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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-07-19 City Council Special MinutesCITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING JULY 19,1993 The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona,was held on July 19,1993 at the Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Perkins called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmen Present:Mayor Perkins Councilwoman Richmond Councilman Hendricks Councilman Perkins Councilman Coleman Councilman Cox Staff Present: PUBLIC HEARINGS (Vice Mayor Barker was absent.) City Manager Michael Lee City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney Glenn Gimbut Assistant City Manager George Hoffman Director of Public Safety Bill McDaniel Director of Public Works Rich Broman City Engineer Gordon Grandy Planning Division Manager Jim Nakagawa Parks & Rec.Director Jeff Bell Library Director Pam Loui Finance Director Keith Lewis Interim Building & Safety Mgr.David Eggleston Operations Division Supt.Doug Dobson TENTATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR FY 1993-94 THROUGH FY 1997-98 )City Engineer Gordon Grandy briefed the Council on the modifications to the CIP.He briefed the Council on the improvements of West Apache Trail stating that whewthe City arranged the transfer of US 60 with ADOT along came over a million dollars for completing a variety of projects from Meridian to Goldfield,but there were other prior commitments for ongoing projects in the City such as Ironwood SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 1 OF 9 Drive,Tomahawk Road,Idaho Road widening,and SR 88,so the one million dollars has been reduced to $545,945.He further stated there are a variety of projects designated to use up that $545,945 which will in fact take $858,000 but they anticipate using federal aid money to reconstruct the six- legged intersection at Broadway and Royal Palm Road.He further briefed the Council on future traffic signalization. Councilman Coleman asked if the $10,000 shown for Main Street was not a commitment. Mr.Grandy confirmed that and explained that capital improvement is different than a salary for a coordinator. Councilman Coleman asked if for the rodeo park there is $50,000 for this year and $190,000 for next year --a total of $240,000. Mr.Grandy confirmed that. Councilman Coleman asked what is supposed to take place next year with the $50,000. Mr.Grandy answered that these figures were provided by Parks so for the exact intent of those figures he would have to defer to Jeff Bell,Director of Parks and Recreation. Councilman Coleman stated that i t sounds like a commitment. Mr.Bell replied that the figures should be based on Council direction at the last budget meeting which was for $60,000 and that i t is money proposed for fixtures,restrooms,buildings. Councilman Coleman asked if that will not be available this year but next year. Mr.Grandy stated that the Council is acting tonight on the tentative budget for this first year only;anything beyond that will be subject to available funding. Councilwoman Richmond MOVED THAT THE TENTATIVE 5 -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 1993-94 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 1997-98 BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. Councilman Hendricks SECONDED THE MOTION. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 2 OF 9 Councilman Perkins AMENDED THE MOTION:THAT THE FIGURE FOR THE RODEO PARK BE SHOWN AT $60,000 PER PREVIOUS COUNCIL DIRECTION. AMENDMENT. tentative budget they were going to in the final adoption of the 5 -year tentative and they would still have VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT:Unanimous. The motion carried. Councilman Coleman SECONDED THE Councilman Coleman asked if in the delete the rodeo project. City Manager Mike Lee answered that plan they could delete it;this is still the chance to reduce it. RESOLUTION NO.93-16,ADOPTING TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1993-94;GIVING NOTICE OF TIME AND PLACE FOR FINAL BUDGET ADOPTION )City Manager Mike Lee expressed some concerns pertaining to the County half -cent sales tax raise,a possible cut in State shared revenues,certain fixed costs that continue to rise,and stagnant City sales tax for the last three years.He also expressed concerns about expenditures exceeding revenues which we managed to handle because we used carryover funds from previous years to become part of our revenue stream for the beginning of each year,which we cannot continue doing,and he further explained this problem.He recommended to get serious about economic development in order to see some significant increase in revenues.He added he did not see any other way to solve some of our financial problems unless we find a way to find some locally generated revenues;we cannot continue to rely on outside revenues such as Federal or State;and the other possibility is to increase taxes but he would not favor that. Mr.Lee recommended no increase on employee salaries or fringe benefits because of the tight budget.He stated that while the rodeo park is a worthwhile project it should be considered in context with other economic development such as Main Street,the trailhead, and the visitor center.He recommended that it be postponed and start working on an economic development plan with the business community and the Chamber of Commerce for three to five years. Assistant City Manager George Hoffman concurred with Mr.Lee and confirmed the need to work with the business community,not because of them but in order to continue providing certain services to the community using the businesses as the vehicle by which we can achieve that. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 3 OF 9 Mayor Perkins asked if the church park lease could be cut from the budget. Mr.Lee answered yes. Mayor Perkins stated she did not think we need that park as badly as the rodeo park. Mr.Hoffman stated he thought that what Mr.Lee said was that the idea of funding the rodeo park would be put into the economic development planning process and hopefully out of that process we would know who was going to lead which project,what the time frame for completion of those projects would be,what results we would expect from them,and what those things would cost;that way we would have a unified, cohesive economic development plan. Mr.Lee added that they have not talked about maintaining a new rodeo grounds;the church park lease incurs only maintenance costs and not capital outlay,except for a small amount,and the agreement was set up so that we can get out if we decide i t is not worth it. Mayor Perkins asked how much is for the maintenance of the park. Mr.Lee answered that it was estimated at $20,000;$60,000 was the original request for the rodeo grounds. Mayor Perkins explained the reasons why she was in favor of the rodeo park. Mr.Lee replied he was not opposed to developing the rodeo grounds but we need to consider it as an economic development project which should be taken in context with other economic development projects,and we also need to get input from the business community on what fits into the economic development program.He asked if there were any estimates about how much it would cost for maintenance of the rodeo grounds. Mr.Bell answered that they have not developed any. Councilman Perkins asked if after the last budget hearing the final figure for the rodeo park was set at $60,000 plus cost for maintenance it was about $80,000. Mr.Bell clarified that it came up to $64,000:$60,000 plus $4,000 for utilities. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 4 OF 9 Councilman Perkins asked if there were any plans,if the Council decided to cut the merit increase program,for additional benefits to offset that,like an incentive program. Mr.Hoffman answered that they are exploring several additional insurance coverages that could be implemented at no additional amount to what the rates were last year such as some short term disability coverage and other coverage for the police officers.He explained other possible incentives and stated that some of these could be looked at and brought back to the Council. Councilman Perkins asked if those incentives would have an impact on the budget. Mr.Hoffman answered that he would not anticipate any additional amount;that the program they hope to bring back to the Council in the shortest term is deferred compensation which would not cost the City any money,except for Mr.Lewis to set it up in the computer system and administer it. Mayor Perkins stated she would not like to cut the raise;that takes some incentive away from people,but hopefully we can work out something. Councilman Hendricks suggested the possibility of an across-the-board bonus for all employees,a one -time -bonus check,rather than a merit increase. Councilman Perkins stated that it was tried few years ago but it did not seem to work. Staff commented on some of the problems with that program at that time. Councilman Perkins suggested the possibility of offsetting the misuse of sick leave and having a bonus at the end of the year for employees who are at work and do not abuse their sick leave. Mayor Perkins suggested to ask the employees what they think about it. Staff pointed out some of the possible problems with the bonus for non -abuse of sick leave. Library Director Pam Lou stated that any bonus would still have to be based on merit;it would be done after performance review and the decision would be made as to where a person might fall,and the check would be based on that. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 5 OF 9 Councilman Hendricks stated that he was thinking more along the lines of everybody if we want to keep morale up. Mr.Hoffman suggested to tie the issue to the performance of City sales tax;if the local economy gets well, then the employees might do well too. Mr.Dobson suggested that if there will be a bonus,that it be given around Christmastime. Mrs.Theryn Hansen stated that it would be a good idea and it would favor the ones in the lower pay scales. Ms.Debbie Anderson,850 E.Navajo Avenue,commented that morale is low in the business community and she would like to see an incentive program where if they are doing better,the City is doing better and if they are not,then the City is not either. Councilman Perkins explained why it was difficult for him to cut the merit increase but also to have to lay off people instead.He agreed to wait to see if revenues will improve to be able to fund the merit system,after January or February,then implement it.He further expressed his feelings about it. Mayor Perkins concurred with Councilman Perkins. Mr.Bob Trepp,2300W.Apache Trail (Dairy Queen),spoke on behalf of the Main Street group and asked for immediate funding of the $40,000 which was budgeted to start up this project. He further briefed the Council on the Main Street group's goals and projects that they are undertaking. Mr.Bob DeBow,Sr.,spoke on behalf of the Main Street group in favor of the Main Street program. Mr.MD Trepp stated that the program draft was sent to the Department of Commerce and it is currently in San Luis Obispo,CA to be designed into a plan that we can implement with little or no cost to our community which will give us a good,strong long range development plan;this should be back by the first of August. Ms.Debbie Anderson updated the Council on the proposed trolley system. Mr.Bob Trepp stated that one of the things that we have is a city government and a business community with an understanding that we both have needs and we both derive benefits from each other and it's imperative that we both succeed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 6 OF 9 Mr.Bob DeBow closed the Main Street group's presentation with words of encouragement for a better image and mutual cooperation on the Main Street program. Ms.Carol Doty,Executive Director of the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce,briefed the Council on the local tourism impact from last year as well as some positive results from advertising Apache Junction to the tourist industry.She also spoke in favor of Main Street and building a stronger economic base for our City through an economic development plan. Mayor Perkins recessed the meeting at 8:05 p.m.She reconvened the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Mr.Gary Mulholland addressed the Council regarding the rodeo park stating that it was created to attract people to Apache Junction and offer recreation.He asked the Council to make it the number one priority for assistance of funds. Councilman Perkins suggested Ito follow the recommendation of the City Manager regarding the rodeo park and try to combine i t into an overall plan of development along with Main Street, trailhead,the Chamber;that the merit system be postponed and have i t revisited for the budget after January,and if revenues are such that the merit system could be initiated,that it be retroactive. could be done. Councilman Coleman asked if that Mr.Lee answered yes. Councilman Coleman stated that he also agreed with the City Manager's recommendation about the rodeo park and that he would like to see the name of the rodeo park changed to something like "Special Events Center"so that the name reflects a more general usage;and agreed to postpone the merit increase.He suggested to give special recognition to employees such as "the employee of the month"as an incentive. Mr.Lee stated that on the bond program,we have interest earnings on the unspent funds;it's estimated that in three years there would be about several hundred thousand dollars in interest earnings.He recommended to take the interest earnings and use it to reduce the debt service payments for this coming year rather than increasing the constructiontudget;to postpone the Administration building and leave the funds for that invested to earn interest. Councilman Perkins further suggested that they could close the door for now on the merit increase but with the option to open i t later on in the budget year to reward the employees for the SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 7 OF 9 work they do.He would like to have the fexibility to go back if the budget picture improved. Mayor Perkins stated that employee recognition should be given whether there is a merit increase in place or not. Councilman Perkins MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.93-16,ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,FOR FISCAL YEAR 1993-94,HEREWITH SETTING FORTH THE TENTATIVE ESTIMATES FOR THE MONIES NECESSARY FOR THE PUBLIC EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1993-94,AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE TIME AND PLACE FOR HEARING TAXPAYERS FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE FINAL BUDGET,BE APPROVED AND ADOPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS: TO INCREASE THE MAGISTRATE COURT BUDGET BY $16,870.00 TO ACCOMMODATE THE POSSIBLE HIRING OF A FULL-TIME CHIEF PRESIDING MAGISTRATE WITH A PROJECTED HIRE DATE OF NOVEMBER 1,1993;AND TO ALLOW FOR THE POSSIBLE RETENTION OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR POSITION;AND TO DELETE THE $60,000 FOR THE RODEO PARK AND PHASE THIS INTO THE 5 -YEAR PLAN WITH THE CHAMBER,TRAILHEAD,AND MAIN STREET COMMITTEES;AND TO GO BACK INTO THE BUDGET AFTER JANUARY AND REVIEW IT AND IF THE MONIES ARE THERE FOR UP TO 5% MERIT,TO MAKE IT RETROACTIVE TO JULY 1,1993. Councilman Hendricks SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE:Unanimous. The motion carried. ADJOURNMENT 8:57 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS 3RD COUNCIL OF THE CITY SIGNED AND ATTESTED )The meeting adjourned at DAY OF AUGUST ,1993,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. TO THIS 4TH DAY OF AUGUST ,1993. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 8 OF 9 • -1 5 r I Ma 4rMavar ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONE City Clerk 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 19th day of July,1993.I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 29th day of July,1993. City Clerk SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 19,1993 PAGE 9 OF 9