After a sudden and concerning threat prompted the cancellation of the Thursday Tempe City Council meeting, officials have announced a new date. The rescheduled meeting is now set for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday and will be held virtually. Those looking to follow the zoning discussions, including the ADU hearing and the REVELRY second reading, will have to wait a bit longer as these have been pushed to Sept. 18.
The decision to shut down the original meeting came after Tempe Police received a credible threat, prompting them to swiftly evacuate the council chambers, which were occupied by about 75 individuals at the time. Assistant Police Chief James Sweig stated, "The concern was specific in nature and credible enough that we could not in good conscience proceed with the meeting." These words were obtained through a statement released by the city. In response to the ongoing investigation, both the Tuesday and Thursday meetings will operate solely online, a decision designed not just to rapidly ensure the safety of all attendees but to thoroughly investigate the situation at hand.
Tempe Council Chambers, with a capacity for 145 people, has been a forum for local governance and community engagement, with attendance from a wide array of residents. A spokesperson for the city emphasized the value placed on council meetings, as well as community safety, declaring that protection of residents, city staff, and council members remains their "highest concern."
For those who intended to contribute to the public discourse, the city has specified that anyone who registered online to speak at the canceled meeting need not resubmit their comments. However, individuals who signed up in person are required to fill out an online card before 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting they wish to attend. This move speaks to a commitment to maintain open channels of communication between the city and its residents, despite the disruptions caused by security concerns.
