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July 2013 Agenda
Here is the agenda for our July 2013 meeting, which will be held 13 July 2013 at the Roosevelt Commons Clubhouse, 825 North 6th Avenue in downtown Phoenix. The meeting will begin at 9:30am.
I. Call to Order and Introductions
II. Approval of the Minutes and Officers’ Reports
- Approval of the Minutes from 11 May 2013
- Approval of the Minutes from 8 June 2013
- Treasurer’s Report
III. Big Issues
- City of Phoenix Infill Processes
- Phoenix Museum of History
IV. Updates on DVC Action Items 2013 – as needed
V. Old Business
- Hance Park updates
VI. New Business
- PO Box arrangement at the Downtown Post Office
- Plan PHX next steps
- Downtown Phoenix Inc update
- Grand Avenue news and updates
- Shipping Containers Infill Project
VII. Open Floor – 2 minutes each, please!
VIII. Adjournment – A meeting of the Officers may follow.
Next Meeting: Saturday 10 August 2013, 9:30am, Roosevelt Commons Clubhouse
DVC Minutes for February 12, 2011
Meeting held at Roosevelt Commons, 825 N. 6th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Attending: Kim Kasper, Tim Sprague, Louisa Stark, Elise Griffin, John Saccoman, Steve Weiss, Margaret Dietrich, Jim McPherson, Reid Butler, Susan Copeland, , John Maurin, Adrianna Gruber, Jim Gruber, Tim Eigo, Roger Brevort, Erick Baer, Carol Poore, Beatrice Moore, Paul Barnes, Bill Scheel.
9:50 AM
Introductions and approval of 1/8/11 minutes:
Motion to approve Tim Sprague, Second Louisa Stark, voice vote carried unanimously.
9:51 AM
MAYORAL DEBATE PROPOSAL
- Couple of groups already working on it.
- Paul Barnes-Citizens for Greater Phoenix wants to sponsor one. 4 major candidates will not want to go to small, poorly attended debates.
- Erick Baer-Debates should be multiple debates, not just one-South Phoenix should have one.
- Beatrice-Debate should be open, with complete citizen input, asking questions.
- Reid-Like the idea of downtown-centric.
- Susan-Half questions structured, half open forum?
- Erick-Faced with questions, how do they perform?
- Tim Sprague-Great opportunity to “market” DVC by staging downtown-centric debate.
- Margaret Dietrich-Citizens for Greater PHX will have candidates voting records on their website.
- Suggestions continued-Jon Talton as moderator? Venues discussed-Methodist Church, Central and Palm Lane, ASU Downtown, old Phoenix Prep Academy-look into inviting downtown neighborhood organizations.
- Filing deadline June 1st, so best dates in May or June-
- Possibilities-Go it alone w/neighborhood groups/Go w/Citizens for Greater PHX/Go with Downtown Phoenix Journal & Phoenix Community Alliance/some combination of these/combo of DVC + neighborhood groups+Citizens for Greater PHX.
Motion-Reid Butler-establish subcommittee to evaluate options for mayoral debate. 2nd Tim Sprague, motion carries unanimously on voice vote, subcommittee members-Margaret Dietrich, Susan Copeland, Tim Eigo, Tim Sprague, Reid Butler, Steve Weiss.
10:25AM
Treasurer’s Report-Beatrice Moore
- Accountant looked into tax prep 2008, 2009 filed, 2010 still needs to be done-$150. for each.
- Recommends we pay accountant and that we consolidate accounts. Discussion followed.
Motion-Reid Butler-Get compliance, spend $450. to get it done, 2nd Erick Baer, motion carries unanimously on voice vote.
10:30 AM
Park Survey
- Reid-should there be a big discussion of all parks or just Deck Park? Reid is to invite Park Dept. Karen Williams to April meeting.
10:39 AM
After-effects of DVC response in Republic to DPP 20-year self-congratulatory editorial
- Bill Scheel-City Hall saw it, and DVC got the totality-good to have beyond D.P.P. position.
- Susan-was invited to D.P.P. conversation by Dan Klocke about 10 year plan.
10:45 AM
Metro West Light Rail Alignment
- John Maurin has gotten 130 signatures of those opposed to the Jefferson alignment.
- Bill Scheel-possible conflicts between General Plan and direction of current alignment.
- Reid-If 19th Ave can’t work, can Van Buren work? Staff says no.
- Discussion followed re: benefits of 19th Ave alignment, history of middle class white color African-African families who originally built houses-Victorian era.
- John Maurin-MAG sys 56 properties need to be bought; he’s only counted 20. MAG would rather ruin whole block of houses versus 4 houses in University/Oakland area.
Motion Tim Sprague-For DVC to write letter of support for St. Matthews Neighborhood, oppose Jefferson alignment and reconsider the 19th Avenue alignment proposal. Seconded by Louisa Stark, motion carried by voice vote.
Susan Copeland will write letter with help from Louisa.
11:15AM
Discussion of Building Community Cinema-Reid and Steve
- Goal is to reenergize and reach out from DVC, discuss DVC issues in context of film series, films will be programmed around community building issues and in various local spaces, first show projected for last Thursday in March(going to happen now in April).
11:27 AM
Trash Cans in Historic Neighborhoods
- City wants to close alleys and have folks take cans to front. At hearing for idea, 100 people showed up in opposition. Police say alleyway is crime issue, but abandoning alleys will create new issues, especially homeless issues.
Motion to adjourn-Kim Kasper, second Steve Weiss…voice vote, carried unanimously.
DVC: A realistic downtown assessment
[Source: Susan Copeland, Special for the Arizona Republic, January 29, 2011]
Late last year, Don Brandt and David Roderique of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership wrote a My Turn column that seemed overly and predictably self-flattering (“It’s important to keep vibrant downtown Phoenix vision alive,” Viewpoints, Nov. 28).
How otherwise would anyone count Arizona Center and Collier Center’s retail component as design successes or point to the foreclosed Summit at Copper Square or practically empty 44 Monroe née condominium projects now apartments as recent development highlights?
It pays to remind the movers and shakers that those who forget their history, or worse, glamorize it, are doomed to repeat it.
Here’s a more realistic assessment.
Sports fans are a fickle beast. No great world city would count on any team to financially carry it. Though Chase Field and US Airways Center bring people downtown, they depend on the abilities of athletes to act herculean. Only Hercules can always have a winning season, and even the Suns’ Steve Nash is mortal.
The result is a cyclical accounting, reaping the few profitable months and anticipating the yawing chasm when the teams lose or finish their seasons. Even when the games are popular, fans are pushed to get back in their cars and follow the event-oriented traffic design straight out of the center city back to their suburban homes.
Yes, we have a true world-class, award-winning signature sculpture, “Her Secret Is Patience,” in the Downtown Civic Space, but it goes dark every night at 11 p.m.
Yes, we have a beautiful Metro light rail, but it took a groundswell of small-business support for extending later hours just on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Yes, we have a downtown Arizona State University, but the promise of a campus integrated into the downtown has reaped clustered buildings and asphalt lots insular of community engagement. There is little gain of nighttime street activity by ASU’s presence.
Meanwhile, our loss of a central city park — Patriots Square Park — is replaced by a suburban mall stylistically dating to the 20th century, and we just lost the best potential for a real vintage boutique hotel, the midcentury Sahara/Ramada, to give the city-owned Sheraton another parking facility.
With all the damage done, there are still hopeful signs, if only our city officials and civic leaders follow their own community vetted and charetted ideals.
The Urban Form Project; Arts, Culture, and Small Business District Overlay; and Adaptive Reuse Program are smarter moves for aspiring urban infill than another stab at a faux urban Entertainment District.
When the city actually listens to its citizens rather than check-marking the input box, great things happen, like the improved ASU Nursing School exterior or the forthcoming Washington Street Centennial Project.
The expensive real-estate development fallout from the Great Recession should help to reset speculation and create truly affordable rentals and live/work housing.
It remains to be seen if our civic leaders will finally get it, and not just acknowledge the contributions of arts, culture, and true street-level local business, but champion it to the level even with what was big, but teetered or failed.
Susan Copeland is the chair of the Downtown Voices Coalition. For more information, go online to http://www.downtownvoices.org
Note:
- Susan’s op-ed (plus online comments) is HERE.
- Messrs Brandt and Roderique’s op-ed is HERE.
DVC Meeting Agenda – January 8, 2011
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Roosevelt Commons, 825 N. 6th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Introductions and minutes review 12-11-10
Discussion
STRATEGIZE AND PRIORITIZE VISIONING CONFERENCE DOCUMEN – Jim McPherson and group
Old Business
- West-Side Light Rail Route
- Hance Park
- Dog Park
- Patriots Square Park
New Business
Adjourn 11:30 am
DVC Minutes for October 9, 2010
Meeting held at Roosevelt Commons, 825 N. 6th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Attending: Tim Sprague, Louisa Stark, Matt Tomb, Elise Griffin, Beatrice Moore, Steve Weiss, Reid Butler, Emily Gersema, Tim Eigo, Suad Mahmuljin, Karla Grijalva, Eva O. Olivas, Sean Sweat, Tim Eigo
9:40 AM: Introductions and approval of minutes
Motion to approve Reid Butler, Second Tim Eigo, voice vote carried unanimously.
9:45 AM: GUEST SPEAKER REP. CHAD CAMPBELL(District 14), STATE TAX CODE LOOPHOLES
State Budget 2 billion in overage, borrowed so much bond rating down. Sold state buildings for lease back, education and health care cuts imminent.
State already has high state sales tax rate, with 51-53 % of state revenue as sales tax.
Solution for fiscal soundness-10 billion dollars on books as exemptions-if medical/health care exemptions removed from discussion, still 3 billion left in exemptions(examples-country club memberships, 4” gas pipe used for home construction, horse/dog racing) No stomach from state legislature to increase property taxes.
Reform of tax code key-revenue neutral-lower sales tax from 6% to 4%.
Best way to solve problem-close exemptions, tax services(big push-back). Otherwise when temporary 3 year tax increase expires, state will fall off cliff financially.
Discussion: promote and advertise that exemptions exist. Broaden base, spread burden around
2012-ballot initiative-equity in tax codes,but hope is that it should be discussed in legislature before doing it through ballot.
10:48 AM: STATUS HANCE/DECK PARK-REID BUTLER
Master Plan discussion in progress for Hance Park, Karen Williams from City of Phoenix in charge.
January 27, 2011-get Master Plan approved from Parks Board
Group working to create Conservancy-long-term commitment looks for additional revenue from park. “How do you bring in $20,000./month?”
Performing Arts Center under-utilized/Make Hance Park gathering place
Block out workshop with DVC – discussion Hance Park-invite ASU Downtown and Karen Williams
11:00 AM: METRO WEST UPDATE – REID BUTLER
Long-range planning light rail to West Valley
Alignments Jefferson through St. Matthews-Metro and City postponed decision-pushback from community.
Best idea-use 19th Avenue
Tim Sprague-current route gives least economic development opportunities
Reid Butler-Working group preferred Adams versus Jefferson
19th Ave-from I-10 costs more but better economic development
New discussion-N edge I-10 versus middle of I-10
Need real discussion meeting with community-not show and tell
11:17 AM: ASU DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL-STEVE WEISS
Steve Weiss-should I stay in this group even if it’s seems a joke and a time-waster?
DVC – Yes, because it’s good to know what’s going on.
DISCUSSION ON VISIONING DOCUMENT TABLED TO NOVEMBER GENERAL MEETING
Tim Eigo, second Steve Weiss
NEW BUSINESS
11:32 AM: CVS McDowell/Central applying for liquor license
DVC to send letter of disapproval(note that letter ended up sent to Phoenix Councilman Nowakowski…liquor clerk said we were out of area for consideration based on physical address DVC, can’t use PO Box)
11:37 AM: MOTION TO ADJOURN
Louisa Stack, So Moved
11:30 AM: MEETING ADJOURNED
