Thursday, March 28, 2019

Tentative Agenda Mesa City Council Meeting on April Fools Day 01 April 2019

See here: Details on Authorizing Issuance & Sale of Bonds
Series:2019, 2019A, 2019B, 2019C
> General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $33,100,000
> Utility Systems Revenue Bonds not to exceed $112,000,000
> Utility Systems Revenue Refunding Bonds $60,000,000
> Utility Systems Revenue Refunding Bonds $95,000,000
Defeasance/Redemption Series 2009 Taxable Utility Systems Revenue Bonds $11,000,000
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Reference > Meeting Details for 01 April 2019 Mesa City Council Regular Meeting
Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Tentative
Meeting date/time: 4/1/2019 5:45 PM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Council Chambers - Upper Level
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda
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OVERVIEW If you need it >
Go ahead and get curious!
Item 3 Liquor License Applications [7]
Item 5 CONTRACTS [18]
Item 6 Resolutions
> 6a: District 1 Hotel Development
> 6b: Continuum of Care Shelter Plus Care Grant $94,280 [Grant funds from HUD]
> 6c: Authorizing Issuance & Sale of Bonds [6c - 6g]
         Total = $311,100,000
Item 7: Ordinances [2] District 6
Item 8: Ordinances [3]
Item 9: Subdivision Plats [4] Cadence @ Gateway Phase 3 - 386 Single Residence Lots
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Item 10: Ordinance District 6
NOTE: Item 10a
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Let's take a look at one of those Bond Authorizations: ITEM 6d
File #: 19-0241   
Type: Resolution Status: Agenda Ready
In control: City Council
On agenda: 4/1/2019
Title: Authorizing the issuance and sale of Utility Systems Revenue Bonds, Series 2019A, not to exceed $112,000,000. (Citywide)
Attachments: 1. Presentation, 2. Council Report, 3. Resolution, 4. Attachment A - 2019 Utility Systems Revenue Bond Sale Project List, 5. Attachment B - Series 2019 Issuances - Authorization by Election Year, 6. Attachment C - Remaining Bond Authorization by Election Year, 7. DRAFT Preliminary Official Statement, 8. DRAFT Continuing Disclosure Certificate, 9. DRAFT Bond Purchase Agreement, 10. DRAFT Registrar Contract, 11. RES - Mesa Utility Rev 2019A - 36th Supplemental Resolution.DOCX, 12. RES - Mesa Utility Rev Rfg 2019B - 37th Supplemental Resolution.DOCX
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PRESENTATION -19 Power Point slides
2019 Bonds Sales, Refundings, and Defeasance
March 28, 2019
Michael Kennington, Chief Financial Officer
Ryan Wimmer, Deputy Budget Director
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General Obligation Debt Per Capita from 2016
Comparing G.O. Bond Debt
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Estimated Timeline for 2019 Bond Transactions
12
April 1 Council considers authorization of issuances

April 16 City closes on utility bond defeasance
April 29 Bond offerings are priced
May 23 City closes on bond offerings

City Debt
15
Debt Type Principal ($M)

Utility Systems Revenue Bonds $1,227
General Obligation Bonds 366
HURF (Street & Highway) Bonds 77
Excise Tax Revenue Obligations 49
State Water Loans 2

Anticipated 2019 Bond Defeasance and Refundings
Utility Systems Revenue Bonds

1. Defeasance – 2009 Build America Bonds (BABs)
Defease: $10.0 million
• Funded by development fee revenue
• Removed from City financial statements
2. Refunding – 2009 Build America Bonds (BABs)
Estimated Savings: $4.7 million
3. Refunding – 2012 Utility Revenue bonds
Estimated Savings: $7.3 million
Anticipated 2019 New Bond Issues
6
General Obligation Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $33M

Parks and Culture
Public Safety
Streets
Utility Systems Revenue Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $112M
Electric
NaturalGas
Solid Waste
Wastewater
Water

This is 95 Pages: PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT DATED _____, 2019
NEW ISSUE — BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY RATINGS: See “Ratings” herein.
In the opinion of Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C. Phoenix, Arizona, Bond Counsel, under existing laws, regulations, rulings and judicial decisions, and assuming continuing compliance with certain restrictions, conditions and requirements by the City, as mentioned under “TAX EXEMPTION” herein, interest income on the Bonds is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes.  Interest income on the Bonds is not an item of tax preference to be included in computing the alternative minimum tax.  In the opinion of Bond Counsel, interest income on the Bonds is exempt from Arizona income taxes.  See “TAX EXEMPTION,” “BOND PREMIUM” and “ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT” herein. $111,835,000* CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA UTILITY SYSTEMS REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2019A
$49,335,000* CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA UTILITY SYSTEMS REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2019B 
Dated: Date of Initial Delivery Due: July 1, as shown on inside front cover The City of Mesa, Arizona (the “City”), Utility Systems Revenue Bonds, Series 2019A (the “Series 2019A Bonds”) and Utility Systems Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2019B (the “Series 2019B Bonds” and, together with the Series 2019A Bonds, the “Bonds”), will be initially issued in book-entry-only form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company, a registered securities depository (“DTC”). 
Beneficial interests in the Bonds will be offered for sale in the amount of $5,000 of principal due on a specific maturity date and integral multiples thereof. 
The Bonds are being issued to provide funds to
(i) acquire and construct certain improvements to the utility systems of the City,
(ii) refund the Bonds Being Refunded (as defined herein)
(iii) pay the costs of issuance of the Bonds. 
See “THE BONDS – Authorization and Purpose,” “PLAN OF REFUNDING” and “SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS.”

Is Mesa A Smart City with Audit, Finance & Enterprise Reports Like This???

You might have missed this - a 36-page presentation
Yeah - Let's see what's going here with  internal controls! 
Further use of audit resources is TBD – we will seek direction
NOTE: This is one item from this morning's Mesa City Council Session that probably not too many even noticed . . .
Take a look
Here it is > with link to the source
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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK             
AUDIT, FINANCE & ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE 
March 4, 2019  

The Audit, Finance & Enterprise Committee of the City of Mesa met in the lower level meeting room of the Council Chambers, 57 East 1st Street, on March 4, 2019, at 4:00 p.m.  
COMMITTEE PRESENT   
Jennifer Duff, Chairperson

Mark Freeman
David Luna
STAFF PRESENT
Michael Kennington
Dee Ann Mickelsen
Jim Smith

1. Items from citizens present ----There were no items from citizens present. 
2-a. Hear a presentation and discuss the following audits: 
 

City Auditor Jennifer Ruttman displayed a PowerPoint presentation. (See Attachment 1)
File #: 19-0378   

Type: Minutes Status: Agenda Ready


In control: City Council Study Session
On agenda: 3/28/2019

Title: Audit, Finance and Enterprise Committee meeting held on March 4, 2019.
Attachments: 1. March 4, 2019 Audit, Finance and Enterprise Committee
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Procurement Card Program
What did we find?
• Lack of supervisory review prior to approval

Receipts not provided for all purchases
• “Accidental” purchases  
No controls to track credits or reimbursements






Payroll and Timekeeping:
A follow-up review to ensure action plans were successfully implemented.
Action Plans In November 2016 Audit Report
Timekeeping Action Plans: ✓ Monitor part-time non-benefitted employees and ensure those that meet the 20/20 criteria are enrolled in ASRS ✓ Finalize and issue Management Policy 400, Timekeeping and Leave Administration ✓ Develop controls to reduce the need for historical edits of timekeeping records
Critical Staffing Overtime Action Plan: X Implement policies and procedures to ensure critical staffing overtime shifts are assigned in a fair and equitable manner that meets operational needs and minimizes the risks associated with excessive work hours.
✓ Implemented X Not Implemented


Housing Rehabilitation Program
Report Date: February 21, 2019
A follow-up review to ensure action plans were successfully implemented.

Action Plans in Audit and Follow-up Reports
Housing Services Action Plans: ✓ Ensure exceptions to program requirements are documented in the project files.
X Ensure all change orders are properly approved prior to work being completed.
✓ Implemented X Not Implemented


Police Off Duty Employment Program
An update on the progress of our 2nd follow-up review.

Off Duty Program – 2nd Follow-up Status Update Follow-up Review
 
Background
Second follow-up review has been repeatedly postponed, due to:

• Multiple changes in program leadership
• Program management constantly in flux
• Various attempts to purchase software and/or services
• First outsourcing attempt was unsuccessful

Off Duty Program – 2nd Follow-up Status Update Follow-up Review
Current Status
• Managed in-house by new program staff, using old software.
• Current effort to outsource has included more comprehensive due diligence than previous attempts.
• Compliance with administrative protocols has improved, due to increased oversight.
No current data on compliance with operational protocols.
• Further use of audit resources is TBD – we will seek direction with the FY 2020 Audit Plan.


Bloomberg Economics: US GDP Q4 Data Revised Down

U.S. economic growth cooled by more than initially reported last quarter on revisions to consumer and government spending, signaling mounting challenges to the expansion as it nears a record duration.
Gross domestic product grew at a 2.2 percent annualized rate, Commerce Department data showed Thursday, less than the initial 2.6 percent reading and projections for a revision of 2.3 percent.
 
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg project that growth in GDP, which measures the value of all goods and services produced in the country, will slow to 1.5 percent in the first quarter, the slowest pace in two years.
Consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, grew at a downwardly revised 2.5 percent pace that also missed projections.
The final reading on a turbulent quarter that included U.S. stocks tumbling to the cusp of a bear market adds to concerns for the world’s biggest economy as global headwinds gather from Europe to China. While Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this month that underlying economic fundamentals remain strong, policy makers have cut their outlook for growth this year and next . . .

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

"Smart City" Agenda For Mesa City Council Meeting Tomorrow Thu 28 March 2019

Looks like it was published late in the day yesterday, but at least it's available to the public ahead of time. . . and the same day the public also gets the agenda for the April Fools Day City Council Meeting on April 1st. Ready, willing and able to hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the City’s SmartCity Master Plan and the use of technologies and data-driven insights to improve the quality of life, civic engagement, economic development, service delivery, and community vibrancy?????
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QUESTION: When if ever before was
Mesa A Smart City?
TIME TO RE-BRAND THAT! Hire a consultant 
In 2018, the City of Mesa engaged ThinkBig Partners, LLC to assist in the development of a Smart City Master Plan. Most importantly, this effort included engaging our citizens, businesses and the public as we identified the key strategies & priorities for building a smarter Mesa!
https://www.mesaaz.gov/about-us/smart-city-draft-2
Kansas City Business Journal-Dec 14, 2017
In a move to better serve area entrepreneurs, Think Big Partners is shedding Think Big Coworking and handing it off to Plexpod, which ...
October 31, 2018 at 5:43 pm
"The City of Mesa held a Smart City Citizen Innovator Workshop Oct. 25 attended by 156 people at the Mesa Arts Center.
After a presentation about design thinking and smart cities, attendees voted on subject matters that they viewed as important to discuss as a component of smart city in Mesa."
[Press release from City of Mesa Newsroom]
The top three subjects selected were
  • Transportation & Mobility
  • Downtown Vibrancy
  • Health & Community Development & Homelessness.
The attendees participated in a live, interactive design thinking workshop to discuss challenges and ideas to address those challenges.
Bill Gates Just Purchased an Enormous Amount of Land to Build His Own "Smart City" [2017]
Bill Gates has started laying out his plans for creating a “smart city” in Phoenix, Arizona, about 45 minutes west of downtown. Located in the far west valley, the piece of land is comprised of approximately 24,800 acres. Belmont, the proposed name for the city, will embrace and push forward innovation and technology. One of Gates’ investment firms  has already solidified the plans by devoting $80 million to the project. . . Gates is no stranger to being one step ahead of the game,
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 Here are the meeting details taken from http://mesa.legistar.com/LegislationDetail   WHERE THIS GOING > Key Priorities: Next 18 to 24 Months
City of Mesa Smart City Master Plan
10-Page Power Point Presentation
What is A Smart City?
In short, a Smart City is one in which the latest technologies and data-driven insights are leveraged to improve the quality of life, civic engagement, economic development, service delivery, and community vibrancy for its citizens, businesses and visitors.
A Smart City is actually about people versus tech itself.
A Smarter Mesa is where modernized communications infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) connected smart systems and data work together to provide responsive solutions that enhance the live, work & play experiences of people in our community.

Next Steps
• Budget Presentations
• Transportation
• Public Safety
• PRCF
• Utilities\Energy
• Data Privacy Policy 
• Mesa’s Smart City Branding
Key Strategies
Smart Community - create an engaged, inclusive & equitable community that provides a high-quality life to all Mesa citizens

Smart Downtown - create a vibrant, attractive downtown that is thriving with live work & play activities for both residents & businesses
Smart Environment - protect the environment and create sustainable options where possible
Smart Government - create a responsive, engaged city that makes decisions based on data & understands citizen needs
Smart Infrastructure -modernize essential infrastructure to provide essential city services and preserve a high quality of life in Mesa
Smart Public Safety - create a safe and secure environment for all citizens
Smart Transportation and Mobility - create accessible, equitable & safe multi-modal transit options along with creating the ability to move easily throughout Mesa
Smart Mesa Today
Community Safety
Transform Neighborhoods 
Skilled & Talented Workforce
Sustainable Economy
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• FirstNet
• Compatible Camera Systems
• Next Gen 911
• Intelligent Traffic Systems
• LED Lighting Pilot and Study
• Fire Deployment Analytics
• Smart Irrigation Controllers in Parks

• Wi-Fi in Parks
• MesaNow
• Chief Digital Officer
• Downtown Wi-Fi and Fiber Broadband
• Arts and Culture Interactive Events

• Imagine Mesa
• Innovation District
• ASU Partnerships

Smart Mesa Today
Community Safety
Transform Neighborhoods
Placemaking
Skilled & Talented Workforce
Sustainable Economy 
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• Data Governance and Open Data
• Strategic Planning and Analysis
• Facilities Automation
• Advanced Meter Infrastructure/ Energy Smart Metering (AMI)
• Vehicle Location and Informatics (Fleet, Parks, Transportation, Waste)
• Food-to-Energy Anaerobic Waste Digester Pilot
 

Smart Mesa Today
Community Safety
Transform Neighborhoods
Placemaking
Skilled & Talented Workforce
Sustainable Economy
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• Launchpoint

• Mesa K Ready
• HacktivateMesa
• THINKspot

File #: 19-0336   

Type: Presentation Status: Agenda Ready


In control: City Council Study Session
On agenda: 3/28/2019

Title: Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the City’s SmartCity Master Plan and the use of technologies and data-driven insights to improve the quality of life, civic engagement, economic development, service delivery, and community vibrancy.
Attachments: 1. Presentation
 

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https://www.mesaaz.gov/about-us/smart-city
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High-End Home Builder Blandford Plunks-Down $21.1M For 132-Acre Plot in City of Mesa Land Auction

The first question is did they get "punked" by the build-up of all the hype and suspense created by all the write-ups from the Times Media Group-owned East Valley Tribune staff writer Jim Walsh? The City of Mesa's coffers were enriched by a 20% premium of about $5M more than the degraded land-value appraisal for $15.6M at the same time rabble-rousing Red Mountain residents want a promised park per the original intentions. . . or is it restricted to industrial use?
Like they say in real estate lingo "Let the buyer beware". Or might it be that at some point-in-time there could be that buyer's remorse after the property transfer is a done deal
What strikes your MesaZona blogger the most in all the lines in Walsh's reporting for more than  a now are the direct quotes from Mesa Mayor John Giles - an "ambulance-chaser" in a private law practice - stating his views and preferences on real estate development for luxury housing. 
There might just a little something suspicious about that other than the fact that he could be "the mouthpiece" made available to East Valley Tribune writer Jim Walsh, stating time-and-time again that the mayor has made it clear [using a fancy word not in his usual vocabulary] the he expects a "Las Sendas-esque" development. Giles is opposed on that matter not only by Red Mountain residents but by two other high-powered city officials, one the city's own Director of Economic Development.*
Simply put, Mayor John Giles has veered off his track to take the public risk to step into "a pile of dirt" way beyond either his professional qualifications as a personal accident attorney in private practice or his duties and responsibilities while holding public office - taking the side of private real estate developers over nearby residents. 
Can he come out "clean"????   
The 132-acre "pristine" parcel can be located in northeast Mesa at the center top of this image from the City of Mesa.
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Let's get back to that $5M windfall into the City of Mesa's coffers from the bidding-up of the winning proffer from Blandford Homes in a 'dueling" contest with Toll Brothers at the auction
Blandford bid exceeds Mesa’s hopes for desert tract
By Jim Walsh, Tribune Staff Writer | East Valley Tribune 25 March 2019
"The suspense built while the price tag soared for a controversial but beautiful tract of pristine land in northeast Mesa as two dueling developers raised their [bid] boards repeatedly in $50,000 increments to up the ante . . . "
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Here's a link to an uploaded stream of the action at the land auction from a story in https://www.azcentral.com 
Story image for mesa arizona land auction from AZCentral.com
AZCentral.com-Mar 22, 2019
Land once set aside for Mesa regional park auctioned to luxury homebuilder for .... "This is beautiful pristine desert," Giles recently told The Arizona Republic
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*Giles is also opposed by former District 3 Mesa City Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh when the city made a promise in 1998 for a park on the 132-acre parcel. He texted this message to EVT writer Jim Walsh
"I believe for elected officials to maintain credibility with the public, that promises made need to be promises kept"

 

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Mesa City Council Study Session Mon 18 March 2019

An unusual study session with Mayor John Giles stating he knows D6 Councilmember Kevin Thompson objects to and wants an item removed from the Consent Agenda --- Whatever happened to Open Meeting laws where these issues up in front of meetings can't be discussed by councilmembers ahead of time?
This is a study session so let's study it --- Giles starts off again somewhat confused saying he doesn't want to delay talking about this item and would rather have a hearing for April 1st, but D2 Councilmember and City Attorney, then Mesa's Economic Director Bill Jabjiniak join in and then  the applicant .   INTERESTING
Good enough reasons to watch this!
You can find this meeting's agenda and meeting details http://mesa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Meeting Name: City Council Study Session Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 3/18/2019 5:15 PM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Council Chambers - Lower Level
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Not available
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Here's the item that stimulated discussion
File #: 19-0033   
Type: Ordinance Status: Agenda Ready
In control: City Council
On agenda: 1/7/2019
Title: ZON18-00689 (District 6) 
 Within the 3200 and 3300 blocks of South Power Road (east side). Located north of Elliot Road on the east side of Power Road
(9± acres). 
 Rezoning from LI-PAD to RM-2-PAD-AF
Site Plan Review. 
This request will allow for a multi-residential development. Brennan Ray, Burch & Cracchiolo, applicant
Garage Town, USA, LLC, owner. 
Staff Recommendation: Denial 
P&Z Board Recommendation: Denial (6-1), as ratified on December 13, 2018
Attachments: 1. Council Memo, 2. Staff Report, 3. Ordinance, 4. Ordinance Map, 5. Vicinity Map, 6. Site Plan, 7. Council Memo, Minutes and Detailed Written Description, 8. Submittal Documents
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Published on Mar 18, 2019
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