HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996.0118.TCRM.Minutes •
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE
FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL
JANUARY 18, 1996
A public meeting of the Fountain Hills Town Council was convened and called to order by Mayor Cutillo at 6:30
P.M.,Thursday,January 18, 1996. in the Fountain Hills Town Hall Council Chambers, located at 16836 E. Palisades
Blvd., Building B, Fountain Hills, Arizona.
ROLL CALL - Following the pledge to the flag and the invocation by Pastor Len Engstrom of the Fountain Hills
Presbyterian Church, roll call was taken. Present for roll call were the following members of the Fountain Hills
Town Council: Mayor John Cutillo, Vice Mayor Peg Tibbetts and Councilmembers Don Lawrence, Frank Clark,
Wally Hudson, Bill O'Brien and Marianne Wiggishoff. Also present were Town Manager Paul Nordin, Town
Attorney Bill Farrell, Town Clerk Cassie Hansen, Director of Community Development Gary Jeppson and Town
Engineer Randy Harrel.
Mayor Cutillo read the Consent Agenda which consisted of the following agenda items:
AGENDA ITEM #2 - CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 4,
1996.
AGENDA ITEM#3-CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 1996-03,ABANDONING WHATEVER RIGHT,
TITLE, OR INTEREST THE TOWN HAS IN THE CERTAIN DRAINAGE EASEMENT ALONG THE
SOUTHERLY PROPERTY LINE OF PLAT 705, AS RECORDED IN BOOK 407 OF MAPS, PAGE 33,
RECORDS OF MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA.
AGENDA ITEM#4-CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 1996-04,ABANDONING WHATEVER RIGHT,
TITLE, OR INTEREST THE TOWN HAS IN THE CERTAIN DRAINAGE AND PUBLIC UTILITY
EASEMENTS ALONG THE EASTERLY AND SOUTHERLY LOT LINES OF LOT 2, BLOCK 2, PLAT
605A (15815 E. BURRO DRIVE), AS RECORDED IN BOOK 164 OF MAPS, PAGE 12, RECORDS OF
MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA.
AGENDA ITEM #5 - CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 1996-05, ANNEXING CERTAIN REAL
PROPERTY TO THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS PURSUANT TO A.R.S. 9-471.N.
AGENDA ITEM#6- CONSIDERATION OF THE FINAL PLAT FOR A PROPOSED 27 LOT,49.34 ACRE
SUBDIVISION 515 AMENDED,WHICH IS LOCATED SOUTH OF GOLDEN EAGLE BLVD.AND WEST
OF SUNRIDGE CANYON DRIVE; CASE #95-047.
AGENDA ITEM#7 - CONSIDERATION OF THE FINAL PLAT FOR A PROPOSED 12 LOT, 10.3 ACRE
SUBDIVISION 607 WHICH IS LOCATED NORTH OF RIDGEWAY DR. AND EAST OF PALISADES
BLVD.; CASE #95-061.
AGENDA ITEM #8 - CONSIDERATION OF A SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST SUBMITTED BY DORI
WITTRIG FOR MCO REALTY AND NEW AMERICAN HOMES FOR A NEW HOME FAIR TO BE
HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1996 AT THE PARADISE VISTAS ESTATES LOCATED ON
FOUNTAIN HILLS BOULEVARD, JUST SOUTH OF EL LAGO BOULEVARD. THE EVENT,
INCLUDING HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES, WILL OCCUPY PORTIONS OF ANDREW AND RYAN
DRIVES.
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
Page 1 of 10
•
AGENDA ITEM #9 - CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
EMPLOYEE MANUAL BY ADOPTING AND ADDING A MANDATORY DRUG TESTING POLICY.
AGENDA ITEM #10 - CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING CHANGE ORDER REQUEST #1 IN THE
AMOUNT OF $11,700 FOR ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE ELECTRICAL SERVICE FOR THE
OPERATION OF THE ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTING AT FOUR PEAKS ATHLETIC FIELD.
AGENDA ITEM #11 - CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS OF THE
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WHICH WOULD CHANGE THE STARTING TIMES OF
REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M.
Councilman Clark MOVED to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Vice Mayor Tibbetts SECONDED the motion.
A roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Councilman Lawrence Aye
Councilwoman Wiggishoff Aye
Councilman Clark Aye
Councilman Hudson Aye
Councilman O'Brien Aye
Vice Mayor Tibbetts Aye
Mayor Cutillo Aye
The motion CARRIED unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #12 - PRESENTATION BY JIM DICKEY OF THE REGIONAL PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ON PROPOSED BUS ROUTE CHANGES AND DISCUSSION OF BUS
1/460, SERVICE.
Mr. Dickey,representing the RPTA,addressed the Council regarding a change in Express Route 512 which currently
delivers and returns passengers to and from downtown Phoenix twice daily. He said the completion of Palisades
Boulevard would shorten the bus route and save approximately $5,000 yearly. He anticipated the route change,
which included four stops, would become effective March 4, 1996 after signs and poles were relocated onto
Palisades. He urged the Council to promote the use of bus service in the community. Councilwoman Wiggishoff
announced that the next issue of the Fountain Hills Focus newsletter would contain a front-page article concerning
bus transportation. Councilman Hudson suggested a local bus schedule be developed and distributed within the
Town.
AGENDA ITEM#13 - PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AN APPLICATION
FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A TEMPORARY VEHICULAR STORAGE FACILITY TO BE
LOCATED AT 12024 E. COLONY DRIVE,AKA PLAT 205,BLOCK 2,LOT 7,FOUNTAIN HILLS,CASE
NUMBER SU95-10.
Mayor Cutillo recessed the Regular Session of the Town Council and opened the public hearing at 6:45 P.M. No
one came forward to speak for or against the special use permit application. Mayor Cutillo closed the public hearing
and reconvened the Regular Session of the Town Council at 6:46 P.M.
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
Page 2 of 10
AGENDA ITEM #14 - CONSIDERATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
A TEMPORARY VEHICULAR STORAGE FACILITY TO BE LOCATED AT 12024 E. COLONY DRIVE,
AKA PLAT 205, BLOCK 2, LOT 7, CASE NUMBER SU95-10.
Councilman Hudson MOVED to approve the special use permit application along with three staff stipulations.
Councilman O'Brien SECONDED the motion which CARRIED unanimously. The applicant, Mark Harness who
owns All-Pro Towing, stated vehicles would be brought to this location and assured that the vehicles would be
disposed within the 190-day limit.
AGENDA ITEM#15 - PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AN APPLICATION
FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT STORAGE YARD TO BE
LOCATED AT 12007 E.FALCON DRIVE,AKA PLAT 302A,BLOCK 2,LOT 6,CASE NUMBER SU95-09.
Mayor Cutillo recessed the Regular Session of the Town Council and opened the public hearing at 6:49 P.M. No
one came forward to speak for or against the special use permit application. Mayor Cutillo closed the public hearing
and reconvened the Regular Session of the Town Council at 6:50 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM #16 - CONSIDERATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
A CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT STORAGE YARD TO BE LOCATED AT 12007 E. FALCON DRIVE,
AKA PLAT 302A, BLOCK 2, LOT 6, CASE NUMBER SU95-09.
Planner Geir Sverdrup said he had spoken with the applicant, Mr. Rosamilia, about the staff stipulations concerning
the special use permit. Mr. Sverdrup said Mr. Rosamilia was uncertain whether he could remove the existing
stockpiles within the 30-day period. Mr. Sverdrup indicated that non-compliance with the stipulations could result
Lor in the cancellation of the special use permit as well as penalties set forth by the Magistrate Court. Mayor Cutillo
MOVED to approve the application for special use permit, Case No. SU95-09, including the staff stipulations.
Councilwoman Wiggishoff SECONDED the motion which CARRIED unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM#17-PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF
FOUNTAIN HILLS WHICH WOULD EFFECT PARCEL 12, AND TRACT C-3, OF THE EAGLE
MOUNTAIN MASTER SUBDIVISION. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD REDUCE TRACT C-3,
"OPEN SPACE RECREATIONAL", BY 2653± SQUARE FEET AND INCREASE PARCEL 12, ZONED
"R1-8A", BY 2653± SQUARE FEET, CASE NUMBER Z95-36.
Mayor Cutillo recessed the Regular Session of the Town Council and opened the public hearing at 6:52 P.M. No
one came forward to speak for or against the proposed amendment to the Zoning District Map regarding Eagle
Mountain Master Subdivision. Mayor Cutillo closed the public hearing and reconvened the Regular Session of the
Town Council at 6:53 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM #18 - CONSIDERATION ORDINANCE 96-01, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING
DISTRICT MAP OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS WHICH
WOULD EFFECT PARCEL 12,AND TRACT C-3,OF THE EAGLE MOUNTAIN MASTER SUBDIVISION,
CASE NUMBER Z95-36.
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
Page 3 of 10
Mayor Cutillo MOVED to approve Ordinance 96-01 as presented. Councilman Lawrence SECONDED the motion
which CARRIED unanimously.
L
AGENDA ITEM#19-CONSIDERATION OF REPLAT TO PARCEL 12 AND TRACT C-3 OF THE EAGLE
MOUNTAIN MASTER SUBDIVISION, CASE NUMBER S95-94.
Mayor Cutillo MOVED to approve the replat of Parcel 12 and Tract C-3, Case Number S95-94 as presented. Vice
Mayor Tibbetts SECONDED the motion which CARRIED unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #20 - PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON A PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO THE OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICTS MAP OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS WHICH WOULD REZONE PARCEL 7 OF THE EAGLE MOUNTAIN
MASTER SUBDIVISION FROM "R-4" TO "R1-8A", CASE NUMBER Z95-38.
Mayor Cutillo recessed the Regular Session of the Town Council and opened the public hearing at 6:54 P.M. No
one came forward to speak for or against the proposed amendment to rezone Parcel 7 of the Eagle Mountain Master
Subdivision. Mayor Cutillo closed the public hearing and reconvened the Regular Session of the Town Council at
6:55 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM#21-CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 96-02,AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING
DISTRICT MAP OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS WHICH
WOULD REZONE PARCEL 7 OF THE EAGLE MOUNTAIN MASTER SUBDIVISION FROM "R-4" TO
"R1-8A", CASE NUMBER Z95-38.
�r Councilman Lawrence MOVED to approve Ordinance 96-02, Case Number Z95-38, as presented. Councilwoman
Wiggishoff SECONDED the motion which CARRIED unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #22 - PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AN APPLICATION
FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE EAGLE MOUNTAIN COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PLAN.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, 497± ACRES, IS LOCATED SOUTH OF SHEA BOULEVARD, NORTH OF THE
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN RESERVATION,EAST OF THE SCOTTSDALE CITY LIMITS,
AND WEST OF SUMMIT EAST, CASE NUMBER SU95-11.
Mayor Cutillo recessed the Regular Session of the Town Council and opened the public hearing at 6:56 P.M. No
one came forward to speak for or against the Eagle Mountain Comprehensive Sign Plan. Mayor Cutillo closed the
public hearing and reconvened the Regular Session of the Town Council at 6:57 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM #23 - CONSIDERATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
THE EAGLE MOUNTAIN COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PLAN, CASE NUMBER SU95-11.
Councilman Hudson asked about Stipulation #2 which did not include permission for off-premise signs until the
Council had adopted standards for permanent off-premise directional signs. Councilwoman Wiggishoff asked when
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
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standards would be discussed. Town Manager Nordin stated that a study session with the Council regarding off-
premise signs had not been scheduled at this time but would be discussed before the end of February. Mayor Cutillo
MOVED to approve the special use permit application with the Planning&Zoning Commission's recommendations
for Case Number SU95-11. Councilman Lawrence SECONDED the motion which CARRIED unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM#24-PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE TEXT OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS TO CHANGE
THE MINIMUM FRONT YARD SETBACK IN THE R1-8A ZONING DISTRICT,CASE NUMBER Z95-37.
Mayor Cutillo recessed the Regular Session of the Town Council and opened the public hearing at 6:59 P.M. No
one came forward to speak for or against the proposed zoning text amendment. Mayor Cutillo closed the public
hearing and reconvened the Regular Session of the Town Council at 7:00 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM #25 - CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 96-03, AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE
ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS TO CHANGE THE MINIMUM FRONT
YARD SETBACK IN THE R1-8A ZONING DISTRICT, CASE NUMBER Z95-37.
Mayor Cutillo MOVED to approve Ordinance 96-03, Case Number Z95-37, as presented. Councilman Lawrence
SECONDED the motion which CARRIED unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #26 - CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE
ARMORED/SAGUARO MINI-STORAGE PROPOSED FOR LOT 50,PLAT 414 LOCATED WEST OF THE
INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY DRIVE AND SAGUARO BOULEVARD, ZONED "I-2 IUPD".
Mayor Cutillo removed himself from discussion and voting on this matter due to a perception of conflict of interest.
Vice Mayor Tibbetts presided during the discussion.
Planner Jeff Valder stated the overlay zone required a concept plan approved by the Council. He reviewed several
issues including IUPD guidelines as opposed to zoning guidelines. The IUPD proposed a 40' setback which included
a 20' wide landscape area and a 20' wide area for parking spaces. Also, the guidelines for location and height of
screening walls needed to be determined. He said the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation included
screening walls,6' in height, could not be placed closer than 25' to the property line. He said staff interpreted alleys
to be the same as public streets as far as determining 25' setbacks, however, the County interpreted that a rear yard
could be positioned on an alleyway and allowed for a 10' setback.
The ingress/egress location was set at Saguaro Boulevard with the alley to be used for emergency access purposes.
Mr. Valder stated a median cut would be needed at Saguaro to allow left hand turns out of the project and to
eliminate U-turns on Saguaro. He further stated the height limit requirements differed between 26' and 22' and the
developer had agreed to comply with the 22' height limit.
Councilman Clark said he felt there would not be any problems with entrance off of Saguaro but that left hand turns
onto Saguaro would be difficult. Town Engineer Randy Harrel recommended an exit onto Technology Drive would
be a better solution for traffic flow. Councilwoman Wiggishoff stated she felt 40' setbacks on Saguaro were intended
to prevent front perimeter walls close to Saguaro Boulevard.
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
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•
Councilman Lawrence MOVED approval of the plan of development to include stipulations for a 40' front setback
on Saguaro Boulevard, the side street setbacks along Technology Drive be 25', the alley and side yard setbacks be
10' and that the entrance and exit be restricted to Technology Drive. Councilman Clark SECONDED the motion.
Councilman Hudson AMENDED the motion to require an emergency or secondary exit. Councilman Clark
SECONDED the amendment. Councilman Hudson then AMENDED his amendment to include an emergency or
secondary exit located either on Technology Drive or the alleyway. Councilman Clark SECONDED the change to
the amendment which CARRIED with a 6-0 vote.
Mr. Richard Cartell, representing Westar Architectural Group, presented site plans which had been changed several
times resulting in re-positioning of the buildings on the property. He urged approval of a median cut on Saguaro
Boulevard to enable easier location of the storage facility as well as a single entrance to the project.
Councilman Clark suggested a Saguaro Boulevard entrance and an exit near the alley. Mr. Cartel said he was
concerned about security monitoring checks in the event of entrances and exits being at more than one location.
After additional discussion,Councilman Clark MOVED to table discussion until the next Council meeting,February
1, 1996 to allow the applicant to redesign his project. Councilman Hudson SECONDED the motion which FAILED
with a 2-4 vote. Councilman Clark and Hudson cast the aye votes.
Councilman Clark AMENDED the motion to include that the secondary exit be located on Technology Drive as
close to the alley as design would permit and that Saguaro Boulevard be used as an entrance only. Councilman
Hudson SECONDED the amendment. Councilwoman Wiggishoff stated she felt the Council shouldn't redesign the
project. Councilman Lawrence said he felt an entrance off Technology would not create a hardship on the applicant
and the considerations of traffic flow and the surrounding neighbors should be reflected in any redesigned plan of
development. The amendment FAILED with a 1-5 vote. Councilman Clark cast the aye vote.
Mr. Cartel] asked if Technology Drive was permitted as an entrance, could the screen wall be located along the rear
property line.
Councilman Lawrence AMENDED the motion to change the alleyside setback to allow the screen fence to be built
on the property line at the north alley line but maintain at least 10' for any other structure. Councilman Clark
SECONDED the amendment. Mr. Bill Venditti said he was concerned about the percentage of building coverage
under Industrial-2 zoning exceeding the 60% standard. Mr. Cartell stated the coverage as shown on the site plan
was 39%. A vote on the amendment CARRIED with a 6-0 vote.
A review of the main motion by Vice Mayor Tibbetts specified a 40' front yard setback, side street setback on
Technology Drive of 25', a 10' setback at the alley, no fence setback, an entrance on Technology only and the other
sideyard setback should be 10'. The motion CARRIED unanimously with a 6-0 vote.
AGENDA ITEM #27 - PRESENTATION BY GARY JEPPSON ON THE CURRENT DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN THE ZONING MAP AND THE GENERAL PLAN MAP FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN
HILLS WITH POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO PREPARE AMENDMENTS TO THE OFFICIAL
ZONING DISTRICTS MAP OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS TO
HAVE ZONING DISTRICTS THAT WILL IMPLEMENT THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN OF THE
FOUNTAIN HILLS GENERAL PLAN.
Community Development Director Gary Jeppson presented a report on the comparisons between the General Plan
and the Zoning District Map of the Zoning Ordinance. He referred to his staff report which dealt with open space
designation for wash areas, Fountain Park rezoning, vacant land designations in R-3, R-4 and R-5 districts, Eagle
Mountain parcels, zoning changes for a parcel located east of Thistle Drive and south of Paradise Ridge, zoning at
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
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the proposed Tolkapaya building project, Fountain Ridge, vacant portions of Lakeside Village, zoning of Fountain
Hills Golf Club. North Heights Park, Golden Eagle Park, vacant land at the southern side of El Lago Boulevard,
Summit East golf course area as well as other areas which were zoned for greater intensity than what the current
zoning designations allow. Mr. Jeppson corrected the third paragraph of his staff report to eliminate the Rancho
Montana subdivision from other subdivisions named in a list of those whose zoning districts had been changed from
multi-family to single residence districts. He said Rancho Montana had originally been zoned Single Family Medium
in the General Plan. Mr. Jeppson stated MCO Properties had indicated they wanted time to review the comparisons.
Councilwoman Wiggishoff stated decisions needed to be made regarding the implementation of the General Plan.
Councilman Clark stated he did not consider rezoning from a high density to a lower density as a "taking" and he
said he felt the Town could be successful in those type cases. Referring to Mr. Jeppson's staff report, he felt the
Town could change items lettered C, D, E, F, H, J, K, L and M. He proposed no action on items letter A, C or D
as they could be honored as future tradeoffs. He suggested staff prioritize parcels subject to the downtown
development and work to establish transitions from that point. Councilman Lawrence was concerned about a
property owner's decrease in market value and possible legal actions against the Town as a result of zoning changes.
Councilman Hudson suggested the Council proceed with several of the most urgent items. Councilwoman
Wiggishoff agreed and suggested the multi-family areas should be considered initially unless building preparations
had been commenced. Vice Mayor Tibbetts stated the Town-owned properties could be clarified without controversy.
Mayor Cutillo said he considered the rezoning of the golf course to open space would not create any undue litigation.
Town Attorney Farrell stated there were no statutory requirements for review of the General Plan. He stated the
process should have public hearings, a draft of the amendments presented to both the Planning & Zoning
Commission and the Town Council,additional public hearings and ultimate adoption or rejection within a six to eight
month period. He said the primary issue regarding the downzoning of properties would be the monetary impact on
affected property owners.
Town Manager Nordin suggested staff be directed to investigate several letter items designated by the Council, get
feedback from land owners and bring this information back to the Council in an effort to initiate zoning changes and
then to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
It was suggested lettered items D, E, F, J and M be selected as the first items to be discussed and a legal analysis
of each parcel be conducted by the Town Attorney within four to six weeks.
AGENDA ITEM#28 - CALL TO THE PUBLIC. (PUBLIC COMMENT IS ENCOURAGED BUT PLEASE
BE ADVISED THAT THE COUNCIL HAS NO ABILITY TO RESPOND OR DISCUSS MATTERS
BROUGHT UP DURING THE CALL TO THE PUBLIC AS SUCH DISCUSSION IS PROHIBITED BY THE
ARIZONA OPEN MEETING LAW.)
Mr. Justin Henry spoke before the Council regarding the site plans for a mini storage facility at the public hearing
at the Planning and Zoning Commission and the revised site plans which were presented before the Council.
AGENDA ITEM #29 - ADJOURNMENT TO WORK STUDY SESSION.
Vice Mayor Tibbetts MOVED to adjourn the Regular Session of the Town Council. Councilman Lawrence
SECONDED the motion which CARRIED unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:48 P.M.
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
Page 7 of 10
AGENDA ITEM #30 - THE TOWN COUNCIL WILL ADJOURN THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED
MEETING AND GO INTO A WORK/STUDY SESSION TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF
CONDUCTING A CITIZEN SURVEY TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO PRIORITIZE FUTURE
COMMUNITY PROJECTS INCLUDING AN AQUATIC CENTER AND A CIVIC CENTER.
Mayor Cutillo opened the work study session at 8:55 P.M.
Town Manager introduced Dr. Bruce Merrill, who prepared the survey, and Cate Dahlberg, a representative from
the citizen group promoting the aquatic center. Mr. Nordin distributed a cost estimate for the $17.4 million civic
center facility.
Dr. Merrill addressed the Council regarding the draft survey to determine if the questions asked were unbiased and
objective to allow for informative conclusions as a result of the survey. He recommended explanations of the two
projects be given before questions were asked in the survey. He said questions about prioritizing the two projects
would be asked. He asked the Council whether they preferred approaching registered voters or property owners in
selecting who would participate in the survey.
Councilwoman Wiggishoff stated she thought the amenities presented in the survey concerning the aquatic center
were more detailed than information presented concerning the civic center facilities. She felt the results of this
survey as presented would ultimately be one-sided because not enough civic center information was presented. Mr.
Nordin agreed that more revisions to the questions needed to be done. Dr. Merrill agreed that objective descriptions
of both projects be revised.
Councilman O'Brien referred to a previous survey question asked about the preservation issue of the McDowell
Mountains where residents were asked about their willingness to provide financial commitments to the suggested
project and if such a question could also be included in this survey.
Vice Mayor Tibbetts said she was concerned about the reference to increasing the local sales tax to provide for the
two projects. She suggested the question be restructured to refer to the proposal of using a portion of the available
sales tax revenue for the maintenance of these facilities as a more acceptable question. Mr. Nordin pointed out that
the sales tax revenues retired the indebtedness of the actual project, not provided for maintenance expenses.
Councilman Lawrence suggested rather than include increased sales tax revenues as a financial means in the
description of the project, a separate question asking funding preferences be designed, listing the options available.
Mr. Nordin suggested the costs of both projects be reduced to indicate the amounts taxpayers would be liable to
incur. Dr. Merrill commented that the Council could get better results from the survey if survey participants were
not asked how much they would be willing to pay towards funding of the projects. He said the projects should be
estimated at a certain amount and then participants should be asked whether they were willing to pay those costs.
Dr. Merrill suggested the description of the projects be more detailed. Councilman Clark stated he thought the
community has been saying they wanted a pool and that the civic center should be broken down into individual
components. He suggested the library building be specified as the first building in the civic center program.
Councilman O'Brien suggested question#4 be deleted and different language be presented regarding the possibility
of using additional increased revenue from sales taxes to fund these projects.
Rick Elsey,MCO Properties, suggested certain annual dollar amounts be determined as resultant costs per household
in order to provide these projects and then ask the residents if they approved of these costs.
Dr. Merrill asked the Council if they were satisfied with the description of the projects. Mayor Cutillo said he
preferred to ask direct questions such as whether the residents wanted a public swimming pool, how quickly the
residents wanted a civic center, how much were the residents willing to pay for these projects. He said the desire
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
Page 8 of 10
for a civic center has existed for some time whereas the desire for a public swimming pool has been introduced
during the past year.
Dr. Merrill suggested questions be asked on the survey relating to rating the importance of each project on a scale
of 1 to 5. He said comparisons could then be made to get what the project residents feel is most important for the
community.
Councilman Hudson suggested the pool project should be part of the Parks and Recreation Department and thus
funded with sales tax revenues just like the streets, police and civic center were planned to be funded. He felt the
pool project should be prioritized with all the other Parks and Recreation projects such as soccer fields. tennis courts,
etc. He said he desired to get the civic center project underway within the next 18 months as the funds were
available at this time.
Dr. Merrill suggested another option might be to ask the residents if they supported the proposal of a public pool.
Also, if a person said they were not in favor of a pool, then they should be asked why they feel the pool was not
wanted. Answers to that question might dictate future project priorities. Mayor Cutillo pointed out that if residents
were strongly in favor of both projects, then both projects should be undertaken.
Dr. Merrill reiterated the suggestions to include asking about the pool using the scale system then ask residents to
prioritize the components of a civic center using a scale system. This would eliminate the comparisons between the
pool and the civic center.
Councilman O'Brien said using the scale of 1 to 5 was the most satisfactory method of determining the residents'
intent. He suggested parallel questions should be asked about each project rather than to suggest one project would
win and the other fail. He agreed with Dr. Merrill's descriptions of the projects as presented.
Vice Mayor Tibbetts said she felt the public would be asking what the cost figures would be before they determined
if they were in favor of these projects. Dr. Merrill agreed saying that costs based upon the assessed valuation of
4116, a home at $100,000 should be used and citizens would understand these amounts if presented in this manner. Dr.
Merrill said he would rewrite the questions and submit them to Mr. Nordin.
The work study session ended at 10:16 P.M.
L`tit Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
Ir,r Page 9 of 10
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
By:
J M. Cutillo, Mayor
A FIEST: C.,#.44A:4,2•Ni6
Cassie B. Hansen, Town Clerk
PREPARED BY:
Linda D. Lemn n, Administrative Assistant
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Session Meeting
held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills on the 18th day of January, 1996. I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 1st day of February, 1996.
(kw e41.4444._. 45 ALIA.)
Cassie B. Hansen, Town Clerk
Minutes of the Regular Session of the Town Council 01/18/96
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