HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-20 City Council Regular Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location:
` City Council Chambers
f`j r at City Hall
Meeting Minutes 300 E.Superstition Blvd
�Qltd�* Apache Junction,AZ
City Council Meeting 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 20,2025 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 Cross gave the invocation and Vice Mayor Schroeder led the meeting attendees
in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
Present: 7- Mayor Wilson
Vice Mayor Schroeder
Councilmember Nesser
Councilmember Heck
Councilmember Johnson
Councilmember Cross
Councilmember Soller
Staff in Attendance:
Bryant Powell, City Manager
Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager
Evie McKinney, City Clerk
Joel Stern, City Attorney
Kayla Fulmer, Director of Marketing and Communications
Rob Wisler, Management Analyst
Michael Pooley, Police Chief
Johnny John,Assistant Police Chief
Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director
Sidney Urias, Planning Manager
Liz Langenbach, Parks& Recreation Director
Nicholas Leftwich, Planner
JC Kliner, GIS Coordinator
Jamie Sullivan, Recreation Superintendent
Riley King, Management Analyst
D. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Soller to approve the Consent
Agenda and Authorize City Manager Bryant Powell to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement
with the Arizona Department of Water Resources,as listed under Item#4.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20,2025
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser,
Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and
Councilmember Soller
No: 0
1. 25-165 Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. 25-230 Consideration of approval of minutes of the special meeting of May 5,
2025.
3. 25-166 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of May 6,
2025.
4. 25-189 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 25-08, authorizing the City of
Apache Junction to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the
Arizona Department of Water Resources to contribute to the maintenance
of the Arizona Continuously Operating Reference Station (AZCORS)
program, and authorizing the City Manager to fulfill all the duties required
under the agreement. This item was presented for discussion at the City
Council Work Session held May 5, 2025.
5. 25-195 Consideration of approval of the proposed professional services agreement
with TischlerBise,for the preparation of the five(5) year update of the
Development Fee Study: Land Use Assumptions, Infrastructure
Improvements Plan, and Development Fees as well as an update to Volume
II, Chapter 7 Development Fee Ordinance in an amount not to exceed
$67,440.00. This item was presented at the City Council Work Session held
May 5, 2025.
6. 25-233 Consideration of approval of selected artwork, case P-25-29-ART, a high
school students design competition, themed"AJHS Pride,"for artwork to go
on the traffic signal cabinet at the northeast corner of W. Southern Avenue
and S. Ironwood Drive. This item was presented for discussion at the City
Council Work Session held May 19, 2025.
7. 25-239 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 25-15, approving the designation
of applicant's authorized representative and alternate authorized
representative forms submission to the Arizona Department of Emergency
and Military affairs, which designates the City's representatives for applying
for certain public assistance; and authorizing the applicant's authorized
representatives to execute and deliver said application on behalf of City of
Apache Junction.
E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES
8. 25-167 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and
councilmembers.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20,2025
Councilmember Cross attended the 43rd annual East Valley business meeting and the main
topic was Al. He shared the struggles that schools are experiencing with students using Al and
stated the importance of businesses using it.
Councilmember Soller visited Washington DC for the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial. He was able to locate Apache Junction Police Officer Russell Duncan's name on
the memorial. He encouraged the community to remember the sacrifice Officer Duncan made
for the City and the department.
Mr. Soller also attended the retirement party for Mesa City Manager, Chris Brady.
Mayor Wilson toured Able Aerospace in Mesa and shared the struggles they are facing due to
overseas tariff costs.
Mayor Wilson attended the Apache Junction Police Department Memorial Service where they
honored Officer Russell Duncan. He lost his life during a training exercise on November 9,
1983. His daughter is a police officer as well and spoke at the service.
Councilmember Johnson also attended the Apache Junction Police Department Memorial
Service and spoke about how moving it was. She suggested changing the time of the day it is
held so more of the community can attend.
G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
9. 25-168 City Manager's Report
City Manager Bryant Powell shared that it is Public Work Week. He shared a photo of the
team and spoke about how they sometimes work in dangerous or hazardous conditions. He
stated how much they are appreciated and recognized their hard work.
10. 25-114 Introduction of Pinal Partnership's new President and CEO, Craig
McFarland, and his report on the organization's Renewable Energy
Committee.
Pinal Partnership's new President and CEO, Craig McFarland presented a report on the topics
they are currently working on. He also shared the events they participate in and various
committees that support the region.
Councilmembers complimented Mr. McFarland on the informative monthly breakfasts, the
relationships he has formed and for his support of the City.
11. 25-169 Announcement of Current Events
Director of Marketing and Communications Kayla Fulmer shared upcoming events:
- Color Your Summer Party on Thursday, May 29, 2025, 12:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. at the Apache
Junction Library, 1177 N Idaho Rd, Apache Junction. This will be the kick off party for the
summer reading program.
-Celebrate Flag Day with Us on June 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial
Park Gazebo, 1001 N Idaho Rd,Apache Junction.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20,2025
Mayor Wilson encouraged the community to attend the Memorial Day ceremony at Mountain
View Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, on Monday, May 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. 25-240 Presentation, discussion, public hearing and consideration of Ordinance No.
1564, a proposed 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 Nesser moved,seconded by Vice Mayor Schroeder that Ordinance No. 1564 be
read by title only and the reading of the entire ordinance be waived.
Motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk Evie McKinney read Ordinance No. 1564 by title only, repealing any conflicting
provisions; and providing for severability.
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that Ordinance No. 1564,
as read by the city clerk be approved and adopted as written for option 1.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser,
Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and
Councilmember Soller
No: 0
Planner Nick Leftwich presented that following the April 24th City Council discussion regarding
fortune telling businesses and the permit fees prescribed to them in the Apache Junction City
Code, Volume 1, Chapter 8: Business, 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$1,200.00 permit fee is
necessary and if it is to be used for background checks, but staff 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, such 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 we found no need for the city to continue
charging an annual $1200.00 fee in addition to standard business licensing costs.
On May 6, 2025, the City Council gave Direction to Staff to review and consider updates to the
Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 8: Business regulations concerning fortune
telling businesses and the permit fees prescribed for them. Pursuant to this direction,
Ordinance No. 1564 was drafted.
Councilmember concerns included the dollar amount for the fee in option 2 and if this was in
addition to the business licensing fee.
Mr. Leftwich responded to all concerns.
Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing, receiving no comments from the public, he closed
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20,2025
the public hearing and asked for a motion.
I. OLD BUSINESS
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
13. 25-241 Council direction to staff on updates to the city code related to special event
permitting and related regulations.
Councilmember Soller moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that direction to staff be
given to review and consider updates to the Apache Junction City Code, relating to special event
processes.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser,
Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and
Councilmember Soller
No: 0
Parks and Recreation Management Analyst Riley King presented that the Parks and
Recreation Department has taken the lead in working with multiple departments and entities to
improve special event processes city-wide. Over the past two years, the following efforts have
been made to improve the safety and consistency in events throughout the city:
1. Inter-departmental Special Event Task Force created to review and support public and
private city-wide special events
2. Special Event applications and processes have been updated
3. A Special Event Handbook has been created to streamline the process for event-planners
4. The city-wide Special Event Liaison role has been added to Parks and Recreation
Management Analyst, Riley King's-position so that event-planners have one point of contact
for assistance
The Special Event Task force has identified items within current special event ordinances to be
updated and re-considered, as well as items needing to be included. Staff will share market
research on neighboring cities' special event policies and share sections of the city code that
have been identified for updates/additions.
Councilmember concerns included clarity on what is considered a special event,which
businesses would need to have a permit for a special event and will all aspects of this process
go through Parks and Recreation.
Ms. King responded to all concerns.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20,2025
L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
M. CALL TO PUBLIC
Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, shared frustrations with the new
pavement on her street. She also announced that Pinal County denied the solar energy farm
that she spoke out against at the May 6, 2025 meeting.
Tera Leigh, 852 E. Osage Ave, Apache Junction, is the site manager for the Apache Junction
Head Start Program. She explained the benefits of this program and asked the Mayor and
Council for their support to help save it.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
ACCEPTED THIS Jr, DAY OF VU(V,, 2025, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 3rd DAY OF L4(L/— 2025.
WALTER"CHIP"WILSON
Mayor
ATTEST:
EVIE MCKINNEY
City Clerk
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6