HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-02 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 2,2004
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,
Arizona,was held on November 2,2004,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 Milkey
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 Steve Campbell
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell
Development Services Director Rudy Esquivias
Others Present:Assistant Planner Noel .Griemsmann
CDBG Administrative. Assistant Melinda Larson
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PAGE 1 OF 26
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
Business Advocate Roy Hunt
Sergeant Gary Elkins
Multi -Media Producer Matt McNulty
Dispatcher Candi Nilles
Administrative Assistant Suzanne Strong
Police Officer Joe Shikany
Community Resource Coordinator Janine Solley
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE
CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED;AND
THAT THE AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
APACHE JUNCTION AND TEAM PERFORMANCE,INC.DATED NOVEMBER 4,2003,TO
CONTINUE THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT REGARDING ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT,CONSULTING AND FACILITATING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$20,000 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
Mayor Coleman received the ceremonial keys to the new Mobile Command Unit
from Joy Johnson,the Community Revitalization Manager of the Arizona
Department of Housing,and Lisa Baca,Community Revitalization Specialist.
CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson also acknowledged Quality Vans,
which built and customized the unit.She announced that the unit would be
outside and available to tour.Community Revitalization Manager Joy Johnson
congratulated the city on another completed project and stated there has
always been a good working relationship between the city and the Department
of Housing due to Roger Hacker and Melinda Larson.Public Safety Director
Steve Campbell introduced AJ-5,the new gun safety robot purchased with funds
from a Department of Justice grant.
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Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated they would have to reschedule
the award ceremony planned for mparks ,and recreation commissioner as he was:
unable to attend this evening.
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Bell stated Superstition Shadows Park has
been receiving recognition: statewide.I t received the Governor's Excellence:
in Rural Development Award in the Community Development Parks and Recreation
Infrastructure category at the Governor's RUral Development Conference in
•Lake Havasu on October 8,2004.It was presented by Senator Rios and
Representative Chase in front of hundreds of elected:and appointed officials
from around the state_In early September the Arizona Parks and Recreation
Association selected the park for ,its Outstanding Facility Award in our
population category.Awards presented by,the state association are viewed by
recreation officials as the state's most prestigious: jt was presented at the
association annual award dinner_He then played a video on the park.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Mr.Melvin Mulholland,516 N.Pinyon Drive Lot 68,: Apache Junction,addressed
the council regarding the Pueblo Del Sol subdivision:.It was subdivided in
1962 with most lots being .8,500 sq.Th They are frequently zoned general
rural which stipulates, 1.25 acres minimum, per lot.It would take over 6'lots
to make 1:25 acres.Irraddition the current zoning ,would allow horses,
pigs,chickens etc.He:thinks it was probably originally ,zoned CR,and
somewhere along the way it was misread as general rural.He wanted to build
a two car garage on his property.He got, a demolition permit 11 months (go
and demolished :a one bedroom house ,and an old mobile home.Hethen.got a
permit to install a 32:'X •.68 double wide manufactured home.He did not have
room to built La garage:a neighbor suggested he purchase 12'to 15'of his -
north property line that he was not using.The two of them have the two:
largest lots in the:subdivisiOn.The end, of Cody AVenue was abandoned in,
1985 or 1986:25',of right-of-vaylNas reverted to the property owners:His
lot was zoned at 103'X 95',or 9,780 sq.ft,His neighbor's lot became
12,160 sq.ft.when he got the abandoned right -of -ay.HeiDurchasedA.5:of
the south portion ofhis,neighbor's lot;makingtiS lot I1,21.0sq,ft.:He
went to the building department to ge-La permit to build a garage and was,.
told by: zoning he could not build one,stating,his neighbor was close to,
compliance for ,1.25acres when he'receiVed,the rightof-way,•.,bUt when he sold
the 15'to him it made him less in •conformance and that cannot be &he.He
and his neighbor would like to rezone their,two lots,although the entire
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NOVEMBER 2,2004
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subdivision should be rezoned correctly.It could become a problem forrthe
city in the future.He requested some guidance to alleviate the problem.
Mayor Coleman requested staff tolook:intoAhe ,matter.
Vice -Mayor Eck requested :it be made: into: an agenda item to be brought back
with pros and cons
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager George ,Hoffman stated Governor Napolitano has called upon the
state to.develop a "cUlture of conservation"with regard •to water
conservation while they still have time to.find out what works best and where
the resources should go.He commented that Jeff ,and Nitk have dramatically
reduced the overseeding the city does for the parks facilities this year:
They will only be overseeding the high use areas.I t -is the: most water
conservation that they have done so far.He stated that he convened the
local directors last week of the Apache Junction Water District and 'Arizona
Water toAalk:about the.water conservation they have and the possibility of
making the policies uniform,bringing back a request to the city council for
adoption of plan for the community as a whole.They are agreeable to that
PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF
PREMISES"ON THE' LIQUOR' LICENSE OFARIZONA
JOE'S RESTAURANT '&10UNGE FOR 'NOVEMBER
2004--
)City Clerk Kathleen Connelly.
briefed the council on: the item.She stated this is an annual request.The
packet contains recommendations from the policeAepartmentand ,:pianning:
department stating they :have:no objections.The:application is in order andl
the .applicanthasteen notified to attend this evening :in'the: event of any
questions:
Mayor Coleman requested the
applitant'address the council..
Mr.Joe Vincent,601 N.Merrill,
MesaHthe!trustee of the -trust that owns the 'property, .addressedthecouncil.
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He stated this is their fourth annual event and the last three years have
gone well.He is hoping for another successful run this Saturday.
Mayor Coleman opened the public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak,he closed the
public hearing and reopened the item to council discussion.There being no
discussion,he called for a motion.
Councilmember Insalaco MOVED THAT
THE APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PREMISES ON THE LIQUOR LICENSE
OF ARIZONA JOE'S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE FOR NOVEMBER 6,2004,BE RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL.
Councilmember Sippel SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO.04-26,CASE CUP -03-90,
REVIEW OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE •
DESERT GOLF CENTER DRIVING RANGE LOCATED
AT 1061 OLD WEST HIGHWAY
)Assistant Planner Noel
Griemsmann briefed the council on the item.He stated this item was
continued from the October 5,2004.The issues are essentially the same.
The golf center has been operating under the conditional use permit since
1990.He stated there was initial confusion over the owner of the property.
The property is owned by P & F Enterprises;Paul Connolly is the actually the
property owner.The applicant listed on the staff report is the proprietor
of the business.He had notified Mr.Connolly by mail prior to the first
hearing and met with him prior to that meeting.He is aware of this case.
He was also invited to be here this evening.The item was continued for
further consideration by council;staff has nothing new to add.The same
questions are still there.
Mayor Coleman asked if the
insurance has been determined to be sufficient.
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NOVEMBER 2,2004
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City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
has looked at the insurance and he believes i t is sufficient to meet the
intent of the first conditional use permit.There is adequate coverage for
any golf ball hitting any property within 500 feet of the property line.
There is $1,000,000 coverage for each occurrence if it is bodily injury,with
$2,000,000 aggregate.It meets the original conditional use permit.He
added Mr.Griemsmann might want to outline the issues quickly for those that
might not have been at the last public hearing.
feet from the property line.
that is correct.
from where the ball is struck.
Mayor Coleman asked if that is 500
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
Mayor Coleman commented i t is not
City Attorney Joel Stern stated i t
is not from the tee.That is his understanding from the insurance carrier.
An email addressed to Mr.Hunt states 500 feet from the property line.
Assistant Planner Noel Griemsmann
stated there are 3 issues they are looking at.The first issue was insurance
which has been addressed.The second issue was the temporary nature of the
enterprise.The initial conditional use permit was passed about 14 years ago
and there is a question as to whether the temporary nature of the use has
changed.The third aspect was determining if this use has become a
demonstrated hazard with the growth of the community and more traffic on Old
West Highway.
Councilmember Waldron asked what
the umbrella policy covers that they have to provide to the city.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated the
policy talks about $500 for any damage or any property damage within 500 feet
of the property line.The $1,000,000 coverage was for bodily injury of any
incident where a person gets hurt.There is a total of $2,000,000 aggregate,
meaning a total of $2,000,000,but any single incident would be $1,000,000.
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Vice Mayor Eck commented if there
is $1,000 in damage,the insurance would cover $500 and the occupant would be
responsible for the other half.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
anything above $500 would not be covered from his understanding.
Mayor Coleman requested the
business owner address the council.
Mr.Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.,the lessee
of the business property known as the Desert Golf Center,addressed the
council.He stated the owners are P & F Companies,or Paul Connolly.He
stated he had requested a postponement at the October 5 meeting until May
2005 because he was overwhelmed with the legal issues in the matter.The
council disregarded his request knowing he was not prepared for their attack
on his person and came after him with weapons of words while he was unarmed.
He commented he felt their scorn as they made wild accusations about him and
his business.He felt their rudeness towards him as they looked down on him.
He stated he is prepared tonight,and he would need more than 5 minutes to
speak.
give him 10 minutes.
needed 15 minutes.
give him 15 minutes.
Mayor Coleman stated they would
Mr.Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.stated he
Mayor Coleman stated they would
Mr.Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.stated there
are at least 12 issues to be addressed tonight,all concerning Conditional
Use Permit 03-90.All of them are in the matter of which and in the manner
of which he has been pulled into their spider web.On or about October 27,
2004,he submitted a formal complaint against the city development services
department and employees Rudy Esquivias,Noel Griemsmann,Mayor Douglas
Coleman,the city council members,and George Hoffman pursuant to Arizona
Revised Statutes 12-821.01,Sections A,B,and C.During the October 5
meeting his assistant,Marilyn Ryusaki,served 7 formal complaints dated
September 26,2004,upon the mayor and each council member;they contained
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PAGE 7 OF 26
facts sufficient to permit them to understand the basis upon which liability
was claimed.Item No.: 2,Title 18 of the: United Stated Constitution,Section,
242,Depravation of Riqhts Under Color,of Law,makes i t a.crime for any
person acting under color of law to willfully deprive or cause to be deprived
from any.person those rights,privileges,: or immunities secured or protected
by the Constitution of the United States..He asked how they believe they
have legal control of him:.he does not believe they legally or lawfully do.
He asked if they believe they have legal control over P &.F Properties,or
Paul Connolly.He asked where Paul Connolly or P & F Properties were at the
October 5 meeting.They,did.not attend the meeting,and they are not here
tonight.He commented these hearings are for the benefit of Mr.and Mrs.
Surra for their quest to put him out of business.On October 7,2004,he
called the city clerk's office to inquire-how a person would file a complaint
against a -business if they believed a business was in violation of a
condition or stipulation of a conditional use permit.He -was told the party
would need to write a legible complaint to whom i t concerned,and submit i t
with a completed form obtained from the city clerk's office to the city
clerk:The city clerk would then submit the complaint to -the proper city_
official for their review:He looked through the file and could not find -a
complaint filed on this conditional use permit.He found letters to a
business from the Surras;Any reasonable person would believe they are a
privileged couple as no written complaint- has been filed,with rules made by
the city just for them.He asked how they got their complaint reviewed.He
asked if they are better -than any other person in the cityor: if they have
special privileges.He believes they do according to.the ,records.Item -No.
3 concerns on or about: May 16:2004,the witch hunt was on by Rudy and Noel.
They tried to make a case that the driving range was in violation of the
conditional use permit.The records show that the driving range has never
received any type of letter that they were in material noncompliance within
the meaning of the conditional use permit.The records also show that there
is no letter stating that the driving range is in non -material compliance
within the meaning of the conditional use permit.Based on the provisions
contained within the conditional use permit,i t could only be reviewed i f
there was:a violation.I t has real strict provisions so people like Rudy .and
Noel could not tamper with it.He commented the city council believes they
can invade the private lives of people -without the bounds of law,just like
the police who.shoot and ask questions later,costing :the people of the city
a lot of money and embarrassment.He believes.thecity. Council is sayingisue
me.Item No.4 was in regards to fraud..He gave a definition of fraud.He
stated 'a party who has: lost something due to.fraud:is entitled to file a
lawsuit for damages -against the party ,acting fraudulently:The:damage& may
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PAGE 8 OF 26
include punitive damages as a punishment or due to the malicious nature of -
the fraud;Often there are several people involved in a scheme to commit.
fraud.Each and: all may be liable for the total damaged inherent in the
fraud.Item No.5'concernaLforgery,a crime of creating a false document,
altering a document,or writing a false signature for the illegal benefit :of
the person making the forgery.I t includes improperly filling in a blank
document like:an application for a new conditional use permit.Item No.6
concerned .a definition of a forger.There were no violations of this
conditional ,use permit,yet Rudy Esquivias,Noel Griemsmann and Kathleenf
Connelly conspired to commit -fraud upon him with forged documents when
publishing a notice of a change of ownership of the land site in question,
and ,a change of use of the conditional use permit as i t relates to the
applicant,defined in the city ordinance for application of a new conditional
use permit.He asked where the application was that was filled out by him.
I t is not in the records.He:showed them an application that should be
filled out for a new conditional use permit and commented on the information
included ,on how to fill out the form,make application,and the process.On
September -17,2004,a publication appeared in the Mesa Tribune showing that,
he was the new applicant of the conditional .use permit.It was sent to and
through' Kathleen Connelly.He asked who authorized her to publish a
conditional use permit that had never been filled out.He commented they :
tried to steal the land from P & F Properties.Item No.8 concerns September
17,2004,wherein the mayor and city council sent public hearing notices to
all landowners around the subject site for a change of use and new ownership
as i t relates to the applicant for application of a new conditional use
permit,committing fraud and forgery as there is no new, application on file.
He asked who paid for the publication is there is no application on file He
asked if this would be misuse of public funds,and commented any reasonable
man would think so.Item No.9 concerns the September 20,2004 work session.
They must:have:had the proper paperwork in front of them so that on October 5.
they could have public hearing on October 5 on this application,which is
nonexistent,for a new conditional use permit and new resolution submitted by
the new applicant.He asked what the work session was for if there was no
application.Item No.10 concerns that at no time the subject site was sold
by Pi& F PropertiesAo Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.or anyone else.He stated Rudy,
Noel,Kathleen;the mayor and city council tried to make the public believe
the story by sending all of this to the newspaper and to them by U.S.mail,
It was done by fraudulent and forged means and is a direct violation of Title
42,United States Constitution,Sectioh242.under color of law.At the
public hearing:of October 5,2004,at 7:00 p.m.was used to publicly scorn
and place fraud and forgery upon him.He commented the people involved knew
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 9 OF 26
willingly and were with the intent to harm him by committing fraud and
forgery against him and the people they were elected by.Item No.11
concerns the secret side of the government.He talked about a news program
he recently watched.One person commented there needs to be more openness
and communication with the public.The other said that people believe that
the government is a terrorist organization because they do everything behind
bullet proof glass and locked doors.He stated he never saw that until he
came to the city administration building.Resolution No.04-26 is in the
purest form of what the city administration is all about:terrorism against
businesses.Treating people like animals and hiding behind bullet proof
glass and locked doors.He asked if they were afraid of the public.He
commented there were 5 people sitting in the front row and the October 5
meeting and none of them heard the mayor say anything about escorting him out
of the building.On October 11 he received numerous phone calls at his
business asking when the mayor said that.They were quoting the AJ News.He
commented the mayor must have whispered i t because no one ever heard it.He
did not,and he was as close to them as he is now.The transcription of
October 5 is not what really happened.He was here:he can only assume this
is another form of terrorism by the person who transcribed the hearing.They
put only what the city wants to have written and nothing else.They might
think Resolution No.04-26 is a lollipop,but they would be sick to their
stomachs if they were in his shoes every time they read it.All of them
should have their hands cut off for writing such filth against a business
owner.On October 5 the mayor and the city council degraded a 75 -year -old
Mexican American,a 52 -year -old Japanese American,and a 55 -year -old part
Native American,which he is,to just their cause in committing racial bias
towards them.The transcript of the October 5 hearing does not reflect the
facial expressions or the tone of their voices when all of them were
disgusted that someone would stand up with a right to be free from government
intervention and to the private lives of small businesses and his livelihood
to make an honest wage and live the American dream of owning his own
business.Resolution No.04-26 was written for one purpose;to champion the
Surras'cause to put him out of business and to protect P &F Properties.
Leave Conditional Use Permit 03-90 in full force and effect.P &F
Properties have never been here to state their objection to this hearing or
any other hearing which shows they are hoping the city will sign the new
resolution.This would put him out of business,and it will not affect them
or anyone else who might lease the driving range at a later date.
Mayor Coleman stated his 15 minutes
was up.He asked him to summarize.
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NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 10 OF 26
Mr.Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.stated all of
them hold the Surras on a pedestal and worship the ground they walk on,which
is reflected in the transcript of October 5,2004.They were given over 20
minutes to speak without even asking to have more than 5 minutes as
prescribed by their rules.He and two others had to beg like a dog to have
more than 5 minutes to speak.When they did speak,all three of them showed
by clear and convincing proof that the Surras did not tell the truth when
they stated that their vehicle was damaged by a golf ball from his driving
range.The Surras refused to state at the meeting that the personal injury
occurred at that time.The council did not ask her any questions on personal
injury.Following that October 5 hearing,on October 11 on the front page of
a local newspaper i t stated there was personal injury so that everyone could
see it.He asked if this is a Mr.and Mrs.Hyde or Mr.and Mrs.Jekyl story.
A reasonable person would have sufficient doubts as to the incident
occurring.He thinks the city council holds the Surras in high esteem i f
they would risk their political lives to stage illegal hearings.He
commented all of them should step down and let people with integrity take
their places.I t is appalling and inhumane that they should commit such a
tragedy on the life of Lloyd K.Ray.I t is deplorable for them to treat
people like dogs because they stand up for their rights.He requested they
stop what they are doing and shelve this case to stop any further
embarrassment to themselves and for the good of the people of the city.His
assistant would be following him;she is Japanese American.He commented i f
they treat her with disrespect as they did on October 5,2004,God would take
care of them.
Ms.Marilyn Ryusaki,the assistant
manager of the Desert Golf Center,addressed the council.She requested the
council look at the notice of public hearing dated September 16,2004,
prepared by City Clerk Kathleen Connelly.She asked,them to look at the
notice that was -sent out to the property owners within 300 feet of the Desert
Golf Center property line.The notices are what any reasonable man would
consider false .documents,created by the city clerk,the mayor and city
council.I t is evidence_of outright forgery.She asked if she could have 10
minutes.
Mayor Coleman stated she could have
10 minutes.
M's:Marilyn Ryusaki stated the
definition of forgery is the crime -of creating a false document,altering a
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NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 11 OF 26
document or writing a false signature for the illegal benefit of the person
making the forgery.The staff of the development services department
purported or pretended to act as applicant for Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.in the
performance of their official duties,paving the way for the city clerk,
mayor and city council to commit the crime of forgery to create false
documents contained in the file for Conditional Use Permit 03-90.I t seems
Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.is hacking his way through a technical jungle in obvious
futility.His remedies have been exhausted because of the legal issues
created by the council/manager form of government,by which the city,mayor,
council and city manager implemented Resolution No.04-26 to become the law
of the city by forging documents that take governmental ownership or control
over the person of Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.with regard to the business known as
Desert Golf Center.I t is a crime for one or more persons acting under color
of law to willfully deprive or conspire to deprive another person of any
right protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.This means
that the person doing the act is using power given to him by a governmental
agency;local,state,or federal.This includes not only acts done by local,
state,or federal officials within the bounds of their lawful authority,but
also acts done beyond the bounds of that authority.An official would
violate the color of law by fabricating evidence against an individual,that
person's rights of due process or unreasonable seizure.In the case of
deprivation of property,the official would violate the color—of law by
unlawfully obtaining or maintaining the property of another.The official
would have overstepped or misapplied his authority.In order for an unlawful
act of any official to be done under color of law,the unlawful act must be
done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in performance of
his or her official duties.This definition of the Constitution includes
mayors and council members.Enforcement of those provisions does not require
any racial,religious,or other discriminatory motive to be in existence.On
April 16,2004,Mrs.Surra forwarded 2 letters written by her to the Desert
Golf Center to the city attorney and zoning administrator.She referred to
her letters as information relative to the claim.In effect,she was stating
she was only stating what she had been told and she believed it.She did not
have personal knowledge to protect herself from claims of outright falsehood
or perjury.The development services department staff memorandum dated
September 21,2004,stated that on or about April 16,2004,the city received
a complaint about a citizen and their property being struck by an errant golf
ball presumably driven from the Desert Golf Center property.Presumption,by
definition of law,permits a court to determine a fact is true until such
time that there is a preponderantly greater weight of evidence which
disproves or outweighs the presumption.A presumption can be rebutted by
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 12 OF 26
factual evidence.One can present facts to persuade a :judge that the
presumption is not true.This is not a court of law L None of them can act
as a -judge to presume or assume that the allegations of the Surras are true.
The letter forwarded to the city on April 15:is hearsay,or secondhand
evidence.The witness was not telling what:she knows personally but what her
husband, had said to her,or it was scuttlebutt or gossip.I t is based upon
unconfirmed information.The definition of hearsay,by law,is secondhand
evidence in which the witness is not telling what is known personally but
what others have stated,or scuttlebutt or gossip_The letters of Anne Surra
are publicized in the public records of the,development services department
Conditional Use Permit 03-90 file.The letters contain statements which are
falsehoods or libelous.Her husband remained silent and refused to speak in
front of the council during the October 5,2004,meeting regarding the claims
made:on his behalf.Anne Surra committed the crime of forgery by creating
false documents by a dishonest means to deprive Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.of his
money by hiding evidence and misleading the'development services department
staff:the mayor,the council, .city manager,city ,attorney,and the public.
The woman involved city officials in a scheme to:commit fraud, to take unjust
advantage'overithe person of Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.and the business of which he .
merely leases some P &F property from Paul Connolly.Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.'s
reputation has been damaged or ruined by their acts of publishing untrue
statements about him in the files of the conditional use permit and allowing
Mrs.Surra to make untrue statements at the October 5:2004,meeting and to
involve him in -the decision making of Resolution No.04-26 and the review of
the conditional use permit for the Desert Golf Center.I t is vital to
consider two factors in his dealings with the city.The rules and
regulations in this:case are special and are :not foUnd in any city,state or
federal: statute'Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.has filed two complaints with the mayor
and city council and two complaints with the city clerk.She believes he.has
exhausted his administrative remedies with those agencies and system.There
exists such exception in this case,such as emergency;or obvious futility to
exhaust his remedies because she does not believe they will acknowledge the
legal problems she is challenging with.The legal problems should be
considered,not Resolution No.04-26,as the _resolution cannot become A law
of the city.She believes i t is a false document created by staff for their
benefit and the benefit of Anne Surra.It only applies to .one individual,
Lloyd K.Ray,Jr.I t is based solely on belief, presumption and hearsay.
She requested the resolution and the memorandum,attached be .denied and
forever,tabled,and:that no further public hearings be held on this matter.
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NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 13 OF 26
Mayor Coleman openedAhe:public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak,he Closed the ,
public hearing:andopened the item to council discussion.
.Vice Mayor Eckcommented'he felt
this issue could have been resolved with a minimal amount -of effort -fromAlr.
Ray had he shown any effort to doAhat.-He believes:the allegations against
staff for treatiniThim wrong are totally false.Our.staffhaS:tried to work
With him L Hecommented he ,had come in here:optiMistie and wanting to work
with -Mr.Ray.However,there is nothing to work with.He complainsand ,
leaves.He does not see:how ,the,rcan .do anything.He thought It was 8
privilegeAhatAheydealt with Mr:Raysince the conditional use permit is
not even in his name..He does not know of a solution;orhoW they can
resolve an issue if both:parties do not make some effort.toAo so.i He does
not see that effortj
Councilmember Ihsal8co commented he“
feels that Mr Ray does notWantto have tocomplywith.the.same things that
:other businesS'people have to:comply with,.himself -includecL.His attitude is
Uncalled fdr.They:haveitried to ,work4ith him,but there :is no working
agreement
Vice Mayor.Eckcorkented.one of the
major things that irritates him is that they have a responsibility when a
liabiTitycomes to the, Council to ,:take some:type of action.to prevent i t from,
happeningagain.Whether the ,conditional i.le.permithas been, act -lye -a year...
or 14 years,: once they, are aware of the liability;they have to try:to .
iresolve it in some manner.He believes there are some things they coUld.have
worked .on bUt:Mr.Ray does not appeartoi be milling ,to do that:
•Cbuncilmember MiTkey.commented:the
business advocate: has attempted to work with :Mr'.Ray since the last meeting..
Jhey:havecantacted .Paul Connelly.He thinks that from a staff perspective
theyhave,done -everything -they can to communicate :with Mr.Ray regarding the:
-conditional us permit and the intention of•the.council regarding an update
.to the conditional use permit and that conditional use permits are temporary
in nature.This is a 14-year4old conditional use permit that they need: to.
address.,whichAheY:are .doing.this:evening.
Mayor Coleman commented they have
several options for how'they.candeal with this.He added Mr.Ray at one .
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 14 OF 26
point accused the council of doing business behind closed doors and out of
public view and then he criticized them for advertising public hearings in
the newspaper on the issue.He finds that contradictory.The options allow
them to deny the conditional use permit,do nothing,approve a new
conditional use permit with new recommendations,or allow the existing
conditional use permit to continue with a possible end date.He asked i f
they are all legal options.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
they are.The last one mentioned would require the council to authorize
staff to draft a resolution that sets a termination date of the Conditional
Use Permit 3-90.They must also authorize the mayor to sign the resolution;
that way i t does not have to come back to the city council.It would be
presented to the mayor for his signature as soon as it was drafted.
Councilmember Sippel asked if they
would have to set the date now.
City Attorney Joel .Stern stated_
that is correct.They need to set the date that i t should terminate.
Mayor Coleman asked if the
conditional use permit as i t exists right now is Resolution No.90-51.
Development Services Director Rudy
Esquivias stated the original resolution was 90-54.
Mayor Coleman stated the copy in
his packet was not signed by Mayor Bluntschly.
Councilmember Dietz stated his was
signed.I t is on the very last page before the motion.
Mayor Coleman asked if they are
basically in compliance with the current resolution.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
they are in compliance with the insurance;the dark sky ordinance he will
leave to Rudy.The other items should also be addressed by Rudy.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 15 OF 26
Councilmember Dietz asked if the
insurance has always been in compliance or was i t recently taken care of.
Development Services Director Rudy
Esquivias stated Roy has had the most recent conversations with Mr.Ray.
the insurance is from May 1,2004.
just from this year.
that was all he targeted at this time.
Business Advocate Roy Hunt stated
Councilmember Dietz commented i t is
Business Advocate Roy Hunt stated
Mayor Coleman commented the current
resolution states i t is understood that the conditional use permit may be
revoked by the city council upon the finding that there has been material
noncompliance with the conditions prescribed in conjunction with the granting
of the conditional use permit.He believes they are looking at item number
two,which is if the endeavor ever becomes a demonstrated hazard.
Development Services Director Rudy
Esquivias stated that is correct.He is basically the city zoning
administrator;a citizen came to him with a concern regarding some property
damage.The issue was brought before the council to determine if there has
been a demonstrated hazard,whether the insurance coverage is adequate,and
whether it was time to revisit the issue of the permit.He believes i t is
his responsibility to bring to council an issue with a business that could be
a problem to the city.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed.He asked i f
the city had done anything to address the fact that we have a liability here
since this occurred.
Development Services Director Rudy
Esquivias stated the property is as it was approved back in 1986.
•Vice Mayor Eck -asked if anything
had been done since the city was made aware of this current situation;had
there been any positive change.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 16 OF 26
Development Services Director Rudy
Esquivias stated not to his knowledge.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he has a
problem extending this when they are aware there is a liability and they get
nothing.
Business Advocate Roy Hunt stated
Mr.Ray was helpful in facilitating and getting him connected with the
underwriter of his insurance so that they could clarify the misconception
that claims were only good for a distance 500'from the tee box.This is an
example of an effort made.
Vice Mayor Eck commented that is
the only effort.He asked if there was a second effort on anything.He had
never seen a case like this since he has been on the council.
City Manager George Hoffman stated
Roy's designated job is to advocate for the business.He is trying really
hard to do so right now.
Mayor Coleman asked if in April the
business decided they wanted to continue operating would they be able to look
at implementing another conditional use permit with additional requirements
caused by the growth in the city and increased traffic on Old West Highway i f
they were to come up with an end date of May 1,2005.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
does not believe the rules address that but under general due process law he
thinks they would have the privilege to come to the council to ask for a
reconsideration of the deadline.
Vice Mayor Eck asked if it would be
Mr.Ray or the landowner.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated i t
would most likely be the holder of the conditional use permit which is the
landowner,P & F Properties,with Mr.Connolly as the agent.Mr.Ray does
have some interest as he is the business owner.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 17 OF 26
Mayor Coleman commented he was
asking because there has only been theione.complaint:It'might have occurred:
numerous.times;but .there had only been one:instance -in 14 years where a
complaint:was:filed.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
is only aware of the one.
ASsistant Planner Noel Griemsmanr
stated there is only the .onecto the best of their knowledge.I t is the Only
one in the file.
Vice Mayor Eck:commented they heard
of vcomplaint ,by an electecLofficial driving his vehicle and almost :having a-
golf ball hit his vehicle.:
Councilmember Sippel commented he.
would like to ,mirror what Vice Mayor Eck said in saying- that nothing:hasteen,
done since the:complaint -hadcome:out.He -would think that if a business had
.receiVed ,-a complaint.,they would do what they could to rectify the situation,
so that it would hot happen. again,.
Business Advocate Roy, .Hunt
commented he wondered What that would be:possibly putting up netting.
CounciTmember Dietz commented that
would be a great first step.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they could.
also grade the outskirts so that a ball could not come and bounce.
Councilmember:Sippel commented
these :arethings they talked about earlier..
Mayor Coleman commented' if he was
in Mr..Ray's plate he is not'sure-hemould,want tpinvest.:in netting on a_
piece of property that. he was leasing that he was not !sure he would have a
conditional use permit on.
Business Advocate Roy Hunt agreed.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 18 OF 26
.Vice Mayor Eck commented he might
have gotten more of commitment from the council if he had done some
negotiating.•
Moor Coleman commented his
.preference Would be that the council .allow him to operate through the season.
like to have an end date of May 1,2005.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed.
Mayor Coleman commented, he would
Councilmember Sippel disagreed.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he thinks
that Js being polite,but it would be hard to shut him down tomorrow.
Councilmember SippeT disagreed.
BusinesS Advocate Roy Hunt stated
Mr.Ray was concerned that the city .was first notified of the complaint in
April but nothing was done until the very beginning of the .golf Season.They
have already invested In advertising and other efforts tOtramp ,up for their
.season.:I t -would have been easier for'him ,to deal with it Hn April or May.
They could have then made other business plans.,-
Vice Mayor Eck commented he did not
hear any discussion about this i n Apr i l .
Assistant Planner Noel Griemsmann,
stated the initial contact was the April 16 letter that, was forwarded to the
city from Mr's.Surra A response went out to him on May 17 to clarify some
of the issues that cameup after a review of the file:He responded to that
on May 25:and the next letter went out -to him on August 2 regarding
additional information.They met withtim.on August 10 and :he ,responded back
after the meeting.
Development Services Director Rudy
Esduivias stated there had been ongoing correspondence,: the issues were being
investigated,and the conditional use permit was being studied carefully to
define every avenue:
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 19 OF 26
Councilmember Sippel commented
there was a lot of staff time.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he could
see putting an expiration date on it,but he thinks they are going above and
beyond doing that.
Councilmember Sippel commented they
may want to talk about this some more to make sure something happens tonight.
He is not agreeable to letting the conditional use permit continue after all
the time and effort staff had put into it.They have done everything they
could to assist this business and the way that they are handling i t is not
professional at all.They have done nothing to try to rectify the situation
when they knew about i t in August to solve the problem.He does not foresee
them doing anything about in the future even after i t is extended.He would
hate to have him come back a month before i t is canceled and ask for an
extension.They would have to go through this all over again if they do not
give it to him then.He wondered if they were just delaying the inevitable.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they can
still go out and continue to do routine observation if this is extended.He
asked if they could expire the conditional use permit at any given time i f
there were another incident.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
that is correct.They have the right to revoke it.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they would
take the risk of whether i t is a minor incident or something more severe.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated i f
the insurance falls through or any of the other conditions which determine i t
to be a demonstrated hazard.
City Manager George Hoffman asked
if the council is bound by a 14 year previous city council if this council
decides to change its risk tolerance either for itself as an organization or
for the community or can it change the conditions that i t desires for the
community and the organization.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 20 OF 26
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
they can increase i t or decrease it to whatever they feel based on the
evidence.
City Manager George Hoffman
commented they are not bound by a council decision 14 years ago.
City Attorney Joel Stern they are
not.If they only change the expiration date,then they are bound by these
terms until something else happens that raises some caution or concern.
Councilmember Sippel commented or
when a car does get hit this time,the council knew about and now they have
litigation.As Mr.Ray put it,we waste more taxpayer dollars.
Councilmember Dietz asked what the
process would be to deny the conditional use permit using option one.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
they would be revoking Resolution No.90-51.
Councilmember Sippel asked what the
process would be to do that,and what would happen tomorrow.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
would be out of business basically.If he continued business,there would be
code compliance issues,legal issues and a zoning violation.The best way to
continue it to a date certain would be to have staff create a resolution that
adds that a term number 5 under the old resolution.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he is
willing to extend it to May 1,2005,although i t is not what he would prefer.
That would give him the season and i t is obvious that is when he makes the
majority of his business.He believes they are going above and beyond doing
that.Come May 1,some definite changes would have to be made for the
business to continue.
Councilmember Waldron commented his
first inclination is to deny the conditional use permit,but that is a
retaliatory'response based on factless and baseless arguments that he has
made.He does not want to stoop to that level.He is a business owner in
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 21 OF 26
town.He thinks the extension is good,but i t should be to April 30.As a
matter of record,he does not want to see this again.Once this extension
goes through,that is it as far as he is concerned.His presentation was
horrible and inexcusable.
Councilmember Insalaco agreed.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT
RESOLUTION NO.04-26,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,MODIFYING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT,CASE CUP -3-
90,FOR A GOLF DRIVING RANGE ON A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ZONED C-4,THAT THE CUP
WILL EXPIRE ON MAY 1,2005.
City Attorney Joel Stern commented
they want Resolution 04-26 to be modified by creating a new termination date
of Resolution No.90-51.
Vice Mayor Eck stated that is his
intention.He wanted to modify it to where i t expires on May 1,2005.
City Attorney Joel Stern asked i f
the other terms in the resolution were to be included.These include
landscaping issues and. other things.He asked if they wanted to add those;
they are in the .current draft resolution.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he did
not.He just wants the termination date.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked
if he wished number two to remain,which statesthat if this should ever
become a demonstrated hazard the zoning administrator shall withdraw the
conditional use permit.
Vice Mayor Eck commented that would
remain.They would then have the ability if another item comes up tomorrow.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 22 OF 26
City Attorney Joel Stern commented
they,are ,the same terms except they are Adding a number: five that creates a
new termination -date.
Vice Mayor Eck stated that is
correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
thatdatejs May. 1„2005.
Assistant Planner.Nbel Griemsmann
stated staff will delete :all.of the items in ResolutiOn NO,04-26 and have i t
read number one,being the termination;date subject -to the conditions inthe
previous resolution;
City Attorney Joel Stern:stated all
other terms ofthe ,original resolution Stay:the,sameL
MayorColeman stated it would be
exactly the same as,the ,ol'd one with numberlfiVe being the termination date.
City .Attorney Joel ,Sterrrstated
that i's correct.
COuncilmember Dietz.SECONDEU THE
MOTION.,
VOTE 4-3.(Councilmembers,Sippel,ililkey,and Insalaco voted in -opposition.)
The motion 'carried.
,
OLD BUSINESS
None;
,NEW BUSINESS .
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR PROVISION
OF SERVICES BY THE PINAL COUNTY RECORDER
AND ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
REGULAR MEETINGI OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 23 OF 26
)City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
briefed the council on the, item.Every two years when the :city:prepares:to"
d6 the elections,we enter into an intergovernmental agreement withAhe Pinal
'County Recorder's Office and the Elections Department to provide services';
Following council action,it will be forwarded to the county board of
supervisors for their .corresponding action.
Mayor Coleman opened theriteuto
council discussion:There being no discussion.:he callecLfor a:motion.
CouncilmeMber•Dietz'MOVED THAT THE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN PINAL COUNTY AND THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTIOWFOR PROVISION OF SERVICES BY THE PINALCOUNTY RECORDER AND ELECTIONS
DEPARTMENT BE APPROVED',AND THAT.AUTHORIZATION BEGIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TaSIGN,
THE AGREEMENT:-
Councilmember• Waldron, SECONDED THE
MOTION. H •.•..
VOTE Unanimous;
The motion carried.
COUNCIL DIRECTION' TO STAFF ON ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED:AGENDA ITEMS
None.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON OTHERPROPOSED LEGISLATION OR ACTIONS
None:
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES,TIMES.LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES •
CounciTmember Dietz MOVED THAT AN
EXECUTIVESESSION:AT6:00 P.M.AND WORK SESSIONIAT 700 P.M.BE HELD ON:
MONDAY,NOVEMBER 15.:2004; IN 'THECITY CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITYCOUNCIL
CHAMBERS,RESPECTIVELY;AND
•THAT EXECUTIVESESSION A1-6:00 P.M :BE ON TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 16,2004,IN
THE CITY CONFERENCEROOM.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 24 OF 26
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
Vice Mayor Eck commented he went to a couple of neighborhood meetings and
believes that staff is doing a great job of communicating with the citizens.
I t is a great program with good information and good communication.
Mayor Coleman stated Councilmember Waldron and he participated Saturday in
the GAIN event,Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods.The police chief,
Suzanne Strong,the parks and recreation department.,Mr.McGruff,Rudy,Roy,
and Joel were also there.Mother Goose was there from the library.They
visited 12 different block parties from noon to 7 p.m.It was really good.
It was very informative.He got to hear a lot of people talk about different
subjects.He appreciated city staff taking a Saturday to participate.It ,
will hopefully help us with our efforts as far as block watches and crime
prevention.
Councilmember Waldron stated they liked the fire truck more than the Jeep
Liberty.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Coleman adjourned the
meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1.Acceptance of Agenda.
2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 19,2004.
3.Consideration of Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Team
Performance,Inc.dated November 4,2003,to continue professional
services agreement regarding organizational development,consulting and
facilitating services in an amount not to exceed $20,000.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 25 OF 26
ACCEPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF NOVEMBER ,2004,BY THE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 16TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2004.
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
DOUGLAS ZOLEMAN
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 2nd day of November,2004.I further certify
that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 9th day of November,2004.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2,2004
PAGE 26 OF 26