TRANSCOMMTGMINUTES 1.20.2026.PDF

Minutes of the meeting of Tempe Transportation Commission held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. via Teams and at 
the Tempe Transportation Center located at 200 E. Fifth Street, Tempe AZ 85281. 
 
David Sokolowski 
Amanda Nelson 
Roy Peterson 
Anthony Strait 
 
(MEMBERS) Absent:  
Mark Richwine 
Dawn Hocking 
Kelsey Files 
Claire Lauer 
 
     
 
Sasha Pachito 
Samuel Thiele 
Chris Watts 
Jacob Cox 
 
   
Kendra Flory 
Stevie Milne 
Andrea Chalmers 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
   
City Staff Present: 
Lisette Camacho, Deputy City Manager 
Eric Iwersen, Transportation & Sustainability Director 
Shauna Warner, Neighborhood Services Director 
Lindsay Post, Senior Transportation Planner 
Greg Bacon, Lieutenant 
Mary Kate Nacke, Public Information Officer 
Mitchell Willard, Transportation Planner 
Ryan Levesque, Deputy Community Development 
Director 
Jacob Payne, Principal Planner 
Shelly Seyler, Deputy Transportation & Sustainability 
Director 
Chase Walman, Principal Transportation Planner 
Sam Stevenson, Transit Manager 
Kip Carroll, Transportation Maintenance Manager 
Morgan Kennedy, Neighborhood & Community 
Engagement Specialist 
Brendan Wagner, Transportation Planner 
Rebecca Rothman, Arts & Culture Manager 
Liz Mieth, Management Assistant 
 
 
Guests Present:  
 
 
 
 
 
    
John Federico  
 
Commissioner Amanda Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:39 a.m. 
 
Agenda Item 1 – Public Appearances 
No public appearances 
Minutes 
City of Tempe Meeting of the Transportation Commission 
January 20, 2026

2 
 
 
Agenda Item 2 – Minutes 
Amanda Nelson introduced the minutes of the December 9, 2025 meeting of the Transportation Commission and asked for a 
motion for approval. 
 
Motion:  Commissioner David Sokolowski 
Second:  Commissioner Anthony Strait 
 
Decision:  Approved by Commissioners 
 
David Sokolowski 
Amanda Nelson 
Roy Peterson 
Anthony Strait 
Sasha Pachito 
Samuel Thiele 
Chris Watts 
Jacob Cox 
 
 
Agenda Item 3 – Commission Business  
The three new commissioners were acknowledged. 
 
Agenda Item 4 – Commission Business  
Amanda Nelson asked Commissioners for nominations to consider for Chair and Vice Chair positions.  
 
A motion was made to nominate Dawn Hocking to serve as Transportation Commission Chair. 
 
Motion:  Commissioner Anthony Strait 
Second:  Commissioner Jacob Cox 
 
Decision:  Approved by Commissioners 
 
David Sokolowski 
Amanda Nelson 
Roy Peterson 
Anthony Strait 
Sasha Pachito 
Samuel Thiele 
Chris Watts 
Jacob Cox 
 
A motion was made to nominate Kelsey Files to serve as Transportation Commission Vice Chair. 
 
Motion:  Commissioner Anthony Strait 
Second:  Commissioner Jacob Cox 
 
Decision:  Approved by Commissioners 
 
David Sokolowski 
Amanda Nelson 
Roy Peterson 
Anthony Strait 
Sasha Pachito 
Samuel Thiele 
Chris Watts 
Jacob Cox 
 
Amanda Nelson asked for a motion to hold the 2026 Transportation Commission meetings on the second Tuesday of the month 
at 7:30 a.m.  
 
Motion:  Commissioner Chris Watts

2 
 
Second:  Commissioner Samuel Thiele 
 
Decision:  Approved by Commissioners 
 
David Sokolowski 
Amanda Nelson 
Roy Peterson 
Anthony Strait 
Sasha Pachito 
Samuel Thiele 
Chris Watts 
Jacob Cox 
 
Agenda Item 5 – Density Bonus Program 
Ryan Levesque and Jacob Payne provided an update on the city’s Density Bonus Program. Topics included: 
• 
Background and Council Direction 
• 
How the Bonus Program Works 
• 
Tempe’s Affordable Housing Development Bonus Program Draft Proposal 
• 
Timeline 
 
Discussion included preserving affordable housing, parking standards, how is the reception to the new parking standards, what is 
the potential for affordable housing and in the Smith Industrial Hub can the city increase density over what is projected.  
 
Agenda Item 6 – Federal Grants update 
Chase Walman provided an update on Transportation related federal grants. Topics included: 
• 
Current Projects in Construction 
o Kyrene/Roosevelt/Farmer (University – Baseline) 
o 8th St Streetscape (Rural – McClintock) 
o Grand Canal Connection  
o Scottsdale Road Bike Lane Project 
o Country Club Way Bike & Ped Improvement Project (Warner-US60) 
• 
Current Grant Projects with Notice of Award 
o Streetcar Rio East-Dobson Streetcar Extension Study 
o Baseline Road (Darrow – Bala) 
o Upstream Dam Bike/Ped Bridge + Rio N. Bank Path + Indian Bend Wash Path 
o Broadway Road (55th – Mill) 
o Elliot/Kyrene + College/Southern Intersections 
 
Discussion included 8th street mobility hub, timeline for the streetcar extension, review of the project area for the bike ped bridge 
at Rio Salado and Pier development.  
 
Agenda Item 7 – Transit Shelter Update 
Sam Stevenson made a presentation about transit shelters. Topics included: 
• 
Transit Shelter Project Overview 
• 
New Transit Shelter Designs 
• 
Public Art Integration 
• 
Timeline and Next Steps 
 
Discussion included turn around time to install a shelter, Mill Ave southbound, upgraded Mill Avenue bus stop from micro and the 
prioritization of busy bus stops.

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Agenda Item 8 – Department & Regional Transportation Updates 
Eric Iwersen provided the Commission updates on the Mill Ave streetscapes which was presented to the city council, seven 
proposed speed limit reductions, possible venue change for Commission meetings, public meeting for the 
Kyrene/Roosevelt/Farmer streetscape bike ped improvements and that the Smith Rd project was completed fall 2025. 
 
Agenda Item 9 – Future Agenda Items 
Eric Iwersen informed the Commission that in one of upcoming meetings there will be an update on speed limits and Mill Ave 
update.  
 
The following future agenda items have been previously identified by the Commission or staff: 
• 
February 10 ONE ITEM ONLY 
o Tempe Transportation Plan 2050  
• 
March 10  
o Prop 479  
o Transit Fund Analysis Status  
o Complete Streets 
• 
April 14 ONE ITEM ONLY 
o Tempe Transportation Plan 2050  
• 
May 12   
o College Avenue Traffic Calming Update  
o TMA/TDM, Personal Delivery Devices/Autonomous Delivery Vehicles  
o Speed Cushion Process/Traffic Calming Tools & Results of College Avenue Speed Cushion Installations  
• 
June 9  
o 5th and Mill Crosswalk Update  
o Phoenix to Tucson Rail Project  
• 
July 14  
• 
August 11  
• 
September 8  
• 
October 13  
• 
November 10 
o Annual Report 
• 
December 8 
• 
January 12 
 
The next meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2026. The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 a.m. 
 
Prepared by: Liz Mieth 
Reviewed by: Shely Seyler