Minutes of a Public Meeting
PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED SUMMARY
OF A PUBLIC INPUT MEETING,
HELD IN THE CITY OF PEORIA, FOR THE
GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION VISION 21 TASK FORCE
5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 13, 1999
City of Peoria Council Chambers
8401 West Monroe
Peoria, Arizona
The Governor’s Transportation Vision 21 Task Force met in official session for a Public Meeting at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 13, 1999, with Co-Chairpersons Martin Shultz and Sharon Megdal presiding. Other members present were: Lisa Atkins, Steve Basila, John Bivens, Tom Browning, Joe Herrick, Gary Knight, Valerie Manning, Diane McCarthy, Mary Peters, Rene Redondo and Frank Thorwald. Also present were Stephanie Bondeson, ADOT Project Manager for the task force; and John Carlson, Governor’s Transportation Advisor.
Welcome, Introductions, Charge of the Task Force
Mr. Shultz called the meeting to order and explained how the meeting would be conducted. He provided a brief background presentation on the formation of the task force. He discussed the charge of the task force by the Executive Order of Governor Hull and the commitment of the task force members to fulfill that charge. Members of the task force introduced themselves. Requested to make a statement, Dr. Megdal stressed that the task force members are volunteering their time to serve on the task force. She stressed the long-term nature as well as the multi-modal importance of the task at hand. Dr. Megdal introduced staff members assisting the task force.
Comments from Local Elected Officials and the Public
Ms. Jan Brewer, Maricopa County Supervisor and former State Senator, stated that she would provide a brief insight into Maricopa County’s perspective on transportation issues in the new century. She agreed that transportation is critical to the economic growth and vitality of Arizona and Maricopa County. She noted the comprehensive plan adopted in October 1997 by Maricopa County, which provides a vision for planning and constructing transportation facilities through the year 2020. She spoke to the need to develop a seamless transportation system while maintaining the existing system. She outlined the goals of the plan and the county’s commitment to transportation. She suggested that the transportation-related decision making process is the key. She listed key projects that Maricopa County is committed to completing and stated that Grand Avenue is probably the most vital transportation artery in the Northwest Valley and must be dealt with. Ms. Brewer commented on transportation projects in the East Valley as well as transportation studies either completed or underway throughout the Valley. In conclusion, she expressed her appreciation to the task force and conveyed Maricopa County’s commitments to provide the task force with any kind of help possible.
Mr. Shultz requested that Supervisor Brewer talk to the other County Supervisors and take a close look at the governance system and make specific recommendations on how it can be improved and made more efficient. Ms. Brewer agreed to give the task great thought.
Mr. Shultz asked if the county has a plan relative to Grand Avenue that it would present to the task force. Ms. Brewer indicated that there have been and are currently a lot of plans. The County Supervisors would like to see the overpasses at every intersection along the road. She indicated that the group has a lot of information, and they would be thrilled to put something together and present it from the perspective of what the West Valley has been faced with for years.
Dr. Megdal asked to hear Supervisor Brewer’s thoughts on other modes of transportation than roadways as well.
Mr. Joe LaRue, Councilmember, City of Peoria and Supervisor Brewer’s appointment to the Maricopa County Department of Transportation Advisory Board, distilled the comments made today down to four key words: regionalism, multimodal, safety and sustainability. He stated that the governance structure needs to be regional with heavy input from the constituents of each district. He stated that transportation planning goes hand in hand with land use planning, and jurisdictions need to work together in that regard, especially the county and the cities. He suggested that the legislature needs to give the county the same powers that the cities have. Mr. LaRue stated that the new benchmark needs to be the efficient movement of goods, services and people, regardless of what transportation mode is used. He stressed the importance of maintaining a safe environment above all else, regardless of policies, procedures or revenue structures. The number one constituent complaint he receives relates to transportation safety, and he believes more could be done in transportation planning on a regional basis to look at safety issues. He referenced a system whereby county projects will be awarded priority points based on safety factors. Finally, he emphasized the need to be able to sustain and maintain the roads and multimodal systems created. Mr. LaRue referenced the fact that he participated in a transportation town hall two years previous. He believed there was a resounding consensus at that time to increase the gas tax, and he believes this is an area that needs to be looked at from a revenue perspective.
Mr. Bivens asked Mr. LaRue to share additional details about the county’s point system for safety and suggested that perhaps there was some way this could be employed on a statewide basis. Mr. LaRue said that he would ask McDOT staff to report on that system. He noted that what has been found is that the political process has been taken out of the process for selecting projects. He confirmed for Mr. Bivens that the system is not multimodal, as historically the county has been concerned with building roadways, although they are trying to broaden the scope of the county’s transportation efforts by looking at some multimodal enhancements.
Mr. David Moody, City of Peoria Public Works Director, commented on the growth the Northwest Valley is experiencing. Peoria will have doubled its population by the year 2000 in only ten years. He stressed the pressure this places on the city with respect to transportation issues. He has identified and is working with the county on over 1.5 billion dollars worth of transportation needs. He explained that Peoria has two rivers on each side of the city, the Agua Fria and Skunk Creek, and building and maintaining those bridges is a major issue. He noted the deteriorating condition of the city’s arterials and the resources needed to address those arterials. Mr. Moody stated that he has only 1.5 million dollars each year to maintain roads. In his opinion, the state needs to be giving the cities more money not taking it away. Mr. Moody commented on the city’s minimal transit system. He said there is a tremendous pressure to expand Dial-A-Ride so that the service can move between the cities. He believes mass transit is the answer, but Peoria does not have the funds available to pay for a mass transit system. He confirmed for Mr. Basila that the 1.5 billion in needs is primarily roads with adjacent infrastructure such as bike paths, sidewalks, etc.
Mr. LaRue spoke of the city’s struggle with respect to transit. They have come to the conclusion that a study needs to be done on a regional basis. Council has directed staff to work with the county, Glendale and other jurisdictions in the West Valley to study transit. He committed the City of Peoria to do the same things Supervisor Brewer was asked to do, i.e. look at governance. Dr. Megdal requested that the City of Peoria also submit their suggestions on transit planning/coordination.
Mr. Shultz committed to taking the initiative to go out and ask for input from the West Valley representatives not present at this meeting.
Mr. Mike Dawson, Maricopa County, spoke on three points raised during he meeting: governance, future funding and identifying a new system. He stated that Maricopa County DOT has over the last few years made significant efforts to become a full department of transportation versus the old highways department. He explained their efforts to date in detail and their joint partnerships with other jurisdictions. He described the regional transportation studies that they have completed for the Southwest Valley, Northwest Valley and Southeast Valley. With respect to funding, Mr. Dawson stated that 40 percent of their transportation needs each year go unmet. They are currently looking at new funding solutions, i.e. development impact fees. In terms of identifying new systems, the county is currently working on a comprehensive countywide bicycle plan. They are also considering pedestrian issues, specifically on Grand Avenue in Sun City. He commented on the county’s support of transportation in its smaller cities that have very small HURF budgets. They are providing supplemental funds to projects that have regional impact. The county is also subsidizing some transit that is badly needed in the West Valley.
Mr. Redondo asked how the implementation of impact fees would effect the 40 million-dollar annual shortfall. Mr. Dawson said that they are still going through the needs analysis process. He noted that the county currently has approximately 15,000 units in the development master plan process. They are expecting to see another 10,000 units in the next few weeks.
Mr. Bivens requested that Mr. Dawson describe for the task force needs other than those related to physical roads, such as legislative changes. Mr. Dawson responded by explaining that the county currently does not have the authority to spend dollars on transit improvements. He noted that the county has an aging driving public, and the state needs to look at roadway standards and how to handle the different abilities of the aging motorist. He noted the conflict the county experiences between motorists and golf cart users.
Mr. Thorwald asked Mr. Dawson what the pass-through cost to consumers is on impact fees and what the impact is on purchasing power. Mr. Dawson was unable to answer specifically but noted that Chandler has implemented an impact fee and their growth has not slowed. This is also true in Pima County. He stated that the costs are passed along to the consumer, but the costs are part of the fair cost of the home.
Mayor Elaine Scruggs, City of Glendale, commented that the state will have problems with transportation funding as long as the legislature continues to try to restrict the flow of money to the cities. She commented on the importance of the vehicle license tax, which is used by cities to fund transportation. She is concerned with the current threat on this funding source. She is concerned with the threat on cities’ transit funds, while citizens are demanding more and more in terms of efficient transit services. She commented that cities are currently trying to figure out how they will be able to maintain the transit services they are currently offering when the half-cent sales tax revenue goes away in 2005. She noted the recent attacks on the lottery funds, which in Glendale go totally into transit. Glendale alone is looking at having to replace two million dollars a year in transit funding, which is a serious problem. She indicated she participated in a meeting that day where the group discussed some sort of state mechanism that would provide at least a backbone of essential services. Mayor Scruggs spoke about the vital concern the City of Glendale and its residents have about Grand Avenue. The number one issue raised is overpasses at the railroad crossings. She expressed her appreciation for the Loop 101; however, she expressed concern with the congestion at the I-17 interchange and then, of course, the congestion all along I-17. Finally, she spoke on the importance of educating motorists and the success of Glendale’s program. She suggested that the state needs to educate the public on multimodal transportation. She offered to meet with the Glendale City Council and put together some position statements on matters important to Glendale.
Dr. Megdal requested that the task force be informed about what revenues were being used for transportation at the local level. She felt that it would be helpful if the task force fully understood the implications of taking away certain revenues as well as adding revenues. Mayor Scruggs said she would be happy to provide whatever information she could.
Mr. Jim Book, City of Glendale Transportation Director, emphasized that there has not been a significant improvement to Grand Avenue in 15 years. He said that there have been plenty of studies done on Grand Avenue, and it’s time for implementation. He stated that there is a model about government partnership that has been very successful. It is called AZTEC and was underwritten by the Federal Highway Administration. He briefly explained AZTEC and indicated that the results of the project have been wonderful. He urged the task force to check into it further. He clarified that Glendale’s education program has been targeted to the next generation of drivers, trying to change how they approach driving. They are committed to this program for the long term, and they believe it will be effective, much like seat belt and littering education have been. He suggested that education is what is needed to change people’s mindset about multimodal transportation. At the request of Mr. Redondo, Mr. Book expanded upon the AZTEC program, citing examples of programs that have been implemented.
Mr. Jim McCue, City of Glendale Airport Manager and Director of Arizona Airports Association, spoke on the growth and viability of the Glendale airport and airport funding. Glendale is now the 20th busiest airport in the country under the contract tower program. He attributed the growth of Glendale’s airport in part to the great assistance from the State Aviation Fund. He described the State Aviation Fund, which had the best funding mechanism in the country until 1997, at which point the legislature took away 50 percent of the flight property tax. He spoke of the two-year fight to have the action reversed. He spoke of the significant funding shortfall this has created and stated that without the funding the citizens of Arizona will see airports become unable to meet basic safety needs, and there will be little if any airport improvements. He suggested that the task force recommend the return of 100 percent of the flight property taxes back to the aviation fund.
Mr. Browning requested that Mr. McCue report to the task force on management of aviation on a regional basis. Mr. Carlson was asked to provide specific information to the task force on the impact of the bill passed by the legislature late in its session relative to aviation funding. At the request of Mr. Basila, Mr. McCue explained that probably 80 percent of aviation funding needs relate to improvements and 20 percent to expansion. He briefly described what is meant by airport improvement projects.
Mr. Shultz requested a show of hands on the task force of members who live west of I-17; there were five.
Mr. Mike Rinegar, Peoria Neighborhood Planning Committee, addressed four issues: roadways, bus service, passenger rail service and bicycles. He noted that the West Valley communities are primarily bedroom communities with little corporate or manufacturing development. Being a bedroom community means the residents have to commute to work and to the centralized entertainment areas in downtown Phoenix or the East Valley. He suggested that this commuting impacts air quality and the question becomes: how do you move a large group of West Valley residents over a rapidly sprawling network to their work or play area without ruining the environment? He suggested that the four intermodal options would be the answer. He said his committee supports Loop 101 off ramps at 91st Avenue and Cactus Road. They support the limited expressway to move commuters through the Northwest Valley to Central Phoenix. They would like to see light rail right-of-way purchased along Grand Avenue and to connect Grand Avenue to I-17. They would promote Grand Avenue as a major transportation corridor for the West Valley. He congratulated the legislature on funding accelerated freeway construction, but they are dismayed about the elimination of the half-cent sales tax in 2005. Mr. Rinegar encouraged the task force to travel to other cities to see the success of rail programs. He provided recommendations to improve bus service in Peoria and along Grand Avenue. He recommended more park and ride facilities and promotion thereof. The committee recommends that bike paths be included in the planning stages of road construction and that safety be improved for bicyclists.
The meeting was recessed for a short break from 7:05 p.m. until 7:16 p.m.
Ms. Marilou Fallis, a member of the Glendale Commission on Persons with Disabilities and VOICE, discussed recommendations to improving the bus system. These included: bus shelters, all buses able to accept wheelchair riders, more direct bus service to East Phoenix and Scottsdale and countywide Dial-A-Ride service. She recommended that efforts be made to reduce areas where sidewalks are blocked and make sure that sidewalks are continuous on arterials. She suggested that improved access might increase ridership and help pay for the improvements. At the request of Ms. Peters, Ms. Fallis stated that the most important issue to address is accessibility to bus transportation.
Mr. Joseph Ryan, a resident of Sun City West, suggested that transportation is a key ingredient in every state’s economic welfare. He suggested that added public transportation systems compliment, not compete, with modes other than the private automobile. He suggested the optimization of land use by fostering concentrations and preventing residential, commercial and industrial sprawl. He emphasized the need for rapid yet economical transportation modes as well as convenient parking lots. He suggested that vehicles and infrastructure should be as small and light as economically possible. He said that a primary objective should be to create a new rapid transit system that would be profitable. He suggested that the owners of property on which lines would be built sell rights in exchange for stock in the mixed public and private company operating the rapid transit system. He felt this would eliminate the need to raise taxes. He said that financing objectives might include enabling legislation that would permit a mixed company and the sale of revenue enhancement bonds. Mr. Ryan presented copies of his proposal to the task force and cited examples of successful mixed companies in Europe as well as New York and New Jersey. He suggested that 20 years not be used as a horizon for railroad or rapid transit facilities.
Mr. Terry Johnson, Maricopa Association of Governments, touched on his program’s transportation planning process and stressed the requirement that no plan be produced without a reasonable available funding plan and without going through the air quality conformity analysis process. He discussed the federal and state transportation planning requirements that must be met. Mr. Johnson spoke about the close working relationship between land use and transportation and air quality and described their transportation/air quality land use model. He highlighted MAG’s 20-year plan, which includes all modes of transportation, a major element of which is the completion of the new freeways by 2007. He stated that if the plan is completed, the county will stay even with growth. Speeds would decline from 30 miles an hour to 28; without the plan, the speeds would drop to 17 miles an hour on average.
Ms. Peters stated that air quality conformity is a critical issue in the Valley. She emphasized that recently Maricopa County was within days of losing its air quality conformity. This would have meant that no further projects of regional significance could have been built. Ms. Johnson indicated that MAG’s ability to run the model data quickly and submit information to the EPA and Federal Highways Administration is what allowed the area to keep its conformity status. Mr. Johnson stated that Atlanta lost $1.2 billion when it was not able to pull together air quality and transportation plans.
Mr. Shultz asked that MAG submit specific recommendations on how the governance system can be improved from an efficiency standpoint over the next 20 years. Mr. Johnson agreed to take the request back to the MAG board. He mentioned the successful recently by ADOT, the MPOs and COGs to come up with a new approach, that being the Casa Grande Resolve. He felt this was a reflection of a new spirit of cooperation that is emerging. He suggested that the task force be presented with an overview of the new process.
Mr. Phil Hanson, a resident of Peoria and longtime transportation chair for the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, indicated that he retired as the vice president of human resources with Sun Health Corporation. As the second largest employer in the West Valley, they fought for 20 years to get some kind of public transportation system in the area. He noted the one bus line that goes to Boswell, which is not utilized because it is not efficient. He remembered the streetcar that ran between Phoenix and Glendale and suggested that we move back to that. He said he is a proponent of a light rail transit system in the Valley and increases in mass transit. He was hopeful that the task force would provide the leadership that will give voters the comfort level they need to approve a transportation tax.
Mr. Fred Carpenter, Wickenburg Town Manager and Airport Director, informed the task force about the transportation bottleneck that exists in Wickenburg for those trying to travel between the Valley and Laughlin and Las Vegas. The problem is exacerbated by winter visitors but exists all year long. ADOT is currently working on a study that will result in a resolution of the problem, but not for eight to twelve years. Because this is unacceptable, they are hoping for an interim bypass solution. He called for immediate funding of the plan that is chosen. He suggested that completion of the widening between Loop 303 where it meets U.S. 60 will also go a long way toward resolving the traffic problems in the area. He noted that this widening project is scheduled to take three years and is already long overdue. He stated that it will take 15 years to complete the widening of U.S. 93 from Wickenburg to I-40 and was concerned that this would have to go through the vagaries of the five-year planning process each time a new project comes up. He emphasized the danger that exists along U.S. 93 at this time. He supported the comments made previously about Grand Avenue, believing this is an important route connecting Wickenburg and Phoenix. He spoke about the needed improvements to the Wickenburg airport and the necessity of the state funding support. He addressed the need to fund MAG’s 250-mile bicycle system. Finally, Mr. Carpenter applauded the efforts of MAG and ADOT to work together to get projects done.
Ms. Peters informed Mr. Carpenter that the freeway acceleration will include the acceleration of improvements on Grand Avenue from Beardsley Road to Morristown. Mr. Carpenter was thankful for this but cautious about the growth it might spur which might negate the impact of the improvements.
Mr. Paul Schwartz, a resident of Sun City who worked in transportation for 40 years, indicated that he is a board member of the Sun City Homeowners Association and a member of the Sun City Area Transit Commission, the Citizens Transportation Oversight Committee and the Arizona Highway Expansion and Extension Loan Program. He wished to discuss transportation and transit issues from the perspective of Sun City. He spoke to the radical change Sun City has experienced due to residential and commercial growth in the West Valley and the traffic increases that have resulted. He was concerned with the motorists cutting through Sun City communities on its local streets. He suggested that traffic be routed around Sun City and was hopeful that the completion of the 303 would accomplish this to an extent. He suggested the design and construction of a major thoroughfare along the Olive Avenue alignment would also help. A connection on the north side of Grand Avenue to Loop 101 would also eliminate traffic. He suggested that there be better coordination between zoning boards with respect to land use planning and development. He agreed with previous comments about Grand Avenue. Sun City residents, however, are concerned that improvements ending at Loop 101 will cause problems west of the interchange for Sun City. He suggested a capacity study of Grand Avenue through Sun City to determine necessary changes. Mr. Schwartz suggested a feasibility study be conducted on a "duck under" either at the 107th, 103rd or 99th Avenue alignments, allowing emergency vehicles to easily reach Boswell Hospital and other points north without interference from railroad traffic. He urged that future planning strive for parity between the east and west valleys. A good start would be to put the 303 back into the state highway network. He called for an integrated, Valley-wide public transportation system, including HOV lanes, local and express buses, and some form of passenger rail transportation. Mr. Schwartz was very concerned with the elimination of the RPTA in 2005 and the impact this would have on Sun City residents who depend heavily on public transportation. He suggested the formation of a separate state agency to deal with mass transit in the next century. Finally, Mr. Schwartz called for the residents of the Sun Cities to have representation in MAG.
Ms. Marion Spinrad, a resident of Sun City, noted that she is the only participant in this meeting that took public transportation (route 106) to reach the meeting. She was very concerned with the possibility that Route 106 would be eliminated. She indicated that she lived in Portland, Oregon and described what is one of the best public transportation systems in the country. She suggested the doubling of the service on Route 106 and the addition of service on Bell Road and Thunderbird Road. She suggested the use of smaller buses on these routes. She envisions a light rail service up and down the middle of Grand Avenue as an excellent form of transportation between the West Valley and Phoenix. Ms. Spinrad noted that private companies who advertise subsidize Portland’s light rail system. She felt this could be replicated in Arizona on both a light rail system and the existing bus system. She suggested that Sun City residents who are being denied drivers licenses also have money to contribute to foundations. They should be encouraged to support public transportation financially.
Closing Comments and Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
MARTIN SHULTZ, Co-Chairperson
SHARON MEGDAL, Co-Chairperson
The following comment was submitted to be incorporated into the record.
Mr. Mario Suarez, City of Surprise, indicated that Surprise is in the process of updating its general plan. In that process they have received several comments on short and long-range transportation needs. He indicated that the city would like to submit written recommendations on the transportation needs of the City of Surprise. He assured the task force that the city is taking into consideration both local and regional transportation needs.
A complete transcript of this meeting is available for review, upon request.
