20251203 NEIGHBORHOODADVISORYCOMMISSIONMINUTES.PDF
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Minutes of the Neighborhood Advisory Commission (NAC) Meeting held on Wednesday,
Dec. 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. with a brief in-person meeting at Hackett House, 95 W. 4th St. in
advance of the NAC Meet & Greet also at this location.
(MEMBERS) Present: Lane Carraway, Joe Caudill, Ray Devine, Jan Doughty, Gabe Hagen, Eric
Johnson, John Kozel, Stacy Novis, Allison Poulos, Joel Stern, Angie Taylor, Duane Washkowiak,
Suri Wall
(MEMBERS) Absent: Brandon Abrahams
City Staff: Shauna Warner, Neighborhood Services Director; Elizabeth Thomas, Neighborhood
Services Specialist
Agenda Item 1 – Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Kozel
Agenda Item 2 – Public Comment
None.
Agenda Item 3 – Review and approval of meeting minutes: November 5, 2025 NAC Meeting
Minutes
There was a motion to approve the Nov. 5, 2025 Neighborhood Advisory Commission minutes by
Commissioner Devine and seconded by Commissioner Novis. The motion passed unanimously
with a vote of 13 ayes.
Commission Member Ayes: Lane Carraway, Joe Caudill, Ray Devine, Jan Doughty, Gabe
Hagen, Eric Johnson, John Kozel, Stacy Novis, Allison Poulos, Joel Stern, Angie Taylor, Duane
Washkowiak, Suri Wall
Absent: Brandon Abrahams
Agenda Item 4 – Final Review and Approval of Draft 2025 Annual Report
Members did not provide any edits to the Draft 2025 Annual Report. Staff confirmed member’s
December attendance and meeting agenda topics will be added before submission to City Clerk.
With this understanding, there was a motion to approve the 2025 Neighborhood Advisory
Commission Annual Report by Commissioner Carraway and seconded by Commissioner
Washkowiak. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 13 ayes.
Commission Member Ayes: Lane Carraway, Joe Caudill, Ray Devine, Jan Doughty, Gabe
Hagen, Eric Johnson, John Kozel, Stacy Novis, Allison Poulos, Joel Stern, Angie Taylor, Duane
Washkowiak, Suri Wall
Absent: Brandon Abrahams
Agenda Item 5 – Recognition of outgoing members
Chair Kozel recognized exiting Commissioners Poulos and Washkowiak and fellow members
thanked them for their service. Commissioner Poulos expressed appreciation for her time on NAC
and her hope of revisiting Board service in the future when scheduling permits. Commissioner
Washkowiak highlighted the importance of Neighborhood Advisory Commission in helping to
Minutes
Neighborhood Advisory Commission
December 3, 2025
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cultivate and support strong neighborhoods. He emphasized that realtors make choices of where
to sell homes and good schools and good neighborhoods are vital community components.
Commissioner Hagen announced that due to increasing business and work responsibilities, he has
been less available to fully participate in the Commission and has made the decision to no longer
seek reappointment and is leaving NAC to allow for an opening for a new member. Members
thanked him for his many contributions.
The known vacancies for 81, 82 and 83 zip codes are expected to be filled at the December 11
Regular Council Meeting, along with the reappointments being made.
Agenda Item 6 – Nominations for Chair and Vice Chair
Commissioner Hagen made a motion to nominate Chair Kozel for Chair in 2026. Commissioner
Taylor seconded the motion.
Vice Chair Stern stated that he did not wish to continue serving as Vice Chair. He then made a
motion to nominate Commissioner Caudill which was then seconded by Commissioner Taylor.
Staff reminded members that additional nominations can be taken at the first meeting of the new
year and that a formal vote for each of the roles will be taken at that time.
Agenda Item 7 - Neighborhood Celebration 2026 Planning Updates
Staff shared that Salt River Project (SRP) has generously agreed to again sponsor the overall
Neighborhood Celebration event, inclusive of the second year of event t-shirts. Voodoo Doughnuts
is a first-time sponsor providing event doughnuts. Commissioner Hagen reaffirmed that Brick Road
Coffee is again sponsoring event coffee, cups and condiments.
Staff is in process of exploring sponsored or discounted breakfast burrito options. Commissioner
Washkowiak suggested Biscuits may be an option for breakfast bites, he will provide a contact.
Commissioner Johnson has a contact for Filthy Animal and plans to follow up. Chair Kozel
requested staff reach out to Angie’s Lobster.
Staff requested input on the live music for the event. Members would like to explore some playlist
options. Staff will follow up with Maja Aurora, Arts and Culture Manager, for some suggestions.
Agenda Item 8 – Proposed Future Agenda Items and Member Shares
Tempe Festival of the Arts is Dec. 5 – 7
Kiwanis Club Annual Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, Dec. 6 from 7 a.m. to noon at McKemy
Academy of Internation Studies Cafeteria
The Jan. 31 Music on Mill event will offer an exciting musical line up that will be announced soon.
Hackett House is hosting a New Year’s Eve party featuring Walt Richardson and Dirty Rhodes,
tickets are $25.
Hackett House will be hosting several fundraisers in the new year including one for Tempe Art
Guild and another for ARC. Commissioner Taylor will provide more information to forward out.
Commissioner Hagen noted that Sue’s Espacio, Tempe’s bridge shelter, is always in need of
groups and partnerships willing to help offer tenants dinner meals onsite.
Chair Kozel enjoyed the Park Music Sessions at Daley Park on Nov. 7. Staff noted these park
activation opportunities are available to all neighborhood associations and staff can provide a
Neighborhood Park Activation form for those interested in coordinating an event.
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Tempe Leadership is working with Parks staff to add trees to two Tempe parks following the
microburst. Tempe Cares is also coordinating a 2026 event to help replace trees lost in Kiwanis
Park.
Additional microburst resources and links to donate can be found here -
https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-health-and-human-services/community-
resources/tempe-needs-you
Agenda Item 9 – Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Prepared by: Elizabeth Thomas
Reviewed by: Shauna Warner