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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/1997 Council Retreat MinutesPLACE AND DATE Rio Rico Resort, Rio Rico, Arizona on May 2, 1997 CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Honea at 8:41 A.M. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Honea III. ROLLCALL COUNCIL Ed Honea Sharon Price Tom Clark Ora Harn Herb Kai Sherry Millner Bobby Sutton, Jr. Michael Reuwsaat Roxanne Ziegler Mayor Vice Mayor, Excused Councilman, Excused Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Council Elect Council Elect STAFF Hurvie Davis Michael Hein Sandy Groseclose Dan Hochuli Keli Shwab Town Manager Assistant Town Manager Town Clerk Town Attorney Town Attorney's Office IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Bobby Sutton, Jr., seconded by Ora Harn and carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented. V. GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND ACTION OF OVERALL DIRECTION OF THE TOWN AND COUNCIL RELATING TO PENDING AND FUTURE ISSUES AND GROWTH. TOPICS WILL INCLUDE SHORT AND LONG TERM GOALS, DEPARTMENT AND STAFF GOALS, JUNK CARS, CODE(s) ENFORCEMENT, WEED CONTROL, FUTURE STAFF/COUNCIL MEETEINGS, TOWN'S GENERAL PLAN AND ANNEXATIONS, PRESENT AND FUTURE SPACE AND BUILDING NEEDS AND NECESSARY PURCHASE OF LAND, BROCHURES/PACKETS FOR NEWCOMERS AND BUSINESSES, FUTURE FIRE PROTECTION FOR MARANA, REVENUE, COSTS AND FUTURE, BUDGET PRIORITIES, SERVICE LEVELS, TRAINING, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES. Mayor Honea: Stated he would like to have the meeting be informal, being on first name basis. Although all are business colleagues, he hopes all are friends as well. The purpose of the meeting is to try and set some platform for the next year. Also to talk about successes or failures from the last year. He feels this last year has been very fruitful. There has been an excellent cooperation between Council Members and senior staff members. He advised each individual will have an opportunity to speak briefly about themselves and or anything they feel needs to be brought up. Ora Harn: Advised there is a guest in the group and introduced Mike Hein, who is presently the Town Manager for Nogales. Mr. Hein was selected by the Search Committee for Assistant Town Manager. Mike Hein: Spoke briefly to the Council. He advised what motivated him to apply for the position was he saw a community that was poised for growth, with forward thinking and long range vision. He is originally from Wisconsin. He advised, during the inter process he explained one of the things that is frustrating in general with his experiences in Arizona is being asked for 2-year and 4-year plans. In Wisconsin when he worked there, everybody wanted 30-year and 50-year plans. He thinks Marana is on a much more forward thinking approach. He was impressed with the selection process. He advised he is married and has three children, the youngest being 7 weeks. He advised the real reason he looked at the Marana position is he is interested in going to a community and an environment that has more stability both in its structure and in its history. Ora Harn: Commented that the site visits were a good idea. She advised everyone the committee spoke to in Nogales spoke highly of Mr. Hein. She feels the search committee did the best job they could for the community. Mayor Itonea advised to work around the room and give each Council Member about 4 or 5 minutes to give a brief history. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Has been on the Council for 2 years. He's been married for 5 years and has a 4 year old daughter and an 18 month old son. He advised the things we deal with in Marana is we're very proactive on everything that we do. He finds people starting to look to us as a model. He feels, if a community is not Master Planned it can fall apart. He advised some of the things he's going to be working on this year in conjunction with some other Members is the Linda Vista/I-10 exchange. He's committed himself to that because, being in support of the Twin Peaks project, he's had to answer to some people on some traffic congestion issues and other issues. He feels that interchange will be a key focal point in our community. He asked Mr. Hein "what major issues that you deal with in Nogales right now, do you think are going to help you in what you can bring to our Town?" Michael I-Iein: Commented on the size differences between Marana and Nogales. He feels his experience in managing a budget for a larger organization, he can bring some of that knowledge and apply it to Marana. He has a lot of experience in dealing with sewer and water, which will help the Town. Some of the things he can also provide is 2 experience as far as where not to go and how not to develop your organization as well as what works. Sherry Millner: Advised she is married and has 2 children. She works as a secretary at DM. She commented what she wants to see happen in the next year, is the continuation of meeting with other communities Council's. She is concerned about Marana growing too quickly. She is also concerned about the separation of Marana - there's Continental Ranch and Marana. We need to impress on people that there is no separation between them. Ora Harn: Advised she is married and has 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great- grandchildren. She has been on the Council 12 years now and will have 16 years at the end of this term. She is the Executive Director of the Marana Health Center. She has worked with 6 different Councils over the years. She commented that every Council Member she has worked with in these 12 years have been people who really cared about Marana. Commented her basic concern over the years has been the flood control issue. She thinks the basic issues the Town has to deal with is growth, transportation, water and the flood control issue. Those are some of her primary concerns. Being the Executive Director at the Health Center, she has concerns for the health care and the community service. She feels it's a prime concern that we take care of the people in our community - with their health and social service issues. Mike Reuwsaat: Advised he has been married for 5 years and has 3 children. Commented he is new to the Council, not too new to City Government. He believes the Council in the past has been forward thinking and is very pleased to see that the General Plan was developed and annexed. He agrees with Bobby and Ora in terms of the major issues. He would like to work with Council and staff on looking at the longer term impact on the growth in terms of the costs the Town will incur with regards to roads and police and what we will be in the future. He is concerned about what the requirements are and the grace periods for high weeds and junk cars. Feels maybe we can do some community efforts to help clean it up, there should be some flexibility in terms of working with the people. He totally agrees with Linda Vista and if he can help there, he'd like to. One concern of his is the long term ability to maintain the community we accept in terms of operational costs with the revenues that we project. He doesn't feel it's too early to start initiating the type of revenue sources we may need to have or setting aside one type revenue sources into specific accounts. Suggested this Council form a Housing Corporation. He feels low income housing will significantly increase over the next few years. Is very excited about the GIS System that engineering has. He is looking forward to working with the Council and looking forward to the next 4 years. It is so exciting to be in a community that's undeveloped and taking a forward approach. Ora Harn: Just recently the PAG Regional Council met with ADOT in a joint meeting and we were allowed to express our concerns about transportation. The Linda Vista interchange was basically my presentation to ADOT. After the meeting was over, Katy Doosenberry, our representative, met with me with people from BEST, New World Homes, RedHawk and just informally and pledged her support for the Linda Vista interchange. 3 Roxanne Ziegler: Advised she's married, has a 20 year old son who is in college in California. She works at Hughes as a Contract Manager. One of her concerns is the division in the Town between the old and new Marana. She feels strongly about the seniors in our community and they need to be taken care of. They have a lot of knowledge about Marana. The new municipal complex is a wonderful idea - would like to work on that. The people are the Town's asset and we need to keep them infom~ed as much as possible. She passed out cards in reference to the Bond Issues, that were mailed out to the Town residents. Giving dates and times of when to vote (May 20). There are 2 meetings: at the Rec. Center and one at Northwest Fire Station. Mayor Honea: Commented 25% voters is above standard. You will get the same people most of the time. The vast majority of the people do not want to be involved. Sometimes it's frustrating. Bobby Sutton: Commented people aren't interested until something requires them to be. What you will hear from people is not much their opinions - it's what they read in the papers. We are an easy target right now because we have a lot of things going on. Sandy Groseelose: Advised she's married, has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. She has been with the Town approximately 6 years. She would like to see, although she has no control over, the flood control. It affects a lot of people. Something that has been mentioned is getting information to the citizens from the Council and staff. We're trying to do that by way of newspaper - Ordinances, Resolutions and staff reports. We are now on the Intemet we'll be providing agendas, possibly minutes and certainly phone numbers of people to contact with questions. We have a direct line now for the Mayor and Council, we have set up an answering machine on it. We have finally gotten all of our minutes, ordinances and resolutions on our computer system. We are working on IGA's and contracts. She feels everyone works well together and wants to keep it that way. She commented on the seniors being important and vital to the community and suggested if we can get some programs going maybe they can come in and do some volunteering. They have a lot of expertise that maybe we can pull some and help the different departments as well as the youth. She is involved with the Police Explorer Post, we have approximately 30 children from ages 14 - 20. Advised that if there is anything anyone has questions on - she and her staff are there to give you information. Mayor Honea: Advised his family has lived in and around the Town of Marana since 1920's. He has seen a lot of growth and change. He's been on the Council for 10 years. Have been active in the Chamber of Commerce. He feels business and the ability to do business is the back bone to our financial success. Wanted to comment on one item that was brought up - he does not think Marana has a division. The north end is a minority as far as voting, by the next two year election, Continental Ranch is going to be a minority also. We need to start talking about "we" as citizens of the Town of Marana, no matter where you live. We all have a common goal. Herb Kal: Was born and raised in Marana. It has been a pleasure working with the Council for the last 4 years. Is married and has a son. He feels flood control is an issue that needs to be supported. One thing of importance to him is the transportation issues. Dan Hochuli: Is married, has 2 children. Has been a lawyer for about 11 years. It has been exciting to watch the Town grow from a $2,000,000 budget to a $15,000,000 budget, We have come a long way. The question was brought up about insuring same sex partners - is that a legal issue in the courts, is it mandatory or voluntary? Dan Hochuli: As far as I know it's been voluntary. I've seen no mention as that being a trend. Kelly Schwab: Advised it was rejected by the Supreme Court as far as making a protected class. Feels we're not going to see it mandated. A lengthy discussion ensued about the issue of insurance for same sex partners. Kelly Schwab: Grew up in a small town, so working with Marana is like home. The Town is growing rapidly. She sits with the Planning Commission during their meetings. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Commented on the Police Department now has a motorcycle officer. Hurvie Davis: Is married and has 7 children. Has been in this business 40 years, the last 4 with the Town of Marana. Prior to that, with the City of Tucson. The main thing facing our community is continuity. He passed around the resignation of Doug Maples, Chief Building Official. Doug has announced his resignation to take a job in San Mateo, California. He advised you can not provide for your community, your citizens or infrastructure unless you have revenues coming in. I am pro business and I know that this Country revolves around business. We're basically looking at a $21,000,000 budget this coming year. We're headed on infrastructure and Public Works, street projects and water. Thursday we closed on the water system from Marana Water Service. We have in our budget to take over the acquisition of Tucson Water if Council decides to do that. We are taking over the CMID system, hopefully before June. We do have a lot of programs this year, I'm looking at $6.7 million bonds. The Huff money coming in is only about $400,000 a year - comes in based on population, We annexed the lnaYThornydale area. We just initiated the movement to annex the Foothills Mall. I feel the annex of the Mall will be a tremendous benefit to the Town. Advised he's not into annexations, but if something is going to benefit the Town, not only from day one but for the future, he is for it. He has enjoyed working hem and hopes to come back in a couple of years and still see Marana moving forward. Recess Mayor Honea: Read a letter from Avra Valley Fire District, wanting to petition areas in northern Marana for annexation into the Avra Valley Fire District. Areas being: Adonis, Marana Estates, Sandario Road, Honea Heights and Berry Acres. He advised, Northwest has filed a petition on Adonis. He advised the Council is going to have to make a choice on these issues. He commented on the tax ratio for each fire district: Avra Valley is at $3.00 per 100, whereas Northwest is at $1.68. Northwest Fire District has merged with Flowing Wells Fire District is the second largest Fire Provider in Pima County, with 8 or 9 stations. Avra Valley Fire District only has 2 stations. Avra Valley does not have the quantity or the quality of equipment to provide as good a service as Northwest. Northwest is half the price, basically. I have a letter I have to respond to, we can put it on the agenda and have a public hearing, we can do whatever we want. Hurvie Davis: Believes Council already made a decision about Fire Protection, last year. Council at that time awarded a contract to Northwest Fire District to provide services to areas presently not served. They said at the time Northwest Fire would be the ultimate fire provider for our community and it would not infringe on the existing Fire District such as Avra Valley and Picture Rocks. Mayor Honea: We said that, but we did not say they could not attempt to do so. We said we give our blessing to Northwest to do this and we encourage them to annex, but we did not preclude anyone else from attempting to do so. To maintain continuity in our community, it would be nice to have 1 Fire Department. Herb Kai: Avra Valley Fire Department or Picture Rocks, would like to come into the Marana property area -- really west of the freeway, is that what they're referring to? Mayor Honea: Avra Valley has sent up a letter just in the last few days - basically they're looking at the neighborhoods I mentioned. Basically "Old Town", everything that's not northwest. They would like to have our permission to come in and try to annex. I think Northwest provides services at a reasonable rate for good services. If we give Picture Rocks that permission, which we have to, for them to try, then they're going to come in and start competing against Northwest. Herb Kai: Commented the $3.00 rate is top dollar and if we can get the same services for $1.68 is dollars and sense. He spoke from the agricultural view - a lot of the farmers are concerned that if Marana is annexing the Fire District, we're concerned about being taxed on farm land. Mayor Honea: Advised he spoke with the Chief, who basically said they're looking at excluding farm properties now and as lands are sold for development - when you come in for a permit, we're going to tell you like everybody else you have to have a deal with the Fire District before you get your permits. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Suggested Council give Northwest a period of time to do the annexation and them alone and give them a first right of refusal. We can write back to Northwest and Avra Valley, because of the investment that the Town has made, Northwest was implied that we would like Northwest to annex this part of the community we are allowing them until the end of 1998 to do their petition. If the annexation of the Fire District has not been formed, then it will be open for anyone to petition. Mayor Honea: Asked if there should be a public hearing on this. 6 Sherry Millner: Didn't we vote on this? Mayor Honea: That was for the service for the 2-year providing tim service for the area in the Town of Marana that was not incorporated in a Fire District. We have a 2-year contract with Northwest that they will provide fire services for anyone that is not either in Northwest, Picture Rocks or Avra Valley. Ora Ham: Even if we say to Northwest, we're going to give you this much time, we cannot keep Avra Valley or Picture Rocks from going around saying to people "you don't want this". Basically you're going to get some controversy however you do it. 1 think a public hearing is a good thing to do and then make a decision. Sherry Millner: At least you won't be criticized if we leave it to a public hearing. Folks will have time to come in and speak on how they feel. Mayor Honea: If you all agree, I'm going to schedule it for the May 20, 1997 meeting. We will post it as a Public Notice that we are going to have a public discussion. Ora Harm Stated the Fire Districts should be able to come in and talk if they want to. Sandy Groseclose: Commented that if we do the discussion May 20, that may not be enough time to get the word out. It may be better if we make it for the first meeting in June. Mayor Honea: Said that was fine, we'll make it the first meeting in June. We can contact the Chiefs and tell them we'd like to have them present. We would like to have some paperwork on why they think they offer better services. Dan Hochuli: Advised the IGA entered with Northwest Fire District expires later this year. The purpose of that IGA was that would give fire protection for areas that are not in Fire Districts, while Northwest District and tried to annex them into their Fire District. I think as part of this, we need to keep in mind that Northwest is going to start thinking about renewing the IGA - they've made significant purchases and investments in their Fire Department. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: That was a one time contract, that was a one time trial period for them to see if they can get out there and annex. Mayor Honea: This will be put on the agenda, The second item I wanted to discuss is the Marana Health Center, they are in serious financial problems. They need to generate about $50,000 over a six month period to get them back to where they can operate with their actual patient load. He spoke about the Tobacco Tax money and how it was to be shared with a lot of public medical facilities within Pima County. The clinics percentage of that was supposed to be $27,000. It was being distributed through the County, even though this is Federal money. Marana received $7,000 and the County kept $20,000. The Mayor advised Mr. Hawkins will be coming in from the school on this next agenda. He'll be asking for $14,000 for 12 or 13 kids to put in a summer work program. If we're willing to put $14,000 or $20,000 into a program, let's put it into a program to save our medical facilities. He advised he won't be supporting Mr. Hawkins request. What I would ask Council to do is maybe look at some financial support for the Clinic, it's none profit. If we lose this clinic, it's going to be hard to get it started again. I think we should pressure the County, we should talk to Sharon Bronson and say if you can come up with a quarter of a million dollars to provide this service for significant others, you ought to be able to come up with the $20,000. This wasn't even their money, this is Tobacco tax money which is Federal money. I've spoken to the President of SABBA, they're interested in getting involved in community projects. Ora said the clinic needs a roof. I firmly believe that I can go to SABBA and say we want some people on a Saturday out here to redo the roof for the clinic. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: I've done some research and some interesting comments have come back from people who work with the County. This is the way it was told to me, the $27,000 that was administrated through Kino, is that the same money? Ora Harn: The money came down in this way: Marana Health Center, Catalina Health Center, E1 Pueblo Health Center and Kino Hospital formed a coalition. The 4 agencies applied for Tobacco Tax funding. Because the Marana, Catalina and El Pueblo Health Center's were small clinics without a lot of administrative staff or tracking staff, we all 3 agreed to allow Kino to have the administrative funding. In a sense we let Kino be the agent for all of us. But when the County looked at it, they said it's County money and the three of us found ourselves in a position of getting whatever we got. Basically Kino said we have a large population of poor people, we have the need first. Bobby Sutton, Jr,: The way it got to me was that money was supposed to be used as soon as possible because it would go. And that the Marana Health Center kept it as a reserve and that's why the money went away because it was not used. Ora Itarn: Kino said, use it fast but we had made a coalition agreement and had a formula for who got what of that money. Marana's formula was a certain amount. My understanding was different than Kinos. My understanding was - you take money to serve the people in your community. You take that money to give health care for the year, not that you spend it in the first few months. Nadine Beeham says to me is you have no legal leg to stand on because this chart you're giving me says this is a continent agreement and that's not in the contract. Basically what happened is they spent all the money -- when Marana put their bills in, they said, sorry there's no more money. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: County is under the perception you did not spend it in a timely fashion so you lose it. And if that's not the nature of the agreement, maybe we need to get legal to re-evaluate that coalition and make them pay us that money. Ora Harn: We had an addendum contract given to us for April, May and June - that was separate from that one year. By the time we got to April, May and June - Kioo said you can't have any of that money, we already spent it last year. Mayor Honea: The point I'm trying to make is - are we going to do something or not? Maybe some of you feel that we can't. I really feel there's no difference in us trying to put a little bit of money into this Clinic to save it. It's a service to the community, I think it would be a disservice to the community to allow this clinic to shut its doors. Sherry Millner: If we don't take care of our people, then what are we here for? There was a lengthy discussion on this issue and Council Member Ora Ham stated she will declare a conflict of interest. No other Council Member will be in conflict because they have no monetary gain through doing this. This issue will be put on the May 21, 1997 meeting. Mayor Honea: Commented the clinic is a public entity outside the Town and wasn't sure if we could use our staff to make contact, because it's not the Towns money, it's the clinics money we're looking for. Dan Hochuli: Stated his office can choose who they want to represent because they are an outside firm. The Town will not be billed for it. Mayor Honea: Asked Council Member Ham if she could get whatever information she has on this issue to Town Hall so copies can be made and given out to the Council Members. He advised he will contact Sharon Bronson and set up a meeting with her on this issue. Lunch Recess Mayor Honea: Another item to discuss is annexation. Annexing developed areas, if they have sufficient infrastructure, we get $250 a person for those people. If we have to go in and improve the streets or we have to put in sewers of something of that nature, then it can be not a cost effective thing to do. Sherry Millner: It seems like we're going awful fast. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Feels if we don't annex, somebody else will. The annexations that I'm concerned with are ones that we go after that we know aren't going to support itself. A Town investment of $2,000,000 - $3,000,000 or whatever it's going to cost us for improvements or whatever we have to do for this annexation; we're getting $48,000,000 back over the next 4 years. Mike Reuwsaat: I want to be real clear that we have one time revenues and on going revenues clearly separated. When we have to begin maintaining 15 years from now, the roads in RedHawk, the roads in Continental Ranch, Old Marana and everything - are we going to have the ongoing revenues; $239 a person is not going to cut it. The thing that drives me towards the Foothills Mall is the fact that it is cost effective. But I do want to be clear that I want to be much slower when l'm looking at other areas. Mayor Honea: A lot of our annexations are not done hastily. This Foothills thing was thought out, we have figures. It is actually making enough to take care of itself and putting money back into the community. Other annexations we're looking at are pieces of 1-10. The Department of Public Safety would like to cite into the Town of Marana - from Pinal County to Orange Grove Road. The reason they're not doing that is we have 2 gaps in the freeway. We're trying to annex those pieces of property. What we're looking at - if they cite into the Town of Marana, we'll have to put on another Magistrate and we'll have to 3 or more Court personnel. Our cut of that money will be $300,000 minimum -we have the figures and we have the stuff from the state. Roxanne Ziegler: 1 was proud that we annexed the Foothills Mall. I have had several people ask me "why should I move into Marana?'. I'm asking for you help - to come up with some answers so I'll know what to say to these people. Mayor Honea: When we annexed the Ina/Thornydale area them was some opposition from some of the store owners, now they're our cheering committee. What happened is - when we annexed Ina/Thornydale - Orange Grove; the leases on the property in those shopping centers were running at about 60%. They had transients, youth gangs hanging around in the parking lots and pan handlers actually on the sidewalks in front of the stores. We went in and cleaned that stuff up. lfyou go in there now, the lease rate is 90 - 95%. The thing is - people feel secure. One thing about Marana - we do what we say: we said we would build a Police Substation, we did. We said we would build a bridge over the Carmac wash by the Price Club, we did. A lot of other municipalities don't do that. Herb Kai: I think your point is well taken. The only difference with the Foothills is we're having to take in a lot of apartments, where we didn't have to take in with Ina/Thomydale. Comments have been made such as "I'd hate to have someone who's paying $500 a month to take an active role in City politics, dictating a lifestyle that a Continental Ranch homeowner has a home for $150,000 - it could impact some decisions. Mayor Honea: We've done some research on that also, only about 25% of single family homeowners vote. That's pretty much City wide, Town wide, County wide. People that live in apartment complexes generally don't vote. I think the average time for a person to stay in an apartment is 18 months, Mike Reuwsaat: With everybody else working on the impact fees, how do they feel about going with this special assessment district instead? Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Where we're at now, is we're trying to get the right people to the table. Mike Reuwsaat: But would they bite your head off if you went with - you're talking about tax, rather than an impact fee? l0 Bobby Sutton, Jr.: That can be one of the proposals too. It's kind of up to us to come up with a means, we need it, they need it. Mike Reuwsaat: When I'm looking at us, Marana, maintaining those roads 20 years from now - having a special taxation just for streets for maintenance and stuff would sure be helpful. Roxanne Ziegler: I have talked to the developers and all of them have said the same thing and that is they don't mind as long as you do it across the board. In the past we've treated maybe some of the developers a little differently as things happen. But now what they're saying, as long as you treat us all the same. Mayor Itonea: The things that we looked at in RedHawk is that RedHawk is going to build 2 if not 3 big resorts. The first one they want to build is pretty small but the second one is going to be a pretty good size one. Those resorts are going to put lots of dollars into our economy. Yes, their going to use the streets to get to the resorts or the golf course or the restaurants in RedHawk, but they're going to generate large amounts of revenue. We get 5% offa bed. Mike Reuwsaat: To me if you can get that ongoing revenue you're ahead in the long run. We know one is coming and so that's fine but lets not preclude us from looking at the other sources that are available. If we can go to an ongoing revenue source without taking too much more of a beating, I think that would be advantageous to the Town rather than going with an impact fee which is a one time shot which still leaves us with a long term of taking care of it. Mayor Honea: Over the last 3 ½ years we have been averaging about $2,000,000 a year that we have in the Municipal Trust Investment Corp. We're generating about $2,000,000 a year more now than we're spending. If this Foothills comes in we may be generating $3,000,000 or more. I'm not a big fan of bonding, I'm a cash man. I don't think we should deplete ourselves. My philosophy is, if we're going to spend a couple million dollars on a new complex, personally I'd rather cash it out than bond. Mike Reuwsaat: I just have a conservative bone in me that says I want to provide any kind of long term ongoing source that we can get - I want to have a lot of money in the bank for down the line. I think I know where Marana is going to be 20 years from now and I want to be happy with the long term decisions we're making now. Hurvie Davis: We as a community have to be cautious. What we need to be cautious about is that, due to the fact that we don't have a property tax, as we grow we need to get the commercial. I concerned with the commercial that's starting to go up in Thornydale now that's taking away from the Ina and Thornydale are where people shop. We need, not only in this valley but in this state and in the nation, increased transportation funding - dedicated funding for transportation. Ora Harn: l get especially concerned about a mistake we have made in the past. 1 never want to see it happen to the Town again. That is, when we go into the community and upgrade the communities; we want special landscaping and special amenities in their community that we make sum that is not paid by the tax payers dollars. That those amenities are a part of that community. Not everybody wants to have their streets decorated with flowers and things. I think we did a good thing in RedHawk when we approved the community - where those people take care of those kinds of things themselves. Mayor Honea: We're doing that in Twin Peaks as well. Where the homeowners group will take care of it through their facilities district. The last item I wanted to bring up is - Bernie Diamond is coming back to Town. I'm going to be meeting with him Wednesday morning. Gill Lewis, the Warden at MTC has called and wants to meet with me as well. I'm sure that all of you will be getting contacted if you haven't already. MTC would like to expand - I think we knew that when they came here. Prisons generate huge amounts of revenue. They also clean our parks, clean up along the highways and trim our trees. We're going to use them in Continental Ranch as a matter of fact to do the vegetation on the stuff that we took at fifty cents an hour versus $8 or $9 an hour. They've cleaned up around Town Hall, they've cleaned up around the Chamber of Commerce, the Clinic. They're doing a lot of work. I know there are some people in the community, and maybe righteously so, are going to say no way. But 1 think we need to look at the big picture. If they want to expand the minimum security facility, I think it bears looking at. Roxanne Ziegler: Advised she was just out at MTC and had a tour or the facility from Warden Lewis. She encouraged anyone who has not taken a look out there to do it. It is a very nice facility. It is private Mayor Honea: Asked if she felt intimidated by the facility in the community. Roxanne Ziegler: Stated no and she had talked to someone the other day - people need to get out and look at these places. First of all, that treatment center is way out in the middle of nowhere. She commented that if someone were to escape from there, they would have to go 8 miles to find something. She was surprised and she knows that when it came in, there were people in Marana that didn't like the idea. Mayor Honea: Commented that what impressed him was, when he went to the men's prison he expected a bunch of big guys. About half of the guards in the men's facility are women and they run through there freely. It's not like they're locked in a little cell. It really runs pretty well. Roxanne Ziegler: It's minimum security and they don't have guns. Mike Reuwsaat: I want us all to be very careful about this. I know one of the guards lives just down the street from us. They do bring in people who are dangerous, lt's a very small portion of that. There is another side to that, that we will have to deal with. 12 Roxanne Ziegler: Absolutely, I'm not suggesting them isn't. Mayor Honea: Mike has a good point. And yes there are to be a few that slip through and get in there. But if you really put it in an overall perspective, last year in Pima County there were 110 murders. Of those 110 murders, about 80 of them were youth gang oriented. You as a citizen, even in the north end of the Town of Marana am in far more danger from a youth gang assaulting you or your wife or your children than you are from an inmate in that facility. I think we need to put it in perspective. Mike Reuwsaat: I just want to be clear that when it comes from this Council on the presentation of the information that it doesn't go to far - that it highlights everything that you said and the hours, money the savings that we said, the high likelihood and stuff, but, I'm saying absolutely put the best foot forward and don't make any statements that we cannot hold up. Roxanne Ziegler: Absolutely, don't listen to us, go out there - Warden Lewis will take you around there any time you want to. Don't listen to the Council, just get in your car and I challenge anybody in Marana to go out there and say I want a tour. I think they will find that they will be pleasantly surprised. The risk factor versus how much revenue can be generated from that facility is incredible. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: I think the thing we need to realize too, "expansion" isn't nearly as news~vorthy as "prison goes in Marana". As long as it's staying minimum security and not medium to high security. It will be news. Ora Harn: They offer GED classes and other types of classes to help the inmates by giving them training in social skills and working with them on self control and self approval and self worth, etc. Marana Health Center has the contract to do their medical care and their psychologist is there 10 hours every week. I agree with Mike, everything that we say, we have to be sure that we give out good information. Mayor Honea: Advised there have been complaints about the Planning Commission. Primarily 2 members of the Planning Commission. The Mayor commented he listened to a tape of a Commission meeting and the language was less than professional, He thinks changes need to be made with our Planning Commission. He stated the Planning Commission is appointed as a committee by the Council to serve us. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Commented that all levels, from the guy that's driving the trucks out there; to what we're doing, we should all be acting the same way. All in the better interest of the community. Mayor Honea: That is the right attitude to have and I don't think some of our Planning Commissioners have that attitude. Roxnnne Ziegler: Stated some of the Commissioners go in there, instead of with an open mind - they've already made some decisions in their minds. She advised they don't get together and talk about things, she doesn't know what anybody thinks until she gets there. Mayor Honea: Thinks we should change the format of the way the Planning Commissioners are appointed. He feels each City Council Member should appoint a person to the Planning Commission with the approval of the body. Herb Kai: Are you saying we should clean house completely? Mayor Honea: Suggested, we could set up a deal to where each Council Member has one person on the Planning Commission. We have 7 people right now, so, to get it started, once we change the ordinance - we could draw lots. Each Member will draw a name. Sandy Groseclose: Advised some of the individuals are on for at least 2 more years. There are some new ones coming up now in 1997 for reappointment. Mayor Honea: Stated the Ordinance can be changed. Hurvie Davis: Suggested we could start from scratch and say the existing members are eligible to be re-appointed or your could just take all new names. It's very difficult though, based on my observations since I've been with the Town, for one person to come up with 7 names. Dan ltoehnli: Gave an example of how this is handled in Sahuarita. Each Council Member in Sahoarita owns a Commission seat. Each Member brings in a name to the Council for appointment. When a Council Members term is up, the Commissioner loses his spot on the Commission. Recommended what Hurvie said earlier: which is instead of dra~ving names and having one person decide whether to can the chairperson or not, if this is the direction Council wants to go. Right now the Town Code says the Mayor chooses the nantes and submits it to the Council for approval. We amend that portion of the Town Code that talks about the procedure we come up with, part of the enabling ordinance that adds the Town Code says "as of July 1, 1997, all appointees are relieved of their responsibilities and the Council will then appoint new members". Then you don't have a Council Member having to deal with a Commission Member. You may have a Commission Member lobbying the 7 of you for you to be their person, but no single Council Member is responsible for a single Commission Members removal. Sherry Millner: Suggested they should look for persons with training. Roxanne Ziegler: Commented that yes, training is one thing to look for, but even so personalities need to be looked at. 14 Mayor Honea: Suggested this issue be put on the agenda for discussion. And discuss that on a certain date the terms will be terminated and a new ordinance will be adopted to replace the old ordinance. Each Council Member will choose one member of the Planning Commission to be approved by a majority of the Council. Asked if everybody concurs that maybe we need to look at revamping it? Having a Commission that meets weekly on smaller planning items; if it's not approved it can be appealed to the Council. On big items such as Specific Plans, General Plats and things of that nature would go to the Planning Commission and be handled. Roxanne Ziegler: Commented on behalf ofthe Commission - we do a lot of homework now. For the bigger things, those guys get in there and do their homework. Doesn't want to see all of them taken out, she would hope some of them come back. Herb Kai: Asked what are the current guidelines for the Planning Commissioners Chair? Mayor Honea: Suggested it should be done as the Council does. Every two years, they appoint a Chair and a Vice Chair. The Commission does their appointing. At the end of two years, you get new people on the Council, or even if you don't - you may have a couple of changes. You go right back, yon vote for Chair and Vice Chair and that way people don't stay perpetually for 20 years at a position either. Sherry Millner: Advised that a year ago, this same process was talked about and voted down. Asked if anyone remembers why it was voted down? Dan Hochnli: Doesn't think it was voted down. Asked Hurvie if he remembers why there were problems with this before? Hurvie Davis: He does not remember why it wasn't pursued. Dan Hochnli: He believes one of the concerns was, it becomes a political appointment. Mayor Itonea: Believes the vast majority of the Commission does a fine job. But feels there are a couple of problems. Suggested some research be done. Asked Dan Hochuli if he could get some copies of how Sahuarita does their appointing. Also to let each Council Member read the information and if anyone feels some changes need to be made, it can be discussed. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Brought up the item of "Popular Vote" for Mayor and Vice Mayor. A discussion was made about segmenting voting and how one area could control it. Sherry Millner: Stated she has a close relationship with a Couple of Tucson City Council Members and they're at war with each other all the time. There's a lot of backstabbing, and they have lost sight of the whole City, all they see is their own neighborhoods. Feels that if Marana does that, there will be no cohesion in this Town 15 whatsoever. Right now, Marana is seen throughout all of Arizona as being unique because we all get along. Herb Kai: Commented, that the Council's job is to sometimes take the heat. Stated if someone is voted by popular vote to Mayor and Vice Mayor and he can't work with them, that's a strike against the whole thing. Is afraid that with the popular vote Mayor Honea: The thing that bothers him about it. being candid - there's probably 2 or 3 people who would like to be Mayor. He feels it's almost like having to make deals with people - to be voted into as Mayor. Making promises you can't keep. Mike Renwsaat: Talked about the election of Mayor, is the peoples choice by a majority of the people in Marana. If any Council Member can't get along with that person, he or she should rethink about how he feels things are going. Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Stated he could be swayed either way. Feels this needs to be discussed more. He thinks that the people will see that if the Mayor is voted in by the Council, is a representative of the Council and not the community. If the Mayor is voted in by a popular vote, that's a representation of the community. Sherry Millner: Stated, doesn't it say that our Mayor directs meetings, it doesn't say our Mayor in Marana is a "Figure Head". Mayor ltonea: Commented that people will call the Town asking for the Mayor, to speak at a function. If the Mayor is not able to make it, he/she will advise the Vice Mayor will be asked or one of the Council Members can be sent in place of the Mayor - most of the time the answer will be "No, if you can't come we don't want anybody". He stated that half of the calls for the Mayor, if he can't make it - they don't want anyone. Hurvie Davis: Speaking for the staffs perspective, he's received calls requesting a meeting with the Town Manager and the Mayor, and then asked "By the way, who is the Mayor?". Bobby Sutton, Jr.: Advised the Mayor is portraying all of Marana and Marana's views. Mayor Honea: Commented, hopefully whoever the Mayor is, is portraying how Marana feels. But you could get someone who is anti whatever, and it may not be how Marana feels, but that is tagged as Marana's feelings. Ora Ham: Added that when a Mayor enters a meeting, however that person acts, their Town is judged on how he acts. Mayor Itonea: Stated it's too late this time around, but it is something that should be looked at. Ora Ham: Commented this is something that needs to be discussed. To have it put on the ballot and let the people decide. Mayor Honea: Asked if this needs to be discussed further or if there was anything else that needed to be discussed. Hurvie Davis: Advised he was going to meet with Bill Kelly, Manager of the Foothills Mall. He will be calling each of the Council Members to meet with Bill Kelly, to explain what is going to happen at the Foothills Mall. A motion was made by Ora Harn, seconded by Bobby Sutton, Jr., and carried unanimously to adjourn at 2:11 P.M. CERTIFICATION I certify that the foregoing minutes are the true and correct minutes of the Council Retreat of the Marana Town Council held on May 2, 1997. 17