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, February 6, 2024 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 Johnson 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 Johnny John, Assistant Chief of Police Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Ted Wolff, Public Works Director Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Sidney Urias, Interim Planning Manager Evie McKinney, Deputy City Clerk D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Heck moved, seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent Agenda. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6, 2024 1. 24-042 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 24-043 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 2024. 3. 24-041 Consideration of approval of award of contract to Sunland Asphalt and Construction for the application of a pavement preservation fog seal to select city streets. The work would be through the 1 Government Procurement Alliance cooperative contract # 22-15P-04 in the amount of $263,577.61 plus a 10% contingency for unforeseen change orders in the amount of $26,357.76 for a total project cost not to exceed $289,935.37. Work is planned within the March-May 2024 time frame. 4. 24-044 Consideration of approval of Final Plat for Radiance; Parcel 19.19 (SV-23-21). E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 5. 24-035 Proclamation designating the month of February as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month." Mayor Wilson read the Proclamation designating the month of February as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month" and presented it to Assistant Chief of Police Johnny John with the Apache Junction Police Department. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 6. 24-047 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Cross attended the monthly meeting with Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), and shared highlights regarding affordable housing discussion. Councilmember Soller, along with other Councilmembers, toured the Republic Waste Recycling Plant, and explained the high tech abilities installed and how most of the plastic waste can now be recycled. Mayor Wilson recognized City Manager Bryant Powell for receiving the distinguished John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award from the Arizona City County Management Association. The award is given to acknowledge the contributions of a City Manager to the field of local government in Arizona. Mr. Powell received further recognition from the Councilmembers and meeting attendees by a round of applause. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 7. 24-048 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell spotlighted the new sign installed at the Veterans Memorial Park, at the corner of Idaho and Superstition Boulevard. Contributions from various veteran groups were used to complete this project, and Mr. Powell thanked these groups for this funding, as well as City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6, 2024 Parks and Recreation for their efforts in making the sign and surrounding area look professional. Mr. Powell explained that we exist to serve the public, and in order to know how we are doing, and what the public wants we conduct surveys. He shared the process of our recent customer service survey, and the participation and success received to this point. In the past, the City has used The National Community Survey, (NCS) to measure our service to the public. This is a mail survey done every 2 years, and the results are then posted to our website. The NCS will be posted on our city website as of February 7, 2024, for the public to submit their survey responses. 8. 24-049 Announcement of Current Events. Assistant City Manager Matt Busby shared an update on the Lost Dutchman Marathon to be held on February 18, 2024. He also encouraged signing up for the weekly updates and newsletter by visiting the city website at www.apachejunctionaz.gov. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. 24-040 Consideration of application for a permanent extension of premises for Fraternal Order of Eagles Lost Dutchman Aerie # 3850 located at 2315 S. Coconino Drive, Apache Junction, AZ 85120. The next step in the process is for the council to hold a public hearing on the application and make a recommendation of approval or denial to be forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Councilmember Cross moved, seconded by Councilmember Heck that the application for a permanent extension of premises for the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lost Dutchman Aerie #3850, located at 2315 S. Coconino Drive, Apache Junction, AZ, be recommended for approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 City Clerk Jennifer Pena stated the city received an application for a permanent extension of premises from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lost Dutchman Aerie # 3850 located at 2315 S. Coconino Drive, Apache Junction, AZ. She explained correspondence related to inspections of the premises for safety and code compliant matters have been received from the Apache Junction Police Department, Planning and Zoning Department, Building and Safety division and the Superstition Fire and Medical District. All four entities find compliance with the inspection requirements and recommend approval. Development Services has confirmed an active building permit is in action. The applicant, Michael Reed, Trustee with the Eagles organization, thanked the Mayor and Council for their suppport. He explained this new building would be designated as a "No Smoking" area for the club. Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing, receiving no comments, he closed the public hearing. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6, 2024 I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 10. 24-038 Presentation and discussion on the Invasive Plants Grant received from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to mitigate the spread of buffelgrass at Silly Mountain and surrounding right-of-way properties, provide education to park visitors and residents, and develop a park stewards program. Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach shared a presentation on the Invasive Plants Grant received in the amount of $193,500.00 from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Managements, (DFFM). This will be a 3 year project, and the focus will be at the Silly Mountain Park area. She shared the efforts that have been given by staff and volunteers recently, to get a head start on the project. A partnering relationship with ASU Project Cities has been implemented to target park users and residents to educate on how to avoid further spread of the invasive plants, and to connect with potential volunteers to create a sustainable volunteer steward program. Some of the components in the grant are drone herbicide, treating areas that are inaccessible by staff, contracting work for limbing up the protected species, purchasing of tools and supplies for the plant removal, and communication to provide treatment plans to local residents and park users. DFFM will contribute $193,500, City in-kind contributions, which is the staff and maintenance time, will be $35,118 and city cash contribution, what is currently being spent on mitigation efforts is $30,000 for a total project cost of $258,618.00 over the next three (3) years. K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES M. CALL TO PUBLIC Jane Brown, Val Vista Road, Apache Junction shared her appreciation for the State of the City Address. She also suggested the need for more electric battery charging stations, and commented on The Havenly development project. George Schroeder, 2444 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction expressed his concerns regarding squatters in the City. Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction also shared concerns of squatters in her neighborhood. She encouraged recycling education. She suggested Pinal County Sheriff Lamb be invited to speak with the Apache Junction citizens regarding the safety in the community. She commented on the new sound system in the council chambers. Eddie Ohly, 2364 N. Apache Drive, Apache Junction is continuing his request for some type of fencing, guard railing, or cable to be extended along Idaho Road, south of Lost Dutchman. Catherine Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction shared several upcoming events being offered at the Superstition Mountain Museum. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 6, 2024 Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction expressed his frustration with audience gestures during the Pledge of Allegiance. He commented on the closure of BLM land, and the homeless situation in Apache Junction. Council requested staff follow up with the request from Mr. Ohly at 2364 N. Apache Drive, Apache Junction. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF , 2024, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF , 2024. 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 _____________________, 2024. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this day of , 2024. JENNIFER PEÑA City Clerk City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5