HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-17 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on November 17, 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 Coleman 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
Development Svcs. Director Brad Steinke
Planning Manager Fred Baker
Economic Dev. Director Steve Filipowicz
Others Present:Captain Troy Mullender
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 1 OF 22
Program Coordinator Heather Patel
Business Advocate Janine Solley
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND
THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE CITY TO JOIN COPPER
COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 BETWEEN THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION AND
THE APACHE JUNCTION REACH OUT FOOD BANK IN THE AMOUNT OF
$14,400; THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE EAST VALLEY -APACHE
JUNCTION BRANCH IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,000; COMMUNITY ACTION HUMAN
RESOURCES AGENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,000; COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
AGAINST FAMILY ABUSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,700; EAST VALLEY ADULT
RESOURCES FOR THE APACHE JUNCTION SENIOR CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF
$24,900; AND SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN MENTAL HEALTH CENTER IN THE
AMOUNT OF $15,000; FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $80,000; AND THAT
AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENTS; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION AND EAST VALLEY ADULT
RESOURCES, INC. FOR THE RIDE CHOICE PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR
2009-2010 IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,432; AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE
GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
APACHE JUNCTION AND THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC FOR LEGAL ADVERTISING
FOR 2010 IN THE AMOUNT OF 33 CENTS PER LINE PER DAY IN THE MESA
REPUBLIC AND 80 CENTS PER LINE PER DAY IN THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC;
AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE
AGREEMENT.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
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NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 2 OF 22
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Public Safety Director Jerald Monahan gave a brief presentation
on the police department's strategic plan.
Program Coordinator Heather Patel gave a brief presentation on
free tax preparation sites available in Apache Junction for tax
year 2010.Mr. Ricardo Banuelos from United Way of Pinal County
gave a presentation on their partnership with Empowerment
Systems to provide additional sites for tax assistance.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Wilson announced that this past weekend he worked
with the Parks and Recreation Department with their Little
Buckaroos, co -sponsored with the Superstition Horsemen's
Association.The children did gold panning, shot a bow and
arrow, rode stick ponies, participated in a petting zoo and
interacted with horses.
Councilmember Serdy commented Main Street is taking donations
from individuals and businesses for the Christmas light display
in the center median.
Mayor Insalaco commented the art show at the college this last
weekend was well attended.
Mayor Insalaco commented he visited a second grade class at
Superstition Mountain Elementary today and was impressed with
the quality of the penmanship, spelling and wording of 25
letters he had received from them previously.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager George Hoffman had no report.Public Safety
Director Jerald Monahan introduced Troy Mullender, recently
promoted internally to captain.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPLICATION FOR A NEW LICENSE,
INDIVIDUAL, RESTAURANT LIQUOR
LICENSE FOR LA RAZA STEAKS & RIBS )
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 3 OF 22
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Gilbert Martinez, Tres
Banderas Restaurant, addressed the council.He stated his
daughter graduated from the Culinary Institute of Phoenix and
wishes to have her own place.He hopes it will be good for the
community.It will not be Mexican food this time, but steaks
and ribs.She figures she cannot compete with him.He talked
to the fire department yesterday and they will be coming back to
finish their inspection.
Ms. Blanca Martinez addressed
the council.She thanked them for the opportunity and hoped she
would be bringing new jobs to the community.
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 Serdy asked if
there would be seafood.
Councilmember Barker
commented the menu is in the packet.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
item with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Coleman MOVED
THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A NEW LICENSE, INDIVIDUAL, RESTAURANT
LIQUOR LICENSE FOR LA RAZA STEAKS & RIBS, SUBMITTED BY BLANCA
MARTINEZ, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT
OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
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NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 4 OF 22
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
RECONSIDERATION OF AN APPOINTMENT
TO PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION )
)Vice Mayor Eck commented
when they did the reappointments and new appointments to the
different boards and commissions, they had four boards and
commissions combined.The last one to be voted on was the
Planning and Zoning Commission.He missed a reappointment.He
generally does reappointments as long as he knows the person is
active and they are doing the job.He is taking responsibility
for missing this reappointment for Planning and Zoning of Tess
Nesser.She is like the volunteer of the year every year in
Apache Junction.He apologized to her.He understands that the
new people have been sworn in.He thinks it would be an insult
to take someone they had appointed and take them off.He
certainly hopes her application will be in for any future
openings.
Councilmember Barker asked
what he wanted to do.
Vice Mayor Eck stated he is
doing nothing.He is dropping this.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if he was withdrawing his request.
Vice Mayor Eck stated that is
correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there should be a motion that they are taking no action.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion and called for a motion.
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NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 5 OF 22
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT WE
TAKE NO ACTION ON ITEM 12.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
TEMPORARY SIGNAGE OPTIONS
)Business Advocate Janine
Solley briefed the council on this item.
City Manager George Hoffman
suggested Brad Steinke come up as he was seeking to distill some
of the discussion into direction language.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated this direction on temporary and portable
signage is basically a discussion amongst all the departments in
the city.The department that will receive the business end of
this is development services.They will have to implement the
direction and interpret it for enforcement.Last night the
downtown consultants came in and suggested moving sign code
,,enforcement from the proactive category to the based on
complaint category.His department is proactive on trash debris
in front yards, weed overgrowth, and building/life safety issues
at this time.Signs were part of that category in the recent
past.They are suggesting following through on signs only if
there is a complaint filed with the department.They also
suggested that if a complaint is filed, and before we go into
their enforcement mode, we send our business advocate to talk to
the business and advise them what their options are for signage
and that what they are doing may be in violation.They can then
determine what they are going to do about that.If they cannot
or will not bring the sign into compliance, then we would go
into code enforcement mode.The consultants showed them
pictures of different portable signage last night.There are
certain types of portable signage that are more visibly
tasteful, better and more easily managed by the city, and will
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 6 OF 22
not create clutter along the right-of-way.They tended to want
to move the council in the ditection of the fin flag signs and
away from the a -frame signs.If a sign is in the right-of-way
or in harm's way, it can be pulled immediately; they do not have
to worry about going into enforcement mode.Other types of
signage may be illegal now but desirable in the short term until
it is figured out what they want to do permanently with signage.
The city could send them a letter of violation but not follow
through until the downtown signage issue is completed.The city
attorney is suggesting that we regroup as staff, put into
specific terms what the consultant was suggesting, come back to
the council in two weeks and have the council approve an
ordinance that would allow staff not to go into enforcement mode
until they come back around June with final recommendations.It
would be a temporary ordinance until they come up with a
permanent one.Another idea came up today which may allow us to
put all of this on hold.If the council is okay with the fin
flag signs as portable signage that do a good job for the
business and help out from an aesthetic standpoint, but not
allow the a -frame signs, they can come to an interpretive
conclusion that the fin flag signs are essentially banner signs.
We allow two banner signs per business.If fin flag signs are
classified as banner signs, they do not need to talk about any
of the other things until the consultants come back in June with
a possible permanent solution.
Councilmember Coleman
commented he does not think they can do enforcement based on a
complaint.They would get into a situation where one business
calls in and turns in a business and then they turn around and
want to know who complained against them and why their sign is
complained upon when there are 10 more on the street just like
it.They would want to know why those could remain when theirs
cannot.It just does not work.He thinks the fin flag signs
are banner signs and they should just go with that.They should
let the ones with the a -frames know they can have the fin flag
signs and they need to replace the a -frames.
Vice Mayor Eck he agreed with
Councilmember Coleman that they should set the fin flags signs
as banner signs.He was concerned about limiting it at two per
business, especially when comparing a business on a 10 acre site
to one on quarter acre site.The larger site could have two
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NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 7 OF 22
signs right off the freeway.He asked if they could do an
allotment of signs per lot size.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated they currently could not.It is something
the consultants could look at for a permanent solution.They
have not had a lot of people looking for multiple fin flag
signs, at least not more than two.It has not come up.
Councilmember Wilson asked if
it is okay for some one to have a fin flag sign with no wording
on it.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated that is how they have interpreted it in the
past.
Councilmember Wilson
commented they have 4 fin flags with no wording and two banner
signs.He asked if he would now be in violation if they go to
the fin flags being banner signs.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated the banner sign becomes a banner when it has
writing on it.Otherwise, it is just a colorful flag.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he thinks Janine is going to become very important in this in
letting people know what they can and cannot do.A lot of the
independent businesses will not know.A lot of businesses do
not want a hand out; they just want to take care of themselves.
He would like a better interpretation about private property.
He asked if they can put the good-looking a -frame signs on their
own private property.There seems to be some interpretation as
to what is the right-of-way.They want to know if they can have
a -frames if it is back on their property on their sidewalk as
long as it is not interfering.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated their interpretation, after discussing it
with Rudy Esquivias, is if it is not intended to be viewed from
the road and is not along the road, they would not interpret it
to be a violation.If it is up by the storefront, for example
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 8 OF 22
the little one that talks about hamburgers out in front of
Crow's Nest, then that would hot be a violation.
Councilmember Serdy stated if
he is driving and cannot see it, it is okay.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated there is interpretation there, but if it is
not intended to be viewed from the road, they do not enforce it.
Councilmember Barker
commented the a -frame at Khyn's Jewelry that is on their
sidewalk right in front of the door to the shop is fine.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated that is correct.
Vice Mayor Eck stated it is a
couple of hundred yards from Main Street.
Councilmember Barker stated
you have to go through the parking lot to see it.
Councilmember Serdy stated
this would be important.Janine can help with the ones that are
touchy.Being the business advocate, she can also advocate to
enforcement.She will be very important in this.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated they do not want to fail to give clear policy direction
and task the business advocate to argue with code enforcement.
He wants to ensure that they have clear policy direction, but
desires that both members of staff implement the council's
wishes.
Councilmember Barker stated
it appears to her that if the fin flag signs when lettered are
considered banners, and when they are not lettered they are
considered flags, then they have several options.If
professionally done a -frame signs can be placed in front of a
business on their sidewalk in front of their door, and they are
not meant to be a directional sign or viewed from the street,
the problem is in misconstruing the view from the street phrase.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 9 OF 22
She thinks if they are going to continue to allow them inside
the little plazas, which she feels are very appropriate for
those vendors that are in an area of multiple businesses with a
parking lot of some kind in front of them, then this will give
them the opportunity to say the day's special.We need to
clearly differentiate that sign from the one that is sort of
pointing the way that should not be seen but is.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented that is perhaps part of the long term fix and it may
be part of the consultant's job.
Councilmember Barker agreed.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it is an interpretation issue, especially when it comes
to prosecution.He may have a different opinion then Mr.
Steinke if it came to him.If he ever got it, like if Mr. Serdy
saw it from a different vantage point, he might think it is
intended to be seen from the roadway.There are some
interpretation issues that need to be cleared up in the
ordinance.
councilmember Barker asked
would that direction differentiate between the long term and
short term if -this council was to direct staff to consider fin
flags as banners, continue with their current interpretation of
a -frames but to include that in a long term look at precisely
what those should be, and to continue with more proactive
enforcement as she agrees with Mr. Coleman that it would
otherwise set up a battle, which she would prefer not to see.
would that direction differentiate between the long term and
short term.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he thinks what she is looking for is to allow the option
that the fin flag signs are okay as banners, however, he
believes, they can do that right now so they do not have to give
direction on that point.For a long term process, she would
like the sign ordinance to be looked at by the planning and
zoning commission as to a -frame signs and to expand the fin flag
issue.This should be done over the next 6 months and then
'bring back a recommendation to the council.
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NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 10 OF 22
Councilmember Barker stated
she believes that is correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated if they are going to use the business advocate as an
ombudsman, then that would mean a change in the code because
that is currently not permitted.However, nothing stops.her
from educating business people.
Councilmember Barker
commented it appears to her that educating business people would
be part of the job description.It is a business opportunity.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated it would not be a formal role; it would be a function, an
advocacy role.He asked the council what is the relationship of
the expectation that G & G Consulting do their research and
provide recommendations to the council around June 2010 and
planning and zoning acting on this.In terms of sequence, is
the commission to have the recommendations from the consultants
before the council is asked to think about them.
Councilmember Barker stated
they should see the consultant recommendation first or we will
be going backwards onthis.Planning and zoning would be doing
one thing, the council would see the consultant recommendation,
and then it would have to go back to planning and zoning -for us
to complete it.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated that would be his conclusion, but he thought he heard a
discussion about planning and zoning working on.it prior to them
getting their work .done.
Councilmember Barker stated ,
that iwas.brought up at the work session last night as amid -term
approach She -had asked the necessity of that step iif.direction
was given -to do :"X" until their report .came back and they began
working on the changes they recommended.
Councilmember Dietz commented
he thought their .temporary direction to staff tonight -would be
to come- up with a -temporary solution until G & G presented the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER17;,2009
PAGE 11 OF22,
report, went through planning and zoning, and then comes through
at the regular time with the regular signage.This would help
our businesses through the holiday season and try to get a
little relief going until they have everything established.
Councilmember Barker asked
what he had in mind in addition to the fin flags.
Councilmember Dietz stated it
would be the same as she stated; having the a -frames as long as
they were next to the business and not lined up on the curb on
Apache Trail.If they are professional -looking on the sidewalk
of the business by their door giving specials or daily specials,
they are fine.He likes the fin flags, also.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
thinks the fin signs will become more popular as we go and tell
the businesses they are allowed.They are currently telling
them they are disallowed.
Councilmember Dietz agreed.
He thinks some businesses in the city have been told they are
not allowed at all.There was some miscommunication.
Councilmember Serdy commented
that Brad said it is going to be a low priority.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated he is not sure what they are going to do
tonight.If they do nothing as far as direction, they will
continue to enforce signage as a proactive measure as that is
the last direction given previously.They are anxiously
awaiting the work that the downtown group is going to do.The
planning and zoning commission is awaiting that, whether
expedited in April or in June.They will then take it to the
planning and zoning commission and bring it back as quickly as
possible.Unless he hears differently, sign code enforcement is
still proactive.
Councilmember Serdy stated he
would like for it not to be so proactive.
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NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 12 OF 22
Councilmember Coleman
commented he thinks it needs to be proactive.Based on
complaint does not work.From experience, he can tell them it
does not work.They turn each other in, it gets nasty, and they
want to know why they are picked on and no one else is.If they
are going to have an ordinance to keep the roadways clean, then
this is it.If they do not care, then that is fine, too.He
thinks it should not be based on complaint, it should be
proactive.The fin flag signs should be considered banner
signs.That will get us through this temporary phase and they
will then wait to see what the recommendations are after it goes
through planning and zoning.
Councilmember Serdy commented
that is not really what he was meaning.He meant if they have
more important things to do, he would rather they did the life
and death things more actively and put these more on the
backburner.
Councilmember Coleman
commented he would assume they would do that.
Councilmember Serdy commented
that is what he was meaning.
Councilmember Coleman
commented it sounded like he did not want it enforced.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he did not mean that.It should be life and safety always
first.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Coleman MOVED
THAT WE DO NOT DO ANYTHING.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
commented she was not sure that would work.
THAT WE DO NOT DO ANYTHING.
MOTION.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 13 OF 22
Councilmember Coleman asked
the city attorney if they need to say the fin flags are banner
signs.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they do not.It is an interpretation issue that is left
up to the code compliance department.That is how they are
interpreting it right now, so they do not have to give direction
on that.
Councilmember Coleman stated
that basically, if they give no direction to staff, then it will
continue to be proactive, fin flag signs are banner signs, we
wait until G & G comes back with their recommendations, it goes
through planning and zoning and it comes back to us.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there is also the issue of a -frame signs, which is also
an interpretive issue that is being handled right now.
Councilmember Coleman
commented the way they are interpreting it is the way it will be
interpreted.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there should be a motion to take no action.
Councilmember Coleman AMENDED
HIS MOTION TO SAY WE TAKE NO ACTION.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he understands from the conversation of Councilmember
Serdy and Councilmember Coleman, that of the many, many i,ssues
facing this community such as graffiti, litter and junk
vehicles, that those kinds of things he is supposed to focus the
resources on ahead of things like proactively seeking out sign
violations.He asked if that was a fair interpretation.
Councilmember Serdy stated it
is.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 14 OF 22
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they are not directing the city manager to do that.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated it is an understanding of the council's policy interest.
Councilmember Dietz commented
it is under Brad's interpretation of the law.
Councilmember Coleman
commented it is an either or sort of thing.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated it is a priority sort of thing as there are limited
resources and he would like to know where they want the
resources allocated.
Councilmember Barker stated
she appears to be hearing that they have some signage that is in
the right-of-way, does not come under the category of a fin
flag, flag or banner or anything else.She believes she is
hearing that owner of those signs should be told that those
signs are not allowable signs.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he understands that signage in the right-of-way to be a
health safety matter and would attend to that in a most
expeditious way.
Councilmember Barker
commented she is happy.
There was general discussion
on the motion and second.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
MODIFICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1350,
SECTION 1, IN GENERAL, AMENDING
THE CITY CODE VOLUME II, ZONING
ORDINANCE, SECTION 20.0106(1)
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 15 OF 22
RELATING TO SCREENING OF RV'S
AND SEMI -RIG CABS WITH OR WITHOUT
TRAILERS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL
SIDE YARD
)Councilmember Wilson
commented he would like to address the fence requirements on
hiding the different kinds of vehicle in the side yard.He
showed them some pictures of a vehicle sitting behind a wooden
fence.It does not do a good job of hiding what is behind it.
He asked if they are trying to encourage this type of look.On
his personal horse trailer, he put a section of fence in front
of it.They can see how high up the horse trailer sits.This
is sitting approximately 6" higher than if it was on the back of
his truck because it has to be jacked up with it being a
gooseneck.It is better than 10' high.He talked to Rudy and
Brad and was told if he just put the fence around the trailer he
would have to run it down both sides of his trailer to prevent
the neighbors from seeing it and prevent it from being seen from
both sides of the right-of-way.The trailer is still taller
than the fence.He also had pictures of a boat behind a fence.
On large lots he would like to be able to say they do not need
to do this when they are parked on the side of the home.He
asked for a definition of the front of a house.He has a patio
cover on the front of his house and the back of the house.
According to Rudy, the front of the house is in front of the
patio and runs all the way to the back of the patio.He would
have to run his fence to the back of his patio from the front.
He thinks they are trying to make a sore thumb out of this.He
would like to readdress it on larger lots in the rural area of
the community as they are different from the higher density
areas.
Councilmember Barker stated
she does not have-,a problem with this atall, even with those in
the city.On one specific street that she drives on there are
examples of those parked out front, those parked in backwith
fence and those parked in back without fence.The ones without
fence look fine.The ones with fence look okay.The ones out
front look horrible
Vice Mayor Eck commented they
would have to come up with a specific lot -size; they cannot just
say a large lot.
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NOVEMBER 17, 2009_
PAGE 16 OF 22
Mayor Insalaco asked if he is
talking about an acre, 1.25 acres or a 20,000 sq.ft. lot.
Councilmember Wilson asked if
they could go down to the zoning and use the GR and the R-143.
There are some older lots that are split and have horses.The
older lots have some of these areas.
Vice Mayor Eck reiterated
they need to come up with a specific size.They have to give a
number.
Councilmember Wilson asked if
this is a direction to staff for them to come back with their
recommendation.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated this is a direction to staff to return Ordinance No. 1350
with the change that he is seeking.Councilmember Barker made
one two weeks ago.This ordinance would probably come back at
the same time as we do that change.
Vice Mayor Eck stated the lot
size in that ordinance was given as 10,000 sq.ft.It covered
through time when we had 11,000 sq.ft. lots and then 20,000
sq.ft. lots and up.He believes the motion that was already
given on this ordinance was 10,000 sq.ft. or larger.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he thought it was 20,000.He asked if Rudy knew.
Councilmember Coleman thought
it was 10,000.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the provision of the ordinance talking about lot size had
to do with allowing fences taller than 6 feet.It is in a
different provision of the code.The provision of the code that
we are discussing tonight and possibly making a surgical change
to is 20.0106, the parking requirements.That is the provision
that says one recreational vehicle or a semi may be parked or
stored in a residential zoning district in the rear yard if room
permits.An exception may be granted for a recreational vehicle
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 17 OF 22
or semi to be parked or stored in the side yard if there is
adequate space and if such vehicles do not encroach beyond the
nearest front façade of the dwelling.There is no mention of
lot size in this provision.That was in a separate section.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated if they are going to talk about that section they need to
agendize that section.It is not agendized; it is specific to
20.0106(1) relating to the screening of RVs.
Councilmember Coleman asked
if they could extend out past the front of the house at all to
be considered in the side yard.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.
Mayor Insalaco stated he
wants the 6' opaque fence removed.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if he is
saying it currently needs to be three -sided or four-sided.
stated that is correct.
wants the 6' opaque fence removed.
Councilmember Wilson stated
it depends on where you park it.It could end up being three-
sided.It would be the front and both sides.If you park it up
by the house where it cannot be seen, they can use the house as
a block.But you would then have a two-sided fence in an L
shape.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
suggested they just strike out the last four lines.
City Attorney Joel Stern
agreed.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is what he is basically proposing.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 18 OF 22
Councilmember Wilson MOVED
THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING COUNCIL
DIRECTION TO STAFF ON MODIFICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1350,
SECTION I, IN GENERAL, AMENDING APACHE JUNCTION CITY CODE VOLUME
II ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 20.0106(1) RELATING TO SCREENING OF
RV'S AND SEMI -RIG CABS WITH OR WITHOUT TRAILERS PARKED IN A
RESIDENTIAL SIDE YARD:THAT THE LAST FOUR LINES BE REMOVED FROM
THIS ORDINANCE.I FURTHER MOVE THAT THESE CHANGES BE COMBINED
INTO ONE ORDINANCE WITH DIRECTION ON ORDINANCE NO. 1350
PREVIOUSLY GIVEN TO STAFF ON NOVEMBER 3, 2009, AND THAT THIS
ORDINANCE BE BROUGHT BACK AT THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15,
2009.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CARGO CONTAINER
REGULATIONS
)Development Services
Director Brad Steinke briefed the council on the item.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
only problem he sees is that they told the people with them a
specific way to screen the containers several months ago and now
we are already telling them that they cannot screen them the way
we told them to screen them.
Development Services Director
Brad Steinke stated staff is not recommending this; they are
just reacting to things heard previously from the council.
Mayor Insalaco commented they
can still do the first of the two issues.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they can.
There was general discussion
on what he meant by number one.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 19 OF 22
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING
AMENDMENTS TO THE CARGO CONTAINER REGULATIONS:THAT WE
ELIMINATE SEMI -TRAILERS AS CARGO CONTAINERS.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:6-1 (Councilmember Wilson voted in opposition.)
The motion carried.
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, NOVEMBER 30, 2009, 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,
DECEMBER 1, 2009, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC:
Mr. James Salisbury, 949 W. 15th Avenue, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding Ordinance No. 1350 and suggested
the city work with the owners to get the RVs into the side yards
or backyards.
Mr. Anthony Falzon, 725 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding the signage issue.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 20 OF 22
Ms. Roxie Watts, 1302 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding the signage issue.
Councilmember Serdy commented he hopes that what they have done
helps.There is still some room for the interpretation and he
hopes that it goes favorably.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the things they had discussed this
evening on the signage issue will alleviate some of the
problems.He added the enforcement will be proactive.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Insalaco adjourned
the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Acceptance of Agenda.
2. Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of November 3, 2009.
3. Consideration of approval authorizing the City of Apache
Junction to join the Copper Communities Alliance.
4. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2009-2010 professional services
agreements with six human service agencies to provide in -city
services in the total amount of $80,000.
5. Consideration of Professional Services Agreement with East
Valley Adult Resources, Inc. for the Ride Choice Program for
Fiscal Year 2009-2010.
6. Consideration of agreement with Arizona Republic for legal
advertising for 2010.
ACCEPTED THIS 1ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 1ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 21 OF 22
N S. INSALACO
yor
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
17th day of November, 2009.I further certify that the meeting
was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 23rd of November, 2009.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PAGE 22 OF 22