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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-18 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 18,2000 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona,was held on April 18,2000,at the Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Coleman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Councilmember Insalaco gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Eck led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman Vice Mayor Surra Councilember Dietz Councilmember Eck Councilmember Insalaco Councilmember Urich Staff Present: (Councilmember Durbala was absent due to illness). City Manager Curtis Shook Assistant City Manager George Hoffman City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Joel Stern Public Safety Director Robert Warner REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 1 OF 20 Others Present:Public Works Superintendent Peter Plante Community Relations Mgr.Patrick Brenner ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )Vice Mayor Surra MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED;AND THAT THE FOLLOWING CITY EMPLOYEES BE RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY:LIBRARY EMPLOYEE KAREN RAULS;TRAFFIC SIGNAL TECHNICIAN I I DAVID CAYLOR;PUBLIC WORKS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ELAINE COLBURN;SENIOR ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN DEBORAH HOLLAND; MECHANIC I I KEITH BEDWELL:ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SHARI WATSON;MIS DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR RIC HENRY;AND THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PW 2000-07, CONSTRUCTION OF WATER AND SEWER LINE EXTENSION ON AUTO CENTER DRIVE BE AWARDED TO DCS CONTRACTING INC.IN A BASE TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $97.786.00 WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10% TO BE USED ONLY IN THE EVENT OF UNFORESEEN CONDITIONS RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR A CHANGE ORDER NOT TO EXCEED $9,778.60;AND THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PW 2000-06,CONSTRUCTION OF CURB,GUTTER,SIDEWALK AND MISCELLANEOUS RELATED WORK ON AUTO CENTER DRIVE BE AWARDED TO HUNTER CONTRACTING CO.,INC.IN A BASE TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $44,290.00 WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10% TO BE USED ONLY IN THE EVENT OF UNFORESEEN CONDITIONS RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR A CHANGE ORDER NOT TO EXCEED $4,429.00;AND THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN TO REJECT ALL BIDS FOR PW 2000-03,CONSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS AND RELATED IMIPROVEMENTS AT PHELPS DRIVE AND WEST APACHE TRAIL AS ALL BIDS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE;AND THAT THE AWARD OF BID FOR PW 2000-05,ROCK SHADOWS DRAINAGE CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS - PHASE I I BE AWARDED TO BUNNEY'S INC.IN A BASE TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $54,280.00 WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10% TO BE USED ONLY IN THE EVENT OF UNFORESEEN CONDITIONS RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR A CHANGE ORDER NOT TO EXCEED $5,428.00; AND THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR AN AMENDMENT OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR PUBLICATION OF THE APACHE JUNCTION GENERAL PLAN WITH HORIZON GRAPHICS OF TEMPE,APPROVING AN ADDITIONAL $1,565.00 PLUS APPLICABLE SALES TAX,AMENDING THE BASE TOTAL AMOUNT SO AS NOT TO EXCEED $10,515.00 PLUS SALES TAX. Councilmember Urich SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 2 OF 20 AWARDS,PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Coleman announced that the awards to be presented would be postponed as both Public Works Director Doug Dobson and Councilmember Durbala were not in attendance this evening.The Veterans of Foreign Wars award will be presented in two weeks. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Mr.Jerry Dean,825 W.12th Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council. He suggested that people who wished to complain about the airplane flights be picked up and taken to the meetings in one of the many vans available in the city.He commented the noise does not bother him,and the pilots are always cognizant of the people on the ground.He stated if people wanted to do something about noise,then the megaphones on the cars,the boom boxes and all of the noise coupled with cars should be taken care of first.He added on Saturday evening he walked behind Road Haven and found approximately 500 beer cans in one pile:he also found a trip line.He found four "deer stands",or observation stands,in the area.He was accosted by a man as he walked through the area and was told he could not be there.A hobo camp was located in the area,with three other men in it,two of them in a bed,and one of them was nude.There is another location in a line from San Marcos if it was continued north from Broadway.The drainage ditch veers off westerly and goes under Broadway.He found a man living in that ditch a year ago.It was reported to the police,and an officer went out to "hassle"the man.The man is still there.He claimed the man looked like Mr.Garrett,who is a known pedophile that America's Most Wanted has been looking for for several years. He is a permanent resident in the ditch.He is concerned for the children in the area. Mr.Tom Schuelke,1889 S.Palo Verde,Apache Junction,addressed the council. The state legislature reversed its vote on the Cardinal football stadium and it has now been approved.He is concerned that the city will be losing some of its shared revenue from the general fund.Only residents of Maricopa County will be allowed to vote on the issue.He urged the city to comment on this to appropriate authorities. Mr.Elliott Fisher,547 E.Quail,Apache Junction,Greater Apache Junction Association for Effective Government,addressed the council.He was concerned about the consent agenda as he believes there are items on it that could be REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 3 OF 20 considered controversial.He read where the Capital Facilities Plan will be put through by a vote of the council instead of the people.He urged that this be put to public vote,especially considering that there is a legal "situation"concerning an initiative in the city.This was passed by an ordinance vote rather than being put to a public vote.He believes he has been told by a city employee that any bond or monetary issue concerning the city has to be put to a public vote.He is also concerned about the 16% school drop out rate in Apache Junction.He recalls i t being around 11%back in March of last year.He urged the council to look into this. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None. PUBLIC HEARINGS PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO.1119/ESTABLISHING STOP SIGNS AT LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION )Public Works Superintendent Peter Plante briefed the council on this item.These are in various locations around the city deemed necessary by the Public Works Director and the Director of the Department of Public Safety.Passage of the ordinance is necessary for enforcement to occur. Councilmember Eck asked if they needed to do a traffic study before stop signs could be put up. City Attorney Joel Stern stated there is no official traffic study that is mandated by the City Code. Councilmember Eck asked if that was the same for 4 -way and 2 -way stop signs. City Attorney Joel Stern stated i t is the same. Vice Mayor Surra asked if that was because stop signs are a way of slowing traffic versus a stoplight that requires warrants for other purposes. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 4 OF 20 City Attorney Joel Stern stated that is correct. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated the authority for stop signs and other temporary traffic control devices comes from the City Code for the Director of Public Works and the Chief of Police. There is no warrant system. 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 ORDINANCE NO.1119 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY WITH THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE AND THE READING OF THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED. Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly read the ordinance by title only with the emergency clause. Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT ORDINANCE NO.1119,AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK,BE APPROVED AND ADOPTED. Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. CAPITAL FACILITIES PLAN 2000 PRESENTATION AND REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INPUT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 5 OF 20 )Community Relations Manager Patrick Brenner briefed the council on this item.He gave a powerpoint presentation on the plan.There have been numerous public hearings on the plan,and many plans helped to create the Capital Facilities Plan.These included the general plan,the parks and recreation master plan,and the Town Hall of 1998.The plan has nine projects,including a swim center, multigenerational center,skating center,library expansion,improvements to the rodeo event center,a new police substation,a combined city hall/court complex,a new south side community park,and improvements to the Apache Trail and downtown areas.He briefly described the projects.One option for payment is a bank line of credit,and the city will only spend revenues as they are realized.Those revenues would be from a .2 of one percent sales tax increase,which would amount to one additional cent for every five dollars spent.The city will borrow up to $7,000.000 to fund the plan and will have $6,000,000 coming from reserves and capital development fees to fund the balance of the plan.Public input is important.After additional feedback, the council has the option of raising the city sales tax.The increase would be for a maximum of ten years and then it must sunset.The increase is tentatively set to begin on September 1,2000.The city will use surplus revenues from growth and local sales tax for repayment.The city will use revenues which exceed expectations to pay off the debt and retire the sales tax increase early.The design work on these projects would begin immediately upon approval of the funding.The swim center,the multigenerational center, and the skating center would begin construction in the first two years of the plan.Library expansion,the south side community park,the city hall/magistrate complex and the rodeo grounds event center improvements would begin construction in years 2-4.The police substation and the Apache Trail downtown improvements would begin construction in years 4-5.All residents will benefit from improved capital facilities.Winter visitors and people passing through town will share in paying for these improvements every time a purchase is made in the city. Mayor Coleman opened the public hearing on the item. Ms.Joyce Jorgensen,manager of the Apache Junction Senior Center,addressed the council.She is very interested in the multigenerational center.She believes they will have the cooperation between the young and the elderly.They can be in the same building and utilize the building to its fullest extent.The Senior Center needs space: REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 6 OF 20 they are turning people away for meals during the winter.Some of these people are desperately in need of meals;there has been an influx of widowed people,especially gentlemen.This has become their main meal and social time.They have had to move their recreational program to the parks and recreation building as they no longer have room for them.Other programs have been sent elsewhere as there is no room.There are other programs,such as health screenings and support groups,that cannot be done because there is no room.All of these programs could be combined under one roof in the multigenerational center.The classrooms could be used by the seniors during the daytime and the youth at night. Mr.Elliott Fisher,547 E.Quail, Apache Junction,addressed the council.He does not believe anyone in the city is going to complain about the recreational upgrades.He is concerned with the lack of transportation.The youth would have no way of getting from one end of town to the other and their parents frequently work in Maricopa County.It will get worse with growth.He suggested the vacant ABCO store could be used for city office space or the multigenerational center.He does not see the need for the court and city complex.He suggested they look at other options instead of erecting new buildings.He is also concerned that the debt would not be paid off early,using as an example the recent problems with the stock market. Ms.Marilyn Halpenny,1187 S.South Starr Road,Apache Junction,addressed the council.She sees the Senior Center as a place of safety whose needs should be addressed.Many of these people do not get around well,and some of the need walkers.The conditions are so crowded she is fearful someone will get hot coffee spilled on them. Ms.Joyce Jorgensen commented the Senior Center has a handicapped van at this time and is getting a 15 -passenger van on May 1,2000 to assist in transporting the seniors. Ms.Amy Cunningham,284 W.17th Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council.She has taught for parks and recreation for the last ten years.She believes the multigenerational facility is greatly needed,especially the classrooms.In the past she has had to use the Senior Center,Parks and Recreation,the high school and the junior high school for her classes.It would be nice to have one centrally located class where the location does not change from week to week. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 7 OF 20 Mrs.Pat Richmond,3080 W.16th Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council.She has been for the plan since the very beginning and she cannot see any household in the city that cannot take advantage of some part of this plan.The court complex has been out of compliance forever;i t is really needed.She is glad to see improvements to the swimming facilities,the rodeo grounds,and the addition of the new park.She cannot say enough about it. Mr.Bret Stilson,1053 S.Warner Drive,Apache Junction,addressed the council.He is the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club.The club supports the overall capital facilities plan and specifically the multigenerational complex.The partnerships that have been developed will make the plan a success.They currently have a van to transport students to the club from schools that do not furnish transportation for them.The school district drops children off at the club from three of the schools now.They cannot increase the potential of the club without the multigenerational complex. Mr.Tom Schuelke,1889 S.Palo Verde Drive,Apache Junction,addressed the council.He is gratified the council is seeking public comment on the plan.As i t has been commented his complaints against the plan have come in very late in the process,he believes his views and suggestions should be evaluated on merit,not timing.He would break the plan into recreational amenities and non -recreational amenities.He opposes city government getting involved in providing recreation for its citizens.He requested this allocation be left to a free market system.Past history in other cities shows that implementing this plan will result in the city being worse off than if government had not gotten involved.He also opposes this morally,as the majority of citizens determine the laws and rules for all citizens.He believes that an attempt by the majority to make the full public pay for their pet projects is little more than theft.The only defense the minority has is the practice of fair principles of its elected representatives.He fears the impact of the lessons being taught to our children,citing the number of children that have spoken before the council for their pet recreational facilities,though they are oblivious that others are being asked to pay for it.He commented the city already has one of the highest sales tax rates in the valley.He urged paring down the plan to a point where a sales tax increase is not necessary.Operational expenses will run over $600,000 a year for the plan.He asked if these expenses could be REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 8 OF 20 covered without additional tax increases,and he requested those projections be made public.I t is also incredible to him that the current city complex buildings could not be used elsewhere for another purpose.He urged they scale down the city complex and continue to use the current buildings.He suggested they could be used for some of the meeting spaces for the multigenerational center.The city is building two new facilities and abandoning a third;this appears to be wasteful and should be reconsidered. He would like the financial study available if there has been one.He believes the library to be modern and spacious and not in need of expansion. He listed the number of people involved in the creation of the plan,and how those numbers were dwarfed by the survey respondents.The survey does not support the plan.He asked that they review it.He questioned the addition of the rodeo event center improvements when it was not a priority at the Town Hall and received dismal support in the survey.He believes they are spending too much on the skating center,and queried how the amount to be spent was arrived at.He believes this also should be scaled back.The south side park is near state land that will be sold this summer;he suggested coordinating with the developer to see if he will donate the land and facilities.There is also no information on what the $500,000 for downtown development will be spent on. Mrs.Sandie Smith,Pinal County Supervisor,575 N.Idaho Road,Apache Junction,addressed the council.She thanked the city for the past cooperative efforts done together such as the Food Bank and Project Help.I t shows money being spread wisely and that the two entities are in partnerships together.She commented the seniors and the youth need to be brought together so that they can learn from each other.The youth can learn from the seniors and the seniors can enjoy their involvement with youth,as evidenced by the heavy senior population that volunteers in the school system.The county has 17 acres in the heart of the city that they are willing to partner with for this center or for other projects.The Boys and Girls Club has also come up with some of the money as they are next on the list for the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley to be funded.The club also just had a fundraiser.She commented a dollar spent now on youth prevents hundreds of thousands of dollars of wasted money on adults in the form of law enforcement,the courts,and probation.The courts are mandated by population.The county is now having to pay for some of their lack of investment in the beginning for its youth.She commended the city for their foresight in doing that and in looking to the seniors.She added the city library is unequaled in Pinal County;i t is a forerunner in technology and REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 9 OF 20 what i t gives to the citizens.The parks and recreation department is unequaled in its contributions to the citizens.The city will save a lot of money later by taking care of the law enforcement and parks situation now on the south side before the future growth creates the demand.She commented people do not see the need for the city buildings;they are thought of as buildings for the city employees.The buildings are actually for services. That is what government supplies,i t does not make a product.The city has to have the facilities in order to deliver those services.She thanked them for their investment in the community. Mayor Coleman closed the public hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened the item to council discussion.He wished to make some comments.The city has been warned about the security and lack of security for the court building and other city buildings.The question is whether the city invests thousands of thousands of dollars in security for buildings he believes have a limited life,or does the city build a facility that will serve the community for twenty or more years. He feels the city must move forward on the security issues.He also reminded Mr.Schuelke that the survey was not a yes or no vote,it was to determine which items the residents felt were needed and to prioritize them.There were only 7 respondents that did not select any of the projects as being necessary for the community.To him,i t appears that i t does have the support of the community.Regarding a public vote on the plan,the city attorney instructed the council that they could be held personally liable for the cost of an election if this council put i t up for an election and the election were challenged,and many of the things council has done lately have been challenged.If this were done,it would be an advisory election.He commented he has seen the skateboard park that the City of Florence constructed for $50,000,and i t lasted about six months.The City of Gilbert is constructing one for $800,000.He believes the proposed skateboard park will serve a wide section of the population and will last.He will not propose to cut corners;he still feels bad about having the police building cut back in size as he does not believe it will serve the community for as long as it was originally intended before a costly addition must be built.He commented the performing arts center at the school was too small when it was finished so assemblies cannot be held there.The city needs to be forward- looking and project their needs into the future.He believes this plan does that.He is happy to see there will be three public hearings on this for additional comment. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 10 OF 20 Vice Mayor Surra commented she wanted to talk on the issue of quality of life.There is a history for using public support to increase the quality of life.There is fundraising through religious organizations to assist the poor,there are charitable foundations assisting the health care facilities for the needy,and the public has underwritten public education.The citizens are being asked to share the burden in order to make the quality of life acceptable for all people,whether they can afford i t or not.She is offended by people who say i t is not right for government to assist people who are in need.We will be providing opportunities for recreational activities;if the city does not,private enterprise will make i t impossible for some people to participate.She wants everyone to be able to participate.She has been hearing about public transportation being funded,but that only takes care of a certain segment of the population.She commented transportation and recreational opportunities are there for those who choose to use them.It will be sponsored by public funding through purchases of the things used daily.She commented they used each of the sources of input on the capital facilities plan as part of the whole,including the survey.Not everyone can participate in everything.The council was elected to speak for the community and make informed decisions to benefit the community.The council has acted upon that as best as they could within state guidelines.She reminded them that the council will be paying for it the same as everyone else as they purchase things in Apache Junction. Though she may not use any of the facilities,other than possibly the Senior Center in the future,she knows that others will be using the facilities.She wished people would not be short-sighted and self-centered so that they could see that these facilities will add to the quality of life in the community. Councilmember Eck commented the plan was not created in this room.He learned more while going to Little League games,school functions,chamber meetings,Main Street meetings,and organizations.No one has complained at any of these functions;the only complaints have been here at the council meetings.It would be a travesty for a community not to get involved in the recreation and caring for their young and old.He believes i t is the government's responsibility.He commented the rodeo center was on the parks plan,and there have been discussions for years on the project.People are always asking why there is no event building there.And skateboarding will be around for a long time.He thinks this is a very comprehensive plan,with input from the community,and he is very comfortable with it. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 11 OF 20 Councilmember Dietz commented he has not heard any negative remarks towards the Capital Facilities Plan other than the two or three in this room that have talked against it.He believes they need to get these things done for the community.It will be a plus to provide for the future of the community. Councilmember Urich commented the plan offers something for everyone in the community.She would like to keep the hometown atmosphere.Some of these things were needed in the community when she first moved here six years ago.She agreed with her fellow councilmembers that she has not heard any negative comments from anyone when she has gone out into the community.She has only heard them in this room. Councilmember Insalaco stated he has heard some complaints.However,they were made at his place of business and he has had a chance to explain to the people and those people now understand. The biggest complaint was the sales tax,and the people believed it to be 2% instead of .2%.Once the difference was explained,i t became nothing.There is concern that it will be raised later here and there by other governmental agencies.However,these things are needed.Whereas he and his family may not use them,the community will.This is for the community that he represents.He commented there is some concern over the money that the Boys and Girls Club has received and what will be done with it.He has heard that they want their money kept separate.Those questions need to be addressed and answered by the Boys and Girls Club. Mayor Coleman closed the discussion with no one else wishing to speak and called for a ten minute break. Mayor Coleman reconvened the meeting. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 12 OF 20 TO FREEWAY INTERSECTIONS )Assistant City Manager George Hoffman briefed the council on this item.The student council indicated that they were interested in seeing the freeway medians cleaned up.The request was forwarded through staff.Doug Dobson has petitioned the state to get on the five year plan for median improvements.Nick Blake has stated that the actual plans have been finished.Staff will come back at budget time to.talk about the operating costs for that,specifically water.The city would like to improve the on and off ramps prior to when the .state would take action,and possibly make them different than what had been proposed.The city is considering something that would call for little in the way of water line extensions.I t appears to be something fairly inexpensive that could be temporary or possibly permanent.Cost estimates are from $65,000 to $75,000 depending on outside labor.Originally only the Ironwood ramps were considered;they are now looking at all four intersections. Vice Mayor Surra asked who paid for the example that they were shown. Assistant City Manager George Hoffman stated this is state property;it does not belong to the city.Staff would like permission to go to the state,show them the city's request,ask the state to do i t and do i t soon,and have them pay for it. Councilmember Insalaco stated he liked that idea. Assistant City Manager George Hoffman stated they would have to see where that discussion goes.It may end up wherein the city asks for permission to work on their right-of-way and have the city do it.At this time staff is presenting the concept and they would like to see if that concept has some interest.Staff would like to do some additional exploratory work with the state.These are the entryways into the community;this would compliment any developmental activities. City Manager Curtis Shook stated there are multiple reasons for doing this and all of them are good.The funds are available and i t speaks to a need to improve those access areas.The project is good and the time is right to be looking at this,whether the state joins in or not.He supports the project. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 13 OF 20 Vice Mayor Surra asked if there were any cost comparisons between desert vegetation and this project. Assistant City Manager George Hoffman stated the water utilization cost per year,based on Mesa's costs,is approximately $125.000.There will be higher utilization for beginning plants.There would also be the cost for getting the water to the plants. Staff has not done a side by side comparison. Vice Mayor Surra asked if they would have access to the water used to water the retention areas and landscaping around the government buildings. City Manager Curtis Shook stated they would not have access at this time. Vice Mayor Surra asked if they had talked to the Chamber of Commerce/Main Street group who have offered to run interference with the Arizona Department of Transportation,specifically Lisa Henderson from the State Main Street. Assistant City Manager George Hoffman stated they would look into that.In addition,Doug's estimates do not include the design work or staking costs. Vice Mayor Surra asked who would have the designs and if there are any designs available.She asked if the city would still have input on that. Assistant City Manager George Hoffman stated they had started on that and asked them do some conceptual designs.They asked for staff to take an existing design to council first and get approval for the project. Councilmember Eck commented he could vouch for the amount of water used in Mesa.He added it would be a phenomenal savings if the city opted for the xeriscape.He briefed the council on the staffing Mesa uses for water conservation. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 14 OF 20 Assistant City Manager George Hoffman stated the city needs to know if they will be on the five year plan, and,if on the plan,where they would be.They may be able to get that information in June. Vice Mayor Surra asked if the city would have any choice on what is put in if they are on the state plan. Hoffman stated he does not know that. something they are going to find out. Assistant City Manager George Vice Mayor Surra asked if that is City Manager Curtis Shook commented they may have limited choices since i t is state owned. Vice Mayor Surra commented the city is part of the state and they could be considered part owners. City Manager Curtis Shook stated he would not argue with her on that point. Mayor Coleman stated he would like to see it done,and be done sooner than later.I t looks terrible. Councilmember Dietz commented i t looks nasty. Vice Mayor Surra added they do not even come and clean it,and no one else can go out there as they need a number of permits.People have tried to go out there but they have been run off. Assistant City Manager George Hoffman stated they had drafted a letter to them requesting the weeds be cut. Just before the letter was sent,they cut down the weeds.Now all the garbage shows.He asked if they could have a direction to staff to contact the state and start a dialogue with them. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 15 OF 20 Vice Mayor Surra MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS TO FREEWAY INTERSECTIONS:MEET WITH THE STATE AGENCIES,AS MANY AS NECESSARY, REGARDING IMPROVING THE ENTRYWAYS TO OUR COMMUNITY OFF THE EXPRESSWAYS,AND THEN REPORT BACK AS TO WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE. Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR ACTION DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING NON- RESIDENT FEES FOR USE OF CITY RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS )Mayor Coleman commented Councilmember Durbala had asked for this to be postponed. City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated he had indicated last night that he wanted this moved to June. Vice Mayor Surra MOVED THAT ITEM 13 BE MOVED TO A FUTURE AGENDA SOMETIME IN JUNE OR JULY DEPENDENT ON OUR LOAD AT THE TIME SINCE ITS NOT OF A HIGH PRIORITY. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING WIDENING OF U.S.60 )Vice Mayor Surra commented she believed Councilmember Durbala would like to see the city send a letter or resolution indicating support for the plan to widen U.S.60 to accommodate the REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 16 OF 20 traffic flow.I t should be included as part of the overall transportation plan. Mayor Coleman thought a resolution in support of the Maricopa Association of Governments'position on the issue would suffice.I t is a design question that should be left for the Arizona Department of Transportation to resolve. Vice Mayor Surra commented she believed he was in support of that;he wanted i t put on the agenda so that i t would be done.She MOVED TO SUPPORT YOUR SUGGESTED METHOD OF COMMUNICATION. Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE MOTION, VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES,TIMES,LOCATIONS,AND PURPOSES Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:30 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY,APRIL 25,2000,IN THE CITY CONFERENCE CENTER;AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.AND WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M.BE HELD ON MONDAY,MAY 1,2000,IN THE CITY CONFERENCE CENTER AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY;AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY,MAY 2,2000,IN THE CITY CONFERENCE CENTER. Councilmember Urich SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 17 OF 20 INFORMATION AND REPORTS Vice Mayor Surra commented City Clerk Kathleen Connelly,Councilmember Urich and she participated in the Main Street Retreat on Saturday and they have compiled a list of goals that they will be using in the coming year.They also formed a committee to accomplish those goals.There should be a full report coming to all the council members in written form.The retreat was held at the Aurora House which lends part of their space for meetings to organizations. Vice Mayor Surra announced that the community musical was held this past two weeks and members of the community and the mayor participated in The Music Man.It was successful with very few empty seats available.She hoped they would be able to do another next year. Councilmember Eck commented he participated in the Boys and Girls Club Far Out Saturday Night 60's with the mayor.It was a good fundraiser. ADJOURNMENT )Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m. Consent Agenda Items areas.follows: 1.Acceptance of Agenda. 2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 4,2000. 3.Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Community by City Employees. Employees receiving recognition are:David Caylor:Elaine Colburn;Deborah Holland;Keith Bedwell;Karen Rauls and "Teens 'N'Technology"student instructors Anthony Fitzwater,Joshua Bell,and Frank L'Odense:Shari Watson;and —Ric"Henry. 4.Approval of Bid Award for Project PW 2000-07,Construction of water and.. sewer line extension on Auto Center Drive to the lowest and best qualified bidder. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 18 OF 20 5.Approval of Bid Award for Project PW 2000-06.Construction of curb,gutter, sidewalk and miscellaneous related work on Auto Center Drive to the lowest and best qualified bidder. 6.Approval to reject all bids for Project PW 2000-03,Construction of traffic signal modifications and related improvements at Phelps Drive and West Apache Trail. 7.Approval of Bid Award for Project PW 2000-05,Rock Shadows drainage channel improvements,Phase II,in the amount of $54.280.00. 8.Approval of an amendment of the purchase agreement for publication of the Apache Junction General Plan with Horizon Graphics of Tempe,not to exceed $10.515 plus sales tax. ACCEPTED THIS 2ND DAY OF MAY ,2000,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 2ND DAY OF MAY ,2000. DOUGLAS/COLEMAN Mayor ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 19 OF 20 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 18th day of April,2000.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 24th day of April,2000. KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL APRIL 18,2000 PAGE 20 OF 20