HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-01 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 1,2005
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,
Arizona,was held on November 1,2005,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
Councilmember Insalaco gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sippel 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
Interim Public Safety Director Terry McDonald
City Engineer Ron Grittman
Public Works Director Doug Dobson
Assistant to the City Manager Amy Malloy
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 1 OF 23
Others Present:Management Assistant Janine Solley
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE
CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED:AND THAT THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE *CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION AND APACHE JUNCTION MAIN STREET
PROGRAM,INC.FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 BE APPROVED;
AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS,PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Mrs.Lori D'Amico,1440 N.Idaho Road,Apache Junction,addressed the council
regarding upcoming amendments to the general plan.She urged them to consider
what is best for the entire city as a whole and not just select groups of
people,and to take it a step further than adding master planned communities
to the general plan.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager George Hoffman thanked the councilmembers and city staff who
participated in the weekend's G.A.I.N.event.It took a lot of people and
time to make i t happen on Saturday.He commented he and others have noticed a
resurgence of graffiti in the community:they are working on it at the staff
level and they will come back to council with an update on the methods they
will use to address the issue.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
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OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSSION ON METHAMPHETAMINE MATERIALS
CONTROL
)Councilmember Waldron briefed the
council on the item,reading a statement.He stated the use of
methamphetamine is an epidemic across the country and Apache Junction is not
immune to the problem.He attended a workshop hosted by Attorney General
Terry Goddard at the recent League of Cities and Towns Conference where he
learned that methamphetamine is a cheap,highly addictive drug that destroys
lives and families and puts a strain on local resources dealing with both the
direct and indirect effects of the problem.The latter includes crimes
associated with addicts trying to pay for their habit.The precursor chemical
used to make methamphetamine is pseudoephedrine,found in common cold
medicines available over the counter.I t is bought in large quantities
legally from various retailers.Oklahoma passed some effective legislation
reducing methamphetamine use by 70% after being passed.Similar legislation
was introduced in the last session of the Arizona legislature but was watered
down to the point where it would not have been as effective as the Oklahoma
law.Some cities and towns in Arizona have taken the lead and adopted the
Oklahoma model in the form of an ordinance to help curb the use of
methamphetamine.The League of Arizona Cities and Towns has adopted a
resolution to support an attorney general bill that would regulate i t at the
state level.It was passed last Friday.He does not know if the ordinance
would reduce the use of methamphetamine in Apache Junction to the extent i t
was reduced in Oklahoma.However,the more cities that pass such an ordinance
will send a message to the legislature that the problem is severe and a state
law must be passed as soon as possible.Having Apache Junction pass such an
ordinance similar to the Oklahoma model will add more cities taking a
proactive approach to the problem and Apache Junction will once again be a
leader in Arizona by recognizing and dealing with the problem.The city will
be sending a message such as Camp Verde,Cottonwood and Phoenix already have.
He is asking council to provide direction to staff to draft an ordinance for
consideration that will help the state deal with this large problem and put
Apache Junction in the forefront in the battle against this highly -dangerous
and addictive drug.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Vice Mayor Eck commented he
contacted the stated attorney general's office today to get some information
on this.He has sinus and allergy problems as does everyone in his family.
They take 30 milligram tablets.The attorney general legislation will be
recommending 9 grams.He asked what the difference is between grams and
milligrams.
Councilmember Waldron stated there
are one thousand milligrams in every gram.
Vice Mayor Eck stated 30 of these
would be basically 900,so it would be an incredible amount.
Councilmember Waldron stated that is
correct.He added anyone who has a cold would be running to a doctor before
they go to drug stores.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he does not
know how effective the legislation is because i t stated on the radio that the
retailers are the ones who won the legislation.He asked a pharmacist today
who had won,and the pharmacist did not think the retailers had.He feels
that they are very responsible as every retailer in today's age. should be.He
asked what was actually passed,as there were a couple of bills and one was
what the attorney general wanted and there was another one that was not.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
has not researched it yet.He has pulled some statutes:and he believes there
are limitations via A.R.S.13-3404.01 which state that a person may not
knowingly possess more than 24 grams of pseudoephedrine and other drugs
mentioned similar to it.He is not sure,he would have to research i t
further.
Vice Mayor Eck stated he was
curious.He is in support of better control to prevent the making of
methamphetamine.He commented that now that i t is behind the cabinet,it took
15 minutes to 20 minutes to buy the box as the girl at the pharmacy was busy
and you have to wait for them to get the keys.However,that is alright for
him to wait if it helps keep methamphetamine off the streets.He asked how
this would be enforced.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Interim Public Safety Director Terry
McDonald stated a lot of it would have to do with the terms that are written
into the statute.He believes it would fall under the police department.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he thinks
it would be challenging to control the amount.They are stating that you have
to sign a log and present identification.I t is nice to make the law and
hopefully it works,but they need to make sure they create laws that are
enforceable.He would like to know how this would be enforced when i t is
brought back.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
had contacted the attorney general on this.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he is
scheduled to come here on December 5.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
is agreeable to come that day or send someone.The county attorney may also
show up with crime statistics that show methamphetamine prosecutions.He
thought that would be important.He recommended that the attendance of those
two representatives at the work session be included in their motion.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they would
be adopting an ordinance similar to the one Phoenix has adopted.
Councilmember Waldron stated one of
the things that was removed from the state legislation was the provision for
keeping logs.They control it by these logs as only so much can be purchased.
The other issue is that those records are only available to law enforcement
and they have to request them.I t is not like anyone could come in and ask to
see the logs.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he had
wondered about that,and who would be checking the logs.
Councilmember Waldron stated the
police department would contact the pharmacy to request the logs if they
suspect a violation.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Interim Public Safety Director Terry
McDonald commented he believes the real beauty of this is that i t restricts
immediate access.It does not appear to be a major enforcement effort,i t has
just been put behind the counter and identification must be shown.I t is more
regulatory as opposed to being enforcement -oriented.
Councilmember Dietz asked if that is
what the new law that just went into effect actually does.
Interim Public Safety Director Terry
McDonald stated that is what he understands.
Councilmember Dietz asked if it says
why.
Interim Public Safety Director Terry
McDonald stated some of them vary.He has not researched it yet.The main
idea is to get it off the shelf and readily available for the taking and get
it back behind the counter where someone would have to identify themselves to
obtain particularly large amounts of it.
Councilmember Severs asked if this
would help them in doing their job of enforcement.
Interim Public Safety Director Terry
McDonald stated it could be used as a tool of enforcement.They would know
who is purchasing a lot of it.More than anything,i t is regulatory in
limiting their ability to get the product.
Councilmember Severs asked how else
they are getting these chemicals,as they are not getting them all through
Osco Drugs.There has to be another source.
Interim Public Safety Director Terry
McDonald stated this is just one method.They could go to health food stores
where ephedra was readily available in the open market for the longest time.
There are sources across the border as well.This is just one of the sources
where i t is available.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Councilmember Severs asked if he
thought this would make a big difference.
Interim Public Safety Director Terry
McDonald stated he would be getting into a personal opinion without any
research.He would support i t from a professional standpoint.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he asked
the manager at Fry's why they got rid of their east entrance and he was told
it was because of the Sudafed.They could not keep it on the shelf.They
would stock it and it would be gone an hour later.They had too much theft so
they locked the one entrance and put it behind a case.He added he does not
know what is wrong with the Arizona Food and Marketing Alliance that they are
in opposition to this.
Councilmember Waldron commented he
was in Wal Mart this weekend and he went into the pharmacy.Most of their
pseudoephedrine products have a card in there as the product is not on the
shelf.He did find some marked for clearance that were readily available but
most are that you have to take the card up for the product.
Walgreens is the same way.
is not something new to them.
Councilmember Dietz commented
Councilmember Waldron commented i t
Mayor Coleman commented they have
been dealing with it on the corporate level.
Councilmember Dietz commented he
thought the majority of them have been dealing with it.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it may
sound obvious,but they need the attorney general to come out with something
that is good for our community.He did not see how anyone would not support
it.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT THE
FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF RELATING TO A POSSIBLE NEW REGULATION
REGULATING THE MATERIALS USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METHAMPHETAMINE:ONE,
THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COUNTY ATTORNEY BE INVITED TO ATTEND THE WORK
SESSION OF DECEMBER FIFTH AT 7:00 P.M.TO DISCUSS THE METHAMPHETAMINE PROBLEM
IN ARIZONA;TWO,THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY PREPARE A DRAFT ORDINANCE ON THE ISSUE
AND IT BE DISCUSSED AT THE TUESDAY,DECEMBER SIXTH REGULAR SESSION AS A NEW
BUSINESS ITEM,AND BE BROUGHT BACK TO PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY THIRD,2006,
FOR POSSIBLE ADOPTION;AND THREE,THE CITY MANAGER TIMELY INVITE LIKELY
AFFECTED BUSINESSES TO ALL FUTURE MEETINGS ON THE ISSUE AND BE ASKED FOR ANY
WRITTEN COMMENTS,AS WELL AS LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO ALL FUTURE
MEETINGS TO BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE
REGARDING THE EFFECTS THE USE OF METHAMPHETAMINE HAS ON THE INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES IN APACHE JUNCTION.
Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL PREEMPTION INSTALLATION
BID,PROJECT PW 2005-09
)City Engineer Ron Grittman
briefed the council on the item.He stated the project was rebid after the
original bidding process as the city only got one bid and i t came back too
high.They reworked the bid and i t still came back fairly high considering
how they had reworked the bid.They also only got one bid this time.Staff
is asking that action on this bid be postponed until November 15 as they are
trying to be as inventive as possible in getting this project completed.The
fire district and public works department have met once and will meet again
tomorrow.They will then come up with p recommendation.
Councilmember Sippel asked if they
need to redo their formulas to keep up with the fast pace.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
they are talking about grant funding which happens years in advance of when
the project happens.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Vice Mayor Eck commented this is a
little different from other jobs that have been done.
Councilmember Dietz asked if it is
the estimating of the job,as it appears they have gotten a few lately where
our estimate of what we feel the job should be is a whole lot of thousands of
dollars under what the bids are coming in.I t is happening quite a bit over
and over.
City Engineer Ron Grittman agreed
and stated i t is happening all over the state.I t is a function of the
current economy.A few years ago no one anticipated this massive explosion we
are seeing.Traffic signal contractors are so swamped they do not even want
to give us a bid.The one company that did bid said they did not really want
the project,they just threw a number at us.
made up a high number.
all the time.
they have to accept it when they do that.
Councilmember Sippel commented they
Vice Mayor Eck commented they do it
Councilmember Waldron commented that
City Manager George Hoffman asked i f
he was working off of national estimates when he does these.He asked for a
thumbnail explanation of Councilmember Dietz'concern that there is a
divergence between what has historically been pretty close estimates and now
are not close estimates and why the record has changed.
City Engineer Ron Grittman commented
i t is not just for Apache Junction.The Arizona Department of Transportation
is going back and redoing their five year plan because the cost estimates are
so far off.Engineers do estimates on projects that are due to be built years
in advance.Concrete,steel,oil,and high density polyethylene pipe prices
are up.PVC pipe is virtually non-existent right now.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Councilmember Dietz commented he
heard that the crude oil price is down under $60 per barrel as of this
morning.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated i t
is dropping,but there is a gap in there from when production had to cease and
where we are at today.
Vice Mayor Eck asked what kind of
pipe he had mentioned earlier.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
both high density polyethylene and PVC are in extremely short supply.
Councilmember Dietz commented as he
is working in the building materials industry,he is seeing it big time.The
availability is even being cut back as to how many pieces a customer may
purchase because of the shortages.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
they are dealing with a gap between when the engineering projects were
developed versus when the'projects are actually moving forward.Some rather
devastating things have occurred in the last 3 to 5 years that have made a lot
of engineers'estimates obsolete.
Councilmember Severs commented they
need to take their engineers'estimates and triple them and then they may get
an accurate bid.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
they have to be realistic in their estimates,otherwise,if he comes to the
public works director and tells him he needs seven million dollars to do a
project,he would tell him that they do not have any money to do anything at
that point.
Councilmember Dietz commented the
point is that they are not realistic right now.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated it
is a balancing act,and right now they are not realistic.As a result.they
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
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are having to be very inventive with this project on how it can be
constructed.I t is an extremely important project.The preemption system
itself,once i t is up and running.will be the first such system in the valley
for any city.It actually has seamless communication for our emergency
vehicles from Mesa coming into Apache Junction and from Apache Junction going
into other cities.No other cities allow their preemption system on emergency
vehicles to occur.Apache Junction will be the first.We just have to do i t
so that they are getting the best bang for their buck.
Councilmember Severs asked if this
kind of problem is happening in other cities as well or is i t happening to us
because they think they can get away with i t here.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated i t
is happening statewide.
City Manager George Hoffman
commented they had passed along some information where Gilbert was having to
consolidate some projects on their capital facilities plan because of the cost
increases.I t is being felt at the state level,but when reading other
publications i t is clear i t is a national issue.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT WE
POSTPONE THIS ITEM UNTIL NOVEMBER 15TH MEETING.
Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ENGINEERING GUIDELINES
)City Engineer Ron Grittman
briefed the council on the item.He stated they have been trying to do the
engineering guidelines in house by bringing on additional engineering staff.
They have twice tried to recruit a project engineer and have been unsuccessful
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER I,2005
PAGE 11 OF 23
both times.I t is because the market is so keen for engineers right now;
engineers and planners are highly sought.Given where State Land and the
general plan amendments are at and the development pressures that will be seen
over the next couple of meetings,staff feels the engineering guidelines will
have to go forward.They will have to go to an outside consultant in order to
do so.Under state laws for procurement for professional services,they are
not allowed to go out to a low bid system.Staff has already gone through and
rated the engineering groups and they will have to negotiate price based on
the first one,second one and third one.If the first firm's price is
rejected,and the second firm comes back with a higher number,you are not
allowed to go back to the first firm as that is considered shopping the price,
which is illegal.He estimates $150,000 to $200,000 to accomplish the task.
He spoke with Kimley Horn this afternoon and they stated they could get i t
done within the $200,000 but it would be on the high side of it,not the low
side of it.
City Manager George Hoffman asked
for an overview of what the engineering guidelines are.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
they will cover every type of development that happens within the city,both
in the right-of-way and they are expanding to include outside the right-of-
way.Currently there is a gap where building officials stop their inspection
at and where public works takes over.The guidelines will be rewritten in
order to fill in that gap.They will address roadway systems,water,sewer
systems,how to construct them,how to design them for future estimates,
public and private drainage systems,stormwater drain systems,and it will
allow public works to go on private property and resolve some of the issues.
These will be addressed in the standards,but i t is council's decision to
enact them or how they want to enact them.It will also include how to build
public and private roads.How council chooses to enact them will occur as
they start adopting the guidelines.
Councilmember Sippel asked what the
given life span would be for this document.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
the current document was adopted in 1992.I t has not been revised since then.
They do not change much or quickly.The problem is that our ordinances and
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 12 OF 23
engineering guidelines are sorely inadequate.There is virtually nothing they
can use in the existing guidelines.
Councilmember Sippel asked if this
was something they might do every two years.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated it
is not.The only reason they are doing it now is because they are so far
behind the curve when it comes to the existing guidelines.He has had it on
his to-do list for 5 years but he has not had time to get to it.I t has risen
to the priority list with everything that is coming our way.
Councilmember Severs commented he
had stated that if we get one price and choose to go for another price,and
the second price is higher than the first,that we cannot go back to the lower
price.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
that is correct.
Councilmember Severs asked what that
process is called.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated it
is called professional services acquisition.
Councilmember Severs asked if that
could be bid out so that we can take our pick.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated we
that is correct.
process is called.
cannot by state law.
Vice Mayor Eck commented we have a
list of qualifying engineering firms that we use and we are not touching that.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
they are pulling them off that list.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 13 OF 23
Vice Mayor Eck commented they are
pulling off that list for the design guidelines.One of the companies will be
the successful bidder on this.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
they went out a year -and -a -half ago and anticipated doing this.One of the
things they evaluated then was the firm's ability to develop the engineering
guidelines.They also evaluated them for master planned communities.URS was
actually the top firm.
Councilmember Sippel stated that was
done by the point system.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
that is correct.However,they chose not to go with URS.as they are already
working for lend/lease in the area down to the south.They went with one of
the other firms.
Councilmember Severs commented they
cannot bid out for professional services.They have to be hired.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
that is correct;you have to negotiate your price.
City Attorney Joel Stern commented
that the state changed the law several years ago.Previously it could be bid
out,but a lobby of architects and engineers got together and they lobbied the
legislature and they drastically changed how you can pick firms.They did not
like getting edged out and they wanted to name their price after they got
picked.They got their way with certain legislators and that is now the law.
It is getting more and more complicated:i t is under different titles in the •
Arizona Revised Statutes.I t is a fairly lengthy process;they have to come
up with a list,come up with the top three,and determine the questions you
are going to ask yet stay away from the price.If you do not stay away from
the price,experience has shown that some architects and engineers will go to
their association and complain,and then the city manager is called and
threatened with a lawsuit because the price is already being talked about in
the negotiations.It cannot be bid out like a typical public works project.
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NOVEMBER 1.2005
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Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell
added they have had several positive experiences through this process such as
the city hall and multi -generational center project management.The process
they used was to accumulate city staff,come up with the criteria for
qualification,and then select the firm based on their experience in building
municipal buildings.DFDG was highly qualified and brought a team together
that really knew how city businesses work.They have done several in the
valley.They had an idea percentage -wise what their numbers would be as we
had already contracted with Pinnacle One and we knew what their numbers should
be when they came in.If they had gone with the lowest bidder,they could
have had someone design this building that had no experience doing it.There
are some plus sides to doing it this way.
Mayor Coleman agreed there are some
plus sides to the process.If they bid too high,they can continue to go to
the next one.
Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell
stated that is correct.They do negotiate.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated i f
their number was not consistent with what he is envisioning to accomplish
this,stating they need $250,000,then he would have moved on to number two.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if they get the
•sense they are out of line,can they then get into line.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
once he has chosen the firm,has gone over the scope of work with them,and
goes over the budget with them,if they see that there is no way they can do
i t for that price,then they will advise him so and he will move on to the
next firm.
Councilmember Dietz asked if he does
that with a number of firms all at the same time or with one at a time.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated he
does it one at a time,otherwise they are considered shopping.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Councilmember Severs asked if they
say $250,000 and you move on to the next which states $350.000,the city would
have to take the $350,000.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated
they do not.They just keep moving down the list.
Vice Mayor Eck asked how long the
list is.
City Engineer Ron Grittman commented
he does not remember how long the engineering list is.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if it is long.
City Engineer Ron Grittman stated it
is.He added any one of the top 12 or 13 firms are well qualified for what
they are asking them to do.He added Assistant Manager Bryant Powell was
referring to there being a really,really small company out there that wants
to make a name for themselves and in the old days it could lead to some issues
and problems.
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
TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES WITHIN SCHOOL
ZONES
)Management Assistant Janine
Solley briefed the council on the item.She stated the issue was first
brought forward by some residents at a public hearing regarding Community
Development Block Grant funding.They suggested some of the funds be used on
flashing yellow signals that would increase awareness of school zones,slow
traffic and increase safety in the school zone.Initial research.has shown i t
to be a widespread international problem with no one solution.School zones
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 16 OF 23
everywhere are facing the problem.Staff is attempting to determine the need
and possible solution that may result in slowing traffic.There are dozens of
solutions available,suggesting there is no one right way to resolve the
issue.She suggested looking at the school zone on a case -by -case basis to
determine the need and best fit for that location.The costs associated with
each of the solutions is per unit.The first option was school pavement
stencil installations at $2,000 per location,decreasing as the number units
increases.If the letters only are purchased,i t is $260:equipment would
have to be rented and in-house labor would have to be used.Public Works does
not have the equipment required to adhere the letters to the ground.Other
options are fluorescent yellow -green school warning signs,pole -mounted radar
display signs run $5,000 each,over-under pole mounts with changeable speed
limits and oncoming vehicle displays that run $6,900 each,portable speed
trailers at $3,500 each,and the flashing yellow solar -powered light on the
school zone sign suggested by the residents that run $3.200 to $5,400 per
unit.Other options are school crossing guards,radar -controlled cameras,
sign waving events,enforcing strict penalties for school zone violations,and
a pedestrian silhouette.The effectiveness of the devices depends on your
point of view:the National Association of Motorists sees some of these as
hindrances to safety and traffic flow.Some communities have found a decrease
of up to 66%in traffic speed:others found only a 2-3 mile per hour decrease.
It depends on the location.Any measures would have to include the school
district:staff has met with Dr.Wyman and Assistant Superintendent Lockwood.
They agree the logical first step is to collect traffic data.The school
district has 9 facilities:2 are not within the city limits.There are
additional private,charter and trade schools totaling approximately 7
facilities.Staff would like to collect the data via the speed trailers and
speed strips and bring back recommendations to the council and the school
board.Staff needs to know which schools the council would like them to
gather data from.
Vice Mayor Eck commented his initial
thought was to go to the school district and see their interest.He did not
think of the charter schools.He thinks that would be a good place to start
and could hopefully add knowledge about something they might know more about.
Management Assistant Janine Solley
stated it would be a partnership in gathering the data.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
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Vice Mayor Eck stated what works for
him are the signs,even when the flashing lights are not turned on.They are
only on at certain times.
Councilmember Sippel commented they
only have them on major roadways.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed.The fines
and education might get a few,but he believes attracting the driver' works,
personally.
.Management Assistant Janine Solley
stated research shows that awareness will be increased but there will still be
speeders.A school case study showed that the first speeder they caught was a
•teacher late for work.
Councilmember Severs commented speed
bumps work.They slow people down.People get run over in the crosswalks
because drivers are not paying attention.
.Councilmember Waldron asked how that
could be done on a main road.
Councilmember Severs commented his
idea is to use a portable speed bump that could be put out in traffic during
school times.
Councilmember Waldron asked if there
are speed restrictions for the private schools and charter schools.
Management Assistant Janine Solley
stated they would have to research that.
Councilmember Dietz commented he
wants them included in anything that they do.
The council consensus was in
agreement.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 18 OF 23
Councilmember Sippel commented
Public Works assisted the charter school he had worked at to get their signs
up.The solution may not be lights on all of them,but a combination of them
at the various locations depending on the traffic flow,speed and volume.He
is worried about clumping them all together as the readings will be different
for the different schools.They should be considered in their own groups,
like those that are in high traffic/high speed areas versus others that are
slower.
Management Assistant Janine Solley
stated they will research the data to show which are the worst case scenarios.
Councilmember Insalaco commented he
believes the worst problems will be Superstition Mountain Elementary School
and Four Peaks as they have the major roads.He is more leery for the smaller
children than he is for high school students.Broadway has a lot of speeders.
He likes the radar trailers:when those are blinking,they get your attention.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed that it will
depend on the individual location,and that a light might be effective at the
schools mentioned by Councilmember Insalaco.
Management Assistant Janine Solley
asked what schools they would like staff to research.
Councilmember Sippel asked if the
school district was willing to partner on this as this could be at a
substantial cost,or is the city to fund the entire thing.He also asked i f
they wanted Gold Canyon and Peralta included that would spend city dollars on
facilities outside the city.
going out of the city.
Vice Mayor Eck stated they are not
Councilmember Insalaco agreed.
City Manager George Hoffman stated
they did not get that far in the discussion.There was a shared interest in
the safety of the children and a mutual agreement that they had observations
but no hard data.They had a mutual agreement to gather the date to determine
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 19 OF 23
the needs,how much traffic was over the speed limit,and the frequency,so
they can start the discussion with the data.Funding was not mentioned by
either side.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it should
be a board discussion item so the city can determine what interest they do
have.He assumed they would be interested and it may be something they can
get started on and finish now or it may have to wait for additional funding.
He commented he did not know how long it would take to gather the information
together.
Management Assistant Janine Solley
stated 3 to 4 months for the 7 school district facilities.They have a
limited number of units to measure speed and they would have to put them out
and gather data at one location for several days before moving on to the next.
They also have to analyze the data.
Councilmember Sippel suggested they
just do the school district as they can find like streets.He stated there is
a like street where another school sits in the community that is like San
Marcos.They can use the same data:they are not going to see the same
traffic volume at a 300 kid school that you would at a 600 kid school.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
commented she believed the last four in the suggested motion,where to
distribute funds,may be premature.She does not think they are to that
stage.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT THE
FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES WITHIN
SCHOOL ZONES:TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO CAPTURE DATA AND BRING BACK
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL AND THE APACHE JUNCTION UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD.
AND TO COLLECT DATA FROM THE PUBLIC,PRIVATE,CHARTER AND TRADE SCHOOLS IN
APACHE JUNCTION.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
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NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 20 OF 23
There was general discussion during
the vote on doing just the public versus all the school facilities within the
city,and on the time limit.It was determined there is no time limit.
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,NOVEMBER 14,2005,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,NOVEMBER 15,
2005,IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
Mayor Coleman thanked the members of the city staff for the G.A.I.N.event
this past weekend and for the grand opening the weekend before that.He
appreciated all the effort that went behind organizing both events.Suzanne
Strong did a wonderful job putting together the 12 different block parties
they went to.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it was wonderful to meet so many people in the
community and the staff efforts were tremendous.There was one volunteer who
worked for the police department who worked from start to finish and he
thought that was incredible.
Vice Mayor Eck commented the Chamber of Commerce had a very successful
Oktoberfest the same day that went until about midnight with the band.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 21 OF 23
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Coleman adjourned the
meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1.Acceptance of Agenda.
2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 18,2005.
3.Consideration of Professional Services Agreement with Apache Junction Main
Street Program,Inc.for Economic Development in the amount of $40.000.
ACCEPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER ,
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA.
2005,BY THE MAYOR AND
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2005.
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
01°
nnt in I A r%n n I 1-.1A L IUMULAJUULLMAN /
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 1st day of November,2005.I further certify
that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 1,2005
PAGE 22 OF 23
Dated this 6th day of November,2005.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER I,2005
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