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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-03 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MAY 3,2005 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona,was held on May 3,2005,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 Vice Mayor Eck gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Milkey led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman Vice Mayor Eck Councilmember Dietz Councilmember Insalaco Councilmember Milkey Councilmember Sippel Councilmember Waldron Staff Present:City Manager George Hoffman Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Interim Public Safety Director Terry McDonald Parks &Recreation Director Jeff Bell Interim Development Services Director Dennis Dixon Assistant to the City Manager Amy Malloy Others Present:Grants Specialist Roger Hacker Accreditation Specialist Candi Ni lies Communications Supervisor Kathy REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 1 OF 19 Jeter CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson Economic Development Specialist Ken Simpkins Management Assistant Janine Solley ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS.PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Coleman read a proclamation designating May 1-7,2005,as Municipal Clerks Week and presented the proclamation to City Clerk Kathleen Connelly. City Manager George Hoffman recognized City Clerk Kathleen Connelly for her 25 years of service to the city.He gave a brief work history of her service to the city.She has helped him personally by serving as Interim Assistant City Manager on two occasions,in 1994 and in 2002.She is also a member of the community.He commented she would probably say two of her most cherished values are honesty and integrity.He read comments from other staff members and the mayor.He remarked she has been,for him,a counselor,a confidante,and someone he can trust and respect.He thanked her on behalf of the organization and the community.Mayor Coleman then presented City Clerk Kathleen Connelly with a shadow box commemorating her public andprivatelife.City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she has been fortunate to work for the city,is proud of the organization,is proud of the community,and thanked them. Mr.Larry Stafford,Arizona Early Day Gas Engine &Tractor Association,stated the association put on their annual show March 12 and 13 at the rodeo park.I t was successful.He presented a check for $1,622 to the mayor for the City of Apache Junction Recreation Scholarship Fund.He added they would like to be considered when they work on the master plan for the rodeo park as they would like to put a long term display there. CALL TO THE PUBLIC REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 2 OF 19 Mr.Willard Bourquein,1492 S.Ocotillo,Apache Junction, addressed the council.He commented he was there a couple of months ago and again last month in regards to a barking dog.He wants to know why this cannot be taken care of.He has talked to everyone he was supposed to talk to.He has been told by animal control that this has been turned over to the prosecuting attorney.Sergeant Elkins stated he can no longer do anything about i t since i t was turned over.He waited another 5 days with no relief and called the prosecuting attorney's office and was told they have no record of it.He went there the next day, which was a week ago,and was again told they had no record.The secretary double-checked the name.He talked to Sergeant Elkins, who could find no results.He requested the sergeant call him when the records were tracked down.No one called.He went back to the prosecuting attorney's office today and they still have no record.I t appears someone is either being paid off or covering up for someone.He still thinks there is a code problem as they are not getting any results.He took the mayor's advice and called the police department on several occasions,but everything was turned over to animal control and there does not appear to be any follow through.He would like someone to follow through on this. Mr.Tony Milone,4386 E.4th Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council regarding the police department.He has not written a letter to the papers on this in quite a while,and they usually pertain to what he considers a failure of leadership in the police department and a failure of city leaders to correct known problems.The article in the News makes him believe the city council,city manager,prosecutor and city attorney should be ashamed of their handling of information that he is certain they were aware of or should have been aware of and did not act upon. This placed a blanket of shame on the entire police department when the problems were caused by the past police chief and only a handful of officers.They should not have been kept on paid leave;they could have been terminated much sooner and saved the city money.The offenses committed by at least one or two of the individuals are probably crimes;they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,especially i f committed while on duty or covering up a child molestation or abuse.These officers should have been terminated and never given the opportunity to resign,and stripped of their credentials so that they could not be a police officer again.I t almost appears the city i s involved in a cover up because of what they did.I t was a light sentence for some serious offenses.He is convinced the next chief probably should be someone from out-of-state.He normally likes to see people promoted from within,but they need to clear the air in the city. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 3 OF 19 Mr.Dan Wald,560 N.Rennick,Apache Junction,addressed the council.He thanked the city,Gold Canyon Resort,Councilmember Waldron,Vice Mayor Eck,Mayor Coleman,Councilmember Dietz, Councilmember Insalaco,Dirtwater Springs,Mammoth Steak House, Cousin Vinnies,Mikki's,Los Gringos Locos,Superstition Skies and others for their hosting of and reception of the marines who recently visited the city.The marines have told him they are letting the people know in 29 Palms,Yuma,and other marine bases that Apache Junction and its environs i s the place to go visit. He thanked everyone for making their stay welcome and worthwhile. He also thanked George Hoffman and Kathy Connelly for the activities they helped him with. Mrs.Pat Richmond,3080 W.16th Avenue,Apache Junction, addressed the council.She apologized for not being here last evening when she was invited.She is interested in being on the Planning and Zoning Commission again. Mr.Chip Wilson,128 S.Starr,Apache Junction,addressed the council.He commented 2 city employees used the stables at the city hall complex last Monday.He stated he i s part of Friends of the Goldfields,and on June 4 they are working with the National Forest Service and Pinal County to open up some trails through the Goldfields.He encouraged everyone to come to Hackamore Trailhead.I t is a call to the public that i s required by the National Forest Service to open up the trailhead.There are currently only 2 trails designated in the entire area.They are in the process of trying to get the other trails identified. He commented the Superstition Mountain Horsemen's Association is concerned about the new private property maintenance standards. He does not feel the recently filled out surveys reflect the true mood of the community.For example,weeds.He likes brittle bush in his front yard,which he trims back when i t dies down. Some people feel this i s a weed.I t is over 10"tall.This needs to be looked at.Another bush some feel is a weed is the creosote bush,others enjoy the natural desert look.The definition of a weed i s an unwanted plant,and that is in the eye of the beholder.He has been told that the parking of utility trailers in front yards is being removed from consideration.He has been reassured that horse trailers will not be considered utility trailers,although they do fall under the definition of one.I t could be interpreted at a later date to be one,so he would like this addressed.There are several properties that have to use their front yards as storage places for their utility trailers.The lay of the land is not considered on the large lots.Some people have their houses sitting sideways or backwards on their lots because of the view.He has been told the definition of a front yard is the first 60'of the address side;this document does not state that.They need to determine what the front yard i s for those houses that are facing another REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 4 OF 19 street.Several things can be misconstrued.He is concerned about some of those things.I t has been commented that i t may be years before they enforce this on large lots.Other people of concern have stated large lots are exempt.I t is not clear in the draft copy.He is also concerned that anything that is in the side yard or backyard has to be hidden from view from the right-of-way.Some people have roads on 3 sides of their homes; this would encourage a mass of block walls.I t states you can use vegetation,but oleander is not a very good vegetation to have around horses.The leaves are very harmful to horses.He commented there are so many concerns on this that he recommends a citizens advisory committee be set up to review the changes being made before they are implemented. Mr.Elliott Fisher,547 E.Quail,Apache Junction,Greater Apache Junction Association for Effective Government,addressed the council regarding expanding community mediation to include the petition process. (Tape malfunction on first tape of meeting.This portion of the meeting was not recorded but has been recreated based on staff notes.) Councilmember Waldron directed staff to follow up on Mr. Bourquein's problem and come back to council with the results. Mayor Coleman commented the last police chief hired by the city came from Illinois.They would be doing a nationwide search and would get the best candidate possible. Mayor Coleman commented they would look into putting together a citizens advisory committee on the neighborhood preservation standards. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager George Hoffman read a letter from a citizen complimenting the Parks and Recreation Department. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BU LFSS. APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS TO REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 5 OF 19 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT,PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND LIBRARY BOARD )Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT SANDRA SPELMAN AND SHERRI MCGAHAN BE REAPPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2008;AND THAT LORI D'AMICO BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30,2008. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT MICHAEL KLATT AND EVERETT DEIDIKER BE REAPPOINTED TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30,2008. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT JOHN KANTOWSKI AND SANDRA SCHENONE BE APPPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD WITH TERMS TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30,2008. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT PAT RICHMOND AND LOUIS BABIN BE REAPPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WITH TERMS TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30,2008;AND THAT PASQUALE D'AMICO BE APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WITH A TERM TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30,2008. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 6 OF 19 The motion carried. There was general discussion regarding the appointment of Pasquale D'Amico being appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission.As he is currently a member of the Board of Adjustment,he will have to resign that position, creating a vacancy there.The council consensus was to fi ll that position on the Board of Adjustment at the May 17 meeting. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION BY NIELSEN FACKLER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL )Mr.Steve Nielsen briefed the council on the item. (The following portion of the meeting was recorded.) Mr.Steve Nielsen stated citystaffhasputtogethermostofthetools.His group spends most of their time working with other cities to build the tool kit to make way for redevelopment.They will need to build an implementation plan to advance this.He commented their assessment of the area is that the economic tools are in place, there has been excellent investment south of Apache Trail,and the city has already created the environment of neighborhood- based vehicular services.These services typically bring down a downtown area,but these have been located on the other side of Apache Trail.I t provides a tremendous opportunity to create a pedestrian environment to the north.The current Vision plan needs to be updated to take into consideration current marketing conditions,land assembly and other opportunities.A lot of communities have the plan,but without the implementation plan the plan does not get implemented.They need to bring in a mix of local and national developers to really implement the plan. They are here this evening to suggest a plan to establish a study area,form a planning area,form an advisory committee,they would facilitate some of the planning meetings,and revisit the downtown plan and direction.The current plan is sound;i t •just needs to be revisited.They believe the most important thing they need to do is prepare an implementation plan,give staff the tools and the benefit of his group's experience in putting together public/private sector development projects,and recommend some projects for the city. Councilmember Waldron asked who he would envision being on the planning area advisory committee. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 7 OF 19 Mr.Steve Nielsen commented they are working with staff on that.There is a strong Main Street Program and a Chamber of Commerce.They try to create a strong mix of stakeholders that have a vested interest in the downtown area,as well as community representatives that might utilize it.I t would be a mix of those groups out there today with some cross representation along with the stakeholders. Councilmember Waldron asked what kind of time frame that committee would have to meet in before coming up with a plan. Mr.Steve Nielsen stated he did not think i t would take very long.He suggested i t might be done in six meetings.I t i s primarily revisiting the planning efforts with the things that have been done to date and some minor modifications to the vision to set the stage to move forward. Vice Mayor Eck commented helikedthattheywouldberevisitingthevisionandnotrecreating i t as they have done a lot of planning for the community, especially for the downtown area.The key word has been implementing,which has been a hardship for the city.He asked i f they had to use a lot of eminent domain in Tempe to do some of those projects. Mr.Dave Fackler stated they did.The redevelopment area for downtown Tempe was created by the redevelopment law.They acquired some 300 to 400 parcels of property.Tempe is very unusual in that a lot of downtown parcels are 25'by 120',and a lot of downtown Tempe was owned by people in Crete,Illinois.There was a lot of absentee ownership which caused the deterioration of the community.I t is common elsewhere as well.The council was very cautious on which properties they used eminent domain on.They filed eminent domain on 10 properties over a 25 year period,and went to court on 3 of them.On one of the properties they went to court on, they ended up paying less in court than they offered out of court.Those were the good old days in redevelopment.New case law states that eminent domain is no longer acceptable for economic development;i t still plays a part in severe slum -like conditions.They would not recommend using eminent domain in Apache Junction.They would like to revisit the plan and have the council pass a resolution or ordinance withdrawing the eminent domain tool from the plan.I t can be challenging to acquire assembled properties when you have someone who i s clearly not going to move forward with the vision.Dollars normally overcome those situations.They always ended up paying •a penalty REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 8 OF 19 on the properties taken over by eminent domain in Tempe,both in dollars and in the time used going through court. Vice Mayor Eck stated he was just curious.He does not want to use eminent domain. Mr.Dave Fackler stated the use of eminent domain for redevelopment purposes is no longer fashionable nationwide. City Manager George Hoffman commented he hopes the council feels as positively about this group as staff does and that they bring this back to the council. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED AGENDA ITEMS None. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON OTHER PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR ACTIONS FISCAL YEAR 2005 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REGIONAL ACCOUNT AND STATE SPECIAL PROJECTS APPLICATIONS )Grants Specialist Roger Hacker briefed the council on the item.He stated i f they want something different for the biannual application,the guaranteed application,which with the resolution passed in February was 65 handheld 800 megaHertz radios,then they will need direction to change that.Chief Terry McDonald will be giving additionalinformation,and i f they want to staff to submit a different project than the 65 dash -mounted radio units for the competitive grant,which is non -guaranteed,they will also need direction. He commented staff was directed last evening by the city manager to research the comment made that there is a three year maximum for competitive projects.The good news is that that information is correct,but the second responders are not an eligible project for a competitive grant.That grant program i s meant for projects that can be started immediately;because they will not have a signed intergovernmental agreement with Mesa until December,the director stated i t would not be funded. Chief Terry McDonald commented the only recommendation he will make to the council is to go with the first responder.He then requested Accreditation Specialist Candi Nilles give a brief overview of the initial responder 800 megaHertz system. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 9 OF 19 Accreditation Specialist Candi Nilles commented she and Sergeant Gary Elkins have been on the telephone to Motorola and Mesa to get as many concrete facts as possible to the council.The Motorola state contract price for the 35 handheld radios is $3,825 each,plus tax,for a total amount of $145,005.The 16 dash -mounted radios are $3,979 each, plus tax,for a total amount of $68,960.The 4 digital mount motorcycle radios are $3,996 each,plus tax,for a total amount of $17,312.The total expenditure would be $231,277.Adding the contingency into it,the project total is $254,405.The contingency was added in case they have to buy specialized mounts i f the dash -mounted radios do not fit the current dash mounts. The available grant funding is $254,299;the city would be encumbered $106.The next part i s the Gold Elite Console System, which i s already in the radio room.However,to institute the connectability,Motorola has advised there is a list of equipment that will need to be acquired.Some of the equipment will be housed in the Apache Junction center,some will be housed in the Mesa center.The Motorola state contract price on these items will be within the $300,000 range,with tax making i t $324,900. Motorola has stated they will finance the amount on the city's behalf as i t does not fall under any grant funding.They are offering a lease/purchase with a 3 -,5-,or 7 -year payoff option with a nominal interest rate.There are also other options of zero down or up to 25%down.Her presentation tonight reflects 25%down.Mesa's subscription fees for the connectability per radio brought onto the system at project start-up are $7,500 per radio.The city will be bringing on a total of 55 radios plus 3 consoles for a total subscription fee of $435,000.Mesa has given the city financing options.Mesa will finance the fees with a 25%down payment at an interest rate of 5.5%for a minimum of 5 years with no prepayment penalty.With 25%down,which is $108,750,the amount to be financed is $326,250.These fees are subject to negotiation on the existing infrastructure that i s in place with the Apache Junction Fire District.They are hoping to be able to bring the fees way down.There is approximately $600,000 in development fees.The estimated fees for 2005 are between $40,000 to $45,000,with the same projected for 2006 unless the land down south opens up.The project total is $1,031,225.Her presentation included estimated payment plans for Motorola and the City of Mesa.The initial cost for the city to implement the first responder option will be $204,100 for the first phase only. Councilmember Insalaco asked i f the subscription fee is a one-time fee. Accreditation Specialist CandiNillesstatedthatiswhattheyarebeingtold.Those fees are still under negotiation.They are hoping by utilizing a portion REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 10 OF 19 of the infrastructure already in place for the fire district that the fees can be brought down. Vice Mayor Eck commented he was confused on the total start up cost.He thought i t was $254,000,not $204,000. Accreditation Specialist Candi Nilles stated the option to implement this has a city indebtedness of $106,000 balance that will be due on the CDBG grant,the 25%down on the connectability,the 25%down on the subscription fees,and $13,900 in annual air time fees at $20 per radio times the 58 radios times 12 months.This is for the first year.I t will be built into the police budget from that point on. Councilmember Dietz asked i f these fees will be paid out of the development fees collected. Nilles stated that is correct. Accreditation Specialist Candi Councilmember Dietz commented that once they pay the initial fees,i t will leave them approximately $572,000 left to pay on this project. Accreditation Specialist Candi Nilles stated that would be on the first responder program only. I t would handle the patrol units,but not the ancillary units. Councilmember Sippel asked i f they can pay for this every year out of those funds. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated they can use development fees every year to pay for financing. City Manager George Hoffman stated they should be able to in the largest measure.He i s not sure they can use i t to pay for annual air time. Councilmember Sippel commented he was talking about the 5-or 7 -year plans or whatever they choose to finance the project. Councilmember Dietz commented there i s no penalty for early pay off. Accreditation Specialist Candi Nilles stated that is correct. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 11 OF 19 City Manager George Hoffman stated they will want to research the best financing scenario. Staff has just provided an example of the financing available. is an option. Councilmember Sippel stated i t Councilmember Dietz commented i t is within their grasp to get i t done. Chief Terry McDonald commented the other half of the intergovernmental agreement will have some eventual input into the negotiations.I t is being recognized that Apache Junction Fire District has put in some infrastructureintothesystem.Various parties involved agree that there should be some credit against that which should bring down the obligation.They are concerned about a major catastrophe to the system.They are bringing people in at a higher rate,putting the money into an escrow account,so that the money i s available in the event of an emergency.They suggested that a smaller agency might want to pay a higher rate for their air time instead.Staff i s looking at that,also.I t may be easier to fund from that position.He thinks this is a very doable project.They are asking to go forward without clear information,but he believes they have shown that they have workable solutions.He is confident they can make this work and i t is a critical need. Councilmember Waldron asked i f the Mesa $255,000 membership fee is off the table now. Interim Chief Terry McDonald stated he had been told by Commander Core yesterday that i t is off the table.They do not even have consistent terms at this point.I t is a critical project with life safety concerns.He believes this is something the city really needs. City Manager George Hoffman commented i t is evident that this i s something large police agencies are trying to work through right now.He commended staff for giving the council as accurate a slice of information as they can.I t seems probable that these numbers will change, and hopefully for the better.I t i s a highly fluid situation. Normally when staff brings something to you,you can take the numbers to the bank;this is a tougher situation.He thinks they need to move forward. Vice Mayor Eck agreed.He asked i f they would have to worry about going over the 50%in development fees.They would be doing the 25%down.He asked i f REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 12 OF 19 they had an idea on the annual fee for the items they are doing the 25%down on,and the air time. Accreditation Specialist Candi Nilles stated she had provided them a page with the payouts for 3,5,and 7 years.I f Mesa goes with the 5 -year payout, hopefully i t would be reduced some because of the infrastructure already in place.I f Motorola goes with the 7 -year payout,i t would cost about $100,000 a year. Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell stated the total amount for the first phase is $1,000,000, and 50%of that can be attributed to growth for future capacity, and they can use $500,000.As he understands it,as long as they can continue to monitor i t and make sure they are attributing those development fee dollars towards the actual infrastructure, they should be able to use them. City Manager George Hoffman commented they are looking at this as only the first responder thing.They will also,in time and with the council's discretion,go after State Special Projects money.They will also continue to go after the Homeland Defense money,although they do not know what their prospects are.They will continue to look at alternative funding sources. Vice Mayor Eck commented that was his concern.He does not think they can do i t all with just development fees;there must be other funds along the way.He thinks i t would be fantastic i f they could tie in a State Special Projects or a Homeland Security next year.He thinks they are at least secure for a few years with the first responder. City Manager George Hoffman commented i f they are not using the State Special Projects on the first responder project,staff will need to know what project to submit. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker stated the only possible project that could be submitted for the competitive grant i s the mobile stage. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell commented the idea of a mobile stage was council- initiated many years ago.Mayor Perkins had asked that we plug i t into the budget.Competing demands have resulted in i t not being funded to date.They have 15 to 20 community events each year.The equipment could be used for parades,judging stands, concerts and the Fourth of July.They have a unit that was built in house that has vinyl and canvas and i t takes a day to put up. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 13 OF 19 The mobile stage they would like to get would take one man 30 minutes to set up.I t has excellent sound equipment and lighting.I t is a marketing tool that would enhance the city's image. Vice Mayor Eck asked i f the chances of getting a parks and recreation item funded through the special projects would be slim based on the other competition. Grants Specialist Roger Hackerstatedothercommunitieshavesubmittedsimilarprojectsforthe competitive grant and have not been funded.They go with a very strict grading process and these projects lose points during the grading when i t comes to the urgency component of it.They might be able to stress the economic development,the cultural and the community development aspect,but there i s a slim chance of this project being funded through the competitive grant.I t might be a better use of grants staff time to work with Mr.Bell to look for other funding sources for this project instead of submitting an application that probably would not be funded.They could look at corporate sponsorship and other grants. Councilmember Sippel commentedthatheisverygoodatwritinggrants. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker commented i f the criteria does not allow one to get points for a project,one could be stymied. an environmental study would take.Vice Mayor Eck asked how long CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson stated they take 90 days minimum. all the other items are out.Vice Mayor Eck commented then City Manager George Hoffmanstatedtheproblemisnotatstaff's end,but i t is that they need to contact a lot of different agencies and they have a certain time period within which to respond.He asked for an example of some of the agencies. CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson stated all of the Indian tribes,including their community,cultural and environmental services;Arizona Game and Fish;State Parks Department;Arizona Department of Water Resources;Arizona Department of Environmental Duality;and U.S. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 14 OF 19 Government Fish and Wildlife Services.The letters have to give them 35 days to respond. Vice Mayor Eck asked how long a study is good for. CDBG Administrative Assistant •Melinda Larson stated i t is good indefinitely,unless you do another kind of project. Vice Mayor Eck suggested they pick one or two for future projects and do the study so they can have them on the shelf in case they come across something like this. City Manager George Hoffman asked i f they have a good shelf life on environmental studies. CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson stated she has not had a lot of experience with that,but she has been told by the Department of Housing that they should do their environmental reviews to get i t out of the way and then i t i s done,unless the project i s totally changed or you acquire more land. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion and called for a motion. Councilmember Milkey MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE SUBMISSION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2005 CDBG AND SSP APPLICATIONS: THAT STAFF MOVE FORWARD WITH THE 800 MEGAHERTZ FIRST RESPONDER REQUEST FOR THE CDBG GRANT;AND THAT WE WAIVE THE SSP APPLICATION AT THIS TIME;AND THAT STAFF PURSUE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING METHODS FOR A MOBILE STAGE. Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE MOTION. City Manager George Hoffman asked i f they would like to give direction on the kind of projects they would like to have developed to have on the shelf. The council consensus was to bring that back at another time. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 15 OF 19 Mayor Coleman called for a ten minute break. Mayor Coleman reconvened the meeting. COMMUNITY MEDIATION PROGRAM )Management Assistant Janine Solley briefed the council on the item.She stated council in December directed staff to accumulate information on the community mediation options available.Last evening they were given 5 options to be considered.Staff is seeking direction to implement the program in the city and which options they wish staff to pursue further. Mayor Coleman commented he liked option 5,which was Solve I t and the volunteer center. Vice Mayor Eck and Councilmember Dietz agreed. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING COMMUNITY MEDIATION PROGRAM:THAT WE GO WITH THE SOLVE IT GROUP WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE VOLUNTEER CENTER. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. INFORMATION GATHERED FROM PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THE PROPOSED PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODES )Assistant to the City Manager Amy Malloy briefed the council on the item.She was prepared to run through the surveys i f the council so desired or just to refresh the council.Staff is seeking direction,and wanted to clarify that their intent was to bring basic proposals before the community and get a basic conceptual idea that the community would support.Council has indicated in the past that number 4,concerning utility trailers and horse trailers,should possibly be removed.Staff sees the basic proposal approval as phase one.Phase two is the implementation,which includes how i t is measured,how i t is phased in,what sort of assistance the REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 16 OF 19 city will provide,and staff also recommends putting a citizens group together at this juncture.Representatives should be from all the areas:large lots,small lots,and the business community.They will talk about how they want to structure the basic components of the proposal.Staff i s asking for council basic approval of the proposal for property maintenance and possible direction to move forward into phase two. Vice Mayor Eck commented he would rather see them do a citizens advisory board before we make a recommendation to accept the proposal. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion with no further comments and called for a motion. Councilmember Milkey MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE PROPOSED PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODES:THAT STAFF CONTINUE TO RESEARCH THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION IDEA;THAT WE FORM A CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO EXPAND ON THE CONCEPTUAL IDEA;AND THAT THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE,ALONG WITH STAFF,DEVELOP AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilmember Sippel SECONDED City Manager George Hoffman asked whom they wished to have appoint the citizens group. Mayor Coleman stated he would. Councilmember Dietz commented the city manager had talked about working with some outside organizations earlier. City Manager George Hoffman stated there is a model Roger used for the open space group. They announced that interested persons should submit their name to the League of Women Voters.Council may have given some guidance on the representatives that should be there,such as large lots,small lots,the business community,and homeowners associations.Then they did the selection process. Vice Mayor Eck asked i f they should give more direction on who should be there and the size of the committee. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 17 OF 19 City Manager George Hoffman stated he thought they could map that out.He is basically interested in who will do what.He believes council should pick the categories or appoint the members directly.They should not be staff appointed. Mayor Coleman suggested approaching the League of Women Voters and see i f they will do that for them,using the guidelines suggested. City Manager George Hoffman stated they will run what they think the cross section looks like before the council to determine i f any categories were forgotten. 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,MAY 16,2005,IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,RESPECTIVELY;AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY,MAY 17,2005,IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM. Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilmember Waldron commented he attended the annual Pinal County Town Hall last week.I t was on economic development,and a final report will be coming out in a few weeks.The city was presented with a plaque stating "Partners in Economic Progress" in recognition of 15 years of support of the Pinal County Town Hall.He presented the plaque to the mayor.He believes they will see some good results from the partnering between all the communities when they get the final report. Vice Mayor Eck announced that the city is hosting the monthly meeting for Central Arizona Association of Governments tomorrow night at city hall. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 18 OF 19 Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1. Acceptance of Agenda. ACCEPTED THIS 17TH DAY OF MAY ,2005,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 17TH DAY OF MAY 2005. ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk DOUGLAS CtLEMAN Mayor CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona,held on the 3rd day of May,2005.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 10th day of May,2005. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 3,2005 PAGE 19 OF 19