inhabited this landscape since time immemorial.
[5:18] These ancestral lands of the Atom known as Pima, Pipash known as the Maricopa, and their ancestors extend far beyond our city.
[5:28] This land continues to be spiritually connected to the Atom of the Salt River Pima, Maricopa Indian community, and Hila River Indian community.
[5:37] We accept the responsibility of stewarding those places and solemnly pledge to consider this commitment in every action.
[5:48] We're now going to move forward to item number 4 which are meeting minutes and tonight
[5:52] I'll be assisted by vice mayor Garland.
[5:57] Thank you mayor.
[5:57] I would like to make a motion to approve the City Council meeting minutes in item 4A1.
[6:06] It's been moved by vice mayor Garland do I have a second.
[6:09] Second.
[6:11] Seconded by council member Hodge.
[6:13] For the ease of this I'm just going to do a roll call vote based on where I see you and
[6:17] my screen.
[6:17] Councilmember Amberg.
[6:21] Aye.
[6:22] Councilmember Chin.
[6:25] Aye.
[6:26] Councilmember Edts.
[6:27] Aye.
[6:29] Vice Mayor Garland.
[6:30] Aye.
[6:31] Councilmember Hodge.
[6:33] Aye.
[6:34] And aye vote aye as well.
[6:36] That item passes 6-0 with Councilmember Keating absent.
[6:40] Next up, item 4-b, acceptance of Board Commission and committee meeting minutes.
[6:44] Vice Mayor Garland.
[6:46] Thank you, Mayor.
[6:46] I move to accept the board commission and committee meeting minutes in items 4B1 through 4B14
[6:54] Okay, it's been moved by vice mayor Garland. Do I have a second?
[6:58] Second, okay
[6:59] I think that was who was it was a second. I'll catch up with Amber. Yes. No, it was it was me those atoms. Okay. No, it's not
[7:07] I was it was hot. Wow. Okay, sounds good. I know I'm a voice. I heard a couple of voices at the same time
[7:13] So I'm totally flexible on it. It's on it. We're right back in 2020. So I'm going to say this. It's been moved by Vice Mayor Garland. It's seconded by Council member Hodge. Once again, I'll call for a roll call. Council member Amber.
[7:30] I Council member Chin.
[7:33] Aye.
[7:34] Council Member Adams.
[7:36] Aye.
[7:37] Vice Mayor Garland.
[7:39] Aye.
[7:40] Council Member Hodge.
[7:41] Aye.
[7:42] And aye vote aye as well.
[7:44] That item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating absent.
[7:48] Next up, item 5 reports an announcements.
[7:50] Item 5A1 is the recognition of the career-ready intern, Grace Wombacker.
[7:55] This item is actually going to be continued to another regular council meeting date to be determined.
[8:00] but we want to make sure that we recognize Grace here,
[8:03] but we will do a proper recognition of her
[8:05] at an upcoming meeting.
[8:07] Next up to item 5-8-2, the Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission
[8:12] Appointments for the 2025-2026 school year.
[8:15] I just want to note two, these appointments are outlined
[8:19] in item 7-8-1 on this evening's consent agenda,
[8:22] which the council will vote on immediately following my announcements.
[8:25] But I want to make sure that I can actually read out here
[8:28] The names of the people who are the commissioners and it's unfortunate. They were at the last meeting on Thursday
[8:34] And they were they were going to be sworn in in person. So we're gonna go ahead and do this virtually though
[8:40] So I want to first introduce here from Corona Del Sol high school. Shejjuti islam
[8:46] Also from Xavier College Preparatory, McKayla Schmal
[8:51] From Corona Del Sol high school, Shrinathy, Shao Ria
[8:56] Sharia, next up from Coronadale High School, Nathan Braun, also from McClintock High School,
[9:04] Margaret Case, also from McClintock High School, Zoe Ackley, from Bropey College Preparatory,
[9:13] Charles Chen, from Tempe Preparatory Academy, Emma Hahn, from Tempe High School, Adeline Schlemmer,
[9:22] and from Corona Del Sol High School, Propange Suresh, please all kind of in your
[9:29] own way, virtually give those wonderful young students a round of applause and
[9:33] we appreciate all of our my act commissioners for taking part in this activity
[9:37] with the city. So now, let's see, I'd like to move over the support of the city
[9:44] count. I'd like to see if we could get a motion on item 7a1 to approve 10 new
[9:49] appointments to the City of Temphe's Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission.
[9:55] It looks like it was moved by Council Member Hodg and seconded by Council Member Chin.
[10:00] Once again, I'm going to go ahead and call for a roll call vote.
[10:03] Council Member Amberg,
[10:09] Council Member Amberg,
[10:14] Council Member Chinn, aye.
[10:18] Council Member Adams, aye.
[10:21] Vice Mayor Garland, aye.
[10:23] Okay. Council Member Hodge and I vote I as well.
[10:30] That item passes 5-0 with Council Member Annabelle.
[10:34] And that, so.
[10:35] On your back.
[10:36] Ah, okay.
[10:37] Excuse me, Annabelle.
[10:37] Perfect.
[10:38] Then that item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating.
[10:42] Absent.
[10:42] Thank you, Council Member Annabelle.
[10:44] Just want to also note, too, that all commissioners will complete their oath of office forms and then file them with the City Clerk's Office.
[10:52] So what's again, congratulations to our new commissioners next up item five eight three appointments to the Family Justice Commission Veterans Commission and Public Safety Personnel Retirement System.
[11:03] I want to congratulate the following individuals on their new appointments to the Family Justice Commission, which is Assistant Chief Dane Sorenson from the Tempe Police Department.
[11:12] The Veterans Commission Dylan McDade, who is an at-large Tempe resident and the Fire and Police Public Safety Personnel Retirement System boards.
[11:21] and that would be Laurie Messer.
[11:24] All of these appointments are detailed in agenda item 7-8-2,
[11:27] and so to each of you, thank you for your commitment and your service,
[11:31] your contributions help shape the future of our great city.
[11:35] Those are all of my announcements for this evening.
[11:38] Next up, I'm going to turn to our City Manager, or item 5-B.
[11:42] City Manager's Reports and Announcements,
[11:44] but can I also just note to Madam City Manager,
[11:47] I wanted to say congratulations on the birth of your new grandchild before you actually continue with your announcements.
[11:54] Thank you, Mayor. We are pretty excited.
[11:58] Augie Dean Camperry was born 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and now Sam has a little brother.
[12:04] So thank you. Yeah, very excited here.
[12:07] So good evening, Mayor. I, for the time that I yielded for this meeting, I thought it would be appropriate in light of the incident last Thursday.
[12:17] to ask Assistant Chief Swig to provide an update to the Mayor and Council on the community.
[12:24] Assistant Chief Swig, are you on?
[12:27] Yes, I am. Thank you, Madam City Manager. Can you hear me?
[12:30] Thank you. Yes, perfect. Thank you.
[12:32] Mr. Mayor, Council members and community members.
[12:36] Last Thursday, just before 6 p.m., our department was alerted to a thread made on social media
[12:42] against those attending the Tempe City Council meeting.
[12:45] No matter the source, online, by phone, in-person, or otherwise, we treat every threat with the utmost seriousness.
[12:55] After evaluating this one, we determined it to be credible.
[12:59] Out of abundance of caution, the in-person meeting was canceled.
[13:03] Officers assisted approximately 75 community members in safely leaving the council chambers and then secured the area.
[13:10] There is no meeting or event that outweighs the safety of our community, and today's
[13:16] charge environment, vigilance, and precaution are essential.
[13:21] The Tempe Police Department's Criminal Investigations Bureau is actively investigating this case.
[13:26] Because it is ongoing, we cannot release additional details at this time, but we are committed
[13:31] to a thorough and professional investigation.
[13:35] We are also conducting a review of security procedures at Tempe City Hall and council chambers
[13:41] until that review is complete and we are confident in the safety of these spaces.
[13:45] We are recommending that city council meetings be held virtually.
[13:49] Our responsibility is clear to safeguard the people of Tempe.
[13:53] That was our priority on August 28th and will remain our priority every day.
[13:59] Thank you Madam City Manager.
[14:04] Thank you, Chief. Mayor, that is all we have for this evening.
[14:08] Thank you, Madam City Manager, and thank you, Assistant Chief Swig, as well, greatly
[14:12] appreciated. Next up, I want to now move an item up here that I know was the reason that
[14:20] most people were here for the August 28th meeting, and it's probably the reason that the majority
[14:24] of people are logged in this evening to make sure that people are not waiting long to get
[14:29] to this item, which is Item 888, which is now under miscellaneous items, bids, contracts
[14:35] and resolutions. This item actually reads discussion and possible reconsideration regarding
[14:41] July 1, 2025 vote to adopt ordinance number 02025.25, amending the Tempe city code Chapter 5 relating
[14:51] to amusements and by amending Chapter 23 relating to parks and recreation.
[14:57] I also need to note to
[15:00] Number two, rule 21 of the city council rules a procedure for reconsideration of decisions, because this is not a very common thing that happens in front of this governing body. After the decision on any question, so that was after the decision of anything that happened back on the, during the previous council meeting on July 1st, any council member who voted with the prevailing side may move for reconsideration of any action at the same or at the next succeeding meeting provided.
[15:29] However, a resolution authorizing or relating to any contract may be reconsidered at any time before the final execution thereof.
[15:38] A motion to reconsider shall require a two-thirds vote of all council members, whether present or not, not disqualified from voting by an actual conflict of interest or who have stayed from voting due to a potential conflict of interest, but in no event by less than four affirmative votes.
[15:56] So what that means and actual sort of English is that it would take five votes by the council to actually formally reconsider an item that would constitute two thirds of the council.
[16:07] The August 28th, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th regular council meeting was to be the next succeeding meeting after the July 1st, a 20th, a 20th, a 20th regular council meeting.
[16:18] but because that meeting had to be postponed, this September 2nd meeting would then be the next
[16:23] succeeding meeting after that July 1st, 2025 meeting. All members of Council voted in favor of
[16:30] ordinance number 02025.25, so any Council member could move for reconsideration of the vote.
[16:39] If anyone is inclined, the suggested wording of the motion is as follows. Mayor, I move that the
[16:45] Council reconsider its July 1, 2025 vote in favor of ordinance number 02025.25 and now vote
[16:54] against the adoption of ordinance number 02025.25 with the intended result that ordinance
[17:02] number 02025.25 be withdrawn and of no further force or effect.
[17:10] So once again, the way we're going to do this this evening, I'm going to first turn to our
[17:14] City Attorney, Eric Anderson for some comments. I've got a brief statement afterwards. We are then
[17:20] going to go to the public comment for the folks who signed up for this item and then I will turn
[17:25] to council member comments or a possible motion after that. So first of all, we're going to go ahead
[17:31] and turn to our City Attorney, Mr. Eric Anderson. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and council. Are you
[17:37] able to hear me? Okay. Yes, we can. Okay. I will proceed. For convenience sake, I'm just going to
[17:43] refer to it as the ordinance rather than the numbers. So I just a brief
[17:50] recollection, rehash of the events in June of 2025 earlier this year, there was
[18:00] litigation ongoing against the city and our office legal recommended that we move
[18:06] forward with consideration of an ordinance, the ordinance in fact at that time
[18:12] because of the pending litigation. That was in light of several months of work on the ordinance
[18:19] and it kind of gave us a position where, because of the status of litigation at that time,
[18:25] we felt from the legal perspective that was the best procedure and we couldn't necessarily do
[18:30] some of the public outreach that the city might have ordinarily done. As you recall, this council
[18:37] voted to adopt the ordinance at the July 1st slash July 2nd meeting after it was first introduced
[18:46] at the June meeting and then there was a referendum filed by a group interested. That referendum
[18:53] petition did submit enough signatures and the court, excuse me, the clerk has certified those
[19:00] petition signature. So it will be subject to referendum. Just a quick comment on the legal
[19:07] effect that once the referendum was certified, the legal effect is the ordinance itself will
[19:15] not become effective and can't become effective until such time as it were approved by a majority
[19:22] of the qualified voters voting in the election that it was scheduled for. So our next scheduled
[19:28] of election is March of 2026.
[19:32] That'll include the candidate election,
[19:34] but this could be added as a special election item
[19:38] to have the Tempe voters vote on the ordinance.
[19:42] I put this matter on your agenda,
[19:46] just to discuss where we are status wise as well
[19:49] as giving you the option for reconsideration
[19:52] as set forth in your council rules of procedure,
[19:54] as you point out mayor and your opening statement there.
[19:58] quick update on the litigation status after the referendum was submitted, we did speak with the
[20:09] council for the plaintiffs in that litigation. We discussed proceeding in light of the
[20:17] referendum that was largely considered to be moved. And now through some discussions and ultimately
[20:25] court action, that case is now dismissed. So the litigation status is that case is dismissed,
[20:32] and therefore it gives us a little bit of a luxury of time because there isn't any litigation
[20:38] hanging over our head. So in light of that, I brought this item forward, so this council could
[20:45] consider how it wants to proceed. There is no pending litigation at this time. We do have
[20:52] time, and whether or not we want to consider a, I'll just also point out that the law is
[21:01] such that these councils legislative powers not taken away by the referendum, it just means
[21:06] that that particular ordinance would be referred to the voters.
[21:11] This council still has the power to adopt different legislation, so I'm asking the council tonight
[21:20] to just discuss the next steps, whether you want to take a look at the vote in
[21:25] accordance with your rules of procedure, or any other direction you might want to give to staff.
[21:31] So with that, Mayor, I'm happy to entertain any questions that there might be, or I'll also
[21:36] stand by if there's future questions. Thank you, Mr. City Attorney, appreciate that.
[21:42] So just a quick statement on my part regarding this. So I just want to say I really do appreciate
[21:48] the background and the clear presentation of the options this council can consider tonight.
[21:53] So I also appreciate, of course, how important this issue is to many of our residents,
[21:57] our business community, city staff, as well as, of course, my double council members.
[22:02] As such, we need to make sure that everyone feels safe, but I mean everyone, safe and welcome
[22:08] in Tempe's 50 neighborhood and community parks. We need to preserve the quality of life for Tempe
[22:14] residents who live near the parks and we need to protect the constitutional rights of our residents
[22:19] who use the parks as a place to gather. The drive to find the best solutions and to strike the
[22:25] proper balance among these competing interests is what led us to revise special events ordinance
[22:29] 5-2. Now a year into that process though the challenge is we find ourselves no closer to a workable
[22:38] were the solution then we were a year ago. But as the city attorney did
[22:43] explain to us this evening we do have some options. So the first option is we
[22:47] don't have to do anything. We can wait until March and we can let the voters weigh
[22:52] in. The election result might stay our new ordinance or it might return us back to
[22:57] the original ordinance which was challenged in court once and surely would be
[23:01] challenged again. Our other options each involved taking action to rescind the
[23:06] ordinance, that's actually for me personally the approach that I favor and I'd actually
[23:11] just like to explain why to the council and to the folks watching this meeting.
[23:16] So before council's summer break, we passed that new special events ordinance because
[23:20] of the lawsuit that our city attorney Eric Anderson mentioned, we had a really tough decision
[23:25] that we had to make and we had to move very quickly.
[23:29] To me public involvement really is mission critical.
[23:32] It's also one of the things that the City of Tempty, frankly, does best.
[23:37] Last year we actually had more than 100 neighborhood and public meetings on everything from the
[23:42] heat safety ordinance to street improvements.
[23:45] I and the council, I know, went to dozens of those meetings.
[23:50] And I can tell you in every instance, the feedback that we got from residents and the full range
[23:55] of city stakeholders always makes the solutions better.
[23:59] and gets more buy-in from members of the public.
[24:03] And I can tell you, this happens every single time.
[24:07] So as the city attorney mentioned,
[24:09] now without the threat of litigation,
[24:11] we have the opportunity to take the time necessary
[24:13] to have important conversations
[24:15] about what we as a community want for our parks,
[24:19] for our events, and for our city as a whole.
[24:22] I really do think that it would give everyone
[24:24] a voice on this issue that's obviously
[24:26] of enormous importance and it will most importantly create a better ordinance.
[24:32] So I personally would like to see us reconsider ordinance 02025.25 and ask our neighborhood
[24:39] services office to create a public improvement plan to discuss the creation of a potential
[24:45] new ordinance for our parks and special events.
[24:48] But with that, before we get to council member comments as I promised before, we're going
[24:53] go ahead and turn to the public comment on item 888. And I'm going to then once again
[24:58] take these in the order in which we receive them. And the first speaker this evening is
[25:03] Bobbi Nichols. And for everyone, if you could please state your name and city of residence,
[25:09] you have three minutes.
[25:11] Good evening, Mary and Council. My name is Bobbi Nichols. I'm speaking today as a
[25:15] tempi resident of 25 years in ASU graduate, a local lawyer and legal author of the referendum
[25:22] that gathered near 5,000 signatures to protect our parks, our organizers, and our unhoused neighbors.
[25:29] On July 1st, more than a hundred of us packed these chambers, well, the chambers that we were in
[25:33] on July 1st, to tell you how harmful the park's ordinance was. We expressed concern about how the
[25:39] language of the ordinance encouraged arbitrary enforcement and unequal standards. We spoke about
[25:44] how it created issues for the expression of free speech, like how it would impact the protest
[25:48] us put on by tempi rising into visible and we implored you to vote no because we know
[25:53] that cities across the valley lack the resources to sufficiently address issues of housing
[25:58] and homelessness and ordinances that target good Samaritans are not evidence-based answers
[26:03] to addressing the root causes of homelessness. The experience of watching you all unanimously
[26:08] vote in favor of the ordinance after hours and hours of public comment about how harmful
[26:13] until it was, grows community members to engage in this fight, and our hard work collecting
[26:18] signatures in the brutal July heat has brought us to this point. We are now asking you,
[26:24] our elected leaders, to do your part in listening to the community. It's time for the city of
[26:29] 10PU to engage with residents in good faith and complete transparency. If the concern isn't
[26:35] the political will to push back on anti-Homeless rhetoric, let this referendum effort and the
[26:40] coalition of involved community groups assure you that will exist in Tempe and it isn't going
[26:47] anywhere anytime soon. When you are all ready to have a conversation about what an ordinance
[26:52] that meets the needs of the community looks like, my door is open, the ball is in your court.
[26:58] Before I yield the rest of my time, I want to thank our coalition of comrades from the Phoenix
[27:02] Metro Chapter of DSA, Arizona, Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders for Equity Advocates.
[27:08] 10p first, the sharing food is not a crime coalition.
[27:13] The young Democrats of Arizona at Arizona State University, for standing up to defend
[27:17] our communities and our constitutional rights, this is what civil engagement looks like.
[27:23] This is what democracy looks like, and I am so inspired by our success.
[27:29] Today, we are protecting public event organizers.
[27:32] Tomorrow, we will make 10p affordable for everyone.
[27:38] Thank you very much.
[27:39] Next speaker I have at the queue is Mandy Everett.
[27:43] If you can please state your name and city of residence, you have three minutes.
[27:51] Hello. My name is Mandy Everett. I am a resident here in Tennessee.
[27:57] I spoke at the last council meeting urging you not to pass the ordinance.
[28:03] And to be completely honest, I have lost a little faith.
[28:08] like any expectation that what I say here today is going to have an effect on your decision,
[28:13] but I do hope you'll give me out. But that honestly was part of the problem. I think at the
[28:19] July 1st meeting, when you said that we're in a minority on this, it's because the circles
[28:26] you're spending your time in might be donor circles or circles with people with the time and
[28:30] resources to engage regularly. And I don't really feel like you took the time to hear from your
[28:35] residents. So we wound up doing it for you over 120 of us for my diverse coalition of organizations
[28:43] came together to brave the triple digit weather and spoke to thousands of Tempe residents.
[28:49] I personally collected signatures from my over 160 residents even with pay opposition trying to stop
[28:55] people from signing my petition for much of that time. I'm telling you this not because I want to
[29:01] brag or anything like that but because that level of effort I don't feel should be necessary
[29:05] to having my voice as a constituent firm.
[29:08] The best time to get community input,
[29:10] so we can have an ordinance
[29:11] that meets the needs of all template residents,
[29:13] was before this was unanimously passed,
[29:16] despite all of us who spoke out against it,
[29:18] but the next best time is now.
[29:20] And I want to thank you for considering
[29:22] repealing this ordinance now.
[29:24] And it is my hope that you will repeal it
[29:27] and going forward,
[29:28] we can get something that actually works for all of us.
[29:30] So with that, you'll have my time.
[29:33] Thank you.
[29:33] Thank you. The next speaker I have is Paul Joseph Sacco, and please state your
[29:41] name and city of residence. You have three minutes. Mr. Mayor? Yes. We do not see
[29:49] Paul in the virtual audience. Okay. Then in that case I will move to our next
[29:56] speaker, which is Dave Wells.
[30:09] There, there is a David, but I believe he's on the public's appearances list. Okay. Is that, is that David, what Dave Wells or David Sokolowski?
[30:27] They are. Are you talking to me? Can you hear me? Who's this? This is David Crenshaw. I, I'm just, I, I'm not any of these people.
[30:39] Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. No. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Mr.
[30:44] Crenshaw. Appreciate you tuning in tonight. So, so so Madam Clerk, I'll ask is is is
[30:51] is Mr. Dave Wells in the virtual audience this evening? We do not see a Dave Wells in the audience.
[30:57] Okay. Okay. Then I'm going to turn to the next speaker is Catherine Margot Dorn is
[31:12] Is Catherine Margot-Doren in the virtual audience?
[31:15] Yes, and we enable her.
[31:18] Oh, there we go.
[31:20] Hi, Ms. Doren.
[31:20] Can you please state your name and city of residence?
[31:22] You have three minutes.
[31:23] Yes, sir.
[31:24] I'm Catherine Doren.
[31:26] I'm a Tempe resident.
[31:28] Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
[31:30] Like the previous two speakers,
[31:32] I urge you to please recent this ordinance.
[31:36] And rather than attempt to draft something
[31:39] with either similar intent or similar effect later, I am asking you to please stop the
[31:49] efforts to basically appease the nimbiest crowd and please stop enforcing and implementing
[32:01] new regulations that basically criminalize the act of existing well homeless. I know that
[32:08] you were under a lot of pressure. I know that a lot of
[32:12] tempi residents have genuinely bought into the fear
[32:15] mongering about homeless people, and although they
[32:19] themselves, the people afraid of their homeless
[32:23] neighbors, have shelter, have locked doors, have adequate
[32:27] food, water, AC, and fundamentally in every way are much safer
[32:32] on a regular basis than the homeless people they are terrified of.
[32:36] If your mongering has been effective, and they really are pleading with you to save
[32:43] them from people who are much worse off and in much more dire straits than they are.
[32:49] I believe that the answer to this is public outreach and educating those people who are
[32:55] afraid of their homeless neighbors, that they have been pretty washed with all due respect
[33:00] them by ableist and classist and anti-homeless fear of mongering. And that if they would really like
[33:08] to do a service for their neighbors themselves and their community, they should advocate for
[33:13] higher taxes, especially for wealthier people and those grown more property to fund more and better
[33:21] services to get people housing, get people city purchased food, but in the meantime, since
[33:30] I realize those resources do not currently exist for the city, the best that the city
[33:37] council can do is to cease the attacks on homeless people and instead prioritize their
[33:43] right to exist in public. Any of us could become homeless. I am very aware of that personally.
[33:51] is not happened yet to me. It may very well in the near future.
[33:56] Homeless people have the right to exist in public, especially when the city cannot provide them with housing in Louisville flipping on the streets.
[34:04] Thank you so much for your time. I yield the rest of my time. Sorry.
[34:08] Thank you. Appreciate it.
[34:11] The next speaker I have, Madam Clerk, is Samuel?
[34:14] I don't have a last name here. Just a first.
[34:17] We do have a Samuel and a virtual audience, so we'll unmute him.
[34:24] Okay, Samuel, if you could please state your David City of Residence. You have three minutes.
[34:28] Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is Samuel Title Bell.
[34:32] I am a resident of Tempe, I live in North Tempe, I'm also a faculty member at ASU.
[34:39] I was one of the folks in this coalition who was out there collecting signatures in the
[34:46] middle of the summer in between writing grants and doing experiments and preparing for
[34:51] my next class because I think this is important.
[34:54] I think that democracy is important and I think that first of all I want to thank you for putting
[35:06] this on the item on the agenda, and I do hope that the City Council will vote to reconsider
[35:11] this ordinance. I am a big believer in the fact that a politician can do things that
[35:18] you don't like as many times, many, many times, and you should still congratulate them and
[35:24] praise them and say that, you know, it is good and right and helpful. If you do the right
[35:31] thing even if it's a little later than you would have liked. So thank you for reconsidering
[35:40] this ordinance and I hope that the product of the campaign that this coalition has been
[35:46] running over the course of the summer helps you get a better sense of where the community
[35:52] is at, where your constituents are at and what our needs are. And I also hope that it gives
[36:00] you the sense that we are willing to work hard to help you get to where we as a community
[36:08] want to be. We are here to help craft a new ordinance to craft other complimentary
[36:16] policies that can help with homelessness and tempe that can help with protest and tempe
[36:24] that can help with all of these issues that we brought up during the consideration of
[36:29] this ordinance, but maybe the solution isn't to repeal the ordinance or not to repeal
[36:35] the ordinance, but letting this be the start of a broader conversation that we can engage
[36:42] with the city on.
[36:44] So, thank you.
[36:45] Thank you.
[36:47] And the last speaker I have at the queue this evening is Dylan Wilde.
[36:56] Hello.
[36:57] Can you all hear me?
[36:57] Okay.
[36:58] Yes, Mr. Wilde.
[36:59] You can state your name and city of residence.
[37:00] You have three minutes.
[37:01] Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Dylan Wilde. I am a 10-B resident in the
[37:07] Co-Chair of the Phoenix Metro chapter of DSA. I would like first to share on behalf
[37:12] of Phoenix DSA our unequivocal condemnation of any and all threats to the safety of city
[37:18] council meetings. These threats are not helpful and only serve to undermine our ability to
[37:23] come together and participate in our local democracy. Everybody, including the unhoused, deserve
[37:30] of a safe city. Furthermore, we also condemn any and all racist remarks against the mayor
[37:36] and council members. This is not the kind of politics, the hundreds of DSA members who
[37:42] live in Tempe try to champion. When I was last before you, I spoke at length about
[37:47] our experience as an organization providing aid to the unhoused on a shoestring budget while
[37:52] also trying to navigate stepped up enforcement and expensive permits. It was also clear from
[37:58] conversations with other aid organizations in Tempe that permits were being denied to groups
[38:03] who sought to use them to assist the less fortunate in public spaces. When council voted to approve
[38:09] the July 1st ordinance, DSA members decided unanimously to join forces with organizations like AZAANHPI,
[38:17] Tempe first, and AZ Young Dems to launch an ambitious referendum campaign with the ultimate goal of
[38:24] repealing the ordinance. Our experience on the campaign is that the people of
[38:28] Tempe overwhelmingly support our cause. If this were not true, it would not have
[38:33] been possible for us to collect 4,500 signatures in the short period of one
[38:37] month. Phoenix Metro DSA supports a repeal of the ordinance and would interpret
[38:43] such an action as a sign of good faith. We too are committed to engaging in good
[38:48] faith. It is time to invite those of us who have been impacted by these policies
[38:52] to come together with counsel to draft an ordinance that protects freedom of speech,
[38:57] assembly, and the ability to provide aid in public spaces. Furthermore, we are confident
[39:03] that Bobby Nichols has the experience and credibility in the community to mend the damaged
[39:08] relationship between counsel and organizations like ours. He has the vision and the know-how
[39:14] to unify the community in this challenging moment and get things done. DSA trust him,
[39:19] And DSA members trust him to speak with us and for us on this important issue.
[39:24] We're optimistic that by coming together with local government, we can restore these
[39:29] damage relationships and once again share a positive vision for Tempe.
[39:33] Thank you, Mayor and Council.
[39:35] Should you wish to meet, our door is open.
[39:38] I look forward to hearing from you.
[39:41] Thank you.
[39:42] Appreciate it.
[39:43] Our clerk has also indicated to me that there are no other cards this evening on that item.
[39:48] I do know that I got a note here from Councilmember Chin, as well, who's had a comment.
[39:58] Thank you, Mayor.
[40:01] Well, in light of the updates this evening on the lawsuit, and now that the lawsuit has
[40:06] been dismissed, it seems that we are now afforded an opportunity to expand resident input.
[40:15] So with that I'd like to submit a motion and then depending on the outcome of the motion I may have some requests for staff.
[40:25] So I took some notes as you were speaking. So let me get this right.
[40:32] I move that the council reconsider its July 1st 2025 vote in favor of ordinance 02025.25.
[40:43] and now vote against the adoption of O2025.25,
[40:50] with the intended result that the ordinance be withdrawn and be voided.
[40:57] I'll second that motion, Mayor.
[41:00] Thank you very much.
[41:01] It's been moved by Council Member Shin to reconsider the ordinance
[41:06] and it's been seconded by Vice Mayor Garland.
[41:10] Any other comments by Council?
[41:12] Mayor, I'd just like to add on to what Councilmember Chin just said.
[41:18] I agreed since we don't have the urgency any longer.
[41:21] I'm looking forward to the extended community outreach.
[41:25] And I also look forward to continuing the discussion on this ordinance and the reasons
[41:29] why and any parks and special events ordinance that we bring back in the future with updates
[41:36] and community input.
[41:38] So I appreciate the time.
[41:39] Thank you.
[41:40] Sounds good. Thank you. Vice Mayor Garland. Council member Amber.
[41:46] Yes, thank you Mr. Mayor.
[41:48] I too want to echo that. I am very glad that we've now got the time to send this back through
[41:54] the normal ordinance process and that we're going to get a bunch of feedback before it comes back to us.
[42:00] I'm sorry, those are actually my dogs that you hear in the background. I'll five of them.
[42:04] As somebody that has utilized the parks a lot in the last 15 to 16 years with my kids
[42:11] sports, with a bunch of fundraisers that I've done, I am, I am intimately involved in
[42:17] what goes through getting these permits.
[42:20] So I'm very excited that we're going to have a second chance at this.
[42:24] May I ask you, Councilor Bramberg?
[42:26] Councilor Brogge?
[42:28] Yes, I echo my other council members in you on this.
[42:31] I do believe that it should be heard by all everyone in the community, because I don't
[42:37] think that even I agree what they said.
[42:41] I don't think that everybody got a chance to weigh in on it.
[42:44] I also believe that also the education community has came to me and said they didn't get a
[42:48] chance to weigh in on it also, and they were like that chance too.
[42:51] So I think it's good that we're going to bring it back and let everybody, every single person
[42:56] in Tempe who wants to weigh on it, get a chance to weigh in on it.
[42:59] Thank you.
[43:00] Thank you very much. Anyone else from Council with a thing?
[43:06] Okay, hearing none, just want to note that there was a motion on the floor by Council
[43:12] of Member Chin. And once again, I can read what you said. I believe Council of Member Chin
[43:20] that you moved that the Council reconsider the July 1st, 2025 vote in favor of ordinance
[43:26] number 02025.25 and now vote against the adoption of ordinance number 002025.25 with
[43:37] the intended result that ordinance number 02025.25 be withdrawn and of no further force
[43:44] or effect. That motion was made by Council Member Chin and it was seconded by Vice Mayor
[43:49] Garland. Hearing no other comments from Council, I will once again take a roll call vote from
[43:57] where I can see people here. So Council Member Amberg. I Council Member Hodge. I Council
[44:06] Member Chin. I Vice Mayor Garland. Is Council Member Adams there? Yes. I, okay. And I vote
[44:17] I as well, that item passes 6 to 0 with Council member Keating absent, which means it does clear the two-thirds threshold to that ordinance is now resented.
[44:32] That brings me to item number 6, public appearances.
[44:36] According to the Arizona Open Meeting Law, the City Council may only discuss respond to or take action on matters listed on the agenda for discussion and legal action.
[44:45] The purpose of the open call to the public is to allow individuals to address the City Council on any issue within its jurisdiction.
[44:52] No person shall speak more than once, and comments are limited to three minutes per speaker, to allow all members of the public a reasonable opportunity to speak.
[45:00] If there are a large number of requests, I may limit speaking time to less than three minutes. Speakers will be called in order in which the speaker cards were received. Each speaker must date their name and city of residents for the record before beginning their remarks. Visual aides, phone callings and pre-recorded comments are not allowed. Members of the public are asked to refrain from making personal impertinent or slanders remarks or from becoming boisterous while addressing the city council or while attending virtually.
[45:27] The City Council is prohibited by state law from discussing, responding to, or taking action on matters raised during the call to the public, unless the subject is listed as a specific agenda item.
[45:38] However, individual members of the council may respond to criticism, asked after review a matter, or request that an item be placed on a future agenda.
[45:46] Once again, this portion of the meeting is reserved for those wishing to speak on matters
[45:50] within the jurisdiction of the City Council that are not listed elsewhere on tonight's agenda
[45:54] for discussion or legal action.
[45:56] If you speak now about a topic that appears on the agenda, this will be your only opportunity
[46:00] to speak on that item.
[46:02] I should also note as well, I forgot to read this portion here.
[46:11] Just wanted to take a moment before we start, also to address campaign related activity, especially
[46:16] is we are now in the 2026 election season.
[46:19] City Council meetings are open to the public
[46:20] and are a vital for a specific engagement.
[46:23] We welcome all individuals, including candidates,
[46:25] to speak on matters of public concern
[46:27] during the public comment portion of the meeting.
[46:29] However, because this is an official city council meeting
[46:32] that is both televised and live-streamed
[46:34] using city resources, we ask all candidates
[46:36] including any current council members
[46:38] to refrain from election hearing
[46:40] or campaign related activity
[46:42] while participating in this meeting.
[46:43] That means no discussing your candidacy, asking for votes of signatures, or displaying campaign
[46:48] materials such as signs, t-shirts, or literature while speaking.
[46:52] Thank you again for helping us to maintain the integrity and neutrality of our public
[46:57] meetings.
[46:57] With that, I will go ahead and start the public appearance section in the order of which
[47:02] I received the comments.
[47:03] And first up, I have Anjali Swamy.
[47:18] Madam Clerk, is Anjali in the audience this evening?
[47:21] Yes, she is and we did allow her to unmute herself.
[47:34] Ms. Wamy, can you hear me?
[47:39] Can you hear me?
[47:40] Yes, please state your name and city of resident.
[47:44] You have three minutes.
[47:47] Respected Mayor and members of the city council.
[47:49] I speak to you today as a proud member of the American Hindu community in Arizona
[47:53] and as someone who cherishes both the values of a great nation
[47:58] and the bonds of friendship between the United States and India.
[48:01] Our community is heartbroken by the horrific attack that took place in Minneapolis last
[48:06] week.
[48:07] Two innocent children were killed and two more are in critical condition.
[48:12] The attackers manifesto and paraphernalia glorified radical Islam in the September 11th hijacker
[48:19] Muhammad Atah and called for destruction of Israel in India.
[48:23] A similar attack was carried out by a radical Islamist in Belgaam, India on April 22, 2025.
[48:30] This brutal and cowardly act took the lives of 26 innocent Hindus, wounded many more
[48:37] and devastated families and communities, not only in India but among the Indian diaspora
[48:42] here in the United States.
[48:45] We urge you to stand with us in unequivocally condemning the senseless act of terror and expressing
[48:51] solidarity with the victims, their families and the people. We remember the horrors of September
[48:57] 11, 2001, when Terror struck the heart of America. We recalled October 2023, Hamas,
[49:04] massacre on Israel, where innocent civilians were targeted with cruelty and hate. We see
[49:09] monthly attacks across Europe from Paris to Brussels to London. All reminders that terrorism
[49:15] is not found by borders. It is a global threat. So we must ask if the United States truly
[49:21] safe and free from terror, as long as terrorism tries anywhere fueled by extremist ideologies
[49:27] cross-border support and state-sponsored actors. No democracy is completely secure. This
[49:34] is why we call on you not just to denounce the Minneapolis attack and the Belgarmatag, but
[49:39] to help lead a united front among the world's democracy we must stand together.
[49:45] The United States, India, Israel, Europe, and other freedom-loving nations to confront
[49:50] terrorism in all its forms wherever it arises.
[49:54] This means cutting off funding, dismantling networks, holding enables accountable and speaking
[49:59] out against the ideological extremism without fear or favor.
[50:04] India as a sovereign democracy and close ally of the United States must have the right
[50:09] to defend its people just as America would.
[50:11] It is well documented that many of these attacks are planned and launched from a cross-India's
[50:17] border with Pakistan, addressing cross-border terrorism is not just a regional necessity,
[50:22] it is a global imperative.
[50:24] We respectfully urge this body to raise its rights not only for the victims of Belgaon,
[50:29] but for all victims of terrorism, past, present, let us reaffirm a simple, powerful principle.
[50:35] there can be no tolerance for terrorism anywhere under any justification or by any state or
[50:41] group that enables shelters or sponsors it. In unity, our voices can send the message that is
[50:46] louder than hate, a message of peace, justice, and an unshakable commitment. I'm sorry, that's time,
[50:52] so thank you. Okay, the next speaker I have of the queue is Mario Martinez.
[51:00] please state your name and city of residence you have three minutes can
[51:14] you
[51:14] hear me yes we can hear you Mr. Martinez please state your name and city of
[51:18] residence you have three minutes yes my name is Mario Martinez I reside in
[51:23] tempi at this point the in-person city council meetings have been canceled
[51:28] there might have been a valid threat this last Thursday and today we are still
[51:34] not sure while I can I definitely condemn any threats I have we have not seen sufficient
[51:41] evidence that they occurred okay. What is we are sure is that the Cory led city governments
[51:48] conveniently canceled that meeting and this one is not is not in person. It is indisputable
[51:56] that the corrupt public officials who passed the park ordinance including Cory's 370
[52:03] $1,000 per year city manager were present at the well publicized three illegal city hall
[52:10] meetings.
[52:11] They severely undermined their governmental legal investigative credibility by illegally
[52:17] discussing a covert surveillance program targeting tempting citizens described as cave people.
[52:25] The organized effort against the petition drive was funded by unnamed parties who needed
[52:32] no identification. Cory and or his allies were the only ones who had the campaign
[52:39] infrastructure, the funding, and most of all the motivation to fund a bunch of
[52:45] mercenary drugs against the petition. In fact, the campaign followed the money trail
[52:51] immediately to disclose financial links between Cory's past campaign, his pack
[52:57] allies to the same groups these operatives claim to be working for. The Coriolide
[53:03] thugs relentlessly harassed petitioners and petition signers. One online
[53:08] Gune named Pat sent out mass unsolicited text messages to tempt these
[53:14] citizens. In June my wife passed away at home and my sons were with her in the
[53:21] room when the hospice nurse declared her dead. Eight days after my deceased wife
[53:27] was taken off of the voter rolls by the county recorder my family received a message from Pat,
[53:33] my wife's cell phone telling her not to sign the the socialist petition. These are the
[53:39] reprehensible tactics of Cory's park ordinance allies who have evidently failed. Cory's always
[53:47] talking to us about civility and then integrity. Then he turned around and let's this stuff go on.
[53:56] Cory could be in such a hypocrite for once.
[54:01] Goodbye.
[54:03] Thank you very much.
[54:04] We're going to move on to the next speaker.
[54:06] David Sokolowski, you have please
[54:07] state your name and city of residence.
[54:09] You have three minutes.
[54:11] Hello. Can you hear me?
[54:12] Yes, we can hear you.
[54:14] Yep. My name is David Sokolowski.
[54:15] I live in Tempty.
[54:16] I just want to thank Councilmembers
[54:18] for reconcering parks.
[54:19] And I hope we can continue to work on that.
[54:20] But I'm going to talk about housing.
[54:23] Tempty has one of the worst housing shortages in the state.
[54:25] and is a leading cause of the housing crisis in Maricopa County.
[54:29] Based on the general plan, Tempe's housing shortage would increase at least 70% by 2050 because of new jobs.
[54:36] That's why it's not enough for the general plan to theoretically produce 200,000 units.
[54:41] You have to actually build that.
[54:42] But the purpose of the general plan is to prevent housing from being built because we know projects will pencil out.
[54:48] A good example was the student housing project in Apache.
[54:51] when the general plan was used as justification to deny housing to 1,000 people.
[54:57] Unless it's Shalimar, then the general plan doesn't matter and you shouldn't build housing there either.
[55:03] We need to triple the current rate of construction, and that's why it's imperative that Tempei
[55:08] implements a density bonus program. It will build market rate housing to sport job growth,
[55:13] and it will build low-income housing to prevent displacement.
[55:16] It will also generate more income through permanent fees and tax revenue, and it will
[55:20] replace the rental tax.
[55:22] You voted to cut funding for affordable housing, and I think a density bonus program
[55:27] is the only way forward, but the city's new program could displace up to 30% of the city's
[55:32] population and build only 10% of our low income housing.
[55:36] I think 90% in Tempe will be renters.
[55:40] The city is reaching a point of absurdity, but denial is a luxury that no renter can afford
[55:45] in the state is listening. Anyone can read the writing on the wall. Many
[55:50] states are taking away local control. The state will look at Tempe's housing
[55:54] report and we'll see that you're not building 8,000 units a year and there's
[55:58] no way the general plan could ever produce 200,000 by 2050. If you can't solve the
[56:03] housing shortage, then the general plan no longer serves its purpose. You might
[56:09] ignore me because you don't like what I'm saying or because you don't like my
[56:12] tone. The Tempies affordable housing is being completely wiped out. The city is spending millions of
[56:18] dollars in not solving the root cause of the problems. The city needs to reduce the 23,000 unit
[56:25] housing shortage and increase revenue for the city by millions of dollars so we can continue to
[56:30] fund services in our city. That's how cities pay for amenities like public transit and parks.
[56:37] Tempies claims it's doing everything it can to solve the housing crisis, but it's not offering
[56:42] emergency bonus. Maybe the state can help with that. I don't care how long it takes,
[56:47] and I'm not going to stop, because I don't have the privilege of giving up. Thank you for listening.
[56:53] Thank you. Next speaker I have in the queue is Deborah Zajak?
[57:09] Hear me? Yes, please take your name and city of residence. You have three minutes.
[57:14] Good evening, Mayor and council. My name is Deborah Zajak, a Doris North Tempe resident.
[57:18] and today I'd like to address two items,
[57:21] the economy and comparative data.
[57:24] Regarding item number one, the economy,
[57:26] at a previous council meeting where the city managers
[57:29] raised was approved, you sometime explaining your concerns
[57:32] that the reactions that some residents have regarding
[57:35] the amount of the raise may be because she is a woman.
[57:39] Looking at the composition of our current city council,
[57:42] I see that your constituents do not have an issue
[57:45] with women holding positions of power and influence,
[57:48] and it is not an issue for me.
[57:51] I view it through a different lens.
[57:53] I speak for myself, but I know that there are others
[57:55] who aren't agreement on this topic.
[57:57] I share this also so that you might broaden your view
[58:00] of the concerns of your constituents.
[58:02] For me, it is the economy.
[58:04] We recently have seen the cost of living go up
[58:06] that has not been seen in years.
[58:08] For those with discretionary income, we see their shrinking.
[58:12] For those living paycheck to paycheck,
[58:14] it is a real squeeze.
[58:16] It is also during this time period
[58:18] that we were reminded by you
[58:20] that the city is going to lose revenue
[58:22] from the elimination
[58:23] of the rental tax passed by the state.
[58:26] The city's manager pay raise
[58:28] last year was 5% or 15,750.
[58:32] This year the percentage is more than
[58:33] double that, closer to 12%,
[58:35] and the amount is also more than
[58:37] double or $40,000.
[58:40] Councilmember Adam pulled this
[58:41] from the agenda last year to question why nobody was concerned about the previous city
[58:45] manager salary. From what I understood it was 267,000. Going from 267,000 to 370,000 in
[58:55] two and a half to two years is a 38% increase. I don't know too many average working people
[59:01] who have seen their wages increase by 38% during that same time period. Regarding item number
[59:08] to comparative data. I think I had the same list that you quoted from because I was surprised
[59:13] that you included Glendale and it was included on this list. One thing to note is that
[59:18] Tempe is the smallest city on the list with a population under 200,000. Phoenix does pay their
[59:24] city manager over 400,000 but they are more than 8 times larger than Tempe at 1.6 million residents.
[59:32] Mesa pays $350,000 a year and is two and a half times the size of Tempe.
[59:38] Most cities have 70 to 100,000 more residents.
[59:42] Also consider that a large portion of Tempe is under the control of ASU so there is not
[59:47] the property tax revenue generated for the city.
[59:51] I know this won't make a difference to the contract but maybe you will gain a greater understanding
[59:55] of an appreciation for the concerns of your constituents.
[59:59] Thank you for the time.
[1:00:00] Thank you. The next speaker I have is Ali Barnett is
[1:00:15] Ali Barnett there. Hi, yes.
[1:00:22] Hi, my name is Ali Barnett. I live in Tempe, formerly I lived up in North 30 second, and I am here today because I want to implore the city of Tempe to replicate what was done to physically
[1:00:39] facilitate the re-imagining of North 32nd from one of the most
[1:00:45] 151 women it became
[1:00:48] undervalued and within three years it was one of the top neighborhoods in Phoenix
[1:00:54] To accomplish this the city of Phoenix conducted a ULI top study which identified
[1:01:00] Where more housing was needed what kind of businesses we should bring in where senior housing needed to be and I
[1:01:09] I really strongly believe that this is a necessary step.
[1:01:14] Formerly, I was part of ULI Next.
[1:01:17] I've served on the Paradise Valley, the most planning committee,
[1:01:20] and the City of Phoenix transferred all of the licensing
[1:01:23] for North 32nd to me.
[1:01:26] I have started a Gregory Temple to focus on the areas outside
[1:01:30] of the downtown Temple corridor and the ASU land,
[1:01:34] because we are peace-mealing together, Daniel, Plaza,
[1:01:38] Food City and all of this and we need a comprehensive
[1:01:42] strategic plan to be able to accomplish this.
[1:01:46] I additionally, for transparency, I am an Arizona and California
[1:01:51] real estate broker with over 23 years of experience
[1:01:54] in both commercial, infill building and
[1:01:58] making developments appear as though they've been there for 20 years
[1:02:02] when maybe they've only been there for two.
[1:02:06] And I also serve on Valley leaderships, housing committee, and Tempe is one of our next
[1:02:14] areas of focus.
[1:02:15] These comprehensive plans need to include sustainability, affordable housing, continuation
[1:02:22] of multimodal transit, more trees through organizations like Trees Matter, which already
[1:02:29] offers complimentary trees with SRP and is a beautiful organization. Easier
[1:02:35] access to food, water, and shelter for our most vulnerable, homeless, and
[1:02:41] domestic violence survivors. A legendary tempi, like I said, will be modeled
[1:02:47] after the success of North 32nd, which is located from Drini Jarl all the way up to
[1:02:53] Paradise Valley Community College, a very large area akin to Tempe, where we have 85281,
[1:03:03] 85282, 85283. And each of these has its own already, you know,
[1:03:09] Yaka top room. I mean, each of these has its own unique portion. And I'd also encourage the city of Tempe
[1:03:18] to make more stringent policies for absentee landlords who do not provide
[1:03:26] for the basic safety. And I'm sorry that that that's time is for that I'm sorry.
[1:03:32] The thank you appreciate it. Okay the next speaker I have the cue this evening
[1:03:39] is Brooks State George.
[1:03:48] Miss State George can you hear me?
[1:04:00] Mr. Mayor we do have her
[1:04:04] I'm sorry to interrupt. I am here, but I had signed up to speak on Thursday. I was I was not planning on speaking tonight. So okay.
[1:04:16] No, no, no, no worries at all. Thank you. Okay. Thank you.
[1:04:20] Appreciate it. All right. The next speaker I have then is Curtis Wood.
[1:04:30] Okay. I'm muted my mic. I'm sure you can hear me.
[1:04:34] Yes, you have three minutes.
[1:04:36] Yes, Curtis Wood, I'm a resident of Tempe.
[1:04:40] I'm here tonight representing the Shalimar Association.
[1:04:43] I'm the treasurer of that organization.
[1:04:46] I want to say I'm sorry that we've had to do
[1:04:48] this virtual meeting because of some threats from somebody,
[1:04:53] but I'm confident that Chief McCoy,
[1:04:55] Assistant Chief Swag and all the good people of
[1:04:57] the Tempe Police Department will get to the bottom of this issue.
[1:05:01] I just want to let you know that the Shalamar Association and the thousands of people who have
[1:05:06] signed our petition, including those that have houses that touch the golf course, are not going
[1:05:13] away. We are going to be back when you have meetings in person. You will see the green shirts again.
[1:05:22] We are vigorously opposed to any rezoning of the Shalamar golf course. It would be great if it stays
[1:05:29] is a golf course, but if it becomes something else under its current zoning situation, that
[1:05:37] is fine with us. But again, we're not going away. We'll see you at the next Council
[1:05:43] meeting in our green shirts. Thank you. Thank you so much.
[1:05:49] Madam Clerk, is Maria Hertz in the virtual audience?
[1:05:54] She is not. Mr. Mayor, we do not see her in the virtual audience.
[1:05:59] Okay, then I will move forward to my last speaker here, which is Noah James, Marka.
[1:06:07] Can you hear me?
[1:06:10] Yes, please state your name and city of residence. You have three minutes.
[1:06:13] Okay. I'm Aloha. Mayor and to the rest of the city council. My name is Noah James, Marka.
[1:06:21] And I'm a resident of 10B.
[1:06:24] and I would like to talk about consent agenda 770, 1570, 1675. I am very happy that
[1:06:37] Tempe is thinking about disabilities and I hope that you spread more awareness
[1:06:43] through this. As having a disability my whole life and feeling unsafe around a
[1:06:49] police officer is a big concern in this city and other cities in Arizona around the country.
[1:06:57] And just because someone of a parent that has a kid with the disability doesn't mean that the
[1:07:04] parent will understand. Another concern I hope that can be Diablo Stadium does a better job with
[1:07:13] the fire we're showing next time during 4th of July, and I suggest maybe a New Year's
[1:07:24] show at the stadium, maybe, and then also I totally disagree with the council with the
[1:07:32] a coyote hockey team that was not okay for me.
[1:07:38] And then with the Tempey Parks, I am for the Tempey Parks.
[1:07:44] And I hope that you guys create good concerts, loud concerts,
[1:07:49] and amazing concerts.
[1:07:51] So, Mahalo, and thank you for your time.
[1:07:54] Thank you, appreciate it.
[1:07:56] Thank you.
[1:07:57] All right, that is the last speaker in the queue.
[1:07:59] So that will end the public appearance
[1:08:01] is portion of this evening's agenda, which means I will move on to item number 7, which is
[1:08:05] the consent agenda. All items on the consent agenda will be considered as a group and will be
[1:08:09] enacted with one motion by the City Council unless an item is removed for separate consideration.
[1:08:14] Public hearing items are designated as public hearing item at the beginning of the item title.
[1:08:18] Council members may remove any item for separate consideration or to declare a conflict of interest.
[1:08:23] If a council member would like to declare a conflict at this time, the City Clerk will provide
[1:08:27] the council member with the disclosure for. As a reminder, anyone wishing to speak on a
[1:08:32] public hearing item needed to submit an electronic speaker card at tippy.gov slash council
[1:08:37] comment to guarantee their place in the speaker queue. With that said, the consent agenda this
[1:08:43] evening is listed as miscellaneous items 7A2 through 7A12, awards of bids and contracts item 7B1 through
[1:08:51] 7B37 and resolutions item 7C1 through 7C16.
[1:08:56] Also as a reminder, item 7A1 had already been voted on
[1:09:00] by the council early in the evening
[1:09:01] to approve the Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission appointments.
[1:09:04] So I'll ask the council now,
[1:09:06] are there any agenda items that you'd like to have removed
[1:09:08] from the consent agenda for separate consideration?
[1:09:11] No, move to approve.
[1:09:14] Okay, so it's been moved by Spare Garland
[1:09:17] to pass the consent agenda,
[1:09:19] which is once again the Selenius items 7A2 and 7A12,
[1:09:23] awards of fits and contracts,
[1:09:25] items 7B1 through 7B37, and resolutions,
[1:09:28] items 7C1 through 7C16.
[1:09:31] Do I have a second?
[1:09:32] Yes, I have a second.
[1:09:34] Seconded by Council Member Hodge.
[1:09:37] Once again, I'm gonna call for a roll call based on
[1:09:40] where I see you on the screen,
[1:09:41] which means Council Member Hodge.
[1:09:44] Hi.
[1:09:46] Vice Mayor Garland.
[1:09:47] Aye. Council Member Chin. Aye.
[1:09:54] Council Member Adams. Aye. And Council Member Amberg. Aye.
[1:10:00] And I vote aye as well, that item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating absent.
[1:10:08] Which
[1:10:09] very interesting now is that the screen now has other people in it, but actually not all
[1:10:13] the Council members at the top. I don't know if there's any way Jason or Cara to kind
[1:10:17] of reorder things. So all the council members are on the screen.
[1:10:23] That would be helpful.
[1:10:27] I'm not sure if that's possible. I'm not exactly the tech guy, but I figured I would at
[1:10:30] least put in that request. All right here. So with that said, I'm going to move on to item
[1:10:37] 8, non-consent agenda. All items listed on the non-consent agenda will be considered separately.
[1:10:43] I've just been told that that's not possible. So I'm going to make sure, obviously, I remember
[1:10:46] to keep calling on all of you. So if I don't count to six for whatever reason, just throw
[1:10:51] So all items listed on the nine consent agenda will be considered separately, a agenda item scheduled for introduction and first public hearing will be heard but will not be voted upon at this meeting.
[1:11:01] A agenda item scheduled for second public hearing and final adoption will be voted upon tonight.
[1:11:05] Council members who may have a conflict of interest may have staying from voting on a matter and the city clerk will provide the council members with the disclosure form at this time.
[1:11:12] Please note that the zoning items with public hearing notice requirements, including the
[1:11:17] ADU hearing and the revelry second hearing, are originally scheduled for the August 28th
[1:11:22] regular council meeting, are being moved to the September 18th regular council meeting.
[1:11:27] With that said, we're going to move on to item 8A, miscellaneous items, bids, contracts
[1:11:32] and resolutions.
[1:11:33] The first item under the section is 8A1, which is to adopt a notice of intention to increase
[1:11:38] waste water, waste water, and solid waste rates, and set the time and date for the public
[1:11:44] here are going to propose increases at 6 p.m. on November 6, 2025.
[1:11:49] Council, any comments or discussion?
[1:11:53] That moved.
[1:11:54] That moved by Council Member Amberg.
[1:11:57] Do I have a second?
[1:11:58] Second.
[1:11:59] Seconded by Council Member Hodge.
[1:12:01] Okay.
[1:12:01] Let's go here.
[1:12:03] Roll call vote, Council Member Hodge.
[1:12:05] Aye.
[1:12:07] Vice Mayor Garland.
[1:12:09] I. Council Member Chin. I. Council Member Amber. I. Council Member Adams. I. And I vote
[1:12:18] I as well that item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating absent. The next item under this
[1:12:24] section is 8-8-2 which is to ratify the annual excess insurance renewal program
[1:12:28] administratively approved by the risk management trust board for coverages including property damage,
[1:12:33] auto-physical damage, workers' compensation, public entity liability, cyber liability,
[1:12:39] dam and bridges, and environmental pollution for fiscal year 2025-2026.
[1:12:44] Councilmember Ziti, councilmember Ziti, councilmember Ziti, councilmember Ziti.
[1:12:47] Moved to approve.
[1:12:49] Moved by councilmember Adams.
[1:12:51] Do I have a second?
[1:12:51] Second.
[1:12:53] Seconded by councilmember Chin.
[1:12:55] Let's see, roll call vote.
[1:12:56] Councilmember Hodge.
[1:12:58] Aye.
[1:12:59] Vice Mayor Garland.
[1:13:00] Aye.
[1:13:01] I, Council Member Chin, I, Council Member Amber, I, and Council Member Adams, I, and I vote
[1:13:10] I as well that item passes 6 to 0 with Council Member Keating Absent.
[1:13:15] The next item under the section is 8A3, which is to ratify the utilization of a 17-month
[1:13:20] source flow cooperative contract with Vertisoft LLC for a professional project management services
[1:13:25] to assist with the selection and implementation of the new enterprise resource planning software
[1:13:30] solution. Council members, any comments for discussion?
[1:13:34] So moved.
[1:13:35] Been moved by Council Member Hodge over a second.
[1:13:39] Seconded by Council Member Amber, a roll call vote, Council Member Hodge.
[1:13:44] Aye.
[1:13:45] Vice Mayor Garland?
[1:13:47] Aye.
[1:13:48] Council Member Chin?
[1:13:49] Aye.
[1:13:50] Council Member Amber?
[1:13:51] Aye.
[1:13:52] And Council Member Adams?
[1:13:54] Aye.
[1:13:54] And I vote aye as well, that item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating absent.
[1:14:00] The next item under the section is 8-8-4, which is to approve a two-year contract renewal
[1:14:04] with high-tech network and security solutions LLC to provide Cisco networking and voiceover
[1:14:09] internet protocol, equipment, and services.
[1:14:12] Council members, any comments or discussion?
[1:14:15] Move to approve.
[1:14:16] It's been moved by Vice Mayor Garland, do I have a second?
[1:14:21] Second?
[1:14:22] Seconded by Council Member Amber, roll call vote, Council Member Hodge, Vice Mayor Garland.
[1:14:31] Aye.
[1:14:32] Council Member Chin.
[1:14:33] Aye.
[1:14:34] Council Member Amber.
[1:14:35] Aye.
[1:14:36] Council Member Adams.
[1:14:38] Aye.
[1:14:39] I vote aye as well.
[1:14:40] That item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating absent.
[1:14:44] The next item under the section is 885, which is to approve the utilization of a one-year National
[1:14:49] Association of State Procurement Officials Cooperative Contract with Knowledge Services
[1:14:54] for Temporary Staffing Services.
[1:14:56] Council members, any comments or discussion?
[1:15:00] If we move by Council Member Hodge, and seconded by Council Member Adams, let's do a roll call, Council Member Hodge. Aye. Vice Mayor Garland. Aye. Council Member Chin. Aye. Council Member Amber. Aye. And Council Member Adams. Aye. And aye, vote aye as well. That item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating absent. The next item under the section is 8-6, which is to approve the utilization of one-year state of Arizona cooperative contracts with Tucson Business Interiors.
[1:15:30] Transact, commercial furnishing, Dave Scott Associates, Incorporated, Goodlands Incorporated,
[1:15:36] Corporate Interior Systems Incorporated, Atmosphere Commercial Interior Systems Incorporated,
[1:15:42] Tab Office Resources Incorporated, Facilitech, Wist Office Products, and Elon Tech LLC
[1:15:48] for the purchase of furniture products and related services.
[1:15:52] Council, any comments or discussion?
[1:15:54] Motion to approve, been moved by Council Member Adams, have a second?
[1:15:59] Second. Seconded by Vice Mayor Garland, roll call vote. Council Member Hodge.
[1:16:03] Aye. Vice Mayor Garland. Aye. Council Member Chin. Aye. Council Member Amberg. Aye. Council
[1:16:12] Member Adips. Aye. And I vote aye as well. That item passes 6-0 with Council Member Keating
[1:16:18] Absent. Next item under the section is 8-8-7, which is to adopt the resolution authorizing
[1:16:23] the Mayor to sign operations funding agreement number 18 with Valley Metro Rail
[1:16:27] Incorporated for the purchase and supply of light rail and street car transit services.
[1:16:33] Council members, any comments or discussion? I'm motion to approve.
[1:16:37] Ah, it's been moved by council member Adamson. Who was the other one?
[1:16:40] I was vice mayor. Ah, seconded by vice mayor Garland. It was like your voices merged into one.
[1:16:49] We'll call both here, Council Member Hodge.
[1:16:52] Aye.
[1:16:53] Vice Mayor Garland.
[1:16:55] Aye.
[1:16:56] Council Member Chin.
[1:16:58] Aye.
[1:16:58] Council Member Amber.
[1:17:00] Aye.
[1:17:01] And Council Member Adams.
[1:17:03] Aye.
[1:17:04] And that item, and I cheat.
[1:17:06] I vote aye as well.
[1:17:07] And that council that item then passes six to zero
[1:17:09] with Council Member Keating absent.
[1:17:13] Next up, the last item in this section is eight a nine
[1:17:17] which is to approve a five year commercial lease
[1:17:19] with renewal options with GKI industrial phedix LLC for 27,540 square feet of reddable space
[1:17:26] located at 2404 west 14th street that will be utilized to house the facility's services
[1:17:32] division and information technology operations.
[1:17:35] Council members, any comments or questions?
[1:17:37] Thank you.
[1:17:37] The move by Councilmember Adams and seconded by Councilmember Hodge, a roll call vote,
[1:17:41] Councilmember Hodge.
[1:17:43] Aye.
[1:17:44] Vice Mayor Garland?
[1:17:46] Aye.
[1:17:46] Aye.
[1:17:47] Councilmember Chen?
[1:17:48] Aye.
[1:17:50] Councilmember Amber?
[1:17:52] Aye.
[1:17:53] Councilmember Adams?
[1:17:55] Aye.
[1:17:56] And aye vote aye as well, that item passes 6-0 with Councilmember Keating absent.
[1:18:01] The next section on the non-consented agenda is ordinances and items for introduction and
[1:18:05] first hearing.
[1:18:06] The items under the section will be read and introduced tonight but no substantive votes will be taken.
[1:18:11] The second hearing votes are scheduled for September 18, 2025.
[1:18:14] So, the first item under the section is 8v1, which is to introduce an old-the-first public hearing to adopt an ordinance amending to Fee City Code Chapter 12.
[1:18:23] Articles 2 and 3 relating to drainage and flood control by amending sections 12-16 through 12-35 relating to floodplain management and repealing section 12-36 relating to floodways.
[1:18:37] Council members, any questions for city staff regarding item 8v1?
[1:18:42] Mr. Mayor. Yes, I just want to say that I'm really happy this is going forward. We've
[1:18:50] been working on this for many years and it looks great to me. So thank you very much.
[1:18:56] Thank you, Councilor Raditz. Do you have a motion on that item?
[1:18:59] Sure, I can move on. No, there's no motion.
[1:19:02] Actually, no one. Okay, so I got to head up myself. I was already looking forward to September
[1:19:06] 18. So me too. Any other comments or questions from Council?
[1:19:17] All right. Seeing none, this
[1:19:18] also is a public hearing item. So if there's any public testimony, Madam Clerk, I will look
[1:19:24] to you.
[1:19:27] Mr. Mayor, we have not received any cards on this item.
[1:19:32] Excellent. Thank you so much that I will close the public testimony portion of the public
[1:19:37] and Councilmember just want to reiterate the second and final public hearing on this item is scheduled for September 18th, 2020-25.
[1:19:45] The next item under this section is 8B2, which is introducing all the first public hearing to adopt an ordinance amending the Tempe City Code, Chapter 2, Article 5, Division 6, Section 2-2-2-5, to add youth members to the Human Relations Commission.
[1:20:00] Councilmember Ziddi, comments or questions of City staff on item 8B2.
[1:20:06] I just want to make a comment. I think adding youth members to any and all of our
[1:20:12] traditions is the right thing to do. I think their voice is really important and we are
[1:20:18] going to be in their hands soon and so it's great to have them a part of some of the decision
[1:20:22] making that we do. So I think this is great.
[1:20:26] Excellent. Thank you so much, Vice Mayor. Anyone else in any comments or questions?
[1:20:29] Yeah, I have a question. Yes, I just want to ask a question is how are they going to recruit for it?
[1:20:36] I agree with vice mayor. I think it's great that we have representation from the youth, but I was just wondering how they plan to recruit to get those, those, seek those positions filled.
[1:20:51] Let's see is is Dr. McMillan Humes on the line?
[1:21:04] Madam Clerk, we know if Dr. McMillan is. Oh, yes, he is.
[1:21:11] Mr. Mayor, we made her a presenter so she can unmute her mic.
[1:21:17] Fantastic.
[1:21:18] So, Dr. you know, Councilmember Hodg's question I know was she thinks it's a great idea that
[1:21:22] we're going to be adding youth members to the Human Relations Commission, but the question
[1:21:26] is how will we go about actually recruiting those members to make sure that all students of the
[1:21:30] city of Tempe know this opportunity is available to them?
[1:21:33] Well, one will energize our PIO passion and so that this information will go out to the public, but we planted to work real closely with our school district.
[1:21:46] It's for 9 through 12 graders. We are actually making it even easier for them to participate so that they have a year to year basis to re up their membership.
[1:21:57] they'll have the same duration as all the other commissioners, but a lot more
[1:22:02] flexibility with time because we know their lives changed very, very much
[1:22:07] often than our adult or our older commissioners. So we plan to work with our
[1:22:13] school district as well as our charter schools and other any other outlets where
[1:22:19] young people are. So yes, we will be good partners with our school districts. Thank
[1:22:26] Thank you so much for that question. My other suggestion is we have a lot of homeschool kids in our neighborhood, so we have to figure out to make sure it's out in our websites and our water bills because some of the homeschool kids will not be able to see it as well as the school kids in schools. Thank you.
[1:22:42] Thank you for mentioning that and I have to say working in our colleges, a lot of homeschool students have been very good leaders.
[1:22:55] in very active and volunteer positions, so it would be a miss if we didn't do everything
[1:23:02] we could to get those things. So, thank you for that recommendation Council Member Hodge.
[1:23:08] Thank you. Any other Council members? Any comments or questions for City staff on this item?
[1:23:17] All right. So, hearing none, we'll see you in the second and final public hearing on this item,
[1:23:21] scheduled for September 18th, 2025. The next item under the section is 8B3, which is to introduce
[1:23:27] an old the first public hearing to adopt an ordinance to transfer budget appropriation
[1:23:31] from fund 31 water wastewater fund to fund 35 solid waste fund to provide sufficient
[1:23:37] appropriation for debt service payments. This is also a public hearing so is there any
[1:23:42] public testimony on this item madam clerk?
[1:23:47] Mr. Mayor no cards received on this item or the next
[1:23:51] items. Okay sounds good I have to say that I'm shocked by that. So I'll go ahead and close
[1:23:57] the public testimony portion of the public hearing. Council members, any comments or discussion?
[1:24:04] All right, hearing none. The second and final public hearing on this item is scheduled for September
[1:24:07] 18, 2025. So that takes us to the next item here, which is 8 before, which is to introduce it all
[1:24:14] the first public hearing to adopt an ordinance to transfer cash from fund 35 solid waste fund
[1:24:19] to fund 34 solid waste capital improvement program to provide sufficient funding for CIP project
[1:24:24] number 3, 4, 0, 7, 4, 4, 9, which is the City Regional Radio System Maintenance and Replacement.
[1:24:32] I know Madam Clerk said there aren't any speakers, so Council members, any comments or questions
[1:24:36] on this item?
[1:24:38] 8B4.
[1:24:40] Mr. Mayor, this is Council Member Adams?
[1:24:42] Yes, Council Member Adams?
[1:24:43] I'm really glad that we're considering this because it is about police and our safety
[1:24:49] in our communities.
[1:24:50] So I will be supporting this project.
[1:24:52] Thank you.
[1:24:53] Wonderful. Thank you so much. Any other council members? Any further comments or discussion or
[1:24:58] questions for staff?
[1:25:01] All right, hearing none. Once again, these second and final public hearing
[1:25:04] on this item is scheduled for September 18th, 2020-25. The next item on this section is 8v5, which
[1:25:10] introduces all of the first public hearing to adopted ordinance to transfer cash from Fund 39,
[1:25:14] Transit Fund to Fund 60 Transit Capital Improvement Program to provide sufficient funding for CIP
[1:25:20] project number 6010499. There were no comment cards received for this item. So I'm going to go
[1:25:29] ahead and look to see if council members have any comments or discussion.
[1:25:36] All right, hearing none,
[1:25:37] the second and final public hearing on this item is scheduled for September 18th, 2025.
[1:25:42] The last item of the section is 8v6, which is to introduce an old, the first public hearing to
[1:25:47] adopt an ordinance authorizing the partial abandonment of a public waterline easement located on the
[1:25:52] west side of Smith Road and south side of Third Street. There also were not any cards received
[1:25:59] for the public testimony portion of the public hearing, so that means I will move on to see if
[1:26:04] there's any council member comments or questions on this item, AP6.
[1:26:10] All right, seeing none,
[1:26:11] once again the second and final public hearing on this item is scheduled for September 18, 2025.
[1:26:17] Next up, the last section on the non-consented agenda is ordinances and items scheduled for second
[1:26:21] hearing and final adoptions of votes on these items will be taken tonight just want to remind
[1:26:26] everyone that the second read zoning items with public hearing notice requirements that were
[1:26:30] originally scheduled for the August 28th regular council meeting are going to be moved to the
[1:26:35] September 18th regular council meeting. So the only item under the section is 8c1 which is to hold
[1:26:41] the second and final public hearing to adopt an ordinance authorizing the city manager to negotiate an
[1:26:46] execute a lease agreement for lease of city-owned real property located at 34 E7th Street in
[1:26:51] 10th of Arizona, subject to approval of the lease terms by the city attorney. Council
[1:26:57] members, any questions or comments for city staff on item 8C1?
[1:27:02] I'll move. Second.
[1:27:06] Wait a minute, actually, quick question on this one.
[1:27:11] Madam Clerk, is there a vote on this
[1:27:13] item this evening?
[1:27:14] Yes, Mr. Mayor, that was to say copy incorrectly on your script.
[1:27:21] This is the second and final reading.
[1:27:24] That's what I assume.
[1:27:25] No worries at all.
[1:27:26] So, thank you so much.
[1:27:29] Was the motion by Council Member Hodge?
[1:27:31] Yes.
[1:27:32] Okay, and was the second, was that Vice Mayor Garland?
[1:27:35] Was that you?
[1:27:36] Or was there?
[1:27:36] Shit.
[1:27:37] Oh, okay.
[1:27:39] Look, I am my apologies.
[1:27:41] So, it's been moved by Council Member Hodg and seconded by Council Member Chin.
[1:27:46] There were no speakers on this item for the public testimony portion because this is
[1:27:51] any public hearing, but since that's the case, any further comments or questions from
[1:27:55] the Council before we take the vote?
[1:27:57] All right, hearing none, I'll take the roll call vote here once again in the order in which
[1:28:01] I see people on my screen and this time it's Vice Mayor Garland.
[1:28:04] Aye. Council Member Hodge. Aye. Council Member Chin. Aye. Council Member Amberg. Aye.
[1:28:16] Council Member Adams. Aye. And aye vote aye as well. That item passes 6-0 with Council
[1:28:22] Member Keating absent. Which brings me to item number 9. Current events, Council
[1:28:26] announcements, and future agenda items. Once again, Council members may request that the
[1:28:31] And the item be added to a future council meeting during their allotted time, but in accordance
[1:28:35] with the open meeting law, there should be no discussion on the item other than to clarify
[1:28:39] the request.
[1:28:39] This evening, I'm going to start with Councilmember Amberg.
[1:28:44] I have no announcements at this time.
[1:28:47] Thanks, Mayor.
[1:28:48] Thank you, Councilmember.
[1:28:50] Next up, Vice Mayor Garland.
[1:28:53] Thank you, Mayor.
[1:28:54] I have two announcements and the first one is our age-friendly community survey.
[1:28:59] I am honored to be on a committee with that I'm chairing with Council Member Ann
[1:29:05] Bergen, Council Member Keating on our age-friendly community, age-friendly action plan.
[1:29:11] So part of that is for us to do a survey of our community.
[1:29:15] So if you are available to screenshot or look at this little QR code or go on to our Facebook page or our website, I'm sorry.
[1:29:25] And look up the tempi.gov forward slash age friendly, you can take part in our survey.
[1:29:31] It's really important that we survey people in our community.
[1:29:34] It's 50 plus.
[1:29:35] If you are available, we'd really love your information.
[1:29:39] We're taking the survey between September 1st through September 30th.
[1:29:44] We're really looking forward to the results and a lot of action and a lot of community
[1:29:47] members taking a part in this.
[1:29:48] So if you can, it'd be great to have you.
[1:29:50] And then the last slide that I have is Tempe Healing Fields.
[1:29:55] So if you are interested in volunteering or going and seeing the healing fields, it's a really...
[1:30:00] Factacular event. The city of Tempe does. It's so unique to Arizona and it is really a beautiful thing to see. They stand up flags if you can volunteer. They put up the flags on September 11th at 546 in the morning at 5 in the morning. They take down the flags on Monday, September 15th. They start at 6 a.m. This organization that puts on our Tempe healing fields is a small nonprofit. So if you are not able to volunteer, they would certainly appreciate donations to help
[1:30:29] keep up this incredible event. So if you can participate or volunteer with them or I've done it
[1:30:35] money, that would be a really wonderful thing and I just want to point out that that handsome guy
[1:30:39] on the right hand side is my father who would go with me to put up the flags and it was one of the
[1:30:43] things that he really really looked forward to doing. So thank you so much Mayor. Thank you very much
[1:30:48] Vice Mayor. Appreciate it. Next up, Council Member Adams. Yes, I just want to speak to Vice Mayor comments.
[1:30:58] And thank you for bringing up the healing fields every year.
[1:31:01] I lost one of my good friends in that and I go and see her flag.
[1:31:05] So thanks for doing that.
[1:31:06] I also recognize your father.
[1:31:08] So thank you for sharing that vice mayor.
[1:31:13] Second is my announcement is my parents' 71st anniversary
[1:31:18] Gordon and Gloria.
[1:31:20] And that's a picture of them.
[1:31:22] And I'm just really happy.
[1:31:24] A lot of people don't make it seven days.
[1:31:26] And they made it 71 years.
[1:31:27] So congratulations to my parents for their anniversary.
[1:31:31] Thank you. That's all I have, Mr. Mayor.
[1:31:34] Thank you, Councilor Bradams. Beautiful. Thank you.
[1:31:37] Next up, Councilmember Chin.
[1:31:40] Thank you, Mayor. I don't know if there's a slide for this, but there it is.
[1:31:46] All right. It's game day and tempi for this season's home series.
[1:31:52] These sundable fans have the option of parking and pre-gaming at many of the great restaurants
[1:31:59] like Cunderd-Mal Brewing on the north side of the lake and there will be a water taxi
[1:32:06] that you can take that will bring you right across the way to the stadium area.
[1:32:12] So every home game and you can access tickets and reservations for that via that QR code.
[1:32:25] Excellent.
[1:32:25] Thank you, Council Member Chin.
[1:32:27] Council Member Hodge, do you mind if I go first for like one quick second?
[1:32:36] All right, well, I see her nodding, so I'm going to go ahead and go.
[1:32:40] And the reason why I asked to go right before Council Member Hodge is because she has a birthday tomorrow.
[1:32:45] So I am just here as the mayor of this incredible community to wish my fellow council member
[1:32:50] and longtime friend, Brigetta Hodge, a very happy birthday.
[1:32:55] Thank you, Mayor.
[1:32:56] Thank you.
[1:32:57] And with that, I see my time to you.
[1:32:59] Thank you.
[1:33:00] I apologize. My dog wants to play catch. We have to get back into the chamber very fast because I don't have time to play catch with him through the meeting.
[1:33:10] Also, I just want to wish ASU a welcome back for all our students that are coming back into town.
[1:33:18] And also, Councilmember Adams, my parents celebrated their anniversary, and they celebrated
[1:33:24] their anniversary.
[1:33:25] They weren't married as long as yours were, but they were married for 49 years on September
[1:33:30] 1st.
[1:33:31] So congratulations.
[1:33:32] Yes.
[1:33:33] That's great.
[1:33:34] Yes.
[1:33:36] All right.
[1:33:36] Well, that's all I have to say.
[1:33:38] Thank you, guys.
[1:33:39] Excellent.
[1:33:40] Thank you so much.
[1:33:42] That brings me to item number 10, public appearances, rules for speaking during the second
[1:33:46] public appearance side of shall be the same as stated earlier for the first public appearance
[1:33:50] as item. And I should ask Madam Clerk, was there anyone who signed up for item number 10?
[1:33:56] Mr. Mayor, no cards for this item. All right, well then that brings me to item number 11 adjourn
[1:34:02] that the next scheduled regular City Council meeting will be on September 18th, 2025. We are adjourned.
[1:34:09] Thank you so much everyone for joining us this evening. Have a great night.
[1:34:13] Thank you, Eddie. Thank you, Jason. Goodbye everybody. Thank you.