Regional Council Activity Report
June 28, 2000


Executive Director’s Report

The June Regional Council meeting is always a busy and exciting one, as we host our MAG Annual Meeting followed by our Desert Peaks Awards honoring regional excellence. The unique combination of events includes the election of officers, State of the Region address, and awards program — providing us with a rare opportunity to take stock of where we are as a region, set the agenda for the upcoming year, and celebrate the many wonderful partnerships taking place in this region.

We had the opportunity this year to hear about the State of the Region from outgoing MAG Chair Neil Giuliano, who looked at the successes and challenges of the past year, while incoming Chair Skip Rimsza challenged us to work cooperatively in the new economy. We learned through both of these addresses that the opportunities for partnering in the region can take many forms. Here are a few key points made during the two addresses:

From Mayor Giuliano:

• Our region still lags behind many other similar regions for transportation options, but an infusion of millions more in federal transportation options is helping — enabling us to deliver the regional freeway system on schedule. We must get people out of their cars and be diligent in finding ways for continued mobility due to rapid growth.
• Particulate pollution remains the biggest challenge in the area of air quality.
• MAG has taken a leadership role in the area of human services, tackling challenging issues such as homelessness and domestic violence. We must continue to push forward on these vital human issues.
• With a population expected to nearly double by the Year 2025, MAG should work on bringing all regional stakeholders together, and use next year to take a comprehensive look at where this region is heading.

From Mayor Rimsza:

• MAG cities must be more cooperative than competitive. We can continue to partner in areas such as 9-1-1, water treatment, automatic aid agreements, and seamless bus service.
• There are new opportunities for partnering in the “new municipal economy,” including the joint purchase of helicopters; 800 MHz radio frequency for inter-operability between agencies for emergency communications; Coplink, which links computer crime databases between jurisdictions; integrated library systems; and standardized forms with city-specific addenda.
• We must develop technologically and build a consistent voice, data and video infrastructure throughout the Valley that is tied together into a seamless, integrated network.
• If we are to be successful in developing a transportation system that will accommodate our rapid growth, we must work together to extend the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1985.

In fact, what we learned throughout the evening is that there are stupendous partnerships already taking place in this region (for proof, see the wrap-up of the partnerships honored with Desert Peaks Awards in “Information Items” below), but even more opportunities lie ahead. We look forward to the coming year, when we will see these ideas put into action.

Council Adopts Guidelines to Protect Environmentally Sensitive Lands
The MAG Regional Council has approved the Environmentally Sensitive Development Areas Policies and Design Guidelines. The guidelines are designed to provide design standards that can be locally adopted by MAG member agencies for the sensitive development of retention areas that adjoin conservation areas or other protected lands. Suggestions include the formation of buffer zones between high-density development and the conservation areas. The vote on the guidelines came after a two-month delay to address concerns of homebuilding and development interests.

As part of its vote, the MAG Regional Council also approved the Desert Spaces Plan Implementation Task Force Final Report. The recommendations of the Desert Spaces Plan include:

• Form a citizen’s committee to provide leadership for the implementation of the Plan.
• Disseminate the policies and guidelines for environmentally sensitive development areas and work with affected groups to implement the policies and guidelines.
• Use the Desert Spaces Plan in commenting on proposed local, state and federal land use decisions.
• Seek funding sources to acquire, protect and maintain region-wide conservation areas identified in the Desert Spaces Plan.
• Support implementation of the Plan through a variety of methods.

For more information contact Corey Cox, MAG Regional Development Manager, (602) 254-6300.

MAG Elects New Officers
As part of its Annual Meeting, the MAG Regional Council selected its new slate of officers for the coming year. The new Executive Committee will be:

• City of Phoenix Mayor, Skip Rimsza, Chairman;
• City of Peoria Mayor, John Keegan, Vice Chairman;
• City of Chandler Mayor, Jay Tibshraeny, Treasurer;
• City of Goodyear Mayor, Bill Arnold, At-Large Member;
• Town of Gilbert Mayor, Cynthia Dunham, At-Large Member.

During its meeting June 14, the MAG Management Committee also elected new officers. The new Chairman is Chandler City Manager Lloyd Harrell, while the new Vice Chairman is Glendale City Manager Martin Vanacour.
For more information contact Dennis Smith, MAG Assistant Director, (602) 254-6300.

Upcoming Issues

Human Services Threatened by Funding Cuts
Valley services for children, elderly persons, families and those with disabilities would be seriously slashed under a bill being considered in the U.S. Senate. The House has already voted to cut Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funds from $1.775 billion to $1.7 billion. But a recommendation by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to axe an additional $1.1 billion — for a total budget of only $600 million — has astounded human services advocates across the country. The cuts would reduce Arizona’s allocation of the SSBG funds by two-thirds, or $20 million.

If the Senate passes this bill, it would have a devastating impact on numerous social programs here in the Valley and in the State. In Arizona, SSBG funds provide life-saving services to 566,000 people. Services include child protective services, home delivered meals, domestic violence and homeless shelters, adult day care for seniors and disabled people, independent living skills to blind children, food to hungry people and crisis assistance across the state.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is vigorously opposing the cuts, and has notified SSBG stakeholders across the country to put pressure on Congress to ensure SSBG is appropriately funded.
For more information contact Carol Kratz, MAG Human Services Manager, (602) 254-6300.

Information Items

Desert Peaks Awards Honor Excellence
From a program aimed at preventing childhood deaths and injuries, to an intergovernmental revenue-sharing agreement between two cities — the Maricopa Association of Governments honored those committed to regionalism at  its Third Annual Desert Peaks Awards June 21.

The awards honor excellence in regional cooperation between MAG member agencies, citizens, public agencies and the private sector. Individuals and organizations throughout the Maricopa region vied for awards in five categories. The recipients for each category were: Public Partnership—Mesa Gang Intervention Project; Public-private Partnership—SAFE KIDS Coalition of Maricopa County; Distinguished Service —Norris Nordvold, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, City of Phoenix; Regional Partnership— Intergovernmental Agreement - Revenue Sharing; Regional Excellence— Michael S. Ellegood, Chief Engineer & General Manager, Flood Control District of Maricopa County.

The Desert Peaks Awards were established in 1998 to recognize those individuals and entities who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting, recognizing, demonstrating and attaining the ideals of regionalism.
For more information contact Kelly Taft, MAG Communications Manager, at (602) 452-5020. Video and photographs of the awards program are also available.

Citizens Provide Input During Open House, Public Hearing
Citizens across the Valley were invited to respond to regional and state transportation plans at an Open House and Public Hearing on June 26. The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), and Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) co-hosted the events to elicit final feedback on transportation plans. These “Final Phase” input opportunities allowed citizens to see how the ideas they’ve provided to MAG throughout the year have been incorporated into regional and state transportation plans, and to provide additional feedback on the plans before they are sent on to the Regional Council for final approval. Citizens were asked to provide comments on the following transportation documents:

• 2000 Summary and Update of the MAG Long Range Transportation Plan, which addresses regional transportation needs for all types of transportation over the next 20 years.
• MAG FY 2001-2005 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which lists all funded transportation projects in the region. Included in the TIP are the ADOT Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program; the MAG Area Life Cycle Program for the MAG Regional Freeway System, FY 2001-2007; and the RPTA Short Range Transit Plan.
• 2000 Air Quality Conformity Analysis, which shows how the transportation plan and projects affect air quality.

The comment period on the plans ends July 10, 2000. A summary of the input received will be provided to the Management Committee and Regional Council at their next meetings.
For more information contact Kelly Taft, MAG Communications Manager, (602) 254-6300.

Upcoming Events

MAG Sponsors Workplace Violence Prevention Training
Employers throughout the Valley will participate in a Workplace Violence Prevention Training forum on Thursday, June 29 from 11:30-1:30 p.m. The training will be held at the Arizona Republic, 200 E. Van Buren, 10th Floor, Pulliam Room. The training will feature National Workplace Violence Trainer Jim Hardeman. During his 15-year career with Polaroid Corporation, Mr. Hardeman was one of the principal engineers of their workplace violence protocols that have made Polaroid internationally known for its workplace safety practices. Mr. Hardeman will provide expertise and guidance to assist in establishing strategies for furthering the domestic violence workplace initiative in Arizona.

The Domestic Violence Workplace Policies Manual will also be available to assist employers in developing policies and practices to provide assistance and support to domestic violence victims in the workplace. The Manual represents an important strategy in the 1999 MAG Regional Domestic Violence Plan. The Manual is also a part of a broader initiative involving the Governor’s Office for Domestic Violence Prevention and a collaborative of community partners concerned with the damage that domestic violence has on their community. The training is sponsored by The MAG Regional Domestic Violence Council, The Governor’s Office for Domestic Violence Prevention, The Arizona Republic and the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
For more information contact Mary Thomson, MAG Domestic Violence Specialist, (602) 254-6300

Next Regional Council Meeting
The next Regional Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. at the MAG offices, 302 N. 1st Ave., Suite 200. Agenda items are expected to include a summary of the Final Phase Input Opportunity Report, approval of the MAG FY 2001-2005 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), 2000 Summary and Update of the MAG Long Range Transportation Plan, and 2000 Air Quality Conformity Analysis.
For more information contact Dennis Smith, MAG Assistant Director, (602) 254-6300.