HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-01 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 1, 2018
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on May 1, 2018, at the Apache
Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required
by law.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Serdy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Wilson gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Barker led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Serdy
Vice Mayor Wilson
Councilmember Barker
Councilmember Evans
Councilmember Rizzi
Councilmember Struble
Councilmember Waldron
Staff Present:City Manager Bryant Powell
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Tom Kelly
Public Works Director Michael Weller
Parks and Recreation Director Liz
Langenbach
Development Services Director Larry
Kirch
Economic Development Director Janine
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MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 1 OF 17
5
Others Present:
Solley
Public Information Officer Al Bravo
Economic Development Specialist Elan
Vallender
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA )
)Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Serdy read a proclamation designating May 19, 2018 as Kids
To Parks Day and presented it to Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Vice Mayor Wilson thanked Police Officer David James for
stopping a wrong way driver attempting to get on US 60.
Councilmember Barker announced most of them attended the senior
interviews at Apache Junction High School and it was an amazing
experience.
Councilmember Rizzi announced she and Councilmember Struble also
attended the interviews and she was very impressed.
Councilmember Rizzi announced she attended a suicide prevention
event with Vice Mayor Wilson on the ripple effect.It was very
moving.If you see someone struggling with depression, reach
out to them.
Councilmember Rizzi announced they all attended the Golden Rule
Banquet which was amazing with incredible entertainment.
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MAY 1, 2018
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Councilmember Rizzi announced several of the council attended
the Four Peaks D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony.
Councilmember Rizzi announced she attended the Sunshine Acres
grand opening, a new thrift store in the community.They do a
lot for foster children in the community.
Mayor Serdy commented if you want to help one of the thrift
stores, Sunshine Acres is very worthwhile.They have helped
with the upbringing of foster children for thirty years.
Mayor Serdy announced a couple of Saturdays ago he attended the
Legion of the Silver Rose ceremony honoring victims of agent
orange from Vietnam.
Councilmember Struble announced the student council from Imagine
Prep.Their basketball team took second in the state for their
division.He introduced the council and other students
attending the meeting.The student council announced various
accomplishments during the year.
Councilmember Struble announced he attended the Friends of
Apache Junction golf tournament over the weekend in Queen
Valley.
Councilmember Struble commented it is always an amazing time to
see kids talk about their future at the senior interviews.
Councilmember Struble announced they were supposed to have a car
wash this Saturday for Peralta Trail but it will probably not
happen due to everything that is happening.He will let
everyone know when they do as they are raising funds for a
classmate that needs surgery.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Bryant Powell commented on the upcoming free dump
week, the Irun series for Parks and Recreation, the ongoing
transportation plan with a bike event and the Lady Prospectors
were in the softball quarterfinals this afternoon and won.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 3 OF 17
RESOLUTION NO. 18-14, ESTABLISHMENT
OF A NEW SINGLE CENTRAL BUSINESS
DISTRICT WHICH WILL REPLACE THE
EXISTING SINGLE CENTRAL BUSINESS
DISTRICT/RESOLUTION NO. 18-12,
ESTABLISHING THE OLD WEST HIGHWAY
REDEVELOPMENT AREA/RESOLUTION NO.
18-13, ADOPTION OF A NEW
REDEVELOPMENT AREA PLAN FOR THE OLD
WEST HIGHWAY REDEVELOPMENT AREA/
RESOLUTION NO. 18-15, RESCINDING
THE CROSSROADS REDEVELOPMENT AREA
AND ITS ASSOCIATED REDEVELOPMENT
AREA PLAN
)Economic Development
Specialist Elan Vallender briefed the council on the item
including that adoption of the plan will not create any tax
increase, it will not rezone any properties, it will not
displace any residents from their homes and will not remove any
public hearing requirements from any existing processes now
being followed.
Mayor Serdy commented after
he mentioned this the last time there were some residents who
were very worried.He was able to meet with them and let them
know about the issues.
Economic Development
Specialist Elan Vallender stated he had a nice meeting with one
of the residents within this area and she expressed some
concerns.He continued with his briefing.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the items.There being no one wishing to speak, he
closed the public hearing and reopened the items to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion on Item No. 6.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 18-14, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, DESIGNATING AN,
AREA AS THE SINGLE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF
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MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 4 OF 17
APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA; AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 00-10,
BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion on Item No. 7.
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 18-12, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, SETTING FORTH
FINDINGS IN SUPPORT OF THE EXISTENCE OF ADDITIONAL AREAS WITHIN
THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION THAT QUALIFY
FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURSUANT TO ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES § 36-
1471,ET SEQ.;AND ESTABLISHING THE OLD WEST HIGHWAY
REDEVELOPMENT AREA, BE APPROVED.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion on Item No. 8.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 18-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, APPROVING AND
ADOPTING THE OLD WEST HIGHWAY REDEVELOPMENT AREA PLAN FOR THE
OLD WEST HIGHWAY REDEVELOPMENT AREA, BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 5 OF 17
The motion carried.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion on Item No. 9.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 18-15, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NO. 98-15, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CROSSROADS
REDEVELOPMENT AREA PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON MAY
19, 1998; RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 06-23, THE APPROVAL OF THE
DOWNTOWN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE CROSSROADS REDEVELOPMENT
AREA, PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 6, 2006;
AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 13-35, REAFFIRMING THE CROSSROADS
REDEVELOPMENT AREA AND PLAN, PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 19, 2013, BE APPROVED.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION OF REFUSE
AND RECYCLING
)Development Services
Director Larry Kirch briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Evans commented
he mentioned the electronics and the white goods.She asked if
this would also include motor oil and tires.Where they are
putting in the new turnabout one can see there is a whole stack
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 6 OF 17
of tires that were unearthed.She asked if that would be
included in the verbiage for the current motion or would they
have to add hazardous waste to encompass all of it.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they have household hazardous waste.They
can include that if they want to explore that as part of the
request for proposal.They currently have a system.There will
be two of those events according to the budget last night.
Different cities grow into it.Some cities actually have it
where you call them up, get on a list and they will come and
pick up your old cans of paint and Drano.Other cities decide
that you can haul it in on a Saturday.Currently we write up
tires for attracting mosquitos.They write it up as storage of
tires.A lot of stores will just charge a fee for keeping the
tires but somehow they accumulate.Tires can be taken to the
drop off day when we do that.It is kind of like an amnesty
day.It is up to the council if they want to include storing
household hazardous waste.It is all part of the same waste
stream.They did not include it here because it is kind of hard
to do in one day and now this could expand it to two days.
Councilmember Evans commented
if it becomes a request for proposal they do not know who will
bid on it.They might want to pick up some of that as well or
not.She thinks it should be more inclusive.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they can put it as a bid option.They could
have a bid and say they are going to do this.A lot of cities
are like restaurants where you can order a la carte.They can
order the special or they can order a la carte.Some cities say
here is what they are going to do, this is what the company bid
on, and then they get alternative bids for A, B, C and D.Those
alternative bids might include alley pick up once a month or
quarterly, it is however they can come back and complete the
bidding process.
Mayor Serdy commented if this
plays out to the full extent the city will be telling some
private companies that they cannot do business in the city.
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MAY 1, 2018
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City Manager Bryant Powell
stated that is a possible outcome.For example, Florence,
Chandler, Queen Creek and almost every valley city has one trash
company where residents do their residential trash pick up.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated the free market comes into play when they bid
on the request for proposal.They may be excluding some over
others but it is whoever puts the most qualified bid together.
That is where the private market place comes in, in terms of the
free market enterprise system.
Mayor Serdy asked how this
compares to the tow contracts where we have more than one
company and that gets very competitive and there have been some
heated discussions.He asked if they would be opening up the
city to lawsuits.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is a compound question and could take a while to
explain.Basically, the tow contract was for towing vehicles
that the police department requested for tows and that was the
only scope of it.It is limited.Tow companies can still tow
private individuals' cars and that individual would have to call
them up to do it.It is a little different.This is a little
different because any vendor can respond to the request for
proposal.The city manager and staff would look at the results
and decide if there are responsive and responsible bids.That
is how it would work and how it is done in other cities.Some
cities have their own trash department, trucks and employees.
Some cities divide up the city into sectors for the trash
service so that each service provider would have their own area.
There would not be 3 to 4 companies on the streets every Monday
and Thursday.
Mayor Serdy commented right
now we have fairly low rates because as each additional company
came in it brought the rates down.He asked if the rates would
be locked in if they award this to one company or would they be
begging us that they need to go up, up and up to get it up to
where they are not competitive any more.
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MAY 1, 2018
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City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the market would dictate what they want to put in the
request for proposal.Just like they have other contractors
like the janitorial contract, it goes up a certain amount per
year or every 3 years.It depends on what they want to put in
the request for proposal.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated he thinks that is part of the scope that they will want
to develop.It will take some time.They will want to look at
best practices.It might even be for 5 years before they go out
and rebid again.It could be 8 years.They will look at all
the valley cities and maybe even nationally for the time frames.
They could even do geographic areas.What is essentially
important for this community because we have the landfill within
our community is that they are going to want to have assurance
that the residential solid waste that is so close to your
landfill go there.There are lots of different reasons for
that.Those may be some other questions they may have.
Vice Mayor Wilson asked how
it would impact the landfill where we right now have 2035 as a
closure date if they awarded a contract to someone else that
hauls their refuse off to their own facility.He asked if that
would impact that with the decreased volume they would be
getting.He asked if there would be a problem in suddenly
having to extend that because they do not have the volume or
will it basically open it up to where now they would have trash
haulers from other areas coming into our community to go into
our landfill in order to still meet that 2035 date for closure.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he believed they could dictate in the request for
proposal where they have to take the trash.If they say they
will not and they are going to take it to Phoenix, then that
would not be responsive so they would not be a responsive or
responsible bidder.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated one of the problems they have is two of the
firms now take the trash out of the city.Based on code
compliance, they have people that are not taking it anywhere.
They are burning it.It is not going in any landfill.It
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MAY 1, 2018
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becomes a code case.Eventually it goes somewhere but right now
we know that two of the three firms take it outside the city.
If what the city attorney is saying is part of this process, if
they could have 100% of it go to the landfill, then is there a
possibility that the landfill could close early.That is
necessarily a good thing for the city but at some point if the
landfill closes early then the solid waste will go somewhere
else and the cost will probably go up.That is an inevability
anyway.Right now there is an agreement that says it closes in
2035.If not one more ton goes into the landfill, it still
closes in 2035.
Mayor Serdy commented they
are looking at 7 or 8 months for the process before they see
this again.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated even though they have some studies, he thinks
there is still a lot to be learned from what other communities
are doing and they can come back with some options.If they
decide no, they will keep business as usual.They may mandate
everyone to have it but still keep three firms.
Mayor Serdy asked if part of
the process will be reaching out to the four firms.He believes
there is a fourth one now.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they would all have to bid.
Mayor Serdy commented he
meant reaching out to them for input, ideas and logistics.He
asked if he would be reaching out to them for that.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated he thinks they have to be careful when they
do that, to have folks helping that might bid on it and help
with the request for proposal.He thinks that would be
problematic.The best input he thinks he can get is from
experience from other communities and what they have done that
have already gone through this.He brought up the towing
contract.There is a community not too far from here that had
the same kind of philosophy.If they did not win, then do they
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MAY 1, 2018
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sue the community because they thought their bid was better or
more responsive.That happens with any bidding process.
Maricopa Association of Governments has just completed a study
on best practices.They went out to every city in their region
and determined the best practices for solid waste.He thinks
they should take advantage of their membership in Maricopa
Association of Governments and use those best practices as we
think how we are going to go forward in the community.
Mayor Serdy commented that
would include sister -type cities that went through this process.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated that is correct, from the previous Arizona
State University study and whether they are comparable or not.
They looked at Fountain Hills, Queen Creek and Buckeye.
Paradise Valley has just gone through it.One of the students
said they could, in theory, piggyback on Queen Creek's contract.
We do that for computer purchases.He does not know if Mesa
could be competitive but they could allow another public agency
to bid.
Mayor Serdy commented he
believed Mesa is one of those that has municipal trash.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated but they might be a vendor.That is what
they have to think about.They have to ask themselves if it is
just the private sector.Mesa could come in with a lower and
more qualified proposal than the three here.Everybody sharpens
their pencil on bids.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated they may already see City of Mesa trucks going into the
landfill but we do not control the inf ill rate.What goes in
the landfill is completely private.He thinks this process may
also involve a pre-scoping before they even get together to
decide how to pull it together.They have a major change going
on with one of the major waste haulers in the city.One of them
has just been bought out.They will need to establish a
relationship so they know what is going on.We have Waste
Management and Republic.They will want to keep them aware of
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 11 OF 17
what is going on.They will need to get input from our
residents.It is a major change.
Councilmember Struble asked
if this will increase our code compliance or reduce the code
compliance when they make this mandatory for all of our citizens
to do the hauling and collection.He asked if he had any feel
for that.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated in theory, over time, it will go down.He
thinks education is the big component.Right now, if you live
on the other side of Mountain View, you have to have somebody
take your trash.It is mandatory in the county that you have to
have somebody come and get it.Inside the city and in the
county islands, that is another thing they have been talking
about, that maybe there is a way for the county islands to
become part of this contract.They have not even been thinking
about that.He thinks education will be key and there will
continue to be code enforcement but he hopes the open burning
will go down and most of the stuff will be starting to move its
way out of backyards and into these bins.We would probably
keep the free dump week and maybe keep it over the period of the
contract with Republic.The Community Development Corporation
was talking about amnesty.Maybe the city should go out and put
40 -yard dumpsters throughout the city a couple of times for the
first couple of years and get people to fill up those dumpsters,
knowing they have to have mandatory trash pick up but there is
incentive by having a dumpster at the end of the street for a
week and they can go fill it up.Those are all things that he
thinks can ease the citizens into a mandatory system.
Councilmember Struble
commented he knows there are a lot of older residents in our
town that would not fill up a container as quickly as a family.
He asked if they would be able to share containers amongst two
neighbors or three neighbors so that they could save costs due
to their limited income.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they can explore that.Typically, they would
end up with a container that is very small but still automated.
It would only hold one or two bags opposed to one that holds six
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 12 OF 17
bags.It is almost like a pay as you throw or they pay less
because they generate less.Right now, when you have single
street recycling, the recycling bin usually has more stuff in it
than the trash bin if it is being done correctly.Everybody
could end up with a 60 -gallon or 30 -gallon toter instead of a
90- gallon toter.They have seasonal residents.There are
people that shut off their water during the summer now.They
could create a system where they keep the toter but only pay for
the time that they are here.There is still a lot of work to
do.They need to determine what size property becomes a
commercial property and what a duplex or fourplex would be
under.They are not going to have this deal with commercial
businesses.They are still going to do what they do.A lot of
the RV parks will probably be treated like a commercial
contract.They already handle their own solid waste.They are
really talking about residential.
Mayor Serdy asked what a
toter is and if it is a Wisconsin thing.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated it could be.They just call them toters.It
is wheeled out and there are three sizes.It is a bin.A lot
of them have identification chips so that when it goes in the
truck it reads it.Where he used to work people would complain
about the trash not coming that day.They knew it never made it
to the curb because it never went in the truck.It has a bar
code scanner and they know that the truck came and picked it up
at 6:30 a.m.They end up reducing complaints about missed pick
ups and things like that.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she struggled with the mandated part and there will be some
community members that may, but they have faced some horrific
situations in the last couple years where people were not
mandated to have the trash picked up and it was piling up in the
backyard.They have vermin and diseases.That is probably what
is causing us to get to this point.One of the other problems
that she has with this is she hates to take away the competition
because then they get into the pricing issue.Jeff had alluded
to that.They have one company and they just continue to raise
the prices.It is a concern but we are getting to the point
where we have to look at this.We are probably one of the only
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MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 13 OF 17
ones in the East Valley that does not have the mandate.We are
getting into situations where we have to do something.It is
not pleasant but change is coming and we have to do something
about it.
Councilmember Barker
commented prices could be addressed in the request for proposal
and increases could be no more than "x" percent in the request
for proposal.They could control those prices.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated in theory they should not be more than they
are today.They actually should come down because one company
has the bigger contract so they would have more doors to stop
at.
Mayor Serdy commented he
lives in between Winchester and Royal Palm.They have all the
apartment complexes that are on Winchester.They have multiple
dumpsters out there that do not get taken back in.He would
like to see that addressed.The day they are picked up they
have to be picked up.Right now they stay out there for days.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated that is currently in the code and they could
start on those.They also have these county islands.There is
a gentleman who called him that lives on Southern who stated
they are not picking them up along Southern.Giao and he wrote
letters to all those people and it got better.The county sent
letters to the county island people.
Mayor Serdy commented that
this would have more teeth in it.Letters do not really scare
anybody.They have the contract and they make sure the
customers pick them up.That is what he is asking for.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they can only put them out for so many hours
before and they have to bring it in so many hours after it is
picked up.That is kind of what the current code says.They
talk about the big picture of what they are trying to enforce.
They have big properties where there is lots of criminal
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 14 OF 17
activity.When there are 5 RVs on one property, it ends up
being a low priority.It is part of the educational process.
Mayor Serdy asked if this is
an opportunity to put some teeth in it.To enforce it rather
than get a letter a week later.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated absolutely.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion.
Councilmember Barker
commented they can add the hazard waste information on the last
line.
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING
DRAFTING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE,
RECYCLING SERVICES AND HAZARDOUS WASTE:THE CITY MANAGER, ALONG
WITH THE APPROPRIATE CITY STAFF CONDUCT FURTHER RESEARCH OF
OTHER METRO -REGION MUNICIPALITIES ALONG WITH MARICOPA
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS' RECENT BEST PRACTICES FOR SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT REPORT AND DRAFT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR A
COORDINATED RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR
FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AT A FUTURE
MEETING.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
There was general discussion
as to whether hazardous waste had been added to the motion.It
was determined it had.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 15 OF 17
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT
7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018, IN THE CITY COUNCIL
CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY; AND
THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY
15, 2018, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
)Mayor Serdy adjourned the
meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of regular meeting of
April 17, 2018.
ACCEPTED THIS /5-1-71V DAY OF 46V , 2018, BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS / 5 7 *DAY OF
JEFF ODY.
Mayor
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 16 OF 17
/ / I V , 2018.
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
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 1st
day of May, 2018.I further certify that the meeting was duly
called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 7th day of May, 2018.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1, 2018
PAGE 17 OF 17
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 14, 2018
The special meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on May 14, 2018, at the
Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice
required by law.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Serdy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Serdy
Vice Mayor Wilson
Councilmember Barker
Councilmember Evans
Councilmember Rizzi
Councilmember Struble
Councilmember Waldron
Staff Present:City Manager Bryant Powell
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Tom Kelly
Parks and Recreation Director Liz
Langenbach
Finance Director Donna Meinerts
Human Resources Director Liz Riley
Economic Development Director Janine
Solley
Assistant to the City Manager Anna
McCray
Others Present:Public Information Officer Al Bravo
Presiding Magistrate James Hazel
RESOLUTION NO. 18-18, DECLARING AS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 14, 2018
PAGE 1 OF 6
5
A PUBLIC RECORD AND ADOPTING
CERTAIN DOCUMENTS ENTITLED
"CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2018-2019", "CIVILIAN
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR
2018-2019", "RECRUIT AND SWORN
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR
2018-2019" AND "CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION FLAT AND HOURLY SALARY
SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019")
briefed the council on the item.
City Manager Bryant Powell
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated this is the only time the council will see this for
adoption purposes. By adopting it tonight they will be inserting
it into the final budget.When they adopt the final budget it
will automatically be part of that.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated the 2.5% step increase is about $450,000 of an
expenditure increase.
Mayor Serdy commented
Governor Ducey called him and stated they should not give them
more than 1% yet he wants to go over and above that.
Councilmember Barker
commented they can take the rest out of HURF funds.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she thought they had just done a 5% increase for the water
district so that just cancelled that out.
Mayor Serdy called for any
discussion, adding it sounds very reasonable.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated this is consistent with the classification plan that they
have been implementing over the last several years.There is
nothing major either way.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 14, 2018
PAGE 2 OF 6
Mayor Serdy commented this is
year by year.If the economy comes to a halt, we can just
freeze temporarily like we did in the past.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated they have done that in the past and they did freeze it.
Mayor Serdy commented and now
when it is good then we pass it along.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated that is correct.
Assistant City Manager Matt
Busby stated just to clarify, this vote on agenda item number
one is not a vote for the 2.5%, it is a vote for the
classification plan and compensation schedule.The vote for the
2.5% increase is actually in the budget in item number two, if
that makes sense.
Mayor Serdy closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 18-18, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, DECLARING AS A
PUBLIC RECORD AND ADOPTING CERTAIN DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE CITY
CLERK ENTITLED "CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019"; "CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION CIVILIAN
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019"; "CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION RECRUIT AND SWORN COMPENSATION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR
2018-2019"; AND "CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION FLAT AND HOURLY SALARY
SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019"; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY,
BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 14, 2018
PAGE 3 OF 6
RESOLUTION NO. 18-11, ADOPTION OF
TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR
2018-2019 AND GIVING NOTICE OF
FINAL BUDGET ADOPTION
)City Manager Bryant Powell
briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.
Mr. George Schroeder, 2444 W.
Virginia, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He asked if
this includes mental health monies in the budget.
Councilmember Barker asked if
he was referring to the health and human services budget.
Mr. George Schroeder stated
that is correct.
Councilmember Barker
commented it does not.
Mr. George Schroeder stated
it seems there is a massive deficit between the services we are
paying for and getting money for and the people that are on the
streets.He knows they approved a couple hundred thousand
dollars or one hundred thousand dollars a couple of months ago
for such services to Horizon.He is not seeing it.He still
sees the people on his street.He requested they sever all ties
with the mental health system as they are not doing us anything.
If the city thinks they are he requested they give more in
writing showing that they are.The people on the street need a
place and he does not want them on his culvert.The state,
federal government and county government need to do their jobs.
Councilmember Barker
commented she wanted to clarify that we do not have any mental
health money in this budget.
Vice Mayor Wilson agreed
there is none.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 14, 2018
PAGE 4 OF 6
Mayor Serdy closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 18-11, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, FOR THE
ADOPTION OF THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION, ARIZONA, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019, 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 2018-2019 AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE TIME AND PLACE
FOR HEARING TAXPAYERS FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE FINAL BUDGET, AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, BE APPROVED.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
motion to adjourn the meeting.
ADJOURN THE MEETING.
THE MOTION.
There was no vote.
meeting at 7:10 p.m.
)Mayor Serdy called for a
Vice Mayor Wilson MOVED TO
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
Mayor Serdy adjourned the
ACCEPTED THISTHIS 45-,DAY OF VAAA--,2018, BY THE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 6 17,4 DAY OF , 2018.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 14, 2018
PAGE 5 OF 6
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
JEFffitERDY
Mayor
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
14th day of May, 2018.I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 15th day of May, 2018.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 14, 2018
PAGE 6 OF 6
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 15, 2018
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on May 15, 2018, at the
Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice
required by law.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Serdy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Wilson gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Struble led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Serdy
Vice Mayor Wilson
Councilmember Barker
Councilmember Evans
Councilmember Rizzi
Councilmember Struble
Councilmember Waldron
Staff Present:City Manager Bryant Powell
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Tom Kelly
Public Works Director Michael Weyer
Development Services Director Larry
Kirch
Assistant to the City Manager Anna
McCray
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 1 OF 80
.S-
Others Present:Economic Development Specialist Elan
Vallender
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
) Mayor Serdy announced that
before he calls for a motion on the consent agenda, they are
going to move Item No. 10 before Item No. 9.He called for a
motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN TO RESOLUTION NO. 18-19, A RESOLUTION OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,
ARIZONA, COMMITTING LOCAL FUNDS AS LEVERAGE FOR FY 2017
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") STATE SPECIAL PROJECT
("SSP") APPLICATIONS; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN TO RESOLUTION NO. 18-20, A RESOLUTION OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, PINAL
COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LOAN
AGREEMENT WITH APACHE JUNCTION VILLAS, LLC, REGARDING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF APACHE JUNCTION TOWNHOMES GENERALLY LOCATED AT
THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAN MARCOS AND TEPEE STREET; AND
THAT ITEM NUMBER 10 BE MOVED TO FOLLOW THE CITY MANAGER'S
REPORT.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Serdy read a proclamation designating May 20-28, 2018 as
National Public Works Week and presented it to Public Works
Director Michael Weyer.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 2 OF 80
Mayor Serdy recognized the Cactus Canyon Junior High Student
Council for their hard work within their school and the
community.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Waldron announced this is National Police Week and
tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in front of the police department
there will be a memorial service for Officer Duncan, the only
Apache Junction officer killed in the line of duty.
Councilmember Rizzi announced she attended the Youth Matters
Conference at the junior high school and was given the
opportunity to speak.The older children mentored the younger
children.
Councilmember Evans announced last week she, Bryant Powell and
Janine Solley attended a presentation at the Board of Realtors
in West Mesa concerning commercial real estate in
municipalities.Lisa Atkins from State Land was presenting.
Councilmember Struble announced last Tuesday at the school board
meeting they recognized the kids from each of the schools that
were student of the year.He read their names for recognition.
Councilmember Struble commented they finished up with free dump
week last week.This week there is keep your truck and car
dirty week.Peralta Trail Building America Club is having a car
wash on Saturday morning to raise money for a fellow student
that needs surgery.
Mayor Serdy commented Peace Officers Week is going on all over
the country.
Mayor Serdy announced last Saturday the bicycle police officers
set up a course for little kids to learn how to signal and what
hazards to look for.
Mayor Serdy announced everyone got a plastic bag in their
mailbox from Fry's for the food bank.He and Councilmember
Rizzi went there and watched all the food come in.It was awe-
inspiring to see the community donate like that.They take
donations all year long.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 3 OF 80
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Bryant Powell thanked him for honoring the public
works department and commented on National Peace Officers
Memorial Day and National Police Week.
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby gave a short briefing on the
monthly financial report.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 HUMAN
SERVICES FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS )
City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Rizzi thanked
the commission for going through all the applications.It is a
very difficult process.They have a greater need than we have
funds available.It is tough to break it down and decide which
organization gets how much.She wanted to thank the board for
the time they put in to going through all the applications,
asking questions and reviewing everything.They wish there was
more to give but they do not.They do a great job in being fair
and making sure everyone is following the rules.
Mayor Serdy commented it is
one of the more rewarding boards and important boards they have
here in the city.He closed the discussion with no further
comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION BE GIVEN TO STAFF REGARDING FISCAL
YEAR 2018-2019 HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS:THAT THE
CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMISSION BE PLACED ON THE JUNE 19 CONSENT AGENDA.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 4 OF 80
PUBLIC HEARINGS
RESOLUTION NO. 18-21, APPEAL OF
CASE CUP -9-17 BY EVAN BOLICK,
REPRESENTING JAMES AND BAMBI
JOHNSON, MARK AND KINDRA THEISMAN,
NICK AND HELEN FUNK, RICH AND
KATHY BEAVERS AND PATRICK AND
DIANA LA CLAIR, REQUESTING APPEAL
OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
GRANTED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION TO MEHMOOD MOHIUDDIN,
REPRESENTED BY RALPH PEW, TO
CONDUCT VARIOUS OUTDOOR
ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES ON HIS
PROPERTY SURROUNDING THE HITCHING
POST AND HP STEAKHOUSE RESTAURANTS,
ZONED B-1 GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND
LOCATED AT 2341 N. APACHE TRAIL
)Senior Planner Rudy
Esquivias briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Serdy asked why there
is no parking in condition number 12 if it is a safe place to
park.He asked what the problem is with it.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the storage lot to the south is used for RV storage.
There might be several trucking companies that use that
property.That lot was not included for use as part of the
activities related to this conditional use permit or as one of
the lots available for overflow parking.
Mayor Serdy asked if this
would have to be done every three years as one of the conditions
in the high teens required.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated no.They are suggesting something like they have done
with other conditional use permits like the medical marijuana
thing and the market day events.They are automatically brought
back every four years and on one of them it was to be brought
back every three years just to make sure there was compatibility
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 5 OF 80
and no issues or problems.They are suggesting a one-time
review after three years to see how things are going.One of
the conditions is they would also update the commission within a
year.
Mayor Serdy requested the
applicants' attorney to address the council.
Mr. Ralph Pew, Mesa,
addressed the council.He has represented Mo over the years.
This is for an appeal on an approved conditional use permit by
the planning and zoning commission.The council can uphold,
deny and reject or modify the decision.The reason they are
here tonight is that several years ago they came before the
council and had a development agreement approved that allowed
the operation of the bull riding arena on Thursday and Saturday
evenings.At the time the development agreement was approved,
the conditional use process was not available in the city's
zoning code, becoming part of the code afterwards.When Mo
decided to expand and include the operation of his restaurants
and his western town along with some outdoor activities, those
would now fall under a conditional use permit.There is a list
of permitted uses in each zoning district.There is also a
table of uses that are compatible with the allowed uses but
require another hearing by the planning and zoning commission to
determine compatibility, location, the nature of the use and
apply conditions to the case.That is what is critical here
tonight.The outdoor uses proposed include some events in the
western town, volleyball, corn hole, outdoor activities behind
the restaurant and the continued use of the bull riding arena
for an additional five events a year beyond Thursday and
Saturday.If they were an allowed use they would not be here
tonight.Since they are outside and beyond what is allowed in
the development agreement they are here on a conditional use
permit.Some of the surrounding property owners have appealed
the approval of this conditional use permit.Mr. Esquivias has
given a very accurate description of what Mo is requesting.
Unless they have questions, he will not be redundant on the
uses.He wants to focus on the conditions of approval and the
findings of fact.Factors and findings sometimes get mixed
together.The factors they are to consider are the use, the
manner of its operation and its configuration.There is a list
of factors the code says they can take into account but they are
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 6 OF 80
not limited to those.They can consider other issues.He urged
the council to approve the conditional use permit as it was
approved by the planning and zoning commission subject to a few
changes to conditions.The findings justify it.The outdoor
uses being proposed do not present a detrimental or inimical
impact on the neighborhood according to the various factors
listed in the code.The question is if the roadways are
adequate and is there off-street parking and facilities.They
are at the corner of Apache Trail and Lost Dutchman Boulevard, a
very important intersection that is well -traveled.It is
picturesque and beautiful.There is plenty of access and
roadways there.There is parking on the site given the
additional land proposed in the conditional use permit just
barely south of the restaurant.The facilities have
historically accommodated larger crowds with outdoor restrooms.
They can continue to do that.There is a condition that deals
with that ultimately but not initially.They believe that is a
clear finding.He asked if there are negative impacts from
odor, dust, gas, noise, lighting, smoke, heat and glare.Most
of those there is really not any negative impact.Someone might
say there could be smoke which comes from individual fire pits
used in the fall and winter in the outdoor area.They could
assume the fire pit could have a little bit of smoke that
trespasses beyond the property.It is not much different from
someone having a barbeque or a fire pit in their own backyard.
It is not a major deleterious effect on adjoining property
owners.There is the question of if the use contributes to the
deterioration of the neighborhood.Neighborhood is a broad word
there.It uses neighborhood and negative impact on property
values.The question is who the neighboring property owners
are.The property owners to the east are clearly residential
homes, beautiful homes with wonderful people living there.To
the north is another commercial use.To the west is a
commercial use.To the immediate south there is one appendage
of a residential piece that adjoins this but it is commercial.
He asked if they look at this use and say it is so obnoxious and
so terrible that it becomes detrimental or seriously injurious
to those residents to the east.They believe that is not the
case through the limited hours of operation, the screen wall
they are agreeing to do on Cortez and the setback from where
they are operating to adjoining residential properties.The
letter the council received tonight is the first they have heard
of a commercial neighbor in opposition to the project.Others
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 7 OF 80
may speak about that tonight but they have not heard that yet
from anyone.Property values are difficult things to deal with.
He asked how they would know if a particular use is truly
harmful and causes a diminishment in value.It is unpredictable
and hard to know.Their position is this is a vibrant,
exciting, good use.There are those who would choose to live by
it.There may be those who are offended by it.Their position
is that it does not diminish any of the neighbors' property
values.In fact, in their opinion, most of the adjoining
property owners would have a beneficial effect by this use
because it is so encouraging to the community, so enlightening
and so fun that it adds vigor to that area.He asked if the use
is compatible to the surrounding area.They believe it is.
They are not proposing any additional buildings.They are doing
outside volleyball and corn hole and little bridal arch -type
wedding things.This commercial property has been here since
the annexation that occurred at about the same time the
residential land came in.He thinks they are relatively close
in time.For anyone to say this was not a commercial site or
this was all residential is not true.It is a critical
commercial intersection.They are asking for limited and
restricted outdoor uses.They conform to the general plan.The
staff report is clear.They have discussed screening and
buffering and they believe there is sufficient buffering.This
location has the view, the access to the lakes and it is the
spot in the city where you can get that feel of the outdoor
ambience and what it means.They believe all the findings are
met.He next wanted to go through the conditions, the key to a
conditional use permit as the code gives the commission and
council the authority to deal with it.He had copies of their
suggested changes to the conditions for the council and on a
thumb drive for audience viewing.
Mayor Serdy asked if these
were in their packets.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated they are
not.They just finished them.
Mayor Serdy commented they
could possibly do both.The public can see it on the thumb
drive and the council can look at the copies.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 8 OF 80
Mr. Ralph Pew stated there
was a lot of discussion about conditions at the planning
commission meeting.They took the decision of the planning
commission with their findings and the conditions and used those
as the base.They are making some suggested changes here.He
will tell them what they are in each instance, where they agree
and where they have a different view.The first one is the
condition that deals with the fence on the eastern side of the
property.The planning commission's condition deals with an
engineered 6' chain link fence with a 10' setback and other
details.They propose that wood or vinyl slats be put into the
existing chain link fence, not taking one out and building a new
one, but to use the existing fence in its current location.If
it is determined that the chain link fence encroaches into
rights -of -way or there is a problem with that, they can work
with staff over time to move it to the right location.Their
view is to use the current fence, put the slats in it and create
the obscure visual buffer for the residents over to the Hitching
Post facility.That is number one.Number two is a curious
condition, also.When the commission crafted this condition
they basically followed the recommendation of staff along with
some small changes.It deals with the traffic impact analysis.
It suggested that after a year Mo pay for and commission a
traffic impact analysis.Based upon that, Mo would meet with a
traffic engineer and city staff and consider what to do on Lost
Dutchman as that is a city right-of-way.He would also have to
deal with Highway 88.Highway 88 is an Arizona Department of
Transportation roadway.They have rewritten this condition.
Their proposal is if within a year the city wants to do a
traffic statement or traffic impact analysis, the city should
initiate that and they will participate, cooperate, meet with
staff, discuss how it affects Lost Dutchman and together go to
the Arizona Department of Transportation who controls what
happens on Highway 88.If they like it the way it was from the
commission, Mo will incur the cost of doing it.He wants to
clarify there is the city and the Arizona Department of
Transportation.That needs to be straightened out somehow.
They have another suggested change for condition three.This
condition ended up being that within a year the property owner,
the city building official and the Pinal County Health
Department will meet and evaluate the public facilities,
restrooms, etc., to determine if there are enough for the uses
that are going on and are adequate and appropriate.Mo's
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 9 OF 80
experience has been that Pinal County controls that decision.
The city building official can have thoughts and input on the
idea but ultimately the governmental entity with jurisdiction
over public facilities there is Pinal County.They have tweaked
it to say they would work with Pinal County Health Department
and review public facilities for this site after a year.It is
a technical change and he would urge them to have them work with
Pinal County, who may invite the city building official to join
the discussion.There is a simple change to condition four.
The condition states that all exterior lighting shall be brought
into compliance within a year.He clarified it should be all
exterior building lighting.They added the word building to
that condition.Some of these structures have been there for
decades.If any of the lights on the building are visible,
shine and do not comply, they will fix those.This seemed to
say all lighting of whatever form and location.Conditions five
and six are fine.Condition seven needs some clarification.It
was always their intent that the bull riding would be as it is
today, on Thursdays and Saturdays and it must cease operation by
10 p.m.In their application their intent was to request up to
five additional events in the bull riding arena on times and
dates other than Thursdays and Saturdays.Typically, these are
junior competitions.There may be other ideas coming but all
they are asking for is five events outside of Thursday and
Saturday night.The marvelous thing about this with respect to
juniors is they now have three young people that have trained at
the Hitching Post who are now on scholarship at the University
of Texas with respect to bull riding.They have clarified that
and the condition has an 8 p.m. start time.They are perplexed
as to why there is a need for a starting time.If 7:30 p.m. or
6:30 p.m. is appropriate or whatever it might be, the key to the
compatibility with the neighbors is to turn the lights off and
be finished at 10 p.m.Those are the two changes in their
language to condition seven.Condition eight is an interesting
idea.Their thought was if no bulls are being ridden in the
arena and there is no amplified music, they should be able to
use the arena for other events such as an art display or
bicycles or any number of things.As long as there is no
amplified music coming from there it should not matter if they
use that frequently.They do not want to be limited to the bull
riding times just to use the arena.Condition eight allows them
to use the arena at any time for smaller, less intense
activities that do not have amplified speakers or music.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 10 OF 80
Conditions nine and ten are agreed to.They have a small nuance
for condition eleven but it is nevertheless important.It
currently says in the expansion area which is the corn hole, the
volleyball and all that behind the Hitching Post, that those
outdoor activities should be terminated by 10 p.m.Mo feels if
the restaurant is open until 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. and people
are having dinner, a drink and want to play corn hole out back
they should be able to do so until the hours of operation of the
restaurant close.That is how they have crafted that condition.
Condition twelve is the concept of parking.The first idea in
their change is that there is no parking on Lost Dutchman or
Cortez Road.They agree to that.The other thing is what could
be done with the storage area.The conditional use permit does
not include the storage area.The concern is that even though
an event may require additional parking, he could come to the
city and request an event license.That is still a possibility.
It is uncertain to them how those are evaluated and what the
basis for it is.If the council receives advice from counsel or
the planning department that they cannot allow parking in the
storage area as a part of this use permit, they will ask for
direction and thoughts on how to deal with that when an event
license could be issued.They think it is totally appropriate
if there is a unique event.If a license is issued parking
could occur there for that one time.They do not want to have
it be there all the time for all fifteen events.They are
trying to bridge the gap but it is difficult given the nature of
the way this case was filed.Condition thirteen they agree to.
Condition fourteen defines the term substantial increase in
intensity and/or major changes to the conditional use permit.
It says these increases in intensity are to be determined in the
opinion of the development services director.While they do
respect the opinion of the development services director, there
is no meaningful purpose to have a definition of substantial
increases in intensity because that is not a standard by which
to measure compliance with the conditional use permit.
Conditional use permits have built into them a revocation
provision.If there is material noncompliance, the term in your
own code, with any condition or there is general detriment to
the welfare of the community they can convene a meeting of the
planning and zoning commission and evaluate that.It is nice to
provide a definition of substantial increase, it is really not
part of the analysis and the condition, as written, does not
have a consequence.It just defines the term.They think it is
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 11 OF 80
better to let the code speak for itself.If they are out of
compliance in a materially substantial way then a public hearing
can be had and revocation considered.Conditions fifteen,
sixteen and seventeen are all agreed to.Conditions eighteen
and nineteen are the same theory as we just talked about on
condition fourteen.Condition eighteen says that after three
years Mo has to come back, file a new application, go through
the review process, have a new hearing and have the conditional
use permit redone and reapproved.That is time-consuming,
expensive and unnecessary because they have a revocation
provision.If he operates this for six months and in that
period is materially out of compliance, have a hearing with the
commission and consider it.Do not make him come in three years
from now and go through the whole thing again.Condition
nineteen says that in one year the planning commission is going
to review the use permit.He asked what they are going to
review.If there is noncompliance, convene a meeting and
consider revocation.Do not just review for the sake of
reviewing it.They suggest conditions eighteen and nineteen be
deleted.Conditions twenty through twenty-three they agree
with.Conditions twenty-four and twenty-five simply deal with
their suggestion you use your zoning code language and not
additional words that have been created in this conditional use
permit.Condition twenty-four deals with the expiration of a
use permit.The exact language of the code states this
conditional use permit shall become void if the use is not
commenced within twelve months of the approval date.That is
your code and it is the standard.The language we have here
says the applicant shall improve and begin operating the outdoor
entertainment venue in accordance with the submitted drawings,
narrative and prescribed conditions of approval within twelve
months of being granted the conditional use permit or else the
conditional use permit becomes void.They are struggling as to
why this additional language was put in there and why it is
necessary.The code is perfectly fine.The same thing happens
with condition twenty-five.Revocation is built right into the
code.The code says this conditional use permit may be revoked
by the planning commission following a public hearing and a
finding that there has been material noncompliance with any
condition prescribed in the permit or that the use generates a
demonstrated public safety, health or welfare concern.That is
a really good standard.The planning commission can look at
that.The language in the condition approved by the commission
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 12 OF 80
and recommended by staff says the planning and zoning commission
shall reserve the right to reconsider the conditional use permit
approval for the outdoor entertainment venue.There is no right
to reconsider.There is a right to evaluate whether or not
there has been material noncompliance at a public hearing for
noncompliance with any condition prescribed as part of said
conditional use permit, including sign violations or safety
problems.Sign violations and safety problems are not part of
your code.They encouraged them to just use the code so there
will be no misinterpretation, no misunderstanding and it is very
clear.He thanked them for listening to him.On behalf of Mo,
they respectfully urge the council to support the decision of
the planning commission and modify the conditions as they have
recommended so that Mo can continue with this wonderful location
and his outdoor uses.Remember, the bull riding is going to
continue.It is part of an existing development agreement.
This hearing tonight should not turn into whether or not the
bull riding exists or does not exist.
Mayor Serdy asked if he could
take questions now.
Councilmember Evans commented
not yet.
Mayor Serdy commented he
thought they would be good without a break yet.He commented
this is a public hearing and ordinarily they would to the public
to hear them but what they are going to do is allow the
appealers to go first and the public hearing will go after that.
This will be Attorney Evan Bolick and it will be handy if they
have a list of people that will present.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated he is
here on behalf of several homeowners and he had them stand up as
he called their names:James and Bambi Johnson; Mark and Kindra
Theisman; Nick and Helen Funk; Rich and Kathy Beavers and
Patrick and Diana La Clair.All of these residents live within
a few hundred feet to one thousand feet away from the Hitching
Post in single, residential homes.There have been some claims
this is just a town spat which is simply not the case.His
clients have an earnest and honest interest in protecting their
homes and lifestyles from intrusion as Mo does for protecting
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 13 OF 80
his business expansion.There is no hidden agenda or anything
of that nature.They simply want to make sure that to the
extent the uses are expanded here that it is done so in a way
that is not detrimental to the lifestyle they purchased when
they purchased their homes in this area.A denial of the
conditional use permit will not shut down the Hitching Post nor
forever preclude him from expanding.That was a claim various
people made during the commission hearing.If the conditional
use permit is denied, Mo would continue to be able to utilize
the Hitching Post as it is utilized today consistent with zoning
and the agreement.He could certainly resubmit a use permit
application at a later date or even try to phase growth in a way
that would be better suited for the area.They are here to ask
that the conditional use permit be reversed and denied in its
entirety.Failing that, they are hoping they will amend some
conditions adopted by the planning and zoning commission
consistent with what they will be presenting today.He objected
to any consideration of the new conditions the Hitching Post
offered.They did not appeal the commission decision, only we
did.In his opinion, especially since we paid the fees for the
notice and initiated this, he believes only their conditions and
request for changes to the conditions can be considered.He
will leave that to the city attorney to elaborate on and make
this a part of the record.The first reason the decision should
be reversed is there were various procedural issues with the
approval of the conditional use permit.These are standard
procedural protections, due process in open meeting law that are
required in every hearing, including the commission hearing, to
make sure everyone is having a fair bite of the apple and all of
the requirements are being met.As they will see, a lot of
procedural issues occurred at the commission meeting that
warranted reversal.Due process requires a fair trial and a
fair tribunal.A quasi-judicial proceeding must be attended not
only with every element of fairness but with the very appearance
of complete fairness.In administrative proceedings the
procedure of due process includes the right to notice and
opportunity and to be heard at a meeting.This is actually open
meeting law here.It basically says any action of a public
body, such as yourselves, must be done during the meeting open
to everyone.That ties in to due process to everybody.A
party's right to due process is violated when a decision maker
improperly allowed ex parte communications from one of the
parties.That means if he were to come up to them outside of a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 14 OF 80
public hearing and make any sort of argument or statement or
provide them with evidence, that would violate due process.He
showed the council a screenshot of a video from the first
recess.It shows Mr. Pew walked up to the commissioners and
engaged in some sort of discussion with them.They do not know
exactly what was discussed but the very point of due process is
one is not supposed to have discussions with one party and that,
in fact, occurred here.Additionally, there were board
discussions and potential actions made outside of the meeting.
He showed a screenshot of the second recess and the room is
pretty much cleared out but a quorum of the board had gathered
and they believe they were discussing the conditions that they
were going to adopt.That happens improperly if it is outside
of the meeting.Reversal is warranted for those reasons simply
due to due process concerns.The use permit should have been
denied because the evidence simply did not support the grant of
it.It is important to remember that an administrative board
must follow its own rules and regulations.The commission
cannot depart from what it is required to consider during a use
permit process.The city code says they must ultimately find
that whatever is granted by the use permit will not be
detrimental to persons residing or working in the area, to
adjacent property, to the neighborhood or to public welfare in
general.Considering that impact to the neighbors is required,
they will see a little later some of the commissioners felt that
if the neighbors were not adjacent to the property then the
impact did not need to be considered.They will also see the
impact goes far beyond into the entirety of the neighborhood.
The code also says the Hitching Post has the burden of proof to
show the use will not be detrimental.It is not the neighbors
who have this burden.They will again see that at least several
of the commissioners felt the neighbors had not proven that the
use is detrimental and that is not what is supposed to be
considered.It is supposed to be what the Hitching Post showed.
He wanted to highlight burden of proof more than the red type
that it is already in because we have just heard from their
attorney where he said their position is and their thought on
this is and things of that nature.They do not have any studies
or reports on the things at issue.That is what burden of proof
means.It is not to take it on faith that we think this will be
big enough, there is enough parking or the traffic will not
impact the neighbors.They need to actually provide proof to
demonstrate that will not be the case.They will see that his
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 15 OF 80
clients provided numerous pieces of evidence to suggest the
expanded uses will be incredibly detrimental to their homes.
All we have on the other side are promises it will not be as
opposed to proof.Two commissioners, Kridler and McGraw, said
the neighbors did not demonstrate the conditional use permit
would be detrimental.This is not accurate.There were many
videos, some of which will be played tonight, showing there is
an incredible amount of noise, light, dust, smoke, parking and
traffic issues impacting the neighborhood.That is also not the
standard for the neighbors to show that the use would be
detrimental.It is for the Hitching Post to show it would not
be detrimental.Commissioners Heck and Howard stated the
Hitching Post can engage in all of the new uses because it is
commercially zoned.This is not true.They need a use permit
in order to utilize the property for these expanded uses.The
mere fact it is commercially zoned does not give them carte
blanche to do whatever they would like on the property,
especially when it may impact negatively the residential
neighbors.The commission stated there was no evidence of
violation.They will be distributing a little later a city
notice of violation of their development agreement.It points
out that at two times the Hitching Post was contacted as being
out of compliance with their development agreement.
Commissioner Kridler stated they only need to consider adjacent
landowners.The ordinance says the entire neighborhood is
considered, not just adjacent landowners.However, four of his
clients are adjacent landowners, living directly across the
street from the Hitching Post.Many commissioners stated the
Hitching Post may operate as it is a commercial property.This
is not about whether or not the Hitching Post can operate.It
is about whether or not they can expand the uses in this
neighborhood.The commissioners admitted they had not
considered these factors after making their motion.Vice Chair
Heck stated they had not even discussed this after the motion
was made, this meaning the factors you have seen several times
for conditional use permits.It is concerning that these
factors were not at the forefront of the commissioner's mind.
They may consider other factors, but they must consider the
factors set forth in the code.Here we have Vice Chair Heck
saying they have not even discussed this.He thinks it is
important these factors are included in the code because that is
a sign from the city that those are the most important factors.
That is why they are in the code.That is why they must be
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 16 OF 80
considered.The fact that to the extent they were considered
they were in the background should warrant a reversal.
Confusion was recognized at the next commission meeting where
another conditional use permit was discussed at which point the
commission and the city attorney discussed what needed to be
considered, how things needed to proceed and so on.Another
issue with this is there is no clear parking plan.The
narrative says there will be 112 total spaces.It is unclear as
to where.Today they have come in and implicitly admitted there
is not enough spaces by asking for occasional parking in a
parcel that is not part of the application.They are asking for
this to be a regional attraction with rodeos, concerts and car
shows.Clearly, car shows, weddings and musical concerts can
attract far more than 100 people and yet we have no certainty as
to where those people will park and parking is already an issue
as is.No traffic study has been submitted and now the Hitching
Post is asking the city to pay for a traffic study.No noise
study was submitted.Noise is already an issue at the Hitching
Post as •they will see in the upcoming videos.There has been a
lot of back and forth as to whether or not the noise is too loud
or is within compliance of the noise standards.This was
something the Hitching Post needed to prove was the case.If
the noise is not out of compliance then they needed to prove
this.There is no mention of how the expansion would impact the
neighboring residential property values.He is not lining up to
buy a residential home across the street from a concert and bull
riding venue.He thinks they can come in with common sense and
say this is unlikely to benefit the residential neighbors'
property values.If it is not going to impact the property
values, then this was something the Hitching Post needed to
present which they did not.We are talking about a concert,
major venue and bull riding operation right next to single-
family residential homes.Requirements are not yet met
regarding signage, lighting and capability to provide bathroom
facilities for all guests.These are things the conditions
propose will be done later but they should be done now to ensure
this will not be detrimental to the neighborhood.There has
been a resistance even today to any new screening beyond a 6'
fence around the parking lot.If there is only a 6' fence it
will also violate the city's zoning requirements for an opaque
wall.The code requires these be met before the use permit is
granted, not afterward.The code says verify then approve, not
approve then verify as is what happened when the commission
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 17 OF 80
granted this use permit.He handed out a copy of the notice of
violation that discusses the violations of the development
agreement by the Hitching Post.This is in response to the
commission stating there was no evidence the Hitching Post
already caused any issues or violated any agreements and yet we
have that evidence right here from the city.It notes this is
the second warning.The first occurred on October 17, 2016.It
discusses that there are parking issues of which the Hitching
Post is in violation.Ironically, parking issues is again a
matter that has yet to be resolved by this application with any
assuredness as to how it will be handled.It also states they
are in violation for operating past hours.What this really
means is there is noise and lights past the hours they have
agreed to shut down.That is again very concerning to the
neighbors with the Hitching Post proposing there are no checks
by the commission within a year or renewal within three years
because there is no reason to believe there will not continue to
be operations past the hours and it falls on the neighbors to do
so.They have seen numerous police records and those are about
50/50.Although it is true that some say there was no noise
violation found, at least about 50% say the officers heard noise
and/or went to the Hitching Post and discussed the matter with
Mo.He called Jim Duncan up to present 9 videos.It seems like
a lot but it is substantially less than the number of videos
that were played at the commission meeting.The only reason
they are playing so many is because the videos were not able to
be distributed to the council after the commission hearing.
They could not be publicly posted.These videos are critical
because they show the noise, dust, traffic, parking and light
issues that are already generated by the Hitching Post and will
undoubtedly increase with this expanded use.These videos were
submitted to the commission and he has the document that shows
where the videos were taken signed by each person who took the
video.However, Jim edited these videos together.He has the
working knowledge of where they were taken, when they were taken
and how they were edited together.He asked Jim to say, before
each video is played, where it was, when it was and why he is
showing the video to the council.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated the
first video being played is from Mark Theisman.He lives at
2395 N. Cortez Road.There are a few camera locations.One is
an IF camera that is the direct light pollution and the other
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 18 OF 80
camera location is from his next-door neighbor, Jim Johnson.
Inside the videos in the upper left-hand corner, it gives the
camera VID information.When it says bullet, he will tell you
that when he gets to that one.This one will have JJ IP CAM
BULLET, which is stipulated in the information they gave to
staff when they met with them.Everyone was present when we did
meet with them.He stated he would answer any questions they
might have after the video or after any of the videos.
of devices took the video.
a standard IP security camera.
they are located on the house.
Mayor Serdy asked what kind
Mr. Jim Duncan stated it was
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
Mr. Jim Duncan stated the
cameras are located in different locations around the house.
Most of them are on the house.Jim Johnson's is at his house.
Bill Wallingford's is at his house.Rich Beavers' is at his
house.Mark Theisman's video was at his house on his wall in
front of his window.When they look at the light pollution it
will say IP Camera on it.When they look at the sound it is
from the JJ IP Camera that is right next door.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she wanted to clarify that these are security cameras that are
attached to these individuals' homes.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated they
are at their homes.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
they are attached to the home and secured there.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated they
are in various locations.Some of them are attached to the
homes and some are in different areas.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
the reason she is asking is, before they want them, she is
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 19 OF 80
trying to determine if someone was standing in the driveway
taking it from a cellphone.She asked if they were taken from a
handheld video camera.She wanted to know if they are attached.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated they
are standard where they are at.They are not being moved and so
forth.
Mayor Serdy commented about
the quality.One can go to Harbor Freight and buy one for $29
or you can buy one for $2,900.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated they
are 1080P cameras which is a very high definition camera with
audio.They have the audio and the 1080P.They record to the
camera with a 32 -gigabyte flash drive that stores the video
until it is either downloaded or it can be directly connected to
a computer system.That is how he obtained them with their
permission.They asked him to connect to their camera, pull in
this video for these particular dates and create the videos for
them.The noise is recorded with the video itself.It is not a
separate added noise recording or whatever the case may be.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
each of these cameras have night vision.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated they
do.They all have infrared.
Mayor Serdy commented of
course, there is no decibel meter on them.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated there
is no decibel meter.He advised as he started the videos to
stop him anytime they have questions they need to have answered.
He will try to explain in between videos.With the first video
he commented the JJ IP CAM information is in the upper left
corner.He showed some stills that are from the IP camera that
is in front of the window.
Councilmember Barker asked if
those are headlights.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 20 OF 80
Mr. Jim Duncan stated those
are headlights from the RV, boat and storage lot.The next
video was a JJ IP camera with the information in the upper left
corner.He noted that people could be seen on the stage.That
was the video Mark Theisman presented.The Bambi Johnson video
is 100% from her JJ IP camera.She is the wife of Jim Johnson.
He stated there is a date change on the next video and all the
videos coming up.These are just samples of the night.There
are many more.He took an analysis of an average bull riding
night.Every ten minutes the light pollution hits the scene
they just saw.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
this is the same residence over and over again.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated this is
Jim and Bambi Johnson's residence.The previous light pollution
was Mark Theisman's residence.
Mayor Serdy asked if this is
video but he is pausing it when the lights hit.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated he is
not pausing it.It is just a slowed video because of the
download that occurred.It is a 1080P camera so it is a very
high -type file.The noise they hear is coming from back into
this spot from another location.He showed them a shot from
Google Maps for 2015 for the RV, boat and storage towards Jim
Johnson's house.He showed them a shot from the entrance of the
Lost Dutchman entrance.The house on the left side with the
white car is Jim and Bambi Johnson's house.Across is the
storage lot that was being used for parking.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
he could tell them where the camera is looking at from the
house.
Mr. Jim Duncan showed them on
the screen where that camera was located.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
it is on the fence.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 21 OF 80
Mr. Jim Duncan stated that is
correct.He showed another video from Jim Johnson's house.He
showed them where the bottom of the parking lot was on the video
and where the big stage was located.He showed videos of the
same time on the nights previous to the bull riding.He showed
a video of the bull riding 475' away.It was measured in the
GIS system and again the same time the night before.They have
all different dates.He showed the current chain link fence
with Jim Johnson standing in his garage taking a picture
straight in front of him.He showed them where the stage that
they see in the videos is located.Nick Funk's house is next to
Jim Johnson's house.It is the next one up and it also goes up
another elevation.The first part of the video shows a live
shot at daytime and then the light pollution mostly from the
entrance from Lost Dutchman.They had parked a 12' RV in front
of Jim Johnson's house that would block the light pollution path
for Nick Funk.They had the cameras synced so they could take
video of when the cars arrived on both cameras at the same time
to give them the effect of what it would be like if there was a
barrier that blocked the light pollution.The first 2 cars
arrive from Jim Johnson's IP camera right next door.Note the
time is 7:58 p.m.There is the positioning and now this is Nick
Funk's camera.They can see the cars on both sides of where the
RV is.One just arrived and the second one right after it.
Where they can see the car is on the other side of the RV from
where it was positioned.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
it looks like from the pictures that the camera is either very
close to the fence line.In the one at the RV it looked like it
was towards the back.That is why she asked where the positions
of the cameras are.She thinks it will make a big difference if
there is a variance.
Mr. Jim Duncan reversed the
video and asked if he had found the shot she was looking at.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
it is the one prior to where it shows the RV.When looking at
the location, she can kind of get a feel for where the camera is
at in accordance to the fence.There is another picture with
the RV.She asked him to look at the location.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 22 OF 80
Mr. Jim Duncan stated that is
a picture he took of the RV on the positioning of where the RV
goes.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
there was a big difference on the location of where that fence
was.It made it seem like one camera might have been intensely
close and maybe zoomed in.Another camera might have looked at
it differently.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated he is
standing in the driveway of Jim Johnson's house.The Jim
Johnson camera is to the right of him.The Nick Funk camera is
to the left over on the higher elevation.Nick's camera is
taking the picture going one way across and Jim Johnson's camera
is taking the video going straight out.They can see the cars
arrive in the Jim Johnson video at the same time as you can see
the cars arrive in the Nick Funk video but they are blocked by
the RV.He asked if that made sense.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
it does but her question is are the houses located parallel.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated they
are pretty close to the exact same distance from the road.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
both of those fences are pretty much aligned.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated he
thinks they are both on the same alignment.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
that is what confused her, if that is the case.In the pictures
that he showed, there is one view where it looked like the
camera was up close and another view where the camera was way
back where the camera was attached to the house.
There was general discussion
between Mr. Jim Duncan and Councilmember Rizzi regarding what
part of the video she was referring to.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 23 OF 80
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
the white fence in the picture is the front yard fence and the
camera looks like it is way to the left.
Mr. Jim Duncan showed them
Jim Johnson's house and where he camera is located.The other
camera is from Nick Funk's house and that is across from where
the RV is blocking the light from the cars entering.
Councilmember Barker
commented it is higher.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated there
is a higher elevation on Nick Funk's house.He goes up almost
another six feet from Jim Johnson's house.It is kind of a
stair -stepping topography.The very first house is pretty much
level, then there is another six and another six.He continued
with the videos.The next video had the camera on an attached
garage on the edge of the garage attachment.The next camera
angle was straight forward.The previous angle was heading
towards the Hitching Post.He took a decibel reading on the
night before where there was no bull riding at it was at quiet
library reading.These last cameras were on Rich Beavers'
house.He showed another video where he as driving Rich Beavers
home on the night after they had their neighborhood meeting on
March 22.They could not hear each other in the yard over the
noise from the bull ring.The next video was from Bill
Wallingford's house which is 900' to the bull riding arena.His
camera is a little bit high and has five separate dates on the
video.All of these videos had separate dates on them for a
total of 30 dates total in this compilation.He put the
following video together at the request of John Chapman and it
was from his dash cam in his car.There was no audio.It
showed people parking across the street from the Hitching Post
and crossing the highway, sometimes at night and with the
lighting they were difficult to see and there were near
car/pedestrian accidents.There was another video of his being
stopped on Lost Dutchman and about to turn right onto Highway 88
at night.Four people crossed the street in front of him.He
showed daytime views of the area, including the panic gate for
the bull riding ring.He showed another video where ten cars
were parked and blocking the panic gate.He showed a video of
the Jazz Festival from a year ago, that last time they had a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 24 OF 80
concert in the area.It was a different IF camera used from Jim
Johnson's house.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
the date and time stamp are from his camera directly.
Mr. Jim Duncan stated that is
from his dash cam.It automatically puts it on there.He
showed another video that depicted traffic on Lost Dutchman.He
stated their parking instructions for that day from the
attendants on that exit on Lost Dutchman were right and then
right.That is what every one of the attendants was telling the
400 cars that were in the parking lot, which goes all the way
back to the very back parking lot.Both of them were totally
full during that day.The instructions were so they would not
go left on Highway 88.They went right and then right on Cortez
through the neighborhood.Some of them went onto Lost Dutchman
further up and went to Goldfield.He showed a video that did
not have any audio on it that was played at the planning and
zoning commission that depicts the surrounding area and the
horses in the area.It also showed where residentially -zoned
property is located that is directly south of the concert event
center.A horse stall and stables could be located 80' from a
concert that could occur 15 times a year.Everything south is
RS -54.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated he
just needs to give them their proposed conditions at this time.
Mayor Serdy asked what else
they need to do.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated in the
event they choose not to deny the use permit, they are going to
go through the conditions they are asking them to approve in
lieu of.
Mayor Serdy commented they
are wondering when to take a break.He asked how much longer he
thinks he needs.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated his
guess would be ten minutes.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 25 OF 80
Mayor Serdy commented they
will take a break now and then come back.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated after Mr. Bolick is done Mr. Pew should be given the
opportunity to reply.A break may be better at that time for
Mr. Pew.
Mayor Serdy commented it
would be ten minutes.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated that
is his guess.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is what he would recommend.And for due process Mr.
Bolick should be given another chance to rebut and that would be
after the breaks and before they open the public hearing.
Mayor Serdy called for a
break.
Mayor Serdy reconvened the
meeting.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated the
Hitching Post was earlier compared to a neighbor's barbecue.
That is not the case.It is a major commercial business as it
is already running bull riding events two times a week and is
proposing to increase the events beyond those two times a week
to have fifteen special events a year as well as five more
rodeos.This is something that is already generating quite a
lot of traffic, parking, dust, noise and light pollution.An
expanded use will only attract more.That is why this should be
denied.There has been nothing presented to counter these
videos.There has been no noise study, traffic study or parking
study presented here to suggest what they have seen today is not
the case with the property or that it will not get worse upon
the expanded use.If they are not inclined to deny the
conditional use permit, they ask that the council adopt some
different conditions than those adopted by the commission.
There are two different types of fences they are talking about.
One is the parking fence that is delineated in blue on the plat
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 26 OF 80
map.They would like to have any parking fence adopted also
encompass the area that is unfenced as one of his clients'
houses is in an area that if it remains unfenced he will not
have any screening whatsoever.The yellow fence is what staff
proposed to go around the new outdoor event area as well as the
bull riding center.The parking lot fence is critical as that
is the closest thing to the residents as well as adding a lot of
noise and light pollution from the headlights and the sound of
the vehicles going there.Currently proposed is a 6' chain link
fence with wooden slats around the parking lot.The Hitching
Post is proposing to use the current 6' chain link fence there.
Without the slats, the chain link fence provides absolutely no
screening to light, noise or dust.Staff proposed an 8' tall
block wall around the east parking lot.That is better than a
6' chain link fence with wooden slats as far as both blocking
noise as it is a block wall as well as providing more coverage
from the headlights.The zoning ordinance requires construction
of an opaque screen wall.The landscaping standards say where a
commercial development is proposed to be located adjacent to an
existing or residential property, screening walls shall be
required in accordance with Table 6-2.They do need to have a
wall or a fence there.The table states the wall for the side
or rear setbacks must be higher than 8' and must be an opaque
wall, painted or stained with an earth tone color.They need to
consider there is a big change in elevation between all of these
residences.A 12' wall is really what is necessary to fully
block those lights caused by the parking and traffic that is
generated by the site.It also provides some protection from
the arena lights and exterior lights of the Hitching Post
itself.A block wall will provide much more of a buffer for
noise and dust than a chain link fence with wooden slats.There
was a marked difference once the 12' RV was parked in front of
the house than there was with just the 6' chain link fence.A
wall must be required and it should be an effective wall.He
next addressed the screening around the new outdoor area and the
bull riding arena.The commission removed the staff proposed
fencing around the new area and did not adopt any screening at
all.They have already heard how much noise this property
generates and now they will use more of the property and
generate more noise and light from patrons, music and amplified
audio outside.Staff recognized the potential and proposed a
12' solid wood screen fence similar to the existing fence from
the restaurant.He believes that is what is necessary to help
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 27 OF 80
provide adequate screening.No screening will leave the
residents at the mercy of the expanded uses.Staff noted the
noise would be shut off at 9 p.m. and stated at the hearing it
was in direct consideration of the neighbors.Commercial
restaurants and event centers like to have noise and stay up
later.They can inside the restaurant.They must consider the
impact amplified noise has on the residential neighbors who are
trying to go to sleep, watch television or hang out with their
families.At 9 p.m. the Hitching Post would not be prohibited
from remaining open later but it would prevent the loudest,
brightest and most intrusive activities from impacting their
houses.The original recommendation was for 6 concerts per year
and it was eventually brought up to 15 with a request for
another five.The only reason given was from Commissioner
McGraw who asked if there is a problem with having a popular
place go 15 times a year and he did not understand why it was
dropped down to six.Everyone likes popular places but that is
not part of the conditional use permit consideration.Just
because it will be a popular place and will generate a number of
visitors does not mean they should ignore the considerations of
the impact of 15 concerts, more than one a month, will have on
the residents.This is even greater than what they are
currently dealing with having two rodeo events per week.The
code requires verification and proof.That is what the
conditional use permit is.The Hitching Post must show this
will not be detrimental.If that has been done then it will be
approved.That did not happen here.The Hitching Post is
asking that you take it on faith this will not be more
detrimental to the neighborhood.Running through it again, the
current conditions are 15 concerts and special events per year,
cessation of noise and light by 10 p.m.Staff had proposed 6
events and concerts per year ending at 7 p.m., recognizing the
impact of the concerts on the neighbors, and cessation of noise
by 9 p.m. and lights by 10 p.m.Their proposal is similar to
staff being adoption of a 9 p.m. cut off time for lights and
music for outside events only and adopting 6 concerts per year
ending at 7 p.m.If they do 6 concerts a year with no issues,
they can ask to amend the use permit with the demonstration of
proof they need to bring that there should be more events per
year.Sound policy would be to start off small on the events,
see what impact it has and then broaden them instead of putting
the onus on the neighbors to show it is not working out.Some
of the conditions give the Hitching Post a year or more with no
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 28 OF 80
completion date given for some including the construction of the
fence, a traffic impact analysis, occupancy load estimates and
so on.There are a number of them that say show the council
later that he has done them and in the Meantime he can operate.
This unfairly shifts the negative outcome onto the neighbors.
If this permit is approved, then any conditions adopted by the
council to protect the neighborhood from the expanded use should
be completed before the use goes into effect.There should be a
fence around the parking lot as well as the outdoor area before
they start using this.The lighting should be brought into
compliance with the code before they start using it.Verify
then approve.The owner should not be permitted to operate
outdoors until these are completed, permitted and approved.
Otherwise the residents bear the burden of unintended and
detrimental consequences.He objected to virtually all of the
new conditions being proposed by the Hitching Post and still
objects to their even being considered.It was the Hitching
Post's requirement to come here today and at the commission
meeting and show this will not be detrimental and that includes
the traffic and parking generated.Now they are proposing to
shift the cost and responsibility for doing a traffic study to
the city.That is not what the conditional use permit requires
and it is certainly not fair to the city.Their proposal number
seven for the 5 additional bull riding events does not address
the impact of what 6 or 15 additional special events are going
to have and they are proposing another 5 events.They also
wanted to know why there was a starting time.The commission
stated it there is no starting time this could theoretically
start at 9 a.m. and go to the maximum ending point of 10 p.m.
That would truly be unfair for the neighbors.Starting times
are very critical.They are asking to use the RV, boat, truck
and storage lot.That is not in the application and it cannot
be used until it is put in a future application.It shows there
is not enough parking here as was seen in the videos with people
parking on the sides of the roads where they should not,
crossing a busy highway and now there is a proposal to use
another business' lot to facilitate this business.That is very
concerning as far as the approval of the permit.They want to
delete 14, 18 and 19.All of these accomplish the same thing,
verifying the Hitching Post is complying with the conditions.
They are now asking the council to further take on faith they
will not violate these conditions.There has been no evidence
presented to show what this impact will be.Checking on the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 29 OF 80
progress is critical.If deleted, the onus is on the neighbors
again to take videos, call the police, contact the city and
initiate a proceeding at their own cost.That should not be on
the residential neighbors.It should be something the that
Hitching Post is asking for this extension and proves to the
council everything is running as required by the conditions.
The criteria needs to be considered.Under A, it is
particularly difficult for the Hitching Post to show they have
met the adequacy of the roadways as they have been shown people
crossing the roadways with almost no lighting at night and no
crosswalks.It is unclear as to where the parking will be, how
many people can be accommodated and how many people will be
drawn there.As proposed, the public facilities need further
investigation as to whether the Hitching Post can accommodate
the estimated load and will be sufficient.Under B, he cannot
see how they have shown there will be detrimental impact arising
from the increase in odor, dust, noise, lighting, smoke and
glare when they have already seen numerous videos that were a
handful of what was shown to the commission.They will continue
to exist and grow should the permit be granted.There was no
evidence presented as to what contributions to the deterioration
of the neighborhood will be but he asked who wants to buy a
house next to a concert venue and a bull riding arena.There is
residential, commercial uses and structures and they are
typically not compatible with concerts and major events.This
is not just a restaurant; it is a major regional attraction as
it is being marketed.They have already discussed the screening
and buffering of uses at length and it is inadequate.There
must be additional screening in the form of a 12' block wall
around the parking lot and a 12' wooden fence around the outdoor
area to provide a modicum of protection for the neighborhood.
Mayor Serdy commented there
are no questions at this time but there may be when he comes
back up for rebuttal.He requested Ralph Pew to address the
council.Mayor Serdy asked if the slides they saw of planning
and zoning members having conversations and possibly Mr. Pew
would be pertinent to what they are talking about and if it
should be brought up.This has nothing to do with what they are
discussing tonight.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it does.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 30 OF 80
Mayor Serdy commented he
would like to hear from the attorney.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they have three options.They can uphold, modify or
overrule.When they choose one of those they can take into
consideration how the planning and zoning commission conducted
their decision.That includes what happened at the planning and
zoning meeting.If they believe off camera they were talking
about it, but it is hard determine what they were talking about.
Mayor Serdy asked if they are
to assume someone may or may not be having a conversation.On
his way in tonight Mr. Pew said hello to him.They know each
other from previous meetings.That will happen in the course of
a lifetime.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they can take into consideration all the evidence that
was presented tonight.That includes the videos.If they do
not believe they were talking about things and are they able to
prove it, that he does not know if they can.It is up to the
council to believe it is proven or not.The burden of proof is
on the Hitching Post.Even though they are sitting in the chair
of the planning and zoning commission, it is still the Hitching
Post that must offer proof.
Mayor Serdy commented even
though they did not ask to be here.In a trial one cannot say
someone is guilty and they must prove they are not.In this
case, that is the way we have to go about this.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated this is not exactly a trial.This is a quasi-judicial
hearing essentially where they sit as judges but they also can
take into consideration new evidence of any kind because the
rule says modify.He disagrees with Mr. Bolick on this.It
does not define what modify is under the code.It means modify
and they can take into consideration additional things.If Mr.
Pew wants to add a few things that were not discussed at the
planning and zoning commission, that is okay.Just like Mr.
Bolick can do the same thing.They can ask for additional
things or additional conditions that can be changed.In their
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 31 OF 80
packet they have some suggested motions with a lot of fill in
space because staff cannot interfere with their decision.It
was set up so that the detrimental language is in the motion.
That needs to be stated on the record for however they decide,
to uphold, modify or overrule.Those are the terms:uphold;
modify or overrule.That is what the code says.
Mayor Serdy commented Mr.
Bolick also challenged Mr. Pew to come up with counterevidence
on what has been presented.He asked how Mr. Pew would know
what would be presented.He asked if they would need weeks to
counter that and go out and get their own photos.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated Mr. Bolick was pointing out Mr. Pew had the burden of
proof.He was just saying they did not meet their burden.That
is essentially the argument.Continuing with his train of
thought, the factors that support the finding are A through G.
They can consider other ones but he does agree with Mr. Bolick
on this issue, those factors need to be looked at and the
evidence has to be matched up to those factors, if whoever makes
the motion believes they are applicable.He wanted to point
this out before they got off track.He wanted to add Rudy had a
different set up in his motions.However, he is adding the
yellow sheet which basically says whoever makes the motion must
add this thing at the end that says "and everything needs to be
put in a resolution that is to be signed by the mayor".That is
important.They will assign the number as that is not important
right now.
Mayor Serdy commented he just
wanted some procedural clarification before they bring Mr. Pew
up and then they can ask questions of him.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated with
the respect as to the conduct at the planning and zoning
hearing, Mr. Stern addressed it correctly.They can take into
account anything they want in this hearing.It is a free-
flowing environment.In truth, visiting with a planning
commissioner is not a violation of any law or any protocol.It
is up to them to decide what that moment meant.They can
evaluate anything they want tonight.They are not bound by the
strict rules of evidence and cross examination as it is not a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 32 OF 80
trial.They are not reviewing and determining whether the
planning and zoning commission did things right procedurally.
They are conducting a brand, new hearing.He agrees that his
comments with regards to changes in the conditions are totally
admissible and can be considered.Their application has fifteen
events in the western town area per year.It could be less.
The bull riding arena is Thursday and Saturday as it has been
and five additional events not on Thursday or Saturday nights.
With respect to the findings of fact, their position is they
have demonstrated every one of those findings and factors.They
have provided information on them. They would have to consider
if there is empirical data and if they want to weigh it like a
scale.They should consider the operations of the Hitching Post
and its history.The planning commission found they
demonsttated every one of the findings.They found and stated
exactly why they voted the way they did in their motion.The
city code does not require the items such as the lighting,
traffic study or the fence have to be done first.That does not
exist in the code.The council will decide what that means and
can create their own conditions.It makes sense to give it a
while and let it evolve.He has no basis on which to critique
or judge the foundation, validity or veracity of the videos.He
thanked him for the videos because they prove exactly what Mo
has been doing and that is operating on Thursday and Saturday
nights.He closes at 10 p.m.In the history of the Hitching
Post there has not been a single conviction or determination of
responsibility on a nuisance for noise.They clearly
demonstrate he is living within the ordinance and development
agreement and will continue to do so.That is what it shows to
him.Bringing the noise concerns here tonight in a video is a
far cry from trying to demonstrate that a nuisance has occurred
by a violation of the city noise ordinance.That has not
happened in the entire history of the operation of the Hitching
Post.The wall issue, the fence on Cortez, that code section
needs to be looked at carefully as to whether it means the wall
has to be there if two properties adjoin each other, meaning
rear yard walls.He asked if there is really a code requirement
for a wall in what would be a front yard.Mo owns property on
Cortez.To claim that Cortez is a 100% residential street is
not right either.Mo owns the other side of the street, the
other half where the street fronts both sides.Rarely do you
put a wall in a front yard.He does not know if there is a
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 33 OF 80
requirement for that.Staff can probably help you with that if
there are questions on it.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
on the events that are proposed are in the western theme area.
She asked if that is the furthest piece of property from the
residents.It looks like it from the picture that these events
will be as far away from the residents as they can be.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated that is
correct.It is as far south and west as possible.There is a
neighbor who owns property just south of that location that has
a small area of residential that actually touches the Hitching
Post conditional use permit area.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
these additional events that are being proposed are not going to
be falling into that back part, the patio part.They are up
front in the western theme area, the furthest from the
residential area.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated that is
correct.
Councilmember Barker
commented one of their proposed conditions addresses exterior
lighting.They want that to be the building only.She noticed
the lights when looking at the videos.She asked how long those
lights have been on the building.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated he
believes decades.He asked Mo how many years he thought those
lights had been on the building.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
the Dash In was built in 1962.The boat marina was built in
1991.Those lights have been there since then.He has never
changed them.He purchased the property in 2006.
Councilmember Barker
commented they have been out of compliance for the whole time.
He never brought them into compliance.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 34 OF 80
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
he did not.Larry Kirch asked him about the lights one evening
and he told him they had been there since he had purchased the
property.
Councilmember Barker asked if
that compliance would have been grandfathered.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated there are lights all over the city that do
not meet the dark sky ordinance.Staff felt it was important as
part of the conditional use permit to try to shield some of
those lights.They put in a condition that within a year they
would bring all the lights into compliance and that is mainly
just shielding.
Councilmember Barker
commented that it says all the lights.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated that is correct.It says all the lights, not
just the ones on the building.The lights that light the arena
are dark sky compliant.They have had lighting complaints on
the ones that are over on Lost Dutchman.There is a series of
lights there.They had complaints because they are at about a
45 degree and not a 90 degree.Those have been corrected.
Councilmember Barker asked
why their proposed conditions suggest the city pay for the
traffic study.It is a given the traffic will increase.At
least that is what he hopes because he is a businessman.He
wants to increase the traffic.It would appear to her that
since this is his business and he wants this traffic that the
burden would be upon him to do a traffic study to show how he
could remedy any traffic problems that might occur.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated she is
correct as to the theory and the concept of traffic studies.
The concern they have about the condition is it requires a
traffic impact analysis, not a traffic impact statement.A
traffic impact analysis is a very, very expensive time-consuming
proposition.They thought if the city wants to do one of those
now or soon, they can go ahead and they will provide numbers,
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 35 OF 80
issues and help out with the facts of it.If they want to do a
traffic impact statement then that is more affordable to the
property owner and could be done.It felt like to Mo that there
is an assumption a problem had been created and he has to solve
it.We do not know that is the case.
Councilmember Barker asked if
this is not something he would want to know.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated he would
want to know if there is a problem.Typically, traffic studies
are done when nothing has been built yet.It is an
anticipatory development of what you expect from traffic and
where the curb cuts should be and so on.Mo's view of this
instance is the streets are there, Highway 88 is there, Lost
Dutchman is there, the curb cuts are there, if there gets to be
a problem they can then talk about a study if it is needed.To
say we need one in a year to him was arbitrary.That is why
they suggested if the city needs one the city can pay for it.
It is unusual.
Councilmember Barker
commented so he wants to wait until somebody gets killed out
there.Then the city can go ahead and do the traffic study.
She asked if that is where they are going.It really bothers
her.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated that is
a fair comment.Her concerns are fair and reasonable.He is
relaying Mo's view of it is it is arbitrary to just do it in a
year and for him to pay for it.He suggested they do a
condition that says it is a statement instead of a traffic
impact analysis.They can work some of those things out.They
do not want to not do their responsibilities.It just felt like
it was just another add on.
Councilmember Struble
commented previous to this action the lots were consolidated and
now we have lots 1, 2 and 3.He asked if that is correct.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated that is
correct.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 36 OF 80
Councilmember Struble
commented parcel 1 is a big area that is to the east of the
buildings.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated he does
not have the map in front of him.There are three parcels.One
surrounds the house and he does not know if that is 1 or 2.
Councilmembers Struble and
Barker stated lot 2 is where the house is at.
Councilmember Struble asked
where the proposed entrances are located for the lot that is
over there on the east which borders on Cortez.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated there
are no entrances or exits on Cortez.They all are on Lost
Dutchman.There is access on the far west on Apache Trail.
Councilmember Struble
commented he is trying to coordinate the headlights coming
through the fence.There is never anybody actually leaving that
particular lot because there should be a fence around there.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
there is.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated that is
correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he agreed with Mr. Bolick on the issue of the parking
request.That is a separate item.That is not on the
application.They talked to Mr. Pew about this earlier in some
of the discussions before the conditional use permit hearing and
development services staff would also agree the parking request
would have to be another application.To have the extra parking
for employees and excess events or individuals would not be
appropriate for this application.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated he
agreed with Mr. Stern and they acknowledged that in their
presentation earlier.It is not part of the conditional use
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 37 OF 80
permit.They were hoping for some direction on special event
licensing or an indication on how they feel about it.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
there is a chain link fence across the Cortez side of the
property.It is a commercial property and it has not been
addressed.Apparently, our code states that would need to be 8
feet.She asked if that had been grandfathered in like with the
lighting that is out of compliance.She asked how that has
happened.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that would be a zoning administrator interpretation.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated in the planning and zoning staff report there are a
couple of exhibits from the city engineer.There are some very
peculiar things happening with Cortez Road.It has been
slightly realigned to the east so there appears to be a lot of
extra right-of-way in there.The fence has been there for a
long time.One of the issues mentioned at the planning and
zoning hearing, and it is a separate issue that Mr. Mohiuddin
would have to work out with the city engineer, is the final
determination of that right-of-way.The question is if he
actually has more land to the east, if it is fine where it is,
where the 10' setback is and where the landscape setback going
to occur.There are those kinds of questions.It is still a
little fuzzy at this time.Normally an 8' block wall would not
be allowed on a property line or within the setback distance to
a property line but as part of this conditional use permit that
was one of staff's recommendations.Reading the fence code,
basically it says a commercial fronting on a street normally
would have a little pony parking wall 3' or 4' high to basically
screen headlights from shining into the street.However, as
part of this conditional use permit request and because they
recognized there were issues there already, staff recommended an
8' wall set back 10' from the property line and then there would
be landscaping in front of the wall.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
the 6' chain link fence is out of compliance right now.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 38 OF 80
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he did not believe so.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
that is what she wanted to know.It is not out of compliance
the way it is right now.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.But if the conditional use permit is
approved one of the recommended conditions is to put the fence
in the right place and put landscaping outside the fence.
Mayor Serdy commented Mr. Pew
stated the parcels to the north and the west are also
commercial.He asked if they could be bought in the next year
or so and more restaurants and saloon -type businesses go in
there.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated he would
assume so as long as they are allowed uses in the B-1 district
which he believes they are.But he has not verified that.
Mayor Serdy asked if Mr. Pew
can be brought back up again once he sits down.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated for due process he thinks he should allow it if something
new comes up.He thinks Mr. Bolick gets a chance to reply after
this.
Mayor Serdy requested Mr.
Bolick address the council.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated he was
going to respond to some comments here.They have already seen
the impact twice -weekly bull riding has and they are discussing
extending this so there are 15 additional major events per year
plus 5 additional bull riding contests and still maintaining the
original two times a week.They need to consider how much more
of a burden they want to put on the existing residential
neighbors.Mr. Pew stated the noise has not been found to be a
nuisance.That is not what the conditional use permit requires,
that there be a finding of a nuisance.It just requires that
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 39 OF 80
the noise, amongst other things, be detrimental to the
neighborhood.It is already detrimental to the neighborhood and
they are proposing more noise.There is evidence that it is
detrimental in that at least half of the police reports noted
noise when the police arrived or spoke with the owner of the
Hitching Post about the noise as well as the notice of violation
stating the Hitching Post has exceeded its hours allowed to
operate.They think it is important to get the most complete
traffic study there can be because they are not dealing with a
commercial business going into a fully commercial area.They
are talking about vastly expanding a commercial business that is
bordered heavily by residential areas.They need to know what
kind of traffic, how much and if it is acceptable for residents
to have to face such traffic.Mr. Pew stated it is very
expensive to obtain these studies.There is no doubt that is
the case however, as Councilmember Barker pointed out, he is
also hoping this will be a very lucrative endeavor.It makes
sense that in order to earn this business he shows it meets the
requirements for a use permit.Part of that would involve a
full-blown traffic study.Mayor Serdy asked about why he
brought up the commission meeting.It was not to impugn
anyone's reputation or to say they had malicious intent.It
simply shows they were not in compliance with open meeting laws
as well as having communication with the very person being asked
to grant the permit.Usually he would agree there is nothing
wrong with an attorney meeting with a commissioner, however this
occurred during a hearing on that attorney's client's permit
application.There looked to be an unfairness as to why and how
this was granted.At least some discussions occurred outside of
public view and public hearing.Regarding knowing how to rebut
the evidence his clients presented, they had a burden to show
those A through G requirements had been met.They knew what
those requirements were when they applied for the permit and it
was their duty to bring evidence to support that this was not
detrimental, that there were no parking issues, no traffic
issues and no impact on their neighboring land values.It was
not asking them to rebut what his clients were going to bring as
they were correct he could not have known.However, that is the
risk an applicant bears when apply for a permit if they do not
get a noise study, traffic study or a parking study.They may
not have met their burden to show they should have a use permit
awarded.Councilmember Rizzi had pointed out the western town
was located as far away from his clients as it can be on the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 40 OF 80
property.That is true but it does not necessarily stop
amplified music, smoke and light that are located there from
impacting and it certainly does not alleviate the traffic and
parking concerns shown in the videos that will occur regardless
of where on the actual property the event is.
Councilmember Evans commented
they have the original staff recommendations in front of them.
They have the Pew recommendations, Mr. Bolick's recommendations
and the planning and zoning recommendations.They have a lot of
recommendations in front of them.She is going to go by the
staff recommendations first.She will ask questions off of
those and why it was stated that way.She asked if they would
be given six months to comply if they had an applicant that came
to them with this project with a brand new event center going
forward.She asked if they would be able to get a certificate
of occupancy and immediately start operating the new business
without completing the walls, the impact study, the sewage and
the roads.She asked if we would allow them to open without
that.She does not believe they would.She asked why some of
the time frames are six months and others a year to comply with
the recommendations to run this business.He can immediately
start running the business according to this with the very long
time frames available to them to become compliant.She asked
why the time frames were extended out so far.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it was to give the applicants time to conduct what they
believe to be the necessary studies, including the traffic
study.It takes time to hire a consultant, to get it done and
to have it reviewed so a year seemed a reasonable amount of
time.The other things could be more quickly done such as the
construction of a fence.They were trying to balance out what
the applicant wanted, what the neighbors' concerns were and the
time frames were simply recommended time frames to try to give
the parties the time to do what they needed to do but still
provide some impact lessening to the neighborhood.
Councilmember Evans commented
she understands that the traffic analysis is a safety issue.
That is basically what it is for.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 41 OF 80
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated this came up as an issue the last time the conditional
use permit was considered.They asked for Arizona Department of
Transportation's input and a lady there stated if the building
is not getting bigger or the intensity is not really increasing
then they do not see a need for a deceleration lane at this
time.One thing has changed.The configuration of one of the
parcels has changed.When they were talking to Mr. Hewitt about
how the parcel was going to be reconfigured they recommended a
90 degree entrance there.They have semi -trucks coming in and
out of here and going onto the highway at 50 miles per hour.
They are going to be asked to make this awkward turn.They
could still go through the Hitching Post parking lot to get to
the highway but this was one of their concerns.There is open
access along one part of the property.With the increase in
activity and anticipated increase in traffic this would be the
opportunity to get a proper traffic study done to address those
kinds of issues.
Councilmember Evans asked if
there was an impact study done by the Arizona Department of
Transportation on the new turnabout that is going in on State
Route 88.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated something inaudible from the audience.
Councilmember Evans commented
it was not an actual traffic analysis.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated it was not.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he knows they did a right-of-way study and they might
have done some traffic counts but he does not know if they did a
very detailed traffic impact analysis.
Councilmember Evans asked if
they would be allowed to open without this if this was a brand
new business.
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MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 42 OF 80
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they would not.They would have to meet our normal
development standards.
Councilmember Evans asked if
the stage was part of the original development agreement or was
that one of the items that appeared afterwards.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he did not think the stage was part of the original
development agreement or the bleachers.
Councilmember Evans asked if
he had a permit for building the stage.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he does.That came about later.They kept it under a
certain size that the building code would allow without having
to get into a whole bunch of other issues.
Councilmember Evans commented
it was not a height issue.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he thought it was more of a size issue and height off the
ground issue as well.
Councilmember Evans commented
usually when they have agreements part of the agreement is
landscaping and mitigation for noise and dust and things like
that.She did not notice there was anything like that on this
plan.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated there is some landscaping.Some trees were added along
Cortez and some shrubbery added in another area but this plan
does not reflect how we would comply with our landscape code.
Councilmember Evans commented
our normal landscape code.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is why we are asking, at the very least along Cortez
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 43 OF 80
and a stretch on Lost Dutchman, that the applicant install
landscaping in accordance with our landscape code.Staff had
also recommended an 8' block wall to try to mitigate some of the
headlights impact and some of the noise impact.
Councilmember Evans asked how
it went from a 12' high wall to an 8' high wall.Staff's
recommendation was originally the 12' wall.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated their recommendation for the 12' wall was for the new
activity area and the bull riding.The recommendation for the
8' block wall was on the side of Cortez and on the stretch of
Lost Dutchman.
Councilmember Evans commented
it did not include the area to the northeast of the house
property line.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the area on the northwesterly side of the house would
have a new 12' high western theme fence.
Councilmember Evans commented
so that is part of that.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated there is some recommended screening in that area.
Councilmember Evans commented
the 8' wall on the east side along Cortez is to contain trees to
help buffer.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the trees will be outside the wall.
Councilmember Evans commented
originally when this went from being the Dash In to the Hitching
Post Restaurant there was supposed to be landscaping in the
front.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 44 OF 80
Councilmember Evans asked if
that had been complied with.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the original development agreement called for above
ground landscape planters contained in railroad tie things that
never worked.The plants never got watered, the plants died,
people kept running into them and he does not know if they are
still there or not.He suspects not.He believes one planter
is still there in one area but the other planters in the other
areas he believes have basically disappeared.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated Mr. Severs was involved in that.Mr. Severs did not want
to dig into the asphalt.That is why they were up above the
ground and there were planters around.
Councilmember Barker
commented she counts somewhere around 70 parking spots.If the
area over where the entertainment were to be in the area where
the facades are, then they would have to take away 15 or so.
That reduces the parking down to a really small area.She asked
where the rest of the parking is going to be.
Mr. Evan Bolick stated that
is something they have been questioning throughout this process.
He will defer to Mr. Pew but when you read the narrative they
claim to have 112 spaces but that seems to be because if an
event is here they intend to shift parking somewhere and if it
is in a different area they intend to shift it to another area.
He does not think it is clear.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated when
there is an event in the western town area there will not be
parking there.The parking will be accessed off of Lost
Dutchman and will be in an area he designated on the overhead.
There will not be events staged in one area that is dedicated to
parking.
Councilmember Barker
commented they only have about 50 spaces.One of you spoke
about 100 plus people.She is wondering what they are going to
do with overflow parking.Obviously, there is already overflow
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 45 OF 80
parking.They are parking on State Route 88 and et cetera.She
asked what they are going to do with that.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated the
parking under the conditional use permit will occur within the
boundaries of the conditional use permit.He does not have the
numbers off the top of his head to tell them how many there are
here but he showed them predominantly where the parking would
occur.He showed them where the event would be staged and where
the parking would be.There will be 109 spaces provided.With
3 handicap spaces it will be 112.
Councilmember Barker
commented so they are not all marked here since she has counted
all of them.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated they are
not all marked.This is meant to accommodate events and there
will •be parking in two other areas where they were not marked on
the map.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
these are ticketed events so they would know approximately how
many people they would have coming or are they going to be wide
open to the public and anybody can come.They can calculate
parking spaces and people for ticketed events.
Mr. Ralph Pew stated they
will be ticketed events.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
none of the events they do will be open to the public.There
will be an exact amount of tickets sold and how many parking and
how many occupants.They are not going to exceed their
occupancy.For example, last summer they had Johnny Lee who
wanted an event at the Hitching Post.They sold exactly 85
tickets so they would not exceed their occupancy.They will not
violate any city rules or regulations or fire department codes.
When they do an event they will not be open to the public and
they will make sure they sell the exact amount of tickets so
they will not exceed their occupancy.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 46 OF 80
Councilmember Rizzi commented
that kind of answers the question about all this parking and
things getting out of control.
Councilmember Evans commented
they are going to sell tickets but the bar and everything else
is going to be closed to the public.They will shoo them away
and say it is a private event and they cannot be there.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
that is correct.That is what they have done with the three
events they have done outside.Two of them were done in the
beginning east of the Hitching Post.One of them they had the
highest people that came out with about 260 people.It was an
outdoor event where people brought their own chairs.One of
them was done at the western facade and that was for the Blues
and Brews.
Councilmember Evans asked
where the 200 people parked.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
that time the people parked in the western town and the overflow
parking.When they purchased that property, at that time
planning and zoning requested the same commercial zone owned by
one person.If he could lease that property to the Hitching
Post he could accommodate the parking.The lease was submitted
to planning and zoning.He still has a copy of that lease.
They accepted it on December 28, 2015 and it was valid until
November 2017.Then they came up with this idea that this is
not a parking lot, it is a storage lot and the lease i5 no
longer valid.He requested they send him an email, the email
came to him and told him from planning and zoning that the lease
has not been recorded.He has not found any statute and maybe
Mr. Stern may know if this needs to be recorded or not.He
followed the instructions planning and zoning sent him.They
recommended he file for a conditional use permit and he did so.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
there were any noise violations, parking violations, dust
violations or any violations with these three ticketed events
where a certain number of tickets were sold and only a certain
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 47 OF 80
number of people were allowed to attend and a certain number of
cars could be parked.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
there were not.They do not have any violations.When there
was a neighborhood meeting going on that day he had 4 agencies
at the Hitching Post.He had the fire department, Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality, the health department and
dust control.They have not been cited for any violations by
those departments.He was with those agencies so he could not
attend the neighborhood meeting.A complaint was made by
somebody but he does not know who.The city can pull the public
record and find out.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
that was at all three of those events.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin stated
the events have no violations.Before they came to the
conditional use permit meeting there were complaints against the
Hitching Post.They came and investigated and there were no
violations.
Councilmember Evans commented
the way she understood it, the application for this conditional
use permit and to allow Mo to do the additional events and
things that he wanted to do there, that there was a compliance
agreement made between the city and Mo that a conditional use
permit would start the process to correct the violations he did
have with the development agreement.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he believed so.He did not draft the compliance
agreement but that is essentially correct.
Councilmember Evans commented
so there are violations, not necessarily for what was going on
there but violations with the development agreement according to
what was agreed to be done and was not corrected.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 48 OF 80
Councilmember Evans commented
she thought that was the way it was.The conditional use permit
will require him to also correct them but they have not been
corrected as of yet.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he does not know if there are any outstanding issues
right now.He thinks one of the more recent things had to do
with signs and there was also an issue with the folks who have
sewage trucks on the south lot but that lot is not part of the
conditional use permit.Staff would have loved to see that
south lot be part of the overall parking plan for all of the
activities.
Councilmember Evans commented
then parking would not be an issue.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated then it would not be an issue.He does not know if Mr.
Mohiuddin can explain why he does not want to.Possibly he does
not want to lose the rental income from the storage lot.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated the violation that Attorney Bolick showed was
a notice of violation in our standard form.It was for
operating the bull riding arena outside of approved hours and it
was also for the use of the parking lot.Under the economic
development agreement, he is not allowed to use that area as a
parking lot.All the videos they have seen are for use of that
parking lot when it was not included in the original economic
development agreement.Mr. Mohiuddin did not own that property
at the time of the original economic development agreement.The
compliance agreement was an attempt to use the conditional use
permit process to eventually do away with the economic
development agreement, essentially folding the economic
development agreement or parts of it into a conditional use
permit.Once the conditional use permit is approved, if it is
approved, then the hours of operation for the bull riding arena
would be set by conditional use permit and also the Dash In
storage lot could also be used for parking if it had the proper
landscaping.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 49 OF 80
Councilmember Evans commented
sign code -wise and the parking lot that is currently being used
along Cortez and Lost Dutchman are in conflict with the current
development agreement that is in place.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated that is correct.The compliance agreement
required that the conditional use permit be applied for.That
was part of the compliance agreement.
Mayor Serdy commented during
a large event he no doubt has 10 to 20 employees.He asked if
it would be okay for the employees to park there.It would
relieve some of his parking problem.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they cannot under the economic development
agreement.That is specific to the types of uses, that it was
going to be the Dash In Convenience Store with a little two-
table restaurant in there and then the Hitching Post Restaurant
itself.Even the steakhouse restaurant, converting it from the
Dash In to the steakhouse, was really not in the economic
development agreement.The way the economic development
agreement is interpreted is what you see is what you get.He
gets the bull riding arena, the Dash In Convenience Store and
the Hitching Post.It is tied to a specific site plan.The
specific site plan attached to the economic development
agreement says this parking area is not a parking area.It is
not part of the economic development agreement and it cannot be
used for parking.
Mayor Serdy asked if he could
park his own personal vehicle there.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated it is a storage lot.It is not part of the
economic development agreement.If people are storing cars
there or boats, that is what it is for.
Councilmember Evans commented
under number 8 and number 10 there is a conflict in time.
Number 8 says 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and number 10 talks about it
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 50 OF 80
being shut off at 9 p.m. with the lights shut off no later than
10 p.m.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked what document she was referring to.
Councilmember Evans commented
the staff recommendation list where they wanted it changed to 8
p.m. to 10 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated at one time Mr. Mohiuddin asked him if they
could start and end earlier.He thought the neighbors would
like it if it started earlier and ended earlier.He thinks that
was staff's response to that.That is why they recommended 7
p.m. to 9 p.m.
Councilmember Evans commented
in one of the documents it said the neighbors agreed with the 9
p.m. shut off for the bull riding.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated he did not know the answer to that.He
thinks the next number relates to that.The activity of the
loudspeaker and announcer are to end at 9 p.m.With clean up to
do, they have to move the cattle and sheep around, the lights
could stay on until 10 p.m.
Councilmember Evans commented
one of the questions that came to mind regarded number 15 where
it talks about the traffic analysis.She asked if something
like that would be required because our traffic is so much
heavier in the winter months versus our summer months.She
asked if there is a general time frame those are done in such as
setting it for this four months.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated usually when you do a traffic impact analysis
they are using a traffic engineer and standard trip generation
tables from the Institute for Traffic Engineers trip generation
manual.There are peak hour calculations.There is not really
any accommodation for the time of year.This land use will
produce this type of peak hour trips.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 51 OF 80
Councilmember Evans asked if
there has been dust mitigation done in the current area that was
listed as storage and is for the parking lot or in the bull
riding arena.She asked if they have a water truck or what they
have to keep the dust down like in a construction -type job.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated for events that is a standard condition when
there has been an event in the fenced -in area.As part of an
event approval they require dust control, put signage out and
take it in.Whether they have dust control inside the bull
riding arena he does not know.There does not appear to be much
dust control in the storage lot.It might have been wet down on
occasion but he does not know that for sure.
Councilmember Evans commented
they have not been informed that anything has been done to help
with that situation.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they do pre -event watering down of the parking area.He
does not know if anything else is done.
Councilmember Evans commented
the parking lot itself is not striped.It is just a dirt
parking lot.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated based on complaints they did dust complaints
on Filly's and they made them put landscaping in.They gave
them time but they had to put new decomposed granite down.It
is based on if they had any complaints.Filly's had noise
concerns on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.They tried to get
them to move the speakers and put in landscaping and the fresh
decomposed granite.
Councilmember Evans asked
what the commercial owner's opposition was to them.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the gentleman sent us a letter and he also spoke to him
on the phone.He says he owns the property across the street,
Dave's something LLC, and his concerns were that people who go
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 52 OF 80
to events at the Hitching Post are actually crossing the street
or parking on his property.He did not say it in his letter but
he also told him that people tend to leave trash on his property
when they use it for overflow parking.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
Larry had talked about some situations with Filly's.She asked
if there has ever been any violations with the events that the
museum holds when the cars are parked outside the fence along
State Route 88, or is there dust, people crossing or cars being
parked out near the street.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
asked if she meant police issues.He would not know that but
perhaps the chief could answer that.
Mayor Serdy commented he has
seen deputy sheriffs out there parking people.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
there has ever been an issue with the Easter event with the
5,000 people.There is just no way Prospector Park can hold
that many people.People are parked alongside the road and
people are crossing and dust blowing.She asked if we have ever
had any issues with accidents.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he has no knowledge of that.
Councilmember Evans asked if
there is anything at all in the 27 recommendations from staff
that we would not require of any applicant that wanted the same
kind of event thing.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated every case is a little different.These conditions
pertain to this particular request.Maybe with another
conditional use permit application they might not necessarily
ask for an 8' wall next to the property line.But because of
the issues and the types of complaints they have heard, some of
these conditions were specific to this case to try to help
mitigate some of those issues.They are not necessarily
standard conditions but the landscaping, general screening,
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 53 OF 80
adequate parking and onsite engineering are.There were also
some site specific conditions to mitigate the issues.
Councilmember Evans commented
we are not more restrictive with any of the conditions.
Councilmember Struble
commented he wanted to clarify something for all of them to see
and had them point it out on the map.He asked where staff is
recommending the 8' wall and the 12' wooden fence or decorative
wall.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated staff is recommending the 12' western theme fence where
the yellow outline is.Staff is recommending the 8' block wall
along the stretch of Lost Dutchman and along a stretch of
Cortez.
Councilmember Struble
commented the only exit is up on top.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct and he showed them where the gate would
be and he showed them another area where there is an existing
fence around there.There is also another access gate in the
area.
Councilmember Struble asked
if there is anything in the portion around the house where the
yellow and then the blue lines are.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he believes that is an existing chain link fence.
Councilmember Struble
commented that is a chain link fence right now and staff has no
recommendations for anything for that right now.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they do not.This is the other area Mr. Bolick said they
would also like fenced but staff did not catch that one.
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MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 54 OF 80
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.He asked that they supply their name and
address.
Mr. Brad Johnson, 2475
Whiteley, Pinal County, addressed the council.He had never
heard of any of this before tonight however those videos viewed
tonight have cameras with IR sensors that cannot depict the
actual light pollution being given off in that area.The
directional microphones on those cameras can pick up a person
walking on the street.If they watch the videos again they can
hear the police cruiser driving by on a paved road.They can
also hear the women getting out of the car and walking through
the gravel.He has 20 of those cameras on his home and he can
hear people walking on the street 150' away.He encouraged them
to take that with a grain of salt when the volume is turned up
that high and when the headlights are bouncing off the IR
sensors.It is not representative of what is actually going on
there.
Mr. Mehmood Mohiuddin, 2304
N. Cortez, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated
during the last four months from January to the end of April
somebody complained to the dust control people in Pinal County.
They came and used a scale with a computerized system and took
dirt from various locations but gave him no violation.They are
in compliance.They were out three times.There is some
decomposed granite out there and they are planning on putting
out some more.They are not there to create a problem for the
neighbors.They like the night time. They say they show their
videos and the gentleman says something.He knows nothing about
the videos and the sensors and all that stuff but he does have a
decibel meter reading for the last 4 months.He wished he had
known this would have been a question so he could have
downloaded the information for every Thursday and Saturday.
They are all in compliance.They do water and do dust control.
They do every single thing to be compliant and so far every
agency that has come out has not given them a violation.
Mr. James Johnson, 2319 N.
Cortez, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated a
question was made by Mr. Struble about the noncolored part next
to the house.Our request, since that was omitted, was for that
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 55 OF 80
to be an 8' block wall because of the Funk's house.Initially
there was nothing in there but they made it part of their
request as an amendment.He has listened intently to the
council and the questions they have asked.He appreciates their
concern for their welfare, wellbeing and quality of life that
they have had to suffer the way they have for over three years.
The videos do it no justice.One gentleman got up here and said
it could be baffled.It is louder than the video.The light is
more intense than what you see.Come out there and look at it.
He assured them that none of them would buy a house or put up
with it if you lived there.He asked them to put themselves in
their shoes and make the right decision about this.They spent
a lot of time and man hours trying to protect rights they never
should have had to do in the first place four years ago.It is
time to put it to a stop.They have given them the opportunity
again this evening to make the changes and make it right again.
Mr. John Insalaco, 2320 W.
10th Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated
some of the council know that ever since this project started he
has lied to this council.He has lied to all of us and he has
never kept some of his promises.They say they should not be
moving there because this commercial property was there before.
Before it was a Dash In and a gas station.That is all it was.
He has come in and made a three-ring circus out of this place.
The city has a staff they pay to give the council
recommendations and then they bring them to the planning and
zoning and they disregard them completely.He asked why they
should have staff if they are going to let planning and zoning
just run amok and give this man everything.The council is not
taking care of the residents of this city.He would like to see
some other business get what this man has gotten and gotten away
with.He has never been in compliance before.He asked how
many times the city had to stop him from doing something without
permits.He asked they not let him go any further.
Mr. Jim Duncan, 2745
Smoketree, Apache Junction, addressed the council.He stated he
lives a half mile from the Hitching Post as the crow flies.His
home is located higher than most other homes in that area.He
can clearly see the lights from the side of the building.He
can clearly hear the 104 bull riding event nights that happen
from his front patio.He also owns the 1.5 acre parcel to the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 56 OF 80
south of where the concert center is going to be.He is in full
support of his neighbors and asked the council to please approve
their appeal.A comment about the police reports that someone
mentioned earlier.They do not like to call the police all the
time plus there have been times neighbors have told him they
have called the police and were told the Hitching Post has an
economic development agreement so they can have the noise and
the bull riding.He asked if that really makes it right.
Someone calls to complain about it and they are told they have
an economic development agreement to have bull riding.He asked
if that makes it right that they can have the noise and the
police will not do anything.There are some conflicts as to
what was going on out there.At the planning and zoning meeting
of March 27 the applicant stood up and said he did not believe
some of the videos he had just seen.He stated two times during
his speech that he thought the sound was recorded in the arena
area and attached to the videos.That statement is completely
false.It is not the first time this has happened.In 2013 and
2014 while the applicant was applying for the bull riding arena
he made these other false statements to the city council.There
will not be a PA announcer on Thursday nights.It is only for
practice.But there is.The PA announcer on Saturday will only
be announcing the rider, but he does not.It goes on with
advertising and on and on.There will not be music in the
arena.He only has music in the Hitching Post restaurant.He
has had that business for three years and has not had
complaints.But there is music in the arena.The PA speakers
will be on the ground to try to not disturb the neighbors.But
when he opened they were on pedestals.There is a Google image
from 2015 that clearly shows them on pedestals.There will not
be bleachers in the bull riding arena but there were when he
opened and there are today.The council just heard somebody
talk about a standard that was built in the arena.He asked why
there was no arena detail in the site plan for the conditional
use permit.There is detail in the other areas and the arena
was supposed to be a part of the conditional use permit.That
is because he wants to do whatever he pleases in that area.
Patrons can only access the bull riding arena through the
Hitching Post.That was a statement made by his attorney.But
that is not true.They go in from the RV and boat storage lot
through a back gate into the bull riding arena.He has worked
hard all his life to be able to purchase the properties he owns.
He loves Apache Junction.Their RS -54 zoning district has the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 57 OF 80
highest number of restrictions throughout all of the city.
There is nowhere else you can go that would be more restrictive
in a residential zoning area.We also have horse privileges
which is an honor in this state.He is not going to subject
horses on his property 80' away from 15 concerts that could take
place 4 to 6 hours a day.
Mayor Serdy closed the public
hearing on the item and reopened the item to council discussion.
Councilmember Barker
commented she is very prone to be looking at staff's
recommendations.She thinks they are reasonable and a good
middle ground between them.
Councilmember Waldron
commented another thing important to realize is the neighbors
are not looking to shut down the Hitching Post.They are simply
looking for a way to enjoy their property.Some of the
recommended conditions made by staff to the planning and zoning
commission go a long way towards doing that.It is a very
viable business and obviously very popular.There are some
issues with parking that need to be resolved.It is true they
have been told on many occasions that things would happen and
they did not happen.He thinks it is too bad because he thinks
he has a great business out there.However, when he comes to
the council and says he will do something he needs to follow up
with that.It is important to understand no one is going to
shut down the business.He does not believe in this case that
the applicant has met the land development code with the burden
of proof in all the areas.To him that is not a deal breaker.
Nonetheless, coming in here there were certain obligations the
applicant had to meet as a burden of proof and he does not feel
all of them were met.
Mayor Serdy commented
Councilmember Barker thinks the 8' wall and the 12' wall would
go a long way to mitigate.
Councilmember Barker
commented that is correct.She thinks that staff was trying
very hard to consider the neighbors as well as the business
itself.She thinks they are reasonable.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 58 OF 80
Councilmember Struble agreed.
He commented when he read through all the paperwork these last 4
days the staff recommendations seemed to be very reasonable for
what was trying to be accomplished here.There was a statement
earlier questioning if this was a brand new business would we
allow them to operate for a period of time prior to having some
of the things done, like six months or a year, to get things
done and operate.He thinks that is a viable concern they could
have.He thinks it is very important and he has said this
before when people have come to the council asking for variances
to zoning or whatever it might be and then this has to do with
businesses.A business owner has responsibility to fulfill the
requirements we ask of them.If they do not it puts a sour
taste in our mouths for future people who will come to us.He
has an obligation to future developments to abide by what we
have to say.He thinks what staff recommended to us is a good
starting point to consider.
Mayor Serdy commented if this
were a new business and we held everyone to that standard there
would be no business in Bisbee, Jerome or Tombstone but that is
part of what the charm of those cities is.They will not build
that from scratch.Bisbee would be one giant parking lot and
there would be no cool businesses there.He thinks that is kind
of like when you remodel and you make something newer.That is
how we get into these situations.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
he does understand some of the concerns and issues with the
vehicles that are pulling out of the parking lot and the lights
hitting the houses.He does believe that 8' wall will
definitely assist in that a great amount, which was recommended
originally.The chain link fence does not do a darn thing for
anybody.He is in agreement with some of the conditions that
were originally recommended by staff.It is something to try to
work through and adjust.He would like to see some of that wall
being put up.
Councilmember Barker
commented she thinks there was some concerns about the timing on
the six months and year.When you consider it, six months from
now until the time is when an event could occur.The
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 59 OF 80
stipulation in the planning and zoning and staff recommendations
was six months on the big fence.
Mayor Serdy commented they
would be talking November.
Councilmember Barker
commented they are talking right about the time any event could
start.It seems to her the 8' wall should have to go up in the
same time period mainly because that is what would be used to at
least try to buffer some of that noise and some of the light, et
cetera.That time period should be closed a little tighter for
those things.
Councilmember Evans asked if
she meant number 1, number 3 and number 4.
Councilmember Barker
commented it is just the two fences is all she had in mind.She
did not go beyond that.
Councilmember Evans
apologized and said not number 3.
Councilmember Barker agreed
it was not number 3.
Councilmember Evans commented
it is numbers 1, 2 and 4.And for the exterior lighting which
is number 5.
Councilmember Barker
commented six months on all of them.
Councilmember Evans agreed
commenting that would bring them into the busy time.
Councilmember Waldron
commented they have to keep in mind this is an appeal of the
planning and zoning so they have to look at their conditions of
approval and marry them up.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 60 OF 80
Councilmember Barker
commented they have to match them together.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
which is a little time-consuming when you are trying to listen
and take notes.
Councilmember Evans commented
this is difficult and there is a lot.Everyone in this room has
a lot of passion for their side and she appreciated both sides
completely.It does not make their jobs any easier to find that
happy medium to work with the neighbors and work with
commercial.It is always difficult having residential and
commercial zones compatible together.She thinks that staff's
recommendations and with the changes in the timeline it is a
very good compromise.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion.
Councilmember Evans requested
a break.
Councilmember Barker agreed
so that they can get it done correctly.
Mayor Serdy called for a
short break.
Mayor Serdy reconvened the
meeting.
Councilmember Rizzi asked
Rudy to clarify the difference between the planning and zoning
resolution and the staff recommendations so that they are clear
and the audience is clear on the differences.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated basically planning and zoning deleted staff condition
number 1, the 12' western theme fence around the new activity
area.Then condition number 2 in the staff's conditions became
condition number 1 but they changed where staff had said within
one year of approval a properly engineered and permitted 8'
block decorative wall, planning and zoning changed that to one
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 61 OF 80
year of approval a properly engineered and permitted 6' chain
link fence with wood slats.The rest of the language about the
landscaping and the landscape strip outside the fence basically
remains the same.Condition 2 in the planning and zoning
resolution and staff condition number 3 are exactly the same.
Planning and zoning condition number 3 and staff recommendation
number 4 are different.Planning and zoning said within one
year of approval the property owner, together with Pinal County
Health and the city building official, will review occupancy
load estimates for all customer accessible activity areas and
make a determination on the adequacy of restroom facilities.
They liked that wording better.Staff's recommendation was
within six months of approval the property owner shall hire an
engineer to conduct a new septic system analysis for the
Hitching Post property based on Fleming fixture counts found in
table 2902 of the International Building Code.This was a very
specific reference to the way the building code determines how
many restrooms you might need given the venue and the number of
customers expected.Planning and zoning softened it up a bit.
Planning and zoning condition number 4 called for all exterior
lighting to be brought into dark sky compliance and staff
condition number 5 is the same.Planning and zoning condition
number 5 said no more than 15 events or other events with
amplified music shall be held in the western town area.Said
events shall end by 10 p.m. local time and shall be held only
between April 1 and October 31.Other events in this area which
do not have amplified music are unlimited in number and lights
shall be shut off for any events in the western town no later
than 10 p.m.Staff's condition number 6 said no more than 6
concert events or outdoor events with amplified music shall be
held in the western town area and shall end by 7 p.m.These
events are to be held between October 15 and May 15 yearly.The
idea there was to try to capture some of the off season
opportunities as opposed to the snowbird season which would
already have a lot of folks attending the Hitching Post.The
rest of it was basically the same other than recommending the
lights off at 9 p.m.Planning and zoning condition number 6 was
all outdoor concerts and similar events in the western town area
will require the venue operators to hire off duty Apache
Junction Police Department.If they confirm that none are
available other law enforcement may be considered.If any use
demonstrates a traffic safety hazard, additional safety
improvements may be required.Staff's recommendation was the
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 62 OF 80
same.Planning and zoning condition number 7 stated the hours
for bull riding under the conditional use permit shall last from
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and junior rodeo
events may be held at the same time, in place of or as part of
normal bull riding nights and hours.Staff's condition number 8
is the same.Planning and zoning condition number 8 states
other events of similar or lesser intensity may also take place
in the bull riding arena in place of and on the same days and
times as normally allowed bull riding.Staff's condition number
9 is the same.Planning and zoning condition number 10 states
all music and outdoor loudspeakers used for events held in the
bull riding shall be shut off at 10 p.m.Staff's recommendation
says the same thing.
Councilmembers Waldron and
Barker commented it says 9 p.m. in the staff recommendation.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
and the lights off by 10 p.m.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated there was additional wording about loudspeakers being
shut off at 9 p.m. and lights shutting off at 10 p.m.Planning
and zoning recommendation number 10 states the owner of the
property shall take reasonable precautions that any outdoor
music or loudspeaker use is directed away from and conducted in
a manner to minimize the disturbance to the residential
neighborhood.Staff recommendation number 11 says the same.
Planning and zoning condition number 11 states all activities
held in the newly -defined east expansion area shall end at 10
p.m. including ambient music.Staff's recommendation was to end
at 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Fridays and
Saturdays.Planning and zoning made it 10 p.m. all the way
around.Planning and zoning recommendation number 12 states RV
and boat storage and truck lot to the south of the subject
property is not part of the conditional use permit and shall not
be used for employ, event or activity overflow.Additionally,
no parking is allowed related to the activities on Lost
Dutchman, Cortez and North Apache Trail.Staff's condition
number 13 is the same.Planning and zoning condition number 13
is the conditional use permit incorporates by reference the
submitted site plans stamped 2/26/18 illustrating the proposed
development, property shall not deviate from said plans without
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 63 OF 80
development services director approval for minor changes and for
planning and zoning approval for major changes in the form of a
conditional use permit amendment.Staff's condition number 14
is the same.Planning and zoning condition number 14 is
substantial increases in intensity just defines how we might
define an increase in intensity.Staff's condition number 15 is
the same.The criteria are there for how we might address a
major change.Planning and zoning condition number 15 states
the operators of the outdoor entertainment venue may use a free-
standing sign in front of the Hitching Post to advertise special
events on the larger property or a new free-standing sign may be
placed along Lost Dutchman.Staff's recommendation is the same.
Staff's recommendation number 17 was the conditional use permit
for an entertainment value shall not transfer upon sale of the
property.Planning and zoning deleted that condition.Planning
and zoning condition number 16 states all requirements and
obligations pertaining to the separate economic development
agreement and amendments thereto shall remain in full force and
effect until such time as the city council nullifies the
agreement.Staff's recommendation number 18 is the same.
Planning and zoning condition number 17 states no direct access
from the event center allowed into the conditional use permit to
Cortez.Staff's recommendation is the same.Planning and
zoning condition number 19 states the conditional use permit
must be renewed no later than three years from the effective
date of approval, the property owner must file a timely and
complete application to renew the conditional use permit several
months before the renewal date, failure to renew the conditional
use permit shall cause all approvals under this conditional use
permit to expire.Staff's condition number 20 is the same.
Planning and zoning condition number 19 states prior to the one-
year anniversary planning staff shall bring the item back for
commission review of compliance of conditions and consideration
of further commission requirements or actions.Staff's
recommendation number 21 is the same.At such time as sewer
service reaches the property is the same for both planning and
zoning and staff.All signage on the property including signage
for the Hitching Post and events shall be in compliance with the
city sign code including free-standing, permanent, attached,
window signs and banners are the same for planning and zoning
condition number 21 and staff recommendation number 23.
Planning and zoning condition number 22 is for proper building
permits.Staff's condition 24 is the same.Planning and zoning
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 64 OF 80
condition number 23 states all parking shall be dust proofed.
Staff's condition number 25 is the same.Planning and zoning
condition number 24 states pursuant to Apache Junction City Code
expiration, the applicant shall improve and begin operating the
outdoor entertainment venue within the accordance of the
submitted drawings, narrative and prescribed conditions of
approval within 12 months of the granting of the conditional use
permit or the conditional use permit shall become void.Staff's
recommendation number 26 is the same.The last one is planning
and zoning condition number 25 is exactly the same as staff's
recommendation number 27.A couple of them changed in wording
and a couple of conditions were deleted.Staff had recommended
27, planning and zoning ended up with 25.They got rid of the
condition regarding the conditional use permit not being
transferable with the property and they got rid of condition
number 1 regarding the 12' screening fence around the new
activity area.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
it is standard for when there is a transfer of property for the
conditional use permit to go away and the new owner would have
to reapply.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they borrowed that from the medical marijuana folks.
There are a certain group of applicants that come to the council
and planning and zoning.They know who they are and their
faces.They can hear what their intentions are.But when a
whole new group comes in, then they want to get to know those
people, too.It was the same kind of idea with this condition.
Councilmember Rizzi thanked
him for going through all of them.It does not sound like there
were that many changes between the recommendations from planning
and zoning and staff.The councilmembers that commented on
staff recommendations appear to be reasonable.She was
concerned with the 8' wall being constructed of block.She does
not know if that was a requirement or a suggestion.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it was a staff suggestion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 65 OF 80
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
it would matter that much to staff if that was not necessarily
constructed of block but if it was a different material similar
to the 12' western theme facade.The recommendation was a 12'
western theme facade to go around the back side but then around
Cortez an 8' block wall.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the 12' wall was to go around the bull riding arena and
east.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
in her opinion is seems the 12' western façade would block the
light a little bit better and it might even block the sound a
little bit better due to the height.
Mayor Serdy commented if they
approve this they would have six months to get those walls
built.He asked what would happen if they are not built by
then.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they recommended six months.
Mayor Serdy asked what
happens if there are no funds and it cannot be built.He asked
what happens to the agreement.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated one of the conditions was that within one year staff
would go back to the commission and basically give an update on
what has been complied with and what has not.It would be up to
the commission if they wanted to give him more time.
Mayor Serdy commented it
would not go backwards.He would not lose it.He just could
not have a concert until the walls are up.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that sounds reasonable.They might want to specify that.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 66 OF 80
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they would have to put that in the motion on that
condition.They would also have the right to revoke, too.
Mayor Serdy asked they would
have the right to do what.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the planning and zoning commission would have the right
to revoke it because they did not meet the condition.
Mayor Serdy commented another
big difference was going back down to a 6' fence.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
going back down to 6' tries it out.Let us try this process out
and add these conditions and a buffer to help protect some of
the residents yet at the same time let him have events if he
follows through with what these recommendations are.It is a
compromise to her.
Mayor Serdy commented if one
of these is approved and he does not meet them they do not lose
the bull riding.They continue to operate as they are now.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated the conditional use permit could be revoked because,
remember, the development agreement would be gone at that point.
Once this is approved and it goes beyond all appeals, he would
then bring the development agreement back for a termination.
They would indeed lose the bull riding because it becomes part
of the conditional use permit.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
they would or they could.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they could.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
it sounds to her like the staff and planning and zoning
commission were willing to have a compromise.They heard from
both attorneys that they are willing to have a compromise.The
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 67 OF 80
whole goal was not to shut down the bull riding and business and
run Mo out of town.The neighbors just want a little bit of
relief.No wants to be able to have his events and bring some
new things to the community.She thinks the council and
community in general want that, too, but at the same time it
sounded to her like it was a compromise with the provision of
providing a buffer, which is reasonable.It does not sound to
her like anybody was intentionally trying to' put a stop to this.
It is not that it would be revoked, it just could be revoked.
It would go to planning and zoning and they would look at the
circumstances and make a decision based on the findings and the
facts.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is correct.
Mayor Serdy commented several
of them up here are business people.He does not have the
funding in the summer that he does in the winter.They would
have to come up with this funding over the summer to build some
fairly expensive walls.That might be a difficult task.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
in staff recommendation numbers 6 and 12 they are talking about
the lights off in the area of the western town that should be
off at 9 p.m. and in the newly defined eastern expansion area.
He asked if those areas are the same.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated the western town area is the area to the south of the
Hitching Post that has the enclosure now.The newly defined
east expansion area is basically that area east of the Hitching
Post that has the corn hole, the gazebo, the water and the fire
pits.They are two different areas.In the western town area
they are recommending that concerts, wrestling shows or whatever
the case may be end at 10 p.m. and be held certain times of the
year.Lights off for any events held in the western town area
by 9 p.m. and the activities in the newly defined east area end
at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 10 p.m. on Friday and
Saturday including ambient music.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
he wanted that clarified as Fridays and Saturdays as they were
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 68 OF 80
saying 10 p.m. and up here they were saying 9 p.m.He thought
at first they were the same general area.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated Mr. Bolick advised him he might have misstated commission
recommendation number 7 and staff recommendation number 8, hours
for bull riding under the conditional use permit.The hours for
bull riding under the planning and zoning recommendation were 8
p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays with junior rodeo
events being held at the same time in place of the normal bull
riding.It was basically derived from the development
agreement.Staff's recommendation had been new hours for bull
riding and shall be 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Larry Kirch has mentioned
possibly going a little earlier Thursdays and Saturdays and the
other thing about the junior rodeo is the same.There is a
difference in the hours.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
the only concern she had with that is if the event ends at 9
p.m. to cut the noise off at 9 p.m. from all of the
recommendations for the different events, then for the lighting
to be cut off at 9 p.m. it does not give them any time to clean
up.She would be okay if they cut the noise at 9 p.m. and
extend the lighting to 10 p.m. to give them time to round things
up.
Councilmember Barker agreed.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
they have read so much she is confused between 9 p.m. and 10
p.m. and which area.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated planning and zoning condition number 7 related
specifically to activities in the bull riding arena.
Mayor Serdy commented there
would be no Saturday morning juniors.That was one of the ones
they requested to have.That would not be in here anywhere.He
then closed the discussion with no further comments and called
for a motion.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 69 OF 80
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MEMORIALIZED IN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO.
CUP -9-17 BE MODIFIED WITH CHANGES TO SOME OF THE CONDITIONS
BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS:
THAT PURSUANT TO APACHE JUNCTION CITY CODE, VOLUME II, SECTION
1-16-12(D)(3), THE USES COVERED BY THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT,
THE MANNER OF ITS CONDUCT AND ANY STRUCTURE INVOLVED, WILL NOT
BE DETRIMENTAL TO PERSONS RESIDING OR WORKING IN THE AREA, TO
ADJACENT PROPERTY, TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR TO THE PUBLIC WELFARE
IN GENERAL.
THAT THIS FINDING IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
NEGATIVE IMPACTS ARISING FROM THE EMISSION OF ODOR, DUST, GAS,
NOISE, LIGHTING, VIBRATION, SMOKE, HEAT AND GLARE, THE APPLICANT
HAS AGREED ON THE CONDITIONS FOR THE DUST CONTROL TO MINIMIZE
THE DUST AND VARIOUS ITEMS COMING UP FROM THE GROUND;
COMPATIBILITY WITH THE SURROUNDING USES AND STRUCTURES, THAT THE
HITCHING POST IS IN B-1 ZONING AND THAT WAS NOT IN DISPUTE;
CONFORMANCE WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, THAT THE HITCHING POST IS IN
FACT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, THAT WAS NOT IN
DISPUTE;
AND THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE PROPERTY, USE AND/OR DEVELOPMENT'S
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, THE APPLICANT HAS DEVELOPED THUS FAR
WITH SOME VERY UNIQUE FEATURES.
THAT THE APPLICANT HAS MET THE BURDEN OF PROOF ON EACH FACTOR
MENTIONED UNDER FINDING B.
THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION ARE
MODIFIED AS FOLLOWS:
THE 25 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL ENFORCED BY THE PLANNING AND
ZONING IN RESOLUTION NO. CUP -9-17 BE REPLACED AS FOLLOWS:
WITH THE STAFF RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL DATED MARCH
27, 2018, ITEMS 1 THROUGH 27 WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES:
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 70 OF 80
THAT ITEM 1, WE ADD THAT A FENCE BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE NORTH
SIDE OF THE HOUSE, THAT SECTION HE BELIEVES WOULD BE CONSIDERED
THE NORTH SIDE;
THAT ITEM 4, BE CHANGED TO HAVE IT WITHIN 6 MONTHS, THAT THE
RESTROOM FACILITIES BE CONSTRUCTED WITHIN 6 MONTHS;
THAT ITEM 5 ALSO BE 6 MONTHS, TO BRING THE LIGHTS INTO
COMPLIANCE;
AND THAT WE ADD CONDITION NUMBER 22, IF ANY CONDITION OF
APPROVAL IS NOT MET IN THE TIME ALLOWED, THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION SHALL REVIEW THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND DETERMINE WHAT
ACTION IS APPROPRIATE.
I FURTHER MOVE THAT ALL OF MY PREVIOUSLY STATED
FINDINGS/CONDITIONS BE INCLUDED IN A RESOLUTION DRAFTED BY THE
CITY ATTORNEY, SIGNED BY THE MAYOR AND ATTESTED TO BY THE CITY
CLERK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE COMING DAYS.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
Mayor Serdy asked if they
could ask questions before they go to roll call.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
he is saying that the one section of fence north of the house be
put in.He asked what about the fence around the parking lot.
Councilmember Barker
commented that is already in there.
Councilmember Waldron
commented the one around the house was not in there.
Councilmember Barker
commented that little section.
There was general discussion
about the fence on the north side of the house and the fence
along Cortez.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 71 OF 80
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
he thought it was a 6' high chain link fence with the wood
slats.
Councilmember Barker
commented that is an 8' block wall.
Councilmember Struble
commented they are looking at staff recommendations.
Mayor Serdy commented they
are talking about materials right now.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
staff recommendations were an 8' block wall.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
showed where staff recommended an 8' block wall.He believed he
heard Councilmember Waldron state the 12' western theme fence to
also be constructed.
Councilmember Barker
commented as a block wall.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
asked if they also wanted that to be a block wall.
Councilmember Waldron
commented the motion calls for it to be 12 feet.They could
amend it to the 8' wall.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
commented it will be an 8' block wall along Lost Dutchman,
Cortez and the north section of the residence.
Councilmember Waldron
commented that is the way the motion was.
Mayor Serdy commented but
that is not a recommendation of staff.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it was not in our original recommendation.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 72 OF 80
Councilmember Barker
commented that is why it was added now.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked whoever made the motion needs to clarify the number.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if he wanted it clarified that it is a 12' wall or 8' wall.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Waldron
commented it would be the 8' decorative block wall.He
apologized for that.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked where it would be located.
Councilmember Waldron
commented it will be on the north side of the property line
where the house is.He is assuming that is the north.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that would be a change to staff recommendation number 2.
He will insert that 8' block wall language into condition number
2.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked how tall the wall is around Cortez.
Councilmember Waldron
commented that remains the same.That does not change.That is
the only change to the fencing.
Mayor Serdy commented he
added 6 months.In 6 months he said planning and zoning shall
review.
Councilmember Waldron
commented it just says if they are not completed in the time
allowed.There is one that is a year and there are some that
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 73 OF 80
are 6 months that they would review it.The time frame is a
method to determine the appropriate action.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she is concerned with the 8' wall.She does not think it is
going to be enough.It is going to be extremely expensive and
we are going to find out that we really needed 12 feet.She is
worried that if we go with an 8' block wall it will still be a
problem.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it has been seconded.There has been one question by Mr.
Wilson and he thinks there was a clarification on the conditions
by Mr. Waldron.He thinks Ms. Rizzi also expressed an issue but
did not necessarily make an amendment.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
she could move to make an amendment.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated she may.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
they would have to vote on this first.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated she would do an amendment.
Mayor Serdy commented she
would do the amendment first otherwise it is locked in.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED TO
FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH AN AMENDMENT ON CONDITION NUMBER
TWO THAT EITHER THE 8' IF WE ARE GOING TO GO I HAVE THAT THE 8'
BLOCK WALL IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE BLOCK, THAT A DIFFERENT
MATERIAL COULD BE USED.
Councilmember Barker
commented no.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 74 OF 80
Mayor Serdy asked if there
needs to be a second on these.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if it is a clear motion for an amendment to everybody.
Vice Mayor Wilson asked if
she meant she wanted a 12'decorative western facade on that
instead of the block wall.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED TO
CHANGE THAT FROM AN 8' BLOCK WALL WHERE THE BLUE IS ON THE
CORTEZ SIDE TO A 12' WESTERN FAQADE.
Mayor Serdy commented that is
why they parked the motor home there because they all thought
12' would do it rather than 8 feet.
Councilmember Barker
commented it also needs to go around where the house is.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
that is correct.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she thinks that is reasonable.It is taller and she thinks it
gives a better buffer but at the same time a block wall within 6
months during the summer hours is expensive.It is slow and she
is a business owner as well.
Councilmember Evans commented
whether it is expensive or not, that is one of our normal
conditions when commercial and residential are abutting each
other, that it be a block wall.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
they are not out of compliance right now with what they have.
Councilmember Evans commented
but these are the changes.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
her reasoning behind changing the motion and amending number 2
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 75 OF 80
to make it 12' is she is concerned that 8' is not going to be
high enough.As a compromise to making it 12', she is asking
that we not require it to be block.
Councilmember Evans asked if
a 12' block wall require engineered plans.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated a 12' fence following the theme of the fence that is
already there, which he believes fluctuates from 8' to 16',
there already exists engineered plans for that fence.When that
western fence was constructed they had to go through a building
permit process and present engineering.The engineering already
exists and has been approved.
Councilmember Evans commented
they could basically duplicate it.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.
Mayor Serdy commented they
could duplicate it around Cortez and the side.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
they could basically duplicate it.
stated that is correct.
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Evans asked if
the wood would mitigate the noise as well as the block.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated he is not a sound engineer.The block wall would
probably mitigate the noise to some extent but not completely.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
an 8' block wall would mitigate the lights.To her it is a
compromise.Make the wall higher, keep it conforming with the
rest of the wall and create that buffer.
Mayor Serdy commented when
they had the Blues and Brews inside the facade town it did seem
to hold the noise in.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 76 OF 80
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated we need a motion to amend and a second.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE AMENDMENT.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they need to go back and talk about the motion again.
Mayor Serdy commented they
have Dave's original motion with the amendment by Christa.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED ON
NUMBER TWO, THAT THE NUMBER TWO CONDITION BE AMENDED TO A 12
FOOT WESTERN FACADE WALL TO CONFORM ON THE BLUE LINE ON CORTEZ,
TO CONTINUE AROUND ON THAT.
Councilmember Waldron
commented to make it easier for her, just CHANGE THE 8'
DECORATIVE BLOCK WALL TO A 12' WOODEN WESTERN THEME WALL.
Mayor Serdy commented and
that has been seconded.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he does not know if it is seconded now.
second it now.
THE AMENDMENT.
Mayor Serdy commented to
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they would vote on the amendment first.
Mayor Serdy called for a vote
on the amendment.
VOTE:6-1 (Councilmember Evans voted in opposition.)
(During the vote Councilmember Evans commented she would like
the block wall and with the trees that are going to be planted
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 77 OF 80
along there that will end up being taller than the 12' wall.It
has to have better sound mitigation.)
(During the vote Councilmember Barker commented she has a
concern about closing it in like that with 12' of wall.)
The amendment motion carried.
Mayor Serdy called for a vote
on the original motion.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion.
Councilmember Waldron MOVED
THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT
7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018, IN THE CITY COUNCIL
CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY; AND
THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE
5, 2018, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 78 OF 80
Mr. George Schroeder, 2444 W. Virginia, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding his belief the conditional use
permit belonging in court and the city giving away mental health
funds.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Serdy adjourned the
meeting at 11:52 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of regular meeting of
May 1, 2018.
3. Presentation, discussion and consideration of proposed
Resolution No. 18-19 committing local funds as leverage for
the Fiscal Year 2017 State Special Project grant application.
4. Consideration of proposed Resolution No. 18-20, authorizing
the city manager to execute a loan agreement with Apache
Junction Villas, LLC, regarding the 52 unit low income
housing tax credit townhome project at the southeast corner \
of San Marcos Drive and Tepee Street.
ACCEPTED THIS .3';7j DAY OF /'7/ , , Z -2018, BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 6177-DAY OF , 2018.
JEFF/MRDY
Mayor
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 79 OF 80
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
15th day of May, 2018.I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 4th day of June, 2018.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2018
PAGE 80 OF 80