MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CASA GRANDE HELD FEBRUARY 22, 2012 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 510 E. FLORENCE BLVD., CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA, AT THE HOUR OF 4:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: David Fitzgibbons President
Tommy Caywood Secretary/Treasurer
Richard O’Neil Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
David Brett Benedict Member
Kara Cooper Member
Dennis Jenkins Member
Dennis Dugan Member
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kirk McCarville Vice President
OTHERS PRESENT: Margaret Pieper, Recording Secretary
Ole Solberg, New IDA Board Member
Call to Order
President Fitzgibbons called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
Roll Call
Roll call established a quorum was present. A welcome was extended to Ole Solberg who was appointed by City Council on February 21, 2012 to fill the vacant board position.
Approval of Minutes – January 25, 2012
Member Dugan moved to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2012 meeting as mailed to the members. Motion was seconded by Member Benedict and carried unanimously.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Caywood summarized the current Treasurer’s Report. Member Benedict moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Motion was seconded by Member Dugan and carried unanimously.
Presentation by City Manager
A. Results of the IDA’s partnership with the City for a one-year membership in GPEC:
City Manager Jim Thompson presented a handout to the Board on the benefits of investing in the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC). The City of Casa Grande has equal representation with the other communities in Maricopa County. Every lead that is received by GPEC is sent to the entire membership for a response. The City has received requests for proposals from 45 potential prospects. They responded to five of the requests which resulted in four site visits to the community. It is the City’s intent to renew their membership in GPEC and continue responding to requests. Casa Grande has advantages with infrastructure ready to serve the Industrial Park, the expanded capacity at the City’s wastewater treatment plant, rail service and the close proximity to I-8 and I-10. Mayor Robert Jackson is on GPEC Board of Directors, Richard Wilkie is on the Economic Development Directors Team and Jackob Andersen is on the Community Building Consortium. Casa Grande has been able to take advantage of other marketing and business development support from GPEC. It was noted the City will also continue their support and membership in Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation.
B. Promoting the IDA on the Economic Development Section of the City’s Website:
The IDA Board requested a presence on the City’s Economic Development pages of their website. City Manager Thompson agreed that it could be done once a Webmaster is hired.
C. Status/Plans for the Auditorium:
City Manager Thompson passed out a list with School Districts and Community College Auditorium usage and costs for the Casa Grande area. It appears the current facilities are being under-utilized. He gave a brief history of the auditorium. It was the topic of a Focus Future event in 2000 and a re-use study in 2002. At that time the estimated cost for improvements was $3 million. In 2006 a focus group recommended clearing the property and re-developing the space with retail, restaurants, parking and a hotel with a conference center. In the past, there were groups interested in using a facility but not willing to pay the appropriate cost to use it. Voters passed a bond election to build a recreation center but due to the economy, funds are not available to operate it. Also, the Parks & Recreation Department and the Boys & Girls Club need to find a new space prior to any re-development. Not wanting to see the auditorium torn down, Member Cooper asked if the building could be reused, with minimal repair cost, for a teen center or something else. City Manager Thompson understood the sentiment attached to the old auditorium and stated different scenarios have been explored.
The Board thanked City Manager Thompson for the updates.
Discussion without Voting
None.
Call to the Public
None.
Adjournment
Member O’Neil moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:06 p.m. Motion was seconded by Member Dugan and carried unanimously.
Submitted by Margaret Pieper, Recording Secretary of the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Casa Grande, to the City Council, subject to the Authority’s approval.
Approved this _______ day of ________________________, 2012 by the
Industrial Development Authority of the City of Casa Grande.
ATTEST:
Secretary of the Industrial Development
Authority of the City of Casa Grande
