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Home My WebLink About2001-08-06 City Council Special MinutesCITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 6,2001 The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona,was held on August 6,2001,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. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman Vice Mayor Surra Councilmember Dietz Councilmember Durbala Councilmember Eck Councilmember Milkey Councilmember Urich Staff Present: Others Present: City Manager Curtis Shook Assistant City Manager George Hoffman City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Robert Warner City Engineer Ron Grittman Library Director Pam Loul Public Works Director Doug Dobson Development Services Director Dean Svoboda Assistant to the City Manager Bryant Powell Human Resources Director Sue Stalcup Grants Specialist Roger Hacker Library Manager Spencer Paden DISCUSSION ON FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 1 OF 6 YEAR 2001-2002 )City Manager Curtis Shook briefed the council on the item.The tentative budget has been published and this item will be followed by a public hearing on the final budget. Mayor Coleman opened the item to council discussion.There being no discussion,he closed the item and moved on to the public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001 -2002 )Mayor Coleman opened the public hearing on the item. Mr.Tom Schuelke,1889 S.Palo Verde,Apache Junction,addressed the council.He commented he had noticed the emergency clause and stated that doing the budget on the last possible date has got to stop.He is concerned about the forecast in sales tax revenues for this budget regarding the total revenues in construction dollars. He asked if they had a comment on the issue. Mr.John Howard,1615 S.Mountain View Road,Apache Junction,addressed the council on the Pinal County taxes. He also asked why the city was not appealing their loss in court on the school development fees to the United States Supreme Court. City Attorney Joel Stern stated the United States Supreme Court has no jurisdiction on the case. Mayor Coleman asked Mr.Howard to make all of his comments as he only has five minutes.He would answer Mr. Howard comments when he is finished. Mr.John Howard commented that his taxes are going up every year.With more people moving into the area,the tax base should go down. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 2 OF 6 Mayor Coleman closed the public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He explained to Mr.Howard that the city budget includes no property taxes.The taxes he is paying are to the school district,the county,the fire district,and the flood control district.The school district development fee was appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court and they refused to review it.The money collected has been returned to the homebuilders association and any individual who paid the fee directly to the city will have a letter sent to them explaining how they can contact the city for their refund.Only those people who live within the city limits were charged the fee.. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO. 01-17,ADOPTION OF FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001-2002 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY )Mayor Coleman called for any further discussion by the council.He commented they were raising the police uniform allowance from $750 to $1,000,placing them second only to Phoenix. He is concerned in that he has seen checks come across his desk for reimbursement of uniform allowance on items he questions are really part of the uniform,such as running shoes and silk ties.He asked Chief Warner i f $750 would be adequate. Public Safety Director Warner stated running shoes are now part of their uniform as corafam shoes are too hot in this heat.Officers required to wear plain clothes are allowed to purchase jackets and ties.He personally reviews every bill his department pays,and he pays particular attention to the clothing allowance. Mayor Coleman asked if he had heard complaints that $750 was not an adequate clothing allowance;that they are not able to purchase what is needed with that amount. Public Safety Director Robert Warner stated he wears out a set of uniforms annually,which includes five sets of pants,five short -sleeved shirts,and five long-sleeved shirts.This amounts to over $800.This does not include shoes or headgear.The problem is most of their equipment is specific to police work and they cannot go to discount and department stores.I t is only available through police uniform stores and they are paying a premium.Uniform allowance is intended to provide the SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 3 OF 6 employee with the necessary equipment and clothing required for their job.I t is a policy decision as to how much they will reimburse the officer.Officers have to take money out of their pockets to meet the uniform and equipment requirements. Mayor Coleman commented he had been asked about that by several people so he wanted more clarification. Public Safety Director Robert Warner stated there is no uniform rental service available like there is for public works.The main cost involved in the uniform allowance is for the soft clothing uniforms they are required to wear. Councilmember Dietz asked what else an officer would typically have,to purchase. Public Safety Director Robert Warner stated they would have to buy handcuffs,a flashlight,shoes and any sort of headgear they would have to wear. Councilmember Dietz asked if lie could estimate how much is annually spent: on those items. Public Safety_ Director Robert Warner stated it would be between $200 and $3001per year. Councilmember Dietz asked if that would be in addition to the $800 for the uniforms.. Public Safety:Director:Robert Warner stated that has been his personal experience:. Vice Mayor Surra:suggested the line item be changed to read UnifOrms and equipment. Public Safety Director Robert Warner stated'he would have no objection as that is truly what i t is. •Vice Mayor Surra commented she had also had:Some questions,adding she had:comeacross:One for.some.plaid sport SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 4 OF 6 shirts.He had stated plainclothes'bfficers would be,wearing shirts,so she suggested a-pOlicy be written rather than a dollar amOunt.She would-like.to - keep the -dollar amount:budgeted:so that it is there if it is needed: and they can always spend.less .She would like to seeia better review polity as there were other things :on the receipt that were not unifOrm-related.The. subtraction took place forAhose items;but.not necessarilylhe tax.The:' receipts may not have been!submitted correctly.She added they Should nOt have to use $1,000 a year just because i t is allotted to them.It should be a necessary replacement.. ..Public Safety Director Robert Warner stated he does have a listing of authorized items. Councilmember Urich commented he -is - normallY .,notout in the hot 'weather or involved in foot pursuits,so the , officers on patrol are probablyigoing throughimore ,than'fiVe:sets of uniforms a year, Public Safety Director Robert Warner stated that is possible. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion: with "no more comments and called for a motion,. Councilmember Durbala MOVEDH-HAT RESOLUTION,NO.01L17,A 'RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND -CITY COUNCIL:0F THE-CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,FULLY ADOPTING ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURES BY THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION;FOR THE FISCAL, YEAR, BEGINNING JULY 1,..200L AND ENDING JUNE 30,2002:DECLARING THAT SUCH -SHALL ESTABLISH THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OrAPACHE JUNCTION FOR FISCAL YEAR, 20..01-2002 ANVDECLARIN&AN EMERGENCY, BE APPROVED. Councilmember Urich SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried_ SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 5 OF 6 ADJOURNMENT ) Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF ___SEPTEMBER .2001,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 4TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER ,2001. ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk DOUGLAS VOLEMAN Mayor CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona,held on the 6th day of August,2001.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 13th day of August,2001. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 6 OF 6