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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-01 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 1, 2014 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on April 1, 2014, at the Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER• Mayor Insalaco called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Councilmember Wilson gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Rizzi led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco Vice Mayor Barker Councilmember Evans Councilmember Rizzi Councilmember Serdy Councilmember Wilson Staff Present: (Councilmember Waldron was absent.) City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Works Director Giao Pham Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell City Engineer Emile Schmid Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 'PAGE 1 OF 26 Others Present:Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach Captain Arnold Freeman Program Coordinator Heather Patel ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND THAT DR. CAMILLE HERNANDEZ BE APPOINTED TO A POSITION AS MAGISTRATE PRO-TEM FOR A TERM TO ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015; AND THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-09, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, COMMITTING LOCAL FUNDS AS LEVERAGE FOR A FY 2013-14 STATE HOUSING FUND APPLICATION, BE APPROVED; AND THAT ITEM NUMBER THIRTEEN BE CONTINUED TO THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING ON APRIL 15, 2014. Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating April 6-12, 2014, as Week of the Young Child in Apache Junction and presented the proclamation to Brett Haupt from First Things First.Mr. Haupt gave a brief presentation on the importance of paying attention and engaging with young children. Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating April 6-12, 2014, as National Volunteer Week.Interim Community Relations Manager Constance Halonen gave a brief overview on the volunteers in the city.Mayor Insalaco presented the proclamation to Auxiliary Patrol Lieutenant Will Haines. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 2 OF 26 Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating April 13-19, 2014, as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week and presented the proclamation to Captain Arnold Freeman. Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating April as Fair Housing Month and presented the application to Program Coordinator Heather Patel. CONSENT AGENDA (continued) City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they need to go back to the consent agenda.The motion in the packet is not quite complete and she apologized for that. There were actually three resolutions under the last item.What was approved was the first one, Resolution No. 14-09.If they look at their agenda and start with Resolution No. 14-10 and read it to the end, it would be the balance of the motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 14-10, AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND RESOLUTION NO. 14-11, ADOPTION OF HOUSING REHABILITATION GUIDELINES REGARDING THE SUBMISSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2013-14 STATE HOUSING FUND GRANT APPLICATION BE APPROVED. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS Councilmember Rizzi announced the annual Relay for Life will be held Saturday and Sunday, starting at 6 p.m., at Apache Junction High School Davis Field.They will have various booths and activities. Vice Mayor Barker announced she, the mayor, Councilmember Wilson and some city staff attended the annual Lost Dutchman Marathon festivities on Thursday where they honored their volunteers and gave the community $65,000 from the marathon.The city received an appreciation of support. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 3 OF 26 Mayor Insalaco announced a couple of weeks ago the city honored its policeman of the year and firefighter of the year.The American Legion did it a couple of weeks ago and he was honored to be the master of ceremonies.The service organizations respect the work of the police and firemen. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager George Hoffman commented on the library recently hosting a statewide program for libraries on employment and entrepreneurship, read a note from another library employee complementing our library, and read a note stating Mesa and Phoenix recommended our park ranger program to a Casa Grande park ranger for ideas for Casa Grande.He advised Shane Kiesow's presentation is in preparation for the April 12 strategic planning session. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow and Public Works Director Giao Pham gave a presentation on the current status of the city's streets. Vice Mayor Barker asked about the HURF allocation coming out of the legislature this year.She asked if it would be helpful to us as it looks like we are going to get something. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated the state legislature is looking to allocate a $30 million share.We have yet to see what our proportionate share will be.They are talking in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, not in the millions. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow stated even a little is still helpful, but it is still quite far from the $3,000 to $4,000 needed per lane mile. City Manager George Hoffman commented he would like to remind the community the state legislature has a budget to balance.He is not sure if they have the legal ability, but they have taken money from cities and towns to balance their own budget that has reduced the money to cities and towns for roads.That is what the vice mayor is talking about.There is a possibility they will reduce the amount they have been taking from us.He will believe that when he sees it. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 4 OF 26 Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow continued with his presentation. Vice Mayor Barker commented he is making a recommendation that if the council were to look for some kind of funding somewhere, he would suggest that number one be maintenance. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow stated it is maintenance inclusive to a small portion of construction as part of that $3,000.The mistake would be to use the $3,000 per lane mile and put it all towards construction.It is critical to maintain the streets when they are at the $3 to $10 per square yard versus putting all the money, which has a lot less power, at $50 to $60 a square yard for reconstruction.They need a two- pronged approach.The money could be used for reconstruction and bring some of those rehab projects back to the level of being feasibly and financially able to maintain. Mayor Insalaco commented he and Giao are the experts on these roads.However, he looks at Apache Trail and he does not think it is going to last another year.Every day the cracks come up more and more. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow stated he agreed with him. The last assessment showed a gutter lane eastbound from Meridian to Delaware and Thunderbird that has severe alligator cracking. It is increasing each year.On the westbound gutter lane there is also alligator cracking.It is deteriorating fast.He mentioned a few slides back that in three years Apache Trail would be lost.They can get by right now with small portions of it being reconstructed.The majority would still be overlay. In three years, the majority would be reconstruction at $50 plus a square yard versus $10 to $12. Mayor Insalaco commented the business community cannot stand that. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow stated they would much rather have maintenance than reconstruction happening in front of the businesses. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 5 OF 26 Councilmember Rizzi asked what happens if the alligator cracking continues on Apache Trail.She asked if it would turn into potholes or will it fall apart and start crumbling. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow stated it will look like Meridian.It will turn real fast. Councilmember Rizzi commented it will not be like a washboard, it will be like driving through the Grand Canyon with the big potholes. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated half of our general fund revenue is derived from city sales tax.The Apache Trail is connected to a greater portion of our local businesses.It is important to remember this investment is directly connected to economic development and the sustainability of our community. City Manager George Hoffman commented he hears from people that we out here in the west are spoiled.They are from Michigan and the people here do not know what bad roads are.Front end alignments are not lost or axles are not broken or rims are not bent.Roads are not bad in Apache Junction; the people here are pampered.He asked how the council should respond to that as there is an element of the community that has that view.He went to the Citizens Leadership Institute and talked and asked for perspective on financing.One of them said she was fairly new from, he believed, Wisconsin and said they did not have road conditions in the same league. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow stated he is doing his job at public works so in three years he does not have to come back and say he told them so.His job is to let them know before it happens.He would have pleasure to come back in three years and show pretty pictures of all the roads they have made look nice. His job and recommendations are based on facts and his ten year knowledge of doing some of that.Every one of them could drive Apache Trail and come up with the same assessment.It is getting worse every day.They are getting complaints coming in. He would like to include that into the metrics for them to see how much the complaints are.A lot of complaints also come in to the council and other departments.A lot of people when they drive down the road do not pay attention, but they will notice Apache Trail because it affects the ride.They will not REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 6 OF 26 necessarily notice the cracks and things he sees with going from overlay to reconstruction. Councilmember Rizzi commented he is saying if they continue to let Apache Trail go, it will be like back East with the potholes and the deterioration.We will get to that point. Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow stated it is his responsibility that we need to use our money wisely.It is wiser than letting it get to that. Councilmember Wilson commented there are already some small potholes on the Trail itself.When one goes over them they will worsen.They are seeing more of them.Even though they are small today, in a very short time they will become large.He has driven back East and understands the freezing and thawing of the ground which helps creates their problems, but what we have here are older roads where the base is being affected.They get torn up when we get the rains.They may feel good to drive on today, but later on when the moisture gets down below them they will come apart. Public Works Director Giao Pham stated the city manager had asked how this compares to the Midwest, the South and the East. One of the things is the competition is not there.The competition is here.We are trying to retain businesses and compete with Queen Creek, Coolidge and Florence.We cannot look beyond the state.The expectations are different because they have different parameters.If we want to retain businesses here and drive our economy, we need to compete.We do not need to be like Scottsdale or Phoenix, but something like Florence, Chandler or Queen Creek.At least we would be viable, not from an infrastructure point of view, but from other points of view, with other communities within our region. Mayor Insalaco closed the item and moved on to the next item. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. OLD BUSINESS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 7 OF 26 PROPOSED PROJECTS AND RESOLUTION NO. 14-08 CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION FOR FIT FAMILIES, RESOLUTION NO. 14-12 APACHE JUNCTION HORSE RESCUE FOR CATARACT SURGERY, RESOLUTION NO. 14-13 APACHE JUNCTION HORSE RESCUE FOR NEW EQUIPMENT, RESOLUTION NO. 14-14 MOUNTAIN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR NEW EQUIPMENT, RESOLUTION NO. 14-15 EMPOWERMENT SYSTEMS FOR SELF -MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS AND RESOLUTION NO. 14-16 EMPOWERMENT SYSTEMS FOR SELF -MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY AND FT. MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION STATE SHARED REVENUE PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 )There was general discussion as to whether the council should recite all the motions at once or take them one at a time. Program Coordinator Heather Patel briefed the council on the items. Vice Mayor Barker commented she had been reading back through this and her understanding is we set up specific criteria that should be met by those organizations which we would put through the pipeline to the tribes. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated that is correct. Vice Mayor Barker commented if an organization does not meet those criteria, then she is wondering why it is in front of them.The council went to the trouble of setting up the criteria.She asked why they have some of these that do not meet at least one of them. Councilmember Serdy commented he thinks she is talking about insurance purposes. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 8 OF 26 Vice Mayor Barker commented she is not.She is talking about addressing a need.As well as a director's and operator's, there is an insurance on here now. This is about addressing a need.All the applications that she gave to them address a need except for one of the four organizations that applied.Her question is since they set up a criteria, why is it even here for them to have to hassle with. She stated that is the wrong word, she did not mean that.It sounded flippant.She truly did not mean that. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated the tribal entities have their priorities.They have identified what they believe are needs.One could argue the other side of this is the project a need in our community? That is not for her to decide.That specific question kind of addresses both.Those two projects she was talking about do not address a priority of the tribal entity, but is it or is it not a need within our community.At that time it is up to the council to decide. Vice Mayor Barker commented she is wondering if that should even be in the list if the staff who received those applications are going to leave that decision up to the council.It may be criteria they do not even have to have on the list. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated they certainly could do that as staff but then on occasion the entity could please ask them to take it before the council as they really feel it is a need. Mayor Insalaco commented it is their prerogative to do it that way. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated that is correct, just like it is their prerogative to choose a project that is not an identified priority of the tribal entity.They still feel they want to put their case out there. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 9 OF 26 Mayor Insalaco asked if they can take the resolutions one by one and say what they want to do. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they may want to. Mayor Insalaco asked if they have to vote on all of them. Vice Mayor Barker commented they have to either approve or disapprove them. stated they may want to. have to vote on all of them. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly agreed.Because they do not know how each vote shall go, they should take them individually. Mayor Insalaco called for a motion on Resolution No. 14-08. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-08, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY FOR PROPOSITION 202 FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,600 FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION FIT FAMILIES EXPANSION, BE APPROVED. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Evans MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-12, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION COMMUNITY FOR PROPOSITION 202 FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FOR THE APACHE JUNCTION HORSE RESCUE FOR CATARACT SURGERY, BE APPROVED. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 10 OF 26 Vice Mayor Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:2-4 (Mayor Insalaco and Councilmembers Wilson, Serdy and (Rizzi voted in opposition). The motion failed. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY FOR PROPOSITION 202 FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,000 FOR THE APACHE JUNCTION HORSE RESCUE FOR NEW EQUIPMENT, BE DENIED. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:5-1 (Councilmember Rizzi voted in opposition.) The motion carried. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-14, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY FOR PROPOSITION 202 FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $257,382.80 FOR MOUNTAIN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR EQUIPMENT, BE APPROVED. Councilmember Evans SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Evans MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-15, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY FOR PROPOSITION 202 FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,000 FOR EMPOWERMENT SYSTEMS FOR SELF -MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS, BE APPROVED. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 11 OF 26 Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Evans MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-16, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION COMMUNITY FOR PROPOSITION 202 FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,000 FOR EMPOWERMENT SYSTEMS FOR SELF -MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS, BE APPROVED. Vice Mayor Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION WITH PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF ON THE PURCHASE OF FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR THE MULTI- GENERATIONAL CENTER ) )Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach briefed the council on the item. Councilmember Rizzi asked what the ballpark figure is for the life expectancy of the equipment. Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach stated the current equipment was purchased when the building was built.They have used them for 8 years.Usually equipment is traded out every 4 to 5 years.This equipment will come with a three year parts and labor warranty which is very helpful.Because they have a very stringent maintenance plan for ours, we were able to get 8 years of life out of our current equipment.They have very few things that are down at any one time that they are not right on.They feel strongly that they REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 12 OF 26 do a very good job of making sure they get the most life out of it that they can. Councilmember Wilson asked if the money for this is currently in the budget. Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach stated it is.They have savings in several areas. Several projects either were not done and the original lease agreement is part of this budget and part of that would go towards this.They have either been able to find other funding through the development impact fees, projects that will not be done for one reason or another or savings they have been able to manage.They will be within the department's budget. Vice Mayor Barker asked if their bid was the same this time monetarily since they are now on the state contract. Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach stated it is very close.It is within a couple thousand dollars of what the original bid was. Vice Mayor Barker asked if it is lower or higher. Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach stated it is a couple of thousand higher with other things in it.The state contract is only for the equipment itself.It is the only thing bid by the entity that did the contract.Everything else has to be negotiated, such as the service agreement, the warranties and all of those things.The city wanted something more than that.They have learned of new technology so there are other things they will be doing with Wi- Fi and the IT department.For the extra money they will be bringing the highest level of technology to our users as well as our maintenance staff.There is a maintenance tracking that allows the supervisors immediate notification of machines getting ready to go down.They would not have been getting the same thing out of the previous bid. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 13 OF 26 Councilmember Serdy asked if they could sell the used equipment or recoup enough to buy a few pieces and save some money as we do with used fleet vehicles. Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach stated that price is actually including a credit for existing equipment.It was part of the original request for proposal.Everything we got back in the original request for proposal that was rejected allowed for a credit we were given from all of those agencies.They feel the credit they are getting back from them is a fair market credit for equipment that has been used for 8 years.It is not worth very much. There are almost no buyers out there for it.They are giving us a credit on this equipment towards the purchase of the new equipment and they will be removing it all for us which is a humongous undertaking. Mayor Insalaco asked if she would be bringing it back in two weeks. Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach stated that is correct. Mayor Insalaco closed the item.This was a discussion item only with no action to be taken at this time.He moved on to the next item, the designation of an acting mayor, which had been continued to April 15 during the consent agenda.He therefore went to the following item under direction to staff. NEW BUSINESS None. DIRECTION TO STAFF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR RETAIL EXPANSION, RECRUITMENT AND VISITOR IMPACT ANALYSIS )Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley briefed the council on the item. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 14 OF 26 Vice Mayor Barker asked if a not to exceed $65,000 be part of the motion. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated certainly.They did not propose to put a not to exceed amount in the request for proposal.It may come in lower than $50,000.They are not sure; it is just what they are estimating at this time.If they want to set that stipulation in the motion, they certainly can. Councilmember Serdy commented he is not completely sold on this.The last time they did a leakage analysis he did not see any results.They know they have leakage.He asked if they could hire another staff person for that much money that could do a lot of this themselves. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated the data we buy is not something a staff person can get their hands on.The data they will hopefully get actually looks at each household within the primary market area and can identify how dollars are spent in that household for eating out, clothing and all kinds of things.They really drill down and have some very specific data where they can let us know where we are lacking and people have to shop out of town for. Councilmember Serdy commented the major retailers are studying this themselves.They already know this, they know what people buy or they know what sells. He asked if they could spend this money better by recruiting people to come here.He has been here for 25 years.There is a whole new set of people who come to visit.We are very reliant on the visitors.We constantly have to keep bringing them.We are competing against South Texas, Florida and Yuma.He asked what the city is doing to recruit new people and get them here. Once we get them here, they will buy the stuff we have.The retailers will see there is a big market out here for all these new people.He thinks the city is neglecting that with just studying it again. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated she believes the first study came out when we hit the worst economic condition REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 15 OF 26 this community has seen in a long time.There were retailers that had plans ready to, were ready to hit the ground running, and everything just stopped.It immediately ceased.The timing of the last one of these done was unfortunate for us. Councilmember Serdy commented it left because everything left.It was a waste of money for that study. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated if she had a crystal ball they probably would not have done the study, knowing what was around the corner.She asked if he was suggesting a recruitment strategy for visitors. Councilmember Serdy commented he would like it to reach to the home states of where these people come from to stay here.He asked when they are going to do that. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated they are hoping part of the study will identify who those winter visitors are and where they come from.If they determine they have a lot of visitors from Minnesota, they may look at how they can target Minnesota to get more of those visitors to come to Apache Junction.Right now we do not know where they come from.She got a phone call from the museum saying their numbers were really up this year.She was asked how the city is doing in their number of winter visitors.The city has no way to track how many people are here or come through here. Councilmember Serdy asked if we could do that ourselves. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated the city does not have the capacity to do that.She would not even know how.She does not even know how these request for qualifications are going to come back to let us know how they would look at that data.We are hoping we can find a magic bullet and someone that can tell us -40% of the winter visitors are coming from Minnesota, 35% are coming from whatever state.If we choose to REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 16 OF 26 try to find like winter visitors and get more of them to come out here, then we certainly can start a marketing campaign to those regions specifically. Councilmember Rizzi commented it is costly but it seems like it will be beneficial.It is something we could really use. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated it is in terms of knowing who you are as a community.She may have a small mom and pop shop come to her and ask what the city has for space. They need about 1,000 sq.ft.She has that data because that is something we know.We can monitor that and it is very local. Without that, they are on their own.She almost sees this in terms of being able to answer who we are as a community and what we have in terms of the capacity here. Councilmember Serdy commented our chamber is either the third or fourth most visited in the state.He would like to see the city work with them to do some survey, like a check in book where every visitor there could be asked where they are from and how they heard about the city. That is something we can do ourselves.They could also work with the museum.They must be doing something right to get the word out.He thinks they could do even more than what they are. Obviously their museum gets better every year.The ghost town gets better every year.He would like to reach out to those people.We are just the pass through to those people as they are not in the city.They come through our city and there is an opportunity for them to shop here and do the retail which ties in.That is how we will get our money.We have to have new people come because a lot of them do not come back every year. He thinks the city has been neglecting that for several years. He would like to see something done on that in the future to expand the visitors, especially into Canada.He has heard their dollar is getting ready to drop but they have been way stronger than us lately. Mayor Insalaco stated it is dropping. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 17 OF 26 Councilmember Serdy commented they have been carrying us.They have been buying our houses . lately.He would like to see those studies but he thinks there is more the city can do internally. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated she knows the chamber does track visitors that come through the center and they do have a book there where many people do actually sign in with where they come from.We do have some of that information. She thinks they are talking about two different things.One is the tourist base and trying to get people here and the other is a recruitment strategy to let retailers know who we are as a community and why they should be here.So that when those visitors do come, those retailers are here.For example, the demographics information done with the first study, which we will also expect from the second study, are the things retailers want to know.Not so much the mom and pop businesses as they do not have a sophisticated recruitment or locating thing.Many of the major retailers do.They need to know all of these points and they need to meet those criteria before they will look at your community.Some of those things are the average household size, the median age of the residents in tne market area, do they have a college degree or higher, the average household income, and owner occupied housing versus rental.All of that data is not something she can tap into on her own.The consultant would have the ability to gather all of this kind of data and tell us what we look like in our market area.Certain retailers will want to take a look at us depending on what we have to offer.She believes that had the market not crashed as it did, we had some pretty strong numbers here and we had some significant leakage that we could demonstrate back in 2006.She thinks certain retailers will look especially if we can accommodate them with space.Had the economy not changed, we could have filled a lot of this with the retailers. Councilmember Serdy commented but those are private businesses and we cannot force them to come here.They still' have to choose to come out here. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated that is true but if we can invite them with having some attractive information that REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 18 OF 26 makes them look at us, whereas they had not looked at us before, and see that it fits their criteria of what they want to be and where, that is the market we are going after.It is a way for us to have the information we can share with everybody. Councilmember Serdy asked if she will use this to try to recruit retailers. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated that is correct. Councilmember Serdy commented but not so much for the people.People is what makes retailers go.In the future he wants to see them do something like that. If we fill up everything out here, then we can get hotels and a resort which will really bring people and restaurants in, and more need to shop.He thinks the city is still neglecting a lot of things; we are not using this area as we should be. Councilmember Rizzi commented she thinks Councilmember Serdy made some good suggestions about making these suggestions to other entities about keeping track. It is something she thinks they could use as a tool to collaborate with this.In her opinion, she thinks this study is real important.It will give very useful information that we could not otherwise get. Vice Mayor Barker commented she thinks he made a major point, but with this information that she is gathering, she thinks we can go directly to that point. Then we will know what we can sell to those winter visitors to entice them to come here.We have a definitive amount of information that can be given to those folks, whether it be the advertisement in their state tourism magazines or in ours or on our website or on the chamber's website or whatever area we can utilize.This gives us up to date figures she thinks make a community attractive as a possible either as a destination or a place to stop while going somewhere else.It has value in the tourism aspect as well as the retail aspect. Councilmember Serdy commented he is all for that.He asked if they could use someone else in staff; if they had more personnel could they do a better job. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 19 OF 26 Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley asked if he meant in recruiting. Councilmember Serdy commented he would like staff to do these other things that were mentioned.He asked if they should be lobbying the city manager to get some more help over there. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated unless she goes door to door knocking and asking if they would tell her what their household income is, nothing would be gained. Councilmember Serdy commented it is not so much that. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley asked what it is. Councilmember Serdy commented she has two people in her whole staff.He asked how many Mesa has. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated they have fourteen. Vice Mayor Barker commented that is the population difference. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated they are a half million people, too. Councilmember Serdy commented they use us for their marketing. Vice Mayor Barker commented and we now use them.We talk about Gateway.We talk about Apple being right next door. City Manager George Hoffman stated there is the art center. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 20 OF 26 Vice Mayor Barker commented we now have three universities within 7.5 miles of our community.We do use them.We learned.It took us some time but we learned you use whatever is around you. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated they may be suggesting something she does not think they have done as a community before, which is launch a marketing campaign to try to draw more tourists to the area.That might be something to look at with the marketing communication data. Councilmember Serdy commented it is not so much tourists, but people that are going to spend the whole winter here.They have a choice of where they can go. Principal Economic Development Specialist Janine Solley stated absolutely.She thinks the two issues go hand in hand.If people want to spend a season here or visit, they want goods and services as do our full time residents. Councilmember Serdy commented when those people spend the winter here, then people our age visit them and they decide to stay here and they will buy our houses.It all feeds itself.We need to be selling the whole area more than we are. Councilmember Wilson commented they have done a flyer that was put together that started identifying the places downtown.They were using apps to locate things.He believes Janine has already started doing some of the things he has been talking about.He thinks the information we are gathering will fill some of the unknowns and they will be able to expand this even more. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR RETAIL EXPANSION, RECRUITMENT AND VISITOR REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 21 OF 26 IMPACT ANALYSIS:THAT THE RFQ BE RELEASED AND THAT THE RESULTING CONSULTANT SALARY/PRICE IS NOT TO EXCEED $65,000. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE CITY'S OPPORTUNITY TO BE INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM THE PROGRAM )Program Coordinator Heather Patel briefed the council on the item. Vice Mayor Barker asked if there was State Special Projects funding. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated there is no State Special Projects funding and we could not get our Community Development Block Grant funding for Central Arizona Governments at all.Both of them would be gone. She continued with her briefing. Vice Mayor Barker commented she did not think so. Program Coordinator Heather Patel broke down the difference between the two programs and the required letter to the Maricopa County program advising inclusion or exclusion. Councilmember Rizzi commented she was curious about the homebuyer assistance.She asked if it is counseling for homebuyers. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated it comes in a lot of different forms.Counseling is a big one and it is sometimes down payment assistance.In the past, because of our situation, we have worked with programs REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 22 OF 26 through Central Arizona Human Resource Agency and Pinal County to get that assistance.The money never comes directly to the city.The residents who have questions are funneled to those two entities to get that kind of assistance. Vice Mayor Barker asked if it is possible or probable, since we only have a small portion of the city in Maricopa County, that any project we submit that is outside of Maricopa County area would be less likely to be funded since it is no longer in Maricopa County but in Pinal County. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated legally we come as a whole package.They cannot use that as a reason to not award the city.We could make the assumption that it may be less favorable to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on a project in Pinal County. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE CITY'S NOTIFICATION OF OPPORTUNITY TO BE INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM THE PROGRAM:THAT STAFF WRITE A VERY NICE LETTER THANKING MARICOPA COUNTY AND GRACIOUSLY LET THEM KNOW THAT WE WOULD PREFER TO BE EXCLUDED. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE 2014 CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION PERSONNEL RULES, AMENDING ONLY RULE 8, ATTENDANCE AND LEAVES, SECTION 12 HOLIDAYS AND SECTION 13 BIRTHDAY LEAVE )Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby briefed the council on the item. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 23 OF 26 Mayor Insalaco called for any discussion.There being no discussion, he called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE 2014 CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION PERSONNEL RULES, AMENDING ONLY RULE 8, ATTENDANCE AND LEAVES, SECTION 12 HOLIDAYS AND SECTION 13 BIRTHDAY LEAVE:THAT THAT BE BROUGHT TO US WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET, THOSE CHANGES BE BROUGHT WITH THE BUDGET, WHATEVER MATT SAID (TO COINCIDE WITH THE BUDGET ON MAY 5, 2014). Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:45 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY; AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5;45 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. Councilmember Evans SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Mr. Noel Benoist, 900 N. San Marcos, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding a vacant field by La Siesta that will probably be zoned residential.They would like to see the western half limited to single story and encouraged the mobile home parks to be allowed to have meals at the parks. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 24 OF 26 ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 18, 2014. 3. Appointment of Dr. Camille Hernandez as magistrate pro -tern for a term ending December 31, 2015. 4. Proposed Resolution No. 14-09 committing local funds as leverage, Resolution No. 14-10 authorization to submit an application, and Resolution No. 14-11 adoption of housing rehabilitation guidelines regarding the submission of a fiscal year 2013-14 State Housing Fund grant application. ACCEPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF APRIL, 2014, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 15TH DAY OF APRIL, 2014. ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk HN S. INSALACO (ityor 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 1st REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 25 OF 26 day of April, 2014.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 7th day of April, 2014. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 1, 2014 PAGE 26 OF 26