HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-03 City Council Regular Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location:
City Council Chambers
•fir;1 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,June 3,2025 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Heck gave the invocation and Councilmember Nesser led the meeting attendees
in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Soller led a moment of silence for Apache Junction
Police Officer Gabriel Facio.
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
Joel Stern, City Attorney
Kayla Fulmer, Director of Marketing and Communications
Michael Pooley, Police Chief
Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director
Ted Wolff, Public Works Director
Amy Greening, Deputy City Clerk
Keith Gabriel, Police Officer
Rob Wisler, Management Analyst
Gina Scorza, Public Information Officer
Dawn McCollum, Executive Assistant
Trina Harrison, CIP Program Manager
Brittany Decker, HR Analyst
D. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Heck that the consent agenda be
accepted as presented and that item number 9 be continued to a work session on June 16,2025,
and that the item be titled to allow developer representatives to speak at the work session.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 1
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 3,2025
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
1. 25-250 Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. 25-264 Consideration of approval of minutes of the special meeting of May 19, 2025.
3. 25-265 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of May 20, 2025.
4. 25-192 Consideration of approval, effective July 1, 2025, of Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Health and Human Services funding contracts between the City of Apache
Junction and the Apache Junction Community Development Corporation in
the amount of$7,000.00, Begin Again Homes in the amount$2,000.00, the
Boys and Girls Club in the amount of$9,000.00, Over-Flo Missions in the
amount of$2,000.00, Superstition Community Food Bank in the amount of
$70,000.00. This item was presented for discussion at the City Council Work
Session held April 14, 2025.
5. 25-244 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 25-16, Mesa Gateway Airport
JPAA/IGA/Bylaws Update. This item was presented for discussion at the City
Council Work Session held May 19, 2025.
6. 25-258 Consideration of approval of the Final Plat for Blossom Rock- Phase 3A in
order to facilitate a 232-lot residential subdivision consisting of approximately
56-acres zoned Master Planned Community (MPC).
7. 25-259 Consideration of approval of the Final Plat for Blossom Rock- Phase 3B in
order to facilitate a 288-lot residential subdivision consisting of approximately
63-acres zoned Master Planned Community (MPC).
8. 25-262 Consideration of approval of a Replat of the Final Plat for Blossom Rock-
Phase 3 Commercial in order to remove the previously existing floodplain, and
accommodate the future well site and Ironwood Linear Park.
9. 25-263 Consideration of approval of extending development agreement through 1 st
amendment for 160-acre property located at the S/E corner of Meridian Drive
and Southern Avenue (Fortune Travel, Inc. represented by Sean Lake of Pew
& Lake, PLC).
E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
10. 25-178 Presentation of 45-Year Service Award to Keith Bedwell.
Public Works Director Ted Wolff recognized Keith Bedwell's 45 years of service with words of
appreciation and announced his retirement. He also spoke of his various jobs in the Public
Works Department over the years and his current job duties. City Manager Bryant Powell
presented Mr. Bedwell with a service award and shared that he was the longest standing tenure
employee in the City.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona page 2
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 3,2025
Mr. Bedwell introduced his family and friends that were in attendance and thanked everyone for
the recognition.
11. 25-196 Presentation of certificates to the graduates of the 2025 Citizen Leadership
Institute class.
Public Information Officer Gina Scorza recognized the participants of the 2025 Citizen
Leadership Institute (CLI). She also explained what CLI is and thanked City staff for presenting
during the classes. Each member received a completion certificate and took pictures with the
Mayor and Council.
F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES
12. 25-266 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and
councilmembers.
Councilmember Soller attended an event with Global Ties Arizona. They offer education
programs in various cities throughout the state that connect industry, government leaders and
the community through citizen diplomacy and cross-cultural initiatives. The event Mr. Soller
attended was focused on preventing internet crime and he expressed his interest in having
Apache Junction host one of their events.
Councilmember Heck attended the Memorial Day service on May 26, 2025, at Mountain View
Funeral Home and Cemetery. He shared that Apache Junction was well represented and Mayor
Wilson was the keynote speaker. VFW Post 9399 and 7968, American Legion Post 27 and the
Apache Junction Mounted Rangers all participated in honoring the fallen.
Mayor Wilson shared a photo of him speaking at the Memorial Day Service and stated the
importance of recognizing the fallen and their families.
Mayor Wilson attended a meeting in the town of Superior and spoke about their water shortage
issues.
Mayor Wilson and several Councilmembers tried the Police Department's new training
simulator, the Virtra 300. They had the opportunity to experience how the officers use this for
shooting practice and responding to various situations.
G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
13. 25-267 City Manager's Report
City Manager Bryant Powell showed several photos of the Mayor and Council using the VirTua
300 Simulator. He also thanked Public Information Officer Gina Scorza for the success on her
first year of hosting the Citizen Leadership Institute.
Police Chief Michael Pooley spoke about the incident on June 2, 2025, where Officer Gabriel
Facio was shot in the line of duty. He gave a recap of the events that took place and asked for
prayers and positive thoughts as Officer Facio is still critical condition. He advised that he will
keep providing updates as they are available and thanked the Mayor, Council and the community
for their support.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 3,2025
Vice Mayor Schroeder asked about the charges being brought against the assailant. Chief
Pooley stated the County Attorney is committed to prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law.
14. 25-268 Announcement of Current Events
There was no current event report.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15. 25-231 Consideration of application for a new Series 9 Liquor Store liquor license for
Lucky Bob's Liquor located at 431 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ. The
next step in the process is for the council to hold a public hearing on the
application and make a recommendation of approval or denial to the Arizona
Department of Liquor License and Control.
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that the application for a
new Series 9 Liquor Store Liquor License for Lucky Bob's Liquor, located at 431 W.Apache Trail,
Apache Junction,AZ be recommended to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control
for approval.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
Deputy City Clerk Amy Greening stated the city received an application for a new Series 9
Liquor Store liquor license for Lucky Bob's Liquor located at 431 W.Apache Trail, on April 24,
2025, and the Notice of Posting was placed at the establishment on May 6, 2025. The posting
requirement has been met with no comments from the public.
Correspondence related to inspections of the premises for safety and code compliant matters
have been received from the Apache Junction Police Department, Planning and Zoning
Department, Building and Safety Division and the Superstition Fire and Medical District. All four
entities find compliance with the inspection requirements and recommend approval.
Councilmember Nesser asked if this was a change of ownership due to the passing of the
original owner. Ms. Greening responded that it was.
Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing, receiving no comments from the public, he closed the
public hearing and asked for a motion.
I. OLD BUSINESS
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 3,2025
L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
M. CALL TO PUBLIC
Mo Mohiuddun, 2304 N. Cortez Road, Apache Junction, shared his appreciation for City staff
and Council on a project at the event center. He also suggested adding cameras to the
roundabout area and working to beautify the City.
Sean Lake, 1744 Val Vista Drive, Mesa, spoke about the property on Southern and Meridian and
why there has been a delay in development.
Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, shared concerns about House Bill 2753.
Donna Carr, 2178 W Virginia Street,Apache Junction, expressed her concerns about reclaimed
water.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wilson adjourned the
meeting at 7:41 p.m.
ACCEPTED THIS /I-A
DAY OF J t< N 'Q 2025, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZO NA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF J/y n , 2025.
W LTER"CHIP"WILSON
Mayor
ATTEST:
f
EVIE MCKINNEY
City Clerk
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5