Council Study Session

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL, IN SPECIAL MEETING FOR A STUDY SESSION, OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023 AT 5:00 PM, MUNICIPAL CENTER I, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 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, Deputy Clerk Judy Martinez, Economic Development Director Henderson, Parks and Recreation Director Robert Carmona CALL TO ORDER OF SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 1. Update and Discussion on Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Administration presented by J. Brian O'Neill, CEO & Executive Director. J. Brian O'Neill, CEO & Executive Director of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Administration, provided a presentation and said people who worked at the airport looked at their job as a 3,000 acre economic development project which happened to have a regional airport as part of its infrastructure. He said he wanted to focus on the growing commercial service, the construction projects, and then the private development. He said that private development had transformed the landscape of the airport over the last two to three years. He discussed their nonstop route map. He shared the commercial passenger activity in 2022. He said one of their challenges with increased travelers was providing the necessary facilities, infrastructure, and amenities. He discussed the new restaurants that were added. He 1 discussed airport construction and the new air traffic control tower. He told the story behind the tower and said that they had to plead to increase that maximum cap for the project in Washington, D.C. He discussed a five-gate terminal addition and said how the effects of COVID-19 changed their plans. He discussed the temporary 3-gate terminal being used during construction and the possible future use for international travel. He discussed some of the private developments including Sky Bridge Arizona, a 300 acre mixed-use development, which included a hangar complex, industrial buildings, a dual brand hotel, and two flex industrial buildings. He said Gulfstream was working on phase 1 of a West Coast service center. He shared the design concept of the Gateway East Development and said it would be a nice lifestyle environment opportunity. He said they wanted to make sure they were not just growing for the sake of growing, but growing with a purpose and to support infrastructure. He summarized the 2021 economic impact study with $829.4 million in on- airport activities, $241.2 million in visitor spending, 10,244 full time persons employed, $524.2 million total compensation paid for workers, and $1.8 billion in economic activity attributable to the airport. Vice Mayor Tilque asked who the partnering communities were with the airport. Brian O’Neill explained the airport was a Joint Powers Authority. He said they were owned by the Town of Gilbert, City of Phoenix, City of Mesa, City of Apache Junction, Town of Queen Creek, and Gila River Indian Community, and they formed a Board of Directors and worked with city and town staff. Vice Mayor Tilque stated she had the opportunity to serve on a Reuse Committee when Williams Air Force Base was closing, adding it was risky for those communities to come together and say they saw it as an economic engine. She discussed seeing the change and progress and thanked him. Brian O’Neill thanked all those who worked to have it be a success and said it was exciting to see it come to fruition. Mayor Peterson spoke about the day they went to the groundbreaking of the Gulfstream Aerospace Project and how far out they drove to the site. She spoke about one of the pictures 2 in the presentation that showed how far away the tower was in the background from that building, noting they could really get a sense of how much land there was and it was astounding. She thanked them for showing photos of the buildings. Mayor Peterson noted they could arrange tours for the Council if requested. Brian O’Neill agreed and invited them all to come out and see the changes. 2. Discussion on Water Tower Plaza Design and Heritage District Redevelopment. Economic Development Director Henderson discussed the history of the Heritage District thirty years ago and summarized the development of the Water Tower Plaza. He stated that the Heritage District about 0.3 square miles and 33% Gilbert-owned. He discussed the vision included it as a redevelopment area and entertainment district, and was achieved through strategic land acquisitions with land sales and development agreements. He said there was $1,000,000 square feet of existing development there, with 840,000 square feet of approved new development, adding it was primarily due to the Heritage Park Project, also known as the North Anchor. He said the area would effectively double with the completion of that project. He said there were over 30 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects that were actively planned within the Heritage District at this time. Director Henderson said the Redevelopment Plan was developed through five year public engagement process. He said the Plan was adopted by the Council in 2018 and included a Master Plan of the Town-owned property. He highlighted the Redevelopment Plan goals of character and vision, economic viability, investment draw, improved circulation, cultured Town center, and partnership and collaboration. He said it provided the path forward to redevelopment in accordance with the community’s vision and that every project aligned with the development goals for the downtown. He reviewed feedback received from the five years of public outreach which included to increase the amount of public open space and gathering spaces He said the continued response from the public was public open spaces as well as gathering spaces for both passive and active events. He said the key core areas included the Water Tower Plaza, Ash Street Realignment, Water Tower Way, Living Room Plaza, and 3 Future Development Parcels. He said Water Tower Plaza was a key component and would establish the framework for future projects in and around the Plaza. Aaron Allan with J2 Engineering and Environmental Design provided an introduction to the project, an overview to-date of outreach, as well as the current preferred alternative of the project to seek Council feedback. He provided history including that the land was purchased in 1925 purchase of land, in 1927 the water tower and pump house completed construction, and then in 1985 the water tower was decommissioned. He added that in 2007 the water tower and pump house were rehabilitated and then in 2008 the Water Tower Plaza was completed. He discussed what renovation was desired and noted aging infrastructure including pump and electrical systems, irrigation systems, hardscape and landscape, structures and coatings; he then spoke about efficiency and lifecycle costs. He noted the downtown area had changed a lot since the Water Tower Plaza was first done. He discussed the health regulations with the splash pad and accommodations for a new restroom building. He summarized the project scope of updating the existing infrastructure, layout configuration, parking modifications, new restroom buildings, and new amenities including shade structures. He summarized the proposed project timeline, which he said would continue through Summer 2024, and noted community outreach efforts and working with the Parks and Recreation Board. He discussed water usage and said it used less water than the average residential swimming pool. Aaron Allan showed renderings of preliminary concepts with shade structures. He began with Concept A and provided possible views of what it would look like inside the park and from other views. He compared the different concepts that could be executed with design including a large water wall, a large shade structure, and lots of trees being incorporated. He summarized Concept B with an event larger event lawn. He provided views of Concept B with opportunities for multi-use and possibly relocating the granite ball. He said there were over 3,000 responses with the community survey results and the top-requested amenities were shaded picnic area, restrooms, grassy area for events, food truck connection, and shaded splash pad. He discussed the results from an open house for both concepts that included bringing in a historical aspect, more shade, and eliminating parking along Page Avenue. He also shared the Parks and Recreation Board and Redevelopment Commission 4 feedback. He said both the public open house attendees and Redevelopment Commission preferred Option A. He then said the preferred alternative combined options and incorporated the feedback. He highlighted the details of the preferred alternative including a larger event lawn, a raised picnic row, a water wall that goes across the entire back, keeping the granite wall under the tower, a shade structure over the splash pad, and lots of gathering areas. He said it also included parallel parking along Page Avenue and planters and trees. He discussed seating and patterns on the shade structures, then spoke about how up lighting could work with the water tower lighting and reflectivity, He showed views of the interior of the park and then showed video renderings to illustrate the plans. Councilmember Koprowski stated she liked the preferred alternative. She said she assumed the parallel parking on Page would be where food trucks may park temporarily but said the trees may be encroaching in that area. She asked how they would mitigate that and if they would provide electricity there to avoid the use of generators. Aaron Allan stated the thought was to have food trucks down the central corridor or the current alleyway. He said they could tuck in event receptables along the planters. Councilmember Koprowski asked if there were options for heated amenities. Aaron Allan stated they did make outdoor heaters that could be added to the shade structures but said it would have to be discussed as to what was practical and would last in a public setting. Councilmember Koprowski asked if it was more common to use portable ones in a public setting; the reply was yes. Councilmember Koprowski- asked if there would be any consideration for raised crosswalks on Page. Aaron Allan stated this concept did nothing to Page, but said he believed that the Water Tower Way concept had some raised options but this would only be working within the current curb to curb line. 5 Councilmember Koprowski said in the night rendering she did not see lights in the shade structure above the splash pad. She asked what the plans were to make sure it was illuminated sufficiently. Aaron Allan stated they were still working through those concepts and how the ground springs were always on while the park was open so there was always a light source there. He talked about potential ways to add lighting, such as lights in canopies. Councilmember Koprowski stated she also noticed in the night rendering that there did not appear to lights above tables in the picnic area. She asked for consideration of where the lights would really be desired. Aaron Allan stated they would run metrics to make sure there were not dark spots. Councilmember Koprowski discussed the need for changing areas in the restrooms for those using the splash pad for changing and drying off. Aaron Allan stated there were four stalls and ample room. Councilmember Koprowski suggested benches and changing areas, not just changing stations for babies. Councilmember Bongiovanni asked about using artificial grass versus natural grass. Aaron Allan stated there was some feedback on artificial grass but said the turf gets hotter than asphalt. He said some of the discussions were to use high-performing turf, if they were to use turn, or something like “sand base feel” that could handle it. Vice Mayor Tilque stated she supported Councilmember Koprowski’s recommendation for changing components in the restrooms. She said she liked the additional shading for parents, noting she seldomly saw the splash pad not in use. She said she did not like the parallel parking. She said it was important to businesses not to lose more parking, adding that two types of parking (parallel and diagonal) could be confusing, though she understood the reasoning. She said she would prefer to have the food trucks in the alley, not on a small road with safety concerns. She expressed concerns with the appearance of food trucks 6 being there permanently and taking away from the businesses, adding the businesses there had expressed that concerns. She said she liked the concept and said they did a fabulous job. Councilmember Anderson said in keeping with the spirit and culture, Gilbert had established itself as a leader in things Riparian. He suggested exploring small sculptures of different species of birds that frequent the Riparian areas. He said it could tie in the two projects and provide interest. Councilmember Buchli stating she liked the rendering and appreciated the comments already made by the Council. She questioned if they would have the Town name on the water tower still. Aaron Allan stated, yes, that it was a huge oversight in the renderings. Mayor Peterson stated the water tower was not changing, just the park below it. Councilmember Torgeson stated operationally that public restrooms could always create problems. He asked how that would be handled. Mayor Peterson stated that Parks Maintenance already took care of the restrooms there. There was a brief discussion on how that could be modified if needed with maintenance and hours. Mayor Peterson stated when the Water Tower Plaza was created, no one envisioned it being used the way it was currently being used. She said she liked the preferred alternative also, but she was not sure about the raised picket area due to a concern with kids falling. She said she loved the idea of electricity for food trucks and said it was often hard to hear with the generators. She also stated she loved the art structures with birds that Councilmember Anderson suggested and said it could even be done in the background of the water features. She asked if the granite ball would still have water; Aaron Allan affirmed. Mayor Peterson asked about the handling of mature trees; Aaron Allan stated they were working on preserving some that were not in decline. 7 Mayor Peterson noted a prior fundraiser that resulted in named pavers there, asking if those would be moved; Aaron Allan stated they would do an inventory of benches, pavers, and other items to consider relocating or contacting the donators. Mayor Peterson said she liked the idea of bringing the food trucks into alley between the Water Tower and Liberty Market, but she said she liked the idea of bringing them straight down middle for big events if they had electricity and did not need generators. Mayor Peterson spoke of the shade structure over the splash pad, asking if some sun would still come through. Aaron Allan stated that due to health requirements, they were not allowed to have water fall onto the splashpad so they had a solid portion and then the edges would allow light to come through. Town Manger Banger stated they were looking at options to allow sun to come through. Parks and Recreation Director Carmona thanked the Council for their feedback. He said they would continue to explore considerations with parking and he looked forward to future conversations. He also said he would be considering night-time heat options. He added they would be revisiting the design options with merchants, the Parks and Recreation Board, Economic Development, and other departments. He said public art was a big component they would also to explore and he was excited to see what possibilities would come forward with considerations for the preserving the adobe building as well and incorporating history as well. Mayor Peterson asked if they would relocated the art walk during reconstruction; Director Carmona affirmed. Mayor Peterson thanked everyone who assisted in the Study Session. ADJOURN Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 6:23 p.m. 8  ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Brigette Peterson, Mayor Chaveli Herrera, MMC, Town Clerk 9