HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-06 City Council Regular Minutes Meeting location:
City of Apache Junction, Arizona
City Council Chambers
z at City Hall
MeetingMinutes
300 E.Superstition Blvd
0t� Apache Junction,AZ
City Council Meeting 85119
apachejunctionaz.gov 'y.
Ph:(480)982-8002
Tuesday,February 6,2024 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 Johnson 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
Jennifer Pena, City Clerk
Joel Stern, City Attorney
Johnny John,Assistant Chief of Police
Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director
Ted Wolff, Public Works Director
Liz Langenbach, Parks& Recreation Director
Sidney Urias, Interim Planning Manager
Evie McKinney, Deputy City Clerk
D. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Heck moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser 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
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6,2024
1. 24-042 Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. 24-043 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January
16, 2024.
3. 24-041 Consideration of approval of award of contract to Sunland Asphalt and
Construction for the application of a pavement preservation fog seal to
select city streets. The work would be through the 1 Government
Procurement Alliance cooperative contract#22-15P-04 in the amount of
$263,577.61 plus a 10% contingency for unforeseen change orders in
the amount of$26,357.76 for a total project cost not to exceed
$289,935.37. Work is planned within the March-May 2024 time frame.
4. 24-044 Consideration of approval of Final Plat for Radiance; Parcel 19.19
(SV-23-21).
E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
5. 24-035 Proclamation designating the month of February as "Teen Dating
Violence Awareness Month."
Mayor Wilson read the Proclamation designating the month of February as"Teen Dating
Violence Awareness Month"and presented it to Assistant Chief of Police Johnny John with the
Apache Junction Police Department.
F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES
6. 24-047 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and
councilmembers.
Councilmember Cross attended the monthly meeting with Greater Phoenix Economic Council
(GPEC), and shared highlights regarding affordable housing discussion.
Councilmember Soller, along with other Councilmembers, toured the Republic Waste Recycling
Plant, and explained the high tech abilities installed and how most of the plastic waste can now
be recycled.
Mayor Wilson recognized City Manager Bryant Powell for receiving the distinguished John J.
DeBolske Professional Excellence Award from the Arizona City County Management
Association. The award is given to acknowledge the contributions of a City Manager to the field
of local government in Arizona. Mr. Powell received further recognition from the
Councilmembers and meeting attendees by a round of applause.
G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
7. 24-048 City Manager's Report.
City Manager Bryant Powell spotlighted the new sign installed at the Veterans Memorial Park, at
the corner of Idaho and Superstition Boulevard. Contributions from various veteran groups were
used to complete this project, and Mr. Powell thanked these groups for this funding, as well as
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6,2024
Parks and Recreation for their efforts in making the sign and surrounding area look professional.
Mr. Powell explained that we exist to serve the public, and in order to know how we are doing,
and what the public wants we conduct surveys. He shared the process of our recent customer
service survey, and the participation and success received to this point. In the past,the City
has used The National Community Survey, (NCS)to measure our service to the public.This is
a mail survey done every 2 years, and the results are then posted to our website. The NCS will
be posted on our city website as of February 7, 2024, for the public to submit their survey
responses.
8. 24-049 Announcement of Current Events.
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby shared an update on the Lost Dutchman Marathon to be
held on February 18, 2024. He also encouraged signing up for the weekly updates and
newsletter by visiting the city website at www.apachejunctionaz.gov.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. 24-040 Consideration of application for a permanent extension of premises for
Fraternal Order of Eagles Lost Dutchman Aerie#3850 located at 2315
S. Coconino Drive, Apache Junction, AZ 85120. 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 be forwarded to the
Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Heck that the application for a
permanent extension of premises for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lost Dutchman Aerie#3850,
located at 2315 S.Coconino Drive,Apache Junction,AZ,be recommended for approval to the
Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
City Clerk Jennifer Pena stated the city received an application for a permanent extension of
premises from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lost Dutchman Aerie#3850 located at 2315 S.
Coconino Drive,Apache Junction,AZ.
She explained 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. Development Services has confirmed an active building permit is in action.
The applicant, Michael Reed,Trustee with the Eagles organization,thanked the Mayor and
Council for their suppport. He explained this new building would be designated as a"No
Smoking"area for the club.
Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing, receiving no comments, he closed the public hearing.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6,2024
I. OLD BUSINESS
J. NEW BUSINESS
10. 24-038 Presentation and discussion on the Invasive Plants Grant received from
the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to mitigate the
spread of buffelgrass at Silly Mountain and surrounding right-of-way
properties, provide education to park visitors and residents, and develop
a park stewards program.
Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach shared a presentation on the Invasive Plants
Grant received in the amount of$193,500.00 from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire
Managements, (DFFM). This will be a 3 year project, and the focus will be at the Silly Mountain
Park area. She shared the efforts that have been given by staff and volunteers recently, to get a
head start on the project. A partnering relationship with ASU Project Cities has been
implemented to target park users and residents to educate on how to avoid further spread of the
invasive plants, and to connect with potential volunteers to create a sustainable volunteer
steward program.
Some of the components in the grant are drone herbicide,treating areas that are inaccessible
by staff, contracting work for limbing up the protected species, purchasing of tools and supplies
for the plant removal, and communication to provide treatment plans to local residents and park
users.
DFFM will contribute$193,500, City in-kind contributions,which is the staff and maintenance
time,will be$35,118 and city cash contribution,what is currently being spent on mitigation
efforts is$30,000 for a total project cost of$258,618.00 over the next three(3) years.
K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
M. CALL TO PUBLIC
Jane Brown, Val Vista Road,Apache Junction shared her appreciation for the State of the City
Address. She also suggested the need for more electric battery charging stations, and
commented on The Havenly development project.
George Schroeder, 2444 W.Virginia Street,Apache Junction expressed his concerns regarding
squatters in the City.
Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street,Apache Junction also shared concerns of squatters in her
neighborhood. She encouraged recycling education. She suggested Pinal County Sheriff Lamb
be invited to speak with the Apache Junction citizens regarding the safety in the community.
She commented on the new sound system in the council chambers.
Eddie Ohly, 2364 N.Apache Drive,Apache Junction is continuing his request for some type of
fencing, guard railing, or cable to be extended along Idaho Road, south of Lost Dutchman.
Catherine Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road,Apache Junction shared several upcoming events being
offered at the Superstition Mountain Museum.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6,2024
Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road,Apache Junction expressed his frustration with audience
gestures during the Pledge of Allegiance. He commented on the closure of BLM land, and the
homeless situation in Apache Junction.
Council requested staff follow up with the request from Mr. Ohly at 2364 N.Apache Drive,
Apache Junction.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF 2024, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS -70 DAY OF Fe&V t-Y , 2024.
WALTER"CHIP"WILSON
Mayor
ATTEST-
/.,-L-If a 12
JEkNjhR PEN
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona, held on the
_ 14 day of FelDrUaAK , 2024. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly
called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this v10 day of FmAmaw 12024.
J N ER PEIVA
Cit' Jerk
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5