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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.1003.TCJMFMYN.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION TRIBAL COUNCIL AND FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL WEKOPA RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER-ROOM 110 10438 WEKOPA WAY, FORT MCDOWELL, ARIZONA OCTOBER 3, 2019 1. Call to Order/ Introductions The meeting was called to order at 8:04 a.m. with less than a quorum of the Fountain Hills Town Council present. FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION TRIBAL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: President Bernadine Burnette; Vice President Paul J. Russell; Treasurer Pamela Mott; and Councilmember Gerald Doka. FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION TRIBAL COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Ruben Balderas. TOWN COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Ginny Dickey, Councilmember Alan Magazine, Councilmember Art Tolis (arrived at 8:33 a.m.), and Councilmember Mike Scharnow. TOWN COUNCIL ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sherry Leckrone; Councilmember Dennis Brown and Councilmember David Spelich. TOWN STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Grady E. Miller; Town Attorney Aaron D. Arnson; Town Clerk Elizabeth A. Burke. 2. Update on Fort McDowell Casino Expansion Tribal staff gave an update of the expansion project. It was noted that they are nine to ten months out of being complete. The expansion includes more than 30 more gaming spaces, a poker room, a fine dining restaurant, a sports bar and an entertainment space will be directly connected to the resort. Staff said that they will be adding another 100+jobs. They find that once the employees are trained there is a lot of movement between the various casinos/resorts throughout the state. Councilmember Magazine encouraged their employees to live in Fountain Hills. President Burnette was congratulated on being named Arizona's Most Influential Woman. Discussion then moved to Item 7 regarding Proposition 202 funding. Joint Council Meeting of October 3,2019 2 of 4 3. Discussion regarding possible changes to FAA flight path Town Manager Grady Miller stated that staff met back in July regarding a request by a number of residents in Scottsdale to make changes to the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) flight paths that currently fly near Fountain Hills and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. He said that they were concerned that no one had bothered to contact either the Town nor the Yavapai Nation. He said that he believes it centers around complaints regarding the Scottsdale Air Park. Phil Dorchester asked that during their meetings that they also address the issue of small planes and the training helicopters that fly over the area quite often. Ms. Benally said that they should consider requesting that the flight paths be moved even further east to the boundary of the Nation. Vice President Russell thanked Fountain Hills for notifying the Nation of the proposed changes and including them in the meetings. 4. Fountain Hills General Plan Update Development Services Director John Wesley explained that state law requires a community to update its General Plan every ten years, so the Town has been working on its 2020 General Plan and it is important that they have feedback from their neighbors. He then reviewed the schedule for the Plan, noting that it would be on the November 2020 ballot for ratification by the Town's voters. 5. Proposed Hospital in Fountain Hills Mr. Wesley said that some individuals have proposed putting in a small hospital near the intersection of Shea and Saguaro. It will be a 12,000 sq. ft. building for Phase 1 including a small urgent care, five exam rooms, three treatment rooms and five patient rooms. He said that it will provide for emergency needs and will be very accessible to the Yavapai Nation. Economic Development Director Smith said that it is being developed by two independent emergency room doctors and it will be called Fountain Hills Medical Center. President Burnette said that she sits on the Medical Board for Medical Insurance as well and they will want to make sure that their insurance is accepted. 6. Off-Track Pari-Mutuel Wagering Mr. Miller explained that when the Town received an application for an off-track wagering permit notice it was sent to both of the surrounding nations so they had an opportunity to let the Town know how they felt about the application. President Burnette asked the Tribal Attorney Diandra Benally to address the issue. Ms. Benally said that the nations are currently in negotiations with the Department of Gaming. They want Fountain Hills to know if there are any legislative bills that they do not support they would like to know. She said that they expect it will happen. Tribal staff indicated that they would not believe that the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation has taken a position on the off-track betting facilities, but there is a strong concern about the slots, etc. being permitted in bars in the future. Mr. Miller asked them to keep the Town informed of any bills they are trying to run, or any bills to which they are opposed. He said that they will work with the League as well. Joint Council Meeting of October 3, 2019 3 of 4 7. Proposition 202 Tribal staff reported that Roann Carmelo and Police Chief Crabtree sit on the committee that reviews the applications. They review each application to make sure they meet the requirements and selecting those applications that are best helping the communities. Chief Crabtree said that they receive hundreds of applications from around the state. A brief history was given on how the 12% gaming funds came to be. Mayor Dickey said that the Town was very appreciative of the 202 funding it has received over the years, as well as the various organizations within the Town. Councilmember Tolis arrived at this time. (8:33 a.m.) President Burnette said that a good percentage goes to the public and she thinks that the public needs to be educated about the proceeds going back into the communities. Councilmember Tolis thanked the Tribal Council for hosting the breakfast, stating that he absolutely supports building the relationship between the Tribe and the Town. He was happy to be a part of the meeting and he wants to see the relationship grow. 8. 38th Annual Fort McDowell Orme Dam Victory Days November 15-17, 2019 A brief history of Orme Dam was given and then Ms. Carmelo reviewed the various activities being held for the event. It was noted that the Town was a sponsor for the event. 9. 30th Anniversary of Fountain Hills' incorporation (1989) and 50th Anniversary of Fountain (1970) and other events Mayor Dickey reported on activities taking place in preparation for the 30/50 Celebration which commemorates 30 years of incorporation of the Town of Fountain Hills (2019) and 50 years of the Fountain (2020). 10. Future Meeting Councilmember Scharnow said that he loved the pageantry of the rodeo during Orme Dam Days. Councilmember Tolis thanked the Tribe for having meetings with the Town and said that a lot needs to be done. He said that their joint success is important in protecting each other. He said that he would like to see something in the downtown area of Fountain Hills, perhaps a Tribal Gift Shop. Vice President Russell said that at the next meeting he would like to have a discussion on water. Mayor Dickey said that they do not have to wait for the next meeting to discuss water or any other topic. Joint Council Meeting of October 3,2019 4 of 4 11. Adjournment The Joint Meeting of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council and Fountain Hills Town Council held on October 3, 2019, adjourned at 9:23 a.m. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS Ginn Dickey, Mayor ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: Eli abeth . rke, Town Clerk