HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-02 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 2, 2012
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on October 2, 2012, 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 Evans
Councilmember Serdy
Councilmember Waldron
Councilmember Wilson
Staff Present:
(Councilmember Barker was absent.)
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan
Interim Public Works Director/City
Engineer Giao Pham
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell
Development Services Director Brad
Steinke
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
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Others Present:Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
Facility Manager Jamie Sullivan
Parks Superintendent Nick Blake
D.A.R.E. Officer Brian Selman
D.A.R.E. Officer Marshall Harshman
D.A.R.E. Officer Carl Halperin
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED
THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE STATEMENT OF WORK WITH IBM
COPLINK FOR SOFTWARE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE COST TO
THE CITY BEING $3,600.00 AND THE REMAINING COST OF $21,400.00
COMING FROM A GRANT.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous on Items 1 and 2, 5-1 on Item 3.
(Councilmember Serdy voted in opposition on Item 3.He stated
in his tenure on council he has never voted against anything the
police have wanted, but he has concerns about how far that
system will go in the future.He wants to see it, but he also
has concerns for it.He voted no on Item 3.)
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating October 2012 as
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and presented the proclamation
to Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan, who introduced the new
executive director of Community Alliance Against Family Abuse,
Elizabeth Ditlevson Garman.
Facility Manager Jamie Sullivan presented a video from the
recent Arizona Parks and Recreation Association announcing the
city's parks and recreation department as the winner of this
year's "Educational Program Award" for the Fit Families Program.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
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Vice Mayor Dietz suggested she talk to Mountain Health and
Wellness and see if this would be a nice connection with the Fit
Families Program.
Facility Manager Jamie Sullivan stated it could be and it is a
great idea for another partnership.
Parks Superintendent Nick Blake gave a presentation on the 25
years of service of Dennis Stevens, parks maintenance worker.
Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan introduced new D.A.R.E
Officers Brian Selman, Marshall Harshman and Carl Halperin.
Officer Harshman gave a short presentation on the future of
D.A.R.E.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Waldron announced several of them attended the
groundbreaking for the townhomes across the street from the
multi-gen center last week.It iS a unique subdivision where
people can rent the homes and after 15 years of renting the home
the rent can apply towards the purchase of the home.
Councilmember Waldron announced he attended another blessing of
a house for Habitat for Humanity sponsored by a Final County
grant.
Councilmember Waldron commented if one did not get the chance to
attend the grand opening of Central Arizona College, it is a
very impressive facility.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented a Pinal County Supervisor was also at
the Habitat for Humanity with his hard hat, hammer and nails.
Councilmember Wilson announced a week ago last Friday he
attended the Final County Disaster Preparedness Tabletop
Exercise in Florence.State, county and local government
officials attended along with several businesses.He learned
that over 60% of businesses do not recover from a disaster.
This exercise was to help the communities understand the effects
of a major storm and come up with plans for handling disasters.
November 2 the chamber is having a training session for local
businesses to help put together a,plan for a disaster.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
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Councilmember Serdy reminded those that ran for constable in
August that the election is over and they need to take down
their signs and someone needs to let Mr. Penzone know in
Maricopa County that Meridian is the county line as he has a
sign at Ironwood and Apache Trail.
Mayor Insalaco commented the college is gorgeous on the outside
but it does not do justice to what is inside, including the labs
and classrooms.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell commented on the Getting
Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods event on October 20, the
annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil on October 24 and the
next Citizen Leadership Institute.
Apache Junction Fire District Chief Paul Bourgeios gave a
presentation regarding fire safety and a recent fire in a mobile
home park.
Mayor Insalaco complimented the work of Apache Junction Fire
District Employee Mark Gomez for his work with a family that
lost everything in a fire.Chief Paul Bourgeios gave additional
information on what Mark Gomez had done for the family.
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell gave a quarterly update on
the Downtown Redevelopment and Implementation Strategy including
the reconstruction of North Apache Trail, unique street signage
for the downtown area and the first segment of the Main Street
design being built in partnership with Mountain Health and
Wellness.
Mr. Rob Evans, chief executive officer of Mountain Health and
Wellness, gave a presentation on the economic impact of locating
their integrated health care facility in the downtown area.He
also briefed the council on the garden plots at Earth Heart
Park.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented the garden beds are 4' by 8' and are
raised beds.It is a good amount of space.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
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Councilmember Serdy asked where the soil came from that is being
used in the beds.
Mr. Rob Evans stated they bought it through donations.It
includes fertilizer.He continued with his briefing and then
gave the mayor a check for $184,000 that was due in January.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented they have done a fantastic job.The
wellness program is unique and he believes a lot more
organizations will be following his lead in the future.Earth
Heart Park is a vital part of this with the kitchen and teaching
people how to cook and use these things.All the different
areas of the park will be a real plus.
Mr. Rob Evans stated their target for wellness is joyfulness.
He hopes the park will let people have a little more joy in
their lives.He thanked them for their support.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented it is important that half the
facility is set up for primary care.It is not just mental
health.They have primary care doctors in there so that
everything can be taken care of at one location.
Mr. Rob Evans stated they can come in and see their primary care
doctor, their counselor, their psychiatrist, partake in Tai Chi
and get some exercise or fill a prescription at the pharmacy.
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated the development
agreement is a partnership established with Mountain Health and
Wellness.It was a 50/50 deal on the portions and it is great
to see that come forward.
Mayor Insalaco commented it is nice for the public to know that
when we do business with someone they are putting money in and
it is not all city taxpayer money.
Mr. Rob Evans added the garden is all private money.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CONTINUATION OF THE LOCAL
ALTERNATIVE EXPENDITURE LIMITATION-
HOME RULE OPTION
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 5 OF 32
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell briefed the council on the budgetary implications of the
item.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
the city would have the money but it could not spend all of it.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell agreed and continued with his briefing.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
not having a parks and recreation department at the time is
included.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated that is correct, it also included no library
department and a small public safety department.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated there were two people in the public safety department.
Councilmember Serdy asked if
every city and town in Arizona votes on this.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated some cities do not have to because they are not butting
up against that expenditure limit.Our neighbor to the west,
Mesa, did not have to do it for many years and she believes four
years ago they finally had to go to the voters.There may be
some cities that have not had to do it.
Councilmember Serdy asked if
there are any horror stories of cities where it did not pass and
what has happened.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated she was not aware of any.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated of all the cities, he does not know of any other
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 6 OF 32
city incorporated in 1978-1979 so there might not have been an
impact from any no votes.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented there are also some cities that have done a permanent
adjustment.He does not know how many have done it, but if they
do it they do not have to go through it every four years.He
does not know of any other city where it did not pass but it has
happened to some other entities.Other entities have had to do
it also, such as school districts.There is a different formula
but if it does not pass, they face horrible things like Mr.
Powell has been bringing up.
Mayor Insalaco commented that
in layman's terms, it is basically one is not spending more
money; it is not being able to spend the money one has.The
city would have the money but would not be able to use it.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is correct.The sales tax continues to come in.
The money from Housing and Urban Renewal Funds come in, but the
city cannot spend what they are not allowed to since the voters
did not approve it, if this does not pass.That would be the
effect.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
the city had a very small police department and parks department
at the time this was passed.Under the formula and population
growth, they would also have to cut the budget for those
departments to reach the state -imposed formula.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated that is correct.Under the state -imposed
limitation the city estimates it would be able to spend
$25,113,637.The anticipated amount of revenue for operating
the entire city government is $32,200,000.The variance is in
the neighborhood of $7 million.In order to get to the $7
million, the library is $1.1 million, the parks department is $3
million, and they are then looking at public works and public
safety.He commented a frequent question is if home rule is
just a back door way of increasing taxes.The answer to that is
no.This is not a tax issue.Tax increases or decreases are
separate issues that are handled through a public process with
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 7 OF 32
the representatives elected.Home rule neither increases nor
decreases the sales tax, which is the primary revenue source for
city services.The city does not have a property tax.
Qualified city electors may partibipate in the election.These
would be residents properly registered prior to the cutoff date.
If anyone has any questions he suggested they contact Community
Relations Manager Pat Brenner.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.
Mr. Elliott Fisher, 547 E.
Quail, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated he
believes this was done for responsibility and a lot of things
done in Apache Junction have been way over budget.He suggested
they not go over budget on projec-Ls if they want the voters to
approve home rule.He is concerned that the big bucks for the
roadways go where the new developments are and the neighborhoods
look terrible.
Mr. Clark Smithson, 1700 S.
Weaver Drive, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He could
not think of anything worse than not being able to do work
because, even though the money was available, the city could not
do it.He thinks the council is wise to present this to the
voters.They use their best judgment to spend the money wisely
that comes in.He urged the council to put it on the ballot.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
public hearing with no one else wishing to speak and reopened
the item to council discussion.He added it seems like they
only have one person who states they are over budget.However,
he does not go back to realize that things were added to the
project and it was not over budgeted.He then closed the item
as there was no further discussion.This was a public hearing
only with no action required.They moved on to the next item.
Mayor Insalaco called for a
ten minute break.
Mayor Insalaco reconvened the
meeting.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 8 OF 32
ORDINANCE NO. 1385, CASE PZ-2-12,
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT MAJOR AMENDMENT
REQUEST BY VILLAGIO ESTATES LLC,
REPRESENTED BY HUDD HASSELL,
AMENDING THE PREVIOUS DEVELOPMENT'
PLAN FOR VILLAGIO AND ALLOWING
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AS A
CONDITIONAL USE IN A MULTI -FAMILY
ZONE/RESOLUTION NO. 12-31, CASE
SD -1-12, PRELIMINARY PLAT REQUEST
BY VILLAGIO ESTATES LLC,
REPRESENTED BY HUDD HASSELL, FOR
A PROPOSED 37 -LOT, SINGLE-FAMILY
HOMES SUBDIVISION WITH PRIVATE
STREETS AND RESIDENT AMENITIES/
RESOLUTION NO. 12-32, CASE SD -1-12,
FINAL PLAT APPROVAL REQUEST BY
VILLAGIO ESTATES LLC, REPRESENTED
BY HUDD HASSELL, FOR THE PROPOSED
VILLAGIO SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
SUBDIVISION
)Senior Planner Rudy
Esquivias briefed the council on the items.
Vice Mayor Dietz asked if
there is any parking on the streets that "T" off in the
subdivision.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated there is not.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
any guest parking will have to be in their long driveway.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct and there is parking on one side of the
street on Desert View.Mr. Suniga of the fire district reviewed
the plan and the recommendation is to allow parking on one side
of the street due to it being so narrow.It has been done in a
couple of other developments as well.
Vice Mayor Dietz asked if the
fire department has a problem with that.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 9 OF 32
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they do not.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
the homeowners association will be taking care of the road
maintenance in there.He asked if the guy who owns the property
down on the bottom will be required to join the homeowners
association since that is his main entrance.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he will not.They have not heard from him but he is a
pre-existing property owner.If he wants to use some of the
amenities he might want to talk to the homeowners association
about becoming a member, but he is not required to.
Councilmember Wilson asked
what the main concern was for the person on planning and zoning
that voted no.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated their main concern was the smallness of the lots and
homes being too close together.In some locations the homes
will be about 6' apart, which is the minimum allowed by the
building code.In certain areas, there are what are called use
and benefit easements, where a person's property line is
actually in a common use area by both neighboring property
owners.He felt it was too congested; too much in a small space
and lack of privacy were the concerns he expressed.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
these are a lot like the homes Kaufman did off of Goldfield and
Cortez.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it is very similar to Arizona Goldfield in terms of the
hammerhead clusters.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
they did the same things with the streets.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
are called hammerheads.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 10 OF 32
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivius
stated they are called hammerhead clusters.They can notice on
the plat that there is a jog in some of these property lines.
Those are called z -lots.When they toured the master planned
communities, they toured Agritopia and saw that concept in
practice.It allows for one garage to be up front with another
garage staggered towards the back.It creates a z -lot design
that allows for staggering of the units.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
the fire district will not have a problem getting down to that
deadhead and maneuver.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the hammerhead links are probably short enough that they
will not have to drive in there.The grass -paved areas are
capable of supporting the weight of a fire apparatus.
Councilmember Evans asked if
the owner -developer is also builder.She asked if there is a
designated builder.She asked if this is a project that with
approval will begin immediately.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated Mr. Hassell is here this evening.He has not discussed
those details with the contractor as to who the builder will be
or if he is just brokering the development.These would be
great questions for him.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Hudd Hassell addressed
the council.He stated in 2011 they purchased Casa Villa, just
down the street from this subdivision.At the time a chain link
fence surrounded it.They finished the various improvements the
previous developer had left.They worked with staff and fast
tracked the development to get it ready.They sold it to Wilson
Parker Homes.He budgeted 18 months to sell the 35 homes,
starting in December 2011.It sold out in 7 months.He wished
that the gentleman who left earlier was still here because some
of the improvements that were done were not funded from Casa
Villa.The city recently improved Cedar.It had nothing to do
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 11 OF 32
with the development or what was being done there.They are
extremely grateful.It is almost 3 months exactly from start to
finish for the preliminary plat through the final plat, with
just a little over four months when the development agreement is
included.He commended Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell,
Brad, Rudy and everyone else for helping them get it through.
They are going through the architectural phase now.They have
submitted drawings for the elevations.These will be new single
family homes, not the townhomes originally planned for the
subdivision.Townhomes did not feel right here; they belong in
a more urban, downtown area.They have seen that the Casa Villa
neighbors improved their yards as the area was improved.Calls
to the police have gone down in the area.They feel it has been
a benefit to the area.
Councilmember Evans agreed
with him.Any project is a benefit to the area.Her background
was in real estate for 24 years.She was curious if they were
going to do the street improvements and sell the project.This
neighborhood has gone through several of development plans where
nothing has happened.She has seen their background of the
company with no builders and no one with a contractor license.
She asked who they are and what they are going to do.She
understands they can shop the project.She does not have a
problem with that.She wants to know their intent, if they are
just going to improve 16th Avenue for now or if they are going
to start breaking ground soon.
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated they
had a meeting with their title company to start their public
report.They have also had a meeting with the loan originators
for all the loans.They have gone through the floor plans and
made the design changes.They do not feel there is a ready-
made builder for this particular project.They think they are
going to have to do it.In the past they would not have done
that as they have done standard lots and there are plenty of
builders.White Dove, Casa Villa and Meridian Manor are all
sold out in that area.
Councilmember Evans commented
it is a great time.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 12 OF 32
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated it is
a great time to be a builder.They will use a little bit of the
market power to see if they can draw someone in who has that
experience and is ready to go.They have done it in the past
and they are not afraid now.Jordan Hatch has left Pulte and
would be his construction manager.They are building a team
almost reluctantly to go vertical.They think only the smart
people go vertical and the dumb developers have to just stick
with the horizontal stuff.They are ready to do it if the
market shows it is not so sure about z -lots.They will take the
lead and show that in a good market you can build good products
•that are affordable.He noticed how traffic stops between
Ironwood and Signal Butte for people going home to Johnson
Ranch.They can put a human directional at the interchange that
says they are home.They do not need to spend an hour everyday
extra driving home.
Councilmember Evans asked if
he thinks they will have something going over there within a
year.
- Mr. Hudd Hassell asked if she
meant homes or horizontal.
Councilmember Evans stated to
just even get started on the horizontal.
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated he
wished the guy who stormed out was still here.Our budget
amount for the development agreement is $790,000.They will be
under budget and deliver on time or earlier for this project.
They already have all their budgets lined out for on -site stuff.
They are hard-bidded on Villagio now.They are adding in the
development stuff for 16th Avenue so that they can figure out
what the total cost will be.They are ready to go on the
horizontal stuff almost immediately.They have paid $60,000 to
Arizona Water Company and almost $30,000 to Salt River Project
for design work.Recently they paid thousands of dollars to
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.If they were not
going to build, they would not record a final plat or go through
all the motions of spending $60,000 in engineering work.They
would just go through a pre -plat and then shop that.They have
full drawings, they have full approval by Arizona Department of
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 13 OF 32
Environmental Quality for their water and they hope to have the
sewer done in a week.At that point they can start
construction.
Councilmember Evans asked
which way they feel they will go; stay horizontal or go
vertical.
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated they
have always done the horizontal.If he does the vertical, it
would be reluctantly.He would have to bring in a team that has
a craft and skill that he is not familiar with.He would have
to manage the sales process, get the homes sold and warranty the
homes.He thinks he might end up having to do that.He does
not know that there is anyone jumping at them right now asking
for his lots.He thinks right now if one can build a quality
home in Apache Junction and be around $130,000 finished, they
will sell all day long.
Councilmember Evans commented
she totally agreed.She thinks it is a sellable product.They
are all over Queen Creek.They have another project on
Goldfield of similar type.People like the single family homes,
whether they are small lots or not.Her concern is that this
neighborhood has been through this several times.She wants
them to have some kind of assurance that something is going to
happen there.
Mr. Hudd Hassell commented
they are the ones that came in and got it rolling in this
neighborhood.They picked up a broken project that had sat for
years and fixed it.In seven months they have 31 homes built in
that project.
Councilmember Evans asked if
they intend to go vertical.
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated their
intention is to start building immediately on the horizontal and
they will work on the vertical as they can.
Councilmember Serdy commented
his son just bought one of the homes over there.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 14 OF 32
Mayor Insalaco commented it
is turning out to be a nice little neighborhood.What makes it
nice is that the people that already lived there across the
street and everybody else are now cleaning up and fixing up
their own places.
Mr. Hudd Hassell commented
they met great people.They had people who volunteered to do
security duty at night.They are fantastic people in the area
who helped keep the project going.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on Ordinance No. 1385.
Ms. Tess Nesser, 1511 S.
Cactus, Apache Junction, addressed the council.She stated she
was coming as chairperson of the planning and zoning commission.
She wanted to explain why there was one no vote on the
commission vote.When this was presented to the commission they
went over the same things the council has been asking, including
how many more years this would be going on.It is currently a
vacant lot with vagrants.Their job is to see if the project is
within the ordinance and is safe, et cetera.Size is not
necessarily their concern.A lot of people do not want big
yards to take care of and a 7,000 sq. ft. minimum yard should
not be forced upon them.She looked at it that this is better
than being in an apartment and a lot of people would like a
smaller yard or no yard.As long as the fire department had no
complaints on it, she could not see why it would not work.The
issue discussed by the dissenting voter was that if they are
going to start approving small lots, they should change the
ordinance so that everything as small as 1,000 sq. ft. can be
approved.
Mr. Clark Smithson, 1700 S.
Weaver Drive, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated
he thought the project was fantastic but he was concerned with
it not having enough visitor parking.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 15 OF 32
Councilmember Waldron
commented housing is like a grocery store.If there is a
variety of housing available to people there will be more
shoppers coming in.Not everyone wants a large lot and some
people do.He thinks the more variety they can offer, whether
it is something like this or the AJ Townhomes, than we will have
a better draw to Apache Junction.One thing that struck him
about the subdivision is that they may be smaller lots but there
are a lot of people who like that and the homeowners
association.Some do not.It offers variety.
Mayor Insalaco commented on
Dateline the other night they had tenement houses in New York
that were bought by a developer who made two apartments out of
each apartment and people were buying them at 360 sq. ft. for
over $100,000.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
that is New York.
Councilmember Wilson
commented he asked the question because he wanted to know the
reason for the one dissenting vote.He understands some people
would prefer to have the smaller lots.He does not have a
problem with that at all.He wanted to make sure there was not
a concern they needed to look at.He does not want to live on a
small lot, but it is an opportunity for a young family or a
retired person.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
there is a place for larger lots and this is a great project for
this particular area.He agreed with what Councilmember Waldron
said about the more variety we have.We have acre -and -a -quarter
for sale out here, this project, and townhomes going in that
look like homes and are gorgeous.The more variety we have, the
more people will be drawn in and the more they will talk to
other people.There is a place for everything.
Councilmember Serdy commented
in this economy it is tough to sell anything over $200,000 as
they are competing against the vacant houses in Queen Creek and
Maricopa.They are selling for less than that and they are
bigger.A businessman has to build what sells.
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OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 16 OF 32
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
the market is ripe.They are going.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion and called for a motion.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if they need to address item number two from the planning and
zoning commission in the motion since it is referenced in item 6
in the ordinance.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they do not since it is in the ordinance.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1385 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY AND THE READING OF
THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.'
Vice Mayor Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1385, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED
AND ADOPTED.
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Vice Mayor Dietz SECONDED THE
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on Resolution No. 12-31.There being no one
wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 17 OF 32
item to council discussion.There being no further discussion,
he called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT
RESOLUTION NO. 12-31, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING A NEW
PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION PLAT FOR THE "VILLAGIO" SUBDIVISION, IN
CASE SD -1-12, BY VILLAGIO ESTATES LLC, REPRESENTED BY HUDD
HASSELL, BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on Resolution No. 12-32.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.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 12-32, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE
FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT FOR "VILLAGIO" SUBDIVISION, IN CASE SD -1-
12, BY VILLAGIO ESTATES LLC, REPRESENTED BY HUDD HASSELL, BE
APPROVED.
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
VILLAGIO ESTATES LLC DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT FOR 16TH AVENUE ROADWAY
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$790,000.00
public hearing on the item.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 18 OF 32
Vice Mayor Dietz SECONDED THE
Mayor Insalaco opened the
Mr. Clark Smithson, 1700 S.
Weaver Drive, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He
commented he has never heard in a city council meeting where
twice in the same meeting the city was congratulated for the
staff work and the ease of working with the city for something.
He thinks the council and staff need to be congratulated.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
are supposed to be hard to get along with.They have been told
that by many people.
Vice Mayor Dietz asked if the
council needs to add verbiage that matches the numbers.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated at the end of the motion, item 15, if they are approving
it, they could say "be approved with the following clerical
change, page four, section roman numeral three, subsection 3.1,
the second to the last line in the paragraph changing the word
ten to eight and the word 15 to 10" so that it matches the
numerical reference.That is the only clerical change.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN VILLAGIO ESTATES LLC AND
THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION FOR 16TH AVENUE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS
WITH THE CITY BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPROVEMENTS WEST AND EAST
OF THE SUBDIVISION IN THE AMOUNT OF $790,000.00, BE APPROVED
WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT:THAT CLERICAL CHANGE BE MADE ON
PAGE FOUR, SECTION 3.1, THE SECOND TO THE LAST LINE, THE WORD
"TEN" BE CHANGED TO THE WORD "EIGHT", AND THE WORD "FIFTEEN" BE
CHANGED TO THE WORD "TEN".
Councilmember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 19 OF 32
NEW BUSINESS
ANNUAL BOARD AND COMMISSION
APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS
)Mayor Insalaco commented
there are two positions open on the Board of Adjustment.He
called for any motions.
Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT
MIKE WELLER BE REAPPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A TERM
TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2015.
Councilmember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT JESSE GAGE BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A
TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2015.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Insalaco commented
there are two positions open on the Library Board.
Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT
LORETTA NIELSEN BE REAPPOINTED TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A TERM
TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2015.
Councilmember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 20 OF 32
Mayor Insalaco commented they
have a new appointment.He called for a motion.
Councilmember Wilson MOVED TO
APPOINT TODD COUSINS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE
OCTOBER 31, 2015.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Insalaco commented
there are four positions open on the Parks and Recreation
Commission.He called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT
TESS NESSER AND WAYNE STANDAGE BE REAPPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND
RECREATION BOARD WITH A TERM TO EXPIRE ON OCTOBER 31, 2012.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT JENNIFER MCGRAW BE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2015; AND
THAT JESSE GAGE BE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2014.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 21 OF 32
Mayor Insalaco commented
there are two positions for planning and zoning.He called for
a motion.
Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT
LIZA KOVACH AND TESS NESSER BE REAPPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND
ZONING COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2015.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
TEMPORARY USE REGULATIONS
)Development Services
Director Brad Steinke briefed the council on the item.He asked
if they were interested in changing the time limits.For each
of the holidays they could have up to 30 days on a temporary
use.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented it
would depend on when it is.If they are looking at Fourth of
July with fireworks sales, that could be done in 30 days.With
Christmas they may want to put things out on the sidewalk for a
month or more.
" Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated for the Fourth of July they only needed two
weeks.It might be a self -policing type of thing, but they
might get that person who just wants to hang out for a month.
Councilmember Wilson
commented he does not think they want to be out there the full
30 days in the month of July.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated if time limits are a concern they will go
back to the drawing board and take a look at that.Another
issue was setbacks.A tent was located very close to the focal
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 22 OF 32
point area with the flags.This ordinance does not require a
setback.A setback for a commercial property is around 25' in
front and 10' on the side.It is left to staff to determine.
If they want a setback they can plug it into the ordinance.
Every property is unique and once you start putting them back
they may go into the driveway and parking area.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
this should be on a case by case basis and leave it up to staff.
Mayor Insalaco agreed.
Councilmember Wilson
commented one of the concerns was the signage in the public area
that had to be taken down.That was part of the big concern.
The majority of it was behind and it was there for a short
period of time.He, personally, did not think it affected it.
The signage needed to be corrected.It needs to be corrected so
that they understand what they can do or cannot do.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they issue them a one page administrative
permit that states what the conditions are.They have now
learned they have to put another condition in that saying they
are allowed a sign of a certain size but they are not allowed
multiple signs and are not allowed to place them in the right -of
-way or attach them to the right-of-way.They also talked about
accessory structures and equipment.Current regulations allow
virtually any type of temporary structure, container, device or
vehicle, including cargo containers, that does not have a
permanent foundation.He asked if they wanted that changed.
They may say they do not want cargo containers.The person will
then keep everything in their truck but it may be better to look
at.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented he
could see doing something like a farmers' market where the
trucks could be used with their fruits and veggies.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated prior to cargo containers that was the way
it was done.People worked out of their trucks and stored
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 23 OF 32
things in their trucks.It might be a high profile truck with a
sign on the side of it but it is more traditional.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he believes the fireworks are more secure in the cargo
container.It is a volatile product.He prefers that over
having them in tents.
. Councilmember Wilson
commented that if the cargo container's are located behind the
tent instead of out in front or beside the tent, it would be
semi -blocked from view.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they learned that one as well.Sometimes
experience is the best teacher.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked if it would allow someone to pull a bus onto a vacant lot,
first set up their pumpkin stand, then their Christmas tree
stand, and then sell fireworks, living in that bus for that
entire amount of time.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they could not live in the bus.He
anticipates where they will see a Christmas tree lot where
someone pulls their little mobile home or travel trailer and
they work out of that.They work out of it during the day.
They cannot sleep in it but it stays there and that is their
onsite office.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
the purpose of having that is for' security and protecting their
goods from being stolen at night.Most Christmas tree lots he
has seen have got the small trailers or an RV and they work out
of it but they sleep in it at night.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated she is looking at they could have the temporary situation
right across the street from a Fry's store.Fry's would be
selling the same type of merchandise.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 24 OF 32
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they did have that discussion.The
temporary use person has considerably less overhead than the
permanent guy in town selling the same product.There is
nothing in the ordinance that prevents the bus from being the
staging area for that temporary use.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked if it could stay there the entire time.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated it could.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked with one holiday flowing into another.
Councilmember Evans commented
she was not on the council when this was originally brought up.
She asked if 30 days was the time frame agreed upon or
discussed.She wanted to know where it came from.She thinks
that a business having 30 days would definitely take away from
our stand alone businesses.It is a long time frame; it is not
a long weekend when they can run from December 1.Honestly,
they could take it from Thanksgiving all the way through.She
asked if they would be limited to pumpkins and Christmas trees.
She asked if they would limit what they could sell.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated 30 days is the longest, running, consecutive
time period of all of the uses.It would have a longer
presence.We did spend a lot of time going back and forth - 30
days, two weeks.He believes they did it on the commission a
little bit and he knows they did it with the council.It is the
number most people felt comfortable with.It may be right for
Christmas trees but wrong for pumpkins.
Councilmember Wilson asked if
someone could come in and open a seasonal holiday sales starting
on September 25 selling pumpkins, then change it to Thanksgiving
or whatever for October 25 through November 25 and then November
25 change it to something for Christmas.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 25 OF 32
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they could.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if they currently allow a grocery store selling things on
the sidewalk seasonally.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they do.It is not part of this.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he was talking about the competition element.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they could.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked how many days they get.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they do not limit them.In fact, they would
like to expand these businesses' ability and encourage them to
do that every day of the year.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented if
Fry's wanted to put up a Christmas tree lot out in the parking
lot, they could do that for two months or whatever.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated that is correct.They are not restricted in
any way.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he wanted to protect our own businesses.They have two flower
stores.The two big seasons are Valentine's Day and Mothers'
Day.They are allowed to do specials.He asked how far they
have to be, can they do tents, and if they have to stay on
sidewalks.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke asked if he was talking about a permanent store.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 26 OF 32
Councilmember Serdy stated
that is correct.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated with the new downtown zoning, they can
display their products outside as long as it does not interfere
with the circulation in the parking lot.They can find a spot
to do that.
Councilmember Serdy asked
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell to have Business Advocate
Janine Solley make sure that they know that.They can encourage
the businesses to do that.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated they can.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he does not think they want to sell pumpkins and Christmas trees
but they do want to sell bouquets and flowers on those two days.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
especially on Valentine's Day.You see a lot of them out there
on the corner trying to sell stuff.
Councilmember Serdy commented
the hardware stores and the place on Ironwood wanted to do
fireworks.He would rather see our own stores do fireworks as
they are more apt to pay the sales tax than those people that
come in and carpet bag.He would like them to know that they
can do that as well.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated part of the reason for this permit was to try to
create excitement.He has lived here 10 years and wanted to
purchase a Christmas tree and has not been able to.He has to
go somewhere else for those.When Red Goth and Randy Grant were
here working on it, the thought was having some type of
temporary use.He does not know if they have gone through a
full cycle yet.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they have not.It came out of that
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 27 OF 32
willingness to have excitement and bring excitement to the
downtown kiosks.Staff is, was, and still is apprehensive about
the impact of these temporary use's.We have not gone through a
full year or a couple years.One of his biggest concerns is the
aesthetics.The ordinance is giving staff the authority to
decide what is and what is not aesthetically pleasing.He
showed them pictures of ones he felt were aesthetically pleasing
and some that were not.It is a combination of materials used
and how they are applied, whether they are in good shape and bad
shape.They are all difficult to legislate but the ordinance
puts that responsibility in the hands of staff.His concern is
where they draw the line.He showed them other pictures of
maybes.A councilmember talked about stringing products on
trucks which is what the oranges are doing.A tarp may be
battered and torn but it may be okay.Stuff is hung up on wires
and lines and some are displayed in not the best shape.These
are the things they will struggle with over time.It may take
some adjustment through field experience.He cannot anticipate
this ahead of time so some of this will be their reacting.He
asked if they wanted to make some changes now or give it a full
cycle before making any changes.
Councilmember Wilson stated
he would like to give it a whole year and then look at some
things.His only concern is allowing a single business bringing
stuff in from approximately September 25 through December 25.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented if
they give it a full year they might get a better idea of what is
out there and what is happening.
Councilmember Waldron
commented he agreed with Councilmember Wilson.He is leery to
go 30 days because that is inviting some bums in.It is simple
enough to change it to a smaller number.They could say 14 days
to eliminate that continuous use.
Mayor Insalaco commented the
way he brought that up it is a possibility.
Councilmember Waldron stated
you could also add New Year's in there.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 28 OF 32
Vice Mayor Dietz asked what
if they let it go for the year and see if anybody even does
this.
Councilmember Serdy asked if
pets are addressed anywhere.People constantly set up with
litters of dogs and cats.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated this does not prohibit that.They should
look at what falls under that.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
there is the 10 -year -old in front of Fry's trying to sell
puppies for $25 apiece.
Councilmember Wilson
commented he is president of the Arizona Horse Council.This
past session there was a legislative bill that was designed to
go after the puppy mills.They are trying to do a law that
states you cannot sell animals from a street corner or from your
home.You had to go through a dealer.Unfortunately it also
affected the horse community who objected to it.The bill was
amended and it failed.The sponsor is planning on resubmitting
it this next session and it will not affect the horse community.
The majority of us sell our horses from our property.She is
trying to go after the puppy mills and their way of selling
pets.It had a lot of support.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he does not have a problem with selling them from houses.His
daughter just bought a lizard online and went to the house.He
does not want to see litters of dogs being sold in parking lots.
Vice Mayor Dietz commented
this bill would outlaw that.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated it does not.
There was general discussion
on what animals, if any, would be allowed to be sold from a
home.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 29 OF 32
Councilmember Evans asked if
we collected the sales tax on those businesses that were in here
for Fourth of July.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated two things happened.First they went and made purchases
from each of the vendors and were charged the correct sales tax.
They then have to give them time to report and pay.Two of them
reported right away and paid, the third one took a bit longer
but they reported and paid.All of those vendors were
legitimate businesses.They have a history of operating in the
state.They are all fairly large corporations.Some of what we
would probably encounter in some of these scenarios would not
fall under that category.It could be somebody pulling up their
car and selling tamales out of their truck.Probably no health
permit, probably no sales tax.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated that person would have to get an
administrative permit from development services before they set
up.When they do that, they would send them to the clerk's
office.If they are on the corner with no permit in hand, they
will chase them off.He believes he is hearing that they want
to let this thing work its way through.They may find there are
uses they absolutely want to prohibit, such as puppy mills.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated or anything that is alive, like cats, lizards and snakes.
She asked if they wanted someone selling a python out of their
RV.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they will take a good look at it.He will
be returning to the council next July with the comprehensive
zoning code update.They can take another shot at this at that
time.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT
THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION THAT BRAD JUST GAVE US BE APPROVED.(He
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 30 OF 32
will return to the council next July with the comprehensive
zoning code update and they will look at this again then.)
Councilmember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:45 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00
P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012, 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,
OCTOBER 16, 2012, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC:
Ms. Maxine Brown, 6908 S. Crimson Sky Place, Gold Canyon,
addressed the council regarding Fido Bags now being available on
the Apache Junction Fire District fire trucks and the animal
control trucks.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Insalaco adjourned
the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Acceptance of Agenda.
2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 18, 2012.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 31 OF 32
KATHLEEN CONNELLY f
City Clerk
Z-11
3. Consideration of approval of the Statement of Work with IBM
COPLINK for software.
ACCEPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2012, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2012.
HN S. INSALACO
Mayor
ATTEST:
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 2nd
day of October, 2012.I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 9th day of October, 2012.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk 4
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2012
PAGE 32 OF 32