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Office of Economic Development
Economic Development Advisory Board
MEETING MINUTES
Date: December 4, 2007: 7:05 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT EX-OFFICIO STAFF PRESENT
Brian Campbell, Chair Mayor Keno Hawker (excused) Betsy Adams
Jim LeCheminant, Vice Chair Chris Brady (excused) Wahid Alam
Theresa Carmichael Jack Sellers Sue Cason
Dale Easter Charlie Deaton William Jabjiniak
Steven Shope Shea Joachim
Steven Wood Amy Morales
Patrick Murphy
Mike Paredes
MEMBERS ABSENT GUESTS Scot Rigby
Christian Alder (unexcused) Roc Arnett Katrina Rogers
Ted Wendel (excused) John Bradley
1. Chair’s Call To Order
Chair Brian Campbell called the December 4, 2007 meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Board to order at 7:05 A.M. at the City of Mesa Council Chambers, Lower Level, 57 E. 1st Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.
2. Approval of Minutes of the November 6, 2007 Meeting
Chair Campbell called for a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting held on
November 6, 2007.
MOTION: Jim LeCheminant moved that the minutes from November 6, 2007 be approved as written.
SECOND: Steve Wood
DECISION: Passed unanimously
3. Hear a presentation from DMB regarding Mesa Gateway Area
Mr. John Bradley, Vice President & General Manager Mesa Proving Grounds, gave a brief presentation of DMB’s plans for the former General Motors Proving Grounds. Over the past several months they have started a process that involves enlisting input
from the community. They have been studying the development opportunity at the Mesa Proving Grounds and their Community Outreach Program has started including 3 open houses, with another one scheduled. In addition there have been 2 Community Roundtables with approximately 400-450 people in attendance. They have been gathering comments/feedback from the public and business leaders. DMB presented their thoughts and plans for the area and they in turn wanted to learn what the people of Mesa and the Southeast Valley are thinking. They have also engaged experts to assist with their conceptual planning to develop a legendary community.
Typically when they look at a development it is a 10 to 15 year concept. The plan they are working with allows for an opportunity for this to continue to evolve and grow for the next 30, 40, or 50 years.
They learned a number of things from their public outreach. For example they learned from the community that the quality of jobs that they create may be higher quality than had been anticipated by attracting class “A” office space. DMB sees it as an opportunity, but not necessarily an easy opportunity.
Additionally, DMB heard that the airport is the catalyst for new development. The long-term view that DMB envisions matches up with the airport. The airports robust operation is going to take time. It is on track and every step of the way allows it to build a foundation to get bigger and better. Major airlines flying out of the airport is when it is going to be a robust place. That is not going to happen right away. DMB’s effort isn’t going to happen right away either.
The people would love for this area to be amenity rich and not just industrial. Retail was identified as necessary, and education is important.
DMB knows they have to create amenities, which means a mixed-use environment. In order to attract class “A” office space, upper-end housing must exist. Along with upper-end housing, golf courses are necessary.
DMB’s Conceptual Plan designates the northwest corner of the site as a primary urban core. This designation includes high density class “A” office, high density residential, resort, conference hotel and center complimented with 36 holes of golf. A 2 ½ mile long park is planned and will allow the system to work. This will take 20-40 years to evolve.
An obstacle to overcome is the Land Use Plan. In January 2008 a General Plan amendment will be proposed to the City Council. In March DMB will propose the planned community district document with hopes that by September or October 2008 the entitlements would be awarded to DMB.
Chair Campbell suggested that DMB come back periodically to update EDAB as plans progress.
4. Hear a presentation on the West Main Street Area Plan
Mr. Wahid Alam, Senior Planner Long-Range Planning, gave a brief presentation on the West Main Street Area Plan. Mr. Alam explained there were many public outreach meetings with the community involved in helping develop the Plan. He explained the plan boundaries and the planning process.
The plan’s intent is:
1. An effort to identify and pro-actively guide the emerging forces of change in the study area.
2. These changes include, but are not limited to: new development, the arrival of light rail, and the departure of some automotive dealerships.
3. To make recommendations that reflect the community’s vision while guiding the physical development of the area over a long period of time.
4. To make recommendations to direct future land uses, infrastructure planning, and community facilities.
The Community Vision expressed in the Plan is:
1. To respect history
2. To embrace changes with excitement
3. To celebrate diversity
4. To co-mingle old and new peacefully
The Plan incorporates place-making elements and policies such as:
1. People and values
2. Integrated Land Uses
3. Venues and Common Places
4. Street Life
5. Integrating New and Old
6. Community Involvement
The overriding goal of the Plan is to create a place that will continue to represent its people and community.
The Plan Elements include:
1. Place-making/Urban Design
2. Land Use
3. Transportation
4. Historic Preservation
5. Open Space and Recreation
6. Public Infrastructure
7. Design Imperatives and Illustrations
8. Implementation Plan
Mr. Alam explained that the Implementation Plan includes: Amending the Mesa 2025 General Plan; Create a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Ordinance; Plan for Capital Improvement on infrastructure, Creation of a Board or Committee to act as the keeper of the vision; Encourage Public-Private partnerships; advise property owners of narrow lots along arterial streets on land assembly; conceptual site plans; and appropriate zoning to help facilitate the redevelopment process.
Chair Campbell commented that the Board would like updates as the TOD Ordinance is developed.
5. Hear a presentation of Draft Business and Expansion Program
Mr.William Jabjiniak referred to the “Draft” Business Retention and Expansion Project that was in the Board’s packet. Traditionally 80% of the growth in the community comes from business retention efforts. The “Draft” Business and Retention Program is intended to help create and retain jobs in Mesa. He stressed that this document is a “Draft” plan and that staff will be refining the program in the coming months.
The “Draft” Plan outlines a variety of steps that are available to target certain clusters and reach out to the existing businesses. Outreach is needed to the existing businesses to hear what their concerns are, understand what their growth/retraction plans are, and to be able to assist and be pro-active instead of reactive with our economic development efforts. Being reactive could be too late with business decisions already made by the owners or managers.
One of the challenges is to obtain accurate data from the employers that are currently in Mesa. A business license is currently being discussed and that could create data to be tapped into for information to reach out to the employers on a regular basis. Obtaining the data is key.
Staffing is an important issue and one that is needed in order to implement the “Draft” Business and Expansion Program. Mr. Jabjiniak encouraged comments and input from the Board. Hopefully in the first quarter of 2008 a portion of this plan should be ready for implementation.
He stated that staff would bring the program back to the Board in the future.
Chair Campbell commented that it is an important initiative and has been one of the major challenges facing the city in recent years. Time is spent attracting new businesses and the existing partners are sometimes forgotten. This is a critical effort for the Board to get behind and support. He also suggested, in addition to Greater Phoenix Economic Council, to reach out to Greater Phoenix Leadership, and East Valley Partnership.
6. Directors Report
Mr. Jabjiniak reported the resignation of Mr. Vern Mathern effective immediately.
Staff will work with the Mayor’s office on finding a replacement.
7. Other Business
Chair Campbell suggested the meeting time be changed from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. for various reasons.
Chair Campbell asked for suggestions of items to be placed on the agenda.
Dale Easter suggested that an update on the Broadway & Dobson Project be on the agenda for the next meeting.
8. Items from Citizens Present
There were no comments.
9. Adjournment
Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 8:05 a.m.
Submitted By:
William J. Jabjiniak
Economic Development Department Director
(Prepared by Betsy Adams)