PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED SUMMARY
OF A PUBLIC INPUT MEETING,
HELD IN THE TOWN OF GLENDALE, FOR THE
GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION VISION 21 TASK FORCE
5:25 p.m., Monday, September 27, 1999
Deer Valley High School, Performing Arts Center
18424 N. 51st Avenue
Glendale, Arizona
The Governor’s Transportation Vision 21 Task Force met in official session for a Public Meeting at 5:25 p.m., Monday, September 27, 1999 with co-chairperson Martin Shultz presiding. Other members in attendance were Lisa Atkins, John Bivens and Jim Shipman. Also present were Stephanie Bondeson, Project Manager, and John Carlson, Governor’s Transportation Advisor.
Welcome, Introductions
Mr. Martin Shultz called the meeting to order and introduced the members of the task force in attendance. Mr. Shultz gave a brief description of the task force and its mission. He informed audience members that a summary of all comments from the public meetings held by the task force will be presented at the October 7 meeting.
Comments from Local Elected Officials
Senator Darden Hamilton, District 16, spoke regarding improvements to Grand Avenue for which, he stated, the schedule has been changed from seven years to five. In terms of the expansion of I-17, he explained that HOV lanes are not effective unless the regular lanes of traffic are moving at 30 miles per hour or more. Senator Hamilton recommended everyone read the Grand Avenue Major Investment Study.
Mr. Steven Jimenez, Assistant State Engineer, Valley Project Management, ADOT, made a presentation concerning the Grand Avenue Major Investment Study and provided copies of the study to the task force members. He outlined the objectives of the study and described the members and stakeholders of the steering committee who participated in the study. Mr. Jimenez briefly described the eight recommended concepts suggested in the study. He also briefly discussed recommended alternative modes of transportation, including expanded local bus service and pedestrian and bicycle accessibility.
Mr. Chris Voigt, Senior Engineer, MAG and Mr. Mike Dawson, Manager, Community and Government Relations Division, MCDOT, made a presentation regarding the CANAMEX Corridor study. Mr. Voigt stated that the study was done jointly between MAG and ADOT to define the CANAMAX Corridor within Maricopa County and explained that it was guided by input from the public and government agencies. He outlined the scope of the study, which included identifying criteria and options, analyzing those options and ultimately making recommendations. Mr. Dawson outlined the various alternative CANAMEX routes that have been discussed. He listed customer needs, community acceptance and costs as issues that need to be considered when determining the recommended CANAMEX route. Mr. Dawson also outlined the NAFTA alternate truck routes and where trucking and warehouse facilities are located.
Mayor Elaine Scruggs, City of Glendale spoke regarding the information contained in a report submitted to the task force, addressing Glendale’s needs and issues of concern regarding surface transportation, transit, multimodal projects, aviation and transportation funding. She identified several projects in both the regional and state five year plans and stated that Glendale has a $100.5 million need for general street improvement projects for the period of fiscal years 2004 to 2019. Mayor Scruggs also identified transit projects contained in Glendale’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program. On the issue of funding, Mayor Scruggs stated that the reductions in the state portion of the vehicle license tax has resulted in the reduction and/or postponement of improvement projects and asked the task force to recommend keeping the vehicle license tax intact. She also explained that taking money from one area to fund another does not solve funding needs, it only reallocates those needs. She stated that other sources of revenues need to be identified.
Mr. John Bivens questioned Mayor Scruggs as to what the City of Glendale is doing to control growth. Mayor Scruggs stated that they are not building for transit use and have taken steps to ensure lower density housing.
Mr. Bivens asked Mayor Scruggs for her recommendations for cross-jurisdictional issues. Mayor Scruggs recommended that road conditions be made uniform across different jurisdictions.
In response to Mr. Bivens inquiry, Mayor Scuggs recommended the restoration of the flight fund.
Mr. Schultz asked Mayor Scruggs to identify sources of the needed revenue. Mayor Scruggs mentioned bonding, HURF and the vehicle license tax as sources, but stated that these would not be adequate over the next 20 years.
Mayor Shafer, City of Surprise expressed her feeling that the City of Surprise has been forgotten by ADOT and asked that the task force remember it when making its recommendations. She stated she wants representation for the west valley on the CANAMAX Corridor issue. She also spoke regarding their lack of public transportation.
Mr. Bivens asked Mayor Shafer if the residents of Surprise would vote for a raise in taxes to support transportation. Mayor Shafer stated that they would. Mr. Bivens then questioned what criteria could be used to equally distribute these resources. Mayor Shafer suggested it be done on a population basis.
Mr. Shultz asked if a comprehensive land use plan that integrates transportation needs for the area has been created. Mayor Shafer stated that it is in the process of being completed and should be available within the next three weeks.
Mayor Gant, Town of Wickenburg, highlighted the improvements that have been made in the Town of Wickenburg. He stated the CANAMEX Corridor will have a big impact on the amount of traffic going through Wickenburg and asked for representation on this issue. Mayor Gant asked for support from the task force for a bypass and for the restoration of the flight fund.
Mr. Shultz asked for Mayor Gant’s population projections. Mayor Gant stated that the population has increased two to three percent over the past 10 years and that there is projected to be only a slight increase in that rate.
Mr. Manny Martinez, Council Member for the Cholla District, noted his support of Mayor Scrugg’s comments.
Mr. Shultz summarized the comments of the elected officials and asked for the submission of any available documentation on each area’s transportation plans, as tied with land use plans.
Comments from the Public
Mr. Mac McCall, Sedona Airport Manager stated their need for basic services including road pavement and security fencing. He explained that the safety concerns of the small airports cannot compete with the larger airports.
Mr. Jim McQue, Secretary/Treasurer of Arizona Airports Association, spoke regarding the funding needs of Arizona’s airports. He provided a copy of the Airports & Highways 5-year plan for the task force to review. He stated that Arizona’s airports and the Arizona Airports Association urge the task force to forcefully recommend to the governor the return of full funding to the State Aviation Trust Fund.
Ms. LaBelle Benninghoff, SkyTran, read a letter SkyTran received from the Philippines regarding their possible use of the SkyTran system. She asked why this transportation option has not been given consideration by the task force.
Mr. Shultz stated that SkyTran has made a formal presentation to the task force. He explained that the task force is concerned with the fact that SkyTran has never been used anywhere. He recommended that after SkyTran has a track record, that it be re-presented.
Ms. Benninghoff submitted a copy of the letter to the task force.
Blue Crowley spoke on the issue of inadequate public transportation in the west valley and submitted documentation in reference to this issue.
Mr. Larry Sipel reiterated that the west valley needs equal consideration and representation on transportation issues. He cited the one lane ramps between Loop 101 and I-17 and from I-17 to Loop 101 as examples of where the west valley has not been treated equally.
Mr. Shultz asked Mr. Jimenez what the projected date of completion is for the extension of Loop 101 to I-10. Mr. Jimenez stated it should be completed by December, 2000. Mr. Shultz also asked if an interim facility has been created taking Loop 101 east of I-17. Mr. Jimenez sated that an interim facility is being created which will extend the frontage road as far as 56th Street by mid-October, 1999. Mr. Jimenez stated Loop 101 from I-17 to Scottsdale road is scheduled for completion by March, 2001.
Mr. Jim Hughes suggested that the HOV lanes be opened to all traffic. He also recommended that the speed limit be raised on the Loop 101 to match traffic flow.
Closing comments and adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
MARTIN SHULTZ, Co-Chairperson
A complete transcript of this meeting is available for review, upon request.
