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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-04 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 4, 2013 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on June 4, 2013, 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 Vice Mayor Dietz led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco Vice Mayor Dietz Councilmember Barker Councilmember Evans 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 Interim Public Safety Director/Deputy Chief Tom Kelly Public Works Director Giao Pham Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby Others Present:Program Coordinator Heather Patel REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 1 OF 13 Community Relations Manager Pat Brenner ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND THAT RESOLUTION NO. 13-22, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, PINAL AND MARICOPA COUNTIES, ARIZONA, DECLARING AND ADOPTING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MAY 21, 2013, BE APPROVED; AND THAT RESOLUTION NO. 13-19, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANT MONEY FOR PHASE I OF SAFETY PULLOUTS ALONG IRONWOOD DRIVE BETWEEN GUADALUPE ROAD AND ELLIOTT ROAD WITH A CITY COST NOT TO EXCEED $17,491.91, BE APPROVED; AND THAT RESOLUTION NO. 13-20, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANT MONEY FOR PHASE II OF SAFETY PULLOUTS ALONG IRONWOOD DRIVE BETWEEN GUADALUPE ROAD AND ELLIOTT ROAD WITH A CITY COST NOT TO EXCEED $20,478.00, BE APPROVED; AND THAT RESOLUTION NO. 13-21, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGAM GRANT MONEY FOR PHASE III OF SAFETY PULLOUTS ALONG IRONWOOD DRIVE BETWEEN GUADALUPE ROAD AND ELLIOTT ROAD WITH A CITY COST NOT TO EXCEED $19,904.00, BE APPROVED. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 2 OF 13 City Clerk Kathleen Connelly gave the oaths of office to Mayor- elect Insalaco, Councilmember-elect Evans, Councilmember-elect Rizzi and Councilmember-elect Waldron and presented them with certificates of election.She announced that the obligations of state law and city code had been met and the newly sworn members could proceed with their official duties. Mayor Insalaco presented Rick Dietz with a plaque in recognition for his many years of community service as a councilmember and vice mayor. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager George Hoffman congratulated the newly -elected and thanked retiring Vice Mayor Rick Dietz, announced the Open Space Committee will give a presentatioh at the parks commission meeting, read a letter from the Safford chief of police thanking the Apache Junction Police Department for their assistance on May 21, and letters complimenting Officer Harshman, Parks and Recreation Administration Secretary Mary March and Library Circulation Supervisor Karen Rauls. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby gave a brief update on current legislation issues that impact the city. Councilmember Waldron commented he read today that the governor is going to dig her heels in, stating she has given enough and she is not interested in any more compromises. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated they did quote that in the newspaper article.There is a senate and a house that also have a say in it.If she wants simplification, she has to work with everyone. Councilmember Waldron commented he wanted everyone to know that she is not on our side on this one. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS Councilmember Serdy welcomed Christa Rizzi to the council and congratulated Dave Waldron on his re-election.He also thanked Rick Dietz. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 3 OF 13 Councilmember Serdy commented they always have new residents moving in and he wanted to remind them that it is time to stop hiking until about October. Mayor Insalaco announced he went to an opening of a new bank called Trust Bank last Wednesday.They are new to the East Valley.The East Valley Partnership showed a little video there on the East Valley branding and he is requesting the city manager get it here for people to see.He was happy that they did not leave Apache Junction out. Councilmember Barker congratulated the Class of 2013. PUBLIC HEARINGS RESOLUTION NO. 13-16, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND FISCAL YEAR 2013 STATE SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDS )Program Coordinator Heather Patel briefed the council on the item. Councilmember Barker asked her to go into what commercial rehab entails; what they are looking at for $30,000 per building. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated it can be a variety of different things.They can do exterior rehabilitation where they could do a façade, an awning or a canopy out front.Anything that is facing the street they can make improvements on so that it is safer, more attractive or something along that line.They can also do signage, either a monument sign or one that is on the building. Any building code issues can be done, any violation or a potential for it.Some landscaping improvements could also be done.The concept of the commercial rehabilitation program is to make improvements to the commercial buildings within a certain area so that it helps revitalize an area.More investments are put into those buildings to hopefully see more investment within the community.She continued with her briefing. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 4 OF 13 Councilmember Waldron asked if the commercial rehab program is the one where they talked about a graduated forgiveness of the grant. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated that is correct. Councilmember Serdy commented they will discuss this later and pick one then.There is no discussion on this right now. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated they would have to do another public hearing to obtain any other potential projects or comments from the public. There is a resolution before them this evening to select a Community Development Block Grant and a State Special Projects project. Mayor Insalaco opened the public hearing on the item. Mr. Elliott Fisher, 547 E. Quail, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated he would like to see them do something that creates more good.The roads are lacking and it seems they are starting to focus on that.He is glad to see that.A nationwide problem is the very high unemployment of youth.He asked them to consider that and how some of the money from the project picked could trickle down to those young people in some manner. Ms. Tess Nesser, 1511 S. Cactus, Apache Junction, addressed the council.She stated the focal point and tourism committee's concentration is on the downtown area.She has no new suggestions.It would be nice to have sidewalks and streets for everyone, but she feels the focal point would have more effect on people, especially those coming to our city.If they come to the focal point they see the old buildings there.Fixing them up might entice more people and businesses to move here.It could bring in more tax money.It might be a better bang for our buck than putting in sidewalks and streets. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 5 OF 13 Mayor Insalaco closed the public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened the item to council discussion. Councilmember Serdy commented he agreed with that train of thought.For $30,000, if they can attract and keep businesses, with the additional tax dollars coming in they can pay for the roads and the police department. It would be nice to be able to help everyone. Councilmember Rizzi asked if it would be an either or, the business revitalization or the sidewalks. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated they would do one project per grant application. Commercial rehab could be one and the sidewalks could be the other. Councilmember Rizzi commented one of the benefits she has seen going through the different neighborhoods needing improvement is that when we make the improvements with the streets and the sidewalks, it tends to invite people to clean up their personal property on their own which would also entice more people to come to the community, along with businesses.She thinks they are all good options for funding. Councilmember Barker commented she thinks the commercial rehab might fit Mr. Fisher's plan also.It would build up more businesses that then could employ more people. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Councilmember Waldron asked if they need to name the projects in the motion. Program Coordinator Heather Patel stated they do. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 6 OF 13 Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 13-16, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR FY 2013 STATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGIONAL ACCOUNT ("CDBG"), THE PROJECT BEING COMMERCIAL REHAB, AND FY 2013 STATE SPECIAL PROJECTS ("SSP") FOR THE DRAINAGE AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS, FUNDS, AND CERTIFYING THAT THE APPLICATIONS (1) MEETS THE IDENTIFIED HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS; AND (2) IS NECESSARY FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLETION OF THE ACTIVITIES OUTLINED IN THE CDBG AND SSP APPLICATIONS, BE APPROVED. Councilmember Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. There was general discussion as to what streets would be considered for improvement.The streets were Cody, Cholla, Ohio and Pinyon.Only three of these streets would be improved and it would be the worst three as determined by engineering that will be completed before the application is sent in. Councilmember Serdy asked if the other ones do not get submitted if they pick the street improvements. Councilmember Barker stated the Community Development Block Grant is for the commercial rehab and the State Special •Projects is for the street improvements. Councilmember Serdy commented they are both in there then and voted yes. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 7 OF 13 DESIGNATION OF CITY COUNCIL CHECK SIGNATORIES )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Councilmember Barker asked if she wanted names or titles. Mayor Insalaco commented it has to be the titles. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she needs the title and name. Mayor Insalaco commented they do not know who the vice mayor is yet. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they would never designate a check signer under the title of vice mayor because that is not how that person was elected by the voters.The person was elected as a council member by the voters. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES BE DESIGNATED AS CHECK SIGNERS IN ADDITION TO THE CITY CLERK:MAYOR JOHN INSALACO AND COUNCILMEMBER ROBIN BARKER. Councilmember Evans SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. NOMINATION AND SELECTION OF VICE MAYOR AS REQUIRED BY CITY CODE ) City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco called for a motion. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 8 OF 13 Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT WE OPEN THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF VICE MAYOR. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Mayor Insalaco asked for any nominations. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT COUNCILMEMBER ROBIN BARKER BE NOMINATED AS VICE MAYOR. Mayor Insalaco asked for any more nominations. Councilmember Wilson MOVED TO NOMINATE JEFF SERDY FOR VICE MAYOR. Mayor Insalaco asked if there are any more nominations three more times.There being no more nominations, he called for a roll call vote. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated he first needs to close the nominations. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF VICE MAYOR BE CLOSED. Councilmember Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they will now go back to the names in the order in which they were offered.This would be for the NOMINATION OF MS. BARKER FOR VICE MAYOR. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 9 OF 13 VOTE:4-3 (Councilmembers Rizzi, Serdy and Wilson voted in opposition. The motion carried. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated even though there is another name or nomination, the fact that this one received has received the majority stops the voting. 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, JUNE 17, 2013, 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, JUNE 18, 2013, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. There was general discussion on an upcoming budget work session.The consensus was for Monday, June 17, due to the ability to shift items on the work session agenda to the regular meeting if necessary. Mayor Insalaco called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE BUDGET WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2013, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 10 OF 13 Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. There was general discussion on the date and time for a special meeting for the tentative budget. Mayor Insalaco called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR TENTATIVE BUDGET ADOPTION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. There was general discussion on the special meeting for final budget adoption. Mayor Insalaco called for a motion. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR FINAL BUDGET ADOPTION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2013, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 11 OF 13 Mayor Insalaco commented the vice mayor always sits to the right side of the mayor.He advised the council to look for their name plates when they come in the next time as there will be some changes. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Ms. Tess Nesser, 1511 S. Cactus, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding the Boys and Girls Club having a raffle for a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze donated by Chapman Chevrolet. Mr. Elliott Fisher, 547 E. Quail, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding alleged improprieties in the March election, retail establishments creating jobs for kids, and council ethics. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of May 7, 2013. 3. Consideration of Resolution No. 13-22, declaring and adopting the result of the general election held on May 21, 2013. 4. Consideration of Resolution No. 13-19, authorizing the City of Apache Junction to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation for use of Highway Safety Improvement Program funds for Phase I of safety pullouts along Ironwood Drive between Guadalupe Road and Elliott Road with a city cost participation not to exceed $17,491.91. 5. Consideration of Resolution No. 13-20, authorizing the City of Apache Junction to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation for use of Highway Safety Improvement Program funds for Phase II of safety pullouts along Ironwood Drive between Guadalupe REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 12 OF 13 Road and Elliott Road with a city cost participation not to exceed $20,478.00. 6. Consideration of Resolution No. 13-21, authorizing the City of Apache Junction to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation for use of Highway Safety Improvement Program funds for Phase III of safety pullouts along Ironwood Drive between Baseline Road and Guadalupe Road with a city cost participation not to exceed $19,904.00. ACCEPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF JUNE, 2013, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 18TH DAY OF JUNE, 2013. 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 4th day of June, 2013.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 10th day of June, 2013. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 4, 2013 PAGE 13 OF 13