9.5.25 MEETING MINUTES APPROVED.PDF

Minutes of the Revitalization of Tempe Town Lake  
Council Subcommittee meeting held on September 5, 2025, 3 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 
Kimberly Sotelo, Senior Management Assistant to the City Manager’s Office 
Craig Hayton, Community Services Director 
Julie Heitter, Administrative Manager – Community Services 
Darrell Duty, Interim Fire Chief 
Eric Anderson, City Attorney 
Ty Lee, Council Assistant 
Vanessa Lopez, Council Assistant  
Quincy Carrillo, Council Assistant 
Keaton Hill, Council Assistant 
Keith Burke, Deputy City Manager 
Tanya Chavez, Mayor & Council Relations Director 
Rebecca Strisko, Human Resources Director 
Laura Calder, Financial Services Director 
Shauna Warner, Neighborhood Services Director 
Erin Fillmore, Senior Management Assistant – Community Services 
Jared Morris, IT Director 
Octavia Harris, Deputy Director – Community Health & Human Services 
Eric Iwerson, Director of Transportation and Sustainability 
Greg Ruiz – Interim Chief Deputy City Manager 
Alex Jovanovic, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director – Park Services 
Savannah Driskill, Public Info Officer 
Jodi Inman, Assistant City Engineer 
Robert Baer, Director – Municipal Budget Office 
Clarence Matherson, Deputy City Attorney 
Kris Baxter, Communications & Marketing Director 
Minutes 
Revitalization of Tempe Town Lake  
Council Subcommittee 
September 5, 2025

Lisette Camacho, Deputy City Manager 
Tara Ford, Director – Public Works 
Craig Caggiano, Deputy Director – Public Works 
April Kroner, Deputy Director – Economic Development 
Mike Baxley, Deputy Director – Community Development 
Tim Burch, Director – Community Health & Human Services 
Irma Hollamby Cain, Deputy Director – Community Health & Human Services 
Jacqueline Webster, Deputy Director – Community Health & Human Services 
Ryan Levesque, Deputy Director – Community Development 
Gregg Kent, Principal Civil Engineer 
 
Stakeholders: 
Phil Amorosi 
Lori Foster 
Sue Rigler 
Kim Gaffney-Loza 
Robert Mayer 
Michael Martin 
 
 
 
 
 
Agenda Item 1 – Public Appearances 
No public appearances. 
 
Agenda Item 2 – Approval of the April 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes 
Councilmember Hodge made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from the previous 
meeting, with a second from Councilmember Adams. Unanimous vote to approve. 
 
Agenda Item 3 – Arizona Cycle Boats Update and Presentation 
Robert Mayer of Arizona Cycle Boats recently gave a presentation outlining the company's 
plans to partner with the City of Tempe for operations on Tempe Town Lake. The City is 
currently finalizing negotiations with Arizona Cycle Boats, following a proposal evaluation 
process. Although discussions are still ongoing, the agreement is expected to be presented to 
the Mayor and City Council before the end of the year. 
 
Arizona Cycle Boats, a nationally ranked and well-known company, is committed to working 
closely with the City and to bring a unique and memorable experience to Tempe. Mayer 
explained that while the company had opportunities to work with other cities, Tempe Town Lake 
stood out as the ideal location. He emphasized that this body of water offers a distinctive 
opportunity not just for tourism and recreation, but also as an anchor that could attract additional 
businesses to Downtown Tempe. 
The boats will be fully electric, with solar charging capabilities during the day, and will include 
amenities such as a bathroom onboard. Each cruise will be staffed with a certified captain 
focused on safety and a first mate dedicated to enhancing the experience. Planned stops along 
the lake are intended to encourage further exploration and drive foot traffic into the downtown 
area. 
 
The company aims to create inclusive experiences for all guests through initiatives like the 
"Infinity Program", where guests will be able to connect with staff prior to tours, and through 
various partnerships, the boats will be able to offer food, catering, and a selection of alcoholic

beverages including beer, wine, and seltzers (served in accordance with Title 4 regulations, with 
no glass and limited quantities). 
 
Arizona Cycle Boats assures that boat supply and infrastructure are in place and ready to 
launch. Operating hours are still being determined and are expected to vary by season. Mayer 
concluded by highlighting the broader community impact of the project, stating that by managing 
one of the city’s most important resources, Tempe Town Lake, Tempe can support both 
community enrichment and the success of local businesses. 
 
Agenda Item 4 – Update on RFP and RFQ for Active Recreation and Design 
Craig Hayton, Director of Community Services, provided an update on recent efforts focused on 
the northwest and central zones of Tempe. He shared that six proposals were submitted in 
response to a Request for Proposals (RFP), which is currently being reviewed by an evaluation 
committee. This committee will make formal recommendations through the City’s procurement 
process, with final decisions to be brought before the City Council at a future council meeting. 
 
The initiative centers on developing a Public-Private Partnership (P3), aiming to bring in 
qualified design firms to create new opportunities for active recreation in the area. Five firms 
responded to a separate Request for Qualifications (RFQ), all of which have experience working 
on projects at the local, national, and international levels. From this group, one firm will be 
selected to move forward with a formal proposal. 
 
Hayton emphasized the importance of community involvement in the process, noting a high 
level of public interest in recent park improvements. Concepts related to the South Pier 
development will also be taken into consideration as planning moves forward. Additionally, he 
noted that transit will need to be involved to ensure accessibility and integration with the broader 
city infrastructure. 
 
Agenda Item 5 – Update on Rio Reimagined 
Craig Hayton, Community Services Director, presented an update on the Rio Reimagined 
project, noting that both he and Julie Heitter serve as the City of Tempe’s representatives. 
Phase 1 of the project has officially begun and is already funded. A recent meeting drew over 
100 attendees, including members of the scoping committee, highlighting strong regional 
interest and engagement. 
 
As the project moves forward, three community leaders are being sought to join a subcommittee 
to help guide the next steps. Hayton emphasized that Tempe is significantly further along in its 
planning and development compared to many of the other partner communities involved in the 
Rio Reimagined initiative. 
 
A key focus moving forward is determining how this plan can benefit all participating partners. 
The RIO nonprofit organization will play a vital role in helping to secure additional funding, 
particularly for phases 2 and 3 of the project. Hayton also mentioned the potential involvement 
of a RIO ambassador who could assist in identifying future funding opportunities. 
 
Agenda Item 6 – Future Agenda Items 
Future meeting is being planned before the end of the year. No future items at this time. 
 
Meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m.

Prepared by:   Melissa Westbrook, Council Assistant, (480) 350-8635 
Reviewed by:  Tanya Chavez, Mayor and Council Relations Director, (480) 858-2215