What is the purpose of the Tempe City Council?

The Tempe City Council is the legislative body of the City of Tempe.  The members of the Tempe City Council are elected at large. There are six elected council members. The mayor is also elected by voters, not chosen by the councilmembers.

The Tempe City Council approves the budget. The council sets community goals, approves major projects and votes on land use and strategic planning. The Mayor and Council appoint and evaluate the performance of the City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney and City Magistrate.

What is the City Manager's function?

The City Manager provides oversight of the city for everyday programs and services. The City Manager administers projects and programs that have been approved by Tempe City Council, manages city staff and ensures that information is brought to the Tempe City Council for their review and decision.

When and where are the City Council meetings held?

The Tempe City Council meets at Tempe City Hall, 31 E. Fifth St., Tempe, in the Tempe City Council Chambers, which is located in the Garden Level. 

Meeting times and dates are listed by the City Clerk's Office.


What is a Work Study Session? 

Work Study Sessions allow councilmembers to bring forward topics and programs for which no decision is to be made. They are opportunities for staff to bring forward concepts and ideas that may come back later for action. 

What is a Committee of the Whole Meeting?

The Committee of the Whole is a gathering of the Tempe City Council to discuss ideas either current City Manager Working Group information or new ideas to be presented as optional City Manager Working Group.

A working group is a collection of city staff members from a variety of departments who come together with up to three councilmember to work on a topic or program. These groups often consist of topics that straddle several different city departments, such as working to improve the city's education level or reducing homelessness. 

Once a group is formed, the City Manager’s Working Group provide written status update at 90 days. Working groups hold a minimum of one stakeholder meeting and one public input meeting, unless more public input is directed by the Council.

What is a Regular Council Meeting?

Regular meetings bring forward items that are ready for their vote. They include consideration of new ordinances, contracts, long range planning documents, zoning changes and more. 

What is the difference between a Consent and Non-Consent Agenda?

Items listed under the Consent Agenda may include items being purchased, renewals of contracts, and more. These items will be decided on with one vote. If a councilmember or a member of the audience wants an item moved from the Consent agenda to the Non-Consent Agenda for discussion they may make the request prior to the vote on the Consent Agenda.

Items listed under the Non-Consent Agenda are each handled by separate motion and vote. The Mayor and Council will receive a briefing of the item by city staff.

On occasion, it may appear that the council is acting on some agenda items with little consideration or discussion. Such instances typically represent a relatively routine action; an issue which has been thoroughly reviewed previously at a study session; an issue which has been discussed at a previous regular meeting and continued; or issues previously reviewed for which no public testimony or new information is offered.

May I speak at a Regular Council meeting?

We encourage people to be active and use their voices at our Tempe City Council meetings. You may speak concerning a specific agenda item or at a Public Hearing. You may request a Scheduled Public Appearance, which would allow you to address the council on the topic of your choice and have a discussion with them. You may also speak at our Call to Public, which allows you to address the Tempe City Council on any topic but they cannot respond.  

Procedures are as follows:

Scheduled Public Appearance: Call the City Clerk's Office at 480-350-4311 at least 96 hours in advance. You will be asked to provide your name, daytime phone number and the specific topic you will be addressing. The Mayor will call you to the podium at the appropriate time where you may address the Council for up to 3 minutes.

Unscheduled Public Appearance: Complete a "Speaker Comment Card" provided in the Council Chambers and turn it in to the City Clerk. The Mayor will call you to the podium where you will be allowed to address the Council for up to 3 minutes. State Statute prohibits the City Council from discussing an item that is not on the agenda; however, the Tempe City Council does listen to your concerns and may have staff follow-up on questions you raise.

Agenda Items Including Public Hearings: Complete a "Speaker Comment Card" and provide to the City Clerk. As part of the discussion of the item, the Tempe City Council will accept public comments based on the speaker cards. 

When the mayor acknowledges you, please step up to the podium, state your name and address for the record and proceed to speak clearly into the microphone.

If you do not wish to speak, you may indicate your support or opposition on the speaker card and indicate your preference not to speak on that card. 

How can I find out what is on the City Council agenda?

In accordance with State law, public meeting notices and agendas for all meetings of the Tempe City Council and all City of Tempe boards and commissions must be posted at least 24-hours in advance of the meeting.

The City of Tempe’s official posting board is located at Tempe City Hall, 31 E. Fifth St., on the Garden level, located at the northwest side of the building. The posting board is viewable by the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Public meeting notices are also posted on the City’s website. Results of any legal actions taken at the City Council meetings will be posted on the City’s website within three working days of the meeting.