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 apachejunctionaz.gov Ph: (480) 982-8002 Tuesday, May 4, 2021 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the city council meeting to order. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Rizzi gave the invocation and then council said the Pledge of Allegiance. C. ROLL CALL Present: 7- Mayor Wilson Vice Mayor Rizzi Councilmember Evans Councilmember Schroeder Councilmember Biggs Councilmember Nesser Councilmember Gremmel City Staff in Attendance: Bryant Powell, City Manager Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager Joel Stern, City Attorney Jennifer Pena, City Clerk Thomas Kelly, Chief of Police Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Larry Kirch, Development Services Director Dave Zellner, Building Safety Manager Robina Shultz, Permit Technician Janine Solley, Economic Development Director Leslie DeReche, Finance Director Dana Martin, Tax Auditor Kelly Martin, Park Ranger Supervisor Jill Bright, Deputy City Clerk (remotely) D. CONSENT AGENDA Vice Mayor Rizzi moved, seconded by Councilmember Evans to pull item #4 from the consent agenda to discuss during new business and to accept the consent agenda as presented. Yes: 6- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Rizzi, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser and Councilmember Gremmel No: 1- Councilmember Biggs City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 4, 2021 1. 21-200 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 21-201 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 20, 2021. 3. 21-205 Consideration of approval of award of contract to Franklin Striping for street striping services. The work will result in street striping services for the city’s 208 lane miles of streets with striping and pavement markings to meet retro-reflectivity standards and safety. The contract will be utilizing the Maricopa County cooperative contract No. 210109-S in the amount not to exceed $200,000 each year during the life of the contract. 4. 21-210 Consideration of approval of Professional Services Agreement with the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce for the operation of a Local Visitor Information Center for a term of three years, July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024, in the total amount of $155,831.00 with an option to extend the agreement up to two additional periods. Vice Mayor Rizzi moved, seconded by Councilmember Nesser that the Professional Services Agreement with the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce for the operation of a Local Visitor Information Center for a term of three years, July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024, in the total amount of $155,831.00 with an option to extend the agreement up to two additional periods be approved. Vice Mayor Rizzi requested that this item be pulled from the consent agenda and discussed during new business. She wishes to discuss the need for a 4% annual increase. Councilmember Schroeder thinks this increase needs to be looked into further. City Manager Bryant Powell shared that he thinks this is a fair agreement and feels comfortable with it. Councilmembers Evans, Gremmel, Nessar and Biggs expressed that they do not have a problem with the increase. Denise Hart, President of the Chamber of Commerce, explained the reasoning behind the request for an annual increase and answered questions from council. 5. 21-209 Consideration of approval of employment agreement with Michelle Lue Sang for Apache Junction Municipal Court Interim Magistrate retroactive to April 1, 2021, for a term of up to six months or until such time a presiding magistrate is selected and appointed, whichever occurs first. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6. 21-026 Presentation of proclamation recognizing the week of May 2 - 8, 2021 as "Municipal Clerks Week". Mayor Wilson proclaimed May 2 - 8, 2021 as Municipal Clerks Week and presented the proclamation to City Clerk Jennifer Pena. 7. 21-211 Presentation of proclamation recognizing May 2021 as Building Safety Month. Mayor Wilson proclaimed May 2021 as Building Safety Month and presented the proclamation to Building Manager Dave Zellner and Permit Technician Robina Shultz. Development Services Director Larry Kirch shared recent statistics and accomplishments that the building division staff has successfully completed. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 4, 2021 F. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS 8. 21-202 Announcement of current events from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Biggs shared that the AJ Idols was Sunday and it was another great success. Vice Mayor Rizzi shared that Table of Grace Church hosts an open mic night every other Friday at 6:00pm. Mayor Wilson shared that he judged the AJ Idols and attended Supervisor Serdy's Open House. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 9. 21-203 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell recognized and thanked Fire Chief Mike Farber for his 41 years of service to the city as he retires. Mr. Farber expressed that it's been an honor to work in the community. Darryl Cross, Chair of the Superstition Horsemen's Association, explained how an abandoned horse was recently found and put up for auction and sold for $1,750. With the extra money made from the sale, they have decided to donate $650 to the fire district for fido bags. 10. 21-212 Presentation of 25-year Service Award to Liz Langenbach, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Powell presented a 25-year service award to Parks & Recreation Director Liz Langenbach and thanked her for her years of service to the city. Ms. Langenbach congratulated Mike Farber on his retirement and thanked council and city leadership for the support over the last 25 years. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 11. 21-207 Presentation, discussion, and consideration of Resolution No. 21-18, authorizing the submission of two grants to Arizona State Parks: 1) Recreation Trails Program grant for Silly Mountain Park and 2) Land Water Conservation Fund grant for Superstition Shadows Park. Councilmember Evans moved, seconded by Councilmember Biggs that Resolution No. 21-18 a resolution of the mayor and the city council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, authorizing the submission of the Recreation Trails Program grant for Silly Mountain Park and the Land Water Conservation Fund grant for Superstition Shadows Park be approved. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Rizzi, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Schroeder, Councilmember Biggs, Councilmember Nesser and Councilmember Gremmel No: 0 Parks & Recreation Director Liz Langenbach explained that city staff is submitting for two grants administered by Arizona State Parks for a Recreation Trails Program for amenities at Silly Mountain Park and a Land Water Conservation Fund for amenities at Superstition Shadows Park. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 4, 2021 K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES 12. 21-204 Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. for Monday, May 17th and Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. for Tuesday, May 18th in the city council conference room located at 300 E. Superstition Boulevard in Apache Junction, Arizona and other meetings scheduled if necessary. Councilmember Evans moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Rizzi that an Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. for Monday, May 17, and 6:00 P.M. for Tuesday May 18, 2021 be held in the city council conference room and city council chambers located at 300 E. Superstition Boulevard in Apache Junction, AZ, and other meetings be scheduled if necessary. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Rizzi, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Schroeder, Councilmember Biggs, Councilmember Nesser and Councilmember Gremmel No: 0 M. CALL TO PUBLIC Jason Taylor, 1135 S. 96th Place, shared that his non profit provides a free culinary course in return for 50 volunteer hours and partners with Genesis Project. He was once homeless and knows how that life feels. Ray Villa, 2243 N. Estates Circle, is the board chair for Jason's non profit and really believes in what he does. They are offering life skill training. Tamara Taylor, 1135 S. 96th Place, introduced Jason Taylor to speak again. Mr. Taylor continued to explain what his non profit teaches and offers to the community. George Schroeder, 2444 W. Virginia Street in Apache Junction, asked that Chief Farber donate one of the fido bags to the new dog park. His neighbors have asked him to represent them in demanding that their street be fixed or he is going to shut the city down and stop their wages. Stephany Duarte, 1822 S. Coconino Drive, shared that the city does not address the blind community members. Her mother was blind so she knows the struggles. She would like to suggest audible cross walks at all street lights in the city. Barbara McGuire, hopes that the new district lines will include Apache Junction. It is her intention to run again and will advocate for Apache Junction. She would be happy to offer letters for support for any grants that the city is applying for. Councilmember Biggs asked for staff to reach out to Stephany in regards to better serving the blind in our community. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the city council meeting. ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF , 2021, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 4, 2021 SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF , 2021. _________________________ CHIP WILSON Mayor ATTEST: ______________________ JENNIFER PENA 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 _____________________, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this day of , 2021. ________________________ JENNIFER PENA City Clerk City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5