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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-03 City Council Regular Minutes �4 'MF��a,,, City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location: City Council Chambers Meeting Minutes at City Hall 300 E.Superstition Blvd Zip* 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,March 3,2026 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Heck 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 Ryan Kaup, Economic Development Director Rob Wisler, Management Analyst Michael Pooley, Police Chief Johnny John, Assistant Police Chief Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Sidney Urias, Development Services Deputy Director Doug Wirthgen, IT Director Mike Loggins, Public Works Director Angelie Hawley, Finance Director Jeremy Johnson, Grants Manager D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent Agenda and that authorization be granted to the mayor to sign the agreement between the City of Apache Junction and Google Fiber Arizona LLC. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 3,2026 Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 1. 26-67 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 26-68 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 17, 2026. 3. 26-46 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 26-08, a communications services license agreement between the City of Apache Junction and Google Fiber Arizona, LLC, to install, place, operate, maintain, upgrade and repair the communications network in, on, under, upon, along and across public highways within City subject to the requirements of this agreement. 4. 26-59 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 26-06, a Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, designating Angelie Hawley the Chief Fiscal Officer for officially submitting and certifying the accuracy of fiscal year 2027 expenditure limitation report to the Arizona Auditor General. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 5. 26-72 Presentation of 30-year Service Award to Liz Langenbach. This item was removed from the agenda and will be held at the March 17, 2026, meeting. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 6. 26-69 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Soller attended funerals for members of the Department of Public Safety in Kingman and Gilbert. He thanked Chief Pooley for the particpation of the Apache Junction Police Department at both events. Vice Mayor Schroeder commented on the success of the Lost Dutchman Days Parade. He stated it was a great turnout and one of his favorite times of year. Mayor Wilson also commented on the Lost Dutchman Days Parade and how much it has grown. Councilmember Cross stated he received many compliments for the improvements to the Rodeo Grounds. Mayor Wilson announced that the Pinal County Fair will be March 18-22, 2026, in Casa Grande. He spoke about some of the activities, rides and food that will be available to enjoy. Vice Mayor Schroeder shared a few highlights from the State of the City and stated that Mayor Wilson did a wonderful job. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 3,2026 G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 7. 26-70 City Manager's Report City Manager Bryant Powell shared highlights from the State of the City and thanked Kayla and her team for their hard work to make it happen. Mr. Powell also commented on the success of the Lost Dutchman Days Parade and Rodeo. He shared photos from the events and thanked all of the City Departments that helped out. Councilmember Johnson stated how heartwarming it was to see so much involvement from the Blossom Rock Community in all the Lost Dutchman Days events. 8. 26-78 Presentation and discussion on the status of the U.S. 60 Corridor Study from Ironwood Drive to Kings Ranch Road. Management Analyst Rob Wisler presented an update on the U.S. 60 Corridor Study from Ironwood Road to Kings Ranch Road. He explained the history of the study, why it was needed, and what step in the process the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) are currently at. He stated the study is anticipated to conclude in early 2027. Councilmember Cross asked if the study area can be expanded further out to Peralta Road. Mr. Wisler stated the funding is limited so MAG is unable to include the expanded area, but they will be utilizing the traffic study from the Renaissance Fair that Pinal County did to look at solving the traffic issue. 9. 26-71 Announcement of Current Events Management Analyst Rob Wisler shared the upcoming event: Household Hazardous Waste Day- Saturday, March 14, 2026, Public Works yard located at 575 E Baseline, 8:OOam- 12:00pm. Please visit https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov/for more information. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 10. 26-42 Presentation and discussion on the proposed Resolution No. 26-04 authorizing the city to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)with Gila County, Arizona for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Regional Account(RA) allocation. Grants Manager Jeremy Johnson presented that The City of Apache Junction and Gila County (The Parties) are members of Central Arizona Governments (CAG),which is charged with the administration and distribution of funds obtained through the Arizona Department of Housing for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Each year the Parties are eligible for participation in the funding and distribution process and CAG has authorized a procedure for City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 3,2026 switching funding years between communities. The Parties believe that it is in their best interest to partner so that one community can make an application in one fiscal year and the other in the next fiscal year, allowing that year's applicant to receive double or increased funding. It is the intent of the Parties that Apache Junction requested funding for projects in Fiscal Year 2025 and Gila County will request funding for projects in Fiscal Year 2026. The intergovernmental agreement(IGA) sets forth the details of this agreed upon arrangement. Councilmember Nesser inquired about the length of time we have been doing this with Glla County. Councilmember Heck asked about the funding that was received for Fiscal Year 2025 and if Gila County will receive a similar amount for 2026. Mr. Johnson responded to all questions. Assistant City Manager Matt Busby stated this item will on the consent agenda at the March 17, 2026, Council meeting. K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF 11. 26-77 Presentation, discussion, and possible direction to staff on initiating discussions and negotiations with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on the potential relinquishment and transfer of jurisdiction of a portion of State Route 88 (Idaho Road) to the City of Apache Junction. Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Johnson that direction to staff be given to initiate discussions and possible negotiations with the Arizona Department of Transportation for the potential relinquishment and transfer of jurisdiction of a portion of State Route 88(Idaho Road)to the City of Apache Junction. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 City Manager Bryant Powell stated this item was brought to his attention by several Councilmembers and asked if they wanted to start the discussion. Councilmember Cross shared his frustrations with traffic and timing of traffic lights on Old West Highway. He stated that the road is owned by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the City has no control over it. He is asking if an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) can be made with ADOT so the City can have some control over the road. Councilmember Soller agreed that the City needs to have some control over this area especially the section that runs through the City's downtown corridor. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 3,2026 Mr. Powell stated tonight is the formal opportunity for Council to direct Staff to start using City resources to get this process going. Public Works Director Mike Loggins presented a map that shows State Route 88 and asked Council to give direction on which portion of it they would like the City to take over. Staff can then do research and come back with different options to move forward with this. Councilmember Soller would like the area to go from U.S. 60 to the city limits by the Hitching Post. Vice Mayor Schroeder asked for clarification on the map and how the City takes ownership of surrounding roads if other areas are brought into city limits in the future. Mr. Loggins stated the area does not have to be in city Limits for the City to take over the road. City Attorney Joel Stern confirmed that is correct and when other Cities have done something similar with ADOT, they received some financial assistance from the State to improve the road. Councilmember Soller asked Police Chief Pooley how many accidents occur on this area of the road. Chief Pooley confirmed that there have been many accidents, including fatalities, on this road. Councilmember Johnson confirmed the size of the area the City would be taking on and stated she would like to see ADOT fix the road before we make the agreement. Councilmember Johnson, Cross and Soller would like to see ADOT put in another roundabout at Lost Dutchman. Vice Mayor Schroeder asked if we were to take on the whole stretch of the road through the City, would the funds be available for a roundabout or a traffic signal at Lost Dutchman. Mr. Powell recommended the Council look at everything north and east of the roundabout and Staff can discuss any other options with ADOT. L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC Catherine Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road,Apache Junction, announced upcoming events at the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum. Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street,Apache Junction, stated her concern with the City taking over a portion of State Route 88 from ADOT and having the denied apartment complex brought back up. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 3,2026 ACCEPTED THIS / DAY OF y` 2026, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF11;, I , 2026. 4 6?,14 Walter"Chip"Wilson Mayor ATTEST: (,jq �11 Evie McKinney City Clerk City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6