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Home My WebLink About2007.0414.TCOM.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE OFF-SITE MEETING OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL AND THE FOUNTAIN HILLS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT#98 March 14,2007 Mayor Nichols called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. Present from Fountain Hills: Mayor Wally Nichols, Vice Mayor Keith McMahan, Councilmembers Mike Archambault, Ed Kehe, Henry Leger,Jay Schlum, and Ginny Dickey. Town of Fountain Hills' staff: Town Attorney Andrew McGuire, Town Manager Tim Pickering, parks and Recreation Director Mark Mayer, Assistant to the Town Manager Kate Zanon, Administrative Assistant Susan Trocki, and Town Clerk Bev Bender. Strategic Planning Advisory Commissioner [SPAC] Rich Schultz was also present. Present from the Fountain Hills Unified School District (FHUSD): President Helen Howard, vice President Dana Saar, Board members Melanie Anderelli, Pat Green, and Dr. C.T.Wright. FHUSD staff: Dr. Marian Hermie, Superintendent; Tim Leedy, Assistant Superintendent; and Tom Lawrence, Executive Director. Ms.Zanon reviewed the meeting agenda that would be followed and facilitated the meeting. Self-Introductions — Welcome and Reason for the Meeting [Mayor Wally Nichols and School Board President Helen Howard]. Self introductions of attendees took place as listed above. Mayor Nichols stated that this meeting was to facilitate the good relationship between the Town and the School District in hopes of better organization and planning for the future. School Board President Howard stated briefly that this was a very busy time for the School District as they were faced with searching for a new superintendent, the possible Goldfield Ranch annexation, and a future override election. Mayor Nichols asked if the School District was proposing to annex all of Goldfield Ranch or just the property owned by Steve Ellman. Asst. Superintendent Tim Leedy responded with a brief review of the history regarding the pending legislation [SB 1122] and confirmed that the property proposed to be annexed was owned by Mr. Ellman. It was pointed out that the bill's provisions was thought to assist the current Goldfield Ranch residents in as they would probably never have 150 students in that specific area so they would not be forced to join a School District or form their own. Superintendent Hermie stated that if the bill passed, Mr. Ellman would be the only required signature needed to annex his property as there were no other residents on his property. President Howard confirmed that currently Goldfield Ranch had eleven students. Mayor Nichols asked if the property were annexed, would the School District have to provide transportation for students. Mr. Leedy responded that the School District would provide transportation. Joint parks Planning — Overview of the Planning Process [Mark Mayer, Director of Parks and Recreation]. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mayer provided maps and an overview of the planning process of developing the two sites owned by School District. He stated that the process would provide for public feedback on the plans and impact on neighbors. He acknowledged that the architect would try to eliminate or mitigate concerns through a series of progressive meetings in order to bring back plans for consideration. He noted that an aggressive schedule existed in order to finish the design part this fiscal year with the District's staff Z:\Council Packets\2007\R4-5-07\3-14-07 minutes of the Off-Site Joint Meeting between the Town Counciland the FHUSD.docx Page 1 of 4 involved along the way. Mr. Mayer commented that lights were a possible concern. However, lights were extremely expensive and remained an issue to be resolved. Discussion ensued regarding development costs, the fact that cost would depend upon amenities located in the parks, Heritage Funds may be available but that the grant application may not score high enough for funding consideration, and the option of adding amenities in order to increase the chance of receiving grant monies vs. the offset of raising development costs. Councilmember Schlum pointed out that during this process the public might again start asking about the possibility of a public pool. Mr. Mayer reminded everyone that was a different site entirely. Superintendent Search—Overview of the Search Process [Helen Howard,School Board President] President Howard stated that the current Superintendent, Miriam Hermie, had submitted her retirement plans to the School Board. She discussed the development of a unique interview process for the candidates that would engage and provide for the active participation of stakeholders. She noted that March 26, 2007, had been chosen for the date of the interviews. President Howard acknowledged that the Town was providing facilitators that day and would disseminate the information back to the School Board so that a decision could be made for Dr. Hermies' replacement at their April meeting. She thanked Town Manager Pickering for the Town's assistance It was discussed that a nationwide candidate search took place and that it was hoped there would be three to four viable candidates to interview out of the eleven applicants. Dr. Hermie pointed out that this was the first time that the Governing Board was looking at potential candidates outside of the District. She noted that there was a strong foundation in place with current their staff that would support the incoming superintendent. Councilmember Dickey asked if anyone had applied from within the School District to which Dr. Hermie replied no. Councilmember Schlum asked if Mr. Ellman's decision to join the Fountain Hills Unified School District(FHUSD) was based on the need to have a school district or due to the fact the FHUSD was an excelling district. Mr. Leedy stated that it had been brought up that the FHUSD was excelling; however, it was a logical choice due to the proximity. Ms. Zanon asked what happened if the person chosen was found to have a contract conflict. President Howard responded that the individuals had indicated that they were available. FHUSD Board Member Wright pointed out that this was a critical time for the School District. He stated that Dr. Hermie could not be duplicated and that the new superintendent would have some challenges ahead. He acknowledged that the FHUSD needed the Town's support in this time of transition. FHUSD President Howard stated that they would not settle; they would search until the "right candidate" was chosen. FHUSD Vice President Saar indicated that Dr. Hermie might be pulled out of retirement until they found the right person. Capital Improvement Planning[Tim Pickering, Town Managerl Town Manager Pickering noted that the Town did not have a plan to build a performing arts theater in the next four year and in the future there may be a need to partner with the School District to build a swimming pool. Mr. Pickering confirmed that neither project was a priority in the Town's strategic plan. He commented that it was important for the School District to retain the land proposed for the swimming pool. Mr. Pickering said the State Trust Land was scheduled for auction on March 15, 2007. He noted that this process dated back to 1990 and the sale would affect the Town and the School District. FHUSD Vice President Saar acknowledged the School District owned three parcels of land that could benefit the needs of the Town. He pointed out the importance of working together in order to put assets to the best use. Mr.Pickering expressed appreciation for the fact the School District was looking at this matter. Discussion ensued as to the size of the three parcels, restrictions on the District if land were to be sold, possible uses for the parcels, and the need to work with the State Land Department. Z:\Council Packets\2007\R4-5-07\3-14-07 minutes of the Off-Site Joint Meeting between the Town Counciland the FHUSD.docx Page 2 of 4 Referendum Planning—Funding Sources [Dana Saar,School Board Vice-President) FHUSD Vice President Saar confirmed that the School District would again go forward to the public with an Ikao override request; the fact that the cost of an election was '/s the cost of teacher. Mr. Leedy stated two questions would be on the November ballot [Bond/Capital outlay override]. FHUSD Vice President Saar stated that new laws forced them to hold their elections in November and acknowledged they faced challenges with proving information to the public. He commented that the District's budget was different as it was set by the Legislature and a successful override election would provide the District with needed additional funding. Mr. Leedy discussed a current situation that was facing the District regarding a phased in funding decrease for utilities [utility relief]. Mayor Nichols asked what mechanism was used to keep the public informed about School District issues. Dr. Hermie stated that through a random survey they had found no one was reading publications so it was found not to be cost effective. However, they publish notices in the paper and provide information to the PTO's—no one instrument was used. FHUSD Wright suggested that they relook at the demographics and try an outreach approach as the majority of residents did not have children in the schools. Dr. Hermie reviewed what informational tools the District utilized during the K-3 Override and Maintenance & Operation [M&O] renewal. She proposed that a consultant company could create documents to be sent out to inform the public. Recap and Concluding Remarks [Mayor Wally Nichols and School Board President Helen Howard] Mayor Nichols thanked everyone for attending. He pointed out that the public may not be aware of the School Districts' budgetary concerns. He expressed it was important to have joint meetings in order to be informed and he pointed out that the older residents were the Town's active voters. LPresident Howard stated the FHUSD was a fiscally responsible rural district in an urban area that did not qualify for several funding mechanism. Therefore, every dollar received was very precious. She also thanked everyone for coming. Adjournment Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m. L Z:\Council Packets\2007\R4-5-07'3-14-07 minutes of the Off-Site Joint Meeting between the Town Counciland the FHUSD.docx Page 3 of 4 TOWN OF FOUNT AI N HILLS By &DE .:L/ A— rally N. hols,Mayor ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: Bevelyn J. n ,Town Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Off-Site Meeting between the Town Council of Fountain Hills and the Fountain Hills Unified School Board on 14th day of March, 2007. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 5th day of April,2007. Bevelyn J. 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