HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.0601.TCSM.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL
JUNE 1, 2006
Mayor Nichols called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
INVOCATION — Beth Havigot Board Member Fred Widom.
OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO MAYOR WALLY NICHOLS, COUNCILMEMBERS MIKE
ARCHAMBAULT, GINNY DICKEY AND HENRY LEGER.
Mayor Nichols requested that Councilmembers Archambault, Dickey, and Leger come forward at this time and
Town Clerk Bev Bender administered the Oath of Office to the elected officials. Ms. Bender also administered
the Oath of Office to re-elected Mayor Nichols.
ROLL CALL — Present for roll call were the following members of the Fountain Hills Town Council: Vice
Mayor Archambault, Mayor Nichols, Councilmember Kehe, Councilmember Leger, Vice Mayor Schlum,
Councilmember Dickey and Councilmember McMahan. Town Attorney Andrew McGuire, Town Manager Tim
Pickering, Director of Public Works Tom Ward, Planner Kate Zanon, and Town Clerk Bev Bender were also
present.
Councilmember Dickey expressed appreciation to her husband and sons, friends and the citizens of the Town of
Fountain Hills for their support. She said that she was fortunate to have had the honor to complete the term of
Councilmember Nicola who was a wonderful role model.
Councilmember Leger also thanked his family for their continuous encouragement and support throughout the
campaign and acknowledged members of his campaign committee. He also thanked the citizens who voted for
him and thanked them for their trust and the honor to serve.
Councilmember Archambault stated that it is a humbling experience to know that the citizens wanted him to
serve once again and expressed appreciation to his family and all of his supporters.
Mayor Nichols thanked all of the voters for electing him to a third term in office. He also expressed
appreciation to his wife for her support and to the members of his campaign committee for their hard work. He
pledged to continue to be available to the residents through the continuing monthly coffee meetings that are
held, e-mails, by telephone, etc. and said that the "open door policy" will remain in effect. He added that the
Council would study the issues and look at both sides of each before deciding how to vote. He stated that the
Council was responsible for the long-term viability of the Town and said that they must deal with policy issues
that would ensure that Fountain Hills was going to be around 50 to 100 years in the future and that it would be
financially stable and the number one place to live in the Valley. He further stated that he would strive to
maintain the Council harmony they had enjoyed over the past two years.
MAYOR'S REPORT
(i) ROTATION OF THE VICE MAYOR POSITION TO COUNCILMEMBER KEHE.
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2- OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN CODE, EACH
MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, EXCEPT THE MAYOR, SHALL SERVE AN EIGHT -
MONTH TERM AS VICE MAYOR.
Mayor Nichols advised that at this time, they would transfer the office of Vice Mayor from Vice Mayor Schlum
to Vice Mayor Kehe and said that according to tradition, the outgoing Vice Mayor will present the plaque to the
incoming Vice Mayor.
Vice Mayor Schlum presented Vice Mayor Kehe with the plaque and congratulated him on his appointment.
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Mayor Nichols commented that outgoing Vice Mayor Schlum admirably performed his duties throughout his
extended tenure and thanked him for his hard work and support.
(ii) THE MAYOR WILL READ A PROCLAMATION CONGRATULATING AND
RECOGNIZING THE FOUNTAIN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2006.
Mayor Nichols stated that the students of Fountain Hills High School Class of 2006 worked very
conscientiously to meet all of the requirements necessary to graduate on May 26, 2006. Speaking on behalf of
the citizens of Fountain Hills, he congratulated the Class of 2006 on this great accomplishment. The Mayor
proclaimed the pride of the Town of Fountain Hills and officially recognized the significant achievement of each
member of the Fountain Hills High School Class of 2006.
ACTION ITEMS:
AGENDA ITEM #1 — CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2006-29, REPEALING RESOLUTION
2005-34 AND ESTABLISHING THAT THE PAY RANGES FOR EMPLOYEES FOR THE TOWN OF
FOUNTAIN HILLS SHALL BE ADOPTED AS PART OF THE TOWN'S ANNUAL BUDGET.
Town Manager Tim Pickering addressed the Council relative to this agenda item and stated that the proposed
resolution would repeal last year's pay range. He added that when the new budget is adopted, the new pay
ranges would be approved.
Councilmember Archambault MOVED to adopted Resolution 2006-29 and Councilmember Dickey
SECONDED the motion, which CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).
AGENDA ITEM #2 — PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENSES AND TAX
LEVIES AND ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AS THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE 2006-07
FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS.
Mayor Nichols declared the hearing open at 6:47 p.m.
Town Manager Tim Pickering noted that the budget was only slightly larger than last year's (less than 1%) and
said that expenses had been kept in line. He stated that they added more this year to the capital budget than in
previous years because construction revenues were up. He reported that approximately 23% of the budget was
going towards capital and said that the funding would allow the completion of Fountain Park and Desert Vista
Park. He added that they were also proposing to increase the level of law enforcement by two additional
officers and said that the total budget was almost $27 million. He cautioned the Council to look individually at
the funds in accordance with government accounting standards. He reported that the General Fund was almost
$17 million where most of the Town's operations occur. He emphasized that the budget was balanced, revenues
equaled expenses, and said he was pleased to present the proposed budget to the Council.
Marion Hermie, Superintendent of the Fountain Hills Unified School District, 16000 E. Palisades, addressed the
Council and discussed the excellent partnership that exists between the School District and the Town. She
expressed appreciation to the Council for the support they give in the form of a School Resource Officer, who is
based at the high school. She emphasized the importance of the officer's role and commented that enrollment
had declined over the last two years with a resulting reduction in teaching staff. As a result the District's budget
was extremely limited and they would not be able to provide this worthwhile, important role model for the
students. She thanked the members for their generous recognition of the importance of the School Resource
Officer in the high school.
Mayor Nichols thanked Ms. Hermie for her comments.
There being no additional citizens wishing to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed at 6:50 p.m.
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AGENDA ITEM #3_-_CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2006-19. ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE
BUDGET AS THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE 2006-07 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR THE TOWN
OF FOUNTAIN HILLS.
Councilmember McMahan MOVED to approve Resolution 2006-19 and Councilmember Schlum SECONDED
the motion.
Mr. Pickering addressed the Council and briefly highlighted the contents of a memorandum dated May 25,
2006, which contained various information discussed as part of the budget process (memorandum on file in the
office of the Town Clerk). Mr. Pickering noted that the memo covers changes/additions to the budget as
previously discussed and included:
• Request for a donation from the Community Benefit Program. There is currently $50,000 in the
Community Benefit Fund and this money has traditionally been given to the Theater. The Council can
increase that amount if they so desire (extra funds are in the law enforcement budget that could be
transferred for this purpose).
Defibrillators. A request was given to the Town on May 19`h for $21,000 to purchase eleven
defibrillators. The Public Safety Advisory Commission was asked by the Council to study and
recommend whether the Town should purchase the equipment for use on Town property. The
Commission is still studying the liability involved with operations and other aspects of the program.
Mr. Pickering recommended that they receive the report from the Commission before budgeting the
item.
• Pickleball. Requests should be directed to the proper Commission before the Council takes action.
• Shuttle Service. The Town pays for two shuttles in Town, one for eligible low-income, disabled, and
senior individuals (budgeted and will continue to operate as it currently does) and the second, a free
circulator, which was not being budgeted. Staff rode the shuttle and determined that on average about
three people rode the shuttle every day. With a cost of $40,000 and general fund monies having to be
used this year, continuing services did not appear practical or a prudent use of taxpayer monies. In the
past, LTAF - II monies were used to fund this shuttle. Staff anticipates receiving approximately enough
LTAF funds to fund only the low income/senior shuttle but the funding is still not secured. The lack of
ridership indicates that this does not appear to be a valued service and when staff met with Valley Metro
and City of Phoenix transit officials, they surmised that the program must have been doing something
wrong. A suggestion was to eliminate the luxury service of the circulator shuttle until a true need arises
and then remarketing the service -- either do transit right or not at all. Since the Strategic Plan did not
rate transit as a high priority, it seems prudent to provide the senior shuttle. Mr. Pickering has spoken
with Mayo Clinic representatives who indicated they would advertise the final change in their employee
newsletter and share their vanpool information with Town residents and employees.
During the meeting with Valley Metro, staff also learned that in July 2014 bus service would begin
every 20 minutes in Town due to the recent passage of Proposition 400. Currently an express bus picks
up Town residents in the downtown area only in the morning and returns at night.
Sidewalks. The estimated cost for a 6-foot wide sidewalk located on the west side (adjacent to Four
Peaks Elementary) is $17,300 based on the Town's annual concrete contract. Public Works has posted
"No Parking" signs on the west side to allow pedestrian movement. The sidewalk does not connect,
however it has a north, and south striped crosswalk on Calaveras that could be considered a connection.
In 2003, the Town applied for a grant to install a sidewalk for this street and did not get it. They will
apply again this coming fiscal year since they hear that grant funding is improving. Mr. Pickering
recommended that they wait and see if they obtain the grant to get this area completed as well as others
around the school.
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• El Lago Sidewalk at La Montana (Town Property). This sidewalk is estimated at $23,000. There is not
enough time to construct the sidewalk in the 2005-06 fiscal year since contractors are behind on existing
projects. If the Council sees this as a priority, staff can ensure it is completed in 2006-07 with no budget
changes.
Traffic Signals. 'The Town utilizes the services of traffic engineers to determine traffic signal needs.
The 2006-07 proposed budget has $30,000 to research timing sequence, wiring diagrams, etc, for
Palisades Boulevard at Sunridge Drive and Palisades Boulevard at Palomino Boulevard potential
signals. Due to the timing of design and construction, it is not possible to do both construction and
engineering in one fiscal year and therefore this year they are only focusing on engineering the two
signal locations.
Saguaro and Avenue of the Fountains Crosswalk Improvements. Presently they are constructing a
traffic signal just south of Avenue of the Fountains at El Lago and Saguaro. Staff believes that this
signal will provide awareness to drivers that they are approaching the downtown area. They also
recognize that more traffic calming devices need to be established at many crosswalks to increase the
awareness of pedestrians. Staff asked the Council's indulgence, as they require time to help make the
best decisionregarding this intersection. Considerations such as overhead flashing lights and in -ground
lighting devices are some of the items being discussed by staff for this intersection. The flashing
overhead lights could cost anywhere from $250,000 to $250,000. Public Works does not have estimates
on the in -ground devices because they are getting negative feedback from some communities and want a
good cross-section on the evaluation. In the meantime, they are ordering new pedestrian crossing signs
that will explain to drivers that it is a State law to yield to pedestrians within a crosswalk. The new
signage will have reflectivity but not illumination and are being installed to increase driver awareness
that it is the law to stop for pedestrians.
In addition, the public works team is considering relocating some existing flashing units which could be
re-established at the crosswalk on Saguaro by pouring new concrete bases. Funds are available in the
upcoming budget to rebuild the internal workings of these devices. The Council also asked staff to
complete a Town -wide pedestrian safety, bike safety and connectivity plan before embarking on
intersection improvements. They have barely scratched the surface on this task, which will take
approximately $15,000 of staff time.
Downhill Stairs to allow more Fountain Park access. The Parks team spoke to e group, the consultants
for the design of Fountain Park. Because there are a number of ADA compliant accesses located
throughout the park, the consultants indicated they did not feel one was required on the hill off Saguaro.
However, to accomplish the approximate 20-foot drop, there would need to be a run -out of steps
approximately 100 feet into the park. With the cost of concrete and steel for the flatwork and handrails
escalating, e group estimates the cost at approximately $205,000. Further, they estimate that to connect
the stairs eventually to the other walks in the park would cost approximately $50,000 more. Mr.
Pickering suggested completing the master planned projects for Fountain Park first and continue access
as it currently stands until demand increases and the steps can be added to connect sidewalks.
Additionally, many of the large gatherings that occur in the park are currently utilizing the amphitheater
access location.
• Fountain Park Islands. The landscape contractor for the park, Mariposa Landscaping, provided a quote
of $2,533 for low water landscaping on the islands. The three islands total 12,300 square feet, which
would require 85 tons of 3/4 inch decomposed granite rock to a depth of two inches. The cost breaks
down to $1,455 for materials- and the remaining $1,088 for labor. This will be done within the existing
proposed budget.
Mr. Pickering indicated his willingness to address any additional requests from the Councilmembers and
respond to any questions they may have.
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Mayor Nichols MOVED that an additional $50,000 be added to the Community Benefits Fund so that it can be
allocated based on studies that will be conducted and reviewed at the Council's August Workshop.
Councilmember Archambault SECONDED the motion.
In response to a question from Councilmember Dickey as to whether the organizations would be treated in a
similar manner, Mr. Pickering recommended that at the August Workshop that issue be addressed as well as
distribution as a whole. He said that he did not intend to distribute any monies before that time. He stressed the
importance of developing a consistent policy.
Councilmember Archambault stated that this year they identified how they were going to use funds and
expressed the opinion that they should take that money to the Workshop but should not "play" with the money
they currently have. Mr. Pickering said that the Council could decide but that at the August Workshop they
could clarify exactly what they were doing and move forward with distribution following that session. He
confirmed that they would clarify how they were going to deal with this situation next year.
Councilmember Kehe referred to Page 63 of the Draft Budget and noted that Community Benefits includes the
three items they have been talking about (Chamber of Commerce/Tourism, Boys & Girls Club and the
Community Theater) for a total of $275,000. He said it was his understanding that with the possible addition of
$50,000, there would be a total Community Benefits amount of $325,000. He added that it would be carried
through until the August Workshop when a process would be identified to govern the distribution of funds.
There would be an opportunity at that time to make sure everyone has a fair chance of receiving, or at least
being considered, for funds. If they gave "safe harbor" to anyone at this point, they were eliminating that
possibility and doing away with a level playing field. He said he could support the concept of the additional
$50,000 so that they have $325,000 going into the August Workshop when they would hopefully establish a fair
and equitable distribution process.
Councilmember Archambault said that he agreed to a certain extent but believed -that they had already set
parameters this year for the three groups and they were not told that they would have to do anything different
from the past in order to receive the funding. He added that in all fairness they needed to bring this forward in a
"safe harbor" but at the August Workshop he would like to set parameters for next year so that everyone got a
fair chance. He noted that they added the Food Bank because they agreed that everyone did not get a fair shot at
the funds but added that he was not sure this would happen in the current budget. He said he was hopeful that
next year everyone would get a fair chance.
Councilmember Schlum said he hoped that this evening they would have monies allocated as they appear in the
draft budget with the Community Benefit and other quoted items associated with the numbers drafted and move
forward on that. He said he would support the Mayor's amendment to add the $50,000 to be considered for
distribution following the August Workshop when a process for the following year would be developed. At that
time the $50,000 could fall into a citizens' committee that could evaluate Community Benefits programs and
determine appropriate funding. He added that dollars had been allocated in the budget and tonight they would
likely agree where those dollars go and the $50,000 would be in influx until after the Workshop.
In response to a question from Councilmember Leger, Councilmember Schlum stated that they were not
suggesting that the $50,000 be targeted for the Food Bank and it was possible that once the criteria was
developed they might not receive that funding (that amount) because criteria would be developed to determine if
in fact they quality and what amount they would qualify for.
Vice Mayor Kehe requested a clarification and said his main concern was to provide a level playing field.
Mayor Nichols stated that they were in a period of transition and they were trying to accommodate something
this year by putting $50,000 in the budget and everyone, including the Food Bank, would get a "shot" at the
money. He added, however, that since they were trying to change the rules in the middle of the game they
wanted to maintain the integrity of the past programs and protect the three organizations. At the August meeting
they would come up with a whole new process for the next budget. The three that were in there now would
remain protected and they would put $50,000 aside for other people to apply for as well, including the Food
Bank.
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Councilmember Leger expressed concerns about changing the rules mid -stream and suggested that this evening
the monies set aside for the three organizations stay as they are and they should look at awarding money to the
Food Bank since they had applied for funds. He added that they could consider reducing the amount from
$50,000 to $30,000 and then they could leave there with a clean slate and go into the August meeting and
develop criteria for the next budget period.
Councilmember Dickey stated that she would agree with Councilmember Leger if there had not been other
organizations that requested funding this year and were discouraged or did not feel they could actually apply.
She said that because there were others who requested funding, she agreed that the $50,000 should be looked on
as a clean slate in August as monies to be distributed for the rest of the fiscal year to those entities that applied
for it. She also spoke in support of giving the funding to the three current entities because they were changing
the rules and would be penalizing them. She asked whether the Community Benefits balance was going to be
$100,000 or $325,000. Mr. Pickering responded that there were three line items right now and said they could
combine them and have the total be the $325,000 or they could combine them and have a new Theater line item
for $50,000 and that would set them. He noted that the Theater did not have a line item so they would have to
add a line item for them for $50,000.
Councilmember Schlum expressed the opinion that these will be great discussion items for August.
Councilmember Archambault stated that this appeared to be a good compromise and spoke in support of moving
ahead in this manner.
In response to a question from Vice Mayor Kehe, Mr. Pickering said that he could not name the other agencies
that applied at this time and added that he gets calls and letters throughout the year. He stated that they were
told that no monies were budgeted for their organizations. He added that he could provide the Council with the
names of those agencies if they would like to see that information.
The Vice Mayor said that one of the first points he made on this issue was that he did not want to reduce funding
to any existing recipients. He added that he requested that the Food Bank's request be met. He advised that the
"clean way" to do this was to give a grant to the Food Bank and then utilize the August Workshop to set policy
governing future distributions. He said this would be the fair and appropriate way in which to proceed.
Councilmember McMahan concurred with Vice Mayor Kehe.
Mayor Nichols called for a vote on the motion (leaving the three existing line items and adding one more in the
amount of $50,000 that is unallocated at this point in time).
The motion CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).
Vice Mayor Kehe MOVED to grant in the proposed 06-07 budget, $30,000 to the Extended Hands Food Bank.
Councilmember McMahan SECONDED the motion.
Councilmember Schlum stated that the Food Bank was a worthy organization but the cleanest way to go into the
budget and Workshop would be to accept the budget as is with the $50,000 allocation to be determined after the
Workshop where community input would be received.
Councilmember Dickey concurred with Councilmember Schlum's remarks.
Mayor Nichols commented that his concern was that he did not know whether the $30,000 would be the right
amount and he would rather wait until the process was in place before rendering a decision.
The motion FAILED for lack of a majority (3-4 with Councilmembers Leger, McMahan and Vice Mayor Kehe
voting aye).
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In response to a question from the Mayor, Mr. Pickering confirmed that the Public Safety Advisory Commission
would bring forth recommendations regarding the defibrillators. He added that there were sufficient monies in
the budget to cover the cost of their recommendation.
Discussion ensued relative to the fact that staff had talked to the Mayo Clinic about providing "ride -share"
opportunities; costs associated with maintaining the neighborhood shuttle; Councilmember Schlum's opinion
that the very underutilized shuttle service be discontinued; the fact that pedestrian safety at Saguaro and Avenue
of the Fountains is an ongoing issue; the fact that a study is being conducted on all intersections throughout the
Town and should be completed by next spring; the ability of the El Lago signal to mitigate safety concerns and
the fact that if the study determines that flashing signals are needed, there is funding in the budget to accomplish
this; the high school Resource Officer's position, associated costs and the fact that discussions are being held
with the School District and a meeting has been scheduled with the School Board for the end of June to discuss
future cost sharing/partnerships; the fact that the Town previously funded two Officers and that was cut back to
zero and then increased to one when finances improved; the fact that the striping of the islands eliminated the
habitat for birds and the importance of keeping this in mind; the importance of expanding Channel 11 coverage
and plans to produce four videos over the upcoming fiscal year; the spirit of cooperation and partnerships that
exists between the Town, the School District, and the Boys& Girls Club as to use of facilities and services; how
Spring elections were of a disadvantage to the newly elected councilmembers with regard to the budget process,
issues discussed during campaigns (arts, environment, education pedestrian safety, shuttle, etc.) and through
living in Fountain Hills, yet the work done during the current budget process, that began in January, was
respected and supported; hiring difficulties and the fact that the two additional Sheriff's Department officers
will be "up and running" within six to nine months.
There were no citizens wishing to speak at this time. The Mayor called for the vote on the main motion as
amended. The amended motion CARRIED unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #4 — ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Schlum MOVED to adjourn the Special Session at 7:40
SECONDED the motion, which CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).
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CERTIFICATION
Wally
and Councilmember Leger
HILLS
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special Session held
by the Town Council of Fountain Hills on the 1st day of June 2006. I further certify that the meeting was duly
called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 15TH day of June 2006.
LfierAown
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