Regional Council Activity Report
August 2, 1999


Executive Director’s Report

Citizens and governments are increasingly aware that cooperative efforts are necessary to ensure that the quality of life we have now will be sustained or improved in the future. Their concern is evident in the fact that nationwide, 255 growth management initiatives were placed on ballots in the past year. This national trend for new, smart growth coalitions to come together to advocate for the character of their communities reflects a desire to build a future that protects our critical resources and supports the unique qualities we cherish.

The most well-known growth management effort in our region is the Growing Smarter Initiative passed by the state legislature last fall. As drafted to date, the Growing Smarter Report contains more than 31 separate policies. Because the recommendations made by this panel may have a significant impact on our communities, it is important that MAG weigh in on both those recommendations we support, and those which cause us concern.

During the Regional Council meeting July 28th, we presented a draft policy which included a list of recommendations for which elements of the Growing Smarter Report should be supported and opposed by MAG.

The elements recommended for support included:

• Statewide Planning Goals
• Additional Revenues for Open Space, Stewardship Trust, Conservation Easements, Revenues for Purchase of Development Rights, Transfer of Development Rights, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Contributory Value
• Infill Incentives
• Modernizing State Land Department
• Preservation of Historic and Cultural Resources
• Increased Funding for Planning
• Regulation for Lot Splits
• Improved Regional Coordination and Developments of Regional Impact
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• County Development Fees
• City-Defined Urban Service Areas
• Definition of Constitutionally Protected Private Property Rights

The elements recommended for opposition included:

• County Facilities Districts and Joint Planning Areas
• Expanded Private Property Rights
• Changes to Citizen Participation in Growth Management Decisions

There were five other elements for which staff recommended further study:

• Arizona Preserve Initiative Revisions
• Assistance for Rural Development
• Examination of Tax Policy
• Protected development rights statute
• Authorization of County Overlay Zones

It is crucial that MAG be actively involved in the development of integrated policies to address the many environmental, economic, and land use changes that may occur as regional population growth continues. We believe that by communicating these positions, MAG can help the Growing Smarter panel better understand how the land use decisions they make impact the larger regional infrastructure.

Regional Council Meeting Report for July 28, 1999

Council Adopts Growing Smarter Recommendations
As outlined above, MAG staff recommended that the Regional Council support the elements of Growing Smarter that promote the adoption of a better framework for cities to manage growth in their communities. Staff recommended opposition to elements counter to this improvement. During the discussion of this agenda item, Maricopa County voiced a position different from the majority of the Council on two of the recommendations, one of which was amended and then supported by the County. The Town of Cave Creek voiced opposition to the Growing Smarter Initiative as a management policy. The recommendations passed on a 14-2 vote, with one abstention.
For more information, contact James M. Bourey, Executive Director, (602) 254-6300.

CANAMEX Corridor Study Approved
The CANAMEX Corridor is designated by federal law to run from Nogales, Arizona to the Canadian border. In the State of Arizona, the CANAMEX Corridor generally follows Interstate 19 from Nogales to Tucson; Interstate 10 from Tucson to Phoenix; and United States Route 93 in the vicinity of Phoenix to the Nevada Border. While the rest of the Corridor has been defined, the route within the Phoenix metropolitan area has not. MAG and the Arizona Department of Transportation are planning to initiate a corridor study to select a route for the CANAMEX corridor through Maricopa County. Former state lawmaker and CANAMEX Project Manager Karen Mills briefed the Regional Council on the Corridor and recommended participating with ADOT in the joint study. The Regional Council unanimously approved the recommendation.
For more information, contact Terry Johnson, MAG Transportation Manager, (602) 254-6300.

MAG Funds Welfare to Work Project
The MAG Regional Council has agreed to fund a first-of-its-kind program to provide a brokerage system to help welfare clients and low income workers access transportation services. The Council approved a demonstration grant which could provide up to $750,000 a year for three years to the Maricopa County Work Links Program. The brokerage system is designed to help cash-assistance clients find transportation to child care, training programs, and employment. The MAG funding will help link clients to transit services by enabling the County to pay for such things as employing van drivers, purchasing bus tickets and providing car repairs.
For more information, contact Carol Kratz, MAG Human Services Manager, (602) 254-6300.

Information Items

Council Gets First Look at Vision Plan
MAG Regional Council members had their first major look at what Valley citizens want this region to look and feel like in the year 2025, with the presentation of the Valley Vision 2025 “Draft Goals.” The document represents a culmination of more than a year of effort, during which hundreds of citizens and community leaders provided input through surveys, focus groups, forums and collaborative meetings. It combines the separate reports of nine subcommittees which focused on specific issues such as education, transportation and human services. The subcommittees developed their reports collaboratively with multiple levels of citizen involvement. The Valley Vision 2025 Committee used that input to develop a draft vision and goals for the region’s future.
During a presentation summarizing the draft goals, Co-Chair Diane McCarthy told the council that one key principle for the region has emerged: continuous improvement through community engagement. Committee members say the draft vision should be completed and available for public review and input in September. A final Vision Plan is expected to be complete by January.
For more information, contact Corey Cox, MAG Regional Development Manager, (602) 254-6300.

Chinese Delegation Studies MAG Planning Practices
A delegation of 21 representatives from the City of Chengdu, China Program received a presentation from MAG staff on regional urban renewal and planning practices during a visit to the MAG offices July 23, 1999. The men and women who comprise the delegation are representatives of business, industry and government in Chengdu. They all have bachelors and masters degrees and are directors and deputy directors in Chengdu’s businesses and government. Their goal is to learn how American businesses operate in a market economy. The delegation was especially interested in the interrelationship between business, government and the community, and how that interaction fosters economic development.

The group received an overview on transportation and environmental planning, historic preservation, GIS modeling and applications, the city development approval process and regional growth policies. Chengdu is the sister city of Phoenix. The two cities have been working together for seven years to develop and deliver training programs related to American business and government practices.
For more information, contact Corey Cox, MAG Regional Development Manager, (602) 254-6300.

Upcoming Issues

Governor’s Vision 21 Task Force Seeks Public Input
The Governor’s Vision 21 Task Force will hold its next public input opportunity on August 12, 1999 at the Central Phoenix Library. The Task Force and its committees have received several presentations from MAG about MAG’s role, responsibilities and structure. MAG also has provided the task force with information about MAG’s Long Range Transportation Plan and our accelerated plan to complete the regional freeway system in 2007. In addition, MAG staff is now working with the co-chairs of the Governor’s Task Force to schedule a joint meeting early this fall between the MAG Regional Council and the full Task Force.

Upcoming Events

Videoconferencing Forum
Those who use videoconferencing systems on a regular basis have been asked to participate in a videoconferencing forum as part of an effort by MAG to determine what equipment and applications may work best in linking MAG and its member agencies.

The forum was initiated by the MAG Telecommunications Advisory Group (MAGTAG) as a means of soliciting input from those who currently use videoconferencing equipment. MAG is in the midst of a study to determine what types of videoconferencing capabilities would best serve the region as MAG prepares to implement its Teleconferencing and Telecommuting Program. The forum will give MAGTAG a chance to examine videoconferencing usage in other areas to see what users like, what they don’t like, and what they might change if they had a choice.

The forum will be held Monday, August 9, 1999 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. at Arizona State University, in the Computing Commons building, Room 120.
For more information, contact Heidi Pahl, Videoconferencing Planner, (602) 254-6300.

Y2K Forum #5
MAG will hold the fifth in a series of forums dealing with issues surrounding the Y2K computer problem on September 9, 1999. The forum will examine issues related to the health care system, retail grocery industry and concerns from those with disabilities. The forum will be held at 10:00 a.m., 302 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 200.
For more information, contact Kelly Taft, Public Communications Program Manager, (602) 452-5020.

Next Regional Council Meeting
There will be no Regional Council Meeting in August. The next Regional Council Meeting will be September 22, 1999. Agenda items are pending.
For more information, contact Dennis Smith, MAG Assistant Director, (602) 254-6300.