The Young Man/Young Woman of the Year program recognizes the outstanding achievements of young people, enhances the perception of youth and raises community awareness of the positive contributions of youth. Winners from each city council district and the citywide Young Man and Young Woman of the Year are recognized at a luncheon and in City publicity materials. District winners also have an opportunity to participate in citywide programs and special appearances to promote youth issues.

Also, the Carl Hayden Robotics Team was recently acclaimed nationally as one of the best all around robotics teams in the country.

OTHER INFORMATION

Young Man/Young Woman Program

One young man and one young woman from each of the eight city council districts were selected as a Council District winner and received $250, a plaque, and four Arizona Diamondback tickets. Out of these district winners, one young man and one young woman were selected from among the district winners as the overall winners and received an additional $2,000, plus two round-trip airline tickets.

In addition, the teachers identified by the outstanding winners were also recognized at the luncheon. They also received a framed certificate and four Arizona Diamondback tickets.

This year the Outstanding Young Man/Young Woman program was sponsored by the Soroptimist, Phoenix Rotary 100, Southwest Airlines and APS. On April 4, all sixteen district winners and their teachers were recognized at the annual luncheon. The luncheon was sponsored by Rotary International of Phoenix. The winners represented 12 different high schools and 5 different school districts. Adriana Delgado, from Trevor Brown High School, is the Outstanding Young Woman. Adriana is also a Gates Millennium Scholar. Jose Razo, is the Outstanding Young Man. Jose is a senior at Gateway Early College High School. He will graduate from high school with an associates degree from Gateway Community College.

Carl Hayden Robotics Team

The Carl Hayden Robotics Team won the prestigious FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics International Chairman’s Award in Atlanta in April, recognized as the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.

The Falcon Robotics squad of 22 students qualified for the International competition by winning their fourth consecutive Regional Chairman’s Award at the FIRST Arizona competition in March. Carl Hayden has been runner-up for the international award twice before.

The team also partnered with a Las Vegas team in the robot competition, winning a silver medal, after wins in the quarter and semifinal matches. The International FIRST Championship included more than 1,500 teams from the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The Chairman’s Award, presented to the team Saturday in front of over 20,000 spectators at the Georgia Dome, and more on internet and the NASA cable channel, comes with a $10,000 scholarship. The Carl Hayden students will decide who on the team will receive it.

The Chairman’s Award is the highest international engineering honor that can be bestowed upon a high school team. The Carl Hayden team has been inspiring others to the hard fun of engineering; performing hundreds of presentations to kindergarteners and civic groups. The Falcon Robotics team, led by teacher/advisors Fredi Lajvardi and Allan Cameron, has transformed lives by engaging young people in the world of science and technology in a fun and competitive way. By building robots and participating in national and international competition, students have parlayed this experience into improved grades, college scholarships and engineering degrees. Of the 12 seniors from last year’s team, 11 were admitted to ASU, including six in engineering, one in science and one in pre-med.

RECOMMENDATION

This report is for information only.

CITY COUNCIL REPORT
POLICY AGENDA
TO:	Rick Naimark Deputy City Manager	AGENDA DATE:		June 10, 2008
FROM:	Sara Hensley, CPRP, Director Parks and Recreation Department	ITEM:	3
SUBJECT:	DONATION TO THE AQUATICS SECTION FOR THE 2008 CIgNA SUMMER PROGRAM BY CIGNA HEALTHCARE OF ARIZONA

This report informs the City Council of a $37,500 CIGNA HealthCare contribution and requests City Council to formally receive the donation for the Parks and Recreation Department (PRD). The donation will fund the 2008 CIGNA Summer Water Safety program. Specifically, $30,000 will sponsor CIGNA Summer and $7,500 will sponsor the Senior Water Aerobics Program.

THE ISSUE

Since 1992 PRD and CIGNA have partnered in water safety programs designed to address issues related to our youth such as: job training, affordable recreation opportunities, and water safety education. The PRD Aquatic Section has provided supervision, instruction, facilities, and staff for the various CIGNA Summer program components. CIGNA makes a $30,000 donation to cosponsor this program annually.

In 2005 CIGNA increased their donation to include sponsorship of senior water aerobics. In 2007 a total of 609 seniors participated at Alkire, Coronado, Cortez, Deer Valley, Eastlake, El Prado, Encanto, Holiday, Madison, Marivue, Maryvale, Mountain View, Paradise Valley, Pecos, Perry, Pierce, Roadrunner, Roosevelt, Starlight, Sunnyslope, and Washington Pools. This year CIGNA will sponsor water aerobics classes for seniors, age 50 and better, up to $7,500.

OTHER INFORMATION

This season CIGNA and the PRD Aquatic Section will partner together for the 17^th consecutive summer. CIGNA’s $37,500 contribution will provide funds to implement one of the most comprehensive and effective water safety programs for youth in the country. Additionally, the funding will allow older adults to improve their health by participating in water aerobics.

CIGNA Summer consists of four programming levels: Itty Bitty Beach Parties for toddlers to 6-year-olds, Cub Club for ages 7 to10, Discovery Guards for ages 10 to13 and Junior Lifeguard Training for ages 13 to15. Program curriculums are designed to allow participants to progress from one level to the next, ensuring a smooth transition between programs.

Itty Bitty Beach Parties have been held at various pool locations over the past 12 years. Participants and their families are exposed to various elements of water safety while enjoying fun activities around the pool. Each participant receives a pair of sunglasses, a Hawaiian lei, and a snack. Dance contest winners receive Buddy Bear autographed beach balls. All participants receive an aquatic-related prize at the end of the event.

Cub Club meets two days a week for five weeks at all 29 City pools. The program begins in June and concludes with the Cub Club Olympics in July. Skill instruction includes improving swimming techniques, basic first aid, water safety methods, emergency water safety maneuvers, and basic pool procedures. Cub Club members receive awards and certificates as they progress through the program.

Discovery Guards was created to effectively deliver the water safety message to preteens. Discovery Guards meet twice weekly at all 29 City pools to develop and refine elementary lifesaving skills. The emphasis in the program is to introduce CPR and lifeguard techniques that will start the teens on the path toward becoming Junior Lifeguards. Youth also develop skills they can use at home when faced with lifesaving or leadership situations. Participants receive awards and certificates as they progress through the program. Discovery Guards conclude their programming with an Olympic-style event in July that showcases the skills they learned and developed.

Junior Lifeguard Training is the most extensive element of CIGNA Summer. Held at 16 City pools, Junior Lifeguard Training provides youth the opportunity to develop leadership skills. First-year participants learn Community Water Safety, CPR, fulfill volunteer hours, and make pool visits. Second-year Junior Lifeguards further develop leadership skills and assist with lesson instruction.

Throughout the free six-week program, participants receive incentives. Second-year participants receive certificates of achievement and work toward employment. The training begins in June and concludes with graduation at the Junior Lifeguard Olympics in late July.

More than 24,000 participants have enjoyed Itty Bitty Beach Parties, 4,750 have participated in Cub Club, and 2,000 teens have participated in Junior Lifeguard Training since the inception of the program. Many Junior Lifeguards have continued their training and have been employed as City lifeguards.

In addition to the traditional CIGNA Summer schedule, the Parks and Recreation Department, CIGNA, and the Phoenix Fire Department will host the Seventh Annual Fiesta Del Agua event at Maryvale Pool, (4444 North 51^st Avenue) on Saturday, June 7 to deliver the water safety message to the Spanish-speaking community.

RECOMMENDATION

The Parks and Recreation Department staff recommend that the City Council formally accept the $37,500 donation from CIGNA HealthCare.

CITY COUNCIL REPORT
POLICY AGENDA
TO:	David Krietor Deputy City Manager	AGENDA DATE:		June 10, 2008
FROM:	Donald L. Maxwell Community and Economic Development Director	ITEM:	4
SUBJECT:	CONNECTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

This report provides the City Council with information on how the development of transportation infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for economic development in Council District 5.

THE ISSUE

Investment in transportation infrastructure has implications beyond the basic purpose of moving goods and people from one place to another. Access to an efficient transportation system is an important catalyst for economic development, affecting where people choose to live and where businesses locate. A well-developed, multi-modal transportation system can help maximize options for economic growth. Transportation projects that have already been constructed and those in the study and planning stages that serve Council District 5 provide a strong vehicle to spur both new development and redevelopment.

Interstate 17 from McDowell Road to the Arizona Canal

Interstate 17 forms the north-south backbone of the freeway system and serves as the gateway to both the West Valley and Downtown. Many improvements to I-17 are planned over the next 20 years, including the area from McDowell Road to the Arizona Canal. The Arizona Department of Transportation has plans to develop and prepare a Design Concept Report analyzing alternative means to provide two additional general purpose lanes in each direction. This project is part of Phase III of the Regional Transportation Plan, also known as Proposition 400, and is scheduled to occur between 2016 and 2020. If the study concludes that freeway expansion in this area should occur, this will present tremendous opportunities for concurrent redevelopment.

METRO Light Rail Northwest Extension

The Northwest Extension is the next phase of light rail scheduled to be constructed. This segment of the line will start at Montebello Avenue and is planned to extend north with future expansions north and west. Along this stretch of rail, there are plans for stations and a park and ride. The Northwest Extension is scheduled to be completed in late 2012. As with the current light rail starter line, there will be many opportunities for community reinvestment, neighborhood serving retail and transit-oriented development projects.

An example of reinvestment into mature, existing neighborhoods along light rail is at Christown Spectrum Mall, the end of the light rail starter line located at 19^th Avenue and Bethany Home Road. More than $50 million has been invested into Christown Spectrum Mall over the last several years, including the addition of Super Target, JCPenney’s and a new Harkins Theatre.

The Fresh & Easy located at 19^th Avenue and Glendale Avenue is one example of neighborhood serving retail already under construction on the planned light rail Northwest Extension. Fresh & Easy grocery stores are neighborhood markets that recruit employees from the local area, aim to reduce travel times for employees and customers, and encourage neighborhood shopping.

Interstate 10 West High Capacity Transit Extension and Freeway Improvements

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Valley Metro are working together on the expansion of I-10, west of I-17. ADOT will add a general purpose lane, both eastbound and westbound, between I-17 and Loop 101. This project is expected to be complete in 2012 with funding from the Regional Transportation Plan.

As part of the I-10 expansion, right-of-way has been reserved for high capacity transit use. Planning for this extension is currently underway with a scheduled opening in 2019. This segment will travel west from downtown Phoenix to the existing Park and Ride at 79^th Avenue, where there are many opportunities to develop complementary uses to mass transit.

Other options for future consideration include a surface street extension tying education, residential, employment and destination uses together generating redevelopment opportunities within the West Phoenix community.

Cricket Pavilion

Cricket Pavilion, operated by Live Nation, is located just north of the planned end of the line of the I-10 extension. This concert venue is a 20,000 seat open-air amphitheater that presents the top names in contemporary music to more than 300,000 fans annually. It is the only building of its size in the Valley designed specifically for musical performances. This unique entertainment asset could serve as a focal point to attract and develop a mixed-use residential, commercial, entertainment district.

West Phoenix Development

West Phoenix is not only one of the fastest growing parts of the Valley, it is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Both District 5 and District 7 are home to some of the largest new development projects in Phoenix.

Algodón Center is a 1,000 acre master planned business and commerce park situated in the heart of the Loop 101/Agua Fria Freeway Business Corridor. Algodón Medical Office park, the first phase of development at Algodón Center, is currently under construction. The new four-story, 80,000 square foot McShane Medical Office Center is the first building constructed on the site and is scheduled to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2008. It is located immediately north of the new Banner Estrella Medical Center, which opened in 2005 as a full-service, acute care hospital with a five-story medical office building on a 50-acre medical campus. Banner Estrella employs about 1,000 health care professionals and support staff, and a medical staff of more than 500 physicians.

The mixed-use development project at Sheely Farms, located at the northeast corner of the Loop 101 and McDowell Road, will be one of the largest retail projects in the City of Phoenix. The Sheely project is a mixed-use development that will have up to five million square feet, including one or more 1,000 room hotels, 1,300 multi-story residential units, and 200,000 square feet of office space, in a business park setting. Additionally, Sheely will be home to 250,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, growing to one million square feet over the next 10 years.

Camelback Ranch will be home to the Major League Baseball Training Facility for the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Development of the 270 acre site required partnerships from both the public and private sectors, including the Cities of Phoenix and Glendale, Rightpath Development, and officials from Major League Baseball. In addition to the spring training facility, over 250,000 square feet of retail and hotel facilities, as well as a private golf course are also proposed to be developed on the site.

As business owners and residents make choices about where to locate a business, live, work, and shop, the ability to access multiple forms of transportation is a critical factor in those decisions. Having a well-developed, efficient transportation system is an important catalyst for economic development.

RECOMMENDATION

This report is for information only.

CITY COUNCIL REPORT
POLICY AGENDA
TO:	Thomas E. Callow, P.E. Deputy City Manager	AGENDA DATE:		June 10, 2008
FROM:	Debbie Cotton Public Transit Director	ITEM:	5
SUBJECT:	DASH SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATION

This report outlines progress in developing improvements to the DASH circulator in downtown Phoenix and requests approval of the proposed DASH routes.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee approved this item at their June 5, 2008 subcommittee meeting.

THE ISSUE

The Public Transit Department (PTD) has operated the DASH circulator since 1990. DASH provides public transit users and area residents a free transportation option in the downtown area. On March 20, 2008, the Public Transit Department provided an update to the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on recent efforts to improve DASH service. Since that meeting, PTD has completed the three planned public open houses and a public hearing all designed to gain input on routing. Over 150 neighborhood and business leaders, community stakeholders, and City department partners were notified of the open houses and public hearing. In addition, information and routing options were also available online.

OTHER INFORMATION

A review of PTD staff input and public comment from the four forums, emails, phone calls, and letters shows the overwhelming preference is to split the existing DASH day route into two simultaneously operating day routes. The "government loop" would look similar to the existing DASH day route on the western end that reaches the Arizona State Capitol. The second DASH day route or "downtown loop" would focus on the education, neighborhood, biomedical, and hospitality destinations in the heart of downtown. This separation of the single DASH day loop into two loops better serves downtown customers who are focused either on going to government offices or to entertainment and education venues, but most often not both. Options 1 and 2, as presented at the open houses and public hearings, were most popular as seen in the public comment in Attachment A. The proposed "downtown loop" is a combination of the preferred elements of those two options.

DASH service will continue to operate Monday through Friday. The proposed frequency of both loops from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. is 12 minutes. The proposed evening frequency of the downtown loop after 6:30 p.m. is 20 minutes. Downtown loop service will continue to 8:00 p.m. based on ridership information confirmed within the past month. The Public Transit Department will continually re-evaluate service needs and routing to best serve our customers and the evolving downtown.

This item was approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on June 5, 2008.

RECOMMENDATION

The Public Transit Department recommends approval of the proposed DASH improvements.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee approved this item at the June 5, 2008 subcommittee meeting.

All referenced attachments are available in the Office of the City Clerk, 200 West Washington Street, 15th Floor.

ATTACHMENT A – PUBLIC COMMENTS

Letter

Emails

· I like Option 2, with the exception of the leg that jaunts west on Fillmore and north on 1st St. It would be better to continue north on 5^th St to Roosevelt, similar to Option 3. There are many small businesses and local treasures/hangouts surrounding 3rd St/Roosevelt.

With that adjustment, I feel this would be the best route option of all because it would move people through the best areas of the downtown. In my opinion, this route would best serve the downtown experience by accommodating university students, visitors, and the local community.

My wife and I live/work downtown. We try to spend our free time (and money) downtown, which means inviting friends and family to the area. We are very excited about the new route. It will undoubtedly enhance our experiences both during the week and on the weekend.

· I would like to vote for Neighborhood Route 3 for the new DASH route. There are quite a few residences on that route (Artisan Village and all of the artist homes in the arts district) and it would provide us with another non-car transportation option.

· I actually like the current DASH routing, but the new Government Route is ok. It just means more walking to get to places. I do have one suggestion though, bring back the 25 cent DASH fare. It would bring in more money for transit.

· I am a state government worker and would use the dash more for lunch on central and traveling to & from meetings, except...the cars are loaded with un-washed riders that seem to be filling their day with free trips. The few times I've tried to DASH, I have found the experience to be very unpleasant. Maybe free trips with concert tickets (etc) or gov id &/or bus pass and 50 cents otherwise. I do not find the same problem onboard public busses.

· Hello! First of all, I would like to thank you for allowing the public to comment on the new DASH route proposals. I am excited about potentially having a new mode of transportation in my neighborhood!

Due to my work schedule, I have been unable to attend any of the public meetings, but I wanted to write a note expressing my thoughts on the remaining three proposed neighborhood routes.

I think that Route Option One has some flaws. It is the most "narrow" route. By that, I mean that the East-West span is the shortest and least inclusive. It also seems to concentrate heavily on the area around Portland and Central. It does not service the Warehouse District. Finally, it runs the same path twice down 1st Street. I'm least fond of this plan.

Option Two (PDF is named Option_3.pdf) is better. It has good North-South and East-West coverage. My only complaint about this route is that it runs service through an area of lower-density housing on 5th Street just south of Roosevelt.

Option Three (PDF filename Option_4.pdf) is my favorite. Even though the total route distance is the shortest, this route covers all the major downtown districts (Warehouse, Government, Office Core, University, BioMed, Roosevelt Row, Central Station, etc.) It is a very efficient route given that it covers all these areas in the least distance traveled. It also seems t


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