Council Regular/Special Meeting

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL, IN SPECIAL MEETING OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022 AT 9:00 AM, CHANDLER-GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 2626 E. PECOS ROAD, SUITE 140, CHANDLER, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Brigette Peterson, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Scott September, and Kathy Tilque COUNCIL ABSENT: Councilmembers Laurin Hendrix, Yung Koprowski and Aimee Yentes STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Patrick Banger, Town Clerk Chaveli Herrera, Assistant Town Manager Mary Goodman, Assistant Town Manager Leah Hubbard-Rhineheimer, Assistant Town Manager Dawn Prince, Assistant to the Town Manager Nikki McCarty, Assistant to the Town Manger Allyna Bay, Public Works Director Jessica Marlow, Assistant Town Engineer Susanna Struble, Economic Development Director Dan Henderson, Development Services Director Kyle Mieras, Police Chief Michael Soelberg, and Transportation Plan Manager Chris Bridges. AGENDA ITEM CALL TO ORDER Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 8:14 a.m. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Mayor Peterson welcomed everyone and introduced the Gilbert Town Council in attendance. She recognized and asked anyone to stand who was a member of a board or commission or any staff member with the Town of Gilbert. She introduced Christie Boutain, Chamber Board of Directors Chairman of the Board. She recognized and thanked the Chamber and the Chandler-Gilbert Community College for hosting and introduced Dr. Greg Peterson who welcomed and thanked everyone for attending. Christie Boutain recognized the board members and public policy makers and asked them to stand; she then introduced Linda Brady with Salt River Project to say a few words. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 1. Message from Salt River Project (SRP). Linda Brady with Salt River Project (SRP) thanked Sarah Watts and the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. She stated that she was honored to represent SRP and stated that SRP remained focused on maintaining service levels to the community. She spoke to the reliability and core of SRP’s mission and growth. She recognized the sponsors about the importance in continued communication and assistance with one another. 1 2. Presentation and Discussion from the Gilbert Chamber on Business Priorities: a) Chamber Overview Sarah Watts, President/CEO with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, thanked everyone for attending and spoke about the partnership and her gratitude for all the time invested. She 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 information on the industry representation of the Chamber. She discussed their role in advocacy and the East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA), then provided details on the programs, committees, programs, and events. b) 2022 Local Business Priorities Jon Olson, Chair of the Public Policy Committee, outlined the process to determine priorities and discussed the work of the committee in giving consideration to multiple areas of need. He provided a background on how each priority was reviewed and about publicizing the work. Committee members Julie Graham, Emily Staples, and Kevin Bishop discussed the policy pillar in providing an environment for business growth and commented on streamlining processes, continuing the support of local businesses, emphasis on to the Heritage District, and open data platforms. Committee member Jonathan Schmitt discussed the policy pillar related to producing a well-educated workforce and the importance of automation and having a dynamic workforce for the future. Committee members Matthew Harrison, Jeff Tipton, and Ashley Bunch discussed the policy pillar regarding engaging in long-term planning focused on a healthy, vibrant, and well-balanced community and spoke to being a desired location for old and new businesses, maintaining a flourishing tax base, looking at solutions for diverse housing needs, and maintaining public safety and historic preservation by looking into collaboration and resiliency efforts. Lastly, committee member Adam Baugh discussed the policy pillar of supporting and enhancing Gilbert’s infrastructure and spoke to the collaborative efforts to invest in infrastructure, strategic transportation models, and lifecycle of infrastructure related to investment and replacement. Sarah Watts thanked the committee members and stated that much of what the Town was doing was in alignment with the pillars discussed. 3. Presentation and Discussion of Town of Gilbert Priorities: a) Town Update Town Manager Patrick Banger stated that the committee was very well informed and talked about the importance in asking tough questions in order to maintain the same quality of life. He discussed Gilbert being a large community and the needs to handle the capacity. He stated he was appreciative of the working closely with the group and talked about Gilbert having the lowest cost of service and the lowest combined tax burden, noting the intentional effort to make those happen. He talked about allocating scarce resources to those most in need and the City of the Future Initiative for sustainability for quality of life. 2 b) Update on Streets, Transportation and Infrastructure-Related Improvement Bond. Public Works Director Jessica Marlow provided an update on the next steps of the Transportation Bond. She outlined the five areas of focus and shared information on the projects currently in progress. She highlighted the Ocotillo Bridge and Road and Guadalupe Road Improvements and talked about connectivity, public safety, and reconstruction of roadways. She talked about projected projects for FY2022 and high priority projects advancing forward including the Val Vista Lakes Improvement and the Val Vista and Mercy Intersection Projects. Transportation Plan Manager Bridges discussed the Transportation Master Plan and talked about the importance of coordinating and planning everything out and taking a comprehensive look at the transportation network. He discussed focus group meetings online, virtual open houses, social media blasts, decals, and signs. Lastly, he outlined the Transportation Master Plan timeline. Mayor Peterson discussed the importance of the next steps. Councilmember September asked about how long it would take to spend $515 million dollars, then there was discussion on how money was spent, stretching the dollar, identifying needs, and always looking for other options. 4. Audience Q & A WRAP UP There was discussion on the survey on tourism and the importance in taking the survey. Mayor Peterson provided updates on the purchase of Neely, the Heritage District, the 9.1 acres project, and the NW Corridor. Councilmember Tilque talked about looking at open land and infill projects in the future. There was discussion on multifamily projects and looking at aging areas and solutions. Councilmember Anderson discussed surveying the business community on A-frames. Sarah Watts thanked everyone for attending. Mayor Peterson thanked everyone for their hard work and continued support, adding she looked forward to working with everyone. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 a.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Brigette Peterson, Mayor Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk CERTIFICATION 3 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 13th day of January, 2022. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this ____ day of ____________________ 2022. ___________________________________ Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk 4