Town Council
HOW THEY VOTED
July 2011 – June 2012
Annual Business License
July 2011
The Chamber worked with the Development Services staff for close to two years on moving from a business registration to an annual business license that would allow businesses to pay for their business registration, fire inspection fee, police alarm fee at one time and also complete their wastewater discharge paperwork as part of that process.
The Public Policy committee has worked tirelessly over the past two years reviewing ordinances, fees, consequences, pros/cons, and met with key Town staff several times. At the conclusion of that process, it was recommended and approved by the Board of Directors to support the changes as the Chamber’s involvement resulted in reduction in fees and streamlined processes. The next phase is to implement the ability for businesses to pay and apply online with a credit card. The Town Council voted to approve the various ordinances and fees finalizing the process of transitioning from an annual business registration to annual licensing and reduced the annual police alarm fee to $5 a year instead of $10.
A YES vote indicates support of the Chamber’s position.
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Months of Work Pays off with Sign Code Passage
September 2011
We’ve been reporting to you for many months now on the progress of the new sign code amendments. We are pleased to announce the code has been amended with a unanimous decision of the Town Council which included removal of the new minimum sized tenant panel requirement proposal and increased service station canopy signs to 12 square feet to include name and/or logo. Also, the Council voted to pass an amendment that allows 100% of the sign face to be electronic by a vote of 6-1. You can find the final version of the sign code at www.gilbertaz.gov/planning.
Special thanks to all who worked tirelessly on this amendment. Businesses will certainly benefit from the additional visibility options.
A YES vote indicates support for the Chamber’s position on the sign code.
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Tourism Efforts Stalled at Town Council
After two years of diligent work by the Chamber’s tourism committee the Town Council decided to put this effort on hold to do their own investigation into determining future tourism efforts for the Town of Gilbert.
The Chamber presented a two-year proposal to investigate and move tourism efforts forward while the Town determines its long-term strategic plan for tourism. It was recommended that at the end of two years the Council determine a public process to adequately fund and support tourism.
We respect the Town Council’s intention to develop a clear long-term strategy for tourism. In the meantime, we felt it was important to share the voting record of the Council with our members
September 2011
Councilman John Sentz provided a motion to accept the Chamber’s plan, which died for a lack of a second. A YES vote indicates support for the Chamber’s position on the 2-year tourism contract
October 2011
Town Extends Tourism Contract to 6 Months. The Council voted to extend the Chamber’s contract to run the Visitor’s Center while they spend time internally researching money spent on tourism, how they want to move forward with tourism dollars in the future, and how they will determine the best way to receive bids for this service if warranted. The Chamber agreed it is best for the Council to take their time and become educated on the impact tourism can have on our community and how it fits into Gilbert’s long-term strategies and offered them this transition period to do so.
A YES vote indicates the Council’s support for the Chamber’s 6-month contract (with a 30-day cancellation clause) to continue managing the Visitor’s Center.
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Side-walk Sales Made Easier and Will Save Businesses Money
November 2011
After almost a year of stakeholders meetings, the Town Council voted on updating policies for special events within the Town of Gilbert.
Here are some of the highlights that will benefit your business:
• Sidewalk sales/parking lot events are now allowed without the need for a permit. These events are limited to a maximum of 4 days, 8 days a month, and must include an interval of 3 days between events.
• No permit needed for a “tent sale” out of a vehicle (large semi in the parking lot as an example) that is limited to 3 days, 4 times a year, and must include an interval of 60 days between events.
• Inflatables and balloons will only be allowed for temporary uses such as these sidewalk or “tent” sales and other larger special events that may include a permit.
We are pleased with the new table format in the Zoning Code of Gilbert that enables businesses to quickly assess whether their upcoming event requires a permit or not and if there are any restrictions that apply. The new changes will go into effect within 30 days – just in time for the holiday season.
A YES vote indicates the support for the Chamber’s position on the temporary special event changes.
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Pro-business Special Events Changes Approved
November 2011
The Town Council voted to accept the changes to the Code of Gilbert to better define special events along with signage that applies. It also requires off-duty Gilbert Police officers to be used for traffic control on public roadways and on Town property. The Chamber supported amending the language to allow the Gilbert Police Department to request assistance from other law enforcement agencies as needed.
A YES vote indicates the support for the Chamber’s position on the amendment.