HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-07 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 7, 2009
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on April 7, 2009, 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
The Boy Scouts 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
City Engineer Giao Pham
Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Bell
Public Works Director David Fern
Human Resources Director Liz Riley
Planning Manager Fred Baker
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 1 OF 44
Others Present:Parks Superintendent Nick Black
Administrative Assistant Barbara Duft
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
Housing Program Coord. Heather Patel
Captain Tom Kelly
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )
)Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED AFTER MOVING CALL TO
THE PUBLIC TO FOLLOW ITEMS NO. M20 AND M21 AND THAT THE MAYOR OR
VICE MAYOR BE AUTHORIZED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING IF ANYONE
BECOMES DISORDERLY, UNCIVIL OR MAKES PERSONAL ATTACKS DURING
CALL TO THE PUBLIC; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN TO THE CABLE TV TECHNICAL CONSULTING
SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN KRAMER.FIRM,INC. AND THE CITY OF
APACHE JUNCTION FOR ENSURING THAT MEDIACOM IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH
CURRENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$26,090.00; AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO
SIGN THE AGREEMENT PENDING FINAL APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE CITY
ATTORNEY; AND
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 09-05, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING AN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH PINAL COUNTY FOR REIMBURSEMENT
OF OVERTIME AND EMPLOYMENT RELATED EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO
PINAL COUNTY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY PARTICIPATION IN THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY CONTRACT FOR THE HIGH
VISIBILITY IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM, BE APPROVED;
AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE OCE TCS500
PLOTTER/SCANNER FROM KONICA MINOLTA THROUGH MOHAVE CONTRACT
#05M -HUGH -0126 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $44,160.26 AS A
REPLACEMENT SCANNER/PLOTTER FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:.Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 2 OF 44
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Housing Program Coordinator Heather Patel gave a brief
presentation on the Earned Income Tax Credit Program for tax
year 2008.Internal Revenue Service Senior Stakeholder
Relationship Tax Consultant Sharon Taylor -Ward presented the
city with an award for Community Service Leadership of
Appreciation.
Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating April 2009 as
Fair Housing Month and presented it to Housing Program
Coordinator Heather Patel.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Wilson thanked the parks and recreation department
for their assistance in setting up for the Black Stallion
Literacy Project.Senator Rebecca Rios and Representative
Barbara McGuire also attended, along with Councilmember Barker.
Numerous city staff and citizens volunteered and/or attended.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Parks Superintendent Nick Blake gave a video presentation on the
parks division of the parks and recreation department.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPLICATION FOR AN INTERIM PERMIT,
PERSON TRANSFER, CORPORATION,
SERIES 9 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR LUCKY
LIQUOR
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.The applicant was not in
attendance.He 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.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
recommendation is for denial.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 3 OF 44
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated the recommendation is for denial based on the fact that
the city could not access the facility to do an inspection and
that it appears that the applicant is interested in the license
and not the location.
Councilmember Serdy asked if
he were planning to have a business here in Apache Junction.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated that is unknown.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE
APPLICATION FOR AN INTERIM PERMIT, PERSON TRANSFER, CORPORATION,
SERIES 9 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR LUCKY LIQUOR SUBMITTED BY RONALD
POMYKALA BE RECOMMENDED FOR DENIAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF
LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE RECOMMENDATION FROM
THE LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD AND THE INABILITY TO ACCESS THE
PROPERTY.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
APPLICATION FOR A NEW LICENSE,
LIMITED LIABILITY CO., SERIES 12
LIQUOR LICENSE FOR FAMOUS SAM'S
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Steven Bailey commented
they just recently took over this facility.It has been closed
for a couple of years.It will be run by the corporate office.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 4 OF 44
He currently owns the Famous Sam's in Gilbert and the corporate
office has asked him to partner with them to help get this one
back up and running by summer.
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 NEW LICENSE, LIMITED LIABILITY CO.,
SERIES 12 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR FAMOUS SAM'S SUBMITTED BY STEVEN
RAY BAILEY BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT
OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-03, DECLARING
APACHE JUNCTION CITY CODE, VOLUME
II, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 26 PLANNED
COMMUNITY DISTRICTS A PUBLIC RECORD)
)
Baker briefed the council on the item.
Planning Manager Fred
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.
Councilmember Barker asked
how the recent Rhodes bankruptcy affects this or the next item
because of the specific acreage size.There is 640 acres here.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated the Rhodes project is required to do a master plan for
all 12 square miles.They have essentially the first 1,000
acres in their possession.Ordinance No. 1336 states a minimum
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 5 OF 44
of 640 acres and they can go over that amount.The bankruptcy
is unrelated to this project in any way.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 09-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, DECLARING AS A
PUBLIC RECORD THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK
ENTITLED "APACHE JUNCTION CITY CODE, VOLUME II LAND DEVELOPMENT
CODE,CHAPTER 1 ZONING ORDINANCE,ARTICLE 26 PLANNED COMMUNITY
DISTRICTS (PCD), BE APPROVED.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 1336, AMENDING APACHE
JUNCTION CITY CODE, VOLUME II,
CHAPTER 1 BY ADDING ARTICLE 26
PLANNED COMMUNITY DISTRICTS
)Planning Manager Fred
Baker briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.
Ms. Tea commented there are
that are now considered commercial with residences around them.
She was concerned that they could now come in and put in an
industrial park without having to change the zoning.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated he believes this really relates to another item on the
agenda.This creates a district so that the application for a
rezoning will address different land uses and the segregation of
land uses so that there are not incompatible land uses.Staff
feels that the plan they are working on will have a set of
compatible land uses where they will not have industrial or a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 6 OF 44
business park close to residential.They are trying to keep the
more difficult to locate uses away from residential.
Vice Mayor Eck commented if
something like this industrial development wanted to be within
the planned community district it would come before the council.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated that is correct.The zoning entitlement or map will
identify specific areas with specific uses.Once it is
complete, an applicant would still have to come back,
particularly if they are coming back with a commercial or
residential subdivision, they are required by state law to do a
preliminary plat and a final plat.They are still working on
the details for commercial or industrial on one parcel to have
to come before the planning and zoning commission for a public
hearing for the approval of that detailed site plan.
Mayor Insalaco asked if this
pertained to what she was talking about.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated it is to an extent.He believes that the one she is
referring to is the ordinance later on the agenda where it talks
about the notification of property owners for rezoning
industrial property.
Mr. Dave Janacek, 1480 S.
Chaparral, Apache Junction, asked if the plan and plat they were
speaking of is north or south of the Superstition Freeway.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated the planned community district can apply citywide.The
reason for having it is because state land property is 90% south
of the Superstition Freeway.There are pieces of state land
north of the freeway, but the rezoning hearing will show most of
this area mostly south of the freeway.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
public hearing with no further comments and reopened the item to
council discussion.There being no discussion, he called for a
motion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 7 OF 44
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1336 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY 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.
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1336, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED AND
ADOPTED.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-07, AUTHORIZING
SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR
THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND
REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 FOR
EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE
ASSISTANCE GRANT FORMULA LOCAL
SOLICITATION PROGRAM
)Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker briefed the council on the item.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan briefed the council on what the police department will
be using the grant money for.
Councilmember Barker
commented they are anticipating having to upgrade the software.
She asked if he knew how often this would have to be upgraded.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 8 OF 44
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated he anticipated it would be annually.
Councilmember Barker asked if
he had a cost estimate.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated he did not.He and IT staff will work on a plan
to budget for that.They are currently paying several thousand
dollars for maintenance costs on software vendors.He would
anticipate this would be similar.The initial cost is $12,000;
he would not be surprised to pay $1,000 to $2,000 per year in
upgrades or maintenance issues.
Councilmember Barker asked if
this is something that must be used within the 24 month period.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated he believes they have up to 2 years to expend the
funds.
Councilmember Barker
commented a piece of this could be tucked aside to pay for the
upgrade next year.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they could write a reprogramming for those funds
to pay for that upgrade.
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 RESOLUTION NO. 09-07, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING
SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR PARTICIPATION IN ITS AMERICAN RECOVERY
AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 (PUBLIC LAW 111-5) EDWARD BYRNE
MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FORMULA LOCAL SOLICITATION
PROGRAM, BE APPROVED.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 9 OF 44
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-08, AUTHORIZING
SUBMISSION OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED
POLICING SERVICES HIRING RECOVERY
PROGRAM GRANT
)Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker briefed the council on the item.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan briefed the council on where the positions would be used
and the benefits provided by the grant.
Councilmember Serdy commented
it says the city is required to maintain this for four years.
He asked what the penalty would be if they do not and who
enforces it.He does not know what condition the city will be
in in four years or what they could hold over the city's head.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated all the federal funds from the Department of
Justice would be frozen if we do not live up to the contract.
We would not necessarily get any more funds from them until we
worked out a resolution of this problem with them.They have
made it clear they would freeze any future funds to the city if
we do not live up to this contract.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
only have to retain them for the fourth year.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated that is correct.
Councilmember Barker asked if
this is the same grant that Pinal County turned down last week.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated he believed so.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 10 OF 44
Councilmember Barker stated
they felt very strongly that they could not anticipate future
funds.She thinks she understood one of them saying last night
that this does not have to be the same body every year.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated they would look at our application for the number
of full time sworn officers we had when we submit.They would
then audit it us at the end of the grant to see that we, in
fact, had seven more sworn officers still full time on the
payroll than we had when we submitted the application.
Councilmember Barker
commented the chief had mentioned there are people that may be
thinking about retirement.She asked if we had a number of
officers retire during the first year, she asked if their jobs
could be filled as entry level and use this grant money.They
would therefore not have to do the step process with these
hires.They would have guy A who comes in the grant, someone
retires, and they hire someone else using that entry level and
he becomes guy A.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they could, and they could recoup the money
between the higher paid salary of a twenty year officer versus a
new hire.
Councilmember Barker
commented they have employee related expenses as two-thirds of
the salary.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated it is about 35 percent.
Councilmember Barker
commented it is actually 60 -some percent.She asked what
employee related expenses are.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated he did not know what figure she was looking at
but it should be thirty-five percent.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 11 OF 44
Councilmember Barker stated
it has $45,000 plus as salary and then there is $30,000 as
employee related expenses.
Councilmember Dietz commented
that is for the first year.
Councilmember Barker
commented there is the same figure under the second year in
employee related expenses.
Councilmember Dietz commented
this is according to the new one they were given last night.
Assistant Manager Bryant
Powell asked if that is the initial start up package.
Councilmember Dietz commented
the employee related expenses is the same amount on all 4 years.
Councilmember Barker
commented the employee related expenses remains the same for all
4 years and it is almost sixty -some percent.It is $30,000 as
compared to $45,000 for the salary.It seems like an incredible
amount of money.
Councilmember Dietz asked
what is entailed in the employee related expenses.
Monahan stated they make
than 35%, they have been
until 6:30 this evening,
It is about 35% and that
that, which would not be
Public Safety Director Jerald
up 35%; if the number there is higher
working through budget documents up
and some of them are self -calculating.
number clearly appears to be more than
accurate.
Councilmember Barker
commented right now they have this grant paying $75,954 per
officer, which includes $45,691 which is salary and $30,263
which is employee related expenses.She asked if the $75,000
will go down if the employee related expenses goes down or is
that what the grant is paying.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 12 OF 44
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they do pay the employee related expenses, they
just require it be at an entry level officer with the employee
related expenses.The city is not responsible for those
employee related expenses.
Councilmember Barker stated
she understood that.However, when the city has to pay those
employee related expenses later, she wants to know what they
are.If the $30,000 is wrong, it will be less than what was
calculated.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated that is correct.The city will be responsible
for the employee related expenses in year 4.
Councilmember Barker
commented they would also be responsible for any new hires that
they picked up at the same level later.She understands the
need and empathizes with it.She has lived here almost her
entire life.However, she fears putting this community into
debt after three years; a mandated debt of over $1,000,000 after
only 3 years.That is her problem.That is why she thinks Mr.
Wilson asked how they could save this.She wanted to know what
steps they could take where the council would be able to see it
looks like we can get at least half of it.They could surely
come up with the other half.She does not want to see other
departments pay the price.She thinks there is importance in
all areas of the city.That is her problem.She asked if he
could help her to solve it.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they are asking the federal government to pour
into Apache Junction $1.6 million if they go after the 7
positions.The funds come with a price tag.One of the options
is to authorize them to pursue less than seven.Our portion
would go down proportionately by every body that they reduce.
It still allows them to go after some of the federal dollars
that exist.They could have authorization to apply for these
positions and then, depending on the outcome of the application
process, use the option of reconsidering the request.They
could reevaluate their position dependent upon their being
approved.The competition for these positions nationwide is
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 13 OF 44
going to be huge.They could possibly ask for seven and not
receive any.The concern would be the standing with the federal
government if they apply and then alter their position.They
want to maintain their creditability with the federal government
and Department of Justice.If they decide to go forward, they
need to be ready to go forward with what may be approved.They
need to be able to meet the obligation.That is the best case
scenario.
Councilmember Barker asked if
one of the positions is for the court.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated it is not.There is a separate grant that Mr.
Hacker is working on for that.The police department is
prepared to partner with the court in providing the court
security and court processes that Officer David Barnes had
provided.The judge and he are working on a plan with a
seasoned veteran officer to meet those needs.It will not be
one of these new grant positions.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked Mr. Hacker to explain the process on the competition and
what the qualifications are for filing an application and how it
will be graded.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated the applications will be reviewed by committees
selected by the Department of Justice from law enforcement
entities.The applications will be ranked according to the new
number of jobs created, the number of jobs retained, and the
number of officers that have been laid off that have been
brought back into the fold.The application would be ranked by
the narrative that he has included in the application,
specifically how does this project advance community policing
strategies in our community.They would then also look at the
demographics of our community; we had to give a lot of financial
information on the trends and revenue streams in the community.
They are all taken into the evaluation in the ranking of our
application.He added he stands by the numbers that were
included in their report on the employee related expenses.He
did a quick recalculation.They supplied those numbers to a
worksheet that is part of the grant by the Department of
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 14 OF 44
Justice.They got the numbers that they input into the
worksheet from the finance department.The Department of
Justice calculated employee related expenses and came up with
that $30,000 figure.
Councilmember Barker asked if
they really spend $30,000 per employee per year.
Grant Specialist Roger Hacker
stated our actual expenditures are 18% less than that figure.
Councilmember Barker asked if
there were excess monies collected, would they be able to put it
into a coffer to pay for those employees in year 4 when the city
is obligated to pay for them.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated it does appear the federal government is prepared
to give us more for the employee related expenses than we
actually need, if these numbers are correct.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
we could use that money for the fourth year.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they could certainly consider reprogramming it.
.Councilmember Barker asked if
they could make it designated if it comes through at this rate
that those extra funds could be used for nothing else.They
would be put in a pot for that fourth year.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated he did not know if the reprogramming would allow
them to go year to year.They can reprogram funds, but he is
not sure they could reprogram it into a second year.
Councilmember Barker
commented they could take and put that money into something else
and then take the money we would have spent on something else
and put it in the pot for the fourth year.That is not
reprogramming.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
' APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 15 OF 44
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they would have to be concerned with an
appearance of supplanting what would normally be other budgeted
dollars with the grant dollars.There are restrictions on that.
Councilmember Barker asked
what they would do with the excess.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated it would have to be reserved for future salaries.
Councilmember Barker stated
that would be for future salaries.They would be for the fourth
year when we have to pay the salaries.
Councilmember Dietz agreed
that they would be used for the fourth year.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated he was looking it up to see if this is a
reimbursement program.It looks like it is reimbursed on our
actual expenditures.
Councilmember Barker
commented that this is then an up to amount.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if the
employee related expenses might include overtime for the
employee for that period of time.He asked if overtime could be
included in the employee related expenses.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated overtime is not allowed under this grant.
Vice Mayor Eck commented
overtime would not be a part of this grant whatsoever.
Grants Specialist Roger
Hacker stated that is correct.
Councilmember Serdy asked
what the city manager's opinion is on this grant as he is the
chief budget organizer.He would also like to ask for a recess
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 16 OF 44
before we vote on this so that they can consult with the city
manager.He does not want to burden the city manager with this
if at all possible.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he had been talking with staff and missed the question.
He is curious if the federal government takes into account
proportionate air conditioning and paper clips and supplies.
Our finance people stated here is what insurance costs, but
there is simply a difference in definition of terms.He is
thinking that may also be a part of employee related expenses.
He asked Councilmember Serdy what his question was.
Councilmember Serdy stated he
is the primary budget person.He would like to hear his opinion
on this before they saddle him with it for four years.He would
assume he is still working here in four years.He asked for his
opinion on if he thinks the city can handle this.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated that is the most optimistic thing he has ever heard him
say.As he mentioned last night, they do not even have their
own current budgetary context in front of them.They do not
know how much the budgetary gap is.He is estimating that it
will be between 5% and 10% for the gap in terms of general fund
budget.He thinks they will be facing issues of reducing other
departments, other expenditures, assessing whether or not they
fund Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Chamber of Commerce,
Main Street Program and the outside funding to groups.He is
exploring scenarios with other municipalities where they are
looking at fundamentally reducing the employees' rate of pay,
perhaps through furloughs.He cannot categorically sit here
tonight and tell them that they will not be looking at layoffs.
We have done successfully voluntary separations.We know that
our portion of state shared revenues through income tax will
decline.We have every reason to believe, since it is a lag
number, that it will decline next year and for several years to
come.As they look at their budgetary scenario, he thinks they
are almost in a situation tonight of making an assessment of
whether they want to augment the police force with optimism
about the state of the national, regional and local economy, or
whether they want to view it as a strict budgetary analysis
based on what is known today, it is very hard to for him to
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 17 OF 44
confidently say that they will have those revenues.If they
choose to proceed, he believes that what Councilmember Wilson
advanced was a brainstorm.They would need to save each year so
that they can make the fourth year.It is a prudent middle
ground approach to addressing the issue.He wants to be on
record of supporting the chief in saying that we need more
allocation of resources for public safety; we need more officers
in this community.He does not think anyone is debating the
need for officers.The question is if the city can afford in
year four.Perhaps one way is to budget for the next 3 years.
That means they lost 5 seasoned senior library staff as they
took the voluntary separation.That bodes very well for not
doing layoffs in the library.Councilmember Barker talked about
not wanting to reduce the services in other areas.He finds no
way to look at a reduction of 5 people in the library and tell
you that they will have an enhancement of service.He thinks
they will struggle mightily to keep things together.He cannot
tell them what the financial condition of the country, state or
local economy in four years.If they choose to proceed, he
encouraged them to embrace the self discipline that
Councilmember Wilson brainstormed.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the application is due May 18, 2009.This matter could
be continued to the April 21 council meeting so that they could
come back with the research that is needed.
Mayor Insalaco commented that
would be very wise.They might be able to get these numbers
closer to what the reality is.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he thinks they push very hard to tell the council what
the budgetary gap is.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented he has just been told it needs to be filed by April
14.They will not make that.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they
have 35 sworn officers and this would put them to 42.He asked
if they would still have to have 42 positions in year four.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 18 OF 44
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they would have to have 42 positions in year
four, but not year 5.In year 5 they can cease through
attrition and it would have no penalties.In year four they
would have to show 42 budgeted positions.
Councilmember Wilson asked if
they would have to have 107 in year 2, if using the number of
100 officers, someone moved on due to retirement.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated they have to show budgeted positions, including
these 7, through the 4 years.After the fourth year they could
see vacancies that are not budgeted without penalty from the
federal government.
Assistant Manager Bryant
Powell stated he is asking what would happen.
City Manager George Hoffman
is asking what would happen if they lost 2 in the second year.
He believes the spirit of intent of the draft is that you seek
to add to that higher staffing level.They cannot go 35, then
42, and then in year two 37, 36 and then back to 42 just in time
to meet the requirement.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated Arizona is facing the fact that it has been named
as one of 16 states that will be under the scrutiny of the
federal government, in particular for this grant.They will be
looking to see if the city is maintaining the budgetary funding
for the existing complement plus the seven during the four
years.
Mayor Insalaco stated he
could understand why Pinal County turned it down.
Councilmember Barker agreed.
She added that last night Vice Mayor Eck agreed to possibly
start these people at higher than entry level pay.The chief
had nodded that it would work the city would pay the difference.
The council understands that.She asked why they would want to
start anyone at higher than entry level pay.She asked if the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 19 OF 44
intent is to start these people at entry level or is the intent
to kick it up a couple of steps.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated the grant pays for entry level only.One
scenario is to find individuals that are certified that are
willing to come to Apache Junction at an entry level salary.He
believes that is possible based on the lack of movement within
the law enforcement community at this time.Experienced
officers are willing to move and take that lower salary to get
that movement.If we do find experienced officers, the city's
practice is to offer a higher step based on a certain number of
years experience.If we choose to do that, we would be
responsible for the difference in salary for a new hire
position.Either option is available.
Councilmember Barker asked if
it is his intention to hire someone at entry level.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated his intent is to advertise these positions for
certified officers at entry level salary and see what shakes out
of that mix.
Mayor Insalaco commented he
has heard that Phoenix is talking about laying off a lot of
officers.Those people would have the choice of working at
entry level or being without a job.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated that is a good comment.He has talked with his
peers around the valley.The Town of Tempe is looking at asking
for 24 positions through this grant.Their chief is telling him
that is because they are going to lay off 24 officers.His
understanding of this grant is that would not be an acceptable
use.We are supposed to show over budget positions.The City
of Mesa is looking at 100 of these positions.He could only
imagine the price tag of that in year four.Scottsdale is not
asking for any.Final County declined a request from the
sheriff for legitimate concerns of fiscal management
responsibility.This council has always supported public
safety.Not pursuing this grant does not mean they do not
support public safety.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 20 OF 44
Mayor Insalaco commented what
bothers him is that if they cannot do it, they would lose all
federal funding after that.That is where it sticks with him.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated if they were to pursue half of these officers,
the savings suggested by Councilmember Wilson could be as low as
$75,000 a year to make up the portion in year four.The
department could contribute a portion of that.It is a more
manageable number that he and his staff can look at and try to
make the difference, if they were to pursue 3 or 4 of these
positions.
Mayor Insalaco stated he
thought that would be more palatable.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
they would have to submit the application for all 7 and then, if
approved, then select the number of 4 or 5 or whatever may be,
or, if awarded 7, would they have to fulfill all of them.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated if they ask for seven and they award us that, we
are obligated to fill all seven.If the direction from the
council is to ask for less, then our application would reflect
the number the council wishes.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell asked if adding 3 would help in managing the overtime.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated if the direction is to go with less, then he and
staff would assign the numbers given and awarded in the most
efficient and effective manner to affect the ability to cover
shifts at minimum staffing level, which is a significant use of
overtime in the police department.We do have the luxury of
minor overlapping windows but those are not full shifts.
Councilmember Wilson
commented he was talking about adding one to each shift.If
they gave them four, it would allow them to put one on each
shift and have an additional one for dispatch or somewhere else.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 21 OF 44
Mayor Insalaco stated the
extra one could fill in if someone was sick.That is the number
he was thinking of.
Public Safety Director Jerald
Monahan stated with four officers they would look at four of the
six patrol shifts and assign them per shift on those shifts that
have the heaviest use of overtime.This is how they prioritized
six earlier with one per shift.They can identify the greater
usages of overtime and assign those bodies there.
Councilmember Barker
commented they would be looking at $300,000 for four in the
fourth year and that is not taking into account any step
increases.It will be somewhere between $300,000 and $400,000.
Mayor Insalaco stated that
cuts down the savings every year.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.
Mr. Bob Reese, 5510 E. Jacob
Waltz, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked if
there is a statistic that puts the value on what seven officers
can do in three years' time as far as saving lives and doing
good in the community.He asked if that was weighing on their
decisions.He appreciates them trying to balance the budget and
their safety, but three years of funding for seven officers
might do a lot of good.
Mayor Insalaco commented he
is right but it is what happens in the fourth year if they
cannot do it.Then they are up the creek without a paddle.
Mr. Bob Reese stated that is
speculation on what the economy is going to do in the coming
years and none of us know that.The money is there in front of
us know and it is up to them to figure out how to pay for it
later.
Mr. Dwayne Buell, 612 E.
Desert Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 22 OF 44
if anyone estimated what kind of a growth rate the city would
need in year four if the tax base remained the same in order for
the city to comply with the t_rings attached to this grant.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated the general fund city sales tax used to be around
$10 million a year.We have gone to another 5% or 10% below
that, which would be about one million.We would need to have
that million back.We would have to increase it by 10% to make
it.
Mr. Dwayne Buell stated he
saw the figures last night and they are still going down.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated the real question is who knows.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened
the item to council discussion.
Councilmember Serdy asked
when the .2% sales tax drops off.
There was general discussion
and it was determined it is August 2010.
Councilmember Coleman asked
how much the .2% generates a month.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated it would be $800,000 divided by twelve.
Councilmember Coleman
commented it generates $800,000 per year.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated that is this year.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated their political decision -making environment may change if
the state substantially increases the sales tax rate to deal
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 23 OF 44
with their budgetary problem.Not that they would not do it,
but people may be more sensitized to the sales tax issue.
Councilmember Barker stated
they would if they go up a couple of percent.
Mayor Insalaco stated it is
very possible they could.He closed the discussion with no
further comments and called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
had talked earlier about continuing this for a break before they
vote as they had just discussed it for the'first time last
night.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he would not recommend that.If they are going to
discuss this, it should be here.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they
cannot continue it.
City Attorney Joel Stern they
could but they would not make the deadline.
Mayor Insalaco commented he
wants to take a break right now.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they can take a break but please do not discuss this.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they
could talk to the city manager.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated everything should be in public.
Vice Mayor Eck commented then
they might as well not take a break.
Mayor Insalaco called for a
motion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 24 OF 44
Councilmember Barker
commented we need a few more police officers, probably as many
as 30, but we cannot possibly do that.She certainly cannot see
them going for seven.She MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO. 09-08, A
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A GRANT TO THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR PARTICIPATION IN ITS
AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 (PUBLIC LAW 111-
5) COPS HIRING RECOVERY ACT, TO INCLUDE 3 OFFICERS, BE APPROVED.
There was general discussion
on the number of officers they wanted to approve.
Councilmember Barker withdrew
her motion.
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
RESOLUTION NO. 09-08, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION
OF A GRANT TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR
PARTICIPATION IN ITS AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF
2009 (PUBLIC LAW 111-5) COPS HIRING RECOVERY PROGRAM, BE
APPROVED FOR FOUR POSITIONS.
Councilmember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
(Councilmember Coleman commented it is the uncertainty that gets
to him and the time pressure is very difficult.He thinks they
will need to take a look at, no matter what the states does, not
just the police department but all of our departments that are
struggling.His thought is that they have the .2% that will
sunset next year and perhaps they could look at using that
strictly for salaries and that a certain portion be allocated
for public safety and a certain portion to parks and recreation,
city clerk and city attorney and the other departments.)
(Councilmember Serdy stated he is usually overly conservative on
budget, but he thinks they owe it to the officers to put as many
out there as we can and be optimistic that George can sort this
all out in a couple of years.)
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 25 OF 44
(Councilmember Wilson voted yes with the emphasis that they do
as much as possible to put away the money each year in a special
account to hold it for the fourth year.He may or may not be up
here for the city council so he does not want to force it on the
people who come up after him, but he would like to possibly see
it funded through the next 3 years.)
The motion carried.
break.
meeting.
Mayor Insalaco called for a
Mayor Insalaco reconvened the
ORDINANCE NO. 1340, ANNEXATION OF
APPROXIMATELY 123 ACRES OF PRIVATE
PROPERTY AND ASSIGNING CITY ZONING
TO THE PROPERTY OWNED BY FORTUNE
TRAVEL, INC./ORDINANCE NO. 1341,
AMENDING ZONING DISTRICT MAP FOR A
111 GROSS ACRES PROPERTY LOCATED AT
SOUTHEAST CORNER AREA OF MERIDIAN
AND SOUTHERN FROM GENERAL RURAL TO
TRAILER HOMESITES BY PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT )
)Senior Planner Rudy
Esquivias briefed the council on the items.He commented these
items are not ready to be heard tonight as the third item, the
development agreement, has not been signed.
Councilmember Coleman stated
the packet has pictures of houses in it.He does not see any
lots where those houses will fit.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he would have to go back and check the floor plans and
then the site plan to see which models would match up with those
lots.He does not have that information in front of him right
now.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 26 OF 44
Councilmember Coleman
commented they are not asking for the normal 5' and 10'
setbacks; they want 5' and 5'.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is normal for a manufactured home park.
Councilmember Coleman
commented that even with that, he does not see how any of the
products they are trying to sell us on will fit.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he would ask Mr. Lake to give them some conceptual site
plans for how those products will fit on the lots.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he asked Mr. Lake today that same question for
Councilmember Coleman and he said he would be prepared to bring
an answer on the next meeting, which he recommends be May 5.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they
can say they want a guaranteed development agreement if they are
even going to put it on the agenda.If they put it on the
agenda and they have a public hearing without it, it would just
be continued again.
City Manager George Hoffman
commented when you create your own deadline, time in
negotiations can be extremely important.If they create a
timeline for themselves, it means to the applicant that the deal
points they have, if time is the most important variable, then
the applicant gives up on those deal points.
Vice Mayor Eck asked why it
is even on the agenda if they do not have a development
agreement.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the developer gave us a schedule that the requested and
we met everything we were supposed to.The development
agreement was back in their hands 4 to 5 weeks ago and they took
their time over some language.He met with Sean Lake last week
on some of the bullet points and they want some revision on some
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 27 OF 44
language.He thought it was in perfect order.They do have
some concerns over some of the language.This is the second or
third draft so far.Mr. Hoffman and he met with Sean Lake and
the developer and they thought they had all the bullet points
worked out.
Councilmember Dietz commented
he thought that he had been told that all the points had been
basically agreed upon and everything was ready to go.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the concepts were agreed upon and the language was not
necessarily agreed upon.This is also a settlement agreement on
some of the drainage issues.Some of that language they did not
like and they wanted to strike it.We had to work some of those
issues out and we are still working on them.He has a meeting
with the city engineer in the next few days to talk about some
of the issues that were brought up last week.If they do not
put a date specific, the city will have to ask for another fee
for the publication date.They would have to get this settled
in the next week -and -a -half to get it on the agenda.They may
want to go later and have a pretty good chance of getting it
done.That would be May 19.
There was general discussion
on the council regarding the date to continue it to.The
general consensus was May 19.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the items.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1340 AND ORDINANCE NO. 1341 BE CONTINUED TO
MAY 19, 2009.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 1337, AMENDING APACHE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 28 OF 44
JUNCTION CITY CODE, VOLUME II,
CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 13, SECTION
13.0104 REQUIRED LIST OF PROPERTY
OWNERS
Baker briefed the council on the item.
Planning Manager Fred
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it is highly recommended that if they do pick a number
that they do not say up to.They should pick a black and white
number so there is no discretion.The reason is to avoid any.
kind of due process or unfettered discretion arguments that an
aggrieved party could make.
Mayor Insalaco agreed.
Councilmember Coleman asked
if this is only for industrial zoning.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated that is correct.It is only for requests to rezone any
property to an industrial zone.
Councilmember Coleman stated
if they are rezoning from residential to commercial it would
still be 300 feet.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Coleman
commented that is basically what everybody does.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated that is correct.Their research for the planning
commission identified that most cities have 300 feet; the City
of Eloy gives some staff discretion.All other cities were 300
feet for all rezonings.
Vice Mayor Eck commented one
of the things not discussed at the planning commission in
changing it to 1,500 feet was the actual cost.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 29 OF 44
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated there were a couple of issues.The 1,500 feet was an
outgrowth because the neighbors in the area, as these were large
lots, were beyond the 300 feet but felt that this project
impacted their neighborhood.The number was looked at where
this large property is and how other large lot residential
properties might be affected.The cost factor at the planning
commission was talked about and considered in terms of the
advertising costs, the minimal additional costs to staff and
some discussion on being business -friendly or not in asking a
little more on an industrial project that wants to rezone to
industrial than other property owners.The planning commission
recommended 1,500 feet at the conclusion.
Vice Mayor Eck commented
everybody wants recycling but they do not want it next to their
residence.If this had been down in an industrial area, they
would probably not have heard anything but positive things about
it.If a business wants to succeed, they will go past the 300
feet and get the neighborhood support.He has never seen a
development come in and go with the minimum and not try to gain
the area's support to get it passed before the council.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated this project was withdrawn but they did have intentions
to have a neighborhood meeting and to notify people beyond the
300 feet.We had people who had attended the planning meeting
and a list of people that were going to be notified of a special
neighborhood meeting that never did occur.
Vice Mayor Eck commented that
if they had wanted to succeed, they would have originally done
that up front.That is what he has seen other developers do.
Councilmember Serdy asked if
the planning and zoning commission was unanimous at 1,500 feet.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Serdy asked for
their reasons on that.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 30 OF 44
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated it related to this particular case in order to allow for
an industrial use.If you look at the variety of industrial
uses that are allowed in our zoning ordinance, some of them are
relatively objectionable next to residential property.They
wanted to be notified of the public hearing so that they could
state their position, and in this case it would have been in
opposition.
Councilmember Serdy commented
in this case it was to protect peoples' property and privacy.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated some of the issues that came up were certainly protecting
their privacy and safety.This particular project was proposing
large vehicles to enter and exit the site.There was some
concern that some of the vehicles might be in conflict with the
residential traffic in the area and the kids going to school.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.
Mr. Dave Janacek, 1480 S.
Chaparral, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked if
they are trying to get an okay out to 1,500 feet for what.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated the application for this use has been withdrawn.It is
no longer on the table.The outgrowth was there were some
concerns from the citizens who felt that the neighborhood was
not adequately notified.As a result, the proposal and
discussion at the planning commission was for any future
requests to rezone industrial property.
Mr. Dave Janacek asked if the
planning commission agreed to keep the 1,500 feet alert when
they have an industry in a residential zone.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated the planning commission makes a recommendation to the
city council and the city council makes the final determination.
This particular property was commercial property asking for
industrial rezoning adjacent a large auto wrecking yard that has
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 31 OF 44
residential zoning.Beyond the 300 feet there is large lot,
rural type developments.If they are beyond the 300 foot
radius, they were not notified of the public hearing.
Therefore, 1,500 feet was discussed in terms of how far out on a
project like this would the city be able to notify the
neighborhood.The discussion at the city council work session
was about in an industrial area where these types of uses really
belong, there are larger lots.A smaller notification would be
appropriate.
Mr. Dave Janacek commented
there is no reason to discuss this any more as it was withdrawn.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented the speaker is probably not aware of this.The
process is the speaker speaks their mind and hopefully staff is
taking notes and answers the questions.It would not be broken
up like it is now.He believes the speaker has one more
question.
Mr. Dave Janacek asked if the
1,500 foot warning is not appropriate because it will only be
used in industrial zones.
Mayor Insalaco commented the
1,500 foot notification currently does not exist.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented currently state law says 300 feet for all types of
zonings.The case the speaker is talking about is dead; it is
done and we are not talking about that case at all.
Mr. John Kantowski, 835 W.
Windsong, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He
recommended the council take the planning and zoning
commission's 1,500 foot recommendation for industrial sites
because there are a lot more hazards and concerns than there is
in commercial.At 500 feet with these large lots only 2
properties might be notified.
Mr. Dwayne Buell, 612 W.
Desert Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 32 OF 44
where the piece of property is located that brought this topic
into the spotlight.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it is close to Tomahawk and next to the landscaping place
at 12th Avenue.
Ms. Tea Coleman, 1091 S.
Bowman, Apache Junction, addressed the council.She lives about
1,000 feet from the area and her concerns were children walking
to school, safety, noise pollution, air pollution and the
lighting being changed in the community.Possibly 4 residences
would have been notified at 1,500 feet, which is more than none.
She urged them to choose 1,500 feet.She also advised that the
business is still operating in the area even though the rezoning
is a dead issue.They are still running big trucks up and down
12th Avenue, impacting the community from Old West to Broadway
and from Tomahawk to Cortez.
Mr. Steve Flynn, 305 N.
Acacia, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated
planning and zoning 'sometimes infringes on property rights, but
there are certain cases where they are issues of health and need
to be looked at carefully.He would be careful where they place
industrial businesses.
Ms. Sherry Webb, 1584 S.
Bowman, Apache Junction, addressed the council.She requested
they consider the 1,500 feet on industrial rezoning because of
historical values, archeological values, the safety environment,
new businesses, air quality, groundwater, traffic and outdoor
entertainment.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened
the item to council discussion.
Councilmember Wilson
commented they had recently discussed that the large lot area
would have minimal impact.In some of the other commercial
areas that would want to do some industrial zoning on smaller
lots, the impact would be tremendous.He asked if they can pass
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 33 OF 44
the notification costs on to the developer if they increase the
numbers of notification.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the mailings are the developer's cost.
Councilmember Wilson
commented we pass this on to them.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated we do for the 300 foot notification.If they do the
1,500 feet, it would be an additional cost for the developer.
Councilmember Coleman
commented the trade-off is then people say the city is not
business -friendly.Every other city requires 300 feet.We
would be requiring 1,500 feet.He thinks this guy went wrong in
where he was trying to put it as they have always tried to keep
the area between the Y and north of Broadway low density.To
try to put an industrial -type business there does not fit the
community.He could have told him that on day one.With the
notification, they are talking about giving the opportunity to
people to come here and see that the city council will protect
those areas from that kind of development.Even if no one had
come, he does not think that development would have gone through
this council.He asked if they could restrict the 1,500 feet to
those areas that are low density.In some areas it may not be
appropriate to raise the cost that much.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there could be language that could be put in that talks
about low density and referring to the general plan.They could
come up with something if they had direction to do that.
Vice Mayor Eck asked about it
involving low density and the location being adjacent to
residential or not.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated if he had direction he could do that.They would have to
continue this matter.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 34 OF 44
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
is concerned if they just say industrial outright when they have
an industrial area down south.There is not a need for 1,500
feet there.He agreed with what Councilmember Coleman stated in
the area of the Y.He would not even think of a business
applying for that area.He asked how they could stop that from
happening.
Mayor Insalaco commented
without the public outcry.
Vice Mayor Eck asked how they
could stop the 1,500 foot notification and have the business go
through the process and have the neighborhood upset because
their neighborhood is being jeopardized.He asked if the 1,500
foot notification would realistically do it in areas where there
are large lots.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there is a public participation provision of the law
which requires the developer to have public meetings in addition
to the public hearings.
Vice Mayor Eck commented that
is what he wondered about.It seems that everyone that succeeds
does that.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented he recalled at the planning and zoning industrial
issue had many of the people showing up and saying they had
never gotten notification and they got a phone call that day.
That is why they were there.Some of them did not even hear
about the public participation meetings.It does come down to
business owner, if they really want the business, to do public
outreach beyond the 300 foot level.They should go door to door
and say they are having a public meeting on this and invite the
residents to come.There is that incentive for the business
owner to do these activities.
Councilmember Coleman asked
if in this instance the proposed rezoning was adjacent to
residential or to commercial and then residential.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 35 OF 44
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he thought it might have been both.The residential was
across the street and it was adjacent to CB -2 and also a
junkyard that had non -conforming status.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated that was correct.On two sides they had the auto
junkyard that has been there for over 20 years.That property
was joined GR.The property that they were requesting to rezone
to industrial was commercial use.They did have a commercial
use adjacent to them on one side.The large lot residential was
on the other side of the junkyard.
Councilmember Coleman asked
how many of those properties the 300 foot notification hit.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated three property owners.The neighborhood notification
procedure, by state law, is required for the neighborhood
meeting for those within 300 feet.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented for the rezoning it is.He believes it is also 300
feet for the neighborhood participation.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
commented he does not believe that is in the ordinance.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it is.We mirror the state law.He added they can come
back with some language after hearing some of their comments
tonight and bring it back with proposed language.
Mayor Insalaco commented if
it is not necessary to get this done tonight he feels he would
rather have it brought back with language that would protect the
residents.
Councilmember Serdy commented
that just a simple change to 1,500 feet protects the residents.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
might not be business -friendly because it could be in an
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 36 OF 44
industrial park and one business could say it does not want that
business next to it.
Councilmember Serdy commented
they could overrule it.
Mayor Insalaco restated it is
not being business -friendly.Putting that type of industry in
that part is not kosher.
Councilmember Coleman
commented they hardly ever have requests for industrial
rezoning.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he has been here for 12 years and they have had maybe a
handful. Rudy could probably attest to that.
Councilmember Coleman stated
he could remember two.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the only two that he could recall was the Belucci
property on Southern and Idaho and the Baseline Industrial Park
which was already developed.There is not that much industrial
zoning in the city and most of it, except for Mr. Belucci's
property, is from the county days.They have Baseline
Industrial, 17th and Tomahawk, a 20 -acre piece off of Meridian
and south of the Safeway, Southern and Idaho, and little bits
and pieces here and there.
Mayor Insalaco called for a
motion.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the motion should be for a date certain so that it does
not have to be advertised again.
Councilmember Wilson MOVED
THAT WE MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS TO THIS PROPOSAL TO MAKE IT TO
WHERE THERE IS MORE AREA COVERED FOR THE RESIDENTIAL LARGE LOT
AREA AND BE LESS IMPACTNG ON THE SMALLER INDUSTRIAL ZONE AREAS;
AND WE BRING IT BACK ON JUNE 16, 2009.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 37 OF 44
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Barker
commented she thought they got tied up on a zoning issue rather
than a notification issue.When this comes back, it needs to
reflect notification and forget the mess that occurred over
there.The council realizes the problem based on it but it no
longer exists.
ORDINANCE NO. 1329, AMENDING
APACHE JUNCTION CITY CODE VOLUME
1, CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE 9-5,
SECTION 9-5-4(A)PERMITTED DAYS
AND HOURS OF COLLECTION AND
ARTICLE 9-6, SECTION 9-6-2
PERMITTED DAYS AND HOURS OF
COLLECTION )
)City Attorney Joel Stern
briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Barker
commented that this has nothing to do with the prior matter.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it does not.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.
Mr. Dave Janacek, 1480 S.
Chaparral, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked if
there already is an ordinance covering the ability to collect
recyclable trash.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated currently if a service provider of trash wants to allow
for recycling, they would still have to pick up trash twice a
week.This would make it easier for the collection agency as
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 38 OF 44
they would only have to pick up trash once a week and then
recycling once a week.They could do it in the same pick up.
Mr. Dave Janacek asked if the
recyclable trash is covered by the regular trash ordinance, or
are the two of them being differentiated right now.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they would be differentiated right now if it is passed.
Mr. Dave Janacek asked if
they would be taking comments at a future meeting on this.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it was up for adoption tonight.
Mr. Dave Janacek asked if
this one day/two day collection is going to be approved by
ordinance, could they also insert in the lingo that the trash
pick up outfit be located in the regular industrial zone south
of Highway 60.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that would be illegal.
Mr. Steve Flynn, 305 N.
Acacia, Apache Junction, addressed the council.As long as it
is optional he does not see a problem with recycling.
There was general discussion
that this is just an option for people, it is not a requirement.
Mr. Dwayne Buell, 612 E.
Desert Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked
if this is being brought up now because there is a company now
interested in providing recycling.
Councilmember Barker
commented this is being brought up because we need to have it
available in case there is a company that expresses interest in
recycling.The city would not have had the ability to allow
them to do that.We have not talked to any company thus far
that is interested.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 39 OF 44
Ms. Tea Coleman, 1091 S.
Bowman, Apache Junction, addressed the council.She stated
there is a company named Rightaway Disposal that is doing this.
They are the ones that set up the shop on 12th Avenue, Tomahawk
and Old West Highway and they wanted to do a first stage
recycling and sorting center.They are asking for this even
though they have not approached the council to bluntly ask for
it.She is in support for one or two day pick up for curbside
recycling.
Councilmember Barker
commented in actuality she brought this up two -and -a -half years
ago.It has taken two years.She does not know anyone from
Rightaway nor has she ever talked to them or met with them.It
has to do with nothing but the fact that many members of the
community have asked for the ability to recycle.
Ms. Tea Coleman stated they
will be the first one in asking for it.They have made it very
clear to their customers that that is what they are headed for.
Mr. Mark Helm, Rightaway
Disposal, addressed the council.He stated they are looking for
a recycling facility, they have relocated, and they are still
parking trucks out there on commercial property.They have not
recycled or dumped any trash onto the property.He is
interested in recycling and has delivered 6,000 containers in
the Johnson Ranch area where they do recycle, pulling 12 tons a
week in recycling from there.They have 2 cans, one for trash
and one for recyclables.He would love to offer that option
here.
Mr. John Kantowski, 835 W.
Windsong, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He is sure
the council has made it known that they would not put a
recycling center within a low density.Somewhere there will
need to be a recycling center.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened
the item to council discussion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 40 OF 44
Councilmember Serdy commented
they had a presentation on a new landfill in Florence Junction.
There was general discussion
regarding the new landfill that will be between Florence
Junction and Florence.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it
is ironic that for as long as Councilmember Barker has been
trying to get the recycling on the agenda that it come back to
back on the same night.They are not supposed to be related.
If recycling came here, it could be a current company in
business here now.They will not pick up twice a week; they
will pick up once a week.They do not have that capability.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1329 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY 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.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1329, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED
AND ADOPTED.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 41 OF 44
OLD BUSINESS
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 6:00 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT
7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009, IN THE CITY COUNCIL
CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, RESPECTIVELY; AND
THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL
21, 2009, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC:
Mr. Steve Flynn, 305 N. Acacia, Apache Junction, addressed the
council to oppose the grant adding police officers.
Mrs. Shannon Flynn, 305 N. Acacia, Apache Junction, addressed
the council regarding the ordinance on the height of fences on
large lots.
Ms. Christa Rizzi, 1755 S. Sombrero, Apache Junction, addressed
the council regarding the Awareness Walk.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin, 2341 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction,
addressed the council to thank the council for the development
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 42 OF 44
fee agreement and to request an extension on putting in the
landscaping due to a loss of funds.
Mr. Joe Severs, 1904 E. Schooner, Gilbert, addressed the council
regarding the Hitching Post Pizza Pub and requested the
development services director be allowed to issue a temporary
certificate of occupancy or temporary use permit so that the
business could open and make money, allowing them to pay sales
tax and put in the landscaping required.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Insalaco adjourned
the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Acceptance of Agenda.
2. Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 17, 2009.
3. Consideration of a Cable TV Technical Consulting Services
Agreement between the City of Apache Junction and
Kramer.Firm, Inc.
4. Consideration of Resolution No. 09-05, approving an
intergovernmental agreement with Pinal County for
reimbursement of overtime and employment related expenses
incurred due to Pinal County Local Law Enforcement Agency
participation in the Governor's Office of Highway Safety
Contract for the High Visibility Impaired Driving Enforcement
Program.
5. Consideration of the purchase of a replacement
plotter/scanner in an amount not to exceed $44,160.26 for the
Public Works department.
ACCEPTED THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL, 2009, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL, 2009.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 43 OF 44
ATTEST:
,
"7-7 /7,2 _ 77.
KATHLF.PN CONNFLLY
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 7th
day of April, 2009.I further certify that the meeting was duly
called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 15th of April, 2009.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2009
PAGE 44 OF 44