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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.0901.TCWSM.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE WORKSTUDY SESSIONS OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL WITH MC DOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND FOUNTAIN HILLS SANITARY DISTRICT SEPTEMBER 1, 1998 A public meeting of the Fountain Hills Town Council was convened and called to order by Mayor Morgan at 6:30 P.M.,Thursday, September 1, 1998, in the Fountain Hills Town Hall Council Chambers, located at 16836 E.Palisades Blvd.,Building B,Fountain Hills,Arizona. ROLL CALL-Present for roll call were the following members of the Fountain Hills Town Council: Mayor Sharon Morgan, and Councilmembers John Wyman, Sharon Hutcheson, Sid Apps, Marianne Wiggishoff, and Penfield Mower. Vice Mayor Al Poma was absent. Also present were Town Manager Paul Nordin, Town Attorney Bill Farrell,Town Clerk Cassie Hansen, and Town Engineer Randy Harrel. Present from the McDowell Mountain Commission were Roy Kinsey, Chairman,Peg Tibbetts,Vice Chairman, John Rosenquist,Arnold Roy, Karen Holloway,and Loras Rauch. Curtis Dunham was absent. Present from the Fountain Hills Sanitary District were Bruce Hansen,Chairman,Walt Franklin and Ron Huber, Manager. Dennis Regeski was absent. Town Council Workstudy Session With 4116, McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission AGENDA ITEM#1 - DISCUSSION OF THE PACKET MATERIALS SUBMITTED TO THE TOWN COUNCIL BY THE MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION. Chairman Roy Kinsey first thanked Ken Breting for his efforts in compiling the visual display of the McDowell Mountains and surrounding areas. Mr. Kinsey reviewed the display with everyone present which detailed where state lands were located, lands in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. He stated there were 200 acres of land within the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve that were located within the boundaries of the Town of Fountain Hills and 386 acres of land that had been transferred to the Town as a result of the Firerock Country Club agreements. He pointed out the locations of the Eagles Nest area, the box canyon area and Sunridge Canyon in addition to the priority areas for preservation. He talked about the 2500' and 2240' elevations, where they were located in different areas of the mountains and how views would be affected by construction at the various levels of elevation. AGENDA ITEM #2 - DISCUSSION OF RESOLUTION XY THAT WOULD APPROVE THE CONTINUANCE OF THE COMMISSION AND APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION MISSION. Mr. Kinsey said Resolution XY, which referred to the continuance of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission, and its goals contained in the mission statement. Mr. Nordin said it was his recommendation to retain this Commission as a permanent sub-committee of the Council. Mayor Morgan stated this resolution would appear on the Council's agenda for September 17th. AGENDA ITEM #3 - DISCUSSION OF RESOLUTION XX THAT WOULD OFFICIALLY ESTABLISH THE FOUNTAIN HILLS MC DOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVE. L Town Council Joint Meetings with MMPC and Sanitary District;Special/Executive Session 9/1/98 Page 1 of 5 Chairman Kinsey stated this resolution was Resolution XX and was a draft for the Council to consider. He said when the Town acquires the 386 acres of land and puts that amount of land with the 200 acres in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve of which the Town would be responsible for the maintenance, fire protection, it would be appropriate to establish the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve designation to mutually work with Scottsdale and Maricopa County in discussions about preserve regulations. Councilwoman Wiggishoff stated that given the uncertain nature of negotiations with MCO, she was concerned about Section 2 where specific areas would be described and said the public's expectations might be raised if specific locations were named in a resolution. Mr. Kinsey assured that the boundaries to be described in the exhibits would be broader than what would actually be expected to be acquired as a preserve. He suggested the preserve area be identified in a manner that would isolate it from any state land or lakeside land discussions and set goals for the preserve areas in a general statement. Councilman Mower suggested that the language in Section 2 be changed to indicate that as lands were acquired they be added to the preserve. Councilwoman Wiggishoff stated that Section 3 referred to a town administered office to become involved in acquisitions of land for the Preserve. Mr. Nordin suggested the legal staff be given that responsibility. Mr. Kinsey stated Director of Parks & Recreation Robin Goodman had spoken to the Commission with respect to the responsibilities of the Parks & Recreation Department. He suggested the public works staff might provide maintenance services for the preserve. He stated an intergovernmental agreement to extend the entire McDowell Mountain Preserve and the Sonoran Preserve into one major preserve would ultimately result in unified management, but that representatives from the Town would still be necessary to represent the Town's interests. Mr. Nordin suggested other alternatives could include an intergovernmental authority creating a separate governmental entity. Councilwoman Hutcheson asked if a separate commission could restrict activities on the preserve lands. Mr. Kinsey answered that 80%-90% of the entire preserve lands would be maintained as open space rather than recreational uses. (810 Arnold Roy, the liaison to the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve and a member of the MMPC, stated he was a member of the Trails Committee. He said the Committee had authorized Game & Fish and Scottsdale to enter into an IGA for restricted bow hunting on the preserve, but that camping had previously been forbidden. He said even though Scottsdale was ahead of the Town of Fountain Hills in the development of a preserve, there would be many issues concerning the usage of the preserve to be rectified. AGENDA ITEM #4 - DISCUSSION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRAIL SYSTEM THAT WOULD BE ROUTED THROUGH THE PRESERVE FROM SCOTTSDALE INTO THE MARICOPA COUNTY MC DOWELL MOUNTAIN PARK. Mr. Kinsey pointed out on the visual display of the mountains a possible trail system. He said a trail was needed to share in an IGA plan and as a fire road access for fire protection. He indicated that the access to a trail via a trailhead located in the Town's preserve was necessary and required consideration in the planning process. Loras Rauch spoke regarding the need for a north and south loop-type system to allow all types of users to use different lengths of trails. She said a south trailhead could be shared with Scottsdale at the Via Linda location but the Town,at a minimum, should consider the development of a northern trailhead. AGENDA ITEM #5 - DISCUSSION OF THE MULTI-FACETED ASPECTS OF PRESERVE MANAGEMENT. Mr. Kinsey said the MMPC would study trails and trailheads, land character profiles, fire protection, security access, possible IGA's, stewardship of land and public education issues as part of management concerns. He said a report would be given to the Council possibly in three months as it relates to management. L Town Council Joint Meetings with MMPC and Sanitary District;Special/Executive Session 9/1/98 Page 2 of 5 AGENDA ITEM #6 - DISCUSSION OF THE COMMISSION'S PLANS AND PROGRAMS AIMED AT RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PREVIOUS AGENDA ITEMS. Mr. Kinsey stated flyers, the publicity of the month of October as the McDowell Mountain Preserve Month, articles in the Focus and an upcoming survey in the Focus were methods to raise public awareness. Also using Channel 11 and special education programs in the schools assisted the Commission. John Rosenquist had developed a desert landscaping video, which had been shown on Channel 11 and had written a monthly article for the Arizona Sentinel. Town Council Workstudy Session With Fountain Hills Sanitary District AGENDA ITEM #1 - UPDATE BY THE DISTRICT ON POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE EFFLUENT PROBLEM. Chairman Bruce Hansen stated there were multiple solutions being considered for the effluent problems. He said the drilling rig for testing groundwater had experienced problems, and a wetlands project within the Town and the Indian reservation was being explored. He said the possibilities of constructing additional lakes and making Fountain Lake deeper were being considered. Recently the possibility of discharging effluent to Scottsdale through Scottsdale's sewer system to the water campus on Pima Road could be beneficial both to the Town and Scottsdale. He said the major advantage was that no permits were required. Ron Huber, Manager, stated that the Scottsdale sewer now extends close to the boundaries of Fountain Hills and a gravity line could be constructed to connect into their sewer line. He said a feasibility study was now being conducted to determine what quantities of effluent the existing sewer line could accommodate. He explained that our effluent would benefit Scottsdale in flushing their lines if it were done on a regular basis. Mr. Hansen said he expected this option to be a long-term solution as long as Scottsdale wouldn't exceed their capacity but that it was possible to accept effluent from the Town in significant quantities as one option to solve our effluent disposal problems. Mr. Huber stated many options were needed to solve the disposal problems including dam and reservoir sites but that a combination of all options be initiated as soon as practicable. Mr. Hansen said as soon as the feasibility study was complete, the Sanitary District intended to contact the City of Scottsdale to begin discussions. Mr. Nordin asked for an explanation of a water credit surcharge. Mr. Huber stated when the sewer system flows were directed toward the new water campus facility, any wastewater they treat would entitle them to a water credit from DWR. Town Attorney Bill Farrell asked about industrial pre- treatment standards and whether they met Scottsdale's standards. Mr. Huber said our pre-treatment standards were minimal. Mr. Farrell said identical regulations for pre-treatment would most likely be required. Mr. Huber said he anticipated the feasibility study would be completed within four to six weeks. AGENDA ITEM #2 - DISCUSSION OF THE SANITARY DISTRICT'S POSSIBLE APPLICATION FOR STATE LAND AND THE IMPACT ON THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE MC DOWELL MOUNTAIN PARK APPLICATION. Director Walt Franklin stated potential sites for either a dam or reservoir were being explored for effluent disposal. He said the costs for such locations were being considered and that the effluent's value to the District could produce a return on any land investment. He said the locations being studied were Fountain Lake, one located by the former Saddle Club, one by the water tower and four spots within the state land area. He said these spots were in relatively deep ravine areas that could be more accessible than other areas in town. Mr. Franklin stated he had communicated with a representative from the State Land Department but that no decision had been made as to the merits of the application. The potential for widening and deepening Fountain Town Council Joint Meetings with MMPC and Sanitary District;Special/Executive Session 9/3/98 Page 3 of 5 Lake in an attempt to provide greater storage for effluent was discussed, but the cost of completing such a project, the storage of the existing effluent, and the amount of time it would take to provide the proper slopes for extending the depth was determined unmanageable. It was pointed out by Councilwoman Wiggishoff that the Master Plan for Fountain Park was in the planning stages at this time and that any plans for Fountain Lake should be discussed prior to taking any action on the Master Plan. Mr. Franklin stated an additional problem using Ashbrook Wash to reach the former Saddle Club site needed consideration as to its feasibility. AGENDA ITEM #3 - DISCUSSION OF THE SUMMERTIME PRIORITIZATION OF EFFLUENT— HOW IS IT DETERMINED AND CAN IT BE MODIFIED. Chairman Hansen stated effluent agreements had not been completed with the Town with regard to Fountain Park and Golden Eagle Park. He said the agreements with Sunridge Canyon and Eagle Mountain could be modified, if necessary. Mr. Huber stated the priority list to receive effluent first was for the needs of the Sanitary District and a previous agreement with MCO for use at Fountain Lake. The third one was Sunridge Canyon Golf Course,the fourth was Golden Eagle Park, but no agreement had been completed with the Town. Lastly, Eagle Mountain Golf Course would receive effluent after the previous four others. Mr. Huber stated new agreements between the Town and the Sanitary District did not now need to include MCO Properties. Town Engineer Randy Harrel said he was concerned about the ability of the Sanitary District to provide effluent to Plat 302 in the summertime to maintain the grassy areas. Since no water was available at that location,he asked that Plat 302 be given consideration especially in the summer months. AGENDA ITEM#4-ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Morgan adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. L Town Council Special/Executive Session AGENDA ITEM #1 - PURSUANT TO A.R.S. 38-431.03.A.3, VOTE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSIONS OR CONSULTATION FOR LEGAL ADVICE WITH THE ATTORNEY OR ATTORNEYS OF THE PUBLIC BODY. Councilwoman Wiggishoff MOVED to go into Executive Session. Councilman Apps SECONDED the motion, which CARRIED unanimously. Mayor Morgan recessed the Special Session at 8:39 p.m. AGENDA ITEM#2-RETURN TO SPECIAL SESSION. Mayor Morgan reconvened the Special Session at 9:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM#3-ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Morgan adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. L Town Council Joint Meetings with MMPC and Sanitary District;Special/Executive Session 9/3/98 Page 4 of 5 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS L By. Sharon Morgan,Mayor ATTEST: _ Cassie B. Hansen,Town Clerk PREPARED BY: 64 &, C.)d„t--,,ce-^ ' Linda D.Lemmen,Executive Assistant CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Session Meeting held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills on the 1st day of September, 1998. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 17th day of September, 1998. C/a/14.4.4._i Cassie B.Hansen,Town Clerk L Town Council Joint Meetings with MMPC and Sanitary District;Special/Executive Session 9/3/98 Page 5 of 5