HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-18 City Council Regular Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona Meeting location
City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes at City Hall
300 E Superstition Blvd
AZ
City Council Meeting Apach e5„sign,
apacheiunctionaz:gov
Ph.(480)982-8002
Doors are open to the public at least 15 minutes prig to the
posted meeting start time:
Tuesday,February 18,2025 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at7:00 p.m.
B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Heck gave the invocation and Councilmember Nesser led the meeting attendees
in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROL.L. CALL
Present; 7 Mayor Wilson
Vice Mayor Schroeder
Council ember Nesser
Councilmember Neck
ouncilmember Johnson
Councilmember Cross
Councilmember Soifer
Staff in Attendance:
Bryant Powell, City Manager
Evie McKinney,Acting City Clerk
Joel Stern, City Attorney
Kayla Fulmer, Director of Marketing and Communications
Michael Pooley, Police Chief
Johnny Johns;Assistant Police Chief
Rudy Esttuivias, Development Services Director
Liz Langenbach„Parks&Recreation Director
Ryan Kaup, Economic Development Director
Thomas McDermott; Municipal Judge
Sidney tlrias, Planning Manager
Nicholas Leftwich, Planner
Eli Richardson, Management Analyst
D. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Soifer moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent
;Agenda,
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Neck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Scher
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 1
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18,2025
No: 0
1. 25-014 Consideration of acceptance of agenda,
2. 25-015 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 4,
2025,
3. 25-066 Consideration of award of contract to Cactus Asphalt for the slurry seal
treatment of city streets at various locations.The work would be through Pinal
County cooperative contract No. 234128ROQ in the amount of$485,499.00
plus a 10%contingency for unforeseen change orders in the amount of
$48,549.90 for a total project cost not to exceed$534,048.90.Work will result
in a new protective wearing surface prolonging street life. Work is planned to
take place within the month of March 2025,
4. 25-075 Consideration of award of contract for Prospector Park Drainage to Primary
Construction Inc. in an amount not to exceed$359,952.73 which includes a
5%contingency,
E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
5. 25-033 Proclamation for"Human Trafficking Awareness- Not in Our City."
Mayor Wilson read the Proclamation for"Human Trafficking Awareness-Not In Our City,"
F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES
6. 25-016 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and
councilmembers,
Councilmember Cross and Mayor Wilson went to the State Capital and listened to several bills
being read that are trying to go through Legislature. He stated that the Mayor and Council are
working to stay on top of the bills that benefit the community.
Councilmember Cross also announced the Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo is this weekend and he
is wearing a pink shirt to support the"Tough Enough to Wear Pink"campaign that many rodeos
do to bring awareness to breast cancer.
Councilmember Heck and several Councilmembers took a helicopter tour of the Salt River
Project Watershed. He complimented the water company for doing everything they can to
ensure that there is an adequate water supply well into the future.
Mayor Wilson commented about going to the State Capital with Councilmember Cross and
speaking out against the proposed bill removing the food tax. He encouraged citizens to contact
local legislatures and make their voices heard about several bills that could affect the
community. He also stated that he will continue going to the State Capital to represent Apache
Junction and save the community,
Mayor Wilson shared that the State of the City was a successful event with a beautiful view at
the new venue. He complimented City Staff for hosting a memorable evening,
Mayor Wilson attended the Lost Dutchman Marathon and had the privilege of starting several of
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18,2025
the races, There were 2,800 people registered for the event with participants from 47 states
and several different countries. He stated it was a fantastic event that was enjoyed by all.
Mayor Wilson shared that he received an Arizona Highways magazine in the mail and Apache
Junction was listed as a"Phoenix Best Local Getaway Destination,"
G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
7. 25-017 City Manager's Report.
City Manager Bryant Powell stated the 24th Annual Lost Dutchman Marathon had over 800
volunteers from various groups and organizations that helped set up, clean up and run the
event. He complimented their tremendous effort which helps bring money back to the
community,
Mr. Powell also spoke about the State Legislative issues that could affect the City and stated
they are monitoring the situation closely,
Mr. Powell thanked Marketing and Communications Specialist Matthew McNulty for the video he
did for the State of the City.
Mayor Wilson commented on the State Legislative issues and the importance of staying on
involved with them.
8. 25-045 Introduction and discussion with the city's newly hired Economic
Development Director, Ryan Kaup.
City Manager Bryant Powell introduced Ryan Kaup as the new Economic Development Director
for the City.
Mr. Kaup shared his background, experience and his future vision for the Economic
Development Department,
9. 25-018 Announcement of Current Events,
Management Analyst Eli Richardson shared upcoming events:
-61 st Annual Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo on February 21 -23, 2025.Tickets can be bought at
the front gate,
-2025 Lost Dutchman Days Carnival on February 21 -23, 2025.Tickets can be bought at the
front gate.
-Lost Dutchman Days Parade on February 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18,2025
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. 25-073 Presentation, discussion, public hearing, and consideration of Ordinance No.
1563, a text amendment adopting by reference that certain document titled
"2025 Amendments to the Apache Junction City Code,Volume 11, :and
Development Code, Chapter 1:Zoning Ordinance,Article 1-5:Zoning Bulk and
Use Regulations, § 1-5-1 Residential Use Regulations and§ 1-5-3
Non-Residential Use Regulations"; repealing any conflicting provisions,- and
providing for severability.
Vice Mayor Schroeder moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser that Ordinance No.1563 be
read by title only and the reading of the entire ordinance be waived.
Motion passed unanimously.
Acting City Clerk Evie McKinney read Ordinance No.1563 by title only,repealing any conflicting
provisions;and providing for severability.
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Vice Mayor Schroeder that Ordinance No.1663,as
read by the city clerk be approved and adopted including the supplemental material provided by
Staff,
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmernber Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
Mayor Wilson stated Agenda Items 10 and 11 address the same proposed amendment to city
code,therefore he will combine into one public hearing but each item will be voted on
separately.
Planner Nicholas Leftwich presented the background for Ordinance No, 1563 and Resolution
No, 25-01, On December 5, 2023,the City Council issued a direction to staff to review the
zoning ordinance language regarding high impact land use decisions made through Conditional
Use Permits("CUP "),which are only approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and
to provide options to amend the code that would facilitate City Council involvement in these
permanent, high impact land use decisions.
Planning Staff reviewed the matter and returned to the Council on January 16,2024,to provide
the options and to seek further direction to staff to initiate a Zoning Ordinance text amendment.
Two options were presented,either to modify the land use tables to specifically require City
Council involvement in the permanent, high-impact land use decisions, or to change the CUP
process itself to require that all CUP's would be subject to City Council review and
determination, The City Council directed staff, pursuant to the first option,to draft a text
amendment to Apache Junction City Code,Volume 11, Land Development Code, Chapter 1:
Zoning Ordinance,Article 1-5:Zoning Bulk and Use Regulations.
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation
Staff has prepared the text amendment according to this direction and presented it to the
Planning and Zoning Commission on January 14, 2025,to receive their review and
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18,2025
recommendation.The Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of Text Amendment
Case P-24-1-AM.
Items of Consideration
Ordinance No. 1563 and Resolution No. 25-01 have been prepared pursuant to the additional
direction given in the February 3, 2025 City Council Work Session discussion.
Resolution No. 25-01 declares the document"2025 Amendments to the Apache Junction City
Code,Volume 11, Land Development Code, Chapter 1:Zoning Ordinance,Article 1-5:Zoning
Bulk and Use Regulations, § 1-5-1 Residential Use Regulations and§ 1-5-3 Nonresidential Use
Regulations"as a public record filed with the City Clerk.
Ordinance No. 1563 adopts the text amendment into the Zoning Ordinance itself, repealing and
replacing any conflicting provisions.
Councilmembers,has no concerns.
Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing, receiving no comments from the public, he closed the
public hearing and asked for a motion
11 25-074 Presentation, discussion, public hearing, and consideration of Resolution No.
25-01, declaring as a public record that certain document filed with the City
Clerk and titled"2025 Amendments to the Apache Junction City Code, Volume
11, Land Development Code, Chapter 1: Zoning Ordinance,Article 1-5:Zoning
Bulk and Use Regulations, § 1-5-1 Residential Use Regulations and§ 1-5-3
Non-Residential Use Regulations"; repealing any conflicting provisions; and
providing for severability.
Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Soller that Resolution No.25-01,a
resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona,declaring the
document"2025 Amendments to the Apache Junction City Code,Volume 11,Land Development
Code,Chapter 1:Zoning Ordinance,Article 1-5:Zoning Bulk and Use Regulations§1-5-1
Residential Use Regulations and§1-5-3 Non-Residential Use Regulations"as a public record filed
with the City Clerk be approved.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
1. OLD BUSINESS
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page-5
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18,2025
12. 25-077 Direction to staff to take any and all action and bring forth any and all
resolutions necessary to change the mayoral term from 2 years to 4 years
pursuant to AJCC, Vol, 1, Ch. 2, Art 2-1, §2-1-1(B),
Councilmember Nesser moved,seconded by Councilmember Soller that direction to staff be
given to take any and all action and bring forth any and all resolutions necessary to change the
mayoral term from 2 years to 4 years.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
City Attorney Joel Stern explained the process of changing the term of Mayor from 2 years to 4
years. He stated the steps needed to put it on the ballot for the next election,
Mayor Wilson expressed his support for this change.
Councilmembers had no concerns.
L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
M. CALL TO PUBLIC
Catherine Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road,Apache Junction, shared local events that she has
attended including planting trees at Earthheart Park and watching World Champion dancers at
the Heard Museum. She also announced an upcoming fundraiser at the Superstition Mountain
Museum on March 8, 2025.
Donna Carr,2178 W.Virginia Street,Apache Junction,expressed her concerns about the State
Legislature bills that may affect the community and that she was frustrated with the growth of
the City,
N. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.
ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF { 11 2025, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,
X1411
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF 2025,
"/A
11 L
?�m
WALTER"CHIP"WILSON
Mayor
ATTEST:
4"141A 2�4�
EVIE MCKINNEY
City Clerk
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6