RODS FROM GOD: A SPACE WEAPON TO MAKE THOR JEALOUS || WARTHOG 2019

Weaponizing Space

Published on Mar 29, 2019

Views: 188 [at time of upload to this blog site]

Join me in War Thunder! Use my link for a FREE premium aircraft or tank and three days of premium account time as a BONUS: https://wt.link/WarthogDefense
This video is made under fair use policy, also this material is made from public published domain for people with hearing and seeing disability
This far-out, decades-old idea wasn’t laughed off by the U.S. Air Force.
By Lee Ferranhttp://www.realclearlife.com/military...

Then & Now: Re/Visiting Artist Theaster Gates 4 Years Later

Imagine this here in Mesa: a resident artist as a social activist/community builder
Internationally acclaimed artist and urban planner Theaster Gates, whose rise to prominence began with his use of art and culture to revive underserved neighborhoods in his hometown of Chicago, was named the 2018 recipient of the ULI J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development at the Institute’s 2018 Fall Meeting in Boston.

https://urbanland.org

UL Interview: Theaster Gates on Building Communities by Breaking Rules

By Justin Arnold

March 25, 2019

ULI Governing Trustee and Nichols Prize Jury Chairman Michael Spies, senior managing director of Tishman Speyer in New York City, noted that the selection of Gates is a recognition of the way that visionaries whose work extends beyond traditional real estate disciplines are influencing the built environment.

“Many cities are looking to reinvent themselves, and Theaster’s work represents art and culture as important elements of reinvention. He recognized early on the important role his art could play in building a strong community. His model of readapting elements, of repurposing ordinary materials for works of art as well as rebuilding, is a model that clearly has huge potential to be replicated in communities around the world,” Spies said.

He is at once an artist, an entrepreneur, a community builder, and a visionary.”

You can read the entire interview using the above link at the opening

________________________________________________________________________

Theaster Gates 4 years ago:

26 May 2015

Theaster Gates: How to revive a neighborhood: with imagination, beauty and

Make No Bones about it - this is an artist who has become a social activist.  Watch him

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

See here: Details on Authorizing Issuance & Sale of Bonds
Series:2019, 2019A, 2019B, 2019C
> General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $33,100,000
> Utility Systems Revenue Bonds not to exceed $112,000,000
> Utility Systems Revenue Refunding Bonds $60,000,000
> Utility Systems Revenue Refunding Bonds $95,000,000
Defeasance/Redemption Series 2009 Taxable Utility Systems Revenue Bonds $11,000,000
_________________________________________________________________________
Reference > Meeting Details for 01 April 2019 Mesa City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Name:

City Council

Agenda status:

Tentative

Meeting date/time:

4/1/2019 5:45 PM

Minutes status:

Draft

Meeting location:

Council Chambers - Upper Level

Published agenda:

Agenda

_________________________________________________________________________________

OVERVIEW If you need it >
Go ahead and get curious!
Item 3 Liquor License Applications [7]
Item 5 CONTRACTS [18]
Item 6 Resolutions
> 6a: District 1 Hotel Development
> 6b: Continuum of Care Shelter Plus Care Grant $94,280 [Grant funds from HUD]
> 6c: Authorizing Issuance & Sale of Bonds [6c - 6g]
         Total = $311,100,000
Item 7: Ordinances [2] District 6
Item 8: Ordinances [3]
Item 9: Subdivision Plats [4] Cadence @ Gateway Phase 3 - 386 Single Residence Lots
________________________________________________________________________
Item 10: Ordinance District 6
NOTE: Item 10a
_________________________________________________________________________________
Let's take a look at one of those Bond Authorizations: ITEM 6d

File #:

19-0241

Type:

Resolution

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council

On agenda:

4/1/2019

Title:

Authorizing the issuance and sale of Utility Systems Revenue Bonds, Series 2019A, not to exceed $112,000,000. (Citywide)

Attachments:

1. Presentation, 2. Council Report, 3. Resolution, 4. Attachment A - 2019 Utility Systems Revenue Bond Sale Project List, 5. Attachment B - Series 2019 Issuances - Authorization by Election Year, 6. Attachment C - Remaining Bond Authorization by Election Year, 7. DRAFT Preliminary Official Statement, 8. DRAFT Continuing Disclosure Certificate, 9. DRAFT Bond Purchase Agreement, 10. DRAFT Registrar Contract, 11. RES - Mesa Utility Rev 2019A - 36th Supplemental Resolution.DOCX, 12. RES - Mesa Utility Rev Rfg 2019B - 37th Supplemental Resolution.DOCX

_________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENTATION -19 Power Point slides
2019 Bonds Sales, Refundings, and Defeasance
March 28, 2019
Michael Kennington, Chief Financial Officer
Ryan Wimmer, Deputy Budget Director
________________________________________________________________________________
General Obligation Debt Per Capita from 2016
Comparing G.O. Bond Debt
________________________________________________________________________________
Estimated Timeline for 2019 Bond Transactions
12
April 1 Council considers authorization of issuances
April 16 City closes on utility bond defeasance
April 29 Bond offerings are priced
May 23 City closes on bond offerings

City Debt
15
Debt Type Principal ($M)
Utility Systems Revenue Bonds $1,227
General Obligation Bonds 366
HURF (Street & Highway) Bonds 77
Excise Tax Revenue Obligations 49
State Water Loans 2

Anticipated 2019 Bond Defeasance and Refundings
Utility Systems Revenue Bonds
1. Defeasance – 2009 Build America Bonds (BABs)
Defease: $10.0 million
• Funded by development fee revenue
• Removed from City financial statements
2. Refunding – 2009 Build America Bonds (BABs)
Estimated Savings: $4.7 million
3. Refunding – 2012 Utility Revenue bonds
Estimated Savings: $7.3 million
Anticipated 2019 New Bond Issues
6
General Obligation Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $33M
Parks and Culture
Public Safety
Streets
Utility Systems Revenue Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $112M
Electric
NaturalGas
Solid Waste
Wastewater
Water

This is 95 Pages: PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT DATED _____, 2019

NEW ISSUE — BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY RATINGS: See “Ratings” herein.

In the opinion of Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C. Phoenix, Arizona, Bond Counsel, under existing laws, regulations, rulings and judicial decisions, and assuming continuing compliance with certain restrictions, conditions and requirements by the City, as mentioned under “TAX EXEMPTION” herein, interest income on the Bonds is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes.  Interest income on the Bonds is not an item of tax preference to be included in computing the alternative minimum tax.  In the opinion of Bond Counsel, interest income on the Bonds is exempt from Arizona income taxes.  See “TAX EXEMPTION,” “BOND PREMIUM” and “ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT” herein. $111,835,000* CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA UTILITY SYSTEMS REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2019A

$49,335,000* CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA UTILITY SYSTEMS REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2019B 
Dated: Date of Initial Delivery Due: July 1, as shown on inside front cover The City of Mesa, Arizona (the “City”), Utility Systems Revenue Bonds, Series 2019A (the “Series 2019A Bonds”) and Utility Systems Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2019B (the “Series 2019B Bonds” and, together with the Series 2019A Bonds, the “Bonds”), will be initially issued in book-entry-only form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company, a registered securities depository (“DTC”). 

Beneficial interests in the Bonds will be offered for sale in the amount of $5,000 of principal due on a specific maturity date and integral multiples thereof. 

The Bonds are being issued to provide funds to

(i) acquire and construct certain improvements to the utility systems of the City,

(ii) refund the Bonds Being Refunded (as defined herein)

(iii) pay the costs of issuance of the Bonds. 

See “THE BONDS – Authorization and Purpose,” “PLAN OF REFUNDING” and “SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS.”

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

You might have missed this - a 36-page presentation
Yeah - Let's see what's going here with  internal controls! 
Further use of audit resources is TBD – we will seek direction
NOTE: This is one item from this morning's Mesa City Council Session that probably not too many even noticed . . .
Take a look
Here it is > with link to the source
_________________________________________________________________________
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK             
AUDIT, FINANCE & ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE 
March 4, 2019  
The Audit, Finance & Enterprise Committee of the City of Mesa met in the lower level meeting room of the Council Chambers, 57 East 1st Street, on March 4, 2019, at 4:00 p.m.  
COMMITTEE PRESENT   
Jennifer Duff, Chairperson
Mark Freeman
David Luna
STAFF PRESENT
Michael Kennington
Dee Ann Mickelsen
Jim Smith

1. Items from citizens present ----There were no items from citizens present. 
2-a. Hear a presentation and discuss the following audits: 
 
City Auditor Jennifer Ruttman displayed a PowerPoint presentation. (See Attachment 1)

File #:

19-0378

Type:

Minutes

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council Study Session

On agenda:

3/28/2019

Title:

Audit, Finance and Enterprise Committee meeting held on March 4, 2019.

Attachments:

1. March 4, 2019 Audit, Finance and Enterprise Committee

_________________________________________________________________________________

Procurement Card Program
What did we find?
• Lack of supervisory review prior to approval
• Receipts not provided for all purchases

• “Accidental” purchases  

• No controls to track credits or reimbursements

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

Housing Rehabilitation Program
Report Date: February 21, 2019
A follow-up review to ensure action plans were successfully implemented.
Action Plans in Audit and Follow-up Reports
Housing Services Action Plans: ✓ Ensure exceptions to program requirements are documented in the project files.
X Ensure all change orders are properly approved prior to work being completed.
✓ Implemented X Not Implemented

Police Off Duty Employment Program
An update on the progress of our 2nd follow-up review.
Off Duty Program – 2nd Follow-up Status Update Follow-up Review
 
Background
Second follow-up review has been repeatedly postponed, due to:
• Multiple changes in program leadership
• Program management constantly in flux
• Various attempts to purchase software and/or services
• First outsourcing attempt was unsuccessful

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

Bloomberg Economics: US GDP Q4 Data Revised Down

U.S. economic growth cooled by more than initially reported last quarter on revisions to consumer and government spending, signaling mounting challenges to the expansion as it nears a record duration.

Gross domestic product grew at a 2.2 percent annualized rate, Commerce Department data showed Thursday, less than the initial 2.6 percent reading and projections for a revision of 2.3 percent.

 

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg project that growth in GDP, which measures the value of all goods and services produced in the country, will slow to 1.5 percent in the first quarter, the slowest pace in two years.

Consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, grew at a downwardly revised 2.5 percent pace that also missed projections.

The final reading on a turbulent quarter that included U.S. stocks tumbling to the cusp of a bear market adds to concerns for the world’s biggest economy as global headwinds gather from Europe to China. While Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this month that underlying economic fundamentals remain strong, policy makers have cut their outlook for growth this year and next . . .

READ MORE > https://www.bloomberg.com/news

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

Looks like it was published late in the day yesterday, but at least it's available to the public ahead of time. . . and the same day the public also gets the agenda for the April Fools Day City Council Meeting on April 1st. Ready, willing and able to hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the City’s SmartCity Master Plan and the use of technologies and data-driven insights to improve the quality of life, civic engagement, economic development, service delivery, and community vibrancy?????
__________________________________________________________ 

QUESTION: When if ever before was
Mesa A Smart City?
TIME TO RE-BRAND THAT! Hire a consultant 
In 2018, the City of Mesa engaged ThinkBig Partners, LLC to assist in the development of a Smart City Master Plan. Most importantly, this effort included engaging our citizens, businesses and the public as we identified the key strategies & priorities for building a smarter Mesa!

https://www.mesaaz.gov/about-us/smart-city-draft-2

__________________________________________________________________________________

Who or what is

ThinkBig Partners, LLC?

 

 

Here's their website > https://thinkbigpartners.com/

 

 

Think Big Partners, LLC Company Profile - The Business Journals

The Koch Industries company opened its first Kansas City office at Think Big Partners in June 2017 . . .

The vision is to expand the program to cities beyond Kansas City to build a powerful network

 

Think Big and Plexpod partner to pursue bold entrepreneurial vision

Kansas City Business Journal-Dec 14, 2017

In a move to better serve area entrepreneurs, Think Big Partners is shedding Think Big Coworking and handing it off to Plexpod, which ...

 

 

 Results from Smart City Citizen Innovator Workshop

October 31, 2018 at 5:43 pm

Source: http://mesanow.org/news/public/article/2196 

"The City of Mesa held a Smart City Citizen Innovator Workshop Oct. 25 attended by 156 people at the Mesa Arts Center.

After a presentation about design thinking and smart cities, attendees voted on subject matters that they viewed as important to discuss as a component of smart city in Mesa."

[Press release from City of Mesa Newsroom]

The top three subjects selected were

• Transportation & Mobility
• Downtown Vibrancy
• Health & Community Development & Homelessness.

The attendees participated in a live, interactive design thinking workshop to discuss challenges and ideas to address those challenges.

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

People who live here in Mesa were always wondering What's NextMesa [the campaign platform] when John Giles got a calling to fill in the unfinished term for former Scott Smith back in 2014.

At that time he admitted publicly that he needed help with new ideas and there was a problem engaging and involving the public. . . Five years later as the highest elected official inside City Hall, the mayor still doesn't have a good track record even though Mesa taxpayers fund the salary of his "handler" and Chief of Staff Ian Linnsen, an Office of Public Information for Melissa Randazzo, and an open pipe-line to mainstream media writers who publish what he wants.

Trying to compete now with Microsoft Founder Bill Gates is way out-of-his-league and out-of-his-pay-scale

[PDF] Bill Gates Just Purchased an Enormous Amount of Land to Build His Own "Smart City" [2017]

Bill Gates has started laying out his plans for creating a “smart city” in Phoenix, Arizona, about 45 minutes west of downtown. Located in the far west valley, the piece of land is comprised of approximately 24,800 acres. Belmont, the proposed name for the city, will embrace and push forward innovation and technology. One of Gates’ investment firms  has already solidified the plans by devoting $80 million to the project. . . Gates is no stranger to being one step ahead of the game,

READ MORE > https://futurism.com/bill-gates-smart-city-arizona 

_________________________________________________________________________

 Here are the meeting details taken from http://mesa.legistar.com/LegislationDetail   WHERE THIS GOING > Key Priorities: Next 18 to 24 Months
City of Mesa Smart City Master Plan
10-Page Power Point Presentation
What is A Smart City?
In short, a Smart City is one in which the latest technologies and data-driven insights are leveraged to improve the quality of life, civic engagement, economic development, service delivery, and community vibrancy for its citizens, businesses and visitors.
A Smart City is actually about people versus tech itself.
A Smarter Mesa is where modernized communications infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) connected smart systems and data work together to provide responsive solutions that enhance the live, work & play experiences of people in our community.

Next Steps
• Budget Presentations
• Transportation
• Public Safety
• PRCF
• Utilities\Energy
• Data Privacy Policy 
• Mesa’s Smart City Branding
Key Strategies
Smart Community - create an engaged, inclusive & equitable community that provides a high-quality life to all Mesa citizens
Smart Downtown - create a vibrant, attractive downtown that is thriving with live work & play activities for both residents & businesses
Smart Environment - protect the environment and create sustainable options where possible
Smart Government - create a responsive, engaged city that makes decisions based on data & understands citizen needs
Smart Infrastructure -modernize essential infrastructure to provide essential city services and preserve a high quality of life in Mesa
Smart Public Safety - create a safe and secure environment for all citizens
Smart Transportation and Mobility - create accessible, equitable & safe multi-modal transit options along with creating the ability to move easily throughout Mesa
Smart Mesa Today
Community Safety
Transform Neighborhoods 
Skilled & Talented Workforce
Sustainable Economy
_______________________________________________________________________• FirstNet
• Compatible Camera Systems
• Next Gen 911
• Intelligent Traffic Systems
• LED Lighting Pilot and Study
• Fire Deployment Analytics
• Smart Irrigation Controllers in Parks
• Wi-Fi in Parks
• MesaNow
• Chief Digital Officer
• Downtown Wi-Fi and Fiber Broadband
• Arts and Culture Interactive Events
• Imagine Mesa
• Innovation District
• ASU Partnerships

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

File #:

19-0336

Type:

Presentation

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

City Council Study Session

On agenda:

3/28/2019

Title:

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

Attachments:

1. Presentation

 
_________________________________________________________________________
https://www.mesaaz.gov/about-us/smart-city
_________________________________________________________________________