Queen Creek's Wheatley elected to chair MAG committee

Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley will serve as chair of the transportation policy committee of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council.

Wheatley was elected to the position during the organization’s annual meeting on June 26. The transportation policy committee oversees the development and implementation of the Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan and guides transportation planning in the region, a MAG press release stated.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke was elected as overall chair of the MAG Regional Council. As the agency’s new chair, Hartke stated in the release that his highest priority is to ensure that MAG is ready to implement several transportation projects if Maricopa County voters approve the extension of the dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation – Proposition 479 – in November.

“The plan was developed with the input of MAG’s 32 member agencies … the plan was unanimously approved because our diverse communities understand that growth means more strain on our transportation system, slowing down our commutes and our everyday lives. What benefits one area of the Valley benefits all, because vehicles and people don’t stop at city boundaries,” Hartke stated in the press release

He also stated that he would work with other Western states to address ozone pollution. Additional areas of focus for Hartke will be increasing electric vehicle infrastructure and “working to protect the region’s most vulnerable citizens, such as the continued partnership in the Heat Relief Network to provide resources during extreme summer heat and in the area of homelessness,” the release stated.

Joining Wheatley on the transportation policy committee as vice chair is Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers.

El Mirage Mayor Alexis Hermosillo was elected to serve as MAG vice chair and Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn as treasurer. Those selected to serve as at-large members are Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson, Mesa Mayor John Giles and Glendale’s Weiers. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will move into the position of past chair.

Other newly elected officers for the agency include Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton, who will serve as chair of the MAG management committee, while Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps will serve as the vice chair.

All newly elected officers will serve a one-year term.