CIP chagrin spurs Paradise Valley Town Council to sharpen municipal process
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
A new framework has emerged at Paradise Valley Town Council officials say could have future implications for all capital improvement proposals that come before elected leaders at Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive.
Akin to the ‘Statement of Direction,’ the CIP proposal framework being devised by Paradise Valley Town Council is meant to ensure better communication with both elected leaders and the general public meanwhile driving the best value for the municipality by the creation of a more thorough vetting process, town officials say.
Paradise Valley Town Council Thursday, Sept. 26, hosted a work session discussion focused on the development of the CIP proposal framework spurred by frustrations over the timeline, scope and delivery of roadway improvements along Mockingbird Lane — north, south, east and west directions.
Paradise Valley Town Manager Andrew Ching, at the onset of the Sept. 26 work session discussion, provided to Town Council reasoning for the new internal CIP process including formal direction a few weeks earlier where work on certain improvements along Mockingbird Lane have been halted.
“Council gave consensus to pause this project indefinitely, and in the meantime, a study session item would be scheduled for September 26, 2024, to discuss documenting a process for major and minor arterial and collector street improvement projects,” he said pointing out Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner, along with Councilman Scott Moore, have taken the initial lead on presenting to Town Council a framework for a CIP proposal process akin to the internal SOD process.
Mr. Ching explained tenets and guidelines of the CIP proposal would include:
- Maricopa Association Governments street design standards and specifications
- The mobility map, street classifications and standards, and typical street cross-sections from the 2012 Paradise Valley General Plan
- The ‘Visually Significant Corridors Plan’
- Examples from various locations in Town of chicanes, drainage facilities, medians, traffic calming, and other elements
- Define expectations for concept design plans, traffic counts and studies, traffic control devices, and landscaping
- A timeline for CIP project design and construction including public outreach, Town Council review and direction, plan approvals, and construction contract approval
“I fully stand behind what is before us as a starting point,” said Mayor Bien-Willner following the introduction of the CIP process discussion during the Sept. 26 public hearing. “I think that this is something — at least for me — speaks to the spirit of the ‘Statement of Direction,’ which we implement whenever we see a development proposal. I see parallels here. But I do want to point out this is a working planing to develop a process … almost like SUP guidelines.”
While Mayor Bien-Willner and Councilman Moore have volunteered time to the development of the new CIP framework the ultimate decision rests with Town Council on how the process will develop, or not.
“For any given roadway there could be more adjustments but this will be more dialed in and it gives us a starting point,” Mayor Bien-Willner said. “How do we capture the same kind of success that we have had like the SUP process?”
Mr. Bien-Willner points out much of the credit to the initial framework is due to the work of Mr. Ching.
“Much of this is the result of Andrew’s great work and I am not trying to take credit for this,” he said. “Is there consistency that we could develop to put these guidelines into a streets manual just like we do for a storm drain manual?”
A new CIP proposal process emerges at Town Hall
It appears Paradise Valley Town Council will continue to deliberate in the coming weeks on how the CIP proposal process could unfold given the process oftentimes is triggered internally.
“I very much appreciate the process,” said Councilwoman Anna Thomasson. “As my colleague Scott [Moore] has schooled me so well is we are in the ‘forever’ business — I think this process will help us hit our sweet spot as best as we can.”
Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Mark Stanton says he likes the idea of looking forward in an effort to anticipate needs and to avoid common pitfalls.
“I just love the collective wisdom,” he said. “We are not looking back, we are looking forward — I view this as the missing link.”
For Vice Mayor Stanton, he says he believes a better approach needs to be cultivated at Town Hall to reduce unnecessary heartburn for local residents.
“I think it isn’t about what we have done, but what we are going to be doing moving forward,” he said of Mayor Bien-Willner’s initial efforts. “This is a giant step in the right direction, not compare you to Neil Armstrong.”
Councilman Scott Moore says developing a written process with clear timelines is a critical component to effective capital improvements.
“It is nice that we all agree that process is really important, to have a written process, I think will really work well with this,” he said. “It is not what counts today, but rather what they will be in 10 years.”
