Council Regular/Special Meeting

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL, IN SPECIAL MEETING FOR A SPECIAL MEETING, OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023 AT 8:00 AM, MUNICIPAL CENTER I, ROOM 300, 50 E. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL Mayor Brigette PRESENT: Peterson, Mayor Brigette Peterson, Vice Mayor Kathy Tilque, Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Chuck Bongiovanni, Bobbi Buchli, Yung Koprowski, and Jim Torgeson COUNCIL ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Patrick Banger, Town Clerk Chaveli Herrera, and Economic Development Director Dan Henderson. AGENDA ITEM CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:17 a.m. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Mayor Peterson welcomed everyone and hoped everyone was enjoying the new renovated building. She talked about the new space and all the improvements. She offered to give tours to those who would like one. She talked about the privilege it was to have the meeting and everyone that joined. Jän Simon, Chair of the Board, welcomed all in attendance. He discussed the importance of the Good Government Meeting and thanked Salt River Project (SRP), Cigna APS, Dignity Health, Arizona State University (ASU), Foundations Insurance Services, HG Roastery, Lumen, Withey Morris PLC, and M&M Lighting for their sponsorship and support. 1  1. Message from Salt River Project (SRP) Linda Brady with Salt River Project (SRP) thanked the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. She stated the SRP remained focused on maintaining service levels to the community. She discussed the continued focus on water and touched on the drought, she provided insight on the recent rain and was hopeful for positive impacts from it. She commended the Council and the Town Leadership in keeping Gilbert in good shape. Chair Simon recognized the board members and committee members, he asked for them to stand in recognition. He invited Sarah Watts to come up to speak. 2  2. Presentation and discussion from the Gilbert Chamber on Business Priorities. a) Chamber Overview Sarah Watts, President/CEO with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce provided an overview of industry representation, discussed The Chamber and the Foundation and overview of committees, programs, and events of both She ended by detailing what lied ahead for the organization. b) 2023 Local Business Priorities Kevin Bishop, RCP Community Management talked about 2023 Business Priorities. He spoke about guidance and evolvement with the Board of Directors. He wrapped up by talking about the Chambers four Policy Pillars: Business Growth, Workforce, Long-Term Planning, and Infrastructure, each pillar spoken of in detail by committee members. Matt Harrison with Deloitte, Faith Roberts with M&M Lighting, and Elaine Kessler with Elaine Kessler Photography gave an overview on the pillar of Providing an Environment for Business Growth which details various areas of focus including streamlining tenant improvement processes and enhancing tourism and shop local initiatives Susan Stephenson with Arizona State University (ASU) talked about Producing a Well Prepared and Educated Workforce. She spoke of partnerships, Gilbert Chamber Foundation’s workforce readiness, AZ Education Progress Meter and Achieve60AZ. Eric Pettit with Heritage Financial Strategies, Julie Graham with Dignity Health, and Dan Kovochich, with SRP talked about Engaging in Long-Term Planning focused on Healthy, Vibrant, and Well-Balanced Communities detailing some of the important areas of maintaining public safety, maintaining low taxes and innovative services, collaborating with non-profit organizations and preserving natural resources. 3 Reginald Mason with Hill International briefly discussed the pillar of Infrastructure and. He thanked all who spoke about the pillars and talked about the importance of continued involvement with the Chamber. 3. Presentation and discussion of Town of Gilbert Priorities. a) Town Overview Town Manager Banger welcomed everyone and provided some demographics on the Town. He discussed the Town’s areas of focus and provided information on the Water Conservation and the Tier 2A Water Shortage. He discussed the continued importance of infrastructure and importance of maintaining, what we have. He detailed some of the four major initiatives: Reconstruction of the North Water Treatment Plant, Streets and Transportation Issues, Ocotillo Bridge and Well and Reservoir Development and discussed the importance of long-term resiliency for our community and workforce availability. He provided an update on projects within Public Safety and stated Gilbert was the 3rd safest city in the Nation. He also discussed various about Park Developments, He provided information on Economic Vitality in Gilbert and stated both Heritage Park and South Anchor would be coming soon. b) Presentation on Business Climate Survey. Joe Dell’Olio with Polco gave a presentation on Climate Survey Results He talked about the history and overview of their company. He discussed six core indicators, and provided details on when the survey was conducted, the response rate, additional outreach, and provided details on the respondents and survey results. He outlined the key findings of the survey. He talked about potential areas for growth and challenges faced. 4. Audience Q & A Chair Simon asked about water supply in Morrison Ranch and the drought. Town Manager Banger said the town had been talking to the community and others about ways to reduce water usage. He talked about efforts being made and the processes within the town. He 4  said they were already doing things to reduce their usage and looking for more ways to help conserve water. Assistant Town Manager Goodman talked about an external group that would be helping with that and to stay tuned. There was a question from an attendee regarding tourism, growth and attraction what the priority is around Gilbert. Director Henderson replied by discussing the importance of business travelers, and stated youth and amateur sports were also key to the towns success. He addressed continued supply chain issues. Gilbert and stated that overall tourism was key to Gilbert. Vice Mayor Tilque talked about Chamber priorities. She touched on infrastructure, costs continuing to increase and the impacts that were to come. She stated that she looked forward to working with the new Councilmembers she looked forward to working together and keeping Gilbert, Gilbert. She spoke in support of continued involvement and said she looked forward to working together and getting Achieve60AZ moving. WRAP UP Chair Simon commended the new Town Councilmembers and their commitment, he talked about them being liaisons and working hard already. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 a.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ ____________________________ Brigette Peterson, Mayor Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk 5  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 24th day of January, 2023. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this ____ day of __________________2023. ___________________________________ Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk 6