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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011.0913.TCWSM.Minutesz:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 1 of 11 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE WORK STUDY SESSION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 AGENDA ITEM #1 – CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Schlum called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m., in the Fountain Hills Town Hall Council Chambers. Present for roll call were the following members of the Fountain Hills Town Council: Mayor Schlum, Vice Mayor Contino, Councilmember Leger, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Hansen, Councilmember Elkie and Councilmember Dickey. Interim Town Manager Julie Ghetti, Town Attorney Andrew McGuire and Town Clerk Bev Bender were also present. AGENDA ITEM #2 – PRESENTATION BY DEBBIE YIN AND ANGELA STROHAN RELATING TO A FOUNTAIN HILLS URBAN GARDEN AND LEARNING CENTER. Director of Community Services Mark Mayer addressed the Council relative to this agenda item and stated that this Committee has been working for almost two years behind the scenes. The Committee is one of many that are part of the Greening of Downtown Committee. They first started looking at the potential for establishing an urban garden or community garden and have since been working on that particular concept. One of the challenges involved not only what this might turn into but also the potential for a specific site. Staff has been working with the group and they are finally at the point where they feel comfortable coming forward with some information to share with the Council and hopefully receive some input/direction. Mr. Mayer noted that Debbie Yin is chairing this particular Committee and Angela Strohan, who has worked very closely with her, has done a lot of the background work including the architectural and color renderings that the Council will be seeing tonight. Ms. Strohan also works upstairs on a volunteer basis with Comm unity Development Services. Mayor Schlum thanked Mr. Mayer for his comments. Ms. Yin addressed the Council and highlighted a brief presentation on the Fountain Hills Urban Demonstration Garden & Learning Center (Copy on file in the office of the Town Clerk). She discussed the importance of developing state-of-the art innovative concepts for the Urban Garden; developing unique Learning Center of Excellence concepts; partnership concepts for research and development and 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 and development activity in the Garden. Ms. Yin stated that several of the Committee members are also members of the Greening of Downtown Committee and provided the Council with the names and brief background information on the various Committee members. She added that Cynthia Penrose-Magazine has also joined the group and she highlighted the names of proposed advisors as well. Ms. Yin highlighted the Committee's Mission and goals and referred to proposed architectural concept drawings/locations and a proposed landscaping concept for the Garden and Learning Center. She outlined the Learning Center of Excellence's specific goals and concepts and discussed three segments of future partnerships in research and development -- (1) Commercial Green business; (2) Research and Development partnerships and (3) Federal/local/State government partnerships. z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 2 of 11 Ms. Yin discussed the Committee's Strategic Plan; benefits and added value that this will bring to the Town including new revenue sources and vibrancy in the downtown area; the Council goals and initiatives in partnership with Urban Garden and the Learning Center including education, learning and culture; environmental stewardship, civility and neighborliness/cooperation; civic responsibility; economic vitality; public safety, health and welfare and recreational opportunities and amenities. Ms. Yin provided the Council with a proposed timeline and said that with the Council's blessing they would start in the fall of 2011 with their various partnerships, fundraising activities and implement a year from now -- at least Phase I. She added that Phase I will be a portion of the Garden and a portion of the Learning Center or the Amphitheater. She discussed estimated initial costs and advised that the actual costs will depend on how quickly they can build. Ms. Yin stated that that this evening the Committee's goal was to introduce the Urban Gardens concept, the Learning Center of Excellence concepts, Research & Development partnerships and how the Committee sees this as an opportunity to grow Fountain Hills' downtown core. She said that the question is whether the Council will support this project and encourage refinement of ideas and if the answer is yes, the Committee's next step will be to provide a detailed Business Plan and continue the dialogue. She thanked the Council for the opportunity to address them this evening and indicated her willingness to respond to questions. Mayor Schlum thanked Ms. Yin for the presentation and said that because they are in a Work Study Session, no decision can be rendered this evening but they can have some valuable dialogue. He added that this appears to be a great use for a piece of land that has been vacant for quite some time. Councilmember Elkie commended Ms. Yin and the rest of the Committee for the excellent amount of work they have performed at no cost to the Town. He noted that the Town has an amphitheater at Fountain Park and asked her if she was familiar with Balboa Park in San Diego. He said that it is a wonderful park and they had a variety of things in the park -- an arboretum, a theater and a remarkable rose garden. He added that the Town already has a huge draw to Fountain Park and the Fountain itself and asked if the Committee could envision this transitioning to a park if land was allotted for something along those lines. He asked if somethin g like that would fit the model and the park if they had space for something like a rose garden perhaps. He said that they could use the amphitheater in some form or another because they have one that is underutilized right now. Ms. Yin advised that she knows that they are planning to do some upgrades to Fountain Park by the amphitheater in October, plantings, etc., and added that if someone decides to get married there, the plantings will be behind them and the Fountain as well. She stated that that is something that should be brought back to the Committee for discussion. Councilmember Elkie pointed out that the irrigation system is already in place and they have the land so perhaps it would be less costly and help beautify something that is already a draw for the Town to begin with. Ms. Yin said that the Committee will definitely look into that. Ms. Strohan stated that something like what Councilmember Elkie suggested could certainly be worked into the plan. Committeemember Jerry Butler said that he believes the reason that the Committee did not really focus on Fountain Park has to do with the water that is there now (the irrigation water). He added that they would probably need to isolate a section of the Park and put Chaparral water in there rather than the reclaimed waste water. He stated that that is something they would really have to look into before it could become a viable alternative. z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 3 of 11 Mayor Schlum commented that ultimately this area is planned for a performing arts center (perhaps a community theater) and asked what the Committee's thoughts are on the fact that this might be a five or ten year location rather than a permanent location. He said he could see it being there temporarily but wanted the Committee's input. Ms. Yin replied that the Committee had discussions relative to the fact that this could be moved to another location so it could be something for a five or ten year period of time. She added that there would be some costs involved but it could be done. Some of the things in the ground will be more permanent but basically the gardens will not be a permanent structure and could be moved. Mayor Schlum stated that the goal was to beautify space and trees could be in pots and placed somewhere else and Ms. Yin concurred. Councilmember Leger thanked Ms. Yin and the members of the Committee for their efforts. He asked whether this group is a sub-committee of the Greening group or are they independent. Mr. Butler advised that they are a sub-committee of the Greening of Downtown program. He confirmed that right now the group is set up as a non-profit and added that if it goes forward they may have to create their own 501c(3) for the specific project that they are discussing this evening. Councilmember Leger asked that with respect to funding and financial sustainability how the group proposes to have a financially sustainable project and what are they looking forward to in terms of funding (from the Town or private donors). Mr. Butler responded that there is still a lot of work to do and it would be a public/private partnership just like they have done as far as the overall Greening of the Downtown. The funding for the Demonstration Garden would primarily come from the private side -- looking to research and development and partners to partner with. It is unbelievable how many people are starting to get involved in this type of activity. It would be a wonderful spot for some of them to implement a number of their ideas and that would provide financial support to ensure sustainability. As far as the Town, right now they are looking at the Town providing the land so that it becomes part of the partnership and how they deal with the water that is already there -- maybe from the Library or others within the Town Hall complex (that might be another contribution from the Town). Basically, sustainability and financial support would come from the private sector. Councilmember Leger commented that in reading the presentation, it says "land donated" and asked whether their expectation is that the Town would donate this land to the non-profit. Mr. Butler replied that perhaps "donated" is the wrong term -- maybe allow them to use the land for a period of time that will be determined. The garden area could be moved in the future if there is a better use for it (it is not like they are building a stationary building on it). Although some investments could be lost, it could be moved to another location. The use of the land would be the "donation." Councilmember Leger thanked Mr. Butler for the clarification and said he was worried that they would run into some of the same issues they are facing with the commercial development in Fountain Park that they are looking at in terms of the need for a public vote perhaps. He asked whether the group has networked at al l with the Botanical Garden group and said he could see a collaboration of effort there. Mr. Butler advised that the group is networking right now with them on Fountain Park (the wildflower garden that was put in last year). The Botanical Garden group is now overseeing the overall maintenance of that garden. z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 4 of 11 In response to a question from Councilmember Leger regarding what they are looking at structurally as far as an amphitheater, Ms. Strohan stated that they are looking at a removable stage and seating so that it could be used just for special events instead of just sitting out there subject to wear and tear. Councilmember Leger asked if they were going to take this concept and superimpose it on Fountain Park would it work. Ms. Strohan advised that there are a lot of issues that would arise (irrigation, water issues, etc.). Kathy Worrell, Fountain Hills Town Recreation Program Coordinator) addressed the Council and said that she doesn't know whether the Council has ever looked at some of the other comm unity gardens but most of the planters in those gardens are above ground and a lot of the structures are vertical and very beautiful. She added that they had not discussed moving down to the Park and from the Park's perspective, the Park is being used a lot between weddings, gatherings and their own special events in the Park, including Concerts in the Park (there are times when it is used every single weekend). She said that she and Mr. Mayer had discussed the fact that since they are talking about a Learning Center, it is a fantastic opportunity to partner with the Library as far as the various resources that are available and extremely valuable. Councilmember Leger agreed and said it makes sense but his only concern is that if they are investing capita l in a project and fundraising takes place and then you have to move it in five years -- that is something that would have to be looked into. He added that he believes that the Town's Master Plan has that sited for a future theatre (whether that happens or not is an unknown but that is a risk that is at stake here). He stated that as they are fundraising they would have to make people aware of that possibility. Councilmember Dickey stated the opinion that the proposal represents a beautiful plan and asked whether there was any pilot or model from any of the other cities (perhaps from Scottsdale or Tempe). Ms. Yin advised that the members of the group have done extensive research on this and not been able to come up with anything that resembles something as "state of the art" as what is being proposed. In response to a question regarding funding, Ms. Yin stated that she met with one of the Tempe Councilmembers and she said that everything in Tempe, as far as the gardens, was funded through donations including in-kind donations and the Town did not spend a penny on it. Councilmember Dickey suggested that the group contact the Arizona Department of Water Resources, the Sonoran Conservancy, the Botanical Garden's group and also the same people who are involved with herb gardens. She also noted that the School District might be a great contact. She asked if the members of the group had ever been to Longmore Gardens in Philadelphia and said that it is huge and has quite a draw. Ms. Yin said that they would look it up on line. Discussion ensued relative to the fact that behind Fenway Park in Boston, there is an amazing place called "The Fenway" and a suggestion from Councilmember Leger that the group look into that as well (it has been a successful community garden for many years); the fact that Ms. Yin has looked quite extensively at the New York restoration project with Bette Midler; Singh Farms in Scottsdale and the fact that it too is very unique (on the Native American reservation) and that is what the Town is trying to do as well; Mr. Butler's comment regarding the importance of creating some opportunities for businesses in Fountain Hills and with a little encouragement from the Council, the group will bring back a business plan that addresses all o f the issues discussed tonight and determines what may or may not work in Town; the Mayor's comment that they are talking about right next to the Library on the vacant lot where slurry seal has been done and Allied has done their staging; the fact that the site is a little over an acre in size and Phase I would not be the entire site -- it z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 5 of 11 would be just enough to get them started so they can demonstrate how worthwhile this project could be; the sidewalk that runs along the Centennial Circle right now would be the northern boundary; Councilmember Brown's comment that he appreciates all of the enthusiasm that the group has come up with but his opinion that this is probably not the best use for this land so he will keep going along with the idea that they are going to move this forward but with the thought that it will be relocated at some point in time; Councilmember Brown's statement that he would love to see this out by the Fountain and he could see the use of a smaller amphitheater even at the Fountain area with the proposed amenities (especially the green landscaping); Councilmember Dickey's statement that Earth Day will take place on April 22, 2012 and since this is part of the fundraising and education Phase, the group might want to consider having some type of an event and 2013 might be a target date to have a ribbon cutting ceremony; and the fact that there is a Food Day coming up in October as well and the group is looking into using that date for a possible event as well to educate the public. Councilmember Hansen asked if as part of the Committee's "brainstorming sessions" they looked at any other locations that they decided not to use. Mr. Butler replied that they originally started out looking at vacant properties (private land) in the Downtown quarter and then they moved on to the site that they are talking about now. He reported that there is a potential third site -- more Town property immediately to the east of the Library area. He said that as they look to the Downtown development on the south side of the Avenue of the Fountains that might be a piece of property that the Town needs to entertain the next developer. He added that the site they are currently discussing seemed to make the most sense because it was closest to the Library and the Community Center and since they are trying to achieve a community project that gets everyone involved, this site made the most sense to the Committee and would bring more people into the Downtown area. Mayor Schlum stated that the Committee mentioned involving the Library and from an educational aspect he is sure that the School District will be a part of that as well. Ms. Yin concurred with the Mayor’s statement. Mayor Schlum said that he believes the Committee is hearing some excitement on the part of the Council and he doesn't believe they have any more questions. He added that they will look forward to the next step. Mayor Schlum thanked the members of the Committee for their hard work and excellent effort and Ms. Yin, Ms. Strohan, and Mr. Butler thanked the Council for their support. AGENDA ITEM #3 - PRESENTATION ON THE HISTORY OF THE AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS MEDIAN, CURRENT CONDITIONS AND FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS. Director of Development Services Paul Mood addressed the Council relative to this agenda item. He said that during last year's budget process the former Town Manager asked what could be done to make the Avenue look better -- it is starting to age, some of the fountains need to be refurbished, etc. Staff walked the Avenue and Mr. Mood stated that if anyone takes the time to do that they can see for themselves that it is very old and a lot of maintenance is required. He said that it became more of a capital project than a maintenance project -- to completely refurbish the Avenue. He advised that the Executive Budget Committee met and came up with the Avenue project, which ultimately was included in the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). Mr. Mood referred to photographs displayed in the Chambers and highlighted a brief presentation on this proposed project (Copy available in the office of the Town Clerk). He discussed and referred to the Downtown Vision Plan and the Area Specific Plan; an aerial timeline; panoramic views; site photos; existing conditions - Phase I and II; existing conditions - Phase III; the Median Design Concept - Phase I and II; and the Median Design Concept - Phase III. Mr. Mood thanked the Council for the opportunity to address them this evening and indicated his willingness to respond to questions. z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 6 of 11 Mayor Schlum thanked Mr. Mood for the presentation. Councilmember Elkie stated that Mr. Mood made the point earlier that the contractors wanted to get the project done and not do it piecemeal and said that he concurs. He asked whether Mr. Mood had any idea of how long the project will take from start to finish. Mr. Mood replied that if the Council provides him with direction he would like to start talking with a landscaping firm/architectural firm right away -- one that has the capability to handle all of the irrigation, the electrical and the fountains. He would obtain a contract for the design concept and negotiate that proposal. He said that public meetings would be held to go over the contracts and solicit input from the public, various groups and Council. He stated that the best case scenario would be having the project designed, bid out and ready to move forward with construction b y April/May -- after the Fair. He added that they would hope to have all the work done before the November Fair. He said that if the Council does not want to move forward with getting the work done during the summer of 2012, he would suggest that they hold off and do it over the summer of 2013. Councilmember Elkie stated that if they want to get the work all done at once, perhaps they could make some accommodations and hold the Fair along Saguaro or Parkview. Mr. Mood advised that the other thing they have to look at is when this is done if they are widening the sidewalks then they are narrowing the Avenue which may then not accommodate boo ths on both sides of the street during the Fair. Mayor Schlum commented that the drawings/renderings/photographs are tremendous and will help get people engaged and provide input. He asked what Mr. Mood thought would be a realistic next step as far as ad ditional input from the public and stakeholders. Mr. Mood informed the Council that he met with Jerry Miles about the public art and believes that they are pretty much on board with the fact that staff has the public art element in this project. He added that staff has met with the Greening of Downtown Committee as well and obtained their input. He said that other than a general open house, until they get a concept put down on paper from an actual landscape architectural firm that is probably as far as they would go right now. He stated that he has received input regarding the addition of a kiosk, providing public restrooms, etc. and stressed the importance of receiving all of the input they can while keeping in mind the budget limitations. He discussed lighting, crosswalks and traffic calming measures. Councilmember Dickey said that the other thing is that they could look at this as an opportunity obviously for public art but also perhaps more fountains. She added that she is not sure which group to i nvolve, perhaps one from the Museum, but maybe they could look at it telling a story too and have the actual median be an attraction (historical walks, etc.). Mr. Mood noted that where the pathway is going to be they could have some panels that tell a sto ry like the history of Fountain Hills. He said that they would have to look at the budget as far as additional fountains. Councilmember Dickey reiterated the huge opportunity that this will entail and discussed the possibility of doing something similar like Zoo Lights. Mr. Mood agreed and said that they would make sure that any trees that are planted receive proper irrigation. He pointed out that they will be going into the holiday lighting season pretty soon and right now there is a receptacle and a timer for each display so each one has a GFI on it and when they get tripped the timers get tripped and all of the lights get out of sync so staff wants to look into having main control points that would help with the holiday lighting. z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 7 of 11 Councilmember Leger asked if the $1.8 million basically covers the median work on the Avenue and Mr. Mood concurred and said they have looked at it in concept only. He explained that they really need to have the landscape architectural firm start some drawings and get some concepts. Councilmember Leger asked if the proposal would include any changes to the width of the street, the sidewalks and Mr. Mood advised that what he would like to look at is making the median work one big package and the sidewalk work one big package. He noted that the sidewalk work would be one of the most expensive components because of all the concrete work and electrical lines that might have to be moved for the streetlights. Councilmember Leger questioned what the Town will be getting for the $1.8 million and asked if there would be an additional cost to do the street/sidewalk improvements. Mr. Mood responded that he can't actually say right now, they have to wait until they have some actual drawings and can obtain some hard estimates. Councilmember Leger commented that with the Swaback plan they talked about connectivity with Fountain Park and this is always a "chicken and the egg" project for him personally because if for example the bond initiative fails, they would not be able to narrow Saguaro and engage in a solution for that intersection to get people across. He asked what was more critical -- if they have to choose between this amount of limited resources and that amount of limited resources, would they want to enhance that intersection or do the median. He said that he understands that there are definite infrastructure needs on the median and he agrees that they need to be done but when they get into the aesthetics there is a disconnect there as far as he is concerned. Mr. Mood replied that should the bond initiative for the roads fail and they wanted to move forward with the median, he would suggest shifting some of the median money to do the modified three-way stop. He noted that that is the cheapest solution although not the best for the long term --it would work for the next 10 to 15 years but it will narrow that intersection. Councilmember Leger asked how the modified solution for the three-way stop would differ from the stop they have there and Mr. Mood asked the Council to visualize the sidewalk outside of the All American Grill and said they would "bump" that out and bring the medians actually in Saguaro more towards the intersection (would narrow the intersection). He said that he could provide the Council with the drawings. Councilmember Leger advised that he is hearing Mr. Mood say that they would be thoughtful as far as the connectivity issue and that is a positive. Mayor Schlum stated that he knows some of the fountains already in place require some significant and expensive maintenance. Mr. Mood informed the Council that right now staff is doing the "band aid approach" towards maintenance. Mayor Schlum discussed the importance of keeping the water as clear and clean as possible and asked if there had been any discussion regarding having the water flow down the median like a creek utilizing the fountains' water (riparian type of approach to clean the water). Mr. Mood replied that staff could do anything with enough money. The Mayor noted that former Councilmember Keith McMahan has a stone monument on the Avenue and they have to keep those kinds of things in mind and of course be sensitive to the businesses. He stated that he appreciates Mr. Mood bringing this forward and noted that it is much less than what was being considered seven or eight years ago. He added that he really appreciates Ms. Strohan and all of her awesome work. He z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 8 of 11 commented on the fact that Fountain Hills has so many talented and wonderful people who love their Town and do so much to enhance it. Councilmember Elkie advised that what he would like to see is if they spent $450,000 each year what that would result in. He stated that he understands it will be a little bit "here and there" and alternatively, if they just decided to "bite the bullet," and spend $1.8 million in a fiscal year what would be the result. He said that he knows there is a timeline and a lot of different ideas but he would like to know that and see this happen and do some work on the Avenue. Mr. Mood stated that what staff had envisioned was doing it piecemeal over four years and the first year they would do from basically Saguaro to where the Keith McMahan monument is, the next year do from there to Verde River, the next year do the west path of the median from Verde River to La Montana because it's a lot less work, it's a lot of landscaping, and then the fourth year look at doing the widening of the sidewalks. Councilmember Elkie said that he would like to see a comparison of the costs to spread the work out over the four-year plan because it is obviously less expensive to do larger areas -- so what that would be in comparison to doing it all at one time. Mr. Mood responded that it is hard to say because they don't know what inflation and the economy is going to do. He added that if they were to bid it out next summer, he would anticipate that they would find it would be 20% to 25% less expensive than doing it over four years. Councilmember Hansen said that in line what Councilmember Leger was talking about, she thinks that the timing is key and waiting to see what does happen with the bond election as well because things might have to be re-prioritized based on the outcome of that. She added that they might have to concentrate on maintenance issues rather than aesthetic issues. Mayor Schlum thanked Mr. Mood for his input on this issue. AGENDA ITEM #4 - PRESENTATION BY MIKE TYLER, ANCHOR BUSINESS CONSULTING, ON ESTABLISHING A FOUNTAIN HILLS BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND DISCUSSION OF A POSSIBLE FUNDING REQUEST. Mike Tyler, Anchor Business Consulting, addressed the Council relative to this agenda item and provided brief background information regarding his career and achievements. Mr. Tyler highlighted a brief presentation on a business incubator for Fountain Hills (Copy available in the office of the Town Clerk) and noted that this represents an opportunity for a public/private partnership to grow the business community and create jobs. Mr. Tyler discussed the opportunity description (to establish a business incubator with the goal of growing the business community in Fountain Hill. He said that this will result in additional jobs and day time population, consistent with the Fountain Hills' overall economic development goals). He provided a description of business incubators and noted that they 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. He noted that historically 87% of incubator graduates stay in business. Mr. Tyler discussed the incubators provide (space and office services, business guidance, funding and networking/access to providers); how they are organized (funded and run by municipalities and/or learning institutions, privately run, with public/private partnerships); why municipalities support incubators (proven success rate in providing jobs and additional tax revenues, are a good way to focus on a specific industry or niche and are complementary to an overall economic development growth strategy); how they work; "Jump z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 9 of 11 Start" - a Fountain Hills business incubator (public/private partnership between the Town, the Chamber and three local companies -- Craig C. Capriccio, Ltd., Meridian Bank and Sternfels &White PLLC -- operated and managed by Arizona Business Advisors); incubator programs; membership (members will be screened to ensure business viability and individual capability, members will sign a 12-month commitment and pay a fee of $3,000 and 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 and staffed by them four days a week from 8 a.m. to Noon --members will have unrestricted access during normal business hours); sponsoring the incubator, deliverables; timeline and actions (test marketing and member recruitment September to December 2011), develop business plan by end of December, and open incubator doors January 2012 -- monthly funding from the sponsors would begin at the same time). Mayor Schlum thanked Mr. Tyler for his presentation and for being an integral part of the Business Vitality Advisory Commission. Councilmember Dickey asked if besides using office space there would be other priorities that would bring people in, like a school and would manufacturing be included. Mr. Tyler responded yes and said that there are opportunities, for example, at the Industrial Park where the occupancy rate is still very low and possibly consider some form of artisan -type community there, especially if the construction industry gets up and going again (some type of metal working, wood working type of approach in that area). He added that if someone wanted to open up a specialty coffee shop on the Avenue that would be another good opportunity to help someone do that. He noted that he read in the paper not too long ago about someone who wanted to open a book store in Town and stated that that would be another good opportunity. He added that the primary focus might be on the office side because they believe that is where the most need is, they would certainly look into other areas as well. Councilmember Dickey commented on the fact that they talk about retail and what is needed and they need people so if someone was looking to start something that would bring people into Town she would hope that would be a priority and Mr. Tyler agreed. Mr. Tyler advised that the very fact that offices fill up means that the daytime population increases, which he knows the Council is striving to do. He added that if someone comes forward with a good idea and has the capability that person probably would not be turned away. Councilmember Hansen stated that Mr. Tyler had been approached by someone who wanted to open a landscaping business and asked if he had had contact with any other business types. Mr. Tyler responded that a lot of the startups today are internet based and that is goo d because there are very few barriers to entry -- you need a website and an idea and you are good to go, but that without the proper marketing and planning it won't work. Mayor Schlum asked when Mr. Tyler mentions a coffee shop or a book store, is he talk ing about establishing their business planning and all that work in the incubator in preparation for them opening up on the Avenue and ultimately moving out. Mr. Tyler replied yes and stated that he could also see them trying to work with some of the real tors or property owners in Town to give them reasonable rates even after the start up. He confirmed that they are not talking about a low cost location for a retail business to get started -- they are talking about office work or technology -- things that provide jobs. z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 10 of 11 Mr. Tyler commented on the fact that restaurants come and go in Town and stated that a lot of that is just lack of planning and a lot of the pitfalls could be avoided with the proper planning and that is what the incubator would do. Mayor Schlum advised that over the last couple of months he has heard about a lot more successes coming out of the incubators and Mr. Tyler agreed that it has been proven that they work. Councilmember Leger asked whether Mr. Tyler is talking about current business owners as well as prospective business owners and questioned what the mix looks like as far as the incubators. Mr. Tyler stated that they believe that it will probably consist of 90% new businesses but emphasized that they certainly will not turn away existing businesses, especially if they are looking to get to the next level or even survive. Councilmember Leger asked as far as marketing whether there is set criteria -- i.e. a high probability that they would locate in Town or any type of criteria for accepting a client. Mr. Tyler responded yes, they have a process and criteria in place (each of the applicants will be screened against that). Councilmember Leger brought up the issue of public funding and said that the Council would have to look at how it all would benefit Fountain Hills. He asked if the screening would indicate a high probability of the businesses remaining in the Fountain Hills' area and Mr. Tyler replied yes -- there are a certain number of points for being a resident of the Town, certain points because they have been in business before, etc. Mayor Schlum commented on Meridian Bank's willingness to provide 1,800 square feet and said that is very much appreciated. He added that if the Council did consider funding, it would be appro ximately $2,250 for the Town for the first year and obviously they would want to want to free up the Town from the responsibility at some point in time once it gets going (six months). He asked what the next step would be. Mr. Tyler advised that that for the group to begin the marketing, and they have actually begun that already by going live with websites, blogs, facebooks and twitters probably next week. He said that based on how that goes over the next two or three months they will get a sense of whet her enough demand exists to get at least the five to ten first members. He noted that if they don't get those by January then they will move on and do something else. Mayor Schlum thanked Mr. Tyler for his efforts. AGENDA ITEM #5 – ADJOURNMENT. Councilmember Brown MOVED to adjourn the meeting and Councilmember Leger SECONDED the motion. The Work Study Session adjourned at 7:05 p.m. z:\council packets\2011\r10-6-11\110913m.docx Page 11 of 11 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS By __________________________ Jay T. Schlum, Mayor ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: __________________________ Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Work Study Session held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills on the 13th day of September, 2011, in the Fountain Hills Town Hall Council Chambers. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 6th day of October, 2011. _____________________________ Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk