HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDApacket__10-26-22_0532_408
NOTICE OF MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
Chairman Patrick Garman
Vice Chairman Bernie Hoenle
Commissioner Kevin Beck
Commissioner Vacant
Commissioner Mary Edman
Commissioner Cynthia Magazine
Commissioner Geoff Yazzetta
TIME:4:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING
WHEN:WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022
WHERE:FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS
16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Commissioners of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call; a quorum of the
Town’s Council, various Commission, Committee or Board members may be in attendance at the Commission meeting.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9, subject to certain specified statutory exceptions, parents have a
right to consent before the State or any of its political subdivisions make a video or audio recording of a minor child. Meetings
of the Commission are audio and/or video recorded and, as a result, proceedings in which children are present may be subject
to such recording. Parents, in order to exercise their rights may either file written consent with the Town Clerk to such
recording, or take personal action to ensure that their child or children are not present when a recording may be made. If a
child is present at the time a recording is made, the Town will assume that the rights afforded parents pursuant to A.R.S.
§1-602.A.9 have been waived.
REQUEST TO COMMENT
The public is welcome to participate in Commission meetings.
TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM, please complete a Request to Comment card, located in the back of
the Council Chambers, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion of that item, if
possible. Include the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Speakers will be allowed three
contiguous minutes to address the Commission. Verbal comments should be directed through the
Presiding Officer and not to individual Commissioners.
TO COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM IN WRITING ONLY, please complete a Request to Comment card,
indicating it is a written comment, and check the box on whether you are FOR or AGAINST and agenda
item, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion, if possible.
Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Meeting of October 26, 2022 1 of 2
1.CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Garman
2.ROLL CALL – Chairman Garman
3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the
agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to reasonable
time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on matters raised
during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion
of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or
(iii) ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
4.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approving the September 28, 2022, Meeting
Minutes.
5.REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS AND TOWN MANAGER
A.Update on the Recruitment of a Strategic Planning Advisory Commissioner by Town Manager
Grady E. Miller
6.PRESENTATION: FH Young Community by Betsy LaVoie, President / CEO of the Fountain Hills
Chamber of Commerce.
7.COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN
8.NEXT MEETING DATE: Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
9.ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted in accordance with the statement filed
by the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission with the Town Clerk.
Dated this ______ day of October 2022.
_____________________________________________
Angela Padgett-Espiritu, Executive Assistant
The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call 480-816-5199 (voice) or
1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting or to obtain
agenda information in large print format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the Commission with this agenda are
available for review in the Town Manager's Office.
Strategic Planning Advisory Commission Meeting of October 26, 2022 2 of 2
ITEM 4.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 10/26/2022 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Administration
Prepared by: Angela Padgett-Espiritu, Executive Assistant to Manager, Mayor/Council
Staff Contact Information:
Request to Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): CONSIDERATION
AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approving the September 28, 2022, Meeting Minutes.
Staff Summary (Background)
The intent of approving meeting minutes is to ensure an accurate account of the discussion and action
that took place at the meeting for archival purposes. Approved minutes are placed on the town's
website and maintained as permanent records in compliance with state law.
Staff Recommendation(s)
Staff recommends approving the minutes of the regular meeting on September 28, 2022.
SUGGESTED MOTION MOVE to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on September 28, 2022.
Attachments
Meeting Minutes 09282022SPAC
Form Review
Form Started By: Angela Padgett-Espiritu Started On: 10/18/2022 02:30 PM
Final Approval Date: 10/18/2022
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
1.CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Garman
Chairman Garman called to order the meeting of the Strategic Planning Advisory
Commission at 4:00 p.m.
2.ROLL CALL – Chairman Garman
Present: Patrick Garman, Chairman; Bernie Hoenle, Vice Chairman; Mary Edman,
Commissioner; Cynthia Magazine, Commissioner; Geoffrey Yazzetta,
Commissioner
Absent: Kevin Beck, Commissioner
Staff
Present:
Town Manager Grady Miller; Development Services Director John Wesley;
Executive Assistant Angela Padgett-Espiritu
3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the
agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to
reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on
matters raised during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action.
At the conclusion of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to
review a matter, or (iii) ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
No one from the public spoke.
4.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approving the August 24, 2022, Meeting
Minutes
MOVED BY Commissioner Cynthia Magazine, SECONDED BY Commissioner Mary
Edman to APPROVE, as amended, the meeting minutes of the August 24, 2022,
Strategic Planning Advisory Commission.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
5.REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS AND TOWN MANAGER
Commissioner Yazetta reported that the Fountain Hills Leadership Academy, describing it
as an excellent and quite educational series. He expressed appreciation for Chair
Garman, Betsy LaVoie, and Tammy Bell's participation.
Commissioner Magazine complimented and reported that Community Services Director
Rachael Goodwin gave an excellent presentation on how her team won the silver medal
last year and the gold medal this year.
Commissioner Edman proposed that the origins of the Strategic Plan be a future agenda
item.
Vice Chair Hoenle stated that when he attended the most recent commission meeting by
telephone, he was able to hear everything and the audience very well. He noted that
telephonic attendees have a two or three-second delay in responding to presenters and
that you may not receive an immediate response.
Town Manager Miller remarked that he was pleased to have the speakers in attendance
today and that their presentations were of interest to this group because they impacted a
portion of the Strategic Plan.
6.PRESENTATION: Environmental Plan Draft by John Wesley, Development Services
Director
The draft of the Environmental Plan was presented to the commission by Director Wesley.
According to him, environmental guiding principles, objectives, policies, and tasks were
extracted from the General Plan and incorporated into the Environmental Plan draft, with a
section on Biophilic included.
Continue to promote vigilance and guardianship of the natural desert1.
Provide and maintain an open space network throughout the community2.
Provide open space linkages within the town and to the regional systems beyond its
boundaries where feasible and appropriate
3.
Identify and preserve historical and archaeological resources4.
Continue to promote programs that encourage environmentally friendly alternatives
and improve air quality
5.
Continue to promote environmental stewardship6.
Support waste reduction programs and proper management of hazardous waste7.
Incorporate biophilic design goals and design principles into town practices and
development within the community
8.
Director Wesley reported that each goal has a policy and action plan attributed. He said
that the draft plan can be modified based on the commission's comments and directions.
Below are some of the comments and questions on the Draft Environmental Plan.
Very pleased with the draft Environmental Plan and that it is in harmony with the
General Plan and the Strategic Plan.
Broader overarching stewardship of the environment and that Biophilic was an
important component.
Thrilled to see this come to fruition and having an environmental plan on the town’s
website is wonderful for either people or businesses thinking about locating here
A reference to the 2017 plan that may want to change to 2022
Which department would oversee the implementation and monitoring of the plan
Will there be ongoing studies that aim to uncover and preserve historical resources
Did not see a focus on the health of the people
Overlap throughout the draft regarding biophilic and then is restated at the end as
Biophilic
Responses to comments:
Built-in mechanisms to assist with oversight and these items, along with the
Strategic Plan items, once it is adopted, will be reviewed periodically by the directors
Strategic Plan items, once it is adopted, will be reviewed periodically by the directors
The town has recently established a Historic Cultural Commission, and it is
expected that it will address issues of this nature as soon as it is fully functional and
organized
Will research to determine whether there is anything that could serve as a suitable
basis for drawing upon in relation to the status of people's health
There are a number of elements that contribute to the biophilic, but we decided it
was vital to pay specific attention to it through our policies, as well as to emphasize
joining the network. There is no other policy document in the town that informs us
that this is a good practice and that this reinforces it moving ahead.
7.PRESENTATION: Biophilic by Jeny Davis, Biophilic FH Project Director.
Jeny Davis, the Project Coordinator of Biophilic Fountain Hills, gave an overview of
Biophilic. She reported that Biophilia is a connection to an appreciation of a need for
nature and it is the idea that we are not only connected to nature, but we as humans need
to be around it for our health and well-being, and we are directly connected to it. She
stated, The Biophilic Cities Network is a global partnership created by Dr. Tim Beatley in
the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia. The
network is currently comprised of communities, scholars, and advocates that are
dedicated to improving the way nature is incorporated into urban environments and
enhancing the connection residents have with it.
She mentioned that there are nearly 30 urban areas around the globe that have already
joined the network and that it is not just for cities. She said that organizations,
communities, and individuals are also invited to join. She said that the network works with
organizations, nonprofits, and governments, provides resources, hosts events, and is
involved in research. She mentioned that the network provides the opportunity to
coordinate with others that are leading efforts toward a greener and healthier future for
urban areas.
Ms. Davis explained the six requirements that must be met to join the network. She said
that you have to have an official resolution of adoption, and a narrative statement of
biophilic intentions that includes what characteristics make you a good candidate and a
summary of what will be worked on if awarded a partnership. She mentioned the
designation of a town contact or coordinator, who does not have to be town staff and could
be a liaison that will communicate with the network. She said that she would have to
assist fellow partners and participate in partner events, workshops, and conferences
where possible. She said that there is a one-time fee of $250 and selected a minimum of
five indicators to monitor progress.
She commented that Fountain Hills is a great candidate and it is surrounded by and
blended with the Sonoran Desert, an ecosystem that is found nowhere else on this earth,
and that the town boasts parks, preserves, fit trails, designations such as the Dark Sky
Community and a Playful City USA Community and the focal point of the town itself is
Fountain Park. She said that outside of existing qualities, becoming a partner with the
network would solidify their already stated commitments to the environment and biophilic
elements, as well as pursue and increase those efforts into the future. She mentioned
that this partnership would also support other town goals and aspects of the General Plan,
like attracting young families, hosting more events, attracting visitors, and businesses, and
sustaining the quality of life.
Ms. Davis said that being biophilic fosters community well-being through access to
physical activity, being around nature helps us feel less stressed and can even lower our
blood pressure, and they've even found reduced crime rates.
She said that ecosystem services like pollination, air purification, and water purification
provide us with the benefits that we need. She said it encourages outdoor equity among
residents and bolsters the economy, which promotes a diversified economy. She
mentioned that outdoor recreation is an economic powerhouse and that Americans spend
more on it than pharmaceuticals and motor vehicles every year. She mentioned that
biophilic communities are a draw for tourism, decrease town costs, such as stormwater
management, and promote a sense of local community by getting residents outdoors
more.
She said in summary, that pursuing partnership and becoming a more biophilic community
has numerous benefits and will conserve and protect the nature that already exists in the
town and ensure healthier ecosystems and relationships with nature.
Below are comments and questions from the commission:
Any communities in Arizona as a reference to how they have implemented a plan
and how they use it to their benefit and marketing the city
This is wonderful and anything that we can do as a Commission to support what
you're doing, I think you've got a couple of supporters
Is this going to be an enduring kind of nonprofit underneath the 501 (C)(3)
Responses to comments and questions:
The City of Phoenix has implemented, and they have a lot of effort into reducing the
temperature with tree canopies and they are experimenting with painting the streets
white
We looked at becoming a 501 (C)(3) and it really was not a great fit. Then we
looked at a volunteer organization. The original idea and the whole idea behind the
Biophilic Cities Network is to partner with communities. A lot of that falls to the town,
and we envision Biophilic Fountain Hills being a supportive network of folks that can
be advisors, we can be consultants, can support where we can
8.UPDATE: October 26, 2022, Next Meeting Date of the Strategic Planning Advisory
Commission.
Chair Garman noted that the next meeting date for the commission is October 26, 2022.
9.COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Chairman Garman made the following comments:
The Environmental Plan Draft will be placed on a future agenda for discussion and
feedback by the commissioners prior to a vote.
At the October commission meeting, Betsy LaVoie, President and CEO of the
Fountain Hills Chamber, and a member of the Fountain Hills Young Community
Group will present on the Fountain Hills Young Community Group
A presentation will be given at the commission meeting in November by the Arizona
Alliance for Livable Communities, which is a statewide volunteer advocacy coalition
December was proposed as a month without a commission meeting, and the
commission concurred
Discussed with McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Chairman
Grzybowski how they brief each other on their respective strategic goals. Chairman
Garman will update the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission in November
on the town's approved Strategic Plan, and Chairman Grzybowski will brief this
commission in January on his commission's approved strategic plan
10.ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Commissioner Mary Edman, SECONDED BY Commissioner Cynthia
Magazine to ADJOURN the meeting of the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission at
5:10 p.m.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY
COMMISSION
____________________________
Patrick Garman, Chairman
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
______________________________
Angela Espiritu, Executive Assistant
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular
Meeting held by the Fountain Hills Strategic Planning Advisory Commission in the Town Hall Council
Chambers on the 28th day of September 2022. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that
a quorum was present.
DATED this 26 day of October, 2022.
_________________________________
Angela Espiritu, Executive Assistant
ITEM 5.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 10/26/2022 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Administration
Prepared by: Angela Padgett-Espiritu, Executive Assistant to Manager, Mayor/Council
Staff Contact Information:
Request to Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): REPORTS BY
COMMISSIONERS AND TOWN MANAGER
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Angela Padgett-Espiritu Started On: 10/18/2022 02:34 PM
Final Approval Date: 10/18/2022
ITEM 5. A.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 10/26/2022 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Administration
Prepared by: Angela Padgett-Espiritu, Executive Assistant to Manager, Mayor/Council
Staff Contact Information:
Request to Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): Update on the
Recruitment of a Strategic Planning Advisory Commissioner by Town Manager Grady E. Miller
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Angela Padgett-Espiritu Started On: 10/18/2022 03:37 PM
Final Approval Date: 10/18/2022
ITEM 6.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 10/26/2022 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Administration
Prepared by: Angela Padgett-Espiritu, Executive Assistant to Manager, Mayor/Council
Staff Contact Information:
Request to Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): PRESENTATION: FH
Young Community by Betsy LaVoie, President / CEO of the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Angela Padgett-Espiritu Started On: 10/18/2022 02:35 PM
Final Approval Date: 10/18/2022
ITEM 7.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 10/26/2022 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Administration
Prepared by: Angela Padgett-Espiritu, Executive Assistant to Manager, Mayor/Council
Staff Contact Information:
Request to Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): COMMENTS FROM
THE CHAIRMAN
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Angela Padgett-Espiritu Started On: 10/18/2022 02:39 PM
Final Approval Date: 10/18/2022
ITEM 8.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 10/26/2022 Meeting Type: Strategic Planning Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Administration
Prepared by: Angela Padgett-Espiritu, Executive Assistant to Manager, Mayor/Council
Staff Contact Information:
Request to Strategic Planning Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): NEXT MEETING DATE:
Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Angela Padgett-Espiritu Started On: 10/18/2022 03:19 PM
Final Approval Date: 10/18/2022