HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.1215.TCRM.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL
DECEMBER 15, 2020
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Dickey
Mayor Dickey called the meeting of December 15, 2020, to order at 5:30 p.m. and led the
Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. INVOCATION - Dr. Bobby Brewer, North Chapel Bible Church
Dr. Brewer of North Chapel Bible Church gave the invocation.
3. ROLL CALL — Mayor Dickey
Present: Mayor Ginny Dickey; Vice Mayor David Spelich; Councilmember Peggy
McMahon; Councilmember Gerry Friedel; Councilmember Mike Scharnow;
Councilmember Alan Magazine; Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski
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
Mayor Dickey reminded all presenters, staff and Council to keep their masks secure at all
times during the meeting.
Councilmember Friedel reported that he had attended the Pearl Harbor Memorial and it was
a very moving ceremony. He thanked the VFW and American Legion for the program. He
also attended the Drug Coalition training led by Councilmember Scharnow. He said that if
people do not know what the Coalition does, they do a wonderful job for the community.
He said that he also attended the newly -elected officials training sponsored by the League
of Arizona Cities and Towns and also the lighting of the lights at the fountain was
spectacular and well -coordinated.
Councilmember Scharnow said that they did have the panel discussion for the Drug
Coalition concentrating on meth, fentanyl and prescription drugs, and they had 27
attendees. He said that they received a grant and have been trying to gather materials and
education to hopefully prevent any usage and overdoses. He said he attended the lighting
later and it was a pleasure to see the lights come on.
Vice Mayor Spelich said that he also attended the Pearl Harbor ceremony. His dad was a
Navy pilot at Pearl Harbor and it holds significance to him and everyone in his family.
He also thanked Rachael Goodwin and Kevin Snipes, and everyone in charge of the lights.
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Mayor Dickey said that she received a letter from the Greater Phoenix Leadership that she
had shared with staff and the Council. She then read an excerpt from the letter. 'As of
today, ICU and inpatient occupancy is at 91 %. Some hospitals in Northern Arizona and
Pima County now having to shift patients to other facilities. As of Friday, 3 of inpatients is
higher than our highest day this year. " She said that the Council meetings will be closed to
the public due to the increased risk of spread indoors as they wait for the vaccine
distribution. She said that Maricopa County gave a presentation about the vaccine process
and for information the public could go
to https://www.maricopa.gov/5641/COVID-19-Vaccineas it is very informative.
She said that she was approached by Paradise Valley Mayor Bien-Willner to sign on to a
letter to Airbnb and Expedia seeking Short Term Rental relief. Thirty Mayors ended up
signing it, and the Wall Street Journal did a story this week as this is a widespread problem
hurting the quality of life for residents around the country.
Mayor Dickey said that she attended a MAG Regional Council meeting, Greater Phoenix
Economic Council Meeting, Arizona Town Hall regarding Vibrant Communities, a Mayors'
Call with Senator Sinema's Office and the Active Transportation Plan Public Zoom Meeting.
Councilmember Magazine said that there was good news in that the Moderna vaccine
would probably be approved for distribution next week.
A. PROCLAMATION - Fountain Hills Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Fountain
and presentation of the 50th Year Anniversary Video and 50th Anniversary -related activities.
Mayor Dickey read the proclamation proclaiming the Fountain Hills Celebrates the
50th Anniversary of the Fountain. She said that they will place a scroll copy of the
proclamation the time capsule, along with other items. She then welcomed Fountain at 50
Project Administrator Sandy Ursini to accept the original proclamation and say a few words.
Ms. Ursini thanked the Town Council for having trust in their community. When they were
there last December no one could have foreseen what the year would hold. Even in October
when they came before Council they were optimistic that they would be able to celebrate in
January. The world needs to get a whole lot healthier before that happens. They are still
working on the time capsule, but have not decided on when or where it will be buried.
She said that the Fountain of Light is coming to fruition and this evening they will be looking
at the fountain in a whole new light. She said that they are encouraging everyone to gather
at the park, hoping people will view the fountain and enjoy the new lighting system for the
next 50 years to come.
Mayor Dickey thanked their creative, hardworking committee consisting of Carol Carroll,
Jim Dickey, Sharron Grzybowski, Phyliss Kern, Cherie Koss, Jay Schlum, Jenny Willigrod,
and,Stan Ziefert; Brent and Alan Cruikshank, who were co-chairs with the Town's own
Rachael Goodwin, and Sandy Ursini, Project Administrator. Those present were then
presented with appreciation plaques.
At this time, the audience viewed a PowerPoint presentation, noting that there is also a
video available on the Town's website that was done by Brent. They then recognized the
xr at��msar,r.... photo contest winners. She said that they appreciated Bruce Boyce and the Photography's
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Club's help with the contest, and she wanted to acknoledge the judges --Beth Ruggiero and
Ron York, Fountain Hills residents who are with Arizona Highways. She gave a big thanks
to all who entered and allowed them to enjoy the beautiful displays at the Council
Chambers.
Also in the lobby, they have photos of the Town's past elected leaders. She said that the
vision that created such a lovely community was not just by chance. It took a lot of hard
work, with challenges along the way. It was a good lesson as they move forward. They owe
a debt of gratitude to each of these officials, their staff and the volunteers. Some they have
sadly lost over the years. She also wanted to thank former Councilmember and Honorary
Consul Enrique Melendez for the idea to recognize them.
Mayor Dickey said that they had asked mayors and others around the state if they would
share their thoughts about Fountain Hills to help them celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the
Fountain. They heard from several who were kind enough to send them letters that were
delivered by Pony Express last February. Councilmembers then took turns reading letters
from some of them.
She said that as when she was at the Monarch Butterfly Event at the museum, she was
speaking to people visiting from Georgia who were dazzled, and it was good to see the
community through another's eyes. It is a little bittersweet reading some of the letters, with
all the plans they had and the celebration that would have been happening now. The
fireworks, balloons and other surprises will have to wait. But, they are creative and resilient,
and realize that canceling or postponing a party or two is put in perspective given the
hardship and losses some have faced this year.
Mayor Dickey then thanked Grady, Bo, Brent, Rachael, Kevin, all staff and volunteers for
the displays, program, time capsule, and videos, and the businesses like BOGO. She was
sorry to hear that Jeff Poynter just passed away. She also thanked Chocofin, Sami's, the
Chamber, Fountain Hills Times and the new Spin Metal Casting, for making this occasion as
special as possible. She said that after they adjourn, the community is invited to view the
new lights at the Fountain, which will stay on from 6:30 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. before resuming
standard operations at the top of the next hour, with white lights like them remember them.
Letters received from:
Ernie Bunch from Cave Creek
John Giles from the City of Mesa
The Town of Superior's Mayor Mila Besich
Georgia Lord, City of Goodyear
Jim Lane from Scottsdale
City of Chandler's Mayor Kevin Hartke
Jerry Bien-Willner from the Town of Paradise Valley
Camp Verde's Charlie German
Cal Sheehy, Mayor of Lake Havasu City
and City of Maricopa's Christian Price
County Supervisor Steve Chucri
US Senator Martha McSally
President Bernadine Burnett, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
Photo Contest winners:
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Anne Graves, Black & White
Nate Porter, 18 and under
Russ Field, Color
Spence Fairbanks, Special Event
Becky Chapman, Best in Show
She also recognized Brian Schader, creator of the Fountain of Light, who was in attendance.
5. SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES/PRESENTATIONS
None
6. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R. S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the
agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Council, and (ii) is subject to reasonable time,
place, and manner restrictions. The Council will not discuss or take legal action on matters raised during Call to
the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion of the Call to
the Public, individual councilmembers may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or (iii) ask that
the matter be placed on a future Council agenda.
None
7. 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 Councilmember Alan Magazine, SECONDED BY Councilmember Gerry
Friedel to approve Consent Agenda Items 7-A and 7-B.
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
A. CONSIDERATION OF approving budget transfers for the Economic Development Fund and
the Court Enhancement Fund.
B. CONSIDERATION OF approving a SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION for
a fundraising event to be held in the Fountain Hills Community Center, on Saturday, March 6,
2021.
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8. REGULAR AGENDA
A. CONSIDERATION OF approving a realignment of the Ridgeline Trail within the McDowell
Mountain Preserve.
Mr. Miller said that they were before the Council to request a slight modification to the
Trail Loop. Ms. Goodwin then gave a brief review of the request and recognized Bill
Craig, Chairman of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission, who was present.
MOVED BY Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski, SECONDED BY Councilmember Mike
Scharnow to approve the Ridgeline Trail Realignment.
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
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.
None
10, ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dickey thanked everyone and wished them happy holidays. She reminded all to
drive by the fountain.
MOVED BY Vice Mayor David Spelich, SECONDED BY Councilmember Mike
Scharnow to adjourn.
Vote: 7 - 0 Passed - Unanimously
The Regular Meeting of the Fountain Hills Town Council held December 15, 2020,
adjourned at 6:13 p.m.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
Gin r0Dickey" Mayor
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
v
EWabe_th_k7 Burke, Town Cferk
Town Council Regular Meeting of December 15, 2020 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 15th day
of December, 2020. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 5th day of January, 2021.
E iza e A. Burke, Town Clerk