HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-01 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 1,2003
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,
Arizona,was held on July 1,2003,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 Milkey gaVe the InVocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE '
Vice Mayor Eck 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
Interim Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
City Engineer Ron Grittman
Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Bell
Library Director Pam Loui
Public Works Director Doug Dobson
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JULY 1,2003
PAGE 1 OF 45
Others Present:
Interim Dev.Svcs.Director Rudy Esquivias
Interim Assistant City Manager/Assistant to the
City Manager Bryant Powell
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
Building Official Dennis Dixon
CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT THE
CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED;AND THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PROJECT
NO.PW 2003-10,FUEL,FOR FY 2003-04,BE AWARDED TO SUPREME OIL COMPANY IN THE
AMOUNT OF $0.8457 PER GALLON FOR DIESEL AND $1.2051 PER GALLON FOR UNLEADED;
AND
THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PROJECT NO.PW 2003-09,TIRES,FOR FY 2003-04,BE
AWARDED TO AM -PAC FOR ITEMS 3,6,7,11,13,15,16,17,18,20,22,23,24,
26,AND 27 (112 TIRES TOTAL)FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,816.34;TO GCR
FOR ITEMS 4,5,AND 21 (22 TIRES TOTAL)FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,583.96;
TO SUNSTATE EQUIPMENT FOR ITEMS 9,25,AND 28 (12 TIRES TOTAL)FOR AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $4,411.00;AND TO REDBURN TIRE COMPANY FOR ITEMS 2,8,AND 10
(93 TIRES)FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $11.619.22 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $28.430.52;AND
THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PROJECT NO.PR -03-01 FOR SUPERSTITION SHADOWS PARK
PHASE III BE AWARDED TO ETW GROUP,INCORPORATED FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$488,905.00,CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY OF PHOENIX VERSUS SUPERIOR COURT,184
ARIZONA 435 (1995 COURT OF APPEALS DECISION);THAT THE EARLIER BID
DISQUALIFICATION OF ETW IS REVERSED;THAT THIS AWARD IS CONDITIONED ON ETW
GROUP,INCORPORATED OBTAINING AND PRESENTING TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT PROOF OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ALL
CONTRACTOR LICENSES AS IDENTIFIED IN THE ARIZONA REGISTRAR OF CONTRACTOR'S MAY
2003 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CITY;THAT SUCH LICENSES SHALL BE ISSUED TO ETW
GROUP,INCORPORATED AND NOT A "SILENT PARTNER";THAT FAILURE TO SUBMIT THIS
MATERIAL WITHIN TEN CALENDAR DAYS UPON BEING NOTIFIED OF AWARD WILL RESULT IN
CITY TAKING ACTION UPON THE BID BOND AND AWARDING OF BID TO 2ND LOWEST BIDDER,
ANNCOLE INCORPORATED FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ,$494,381.00,WHO SHALL WITHIN
TEN CALENDAR DAYS OF BEING NOTIFIED OF AWARD OBTAIN AND PRESENT TO THE PARKS
AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROOF OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS,ICLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO ALL CONTRACTOR LICENSES AS IDENTIFIED IN THE ARIZONA REGISTRAR OF
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JULY 1,2003
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CONTRACTOR'S MAY 2003 CORRESPONDENCE TO CITY OFFICIALS:THAT THE BID BOND FOR
ANNCOLE CONTRACTING INCORPORATED WILL BE RETAINED FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN
CALENDAR DAYS SO THAT ETW GROUP.INCORPORATED IS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO
MEET THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH ABOVE;THAT ANNCOLE CONTRACTING INCORPORATED
WILL ALSO BE NOTIFIED BY STAFF IT WILL BE AWARDED THE BID SHOULD ETW
GROUP,INCORPORATED FAIL TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS;AND
THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR THE CITIZEN/CITYSCAPE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRINTING
AND PRODUCTION BID BE AWARDED TO TRIBUNE NEWSPAPERS -FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $30.000.00:AND
THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING AND SUPPLEMENTAL.LEGAL
ADVERTISING BE AWARDED TO THE APACHE JUNCTION NEWS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$12.000.00:AND "
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
APACHE JUNCTION AND BAKER & TAYLOR,INC.TO PURCHASE BOOKS,AUDIO-VISUAL
MATERIALS AND RELATED SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $136,015.00
ANNUALLY:AND
THAT RECEIPT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE APACHE JUNCTION PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
OF TRUSTEES FOR 2002-2003 FISCAL YEAR BE ACKNOWLEDGED;AND
THAT THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CARROLL BURACKER & ASSOCIATES
INC.FOR AN ANALYSIS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS IN THE AMOUNT
OF $78,750.00 BE APPROVED AND.THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN TO THE MAYOR TO SIGN
THE AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL AS TO FORM AND CONTENT BY THE CITY
MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS,PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None.
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CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Ms.Donna Woods,2634 W.Gregory,Apache Junction,addressed the council
regarding why the city budget does not balance with revenues matching the
expenses;i t appears there is $3 million more in expenses than revenue.
Mr.Michael Weller,471 W.21st Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council
regarding trash located just south of 16th Avenue and San Marcos at the Kiker
Apartments.They have a dumpster full beyond overflowing.He has contacted
Ms.Brown from code compliance and the dumpster was to have been removed this
past Monday.I t has not been removed and i t is still full.The overflowing
trash has been removed.He contacted Councilmember Insalaco about this who
advised he would go to the city manager.This property is only five blocks
from the desert and a lot of animals could be looking for food and water.
There are also a lot of children in the area;i t is unsafe.He has a license
to rent apartments,but he does not follow the minimum standard of sanitation
as required by law.He requested the city curtail his ability to rent or make
a living in the city if he cannot provide sanitation.There are also broken-
down cars not being moved there.I t is unacceptable.
Mr.Bill Kerr,2670 Arizona Road,president of Anncole Contracting,addressed
the council regarding Superstition Shadows Park.He appreciates their
decision tonight and understands it.He stated they protested the bid because
ETW did not have the proper license.They are still the low responsive
bidder,although ETW is now getting a license.The contract documents cite a
qualified contractor;he does not understand how they can be qualified when
they have not done that type of work before.ETW also has 4 open complaints
on the Registrar of Contractor's website for work they have done.His
disagreement dealt with substantial compliance.He believes that deals with
technical problems;ETW is not even on the same scope of work.He believes i t
is a stretch.He hopes counsel has addressed them on the issue,as he has.
He does not feel they need to go down the legal road,and he hopes the council
did not feel threatened to retain.ETW.He understands that they tried to make
both parties happy.He asked when the clock starts ticking for ETW.He added
since the decision has not gone their way,he would like a public hearing for
the protest.
Mayor Coleman commented to Ms.Woods that if she looked at the tentative
budget just passed,looking at the total resources available,i t comes out to
$31,593,340.00.They do balance.The figure she is citing is the estimated
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JULY 1,2003
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revenue other than property taxes line.We are required by state law to
provide a balanced budget.He commented to Mr.Weller that one of the two
dumpsters was removed today,and staff is working on the other.He asked the
city attorney to meet with Mr.Kerr again to further explain the city's
position.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager George Hoffman stated they conducted a recruitment for the
Assistant City Manager's position last week and he is pleased to tell them
that he will be coming back in two weeks seeking ratification for the
appointment of Bryant Powell to that position.Bryant has served as Interim
Assistant City Manager since April of 2002,along with Kathy Connelly.He
gave a brief work history on Bryant Powell.He also thanked Kathy Connelly,
Joel Stern and the department directors for their assistance during the period
when they were down the position.In addition,today was the first day for
the City Manager Intern,Amy Mangin,a recent masters degree graduate in
Public Administration from the University of Arizona.She is the Arizona City
Management Association Marvin Andrews Scholarship winner.As part of that
scholarship,she has to participate in a 3 -month internship in a city of
50,000 or less,with half the cost covered by ACMA.Once selected,she then
interviewed 4 communities,El Mirage,Queen Creek,Sierra Vista,and Apache
Junction,and selected us.That was in large measure to Bryant Powell
communicating what this community was about and the large projects we have
going.He added there will be a media conference on Thursday,July 3,at
10:00 a.m.to unveil the completely renovated and customized police vehicle to
be used as the school resource officer's car at Thunder Mountain Middle
School.The project was done with no taxpayer dollars;it was paid for by
sponsors.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
REQUEST BY TURF PARADISE RACE COURSE FOR
APPROVAL OF OFF-TRACK WAGERING FACILITY
AT ARIZONA JOE'S RESTAURANT FOR A TERM
RUNNING FROM JUNE 1,2003 THROUGH MAY
31,2006 )
)City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
briefed the council on the item.Council is being asked to make a
recommendation to the racing commission on Arizona Joe's continuing status as
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JULY 1,2003
PAGE 5 OF 45
an off-track wagering facility.The information includes comments from city
staff and the fire district.The applicant has been asked to be present this
evening should you have any questions.
Mayor Coleman requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr.Jack Mullin,director of off-
track operations for Turf Paradise,3146 W.Pinnacle Vista,Phoenix,addressed
the council.He requested approval for another three years of off-track
betting at Arizona Joe's.They have been very successful there and have not
had any problems.
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 REQUEST BY TURF PARADISE RACE COURSE FOR APPROVAL OF AN OFF-TRACK WAGERING
FACILITY AT ARIZONA JOE'S RESTAURANT,417 S.WINCHESTER,FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE
ON MAY 31.2006.BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE ARIZONA RACING COMMISSION.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
FISCAL YEAR 2003 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT STATE SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND
PROPOSED PROJECTS
)Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
briefed the council on the item.He stated the city has the opportunity to
submit a supplemental application to the Department of Housing to receive up
to $300.000 to help our community address an identified community need and the
needs of the low and moderate income citizens.Part of the process occurred
before this meeting in previous public meetings;council has a report on those
meetings.He gave a brief description of the process,stating the council
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would be asked to listen to any new ideas from this evening,discuss all the
ideas,decide which project the city should go forward with,and give
direction to staff to begin preparation of the application.Staff will be
back in two weeks with a resolution for the application packet.He described
the Community Development Block Grant program,the conditions and requirements
for the grant,and the projects that could qualify.He commented projects
that have been mentioned at the previous public meetings include housing
rehabilitation,a mobile command unit,rehabbing a building,assisting
homeowners for sewer hook-ups,a road grader,a mobile stage for parks and
recreation or repaving a street.Staff analysis of these projects has caused
many of these to fall by the wayside because they are either ineligible or not
doable in the one-year time frame.
Councilmember Dietz asked if the
application is due by August 1 this year.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated that is correct for these special funds.
Councilmember Dietz commented that
would only leave them a couple of weeks to put together any studies,any
impacts,and everything that they are requiring.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Dietz asked if that is
why a lot of these are being eliminated.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Dietz commented he
does not have enough time to get the proper surveys and paperwork done.
why a lot of these are being eliminated.
stated that is correct.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated that is correct.He commented Health and Human Services Commissioner
Joyce Payne is in attendance,and that the commission did a wonderful job
during this process on very short notice.There were some excellent ideas
that they would like to see the city examine in more depth when we have more
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time.Staff would like to schedule this process again this fall so that we
can put all of these untimely ideas for this process back on the table for the
council to consider with any other projects at that time.
would be for next year.
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Dietz asked if that
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
Councilmember Dietz commented that
would be $300,000 per year,if you are chosen each year.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated that is correct.They would like to apply for this every year.
Mayor Coleman asked if there are
communities that are successful year after year.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated he had only received information on last year's cycle.They funded ten
communities last year,with Casa Grande being the largest community that was
funded.He does not know what happened in 2001.
Councilmember Waldron asked if any
money is spent before this grant is awarded.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated this and the regular CDBG funds are all on reimbursement.The city
spends the money,the expense is documented,they get the receipts,bill the
Department of Housing,and they reimburse us.
Councilmember Waldron commented the
funds are not spent until we learn that the project has been approved.
Grants. Specialist Roger Hacker
stated that is correct.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he was glad
to see that they would be more organized for next year,as far as getting
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these projects ready ahead of time and the those projects would be ready for
next year.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated they announced this cycle midway through staff trying to get the two
applications ready for the regular cycle this year.Staff scrambled,but they
thought this was too good of an opportunity to miss.
Vice Mayor Eck commented they would
be dealing with both of them next year,the bi-annual and this one.
Grants Specialist Roger Hacker
stated they will not be doing the b -Lannual.unt-i l 2005.
Mayor Coleman opened the public
hearing on the item.
Ms.Christy Johnson,representing
the Community Alliance Against Family Abuse,P.O.Box 3778.Apache Junction,
AZ 85217,addressed the council.She thanked them for the proposal put
before the council to purchase vans that would be distributed to social
service programs to better serve the low income clients.She understands the
time constraints make this not feasible at this time.Her organization will
continue to work with community partners to address the transportation issue.
She hopes this will come before the council again and hopes to gather their
support.
Mayor Coleman closed the public
hearing with no one else wishing to speak and reopened the item to council
discussion.
City Manager George Hoffman stated
they have a presentation on the mobile command unit for the council.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
gave a presentation on the mobile command unit.He commented i t is unusual
for the police department to be competing for this kind of funding as i t is
usually reserved for social services and public works projects.However,in
this case,because of time constraints and environmental impacts.i t seems
that this was a window of opportunity to address a long term need.The
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current vehicle is a 1985 tool truck converted for use as a Special Weapons
and Tactical Team van and as a mobile command post.It does not have sanitary
facilities and the air conditioning unit does not work very well.I t only has
the same radio as in the squad cars for communication equipment,and does not
have any bio-hazard showers or decontamination facilities.The work area is
only 2'X 3.5';it becomes very crowded.I t is used 24 to 30 times per year.
They have attempted to get grant funds in the past to upgrade the unit.I t is
estimated it will cost approximately $300,000 to purchase a new mobile command
post,which is clearly too much for the department budget.They would like to
utilize these grant funds.The project meets all the requirements and i t
would benefit the entire city.If it is not funded at this time,the chances
are it will never be funded.The equipment would give field officers
appropriate sanitary facilities to utilize in the field;they would have a
healthy environment to refresh themselves in an air conditioned area and a .
place out of the sun;it would facilitate necessary communication with other
agencies they work with that are on different frequencies;it would facilitate
command and control of large scale operations and crime scene investigations;
it could also be used as a temporary dispatch center in the event of a
malfunction of the current center or a quarantine situation.They would go
from an out-of-date,multi -use piece of equipment that is only marginally
effective to a modern,state-of-the-art vehicle that will service the
community's needs now and in the future.He showed the different options
available on the unit.
Councilmember Waldron asked if they
could equip the unit shown for $300.000.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated they could.They could well equip the vehicle.The chassis shown is
$132,000,and then you add all the other equipment that you need.
Councilmember Waldron asked if there
was any money available .through the homeland security that was voted on.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated not as of yet,and they have had no clear indication that the money
would be forthcoming.Pinal County received an award for $2.8 million county-
wide to be spent on updating communications.
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Councilmember Waldron commented he
did not realize they are unable to communicate with Mesa or Maricopa County.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated the Mesa helicopters have the radios they would like to have in the
command post,and they have been able to communicate with them.That is how
they communicated to Mesa and other law enforcement agencies during the most
recent Amber Alert.There are no direct communications.Our dispatch can
telephone their dispatch,who then notify the cars,who send their information
back to their dispatch,who relay that information to our dispatch,and vice
versa.I t is an arduous situation.Communication is the most critical aspect
in these situations.
Councilmember Insalaco asked if the
mobile command center would be separate from the SWAT van.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated it would.
Councilmember Insalaco asked if this
would be used as the SWAT van.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated it would not.They will use the current vehicle for the SWAT van.
City Attorney Joel Stern recommended
stated it would.
would be used as the SWAT van.
they reopen the public hearing.
Mayor Coleman reopened the public
hearing on the item.
Mr.Michael Weller,471 W.21st
Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council.He commented the fire
department deals with hazmat,and asked why the police department would need
hazmat in their vehicle.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated the fire department does maintain responsibility for hazmat response,
however,police officers are the first responders and will be there first in
any hazmat incident and those exposed will need to be decontaminated.
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JULY 1,2003
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Mr.Louis Babin,2191 S.Belair,
Apache Junction,addressed the council.He asked if the officers would be
going inside the vehicle to a decontamination area.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated the decontamination area would be outside of the vehicle.They would
not want to bring any contaminants into the vehicle.
Mr.Louis Babin asked how many
different chassis models and options they have.
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
stated they discovered several different companies with several different
models on an Internet search this afternoon.They are very flexible.
Mayor Coleman closed the public
hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened the item to council
discussion.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he would
never have thought of this,however,there was a fire across from his house
and while talking to the officer on traffic control.Mesa brought their mobile
command unit in to help.I t had everything,and that is when he learned
Apache Junction did not have one.He thinks i t is a necessity for this
community.He commented the CAAFA people should stay prepared for next year's
funds as it will be a great opportunity.
Councilmember Waldron thanked
Christy for coming forward and doing that as the council realized they would
have had some vans sitting around with no place to go.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT
STAFF BE GIVEN THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION REGARDING FISCAL YEAR 2003 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT STATE SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND PROPOSED PROJECTS:MOBILE
POLICE COMMAND UNIT.
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Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Coleman called for a ten
minute break.
Mayor Coleman reconvened the
meeting.
DEVELOPMENT FEE REQUEST FROM MR.JOE
SEVERS FOR A FEE WAIVER AT 264 NORTH
VISTA
)City Attorney Joel Stern stated
the council will be quasi-judicial officers for this item.They will sit as
judges in this administrative proceeding.The city will present its position
with Mr.Powell bringing forth any witnesses and he will give a presentation
which will be evidence.Mr.Severs will have the same opportunity,including
providing any documentation for evidence.All witnesses shall be sworn in by
the city clerk.There is also a public hearing portion on this,and they do
not have to be sworn in.It would be simpler if all were sworn in at the same
time at the beginning of the proceeding.A court reporter is present to take
down the testimony of all the witnesses and questions asked by the council.
The transcript will be the record for this proceeding if it goes any further
than this.After the public hearing,council will ask Mr.Powell and Mr.
Severs for any final comments.Council will then discuss the case.I f
additional questions are taken or asked afterwards,he recommended they reopen
the hearing to allow them to rebut anything said.Following the discussion,
the council will vote.
.Vice Mayor Eck asked if the
applicant had been advised of this procedure.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated Mr.
Severs is here tonight,he. filed:the application and he believes he was
informed of the hearing.He has the opportunity to bring forth witnesses or
hire an attorney to do it.'
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Vice Mayor Eck commented this is
very different.
Mayor Coleman commented they have
had development fee appeals before,but they have not gone through this formal
a process.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated i f
Mr.Severs request is turned down,there are appellate remedies.He could go
to Superior Court.He would have to file a certain complaint and a record has
to be kept.He recommends the court reporter for the record,plus they have
the tape.There have been other cases where they have had the tape but the
tape malfunctioned,causing s new trial to be issued.The judge actually sat
as the jury.With the court reporter taking down each word,there would not
be a new trial at that level.I t is based on what the judge reads.
Mayor Coleman requested all those to
be called as witnesses to stand in order for the city clerk to swear them in.
City Attorney Joel Stern asked them
to identify themselves for the court reporter.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly swore
in all the witnesses for the proceeding.
Mayor Coleman requested Interim
Assistant City Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell to present
his evidence.
City Attorney Joel Stern commented
there should not be any cross talk as i t is difficult for the court reporter
to take down two or three people saying things at the same time.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell commented he is the there
as the development fee administrator for the City of Apache Junction.He
looked to staff to assist him in this process.Staff's report consists of an
overview of the appeal process,the history of the property,development fee
function,its purposes,and how the decision was arrived at.He gave a brief
overview of the appeal process.Mr.Severs has submitted a letter requesting
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JULY 1,2003
PAGE 14 OF 45
a waiver of a development fee in the amount of $2,527 for a single family
dwelling unit.The history on this property begins in 1988 with a permit
issued for a 25'X 40'accessory storage building that was never completed.
Mr.Severs did not own the property at this time.Required inspections were
not performed.In 1991 a permit was issued for a light storage building with
no evidence of inspections on it.In 2001 code.compliance received a
complaint of people living in an illegal structure.The building was declared
a dangerous building.Mr.Severs then purchased the property and is proposing
to develop an existing structure from a non -dwelling unit to a dwelling unit.
The development fee function is there to offset the impact of growth.These
fees were enacted in 1997 to have growth pay for itself.They are a
proportionate share of the anticipated impact for the types of facilities for
which. the fees are charged.The funds will pay for capital facilities.Staff
asked themselves what is the existing structure.I t lacks plumbing and a
kitchen:i t is an accessory structure being converted to a dwelling unit by
adding these.Staff is required to execute what is in the ordinance,and this
permit "triggered"a single family dwelling unit development fee.The
development fee ordinance allows for individuals to remodel or add on to an
existing single family residence,such as adding on a room,and not having a
development fee added.
Mayor Coleman opened the item to
questions of Mr.Powell by council or Mr.Severs.
Mr.Joe Severs commented the last
item mentioned by Mr.Powell was that you are allowed to add on or do room
additions to single family dwelling units and not pay the fees.He asked what
happens if the fees have never been paid in the past.He was told any new
development,such as a room addition or a garage,he has to pay the
development fees if they have never been paid in the past.Tonight he is
saying you do not have to.There seems to be confusion.He asked for an
explanation.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated they look at the
current existing structure.If the land use is changing,then they would
implement and ask for a development fee.He believes they do not ask for a
development fee on an existing structure that is added on to and has never
paid a development fee.They do not ask for a development fee unless that
property has been vacated for more than a.year.
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JULY 1,2003
PAGE 15 OF 45
Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated that is his understanding.The building in
question was first constructed in 1988 and was never originally permitted as a
dwelling unit.It was a garage with a room on top.There had been a mobile
home on the property which was the main dwelling.The mobile home was removed
5 or 6 years ago.The property had no primary building but had an accessory
structure on it.There have never been any development fees paid on the
property,just permit fees.Mr.Severs current request is to establish a
dwelling unit on the property by converting the accessory structure into a
dwelling unit.The property has..not had a dwelling unit in over.5 years.
This is considered the establishment of a new dwelling unit which is subject
to the current development fee schedule.
Mayor Coleman commented there were
two building permits issued on the structure but it was never completed.He
asked if there is an expiration time on those building permits.He assumes
they have both expired without the structure being completed.
Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated that is correct.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell asked what the dates were
on those. '
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated they were issued in 1988 and expired by limitations by six months of no
work being perforMed.A letter was written by the city in 1990 to the owner
at the time that they were in violation of their permit as they had not
finished the structure.He believes they had been trying to live in i t
because i t does appear from his findings that the mobile home that was there
burned down in 1990.It has apparently been 13 years since a primary
residence has been there.The permit in 1991 would have expired in six
months.
Mayor Coleman asked if the last time
someone legally lived on the property was 1991.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated he believed the last time anyone legally lived there was between 1989
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 16 OF 45
and 1991,probably 1990.The 1989 permit showed the mobile home on it,the
1991 permit does not.
Mayor Coleman asked if a building
permit was issued in 1991 without a primary residence on the property.
Building Official Dennis Dixon •
stated i t appears one was issued for work to be done on the second story of
this garage.
Mayor Coleman asked if they normally
issue a permit if there is no primary structure on the property.
stated they do not.
done with this property.
stated someone did it.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
Mayor Coleman commented that it was
Building Official Dennis Dixon
Mayor Coleman stated the ordinance
has a section stating that for an addition or to remodel or replace existing
structures or for a change of use to an existing structure,the development
fee to be paid shall be the difference,if any,between the fee,if any,that
would be payable for existing development on the site or,in the case of
demolition or removal of a structure,the previous development on the site,
provided that the demolition or removal has occurred within one year of the
date of submittal of application for which development fees are assessed,and
the fee,if any,that would be payable for the total development on the site
after the new development.It would be the difference between those two
things.He asked what the purpose of the one year time limitation was.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated he asked the
consultant that question and he stated i t is not tied to anything and was the
priority of the council.It can be changed at council's desire.He did not
know the rationale.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 17 OF 45
Mayor Coleman commented i t is a
common number.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell agreed.The consultant
stated he had seen some at 3 years and at 5 years.
Mayor Coleman asked if anyone had
questioned the one year time limit.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated there are about 6
per year.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated that would be the maximum.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated that would be in
the city who have a situation similar to this where they would wonder about
that year.In all of those cases they were able to show that people had lived
on that property within that time frame and development fees were not
assessed.
Mayor Coleman commented so they went
from a structure that had inhabitants,to one without inhabitants,so there
really was not any growth in the population.In this case,you are telling
the council that i t is going from an uninhabitable building,at least since
1990,to a building that is inhabitable,going from no residents to some
residents,which does have an impact on the community's infrastructure.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated that is correct.
Mayor Coleman asked if they would be
setting precedence with a decision that is made here.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated they
would not:i t is fact specific for this case.If there is interest in
changing the ordinance,that could be done at another hearing.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 18 OF 45
Mayor Coleman asked if people who
have paid this fee could seek a refund if this is changed from one year to
three years later.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated they
could not as there would be no retroactivity.If they grant Mr.Severs his
relief,the people who have paid in the past would have no recourse against
the city.
affect that at all.
is correct.
this property.
Mayor Coleman commented it would not
City Attorney Joel Stern stated that
Mayor Coleman added i t is just for
City Attorney Joel Stern stated that
is correct.They did not appeal their decision and they did not exhaust their
administrative remedies,therefore,they are out of luck.
Mayor Coleman asked if it would have
some impact from this point forward.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated
people may hear about the decision and come forward to appeal,however,the
council can change the one year to whatever they like.That would have to be
done in a separate public hearing with a new ordinance that amends the
development fee ordinance.
Councilmember Waldron asked what the
intent of the ordinance was regarding changes to property such as an existing
structure that is a residence and that a residence will go on that property.
I t seems the intent that if there is a substantial change that will impact the
infrastructure of the city,that is what the fee is intended to do.He asked
what kind of impact to the city's infrastructure there is if a current
resident buys a piece of property in the city and does a similar situation but
is already a resident.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 19 OF 45
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell commented,using as
example the commercial side,that there are different categories of land uses
from retail to a movie theater and if someone wanted to change that land use
and remodel,going from retail to a movie theater,then that difference is the
variance they would ask for.That is the intent on commercial.On
residential,someone may have paid development fees when they moved into a
mobile home park,and then they vacate that spot and move into the community.
They are not adding impact,but the space they vacated will eventually be
full,though their new amount on the system needs to be paid by them.He sees
that happening here.They have a resident that is here,but they are getting
a dwelling unit that never had residents.I t is now getting residents and
triggering a development fee.
Mayor Coleman commented it would be
as if he had moved into a brand new subdivision,vacating the home he is
currently living in.He would have to pay the impact fee on the new home
because someone else will move into his house.He,therefore,is having an
impact on the population base.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated that is correct.
If someone moves into the home within a year,they do not have to pay
development fees.If they come in after a year after no one has been living
there,then they do.
Mayor Coleman commented if he sold
his house and no one moved in for more than a year then that person would have
to pay development fees.
Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated they are talking structures.
Mayor Coleman stated i t is not a use
change.
Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated the house is already there.In the case of a
mobile home,you sell or move your mobile home,tO',a new property.That
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY I ,2003
PAGE 20 OF 45
property is now vacant and a new structure would go on there.If the house is
already there,whether i t is vacant or not,there would be no fee.
Mayor Coleman stated i t is not the
structure,i t is the use.
Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated that is correct.
Mayor Coleman stated there would be
no fee on that sale of his house even if it was not occupied for over a year
since the use did not change.They are questioning the use of this property.
Vice Mayor Eck commented their
actions were appropriate.However,he believes they need to look at this
ordinance,especially the one year thing.It appears the use of this property
was at one time residential.Someone lived on this property.
Councilmember Milkey commented even
if the development fee ordinance was a ten year,it would still trigger the
development fee in this case.He asked them to define new development.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated i t is any change in
what is being proposed as a land use from whatever i t is to something else.
Councilmember Milkey commented this
structure exists and was declared a dangerous building at one point.The
structure is not new,but i t has never been a dwelling unit.I t has no
plumbing or kitchen or residents living there that contribute and impact our
infrastructure.I t is considered new development because now we are looking
at an upgrade to a dwelling structure that will have residents that will
impact our infrastructure.I t is therefore considered new development.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to thefity Manager Bryant'PoWell stated that is how he
believes it would be determined under the current ordinance.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 21 OF 45
Mayor Coleman asked Mr.Severs if he
had any additional questions of Mr.Powell or Mr.Dixon.Mr.Severs declined
any more questions.Mayor Coleman requested he proceed with his evidence.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he understands
the development fees and agrees with them on new development.They help pay
for our library,schools and parks and recreation.He does not feel they
apply in this situation.This was a residential property;people were living
on i t at one time.The building was never a legal residence,but he knows
that over 30 people were living in it at one time with illegal sewer draining
out into a hole in the ground and :illegal plumbing.They buried a generator
in the ground so they would have electricity.After they were evicted,it was
sold to a bunch of druggies with 18 people living there at one time.Since
then,there have been gangs and vagrants living on this property.He is
changing the use by improving it to a decent place to live in the
neighborhood.He was not informed that he could have witnesses here or he
would have brought them.All the people in the neighborhood wanted to come
and talk because he is improving the neighborhood.Mr.Powell gave him the
development fee ordinance and the second paragraph stated the fees are
assessed on new development based on the square footage and number of units.
There is nothing new;i t is the same building that has been there for 17
years.The square footage is not being changed,nor are the number of units.
He is only finishing what someone started years ago.He believes the
confusion results from new development.However,he had it explained to him
that it was not new development,but new impact.His mother-in-law was
recently diagnosed with a heart condition and she moved in with them for the
past one -and -a -half months,already creating an impact on the city.However,
she is not changing the impact on the city if she moves out to her own
residence within the city.He does not believe it will be impacting the city
if someone moves into his old house that is now vacant.He believes a $2,500
development fee to finish a 17 -year -old building and move an elderly woman
into i t in order to take care of her is not right.He is improving and
cleaning up the neighborhood.He has already hauled 8 dump trucks of trash
off of the property,4 tons on trailers.
Councilmember Milkey stated they are
stuck on the new development.The new development is going from non -dwelling
unit to dwelling unit.Mr.Severs is stating he is only trying to finish
something started 17 years ago.If that were the case,he would be finishing
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 22 OF 45
an accessory building,not a residential home.That is what is triggering the
development fee.
Mr.Joe Severs stated the permit
that was issued in 1991 states in the inspection reports that the building is
not for habitation.The permit was issued for a dwelling.I t states that the
bottom level is for a workshop,hobby shop and garage.The permit that was
issued was for a residence as there was no residence on the property.There
is a little confusion over what it was issued for.There is also the time
limit situation.He does not feel that he is changing the use of the
building.It was added onto as a residence at one point in time.There was
also a setback situation so it was considered a secondary building.He had
the land surveyed and i t is legal to be a residence.He believes that is why
the permit was issued in 1991 with no other dwelling on the property.You
cannot have any secondary structure until a primary structure is there.There
was no primary structure there in 1991 when the permit was issued:therefore
he believes this was the primary residence.He does not know if he is
changing the use of the building.
Councilmember Sippel asked if he had
money put aside to make this building better.
Mr.Joe Severs stated that is
correct.
Councilmember Sippel stated when he
went by there were boards on the lower windows and a couple of windows were
missing from the top.He asked if there was money set aside to make sure the
window structures are in and i t is painted.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he has
drawings of what the building will look like.It will be the same structure,
but it will have dual -paned insulated windows,new steel security doors,new
paint and a new roof.
COundlmember Sippel asked if he had
ample money set aside t6 make that aji,Vabig:area.
Mr.Joe Severs stated that he does.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 23 OF 45
Councilmember Sippel commented there
was a rusted electrical box out front.
Mr.Joe Severs stated i t is non-
functional.
Councilmember Sippel asked if there
is another electrical box on the side of the house.
was a rusted electrical box out front.
functional.
Mr.Joe Severs stated there is a,..
subpanel inside the structure and the panel with 40 amp service is on the
pole and will be replaced with a new 200. 'amp service.He cannot do that until
he gets permission to do it..
Councilmember Sippel commented the
houses across the street were elevated as they are presumably in a flood area.
This structure is not.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he found out
about that situation after he purchased the land.The original mobile home
site is in the flood zone.He was told that if he brings his mother-in-law's
mobile home over here to put on the property,that i t has to be elevated 4
feet.He has the original land surveys,the flood surveys,and the existing
structure is not in the flood zone because of how far back i t sets.I t is
legal to be there.
Councilmember Sippel stated he was
concerned that all this money would be put into i t and we get a big rain and
i t fills up and floods the bottom level.
Mr.Joe Severs stated the building
is legal to be there according to the flood survey.I t is out of the flood
zone.
Councilmember Sippel asked if he had
a copy of what the building will look like when i t is finished.Mr.Severs
showed him a sketch.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated Mr.
Severs can introduce any evidence he wants,and that includes this document.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 24 OF 45
Councilmember Sippel •asked how many
square feet the building would be as i t looks gigantic.
sq.ft downstairs and 1,000 sq.ft upstairs.
bigger than that.
Mr.Joe Severs stated i t is 1,000
Councilmember Sippel stated i t looks
Mr.Joe Severs stated i t is just a
sketch of the existing structure and what he intends for it to look like when
i t is done.
Councilmember Sippel asked again i f
he had ample money set aside to complete the project.
Mr.Joe Severs stated at the time of
the appeal he did not have enough money when he applied for the permits.He
only had about $4,000 set aside and he could not get his permits for that:he
arranged other things.
Councilmember Sippel asked if the
mother-in-law is living with them now and will be living with them there.
Mr.Joe Severs stated that is
correct.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he had
stated earlier that he would have had witnesses if he had known about the
procedure.He asked if he knew what was going on tonight.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he knew he
could appeal the decision to the city council and the mayor,and that it had
to be in writing,which he did at the last meeting.He did not know anything
else.He did not know he could bring witnesses and he did not know it would
be this procedure.
notified about tonight's process.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 25 OF 45
Vice. Mayor Eck asked if he was
Mr.Joe Severs stated he was not.
Mayor Coleman asked if he knew it
was a public hearing.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he thought i t
would be like every other meeting that they had been having.
Mayor Coleman asked again if he knew
it was a public hearing.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he did.
Vice Mayor Eck asked how much he has
invested in this in the way of permits.
Mr.Joe Severs stated i t has a 1,050
gallon septic tank already there that has been certified.He believes he has
about $2,800 into the property right now.
Vice Mayor Eck asked what fees he
already had into the property.
Mr.Joe Severs stated it will cost
him $3,300 to get the permits to start this building,of which $2,500 is the
development fee.The permit fee has been paid for this building twice
already:he is paying for a building that is already there.They figured that
the building was 45% constructed so they took 45% of the fees off.The
building is not a dangerous structure;it was considered one because i t never
had a final inspection.
Councilmember Milkey asked Dennis i f
he had been in the building recently .anitwhat its status was.He is concerned
about thecity's position when atuilding permit is taken out but the
inspections are not done.He asked"what the.city's recourse would be in
making that or condemning the building,, forcing it to either be permitted and
inspected or torn down.-
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated by definition the inspections are required in the code.If they are
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 26 OF 45
not done,i t automatically becomes a defective and dangerous building whether
i t is dangerous or not.In this case some of the documentation from previous
people stated i t has some overspanned beams,lateral bracing problems and
'other issues.I t is a public nuisance with the windows broken out.That
allows it to be considered a dangerous building.I t has been considered a
dangerous building and Mr.Severs is right in that people have been going in
and out of it over a period of years.I t has been a constant code compliance
and police issue.Currently,Mr.Severs came in and discussed his idea and
showed him some preliminary sketches.There is a considerable distance to go
in order to take this structure to a habitable building.Mr.Severs is
stating he has a new survey.The survey staff was working off of showed the
structure does not meet the setbacks for a dwelling.He has yet to make a
permit application,so his memory is based on a discussion he had with him at
the counter several months ago.Regarding the one year limit for the
development fees,he thinks the theory behind that limit was that it was
assumed the fees would have been in place for some time,such as ten years,
and they would have been collecting fees for some time with things supporting
themselves.Once the dwelling was abandoned for a certain period of time,his
opinion is the theory behind that is you become able to collect that fee to
make up for the period of time that it was never collected prior to that.I t
is a way of playing catch up.
Mayor Coleman commented he finds i t
hard to believe that we have six of these a year,with a structure that has
been abandoned,illegally inhabited,and with people who want to come in and
make i t a useful building.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated they do not see six of those a year;they see people who have abandoned
their property for a year or have taken away a manufactured home,or they have
sold i t and someone else wants to put one on there,so they go through the
process of either proving or disproving i t has been vacant.
Mayor Coleman stated there would be
no structure there at all.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated that is correct.This one is black and white.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 27 OF 45
Councilmember Sippel stated this one
is very unique.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated i t is unique only in the fact that the primary structure is gone which,
the way they read the ordinance,it makes it clear that there is no principal
dwelling there which makes the impact.Now we are attempting to turn what has
been an illegal building for 13 years into a dwelling.To get to that point
is an unknown at this point as to whether that is possible.
Councilmember Waldron commented
about a June 27,2001,letter from Code Compliance Supervisor Robert Mayes
which states on page 3 that the property is in a Zone A flood plain according
to the flood plain map and any building would have to have a certificate of
elevation.The certificate must be site specific and certifying that the
building floor level is one foot above flood level as required by law.He
asked if he knew if that building meets that certification.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated from what he has been able to determine with Mr.Severs,with his
survey,a surveyor has determined that this building does meet the elevation
requirement.On that same survey,the setback indicates that the building
does not meet the setbacks for a dwelling.
Councilmember Waldron asked if it
has a flood plain certificate issued.
Building Official Dennis Dixon
stated there is one issued for the accessory building.
Mayor Coleman asked Mr.Severs if he
understands why staff took the position that they took.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he understood
it was because of the char* of use and impact to the community.The impact
to the community does not apply as the person is already residing in this •
community.He added council has been told there are no inspection records on
this building,and there is..He has the inspection permits for the .
foundation,footings,concrete .pads,fr,am-tg,laiyand stucco and they have all
been passed.It was inspected up to the electrical and plumbing and was ready
to go into the dry wall and finish work.;I
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
•PAGE 28 OF 45
inspections were by city staff.
Mayor Coleman asked if the
Mr.Joe Severs stated they were.
Mayor Coleman commented there is a
note stating his original intent was to use this as a garage.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he was going
to move his mother-in-law's mobile home onto the property in the front where
the mobile home used to be and use the accessory building as a garage.
Because of the flood plain,to move her mobile home onto the property would
cost him about $40,000.They would actually be buying a newer mobile home,
not bringing her old one.They are looking at half of that to finish this
building.The building is legal to be there and is structurally sound.He
has a list from the city on corrections that need to be made and he can make
those corrections.
Mayor Coleman asked when the setback
requirements come into play in the process.
Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated this is a GR zone.You typically need 40'
front and rear yard setbacks and 20'side yard setbacks.The setbacks are
different for an accessory structure.If it is not used for a barn,i t needs
to be 60'from the front property line and 4'on the sides and rear.He
assumes that is why that building was not built at a residential setback as i t
started out as a garage.
Mayor Coleman asked what would be
the process to ask for setback relief if a person has a property where part of
i t is in a flood plain.
•Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated the Board of Adjustment would handle a variance
request in a case where there is something physically cumbersome with the
land.Arizona law is very tough on variances;you generally can only get
variances on a property when there is something wrong with the land that is
not wrong with other properties in the neighborhood,such as a wash through
the property,i t is on a hillside,or you have a rock problem.Mr.Severs
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 29 OF 45
property may qualify for a variance if the flood zone is the constraint and i f
the accessory building is converted into the main building.
Mayor Coleman commented that is
really separate from what they are discussing here.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated that
is correct.The variance issue is not a development fee issue.
Mr.Joe 'Severs commented a structure
of this size as a secondary unit has side yard setbacks of 15'.Smaller units
less than 7'or 10'X 12"can be 4'from the property line.The old survey
showed there were originally 4 lots owned by one man,and he gave one of his
daughters one lot and decided to sell another one,whereupon they threw up a
fence.The fence is 14'2"onto his property.The new survey shows the
building is in the legal setback area.I t is 20'1"away from the side yard
property line.He does not know why it was built there or where they measured
it from.I t appears they measured 15'from the fence line when they built the
building.
Interim Development Services
Director Rudy Esquivias stated they must have been going off of the old
survey.
Councilmember Waldron asked to see
the survey.
Councilmember Sippel asked him if he
wanted to see the blueprints and the sketch.He passed them around for the
remainder of the council to view.
Mayor Coleman asked if anyone had
any additional questions of Mr.Severs.There were no further questions.
Mr.Joe Severs stated he appreciated
the council's consideration of this.
Mayor Coleman opened the public
hearing on the item.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 30 OF 45
Mr.Michael Weller,471 W.21st
Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council.It appears to him that Mr
Severs is trying to turn a blighted building into a dwelling that will pay
taxes.He believes they should bend over backwards to help him.
Mayor Coleman closed the public
hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He asked Mr.Powell if he had any
final comments.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated he did not.
had any final comments.
Mayor Coleman asked Mr.Severs if he
Mr.Joe Severs stated he did not.
Mayor Coleman opened the item to
council discussion.He sees a real difference between this case and others
where the structure is demolished or moved and a year lapses,with someone
else coming in with a new structure,because the land is vacant.There is
some anticipation that what would be going in on there would be something new,
hence new development.In this case,and i t is specific to this case,you
have a structure that has been inhabited illegally for a long time and has
been a source of problems for the community.He had a hard time believing
that we had five or six cases a year that were like this that never made i t
this far.
Councilmember Waldron stated the
definition of new development concerns him.He is not clear on what i t is
other than there is desert out there that is leveled off and buildings are
built.He is also concerned about the intent,especially in this situation.
We have a blighted building with a resident who wishes to improve the
property.I t seems the impact is minimal or nonexistent,even though someone
could move into his vacated house.They would not collect fees on the latter
building because i t is already there.He has a problem with the way the
ordinance is written.I t is a burden and a penalty on someone who wants to
improve a property.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 31 OF 45
Councilmember Dietz agreed with them
both.He does not see the impact on the city.The mother-in-law is now
living with them.He believes they also need to look at the timeline on the
ordinance.
Councilmember Sippel commented there
seems like there was more trouble in the past on that property than there will
be in the future.The impact will be less than what i t has been in the city.
Councilmember Milkey commented based
on the language of the ordinance it was cut and dry.The development fee was
applied,that triggered the staff response.Fortunately they do have an
appeal process.
Councilmember Insalaco agreed with
all of the above.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he agreed
with most of them.He thinks this situation is unique:in six years he has
never been a quasi-judicial board.He thinks it goes to the ordinance and i t
is cut and dry in there.He believes the ordinance needs to be looked at and
changed.Staff did exactly what they were supposed to do,and they should not
feel that a decision to relieve these fees is against them.They followed the
ordinance.He feels that the city's philosophy should be if someone is trying
fix up a blighted area,that the city is discouraging them if the development
fee is applied.This property was a dump.The development fee discourages
fixing up those blighted properties and should not be applied on this.They
need to look at the policy and change it to avoid going through this process
again.
There was general discussion about
the policy being in effect since 1997 and the one year limitation.
Mayor Coleman stated he does not
believe the ordinance is that bad.He believes the one year requirement is
totally appropriate if it is a major change in use.If a larger home was
changed to a bed and breakfast,i t should apply.
Vice Mayor Eck agreed.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 32 OF 45
Mayor Coleman commented if they have
a structure that was moved or completely demolished and a year passed,i t
creates the expectation that a development fee would need to be paid.If a
structure already exists,one would assume that i t is a structure that could
be renovated without the fee.That is what this process is for,for something
that is as particular as this one.He does not anticipate their seeing a lot
of these in the near future.
Vice Mayorjck commented he agreed•
as i t is general rural and is staying general rural.If it was a rezoning and
they were creating another ldt,or multi -family it would also apply.
Councilmember Waldron commended
staff for doing exactly what the ordinance says they were to do.I t speaks
well of staff for this tough decision.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT THE
DEVELOPMENT FEE APPEAL REQUEST FOR A WAIVER FROM MR.JOE SEVERS FOR THE
PROPERTY AT 264 NORTH VISTA ROAD WITH A DEVELOPMENT FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,527.00 BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
Mayor Coleman called for a ten
minute break.
Mayor Coleman reconvened the
meeting.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 33 OF 45
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS TO BE
SUBMITTED TO THE LEAGUE OF ARIZONA CITIES
AND TOWNS RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
)Mayor Coleman commented there are
resolutions in the packet from discussions held at the June 16 work session.
He listed the three resolutions that had been discussed.He stated he has had
other municipal officials tell him they are doing other things to make sure
that the development impact on the schools has been taken care of,whether i t
be by voluntary donation,per house,or some other way.He would not like to
go the route of a resolution until staff has looked at what other communities
are doing by way of intergovernmental agreements with their school districts.
He sees i t as a very tough sell to that group.He feels they need to have
something in place beforehand to show that they have looked at other options.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked
if he was suggesting not submit this.
Mayor Coleman stated that is
correct.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
there is not enough time for staff to look at it and bring it back.
if he was suggesting not submit this.
correct.
Mayor Coleman stated he is
suggesting that we not submit this one:that we look at the options some of
the other communities are doing,such as Queen Creek,Glendale,and the whole
west side.
Vice Mayor Eck commented he agreed
with the mayor.He feels if it was adopted by state law all cities would
follow the same policies.Currently all cities are doing their own internal
lobbying with their school districts.He wishes the criteria were all the
same and there would be no more lobbying.
Mayor Coleman agreed with the vice
mayor.This affects the large developers,but not the small ones.Our school
district was able to get donations for Peralta Elementary School from the
county.He would also like to see the city have something comparable to that.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 34 OF 45
He would like to see a resolution allowing an approved bidders list,similar
to what school districts currently are allowed to use in their process for
capital facilities.
Interim Assistant City -
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated Ray Del Zotto
mentioned in a staff meeting Construction procurement on school buildings.
They .now have the ability to select who they want to interview from a selected
amount of firms,pick those that they like,and those firms then bid on the
project.They then take the lowest bid fromrthoe firms.
,Mayor Col man cmmented that they
would not have to put a firm on the list that has 4 complaints with the
registrar of contractors.
Mr.Ray Del Zotto stated i t is not
open to the public.
Vice Mayor Eck commented i t is in
effect a request for qualifications list.He asked if they are only allowed
to go lowest bidder at this time.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell, stated on the hard bid
scenario you use the lowest bid.That is what happened today.
Mayor Coleman stated that is what
they are allowed to do.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to, the City Manager Bryant Powell stated there are other
ones.There is design build, and construction manager. risk;they were talked
about during the beginning of the city hall process.
Councilmember Sippel asked if they
would take the lowest bidders out of those that we said were qualified,and
then they would take the lowest bidder out of those;those would be taken from
a selected group that can bid whereas we currently open i t up to anybody.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 35 OF 45
City Attorney Joel Stern stated i t
would be similar to what architects and engineers are allowed.The city
currently has a list of who they can use and they interview them once a year
and pick who they want to use.If they cannot come to an agreement on price,
it goes to the next person on the list.
Mayor Coleman asked if this would be
for construction only.
Interim Assistant City
Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell stated that is correct.
He asked Ray Del Zotto if this would be for vertical and horizontal
construction.
Mayor Coleman requested Mr.Del
Zotto address the council.
Mr.Ray Del Zotto,3861 W.Elgin
Street,Chandler,addressed the council.Procurement of contracting services
has always been on a low bid basis in Arizona until recently.A couple of
years ago the legislature allowed alternatives to the low bid process,one of
which was construction manager risk and design build,as well as job order
contracting.Those alternatives allow public entities to select the highest
qualified contractor to perform their construction,but the method of
delivering the price is through negotiation.I t is one more alternative;all
the alternatives are best suited in certain situations.This alternative
would be a qualifications -based selection of a bidders list.You would ask
for contractors'qualifications,you would select the three to five highest
qualified firms,who would then bid the project with the contract being
awarded to the lowest bidder.I t has recently been enacted into law for K-12
school districts.
Mayor Coleman commented this is one
he thought they could go with.He asked for the council's opinion.The
consensus of the council was to go with this resolution.Mayor Coleman asked
if there were any others.He asked if they had the time to put i t into
resolution form.
:city Clerk .Kathleen Connelly stated
they would have to rely upon the:conStructfon experts.
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JULY 1,2003
PAGE 36 OF 45
Councilmember Sippel asked if there
was enough time.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
i t is due in final form in a week.The mayor also has to be comfortable in
making the arguments in front of the committee.
MayorColQman commented staff would
bring him up to speed on it.He then closed the discussion and called for a
motion..
Councilmember Milkey MOVED THAT WE
APPROVE THE RESOLUTION REGARDING THE FUNDING FOR THE ARSENIC STANDARDS,THE
HIGHWAY LANDSCAPING,THAT WE DROP THE FIRST ONE ON THE SCHOOL FEES,AND
INCLUDE ONE FOR THE BIDDERS LIST SIMILAR TO WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE
CURRENTLY ALLOWED TO USE.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
commented she had given them information earlier on another city who is going
to reintroduce the referendum issue.The council may wish to authorize the
mayor to sign off on it.
Vice Mayor Eck asked what the
referendum issue is.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
i t is to address the signature requirements.
Mayor Coleman asked who was
reintroducing it.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 37 OF 45
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
i t is Pinetop -Lakeside,but there are any number of cities willing to sign
off on it.
REAPPOINTMENTS/NEW APPOINTMENTS TO
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT,LIBRARY BOARD,PARKS
AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION
)City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
briefed the council on the item.Last night they interviewed applicants for
these boards and commissions.Five of the applicants did not attend the
interview session.Dan Austin thought the interview was tonight,and he has
already left.
Councilmember Sippel asked if all
the positions had to be filled tonight.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
they can fill some.If they do not have enough people,they can wait.
Vice Mayor Eck stated they could
wait if they felt they did not have enough qualified applicants.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
that is correct.I t is their choice.If they want some on the next agenda,
she needs to be informed so she can add it to that item.
Mayor Coleman asked for any other
questions or comments.
There was general discussion on some
of the applicants,which boards the council would like to see them on,how
many they would have to appoint to certain boards tonight,and how they would
appoint them.It was determined they would do one board and one position at a
time,
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 38 OF 45
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT DAN AUSTIN
BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2006.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT
CAROL URICH BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE
30,2006.
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Milkey SECONDED THE
Councilmember MIlkey MOVED THAT
JUDITH F.NEWMAN BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE
JUNE 30,2005.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
There was discussion on who this
applicant was and that she had stated she had wanted to find out more about
the other boards before being appointed to one other than the Library Board.
Vice Mayor Eck WITHDREW HIS SECOND.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
suggested Rudy Esquivias contact her and this be brought back at the July 15
meeting.
The council consensus was to leave
the position vacant and to bring this one back on July 15.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 39 OF 45
Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT
VIRGINIA FOAT BE APPOINTED TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,
2006.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Vice Mayor Eck MOVED THAT JOYCE
PAYNE BE APPOINTED TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2006.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Sippel MOVED THAT
THERESA NESSER BE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A TERM
TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2006.
Councilmember Waldron SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT PAT
RICHMOND BE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO
EXPIRE JUNE 30,2006.
Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 40 OF 45
The motion carried.
Vice Mayor Eck commented that
applicant Scott Bolmer could be on any board,but he believes he should be on
planning and zoning.He did not want him to be on parks and recreation also
as that would give them three people on those same two boards.
Councilmember Milkey MOVED THAT
VINCENT M.BARR BE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A TERM
TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2006.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT
THERESA NESSER BE APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A TERM
TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2006.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Milkey MOVED THAT
SCOTT BOLMER BE APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO
EXPIRE JUNE 30,2006.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED THAT
SHANE PHILLIPS BE APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A TERM
TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2004.
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JULY 1,2003
PAGE 41 OF 45
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Coleman commented they only
have one vacancy left.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated
they would bring back that vacancy on the Board of Adjustment on July 15.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED AGENDA ITEMS
There was general discussion on if the development fee ordinance should be
looked at.The consensus of the council was to leave i t until its next
scheduled review,as reviews are done every three years.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON OTHER PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR ACTIONS
None.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES,TIMES,LOCATIONS,AND PURPOSES
Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT AN
EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.AND WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M.BE HELD ON
MONDAY,JULY 14,2003,IN THE CITY CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
RESPECTIVELY;
AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY,JULY 15,2003,
IN THE CITY CONFERENCE ROOM.
Vice Mayor Eck SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 42 OF 45
Mayor Coleman commented Vice Mayor Eck filled in for him via video conference
for the Maricopa Association of Governments and they had a small red,yellow
and green light device on the speakers'podium.When the light is green,the
speaker has 2 minutes to speak,with one more minute on the yellow light and
they must stop when it turns red;They know how much time they have to talk.
Vice Mayor Eck commented it was very effective in that meeting,and it was a
very nice meeting,talking about the non -attainment area for the ozone.
Mayor Coleman added they are supporting the Maricopa Association of
Governments position as i t leaves Pinal County out.Other proposals are being
put forward that would put restrictions on our city,but he thinks Maricopa
County of Governments realizes most of the problem is generated in Maricopa
County and then drifts this way.
Mayor Coleman announced that he and Bryant Powell attended the Central Arizona
Association of Governments meeting in Payson.There was discussion on a
neighboring sewer system.
Mayor Coleman announced they would be having fireworks on the Fourth of July.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Coleman adjourned the
meeting at 9:58 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1.Acceptance of Agenda.
2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of June 17,2003.
3.Consideration of award of bid for Project No.PW 2003-10,Fuel,for FY
2003-04 to Supreme Oil Company for $0.8457 per gallon for diesel fuel and
$1.2051 per gallon for unleaded gasoline.
4.Consideration of award of bid for Project No.-PW,2003-09,Tires,for FY
2003-04 to Am-Pac,GCR Truck Tire Center,SUnState Equipment and Redburn
Tire Company for a combined total o-L$28A30.52 .;
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JULY 1,2003
PAGE 43 OF 45
5.Consideration of award of bid or rejecting all bids and rebidding the
project for Superstition Shadows Park Phase III PR 03-01.(This item was
continued from the June 17,2003 Council meeting.)
6.Consideration of award of bid to Tribune Newspapers to print
Citizen/Cityscape Community Magazine for FY 2003704 in an amount not to
exceed $30,000.
7.Consideration of award of bid to Apache junction News for display
advertising for Marketing Communications and supplemental legal advertising
for City Clerk's Department for FY 2003-04 in an amount not to exceed
$12,000.
8.Consideration of renewal of contract with Baker & Taylor,Inc.to purchase
books,audio-visual materials and related services for FY 2003-04 in an
amount not to exceed $136,015 annually.
9.Acknowledge receipt of the Annual Report of the Apache Junction Public
Library Board of Trustees for FY 2002-03.
10.Consideration of professional services agreement with Carroll Buracker &
Associates Inc.for an analysis of Public Safety Department operations in
the amount of $78,750.
ACCEPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF JULY ,2003,BY THE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 15TH DAY OF JULY ,2003.
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 44 OF 45
DOUGLAS C7LEMAN
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 July,2003.I further certify that
the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 9th day of July,2003.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1,2003
PAGE 45 OF 45