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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-02 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH 2, 2010 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on March 2, 2010, 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 7:07 p.m. INVOCATION Councilmember Wilson gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Barker led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco Vice Mayor Eck Councilmember Barker Councilmember Coleman Councilmember Dietz (appeared telephonically) Councilmember Serdy Councilmember Wilson Staff Present:City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan City Engineer Giao Pham Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Bell Finance Director Donna Meinerts Planning Manager Fred Baker Economic Dev. Director Steve Filipowicz REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 1 OF 20 Others Present:Asst. to the City Manager Ruth Giese Grants Specialist Roger Hacker Judge James Hazel WUCFD District Director Frank Blanco Captain Tom Kelly Program Coordinator Heather Patel Library Manager Spencer Paden ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED AFTER MOVING ITEM NO. 8 TO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE CONSENT AGENDA; AND THAT RESOLUTION NO. 10-05, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION TO ENTER INTO A MUTUAL AID COMPACT WITH THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS, BE APPROVED. Councilmember Coleman SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS ORDINANCE NO. 1359, CONTINUING THE EXISTING TWO -TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT (.2%) TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE LICENSE TAX (SALES TAX) WITH THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE AS ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NO. 1129 )Mayor Insalaco asked if any councilmembers would like to speak on the item. Vice Mayor Eck commented he had spoken enough already on it himself. City Manager George Hoffman commented a month ago he asked that they consider a means of addressing the known $1.1 million shortfall in state -shared REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 2 OF 20 revenues which will occur for our next fiscal year beginning in July.Specifically, he had noted that the two -tenths of a cent utilized for the past 10 years for capital projects is set to expire on September 1 of this year.He asked whether they would consider renewing it for the operating budget.Two weeks ago the council gave direction for us to prepare such an ordinance. That ordinance was presented to the council in last night's work session.It is before the council tonight for formal consideration.He added a local paper recently made three public records requests with East Valley communities to better understand how much taxpayer money is being utilized for learning and lobbying.The newspaper's public records requests pertained to members of city councils and city managers offices. The article states "Mesa city officials asked to be reimbursed for $31,009 worth of travel, lodging and registration fees for the last 3 months of 2009, records received show.The Town of Queen Creek officials used $6,181.75 in the last 3 months of 2009 for, among other things, meals, parking, taxis, lodging and airfare for mostly a National League of Cities Congress of Cities and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas, records received show.City of Apache Junction officials were not reimbursed for anything in that time period, records received show."Last week there was an Arizona Republic article which read, in part, "Most valley cities continue to give monthly vehicle allowances to their highest paid employees while cutting services, implementing furloughs, and raising taxes, records obtained by the Arizona Republic show."It went on to say "Whether to keep allowances during these challenging economic times has not been a major budget discussion in most valley cities, though elected officials have considered cutting police and fire services, libraries and senior centers."Apache Junction has zero employees, none, who receive a car allowance.These two articles suggest what you on the council know to be true.This organization made the cuts described by the media, and we have made hundreds of others.Those cuts resulted in a $5.6 million reduction and the loss of over 30 positions in the last 2 years. It came to his attention this afternoon that in one of the proposed budget packages coming out soon at the state legislature, there is a transfer of $22 million in state -shared sales tax from the city/town share into the county portion. Apache Junction's reduction would be $154,077.The numbers can roll off the tongue easily, but $154,000 is several patrol officers, it is patrol vehicles, it is library hours.This REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 3 OF 20 $154,000 is in addition to the $1.1 million reduction that is a certainty.The state's decisions will have a great impact on our future budgets and 'those impacts are largely unknown at this point.One of his biggest concerns is that our community might think that if the two -tenths were to be retained, that services would be protected.If the two -tenths were to be passed, it might generate about $740,000 for the next fiscal year.With the $1.1 million reduction, and if the $154,000 announced today happens, the city is still $500,000 short.The two -tenths would be a tremendous help in protecting citizen services, but it would not be a cure all.Last night's discussion made it clear that while council understands the shortfall in state -shared revenues, it does not believe this condition to be permanent. Therefore, the sales tax continuation should not be permanent. The discussion last night suggested that the two -tenths should go away in 6 years.The motion provided to council tonight does that.He thanked the mayor and council for considering the proposal; the budget staff and he welcome any questions they may have. Mayor Insalaco called for any questions. Vice Mayor Eck commented he thought the citizens should know in comparison what we are going after and that the two -tenths of a percent is just being continued.It is already there, whereas many other cities are going after a percent increase.He knows of one city that is going after a 2 percent increase.We are just trying to keep our two -tenths of one percent, which is equivalent to a penny on a$5 purchase.We are trying to use whatever means we can to keep our head above-water.He thinks this is very minimal; it is about as minimal as you can get with a tax.Without it, it would come down to having to lay off police officers, parks and recreation would go down and the library would go down.These are all things that people in the community insist that they want.They call 9-1-1; they need an officer and want an officer.That is what we are trying to provide them. Mayor Insalaco opened the public hearing on the item. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 4 OF 20 Ms. Phyllis Niemela, 18345 E. El Amancer, Gold Canyon, addressed the council.She is the president of the Friends of the Library, and was there to speak for the Friends of the Library and many other friends of the library that were there tonight.She had them show their hands. She thanked the city council for realizing the importance of supporting the library especially during these difficult economic times.It is a critical resource for the community, our children, teens, for adults seeking jobs and strengthening skills, and for those building a business.As a safety net, it is truly a one stop shop for individuals, families and small businesses in need of assistance.She respectfully requested they continue their support of the library be voting to maintain the two -tenths of a percent sales tax. Mr. Michael Turner, 390 N. Thunderbird Drive, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked them to keep the sales tax in place.He is the president of Apache Junction Little League.The police department and parks and recreation department are vital parts of what we do in the community to keep these kids off the streets.Parks and recreation provides them a safe place to play and teaches them what it takes to grow up and be a responsible adult.He added unfortunately their practices had started last night or he would have brought 300 kids in here in support.It is important that we keep this -in place.We will not miss it as it is just a penny for every $5.00. Mr. Thomas Parker, P.O. Box 6646, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He is the president of the Apache Junction Police .Officers Association-. He stated they greatly appreciate the.hard work the mayor and council do bettering the city.The difficult decisions they have made have not:gone-unnoticed.In this difficult economic time, the association asks them to continue the two -tenths sales tax.With the state continuing to take away funds allocated to cities, we cannot afford .any more lost revenue.We -need more .police officers, we need more continued -maintenance on equipment that we currently have.In addition, we need to replace and upgrade valuable tools -to protect and properly serve our citizens.The city does not consist of buildings; it consists of people.It is these people, these employees, who continue -to make things happen during this difficult economic time.They :REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITYCOUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 5 OF 20: ask you to obtain a budget without it being at the expense of the employees.Please pass the continuance of the two -tenths tax. Ms. Robbin White, 300 E. Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction, addressed the council. She stated she had been employed at the municipal court for over 8 years.She wanted to personally thank them all for their commitment to our wonderful city.She was there with other court employees, who then raised their hands, in support of the adoption of Ordinance No. 1359.She feels that retaining this issue will not negatively affect the budgets of families and local businesses but would allow the city to continue at the current level of performance it is at.This support has allowed the court to implement such programs as the city work crew and the court compliance officer.Not too long ago, before the downturn in the economy, Pinal was the fastest growing county. She is confident it will regain that status.The city could then readdress this issue. Mr. Mike Weller, 471 W. 21st Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated he would be the piranha.He does not want the town to maintain a thing.He wants the town to excel.He is also a member of the Apache Junction Business Association.There are buildings downtown that are deplorable.On Idaho and Apache Trail, there are two buildings.One is an old gas station and one is an old convenience store.At the last meeting, Central Arizona College talked about putting in a great, big complex over there.He asked what the kids would do when they got here.They would be looking at a defunct gas station and defunct convenience store. He asked if they would want to spend their money in our town. He mentioned the Cactus Club. Mayor Insalaco asked what this had to do with the item. Mr. Mike Weller stated the city should clean up the business district and town, and reduce the signage codes like Gilbert.This town does everything against the businesses.If they would help the businesses, they would not have to worry about .2 of a cent.He does not want to see them maintain what they have.He wants to see them build, REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 6 OF 20 but that will not happen when they have the Cactus Club, the gas station, and the two boarded up apartments.We need to clean up this town and help these businesses.They want to pay their taxes, but they need their help to clean up.He asked where the signs are on Idaho and Ironwood directing people to the business district.He asked where the signs are on Old West Highway when people come off of 199.People come off to a dead end "t" intersection. Mayor Insalaco commented he hated to stop him, but he thinks he is off of the subject. Mr. Mike Weller stated if they would help this business community, they would help you with taxes. Mr. Elliott Fisher, 547 E. Quail, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated in 1999 he and Mr. Schuelke stood before the council when the capital facilities plan tax was first discussed.Mr. Schuelke stated at that time that it is a regressive tax that disproportionately hurts the lower income people in the city. It is also going to be another reason for people to get off at Signal Butte and shop right before they get into Apache Junction.As he recalled, WalMart was having problems recently and there is a shop local campaign to try to bolster sales in Apache Junction.Continuing this tax is not going to help, it is only going to hurt.Plus, the history of the capital facilities plan.They were talking about a $1.1 million shortfall.They were $2 million over budget on this building, and that is the one he knows about.He probably missed others. That is just the start.They claimed at the time or omitted the fact that they were going to charge for the multi -generational building that the capital facilities plan money went to.They did not talk about it in 1999, but there were the fees right away.And that was a considerable sum over 10 years. Mismanagement and misappropriation is what is going on here. They know it.To continue the tax when they promised 10 years ago to sunset it is wrong.They should have let it sunset on September 1 then had the discussion.To pass this like they are, rushing it through, with the AJ News on your side and packing the room with your buddies and employees, does not impress anybody.It will hurt the city in the long run. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 7 OF 20 An unidentified female winter visitor addressed the council.She stated she did not come here with a packed room.She thought she came by herself.She is one of the city's winter visitors.She thinks the sales tax is a small thing to ask them to pay for the services and facilities that we enjoy while we are here.The multi-gen center is exceptional.The new library is beyond description.None of them charge nearly what they should charge in order to pay for their overhead.She thinks this little, tiny sales tax is a very, very small way for us winter visitors to pay our share. Mr. Steve Flynn, 305 N. Acacia, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated this council has been made wiser choices than many of the cities around the valley.He agrees with that and appreciates it.It is a proper role of government to be very careful on what programs to spend on.He thought that some things they spent on, some charities, were inappropriate, but that is fine, it is their decision.He thinks the economy is going to get worse. They still have the opportunity to even confine their spending to within the proper role of government.They should not be giving handouts to certain groups that are worthy of the money but not our money from the public.He asked them to vote against this increase.Just because there are hard economic times, it does not mean they are entitled to the money to spend on these programs.He knows there have been cuts going on, but he appreciates they understand that and they have been cutting spending where it is not necessary.He remembered a long time ago, about 5 years ago, they had a hardworking person in parks and recreation lamenting the fact that they did not have more people playing tennis and she wanted to get more people playing tennis.He does not think that is a proper role of government. There is a faucet in the men's room that needs to be fixed.He is not complaining, but we need to keep our priorities straight. Mayor Insalaco closed the public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened the item to council discussion. Councilmember Serdy commented he would encourage everyone to watch the work session from last night.These decisions do not come easy; yesterday they had a very in depth discussion on it.It is twenty cents on $100 of REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 8 OF 20 purchases, which is two dollars on a $1,000 purchase.He asked someone to explain how the tax rate comes down on larger purchases. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated the city has had in place a tiered sales tax for a very long time.The city adopted it with the cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce for large ticket item businesses such as Arnold's Auto.We did not have the Ford dealership at the time. This is allowable under state law and the state tax code.What it does is for the first increment such as $2,000, the tax rate of 2.2% would apply.For anything above that $2,000, the tax rate automatically drops down to 1.2%.The reason for that is to encourage people to buy their large ticket items, a single item and not an accumulation of items, within the City of Apache Junction. Mayor Insalaco commented some people do not understand that. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated the auto dealerships understand it and they promote it. Councilmember Barker commented she would like to address two comments.Mr. Fisher left, but he made the comment that this disproportionately hurts lower income people when, in fact, this is very beneficial for lower income people because it promotes programs, not all of which are charging a fee but allow for lots of people to join in the program.The library is one of them.You do not pay to walk through those doors.You can be in there all day long, participate in a multitude of programs, go on the internet and cruise all over the place, listen to records, watch movies, listen to audio books, play games, jump up on a castle, and sit down in front of a fireplace.She does not know of anywhere else in the whole state where you can do all of those things for nothing.So, she disagrees with that comment.The second comment is about Mr. Flynn saying this is an increase.It is not an increase.It has been in place for 10 years; no one will see the difference.A third thing is it was inferred somewhere along the line that we all of a sudden out of nowhere said we need to address this.This is not true.We began addressing this item last October, almost a full year before the sunset REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 9 OF 20 clause was due to take effect.We addressed it for the very reasons those of you that have spoken mentioned.That was the reason for that beginning.And last night, as Mr. Serdy said, we had a very spirited discussion in which she thinks every one who joined in that discussion ended up massaging their thoughts on it and compromising.It was good compromising, it was a good discussion, and we ended up with what she thinks is a very good resolution.She appreciated all of them for coming out, whether they were pro or con.She appreciated their taking the time to do this. Vice Mayor Eck stated the comment was made that we were over budget on all of these buildings.He knows there was a 10% contingency for each building.He was under the understanding that the city was on track.He had been told that the city had built in budget. City Manager George Hoffman stated his recollection is that prior to the start of the capital facilities plan, projections out for the following ten years were made.Estimates were provided for the various facilities.When it came time to build city hall, the council was provided with a base bid, and the council was provided with alternative bids.He does not remember what all the alternatives were, but they included the stone facing. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated they also included the elliptical circle and erosion control. Vice Mayor Eck commented they bumped it up some. City Manager George Hoffman stated they went ahead and built out the electrical infrastructure, so the original bid was bumped up.Per council approval, it was built on time and within that budget.He believes Mr. Fisher feels that the original projection from 6 years previous should have been adhered to.He believes that is his point of view. Vice Mayor Eck commented the aquatic center is on budget, along with the rodeo ground REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 10 OF 20 improvements and the multi -generational center.He thought they were on budget or extremely close to being on budget for all those projects.One would start a year after another as you cannot build them all at once.As time went on, prices change, but he thought they did an excellent job of having those built. It frustrates him to be accused of not building them to the appropriate price. Councilmember Coleman commented when they came up with the capital facilities plan, there was input from the Town Hall.It was fairly easy to decide on the projects that the community wanted to see built. Then we came up with the idea of how to pay for it, which was the two -tenths of a percent.As a matter of fact, it has paid for it.This building is paid for.The court is paid for.The aquatic center is paid for, everything except for the library because it was expanded to a greater square footage than what we had originally projected.Everything was paid for.But there is no explaining it any clearer than that.The original amounts that went in were in 1997 dollars, that is what they were all basing everything on.The prices went up, but the income also went up.That is why we have been able to provide facilities like this.If they are asking him if it was a mistake to build this building, he would say no, when he thinks about the portables that they met in, that our developers would come into. He remembers people saying this is the standard they would want them to build to.You could not insist on quality.He added he would like to say one thing about Mr. Weller's comments.The things that he mentioned, the cleaning up, the code enforcement, the signs, those all take money to do.When you talk about helping the businesses, we did relax, in his opinion, our sign code a bit in allowing the fin signs, which other communities have done as well.When he talks to developers about why they do not do a project in Apache Junction, it is not because we are too restrictive.It is 'because they do not know what is going to go in next to them.He thinks they need to start demanding that they have minimal standards.Some of the businesses that came in and spoke to the council about the signs are not the kind of businesses that you are attracted to by a sign.They are destination businesses, like a transmission shop.He does not know of anyone who drives down the Trail and says there is a transmission shop and pulls in there to see if they have a special today.He does not know why they would need an a -frame REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 11 OF 20 sign for that kind of business.He thinks they have taken care of most of that. He thinks most of the businesses are fairly happy with the fin signs.There were a lot of them out over Lost Dutchman Days.They have movement to them and attract attention.He thinks some of that is being done.Maybe not as fast as some people would like to see, and maybe not as loose as some people would like to see.But if it was businesses would go where it is the least restrictive, then all the businesses should be coming here.We are not near as restrictive as Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix.We are not.He thinks we have very reasonable ordinances and development standards as far as that goes.He would take a little bit of an exception with those comments.On the two -tenths of a percent, he does not know who else was on the council when we implemented it.He honestly felt at the time that it would sunset in 10 years.So if Elliott wants to call me a liar, then call me a liar.He feels that with the times the way they are now, the sunset is very needed to extend at this point.He is in favor with Councilman Serdy's suggestion about it having another sunset clause so that when the time comes, it is really looked at as do we need to extend it again. Mayor Insalaco commented being in the position he is, and being a businessman downtown, he wondered how other businesses felt about the two -tenths.He did his homework, he walked the streets.There a lot of businesses he went to, big businesses, that even told him he could use their names such as Best Hardware, Big 0 Tires, that have told him they understand and not to get rid of it.We talked to our customers and the people.If there is anyone against it, it is a very, very, very minor few. Councilmember Serdy commented during the discussion last night they made Mr. Hoffman assure them he would continue to cut because we cannot rely on this. The economy may not get better in 6 years.He will keep whittling it down until. we can get along without this, if we have to.That was part of the assurance. City Manager George Hoffman clarified that it is the manager that proposes a draft balanced budget, but it is the council that adopts the budget. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 12 OF 20 Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1359 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY WITH THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE AND THE READING OF THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly read the ordinance by title only with the emergency clause. Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1359, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED AND ADOPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT:THAT A SECTION BE ADDED DESIGNATING A TERMINATION DATE OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2016. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Dietz thanked the mayor for moving the item up so that he could participate this evening and ended his telephone call to the meeting. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Roger Schweirjohn, president of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, presented the mayor and council with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate in recognition of the homes in Ironwood Trails Subdivision having received their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation.He also presented a certificate to Kim Humphrey of Salt River Project for donating the solar panels for the subdivision. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 13 OF 20 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None. PUBLIC HEARINGS APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PREMISES FOR GRAY GARCIA AND ASSOCIATES PLLC DBA COBB'S RESTAURANT )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco requested the applicant address the council. Ms. Sheena Gray addressed the council.She stated they have quite a few smokers in the area and they have been huddling on the bench on the east side.They would like to put some tables out there with an umbrella so they can have their drinks and smoke outside. Vice Mayor Eck commented he stopped going to Cobb's years ago.He recently went there and noticed they have done a lot of work.It is back to being a restaurant.It is clean and the service and food are impressive.It is great to have another wonderful restaurant in Apache Junction. Mayor Insalaco opened the public hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion.There being no discussion, he called for a motion. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PREMISES PERMIT FOR GRAY GARCIA AND ASSOCIATES PLLC DBA COBB'S RESTAURANT, SUBMITTED BY CAMI LYNN GARCIA, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL. Councilmember Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 14 OF 20 VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she wanted the record to show that Councilmember Dietz has signed off and will not be participating in any of the future items. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS Mayor Insalaco announced he had forgotten this item earlier. Councilmember Serdy commented with the budget cuts volunteers are very important.Parks and recreation in April will have repairs to the multi -use trail, the Easter Egg Hunt, a track meet, and the library can always use volunteers.He suggested they call those offices to find out when.There will also be some downtown beautification projects where they will be needing volunteers. Councilmember Wilson commented he was approached by a winter visitor from Canada at Lost Dutchman Days who complimented Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias for some research and assistance he had done which aided them in their search for a property for them to buy. Councilmember Wilson announced that this Saturday the Superstition Horsemen's Association and several other organizations and some individuals are putting on a Horse Wellness event at the rodeo grounds. Councilmember Wilson met with Councilmember Serdy, the city manager and ten other winter visitors this past Monday where they discussed impact fees, how they are distributed across the city, their ideas, why they come to the city, and what they would like to see continued.Some even asked what they could do to help. Councilmember Barker commented the Special Olympics will be held Saturday at the high school.The first race starts at 9 a.m. Anyone coming out to cheer the kids on is appreciated. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 15 OF 20 Vice Mayor Eck commented when he came back from Florence he went by Silly Mountain.He thought it was a Saturday instead of a weekday because there were 15-20 cars of hikers.Some of the people were working on the trail system.He thought it was phenomenal for a weekday.The workers are doing a fantastic job. PUBLIC HEARINGS APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PREMISES FOR LOST DUTCHMAN FOE #3850 )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco requested the applicant address the council. Mr. Bill Kimball, vice president of the Eagles, advised they will be having their annual chili cook -off.He invited them all to attend. Mayor Insalaco opened the public hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion.There being no discussion, he called for a motion. Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PREMISES PERMIT FOR LOST DUTCHMAN FOE #3850, :SUBMITTED BY TERRY: BROWNELL, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR: LICENSES AND CONTROL. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. • The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 16 OF 20 None. NEW BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS TO FILL TWO VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS ) City Attorney Joel Stern briefed the council regarding his remarks from last night on dual appointments. Mayor Insalaco commented he thinks they should be taken separately.He called for a motion on the appointment that expires in 2011. Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT LUCIANO BUZZIN BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2011. Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT TESS NESSER BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2012. Councilmember Coleman SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF None. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 17 OF 20 Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:45 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2010, 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, MARCH 16, 2010, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Mr. Duane Buell, 612 E. Desert Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding signage on the freeway for downtown services. Mr. Elliott Fisher, 547 E. Quail, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding the capital facilities plan costing more than it was originally advertised, the multi -generational center fees, and revitalizing the downtown area. Councilmember Serdy recommended Mr. Buell watch the work session from last night.The signage is addressed in there and it is just getting ready to happen.Another thing overlooked is tourism; for all we have here we do not stress tourism enough. When the tourists come, we will need the signs.We do not even have a flyer.When tourists come here they can pick up flyers from other cities but we cannot pick up our city there.We will hopefully address that, too. Councilmember Barker commented that is exactly what she was going to suggest.He should take a look at that because she thinks he will realize at that point that we understand exactly what he is saying and have been working on that. Councilmember Coleman commented he was going to say the same thing.When he first moved out here, they drove back to Power REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 18 OF 20 Road to visit McDonald's, but that was because there was not one out here. Vice Mayor Eck commented they probably had one of their most productive meetings last night, or a proactive meeting, concerning signage and other issues.They are trying to capture the people that are going through the community and getting them to stop and spend some money here.That is what we are trying to do. Councilmember Serdy commented he is constantly being asked by vendors where Apache Junction is when he goes to conventions out of state.When you tell them it is right by the Superstition Mountains, they all know where those are.We are going to start hammering that home. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 16, 2010. 3. Consideration of Resolution No. 10-05, authorizing the City of Apache Junction to enter into a Mutual Aid Compact with the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. ACCEPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2010, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2010. N S. INSALACO Mayor REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 19 OF 20 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 2nd day of March, 2010.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 9th day of March, 2010. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2010 PAGE 20 OF 20