Carefree Truth

Issue #252, May 29, 2013

 

 

 

Mayor David Schwan said what is needed now are rough drafts to show to potential donors.  Now is not the time to define the details of proposed projects.  Councilman Mike Farrar said he was concerned that the hoped for grants and donations would not materialize, and that the town would front the expense.  He read a statement of the Mayor's, "... if grants and donations do not come in, then the expense will not occur", and said if that is the case, "I am completely on board with it".  Mayor Schwan responded, "Well, that is the case, and I'd appreciate it if you would stop questioning my written word."  "Stop questioning that we are going to spend tax dollars this year to do it."   He added that no one, including himself and Mr. Farrar, could tell what could happen over the next several years, but the commitment has been made not to spend town money on the projects during the next fiscal year. 

 

 

 

The Mayor felt that the way forward was to get the Arizona Technical Assistance Plan (AzTAP) in place in the fall, and to become a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI).  He suggested that two staff members, Gary Neiss and D.J. Stapley, and one Council member, Vice Mayor Melissa Price, who has led the economic development effort, should represent the Town.  Mr. Farrar raised his hand and asserted that he had been the one to originally suggest using ULI.  Mayor Schwan agreed and asked if he would like to make a motion that we do this.  Mr. Farrar said, "I'm on board with ULI.  They've done some great things."  Councilman Arthur Gimson told Mr. Farrar that he'd made his points.  "Let's get on."  Mayor Schwan said, "You've communicated, and we've told you numerous times where we are going with this.  We're trying to get into a position where we can go out and ask for donations this year.  That's what I'd like to do, and I've made two recommendations on this agenda item." 

 

 

 

Councilman Marty Saltzman said, "I move that we enter into the arrangement that the Mayor just put", at which point, Mr. Farrar interrupted.  "Before you make that motion," and went on to say that "ULI  looks holistically at things you should be considering".  He again suggested sending out requests for proposals (RFPs) to other companies.

 

 

 

Councilman Glenn Miller asked, "Isn't Elliot Pollack, the Arizona leading economist, part of the Urban Land Institute?"  Mayor Schwan confirmed the Mr. Pollack works for ULI.  Vice Mayor Price felt strongly that ULI is appropriate.  They are the developers, designers, and retail people throughout the state.  They can talk to us and maybe get interested themselves, or talk to their network.  It's a great contact.  Mr. Saltzman asked, "Do you think they will be able to give us the kind of advice we are looking for?"  The Vice Mayor said, "I do.  That's what they do."  Councilman John Crane asked if the $5000 includes feedback and possibly other ideas.  Vice Mayor Price replied, "Absolutely."  Mr. Crane said, "That's what we want." 

 

 

 

Mr. Gimson pointed out that Carefree "could find five different companies that would give us five different ideas about how to spend money we don't yet have."  Vice Mayor Price nodded adding, "But we're spending it on them."  Addressing Mr. Farrar, Mr. Gimson said one thing that's always impressed him about the town over the years, "has been the collective wisdom of the Council, comprised of corporate people, independent contractors, people who care about the town, and have made a whole bunch of good decisions.  Ed Morgan, Wayne Fulcher, Mayor Schwan, over the past 10 years of my life here, the Council has moved the town well, and we've got money in the bank, and it's been collective.  There's nothing wrong with being an independent business man AND a fire fighter, as I spent 15 years as an independent consultant but 40 years in the corporate environment.  My collective knowledge may not be as good as Glenn's or yours.  But I don't have 2 MBAs, so that makes me a dummy", referring to Mr. Farrar's fondness of mentioning his two Masters Degrees.  "  Mr. Farrar again insisted, "In a town like ours, we don't have the collective knowledge, experience, or expertise to do this."

 

 

 

Mr. Saltzman said, "The motion is to go back to ULI and get some advice."  Mr. Farrar reminded everyone that it was his idea to hire ULI in the first place.  Mr. Saltzman said, "So let's put the money where the mouth is."  Mayor Schwan clarified the motion.  "Engage the Urban Land Institute for a Technical Assistance Plan, and become a member of ULI."  Mr. Saltzman added, "And to direct them as to what it is we're looking for them to accomplish for us."  The motion passed unanimously.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfpaLkNDpmc

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

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