Council Regular/Special Meeting

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL IN SPECIAL MEETING OF MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 AT 4:00 PM, MUNICIPAL CENTER 1, ROOM 233, 50 E CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Vice Mayor Brigette Peterson, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Eddie Cook, Jordan Ray, and Jared Taylor COUNCIL ABSENT: Mayor Jenn Daniels and Councilmember Victor Petersen STAFF PRESENT: Deputy Clerk Kris Kingsmore, Intergovernmental Relations Assistant Amy Arguilez, Mayor’s Aide Valerie Shaffer, Mayor & Council Executive Assistant Monica D’Ortenzio, Police Planning & Research Coordinator Joseph Go, and Police Officer Landon Gibson VISITING DIGNATARIES: Mr. Fan Yi, Mr. Gang Li, Mr. Lisheng Wen, Mr. Jianjun Su, Mr. Lin Chen, and Ms. Yingli “Maggie” Chen OTHERS: Greg Tilque, Secretary Gilbert Sister Cities, and Sam Szeto, Gilbert Business Owner AGENDA ITEM 1 Introductions. Greg Tilque, Secretary of Gilbert Sister Cities, introduced the delegation from Leshan and Vice Mayor Brigette Peterson introduced the Council to the dignitaries. Ms. Yingli “Maggie” Chen served as translator and explained how successful the Sister Cities program has been from the Leshan delegation’s perspective. The international partnership, delegation visits, and student exchange program, have provided opportunities for learning, growth and joint ventures between the Sister Cities since 2002. Through Ms. Chen and Town of Gilbert translators Police Planning & Research Coordinator Joseph Go, Police Officer Landon Gibson, and Gilbert business owner, Mr. Sam Szeto, the Council and delegation discussed and compared the operation of municipal government in Gilbert to the operation of government in Leshan. Comparisons included the differences and similarities in police and fire operations, 911 emergency and non-emergency calls, the role of the courts, water and waste water treatment, streets, property taxes, and maintenance of Town facilities. 1  Councilmember Eddie Cook provided background on responsibilities where the State and Town have an overlap. He explained how these overlaps are balanced and the impact it has on residents. The dignitaries asked questions about Gilbert related to total population, square mileage/kilometers of land within the Town’s boundaries, the number of schools in Gilbert, the types of industry and commerce within the community, the number of hospitals in Gilbert, and the importance of tourism to the Town. Council asked similar questions about Leshan. Members of the delegation explained the importance of commerce and tourism (scenery) to Leshan and also talked about success the semi- conductor industry is experiencing. There was significant interest in the process for electing municipal, county, state, and federal officials. Vice Mayor Brigette Peterson explained term limits, length of terms, and the election process for local, state and federal offices. Each Councilmember shared the number of terms they have served on Council. In honor of Constitution Day here in the United States, Councilmember Jared Taylor explained the importance of the United States Constitution and gave a pocket copy of the Constitution to each dignitary. He explained that the Town of Gilbert is home to the largest celebration of Constitution Day in the nation. The Leshan delegation expressed a desire to establish relationships with hospitals located in Gilbert and asked if the Town could help make those connections. Leshan is interested in pursuing an exchange program where doctors from Gilbert could travel to Leshan for a “working experience” and to learn about government-owned hospitals. Chairman Fan Yi, Leshan People's Political Consultation Conference, likened our relationship as Sister Cities to that of family. He said that families need to build relationships by staying in contact and through personal visits. He invited the Council to visit Leshan next September, to both strengthen the relationship between the two cities and to attend the annual Sichuan International Travel Expo held in Leshan each year. 2 Gift exchange between Sister City Leshan, China and Gilbert. The Town Council and the dignitaries from Leshan exchanged gifts and took photographs. ADJOURN Vice Mayor Brigette Peterson adjourned the meeting at 5:34 p.m. 2  ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Brigette Peterson, Vice 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 17th day of September, 2018. 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 3