TRANSCOMMTGMINUTES 4.14.2026.PDF

Minutes of the meeting of Tempe Transportation Commission held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. via Teams and at the 
Tempe Transportation Center located at 200 E. Fifth Street, Tempe AZ 85281. 
 
Members Present 
David Sokolowski 
Amanda Nelson 
Roy Peterson 
Anthony Strait 
Mark Richwine 
Kelsey Files 
Samuel Thiele    
 
(MEMBERS) Absent:  
Dawn Hocking 
 
 
Sasha Pachito 
Chris Watts 
Jacob Cox 
Kendra Flory 
Stevie Milne 
Andrea Chalmers 
Claire Lauer 
 
   
   
   
City Staff Present: 
Lisette Camacho, Deputy City Manager 
Eric Iwersen, Transportation & Sustainability Director 
Cathy Hollow, Principal Civil Engineer 
Lindsay Post, Senior Transportation Planner 
Greg Bacon, Lieutenant 
Mitchell Willard, Transportation Planner 
Alex Phillips, Transportation Planner 
Sue Taaffe, Admin 
Shauna Warner, Neighborhood Services Director 
Chase Walman, Principal Transportation Planner 
Sam Stevenson, Transit Manager 
Morgan Kennedy, Neighborhood & Community 
Engagement Specialist 
Carla Sidi, Management Assistant 
 
 
Guests Present:  
John Federico 
 
Paul Martin 
Katie Boligitz 
 
Hayley Weirs 
Hue-Tan Jomme 
 
Dr Deborah Salon 
Carlos Lopez 
 
Julie Smith 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
Commissioner Kelsey Files called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m. 
 
 
Minutes 
City of Tempe Meeting of the Transportation Commission 
April 14, 2026

2 
 
Agenda Item 1 – Public Appearances 
Julie Smith introduced herself as the Community Relations Coordinator with Valley Metro.  
 
Agenda Item 2 – Minutes 
Kelsey Files introduced the minutes of the February 10, 2026 meeting of the Transportation Commission and asked for a motion 
for approval. 
 
Motion: Commissioner Jacob Cox 
Second: Commissioner Kendra Flory 
Decision: Approved by Commissioners: 
 
David Sokolowski 
Amanda Nelson 
Roy Peterson 
Anthony Strait 
Mark Richwine 
Kelsey Files 
Samuel Thiele    
 
Sasha Pachito 
Chris Watts 
Jacob Cox 
Kendra Flory 
Stevie Milne 
Andrea Chalmers 
Claire Lauer 
 
   
Agenda Item 3 – Phoenix – Tucson Passenger Rail Study  
Carlos Lopez with the Arizona Department of Transportation provided an update on the Phoenix to Tucson Passenger Rail 
project. Topics included: 
• 
Project Context 
• 
Foundations and Past Efforts   
• 
Phoenix - Tucson Intercity Rail Study  
• 
Purpose and Scope 
• 
Key Tasks and Milestones  
• 
Stakeholder and Public Goals  
• 
Next Steps 
 
Discussion included high speed rail vs Sunset line, intercity connections, track layout, reliability and frequency, demand and 
forecasting, current alternatives like BRT, and funding,  
 
Agenda Item 4 – Reimagining Rural Road Near ASU in Tempe 
Professor Debra Salon with Arizona State University made a presentation about reimagining Rural Road near ASU. Topics 
included: 
• 
Project Context 
• 
Density 
• 
Crashes 
• 
Traffic Volumes 
• 
Transit Network 
• 
USC Example 
• 
Reimagining Rural Road Festival Proposal 
 
Discussion included USC project overlay, Reimagining Rural Road Festival, current use of Rural Road, and adapted streets.

3 
 
Agenda Item 5 - Transportation Management Association/Transportation Demand Management & Autonomous Delivery 
Devices 
Lindsay Post and Alex Phllips made a presentation about Transportation Management Association/Transportation Demand 
Management & Autonomous Delivery Devices. Topics included: 
• 
Overview of Transportation Management Association/Transportation Demand Management 
• 
Strategy Examples 
• 
Feasibility of Phase I 
• 
Phase I Recommendations 
• 
Phase II Pilot Program 
• 
Phase II Outcome 
• 
Autonomous Vehicles 
• 
Personal Delivery Devices 
• 
Arizona Legislation related to Autonomous Vehicles 
 
Discussion included adding more information on the website about autonomous vehicles and providing information regarding 
service areas and participation locations. 
 
Agenda Item 6 – Department & Regional Transportation Updates 
Eric Iwersen announced that annual Board and Commission Appreciation Event is on May 1. He also thanked everyone for their 
support for the Open Streets event that occurred on April 12, and reminded the Commission that Bike to Work Day is April 15. He 
also announced that the city of Tempe won the Women’s Transportation Seminar Employer of the Year Award.  
 
Agenda Item 7 – Future Agenda Items 
The following future agenda items have been previously identified by the Commission or staff: 
 
• 
May 12   
o Speed Limits  
o Transit Fund Analysis Status  
o Prop 479  
o Bike Hero  
• 
June 9  
o College Ave Traffic Calming Update (including results from the speed cushion installation)  
o City Speed Cushion Process/Traffic Calming Tools  
• 
July 14  
• 
August 11  
o Tempe Transportation Plan 2050  
• 
September 8 
• 
October 13  
o Tempe Transportation Plan 2050  
• 
November 10  
o Annual Report 
o Tempe Transportation Plan 2050 
• 
December 8  
o Commission Business – acknowledge outgoing commissioners 
o Transit Survey Results  
• 
January 12  
o Commission Business – elect Chair and Vice Chair and welcome new commissioners 
• 
TBD: 5th and Mill Crosswalk Update

4 
 
The next meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2026. The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 a.m. 
 
Prepared by: Sue Taaffe 
Reviewed by: Eric Iwersen