Tempe council approves contracts, bonds and policy introductions in 6-0 votes; nuisance ordinance amendments set for May hearing

Tempe City Council on a series of motions approved a slate of contracts, professional services agreements, and bond resolutions and introduced several ordinance changes during its regular meeting; most measures passed unanimously, 6-0, with Councilmember Keating absent.

Key votes included authorization to enter formal negotiations with a development team for roughly 6.73 acres at Apache Boulevard and Dorsey Lane, multiple contract renewals for employee benefits and technical services, awards of professional services and construction contracts for public‑works projects, and the adoption of resolutions authorizing general obligation and excise‑tax revenue bonds.

The council voted 6-0 to authorize the city manager or designee to enter formal negotiations with Urban Development Partners LLC and Palindrome (with Richmond Group as a secondary option) on a proposed lease and redevelopment of city‑owned land near Apache Boulevard and Dorsey Lane. Phil Amarosi, representing Citizens for the Apache Corridor, spoke in support of combining affordable housing with grocery retail at the site.

Other approvals that passed unanimously included: - A one‑year renewal with Cigna Dental Health Plan of Arizona to provide dental coverage for eligible city employees and dependents. - Use of a five‑year State of Arizona cooperative contract with Oracle Corporation for cloud‑based utility billing licensing and support, and a contract increase for implementation services for that system. - Renewals and awards for maintenance and repair services (electrical switchgear and generators), refrigerated carbon dioxide supply, and program management and engineering contracts for wastewater, pavement and SCADA work. - Construction and professional services awards for wastewater collection rehabilitation and pavement quality index acceleration projects. - Adoption of a revised property tax stabilization policy and resolutions authorizing issuance of City of Tempe general obligation bonds (Series 2025A and refunding Series 2025B) and solid waste excise tax revenue obligations (Series 2025).

Council also handled public‑hearing items: a biennial audit for development impact fees was received (no council action required), and two second‑and‑final public hearing ordinances carried 6-0: transferring capital among CIP projects to fund construction of a communication monopole into the Municipal Operations Center Phase 2 project, and authorizing a power distribution easement to Salt River Project over city land at 2060 W. Rio Salado Parkway.

Separately, the council introduced, and held first public hearings for, three ordinance items to return for final action on May 1, 2025: a proposed amendment to Chapter 2 adding exclusions and definitions for criminal trespass in public places; an amendment to city code clarifying the city manager’s authority to execute certain contracts, licenses, grants, leases and memoranda of understanding; and revisions to nuisance and property‑enhancement code language (Chapter 21 and related sections) that would change enforcement options and penalties. Vice Mayor Lauren Garland, who led the nuisance‑ordinance stakeholder process, said the draft changes would extend the “clean‑slate” period from 90 to 365 days for repeat nuisance findings, increase fines (doubling the base and allowing escalations up to $4,000 with appeal rights), and carve out protections for victims and those needing emergency medical services; final vote on that ordinance is scheduled for May 1.

Why this matters: The council’s approvals cover routine municipal operations (insurance, software licensing, maintenance), near‑term capital and service contracts, and financing actions that affect the city’s borrowing plan and capital projects. The introduced nuisance ordinance would change enforcement timelines and fines for repeat offenders if adopted.

Votes at a glance (selected items from meeting record) - Minutes approval (items 4A1–4A2): approved 6-0 (Keating absent) - Acceptance of board/commission minutes (items 4B1–4B4): approved 6-0 - Authorize negotiations with Urban Development Partners LLC/Palindrome (Agenda item 8A3): approved 6-0 (Keating absent) - Cigna dental plan renewal (8A4): approved 6-0 - Oracle cooperative contract and implementation services (8A5, 8A6): approved 6-0 - Contract renewals: Risa Power (switchgear/generator maintenance) 8A7; Reliant Gases (refrigerated CO2) 8A8: approved 6-0 - Program management/professional services (8A9–8A13): awards approved 6-0 - Adopt revised property tax stabilization policy (8A14): approved 6-0 - Adopt resolution for GO bonds Series 2025A and refunding 2025B (8A15): approved 6-0 - Adopt resolution for Solid Waste Excise Tax revenue obligations (8A16): approved 6-0 - Second/final hearing — transfer in CIP for communication monopole into Municipal Operations Center Phase 2 (8C1): adopted 6-0 - Second/final hearing — grant power distribution easement to SRP (8C2): adopted 6-0 - Ordinance introductions (first hearings scheduled for 05/01/2025): Chapter 2 trespass exclusions (8B1), city manager authority amendments (8B2), nuisance and property enhancement amendments (8B3): introduced/first hearing held; final votes set for 05/01/2025.

Public comment: During the item authorizing negotiations for the Dorsey/Apache site, Phil Amarosi of Citizens for the Viper and Apache Corridor spoke in favor of a mixed project that includes affordable housing and grocery retail; no opposition speakers were recorded on that item.

Ending: Most votes were unanimous and procedural; several introduced ordinances return to the council for final hearings on May 1, 2025. Staff will proceed with negotiations where authorized and return agreements for council approval when terms are finalized.