Council Regular/Special Meeting

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL, IN SPECIAL MEETING OF THURSDAY JANUARY 21, 2021 AT 9:00 AM, VIRTUAL MEETING- ZOOM 50 E CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Brigette Peterson, Vice Mayor Yung Koprowski, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Laurin Hendrix, Scott September, Kathy Tilque, and Aimee Yentes COUNCIL ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Patrick Banger, Town Clerk Chaveli Herrera, Deputy Clerk Judy Martinez, Town Attorney Christopher Payne A reception was held at 8:30 a.m. in which attendees were asked to introduce themselves and answer a question on what they were most looking forward to most for the year. AGENDA ITEM CALL TO ORDER Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Sarah Watts, President/CEO with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce thanked everyone for attending and thanked Town staff for their help in putting the event together. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 1. Message from Salt River Project (SRP). Linda Brady with Salt River Project (SRP) thanked Sarah and the Chamber. She stated that she was honored to represent SRP and discussed the impacts of COVID-19 to the community. She stated that SRP remained focused on maintaining service levels to the community. She discussed the remarkable job done by the Town as well on focusing on businesses and constituents and providing service and assistance to residents. She talked about the importance in continued communication and assistance with one another. 2. Presentation and Discussion from the Gilbert Chamber on Business Priorities: a) Chamber Overview Sarah Watts provided an overview on the Gilbert Chamber and discussed the importance of the organization, their mission, vision and commitment to the community. She provided information on both the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and the Gilbert Chamber Foundation. She talked about the primary functions of each organization and provided 1 information on the industry representation of the Chamber. She discussed their role in advocacy and provided details on the programs, committees, programs and events. Lastly, she provided information on the Board of Directors and introduced the Chamber and Foundation Board Chair, Jasmine Holmes. Ms. Holmes, with 910 West who serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Public Policy Committee Member provided information on core values of the organization: dedicated, bold, integrity, catalyst, convener, champion and resourceful. b) 2021 Local Business Priorities Ms. Holmes provided information on the 2021 Business Priorities and Executive Summary. She outlined the policy pillars of the Chamber. These pillars were discussed in more depth by the following committee members. Reginald Mason, with Hill International who is also a Member on the Public Policy Committee provided information and details on providing an environment for business growth. Jon Schmitt, with Arizona State University who is also a Member on the Public Policy Committee provided details on producing a well-educated workforce. Adam Baugh, with Withey Morris PLC and also a member of the Public Policy Committee and a Member of the Board of Directors outlined ways in which the Chamber can support and enhance Gilbert’ s Infrastructure. Jan Simon, with Foundation Insurance Services and a Member on the Public Policy Committee and Vice Chair of Public Policy, Board of Directors discussed engaging in long-term planning and focusing on a healthy, vibrant and well-balanced community. 3. Presentation and Discussion of Town of Gilbert Priorities: a) Town Update Town Manager Banger talked about the recent rankings for Gilbert. He discussed the new opportunities for play in the Town at the Gilbert Regional Park and detailed information on the new sports courts, event lawn and lake and amphitheater. He discussed the continued growth and development of the Town and outlined manufacturing growth with Northrop Grumman and GPMI. Lastly, he talked about the growth in opportunities with the University of Arizona’s College of Nursing and their increased enrollment and the growth of Park University. b) COVID-19 Response Town Manager Banger provided information on COVID-19 and development and revenue impacts. He provided data on permits issued during this time concerning commercial and residential activity and the continued investment in economic activity, sales tax reporting, State shared sales tax and State shared income tax. Mayor Peterson discussed the Council Cares Act Subcommittee, she stated that the subcommittee members were Vice Mayor Koprowski, Councilmember September and Councilmember Yentes served as the Chair of the subcommittee. She talked about the areas of focus of the subcommittee, the categorization of priorities for the community, and 2 the allocation status of funding. She provided information on the assistance provided through non-profit assistance programs and allocation of funding. She detailed the #GilbertTogether business assistance program regarding business relief, business recovery and business resiliency. She discussed recent changes to the program to add additional support and assistance. She provided details on the on the AZCares discount codes utilized by the Parks and Recreation Department using $400,000 of the allocation. Lastly, she provided information on the possible Public Safety Dispatch Center, the associated funding of $8,048,000, the 15,400 square footage of renovations and the CIP allocation of $700,000 added to the project. She stated it would be discussed by Town Council in the near future. c) Infrastructure update and potential Transportation Bond Town Manager Banger talked about the Transportation and Infrastructure Bond for 2021 and the need for the Bond in order to maintain Gilberts long-term sustainability and quality of life. He stated the intention was to ask Council to place it on the November ballot. He discussed the City of the Future initiative and providing for future generations the same opportunities being enjoyed today. He discussed some of the community feedback received from a 2019 National Citizen Survey that outlined issues in transportation, streets and traffic. He stated that measures would continue to decrease if improvements are not made. He talked about social media feedback from the community and provided information on the historical street bond projects from 2006 and 2007. He provided a breakdown of ballot/bond issues for the Town and shared funding source information on the 2021 proposed Transportation and Infrastructure Bond Project. He touched base on the roadmap for the bond and stated that the next touch point would be at a February Council retreat and then the Council Decision in June 2021. Lastly, he provided information on the Study Updates and Needs Assessments. Mayor Peterson provided information on the Citizens Transportation Task Force, she discussed the purpose of the advisory group, their meetings, the education received as well as feedback and outreach to the community and residents. She detailed the need to put everything on hold during the pandemic and outlined the Task Force Input on many projects that included project gaps and enhancements and the investment needed to maintain Gilberts long-term sustainability and quality of life. She outlined the Task Force’s recommendation to approve the General Bond election in an amount of $465 million the election will now occur on November 2, 2021- a year from the original expectation. Town Manager Banger disused the economic impacts of 2021 Bond projects and the importance of the investment. He discussed the project objectives to include those which are mobility related, access related, and quality of life/ sustainability related. He discussed the development impacts and outlined case study projects and impacts on vacant land within a ½ mile radius. He talked about the project future development of land use and the creation of new jobs during construction, reduction in travel times and development support of more square footage, new jobs, additional housing and $10.9 million annual taxes. He stated that the changes could play an integral role in the economy and impacts to the community. 3 Mayor Peterson provided an overview on the financial analysis of the proposed bond. She provided clarification on the difference between primary and secondary taxes and talked about the intent of keeping the rate at $.99 per $100 assessed value and stated that keeping the rate the same creates less of an impact but extends the life of the bond. She provided information on the property tax history and provided information on the revised timeline with a 6 month change to the start date with no significant impacts. 4. Breakout Rooms with Gilbert Town Council Attendees of the meeting were divided into breakout rooms and allowed to answer questions and engage in dialogue with members of the Town Council and staff. 5. Audience Q & A Matt Streeper asked for an update on the Lindsey Interchange and the 202. Mayor Peterson discussed the groundbreaking and said the project would be moving forward. Leah Hubbard-Rhineheimer stated the construction would be roughly 18 months long with a ribbon cutting in 2022. WRAP UP Sarah Watts thanked everyone for attending. Mayor Peterson thanked everyone for their hard work and continued support and looked forward to working with everyone. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Brigette Peterson, Mayor Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Gilbert held on the 21st day of January, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this ____ day of ____________________ 2021. ___________________________________ Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk 4