Tempe Council Advances Oasis Motel Conversion Amid Serious Trafficking Allegations; First and Farmer Transfer Approved 6-0

Good evening everyone. Welcome to the Tempe City Council regular council meeting. Just want to note too uh council member Adams will be attending virtually this evening as will council member Keading. Item number one is call to order. Council meetings can be watched in real time via CoxCable channel 11 and at tempi.gov/temp1. Members of the public may also attend the meeting virtually through Microsoft Teams.

If you wish to speak on an agenda item and you haven't filled out a speaker card yet, please make sure to fill out and submit your completed card to the city clerk prior to the item coming forward for council discussion. I will call your name when it's your turn for public comment. I now like to invite everyone who's able and willing to stand and join me in a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. Thank you.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, we are now going to play a video conveying the city of Tempy's native land acknowledgement statement. We acknowledge that Tempe lies on the ancestral land of the native peoples who have lived here since time immemorial. The ancestral land of the aum andipage stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city.

The landscape is sacred to them, embodying cultural values that are integral to their identity and way of life. The autoipage continue to maintain a deep spiritual connection to this land. We embrace the responsibility of caring for these places and vow to uphold this commitment in all our actions. Okay, thank you very much. Next up, item number four. Tonight will be assisted by council member Hajj for the meeting minutes. Council member Hajj. Yes.

I move to approve the city council meeting minutes. Item 4 A1 through 4 A3. Okay. It's been moved by Council Member Haj. Do I have a second? Seconded by Council Member Anberg. Please vote. Yes. And Council Member Adams. Yes. Yes. Okay, sounds good. Thank you. That item passes six to zero with council member Chin absent. Next up, item 4B, acceptance of board, commission, and committee meeting minutes. Council member Hodgej. Yes.

I move to accept the board commissions and committee meetings and item 4 A1 through 4 B3, excuse me, 4 B1 through 4 B3. Excellent. That's what I was just about to say. Okay. So, it's been moved by Council Hodgej. Do I have a second? Seconded by Vice Mayor Garland. Please vote. I Yes. And that item passes six to zero with council member Chin absent. That brings me item number five, reports and announcements. First of all, I have item 5 A1, which is our 2026 community survey.

Like to take a moment to encourage our residents to participate in the city of Tempee's 2026 community survey. At the city of Tempe, we value the partnership and input of our community. Hearing directly from residents helps us better understand the needs, priorities, and concerns of the people that we serve. beginning June 1st, uh, which has already passed, but surveys will be mailed to residences throughout the city of Tempee.

The survey will remain open through August 1st, and residents can return their completed survey using the enclosed postage paid envelope. Residents also have the option to complete the survey online by visiting tempe.gov/serveys or by scanning the QR code included in the printed survey. Participation in the surveys is important because the results help guide city council decisions on key services and programs that affect our community every day.

This includes public safety, parks and recreation, economic development, code enforcement, and other essential community services. We encourage all residents to take a few moments to complete the survey and share their feedback. Your voice matters and your input helps shape the future of Tempee. Which brings me to item 5A2, United Employees Association Employees of the Quarter. So, I'd like to invite Joel Guy up. Come on up. Hello, Tempe City Council.

My name is Joel Guy and I'm the president of UAEA, the city of Tempee's largest employee association. I'm here today to recognize the work of in the incredible work of city of Tempe employees over the last year. UAEA started an employee of the quarter program last year to recognize the incredible work of our members. Every quarter, our board recognizes three to five employees who are either self-nominated or nominated by their peers for exemplary performance in their area.

We represent hundreds of different job titles and recognize that exemplary performance can vary quite significantly depending on what work you do every day. As such, we leave it up to employees to nominate and dictate what they consider meaningful uh from the work done by the peers in their area.

Some areas have nominated employees whose incredible attitudes help improve the morale of their entire work group, while others have nominated people who are tirelessly reliable, stepping in whenever they are needed to help their peers finish their work every single day. With staffing vacancies across the city, employees who go above and beyond to deliver incredible results and keep the city functioning deserve all the plots we can give them.

We were last here in May of 2025, so I have four quarters worth of winners to announce. Not all of them could make it tonight, but many are in the audience, as well as their supervisors, which I really appreciate. And I would appreciate if they can stand or remain standing when I call their name. From the third quarter of 2025, we have Tim Lee, an IT admin with IT [applause] I don't mean to undercut the enthusiasm. I do have 16 names, so maybe we should say applause for the end. You're great.

Fair enough. Thanks for the warning. Uh Rosmo Garcia, principal parks maintenance technician with community services. Roxanna Easley, an arts and culture specialist with community services. Lance Novasad, a senior fire inspector with Tempi Fire. From the fourth fourth quarter of 2025, we have Andrew Harmson, a solid waste operations coordinator for public works. We have Megan Herrick, a librarian with community services. We have Chelsea McGregor, a record specialist with Tempi Police.

We have Megan Hernandez, administrative assistant with Tempi Police. And we have Cameron Hort, a senior IT signal technician with transportation and sustainability. [applause] Oh, there's more coming. From the first quarter of 2026, we have Alan Vanble Vleet, a solid waste container shop lead for public works. We have Sophia Flocken, an arts and culture specialist with community services. We have Marjorie Lawrence, a senior court services specialist with Tempi Court.

And we have Shannon Campodonico, a crisis support specialist for community health and human services. [applause] From the second quarter of 2026, we have Helen Tac, a sustainability program coordinator for transportation and sustainability. We have Albert Weatherspoon, a solid waste uncontained division lead for public works. And we have Jacob Eps, a senior court services specialist for the Tempe Court, who showed up unfortunately last week thinking that that was the announcement.

And we'll probably photoshop him into the photo. [applause] Again, I want to extend our congratulations to the winners. They are incredible employees who peers feel they go above and beyond to make our city special. If you're interested, we have more information on our website on our hall of fame that goes into detail about why they were nominated and why they were selected. So with that, winners, can you join me up front for a quick photo? And if possible, could council members come down?

[applause] Thanks, Thank you so much. [applause] [cheering] Congratulations. Congratulations to you. Thank you. All right. Next up, item 583, Tempe Professional Development Network, James L. Alexander Scholarship for Excellence presentation. Uh, so if there's any TPDN board members, can you please step forward at this time?

Just as a note too for people watching at home and those in the audience, the Tempe Professional Development Network is an employee club dedicated to promoting professional excellence with a mission to support employee learning and success in our organization.

In recognition of former city manager James Alexander's service to Tempe and his commitment to excellence, the Tempe Professional Development Network awards two scholarships the amount of $1,000 each to graduating high school seniors and current higher education students who are children of City of Tempe employees. All of the scholarship recipients demonstrated service and excellence throughout their school years.

First, we have our graduating high school recipient, Bennis Lee, who is graduating from Chandler High School and is the child of Sarah Valdez in human services. Bennis will be attending the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University and majoring in AI in business. [applause] Next is our higher education recipient.

Silus Butler is currently attending Baron Honors College at Arizona State University, majoring in environmental engineering and is the child of Erin Kirkpatre in community services. [applause] Congratulations to our winners and also we appreciate everyone who applied to receive this prestigious scholarship. So, with that said, we're going to go ahead and grab a quick photo. Council [laughter] Congratulations. Very nice. [clears throat] Oh no, we want him on the other side. Very embarrassing.

[laughter] All right. Congratulations. [applause] Congratulations. Congratulations. All right. Next up here, item 5B, city manager reports and announcements. Madam city manager, nothing this evening, mayor. Thank you. Thank you very much. So tonight's agenda has a number of items that the city council must consider in order to conduct city business. Guidelines for conduct to city council meetings are on the table near the entrance for those in attendance at tonight's meeting.

We will now play a video with the proper protocol for ensuring the appropriate conduct at city council meetings. The public appearances portion of the Tempe City Council agenda welcomes people to address the Tempe City Council on city related issues. Speakers will generally be taken in the order in which they have signed up to speak. No visual aids or pre-recorded materials are allowed. People may speak once during public appearances for up to three minutes.

If there is a large number of speakers, the mayor may limit the amount of time allotted for each person. The city council as a whole is prohibited by state law from discussing, responding to, or taking action on matters that are not on the current agenda. However, an individual council member may respond to criticism made by those who have addressed the public body, may ask the staff to review a matter, or may ask that a matter be put on a future agenda.

The city council rules of procedure provides everyone with an opportunity to speak. However, rules of decorum are in effect and behavior that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any city council meeting is not permitted. This includes behavior at the podium, inside or adjacent to the council chambers. Speakers shall refrain from name calling, making personal or insulting comments, or slanderous remarks while addressing the city council or while attending the meeting.

Should a speaker become disorderly, action will be taken. First, the mayor may issue a verbal warning, and if the speaker continues disruptive behavior, the speaker will forfeit any remaining time for public comment and will be asked to leave the podium. Further disruption beyond that may result in removal from the council chambers and the mayor may ask security officers to remove the speaker.

If the speaker refuses to leave, security will warn the speaker that they are now trespassing and the next step is an arrest for disorderly conduct, trespassing, or both. If necessary to maintain order, the mayor may recess the meeting. Your right to address the Tempe City Council is important to us. These rules are intended to create an atmosphere that is conducive to thoughtful public speech. Thank [clears throat] you. All right. Thank you very much. All right.

We're going to go ahead and get on with public appearances then. And once again, I'm going to call these in the order in which I received the cards. Just as a note, too, if you submitted a card for a specific agenda item, you will come up to speak during that item when that is called. But these are just general public appearances under item six. The first speaker I have this evening is virtual and it's David Solowski. Mr. Hello Mayor, can you hear me? Yep, I can hear you.

Please state your name and city of residence. You have three minutes. My name is David Sokoski. I live in Tempe. It's important for city council to approve housing as quickly as possible. I think the city is underestimating the need for housing, but the city claims we need 22,000 housing units by 2030. Sadly, the city is losing hundreds of units because of zoning and local control. The Leo project lost 100 units. The Food City lost 120. 300 units of student housing on Apache.

The Shalomar project started with 400. The Marshall project lost 100 units and now the city won't approve the second phase. The city has lost more than 1,000 housing units while trying to reduce a 22,000 unit shortage. The city has lost millions in permit fees, money that could be used for low-income housing. Also, property tax each year, money that would help balance the budget.

Tempe still suffers from chronic nimism and I have to point out that other cities are not going to add 22,000 housing units to their own problems. Tempe wouldn't count Scottsdale's housing shortage even though Scottsdale told me Axon employees can live in Tempe. That's why all cities need to take responsibility for their own housing supply. The city can't maintain the status quo because Tempe is facing pressure including state and federal intervention to increase housing supply.

If Tempe can deny housing, then Scottsdale or Chandler or any other city can do the same. There needs to be a better reason to deny housing than because seven floors looks bad on Spence. The city claims it's doing everything it can to solve the housing crisis, but Tempe can't approve projects being proposed. It's not because of labor or construction materials or financing or any other excuse. It's because it doesn't fit the character of the area.

I think it's obvious that affordability will take precedent over neighborhood character. How long is Tempe going to be in denial about that? And how much longer do you think the state will tolerate it? We need 22,000 apartments. And that's like trying to build 60 high-rise towers. If this was California, state law would allow Marshall to go up to nine floors. If the city is doing the best it can, then we have a serious problem because the state thinks it can do better than the city of Tempe.

In my opinion, you're not setting a very good example. Thank you for listening. Thank you. Okay. The next speaker I have this evening is Philip Amarosce. Please come forward. State your name and city of residence. You have three minutes. Phil Amarosi, 50-year resident of Tempee. Sorry, David. At your June 4th meeting, it was the second hearing for the Marshall and Spence project.

It was a humongous rent by the room student housing project, not for the general public in a small neighborhood street. It's been announced that after a year of five continuences by the developer, they weren't going to get another continuence. But it was clearly coming to a vote that this body was going to deny the zoning amendment and the p a because there were just too many issues the developer never addressed after a year.

But right before the vote, Councilman Randy Keading, who never met a developer he didn't like, made a motion for a continuence. And what was more egregious was that he got an enthusiastic second from Councilwoman Jenna Adams. And then four other members joined in. Not the mayor. Thank you, Mr. mayor. The six decided to ignore their previous vote and agree to a continuence of another 6 months for a developer that could care less about the harm he's going to do to two neighborhoods.

The overwhelming majority of Gentelli in Hudson Manor, sorry, David, thought our nightmare of staring at a sevenstory, 90 foot high, 269 bed housing unit would be over. But no. Like council elect Bobby Nichols said in his campaign, "The council can never disagree with each other." Even with the continuence motion being clearly out of line, they could have voted it down. But no. And now you say that you care about neighborhoods at election time, and you do.

But what you don't say is that you care about developers more because that's what it looks like. Now you [snorts] gave me a for the next six months. Italians don't like aida. I'll see you on the 25th. Thank you. Okay, the next speaker I have is Mario Martinez. Please come forward. State your name and city of residence. You have three minutes. [clears throat] My name is Mario Martinez. I live in Tempee. If I am not interrupted, I can complete my sent uh my statement quickly.

A probable raise for city manager Rosa Enshi was originally scheduled on the council agenda. The council already voted 7 to0 to raise uh uh the city manager up to $370,000 per year. Considering a higher salary for the city manager is not acceptable. In a best case scenario, the city manager's lack of police oversight skill is appalling.

uh in in the most pro in in a uh in a more probable worst case scenario, the police who indirectly serve over the city manager have pursued the social media opponents of the city manager with unprecedented vengeance and incompetence. Kate it was charged with being a Queen Cersei inspired terrorist who threatened to blow up this city hall. Police chief uh Kenneth McCoy wasn't smart enough to prove it. Some hysterical council members were evidently terrified of this incident.

These same council members were not smart enough to prove that it really was a bomb threat. In fact, the only explosives involved in the incident were the bullets in the gun chambers and the ammunition clips of the assault weapons that the SWAT team used to arrest an unarmed woman.

When McCoy suggested to the Arizona Republic that law enforcement may not have recommended charges, had Miss Tina proved her proved that uh uh turned herself in prior to the arrest, McCoy publicly proved what a loser he is. The city manager stated that because their family is from Cuba, they cannot be part of a authoritarian police state. During the Central American wars, I effectively provided uh human rights information used in federal immigration courts.

The council evidently approved taking an unarmed w woman using potentially lethal force and jailing her across the street on the basis of a of a bogus security threat. In doing so, the council directly took a page out of the Banana Republic handbook on human rights abuses. To defend democracy, Corey and Rosa's Banana Republic style police actions must be denounced, confronted, and resisted. Tempe citizens are proud to do so.

On that passing note, Corey, what are your standards for police oversight or managerial confidence, competence? Do you have any? Apparently not. Thank you. All right, that's the last speaker I have this evening that was on my list. Is there anyone else wishing to address the council tonight? If so, can you get my attention? All right, seeing that, I'll close that section of the agenda.

I'm actually going to move items up a little bit this evening because we've got a couple of council members who are virtual. So, I want to make sure that I can get this in. So, the first item I'm going to actually take this evening is 8C1, which is on the non-consent agenda. So, let's see.

Item 8 C1 is hold the second and final public hearing to adopt an ordinance authorizing the transfer and or abandonment of various property interests and authorizing the city manager to execute a amended development agreement and additional documents associated with First and Farmer LLC and the project located at First Street and Farmer Avenue and authorizing the waiver of any reversionary considerations with respect to zoning and development case number DS23061 PL230127.

7 Z N2300000008 P A230 01 0. Council members, any comments or questions for staff on item 8C1? Okay. Um, so, okay, this is also a public hearing item, so I'm going to open this up. Is there anyone in the audience who wishes to address the council on item 8C1? Okay, seeing that, I'll close the public testimony portion of the public hearing. Uh, council members, any comments or discussion?

And just as a note to uh this is, as I always say, this is a second public hearing, so we did have a full presentation on this item uh during the first public hearing for public transparency purposes. Uh, but council, any further comments or questions on item 81. Okay. It's been moved uh by council member Haj. Seconded by council council seconded by council member Adams. That's correct. Yes. [laughter] Yes, it is. Um, any further comments or questions from council? Yes. You Okay.

I mean, no questions. I'm just voting. Yes. Thanks, Mr. All right. Okay. Okay. I've got a yes vote from Council Member Keing, a yes vote from Council Member Adams. I'm going to go ahead and click mine as well, which means uh that we have a six to zero vote with Council Member Chin absent. [snorts] All right. [laughter] All right. All right, we're going to go back to the uh non Actually, let me see if I can do Yeah, because I've got two items here where I've got folks who want to speak.

So, let me just do this. Um, these are both on 8B2. So, I'm going to take 8B2 uh which is to introduce and hold the first public hearing to adopt an ordinance amending the Tempe City Code Chapter 19 relating to motorized and electric mobility services devices in sections 19-1B 19-183 19-184AB 19-212DE 19-21E213A and 19-214. Council members, any comments or questions for staff regarding item 8B2? Okay, seeing none, this is also a public hearing item, so I'll open up the public testimony portion.

I do have a couple of cards here. And the first card I have is from Kim Gaffne Loza. Actually, I meant to do 81. Oh, AP1. Oh, okay. All right. Well, then I will put this aside then. Thank you very much. Uh but I do have uh Julie Buffkin also. So 8 8B1 is the the minutes is that okay which so which I this fits in perfectly. That would be the adoption of the um electronic vehicle subcommittee minutes. Okay. So that's probably on the consent agenda. I'm assuming Mr. Anderson.

So, I just you know, let's So, okay, let's do let's do this. Um I'll just finish this one and then I will find that item, but I'll bring you on up. I promise. So, and so so both and uh Miss Gaffy Loza, you had the same item that Miss Buffin was talking about kind of on the minutes for the Oasis. Oh, you Okay. No, you were for Oasis. Okay. Got it. All right. Let's do this then. Let's knock out 8B2. Uh which I read before and because of all those numbers, I I don't want to read again.

Um, but this is a public hearing item. So, if there's any public testimony on item 8B2, could you get my attention at this time? Okay. Seeing none, I'll close the public testimony portion of the public hearing. Council members, any comments or discussion? Okay. Actually, it's no vote. Actually, no vote. So, can we resend that motion? Perfect. You got it. No worries. All right. Just want to note that the second and final public hearing on this item is scheduled for June 25th, 2026. Thank you.

No worries. No worries. All right. So now here's what we're going to do here. Uh let's go to since it's close item 8B1 which is under is under ordinances and items for introduction in first hearing. So this is to introduce and hold the first public hearing to adopt an ordinance to establish development standards for a planned area development overlay in the MU4 district for Tempe Oasis consisting of an adaptive reuse for motel to multifamily located at 1635 North Scottsdale Road.

The applicant is Camber and True LLC. Uh, is there a presentation here on item 8B1 since this is a first public hearing just as a note here as you come up uh, and thank you Mr. Anderson. Um, Miss Buff Miss Buff, can you talk you were talking about I believe Let me just go back in my agenda while they're getting all set up here. You I think we're discussing something in item four, which I'm okay. So, that was approved already under the minutes that Council Hodge did earlier.

But do you but do you want to stay for public appearances at the end because we have a second one coming up. Okay, sounds good. I'll keep you I'll keep you in the queue then. Thank you. All right, perfect. Yes. How are you? Good evening. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, council members. My name is Deborah Silva with Camber and True Collective. I am a resident of Scottsdale. My office is here in Tempe. This is the Tempe Oasis Apartments.

We are excited to renovate the uh current Tempe Oasis Motel into multif family housing. This is the property at 1635 North Scottsdale. It was formerly a Ramada Inn once upon a time back in the 70s. This building has been around for a long time. This is what the building looks like today. And our intention is to maintain the existing buildings but give a complete faceelift around the perimeter of the site. We will be adding parking to what's already there.

We'll be adding security gates for resident parking as well. We have currently planned to have 130-bedroom units, five studio apartments, and seven two-bedroom apartments. That's an increase from the number of hotel rooms that's currently there. We're using some common spaces and turning them into housing. This is what it's going to look like when we're done. So, we're giving it a little bit of faceelift, some curb appeal.

And in addition, in the southwest corner, the south southwest building, we're going to be bringing in a coffee and sandwich concept that's in that red box here. This has been in com coordination and collaboration with city staff, with the police department as well that this this seemed to be like the best corner for everybody that gives visibility, activity on the site and some energizing to the overall area. We want to bring in some vibrancy. This particular project is special to us.

It's an opportunity for the property owner to continue to be a good steward of this property and leave the building better than he found it. So, I'd like to bring him up for just a quick second. Danny go. Hello, mayor. Hello, the casual. My name is Danny Fam. I'm the member of HK 24 Street LC that own the TB Oasis Hotel. And um I'm here today because um uh this um this hotel is um is a very special to me. I bought this hotel in 2019 with the intention to turn it around.

My background is in retail. Um I start with Walgreens into um 1993 at the age of 21. I was the first employee to reach the manager within four years. Uh at that time raw green averaged 27 years and a half to become a manager through hard work and principle. After I left Walgreens, I opened Dollar Depot, the discount store in Arizona. Within three years, we were named from ASU uh business school at the retail store uh of of um the state.

uh every year uh ASU select four company outstanding company from over 100 company that uh uh anticipate and we were one of them uh in 2001. In 2002, we also select to be uh a retail of the year in uh front page of Arizona Republic and the system paper in Sacramento. also because of the service uh that we give to the neighborhood with the good price with the good service and the best uh uh clean store in the state. After that I went to city of paradise valley.

I become a firsttime uh construction uh GC and I built the green luxury home in the state and it's also what named the best luxury home in uh Arizona by home and garden in 2008. Past forward, I went to build 50 units townhouse that were abandoned in the city of Glender for three years.

And I I turn I finished that project and make it a beautiful complex and um and the city of Glendel acknowledge that uh and appreciate what I have done and and a few project with Phoenix uh also in the same situation at Tami at the Ramada when I took over I didn't know with my experience Over 20 years in retail and apartment, I thought I seen it all. I would underestimate about the Romada.

The day I took over, the detective of city of Tempi came and met with me and let me know what I have in my hand. The Ramada were named the worst hotel in the city of Tempee. Across street is the motel seats and the Ramada is a lot worse because we have 140 rooms and that when I know I have a lot of work to do. I spent the last seven years improve the property turn it around from the last the worst hotel in Tempe.

This year we just received from the third party we rank number one hotel in Tempe based on sag faction we have over a thousand review within the first year the fast thous reach a thousand fivestar review in expedia we have achieved many thing that um the neighborhood The neighbor never able in the last 40 years that the hotel work there. I have eliminate completely 100% of drug dealer, drug user, gratitude, pain.

I put my life on this property same day a week average 16 hour a day for the last seven years. At time my wife would worry that sometime I might not make it home. My record through 40 years in business is all about principle. I never go after revenue first. I could have sell a hotel and cash out. I have many offer. I choose to stay. I choose to stay to make a difference in the neighborhood and in the senior 10B what I believe because both my kid went to ASU.

So, uh, with the recommendation of the city uh planner uh, I'm the only one, the only owner in the whole block agree to convert it to the apartment with they have over 20 years with the best record of turn every single apartment project around. And this place will be no different. I put my heart and soul into this.

And um if you speak to the city uh a police department, city of Tambi, police and fire department, they all know my name and they thanks me every day because they they seen it before and after. And just two days ago, I got three officer to thank me because I called them to the property. I'm also the only owner that willing to sacrifice revenue over safety. I call Tammy police almost uh one a week. It used to be five time per day when I first took over Ramada. from five time a day.

Now we do about 10 15 time a year. And the reason is we don't allow any illegal activity in our hotel and the the the city can be police really really appreciate that since we the only one I'm the only one doing that. Nobody else other hotel owner or manager will sacrifice the revenue over this. When I first took over the Roman it was 93.5% occupancy which is the unheard of number percentage in the state of Arizona.

That's because the previous owner for 10 year he allow everything and everyone into the hotel do all kind of illegal business I am operate at 45% occupancy right now our revenue is higher than the 93.5% that he occupy our complaint go down 99 plus% our guess It's 100% almost 100% satisfied. All you have to do is Google from Google from Experia to Airbnb you can see what we have done through me my leadership through my staff which is mostly ASU student.

I take pride training them all and motivate them and they all still a lot more work to do and it very hard to do it with the hotel since we cannot screen and do background check like multifamily. I 100% believe with the city planner uh development that recommend change this to a multifamily. We have hired one of the best architect in Tempe and the the new project going to be gated. We have uh extra security uh build around the apartment.

Uh we gonna put the best management team uh with with my uh uh leadership uh authorize them to uh do the right thing uh bring in the good tenant and uh we also uh contribute and and and and build the place, the landscaping, the surrounding and working with the neighborhood. ood to make sure this one will after convert to the apartment will never ever can be turned back to the hotel again.

And by the way, the previous owner that rent this hotel to the ground have approached me multiple times to buy back the hotel. And the answer is no. Because I am not here just not only for investment but I want to make a difference. This is my record for the last 40 years. Everything I do I put my heart and soul in this. It will be my last and I want you do it right. Thank you. All right. This is also a public hearing item.

So I'm going to go ahead and open up the public testimony portion of the public hearing. And I know I have one card here from Kim Gaffne Loza. So, please step forward, state your name and city of residence. You have three minutes. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Kim Gaffne Loza, North Tempee. Until I looked at the agenda today, I did not know that this problematic property um was going to be converted. I was hoping it was going to be a different owner. I had met Mr.

Fang years ago along with Darlene Justice and we watched the prostitutes come in and out. Um, I also, um, saw all the after the the hotel was closed cuz we were told there were no rooms available to rent when we saw buses of um, Navajo children being brought in and out of the hotel. Um, I have no problem with it being converted into apartments. Um, I wish there was more shade trees. I don't like the palm trees personally um because I don't think they add anything to the neighborhood.

The landscaping has been terrible over the years. The propertyy's been terrible over the years. If this was a different owner, I'd have a different opinion. But I don't trust this owner and I don't believe that it's going to be a good property um for the neighborhood. and I'm surprised that there wasn't more information about a public meeting for the neighborhood since I live a half a mile away. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Is there anyone else in the audience here wishing to address the council on item 8B1? If so, can you please get my attention? Okay, I will close the public testimony portion of the public hearing. Uh I'm going to look to the council to see if there are comments. Vice Mayor Garland, you know what? If I did know the history of things that have happened at this hotel, I would look at this and say, "Yeah, this could be great.

You're going to convert it." My concern is when they said the owner was going to come up and speak, I was hoping it was somebody who just got here in the last couple years. when I started noticing and started bringing to the attention of our council and our our city um the sober living issues where they were kidnapping and taking um Native Americans off the reservation or out right out of jails and throwing them into sober living facilities and collecting money for them.

This motel, this location was one of the ones that we went to.

Council member Hajj had gone there um also and because she works with the school um she's a governing board member went there specifically and saw kids coming getting dropped off there in groups I tried getting entrance getting into this building getting in there to go see for myself where these kids were going not so much the kids it was more the adults because I knew the sober living issues were happening there and they wouldn't let us in and I don't think they let they let her in either so I have I have a lot of concerns about what this might look like in the future and how this might end up turning into something that I would be afraid that it's that it has been in the past.

Um I don't have an awful lot of confidence right now. I'm a little nervous. Um again, I I think it's we need the apartments. We definitely that's something we need in our community. Um, I'm just a I'm just a little bit I'm just a little bit nervous about this because the sober living issue happened there and it was it only been in the last three years that we've had this issue. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Uh, council Hajj.

Yeah, I do con I do I have the same concerns you do, vice mayor, because I remember when I did try to go in, there was a armed person at the door blocking me from coming in and that's a big concern to me and it was a big concern with the school district with the kids coming in and out and they were talking about they were myth withhold food. So, I'm I'm very concerned what what's going to happen next in this situation. I just want to put it on record. Thank you. Thank you.

Anyone else further comments or questions? So, I have some concerns too that obviously were raised. Um, I guess maybe maybe some questions for staff I guess might be helpful here. Mr. Le, if you've got a couple minutes. So, in terms of what this is being converted into, in terms of what this proposal is, what confidence do we have that it's going to be fully executed as presented to council this evening? Good question.

Um, mayor, council members, so the requirements for this process, as we, you know, we initiated uh about three years back a resoning process for it required a general plan amendment and resoning to MU4. So right now we have M4 zoning on this property that doesn't have any established density. The applicant is going through this process to seek that that density as well as some parking reductions for the for the site.

If approved, their next step is then to finalize the design approval which you saw in the elevations is those enhancements for the site. There will be um some new refreshing the site, new security uh gating for the property which is right now it's a very open concept. uh there will be new straight trees with canopy trees as part of the whole package for the design review process.

Then at that time the applicant is required to submit for actual building permits for those TI improvements for the site um review authorize those and then they can move forward with those changes. Um if if the only potential concern is maybe if the applicant or the property owner doesn't proceed with those they still they don't have the ability to use the site for residential uh long-term rental uses until those permits are sought for those improvements.

Quick question too regarding uh Miss Gaffy Loe's question regarding community meetings and saying you know why wasn't I invited given the fact that I'm only about roughly a half a mile away from the property. Do we know if there have been any public or community meetings that have been held up to this point? Yeah, the um the applicant was required to hold and we had participated in a neighborhood meeting early in the process earlier in the year.

Um the property has a 600 foot property owner notice as well as we do a quarter mile notification for all neighborhood associations and HOA represented in there. Okay. So included on that as well as a sign notification for the site. Okay. So, the neighborhood media as well as the public hearings are are posted for that information. And and I guess my question to um and I guess it's probably more for the applicant, but I should ask you since you're already here.

Uh she raised concerns regarding the trees and saying, "Hey, I don't think this is going to provide any real shade canopy and it's not really going to add much to the project and not going to add a whole lot to the neighborhood." Um is there any way, frankly, to change those trees or would that be something that staff might support if the applicant is willing to do so? Yeah. Yeah, I think so.

the I think the uh the rendering shown there with the depiction of the palm trees I think is just for illustrative purposes there there are probably an integration of both palm trees as well as shade canopy trees that are a requirement of the code. Okay, sounds good. Anyone else have any questions for staff while they're up here? Okay, sounds good. Thank you so much. All right, council. Uh any other comments or discussion?

Once again, this is only the first uh hearing here, so we're not actually going to vote until June 25th. But any last comments or questions? Yeah, Vice Mayor Garland. So, um in the updating of this building and the facility to apartments as as the developers, the designer, are you going to be looking at um uh green codes like adjusting anything, updating anything?

We have a voluntary green code um with the city of Tempe, and I just wondering what that was going to uh if you were going to be doing any of those things. Vice Mayor, yes, our intention is to take a look at that green code. We are so early in the process. This is just conceptual at this point. We haven't gotten into any detail of those specifics, but that yes, that is our intention as well. We'd appreciate because that's something that we really look for um when we look at developments also.

And the other one is the cost for these rooms, the the rental cost for the apartments. Do you have that? Is that still too early to even be I'm just curious what the cost approximate rental cost. That would be a question for the property owner, but I don't know that uh cost has been established quite yet for the rental rates. Okay, thank you. Sounds good. Thank you, Vice Mayor. All right, anyone else? Any final comments or questions for the applicant or staff?

All right, seeing none, the second and final public hearing on this item is scheduled for June 25th, 2026.

All right, let me take then the last item under 8B, which is 8B3, which is to introduce and hold the first public hearing to adopt an ordinance relating to public health and safety by amending the Tempe City Code Chapter 6, article 1, relating to animals in general, including sections 6-21 and 6-34 and article 2, Division 2, relating to animal empoundment, including sections 6-49 through 6-50. Council members, any comments or questions for staff regarding item 8B3?

All right, seeing none, uh, this is also a public hearing item, so I'm going to open this up and see if there's any public testimony. I do have one card here from Ed Buffford. Would you like to come forward, please? I also know, Mr. Buffford, uh, there's a button on the right hand side if you'd like to lower the table. What makes you think I need to lower? I'm just saying. I just I was just just trying to be helpful. [laughter] But uh so please state your name and city of president.

You have three minutes. Well, I'll tell you what. I've been doing some quick writing because of the three minutes and because I had not expected this forum. I don't I was expecting some other type of meeting, but I still would like to address this. Um being I've been here 76 years, so Tempe is my town. and population was 7,000 and my family of 10 was over.1% of the entire population at that time.

So we're really members of the society here in Tempe and I really appreciate all the work you guys have done. I spent a little bit of time removing uh all the slander or disruptive behavior I was going to uh have after you made the announcement. So I appreciate that.

[laughter] I wanted to say to Jennifer and Berdetta and Lauren Kooby from afar and Miss Garland and other people whoever the people have been that um caused there to be a dog park on the north side of Kowanas Park and uh who started the animal welfare department in the city. Very nice considering the previous 72 years prior to that. Um, I do hope that growth continues. Am I on topic out of the way, Mr. Anderson?

I hope so because uh I just saw the word animals and I thought, well, that must be it. Um, I hope the growth continues. Still far too many untagged and unlicensed dogs in our city. [snorts] I've been told that it's impossible to enforce the state laws and uh which require identification in the form of a county dog tag. People say it can't be done. It can be done.

I went over to Downey, California where they have city employees literally canvas and volunteers under the opices of the city and uh opices. I didn't even write that word down. I just simply used it. [laughter] In Downey, they literally have city employees and volunteers go doortodoor to remind citizens of the law. I'm not quite sure I understand why we can't do something like that, but I certainly was not able to uh convince the uh board of supervisors to do that.

Now, of course, I only had two minutes to speak there and it's three here, so I can get a lot more communicated with my city council, but what we're doing right now regarding that can be in improved regarding cats. We myself, we feed around 30 cats, all TNRed, trapped, neutered, and and and returned. And but you know what? It's just simply it's not sustainable. We feed 30 cats and uh it's expensive. We are volunteers doing that to be part of this cat colony program.

And I'm happy to do Oh, that's my beef. So I I did a pretty good job. I am looking forward to seeing which U city council members will be taking the mantle from Jennifer and Berdetta and I'm hoping to be a lot more involved in it and thank you to you guys for everything that you have done. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Bard. Appreciate it. Also the word of this evening is opices just in case anyone wants to know. All right. Uh any other public testimony on item 8B3?

If so, can you please get my attention? Okay. Seeing none, I'll close the public testimony portion of the public hearing. Council members, any comments or discussion? All right, seeing none, the second and final public hearing on this item is scheduled for June 25th, 2026. All right, let me now go back. Just going to go ahead and knock this out then.

Item 8A, which is approve and authorize Deputy City Manager Greg Reese to execute the settlement agreement between the Office of Inspector General and the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the city of Tempee for the purpose of paying the settlement amount to OIG and a budget appropriation transfer for the emergency medical transportation fund contingency to the emergency medical transportation fund operations budget. Council, any comments or discussion? Okay.

If there aren't and I will look for a motion on item 8A1. So moved. It's been moved by Vice Mayor Garland and seconded by council member Hajj. Please vote. Is council me still there? No. Okay. All right. Well then that item passes. Let's see. Really? Wow. Four to zero. All right. I I had to check my eyes again with Council Member Adams, Council Member Keating, and Council Member Chin absent. I literally thought I was reading it wrong at first.

All right, so that's going to take us back to the consent agenda, which is item number seven. All items listed on the consent agenda will be considered as a group, will be enacted with one motion by the city council unless an item is removed for separate consideration. Members of the public may remove public hearing items for separate consideration. Public hearing items are designated as public hearing item at the beginning of the item title.

Council members may remove any item for separate consideration or to declare a conflict of interest. If a council member would like to declare a conflict at this time, the city clerk will provide the council member with a disclosure form. If you wish to speak on a public hearing item, please fill out a speaker card and submit your completed card to the city clerk prior to the agenda item coming forward for council discussion. I will call your name when it's your turn for public comment.

This evening, the consent agenda is listed as miscellaneous item 71, awards of bids and contracts. no items and resolutions items 7C1 through 7C2. Once again, any agenda item designated as public hearing item can be removed by a member of the public for separate consideration. If anyone would like to have a public hearing item removed, please get my attention now.

Okay, seeing none, I'll move to my council colleagues and see if there are any agenda items that you'd like to have removed from the consent agenda for separate consideration. Some move. Okay, it's been moved to move forward with the consent agenda by council member Hodgej. Do I have a second? Seconded by council member Amber. Please vote. And that item passes 4 to zero with council member Adams, Council Member Chin, and Council Member Keating absent.

That brings me to item number nine, current events, council announcements, and future agenda items. Once again, council members may request that an agenda item be added to a future council meeting during their allotted time, but in accordance with the open meeting law, there should be no discussion on the item other than to clarify the request. So, I'll now call upon the council members for their comments and or request to add an agenda item to a future council meeting this evening.

I'm going to start with council member Hajj. None. Okay. Next up, council member Hamburg. You're a Okay. Next up, Vice Mayor Garland. No items. Thank you. Okay. And I don't have any items either, which means that section is also closed now. And I'm going to get to public appearances. Item number 10. Rules for speaking during the second public appearances shall be the same as stated earlier for the first public appearances item. I've got one card here from Julie Buffkin. Yes. Thank you all.

You got it. Come on forward. I wish we could have done it earlier. I apologize, but I'm Thank you for being here. It's okay. It's fun to see the process. You got it. Just please state your name and city of residence. You have three minutes. Sure. My name is Julie Buffkin. I'm a Tempe resident of 11 years. Um I'm also spent 20 years as a resident in Chandler where I'm from. Uh my dad would bike to ASU where he was a student and worked. So it's kind of something that runs in the family.

Um so I'm here to speak about the um motorized uh I want to say bikes, but it is inclusive of other things like scooters, but I really kind of speak just about bikes. Um so I apologize if uh I don't use that language exactly. Um, I also participate in the Tempe Bike Action Group as well as bike bus um and bike cats. I also volunteer at the elementary school with the engineering classes for kids.

Um, I really want our kids to have a place that they can navigate and I think when they're really young, that's kind of the time to start.

And um even though I'm part of those groups uh because it allows for community and I think Tempe really supports that, I'm here for my own interests as well as for my kids uh because they can't vote and um they seem very vulnerable to um maybe policies that would harm uh motorized bike users that include us um while also you know being essential for other people. Anyways, uh let me go on. U my mom didn't ebike or she didn't bike because they didn't have them back then.

Uh it is my primary mode of transportation. So I'm very defensive of um policies that are related to it. Uh Vision Zero is great. I like the education, engineering, and enforcement outline for it. Um, but I will say I'm a little worried about a tendency of um, motor vehicle operators to unintentionally or deliberately um, kind of hit us or just not see us or otherwise be occupied.

Um, I should know I got a ticket for uh, going a little too fast, turning right through a stop sign on my regular bike a couple years ago. Um, I took the courses. I thought they were great, but they really didn't um do justice to the threat that um can be caused by vehicle operators. Um I'm also a vehicle operator, so anecdotally, I know the difference between um the threat to myself and my bike and the threat I pose to others as a vehicle operator. I think that gets lost on a lot of people.

And ebikes are a very great opportunity for people through all walks of life to get um more outdoor physical activity, the thing that I do this for. So anyways, um I'm hopeful the subcommittee will continue to promote voices of scientists and engineers like Ellie Velosen and um folks on the transportation subcommittee or sorry the transportation commission. There we go. Um the recent speed bumps on College and Alama are great. Um it's been really fun watching that roll out.

Thank you for supporting that. It even forces me to be more thoughtful and slow down. So thank you for that. Um, I hope infrastructure-wise we can have more frequent testing of motor vehicle operators. Um, I do support uh video surveillance because it seems to be working in Whimos. Thanks. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. All right. Is there anyone else in the audience wishing to address the council on item number 10? If so, please get my attention. All right.

Seeing none, I'll go ahead and close that section of the meeting and move to item number 11, which is adjournment. The next scheduled regular city council meeting will be on June 25th, 2026. We are adjourned at 7:11 p.m. Have a good evening, everyone.