Monday, July 09, 2018

Mesa City Council Meetings (2) Mon 09 July 2018

An earlier start today for the Study Session, allowing about an hour.
The regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:45 with 29 items.
> Item 3 has 15 Contracts worth millions of dollars
> Item 4 has six Resolutions
> Item 5 has   3 Ordinances

Links have been inserted and provided so you can find out more information and details.
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CONTRACTS: Just two shown - scroll down for the rest to see more expenditures
> Needles for MPDFD: 1-Year Term Contract for EZ10 Needles $63,271
> Fleet Services: $1,142,041.83
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RESOLUTIONSTake a look at Items 4 a - 4c
18-0800 4-aResolutionApproving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission to accept $100,000 in grant funds to be used for training, software and equipment for the Police Department’s Forensic Services Division. (Citywide)  Not available
18-0839 4-bResolutionApproving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Second Amendment to the CMC Steel Development Agreement with Commercial Metals Company for the development known as CMC Steel, located at 11444 East Germann Road. The Second Amendment extends the deferment period for certain off-site improvements along Meridian Road for another 10 years and adds another in-lieu alternative for the off-site improvements.
(District 6)
  Not available
18-0840 4-cResolution

Approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Second Amendment to the Development Agreement for the development commonly known as The GRID, for City-owned property generally located at the southwest corner of Main Street and Pomeroy and property located at 34 South Pomeroy. The Second Amendment revises the development compliance dates and the permit fee
payment schedule (District 4)
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ORDINANCE 5-a 

This proposed development has been the subject of robust discussion both in public hearings and in the local media, ranging from demolition of certain properties that have been in the district for years to a retro-fake architectural style that in no way is "Mesa-unique" . . . Note that the proposed development is getting financed by a for-profit branch of the LDS Church City Creek Reserve, Inc, applicant
Land Equity Investors LLC and Presiding Bishop of the Church of LDS, owner.  
18-0756 5-aOrdinanceZON18-00375 (District 4) The 0 block of South Mesa Drive (east side), the 400 block of East Main Street (south side), the 0 block of South Udall (both sides) and the 0 block of South LeSueur (west side). Located at the southeast corner of Main Street and Mesa Drive (6± acres). Rezone 4± acres from T5MS and T4NF to T5MSF; and 2± acres from T4NF-HD and T4N-HD to T5MSF-HD. This request will allow for a mixed-use development. City Creek Reserve, Inc, applicant; Land Equity Investors LLC and Presiding Bishop of the Church of LDS, owner. Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 4-0)
 



18-0756 5-aOrdinanceZON18-00375 (District 4) 
The 0 block of South Mesa Drive (east side), the 400 block of East Main Street (south side), the 0 block of South Udall (both sides) and the 0 block of South LeSueur (west side). 
Located at the southeast corner of Main Street and Mesa Drive
(6± acres). 
Rezone
> 4± acres from T5MS and T4NF to T5MSF
> 2± acres from T4NF-HD and T4N-HD to T5MSF-HD.
This request will allow for a mixed-use development. 
18-0756 5-aOrdinanceZON18-00375 (District 4) The 0 block of South Mesa Drive (east side), the 400 block of East Main Street (south side), the 0 block of South Udall (both sides) and the 0 block of South LeSueur (west side). Located at the southeast corner of Main Street and Mesa Drive (6± acres). Rezone 4± acres from T5MS and T4NF to T5MSF; and 2± acres from T4NF-HD and T4N-HD to T5MSF-HD. This request will allow for a mixed-use development. City Creek Reserve, Inc, applicant; Land Equity Investors LLC and Presiding Bishop of the Church of LDS, owner. Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 4-0)
 

Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions 
P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 4-0)
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Meeting Name: City Council Study Session Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 7/9/2018 4:30 PM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Council Chambers - Lower Level
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda                                                                                                       
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 7/9/2018 5:45 PM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Council Chambers - Upper Level
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda
_________________________________________________________________________________
ENTIRE AGENDA
Attachments:


File #Agenda #TypeTitle   
18-0837 2MinutesApproval of minutes of previous meetings as written.  Not available
18-0814 3-aContractOne-Year Term Contract for EZ IO Needles for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department (Sole Source) (Citywide) This contract will provide intraosseous (IO) needles for Mesa Fire and Medical paramedics. IO needles establish an effective means to deliver fluids and medications to patients in critical condition. The Mesa Fire and Medical Department and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor, Arrow International, Inc., at $63,271, based on estimated usage.  Not available
18-0816 3-bContractOne-Year Term Contract for Locks, Door Hardware and Other Parts as requested by the Parks Recreation and Community Facilities Department (Citywide) This contract will provide locks, door hardware and other parts to be used when performing repairs or replacements in City facilities. The Parks Recreation and Community Facilities Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the State of Arizona cooperative contract with Intermountain Lock and Security, at $75,000, based on estimated usage.  Not available
18-0843 3-cContractDollar-Limit Increase to the Term Contract for Park Playground and Aquatics Facility Poured-In-Place Surfacing and Synthetic Turf Repairs, Maintenance and Installation for the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department (Citywide) This contract is for supply, installation, maintenance and repairs to the rubberized playground safety surfacing and synthetic turf in the City's park playground systems, splash pad and aquatic facilities. The increase is requested to cover expenses for projects in various parks. The department has infrastructure funding available at this time to bring aging playground surfacing to ASTM standards for impact attenuation and this contract increase is needed to complete that work. The Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department and Purchasing recommend increasing the dollar-limit with Flexground, LLC, by $100,000, from $200,000 to $300,000, based on estimated usage.  Not available
18-0817 3-dContractOne-Year Renewal to the Term Contract for Refuse Container Bin Lids for the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department (Citywide) This contract provides replacement of damaged lids used for commercial metal bin refuse containers, and ensures Solid Waste has a supply of lids to meet the maintenance requirements of the City’s bin inventory. The Environmental Management and Sustainability Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing the renewal contract with Plastic Recovery Technology, dba PRT, at $30,500, based on estimated usage.  Not available
18-0842 3-eContractPurchase of Four Heavy Duty Trucks with Solid Waste Roll-Off Container Systems (Three Replacements and One Addition) for the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department (Citywide) The vehicles being replaced are part of the ongoing vehicle replacement program managed by Fleet Services. The vehicles have met established criteria and will be either traded, auctioned, sold, or deployed to special uses. The new vehicle will be used for Solid Waste daily operations to keep up with increased demand. The Fleet Services and the Environmental Management and Sustainability Departments and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase from the existing contract with Freightliner of Arizona, LLC., at $1,142,041.83. This purchase is funded by the Solid Waste Utility Replacement Extension and Renewal and Capital Enterprise Funds.  Not available
18-0823 3-fContractPurchase of Replacement Network Hardware and Services for the Information Technology Department (Citywide) This purchase will upgrade aging network security equipment that provide firewalls to guard Mesa's computing network and block unauthorized access or activities. This lifecycle upgrade will enable the City to take advantage of increased network speeds, improved reliability, increased capacity for future growth and projected maintenance savings of $36,000 annually. Information Technology and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the State of Arizona cooperative contract with Enterprise Networks Solutions, Inc. (a Mesa business), at $278,937.96.  Not available
18-0815 3-gContractThree-Year Term Contract for a Fiber and Conduit Management System as requested by the Information Technology, Engineering, and Transportation Departments (Citywide) The City currently maintains approximately 468 miles of fiber and conduit in the 160 square miles of planning area. This Fiber and Conduit Management System will be instrumental in the development of a fiber and conduit management plan that will be used to guide the feasibility, planning, budgeting, and capacity of City resources. The plan will also be used to support decision making when the City receives requests for rental and in-kind development of fiber and conduit resources within its boundaries. An evaluation committee recommends awarding the contract to the highest-scored proposal, 3-GIS LLC, at $224,930, plus contingency of $23,198.60 and estimated sales tax of $7,056, for the three-year project total of $255,184.60.  Not available
18-0844 3-hContractThree-Year Term Contract for Polyethylene Natural Gas Pipe and Fittings for the Materials and Supply Warehouse (for the Energy Resources Department) (Citywide) This contract will provide the polyethylene natural gas pipe and fittings the Gas Utility uses for newly installed intermediate natural gas mains and services, and to replace aging infrastructure. The Business Services and Energy Resources Departments, and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidders: Border States; Georg Fischer Central Plastics LLC; and Western Water & Gas Products LTD; at $832,000 annually, based on estimated usage.  Not available
18-0825 3-iContractPurchase of One Vacuum Excavator Truck (Addition) for the Energy Resources Department as requested by the Fleet Services Department (Citywide) This purchase will provide Energy Resources with a vacuum excavator truck to access and repair underground utilities using hydro-excavation. The department currently rents a vacuum excavator truck, as needed. The Fleet Services and Energy Resources Departments and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) cooperative contract with Norwood Equipment Inc., at $275,189.48. This purchase is funded by the Utility Replacement Extension and Renewal Fund.  Not available
18-0822 3-jContractPurchase of a Replacement Transformer for the Robson East Substation as requested by the Energy Resources Department (District 4) This purchase will provide a new 28MVA 69kV-12.47kV power transformer to replace the existing 43-year-old transformer that is in service at the Robson East bay of the Robson Substation. The replacement is needed to maintain the safe and reliable supply of 12kV and lower voltage distribution to City electric customers. Energy Resources and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Virginia Transformer Corp, at $596,721.31. This purchase is funded by the Electric CIP Budget.  Not available
18-0827 3-kContractOne-Year Term Contract for Replacement and Stock Filter Membrane Panels for the Water Resources Department (Sole Source) (Citywide) This contract will provide replacement and stock filter panels, miscellaneous filter parts and hardware for the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant (GWRP) Tertiary Disc Filters. Water Resources and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor, Veolia Water Technologies, Inc., dba Kruger Water Technologies, at $85,000, based on estimated usage. This contract is funded by the GWRP Joint Venture partners - Mesa 41.8%, Gilbert 39.8%, and Queen Creek 18.4%.  Not available
18-0824 3-lContractPurchase of an Engine Lathe for the Maintenance Shop at the Signal Butte Water Treatment Plant as requested by the Water Resources Department (District 6) This purchase will provide an engine lathe for the maintenance shop at the Signal Butte Water Treatment Plant. Water Resources and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Tornquist Machinery Company, at $42,873.60.  Not available
18-0828 3-mContractMain Street and Lindsay Road Sewer Replacement Project (District 2) The scope of this project was included in the scope of a previous project that was awarded in May 2017, which included the installation of an 18-inch sewer on Lindsay Road from Main Street to Broadway Road. When the work reached the Main Street and Lindsay Road intersection, conflicts with existing utilities and concrete pavement under the roadway were encountered and the cost to adjust the new sewer along with the removal of the concrete pavement exceeded the contract amount and the change order allowance, at which time, the contract was terminated. This project will include installing a 12-inch and 15-inch sewer pipe on Main Street from east of the Eastern Canal to Lindsay Road. Staff recommends awarding the contract for this project to the lowest, responsible bidder, Achen-Gardner Construction, LLC, in the amount of $1,758,772.50, and authorize a change order allowance in the amount of $175,877.25 (10%), for a total amount of $1,934,649.75. This project is funded by 2014 authorized Wastewater bonds.  Not available
18-0829 3-nContractSignal Butte Park Phase I - Pre-Construction Services (District 6) Pre-construction services for phase one of Signal Butte Park include proposed trails and pathways, off-street parking area, lighting in the parking area and along specific paths, one large ramada, three small ramadas, a restroom, Wi-Fi coverage, and additional landscaping, or, if funds are available, a proposed small turf area and ad small playground, instead of the additional landscaping. Staff recommends awarding the pre-construction services contract to Valley Rain Construction Corporation as the CMAR for this project, in the amount of $27,247.11. This project is funded by 2012 authorized Parks bonds.  Not available
18-0830 3-oContractKleinman Park Playground Improvements - 710 South Extension Road (District 4) In 2016, the City renovated portions of Kleinman Park including the softball field and tennis and pickleball courts; however, playground equipment was not part of the project improvements. This project includes all new play features including swings, slides, climbing features and a zipline, as well as, new ADA ramps and benches, which will enhance the accessibility of the playground. Staff recommends awarding the contract for this project to the lowest, responsible bidder, SDB, Inc., in the amount of $311,327.10, and authorize a change order allowance in the amount of $31,132.71 (10%), for a total amount of $342,459.81. This project is funded by a HUD Community Development Block Grant, a Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Grant, and the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities operating budget.  Not available
18-0800 4-aResolutionApproving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission to accept $100,000 in grant funds to be used for training, software and equipment for the Police Department’s Forensic Services Division. (Citywide)  Not available
18-0839 4-bResolutionApproving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Second Amendment to the CMC Steel Development Agreement with Commercial Metals Company for the development known as CMC Steel, located at 11444 East Germann Road. The Second Amendment extends the deferment period for certain off-site improvements along Meridian Road for another 10 years and adds another in-lieu alternative for the off-site improvements. (District 6)  Not available
18-0840 4-cResolutionApproving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Second Amendment to the Development Agreement for the development commonly known as The GRID, for City-owned property generally located at the southwest corner of Main Street and Pomeroy and property located at 34 South Pomeroy. The Second Amendment revises the development compliance dates and the permit fee payment schedule. (District 4)  Not available
18-0797 4-dResolutionExtinguishing a portion of a City utilities and facilities easement located at 855 West Southern Avenue. (District 3) The property owner has requested the City extinguish a portion of the City utilities and facilities easement to accommodate an additional apartment building to the Southern Avenue Villas Apartments within their proposed development.  Not available
18-0804 4-eResolutionExtinguishing two easements for public utilities located at 7055 East Mallory Street (District 5) The residential property owner has requested the City extinguish two easements for public utilities that will conflict with a proposed detached garage.  Not available
18-0821 4-fResolutionExtinguishing a drainage easement known as Tract “C” of Mesa Desert Heights II located in the 2900 block of North Kashmir Circle. (District 5) The property owner has requested the City extinguish the existing drainage easement, which is it is no longer needed for drainage purposes, to expand their patio and storage area with a concrete slab.  Not available
18-0756 5-aOrdinanceZON18-00375 (District 4) The 0 block of South Mesa Drive (east side), the 400 block of East Main Street (south side), the 0 block of South Udall (both sides) and the 0 block of South LeSueur (west side). Located at the southeast corner of Main Street and Mesa Drive (6± acres). Rezone 4± acres from T5MS and T4NF to T5MSF; and 2± acres from T4NF-HD and T4N-HD to T5MSF-HD. This request will allow for a mixed-use development. City Creek Reserve, Inc, applicant; Land Equity Investors LLC and Presiding Bishop of the Church of LDS, owner. Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 4-0)  Not available
18-0802 5-bOrdinanceAn ordinance repealing the existing Chapter 41 of Title 11 of the Mesa City Code entitled “Sign Regulations” in its entirety, and adopting the “2018 Sign Code”, a public record of the City of Mesa, as Chapters 41 through 50 of Title 11, the Zoning Ordinance of the Mesa City Code. (Citywide) Staff Recommendation: Approval P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval (Vote: 6-1)  Not available
18-0803 5-cOrdinanceAdding Chapter 21 to Title 5, Business Regulations, of the Mesa City Code, regarding the licensing of structured sober living homes. (Citywide)  Not available
18-0832 6-aSubdivision Plat“Casa Sole Vita” (District 5) The 500 block of South Hawes Road (east side). Located south of Broadway Road on the east side of Hawes Road. 42 RM-3-PAD lots (3.8 ± acres). Sunset Capital, LLC, developer; Michael J. Thompson, Helix Engineering, LLC, surveyor.  Not available
18-0833 6-bSubdivision Plat“Baseline Assemblage” (District 2) The 4700 through 4800 blocks of East Baseline Road (north side). Located east of Greenfield Road on the north side of Baseline Road. 1 RM-3 PAD lot (21.8 ± acres). Baseline Gateway Apartments, LLC, developer; James A. Loftis, 3 Engineering, surveyor.  Not available
18-0834 6-cSubdivision Plat“Eastmark Commercial” (District 6) The 9200 to 9700 blocks of East Ray Road (north side) and the 4900 to 5100 blocks of South Ellsworth Road (east side). Located on the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Ray Roads. 4 PCD commercial lots (129.9 ± acres). Queen Creek Unified School District, DMB Mesa Proving Grounds, LLC, and Eastmark Multi-family, LLC., developer; Kenneth P. Converse, Hoskin Ryan Consultants, Inc., surveyor.  Not available
18-0835 6-dSubdivision Plat“Eastmark DU5 Parcels 5-1 and 5-2” (District 6) The 3800 to 4000 blocks of South Everton Terrace (west side) and the 3800 to 4000 blocks of South Eastmark Parkway (east side). Located south of Elliot Road and west of Signal Butte Road (52± acres). 2 PCD industrial lots. DMB Mesa Proving Grounds, LLC, developer; Jody Allen Stone, Hoskin Ryan Consultants, Inc., surveyor.

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Sunday, July 08, 2018

Preview to Mesa City Council Meetings Mon 09 July 2018

Here's your city government at work in case you missed this late afternoon meeting on Monday, July 2, 2018  
Nothing new there in this official group portrait. But it looks like it a Spending Spree in the works ahead of the $196,000,000 in proposed projects put in front of voters in November.
On Monday, July 9, 2018 these issues are on the agenda
What is new is the attention and action taken by just one of the six Mesa City Council members during the preceding study session and the reactions and back-and-forth discussions between the mayor, the city manager and the city attorney. The city clerk also speaks up to clarify a question.
The stage is getting set for what looks like a challenge to the public here in Mesa and the taxpayers who really need to understand what's in the City Budget.
STUDY SESSION BEFORE REGULAR MEETING:
Yes there certainly is "a lot on the agenda" (Take the time to read the agenda below before you watch and listen to this streaming video uploaded from YouTube. It's about 20 minutes, with some items - Item 6 - removed from the Consent Agenda for next Monday's public sessions and meetings on July 9, 2018 for good reasons.

Getting some face-time: Mayor John Giles, Scott Butler, D6 Kevin Thompson, D2 Jeremy Whittaker, City Manager Chris Brady, City Attorney Jim Smith, and the City Clerk.
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MESA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Mon 02 July 2018
Running time 1:16:03
Views: 84
Please note: This screen grab from a streaming video YouTube upload misses most of the action during this regular session
(scroll down to see the resolutions from Item 6)
Adding all the figures up it's $196,000,000 in more debt.
The meeting starts off with the Pledge of Allegiance given by D4 councilmember Chris Glover, shown in the inserted image. All other members are present and accounted for.
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Appointment of a new Magistrate, sworn in by the mayor at the recommendation of the Judicial Advisory Board, and supported by a number of "family-and-friends" in the audience whom she immediately orders around to sit . . .   
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Let's pull the following items out of the Consent Agenda:
They deserve more attention
18-0805 6-hResolutionCalling a special bond election to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Mesa, in conjunction with the General Election to be held on November 6, 2018, the question of authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds of the City for the purposes of public safety facilities and improvements, and support equipment and vehicles, and designating the manner in which the election is conducted, the translation of election materials, voter registration deadlines and early voting dates. (Citywide)  Not available
18-0806 6-iResolutionCalling a special bond election to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Mesa, in conjunction with the General Election to be held on November 6, 2018, the question of authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds of the City for the purposes of libraries, museums, arts and cultural facilities and improvements and parks, open space and recreational facilities and improvements, and designating the manner in which the election is conducted, the translation of election materials, voter registration deadlines and early voting dates. (Citywide)  Not available
18-0807 6-jResolutionSubmitting to the qualified electors of the City of Mesa, at the General Election on November 6, 2018, as required under Article VI, Section 613 of the Mesa City Charter, the question of approving public expenditures and incurring debt to construct or aid in the construction of a City-owned Mesa Plays Youth and Events Sports complex on City-owned property. (Citywide)  Not available
18-0810 6-kResolutionSubmitting to the qualified electors of the City of Mesa, at the General Election on November 6, 2018, the question of increasing the City's transient lodging (bed) tax by 1.00%, from 5.00% to 6.00%, beginning on March 1, 2019. (Citywide)  Not available
18-0793 6-lResolutionDesignating the General Election date as November 6, 2018 and the purpose of the General Election;
providing the deadline for filing arguments for and against ballot measures;
providing the deadline for voter registration; and providing the times that polls will be open. (Citywide) At the General Election, the qualified electors of the City shall vote on the following measures: 
Question 1 Alternative Expenditure Limitation (Home Rule)
Question 2 City Transaction Privilege (“Sales”) Tax Increase - Public Safety
Question 3 General Obligation Bonds - Public Safety
Question 4 General Obligation Bonds - Parks & Cultural
Question 5 Charter Section 613 - Construction of a Sports and Events Complex
Question 6 Bed Tax Increase
 
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Meeting Name:
City Council Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 7/2/2018 5:45 PM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Council Chambers - Upper Level
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Not available  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:

O Yeah Mesa Plays . . . Mesa Plays Taxpayers For Fools

Mike Hutchinson, former Mesa
City Manager praises Mesa Plays
Two years ago voters here in Mesa got informed and smart enough when they REJECTED taking on more debt by defeating the bogus Yes1Mesa ballot proposition in the 2016 November General Election. City Manager Chris Brady and other officials inside and outside of City Hall have now re-packaged a $196-Million Spending Spree as 'a grab-bag of goodies for everybody'. Jim Walsh, Tribune Staff writer, got the story right in today's Sunday East Valley Tribune when he wrote "A Mesa City Council meeting resembled a rally for the proposed Mesa Plays soccer complex, . . the campaign appeared to launch almost on cue as speaker after speaker touted the sprawling project . . . " 
Once again the stage to influence voters is getting set.
The hitters who were called to appear on cue: Former Mesa City Manager Mike 'EVP Hutch', Rick Kelsey (President of AZ Youth Soccer Association), and Rich Adams (GPEC non-voting member of Mesa's Economic Development Advisory Board ....), who's quoted as saying: "The buzz is already out there. If we build it, these things will happen. This is an opportunity to become a leader in sports." 
Not so over-enthusiastic taking on more debt, was District 2 Mesa City Council member Jeremy Whittaker who spoke up at the City Council Study Session just before the Regular Meeting on Monday, July 2, 2018:
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Clearly, EVT writer Jim Walsh recognizes that Whittaker has been consistent questioning the city's spending using more bond debt financed on the backs and out-of-the-pockets of taxpayers, a heavy reliance by the Enterprise Fund generated with hikes in fees/charges for utilities, and the need for taxpayers to pay up later. . . he's quoted as stating "If we want to save our money and build Mesa Plays, that's an honest conversation." Earlier he made a convincing argument questioning the city's budget presentations  for the next fiscal year based on principles on his website www.jeremywhittaker.com
 
Whittaker questions and criticizes vocally a number of issues: The city's projections that both the proposed downtown ASU campus and the Mesa Plays project will pay for themselves, " . . if you look back, that's not the case. . . "  and Inclusion of a 2-acre downtown park in the Parks Bond Issue that's a requirement of the city's contract with ASU where the cost estimate has increased from $5.3 million to $7.7 million making it one of the most expensive parks projects, excluding any plan to athletic fields in other sections of the city. 
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BLOGGER NOTE: In reference to a proposal by Marc Garcia for the same sports complex before it was cleverly called Mesa Plays, this post was featured here on this blog site on Wed 30 Dec 2015: 

Marc Garcia/VisitMesa
Amateur sports? Wanna play? Who's gonna pay?
How can The City of Mesa - in a league of its own in many respects - even think about pitching a foul ball to taxpayers to fund the estimated [??] $54-57 Million Dollar cost  for a year-round "youth and amateur sports complex" to be located on part of 1,146.3 acres formerly called Spook Hill Park [anybody else gettin' spooked already] for the larger indoor basketball tournaments and volleyball and cheer and gymnastics and wrestling and  weight-lifting and Taekwondo proposed to a study session of the Mesa City Council recently by Marc Garcia, head honcho for Visit Mesa, a DMO for the City of Mesa?
The operating budget for VisitMesa largely comes from bed-tax revenues [about $1Million] levied on Mesa hotels, motels and short-term lodging for overnight visitors to the area.
It was reported on October 7, 2015 that Grand Canyon University had dropped its plans for expansion in the same area.
Chris Brady, City Manager
Will taxpayers get asked to foot the bill again for floating another municipal bond bill by more increases in sales taxes and increased utility charges?? Probably unlikely since $5.7 Million was pulled designated for parks and recreation and kicked into funding for the Mesa Historical Museum
Short on cash, Mesa stalls parks projects [video and transcript with reporting by Maria Polenta on Oct 20,2015]

The new proposal for youth-and-amateur sports complex got the full press-play last week:
East Valley Tribune
Massive sports complex planned in Mesa by Shelley Ridenour updated on Dec 22
Mesa Independent
Soccer complex proposed by Richard Dyer H. Dyer on Dec 21
KTAR.com
Phoenix suburb getting serious about plans for large sports complex on Dec 28
Arizona Republic
Will Mesa Pay To Play?  by Maria Polletta on Dec 15

The Nations Group whose project groups include charter and private schools, commercial, higher education, and sports-and-entertainment, were hired by VisitMesa to do a
*NEW* City of Mesa Sports Complex Market Feasibility & Economic Impact Study for VisitMesa to promote the DMO's proposal 
 
 



 

Latin American Youth Center: A Safe Path to a Successful Future

Todo es posible ...there's a lot more TO DO
Published on Jul 3, 2018
Views-to-date: 156
Our longtime partner, the Washington D.C.-based Latin American Youth Center, has helped disconnected youth, U.S. born and recent immigrants, navigate the journey to adulthood, so that they can flourish and contribute to the economic and civic life of our country

Zelensky Calls for a European Army as He Slams EU Leaders’ Response

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