TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2003, 6:30 PM.

100 N. OAK STREET
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: Chairman Haug

STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Specialist Carl
Harris - Morgan, Community Development Assistant Janet Holston, Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: David Bridge (CASS), Kristen Sawtelle (LaMesita), Yolanda Flores (CSA), Joann Hauger (CHRA), Carol Grasso (CSA), Lowell Crary (CSA), Kirsten Polin (Community Bridges), Todd Brundrett (Norwood Furniture), Tom Brundrett (Norwood Furniture), Joan Krueger (P & Z Commission), J.Sam Bromert (Liberty Market), Paul Mertz (ASU Architectural Student), John Lamkin (Save the Family) and Pat Gilbert (Mesa CAN)

ROLL CALL

Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

1.        Minutes - Approve the Special meeting of February 27, 2003
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2003 special meeting as written. Voice vote carried 3 - 0 - 1.

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

Vice Chairman Fresquez made a modification to the agenda to move and discuss agenda items 3 and 4 before the CDBG and Home Funds allocation item.   No objections.

2.        Water Tower
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan indicated the water tower historically has been a metal or silver color. The Water Tower Preservation Coalition recommended the tower be painted either silver or white at its March 13th meeting. Town is requesting direction from the Commission so the Town can do minor repair work, remove the lead - base paint and repaint the tower with the color selected.

Vice Chairman Fresquez opened the floor to the public for comments.

Todd Brundrett, of the Water Tower Coalition commented if the water tower was painted white it would allow the use of different decorative lighting and graphic options and silver does not reflect color and limits the options.

Commissioner Valentine agreed with Mr. Brundrett for the following reasons:
- allow more options to Town and Downtown Merchants for decorative lighting and graphics
- hold its luster better and not oxidize as readily as silver
- change of color would be more noticeable to the public with a favorable recognition to the district

Concerns of the Commission were:
- fading
- environmentally safe
- durability
- warranty

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to recommend the Town choose the color white in the repainting of the water tower. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

3.        Streetlight Replacement and Western Canal Crossing Signal
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan stated the Town is requesting direction from the Commission regarding the two projects. He recapped the Redevelopment Commission at a special meeting of February 27th made a motion not to make any recommendations at that time for improvements to Gilbert Road and directed staff to put the Gilbert Road/Street lighting project on hold for 30 days.   It was asked if the Commission would like to move forward with replacing the street lights in the downtown area and install a traffic signal at the Western Canal providing the Commission has no plans to change Gilbert Road, curb locations or sidewalk widths. He said if the Commission was not sure what would be done with Gilbert Road not to give direction to install the streetlights and signal.

Commissioner Iacobazzi commented he thought there would be further discussion at a future meeting with the merchants and interested parties about the Gilbert Road/Sidewalk Improvement Project. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan responded yes and upon staff’s further review of the letters submitted by Norwood Furniture and Joe’s BBQ, it felt there were a number of ideas and suggestions that go beyond looking at the where the curbs or traffic lanes are located along Gilbert Road. Staff felt it would take a significant amount of time in order to address all the issues in the letters. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan stated to start the process, he inquired if the Redevelopment Commission would like to be the lead group or suggest another group.

Commissioner Thomson clarified what his intent was with the February 27th motion he made. The intent was to get a consensus amongst the business owners, town and other interested parties to come up with a workable plan.   He commented the lighting project needs to stay on hold until the other issue is resolved.   Commissioner Iacobazzi directed staff to put together a meeting with the Redevelopment Commission and merchants to further discuss the Gilbert Road issue. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan inquired whether it should be part of the regular meeting or a special meeting.

Vice Chairman Fresquez said the Redevelopment Commission shouldn’t necessarily be the group that’s going to head this up but needs to be a part of a group that defines what needs to occur in the area of streets and lights in the downtown area just like the DAT event. She stated the meetings need to occur as soon as possible maybe on a weekly or bi - weekly basis.

Comments made by the public:
- Mr. Todd Brundrett suggested it might be beneficial if the meeting was held at the Chamber so the group can look at what they are talking about
- Mr. Sam Bromert stated he is not in favor of putting it off too long as it is giving the perception to the public that you don’t want to do redevelopment
- Mr. David Dietlein would like to see a resolution of the projects by the end of the 30 days
- Mr. Tom Brundrett commented the Town must get projects going

Commissioner Valentine indicated the central issue in the downtown is what to do with traffic on Gilbert Road. This issue could easily be put off as it is a difficult question to address. He commented the DAT made an unscientific recommendation that the underlying issue it was trying to solve:
- If you want a pedestrian - oriented commercial district in the 200 block it would not be achieved readily with the current design of sidewalks
- If you would like to enhance or improve the opportunity for recognition of merchants and stores on Gilbert Road, it needs to slow traffic down

He continued to state the best people to solve the central issues would be the Commission but suggested it would be better to have an interactive process with the merchants and town staff. The outcome and decision of the meeting will not be easy.   Commissioner Valentine is not in favor of delaying but does not have a problem with a 30 day deadline.

Vice Chairman Fresquez summarized the Commission would work on a 30 day deadline to make sure all the stakeholders be represented at a specially scheduled meeting.

4.        FY 2003/04 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Funding
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan made some quick comments:
- Town received approval from HUD to use CDBG funds for basic food and shelter services?up to $93,600
- Staff recommendation is a combination of the Community Development Specialist and Community Development Assistant scoring of the applications.
- Commission recommendations to be presented to Town Council for funding on April 1, 2003.

Representatives from each organization who applied for funding were in attendance to give a short presentation and to answer any questions.

Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)?Mr. David Bridge?indicated the organization has two applications?Shelter Equipment Project (capital) and Emergency Shelter Services (general operating). Strongly recommends funding the Emergency Shelter Services. Highlights:
- Regional provider of single adult emergency shelter
- Starting point for the homeless
- 3% of clients lived in Gilbert prior to coming to CASS for shelter
- Serves 5,000 clients per year
- CASS also offers supportive services to assist a client to become self - sufficient

Community Services of Arizona (CSA)?Gilbert Senior Center Congregate/Home Delivered Meals?Ms. Carol Grasso?Organization willing to work within the parameters of the $22,000 recommendation.

Community Services of Arizona (CSA)? Gilbert Community Action Program?Ms. Carol Grasso?Most concern about receiving the funds necessary to administer program. Realizes there will still be a shortfall with a reduction of 12% by Maricopa County. She highlighted how the CAP Office assists very - low to moderate income families in emergency or temporary crisis situations:
-        Utilities
-        Mortgage foreclosure
-        Rental eviction
-        Prescriptions, medical payment and car repairs, etc.

Mesa CAN?East Valley Men’s Center?Mr. Pat Gilbert?Extended an invitation to the Commission to visit the regional facility. EV Men’s Center serves the communities of Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe and Gilbert. Highlights of program:
- Assist single, adult homeless men return to society
- Graduated 66 men from program
- Served 545 men
- 11 men currently in Center identified Gilbert as their former and last permanent place of residency
- Offers services to men to find permanent housing and stable employment
- Success of program is shown by 3 men who have bought homes

PREHAB?La Mesita - A Family Shelter?Ms. Kristen Sawtelle?Serves families from Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Queen Creek, Mesa. Families with children can stay up to 4 months. Highlights of service provided:
- Case management services
- Child Development Shelter (on site)
- Youth Development Shelter (6 to 18 years of age) (after school programs allowing parents to work)
- On - call with the CAP Offices

Save the Family?Transitional Living Program for Homeless Families with Children?Mr. John Lamkin?Organization has been in existence since 1989 and started with 4 transitional housing units. Save the Family has 72 transitional housing units located through the East Valley. Families are referred through Domestic Violence Agencies. Goal of the program is to bring families to self - sufficiency.

Community Services of Arizona (CSA)?Emergency Homes Repairs/Minor Rehab?Mr. Lowell Crary?Program has been successful since 1997. CSA uses its own staff and expertise to perform much of the work and will subcontract repair work when necessary.   Referrals are through the Gilbert CAP office. Services provided are:
- Emergency repairs for conditions that pose health or safety programs
- Minor rehabilitation to prevent further deterioration of homes

East Valley Habitat for Humanity?No representative present

Community Housing Resources of Arizona (CHRA)?Down Payment Assistance?Ms. Joann Hauger?Program has been successful to date. The program provides one - on - one counseling for low income households to purchase a home in Gilbert by providing down payment assistance up to $15,000. Family contributes to the closing costs approximately $3,500. The goal is to assist 30 families with pre - purchase counseling and 12 families to receive down payment assistance.

Community Services of Arizona (CSA)?First - Time Homebuyer Program?Ms. Carol Grasso?Not familiar with program so no formal presentation given.

Community Bridges?Transitional Redevelopment Center for Women and Children at Risk (TRC)?Kirsten Polin?Funds to contribute to the construction of the Transitional Center. Approximately $2.5 million is needed to make this dream become a reality. The goals are to provide transitional housing (for up to two years) for pregnant/post partum women who are homeless and have co - occurring disorders (psychological and substance abuse issues). Major goal is to protect the developing fetus from the results of the mother’s abuse and the second goal is to focus on providing life enhancing supportive services such as case management, improve parenting skills and assistance in finding career - oriented employment.

Town of Gilbert?Gilbert Homes Septic to Sewer Conversion?Mr. Carl Harris - Morgan?Project is to install sewer lines in an older section of Gilbert. The boundaries are east of Palm, north of Washington, west of Burk and South of Cullumber which involves 99 homes.   In early 2002, several Council members indicated that this project was a priority. Staff is requesting an initial allocation of $293,300 for 2003 - 04 but in the event costs exceed the current projection, Round II CDBG funds would be allocated to this project. The septic systems are approximately 30 years old and failing causing a health risk. The County has issued citations to the residents for emptying gray water into the street and on their property. Staff is not sure at how many residents would apply to participate. In order to participate the residence must be owner/occupied.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan reviewed the Round II funding list based upon scoring:
- Gilbert Homes Septic
- Gilbert CAP Office
- Emergency/Minor Repair
- E.V. Habitat for Humanity
- Community Bridges

Round II funding to start approximately July 2003 and use at least $80,000 in CDBG funds remaining from completed or cancelled activities. Staff is requesting approval to allocate funds as listed without further Redevelopment Commission approval.

After the presentations, the Commission was given an opportunity to ask questions. Commissioner Valentine asked for an explanation as to the Administrative Planning. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan responded that it was for staffing including the Community Development Assistant.   He continued by stating all his responsibilities and duties as the Community Development Specialist.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to fund the 2003 - 04 CDBG applications according to staff recommendations with the following exception: $0 funds to PREHAB - La Mesita Family Shelter and to increase the CSA - Gilbert CAP staff recommendation by $9,100 for a total amount of $49,100.

The Commission discussed and suggested that PREHAB - La Mesita Family Shelter be placed on the Round 2 funding list.

An Amended MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to fund the 2003 - 04 CDBG applications according to staff recommendations with the following exceptions: $0 funds to PREHAB - La Mesita Family Shelter and to increase the CSA - Gilbert CAP staff recommendation by $9,100 for a total amount of $49, 100 and recommend that PREHAB - La Mesita Family Shelter be placed on the Round 2 Funding list based on scoring. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, to accept staff recommendation for 2003 - 04 HOME Investment Partnership Funds. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

COMMUNICATIONS
3.        Report from Chairman on current and future events
No report.

4.        Report from Community Development Specialist on current and future events
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan stated the following:
- Looking at scheduling a date to meet to discuss the Gilbert Road/Sidewalk issues. Possible location of meeting could be the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. Will contact Commission for schedule availability.
- Open Space to be addressed at next month’s regular meeting of April 17th.

5.        Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Vice Chairman Fresquez mentioned the downtown merchants held a March Madness. Event went well.

Commissioner Valentine made a reminder he has the information on “similar or equal to” for continued discussion of the Outdoor Furniture Palette.

Commissioner Valentine stated the DAT report talked about the two residential neighborhoods in the Heritage District. He asked how to get information on how many of these residents are owner/occupied and how many are rentals.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commission Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

ATTEST:

Mary Ellen Fresquez, Vice - Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder