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 1^st, 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. 2^nd 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, 2^nd 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 19^th Ave can’t work, can Van Buren work? Staff says no.
• Discussion followed re: benefits of 19^th 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 19^th 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.

 

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 19^th Avenue

Tim Sprague-current route gives least economic development opportunities

Reid Butler-Working group preferred Adams versus Jefferson

19^th 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