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 2, 2023 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Heck gave the invocation and Councilmember Cross led the Pledge of Allegiance. C. ROLL CALL Present: 6- Mayor Wilson Councilmember Nesser Councilmember Heck Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Cross Councilmember Soller Excused: 1- Vice Mayor Schroeder 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 Doug Wirthgen, Information Technology Director Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Sidney Urias, Interim Planning Manager Ted Wolff, Public Works Director D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Nesser moved, seconded by Councilmember Soller to approve the Consent Agenda. Yes: 6- Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 Excused: 1- Vice Mayor Schroeder City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 2, 2023 1. 23-209 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 23-210 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 18, 2023. 3. 23-230 Consideration of approval of Map of Dedication for Superstition Vistas - Phase 1A - Amended (SV-22-19-BI). 4. 23-231 Consideration of approval of Map of Dedication for Superstition Vistas - Phase 1B - Amended (SV-22-42). 5. 23-232 Consideration of approval of Final Plat for Infrastructure for Superstition Vistas Development Unit 2 - Ray Avenue - Phase 2 (SV-22-17-BI). E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6. 23-235 Donation of funds from golf tournament proceeds by Jon Gonzales for youth sports programs. Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach invited Jon Gonzales and Tiffany Wilkinson to join her in presenting a check in the amount of $4,000.00, to the Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Programs. The funds were raised at the 3rd annual BreakfastBall Charity Golf Tournament, organized and hosted by Mr. Gonzales and Ms. Wilkinson. Funds will be used to support the summer basketball league. Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Coordinator Gary Gartner was present to accept the check. 7. 23-248 Proclamation designating July 8, 2023 as "Superstition Community Food Bank Day." Councilmember Johnson read the proclamation. Superstition Community Food Bank Director Erik Arriola and Board of Directors members accepted the proclamation. Mr. Arriola shared a brief origin and history of the Food Bank, and thanked the Mayor and council for this recognition, as well as the city for the support over the past 40 years. 8. 23-251 Proclamation designating the week of May 14, 2023 through May 20, 2023 as "Peace Officer Memorial Week." Councilmember Soller read the proclamation. Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley, along with Commander Johnny John and Commander Joseph Penze were present to accept the proclamation. Chief Pooley expressed his thanks to the Mayor and council, on behalf of the Apache Junction Police Department. 9. 23-252 Proclamation designating May 12, 2023, as "Provider Appreciation Day." Mayor Wilson read the proclamation. Michele Saint Hilarie, Senior Statewide Program Director for Child & Family Resources Incorporated, was present to accept the proclamation. She shared her appreciation to the Mayor, council and city staff members for recognizing the critical importance of child care, by honoring the many individuals that offer this service on a daily basis through this proclamation. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 2, 2023 F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 10. 23-211 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Mayor Wilson attended the Gilbert State of the Town. He stated because of the growth Gilbert has experienced it has been named the largest "town" in the nation. Mayor Wilson was joined by City Clerk Jennifer Pena and Deputy City Clerk Evie McKinney to tour the Maricopa County Elections Department. He shared details of the high security measures and protocol that must be adhered to within the Elections Department building. All interested parties are encouraged to contact the Maricopa County Recorders office to schedule a tour by calling (602) 506-1511. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 11. 23-212 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell shared a photo of attendees at the recent Lost Dutchman Marathon Awards Night. This year the proceeds of $60,000 were given to community local youth serving agencies. More than $825,000 has been raised and shared over the past years to these youth agencies, and Mr. Powell credits this success to the many volunteers and dedicated board members that work hard to make this happen. Mr. Powell announced the two (2) vacant positions for Management Analyst were recently filled, and he introduced the new staff members as Robert Wisler and Eli Richardson. 12. 23-244 Update on the Youth Advisory Council's past accomplishments and future work plan with Parks & Rec Director, Liz Langenbach. City Manager Bryant Powell invited Parks and Recreation Coordinator JJ Underwood to introduce the Youth Advisory Council members and share an update on the projects and successes they completed over the past year. The Youth Advisory Council President Ezme Garcia thanked the Mayor and city council for their support, and introduced a video that was prepared by the Youth Council. Mr. Underwood invited all members of the Youth Advisory Council to come to the floor and join the Mayor and city council for a photo. 13. 23-213 Announcement of Current Events. Public Information Officer Al Bravo shared the current events as follows: Recently, a podcast that City Manager Bryant Powell and Economic Development Director Pat Ainsworth took part in, with a CEO from a valley company that interviews people working in the development and economic field, was conducted with the Mac and Bleu Building Arizona show. This podcast shares the positive things and future of Apache Junction, with a great overview of the city. The podcast can be found by logging into the city's homepage at www.apachejunctionaz.gov. Free dump week is being offered from May 8 through May 13, 2023. Participants must be able to show proof of residency with a utility bill. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 2, 2023 Once again, the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce is offering the Shop Local Card Program. Cards can be purchased from the Chamber for a cost of $2.00, and provide discounts of 10% - 30% off at local businesses. This program is promoted from May 1 through October 1, 2023. Mr. Bravo encourages everyone to check out the calendar on the city homepage to see all the interesting events and programs offered through the city. He also shared a reminder to sign up for the weekly city newsletter. Both the calendar and the newsletter sign up can be accessed at www.apachejunctionaz.gov. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 14. 23-249 Presentation and discussion with Information Technology Director, Doug Wirthgen, regarding the broadband plan for the City of Apache Junction. Information Technology Director Doug Wirthgen gave an in-depth update on the city's broadband plan. He shared a map indicating the existing, as well as the future boundaries for internet service lines. He explained the critical need for this service, that allows for economic development as well as the growing remote work trend. Internet service, "broadband", impacts Public Safety, creates resiliency and energy efficiency, allows for healthier communities, and supports transportation and data analytics. 15. 23-253 Presentation and discussion with City Attorney, Joel Stern, regarding a general overview of the annexation process. City Attorney Joel Stern introduced this item, and stated the request of annexation information was brought about at the recent council retreat. Development Services Director Rudy Esquivias shared a brief update on the annexation process. A map of the current city limits was displayed, with highlighted attention given to the original border of the city limits as was in 1978. He depicted the current Pinal county islands that remain within the current city limits, and shared history of the areas that have been annexed since incorporation of the city. He explained various reasons why the current areas that are not annexed. City Attorney Joel Stern explained the annexation process, based on the 2019 Annexation Manual provided by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. He reported private land annexations are much harder to complete than state land, and also explained the difference between incorporation and annexation. Responding to questions from Council, Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley confirmed if a life or death call is placed from a county resident the Apache Junction Police will respond. The citizens of Apache Junction have priority for all services offered, and if a county resident places a non priority call they will not be serviced by Apache Junction Police Department. Council discussed the pros and cons of further research or conducting a survey to annex various land but decided to table the item. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 2, 2023 K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, commented on the appreciation of the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance at the past meetings. He shared concerns regarding the current broadband services in Apache Junction. He brought up the over growth of the weed called Globe Chamomile, and feels a concerted effort is needed to control this. Stacie Reichwald, 45 N. Cavendish Street, Queen Valley, shared her frustration regarding a recent denial of a special event she has been hosting in Apache Junction for the past 2 years. She is requesting council to please look into why this has been denied. Trent Ritter, 23878 E Cholla Road, Florence, expressed his concerns regarding the denial of the same event as Ms. Reichwald. Council direction was given for staff to look into this denial for the special event. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:31 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. JENNIFER PEÑA City Clerk City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5