The Juggernaut for unrestrained fast-growth is fast approaching the expansive final stages of the end-game working its way and accelerating through the City of Mesa's entrenched land-use planning and development services in multiple stages where the public is little involved in either the active oversight or the informed consent for actions to be heard and discussed at the last two meetings of the City Council.
First, let's take a look at a report - edited to highlight pertinent content- by Tom Scanlon, Managing Editor for The Mesa Tribune
PLEASE NOTE
(1) There were no published comments responding to Scanlon's report
(2) The report is dated November 22. The screengrab is from November 1
top story
In Mesa City Council, ‘no’ is a rare word
[...] "As is the case elsewhere, elected city representatives control the
taxes, ordinances and various local regulations proposed by managers
of various departments.
But few cities seem to be as harmonious as Mesa, where Council in 2021
approved everything City Manager Chris Brady put before it.
And, almost always, those approvals were without a single no vote.
> Last week, a motion to increase salaries of the mayor and city council
members “carried unanimously.”
> In June, Mesa City Council approved – unanimously, a record $2.1
billion budget, with across-the-board raises of 2-3 percent for all
3,562 employees, plus another $2,000 bonus for all employees in
January.
taxes, ordinances and various local regulations proposed by managers
of various departments.
But few cities seem to be as harmonious as Mesa, where Council in 2021
approved everything City Manager Chris Brady put before it.
And, almost always, those approvals were without a single no vote.
> Last week, a motion to increase salaries of the mayor and city council
members “carried unanimously.”
> In June, Mesa City Council approved – unanimously, a record $2.1
billion budget, with across-the-board raises of 2-3 percent for all
3,562 employees, plus another $2,000 bonus for all employees in
January.
> The action followed a similar raise-plus-bonus for employees
that kicked off this calendar year.
that kicked off this calendar year.
Council meetings are open to the public and carried live on the city’s
Facebook page.
Facebook page.
____________________________________________________________________________
CORRECTION:
Council meetings are streamed live on YouTube - with no public chat or public comments permitted at that time. The viewer counts are low to say the least if that's any measure for public interest.
True that council meetings are open to the public, but few members of the public every show up or send in public comments on blue cards online ahead of time.
____________________________________________________________________________
. . .One resident had a snarky comment to describe the
meetings: “Pep rallies for city employees.”
meetings: “Pep rallies for city employees.”
The Tribune asked the mayor how he would answer someone who says
“Giles is just a ‘yes man’ who approves anything Brady wants.”
“When something comes before council for a vote at a meeting,” Giles
replied, “that is not the first time the issue is being discussed.
Many items on our agendas have spent months, if not years, getting to
the point of a council vote.
“Staff and constituent meetings, board and committee meetings,
community feedback, staff presentations and recommendations, council
feedback, research and discussions all inform decisions made at
council meetings.”
“Giles is just a ‘yes man’ who approves anything Brady wants.”
“When something comes before council for a vote at a meeting,” Giles
replied, “that is not the first time the issue is being discussed.
Many items on our agendas have spent months, if not years, getting to
the point of a council vote.
“Staff and constituent meetings, board and committee meetings,
community feedback, staff presentations and recommendations, council
feedback, research and discussions all inform decisions made at
council meetings.”
=======================================================
OK
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December 1
Item 6-d
| File #: | 21-1291 |
| Type: | Ordinance | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | City Council |
| On agenda: | 12/1/2021 |
| Title: | ANX21-00799 (District 6) Annexing property located within the 4200 to 4400 blocks of South Sossaman Road (west side). Located west of Sossaman Road and north of the Warner Road alignment (101.1± acres). Initiated by the applicant, Sean Lake on behalf of Pew & Lake PLC, The Dale C. Morrison Trust, owner. |
| Attachments: | 1. Council Report, 2. Ordinance, 3. Overview Map, 4. Annexation Map, 5. Certificate of Mayor, 6. Certification of Map |
COUNCIL REPORT
Date: December 1, 2021
To City Council Through: Natalie Lewis, Assistant City Manager
Through:
Christine Zielonka, Development Services Director and Nana Kusi Appiah Planning Director
Subject: Introduction of an Ordinance for annexation case ANX21-00799, located within the 4200 to 4400 blocks of South Sossaman Road (west side).
west of Sossaman Road and north of the Warner Road alignment.
(101.1± acres). Council District 6
Purpose and Recommendation
The purpose of this agenda item is for the City Council to conduct a public hearing on the proposed annexation of 101.1+ acres of property depicted on Exhibit “A” (the Property”).
- The subject annexation request was initiated by the applicant, Sean Lake on behalf of Pew & Lake PLC, for the owners, The Dale C. Morrison Trust.
- The annexation petition was released for signature on November 22, 2021.
Staff recommends approval of the annexation.
Background
The annexation area consists of one undeveloped parcel generally located north of the Warner Road alignment and west of South Sossaman Road (see Exhibit ‘A”).
The applicant is requesting annexation to develop the Property within the corporate limits of the City of Mesa.
Currently, the Property is zoned Single Residence 43 (RU-43) in Maricopa County.
The annexation ordinance will establish City of Mesa zoning designation of Agriculture (AG) on the Property.
Discussion
The Property is completely surrounded by the existing City of Mesa corporate boundaries and is within the City of Mesa Planning Area.
The Property has a General Plan character area designation of “Employment” and “Mixed-Use Activity”.
If annexed, any development of the Property will be required to comply with City of Mesa development standards, including storm water retention, street improvements, landscaping, screening, and signage.
The City will also collect the development fees as well as supply water and gas utilities.
- Utilities and City services are already provided in the area and extension of these services will have minimal impact on the City.
- The City of Mesa Departments/Divisions of Transportation, Fire, Solid Waste, and Water Resources have provided comments related to the future development of the Property; however, none of the comments pertain to the annexation of the Property, which is currently vacant land.
Planning State Statute requires the City to adopt a zoning classification that permits densities and uses no greater than those permitted by the County on newly annexed land (A.R.S. §9-471-L).
The Property is currently zoned RU-43 in Maricopa County.
City of Mesa zoning designation of AG will be established through the annexation ordinance.
Fiscal Impact
Annexation of the Property will result in the collection of any future secondary property tax, construction tax, and development fees generated from the Property.
Notification
The Property has been posted and notifications have been sent to all property owners and county agencies as required by state statute (A.R.S. §9-471).
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area ..............................
Population....................
Dwelling Units ..............................
Homes Existing Businesses ..............................
Businesses Arterial Streets ..............................
Total Owners ..............................
Owner Total Assessed Valuation of private land ..............................
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Item 7-a
| File #: | 21-1143 |
| Type: | Ordinance | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | City Council |
| On agenda: | 11/15/2021 |
| Title: | ANX21-00728 (District 6) Annexing property located north of north of Pecos Road and west of Signal Butte Road (71.3± acres). Initiated by the applicant, Josh Tracy, Ryan Companies; for the owner, Tucker Properties, LTD. |
| Attachments: | 1. Council Report, 2. Ordinance, 3. Overview Map, 4. Annexation Map, 5. Certificate of Mayor, 6. Certification of Map |
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