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, November 2, 2021 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Rizzi gave the invocation and Councilmember Gremmel led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. C. ROLL CALL Present: 7- Mayor Wilson Vice Mayor Rizzi Councilmember Evans Councilmember Schroeder Councilmember Biggs Councilmember Nesser Councilmember Gremmel 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 Al Bravo, Public Information Officer Jeff Kirkham, Commander Kent Fowler, Police Officer D. CONSENT AGENDA Vice Mayor Rizzi moved, seconded by Councilmember Schroeder that the consent agenda be accepted as presented. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Rizzi, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Schroeder, Councilmember Biggs, Councilmember Nesser and Councilmember Gremmel No: 0 1. 21-589 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 21-590 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of October 19, 2021. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 2, 2021 3. 21-586 Consideration of approval on Resolution No. 21-36, a resolution of the mayor and city council of the City of Apache Junction, to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the city's Winchester Road Improvement Project to install bicycle and pedestrian improvements, roadway expansion and drainage improvements. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 4. 21-399 Presentation of 25-year Service Award to Kent Fowler, of the Apache Junction Police Department. Mayor Wilson recognized Officer Kent Fowler for his 25 years of service to the city. Chief Thomas Kelly spoke of Kent's accomplishments over the 25 years and outlined his assignments over the years which included the various outside agency task forces to which he was assigned. Commander Jeff Kirkham also recognized Kent for his service to the city. City Manager Bryant Powell stated that Kent is a trusted employee and is grateful he continues to serve the city. Mr. Powell presented Kent with a certificate and plaque for his years of service. Officer Fowler's family as well as several staff members of the court attended the meeting in support. 5. 21-588 Presentation of proclamation designating Saturday, November 27, 2021 as "Small Business Saturday". The Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce will accept the proclamation. Mayor Wilson presented the Proclamation for "Small Business Saturday" to Mary Anne Pryzbylski and Audrie Ouellette of the Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. 6. 21-595 Proclamation designating the month of November as "National Alzheimer's Awareness Month." Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation designating the month of November as National Alzheimer's Awareness Month to Keri Larson-Baxter. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 7. 21-591 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Biggs introduced cub scout pack 380 who are attending the meeting to earn their civics badge. Councilmember Evans announced that the Community Development Corporation will be installing plants in the median on Apache Trail on Saturday, November 6th and Saturday, November 20th. Those wishing to participate should meet at Ace Hardware at 8:00 am and should wear their Make a Difference shirt. Shirts will be given to those who don't have them. Vice Mayor Rizzi announced that she, Mayor Wilson and city staff members went to the city of Tempe to see how they address homelessness and how such services can be brought to Apache Junction. Mayor Wilson attended a mining festival in Superior. He said it was a great event and it could possible come to Apache Junction. Councilmember Biggs said there will be a burrow run at the City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 2, 2021 founders' centennial on January 8, 2022. He added the same non-profit who did the Superior event will manage the event in Apache Junction. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 8. 21-592 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell said the visit to city of Tempe was good and commended the various organizations who participated. The group received unique and insightful information how Tempe assists their homeless population. 9. 21-521 Discussion and presentation by Stephen Herring of Republic Services on free dump week and update on Landfill activity. Stephen Herring, Municipal Manager of Republic Services, introduced Kevin Vasquez, the new operations manager of the Apache Junction Landfill and General Manager Jim Groen. Mr. Herring addressed service issues and said he handles them personally. He also explained recycling is collected on Wednesdays, taken to Mesa transfer facility and then long hauled to Tucson where Republic Services owns and operates a recycling facility. At this facility, the recycling is separated, bundled and sold to be made into new products. Mr. Herring invited teachers and educators interested in the process go to recyclingsimplified.com. He also invited those with any questions or concerns to contact him at sherring@republicservices.com. Mr. Herring said they have 1409 recycling customers in Apache Junction which is about 15% of the residents. The residential bulk pick up numbers are as follows: · May - 240 residents with 16.9 tons picked up · June - 177 residents with 19.5 tons picked up · July - 187 residents with 17.3 tons picked up · August - 216 residents with 17.71 tons picked up He added that September and October counts will be forwarded to city staff soon. Free dump week numbers are as follows: · May - 603 residents 163.62 tons (approximately a $17,000.00 value) · August - 432 residents 107.58 tons (approximately a $11,000.00 value) Mr. Herring announced that next week is free dump week for November. Residents are welcome to bring one car load up to 500 tons (after 600 tons there will be an additional charge). He also announced they are hiring drivers and positions at the landfill, work from home call center positions and positions in the corporate office. To view and apply for open positions go to republicservices.com. Councilmember Schroeder commended them for listening to concerns and how quickly they took care of a concern he had. 10. 21-587 Introduction by Steve Byfield of the new President/CEO, Mary Ann Przybylski, City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 2, 2021 of the Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. Audrie Ouellette, Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Secretary, introduced Mary Ann Przybylski, their newly appointed president/ceo. Ms. Przybylski gave a presentation on her experience and how that can benefit the chamber, its members and the city. She added she is looking forward to working with the city to increase new business, job growth, job sustainability and increasing tourism. 11. 21-593 Announcement of current events. Al Bravo, Public Information Officer, announced Kids Idol has two more auditions: November 6th and 10th. Contact Councilmember Biggs or Jeff Struble at the numbers listed on the flyer or email ajkidsidol@gmail.com for more information. Mr. Bravo also announced the Apache Junction Founders Centennial Committee meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 6:00pm in the Library and that January 8th is approaching quickly. He added the Citizen Leadership Institute's registration is now open. The eight-session class starts on January 12, 2022. The sessions will also be live streamed on YouTube. The city's halloween event in Flatiron Park kicked off the event season. Mayor Wilson said the event was successful and the kids enjoyed the trunk or treat. Councilmember Biggs added he worked at one of the Parks and Recreation booths and helped judge the costume contest. He took his nieces and nephews through the trunk or treat line and said it was a great event. Mayor Wilson said the Festival of the Superstitions is in two weeks. City Manager Powell mentioned the Veterans' Day Parade as well. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF 12. 21-598 Direction to staff on board and commission member selection and talent bank application process; changing Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Section 2-11-2, relating to the number of health and human services commission members; and changing Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Section 2-8-2(C), the residency requirements on the Park and Recreation Commission. Councilmember Biggs moved, seconded by Councilmember Nesser to direct staff to increase the number of commission members on the Health and Human Services Commission from five to seven beginning with the October, 2022 application and appointment process. Yes - 7 No - 0 City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 2, 2021 Motion passed. Councilmember Evans moved , seconded by Councilmember Nesser to direct staff to make the following changes to the city code: When boards and commission fall below the necessary quorum due to a vacancy, council shall make a new appointment from the previous list of applicants to fill the remaining term of the vacancy. Yes - 6 No - 1 (Councilmember Schroeder) Councilmember Schroeder said he would like to open the application process instead of just prior applicants. Motion passed. Vice Mayor Rizzi moved, seconded by Councilmember Biggs to direct staff to remove a question from the boards and commission application asking the applicant if they have any past or current legal disputes with the city, inclusive of any code compliance notice of violations, civil or criminal municipal or superior court actions, claim for damages, lawsuits, adjudicated adverse judgments, or unsatisfied liens. Yes - 5 No - 2 (Councilmembers Evans and Schroeder) Councilmember Evans said she reviewed other applications for the city volunteers and said they ask more involved information about criminal history and requires fingerprinting. The statement in question on the application doesn't disqualify anyone from being appointed. VIce Mayor Rizzi said it was never a council consensus and that is why it should be removed. Councilmember Shroeder said he recognizes those serving on the boards and commissions should be examined further and that the discussion had previous night didn't solve anything. Mayor WIlson said he thinks the question leads in a direction that they should stay away from. He said he likes parts of the question but the motion removes the entire question so he is voting yes. Motion passed. L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES 13. 21-594 Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. for Monday, November 15th and Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. for Tuesday, November 16th 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 Councilmember Gremmel that an executive session at 6:00 p.m. for Monday, November 15, and Tuesday, November 16, 2021 be held in the city council conference room and city council chambers, 300 E. Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction, Arizona, respectively and other meetings scheduled if necessary. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 2, 2021 Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Rizzi, Councilmember Evans, Councilmember Schroeder, Councilmember Biggs, Councilmember Nesser and Councilmember Gremmel No: 0 Mayor WIlson called for a motion. M. CALL TO PUBLIC Douglas Cernetisch, 300 E. 13th Avenue, Apache Junction, said he is disappointed in the trash services. It's a hit or miss with the service. He added that he would like them to be more responsible. He said when they miss a pick up the resident shouldn't have to call to say they've missed a pick up. He also asked what the city's policy is on pigeons because someone on Royal Palm is feeding them and there are hundreds of them flying around. Jim Palmer, 240 E. 13th Avenue, Apache Junction, missed another pick up and said Republic Services doesn't have the ability to fulfill its contract. He added his recycling was put in the same truck as his regular garbage and then two houses on his street were missed the same day. Pam Lang, 1851 S. Starr Road, Apache Junction, said she is missing pick ups as well, especially recycling. She goes to their website and completes the form to complain and doesn't receive a response. When she calls she's told they will be out in a day or two but they never show up. When she went on social media to complain and found others are complaining about the same missed pick ups and now they have more recycling customers. She asked is they can't handle the customer load they have now, how will they handle additional customers. If they are going to reduce services the fees should be reduced to reflect the reduced services. Donna Carr, Apache Junction resident, said she and her family have had missed garbage pick ups as well. She added that there are 101 sexual offenders in Apache Junction and said there are three by her sons house and wonders why they are allowed to live so closely together. She is worried about her son's girlfriend's daughters that are dropped off by the bus near there. She doesn't know what can be done but she wanted to let the council know. Quentin Heiner, 2002 S. Apache Drive, Apache Junction,,asked is there was something that can be done with setbacks so that someone without a carport can have a carport. He added he lives in a older community and would like to know if staff is doing anything about this issue. He added his service with Republic Services is good and he doesn't have any issues. Vice Mayor Rizzi responded that it was her understanding that if residents had issues with Republic Services they should call the city. She asked staff to meet with the residents who spoke about issues and give them the correct information. Councilmember Schroeder asked about the progress of the setback issue. City Manager Powell said he can have city staff meet with the resident regarding his question. Councilmember Biggs asked that City Manager Powell and Chief Kelly meet with Ms. Carr City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 6 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 2, 2021 regarding her concern. Councilmember Nesser said she volunteered with the Apache Junction Police Department and explained that the city has no control over where registered sex offenders live. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF , 2021, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF , 2021. WALTER “CHIP” WILSON 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 _____________________, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this day of , 2021. JENNIFER PEÑA City Clerk City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 7