12 February 2020

07:30 AM STUDY SESSION: Mesa City Council Thu Feb 2020

Maybe some day we can make Mesa a brighter place - more informed by shining some light for the public to see what's going on in an elected city government cannot be an effective government unless and until people are actively motivated to first of all find out what's up on the agendas for City Council.
Most people don't even care or know who represents their interests, other than spoon-fed junk we get thrown at us from the public information machine inside City Hall.

OPEN GOVERNMENT??
Now really, would anyone who has lived here in the City of Mesa for just a few years or whose family has lived here for generations, or those who have just arrived in a fast-growing city of more than 500,000 even dare to say that your elected Mesa City Government is open?
Add the words transparent and accountable
and ask that question again . . .
One clear example:
THE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW'S STUDY SESSION WAS MADE YESTERDAY: 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE
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That really needs to get changed - just ask. . . If salaried city officials have the time to plan and to prepare three presentations that probably consumed more than 24 hours - or a number of days and weeks - ahead-of-time for this study session, then the public at-large certainly deserves and can demand to respect the rights of citizens to know by providing the presentations in a more timely manner.
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BLOGGER NOTES: In the spirit of the annual Cubbies Spring Training Practice season that's starting now with the pitchers and catchers reporting first, it time for people here in Mesa to play some more hard ball. 
Too many times the game of city government is less known than the baseball games by the sports franchise arriving from Chicago for a few weeks ...
Time to see what your elected government "home team" has on its roster.
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Roll Call (City Council members participate in person or by telephone conference call.)
1 Presentations/Action Items:
20-0194
Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on a draft policy regarding City Council Community Outreach Funds. 1-a
PLEASE NOTE COUNCIL MEMO: Something going wrong?
TO:    Mayor and Council 
FROM:  Scott J. Butler, Deputy City Manager 
CC:   Chris Brady, City Manager 
SUBJECT: Community Outreach Funds 
DATE:   February 13, 2020  

City Staff was asked by the Council to draft revisions and updates to the Community Outreach Funds policy guidelines in order to provide additional definition and clarity as to their use. 
In addition, suggested improvements to the City’s reporting of those funds, along with draft disclosure forms have been provided.  
Last month, the Audit, Finance and Enterprise Committee members reviewed the drafted policy guidelines and disclosure forms, and recommended that Staff present them to the City Council for discussion and feedback.
 

File #: 20-0194   
Type: Presentation Status: Agenda Ready
In control: City Council Study Session
On agenda: 2/13/2020
Title: Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on a draft policy regarding City Council Community Outreach Funds.
Attachments: 1. Council Memo, 2. DRAFT Community Outreach Funds Policy Guidelines, 3. DRAFT Community Outreach Funds Expenditure Form, 4. DRAFT Monthly Community Outreach Funds Expenditures Form, 5. Management Policy 200 - Purchasing Policy and Procedures, 6. Management Policy 201 - Travel Authorization and Expenses, 7. Management Policy 211 - Procurement Card Program

20-0200
Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on a proposed 2020 Transportation Capital Improvement Bond Program. 1-b
File #: 20-0200   
Type: Presentation Status: Agenda Ready
In control: City Council Study Session
On agenda: 2/13/2020
Title: Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on a proposed 2020 Transportation Capital Improvement Bond Program.
Attachments: 1. Presentation

20-0138 Hear a presentation and discuss
the City’s 3-year comprehensive review of the adopted General Plan,
its policies,
and implementation tools. 1-c

File #: 20-0138   
Type: Presentation Status: Agenda Ready
In control: City Council Study Session
On agenda: 2/13/2020
Title: Hear a presentation and discuss the City’s 3-year comprehensive review of the adopted General Plan, its policies, and implementation tools.
Attachments: 1. Presentation
General Plan Amendments
  • Nana Appiah – Planning Director
  • Tom Ellsworth – Principal Planner
  • Rachel Prelog – Senior Planner
Page 5
ACCOMPLISHMENTS –
Plan Implementation Implementation involves functions of various City departments
JOB GROWTH & EXPANSIONS
PUBLIC SPACES AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
NEIGHBORHOODS
DOWNTOWN

Page 10
CHALLENGES–
Plan Implementation Character Area Designation
CHARACTER AREA DESIGNATIONS
> INTENT
• Focus on the character of areas rather than parcel specific land use
• Promote a mixture of uses to provide vibrancy, sense of place, and to reduce auto dependency
> CHALLENGES - MIXED-USE & EMPLOYMENT DESIGNATIONS
• Lack of a well-defined standard for development of primary vs. ancillary uses
• Proposals for the development of ancillary uses instead of primary uses

Page 14
RECOMMENDATION –Chapter 7 Amendments Character Area Designation
CHARACTER AREA DESIGNATIONS
• Clarify the role and importance of primary uses for establishing the character of an area
Specify primary vs. ancillary uses
• Establish priority for the development of primary uses

Page 16
CHALLENGES–Plan Implementation General Plan Amendment Procedures
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT CRITERIA
CHALLENGES
Ambiguity in requirements for major vs. minor amendments
• Doesn’t consider the context of an area

Page 18
RECOMMENDATION –Chapter 16 Amendments General Plan Amendment Criteria
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT CRITERIA
• Adjust Major & Minor Amendment Criteria
• Establishment of Approval Criteria

PLANNING 2020 WORK PLAN
Adjust land use tools to respond to changing community needs and implementation
 
TEXT AMENDMENTS
• Leisure & Recreation Zoning Designation
• Form Based Code – Parking Standards for Mid- and High-Rise Buildings
• Group Home Standards
• Parking Standards
• Assisted Living Standards
• Planned Area Development (PAD) Standards
• Site Plan Review Procedures
• Subdivision Ordinance

GUIDELINES
• Small Lot Development Guidelines
• Adaptive Reuse Guidelines
• Historic Properties Design Guidelines

NEXT STEPS
• Developer Advisory Forum
• Community Meetings
• City Council Study Session
• Planning and Zoning Board
• City Council
 
Questions/Discussion
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