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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/1994 Special/ Chamber Meerting Minutes MINUTES OF SPECIAL JOINT COUNCIL / CHAMBER MEETING MARANA TOWN COUNCIL GREATER MARANA AVRA VALLEY CItAMBER OF COMMERCE PLACE: MARANA TOWN HALL ,DATE: March 8, 1994 TIME: 6:00 P.M. !. CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Ora Harn at 6:09 P.M. II. ROLL CALL A. MARANA TOWN COUNCIL Ora Ham Sharon Price Tom Clark Ed Honea Betty Horrigan Herb Kai Helen Key Mayor Vice Mayor Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Staff: Hurvie Davis Sandm L. Groseclose Dan Hochuli Town Manager Town Clerk Town Attorney B. MARANA CHAMBER Renee Basile Bearse Daniel P. McQuade A. Joseph Reilly Dan Post, excused Vick Charnis, excused Tony Frost, excused 1 Member of the Public. II~I. ORDER OF BUSINESS A. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION - CHAMBER AND TOWN WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN OF MARANA Mayor Ora Harn introduced Item Iii-A. She stated that the discussion would be informal. Hurvie Davis said that this meeting was a suggestion of both the Council and the Chamber. He said that revenue for Town services comes partially from the sales tax and that businesses are needed to provide that sales tax revenue. At Cortaro - 1-10, an AM/PM is expected to be built as well as a Burger King. Between Sargent Controls and Coca Cola is a new Hinckly - Schmitt building under development, and behind that there is to be a self-storage facility. On Sanders Rd. there will be the new MTC treatment facility. These are just a few examples to business development in Marana, not even counting the lna- Thomydale annexation area. Marana's economic future looks bright. Mr. Davis cited the Town employee pay raises as an example. He would like the relationship between Town and Chamber to continue and grow. On the bad side, there is the sewer capacity for the Continental Ranch area. With only interim pumping stations in service, the current system is at or near capacity. The Hinckly - Schmitt project went ahead in anticipation that the building would have the necessary sewer connections. Further development will be in danger if the sewers are not upgraded. Mayor Ora Harn shifted the topic to the recent annexation of Ina - Thomydale. Hurvie Davis reviewed the annexation history: The process began in October I992. Mr. Davis said that the annex went effective on October 30, 1993. The City of Tucson challenged the validity of the annexation, claiming that Marana changed the map of the annex without a public hearing and that not enough signatures were collected on the petition. Marana filed a motion of summary judgment for December 20, I993. It was delayed until February 14, 1994, and then to April 4, 1994. Dan Hochuli commented that if he were the judge, he would rule for Marana. Hurvie Davis said that areas near the annex in the county expressed interest in joining Marana, but they would have to wait until the case was decided. Dan MeQuade agreed that in order for the Town to be strong, the Chamber must be strong, too. Mayor Ora Harn moved to topic to the resignation of Renee from the Chamber. Dan McQuade said that they wanted to expand the Board to nine members and open two seats. Two people from the Ina - Thomydale area have expressed interest in joining the Board. The first is from Arizona (Central) Credit Union, and the second is from Fiesta Flowers. The Council was asked by the Chamber where they all want to see growth. Mayor Ora Ham said MTC will cause the area to grow due to the jobs that are created. MTC will be the anchor for other business to come in. River bank protection will also help growth. The Chamber said that the Town infrastructure must be developed for futura growth, primarily in sewer service. Dan Hochuli answered a question on what the annexation decision set for April 4 means. He said that the judge (Lina Rodrignez) would probably end the case at that hearing, under advisement and rule in a month. She may rule without an evidentiary trial. If there is a trial, it could be in July with a final decision after that. The Town Attorney expects that the Town will win. It is up to the City of Tucson whether or not they will appeal. The Chamber commented that the Judge's decision will affect whether needed infrastructure improvements will be done, such as sewers and road improvements. Pima County gets 43 million dollars from sewage revenue. Chamber revenue bonds could be affected, too. MINUTES OF SPECIAL JOINT COUNCIL / CHAMBER MEETING MARANA TOWN COIJNCIL GREATER MAIL4,NA AVRA VALLEY CIlAMBER OF COMMERCE Helen Key asked about revenue bonds and infrastructure financing. The Chamber responded, saying revenue bonds are paid from revenue from the project. Property taxes or assessments could be another option to pay for infrastructure projects. Ed Honea said that they should plan for the futura as infrastructure is necessary for long-term development and growth. Short and long-term development should be considered, given the costs of infrastructure. The Chamber asked if the sewer improvements go in, will the sewers go to the County or the Town. The Mayor said that it could go either way depending on what the Town wants. Does Marana want to enter into the sewer business? Private individuals also can go into the sewer business, selling the effluent to nearby farms. The Mayor suggested that George Brinsco, who has a reputation of successful management, come to help Marana, provide suggestions and guidance. Hurvie Davis said that there is a rumor Marana has been redlined for development activity and servers. The possibility of going into the wastewater business is being explored in order to attract attention from Tucson to show that Marana means business. Also, he said that large developers can build the necessary infrastructure for their developments and others could tie into that, paying their share later. Mr. Davis wants the Town to get out of the flood plain because of the large restrictions on development. The Chamber brought up the point that wastewater treatment is a big business. If the Town treated its own wastewater, it would cut into the profits of Pima County Wastewater. A plan with the Board of Supervisors calls for Marana to take sewage from incorporated areas of the county that receive Tucson Water service, unless the aquifer is recharged, no water credit is given and to recharge the wastewater must be treated and water comes from Tucson so private wells should be abandoned. Mayor Ora Harn said she and the Council would set up a meeting with Mr. Brinsco. And one advantage for treating wastewater is the water recharge credit. Helen Key asked if Pima County Wastewater could legally stop Marana from treating wastewater. Mayor Ora Ham said that environmental considerations could be used to delay. The Town needs expert advice. Hurvie Davis said that Mr. Palkowitz would build a treatment plant and turn it over to Marana provided Marana takes over the operation of the plant. Also, the Sign Code issue should be addressed sometime; it is restrictive to local businesses. Dan Groseclose said the Town should work to a long term goal. On whether the Town should annex subdivisions, Mayor Harn said they would like to take in areas of about 2000 people. With a property tax, they could get some additional revenue. Also, there are some businesses that do not pay their share. However, a property tax is not a popular idea. To help businesses, the Mayor suggested an information pack for Planning Administrator Gerald Flannery to hand out. Recess: 7:35 P.M. Reconvene: 7:47 P.M. All Council Members present. MARANA TOWN COUNCIL GREATER MARANA AVRA VALLEY CIIAMBER OF COMMERCE B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - FINALIZATION OF THE 1994 GRANT SELECTION BY THE MARANA TOWN COUNCIL Eddie Cruz, Yoem Pueblo: He explained his proposal for additional funds totalling $20,278.00 for completion of an inside wall and the kitchen in the new building. Mayor Ora Ham provided additional information. Dan Groseclose said that the project will cost a total of $173,000. There are currently 30 projects, totalling $823,503.00. Mayor Ora Harn turned over the gavel to Vice Mayor Sharon Price while the Mayor consulted with the Town Attorney. The Mayor returned a few minutes later. The Council discussed the CDBG projects and rankings with Dan Groseclose. A motion was made by Ed Honea, seconded by Betty Horrigan and passed unanimously to rescind the previous vote taken in reference to the 1994 CDBG ranking on March l, 1994. Recess: 8:07 P.M. to finalize the CDBG rankings. Reconvene: 8:50 P.M., all Council Members present. Dan Groseclose read the rankings, noted the changes from the March 1, 1994, rankings. A motion was made by Ed Honea, seconded by Betty Horrigan to approve the CDBG rankings. 1V. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Betty Horrigan, seconded by Tom Clark and carried unanimously to adjourn. Time: 8:50 P.M. AUDIO TAPES OF THE MEETING ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MARANA TOWN HALL, CLERK'S OFFICE CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special joint Council - Chamber meeting of the Marana Town Council and the Greater Marana Avra Valley Chamber of Commerce held on March 8, 1994. I further certify that a quorum was present.