HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-16 City Council Regular Minutes j City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location:
Z City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes at City Hall
300 E.Superstition Blvd
�1- Junction,AZh
City Council Meeting Apace 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 16,2026 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 Soller gave the invocation and Councilmember Heck 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:
Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager
Evie McKinney, City Clerk
Joel Stern, City Attorney
Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director
Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director
Ryan Kaup, Economic Development Director
Mike Loggins, Public Works Director
Amy Greening, Deputy City Clerk
Sidney Urias, Development Services Deputy Director
Rob Wisler, Management Analyst
Johnny John, Assistant Police Chief
Hudson Meyer, Associate Planner
Jamie Sullivan, Recreation Superintendent
Michael Beaton, Commander
D. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Soller moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent
Agenda.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 16,2026
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
1. 26-311 Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. 26-312 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 2, 2026.
3. 26-297 Consideration of approval, effective July 1, 2026, of Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Health and Human Services funding contracts between the City of Apache
Junction and A New Leaf Inc. in the amount of$8,000.00, Apache Junction
Community Development Corporation in the amount of$7,500.00, Azura VITA
in the amount$2,000.00, Black and Gold Youth Football League in the amount
of$7,000.00, Boys and Girls Club in the amount of$3,000.00, Kiwanis in the
amount of$2,000.00, Superstition Community Food Bank in the amount of
$70,500.00. This item was presented for discussion at the City Council Work
Session held April 20, 2026.
4. 26-315 Consideration of approval of the Professional Services Agreement between
City of Apache Junction and the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce for
Operation of a Local Visitor Information Center.
5. 26-316 Consideration of Resolution No. 26-25 authorizing an intergovernmental
agreement for cooperative law enforcement training operations with the City of
Mesa.
6. 26-317 Consideration of approval of the Third Amendment to the Professional
Services Agreement between the City of Apache Junction and Central Arizona
Council on Developmental Disabilities for senior services transportation.
7. 26-318 Consideration of Resolution No. 26-02 authorizing the submittal of a
Recreation Trails Program grant application to the Arizona State Parks
Department for signage along the multi-use trail system managed by Parks
and Recreation.
8. 26-324 Consideration of approval of agreement with Petroleum Traders Corporation
for the purchase and delivery of bulk fuel in an amount not to exceed
$900,000.00 for an initial one-year term with four automatic one-year renewal
options.
E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
9. 26-330 Presentation, discussion, and update from representatives with Arizona
Water Company on rate case.
Vice President of Rates and Revenues with Arizona Water Company Nick Liu presented the
background of the company, the Apache Junction water system, and the general rate case
process with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). He also went over the factors that
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 16,2026
caused the rate increase, why they need to file this rate case in front of the ACC, and how this
affects their customers. He explained their new customer information system and how it will
improve customer service.
Assistant General Manager for the Apache Junction System James Wilson highlighted several
capital improvement projects that directly affect their customers in the City.
Councilmember concerns included: plans to improve underground and service supplies for rural
parts of the City, adding fire hydrants, clarification on public meetings in the timeline presented,
and updating pipes to make them last longer.
Mr. Liu and Mr. Wilson responded to all concerns.
F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES
10. 26-313 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and
councilmembers.
Mayor Wilson attended the Superstition Regional Public Land Managers Group meeting where
they discussed various topics including tree cities, Off-Highway Vehicle permits for the Tonto
National Forest, artifacts and America250 celebrations in Pinal County. He also attended the
Mesa Gateway Board meeting where he was elected Secretary of the Board.
G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
11. 26-314 City Manager's Report
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby shared the following announcements:
-Apache Junction received a AA credit rating with a stable outlook for the future by Fitch Ratings
-The Apache Junction Public Library is having their 40th anniversary celebration on July 23,
2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
-America250 celebration flags are being displayed downtown on the street lights. He also
shared that you can search for Apache Junction America250 in any search engine and it will
show all events coming up.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 16,2026
12. 26-326 Presentation, discussion, public hearing, and consideration of Ordinance No.
1576 regarding case P-26-6-PZ, a request by Kimberly Bergman for a
rezoning of 275 S. Cactus Road, approximately 1.25 gross acre parcel from
Medium Density Single-Family Detached Residential ("RS-10M")to General
Rural Low Density Single-Family Detached Residential ("RS-GR") and
repealing any conflicting provisions and providing for severability.
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Heck that Ordinance No. 1576 be
read by title only and the reading of the entire ordinance be waived.
Motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk McKinney read Ordinance No. 1576 by title only, repealing any conflicting provisions;
and providing for severability.
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that Ordinance No.1576,
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
Associate Planner Hudson Meyer presented that P-26-6-PZ is a proposal by Kimberly Bergman
to rezone approximately 1.25 gross acres currently zoned Medium Density Single-Family
Detached Residential ("RS-10M")to General Rural Low Density Single-Family Detached
Residential ("RS-GR").
On May 12, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing for P-26-6-PZ.At
the meeting the Commissioners discussed concerns raised by residents regarding potential
business operations, horse use on the property, and the proposed Conditions of Approval.
The Planning and Zoning Commission evaluated the proposed rezoning and subsequently voted
6-0 to forward P-26-6-PZ to the Apache Junction City Council with a recommendation of
approval, without the second proposed Condition of Approval which read:
2) No business activity shall occur on the property, including but not limited to the storage or
parking of commercial vehicles, equipment, or construction materials. Additionally, no
operations, activities, or uses that create commercial-related nuisances- such as excessive
noise, dust, odors, outdoor storage, or increased traffic associated with a business operation-
shall be permitted on the site.
Planning Staff included this condition in response to neighborhood concerns conveyed during
the planning review process. However, the Planning and Zoning Commission perceived the
inclusion of this condition as redundant, as the Apache Junction Zoning Ordinance already
prohibits business activity of this scope on residentially zoned properties.
On June 1, 2026, the City Council reviewed the case information and held discussion on the
nature of the property's use and the public's concerns about potential commercial activity at the
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 16,2026
property in addition to the potential re-inclusion of Condition of Approval#2.
Applicant Kimberly Bergman started off explaining that they are not running a business at this
property and went over why they decided to go through with the rezoning request. She
answered various questions that the Council brought up during the Work Session meeting on
June 1, 2026, including: loud noise coming from the property, the misconception that they are
running a business, fire hazards, improvements on the property, Mr. Harshman's letter, and that
they are not selling on the property.
Councilmember Soller inquired where Mr. Harshman's home is located in relation to this
property.
Coucilmember Heck asked for clarification on the benefits of the rezoning.
Ms. Bergman responded to all questions.
Councilmember Cross explained that the applicants letter stated they store business materials
and that is why they were asked about running a business. He also asked why the Superstition
Fire and Medical Department was consulted on this property if they cannot enforce fire codes on
residential property.
Development Services Deputy Director Sidney Urias explained the application process and how
they are routed to all applicable agencies and departments for review.
Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing.
Paul W.Abrahamson and Paul J Abrahamson, 303 S. Cactus Road, Apache Junction, are in
favor of the rezoning.
Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, is in favor of the rezoning.
Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, is in favor of the rezoning.
Mr. Harshman, Apache Junction, explained why he was opposed to the rezoning and apologized
to the applicant for any undue stress.
Hannah Bergman, 275 S. Cactus Road, Apache Junction, is in favor of the rezoning as she is
the resident.
Mayor Wilson closed the Public Hearing.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 16,2026
I. OLD BUSINESS
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
M. CALL TO PUBLIC
Pam Bradshaw, Tomahawk Road,Apache Junction, expressed her frustrations with the fire
hydrant roadblocks for Mo Mohiuddin's wedding venue project.
Mo Mohiuddin, 2341 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, asked for the Council's help with the fire
hydrant condition from the fire department regarding his wedding venue.
Cynthia Campton, 288 W. Smoketree Street, Apache Junction, shared her concerns with
potential flooding impacts created by a new building near the Good Shepard Horse Rescue and
Learning Center.
Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, commented on data centers, Arizona
Water Company rate increase and her upcoming Resolution Copper tour.
Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, spoke about needing everyone to get out
and vote.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m.
h ACCEPTED THIS /DAY OF tt ` 2026, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNC ON, ARIZONA.
-20,
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS � DAY OFF, 2026.
Walter"Chip"Wilson
Mayor
ATTEST:
E , ;,- M 4:��, �
Evie McKinney
City Clerk
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6