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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.0614.TCSM.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT SESSION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL AND Q THE FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION TR IBAL COUNCIL June 14, 2006 Mayor Nichols called the meeting to order at 11:45 p.m. Present from Fountain Hills: Mayor Nichols, Vice Mayor Ed Kehe, Councilmembers Mike Archambault, Keith McMahan, and Ginny Dickey. Councilmembers Jay Schlum and Henry Leger were absent. Town of Fountain Hills staffpresent: Town Attorney Andrew McGuire, Town Manager Tim Pickering, Assistant Town Manager Ellen Pence, Town Clerk Bev Bender, and Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council Shaunna Williams. Roxanne Boryczki, Chair of the Tourism Bureau, Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce was also present. Present from the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council: President Raphael Bear, Vice President Bernadine Burnette, Treasurer Pam Mott, Councilmember Paul J. Russell, and Secretary Pansy Thomas. Councilmember Owen Doka was absent. Ft. McDowell staff present: Orlando Moreno, General Manager; Thomas Moriarity, Acting Attorney; Steve Geiogamah, Tourism Director; Jesse Crabtree, Detective Sergeant; Alfonso Rodriguez, Community Economic Development Director; and Debbie Krol, Editor of the Ft. McDowell Yavapai News. Mayor Nichols thanked everyone for attending the first of what he hoped would be many joint meetings between the Town of Fountain Hills and the Tribal Council of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Those present introduced themselves. He expressed support for meeting on a regular basis as the Town wanted to be not a just a good neighbor but a "great" neighbor. President Bear stated that Fort McDowell wished to host the next joint meeting. He also welcomed everyone and offered opening remarks. He reported that the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation was doing well financially. He said the choice had been made to bring the leaders of the two communities together in order to open the channel of communication and break down barriers. He stated it was the communities' leaders' responsibility to bring people together; to value and respect their differences. President Bear noted that this was a great opportunity for all. Mayor Nichols pointed out that it was good to have the youth of both communities see their leaders meeting together. He acknowledged that a joint meeting was being planned between the two school districts and community leaders. Overview of Partnerships Town Manager Pickering addressed the common areas of concern and thanked Fort McDowell for their cooperation in working with Fountain Hills in these instances. He cited common issues and interaction between the two communities to include court matters, fire and emergency services exchanged, common use of parks, how the 4th of July fireworks celebration is now held in Ft. McDowell, how Fountain Hills' and Fort McDowell's economic development and tourism play off each other and the impact to the communities. He stated that Fountain Hills and Fort McDowell share the labor issue and how collaboration on the roadway matter would help assist workers to reach both communities and make travel more convenient. General Manager Moreno concurred with Mr. Pickering also spoke in support of continued collaboration between the two communities. He stated that Mr. Pickering made their relationship easy and that respect and communication were the key to a relationship and expedition of plans. ZACouncil Packets\2006\R8-03-06\6-14-06 Minutes - Special Joint Meeting.doc Page 1 of 3 Northeast Valley Coalition Against Methamphetamine Detective Sergeant Jesse Crabtree discussed the importance of continued collaboration between municipalities and neighboring communities to try to coordinate efforts to become more affective to address this addiction. Assistant Town Manager Ellen Pence acknowledged that the Fountain Hills Town Council would consider adopting a meth ordinance at their June 15, 2006, meeting. Fountain Hills Town Attorney Andrew McGuire reviewed the details contained in this ordinance. Ms. Pence stated that the public information campaign was funded by Governor's office through a grant. Mayor Nichols stated that during a conversation with Governor Napolitano he was encouraged to go ahead with local meth program as it might spur the legislators into action on a State level. "Take a Peak" marketing campaign Roxanne Boryczki, Chair Tourism Bureau, Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce member, provided a history of the Visitor Bureau's history and the current tourism market strategy. She stated the purpose was to enhance the communities' economies and attract new businesses. She provided an overview of what the current publicity campaign accomplished for the funds expended. Steve Geiogamah, Fort McDowell Tourism Director, provided an overview of Fort McDowell's goals: establishment of a regional resort destination, the promotion of products (area assets), completion of a economic development study for the success of the tourism program and identification of customers, and management of the tourism plan. He stated that financial support was critical to the success. He stated it was a pleasure to work with Fountain Hills and thus enhancing the quality of life in both communities. Fort McDowell Vice President Burnette agreed that both markets depend upon one another. She expressed that it was hard for two sovereigns to break bread and that was why this history -breaking event was worthy of newspaper headlines so Tribes would read about it. She stated that this had never occurred during her fourteen years on the Council. Mayor Nichols expressed that he looked at this as a family with issues resolved through talking (communication). Mr. Boryczki said the Tourism Bureau bridged both communities, stressing that they were aware of the concerns of both communities and how sensitive this was going to be moving forward. Mayor Nichols requested that if any of the councilmembers in either community had concerns that they speak to either he or President Bear on the matter as they meet on a regular basis on various issues. Transportation Improvements Fort McDowell Economic Development Director Alphonso Rodriguez reviewed the possible routes that were being discussed with Maricopa Association of Governments that would allow a public route with easier access to the Fort McDowell and the Fountain Hills area from east Mesa. He announced that they were close to contracting with a consultant to prepare a feasibility study for construction of this roadway with the various alternatives being studied. He discussed the timeframe of completing this study and that the Tonto Forest Service and Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley were supportive of the project. Discussion ensued with regard to timeframe of completing the study, the purpose of the study, who pays for it, the validity of the project, the benefits vs. the expense and challenges of construct based on the various routes due to topography issues, project funding, and the possibility of connection to Loop 202. Mayor Nichols stated this was an exciting project and that Fountain Hills wanted to work together with Fort McDowell to see this accomplished. ZACouncil Packets\2006\R8-03-06\6-14-06 Minutes - Special Joint Meeting.doc Page 2 of 3 Update on State Trust Land Town Manager Pickering stated that the annexation was a success. The sale of the land was scheduled for September 28, 2006, and the Town was anxious to find out who would buy the land. He stated he would share updates as available. Mayor Nichols acknowledged that as the State Trust Land was adjacent to Fort McDowell, it would be beneficial to inform them as planning moved forward. He expressed the hope that Fort McDowell would be sending representatives to the August 2006 League's annual Arizona Cities and Towns Conference (in Tucson, AZ). President Bear stated they would have representation present. He concurred with Vice President Burnette that cooperation between cities and tribes did not happen very often. He attributed some of Arizona's success to the passage of Proposition 200 as it had started the statewide communication between municipalities and tribes and other states were not doing that. He pointed out that the benefit was a better Arizona. He felt this joint meeting was a model of leadership between Fountain Hills and Fort McDowell and he looked forward to more meetings in the future. Mayor Nichols noted that President Bear had been attending the East Valley Mayors' meetings. He thanked everyone for coming and participating in this history -making event. President Bear again thanked Fountain Hills for hosting this first meeting and reiterated that Fort McDowell would host the next joint meeting. Adiournment Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting at 1:40 p.m. A TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS al ally ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: -e-ietk ci': c�19 i'aul�J C1er � CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special Off -Site Meeting between the Town Council of Fountain Hills and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Tribal Council on the 14th day of June, 2006. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 3`d day of August, 2006. Bevelyn J. Bender, Town Clerk ZACouncil Packets\2006\R8-03-06\6-14-06 Minutes - Special Joint Meeting.doc Page 3 of 3