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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-20 City Council Regular Minutes f k City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location: Z City Council Chambers z at City Hall --~= Meeting Minutes 300 E.Superstition Blvd K 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,January 20,2026 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Heck gave the invocation and Councilmember Cross 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 Joel Stern, City Attorney Michael Pooley, Police Chief Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Ryan Kaup, Economic Development Director Pam Harrison, Library Director Mike Loggins, Public Works and Water District Director Amy Greening, Deputy City Clerk Sidney Urias, Development Services Deputy Director Nicholas Leftwich, Planner Rob Wisler, Management Analyst Casaundra Wallace, City Attorney 1 Jamie Sullivan, Recreation Superintendent D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Heck moved,seconded by Councilmember Cross to approve the Consent Agenda. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20,2026 Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 1. 25-655 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 25-656 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 16, 2025. 3. 25-652 As required by Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 3: Administration, Article 3-1: City Manager, § 3-1-8 (C), the city manager is seeking ratification of the appointment of Mike Loggins to the position of Public Works Director. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 4. 25-618 Proclamation designating January 2026, as"Human Trafficking Awareness Month." Mayor Wilson read the Proclamation designating January 2026 as"Human Trafficking Awareness Month", and presented it to Not In Our City representatives, Bus Obayomi and Joe Grossman. Mr. Obayomi thanked the Mayor and Council for the Proclamation and publicly standing against human trafficking. He also invited Council and the community to their Night of Hope event being held on February 22, 2026. 5. 25-640 Proclamation designating January 2026, as"A Celebration of America 250!" Mayor Wilson read the Proclamation designating January 2026 as"A Celebration of America 250!", and presented it to Daughters of the American Revolution representatives. Apache Trail Chapter Regent Kelly McDonald thanked the Mayor and Council for the Proclamation and their continued support. She encouraged the community to visit america250.org for a list of celebrations going on around the country. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 6. 25-657 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Cross attended a seminar at Arizona State University(ASU) and shared his excitement about their successful programs. He also encouraged members of the community to consider applying for further education through ASU. Councilmember Soller and other Council members toured the ASU Polytechnic campus at Mesa Gateway. He shared the programs that are offered and how technology is being used there. Councilmember Heck commented on the ASU Polytechnic tour and how impressed he was with the medical programs that are offered through this university. Vice Mayor Schroeder attended the 30th Annual Legislative Day and spoke about several bills that are being introduced this year. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20,2026 Mayor Wilson attended the Mesa Gateway Airport meeting and shared how much the airport has grown. He also attended the Governor's State of the State. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 7. 25-658 City Manager's Report City Manager Bryant Powell congratulated Mike Loggins for accepting the new position of Public Works Director which allows him to oversee Public Works and the Water District. Mr. Loggins thanked the Council for their support and shared his excitement to work with them in a bigger capacity. Mr. Powell highlighted Deputy City Clerk Amy Greening on becoming an Arizona Certified Election Official. 8. 25-653 Presentation and discussion with Republic Services regarding operational updates. City Manager Bryant Powell introduced Republic Services General Manager Charlotte Thomas and Municipal Sales Manager Emma Reyes. Ms. Thomas thanked the Council for attending the landfill open house before the holidays and also thanked the City for the opportunity to allow Republic Services to donate their time and services during Make a Difference Day. She announced that she will no longer be the General Manager for this area and expressed her gratitude for the partnership with the Council and the community. Ms. Reyes shared the upcoming holidays where no collection services will be offered, and the free dump week dates. She also listed the bulk service requirements and items not accepted. 9. 25-659 Announcement of Current Events City Manager Bryant Powell announced the upcoming Lost Dutchman Marathon on February 15, 2026. Councilmember Heck announced Lost Dutchman Days on February 27, 28 and March 1, 2026, at the Rodeo Grounds. He shared all the events that will take place during the 3 day event. Mayor Wilson displayed a Williams Air Force Base t-shirt he received while employed there, before the base closed in 1993. He plans to donate the shirt to the Mesa Gateway Airport for public display. He also announced this week is his and his wife's 55th wedding anniversary. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 10. 25-651 Consideration of application for a new Series 10 Beer and Wine Store liquor license for Nex Gen located at 420 N. 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 Soller moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that the application for a new Series 10 Beer and Wine Store liquor license for Nex Gen,located at 420 N.Apache Trail,Apache Junction,AZ,be recommended to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for approval. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20,2026 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 10 Beer and Wine Store liquor license for Nex Gen, located at 420 N. Apache Trail, on December 22, 2025, and the Notice of Posting was placed at the establishment on December 23, 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, Development Services Division and the Superstition Fire and Medical District. All entities find compliance with the inspection requirements and recommend approval. Councilmembers had no concerns. Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing, receiving no comments from the public, he closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion. 11. 25-660 Presentation, discussion, public hearing and consideration of Ordinance No. 1570 of Annexation Case P-25-104-AN, a proposed annexation of Meridian Drive right-of-way between Elliot Avenue and Ray Avenue, totaling 16.15 acres, per the intergovernmental agreement between Maricopa County and the City of Apache Junction approved by Resolution 25-32. Vice Mayor Schroeder moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that Ordinance No. 1570 be read by title only and the reading of the entire ordinance be waived. Motion passed unanimously. Deputy City Clerk Greening read Ordinance No.1570 by title only, repealing any conflicting provisions;and providing for severability. Vice Mayor Schroeder moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that Ordinance No. 1570,as read by the City Clerk be approved and adopted. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 Principal Planner Nick Leftwich presented that according to A.R.S. 9-471(0): "a county right-of-way or roadway may be transferred to an adjacent city or town by mutual consent of the governing bodies of the county and city or town if the property transferred is adjacent to the receiving city or town and if the city or town and county each approve the proposed transfer as a published agenda item at a regular public meeting of their governing bodies. A transfer of property made pursuant to this subsection shall be treated by the receiving city or town as if the transferred property was newly annexed territory." City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20,2026 On November 18, 2025, the Mayor and City Council passed Resolution No. 25-32, a resolution approving and authorizing the"Intergovernmental Agreement between Maricopa County and the City of Apache Junction for Annexation and Permitting of Meridian Road", in which the city partnered with Maricopa County to facilitate the conveyance and city annexation of Maricopa County's Meridian Drive right-of-way between Elliot Avenue and Ray Avenue on the west side of the street. Subsequently, on December 10, 2025, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved and authorized their execution of the same Intergovernmental Agreement(IGA), fulfilling the A.R.S. requirements noted above necessary for the right-of-way transfer from the county to the city. To complete this process and the IGA, Planning Staff has prepared Ordinance No. 1570 as the formal annexation ordinance expanding the city's boundaries to include the identified right-of-way. Due to the length of the legal descriptions and map exhibits of the annexed area, the corresponding portion of the ordinance has been made a separate document, titled "Legal Descriptions and Map Exhibits of the P-25-104-AM Meridian Drive Annexation". Planning Staff has prepared Resolution No. 26-03 to declare this document a public record so that it may be referenced within Ordinance No. 1570, per the provisions of A.R.S§ 9-802. This reduces the length of the ordinance and reduces the significant publishing costs that would apply if otherwise left in the ordinance. Council had no concerns. Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing, receiving no comments from the public, he closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion. 12. 26-1 Presentation, discussion, public hearing and consideration of Resolution No. 26-03, a resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, declaring as a public record that certain document filed with the city clerk and entitled "Legal Descriptions and Map Exhibits of the P-25-104-AM Meridian Drive Annexation"; repealing any conflicts provisions; and providing for severability. Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Johnson that Resolution No.26-03,a resolution of the mayor and city council declaring as a public record that certain document filed with the city clerk titled"Legal Descriptions and Map Exhibits of the P-25-104-AM Meridian Drive Annexation"; repealing any conflicting provisions;and providing for severability be approved. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 This Item was discussed under Item No. 11. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20,2026 I. OLD BUSINESS 13. 25-661 Presentation and discussion of Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") case P-25-38-CUP, a request by Roers Companies, represented by Greg Davis of Iplan Consulting, for the approval of a 300-unit, three-story, multi-family residential rental community on approximately 13-acres zoned City Center("B-Y) near the southeast corner of Idaho Road and the Scenic Street alignment. Principal Planner Nick Leftwich presented that P-25-38-CUP is a proposed Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for the development of a 300-unit, three-story multi-family residential community. The proposed project is located on an approximately 13-acre site near the southeast corner of Idaho Road and the Scenic Street alignment. The property is currently zoned City Center (13-3). The City Council first reviewed and discussed this CUP proposal at the City Council Work Session on November 18, 2025. On December 2, 2025, at the public hearing, after the city council's discussion, the applicant requested additional time to confirm whether they could adjust operational plans in the manner the City Council had suggested, and the consideration of the CUP was continued to the December 16, 2025, meeting. At the December 16, 2025, meeting, the applicant requested another continuance to January 20, 2026, to further address traffic questions and architectural design concerns expressed in the prior meetings. The City Council voted to continue the agenda item P-25-38 CUP and its corresponding Resolution No. 25-24 for presentation and discussion on January 20, 2026, and for discussion, public hearing and consideration to be held on February 3, 2026. Roers Company representative Greg Davis gave a presentation on the key issues and concerns that Council had with the original presentation from December 2, 2025. He confirmed that there will be an on-site manager employee that will reside at the complex and went over traffic concerns. He also explained the changes to the architecture and building height. Councilmember Johnson expressed her appreciation for the changes they made as requested by Council. She also asked for a copy of their presentation. Mr. Davis stated that City Staff has the presentation and has permission to share it with Council. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20,2026 J. NEW BUSINESS K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC There were no comments made during Call to Public. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8/05 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS 3 r DAY OF �� ti a-f , 2026, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, A14IZONA. i 1 SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 3 r DAY OF e irk 2r 2026. Walter"Chip"Wilson Mayor ATTEST: n Evie McKinney City Clerk City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 7