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 7, 2023 7:00 PM City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Heck gave the invocation and Councilmember Cross 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 Johnny John, Assistant Chief Ted Wolff, Public Works Director Leslie DeReche, Finance Director Evie McKinney, Deputy City Clerk D. CONSENT AGENDA Vice Mayor Schroeder moved, seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent Agenda. Yes: 6- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Soller No: 1- Councilmember Cross 1. 23-572 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 7, 2023 2. 23-573 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of October 17, 2023. 3. 23-580 Consideration of approval of procurement of police department drones from Gresco Supply Inc., utilizing State Cooperative Contract #CTR065255, in an amount not to exceed $72,638,81. This item was presented and discussed at the October 16, 2023 work session. 4. 23-581 Consideration of approval of procurement of council chamber audio/visual upgrade from Conference Technologies, Inc., utilizing the Interlocal Purchasing System ("T.I.P.S") cooperative contract # 200904, for a total amount not to exceed $54,219.61. This item was presented and discussed at the October 16, 2023 work session. 5. 23-604 Consideration of approval of entering into a contract with Weems Asphalt for the reconstruction of the City's Fuel Island pavements. The work would be through Maricopa County cooperative contract No. 210166-S in the amount of $126,674.98 plus a 10% contingency for unforeseen change orders in the amount of $12,667.49 for a total not to exceed $139,342.47. Work will result in new concrete surfaces to replace the current surface in very poor condition. Work is planned within the November 2023 to January 2024 timeframe. 6. 23-605 Consideration of approval of proposed Resolution No. 23-34, a 12-month preliminary plat extension for case P-21-98-SD, known as "Old West Highway Village," a request by Greg Loper, representing the development and ownership group Galileo Capital Partners, located approximately on the south side of Old West Highway between S. Royal Palm Road and S. Tomahawk Road. 7. 23-620 Consideration of approval of Resolution 23-36, an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Apache Junction and the State of Arizona Department of Revenue for the administration, collection, audit, and licensing of transaction privilege taxes, use taxes, severance taxes, jet fuel excise and use taxes and rental occupancy taxes imposed by the state, cities or towns. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 8. 23-574 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Mayor Wilson shared an announcement that Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport recently surpassed a milestone of having the 20 millionth passenger since starting commercial service in October 2002. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 7, 2023 G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 9. 23-575 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell shared news on an employee engagement activity that was offered on November 2, 2023. He thanked the Mayor and Council for showing their support to the employees by offering this fun event, of which more than 200 employees and family members attended. He also shared photos of City employees showing their support for the D-Backs National League Champions. 10. 23-611 Presentation, discussion, and update on the .2% sales tax dedicated to fund roadway maintenance and repairs. Management Analyst Eli Richardson recapped the .2% sales tax dedicated to fund roadway maintenance, repairs and projects. This sales tax is due to sunset in 2025. The City of Apache Junction does not have a city property tax and is limited on revenue generating income to support the city's many services. Recap of Street Projects Sales Tax: Revenues Expenditures 2014 $11,000.00 2015 $267,578 $2,014,256 2016 $805,013 $977,346 2017 $787,002 $1,131,254 2018 $1,122,377 $1,406,615 2019 $1,168,959 $335,000 2020 $1,272,268 $822,492 2021 $1,460,638 $1,060,197 2022 $1,778,204 $1,477,442 2023 $2,059,076 $1,327,721 total collection $10,721,115 Total Expenditures: $10,563,323 Photos were shared of projects that were completed by use of these funds throughout the City in the past year. 11. 23-576 Announcement of Current Events. Public Information Officer Al Bravo shared the following updates: * Friday, November 10, 2023, Veteran's Weekend Kickoff, VFW Post # 9399 at Apache Trail and Saguaro Drive, Concert by Josh Roy Band from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Cost is $ 7.00 and all are encouraged to bring own lawn chairs. There will be several raffles, a 50/50, and proceeds will be shared with various veteran families and programs. * Saturday, November 11, 2023, Veteran's Day Parade at the Focal Point on Apache Trail, starts at 9:30 a.m. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 7, 2023 * 11:00 a.m., Following the Parade will be the Veteran's Tribute Ceremony at Flatiron Park * Saturday, November 11, 2023, Festival of the Superstitions, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Flatiron Park * Free Dump Week, November 6 - 11, 2023, Apache Junction Landfill closes on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. * Household Hazardous Waste Event, November 18, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Public Works Yard, 575 E. Baseline Mr. Bravo also shared that over 3,000 attendees participated in the Halloween Festival held at the Superstition Shadows Park, and it was another fantastic program offered by our Parks and Recreation Department. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS I. OLD BUSINESS 12. 23-610 Presentation, discussion, and update on the status of the Weekes Wash project with City Engineer, Emile Schmid. Public Works Director Ted Wolff provided an update on the Weekes Wash Project. Presentations of this project were given at council meetings earlier this year. Mr. Wolff explained the State and Pinal County are partners in the planning and design of the project. There is a preferred alternative design which also outlines the benefits to surrounding properties, increased safety and the decrease in time and cost of post-storm cleanup. A Federal grant of $ 44.5 million was awarded to the City for this project in August of 2023. Staff continues to research additional funding options and opportunities, as the project costs exceed the amount the City received from the FMA grant. The project is anticipated to be completed by 2028. Council discussion comments included: drainage timeline, lease vs purchase surrounding land, lack of funding, water collection/storage of overflow, construction zone preparation for flood during build of project, possibility of selling excess aggregate rather than increased costs for disposing of products. Mr. Wolff responded with clarity to all council queries. J. NEW BUSINESS K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC Patricia Wruck, 400 N. Plaza Drive, Apache Junction, expressed her concerns of safety due to the traffic signal timing at the intersection of Apache Trail and Phelps Drive. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 7, 2023 Eddie Ohly, 2364 N. Apache Drive, Apache Junction, is requesting the extension of a guardrail along Idaho Road, south of Lost Dutchman. He also expressed his concern for the safety of his home and the speeding traffic that travels along this route. Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, shared concerns regarding the traffic signal timing at Ironwood and Apache Trail. He also commented on the Weekes Wash project, and the opportunity that allows for a recreational park of some sort. George Schroeder, 2444 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, encouraged investigation with the land surrounding Apache Junction. He shared concerns with the laws and regulations regarding squatters in Apache Junction and Pinal County. He commented on the concern he had for a neighbor's home and the lack of proper building inspection completed by the City. Donna Carr, 2128 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, shared her frustration with paying taxes, and feels having to pay property taxes would be wrong. She shared information on a lawsuit in the UK between farmers and the government due to sludge from reclaimed water processes, and how this sludge is killing the crops. She again encouraged the need to have some type of attraction for the younger generation. Mayor Wilson requested staff address the traffic signal issues, and a followup and update on costs involved to install the extended guardrail on Idaho Road, south of Lost Dutchman. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:53p.m. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes November 7, 2023 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 6