Stressed-Out Here In Mesa > Here's Some Data

The health care and tech company Babylon Health ranked the most stressed cities and states that analyzed data gathered from 5 million tweets in real-time over two consecutive weeks.
Tweets were taken from every state and the 100 most populated cities and towns, as well as each New York borough.
Readers of this blog might not be surprised by the results of the healthcare ranking. Healthcare is one of the biggest industries here in Mesa (think Banner). And Mesa is considered one of the conservative cities in America. . . So why the high anxiety and levels of anxiety revealed in social media 'tweets'?

Here's How Stressed Phoenix Really Is      

The health care and tech company Babylon Health ranked the most stressed cities and states. See where Phoenix ranked.      

By Brian Hanna, Patch Staff | Apr 29, 2019 4:59 pm ET  

PHOENIX, AZ — Social media posts show two Phoenix-area cities have totally opposing stress levels. One city could be considered one of the most relaxed metros in the U.S., while the other might be one of the most frantic. . .

Glendale and Mesa came in at opposite ends of the list. Tweets coming in from Mesa were considered the 5th most stressed out. . .

Meanwhile, Arizona ranked as the 9th most stressed out state in the country, with 10.98 percent of tweets suggesting users have come undone. The most trying time of day here is apparently morning, and the toughest day of the week is Tuesday.

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Stress can be healthy, health experts say. It can help you build skills necessary to handle life-threatening situations, for example.

But according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stress can be harmful if experienced for a prolonged period of time or if stress-levels are severe enough to make a person feel overwhelmed and out of control.
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The most stressed out tweeters in America reside in Hialeah, Florida, the analysis found, with more than 13 percent of the city's 5,266 tweets classified as at least moderately stressed. San Bernardino, California, was the second most-stressed city, followed by North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Mesa, Arizona.
TensiStrength, a tool developed by an IT university professor in England, was used to conduct the tweet analysis. The tool aims to identify words related to stress and relaxation, as well as anger and other negative emotions, to predict how the person is feeling.
READ MORE > https://patch.com/arizona/phoenix/here-s-how-stressed-phoenix-really

Seattle-Area Economy Punches Above Its Weight . . . Compare That With Phx-Mesa

Your MesaZona blogger published a post just a few days ago asking if City Manager was punching-above his weight-class or was he only hitting Mesa taxpayers under-the-belt in a shake-down to rob out-of-pocket money from the public to go into more increasing public debt service obligations to fund more and more fields of schemes to benefit the private wealth creation of deep-pocketed millionaires. We are starting to realize that here. At the same time, Jon Talton who lives is both Phoenix and Seattle can see some drastic fundamental differences in the two cities. 
The Seattle-area economy punches above its weight — and that’s a huge strength
by Jon Talton    Special to The Seattle Times

May 3, 2019 at 6:00 am Updated May 5, 2019 at 11:11 pm 

" . . . this is only a start in explaining why Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue enjoys one of the strongest economies in the nation. How strong? Per capita gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation, was nearly $81,000 in 2017. That compares with $61,000 in San Diego and $63,000 in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Larger Phoenix lagged in at $45,000.

Median household income in King County was $83,571 in 2017, far above the national average of $57,652.
This makes for more expensive housing, yes. But the same economy provides the taxes and philanthropy for an extremely generous social-safety net by American standards. It ensures wider opportunity and ladders up than in most metros.
Here, briefly, are the other reasons the Seattle-area punches well above its weight:
YOU CAN READ MORE DETAILS USING THIS LINK > Seattle Times

• Bay Area North
• Concentration
• (Other) Fortune 500 headquarters
• Health
• Maritime
• Military
• Trade
• Transportation and logistics
• Tourism
• Universities
• Venture capital and startups

You can see how many of these elements feed off each other, making for a remarkably strong, resilient and diverse economy. And I’m sure I missed some things.
Other places I’ve worked had easy shorthand for their economies. Charlotte: banks. Denver: The business center of the West. Phoenix: tourism and housing. Cincinnati: Procter & Gamble. San Diego: tourism, some research and the Navy. Houston: oil.
Seattle is different. It defies easy generalizations, and that’s a remarkable strength. No wonder we lead in the competition for two coveted elements that can go anywhere: talent and capital.
This took generations to build and still can’t be taken for granted. But if you’re new to town and can’t easily get your arms around the place, this is a big reason why.

 

Mesa City Council Meetings Mon 06 May 2019

A very clear message here: The front-hand knows what the back-hand is doing. It's in plain sight for the public to see . . . It's right out there in front of City Hall Plaza. However, most people who live here in Mesa might not have ever seen or noticed driving-by this bronze piece of public art that was installed in 2004 at the water flow-feature in front of City Hall on Main Street. . . is that the intended message? THINK ABOUT IT if you ever wonder what our elected and salaried officials are doing.

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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
All citizens are permitted and encouraged to speak on agenda items including and preceding “Items from citizens present.”
BLOGGER NOTE: Last on the list > Item 10
Items not on the Consent Agenda
Item 10 Items from citizens present. 
(Maximum of three speakers for three minutes per speaker).

If you are interested in speaking on such an agenda item, please fill out a blue card in the back of the room and give it to the City Clerk.  When the Council considers the item, you will be called to the podium to provide your comments.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Study Session @ 5:15 p.m.
1 Review and discuss items on the agenda for the May 6, 2019 regular Council meeting. 
Regular Meeting @ 5:45 pm Final Meeting Agenda is 11 pages
> Mayor's Welcome
> Roll Call (City Council members participate in person or by telephone conference call.)
> Invocation by Pastor Tony Frazee with Gateway Bible Church.
> Pledge of Allegiance
> Awards, Recognitions and Announcements
________________________________________________________________________

BLOGGER NOTE: If you don't pay attention to anything else PAY ATTENTION TO
*5f 19-0505 
Why pay attention to this?
Approving the purchase of, and authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with terms of up to three years for, a firm electric power supply and associated energy of up to 11 Megawatts (“MW”) varying monthly, with final average pricing of not greater than $60/MW hour.
(Districts 1 and 4)__________________________________________________________________________________

1 Take action on all consent agenda items.
*2 Items on the Consent Agenda
19-0527 Approval of minutes of previous meetings as written BLOGGER NOTE: 
What's with so-called "Approved" Minutes?
These "minutes" are archaic and outdated practices - every previous meeting happens in real-time. Exact transcripts can be provided, instead of waiting one or two months.

File #:

19-0527

Type:

Minutes

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council

On agenda:

5/6/2019

Title:

Approval of minutes of previous meetings as written.

Attachments:

1. March 21, 2019 Study 2. March 28, 2019 study 3. April 1, 2019 Study 4. April 15, 2019 Regular

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4 Take action on the following contracts (There are 12)
Some of these contracts are routine, and some are not. It's a good thing to notice who/what is the source of funding and what the contract funds, or what "the strings attached" to the contracts are.
Contract 4-h for example OK's a golf course management that is operating at a deficit that will explode to a projected debt of $3M in three years. It's a 10-year term contract to be awarded to the Paradigm Golf Group. Who's that?
Item 5-e is a 25-Year Contract

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5 Take action on the following resolutions:
The first  three are with MAG, Maricopa Association of Governments Approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements
For design assistance: an Intergovernmental Agreement with Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) for a design assistance grant 
*5a Mesa Gateway Shared-Use Pathway Phase III project. 
The grant funds will allow for a feasibility and design study that will provide connection alternatives of the Mesa Gateway shared-use pathway from Hawes Road, to the Town of Gilbert's San Tan shared-use path at Power Road. 
The City’s share is 20% ($36,778.40) of the cost of the study
MAG will cover the remaining 80% ($147,113.60). (District 6)
*5b US 60 Pathway-Consolidated Canal, to Eastern Canal Pathways project. 
The grant funds will allow for a feasibility and design study for the construction of a shared-use pathway along the north side of the US 60 connecting the existing Consolidated Canal and Eastern Canal pathways.
The City’s share is 20% ($18,239.62) of the cost of the study; MAG will cover the remaining 80% ($72,958.49). (District 2)*5c 19-0455 Approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Project Agreement with Maricopa Association of Governments for an Arterial Life Cycle Program Project on Broadway Road between Mesa Drive (LeSueur) and Stapley Drive that defines the regional reimbursement schedule for the project. (District 4) 

File #:

19-0455

Type:

Resolution

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council

On agenda:

5/6/2019

Title:

Approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Project Agreement with Maricopa Association of Governments for an Arterial Life Cycle Program Project on Broadway Road between Mesa Drive (LeSueur) and Stapley Drive that defines the regional reimbursement schedule for the project. (District 4)

Attachments:

1. Council Report 2. Resolution 3. Agreement

*5e 19-0500 Approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement with Mesa Golf, Inc., for the property located at 1415 South Westwood. The First Amendment allows for additional uses of the property to include soccer and other athletic-type uses, and extends the term of the Amended and Restated Lease for an additional 25 years. (District 3)

*5f 19-0505 
Why pay attention to this?
Approving the purchase of, and authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with terms of up to three years for, a firm electric power supply and associated energy of up to 11 Megawatts (“MW”) varying monthly, with final average pricing of not greater than $60/MW hour.
(Districts 1 and 4)

Attachments:

1. Council Report 2. Resolution

Here is the 3-Page Council Report:
City Council Report 
Date:  May 6, 2019
To:  City Council
Through: Kari Kent, Assistant City Manager 
From: 
Frank McRae, Energy Resources Department Director  
Pedro Serrano, Energy Resources Program Manager  
Tom LaVell, Management Assistant II 
Subject: Approval of Agreement and Associated Letters of Confirmation for Procurement of Sculpted Monthly Base Electric Energy Supplies with up to a three (3) year term - Council Districts 1 and 4   
Purpose and Recommendation 
The Energy Resources Department (“ERD”) recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or his designee to enter into the electric power supply agreement described below. 
Sculpted Monthly Base Electric Energy Supply:
This agreement will provide between 6-11 MW of electric power and associated energy during selected months throughout the year. 
This agreement augments the ERD’s other annual and seasonal electric power supply agreements to provide additional electric power supplies during forecasted peak-demand months (December – February; and June – September).

This agreement will be for up to a three-year term (the “Supply Period”) based on the pricing offers received. 
Background 
The City of Mesa (Mesa) operates an electric service area (ESA) of approximately 5.5 square miles encompassing the heart of the city including the original town-site. 
As of December 31, 2018, electric service was provided to a total of approximately 16,847 customers of whom 14,287 were residential and 2,560 were commercial, interdepartmental or other public authorities. 
The City itself is the largest customer within the ESA (based on the combined use of all Mesa’s facilities in the ESA).  The electric utility experienced a CY2018 Summer peak demand of 88.27 Megawatts (MW) on July 25, 2018. 
 2 
Mesa’s current electric power supply portfolio consists of the following electric generation and purchased power supplies: 
Western Area Power Administration (“Western”) o Parker-Davis Project (Annual Hydroelectric): 8.0 - 10.4 MW (Summer Peak); Expires September 2028 o Colorado River Storage Project (Annual Hydroelectric):  3.4 - 4.3 MW (Summer Peak); Expires September 2057 o Western Replacement Power: provides as-needed electrical power purchased by the City at market rates  CitiGroup Energy, Inc o Fixed Price Base Supply (Annual): 15 MW; Expires October 2020  SENA o Agreement Number 1, Part 1B (Summer Peak Supply): 15 MW, Expires September 2020   Constellation o July-August Peak Supply: 10 MW, Expires August 2020 
This portfolio met approximately 73.2% of Mesa's end-use customers’ annual energy requirements through the twelve months ending December 2018. 
By entering into the recommended contract for the sculpted base, Mesa will be able to provide 89.4% of anticipated end-use customer demand, system losses and other system obligations at firm fixed rates.   
Given that Mesa’s electric utility end-use customers’ requirements can vary significantly due to weather fluctuations, any demand beyond the amount secured through contracts are met by real-time energy purchases and RMS energy transactions from the regional wholesale markets on an ad hoc basis. 

Western acquires these additional resources on behalf of Mesa (and other similarly situated publicly-owned utilities on an aggregate basis) through its Resources Management Services (RMS) program, allowing Mesa to take advantage of economies of scale that would not otherwise be available to it.   
Discussion 
On March 20, 2019 the Department released Electric Power Request for Proposals 2019-03 (RFP) to 58 energy suppliers including suppliers that are known to provide electric energy through renewable resources.
The RFP was also posted on the City of Mesa Bid Opportunities website. 

> The RFP solicited fixed price bids for the Sculpted Monthly Base Electric Energy Supply contract on one-year, two-year and three-year terms.
The term was requested to provide the City with leeway in selecting contract terms, pricing, and delivery locations that provide the greatest value to customers and to maintain the flexibility to take advantage of changes in the market.  
> The RFP requested preliminary or indicative pricing from potential suppliers. 

If Council approves this request, ERD will request Best and Final Offers from the highest rated suppliers and enter into a contract at those prices.
Responsive and responsible proposals were received from
Citigroup Energy, Inc.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC
Direct Energy Business Marketing, LLC. 
 3
The final contract selection will be based upon Best and Final Offers for the Supply Period taking into consideration Mesa’s available transmission access, in accordance with the Council authorization set forth in the proposed Resolution accompanying this Report.
This process has been successfully utilized for previous RFPs. 
Alternatives 
If Council chooses not to enter into these contracts, the demand for electric energy that exceeds the supplies available through the currently established contracts will be purchased on the wholesale regional market on a daily or monthly basis as needed through ERD’s agreement with Western.
The volatility and vagaries of the electric supply market causes this alternative to be risky due to the potential for both limited power supply availability and price spikes when supply constraints are experienced due to increased demand (such as during critical summer months). 
Due to the risks to power supply availability and price spikes this alternative is not recommended. 
Another alternative is to not utilize any of the proposals from this RFP and issue another RFP to solicit alternative proposals.  Given the favorable Indicative Pricing, this alternative is not recommended. 
Fiscal Impact 
The costs resulting from the proposed Agreement are recovered from electric utility customers through an energy cost adjustment mechanism which is reviewed and revised on a monthly basis (“EECAF”). 
The EECAF decreases when supply costs decline and increases when supply costs increase. 
Based on the Indicative Pricing offers received, it is anticipated that the EECAF rate may be reduced compared to recent levels, reflecting lower total costs for ERD’s electric energy supplies. 
The best and final offers from the suppliers will, however, determine the ultimate impact on customer’s monthly EECAF given that energy prices can vary between the indicative offers and best and final pricing depending on the movement of the wholesale energy market.  For this reason, staff is requesting the Council approve the Resolution authorizing the purchase of the electric supplies on an expedited basis.   
Coordinated With 
The development and administration of the RFP was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Purchasing Department. 
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed, as to form, and will assist with negotiation of any final Agreement used to complete any electric power supply transactions pursuant to Council authorization.

_______________________________________________________________________________

6 Introduction of the following ordinances and setting May 20, 2019 as the date of the public hearing on these ordinances:
> 19-0486 (District 4)     
Amending Sections 10-4-3 through 10-4-6 of the Mesa City Code to modify the boundaries of the current 35 mph speed limit on Main Street from Mesa Drive to Gilbert Road; to rescind the current 40 mph speed limit on Main Street from a point, 53 feet west of South Allen Street, to a point 211 feet east of Gilbert Road; and to correctly reflect existing boundaries of the current 45 and 30 mph speed limits on Main Street between Centennial Way/Sirrine and Gilbert Road, as recommended by the Transportation Advisory Board. *6-a

> 19-0506 ANX18-00502 (District 6) 
Annexing property located north of Ray Road, east of Power Road (69.3± acres). 
Initiated by VIVO Partners, LLC. *6-b

> 19-0461 ZON18-00775 (District 6) 
Within the 4900 to 5200 blocks of South Power Road (east side).  Located south of 202 San Tan Freeway on the east side of Power Road and north of Ray Road
(58± acres). 
Rezone from AG to LC-AF-PAD
Council Use Permit to allow multi-residential, commercial entertainment, hotel, and college and commercial trade school uses in the AOA 1 and AOA 2 overflight areas in the LC District; and Site Plan Review. 
This request will allow for a mixed-use development. 
Vivo Partners, LLC, applicant;
Arizona State Land Group, owner. 
Staff Recommendation:  Approval with conditions
P&Z Board Recommendation:  Approval with conditions (Vote: 7-0)
*6-c
Page 8 City of Mesa Printed on 5/2/2019
May 6, 2019City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
> 18-1335 ZON18-00066 (District 3) 
The 1000 through 1100 blocks of South Alma School Road (west side) and the 1200 through 1300 blocks of West Southern Avenue (north side).  Located at the northwest corner of Alma School Road and Southern Avenue
(16± acres). 
Rezoning from LC to RM-5 PAD for 10.5± acres
Rezoning from LC to LC-PAD for 5.5± acres
Site Plan Review for 16± acres. 
This request will allow for the development of multi-residential and commercial uses
Adam Baugh, Withey Morris, PLC, applicant
WM Grace Development Co., ETAL, owner. 
Staff Recommendation:  Approval with conditions
P&Z Board Recommendation:  Approval with conditions (Vote: 6-0)
*6-d

Items not on the Consent Agenda
9 Conduct a public hearing on the following annexation cases:
19-0420 Public hearing for the release of the petition for signatures for annexation case ANX18-00502, located north of Ray Road, east of Power Road
(69.3± acres). 
Initiated by VIVO Partners, LLC. (District 6) 9-a




19-0421 Public hearing for the release of the petition for signatures for annexation case ANX19-00066, located north of University Drive and west of Ellsworth Road
(13.07± acres). 
Initiated by Sean Lake, Pew and Lake, PLC. (District 5) 9-b________________________________________________________________________________Item 10
THIS IS WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL CALLS "CITIZEN ACCESS"???????
3 MINUTES ALLOWED FOR ONLY 3 SPEAKERS

Items from citizens present.  (Maximum of three speakers for three minutes per speaker).
City Council Meetings https://www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall
The Mesa City Council believes that providing access for citizens to communicate with the Council is vital for a strong representative local government. 
The following are methods in which to express your opinion at various Council meetings.
Agenda Items
At regular Monday Council meetings, blue Speaker/Comment cards are available for citizens who wish to comment on agenda items. Or, you may download a copy of the comment card [PDF] and hand it in at the Council meeting.
Please note items listed on the agenda with an asterisk are part of the consent agenda. Items on the consent agendas will be adopted with one motion and vote if no citizen or Councilmember requests that it be removed from the consent agenda for separate consideration.
Items from Citizens Present
Citizens are provided an opportunity to address the Council on any issue under an agenda item titled "Items from Citizens Present."  This item appears on the agenda of every regular Monday Council meeting and Thursday Study Session. 


  

Here In Downtown Mesa: Up With Excitement Celebrating The Opening Of Artists Emporitum

Sally Jo Harrison and crew
from Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Both behind-the-cameras and hand-held mobile devices held over the crowd by Sally Jo Harrison, President/CEO of The Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Mesa Channel 11 staff, and in front-of-the-cameras when District 4 City Councilmember Jennifer Duff joined Mark Svoboda with a group of member artists gathered today at the side of historic Chandler Court on N Macdonald Street to open a new venue in-the-works for community development just off Main Street that showcases the creative heart-felt spirit for the owners and operators of  small-scale enterprises that are transforming Downtown Mesa in their own ways to keep Main Street unique.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Karen Svoboda, Mark's life-long partner, is not shown in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - she was inside the emporium taking care of last-minute details for their opening marking the occasion on Saturday, May 4, 2019 for a year-round place for artists as the next step forward after organizing the seasonal October-April DTMesa Festival of The Arts for six years as a Pop-Up street fair on one weekend-day.The Artists Emporium will be open seven days every week. It is an opportunity for the public to support an endeavor that helps make Downtown Mesa more unique. 
Readers of this blog might like to notice that the original exterior of the historic Chandler Court is intact, including the seven arched windows and the colonnades along the NWC of Main/Macdonald Streets known as Town Center. Thanks to the previous owner of the property, Corinne  Brooks who operated another business there with her husband  for many years, there was no attempt at 1970's or 1980's "Beautification" or putting up facades of any kind. Karen and Mark Svoboda have re-habilitated the site in just two months after signing the lease for what was a back-office area and storage room to open up the space for an adaptive re-use as a showcase for local artists and handcrafters.

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From DT Mesa Fest Artists Emporium

 

 

 

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"The mission of the DT Mesa Fest is to provide an environment that encourages the economic and artistic growth of emerging and established artisans and crafters, while revitalizing downtown Mesa and building a sense of community. . .

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What is an Emporium?

There are way too many words to describe it: a  retail store selling a wide variety of goods, shop, store, retail outlet, reseller, superstore, a business establishment that is informal specializing in products or services on a large scale, and a principal center of commerce; a market.

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The Old Donut-Hole: Mesa City Center What Is It?. . . A Satellite of Salt Lake City or A Satellite ASU Campus

You tell me by looking at this Google Map Image: what is already in-the-ground and under construction and what is on-the-drawing boards of city officials for public consumption:
The LDS Temple Downtown Transformation
Mesa City Center/City Hall Plaza
Who's making the marking first? Looks like the For-Profit Affiliates of The Church of Jesus Christ of The Latter-Day Saints.

This is the image featured on Google in the upper right hand corner when you do a search for Mesa AZ.
It's included with a map in a box for city information and was supplied by the Mormon Newsroom on May 23,2018.
These buildings are only now under construction to be ready in two years.