The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMMPC.2014.0923.Minutes AIN yIL "o - TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS 3; = MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE o MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION vow Inv SEPTEMBER 23 2014 ifs/ n le.+ at AGENDA ITEM#1: CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A public meeting of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission was convened and called to order by Vice-Chair Tom Barberic at 5:30p.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, located at 16705 East Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. AGENDA ITEM#2: ROLL CALL Present at roll call were, Vice-Chair Tom Barberic, Commissioners Tom Aiello, Bill Craig, Klaus Schadle, Ken Thornton, and Elena Torre. Absent at roll call was Chair Gerard Bisceglia. Staff members present were Director Mark Mayer, Executive Assistant Nancy Walter, and Customer Service Representative Leigh Heise. AGENDA ITEM#3: CALL TO THE PUBLIC No one from the public was present. AGENDA ITEM #4: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE JUNE 24, 2014 JOINT MEETING MINUTES `,. Commissioner Torre made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 24, 2014 joint meeting, Commissioner Schadle seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM#5 INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Ken Thornton is a retired engineer from Virginia and a three-year resident of Fountain Hills and enjoys volunteering in many capacities. Commissioner Tom Aiello is a retired New York City Police Detective and a two-year Fountain Hills' resident and enjoys hiking and tennis. AGENDA ITEM#6 UPDATE ON ADERO CANYON Director Mayer reported that MCO has submitted grading and drainage plans for Phase 1 and Phase 11 for the project. They also submitted water plans for Phase 1. The plans have been reviewed by staff and returned to MCO with comments. It is not clear if the archeological study has been completed. There were questions regarding the building of the "Temporary Foot Path", the Final Settlement Agreement between the Town and MCO, 7.1.3 Access to Trailhead (i). Director Mayer will verify with MCO if they, or the town, will build the temporary path. The path cannot be built until the grading is completed. Commissioner Schadle read aloud from the Final Settlement Agreement between the Town and MCO and asked if it was just Phase 1 or Phase 1 and 11. 7.1.3 Access to Trailhead. (ii) Access by the Town to the Trailhead for the purpose of constructing or maintaining the Trailhead will be provided without interruption after completion of the construction of Eagle Ridge Drive. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 1 of 4 Director Mayer read aloud from 7.1.3 Access to Trailhead. (ii) The Town and Adero shall use reasonable efforts to coordinate construction schedules of the Trailhead and Eagle Ridge Drive prior to the Town bidding the Trailhead construction project and shall arrive at a reasonable schedule that accommodates both projects being completed in a timely manner, including a reasonable number of days allocated to delays caused by temporary closures as described below (the "Coordination Schedule"). During the construction of Eagle Ridge Drive the Town shall have access for constructing and maintaining the Trailhead according to the Coordination Schedule and at all times when, in the reasonable judgment of Adero, the use of such areas would not unreasonably interfere with Adero's construction activities Director Mayer believes we would have access when the temporary road is put in and only would be denied access if there is construction on the road or when it is not safe to have people on the road. MCO must build the road prior to applying for a certificate of occupancy. MCO must construct the permanent road by December 31, 2020. Commissioner Schadle still has concerns regarding having to return the $1.7 million in development fees if the trailhead is not built by January 1, 2020. He is concerned if the road isn't constructed by then the trailhead construction couldn't be started until after the date that the law specified. Commissioner Schadle read aloud: Section 7.1.4 Permanent Roadway. Adero shall replace the Temporary Roadway Segment with permanent road improvements prior to issuance of the first building permit for construction of a Dwelling Unit within any lot or parcel in any part of Adero Canyon other than the Adero Canyon PAD area and "Parcel 1." Director Mayer suggested that the Commissioners once again send their list of questions to him and he will forward them to the Town Attorney. Director Mayer will bring the answers back to the Commission. MCO has not provided a construction schedule to the Town. Director Mayer will set up the meeting for late October with MCO and the Commissioners to walk the area and locate the section where the trailhead is proposed to be. Council approved the updated Master Plan for the Preserve at the August 7, 2014 meeting. AGENDA ITEM #7: CONSIDERATION OF CREATING A WORKGROUP TO MONITOR PROGRESS AND PLANS FOR THE PROPOSED TRAILHEAD Commissioner Torre made a motion to create a workgroup to monitor progress and plans for the proposed trailhead, Commissioner Thornton seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. Commissioners Craig, Schadle, and Thornton volunteered to be on this workgroup. Bill Myers will also be a part of the workgroup. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 2 of 4 AGENDA ITEM#12: CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Torre made a motion to adjourn at 6:29 p.m., Commissioner Thornton seconded and the ` ' motion passed by unanimous vote. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission By: i':"� Tom Barberic, Vice-Chair Reviewed by: (T) Mar C. Mayer, Director of Commun ty Services Prepared by: y alte , Executive Assistant CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting held on Septemb 23, 2014. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. By: W er, Executive Assistant Dated this 25th day of September 2014 L McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 4 of 4 AGENDA ITEM #8 DISCUSSION OF GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THE PRESERVE; YOUTH DAY-FALL 2014 Vice-Chair Barberic sent an email to FHHS Principal Tom Brennan with the information needed for the students to work with the Commission and the Sonoran Conservancy for their community hours required for graduation. Principal Brennan will include this information in the daily announcements. AGENDA ITEM #9: DISCUSSION OF PLANS FOR THE ANDREWS KINSEY TRAIL DEDICATION ON NOVEMBER 8 Suggestions for the dedication included: • An agenda • Guest list • Porta-a-potty • Chairs for guests • Two easy-ups for shade There is concern about the last quarter mile to the dedication site; it is a strenuous walk. Vice-chair Barberic will meet with Steve Fleming to determine the best location, establish an agenda, and form a guest list. Mr. Fleming is coordinating rides into the Preserve for those who might need them. Ms. Walter will coordinate the invitations with Mr. Fleming. AGENDA ITEM #10: DISCUSSION OF PLANS FOR THE BOOTH AT THE NOVEMBER FOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OF ARTS & CRAFTS • Pick up tent and chairs from Community Services Staff; Vice-Chair Barberic will email the vr Commission to get a volunteer to do this • Commissioner Thornton will secure the free spot for the booth on Thursday night • Vice-Chair Barberic will send out a request and schedule for volunteers to work the booth • Ms. Walter will provide all of the trifolds and maps for distribution AGENDA ITEM #11: DISCUSSION OF THE FUTURE OF THE PRESERVE Commissioner Schadle said that during his reappointment interview with the Council sub-committee he mentioned that it would be a good idea to take steps to ensure that the Preserve was there in perpetuity. Arizona statue prohibits the sale of property valued at over $500,000 without voter approval. There are concerns that it could possibly be broken up into parcels and sold to developers. It was suggested that the Commissioners contact Scottsdale for their documents with the means of protecting their preserve. This item will be further discussed at the next Commission meeting to formulate concise questions for the Town Attorney. Commissioner Craig said he has identified three additional potential trails in the Preserve. He would coordinate with the Sonoran Conservancy and then bring it to the Commission and then to Council for approval. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 3 of 4