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Good afternoon and Happy Independence Day. Last week was the final Workshop and Formal Council Meeting before the council heads into summer recess. And there was a lot of business to finish up so let me jump right in.
Murphy Park – In anticipation of moving into the next phase of City Hall Renovation, Council reviewed three variations for updating the landscaping in Murphy Park. The Council is moving forward concept C for Murphy Park Renovation which may be updated following any decision regarding the library.
Velma Teague Library — In order to assist the Library Commission and the Council in evaluating the options, staff was asked to return to Workshop with visual mockups and additional information. The three options that will be evaluated are:
1. Renovate existing building for $17,653,020;
2. Demo, remediate the site for asbestos, and build a new Library in Murphy Park for a preliminary cost of $17,895,906;
3. Relocate library footprint one 1 block north to the existing promenade building for roughly $7,895,701; cost includes demo of building site and additional park landscaping.
Glendale Community Center – After receiving community feedback over the last few months, the council provided consensus directing staff to purchase a plaque to be displayed at the Glendale Community Center honoring former Councilmember Norma Alvaraz for her unwavering commitment to the Ocotillo District.
95th Ave. Black Lot - The Council voted 4-3 to approve a contract with VAI Resort for parking management at the city owned lot from a qualifications-based RFP process in which there were four applicants. The 25-year agreement has a right to terminate or renegotiate with a 24-month notice. The vendor will be responsible for all O&M and will pay the city $500,000 per year, increasing at a rate of 3% per year as well as paying tax revenue on parking fees.
I felt the agreement was overly weighted in favor of the vendor with respect to responsibilities and revenue potential and that the city should have negotiated a much better deal. While it’s too soon to know the extent of potential parking revenue at the lot, it’s clear to me that the vendor won this round.
And finally, as we move toward the 250th Anniversary of the founding of America next year, I will keep you posted on the various ways that the city will be commemorating the important milestone. If you have any ideas you would like to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bturner@glendaleaz.com.
Best wishes for a safe and happy Fourth of July to each of you, and as always, keep cool and stay hydrated!
Councilman Bart Turner
Barrel District, City of Glendale
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