HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSAC Agenda Packet 04.24.23
NOTICE OF MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
Chairman Natalie Varela
Vice Chairman Carey Reddick, Jr.
Youth Commissioner Sruti Peddi
Commissioner Stephen Barnes
Commissioner Craig Rudolphy
Commissioner Ron Ruppert
Commissioner Rory Wilson
TIME:5:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING
WHEN:MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023
WHERE:FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS
16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Commissioners of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call; a quorum of the
Town’s Council, various Commission, Committee or Board members may be in attendance at the Commission meeting.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9, subject to certain specified statutory exceptions, parents have a
right to consent before the State or any of its political subdivisions make a video or audio recording of a minor child. Meetings
of the Commission are audio and/or video recorded and, as a result, proceedings in which children are present may be subject
to such recording. Parents, in order to exercise their rights may either file written consent with the Town Clerk to such
recording, or take personal action to ensure that their child or children are not present when a recording may be made. If a
child is present at the time a recording is made, the Town will assume that the rights afforded parents pursuant to A.R.S.
§1-602.A.9 have been waived.
REQUEST TO COMMENT
The public is welcome to participate in Commission meetings.
TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM , please complete a Request to Comment card, located in the back of
the Council Chambers, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion of that item, if
possible. Include the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Speakers will be allowed three
contiguous minutes to address the Commission. Verbal comments should be directed through the
Presiding Officer and not to individual Commissioners.
TO COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM IN WRITING ONLY, please complete a Request to Comment card,
indicating it is a written comment, and check the box on whether you are FOR or AGAINST and agenda
item, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion, if possible.
1.CALL TO ORDER - Welcome members of the Historic and Cultural Advisory Commission (HCAC)
who are in attendance to hear the presentation by Mr. Joe Bill.
2.ROLL CALL
3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the
agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to reasonable
time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on matters raised
during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion
of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or
(iii) ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
4.PRESENTATION: Mr. Joe Bill - International Dark Sky Observatory
5.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the March 27, 2023 CSAC Meeting
Minutes
6.DISCUSSION: Homeless in the Parks
7.REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Environmental Plan
8.UPDATE: Mayor's Youth Council
9.DISCUSSION: Desert Vista Park Tour - April 20, 2023
10.UPDATE: Future Agenda Items
11.UPDATE: Upcoming Events
12.UPDATE: Next CSAC Meeting May 22, 2023 - Presentation by David Janover, Town Engineer -
Sidewalk Infill Project
13.ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted in accordance with
the statement filed by the Community Services Advisory Commission with the Town Clerk.
Dated this 20th day of April, 2023.
Community Services Advisory Commission Meeting of April 24, 2023 2 of 3
_____________________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities.
Please call 480-816-5199 (voice) or 1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a
reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting or to obtain agenda information in large print
format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the Commission with this agenda are
available for review in the Development Services' Office.
Community Services Advisory Commission Meeting of April 24, 2023 3 of 3
ITEM 4.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Destiny Software
Staff Contact Information: Kevin Snipes, Interim Community Services Director
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): PRESENTATION:
Mr. Joe Bill - International Dark Sky Observatory
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Destiny Software Started On: 04/12/2023 04:36 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/12/2023
ITEM 5.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Destiny Software
Staff Contact Information: Kevin Snipes, Interim Community Services Director
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): CONSIDERATION
AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the March 27, 2023 CSAC Meeting Minutes
Staff Summary (Background)
The intent of approving meeting minutes is to ensure an accurate account of the discussion and action
that took place at the meeting for archival purposes. Approved minutes are placed on the town's
website and maintained as permanent records in compliance with state law.
Staff Recommendation(s)
Staff recommends approving the Minutes of the CSAC Regular Meeting on March 27, 2023.
SUGGESTED MOTION MOVE to approve the Minutes of the CSAC Regular Meeting on March 27, 2023.
Attachments
CSAC March 27, 2023 Minutes
CSAC Verbatim March 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Form Review
Form Started By: Destiny Software Started On: 04/12/2023 04:38 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/12/2023
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
MARCH 27, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioner Stephen Barnes; Commissioner Ron Ruppert; Commissioner Rory
Wilson; Youth Commissioner Sruti Peddi; Commissioner Craig Rudolphy
Absent: Chairman Natalie Varela; Vice Chairman Carey Reddick, Jr.
Staff Present: Rachael Goodwin, Deputy Town Manager/Community Services Director; Patti
Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC - NONE
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT
listed on the agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission,
and (ii) is subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not
discuss or take legal action on matters raised during Call to the Public unless the matters are
properly noticed for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion of the Call to the Public,
individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or (iii) ask
that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
4. PRESENTATION: Mr. David Pock, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Pock presented the budget he shared with Town Council at a meeting that took place the
beginning of February. It gave a general overview of the town’s budget, finances and the
administration. He explained governmental accounting, governmental budgets, sources of
revenue budget to actuals from last fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2022. Funds that were
explained to the commissioners included, the general fund, streets fund, and capital projects
fund.
5. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of February 27, 2023, CSAC
Meeting Minutes
The Motion to Approve the CSAC Meeting Minutes of February 27, 2023, was made by
Commissioner Wilson and seconded by Commissioner Rudolphy.
Vote passed 5-0 Unanimously.
6. UPDATE: CIP and Park Projects - Ms. Goodwin provided an update on some of the current
CIPS and park projects. The skatepark is underway and they've already started pouring concrete.
It was shared that it is expected to be completed in May and there will be a ribbon cutting and
dedication. Some development fees were used on that because of expanding and creating more
usage creating a bigger amenity. At Fountain Park the bathrooms are under renovation for
upgrades and replacement through the facility reserve program.
7. UPDATE: Mayor's Youth Council Adopt a Street and Toastmasters – Youth Commissioner
Peddi reported the Mayor's Youth Council did adopt a street event on Westby to clean and pick
up trash. At their most recent meeting they did a Toastmasters training which is an annual event.
They completed public speaking drills that was informative. The Mayor’s Youth Council will be
volunteering at the Music Fest event on April 1st.
8. UPDATE: Desert Vista Park Tour Report – The March 23rd tour was canceled and will be
rescheduled to take place in April.
9. UPDATE: Future Agenda Items –The April meeting will include a presentation from the Dark
Sky Observatory and in May the Town Engineer will report on the sidewalk infill projects.
10. UPDATE: Upcoming Events – Music Fest will take place on April 1st, Concerts on the
Avenue on Thursdays in April, Earth Day event at the Community Center will take place on
April 22, 2023 and Movie in the Park in May.
11 . UPDATE: Volunteer Opportunities – Ms. Goodwin reminded the commissioners the
volunteer reception would be taking place at the Community Center on Thursday. This annual
recognition is a thank to all volunteers regardless of what capacity they serve whether they help
at events, home-delivered meals, crisis response or a number of different things. Ms. Goodwin
shared that home-delivered meals are averaging 130 to 150 meals a week.
12. UPDATE: Next CSAC Meeting April 24, 2023 - Presentation by Mr. Joe Bill, International
Dark Sky
13. ADJOURNMENT – Youth Commissioner asked for a Motion to Adjourn. Commissioner
Wilson motioned to adjourn, and Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion.
Vote passed 5-0 Unanimously.
The meeting Adjourned at 5:39 pm.
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
_________________________________________________
Natalie Varela, Chairman
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
______________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
Regular Meeting held by the Fountain Hills Community Services Advisory Commission in the
Town Hall Council Chambers on the 27th day of March 2023. I certify that the meeting was duly
called and a quorum was present.
DATED this 24th day of April 2023.
_________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
CSAC March 27, 2023
Verbatim Meeting Minutes
Transcribed by https://otter.ai - 1 -
Post-Production File
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MARCH 27, 2023
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
Transcription Provided By:
https://Otter.ai
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Transcription is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may
not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings.
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CSAC March 27, 2023
Verbatim Meeting Minutes
Transcribed by https://otter.ai - 2 -
Call to Order at
Roll Call
Commissioner Barnes, Commissioner Rudolphy, Commissioner Ruppert, Commissioner Wilson, Youth
Commissioner Peddi
Absent: Chair Varela and Vice-Chair Reddick
Staff in Attendance: Rachael Goodwin, Deputy Town Manager, David Pock, Chief Financial Officer,
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Call to the Public – None
Presentation: David Pock, Chief Financial Officer
POCK: I won't blow out your eardrums. But commissioners, my name is David Pock, the Chief
Financial Officer for the town of Fountain Hills. I put this presentation together for the budget open
house that took place the beginning of February. It gives just a general overview of the town and how
we run and administer our finances. So, I'll try and get through the presentation as quick as I can. If you
have any questions as we're going through, please feel free to ask. But then obviously questions specific
that you might have, we can take at the end. Sounds good. All right. So as far as how the presentations
are laid out, we'll go over governmental accounting, governmental budgets, our sources of revenue
budget to actuals from last fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2022. And that'd be for the town's major
funds, the general fund, streets fund, and capital projects fund, and then any questions or comments. So
first of all, governmental accounting is a little different than for-profit, public accounting, we do have
rules, and I brought props this time. So, this is our governmental GAAP. It's set by the Governmental
Accounting Standards Board. And in true governmental fashion, we have an even bigger book that tries
to explain the other big book. So that's our GAAP. We use funds to segregate our revenues and
expenditures, liabilities and equity or fund balance based on the purpose and restrictions to those to that
use funds. And I've noticed a few little typos in these slides, as I was preparing. But in this case, funds
are monitored monetary resources, cash budget authority can't be moved between those accounting
funds without council approval. As I said, our major funds for the town are general fund, streets fund
and the capital projects fund. And then we do have Council financial policies that are adopted, that
basically regulate what reserves we have to maintain in the general fund at the end of the year.
GOODWIN: This is more just for the good of the discussion in the group. And I know you and I,
that government accounting is really for other than Craig can be complicated. And I think one of
the biggest things that I wanted you guys to understand in what we've talked about is that the idea
that it's not like your home checkbook, or your home account, maybe you don't have checkbook
anymore, but it's not money in and money out. And this revolving balance, right, it's, it's all of
these separate pieces. And so if you have a checking account and a savings account, just like we
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have, you don't you can't move money between the two, where you can with your home or with
other things. And that's where I think David does a really good job that explaining we have to
segregate those and we can't dump one pot into another, so to speak.
POCK: Yeah, it's good to think of it maybe as each individual fund as its own business. So, streets
fund has a purpose, obviously, of maintaining the streets, capital projects, building infrastructure,
that sort of thing. So yeah, those are separate businesses and separate sets of books for each of
those businesses.
RUDOLPHY: And these financial policies are posted on the town's website and available for
anyone to review.
POCK: Absolutely, along with a plethora of other financial information, such as budgets, year end
Financials, all sorts of good things. So, yes. Yeah. We actually just started using Clear Gov budgeting
software last year. So if you go to the electronic version, on the website of the budget, and go to the
financial policies in that online, it has hyperlinks directly to the policies. So it's a little easier to find too
that way. All right. So as far as budgets, overall, they're just financial plans. They're based on what the
Town Council decides are the priorities for the year and assigns dollar amounts to those priorities.
Budgets are required by Arizona Revised Statutes. They have to be adopted before the beginning of the
fiscal year, we adopt our final budget, if all is going well, at the first council meeting in June, we also
are restricted on the amount that we can spend each year based on the Economics Estimates
Commission, that's part of the Department of Revenue and that sets the cap at what we can spend each
year.
RUDOLPHY: Have we ever come close to exceeding that cap?
POCK: I've heard that prior directors got really, really close. But no, not that I'm aware of, as far as
what I've seen.
RUDOLPHY: So essentially, whatever staff presents the council and council adopt, it pretty much
is what's going to happen and not be impacted by any outside entity saying that we can't spend
more than what has been budgeted.
POCK: Right, and if for some reason we were to exceed our expenditure limitation, there are emergency
rule, there are a couple of exceptions. So, like if there was an a declaration of emergency, you can out
overspend your expenditure limitation. If for some reason you did it by accident, or even intentionally,
there are penalties involved too. So, you'll see later that we get state shared revenue, that could be
reduced. If we go over.
RUPPERT: Can any funds that aren't spent in fiscal year be carried over to the next fiscal year?
POCK: Yes, we don't forfeit any money if we don't spend it. It depends on which fund it's in.
Because like the general fund, basically goes to maintain our reserves, take care of our transfers
that are scheduled for the next year. And then whatever's left over in fund balance gets moved to
the capital projects fund. That's based on financial policies, other funds, so like the streets fund, for
example, that money doesn't go anywhere, year after year. So if it's unused, it goes to the next year
and rolls over. Great questions. So as far as the general fund in the budget, we're required to have
a balanced budget. So that just means our revenues have to equal our expenditures. On that last
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bullet point it has been the case. For the last few years our budgeted or expected revenues have
exceeded what our budgeted expenditures would be for just normal operating. So we go in and we
take an amount and put it in contingency expenditures, that line item to balance between the
revenue and expenditures. All right, as far as sources of revenue for the general fund, general
funds are our main operating fund that's going to take care of basically everything. Development
Services, Community Services, our public safety, all of those administration, finance are all paid
out of the general fund. So the revenue that that comes into that fund is first and foremost, our
TPT or transaction privilege tax or sales tax, or date shared income tax, as well as state shared TPT
and vehicle license tax. The vehicle license tax and this was the other mistake I found in my slides
this VLT we get 30% goes to the general fund. So it's not a total and then licenses permits, leases
and rents, charges for services, fines and forfeitures, and then investment earnings and other
revenue.
RUDOLPHY: And it's true that the town does not have a general property tax?
POCK: That is correct. Nowhere on there is property tax.
RUPPORT: Does the Maricopa County property tax that were assessed does Fountain Hills get
any of that money at all?
POCK: No, the only portion of property taxes that get sent to the town would be for Sanitary
District, school district and then the water EPCOR.
GOODWIN: If you took if you were to do a pie chart and you put the first four so all of the shapes
date shared and our sales tax into that pie. How much of that our revenue is made up of that?
POCK: That is a great question. And I think it's the next few slides.
GOODWIN: So oh, good, I like pictures.
RUPPERT: Sorry, there's no pictures.
GOODWIN: Yeah, but there is a table. Okay, tables, good enough tables..
POCK: But to answer your question, it's 90%. Between those first… All right, then the streets
fund revenue, like I said earlier, would be 70% of the VLT also goes into this list. But the tax that
you pay at the pump that 18 cents a gallon is the main contributor. And then we have TPT, we put
in point 2% of our sales tax goes to streets fund for pavement maintenance, then any transfers
from the general fund and investment earnings. And then the capital projects fund is funded by the
construction sales tax receive 100% goes to the capital projects fund. And then in that year end
transfer from the general fund that we were talking about as far as the excess fund balance gets
transferred there. And then investment earnings.
RUDOLPHY: Those transfers from the general fund are part of the budgeting normal budgeting
process. Correct? There could be some or there could be none?
RUPPERT: There could be some there could be none. We don't technically budget for transfers
during the budget process. We have we use estimates to what we think the fund balance is going
to be and what that transferred into the capital projects would be. But yeah, we don't really budget
for it, it doesn't count against our expenditures, because then we'd be double counting that the
expenditure side, the expenditure from the general fund, and then the expenditure from the
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capital projects fund. But to your question, we use estimates, basically to guess what's going to be
transferred so that we can budget for the anticipated expenditures. Does that help? Okay. All right.
So those first two, you can see our our town TPT rate is 2.9%. As I mentioned, point 2% goes to the
streets fund. So you don't see that here. And then we also have another 10th of the percent that
gets split between our economic development fund, and our tour tourism fund. So a total of 2.6
goes into our general fund. So you can see that amount makes up almost two thirds of that total all
by itself. And then all of those state shared revenues that I had mentioned before, are considered
intergovernmental. That makes up almost 30%. So together 90% between those two categories,
you can see licenses and permits, and then leases and rents, charges for services make up all the
difference. One point that I made during the budget open house the negative investment earnings
does not look good. However, most of our investments are in treasuries, government bonds that
we're going to hold or plan on holding till maturity. So, since these are marked to book value are as
of the end of the fiscal year, it does look like it's a paper loss or unrealized.
RUDOLPHY: So, are we managing our own investments? Or do we have a firm that is assisting in
the investment process?
POCK: Another great question. So, it's split, we do have a probably close to half of our investments
are professionally managed by PFM and then just over half would be in our LGIP or local
government investment pool with the state treasurer. So, it would be a state managed investments
on that side. Alright, right, and just to make a point here, it was almost $2 million more revenue
received in fiscal year 2022 than what we had budgeted for. So, it was it was fairly decent year, as
on the expenditure side, this first slide I did it strictly at what the actuals are showing in our
financials. And then you'll see in the next slide, the adjustment as if we didn't receive the American
Rescue Plan funds are that grant that you see at the bottom, the $4.2 million. So, it skews the
numbers a little bit. So I wanted to make sure that you saw that difference. But basically, public
safety is all our fire and MCSO costs. General Government, again, everything administration, wise,
HR, public information everybody that falls into that category, but there's about six different
categories there.
RUDOLPHY: And the discrepancy or the difference between the budget and the actual is primarily
due to the contingency? Would that be correct?
POCK: For general government? Correct? Yeah, so that contingency number that we had for fiscal
year 2022, is because we had more anticipated revenues and expenditure. So we had, I believe it
was right around $4 million in contingency, so. And something to point out as well, these are
adopted budget numbers. So, throughout the year, there's transfers that are made that are
approved by council. So that becomes our revised budget numbers. But since we're at the time of
year, when we're adopting a budget, I wanted to make sure that there were some comparisons to
be able to be made. So, then you can see culture and recreation. That's everything community
services, public works. This does not include streets, because that's a whole separate fund. And
you'll see that next. So don't think that that's what we spend on the streets. And then development
services, as far as building permits, and that sort of thing, code enforcement, and then capital
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outlays is things that that fall in the category over $10,000, basically your capital and paid from
the general fund. Now, this is without that ARPA funding in there, you can see what we would have
budgeted or what we would have paid out of the general fund just for fire and police. So you can
see that makes up 50% of the budget just with those two. So, it's a pretty hefty chunk. From there,
big takeaway from this is we were under budget or below budget 4.5 million at the end of the
fiscal year compared to what we had budgeted for. And then we'll go to the streets fund, these
should go pretty fast. Again, you can see that the transfers in from the general fund, that point 2%,
of the TPT. All in all, we are we're really, really close as far as that what we had budgeted for and
what we ended up actually receiving. So, the expenditures, the other side, you can see the 4.2
million that was budgeted for maintenance and repair. And then that just about 2 million that was
actually spent to your point earlier, as far as money's going unspent and carrying over to the next
year, that difference did carry over into fiscal year 23. All right, and then capital projects. Here, you
can see that the actual amount that was transferred over from the general fund was just under 3.6
million. Again, going back to that, we received more revenues than we budgeted and we spent less
than we had budgeted. That difference goes first to make up to satisfy our reserve requirements.
One is for the rainy-day fund. Second one is just basically a minimum balance that we keep in our
account or in that fund. And then the transfers for fiscal year 23 are taken out and the remainder is
sent to capital projects.
RUPPORT: Where would the developmental fees show up? As far as you know, how much is in
there, where does it show in the budget and that kind of thing?
POCK: Okay, so they're not considered major funds, but they would be in our financials in the
consolidated financial statements. I think that's probably that would be the only place that you
would see it as far as actual skill would be at the end of the year in our financial statements. In
parks, we've got one point….
GOODWIN: We have 1.2, in our parks development fund right now and that just stays, it just
builds and grows as we get more until we use it. And then when we do use it, we try to indicate
what the projects that it's been used for. So it's often reflected in the CIP projects as we propose
them I'll use the splash pad as the example last year, we did the splash pad. Some of the funding, a
majority of the funding came from CIP, but part of the funding came from the development funds,
we tried to break it out into the two different numbers. So that council and the public could see
that the two numbers are creating the one project.
RUDOLPHY: Alright, this is going to be a hard question. What has recently happened or has been
proposed affecting construction sales tax? By the legislature? Good luck.
POCK: So let's see. I know I don't know if this is the one that you're speaking of, as far as that. To
me mirror split, like when they determined between new construction and repairing remodeling.
RUDOLPHY: Not that detail just in general, because when I was around, there was lots of
discussion about changing the structure of how and where construction sales tax was charged, and
what impact that would have on the town if that was enacted.
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POCK: So yeah, that kind of goes back to that conversation. So there was an I think there still is a
bill, technically alive right now that you can basically do anything to an existing home, as long as
you don't increase the square footage of the home. However, they determined that, that it would
be sales tax at the point of sale of the supplies or building materials. So unless somebody bought
everything through Ace Hardware, the town wouldn't see any of that revenue. I guess if people
ordered it online, and had it delivered to Fountain Hills, then we might see some other way
otherwise, the only construction sales tax we'd get is on a new build. And that would be the typical
60/40 split.
RUDOLPHY: Does the League have any prospect on whether that's a viable bill or whether it's
going to pass?
RUPPORT: It? It's definitely not as strong this year? I don't know if you've heard anything
separate on it.
GOODWIN: I haven't heard anything recently. There's been a number of bills that have sort of
taken the spotlight, I'll say, but I can't imagine. I mean, the conversations that we've heard, I don't
believe the League is in support of it. They understand the financial implications for communities
like ours and others that don't have those large construction suppliers, you know, on site. So there
hasn't been much discussion in the last couple of weeks about it.
POCK: It's definitely been a weaker push this year compared to prior years. So yes, they're just
Yeah, worried about food tax and residential rental tax. Everything else. Okay. You can see our
expenditures for capital projects funds last year? Specifically the breakdowns on the lower right. It
was it was a good year for community services projects.
RUDOLPHY: And what primarily was the parks spent for?
GOODWIN: Primarily the splash pad and the new playground at the I guess that was the new
playground was under fried, wasn't it? Or did we do CIP for that? Yeah, the splash pad was CIP. I
can't remember I want to say that this playground was too because between those two projects, it
was over a million dollars. And then we also paid out that this is for FY 22. That's 23.
POCK: There was the improvement programs with
GOODWIN: Yes, in some of the Four Peaks, like the pickleball courts, and some of the other
gaming amenities that are over there as well. We did, we had a number of different sidewalk,
things go in as well.
POCK: All right, then as far as the rest of the budget meetings, again, since this was this
presentation was originally given at the beginning of February, we still were looking forward to
the council retreat. Now that's in the rearview mirror, as well as the CIP work session that we had,
you know, two weeks ago. It all kind of blends together during budget season, you just got to show
up and do what you're supposed to do. Our next big presentation will be at the budget work
session on April 11. That's coming up in a couple of weeks. That's where we'll have the proposed
budget, and that will be posted online as well. And then tentative budget adoption happens first
meeting in May, that sets the maximum expenditures, that we can have the absolute max for fiscal
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year 24. And then June 6, like I mentioned earlier, is the final budgeted option that can be at the
same amount as the tentative or anything less.
RUDOLPHY: And the April 11, is the regular town council meeting.
POCK: No, it is a worksession.
RUDOLPHY: Okay. So, limited public input, at the work session?
POCK: No. So, the first the next time for public comment on the budget would be the 1st meeting
in May. And that does it for my quick presentation.
RUPPORT: Well good luck and thank you.
POCK: Absolutely.
RUDOLPHY: But I have questions.
POCK: All right. You guys have lucked out on the commission, because he has a wealth of
knowledge.
RUDOLPHY: I think it would benefit the commissioners to hear about development fees, and
funds. What funds are there, they're not major funds, but what the categories are and how they're
created, and how they're used and what they can be used for.
POCK: Okay. So as far as let's, we'll start with the created part. So just a couple years ago, we
actually updated our development fees.
RUDOLPHY: Maybe start with what our development fees.
POCK: Okay, we'll do that. So each time that a new project, this is the largest portion that comes
into play. Anytime a new project occurs in town there's based on if it's a single family home, or a
multifamily home, or if it's commercial institution, kind of like the hospital, anything like that
there's different rates. But there's, based on those, maybe the square footage for commercial,
there's a certain rate per square foot, so that development has to pay into different development
fees. The three different fees are Parks and Rec, Streets, and Fire. Those are the three that we have
now there used to be open space back a while ago. Can't remember the other ones, there was a
general government maybe?
GOODWIN: Theoretically, that's to pay for the services that this new development is going to
need. So if you build an apartment complex, now they need streets to get there, there's more cars
on the road, there's more people in the community, so they need more park access, parks access.
And now fire has to take care of that building and services if it should have a fire or an emergency
situation. So it's the idea is to pay for the growth that's happening as part of your community. And
they're common, every community uses development phase.
POCK: That's basically how yeah, cities like Queen Creek or they would be dead in the water if it
wasn't for development fees. But it is basically that growth pays for growth. So, you have to
develop a whole plan and infrastructure plan. That's what we just did a few couple years ago, we
updated that infrastructure plan. It goes and does a bunch of analysis as far as how much how how
many families are going to move into a multifamily. How many what's that equate to, as far as
street usage, park usage fire, that sort of thing. So, we just went through that. And then every five
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years that has a chance to be reviewed, updated. And then every two years, they actually audit us
to look to see what we spent those fees on to make sure that therefore acceptable uses.
RUDOLPHY: And in the study, you have to be very specific about what projects you would use
those development fees for.
POCK: For the most part, yes. The Parks and Rec fees, if you're building a park, it would obviously
be identified if you're but we also have kind of an it's a little more vague with the amenities side on
the Parks and Rec side. What you consider an amenity, we expanded the splash pad, we expanded
some of the park, that that would count. And that goes to what can things be used for and what
things you know what, what they can't. So you can't go and replace something that's existing and
use development fees for it. The reason being is that should be maintenance and replacement.
funds that go towards that, if you add something new, because there's more demand for it, then
you can use development fees. Right. Correct. And another good example is the skate park,
because we're adding the pump track and expanding in that part, that portion of the park so…
RUDOLPHY: Specifically there is a time limit on when those funds need to be spent.
POCK: Exactly. So that's we have 10 years from the time that we received the funds to the time
that they get spent, otherwise they get sent back. Theoretically, nobody's actually done this, as far
as I know. But it would go back to the developers that that actually paid the fees. So far, we're not
at risk.
RUDOLPHY: And how are they used? How are the funds reflected in the financial statements?
And how can the public find out what's there?
POCK: So again, it would be it's not in major funds. So it's more in the consolidated non-major
funds towards the back of our financial statements that are issued every year in November,
around November. Or they could call me at the number there. Do you have another idea? Actually,
again, our clear gov actually, you could go to the fund there as well. Because I do believe it shows
the prior year's fund balance. I'd have to go double-check that.
RUDOLPHY: And also, you publish an annual development fee report on the town's website,
correct? That is true. So that would show what items are spent for.
POCK: That's correct Thanks for that. That's usually the outlook reminder that pops up along with
the fire insurance premium that's like, oh, yeah, you got to do that once a year.
WILSON: I don't have any questions, but for someone who has a very basic understanding of
finances, I do appreciate it. So, thank you.
POCK: We do have an accountant position open in case anybody wants to really dive in. All right.
GOODWIN: Pock, thank you for coming.
POCK: Absolutely. Thank you.
GOODWIN: This was by request of the commissioners to kind of learn more about our finance
process and understand it more. So, thank you.
RUDOLPHY: Good job, David.
POCK: More than happy to talk to anybody. Any questions that come up.
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GOODWIN: Join us on April 11. Learn more.
POCK: I forgot to put my glasses on. The numbers look bigger. All right. Thanks.
GOODWIN: Thanks. All right.
PEDDI: Next up is the approval of last meetings minutes. Did everyone have a chance to look at
them? Okay.
RUDOLPHY: I have a amendment change. I wasn't at the last meeting. So, can't show me, as
present.
GOODWIN: Noted.
LOPUSZANSKI: Okay, I'll go back in, and I'll take care of it.
GOODWIN: Okay, outside of that change, was there any other changes?
PEDDI: Does anybody want to make a motion to approve with that amendment.
RUPPERT: I'll make a motion to approve.
WILSON/BARNES: Second. Second.
PEDDI: All in favor, aye. Then the minutes are approved with the amendment. Then next up, is to
CIP in park project staff report.
GOODWIN: So I'll give a quick update on where we're at with some of our CIPS and park projects that
you might have seen. As Park mentioned, we're well underway with the skatepark, they are doing quite a
bit of work over there, it is really incredible. If you haven't seen it, they've already started pouring some
concrete, the progress is pretty significant. I don't yet have a date on our reopening. I keep nudging
Kevin, but nobody wants to commit, because we have had a few delays due to the rain, but nothing,
nothing out of the ordinary. So I would expect we'll be doing some sort of ribbon cutting and dedication,
probably sometime in May. But obviously, we'll keep that out there. And once we have a final date and
time and whatnot, we'll make sure everybody has but if you haven't seen it, it's worth going by, it will be
phenomenal. We actually had a public comment, one of our column or one of our park watchdogs,
especially for that park made a comment the other day about how impressed he was with it. So that's
good. And that one is another project. Like Pock said, we are using some development fees on that
because we are expanding and creating more usage, we're creating a bigger amenity, that portion that
expansion can part could be paid for with development fees. Another project that you might have seen if
you've been at the park down at Fountain Park recently is the bathrooms are under renovation there. That
is the project that keeps on giving. Originally, the bathroom itself was due for upgrades and replacement
through our facility reserve program. A lot of our bathrooms at the parks over the last three years have
gotten that treatment on I know you've seen them one over Golden Eagle and that one's been renovated
over there. It was time for the one at Fountain Park the old one, as I'll call it up, not the new ones. And
every time we do something we find something else wrong. Or something else that's an issue. So, one of
the issues that we found was that the sewer line is quite long, and it is going like this underground. It's
creating a number of backups. We've had issues with it in the past it's and they've been intermittent.
Now we're at a point where we're having issues weekly.
RUPPERT: You're just speaking about the one bathroom not the new ones on the…
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GOODWIN: Correct yes, I'll call it the old bathroom or the one over by the splash pad the original.
Correct. So because it's also because it is known as a cast iron, it's it's pieces of it are falling. There
are chunks of it that are missing and corroded. It's over 20 years old. It's not uncommon, but it's a
big issue. And it's creating usage problems. And then as they were pulling that out, they found that
a number of the sub components under the restroom have been eroded away. And we have a
major issue there too. So we just keep finding things if you've ever watched any type of home
renovation show where they go in with a budget and they open up the wall and find that they have
termites or they have something else that they weren't planning. That's how this feels right now.
It's being addressed. It has just been an extremely long timeline right now the flooring is about
two weeks out. So we're hopeful to be reopened by the end of April, hopefully. But I really say that
with a lot of caution because this project has been taking an extraordinary amount of time.
RUDOLPHY: And what's the status of the one the additional one that Sanitary District is
proposing?
GOODWIN: So they're not proposing a new bathroom? they're proposing they do need to build
another facility to access the other well there which is sort of in the middle of the event space. So
our big holdup has been I don't want you to build a big facility in the middle of the event space. It's
the only big event space we have. So they're actually building a very small app. Access Point up
near where the President statues are, that's where the facility will go. And then they will actually
access the well underground. So they were able to work with us to try to minimize that in that
impact and that footprint.
RUDOLPHY: So there's not another bathroom plan?
GOODWIN: Correct, that it will only be a facility for them. There's no we, we don't really have any
right now for anything. And we wanted to try to minimize the actual footprint of this of it as much
as we could. So it'll go up there, and they're going to reboot, rearrange some of the statues up
there help us create a better flow for some of that and display some of that up there, and then
create probably a little shaded seating area that you can look out on the fountain with.
RUPPERT: Just going back and subject, but it just made me think about it. And I forgot to ask Mr.
Pock, and maybe you can answer this is a town town still requiring a percentage of new
commercial building for art?
GOODWIN: Correct? Yes. Yep, that is still a requirement. So much. When are the only change
really is that it's, it used to be 1% across the board. Now it is a graduated percentage based on the
value of the project. So it's anywhere from a half of a percent, a quarter, three quarters of a percent
or a full percent depending. But yes, that's still in, that's still part of our policies. To follow back up
on the Sanitary District Project, that is a little behind schedule for them, they probably won't see
that come to fruition until summer of next year. So that's kind of down the down the ways. The
other project if you haven't been over to the splash pad right now it is they're doing some work on
it. They're doing some warranty work on the finish on the on the texturing. So that's underway as
well, the rain has not helped us with that either. Thankfully, the temperatures have been a little
cooler than normal. So nobody's needing the splash pad right now. But we're working to get that
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redone as well in time for the splash pad season. Thankfully, that is again under warranty, and it's
not a cost factor for us. The last thing if you didn't already know and I actually almost said it when
Pock was up there. And then I realized it was the wrong fiscal year, we have paid for half of the
new lights that will be going in over Golden Eagle Park. So I think those of you that were on the
park tour over there know, we're redoing all the ball field lights, half of that was paid for this year.
The other half will be paid for on about July one, and that the project will be undergoing in June in
July. So that was when the installation will begin.
RUDOLPHY: Has that payment money been okayed by Council?
GOODWIN: The second half? Yes, it will formally have to be adopted as part of the budget
process. But for all intents and purposes, we did sign a letter of commitment to the lighting
company that we would be funding in full. So we have support at this point, thankfully. But yes,
that will be adopted as part of that budget process. Yes, I'm not sure when this was supposed to be
and I thought I was over there. It's been a couple of weeks now. And I think they were just they
don't know they're waiting for testing or inspections or what where they were at with that. Is that
what it is? Thanks, Ryan. See, Ryan knows we're waiting on our final inspections over there for
that. Any other projects out there that anybody's noticed?
WILSON: Is there any update on Sunridge Preserve?
GOODWIN: Oh, good question. The there'll be an update to council on the next council meeting,
which is the fourth. The last conversation we had was about potentially doing one of a couple
things which was scaling back the proposed concepts to create just walking paths only no
ramadas, no parking lot, no other amenities. And I kind of equate it to what our preserve looks
like. Right now our actual preserve, not the trailhead, but the preserve where there's trails, there's
no benches, there's no seating, there's no shade, there's no it's just for trail access. We are also
getting a assessment done for the value of the property. So if the property were to be sold, what is
the fair market value, and then we'll get some more direction from Council on Tuesday. The good
news is that I have been talking a little bit with their HOA and a couple of them are receptive to
figuring out how we may want to move forward collectively so that's good news too.
WILSON: And then so if this park doesn't move forward as a preserve, or whatever you want to
call it. I know, like, the main idea was that, you know, those residents in those area have access to
some sort of parks, because of what you kind of told us. What would be the next step after that?
Would you try to identify lands around that area for to build another park or preserve or just kind
of go to another location in the town?
GOODWIN: That's a good question. I don't know, necessarily what the next if it fell through, and
they said no way, no, how we're not going to do this. The the way the park plan is, as of right now
is is identified based on town owned property. We don't have right now any we don't have enough
funding to do any type of land acquisitions for future parks unless we already own the property.
Like we said, I think we said there's about million 1.2M in our parks development funds, not going
to buy as much. So what we would probably do is again, I tend to say, Well, okay, what property do
we already have? Where do we have that opportunity. And that's how Sunridge was really
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identified as the next one, because it was town owned, because it was pretty accessible. And it
served the need in a community area where we don't necessarily have something. But that being
said, it would kind of come back to the potential of this commission to start looking at where that
should be, could be how we could do that, what makes the most sense. So I think that there's a lot
of visioning, that would have to go into the next steps, potentially, and whether that's whether we
did Sunridge, or we didn't do Sunridge. Even if we did it, and it went great, and we decided to do
the preserve. The next step is okay, what would come next? And I think that that's where this
commission will eventually need to add some give some direction and do some visioning on where
that goes. And other projects out there, you will know up.
PEDDI: Okay, then the next item on the agenda is the update about the Mayor's Youth Councils
Adopt a Street and Toastmasters. So, two weeks ago, the Mayor's Youth Council did adopt a street
event where members went on to the streets and clean but honestly, there wasn't that much trash
in the first place. So in the future, hopefully, we'll try to find some more streets with more trust to
actually make a difference. But yeah, it was about an hour and a half. And we had like, the garbage
cans and the I don't know what they're called the pickers. Yeah, it was it was interesting, fun.
RUDOLPHY: And then what street or where was that?
PEDDI: It was right outside here, right? Like we went. Yeah. Avenue as well.
GOODWIN: Was it Westby?
PEDDI: Oh, yeah. And then last week, we did a Toastmasters where this is an annual thing, but
this is my first year in the mayor's youth councils. So two people from or three people from
Toastmasters actually, and then presented made an interview in a presentation. Originally the
Mayor's Youth Council was scheduled to make a meeting, like a presentation, but we changed that.
So it was just more general public speaking thing so people were paired. We did some public
speaking drills and it was pretty informative. In the end. Yeah. Okay. Then, the next item is the
update on a Desert Vista Park Tour on March 23.
RUPPERT: I sat on the curb by myself, I get it was cancelled right before. It's supposed to happen
for whatever reasons, but I'll send out another email blast to everybody to see if we can garner
another date within the next two weeks. If that's okay, Patti, I'll send another and then, you know,
we'll get everybody agreeing. We still want to go back to Desert Vista, I would imagine while the
skate parks app, and so look for an email from me in the next few days.
GOODWIN: Thanks, Ron. I'm sorry, you headed out there. I saw that it had been canceled. I was
out of town that day. But ya know, I think that Desert Vista Park tour is a good thing. So we will
definitely get a rescheduled.
PEDDI: Okay, and then Future Agenda items.
GOODWIN: A couple of things for the good of this group. We have a number of presentations
lined up Patti, do you have those? So go ahead.
LOPUSZANSKI: So as you look for the update for the next meeting, our next meeting for April we'll
have Joe bill from the dark sky Observatory which you had requested to have somebody come in
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for that. And then for the sidewalk infill project, we will have David Janover, who is the town
engineer, and he will be at the May 22. Meeting.
GOODWIN: With that in mind, as we move forward, and we've kind of talked about this, that, I'm
going to be taking a different role for a bit, that you are likely going to have a different staff person
here for these meetings. I don't know who that will be as of yet, and it might be a rotating person.
But they will be working to make sure that any future agenda items that you guys want to see and
keep in touch to make sure that that they provide whatever those agenda items are with that, do
you guys have any future agenda items that we want to work towards?
WILSON: Um, so I know, last meeting, you asked us to review the Environmental Plan, and what
we kind of thought would be a role in that. Do you want us to do that still?
GOODWIN: Yes, I think that'd be great. Let's plan on adding that to the next agenda for discussion.
Thank you for that.
RUDOLPHY: And what I'm hearing that we're like tonight with Pock telling us about that than
these two upcoming ones. But it doesn't look like we're contributing anything other than hearing
things. So are there things that the Commission can do to help? Or is it up to us to think of those
things? That would be more work for you guys?
GOODWIN: Definitely not that. I think that's it? That's a good question. We're kind of coming into
sort of the end of our meeting year. I mean, we're going to be taking a break over the summer. But
I do think that that's a good question for the good of the group to start talking about, what impact
do you guys want to be making? And how can we have you guys be more of a direction driven,
whether that's and Rory just asked about, you know, what is the next Park look like? What are the
next steps? After we move forward? There's going to be, I think that there's a potential for some
discussion about the next strategic plan for the department and reviewing that plan, looking at
what the next plan should include and how the Commission can be involved in that. But I do think
that there's some opportunity for you guys to help us understand how we can get you better
involved, too. I don't want to come with a bunch of ideas and say, helpme with these things. But at
the same time, there's plenty to be done. So I think that there could be some dialogue about that.
Did you have some ideas, Craig?
RUDOLPHY: No, I didn't. But since I've been on, it seems like you're just telling us things, as
opposed to us dreaming up things? Yeah. But at the same time, I know that us dreaming up things
is more work for you guys. And that's not the role that you want this commission to have. If we
dream them up, we need to fix them while we're dreaming about them, and then present them to
you for “Yeah, I like that, or no, I don't like that.” Right.
RUPPERT: In the past, Rachel, you know, we were given delegations to do research and recon on
any subject. And you know, when then we'd have our little workshops and committees, and we'd
come back with, you know, 20 ideas or so that, you know, if one helped, and you know, that kind of
thing.
GOODWIN: Right. And I think you guys would have been good at that. And we've taken we've had
opportunities here and there. I won't say that they're very often but where we have a problem,
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and we say okay, how do we want what do you guys, what do we think we want to do about this,
or we have a policy review that says this is how we normally do things. This is where we're having
difficulty. And I'm going to you know, the easiest one, of course, is the ball fields over at Golden
Eagle and what we did or what we ended up locking in, but we talked to quite a bit about that and
the impacts on the community. I think there's definitely more of those coming down the pike,
because our parks are definitely more used are definitely more impacted. I know this is not a fun
topic to talk about. But we have a large problem with off leash dogs, and dogs that are not cleaned
up after. And as our Avenue becomes more and more densely populated with the addition of the
apartments as well as Havenly. And then the next phase of Park Place whenever that comes online.
The use of the avenue is tremendous as a dog walking space. And we get complaints all the time
about people not cleaning up, how and why do you bring Why do you allow dogs during events or
during the farmers market and things like that. So there's definitely issues that the department is
facing that I think can be brainstormed or researched like you said, how are other communities
handling these types of issues? They're not new issues. Everybody's got them. But I think there's
some value there to that. But I also think if there's something that the group is interested in
exploring or learning more about or feels passionate about because you are members of the
community and you see things and you go, “Hey, I noticed this problem a lot”. I think we should
look at it as a commission. I think that there can be some goal-setting as commissioners as well.
RUPPERT: One is, you know, your success at Golden Eagle. As far as events that go there isn't, you
know, it's increased traffic, it's increased garbage, it's increased parking, out of towners, and, you
know, parking and on and on. You know, it's a good thing. But, you know, comes with a caveat also.
GOODWIN: No, I totally agree. And, Ron, you're probably the only person that can really speak to
this is that this commission has taken has gone has taken very different, different perspectives
based on who's leading it. You know, when I first came on board, I think we had 15 or 20-minute
meetings, like there was nothing to discuss, okay, we're out. And it was a different vision, and it
was a matter of if you don't need us, we're here for advisory only if until you have something you
need us to advise on. We're hands off. We're I think that that is not the preference, right now that
we have a group that's much more. We have a group that's much more involved and wants to see
more and wants to be more engaged in the process. So I think that there's, again, there's that
opportunity to figure out what's meaningful to you guys, and set some of those goals as well as us
coming to you and saying, “Hey, here are our problems, and what we'd like to do.” But in reality, I
think Strategic Plan is a great place to start and to kind of pick a couple of things on there that we
are either trying to accomplish or need to start looking down the road, because this year, our
strategic plan expires. So we are going to be working on it over the summer. As to what does the
next one look like and what do we want to accomplish? Does that answer your question, Craig? So
next week, you're going to come back with a big list, right? Okay. Are there other future agenda
items? Is there something else out there or anything else out there? Again, this is sort of an open
call as you come across things. If you hear about things. We can always add this but now's a good
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time. But I did want to make sure that you guys knew that you'll have a different person here most
likely for the next couple of meetings.
PEDDI: Next is the Update about Volunteer sorry, Upcoming Events.
GOODWIN: We're coming into the homestretch for our event season. This weekend is our Music
Fest down at Fountain Park. It's only one day or this time you guys might remember last year it
was two days. It's only one day this year. Linda and Ryan and the RX team rec team are leading the
charge there. We just finished our Extravaganza last weekend. It was this past weekend, this
Saturday. It was held at Four Peaks Park for the first time in ever my recollection, but it's always
been a Golden Eagle. But to your point, Ron, we've always struggled with parking at that park.
We've struggled with access. We've had a lot of folks park along the roadway and I can get a little
hairy through there. So we did make a change to move it over to four peaks. It also allows us to
give have a bigger setup, that Four Peaks just wasn't always conducive to some of the activities. It
had a good turnout for that this past weekend.
RUDOLPHY: How long did it take to get all scarfed up?
GOODWIN: 7.3 seconds? Apparently the kids got a little overanxious and started a little early to
next year we have to do a better job of making them wait on time, but they get anxious. And then
once one domino falls, it's you know, the rest of them fall. But it's 15,000 eggs. So, it's a lot of
examples of the Easter Bunny, their Easter Bunny was there. Yes, the Easter Bunny was popular as
was the fire engine from what I hear. So well attended and will continue to that's an annual event
that's very popular. Music Fest is this weekend. And then on Easter weekend, we generally have
the sunrise service at the park. That's what we do not host or we're just the host for that we don't
put that on. And then we have this kickoff of our concert series. So, Concerts on the Avenue will be
throughout April. We'll be having one extra because of all the rainouts that we had in the fall. So,
it'll be every Thursday through April. And then in May, we'll have our Movie in the Park before we
sort of go on hiatus. Oh, that's right. We do have we birthday. We have Earth Day, our recycling
event. I forgot about that. That's over at the Community Center. We do have all kinds of activities
and games over there where they can do crafts. And they can learn about different types of
recycling, they do a recycled art project, and they have the fort, the cardboard fort building
contest. So that was a lot of fun, actually.
RUDOLPHY: How was the dark sky event over the last weekend,
GOODWIN: I did not attend. But from what I hear it was their biggest one yet. Staff estimated a
little of probably over 2000 people. And that is a really big event. Actually, for staff. We are a
partner agency for it, which means we help them with setup and breakdown and kind of all of the
moving pieces. And it was definitely a challenge. But that's okay. They had a great turnout, great
weather. So I expect that one to be continued annually as well.
WILSON: If I may, we also have our Fountain Hills Cares event that will be on April, 20th. And we
are focusing on mental health and social media for that. So, all teens, parents, and whatever,
whoever you are, you are welcome for free at 6:30 pm.
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GOODWIN: Yes, that's a good reminder. Thank you, everyone is welcome. And I would love the
Fountain Hills Cares Program is semi-annual, we do one in the spring one in the fall, and the topic
changes. But as you heard earlier before the meeting about our dementia friendly, that's where
that was born out of we had a our first Fountain Hills cares event was about dementia care
without the first one second one. Second one second one. Last spring, we did a dementia
workshop and it was such a strong movement and so powerful for some of our attendees that they
really advocated for this Dementia Friendly America process. And that's how we got started. So
good reminder, thank you.
PEDDI: Okay, and then an update on volunteer opportunities.
GOODWIN: There are always plenty of volunteer opportunities, I was remiss to actually and
overlooked an event that is in partnership with our volunteer opportunities. This Thursday is our
volunteer reception. That is where we take our annual recognition and thank all of our volunteers
regardless of what capacity they serve whether they help us with events or they help with home-
delivered meals or crisis response or a number of different things. So that is Thursday at the
community center. Everyone is welcome and invited, if you haven't, you can still RSVP came, we'll
still make room for you. And we honor a number of our volunteers that day and call them out and
thank them specifically for their services. I believe it's a barbecue on the menu. So, from bachelor
pad to it should be good. And Kim always does a great job. But it's our thank you to you guys. And
as a reminder, you are all volunteers, whether you come out to the events or not. You are
commissioners, you volunteer your time like days like today to be here to help with this process.
So you have an RSVP, please do Please come Please join us. volunteer opportunities. As I
mentioned, we have Music Fest, we have a number of smaller like I said, I don't think there are a
lot of volunteers for our Movie in the Park and some of our concerts and things like that. But we
have an ongoing and very active need for home-delivered meals right now. Our home-delivered
meals are averaging 130 to 150 meals a week, which is extremely high, extremely high for us. One
hundred and fifty was the most I'd ever heard in my tenure here to the point where we're having
to waitlist a couple of folks on certain days of the week.
RUDOLPHY: Does it fluctuate seasonally?
GOODWIN: At one point in time, it did. But what we're finding is it's not so much our seasonal
residents that are using the delivery system. And it can be a there's a lot of different factors. It can
be someone who just came out of surgery and needs help for six or eight weeks. And it's just a
temporary thing. It can be folks that are working to stay in their homes and not transition into full-
time care. So, we're sort of that stopgap. It can be folks that are again, maybe caring for a loved one
temporarily. It's a lot of different reasons that we're seeing. But usually, to your point, Craig,
usually it's we see an ebb and flow we see a peak and we see a valley we just haven't seen that
valley like we normally do. We have seen a peak and it's been sustained for the last two and a half
months or so. Which is more than normal.
RUDOLPHY: And you indicated that, for example, somebody that just had surgery, or something
is the application approval and acceptance fairly prompt?
CSAC March 27, 2023
Verbatim Meeting Minutes
Transcribed by https://otter.ai - 18 -
GOODWIN: Yes, Nita is because of that, because we know that that turnaround can be very, you
know, it's a needed resource. And it's, you know, an essential service that has to happen. So
generally, Nita can process it within a couple of days. For I do know, I think she mentioned it was
Mondays and Wednesdays are kind of our highest day. So we're working with our applicants to
say, could you do Tuesday, Thursday? Or could we? Can we look at moving the schedule a little bit
so that we're not overloading that Wednesday, that Monday, or Wednesday? We're out. So, we're
working through that. Nita has done a great job. I just know it's been ongoing every week. I hear
how intense it has been. So, we are on track. I think they said it was 499 meals in February. All
right. So we're on track to do over 500 meals in the month of March, which is a lot. Other volunteer
opportunities, we have lots of different things coming up. Whether it's an event, Home Delivered
Meals, Give a Lift, or whatever you're interested in doing, we can find a space.
PEDDI: Thank you. Our next meeting is on April 24 and Mr. Bill from the International Dark Sky
Observatory will be presenting. May 22’s meeting will have Mr. Janover, Town Engineer
presenting on the sidewalk infill project. If there are no comments, can I get a Call to Adjourn?
WILSON: Move to adjourn.
RUDOLPHY: Second.
PEDDI: All in favor?
ALL: Aye
GOODWIN: Shruti well done. Very well done. Thank you!
ITEM 6.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): DISCUSSION:
Homeless in the Parks
Staff Summary (Background)
Staff to review current policies and procedures.
Attachments
Rory Wilson - Strategies to Support People Living with Homelessness
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 04/17/2023 11:58 AM
Final Approval Date: 04/17/2023
Strategies to support people
experiencing homelessness
ONGOING IN THE VALLEY AND MORE
As a member of MAG, the Town contributes to "Pathways Home," a comprehensive
approach that includes three central steps for reducing homeless across Maricopa
County
Commit to work regionally to reduce homelessness
Increase safe housing options
Support diverse partnerships to address homelessness
The Town's website, which includes:
Legal info relating to homelessness and panhandling
Community organizations to donate to and volunteer at, or refer other individuals in
need to
Other resources about homelessness, referring individuals to emergency locations
Signs across town that discourage panhandling; encouraging donating to non-profit
organizations
In Fountain Hills
(THAT I'M AWARE OF)
No strict requirements of being sober
Low barrier admission policies
No or low income, poor rental history, past evictions, or history of criminal
behavior
Support services are encouraged, and used to engage individuals to ensure housing
stability
Harm reduction programs, support with learning out to budget, building resumes
Ultimate goal: achieve long-term and safe permanent housing
Rapid-rehousing
For non-chronic unhoused individuals
Transitional housing
Temporary housing for 6-24 months
Middle point between emergency shelters and permanent housing
Housing First Approach
Strategies used by A New Leaf
A New Leaf's Resource Card
Offers organizations and phone numbers to contact for those in need of Housing &
Shelter, Online Resources, Veterans, LGBTQ+, and Financial Assistance
Central phone number hubs allow organizations throughout Maricopa County to
work together to determine which locations have beds available for unhoused
individuals
Partnering with cities & towns
West Valley Housing Assistance Center
Only family shelter in West Valley
Facility owned by City of Surprise, programs operated by ANL
East Valley Men's Center
Shelter for men experiencing homelessness in Mesa
Partners with neighboring municipalities, including FH
Cities & towns give grant money and EVMC gives beds to unhoused men in
need
Housing & Shelters
A New Leaf Fountain Hills
Extended Hands
Foodbank
St. Vincent DePaul
Central Arizona
Shelter Services
(CASS)
UMOM
Community Bridges Maggie's Place U.S. Vets
Additional Orgs. Addressing
Homelessness & Housing
Stability
Arizona Housing
Coalition
Maricopa Association
of Governments
(MAG)
Phoenix Rescue
Mission
Chicanos Por La
Causa
U.S. Vets - Phoenix
Mulligan's Manor one•n•ten Valley of the Sun
United Way
ITEM 7.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): REVIEW AND
DISCUSSION: Environmental Plan
Staff Summary (Background)
Attached is a copy of the Fountain Hills Environmental Plan 2022 adopted by the Council in February
2023. The plan pulls together the goals, policies, and action items which were previously approved by
Council and adopted by the voters in 2020 into one focused document to facilitate review,
understanding, and implementation.
Attachments
Environmental Plan
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 04/23/2023 12:09 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/23/2023
T O W N O F
F O U N T A I N H I L L S
E N V I R O N M E N T A L P L A N
2 0 2 2
P r e p a r e d B y :
John Wesley
Development Services Director
Introduction
Environmental Plan
1. Require all newly platted or re-platted hillside properties to provide a Hillside
Protection Easement for each parcel as required by ordinance;
2. Identify where appropriate trails should be located per the direction provided in the
Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Map and the Social Environment goals and
policies and develop public educational materials to discourage off-trail use and protect
wildlife habitat and vegetation;
3. Discourage un-permitted grading or dumping and require re-vegetation for violators;
4. Encourage redevelopment, revitalization, and rehabilitation to reduce land
consumption;
5. Continually update the approved low-water use plant list to ensure that all plants on
the list are suitable for the community;
6. Continually protect dark skies; and
7. Update the Land Disturbance Regulations when appropriate.
Continue to preserve and conserve the natural desert, support open
space, identify and protect historical and archaeological resources,
and develop and implement programs and policies that encourage
water and energy conservation and reduce water and air pollution.
Guiding Principles
GOAL 1: Continue to promote the vigilance and guardianship of the natural desert.
POLICIES
Continue to support the following Town policies:
ACTION ITEMS
1. Continue to enforce and update all applicable ordinances, including Land Disturbance
Regulations, to conserve the natural desert, protect open space, hillsides, unpaved trails,
wild habitats, and dark skies, and encourage low-water-use, drought-tolerant landscapes
2. Require observance of all applicable requirements through the Development Review
Process.
GOAL 2: Provide and maintain an open space network throughout the
community.
POLICIES
1. Continue to protect the existing natural washes within the platted portions of the
community as permanent natural desert open spaces.
2. Continue to identify and evaluate all wash/wildlife corridors in unsubdivided areas
and encourage landowners to ensure those corridors are rezoned to one of the Open
Space (OS) Zoning Districts.
3. Continue the development of land trusts and taxing mechanisms that have
community support to accomplish open space acquisition and management programs.
4. Continue to require new development to meet recreational/open space needs as part
of site design through the development plan review process.
5. Encourage the private development of a neighborhood park as a part of subdivision
design, which may or may not be conveyed to the Town or other public entities even
though its status as a permanent open space is secured.
6. Continually support unpaved trails within the Town limits that provide connectivity
and opportunities for recreation, enjoyment, and use of the Sonoran Desert subject to
the appropriate findings and studies in places where they have little impact on
residential developments and natural wildlife.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Continue to protect natural washes, wildlife corridors, open space, and the unpaved
trail network through established mechanisms, including subdivision regulations, Open
Space (OS) Zoning Districts, available space acquisition, and DRP.
2. Support the creation of neighborhood parks and continued development of unpaved
trails through the DRP and subdivision regulations approval processes
GOAL 3: Provide open space linkages within the Town and to the regional
systems beyond its boundaries where feasible and appropriate.
POLICIES
1. Continue to encourage the development of trail systems that link Fountain Hills with
McDowell Mountain Regional Park, the City of Scottsdale’s trail system, and Maricopa
County’s trail system and potential systems on both the Salt River Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community and the Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation to support eco-tourism
efforts, provided that such trails do not infringe on the privacy of residential areas.
2. Continue to update and produce mapping and facility information for the public on
the Town’s website and through printed media regarding recreation, trail, and open
space facilities.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Continue to encourage the development of local trails that connect to the regional
trail system to increase opportunities for eco-tourism
2. Update the trail system map and facility information on the Town’s website and
social and print media to inform the public of the availability of these assets, as needed.
GOAL 4: Identify and preserve historical and archaeological resources.
POLICIES
1. Collaborate with studies that aim to uncover and preserve the historical
and archaeological resources within the incorporated area.
2. Promote the preservation of archaeological artifacts by applying the
latest applicable cultural resource conservation reporting methods
working collaboratively with the State Historic Preservation Office and the
Arizona State Museum.
3. Continue to support public education programs emphasizing local and
regional historical and cultural resources like those provided at the River of
Time Museum.
ACTION ITEM
Work collaboratively with the State Historic Preservation Office and the
Arizona State Museum to protect historical and archaeological resources
and support educational programs on historic and cultural resources.
1. Continue to support the expansion and development of regional and local transit
service.
2. Continue to require the utilization of native, drought-tolerant landscapes.
3. Promote environmentally friendly initiatives supported by the 2022 Fountain Hills
Strategic Plan.
4. Support a walkable Town Center.
5. Encourage bicycle and pedestrian connectivity throughout the Town to promote
active and healthy lifestyles.
GOAL 5: Continue to promote programs that encourage environmentally-
friendly alternatives and improve air quality.
POLICIES
ACTION ITEMS
1. Prepare and adopt a Comprehensive Environment Plan (CEP) that implements the
2022 Strategic Plan and the policy direction included in Goals 5 and 6 of this Element
2. Update all applicable regulations and ordinances to meet the directives of the CEP
once adopted
GOAL 6: Continue to promote environmental stewardship.
POLICIES
1. Continue to pursue improved communication and collaboration with Federal, State,
and local partners on environmental concerns and legislation.
2. Promote environmental stewardship and embrace ecological initiatives in
partnership with Maricopa County, the Maricopa Association of Governments, the City
of Scottsdale, the Fountain Hills Sanitary District, the Fort Mc Dowell Yavapai Nation,
and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
3. Design, construct, and maintain public buildings, infrastructure, and grounds in a
manner that is most cost effective with consideration given to being environmentally
sustainable and protects public health and safety.
4. Advance understanding of the environment through the Town’s Communications
Office, education programs, and media and environmental agencies partnerships.
5. Consider environmental costs, risks, and impacts as integral components of the
planning and decision-making processes when feasible and appropriate.
6. Implement and maintain a process/system to evaluate environmental initiatives that
seek input from Town Staff, the business community, citizens, and community services
providers.
7. Encourage, when economically comparable, the use of architectural design using
active and passive solar heating, shade elements, and energy-efficient insulating
materials to reduce energy consumption.
8. Encourage water conservation through:
a. Supporting water use reduction education programs;
b. Continuing use of recycled water for turf irrigation Town parks and golf courses;
c. Encouraging drought-tolerant landscapes that incorporate water harvesting, drip or
low-flow irrigation as water use reduction measures; and
d. Encouraging the utilization of low water use features in new development and
redevelopment.
9. Encourage salt-free water treatment systems to improve irrigation water used at
Town Parks.
10. Where feasible and appropriate, encourage Low Impact Development (LID)
designed to support sustainable stormwater management planning and design
practices in their watersheds that either enhance or do not significantly diminish
environmental quality by encouraging:
a. Practices that preserve or restore predevelopment hydrological and ecological
functions;
b. Site design strategies that minimize runoff and protect natural drainage patterns;
c. Structural methods that filter, detain, retain, infiltrate, and harvest stormwater; and
d. Reduce the volume and intensity of stormwater flows.
GOAL 6: continued . . .
ACTION ITEM
Amend the Zoning Ordinance to include Low Impact Development (LID)
GOAL 7: Support waste reduction programs and proper management of
hazardous waste.
POLICIES
1. Continue to develop and distribute educational materials regarding the proper
handling, collection, and disposal of hazardous materials.
2. Encourage citizens and businesses to participate in the Town’s recycling programs to
reduce solid waste.
ACTION ITEM
Continue to develop/distribute materials to educated and encourage solid waste
reduction, proper hazardous waste handling, collection and disposal, and recycling.
GOAL 8: Encourage biophilic design goals and design principles into Town
practices and development within the community.
POLICIES
1. Consider and, where feasible, incorporate biophilic design into the development of
Town facilities.
2. Review and update land development plans, policies, and ordinances to incorporate
biophilic design principles.
ITEM 8.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Destiny Software
Staff Contact Information: Kevin Snipes, Interim Community Services Director
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Mayor's
Youth Council
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Destiny Software Started On: 04/12/2023 04:43 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/12/2023
ITEM 9.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): DISCUSSION: Desert
Vista Park Tour - April 20, 2023
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 04/18/2023 05:40 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/18/2023
ITEM 10.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Destiny Software
Staff Contact Information: Kevin Snipes, Interim Community Services Director
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Future
Agenda Items
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Destiny Software Started On: 04/12/2023 04:47 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/12/2023
ITEM 11.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Destiny Software
Staff Contact Information: Kevin Snipes, Interim Community Services Director
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Upcoming
Events
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Destiny Software Started On: 04/12/2023 04:48 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/12/2023
ITEM 12.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 04/24/2023 Meeting Type: Community Services Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Destiny Software
Staff Contact Information: Kevin Snipes, Interim Community Services Director
Request to Community Services Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Next CSAC
Meeting May 22, 2023 - Presentation by David Janover, Town Engineer - Sidewalk Infill Project
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Destiny Software Started On: 04/12/2023 04:49 PM
Final Approval Date: 04/12/2023