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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-02 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on September 2, 2008, 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 7:10 p.m. INVOCATION Councilmember Wilson gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Eck led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco Vice Mayor Eck Councilmember Barker Councilmember Dietz Councilmember Serdy Councilmember Wilson Staff Present: (Councilmember Severs was absent.) City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Jerry Monahan Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell Development Svcs. Director Brad Steinke Assistant to the City Mgr. Matt Busby Others Present:Grants Specialist Roger Hacker REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 1 OF 11 ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND THAT ANDREW WHITENECK BE APPOINTED TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 31, 2008. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS None. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Mr. Ernest Imbeault, 2835 W. Cody, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding proposed City of Mesa art shows. Ms. Dolly Chavez, 1548 E. 30th Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding vendors charging late fees on senior citizens. Mr. Tony Vehon, Chamber of Commerce, addressed the council regarding the Day of the Cowboy events, partnering with other entities, and the chamber being more proactive. Mr. Michael Weller, 471 W. 21st Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding property and maintenance standards having more teeth. Mr. Glen Koepke, 4216 N. Plaza Drive, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding Operation Wounded Warrior. Ms. Christa Rizzi, 1755 S. Sombrero, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding her not supporting the recall effort or committee and that she is on the committee for John Kantowski's initiative. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 2 OF 11 Mrs. Shannon Flynn, 305 N. Acacia Road, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding the recall challenge. Mr. John Kantowski, 835 W. Windsong, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding relaying the appreciation of Bryan Martyn to the voters and withdrawing his initiative at this time. Mr. Wayne Standage, 1920 E. 20th Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council regarding the character assassination of Joel Stern by other speakers in the past being uncalled for. Vice Mayor Eck asked if there was something that could be done with the seniors regarding these sales things that go on where they are taken advantage of.He asked if there was something at the senior center or somewhere else that offers advice to the seniors.A lot of them are homebound; he would like to be able to reach them somehow and watch out for them.This is still, as Dolly Chavez said, a senior community.When he started on the council the average voting age was 71.On the neighborhood maintenance standards, he knows they are doing code enforcement. He would like to know where they are at, what enforcement they are doing, and maybe get an update.He knows they are doing it proactively, but they are not doing quarterly cleanups anymore, just biannually because of the cost.It is always a battle to get people to clean up. Councilmember Barker commented on the senior center contacting Ms. Chavez on their programs to assist the seniors and thanked Christa Rizzi for clarifying her position. Councilmember Wilson commented he talked to other city council members at the League conference about what they are doing in their communities for the artists.Jerome has a lot of artists and they handle them two ways.One is co-op membership and art may only be shown or displayed when the co-op is present.They have to have a license if they are not part of the co-op.Their licenses are $100 and they are talking about increasing them. Other cities expressed the same thing.He is appreciative of Mr. Imbeault's comments and what he is trying to guide the city to, but the city has to look at the overall operation of the city and the fairness to everyone concerned. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 11 None. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager George Hoffman commented on the closure of State Route 88 for slurry seal work, a warrant study for the intersection of State Route 88 and Superstition Boulevard, the cleaning up of westbound US 60 to Old West Highway, state and national interest by other municipalities in the construction of city hall and the multi-gen facility, state and national interest by other municipalities in the green housekeeping program, the self -collection software program, and the park ranger program that have been developed by city employees, and the library grand opening on September 22. PUBLIC HEARINGS APPLICATION FOR LIQUOR LICENSE FOR MIRAGE SPORTS GRILL ) )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco requested the applicant address the council. Ms. Helen Woodruff, applicant, addressed the council.She stated she had brought with her the certificates from the liquor department for the classes that they are required to take.They have been completed for her staff and herself.She did not believe that was checked off on her application. Councilmember Barker stated that answered her question. Councilmember Serdy asked what kind of menu they will have. Councilmember Dietz stated it is in the packet. Ms. Helen Woodruff stated they will have a sports them, plasma televisions, and a full that answered her question. what kind of menu they will have. is in the packet. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 4 OF 11 menu as they have a full kitchen.They will have steaks for the dinner hour, hamburgers, and ioEs of appetizers because you cannot watch a football game without chicken wings and cheese curds.They will also be open for breakfast.It was a decision they made recently to assure that they would be complying with the 40% food requirement.She does not see that it will be a problem for them.She has also been hearing from people that breakfast is something they would be interested in. Vice Mayor Eck commented they are going to like that decision. Mayor Insalaco commented that is so especially in the wintertime. Vice Mayor Eck commented he knows the building but he is trying to figure out which unit it is. Councilmember Dietz asked if it is where the Italian restaurant used to be. Ms. Helen Woodruff stated it is where Cappotto's used to be, but they will not recognize it. Mayor Insalaco opened the public hearing on the item. Mr. John Kantowski, 835 W. Windsong, addressed the council.He recommended full approval of the application. Mayor Insalaco closed the public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened the item to council discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a motion. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT THE APPLICATION FOR AN INTERIM PERMIT, NEW LICENSE, LIMITED LIABILITY CO., SERIES 12 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR MIRAGE SPORTS GRILL, SUBMITTED BY HELEN WOODRUFF, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 5 OF 11 Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 CITY COUNCIL WORK PLAN ) )City Manager George Hoffman briefed the council on the item. Vice Mayor Eck asked if this is in addition to the current plan they already have.He assumes that all the other items are going on this, including the work plan on the downtown and a plan to create a downtown in the community.He wanted to be assured that the economic development department would still shop the downtown to outside or inside developers.They are not trying to pull away from the downtown.The land sitting at Idaho Road on both sides of the freeway to San Marcos is state trust land.If a commercial developer came here and stated he wanted to put a Costco in, there would be no place to put it.There is no location as it is all state trust land.He would like to see them make an effort to possibly get that land released.If they start working on it now, it might be released in 3 to 4 years.It is in the lawsuit with the flood district, but if they do not do something, he wonders when it will ever happen. City Manager George Hoffman stated Steve will continue his work on economic development and attracting and retaining businesses in the community.He clarified for the community that this is a legislative work plan.It represents the goals and priorities that the city council want to tackle for the year ahead.It does not reference the hundreds of things that staff will be working on throughout the year.For example, the police audit is in the council's work plan.However, Chief Monahan has dozens of different initiatives that he is working on for both the development of the department and the community.The same goes for all the departments.This is the council's legislative work REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 6 OF 11 plan and it is what the community will see the council working on. Vice Mayor Eck commented he could have thrown 35 things at him when he asked him but he trimmed it down.They can only do so many items.On the overpasses, he is also thinking about the freeway overpasses as they head eastbound, specifically Meridian, but he is hoping they can continue on once they have one done.It would add to the aesthetics and he hopes they could go after some grant funding to accomplish it.He hopes they do not have to go into their budget dollars. Mayor Insalaco commented he is wondering whatever happened to the Arizona Department of Transportation painting the overpasses as they said they would do in a meeting with Bryant.When you come through Tempe and other cities they are all nice and painted. City Manager George Hoffman stated ours look like they were done in an earlier time.He believes staff has made contact with the Arizona Department of Transportation and they are amenable to looking at other solutions.He speculated it may come down to who pays for what. No doors have been closed and they will continue to explore that further. Councilmember Serdy stated State Route 51 is a state route, and the length of that entire freeway in town is done.He asked if the city did it or if the state kicked in, and if the state kicked in, why would they not do so here. City Manager George Hoffman stated that is a great illustration of the research staff would be doing as they bring this forward.They would then have the answers.He does not have those answers off the top of his head. Vice Mayor Eck commented he believes that when one hits north Scottsdale, up around Shea and that area of the freeway, that the City of Scottsdale had put REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 7 OF 11 some investment dollars into the freeway.He would just like to do some research. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 CITY COUNCIL WORK PLAN BE ADOPTED. Councilmember Wilson SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Barker commented the city manager also asked them to publicly state that the general plan and state land would be a priority. NEW BUSINESS None. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF AUTHORIZATION TO WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE ARIZONA ANTIQUE ENGINE AND TRACTOR MUSEUM TOWARDS ESTABLISHING THE MUSEUM AND RELATED FACILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RODEO PARK MASTER PLAN )Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell briefed the council on the item. Vice Mayor Eck asked if they would be turning around the profits and putting them back into the community like they always do. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated those are the details that their authorization is going to get them into while negotiating with them.There REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 8 OF 11 will be a lot of steps in between now and then.He does not see it being any different than it has been for the last 15 years. Councilmember Wilson commented he had attended one of their meetings a while back and there are people willing to donate tractors as long as they have a location for them.One person has several tractors, owning over 80, that he wanted to bring to this facility to be put on permanent display.He had told them the city would take all 80 of them and put them on display. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell commented he believes the organization has many commitments and that is why they need some formal authorization to begin working on this. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION AND AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING WORKING IN COOPERATION WITH THE ARIZONA ANTIQUE ENGINE AND TRACTOR MUSEUM TOWARDS ESTABLISHING THE MUSEUM AND RELATED FACILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RODEO PARK MASTER PLAN:THAT WE GO FORWARD AND LET MR. BELL TALK WITH THE ANTIQUE ENGINE AND TRACTOR MUSEUM FOLKS ABOUT CREATING A MUSEUM. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE FUND II GRANT APPLICATION ) )Grants Specialist Roger Hacker briefed the council on the item. Mayor Insalaco closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 9 OF 11 Councilmember Barker MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE FUND II GRANT APPLICATION:THAT THIS GO WITH THE SENIOR CENTER TRANSPORTATION SERVICE AND THAT STAFF WORK WITH THE LOCAL VETERANS ORGANIZATION TOWARDS THEIR NEEDS ALSO. Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. 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, SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, 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, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE ) )Mayor Insalaco adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of August 5, 2008. 3. Appointment to Health and Human Services Commission. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 10 OF 11 ACCEPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2008, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 16TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2008. ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk N S. INSALACO Mayor CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, held on the 2nd day of September, 2008.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 8th day of September, 2008. 9 KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 PAGE 11 OF 11