MEETING MINUTES OF THE GILBERT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD

REGULAR MEETING ON JUNE 8, 2005

PRESENT: Richard Andrews, Lanny M. Brown, Ben Cooper, Martha Fleming, Maria Hesse, Tony Hyland, Dr. Jerry Jakubowski, Kathy Langdon, Scott Morrison, Peg Mulloy, Steve Paisley, Keith Vaughan, Greg Tilque, Mary Ellen Fresquez, Karl Kohlhoff, and Christopher Lindahl

ABSENT: Angela Creedon, Kent Norcross, and Les Presmyk

OTHERS PRESENT: John Zupon, Victor Gonzalez, Doreen Cott, George Pettit, Linda Edwards, Buzz Goznell, Mike Withey, Doug Himmelberger and Ken Millar

CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Fleming called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. and declared a quorum present.

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

3.        Minutes - Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2005 and May 11, 2005
A MOTION was made by Board member Vaughan, seconded by Board member Mulloy, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of April 13, 2005 and May 11, 2005 as written. Voice vote carried 11 - 0.

PUBLIC HEARING
4.        Woodbine Presentation for the Main Street Commons Project
(Board member Andrews joined the meeting)

Mr. Buzz Goznell, President of Woodbine Southwest Corp., gave a presentation on the Main Street Commons Project which is located on the north side of Loop 202 and east of Val Vista. Main Street Commons is situated on 90 - acres of the Spectrum Master Planned community.

Highlights of project:
ο         Project will develop in stages - 1st stage to begin construction in August or September
ο         Potential tenants include a furniture store, fitness center, two hotels as well as two major anchors. The anchor tenants are expected to be announced in the next 60 days.
ο         Main common area to include an interactive fountain, amphitheater type atmosphere for summer concerts and holiday events.
ο         Rural architecture design with contemporary materials - “Today’s version of yesterday.”

Design Review Board Liaison Lindahl commended Woodbine on the design and Planning & Zoning Liaison Kohlhoff said the project was complimentary to the Cooley Station project.

2b.        Introduction of New Board members
Vice Chairman Fleming inadvertently skipped agenda item #2b Introduction of New Board members.

She welcomed the new Board members, Jim Edgett and Ken Millar. Both men gave a brief introduction about themselves which included professional experience and background information.

Vice Chairman Fleming acknowledged and thanked Redevelopment Commission Liaison Fresquez and Board member Hyland for their contributions and service to the Board. The June meeting was their last official meeting.

5.        System Development Fees
Economic Development Director Tilque noted one additional comment was received after the April 13th meeting and incorporated the comment into the position statement document. System Development Fees is scheduled for a Town Council public hearing on June 21st.

Board member Langdon noted the Board had discussed the issue of System Development Fees and the position statement in depth at the April 13th meeting and had nothing further to add.

The Board had no additional comments on the position statement.

A MOTION was made by Board member Andrews, seconded by Board member Mulloy, to approve and support the position statement prepared by the Public Policy Task Force Group. Voice vote carried 12 - 0.

6.        2005 - 06 Action Plan
Economic Development Director Tilque indicated a draft action plan was brought before the Board in April and no additional comments have been received. He indicated the following changes occurred since April:
•         Added in the numbers with regards to the target number of companies, jobs, etc.
•         GPEC travel dates have changed.

Economic Development Director Tilque entertained questions. The Board made no additional comments.

A MOTION was made by Board member Langdon, seconded by Board member Vaughan, to approve the 2005/06 Gilbert Economic Development Department Action Plan. Voice vote carried 12 - 0.

7.        2005 - 06 Marketing & Communications Strategy
Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned there has been little change in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year; therefore, the only changes made were to reflect the new Target Business Clusters.

A suggestion was made by Redevelopment Commission Liaison Fresquez that the mission and role of Town Commissions and Boards be communicated to the public. There seems to be a misunderstanding since the recent election of Town Council. Board member Brown agreed and further added it should begin with Town Council. He said it was important to educate the community.

A MOTION was made by Board member Vaughan, seconded by Board member Cooper, to approve the Gilbert Economic Development Department’s 2005/06 Marketing & Communications Strategy. Voice vote carried 12 - 0.

8.        General Plan Analysis Presentation
Research Analyst Zupon presented a General Plan Analysis that provided general plan land use comparisons as well as employment scenarios and projections. The Power Point presentation highlighted the following discussion topics:
ο         1994 General Plan
ο         2004 General Plan (includes updates and amendments through February 1, 2005)
ο         1994/2004 General Plan Spatial Comparison
ο         1994/2004 General Plan Land Use Summary
ο         General Plan Employment Scenario
ο         General Plan Regional Comparison
ο         Regional Comparison of Population to Employment
ο         Economic Development Department Employment Projections
ο         Potential General Plan Amendments (Employment)
ο         Potential General Plan Amendments (Commercial)
ο         Conclusion

The Board provided constructive feedback and suggested ways to improve the final presentation for Town Council. Recommendations included:
ο         List upfront the assumptions used to calculate numbers/ratios and refer to them periodically throughout presentation
ο         Find out the assumptions used by MAG in determining their calculations
ο         Include what has been built - out to date
ο         Contact Economic Development Department of each city (Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix and Scottsdale) for more current numbers instead of using the MAG data. Will give a more accurate picture as to where Gilbert stands
ο         Include a monetary affect (revenue it might generate) for the changes
ο         Include a city further away from core (such as Goodyear)
ο         Focus on commercial base vs. employment base

(Board member Vaughan excused himself during the presentation).

A copy of the General Plan Analysis Power Point Presentation is attached.

The Board indicated this should be on the agenda for the July 12, 2005 joint meeting with Town Council. Economic Development Director Tilque will speak with Council Liaison Presmyk for direction.

9.        General Plan Amendment-Gilbert Road and Loop 202
Economic Development Director Tilque indicated a General Plan amendment was recently submitted for the property located at the northeast corner of Gilbert Road and Loop 202. The applicant is requesting to change the current Business Park (BP) designation to Regional Commercial (RC) on approximately 65 acres.

Economic Development Director Tilque would like direction from the Board as how to proceed with this issue. One option was to have the Public Policy Task Force receive, review and analyze all the data and then bring it back to the Board for a full presentation with the applicant when appropriate. The Board liked the option of the issue going through the Public Policy Task Force first. A question was raised if the public (neighbors and applicant) could attend those meeting. Response was that an invitation would be extended to those interested parties.

Mr. Mike Withey, representing the applicant, was in attendance. Mr. Withey reported what documents were submitted to the Town and how they plan to proceed. He also mentioned that an economic report prepared by Elliot Pollock has been submitted. It will be at least 3 to 4 months before a hearing date is scheduled so there is time to work with the Public Policy Task Force and the Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Board as well as the neighbors.

Economic Development Director Tilque indicated the Public Policy Task Force will meet sometime after mid - July.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
10.        Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Board By - Laws
Economic Development Director Tilque indicated Town Council adopted Ordinance 1598 on October 5, 2004 regarding the attendance policy for all boards and commissions. The ordinance went into effect on November 5, 2004 and the Board was notified through an e - mail regarding the attendance policy but staff wanted to update the by - laws to reflect the ordinance. The by - laws will go back to Town Council for ratification at their June 21st meeting.

11.        Redevelopment Commission Report
Redevelopment Commission Liaison Fresquez reported the following:
•         Conclusion of the Heritage District Pedestrian Study with final meeting scheduled for June 23, 2005. Discussion topics will include open space
•         Retreat set for Saturday, June 25, 2005. Reviewing all documents - - General Plan, DAT, LDC, Redevelopment Plan and Pedestrian Study.
•         Oregano’s plans have been approved
•         Antique store has opened.
•         Park ‘N Ride Lot dedication ceremony was held May 11th and the lot is now open.
•         Replacement Street Lights project complete.
•         Furniture palette (benches and waste containers) have been installed.
•         Water Tower to be painted very shortly.
•         Stamped Asphalt crosswalks will be completed now that the Street Light project is done.
•         Page Commons Senior Housing phase I is 100% occupied. The north end of the project is about 60% leased and should be occupied within 60 days.

12.        Planning and Zoning Commission Report
No report.

13.        Design Review Board Report
Design Review Board Liaison Lindahl stated he will have a report next month which will include action taken during May and June by the Design Review Board.

COMMUNICATIONS
14.        Report from Chairman on Current and Future Events
No report.

15.        Report from Economic Development Director on Current and Future Events
Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned the following:
•         Joint meeting with Town Council scheduled for July 12th. Election of Chair and Vice Chair prior to the joint meeting at 6:30 p.m. Would like ideas for the agenda. Suggestions made:
ο         What the Town Council expectations are of GEDAB
ο         Board Action Plan
ο         Target Clusters
ο         John Zupon’s General Plan Analysis presentation
ο         Issues brought forward during the General Plan Analysis
ο         Role of the Advisory Board
Board member Brown indicated he will be out of town but would like to participate in meeting via phone.
•         Town Council authorized the purchase of shirts for the Advisory Board. Requested members to remain after meeting to select a shirt style and color.

16.        Report from Board Members on Current and Future Events
Board member Langdon announced the following:
•         Next Gilbert NOW Luncheon is Wednesday, June 15, 2005. All are invited.
•         The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce will be featured on Channel 3, Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 7:30 a.m.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Board member Mulloy, seconded by Board member Cooper, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting was adjourned at 9:21 a.m.

Martha Fleming, Vice Chairman

ATTEST:

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

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