Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.0227.TCOM.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE JOINT SESSION BETWEEN THE
FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL AND
THE FOUNTAIN HILLS SANITARY DISTRICT BOARD
February 27, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Linda M. Kavanagh called the Joint Session to order at 5:31 PM in the Fountain Hills
Community Center (Ballroom #4), located at 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills, AZ
85268.
Present were the following members of the Fountain Hills Sanitary District Board: Chair Thomas
Reski; Vice Chair Gregg Dudash; Boardmembers: Jerry Butler, Bob Thomson and Michael
Maroon. Staff Present: Dana Trompke, PE, Fountain Hills Sanitary District Manager and
Attorney Bill Sullivan.
Present were the following members of the Fountain Hills Town Council: Mayor Linda
Kavanagh, Vice Mayor Alan Magazine, Councilmember Nick DePorter (attended via conference
call), Councilmember Cecil Yates (attended via conference call until his arrival at 5:55 PM),
Councilmember Henry Leger, and Councilmember Art Tolis (arrived at 5:32 PM).
Councilmembers Dennis Brown was absent. Staff present: Town Manager Grady E. Miller,
Interim Town Attorney Mitesh Patel, and Town Clerk Bevelyn Bender.
AGENDA
Mayor Kavanagh extended a welcome and attending members from Council and the District
introduced themselves.
1. Update regarding the Sanitary District's project to install recharge well control
rooms/restrooms at Fountain Park
Sanitary District Manager Trompke distributed a handout containing pictures and
information relating to the ASR Well Vault Replacement project (on -file in the office of the
Town Clerk). Ms. Trompke reviewed the District's goals, the project approach and special
considerations as well as activities to date.
Discussion ensued regarding how the structures would affect the disc golf event, the
project's timeline (to begin May 2019), and the need for security and cameras due to the
potential for vandalism.
2. Discussion relating to the opportunity to streamline permit process between the Town
and Sanitary District
Town Manager Miller discussed that the Town's permit process was being reviewed in
order to streamline the number of permit applications sent to the District, which would be
those that require the District's review but not all. The District would still see permit
applications that would affect services provided by the District. Ms. Trompke indicated the
District was eager and willing to work with the Town to come up with a specific list of
appropriate permits that would not require the District's review and approval; she asked if
the Town offered on-line permitting. Mr. Miller said not at this time, but indicated the
z:\council packets\2018\r180320\180227jm.docx Page 1 of
Town was working towards that goal. He stated that this was an area that was a good
example of the District and the Town working together for the benefit of the residents.
Mr. Miller commented on the recent tour provided by the District of its facilities noting he
had been very impressed with their operation and that the Town would be trying to work
together more with the District. Mayor Kavanagh requested that the District assist
businesses with connectivity matters.
3. Discussion regarding Town notification of any proposed development projects with
increased densities that might impact the Sanitary District in the delivery of sanitary
sewer services
Ms. Trompke explained that when there are large developments proposed for the Town the
sooner the District knows about them the better as any change in density can affect capacity.
She commented on the Park Place project as an example, noting that this type of
development takes planning and scheduling on their part. In response to a question from
Councilmember Magazine, Ms. Trompke stated that sanitary projects are financed through
sewer fees, impact fees, and connection fees.
Discussion ensued regarding Park Place as it has two additional phases and if there would
sufficient capacity; the question of who was to be notified first regarding such future
projects, the Town or the District; the comment that Town staff makes a point of telling
developers to contact the District as well as EPCOR; the suggestion of a checklist to ensure
the developer completes the required review processes; possible future projects such as a
school property rezoning, the CopperWynd expansion, State Trust Land development and
their affect on the District and the Town; the comment that it was in everyone's best
interests for the Town and the Sanitary District to work together to assist the developers
with projecting overall costs to develop properties; the fact that the Sanitary District will
complete a master plan next year, which would provide better capacity numbers, particularly
in the State Trust Land area; the comment that within the Town's boundaries the District
can accommodate capacity; prior household numbers proposed by the District for the
Ellman development of the State Trust Land (1,350 units) vs. number of units wanted by the
State (1,750 units); the comment that the Sanitary District is landlocked and an expansion
would create a challenge; the point that until a development comes in, the Sanitary District
could not annex the State Trust Land into their boundary; and the Mayor's comment that the
Council preferred smaller homes to be built in the State Trust Land.
Boardmember Maroon stated that the District works on a capacity basis and the Board
wanted to see more concrete movement before voting for expansion options. Mr. Sullivan,
the District's attorney, requested the members stay on topic as the discussion was becoming
too specific.
Discussion ensued regarding the historical perspective of the Ellman project noting that
there had been discussion of a micro facility complex being built and that was when density
was pulled back; the question of what was the District's annexation process and did it entail
a public vote; and the question of why not annex the State Trust Land now.
Mr. Sullivan noted that a change in density capacity limits the number of homes they can
serve and he commented that communication helps. Vice Chair Dudash stated that the vote
to annex would be up to the District Board, followed by working with the developer to
z:\council packets\2018\r180320\180227jm.docx Page 2 of
ensure the District could provide capacity; he commented the goal is to work with the Town.
Boardmember Thomson explained that annexation was a negotiation tool for the District.
Chair Reski reiterated that the District has not yet done the master plan study that would
provide the numbers required for determining capacity needed for development;
Boardmember Thomson stated the master plan study was in their budget to be done next
year. Councilmember Tolis commented that there was a potential of 3,200 - 5,000 new
residents and that should be part of the District's planning process.
Ms. Trompke stated that the District would look at economic development, zoning maps,
and reach out to the Town for current assumptions. Mayor Kavanagh stated the Town
wanted to be able to present a packet to the State when the State Trust Land was put back
out for development. Ms. Trompke commented that the question of, was there enough
water, would also need to be addressed.
4. Discussion of possible collaboration on improving irrigation at Fountain Park
Mr. Miller discussed the issues with the Fountain Lake water quality noting a study was
done two years ago. Ms. Trompke stated this was an opportunity for the Town and the
District to work together; commenting that there was not enough turn over in the lake to
provide the quality of water needed for green grass; she indicated that the Town's study
indicated a reservoir was needed.
Discussion ensued regarding chemical treatment; a controlled water environment; the
Intergovernmental Agreement that was proposed five to six years ago and its status; the
comment that the District would like to work with the Town regarding the lake water
quality; the point that the District controls the level of the lake and the District would be
willing to take control of the lake operations; pros and cons of the District taking over the
lake operations; the comment that there needed to be a partnership between the Town and
the District as they needed each other; the comment that the golf course use of retention
ponds has improved their grass; use and placement of underground tanks as an option for
better grass; cost sharing opportunities; and the suggestion of a 800,000 gallon storage tank
and need for a pump station.
5. Discussion regarding the impact of water softeners on the sanitary sewer system and
users of reclaimed water
Ms. Trompke explained the water quality issues related to use of water softeners and the
residual and the sodium levels created. She indicated that many municipalities have
imposed limitations or bans on water softeners and she wanted to bring this to the Council's
attention.
Discussion ensued regarding the benefit to the District of residents using potassium pellets
instead of salt pellets as well as the cost difference between the two products; the suggestion
that the public could be encouraged to change to potassium pellets if residents were shown
the benefits; and the point that many cannot afford the added cost of changing to potassium
pellets.
Vice Chair Dudash stated that if a 25% reduction could be made through education as a
community effort that would be significant; he said this was is an opportunity for the Town
and the District to work together. The question from Councilmember Magazine as to if the
z:\council packets\2018\r180320\180227jm.docx Page 3 of 4
Town could legally restrict the use of water softeners in new construction. Interim Town
Attorney Patel said he would look into that. Councilmember Yates suggested working with
distributors to see if the cost of the potassium product would be brought down.
6. Adjournment
Mayor Kavanagh adjourned the Joint Session at 6:48 PM.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
an
ATTEST AND
PREPARED BY:
Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk
CERTIFICATION
Linda M. Kavanagh, Mayor
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Joint
Session, held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills and the Fountain Hills Sanitary District
Board held in the Fountain Hills Town Hall Council Chambers, on the 27th day of February,
2018. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 20th day of March, 2018.
Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk
z:\council packets\2018\r180320\180227jm.docx Page 4 of 4