HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-01 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 1, 2017
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on August 1, 2017, 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
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Works Director Michael Weyer
Parks and Recreation Director Liz
Langenbach
Economic Development Director Janine
Solley
Others Present:Public Information Officer Al Bravo
Grant Administrator Heather Patel
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Recreation Superintendent Jamie
Sullivan
Public Works Manager Shane Kiesow
Project Engineer Raquel Schatz
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Councilmember Waldron
MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Serdy recognized the 2017 Apache Junction Little League
Junior Girls Softball Team as Arizona State Champions, a video
was shown and they were given city hats and pins.
Mayor Serdy read a proclamation designating August 2017 as
Drowning Impact Awareness Month.He presented it to Tina Gerola
of the Superstition Fire and Medical District, who gave a brief
description of an incident that occurred in Apache Junction
earlier this year involving a near -drowning victim rescued by a
passerby.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Struble congratulated the little league team on
their tournament run.They took fourth place out of nine at the
regionals.
Mayor Serdy announced on August 7 at 10 a.m. there will be a
ceremony for National Purple Heart Day across from the focal
point where the flags are.
Mayor Serdy announced the owners of the Mining Camp Restaurant
are still undecided if they are going to rebuild after the fire.
He asked the residents to encourage them to rebuild.He asked
if anyone knows someone who could employ them, there are 35
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AUGUST 1, 2017
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employees out of work.The Hitching Post will have fundraising
all weekend for the employees who are now out of jobs.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Bryant Powell congratulated the Little League team,
thanked Superstition Fire and Medical District personnel for
being at the meeting and commented the city had received the
packet for the 2020 Census.
Production/Marketing and Communications Specialist Matt McNulty
gave a presentation on the lighting and media upgrades in the
city council chambers.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO. 17-18,
REAFFIRMING THE APACHE TRAIL
REDEVELOPMENT AREA
)Grants Administrator
Heather Patel briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he
closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion.
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 17-18, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, REAFFIRMING
RESOLUTION NO. 12-28 FOR THE APACHE TRAIL REDEVELOPMENT AREA AND
PLAN FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF QUALIFICATION OF FUNDING UNDER THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, BE APPROVED.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
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None.
NEW BUSINESS
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT/JOINT
PROJECT AGREEMENT 16-0006289
BETWEEN THE CITY AND ARIZONA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR
THE LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION
MAINTENANCE OF THE ROUNDABOUT
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT
SUPERSTITION BOULEVARD AND STATE
ROUTE 88
)Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Struble asked
if she has an approximate cost of our annual maintenance and
lighting fees for this project.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that has not been determined yet.There is also
the factor of what the city wants to have in there as far as the
enhancements go as well as the landscaping plan which has not
been completed yet.
Councilmember Struble asked
if they have lighting, like a certain amount of overhead lights
and such that they will be requiring.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated they do.Salt River Project has concluded their
design of that and they are looking at the construction costs.
As far as what the proposed annual fee or maintenance fee, the
city does not have a number on that.Staff will get back to him
on that as soon as they find out.
Vice Mayor Wilson asked if
the city is having a say on the plants they are planning to put
in or are they just arbitrarily picking them.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated she has not seen the landscaping plans yet.They
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do have a subconsultant as part of the Arizona Department of
Transportation consulting group that does do that.She is sure
those plans, if they have already been established, have been
passed around.If not, then she will make sure that she gets
those to parks and recreation for their review to get their buy
in and approval on.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
he would hate to see something that is going to be requiring an
excessive amount of water and they would want something that is
going to withstand the periodic wonderful winds that sneak up on
us.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated she is sure Arizona Department of Transportation
is aware that this is a desert environment and there is not much
water at all.She is hoping they will take that into account
but as soon as she gets those irrigation and landscaping plans
she will get them to parks and recreation.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
one of the things they did not realize is the traffic in the
middle of the wintertime here.They thought that the wintertime
was the best time to do the construction.He would be cautious
in the aspect of assuming that they know.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated she would pass that on.
Councilmember Struble
commented he would like to follow up on what Vice Mayor Wilson
is saying.They tend to put bushes in the roundabouts around
the valley for foliage that block one's view when coming up to
the roundabout.He asked that she put that in there, too.It
is meant to drive through when there is no traffic.If there is
foliage there where you cannot see then you have to stop anyway.
That defeats the purpose.Put that out there, too.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated will do.
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Councilmember Barker
commented she wanted to clarify that basically Arizona
Department of Transportation will do all of the construction.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.
Councilmember Barker
commented we will pay for lighting, water, any maintenance that
needs to be done and if we decide to do something within the
roundabout we will pay for that construction and maintenance.
We have to go through them to get a permit to do whatever it is
we think we might want to do.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.She corrected herself to say
that Arizona Department of Transportation will pay for the
initial lighting of all the Salt River Project lights out there.
That will be included in the federal project.The initial
irrigation system will also be included that will be out there.
Councilmember Barker
commented then the city would be picking up the utilities.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.After the roundabout has been
constructed and the initial landscaping and stuff has been
installed, then the city will have to go through the Arizona
Department of Transportation process which means we will need to
get an encroachment permit, a blanket permit and they would also
probably have to go through the state district office to get the
requirements in regards to what can and cannot be put into that
focal point of the roundabout.The city will be paying for the
lighting and irrigation after that.The city will get the
energy consumption and any kind of maintenance that may be
necessary after the project has been completed.
Councilmember Barker asked if
Arizona Department of Transportation had received the federal
money as of yet.
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Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated she would have to check on that.She understood
that it was there.It has been secured.
Councilmember Barker
commented the verbiage in the contract states if they do.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated this is set for the consent agenda but as far as
she knows it has been received up to a certain point.She does
not know if they need to get additional money after this.
Councilmember Waldron asked
if we are involving Nick Blake, our landscape architect.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated this is an Arizona Department of Transportation project.
They have done many, many roundabouts and they are definitely
going to be able to review it for public works and Nick.
Councilmember Waldron
commented this is a different type because of the way the
intersection is currently.It is a different style of
roundabout.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.Once they get the landscaping
and the irrigation plans, public works gets it and we will make
sure to definitely distribute it to parks and recreation for
Nick Blake's approval of it.That is all the city will get a
say in.The city will not get to do the actual design of the
landscaping so we are at the whim of the federal processing
which they were told was up to the consultant to do that.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated it is kind of a tough balance.It is the entryway to our
city and Arizona Department of Transportation would love to
probably just do concrete.No maintenance and just e.g.But we
want to work and try to add some art in our community.We are
working with them on low impact and high visibility.They will
not approve anything that will not be safe.
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Mayor Serdy commented there
is going to be an opportunity for the city to do the art that
may or may not be inside of it.That has to be approved by the
Arizona Department of Transportation but he does not think the
city would do anything they would not approve of.He was also
going to ask about education.All the people in this room and
the ones that pay attention are obviously going to know what is
going on.We have a lot of people that come out here once a
year or once every two years and it will be a big surprise to
them.He asked if there is going to be some kind of traffic
calming effort to let them know and what they are going to do to
about those that think they are going to just accelerate there.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated they will also have a warning sign that will say
intersection improvements.It will have a sign similar to when
you see traffic control changes.They will work closely with Al
in regards to the construction of it.They will upload lots of
pictures and videos if they have the chance to in order to let
the public know where they are at.That may be something public
works will work with Al in regards to education to let people
know about this roundabout, where it is at and when it is open.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
some of them provide flashing lights before you get to them.
The yellow flashing lights prepare people for slowing down.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated they will inquire at Arizona Department of
Transportation to see if they have any advice as to how to do
that.The Arizona Department of Transportation will not provide
that education for the city.It is something she will put on
their list of things to look into and to do.
Mayor Serdy commented this
was a discussion item only, closed the discussion with no
further comments and moved on to the next item.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE
AUTHORITY AGREEMENT NUMBER 8100057-
17 FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR THE
GRADING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
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AT THE PUBLIC WORKS SITE
)Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Evans asked how
big the site is that we actually have versus what is bounded by
the two washes.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated the city bought the ten acre area and of that a
portion of it is used by the water district and another portion
is used by animal control.She showed them on a map what public
works maintains and uses on the little less than ten acres.
Councilmember Evans commented
there is a portion south of the eastern side wash that we have
not been able to utilize because of this.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.The street crews do a good job
of lining this out with rock but every time it rains it blows
out, it erodes further and further onto our site which makes our
site a little bit less useful.
Mayor Serdy commented this
was a discussion item only, closed the discussion with no
further comments and moved on to the next item.
FIRST AMENDMENT FOR PROJECT NO.
PW2017-09 WITH VIASUN CORPORATION
FOR CRUSHING THE CITY'S CURRENT
STOCK OF ASPHALT CONCRETE
)Public Works Manager Shane
Kiesow briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED
THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR MATERIALS AND
LABOR BETWEEN THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION AND VIASUN CORPORATION
FOR PROJECT #PW2017-09, RECYCLED ASPHALT PAVEMENT CRUSHING, TO
EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 TO
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DECEMBER 28, 2017 DUE TO UNFORESEEN DELAYS IN AVAILABILITY OF
ESSENTIAL CRUSHING EQUIPMENT, BE APPROVED.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH CENTRAL ARIZONA COUNCIL ON
DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES FOR
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION
)Parks and Recreation
Director Liz Langenbach briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Barker asked if
from home to the Multi -Generational Center was a round trip.
Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach stated that is correct.
Councilmember Barker
commented that is pretty cheap.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she was going to ask for a ballpark figure when in the beginning
of the presentation she mentioned if they were to bring in
donations that money would go towards providing other services.
After her saying $70,000, she asked if that means about $35,000
is what it would take.
Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach stated it would, but if they got $5,000 it should
open up the ability to do a small amount of medical or shopping.
They might be able to add one day a week.Instead of going
straight home they get to go to Fry's and pick up their
groceries and then be driven home.Having a local partner is
going to be very desirable.Since they are the lowest bidder
that is the other desirable aspect as they are very familiar
with our area and very easy to work with.As we get money,
every bit of that money will help.It will either make it to
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where they can transport more than 7 people in one day or to add
a few medical and shopping trips as we go.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
so they have the ability to do a lot with a little and every
little bit helps.
Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach stated that is correct.They also work with
Friends of Apache Junction so if community members want to
donate they will be adding that to our campaign this year.They
will be aggressively looking for more funds.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
that is good to know.
Councilmember Struble asked
if city staff would be controlling the scheduling of the riders.
Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach stated they will definitely have a hand in that.
Of the staff that were kept on that used to handle a lot of the
transportation and meals, one of them has stayed on to do meals
with Bateman.The council approved the contract a couple of
months ago.That individual is very involved in the home-
delivered routes as well as the transportation routes.They
have been very helpful with us.We will have control over the
times.They are working with the seniors to make sure that it
is something that works for them and works for us.They will be
able to rearrange the programs to make it the most efficient
schedule as possible.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
people could take advantage of the tax credit if they donated
since the donations will be going to Friends of Apache Junction.
Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach stated she was not fully aware if Friends of
Apache Junction has tax credit.She does not believe they do.
Councilmember Barker
commented they do.It would apply.
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City Manager Bryant Powell
stated if the donation goes to the government it would not but
if it goes to Friends it would.Roger coordinates it.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated she does not believe that is true.
Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach stated it is tax deductible but it may not be a
tax credit.
City Manager Bryant Powell
and City Clerk Kathleen Connelly both stated that is correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it would not be a tax credit unless there is some way
they can do it under one of the other tax credit categories.It
would be tax deductible.
Parks and Recreation Director
Liz Langenbach stated Pinal Gila Council for Senior Citizens
does have a tax credit program and they can earmark their money
so instead of the $20,000 that they get, if more money is
earmarked specifically for Apache Junction, tax credit could be
donated for that.In this past year they shared their campaign
information for that so they will make sure the information is
out for the community to know that is another option for them.
Mayor Serdy closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
APACHE JUNCTION AND CENTRAL ARIZONA COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENT
DISABILITIES FOR PROJECT PR -17-03, SENIOR TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $70,000 FOR A TERM FROM
AUGUST 28, 2017 TO JUNE 30, 2018 WITH THE ABILITY TO RENEW FOR
FOUR ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR PERIODS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$70,000 PER YEAR WITH THE FINAL END DATE OF JUNE 30, 2022, BE
APPROVED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
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AUGUST 1, 2017
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VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
None.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT
7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2017, 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,
AUGUST 15, 2017, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Ms. Tess Nesser, 1511 S. Cactus, Apache Junction, addressed the
council regarding the Boys and Girls Club annual Bowl-a-Thon on
August 12.
ADJOURNMENT )
)Mayor Serdy adjourned the
meeting at 8:06 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of regular meeting of
July 18, 2017.
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AUGUST 1, 2017
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ACCEPTED THIS / 6 -r-*/DAY OF 464137-, 2017, BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS / 6 DAY OF 4tibtl-5.r 2017.
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
JEFF BEIRDY
Mayor
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 August, 2017.I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 3rd day of August, 2017.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
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AUGUST 1, 2017
PAGE 14 OF 14
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 15, 2017
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on August 15, 2017, 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
Parks and Recreation Director Liz
Langenbach
Finance Director Donna Meinerts
Others Present:Public Information Officer Al Bravo
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Project Engineer Raquel Schatz
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED; AND
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR RESOLUTION NO. 17-20, A RESOLUTION OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,
ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AUTHORITY OF
ARIZONA ("WIFA") FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
FUNDS; AND
THAT I MOVE THAT WE REMOVE THE NEXT ITEM, ITEM 4, FROM THE
CONSENT AGENDA TO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
None.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Struble announced he and Councilmembers Barker and
Rizzi attended a meeting with sixth graders on their leadership
training.He thanked the school district staff, volunteers and
high school student council.
Councilmember Evans announced there is a youth empowerment
retreat this weekend at the White Stallion Ranch in Tucson
through a number of government entities.It helps train the
students how to talk to other children.A follow-up retreat
will be in April at the local Central Arizona College.
Mayor Serdy announced starting next month at Gateway Airport
Allegiant Airlines will be starting service to 8 new cities.
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Mayor Serdy thanked everyone for attending the Purple Heart
Ceremony which was better attended than last year.
Mayor Serdy thanked staff for their work in one of the most
difficult months with the rain all at once.People complain
without realizing it is going on all over the city and they will
be taken care of whenever they can.They methodically went
around and took care of who needed it the worst first.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Bryant Powell read a note of thanks to the police
department and commented on the parks and recreation receiving a
partnership award and Liz Langenbach receiving the presidential
award.
Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach presented a video
from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association wherein the
city received the Partnership Award for the partnership with
Pinal Gila Council for Senior Citizens to continue the services
at the senior center.
Councilmembers Waldron and Barker asked to hear about her award.
Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach stated she has been
the marketing publication chair for many years and has been in
charge of the administration branch over the years.The award
was for that service in the association.It is an indication of
the city as well as herself.
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby gave an update on the .2%
sales tax dedicated to funding the roads.
Mayor Serdy asked if that is all on the website so the citizens
can see where the money is going.
City Manager Bryant Powell stated they will definitely get it on
there.He thinks that is a great idea.
Finance Director Donna Meinerts gave a presentation on the
proposed city investment and debt management policy.
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Councilmember Rizzi commented she appreciates the mindset the
council and staff have had in being responsible with how we
manage debt and the finances of the city.She gets a lot of
comments from the community about the fiscal responsibility.
People are watching so it does matter.She appreciates that.
Finance Director Donna Meinerts stated she agrees with that.
Our forefathers were very wise in how they were paying for
things.This building is paid for.It puts us in a better
position because otherwise we would be the ones that would be
"oh, we're just going to spend it".We can figure out how it is
going to be paid for and they did not do that to us.She then
moved on to the investment policy.
City Manager Bryant Powell commented on implementing this
policy, the library debt and the Ironwood Road debt.
CONSENT AGENDA (CONTINUED)
RESOLUTION NO. 17-19, AUTHORIZING
THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR ROUNDABOUT
LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION
MAINTENANCE
)Assistant City Manager
Matt Busby stated they are available to answer any questions the
council may have unless they want a brief presentation about the
item from Raquel.
Mayor Serdy commented he has
forgotten what all the questions were.
Councilmember Struble
commented he brought this out of the consent agenda because what
was presented to us two weeks ago, the intergovernmental
agreement, had some additional wording to it.Now he is
concerned with the intersection of State Route 88 and Idaho.He
also wanted to clarify some issues.They have some questions
about if there was any idea as to what kind of landscaping was
going to be done and what kind of lighting.He would also like
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a cost estimate associated with the actual maintenance of the
project and future maintenance.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated she had presented the color exhibits to them on
the overhead screen.These are also the exhibits that are
included in the intergovernmental agreement.Exhibit A is the
landscape and irrigation limits.The green just states the City
of Apache Junction's natural vegetation, landscaping and
irrigation.In the limits of responsibility, Pinal County's
will still remain with the little portion of orange.State Land
has the little portion of purple up top.Exhibit B goes into
the recitals of irrigation and landscape in regards to who takes
care of what.This is after the roundabout is completed.
Everything in blue is Arizona Department of Transportation and
they will continue to take care of all these items during the
construction and after the construction.It is still considered
Arizona Department of Transportation right-of-way.As for the
additional verbiage in the joint project agreement, that was to
add video detection which the city had requested for Arizona
Department of Transportation.It is still federally funded.
There is no cost share for the city to include that.Recital I
contains where Arizona Department of Transportation will be
maintaining their scuppers, drainage ditches and light poles in
the city right-of-way.Recital L states the city is responsible
for all costs associated with visual enhancement art.That can
be determined later on after the construction is complete.It
will go through the process through the state for the city to
add art to the roundabout.The next exhibit shows the right-of-
way that Arizona Department of Transportation has and the right-
of-way the city has that had been abandoned by the state.The
other picture shows the right-of-way for the intersection of
Apache Trail and Idaho where it tails off into State Route 88.
The Arizona Department of Transportation added this into the
roundabout project because of pavement preservation.It will
save construction money costs.They are hoping the additional
quantities will reduce the costs of doing the intersection.
They are requesting to garden the landscape that Arizona
Department of Transportation is going to include.They are not
including much for the area inside the roundabout.She showed
them an exhibit as part of the intergovernmental agreement that
is part of the actual landscape plan that both public works and
parks and recreation have been able to review and make comments
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on.There are 8 saguaros, one cactus and an ocotillo all within
the proximities of the roundabout of the actual construction
area.For right now there is no finished plan as to what will
be inside of it once the city decides what they want to have
happen.
Councilmember Struble asked
if she had any estimate on what the maintenance is going to cost
the city annually.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated public works has had recent communications with
parks and recreation in regards to this.Because there is some
irrigation involved in this, parks and recreation estimates it
may be $6,000 to $8,000 a year in maintenance for the area.It
would also depend on the art that is put inside of it.It is a
potential candidate to have one of the contractors for the city
maintain it as well.It depends on what the city decides to do
after the construction is completed and Arizona Department of
Transportation is out of there.Any design going in there has
to go through the whole permitting process with Arizona
Department of Transportation.That could be another $10,000 to
$15,000 not including the artwork.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated for planning purposes in Fiscal Year 2018/2019 the parks
department will be the lead and will work with a private
contractor for the first estimate of $6,000 to $8,000.They
have complete flexibility on what goes in the middle area.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated public work will handle the sidewalks, curb,
gutter and drainage, the typical roadway infrastructure items.
Parks and recreation will handle the landscaping, the irrigation
and the maintenance.Public works also controls weed control
and debris clean up.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
when you look at the size of the roundabout compared to the size
of the number of cacti planted, it is like a little cacti over
here and a little cacti over there.It is a huge roundabout.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 6 OF 15
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.She thinks it is based on where
they are putting in the lighting as well.That could possibly
be a reason why but they are also trying to keep a desert feel
for the area.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
they will have to plan for growth as they do grow but it will
not be anything like the focal point where we have all this
cacti.It is one little cactus here and there.We will be
lucky to notice them in the beginning.
Councilmember Evans asked if
she had any idea what Pinal County's plans are for their part of
the landscaping.As you go down there now everything is so
nicely landscaped and then it looks like an unkempt area.She
asked if they are also going to be required to have a landscape
plan or are they just going to leave it.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is a part of the intergovernmental agreement
with Arizona Department of Transportation.
Councilmember Evans commented
she has no information on that.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.There will probably be some
initial communications we will have to have with Pinal County in
the near future.That is something they may want to talk to
them about during the construction of the roundabout or probably
just after it is completed.They could look at each other's
stuff.
Councilmember Evans commented
she just wanted to know if they are required to do something as
well.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated she has not heard anything as of yet that Pinal
County even mentioned in this project.They only have that
little piece at the top that they own.Arizona Department of
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 7 OF 15
Transportation has already paid them for parts of it in order to
get additional right-of-way for it.
Mayor Serdy asked if the city
could step in and do anything over there if the county does not
keep it up and it looks terrible.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated he feels the mayor would have the ability to talk to the
supervisor and tell him the city is investing money into this.
It is the entryway into the community and it is their area to
attend to.Staff can definitely talk to them and find out what
their plans are for it.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated this is one of the projects that the city keeps in
communication with Pinal County on.Public Works has quarterly
meetings and utility meetings with them.The county knows this
is on the radar.This is something they could communicate and
see if they can agree on something for the landscaping.They
work together on other roadway projects to make sure they are
not overdoing it.They help each other out to make the city a
better place.
Councilmember Waldron asked
her to go back to the slide on the roadway abandonment.He
asked what something was on the right hand side and what it has
to do with the project.He also asked if the city paved the
right-of-way on North Apache Trail for them.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz asked just where he was talking about.
Councilmember Waldron
commented over by Idaho.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated the repaving.They did not.When they did Apache
Trail they ended right at the right-of-way with Arizona
Department of Transportation.They were very clear on that.We
go to other places, like with Southern Avenue that was just
repaved.There is still a portion on Southern Avenue that is
crumbling and that is because it belongs to Arizona Department
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 8 OF 15
of Transportation.It is their right-of-way.We cannot extend
into Arizona Department of Transportation's right-of-way even if
we wanted to.If the city is doing a roadway project and the
Arizona Department of Transportation's section is not in their
budget, it will not happen.For the city to plan in advance, it
would have to plan in advance for 4 or 5 years to see if Arizona
Department of Transportation would want to partner with us.At
that time it is almost too late.We have roads that are
deteriorating faster than we can make plans with Arizona
Department of Transportation for.We were very sure when we did
North Apache Trail to do it in two phases and end the project at
the right place.
Councilmember Waldron
commented the slide shows that the striped area is the right-of-
way that they are going to abandon to us.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.
Councilmember Waldron
commented it says that North Apache Trail and Idaho north of
State Route 88, just prior to Superstition, there is an
abandonment to us.He asked if the city has that already.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated it was previously abandoned.She did not know why
they are showing that as being abandoned to the city because we
do own all up to North Apache Trail.Arizona Department of
Transportation's right-of-way ends north of that.The portion
to the north currently is city right-of-way.That is a
clarification problem.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated the city has been maintaining that area for as long as he
can remember.
Councilmember Waldron
commented maybe it is still on their books.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated maybe it is.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 9 OF 15
Councilmember Barker asked if
they are going to repave the intersection itself and then north
on State Route 88.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.
Councilmember Barker asked if
they are going to go all the way to the roundabout area.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.
Councilmember Barker
commented they are going to do that entire stretch.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated exactly.Prior to Arizona Department of
Transportation adding this portion in, they were just going to
pave up to a certain point.They were just going to make it up
to the road going into the roundabout which is going to be a
straight shot.But they then decided to include the other
portion all the way straight through to the intersection.There
was going to be about a 500' gap that they were not going to
pave.Now they are including it in the project.Again, no cost
to the city.
Councilmember Struble asked
if the city attorney is comfortable with the indemnification of
the city taking over the liabilities once the project is done
for whatever issues in the landscaping and lighting but it is
not about the actual roadway.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he did not write it.Indemnify is a legal term to
compensate someone for harm or loss, usually a second person is
hurt so who bears the risk of that when there is an agreement.
So many years have gone by and this language has changed.We
are lucky because it used to be we would have to indemnify the
state for anything that happened.Even if it was their
negligence.That has changed.That came about from the city
attorneys' association and the League meeting with certain
people with the Arizona Department of Transportation.So what
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 10 OF 15
this says is we will indemnify and hold harmless the state
basically for all claims for the city's own negligence.It does
not except out negligence that the state would do or anything
that they cause.We would not indemnify for their own
negligence.That is also if they own the property.Just
because they own the property does not mean we would indemnify
the state.It has to be negligence that the city would cause
and that is what it is for.That does not mean that if
something happens, like if a horse trailer hits a bus in the
roundabout, what would happen in that case.It is two lanes and
hopefully it is wide enough, which he thinks it is.
Essentially, what would happen is they will have a lawsuit and
the city will probably get named, they would take a look at
whose negligence it was, and maybe it was not the city at all,
and maybe it was not the state, it is just the driver's.It
could be the landscaping or the lighting, but he thinks when
someone reads this it could include other accidents also.Other
times it could be maintenance issues.
Councilmember Struble
commented under the current situation, if there is an accident
there with the way it is setting, with just the east/west stop
sign.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if he meant how it is today and if nothing was done and
there was no agreement.
Councilmember Struble
commented that is correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there have been accidents there.We have not seen a
claim for as long as he has been here for an accident at that
intersection.It would all be Arizona Department of
Transportation and it should be them because we do not own,
maintain or control any part of that.We will be partnering
with them with this so it might open up a little bit of
exposure.However, the safety they are getting with the
roundabout is so much better than the two stop signs.
Councilmember Struble
commented he fully understands that.He just wanted to
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 11 OF 15
reiterate it as he has been getting a lot of questions over the
last period.This intergovernmental agreement is just about the
landscaping and lighting.The actual decision to build the
roundabout was done by the state and they are in control of it.
That was done four or five years ago and they are now in the
process of getting this all done.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated that is correct.
Councilmember Struble
commented we are really not doing anything to approve the
roundabout.We are doing an agreement for the landscaping and
lighting.
Project Engineer Raquel
Schatz stated this was an Arizona Department of Transportation-
driven project.Arizona Department of Transportation found the
federal funds to do both the design and construction.The total
exceeds $5 million to do both and also includes the right-of-way
acquisitions.This is all spearheaded by Arizona Department of
Transportation.The city is not even a financial partner, it is
zero match to the city, but we did have some say and have been
reviewing the plans and attending the meetings.
Mayor Serdy commented they
now need to vote on this and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN FOR RESOLUTION NO. 17-19, A RESOLUTION OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,
ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION TO ENTER INTO
AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR ROUNDABOUT LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION
MAINTENANCE.
Councilmember Evans SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE: Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 12 OF 15
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
None.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
Councilmember Evans commented
the work session on Monday, September 4, 2017 has been canceled
due to the observance of Labor Day.She MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE
SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2017, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Mr. Mike Caruana, 237 S. Mountain View, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding the benefit softball tournament
for the employees of the Mining Camp Restaurant on August 20.
Mr. Braden Biggs, 2492 W. Cactus Wren, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding the successes of United Way and
their two upcoming events, the mayor's breakfast and the
community appreciation dinner.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 13 OF 15
Mayor Serdy commented those are great projects and it sounds
like one can just go out and donate at the tournament.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Serdy adjourned the
meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of regular meeting of
August 1, 2017.
3. Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 17-20,
authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Water
Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona for planning and
design technical assistance funds.
4. Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 17-19,
authorizing the city to enter into an intergovernmental
agreement with Arizona Department of Transportation for
roundabout landscape and irrigation maintenance.
ACCEPTED THIS 4 5 - 4 DAY OF , 2017, BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 6.-irw DAY OF id:aolvidbet 2017.
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
JEFIVIERDY
Mayor
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
PAGE 14 OF 15
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 August, 2017.I further certify that the meeting
was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 28th day of August, 2017.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 15, 2017
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