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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.0527.TCOM.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE JOINT SESSION BETWEEN THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL AND THE FOUNTAIN HILLS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT(FHUSD#98)BOARD May 27,2009 Mayor Schlum called the meeting to order at 7:30 A.M. and the meeting was held in the Navajo Room at the Fountain Hills Community Center. The following members of the Fountain Hills Town Council were present: Mayor Jay T. Schlum, Councilmember Dennis Contino, Councilmember Henry Leger, Councilmember Brown, Vice Mayor Archambault and Councilmember Dickey. Councilmember Hansen was absent. Town staff attendees: Town Manager Rick Davis, Town Attorney Andrew McGuire, Deputy Town Manager Julie Ghetti, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mayer, Municipal Judge Ted Armbruster, Public Works Director Tom Ward, MCSO Lt. Brian Jakowinicz and Deputy Eric Haarala, Storm Water/Environmental Planner Raymond Rees, Community Affairs and Media Relations Administrator Katie Decker, and Town Clerk Bev Bender were also present. The following members of the Fountain Hills Unified School District Board: Mrs. Melanie Andrelli, Board President; Mrs. Helen Howard, Board Member; Dr. C.T. Wright, Board Member; Dana Saar, Board Member; and Patricia McNett-Green, Board Member. FHUSD#98 staff attendees: Dr. Bill Myhr, Superintendent; Mr. Tim Leedy, Assistant Superintendent; and Mr. Tom Lawrence,Assistant Superintendent. Mayor Schlum and School Board President Anderelli welcomed everyone. Mayor Schlum stated that the reason for this meeting was to assist both entities with delivering the best services possible as both served the same citizens. President Anderelli concurred and stated that working together benefited everyone. Mr. Tim Leedy addressed the group and provided a brief update on the District's finances and discussed the targeted cuts, how the repelling of the utility funding would affect their budget, that they anticipated a decrease in revenue due to decreased enrollment, and expressed concern further cuts would be necessary for FY10/11 unless the economy stabilized. In response to questions Mr. Leedy stated they anticipated they would be in enrollment decline between FY2010/11 and 2012/13 and pointed out that the State was using stimulus funds to balance the FY08/09 budget. He questioned what would happen when the stimulus money was gone. In response to Vice Mayor Archambault, Mr. Leedy confirmed that the School District would have a ballot override question on the November 2009 ballot. Councilmember Dickey questioned if the tax rate would decrease and would warrants be taken out to which Mr. Leedy responded that the primary tax would increase and that the FHUSD did not anticipate taking warrants out. Deputy Town Manager Julie Ghetti reported that the Town had seen a 10% decline in both revenues and expenditures noting that there was a two year lag in revenues. She reported that budget cuts had been made to the Town's infrastructure; that sales tax revenues were down 15% from last year and that she anticipated a further decline in sales tax revenue; that the biggest threat to the Town's budget was the state legislature due to their budget deficit; that staff was proposing the Town implement a Rainy Day Fund; that stimulus money had been received for Shea Boulevard improvements; the Town hoped to receive grant money to build the new Fire Station; and that the Town was also looking at placing a bond issue on the November ballot and that the Town desired to work with the school on a consolidated ballot. She stated that negotiations were under way with (ity, AT&T for an increase to their cell rental and she discussed that this would benefit both the School and the Town as they shared the revenue. z:\council packets\2009\r6-18-09\090527jmfhusd.doc Page 1 of 4 In response to a question by the Mayor,Ms. Decker responded that last week the legislature had pitted the towns against the schools with their budget restructuring proposals. However,the latest bid had been put to bed for the ( time being. She commented that everyone had something at stake until the state legislatures had completed their Nad work on the budget. Councilmember Dickey discussed two bills that had not yet progressed through the legislative process but expressed her opinion that she did not think the Governor would agree to them and that she hoped it would be okay. MCSO Lt. Brian Jakowincez spoke about issues related to school soon being out for the summer and how the summer recess created a potential for vandalism, the fact that the school resource officer had become certified, the fact that there was a zero tolerance for underage drinking (i.e. parties) as they were looking to save lives and that students had appeared to have heard that message;the fact that there was also zero tolerance for speeding in school zones and how the problem was corrected when officers were present but reversed itself once they were gone; the fact that with the School District's support a mock shooter incident had taken place on campus and that had helped the MCSO deputies preparedness for any real incident, although it was not anticipated; and the fact that the MCSO was also facing budget cuts ($17M) and that the Town would not see any change in service. Lt. Jakowincez spoke about the recent sex offender matter at the park and confirmed that it had not been an incident but a matter of concern on the part of parents at the park and that it had been reinforced that parents were responsible for watching their children. Dr. Myhr commented on the fact that the School District was partnering with the MCSO and sharing lists related to minors' alcohol consumption, that students were being held accountable, and that the students' code of conduct applied not only to the school year but all year. Lt. Jakowincez expressed his appreciation for the partnership and stated that it would help prevent situations from occurring and that he was happy it was taking place. Discussion ensued with regard to legislation that would allow fire arms in parking lots and the concern for the school environment; the fact that the NRA had pushed the legislation through; the fact it was unclear as to how the legislation would affect school property; the fact that it would require posting notices at public buildings if guns were not allowed; expressed concern for potential situations that could take place on school property; the fact that the Senate had not yet heard the bill; and the fact that the MCSO did not get information on such bills but heard about them once they were passed and became law as they would then be required to implement the laws Mr. Leedy spoke briefly about anticipated stimulus monies ($908K) and Councilmember Dickey asked if any consideration had been given to incorporating energy efficiencies and spoke of funding available. Mr. Leedy discussed that the SFB was the controlling agency with regard to the stimulus money and that the School District was looking into solar projects with APS and SRP. In response to a question by the Mayor, Mr. Leedy confirmed that the School District had made an application to Fort McDowell for Prop 202 monies. Ms. Decker discussed that the Town had received $1.1M (stimulus money) for the Shea Boulevard project and had applied for funding for the fire station. Mr. Rees spoke about the $9.1M energy efficiencies money that was available to all municipalities that were under 30,000 in population. He stated that he would be working with facilities to determine what areas could be targeted. Town Manager Rick Davis interjected that the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation was also interested in partnering on such initiatives and Mr. Rees stated that he had not contacted them but would and pointed out that there would be additional funds available through federal grants and that the money would be pooled. Ms. Decker commented on the fact that each entity could receive $300K but if partnering, the amount could be increased by $100K(total received $700K) so there was a benefit to both entities when partnering. Municipal Judge Ted Armbruster discussed the Teen Court program and clarified that the program functioned because of both teen and adult volunteerism and the partnership with MCSO and the FHUSD#98. There was no cost to the Town for the program. Mayor Schlum commented on the fact it sounded like a cost savings as there would have been a cost to the Town if the cases were heard in a court other than the teen court. Judge z:\council packets\2009\r6-18-09\090527jmthusd.doc Page 2 of 4 Armbruster announced that next year he was looking to expand the program into the middle school noting that the students would most likely participate as jurors. Judge Armbruster responded to a question raised by Councilmember Dickey relating to anticipating problems with the transport of detainees stating that he would defer to Lt. Jakowincez but he did not anticipate any problems as arraignments take place in his office utilizing the video conference equipment, which mitigated the need to transport and which reduced the security risks. Public Works Director Tom Ward addressed the group related to on-going and future sidewalk projects that would provide for connectivity to the schools. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mayer addressed the group relating to park needs and displayed poster boards of the two anticipated park sites that are to be located adjacent to McDowell Elementary and Fountain Hills High School. Discussion ensued regarding the Town's need for practice space and that the area would provide for temporary use of open space; the benefits of these joint use parks; the public process that had taken place with adjacent property owners' concerns and the assurance that had been given that there would not be any lights or infrastructure other than sprinklers in these area; the fact that both the School Board and the Town Council had reviewed and approved these projects; the fact that effluent would be used at the High School and that staff would like to do something similar at McDowell Elementary; a comment by Mr. Leedy that in speaking to Don Kile(Ellman Properties)that an effluent line could be run through town to accomplish just that; the timeline for the Ellman properties was 18 months to 2 years out. Mr. Bill Myhr (FHUSD Superintendent) discussed the goal setting process of the School Board and noted that they would be meeting in June to formulate next year's goals. He discussed that the goal setting process would include inviting the various stakeholders and that the District would be using this as their visioning process to promote the District. He discussed that an increase in their fee schedule was being proposed for 2009-10. Board member McNett-Green commented on the cost of holding the graduation ceremony at Fountain Park and asked the Council how they felt about this use of the park. In response to a question by Mayor Schlum, Mr. Myhr stated the graduation ceremony costs were about $25K to hold the graduation in Fountain Park and that it would cost one half that if held on school grounds. Mr. Mayer confirmed that the Town did not charge the School District for use of the park. Board member McNett-Green commented that perhaps the fireworks could be a fund raiser and Mr. Myhr discussed how holding graduation in the Park made it a valuable community event and proposed that the Fountain Hills Booster Club could assist with raising funds for the cost of the fireworks. He expressed that he would like to keep graduation at Fountain Park. Mayor Schlum stated that he loved that graduation was at the park; Board member Howard commented that there was no attendance limit at the Park; Councilmember Dickey noted that the field at the school was too far; and the Mayor proposed that perhaps donations could be taken to help offset the costs of holding graduation at Fountain Park; Councilmember Contino commented that holding graduation in Fountain Park brought the community together; and Councilmember Dickey commented that holding the ceremony in the park might be good for local businesses. Town Manager Davis briefly reviewed the Council's thirteen goals and referenced that the document was on the Town's website. He pointed out that the Council's goals served as the basis of the budget, were the Council's prime policy statement for the upcoming year, and that the goals were related to budget line items. Mr. Davis commented that some were in progress. He thanked everyone for taking the time to attend this joint meeting stating that interaction was important and he appreciated the relationships. Mayor Schlum adjourned the meeting at 9:05A.M. L z:\council packets\2009\r6-18-09\090527jmfhusd.doc Page 3 of 4 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS Norir By • J . Sch um,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 Joint Session between the Town Council of Fountain Hills and the Fountain Hills Unified School District Board held the 27th day of May 2009. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 18th day of June 2009. Bevelyn J. end ,Town Clerk j z:\council packets\2009\r6-18-09\090527jmfhusd.doc Page 4 of 4