Council Regular/Special Meeting

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL IN SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 AT 5:00 PM, MUNICIPAL CENTER, ROOM 300, 50 EAST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Jenn Daniels, Vice Mayor Victor Petersen, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Eddie Cook, Brigette Peterson, and Jared Taylor COUNCIL ABSENT: Councilmember Jordan Ray STAFF PRESENT: Manager Patrick Banger and Deputy Clerk Kris Kingsmore GILBERT PUBLIC President Sheila Rogers, Clerk Reed Carr, Members Jill SCHOOL DISTRICT Humpherys, Dr. J. Charles Santa Cruz, and Lori Wood MEMBERS PRESENT: and Interim Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Zentner AGENDA ITEM CALL TO ORDER OF JOINT MEETING WITH GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Mayor Jenn Daniels called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 1. Introductions and an overview of the purpose of the meeting. Mayor Jenn Daniels welcomed everyone in attendance and thanked them for coming. Everyone introduced themselves. 2. Presentation and discussion on Gilbert growth and development with an update on current and upcoming activity within the Town, including the areas of economic development, transportation and public safety. Town Manager Patrick Banger discussed relevant statistics for the Town of Gilbert including those portions of the Town within the Gilbert Public School District (GPS). He looked at how Gilbert is growing and how the Town is projected to grow in the future and spoke about collaborative efforts between the Town and GPS. The Town is proud that Samantha Harris, a former Native American Management Internship intern with the Town, was hired as a GPS Title One Parent Liaison. In her position, Samantha serves nearly 500 Native American students and their families in the Gilbert School district. Gilbert Public School District has had participants in the SPARK App League competition in the past. Town Manager Patrick Banger showed a short video on the SPARK App League and what it has meant to teachers and students who have participated. This year the Town is  Special Meeting September 18, 2017 Page 2 of 4 partnering with the Smithsonian Institution. This year’s SPARK App League competition will be to work on an app for the Smithsonian. Vice Mayor Victor Petersen joined the meeting. Town Manager Patrick Banger discussed major projects and opportunities in the Town including Heritage District developments, the Gilbert Memorial Park, the Town’s 311 app, the Town’s new sign code, a proposed Public Safety Training Facility, Phase 1 of Rittenhouse Park, Elliot District Park repairs, the Town’s long range infrastructure plan, the Greenfield Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, the What Works Cities Open Data Portal, the Lindsay Road/Route 202 Interchange, and the Gilbert Regional Park. Gilbert Public School District Board President Sheila Rogers asked about any projected impacts the Heritage District developments will have on families and neighborhoods surrounding the area. Town Manager Patrick Banger said that Town staff is currently conducting research for the Council to project how developments in the Heritage District will impact property values, crime rates, etc. Councilmember Scott Anderson speculated that new housing developments in the Heritage District will likely appeal more to empty nesters, younger singles, and couples that prefer an urban setting. 3. Update from the Gilbert Public School District on District activities, including current and upcoming projects and goals for the Board. School Board President Sheila Rogers provided an update on the search for a new school superintendent. Interim School Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Zentner discussed relevant statistics for the District and shared recent efforts to encourage students to come back and serve their community after graduating college. She said enrollment trends have leveled off and should begin to increase again in coming years. The District is working hard to attract and retain students and to provide gold standard customer service to students and parents. The District now holds monthly town halls where families can come and learn about school programs, terminology, ask questions, etc. Each town hall has a unique theme with sessions on both Thursdays and Saturdays. As the largest employer in the Town, GPS has developed new programs for their employees since “happy employees lead to happy students and parents.” Employees are given opportunities for professional development as well as training and classes, such as Financial Literacy, that enhance their home life. President Sheila Rogers said the Board will be setting formal goals centered on 1) academic achievement, 2) bringing students that attend other schools back to GPS, and 3) increased marketing and branding campaigns. School Board Clerk Reed Carr expressed his appreciation for the GPS administration and the renewed emphasis of helping enable and empower each school within the District. He is  Special Meeting September 18, 2017 Page 3 of 4 pleased the District has been able to enhance certain programs even while facing difficult budget cuts. President Sheila Rogers thanked the Mayor and Council for their hard work for the Town. She said that Gilbert is a wonderful community to raise a family. Mayor Jenn Daniels complimented the District, as both the Mayor and a parent, on increased communication in recent months. She thanked the District for their partnership with Steps for Success, a program that has changed students’ lives. 4. Discussion on how the Town can help the Gilbert Public School District be successful including infrastructure and public safety needs. Mayor Jenn Daniels asked what that the Town could do to help GPS be successful. The Mayor formed Advancing Education in Gilbert (ADED) as a forum for community wide dialogue in regards to K-12 education in Gilbert. Councilmember Jared Taylor discussed the important role parents, schools, and the Town play in building a strong and safe community. He encouraged the Council and School Board to join together in support of the police department in order to help foster a culture where public safety personnel are appreciated, supported, and respected. Vice Mayor Victor Petersen shared that he graduated from Gilbert High School and that his father did too. Gilbert Public Schools will always have a special place in his heart. He invited GPS to join in this year’s iRun4Good 5K and Fun Run. Both Gilbert and Mesquite high schools are sponsors of the event and all proceeds will be used to combat teenage substance abuse in Gilbert. Councilmember Scott Anderson complimented GPS on their hard work and achievements. As time passes, closing facilities becomes inevitable. When the Town begins updating its General Plan, he wants to hold discussions on how to reuse or repurpose any facilities that have been closed. Councilmember Scott Anderson encouraged GPS to hold similar discussions when planning for the future. Board Member Jill Humpherys cautioned that the Town and schools must work together so “we don’t over build the number of education institutions within the Town.” She asked the Council to be a “voice at the Legislature” on this cause. Mayor Jenn Daniels replied that this is why participation in the ADED group is important. ADED provides a forum for strategic discussions about the future. She encouraged all school districts and charter schools in the Town to participate. She also praised Councilmember Scott Anderson’s suggestion of planning for the reuse or repurposing of closed facilities.  Special Meeting September 18, 2017 Page 4 of 4 Councilmember Eddie Cook reminded GPS of the Town’s current undertaking to change all lagging left turn signals into leading arrows. Town Manager Patrick Banger explained the reasons behind this decision and the current timeline on the conversion. 5. Closing Remarks. Mayor Jenn Daniels said she appreciates the dialogue and the opportunity for the Council and the School Board to connect. ADJOURN Mayor Jenn Daniels adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Jenn Daniels, Mayor Kris Kingsmore, Deputy Town Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Gilbert held on the 18th day of September, 2017. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this ____ day of ____________________. ___________________________________ Kris Kingsmore, Deputy Town Clerk