TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2005, 6:30 PM.

132 W. BRUCE AVENUE
GILBERT, ARIZONA

COMMISSION PRESENT: Chairman King, Vice Chairman Taylor, Commissioner Valentine, and Commissioner Fresquez

COMMISSION ABSENT: Commissioner Iacobazzi

STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, Planner II Jason Sanks, Community Development Specialist Carl Harris - Morgan, Council Liaison Steve Urie and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Kristen Rodgers (Arizona Action for Foster Children), Marcia Reck (Arizona Action for Foster Children), Jeanne Sims (AZ Action for Foster Children), Pat Gilbert (Mesa CAN), Yolanda Flores (CSA), Linda Mushkatel (Maricopa County), Kathy DiNolfi (PREHAB LaMesita), Carol Kochlin (CSA), Mark Holleran (CASS), Ken Hecht (Shoebox Ministry), Christie Wetherington (CSA), Lowell Crary (CSA), Kristen Polin (Community Bridges), Jeff Hale (CSA), John Lamkin (Save the Family)

ROLL CALL

Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments or communications on items not on the agenda. There were no communications from citizens.

3.        Minutes - Approve the Regular meeting minutes of January 20, 2005

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 20, 2005 as written. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

PUBLIC HEARING

4.        DR04 - 129?Final site plan and building elevations for Oregano’s Pizza Bistro and Coffee, Ice Cream and Pastry Café

Planner II Sanks gave a presentation of the final site plan and building elevations for Oregano’s Pizza Bistro. He mentioned the applicant addressed recommendations made by the Commission during a working session at the January meeting.

He highlighted the following:

Restaurant is 3,720 sf and Coffee/Ice Cream Parlor is 1,200 sf. Floor Area Ration (FAR) for Oregano’s is 29%. Minimum required is 25%.

Includes an outdoor dining area and two outdoor seating areas

Wrought iron fencing around dining area

No additional ornaments were added to building

Design Review Board recommended approval through consent calendar February 10, 2005.

Signage not included in the application at this time. Proposed signage does not conform to sign code.

Sample of awning material shown to the Commission. Using top of the line company, Sunbrella, for quality product with a warranty of 5 years.

A question asked by the Commission deals with the enforcement of replacing faded awnings and if the Town had any leverage to pursue with the property owner? The response given was the Town of Gilbert’s Code compliance division could pursue.

The Commissioners concurred this was a very good project and excited to see it becoming a reality. Compliments were given to the owner, as well as the architect, for making good use of a postage size lot.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Fresquez, to approve DR04 - 129, the site plan, landscaping, lighting, floor plan, and building elevations for Oregano’s Pizza Bistro and Coffee, Ice Cream and Pastry Café, both located at the southwest corner of Gilbert Road and Vaughn Avenue. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

5.        FY 2005/06 Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Funding Allocations

An announcement was made by Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan about the possibility of the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs if President Bush’s 2006 Proposed Budget is passed. This does not affect the FY 2005 funding. More information to be provided upon request.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan reviewed the process to apply for CDBG and Home Investment Partnership Funding for FY 2004 - 05. He indicated copies of the applications were included in the packet as well as a staff recommendation for funding. An explanation of the notebook set - up was also given.

The Commission opted to begin the process by reviewing the HOME Funds applications first.

Two applications were received requesting HOME funds?Save the Family Affordable Rental Movement ($275,000) and CSA Rental Housing ($399,837). Each applicant was given an opportunity to give a short presentation by describing the services/programs provided by the agency as well as the clientele they would serve and how the allocation would be spent. The two applications were very similar in that they would provide affordable rental housing with support services for low - moderate income families as well as victims of domestic violence.

After listening to the presentations, the Commission discussed which organization would generate a greater asset. They were given an opportunity to ask questions of the applicants. One of the concerns of the Commission was whether a Gilbert resident would be given preference or be put on a waiting list. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan responded that this particular detail would have to be worked out in the contract. If funded, Save the Family would purchase 2 units and CSA plans to combine the funds received from Gilbert with Chandler funds, allowing them to purchase 8 - 12 units. CSA would reserve 4 - 6 units for Gilbert residents.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Fresquez, to recommend that Town Council approve the FY 2005 - 06 HOME Investment Partnership allocations as presented by staff for CSA Rental Housing in the amount of $399,837. Voice vote carried 4 - 0.

The Commission continued with the Community Development Block Grant funding applications for public service, housing and public facilities. Commissioner Valentine excused himself from the Community Development Block Grant allocation portion due to a conflict of interest and did not participate in the discussion or vote.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan informed the Commission that representatives from each organization who applied for funding were in attendance and available to answer any questions. Applications received from:

Arizona Action for Foster Children (AAFC)
Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)
Community Bridges
Community Services of Arizona (CSA)
Mesa Community Action Network (Mesa CAN)
PREHAB LaMesita
Save the Family
Shoebox Ministry
Town of Gilbert
Maricopa County

Each applicant spoke about the types of services/programs provided by the agency as well as the clientele they would serve and how the allocation would be spent. Included in the presentations were statistics on the number of Gilbert residents served with FY 2004 - 05 allocated funds.

Application highlights for Public Services:

AAFC?provides assistance to and licensed specialist assistance for up to 18 foster children in Gilbert. Funds to be used for licensing specialist visits to Gilbert foster homes, purchase necessary equipment for foster children and support for operations and events benefiting these children. Request for $7,500. Staff recommendation: $1,960

CASS?provides nights of emergency shelter and supportive services to 150 homeless single adult men and women from the Town of Gilbert. Funds to be used for the general operation of the downtown CASS shelter. Request for $36,100. Staff recommendation: $5,200
Community Bridges?provides a continuum of substance use disorder treatment including emergency crisis care, medical detoxification and transition management to 144 homeless, indigent and working poor adults from Gilbert. Funds to be used for personnel costs at the East Valley Addiction Recovery Center in Mesa and the Central City Addiction Recovery Center in Phoenix. Request for $5,000. Staff recommendation: $4,900

CSA Senior Meals?provides nutritionally balanced meals to the frail and elderly in a dining room setting and home delivery. Funds to be used for the general operation of the program for food and dining supplies. Request for $21,000. Staff recommendation: $20,600

CSA Gilbert CAP?provides financial assistance to prevent homelessness and utility shut - off as well as referrals to other community resources to low - income Gilbert residents. Funds to be used for utility, rent and other assistance as well as personnel and employee related expenses. Request for $47,640. Staff recommendation: $44,169

Mesa CAN?provides shelter, food, work assistance, transportation, socialization/life skills, GED and adult literacy training and other programs to adult homeless men from Gilbert who are ready to commit to staying off the streets and work towards a productive life. Funds to be used for personnel costs for program operations for 15 single men. Request for $14,649. Staff recommendation: $6,760

PREHAB LaMesita?provides emergency shelter, food, childcare, personal counseling, job training to homeless families with minor aged children from Gilbert. Funds to be used for personnel related expenses. Request for $10,000. Staff recommendation: $7,200

Save the Family?provides transitional living for homeless families with children. Funds to be used for operational costs and cover 1,220 nights. Request for $12,904. Staff recommendation: $8,330

Shoebox Ministry?provides personal hygiene kits and undergarments to 50 - 100 Gilbert homeless and working poor individuals seeking assistance from agencies in Mesa, Tempe and Chandler. Funds to be used for operating costs related to collection and distribution of donated and purchased items as well as a portion of personnel costs. Request for $7,070. Staff recommendation: $0

Application highlights for Housing:

CSA Emergency/Minor Home Repair?provides assistance to low and moderate income households with emergency homes repairs and minor rehabilitation including remediation of health and safety problems in homes. Funds to be used for operational costs, materials and construction costs. Request for $110,000. Staff recommendation: $110,000

Application highlights for Public Facilities:

Town of Gilbert Senior Center Expansion?to provide renovation and expansion of the Community Center serving the growing senior population of Gilbert. Total cost is estimated at $2,452,000 to renovate and expand the building. Work to be done includes the addition of storage, kitchen expansion, additional dining area, new building for Parks & Rec for classes which will free up existing classroom space in Community Center. Request for $550,000. Staff recommendation: $506,950
Maricopa County Human Services Campus (NOVA Safe Haven): to provide construction cost for the NOVA Safe Haven of the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix. Campus to provide quality, cost effective services to 450 chronically homeless, seriously mentally ill individuals of whom 15 ? 17 will be from Gilbert. Funds to be used for labor costs. Request for $75,000. Staff recommendation: $75,000

Highlights of Administrative Costs:

Salary for full - time Community Development Specialist and part - time (20 hours) Community Development Assistant. Individuals are responsible for overseeing the entire operations of the CDBG and HOME programs for the Town of Gilbert and making sure programs follows federal guidelines. Request for $132,158. Staff recommendation: $110,000

The Commission remarked that each organization was worthy of full funding as requested but were unable to do so because of the amount of allocated dollars given to the Town of Gilbert. The Commission carefully deliberated over the benefits of each program and the value it would serve the Gilbert community. Some disappointment was directed toward the Town of Gilbert for not giving additional support for these types of services.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to recommend Town Council approve the 2005 - 06 Community Development Block Grant as presented by staff with the following allocation changes: CSA Senior Meals receive $18,600, CSA Gilbert CAP receive $42,169 and Shoebox Ministry receive $4,000.

The Commission debated on the new recommended allocated amounts for the three organizations. It was pointed out the recommended funding for some organizations was one - fifth of their requested amount and it would not be fair for Shoebox Ministry to receive over half of their requested amount.

An AMENDED MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to decrease Shoebox Ministry to $3,000 and increase Arizona Action for Foster Children to $2,960.

The Commission voted on the amendment. Voice vote carried 2 - 1 - 1. Chairman King cast the dissenting vote.

The Commission voted on the AMENDED MOTION. Voice vote carried 2 - 1 - 1. Chairman King cast the dissenting vote.

Commissioner Valentine rejoined the meeting.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
6.        Update on Projects in the Heritage District
Economic Development Director Tilque highlighted two updates included in the packet communications:

Hale Theatre - - Started the process to expand their building. Submitted for Pre - application process. Commission to see formal submittal in the next few months.

Park - N - Ride - Date of completion changed due to the recent rainy weather. Will have new completion date next month.

Question asked about the old Chamber building and when it should be demolished. Demolition is scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.

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

8.        Report from Economic Development Director on current and future events
No report.

9.        Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Commissioner Valentine thanked staff for the requested information that was sent. He stated it was very helpful.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

ATTEST:

Jason King, Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

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