HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/05/2008 Special Council Meeting Minutes~nWN qp
~~;:°
I ,
q MAIlANA ~
gRILVVP
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
Council Chambers
11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653
August 5, 2008, at or after 5:30 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETING
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
By Mayor Honea at 5:33 p.m.
Present: Mayor Ed Honea, Council Member Russell Clanagan, Council Member
Patti Comerford, Council Member Carol McGorray.
AbsendExcused: Tice Mayor Herb Kai, Council Member Jon Post, Council
Member Roxanne Ziegler.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE
Dispensed per call of the Mayor until the Regular Meeting.
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: Moved by Council Member McGorray, Seconded by Council Member
Comerfora~ Motion passed, 4-0.
D. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
E. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION/DIRECTION/POSSIBLE ACTION
1. Discussion /Direction /Possible Action on Spring Training Baseball Issues in
Marana and Pima County
Gilbert Davidson introduced David Cohen, Treasurer of the Pima County Sports
& Tourism Authority. Mr. Cohen gave a brief overview of the current state of
spring training in the Tucson region. The focus of the Sports Authority is to retain
and expand spring training in the Tucson area with a focus on youth and amateur
sports. Mr. Cohen stated the need for all municipalities within the Tucson region
to cooperate in order to keep spring training in Pima County. The Sports
Authority seeks funds to improve and maintain current facilities and to possibly
build new facilities.
Mr. Cohen introduced Tom Tracy, Chairman of the Pima County Sports &
Tourism Authority. Spring training has a huge economic impact in Southern
Arizona that goes beyond the monies spent by visitors, teams, and residents of
Arizona. The enterprise value of spring training includes TV exposure that
Tucson receives annually. Mr. Tracy stated that representatives from the
Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks mentioned the need for three to
four teams in the region to make spring training viable for them.
The Sports Authority has outlined four keys to help solving this issue:
tpWN n~
q M.AR~NA ~
gRILUhP
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
Council Chambers
11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653
August 5, 2008, at or after 5:30 p.m.
- Find a source of renewable funding for facility improvements and/or new
facilities
- To evaluate the existing facilities
- Recruitment of teams to the region
- Address youth and amateur sports
Mr. Tracy explained the current landscape of the keys mentioned. He said there
are two wonderful stadiums in Tucson Electric Park and Hi Corbett Field. Both of
which need some capital invested in them to make them viable. The
refurbishment of those two stadiums as well as a new facility being built will be
needed in order to reach the goals of keeping spring training in the area and the
youth and amateur aspect. Mr. Tracy said there has been positive feedback from
teams contacted about the possibility of moving to the Tucson area for spring
training once their current lease runs out.
Gilbert Davidson asked Council for direction on how they want Town staff
involved in this issue.
Council Member Comerford stated that this is a regional issue; therefore we
need to come together as a region on this issue. Council Member Comerford
said that she would like to see staff move forward and support the Sports
Authority in any way they can.
Council Member McGorray said she is interested in the youth/amateur aspect of
this in getting events and facilities for the kids.
Council Member Clanagan asked how has the reactions been around the region.
Mr. Tracy responded that Pima County and the City of Tucson have been very
supportive. He said that Pima County is meeting with the Diamondbacks and the
City of Tucson is meeting with the Rockies regarding any suggestions they have
about their respective facilities. Council Member Clanagan stated that the Town
of Marana needs to be together with Pima County and the City of Tucson in
solving this regional issue.
Mayor Honea mentioned that the region has lost a few sporting events and teams
which has impacted tourism in the area. The Mayor said that this is an opportunity
tat we -the region -can't pass up.
Motion: Direct staff to continue to work with the Pima County Sports Authority,
Pima County, and the Ciry of Tucson to pursue a facility in the region, Moved
by Council Member Russell Clanagan, Seconded by Council Member Carol
McGorray. Motion passed, 4-0.
t~WN 7F
~:•~ ~
q MAIlANA ~
gkIZOrvP
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
Council Chambers
11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653
August 5, 2008, at or after 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Honea stated that keeping professional sports in the region and expanding
youth sports is an advantageous program for everyone.
F. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
1. Executive Session pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A)(3), Council may ask for
discussion or consultation for legal advice with the Town Attorney
concerning any matter listed on this agenda.
G. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
H. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Adjourn, Moved by Council Member Clanagan, Seconded by Council
Member McGorray. Motion passed, 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:06 P.M.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council
meeting held on August 5, 2008. I further certify that a quorum was ,present.
a'~~ `k
~~.~~ ~a~rsr~a~:;~' ~~'~
is"~ ~ ° Q~ ~ ,~
~• ;
ocelyn C ronson, Town Clerk ~,, ~'
~~ ~ ~~. ~~