February 16, 2006
| Members Present Ben Barcon Rus Brock Gary Corcoran Carlo Gegen Herb Hacker Pete Hemingway Barbara Koffron Scott Mardian Danny Ortega Ken Roth Greg Russell Paul Scott Darrell Wilson
Members Absent
|
Staff Karen Beckley, DSD Derek Horn, DSD Larry Litchfield, DSD Joanne Owens, DSD Cindy Stotler, DSD Brad Walldorf, WSD John Watson, Fire
Ex-Officio's Present
Ex-Officio's Absent
Others in Attendance
|
Approval of January 19, 2006 Minutes:
Barbara Koffron stated that on page 3, paragraph 2, the work "indiscretion" should be "discretion".
Motion was made by Paul Scott, seconded by Pete Hemingway,, to approve the meeting minutes of January 19, 2006 with the above change.
Motion carried unanimously.
Call to the Public (No Board Discussion):
None
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:
Process & Procedures
Pete Hemingway stated that a meeting was held and several items were addressed. Bernie Deutsch, Chairperson for the new DAB Project Simple Subcommittee, explained the new subcommittee’s goals and objectives. The Subcommittee also discussed turnaround times for site preapplication meetings and agreed that a 21 day target is a more realistic goal for staff to meet that the current 14 day target.
Fiscal & Performance
Scott Mardian stated that they met and discussed the changes in the DSD fee schedule. He mentioned the subcommittee would like to address the DAB at the March meeting and will be making a presentation on the changes and request action by the DAB. They also discussed the DSD Special Revenue/Reserve Fund.
Mr. Mardian stated the Fiscal and Performance Subcommittee is in need of an additional member. Carlo Gegen volunteered to be on the subcommittee.
Water Services Subcommittee
Did not meet.
Residential Fire Sprinklers
Ken Roth stated that they are continuing work and communicating with the homebuilders about offsetting the increased costs of residential fire sprinklers with other incentives for the homebuilders. Mr. Roth stated that he met with Rus Brock on this issue and it was his understanding that the Homebuilders Association would not support mandatory residential fire sprinklers. Mr. Brock responded by saying that the minutes from this subcommittee are very clear on the Homebuilders Association position on this issue. They are opposed to mandatory fire sprinklers in the City of Phoenix.
Mr. Brock mentioned that the Homebuilders Association believes that this issue is a matter of consumer choice and if sprinklers are made mandatory, this impacts the cost of housing. He stated that they would be happy to look at any cost comparison proposal that the Fire Sprinkler Subcommittee proposes.
Technical
Pete Hemingway reported that they did not meet.
Discussion, Information, and Possible action on the Development Services Department Enteerprise:
Cindy Stotler briefed the DAB about DSD becoming an enterprise department. Ms. Stotler stated that she met with the Law and Budget Departments in regards to the enterprise fund concept. She stated that an enterprise fund would separate from the general fund. She reported that the enterprise fund would not exempt DSD from any City rule or regulations in regards to purchasing procedures, recruiting, hiring, adding or removing staff, going to Council for requests, etc. It is the opinion of staff that DSD would not benefit from conversion to an enterprise fund.
Presentation and Discussion on the Development Services Department Staff Report,
Cindy Stotler updated the DAB on the separation between residential and commercial revenue.
Derek Horn introduced Bob Goodhue as the new DSD Assistant Director. Mr. Goodhue presented the residential portion of the report and stated that Residential Services has been struggling because of the massive increase in construction. Mr. Goodhue presented graphs to the DAB that indicated the magnitude of building in Phoenix. Discussion continued between the Board and Mr. Goodhue concerning turn around times and the large amount of new residences under construction built in the Phoenix area.
Derek Horn gave the commercial portion of the report.
Update, Discussion, and Possible action on the Salt River Project Right-of-Way License Fee
Merry Schierhorst, EAS Engineering Supervisor, gave a presentation on SRP Licenses and Utility Easements. She stated that all United States Fee (US Fee) licenses would be issued to the City of Phoenix. All utility easements will be processed through Engineering and Architectural Services (EAS) along with quarter section maps.
Ms. Schierhorst stated the EAS needs US Fees because the department needs to recover their costs. Few funds come from the General Fund for EAS. Many of the new developments are in South Phoenix, which has many SRP facilities.
The fee for SRP licenses is $3,300 per license. There are separate licenses for roadway and landscape. The easement-mapping fee is $400. Ms. Schierhorst stated that city projects, utility companies, and SRP will all be responsible for these fees.
Herb Hacker asked the difference between the license and easement, as it applied to property or right-of-way. Ms. Schierhorst stated that the license is actually issued by the federal government. SRP has been in charge with enforcing the rules of the federal government. They are in charge of US Fees, irrigation, and ditches. Easements do not include the federal government.
Darrell Wilson asked how this issue started and how it affects the developer. Mario Brown, EAS Civil Engineer III, stated that this is being used to track and process the licenses from SRP. Andy Granger, DSD Engineering Supervisor, stated that this fee is in addition to the fees from SRP. This license agreement has been standardized with SRP in the past year, which gives the City right-of-way rights.
Mr. Wilson is concerned about this and would like to continue this discussion through the DAB Process and Procedures Subcommittee.
Update, Discussion, Information on the city of Phoenix Downtown Development:
Jason Harris, Acting Deputy Director, Downtown Development Office, gave a presentation and overview of status on Downtown development in the City of Phoenix.
Update, Discussion, and Possible action on the Development Services Forum and the Phoenix Building Construction Code Amendment Seminar to be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2006:
Derek Horn stated that DSD would be hosting a Construction Code Amendment Seminar on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. DSD held their first seminar in September of 2005 and 200 people attended it. The department decided to hold another seminar because it was very well received and requested by the public.
Mr. Horn also made announcement about the DSD Forums that will begin on March 14, 2006. DSD is scheduling open forums with the community to interact with DSD staff. This forum is open to everyone and a continental breakfast will be provided.
Discussion Regarding Future DAB Agenda Items:
Ms. Koffron stated that Scott Mardian requested an update on the methodology on the DSD fee schedule and reserve fund.
Adjournment
MOTION was made by Pete Hemingway , seconded by Herb Hacker , to adjourn the February 16, 2006 meeting. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.
Derek Horn, P.E. CBO
DSD Deputy Director
Minutes Prepared by:
Carole Borrego, Secretary III
Last Modified on 03/22/2006 13:13:14