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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-03 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MAY 3, 2011 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on May 3, 2011, at the Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Insalaco called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Councilmember Wilson gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Coleman led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco Vice Mayor Dietz Councilmember Barker Councilmember Coleman Councilmember Serdy Councilmember Smithson Councilmember Wilson Staff Present: Others Present: City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan Interim Public Works Director Giao Pham Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Bell Program Coordinator Heather Patel Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 1 OF 13 Senior Library Assistant Karen Rauls Library Manager Spencer Paden Revenue Resources Manager Roger Hacker Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Dietz MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED. Councilmember Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Grady McCann, race director from the Lost Dutchman Marathon, presented a check in the amount of $22,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department Scholarship Fund and a check for $7,000 for the Apache Junction Police Department Auxiliary.He thanked the mayor and council for their assistance, Councilmember Coleman for running in the marathon, the police department, the city clerk department, public works department and the parks and recreation department for their assistance, and singled out Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell, Recreation Facilities Manager Jamie Sullivan, Recreation Coordinator I Jay Reynolds, Parks Manager Keith Graves, and Recreation Superintendent Liz Langenbach for their special assistance. Ms. Laura Devany and Ms. Aimee Kempton-Sarosi of First Things First gave a presentation on the Final Region's program. Council asked if they could accept donations as they have empty book shelves.They were advised they are always taking book donations and volunteers.They also take donations and volunteers for food boxes. Library Circulation Supervisor Karen Rauls and Mayor Insalaco presented Certificates of Appreciation to Teen Advisory Board volunteers. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 2 OF 13 Mayor Insalaco welcomed Boy Scout Troop #970 to the council meeting. Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating May 15-21, 2011, as National Public Works Week and presented it to Interim Public Works Director Giao Pham. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager George Hoffman thanked Grady McMann and the volunteers for their work on the Lost Dutchman Marathon, thanked Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell for being instrumental in bringing the Gilbert Rodeo to Apache Junction this year, commented on other events that will take place the same week as the Gilbert Rodeo and the Superstition Mountains being in Readers' Digest, and read letters to the mayor regarding work done by the public works department and the continued council support of the transportation services. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS Vice Mayor Dietz thanked the chief for Crime Scene Technician Stephanie Bourgeois being named as the department employee of the quarter. Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan stated she wrote a proposal to the Department of Justice to create a sexual assault response team and received funding to send 4 team members to Austin, Texas for training this month.This past week she graduated from the Police Reserve Academy at the Chandler- Gilbert Community College.She completed that on her own time. She is now a certified peace officer in Arizona while working for us as a crime scene technician. Mayor Insalaco announced three miles south on Ironwood past US 60 there is now a speedway.Manzanita Dirt Track closed and they moved Arizona Speedway out here.It has been open a month four Saturdays in a row.The first Saturday they had over 1,500 people there.Since then they have had over 3,000 people every week for these races, coming from as far away as Las Cruces, New Mexico, and they come from the west valley.It is something that could be big.They are estimating it could be as big as REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 3 OF 13 Manzanita Speedway, or even bigger.It is a third mile dirt track and brings back the early days of the hot rods. PUBLIC HEARINGS RESOLUTION NO. 11-08 AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, RESOLUTION 11-09 COMMITMENT OF LEVERAGE FUNDING AND RESOLUTION NO. 11-10 RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR THE SUBMITTAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2011 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS )Program Coordinator Heather Patel briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco opened the public hearing on the item. Mr. Elliott Fisher, 547 E. Quail, Apache Junction, commented it is a privilege for cities to apply for these grants.He does not know how they are selected, but there are many areas that could use infrastructure upgrades, more so than the ones he has heard now.He suggested the city clean up their act as he has heard complaints on unfair application of these monies, discriminatory behavior and acting selectively. Mayor Insalaco closed the public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened the item to council discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a motion. Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 11-08, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION(S) FOR FY 2011 STATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGIONAL ACCOUNT ("CDBG RA"), FY 2010/2011 STATE SPECIAL PROJECT ("SSP") FUNDS, AND CERTIFYING THAT THE APPLICATION(S):(1) MEETS THE IDENTIFIED HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS; AND (2) IS NECESSARY FOR REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 4 OF 13 IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLETION OF THE ACTIVITIES OUTLINED IN THE CDBG RA AND SSP APPLICATION(S), BE APPROVED; AND I MOVE THAT RESOLUTION NO. 11-09, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, COMMITTING LOCAL FUNDS AS LEVERAGE FOR FY 2011 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") AND FY 2011/2012 STATE SPECIAL PROJECTS ("SSP") APPLICATION(S), BE APPROVED; AND I MOVE THAT RESOLUTION NO. 11-10, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, ADOPTING A RESIDENTIAL ANTI -DISPLACEMENT AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 AS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 104(D) OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, BE APPROVED. Vice Mayor Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF SUBMITTAL OF 2012 LEAGUE OF ARIZONA CITIES AND TOWNS RESOLUTION )Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco commented when he was on the resolution committee, it seems when you have some partners to go in together, they get approved.That is what has happened the last 3 years.Everything that we sponsored or co- sponsored with someone else got approved.It does help if you REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 5 OF 13 have somebody sponsor something with you.He asked Councilmember Coleman if he was correct. Councilmember Coleman stated he was right.It is required now that you have to have at least two cities, one being the co-sponsor.That was started when he was president of the League because a lot of resolutions were being submitted that only affected one community.This way they have to run it by someone else. Vice Mayor Dietz stated the more the better. Mayor Insalaco commented the city does not have to be a neighbor. Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese stated they seek a resolution that is broadly-based rather than to one municipality.At the work session two weeks ago, there was discussion about the City of Apache Junction submitting a resolution regarding US 60 and all highways with regard to the speed limits of trucks. Vice Mayor Dietz commented it was on the speed limits of trucks and the lanes they travel in. Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese stated that is correct.She was seeking direction if they wanted to proceed with that resolution or any other resolution. Vice Mayor Dietz STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON WHAT SHE SAID. Councilmember Coleman SECONDED THE MOTION. Vice Mayor Dietz commented it is on traveling trucks and the speed limits as far as the middle.They need to look at how they can get it written up and co -sponsored, the more the better.He also wanted the city manager authorized to sign this and any others they may have. He asked if the other cities will come to them if they have any REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 6 OF 13 others they wish them to co-sponsor or if they would go directly to the city manager. City Manager George Hoffman stated the intent is if there is enough time, it would come back to the council.If the window does not allow enough time to come back to the council, this mechanism would afford them the leeway to do something instead of saying to the other city that they do not have enough time to get back to them.He asked if that is how Ruth was conceptualizing it. Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese stated that is correct.She added this would allow them to advise the council of any sponsorship for any resolutions that come our way, whether it is by weekly report or sitting in front of you at a council meeting.Generally the cities ask for co-sponsorship at a time where there might not be a meeting for a couple weeks.The deadline is June 19.This resolution will allow us, if it is important to us and will benefit the City of Apache Junction, to say they will co-sign with them. Vice Mayor Dietz stated that is the gist of his motion. Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese stated that is correct. Councilmember Serdy asked if the recommendations that the cities make that are approved are suggested to the Arizona Department of Transportation since we cannot set state law. Councilmember Coleman stated there is no guarantee. Vice Mayor Dietz commented they have done this once before with the street lighting districts and how they operated.It was previously based on the valuation of your home, which was not quite fair to the other residents in the community.If he had a house worth $400,000 and his neighbor had a house worth $200,000, he was paying twice as much as the other person for the one street light they were REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 7 OF 13 both using.We submitted a change to where it would be divided by the amount of homes in the subdivision.Everyone pays the same amount, which is fair.It was submitted to the League Resolutions Committee.They happened to take that one on and submitted it to the state legislature.It went on from there and they changed the law. Councilmember Coleman commented they are submitting these resolutions to the League to set their legislative agenda for the next year.They prioritize the resolutions.The mayor was part of that resolutions committee.They help to prioritize the ones that we view as the most important.The rest of them are not ignored.They will look to find sponsors for those in the house and senate.They will introduce them as bills.It sets the legislative agenda. It is not just for the state, they can also be for congress if we have congressional needs that are statewide. Councilmember Serdy commented it gives them some lobbying powers. Councilmember Coleman stated it sets the legislative agenda for the League. Councilmember Serdy asked if they would have input on this as it is being written.There are a few details he was concerned with. Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese stated staff could prepare a draft resolution.They will make sure all of them could review the draft before it is submitted. Councilmember Serdy asked if they communicate with other cities during this process. Assistant to the City Manager Ruth Giese stated we only have about a month, so they have to get it solidified because it takes a little bit of time to send it out to other municipalities for co-sponsorship.They have to give them a little bit of time on their end as well.They will start right away. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 8 OF 13 Councilmember Serdy asked if they should have discussed this during the last work session. He did not think they could discuss it now. City Attorney Joel Stern stated they could discuss it now. Councilmember Serdy commented he was worried about how it would affect 1-40 and I-10 which we are so far away from.He does not want to hurt the state commerce -wise if trucks are going to avoid us. Vice Mayor Dietz stated if it is a two lane road it will not have any impact on it at all. Councilmember Serdy commented this would not affect 1-40 and I-10 and commerce coming in and out. Mayor Insalaco commented it is the interstates that have 4 and 5 lanes. Councilmember Serdy commented he could see where it could be needed in the city. Mayor Insalaco stated that is what they are talking about. Councilmember Serdy commented those had been his concerns.He did not want truckers thinking it would be a problem to drive through Arizona. Vice Mayor Dietz commented it has been in California for as long as he can remember.He was born and raised there. Mayor Insalaco commented there are 4 or 5 lanes and the truckers are in the far left lane.It is a different story with a 2 lane road. Councilmember Wilson asked if they are talking about changing the speed limit. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 9 OF 13 Mayor Insalaco stated they are not. Councilmember Wilson stated that is what he thought they were talking about; making them keep to 55 miles per hour throughout the entire state. Mayor Insalaco stated that is not what they were talking about.He commented this has been moved and seconded. asked who made the second. Coleman. he did it a long time ago. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly Mayor Insalaco stated Mr. Councilmember Coleman stated City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated they usually do not have discussion after the motion. VOTE:Unanimous.(Councilmember Barker was ill and had left the meeting.) The motion carried. INDIAN COMMUNITY STATE SHARED REVENUE PROGRAM )Revenue Resources Manager Roger Hacker briefed the council on the item. Vice Mayor Dietz asked if they were going to allow nonprofits as long as it does not interfere with anything the city is submitting.They have not allowed them in the past. Revenue Resources Manager Roger Hacker stated they wanted him to come back to them with a set of policy recommendations that if they chose to do that, they would have to meet x, y and z stipulations.That is what he is bringing back to them on June 6 at the work session. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 10 OF 13 Councilmember Coleman asked if he is looking for a motion to direct him to prepare a draft policy for them to review. Revenue Resources Manager Roger Hacker stated that is correct. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Councilmember Coleman MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE INDIAN COMMUNITY STATE SHARED REVENUE PROGRAM:THAT THEY PREPARE A DRAFT POLICY FOR THE COUNCIL TO REVIEW. Councilmember Smithson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous.(Council Barker was ill and had left the meeting.) The motion carried. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES Vice Mayor Dietz stated that due to the general election, the executive session at 5:45 p.m. and work session at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2011 are cancelled, and the executive session at 5:45 p.m. and regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, are cancelled.He MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:45 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011, 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 7, 2011, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. Councilmember Coleman SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous.(Councilmember Barker was ill and had left the meeting.) REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 11 OF 13 The motion carried. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Mr. Elliott Fisher, 547 E. Quail, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding basic bus service and term limits. Mr. Jeremy Hoenack, 500 N. Estrella Parkway B2602, Goodyear, addressed the council regarding digital signs. Vice Mayor Dietz commented it is a shame that the youth hate Apache Junction because we do not have twinkling signs. Mayor Insalaco commented we do have term limits.Regardless of the percentage, if the people vote us in, we are elected.If they do not vote us in, our term is up.It is simple. Secondly, to have somebody come to us and ask for something, degrade the city and this council, he thinks is terrible.If he thinks he wants to do something in this city, he believes he is going about it the wrong way. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 19, 2011. ACCEPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF JUNE, 2011, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 7TH DAY OF JUNE, 2011. ( ; ) ( 6 4 L bJOHN S. INSALACO Mayor REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 12 OF 13 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 3rd day of May, 2011.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 5th day of May, 2011. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3, 2011 PAGE 13 OF 13