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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-04 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 4,2003 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona,was held on February 4,2003,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 Vice Mayor Surra gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Dietz led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman Vice Mayor Surra Councilmember Dietz Councilmember Durbala Councilmember Eck Councilmember Milkey Councilmember Urich Staff Present:City Manager George Hoffman Interim Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern -Public Safety Ditettor Robert Warner Public Works Director Doug Dobson '-Interim Development Svcs.Dir.Rudy Esquivias •Interim Assistant City Manager/Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 ' PAGE 1 OF 9 Others Present:Library Manager Spencer Paden ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Surra MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED EXCEPT FOR ITEMS 5 AND 6 WHICH I FEEL WE SHOULD MOVE TO THE AGENDA JUST AFTER PUBLIC HEARINGS UNDER NEW BUSINESS; AND THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY BY THE FOLLOWING CITY EMPLOYEES:BUSINESS LICENSE COORDINATOR TALEEN CARPENTER AND CITY CLERK KATHLEEN CONNELLY FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN THE LOST DUTCHMAN MARATHON EVENT;AND THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN TO USE THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS THROUGH JANUARY 16,2004,WITH VULCAN ALUMINUM,KORMAN SIGNS,INC. AND INTEPLAST GROUP,LTD.FOR SIGN BLANKS AND SHEETS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20,000. Councilmember Urich SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. AWARDS,PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS None. CALL TO THE PUBLIC • Mr.Mike Alltop,1059 S.Hilton Road,Apache Junction,addressed the council regarding his concern about children's safety for those who walk or ride their bikes to Thunder Mountain Middle School.A section of state land is being fenced off between Goldfield Road and the school and i t is forcing the kids to go along Goldfield Road when i t is dark in the morning instead of cutting through that land on paths already there.They will have to go up 16th Avenue along with all the buses and traffic.The only sidewalk is on the north side of 16th Avenue.I t is not a safe situation.Someone could get hurt or killed.Some lighted trails or bike paths need to be set up.He requested some walk gates be put in the fence to allow the kids to walk across the state land to get to and from school safely.The children can take the bus,but his REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 2 OF 9 child can walk to school in 10 minutes,ride his bike in 5 minutes,or take a bus and get there in an hour.He requested they do something to make i t safe for the kids. Mr.James Corning,1292 W.Tepee,Apache Junction,addressed the council regarding continuous yard sales occurring across the street from him for the past year.He complained there is no code officer working on weekends to check out these sales.He would like to see the police officers report these, but he has been told that code enforcement has to do it.This person has had yard sales 4 days in a row.He commented he has seen a truck bring a lot of stuff for sale,and showed pictures of the yard with all the things in back. He believes someone may have told him something as there has not been a yard sale for the past 2 days,but the guy in the truck brought a big box in there yesterday.He will probably have another one on Saturday and Sunday when no one is out to enforce it.He listed 10 dates from January 22 to February 2 when yard sales had taken place.Someone talked to him in a tractor Sunday and since then there have been no yard sales.He questioned if it was someone from the city or a friend telling him not to have the yard sales.He requested they straighten the code out and let the police officers report the sales.This would give enforcement for the whole year.He has so much in his yard he has to have a sale;he put up signs for new cell phones and he sold a new hot water heater and dolls in boxes.He has sale signs posted at Tepee and Ironwood and Tepee and Valley with the time he will be open.He gave descriptions on 2 vehicles bringing items in.He requested they get the weekend situation straightened out. Vice Mayor Surra requested Rudy getlhe information,from Mr.Corning and do an investigation of that as i t sounds like a business.She added the city business license section may want to check it out,also. ' Councilmember Milkey requested staff look into Mr.Alltop's concerns regarding the safety of Thunder Mountain Middle School students traveling to and from school;he suggested someone meet with the school district to have them look into providing a safer passage route. Councilmember Eck commented he disagreed with both items tonight.He suggested they look at access gates as a quick solution with something further down the road.He believes the situation in the neighborhood of Mr.Corning has already been addressed to some point recently. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 3 OF 9 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None. PUBLIC HEARINGS PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO.03-02,GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE MOBILE DATA TERMINALS )Public Safety Director Robert Warner briefed the council on the item.He commented this authorizes the city to accept some Local Law Enforcement Block Grant monies that have been allocated to the city in the amount of $23,076.An advisory board met to discuss and make a recommendation as to the appropriate usage of the funds. They recommended continuing to use the funds to purchase in -car computers for the patrol fleet.This will fund 3 additional units.The goal is to have the entire fleet with these units and they are halfway there.He requested the resolution be approved. 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 further discussion,he called for a motion. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.03-02,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,PERTAINING TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE SAFE COMMUNITIES,BE APPROVED. MOTION,, VOTE:Unanimous. The mbtion carried. OLD BUSINESS None. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 4 OF 9 Councilmember Milkey SECONDED THE ;• •t NEW BUSINESS APPOINTMENT OF QUALIFIED APPLICANT TO THE LIBRARY BOARD )Vice Mayor Surra commented council was impressed with all of the candidates that showed up for the interviews.I t seems they have more qualified people who are interested in serving.She believes the Citizens Leadership Institute has a lot to do with taking away the fear of serving on the boards and commissions, Councilmember Eck commented the candidates had incredible qualifications.He stated one of the candidates is already on a board.He thought the candidate who had been to the Citizens Leadership Institute with the fundraising background was incredibly strong. He would like that considered. Vice Mayor Surra commented she was impressed with Rhonda Jackson who is currently employed as a librarian.As we do a lot of interaction with the student population,she thought she would be a good match for the library board. Councilmember Dietz commented she also had a lot of grant and fundraising experience. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion and called for a motion. Councilmember Durbala MOVED THAT RHONDA JACKSON BE APPOINTED TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2004. MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. SELECTION OF NEW PLANNING AND ZONING . COMMISSIONER REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 5 OF 9 Vice Mayor Surra SECONDED THE )Vice Mayor Surra commented they were fortunate in the people who interviewed:She was impressed with Mr. Babin because he went so far as to find out other information regarding duties. and things about planning and zoning.• It was nice to see him do that on his own initiative.His interview also went well..She would like to propose his name. Councilmember Durbala commented he was an excellent candidate and answered all the questions.He seemed to know what was going on and he had been to the Citizens Leadership Institute. Councilmember Dietz commented he• also attended the Citizens Police Academy. Vice Mayor Surra stated he was also at the Town Hall and has been very active in keeping abreast on what is going on in the city.She MOVED TO PUT HIS NAME,LOUIS BABIN,TO BE APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30,2005. Councilmember Urich SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. Mayor Coleman thanked everyone for coming in and interviewing and hoped they could find places for them to serve, especially those for the Library Board.He commented Friends of the Library can always use help. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED AGENDA ITEMS None. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON OTHER PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR ACTIONS None. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 6 OF 9 SELECTION OF MEETING DATES,TIMES,LOCATIONS,AND PURPOSES Councilmember Durbala MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.AND A WORK SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 18,2003,IN THE CITY CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,RESPECTIVELY. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. INFORMATION AND REPORTS Vice Mayor Surra commented the Independent hosted the first candidate forum and there will be another one on February 19 hosted by the AJ News.She encouraged everyone to go. Mayor Coleman commented the Superstition Mountain Historical Society held their annual stew cook -off a week ago.He thought he and his wife had the best stew,but Pinal County Supervisor Sandie Smith'took first place. Councilmember Durbala announced that the Superstition Golf Tournament for Lost Dutchman Days with the funds going to youth programs will be held at Gold Canyon on Sunday and there is a $65 entry fee'.Contact,Hux at Mammoth Mines and Steakhouse for information. Mayor Coleman announced that the Renaissance Festival is now open. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Consent Agenda Items are as follows: 1.Acceptance of Agenda. 2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 21,2003. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 7 OF 9 3.Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Community by City Employees: Taleen Carpenter and Kathy Connelly. 4.Consideration of request to use Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) bid for the purchase of Sign Substrate Materials (Blanks and Sheets)in an amount not to exceed $20,000.(The vendors are Vulcan Aluminum,Korman Signs,Inc.,and Inteplast Group,Ltd.) 5.Consideration of appointment of qualified applicant to the Library Board for a term to expire June 30,2004. 6.Consideration of appointment of qualified applicant to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term to expire June 30,2005.(Applicants were interviewed at the January 21,2003 Council Work Session.) ACCEPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2003,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY ,2003. DOUGLAS COLEMAN Mayor ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 8 OF 9 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 4th day of February,2003.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 6th day of February,2003. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 4,2003 PAGE 9 OF 9