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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018.0516.TCJM.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE JOINT SESSION BETWEEN THE
FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL AND
THE FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION TRIBAL COUNCIL
May 16, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Linda M. Kavanagh called the Joint Session to order at 8:04 AM in the Fountain Hills Community
Center (Grand Ballroom), located at 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.
Present were the following members of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council: President
Bernadine Burnette, Vice President Paul J. Russell, Treasurer Pamela Mott, and Councilmember Gerald
Doka. Councilmember Ruben Balderas and Tribal Council Secretary Verlene Enos were absent. Staff
Present: General Manager Phil Dorchester, Chief of Police Jesse Crabtree, Fire Chief Mark Openshaw,
Graphic Designer Specialist Renee Garcia, Education Division Director Dr. Bill Myhr, General Manager
of WeKoPa Golf Club Matt Barr; Lobbyist Greg Lunn, Acting Division Director/Environmental
Department Manager Mark Frank, Planning Project Manager Erika McCalvin, Executive Assistant to
President Dale Cody, General Counsel Diandra Benally, Roann Carmelo, Events Manager, and Jordan
Williams, Executive Assistant to Vice President Paul J. Russell.
Present were the following members of the Fountain Hills Town Council: Mayor Linda Kavanagh, Vice
Mayor Dennis Brown, Councilmember Alan Magazine, Councilmember Nick DePorter, Councilmember
Cecil Yates, Councilmember Henry Leger, and Councilmember Art Tolis. Staff present: Town Manager
Grady E. Miller, Interim Town Attorney Mitesh Patel, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager and
Town Council Nancy Walter, Economic Development Director Scott Cooper, Finance Director Craig
Rudolphy, Administrative Services Director David Trimble, Development Services Director Robert
Rodgers, Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Grace Rodman-Guetter, MCSO Captain Hank Brandimarte, MCSO Lt. Kristian Dever, Fire Chief Dave
Ott, Public Works Director Justin Weldy, Streets Superintendent Jeff Pierce, and Town Clerk Bevelyn
Bender.
AGENDA
Mayor Kavanagh extended a welcome from the Council to all attendees.
1. Introductions
Opening remarks were made by Mayor Kavanagh and President Burnette. Councilmember Yates
provided the invocation. Those in attendance from the Town and Fort McDowell introduced
themselves.
2. Review of items discussed from the November 8, 2017 Joint Session:
a. Provide mutual advance notice of events to plan for a possible increase in traffic and public
safety needs
Police Chief Crabtree commented that there hadn't been any traffic issues and that the issue had
occurred during Trump rally. President Burnette requested that the Town continue to keep Fort
McDowell in the loop on upcoming events for planning purposes. MCSO Captain Brandimarte
stated that he saw challenges during the 4ch of the July celebration last year and that he would
continue to work with Chief Crabtree. Councilmember Yates suggested the sharing of event
calendars between the Town and Fort McDowell.
b. Publish educational information in the Fountain Hills First community newsletter relating
to the prohibition of ATVs on Fort McDowell jurisdiction
Communication and Marketing Coordinator Grace Rodman-Guetter agreed that President
Burnette's suggestion to include Fort McDowell's educational information in the Town's
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newsletter relating to the prohibition of ATVs on Fort McDowell's jurisdiction was a great idea.
Town Manager Miller stated that illegal dumping could be another topic brought forward and
the information could be placed on the Town's website; he stated they wanted the public to be
aware of the consequences. President Burnette said that the number of stray dogs being dropped
off had slowed but reminded everyone that if they see strays they should call the police. General
Manager Phil Dorchester commented on the fact that stray horses were wild horses and not Fort
McDowell horses and was due to holes in the fence. Discussion ensued regarding the process
Fort McDowell uses to identify stray dog owners; the fact the Fort has police rangers who deal
with stray dogs; illegal dumping, trespassing; and holes in the fences and loose cattle; that
feeding stray dogs should not occur as that attract javelina, which can create safety issues. It
was noted that cattle are branded though the brand may be hard to see; cattle are not tagged. Mr.
Miller stated that as of July 1, the Town would no longer license dogs and Maricopa County
would take that role over. Mayor Kavanagh stated that Maricopa County Animal Control will
issue citation for loose dogs in Fountain Hills. Mr. Miller noted that aggressive and off -leash
dog issues would be addressed by MCSO.
c. Providing a link on the Town's website to Fort McDowell events with their inclusion on the
Town's social media sites
Ms. Grace Rodman-Guetter confirmed that the Town's social media had been updated to
provide links to Fort McDowell sites and Fort McDowell social media has been linked to the
Town's sites.
d. Include Fort McDowell promotional materials in the Town booth during the two regional
art fairs
Councilmember Tolis commented that he hoped they could each look into expanding access and
the promotion of each other's events as that would provide an increase in sales tax revenues and
resort attendance. He suggested that they look at the bigger picture for revenues and how the
Town and Fort McDowell could best partner. He suggested a partnership between the Town and
Fort McDowell and that they look at a parking structure as an option as well as shuttle services
noting that the Town needed a parking location. Discussion ensued regarding options that could
be looked into and how best to address the parking needs of the Town. Mayor Kavanagh
suggested that Councilmember Tolis reach out to Fort McDowell to schedule a meeting to
discuss this further, noting that perhaps a group could be formed to discuss and vet the various
ideas. She commented that there were many opportunities as the Town and Fort McDowell
were connected.
Councilmember Tolis discussed the challenge of increasing the enrollment number of the
Fountain Hills Unified School District (FHUSD) and encouraged Fort McDowell to increase
their student enrollment in Fountain Hills' schools. He discussed the potential for increased
economic benefit related to greater student enrollment numbers. Mayor Kavanagh suggested
bringing together the school superintendent and education providers for inclusion in these types
of meetings and well as reaching out to the parents to ask why they send their children to schools
outside of Fountain Hills noting it was the parents who make those decisions. She stated this
information should be discussed with the school boardmembers. Vice President Russell agreed
there should be further discussion with the school board.
e. Consideration of developing and sponsoring classes in Fountain Hills' schools relating to
Fort McDowell tribal history and heritage
Education Division Director Dr. Myhr said he has offered to work with the FHUSD in this area
and he has talked with the School Superintendent. He expressed that not having continuity in
this area hurts communication. Mayor Kavanagh suggested encouraging trips to the museum as
there was a lot of history there and teachers should use it as a learning tool. Councilmember
Tolis stated that Dr. Myhr has ties to both communities and that would benefit all. Vice
President Russell stated that the FHUSD has a non-voting position and agreed Dr. Myhr is
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supportive of the Town; Dr. Myhr said he has made the offer to be a representative on the board.
Treasurer Mott commented she like Councilmember Tolis' ideas and felt the parking structure
was a big opportunity as they needed to have events all the time and working together there
could be more things to offer (a family community). She said that Fort McDowell has a 10 -year
plan and they should have a big plan with the Town that encompasses event planning and
parking options. Councilmember Magazine stated this would take planning and suggested
people be brought together to develop an action plan and report back to this group. Mayor
Kavanagh noted that Councilmember Tolis has volunteered to which he stated that he would like
to work with Treasurer Mott and agreed it would take a lot of planning. He stated their mutual
success depended on creating a regional destination and that it would need to be created
correctly. Councilmember Yates agreed and said the demand is there and he did not think it was
an all uphill battle.
f. Linking Fort McDowell to EPCOR for possible emergency water service connection
Town Manager Miller said he had spoken with EPCOR leadership and expressed Fort
McDowell's desire to link for services in the future. He noted that he provided Mr. Dorchester's
contact information to EPCOR. Mr. Dorchester commented he has not heard from anyone.
President Burnette requested that Mr. Miller reach out again and copy her on the e-mail. She
commented that years ago the idea had been shot down by the Town Attorney and the County.
She stated that water is everything so they needed to prepared. Interim Town Attorney Mitesh
Patel indicated that he would have to look into the matter to see what the obstacles were.
g. Actions taken to reduce run-off of water from the Panorama Wash onto the We -Ko -Pa
Golf Course
General Manager of We -Ko -Pa Golf Club Matt Barr addressed the matter of the run-off. Public
Works Director Justin Weldy noted that the nuisance run-off had been controlled by the recent
control pump upgrade, a catch basin that had been constructed on Saguaro, which collected more
water, and the catch basins that were added out on Shea; Mr. Weldy pointed out that Mother
Nature had the ultimate control. Mr. Miller provided a reminder that there was also a natural
spring in the area and there are two HOAs who nurture the spring, which presented a problem as
this was private property and out of the Town's control. He suggested a meeting with the HOAs
and asked if Fort McDowell would like to attend. President Burnette offered that perhaps this
might be a MAG issue so they would need to discuss this. She requested that if run-off was seen
that the Town provide a courtesy notice to Fort McDowell. Mr. Weldy agreed he would.
Discussion ensued regarding the raptures that feed in the area along the Verde River and what a
tourism treasure that area was; the fact that recreation was closed on the Verde and Salt Rivers;
the comment there was talk of development in that area; the Fort McDowell 25th Anniversary of
the Water Settlement (next year); and that the Nation has a Water Committee that Vice President
Russell sits on.
h. Update on the Cattle Guard replacement project at Grande/San Marcos to be undertaken
by Maricopa County
Public Works Director Justin Weldy stated that staff was working with Maricopa County
Transportation regarding the replacement of cattle guards noting that he would share the
information he received with Fort McDowell relating to any lane restrictions during the repair.
He commented that he had encouraged the County to reach out to Fort McDowell.
i. Discussion regarding future traffic connectivity from the Beeline Highway to the 202 for
the purpose of increasing economic activity in the Town and Fort McDowell
Councilmember Yates stated that this affects both the Town and Fort McDowell and was an
incredible opportunity. He said the study was done to connect Fort McDowell to Power Road.
He suggested they dust off the study and make it happen and Planning Project Manager Erika
McCalvin agreed. Councilmember Yates said he would volunteer to work on this with Vice
President Russell.
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Mayor Kavanagh brought up sports betting and Lobbyist Greg Lunn provided more information
on the subject, the possible impact on the gaming compact in Arizona, and the status of this
matter in the courts. General Counsel Diandra Benally stated that the Tribal Council requests
Fountain Hills support of its "exclusivity of gaming". She said updates would be provided to the
Town Council. Discussion ensued regarding possible impacts and Mayor Kavanagh stated she
could have Senator Kavanagh contact Mr. Lunn.
President Burnette said invitations relating to the proposed plans of a new Fort McDowell casino
may be seen in four to six weeks.
3. Future meetings
Mr. Miller stated that Town staff would coordinate with Fort McDowell staff and President
Burnette stated that Fort McDowell would host the next meeting. Treasurer Mott said the
subcommittee would be working with Councilmember Tolis. Mayor Kavanagh requested staff
counterparts continue to meet and work together (continue with communication).
4. Adjournment
Mayor Kavanagh adjourned the Joint Session at 9:41 AM.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
Linda M. Kavanagh, Mayor
ATTEST AND
PREPARED BY:
Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk
CERTIFICATION
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 Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation held in the Fountain
Hills Community Center (Grand Ballroom), on the 16th day of May, 2018. 1 further certify that the
meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 19th day of June, 2018.
Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk
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