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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-04 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MAY 4, 2010 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on May 4, 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 7:05 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 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 Public Works Director David Fern Econ. Dev. Director Steve Filipowicz Others Present:Grants Specialist Roger Hacker REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4, 2010 PAGE 1 OF 8 ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION AND G AND G CONSULTING FOR GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) CONSULTING AND SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000; AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT PENDING FINAL APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. Councilmember Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating May 9-15 as Peace Officers Memorial Week and presented it to Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan. Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating May 2010 as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month and presented it to Ms. Teri Kelley of the Modified Motorcycle Association. City Manager George Hoffman gave a brief presentation on the duties of the city clerk.Mayor Insalaco presented City Clerk Kathleen Connelly with a certificate, a check and 40 hours of vacation for the 30 years of service she has given to the city. Councilmember Coleman gave her a plaque honoring her years of service. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS Councilmember Wilson commented on the General Plan informational meeting that was held last Thursday and announced there would be another this Thursday in the council chambers.He encouraged the community to come out and voice their opinions on what they want the community to look like in the future.City staff has REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4, 2010 PAGE 2 OF 8 done a lot to present this and have information out there.They are seeking community input. Councilmember Wilson commented there were a lot of donations for the Fourth of July but the donation buckets are still out throughout the community.They would like to have people contribute some more to it so that it can be fully paid for by the community and be no drain on the city as well. Councilmember Wilson commented that Pam Kantowski, who was injured at the Black Stallion Literacy program, is doing well and may possibly be home from the hospital by Saturday.She will have a slow recovery and has a turtle shell around her to keep her going. Vice Mayor Eck commented he saw Councilmember Barker at the Relay for Life this past weekend.There was a good turn out. The economy has a major effect on all the events that are going on, but they had a really good turn out.They also had quite a few survivors.It is a really good cause. Councilmember Barker thanked the police department and victims' assistance people for their assistance at Relay for Life.There were a lot of police department volunteers helping.She had never filled so many paper bags with sand in her life.She ran out of sand and she scrambled around and discovered much to her dismay that she had used sand from the school track for the candelarias.She apologized for using some of their sand.It was a wonderful event and they had a great turn out with a large number of city folks.Christa Rizzi was there and she thanked everyone for their support. Mayor Insalaco commented Councilmember Barker and he attended the D.A.R.E. graduation at Four Peaks Elementary.Almost every parent was in attendance; you could see how much they care that their children take this program.We are one of the few cities that still keep the D.A.R.E. program going.Other cities have stated it is too expensive to keep going.Our council and police department feel it is too expensive not to keep it going. These children are our future and it is a good sight to see. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4, 2010 PAGE 3 OF 8 Councilmember Barker announced the group of D.A.R.E. graduates will be entertaining with their D.A.R.E. song in Prescott this summer.This song is terrific. Mayor Insalaco announced that Palmas del Sol residents put on a benefit last Wednesday for Lost Dutchman State Park called a "Performance By Rhapsody".It was a 2 hour show.He, his wife and Park Ranger Tom Fisher were there.Between a 50/50 raffle and other donations they collected $670 towards the park fund. This was in one night in one park.After it was over, these full time residents already started getting ready for events next fall to protect the state park for next summer.It was a short year for us to get this money.A few more parks like this around show how much this park needs to stay open. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager George Hoffman commented the drainage improvements at Southern Avenue and Meridian began this week, the federal stimulus project for Ironwood Drive north of the freeway to 16th Avenue has begun, and the construction on Delaware Drive from Apache Trail to Superstition has begun.He thanked the corporate sponsors for donations which will help pay for the Fourth of July Celebration, along with individual donations.He requested Mark LeResche from Superstition Harley-Davidson and the Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park and Assistant Director Jay Ream from the Arizona State Parks Department update the Lost Dutchman State Park fundraising effort. Mr. Mark LeResche gave an update on the support for Lost Dutchman State Park.He suggested a bike ride to benefit the park.He stated the State of Arizona had given them a $25,000 goal to bridge the gap through the summertime.He thanked KNIX Radio for coming out to promote the ride even though they were not asked; their equipment drew a lot of people.Salt River Project helped out with trash receptacles.He listed numerous other various businesses that assisted and individuals that gave large cash donations.All proceeds went to the park.Along with his contribution, the raffle, ride and other cash contributions, it generated $10,000 towards the funding needed. He would like to make this a cornerstone event for the dealership in the long term.They have a great venue at the park with the group campground and they can host more people REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL .MAY A, 2010 :PAGE 4 OF i8 safely out there.He asked Mitzi to give an update on what had been collected thus far. Ms. Mitzi Rinehart stated they have made over $25,000, but she does not have the exact amount as it is in different areas.The park ranger has a long list of improvements to be made.There are a lot of projects they need money for to keep the park open. Some campgrounds will be closed from July to October.She is recruiting people to help operate the park.House Bill 2466 failed thanks to our supervisors and others in on it.Palmas del Sol will be going to all 4 of their parks for donations. She gave the website address for donations. Mr. Jay Ream, assistant director of Arizona State Parks, addressed the council.He represented the Arizona State Parks Board and wished to thank the community for rallying around Lost Dutchman State Park.It is incredible what has been done in a short time.He further thanked the Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park, which was formed in one night, and worked to get $25,000 in two months to keep the park open.He also thanked the city for its support in getting the community going.They sent out a letter in early August regarding the state park closures and Steve Filipowicz was the first to respond of all the communities.Two hundred letters were sent.As of now, all but one of the thirteen parks set to be closed have been met with community support to help keep them open.Some are just for the summer, but Lost Dutchman State Park is for a full year. It will not close.It was to close in summer and hopefully open in the fall.On July 6 the campground will close until October 1 when their visitation starts trending up.They will be putting in electrical hook-ups to extend the season.They believe it will make the park at least a break even park.Break even parks cannot close.He added Senator Rebecca Rios represented the city well, speaking well in opposing the bill and carried the entire democratic caucus.She should be thanked.The parks board will take action on May 19 to enter into an agreement with the Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park to keep the park open. Councilmember Serdy commented he believed Mr. LeResche was being modest as he neglected to say that he and his wife Beverly gave over $4,000 themselves. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4, 2010 PAGE 5 OF 8 Mayor Insalaco commented it was $4,600. Mr. Mark LeResche commented the Chamber of Commerce will be raffling off the golden nugget on Thursday night at Superstition Harley-Davidson, along with a few other items.They will also host the Friends of the Lost Dutchman State Park meeting on Monday night. PUBLIC HEARINGS REQUEST BY YAVAPAI DOWNS FOR RENEWAL OF OFF TRACK WAGERING PERMIT AT MIRAGE SPORTS GRILL )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco requested the applicant address the council. A representative of Yavapai Downs addressed the council for any questions.There were no questions. 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 further discussion, he called for .a motion. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT THE REQUEST BY YAVAPAI DOWNS FOR RENEWAL OF AN OFF TRACK WAGERING PERMIT FOR THE TERM OF MAY 29, 2010 TO SEPTEMBER 4, 2012, AND TO BE LOCATED AT MIRAGE SPORTS GRILL, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF RACING. Councilmember Barker SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4, 2010 PAGE 6 OF 8 None. NEW BUSINESS None. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF None. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:45 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 17, 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, MAY 18, 2010, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: None. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Barker SECONDED )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 20, 2010. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4, 2010 PAGE 7 OF 8 3. Proposed First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement for Geographic Information System (GIS) Consulting and Services for G and G Consulting, LLC. ACCEPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF MAY, 2010, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 18TH DAY OF MAY, 2010. OHN S. Mayor ATTEST: INSALACO KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the:City of Apache Junction, Arizona, held on the 4th day of May, 2010.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 6th day of May, 2010. KATHLEEN CONNELLY if City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4, 2010 PAGE 8 OF 8