I’ve been laser-focused on improving the quality of life for all Tempeans. I’ve served on 26 working groups, which is over 2.5x as many as any other councilmember during my time in office. This was a very deliberate decision on my part, as there is no onboarding process or training for a new councilmember, and it can be very much like drinking from a fire hose. I wanted to take on as much as I could, so I could learn as quickly as possible how to be the most effective councilmember I could be for my city. It was a baptism by fire, and it worked.
I’ve worked on issues that matter to Tempeans (see full list below), and done so in a way that prioritized compromise and consensus over conflict. My approach has proven to be very effective, and I’ve made a difference in everything from traffic, homelessness, revitalizing our parks, repairing our roads, protecting our neighborhoods, public safety, economic development, animal welfare, and maintaining the highest quality city services.
Highlights
Tempe Works Homeless Work Program – To create a day worker program for those who are experiencing homelessness in our community and seeking employment.
» Result
Tempe Pre-School Resource Expansion - To examine data from the first year of Tempe PRE and, if the data is positive, begin exploring potential revenue sources for permanently funding the Tempe PRE program. This working group would look at all possible revenue sources and seek stakeholder and community input as to the best way to proceed.
» Result
Council Committee Transparency – To evaluate the current City Manager Working Group system while looking at new improvements or hybridizations that could better fit the Council’s needs and expectations of the public.
» Result
Arts in the Parks - To explore how the city might facilitate a program of free arts programming within neighborhood parks by utilizing partnerships with education partners, the business community, and local nonprofit organizations.
» Result
Opioid Awareness and Abusive Prevention – To develop a comprehensive local response to the growing opioid epidemic through education and awareness, treatment and community wellness, and public safety and law enforcement.
» Result
Tempe Maker District (Broadway Corridor Revitalization) - To identify urban mixed-use redevelopment opportunities along Broadway Road connecting Innovation Hubs and creating a sense of identity as one enters Tempe from the I-10 and Loop 101
» Result
Here is a full list of working groups I’ve either led or served on. In addition to these, I’ve been a forceful advocate for accelerated investment in our parks, accelerated repairs on our roads, and public safety.
My Record
Adaptive Parks - To provide Tempe children with and without disabilities park accessibility and inclusive, fun, and safe playground experiences.
Affordable Housing Opportunities - To provide housing opportunities for individuals and families who do not qualify for subsidized housing programs, but do not earn enough to attain market-rate housing.
Animal Welfare – To protect our furry family members and encourage responsible pet ownership.
Annexing County Islands - To annex the remaining county islands in the city of Tempe for greater control over which businesses build there.
Art on Commercial Property – To focus on streamlining the process that the City of Tempe uses to allow for art murals on private commercial property.
Arts in the Parks - To explore how the city might facilitate a program of free arts programming within neighborhood parks by utilizing partnerships with education partners, the business community, and local nonprofit organizations.
Bike Safety - To examine Tempe’s rules of the road for bicycles to see how we compare to best practices and other neighboring cities and see if any changes should be made to Tempe City Code to make the roads in Tempe safer for bicyclists.
Broadway Corridor Revitalization - To identify urban mixed-use redevelopment opportunities along Broadway Road connecting Innovation Hubs and creating a sense of identity as one enters Tempe from the I-10 and Loop 101
Council Committee Transparency – To evaluate the current City Manager Working Group system while looking at new improvements or hybridizations that could better fit the Council’s needs and expectations of the public.
Desert Conservation Board – To explore the creation of a desert conservation board to oversee plans and proposed changes to Tempe’s desert parks which include Tempe’s portion of the Papago Park Preserve and the Hayden Butte Preserve.
Encouraging Live Music in Tempe – To work with Downtown Tempe Authority to explore opportunities to expand live music on Mill Ave and enhance Tempe’s reputation as Arizona’s music capital.
Gentrificiation – To perform a survey of peer-reviewed literature regarding tools to limit gentrification and return with potential options for Council review.
Housing First Approach to Homelessness - To explore national best practices in a Housing First model as well as identify potential grants and other funding opportunities.
Human and Sex Trafficking Prevention - To explore and assess local and regional resources for combatting human trafficking and sex trafficking. Evaluate and recommend any best practices or innovative approaches to mitigating human trafficking. Educate at-risk populations in Tempe.
My Brother’s Keeper – To work with the City of Tempe and its surrounding partners to join the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative.
Opioid Awareness and Abusive Prevention – To develop a comprehensive local response to the growing opioid epidemic through education and awareness, treatment and community wellness, and public safety and law enforcement.
Public Art at Danielle Plaza – To create a public wall/space for graffiti artists to practice and express their art form.
Renewable Energy Goals - To examine the City of Tempe’s current renewable energy target, and look at the potential for a new target for municipal energy.
Scooter Regulation - To provide license requirements and regulations for scooter sharing in Tempe.
Strategies to Retain and Grow Tempe Business – To explore strategies to retain and grow businesses in Tempe.
Tempe Works Homeless Work Program – To create a day worker program for those who are experiencing homelessness in our community and seeking employment.
Tempe Pre-School Resource Expansion - To examine data from the first year of Tempe PRE and, if the data is positive, begin exploring potential revenue sources for permanently funding the Tempe PRE program. This working group would look at all possible revenue sources and seek stakeholder and community input as to the best way to proceed.
Unlawful Keeping of Pigeons – To prevent the unlawful keeping and feeding of pigeons will further strengthen community connections with their government and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Vacant Buildings – To determine what, if any, tools can be used to encourage building owners to keep businesses in their property while PAD, financing, and pre-construction for redevelopment is happening.
Water Conservation - To encourage residents to conserve our most precious resource through financial incentives, education, a tier system, and promote our WaterSmart program.
Workforce Opportunities for People with Disabilities - To provide young adults and adults with disabilities the opportunity to intern, volunteer, or potentially work for the City of Tempe and to raise awareness among the community of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
Youth Suicide Prevention – To develop or implement a plan or program targeting suicide prevention in Tempe schools, ultimately reducing the rate of attempted or completed suicides among Tempe youth.