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TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS
STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
September 21,2010
AGENDA ITEM#1—CALL TO ORDER
Chair Koester Thomas called the meeting to order in the Fountain Hills Council Chambers at 3:03 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM#2—ROLL CALL
Present for roll call were the following members of the Strategic Planning Advisory Commission:
Commissioner Mike Dooley, Chair Audra Koester Thomas, Commissioner Alan Magazine,
Commissioner John McEvoy, Youth Commissioner Katie Myer, Commissioner Rich Schultz, and
Commissioner Barry Spiker. Vice Chair Curt Dunham was absent. Also present were Town Manager
Rick Davis, Deputy Town Manager Julie Ghetti,and Recording Secretary Shaunna Williams.
AGENDA ITEM#3—CALL TO THE PUBLIC
No one appeared at the Call to the Public.
AGENDA ITEM#4—CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 20,
2010 AND MAY 4,2010
Commissioner Magazine MOVED to approve the May 24, 2010 meeting minutes and Commissioner
® Schultz SECONDED the motion, which CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY by those present.
AGENDA ITEM#5—TOWN MANAGER'S UPDATE
Mr. Davis read from a report entitled Town Manager's Update: Progress on Accomplishing Strategic
Directions and indicated that he would email copies of the report to the Commission. A copy of the
report is attached.
AGENDA ITEM#6—UPDATE ON TOWN FINANCES
Deputy Town Manager Julie Ghetti reported that the Town is going through the annual financial audit.
She stated that the Town anticipates ending the FY09-10 year with a positive fund balance of around
$100,000. She also noted that there has been an increase in local sales tax for the past three months,
particularly with respect to restaurants and bars. She pointed out that the latest State of the Budget report
can be found on the Town website. In responding to a question, Ms. Ghetti noted that the positive fund
balance would be transferred to the Capital Projects Fund for future appropriation.
AGENDA ITEM#7—CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION TO THANK PLANNING TEAM
Chair Koester Thomas opened nominations for Commission Chair and stated that there was no need to
second a nomination. Commissioner Magazine nominated Audra Koester Thomas as Chair and there
were no further nominations. AUDRA KOESTER THOMAS WAS ELECTED CHAIR
UNANIMOUSLY by those present.
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Chair Koester Thomas opened nominations for Commission Vice Chair. Commissioner Magazine
nominated Curt Dunham as Vice Chair and there were no further nominations. CURT DUNHAM WAS
ELECTED VICE CHAIR UNANIMOUSLY by those present.
AGENDA ITEM#8—STRATEGIC PLAN 2010 UPDATE
Chair Koester Thomas reviewed SPAC activities since Fountain Hill Strategic Plan 2010 was adopted
last May, which included a manifesto to Council regarding the appointment of the Blue Ribbon
Committee(as called for in Council Goals),as well as a meeting between Chair Koester Thomas, Vice
Chair Dunham,Mayor Jay Schlum and Councilmember Henry Leger in which they learned that it was the
Council's intent to proceed with research on a Public Safety District and that a citizen group will be
established in the future. Discussion ensued regarding various initiatives that commissioners felt should
be accomplished within the context of the Strategic Plan.
Chair Koester Thomas noted that the Council's upcoming goal setting retreat will establish the strategic
directions that the Council will elect to pursue in the upcoming fiscal year in order to form the FY2011-12
budget.
The commission then discussed the various approaches that could be taken to establish SPAC Goals for
the upcoming year. It was suggested that SPAC wait to see what Council does at their goal setting retreat
and take the cue from Council about what SPAC does. Establishing a report card to ensure accountability
to the Strategic Plan was also discussed.
Chair Koester Thomas pointed out that these suggestions could be pursued in Agenda Item#9.
AGENDA ITEM#9—SPAC GOALS FOR 2010-11 •
The commission discussed at length SPAC's goal setting for FY2010-11. Suggestions included
SPAC waiting until after the Council retreat to establish SPAC goals; SPAC pursuing a public
education course with respect to the Town's financial stability; proceeding immediately to
establish SPAC goals; monitoring the results of Strategic Directions and modifying the plan if
necessary based on changing conditions; proactively providing ideas to feed into the Council
retreat; waiting to see what Council establishes as priorities and then help Council research
tactics; a written communication to the Council asking what they would like SPAC to
accomplish; and proceeding based on what is stated on Page 5 of Fountain Hillls Strategic Plan
2010, i.e., "SPAC reviews previous fiscal year achievements,recommends any potential
Strategic Plan revisions to Council, and provides recommendations for future goals/action plan."
Commissioner Magazine MOVED that Chair Koester Thomas take the lead to put together a
written communication to the Council in advance of their retreat stating what SPAC can do to
monitor progress on Strategic Directions and suggesting other things that SPAC can do during
the year. Commissioner Spiker SECONDED the motion. Discussion ensued in which
Mr. Davis was asked to provide his view. Mr. Davis indicated that he thought it prudent to allow
the Council to express themselves and then help them achieve what they wish to accomplish,
along with providing advice related to issues that the Council did not touch on during their
retreat. Commissioner Magazine then WITHDREW THE MOTION and Commissioner Spiker
WITHDREW THE SECOND.
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The Commission then discussed other suggestions regarding proposed written communication to
the Council.
Chair Koester Thomas noted that she will be helping to facilitate the Council's goal setting
retreat.
Commissioner McEvoy MOVED that SPAC meet within the month with a principal agenda
item of reviewing a letter to the Council, drafted by Chair Koester Thomas, suggesting what
SPAC intends to do this year. The motion DIED for lack of a second.
AGENDA ITEM#10—DISCUSS NEXT MEETING AGENDA
Following discussion, Commissioner Magazine MOVED that SPAC meet following Council's goal
setting retreat and advise the chair to raise the role of SPAC with the Council as part of their
goal setting in order to obtain some guidance to SPAC. Commissioner Dooley SECONDED the
motion. Discussion followed, following which the motion CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY by those
present.
AGENDA ITEM#11 — SCHEDULE UPCOMING MEETINGS
SPAC meetings were scheduled on each of the following dates, with each meeting beginning at 3:00 p.m.:
November 10, 2010; December 7, 2010; and January 18, 2011.
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
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Shaunna Williams, Recording Secretary
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