Minutes of a Public Meeting
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION VISION 21 TASK FORCE
9:00 a.m., Thursday, June 10, 1999
Arizona State Capitol
Executive Tower
2nd Floor State Reception Room
Phoenix, Arizona
The Full Task Force met in official session for a Regular Meeting at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, June 10, 1999, with Chairperson Sharon B. Megdal, Ph.D., presiding. Other members present were Martin L. Shultz, Lisa Atkins, Steve Basila, John Bivens, Tom Browning, Robert Bulla, Patrick Carlin, Paulson Chaco, Priscilla Cornelio, Kurt Davis, Joe Herrick, Gary Knight, John Mawhinney, Diane McCarthy, Sheldon Miller, Dave Olney, Kevin Olson, Mary Peters, Raul Piña, Ingo Radicke, Barbara Ralston, Rene Redondo, Jim Shipman, Jim Simmons, Lela Steffey, Frank Thorwald, and Steve Wheeler. Members absent were Cecil Antone, Malcolm Barrett and Valerie Manning. Staff present were Stephanie Bondeson, John Carlson, Jennifer Macdonald and Alan Maguire. Others present were Maria Baier, Steve Betts and Carol Colombo.
Welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, Opening Comments
Dr. Megdal called the meeting to order and all present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
She explained this is a Full Task Force Meeting instead of a Definition of Needs, Resources & Revenues meeting as originally scheduled. This meeting is not being broadcast, but tapes are available. She welcomed Ingo Radicke, a new member who is replacing John Hudson. She also introduced Lorraine Moreno, who is assisting Stephanie Bondeson.
Presentation and Discussion, NAFTA and the CANAMEX Corridor
Presentation and Discussion, Federal and State Funding for CANAMEX Projects
Carol Colombo indicated there is a global economic upheaval and NAFTA needs to adapt, be flexible and creative. She then read a DRI McGraw-Hill study passage about NAFTA. Ms. Colombo indicated state and federal agencies have failed to support education and infrastructure. The U.S. has 4% of the world’s population, and 22% of the world’s wealth. The U.S. must open markets to products and services around the world. Through NAFTA, U.S. trade to Canada and Mexico is without tariffs. Before NAFTA there was a 10% trade tariff, after NAFTA the tariff is 0-2%. Mexico has surpassed Japan as the number one U.S. export market. In the past five years, the Arizona export market has increased. Services are also provided to Mexico (doctors, lawyers, etc.) There have been over 15,000 job gains to Canada and Mexico.
Ms. Colombo indicated Canamex is a trade corridor that has (1) commercial infrastructures; (2) integrated technology; (3) business/professional infrastructure; (4) linkage from Mexico to Canada; and (5) well-developed highways and rails. There were eight primary states indicated on the handout. There is one highway and bridge linkage
missing for a straight way from Canada to Mexico. Ms. Colombo indicated the goal of Canamex is to make a path of least resistance for trade.
Mr. Carlson indicated his focus on Canamex is the highway link. In 1995, Congress created the Canamex corridor. Segments are I-19 to I-10 to US-60 to US-93. He would like truck bypass routes and the federal funding to accomplish these routes. Mary Peters will be working in this area. The packet Mr. Carlson handed out included a timetable and studies sheet. Mr. Carlson went over the timeline. In 1997, $2.5 million was collected from vehicle fees and permit fees. This money was used to provide MVD with staff, to process vehicles, and for DPS. Mr. Carlson indicated a substation may be provided 25 miles from the border in Sonora.
Mr. Carlson indicated a study is being done on the location of a site for a Canamex port at the Mexico border. The study will be available July 15. Over $6 million is available for funding the Nogales port. He reviewed a chart summarizing the ADOT commitment to Canamex and a brief overview of state and federal funding. He provided an update on the Hoover Dam bypass, which will be funded and completed as soon as possible. Mr. Carlson thanked Bob Hollis and Dennis Mittlesand for their great work getting funding for this project.
Mr. Carlson referred to the Potential Funding handout. The $10 million indicated from the state is not a sure thing. Mary Peters will be requesting this amount. Nevada will receive an additional $9.5 million from TEA 21, and Arizona will receive $21 million from TEA 21.
Dr. Megdal thanked Mr. Carlson and Ms. Colombo for their presentations.
Mr. Thorwald inquired about a rail system from Phoenix to Las Vegas. Mr. Carlson indicated rail and aviation are critical to the success of the Canamex corridor. Nothing has been done yet, but he will be working with Joe Hart on that linkage and will be putting together a status report. Mr. Thorwald indicated that rail should be part of the bypass bridge. He also indicated Las Vegas is considering a new airport. He felt the Nevada Casino Organization should be asked to put in money because of the tourism it would bring.
Mr. Mawhinney inquired as to the status of trucking along the border. Mr. Carlson discussed this with SCT (Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes) and the Federal Highway Commission indicated other states are not ready to handle long trucking. Arizona is set to be ready in January 2000. Ms. Colombo indicated Mexico has been ready since 1998, and steps have been taken at the federal level. Mr. Carlson indicated package delivery such as UPS is a sticky subject. Mexico is concerned with safety and may restrict trucking to commercial.
Ms. Steffey inquired about rail service to Nogales. Ms. Colombo indicated Mexico is privatizing the rail system. Plans should be multi-modal and should connect U.S. rail to Mexico rail. Mr. Carlson indicated one consortium bought all the rail lines from Sonora. Ms. Peters indicated that multi-modal transportation is a great concern – there has been a meeting with Amtrak and they are working on a Tucson rail site.
Mr. Bivens inquired about Grand Avenue south of 93. Mr. Carlson indicated money has been set aside by MAG for improvement to Grand Avenue. Mr. Bivens then asked about the Wickenburg situation. Ms. Peters indicated there had been a meeting with much dissension. There was a group of opposition merchants looking at alternatives to bypass the entire city. Mr. Bivens indicated there were concerns about any bottleneck that may occur. Ms. Peters indicated it was the department’s position that the highway along the corridor be a minimum 4-lane.
Dr. Megdal asked for a projection on future traffic and who is monitoring truck traffic, whether due to NAFTA or just commerce. Ms. Peters stated the last study was done in late 1997, which indicated a peak of 40%, usually at 22%. Little was attributed to NAFTA; was more cross-country traffic. Mr. Carlson indicated there are two documents tracking traffic for 1997-1998 and the revenue history at Nogales port. There was also a request for DPS inspections report. Mr. Carlson said he would pass out these documents after the meeting.
Dr. Megdal referred further questions directly to Ms. Colombo or Mr. Carlson.
Mr. Thorwald inquired into what was being done about contraband brought into the US. Mr. Carlson indicated U.S. customs and DPS work together at Nogales. They have modernized x-ray equipment, density measurements and advanced technology. Mr. Thorwald inquired about the rail. Dr. Megdal indicated there was probably no expertise to handle this as it is beyond the scope of the department. Mr. Thorwald felt there could be massive delays and bottlenecks.
Dr. Megdal thanked Mr. Carlson and Ms. Colombo for their presentations.
Dr. Megdal indicated that everyone had received a hard copy of the 4/8/99 minutes in their folders. She requested changes to be forwarded to Ms. Bondeson. Ms. Carlson thanked Ms. Peters and everyone on the Board for all their help.
There was a break in the meeting from 10:15 to 10:25.
Presentation and Discussion: Growing Smarter Commission
Dr. Megdal thanked Maria Baier and Steve Betts for coming to this meeting. Ms. Baier apologized for Jack Pfister being unavailable. As background to the Growing Smarter Commission, Ms. Baier explained that Governor Hull wanted preservation of open space and recognized the importance of growth-related issues. Character of the communities, natural resources and the economy were to be preserved. The Governor added local control and private property rights. The Growing Smarter Commission was formed with planning provisions and Proposition 303, which allocates $220 million over 11 years to buy or lease State Trust land.
Mr. Betts explained that the Growing Smarter legislation requires communities to prepare general and comprehensive plans. By state law all general plans have to have transportation allowances. He was asked to include in general plans: (1) open space element; (2) cost of growth; (3) growth area; and, (4) environmental elements. The "Basic Harmony Standard" in Arizona added strict conformity to the plan and will control quality of growth.
Ms. Baier described the composition of the Growing Smarter Commission. The purpose of the commission included consideration of: state land use, state land exchanges, regional planning, purchase of development rights, urban/rural growth patterns, and the land/water conservation fund. The Governor recruited 120 people to work in subcommittees. The next step would be to take the recommendations of the committees to other areas of the state within the next few months and educate the public and get feedback. Ms. Baier indicated she had brochures and there is a Website.
Mr. Betts expressed willingness to work with the Task Force, but they have a September 1, 1999 deadline. The rough draft is updated on the Website. Eight subcommittees turned in reports and they have been refined. One of the high points of the draft is the urban/rural growth patterns indicating boundary lines of growth and the creation of a state growth plan which would give incentives to state agencies. Goals would be set up, if goals were met, bonus points, tied to state funding, would be given. Discretionary transportation funds could be used for incentives. There would also be coordination of regional planning. COGS would be used to coordinate land use plans. There would be a Citizen Participation Program, regulation of zoning tools, open space/Prop. 303 funds, developmental rights which would give farmers the incentive to keep farming, and modernization tools. The Transportation Department should discuss the state plan and incentives.
Dr. Megdal thanked Mr. Betts and opened the meeting for questions.
Mr. Shipman questioned the standard of strict conformity. Mr. Betts indicated the concept would have a big effect on Arizona. It cannot be changed and must be followed.
Once the plans are adopted, they must be met in all areas. Mr. Shipman asked if there would be reasons other than incentives to conform. Mr. Betts indicated there would be requirements in the codes of local government that can be voted on. The state plan will set goals, and local governments will set incentives to achieve goals. Mr. Shipman indicated this was not successful on the ballot. Mr. Betts stated it has popular support and has been reworked.
Dr. Megdal suggested that local jurisdictions making land use decisions affect transportation. She would like to know where coordination with transportation on land use decisions has been addressed. Mr. Betts indicated with strict conformity, it must be put into a general plan and transportation infrastructure funded. The state planning element requires that transportation goals be met or they may lose discretionary funding. Dr. Megdal indicated it was not clear that cost elements include state transportation routes. She felt that there were still many unanswered questions. Ms. Baier explained that the Governor recognizes that transportation and water have not been adequately addressed.
Mr. Shultz referred to page 2 of the Website copy and suggested that specificity is needed for goal implementation. If growth goals were clear, there would be ways that transportation could facilitate goals, and the Task Force could design a recommendation to accomplish the goals.
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Mr. Mawhinney requested the definition of "significant regional impact" and suggested that the COGS would have to agree. He also indicated there are no transportation components specified in any area and he believes that something needs to be built in. Mr. Betts confirmed that transportation is included but perhaps needs to be spelled out more clearly. Mr. Mawhinney inquired how significant regional impacts would be recognized on a statewide basis. Mr. Betts recognized that this was a difficult issue. Ms. Peters indicated COGS have different criteria and elements that should be considered including infrastructure requirements.
Mr. Thorwald asked for the definition of "open space." Mr. Betts referred to the General Planning statute. Open space can be active or passive, park, ranch, farm or preserve; golf courses are not considered open space. Mr. Thorwald asked what percentage of the state is in conservation and closed to the public. Ms. Baier said she would find out. Mr. Thorwald asked what percentage of the $20 million goes to State Trust lands. Ms. Baier answered that the figure is 90%. Mr. Thorwald indicated that 15% of the state is privately owned. He inquired how this affects the tax base. Mr. Thorwald asked about flexibility of local groups to change plans. Mr. Betts explained the process by which plan changes could be made at the state and local level.
Dr. Megdal suggested that the funding program criterion needs to be more general (ADOT funds, not state transportation funds). Mr. Betts noted that this was changed in the June 8 draft. Mr. Shultz suggested that the subject be discussed further.
Mr. Davis indicated the Governor and staff would be reviewing recommendations made today and going through a whole process.
Ms. Ralston commented that the premise of the plan is consistency with the state plan. Mr. Redondo indicated all regions should be involved in a statewide plan, and that it is the Task Force’s job to consolidate and coordinate planning among the regions and COGS. Mr. Shultz indicated an awareness of schedules and impact, but the Commission’s scheduled is established by law. He also indicated there may be philosophical questions about a balanced budget and state plan, but the Task Force can be more visionary. Dr. Megdal agreed they must work in harmony.
Ms. Baier indicated Jack Pfister would like to meet with the Task Force and invited all chairs to the meeting on June 16th.. There is not much flexibility on the time schedule. Mr. Shultz indicated there is a petition being circulated regarding the Growing Smarter Commission; he personally has criticisms. Dr. Megdal indicated a follow-up is very important and requested a status report on the four public input meetings in Yuma, Tucson, Sierra Vista and Peoria. Four more meetings are scheduled, and Central Phoenix and a second West Valley meeting are being planned.
Call to the Public
Dr. Megdal introduced Blue Crowley. Mr. Crowley had been given notes from DeeDee Barker, who had to leave. She requested rail transit use existing tracks for public transportation.
Mr. Crowley indicated there were two meetings yesterday regarding management council and long-range plans. He indicated Wickenburg doesn’t want a ghost town. Golf courses are included on the open space list. There should be a meeting in the southwest area of Phoenix. ADOT is not bike sensitive. He indicated Litchfield has a rail down to Mexico and inquired why it is not being used. The trade and corridor study did not include Route 303 or Sun Valley, which can hook up with Highway 85. He also indicated a bike tunnel is needed under Grand Avenue. He also asked how a handicapped person could possibly attend this meeting.
Closing Comments & Adjourn
Dr. Megdal announced that the June 24 committee meetings have been cancelled. The next full task force meeting will be August 12. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Sharon Megdal, Ph.D., Chairperson
