Carefree Truth

Issue #351, October 31, 2014

 

 

 

Vice Mayor Les Peterson said the petition signed by many merchants was "replete with factual errors".  The Open Meeting law prevents more than three Council members from discussing Town business related topics outside of posted public meetings.  He pointed out that Councilwoman Melissa Price says she authored the petition, but she was not involved in the negotiations and he does not know where she got her information.  "It did not come from us."  Ms. Price asked what was wrong. 

 

 

 

Mayor David Schwan stated that the petition was 95% negative.  It hurts Ed Lewis when he is trying to attract businesses.  It hurts every one of the merchants.  The petition was made very public and was printed in the local newspaper.  He suggested that it should have instead expressed agreement to cooperate with Ed Lewis and the Arizona State University (ASU) Museum to move forward.  There was no reason to attack other people and other institutions.  Let's be positive and eliminate all the negative energy and statements. Councilman John Crane felt that while the petition may have contained some errors, it created the atmosphere that prompted conversations and this informational public meeting, a positive step.  

 

 

 

Carefree resident Jim Van Allen wanted a pledge from the Mayor that public forums on the Ed Lewis Project would be held monthly or even bi-monthly, and that COINS would be utilized to keep the public informed.  He claimed that transparency "stinks".  Councilman Glenn Miller pointed out that development agreements are handled by the Town Administrator/Planning Director, not the Town Council, and told Mr. Van Allen, "You're wrong."  Mr. Van Allen complained about the "lack of visibility" of Executive Sessions.  He then acknowledged that is because of the law.  He added, "But don't say Gary is responsible."  Mayor Schwan reminded him that, as Mr. Lewis had said earlier, contracts are not negotiated in public.  The applicant and staff agree on a contract, which is then brought to the Council.  

 

 

 

Carefree resident Gary Hayward said that everyone should get over "he said, she said, they said" and get on with the subject that matters.  What do we do and how do we do it?

 

 

 

It was Carefree resident Glenn Ernst's understanding that Carefree needs ASU, and ASU was ready to come before restrictions were placed on them.  They were not allowed to come for 1 or 2 lectures; they had to prove viability and sustainability.  He felt that if ASU did one science lecture, play, or event for even one night, it would help.  Let them come, as long as the Town isn't putting a tremendous amount of capital into building  a building for them.  There are lots of empty spaces.  Don't build them a building.  Let them use a vacant space.  

 

 

 

Mayor Schwan replied that the Town had suggested that to both ASU and to Desert Foothills Theater (DFT).  Councilman Mike Farrar added that the Town and Mr. Lewis had told them they could use the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion or another space. The Town is embracing that.  Mr. Ernst thought ASU's initial plan was to start now, but changing that plan would take 5 years.  The Mayor told him ASU had never had an initial plan; it asked what the Town wanted them to do.  The Town asked what ASU was willing to offer.  They talked about using the Pavilion, and agreed that even one night would be good. 

 

 

 

Carefree resident Jo Gemmill, owner of Carefree businesses the English Rose Tea Room and the adjoining shop Jo London, said she was glad that Ms. Price wrote the petition, and she wasn't sorry she had signed it.  No one who signed it meant to be negative towards any single business or DFT.  She was glad to be having this discussion.  She feels the Town should be putting money into those ventures that will help the businesses, as well as supporting the 501(c)3 organizations.  But it's a question of priorities.  She is pleased that both parties are being brought back to the table.  She felt the priority was to do something that will bring the Ed Lewis Project into town.  

 

 

Carefree resident and business owner Kim Prince, of the public relations and marketing firm Proven Media, which was previously contracted for Town marketing and which markets the Carefree Christmas Festival run by Mrs. Gemmill, took offense to the Mayor's comments about the petition.  She feels she is treated rudely when making suggestions about economic development.  Listen to the merchants.  They need help.  Sales tax revenue has dropped, yet the contract was renewed with an agency she said has done nothing for economic development.  Treat everyone with respect and go forward as a community.  Listen to business owners. 

 

 

 

Carefree resident Tony Geiger said the approach to ASU seemed to be, "What can you do for us?"   The Town should be telling them what they want from ASU.  Present a plan.  "We need them more than they need us."  "Make the sales pitch to ASU and make it happen." 

 

 

 

A resident whose name I couldn't discern said DFT would only be operational from 5:00-9:00 PM, and would help the restaurants but not the other businesses that are open during the day.  Mayor Schwan repeated that if DFT comes to Carefree, they plan to activate the building all day.  Vice Mayor Peterson added there would be a variety of programs, not just plays.  The Mayor said the Town needs to let DFT bring them a program to see if it will work.  The resident warned, "Don't put all your marbles in one basket.  Keep DFT a small fraction."  Mayor Schwan replied that DFT could make a decision within the year, while ASU has stated there would be no decision from them for 3 years.  The Vice Mayor repeated that DFT had presented a much broader array than just evening performances.  The resident still believed it would be primarily a 5-9 PM venue.  Vice Mayor Peterson said the Town has limited options.  "If you have something, send me a list of your thoughts.  Think about it.  Send me a note.  We would love to get additional input." 

 

 

 

Councilman Mike Farrar, who is a commercial Realtor, said that El Pedregal is the retail feeder for the Boulders Resort.  It cost a huge amount of money, and is nearly empty.  He sympathizes with Mr. Lewis for wanting to mitigate his risk.  Mr. Farrar said he would love to see ASU in Carefree, and would be the first in line to attend exhibits.  He just doesn't think ASU is quite ready yet, an impression he received at the August meeting with them.  He felt a marriage between ASU and DFT would mitigate the Town's risk.  Don't put all the eggs in the DFT or ASU baskets.  Mr. Farrar stressed that the Council is the steward of the Town Treasury, and they take that responsibility seriously.

 

 

 

Another resident, who didn't state his name, stood up with 3 words for the Town. "Remember Stagecoach Village."

 

 

 

Bob Gemmill said he'd been involved with the Ed Lewis Project for the past 10 months.  He felt that, with the possible exception of Gary Neiss, nobody in the room was really qualified to negotiate the contract. He suggested that the Town should engage some of the experts from the Urban Land Institute panel that ran the day long workshop in Carefree last winter.  Perhaps they could better mediate and sort through the issues with Ed Lewis.  Mr. Gemmill called the project "Scottsdale/Phoenix big", and felt it was vital. 

 

 

 

Mayor Schwan asked if anyone else wanted to speak.  Hearing from no one, he adjourned the meeting.      

 

http://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/108875125/cb91f35e2a

 

 

 

 

A special Council meeting was held on October 17th to discuss adopting a resolution requested by Ed Lewis, calling for a collaboration with ASU to develop a satellite location for Design and the Arts in Carefree.  Vice Mayor Peterson asked if the resolution was the verbatim submission from Mr. Lewis, with the legal "Whereas" words added.  Town Clerk Kandace French confirmed that is was.  Mr. Crane asked if Ms. Price and Mr. Gemmill were on board with it.  Ms. Price replied, "Yes."   Mayor Schwan announced there were two slips to speak from the public.    

 

 

 

Cynthia Weiss, an ASU Design School alumni, said she was

thrilled and supports the effort to bring ASU to the area.  She felt ASU gave her skills that have supported her for the past 20 years, and said she recently hired an ASU graduate.  

 

 

 

Dr. Julia Moore, a representative from the President's Office at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) said that, if approved, please consider PVCC and the Maricopa Community Colleges in the program discussions.  They are not looking for a facility, as they have their own property off of Carefree Highway.

 

 

 

Vice Mayor Peterson made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilman Marty Saltzman.  Adoption of the resolution passed unanimously.  See the text of the resolution below. It is also shown with better clarity at the end of the video.  Page 2 was just the notary page and is not included in this article.  

 

http://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/109353736/c4dea74db9 

 

 

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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