21125 MEETING MINUTES APPROVE.PDF
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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