HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-05 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 5, 2006
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on December 5, 2006, 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 OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Eck led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman
Vice Mayor Eck
Councilmember Dietz
Councilmember Insalaco
Councilmember Severs
Councilmember Sippel
Councilmember Waldron
Staff Present:
Others Present:
City Manager George Hoffman
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
City Engineer Giao Pham
Public Works Director Doug Dobson
Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow
Public Information Officer Jay Swart
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
Assistant Planner Mike Heuchert
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 1 OF 66
CDBG Admin. Assistant Melinda Larson
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
Asst. to the City Manager Janine Solley
Asst. to the City Manager Ruth Giese
Officer Bill Virtue
Human Resources Director Liz Riley
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED, AND
THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PW 2006-09, SELF-PROPELLED BITUMINOUS
PAVER, BE AWARDED TO INGERSOLL-RAND EQUIPMENT & SERVICES IN THE
AMOUNT OF $255,366.00; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION AND PINAL COUNTY RECORDER
AND ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT FOR PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF EQUIPMENT,
VOTING MATERIALS AND OTHER SERVICES FOR THE SPRING OF 2007 CITY
ELECTIONS; AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN
THE AGREEMENT; AND
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 06-56, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE GREATER ARIZONA DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO ARIZONA REVISED
STATUTES TITLE 41, CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE 8, BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson commented Valley of
the Sun Habitat for Humanity has started construction on homes
in the Ironwood Trails subdivision.Some council members have
been on site to help with the construction and to help welcome
national and international companies to our community as they
partner with Habitat for Humanity.She introduced Christine
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 2 OF 66
Odom, President and Chief Executive Officer of Valley of the Sun
Habitat for Humanity and Janeen Rohovit, the State and Local
Governments Representative with Salt River Project.
Ms. Christine Odom addressed the council to give an update.She
gave a powerpoint presentation during the update.She commented
that they build for 601 to 801 of the median income.They have
been aggressively going out through the social service agencies
and the neighborhoods to tell people they are here.She has
seen more enthusiastic homeowners than she has seen in 7 years.
They require 400 hours of sweat equity; many of the future
homeowners already have more than 600 sweat hours invested and
their homes have not even been started yet.People are
impressed with whom they have partnered with.Valley of the Sun
Habitat for Humanity is the largest Habitat in the western
United States and is 1001 locally funded.The city's support is
important and they bring in volunteers and sponsors.Their goal
is to eliminate poverty housing in the valley.They have done
400 homes so far and none have been foreclosed upon, and their
payments buy more land and build more houses.They keep it
affordable with volunteer labor; they are one of 6 energy star
builders.There used to be 20 but they made it more difficult.
In 2005 they purchased 5 acres for Ironwood Trails and recorded
the final plat this summer; in the early fall they started
construction.They have had 400 people come to the Apache
Junction site from all over the world.Anderson Windows has
decided to do 75 homes for their anniversary and they flew in
people from all over to build here; at the end of the week they
told her this is the prettiest build site they have ever seen.
They loved Apache Junction and loved working here.Another 175
people came out to paint the fence and were thrilled with the
area.This is what Habitat for Humanity does; it brings people
and excitement.They can now see what can happen.More and
more people are getting excited about Apache Junction.Three
builders want to build a home in a week, and out of all of the
sites available, they wanted Apache Junction.Two years ago
they started having talks with Salt River Project on the
possibility of creating a partnership around solar energy for
the homes.When they were looking at a site to launch this, it
was decided Apache Junction.They have started the subdivision
and the momentum is even scary to her.They have many sponsors
that are interested in Apache Junction; Rio Verde Community is
thinking of sponsoring a home in Apache Junction.There is a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 3 OF 66
very large sponsor who, after the builders' blitz, is trying to
decide where to go.While talking to Salt River Project, she
had told them that if they were going to do it for one family,
they really should do it for all of them to make it equal.Salt
River Project first commented they thought it could be real
expensive for them.She responded with think what it could cost
a low income family to maintain a solar panel.Salt River
Project then came back with an incredible opportunity for
partnership.
Ms. Janeen Rohovit stated Salt River Project would take part in
the development at Ironwood Trails by providing solar for every
house.It will be funded through their Earthwise Energy
program.This is where customers donate $3 per month and they
have an amazing participation in the program.All 18 homes will
be fully funded through the program.The systems on the houses
will reduce their electric bill by approximately 30-40%
depending on use.The systems will be installed by a licensed
contractor.This will be the first development they will have
that will be entirely solar -powered.She commented many Salt
River Project employees are very involved in the program,
including Margie Barkdahl.
Ms. Christine Odom stated she thinks it is huge that this is
their first community and they chose Apache Junction.It is
also the first solar community for Habitat for Humanity.They
will be announcing that this is the first of its kind and the
media will be coming; they will continue to highlight the city.
She deals with 8 different cities and commented she is pleased
to work with Apache Junction staff.They are wonderful and do
an outstanding job.It means a lot to her that the mayor left
his job at the school to come out to the dedication.It speaks
droves to the community when you come out to the site.
Councilmember Severs also came out.Others have probably come
out when she was not there.She had a sponsor tell her that
they sponsored a house at another site last year and no one came
out; they liked coming here and having the officials come out.
They have been supportive and that goes a long way.The city
has received two prestigious awards around the LEEDS
certification.These are the types of buildings that they are
about.They are proud to be associated with the city receiving
those awards.On January 8 will be the kickoff for the
builders' blitz.Camelot, Morrison and Blandford Homes will
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 4 OF 66
build a home in one week.On Saturday, January 13, the
celebration will start at 10 a.m. with a dedication of the homes
to each family.Rosie will be on the house and Home Improvement
Radio will be here for 4 hours inviting people to come down.
There will be food and festivities.She is available for
questions and tours.The East Valley churches will be coming
out to sponsor a house after this and other interested parties.
There is also the big worldwide partner who is trying to decide
between this location and another location in the valley.If
they have it here, everything they have seen so far will grow.
They next thing they have to do is find another parcel to keep
the momentum going.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they still needed sponsors for some of
the homes and if there could be co-sponsors, possibly teaming up
4 or 5 corporations.
Ms. Christine Odom stated it changes everyday.If they do not
have the national sponsor choose Apache Junction, they will have
some issues with sponsors that are valley -wide.Their employees
are everywhere so they want to build centrally.They have had
some obstacles convincing some sponsors it is not that bad to
drive 45 minutes to build on a Saturday morning.Most of the
sponsors they have talked to are not local.She thinks it will
increase the community and say a lot more if they have sponsors
and volunteers that are from this area.They have the Habitat
for Humanity commitment that the houses will be built, but they
will probably have to pull the sponsors from other resources
rather than this community.The best case scenario is for the
sponsors to come from the East Valley so that there are more
relationships built.They like to build houses and
relationships to break down economic barriers.Local sponsors
and local volunteers are better for the community.A
sponsorship is $65,000 but some people come in at $10,000.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they could get sponsors at $5,000 each.
Ms. Christine Odom stated they could get some sponsors at $5,000
and put them all together.They may build with a bank, a school
and a church, but that is okay.They would divide up the build
days based on the funding that has been brought to the table.
It would be a great statement for the community to consider.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 5 OF 66
They will work with them to make that happen if that is what
they desire.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he would like to see that happen.
Councilmember Severs asked that she tell the council about in-
kind donations.
Ms. Christine Odom stated if a home is sponsored, they ask that
half of it be cash and the other half can be the materials on
the house.If they find a concrete company that states it will
donate the slab, they have just raised $10,000.If they find a
licensed plumber who will do all the plumbing, they have then
raised another $6,000.They can do half in in -kind donations
from licensed contractors and half in cash.It makes it much
more palatable and it would get local contractors involved in
the build.
Councilmember Dietz commented he knows that Lowe's is a big
sponsor for Habitat for Humanity and they are opening a new
store on Southern and Ellsworth.They are calling it Apache
Junction, even though it is not in the city.He thinks this
would be a really good kickoff for their community involvement.
Ms. Christine Odom commented they are very large and have a
foundation arm wherein they can apply for $65,000.The local
manager also has discrepancy money.He may not have access to
$65,000 but he has some things he can personally choose.It is
basically what he is passionate about.She has talked to Lowe's
and they have partnered 3 times this year.She has asked them
to look at the growth in Apache Junction.She added anybody
that they could think of with either resources or money that can
help them build affordable housing is worth going after.
Councilmember Dietz commented he works for Lowe's.
Ms. Christine Odom stated that he is then the in.It is an
honor to build here and she appreciates their support.
Battalion Chief Mike Farber, Safety Officer for Apache Junction
Fire District, gave a presentation and update on the city and
fire district's pandemic flu planning efforts.He stated a
pandemic flu refers to an outbreak that happens worldwide and
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 6 OF 66
the populace has no immunities to.It happens about every 40
years, such as the bubonic plague, the Spanish flu and the Hong
Kong flu.It attacks the young and very healthy adults; roughly
40% of the work force would be gone.The avian flu is from
birds, and the first few stages had no bird to human contact.
It is now in phase 3 which is humans contracting it from birds.
Approximately 158 people have died from it in Asia and the
Middle East.The mortality rate is 59%.It will mutate to a
human to human transmission at some point.At that time, the
mortality should not be near 59%; it will be closer to 5%.The
lower percentage does not sound like much, but in a city the
size of Mesa with 400,000 people, they could have 20,000 people
dead in 6 to 8 weeks.It impacts services, supplies, and socio-
economic and psychological aspects.American citizens have to
be identified before burial for insurance purposes and identity
theft; there cannot be mass burials as in Third World countries.
Apache Junction is on the leading edge of planning.City
Manager George Hoffman, Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell,
Fire Chief John Flynn, Police Chief Glenn Walp, Public Works
Director Doug Dobson and Public Information Manager Pat Brenner
have been working on this; he joined them about two months ago.
Much has been accomplished in their bi-weekly meetings.They
have bee working with city, county, state and federal officials
on a four -phase pandemic plan.He described the 6 phases of a
pandemic.Most of the testing on birds has been on the route
from China through Alaska to the United States.He has just
received an email that it is now in South America and will
probably come up through Mexico.They are not prepared there.
It could enter the country sooner than anticipated.The virus
has been around since before the dinosaurs and it will mutate.
The world is due for another pandemic; it could be this year or
10 years from now.Thus far they have provided flu vaccines for
all city employees and fire district employees and their
families.It will be offered to residents.They have also done
fit -testing of masks for the police department, public works,
animal control and fire department personnel as they are the
ones in close proximity to the people that may come down with
the pandemic.The normal flu has a 2 or 3 day incubation
period; a pandemic flu has as much as a 7 day incubation period.
Educational handouts have been given and the information is also
available on the city and fire district websites and offices.
Flu prevention items were distributed to the city employees in
November 2006.Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell will be
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 7 OF 66
looking at the absenteeism from this past year to compare
against this following year to see if the sanitary items
distributed have assisted in cutting the absenteeism rate down.
They also had the mock emergency operations drill with the fire
department and the police department depicting a hostage
situation.They identified a lot of communication issues that
they had, learned each other's command procedures, and learned
how to work with each other.They recommended putting a
satellite feed in the command van so they could watch in the
Emergency Operations Center through the camera mounted on the
command van to see what is going on outside.Good ideas came
out of the exercise.They have released an influenza release
algorithm for their responses in order to know who to transport
and who to treat and release.They are also talking about
alternative responses, using only two firefighters to respond in
order to reduce the threat of exposure.They have also done
infectious control training.He described the exposure issue
for hepatitis B.He commented Pat Brenner has been instrumental
in setting up the AZ 211 system, a manned call center that will
be set up once there is a pandemic.It is currently prerecorded
information.In addition, all the things they are working on
also work for floods, wildfires, or any other disaster the city
may have.The sick leave policies being developed by the city
will also be adopted by the fire district; they are policies
that will encourage people to stay home if there is a pandemic.
It is important that if they are infected that they not come to
work and infect others.If they do not have sick leave, they
will want to come to work; this would give them time off without
pay.They have also worked on reduced staffing levels.The
fire district has looked at bringing in Mesa firefighters if
they are not infected with the pandemic or retirees.They may
augment the work force with volunteers in other things.The
city might use some of the library staff for essential functions
in the police department.They must increase the stock in
medical supplies, and the fire district is stocking MREs.
Prevention is currently having a flu shot.He stated people
will take the West Nile Virus shot yet not the flu shot.West
Nile Virus killed 202 people in 2002, its worst year, but every
year the flu virus kills 36,000 people.Other prevention
methods are washing the hands with soap and water, disinfecting
surfaces such as doorknobs, telephones, keyboards, and faucets,
covering the mouth and nose when coughing, not shaking hands if
one is sick, staying home and using alternative methods to work
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 8 OF 66
from home.They are on track.The city has been asked to talk
at the Pinal County Emergency Operations Center drill on January
26.The city has been the leader in this; another city working
on this in Maricopa County is Gilbert.Not a lot of cities have
been working on this much.The city is prepared and will
continue to be.The next steps are budgeting for supplies and
vaccinations, working on quarantine versus isolation procedures,
and continuing to work with other agencies.They are discussing
cognitive behavioral videos people could watch as there will be
too many affected for counselors to handle.
Councilmember Dietz commented what they are doing is not
necessarily for the pandemic flu; it can be for any type of
disaster.It is just being prepared for if it does happen.
He thinks it is great that they are where they are and have
taken the right steps.
Battalion Chief Mike Farber stated they can use it for wildland
fires and floods.Public works has worked very well with them
when they have had those issues in the past.As he said, it is
just being mission ready.It was nice to see that a lot of
things went very well and smoothly during their drill, even
though they found things that needed to be improved upon.It is
a tribute to the police and fire departments, the chiefs work
very well together, and the guys are professional.
Vice Mayor Eck asked where the Communicable Disease Center
stands on all this.He asked if it is just their information as
he had heard a lot about it 4 to 5 months ago and now it seems
like it has been phased out.The attitude appears to be that it
is not going to come.
Battalion Chief Mike Farber stated the Communicable Disease
Center is with the World Health Organization.It is why they
are at phase 3.They are constantly coming up with updates;
anyone can go on the World Health Organization website and it
will give the latest updates.The Communicable Disease Center
is taking it very seriously, having just released some new
information in terms of how emergency employees are to respond
and protection issues.The World Health Organization developed
the original avian flu response plan on November 18, 2005.The
second meeting was in February 2006.Apache Junction jumped
right on it.When nothing is heard for awhile, it tends to be
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 9 OF 66
put to the back.The latest word states it could come up faster
from South America in the poultry.A co-worker called her
mother and told her not to eat any more chicken.That is not
what they want.If chicken is cooked at 170 0 , the virus will be
killed.It might come through Mexico, and if nothing is heard
people will become apathetic.It is being taken seriously, but
it might not happen this year or next year.It could be a few
years down the road.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they are working on some type of
vaccine.
Battalion Chief Mike Farber stated there is a problem.There
are 16 H proteins and 9 N proteins and it could be any
combination.They cannot come up with a vaccine until it is
already here.They are then looking at a 6 to 8 week period.
They looked at whether it would be best to give it to people
when they came down with it, but it is a 5 to 8 day cycle with 2
shots per day at 10 milligrams, which is quite a bit of
vaccinating.They also looked at prophylactic injections,
inoculating people prior with antivirals, but that takes 4 times
the amount.The cost for antivirals is very expensive.By the
time they decide which group gets it and it gets distributed, it
would not do any good.There will not be any vaccine unless
they solve the seasonal flu issue.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he could remember as a kid the talk
about the Africanized bees coming.After awhile one did not
hear anything and then it was said they were not coming any
more.Now they are here.
Battalion Chief Mike Farber stated he remembers the programs on
that.He added if anyone needs a flu shot he has some available
with him for after the meeting.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Mrs. Terri Parker, 1827 W. 13th Avenue, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding a problem on Veterans Day.The
parade was wonderful and she congratulated everyone involved.
However, her husband is a retired chief petty officer in the
Navy and acting junior vice commander at VFW Post #7968.She is
a member of the auxiliary and is the acting legislative
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 10 OF 66
chairman.A very unfortunate incident occurred on the day of
the parade.While enjoying the post -parade festivities, she was
approached by Chris Veleer, the president of the auxiliary, who
advised her what had happened earlier in the day.Richard Shea,
the grand marshal, had shown up at the post prior to the parade.
He had been involved in several escape attempts from German
prisoner of war camps during World War II, including the one
depicted in the movie "The Great Escape".He served as a
consultant on that movie.He was asked to serve as grand
marshal several months ago by the parade committee.He was
flattered and excited with the distinction and looked forward to
the day with enthusiasm.A past parade committee member had
promised to pick him up and take him to the staging area in
preparation for the parade but never arrived.Chris Veleer
offered him a ride, but no car had been provided in the parade
for the grand marshal.She was able to find transportation for
him.She believes he deserves a personal apology for this
oversight which shows disregard for him and disrespect for the
veterans.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Waldron commented that last Thursday, KCI, an
international company that does medical equipment, was having a
national service conference in Phoenix.They chartered 3 buses
and brought out 156 people to paint the fence around the Habitat
for Humanity subdivision.It took them 3 hours and 200 gallons
of paint.They had a great time out here.They were out of
here by 1:30 p.m.
Mayor Coleman announced he would be attending the National
League of Cities and Towns Conference in Reno, Nevada starting
tomorrow night and going through Sunday.He is looking forward
to it.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
FISCAL YEAR 2007 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT STATE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 11 OF 66
SPECIAL PROJECTS (SSP) PROPOSED
PROJECTS
)CDBG Administrative
Assistant Melinda Larson briefed the council on the item.She
stated she will be showing a brief Powerpoint presentation as
part of the mandatory public process.It outlines the
guidelines and shows what the public process entails.The
application is due May 1, 2007, with the funding amount being
approximately $300,000.The city can apply every year for this
grant.It is a competitive grant and the projects must be ready
to begin immediately.They have 2 years to complete the project
which will be awarded August 2007.The grant objectives are to
benefit people with low to moderate income, prevent or eliminate
slum or blight, or address an urgent need.The city is 53.3%
low to moderate income so a citywide project could be done, a
low to moderate income project, or something to benefit target
groups which include abused children, elderly persons, battered
spouses, homeless people, adults with severe disabilities,
illiterate people, persons with AIDS, and migrant farm workers.
She commented on past grants that were approved for the city.
Last year's grant proposal for 800 megaHertz radios is still
pending.Eligible projects include water system improvements,
street improvements, flood drain improvements, sewer, parks,
social service centers, shelters, halfway houses, accessible
buildings, equipment purchases for a child care programs,
recreational programs, educational literacy programs, and
construction could include a rehab or a renovation, housing,
housing rehab for homeowners, down payment assistance, utility
connections, job training and placement, credit to small
businesses, small walkway construction, purchase of vacant
buildings, and rehab of commercial property.The first public
meeting was held on November 13, 2006.Tonight is the first
public hearing.They will ask council to select a short list
and direct staff to research those projects.Staff will come
back to the council on January 2 with the research.It will
come back to council again on January 16 for direction on which
project or projects to prepare the application for.On February
20 council will review the staff report, pass the resolution on
March 6 with the application due on May 1, 2007.Technical
assistance is provided, but must be requested in writing in a
one page summary with basic information.They will respond
within 3 working days with technical assistance ending on
December 26, 2006.She is the contact.She described the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 12 OF 66
grievance procedure.Projects were solicited from the
leadership team on November 2.Projects were solicited at the
public meeting on November 13 and the priority project was the
homeless shelter.The economic development action plan team
proposed projects with the priority project being a downtown
area amphitheater and/or civic plaza.She added staff was asked
last evening to bring some current information regarding a
street project that was proposed during 2006.She stated Mr.
Dobson has that current information for them.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
was hoping everyone was aware of the cost situation.
City Manager George Hoffman
asked if they would still be able to discharge the schedule that
she outlined if they did not have a meeting on January 2.
CDBG Administrative Assistant
Melinda Larson stated she could be creative.They have given
themselves some time.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson addressed the council.He stated they have a set of
plans for Cedar from Broadway to 16th Avenue.He asked
engineering to go with the latest prices that they could come up
with.Using the City of Phoenix, November 29, 2006 bid
tabulation for 24th Avenue and Camelback Road, they applied
those figures to what needed to be done to get Cedar completed.
The bottom line is about $1.4 million.The concrete alone is
$474,406.The pavement is $366,130.It would actually be for
$1.6 million because they always have to put in a contingency
amount.The price of construction has gone up 50% in the last 3
months.The original dollar amount is about 2 to 3 years old.
He drove down Cedar and Warner to see if there was above ground
electrical as they had been talking about streetlights.Based
on having a streetlight every 200', he could have a streetlight
attached to the existing electrical poles.That would be 26
lights that would come in at $105,000.That is not the $300,000
they were looking for.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if that
is the way they decided to go because of the safety issues of
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 13 OF 66
the police department.They could increase that up to the
$300,000 mark and cover more area.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated he could go back and look at all the low to
moderate areas that do not have streetlights.If they have an
aboveground electrical, he could keep adding streets until he
comes up with the $300,000.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if he
has ever seen these costs come down 50% or more in the past.He
wanted to know if this is what the city would be dealing with
from now on.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated he has seen fuel over $3.00 a gallon and then come
back down to $1 something.Last year's asphalt cost about $37 a
ton.This year's bid was $74 a ton, which is double.He was
also told that another $14 a ton would be added in April.It is
all from the oil prices and from the competition with other
countries for the concrete and asphalt.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
believes the Cedar job has been on the shelf for 5 years.He is
wondering with these costs if they should always have something
ready to go and do them at half of the actual costs for prior
years.They might be more in line in the following year.They
have used grant money before on the north side and it has really
helped out some neighborhoods there.He does not know how they
could plan to really get much done in that direction with grant
money now.He thought they would be able to get some of these
areas with part of it.
Councilmember Severs asked
about chip seals and other options.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated the figures he gave them on those are actual bid
prices and that is what they can do it for.If they did all of
Cedar in house, he would still have to go with an estimate of
$474,000 on concrete because we do not do the concrete.They
would then have to come back with 2,481 tons times $74.That is
just for the material alone.It is not removal, dirt or AB.He
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 14 OF 66
cannot bring it in low enough, as the $474,000 is already above
the target just for the concrete.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they
could do a third of the concrete on the proposed project from
even a year ago.They are talking about doing some of the storm
water areas.They were estimated at $150,000 last year; maybe
they could be put on the shelf for just in case next year.The
costs go into his concern about doing another capital
improvement plan for streets.He is concerned if they cannot
get a low Greater Arizona Development Authority interest, he
feels that they need to go ahead and get some of these projects
done on bonds just to get them done.If these costs continue to
go up, he does not see how they will ever be able to do the
street projects.He feels bad when he sees kids walking in the
street because there is no sidewalk.There are a lot of areas
for improvement.These costs will continue to rise and he feels
they need to consider the street projects and just start bonding
them.
CDBG Administrative Assistant
Melinda Larson commented this is a competitive grant.The more
money that is leveraged or matched, the higher the scoring.
Whenever the city matches funds or we have leveraged funds, even
in -kind, that counts towards a higher score.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if it
would be more competitive for the city to ask for $200,000
rather than going for the $300,000 for the streetlights if the
city were to put in the other portion.
CDBG Administrative Assistant
Melinda Larson commented she will use the 800 megaHertz as an
example.The city leveraged quite a bit of funding for that
particular project.It is still pending, but based on the
scoring criteria, it is a major point.Another example is the
food bank.The big expansion several years had Pinal County
leveraging a lot of funds in kind.It made the project even
more appealing.
Mayor Coleman opened the
public hearing on the item.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 15 OF 66
Reverend Galeen Jane
Boyette, Desert Chapel United Methodist Church, 462 N. Palo
Verde, Apache Junction, addressed the council.She stated she
was here on behalf of and at the request of the governing board
of the Genesis project.The project currently represents 7 area
churches that have joined together to be an extension of his
hands through service to others offering hope and human dignity.
The ultimate goal is to end homelessness and to assist those in
extreme poverty in this area.Currently they are a food program
offering lunch between noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at
her church.The 7 churches represented pay for the food, fix it
and serve it.They came to the public meeting on this grant
that was held on November 13 with the hope of acquiring money
towards a shelter.There is a definite need for one in the
city.There is definitely a need for feeding the homeless and
hungry in the city.There is also a need for shower facilities,
laundry facilities, and many other things if we are going to get
people out of the homeless situation.They had hoped to ask for
money for the shelter.They have since discovered the limits of
the grant and the terms of the grant.The board has met and
decided to come forward today and say they would love a shelter,
a permanent kitchen and serving location, however, they do not
feel that they have been organized long enough to have this
project prepared and ready to go by August 1.They do not have
a location in mind or matching funds to offer.They would like
to leave the shelter on the table to be considered next year
when they have more information.They are in need of more
storage space and an office space, but those figures are coming
in at $20,000 which is far short of the grant amount.Unless
they can combine it with other issues, they are aware it is far
below what the city needs.They will throw their support around
other projects they are considering.They could use
streetlights around their church and flood control.They will
support anything that supports families in this area.She
thanked Melinda and the staff for their assistance.They are
willing to help and they are hoping the city will be willing to
help them.They are not going away.
Mayor Coleman asked what
their long term thinking is for the homeless shelter.He asked
if it would be a city -operated function or is it something that
would be built and taken over by the Genesis project.There
will be operating expenses.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 16 OF 66
Reverend Galeen Jane Boyette
stated they did not desire it to be a city function but a
community function.They are talking to the New Day Shelter,
the largest shelter in the state, and they are trying to get
information, facts and figures from them.There are many needs
and requirements in order to get people out of homelessness.
They recently sent a person to the state conference on ending
homelessness in the state and they brought forward all the
issues that need to be addressed to get people out of
homelessness.It will be a long term thing.Their immediate
course of action is to continue feeding people and extending it
to a 7 day a week program.Next would be a temporary shelter,
but ultimately they need a shelter like New Day where people can
live long term, get a job, and save some money so that they can
get into a home and learn how to budget and get medical
assistance.There are several programs they can bring to the
city and they are hoping to do that quickly.In the long term,
they would like to have the type of shelter that is community-
run and supported by people throughout the state like the New
Day Shelter in Phoenix.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if she
was aware of a shelter in the East Valley as far as Mesa.He
has done some research, speaking to Mesa's mayor, who stated he
was not aware of any but that they do some regional work.
Reverend Galeen Jane Boyette
stated in her work as a pastor the only immediate shelter she is
aware of is the Hope Center which is specifically for women who
are pregnant or in abusive situations.She thought there was a
shelter in Mesa, referring people to Central Arizona Shelter
Services, but most of the shelters she is aware of are actually
in Phoenix.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
is just trying to gather information.One of the key words he
used was regional.The more people that get involved, the more
success there will be.Their interest has brought forward an
interest on behalf of the council and he would like to see them
continue with some dialogue outside of just specific grant
money.There are other means to do what they are trying to
accomplish.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 17 OF 66
Reverend Galeen Jane Boyette
stated they would greatly appreciate that.
Mayor Coleman closed the
public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion.He
asked Melinda if she was seeking direction on a short list of 2
or 3 projects for them to do more research on.
CDBG Administrative Assistant
Melinda Larson stated that is correct.She added within the
technical assistance that they provide, they could work with
Reverend Boyette to help her look at some additional funding
sources that are available outside of this grant.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if she would need this on the short list to do that, or could
she do that outside of the direction.
CDBG Administrative Assistant
Melinda Larson stated they can do that outside of their
direction.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
would like to see some type of street project or flood control,
but he does not see what they can do for $300,000.They have
been told by the police department that there are some high
crime areas that streetlights would help with, and he feels that
is something they could get done in time.He feels the
direction they should go is to add streetlights in the high
crime areas in low to moderate residential areas.
Councilmember Sippel agreed.
His figures showed they could do 45 to 50 streetlights with
that.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated that is correct.
Councilmember Sippel stated
that is a lot of streetlights.
Councilmember Dietz commented
if the city put in for $400,000 in funds and added the $100,000
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 18 OF 66
or they put in for $350,000 and then added $50,000, it might
give them a better shot at receiving the grant.
CDBG Administrative Assistant
Melinda Larson stated that is correct.She and Roger went over
the criteria that they use to score; that provides more points.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if there were any flood control projects that are on the shelf.
Some intersections are worse than others.He asked if there
were any there that they could use to give immediate relief.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated the one he can think of immediately is the
intersection of 23rd Avenue and Buena Vista.
Vice Mayor Eck commented that
is the Blevins intersection.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated he does not have a set of plans, he has some rough
drawings that have the elevations and such but they are not
stamped plans.These were done a couple of years ago and they
were looking at $300,000 then.It does involve concrete and
some asphalt.He is not sure how much it will have gone up, but
he can get back to them with it.
Councilmember Waldron stated
they are developing a short list and he would like to see it
there.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated he would look into it.
Councilmember Insalaco asked
if it is one of the worst areas in the city insofar as
residential.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated it is one of the worst.Every time they have
flooding they have to go down there.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 19 OF 66
Councilmember Waldron stated
Gregory is like that, too.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it
is one of the worst for complaints.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated he meets the fire department down there often.
Gregory is like that, too.
is one of the worst for complaints.
Vice Mayor Eck commented
there is also the Twigg residence down there along with Mr.
Blevins.It is a real problem and it would be nice to know what
the current costs are.They could possibly plan it for next
year.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson stated they could look into that.
Councilmember Severs
commented there might be a less expensive way of doing it.What
was suggested before would be the ultimate way, but there may be
something less they could do that would solve the problem for a
decent time period.They could put a band -aid on it.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson commented he would look into it.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
could come up with both ideas; the band -aid and the real fix.
Mayor Coleman commented the
other project that he sees a need for that might fall into this
price range is the Prospector Park Restroom.
Public Works Director Doug
Dobson asked if that is the one they are working on now.
Mayor Coleman commented it is
in the group use area of the park.
CDBG Administrative Assistant
Melinda Larson stated this is a new restroom in the group use
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 20 OF 66
area of the park that Jeff Bell had proposed during the
leadership team.
Mayor Coleman commented he
knows it is a long way over to the restroom at the ball field
for little kids that are at the playground over in the northeast
area of the park.And those are not always open.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it
is not very far to the bushes.It is probably a few hundred
yards to the restroom.
Mayor Coleman commented he
remembered the flack they took for building the other one as it
ran $400,000.Part of it was that they had to run the water all
the way.At the time they built it, it was in the middle of
nothing.The park has been built up around it.He knows there
is a real need for it in that portion of the park.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed.There
are more people in that area than there generally are in the
restroom area because the softball leagues come and go along
with the Little League.There is probably more consistency in
numbers of people going to the park on the northeast side.It
is at least 300 yards if not 500 yards to the facility.
Mayor Coleman closed the
discussion and called for a motion.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING FISCAL
YEAR 2007 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT STATE SPECIAL
PROJECTS (SSP) PROPOSED PROJECTS:THAT THEY BEGIN RESEARCH ON
THE STREETLIGHT ISSUE, FLOOD CONTROL ISSUE AND PROSPECTOR PARK
RESTROOM ISSUE AND REPORT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY
16, 2007.
Councilmember Sippel SECONDED
THE MOTION.
There was general discussion
on whether they needed to be site specific for some of these
projects and whether they needed direction on the homeless
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 21 OF 66
shelter.It was determined the motion already made was
sufficient.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ten minute break.
meeting.
Mayor Coleman called for a
Mayor Coleman reconvened the
RESOLUTION NO. 06-55, PRELIMINARY
PLAT APPROVAL REQUEST BY CINCO
VIEJOS, L.L.C. REPRESENTED BY JAN
MITTELSTAEDT, FOR A PROPOSED 25-
UNIT TOWNHOME SUBDIVISION LOCATED
AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF ROYAL
PALM AND SCENIC STREET
)Senior Planner Rudy
Esquivias briefed the council on the item.He stated the
property was rezoned with planned development designation last
July.It had been zoned for apartments for many years, but the
apartments had long fallen into a state of disrepair.The
property had become a nuisance in the neighborhood.The
developers saw an opportunity on this property.They have kept
the base CR-5 zoning on the property and put a planned
development designation on it for the purpose of building 25
townhome units.The conceptual layout was approved in July and
the preliminary plat reflects this layout.There are a number
of recommended conditions attached to approval, including that
all CR-S zoning requirements and conditions as prescribed by the
ordinance shall be observed, the final elevations of the
townhomes shall comply with the architectural styles and motifs
described in the design guidelines and planned development
rezoning, all applicable fees shall be paid, and street
improvements shall be completed on Royal Palm and Scenic, with
the development being allowed to be constructed with the rural
standard as it is in the "Y" area.This means there will not be
perimeter sidewalks or streetlights, the streets will be widened
with asphalt and approved with Maricopa edges to create a more
rural type of feel in compliance with the rest of the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 22 OF 66
neighborhood.The subdivision CCRs shall prohibit tenant and
guest parking spaces from being used for anything but apropos
vehicles.Recreational vehicles, boats and other vehicles of
that sort need to be parked elsewhere.A homeowners association
shall be formed to provide for the perpetual maintenance of all
the common areas.The developer shall provide the area
amenities as proposed in the planned development, which include
a swimming pool in the central area and picnic barbeque types of
amenities.Staff recommended one more condition be added last
night.Staff would like to have a preliminary plat mylar that
addresses all comments by the development services engineer.
The planning and zoning commission recommended unanimous
approval.Another item has come up regarding how the new
Proposition 207 affects this case and all cases currently in
process as well as all cases they will be looking at in the
future.He deferred to the city attorney for that information.
Councilmember Severs
commented one of the stipulations in the past regarded
notification to all the residents about Superstition Skies.He
asked how that got handled.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it is in their rezoning ordinance.It is one of the
rezoning conditions.They are also asking the developer to
include the statement in their disclosure and possibly in their
CCRs and it may be noted on the plat itself.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he did not want to get into the details of the
proposition.The people voted to add a new statute, 12-1124,
Dimunition in Value.It is a new cause of action that can be
brought against the city or town if the city or town passes a
land use regulation, which could be an ordinance, resolution, or
any kind of action by the council that affects any real property
interests.It is very broad.It is now law as of yesterday and
becomes effective immediately.His recommendation, which the
statute allows, is to negotiate with the property owner to
essentially waive a claim of dimunition in value.In the future
he will recommend that property owners sign a Proposition 207
claim waiver.They already have one in the case that is coming
up after this one.He thinks it should be signed in this case,
too, even though this is just a preliminary plat.The new
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 23 OF 66
statute references any resolution in addition to an ordinance or
any real property interest.They can approve this and make it a
secondary condition, not part of the resolution.The mayor
could sign it conditional upon the city attorney's office
receiving a fully executed Proposition 207 claim waiver.The
alternative would be to continue this until the council wants to
see the signatures.They could continue it to a date certain.
prefer they go the waiver route.
asked if he meant in the motion.
correct, that would condition it.
way this moves forward.
that is correct.
applicant address the council.
Mayor Coleman stated he would
City Attorney Joel Stern
Mayor Coleman stated that is
Vice Mayor Eck commented that
Councilmember Severs stated
Mayor Coleman requested the
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he does not believe the applicant is here tonight.He
was under the impression that the council would continue this
item and he was agreeable to that.
Councilmember Dietz asked why
he is agreeable to a continuance.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
commented because of Proposition 207.The owners of Cinco
Viejos L.L.C. are based all over the country.It will take a
little bit of time to gather the signatures of these owners.
Councilmember Dietz asked if
they can go through and approve it tonight on the condition of
receiving a signed Proposition 207 waiver.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 24 OF 66
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they could.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked if the mayor should not sign the resolution until the
waiver is received.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated his recommendation is the motion be that the mayor not
sign until the waiver is fully executed and received in the city
attorney's office.
Councilmember Insalaco asked
if they can vote on it.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they can vote on that with the condition that the mayor
will be given authorization to sign it upon the city attorney
receiving the waiver.He can then notify the mayor.
Mayor Coleman commented he
may have spoken too soon.He assumed the applicant would be
here and if they are under the assumption that it would be
continued they might want to do that.It has been advertised as
a public hearing so they still need to go through with that.He
asked Rudy what his opinion was as he had spoken with them.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
commented his impression was that the applicant would not see a
big problem in having this case continued.The other caveat is
he told him the next council meeting would be January 2, not
January 16.He did not have a problem with continuing to
January 2.
might want to go ahead with
public hearing on the item.
speak, he closed the public
council discussion.
Mayor Coleman stated they
this.Mayor Coleman opened the
There being no one wishing to
hearing and reopened the item to
Councilmember Severs asked if
he was saying they were going to go ahead and continue this or
move it forward.He would like to see it keep moving forward.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 25 OF 66
Mayor Coleman closed the
discussion and called for a motion.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 06-55, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING A
PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION PLAT FOR THE "ROYAL PALMS" TOWNHOMES
SUBDIVISION IN CASE SD -3-06 BY CINCO VIEJOS, LLC, REPRESENTED BY
JAN MITTLESTAEDT, BE APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
RECOMMENDATION NO. 8, THE MYLAR DRAWING OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT
SHALL ADDRESS ALL OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES ENGINEER AS CONTAINED ON A RED LIGHT DRAWING PROVIDED
BY GRIFFIN-JACOBS ENGINEERING DATED 10-5-06, AND THAT THE MAYOR
SIGN THIS RESOLUTION CONDITIONAL UPON RECEIVING A SIGNED
PROPOSITION 207 WAIVER FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER.
Councilmember Severs SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 1283, PZ-13-06, CITY-
INITIATED REZONING FROM TH/PD TO
C-3/PD FOR APPROXIMATELY 1.9 ACRES
AT 2851 S. TOMAHAWK ROAD FOR A FOUR
STORY 121 -UNIT EXTENDED STAY HOTEL )
)Assistant Planner Mike
Heuchert briefed the council on the item.He stated this case
was recommended for denial by the planning and zoning commission
by a 4-2 vote.There have been a few changes since then.The
current zoning is TH/PD and the site is part of a larger 16.5-
acre parcel.Only the 2 -acre piece is subject to rezoning in
this piece.Jacob's Ranch Mobile Home Park is to the north, the
highway is to the south, and there is a mix of single family
homes and duplexes to the west.He showed the council the
proposed site plan and landscaping plan on the overhead.There
are a few parking spaces provided in the front landscaped area
which is normally required to be entirely landscaped.The
developer states that Value Place is an extended stay hotel
concept with minimum weekly rentals.They have over 535
franchises sold to date.The demographics show 81% male guests,
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 26 OF 66
73% are from out of town, 27% from in town, approximately 50%
are blue or gray collar workers, 36% white, 14% are homemakers
or unemployed students, 56% do not come from a house or
apartment when they check in and 58% do not return to a house or
apartment when they leave.He showed the current elevation,
with stone façade being added to the outside in a few areas and
some wrought iron decorative features around some of the
windows.The base has been changed on the new sign proposed.
They are proposing a 45' high, 200 sq.ft. sign face with an
animated LED screen.According to the zoning ordinance, we
measure the height of a sign from the adjacent road grade.The
road in this area is elevated a little bit so they would be
allowed a 24' sign.He showed the proposed animation.They
have agreed to slow it down a bit under one of the conditions,
but that could be difficult to enforce.The planned development
deviations they are asking for include a 4 -story building, 39'10
3/1" high to the apex of the roof.The C-3 zoning allows a 30'
maximum height.They want to provide parking in the 25' front
landscape area; our ordinance requires that entire area to be
landscaped exclusive of access points.They do not want wall
separation between the developments; Ordinance 940 would require
an 8' wall on one side and a 6' wall on the other.They are
requesting a 45' tall freeway sign; 24' tall is what is allowed
by ordinance.They would also like to have a changing message
sign which is prohibited by our ordinance.Their concessions to
the city are architectural, providing red tile roofs, stucco
finish with earth tone colors, pop outs, and the wrought iron
stone enhancements.If this is approved, they would like to
proceed with a commercial subdivision on the property.He
showed them a conceptual drawing of the future subdivision.
Conditions of approval include street improvements normally
required as part of the subdivision; architectural character of
the building to include stucco finish, façade enhancement,
window awnings which was put in before he got the most recent
elevation so it could be changed to the wrought iron window
treatment, 4 -sided architecture for pop outs and east and west
porticos; building height shall not exceed 39 110 3/1"; sign height
limited to 35' which is consistent with other planned
developments along US 60; sign animation shall not be allowed
since it was denied by planning and zoning; landscaping to be
installed in accordance with Ordinance 940, including
landscaping the entire front setback area; 6' screening wall or
wrought iron fence required along the west property line; an 8'
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 27 OF 66
fence is not required along the east property line and along the
front property line they must have either a 3' pony wall or a
berm to screen the parking lot from the street.
Mayor Coleman asked if the
east property line is the one that abuts Jacob's Ranch.
Assistant Planner Mike
Heuchert stated it would not be abutting for this piece that is
being rezoned.There is more vacant land between the parcels
that will eventually be developed into additional commercial
property.All applicable permits shall be applied for and the
next land split shall require a subdivision process.Trellises
and climbing vegetation are to be provided on the north and
south faces; he got this condition from a similar hotel project
in Phoenix.The vegetation will visually break up the building
mass.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
talked to the developer on the sign and suggested he do a column
post to create a certain look.He was not concerned about the
weekly rates as someone investing $4 million should know what
their market is.He is concerned about the look.He thought
the sign would be a column post and the sign would be set within
the column posts.He thought it would look better.He gave
them some suggestions and hoped their engineer would come up
with something better.They are obviously two different
projects from the one planning and zoning looked at and the one
the council is presently looking at with the changes that were
made to that building.He thinks it looks very good.His
biggest concern is the sign.He is seeing more and more of this
type of sign throughout the valley now with the lettering and
the wording.The first one they showed looked more like a Vegas
Strip type of sign.There are definitely more of these signs
that have some gradual messages.If done right, the lettering
is more appeasing.
Councilmember Sippel
commented they have given us a proposed plan of what that
property could look like in the future, and we have all been
given those kinds of plans before and know that those do not
always happen.His suggestion on the sign was to make it so
that they could add things into that sign as seen at the Signal
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 28 OF 66
Butte area so that we do not have four to seven 45' signs along
the freeway 10' apart from each other.He still has an issue
with the LED being anything.There are neighborhoods in that
area; north is a mobile home park, east is Jacob's Ranch, and he
would not want $189 flashing in his bedroom window every 30
seconds.He has a real issue with that.He has seen a couple
of those signs along the 202 near the autoplex where nothing but
commercial is there.There is no residential and he does not
feel it is an appropriate sign for this area at all.The height
of 45' is way too tall.
Councilmember Insalaco
commented when they met with the developers one thing mentioned
was the trellises.The maintenance on climbing catclaw going up
the side of a building is tremendous.It also damages the
structure.It is something he does not think is necessary.He
has a little problem with the sign as he does not like the
little birdhouse on top.He thought it was going to be within
the columns.However, compared to the first design that was at
planning and zoning, if they had seen what it had been changed
to, it probably would not have had the same effect that it did.
He agreed with Councilmember Sippel about the sign flashing so
much but he has seen more of them; they are all over the place
now.He thinks if it had been in a little lower section, it
would not be as outstanding as it is being 45' in the air.The
only problem he has is the birdhouse; everything else they did a
good job with meeting a lot of the things we wanted.
Councilmember Sippel asked
Mr. Heuchert to go to the slide that shows the type of clientele
this extended stay hotel states they have.He commented those
numbers are what they are.He is assuming the 81% male
translates into them being long stay construction workers.The
73% makes him believe it even more so as they would be
construction workers coming in from out of town to do a job and
they stay the long stay.He does not see this as a final
destination that people would want to stay at when they come to
see something at the rodeo grounds.He does not feel this is an
appropriate hotel for our community.
Councilmember Dietz commented
he does not really like the location.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 29 OF 66
Councilmember Sippel agreed.
Councilmember Dietz commented
it should be moved more into the city.It is low end.
Councilmember Sippel
commented the location is not appropriate for the community.
Councilmember Severs
commented he agreed with Councilmember Insalaco on the trellises
and he suggested that they remove them as they are a home for
spiders and scorpions and everything else.They do a lot of
damage to the buildings.Animated signs are the way of the
future; that is what is happening and what everyone is going to.
They are not looking at the Vegas Strip, they are looking at a
simple changing sign.Studies show that something that changes
catches your eye more.It is the way of the future and they are
thinking about future growth.If you drive down the 202 it is a
beautiful freeway with beautiful developments down there.There
are some homes near those developments and you see a lot of
those signs now.He likes to think of the city as moving
towards the front of the pack and leading in a lot of aspects.
He would like to be the same way with this situation.He is not
saying he wants these signs every 10 feet.They can accept it
now or 5 years from now; it is what is coming.They have gone
above and beyond for us over what they have done in any other
community.He has seen their buildings and he has seen what
they were not willing to do in the other communities.The
changes they have made are amazing.The architectural changes
are beautiful.The landscaping is beautiful.Hopefully it
could be the beginning of the commercial subdivision.He knows
they went through the same promises with someone else and you
can see where we are at.If this goes through, it will be a
beautiful commercial subdivision and it would give the visitors
variety.They will have the low dollar extended stay for those
people who could not afford to stay in the one next door that is
more expensive.Hopefully we can get that as well.He thinks
this is a good beginning.They will show us some beautiful
things tonight and hopefully it will make our decision easier.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if
Councilmember Dietz and Sippel still feel like it looks like a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 30 OF 66
lower end project now, as far as the building and excluding the
sign.
Councilmember Sippel stated
the building is okay, it is better than what they saw a month
ago and better than what planning and zoning saw a couple of
months ago.He just does not like the concept, especially
there.He frequents these types of places, although not the
Value Place, when he has schooling in central Phoenix.He stays
at a long stay hotel for a 4 day weekend.It is no different
from that one, which is Inn Suites, and he is sure these have a
kitchenette and everything.However, that is set next to
Metrocenter and it is in a huge commercial area.There are 5 of
these hotels in that area.There are office buildings and the
mall.There is no residential in that area.He understands
that it is in the freeway corridor and they will hopefully have
a lot to put on that corridor.He wants to make sure that they
put quality stuff on the 60 corridor like the stuff that is at
Signal Butte and Ellsworth.We do not have a lot of it, just
the strip, so he wants to make sure they put quality items in
that area.He is not sure if the Waffle House and those types
of things are what they really want in the corridor.
Councilmember Dietz commented
that is basically his concern.
Councilmember Insalaco asked
how they are to attract people to that corridor if they do not
start showing something like this.Right now all they see is
vacant land.
Councilmember Sippel stated
they have a hotel one block west.
Mayor Coleman requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Donald Rich, BAC
Development, 1400 N. Kellogg, Suite F, Anaheim, California,
addressed the council.They are the developers for the project
and he would like to address some of the items that have come up
tonight.They are spending about $5.3 million to develop the
project.They have agreed to a 35' high sign; they had asked
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 31 OF 66
for a 45' high sign.They would like the 15 second interval on
the animation.It says kitchen, full service, and those types
of things.They had agreed to the 15 seconds earlier but staff
has taken it away tonight and they would like to have that
interval on the sign.He is willing to lower the sign and take
out the neck on it, lowering it down to the cross braces.They
can lower it down through that.They would not have the neck
sticking up; they would lower it down and set it on top of the
crossbar.
Councilmember Severs asked if
future businesses such as a restaurant would be able to put its
sign in between the two columns.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
would prefer not to as they have over 1,000 feet.They would
like to be able to put more signs as they develop, such as the
proposed full service hotel and a restaurant to the east.They
would like to have a sign every 300' or so.
Councilmember Severs
commented he would have a better chance of getting it past the
community if they add them to that sign.
Mr. Donald Rich stated if
that is their requirement, then that is what they would go with.
He is just saying what they would like, but they will go with
whatever is required, as long as it is down below the Value
Place sign in between the columns.
Councilmember Severs
commented they have similar signs at the new development at
Signal Butte and the freeway.
Mr. Donald Rich stated if
that is their recommendation, they will do that.They will
lower it down and they could put the signs in there.
Councilmember Severs stated
he just wanted to clarify if they would be able to do that.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
can do that, as long as they put the Value Place up top and the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 32 OF 66
others down below.They have agreed to put up the trellis.As
far as the long stay, a lot of their guests are snowbirds.Our
average stay in the Value Places that are open, there are
currently 640 franchises across the country, with the average
stay being 93 days.They are long term stays for snowbirds,
construction workers, hospital people, students and doctors.
They are people who are there for a long stay so they have a
long stay in their hotels.
Councilmember Waldron asked
what he meant by a long stay.
Mr. Donald Rich stated he
meant 93 days.They stay an average of 93 days.They rent by
the week.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if they stayed continuously 93 days.
Mr. Donald Rich stated that
is correct.In their hotels they only rent by the week.They
get checked out every week and then are checked back in.It is
like an apartment, being checked out and checked back in.This
allows the city to continue to get the TOT.If the stay is over
30 days a lot of times the TOT drops off.
Councilmember Waldron asked
what TOT is.
Mr. Donald Rich stated it is
the transient occupancy tax.That is the money that goes to the
city so they want to make sure they are assured of that.They
can then control the ones coming in and out.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if we
receive that on any income we receive.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated we have a transient lodging tax.Up to 30 days it is
4.2%, after 30 days it drops down to 2.2%.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 33 OF 66
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
want to keep it at the higher rate so they check them out and in
so that the city does not lose the higher rate.
Mayor Coleman commented what
they are saying is that their stay is only a week long and then
they re -up for another week.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked if they stay as long as 93 days at the higher tax rate.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
are always at the higher tax rate.They physically check out
everyone in the hotel and they have to put up a new deposit
every week and check back in.This is so the higher TOT rate
stays in effect for the whole time.It is also for if they want
to get rid of them, they can get rid of them if there is some
reason why they do not want them to check back in.When they
try to check back in, we automatically kick them back out.They
also have on their lease that they can kick them out on a daily
basis if someone is causing problems.They can tell them to
leave and they are gone immediately.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if this
is eligible for our police program.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that would be the crime free multi -housing program.He
has seen that done in some cities with motels.They did it with
motels in a very high crime area in the city where he had
previously worked.It did improve the area if the manager and
hotel were enrolled in the program, and if they met everything
the police department said they had to meet.It really did
improve the crime there.It could be adapted to a hotel.
Vice Mayor Eck asked someone
to explain what that means to Mr. Rich if the city were to
request that.
Mr. Donald Rich stated he
thinks he knows what the city attorney is talking about.Their
hotels are central corridor, electronic locks, you cannot get
into the hotel without a key, they are monitored with cameras,
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 34 OF 66
they encourage the police to walk the hallways and have their
canine units walk the hallways, and they always work with the
police department on coming out to see them.They have the
cameras and they are constantly monitoring them to get the best
use of the hotel.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if there
is zero tolerance if there was any type of arrest made or drug
use.
Councilmember Waldron
commented he thought that was in the Section 8 stuff.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the crime free multi -housing program has that in it.It
can be adapted to hotels and motels.In Riverside they required
picture identification with a credit card and they would not
accept cash.
Mr. Donald Rich stated that
is what they do.They have to have picture identification and
must be able to pay with a credit card as they will not accept
cash.It is required for every week that they check in.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it sounds like he has some of the elements already.
Currently the city only does this with mobile home parks and
apartment complexes.He believes it can be adapted to a hotel.
They could ask the applicant if he would agree to that type of
program.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
already have it in effect.It is already a part of their
operations.
Vice Mayor Eck commented ours
might have a few different items that they do not generally do.
He does not think they differ much.It is primarily what
happens when someone gets arrested.
Mr. Donald Rich stated when
someone gets arrested they are kicked out.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 35 OF 66
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented he is saying he would agree, but is he saying he would
agree to enroll in a program that the city would set up that
would encompass the crime free multi -housing elements.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
would agree to that.It is part of their program and they will
agree to it.
Councilmember Sippel asked
where else in the metropolitan area is there a Value Place hotel
built, not just a franchise.
Mr. Donald Rich stated none
have been built.There is one in Phoenix that was approved by
the city council and they will start construction shortly.
Councilmember Sippel asked
where in Phoenix.
Someone from the audience
stated Maryvale.
Mr. Donald Rich stated it
will be at Interstate 10 and 43rd Avenue.
where in Phoenix.
stated Maryvale.
Councilmember Sippel
commented they showed them a map marked all in red for
franchises sold.He asked how many buildings have been built
and where.
Mr. Donald Rich stated none
in Phoenix.They are proposing another at Deer Valley and
Interstate 17 that is currently in the process of approval.
They are also proposing another at Interstate 10 and 32nd
Street.They are committed to building 15 in the Phoenix area
themselves, but in Arizona, the only one that has been built is
in Tucson.
Councilmember Sippel asked
where in the country they are.He stated there are over 600
franchises, but are there only 100 buildings built.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 36 OF 66
Mr. Donald Rich stated there
are about 45 built.This franchise only started about 3 years
ago by Jack Devore, who started Residence Inns, then Summerfield
and Homeless Suites.In 3 years approximately 40 have opened.
They are opening one next week in El Paso, they will have 2 more
in El Paso and they are building one in Las Cruces.The latter
should be opened in about 120 days.They are coming on board.
There are about 640 franchises that have been sold.It is the
fastest growing franchise in the hotel industry that there has
ever been, according to the New York Times.They plan to build
about 24 in the next year.
Councilmember Waldron
commented they indicated in the project area that there would be
a full service hotel eventually.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
have the entire 16 acres of which they are rezoning 1.9 acres
for this hotel at this time.They plan to develop and come back
with the remaining 14 acres in 2 to 3 months with the master
plan.They are proposing in the master plan a full service
hotel, restaurants, maybe a fitness center, and an exclusive
restaurant on the other side of where the engineers state a
waterway has to go.
Councilmember Waldron asked
why they did not start with the full service hotel and then not
do this project.
Mr. Donald Rich stated the
Value Place is the one they want to get built first.
Councilmember Waldron asked
why.
Mr. Donald Rich stated
because Value Place is their development.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if they would be developing the rest of the property.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
are going to sell it off.They will not be building it.They
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 37 OF 66
have it under contract and they have some interest for the other
sites already.They will sell those tracts to other developers
to do.They have the other 14 acres under contract, they plan
to exercise their options and they have met with the planners.
They will not build as they only build Value Place hotels
themselves.
Mayor Coleman asked if he was
finished with his presentation as they had started asking him
some questions.
Mr. Donald Rich stated he had
covered what they had agreed to do.They agreed to the 35'
sign; the only thing they have not agreed to is the 15 second
display.It was earlier agreed they could have it, tonight they
came back with something different and they would like the 15
second interval changes back.They agree with everything else
staff says and they will agree to not putting up the trellises
if that what the council recommends.He does not feel they need
to be there.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
thinks that was a staff recommendation and off the primary
building because it had that barn -like look.
Mr. Donald Rich stated he
thinks they wanted a little pizzazz to the end of it but he
thinks they can do it with stucco and what they plan to do.
They will also have heavy landscaping on the property.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented the owners did sign the Proposition 207 claim wavier
today.On the crime free housing program there is something
called CPTED, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.
This is where the physical surroundings are built so that crime
is prevented.There would be no foliage in front of windows or
glass to see through to the lobby so that they know what is
going on.That is all incorporated in the crime free housing
program.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
have no problem with that.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 38 OF 66
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there would also have to be surveillance in the parking
lot.
Mayor Coleman stated he
received a very unusual letter from the Mesa Convention and
Visitors Bureau basically saying that Value Place had wanted
zoning in Mesa and that they had recommended against it.It was
abandoned before it went to the planning and zoning board.The
director states it might seem strange for the entity that
promotes tourism to be in opposition to adding new product.He
asked if he knew why they would be writing him a letter saying
they are in opposition.They also state they commend our
planning and zoning commission for recommending denial.
Mr. Donald Rich stated he
believes it is self-serving.If they do not build in Apache
Junction, they would probably apply in Mesa and they would then
get the transient occupation tax.That is his feeling, but he
may be wrong.They have hospitals going in over there and they
need the hotel facilities in that area.He thinks that is what
they are trying for.
Councilmember Severs asked if
anyone had approached the City of Mesa about building one of
these there yet.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
have not found the land there.They possibly will.They are
committed to Value Place; his group has already paid for 90
franchises across the country.Fifteen of them are in Phoenix,
so they are committed in Phoenix.They like this area, Deer
Valley, and I-10 and 32nd Street.As they find land available
they will try to put a Value Place hotel at that location.But
they like this area and they really like the entire 16 acres
here.They want to develop the entire 16 acres with a master
plan.They will be back to the council with that master plan in
2 to 3 months so the council can see what they are proposing.
They did this one first so that they could get the Value Place
built and operational and then go ahead with the rest of it.
Councilmember Severs asked
where Terry McDonald stayed while he worked for the city.He
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 39 OF 66
thought he might have been put up by the city at a hotel.He
also asked if it is common practice for the city to put
temporary employees at a hotel.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated they did put him at a hotel but it is not common
practice.
Councilmember Severs
commented this would seem perfect for that situation in the
future.It would also be only one mile away from the hospital
if we ever get one.People have extended stays in the hospital
and their families would have to stay somewhere.It would be
perfect.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
like being close to hospitals.They are doing one now in El
Paso which is adjacent to a $350 million hospital.They get the
nurses and staff that stay with them.They stay long term just
like an apartment.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
called the gentleman from Mesa about the letter.He questioned
him about it and he could not understand what agency he is with
or what they do.It sounded like a chamber of commerce type of
issue.The Mesa man's opinion was that this is like a lower
class of development and they are looking more for the Hiltons
and higher end; they are trying to stay away from these.They
were supporting us in that.After speaking with him and telling
him of the change in the designs and quality, the Mesa man then
congratulated us on doing something more with this than what was
previously given to us.The vice mayor stated he understood it
to mean that they tried to go in and develop one of these in an
area in Mesa where they felt they could get a higher end product
and there was only so much property left there.He understood
the Mesa man to be congratulating us for following their lead.
Mr. Donald Rich stated there
is a need for the high end, 4 diamond and 5 diamond higher
priced hotels.His group is serving an element that wants a
clean, safe hotel at a reasonable price.They do not have a
pool or an exercise room because they do want to pay for it.
They do not give a continental breakfast.They keep the costs
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 40 OF 66
down for people to have a clean, safe hotel to stay in, which
his group thinks is great, and if they want to pay more they can
go to the upper scale hotels.This has been well received.
Their occupancy across the country, on the ones that are open,
is running 98% occupied.It has worked out real well.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
Mesa man's opinion changed when he was told that they had gotten
them to make quite a few revisions on the design of the
building.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
like the revisions.They are talking about using the design in
California.and some the other locations, especially the window
treatment and making it look like they are looking out over a
balcony at the mountains.He really likes the design.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
only concern he still has is the sign.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
will work with staff on that.They will lower it down and they
will come up with something else.He is not locked in stone on
that.They can leave that open, he will sit down and work with
staff, the council can talk to staff and they can work it out,
as long as they have the 35' and the 15 seconds.
Mayor Coleman opened the
public hearing on the item.
Mr. Samuel Condon, 920 E.
Estevan Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He
commented that no one on the council has suggested a time frame
for the sign to work.If they would like a flashing sign and
everyone is worried about the residential area, then turn it off
at night.There is not that much traffic on this freeway at
night time.If they want it for during the day, especially at
the heaviest traffic times during rush hours, then turn it off
for certain hours.That way it does not affect anyone sleeping
in the residential areas.The signs are common.There is a
huge one on Shea and Beeline by the casino.It is distracting
and he does not know if it will cause more accidents.Over
there you are trying to turn and are watching the red lights
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 41 OF 66
while this thing is flashing in your face.That one is huge,
big and bright.This one may be a little different.Maybe
certain colors would be an option.He thinks turning it off at
night would cause less effect on the residential areas.
Mayor Coleman closed the
public hearing with no one else wishing to speak and reopened
the item to council discussion.
Councilmember Severs asked if
it would be inappropriate to ask someone from the police
department some questions about activity around this type of
establishment.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he can ask but he is not sure they would be prepared.He
does not know if they have been asked to come up with any
statistics for crime.
Councilmember Severs
requested Interim Commander Jay Swart address the council.He
asked if a hotel of this type would be more prone to more crime
because of all of their camera systems and precautions that
these people are willing to take.He asked if he sees it as a
problem.
Interim Commander Jay Swart
commented he is not familiar with this company or its exact
concept.Joel mentioned earlier about CPTED, and if they
subscribe to CPTED then the police department would be involved
from the beginning phases in terms of implementing some of the
different phases of security systems.In those particular cases
that is how you reduce it from the beginning.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if CPTED
is a part of the crime free housing program.
Interim Commander Jay Swart
stated that is correct.It will allow the police department to
get in at the early beginning of it and help in terms of going
in and looking at the schematics and almost being involved in
the early stages of the planning to insure that they meet all
the requirements for that.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 42 OF 66
Councilmember Severs
commented CPTED is very large in Tempe.It is actually a part
of the building permit process they approve.It is just like
planning and zoning and everyone else.They approve whether you
have cameras in the right locations and that the walls do not
create areas for people to hide behind.It is an awesome
program.They have already done a lot of this in their plans.
He would like to see if they would be willing to participate in
CPTED.
Vice Mayor Eck stated he has
already said they would.
Mr. Donald Rich stated from
the audience that they would.
Councilmember Sippel
commented he believes the area west of the project is in Pinal
County.That area is under the jurisdiction of the sheriff's
department and, if he is not mistaken, it is one of the higher
crime areas of the community.It would be amazing if they were
able to have a safe haven at this one building across the street
from one of the worst crime areas that we have in the community.
He does not see how this hotel will solve the crime issues in
that area.He does not think that it would add to it, but he
does not see this as the solution to the whole area.
Councilmember Waldron
commented the weekly rental bothers him.They can say that
people check out and check back in, but in essence this becomes
an apartment building.He does not think it is something they
need.It is why he asked the question about a full service
motel, and the response was that they are going to sell the
property anyway.He is not sure there is investment in the
property and that extended stay portion bothers him.
Mayor Coleman asked about the
transient occupancy tax.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated we have a 2.2% tax on rentals.There is an extra 2% on
anything that is less than 30 days.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 43 OF 66
Mayor Coleman commented that
in their model, by checking them in and out every week, would
mean the guests stay at the higher tax rate, which he states is
a benefit to the city.Even if they stay for 93 days on
average, they would still pay the higher 4.2% tax rate.
Councilmember Severs asked
what the occupancy rate average is.
Ms. Christy Lane, BHG
Development, 1400 N. Kellogg, Suite 5, Anaheim, California,
representing Value Place stated with all the facilities that are
open it ranges between 90% to 98%.Some have been running at
100% after being open for only 2 weeks.Location makes a big
difference.She wanted to discuss the remarks about crime and
the programs.From the operations perspective, they are not
there to solve any crime issues or problems, but there is a very
strict program in place.The property is toured a minimum of 10
times a day.Two of the staff live on site.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented he is not sure if they are still in a public hearing.
He may want to open back up to the public again or have the
applicant come forward again or both.
Mayor Coleman stated this is
the applicant.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they may just want to open it back up to the public.
Ms. Christy Lane stated the
last tour is between 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. from one of the
individuals that lives on the property.From a security
perspective, it was mentioned there are security cameras.There
is no entry into the facility without security keys.It is
toured and inspected both internally and externally.The
property managers work with the local law enforcement officers
to develop a program for coming around and touring the
facilities as well.They try to work within the community to
solve any issues.Meth labs and drugs are of major concern, and
they are a major concern within any hotel.The property
managers go through a certification program and everyone is
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 44 OF 66
trained so that they know what to look for.The weekly rental,
having the resident check in and out on a weekly basis, allows
us to go in and inspect the rooms on a weekly basis.They can
see what is going on.
Councilmember Waldron asked
how they handle the argument that, if approved, the council is
allowing the competition of an extended stay hotel where the
people stay an average of 93 days against the city residents who
have winter rentals for our visitors.
Ms. Christy Lane stated she
believes there is enough of a demand out there.She has not
looked into what the rental capacity is here in the city, but
she believes it is at a pretty high capacity rate.The
demographics they have seen so far for Value Place have not
factored the snowbirds into it.The numbers and statistics are
taking into consideration contract workers, temporary workers,
certified public accountants, doctors, and construction workers.
Councilmember Waldron
commented he had earlier stated 93 days and that would take in
the winter visitors.
Ms. Christy Lane stated the
snowbirds are a piece of it that this area definitely will
encounter.Florida, as a new area opening up, is a new area
that will be encountering and facing it.It will have a major
impact on the capacity and the occupancy rate.That is a new
factor coming into all the statistics.Being a brand new
concept that has just started in 2003, there are a lot of
demographics that have not been looked at and considered yet.
Snowbirds will be a big factor and piece of that.The first one
in Florida opened in Pensacola 4 months ago and it was at 100t
capacity in 7 days.That is something they are bringing into
the demographics, and it will be a big piece.
Councilmember Waldron stated
that is his point.A motel is one thing.A Value Place
apartment is something else.It is a full time rental.He
understands he can check out weekly, but he can also stay for 3
months.We have a lot of winter visitors that come down for 3
months.There are people in the parks that rent their park
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 45 OF 66
models for the 3 months.They are asking the council to say yes
on a hotel that is in fact a rental.It is rent long term.
Ms. Christy Lane stated it is
a brand new concept.It is a hybrid between an apartment and a
hotel.It combines the best of both of them.With the
apartment rentals that he is talking about, the residents would
have to pay all of their utility bills, their gas, electric,
television and everything else.With the Value Place, all of
that is included within their weekly rental.
Councilmember Waldron
commented people do that when they rent anything.That is part
of living.His point is this is not a motel.She just uses the
word apartment, a hybrid.
Ms. Christy Lane stated it is
a hybrid between an apartment and a hotel because it is based on
a weekly rental.
Mayor Coleman commented they
could rent for 3 months at a regular hotel if they could afford
it.
Ms. Christy Lane commented
you would probably go broke.
Mayor Coleman stated it would
not be $189 a week.
Councilmember Insalaco
commented they have 121 rooms.He asked rhetorically how many
winter visitors does the city have come here and answered
thousands.
Councilmember Sippel
commented they still have parks that are empty and ones that are
full.
Councilmember Severs
commented he has some friends that are snowbirds and they come
here for 4 to 5 months; he talked to 3 or 4 different couples.
He explained this concept to them.One couple brings a 35'
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 46 OF 66
fifth wheel with them and another brings something that is like
a semi.The lot rent alone is as much as this to store their
vehicles.They said if they could get something like this they
could drive their truck and save the gas money they would use
pulling the trailer.They would love to stay in something like
this.They have not done it before because it is so expensive.
He thinks they will get a lot of winter visitors in this place
and the ones that stay in the park models will continue staying
there.It will open it up to a whole different element and he
thinks the city will get more winter visitors because of this.
Mayor Coleman reopened the
public hearing on the item.
Mr. John Kantowski, 835 W.
Windsong Street, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He has
no vested interest in this and does not know the area that well.
However, he does know construction and these hotels and
apartment complexes like this because he has lived in them for 3
or 4 months when he has been away from home.He does not
believe they will get just doctors and construction workers.It
also brings people from the high crime area that cannot afford
houses and have been kicked out of different houses that have to
stay week by week at places.It concerns him as a citizen of
Apache Junction, especially with the council saying they have
had these problems with other developers with their saying they
would be developing the rest of the property, that these people
are already saying they are not going to develop the rest of the
property.They are going to sell it off.He believes they will
have problems down the line if they do sell it off if there are
no restrictions or control of the property on what is going to
be developed.Again, it will not just bring doctors and
construction workers.In the summertime when it is 105 degrees
and there are no winter visitors, with $5.3 million invested,
they will be looking for occupancy.
Mr. Donald Rich stated he
wanted to address the other 14 acres.They have an agreement
with the city that was signed about 2 years ago wherein they
have to come back with a planned development for whatever goes
in on those 14 acres.The council will know exactly what is
being planned for those 14 acres.It will say where there will
be a hotel, a restaurant or a fitness center.It is something
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 47 OF 66
the council will have to approve.It is part of the agreement
with the city.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the developer would have to come back with the planned
development plan.The council does not have to approve it.
Mr. Donald Rich stated that
is true, but they have to present a plan to the council.They
do not have to approve it.If they do not like the plan that is
presented to them, they tell them to go back and come back with
something else.They cannot just sell what they want to; they
have to have a given plan to bring back to the council with
landscaping, setbacks, etc., and the council either approves or
denies it.
Councilmember Sippel asked if
they would be developing it, too.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
may lease some of the property or they may sell it off.
Councilmember Sippel stated
they are not going to develop it; that is the concern they are
drawing up.They could come in with a concept plan, but they
are not going to build it.
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
may not build it; they may sell off the property.They will
sell off the hotel and the restaurant.Applebee's is looking at
the site already, but they do not build Applebee's.They build
their own and that is what they will work for.
Mayor Coleman closed the
public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened
the item to council discussion.
Councilmember Severs
commented the road divides the front and back portions.He
asked if the proposed restaurant and hotel are something they
would own and determine what would go in there and then maybe
lease it to Applebee's.He asked if the front section would be
theirs or are they possibly going to sell off all of it.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 48 OF 66
Mr. Donald Rich stated they
may possibly be selling to Applebee's (the rest of the comment
from the audience was inaudible).
Councilmember Severs
commented that they would determine that it would be an
Applebee's and they would build there.
Mr. Donald Rich spoke from
the audience but was inaudible.
Councilmember Severs
commented that it would be the same with the other hotel.
Mr. Donald Rich stated full
service hotel (the rest of the comment from the audience was
inaudible).
Councilmember Severs
commented that when it comes to the council he will be able to
guarantee what this is going to be.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated when someone speaks from the audience the microphones do
not pick this up so this will not be on the record.
Mayor Coleman commented when
he asked if there were any more questions for the applicant that
was the time to ask.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
goes back to the days when he worked for the water company in
the 80's and the Dogpatch area, across the street from this
site, was the highest turn off area he had in the entire water
system.The area across the street was county and was developed
as a Burger King with a septic system.The landowners then
agreed to come into the city.He is happy that they are getting
the development in the city rather than the county because he
thinks under the current county zoning it is GR and it could
have been another trailer park.From what they originally
brought to us to what we have right now, his biggest concern is
the sign.He likes the building, the concept and the security
issues with CPTED.He agrees with Mr. Rich that they always
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 49 OF 66
have to have these securities.Comments have been made that
this is a bad area of the community already across the street.
It is, and it is referred to as Dogpatch.There is a 40 -year-
old trailer park to the north.He asked what is wrong with
competition.He does not understand that.He questioned what
they would get there if they did not get this.
Councilmember Insalaco asked
and when they would get it.
Vice Mayor Eck stated he
could not believe the comments they have been getting with what
is surrounding this and what they are getting.He questioned
what they would ever get if this is turned down.
Mayor Coleman commented it
appears they are good with a 4 -story building there.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it
does not sound like it to him.He is not good with it; he would
like to have a 2 -story Hilton coming.
Mayor Coleman stated the only
reason he said that is because everybody is concerned about the
sign.They have a 4 -story building going in there, too.Maybe
the sign will be dwarfed.It will be 35' compared to the 39' of
the building.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
has looked for a much nicer project but realistically he does
not see how they would get it.
Mayor Coleman closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Insalaco MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1283 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY AND THE READING OF
THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.
Councilmember Severs SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 50 OF 66
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Insalaco MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1283, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED
AND ADOPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:THAT THE DEVELOPER
STILL WORK WITH STAFF TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO RESOLVE THE
SIGN ISSUE.
Councilmember Severs SECONDED
THE MOTION.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if he
was continuing the motion.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if Councilmember Severs was withdrawing his second.
he was.
had anything else to add.
he did not.
could add something.
he could.
Councilmember Severs stated
Vice Mayor Eck asked if he
Councilmember Insalaco stated
Vice Mayor Eck asked if he
Councilmember Insalaco stated
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED TO ADD
THAT IT ALSO BE ADOPTED IN THE CPTED PROGRAM TO AGREE WITH THE
CRIME FREE HOUSING AND HE DID NOT KNOW IF THAT, HE WAS SAYING ON
THE SIGN ISSUE, HE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE SIGN ISSUE RESOLVED.
He asked what they are saying they are doing; if they are
lowering it.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 51 OF 66
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked what work staff needs to do.
Councilmember Insalaco stated
they said they have already dropped it down to 35' and that they
would work with staff to figure out what they could do to make
it more appeasing to us.In other words, they were going to
drop that little section down and hopefully they can get rid of
the birdhouse.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked about the electronic portion of it and if it is included
in the motion.
Councilmember Insalaco stated
they should let them have the 15 seconds.
Councilmember Severs added
and possibly turning it off at night if that is an option.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if this is an amendment as he was a little confused.
Mayor Coleman commented you
do not see hotels turning off their signs at night.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed.
City Manager George Hoffman
asked if it was to be multiple signage underneath like the
Signal Butte model.
There was general discussion
with the council consensus being to reread the motion.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked which motion.
Councilmember Insalaco stated
all the amendments.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
difficult part of this motion is all the amendments.
asked which motion.
all the amendments.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 52 OF 66
Councilmember Sippel stated
it is the better part of the motion.
Vice Mayor Eck asked
Councilmember Insalaco if he would like to reread the motion.
Councilmember Insalaco asked
Vice Mayor Eck to make a motion.
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1283, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED AND
ADOPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:THAT THE SIGN ISSUE AS
COMPLETED.He asked the city attorney how they can do the
motion to say they want a majority to say the sign will be
dropped below the column post.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he needs to pick a height and that it be reconfigured so
that the major portion of the sign is within the sign poles.
Vice Mayor Eck CONTINUED WITH
WOULD BE RECONFIGURED SO THAT THE SIGN WOULD BE WITHIN THE SIGN
POLES AND THAT IT WOULD NOT EXCEED.He asked if they were at
the 45' level currently.
they are at 35' high.
seems to be a problem.
OF 30', AND THAT IT BE
PART OF THE CRIME FREE
asked if he meant they
program.
part of CPTED.
Councilmember Insalaco stated
Vice Mayor Eck commented 35'
He continued his motion with A MAXIMUM
ADOPTED WITH THE CPTED PROGRAM WHICH IS
HOUSING PROGRAM.
City Attorney Joel Stern
be part of the crime free multi -housing
Vice Mayor Eck asked if it is
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated CPTED is a portion of the program.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 53 OF 66
motion with THE CRIME FREE
asked if he wanted them to
PROGRAM THROUGH THE POLICE
correct.
Vice Mayor Eck continued his
MULTI -HOUSING PROGRAM.
City Attorney Joel Stern
JOIN THE CRIME FREE MULTI -HOUSING
DEPARTMENT.
Vice Mayor Eck stated that is
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked if the animation is to remain.
Vice Mayor Eck ADDED THE
ANIMATION IS TO REMAIN AT 15 SECOND INTERVALS.
Councilmember Severs SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:4-3 (Mayor Coleman, Councilmember Sippel and
Councilmember Waldron voted in opposition.)
Mayor Coleman stated he was
struggling over this one.He thought he knew how he was going
to vote when he got here tonight.,He is really concerned about
the project as some of the points Mr. Sippel brought up are
perhaps reasons why we are not going to get a Marriott at this
site.He was concerned about the height, although it is along
the highway.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 06-54, DECLARING AS
A PUBLIC RECORD THE "2007
AMENDMENTS TO THE TAX CODE OF THE
CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION WITH THE
EMERGENCY CLAUSE/ORDINANCE NO.
1284, ADOPTING THE 2007 AMENDMENTS
TO THE TAX CODE OF THE CITY OF
APACHE JUNCTION BY REFERENCE WITH
THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the items.She stated on
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 54 OF 66
occasion they need to make changes to the city tax code because
of changes to state and/or federal law.This one is a result in
a change in state law.It makes changes in the area of the
hotel industry, clarifying what is and is not taxable and it
creates a consistency for the hotel businesses.It preempts a
city from charging a tax on rides at the state fair.It
prohibits a tax on development fees that are included in
construction or development agreements and makes a lengthy list
of housekeeping changes.
Mayor Coleman opened the
public hearing on the items.There being no one wishing to
speak, he closed the public hearing and reopened the items to
council discussion.There being no discussion, he called for a
motion.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 06-54, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, DECLARING AS A
PUBLIC RECORD THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK
ENTITLED "THE 2007 AMENDMENTS TO THE TAX CODE OF THE CITY OF
APACHE JUNCTION", AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1284 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY WITH THE EMERGENCY
CLAUSE AND THE READING OF THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.
Councilmember Sippel SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
read the ordinance by title only with the emergency clause.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 55 OF 66
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1284, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED
AND ADOPTED.
Councilmember Sippel SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON
SPEED CAMERAS AND PHOTO RADAR
ENFORCEMENT )
)Officer Bill Virtue
briefed the council on the item.He stated staff was directed
to research photo radar.They looked at available vendors,
product types and the projected costs.
Due to technical
difficulties, the council moved on to the next item while this
item was reloaded in the computer.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION LABOR
MARKET )
)Human Resources Director
Liz Riley briefed the council on the item.She stated this
would be a council decision and staff wanted to present an
alternative to them.The city manager mailed a copy of the
salary comparisons of about 30 employees to the leadership team,
the Apache Junction Police Officers Association, the insurance
and benefits team and the advisory team.They only received 2
comments back and they were both positive.They came from the
library and the police officers association.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 56 OF 66
City Manager George Hoffman
stated he received a request from Councilmember Dietz last
night.He is interested in knowing what the comparison is to
the existing labor market.
Councilmember Dietz commented
he would like to see the same 6 that they did with the proposed
labor market compared to the current labor market being used.
Human Resources Director Liz
Riley stated they could do that.
City Manager George Hoffman
asked if there was any other data they could provide in the
meantime.
Vice Mayor Eck asked when the
city is due to do an actual study.
Human Resources Director Liz
Riley stated the communication piece adopted by the council in
October 2004 states that it would be done every other year.The
budget is due in July, it needs to be done prior to the budget
so that Mr. Lewis can work any changes into the budget
projection and forecast.Typically, that committee has come
together in March and they are thinking it should be coming
together earlier this year.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the
key issue to him was staying in that market.The different
cities and the comparison to each other is confusing if they are
going to say this group this time and another group the next
time.He has no problems with doing the proposed, but he is
glad that they are doing the study.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated they will start on the study when they know what the
labor market is.
Mayor Coleman commented they
are looking for direction.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 57 OF 66
City Manager George Hoffman
stated perhaps they are not ready.They will get some more
initial data.He requested if there is any other data that will
assist them in thinking through the issue they should let staff
know and they will get it for them.
Human Resources Director Liz
Riley stated she understands her direction is to go out and take
the 6 positions and class them against the current labor market
versus the proposed, which is what they have.If there is
anything else she requested they let her know.
Councilmember Sippel stated
he would like to include Gilbert and Chandler in that study with
whatever information they are given, with the 10% above and
below.They have the old and the proposed.The proposed does
not include Chandler and Gilbert.He would like them included
in the proposed.
Councilmember Dietz commented
they can do that when they give them final direction.
Councilmember Sippel stated
she is going to be looking at a labor market right now that
compares the old.
City Manager George Hoffman
stated this will be a third category of data:the existing, the
new and the Sippel new, which is the same as the second one plus
Gilbert and Chandler.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
asked when the council would like this to come back to them.
There was general discussion
as to when it would be brought back, ranging from January to
March.City Manager George Hoffman stated they would bring it
back to the council at the first available meeting.
Mayor Coleman closed the
discussion on this item and returned to the previous item.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 58 OF 66
NEW BUSINESS (continued)
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON
SPEED CAMERAS AND PHOTO RADAR
ENFORCEMENT (Continued)
)Officer Bill Virtue stated
they looked at vendors that are currently serving the valley
communities.There are several here, and several more on the
internet.They did not talk to those or research those on the
internet.All the technology information and pictures presented
come from a company called RedFlex.Chief Walp was at the
International Association of Police Chiefs convention and ran
into their booth and obtained their information.Officer Virtue
had talked to American Traffic Systems but not to get any
information from them on this.
Mayor Coleman commented they
will probably be in Reno.
Officer Bill Virtue stated he
wanted to thank Janine Solley for getting most of the
information for him.Bullhead City, Casa Grande and other
communities do not use photo radar at this time.Avondale,
Chandler and Oro Valley use partial photo equipment.Oro Valley
uses digital cameras in their driving under the influence
enforcement cars only.There are red light cameras for Avondale
and Chandler.Speed radar equipment is being used in Mesa,
Paradise Valley and Phoenix.Mesa uses ACS and is changing to
ATS for their equipment.Paradise Valley uses RedFlex and
Phoenix has their red light cameras out for bid right now.
Phoenix is unique in using their two photo radar vans in school
zones only.Prescott Valley has two photo vans and uses
RedFlex.Scottsdale uses RedFlex.Tempe is out for bid.The
majority of the cities use RedFlex and that is why they went
there for the information.They looked at different things that
could be available and the range is so drastic that it is
difficult to give specific information.They came out and gave
a demonstration for them on Idaho and Broadway with some older
equipment in a van.There is a variety of vehicles the
equipment can go into, and it will affect the cost, such as a
Tahoe versus a Windstar van.There is an array of mounting
options and either the company or the police department can man
the vehicle.The latter relates to the cost, how they are paid
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 59 OF 66
and how fines are collected.These units can also measure
traffic volume.A study can be done at the same time violations
are being recorded.The department can set the trailer point
speed such as 34 in a 40 or 38 in a 40 zone.Locations and
hours of deployment will be determined by the police department.
It is also recorded on their downloaded data as to where it was
and for how long.The department can acquire statistics from
that.The computers can track the weather, speed limit and
vehicle speeds and locations.The data downloads have a court
package, which can encompass a scattergram.A scattergram can
give them what traffic was doing 5 minutes before and 5 minutes
after they were caught.It will show the average speed and
takes away the defense in court for those saying they were going
with the flow of traffic.It gives photos and certification
documentation that is printed and downloaded.It is sent to the
motor vehicle department to make sure the driver matches.It
creates an expert witness for judicial notice and technology.
Redflex or whatever company it is can send people to court to
testify as expert witnesses.If one goes with the option of
purchasing the equipment and the company is not used for
technical stuff, they train police department staff so that they
become expert witnesses.The vehicle used for the demonstration
was an older Scottsdale van and the police department asked for
photos of the actual event while they were here to see the
clarity.He has those available if anyone is interested in
seeing them.The cost is very hard to be specific with as it
depends on what they want.He showed them examples of the
inside of the vehicle and the types of photo documentation that
is produced.Once the documentation is produced, it has to be
sent to the police department to be authenticated by the police
department.It is then sent back to the vendor who then prints
out and mails the notices that are sent to the defendant.The
defendant responds to the court, the court is notified, the
citation is paid or the individual requests a trial.
Councilmember Waldron asked
how long the process takes.
Officer Bill Virtue stated he
did not know.The information he just gave is what happens in a
perfect world.However, if there is no response from the
defendant in multiple areas, possibly when the vendor sends it
out, they then have to go to process servers, who have to be
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 60 OF 66
hired and that also relates to cost.They again do not have
specific costs because it depends on how they want the system to
work.Other pitfalls are when the picture is taken there is no
face, the sun is too bright, there is no license plate, the
license plate is covered, and other options that can skew the
information.The benefits are it reduces speed -related crashes,
fatalities and injuries.It is capable of capturing multiple
violations whereas an officer can only catch one.The big
benefit to him is officer safety.A drawback is that only 16%
percent of the pictures are identifiable; this is in addition to
all the pitfalls previously mentioned in identifying the driver.
Councilmember Severs stated
that goes along with learning where and how to locate the
equipment.
Officer Bill Virtue stated
sometimes that is the case and sometimes it is just a matter of
the vehicle; the contour of the glass may not catch them.There
could be many reasons why it did not work.All of the cities
they contacted stated they are seeking a break even point.
There are numerous packaging options.The van equipment can be
bought up front.If that is done, the city would be required to
carry all the maintenance on the vehicle and all the equipment
for information technology plus any updating costs.The camera
used in the demonstration was a 4.8 megapixal camera; they are
currently using an 11 megapixal camera.The pictures shown to
the council were taken with an 8 megapixal camera.The clarity
goes up with the higher megapixal.Another option is leasing
which would be a flat fee plus a portion of the ticket or they
have a third option they are starting to use which is a
percentage of the ticket issued.He believes the latter is in
direct response to all of the cities stating it is costing them
money to run the program.They cannot get actual quotes without
going to a request for proposal since they do not know the
actual equipment they want.They can do that with further
direction to staff.Other communities reported costs included
Mesa's vans cost about $26,000 per month per van; the program is
currently losing money and they are seeking break even.
Phoenix, since inception in 2001, has lost $400,000, not
including the cost of full-time employees from the police
department or courts.Scottsdale states the van lease cost is
$7,000 per month and the revenue is neutral to cover the vendors
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 61 OF 66
cost.They may be breaking even with the cost to the company,
but they have employed several people that they have to pay for
somehow.Paradise Valley budgets $485,000 annually for the
process fee, plus process service fees which do not include the
cost of court personnel.They estimated they could eliminate
four -fifths of their court staff if they did not have this
program.They are also seeking break even.Tempe is currently
losing about $350,000 annually and they are out for bid now.
Part of how this plays out is how the contract is written
between the city and the company.Several of the cities have
contracts that they are losing money on; he is assuming they
will be rewritten so that they no longer lose money, but he is
not aware if that is possible.Other cost considerations are
court personnel and process servers for non -responders.RedFlex
contracts out the process service costs and the city would not
be responsible for them.There will be downtime for the vans
and staffing will be needed.Other communities noted that
school zones produce on average only 25% of the number of
offenses.They had been talking about using this strictly for
school zones.They hope part of that is due to the
conscientiousness of drivers being in a school zone.He does
work the school zones and he can tell them that the city does
have a problem with drivers in school zones.
Councilmember Sippel thanked
them for their research.He commented when he brought this up
he had talked to RedFlex and their job is to sell them roses and
not tell you about the dirt that is underneath them.They
mentioned charging a percentage of the ticket.He had wanted to
see what there was; he is aware they are not looking for
direction on this tonight.After the research that has been
done, it shows that everyone is begging to break even.He was
not looking at making money for the city or costing it money.
He was looking at this as one more thing they might be able to
put in school zones so that officers could be doing other
things.He thinks the information shows they should wait and
see.The traffic calming devices have not been installed yet;
after installation he would like to see a study done to see if
there has been any decrease in the speeding.If they do not or
if it is not adequate to what they should believe it should be,
then they could have an open discussion with the school district
to see if they are willing to partner with the city on this
option.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 62 OF 66
Councilmember Severs
commented when he and Councilmember Sippel talked to these
people at the conference, they were told that the city could
basically get this system free and clear from the amount of
tickets sold with their manning it.They would take the ticket
price and it would not cost the cities anything.They now see
it is not true.
Officer Bill Virtue stated
they told him the same thing during the demonstration.
Councilmember Severs
commented one of the biggest things is that the city will not
make any money off of this but how many lives will be saved.
That is important.His adopted father is a retired Mesa traffic
judge.He handled 1,200 cases per month by himself.They
introduced photo red light to Mesa, and they estimated his
caseload would go up 300 to 400 cases per day.He then retired.
He believes it will be a huge caseload for our judge.He likes
the fact that they can do the traffic study.If they had the
van back when they did the study, they could have written
tickets to those people doing 120 through the school zone.He
likes the fact they can do studies and write tickets at the same
time.He suggested sharing the equipment with another city that
is currently not doing it; each city would get the vehicle a
certain amount of days a month.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he
thought this had all started because of the school zones.He
feels they need to wait and see what happens with the devices
already approved, in conjunction with the school district, once
they have been installed.This is good information to have but
they need to table it for future reference if they need to go
back to it.He had listened to the guy in Tucson and it is not
anywhere near what they were claiming.He likes photo radar
when it is effective, but when he drives in Gilbert he sees more
officers there and he makes sure he drives the speed limit.
Recently he has also noticed more in Apache Junction.He does
not know what the officer ratio is per capita, but it seems like
it must be more.He likes having the presence of an officer.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 63 OF 66
Mayor Coleman closed the
discussion with no further comments and moved on to the next
item.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated they need to make a motion for January 2, 2007, and if
that meeting is not held, they need to make an additional motion
for January 16, 2007.
Councilmember Severs asked
why they need to make a motion for January 16.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated January 16 would be their next meeting date if they do
not meet on January 2.If they do not meet January 2, they must
meet publicly to make a motion to allow them to go into
executive session on January 16.If they make the motion ,
tonight for January 16, they are covered.
There was general discussion
on how many council members would be out of town on January 2.
There is no work session on January 1 because of the legal
holiday.The consensus was to cancel the meeting on January 2
and go to January 16.
Councilmember Dietz stated
that due to the New Year's Day holiday there will be no work
session on Monday, January 1 or a meeting on January 2, 2007.
There will not be a work session on Monday, January 15 because
it is a legal holiday.He MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT
6:00 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007, IN THE CITY
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
Councilmember Severs asked if
they would have an executive session at 6:00 and a council
meeting at 7:00 on Tuesday, January 16, 2007.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 64 OF 66
stated that is correct.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
)Mayor Coleman adjourned
the meeting at 10:42 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Acceptance of Agenda.
2. Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of November 7, 2006.
3. Consideration and possible approval to purchase a self-
propelled bituminous paver in the amount of $255,366.00 from
Ingersoll-Rand Equipment & Services.
4. Consideration and possible approval of Intergovernmental
Agreement for Provision of Services by the Pinal County
Recorder and Elections Department.
5. Consideration and possible approval of Resolution No. 06-56
authorizing application to Greater Arizona Development
Authority (GADA) for financial assistance.
ACCEPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF JANUARY , 2007, BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 16TH DAY OF JANUARY ,
2007.
DOUGLAS COLEMAN
Mayor
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 65 OF 66
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, held on the 5th
day of December, 2006.I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 28th day of December, 2006.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 5, 2006
PAGE 66 OF 66