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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/2008 Special Council Meeting Minutes'"`~rrrw w ~~~ aw» Ot Ii11~.1.!J. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653 Council Chambers, October 14, 2008, at or after 6:00 PM Ed Honea, Mayor Herb Kai, Vice Mayor Russell Clanagan, Council Member Patti Comerford, Council Member Carol McGorray, Council Member Jon Post, Council Member Roxanne Ziegler, Council Member REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Ed Honea, Vice Mayor Herb Kai, Council Member Russell Clanagan, Council Member Patti Comerford, Council Member Carol McGorray. Council Member Roxanne Ziegler arrived on the dais at 6:11 p.m. Excused: Council Member Jon Post Staff Present: Town Manager Gilbert Davidson, Town Attorney Frank Cassidy, Town Clerk Jocelyn Bronson Excused: Assistant Town Manager Deb Thalasitis PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE Mayor Honea led the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Approve, Moved by Council Member Carol Mcgorray, Seconded by Council Member Russell Clanagan. Passed. 6-0. Council Members voting Aye: Clanagan, Comerford, Honea, Kai, Mcgorray, Ziegler. Council Members Absent: Post. CALL TO THE PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS P 1: Presentation: Relating to Solid Waste Management Gilbert Davidson addressed Council regarding solid waste management. He introduced Barbara Johnson, who then introduced Pima County representatives. She stated that tonight's presentation would be to discuss the Tangerine Landfill and what the closure of that landfill would mean to the community. Ms. Johnson introduced Ursula Cramer, Director of Pima County Environmental Quality. Ms. Cramer gave an overview of locations of landfills and transfer stations in Pima County. She stated that the Tangerine landfill is scheduled to be closed in the next year due to the area reaching the end of its useful life. Ms. Cramer said that the site could close anytime between January and June of 2009, depending on volume received in that timefrarne. When the landfill closes, material is taken from the Catalina transfer station to the landfill. Council member Comerford asked why the transfer station waste would still be allowed into the Tangerine landfill and not the public waste. Ms. Cramer stated that the landfill will be closed to the public, but it will not be closed with a cap, meaning that the county will still be able to take waste from the transfer station out to the Tangerine Landfill. There is a legal requirement in order to properly close the landfill. The closure of the Tangerine Landfill has a cost estimate of approximately $9 million. A future Pima County bond election will fund this closure. Ms. Cramer stated that people have asked if a transfer station can be built at the landfill. She said that this is not possible because the area has less than 2 acres of undeveloped land that has not been used for the landfill and a transfer station would take up 5 or more acres of land. Ms. Cramer stated that residents can take their waste to the Catalina or the Ryan Field transfer stations, the Ina Road landfill (for green waste or construction material), the Los Reales landfill or the Sahuarita landfill. Barbara Johnson then discussed the impact of this issue to Marana, what role the Town should play in managing solid waste activities, and some of the legal considerations that need to be worked out in regards to this issue. Ms. Johnson stated that it is approximately 35 miles from the Tangerine landfill to the Catalina transfer station and over 20 miles to the Ryan Air field landfill and to the closest Pima County landfill. Ms. Johnson and staff met with Pima County staff in September and it was discovered that there is no funding or land to build a new landfill to replace Tangerine landfill. Ms. Johnson then asked for Council direction as to how they would like to proceed with this item. The PowerPoint presentation is on file in the Town Clerk's office. Council Member McGorray asked if Waste Management had their own transfer station. Ms. Johnson replied that they had one in Maricopa County. Council Member Ziegler commented on ownership of the landfill and stated that it does not seem fair that the landfill is controlled by Pima County and that the County is closing this landfill and basically forcing residents to drive so far to dispose of waste without having a plan to build a new landfill in a closer proximity to Marana residents. Vice Mayor Kai asked for an update on a private landfill situation in Pinal County and asked if Pima County has even considered any other locations for a landfill in northern Pima County. Ms. Cramer stated that the county is aware of the landfill in Pinal county but that they have not researched it much. She also stated that one option might be the waste management facility on Ina Road may eventually have a residential waste transfer station built, but that this has not been confirmed. Russell Clanagan suggested a motion to direct staff to continue to look at options and pursue other opportunities for solid waste management. for Marana residents. Motion: Direct staff, Moved by Council Member Russell Clanagan, Seconded by Council Member Patti Comerford. Passed. 5-1. Council Members voting Aye: Clanagan, Comerford, Honea, Kai, Mcgorray. Council Members voting Nay: Ziegler. Council Members Absent: Post. P 2: Presentation: Relating to Economic Development Efforts in Marana Gilbert Davidson gave an overview of staff s efforts to build economic development in the community. Mr. Davidson stated that there are three areas that will be focused on; a comprehensive community-wide strategic plan, an economic road map, and the plan for how these projects will be completed. Mr. Davidson stated that the economic road map will be developed once the strategic plan has been completed. The strategic plan process will need to focus on revenue diversification, so that if there is an economic downturn, other revenue avenues can be relied on. Mr. Davidson also mentioned the emphasis of the strategic plan on target industries, specifically those that create high-wage, livable jobs. He stated that the economic roadmap will help facilitate the Council's policy direction and the discussions that will beheld over the next several months. Community stakeholders will be involved, as their thoughts are important. Mr. Davidson stated that the roadmap will also help to direct resources in the Town. Zoning and General Plan discussion, as well as community branding discussion will also be a part of the strategic plan. Mr. Davidson stated that Council will need to help identify a steering committee, and offered to provide recommendations as time to select those individuals nears. He also stated that the open position for the Economic Development Administrator would not be filled until the comprehensive strategic plan has been completed. Mr. Davidson's presentation is on file with the Town Clerk's office. P 3: Presentation: Relating to Development of the Marana Main Street and Added Downtown Marana Infrastructure, including Public Infrastructure Financing Late Options Kevin Kish gave an overview of Marana Main Street and the Downtown Marana Development Area. This item will continue to come back to Council for periodic updates. He presented Version C previously adopted by Council as the presentation plan. Mr. Kish presented financial opportunities and development entities interested in the area and what it will take to make it a viable heart of the community. He walked the Council through potential improvements :and impacts to the area including the Marana Interchange capacity similar to what has been done at Cortaro Farms, converting the frontage roads to one-way and how road projects, hardscape and softscape will connect to Marana Main Street. There are three proposed projects -the Marana Main Street, Diversified, which is going to P & Z on October 22, and the Cardon Uptown Project. These projects are waiting to go vertical when the infrastructure is in place. He then identified concepts for the projects. He also noted the existing businesses on Sandario Road, new businesses and improvements necessary to bridge the existing with the new projects. He also identified the possibility of parking garages to accommodate the intended density. There is also interest in putting in a hotel with conference center, shopping on the main floor. and apartments above. This project will be a transition corridor between the new and the old. The improvements will require a financial contribution from the town as a partner in the project. He then turned the presentation over to Frank Cassidy who discussed the financing options necessary to go forward with the project. The most feasible is an improvement district for the downtown area. To begin this process, Frank and Keith Brann sat down and reviewed the developments and who will benefit from each type of improvement. There is still some uncertainty about the level of commitment in the current economic situation. There has been conceptual buy-in but possibly only for the long-term. The purpose for bringing the study session tonight was to get direction from Council as to what level of buy-in they want to express to developers. Mr. Cassidy's current perspective is that since the downtown is so critically important economically, it's going to be the catalyst for bringing development to the area, and he hoped that an improvement district for the immediate area would get a green light from Council. Keith Watkins from JF Companies in Scottsdale introduced himself as representing the Cardon partnership. He applauded. Town Manager Davidson's and staff's presentation on economic development. He noted that it's very difficult to effect an economic strategy without infrastructure. He supports staff in their concept. Michael Racy, representing Diversified, came forward and also encouraged Council to direct staff to move forward with the process. The complexity of coordinating development around the interchange within the next two years will take a rational, cost-sharing mechanism from all entities to make it happen. Projects may need to be scaled back and he noted that there are still models that will work. Mayor Honea noted that he had met with the landowners over the past few months and stated that improvements may need to be done in a phased and scaled-back schedule so that the property owners could start getting some return on their investments. With this type of schedule, he stated that some projects could see bricks on the ground within the year. Council Member Ziegler agreed with the Mayor and stated that there should be an aggressive effort to get infrastructure going to entice developers to the area. She emphasized that this is the type of project she would like staff to be working on. Mr. Davidson noted that the Council has an opportunity to create a lasting legacy. The community is unique in that it doesn't have a heart or center. It will take political will, and financial commitment and private and public financial or public/private partnerships to make this downtown happen. This will be the heart of the community. He also noted that this effort will involve calculated risks to make it a reality, but he hoped this piece would be an important component of the strategic plan. Upon motion by Council Member Comerford, who asked that staff bring back a fiscally responsible phasing plan with options, seconded by Council Member McGorray, the motion passed unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES PROCLAMATIONS 2008 Arizona Cities and Towns Week Town Clerk Bronson read the proclamation. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS Council Member Comerford congratulated Ed Stolmaker for being on the cover of the Oro Valley/Marana magazine. Council Member Ziegler reported that she and the Mayor participated in the G:A.LN. Bus on Wheels tour over the weekend. Council Member McGorray reported that the K-9 Corp gave apresentation /show at Heritage Highlands. Mayor Honea reported that he and Josh Wright attended the Pinal Partnership breakfast where he was a speaker. He also attended the Pinal Mayors' roundtable earlier today. Mayor Honea also reported that Ora Harn is out of the hospital and will be returning to work shortly. The mayor also reported that Martha Davis, the wife of former Marana Town Manager Hurvie Davis is in the hospital. MANAGER'S REPORT: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS STAFF REPORTS GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Approve, Moved by Council Member Patti Comerford, Seconded by Council Member Russell Clanagan. Passed. 6-0. Council Members voting Ayer Clanagan, Comerford, Honea, Kai, Mcgorray, Ziegler. Council Members Absent: Post. C 1: Resolution No. 2008-128: Relating to Utilities; Approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the Town of Marana and Desert Son Community Church of Tucson, Arizona for construction of water facilities C 2: Resolution No. 2008-129: Relating to Utilities; Approving and authorizing the execution of the Intergovernmental Agreement between Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District, Flowing Wells Irrigation District, the Town of Marana, and the Town of Oro Valley for Northwest Water Providers Central Arizona Project water system route analysis and additional future studies. COUNCIL ACTION A 1: Resolution No. 2008-130: Relating to the Police Department; Approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute an Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between'.the Town of Marana and the Marana Police Officers' Association; and declaring an emergency. Gilbert Davidson stated that this item was created as part of the negotiation process. for the MPOA agreement. The MPOA representatives wanted to make sure that the dispatchers were included in the $ step pay plan. This item is a modification to the agreement to recognize the. importance of the long-term serving dispatchers of the community. Motion: Approve, Moved by Council Member Carol Mcgorray, Seconded by Council Member Patti Comerford. Passed. 6-0. Council Members voting Aye: Clanagan, Comerford, Honea, Kai, Mcgorray, Ziegler. Council Members Absent: Post. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES B L• Resolution No. 2008-131: Relating to Boards, Commissions and Committees; appointments to the Planning Commission. Appointment of Gary Pound and Michael Wiles to the Planning Commission. Motion: Approve, Moved by Council Member Russell Clanagan, Seconded by Council Member Roxanne Ziegler. Passed. 6-0. Council Members voting Aye: Clanagan, Comerford, Honea, Kai, Mcgorray, Ziegler. Council Members Absent: Post. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE ACTION EXECUTIVE SESSIONS E 1: Executive Session pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A)(3), Council may ask for discussion or consultation for legal advice with the Town Attorney concerning any matter listed on this agenda. Motion: to go into executive session, Moved by Council Member Russell Clanagan, Seconded by Council Member Herb Kai. Passed. 6-0. Council Members voting Aye: Clanagan, Comerford, Honea, Kai, Mcgorray, Ziegler. Council Members Absent: Post. E 2: Executive.. Session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3),(4) and (7), discussion or consultation for legal advice with the Town's attorneys and discussion and to consider its position and instruct the Town Manager and staff concerning (1) the lawsuit entitled Town of Marana v. Pima County/Pima County v. Marana (consolidated), Maricopa County Superior Court No. CV2008-001131, (2) pending legal issues, settlement discussions and contract negotiations relating to the transition of Marana wastewater collection and treatment to the Town of Marana Vice Mayor Kai was excused from discussion of this item due to a conflict of interest. E 3: Executive session pursuant to A.R.S. ~ 38-431.03 (A)(1) for discussion about Added and interviews of prospective Planning Commission member candidates. Late See item B1 above for action taken in public session. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Kai left the dais prior to adjournment. Motion: to adjourn, Moved by Council Member Russell Clanagan, Seconded by Council Member Carol Mcgorray. Passed. 5-0. Council Members voting Aye: Clanagan, Comerford, Honea, Mcgorray, Ziegler. Council Members Absent: Post. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council meeting held on October 14, 2008. I further certify that a quorum was present. ~®O~~Iit/~j®~® ~~ of Mq ®® ~~o`,,trnryis~,~ ®i F.4$` CORPORATE ~~„ a J celyn C. ronson, Town Clerk = ~F.AI, ,y~,huuu~~`````s ®~®®0 ~ dill, ~®~1