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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-07 City Council Regular Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location: _ City Council Chambers " at City Hall L Minutes y g Meetin 300 E.Superstition Blvd Apache Junction,AZ City Council Meeting 85119 apachejunctionaz.gov Ph:(480)982-8002 Tuesday,May 7,2024 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Jennifer Pena, City Clerk Joel Stern, City Attorney Michael Pooley, Police Chief Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Ted Wolff, Public Works Director Liz Langenbach, Parks&Recreation Director Angelie Hawley, Finance Director Adrian Alegria Building Safety Manager/Building Official Evie McKinney, Deputy City Clerk D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Heck moved,seconded by Vice Mayor Schroeder 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 City of Apache Junction,Arizona page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 7,2024 1. 24-335 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 24-336 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 16, 2024. 3. 24-250 Consideration of approval of the proposed Resolution No. 24-04 authorizing the city to enter into the Intergovernmental Agreement(IGA) Amendment No. 1 with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for additional federal funds to cover the increased construction costs in the amount of$354,067 for bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Delaware Drive from 16th Avenue to Broadway Avenue. 4. 24-252 Consideration of approval on the proposed Resolution No 24-06 authorizing the city to enter into the Intergovernmental Agreement(IGA) Amendment No. 2 with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for additional federal funds to cover the increased construction costs in the amount of$333,671 for roadway and safety improvements on Winchester Road from 29th Avenue to Southern Avenue. 5. 24-271 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 24-14 and Resolution No. 24-17, Resolutions of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, designating Angelie Hawley as Chief Fiscal Officer for officially submitting and certifying the accuracy of fiscal years 2024 and 2025 expenditure limitation reports to the Arizona Auditor General. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6. 24-347 Formal presentation by mayor of certificates of graduation to the participants of the 2024 Citizen Leadership Institute. Production Marketing &Communications Specialist Matthew McNulty congratulated the 24th graduating class of the Citizens Leadership Institute and presented each of them with their certificate.A photo was taken with the class attendees, Mayor and Councilmembers. 7. 24-348 Proclamation designating the week of May 12-18, 2024, as "Peace Officer Memorial Week". Councilmember Soller read the proclamation. Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley accepted the proclamation, and expressed his thanks to the Mayor and Council, on behalf of the Apache Junction Police Department. He shared that in law enforcement many officers lose their lives in the line of duty. He stated the number of police officers lost in the line of duty in 2023 was 137, compared to 56 at this time in 2024. Over 41 years ago, an Apache Junction Police Officer, Russell L. Duncan,was killed during a training accident.This Proclamation is a memorial to honor those that have lost their lives like Officer Duncan, as well as those killed while protecting their communities. 8. 24-328 Proclamation designating May 18, 2024, as "Kids to Parks Day." Councilmember Nesser read the proclamation. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jamie Sullivan, and Parks and Recreation Management Analyst Riley King received the proclamation. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 7,2024 Ms. Sullivan thanked the Mayor and Councilmembers for supporting this special day. She shared that this event began 14 years ago through the National Park Trust and is always held the third Saturday in May. She reminded everyone of the importance and value of our parks. So much so, that 84%of US adults seek high quality Parks and Recreation when choosing where they want to live. The public is invited to attend the festivities at Prospector Park, May 18, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m. 9. 24-308 Proclamation designating the week of May 19-25, 2024, as "Public Works Week." Vice Mayor Schroeder read the proclamation designating May 19th through May 25th, 2024, as Public Works Week and presented it to Public Works Director Ted Wolff. Mr. Wolff thanked the Mayor and Councilmembers on behalf of the Public Works Department for this recognition. He shared statistics that the department,which consists of 26 staff members, handles over 200 miles of road maintenance, 16,000 signs, 13 buildings, and 350 pieces of heavy equipment. In addition, the department is dedicated to 24 hour on-call service for flood and emergency situations. 10. 24-332 Proclamation designating May 2024 as 'Building Safety Month." Councilmember Heck read the proclamation recognizing the month of May 2024 as Building Safety Month. Building and Safety Manager Adrian Alegria accepted the proclamation, and expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Mayor and Councilmembers. He shared that on Saturday May 4,2024,the Development Services department held a community outreach event in recognition of Building Safety Month,where over 300 community members attended. Several local businesses contributed to the fun activities. Mr.Alegria shared his appreciation to Development Services Director Rudy Esquivias and Senior Permit Technician Leslie Castillo for the success of the event. Councilmember Heck attended this event and thanked the Development Services staff for a great job in presenting the much needed information. Councilmember Soller was also present and expressed how great it was to see the focus and energy placed on career training in trades and construction outside of college education. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 11. 24-337 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Vice Mayor Schroeder commented on the recent event held at Blossom Rock, and how impressive this development is, and the amazing strides Apache Junction has done to make this happen. Mayor Wilson also commented on the lake and the various parks and playgrounds to be added, and the benefits these amenities will bring to the community. Mayor Wilson attended a Recognition of Volunteers event at Banner Hospital. The recognition was shared amongst volunteers from both the Ironwood and Goldfield facilities,where hours served ranged from 100 to 7,000. The volunteer program has grown tremendously over the past year,with an addition of over 50 new volunteers serving between both facilities. City of Apache Junction,Arizona page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 7,2024 G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 12. 24-339 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell shared the volunteering recently offered by a local veterans group to honor the Veteran's Memorial Park.A beautiful new sign has been placed and a picture was shared of the recent ribbon cutting ceremony. Councilmember Johnson added that many of our veterans in the city are very happy and honored by this new sign and the park overall. They are discussing how to raise corporate funds to obtain military insignias to have added to the park area. This would be no cost to the City, rather, purchases would be made by various companies within the city. Mr. Powell highlighted the May 4th Building Safety event, in that it was a great way of helping residents understand the importance of Building Safety and what the department does, as well as sharing with youth how essential it can be to become involved in a trade and earn a livable wage without college debt. 13. 24-355 Update on the Youth Advisory Council's accomplishments this year. Recreation Coordinator for Senior Services and School Programs JJ Underwood thanked the Mayor and Council for their support over the past year to the Youth Advisory Council, (YAC). He shared the various projects and volunteer hours contributed by YAC and introduced President Nathaly Alonso. Ms.Alonso presented a Year in Review video,that showcased the many events held by this group of young advocates. Council inquired if the events held were pre-planned, or organized originally by the group. Mr. Underwood explained these efforts are a combination of some pre-planned events, but many of them are the original ideas shared by YAC. 14. 24-356 Presentation by Michael Barry, Director of Development at Scottsdale Training & Rehabilitation Services (STARS). City Manager Bryant Powell introduced Director of Development with Scottsdale Training& Rehabilitation Services(STARS), Michael Barry. Mr. Barry shared a presentation on this organization that began in 1973,which was primarily developed to address the lack of services to the disabled individuals of all types in the city of Scottsdale. The mission now is to address the needs of cognitive and intellectual disabilities, by teaching life and job training skills. He expressed the interest for the organization and its growth is for Apache Junction to understand the scope of services offered by STARS, enlist help of STARS within the school district to help transitioning students into the adult world, and share the mission of STARS throughout the network of community and constituents. Mayor Wilson shared his appreciation for this type of organization and commented on the great benefits that can be achieved by getting involved with the training offered. 15. 24-340 Announcement of Current Events. Management Analyst Eli Richardson shared the following upcoming events: "Open House Party, Saturday May 11, 2024, Multi-Generational Center. This is being held to exhibit the amenities offered at the Center,without having to pay for a day pass. *Downtown Master Plan Update, May 8, 2024, 6:00pm at Multi-Generational Center. City Staff is looking for input and ideas to possibly weave into the downtown plan. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 7,2024 *Free Dump Week, May 6-11, 2024. Allows for one truck load of refuse to Apache Junction Landfill for free *Letter Carriers' Food Drive for Superstition Community Food Bank, Saturday, May 11, 2024 H. PUBLIC HEARINGS I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 16. 24-357 Presentation and discussion with Detective Frank Nicholls of AJPD's Community Response Enforcement Unit, introducing new K-9 workmate, Tessa. Police Chief Michael Pooley introduced the newest Police Department member,Tessa, a 2 year old German Shorthair Pointer,who has been trained in 4 odors of narcotic detection. She works along side Detective Frank Nicholls. Chief Pooley expressed the value a canine officer can do that is heavily relied on for drug control and enforcement. Tessa will also be used in the schools for various demonstrations. Detective Nicholls shared the extensive training Tessa had completed prior to on-boarding with Apache Junction Police Department, as well as the furthered certifications with him after their introduction. Chief Pooley commented that Tessa is very active, and extremely eager to work everyday. He then thanked the Mayor and Council for their support in helping grow the Apache Junction Police Department with this added member. K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road,Apache Junction, commented on the Citizen's Leadership Institute graduates, and the Peace Officer Memorial Week Proclamation. Donna Carr,2178 W. Virginia Street,Apache Junction, shared programs she had knowledge of that are comparable to the STARS organization, and her disapproval of the use of reclaimed water. Steve Kitzman, 1832 W. Shiprock,Apache Junction, encouraged the adoption of a regulation that would ban the feeding of pigeons, dove, quail and other wild birds and animals in the Apache Junction city limits. He shared damage he has experienced at his home, due to neighbors feeding of birds. Mr. Kitzman shared handouts to the City Clerk on a neighboring city Ordinance and a state law. Connie Wegeng, 1431 N. Cortez Road,Apache Junction, requested approval for a home she owns on S. Meridian Drive, to be relocated to an adjacent parcel. She submitted photos of the home to the City Clerk for distribution to Mayor and Councilmembers. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 7,2024 Council requested staff to research the ordinance shared regarding feeding of birds and wild animals, and to look into the request of relocating the home on Meridian Drive. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF In , 2024, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTIO ,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS -/`SJ-DAY OF 12024. WALTER"CHIP"WILS N Mayor ATTEST: L'e'� P ENNIFE PENA 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_�geting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona, held on the day of M , 2024. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum as present. Dated this 6' day of Mqu 2024. 1P NNIF4REQA City Clerk City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6