2.11.25 MEETING MINUTES APPROVED.PDF

Minutes of the Revitalization of Tempe Town Lake  
Council Subcommittee meeting held on Feb. 11, 2025, 12:01 p.m., Hybrid Meeting- Tempe 
City Hall, 31 E. 5th St. and virtually through Microsoft Teams. 
 
Members Present: 
 
 
 
 
 
Councilmember Nikki Amberg – Chair 
Councilmember Jennifer Adams 
Councilmember Berdetta Hodge 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
City Staff Present: 
Melissa Westbrook, Council Assistant 
Vanessa Lopez, Council Assistant 
Brooke St. George, Council Assistant 
Tanya Chavez, Chief of Staff for Mayor & Council 
Keith Burke, Deputy City Manager 
Lisette Camacho, Deputy City Manager 
Shauna Warner, Neighbor Program Manager 
Alex Jovanovic, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director – Park Services 
Josh Bell, Management Assistant 
Shawn Wagner, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director – Recreation Services 
Erin Fillmore, Sr. Management Assistant 
Craig Hayton, Community Services Director 
Dr. Velicia McMillan Humes, Chief Diversity Officer 
Kelly Rafferty, Community Services Manager 
Eric Anderson, City Attorney 
Keaton Hill, Council Assistant 
Ty Lee, Council Assistant 
Mariana Pena, Mayor’s Assistant 
Greg Ruiz, Interim Chief Deputy City Manager 
Savannah Driskill, Public Info Officer 
Kris Baxter, Communications Director  
 
Stakeholders: 
Cecilia Riviere, Rio Reimagined/ASU 
Minutes 
Revitalization of Tempe Town Lake  
Council Subcommittee 
Feb. 11, 2025

Maggie Soffel, Rio Reimagined/ASU 
Michelle Kauk, Rio Salado Foundation 
Phil Amorosi 
Kim Gaffney-Loza 
Darlene Justus 
 
 
 
 
 
Agenda Item 1 – Public Appearances 
No public appearances. 
 
Agenda Item 2 – Introductions 
Meeting attendees went around the room introducing themselves and stating who they 
represent. 
 
Agenda Item 3 – Overview Revitalization of Tempe Town Lake Council Subcommittee 
Councilmember Amberg presented the purpose of this subcommittee: to focus on the continued 
revitalization of Rio Salado/Tempe Town Lake. She would like to see what can be done with the 
north and south side of the bank to make it more of a community hotspot. 
 
Agenda Item 4 – Rio Salado Master Plan Update 
Craig Hayton, Community Services Director, provided an updated on the purpose, guiding 
principles, activity zones and implementation strategies of the proposed plan originally 
introduced in 2018. Activity zones were scored and prioritized by gauging improvement impacts 
and improvement potential. In March, the city will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to 
develop a conceptual plan for three activity zones and design standards. Another Request for 
Proposals (RFP) for land, aerial and water based recreational opportunity will be issued in 
March.  The city is currently in negotiations with Arizona Cycle Boats to offer a unique, active 
and guided tour for Tempe Town Lake. 
 
Agenda Item 5 – Rio Reimagined Update 
Maggie Soffel, Senior Director with Rio Reimagined presented a history of the Rio Reimagined 
Study and how wide their geographic area stretches (55 miles wide with 1-2 miles above the 
banks of the river channels). In 2018, the initiative launched with the signing of the statement of 
intent, initiated by then-Senator John McCain, and signed by cities across the river (including 
Phoenix, Tempe, Buckeye). Since the launch, there has been engagement on the federal, 
regional, and local level with a variety of different groups. There has been legislation, 
appropriations led by ASU, and cabinet visits to see the progress made and what more can be 
done. Now, the communities are continuously working on funding, sustainable development, 
and ecosystem restoration, along with other planning for their specific area. There are three 
phases for the continuation of work around the river:  
 
• 
Phase 1, Vision Plan Launch, is privately funded; 
• 
Phase 2, Vision Plan Development, will take place between 2025-2027; 
• 
Phase 3, Vision Plan Implementation, will start in 2027 (both Phase 2 and 3 are currently 
unfunded).  
 
Agenda Item 6 – Rio Salado Foundation Update 
Michelle Kauk, Rio Salado Foundation Board Member, presented on the organization mission to 
manage historically significant restorations and economic development projects along the Rio 
Salado corridor and Papago Park, funding projects around this area since 2001. They are

working on plans to build a boathouse and welcome center on the north shore of Tempe Town 
Lake. The building is designed to host a variety of groups and activities, as well as offer boat 
and equipment storage, and a welcome center for information on programs offered at the lake. 
The foundation provided some renderings and is reaching out to general contractors for build 
cost estimates. They are continuing with fund raising efforts. 
 
Agenda Item 7 – Future Agenda Items 
Councilmember Hodge expressed interest in discussing the potential relocation or integration of 
public safety services at the boathouse, as proposed by the Rio Salado Foundation in the 
conceptual design. Councilmember Amberg sought a deeper discussion on zoning and the 
designated sections outlined in the Rio Master Plan. She also acknowledged the strong turnout 
and looks forward to continued discussions on future opportunities for the area. 
 
Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. 
Prepared by:   Melissa Westbrook, Council Assistant, (480) 350-8635 
Reviewed by:  Tanya Chavez, Mayor and Council Chief of Staff, (480) 858-2215