Today's Monthly Meeting: City of Mesa Economic Development Advisory Board

Today's meeting started promptly at 7:30 a.m. with a few empty seats but nonetheless promptly got into the board business that was at-hand with Jaye O'Donnell, shown far left, sitting in for Economic Development Director Bill Jabjiniak. In the middle is Chairman Jeff Pritchett and three other voting members appointed to the Board. Two ex-officio and non-voting members were present on the other side.

Overcoming a hesitancy to speak in public, yours truly did take the opportunity to express some comments and make observations about the glaring lack of public participation in governance of the City of Mesa, as well issues about the official role of city planners and private developer interests in the regeneration of New Urban Downtown Mesa. While the chairman of the board did acknowledge and express appreciation, there was no follow-up by members who were present today, or by Jeff McVay for Item 6 on this meeting's agenda: 
Downtown Mesa Development Update.
Since the published agendas for EDAB meetings rarely, if ever, include the links to the presentations or updates scheduled beforehand, it is difficult or nearly impossible to have the information the public needs when items on economic development are considered at this level of open public meetings.

Item 4. Achieve 60AZ- Education Advances Everyone   Christine Thompson   

The presentation for Item 4 was excellent, highlighting some workforce and higher education issues prevalent throughout both the State of Arizona and the City of Mesa that have impacts not only the culture and quality of life but also for raising standards and improvement strategies for workforce development and economic development.

For more details Go to this link >> http://achieve60az.com/

Item 5. Mesa Red Mountain High School– Bioscience Program  Katy Gazda
An upbeat and notable presence of three outstanding high school students to highlight what can be done on the secondary school level. It elicited and excited high praise from nearly every EDAB member, among them Mike Likens, Deb Duvall, Jeff Pritchard and the two GPEC members.
 

Item 6. Downtown Mesa Development Update   
Jeff McVay
A somewhat 15-minute rushed presentation going through some of the projects in-the-works or in-progress or in-talks for Downtown Transformation.
For more information please go to
Website for the City of Mesa


Meeting Agenda
1. Chair’s Call to Order       Jeff Pitcher
2. Items from Citizens Present
3. Approval of Minutes from April 4, 2017 meeting   Action Item
4. Achieve 60AZ- Education Advances Everyone   Christine Thompson
5. Mesa Red Mountain High School– Bioscience Program  Katy Gazda
6. Downtown Mesa Development Update    Jeff McVay
7. Discuss and take action on a formal recommendation 
    Jeff Pitcher/Lori Gary      regarding the Falcon Tech Center.
8. Director’s Update       Jaye O'Donnell
9. Other Business
Next EDAB Meeting- June 6th