HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-19 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 19,1999
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction,
Arizona,was held on January 19,1999,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
Pastor and Police Department Chaplain Jim Trout gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Insalaco led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Coleman
Vice Mayor Surra
Councilmember Dietz
Councilmember Urich
Councilmember Insalaco
Councilmember Eck
Councilmember Durbala
Staff Present:
Others Present:
City Manager Curtis Shook
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Robert Warner
City Engineer Paul Stears
Development Services Director Glen Van Nimwegen
Public Works Superintendent Peter Plante
Long Range Planner Kate Morris
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
Assistant to the City Manager Michael Munroe
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Vice Mayor Surra MOVED THAT THE
CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED;AND THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY BY THE FOLLOWING CITY EMPLOYEES:HOUSING & GRANTS
COORDINATOR JOHN PETROFF:PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR JEFF BELL;PARKS
SUPERVISOR KEITH GRAVES;PARKS SUPERINTENDENT NICK BLAKE;PARKS & RECREATION
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 1 OF 20
DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE JEFF BLASDALE;RECREATION SUPERINTENDENT BETH COWLES;
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE JAKE HAYDUK;PARKS & RECREATION
DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE MATT KING;RECREATION COORDINATOR LIZ LANBENBACH;
RECREATION LEADER JAY REYNOLDS;PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE TIM
SIZEMORE;PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE JIM WALL;AND THAT APPROVAL
BE GIVEN FOR AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MARICOPA COUNTY
SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR
COORDINATION OF THE HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA,MARICOPA COUNTY
METHAMPHETAMINE TASK FORCE,AND THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN TO THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT AS APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY;AND THAT THE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND THE
CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION FOR THE COLLECTION OF CITY SALES TAX BE APPROVED,AND
THAT AUTHORIZATION BE GIVEN FOR THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THAT AGREEMENT AS
APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY;AND THEN FURTHER,YOUR HONOR,I WOULD LIKE TO
CONTINUE ITEM NO.10 FROM OUR REGULAR AGENDA UNDER OLD BUSINESS UNTIL
SUFFICIENT INFORMATION REACHES COUNCIL SO THAT IT MAY RENDER AN INFORMED
DECISION.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS,PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
•
Mr.Ron Kill,349 S.Saguaro,Apache Junction,addressed the council regarding
Pool Partners.Pool Partners has been working with several organizations over
the last several months that are interested in improving and expanding the
swimming facilities in Apache Junction.He thanked all of them for their hard
work and community involvement.He commented another check for $2,400 had
been deposited in the account for the construction of a larger swimming
facility,totaling since June $5,411.28.In addition,on Thursday,February
18,the Grand Hotel will be having a Pool Partners benefit;any meal ordered
between 6:30 a.m.and 9:00 p.m.will have the total amount on the receipt
donated to the construction of the new swimming facility.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPEAL OF ORDINANCE NO.940 LANDSCAPE AND
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 2 OF 20
SCREENING REQUIREMENTS/ODOM
)Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
briefed the council on the item.The property is at the northeast corner of
E.Second Avenue and S.Winchester Road.It is zoned CR-5,apartment zoning.
The applicant has requested a waiver for a portion of her north wall.She
does not want to have to build the easternmost 40'of the wall due to awash
that comes through the area.Construction of the wall would present some
engineering concerns.The wall would have to withstand the wash and she is
concerned it will not serve its purpose as an additional barrier.He gave an
overview of her property and her original plan.She has since proposed to
build a short wall to keep people from backing up into the wash and retention
area.Staff is concerned about granting administrative waivers in an area
that has some outstanding features to it,but mostly the need for engineering.
The on -site engineering does not appear to have been completed on this site.
Staff is not concerned about the east wall being moved as i t is not a
requirement of Ordinance No.940.She has already constructed that wall,but
staff has not seen a revised site plan;they are unsure how it affects her
parking lot.They need to be sure there is adequate parking area and that the
spaces have not been reduced in size.Staff is concerned about the retention
area as it appears to be disconnected from the site,however,it does need to
be maintained,kept clean and landscaped according to Ordinance No.940.Her
revised plan shows a desire to keep the natural vegetation that is there and
to leave it as is.The west side of the retention basin has had slight
improvements,the east side is basically in its natural state.The area
should be completely landscaped and treated according to the requirements in
the ordinance.Staff is also concerned about the north wall;it may look
awkward if a wall is not constructed there;if she sells the property later to
the north,the new owner will have to contend with that portion of the wall.
The wall is also an engineering concern.The certificates on the apartment
units have not been released,and the issue of on -site engineering is now
beyond the city as the construction is finished on the site.Council has the
option of waiving the requirement for the wall or require her to build the
wall and provide engineering plans.Staff recommends using the motion
recommended by the city attorney for either approval •or denial of this request
since it closely relates the reasons for granting a waiver as contained in
Ordinance No.940,and that the language be similar to that granting a
variance.Approval should include the recommended stipulations,including
those in the staff report,including additional landscaping and the issue of
the retention basin.
Councilmember Dietz asked if she
would still be responsible for doing the landscaping on the east side of the
wash if this waiver is approved.
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
asked if he meant the right-of-way.
Councilmember Dietz stated he was
talking about the wash itself.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 3 OF 20
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is something they would request.
Councilmember Dietz asked if the
other side,which is not part of this appeal,still had to be landscaped to
fulfill the ordinance requirements.
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated she has not asked for the landscaping in the retention area to be
waived.Her revised landscaping plan shows some landscaping in the retention
area,consisting of a couple of trees along the west side of the retention
area and some existing vegetation that she would like to leave there.This
would basically be her landscaping.He does not believe that would comply
with Ordinance No.940 as i t is limited landscaping.
Councilmember Dietz commented he was
just making sure it was separate from the other section of wall that they had
been talking about earlier.
City Attorney Joel Stern reminded
them that the landscaping had nothing to do with the appeal.
Councilmember Urich asked if there
was any information on how many waivers had been granted of Ordinance No.940.
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
believed they had processed maybe six of them.The waivers approved for
buffer walls and landscaping have normally been tied to trade-offs.Usually
they waived the buffering requirements in exchange for a substantial amount of
additional landscaping to a larger area.They have denied a couple,the most
recent a chain link fence requested instead of a block wall.
Mayor Coleman requested the
applicant address the council.
Ms.Debora Odom,420 E.Second
Avenue,Apache Junction,addressed the council.She passed out some pictures
to the council to assist in her presentation.She requested a variance for
not putting up a block wall or fence on the east wall of her property across a
deep wash.She believes the section in question is only 31',not 40'.She
described her property as it currently exists and referred to her photographs.
She described the wash and the number of feet it drops throughout.She does
not believe the original fence line will accomplish the screening device
requirement for Ordinance No.940.Her proposed fence will act as a safety
barrier for the residents and as a retention wall for her parking lot.She
had an engineer initially review her project for financial feasability.The
engineer did not recommend putting in a block wall,but a pre -cast concrete
box structure placed on footings to prevent them from being undermined,which
would allow for the water flow,and it would cost between $30,000 and $50,000.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 4 OF 20
The engineer recommended not putting in any fence on the east boundary as i t
could potentially constrict the water flow.A structure would not allow the
overflow to run eastwardly.She requested her new site plan be approved and
the placement of the masonry block wall be moved to the east boundary of her
parking structure instead of the property boundary and that no further
stipulations be added.
Councilmember Dietz commented he
thought i t looked very nice.
Ms.Debora Odom stated she had every
intention of complying but natural issues came up in the course of
construction that were not anticipated.
Councilmember Eck asked if she would
consider a trade-off of planting some additional desert vegetation on the
southeast side if this appeal were granted.
Ms.Debora Odom asked if he meant on
Second Avenue.
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated staff had suggested perhaps doubling the trees along two of the street
frontages.
Ms.Debora Odom commented she was
open to those issues,but she believes the trees she has already planted,when
mature,will almost be crowded together.
Councilmember Eck stated he was
referring to some other ones.
Ms.Debora Odom stated those were on
the north side.She added that corner is larger in size and has less
landscaping at this time.She would not be opposed to adding additional
landscaping there.She commented she has tried to construct a beautiful
building and she has no intentions of not complying:i t is just that this span
of fence has been a real problem.She described how they removed the desert
vegetation from this property to her other property and how they are now
replanting the vegetation back on this property.They only need to landscape
the area along the fence line,which they have every intention of doing.
Vice Mayor Surra stated the two
parcels need to be defined and she believed the wall needed to be done all the
way across the property line.
Ms.Debora Odom asked if that was
even at a cost of $50,000.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 5 OF 20
Vice Mayor Surra commented she did
not know what the cost would be and doubted Ms.Odom did either since she has
not had an engineer study done.The city requests that of any and every
person who will be putting a wall in and she should continue it.The east
wall was not something that was required so it does not matter if that was
moved,which has already been done,from where it was on the original plan.
Ms.Debora Odom stated she had asked
Rudy before moving it and was told they could put walls anywhere inside their
property:they would not require a permit and they needed it for a safety
issue.
Vice Mayor Surra stated the only
part that comes into it is the 31'or 40'section that defines the north
parcel from the south parcel.
Ms.Debora Odom stated that was
true.She owns the property,and if anyone else owns the property they will
have the same concerns that she has as it relates to the northeast corner.
The wash runs completely along the northeast boundary.It would have been
easier to resolve in the beginning but the city constructed a culvert which
was not put into the easement.
City Attorney Joel Stern requested
she refrain from speaking on an active lawsuit involving some of the issues
just mentioned.He also requested the council not to make any comments
relating to the lawsuit.
Ms.Debora Odom stated the engineer
that she spoke with works for the Federal Highway Administration and
frequently works on flood control.He recommended the wall not be constructed
over the wash as he was concerned about the potential for flooding.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if there were
any circumstance,if this land was owned by someone else,that would make it
impossible to apply the ordinance,other than the fact of cost.
the question.
Ms.Debora Odom asked her to repeat
Vice Mayor Surra repeated the
question,adding this would include any special conditions that were there
that would make it impossible for this ordinance to be applied.
Ms.Debora Odom commented the only
condition was the potential for flooding.
Vice Mayor Surra commented they are
talking about across the north wall.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 6 OF 20
Ms.Debora Odom stated the wash runs
north/south so the wall would go right over the top of the wash.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if there were
any information she could give regarding how the site is constructed now as
averse to how it was before she started working on it.
Ms.Debora Odom did not understand
the question.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if she looked
at everything prior to beginning work on the site.
Ms.Debora Odom stated she had,but
other things have impacted their original site plan.She cannot speak of them
due to the active lawsuit.
Councilmember Durbala asked the city
engineer if some type of grating should be used over that wash instead of a
block wall.
that was true.
is what he would recommend.
that is what he would recommend.
City Engineer Paul Stears stated
Councilmember Durbala asked if that
City Engineer Paul Stears stated
Councilmember Durbala surmised that
the cost of the grating would not be near the cost of the solid block wall.
City Engineer Paul Stears stated
there are many different systems that could solve the issue other than the
pre -cast concrete solution.
Councilmember Durbala asked if Ms.
Odom had been thinking of a solid wall all the way across the wash.
Ms.Debora Odom stated the engineer
told her you cannot block the wash.The opening has to be at least five feet
high and twenty-five feet wide to allow for the current capacity flow to go
through there.She believed she would have to have a barrier allowing the
water to go through with the fence sitting on top of it.
Councilmember Durbala asked the
engineer if that situation were true.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 7 OF 20
City Engineer Paul Stears commented
you do not normally put a wall across a wash,but it can be engineered.
Councilmember Durbala asked if the
cost estimated was accurate.
City Engineer Paul Stears stated it
was accurate for a pre -cast concrete system,but there are other solutions,
like the grate.
Ms.Debora Odom commented it would
have to be able to support a 6'high concrete,masonry wall.She was told it
most likely would not be able to support that.
City Engineer Paul Stears commented
it could be engineered.
City Attorney Joel Stern asked i f
the cost being talked about by the city engineer would include the plans and
materials.
City Engineer Paul Stears stated
that was correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern asked if
that would be from a licensed engineer with the State of Arizona.
City Engineer Paul Stears stated it
would a licensed civil engineer with the State of Arizona.
Councilmember Dietz asked if the
northeast section of the wash had been changed since the project was begun.
Ms.Debora Odom stated it had not.
Councilmember Dietz asked if it had
been the same the whole time.
Ms.Debora Odom stated i t is not the
same as when she bought the property,but i t has been the same since she
started the project.
Mayor Coleman opened the public
hearing on the item.
Mr.Neil Pilant,North 37306
Lakeside Drive,Elk,Washington,addressed the council.He read a letter of
support for Ms.Odom from Mr.John Ford,a property owner adjacent to Ms.
Odom.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 8 OF 20
Ms.Teresa Barker,P.O.Box 2202,
Campe Verde,Arizona,addressed the council.She read a letter of support for
Ms.Odom from Mr.Harvey Klein,another neighbor.
Mr.Jim Brooks,1840 E.Warner,
Suite A105,Tempe,addressed the council.He is the construction manager of
the project.He wanted the council to understand that this is a beautiful,
natural wash.The wall would be on the borderline to right in the middle of
the wash.He believes the ordinance intends to beautify the city,but this
design would defeat the purpose of the ordinance.It will look ugly.There
will be a big hole that will not screen anything and it will be a play hole
and possible death trap for children.In addition,he believes i t is against
Arizona law to put fences in washes.It could create a flooding liability for
the city and Ms.Odom.He also believes the cost burden is ridiculous.He
believes this wall will look ugly and it will not be safe.
Mayor Coleman closed the public
hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He called for any further comments
or questions from the council.
Councilmember Eck stated the lot
north of this property is vacant,as well as the lot just north of that.The
latter lot has followed the same setback with a chain link fence due to the
wash.He cannot see where this wall would serve any use.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if the wash
would be the property owner's responsibility for maintenance and upkeep
regardless of the location of the east wall.
Ms.Debora Odom stated i t is her
property and it would be her responsibility to maintain it.She has
landscaped it with rock and cactus.She feels 100% responsible as a property
owner to maintain it.She added she runs children out of there everyday.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if the amount
of landscaping on the total property met the other guidelines for Ordinance
No.940.
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he cannot answer that question as her landscape plan has not been
approved yet.The approved original plan was not implemented.Resident
Landscape Architect Nick Blake had gone out to the property and found that the
plants in the ground did not reflect the plants on the plan.She was
requested to revise the plan,show what was there and show compliance with
Ordinance No.940.The revised plan came in with this council package.Upon
checking the revised plan with the current status of the property,it showed
it was still out of compliance.She does have a lot of vegetation out there
and they have no reason to believe that she cannot comply with the ordinance,
but at this point in time she has not.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 9 OF 20
Vice Mayor Surra asked if they
should still see that landscape design to see if it is in compliance before
they grant the appeal.
Associate Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that was correct.She needs to comply.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if it could
be used as a stipulation,that the plan meets or overmeets the expected number
of plants.
City Attorney Joel Stern commented
they can add stipulations to condition the variance on things related to the
wall.He would not recommend conditioning it on her resubmittal of a
landscape plan that would only serve the current landscaping.A condition
should not require someone to do something that is already required.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if they could
continue the appeal until the plan is approved.
City Attorney Joel Stern commented
the council could desire to continue the matter if they find it is within the
general welfare of the public or of the city to do so.
Councilmember Eck asked if it was
okay to add to the motion that she had agreed to additional landscaping.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated they
could add additional landscaping if they wanted to get something in exchange
for granting the variance.It must be related to the property and the
function of the property.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
Councilmember Eck MOVED THAT THE
APPEAL OF ORDINANCE NO.940 BY DEBORA ODOM FOR A WAIVER OF THE SIX FOOT TALL
MASONRY WALL REQUIRED ALONG THE INTERIOR NORTHERNLY PROPERTY LINE AT THE
DEBORA APARTMENTS LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF WINCHESTER ROAD AND
SECOND AVENUE BE APPROVED SINCE THE APPLICANT PRESENTED ADEQUATE EVIDENCE
DEMONSTRATING THAT THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OR CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO
THE PROPERTY WHICH DO NOT GENERALLY APPLY TO OTHER LAND,BUILDINGS OR
IMPROVEMENTS ON OTHER PROPERTY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUBSEQUENT TO THE ADOPTION
OF THIS ORDINANCE AND SUCH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT SELF-IMPOSED,AND
THAT THE GRANTING OF THE APPLICATION WILL NOT MATERIALLY AFFECT THE HEALTH,
SAFETY OR WELFARE OF PERSONS RESIDING,WORKING OR OTHERWISE LOCATED IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND WILL NOT BE MATERIALLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE PUBLIC WELFARE OR
INJURIOUS TO PROPERTY OR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD,AND THAT THE
APPLICANT HAS AGREED TO LOCATE ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING ON THE SITE.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 10 OF 20
Councilmember Durbala SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:6-1 (Councilmember Urich voted in opposition.)
The motion carried.
Mayor Coleman
minute break.
Mayor Coleman
meeting.
called for a ten
reconvened the
PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO.99-03/ABANDONMENT
OF FEDERALLY PATENTED EASEMENT PORTION OF
17TH AVENUE FROM VISTA ROAD TO WICKIUP
ROAD
)City Engineer Paul Stears briefed
the council on the item.This abandonment is for the Arizona Medical
Buildings and is being done in conjuction with the development of the Apache
Junction Oncology Center.This will allow for additional parking,landscaping
and the provision of appropriate setbacks as the lot has an unusual triangular
shape.17th Avenue does not continue through to Old West Highway;it picks up
again on the other side of Tomahawk.All of the adjacent properties south of
the abandonment are in support of it,and over 50% of the surrounding
properties are in favor.All effected utilities and agencies were notified
and there have been no objections.Apache Junction Water requested a utility
easement for future use.The review committee had no objections and the
transportation board recommended approval unanimously.Staff supports the
abandonment.He added Mr.Brown from Arizona Medical Buildings was in
attendance for any questions.
Mayor Coleman asked how soon the
development would be expected to begin after the passage of the abandonment.
Mr.Brown stated they had been
waiting for over a year for the abandonment to be approved.They have all
their engineering done and the plans are finalized.
City Engineer Paul Stears commented
he believed the hold up was the inability to get the transportation board
together with enough to form a quorum.
Mr.Brown described the service they
are building in Show Low and hoped they could provide the same type of service
in Apache Junction.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 11 OF 20
Councilmember Eck commented he was
sure there was something else besides not having enough members that held up
the transportation board.
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.
Vice Mayor Surra requested to make
the motion.She MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.99-03,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUCNTION,ARIZONA,PURSUANT TO A.R.S.
§28-7214 DECLARING THAT A PUBLIC HIGHWAY EASEMENT DESCRIBED IN ABANDONMENT
CASE AB -97-02,IS NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR PUBLIC ROADWAY
PURPOSES AND IS HEREBY EXTINGUISHED,BE APPROVED IN ORDER TO ACCOMODATE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE AS AN ONCOLOGY CENTER WHICH WILL SERVE IN THE BEST
INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO BRING A LEVEL OF HEALTH CARE NOT
PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.
Coucilmember Durbala SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO.99-04/VACATION OF
THE DEDICATED RIGHT-OF-WAY PORTION OF 17TH
AVENUE FROM VISTA ROAD TO WICKIUP ROAD )
)City Engineer Paul Stears briefed
the council on the item.This is the second part that must be passed for the
development to proceed.
Mr.Brown gave his condolences to
the city for the loss of Cindy Selvy.She had done a lot of research for
them.He thanked the city engineer and the city manager for helping to see
the project through.
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.99-04,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,PURSUANT TO A.R.S.§28-7214 DECLARING THAT A
PORTION OF A DEDICATED RIGHT-OF-WAY IDENTIFIED AS 17TH AVENUE FROM VISTA ROAD
TO WICKIUP ROAD DESCRIBED IN ABANDONMENT CASE AB -97-02,IS NO LONGER NECESSARY
FOR PUBLIC ROADWAY AND ASSOCIATED PURPOSES AND IS HEREBY VACATED,BE APPROVED.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 12 OF 20
Councilmember Urich SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO.1067/WAIVE BUILDING
PERMIT,DEVELOPMENT AND/OR GRADING FEES ON
CONSTRUCTION RELATED ACTIVITY BY THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT
)City Manager Curtis Shook briefed
the council on the item.Council directed the ordinance be put together to
provide for the use of school bonding funds to build schools in the city.
This ordinance will allow all the building,inspection,permitting and other
fees that go along with the development of schools to be waived by the city
manager where appropriate,allowing those funds to be used for capital
improvements for the school district.The city enjoys a superior partnership
with the school district and it has joint use of a number of facilities,
including some to be built under this bond issue.He recommends approval.
Mayor Coleman opened the public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak,he closed the
public hearing and opened the item to council discussion.There being no
discussion,he called fora motion.
Councilmember Durbala MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO.1067 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY WITH THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE AND THE
READING OF THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.
Councilmember Dietz SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly read
the ordinance by title only with the emergency clause.
Councilmember Durbala MOVED THAT
-ORDINANCENG.1067,AS READ BY'THE CITY CLERK,BE APPROVED AND ADOPTED.
Councilmember Ihsalaco SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 13 OF 20
OLD BUSINESS.
SUPERSTITION FALLS MANUFACTURED HOME PARK
FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
)Long Range Planner Kate Morris
briefed the council on the item.The number of lots has actually been reduced
from the original number.As the drainage is finalized for the project,the
number may reduce more.The amenity package also took a few spaces.Any
reduction is not a concern,only an increase.An increase would require the
project to come back for public review.
Councilmember Eck asked if this is
in Apache Junction.
Long Range Planner Kate Morris
stated i t is.
Councilmember Eck commented the
newspaper ad does not say Apache Junction anywhere on it.
Long Range Planner Kate Morris
stated it is at the northeast corner of Goldfield and Baseline.
Mr.Les Meyers,the director of
marketing and sales,apologized to the council.The advertisement was
directed at getting people to Superstition Springs Mall where they had a model
and a booth there to promote the development.When the second phase begins,
they will have a sales center there and they will then direct people to Apache
Junction.In addition,last fall they took a road show to Anaheim on this
project and they had cases of brochures on Apache Junction.They will do that
with wherever the shows are.The Superstition Springs advertisement was an
oversight.
in Apache Junction.
stated i t is.
Councilmember Eck commented they do
like to promote the community.
Mr.Les Meyers agreed with him.He
added he and one of his commercial development partners volunteered to work on
the economic development committee.They are trying to promote the community.
Councilmember Urich asked if he
thought it was misleading when they state that only 77 lots are available,and
that it appeared they might be for sale,when they are not.
Mr.Les Meyers stated they are not
for sale,but the idea of 77 lots is to create a sense of urgency for people
to decide to move in.If they tell them there are 700 available,they believe
they have time to wait.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 14 OF 20
There was general discussion between
the council and Mr.Les Meyers on the vicinity of major attractions listed on
the map.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
Councilmember Insalaco MOVED THAT
THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR SUPERSTITION FALLS MOBILE HOME PARK BE
APPROVED.
Councilmember Urich SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS.
None.
COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR ACTION
PERMITTING PROCESS TO ALLOW LIMITED AND
TEMPORARY SIGNS BY PERMIT ONLY FOR IN -CITY
SUBDIVISIONS
)Councilmember Eck briefed the
council on this item.He wants to control some of the signs that are going up
all over the community.He would like to develop some guidelines instead of
creating an ordinance at this time.The ordinance can come later if need be.
Development Services Director Glen
Van Nimwegen added staff is putting together an ordinance that will require a
conditional use permit for off -site signs.It should be before council in six
weeks.They can try the guidelines until then,and if more is needed,they
can then add this to the ordinance and have these also require a conditional
use permit.Staff would like to let the developers know what the city would
like to see and give them a chance to police themselves.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if that
really works.
Councilmember Durbala commented they
seem to police themselves on the weekends because they all seem to be gone on
Monday mornings.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if the
guidelines would lessen the number of signs and restrict the sizes.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 15 OF 20
Development Services Director Glen
Van Nimwegen stated that was correct.
Vice Mayor Surra asked if staff will
have to communicate the policy and if it would be brought back to council.
Development Services Director Glen
Van Nimwegen stated they could bring it back to council if they desired as an
information item.It will basically be on what was discussed last night at
the work session.
Councilmember Eck stated it would be
the number of signs,size and the appropriate placement.
There was general discussion on this
being a discussion item at a future meeting,what would be expected and what
the consequences would be.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
Councilmember Eck MOVED THAT THE
FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING THE PERMITTING PROCESS TO
ALLOW LIMITED AND TEMPORARY SIGNS BY PERMIT ONLY FOR IN -CITY SUBDIVISIONS:
THAT STAFF WILL DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR WEEKEND SUBDIVISION SIGNAGE TO STATE
THAT ONLY ACTIVE SUBDIVISIONS IN THE CITY ARE ALLOWED SUCH SIGNAGE.OTHER
GUIDELINES WILL ADDRESS THE NUMBER OF SIGNS ALLOWED,THEIR SIZE AND
APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT.THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GUIDELINES WILL BE
VOLUNTARY.
Vice Mayor Surra SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES,TIMES,LOCATIONS,AND PURPOSES
SELECTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION DATES
)This is for the selection of
dates for city manager and city attorney performance evaluations.
Councilmember Durbala asked if these
could be done without any other business going on.
Councilmember Insalaco suggested
doing it in one night.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 16 OF 20
Councilmember Durbala doubted it
could be done in one night.He would prefer to be able to do i t in two or
three hour sessions and get it done in two meetings.He would not like to
have it on a regular meeting night.
Councilmember Eck commented they are
supposed to write their individual performance and that would take a certain
amount of time.He suggested they give a recommendation on how long it would
take them to do that.
Councilmember Durbala asked how much
time the council would like to give them to write their response.
Mayor Coleman suggested February 4th
or 18th,which are Thursdays.
Vice Mayor Surra could not recall i f
she had any meetings on those nights.She suggested the Mondays and Tuesdays
between the council meetings.
Councilmembers Eck,Insalaco and
Dietz agreed with those dates.
Mayor Coleman suggested February
9th.
Councilmember Urich suggested doing
it after one of the council meetings,as the meetings have been shorter than
the work sessions recently.
Mayor Coleman again suggested
February 9th.
There was general discussion on this
date,time and where the session should be held.
Councilmember Eck requested that
they be notified of the meetings.
Councilmember Dietz suggested pizza
for a dinner meeting.There was general discussion with council agreeing on a
dinner meeting.
Councilmember Dietz asked if the
city manager and the city attorney would have time to complete their
information.
Vice Mayor Surra stated they would
have the self -assessments in that length of time.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 17 OF 20
City Manager Curtis Shook commented
they should have them by the last week of January.
Vice Mayor Surra stated they should
have time to go over them and be prepared at the February 9th executive
session.
Councilmember Eck asked if they
needed to put restrictions on the thickness of the self -assessments.
Vice Mayor Surra stated it should
follow the format of last year's forms and should be totally inclusive of
those pages.
City Attorney Joel Stern stated he
would need more time if they are asking for the same information as last year.
Vice Mayor Surra stated they do not
need all of that.He should follow the formatted pages that he will be given.
Everything should be on those pages only.
There was general discussion on what
he should provide for this year.
Mayor Coleman closed the discussion
and called for a motion.
Vice Mayor Surra MOVED THAT THE
FOLLOWING DATE BE SELECTED FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR CITY MANAGER AND CITY
ATTORNEY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS:THAT WE HAVE A DINNER MEETING ON FEBRUARY
9TH,1999,AT 6:30 IN THE CONFERENCE CENTER.
Councilmember Eck SECONDED THE
MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Councilmember Dietz MOVED THAT AN
EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.AND WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P,M.BE HELD ON
MONDAY,FEBRUARY 1,1999,IN THE CITY CONFERENCE CENTER AND CITY COUNCIL
CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY.
AND THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M.BE HELD ON TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 2,
1999,IN THE CITY CONFERENCE CENTER.
Councilmember Insalaco SECONDED THE
MOTION.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 18 OF 20
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
Mayor Coleman thanked everyone for their attendance at the retreat on
Saturday.He felt like it was productive and he is very excited with the
results.
Councilmember Eck stated he had his son take some of the capital facilities
surveys to his 4th grade class at Four Peaks and he found an overwhelming
amount of them interesting.He read a number of the comments to the amusement
of the council.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Coleman adjourned the
meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1.Acceptance of Agenda.
2.Acceptance of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 5,1999.
3.Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Community by City Employees.
Employees receiving recognition are:John Petroff;Jeff Bell;Keith
Graves;Nick Blake;Jeff Blasdale;Beth Cowles;Jake Hayduk;Matt King;
Liz Langenbach;Bill Lawrence;Jay Reynolds;Tim Sizemore and Jim Wall.
4.Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with Maricopa County Sheriff's
Office for grant funds for coordination of the High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area,Maricopa County Methamphetamine Task Force.
5.Consideration of Agreement for Collection of Taxes between City and
Arizona Department of Revenue.
ACCEPTED THIS 2ND DAY OF FEBRUARY ,1999,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 2ND DAY OF FEBRUARY ,1999.
DOUGLAS GOLEMAN
Mayor
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 19 OF 20
ATTEST:
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 19th day of January,1999.I further certify
that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 22nd day of January,1999.
KATHLEEN CONNELL
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19,1999
PAGE 20 OF 20