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Tuesday, June 08, 2021
Covering All Things Andy: Last Week's Week In Review Newsletter: The Biggs Idea
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The Everything-Trumpian GOP Races Are Game On! Upstream and Downstream in State-Wide Spreads
Conventional politics is gone forever with an entirely new cast-of-characters, some of whom are "self-funding" poised to take over state governments not so slowly, from Georgia, Florida, Texas and Arizona. . and Yes, Virginia There is Glenn Youngkin
WHO?
If Youngkin Wins, Arizona’s Fiasco May Be Our Future
Glenn Youngkin, Republican nominee for Governor, has almost no record in public service, except for a bad trade deal. He makes up for it by discussing almost no issues in his campaign except for “election integrity” – a dog whistle to proponents of the Big Lie, which he himself refused to refute until he was nominated.
So what would “election integrity” mean for Virginia in a Youngkin Administration? The best example is Arizona – and that should be enough to keep any voter from choosing Youngkin or his GOP ticket-mates this fall.
Under pressure for the Big Lie Caucus, the Arizona Senate majority seized Maricopa County ballots for an “audit.” Then they handed them over to a firm run by a Big Lie proponent. “Cyber Ninjas” (yes, that’s the firm’s name) has done such a bang-up job that even audit proponents are throwing them under the bus. That hasn’t stopped them from examining ballot paper for “bamboo” (which supposedly meant fraudulent ballots from Asia), declaring cheeto dust as evidence of … something, and messing up Maricopa voter machines so badly they can’t be used in any future elections.
Now, in Arizona, the State Senate Republicans had to go through the courts to inflict this nonsense on Maricopa County voters. Under Youngkin, RPV won’t have that problem. Why? Because a Youngkin victory hands control of every election board in the state to the Republicans. From there, any board in any locality can rerun the Arizona horror show.
No wonder Amanda “Trump Won in Virginia” Chase is backing Youngkin now. She knows that if Trump runs in 2024, GOP-controlled election boards can make sure he wins Virginia no matter how anyone in the Commonwealth actually votes.
If that sounds alarmist to you, it’s because you’re not sufficiently alarmed. Georgia’s legislative majority has already given itself the power to control state elections and to remove local election boards it doesn’t like.
Texas’ legislature nearly succeeded in removing proof of fraud as a reason to overturn an election. In both states (and Arizona), this has been driven by the fact that the people making up the election infrastructure weren’t sufficiently Trumpist enough to declare Republican victories despite Democratic majorities in the number of votes.
In Virginia, election board control (and the Secretary of State post) depends on one thing and one thing only: who the Governor is.
This is how a pretty face like Glenn Youngkin can let his party fatally undermine democracy in the Commonwealth. Virginia voters would be wise to prevent that from happening."
D.J. McGuire is a senior contributor for Bearing Drift. 
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD Wed 06.09.2021 @ 3:00 p.m. > Study Session + Public Hearing @ 4:00 p.m.
There's an insert farther down of the Meeting Details list table, with two observations on five of the items: 
> four (Items 4-b and 4-c + 5-a and 5-b) are presented by Senior Planner Evan Ballmer
> one (item 5-c) is for a Preliminary Plat on 4.6 acres for Condominium development. The property is owned by Suburban Land Reserve Inc.
> one (item 5-c) is for a Preliminary Plat on 4.6 acres for Condominium development. The property is owned by Suburban Land Reserve Inc.
Suburban Land Reserve (SLR) is the for-profit investment land group for the reserve fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
________________________________________________________________________________
INSERT:
> Here's this report in The Salt Lake Tribune June 7, 2018
THIS WEEK IN MORMON LAND: Plans for 'City Creek South' Unveiled
(Courtesy Intellectual Reserve Inc.) Plans have been announced to redevelop 4.5 acres of land near the Mesa Arizona Temple. This rendering offers a southeast view of the mixed-use community.
City Creek South? You could call it City Creek South or City Creek Lite.
By David Noyce · Published: 3 days ago Updated: 2 days ago
The real estate investment arm of the LDS Church has announced plans to erect a new mixed-use development near the faith’s Mesa Temple, which is being renovated.
The Utah-based church completed a similar — albeit much larger — project in the heart of Salt Lake City with its City Creek Center.
The Mesa makeover, covering 4.5 acres along a light rail line, would include 12,500 square feet of ground-floor shops, 240 apartments, 12 town homes, 70,000 square feet of landscaped open space and underground parking.
“We’ve been planning this project for years,” Matt Baldwin, real estate development director for City Creek Reserve, said in a news release.
“We’ve talked with city and county government leaders, city planning staff and other local developers. We want to enhance and beautify this block, but we also want to make sure what we’re proposing is what downtown Mesa needs.”
THIS WEEK IN MORMON LAND: Plans for 'City Creek South' Unveiled
(Courtesy Intellectual Reserve Inc.) Plans have been announced to redevelop 4.5 acres of land near the Mesa Arizona Temple. This rendering offers a southeast view of the mixed-use community.
City Creek South? You could call it City Creek South or City Creek Lite.
By David Noyce · Published: 3 days ago Updated: 2 days ago
The real estate investment arm of the LDS Church has announced plans to erect a new mixed-use development near the faith’s Mesa Temple, which is being renovated.
The Utah-based church completed a similar — albeit much larger — project in the heart of Salt Lake City with its City Creek Center.
The Mesa makeover, covering 4.5 acres along a light rail line, would include 12,500 square feet of ground-floor shops, 240 apartments, 12 town homes, 70,000 square feet of landscaped open space and underground parking.
“We’ve been planning this project for years,” Matt Baldwin, real estate development director for City Creek Reserve, said in a news release.
“We’ve talked with city and county government leaders, city planning staff and other local developers. We want to enhance and beautify this block, but we also want to make sure what we’re proposing is what downtown Mesa needs.”
Blogger Note: Did they talk with or get any input from the public??? NOPE.
Suburban Land Reserve,Inc > More Plans For Sub-Division Plats @ "Mesa & Main Redevelopment Phase 2"
Proposed plans to add 2 additional blocks for 12 townhomes + 10 townhomes and 6 detached single residences are on the Final Agenda for today's meeting of the Mesa City Council.
The Study Session starts at 5:15 p.m. with a review of items on the agenda for the regular council meeting scheduled to begin a half-and-hour later at 5:45 p.m.
2. Many might be surprised to know that the LDS church is the largest non-governmental land owner in the US.
It is not unusual for the Church to buy land. It normally does so through its primary corporate entity, the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. news article
The Study Session starts at 5:15 p.m. with a review of items on the agenda for the regular council meeting scheduled to begin a half-and-hour later at 5:45 p.m.
Attachments for Items 9-c and 9-d are inserted below where the owner of the plats is listed as Suburban Land Reserve, Inc.
"Mesa & Main Redevopment" is the phrase used by the City of Mesa for the currently under-construction 10-acre retail-residential-commercial project located on the SEC Mesa Drive/Main Street adjacent to the 20-acre Mesa Temple.
It's been controversial from the start when plans were first 'revealed' back in February 2018 that were fast-tracked through the development and approval process. All throughout there were NO FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES EVER DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
It is not unusual for the Church to buy land. It normally does so through its primary corporate entity, the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. news article
In a recent fireside at our stake, a Church employee spoke and shared with us that the Church builds more square footage in United States than Walmart. I don't know what the Church's exact square footage is, but as of January 31, 2014, Walmart has built almost 1 billion square feet. ( 723,385,669 square feet to be exact) stats
RELATED CONTENT:
> Source: LDS Missionaries https://ldsmissionaries.com
Plans have been announced to redevelop 4.5 acres of land along the Main Street light rail corridor in Mesa, Arizona, an area located just west of the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A new mixed-use community will replace vacant lots and buildings near the temple, which is currently closed for renovation.
“We’ve been planning this project for years,” said Matt Baldwin, real estate development director for City Creek Reserve (CCRI)), an investment affiliate of the Church.
“We’ve talked with city and county government leaders, city planning staff and other local developers. We want to enhance and beautify this block, but we also want to make sure what we’re proposing is what downtown Mesa needs,” he added. . . .
Image: Matt Baldwin with Mesa developer Tony Wall and Mike Hutchinson, former Mesa City Manager and Vice President East Valley Partnership
> Source: LDS Missionaries https://ldsmissionaries.com
“We’ve talked with city and county government leaders, city planning staff and other local developers. We want to enhance and beautify this block, but we also want to make sure what we’re proposing is what downtown Mesa needs,” he added. . . .
Image: Matt Baldwin with Mesa developer Tony Wall and Mike Hutchinson, former Mesa City Manager and Vice President East Valley Partnership
________________________________________________________________________
| File #: | PZ 21071 |
| Type: | PZ Preliminary Plat | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | Planning and Zoning Board - Public Hearing |
| On agenda: | 6/9/2021 |
| Title: | “The Grove on Main Condominium” District 4. (ZON20-00364) Within the 0 to 100 block of South Mesa Drive (east side), the 0 to 100 block of South Udall (east and west sides), and the 0 to 100 block of South LeSueur (west side). Located east of Mesa Drive and south of Main Street. (4.6+ acres). Preliminary Plat. Noel Griemsmann, Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., applicant; Suburban Land Reserve Inc., owner. Planner: Jennifer Gniffke Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions |
| Attachments: | 1. Vicinity Map, 2. Staff Report, 3. Narrative, 4. Preliminary Plat, 5. Presentation |
=======================================================================================================
| Meeting Name: | Planning and Zoning Board - Public Hearing | Agenda status: | Final |
| Meeting date/time: | 6/9/2021 4:00 PM | Minutes status: | Draft |
| Meeting location: | Council Chambers | ||
| Published agenda: |  Agenda |
more
Monday, June 07, 2021
The June ZOOM REMOTE Spectacular Mesa Council Study Session - 6/3/2021
Got about two hours of your time to watch this? If not, you can hit the PLAY Button activate the Closed Caption tool provided, and at the minimum take in the first few minutes where Giles and Brady are going head-to-head jockey-ing for control and how to proceed . . .there are about six segments taking up time for presentations.
REMOTE ZOOM TODAY > Mesa City Council Final Agendas, Budget Hearing "Final Wrap-Ups" + So Much Left Un-Explained
It's a Three-for-One Showdown today starting off at 5:15 p.m. in The Lower Chambers where there's way-too-much many "left-overs" left unexplained on-the-table from last Thursday's crammed City Council Study Session at 7:30 in the morning
(1) "Study" Session @ 5:15
(1) Regular Meeting @ 5:45
(1) "Special" Council Meeting @ 5:50
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NOTE: The Final Agenda was printed on Thu 06.03.2021 to reflect actions from the Study Session at 07:30 a.m.
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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 emails, the Mesa City Council sets policies based on the input and needs of its citizens.
Mayor John Giles | ||
Vice Mayor Mark Freeman | Councilmember Jeremy Whittaker | Councilmember Francisco Heredia |
| Councilmember David Luna | Councilmember Kevin Thompson |
ITEM 4 13 Contracts
*4 Take action on the following contracts:
21-0605 Purchase of Audio/Visual Equipment (Replacement/Upgrade) for the Mesa Police Department (Citywide) The Police Training Division is requesting to make a purchase for audio/visual upgrades at the Mesa Public Safety Training Facility - Maltese Classroom and Multipurpose Classroom.
The Police Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the Mohave cooperative contract with Corporate Technology Solutions, at $91,100, based on estimated requirements. *4-a
21-0608 Purchase of 24 Duty Lockers (Replacements) for the Mesa Police Department (Citywide)
This purchase will provide 24, new duty lockers for the Police Department, Airport Unit personnel assigned to Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. The existing lockers were transferred to the Police Department from the Fire Department over ten years ago. The current used lockers are well past their life expectancy. The Police Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the State of Arizona cooperative contract with Arizona Furnishings, at $47,773.71, based on estimated requirements. *4-b
City of Mesa Page 3 Printed on 6/3/2021 City Council Meeting Agenda - Final June 7, 2021
21-0601 Purchase of One 3D Scanner (Addition) for the Mesa Police Department (Sole Source) (Citywide)
The Vehicular Crimes Unit will use this 3D scanner technology to accurately scan and document collision and crime scenes to produce a 3D virtual environment with capabilities to measure objects and evidence in a scene that can be provided to investigators and City Prosecutors.
The Police Department and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor, FARO Technologies, Inc., at $69,103.29. This purchase is funded by the General Fund - Special Programs Fund. *4-c
21-0604 Purchase of an Officer Training Simulator (Addition) for the Mesa Police Department (Sole Source) (Citywide)
The APEX Officer Virtual Reality Training System will provide interactive testing and assessment and immersive hands-on scenario-based exercises with detailed debriefing and after-action review.
- The APEX system is designed to increase knowledge, skills and confidence in a safe, challenging environment that is interactive and engaging.
- The system will be an additional tool to train officers consistently and safely in the areas of decision making and threat recognition.
The Police Department and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor, Govred Technology, Inc., at $66,000. *4-d
21-0607 Two-Year Term Contract with Three Years of Renewal Options for Household Hazardous Materials Facility Operational Support for the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department (Citywide)
This contract will provide operational support for the Household Hazardous Materials Facility to include facility staffing, technical support, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials, and various containers and supplies for hazardous materials sorting. An evaluation committee recommends awarding the contract to the highest scored proposal from Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc., at $450,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, or the adjusted Consumer Price Index. *4-e
City of Mesa Page 4 Printed on 6/3/2021 City Council Meeting Agenda - Final June 7, 2021
21-0609 Dollar-Limit Increase to the Term Contract for the Streetlight Monitoring System for the Transportation Department (Sole Source) (Citywide)
Philips City Touch is a lighting management system for public lighting in support of Mesa's Smart Cities Initiative. In the City’s efforts to save energy and further customer service, Transportation Field Operations has expanded the pilot project with the Philips City Touch System to a complete citywide installation.
The Transportation Department and Purchasing recommend increasing the dollar-limit with the sole source vendor, Arizona Electrical Distributors (a Mesa business), by $2,082,067.50 for Year 3, from $81,225 to $2,163,292.50 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, or the adjusted Producer Price Index.
This purchase is funded by the Local Streets Fund. *4-f
21-0602 Purchase of One Compact Track Loader (Replacement) for the Transportation Department (Citywide)
This compact track loader will be a versatile piece of equipment that will enhance multiple Field Operations work groups. The primary use will be storm drain maintenance, which includes cleaning channels, mowing, and vegetation removal. In addition, this track loader can be used as a back-up for the alley clean-up program, right-of-way maintenance and any other areas where larger equipment is not an option. The skip loader that is being replaced has met established criteria and will be either traded, auctioned, sold, or deployed to special uses.
The Fleet Services and Transportation Departments and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the Omnia Partners through the City of Tucson cooperative contract with Empire CAT (a Mesa business), at $119,127.86. This purchase is funded by the Local Streets Fund. *4-g
21-0610 Three-Year Term Contract with Two Years of Renewal Options for Spray Marking Paint for the Materials and Supply Warehouse (for the Energy Resources Department) (Citywide)
This contract provides marking spray paint for the Gas Division for utilities locators. Materials and Supply places orders and maintains stock inventory as needed. The Business Services Department and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the lowest, responsive, and responsible bidder, Copper State Bolt & Nut Co., at $75,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, or the adjusted Producer Price Index. *4-h
City of Mesa Page 5 Printed on 6/3/2021 City Council Meeting Agenda - Final June 7, 2021
21-0611 Purchase of a Total Organic Carbon Analyzer and Autosampler (Addition) for the Water Resources Department (Sole Source) (Citywide)
This Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer will be used to calibrate existing instrumentation performance to ensure regulatory compliance at the City's two Central Arizona Project Water Treatment Plants (Brown Road Water Treatment Plant and Signal Butte Water Treatment Plant).
Reliability of the TOC instruments are vital to the water treatment operations of the plants.
The Water Resources Department and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor, SUEZ WTS Analytical Instruments, Inc., at $40,000. *4-i
21-0606 Three-Year Term Contract with Two Years of Renewal Options for Hayward Gordon Water and Wastewater Treatment Pumps, Equipment, Parts, and Services for the Water Resources Department (Citywide)
This contract will provide Hayward Gordon equipment, parts, and services needed to maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure. An evaluation committee recommends awarding the contract to the highest scored proposal from Hayward Gordon ULC, at $150,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, or the adjusted Consumer Price Index. *4-j
21-0603 Purchase of a Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Analyzer (Replacement) and Term Contract for Supplies and Annual Maintenance for the Water Resources Department (Citywide)
The Compliance Laboratory will utilize the TKN Analyzer to perform analysis on microbial and inorganic compliance samples from the City’s wastewater, biosolids ,and pre-treatment programs. The current TKN Analyzer in use in the Laboratory was purchased in 2011 and is approaching the end of its useful life. The initial purchase includes the device and subsequent years are for annual maintenance and supplies. An evaluation committee recommends awarding the contract to BUCHI, Corporation for Year 1, at $140,000, and Years 2 through 11, at $25,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, or the adjusted Consumer Price Index. *4-k
City of Mesa Page 6 Printed on 6/3/2021 City Council Meeting Agenda - Final June 7, 2021
21-0612 Three-Year Term Contract with Two Years of Renewal Options for Technical Retro Commissioning of City Buildings for Citywide Departments (Citywide)
Retro commissioning is a component of the Smart Cities Initiative. Existing energy management systems will be assessed and building systems will be optimized to save energy, while maintaining current operational needs and comfort of building occupants.
Environmental Management and Sustainability and Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will use services provided by these qualified firms to evaluate conditions and efficiency of existing facilities, make quick fixes to improve conditions, and prepare a list of recommended capital improvements that reduce energy consumption and improve existing conditions. An evaluation committee recommends awarding the contract to the five, highest scored proposals from Bath Group, Inc., dba, Bath Commissioning Corporation (a Mesa business); McKinstry Essention, LLC; GLHN Architects & Engineers, Inc.; Stantec Consulting Services Inc., dba Stantec; and ETC Group, at $150,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, or the adjusted Consumer Price Index. This purchase is funded by the Environmental Compliance Fee. *4-l
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21-0579 The Studios @ Mesa City Center - Third Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP No. 3) (District 4)
21-0579 The Studios @ Mesa City Center - Third Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP No. 3) (District 4)
This is the final GMP for The Studios @ Mesa City Center building renovation.
The scope of work includes procurement and installation of finishes, concrete, materials, and other associated tasks. Staff recommends awarding the contract for GMP No. 3 to the selected Construction Manager at Risk, Okland Construction, in the amount of $3,480,733 (GMP) and authorizing a change order allowance in the amount of $174,037 (5%), for a total amount of $3,654,770.
$3,480,733 (GMP) and authorizing a change order allowance in the amount of $174,037 (5%), for a total amount of $3,654,770.
This project is funded by the Economic Investment Fund and General Fund - Capital.
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