Draft Meeting Summary
Project: Northwest Citizens Group
Date: July 23, 2008 Time: 7:00pm
Location: Saguaro Jane’s Community Center

NWG Members Attending
Janis Atherton, Hassayampa Chamber of Commerce
Bruce Benner, Wittmann Resident
Harry Dame, Morristown Fire Chief
Sue Dolphin, Wittmann Resident
Sherry Lamb, Saguaro Jane’s
Patrick Leadabrand, Real Estate Broker
Renee Simpson, Simpson Roofing
Jim Welch, Wittmann Fire Chief
Jacky Young, Saguaro Jane’s

Staff and Consultants Attending
John Godec, Godec, Randall, & Associates
Debbie Perry, City of Surprise
Janice See, City of Surprise

Additional Attendees:
Nancy Utter, Mobile Gardens
Larry Radish, President Hassayampa Chamber of Commerce
Peggy Radish, Wittmann Resident
Bill Dolphin, Wittmann Resident

Meeting Facilitation: John Godec
Meeting Summary: Debbie Perry

MEETING HANDOUTS:

• Wittmann, Nadaburg, Circle City and Morristown Draft Issue Assessment
• Northwest Citizens Group Draft Operating Policies
• Northwest Citizens Group Member Roster

PROJECT ORIENTATION:

Wittmann, Morristown, Circle City, Nadaburg areas have been designated by Maricopa County as part of the City of Surprise general planning area. The city asked for help in forming and facilitating the Northwest Citizens Group. The city is not trying to dictate what is going to happen but, instead, is looking for feedback and input from this group on projects that may affect this area.

The city has developed a village concept. Each village will have its own unique identity and, ultimately, its own planning group or committee to assist in making decisions about their village.

The intention is to have a transparent citizen involvement process that helps this group and the citizens here influence decisions when it affects the area, and communicate when they can’t influence decisions.

The members of the group will set most of the ground rules, time/date of the meetings, and the addition of new members, when appropriate.

City of Surprise Role
Provide accurate, timely information
Respond to issues identified by citizens
Listen

Citizen Role
Attend all meetings
Communicate with your neighbors, organizations and this group
Be candid, respectful and fair
Criticize ideas, not people
Listen

Facilitator Role
Neutral
Help manage the process and logistics
Work to get answers to questions
Work to make sure you have the facts
Help to resolve conflicts and find consensus

The facilitator led the group through an exercise to help determine issues of primary interest.

• Biggest priorities indicated:
o Traffic – Congestion, streets, transportation planning for the area
o Employment – industrial growth in this residential area and the potential impact on existing local businesses
o Lack of input on items that affect residents of the area
• Additional issues raised: Lack of shopping in the area, what can be done to encourage Valley Metro or Dial a Ride to make transportation available from this area into Surprise; transportation for elderly; general elderly care; what can be done to bring the food stamp program to the area.

ACTION ITEMS

ACTIVITY WHO WHEN
Review Draft Operating Policy. Provide feedback and changes.
All members
August 11 meeting
Check with city staff regarding free Surprise newspaper delivery to Wittmann area.
John Godec
August 11 meeting
Create binders for all members of the NWG, including maps of area
Deb Perry
August 11 meeting

DECISIONS:

• Standing agenda item will include upcoming projects for the area
• There was a consensus of the group to add Larry Radish, Nancy Utter and Bob Rukra as members. .
• It was decided and agreed that meetings will be held on the second Monday of every month at the Saguaro Jane’s Community Center. Meetings will run from 7 -9pm, with a light dinner offered at 6:30p
• It was agreed by the group that meetings will generally be open to the public with a separate seating area provided for visitors. Members of the public with questions or comments will be asked to fill out a speaker’s slip identifying themselves and the question, comment or concern they have. Public questions and comments will be addressed at the end of NWG meetings. It was also discussed that the NWG might host future public meetings in the community.

The group requested information to be presented at future meetings:
• Information about traffic projections and transportation planning for the area.
• Presentation of the village concept that was delivered at the Nadaburg School earlier this year.

GENERAL NWG MEMBER COMMENTS:

• Nice that city is coming out to talk, listen and work with all of the communities.
• Hassayampa Chamber of Commerce issues a newsletter and, with group approval, articles about this group can be published.
• A Saguaro Jane member also writes short articles for the Wickenburg paper.

NEXT MEETING:

August 11, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00pm at the Saguaro Jane’s Community Center. A light dinner will be available for NWG members at 6:30pm.