HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-21 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 21, 2014
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on October 21, 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 Serdy gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Waldron led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco
Vice Mayor Barker
Councilmember Evans
Councilmember Rizzi
Councilmember Serdy
Councilmember Waldron
Councilmember Wilson
Staff Present:City Manager George Hoffman
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Tom Kelly
Public Works Director Giao Pham
City Engineer Emdle Schmid
Development Services Director Larry
•Kirch -
Assistant to the City Manager Matt
Busby
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Others Present:Revenue Resource Manager Roger Hacker
Parks Superintendent Nick Blake
Principle Economic Development
Specialist Janine Solley
Captain Troy Mullender
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Barker MOVED
THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-38, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE
CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION TO ENTER INTO AMENDMENT #2 TO THE EAST
VALLEY GANG AND CRIMINAL INFORMATION FUSION CENTER
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT, BE APPROVED; AND
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 14-37, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE
CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT WITH ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE ARIZONA VEHICLE THEFT TASK FORCE, BE
APPROVED.
Counciimember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Revenue Resource Manager Roger Hacker briefed the council on the
Superstition Mountain Promotional Corporation purchasing
uniforms for the police department's honor guard..Public Safety
Director Tom Kelly gave a brief presentation 'on the •issue •
Revenue Resource Manager Roger Hacker introduced Mr. Denny
Walter, president of the Superstition Mountain Promotional
Corporation;Mr. Denny Walter addressed the council regarding
the donation and presented the check to the mayor and police
chief.
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OCTOBER 21,,2014
PAGE 2 OF 25 .
Revenue Resource Manager Roger Hacker introduced Commander Ken
Queen from American Legion Post 27.Commander Ken Queen
addressed the council to present a check in the amount of $500
to the Friends of Apache Junction, earmarked for the purchase of
uniforms for the police department honor guard.
Mayor Insalaco commented he and Councilmember Waldron are proud
to be members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American
Legion.He has been in communities that have the same two
organizations but he has never seen two agencies give so much to
the community they live and work in.
Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating October 19
through October 25 as Arizona Cities and Towns Week and
presented it to Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Waldron announced he and the mayor attended a
lunch on Monday with Senator John McCain.He is trying to push
through Congress the Keep the Promise Act.Mayors and
councilmembers from Litchfield Park, Glendale, Gilbert, and
Phoenix, along with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and
various tribal officials from around the state were there.They
networked together and listened to McCain on the progress of the
bill.
Councilmember Serdy announced November 8-9 is the Festival of
the Superstitions.There will be no carnival, but there will be
a car show, antique tractor show, a chili cook -off and they will
project a movie on the back lot.Sunday morning they will be
presenting the colors on motorcycles.
Councilmember Evans commented on dogs and cats at Paws and
Claws.
Councilmember Wilson announced he attended the mud run hosted by
the parks and recreation department last weekend.All ages were
represented.They had over 300 participants this year, more
than double the year before.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
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Councilmember Wilson Announced he attehded.the Paws for Life
event last Saturday.They raised a little over $3,000 to assist
people and animals in the community.
Councilmember Rizzi announced on October 8 she attended the
Mirage where the local radio station, Sky 7, has a city
challenge every Wednesday at 7 p.m.Each week three teams
challenge each other.She participated on the Boys and Girls
Club team.This started August 27 and will go until November
19.It is a fun event for families.
Councilmember Rizzi announced the Ranch Rodeo will be October 25
at noon at the rodeo grounds.There will be teams and prizes.
Councilmember Rizzi announced the annual fundraising dance by
Community Alliance Against Family Abuse at 6 p.m. at Dolce Vita.
There will be a silent auction, lots of baskets, a costume
contest, disco music and food.It is a family event.
Councilmember Waldron announced November 11 is the Veterans' Day
Parade on Tuesday.
Mayor Insalaco commented Senator McCain had some interesting
comments about a few other things.One was water.The state is
in bad shape but not as bad as California.He commented they
will be reliant on all the tribes that have water in the future.
Participating and staying on good terms with these tribes could
mean a lot to the future of Apache Junction.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Public Safety Director Tom Kelly gave a brief presentation on
the heroic acts of public works employee Rick King and Officer
Mike Graham that saved a member of the community on September
28.They were presented with a Lifesaving Award by Public
Safety Director Tom Kelly and Mayor Insalaco.
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated on behalf of the
city manager's office they have their sincere appreciation and
he thanked them for being the standard for all city employees to
look towards.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 4 OF 25
PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PREMISES TO
THE LIQUOR LICENSE OF HANDLEBAR PUB .
AND GRILL
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Ms. Patricia Plzak, 650 W.
Apache Trail, addressed the council.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if she would be implementing the recommendations proposed.
Ms. Patricia Plzak stated
they are.They have already put the slats in the fence.They
have the gates already but not the signs.She would like a
definition of what kind of sign is needed, whether it is metal
or what it is.She believes everything else is in place and
ready to go.
•Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to
speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened the item to
council discussion.There being no further discussion, he
called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT
THE APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PREMISES FOR
HANDLEBAR PUB AND GRILL, SUBMITTED BY PATRICIA PLZAK, BE
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR
LICENSES AND CONTROL.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED -
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN ROTARY CLUB
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 5 OF 25
#1246 FOR NOVEMBER 8-9, 2014
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Larry Johnson, Chamber of
Commerce, 567 W. Apache Trail, addressed the council.
Mayor Insalaco asked if this
is something they do every year.
Mr. Larry Johnson stated it
status quo.They are trying to make the Festival of the
Superstitions bigger and better every year.They are adding the
movie night and he thinks that will be another great element for
the family environment.They shortened their hours a little and
the beer garden is just for people to enjoy.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.There being no wishing to speak, he
closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN ROTARY CLUB #1246 FOR NOVEMBER 8-9, 2014,
SUBMITTED BY LEONARD LAFLESCH, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO
THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL.
Councilmember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
APPLICATION FOR A NEW LICENSE,
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, SERIES
12 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR LINDA'S
HOOSIER CAFE II
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 6 OF 25
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Ms. Erlinda Jehl, 1535 E. Old
West Highway, addressed the council.
Mayor Insalaco asked if they
had opened yet.
Ms. Erlinda Jehl stated they
had not.
Councilmember Rizzi asked her
for the correct pronunciation of the café.
Linda's Hoosier Café, Indiana.
Indiana Hoosiers.
is correct.
Ms. Erlinda Jehl stated
Vice Mayor Barker commented
Ms. Erlinda Jehl stated that
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to
speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened it to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion.
Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT
THE APPLICATION FOR A NEW LICENSE, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,
SERIES 12 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR LINDA'S HOOSIER CAFÉ II, SUBMITTED
BY ERLINDA JEHL, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA
DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
pAGE 7 OF 25 •.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS AND
REAPPOINTMENTS FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION CODE BOARD OF APPEALS,
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, MUNICIPAL PROPERTY
CORPORATION BOARD AND THE PUBLIC
SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT BOARD )
) Mayor Insalaco commented
they have four positions open on the Construction Code Board of
Appeals:one professional architect or engineer; one general
contractor; one contractor other than a general contractor and
one lay person.He called for a motion.
Councilmember Waldron
commented he would take them one at a time since that is the
pleasure of the council.He MOVED THAT MICHAEL FRANK BE
APPOINTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION CODE BOARD OF APPEALS IN THE
PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER POSITION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE
OCTOBER 31, 2016.
Vice Mayor Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT DALLAS DEWEY BE REAPPOINTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION CODE BOARD
OF APPEALS IN THE CONTRACTOR OTHER THAN GENERAL CONTRACTOR
POSITION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2016.
Vice Mayor Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 8 OF 25
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT KENNETH WRIGHT BE REAPPOINTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION CODE
BOARD OF APPEALS IN THE LAY PERSON CATEGORY FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE
OCTOBER 31, 2016.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Insalaco commented next
is the Health and Human Services Commission with two positions.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT GEORGIANA ELIAS BE REAPPOINTED TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2017.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT ED BARKER BE APPOINTED TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2017.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:4-2-1 (Councilmembers Rizzi and Serdy voted in
opposition, Vice Mayor Barker abstained due to a conflict of
interest.)
(Councilmember Rizzi commented she wanted to explain her vote.
She commented when they have people they appoint that serve on a
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 9 OF 25
board they have expectations of behavior, especially public
behavior.And when they have an applicant that comes to a
public meeting and calls a member of this council an effing
moron, there is no way she can support that person for a board.
She voted no.)
(Councilmember Serdy commented he supposed they would read about
this in the editorial next week, but no.)
The motion carried.
Mayor Insalaco commented next
is the Industrial Development Authority with four positions.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT RUDOLPH TAMERON BE REAPPOINTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2020.
Vice Mayor Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT ANDREW WHITENECK BE REAPPOINTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2020.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT HARVEY CLARK BE APPOINTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2016.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 10 OF 25
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT ED BARKER BE APPOINTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2020.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:3-3-1 (Councilmembers Serdy, Wilson and Rizzi voted in
opposition.Vice Mayor Barker abstained due to a possible
conflict of interest.)
The motion failed.
Councilmember Waldron
commented it will have to remain vacant as there are no other
applicants for this board.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT JEFF STRUBLE BE REAPPOINTED TO THE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY
CORPORATION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2017.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT MICHAEL WELLER BE REAPPOINTED TO THE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY
CORPORATION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2017.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014 -
PAGE 11 OF 25
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT JODENE WEETER BE REAPPOINTED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL
RETIREMENT BOARD AS A LAY PERSON FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER
31, 2018.
Vice Mayor Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Wilson
commented there is another one but he was elected.He was
thinking there was two.
Mayor Insalaco commented the
others are elected.
QUARTERLY UPDATE ON THE DOWNTOWN
REDEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY
)Assistant City Manager
Bryant Powell briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Waldron
commented Bryant's presentation shows it does not take a lot for
businesses to make their place look nice.It would be nice if
the businesses would take pride in their places and make them
look good.It does not take much.A coat of paint, a little
clean up and it looks good.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake briefed the council on the proposal of naturalizing Old
West Highway.
Councilmember Serdy asked how
many miles they are talking about.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated he is not sure of the total mileage but it is 14
acres.They are talking from Idaho to Goldfield, which would be
three miles.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
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There was general discussion
with the consensus being it would be about three miles.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he knows the state, along their sides and median, mixes in some
flowers.He asked if this would be more flower -rich then.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they can have custom blend mixes.They can look at
the mix they put in there which would include some native
flowers.It would give them some of that initial color,
particularly in the first year or two.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he believes the tourists would want to see the bloom in the
early spring and April when everything else is blooming.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they would see that.He showed them a picture
taken right after the rain.The grasses and that were pretty
green.Understand in July that stuff will look pretty brown,
but they need to leave it alone.They cannot go out there and
plow it all down again and have the bare dirt.
Councilmember Serdy commented
it is the median so there will not be any distressed vehicles
that will pull into there.They will be pulling off to the
right so their catalytic converters will not be lighting it on
fire.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they would still have to do the litter control but
not the weed control.
Assistant City Managet Bryant
Powell stated they had challenged staff to look for ways to be
innovative and create cost savings.This was an idea presented
to our group that focuses on the downtown internally.Nick had
presented it.This is an idea he wanted to bring to the council
and the public.They do not have to necessarily make a decision
but they can do that.If they get enough head nodding they can
start this process.He will tell you the first three years are
the part he is worried about.Before they get to the mid -point
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
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where there are trees, it will be brown and there will be
pressure on the council and staff to do something about fixing
it.He does not know if it is okay for them to say if they
wanted to go this route.They have to stick to the process of
naturalization if that is the will of the council.They are
bringing the idea forward tonight to let them know it is
something that has come up in a discussion group and was
brainstormed tonight.
Councilmember Waldron
commented he liked the idea but he thinks they should put up
some interpretive signs so people know what is going on there.
Early on you might see a jot of people drive back and forth
across the median.It is a short cut.If they are going to do
this, they might want to put up signs that it is going back to a
natural process.It will take some time and then people will
understand.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she feels just the opposite.She feels it kind of takes that
area and excludes it from the downtown.She was hoping that at
some point they could extend the artwork and get some things
going out in that end of town as well.To her, it almost
excludes that area froM being part of the downtown.She did not
find it nearly as attractive, even with the green growth.
Councilmember Serdy asked her
if they could let that go until they have the funds to do it.
It would be easy to reclaim this and landscape it later.In the
meantime, it would be better than bare dirt.They would just
keep it in mind, on the back burner, that they are going to do
that later.
Councilmember Waldron
commented plus they are still working the artwork towards
Meridian.That is the first priority.
Vice Mayor Barker commented
that is the downtown.
Councilmember Rizzi stated
but even cacti going in.Personally she does not like it.She
thinks it looks messy.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 14 -OF 25
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated that leads us to the next part of his discussion.
They can leave this there and maybe come back for direction to
staff later.They can continue to work on this.They just
wanted to bring it forward for discussion at this point.
Councilmember Wilson
commented one person's weeds is another person's flowers.
Vice Mayor Barker and
Councilmember Rizzi agreed.
There was general discussion
on the equipment failure during the meeting at this time.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake briefed the council on the possibilities for the focal
point.
Mayor Insalaco asked how long
it takes to change out the flowers.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated it takes a solid 30 to 45 days.
is to change them out.
Black stated to change them out.
would be twice a year.
Mayor Insalaco commented that
Parks Superintendent Nick
Mayor Insalaco commented that
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated that is correct.He continued with his briefing.
Councilmember Evans asked if
the labor costs were based on using our court helpers or just
parks crews.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated that is using the city's parks people.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
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Councilmember Evans commented
in the past, before that program was implemented, it was all
done by just parks people.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated that is correct.
Councilmember Evans asked how
much work are they relieving and helping parks with at this
point.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake asked if she meant the court workers.
Councilmember Evans commented
that is correct.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated it is significant.A lot of it is being done on
the median work.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated in addition to some of the parks work they also do
other things, like wash all our vehicles.They do that on
Tuesdays.If they notice there is a significant amount of
shopping carts around they collect them all and take them to the
local businesses.They also maintain our facilities, helping
parks and recreation and doing other odds and ends.This is an
idea he had not thought about.They have the capacity.They
have a part-time person in addition to Rick Sensibaugh, so
depending on the week and the time, the judge could have
significant numbers do different projects around the community.
Councilmember Evans commented
they would then have help with the labor part of it now but we
did not back then when it was color.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated the city did not have it before.
Councilmember Evans commented
a lot of the custom home sites that she is at, there is nothing
prettier than the desert brittlebush when it is in bloom.She
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 16 OF 25
understands the fact that it looks like it is dead part of the
year.She has seen so many people trim them way back and plant
natural plants that rotate themselves in and out naturally with
color so that whenever the brittlebush comes back in bloom is
when the other plants are going out of bloom.She understands
the continuity of it.Until he showed them that picture, she
never thought about how it was all in a line from the focal
point itself.One physically does not look at it from 500 feet
off.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated most people do not walk on the plaza part.They
are driving by in their cars.
Mayor Insalaco commented you
do not see it.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they do not get the connection.
Councilmember Evans commented
she thinks since they are trying to make a statement there, the
friendliest, most colorful, warm, fuzzy, grab your attention as
you drive by; it looks like it cost us nothing.That is the
best way she can think about it.Yes, it is yellow, but it has
no appeal.
Vice Mayor Barker agreed.
She does not want to insult his artist, his inner artist.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated he planted flowers, too.
•Vice Mayor Barker commented
that some peoples' texture is other peoples' yuck.Just like
naturalization is wonderful to some folks and to other folks it
is weeds.She understands what he was pointing out and she
understands that cost -wise keeping the cactus is cheap.And the
cactus at this point look kind of cheap.The texture to her is
ruined because they are kind of half here and half there.Some
are this high and some are that high; it just seems haphazard.
That is just her eye which is a lot different than his.She
really likes the idea he came up with on the possibility of
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 17 OF 25
having some kind of flowers in two of the spokes that would kind
of brighten it up.There are some types of flowers Gail was
bringing Up that are pretty common in this area that pop up at
various times of the year.Desert poppies and that kind of
thing that reseed themselves.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they do but that becomes a very complex process.
Those plants are not all blooming at the same time.They come
and go out.The plants that die out can look awful when they
are not blooming.
Vice Mayor Barker commented
that is true.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated the brittlebush is one example of that.They can
look deader than a doornail and look like fire hazards sometimes
in the middle of summer.He aSked if they want to leave that
there and have some other stuff in there that will dilute it
down because of the plant that is in its dormancy..That is the
problem with a mixture.That is why he was talking about a
single, bold, mass planting that is much more powerful than
trying to mix these things together.They can do that on the
median.They have done that on the median.They have the
bougainvillea out there and lantana.
Vice Mayor Barker commented
they are too tall.The size of the plants is what they are
looking for.Something low.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
want to keep them low.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they have to stay low and they need things that
really make a statement.If they water it down by mixing stuff
together he thinks they will be disappointed.
Councilmember Wilson
commented he remembers why they went to this.We were trying to
go to the community and show they were cutting back on expenses.
We are now talking about going back to the community and tasking
them with the possibility of contributing more to the city with
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 18 OF 25
the increase in the sales tax.His personal opinion is this is
something he would not want to see done because he thinks it is
telling the community the wrong message.We are willing to
spend more money but we are wanting more money from them to do
other things.
Councilmember Serdy asked if
it would damage the barrel cacti to knock off the old blooms.
He knows they fall off of saguaros.It looks like a lot of them
are just hanging on.He asked if it would change some of them
or not.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated nobody wants to do it.It is deadly.Those spines
are still there.They would literally have to pick those things
out individually by hand.
Mayor Insalaco commented he
was told that is the best plastic bag catcher in Apache
Junction.
Councilmember Serdy commented
that the blooms do come off like a saguaro.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated he thinks it would be much more cost effective to
just pull the big one out because they transplant very easily.
Councilmember Serdy commented
the big ones are worth about $40.He asked if the city could do
commerce with the nurseries by trading a $40 plant for a $10
wholesale plant.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if he said trade.
Councilmember Serdy commented
it has to be to their advantage.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they would have to see if there is a market for it.
He is not sure there is.
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OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 19 OF 25
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they cannot gift it.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated you do not see mature golden barrels in nurseries.
They are always juveniles.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he has seen them for up to $60 or so.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated for the big ones like that.
Councilmember Serdy commented
for the big ones like that.They can trade a big one for a
little one and they have good color again.Getting past that,
he would hate to see it with nothing for two months out of the
year.Once the flowers got going they were awesome, but they
ripped them out and they had nothing.One of those times is in
the spring when we still have people here.So everyone knows,
Gail and he both sit on the focal point and tourism committee.
They are asking for suggestions.They know the group has no
authority to do anything but they would like to not do any moves
on this until we can get some input.They have invited some
nurseries and the Gold Canyon Garden Club to come and see what
they think.Then they can ask Nick if any of the ideas are
viable.Maybe some different eyes can see some different
things, too.He would like to not make a decision for another
month or so.He does not think they are going to do it that
quickly anyway, but he wanted to let them know it is being
worked on.Another thing he really likes and they are doing it
for domestic violence, is the focal point and tourism committee
did an experiment with lights down there.Now they have the
purple ones up.He thinks it looks awesome.They have talked
to Bryant about changing colors throughout the year.But it
adds some color because the white lights are kind of bleaching
it out.He thinks the javelina could use some subtle lights
because it is sometimes invisible.He asked what everyone
thinks of the purple lights up there now.
Mayor Insalaco commented the
purples lights are gorgeous.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 20 OF 25
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she likes it.
Councilmember Waldron
commented they have been talking about a visual effect during
the day, not at night when the lights are on.People like the
color.
Councilmember Serdy commented
but at night you have night lights, too.
Mayor Insalaco commented more
winter visitors are asking him why they got rid of the flowers.
Councilmember Waldron
commented that is the comment he has heard.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
ask why we got rid of the flowers.He knows in Arizona we have
a lot of cactus.Why we got rid of the flowers is all we hear.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated that is great.They can put them in.It is just a
matter of the dollars.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
Jeff mentioned trading them with nurseries.She asked if they
could sell the bigger cacti .and use that for some cost savings
to get the small ones.She asked if that would be helpful.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated he does not know.He is not in the business of
selling plants.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she does not know.She asked if it is something they could do.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated legally they can sell them.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
maybe people would be interested in a piece of downtown history
and buy a cactus.She does not know, it is just a thought.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 21 OF .25
Another thing is she does not know that much about the different
varieties of cactus we have.She asked if there would be a
happy medium by maybe making some of the spokes a different type
of cactus.
Mayor Insalaco commented
dangerous.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated they have basically limited themselves to the
hedgehog cactus in order to stay low.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
they are attractive.
Mayor Insalaco and Vice Mayor
Barker commented no.
Parks Superintendent Nick
Blake stated beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but he does
not find them attractive.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
are ugly.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
one of the things she hears is the cost savings of water.We
live in a desert.We were just talking about having an issue
with water.She hears people say all the time that they like
the cacti.It was a smart choice.Maybe they are not as pretty
but we are saving on water.It is also a cost savings in not
having to change the flowers out.Like he said, it is in the
eye of the beholder.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated tonight's report was to present these ideas and
thoughts, do exactly as we have done tonight and get some
additional.This is not for direction to staff.They just
wanted to get some comments and receive input.It is on the
work plan this year to get direction to staff on this.He hoped
they would consider these different ideas and thoughts.At some
point in the near term they will come back with this.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 22 OF 25
Mayor Insalaco thanked Nick
Blake.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell thanked Nick and Janine, who went to the businesses to
get these photos.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion and moved on to the next item.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
None.
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, NOVEMBER 4, 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,
NOVEMBER 4, 2014, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated the first part of the motion should be for November 3.
Vice Mayor Barker AMENDED THE
MOTION TO NOVEMBER 3.
Councilmember Wilson AMENDED
THE SECOND.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC:
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 23 OF 25
Ms. Teri Leigh, 900 N. Plaza Drive, Apache Junction, addressed
the council regarding the 50th anniversary for Head Start, the
40th anniversary for Pinal-Gila Community Child Services, and
the 20th anniversary for Early Head Start this year.Pinal-Gila
Community Child Services will be having a birthday part on
October 29 for all three.
Mr. Murray Sharkey, 8541 N. Farview Drive, Scottsdale, addressed
the council on behalf of Eddie Cooper and JRC Solids.He stated
JRC Solids is in the process of permitting a solids reduction
facility in the county island at Guadalupe and Desert View.
They would be happy to discuss the proposal with the city as
they are an interested party.He highlighted the project.
Councilmember Serdy requested he be invited back to give a
presentation with graphics.
Vice Mayor Barker and Councilmembers Wilson, Rizzi and Evans
agreed.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Insalaco adjourned
the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Acceptance of Agenda.
2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 7, 2014.
3. Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 14-38,
authorizing the city to enter into Amendment #2 to the East
Valley Gang and Criminal Information Fusion Center
Intergovernmental Agreement to enhance law enforcement
services related to the collection, evaluation, analysis and
dissemination of intelligence regarding criminal street
gangs and related criminal incidents.
4. Consideration and approval of Resolution No. 14-37,
authorizing the city to enter into an intergovernmental
agreement with Arizona Department of Public Safety for
participation in the Arizona Vehicle Task Force.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 24 OF 25
ACCEPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2014, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 4TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2014.
HN S. INSALACO
ayor
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
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
21st day of October, 2014.I further certify that the meeting
was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 27th day of October, 2014.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 21, 2014
PAGE 25 OF 25