TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2003, 6:30 PM.

132 W. BRUCE AVENUE,
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, Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, Planning Manager Linda Edwards, Council Liaison Steve Urie and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Jake Verrue

ROLL CALL

Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

Minutes - Approve the Regular meeting of July 17, 2003
Commissioner Valentine made a correction to the minutes on page 9, agenda item #6, second paragraph, 1st sentence to add the word “additional” before ideas.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to approve the minutes of July 17, 2003 with noted correction. Voice vote carried 3 - 0.

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.
Commissioner Thomson joined the meeting.

2.        Southeast Corner of Gilbert & Elliot Road
Planning Manager Edwards presented a proposed public process to discuss future land use of Town owned 8 acres on the Southeast Corner of Gilbert and Elliot Roads. She included the current General Plan use category and zoning for the site as well as the surrounding areas.

Planning Manager Edwards indicated the following things needs to be done prior to initiating proposed public participation plan:
Prepare background research and distribute to interested parties. Make available on the web and in Town offices
Identify stakeholders and develop a database to send public notice, minutes and project updates
Develop web page dedicated to Special Study, provide project contacts and links to keep public informed
Develop a comment sheet so that the Town has a consistent format for receiving input and to provide the stakeholders with contact information (website, phone numbers, etc.)
Establish contacts with Your Town and Gilbert Independent as well as with Cable station. Provide schedule, project status and project contacts with these media avenues.

Planning Manager Edwards mentioned the actual planning process should take approximately four months. Proposed schedule:
September?Hold open house to provide information and receive input. Evaluate input, review with other Departments. Provide project summary to Redevelopment Commission and update Planning & Zoning Commission.
October?Hold open house to present results and brainstorm alternatives. Present alternatives to Redevelopment Commission and provide recommendation to Planning & Zoning Commission if General Plan is modified.
November?If necessary, hold work session with Redevelopment Commission, staff and Planning & Zoning Commission
December?If necessary, Planning & Zoning Commission to initiate General Plan amendment and rezoning. Process takes about 4 ? 5 months to process through Planning & Zoning, Redevelopment Commission and Town Council.
Vice Chairman Fresquez questioned whether the September open house would be facilitated. Planning Manager Edwards responded she prefers the open house be facilitated so the public is given adequate information.

Commissioner Valentine liked the proposed schedule and plan. Planning Manager Edwards asked the Commission what groups they would like to include as a stakeholder. Suggested potential stakeholders:
Chamber of Commerce
Historical Society
Arts Advisory Board
Gilbert School District
Planning & Zoning Commission, Design Review Board and any other boards/commissions that might have an interest.
Special groups?landowners, merchants, agencies?any groups that have expressed an interest in the area
She indicated the above list would be sent a personal invitation to attend the open house in addition to the public announcement.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan inquired whether the Commission is limited to potential public type of uses and if commercial would be consider then there would be additional stakeholders to invite.

Commissioner Valentine stated he was content to work within the original stipulation, not consider the site for commercial and focus on ideas that address the restrictions. Commissioner Thomson concurred but does not have an objection to listen to commercial ideas as long as they would benefit the community. The Commission agreed that the special study process be open to all ideas.

Vice Chairman Fresquez opened the floor to the public. Mr. Jake Verrue, 944 E. Mohave Lane, Apache Junction, stated he would like to take over the old Boys & Girls Club site and convert it into a Sports Hall of Fame. Council Liaison Urie mentioned Town Council recently met with the Gilbert School District. Regarding use of either the 8 acre or Boys & Girls Club site, Council requested the District calculate their needs at build out and advise the Town.

The Commission discussed including the northwest corner in the process since it might help in determining a land use for the southeast corner.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to follow the recommendation of staff for the proposed public participation plan schedule and with the preliminary list of stakeholders mentioned earlier and to include the Northwest Corner of Gilbert and Elliot Road property in the process.

Commissioner Thomson asked whether the Northeast Corner should be included if something negative happens with the proposed project. Commissioner Valentine felt it would muddy the water if 3rd site is added and suggested it be a future agenda item if warranted.

Commission proceeded to vote on the motion. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

The Commission added additional stakeholders to the list mentioned earlier:
Surrounding neighborhoods
Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Board
Local members of the Design Assistance Team

3.        Project Update         for the Boys & Girls Club building assessment; Downtown Sewer Replacement Project and Gilbert Homes Septic to Sewer Project
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan gave an update on the following projects:

Boys & Girls Club Building Assessment
Assessment report from PSI received Wednesday, August 20, 2003 and given to Town Manager for review
Report done in two parts:   Property Condition Report and Asbestos and Lead Based Paint Survey
No major structural problem
Estimated cost for potential work on site: $200,000
Report to be summarized and distributed to Commission for consideration when determining what to do with property before next month’s meeting

Downtown Sewer Replacement Project
Sewer project started at the end of June. Described the work area using a visual aid chart
Most difficult sections are complete?alleyways from Joe’s BBQ to Clements Garage and Hale Theatre to the RR Tracks
Completion of entire project is roughly December 15th
Sewer project accelerated was originally going to take 12 years to complete due to limited funding. Using a combination of bonds and CDBG funds to complete 9 years early.
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan mentioned some residents behind the parking lot were given hotel accommodations while the work was being done at night.

Gilbert Homes Septic to Sewer Project
Letters sent to homeowners giving costs and options available
CDBG to cover 80 - 85 percent of costs if homeowner is eligible
An option available for ineligible homeowners is financing through the Town with a 2.5 percent interest loan
CDBG applications due Monday, August 25th
Paperwork with required signatures due September 12th
Project to begin October

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan indicated a neighborhood meeting was held on Saturday, August 16th with 50 people in attendance. He also mentioned the cost is different depending on where the connection needs to be made (back or front).
Back Connection:   $13,362
Front Connection: $14,013
Council Liaison Urie stated homeowners who choose not participate in program at this time, the homeowner would be responsible for hook up to the sewer if the septic tank fails in the future.

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

5.        Report from Community Development Specialist on current and future events
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan mentioned the following:
A neighborhood meeting was held on August 12th regarding the Northeast Corner of Gilbert and Elliot Road. Applicant is required to hold such a meeting.
Traffic Engineer Bruce Ward will attend the September Redevelopment Commission meeting to present his recommendations regarding traffic issues within the Heritage District.
Boys and Girls Club grand opening was held Wednesday, August 20th.

Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
No report.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

ATTEST:

Mary Ellen Fresquez, Vice Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

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