Minutes of a Public Meeting
PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED SUMMARY
OF A PUBLIC INPUT MEETING,
HELD IN THE CITY OF PHOENIX, FOR THE
GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION VISION 21 TASK FORCE
1:46 p.m., Thursday, August 12, 1999
Burton Barr Central Library
1221 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
The Governor’s Transportation Vision 21 Task Force met in official session for a Public Meeting at 1:46 p.m., Thursday, August 12, 1999 with Co-Chairperson Sharon Megdal presiding. Other members in attendance were Steve Basila, John Bivens, Priscilla Cornelio, Joe Herrick, Valerie Manning, Diane McCarthy, Dave Olney, Kevin Olson, Mary Peters, Barbara Ralston, Rene Redondo and Jim Shipman. Also present were Stephanie Bondeson, Project Manager, Alan Maguire, Resource Director, and John Carlson, Governor’s Transportation Advisor.
Welcome, Introductions
Dr. Sharon Megdal called the meeting to order and introduced the attending members of the task force. Dr. Megdal gave a brief description of the task force and its mission.
Comments from Local Elected Officials and from the Public
Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten commented on the importance of sound and visual walls when a freeway goes into a neighborhood. She expressed her appreciation to Ms. Peters for her assistance on this issue. Ms. Bilsten stated that transit and the widening of the Black Canyon are other issues of great concern to Phoenix.
Richard Thomas, Vice Mayor of Scottsdale, was introduced and stated his belief that it is critical that local governments be involved in the decision-making process in terms of transportation. He also discussed the importance of ISTEA and TEA-21, not only for the federal funding it provides to municipalities, but also for the cooperation between communities that it encourages. He briefly described the Vision 2025 committee and its thoughts on transportation.
Mr. Tony Di Bonito spoke regarding the "Filobus" vehicle and offered to provide members with a copy of a tape that describes the vehicle in more detail.
Dr. Megdal suggested Mr. Bonito provide a copy of the tape to the task force she would make it available to all interested members.
Mr. Jack Schelter gave a brief history of the Arizona Airports Association and spoke of the need for funding. He commented on the effects of the 50 percent decrease in airport infrastructure grant funding that was transferred to the state’s general fund.
Mr. Tom Milldebrandt stated that improvements to the transit system are overdue. He lists improvements to weekday and Saturday bus service, the addition of Sunday bus service and feeder routes in neighborhoods to major bus routes as critical transit issues. Mr. Milldebrandt also stated that Dial-A-Ride and bus service to public events also need to be improved. He suggested the creation of a rapid rail line across the Valley and cited Portland, San Diego and Denver as models.
Ms. Judy Moskop spoke regarding the noise created by freeway systems built within urban communities. Houses within communities where noise created by the freeway system is severe are being reappraised and valued. She stated that the State of Arizona needs to reevaluate current policies and assist communities in preserving and/or improving the physical condition, appearance and value of their neighborhoods. She asked the task force to study this transportation issue and develop recommendations for the Governor.
Ms. Pam Allan expressed her concern regarding the transit system. She stated that limited bus service hours and routes make moving throughout the Valley difficult and the situation will become worse with the addition of new communities such as Anthem. She explained that without an effective transit and paratransit system, people on public assistance or with disabilities are unable to obtain employment for the simple fact that they have no means to get to work.
Mr. Skip Brown, assistant superintendent of Paradise Valley School District, stated that the traffic congestion in the area of Paradise Valley High School creates a potentially very dangerous situation. He suggested utilizing interim roads to help channel traffic away from the high school until a more permanent solution can be found.
Ms. Peters stated that the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety are aware of the safety issues in that area and are working to try to improve the situation.
Ms. Peters confirmed for Dr. Megdal that the problem arose with the opening of the freeway extension and that with the continuation of the freeway, now up to Bell Road, another high school located on Bell Road will be impacted. Ms. Peters stated there should be a coordinated effort with the Department of Education to look at where the schools are and the impacts increased traffic might have.
Mr. Brown commented on the domino affect, as there are schools located near the freeway at Greenway and Thunderbird also.
Mr. Bivens inquired as to the number of buses that run through Paradise Valley High School. Mr. Brown stated that there are 125 school buses throughout the district with some running as many as four times a day. Mr. Bivens then asked Mr. Brown what impact school buses have on the transportation system and vice versa. Mr. Brown stated that a lot of high school students use public transportation to get to and from school as well as to attend classes at Paradise Valley Community College.
Dr. Megdal suggested that Mr. Brown submit to the task force any specific recommendations he has as to ways the task force can help in this matter.
Ms. Dorothy Hopkins expressed her gratitude for the bus system that is currently in place, but stated that she would like to see extended hours and Sunday service. She also commented that the system needs to be seamless throughout the valley and suggested talking to the people who use the service and to the operators to gain insight as to other improvements that may be necessary
Mr. Joe Mickelson expressed his agreement with Mr. Olson that the transit system has to be better in order to get people to use it. He stated that issues such as extended hours will have to be addressed and that funding will have to be available. He recommended getting ideas from bigger metropolitan cities.
Ms. Judith Tunnell spoke regarding the needs of citizens with disabilities and transit-dependent customers. She stated that elected officials have a duty to respond to the needs of the consumer and need to find funding for expenditures required to purchase, maintain and operate needed equipment. She suggested finding a way to foster and encourage an attitude and willingness to create partnerships with the public and private sectors to meet the needs of public transit. Ms. Tunnell recommended that the task force continue dialogue amongst government agencies and private citizens to find funding for an efficient and effective transit system.
Ms. Donna Powers expressed her gratitude for the 100 percent accessibility of the bus system. She challenged the task force to convince five individuals to come to the polls in September and vote yes on the initiative for transportation, and to challenge each of those five individuals to challenge five others.
Mr. Charles Spencer spoke regarding dedicated funding and privatization. He stated that the bus system, while fully accessible, still does not reach a fraction of the riding public or all facets of the community. Mr. Spencer proposed bringing all of the private management companies or vendors for bus service under one umbrella to create an adequate bus service that provides seamless operation to all corners of the communities. He explained Denver’s use of bonds to create funding for its transit system. He stated they also have a regional system that reaches each of the outlying communities.
Ms. Mary Buttinger, on behalf of the North Phoenix Chamber Economic Development Committee, stated that they would support any reasonable line of action that would speed up the extension of the Squaw Peak to Loop 101.
Ms. Peters stated that the completion date for the Squaw Peak up to the intersection at Loop 101 is currently slated for 2005. She further stated that the City of Phoenix is actively working to improve on that connection.
Mr. Gary Corcoran briefly touched on Portland’s highly successful light rail system and its affects on the city.
Mr. Charles Welsh described his less than satisfactory experiences with the public transportation system. He stated that the problems with the system are not only ADA issues, but civil rights issues as well. He also cited transit vehicle breakdowns as a serious problem.
The meeting was recessed for a short break from 3:24 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Mr. Clancy Jayne, president of the North Valley Partnership, talked about the widening of I-17. He stated that it is not only a north Phoenix issue, but also a statewide issue. He asked that the task force assist in getting I-17, north of Deer Valley, widened.
Ms. Kate Monahan, on behalf of the Valley Hotel and Resort Association, stated that, as employers, they are expected to reduce transportation and help the air quality initiative and are even subject to penalties if a certain portion of employees are not using alternate transportation. She expressed her frustration in that many employees can’t get to work because the transportation system does not run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She also commented on the need for improved air quality and a means to relieve congestion and how these factors have a direct impact on tourism in Arizona.
Mr. Rocky Racanelli, representing the Arroyo Springs Homeowners Association, spoke regarding sound walls and the problems his community is facing due to the increase in traffic and noise, including decreasing home values. He stated that a wall is supposed to be constructed this fall, but it concerns him that it has taken three years to get someone to listen to and do something about their complaints.
Mr. Bill Lazenby, president of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, provided a brief description of his organization and stated that bicycling is a viable transportation alternative and that the task force should give it consideration.
Ms. Alaina Chabrier spoke regarding the challenge of connecting S.R. 51 with the Loop 101. She stated the health care industries concern that people are able to access health care services, both through public and private transportation. She explained that freeway access to health care can be crucial when a person’s life is at stake. She urged the task force to consider working toward earlier completion dates of the connection of S.R. 51 to the Loop 101.
Mr. Blue Crowley brought up the issue of the Governor’s ozone alert program. He questioned where the City of Phoenix employees’ participation is in utilizing alternative modes of transportation. He highlighted several deficiencies in the bus system’s service to certain areas of the valley. Mr. Crowley stated that instead of dedicating funding for a rail system, concentration should be placed on upgrading and expanding bus service. Mr. Crowley also submitted in writing his concerns on additional TEA 21 issues.
Mr. Keith Christian highlighted his concerns with the bus system. He stated he would like to see 24 hour a day, seven days a week bus service and more bicycle lanes. He also asked that the task force look at SkyTran. Mr. Christian also suggested that mass transportation bills be separated from road and light rail bills for an increased chance of getting passed.
Mr. Gerald Spellman provided handouts detailing the SkyTran system and what it can do for Arizona and asked for the opportunity to present a formal proposal to the task force.
Ms. Donna Redford reiterated the importance of the bus system for disabled individuals and the need for improved service and increased hours. She also stated that public transportation acts as a community builder and could potentially relieve other community stresses. Ms. Redford recommended that steps be taken to not only improve the system, but to educate people and encourage them to use the system.
Mr. Mike Cartsonis stated that transportation and land use are very integrated. He asked that the task force not only look at the transportation system and its needed improvements, but to look at the neighborhoods themselves so they are designed in a way where schools are central to residential areas and community facilities are accessible to everyone. He explained that if pathways and alternative ways of getting to destinations are built within neighborhoods, people will use them.
Mr. Shipman asked Mr. Cartsonis where he felt planning should take place. Mr. Cartsonis stated that the State should take the leadership role by setting goals, but that it needs to enable local communities to have the power to implement those goals.
Ms. Peggy Jones presented members with a brief description of the Southwest Transit Assessment and Review Team. She stated she fully supports the comments heard during this meeting regarding expanded bus service and dedicated funds for mass transit.
Mr. Mark Myers spoke regarding the possibility of a rail system. He stated that something has to be done as a state rather than each city doing something different.
Mr. Paul Dunakin encouraged the inclusion of Loop 303 in transportation plans. He also spoke on the need for alternative fuel sources.
Mr. Crowley readdressed the task force outlining areas of TEA 21 that he would like the task force to consider.
Closing comments and adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 4:28 p.m.
SHARON MEDGAL, Co-Chairperson
A complete transcript of this meeting is available for review, upon request.
