NOTE: This week’s Study Session was held at The Barn at Power Ranch, 3685 E Autumn Dr, Gilbert. Representatives from Power Ranch, Lyon’s Gate, Agritopia, Trilogy at Power Ranch, Eagle Glen and Eagle Glen II spoke. Since this was a remote location, it was not presented Live on Ch. 11. However, it was taped.
First, THANK YOU VICE MAYOR JENN DANIELS! THANK YOU ERIC DANIELS, JENN’S HUSBAND. Vice Mayor Daniels stepped down as Vice Mayor to focus on her re-election campaign. The reality for all of us who dedicate ourselves to the cause of Conservative values is that, like Jenn Daniels, we could not serve our community without the support of our family. Their children will learn about patriotic duty from these two patriots. Thank you Jenn! Thank you Eric! They deserve our deepest appreciation. Fighting for our country is not easy.
The Council unanimously chose Council member John Sentz, as the most senior Council member, to succeed Jenn Daniels as the Vice Mayor.
04/03/2012 & 04/05/2012 STUDY SESSION & COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
The Council approved the purchase of 15 vehicles at a cost of about $330,000.
Council members Jordan Ray and Eddie Cook questioned the timing and need for replacement, rather than repair. Also, what are the criteria used to decide to replace rather than purchase? Couldn’t the vehicles be purchased locally? What about an ordinance on local purchase of items be brought forward to Council?
Interim Fleet Services Manager Johanson fielded the questions stating. 1) Many of the vehicles are unsafe. 2) Purchase has been put off for a number of years. 3) the Town’s mechanics have advised that the cost to repair would exceed the cost to replace. 4) The purchase was made using the state’s contract, and purchasing outside of Gilbert allows the Town to obtain them immediately. He provided a list of criteria by which vehicles are judged to be repaired or replaced.
Council Member Cook made a trip to look at the vehicles needing replacing and concluded that they did in fact need to be replaced.
The Council voted to delay decision on purchasing 2012 Ford F-550 XL extended cab with articulated/telescopic aerial lift in the amount of $120,595.
Council Member Cooper had concerns about the quote amount and the process that was followed. The staff will provide additional information at the 4/19/2012 meeting.
Council approved renewing a contract with Correctional Healthcare Services, Inc. for home detention monitoring services for the Courts.
Presiding Judge Hudson had proposed home detention as a change to Town code last year. As it turns out, the project has been successful. Some of the benefits include a higher level of control of offenders and a reduction in upfront jail costs. More monitoring has required the institution of a fee, and that has worked out well. There has been no downside to this program.
Chief Dorn stated that police officers have saved time because they no longer have to attend court in some instances.
Only those arrested for DUI are eligible for the program. None of the offenders are for domestic violence. Only about 6% of the offenders do not successfully complete the program.
Council approved waiving bidding requirements and approved a contract with Payment Processing Incorporated (PPI) for credit card processing.
Utility Billing Administrator Nieves advised that PPI approached the Town and offered to eliminate processing fees savings of about $1500 per month. The current vendor Bank of America advised that they could not match the savings. In the meantime, the Town will be going through an RFP process in the next 6 months.
The Council approved the Intergovernmental Agreement relating to Power Road improvements, adopting the dual corridor.
This has been a highly contentious issue that was discussed at length at the 3/6 and 3/8 Council meetings. .
Now, after more meetings took place following the 3/8 Council meeting, it was concluded that:
- It would cost the Town another $5 million or more to go with a single corridor;
- Electric poles would be affected by a single corridor, not the dual corridor;
- A single corridor would negatively impact existing infrastructure and businesses; sidewalk and facing curbs would encroach into the existing buildings; redesign of the flood control infrastructure would be necessary;
- Bus zone pullouts would be eliminated in the single corridor;
- Right-of-way widths would be reduced with a single corridor;
- Unacceptable risks to pedestrians would be created with a single corridor;
The City of Mesa weighed in, stating they preferred a dual corridor, which they already approved and helped pay for, but if the Town wanted a dual corridor, Gilbert would have to pay for it.
Attorney Reese Anderson, representing property owners Francesa Muscarelo and Giovanna Muscarelo, asserted that Town staff misconstrued the property owners’ request and that bus pullouts were part of his plan. He advised that the Roosevelt Water Conservation District prefers the single corridor design.
Shane Leonard of the Roosevelt Water Conservation District (RWCD) stated that well site location would be complicated and costly no matter which design is chosen. But the RWCD will work with the Town, no matter which design is chosen.
Councilmember Petersen stated that there are significant concerns associated with reducing standards for a single corridor. Safety and flow of traffic are important. He was concerned with the $5 million additional price tag to Gilbert citizens by going with the single corridor.
In the final analysis, Vice Mayor Daniels stated it succinctly: “Many factors must be considered when considering construction of a roadway.” She supports the staff recommendation. And Councilmember Ray added, “Council members are elected to represent Gilbert residents as a whole.”
Minutes for April 2012 Meetings:
http://www.gilbertaz.gov/minutes/sminSearchResults.cfm?txtKeyword=APRIL+2012&Submit=Go%21
Channel 11 Videotape of Meetings
http://gilbert.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=4