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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-21 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 21,2006 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction. Arizona,was held on February 21,2006,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 Councilmember Dietz 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:City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Glenn Walp City Engineer Ron Grittman Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell Library Director Pam Loui REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21.2006 PAGE 1 OF 13 Others Present:Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias Library Manager Spencer Paden ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED;AND THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PUBLIC WORKS 2006-01,CHIP SEAL EMULSIONS.BE AWARDED TO ERGON ASPHALT PRODUCTS,INC.IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.51 PER GALLON CRS- 2P APPLIED;AND THAT RESOLUTION NO.06-04,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,DECLARING AS A PUBLIC RECORD AND ADOPTING THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK AND ENTITLED CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PLAN,BE APPROVED. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS,PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS None. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Mrs.Anne Marie Surra.3168 Tonto.Overgaard,addressed the council to congratulate the mayor for being chosen president of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.She commented it was a wonderful selection on their part and she knows him to be an outstanding man,with outstanding character, integrity,ethical behaviors and a wonderful sense of humor.She has admired the fairness he brings to the table regarding issues that face the city.She knows that he would be receiving accolades from a lot of citizens in this community for the honor bestowed on him and upon the city.When he goes out among the state and national arena to represent the state,he is also representing the city,and it gives them one more opportunity to say that they are proud to be from Apache Junction. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 2 OF 13 Mr.Edward Braunger,220 S.Delaware,Apache Junction,addressed the council. He echoed Mrs.Surra's sentiments.He was speaking as the president of the Main Street board,the Community Development Corporation board,and the Chamber of Commerce board.In 2002 the Main Street design program was instrumental in sponsoring a town hall meeting that produced a lot of information about what the residents of the city would like to see in the city.The Main Street Design Committee submitted the first draft of the design guidelines that were presented to the city council and staff in February 2003.They also provided a design dictionary to be used along with the guidelines which have recently been updated.Staff put the guidelines into a limited trial and accumulated information from the users and stakeholders.The design review process has been put into place and the guidelines have been used for several years.He is here to support the strengthening of these guidelines by making them into an ordinance.Currently the guidelines are just a suggestion:they want the commercial districts to look attractive and prosper.They need to put teeth into the matter and require compliance. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None. PUBLIC HEARINGS RESOLUTION NO.06-03,EXTINGUISHMENT CASE EX -2005-01,EXTINGUISHMENT OF FEDERALLY PATENTED EASEMENTS ON MANZANITA STREET BETWEEN CORTEZ ROAD AND BOWMAN ROAD )City Engineer Ron Grittman briefed the council on the item.He stated they discussed this at the work session two weeks ago.It meets all the criteria,i t fits within the small area transportation plan that has been completed,and staff is recommending approval. Mayor Coleman requested the applicant address the council. Mr.Jim Werner,1296 N.Cortez Road, Apache Junction,Apache Junction,addressed the council.He stated he built his house on a 5 -acre piece and he would like to split off 1.25 acres.It REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 3 OF 13 would be easier if he abandoned the easement and goes off his gross footage than the net footage. 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. Vice Mayor Eck commented he was glad to see some of these federally patented easements where i t is deemed i t is better for them not to be used.He feels i t is much better for the landowner and the city. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.06-03,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,DECLARING THAT PORTIONS OF A PUBLIC ROADWAY EASEMENT LOCATED ON MANZANITA STREET BETWEEN CORTEZ ROAD AND BOWMAN ROAD DESCRIBED IN EXTINGUISHMENT CASE EX -2005-01 IS NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC USE AS A PUBLIC ROADWAY EASEMENT AND IS HEREBY EXTINGUISHED AS A PRESENT OR FUTURE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY,BE APPROVED. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON THE CAPITAL FACILITIES PLAN )City Manager George Hoffman stated they wanted to take the opportunity to provide the city council with an REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 4 OF 13 update on one of their most significant goals for the city,to provide adequate facilities for the residents and citizens of the community.Staff will give a wrap up on the city hall and multi-gen projects,how the operation of the latter is going,and brief them on upcoming projects,specifically the library expansion and the rodeo grounds events center. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated the Capital Facilities Plan was adopted by the council in 1998.There is a range of capital improvements that address the physical and recreational needs of the community.These include the civic building and the parks and recreational amenities.I t is all about building a better Apache Junction. In 2002 the completed projects were the Superstition Shadows Skate Park and swim center.In 2005 the city hall,magistrate court and multi -generational center were completed,along with the improvements to Phelps Drive.The future phases outlined in 1998 were a police substation,rodeo event center and library expansion.The police substation was anticipated to be an outcome of growth,because of the issues related to growth,there is as of yet no demand for the substation.I t is on hold while the city is moving forward with the other two projects. Project Manager Ray Del Zotto, Pinnacle One,addressed the council.He stated the city hall and multi- generational center have been put to use and are functioning well.In order to complete both projects,they must come back and request an increase for two of the contracts that were left back in November 2003.Combining the two buildings into a single project and the timing of the bidding in late 2003 resulted in what can now be viewed today as a remarkable value to the city. There is a change order for Core Construction that involves some unforeseen conditions and project enhancements as well as some offset costs from other budget line items in the amount of $317,000.Another change order is for Network Infrastructure Corporation which had the responsibility for all the technology installation in both buildings.It was a design/build contract under the state/Mohave contracts.The increase there is $30.000.The total impact to the overall project cost is an increase of $274,388.29. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated they will earmark their 6 -month anniversary next week of opening the multi -generational center doors.In a facility like this they need more time to do statistical data to determine trends.They currently have 1,500 individuals on the membership rolls with about 300 members at the center on a REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 5 OF 13 daily basis.They have another 300 seniors that attend the senior nutrition and social programs.They have about 150 per day that drop in on a daily fee and approximately 200 to 250 for certain programs.They are approaching about 1,000 people a day.This past Saturday they had a youth basketball competition,about 100 cub scouts doing a pine wood derby,50 people in an aerobics class and the climbing wall had kids lined up.I t is a nice facility that is a hub for our citizens.He stated the parks and recreation commission held 3 public hearings the last quarter of 2005 on the rodeo park planning to receive public input on what amenities the public would like to see there. Staff went through a request for qualification process to select a landscape architect and an engineering firm to assist in the master planning of the site.J2 of Phoenix was contracted and will be giving master plan alternatives to the commission with the plans coming before the council in April or May. Vice Mayor Eck asked if the main concept would be building the facilities,such as the event center. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated he believes they are looking at a fairgrounds -type of complex in general terms.The public has been talking about outdoor performance stages, restrooms,and some type of building that will handle a variety of events. Vice Mayor Eck asked if there would be a concession stand. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated the building would have concessions/restrooms to accommodate large events. Councilmember Severs asked if there would be RV hook-ups in the outer areas. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated there has been some discussion and they have to be careful with the private sector competition.The request is to have RV hook-ups to accommodate events that are taking place and those that are participating in those events. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 6 OF 13 Councilmember Severs commented he would like to see a section of covered bleachers,especially for July and August events. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated that is on the list. Library Director Pam Loui addressed the council regarding the library expansion.The concept has been created by Richard and Bauer Architects;they are in attendance tonight.Other team members included in the process include Ray Del Zotto,the project manager, Bryant Powell,Assistant City Manager,and Spencer Paden,Library Manager. She showed them a slide presentation on the model.She described the new entrance,and they will now have a drive -up window and a service window with a return area.Spaces have been opened up into the children's area,the adult stacks area,and staff work spaces have been moved to another area,some open space,a computer room,a conference room,a staff lounge,and a bookstore area.The teens have a new area.There will be an entirely wireless area where people can bring their laptops and a lounge that extends to the patio courtyard area.They hope to make the library a destination place;much more than just the warehousing of the past with appealing features for all ages. Councilmember Dietz asked if there was going to be a coffee shop area. Library Director Pam Loui stated there will be a coffee shop area and she showed them on the plans where i t would be located. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated they intend to bring 4 items before the council at the March 7 meeting. They will be asking for approval of the project management services to Pinnacle One for the library expansion as well as the continuation of the agreement with Richard and Bauer to do the next phases of design for the library expansion;they will also be finishing up the two agreements that Ray Del Zotto talked about with Network Infrastructure Corporation and Core Construction. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 7 OF 13 This was a discussion item only. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion with no further comments 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 NUMBER OF A -FRAME SIGNS IN USE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA HAD RECENTLY INCREASED )Councilmember Waldron briefed the council on the item.They are getting a proliferation of portable signs in the downtown area.For example,at Thunderbird Plaza there is a van parked 24 hours with advertising on its side the same as a step van parked down at the old K Mart parked for 24 hours.There is an A -frame -type sign sitting on a trailer in front of Auto Zone.He knows other cities have addressed this issue as opposed to some enforcement measures.He would like staff to take a look at what the other cities have done and to possibly use a downtown redevelopment area as a pilot project.He commented one would build a sign a certain height and the next one would build one higher because exposure is what brings people into the business.He believes Gilbert has addressed this issue successfully.He would like staff to take a look at it,see what can be done,and to work with the businesses in town as opposed to going to an enforcement mode. Councilmember Severs commented i t is a great idea.They need to do anything they can do to help the businesses and still keep our city looking good. Vice Mayor Eck commented he likes the comment Councilmember Waldron made about working with the businesses rather than just creating laws. Councilmember Insalaco commented this has been a long time coming.There are a lot of businesses that are getting irked because they are not on the highway.The city can get some regulations such as they cannot be in the right-of-way,cannot be on the sidewalk,they must all be of the same size,they can only be there during REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 8 OF 13 hours of operation and must be taken in at night.He would rather see the signs than those vans parked all around. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion and called for a motion. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT STAFF BE GIVEN THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION REGARDING A -FRAME SIGNS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA:THAT WE RESEARCH OTHER COMMUNITIES AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE;AND LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS TO TRY TO DESIGNATE ONE AS A PILOT PROJECT. Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. DESIGN STANDARDS FOR THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION • -)Vice Mayor Eck briefed the council on the item.He had requested this item be placed on the agenda and i t has been discussed numerous times in the past.He had asked Rudy Esquivias to take some pictures of some comparisons.Main Street has worked on these guidelines for 5 years and they are still just a recommendation. Unfortunately,not everyone wants to use the recommendation. Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias stated he had taken some pictures of buildings in other communities that represented good use of design guidelines.The pictures include businesses in other communities and some in town. Vice Mayor Eck commented the first one is the Walgreens at Red Mountain. Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias stated they sometimes hear from developers that they have a corporate model and that they cannot deviate that much.The point here is they can.They are also trying to integrate the features of the sign itself with the features of the REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 9 OF 13 building.He showed them a picture of the CVS Pharmacy at Ellsworth and Brown which had rounded elements and used extra linear elements in the stone obelisks and columns,besides the colors.There is also a lattice feature incorporated into the design.The stone work on the sign relates to stonework on the columns with similar materials and similar color trim.The next building was the Osco store at Phelps and Apache Trail,representing very minimal application of the design guidelines.The few standout features were negotiated through the rezoning process.A good example of negotiations is the area on the north side of Apache Trail between Meridian and Delaware with the city -initiated rezoning.I t is one of the nicest -looking Jack -in -the- Boxes around.There are similar design elements on the sign and building. plus the brickwork,the materials and the colors themselves.The new Starbucks coming in there will also have similar elements.There are the southwest elements,the wood latticework,and the differences in the elevations of the decorative features that add to the aesthetic interest of the building.He showed an example of a building that does not have the design guidelines applied to it.I t is not something they would recommend. He showed another picture of an office building in a neighboring community and described the various architectural features.He then showed an office building in town where design guidelines were not followed at all:the owner wanted to create a building that was functional and low maintenance,but i t is not very interesting.The last slide was on the Harley-Davidson expansion and the design guidelines that are being utilized.The design guidelines are currently voluntary.The only time they get developers to apply the design guidelines is when i t is made a requirement through the planned development process.If it is a straight zoning,they do not necessarily have to comply with the design guidelines. Councilmember Severs commented about the German town of Frankenmuth.Michigan.If a business or home is being built,they have photo books with about 200 photos in them and the developer is told it has to look like this or it cannot be built there.The town is known worldwide.When one goes in there,the town says something about who they are.The city needs to start doing something like that.He does not think they need to have every building look exactly alike,but they need to find out who they are and they need to start applying that.He hopes turning this into an ordinance can help. Vice Mayor Eck commented he thinks that is what the design review is for.He thinks 95% of the businesses are REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 10 OF 13 going under a planned development and staff is doing a great job at negotiating and getting a design review.Unfortunately,recommendations do not always work,such as the gray building right across from Wal-Mart downtown,as i t is hard zoned and they did not want to negotiate.They built a gray block building and he thinks the city is better than that.This has been worked on for years and he thinks they will work if they make them mandatory. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT STAFF BE GIVEN THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION REGARDING DESIGN STANDARDS FOR THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION:THAT WE TAKE ACTION TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS,THE CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW,DESIGN STANDARDS,FROM RECOMMENDATION TO A MANDATORY LEVEL FOR ALL COMMERCIAL AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL. Councilmember Severs SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES,TIMES,LOCATIONS,AND PURPOSES Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M.BE HELD ON MONDAY,MARCH 6,2006,IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM AND THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,RESPECTIVELY:AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY,MARCH 7.2006,IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 11 OF 13 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilmember Sippel announced that they had the Itty Bitty Olympics a couple of weeks ago and Parks and Recreation did a great job again.His son won the gold medal in the 3-and 4 -year -old division. Mayor Coleman announced this weekend is Lost Dutchman Days and they have only a half day of school at the high school so the kids can get there early. Vice Mayor Eck asked who put the car show on as it was amazing.The consensus was it was the RFPC. Councilmember Insalaco commented they made a bunch of money Mayor Coleman announced they would be going over to the semi-final high school basketball game tonight and if they win,they will be playing in the state championships Friday night. Councilmember Insalaco announced that his cousin's daughter ended up with a bronze medal for the U.S.women's hockey team in the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1.Acceptance of Agenda. 2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 7,2006. 3.Consideration of Award of Bid for PW 2006-01,Chip Seal Emulsions,to Ergon Asphalt Products,Inc.for FY 2005-06 for an estimated cost of $200,000. 4.Approval of Resolution No.06-04,Declaring as a public record and adopting the document filed with the City Clerk and entitled "City of Apache Junction Emergency Response and Recovery Plan". REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 12 OF 13 ACCEPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF MARCH ,2006,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 7TH ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk DAY OF MARCH ,2006. 6,-(4,41,0444 DOUGLAS co Mayor CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CERTIFICATION LEMAN 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 21st day of February,2006.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 28th day of February,2006. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21,2006 PAGE 13 OF 13