MINUTES TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2005, 6:30 PM.

HERITAGE ANNEX BUILDING
119 N. GILBERT ROAD
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: None

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.

PUBLIC HEARING
3. Vision Statement
Chairman King opened the public hearing on the Vision Statement-Continue to refine the draft Vision Statement narrative for the Heritage District.

Economic Development Director Tilque began by saying the Commissioners should have received an e-mail with an attachment of examples of other downtown development vision statements as well as seven possible alternatives statements from Mr. Lance Decker. It was also included in the packet.

A draft vision statement written by Economic Development Director Tilque was handed out to the Commission for consideration. He created his statement by reading all the alternatives and captured everything the Commission had voiced at the August work session.

Economic Development Director Tilque read the vision statement:

We will be a downtown that:
? Is a unique, attractive, vibrant, yet peaceful gathering place
? Is family-friendly, pedestrian oriented and provides a convenient and safe experience for all
? Reflects our railroad and agricultural heritage and maintains a small-town feel
? Attracts a distinct mix of retail, restaurant, office, service and entertainment businesses that are a regional draw
? Is a popular place to work, gather, dine, relax, shop and live
? Maximizes the use of limited space while making sure that no single use dominates the overall direction and vision of the Heritage District
? Provides a diverse mix of uses
? Accomplishes all of the above in an economically sustainable way

The Commission offered the following sentiments and ideas:
? Was the term ?downtown? appropriate or should it be referred to as Heritage District? There is some confusion as to where the downtown is because of Gilbert Towne Square. People tend to think that is the downtown. Commission does not want to relinquish the word ?downtown?. Suggestion made to title Vision Statement: ?Heritage District Vision Statement?. Need to brand the downtown/Heritage District by using clip art/water tower/railroad for future ads and any correspondence
? Bullet point should be added regarding the heart or soul. Suggested wording: Is the heart of the community. Should be first bullet.
? Vision statement to lengthy. Suggested to change bullet point: Is a popular place to work, gather, dine, relax, shop and live to: Is a popular place to be. It would give more flexibility. Comment was made that a vision statement should paint a picture for the public. After discussion it was decided the bullet point to remain as originally written.
? Remove bullet point: ?Provides a diverse mix of uses? because it was redundant of another bullet point.
? Bullet point added regarding clean & well maintained which was mentioned in the Middletown, CT Vision Statement. Suggested wording: Is clean and well maintained.

Economic Development Director Tilque summarized the suggestions expressed by the Commission to make sure that everything discussed was captured and the order preference by the Commission. The revised vision statement is a follows:
We will be a downtown that:
? Is the heart of the community
? Is family-friendly, pedestrian oriented and provides a convenient and safe experience for all
? Is a popular place to work, gather, dine, relax, shop and live
? Is a unique, attractive, vibrant, yet peaceful gathering place
? Reflects our railroad and agricultural heritage and maintains a small-town feel
? Attracts a distinct mix of retail, restaurant, office, service and entertainment businesses that are a regional draw
? Maximizes the use of limited space while making sure that no single use dominates the overall direction and vision of the Heritage District
? Is clean and well maintained
? Accomplishes all of the above in an economically sustainable way

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

Chairman King closed the public hearing on this agenda item.

4. Statement of Intent
Chairman King opened the public hearing on the Statement of Intent–To review and possibly update the Statement of Intent.

Economic Development Director Tilque extracted a page from Chandler?s plan to show as an example and handed a copy to the Commission. He commented that it is similar but more description than what Gilbert has. He asked the Commission for some general guidelines and some direction on how to proceed.

The Commission made the following observations:
? Liked the ?friendliness? of Chandler?s Scope of Plan
? Scope of the Plan or Statement of Intent is a mission statement
? Clarification of procedural requirements. Difference between a guide and requirement.
? Need to be more descriptive and would like to see other examples.
? Finds Statement of Intent confusing with the procedural requirements and the way it is referred to in the Appendices.
? Document must be workable.

Economic Development Director Tilque will obtain additional ideas from other cities and bring to a future meeting.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

Chairman King closed the public hearing on this agenda item.

5. Heritage District Goals
Chairman King opened the public hearing on the Heritage District Goals–To review and possibly update the goals for the Heritage District. He asked the Commission for direction and whether they would like to keep this section in the plan objectives.

The Commission expressed the following thoughts:
? Getting samples from other communities means a massive amount of paperwork to shift through for developing the goals
? Suggestion was made to form a sub-committee to review and work on goals
? Need specific goals for the vision statement. May be short-term and long-term goals.
? Would like to see other examples to make sure Commission is not missing things
? Goals should be tied to Vision Statement

The Commission felt comfortable to have a sub-committee work on the Heritage District Goals. Vice Chairman Taylor and Commissioner Fresquez volunteered to serve on such sub-committee.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

Chairman King closed the public hearing on this agenda item.

6. Commission Responsibilities
Chairman King opened the public hearing on the Commission Responsibilities–To review and possibly update the Commission Responsibilities as outlined in the Redevelopment Plan.

Economic Development Director Tilque commented the responsibilities of the Redevelopment Commission are currently part of the Plan Objectives section of the Redevelopment Plan. He asked the Commission how they would like to handle it.

Vice Chairman Taylor responded he is not sure the Commission can re-write this area. He added that the responsibilities are dictated by Town Council and the By-laws. The Commission directed staff to make sure the responsibilities are consistent with the current by-laws and state statutes.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

Chairman King closed the public hearing on this agenda item.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
7. Redevelopment Plan Updates
Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned that Vice Chairman Taylor requested this agenda item be added to discuss the key changes necessary in the plan. To help show the changes, the Commission was given a chart (included in packet) which was divided into two sections?Commission review/updates and staff updates.

Economic Development Director Tilque advised the Commission that all items updated by staff will be brought before the Commission for review.

8. Redevelopment Plan Update Schedule
Economic Development Director Tilque voiced a concern of meeting the deadline established at the June 25th Commission Retreat for completion of the updates to the Redevelopment Plan. He stated that the updates will require the assistance of other departments and that those individuals are scheduled to meet October 3rd. After that meeting, he will have a better idea of their timeframe to complete certain tasks. Another factor making some of the timeframes unpredictable is the loss of planners in the Planning Department.

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

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

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

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

ATTEST:

Jason King, Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder