HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-07 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2007
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on August 7, 2007, at the
Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice
required by law.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Insalaco called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Wilson gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Eck led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Insalaco
Vice Mayor Eck
Councilmember Barker
Councilmember Dietz
Councilmember Serdy
Councilmember Severs
Councilmember Wilson
Staff Present:
Others Present:
City Manager George Hoffman
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Planning Manager Fred Baker
Assistant Planner Yanet Ochoa
Assistant Planner Michael Heuchert
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 1 OF 52
Parks Superintendent Nick Blake
Economic Dev. Dir. Steve Filipowicz
Sergeant Theresa Rodgers
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND
THAT DALE C. COLLIER BE APPOINTED AS DEPUTY CITY MAGISTRATE FOR
THE TERM OF AUGUST 15, 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2009; THAT
CHARLES J. ADORNETTO, DAVID P. ARROW, E. EVANS FARNSWORTH AND
NORVAL C. JESPERSON BE APPOINTED AS MAGISTRATES PRO TEM FOR THE
TERM OF AUGUST 15, 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2009; AND THAT ALL
APPOINTMENTS ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR SAID TERMS AFTER THE
EXECUTION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OATHS OF OFFICE; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS FOR THE
CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY MAGISTRATE, TO BE
RETROACTIVE TO JULY 1, 2007 AND CONTINUE THROUGH TO JUNE 2,
2009; AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE
AGREEMENTS PENDING APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY; AND
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 07-28, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, DECLARING THAT
PORTIONS OF A PUBLIC ROADWAY EASEMENT LOCATED ON WINCHESTER ROAD
FROM 29TH AVENUE AND EXTENDING SOUTH A DISTANCE OF 280 FEET
DESCRIBED IN EXTINGUISHMENT CASE EX -2006-05 IS NO LONGER
NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC USE AS A PUBLIC ROADWAY EASEMENT AND IS
HEREBY EXTINGUISHED AS A PRESENT OR FUTURE PUBLIC ROADWAY BE
APPROVED; AND
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 07-27, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING
SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSAL FOR EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE
ASSISTANCE GRANT ("JAG") PROGRAM (FY 2007) FUNDS; AND APPOINTING
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY/POLICE CHIEF TO CONDUCT ALL
NEGOTIATIONS AND EXECUTE ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH
THE SUBMITTAL BE APPROVED; AND
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 2 OF 52
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 07-23, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE
SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE GILA RIVER INDIAN
COMMUNITY FOR PROPOSITION 202 FUNDS BE APPROVED; AND
THAT THE FY 2006-07 EXPENDITURES TO ARIZONA TACTICALFIREARMS,
LLC FOR UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR OFFICERS AND THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $70,000; ASAP
SOFTWARE, INC. FOR VARIOUS COMPUTER RELATED:SOFTWARE.PURCHASES
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60,000; AND. DELL MARKETING, LLC• FOR
VARIOUS COMPUTER RELATED-EQUIPMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$200,000, BE RATIFIED; AND
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 07-26, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT WITH MEMBERS OF THE PINAL COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT
ASSOCIATION TO ALLOW FOR COOPERATIONI IN PROVIDING RECIPROCAL
MUTUAL AID BE APPROVED; AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CHIEF OF POLICE
BE AUTHORIZED TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT, PENDING FINAL APPROVAL AS
TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Insalaco read a proclamation designating August as
"Drowning Impact Awareness Month!" and presented it to Apache
Junction Fire District Captain Mike Farber.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Mrs. Peggy Wilson, 128 S. Starr Road, Apache Junction, read a
letter from Micheal McLean in support of cargo containers on
residential lots.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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Pastor Ed Bird, Community Christian Church, 1150 W. Superstition
Boulevard, Apache Junction, addressed the council in support of
cargo containers on church properties.
Mr. Conrad Pisinski, 1169 W. 14th Avenue, Apache Junction,
addressed the council in opposition to cargo containers on
residential properties.
Mr. Noel Benoist, 900 N. San Marcos #35, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding -the reasonable use of private
property.
Mr. Ed Dison, 5420 Painted Rock Road, Apache Junction,
Superstition Horsemen's Association chairman, addressed the
council regarding putting the R1-43 horse boarding facilities
and outbuilding facilities as opposed to the living space back
on the agenda; he also spoke in support of cargo containers on
residential properties.
Ms. Phyllis Blake, 2152 E. 14th Avenue, Apache Junction,
addressed the council in support of cargo containers on
residential lots.
Mr. Charles Cabellero, 945 E. Scenic, Apache Junction, addressed
the council in support of cargo containers on residential lots
and permit fees being charged to allow them on the lots.
Mr. John Kantowski, 835 W. Windsong, Apache Junction, addressed
the council in support of cargo containers on residential lots
and the need for enforcement on them.
Mr. Danny Skaggs, 925 W. Windsong, Apache Junction, addressed
the council in support of cargo containers on residential
properties.
Ms. Tess Nesser, 1511 S. Cactus, Apache Junction, addressed the
council regarding the Boys and Girls Club upcoming Bowl-a-thon
on Saturday and their raffle for Visa gift cards.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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Mr. Sean Lake, 1930 E. Brown, Mesa, addressed the council
regarding the undergrounding of utility lines requirement for
Sands on the Trail Auto Dealership.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
None.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPLICATION FOR A LIQUOR LICENSE
FOR FOX TOBACCO AND LIQUOR
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.She stated they are a
retail outlet located at Ironwood and Apache Trail.There are
no objections raised from staff or the fire district.The
applicant has been notified and asked to be present this
evening.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Mitchell Fox, 1601 W.
Apache Trail, addressed the council to answer any questions.He
requested approval of the license.
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 Dietz MOVED
THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A NEW LICENSE, LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY, SERIES 10 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR FOX TOBACCO AND LIQUOR,
SUBMITTED BY MITCHELL FOX, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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Councilmember Severs SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 07-25, DECLARING
CHAPTER 9 NATIVE PLANT PRESERVATION
A PUBLIC RECORD; ORDINANCE NO.
1301, ADOPTING CHAPTER 9 NATIVE
PLANT PRESERVATION BY REFERENCE
)Planning Manager Fred
Baker briefed the council on the item.He stated there have
been 4 different work sessions on this item.Staff is
presenting what the planning commission has recommended.The
ordinance will apply to all new development and development
expansions.If an applicant has over 3 acres, an aerial of the
site with the project site plan and an inventory of the
protected native plants will be required.No aerial will be
required if it is less than 3 acres; a photo of the site will be
required.The site plan inventory will identify species, size,
general condition and salvage status of each protected plant.
He gave a description on the salvage requirements, process, fees
and fines.At the work session the council raised some
concerns.The planning commission recommended that 1.25 acre
lots be excluded from the ordinance.Those lots amount to about
20% of the total area of the city.The council requested that
local nurseries be utilized as part the nursery maintenance;
they have been contacted and two of the four have room to accept
these plants.Council desired to bring the two to one
replacement ratio down to one to one.Staff feels they should
maintain the two to one ratio as older plants have more value
and new plants will most likely be younger, even though they are
requiring a 48" box.If the site would be over -planted due to
that ratio, then there would be relief. ,There was concern on
the maximum fine per plant being $10,000.That is what the
planning commission is recommending.There was also concern
that city staff would complete the native plant plans or if a
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AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 6 OF 52
plant specialist would be required.Staff does not have that
expertise so an expert would be needed.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
thinks the 1.25 acre lots should be left in there.He is
concerned with the fee as he has no idea of the cost for a
native plant specialist to come out and look at the property to
determine the value or if the property does not have anything on
it worth salvaging.He thinks there are a lot on the northeast
side that do have salvageable plants.He is concerned with the
cost.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated the cost to applicants with smaller properties is
different than larger properties in terms of the submittal
requirements.They would still need an arborist, which is less
expensive than a landscape architect to identify what is worth
saving.If they were to take pictures of the plants and
identify their site plan on the 1.25 residential acre lot, staff
would then be in a position to have to go to a specialist.
There is a landscape architect on staff, but he could get real
busy.They could also contract it out with the city paying for
the review.It is an extra burden.If the applicant on a
vacant piece of property were to remove the plants for sale,
they would have to get a permit from the state to do that.
Keeping them on site would save them some money.
Vice Mayor Eck stated he
likes their encouraging them that if they want to remove them
from the property as they do not want to use them, that they
could be used directly throughout the city in specific areas to
be designated.He would have concerns that the director use
leniency in the fine.If one saguaro out of ten were to die,
and it is at a cost per foot that is applied, the fee could be
as high as $10,000.He hoped there would be common sense used
in the fine.
Councilmember Barker stated
she still had a problem with their having to ask to have someone
come out and look at it if they do not have enough room.She
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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also feels the $10,000 is way too high.She would like to amend
that in the ordinance.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed.
Councilmember Dietz commented
he_thinks it is a pretty good deterrent.
Councilmember Wilson asked
how long after the'plant is planted are they.subject to the two
to onereplacement.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated it is for one year.It allows enough time for the plant
to take hold and survive the transplanting process.
Councilmember Severs
commented if they transplant a cactus and it dies 10 to 11
months later, they are subject to fines and penalties.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated they are subject to replacing the plant based on the
mitigation identified.If they do not, then .they would be
subject to fines and penalties.
Councilmember Severs asked if
plants were added that are not on the state or federal list.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated our list .is.specific to plants that are known to be in.
Apache Junction.The state list is much more extensive.The
-particular plants thatwere talked about at the work session,
the ordinance identifies that particular species which are-
cholla and pricklyjpear, which are the same :species,have about
30 some different genus type of that plant.They are only
looking at one of:each.They may appear to.be abundant, but it
would take a plant specialist to identify that plant.Staff -is
asking that those.two be preserved:;they are probably two of the
most common in this part of the desert area.
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Councilmember Severs
commented he is not familiar with many of the cactus names.
There is one that has little balls that fall off and stick to
everything.He asked if they are protecting those.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated those are cholla and they are being protected.
Councilmember Severs
commented he has heard them called jumping cactus.
Planning Manager FredBaker
.stated they are:cholla; we are protecting a certain type of
cholla.
Councilmember Severs
commented they should be outlawed.
Councilmember. Wilson.
commented he wanted to address the cholla, also.They are very
painful if you ever get one on you.He cannot see protecting
that one.If,they are going to have a development with little
kids around, they will not want this plant.If they are going .
to have any livestock, they do not want this plant.He does not
believe they should be forced to pay money to preserve the plant
on their site.or -try to give it to someone.It is wrong.
Councilmember Dietz commented
there are different types.
There was general discussion
on whether they all had the cholla balls that jump and stick to
everything.
Councilmember Serdy commented
he has problems with more of the species.Apache Junction is
300 to 400 feet higher than a lot of the cities we have copied
from.A lot of this stuff does not grow in Queen Creek so they
would want to preserve it more.We are more vegetated here.He
does not think we should have to preserve palo verdes and velvet
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AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 9 OF 52
mesquites.The nurseries do not want them; they want the
saguaros and the barrel cactus.They will be full after one
project.He asked who would take them.They will be saving and
stockpiling them and no one will want them.There is no desire
to have velvet mesquites.He kills 50 of them a month from the
tree in his yard that drops them.They are not a delicate plant
like the saguaros and barrels.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated those are plants that are found in this area.They did
not really copy that from any particular city.Our landscape
architect is quite knowledgeable of plants that have value and
are worth preserving.
Councilmember Serdy stated
perhaps where the Rhodes Homes will be will be suitable as there
are not a lot of trees down there.In the years to come they
will want those trees, but right now no one will.Whoever is
developing in the next few years will be stuck with all these
trees.He asked if they could do a timetable where they can be
used later.They cannot keep them in boxes for years.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated if the city accepted them we would want to keep them as
permanent.They would have to look at the ordinance on how they
are donated or given away.If we take them, they would be put
in our desert parks and the medians.
Councilmember Serdy stated we
would definitely want that in order to make the city prettier.
However, when we are full we will run out of room.That needs
to be addressed.
Councilmember Wilson stated
he talked to the Department of Agriculture about some of these
things.They told him that if a native species plant is
donated, someone has to pay for the paperwork.He asked if the
city would be required to pay for the permit or would the person
donating the plants be required to pay for the permits.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated he understood that if they are donating the plant to
someone that wants to sell it, then the fee must be paid.The
city is not a profit making organization and it is not acting
like a nursery.He does not believe the city or the donator
would have to pay a fee.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it
should not be any different than it is now according to the
state law.There is the one fee that goes to the state.There
was no donating after that, just blading.He does not think
there is a donation fee.He thinks they should go ahead with
the ordinance and if they run out room for palo verdes or
something, they have the equestrian trail and the Bureau of Land
Management land where they can put some trees.They could
design a pathway.He is sure they could find room.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated he believes the plants have value and the property owners
and developers believe they have value and they will make every
effort to put them back on their site.He does not think they
will have that many that will donate to the city.They are
offering that as an option for those that do not want to pay the
maintenance fee.We will take them, but we will take them
permanently.
Councilmember Dietz stated he
does not see it being a problem.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated he was talking about a nursery charge, not a fee.
Mayor Insalaco stated he does
not like the two to one.The fee is also a little steep for
him.
Councilmember Barker asked
what he would consider a non -steep fee.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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Mayor Insalaco stated he did
not know.
Councilmember Wilson asked if
this would force some people to subdivide these out if they have
5 acres and if they have to do all this.He asked if they are
trying to force the issue to make smaller lots.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
he was talking about a person with .a 5 acre lot who wants to put
a house in the center of it.
Councilmember Wilson stated
he is talking about someone who has a 5 acre lot and wants to
subdivide it down to 1.25 acre lots so that he does not have to
do this.
Mayor Insalaco commented
anything larger than 3 acres requires an aerial photograph.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated that is correct.The planning commission recommended
excluding 1.25 lots.If they put that back in, it becomes a
non -issue.
Vice Mayor Eck commented what
Councilmember Wilson is stating is that they do not have to go
through any type of lot split to go under the 5 acres to get to
1.25 acres.Someone could essentially split their 5 acre lots
into 3 lots and avoid the work.
Councilmember Dietz stated
they could a 2.5 and two 1.25 acres.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated he believes people will be motivated for a lot split for
much different reasons that trying to go around the native plant
ordinance.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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Vice Mayor Eck commented he
believes that is what he is saying.He asked 'how they would
enforce it if a 5 acre lot was going to be split.
Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated the city never sees lot splits other than when they are
recorded at the county.By state law, the protected plants can
be destroyed; they just cannot be sold -or be donated for sale.
Vice Mayor Eck asked how they
would enforce this before the split.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the council does do land splits.It is a 2.5 acre
minimum.
Assistant Planner Yanet Odhoa
stated 2.5 acres or under would not require city approval.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing on the item.
Mr. Noel Benoist, 900N. San
Marcos #35, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated
some people feel the 1.25 acre exemption is discriminatory.
People would also be encouraged to take their 5 acres and split
them into 4 lots; they do not have to worry about it anymore
with 1.25 acre lots.The biggest concern is that the prickly
pear is basically a cactus weed.It is the host of a fungus
that attacks domestic plants a lot of people want in their
gardens.People are not in favor of protecting the prickly pear
and the cholla.The cholla chunks dry up and fly at everyone
like a missile when it gets windy.The barbs go in and when you
try to take them out they rip and tear.They also have
infectious microorganisms and dirt on them that stay in your
skin.Another one most people do not want is yucca.We do not
really have yucca in this area; they were purchased at a nursery
and planted in yards.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 13 OF 52.
Mr. John Kantowski, 836W.
Windsong Street, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He
stated he was the dissenting vote on the planning and zoning
commission as he questioned the 1.25 acre lots.He has a 30'
high saguaro with 6 arms on it; each arm takes 75 years to grow.
This ordinance would allow him to knock it down and put a tin
shed there.He would like to see this ordinance include all
sizes and not exclude anybody.He asked if the chollas are
voted in, do not put them in the city parks.
Cbuncilmember Severs:asked if
there were any developers in the audience tonight that could
give their'opinion on this.
Mr. Wayne Standage, 1920 E.
20th Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated
cholla is not a common plant here.There were more grasses here
in territorial days and ironwood was more common.Palo verde-is
basically like a:-weed; they grow fast and should not need to be
protected.Ironwood are quite rare nowadays and there used to
be a lot more of them.Cholla came from the land being
overgrazed.He would like to get rid of the cholla.Otherwise,
he thinks it is very good.
Mr. Rene LeSuitre, 5775 E.
20th Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He is a
real estate banker representing .a number of developers in the
city.He asked that they go slow on a number of these
ordinances.They are a burden to the developers.They are not
adding value.There are state laws and he feels they are
detailed enough.He added they should also go slow on the
containers as there are people looking to incorporate into the
city that use them.He asked that they also help out the
applicants on number 17; he also helped those people out.
Councilmember Severs asked if
the way this ordinance is written now could possibly hurt the
developers he is working with now in coming here.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
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Mr. Rene LeSuitre stated
everyone who is coming here has a real specific need and
purpose.There are many items to consider.It is just another
burden that does not add value.Most people that develop
property out here will rip out some plants, mostly cholla.They
take out palo verdes and replant them.There have been people
that have destroyed 1.25 acres and lots here and there.Most
people do the right thing.Most people do not want cholla or
some other plants.When he moved back up on the mountain, he
regraded his driveway.He took out a lot of cactus but he also
replanted a lot.Developers will have a problem with it,
especially when the aerial photographs are not current.He
foresees problems with getting the developers to do it.It will
slow down the process and that will cost more money.
Mr. Bill Sandry, 6359 E.
Indigo Street, Mesa, with the Business and Property Owners of
Apache Junction, addressed the council.They submitted a short
list of concerns in writing to staff on this issue.Those
concerns have not been addressed.More issues have been raised
and we agree with those concerns.Before they vote on this, he
requested they work with the business owners and developers to
resolve them.It could cause a severe economic impact on the
city.There are a lot of regulations that require compliance.
If they are compliant with federal and state regulations on
this, they are already 90% there and the maximum by the
Department of Agriculture is $5,000.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened
the item to council discussion.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
input was received from developers on the beginning stages of
this.
Assistant Planner Yanet Ochoa
stated it was.
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AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 15 OF 52
Councilmember Dietz commented
there have been numerous open meetings, planning and zoning
meetings and work sessions on this, and we did work with
developers in the beginning on putting this together.
Assistant Planner Yanet Ochoa
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Dietz commented
this was first brought to council in 1998 and direction was
given.Somehow if fell by the wayside with the previous city
manager.Developers have come in and bladed a property, most
recently at Plaza and Tepee.They bladed the trees, seven
saguaros that were perfectly good with 6 to 8 arms on them, and
nothing was wrong with any of them.He feels that something
needs to be done.The plants that were brought up, the cholla,
prickly pear and the yucca, were taken off the Arizona Native
Plant Law.It is not something we are taking out of the air to
throw on the list for the city.We are taking the very few from
the State of Arizona Native Plant List.He feels it is
necessary to protect the desert that we live in.It is part of
who we are and what we are.It is part of the old Southwest.
They have been here long before any of us and we are the ones
that came in to invade their area.They need to be protected.
Councilmember Barker
commented she would prefer to see the fine go down to the state
level of $5,000 maximum.It is still a great incentive.Most
people cannot pull $5,000 out of their pocket.
Mayor Insalaco agreed.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated this is not a crime under the ordinance if approved.The
way it would be enforced is if a person does not pay, they would
have the right to appeal to superior court stating that it was
arbitrary and capricious.If they do not win that, then the
city would get an order by the administrative judge for them to
pay it.They would then be forced to pay by getting a letter
from his office.It would be a superior court action.He would
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AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 16 OF 52
have to seek a request from the council to actually sue the
individual or the corporation.It is doable, but that is the
extent to what they are passing here.It is not a crime or a
civil violation.
Mayor Insalaco stated he does
not care for that.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if there
is anything they can put in the ordinance to simplify the
process.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated this is simpler than going to magistrate court.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
they could put a lien on the property.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they can if he gets a judgment and that could take
awhile.They could also garnish someone's wages.There are all
sorts of unpleasant things that could happen to people when they
do not pay this.
Councilmember Severs asked
how much that process would cost the city.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it would depend on the litigation and if the other side
gets an attorney.
Mayor Insalaco commented he
thinks this is getting way out of hand.
Councilmember Dietz commented
they are just trying to protect the land.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated this is the extent of the enforcement.It would be a
process through the city manager's office for an appeal.The
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AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 17 OF 52
individual could.go to superior court.If they lose, unless
they have a constitutional issue which he does not see here,
they would have to pay.
Vice Mayor Eck commented in
every community he has talked to that -has this, it is
functioning.There is not an outcry from the business people
there.The main idea is to protect the native cacti.That is
all the intent is.of .this ordinance.If it becomes something
that is overwhelming and expensive down the road, or the process
is too slow, then they can make a.change.He does not want to
see the process slowed down or-a development slowed down.He
does not want to see a heavy burden; he thinks they should lower
the fine.He has no problem with taking cholla off the list or
going with a one to one replacement.The core of the ordinance
is proactive.That is what they are trying to do; staying -with
the current property .sizes should be okay.
Councilmember Severs agreed,.
adding he.thinks.the -intent is to save some Of our native cacti.
He thinks it:is a great.idea.They need to look at ways to
better our community and our environment.They also need to
look at the burden and the problems it may cause.We need
development right now and we need to make it easier on
developers.Every single one of them that is on here that they
could eliminate, like the palo verde, cholla, mesquite and
prickly pear, should be eliminated.That is 6 plants the
developer would not have to worry about.It makes it that much
easier and we are still protecting the ones that need it the .
most like the saguaros.He hatesto see those ruined, too.He
thinks this is a good thing but they need to look at both sides
of it.They.have talked about lowering the fine and we do need
to do that.They need to make the two to one a one to one
replacement.He would support this if they could eliminate
those six.
Councilmember Barker asked if
they eliminate anything off this list that is regulated:by-the
Arizona Naive Plant law, would it not have something to do with
US.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 18 OF 52
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there is.someoverlap in statelaw and this ordinance.
If those items were _eliminated-, it would 1. -lot be illegal in the
city to do it, but it .might be illegal under the state law.
There could still be penalties understate law if a state.
inspector sees them do it.
Vice Mayor Eck commented
state inspectors:do nothing.
City AttorneyJoel Stern
stated it could:be=a police officer who calls up the state or
any city employee that calls them to advise what happened.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they
need to figure out which ones they want on iand which, ones to
take off, plus the otherchanges that need tobe done and do it
so they can get going with this thing.
Councilmember Serdy asked if
they could haveHfUrther talks on this.He was not aware of four
work sessions on this and asked if those had been with.the-
previous. council,
Mayor Insalaco commented they
were not with him.
Councilmember Barker asked -if
they could table thisand come back with a work session on this
again.
Mayor Insalaco stated they
could.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they should continue it instead of tabling it.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated it should be to a date certain.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 19 OF 52
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it should be for a work session or as another public
hearing.
Mayor Insalaco stated he
believes they need another work session on this to iron out all
this.There are a few of them that are not happy with this.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they
never feel comfortable when they have 7 people asking 20
questions each.There are too many questions.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated because 14 and 15 are companion documents, they need to
continue both.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT WE CONTINUE ITEMS 14 AND 15 TO THE SECOND WORK SESSION IN
SEPTEMBER, SEPTEMBER 17.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated for the benefit of the public, they also need to give a
date when the ordinance would come back, unless they would like
to readvertise and incur those costs.
There was general discussion
on when to bring it back for a public hearing.
Councilmember Barker AMENDED
HER MOTION TO ADD THEY BE BROUGHT BACK FOR A PUBLIC HEARING THE
FIRST MEETING OF OCTOBER, OCTOBER 2.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 20 OF 52
Mayor Insalaco called for a
ten minute break.
Mayor Insalaco reconvened the
meeting.
ORDINANCE NO. 1305, PZ-6-07,
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT
REQUEST BY IDAHO FREEWAY ASSOCIATES)
)Assistant Planner Mike
Heuchert briefed the council on the item.He stated this will
amend Ordinance No. 1134.The property is located at the
northeast corner of Idaho and US 60.The applicant would like
to remove the palette of uses created by that ordinance and
allow any use listed in the C-3 zoning district.The previous
city council envisioned some service -type uses and excluded
filling stations, auto and transmission repair, RV storage, car
wash or a mini -storage.People have talked to the applicant
about purchasing but do not see their use listed and shy away.
He requested they be allowed a little more discretion in what
type of use would go there.He described the subdivision and
the surrounding uses.He presented a new list that the
applicant agrees with.At the work session council requested
that light automotive sales, repairs and storage uses be
conducted in an enclosed building.There will be no drive up
windows permitted for liquor stores due to its proximity to the
freeway.The applicant has had people ask about a commercial
business park under a conditional use permit so that has been
added.He listed the conditions of approval.
Councilmember Severs asked
for a brief description of what is not allowed in this area.
Assistant Planner Mike
Heuchert stated industrial uses would not be allowed and RV boat
storage would only be allowed within an enclosed building.Any
retail would be allowed; machining and things close to an
industrial use would not be allowed.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 21 OF 52
Councilmember Severs asked if
they are allowing meat lockers, slaughter houses,or sexually
oriented businesses.
Assistant Planner Mike
Heuchert stated they are not.
Councilmember Severs stated
it is made very clear in that list what is not allowed and the
applicant is happy with it.
Assistant Planner Mike
Heuchert stated the only comment was that they would prefer to
do some outdoor storage.
Councilmember Severs asked if
he was okay with everything else.
Assistant Planner Mike
Heuchert stated that is correct.
Vice Mayor Eck commented as
long as there is a planned development they will have to come
before the planning and zoning commission and council.That is
the main issue.There is already one storage facility going in
and he does not want that to become storage alley.
Mayor Insalaco requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Cliff Axt, 10332 E.
Breathless, Gold Canyon, addressed the council on behalf of the
applicant.He thanked the planning and zoning commission, staff
and everyone who has worked on the project.The owners have had
it for 18 years.They did not get a lot of response to
advertising because of the use palette.They never had any
comments on the price.Twelve years ago there was an agreement
signed saying if Super 8 goes in there would not be any more
motels.They are now busy and he is getting calls from other
motel builders.They are very interested in considering one or
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 22 OF 52
two of the lots.It would be more of an upscale motel and it is
really needed.
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 ORDINANCE NO. 1305 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY AND THE READING OF
THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1305, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Severs SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 1306, CASE PZ-9-07
AND RESOLUTION NO. 07-35, CASE SD
-1-07, A'MAJOR AMENDMENT TO' A'
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND A
SUBDIVISION CONSISTING OF 11.62
ACRES TO CREATE 1.18 RESIDENTIAL
LOTS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 23 OF 52
)City Attorney Joel Stern
briefed the council on the item.The applicant has requested a
continuance in this matter to August 21, 2007.This is a public
hearing; he suggested they have the public hearing for any input
the public wants to make.
Mayor Insalaco opened the
public hearing .on the item.There being no one wishing to
speak, he closed the public hearing and called for a -motion.
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1306 AND RESOLUTION NO: 07-35 BE CONTINUED TO THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2007 FOR A PUBLIC HEARING;
Councilmember. Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
COUNCIL CODE OF COOPERATION AND
TEAMWORK
)City Manager George
Hoffman briefed the council on the item.He stated the council
first considered it at their retreat and it has been discussed
at a work session.Tonight it is available to discuss or
consider adopting this or another code of conduct.
Councilmember Barker asked if
D and F are still duplicates.
There was general discussion
about the duplication.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 24 OF 52
City Manager George Hoffman
stated it looks redundant and will be stricken.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated the policy team and management team signatures should not
be on the last page.
Councilmember Severs asked
why.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated because the council is adopting it; there is no need to
sign off on it.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated if the council is going to hold itself to a certain level
of conduct, it will also be communicated to the management staff
as an expectation of his that they aspire to the same level of
conduct.He does not care if it is signed or not.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT THE COUNCIL CODE OF COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK BE APPROVED
WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:THAT LETTER F ON PAGE 2 BE
STRICKEN, AND POLICY TEAM SIGNATURES AND STAFF MANAGEMENT TEAM
SIGNATURES ON PAGE 3 BE STRICKEN.
Councilmember Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember. Serdy requested
it be put on the website so that the public will know what has
been voted on.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 25 OF 52
Councilmember Barker stated
it is on the website.
Councilmember Severs
commented he would like to see a signed copy posted on the wall
of the council chambers so that everybody knows what we are
working toward in the community and who we are working for.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated it will be available and included in the council packets.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated they have already ordered the plastic sleeves so that
this document and the next will be part of their council
packets.
COUNCIL WORK PLAN FOR FY 07-08
)City Manager George
Hoffman stated this has been provided to them several times
although it is not in the packet this evening.They considered
a work plan at the retreat.They had staff input on things seen
on the horizon and they added a variety of things.It was
brought back to them at a work session, with the thought of
formally adopting the work plan that they can communicate to
themselves, staff and the community as comprising the core of
what they want to accomplish in the year ahead.
Councilmember Dietz stated he
would like to see that online also.They have discussed
formally adopting it.
There was general discussion
that they had agreed to adopt this.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
discussion on this and the last item was that they just had
their retreat and came up with a consensus as a group on the
direction they want to go in the next year.These are the items
they are trying to accomplish.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 26 OF 52
Councilmember Severs
commented this is a code of cooperation and teamwork amongst
themselves, and between them and staff.The next page is the
council work plan for the year.He asked if they have their
commitment to the community anywhere, their pledge to their
citizens.He asked if they have one and if it is printed
anywhere.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated they each take an oath of office in which they agree to
obey the ordinances of the City of Apache Junction, federal law,
state law and the constitution.
Councilmember Severs
commented it is all generic, legal stuff.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated that is correct.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated there is also a mission statement that is printed
in the budget each year for each of our departments and
divisions.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated there is also one for the council.
Councilmember Severs asked
where he would find that.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated it is in the budget book each year that is
provided to the council.
City Manager George Hoffman
gave a brief overview of the work plan with an overhead
presentation and how the pages could be read.Topics included
economic development inclusive of downtown development, a
hospital, infrastructure agreements, main street and other
boards; revenue development inclusive of grants; community
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 27 OF 52
development inclusive of particulate matter; state land; energy
efficient standards; new capital facilities plan; parks and
recreation:master plan; park planning; roads; public safety; the
animal control building; emergency preparedness; relationship
building; communication with internal community partners;
reaching out to external organizations; and miscellaneous
internal issues.
Councilmember Barker asked if
these would be sleeved also.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly .
stated they willibe sleeving the-code, the work plan and a 2008
calendar.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated it is important that they all have a mutual expectation
of what this work plan would be.He would view it as how staff
would prioritize their work effort to reflect the prioritization
of the council work effort, but he would not anticipate that it
is an exhaustive and exclusive list of what will be worked upon.
There will be other things.This will be viewed as a reflection
of their core goals for the year.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED
THAT. THE: COUNCIL WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 07-08 BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
USE OF CARGO CONTAINERS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 28 OF 52
)Councilmember Wilson
briefed the council on the item.He gave a brief overview of
what they covered in the work session yesterday.He is bringing
this back up because of several phone calls and conversations he
has had with people of the community.Several other people came
in tonight to express themselves on the issue of the cargo
containers.Right -now staff is looking at this for businesses
and emergency situations.He would also like them to address
-residential areas.He showed various pictures of cargo
containers, some -that -had been covered and .others not.He would
like to see these put into the property maintenance rules -and
have permits so that they could: controlwhat they look like,
making 75% of the structure be covered.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
the ones he was showing were cargo containers.
Councilmember Wilson stated
they are.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
they had windows:built in them.
Councilmember Wilson stated
they can order them with windows and doors.When he told a
company in Phoenix that they were looking at putting a façade on
the outside of it, they said they could do that as well.There
is a definition of deterioration in the property maintenance
standards, along with securing and stored.He commented the
little sheds are not secure.
Councilmember Severs asked
him to show again the definition of secure.
Councilmember Wilson showed
the slide -with the.definition again and'read it.The aluminum
containers are not -secure.He showed additional slides with
other sheds or tarps used to cover items.If they are not tied
down properly, they become airborne.A big advantage of the
cargo container.iS for people who have livestock to secure their
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 29 OF 52
putting
running
setback
are
tack and prevent infestation.Rodents go into small buildings
and tear apart the materials.It is hard to keep them out.
They can also store cubed hay in there with no fire problems. He
feels with the proper wording and the proper place in the
property maintenance standards that it can be put there.They
already have the ability to issue fines.With the requirement
that they have a permit in order to put them on the lot, they
would know who has them and control them.They will not then
have a line up of sheds along the house.He requested their
support.
Vice Mayor Eck commented his
biggest concern was how they would require the guidelines for
design on them.He would want them to look good.When he
originally heard they were cargo containers he said no.His
biggest concern is their appearance.When they did the
neighborhood preservation ordinance they basically said to
screen everything and put their stuff behind a fence or screen.
Some of the screens are probably worse than the stuff that was
originally there.It would probably be a lot better for it to
be inside a container.
Councilmember Wilson stated
they saw a fence this weekend that was pretty expensive for a
non -fence as they took plywood and
It does not look becoming and
from construction and put
things into cargo
$2,000 to $3,000.
requirements in.
concerned about, such
a weapon the community can
put it around their property.
they have used wax to control dust
it on the plywood.He believes in
containers.They are not cheap,
They are durable and they can put
They can control all the issues they
as a line of them.
use
It
to control things
will give them
like this.
Councilmember Dietz commented
they are talking about 75% of the metal building being covered
with something.He asked if he would consider the last picture
75% covered.
Councilmember Wilson stated
it is 100% covered.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 30 OF 52
Councilmember Dietz asked
what is on the exterior.
Councilmember Wilson stated
it is stuccoed completely around the exterior.
There was general discussion
as to what the exterior finish is, from metal to stucco to wood.
Councilmember Dietz commented
the metal would have to be covered, either with stucco or some
other substance.
Councilmember Wilson stated
some of them are flat on the outside already.They can put a
requirement that they be painted the same color as the house.
Councilmember Dietz commented
if they are sticking with it being a metal building, the
ordinance states 75% of the metal needs to be covered with an
alternative substance.
Councilmember Wilson stated
they can make that requirement.One of the individuals here
stated if he were required to do that, he would do it, too.
Councilmember Barker stated
those pictures should be going to code compliance.
Councilmember Severs
commented they are in a situation that is rare.They passed an
ordinance in March limiting the size of a secondary structure,
garage or storage shed on a property.The people put in
violation were legal before and now they are not, or they had
grandfathered rights.These containers have been illegal for 19
years.Most of them in the community are illegal.They have
put the word out that the city is coming after them and they
have to be removed.The city will find them and will give them
a class one misdemeanor.They have the opportunity today to say
these are legal but they have to come in and get a permit and
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 31 OF 52
abide by these rules.If they do not, then this is what the
city is going to do.They are already illegal.They have not
just been made illegal and there is no question of whether they
were there before or after a certain date.He has not seen it
that way very often with the rules they have passed.He thinks
they are in a good situation.They have the new property
maintenance standards and the teeth to enforce whatever
stipulations they come up with.
Councilmember Barker
commented she would like to see a lot size limitation on this.
She would prefer not to see these in housing developments.
Although there are homeowner associations in most of the new
developments that may or may not exclude these, we still have
old neighborhoods that are part of developments that do not have
homeowner associations to control them.She would prefer to see
this on no less than an acre or 1.25 acre lots, whichever is the
wisest place to put it.Secondly, she thinks that this
ordinance would give people the opportunity to clean up their
mess; it will not guarantee they will do that.They cannot just
put a picture up and say this will clean it up.It will not.
The people have to do that, and it is important to realize they
will still have properties like that.
Councilmember Wilson stated
this gives them another tool to do that.
Councilmember Barker agreed,
but there were tools to begin with, whether we liked them or
not, that were not used.She would also like to see a
limitation in numbers.They saw a property last night with 7
sheds and they had enough room to put a cargo container or 2 or
3 and still meet the setbacks on their property.
Councilmember Serdy stated he
is a big proponent of personal property rights.He asked if
they could simply write it that any area that is zoned for
horses could have these.Then they could not have it in the
housing developments.He asked how small a property can be for
them to have a horse on it.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 32 OF 52
Councilmember Wilson stated
there are some properties that are only a half acre that can
have horses.
Councilmember Serdy stated if
they have a half acre and have horses and need one of these,
they should be allowed to have it also.Anything zoned for
horses can have one.It would be a simpler way to write it.
Mayor Insalaco asked ifthere
are horses on.half acres.
Councilmember Wilson stated
he was told by,Rudy Esquivias that there are.
Councilmember Barker stated
•she would prefer to keep it up to an acre.
Mayor Insalaco asked if:they .
have any in this city that are a half acre.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they do.There are grandfathered neighborhoods that were
zoned GR by the county years ago that are less than an acre or
1.25 acres.Those properties would permit horse privileges.
Mayor Insalaco stated they
were grandfathered.i
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
current policy is 1.25 acre minimum.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is generally speaking, except for in the. GR zone.
The way the GR zone is written, it lists all of the uses
permitted outright without necessarily relating to those uses to
minimum lot size.The longstanding interpretation has been that
any property that is zoned GR could have horses despite the fact
that it might be 1.25 acres.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 33 OF 52
Councilmember-Dietz.asked if
that was even if someone has a 10,000,sq.-ft. or 15,000 sq.ft.
lot in a shotgun subdivision.
Senior Planner Rudy.Esquivias
stated a couple of neighborhoods come to mind with one having
half acre lots and another having some with 11,000 sq,ft.
Councilmember Severs
commented Tess lives on an area that.is-only a third of an acre.
She could put 7 ,sheds across the back of her property withno
problem.He asked if she would be:able to replace 7 legal:sheds
with a storage container and have the possibility of it looking
better and being stronger just -because of the size of her lot.
It is a huge backyard.
Councilmember. Barker
commented in her mind it is just the way this seems to be
panning out at this point.It seems that if they do not put a
lot limitation on this, they will get to the point where they
will have innumerable storage. containers that may or may not
have a facade on them.They are saying they must, but for the
past 20 some odd years they have been saying they cannot have
them, yet they have them.They have .to --look at the fact that it
is going to happen.She thinks that by putting a lot size on it
they are at least protecting some of it.
Councilmember Dietz commented
and by having to get a permit that states they Will have to
cover 75% or whatever is decided upon.
Councilmember. Barker
commented she still thinks they will have a tremendous
enforcement problem here.
Councilmember Dietz commented
code compliance could then cite them if they did not.
Councilmember Barker
commented they talked last night about giving the inspector a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7,-.2007
PAGE 34 OF52
certain number of days within which they had to go out and
inspect it.It had to be done or well on its way.
Councilmember Severs stated
the basic permit process is to apply for the permit and once it
is issued there is a 30 day or 90 day time period wherein they
would have to put it there and do their façade.They would then
come out and inspect it.If they come out and inspect it and it
is not done, then they either get a notice to remove it, get it
out, or they get fined.
Councilmember Barker stated
if this ordinance is passed, she hopes the council is ready for
code compliance to ask for more positions next year.We need
them now and we will need them a lot more then.They may want
to start working them into their budget right now.
Councilmember Severs
commented the council needs to start working them into their
budget right now.
Councilmember Wilson
commented there was an individual who talked about putting his
motorcycle into his.He lives on a half acre.That is what he
uses it for, to secure his personal property.A Tuff Shed will
not work in this case.His pride and joy is his motorcycle and
all his tools.
Councilmember Barker stated
she still thinks they need a lot size minimum.
Mayor Insalaco agreed.They
are willing to bend to a certain point.
Councilmember Serdy commented
but if they can help their citizens, it is for them.
Vice Mayor Eck commented
unless he can do it by percentage of lot coverage.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 35 OF 52
Councilmember Dietz stated it
would be too much.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Wilson MOVED
THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE USE
OF CARGO CONTAINERS:ON GR AND R1-43 ZONED LOTS OVER 20,000
SQ.FT. WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS; THAT CITY STAFF WILL ALSO ADD
THIS TO MAINTENANCE STANDARDS TO INCLUDE SETBACKS, FACADES, AND
CONDITION OF THE UNIT.
Councilmember Serdy SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:4-3 (Mayor Insalaco and Councilmembers Barker and Dietz
voted in opposition.)
The motion carried.
Councilmember Severs asked if
an additional motion could be made on another portion of this.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he legally can if the council wants to.
Councilmember Severs asked if
they need to discuss it first or just present the motion.
City Attorney Joel Stern the
mayor can reopen the last item.
Mayor Insalaco reopened the
last item.
Councilmember Severs
commented he would like to present a motion regarding the few
people that already have these and are being prosecuted or
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 36 OF 52
almost to that point.He would like to give them an extension
until this is worked out to see where they are going with this.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it appears he is asking for a temporary repeal of the
ordinance.
Councilmember Severs stated
he is asking for an extension.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated he is asking for an extension of the time frame which she
believes is not unusual anyway.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated if it is administrative, it is already being done.He
knows that a bunch of the people from the 39 have been given
extensions already.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated there are some that have asked for and been given
extensions.
Councilmember Severs
commented there are some that may come back before this comes
back to us.He asked if they would be prosecuted.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they probably will if this is already in the works.It
is in violation of the current law.
Councilmember Severs stated
he is asking for a motion that would give those people an
extension until this comes back to council for a change.
Councilmember Dietz commented
this was just for direction.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 37 OF 52
Councilmember Barker
commented they may not have an ordinance for months and months
and months.
Councilmember Severs stated
they may have one in two weeks.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there is no direction to bring it back for a date
certain.They have seen it in the press_and some citizens have
said .it, but that is not true.There is noJiate certain for
that ordinance to come back.
Councilmember Severs stated
they need to do that.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that wouldibe another consideration for the council if he
would like to bring it back quickly.One draft is ready, he is
working on the second.Mr. Esquivias wrote the first one and
then they had a committee workon it.That was for the original
direction-.They would have to incorporate this.
CouncilmemberSevers asked
how long it would take him to get it back.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it dependson what the council wants.It is a difficult
ordinance-for ,them'to draft to get everything the way everyone
wants in the preciseway.It may not be perfect when you see it
due to differing opinions as to what should have been put in it
despite the direction;
Councilmember Severs asked if
would be reasonable to ask for it to be back in 30 days.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he believes so.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 38 OF 52
Councilmember Severs asked if
it would be reasonable -for another 30 days -if there were
corrections.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that it would.
Councilmember Severs asked if
they could give these -people a 90 day. 'extension.
City Attorney.Joel Stern
stated legally they are in violation of the law but if it is -an
administrative continuance, the manager should be directed to do
it.
Councilmember Severs asked if
they could to it.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated if he:has:4 councilmembers who would desire that we focus
our code -enforcement efforts in areas -other than cargo
containers for the next 90 days, he would be happy to' follow
that expression of -policy interest.
Councilmember. Severs MOVED
THAT OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DIRECT THEIR FOCUS ON OTHER
ITEMS FOR THE_NEXT .90 DAYS.
what he meant by other items.
OTHER THAN CARGO CONTAINERS.
THE MOTION..
VOTE:Unanimous
The motion carried.
Councilmember Dietz asked
Councilmember Severs STATED
Councilmember Serdy SECONDED
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 39 OF 52
Councilmember Barker
commented they are going to reward illegality is what he is
saying.They can have something illegal, if it were not him and
somebody else, he would feel that way.She will vote yes for
the sheer reason that she feels most of this council will go
that way and she does not see this as a windmill worth tilting.
DOWNTOWN VISIONING DISCUSSION
)City Manager George
Hoffman briefed the council on the item.He stated council
indicated during their retreat that they wanted to focus on
downtown.They did not want it on a normal council agenda,
preferring to have a time where they could only focus on that.
This item is for them to pick a time, if they still desire, to
get together and talk about focusing on downtown.He asked if
Main Street would be talking about the downtown also in their
overview.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated that is correct and it is next Tuesday evening, August 14
at 6 p.m.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
they would get reminder phone calls for that.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated they would.
City Manager George Hoffman
asked if they wanted to have some time set aside for that or
should they work it into the normal agenda.
Councilmember Severs
commented he thinks they should go to this one first to see what
they can learn from that and then come back and reevaluate
whether they need to or not.
There was general discussion
by the council in agreement with the suggestion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 40 OF 52
Councilmember Dietz commented
it is also a good idea to set aside a few hours to specifically
focus on it, after they see what they can pick up next week.He
MOVED TO BRING THIS BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING AND MAKE A DECISION
ON A TIME AND PLACE THEN.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES
)City Manager George
Hoffman briefed the council on the item.He stated this is for
council to consider direction to staff on amending or
eliminating the ordinance concerning the undergrounding of
utilities, including the requirements that lines be
undergrounded south of the freeway.
Councilmember Dietz stated he
would like to see them undergrounded in the downtown area also,
when it gets developed.They have done Phelps and they have
Idaho coming in to the downtown core.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell stated like the Crossroads Redevelopment Area.
Councilmember Dietz commented
just the specific downtown area there, not necessarily down the
Trail.
Councilmember Severs asked
if they decide to designate an area like the "Y" or whatever
that we absolutely must have undergrounded, would there be a
funding mechanism that they can use to do that.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 41 OF 52
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he assumes he means in addition to the provision of
undergrounding by the developer.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
there were any way that they can get development fees earmarked
for this as part of the roads.They only get so much from Salt
River Project a year.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated the Salt River Project funding could conceivably do what
they did with the Phelps Drive project.That was just tax
incentive fund money.
Councilmember Dietz commented
they could at least help partner or split the cost.Whatever
they can do to help who develops in the downtown area.
Councilmember Severs stated
the problem is they have an ordinance that states this is what
they have to do but we do not know where that area is going to
be defined yet.
Councilmember Dietz commented
that is what they are talking about now.
Councilmember Severs stated
he wished that they could find alternative funding for this
instead of putting it on the developer, especially right now
when they do not even know who the developers may be.
City Manager George Hoffman
commented they could require it in the downtown.They did a
comprehensive study on the federally patented easements that
these are the roads they would need in the long run.One
thought would be to do a process analogous to that.Therej_s-an
area that already has a quarter mile undergrounded, then another
Tert standing, and then another part undergrounded.They might
want to say that they eventually want that one eighth of the
mile that is standing to be undergrounded.They could do a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 42 OF 52
survey of the community and look.for -places ;where there are
substantial parts undergrounded and needs to have the. contiguous
parts undergrounded:It would be a common sense notion.
Vice -Mayor Eck commented that
is a good idea.
Mayor Insalaco agreed.On
the other hand, they do not want: to have a line of poles there
and say for this development they.have to take two down, and
that is what washappening before.
Councilmember Severs stated
San Marcos and Broadway was a. perfect example of the fact the
ordinance does not work the way it is written.
Councilmember Dietz commented
it does not work with Sean's problem at Broadway.The poles are
at the back of the property, they:are someone else's poles and
they talk to Salt River Project and are told they cannot do
that.The city is holding upa permit for the project because
of that.The.project is ready to -go..The permit is on the desk
and they: are ready for a business -to go in that they areholding
up sales tax revenue for.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he had told Sean that -tb.ey.would like to get the money
rolling.He asked if there is anything they can do with this
motion so that they can get that car dealership going.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he is hearing some councilmembers say they want to repeal
the ordinance.It applies to all areas of the city except for
the Crossroads Redevelopment Area and anything south of the
freeway.
Councilmember Dietz commented
that is basically it.Once they do:a study, they may see that
there are.places in the Crossroads Redevelopment Area that do
not need to :be undergroundeci.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 43 OF 52
Councilmember Severs
suggested the ordinance be rewritten to exclude undergrounding
of any existing power lines by developers, that all future
development have all power lines underground, and that all new
development be underground and there be no new overhead power
lines.
Councilmember Dietz stated he
did not like -that.
Councilmember Severs stated:
that would be for this point in time and then they would do a
study to see where they do want them.
Vice Mayor Eck stated they
already have an agreement that they have to follow through on.
Councilmember Barker asked if
they could give direction to staff to do the survey.
Councilmember Dietz commented
they could determine what areas in the Crossroads would need it.
They alreadylmow that everything.south,of the freeway -will:be.
undergrounded.
City Manager George Hoffman
asked if they also wanted to look at other places in the
community.
Councilmember Dietz commented
if there are specific areas.
Councilmember Barker
suggested:major arterials.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he wasthinking of the stretch south of where the
QuikTrip is going; all the way south .to at least Broadway is
undergrounded.If they think about ever trying to connect the'
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 44 OF 52
south end of town with downtown, the Idaho corridor might be the
corridor they want to make look really good.
Councilmember Dietz commented
it would be Idaho and also up toward the lakes.
City Manager George Hoffman
asked if they would want to consider Idaho.
Councilmember Barker
suggested all the major arterials.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated that is a much broader criteria.
Councilmember Barker stated
it could be Ironwood, Idaho, and the Trail.
City Manager George Hoffman
commented staff has heard council's discussion.Staff could go
out and see if there are some natural priority points, possibly
2 to 4 in the community, that they might come back and recommend
because there is a long stretch already undergrounded or because
it would be a corridor of key importance and they should bite
the bullet on it.Or it could be the downtown.
Councilmember Severs asked
who would be biting the bullet.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated they could talk about that.It could be a shared bullet-
biting.
Councilmember Severs
commented he was thinking that if a small business would like to
come in and though they are small, they are important to us.
They cannot afford it and we are right back to the same
situation we are in right now.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 45 OF 52
Vice Mayor Eck commented that
is why we are discussing it.
Councilmember Dietz commented
he is saying that they should just make it a blanket statement
that there would be no more undergrounding.
Councilmember Severs stated
it would be no more undergrounding of existing power lines by
the developers.
Vice Mayor Eck asked how they
would do the survey and get relief for the business that is
trying to go in and is being held up because of this.
Councilmember Dietz commented
it will have to come before the council anyway.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is correct.The procedure of the current ordinance
is to come before the council for a waiver.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they
could put it on the agenda in two weeks.
Councilmember Dietz commented
they can eliminate it at that time.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he does not know if an application has been made.The
city council may waive or modify the requirements of this
section if the strict enforcement of the article would
constitute an undue hardship.They would file an application to
have it placed before the council.They would be appealing the
decision of the develop services department.The manager could
then be directed to bring it back at the next meeting.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
it could be done back to back on August 20 and August 21.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 46 OF 52
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they can if they direct the city manager to do that, but
it does not repeal the ordinance.
Councilmember Dietz commented
he understands that.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated the individual case that is being discussed is not on
tonight's agenda.
" City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Severs asked if
they did it similar to what he said, directing staff so that
this portion is no longer in the ordinance, would this even
apply to them anymore.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that has not been decided or passed yet.It has not been
amended yet.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated the presumption is that it would be approved and nobody
knows that.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is correct.They can direct the city manager to
place the application on the agenda.
Councilmember Barker stated
following the meeting he can do whatever he wants, but he cannot
place it on tonight's agenda.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated assuming the receipt of said application.
Councilmember Barker stated
she would hate to cut a piece out of an ordinance arbitrarily
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 47 OF 52
before we see how cutting that out will affect other areas.It.
is not going to.impact one small place.It will have: cause and '
effect.Rather than just directing staff to cut that outat
this point, have them look into it first.
Councilmember Severs
commented he wanted to cut out the portion that we know already
does not work until we do the. research and find out how to make
it work.
COuncilmember Barker asked if
he wanted:to temporarily cut it out:.
Councilmember Severs
-commented .until.it::is,xedone.
Councilmember Barker,stated:
:she doesnot.think they want to temporarily cut itout:.
Mayor Insalaco and -
Councilmemb•er :Dietz agreed.
•:Planning Manager Fred Baker
stated they,have no application or request for building:permit
on the particular :project unless:it:,:came in today."They have
-discussed:preliminary concerns about the power lines and:site:
plan, but.no formal project is ih-thecity.The way the:.
ordinance i6.:written, they wbuld:have ,to have a formal project.
in order ,toHappeal the requirement for undergrounding
•,COuncilmember Barker stated
:she has been:hearing people say, they would like to know -where
the spots are:in:the city.current1T.that would benefit from the
undergrounding She also.hearsthat everything to the -south -of
the freeway-and:all new develOpment:.would have to underground:
from the.get:go..
Councilmember Severs asked if
there are power lines south of the freeway already.
REGULAR -MEETING OF 'THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, .2007*•
PAGE' LIS OF 52,
CouncilmemberBarkenstated:
_there are someHinHbits and pieces, but shethinks most of them
are close to -the freeway;There-are:not tJap ,many beyond that
point.
CoUncilmember:SeverS,aked::
when this gets-.iinvestigated wiII -theylnake them go awaTonisit
.any future power,lines.
Councilmetber Barkenstated
that would be something they wOuld.decide.fter-thertell us
what it looks like
Mayor Insalaco asked if
Can work this onaHcase,by case,basisuntil "staff gets this
figured out.
Assistant City Manager Bryant
Powell asked what he meant by case by case.
Mayor Insalaco stated when a
developer comes .up and he needs to have this.He asked if they
can waive those and keep working.He does not want to rush this
and change the ordinance until they know what they are doing.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented he thinks he is saying they are going to comply with
Ordinance No. 1197 which means they will be put on the agenda
for the mayor and council to consider any waiver.
Mayor Insalaco stated -that is
-correct He asked dt that would'work
City Attorney Joel Stern
-Stated it would-
Councilmembers Barker-Hand'
Severs stated that :is what theThAve.lpeen doing
'REGULARMEETING.OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007 ,
:PAGE L19 0E-52
Mayor Insalaco stated he does
not want to go cutting, slicing and dicing.
Councilmember Dietz commented
they will do the study first, and then they will take a look at
everything and decide what they want to do with the ordinance.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they may want to direct the city manager to have study
conducted and bring it back at the most available time.
Councilmember Barker stated
to make that the soonestavailable time.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated they may also want to roll this into their downtown
visioning exercise and look at it as development incentives-.
Councilmembers Dietz and
Barker commented that was a good idea.
Mayor Insalaco closed the
discussion and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT WE WOULD LIKE A STUDY DONE ON THE _EXISTING PORTION OF THE
COMMUNITY TO THOSE AREAS THAT THE CITY MANAGER WAS REFERRING TO.
Councilmember Dietz requested
they add the downtown incentive visioning south of the freeway
and all that good stuff.
Councilmember Barker AMENDED
THE MOTION TO ADD AND THE DOWNTOWN INCENTIVE VISIONING SOUTH OF
THE FREEWAY AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 50 OF 52
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, AUGUST 20, 2007, 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,
AUGUST 21, 2007, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Insalaco adjourned
the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Acceptance of Agenda.
2. Acceptance of Minutes of Special Meeting of July 9, 2007.
3. AcceptanceHof Minutes of Regular Meeting of July 17, 2007.
4. Appointment of Magistrates Pro Tern and.Deputy City
Magistrate,
5. Consideration of Employment Agreements for City Magistrate,
City Attorney and City Manager.
6. Resolution No. 07-28, Abandonment of Winchester Road, South
of 29th Avenue.
7.Resolution No. 07-27, authorizing the City to submit an
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
application.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 51 OF 52
8. Resolution No. 07-23, authorizing the City to submit a Gila
River Indian Community State Shared Revenue Program Grant
Application.
9. Ratification of Expenditures to Arizona Tactical Firearms,
LLC, ASAP Software, Inc.,_and Dell Marketing, LLC.
10. Resolution No. 07-26, authorizing the City to enter into
and execute an intergovernmental agreement with members of
the Pinal County Law Enforcement Association.
ACCEPTED THIS 21ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2007, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 21ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2007.
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
S. INSALACO
ayor
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 August, 2007.I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held .and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 15th day of August, 2007.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 7, 2007
PAGE 52 OF 52-