City Council Meeting

Meeting location: City of Apache Junction, Arizona City Council Chambers at City Hall Meeting Minutes 300 E. Superstition Blvd Apache Junction, AZ City Council Meeting 85119 www.ajcity.net Ph: (480) 982-8002 Tuesday, February 18, 2020 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Serdy called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Wilson gave the invocation and Councilmember Struble led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. C. ROLL CALL Present: 7- Mayor Serdy Vice Mayor Wilson Councilmember Barker Councilmember Evans Councilmember Rizzi Councilmember Schroeder Councilmember Struble Staff in Attendance: Bryant Powell, City Manager Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager Anna McCray, Assistant to City Manager Joel Stern, City Attorney Jennifer Pena, City Clerk Al Bravo, Public Information Officer Larry Kirch, Development Services Director Thomas Kelly, Chief of Police Janine Solley, Economic Development Director Jill Bright, Deputy City Clerk D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Barker moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Wilson to approve the consent agenda and approve the minutes of February 4, 2020. 1. 20-056 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. Yes: 7- Mayor Serdy, Vice Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Barker, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Rizzi, Councilmember Schroeder and Councilmember Struble No: 0 2. 20-057 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 4, City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18, 2020 2020. Yes: 7- Mayor Serdy, Vice Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Barker, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Rizzi, Councilmember Schroeder and Councilmember Struble No: 0 E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 3. 20-063 Presentation of proclamation recognizing March 29, 2020 as Vietnam War Veterans Day. Mayor Serdy presented a proclamation recognizing March 29, 2020 as Vietnam War Veterans Day to Nancy Fassbender of Pinal County Veterans Memorial Foundation. Ms. Fassbender invited Mayor Serdy to the Mesa Swap Meet to honor Vietnam War Veterans on Saturday, March 25th. They will be thanking them and pinning the veterans. F. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS 4. 20-058 Announcement of current events from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Struble did not have an announcement. Councilmember Evans shared that Horizon Health is hosting a Family Fun Fest on February 22nd from 10:00am - 3:00pm. They are doing an all age hula hoop contest and it should be fun for all ages. Vice Mayor Wilson shared that it was a privilege being involved with the marathon last weekend. It was very well attended and he loved talking with the participants. Hats go off to everyone that was involved. Councilmember Barker shared that she helped register marathon runners all day from Thursday to Sunday. It filled so quickly that they had to close registration many times. Councilmember Schroeder shared that he participated in the trail run over the weekend. It is a beautiful run and he highly recommends it. Councilmember Rizzi wanted to thank those who attended the State of the City. Peralta Trail Elementary School is going to be an A+ school and this is the first time in AJUSD history so she wanted to congratulate the school district and Superintendent Dr. Anderson. Mayor Serdy shared how amazed he was at how many children come from other states to attend the Lost Dutchman Marathon. It was well organized. He thanked everyone for their hard work on planning and execution of the marathon and expo. Mayor Wilson stated that the youngest person to participate was 4 years old and he did the 8K. Mayor Serdy shared that the State of the City was filmed and it can be found on YouTube.com/CityofAJ. Staff has already started on next year’s event and it will address utilities and how the city is preparing for growth. He stated that Lost Dutchman Days will be here in two weeks and encourages everyone to attend. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18, 2020 5. 20-059 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell shared that the Lost Dutchman Marathon Committee says thank you to the city for another great event. He stated that the next Household Hazardous Waste event will be Saturday, February 29th from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Public Works yard. In conjuction with Republic Services Landfill, another quarterly free dump week was just completed. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6. 20-043 Consideration of application for a series 007 beer and wine liquor license for applicant Jeffrey Craig Miller, for Fry's Marketplace #665 located at 150 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, AZ. 85119. The next step in this process is for the city council to hold a public hearing on the application and make a recommendation for approval or denial to be forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Councilmember Evans moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Wilson to approve the application for a series 007 beer and wine liquor license for applicant Jeffrey Craig Miller, for Fry's Marketplace #665 located at 150 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, AZ 85119. Yes: 7- Mayor Serdy, Vice Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Barker, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Rizzi, Councilmember Schroeder and Councilmember Struble No: 0 City Clerk Jennifer Pena explained that the series 007 is a lottery license and it needs be reactivated every few years in order to not lose the license. Councilmember Struble confirmed that they are not adding any new services and that they are just stacking licenses. Jennifer confirmed that is correct. 7. 20-050 Consideration of application for a special event liquor license for applicant Russell St. John of the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley-Metro Phoenix 2020 Yesteryear Fundraising event, to be held at Dolce Vita located at 2602 S. Goldfield Rd., Apache Junction, AZ. This event will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The next step in this process is for the council to hold a public hearing on the application and make a recommendation for approval or denial to be forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Councilmember Rizzi moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Wilson to approve a special event liquor license from the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley Metro Phoenix to hold the 2020 Yesteryear Fundraising event, to be held at Dolce Vita on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Yes: 7- Mayor Serdy, Vice Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Barker, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Rizzi, Councilmember Schroeder and Councilmember Struble No: 0 City Clerk Jennifer Pena explained that the planning, building and safety, Police Department and Superstition Fire and Medical District had no objections to this special event liquor license and recommend approval. The applicant was present to answer any questions. Russel St. John and City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18, 2020 Sandy Smith from the Boys & Girls Club stated that valley clubs have merged and they are now called The Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley-Metro Phoenix which means they can tap into a little more funding. This year's event theme is fairytales. Ms. Smith stated on a side note that she attended the State of the City and it was amazing and she really enjoyed it. She hopes to see all councilmembers at their Yesteryear fundraising event. 8. 20-055 Consideration of application for a special event liquor license for applicant Lindsey Pittman of Superstition Harley-Davidson for the Manes and Miracles event, to be held at Superstition Harley-Davidson located at 2910 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ. This event will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. The next step in this process is for the council to hold a public hearing on the application and make a recommendation for approval or denial to be forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Councilmember Barker moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Wilson to approve a special event liquor license from Superstition Harley-Davidson for the Manes and Miracles event, to be held at Superstition Harley-Davidson on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Yes: 7- Mayor Serdy, Vice Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Barker, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Rizzi, Councilmember Schroeder and Councilmember Struble No: 0 City Clerk Jennifer Pena stated that all departments have recomended approval for this special event liquor license except the Police Department who did not have enough time to respond after a last minute change of security staffing was made by the applicant. Brina Brown was available for questions and explained that this is a fundraiser for horse therapy for disabled persons. Councilmember Rizzi applauded Harley Davidson for all of their events lately. I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 9. 20-040 Presentation and discussion on Fiscal Year 19-20 Council Work Plan - 2nd Quarter Update. Assistant to the City Manager, Anna McCray presented an update on the Fiscal Year 19-20 Council Plan for the 2nd quarter. There are 26 projects on the plan in which 8 were to be brought forward during the 2nd quarter. Only 1 project was completed and the remaining 7 have been continued to the 3rd quarter. 10. 20-064 Presentation, discussion and consideration of proposed Resolution No. 20-04, supporting pending legislation House Bill 2705 regarding absentee landlords of vacant and abandoned buildings. Councilmember Barker moved, seconded by Councilmember Schroeder to approve Resolution No. 20-04 to support House Bill 2705 regarding absentee landlords of vacant and abandonded buildings. Yes: 7- Mayor Serdy, Vice Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Barker, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Rizzi, Councilmember Schroeder and Councilmember Struble City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18, 2020 No: 0 Assistant to the City Manager, Anna McCray presented Resolution No. 20-04 that would support pending legislation on House Bill 2705. The House Bill would require a registrant of vacant and abandoned buildings, property maintenance standards and proof of insurance and inspections on vacant and abandoned buildings. This would incentivize building owners to fill the vacant buildings and not let them sit. Councilmember Evans asked Joel how this would effect the old Bashas Plaza and if it would give the city anymore power to make improvements happen. Joel stated this House Bill is a repackaging of the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings and it will add a little more enforcement power for Arizona cities. He recommends the city support it. Councilmember Rizzi stated that she would like to see the city require a commercial property owner bring the property up to standards before they can lease it out. Councilmember Struble asked if residential buildings such as apartment buildings is included in this House Bill. Ms. McCray stated yes, it is included. 11. 20-067 Presentation and discussion on pending legislation in the Arizona State legislature. Assistant to the City Manager, Anna McCray presented on pending legislation in the Arizona State legislature. She stated that the 54th legislative session commenced on January 13th and is expected to last about 100 days. The Governor released the largest Arizona state budget in history of 12.3 billion. She listed 10 prominent house bills that are currently in legislation. Councilmember Struble asked for clarification on HB2313. Ms. McCray explained it is modeled after an event in Oakland where sprinklers were not required and a fire broke out and killed multiple people. Mayor Serdy mentioned that he appreciates Representative Kelly Townsend seeking funding to clear and rebuild State Route 88 in her proposed legislation of House Bill 2791. K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES 12. 20-060 Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. and Work Session at 7:00 P.M. for Monday, March 2, 2020. Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. and Work Session at 7:00 P.M. for Tuesday, March 3, 2020 in the city council conference room and city council chambers located at 300 E. Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction, Arizona, respectively; and other meetings if necessary. Councilmember Barker moved, seconded by Councilmember Struble that an Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. and Work Session at 7:00 P.M. for Monday, March 2, 2020 and that an Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. and Work Session at 7:00 P.M. for Tuesday, March 3, 2020 be held in the city council conference room and city council chambers located at 300 E. Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction, Arizona, respectively; and other meetings if necessary. Yes: 7- Mayor Serdy, Vice Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Barker, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Rizzi, Councilmember Schroeder and Councilmember Struble No: 0 M. CALL TO PUBLIC City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 18, 2020 Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, spoke and requested council look into items before they vote on them, for example the trash item. She stated that the marathon was good but there needs to be a schedule set as she couldn’t get to the museum because of the traffic stemming from the marathon. She stated that people are using easements to hide and sell drugs between Virginia and Ohio and Delaware and Ocotillo. She thinks the younger generation needs more things to do out here so they are not getting into trouble. Councilmember Rizzi clarified that the museum event is private and the city has no control over when they hold their events. Councilmember Barker stated that the marathon is always on Presidents Day weekend. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Serdy adjourned the meeting at 7:59 pm. ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF , 2020, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF , 2020. _________________________ JEFF SERDY Mayor ATTEST: ______________________ JENNIFER PEÑA 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 __________ day of _____________________, 2020. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this day of , 2020. ________________________ JENNIFER PEÑA City Clerk City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 6