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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-03 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on September 3, 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 Waldron gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Barker led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco Vice Mayor Barker Councilmember Evans Councilmember Rizzi Councilmember Serdy Councilmember Waldron Councilmember. Wilson (telephonically) Staff Present:City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Acting Public Safety Director/Deputy Police Chief Tom Kelly Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby Others Present:Business Advocate Janine Solley REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 1 OF 14 ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST VALLEY ADULT RESOURCES, INC. AND THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION FOR THE MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM ("RIDE CHOICE") FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $26,432; AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT. Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS None. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS Vice Mayor Barker announced "A Day for Kids" will be held on September 21 at the Boys and Girls Club. Councilmember Serdy announced the Festival of the Superstitions is coming up on the weekend of November 9th.There will be no carnival this year so they are looking for business sponsors. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager George Hoffman gave an update on the road conditions following the flooding that occurred on Friday. Councilmember Waldron asked if they could get the information about Southern on Facebook with an explanation as a lot of people are asking why it is closed. City Manager George Hoffman stated they will follow up on that with some pictures. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 2 OF 14 Mayor Insalaco announced Wellness Partnership is getting ready to kick off its weight loss challenging event, Two Ton Transformation.Residents are encouraged to ,lose a combined 4,000 pounds in a 3 month period and improving the 8 areas of wellness.Join between September 7 and December 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR CHOIR BOYS LAW ENFORCEMENT MOTORYCYCLE CLUB FOR OCTOBER 5, 2013 )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly advised this item had been withdrawn by the applicant. Mayor Insalaco moved on to the next item. OLD BUSINESS FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 LEGISLATIVE WORK PLAN )Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby briefed the council on the item. Vice Mayor Barker commented she appreciated the fact he updated the things that were brought forward last time and gave them the status, but she would also like to see an intended date on these and who is responsible for it, when they anticipate getting it finished or if it is part of a five year plan, a two year plan, and where we are in that timeline.It seems to her these are lovely goals that just sit there without real timelines on them.If they are going to consider possible direction to staff on number 7, an updated stormwater master plan, who is responsible for that, when is it anticipated to be coming to the council so they have a general idea they have this wonderful legislative plan and there are completion dates.We anticipate finishing this or we anticipate carrying it over for another year because certain things are happening. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated they do have some of that information they can REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 3 OF 14 incorporate.All the information he does not have he can request and incorporate. City Manager George Hoffman stated they can certainly do the part where they could propose first quarter or second quarter ahd then they could say if it was scheduled for the fourth quarter they would prefer to see it in the third quarter. Vice Mayor Barker commented she was looking as much at that as she was at some of the larger items where they are doing planned things.She asked if they are planning on doing those plans this year or is it just something when they want to do it. City Manager George Hoffman asked which number she was talking about. Vice Mayor Barker commented she is just picking them at random, for instance, the stormwater master plan.She asked when they would anticipate being finished with that and who is doing it. City Manager George Hoffman stated it would certainly be Giao.He asked which number it is. Vice Mayor Barker stated it is number 7. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated he had talked with Giao about this recently and he does have a date.He asks each director or staff member, when he solicits ideas from them, what they consider the council having to consider.He asks for the dates as well.He anticipates early in 2014, probably the fourth quarter of this fiscal year. Vice Mayor Barker commented it would be nice to have there.If it changes for whatever reason because of things happening, then the next year it would be noted this is carried over because of "x" and we anticipate not being able to do it until "x".That gives them a place to shoot for in each of these areas. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 4 OF 14 City Manager George Hoffman stated he thinks it is a good idea.They could also break this down and allocate it per quarter.If they see they have 17 items in the first quarter they may want to think about spreading them out so there is a realistic work flow for staff and so the council is not here until 11 p.m. because it was on the plan and not spread out enough. Vice Mayor Barker commented that would be very helpful to all of them. City Manager George Hoffman commented Matt has a very short turnaround.They will need to do some work on this and they have a deadline on the agenda packet.He asked if the content of this is okay, would it be appropriate to get the direction to staff if this is the work plan.He believed the agenda items are due in a couple of days. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they are due tomorrow. City Manager George Hoffman commented they cannot have this done by noon tomorrow.He asked if they are comfortable with adopting this and directing staff to bring back the revision they described or would they prefer to push back the adoption and just get it right and get it all at once. Vice Mayor Barker commented they have several things coming up in the next couple of weeks of meetings.To push this forward would not be helpful.It is to get the plan the way it is, knowing that a revision is coming as soon as possible that will give them some timeline for it, that works for her. Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated he keeps a separate sheet for management purposes of the plan that has most of this information in it. It is more of a management tool to help them get through.They could adapt or incorporate it into this document. City Manager George Hoffman commented they should take a look at it. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 5 OF 14 Assistant to the City Manager Matt Busby stated they can see what might work best.A lot of the information they have but there are a few items they will have to get the information for. Councilmember Serdy asked if they could stop using Portalis for the Lost Dutchman Heights Concept Plan.He asked if the name is completely dead. City Manager George Hoffman stated it was a specific plan Mr. Rhodes from Las Vegas was applying to his project.Before he had used that name it was collectively being called Lost Dutchman Heights.The state seems to have not used Mr. Rhodes' language. Councilmember Serdy commented he is glad because he hated that name.It made no sense for our area.There is already a Portalis something on the west side. If you think of Lost Dutchman Heights, you are going to think of the far east valley out here.He likes the name. City Manager George Hoffman stated he thinks it is a matter of us just trying to forget the term they had been using for 5 years and use the term they were using before that. Councilmember Serdy commented they will call it Lost Dutchman Heights from here on out. City Manager George Hoffman stated they will seek to expunge from the records any use of that term. Mayor Insalaco closed the item with no further comments.This was a discussion item only and he moved on to the next item. NEW BUSINESS None. DIRECTION TO STAFF REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 6 OF 14 MEETING FORMAT, TOPICS, AND POSSIBLE MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR THE STAFF STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION )City Manager George Hoffman briefed the council on the item. Councilmember Wilson commented when Queen Creek stated they were working on some issues the director of a certain organization became quite defensive.They did not want to step on toes and make the directors feel they were going after them when really they were looking at the process.They did not want to make the directors feel defensive of the process that had been established.They talked about it, did the negatives and positives, and then came to a conclusion on it.They felt it was better by not having the directors of each department there.They were a little more free to discuss issues that could be misinterpreted. City Manager George Hoffman stated they also went away from Queen Creek to do their retreat. They went to the Francisco Grande in Casa Grande for their most recent one.They did not do a luxurious junket.Going to Casa Grande is not like going to Hawaii.They found it gave them a lot more time to communicate with each other.They had more opportunity to interact as human beings.It was far enough where people were not tempted to zip home in the afternoon or zip over to the office.It is not so far or so fancy that it engendered public concern about their frugality. Councilmember Waldron commented he talked to a councilmember from Payson who stated they had never had one.He discovered most cities do not have them.Of the three or so he talked to, none of them had ever had a retreat. Councilmember Rizzi commented she is new on the council and added it is safe to assume they have not done it before with the format.The department directors have been present in the past. City Manager George Hoffman stated they have always done it with directors present. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 7 OF 14 City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated there was one with two ladies from Gold Canyon who were with everyone part of the day and with only the council the other part of the day.Subsequent to that there were some issues about who took the minutes and if the open meeting law was complied with. City Manager George Hoffman stated they have a very inclusive culture.He thinks it is fair to say he has a very inclusive orientation in working with staff and that is really what council has worked with in the largest measure over the years.With what they saw last year, it has been awhile, maybe five years, since they have done one. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated there was a gap. City Manager George Hoffman stated they have not done them annually or anything like that. Vice Mayor Barker commented it sounds to her like Queen Creek had a specific problem they needed to talk through in terms of the process.To be able to go out of town with the council, city manager and city attorney, she can see where it can be done but if they do not have that kind of problem and that is not what we are looking at, their format would not necessarily fit us.If we were to actually stay somewhere and we wanted to include the entire city staff it would be a very expensive proposition.It does not gel for her. City Manager George Hoffman stated he does not think he or Councilmember Wilson are advocating for that.They are merely reporting what they did. He did not get the sense they were indicating they would do without staff in the future. Vice Mayor Barker commented it seems to her that what they are looking at is a time they can set aside for council and staff to discuss those goals they are looking at in their plan as well as concerns they have about how they are going to get there. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 8 OF 14 City Manager George Hoffman stated and maybe things that are even bigger and beyond this legislative plan. Vice Mayor Barker commented absolutely.They could be long, long, long term types of things they might want to put out there as possible objectives.She would think they would want staff to attend this. Mayor Insalaco agreed. Councilmember Waldron commented that is one advantage to having Lance Decker. He pulls that stuff for the future.He thinks they should stay in Apache Junction.Where they have held it before is good as long as we do not have to compete with the dogs and cats.They are strong supporters of Apache Junction and it is a good room up there. It is close by. Vice Mayor Barker asked what else is there in town. Councilmember Serdy commented they had one at the college the first time. Vice Mayor Barker commented she thinks they ought to look. Councilmember Waldron commented they used the parks and recreation building, the old city attorney's building before. Vice Mayor Barker commented Mountain Health and Wellness has stuff and so does Dolce Vita. Councilmember Waldron commented he thinks they should stay here, he would like to see them use Lance Decker and he would like to have it before April. He thinks April is a long way out. Vice Mayor Barker commented they need to think about where. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 9 OF 14 City Manager George Hoffman stated the path they are going down in their legislative work plan is a path he wanted to go down for the last work plan.To be 100% transparent, he scanned it and thought to himself he was not sure all of these have been worked.He did not want to air all that laundry.Since he brought it up, his sense is they should use the time because he wants to tell them every single thing.Some of those items were just one councilmember making one comment.For every single line item on that plan, if it is remotely possible it was the intent of the council, he wants to make sure they are either done, in process, or we have a very good, clear explanation on why it is not done.He cannot do that tonight. Vice Mayor Barker commented hence the date she asked for. Councilmember Waldron commented that works for him. Vice Mayor Barker commented she would like for them to look at all the possible venues we have in the city.She does not have a problem with Harley- Davison but there are other venues.They have Dolce Vita and the Wellness Center.There are several places she would like to see them look at for possibilities. Mayor Insalaco commented he likes Dolce Vita but if they have -it in April it is right in the middle of the winter visitor season.They have weight rooms and other rooms connected nearby that could be a distraction. City Manager George Hoffman stated if they want to use a facilitator and they happen to know which one and a date, that gives him enough to work on and he can bring back a couple of choices on facilities. There was general discussion on a facilitator.The consensus of the council was Lance Decker. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 10 OF 14 City Manager George Hoffman stated he will see if Lance i interested and available for the three weekends. Vice Mayor Barker asked if he is looking at April 12, April 19 or April 26. City Manager George Hoffman stated that is correct. Councilmember Serdy commented they are looking at Saturdays. Mayor Insalaco commented that is correct. City Manager George Hoffman stated it is up to the council but it could be. There was general discussion they are looking at Saturdays. is correct. on the date. Councilmember Serdy commented he would definitely want the directors there as they do not always have access to them.They are not supposed to approach them without going through the city manager.It gives them a chance to talk to them.They never know when they are intruding on their jobs.Here they can talk to them at will. There was additional discussion on the date of the retreat. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Barker MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING MEETING FORMAT, TOPICS, AND POSSIBLE MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR THE STAFF STRAGETIC PLANNING SESSION:THAT IT BE HELD ON SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014; THAT WE ASK LANCE DECKER TO BE OUR FACILITATOR; THAT WE RECEIVE SOMETIME IN THE NEXT MONTH/TWO MONTHS A LIST OF POSSIBLE VENUES TO DECIDE UPON; AND THAT THE FORMAT BE SET UP IN SUCH A MANNER, AS THE MAYOR SAYS, THAT WE ARE NOT FINISHED SO REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 11 OF 14 EARLY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. (During the vote the mayor asked if the locations would remain in Apache Junction.The vice mayor stated they would.) City Manager George Hoffman stated Queen Creek is very interested in having a joint meeting again. Mayor Insalaco commented that is very good with Queen Creek. Vice Mayor Barker commented that is a good meeting with Queen Creek.She added she would like to do that with a variety of councils. City Manager George Hoffman stated they could bring that back as another agenda item so they do not get too far off topic. Vice Mayor Barker commented there are also organizations she would like to have joint meetings with. Councilmember Wilson commented Queen Creek stated they would be sending us an invitation. 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, SEPTEMBER 16, 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, SEPTEMBER 17, 2013, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 12 OF 14 Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Mr. Todd House, 5027 E. Hidalgo, Apache Junction, addressed the council to invite them to the Harvest Festival done by Paws 4 Life on October 13.He commented everyone he has worked with in Apache Junction has been professional, cordial and represented the city well and added they have a county manager position open and George Hoffman has impressed him as a city manager. Councilmember Serdy commented he feels like the city is now represented.It felt like they did not pay attention to the city before when there were only three supervisors.It feels nice to have someone so accessible. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of August 20, 2013. 3. Professional services agreement with East Valley Adult Resources, Inc., for mileage reimbursement incentive program ("Ride Choice"). ACCEPTED THIS 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2013, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2013. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 13 OF 14 ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk HN S. INSALACO Mayor 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 3rd day of September, 2013.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 5th day of September, 2013. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 PAGE 14 OF 14