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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-07 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 7,2006 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona,was held on February 7,2006,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 Sippel gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Eck led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman Vice Mayor Eck Councilmember Insalaco Councilmember Severs Councilmember Sippel Councilmember Waldron Staff Present: (Councilmember Dietz was absent due to medical tests.) City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Glenn Walp Business Advocate Amy Malloy REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 1 OF 10 Others Present:CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson Grants Specialist Roger Hacker ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED:AND THAT THE SETTLEMENT ON VILLEGOS V.CITY,PINAL COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT NO. CV200401329,WITH THE CITY PAYING $13.000 TO PLAINTIFF IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PLAINTIFF SIGNING OFF ON A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND THE CASE BEING DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE,BE APPROVED. Councilmember Waldron commented he believed they wanted it to be dismissed with prejudice. Vice Mayor Eck AMENDED HIS MOTION TO READ WITH PREJUDICE. Councilmember Severs SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS,PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS None. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Ms.Amanda Ryder,1075 S.Idaho Road #101,Apache Junction addressed the council regarding licensing for in -home massage therapists.She stated she is a therapeutic massage therapist here in Apache Junction,opening her office on November 21,2005.She works in the medical field and she is trying to bring massage therapy into the medical field where i t is not into a spa organization because of the benefits that have been found with massage therapy for those that they can help.However,she is not allowed to do in -home care whatsoever in Apache Junction.The city calls it outcalls and she resents that word. Outcalls are for escorts and she is not an escort.She is trying to make REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7.2006 PAGE 2 OF 10 medicine better for people who cannot get out of their beds.She cannot do that here.Elderly people for geriatrics,fibromyalgia,arthritic clients and children who are unable to get up due to leg braces need to have massage therapy done so that they can circulate the blood through their legs to have more mobility.She requested they change the ordinance to hold back on the physician's okay,as most medical therapists will,if the patient had a blood clot,heart surgery or anything in that area that could be deadly to them while they are working on them,ask the patient to go to their physician anyway and get a release note so that they can put that in their file.The physician will tell them what kind of work they want them to do for those people.There is also currently no license for in -home care due to the fact that the city does not want i t in residential homes.She cannot help these people if she cannot go to residential homes.She also requested they take the word outcalls out of it.I t is disrespectful and degrading for people like herself who want to help the people of Apache Junction.This is why she moved out here but she is unable to do her job.She requested they discuss the issue. Mayor Coleman asked if this was the time to direct staff or should it wait until later in the meeting under council direction. City Attorney Joel Stern stated he could ask staff to look into i t and bring it back for direction to staff as a New Business item on February 21,2006. Mayor Coleman requested they do that. Vice Mayor Eck commented he believes they have looked at this at least 3 times since he has been on the council.He would be glad to take a look at i t again,but he knows they built the ordinance around input from licensed massage therapists in the past. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None. PUBLIC HEARINGS RESOLUTION NO.06-02:RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PLAN REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7.2006 PAGE 3 OF 10 )CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson briefed the council on the item.She stated as part of the 2006 Community Development Block Grant application,the city must have in effect a current relocation assistance plan.The current plan expired on May 15,2005.Language for the plan is specified by the Arizona Department of Housing and is both general and specific in nature.The general provisions indicate that the city will be sensitive to the plight of its low and moderate income residents with such things as code enforcement,assistance programs, rehabilitation standards and tax policies.The plan is specific when i t articulates the actions the city might undertake i f low/moderate income dwellings are demolished or converted as a direct result of activities undertaken by the city Community Development Block Grant funds.Such activities would include written notification to the Department of Housing of proposed activities,evaluation of city housing codes,assistance to displaced citizens,adoption of policies that mitigate displacement,and adoption of tax assessment policies that assist low income homeowners that have been displaced.I t should be noted that none of the proposed activities on the 2006 regional account and state special projects applications for the 800 megaHertz radio system would activate any of these provisions.Adoption of the resolution will enable the city to comply with the Arizona Department of Housing regulations.Copies of the resolution must be placed in both the regional account application and the state special projects application.The language is the same previously adopted by the council.Once adopted,the plan will remain in effect for 5 years.Staff is requesting adoption of the resolution. Mayor Coleman opened the public hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak,he closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion.There being no discussion,he called for a motion. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.06-02,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,ADOPTING A RESIDENTIAL ANTI -DISPLACEMENT AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 AS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 104(D)OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974,AS AMENDED,BE APPROVED. Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE MOTION. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 4 OF 10 VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS DOWNTOWN UPDATE )Business Advocate Amy Malloy briefed the council on the item.She stated there have been 28 reports done in the last 10 plus years.They are visioning documents done by numerous people in the community showing what should happen with the city and specifically what the community wanted to see happen with the downtown area. They are going to aggregate those and go down from the big picture to a strategic action plan that they have already accomplished with the downtown and things that staff will be bringing to the council in the ensuing months regarding the downtown area.Due to some issues that current developers are dealing with in the acquisition process she cannot provide as much information as she would like to.The city is working with a development group that has purchased property in the Crossroads Redevelopment Area including the Grand Hotel.She stated when she speaks about the downtown,she specifically means the Crossroads Redevelopment Area.What will be developed there will be determined by planning process procedures.She hopes to illuminate the next step staff needs to take by the end of the presentation in order to create a viable downtown project.There is a valuable tool that the council put in place in the Crossroads Redevelopment Area;this is tax increment financing. Tax increment financing takes a snapshot of the property value in the Crossroads Redevelopment Area from 1997 on so any increase in the property value goes into a redevelopment fund which helps the city accomplish projects like Phelps Drive.As the property value in that area increases,the more money increases in the development fund,allowing the city to do infrastructure projects without touching the general fund.. They will be looking to maximize this as they move forward with this project.Some of the major themes and projects included in the previous 28 studies are looking at the arts and culture in the area,economic development,sustainable development in the environment,recreational opportunities,educational opportunities,downtown,government housing and ultimately creating a cohesive REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 5 OF 10 vision for the downtown.The data shows the collaboration of over 30 organized groups and includes hundreds of city residents,city leaders and volunteers.Key findings from the documents are an expressed desire for a distinct and uniform vision with ties to the city's historic past,active involvement of the city and engagement of its residents during the time of change.the importance of preserving the city's incomparable natural surroundings,and core values that come up frequently in the documents.The core values include respect and appreciation of the environment,preserving desert and open space,protecting view corridors,celebration of history,the arts and culture in the community,safe and supportive environment for children,families and the elderly,creating a multi -generational community, respect for lifelong learning,and respect for diversity and the individuality of the citizen.The home of the Superstition Mountains is a recurring theme. These documents helped to crystallize a vision for the city.She commented the vision could start off with a statement that Apache Junction sits at the base of the Superstition Mountains,a symbol of its solid ties to a unique history.heritage and culture.I t is a city primed to carve out and claim its distinct position within the region.Apache Junction can be a place where the natural environment is cherished and preserved,arts and culture play a vital role,lifelong learning is an integral part of the community,recreation ranging from horsebackriding and mountain biking and hiking to boating exist, where a city takes pride in its diversity and strives to be a multi- generational,fully integrated community for residents,businesses and visitors alike,and,finally,where a spirit of individuality,adventure, friendliness,novel experiences and quality of life are the factors that guide the development and government of the community.Possible goals for the city would be to preserve the natural desert environment open space and preserve the view corridors,to create a spiritual and almost visceral connection to the Superstition Mountains,to offer visitors and residents the ability to enjoy the Arizona lifestyle and to experience the scenic beauty of the new Old West,to embrace the city's rich history.to embrace the arts and culture community.to develop an economically vital commercial core to bring in more jobs,and to create a vibrant,mixed -use downtown that is pedestrian -friendly and includes a town center,and that looks into transit systems,retail opportunities,office,residential and correlates educational and governmental components.Desired outcomes are what they want to accomplish,and they could possibly be a sense of arrival,to identify the front doors of the community, to create elevated internal and external images of the city,to have unity and speak with one collective voice about the vision for the community and ultimately have a strong vision where we own the fact that we are the home of REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 6 OF 10 the Superstition Mountains.Other desired outcomes would be attainable development,more jobs,increased revenue for the city,a better mix of businesses and ultimately to create a Destination Downtown.Thus far council has approved design guidelines and an infill incentive program.Some good examples of both of these are the Jack -in -the -Box project,the Superstition Harley-Davidson expansion and the Ocotillo Plaza development.In the latter, council is allowing a small business owner to have a higher architectural design element to meet a higher level in our design guidelines;that was assistance funded.Council has put over $60,000 into the infill incentive program in the last year.Council also adopted the neighborhood preservation ordinance,and completion of Phelps Drive includes the pedestrian amenities that have been woven in the documents.The public art element was another integral part of these reports.Staff realizes that the first thing that needs to be done is to bring an implementation plan for the Crossroads Redevelopment Area to the council.It will include a land use,design policies,residential land usage and design policies,public open space policies for the downtown to make sure there are park areas and bench areas, and also circulation and transportation policies.Staff will utilize tax increment financing dollars towards doing the road and infrastructure improvements.They will also bring before the council a central commercial district zoning ordinance.This would establish a mixed -use development criteria:it would be an integration of retail,office and residential components.It would create a village center environment and allow pedestrian connectivity through all of the uses.They will also bring downtown street and open space design guidelines.These will establish the number of lanes, width and character of the downtown streets and will hopefully allow for the development of an expansive sidewalk which is a 12'sidewalk with landscaping design elements.This will allow for enhanced pedestrian opportunities and create a real village pedestrian environment.There will also be a development agreement between the city and the prospective developer of the Crossroads Redevelopment Area to maximize those tools,specifically the tax increment financing tool.Another thing being brought to the council will be building character and design guidelines for 'a heightened architectural standard that will guide the construction of downtown buildings and protect the future design and construction of downtown buildings.These will take several months to accomplish.She will provide additional updates in the future. Vice Mayor Eck commented he liked what she said about the destination point issue.He has always felt that at REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 7 OF 10 their entrances and exits people are through the city before they realize they have even gotten to the city.He thinks that needs to be addressed.He commented there are a lot of the same faces on the boards and committees who have made these studies.Someone at the last one told him they were happy to come but are at the point where they want to start seeing something getting done.He thinks they have started that with the Phelps Drive project.He thinks they need to go on from there and use their Sonoran desert. This was a presentation only with no action to be taken.Mayor Coleman closed the discussion and moved on to the next item. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED AGENDA ITEMS None. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON OTHER PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR ACTIONS None. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES,TIMES,LOCATIONS,AND PURPOSES Vice Mayor Eck stated since city offices will be closed on Monday.February 20,2006,in observance of Presidents'Day,no work session will be held.He MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.AND A WORK SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21,2006,IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM AND THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,RESPECTIVELY. Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. INFORMATION AND REPORTS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 8 OF 10 Mayor Coleman commented the city had a visit from the governor on Friday. Pinal County Supervisor Sandie Smith introduced her to a group at the Senior Center.He thought it went well and he appreciated staff's efforts. Mayor Coleman announced he has an executive board meeting for the League of Cities and Towns on Friday.They are watching the legislature very closely with some of the ideas that are going around the capitol.He thinks some of the people ran for the wrong office as they appear to want to be able to control what is happening in the cities. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1.Acceptance of Agenda. 2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 17,2006. 3.Settlement of Villegos v.City,Pinal County Superior Court No. CV200401329.(A settlement was tentatively reached on Monday,January 23, 2006,in the above -noted case.The City will pay approximately $13,000 to Plaintiff and AutoZone will pay $9,000,a total of $22,000.In exchange, Plaintiff will sign a settlement agreement and the case will be dismissed with prejudice.) ACCEPTED THIS 21ST DAY OF FEBRUARY 2006,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 21ST DAY OF FEBRUARY ,2006. DOUGLAS CO Mayor REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 9 OF 10 EMAN 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 7th day of February,2006.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 10th day of February,2006. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7,2006 PAGE 10 OF 10