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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/2004 Regular Council Meeting MinutesMINI~rTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARANA TOWN HALL ,~ OC"I`OBER ~9, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER By Vice Mayor Kai at 7:10 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Vice Mayor Kai III. INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE A moment of silence was observed and special thoughts for recovery from serious illnesses went out to two community members, Mike Etter, of Forest City Properties, and Lou Gingrass, of AAA Landscaping. IV. ROLL CALL COUNCIL Bobby Sutton, Jr. Mayor Excused Herb Kai Vice Mayor Present Jim Blake Council Member Present Patti Comerford Council Member Present Tim Escobedo Council Member Present Ed Honea Council Member Present Carol McGorray Council Member Present STAFF Mike Reuwsaat Town Manager Present Jaret Barr Assistant Town Manager Present Frank Cassidy Town Attorney Present Jocelyn Bronson Town Clerk Present Jim DeGrood Executive Asst. to the Town Mgr. Present Barbara Berlin Planning Director Present Attached is a list of public attendees. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Upon motion by Council Member Honea, seconded by Council Member McGorray, the agenda as presented was unanimously approved. MINUTES Qk REGULAR COUNCIL n'tEETING MAR_A.1~[A TQ~VN HALL QCT(7BER I9, 20U4 VI. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Upon motion by Council Member Escobedo, seconded by Council Member Blake, the September 24, 2004 Council retreat minutes, the October 4, 2004 Council meeting minutes, and the October 4, 2004 study session minutes were all unanimously approved. VII. CALL TO THE PUBLIC/ANNOUNCEMENTS Ed Stolmaker, Marana Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, addressed the Council. He commented on the organization's report which was included with the regular Town staff reports. He pointed out the increase in visitors to the Visitors Center from 2003 to this year. He noted the significant difference in visitor numbers, up by 352%, since the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) replaced the Marana signage. He reported that the Chamber breakfast had started and was being held the first Wednesday of every month from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the Cracker Barrel restaurant. He said that 35 members attended and took advantage of the networking opportunity. Mr. Stolmaker announced that the annual promotional golf tournament was scheduled for Saturday, November 6~, at the Pines Golf Club of Marana, and a holiday party at the Stardance Center was in conjunction with the Marana Arts Council and would be held on Thursday, December 9~. He added that a bowling tournament was also scheduled for Saturday, February 5~, and would be held at Bedroxx Bowling. He distributed informational flyers related to a public forum focusing on the various propositions that will be listed on the upcoming November ballot. He said that the former State legislator Marion Pickens, now with the League of Women Voters, would discuss the pros and cons of the propositions and be available fora questions and answers session immediately afterward. The forum, sponsored by the Marana Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Tuesday, October 26~, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Marana Operations Center located at 5100 W. Ina Road. A copy of the flyer has been made a permanent part of the record. Council Member Escobedo reported on the Miracle in Marana holiday event. He said that Bedroxx Bowling was assisting the nonprofit organization with fund raising efforts. He said that the Marana business was offering a $5 game card. He noted that the card had a $12 value good for two games of bowling and a $5 game card for use in the fun festival area. He said that all of the proceeds from each card sold goes back to Miracle in Marana to help in providing meals and toys for needy families. He urged everyone to participate in this community event. 2 MINUTES O~ RhGUL,AR COUNCIL MEETING NIARANA TOVYN ~~AL,L "C)CTUBRR I9, 2~q4 Vice Mayor Kai announced that the first Council meeting in November would be moved from the 2nd to the 3rd because of the Presidential election. VIII. STAFF REPORTS There were no questions regarding the staff reports. IX. GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Resolution No. 2004-145: Relating to subdivisions; approving a Final Plat for Garden Estates (formerly Estate Lots Tortolita Preserve) (Barbara Berlin) Upon motion by Council Member Escobedo, seconded by Council Member Comerford, Resolution No. 2004-145 was unanimously approved. B. COUNCIL ACTION 2. Resolution No. 2004-141: Relating to Real Estate; authorizing the Town of Marana to enter into a purchase agreement with Aboud &Aboud Partnership to purchase a lot for the Town of Marana HOME program (Dan Groseclose) Mr. Reuwsaat spoke to the Council about this item and said that the Town had an opportunity to purchase a lot located in the Honea Heights area to put into its affordable housing program. He said that the owner of the lot had passed away and the proposed purchase agreement for $17,000 was through the owner's estate. He said that the monies for this purchase would come out of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Affordable Housing funds. He said that approval was recommended subject to the conditions of the resolution. Upon motion by Council Member Honea, seconded by Council Member Blake, Resolution No. 2004-141 was unanimously approved. 3 ~'IINUTES OFREGULAR COUNCIL ~11rJETJNC MARAiVA TOWN HALL OCTOBER l9, Z0~ 3. Ordinance No. 2004.20: Relating to Real Estate; approving an exchange of real property located east of the intersection of Cortaro and Silverbell Roads; authorizing the Mayor to execute an Amendment to Real Estate Exchange and Development Agreement and any deeds and other documents necessary to accomplish the exchange; and declaring an emergency (Frank Cassidy) Mr. Cassidy presented this item to the Council and briefly explained the proposed real property exchange located near the Continental Ranch Park and Library and the Marana District Park. He noted that another exchange of property related to this area had taken place in December 2003 and it had been discovered that additional ingress and egress was needed for safety reasons associated with the roadway alignment. He said that the property exchange had been properly noticed in the newspaper and he recommended approval of the ordinance. Upon motion by Council Member Blake, seconded by Council Member McGorray, Ordinance No. 2004.20 was unanimously approved. 4. Resolution No. 2004-146: Relating to subdivisions; approving a Preliminary Plat for San Lucas Block 9 (Barbara Berlin) Ms. Berlin addressed the Council and outlined the proposed preliminary plat saying that it was the first of twelve blocks to be developed for the San Lucas development. She noted that the final plat would require minimum building separation of 15 feet per the Northwest Marana Area Plan and that setbacks would be in accordance with the R-6 zoning requirements. She said that the average lot size was 7,011 square feet and the development of infrastructure that will support the development as well as other blocks within the block plat was planned to proceed this fall. The Planning Director recommended approval of the preliminary plat with conditions listed within the resolution. Council Member Honea asked about the limiting of two-story residences and if they were governed by the same standards other developments had been subject to and why the San Lucas Design Guidelines stipulation was included. He said that if the Town had an ordinance specifically governing the placement of two-story structures then it was not necessary to have additional guideline verbiage. 4 MiNU~1'ES OF REGULAR COLlNC1LMEETING 1~1ARANA TOWN HALL aCT(JBER 19, 2004 Ms. Berlin replied yes in reference to Title 8, Section 08.06 of the Marana Land Development Code being the Residential Design Requirements adopted per Ordinance No. 2004.04 and that these were the requirements being applied to this development. She agreed with Council Member Honea in that she did not believe the San Lucas Design Guidelines needed to be included in the text of the resolution. She added that it was the subdivision developer's prerogative to have stricter standards than the ordinance required. Mr. Barr asked if Council Member Honea was referring to General Note #27 on the preliminary plat which listed all of the applicable provisions to which the project was subject. Mr. Reuwsaat agreed with Council Member Honea that the verbiage referencing the San Lucas Design Guidelines was confusing and said that this would be reworded in the future. He noted that the Towri s codes would supersede any design standards. Upon motion by Council Member Honea, seconded by Council Member McGorray, Resolution No. 2004-146 was unanimously approved. 5. Action,Direction: Habitat Conservation Plan (Mike Reuwsaat) Mr. Reuwsaat gave a quick overview of the progress made regarding a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). He said that staff was recommending the approval of the Administrative Draft HCP and to direct staff to continue developing the HCP. Ms. Liberti introduced several HCP supporters and key contributors present in the audience including Carolyn Campbell, Executive Director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, Marit Alanen, HCP Coordinator with the Arizona Game & Fish Department and ex-officio member of the Technical Biology Team (TBT), Trevor Hare, Field Coordinator with Sky Island Alliance and TBT member, Scott Richardson, Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and TBT member, Tyler Jones, Town of Marana's Environmental GIS Analyst, and Jennifer Christelman, Town of Marana's Environmental Manager. 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR CfJ[7NCIL MEETING _ MARANA Tfl1~'N lIALL OCTfl$ER 19, 2004 Mr. Reuwsaat said that the Town was very pleased with this effort and that the draft will go to AZ Game & Fish for comment and then will return to the Town for additional work and studies. He stated that HCP recognized the balance the Town is trying to provide between development like San Lucas and the environmental concerns particularly with areas east of I-10. He said that this plan proposed to cover six species, two owls, two snakes, and two bats. Carolyn Campbell, representing the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, addressed the Council and reiterated Mr. Reuwsaat's comments. She said that her organization had been formed specifically to work on regional habitat conservation planning in Pima County and that she was very pleased to be the representing the stakeholders working group. She said that there were some really good, creative concepts contained in the draft HCP and that the Town had the opportunity to set an example and become the model for other communities around the country. She noted that the Coalition had submitted specific comments to the Town Manager throughout the HCP process such as their view of the conservation strategies, the difficulties associated with the pygmy-owl and assembling the preserve with the State Land Department, on the augmentation program, and on the Bajada Environmental Resource Overlay District (BEROD). She remarked that most of those areas were cutting edge. She said that there had been discussions recently with members of the scientific and development communities on how to improve and refine the BEROD for the future. She concluded by thanking the Town for its efforts and asked that they continue to move forward with the Habitat Conservation Plan. Upon motion by Council Member Comerford, seconded by Council Member Honea, unanimous approval of the Town of Marana Administrative Draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) was given, and authorization for its submittal to the Arizona Game and Fish Department was unanimously approved, and Council's direction for staff to continue developing the HCP was unanimously approved. 6 MiNU'I'ESQI+' REGULAR CQUNC:IL„MEETING NIARANA TOWN ~AX.L QCTtJBER I9120Q4 6. Adoption of 5-Year Capital Improvement Program for Roads (Jim DeGrood) Mr. DeGrood spoke before the Council regarding this item. He said that with the Council's recent adoption of the sales tax for regional roads, Council directed staff to develop a 5-year capital improvement plan (CIP). He said that the 5-year program basically consisted of $167M worth of construction projects with the most significant being the Twin Peaks Interchange. He stated that the second most significant expenditure was for improvements to Ina Road, including a railroad overpass, widening to 6 lanes between the interstate and the Canada del Oro, together with a replacement bridge over the Santa Cruz River. He noted that the funding came from a variety of sources such as Pima Association of Governments from which the Town receives State and federal shared revenues, the construction sales tax, the regional road fee, and the impact fees collected from the South Transportation Benefit Area for the Twin Peaks Interchange. He said that the proposed CIP did show a cash shortfall over the 5 year plus one year period represented on the informational sheet and that there was actually a $30M shortfall within the 5-year CIP. He stated that this would require the Town to consider bonding. He noted that the Town had a fairly reliable revenue stream in the half-cent sales tax and he felt bonding in the future could be safely recommended. Council Member Honea asked what impact would there be on the Town if it bonded to make up the shortfalls on the front end of the five year plan and the RTA was approved County-wide. He said the Town would already have programmed its funds for a specific debt return. He said he was interested in what good it would do the Town to join the RTA if all of its funds were assigned to a specific project or two. Mr. Barr replied that the Town would be committing the half cent sales tax as a debt service payment as to the bonds. He said that if the PAG RTA were to take in the Towri s half cent sales tax, it would be the Towri s position that the RTA would also have to take back the repayment of those bonds and the associated projects. He remarked that Town staff did not see a problem with that scenario especially in the preliminary discussions with Pima Association of Governments because these projects included the regional transportation projects that PAG was already planning. He pointed out that it would be impossible for the Town to pay for the proposed projects without bonding. 1~1INUTRS OF ItGG~TLAR GQUNCJL MEETING> MARANA '~4y4'N HALL:. OCTOBER ~9, 20U4 Mr. DeGrood added that PAG was fully aware of this going forward with the half cent sales tax as the subject projects had been included in the PAG Transportation Improvement Program submission. Council Member Honea asked what would be the estimated length of debt service. He said he understood that enough money would be generated within the 5-year period to pay the $30M bond. He remarked that there were a number of projects the Town was looking at for bonding and he did not want to become "bond poor' like many other Pima County municipalities. Mr. Reuwsaat commented that he hoped there would not be a lot of programs to bond for in the future. He said that transportation needs were of the highest priority to the Council and to the citizenry. He said that as the future year's funding programs were studied he expected the staff to be aggressive in pursuing federal and State funding options as well as other opportunities to reduce the need for bonding. The Town Manager said that he thought this provided community-wide benefits for all parts of the region. He said that during the budget process each year the staff would revisit this CIP program and roll the monies over for projects that have been completed. He added that he thought there was great value in taking this approach as opposed to going year by year. Council Member Honea said that he agreed 100% with what the Town Manager was saying. He said that he was asking if the Town was looking at short term bond debt. Mr. Barr commented that the Town was currently investigating options within the bond program and that it should be noted that Mr. DeGrood mentioned one of his favorite municipal pet peeves, that of arbitrage and arbitrage yield. He said that, because of those requirements plus the Arizona Revised Statute requirements for spending bond funds within a certain timeframe, that the staff would like to bring to the Council in a future study session funding possibilities based on conservative estimations of the half cent sales tax and what the Town could bond for both with timeframes and bonding amounts. He remarked that some of the timeframes the staff had examined were for 15, 20, and 25 year bonds with the most logical being the 20 year bond. s I~1INUTES OF REGULAR C(?UNC~L I1~EET~NG MARANA T0~3'N HALL $ -OCTt~BERmm~;9, ~O( Mr. DeGrood explained that other financing tools would be explored and that one of the projects, the Thornydale Road project currently had an application in for a help loan through the Arizona Department of Transportation's (ADOT) highway extension loan program. He said that the loan would be repaid over six years. Council Member Escobedo asked if the overpass listed in line item #2, the Ina Road Improvements, I-10 to CDO with overpass, was within the Town limits. Mr. DeGrood replied that it was indeed within the Town boundaries. He noted that Sunset Road was the only project marked on the distributed map that was outside of the Town limits. He said that the Town had requested funding for this project through PAG. Council Member Escobedo inquired about Pima County's plans for the roadway just east of the overpass and if the Town was going to receive any monetary assistance. He said that Marana was assuming responsibility for the road widening from 1-10 to the overpass and replacing the overpass. Mr. DeGrood replied that, as the project related to Ina Road, there would be several partners involved including ADOT. He said that the Town was hoping to build a number of projects concurrently. He said that any one of those projects would have an impact on the business districts and if the schedule could be compressed to cause the least amount of disruption and impact on the business community that would be the goal. He said that, regarding Ina Road, ADOT didri t intend to reconstruct the interchange but to rebuild it as it stands. The Town has indicated to ADOT that they would be supportive of a combined project approach. Mr. DeGrood said that the Town was looking at taking advantage of timing opportunities as well as funding opportunities in doing a project that would be most beneficial. Mr. Reuwsaat said that this program also recognized significant private sector involvement through improvement districts as well as through the Tortolita Vista Development Agreement requiring them to build more roadways. He said that it was not all funding through tax funds but a significant investment by the development community as well. 9 MINUTES QF RE.GULAR COUNCIL MEE'I'l1YG ~I~ARANA 'I'O1'4'N HALL OCTOBER 19, 24(14 Council Member Escobedo made a motion to adopt the proposed 5-Year Capital Improvement Program for Roadways. The motion was seconded by Council Member McGorray and unanimously approved. C. MAYOR AND COUNCIL'S REPORT Council Member Honea reported that he had attended the Governor's Conference on Rural Development. He noted that the conference was not very informative but that his trip turned interesting when Vice Mayor Kai hosted a tour of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) siphon area off the Colorado River. He remarked that the tour was followed by a visit to Verrado, a planned community outside of Buckeye, Arizona, which bordered the White Tank Mountains Regional Park. He noted that this impressive development featured a pedestrian-friendly Main Street District with diverse housing options and architectural styles ranging from rental lofts and park homes to single-family home neighborhoods and custom home sites in the foothills and mountains. He said that his opinion on incorporating density in downtown projects would change if Marana maintained the quality of the Verrado development. Vice Mayor Kai reported his attendance at the CAWCD meeting. He said that this area was still in a drought condition but that there was no shortage of water declared on the Colorado River. He stated that he was hoping for good rain and snow pack this winter. D. MANAGERS' REPORT Mr. Reuwsaat reminded the Council that Chief Vidaurri had participated today jointly with Pima County Sheriff Dupnik in the announcement of a Pima Regional SWAT team. He said that all of the area agencies had been working to form an organization that was able to respond more effectively and efficiently throughout the region. He said that this was another good example of Marana's regional cooperation. He related that he would expect a study session on the regional SWAT team rules at some future date. io l~'IINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING i1'I~1It.ANA TU WN HALT, U~CTOR~R 19 2004:; - He continued his report by saying that October 21St was the ending ceremonies for the De Anza Commemorative Trail Ride, at Christopher Columbus Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. He noted that two Town employees, Brad DeSpain and Dan Sample, were riding in the event and that Ora Harn was driving the truck and horse trailer from the morning's beginning point to the finish site. He added that there was a conflicting event, Congressman Kolbe's celebration of the downtown revitalization at Kolbe Square between Congress and Broadway, at 9:00 a.m., and a ribbon cutting at the DM Federal Credit Union at 10 a.m. on November 3rd. He congratulated Council Member Escobedo for his Community Service Award from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), an organization focusing on advancing the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, and health and civil rights of the Hispanic Population in the United States. He forewarned the Council that the upcoming study session scheduled for October 26th carried a heavy agenda. He said that he appreciated the indulgence of the Council and their extra work. He said that the CIP item on today's agenda was a direct result of the Council retreat and an additional study session which made the transition into tonight's agenda much easier. He said that he would like to continue on with that same process. Council Member Honea asked that one of the study sessions in the immediate future center around hard zoning and design standards. He said that he would be asking for a progress report at every opportunity because he felt these were critically important issues that needed immediate attention. Mr. Reuwsaat said that he would give the Council members a monthly written report updating them on all of the issues discussed at the retreat. X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no items suggested for future agendas. 11 MINUTES OF REGULAR C;QUNCiL;~17EE'TiNG MARANA TO'4~'N IIALL _ C~CT~BER l9, 2044 XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Council Member Escobedo, seconded by Council Member McGorray, unanimous approval to adjourn was given. The time was 8:00 p.m. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council study session held on October 19, 2004. I further certify that a quorum was present. yn Bro n, Town Clerk .~~' ~~j ~~ ~~,aaay~~ttlarsej~~, l F.A~v*. 6C~ ~ ~ V ,~F„ ~,~ ~~'"~'atyot~~~~°~ ~ 12 MARANA TOWN COUNCIL MEETING DATE: Name Public Attendees Address 05 ?-~ 5