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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-17 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL: REGULAR MEETING. APRIL 17 i 2007 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on April 17, 2007, at the Apache :junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Coleman called the meeting to -order:at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Councilmember Insalaco gave the Invocation. PLEDGE CIF ALLEGIANCE COuncilmember Dietz:led -the Pledgeof -Allegiance ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman Vice Mayor Eck Councilmember ,Dietz Councilmember ,Insalaco Councilmember Severs Councilmember;Sippel CounCilmemberWaldron Staff Present:City Manager George HOffman Assistant City:Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern •Finance Director Keith Lewis Public Works Director Doug Dobson Others Present:CDBG Admin. Assistant Melinda Larson REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 1 OF 14 Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )- )Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. , VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Coleman read a:proclamation designating April as "Fair Housing Month" and presented it to CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson. Mayor Coleman readaproclamation designating -April 29 -May 5 as "Municipal Clerks Week" and presented it to Deputy City Clerk, Jan Mason. Mayor Coleman read a proclamation designating May as "Foster Care Appreciation Month" requested -by the -Arizona's Children Association. Mayor Coleman read aproolamation designating May 20-26 as "National Public Works Week" and presented:it to Public Works Director Doug Dobson. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Ms. Tess Nesser, 1511 S. Cactus, addressed.the council regarding the -American Cancer'Society Relay for Life event at Apache Junction High School'this Saturday and a conversation she had at the groundbreaking for the library expansion with a woman who recently moved to Superior who had' previously lived in Los Angeles and England that had stated she comes to the Apache Junction Library twice a week as it is the best library around. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL' APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 2 OF 14 The only library she thinks compares to it is one in New Zealand. Dan Wald, 560 N. Rennick, addressed the council regarding honesty, integrity and character by members of the council and commented on Councilmember Sippel having his home up for sale. Christa Rizzi, 1755 S. Sombrero, addressed the council to apologize for not being at the board and commission interviews the previous night. Rene LeSieutre, 5775 E. 20th Avenue, addressed the council regarding the new development fees and requested the council to revisit them as he deemed them too high. Robert Esposito, 3942 N. Rain Cloud, addressed the council regarding the Business and Property Owners Group and urged the council to use them as a resource. Councilmember Sippel responded he finds it funny that a councilmember cannot choose to move at any point in time.Two or four years ago Mayor -elect Insalaco moved because wanted a new home.People want new homes, bigger homes.He has a growing family and he currently has a 2,100 sq.ft. home.He is looking for something bigger.VIP Homes is building beautiful basement homes at the end of the road.He does not see why a councilmember cannot choose to move up in homes without being criticized from the public.His concerns are not in leaving this community.If he is re-elected as a council member in the election in 6 weeks, he will be here to run his term out and work with the rest of the council.If he is not elected, he will choose to sell his home and move to the VIP Homes or somewhere else within the community. Vice Mayor Eck commented they need to get with the business group to see how they can be used as a resource to gather information on different issues and see what their concerns are. He would like to determine the contact person and see how they could set up a meeting.The more communication they have, the better.Otherwise they are only speaking when there is a REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 3 OF 14 problem and then there is conflict.He would like to know what is going on in the business community and would like to hear from them.He would like to start dialogue. Councilmember Insalaco commented he attended a Central Association of Governments meeting in Florence for a budget hearing.The City of Maricopa has impact fees of $5,000 and they have only been a city for one year.They are already having problems and are considering raising them substantially. The Town of Florence, although they do have water and sewer in their impact fees, are over $11,000 and they are going to raise theirs.It is not just Apache Junction that is raising its fees in order to survive; it is happening all over the valley. Florence also has property taxes. Vice Mayor Eck commented he voted against the development fees and he does think they are very high.The problem is that this city is unique.Most of the cities deal with all the utilities under one roof.Here, there are different roofs for every utility; some have impact fees and some do not.Apache Junction is almost at $10,000.He went to the sewer district the other day and if he wanted to pay about $5,000 he could hire someone to put in the sewer, plus pay $2,750 to the district.It comes out to close to $8,000.He has decided to wait and let the sewer district put it in because they put it in for $1,000 to $1,500 less than a regular contractor.Combining all these fees, the city is close to $20,000 in development fees. Mayor Coleman commented there are 2 places the city can get money for infrastructure:developer fees or the taxpayer.They dedicated a new wing to the library today and 18% of the money to pay for that has been collected with development fees from 1997 to 2007.The rest will be paid for by future development fees as it is future development that is causing the need for additional library space.By saying that the city is tripling the fees, that means the city has been subsidizing.The fees now are what the cost is to the community.The huge report he referred to is the theory behind the huge prices.It is up to the council if they would like to subsidize, but he has always felt and he hopes the new council will also feel that growth REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 4 OF 14 should pay for itself.They should not be dipping into the general fund to provide infrastructure that new development requires.If it has tripled, then they have been subsidizing too much in the past.If a developer has a problem with the methodology in calculating the costs, it can be challenged, but he feels they are safe in that being the cost to the community. Vice Mayor Eck commented growth should pay for itself.It is more challenging for communities such as Apache Junction with so many entities involved to the point where he does not feel it is an appropriate amount.He thinks they need to look at a combination of all of them added together to see if they are in line with everything, both residential and commercial.The road fee is high, but so is everyone else's.The road fee is the highest fee.He would like to see a fair comparison, especially since they only have control over one water district in the entire community.If they had control over all the utilities, it would be simple to explain why a fee is a certain amount.He would like to see a study done if possible. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS None. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None. PUBLIC HEARINGS APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PREMISES ON THE LIQUOR LICENSE OF TRES BANDERAS )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item.She stated the statewide no smoking regulations go into effect on May 1. Businesses such as bars and restaurants are scrambling to accommodate the law.The applicant wants to have an extension so that they can accommodate those people who wish to smoke and yet not be in disregard of the new state law.The applicant has REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 5 OF 14 been asked to be present in the event of any questions by the council. Mayor Coleman requested the applicant address the council. Mr. Gilberto Martinez, owner of.Tres Banderas, addressed the council.It will be hard to accommodate everyone, smokers and nonsmokers, with the new law. He thinks he will be okay with this extension.• Vice Mayor Eck commented his plan looks adequate to him. Mayor Coleman 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 Waldron MOVED THAT THE APPLICATION•FOR ,A,PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PREMISES ON THE LIQUOR LICENSE OF:TRES '.BANDERAS RESTAURANT'; SUBMITTED BY GILBERTO MARTINEZ, BETRECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL. Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS SELECTION.OF MEETING DATES/TIME/ LOCATION FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ON FY 07/08 BUDGET REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 6 OF 14 )Finance Director Keith Lewis briefed the council on the item.He stated they have been given a revised budget schedule.It was originally to be in May but it has been changed due to new council members coming.It will be in June.He requested they set some dates to work on the budget before they can proceed with tentative budget adoption.The dates should be between June 11 and June 29. Vice Mayor Eck commented he .has :a family reunion during that time period and he would need to check to see when he would be available There was general discussion among the councilland,staff:It was:suggested:it be the second or fourth Monday and:ruesday.:As the:viCemayor was unable t0 contact familyiat.this time, it was;suggestedthey goon to the next item and comeback ,to this one REAPPOINTMENTS/APPOINTMENTS :TO BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, LIBRARY BOARD, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND PLANNING AND, ZONINGCOMMISSION )City Clerk Kathleen Connelly briefed the council on the item.She stated they conducted a seriesfpf:interviews lastinight -of.both :applicants wishing to be reappointediand new applicants.The intent wasto do:the interviews!lastinight and appoint tonight.They will interview the remaining boards and commissions on April 30 and make the appointmentson May 1. Mayor Coleman stated they would tlo them one:boardlat a time.He, feels :the :ones that asked for -reappointment.should be reappointed. Cbuncilmember Waldron MOVED! THAT:MARI GARDNER AND JANE ZONES BE: REAPPOINTED TO THE BOARD! OF ADJUSTMENT FORHTERMS TGlEXPIRE ON JUNa30,,2010; Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE MOTION. REGULAR MEETING OF,THE:CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 7 OF 14 VOTE:5-2 (Vice Mayor Eck and Councilmember Severs voted in opposition.) The motion carried. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT JOHN GORDON BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2008. Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT TESS NESSER AND RHONDA JACKSON BE REAPPOINTED TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2010. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT LOIS ELDRIDGE BE APPOINTED TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2010. Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 8 OF 14 Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT MONA BARTON AND CONRAD PISINSKI BE REAPPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2010. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT TODD OLEAR BE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2009. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT WAYNE STANDAGE BE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2009. Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT J. SUE JOHNS BE REAPPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2010. Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE MOTION. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 9 OF 14 VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT TERRI PARKER BE APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR.A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2010. Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:5-2 (Councilmembers Sippel and Waldron voted in opposition.) The motion carried. Councilmember Severs MOVED THAT SAMUEL CONDON BE PROMOTED FROM THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WITH HIS TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2008. Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:3-4 (Mayor Coleman and Councilmembers Dietz, Sippel and Waldron voted in opposition.) The motion failed. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT JOHNACANTOWSKI BE -APPOINTED:TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2008. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:4-3 (Vice Mayor Eck and Councilmembers Insalaco and Severs voted in opposition.) The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 10 OF 14 SELECTION OF MEETING DATES/TIME/ LOCATION FORT DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ON FY 07/08 BUDGET (CONTINUED FROM EARLIER IN MEETING) ). There was general, discussion by the council on what dates would be good.It was determined that June 11 and June 12 would be good for all the council members. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion and called for a motion Councilmember Sippel. MOVED THAT THE MEETING.DATES/TIMES FOR DISCUSSION 'AND/OR ACTION. ON FISCAL YEAR 200772-008 BUDGET BE THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, JUNE 11: AND TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 'BOTH DATES IF NEEDED, AS WORK SESSIONS. City Attorney Joel Stern commented there may be a Board of Adjustment meeting on June 11. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked what time, Councilmember Sippel ADDED THEY WILL BE AT 6:00 P.M. Mayor Coleman commented if. they scheduleApoth nights and they:do not :need the second they ccan cancel it City Clerk Kathleen Connelly -stated- they havedonethat before Councilmember Insalaco: iSECONDED THE:MOTION:. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETINGIOF THE CITY COUNCIL: APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 11 OF 14 Councilmember Dietz asked if they would, be getting -the budget to review on May 11. Finance Director Keith Lewis stated that is -when it is scheduled. Councilmember Dietz commented they will have a new council sitting. Finance Director Keith Lewis stated that is one of the reasons they have extended it out to the last legal date. City Manager George Hoffman stated they can do a one-on-one, line -on-line for those that desire to do so. Councilmember Dietz asked:if :they would-be -givingthe newly -elected council -a copy of the- budget befor they,aresworn Finance Director Keith Lewis .stated they will get it an May 11 also. Avlayor.Coleman asked if they • could include the- candidates on these-dates City Manager George Hoffman stated it is:only aHfewHdays after theyare 'sworn in. Vice Mayor Eck. asked if he ,could makeia commenton:the board' andcommission item-.He. :thanked everyone foriapplying-:Those who:did:mot get appointed' .to board:orcommission !should- continuetoHtry They are getting moreand more:applicants each time and_he hopes they, will continueto apply 'in the future-.' :COUNCIL DIRECTION -TO:STAFF - None. :REGULAR MEETING OFiTHEHCITY -COUNCIL: APRIL 17, 2007. PAGE 12 OFAA.. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES CoUncilmember Dietz MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 30, 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, MAY 1, 2007, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly commented she had thought they had wanted to start the executive sessions at 5:30 p.m. Councilmember Dietz commented he thought an hour would be plenty. There was general discussion on the time and date for an early executive session. Councilmember Dietz AMENDED HIS MOTION TO THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2007, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked if the Monday night executive session would still be at 6 p.m. Councilmember Dietz stated that is correct. THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Sippel SECONDED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 13 OF 14 )Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. 2. Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 3, 2007. ACCEPTED THIS 1ST DAY OF MAY, 2007, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 1ST DAY OF MAY, 2007. ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk DOUGLAS fOLEMAN 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 17th day of April, 2007.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 19th day of April, 2007. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 17, 2007 PAGE 14 OF 14