HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991.1015.TCWSM.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE WORK/STUDY SESSION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL
OCTOBER 15, 1991
A public work study session of the Fountain Hills Town Council was convened and
called to order by Mayor John Cutillo at 6:30 p.m. , Tuesday, October 15, 1991 ,
in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall Offices located at 16836 E. Palisades
Blvd. , Building C, Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Present for roll call were the following members of the Fountain Hills Town
Council: Mayor John Cutillo, Vice Mayor Frank Clark and Councilmembers Peg
Tibbetts, Mike Minarsich, Charlie Fox, Wally Hudson and Bill O'Brien. Also
present were Town Manager Paul Nordin, Town Attorney Bill Farrell, Town Planner
Gary Jeppson, Judge Stuart Shoob, and Town Clerk Cassie Hansen.
AGENDA ITEM #2 - PRESENTATION BY IOANNA MORFESSIS ON THE GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC
COUNCIL.
This agenda item was postponed due to Ms. Morfessis' late arrival.
AGENDA ITEM #3 - TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
#3.A.1. Project update, beeline highway update. Mr. Nordin stated that he and
Mr. Harrel were having a meeting on Wednesday regarding this project and he would
report to the Council Thursday night. Councilman Fox requested that Mr. Harrel
share with the Council his concerns regarding the revisions indicated for the
intersection of Shea Boulevard and the Beeline highway. He said that some of his
concerns were that they did not have a median shown, the number of lanes they
planned, the lack of shoulder treatment, the side slopes and that it had not been
planned as the major thoroughfare that it was. Mr. Nordin said that he preferred
to wait until after the meeting and that if the concerns were not satisfactorily
addressed, it would be reported to the Council.
It was stated that Thursday's agenda item regarding the Visioning Process
Workshop report by Dan Foster would take place at a later date. Mr. Nordin said
that Ms. Goodman had informed him that the Town could file a letter of
retroactivity regarding the Heritage Grant. He added that the Town would be able
to receive the funds for two years and would be able to take title to the
property as soon as possible.
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Mayor Cutillo requested that the Council return to Agenda Item #2 because Ms.
Morfessis had arrived. Ms. Morfessis said that Fountain Hills and twelve other
communities made up the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. She said that the
purpose was to help promote a more accurate business image of the Phoenix region
nationally, internationally, and attract new business and industry. Ms.
Morfessis said that last July had ended their second fiscal year. She stated
that they had conducted thirty prospect calls in Chicago to companies that had
either expressed interest in relocating or had expansion plans. Ms. Morfessis
said that a strong belief exists that the southwestern region was strongly a
retirement area. She stated that their approach to marketing the area was unique
and from their contacts in the Chicago area, they had three prospects that would
be coming to Arizona to speak. She said they would be contacting the northern
California region soon, targeting the medical and high tech fields. She stated
that more of their budget each year was going toward programs. Ms. Morfessis
said that just in the month of September they had added six new qualified
prospects to the roster. She stated that since the organization's inception they
had assisted two hundred thirty-three companies that had evaluated the area. They
currently have an active client list of one hundred eighteen. Mr. Nordin asked
for a status report on a corporate lead that Mayor Cutillo had given them. Ms.
Morffessis stated that Lintron, out of California, had chosen to locate in
another state. She stated that they had a good relationship with the Department
of Commerce and there was a written agreement with them that each inquiry would
be referred to the Metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson Economic Councils. Councilman
Hudson asked about Arizona Strategic Planning for Economic Development and if it
was going to be the state program when was finished. Ms. Morfessis said that
hopefully it would and that GPEC had contributed significant dollars toward it
because they felt it was important that the state had a clear and realistic idea
of where it was going. Also, by investing in it, the region would assure itself
of helping to shape its own destiny. She said that what should come out of the
next town hall was a prioritization of the top two or three ideas in keeping the
health and bio-medical and all of the other enterprises going. Mayor Cutillo
asked Ms. Saverson from the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce how many
organizations they had responded to. She replied that there had been six out of
approximately sixty which they had felt the town could accommodate or compete
for.
#3.A.2. Project update, five year plan update. Mr. Nordin said that all areas
were not moving along as quickly as he had thought, however, the Fire District
and the Sanitary District sections were coming along well. He stated that the
Police report was progressing, the water utility analysis was under study and the
Parks & Recreation department was doing well. The other department heads were
currently busy with other projects and they had not progressed quite as rapidly
as the others. Mr. Nordin stated that the Police Department task force had been
doing an excellent job in researching the subject of the establishment of a
police department. Mr. Nordin said that he felt that the Council would not have
to decide on each presentation as it was presented. He added that the five year
plan would take several meetings. Councilman Fox stated that once they were all
presented, the proposals should then be reviewed, prioritized, funding mechanisms
discussed, etc. Vice Mayor Clark said that with each presentation, funding would
also be presented and Mr. Nordin confirmed that. Mr. Nordin said that he would
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like to do a monthly newsletter for the residents of Fountain Hills. Councilman
Minarsich suggested one possible method of distribution was as an insert in The
Times.
#3.A.3. Project update - street paving update. Mr. Harrel reported that the
Anderson-Nelson aerial mapping was approximately seventy percent completed and
that P&D Technologies were about five to seven percent done with their portion
of the project.. Mr. Harrel said that Stanley Consultants had started some of
their work, the attorneys had been reviewing the contract and they were on the
verge of signing the contract. He said that they were reviewing the possibility
of closing several streets instead of paving them. He added that the Sanitary
District had requested paved access to the areas where they had lines in the
washes. Mr. Harrel referred to the second memo in his packet saying that he
viewed the participants in the project as custom street builders. He said they
would do custom work to the streets and cited putting an integral color in the
curb and gutter, adding sidewalks, adding a median island in a culdesac, concrete
paving, adding paving stone, etc., if the residents were willing to pay
additional fees for the work. Mayor Cutillo asked what the policy would be
regarding replacing mailboxes that did not conform to the Town ordinance and Mr.
Harrel replied that the metal poles would be replaced, wooden ones would not be.
Mr. Harrel said that the Fountain Hills Fire District had approached him and
requested that Palisades Boulevard at the Fire Department be paved by the time
that they open their new facility that was currently under construction. They
proposed that they pay for the construction and be reimbursed. The Fire District
also wanted a yellow/red flashing, radio controlled signal, installed in front
of the station. Mr. Harrel said that the Town would own the pole and the sign
and the Fire District own and operate the flasher. Mayor Cutillo asked why the
paving could not wait until it was scheduled and Chief Knapp stated that
extensive blacktop work would be needed prior to the opening of the facility.
Also, there would be a turn-around area in the front of the firehouse and the
unpaved portion of the area would create a washout and run-off problem. Mr.
Nordin stated that Mr. Farrell had suggested the Town ask it's Bond Counsel about
reimbursing out of bond funds.
#3.B.1. , 2. , 3. Discuss the following: MCO's special event request for a
concert in the park, Fountain Bowl 's request for a special event liquor license,
and Big Daddy's request for an extension of premise permit. Mr. Nordin suggested
that the three topics be discussed in concurrence. Mr. Rick Bonetti from MCO
said that Jan Roberts' band was the entertainment. There was no discussion.
#3.R.4. Discuss the following: Possible contribution to the joint purchase of
a portable community stage. Councilwoman Tibbetts referred to an informational
memo which suggested that the community give itself a Christmas present to
commemorate the Community's twentieth anniversary. Mr. Nordin said that there
would he many questions to be addressed. He requested that the Council give him
a direction on how to proceed. Vice Mayor. Clark said that he felt that this
should he pursued by the Parks & Recreation Department. Councilwoman Tibbetts
gave information on Mesa and Chandler, adding that both communities had a
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situation similar to Fountain Hills' . She stated that both of the communities
had a portable-permanent stage and a subsection in the Parks Department that was
in charge of the stage, called the cultural or leisure activities' department.
She said that the stage was also used for their sporting programs. Vice Mayor
Clark suggested the possibility of a permanent structure in the park removing the
need for the portable stage. Councilwoman Tihhetts said that with the plans for
future neighborhood parks, etc. , the portable stage would he very versatile.
Councilman Fox thought it was an excellent idea and named many uses for the
stage. Councilman Hudson said that he felt it should go to the Parks &
Recreation department pointing out that that department had received $50,000 more
than they had budgeted for. Councilman Minarsich suggested that some of the local
service clubs that had henefitted from the Chamber functions in the past could
contribute. Mr. Rick Bonetti said that he would like to see something special
done for the end of the twentieth year celebration on December 15. Councilwoman
Tibbetts said that the basic equipment referred to in the memo was the stage
formation, the back railing and the stairs and those items would amount to
approximately $18,000. The original thought was to have the four major
community-wide organizations purchase the stage and the other groups and
individuals could make contributions. Mayor Cutillo asked who would he
responsible for_ the setting up and taking down of the stage. He added that if
there was not a crew that did it all the time, there was a risk of losing parts,
breaking parts, and not setting it up right. Councilman Fox stated that he felt
that possibly the street or sanitary department personnel could be responsible
and maybe it could be stored at their yard. Councilwoman Tihhetts stated that
the School District offered to store the equipment at their warehouse after it •
was completed. Mayor Cutillo suggested that if the Kiwanians were going to be
responsible for the setting up and taking down, perhaps the Town and others
could make a substantial contribution to them. They could also be responsible
for the storage of i t. Mr. Hansen pointed out that another major expense would
he a sound system.
#3.R.5. Discuss the following: Proposed zoning ordinance. Mayor Cutillo asked
why the recreational vehicle code was so strict and Mr. Bob Thomas said that they
had felt that the situation had gotten completely out of control . Mr. Thomas
said that the minimum consideration was a six foot. vertical enclosure for boats
or recreational vehicles. Fountain Hills ' rerrain was such that, for properties
that overlook others, that solution would nor work so they required a roofed
enclosure_ He added that if that would not work for a particular property, there
were plenty of off-site storage facilities. Mr. Thomas said that they had also
taken a stand on off-sire sicnage, however, they had requested suggestions from
the public sector. yr. ,leppson said that the local Realtors had submitted ideas
that had been distributed to the Commission. Councilman Minarsich stated that
the Town needed a place for the public to store their recreational vehicles
before requiring them to remove them from their property. He added that some
persons had constructed shelters specifically for their recreational vehicles.
He added that he did think they should he removed from the streets. Mr. Farrell
said that the enforcement of recreational vehicle screening ordinances was very
difficult and most communities would not take a case to court . He added that
Fountain Hills ' terrain made the "hack yard" requirement difficult. Mr. ,leppson
said that the current code required the recreational vehicles to he in the hack
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yards. Councilwoman Tibbetts said that in Fountain Hi i is the hark yards were
often the most visible. Councilman Minarsich stared that he was opposed to the
section on screening of recreational vehicles and boats as it was written.
Councilwoman Tibbetts expounded on the equestrian situation and the Committee of
Architerrnre's rules on it .
AGENDA ITEM 46 - RESOLUTION 1991-45, AUTHOR TZING SUBMITTAL, OF AN APPLICATION TO
THE ART 7ONA SUPREME COURT FOR FUNDS TO UNDERTAKE, A ".JI DTCTAL, FNFORCF mFNT UNTT"
PROGRAM TN THF, TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MAGISTRATE COURT, TOWN OF FOUNTATN HILLS,
STATE OF AR T ZONA; AIT HORTRTNG AND DIRECTING THE TOWN MAGTSTRATE ANi'i TOWN MARSHAL
TO EXECUTE, ALL DOCUMENTS TN CONNFCTTON THEREWTTH.
.fudge Shoob stared that it was a joint proposal between the Marshal 's Department
and the Court . He said there were approximately forty percent of the court fines
oiirsranding. .Trudge Shoob explained that the position they were proposing would
he a member of the Fountain Hills Marshal 's Department but supervised by the
Court . He further explained that they would ask. the Supreme Court for a grant
that would pay the salary, purchase the equipment and cover the necessary
expenses of the individual for at least one year. Judge Shoob said that if they
applied in December of this year, they would receive a grant for eighteen months
which would he for $:iC,000 to $33,000. Judge Shoob stated that the individual
would take over when a person in court said that they could not pay their fine
and needed a payment plan. He said the individual would follow-up with the
person and go to their home to collect if necessary. Judge Shoob said that the
position would require an Arizona certified police officer under arms. He said
that the Supreme Court was looking for an increase in collections of at least ten
percent . judge Shoob said that as of that day, they Court exceeded $100,000 in
outstanding fines , adding that the amount increased approximately $6.000 per
month. Mayor C>>tilio stated that the person would he hired for the eighteen
months with the understanding that if there were no more grant funds available
after that length of time, the position would he vacated, adding that he wondered
about the i ega l ramifications. .Judge Shoob stated that the person would be hired
for a specific period, on an ongoing basis. Mr. Farrell stated that the source
of the fends with which the Town would pay the employee had nothing to do with
rho rights that would he granted the employee. Mr. Farrell stated that the job
position could be advertised as part time or seasonal or for a specific length
or rime. the Council discussed and agreed upon adding verbiage that the hiring
or the individual would he contingent upon the receipt of the grant money.
AOFDA ITEM ,''F4 - RESOLUTION 1991-44, AMENDING THE TOWN EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT
PROGRAM BY EKPANDTNG EL,TGTRILTTY TO ALL MEMBERS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
There was no discussion on this agenda item.
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AGENDA TTEM .46 - RRSui,UTTON 1991-46, ARANDONTNG WHATEVER RTGHT, TITLE, OR
INTEREST TT HAS TN THAT CERTAIN PUBLIC UTILTTY EASEMENT AND DRAINAGE EASEMENT
AF'FEC 1 i NG ALONG THE EASTERLY Y i3OT i,TNF, OF LOT 4, Ri,OCK 3, OF PLAT 204 FOUNTAIN
HILLS, ARIZONA AS RECORDED IN ROOK 142 OF MAPS, PAGE 10, RECORDS OF MARTCOPA
COUNTY; ARIZONA.
There was no niscns.ion on this agenda item.
AGENDA TTEM 47 - RESOLUTION 1991-47, ADOPTTNG THE MAG 1991 PARTICULATE PLAN FOR
PM-10 FOR THE MARTCOPA COUNTY AREA AND COMMTTTTNG TO CERTAIN IMPLEMENTATION
PROGRAMS_
Air. Nordin referred to the Resolution and drew the Council 's attention to
sections one and four, explaining that it stated which measures staff intended
ro comply with_ Mr. Nordin said rhat many of the items in the plan were not
applicable to Fountain Hills- He referred to exhibit 'B' , MAG measure number
fourteen in the plan, pointing out one item that would he deleted. He said that,
regarding the last sentence under the implementation schedule, the Town should
not he willing to grant rezoning on a conditional basis only, which meant that
if development was not completed by a certain date, the property would revert to
its original zoning and original state.
AGENDA TTEM OA - RESOLTTTTON 1991-17, AMENDING THE FOUNTAIN HILLS CODE BY ADDING
THERETO A NEW CHAPTER 16 ENTITi.ED STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, AND PROVIDING FOR
ENCROACHMENT PERMITS FOR PIIRT,TC STREETS, RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND WATER COURSES.
Councilwoman Ti hhett s pointed out that at the hortom of nage three, landscaping
permits referred only to single family dwellings and she felt that it should
include duplex zoning. The Council agreed to the change and the staff said
they would make the appropriate change.
AGENDA TTEtt 49 - ADJOURNMENT
i ho i own (:ohms i i adjourned the fork/Study session ar approximately 9:24 p.m.
Minutes of the Work/Study Session of the Town Council 10/15 91
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By:
.ioh C iri i lo, Mayor
A 1FST:
Cassie B. Hansen, Town C.irrk
y `/4
La i i:. B rcher, Secretary
C..F.FT i h i CA I T O.c
i frro"nv corrifv rnnr rho foregoing minnros are a trim and correct copy of the
minutes or rho [ orit;Study Session held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills on
rho iirh day of October 1991 . T further certify that the meeting was duly called
and that a quorum was: present .
this 1-4_ day of November 1 99 i .
Cassie B. Hansen, Town Clerk
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