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Home My WebLink About110913PZ:\Council Packets\2011\WS9-13-11\110913WSA.doc Page 1 of 1 NOTICE OF THE WORK STUDY SESSION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL TIME: 5:30 P.M. WHEN: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 WHERE: FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS 16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ Councilmembers of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call ; a quorum of the Town’s various Commissions or Boards may be in attendance at the Work-Study Session. ALL WORK-STUDY ITEMS LISTED ARE FOR DISCUSSION ONLY. NO ACTION CAN OR WILL BE TAKEN. The primary purpose of work session meetings is to provide the Town Council with the opportunity for in -depth discussion and study of specific subjects. Public comment is not provided for on the Agenda and may be made only as approved by consensus of the Council. In appropriate circumstances, a brief presentation may be permitted by a member of the public or another interested party on an Agenda item if invited by the Mayor or the Town Manager to do so. The Presiding Officer may limit or end the time for such presentations. AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – Mayor Schlum 2. PRESENTATION by Debbie Yin and Angela Strohan relating to a Fountain Hills URBAN GARDEN AND LEARNING CENTER. 3. PRESENTATION on THE HISTORY OF THE AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS MEDIAN, current conditions and future improvements. 4. PRESENTATION by Mike Tyler, Anchor Business Consulting on establishing a Fountain Hills BUSINESS INCUBATOR and DISCUSSION of a POSSIBLE FUNDING request. 5. ADJOURNMENT. DATED this 8th day of September, 2011. Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call 480-816-5100 (voice) or 1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a reasonable accommodation to attend this meeting or to obtain agenda informat ion in large print format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the council with this agenda are available for review in the Clerk’s office. Mayor Jay T. Schlum Councilmember Dennis Brown Councilmember Cassie Hansen Vice Mayor Dennis Contino Councilmember Henry Leger Councilmember Ginny Dickey Councilmember Tait D. Elkie Z:\Council Packets\2011\WS9-13-11\110913WSA.doc Page 1 of 1 NOTICE OF THE WORK STUDY SESSION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL TIME: 5:30 P.M. WHEN: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 WHERE: FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS 16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ Councilmembers of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call ; a quorum of the Town’s various Commissions or Boards may be in attendance at the Work-Study Session. ALL WORK-STUDY ITEMS LISTED ARE FOR DISCUSSION ONLY. NO ACTION CAN OR WILL BE TAKEN. The primary purpose of work session meetings is to provide the Town Council with the opportunity for in -depth discussion and study of specific subjects. Public comment is not provided for on the Agenda and may be made only as approved by consensus of the Council. In appropriate circumstances, a brief presentation may be permitted by a member of the public or another interested party on an Agenda item if invited by the Mayor or the Town Manager to do so. The Presiding Officer may limit or end the time for such presentations. AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – Mayor Schlum 2. PRESENTATION by Debbie Yin and Angela Strohan relating to a Fountain Hills URBAN GARDEN AND LEARNING CENTER. 3. PRESENTATION on THE HISTORY OF THE AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS MEDIAN, current conditions and future improvements. 4. PRESENTATION by Mike Tyler, Anchor Business Consulting on establishing a Fountain Hills BUSINESS INCUBATOR and DISCUSSION of a POSSIBLE FUNDING request. 5. ADJOURNMENT. DATED this 8th day of September, 2011. Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call 480-816-5100 (voice) or 1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a reasonable accommodation to attend this meeting or to obtain agenda informat ion in large print format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the council with this agenda are available for review in the Clerk’s office. Mayor Jay T. Schlum Councilmember Dennis Brown Councilmember Cassie Hansen Vice Mayor Dennis Contino Councilmember Henry Leger Councilmember Ginny Dickey Councilmember Tait D. Elkie September 13, 2011 1 Fountain Hills Urban Demonstration Garden &Learning Center (FHUDG & LC) Town Council Work Study September 13, 2011 September 13, 2011 2 The Urban Demonstration Garden & Learning Center = Significant opportunity to the Town of Fountain Hills Bringing Economic Vitality & Downtown Vibrancy September 13, 2011 3 Introduction Our goal today is to introduce: •State-of-the-art innovative concepts for the Urban Garden •Unique Learning Center of Excellence concepts •Partnership concepts for R&D •Opportunities to grow Fountain Hills’ downtown core with “Green” businesses, become a vibrant Center of Excellence in wellness, education and entertainment, and to promote Research & Development activity in the Garden September 13, 2011 4 FHUDG & LC Committee Members •Jerry Butler –current Chair & Project Leader of Greening of Downtown since Fall, 2009 •Jenny Willigrod –current Finance Chair of Greening of Downtown since Fall, 2009 –Vice-President of FHCCA •Mary Ann Michaels –Founder of original Fountain Hills Community Garden & Learning Center concept -MCO Realty realtor •Angela Strohan –Member of Greening of Downtown since Fall, 2009 – Landscape Architect –member of Planning & Zoning for Town of FH •Kathy Worrell –Liaison from Community Development, Town of FH •Dave Wooden –Fundraising •Debbie Yin –current Member of Greening of Downtown since Fall, 2009 – Program Chair of FHUDG & LC Proposed Advisors Mark Mayer, Phil Yin, Patti Milligan, Leah Bushman, Betty Matthews, Karen Klein September 13, 2011 5 Our Mission •To promote the Urban Demonstration Garden & Learning Center as a unique and state-of-the-art innovator in low -water use, small space above ground gardens, applying the latest technologies in low-impact and sustainable gardening practices utilizing innovative containers, soils, and composting practices •To promote both the Garden and Learning Center as vibrant centers of excellence in wellness, education and entertainment to our Town’s community and beyond •To promote and provide future research & development activity in the Garden and Learning Center September 13, 2011 6 Our Goals •Be recognized locally and nationally for our Center of Excellence Urban Demonstration Garden, Learning Center & R&D model •Provide an excellent and local nutritional food source to our community & nearby neighbors •Bring expertise and standards of excellence in our R&D program, growing our capability and capacity •Make Fountain Hills the “Destination & Go- To Place”in Arizona for all things “Green” •Become financially sustaining to achieve and maintain our mission and strategic plan September 13, 2011 7 Urban Demonstration Garden & Learning Center proposal •Proposed drawings/location of Garden and Learning Center •Urban Demonstration Garden –State-of-the-art practices in •low -water use small space gardens •Vertical wall gardens •Horizontal raised gardens •Succulent wall art gardening September 13, 2011 8 September 13, 2011 9 September 13, 2011 10 Urban Demonstration Garden & Learning Center proposal Learning Center of Excellence –Develop educational & wellness programs with gardening seminars/conferences and demonstrations, wellness programs along with training expos for volunteers –Develop cooking classes/seminars using garden produce –Provide artisan displays of art, sculptures, photography, lighting, landscape, garden design –Provide a venue and gathering place for music/performances/children’s parties, meetings, special events –Build partnerships with Library, Community Center, Town personnel, Schools, Local business community, Chamber, Business Vitality group, Farmer’s Market groups, local chefs, horticulturists, master gardeners, Medical community, Solar co’s etc. September 13, 2011 11 Research & Development •Three segments of future partnerships in R&D –Commercial Green businesses •For new product development & current product improvement •For networking opportunities with researchers/developers/technology/government entities –Research and Development Partnerships ASU, UofA, Biodesign, water conservationists, Desert Botanical Garden, SCC Environmental grp, Singh Farms, ACGA, Desert Garden Institute •For collaboration with product improvement/development/research –Federal/Local/State Government Partnerships FH Economic Dev., AZ Dept. of Commerce, AZIGG, GPEC, ASU Skysong, Small Business Assn., Maricopa Cty Extension service •For collaboration with programs/education/funding opportunities September 13, 2011 12 Strategic Plan •Be Fountain Hills’ & Arizona’s premier Urban Garden & Learning Center non-profit dedicated to state-of-the-art gardening concepts, learning center activities & lifelong education programs - providing healthy, local produce and state-of-the-art excellence in gardening practices using raised bed, small space innovative gardening techniques. •Be Fountain Hills’ & Arizona’s Future Research & Development center to promote innovative urban gardening practices -from development of seedlings, soils, composting, nutrients, small space/ raised bed containers, sustainability practices, & education How is this a catalyst for the economic vitality in Fountain Hills?… September 13, 2011 13 Benefits & Added Value to Fountain Hills The Urban Demonstration Garden & Learning Center = Significant opportunity to the Town of Fountain Hills Stimulate Economic Vitality & Downtown Vibrancy •New Market segment in –State-of-the-art concepts in gardening -perfect for the urban lifestyle & Arizona climate –New “Green” business development opportunities –Future Research & Development programs and partnerships •Increase in … –New business development/attraction –to this new Market segment –Tourism increase potential –Sales tax dollars increase potential –Lifelong education and wellness program partnerships –Lifestyle and activity partnerships with the Arts, Music, Culture and Theatre September 13, 2011 14 Added Value to Fountain Hills Council Goals & Initiatives in partnership with Urban Garden/Learning Ctr. •Goal 1 –Education, Learning & Culture –educational programs to schools, showcase local performing arts talent •Goal 2 –Environmental Stewardship –educational programs on environment, water conservation •Goal 3 –Civility & Neighborliness & Cooperation – promote community gathering at the Garden •Goal 4 –Civic Responsibility –volunteering, participation in Comm. Enrichment Commission •Goal 5 –Economic Vitality –new business opportunities, development of Downtown, educational outlet, AZ Centennial participant •Goal 7 –Public safety, health & welfare –Comm. Health & Wellness fair participant •Goal 8 –Recreational opportunities & amenities –part of Urban trail system, Garden recreational programs September 13, 2011 15 Timelines … Forge partnerships/Education Fundraising Phase I/Education Implementation –Phase I Fall 2012 Fall 2011 Summer 2012 Fall 2011 Summer 2012 September 13, 2011 16 Estimated initial costs •Land … donated •Water / Power … $10,000 •General Improvements … $50,000 •Kitchen … $10,000 •Operations … tbd September 13, 2011 17 In Conclusion … Our goal today was to introduce: •Urban Gardens concepts – unique -state-of-the-art -innovative •Learning Center of Excellence concepts – wellness/education/entertainment-focussed •R&D partnerships – unique –green-focussed •Opportunity to grow Fountain Hills’ downtown core with -“Green” businesses, -a vibrant Center of Excellence in wellness, education and entertainment, and -as a focal point for industry-wide research & development projects/activities Our question is: •Will the Council support this project and encourage refinement of ideas? If YES, our next step will be to provide a detailed Business Plan and continue the dialogue September 13, 2011 18 Thank you!! Questions/Discussion? September 13, 2011 19 Possible follow-up to questions •Promote the Garden/Learning Center? Website, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, Newsletter, Town site, Magazines, newspapers, other websites and links on like - minded sites such as arizonafarmersmarket.com, greenzona.org, Gro-Well, etc. •Financial stability? Partnerships/Donors to help us GROW -FH Library, Comm. Ctr, Town depts, Farmer’s Mkt, Solar Co’s, Chamber, Theater, Business Comm., Medical Comm., Art Galleries, Local restaurants, Schools, Resorts/Hotels, Fitness clubs, Solar co’s, Water co, etc. Outside FH –ASU, UofA, Farmer’s Mkts, Desert Botanical Garden, SCC Env. Group, ACGA, Water conservation groups, Master Gardening groups, MCSO, Ft. McDowell, Singh Farms, Valley restaurants, ASU Skysong, AZIGG, GPEC, Desert Garden Inst., Techsoup, grant opportunities, etc. •Ongoing financial help? Donation/Membership Opportunities –Become a member, sponsor a garden, join as a child or teen, join as a monthly giver, donate to a project, sponsor a “bed” or “tree”, donate with a planned giving, become a corporate sponsor/partner, hold special event fundraisers, etc. •Keep Growing partnerships? –call out for great ideas in the Garden/Learning Center regularly –health/fitness activities, art/music, youth development, environmental stewardship, cooking events, lifelong education programs, arts/craft projects for kids/adults, start a beehive, kids/adults planting in the Garden, disperse ladybugs, be a composter, Great Food Day in Oct., volunteer opportunities, etc. Council Work Study Session September 13, 2011 Avenue District Key Elements •Connectivity to Fountain Park •Connectivity Across Avenue of the Fountains •Narrower Travel Lanes •Traffic Calming •On-Street Parking •Special Paving •Wider Sidewalks •Encourage Outdoor Dining •Seating •Shade •Appropriate Trees •Updated Fountains •Amenities (Art Walk) •Colorful Environment Lakeside District Key Elements (Saguaro Blvd.) •Connectivity to Avenue District •Narrow Saguaro Blvd. •On-Street Parking •Minimal Lighting Impacts Contact: Paul Mood (480) 816-5129 pmood@fh.az.gov Opportunity Description To establish a business incubator with the goal of growing the business community in Fountain Hills. This will result in additional jobs and day time population, consistent with the Fountain Hills overall economic development goals. What are Incubators? Business incubators are programs designed to accelerate the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts. Successful completion of a business incubation program increases the likelihood that a start-up company will stay in business for the long term: Historically, 87% of incubator graduates stay in business What do they provide? 4 main elements 1.Space and office services 2.Business guidance 3.Funding 4.Networking and access to providers How are they Organized? Funded and run by municipalities and/or learning institutions Privately run Public/private partnerships Why do Municipalities Support Incubators? They have a proven success rate in providing jobs and additional tax revenues They are a good way to focus on a specific industry or niche They are complementary to an overall economic development growth strategy How does it work? Membership limited based on the size of the incubator-rigorous screening for suitability 6-12 month program that gets them ready for launch and/or funding Members pay a heavily subsidized fee for space, services and counseling. A Fountain Hills Business Incubator o A Public/Private Partnership between the Town, The Chamber and 3 local companies: -Craig C Capriccio, Ltd. -Meridian Bank -Sternfels & White PLLC o Operated and managed by Arizona Business Advisors Incubator Programs Office space & facilities in a location donated by Meridian Bank, that can accommodate 15 to 20 members Monthly hands on workshops One on one mentoring from experienced business advisors at Arizona Business Advisors Networking and resource provider access Membership Members will be screened to ensure business viability and individual capability. Members will sign a 12 month commitment and pay a fee of $3000 Typically members will stay in the program for 12 months, although extensions may be possible Operating the Incubator Set up under a 501c3 as a non profit Management and operation outsourced to Arizona Business Advisors (AZBA) Staffed by AZBA 4 days a week from 8 -12 noon; members will have unrestricted access during normal business hours Sponsoring the Incubator The space has been donated at no cost by Meridian Bank-the other private sponsors will fund at a rate of $250 per month. The Chamber has agreed to fund at a rate $375 per month. We would look for a similar funding from the Town (i.e. $375 per month) Deliverables Five members will be signed up at a minimum before the incubator opens its doors (and funding begins)in January 2012 Ten members will be in place by the end of 2012 5 members will be graduated by the end of 2012 Timeline & Actions Test marketing and member recruitment Sept-Dec 2011 Develop business plan by end December Open Incubator Doors Jan 2012 -monthly funding from the sponsors would begin at the same time