Agenda + Meeting Details: Mesa City Council Study Session Wed 07.08.2020 @ 4:45 PM

Zoom Virtual Platform
Final Meeting Agenda printed 07/07/2020
Wednesday, July 8, 2020

 

Reference: Mesa Legistar Calendar/ Council, Committee & Board Research Center
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The Mesa City Council believes that its people, not leaders, are what makes a City great and actively works to encourage citizen participation in the decision-making process.

Whether it is through neighborhood meetings, advisory boards and committees, telephone calls and letters, or email, the Mesa City Council sets policies based on the input and needs of its citizens
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Council Study Session Notice:
To decrease COVID-19 exposure, the City Council Chambers is closed, but public viewing and input on the items are available electronically.  
Members of the City Council will appear electronically for this meeting, via a video conferencing platform, and the live meeting will be accessible via broadcast and telephonically. 
Because of the current public health emergency, the City Council Chambers is closed for Council study sessions.
However, the live meeting may be watched on local cable Mesa channel 11, online at Mesa11.com/live, www.youtube.com/user/cityofmesa11/live, or https://www.facebook.com/CityofMesa,  or listened to by calling 888-788-0099 or 877-853-5247 (toll free) using meeting ID 5301232921 and following the prompts.   
For any difficulties accessing this meeting, please call 480-644-2099
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Roll Call

1 Review and discuss items on the agenda for the July 8, 2020 regular Council meeting
(There are 33 items)

Meeting Name:

City Council

Agenda status:

Final

Meeting date/time:

7/8/2020 5:45 PM

Minutes status:

Draft

Meeting location:

Virtual Platform

Published agenda:

Agenda

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2 Presentations/Action Items:

Item 2-a 20-0731
Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on a proposed development located on a City-owned parking lot at the southeast corner of Pepper Place and Robson, commonly known as Eco Mesa.

File #:

20-0731

Type:

Presentation

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council Study Session

On agenda:

7/8/2020

Title:

Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on a proposed development located on a City-owned parking lot at the southeast corner of Pepper Place and Robson, commonly known as Eco Mesa.

Attachments:

1. Presentation

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PURCHASE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS: "ECO MESA"
Jeff McVay Manager of Downtown Transformation
Jeff Robbins Downtown Transformation Project Manager
Major Points To Be Negotiated or Resolved
• September 15th Deadline
• Opportunity Zone investor
• All entitlements due: PA/DA/Zoning Entitlements
• Relocation of electric duct bank
• Relocation of public solid waste
• Government Property Lease Excise Tax
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20-0740 Appointments to five (5) Boards
Board of Adjustment,
Design Review Board,
Historic Preservation Board,
Merit System Board, and
Self Insurance Board of Trustees.
2-b

File #:

20-0740

Type:

Appointment

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council Study Session

On agenda:

7/8/2020

Title:

Appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Board, Merit System Board, and Self Insurance Board of Trustees.

Attachments:

1. Appointment Memo

APPOINTMENT MEMO INSERT:
July 8, 2020
TO:  CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
FROM: MAYOR JOHN GILES
SUBJECT: Appointments to Boards and Committees

The following are my recommendations for appointments to City of Mesa Advisory Boards and Committees.

Board of Adjustment – Seven-member board including new appointments.
Alexis Kay Wagner, District 6.
Ms. Wagner has experience as a Program Manager in the Technical Training Program at U-Haul. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Political Science from Arizona State University where she earned certificates in International Relations and Political Entrepreneurship. Her term expires June 30, 2023.

Design Review Board – Seven-member board including new appointments.
Paul Johnson, District 4.
Mr. Johnson is a Designer on the Exterior Design Core Team at Devenney Group, which builds healthcare facilities. He is a registered architect in Arizona, a LEED accredited professional and a member of the US Green Building Council. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from California Polytechnic State University. His term expires on June 30, 2023.

Historic Preservation Board – Seven-member board including new appointments.
Niti Desai, District 6.
Ms. Desai is a Project Manager at IAP Enclosure Systems and has extensive experience in building design and construction. She is LEED accredited and belongs to the American Institute of Architects, U.S. Green Building Council and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her term expires on June 30, 2023.

Merit System Board – Three-member board including new appointments. 
Allison McDowell, District 6.
Ms. McDowell has nearly 20 years of human resource experience and management. She now owns and operates Allison’s Addicts Boutique. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Criminology from Kansas State University and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Her term expires June 30, 2023.
 
Self-Insurance Board of Trustees – Five-member board including new appointments.    Peggy Lynch, District 2.
Ms. Lynch has 35 years of experience in benefits administration from Banner Health and the City of Mesa. As Assistant Benefits Administrator at the City of Mesa, she helped project plan costs and optimize the benefits program to be in line with company strategy, employee value, market competitiveness and government regulations. Her term expires June 20, 2023.  
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3 Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees

20-0738 2020 Census Taskforce Advisory Committee meeting held on December 9, 2019. 3-a

4 Current events summary including meetings and conferences attended.

5 Scheduling of meetings

6 Convene an Executive Session

ES-003-20 Discussion or consultation for legal advice with the City Attorney. (A.R.S. §38-431.03A (3)) Discussion or consultation with the City Attorney in order to consider the City’s position and instruct the City Attorney regarding the City’s position regarding pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation. (A.R.S. §38-431.03A(4))

1. Tanya Zachary v. City of Mesa, et al.     

    Maricopa County Superior Court, Case No. CV2017-005855

6-a

7 Adjournment.¹

¹ Prior to adjournment, at this Council meeting, the City Council may vote to go into executive session for legal advice on any item listed on this agenda pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3); this notice is given pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02 to the members of the City Council and the public

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MEETING DETAILS

Meeting Name:

City Council Study Session

Agenda status:

Final

Meeting date/time:

7/8/2020 4:45 PM

Minutes status:

Draft

Meeting location:

Virtual Platform

Published agenda:	Agenda	Published minutes:	Not available

Meeting video:

Not available

Attachments:

• Meeting Items (3)

3 records Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by Type Group by Result Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word Show: Legislation only Legislation only All agenda items

File # Agenda # Type Title Action Result Action Details 20-0731 2-a Presentation Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on a proposed development located on a City-owned parking lot at the southeast corner of Pepper Place and Robson, commonly known as Eco Mesa.     Not available 20-0740 2-b Appointment Appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Board, Merit System Board, and Self Insurance Board of Trustees.     Not available 20-0738 3-a Minutes 2020 Census Taskforce Advisory Committee meeting held on December 9, 2019.     Not available

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City of Mesa-owned AZ Research Lab for Security & Defense

PRESS RELEASE

Mesa partners with ASURE to provide security services at Arizona Laboratories for Security & Defense Research

July 1, 2020 at 5:04 pm

Today, the City of Mesa announced it is partnering with ASURE, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) subsidiary organization of ASU Enterprise Partners, to provide security services and workforce development opportunities at Arizona Laboratories for Security & Defense Research (AZLabs).

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BLOGGER INSERT for information purposes:

Inside AZ Labs, a facility 'certified at the highest level' of cybersecurity

In this unique rental office space, networks are protected with firewalls — and guards, and Faraday cages

"Think your data center and IT research facilities are secure? Unless you work for a military contractor, or at Apple, it's probably nothing like AZ Labs in Mesa, Arizona.

AZ Labs, or Arizona Laboratories for Security & Defense Research, is a cyberfortress.
Literally.
Like something out of a Cold War drama, the four-building campus is "certified at the highest level" of security.
Dane Mullenix, the director of AZ Labs, declined to define what "the highest level" means, but it's way, way higher than Top Secret. . .
The campus has a massive network infrastructure, including dozens of OC-192 fiber links between offices and buildings.
Today, this bunker-like facility is available for anyone (well, nearly anyone) who needs a super-secure government-certified facility for developing hardware or software, running a cloud data center, or even practicing cyberwarfare. More about that in a moment. . .
AZ Labs is a one-of-a-kind fourth option. Mullenix says that it's the only privately owned facility that's like a traditional startup incubator, except that it's secure to those highest-level certifications, with each tenant literally firewalled from its neighbors. Getting a lease is not trivial . . .Fighting the Cyberwar
There are no company signs on the interior doors, and Mullenix wouldn't divulge the names of his tenants – except one which welcomes the attention. That's the Arizona Cyber Warfare Range, a nonprofit that is both hacking and defending against hacks. . ."
READ MORE > Network World

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AZLabs is a 6.5-acre secure campus featuring 72,000 square feet of leasable space designed to host companies in need of office space, laboratories and closed areas for research and development, engineering, fabrication, cybersecurity and other sensitive projects.
This facility is owned and operated by the City of Mesa.

AZLabs is engineered to U.S. Government security standards (ICD 705) and is uniquely suited for companies with security requirements for contract performance and offers flexible leasing options.
"We are pleased to be working with ASURE at AZLabs," City of Mesa Mayor John Giles said. "This new partnership creates opportunities for leveraging industry, government, and academia to advance Arizona's competitiveness in government defense contracting and workforce readiness."
"I have been a long-time champion of AZLabs and the opportunities that having a secure compartmentalized facility in Mesa brings to the industry and defense arena," District 6 Councilmember Kevin Thompson said. "Partnering with ASURE will help us better market and realize the full potential of AZLabs, and merge defense and security with government and academia for a win-win solution."
ASURE will provide 24/7 security services, a pipeline of talent for industry and government, business development opportunities and dual-use venture opportunities.
"We are excited to use our security sector expertise and affiliation with ASU to serve the City of Mesa, AZLabs and its tenants," David Thomas, ASURE chief executive officer, said. "This is a great opportunity to collaborate among industry, government and academia to rapidly solve challenges for the safety and security sector."
ASURE brings a variety of resources and benefits to AZLabs including linking partners to ASU through a robust pool of entry points to feed the innovation engine, including classified capstones and Department of Defense-University partner research and development programs. ASURE has significant expertise related to government contracting, program management, technology development and fielding innovative solutions.

To learn more about AZLabs please contact Kelley Keffer, Project Manager for the City of Mesa at Kelley.Keffer@mesaaz.gov or by calling (480) 644-6958.

Contact: Kim Lofgreen
Office of Economic Development
480-644-3962
Kim.lofgreen@mesaaz.gov

REMINDER: Your Vote Counts Main-In Ballots or Vote-In-Person?

PRESS RELEASE FROM CITY OF MESA NEWSROOM

Just in time - or somewhat timely with about 12 hours before the deadline to register to vote expires:

Early voting begins July 8 for Primary Election

    

July 6, 2020 at 12:11 pm
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Early voting for the Aug. 4 Primary Election will be held from July 8 through July 31.

The voter registration deadline for the Primary Election is tonight, July 6 at midnight.

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Voters can find a list of onsite voting locations by visiting Maricopa County Elections Department at https://recorder.maricopa.gov/pollingplace/ or by calling 602-506-1511.

For more information,

>call the Mesa City Clerk's Office at (480) 644-4868

> or visit

 www.mesaaz.gov/government/city-clerk/election-information/primary-election.
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Public Information and Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov

Too Late For Hillary, But Just-In-Time For The 2020 Election..."The Battleground States"

Can We Please Pick the President by Popular Vote Now?

The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in the “faithless electors” case is another reminder of how antiquated and undemocratic the Electoral College is.

By Jesse Wegman

Mr. Wegman is a member of the editorial board and the author of book about the Electoral College.

July 6, 2020

The Supreme Court clearly got it right on Monday when it ruled that the Electoral College can keep working the way it has worked for the last 200 years.

The justices did not address the much bigger problem, which is the existence of the Electoral College itself.

In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Elena Kagan, the court agreed that states may replace and even punish “faithless electors,” the curious term we use for the direct electors of the president who cast their ballots for a candidate other than their party’s nominee.

According to the Constitution’s plain language, each state appoints its electors “in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct.” That power, Justice Kagan wrote, “includes power to condition his appointment — that is, to say what the elector must do for the appointment to take effect.”

This is the system cobbled together at the last minute at the 1787 constitutional convention to address the needs of a country vastly different from ours. It is rotting American democracy from the inside out.

The rot spreads in two ways.

First, by potentially awarding the presidency to the candidate who earns fewer votes among the people as a whole — which violates the fundamental premise of majority rule. . .

Second, by violating the constitutional mandate of “one person, one vote.” In the presidential election, the value of your vote depends on where you live. If you live in one of the half-dozen or so “battleground” states, it matters hugely. If you happen to live in a “safe state,” as a vast majority of Americans do, it’s effectively irrelevant. . .
A more historically accurate explanation for the Electoral College is that some of the Constitution’s framers worried that most voters — who rarely ventured far from home and had no easy way of getting information quickly — couldn’t know enough about national candidates to make an informed decision. . .
Today, 32 states and the District of Columbia require electors to pledge to vote for a specific candidate; about half of those also penalize or replace faithless electors. But even in states without such laws, faithless electors are vanishingly rare, and for a simple reason: They were chosen precisely because of their partisan loyalty. They want to vote for their party’s candidate. . ."
SEE BELOW

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Faithless Elector State Laws

Source: https://www.fairvote.org/faithless_elector_state_laws 

About FairVote 

Our Mission: FairVote is a nonpartisan champion of electoral reforms that give voters greater choice, a stronger voice, and a representative democracy that works for all Americans.

What We Do: FairVote has a proven record since 1992 as a nonpartisan trailblazer that advances and wins electoral reforms at the local, state, and national level through strategic research, communications and collaboration. Today we are the driving force behind advancing ranked choice voting and fair representation in multi-winner legislative districts that will open up our elections to better choices, fairer representation and more civil campaigns

 

There are 32 states (plus the District of Columbia) that require electors to vote for a pledged candidate. Most of those states (16 plus DC) nonetheless do not provide for any penalty or any mechanism to prevent the deviant vote from counting as cast. Five states provide a penalty of some sort for a deviant vote, and 13 states provide for the vote to be canceled and the elector replaced (two states do both). The constitutionality of these laws was upheld by the Supreme Court in
Chiafalo v. Washington on July 6, 2020.
The Uniform Law Commission has drafted and recommended a law called the Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act that provides for electors to pledge to vote for a candidate, and for them to be replaced with an alternate in the event that they do not vote as pledged. As of October 2019, that Act has been adopted by Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and Washington.
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RELATED
4 days ago

LATEST

Unanimous Supreme Court Says States Can Punish or Replace Faithless Electors

2020 Presidential Election Interactive Map

This isn’t a popularity contest™           

It will take 270 electoral votes to win the 2020 presidential election.

Click states on this interactive map to create your own 2020 election forecast. Create a specific match-up by clicking the party and/or names near the electoral vote counter

 

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https://www.rasmussenreports.com

Q2 April-May-June 2020 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER: COVID-19 "Helicopter Money-Drop" Emergency Relief $95M Fed

From the City of Mesa's Select Mesa Newsroom
THE ECONOMIC REPORTER

THE QUICK JAB
Bill Jabjiniak
Mesa CARES:
Local and State Resources to Help Your Business
"We recognize the tremendous financial burden placed on the shoulders of Mesa businesses because of COVID 19.
We want you to know that we are here to help you through these challenging times with several very important tools that will help you find critical business resources and assistance.

These tools include the Mesa CARES Business Assistance Center Website, Business Assistance Center Help Lines, and the Business Impact Survey. . .

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Visit Mesa launches Support Mesa campaign in response to COVID-19
Visit Mesa is sounding a rallying cry to help support, and in some instances save, local businesses up and down Main Street and throughout Downtown Mesa during the COVID-19 crisis. The destination marketing arm of the city is reminding residents that many businesses have transitioned to take-out and curbside service while they can still offer these options, with some essential businesses remaining open but with amended hours of operation.“Every destination across America is being called to save the heart of their city and for Mesa, it’s Main Street,”

Visit Mesa President and CEO Marc Garcia said . . .

 

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Mesa Chamber compiles a Coronavirus Resource Guide

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce is committed to be a community leader in times when the community needs important information. The Mesa Chamber is providing updates and connections to information that may impact business, employees, and the community.

Mesa Chamber Coronavirus Resource Guide:

• Mesa Chamber Coronavirus Blog
• Mesa Chamber Small Business Resource Directory
• Mesa Chamber Coronavirus Non-Profit Blog
• #MesaTakeout: Mesa Chamber Restaurant Directory with services, contact information, and delivery options  
• VIDEO: Managing Employment and Other Business Needs During a Pandemic
• Chamber #MesaUp COVID-19 Response Videos

Also, as a member of the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, the Mesa Chamber has supported the creation of the following SURVEY REPORT on the economic impact of the COVID-19 situation.

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TOP STORIES
Boeing’s Mesa facility manufacturing face shields for medical staff fighting coronavirus (KTAR)

Mesa firm, EyeTech Digital’s eye-track device helps COVID-19 patients (Ahwatukee Foothills News)

Mesa-based Titan Solar offers free, voluntary COVID-19 tests for employees (Phoenix Business Journal)

Feds tout opportunity zone impact on Mesa (Mesa Tribune) 
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TAKE TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK?
Construction begins on the Grid, $75M opportunity zone project in Downtown Mesa (Phoenix Business Journal) 

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Construction begins on 605K SF industrial development near Gateway Airport (Phoenix Business Journal) 

Mesa-based Aqua-Tots Swim Schools commemorates opening of worldwide franchise headquarters with ribbon cutting ceremony (Press Release) 

City of Mesa launches Asian District, Mesa, AZ brand (Press Release)
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TECHNOLOGY
ASU building to make Mesa a hi-tech gateway (East Valley Tribune)

ASU building making Mesa a hi-tech gateway

By Jim Walsh, Tribune Staff Writer

Jan 12, 2020        

". . . ASU President Michael Crow and Mesa Mayor John Giles were all in attendance as ASU and Mesa city officials celebrated Friday at a groundbreaking for the unique building, located on the site of a former parking lot at Pepper Place and Centennial Drive, behind City Hall.

“There won’t be controversy at the groundbreaking. We will be celebrating,’’ said Jeff McVay, Mesa’s downtown transformation manager. “It will solidify the project is moving forward.’’

With the ASU groundbreaking and recent progress on two other redevelopment projects, The Grid office and apartment project at the Pomeroy Street Garage and the Residences at Mesa and Main, people will see downtown taking on a different character, he said.

"Somebody pushed over the first domino.

That domino thing is starting to fall. It’s great,’’

McVay said. . ."

 

 

TAKE TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK?

Image: Work progress on-site June 24,2020 ??

 

 

On Your Mark: Hizzoner Johnny G,The Myth of Non-Partisan Mesa & The Real 5-to-2 Rift

O Yeah! Welcome to Mesa, The Land of Make-Believe that the current incumbent mayor, former track-star, and former ambulance chaser/accident-law attorney John Giles once said reminded him of Mayberry RFD. Giles first slid into office on-the-tail winds from the resignation of former Mayor Scott Smith, endorsed by Jan Brewer, who wanted to run for higher office only to get defeated by Arizona's current Governor Doug Ducey. Giles got elected in his own right as the 40th Mayor of Mesa and is now serving his first term in City Hall. He says it's his job "to sell Mesa". . .

He's done that - selling-out Mesa, and trying to pull-off stunts on-the-stage like this one in 2016 > > Little did we know about the under-handed deals captured in this now-iconic image taken by photographer Ivan Martinez at his first inauguration, until all the Devils-in-the-Details made behind-the-scenes with a closely-connected network of cohorts out for their own private wealth-creation were revealed - sparking a Mesa taxpayer REJECTION of that unsavory and suspicious proposition to finance a satellite campus for ASU here in downtown Mesa that's turned into a Money-Pit.

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SO NOW WE HAVE THIS GULLIBLE PROCLAMATION (of Sorts) “The City of Mesa is a shining star on the national stage in job growth and affordability,’’ Giles said. “I’m proud of what the city council has accomplished. The economic development accomplishments of Mesa are very impressive. I hope to be back on track very quickly,’’ despite the COVID-19 pandemic. . ."

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Please take some time to read more of this article written by East Valley Tribune Staff Writer Jim Walsh:

TOP STORY        

Ready, set, go! Early voting starts this week

By Jim Walsh, Tribune Staff Writer Jul 5, 2020        

"Progress" on the ASU @ Mesa City Center last
(Image insert Tim Mello)

"Starting this week, Mesa voters can either endorse the aggressive pro-growth, pro-downtown redevelopment policies of Mesa Mayor John Giles or choose an anti-Giles ticket recommended by his constitutionalist opponent.

Early voting by mail starts July 8 in a city election that has exposed a deep divide on City Council that has been apparent since a split decision in 2018 to approve Giles’ hallmark project, Arizona State University@mesacitycenter.

 

The ASU project has been billed as a stimulus for reawakening long slumbering downtown Mesa and creating an innovation district that will spawn high paying, high-technology jobs.

Councilman Jeremy Whittaker and mayoral candidate Verl Farnsworth have continued to attack the project even as construction progresses, while Giles, Vice Mayor Mark Freeman and council members Jen Duff, Dave Luna and Francisco Heredia have continued to defend it as a vital part of Mesa’s recovery from the pandemic-fueled recession.

The rift also is showing up in the election, . . "

DID DEEPER > East Valley Tribune News 07.05.2020

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RELATED CONTENT ON. THIS BLOG:
Use the Search box and just type-in keywords "Holly Street Studios"
"With such a unique list of features and components, it’s not hard to understand the ASU@ Mesa City Center project is not just another office building – and designing it would be a challenge.

The long-sought Arizona State University campus will be devoted exclusively to students pursuing careers in “transdisciplinary digital expertise” such as virtual reality.

And it seems like a safe bet . . .
(Huh? A 'safe bet' using $64M of taxpayer debt to finance a new building for ASU??)

. . . the controversial, yet much anticipated facility likely will wake up historically sleepy downtown Mesa and inject life into the area – a goal set by Mayor John Giles and several city council members.

(2 Mesa City Council members opposed it)
But other issues remain unsettled as the three-story, 65-foot tall, 110,000 square foot building heads toward the first steps of construction early next year – including
> what it ultimately will look like,
> the final price tag and
> what will happen to some wavy concrete canopies that have jutted off the back of a city building for decades.

< Despite some concerns that the future landmark doesn’t look like one so far, the project’s site plan won a 4-1 vote for approval last week from Mesa’s Planning and Zoning Commission. The vote serves as a recommendation for approval by Mesa City Council, which has final authority. 

 

But the next step is scheduled for Oct. 8, when more detailed renderings are expected to be presented before Mesa’s Design Review Board, another advisory panel that focuses on issues such as architecture and landscaping. . .

 

 

 

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Planning & Zoning Board member Tim Boyle criticized the exterior appearance as lacking a “wow factor’’ that is necessary for a landmark project.

“It’s uncooked so far,’’ Jacobs said, referring to the exterior. 
BLOGGER NOTE: 'un-cooked so far' ????
Diane Jacobs actually said at the September 25th Site Review that this project is now
A 360-DEGREE DILEMMA

“We feel good about making the pieces click and fit.’’

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> City council member Jen Duff, who represents downtown, said she is confident the design team will produce a building that will make Mesa proud.

“I think we will be very impressed,’’ Duff said.
 “I’m very excited about it. I think it will set the tone.’’

She said that many people are curious about the building and what it will look like, but eventually,

“I think the other cities will have this Mesa-envy thing.’’

Say what????

Like that 'Penis-envy' thing since Duff chose to use that metaphor?

 

> Jeff McVay, Mesa’s downtown transformation manager, said five stories originally were planned, but it became clear early in the design stage that tall studios were required and there was no need for the upper floors.