Short Form Media Studies @ Mesa City Council Study Session Mon 02 March 2020 > Brother Mark & Brother John

It takes 12 minutes of your time and starts right off-the-bat 01:45 on a streaming video of yesterday's 'study session' after the presiding officer Hizzoner John Giles makes the roll call asking the first of three times if Kevin Thompson is on-the-phone. Yes we can hear him.
There's a review of the items on the session's Final Agenda for less than two minutes, followed by repeated no responses from any of the six elected councilmembers if they want to make comments or ask any questions on the Consent Agenda - It is becoming clearer by the day that the transparency required to protect the taxpayers is woefully lacking. . . so let's have fun about the what was brought up in those recent meetings or events councilmembers attended

OK. When readers of this blog click or tap the insert of the streaming video, please make sure you turn-on the CLOSED CAPTION TOOL.
Right before your eyes, you'll hear anything they have to say: from Asian Nights where Hizzoner had trouble finding a parking space, where David Luna mentions what he did with "Franky" referring to District 3 Councilmember Frank Heredia, then more from Hizzoner - and the very best comments of all are spoken by District 1 Councilmember Mark Freeman about "The Rodeo" taking place at Lehi Crossing that attracts over 3,000. Freeman then rattles off all kinds of stuff and contests, and getting on horseback, snipe-hunts, etc.
. . . and then there's Jen Duff who got "the screen-grab" in the streaming video:

______________________________________________________________________________
MEETING DETAILS FOR THE REGULAR MEETING HALF-AN-HOUR LATER
NOTE: A contract dollar limit increase of $95,000 for the agreement from $9,010,000 to $9,105,000 annually

File #:

20-0250

Type:

Contract

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council

On agenda:

3/2/2020

Title:

Amendment and Contract Value Increase to the Term Contracts for Solid Waste Disposal, Recyclable Material Processing, and Vegetative Waste Processing Services as requested by the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department (Citywide) The contract value increase is necessary due to the new terms required by United Fibers, LLC under the contract. The price increase under the contract was based on the increase in processing fees, decrease in allowable contamination and decrease in acceptable materials. The Environmental Management and Sustainability Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing a contract amendment with United Fibers, LLC; and a contract dollar limit increase of $95,000 for the agreement (includes all vendors and covers all Solid Waste Disposal, Recyclable Material Processing, and Vegetative Waste Processing Services); from $9,010,000 to $9,105,000 annually, based on estimated usage.

Attachments:

1. Council Report

Meeting Name:

City Council

Agenda status:

Final

Meeting date/time:

3/2/2020 5:45 PM

Attachments:  Item *6-b on Consent Agenda

File #:

20-0269

Type:

Contract

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council

On agenda:

3/2/2020

Title:

Three-Year Lease for the City’s Data Center Space for the Information Technology Department (Sole Source) (Citywide) The Evoque Data Center, located in Mesa, is the City’s primary data center and houses the City’s IT infrastructure for all on-premise business applications and databases. This data center features enterprise-grade cooling, power management, and connectivity to support the provision of City IT services. The Information Technology Department and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor, Evoque Data Center Solutions, at $262,000 annually, based on estimated usage, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, based on the agreement.

Attachments:

1. Council Report

Municipal officials are using eminent domain to take private property for recreational uses

The Wall Street Journal

Some states passed laws restricting eminent domain for economic development. But as local governments, park systems and state agencies become bolder about seizing property for recreational use, don’t be surprised if the next eminent-domain case with national significance involves a bike path in your backyard.

_________________________________________________________________________We’re from the government and we’re here to build a bike path
Op-ed by Steven Malanga, includes 

“The practice of government taking land for recreational uses—typically bike lanes, hiking paths and fashionable ‘rail trails’ and ‘greenways’—is spreading across the country, marking a sharp and troubling expansion of eminent domain. … Over the years, the Supreme Court has consistently expanded what is considered a ‘public good’ to justify government seizures. …”

The Takings Clause of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment grants government the authority to seize property to be used for the public good, as long as government pays “just compensation” to the owner. Over the years, the Supreme Court has consistently expanded what is considered a “public good” to justify government seizures. In 2005, for instance, the high court upheld the taking of Susette Kelo’s waterfront home by the city of New London, Conn., so that a local development corporation could build high-end condos and a hotel. The redevelopment was intended to boost property values and increase municipal tax revenues.

Opportunity to Provide Feedback | Air Pollution Control Rules | Five Year Rule Review

Five Year Rule Review Feedback Welcome ADEQ invites interested community members, businesses and government personnel to participate in a review of ADEQ’s Air Pollution Control Rules, Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 2: Article 7. Existing Stationary Source Performance Standards Article 9. New Source Performance Standards Article 11. Federal Hazardous Air Pollutants Appendix 8. Procedures for Utilizing the Sulfur Balance Method for Determining Sulfur Emissions If you or your business are in any way involved with or impacted by the previously listed articles or state air quality policy, please click the following link to complete a survey. Take Survey > Responses due no later than 5 p.m. March 20, 2020 What are Five Year Reviews? | Click here to learn more > For questions, please contact: caccavale.raymond@azdeq.gov About ADEQ Under the Environmental Quality Act of 1986, the Arizona State Legislature established the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in 1987 as the state agency for protecting and enhancing public health and the environment of Arizona. For more information, visit azdeq.gov.

Arizona Corporation Commission: Commissioner Marquez Peterson's Small Water Company Status Update

ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION   EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Matthew J. Neubert SECRETARY Kacie Cannon Phone: 602-542-3931 kcannon@azcc.gov   COMMISSIONERS Chairman Robert "Bob" Burns Boyd Dunn Sandra D. Kennedy Justin Olson Lea Márquez Peterson

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

10:00 a.m.

Hearing Room Two

1200 W. Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

The Arizona Corporation Commission regulates over 280 water and sewer companies across Arizona. Over 70 of these companies have not come before the Commission for a regular check of financial health and well-being since 1999 or earlier.
You are invited to join Commissioner Márquez Peterson and listen as the Small Water Ombudsman Office provides a general update on the nature and status of these companies. A list of the companies and agenda are attached for your convenience.
Arizona Corporation Commission
Small Water Ombudsman Office Small Water Company
Status Update
AGENDA
1. Welcoming Remarks, Agenda, Purpose, Round-Table Introductions
2. Status Update from the Arizona Corporation Commission Small Water Ombudsman Office with input and discussion from stakeholders regarding each of the 73 small water companies attached to this Agenda that have not received a rate update since 1999 or earlier, and, for each, the general questions and issues below: 
a. Questions related to the owner and the owner’s ownership status and interest
b. Questions related to the operator and the company’s operations
c. Questions related to the customers and the customer’s demographics
d. Questions related to water and the company’s water supply and quality
e. Questions related to regulation and the company’s finances, infrastructure, and relationship with the Commission
3. Closing Remarks and Next Steps, including items or topics to be considered or addressed at a future open meeting or workshop.
4. Adjourn
NOTICE: No votes or legal action will be taken by the Commission at this meeting regarding any of the companies attached to this Agenda without notice and an opportunity to be heard.

List of Water Companies to be Discussed at the March 3rd Small Water Company Status Update Company Name Effective Date of Current R 
1 Granite Dells Water Company 11/1/1958 2 Francisco Grande Utility Company 10/20/1961 3 Halcyon Acres Water Users Association, Inc. 12/21/1964 4 Grandview Water Company, Inc. 3/4/1965 5 Stoneman Lake Water Company, Inc. 6/14/1965 6 Tall Pine Estates Water & Improvement Association 8/5/1965 7 Desert Valencia Water, Inc. 10/8/1968 8 Viva Development Corporation 4/1/1973 9 Monte Vista Water Co., L.L.C. 6/1/1974 10 Thim Water Corporation 7/1/1982 11 Tubac Water Company, Inc. 11/1/1983 12 Cloud Nine Water Company, Inc. 3/1/1984 13 Cloud Nine Water Company, Inc. 6/1/1984 14 Sun Valley Farms Unit VI Water Co., Inc. 7/9/1985 15 William R. Farr DBA Salome Water Company 8/1/1985 16 Lake Pleasant Sewer Company 8/22/1985 17 Lake Pleasant Water Company 8/22/1985 18 Caballeros Water Company, Inc. 11/1/1985 19 Puesta Del Sol Water Company 6/2/1986 20 Picacho Water Improvement Corporation 7/1/1987 21 Jackson Spring Estates Home and Property Owners Assoc. 8/1/1987 22 Spring Branch Water Company, Inc. 9/1/1987 23 Circle City Water Company, LLC 1/1/1988 24 Flagstaff Ranch Water Company, Inc. 3/1/1988 25 Donald Steven McAdams DBA McAdams Water Company 10/1/1988 26 Grand Canyon Caverns and Inn, LLC 10/1/1988 27 Boynton Canyon Enchantment Homeowners Association 4/1/1989 28 AVM-2005, LLC 11/1/1989 29 Granite Oaks Water Users Association 3/1/1990 30 Gadsden Water Company, Inc. 4/1/1990 31 Lord Arizona Water Systems, Inc. 8/1/1991 32 Big Park Water Company 8/1/1991 33 MWC, Inc. formerly McNeal Water Company 12/1/1991 34 Casa Grande South Water Company 1/1/1992 35 Golden Corridor Water Company 3/1/1992 36 Pueblo Del Sol Water Company 4/22/1992 37 Janice E. Worden and Lawrence A. Worden DBA Worden Water Company 9/1/1992 38 Woody's Enterprises, LTD DBA Ho-Tye Water Company 12/1/1992 39 White Mountain Water Company 4/1/1993 40 C-D Oasis Water Company 11/1/1993 41 Tierra Linda Water Company, Inc. 2/1/1994 42 Brooke Water LLC 4/1/1994 43 Sitgreaves Water Company 6/1/1994 44 Lyn Lee Water Company 9/1/1994 45 Q Mountain Water, Inc. 5/1/1995 46 Ponderosa Water L.L.C. 9/1/1995 47 Double R Water Distributors, Inc. 10/1/1995 48 El Prado Water Company, Inc. 1/1/1996 49 Saguaro Water Company 3/1/1996 50 Berneil Water Company 4/1/1996 51 Antelope Lakes Water Company, Inc. 8/1/1996 52 Lucky Hills Water Company 1/1/1997 53 Loma Estates Water Company 2/1/1997 54 Diversified Water Utilities, Inc. 6/1/1997 55 Valley View Water Company 10/1/1997 56 William F. Lesko DBA Heckethorn Water Company 1/1/1998 57 Mohawk Utility Company 2/1/1998 58 Seven Canyons Water Company 4/1/1998 59 Seven Canyons Water Treatment Company 4/1/1998 60 Verde Santa Fe Wastewater Company, Inc. 5/1/1998 61 Saddlebrooke Utility Company 7/1/1998 62 Twin Hawks Utility, Inc. 7/16/1998 63 Verde Lakes Water Corporation 9/1/1998 64 Yucca Water Association, Inc. 9/1/1998 65 Rincon Water Company 11/1/1998 66 Picacho Water Company 12/1/1998 67 Rainbow Parks, Inc. DBA Escapees at North Ranch 2/1/1999 68 Sterling Water Company 6/8/1999 69 Mescal Lakes Water Systems Inc. 7/1/1999 70 Voyager Water Company 10/1/1999 71 Sweetwater Creek Utilities, Inc. 10/1/1999 72 La Casita Water Company, Inc. 10/1/1999 73 Picacho Sewer Company 10/8/1999

Apprehensive Waymo IPO: $2.5B Outside Funding In Its 1st Round For Leader in The Unicorn Clubhous

SOILER ALERT FOR LOCAL HYPE=PROMOTERSWaymo is said to be costing Alphabet nearly $1 billion and is only bringing in a paltry amount of revenue from its limited commercial robot taxi service in the suburbs of Phoenix." The BFD

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet, raised $2.25 billion in its first round of outside funding. Why it's the BFD: Self-driving is the venture market's most capital-intensive gold rush since cleantech manufacturing, and Waymo is now a leader in the unicorn clubhouse. But even this vote of confidence comes with some apprehension, as Waymo reportedly began fundraising a year ago. Investors: Silver Lake, CPPIB, and Mubadala Investment Co. co-led, and were joined by Alphabet, Andreessen Horowitz, AutoNation, and Magna International. Notably absent were any automakers (at least so far, as Waymo positioned this as a first close). The bottom line: "The announcement is sure to be welcome news to Waymo’s and Alphabet’s respective financial teams, which are charged with keeping the cash-intensive operation afloat. Waymo is said to be costing Alphabet nearly $1 billion and is only bringing in a paltry amount of revenue from its limited commercial robot taxi service in the suburbs of Phoenix." — Andrew Hawkins, The Verge

Public Health Agencies Confirm One Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19 in Maricopa County

03/03/2020 09:53 AM MST

ADHS and MCDPH confirmed a presumptive positive case of COVID-19, bringing the total COVID-19 case count in Arizona to two, with both cases in Maricopa County.

NEWS FLASH: 

Posted on: March 3, 2020

Public Health Agencies Confirm One Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19 in Maricopa County

NEWS RELEASE 

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine will be available from 12:00pm-2:00pm today. Please call Sonia Singh (602-679-3098) to schedule. 

Media Contacts:

Case questions: Sonia Singh (MCDPH), Mobile: 602-679-3098
Lab questions: Chris J. Minnick (ADHS), Mobile: 480-772-1568
Case is the First to Be Identified by the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Read the full press release.

Arizona State Public Health Laboratory Confirms One Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19 in Maricopa County

PHOENIX (March 3, 2020) – Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) confirmed a presumptive positive case of COVID-19, bringing the total COVID-19 case count in Arizona to two, with both cases in Maricopa County. The case, a man in his 20s, is not hospitalized and is recovering at home. This individual is a known contact of a presumed positive case outside of Arizona who had traveled to an area with community spread of COVID-19. 

“With the case counts increasing around the country, it is no surprise that we have another case here in Maricopa County,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for disease control for Maricopa County Department of Public Health. “The good news is that this individual is in stable condition and is expected to have a full recovery, as are most people who become infected with this disease”

The ADHS State Public Health Lab began testing for COVID-19 on March 2 and was able to detect this positive case on its first day of testing, the same day that MCDPH requested that this individual be tested.

“We’re fortunate to have a state-of-the-art public health laboratory in Arizona that will help us identify additional cases of COVID-19 quickly,” said Dr. Cara Christ, ADHS director. “Our lab has routinely been on the forefront of testing for emerging infectious diseases including Ebola, Zika, and now COVID-19. I’m grateful to our dedicated laboratory staff who support Arizona public health daily by providing testing services to inform public health decision making.”

After receiving the presumptive positive, MCDPH staff have interviewed close contacts of the case and recommended that they monitor for symptoms and quarantine themselves for 14 days based on the risk of exposure.

“As far as risk to the public, we are still doing the case investigation of this individual, however, because we know when and where this individual was exposed, this does not represent community spread,” Dr. Sunenshine said.

COVID-19 is believed to spread mostly through respiratory droplets produced when a sick person coughs or sneezes. Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The best way to prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases is to:

For more information please visit Maricopa.gov/Coronavirus. For statewide case counts and information about testing at the Arizona State Public Health Lab, please visit www.azhealth.gov/COVID-19.

Where Did the F-Word Come From?