The Governor’s Transportation Vision 21 Task Force met in official session for a Regular Meeting at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 13, 2001 with Co-Chairpersons Martin Shultz and Sharon Megdal presiding. Other members in attendance were Lisa Atkins, Malcolm Barrett, Steve Basila, Tom Browning, Robert Bulla, Paulson Chaco, Priscilla Cornelio, Kurt Davis, Valerie Manning, John Mawhinney, Diane McCarthy, Sheldon Miller, Dennis Mitchem, Dave Olney, Kevin Olson, Ingo Radicke, Barbara Ralston, Rene Redondo, Jim Shipman, and Lela Steffey. Also present were Governor Jane Dee Hull; John Carlson, Governor’s Transportation Advisor; and Alan Maguire, Consultant, Maguire Company.
Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome
Mr. Shultz called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. and all present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Shultz congratulated the Task Force members on the results of their long and successful journey.
Comments by Governor Jane Dee Hull
Governor Hull expressed her appreciation for each members’ loyalty to the task and commended each on their service to the state. She said this was the first time the state has made a comprehensive attempt to create a statewide plan. She thanked Mr. Shultz and Dr. Megdal for their leadership and Mr. Maguire, Mr. Carlson and ADOT staff for their invaluable input and assistance. She stated the work the Task Force has done and the database it created will be the tools the state uses in moving forward.
Governor Hull assured the Task Force that their report would be reviewed in detail and most of the recommendations would proceed towards implementation. She stated she recently signed an Executive Order that will look at the creation of an Aviation Commission and signed legislation returning aviation taxes to the State Aviation Fund. She acknowledged the importance of the Hoover Dam to both Arizona and Nevada, stating she will be working to get additional funding to finish the dam, hopefully by 2006.
Governor Hull concluded her comments thanking each member for their participation and dedicated efforts.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Action: A motion to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2001 meeting was made, seconded and passed unanimously.
Adoption of Task Force Final Report
Action: A motion to adopt the Task Force Final Report as presented for transmittal to Governor Hull was made, seconded and passed with all those present voting "aye", except Kurt Davis, who voted "nay".
Mr. Shultz thanked all of the Task Force members for their participation and hard work.
Dr. Megdal acknowledged Matt Carpenter and Lisa Pendrick for their tireless efforts and behind-the-scenes assistance.
Mr. Shultz thanked present and past audience members for their interest and participation
Mr. Shultz stated Mr. Carlson will be working with the Legislature where more debate over certain recommendations in the report is certain to occur. He urged Task Force members to continue their advocacy of the recommendations, stating the data the Task Force compiled is compelling evidence that the recommendations need to be implemented.
Mr. Shultz thanked the Planning Organizations and Legislative Staff for their participation, while Dr. Megdal expressed the Task Force’s appreciation to Mary Peters and Mary Lynn Tischer.
Closing Comments
Mr. Miller expressed his hope that the recommended processes and collected data would be implemented and used to meet the demands of growth in the state. He thanked his fellow Task Force members for their service and said he found the experience to be very educational.
Mr. Basila thanked Governor Hall for allowing him the opportunity to serve on the Task Force. He stated their work has just begun. He thanked Mr. Maguire for his involvement.
Mr. Olney said it was a privilege to serve on the Task Force. He expressed his opinion that the Task Force produced a good report, stating he hopes to see it put into action. He agreed serving on the Task Force was very educational.
Mr. Radicke stated the Task Force accomplished a great deal and should support the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report.
Ms. Cornelio thanked Mr. Maguire and Mr. Carlson for compiling the report, stating she hopes to be involved in the implementation of its recommendations.
Mr. Redondo thanked Mr. Shultz and Dr. Megdal for the chance to be involved with the Task Force, stating he looks forward to assisting the state in generating needed revenue. He thanked his fellow Task Force members for their friendship.
Mr. Bulla said he has enjoyed working with all of the Task Force members and believes they have set a baseline for future data and budgets. He said the question now is "What happens next?" He said money needs to be made available and the state’s progress needs to be tracked.
Mr. Browning thanked Dr. Megdal and Mr. Shultz for their leadership. He said the proof of their success will be in whether or not the recommendations are actually implemented. He stressed the need to keep the database updated. He said the report, though good, is two-dimensional, pointing out it does not address aviation.
Ms. Ralston thanked staff and the co-chairs. She also thanked Mr. Mawhinney for co-chairing a committee with her. She stated things that can be done quickly should be implemented immediately. She said she hopes discussions regarding taxes will be balanced with jobs the Task Force’s recommendations will create.
Mr. Mawhinney said he hopes the Legislature understands the need to implement the recommendations as soon as possible. He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the Task Force.
Ms. McCarthy said working with her fellow Task Force members was the most enjoyable part of the experience. She stated they are responsible to see that the momentum is maintained. She noted she and Kevin Olson have agreed to lead the WestMarc/East Valley Partnership effort to develop a regional transportation strategy.
Mr. Olson stated he, Diane McCarthy, Valerie Manning, and Tom Browning, along with various other business organizations, intend to build from the Task Force’s recommendations calling for similar reforms and governance changes. He said he is confident what the Task Force has done will provide a good foundation. He stated it was a privilege to serve on the Task Force and thanked Mr. Carlson and Mr. Maguire for their participation.
Ms. Atkins apologized for being late, expressing her support of the motion to forward the report to the Governor. She said she enjoyed being on the Task Force and learned a lot. She thanked Mr. Davis and others who were involved in the Governance Committee. She said she looks forward to her future involvement with governance issues.
Mr. Davis thanked Mr. Shultz and Dr. Megdal, giving them credit for keeping the process going. He thanked Mr. Carlson and Mr. Maguire for their support and their ability to keep everyone focused. He expressed his respect for the members of the task force and their individual positions on the very philosophical issue of governance. He said his "no" vote was based on philosophical grounds and, his vote not withstanding, vowed to work hard to see that many of the recommendations are implemented. He stressed that reform should be mandatory before any new dollars are proposed for the system, and expressed specific concern about the effects of the proposed impact fees.
Ms. Manning thanked Ms. Peters for her persistence in establishing the Task Force and Governor Hull for her support. She commended all of the Task Force members for their participation. She said she would be participating in the Regional Business Coalition and urged all members to continue communicating with each other as they move forward. She stated the members need to work together to convince the public that more money is needed if changes are to occur.
Mr. Barrett stated it was a privilege to serve on the Task Force, thanking Mr. Shultz, Dr. Megdal and the committee chairpersons for their leadership. He expressed his opinion the Task Force produced a quality document, stating it is now up to the state to move forward. He urged other Task Force members to encourage Legislative and public support of the plan.
Ms. Steffey explained she supported the report because she agrees with a majority of its recommendations. She said she does not believe, however, that mass transit was adequately addressed. In regards to governance, she stressed the need to create a seamless system.
Mr. Chaco said it was an honor and privilege to serve on the Task Force. He thanked Governor Hull for recognizing the Tribal perspective on transportation, stating, however, he would like to have seen more tribal issues addressed in the report. He expressed his appreciation to Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Pendrick, Mr. Carlson and Mr. Maguire.
Mr. Mitchem complimented Dr. Megdal and Mr. Shultz for their masterful leadership, stating he was honored to take over Mr. Simmons’ seat on the Task Force. He suggested the Task Force evolve into an action committee to ensure its recommendations are implemented. He also thanked staff for their strong support.
Mr. Shipman thanked Governor Hull for establishing the Task Force, stating it was his pleasure to serve. He thanked Dr. Megdal and Mr. Shultz for their guidance and Mr. Carlson and Mr. Maguire for their intellectual energy and ability to pull all of the ideas and discussions together into a plan. He said the plan represents a vision of where the state needs to go and how it can get there. He stated many of the issues will endure further debate and require continued advocacy by the members.
Dr. Megdal thanked all of the Task Force members for their positive attitude and willingness to cooperate. She thanked Mr. Shultz for his unending energy and optimism. She said the report is an accomplishment, attributable in large part to the consultants under Mr. Maguire’s leadership. She also thanked staff and Absolute Perfection Secretarial Services for their support. She reminded the members that this is not the end of the process, but the beginning.
Mr. Shultz credited Mr. Maguire and Mr. Carlson as being the intellectual drivers of the process. He stated governance issues will need to be resolved before serious discussions about money can take place. He asked Mr. Carlson to convey to Governor Hull the Task Force’s commitment to a continued involvement in the process, in whichever way deemed most helpful.
Call to the Public
Spencer Kamps, Home Builder’s Association of Central Arizona, stated transportation is a key issue to both their association and to homebuyers. He expressed concern about the $1,000 statewide impact fee, questioning its fairness. He also expressed concern that citizen control over local communities would be jeopardized by the creation of land use districts.
Perry Yazzie, Navajo Nation, Navajo Transit System, stated their system connects communities throughout Northern Arizona and is a major contributor to the economies of each of its border towns. He expressed concern about their ability to compete with county programs for funding, noting they have been denied LTAF II funding two years in a row.
Blue Crowley, citizen, expressed appreciation for the Task Force’s efforts. He agreed with Ms. Steffey that mass transit was not adequately addressed. He stated the construction industry does not look at infill developments, resulting in more urban sprawl. He pointed out the state is the largest employer in the state and asked what they are doing to get employees to use alternative means of transportation. He said he supports the concept of an elected regional authority over transportation. He suggested the state use paint as a weapon by creating more crosswalks and bike paths. He credited Mr. Olson, Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Atkins with being instrumental in getting the Task Force to look outside the box.
Joe Ryan, citizen, submitted written comments. He said the two main objectives are to shorten travel time and reduce costs. He expressed his opinion that Governance is the biggest challenge they face. He suggested the Task Force advocate for a rapid transit line along I-10 with multi-modal terminals in Ahwatukee, at the airport and in the downtown area. He also recommended they look for a rapid transit vehicle that would work in northern Arizona.
Mr. Shultz noted copies of the report and appendices will be available in CD format in January and on the Vision 21 website within the next few weeks.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
MARTIN SHULTZ, Co-Chairperson
SHARON MEDGAL, Co-Chairperson
