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 16, 2024 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 Councilmember Heck gave the invocation and Councilmember Nesser 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 Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Nesser moved, seconded by Councilmember Johnson 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 1. 24-239 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 24-240 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 2, 2024. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2024 3. 24-238 Consideration of approval of the purchase of one additional 2023 Ford F-150 Super Crew 4x4 long bed for the Public Works Department using Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) in an amount not to exceed $54,724.28. The purchase would be through the State of Arizona Cooperative Contract # CTR059323 with San Tan Ford. 4. 24-248 Consideration of approval of entering into an agreement with Trane Technologies Project # PWB24-03 for the Urban Dark Skies lighting retrofit Phase 1. Project includes retrofitting City Hall and the Police Department's exterior lighting for Urban Dark Skies compliance and energy savings for an amount not to exceed $102,114.07 using the OMNIA Partners, Racine County Cooperative Contract #3341. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 5. 24-184 Proclamation designating the week of April 14 - April 20, 2024 as "National Public Safety Telecommunications Week". Councilmember Soller read the proclamation designating the week of April 14 - 20, 2024, as "National Public Safety Telecommunications Week" and presented it to Assistant Chief of Police Johnny John and Communications Manager Jessica Kelley. 6. 24-260 Proclamation designating April 26, 2024, as "National Arbor Day." Mayor Wilson read the proclamation designating April 26, 2024, as "National Arbor Day" and presented it to Parks Superintendent David Butler and Recreation Coordinator Jared Grimm. Mr. Butler stated the City's application to be a tree city was approved so the Parks and Recreation department is focusing on more arbor training and expanding their tree canopy. 7. 24-262 Proclamation designating the week of May 5 - 11, 2024, as "Professional Municipal Clerks Week." Mayor Wilson read the proclamation designating the week of May 5 - 11, 2024, as "Professional Municipal Clerks Week." City Clerk Jennifer Pena, Business License Coordinator Donna Scruggs and Records Coordinator Dana Tucker accepted the proclamation. Ms. Pena shared the history of the clerks office and the role it plays in local government. She also complimented her staff for their hard work. 8. 24-267 Proclamation designating the month of May as "National Cities, Towns and Villages Month." Vice Mayor Schroeder read the proclamation designating the month of May as "National Cities, Towns and Villages Month" and presented it to Assistant City Manager Matt Busby. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 9. 24-241 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2024 Councilmember Heck and Mayor Wilson attended the grand opening for Agave Ridge Behavorial Hospital on April 11, 2024, in Mesa. They provide inpatient care for adolescents and adults who are struggling with addictions and mental health disorders. They are hoping to work with the Apache Junction police and serve residents of the city. Councilmember Heck also highlighted the drones that the Apache Junction Police Department use and their effort to recover a Mounted Ranger's horse that got loose during Lost Dutchman Days. Councilmember Soller attended the Earth Day Celebration on April 6, 2024, at Horizon Health and Wellness. He met with the master gardener and commented on how great the event was. He also set up a tour of the Real-Time Crime Center in Mesa for councilmembers and select city employees. Mayor Wilson shared that he was impressed by the Real-Time Crime Center Tour. He stated that he attended the East Valley Mayors Prayer breakfast on April 16, 2024, at the Talking Stick Gold Club, which highlighted STARS and Civitan Foundation. He also attended a ground breaking at Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport for XNRGY Climate Systems, a North American leader in sustainable HVAC solutions. The facility is expected to open early 2025 and create over 900 new jobs. Councilmember Cross commented on the ground breaking for XNRGY Climate Systems and how large the building will be and the amount of construction jobs it will create. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 10. 24-242 City Manager's Report. City Manager Bryant Powell announced a process improvement for the Human Resources department. They have upgraded the software for applying for jobs with the city to NeoGov. He also shared the Battle of the Badge baseball game is on April 20, 2024 at 9:00 AM at Prospector Park. The Apache Junction Police department will take on the Superstition Fire and Medical District for bragging rights. 11. 24-243 Announcement of Current Events. Management Analyst Eli Richardson shared upcoming events: - Open House Meeting for the Downtown Master Plan Update on May 8, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Gen Center located at 1035 N. Idaho Rd, Apache Junction - Building Safety Month Celebration on May 4, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park and Gazebo parking lot - corner of Superstition Blvd and Idaho Rd - April Pools Day on April 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center located at 1091 W. Southern Ave, Apache Junction - Free Dump Week, May 6 - 11, 2024, 6:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. at Apache Junction Landfill located at 4050 S. Tomahawk Rd, Apache Junction - For more information and to sign up for the weekly newsletter visit the city website at www.apachejunctionaz.gov City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2024 H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 12. 24-245 Public hearing and consideration on the Fifth Amendment to the Economic Development Agreement between City of Apache Junction and Mehmood Mohiuddin as owner of the Hitching Post. Councilmember Soller moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Schroeder that the Fifth Amendment to the Hitching Post Development Agreement be approved. Yes: 6- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 Recused: 1- Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Johnson recused herself from this item action. City Manager Bryant Powell presented the update to the Fifth Amendment with the Hitching Post. Councilmembers had no concerns for discussion. Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing, receiving no comments, he closed the public hearing. At the completion of Vote and Roll Call, Councilmember Johnson returned to the dais. I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES 13. 24-244 Selection of dates, times and location for budget work session, public hearing and adoption of tentative and final budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. 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 2024-2025. Councilmember Cross moved, seconded by Councilmember Johnson that a budget work session be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 6th, 2024, 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 20th, 2024, 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 17th, 2024, 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 City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2024 M. CALL TO PUBLIC George Schroeder, 2444 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, stated he attended the Apache Junction Homeless Coalition meeting and had a negative experience with a previous City employee. He is upset about being the bad guy with City Council and asked why his neighbor received so much help from the City for her new home. Catherine Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, announced that April 19, 2024, is World Liver Day, and explained that liver disease is now happening to younger people and children due to diet. She recommended eating a non-fried food diet with no high fructose corn syrup and be mindful of some medicines that are harmful to the liver. Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, spoke about the amount of signatures she has received for petitions to not allow more mental health facilities in her neighborhood and to stop using reclaimed water in the City. She only went to 3 neighborhoods near her home and received hundreds of signatures. She will turn those over to the City Clerk. Andre Meek, 1327 S. Belair Road, Apache Junction, addressed the globe chamomile weed issue that has taken over an alley near his home. They cannot be sprayed as they will grow back so there needs to be a city effort to help get rid of them. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2024 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 6