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 Doors are open to the public at least 15 minutes prior to the posted meeting start time. Tuesday, July 2, 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 Vice Mayor Schroeder 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: Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Pena, City Clerk Joel Stern, City Attorney Kayla Fulmer, Director of Marketing and Communications Michael Pooley, Police Chief Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Patrick Ainsworth, Economic Development Director A. Doug LaSota, Municipal Judge Doug Wirthgen, IT Director Rob Wistler, Management Analyst Johnny John, Assistant Police Chief D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Cross moved, seconded by Councilmember Soller to approve the Consent Agenda with clarification on the June 18, 2024, minutes that Councilmember Cross and Heck only recused themselves from Item No. 13 on the consent agenda. June 18, 2024, minutes are correct. 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 July 2, 2024 1. 24-523 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 24-525 Consideration of approval of minutes of the special meeting of June 17, 2024. 3. 24-524 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 18, 2024. 4. 24-446 Consideration of approval of the Economic Development Agreement with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), retroactive to July 1, 2024, for economic development services for the term of one year (FY24/25) in the amount of $19,320.00, and the appointment of Councilmember Peter Heck as the City of Apache Junction representative to the GPEC Board of Directors. 5. 24-498 Consideration of approval of professional services agreement with Teresa Monica Hunt for public defender services. This agreement will be for a period of three years beginning July 3, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2027. 6. 24-500 Consideration of approval of employment agreements with Douglas S. Campbell, Lisa M. Johnson, Michael Kielsky, and Dai Trang Nguyen as associate magistrates for on-call/as needed service. The new employment agreements will be for a period of four years beginning July 3, 2024 until June 30, 2028. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 7. 24-503 Proclamation designating July 2024 as "National Parks and Recreation Month." Mayor Wilson read the Proclamation designating July 2024 as "National Parks and Recreation Month", and presented it to the Parks and Recreation staff. Recreation Superintendent Jamie Sullivan shared that July is their most employed month due to all the recreation activities, so it is the perfect time to celebrate their team. She also played a video that showcased the various activities and events Parks and Recreation offers. F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 8. 24-526 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Mayor Wilson announced that he was recently appointed to the Transportation Policy Committee by the Maricopa Association of Governments. He is one of nineteen members with over 27 cities that will address the roads in Maricopa and Pinal counties. He will also be serving on the Resolution Committee for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 9. 24-527 City Manager's Report. Assistant City Manager Matt Busby stated City Manager Bryant Powell is away on vacation and there is no manager report. 10. 24-528 Announcement of Current Events. Management Analyst Eli Richardson shared the following events: - 4th of July celebration at Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave, Apache Junction, AZ. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the fireworks show starts at 8:30 p.m. - The Concentrated Downtown Master Plan Update Open House on July 10, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Generational Center, 1035 N. Idaho Rd, Apache Junction, AZ. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11. 24-474 Consideration of application for a new Series 12 Restaurant Liquor License for Maggie's Lounge located at 100 N Plaza Drive, Apache Junction, AZ. 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 the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control. Councilmember Cross moved, seconded by Councilmember Soller that the application for a new Series 12 Restaurant Liquor License for Maggie’s Lounge located at 100 N. Plaza Drive 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 new Series 12 Restaurant Liquor License for Maggie's Lounge located at 100 N. Plaza Drive, on June 3, 2024, and the Notice of Posting was placed at the establishment on June 4, 2024. The posting requirement has been met with no comments from the public. 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 added that this applicant has a current building permit in process for tenant improvements to convert a previous health food store into a restaurant. The property is zoned B-3, which allows restaurants and bars outright. The liquor license application can go through the process, but until the business is complete with the renovation and an approved inspection and Certificate of Occupancy have been granted, no business will be allowed at the location. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing, receiving no comments, he closed the public hearing. I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS 12. 24-511 Presentation and discussion on procurement of a records management system, Laserfiche, from ICC Community Development Solutions utilizing OMNIA cooperative contract #01-158, in an amount of $56,756.00. Information Technology Director Doug Wirthgen presented a document management system centralizes and secures content, improves collaboration and supports compliance. Laserfiche Workflow is a business process automation tool. It is built into Laserfiche so an organization can use automatic document classification, organizing, routing, and archiving. Laserfiche uses a computer system and software to store, manage and track electronic documents and electronic images of paper-based information captured using a document scanner. The City of Apache Junction agrees with ICC Community Development Solutions and to the License Agreements for the software Laserfiche Self Hosted Subscription site license introduces a straightforward software license that includes a wide variety of features to benefit all departments of the municipality. As staff becomes more familiar, automation can be added, as well as integration with 3rd party applications and more. The cost of this comprehensive project is $56,756, which will be paid for using FY24 CIP council approved general funds that have been carried forward to council approved FY25 CIP. Councilmember concerns included: feedback from other cities using this system, compatability with Microsoft, contract period, what is included in the subscription fee and how the system works. Mr. Wirthgen responded to all concerns. 13. 24-520 Presentation and discussion on proposed agreement between the City of Apache Junction and Safeware, Inc. for the purchase of a Mobile Command Vehicle using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $1,787,302.16. Police Chief Michael Pooley presented the Apache Junction Police Department has formally asked to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) to purchase a Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV). The city auditor has approved the request to use ARPA funds to acquire the MCV, which costs $1,787,302.16. This new MCV will replace the current one that is over 20 years old. Below are several key advantages offered by the MCV: 1. Enhanced coordination and communication with internal and external law enforcement partners 2. On-site emergency incident management City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 3. Advanced technology and equipment made available at any location necessary 4. Mobile crime labs and evidence processing 5. Rapid deployment and flexibility to urban and remote areas 6. Mobile incident command post 7. Support for Search and Rescue Operations 8. Public Relations and Media Management The primary role of a MCV is to help during active public safety emergencies and operations, such as major criminal investigations, natural disasters, special events, and rescue operations. MCV's serve as pivotal assets in bolstering emergency response capabilities, facilitating enhanced communication, and enabling efficient incident management. Their mobility and advanced technology render them indispensable tools for public safety agencies. The purchase of this specialty vehicle will allow the Apache Junction Police Department to continue to be in line with other law enforcement agencies across the country. Councilmember concerns included: benefits of the mobile unit, conditions of the funding being used, when the vehicle will be available and where it is being assembled. Chief Pooley responded to all concerns. 14. 24-522 Presentation and discussion on award of contract to Veregy for sports field lighting retrofit projects within city parks in an amount not to exceed $1,784,427.75 which includes a 5% contingency. Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach presented the sports field and arena lighting within City of AJ Parks and Rec facilities are among some of the oldest infrastructure in our parks. Last year, Prospector Park softball fields #1 & #2 were retrofitted. This year budget amounts have been set aside to complete the softball complex by retrofitting fields #3 & #4. City staff has selected Musco Lighting. They are one of the premier manufacturers for sports field lighting, with a focus on energy-efficient, shielded LED lighting. There are several reasons why this is the best choice for the facilities: 1. This is the same system that is at the Little League fields and Prospector Park fields #1 & #2; and their automated system is already integrated into the facility reservation software and additionally allows light activation by staff from a mobile device or a computer. 2. Musco has experience designing systems that are compliant with Dark Sky Friendly Sports Field Lighting, and the City’s application with their design has already been approved by DarkSky International. 3. Over time, the city will have substantial savings through lower electrical costs and lower maintenance/replacement costs. This project was approved in the FY25 budget for fields #3 & #4. However, staff has also identified potential grants to complete the remaining sports fields at Prospector Park and Superstition Shadows Park, utilizing the budgeted funds as a match. For this reason, staff has included a clause in the contract that allows the city to lock in pricing for the additional projects if City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 the necessary additional grant funding is received. The City will utilize Musco’s vendor, Veregy, for this replacement project under the 1Government Procurement Alliance (1GPA) Cooperative Contract 22-11PV-08, thus fulfilling procurement and open market procedures. Staff is recommending a construction contract be awarded to Veregy, in an amount not to exceed $1,784,427.75, which includes a 5% owner-controlled contingency for unforeseen circumstances. If the city does not receive the additional grant funding, then only fields #3 & #4 will be completed this year. Councilmember concerns included: other funding that can be used and how the funding process works. Ms. Langenbach responded to all concerns. 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 road safety along Royal Palm Road and proposed adding reflectors on the island for the left turn. Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia St, Apache Junction, shared her thoughts on the new bill passed by Governor Hobbs mandating new rules for operating off-road vehicles. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:01 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 of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 6 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 2, 2024 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 7