HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-06 City Council Regular Minutes PeA 1 ,. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location:
p City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes at City Hall
300 E. Superstition Blvd
CityCouncil MeetingApache Junction,AZ
85119
apachejunctionaz.gov
Ph:(480)982-8002
Doors are open to the public at least 15 minutes prior to the
posted meeting start time.
Tuesday,May 6,2025 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Heck gave the invocation and Councilmember Soller led the meeting attendees
in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
Staff in Attendance:
Bryant Powell, City Manager
Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager
Evie McKinney, City Clerk
Joel Stern, City Attorney
Michael Pooley, Police Chief
Liz Langenbach, Parks& Recreation Director
Ryan Kaup, Economic Development Director
Amy Greening, Deputy City Clerk
Keith Gabriel, Police Officer
Sidney Urias, Planning Manager
Adrian Alegria Building Safety Manager/Building Official
Nicholas Leftwich, Planner
Rob Vlfisler, Management Analyst
Eli Richardson, Management Analyst
Riley King, Management Analyst
Jody Dutra, Recreation Coordinator
Leslie Castillo, Senior Permit Technician
D. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Nesser moved,seconded by Councilmember Soller to approve the Consent
Agenda and authorize City Engineer Emile Schmidt to execute the agreement with Flying Bull
Internet,LLC,as listed under Item#3.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 6,2025
1. 25-142 Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. 25-143 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 15,
2025.
3. 25-187 Consideration of approval of a Telecommunications License Agreement
between Flying Bull Internet, LLC (dba Novos Fiber) and the City of
Apache Junction.
E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
4. 25-140 Proclamation designating May 2025 as "Building Safety Month."
Mayor Wilson read the Proclamation designating May 2025, as"Building Safety Month." He
presented it to Building and Safety Manager Adrian Alegria. Mr. Alegria gave an update on the
Building Safety Month Expo that was hosted by the City on May 3, 2025 and thanked the Mayor
and Council for their support.
5. 25-213 Proclamation designating the week of May 4 - 10, 2025, as
"Professional Municipal Clerks Week."
Mayor Wilson read the proclamation designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as
"Professional Municipal Clerks Week." He presented it to City Clerk Evie McKinney. She
presented "fun"facts about the City Clerk profession and introduced the Clerks office staff. She
also invited the Mayor, Council and the Public to a Meet and Greet at the Clerk's Office on May
8, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
6. 25-194 Presentation of proclamation recognizing May 17, 2025 as Kids to Parks
Day.
Mayor Wilson read the proclamation designating May 17, 2025, as"Kids to Parks Day." He
presented it to Recreation Superintendent Jamie Sullivan. She spoke of the importance of this
day and the vital role that parks play in childhood.
F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES
7. 25-144 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and
councilmembers.
Councilmember Cross attended the Central Arizona Project(CAP) annual dinner meeting.
They discussed the concerns with CAP water due to a lack of rain fall last year. He encouraged
the public to speak to their representatives to help come up with a solution to serve everyone.
Councilmember Soller also encouraged the public to speak to their representatives regarding
CAP water. He also announced that May 15, 2025, is the National Peace Officers Memorial in
Washington D.C. He asked the public to keep law enforcement in their thoughts and prayers.
Councilmember Nesser stated the Arizona League of Cities and Towns have selected her to
represent Apache Junction on the Public Safety, Military Affairs, and Court Policy Committee.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 6,2025
Mayor Wilson attended the following events and shared highlights from each of them:
Apache Junction Water Festival
Lost Dutchman Days Marathon Awards
Banner Health Recognition of Volunteers
East Valley Mayors Prayer Breakfast
Central Arizona Project(CAP) annual dinner meeting
Building Safety Month Expo
Mesa State of the City
G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
8. 25-145 City Manager's Report
City Manager Bryant Powell shared photos from the Building Safety Month Expo and thanked
Development Services Staff for their efforts. He spotlighted Lesley Castillo for putting together
such a great event.
Mr. Powell thanked Staff for their involvement in the Lost Dutchman Marathon and shared a
photo from their awards presentation. He shared statistics for the Easter Egg Hunt this year
and thanked Parks and Recreation for their hard work.
Mr. Powell recognized Kimberly Wilson and Code Compliance Staff for their help with multiple
inoperable vehicles and supporting a clean, safe community.
Mr. Powell stated the household hazardous waste event was a success with well over 200
community members participating. He also shared the new neighborhood Radiance celebrated
their one-year anniversary with a big party.
9. 25-219 Presentation and update on the Youth Advisory Council.
Recreation Coordinator Jody Dutra presented the history of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
She introduced the members of YAC and they presented the year end review. They took turns
sharing photos and information about events they have participated in over the last year. The
graduating seniors of YAC were honored by the City and the VFW. They were each presented
with a plaque from Irene Nowack of VFW#9399 and Heather Lyn of VFW#7968.
10. 25-220 Economic Development update with director, Ryan Kaup.
Economic Development Director Ryan Kaup presented an update on the department. This
included a demographic overview for the City, East Valley build out percentage, the increase in
single family permits, housing affordability, US-60 momentum and the downtown
redevelopment. Mr. Kaup also stated his goals for the future with the department.
Councilmember concerns included multifamily apartment complexes in the downtown area,
converting commercial properties to residential, the size of downtown, and a possible location
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 6,2025
for a data center. Mr. Kaup responded to concerns.
11. 25-146 Announcement of Current Events.
Management Analyst Eli Richardson shared an upcoming event.
- Free Dump Week: May 5- 10, 2025, 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Apache Junction Landfill, 4050
S. Tomahawk Rd, Apache Junction. Please visit https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov/for more
information.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
I. OLD BUSINESS
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
12. 25-216 Direction to staff for a text amendment of the Apache Junction City Code,
Vol. I, Chapter 8: Business regulations concerning fortune telling
businesses and the permit fees prescribed for them.
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Cross that direction to staff be
given to review and consider updates to the Apache Junction City Code,Volume 1,Chapter 8:
Business: regulations concerning fortune telling businesses and the permit fees prescribed for
them.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
Planner Nick Leftwich presented a recap regarding fortune telling businesses and the permit
fees prescribed to them in the Apache Junction City Code, Volume 1, Chapter 8: Business.
Following the April 24, 2025, City Council discussion, Planning Staff coordinated with the Police
Department and confirmed city policies and procedures for the business license staff reviews of
fortune telling businesses. There was a question raised regarding whether the$1,200 permit fee
is necessary and if it is to be used for background checks, but it was found that no background
checks are performed for these businesses. The Police Department noted they would need
explicit authority from the City Code to conduct background checks, as is required by the code
for specific other business types, such as sexually oriented businesses or liquor licenses. In the
absence of such a requirement and practice staff finds no need for the city to continue charging
an annual $1,200 fee in addition to standard business licensing costs.
Planning staff recommends a Direction to Staff to initiate a code amendment to the Apache
Junction City Code, Vol. I, Chapter 8: Business, § 8-1-1 Definitions and §8-2-7 Permits; Fees to
remove the$1,200 permit and fee for fortune telling businesses.
Councilmember concerns included the permit fee for circus and carnivals and the reason for
the background checks.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 6,2025
City Attorney Joel Stern explained the permit fee for circuses and carnivals would have to be
added to a future meeting agenda. This agenda item is only for fortune telling businesses.
L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
M. CALL TO PUBLIC
Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, encouraged the community to attend the
Pinal County Zoning Board meeting and oppose construction for a solar development project.
Catherine Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, expressed her love of the community
and shared her concern for the potential of apartments downtown.
Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, shared his experience at the Building Safety
Expo and suggestions for next year.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m.
ACCEPTED THIS W DAY OF 2025, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION!ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS o2e,? DAY OF , 2025.
WALTER"CHIP"WIL ON
Mayor
ATT ST:
U,�X M ��
EVIE MCKINNEY
City Clerk
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5