HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.0421.TCRM.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL
APRIL 21, 2020
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Dickey
Mayor Dickey called the meeting of April 21, 2020, to order at 5:31 p.m. and led the Council
and staff members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Dickey asked for a Moment of Silence.
3. ROLL CALL — Mayor Dickey
Present: Mayor Ginny Dickey; Vice Mayor Mike Scharnow; Councilmember Sherry Leckrone
(telephonically); Councilmember Art Tolis (telephonically); Councilmember Dennis
Brown (telephonically); Councilmember Alan Magazine (telephonically);
Councilmember David Spelich (telephonically)
Staff Town Manager Grady E. Miller; Town Attorney Aaron D. Arnson; Town Clerk
Present: Elizabeth A. Burke
4. REPORTS BY MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS AND TOWN MANAGER
Vice Mayor Scharnow reported that he attended a meeting of Valley Metro online last week.
They had a budget review and some things are changing daily for them as well. Numbers
reported were: Light Rail -down 57%; Express Rapid Transportation -down 90%; Buses-40%
down in ridership; and Paratransit-down 70%. He said that one thing good for them is that they
qualify for federal funding and they are looking for relief from the CARES Act.
He also reported that the Noon Kiwanis and Town got together last Friday and Saturday and
held a blood drive. They had four blood mobiles in the parking lot at Town Hall. He said that
they restricted the number of donors to two at each time and only took appointments. They
had 124 appointments and collected 106 units of blood. He thanked the Town for helping them
out. He said tht the next regular blood drive will be on June 19-20 and they hope to be back in
the Community Center.
Councilmember Spelich thanked Saddlebrock, as he was told they catered a full Easter dinner
to both fire stations and they also had deputies working on Easter to the restaurant for carry
out.
Mayor Dickey said that she took part in the Fountain Hills Virtual Cabaret and she welcomed
their new Executive Director Mike Wallot. She reported that she did an interview with KJZZ
about how Fountain Hills was doing during the pandemic. She reported on the Care Card
Program which helps to keep seniors connected, and she thanked Ms. Goodwin and her staff
and volunteers for those efforts. She said that she was also able to squeeze in information
about the 50th Anniversary celebration of the fountain.
Regular Meeting of April 21, 2020
Page 2 of 6
Mayor Dickey reported that the Arizona Highways TV show is doing a program on "going
above and beyond" featuring the Grand Canyon state's cities and towns.
She also thanked staff for participating in the #IightAZBlue at Town Hall and encouraged
others to join in lighting a blue light for the Governor's initiative to honor healthcare workers.
She reported that they continue to participate in the biweekly calls with the Governor's Office
and Senator Sinema calls every Thursday. They participated in a Town Hall with
Representative Schweikert and leaders from every corner of the state are uniting.
A. PROCLAMATION designating April 21, 2020, as Earth Day
Mayor Dickey reported that Vicky Derksen and Fountain Hills Live did an Earth Day Virtual
Event, sharing the golden anniversary this year with the Fountain's 50th. She then read the
proclamation declaring Earth Day.
6. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
All items listed on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine, noncontroversial matters and will be enacted
by one motion of the Council. All motions and subsequent approvals of consent items will include all recommended
staff stipulations unless otherwise stated. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a
councilmember or member of the public so requests. If a councilmember or member of the public wishes to discuss
an item on the Consent Agenda, he/she may request so prior to the motion to accept the Consent Agenda or with
notification to the Town Manager or Mayor prior to the date of the meeting for which the item was scheduled. The
items will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
MOVED BY Vice Mayor Mike Scharnow, SECONDED BY Councilmember Dennis Brown
(telephonically) to approve the Consent Agenda Items 5-A through 5-E.
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
A. CONSIDERATION OF approving the meeting minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 7, 2020.
B. CONSIDERATION OF the Amended Plat of Parcel "B" at Firerock, a Condominium, located
south of Shea Boulevard on the east side of E. Firerock Country Club Drive.
C. CONSIDERATION OF Approval for the Four Peaks Park Restroom Renovations by JP and
Sons Contracting, Inc through the Job Order Master Agreement, Contract No. 2019-006P2.
D. CONSIDERATION OF approving two (2) Special Event Liquor License applications for the
River of Time Museum for fundraising dinners to be held in the Fountain Hills Community
Center on May 27, 2020 and August 8, 2020.
E. CONSIDERATION OF approving an amendment to PSA 2019-077, changing the terms from a
contract of $30,000 per year for 5 years to a contract amount not to exceed $50,000 per year for
3 years for the Home Delivered Meals Program.
REGULAR AGENDA
A. CONSIDERATION OF approving the Professional Services Agreement with Black & Veatch,
Contract No. 2020-080 and the associated budget transfer.
Regular Meeting of April 21, 2020
Page 3 of 6
Mr. Miller said that the Town Council has had some discussion on this item before, during the
Retreat. He then asked Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin to come forward and
present the information.
Ms. Goodwin gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item which addressed:
THE FOUNTAIN, THE LINER AND THE LAKE
Ms. Goodwin said they are at a point in time where they need an analysis done of the overall
system and its many components. She said that they have over 100 million gallons and 30
acres of water with a closed -loop aeration system. It is an unground system with a liner, and
the water is only discharged for irrigation so it is becoming more and more salty. It is also an
ecosystem for roots and fish and other animals.
She said that they had to bring in specific vendors to address the system and receive
proposals. They are told that the liner is good for 20-30 years, and this year is the 20th year.
She said that the current condition is unknown, although there are no indications that there is a
problem.
AN ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT
She said that if they are going to decide how to fund, possibly through bonding, they need to
know the needs and develop a timeline. She said that this in an investment in the Town's
namesake that will help them plan for the future and not have to be reactionary.
She said that they are looking to contract with Black & Veatch who was part of the 2000 liner
replacement as well, so they are familiar with some of the issues faced before.
The total contract is $140,000, which includes an estimated $120,000 for the project and a
$20,000 contingency.
Mayor Dickey asked for questions at this time.
Councilmember Brown asked when the analysis would begin if it was approved. Ms. Goodwin
said that due to the current situation of COVID-19, they are hoping to undertake it this summer
moving into the fall. Some of it would coincide with other projects such as overseeding of the
park, liner testing and irrigation.
Councilmember Brown asked if the staff has decided what they would do if they find that the
liner is at the last year of its life. Ms. Goodwin said that they have played the "what if' game.
This analysis would identify the steps needed and potential options.
Mr. Miller said that at that point they will have had some engineers looking at this in a serious
fashion. They will have to identify the funding source. He has talked with the Finance Director
and there are creative things they could do if it was an emergency, but this will cover far
beyond the liner. It will analyze all the different systems out there and provide a pathway. He
said that they do believe there is a little more life left in the liner.
Councilmember Brown asked if the Sanitary District was going to help. Ms. Goodwin said that
they have been involved in the discussion up to now; they will be part of it. They are aware of
the project. She spoke with their Manager last week, and she has expressed an interest in
being part of the discussions and solution.
Regular Meeting of April 21, 2020
Page 4 of 6
Councilmember Tolis said that he feels they should go with some assumptions that they are
dealing with 50-year old equipment and expect it will need to be replaced. He said that he
would rather see them putting together a task force, including the Sanitary District. He said
that they need to understand what the vision of Fountain Park is. They need to identify what
they will pay for and how, rather than throw $120,000 to $140,000 toward the problem. He
would like to see more planning and visioning taking place.
Mr. Miller said that they are looking for a considerable amount of public involvement as part of
the process. In addition to the analysis, they will also be looking at the water irrigation the park.
It is highly salty and they need a storage system. They want the engineers to look at variable
speed drive system, which they believe will help with the wear and tear and give them more
life.
He said that the bottom line is that it will be a very comprehensive evaluation, and they will be
bringing in the public. They will need the community behind this. At some point, when it comes
back to Council, the Council would put together a citizen committee to figure out the logistics in
the plan and decide on the sequential order and funding.
Councilmember Tolis said that he would like to have some visioning before the consultants
come in.He said that they may decide they want to have additional fountains and something
more in line of a Bellagio venue. They could have low -ground speakers with nice music,
something that the people would enjoy.
Vice Mayor Scharnow said that he agrees with some of that, but it seems to him that the study
would be the baseline, a place to start in terms of what they can do, and then go into a
visioning process. He said that once they get into discussing ideas about making the park
more than what it is, tends to get into the controversial area. Right now they need an in-depth
study. They would be putting the cart before the horse.
He said that they have been down that route. Infrastructure was a term thrown out during the
property tax debate. This is a prime example of streets, drainage issues, Panorama, parks,
etc. It all costs money; they need a firm grasp on what it is going to cost. Maybe the Sanitary
District would help fund once they get some firm numbers since they all serve the same
people.
Councilmember Brown said that he can see both sides, but he believes that they need to go
ahead and find out what the study shows to do everything at this point in time so they can plan
for the money they are going to have to assemble. He said that a perfect example would be to
shut the fountain off and see how the people felt. The baseline is they have to know what they
are dealing with so they can plan for the future.
MOVED BY Vice Mayor Mike Scharnow, SECONDED BY Councilmember Sherry Leckrone
(telephonically) to approve the Professional Services Agreement with Black & Veatch, Contract
No. 2020-080 and the associated budget transfer.
Vote: 6 - 1 Passed
NAY: Councilmember Art Tolis (telephonically)
7. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/DIRECTION to the TOWN MANAGER
Item(s) listed below are related only to the propriety of (i) placing such item(s) on a future agenda for action, or (ii)
directing staff to conduct further research and report back to the Council.
Regular Meeting of April 21, 2020
Page 5 of 6
Staff was asked about the signs regarding the roads. Mr. Miller said that they are starting to do
their pavement management program. Last year Council provided input that they wanted to
get as much of the downtown improvements as possible. They started working on street
closures this week. He is anticipating that by the end of the week, or early next week, they will
have the new streets in place.
He said that they will also be bringing forth a contract for the roundabout. He said that they
cannot do some of that work until later, so once that is in they will do some finishes so it has a
finished look with the next phase next year.
Councilmember Tolis asked if it would be possible to have staff share with the Council via
e-mail an update on the project happening downtown. He would like to review the design
concept for the pedestrian walkway sa he has had a lot of questions coming up in the public
forum, and also how it ties in with the Keystone project.
Mr. Miller said that they would do that, and in May they will be having their Ten Year Pavement
Management Program presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Vice Mayor Mike Scharnow, SECONDED BY Councilmember Sherry Leckrone
(telephonically) to adjourn.
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
The Regular Meeting of the Fountain Hills Town Council held April 21, 2020, adjourned at 6:11
p.m.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
Ginn ickey, Mayor
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
• - Burke,►� ToAn
Regular Meeting of April 21, 2020 Page 6 of 6
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular
Meeting held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 21 st day of
April, 2020. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 5th day of May, 2020.
i abet . Burke, Town lerk