This Study Session was held for the purpose of reviewing and discussing the agenda items scheduled for the 8/19/2010 Council meeting, where actual voting takes place.

1) Fire Chief Jobusch reported on the status of the $216,900 FEMA grant needed to build Station 10. It is delayed due to having to meet FEMA's environmental issues. Should be approved by the end of 2010, and construction completed by the end of 2011. He also advised that they could not build a fuel system at the site now, which would save fuel costs, due to FEMA’s environmental requirements. They will add this later, at a cost to the General Fund of about $60k. The department will have to purchase fuel at Circle K, etc., just as some of the older stations do.

Les Presmyk asked if we are getting the tax back on the retail fuel cost, based on exemption? Marc Skocypec stated that he would have that information Thursday night (8/19/2010 Council Meeting).

Chief Jobusch reiterated that once the building is complete, there will be no need for additional manpower, they will be reassigned from other stations. The only additional cost would be about $40k for utilities and other expenses.

Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:

I am writing you today to please reconsider your decision to not have notes taken and available to the public of your study sessions. I understand you are not legally bound to do so, that video is available online and that it does cost money to have the meetings transcribed but these are the most important meetings you hold.

This is where the public should be able to see the logic, thoughts, debates, and reasoning behind votes you hold at your other published meetings. The "Why" behind your votes is just as important, if not more so, than the "What" of the votes themselves. Citizens need to be able to quickly study and research these meetings without having the tedious task of listening to hours of sometimes garbled and hard to hear video, and then to transcribe it themselves.

Transparency in government is one of the best ways to resist and reject corruption, and I implore you to help the citizens by being upfront and clear about why you make the decisions you do, even if you are not bound to legally. This is an important use of Town funds, and I am confident they can be found and should be used for this purpose.

This Town Council meeting is a follow-up to the previous 08/02/2010 Study Session. Some highlights:

1) At the 8/2/2010 Study Session, Linda Abbott brought up the idea that the Town of Gilbert should support the Center for the Future of AZ. At tonight’s meeting, Dr. Lattie Coor, Chairman and CEO, gave a presentation on the Center, noting that the Center’s Report, The Arizona We Want, reflects what Arizona citizens want for the future.

You can find more information at www.thearizonawewant.org.

In its Mission Statement, you will find this: "More than a think tank, the center is an independent 'do tank' that combines public-policy research with collaborative partnerships and initiatives that serve the public interest and the common good.

Its goal is to help guide and inform the decisions that impact quality of life and opportunities for Arizonans, now and in the future."

Starting 8/1/2010, the Town Council began having Study Sessions, usually on the Monday prior to the formal Thursday Council Meeting. Study sessions are open to the public, but the public is not allowed to speak. Minutes are not kept for these meetings, either. The public may attend the meetings, view them live on Ch. 11, or view them later on video tape. The rationale for not keeping minutes is that there is no voting during a Study Session, so there is no legal requirement.

My personal opinion is that Minutes should be kept, in consideration of the busy schedules of taxpaying residents. Also, in reviewing the video of the 8/12 session, the audio degraded during Dave Crozier's presentation. If you agree, please send an email to the Council at councilmembers@gilbertaz.gov

If you wish to see the presentation materials, go here:
http://www.gilbertaz.gov/townmanager/strategic-plan.cfm

If you wish to watch the 3 hour and 17 minute video, go here:
http://gilbert.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=4

Here is a brief overview:

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 is the last day that you can view and comment on the Town of Gilbert’s General Plan. Gilbert is required by state law to put a plan before voters every 10 years. The plan outlines town growth in areas such as economic development, housing, traffic, parks and trails, arts and culture and environmental issues, for the next two decades.

On 11/18/2010, the Town Council will vote for adoption, but adjustments can be made until 1/17/2011.

On 05/17/2011, residents will vote on adoption. This is the same day as Council elections.

Major amendments can be made via a single public hearing during the calendar year in which the amendment is requested. Minor amendments can be considered by the Council any time.

This is a 241-page document. I suggest that you read the Introduction, plus any particular area of interest to you.

Please use the comment form to state whatever concerns you might have.

Your Town government wishes to add services, and all it takes is "developing and achieving sustainable revenues that meet the expected demand for services."

Get to Know and Vote for Eddie Farnsworth, Your Next Arizona Representative, LD22!