HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.0113.TCOM.Minutesz:\council packets\2011\r2-3-11\110113summitm.docx Page 1 of 4
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE 1st ANNUAL COLLABORATION SUMMIT
JANUARY 13, 2011
The 1st Annual Collaboration Summit began in the Fountain Hills Community Center at 8:30 a.m. with a
socialization period. Present from the Town of Fountain Hills were Mayor Jay T. Schlum, Councilmember
Dennis Contino, Councilmember Ginny Dickey, Councilmember Tait D. Elkie, Councilmember Cassie
Hansen, Town Manager Rick Davis, Deputy Town Manager Julie Ghetti, Community Services Director
Mark Mayer, Development Services Director Paul Mood, Economic Development Administrator Lori
Gary, and Executive Assistant Shaunna Williams. Chris Schmaltz attended via teleconference
representing the Town Attorney’s office.
At 9:05 a.m., Mayor Jay T. Schlum welcomed attendees and thanked Councilmember Tait Elkie for
initiating the Collaboration Summit. He noted that representatives from Scottsdale, Paradise Valley,
Payson, Ft. McDowell, and Queen Creek were present, as well as the following representatives from
Fountain Hills.
Representative Kavanagh spoke about state budget issues. He delineated the decreased revenues and
projected shortfalls for the current year and upcoming fiscal years. He stated that there will likely be
significant budget cuts in 2012, as cuts have been a relatively small percentage of budgets so far. He
stated that the state has asked the federal government for a waiver to change the Medicaid program,
and further indicated that the federal government’s decision could impact whether state shared
revenues would be on the table in order to balance the budget. He noted that universities will see most
of the budget cuts and that Medicaid cuts could also be considered.
Mayor Schlum introduced Dean Martin, former State Treasurer. Mr. Martin spoke about the state
economy, indicating that he believes we have “turned the corner,” but that we will have a long recovery.
He noted that we are finding a bottom in the residential market, but that getting a mortgage is going to
be difficult for the foreseeable future. He predicted that 2011 will be a bad year for commercial
development as it is hard to get capital right now. He stated that unemployment is a lagging indicator of
recession and that unemployment peaks after recovery starts. He also noted that this recession is
longer in length, resulting in a longer jobless phase. He stated that he is cautiously optimistic that 2011
will be solid growth year, but that we will need four of five years to get back to where we were.
After a short break, Mayor Schlum introduced Rick Davis, who facilitated the remainder of the meeting.
Mr. Davis posed the question, “How can we collaborate with each other to raise the quality of life for
our citizens?” He indicated that he would propose several topics for discussion and asked each
community to describe what is going on in their jurisdiction and how other communities can assist or
share resources to facilitate what they are trying to achieve. Communities responded as follows:
Fountain Hills is focusing on retail development to fill vacant space, and job creation
opportunities by filling vacant office space.
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Queen Creek adopted an updated economic development strategic plan. As part owner of
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, the town is targeting aerospace industries. Queen Creek is
working with Maricopa Community Colleges to build a community college in downtown Queen
Creek. Retail is also a big part of their strategy.
Scottsdale has several elements within its economic development toolbox, a primary industry
driver for which is tourism. Scottsdale has increased the bed tax and has reallocated money not
only for destination marketing but for tourism related infrastructure. Scottsdale is working with
GPEC’s newly formed Commerce Authority. The city is working on connecting the McDowell
corridor to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Scottsdale would like to find a way
to move tourists through each community and map that out for visitors. Scottsdale has five
proposals to develop something new and different with a western theme on 80 acres. The city
is also working on getting the Scottsdale Airport up-to-speed.
Paradise Valley indicated that it is not interested in competing with Fountain Hills or Scottsdale
for retail, but that it is very invested in a Scottsdale partnership for tourism. The town’s
economic development model is all about sales tax and tourism.
Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation has over 1,000 jobs on the reservation now. The gaming
enterprise is very successful and they have a golf course, service station and farming as well.
Their enterprises are tourism driven and they are not into retail. They have lost conferences to
Las Vegas and the hotel is down. Ft. McDowell is exploring building a new casino
Payson started their economic development program two years ago and now need more retail
space. They receive three to five calls per week from major businesses that want to come to
Payson. They are working on a partnership with ASU for a campus. Payson has been working
reciprocally with Fountain Hills.
Mr. Davis pointed out that, although each jurisdiction has a slightly different emphasis, there are ways
to complement each other. He invited to each community to address transportation, or any other topic
they desired, and then identify areas for cooperation. Each community responded as follows:
Fountain Hills is contemplating bringing a $30M road bond to the voters in November in order
to put streets into a pavement lifecycle. Improvements have been made to Shea Boulevard.
Inasmuch as Valley Metro does not serve Fountain Hills, it would be good if the route that
comes to Mayo Clinic extended to Fountain Hills and out to Ft. McDowell. There are obvious
gaps in transportation loops in the east valley. It is important to collaborate with regional
organizations, MAG in particular, to make sure these needs are understood.
Queen Creek has looked for greater opportunities to partner with Maricopa County Department
of Transportation. A single bond issue for roads in the county would fix 90 % of the roads of
regional significance, help with air quality and capacity issues, add construction and highway
jobs, and help with economic development. Collaboration is important to advance this issue
with County Supervisors.
Scottsdale noted that the MAG Economic Development Committee is considering a much larger
transportation element. A revised tax structure to attract business would increase tax revenues
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for new economic activity. A technique to be considered would be to move Prop 400 money
ahead and bridge it with MAG and ADOT money. Scottsdale also pointed out the benefits of
working with Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on Pima Road.
Paradise Valley believes it is important to keep the dialogue going regionally through the
intergov program. The community is considering raising revenue to deal with capital needs, but
it would be a sales tax adopted by the Council. They are also considering going back to financing
of Fire Service with fee for service based on the size of the property. Paradise Valley disagrees
that nothing can be done about public employee pensions and believes the town would benefit
as much or more from pension renovation as from state shared revenue.
Ft. McDowell indicated that cooperation is important on east side circulation and to cross
promote attractions.
Payson relies on thinking out of the box, listening to new ideas, and having an open mind.
Councilmember Tait Elkie thanked everyone for coming and encouraged attendees to continue to
develop relationships. He stated that communication would ensue to follow-up on the meeting and to
obtain suggestions for the next Collaboration Summit.
Mayor Schlum also thanked attendees for their participation and summarized the meeting. He stated
that although everyone appears to be financially constricted, collaboration can help with everyone’s
needs. He suggested meeting more often to find out how we can help one another.
The meeting ended at 11:32 a.m.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
By __________________________
Jay T. Schlum, Mayor
ATTEST AND
PREPARED BY:
________________________________
Shaunna Williams, Executive Assistant
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CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the 1st Annual
Collaboration Summit held in the Fountain Hills Community Center on the 13th day of January 2011. I
further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 3rd day of February, 2011.
_________________________________
Shaunna Williams, Executive Assistant