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, May 20, 2025 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 Cross gave the invocation and Vice Mayor Schroeder 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 Evie McKinney, City Clerk Joel Stern, City Attorney Kayla Fulmer, Director of Marketing and Communications Rob Wisler, Management Analyst Michael Pooley, Police Chief Johnny John, Assistant Police Chief Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director Sidney Urias, Planning Manager Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Nicholas Leftwich, Planner JC Kliner, GIS Coordinator Jamie Sullivan, Recreation Superintendent Riley King, Management Analyst D. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Soller to approve the Consent Agenda and Authorize City Manager Bryant Powell to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, as listed under Item #4. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 1 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 1. 25-165 Consideration of acceptance of agenda. 2. 25-230 Consideration of approval of minutes of the special meeting of May 5, 2025. 3. 25-166 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of May 6, 2025. 4. 25-189 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 25-08, authorizing the City of Apache Junction to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Water Resources to contribute to the maintenance of the Arizona Continuously Operating Reference Station (AZCORS) program, and authorizing the City Manager to fulfill all the duties required under the agreement. This item was presented for discussion at the City Council Work Session held May 5, 2025. 5. 25-195 Consideration of approval of the proposed professional services agreement with TischlerBise, for the preparation of the five (5) year update of the Development Fee Study: Land Use Assumptions, Infrastructure Improvements Plan, and Development Fees as well as an update to Volume II, Chapter 7 Development Fee Ordinance in an amount not to exceed $67,440.00. This item was presented at the City Council Work Session held May 5, 2025. 6. 25-233 Consideration of approval of selected artwork, case P-25-29-ART, a high school students design competition, themed "AJHS Pride," for artwork to go on the traffic signal cabinet at the northeast corner of W. Southern Avenue and S. Ironwood Drive. This item was presented for discussion at the City Council Work Session held May 19, 2025. 7. 25-239 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 25-15, approving the designation of applicant's authorized representative and alternate authorized representative forms submission to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military affairs, which designates the City's representatives for applying for certain public assistance; and authorizing the applicant's authorized representatives to execute and deliver said application on behalf of City of Apache Junction. E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES 8. 25-167 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Cross attended the 43rd annual East Valley business meeting and the main topic was AI. He shared the struggles that schools are experiencing with students using AI and City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 2 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 stated the importance of businesses using it. Councilmember Soller visited Washington DC for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. He was able to locate Apache Junction Police Officer Russell Duncan's name on the memorial. He encouraged the community to remember the sacrifice Officer Duncan made for the City and the department. Mr. Soller also attended the retirement party for Mesa City Manager, Chris Brady. Mayor Wilson toured Able Aerospace in Mesa and shared the struggles they are facing due to overseas tariff costs. Mayor Wilson attended the Apache Junction Police Department Memorial Service where they honored Officer Russell Duncan. He lost his life during a training exercise on November 9, 1983. His daughter is a police officer as well and spoke at the service. Councilmember Johnson also attended the Apache Junction Police Department Memorial Service and spoke about how moving it was. She suggested changing the time of the day it is held so more of the community can attend. G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 9. 25-168 City Manager's Report City Manager Bryant Powell shared that it is Public Works Week. He shared a photo of the team and spoke about how, at times, their work is done in dangerous or hazardous conditions. He stated how much they are appreciated and recognized their hard work. 10. 25-114 Introduction of Pinal Partnership's new President and CEO, Craig McFarland, and his report on the organization's Renewable Energy Committee. Pinal Partnership's new President and CEO, Craig McFarland, presented a report on the topics they are currently working on. He also shared the events they participate in and various committees that support the region. Councilmembers complimented Mr. McFarland on the informative monthly breakfasts, the relationships he has formed and for his support of the City. 11. 25-169 Announcement of Current Events Director of Marketing and Communications Kayla Fulmer shared upcoming events: - Color Your Summer Party on Thursday, May 29, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Apache Junction Library, 1177 N. Idaho Rd, Apache Junction. This will be the kick off party for the summer reading program. - Celebrate Flag Day with Us on June 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park Gazebo, 1001 N. Idaho Rd, Apache Junction. Mayor Wilson encouraged the community to attend the Memorial Day ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, on Monday, May 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 3 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 H. PUBLIC HEARINGS 12. 25-240 Presentation, discussion, public hearing and consideration of Ordinance No. 1564, a proposed text amendment of the Apache Junction City Code, Vol. I, Chapter 8: Business regulations concerning fortune telling businesses and the permit fees prescribed for them. Councilmember Nesser moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Schroeder that Ordinance No. 1564 be read by title only and the reading of the entire ordinance be waived. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Evie McKinney read Ordinance No. 1564 by title only, Option 1 and Option 2, repealing any conflicting provisions; and providing for severability. Councilmember Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Nesser that Ordinance No. 1564, as read by the city clerk be approved and adopted as written for Option No. 1. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 Planner Nick Leftwich presented that following the April 24th City Council discussion regarding fortune telling businesses and the permit fees prescribed to them in the Apache Junction City Code, Volume 1, Chapter 8: Business, Planning Staff coordinated with the Police Department and confirmed city policies and procedures for the business license staff reviews of fortune telling businesses. There was a question raised regarding whether the $1,200.00 permit fee is necessary and if it is to be used for background checks, but staff found that no background checks are performed for these businesses. The Police Department noted they would need explicit authority from the City Code to conduct background checks, such as is required by the code for specific other business types, such as sexually oriented businesses or liquor licenses. In the absence of such a requirement and practice we found no need for the city to continue charging an annual $1,200.00 fee in addition to standard business licensing costs. On May 6, 2025, the City Council gave Direction to Staff to review and consider updates to the Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 8: Business regulations concerning fortune telling businesses and the permit fees prescribed for them. Pursuant to this direction, Ordinance No. 1564 was drafted. Councilmember concerns included the dollar amount for the fee in option 2 and if this was in addition to the business licensing fee. Mr. Leftwich responded to all concerns. Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing, receiving no comments from the public, he closed the public hearing and asked for a motion. City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 4 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 I. OLD BUSINESS J. NEW BUSINESS K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF 13. 25-241 Council direction to staff on updates to the city code related to special event permitting and related regulations. Councilmember Soller moved, seconded by Councilmember Nesser that direction to staff be given to review and consider updates to the Apache Junction City Code, relating to special event processes. Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember Soller No: 0 Parks and Recreation Management Analyst Riley King presented that the Parks and Recreation Department has taken the lead in working with multiple departments and entities to improve special event processes city-wide. Over the past two years, the following efforts have been made to improve the safety and consistency in events throughout the city: 1. Inter-departmental Special Event Task Force created to review and support public and private city-wide special events 2. Special Event applications and processes have been updated 3. A Special Event Handbook has been created to streamline the process for event-planners 4. The city-wide Special Event Liaison role has been added to the Parks and Recreation Management Analyst position. so that event-planners have one point of contact for assistance. This position is currently filled by Riley King. The Special Event Task force has identified items within current special event ordinances to be updated and re-considered, as well as items needing to be included. Staff will share market research on neighboring cities special event policies and share sections of the city code that have been identified for updates/additions. Councilmember concerns included clarity on what is considered a special event, which businesses would need to have a permit for a special event and will all aspects of this process go through Parks and Recreation. Ms. King responded to all concerns. L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 5 City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 M. CALL TO PUBLIC Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, shared frustrations with the pavement on her street. She also announced that Pinal County denied the solar energy farm that she spoke out against at the May 6, 2025, meeting. Tera Leigh, 852 E. Osage Ave, Apache Junction, is the site manager for the Apache Junction Head Start Program. She explained the benefits of this program and asked the Mayor and Council for their support to help save it. N. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF , 2025, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS DAY OF , 2025. WALTER “CHIP” WILSON Mayor ATTEST: EVIE MCKINNEY City Clerk City of Apache Junction, Arizona Page 6