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Home My WebLink About2025-01-07 City Council Regular Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location: City Council Chambers Meeting Minutes at City Hall 300 E.Superstition Blvd City Council Meeting Apache 5119ion,AZ apachejunctionaz.gov Ph:(480)982-8002 Doors are open to the public at least 15 minutes prior to the posted meeting start time: Tuesday,January 7,2025 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL.TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Nesser gave the invocation and Councilmember Soifer led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Wilson announced that tonight's meeting will not offer a time for Call To Public, but this item will return to the regular meeting scheduled for January 21, 2025, C. ROLL CALL Present: 7- Mayor Wilson Vice Mayor Schroeder Councilmember Nesser Councilmember Heck Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Grass Councilmember Soller Staff in Attendance Bryant Powell, City Manager Matt Busby,Assistant City Manager Evie McKinney,Acting City Clerk Joel Stern, City Attorney Michael Pooley, Police Chief Pam Harrison, Library Director Eli Richardson, Management Analyst Michael Beaten, Police Commander D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Neck moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent Agenda. Yes: 7 Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser; Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No. 0 City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 7,2025 1. 24-956 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 24-957 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 17, 2024. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 3, 24-979 Oath of Office and seating of newly elected mayor and councilmembers. As required by law, the city clerk will administer the oaths of office to Mayor-elect Wilson and Councilmembers-elect Heck, Johnson, and Nesser. Mayor Wilson explained at this time the Oaths of Office and seating of the newly elected Mayor and city council members would be conducted. He called upon Acting City Clerk Evie McKinney, who explained the Oath of Office procedures and the importance and purpose of taking the Oath. Mayor Elect Wilson took his Oath of Office,was presented with a Certificate of Election and obtained a seat at the dais, Councilmember Elect Heck took his Oath of Office,was presented with a Certificate of Election and obtained a seat at the dais. Councilmember Elect Johnson took her Oath of Office,was presented with a Certificate of Election and obtained a seat at the dais. Councilmember Elect Nesser took her Oath of Office, was presented with a Certificate of Election and obtained a seat at the dais. Councilmember Johnson expressed her appreciation to her voters and to her husband for his support, Councilmember Heck thanked everyone that voted for him and hopes to honor the City by doing his best. He thanked his wife and the Apache Junction Mounted Rangers for their support. Councilmember Nesser thanked everyone for their support for her re-election. She is proud of the community and here to help. Mayor Wison thanked the voters for electing him for one last term as mayor. He also thanked his wife and family for their support. Vice Mayor Schroeder expressed his excitement for the next couple of years with the experienced members of Council. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 7,2025 F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 4. 24-958 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Mayor Wilson visited the State Capitol and spoke with some of the legislatures about Apache Junction's goals as a community. He stated our Council has been diligent in sharing what the City is trying to do. Mayor Wilson also shared that he collected political signs around the City and took them to Arizona State University where they will recycle the materials and make a park bench for the City, G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 5. 24-959 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell congratulated the newly elected Mayor and Council members, He highlighted the Development Services department and the huge increase in permits for 2024, In 2022, the total number of permits was 67 for single family homes and it has jumped to 1,655 for 2024. He commended the department for their great work on handling the increase. 6. 24-960, Announcement of Current Events. Management Analyst Eli Richardson shared the Holiday Tree Drop-off event. This is a free service that takes place from December 27, 2024-January 31,2025,to dispose your Christmas tree, The drop off sites are Apache Junction Animal Control, 725 E. Baseline Ave and Prospector Park, 3015 N, Idaho Road. For any questions please contact Public Works at 480-982-1055, H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. OLD BUSINESS 7. 24-996 Presentation and discussion on draft Ordinance No. 1561, a continuation of the 0.2%transaction privilege license tax dedicated to public right-of-ways, and draft Ordinance No. 1562, a continuation of the 0.2% transaction privilege license tax dedicated to Public Safety Personnel Retirement System expenses, Assistant City Manager Matt Busby shared information regarding draft Ordinance No, 1561 and draft Ordinance No, 1562. He reminded Council that draft Ordinance No. 1561 is a continuation of the 0.2%transaction privilege license tax dedicated to public right-of-ways, and draft Ordinance No. 1562 is a continuation of the 0,2%transaction privilege license tax dedicated to Public Safety Personnel Retirement System expenses,The fees were posted to the public for 60 days and the public hearing will be on January 21, 2025. Council members had no questions. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 7,2025 J. NEW BUSINESS 8. 24-995 Presentation, discussion and consideration on the renewal of contract agreement for Pinal County Technology Consortium Operations Councilmember Soifer moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that renewal of the contract agreement for Pinal County Technology Consortium Operations be approved. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmernber Softer No: 0 Library Director Pam Harrison presented the Pinal County School Office Education Service Agency created the Pinal County Technology Consortium for the purpose of providing affordable telecommunications and information services to Pinal County schools and libraries by way of the federal E-Rate program,which offers substantial discounts on telecommunications and internet access to eligible U.S. schools and public libraries, Under a Letter of Agency signed by the previous Library Director,the Apache Junction Public Library receives internet access at a greatly reduced rate through this consortium. Due to recent changes in the Letter of Agency agreement, the library is seeking Council approval of its continued participation in the Pinal County Technology Consortium for funding years 2024-2035, as well as authorization be granted for Mayor signature, By entering into this agreement, the library will continue to provide fast and affordable internet access for its patrons, Councilmember Nesser asked what the price difference would be without the contract. Ms. Harrison responded and explained the 83%savings with the contract. Councilmembers had no further concerns. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 7,2025 9. 24-980 Consideration of nomination and selection of vice mayor as required by City Code § 2-2-2. Mayor Wilson called upon Acting City Clerk Evie McKinney,who explained the process of nominating and selecting the vice mayor as required by city code. Mayor Wilson asked for a motion to open nominations for the office of vice mayor. Councilmember Soifer moved,seconded by Councilmember Heck that nominations for the office of vice mayor be opened. Motion passed 7.0 Mayor Wilson asked for nominations for vice mayor. Councilmember Soifer nominated Councilmember Schroeder for the office of vice mayor. Mayor Wilson asked if there are any other nominations. Mayor Wilson asked if there are any other nominations. Mayor Wilson asked if there are any other nominations. Councilmember Soifer moved,seconded by Councilmember Heck to close nominations for the office of vice mayor. Motion passed 7-0 Acting City Clerk Evie McKinney informed a motion is now necessary for the nomination►of Councilmember Schroeder as vice mayor along with a second. Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Soifer to select Councilmember Schroeder as vice mayor. Motion passed 7-0 10. 24-983 Discussion and designation of acting mayor in accordance with Apache Junction City Code Section 2-2-3 Acting Mayor. This item allows the council to designate one of its members to be acting mayor during the absence of both the mayor and vice mayor. The person will be able to conduct meetings and act in the event of emergency situations. Acting City Clerk Evie McKinney introduced the process of designating an acting mayor.She also explained the purpose and duties of acting mayor. Mayor Wilson asked for a motion for acting mayor. Vice Mayor Schroeder moved,seconded by Councilmember Soifer that Councilmember Cross be designated as acting mayor according to Apache Junction City Code section 2-2-3 for the time period beginning January 7,2025 and ending January 5,2027. Motion passed 7-0 City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 7,2025 11. 24-985 Discussion and designation of city council check signatories. City checks require the signature of a city council member in addition to that of the city clerk. Acting City Clerk Evie McKinney informed that city code requires all city checks have 2 signatories in addition to the City Clerk. Mayor Wilson asked fora motion. Councilmember Soller moved,seconded by Councilmember Heck that Mayor Wilson and Vice Mayor Schroder be designated as city check signers in addition to the city clerk. Motion passed 7-0 K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS It DAY OF 2025, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA, SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS > DAY OF Aa*�U , 2025, WALTER"CHIP"WILSON Mayor ATTEST: EVIE MCKINNEY Acting City Clerk U City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 8