MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION VISION 21 TASK FORCE
1:39 p.m., Thursday, October 7, 1999
Arizona State Capitol
Executive Tower
Phoenix, Arizona
The Governor’s Transportation Vision 21 Task Force met in official session for a Regular Meeting at 1:39 p.m., Thursday, October 7, 1999 with Co-Chairpersons Martin Shultz and Sharon Megdal presiding. Other members in attendance were Lisa Atkins, Malcolm Barrett, Steve Basila, John Bivens, Patrick Carlin, Paulson Chaco, Kurt Davis, Joe Herrick, Valerie Manning, John Mawhinney, Diane McCarthy, Kevin Olson, Mary Peters, Raul Piña, Ingo Radicke, Barbara Ralston, Rene Redondo, Jim Shipman, Frank Thorwald and Steve Wheeler. Also present were Stephanie Bondeson, Transportation Planner; John Carlson, Governor’s Transportation Advisor; Jennifer Macdonald, Legislative Liaison; Mary Lynn Tischer and Stephen Anderson.
Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome
Dr. Megdal called the meeting to order and all present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dr. Megdal introduced Stephen Anderson who was standing in for Alan Maguire. She then asked for comments and suggestions regarding the Summary of Discussions on December 12, 1999 prepared by Alan Maguire.
Discussion Items
1. After several months of meetings, presentations and discussions, what are the most important things the Task Force can accomplish? What approach should we take to ensure these issues are adequately addressed? Have your views changed since joining the task force?
Mr. John Bivens stated he felt the task force could accomplish a lot if they clearly define the key issues, have the courage to be bold, have an open mind and consider what is best for all of Arizona. He suggested dividing responsibilities and meeting with elected officials one-on-one.
Ms. Barbara Ralston stated her views have changed since joining the task force. She recommended that common methodology and terminology be used.
Mr. John Mawhinney suggested recommending to the legislature that a uniform system for gathering material in a clear consistent manner be imposed.
Ms. Mary Peters noted the importance of establishing policy objectives. She stated that the task force has to be visionary.
Mr. Frank Thorwald stated he does see some forward movement, but that there has not been as much progress as he had hoped.
Mr. Ingo Radicke reiterated the need to be focused on the future.
2. What aspects of Arizona’s transportation system seem to work best? Work adequately? Work poorly? Barely work?
Ms. Peters stated she feels the system successfully defines highway needs, does a poor job in terms of multimodalism and barely works in terms of linking transportation statewide.
Mr. Kurt Davis suggested that the system is confusing and there needs to be clear accountability and decision making. He recommended separating the issues of planning from those of funding and implementation.
Mr. Frank Thorwald commented on the strong mistrust small rural communities have for larger cities.
Ms. Valerie Manning stated there has been little broad-based involvement.
Mr. Paulson Chaco suggested that the planning process needs improvement.
Mr. Jim Shipman recommended strengthening the concept of multimodalism by strengthening the authority of the state department.
Mr. Martin Shultz stated that he feels the freeway system works except during peak hours and in areas of rapid recent growth. He suggested that more focus be placed on the relationship between land use planning and transportation.
Dr. Megdal noted the system works poorly in terms of safety enforcement issues.
Ms. Peters agreed with Dr. Megdal on the importance of safety and suggested that focus be placed on all operational issues.
Mr. John Carlson stated that DPS will testify on 10/27 in regards to safety issues.
Mr. Patrick Carlin suggested looking at the safety design of the freeways.
Mr. Mawhinney suggested members submit written comments and suggestions regarding this question. Dr. Megdal agreed and asked that the comments be submitted by email or fax by next week.
Mr. Anderson summarized the key points of questions 1 and 2. Dr. Megdal suggested that operational issues be added to his summary.
3. How do we appropriately balance the need for specific, identifiable systems improvements to support our recommendations and the limitations of a volunteer, citizen task force? What techniques might best be utilized to ensure the task force’s recommendations are considered credible?
Mr. Mawhinney stated that recommendations need to be clear, honest and non-political. He suggested that standardized rules and policies need to be created, but that they should not interfere with the local planning processes.
Mr. Bivens suggested delegating authority to the local levels with the State having authority to set guidelines.
Mr. Steve Wheeler stated that the task force needs to determine what issues exist, the processes involved and then recommend solutions.
Mr. Shipman stated that he feels the task force seems to be taking steps backwards at the policy level in terms of multimodalism. He recommended looking at whether transportation is used to shape land use.
Mr. Thorwald noted that the task force needs to stand by any recommendations it makes even after the task force is over.
Mr. Rene Redondo agreed with Mr. Mawhinney on the need to define the processes and recommended a rigid policy be created as to how priorities are set.
Ms. Manning suggested putting the issue of funding aside until specific needs have been identified. She stated there needs to be consistency in determining needs and that the State’s projected growth rate needs to be determined to better understand where needs are.
Mr. Steve Basila stated that the credibility of the task force’s recommendations will be determined by the credibility of the information gathered.
Mr. Shipman questioned members as to whether they were looking for information to defend or justify the policy on multimodalism.
The meeting was recessed for a short break at 2:40 p.m. Paulson Chaco, Mary Peters, Jennifer Macdonald, John Carlson and Mary Lynn Tischer left prior to or during this break.
Mr. Shultz stated he feels they are driving towards a multimodal plan. He believes the data is being developed so that final recommendations will be credible and that the data will support multimodalism.
Mr. Mawhinney stated that the Governor has asked the task force to look at the issue of multimodalism and that he feels the system will not work without it.
Mr. Kevin Olson stated that the purpose of the committee is to create a system that best moves people and goods, not multimodalism per se.
Ms. Ralston suggested that to be credible, the task force needs to match its recommendations to input it has received from the public.
Dr. Megdal stated that the task force was ready to go out with two out of the three RFPs for consultants and that they should have the two consultants by the third week in November.
Mr. Anderson summarized the main points for question 3.
4. What do we, as a Task Force, need to do in order to develop a “long-range, multimodal transportation plan for Arizona”? What do we need to know?
Ms. McCarthy asked if there is an agreed on definition of multimodal. Board members suggested that the term multimodal included highway, air, railroad, as well as pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Mr. Davis stated that today’s definition may be very different from that of the future. He challenged members to create a system that fits both current and future needs.
Ms. Ralston stated that the system needs to be flexible and adaptable.
Mr. Shipman asked members if they were satisfied with the mix of multimodalism. He then asked, if they were not, what changes could be made without the need for additional revenue.
Mr. Basila suggested that after credible data has been collected, having individual committees develop goals and objectives to develop a roadmap of where the task force wants to go.
Mr. Wheeler questioned if what is currently available could be better and more effectively utilized.
Mr. Shultz suggested that the growth plans for the state need to be determined, as they will dictate what modes will be most effective.
Mr. Thorwald stated that effective interaction between the modes is key and asked what impact technology would have on those modes.
Mr. Anderson summarized the main points for question 4.
5. What steps can be taken to better coordinate transportation planning and other local, regional and state planning activities?
Mr. Olson suggested that too much emphasis has been placed on gathering information. He stated that a better understanding of the facts and the consequences of those facts is needed. He suggested analyzing the data they currently have rather than just gathering additional information. He recommended having each committee create a strategic plan.
Mr. Davis stated that the Governance Committee is trying to determine the current state of governance and set objectives of where they need to go.
Mr. Thorwald stated that there needs to be a baseline and methodology to develop a long-range multimodal plan.
Mr. Bivens asked if Ms. Tischer could compile information regarding the federal restrictions and amount of freedom the task force has.
Mr. Redondo stated that there needs to be a measure by which it can be determined if the plan is working.
Mr. Olson recommended there be a common reporting standard. Mr. Shultz asked Mr. Olson to have his committee look at the issue of reporting standards.
Mr. Anderson summarized the main points for question 5.
Mr. Bivens asked that printed copies of Mr. Anderson’s summary be given to members.
Mr. Shultz suggested combining the summaries of August 12 and today’s meetings.
Ms. McCarthy reviewed the MAG Vision 2025 handout.
Dr. Megdal reviewed the modifications to the calendar. She also requested status reports from the committees.
Mr. Basila, Ms. Manning, Mr. McGee and Mr. Olson left prior to the Call to the Public.
Announcements
Dr. Megdal interrupted the discussion items to provide members with the following announcements:
Summaries of Public Input meetings were given to members.
The task force received a letter from the Inter-Tribal Council regarding the stakeholder meeting on October 15, 1999. The purpose of attending this meeting is to familiarize the tribe with what the task force is doing. Dr. Megdal stated that attendance is encouraged, but not required.
Call to the Public
Mr. Joe McCullough, from Pima Association of Governments, commented on the need for flexibility in transportation funding. He stated HURF was very restricted.
Mr. Joe Ryan, Sun City West, commented on standardization of reporting and suggested ways to bring money into the state. He also recommended that the task force plan out 50 or more years in terms of rapid transit.
Mr. Blue Crowley spoke regarding the transit system. He stated his agreement with comments made by Mr. Davis and Mr. Chaco on question 2. He noted the need for more crosswalks and bicycle paths. He suggested that the ADA should be included in the task force’s decision making process. Mr. Crowley submitted documentation to the task force for its review.
Closing comments and adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
MARTIN SHULTZ, Co-Chairperson
SHARON MEDGAL, Co-Chairperson
