20251105 NEIGHBORHOODADVISORYCOMMISSIONMINUTES.PDF

Minutes of the Neighborhood Advisory Commission (NAC) Meeting held on Wednesday, 
Nov. 5, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. as a hybrid meeting with in-person attendance option along with 
virtual component option via Microsoft Teams platform 
 
(MEMBERS) Present: Lane Carraway, Joe Caudill, Ray Devine, Jan Doughty, Eric Johnson, John 
Kozel, Stacy Novis, Allison Poulos, Joel Stern, Duane Washkowiak, Suri Wall  
 
(MEMBERS) Absent: Brandon Abrahams, Gabe Hagen, Angie Taylor 
 
City Staff: Shauna Warner, Neighborhood Services Director; Elizabeth Thomas, Neighborhood 
Services Specialist; Keith Burke, Deputy City Manager, Craig Hayton, Community Services 
Director; Shawn Wagner, Deputy Community Services Director – Recreation; Alexander Jovanovic, 
Deputy Community Services Director - Parks 
 
Agenda Item 1 – Call to Order 
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. by Chair Kozel 
 
Agenda Item 2 – Public Comment 
None. 
 
Agenda Item 3 – Review and approval of meeting minutes: October 1, 2025 NAC Meeting 
Minutes 
There was a motion to approve the Oct. 1, 2025 Neighborhood Advisory Commission minutes by 
Commissioner Devine and seconded by Vice Chair Stern. The motion passed unanimously by all 
members present at that time with a vote of 10 ayes.  
 
Commission Member Ayes: Lane Carraway, Joe Caudill, Ray Devine, Jan Doughty, Eric 
Johnson, John Kozel, Stacy Novis, Joel Stern, Duane Washkowiak, Suri Wall 
 
Absent: Brandon Abrahams, Gabe Hagen, Alison Poulos (Note: joined the meeting virtually at 
5:35 p.m.), Angie Taylor 
  
Agenda Item 4 – Input on Events and Parks Ordinances Updates 
Craig Hayton, Community Services Director, emphasized that as Tempe has grown, so have the 
number of and variety of events held here.  Over 200 events are held in Tempe annually spread 
over 600 event days with over one million attendees.  These events strengthen community identity, 
celebrate cultural vibrancy and support the local economy.   
 
Craig provided an overview and update of the process now underway to better manage this greater 
demand for shared uses and spaces.  Highlights included city goals and need for changes, special 
events background information, an overview of the existing two codes (Tempe’s Special 
Events/Section 5-2) and Parks and Recreation (Chapter 23), public feedback received over 
summer, public survey (remains open thru November 23) and overall process and timeline.  
 
Key process goals: 
➢ Clarify what qualifies as a special event 
➢ Evaluate different permit types and options 
➢ Simplify the process, where possible 
 
     
  
Minutes 
Neighborhood Advisory Commission 
November 5, 2025

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Special Events Code helps to ensure events are safe, organized, and respectful of the community 
and environment.  This Code identifies when a permit is required on public or private property as 
well as the timelines and potential stipulations. 
 
The Parks and Recreation Code supports community access and enjoyment while maintaining 
safety.  This Code explains how parks, preserves, trails and recreation areas can be used, outlines 
rules and options for using and reserving spaces, sets parks hours, prohibited activities and 
conduct for safe, shared use. 
 
Craig noted that the July 2025 ordinance is being used as a reference point only.  That specific 
ordinance was rescinded by Mayor and Council in September of this year and will not be returning.  
Rather, the city is working with community members to create something new together.  Portions of 
the prior ordinance do remain relevant for further consideration to help bridge gaps found in code 
moving forward.  These include definitions, types of events or gatherings requiring permits, 
application process information and First Amendment activities which memorialize protection of 
spontaneous free speech events.  Feedback is imperative to crafting a new ordinance that meets 
the needs of our community with more options, greater flexibility and simplified processes where 
applicable.   
 
Factors that need to be considered include whether an event is public or private, the event size 
and type.  Alcohol or amplified sound are automatic triggers applicable to Special Events process.  
Organizers can remove those elements or opt to go through the process.   Craig explained that 
there is a bit of a missing middle element, nothing in between from a ramada reservation to a 
special event.  One of the goals of this outreach process now underway will be to create a less 
complex process with different levels of permits based on event size and impact and appropriate to 
the spaces being used to help better address this missing middle.    
 
Commissioner comments and questions included:  
You should provide an upfront communication about the process and what each type of event and 
permit entails. 
A: There are some basics but many events have unique variables so it’s challenging to put every 
nuance on a website or in a flier without obtaining additional details and information from the 
applicant first.   
 
What about service groups feeding the homeless? What changed? 
A: Nothing yet, still using old code 
 
It’s a mixed bag regarding reservable ramadas. Resident feelings about this vary greatly and the 
identification of a 30-person threshold in the July 2025 ordinance was concerning. 
A: All parks spaces are not currently reservable, you can be there multiple hours. There aren’t 
restrooms in some parks, which is inherently limiting. 
 
One commissioner noted that serves some parks well. When someone needs to go to the 
bathroom, they can go home. 
 
Does it state somewhere in city code that city events also have to go through a permit process? 
You need to clarify that city events are not exempt from this code. 
A: Yes, city hosted events like Tardeada and Neighborhood Celebration go through Special Events 
process. 
 
For group meet up notifications, there are a lot of groups. Many do not know if they will have 30 or 
more people.  This could be a significant administrative load. Have you thought about that? 
A: Yes, this could be similar to Adopt A Park in that initially it requires more work and effort but 
levels out over time.  We want to see activation of spaces and to know who is where. It will take 
investment to activate spaces.

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Is there guidance for these groups?  What does that look like? 
A: These are great points. Parks Ambassadors and Parks Rangers can lead with education first.  
We also want to avoid user conflicts such as runners going through marina area when boaters are 
placing crafts in the water. 
 
I attended one of the public meetings and would like to amend my input. I had suggested a three 
person resident/citizen review panel for some events. Maybe pivot to using this panel instead for 
denied applications period or denied applications which are appealed. Maybe city not ultimately 
making that choice, put some residents in the decision making or communication seat.   
A: Thank you for your feedback.   
 
The survey remains open through Nov. 23. Survey takers are being asked for their experience with 
special events and park permits, their thoughts about elements of the July 2025 proposed changes 
and additional ideas to improve the code. Next steps will include Winter/early Spring 2026 second 
round of public and stakeholder input, Summer 2026 third round of public and stakeholder input 
followed by a Council Work Study Session, finalization of the ordinance and Fall 2026 Council 
consideration for possible adoption.   
 
Agenda Item 5 – Second DRAFT 2025 Annual Report and final check in of status of 2025 
Commission goals and priorities 
New additions to the second draft were member attendance updates and topics discussed at the 
October NAC meeting. Members were fine with the added information and didn’t have any other 
edits. The final DRAFT Annual Report will need to be approved at the Dec. 3 NAC meeting 
followed by submission to City Clerk’s Office.  
 
Agenda Item 6 – NAC Meet & Greet with Association Leaders Discussion and Planning 
Commission members were reminded to note the Wednesday, Dec. 3 Meet and Greet from 6:30 to 
7:30 p.m. at Hackett House, 95 W. 4th St. on their calendars. The Meet and Greet will immediately 
follow a brief Neighborhood Advisory Commission meeting between 5:30 and 6 p.m. 
 
A cash bar with beer, wine, soda and flavored waters will be available. Vice Chair Stern and 
Commissioner Taylor have bartender certifications and will provide drink service. A few members 
shared status of their appetizer sponsorship requests. None are confirmed but communication is in 
progress. Set up will include a welcome and topical materials table, high top tables for guests with 
some limited chairs placed in small groupings around venue.      
 
Staff requested member input about the tone and messaging for the email invites to NA and HOA 
leaders. There was general agreement that even though the timing falls around holidays, this NAC 
event is not a holiday gathering. Some type of graphic element should be included for interest and 
parking options will be noted as well as some type of “soft” rsvp for planning purposes.     
 
Topics for boards on easels or table toppers noted are the six Retreat questions, the Maryanne 
Corder Neighborhood Grant program, Neighborhood Nominations and save the date for the 
Neighborhood Celebration. Topical materials for each will also be available at the welcome table. 
Friendly URL and QR codes for each subject will be provided where appropriate. 
 
Staff will connect with Commissioner Taylor regarding needed night of assignments and a sign-up 
sheet will be created for members to volunteer for event set up and take down activities. A parking 
ambassador or two to accompany guests who park in the city parking garage over to the Hackett 
House will be offered.      
 
Agenda Item 7 - Neighborhood Celebration 2026 Planning 
Staff secured a donation of 14 dozen donuts from Voodoo Donuts and can purchase additional 
product as needed. Staff is reaching out to Brick Road Coffee to inquire if they can continue their 
generous coffee and condiments sponsorship. Response to SRP sponsorship is pending a new 
group review process. The increased SRP sponsorship last year allowed for the first event t-shirts.

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Mapstand is agreeable to again allowing use of their map art for this year’s t-shirts provided 
funding is secured.  
 
Members were reminded that Neighborhood Nominations are now open and will be promoted in 
social media, press releases and highlighted in the January edition of Tempe Today (water bill 
newsletter).  
 
Agenda Item 8 – Proposed Future Agenda Items and Member Shares 
The Jan. 7 NAC meeting will include a presentation and discussion about the Density Bonus 
Program and elections for Chair and Vice Chair will be held. 
 
Members were reminded of the Park Music Sessions at Daley Park on Friday, Nov. 7 from 6 to  
8 p.m. featuring performances by Aiyana and Slug Bug. An after show at Dark Sky with Farmer 
Wilson performing. 
 
Commissioner Doughty drove the new Country Club Way bike path recently and plans to bike it 
soon. 
 
Members mentioned numbers of trees lost due to the recent microburst.  Staff will forward out a we 
love trees flier with information about potential resources for replacement information and how to 
donate tree money. Vice Chair Stern advised that Tempe Leadership may also be offering a tree 
replacement opportunity soon. 
 
The Oct. 24 Music on Mill event was well attended with good sound quality at the Hayden Flour 
Mills location. 
 
G.A.I.N. night on Saturday, Nov. 1 was a success featuring Neighborhood Association, HOA and 
Block Watch gatherings of all types and sizes throughout Tempe. Commissioner Carraway 
estimated 90 area residents and guests throughout the evening at his home gathering. 
 
Members were reminded of the current vacancy in 85281 zip code with 82 and 83 vacancies 
coming in December.    
 
Agenda Item 9 – Adjournment 
Meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m. 
Prepared by: Elizabeth Thomas 
Reviewed by: Shauna Warner