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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-07 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 7, 2015 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on April 7, 2015, at the Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Insalaco called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Councilmember Wilson gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Serdy led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco Vice Mayor Barker Councilmember Evans Councilmember Rizzi Councilmember Serdy Councilmember Waldron Councilmember Wilson Staff Present:City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Tom Kelly City Engineer Emile Schmid Development Services Director Larry Kirch Human Resources Director Liz Riley Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 1 OF 12 Others Present:Public Information Officer/Marketing Communications Specialist Constance Halonen-Wilson ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA ) )Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED: AND THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PROJECT PWC2014-01, APACHE TRAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS - PHASE 1, BE AWARDED THROUGH CITY OF CHANDLER COOPERATIVE CONTRACT NO. ST5-745-3435 TO VINCON, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $221,815.25 PLUS 20% FOR UNFORESEEN CHANGE ORDERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,363.05 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $266,189.30; AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN TO THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT PENDING APPROVAL AS TO FINAL FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Geno Larkins, Chair of the Veteran's Day Committee, presented the city with a new set of flags for the Focal Point. Mayor Insalaco commented the flags and the poles have all been donated by the American Legion and both Veterans of Foreign Wars posts.He and Councilmember Waldron approached the groups when the city was looking at doing the Focal Point and in 30 days they had the money for it.The groups promised to keep the city in flags and they are honoring their promise. Public Information Officer/Marketing Communications Specialist Constance Halonen-Wilson briefed the council on the 17th Citizen Leadership Institute which had 19 graduates, making a total of 316 people who have graduated from the program.Mayor Insalaco presented certificates of graduation to latest graduates. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 2 OF 12 Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating April 12-18, 2015 as the "Week of the Young Child in Apache Junction" and presented it to Shannon Fontez from First Things First who briefed the council on a learning project showing how early childhood experiences and support impact adults. Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating April 12-18, 2015 as "National Volunteer Week" and presented it to Auxiliary Patrol Lieutenant Will Haynes. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS Councilmember Waldron commented he went to Washington, D.C. with the governor of the Gila River Indian Community, the president and vice president of Salt River Pima on the Keep Your Promise legislation.Maria Sims, councilmember from Paradise Valley and the legal policy advisor for Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich was there.The bill was heard in the national research committee where an amendment was defeated.It has been moved on to the floor vote which will probably be next month. Councilmember Waldron thanked everyone who attended or was involved with Operation Welcome Home Thursday evening.Sergeant Kevin Mohn was welcomed home and is hopefully the first of many. Vice Mayor Barker commented she, Councilmember Evans and various members of staff watched a webinar last week on bike lanes. They hope to utilize the knowledge learned with the new bike lanes on Apache Trail.She commented on some of the different bike lanes presented. Councilmember Evans reminded everyone of the Earth Day Celebration to be held April 18 at Earth Heart Park.Ten thousand ladybugs have been donated to be released by children and there will be a lot of events for kids to do for free. Three youth bands will be playing.It goes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mayor Insalaco commented on an East Valley Mayors Prayer Breakfast he and the assistant city manager attended.They had approximately 300 people there and he gave the opening prayer. All the different religions got up and talked and they all ended up the same place. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 3 OF 12 Mayor Insalaco commented there was a very bad accident during Bike Week last week.A motorcycle was hit by a car, killing the husband and wife on board from New Mexico.The mortuary called for assistance to transport them to the freeway so that nothing would happen to them.Forty motorcycles, some from New Mexico and the hearses from New Mexico, were assisted by the police and volunteers.They blocked off everything from Superstition and Idaho to the freeway.He thanked the volunteers as he was notified Friday and this went off without a hitch on Saturday morning.He thanked the chief and all his men for their assistance. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated they received a call from one of the motorcyclists in the ride thanking the city and volunteer staff for being a part of it and making it so successful and safe. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell commented on the first step in fixing the Apache Trail.He read a letter from the homeowners president of Apache Villa thanking the city for taking care of the traffic concerns in the neighborhood.He then recognized Alaya Walton of Cactus Canyon Junior High for winning the Pinal County Spelling Bee on February 20. PUBLIC HEARINGS APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE EAST VALLEY - APACHE JUNCTION BRANCH FOR A FUNDRAISER ON APRIL 11, 2015 )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco requested the applicant address the council. Ms. Sandie Smith addressed the council.She stated it is appropriate as they are here celebrating youth tonight.When she was a Pinal County REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 4 OF 12 supervisor she built jails, set up probation and different things they had to have.It is better money spent to invest in the youth.She thanked the council for all the support they have given them over the years.Without a team, no one can do it by themselves.They have a whole community that embraces youth and she really appreciates it. Branch Executive Tim Sicocan stated this event would not happen without all the hundreds of hours from friends of the boys and girls club.The amount of money raised to go back for scholarships for their programs is tremendous.It allows youth from no matter what financial status to attend quality state programs for them. Mayor Insalaco opened the public hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a motion. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE EAST VALLEY - APACHE JUNCTION BRANCH, SUBMITTED BY TIM SICOCAN, FOR APRIL 11, 2015, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL. Councilmember Evans SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PREMISES/PATIO PERMIT FOR THE HITCHING POST PIZZA AND PUB )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco commented the applicant is not here.He opened the public hearing on the REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 5 OF 12 item.There being no one wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion. Vice Mayor Barker commented she had read the letter written by Development Services Director Larry Kirch on April 7 wherein it states he met with Mr. Mohiuddin on March 30.She asked if the letter is talking about this specific application when it states Mr. Mohiuddin stated he is no longer interested in the conditional use permit and the extension of premises. Development Services Director Larry Kirch stated that is correct.There is also the item coming up on April 21 which is the continuance on the conditional use permit. Vice Mayor Barker commented she wanted to verify it was as she had heard the city had received some kind of information he wanted to withdraw this application.She had not seen it in writing. Development Services Director Larry Kirch stated he thinks the city clerk was saying that came through an email which was not Mr. Mohiuddin's personal email. They can honor that if they wish.As he understands, Mr. Mohiuddin is out of the country now. Vice Mayor Barker asked if Mr. Mohiuddin did state to him that he wished to withdraw and was no longer interested in this. Development Services Director Larry Kirch stated he believes it is the same thing for the conditional use permit.He did not see that there was going to be an agreement with the neighbors and wanted to move on. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker commented since they have received a request to withdraw, she MOVED THAT WE HONOR THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO WITHDRAW THE EXTENSION OF PREMISES AND AT THAT POINT NO ACTION WOULD BE NECESSARY. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 6 OF 12 Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS RESOLUTION NO. 15-09, AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 )Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell briefed the council on the item. Vice Mayor Barker asked Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby what would happen if someone were already over the maximum wage and how that would work. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated the consultant is here and he requested him to explain what will happen with those who are already at the top of the new range, how it impacted them and how many were affected. Mr. Matt Weatherly of Public Sector stated the proposed plan contains steps, the implementation of which requires everybody to land on a step. Nobody is going backwards, but there are three individuals that will be at the top step.There are another three or four individuals where their current salary is over the top step.As good leaders do, just about every year they need to ask themselves the question what they are going to do.Will they do a cost of living or general increase and whether or not these individuals, some that are above the current structure, by adopting this structure they will either be at or above the top. The question, and to a degree a policy decision, an annual discussion about if they are still eligible for something.Are they eligible for a cost of living adjustment or for a merit will need to be determined.Part of it could be a function of their longevity.It is not too surprising in the public sector to see individuals with a great deal of time in their position. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 7 OF 12 It is not to say they are overpaid but the range is really an expression from a new hire to a journey level to a potentially long -tenured individual.There are a few bright spots here. They want more people to reach the top of their range.It is not as bad as it sounds as long as the range remains market appropriate and market sensitive.The goal, whether every two, three, four years is to look at survey data and address and assess the appropriateness of the ranges.If there is anybody at or above the top, then determine if they are still eligible for a cost of living adjustment or a merit, or maybe they do that in a lump sum instead of adding to their base pay.Over the progression of any plan, it has been awesome.It has been ten or eleven years since the last study was done and there were only a handful really below the minimum and above the maximum. Even sometimes by accident, they were pretty close.Most people are going to fall between that entry step and that top out step, as implementation of a new plan often dictates.This plan addresses those below minimum and gets them into the plan. There are probably six or seven that are affected by either being at the top step or already just slightly above it. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated no employee will lose money.If they are over or above the top step they are not going to bring them back down and make them lose salary to put them on a step.They will stay where they are. Vice Mayor Barker commented if she understands correctly, and she is not sure she does, merit and cost of living adjustment are not part of this compensation plan or they are. Mr. Matt Weatherly stated he believes they do evaluate how employees are meeting their goals and objectives, whether in a team setting or individual setting. He would defer that piece to staff. Vice Mayor Barker commented because he addressed those who were on top or perhaps over the top, and he brought up merit and cost of living adjustments, she wondered where they were addressed. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 8 OF 12 Mr. Matt Weatherly stated he just wanted to make sure on an annual basis.However they administer salaries, be it through a cost of living adjustment, general increase or a merit, they always want to look at where somebody is in that range and what they might be eligible for, if it is a global or individual type of setting. Councilmember Wilson asked if that is something they would need to have in the plan to make it a policy. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated the classification and compensation plan is a step -based system.That is the plan.There is a title and a salary grade that falls on this compensation plan with various steps.The idea is that each year or however often the city can afford it the city will use the step system.As we assess our budget each year, as we assess the market place and the city's ability to pay the employees, they may do something.They do not call them cost of living adjustments, but they might call them a general increase. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated one of his biggest concerns is when they adopted the original step plan eight years ago they never implemented it.He is proposing a step plan where they can start moving employees.They have two issues.They need to have the issue of compression dealt with.They are proposing to deal with that in January.Tonight they are getting the classification and compensation plan adopted and start working towards a step plan in July with the new fiscal year.It is a 2.5% instead of the higher 4.3%.They will then look at each year, depending on budget and revenues, to see if they can move the range which would get the three that are above back in the range.That will be dependent on where the city is at year by year. Councilmember Rizzi asked if the study also entailed looking over any job descriptions and making any changes as well. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated absolutely.It was a big part of the classification part and it got our job descriptions in line with REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 9 OF 12 the market as well.This is something they will keep working at and always will be working at. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 15-09, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, DECLARING AS A PUBLIC RECORD AND ADOPTING CERTAIN DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK ENTITLED "CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION CLASSIFICATION PLAN AMENDED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015"; "CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION CIVILIAN COMPENSATION PLAN AMENDED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015"; AND "CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION RECRUIT AND SWORN COMPENSATION PLAN AMENDED FOR 2014-2015"; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, BE APPROVED. Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. NEW BUSINESS None. DIRECTION TO STAFF None. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:45 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2015, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY; AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:45 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 10 OF 12 Councilmember Evans SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Ms. Karen Sundt, 619 S. Camino Sereno, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding Ordinance No. 173(F), large truck and recreational vehicle parking in city limits.A person had more than one recreational vehicle and they were asked to move two of them even though they were hidden in the backyard. Mayor Insalaco requested staff contact her and follow up on this. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated they would. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. Consideration of approval of minutes of regular meeting of March 17, 2015. 3. The mayor and city council shall consider the proposed contract with Vincon, LLC for PWC2014-01 Apache Trail Improvements - Phase 1 in an amount not to exceed $266,178.30. ACCEPTED THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL, 2015, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL, 2015. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 11 OF 12 ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk Qadid /:3L742fiN S. INSgLACO Avnr CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, held on the 7th day of April, 2015.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 9th day of April, 2015. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 7, 2015 PAGE 12 OF 12