Legislative Governmental Mall Commission

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ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE

Forty-eighth Legislature – Second Regular Session

LEGISLATIVE GOVERNMENTAL MALL COMMISSION

Minutes of Meeting

Friday, December 19, 2008

Senate Hearing Room 1 -- 1:30 p.m.

Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.

Members Present

LeRoy Brady Lynn Favour

Thomas Chapman Jamie Hogue

Honorable Tom Smith, Chair Donald Keuth, Jr.

Members Absent

Representative John Kavanagh Wellington Reiter

Nola Barnes for Bill Bell David Richert

Metro Rail Presentation: Expanding the Light Rail System Westward

Mark Osborn, Government Relations Representative, Valley Metro & Metro Rail, stated that John Farry and Wulf Grote will make presentations concerning the Light Rail system.

John Farry, Director, Community & Government Relations, Valley Metro & Metro Rail, reviewed a handout relating to the Light Rail Grand Opening Update (Attachment 1), which included the route of the 20-mile Light Rail line, Park-and-Ride locations, hours of operation, fares, and the grand opening He responded to questions concerning the distance between stations, coordination with street lights and shaded areas.

Wulf Grote, Director, Project Development, Valley Metro & Metro Rail, reviewed the remainder of the handout relating to I-10 West Alternatives Analysis Overview, which included Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) features and comparisons, I-10 West approvals to date, I-10 West potential station area locations and I-10 West-downtown connection options and considerations (Attachment 1). He indicated that study recommendations for the locally preferred alternative should be completed in the spring of 2009, after which an environmental study will be conducted.

Mr. Grote responded to questions concerning existing plans by the City of Phoenix for downtown areas under consideration for connection options, the potential cost, capital funding, subsidization, the economic impact of LRT versus BRT, bus connections and Park-and-Rides. He advised that the expansion project ends around 83^rd Avenue, but the demand goes further out to the northwest, so a regional framework study will be conducted beyond the plan to determine where to go in the future should funding become available.

Mr. Grote asked if the Members foresee any issues or opportunities in the State Capitol and downtown areas where alternatives are being considered. Chairman Smith indicated that the only items he is aware of are the Street of Flags and rebuilding of the House and Senate facilities when money becomes available. About $500,000 is available for planning the Centennial celebration. Mr. Keuth remarked that he will compile some information based on the Centennial plan.

Mr. Grote stated that he could provide an update to the Commission in March 2009.

Chairman Smith conveyed that he will no longer be on the Committee after December 31, 2008, which is when his term will end. He was appointed by Governor Jane Dee Hull in the early 1990s and about 18 years is enough time to spend on the Commission.

Bill Boyd, Research Analyst, Senate Government Committee, stated that it has been an honor to work for Chairman Smith and presented him with a certificate of appreciation from the Senate.

Chairman Smith advised that he will provide his resignation in writing on December 23, 2008.

Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m.

_______________________________

Linda Taylor, Committee Secretary

December 30, 2008

(Original minutes, attachments and audio on file in the Chief Clerk’s Office: video archives available at http://www.azleg.gov).