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, April 18, 2023 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Schroeder gave the invocation and Councilmember Heck led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. C. ROLL CALL Present: 7- Mayor Wilson Vice Mayor Schroeder Councilmember Nesser Councilmember Heck Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Cross Councilmember Soller Staff in Attendance: Bryant Powell, City Manager Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Pena, City Clerk Joel Stern, City Attorney Al Bravo, Public Information Officer Michael Pooley, Police Chief Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Leslie DeReche, Finance Director Evie McKinney, Deputy City Clerk Adrian Alegria Building Safety Manager/Building Official D. CONSENT AGENDA Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 Councilmember Heck moved, seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent Agenda. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 1. 23-195 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 23-196 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 4, 2023. 3. 23-179 Consideration of approval of entering into an agreement with Riddle Painting and Coatings Corporation for the exterior weatherization for city hall not to exceed $182,998.70 utilizing the Mohave Contract #20A-Riddle-0404. This item was previously presented and discussed at the city council meeting held April 4, 2023. 4. 23-188 Consideration of approval of award to AADS Office Solutions for RFP #23002, Library Shelving, for an amount not to exceed $162,476.60. Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will be used for this procurement. This item was presented and discussed at the city council meeting held April 4, 2023. This item was previously presented and discussed at the city council meeting held April 4, 2023. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 5. 23-203 Proclamation designating week of April 23 - 29, 2023, as "National Library Week." Councilmember Johnson read the proclamation designating the week of April 23-29, 2023, as National Library Week. Library Manager Tracie Curtis accepted the proclamation and encouraged everyone to attend the Library during the week of April 23-29, 2023. 6. 23-200 Proclamation designating April 28th, 2023, as "National Arbor Day." Mayor Wilson read the proclamation designating April 28th, 2023, as National Arbor Day. Accepting the proclamation were Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach, Special Events Coordinator Jared Grimm, and Bill Donato with Arizona Sustainability Alliance. Ms Langenbach thanked the mayor and city council. She mentioned a kickoff event was held on Earth Day, April 1, 2023, at Horizon Health. There will be an "Earth Day Read And Rec" on April 21, 2023, at Prospector Park, and the Parks Division has recently planted 8 new trees at Prospector Park, helping the cause and desire to obtain the Tree City USA designation for Apache Junction. 7. 23-189 Proclamation designating the week of April 30 - May 6, 2023, as "Professional Municipal Clerks Week." Mayor Wilson read the proclamation designating the week of April 30 - May 6, 2023, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week. City Clerk Jennifer Pena with staff members Donna Skruggs, Business License Coordinator, and Evie McKinney, Deputy City Clerk, accepted the proclamation. Ms. Pena thanked the mayor and council for this recognition. She expressed thanks to all city staff for the team efforts City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 that are reciprocated between departments to help achieve and succeed in the daily duties, as well as meet the goals the council has set for staff each year. 8. 23-138 Presentation of proclamation recognizing May 2023 as "Building Safety Month." Councilmember Soller read the proclamation recognizing the month of May 2023 as Building Safety Month. Building and Safety Manager Adrian Alegria accepted the proclamation. He expressed his thanks to the mayor and city council. He mentioned on May 9, 2023, the Apache Junction Building Safety Division will be hosting a presentation to the Apache Junction High School Construction Technology Class, which will include lunch. This presentation will offer the students an awareness regarding building safety, the construction process as well as permitting and inspections. Councilmember Soller commented on the importance of the Building Safety Division, and thanked them for all they do to assure our buildings and homes within the city are built properly and safely. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 9. 23-197 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Peter Heck serves on the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board. He gave an update on recent funding, through a conservation agreement, that has been granted to the Gila River Indian Community, which does include the Apache Junction area. This agreement is being offered to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River system. Mayor Wilson attended the Arizona Bike Summit for 2023, where discussion was held on making biking connectivity improvements throughout the valley. He mentioned the bike trails through the Prescott area are recognized on a national level. He also shared he attended the groundbreaking of SkyBridge Arizona, and explained this development will offer international import and export services at the Mesa Gateway Airport, as well as offer tremendous industry growth. Other recent events Mayor Wilson attended included Battle of The Badges held at Prospector Park, and the Superstition Ranch Rodeo held at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 10. 23-198 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell commented on the camaraderie shared between the Apache Junction Police Department and Superstition Fire & Medical District at the recent Battle of the Badges, as well as in the daily operations and communication between the two organizations, to continue the safety and protection to the residents in Apache Junction. Staff is working on items brought forward during the recent Council Retreat, two of which will be addressed at this meeting:school safety and traffic concerns. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 ADOT is completing a drainage project near Tomahawk and State Route Highway 88. Signage has been installed to indicate detour options, and staff has been communicating this to the public. The project is anticipated to be completed by June, 2023. 11. 23-202 Presentation and discussion with Police Chief Michael Pooley regarding technology (Flock and Spyder-Tech), school resource officers, community engagement, and any other law enforcement operational programs. Police Chief Michael Pooley gave an update on the Police department. He shared statistics regarding the decrease in calls for service over the past year. This is due to updated use of technology and the Officers being proactive and involved in community events. The majority of service calls are related to property crime such as stolen bikes and vehicle break-ins. Comparably to the state of Arizona, and even closer to home, the valley, Apache Junction has a very low crime rate. He commends the residents of Apache Junction for this, as they look out for one another as well as for the Police Officers. Included in his presentation was a listing of new technology implemented within the department of body worn cameras, cell phones, Flock cameras and SPIDR Technology. He gave in-depth explanations of the benefits reaped from the use of the Flock cameras as well as SPIDR Technology. With the assistance of funding from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, the department has been able to enhance traffic enforcement, especially along the Ironwood corridor, that has resulted in more than 50% less traffic accidents. There are currently three School Resource Officers (SRO) serving in the Apache Junction Unified School District, and one DARE Officer. In the past year over 500 calls for service were requested at the schools, and having an SRO on site means instead of sending a patrol officer to the school, there is already a dedicated officer there who knows the students, teachers, and sometimes even the parents. This creates a safe zone to help solve some of the issues quickly. Training from the SRO's for the students and teachers involves active shooter preparations. Councilmember Soller thanked Chief Pooley for bringing the department up to date with the technology improvements. Councilmember Heck inquired why there are not SRO's at every school. City Manager Bryant Powell and Chief Pooley explained this is a decision made by each individual school, and typically the decision is based on funding abilities. Councilmember Cross expressed his appreciation to Chief Pooley and the department for the respect they have gained over the past year. He emphasized the importance of having the SRO's has attributed to the younger generation appreciating police officers. Vice Mayor Schroeder commended Chief Pooley and the Apache Junction Police Force for a great job. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 12. 23-199 Announcement of Current Events. Public Information Officer Al Bravo shared the following upcoming events: April Pool's Day - April 22, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center, 1091 W. Southern, Apache Junction, AZ Drug Takeback Day - April 22, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Apache Junction Police Department, 1001 N. Idaho Road , Apache Junction, AZ. As a special note to add, the Apache Junction Police Department offers this program every day of the year. More information can be obtained by calling the Police Department at (480) 982-8260. Dutchman Dog Park remains closed for maintenance, and is expected to reopen by mid May. Visit apachejunctionaz.gov to see all events and traffic updates, and sign up for the City weekly newsletter. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES 13. 23-201 Selection of dates, times and location for budget work session, public hearing and adoption of tentative and final budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Mayor Wilson called for a motion on the selection of dates, times, and location for budget work session, public hearing and adoption of tentative and final budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Councilmember Cross moved, seconded by Councilmember Heck that a budget work session be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 1st , 2023, in the city council chambers, and a Public Hearing and adoption of the Tentative Budget be held at a special city council meeting, as required by state law, at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 15th, 2023, in the city council chambers, and a Public Hearing and adoption of the Final Budget be held at a special city council meeting, as required by law, at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19th, 2023, in the city council chambers, located at 300 E Superstition Boulevard. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 M. CALL TO PUBLIC April Pearson, 5984 E. 22nd Avenue, Apache Junction shared a letter with the mayor and city City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 council and expressed her concern with the methods of speed enforcement being demonstrated in Apache Junction, specifically regarding enforcement of traffic at the school crossings on Ironwood. She expressed her frustration with the overreach from the City's Prosecutor office. Janie Brown, Val Vista Road, Apache Junction, brought her comments forward on fair housing in Apache Junction. She expressed the need for more RV parks to include families. She shared concerns regarding the water supply for Apache Junction and the necessity for more protection on our water rights. Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Rd, Apache Junction commended the Police Chief and the Apache Junction Police Department on a great job. He shared with the mayor and council the following concerns regarding State Route Highway 88: dangerous intersection at Lost Dutchman, current speed limit set too high, and the need for bike lanes. In addition, he encouraged the mayor and council to look for ways to promote rain harvesting, especially with new developements in Apache Junction. Councilmember Cross requested staff design water conservation awareness material to share with Apache Junction residents. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF , 2023, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF , 2023. 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 _____________________, 2023. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this day of , 2023. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 6 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 JENNIFER PEÑA City Clerk City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 7