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Home My WebLink About2025-03-04 City Council Regular Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location: City Council Chambers Meeting Minutes at City Hall P 300 E.Superstition Blvd City Council Meeting Apache85119ion,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,March 4,2025 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 Heck gave the invocation and Vice Mayor Schroeder led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, C. ROLL CALL Present: 7 Mayor Wilson Vice Mayor Schroeder Councilmember Nesser Councilmember Heck Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Gross Councilmember Soller Staff in Attendance Bryant Powell, City Manager Matt Busby,Assistant City Manager Evie McKinney,City Clerk Joel Stern,City Attorney Kayla Fulmer, Director of Marketing and Communications Michael Pooley, Police Chief Johnny John,Assistant Police Chief Sidney Unas, Planning Manager Emile Schmid;City Engineer Rob Wisler, Management Analyst Eli Richardson, Management Analyst Trina Harrison,CIP Program Manager Dawn McCollum, Executive Assistant Heather Knoblauch; Office Support Specialist Amy Greening,Administrative Assistant Dana Tucker,Records Coordinator Donna Scruggs, Business License Coordinator D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember moved Soller,seconded by Vice Mayor Schroeder to approve the Consent Agenda. City of Apache Junction,Arizona page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 4,2025 Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 1 25-046 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 25-047 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 18, 2025: 3. 25-090 Consideration of approval of Final Plat for Radiance, Parcel 19.17 (SV-23-32). 4. 25-Q91 Consideration of approval of Final Plat for Radiance, Parcel 19.18 (SV-23-34). E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 5. 25-048 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Cross thanked the community and Police Department for supporting the Pony Express re-enactment. Mayor Wilson stated that Arizona State Representative Marshall enjoyed attending the Lost Dutchman Days parade and rodeo. He shared some photos of the events. Mayor Wilson also spoke about the Junior Livestock Program and encouraged the community to support the local 4H group. Councilmember Heck shared the success of the 61 st Annual Lost Dutchman Days events and thanked volunteers and city staff that helped make the event run smoothly. He stated the marathon had 2,800 participants and how the events have helped the city become a more recognized center of activity. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 6. 25-049 City Manager's Report City Manager Bryant Powell thanked City staff for their help and participation in the Lost Dutchman Days events, 7. 25-087 Legislative Update Management Analyst Rob Wisler presented an overview of the Transaction Privilege Tax(TPT) that Arizona uses for business activity and the timeline of the HCR 2021 Legislative Bill which originally was introduced to eliminate the ability for municipalities to impose the TPT on retail City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 4,2025 sales of all food for home consumption. The bill was amended to allow municipalities who currently impose the TPT on retail food to continue to implement it at a rate of 2%. Increases would not be permitted. He also went over the impact to the City if this bill passes. Councilmembers concerns included if this type of bill has been proposed prior, other cities being in debt that do not charge TPT on retail food, and how this bill will hurt the community. Mr. Wisler responded to all concerns. 8. 25-097 AJPD Update Police Chief Michael Pooley presented the following updates on the Apache Junction Police Department for 2024: Increase in hiring and recruitment-they are fully staffed with a waiting list Added technology-Overt Camera Trailers, Motorola APX N70 Radios, VirTra simulation training, Peregrine, UAS Team, Flock Safety, and SPIDR Tech -Special Events-70+community events - New beat system - Increase in calls for service -Homeless outreach with a dedicated officer Councilmembers complimented Chief Pooley on a job well done by bringing these updates to the department and keeping the community safe. He also highlighted the recent large operation that targeted online predators. 9. 25-050 Announcement of Current Events Management Analyst Eli Richardson shared that the Apache Junction Water District(AJWD) and Arizona Water Company(AWC) have partnered with the Boyce Thompson Arboretum to give away 2 free plants per household for AJWD customers, This event is on March 8, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and a valid ID and utility bill is required. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. OLD BUSINESS City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 4,2025 10. 25-096 Presentation, discussion and consideration of Resolution No. 25-03 a resolution of the mayor and city council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona ("Apache Junction"), located in the counties of Maricopa and Pinal, calling and ordering a special election in each county to be held on November 4, 2025, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of Apache Junction the question of changing the mayoral term of office from two years to four years. Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that Resolution No.25-03,a resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona,located in the counties of Maricopa,and Pinal,calling and ordering a special election in each county to be held on November 4,2026,for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of Apache Junction the question of changing the mayoral term of office from two years to four years be approved. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 City Attorney Joel Stern presented Resolution 25-03 which calls for the election on November 4, 2025;and changing the City Code regarding the Mayoral term from 2 years to 4 years. Councilmembers had no concerns, J. NEW BUSINESS 11. 25-079 As required by Apache Junction City Code, Volume 1, Chapter 3, Administration, Article 3-2, Department of City Clerk, §§ 3-2-1(B)(2) and 3-2-4, the city manager is seeking ratification of Evie McKinney for appointment to the position of City Clerk. Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser to ratify the appointment of Evie McKinney to the position of City Clerk. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmernber Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 City Manager Bryant Powell presented Evie McKinney for ratification for City Clerk. He shared her years of service and gave his support. Ms. McKinney thanked City Management and the Council for their support over the last few months. She introduced the Clerk's department and shared memories of her years of service with the City. She also stated the importance of maintaining a good relationship with the Mayor and Council and shared her goals for the Clerk's department. K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 4,2025 M. CALL TO PUBLIC Jeremy Jackson, 1353 S. Belair Road,Apache Junction, thanked Mayor and Council for representing the community and led a prayer. Catherine Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road,Apache Junction, shared upcoming events at the Superstition Mountain Museum. Donna Carr, 2178 W.Virginia St,Apache Junction, shared frustrations with the Police Department and the food tax. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS 1 441 DAY OF r4 2025, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA, SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF 2025: WALTER"CHIP"WILSON Mayor ATTEST: EVIE MCKINNEY City Clerk City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5