2.20.26 MEETING MINUTES APPROVED.PDF
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Minutes of the Federal and State Advocacy Review Council Subcommittee meeting held on February 20, 2026 at 4 p.m., Hybrid Meeting- Tempe City Hall, 31 E. 5th St. and virtually through Microsoft Teams. Members Present: Councilmember Nikki Amberg – Chair Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid Councilmember Randy Keating City Staff Present: Jonathan Shuffield, Director, Government Relations Michael Atkinson, Deputy Fire Chief Darrell Duty, Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Butch, Assistant Fire Chief Keaton Hill, Council Assistant Greg Ruiz, Interim Chief Deputy City Manager Keith Burke, Deputy City Manager Lisette Camacho, Deputy City Manager Eric Anderson, City Attorney Eric Iwersen, Director, Sustainability & Transportation Kris Baxter, Director, Communications & Marketing Office Jessica Jupitus, Deputy Director, Community Services Jacqueline Webster, Deputy Director, Community Health & Human Services Mary Mezey, Deputy Director, Community Health & Human Services Tara Ford, Director, Public Works Tim Burch, Director, Community Health & Human Services Kimberly Sotelo, Senior Management Assistant Stakeholders: Don Jongewaard, AZDC Consulting Adam Myers Agenda Item 1 – Call To Order Meeting called to order at 4:05 p.m. Minutes Federal and State Advocacy Review Council Subcommittee February 20, 2026 Agenda Item 2 – Public Appearances No public appearances. Agenda Item 3 – Welcome and Introductions Each attendee provided a brief introduction, including their role and affiliation. Agenda Item 4 – Review of Subcommittee Purpose and Scope Councilmember Amberg described the purpose of the Subcommittee: to evaluate, modernize, and realign the federal and legislative priorities presented to the Tempe City Council. Its purpose is to strengthen the City’s policy framework, ensuring that local initiatives remain responsive to evolving federal mandates, legislative developments, and intergovernmental opportunities. Through this work, the Council Subcommittee aims to position the City as a proactive and influential participant in the broader policy landscape: advancing local interests while fostering strategic alignment with state and federal objectives. Agenda Item 5 – Overview of Federal and State Legislative Principles Jonathan Shuffield, Government Relations Director, presented an overview of the City of Tempe’s Municipal Principles and 2026 Legislative Priorities, as approved by the Council in Fall 2025. The priorities were organized by department, with discussion noting the level of specificity can vary, though the City has historically taken a more detailed approach. Councilmember Amberg proposed structuring future meetings by subject matter, and members agreed. Council priorities include safe communities, strong community connections, quality of life, sustainable growth, and financial stability. The Subcommittee reaffirmed its core municipal principles: preserving local decision-making authority; protecting and enhancing existing revenue sources, including state-shared revenues; maintaining flexibility in service delivery; and safeguarding City infrastructure investments. Vice Mayor Garlid inquired about the historical length of the principles; staff noted they have traditionally been extensive but have not been comprehensively updated in at least six years. Councilmember Amberg expressed a preference for broader, more intentional guiding principles, with the flexibility to incorporate targeted issues as needed (e.g., matters related to the Central Arizona Project and water supply challenges). Tara Ford, Director of Public Works, expressed support for updating the principles and indicated readiness to work alongside the Subcommittee. Councilmember Amberg requested department directors bring forward proposed updates for Subcommittee review, with the intent of refining and reintegrating revisions into the existing framework. Overall, the legislative framework emphasizes protecting local authority, ensuring financial stability, supporting infrastructure investment, strengthening public safety, advancing housing affordability, promoting sustainability, and ensuring equitable access to City services. Agenda Item 6 – Meeting Schedule After some discussion, the Subcommittee agreed the next meeting would take place March 24, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. at Tempe City Hall in the third-floor conference room. Agenda Item 7 – Future Agenda Items None at this time. Meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m. Prepared by: Melissa Westbrook, Council Assistant, (480) 350-8635 Reviewed by: Tanya Chavez, Mayor and Council Relations Director, (480) 858-2215