Council Regular/Special Meeting

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL, IN SPECIAL MEETING OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021 AT 8:00 AM, MUNICIPAL CENTER I, ROOM 300, 50 E CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Brigette Peterson, Vice Mayor Yung Koprowski, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Scott September, Kathy Tilque, and Aimee Yentes COUNCIL ABSENT: Councilmember Laurin Hendrix LEGISLATORS PRESENT: State Senator J.D. Mesnard, and State Representatives Travis Grantham, Jake Hoffman, Jennifer Pawlik, and Jeff Weninger STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Patrick Banger, Clerk Chaveli Herrera, Town Attorney Christopher Payne, Assistant Town Manager Dawn Prince, Town Deputy Clerk Judy Martinez, Intergovernmental Relations Director Rob Bohr, Intergovernmental Relations Manager Amy Arguilez, Mayor and Council Aide Monica, Mayor’s Aide Valerie Shaffer, and Police Chief Michael Soelberg AGENDA ITEM NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY CALL TO ORDER Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS All participants in attendance introduced themselves and provided information on their background. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 1. Presentation and overview of Town of Gilbert demographics, achievements, and future plans. Town Manager Banger welcomed everyone. He discussed the challenges of 2020 and stated he was confident 2021 would be a better year. He provided information on the demographics of the Town and shared information on the population, median age and household income. He discussed the Public Safety Training Facility and stated the project was brought in under budget. He spoke of his gratitude for everyone who assisted with the project and looked forward to academy classes and enhanced training. He announced that 1 sales tax revenues were running 10% higher than the 2019 pre-COVID months and the November restaurant sales tax was 3% higher as well. He stated that amusement and hotels were improving but still seeing impacts. He stated that both commercial and residential activities were up in development services. He talked about the revenue and strong investment across the board in Gilbert and stated it had been consistent throughout the pandemic. Lastly, he stated the Town will continue to make progress with the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) funding and had already improved our position by 17% and we are now at 90% fully funded, adding he appreciated all the support throughout the process. 2. Presentation and overview of Town of Gilbert local and legislative priorities Police Chief Soelberg provided and update from the public safety side. He discussed remote work and the Town’s preparation of staff for the transition. He discussed the challenges faced within the department with the increase in COVID cases, increase in exposure and trying to figure out how to deal with the associated challenges. He discussed the importance of education and enforcement of COVID impacts and restrictions. He stated that while they still monitor compliance complaints, they have not received one in eight weeks. He discussed social unrest in the community and the department adjusting to address issues, provide education and training and start community wide discussions. He talked about the success of the community discussions and stated they have continued throughout the pandemic. He addressed the violent protests in other municipalities and discussed the extended monitoring and different actions and approaches. He talked about the support the department has received and encouraged everyone to reach out to him with questions. Mayor Peterson discussed the Gilbert Subcommittee on the AZ CARES Act. She stated the total allocation was $18,000,000. She discussed the different ways the money was allocated in order to provide assistance through grants, non-profits and businesses. She talked about providing support to residents and the #GilbertTogether Program using business owner feedback to change the parameters of the program in order to provide more assistance and support. She talked about the allocation of funds to the Parks and Recreation programs which encouraged people to get out and do things with their families. She discussed the Transportation Bond, originally slated for 2020, and discussed the intent of the Citizens Transportation Task Force. She stated that the process was put on hold due to COVID and the efforts of the group. She said the Task Force was meeting again and would be making a new recommendation to Council with new numbers. She discussed the mail-in ballot process. Representative Hoffman asked if that would be the only item on the ballot, to which Mayor Peterson confirmed it would be, if approved by Council. Mayor Peterson discussed SB 1681 regarding the Ocotillo Road Bridge extension. She discussed the factors of the project and impacts to Gilbert. She asked for participants support of the bill and stated it would help the Town tremendously to move forward with the project. She stated it had been discussed for many years. She talked about the need to move response vehicles quickly within that area. She also discussed SB 1650 regarding transportation tax and gas tax. Director Bohr discussed the propositions being important resources, but stated the Town was not in favor with the bill the way it stood currently, 2 noting the preference to see a clean bill. Senator Mesnard discussed the gas tax increase and asked if the Town was in support of that. He talked about the possible support of Prop. 400, stating the bill has been muddied. He discussed past issues of the bill. Director Bohr confirmed that the Town would not support the bill as it stood, and he discussed Prop. 400 and the need to develop a plan to match the needs of the region. 3. Discussion with State Legislative Delegation on legislative priorities for Legislative District 12 and Legislative District 17. Representative Hoffman discussed the impacts of COVID and stated that while everyone felt the impact, some felt it harder than others. He talked about the legislative perspective of wanting liability protections for businesses and giving back on economic relief and economic freedoms. He discussed due process and preventing the State agencies from revoking licenses. He discussed enforcement and guidelines of recommendations, stating that businesses should not lose their right to operate or be subject to frivolous claims without proof. Senator Mesnard stated that COVID will continue to be an overarching issue with everything they do. He discussed approval of a budget to focus on how to help various aspects that have been impacted by COVID. He discussed the importance of the tax policy and issues being seen with the income tax surcharge, adding it was a recipe for an economic disaster and the need to understand what makes sense moving forward. He also discussed a bill focused on tax ratio and stated it would be a piece of a broader tax reform package. He discussed post-election issues and the need to rebuild faith in elections and find ways to improve the integrity of the election system. He discussed the Senate and current issues with the Maricopa Board of Supervisors. He discussed the investigative powers of the Senate and the request, via subpoena, to conduct an audit of machines used in Maricopa County. Representative Pawlik thanked everyone for allowing her the opportunity to appear virtually. She discussed some of the bills she was in support of regarding education. She talked about the importance of listening in on schoolboard meetings in order to be aware of what was happening and she discussed the frustrations on the vaccination process. She stated that she was in communication with Maricopa County, adding both Gilbert Unified School District and Chandler Unified School District has set up closed vaccination pods for their employees. She discussed her concern with the senior population and stated she reached out to Maricopa County and the State Governor’s Office regarding a closed pod in Sun Lakes for the 75 and older community. She stated she would confirm if the Gilbert community could be included as well. She talked about her support of the bill regarding the Ocotillo Bridge as well as one on unemployment changes. She thanked everyone for having her and encouraged everyone to reach out if they had any questions. Representative Weninger discussed COVID being a priority and the importance of finding a balance in figuring out funding as they approach the budget. He discussed the tax policy and stated he would be involved in that process. He talked about the record numbers of companies leaving California and stated that Arizona needed to be in a position to capture those companies and employees. He talked about his support of a bill dealing with alcohol 3 licenses and the selling cocktails to-go. He discussed the financial impacts to restaurants and the enjoyment of this privilege during the pandemic, adding he would like to see that continue. He also discussed his support of a gaming bill which was running both in the House and Senate. He discussed a gaming compact agreement. He talked about a separate bill regarding gaming issues with tribal nations and provided information on the allowance of betting and wagering on sporting events, fantasy sports, racetracks, in fraternal clubs, etc. Lastly, he stated that he was proud to sign on to the Ocotillo Bridge Project. Mayor Peterson discussed the option for to-go cocktails and stated it would have an impact to our businesses. Representative Grantham spoke in agreement with everyone’s comments. He talked about the duty to pass the budget and the surplus this year due to non-spending last year. He discussed the impacts to businesses regarding unemployment and insurance and an increase in premiums. He talked about communication to businesses and informing them that relief is coming. He discussed the insurance effects to private policy. He stated that he had a few bills out, most of which were deregulatory in nature. He talked about a criminal related bill regarding forfeitures and seizing property. He discussed concern in some municipalities in funding positions with asset seizure funds and his intent to reign that in a bit. He talked about COVID and stated that it is the decisions being made as elected officials that are helping and damaging people’s livelihood and encouraged everyone to consider that as they move forward. He stated that restrictions are not helpful, finding solutions are helpful. He encouraged any restrictions to be removed as soon as they are able to be. He talked about the Governor’s executive order and said the decisions they make have an impact on all those they serve. 4.Discussion of potential topics for the 2021 Legislative Session including the budget and other statewide issues. Mayor Peterson asked about HB 2481 regarding short-term rentals and if there was additional information or updates on the bill. Senator Mesnard stated he was not familiar with the bill being brought forward by Representative Kavanagh but discussed his own bill being brought forward (SB 1379) which addresses the house party issue. He stated that his bill passed in committee and he was cautiously optimistic, but stated the League was not in support. Councilmember Anderson asked about the bills being presented that would address defunding the Police. Representative Weninger clarified information on the bill and stated it was not currently moving. Representative Pawlik stated she would not be in support of the bill. Senator Mesnard stated he had not seen anything on the Senate side. Councilmember Yentes provided clarification on the bill’s status. Director Bohr talked about smaller municipalities having contracts with other agencies and impacts this may show on budgets as contracts are switched or changed. He discussed concerns of not having control or authority over those items. Chief Soelberg discussed the fluctuation of projects which make the budget look like its fluctuating up and down and discussed concern of inadvertently misinterpreting of the budget. Representative Grantham discussed cuts in the name of social justice in other states and talked about the intent locally to bring forward bills generating attention and political 4 conversation. He stated that in Arizona we haven’t felt that level of criticism and stated that he did not take those bills very seriously, adding he was not overly concerned at this time. Director Bohr provided additional clarification on the bills. Vice Mayor Koprowski stated she heard a lot about attraction and economic recovery and she could not express enough the importance of transportation and infrastructure. She stated that as it sits today it is insufficient on the needs of the community and growth. She stated that she would like to follow up and discuss additional investment and support to make sure the residents have the connection and mobility they need. Councilmember September discussed small cell renovation that helped to streamline and asked the participants for their thoughts on current update and chances of success. Representative Weninger discussed the bill regarding broadband, investments and infrastructures that would help everyone. He discussed one-time money to deploy infrastructure and put in broadband at a lower price. He stated that the bill clarifies what the original bill intended and discussed some of the additional issues and concerns. Representative Grantham spoke in support of Vice Mayor Koprowski’s comments and stated the transportation should come first, adding they have been fighting for it every year. He discussed the issues in raising taxes. Town Manager Banger spoke in support of Vice Mayor Koprowski’s comments and the need to invest in an effective transportation system and in conduit and broadband. He said our economy is being built on broadband and addressed concerns in lagging behind if we do not have ability for competitive access. ADJOURN Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 9:33 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 5th day of February, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this ____ day of ____________________2021. ___________________________________ 5 Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk 6