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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-21 City Council Regular Minutes �rcHE City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location: 0, City Council Chambers at City Hall - •, Meeting Minutes 300 E.Superstition Blvd * City Council Meeting Apache 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,July 21,2026 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 Nesser 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: Bryant Powell, City Manager Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager Evie McKinney, City Clerk Joel Stern, City Attorney Michael Pooley, Police Chief Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Johnny John, Assistant Police Chief Anna McCray, Human Resources Director Sidney Urias, Development Services Deputy Director Nicholas Leftwich, Principal Planner Erika Hernandez, Associate Planner Rob Wisler, Management Analyst Jamie Sullivan, Recreation Superintendent Riley King, Management Analyst Joseph Penze, Commander Cindy Ewer, Commander Mike Beaton, Commander City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21, 2026 D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Heck to approve the Consent Agenda. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 1. 26-367 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 26-366 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of July 7, 2026. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 3. 26-368 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Heck attended the Pups, Popsicles and Public Education event at the Apache Junction Animal Shelter on July 18, 2026. He thanked the Police Department for hosting the event and complimented the shelter. Councilmember Cross thanked the community for voting and doing their civic duty. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 4. 26-369 City Manager's Report City Manager Bryant Powell spoke about the recent rain fall and thanked everyone involved for doing all they can to keep the drainage ways open. He also shared a photo of the progress on the Sundt project near Tomahawk Road and the 60 freeway. Mr. Powell announced that the Library is celebrating their 40th anniversary and invited the public to attend the party on July 23, 2026. He also played the video clip that Channel 15 made to promote the new library garden and explained where the funding came from to create the garden. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5. 26-363 Presentation, discussion, public hearing, and consideration of the Request for Continuance of case P-26-4-PZ to September 15, 2026. Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that the Request for Continuance of case P-26-4-PZ to September 15,2026,be approved. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21, 2026 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 Banyan Residential, LLC, representing Snell & Wilmer LLP, requested to continue the scheduled public meetings for Case P-26-4-PZ to later dates in August, however with the scheduling conflicts of the cancellation of the August 17, 2026, and 18, 2026, Council meetings, Planning Staff has coordinated with the applicant to move the proposed schedule to the next available set of meetings. This continuance was requested to provide time to implement design changes to address the concerns noted at the June 23, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission hearing regarding parking and to provide additional public outreach. Planning Staff respectfully request that the public meetings be continued to: City Council Work Session- Monday, August 31, 2026 City Council Public Hearing-Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Councilmembers had no concerns. Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing, receiving no comments, he closed the Public Hearing. I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 6. 26-359 Presentation and discussion on Resolution No. 26-31, authorizing acceptance of a DUI Abatement grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Sargeant Edward McGuire presented that Resolution No. 26-31 pertains to the Fiscal Year 2027 Governor's Office of Highway Safety DUI Abatement Council (DUTAC) grant that the Apache Junction Police Department(AJPD) applied for on April 8, 2026. The grant requests were submitted and reviewed by the DUTAC, which awarded the AJPD $49,000.00 for personnel services and employee related expenses to enhance DUI enforcement activities throughout the City of Apache Junction. The grant money will be reimbursed to the AJPD after acceptance of Resolution No. 26-31, and therefore Police Department staff recommends approval. Councilmember Johnson asked about overtime for enforcement expenses per year. Police Chief Michael Pooley stated he would look into that for her. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21, 2026 7. 26-362 Presentation and discussion of Resolution No. 26-35 authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Department of Public Safety for Vehicle Theft Task Force. Lieutenant Thom Parker presented Item No's. 7, 8, and 9 together. He stated that Resolution No. 26-35 represents the Police Department requesting authorization to enter into an intergovernmental agreement(IGA)to dedicate one full-time AZPOST certified law enforcement officer to the state Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF), which is a multi-agency task force led by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, focused on suppressing vehicle theft. Officers in VTTF provide criminal interactions, community safety and investigative support to the task force. VTTF will reimburse the city 75% of the payroll cost for the officer and 20 hours per month for overtime. Resolution No. 26-32 is the Police Department requesting authorization to enter into an IGA to dedicate one full-time AZPOST certified law enforcement officer to Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM), which is a statewide multi-agency task force led by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, focused on suppressing criminal street gangs and international crimes. Officers in GIITEM provide criminal interactions, community safety, and investigative support to the task force. GIITEM will reimburse the city 75% of the payroll cost for the officer and 20 hours per month for overtime. Resolution No. 26-33 is the Police Department requesting approval to enter into an IGA encompassing the Arizona Child Abduction Response Team. The goal of this IGA is to meld multi-jurisdictional efforts and resources to address child abduction and endangerment activities in the East Valley. There is no entry cost incurred for participation in this IGA. Councilmember Cross inquired if the officers work in Apache Junction or if they are assigned to other areas. Councilmember Heck confirmed that the Resolutions are renewing previous IGAs, and that the Police Department just has to assign one officer to each task force. Lieutenant Parker responded to all concerns. 8. 26-356 Presentation and discussion of Resolution No. 26-32 authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Department of Public Safety for Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission. This Item was discussed under Item No. 7. 9. 26-357 Presentation and discussion of Resolution No. 26-33 authorizing an intergovernmental agreement for participation in the East Valley Child Abduction Response Team. This Item was discussed under Item No. 7. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21,2026 10. 26-361 Presentation and discussion on changes to Apache Junction City Code Volume I, Chapter 4: Fees, Article 4-1: Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule. Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach presented the Apache Junction City Code Volume I, Chapter 4: Fees, Article 4-1: Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule addresses parks and recreation fees. Fees are required by the state of Arizona to be reviewed every five years to ensure they are aligned with the local market,the community needs, and changes in other laws. The Parks and Recreation Department has historically used three primary funding sources to provide high quality programs, services, and facilities for the community: 1) general fund (sales tax); 2) development fee fund; and 3) user fees. These are supplemented by various smaller sources such as grants, donations, corporate partnerships, etc. Many facilities, amenities, and events are paid for by all residents through city sales taxes; however, additional fees are put in place for more exclusive uses by individuals. Management Analyst Riley King presented that Parks and Recreation staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission have conducted a thorough review of the current market and have made recommendations based on the following: 1. General Market Comparison: Parks and Recreation fees were last updated in 2021. The recommended updates will aim to increase only those fees that are substantially below market value or need to be increased to cover rising operating costs. 2. Demographics and Affordability: A priority is ensuring that many facilities/programs are available to all residents, regardless of their income level. This is reflected in some of the fee decisions, and in a robust scholarship program, funded by partners to offset necessary fees. 3. New Amenity/Service Fee Considerations: With the introduction of renovated facilities at the Rodeo Event Center, recommendations also include new amenities such as the large pavilion, vendor electricity, and RV hook-ups. Once city council is satisfied with proposed changes, the fees will be discussed and voted on at a future Public Hearing. The intent is to have any approved changes effective no later than January 1, 2027. Councilmember Cross inquired about the electrical service fee on the south side versus the east side. He also asked if vendors will still be allowed to use generators. Councilmember Heck asked which space was the multi-purpose room in the multi-generational center. Ms. King responded to all questions. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21, 2026 11. 26-364 Presentation and discussion on the city's Art in Public Places program and funding mechanism. Planner Erika Hernandez presented the Public Art Commission update. She went over the background of the Commission, their duties, purpose and how Public Art is funded. She also went over completed projects including the library banners, the dog sculptures and the traffic cabinet wraps. She showed pictures of the art work from the artists chosen to be on the artist roster. Ms. Hernandez then spoke about current art projects including more traffic cabinet wraps, the library garden sand blast art piece and SR 88 roundabout. Councilmember Johnson asked about the Veteran's Park traffic cabinet being replaced, if the monument behind the focal point will be moved downtown and if a business can donate a space for public art to be displayed. Ms. Hernandez, City Manager Bryant Powell and Assistant City Manager Matt Busby responded to Councilmember Johnson's concerns. Vice Mayor Schroeder inquired on relocating the downtown monument at Idaho Road and Old West Highway to the roundabout, and replacing it with something more current. Councilmember Johnson and Soller agreed with Vice Mayor Schroeder. Councilmember Cross stated he feels like the roundabout needs a three dimensional piece that can be seen from any angle and stands out. Mr. Powell explained the process of the Public Art Commission and encouraged more ideas going forward. K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, spoke about Resolution Copper and wished Assistant Police Chief Johnny John good luck on his upcoming surgery. Cindy Campton, 288 W. Smoketree Street,Apache Junction, shared her concerns with recent flooding impacts created by a new building near the Good Shepard Horse Rescue and Learning Center. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 21, 2026 ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF A u 114 S 1 , 2026, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS L/ DAY OF AiJ145 ) 2026. Walter"Chip"Wilson Mayor ATTEST: (�5u.,4 m Evie McKinney City Clerk City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 7