TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2002, 6:30 PM.

10 S. GILBERT ROAD
GILBERT, ARIZONA 85233

COMMISSION PRESENT: Chairman Haug, Vice Chairman Fresquez, Commissioner Thomson, and Commissioner Valentine

COMMISSION ABSENT: Commissioner Iacobazzi

STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Specialist Carl
Harris - Morgan, Interim Town Manager George Pettit, Council Liaison Steve Urie, Councilman Don Skousen, Town Planner Linda Edwards, Planning & Zoning Liaison Michael Monroe and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT:        Wayne Bryan (Gilbert Independent), Cynthia Dunham, Todd Brundrett (Norwood Furniture), Sam Bromert (Liberty Market)
ROLL CALL

Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

1.        Minutes - Approve the regular meeting minutes of December 13, 2001
Commissioner Thomson requested the address on the minutes be corrected. Address was not N. Gilbert Road but N. Oak Street. Correction noted.

A MOTION was made by Vice Chairman Fresquez, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 13, 2001 as corrected. Voice vote carried 3 - 0 - 1.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS
Chairman Haug opened the floor to the public for any comments or communications on items not on the agenda. No communications from citizens.

2.        Hale Centre Theatre Design Review
Town Planner Edwards gave a preliminary overview of the Hale Centre Theatre project, which is located at the northeast corner of Ash Street and Page Avenue in the Heritage District area. She stated it was reviewed by the Design Review Board in a work session earlier in the evening, scheduled for hearing with the Planning & Zoning in February and the Redevelopment Commission in March for final approval of the building elevations, site plans and recommendation for zoning.

Town Planner Edwards indicated current zoning of the project is R - 3 (Multi - family Residential). Town Planner Edwards explained the proposed zoning for this site is E - R. The E - R zoning is very broad and would be narrowed down specifically for the site.

Town Planner Edwards mentioned some items on the Development Agreement approved by Town Council in December allows for some unique on and off site improvements for this project. She stated the Town would develop the alley for bus drop off point of clientele and there is opportunity for required parking off site to the north of the property or to the west.

Town Planner Edwards stated the proposed site plan might change slightly as Design Review Board had concerns about the walkways, entrance to parking, landscaping issues and moving of handicapped parking. The Design Review Board felt there was potential to improve the front of the building. Town Planner Edwards, with the assistance of a visual aid, described each side of the building elevations. One major concern was the location of the existing transformer.

The Commission made suggestions and comments regarding the building elevations as presented. Commissioner Valentine suggested the applicant prepare a roof plan so a match up would be easier to see. Vice Chairman Fresquez asked if there has been any discussion on signage. Town Planner Edwards said there was no discussion at the Design Review Board and she will follow - up with the applicant. Commissioner Valentine asked if the plan had gone through the fire department. Town Planner Edwards responded she has not received the red line report. Commissioner Thomson asked if four handicapped parking spaces were adequate. Town Planner Edwards stated she would have Design Review Board look at it more closely. Commissioner Valentine said the design concept is a good fit in the Heritage District but can do without the fake windows.

Mr. Sam Bromert, owner of Liberty Market, had a concern with parking and if areas would be designated to prevent clientele of the theatre from using the parking lot of Mahogany Run Restaurant.

3.        Water Tower Preservation Coalition Report
Mr. Todd Brundrett, Chairman of the Water Tower Preservation Coalition presented an interim report that included estimated dollars to preserve the Water Tower in the Heritage District. BPLW Architects created a drawing of what the future water tower site would look like and it was shown to the Commission.

Mr. Brundrett commented on the two options available. Both are costly due to the safety/health issues of handling of existing lead paint. Option A is the teardown and removal of the water tower and Option B is Lead Paint Abatement and Repainting. Mr. Brundrett indicated that the teardown and removal costs exceeded renovation costs so the Coalition did not consider Option A. Mr. Brundrett mentioned the estimates that were received:
- Lead paint abatement and repainting/Structural Repairs, $225,000
(Estimate submitted by AZ Coating Applicators)
- Architectural Lighting, $55,500
(Estimate submitted by D.H. Lighting Solutions)
- Landscaping and grounds improvement, $77,000
(Per renderings of BPLW Architects and Engineers Inc.)
The total estimated costs to preserve and renovate the water tower and surrounding area is $357,500.

Mr. Brundrett stated the Coalition is prepared to raise $120,000 in private funds through fund raisers such as grants, pavers, “Penny for the Tower” at schools just to name a few.

Mr. Brundrett gave a timeline up to Town Council approval.
- The Coalition will continue meeting
- Public Open House scheduled for February 7th at the Chamber of Commerce, 6 - 8 p.m., will circulate a petition to gather signature of supporters, and use the media
- Final report will be given to the Redevelopment Commission on February 21st
- Presentation to Town Council in March.

Mr. Brundrett requested the Commission make a motion to change the dollar amounts in private ($120,000) and public ($250,000) funding of the Capital Improvement plan to reflect more accurate figures than what was given in December 2001.

Mr. Brundrett stated if private funds were raised beyond the $120,000, the overage money would be turned over and would reduce the Town’s obligation of putting in the difference.

The Commission was given an opportunity to ask questions. Commissioner Valentine asked about the reaction of Council members who Mr. Brundrett had met with. Mr. Brundrett responded the feedback was positive and had some concerns since the budget is tight but thought it was reasonable. Commissioner Valentine also asked if a timeframe was established to raise the private funds. Mr. Brundrett responded no more than two years.

Ms. Cynthia Dunham of N. Westport in Gilbert and member of the Coalition made a suggestion to look at the possibility of leasing out space to place receiving antennas at the top of the water tower since it is a vertical object.

A MOTION was made by Vice Chairman Fresquez, seconded by Commissioner Valentine to change the numbers in the Capital Improvement Plan to match the numbers in the January 17th presentation of $250,000 in public funding and $120,000 in private funding. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

4.        Downpayment Assistance Program Applications
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan reported the Town received no applications for this program. Staff contacted two organizations that expressed an interest in the program and would have applied for funds if the deadline were extended. Staff granted an extension until January 25th.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan requested the Commission set aside a time to review the applications. Applications received would be forwarded to each Commissioner by Monday, January 28th. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan mentioned if any of the Commissioners planned on attending the Town Council Study Session on the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Programs on January 29th, the Commission could meet before the Session to review the applications. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan mentioned the February meeting would entail the review of the 2002/03 CDBG and HOME applications, which may perhaps take some considerable time for discussion and recommendation.

Each Commissioner reviewed their schedule availability for the week of January 28th. After discussion, January 30, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. seemed to be a viable date for all. Location of meeting to be determined and staff will notify Commissioners with details.

A MOTION was made by Vice Chairman Fresquez, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to recommend the Redevelopment Commission hold a special meeting on Wednesday, January 30th to review applications and make funding recommendations to the Town Council. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

5.        Update on Senior Housing Project
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan gave an update on the status of the Senior Housing Project. He indicated three proposals were received in response to the published RFP. A Committee, comprised of Commissioner Valentine, Planning Director Jerry Swanson, Councilman Steve Urie and Community Development Specialist Carl Harris - Morgan, met and did a preliminary review of the three applications. The Committee narrowed the applications to two respondents. The two respondents are scheduled to meet with the Committee on January 25th to give a presentation of their ideas in more detail and to answer any questions the Committee may have. The Committee will make considerations after January 25th who will be awarded the project.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan extended an invitation to the Commissioners to attend the Friday, January 25th meeting with the first presentation beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the second presentation at 10:00 a.m. He requested the Commissioners let staff know if they plan to attend so the Town can comply with the open meeting laws.

6.        Discuss Possible Rio Salado AIA Design Study for Heritage District
Commissioner Valentine gave a brief summary as to the reason to conduct such a study. It is the result from the joint meeting with Town Council in November after a considerable amount of discussion about the Heritage District and the potential visioning exercise. It was determined that a master plan or some sort of discussion as to what the Heritage District could be in a developed state is very much needed.

Commissioner Valentine said he inquired with Interim Town Manager Pettit on what the Town’s intent would be if they would go with a RFP for a design or master plan consultant to conduct a plan and bring it forward. Interim Town Manager responded that could be a possibility.

Commissioner Valentine pitched a proposal to Interim Town Manager Pettit that the Town contact the American Institute of Architects, Rio Salado (local East Valley Chapter) to consider a RUDAT, which stands for Region Urban Design Assistance Team. Commissioner Valentine explained that the process has been around for 30 years with communities such as Gilbert. Commissioner Valentine stated it brings together planners, architects, and community members in a very intent setting for a three to four day event with the end result being a vision and master plan put together.

Commissioner Valentine is the current president of the Rio Salado Chapter as of January 1st. The previous president was negative to the idea. However, as current president, Commissioner Valentine is supportive of the idea. The Rio Salado Chapter is putting together a draft outline that should be ready the first part of February.

The Commission discussed the advantages of using this approach as opposed to a private firm. Some of the advantages are:
- Get a wealth of available talent
- More interactive with the community
- Cost is less than a private sector firm
- Good cross - section
- Eliminates a bias view of one firm

Chairman Haug thanked Commissioner Valentine for all his efforts on this matter.

COMMUNICATIONS
7.        Report from Chairman on current and future events
Chairman Haug had no formal report.

8.        Report from Community Development Specialist on current and future events
Administrative Assistant Stupski distributed a Redevelopment Commission Directory generated by the Town Clerk’s Office. She requested the Commissioners review the information for any errors or incorrect information. Corrections that need to be made will be forwarded to the Town Clerk’s Office.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan reported on the following:
- Reminder of the Town Council Study Session on the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Programs is Tuesday, January 29, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
- CDBG/HOME Applications are due February 1st.
- Water Tower Preservation Coalition public open house is February 7th, 6 - 8 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce.
- Included in packet was the 2002 Redevelopment Commission Meeting schedule.
- The agenda for February 21st would include review and recommendation of CDBG/HOME applications for funding and the Water Tower Preservation Coalition request for action by Commission through motion.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Vice Chairman Fresquez to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

ATTEST:

Thomas Haug, Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder