[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6200162,"mediaKeyId","3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb","parentId",3818463,"title","Council approves new subcommittees on age‑friendly planning, mixed‑use review and animal welfare; other committees closed or continued","audioSeconds",259,"startMs",6111000,"endMs",6370000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb&start=6111&end=6370","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb/thumbnail_6111000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200162/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-approves-new-subcommittees-on-agefriendly-planning-mixeduse-review-and-animal-welfare-other-committees-closed-or-continued","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200162-9d1ccace42dedd6f36d37492f75891ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440069&Signature=KZld2-Gax5N7LoYXKANoQYhVNeC9CU43vOGa4PzDf~E4HbwNlRgzl55VhNic5VSrL~8fJ9GwgRkZgPoli0pEdw-4DV9jq~PkfaL5nQUxwsgWCroWZ5G5DMqUWDJePG2sq0PuCFN9ltLmGGDEycgePkkFQfGTzwVcmjydkCPwwGe3jsKL7lq4UrqaEfRuX6YvQ9kdxbANgw-~lb-vNNquktTIShb23wmBL9eZwHha4mjZ1E9cpeS8Am7giz5mk1c1XQILMsEg8dQJv5xIZCdjwvq3TuCOnB09jhs5CTnd~1P3JoIPK2csWokuQdANs3d6PVZjzMEXbVbfFJE83JnNrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Tempe, AZ","date","2025-06-13T01:51:02Z","article","The Tempe City Council used its work study session Wednesday to form several council subcommittees and to close others, following the procedure in council rule 7, subsection 2(b) for subcommittee formation.

Vice Mayor Garland proposed an Age‑Friendly Tempe subcommittee to develop a 2026–2031 action plan aligned with AARP’s eight livability domains (outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; health services and community supports). Garland named Council Members Nikki Amberg and Randy Keating as members and the council gave consensus to proceed.

Council Member Chen proposed a subcommittee to review the city’s mixed‑use zoning requirements and the percentage thresholds that require on‑site retail. Council Member Amber Amberg and Chen were identified as participants; the council approved moving the subcommittee forward by consensus.

Council Member Hodge proposed a subcommittee focused on animal welfare and cruelty policy, naming Vice Mayor Garland and Council Member Adams as collaborators. The council indicated consensus to form that subcommittee.

Council staff also reported status updates on existing subcommittees. Council Member Keating notified the group that the Heat Safety for Tempe Contract Workers subcommittee will close after the council passed related items at a prior regular meeting. Council Member Bajaj reported that the Increased Advocacy for Tempe Youth with Disabilities subcommittee has completed its pamphlet and outreach work and will transition remaining grant‑seeking activity to the Human Services department while closing the formal subcommittee.

Council members raised no objections and asked staff to coordinate agendas and public notice for the new subcommittees. No formal recorded roll‑call votes or ordinance actions were taken during the work study session; council members used a consensus process to authorize formation and continuation work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tempe City Council - Work Study Session - June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its work study session the Tempe City Council gave consensus to create three new council subcommittees — age‑friendly planning, mixed‑use requirement review and animal welfare/cruelty — and received status updates closing two prior subcommittees.","taxTitle","Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2209,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200165,"City unveils 2025–27 communications plan and new brand; team to emphasize visuals, timely updates and neighborhood outreach",1375,4454000,5829000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb&start=4454&end=5829","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb/thumbnail_4454000.jpg","/articles/6200165/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/City-unveils-202527-communications-plan-and-new-brand-team-to-emphasize-visuals-timely-updates-and-neighborhood-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200165-14c730d47ff2726a0b70de4b7828b904/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440069&Signature=WiSHzySQCdf6OAmGRFxfz4j8s3aUiIxB7WysNTOzOvxA9w-SqiTxCCsMotTjkQ1cfqsU84q2lE1TH-CrCIUNBfaTmj2ucwjOMqZl5Hs06JvXtF1~EzVOBq8tu-XxMl~EyiyQ7mXba~fpFmKHzrpUxfBNa14tEMYZo9tbiDfLTf8X1Dm1WgmI9nh~x1aQ4jh3UjFohqOhQ0XKSqyVQP2~l7F3n179RfKDU-3cPOxfprTsGTBukLtOhX~gWUu1vIMglf6zkGtoCsY5-gzRB2zEkDg~ua1ivP11K4W~qRI-tz7iQNWzVZ54CEDwI1hglcBW3CMejVRWgxd26zoRzMYbcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Communications Director Chris Baxter King and consultant David Leibovitz presented Tempe’s 2025–27 communications plan during the council work study session, outlining a new brand, a set of six brand priorities and implementation steps across departments.

Baxter King said the city expanded the communications team and updated tools and technology over the past year, including new camera and broadcast equipment, a public‑records system (Jvis a Voya—presentation name), new licenses for social publishing platforms and staff training. She noted a new visual identity and logo standards and said the community satisfaction score for city information is in the top 10% nationally.

Leibovitz described the plan’s brand priorities, which were drawn from resident and business surveys and internal engagement: celebrating diversity, encouraging civic involvement, respecting taxpayer dollars, public safety, neighborhood building and economic opportunity and public health. He said the priorities will act as a “map” to guide messaging across departments and that the plan includes department‑level guides, social media and video plans, and a schedule of workshops and brand training.

The presentation included examples of video and social content — including informational videos about Tempe Fire Medical Rescue apparatus and a brand video linking the priorities to everyday services — and a list of tactical activities: timely information, visual storytelling, spotlights and construction/CIP updates, social media collaborations with partners, and expanded community‑center storytelling. Staff asked council members to help by sharing posts and aligning public remarks with the brand priorities.

Council members praised the communications team, asked for periodic check‑ins and requested ongoing support for neighborhood outreach and brand workshops. No ordinance or new budget appropriation was proposed during the presentation; staff said training and rollout activities will be coordinated with departments and that the team will return for regular updates.","Tempe’s communications office presented a citywide communications plan and new brand to the council, describing investments in staff, technology and training to sustain an 80% satisfaction rating for public information and to roll out a set of brand priorities across departments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200171,"Tempe Tourism reports $1.12 billion in visitor spending in 2024 and 4.5 million visitors",398,3198000,3596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb&start=3198&end=3596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb/thumbnail_3198000.jpg","/articles/6200171/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Tempe-Tourism-reports-112-billion-in-visitor-spending-in-2024-and-45-million-visitors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200171-e6b7a3865d4e1b176b65c70666364d86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440069&Signature=X4b0qerzjRCdzDM398eAPMBnMy81YEl-rSmOnitfsI3pdDfYgcNmyXBZZdk9zPveew425txb06D6y~uwDjlZbXjqty3zViFlHHzrWtC~nznKc5KaqZqDITdcrWoG-FK0VlbSSWXejGP-4XcLCtZsibfBCaefn-N431JVX14Dl4YXWoukiBiC7aprRmPz7lkAlxzUxi0~5GSpAviOq-hQGs6W2rf4bLFHulqNT-reAYvhG9QyKNMTKKE0c-R4fAmD1fHQKLDZSya~jzF-ov6HWDND2Wdy~4QX7CuyEsefKHQngAJxFsoMPux18wHUeD6CuGCuOZ62DYR-qtYQZRcMaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Martin, CEO of the Tempe Tourism Office (doing business as the Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau), presented the office’s annual tourism impact summary to the City Council on Wednesday, reporting growth in visitation, hotel activity and marketing reach.

Martin said the office’s 2024 economic‑impact study, conducted by Tourism Economics, showed about 4.5 million visitors to Tempe and roughly $1.12 billion in direct visitor spending in calendar year 2024. Martin said the city supported about 7,000 direct jobs tied to tourism and that hotel inventory in Tempe totals about 7,241 rooms.

Martin reviewed key hotel metrics: rooms sold in 2024 were about 1.75 million (up from 1.5 million in 2021), average daily rate increased from roughly $103 in 2021 to about $147–$150 in recent years, and total hotel revenue in 2024 was reported at approximately $257 million. He noted that some county‑level funding (referred to in the presentation as “Prop 302”) and the city bed‑tax contract provide the tourism office’s core funding and that the office also receives advertising and cooperative funds from private partners.

Martin highlighted marketing and sales achievements: Tempe made Cvent’s top‑50 list for meetings destinations, launched a new brand, website, destination video and ad campaign, and increased digital reach with tens of millions of advertising impressions and strong social media engagement. He said the tourism office will publish a five‑year strategic plan this summer, expand a summer promotion for hotels and restaurants and continue partnerships for sports, meetings and community events.

Council members praised the tourism office’s partnerships and marketing wins and asked a few operational questions. No change in the city’s bed‑tax contract or budget was proposed. Martin closed by noting that the office will release a fuller annual report for the fiscal year with final numbers after June.","The Tempe Tourism Office told the City Council the city drew about 4.5 million visitors and $1.12 billion in direct visitor spending in 2024, and the office outlined marketing wins, hotel statistics and a new strategic plan and campaigns for 2025–26.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200175,"Rolling Hills relaunch: new restaurant, night golf and events drive rounds and revenue, operator says",1247,1713000,2960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb&start=1713&end=2960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb/thumbnail_1713000.jpg","/articles/6200175/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Rolling-Hills-relaunch-new-restaurant-night-golf-and-events-drive-rounds-and-revenue-operator-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200175-84aaaec96b95d1ca3a97782544838c54/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440069&Signature=NETu7p75LO1mT0C8umPqwZbEVy8f~qQr46tR1PFSWncM25HF3Qq3vG9ERgLIyL~n5rQS~VhX6QR3si5JrZe7riI-v5AO3hTStUBQ4V7-9ZDVMIWaUCFWnTEa87agyRLvp6MMw6J9juqevvZsLAIr~euWfH5GPsEejzhSf7SQU4ZyqqIFigT7unX4zKJTQq2L7IaU-JvukUT4fSnggIag-22nHtJ0GNClstvVYX3TNcheRxApoC2-AsRKDgC8PJl6JF9nkRKJLyAvEXV5AEffu6WMN-uR-RrfqXm2~S2P8~eBRbDDRLeW3wXN4rDXJDOr-9PvUzjNSAxmkuauI4DpWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grama Clippings CEO Jake Hozelton and City of Tempe Community Services Director Craig Hayden updated the City Council on the Rolling Hills Golf Course redevelopment and operations, describing a two‑year redevelopment and the addition of night golf and a destination restaurant that the operator says have substantially increased activity.

\"Arizona's only lighted golf course,\" Hozelton said, noting the course turned its lights on Dec. 1, 2023, and that night play has become popular across the Valley. He told council members the renovation program completed the pro shop, added a covered driving range with 35 hitting bays and opened a full kitchen and the Glen Rosa restaurant April 5, 2025.

The operator reported an increase in activity and events: trailing 12‑month totals included about 20,000 day‑play rounds and 15,000 night rounds, with a reported total of roughly 63,000 rounds during construction; staff projected a target of about 75,000 rounds in the coming 12 months. Hozelton described new community uses — a biweekly farmers market, yoga classes, live music on Friday nights and special events — and said the venue hosted a sellout Grass Clippings event with 4,000 fans and two concerts, plus national broadcast appearances.

City staff and council members praised the public‑private partnership’s investment and the operator’s community programming. Councilors asked about access and course safety in rockier areas; operator and staff said they have added pathways, riprap and restoration work and continue to engage stakeholder groups about sustainability and wash restoration projects.

The presentation covered financial and community details that the operator said they are tracking: a veteran rate and resident rate remain in effect; junior rounds play free with a paying adult some Sundays; youth clinics and a partnership with EZ Golf (formerly the Arizona Golf Association) are planned; concerts and tournaments are expected to continue. No changes to city policy or budget were proposed during the update.

Council members offered positive feedback and asked staff to continue monitoring community access and environmental stewardship as the course reaches full operational capacity.","The private operator of Rolling Hills Golf Course told the Tempe City Council the course’s redevelopment and new amenities — including Arizona’s only lighted golf course, a renovated pro shop, an outdoor bar and a restaurant — have driven new visitors, community events and a larger rounds total.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200180,"Consultant: Tempe Union enrollment down roughly 2,000 students over 14 years; birth rates and smaller cohorts driving declines",1147,466000,1613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb&start=466&end=1613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3818463-8873c58de4ab9c672a07f6d4699793bb/thumbnail_466000.jpg","/articles/6200180/Tempe/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Consultant-Tempe-Union-enrollment-down-roughly-2000-students-over-14-years-birth-rates-and-smaller-cohorts-driving-declines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200180-5774bfab7f84b00381e030cd60906fba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440069&Signature=QbgnAHqhMN~C4jt1HoFA9b0zMJ5-90enrOolv0a1-ozcAeprH56DpzCbdVX8JkIVUJr~2IOUs4sIVpTUA00vKF2h-QG2WVw2EhgNo6XmfBH9plf-KiwyqVKSqXNJoIfplRF5rfu7rXyTOjDqr9lbUvGmOldh3CNvmfm938Yf-V0Abopivx0IqTLZHUhnTOitpI0Qh8VEkSqxsdhT2otBtOolnHcDsdJHCvWgKUc-VnPpFkM8cFi-bjUxg5VPntaBSbgjHUl78gDG2PRBy8VRcuzVAVEeWTKBClGnjohEFUxDBrKMjijRRFCVOlDKHWPt7gYju0hRVBncDqoIUiDJYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rick Brammer, the Applied Economics demographer who prepared the Tempe Union High School District’s 2024–25 demographic update, told the Tempe City Council on Wednesday that district enrollment has fallen and is likely to continue declining absent very long-term demographic shifts.

The presentation, delivered during the council’s work study session, said the district has lost “about 2,000 students” over the last 14 years, with roughly 2,700 fewer students living inside the district and about 600 gained through in‑migration from outside the district. “Two thousand students is what we like to think of as a high school,” Brammer said, stressing the fiscal and facility implications.

The report focused on three drivers: changing local age structure, lower birth rates statewide and the growing role of alternative education delivery. Brammer said Arizona birth counts fell sharply during and after the Great Recession and have not recovered to earlier levels, and he called that “the big elephant in the room.” He warned the effects will continue to ripple through the grades and into high school enrollment in the next five years.

City staff framed the presentation as part of a regional planning partnership. Wydell Holmes, director of the city’s Strategic Management and Innovation Office, introduced Brammer and said the City of Tempe is trying to align housing, development and family‑friendly services with school enrollment trends. Deputy City Manager Keith Burke and council members stressed existing city efforts — including the Thrive in Tempe partnership with Arizona State University and others — to coordinate recruitment and support for families with school‑age children.

Brammer reviewed neighborhood‑level patterns showing which attendance‑area blocks have lost or gained students in recent years and noted that most near‑term housing growth planned for Tempe is multifamily construction, which historically attracts fewer school‑age children than new single‑family housing. He summarized the district prognosis: enrollment could fall below 10,000 students during the projection period from roughly 12,000 now and the decline is driven primarily by “smaller classes coming forward” rather than by a sudden increase in charter or private school share.

Council members asked for regular updates and staff said they would continue to coordinate with school districts, housing and workforce partners to identify actions the city can take to support families and district enrollment.

The presentation included neighborhood maps, cohort charts and a review of services‑rate changes over time; Brammer recommended continuing city efforts that make Tempe affordable and family‑friendly, including childcare and housing supports, without suggesting any single policy guaranteed to reverse long‑term demographic trends.","A demographer told the Tempe City Council that Tempe Union High School District enrollment has declined substantially in recent years and that longer-term declines are being driven by lower birth rates and changing household age structure, limiting what new housing alone can do to reverse the trend.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves new subcommittees on age‑friendly planning, mixed‑use review and animal welfare; other committees closed or continued

City unveils 2025–27 communications plan and new brand; team to emphasize visuals, timely updates and neighborhood outreach

Tempe Tourism reports $1.12 billion in visitor spending in 2024 and 4.5 million visitors

Rolling Hills relaunch: new restaurant, night golf and events drive rounds and revenue, operator says

Consultant: Tempe Union enrollment down roughly 2,000 students over 14 years; birth rates and smaller cohorts driving declines