TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 21, 2005, 6:30 PM.

132 W. BRUCE AVENUE
GILBERT, ARIZONA

COMMISSION PRESENT: Vice Chairman Taylor, Commissioner Fresquez and Commissioner Iacobazzi

COMMISSION ABSENT: Chairman King and Commissioner Valentine

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

OTHERS PRESENT: Kelly Mixer (Gilbert Independent), Jeromy Sjorseth and Junior Jeral

ROLL CALL
Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS

Vice Chairman Taylor 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 March 17, 2005

Vice Chairman Taylor made a correction to page 3, last bullet, under comments made by Commissioners. He said the Commission was in general support of the plan but not all for it. Economic Development Director Tilque clarified that it was a comment made by one Commissioner. Suggestion was made to change bullet point wording to Great idea and I’m all for it.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of March 17, 2005 as amended. Voice vote carried 3 - 0.

PUBLIC HEARING

4.        Town of Gilbert CDBG and HOME Consolidated Plan (FY 2005 - 2010) and Annual Plan (FY 2005 - 2006)

Vice Chairman Taylor opened the public hearing on the Town of Gilbert CDBG and HOME Consolidate Plan (FY 2005 - 2010) and Annual Plan (FY 2005 - 2006).

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan gave an explanation of the two Executive Summary documents which were included in the packet. He mentioned a draft copy of the 5 - Year Consolidated Plan FY 2005 - 2010 and the Annual Plan FY 2005 - 2006 in their entirety were available for viewing.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan reviewed the contents of each document separately.

Highlights of the 5 - Year Consolidated (Strategic) Plan:

? Overall goal of the document is to establish the needs and priorities for the Town of Gilbert over the next five years
? Formatted and organized as requested by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
? List key objectives such as preserving neighborhoods and affordable housing issues
? Primary categories of needs addressed in the plan include Housing, Homelessness, Community Development, Public Facilities and other activities
? Not a stand alone plan document as the Town receives HOME funds through the Maricopa Home Consortium

The Commission was given an opportunity to comment on the plan.

? Omission of a required section on Housing in 5 - year plan and how it affects the public hearing this evening
? What is the next step for the plan? Response: On Town Council agenda for a Resolution to authorize the Town of Gilbert to submit plans to HUD. The same Executive Summaries will be provided in Town Council packet. The comment period for both documents will end May 10th and staff will do final changes and submit to HUD.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan mentioned that information on fair housing activities is not included in the annual plan. HUD requires the Town to identify fair housing activities in a separate report. This report has been submitted to HUD. Staff is in communication with them as to what activities they want the Town to do and not do. As soon as it has been figured out, specific activities will be included in the annual plan.

Commission comments continued:

?.Is there a list of things that must be completed and complied? Response: Yes. A new format is being used for HUD and there will probably be some back and forth communication due to shift in focus and the way the questions are being asked. Confident staff will get through the process.
? In the memo provided by staff, there are some additional requirements that are not in the documents such as fair housing activities yet there is a public comment period required. Asked for clarification as to when the period would begin. Response: This public hearing is part of the comment period. Requirement from HUD is that there needs to be a 30 day comment period before this plan is submitted to HUD. An ad was published in the newspaper, as required, stating the plans are available on the website, contact announcing the April 21st Redevelopment Commission meeting and any comments made by May 10th will be considered.
? Are the Fair Housing activities publicly available? Response: At this time, no. However, the requirement is to make as much information available to the public as possible. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan indicated he would be happy to provide Vice Chairman Taylor with that information when it becomes available. Not every activity is required to be available for public comment before it is submitted to HUD. What is required is that every single project that is funded (for example: Funds allocated to renovated senior center) needs to go through the 30 - day comment period.
? What is the status of the Affordable Housing Committee? Response: Group has not met in 6 - 8 months and the last activity was to try to form a partnership with a builder to build affordable homes for first - time homebuyers specifically for Town employees and teachers. No success to date.

Community Development Harris - Morgan reviewed the Annual Plan. Highlights of that plan are:
? The Nutrition program for the elderly is Town funded and CDBG funded. No dollar amount available as Town Council has not allocated general funds for the upcoming fiscal year. Other activities funded by the Town are the CAP office, senior center and Boys & Girls Club.
? HUD is looking for overall resources including Town, funded activities

Commissioner Fresquez made a suggestion to change the wording of youth prevention program to something else. She said it sounds like to the Town is preventing youth. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan will reword it.

Vice Chairman Taylor opened the public hearing to the public for testimony on the issue. No one from the public wished to speak. Vice Chairman Taylor closed the public hearing on this issue.

5.        Request for Proposals for NWC of Gilbert and Elliot roads

Vice Chairman Taylor opened the public hearing on the Request for Proposals for the NWC of Gilbert and Elliot Roads.

Economic Development Director Tilque gave a brief overview as to the status of the RFP for the NWC of Gilbert and Elliot roads.

? Staff was given direction by the Commission and Town Council to revise the RFP that was issued for the old Boys & Girls Club last year.
? Commission requested a lease - purchase option be added along with some kick - out provisions and other milestones.
? Town Council added commercial uses, excluding fast foods.
? On March 15th, Town Council added an option that would allow for the outright purchase of the building and site. Town’s legal counsel added that option to a revised RFP which was included in the packet.
? Council Liaison Urie sent some suggested language he would like to see included in the selection criteria.

Economic Development Director Tilque would like some feedback to give to the Town Council on the issue of better defining the selection criteria and to look at a level of priority (example: should be stated if the Commission wishes to preserve the building).

Commission offered the following comments, suggestions and questions:
? Needs some type of measuring tool, possibly a fair point system
? Needs to look at the best use for the property and highest value (biggest bang) for the city even it means tearing down the building as long as it is recorded through a HABS.
? Would like to retain the original portion (church) of the building whether it is a lease or purchase. Understands and could live with the decision to tear down building but not personal preference.
? Total tax revenue per gross floor area?balances the playing field. Know this number and compare to the other properties in the district. This is very attainable.
? Ask the submittals to estimate foot traffic per day
? Ask the submittals to estimate parking requirements
? Lease - purchase option?Is there no minimum lease term on the lease - purchase option? Response: No, whatever the submittal proposes.
? Purchase only option?There is mention of day and night uses as a complimentary mix. The other uses in the area are not. Response: It was originally included for a possible merger of proposals for a school use during the day and arts group at night.
? Make a recommendation to include on page 6, 5(c)?with the financial statements include pro forma monthly cash flow for the same three years.
? Under VI. Criteria for Selection on page 7, item 7?add monthly cash flow to the operational budget.
? Suggest in the Criteria for Selection section - - add the recommendations from Councilman Urie to the document.
? Critical to have a deed restriction to preclude an investor from flipping the property. Economic Development Director Tilque stated it would be best to put that requirement in a development agreement.

Vice Chairman Taylor opened the public hearing to the public for testimony on the issue.

Council Liaison Urie indicated the Commission needs to establish what the number one priority. Council Liaison Urie is biased towards economic development?getting the biggest bang for the buck. If, as a sub - category, preservation is possible, then that would be a consideration but not the primary principle. He cautioned the Commission not to have too many objectives.

Economic Development Director said that the suggested criteria made by Council Liaison Urie would not be included in the RFP but in the matrix to evaluate the project.

Vice Chairman Taylor closed the public hearing comment portion and brought it back to the Commission for action.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Iacobazzi, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to recommend that Town Council consider the highest and best use for the Old Boys & Girls Club property, regardless if they buy or lease the property and that if the property is torn down that a historical record of the property be maintained.

Commissioner Fresquez commented on the motion. She stated that when the Commission first made a recommendation to Town Council pertaining to the NWC corner of Gilbert & Elliot Roads, the group addressed needs for the Town of Gilbert and needs that were compatible to the Heritage District such as a place for performing arts, visual arts, museums and meeting places. This type of use was a unanimous decision of the Commission to Town Council for the property. She also stated that through a variety of sources maintaining the historical nature or at least a portion of the original building was a priority because there is not much left in the Heritage District from the early years. She is not sure when it became an economic driver and cannot support the motion.

The Commission voted on the motion. Voice vote carried 2 - 1. Commissioner Fresquez cast the dissenting vote.

Vice Chairman Taylor closed the public hearing on this issue.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
6.        Recommendation of Redevelopment Commission for the Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Board
Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned it is time to appoint or reappoint a Commissioner to serve as liaison for the Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Board for FY 2005 - 06. He said Commissioner Fresquez has served as liaison for the past three years and praised her for the outstanding job she has done in that capacity. Commissioner Fresquez stated it has been a great experience for her and expressed a desire to continue as liaison but would step aside if another Commissioner would like to accept the role as liaison. Commissioner Iacobazzi indicated he would be interested in serving as liaison.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to appoint Commissioner Iacobazzi as Redevelopment Commission Liaison to the Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Board. Voice vote carried 3 - 0.

7.        Update on Projects in the Heritage District
Economic Development Director Tilque highlighted the following:
? Park ‘N Ride Lot?Should be completed by the end of the month.
? Street Light and Furnishings Project?Project is on schedule
? Commission Retreat?Date for retreat has been scheduled for Saturday, June 25th, tentative time slot of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Item to be on May agenda for discussion.
? Page Commons?Plans are to have Certificate of Occupancy in the next few weeks.
? Oregano’s Pizza Bistro?Waiting for submittal of construction documents. Still on schedule to open in November 2005. They will come back to the Commission in the future for signage.

Commissioner Iacobazzi inquired about the status on the following:
? Any additional input or development with the Four Peaks - - Microbrewery. Economic Development Director Tilque responded he is still working on the parking issue.
? Painting of Water Tower. Town Manager Pettit responded that funds are available, just trying to avoid contractor conflict. Waiting for the completion of Park ‘N Ride lot and construction of streets in the area.

Vice Chairman Taylor asked about the plans and time schedule for the proposed Ash Street extension. Economic Development Director Tilque responded that it is in the CIP for next year and might be a possible topic for the Commission retreat in June.

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

10.        Report from Economic Development Director on current and future events
Economic Development Director Tilque gave a reminder about the following events:
? Heritage District Pedestrian Design meeting is Thursday, April 28th, 6:30 p.m. at the Southeast Regional Library. Topic of discussion is open space. Should have received an e - mail today.

? Global Village Festival is Saturday, April 23rd, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Town Municipal Center. Extended an open invitation to stop by.

11.        Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Commissioner Fresquez would like to know if the street lights have electrical outlets. Economic Development Director Tilque will get an answer for her.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

ATTEST:
Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

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