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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Executive Report 01/30/2009Town of Marana Council Et ecutive Report Januar~~ 311, 2009 Report Time Period: December, January 15 - 30, 2009 Prepared On: January 30, 2009 Prepared By: Rebecca Kunsberg, Town Management Fellow Distributed Through: Gilbert Davidson, Town Manager t~_.~"~r ~"~"`` "Committed to the utu~e... .f ~~~ ,/ ~ Inspired by our past. " • ORGANIZATION WIDE UPDATES o BUILDING - PG 2 O CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT -PGS 2 - 5 o COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT -PGS S- 6 o LEGAL -PGS 6 - 8 o MARANA REGIONAL AIRPORT- PGS 8-9 o OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - PG 9 o PARKS AND RECREATION- PG 10 o POLICE -PGS 10- 11 o TECHNOLOGY SERVICES- PG 11 - 12 o TOWN CLERK - PG 12 o UTILITIES -PGS 12 - 13 • COUNCIL CALENDAR PLEASE CONTACT BREANNE LOREFICE AT 382-2601 FOR QUESTIONS ORGANIZATION WIDE: A. BUILDING RITZ CARLTON RESORT DOVE MOUNTAIN • Ritz projects continue to keep our plan review and inspection staff very busy. • Construction on the hotel is in steady progress. Construction is complete on the clubhouse and related buildings and a conditional certificate of occupancy has been issued. • Administrative and plan review staff continue to attend regular meetings at the job Ritz site bi-weekly on Wednesdays. B. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS SILVERBELL ROAD INTERCEPTOR PROJECT: 1999-OSO • Commence permanent signage foundations. • Minor areas of riprap still remain to be placed. -2- • Landscaping work is continuing along the east and west side of Silverbell Rd. Obelisks are on site awaiting minor repair work to the painted surface. • Phase I work in the District Park continues with earthworks, grading and utilities. • Grading for the multi-use path is in progress. • Value engineering, environmental concern monitoring, testing, quality control and assurance are on-going daily. The project has had no reported safety issues. THORNYDALE ROAD PROJECT: • The project has entered the landscape establishment period and landscape maintenance is ongoing by the contractor. • Some minor punchlist work remains to be completed. • Relative to Council's decision to abandon the one foot strip of Town right-of--way to the east side of the new noise wall and to allow for the fencing off of the gap between the noise wall and adjacent private property walls and fences, contact is underway with applicable Pima County residents to communicate pertinent details. THORNYDALE RD. /TANGERINE RD. INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS: • The Developer's revised plans have been reviewed and accepted. The Town is fmalizing the plans. • Estimated to begin construction: January-February 2009. TWIN PEAKS PROJECT: • Conditional cultural clearance obtained, there are areas of further recovery that will need to be cordoned off from construction initially. • 404 permit at corps, Robert Dummer reports that permit will be issued January 6, 2009. Conditional environmental clearance obtained. • Conditional right of way clearance obtained • UPRR C&M agreement signed. Meeting before Arizona Corporate Commission set for Camino De Manana closure. Conditional railroad clearance obtained • Qwest and ADOT have agreed to disagree on prior rights of their utilities at this time. Twin Peaks contractor will perform work while continuing to sort out who pays. With that, conditional utility clearance obtained. • Demolition complete. Water service for Pioneer Landscaping out to bid. Work to be completed by first week of February, 2009. Once complete, fmal well can be abandoned at Barnes residential site. • Project currently advertised with a bid opening scheduled in Phoenix on January 30, 2009. Sixteen contractors have purchased plans, including the successful CMAR contractor for Camino de Manana (Borderland), Ames (currently mobilized doing railroad doubletracking), Kewitt (currently mobilized doing the I-10 work in Tucson) and Granite (local yard on Tangerine Farms) which could help drive bids down. TANGERINE FARMS LOOP ROAD: • Punch list, site cleanup work, and project closeout continuing -3- Drainage along Street A: Town drafted Right of Entry agreement and sent to Cottonwood Properties to allow the Town to enlarge and maintain scupper basins on Cottonwood property, Cottonwood to ultimately design and construct storm drain to direct all inflows to Cemex retention basin when site developed, per Development Agreement; Town also negotiated with Contractor for this extra grading work, to begin once all agreements are in place; awaiting executed Right of Entry I-10/Tangerine Road intersection cleanup and punch list items being compiled with ADOT HONEA HEIGHTS WATER, SEWER AND PAVING PROJECT: • Paving work was completed at the end of September; final negotiations on extra work underway for final paving project close out in December 2008; sewer as-bunts under review prior to submittal to Pima County Wastewater Management Department (PCWMD). • NAC Construction completed water improvement installation prior to July, system tied over to new service and site cleanup was completed mid July. • Two additional sewer manholes, sewer main and service connections installed for low income housing project on town owned property on Whitney Lane, in new road alignment for Sydney Place • Sanitary sewer as-built information is being compiled for submittal to PCWMD and ADEQ for final Approval to Discharge, to be submitted after final manhole rims adjusted to new street pavement elevations and final survey information and post paving inspections completed • Connection of homes to new sewer main to begin after Approval to Discharge issued by ADEQ, program currently calls for approximately 200 homes to be connected over a three year period. Bid documents are in the process of being developed for the first phase of this work. • Sidewalk construction planned once all homes are connected to the sanitary sewer system CAMINO DE MANANA PROJECT: • 404 permit received from Corps in November of 2008 • Contractor selection was finalized and Borderland Construction Co, Inc. was selected for the Construction Manager At-Risk Pre-Construction Services contract. • Construction is estimated to start ApriUMay 2009. BARNETT LINEAR CHANNEL: • Environmental investigations have begun for utility pot-hole locations. Pot-hole location investigations will be started shortly there after. • Revised 60% plans are estimated to be completed by February, 2009. • As-Needed Environmental Consultant issued NTP and TOA to complete necessary environmental and cultural work to comply with NEPA PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROGRAM: • Resurfacing and striping of roads within the Sunflower Village neighborhood have been completed as part of the 2008-2009 pavement rehabilitation program. • Punchlist items and other work is ongoing. Should be completed by end of January 2009. -4- SAGUARO SPRINGS/LA PUERTA WATER SYSTEM INTERCONNECT • Installation of the new 8" was completed the week of December 8, 2008; approval of construction has been received from ADEQ and the project is currently being closed out C. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING • Community Development is participating with a planning group of government, faith- and community-based organizations brought together by the Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson to address current housing. • Mayor Honea and staff will be attending the first event scheduled for 02-19-2009 at 7:OOam. HONEA HEIGHTS III -SPECIFIC PLAN • Contracts for the $600,000 Pima County GO Bond Funding approved by the Supervisors on January 13, 2009 are still pending. Although staff negotiated satisfactory responses to all conditions required by Mr. Huckleberry Pima County has not forwarded the funding letter or request for additional information as directed by the Pima County's Housing Commission. HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM • Working on two new emergency repair requests. • Old Pueblo Community Services has been awarded $325,000 from the Arizona Department of Housing for major housing rehab projects in Honea Heights. These funds can be paired with CDBG to create a larger impact on older homes in the neighborhood. This funding will allow them to provide rehab services for 8 - 10 housing in the next year. MARANA BUILDS HABITAT • Wall raising attentively scheduled for March 2009. • There are issues with the building permit because Pima County will not issue a sewer card, pending adoption of the Honea Heights sewer project. Staff is working to find a compromise resolution to the conflict. • Model plans approved for the first two houses at the corner of Moore and Hester and modification requirements addressed for additional model usage at Sydney Place. • Community Development and Habitat for Humanity co-hosted an event for prospective Marana Builds Habitat volunteers at 6:00 pm on January 15th with more than 70 community members attending. • The first Marana Builds Habitat family has been selected -Brian and Roberta Ransom and their three children Hanna (10), Jocelynn (8), and Caleb (4) will move into the first house built at Hester and Moore. • To date, nearly $80,000 has been raised for the first housing. 2009-2010 CIP REVIEW COMMITTEE • Met with CIP Committee to review recommendations for ranking CIP project. Additional action has been rescheduled for February 5, 2009. Departments are making corrections to project worksheets and finalizing numbers. -5- DISCRETIONARY FUNDING • Received draft Discretionary Funding Policy and Procedures from Legal with minor comments. Have made a second request for review in Finance. • Continuing to meet with STAND members to coordinate with Bedroxx credits for this year's After Party on April 18th. • The Marana Heritage Committee completed a Discretionary Funding Application for funding support of the Arena. Application completed on January 14 and has been placed on the February 3 agenda. • The signed contract has been received PCOA from the Marana Mature Worker Connection and fully executed. • A funding contract has been fully executed with the Arizona Regional Academic Decathlon c/o the Marana High School and funding request submitted to Finance. GRANTS AND AWARDS • Completed applications for Fire Suppression in the Crown Victoria police cars has been submitted to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. A request for 63 fire suppression systems and installation costs was sent on January 28. • Continuing to work on 2009-2010 CDBG requests, due to Pima County on February 6, 2009. D. LEGAL WASTEWATER LITIGATION • Pima County has failed, despite reasonable demand, to turn over ownership and control to the Town of the non-flow-through portion of the wastewater system located in Marana. On January 7, the Town sent a letter demanding Pima County to transfer to the Town, not later than January 21, ownership of the non-flow-through portion of the wastewater system. • A decision is anticipated within the next 30 days on the Town's November 6 motion to dismiss Pima County's "notice of claim" affirmative defense and "competing utility. enterprise" counter-claim. • A decision is anticipated within the next 30 days on Pima County's August 6 motion for reconsideration of the ruling that Pima County has no authority to operate a sewer utility in Marana without Marana's consent. WASTEWATER TRANSITION • The Town has received letters of support from all stakeholders except Pima County regarding Marana's pending Central Arizona Association of Governments request to be the designated management agency (DMA) in southern Pinal County. • PAG 208 Scope of Work Task Force meetings have continued, with the most recent meeting occurring on January 29. Town and Pima County staffs are attempting to work out and discuss technical details of the possible transition of wastewater operations from Pima County to Marana. Legal staff is participating in regular wastewater staff meetings to address ongoing transition issues, including the contract with Algonquin for wastewater system operation and maintenance services and the preparation of new draft Town Code provisions addressing wastewater. -6- CMID IGA NEGOTIATIONS • The CMID cancellation agreement approved by the Town Council at the December 16 meeting has now been finalized and recorded. DEANZA REFERENDUM LITIGATION • On Wednesday, January 21st, Cedric Hay appeared on the Town's behalf before the Court of Appeals in response to the appeal filed in the DeAnza referendum case. During oral argument, the judges focused their questions on the language in the rezoning ordinance which, according to the Developer, improperly modified the thirty-day period during which a referendum petition must be filed. • On January 27th the Court issued its ruling that it was reversing the lower court's grant of summary judgment in favor of the Town and directing the lower court to grant summary judgment in favor of the Developer, and awarding the Developer reasonable attorneys' fees. The Court has not yet issued an explanation of its reasoning. • As a result of the January 27 ruling, the DeAnza referendum will not go to a vote.. However, the ruling occurred after the early ballots were printed, so voters who receive an early ballot will see the DeAnza referendum matter on the ballot. It will not appear on the ballots that are distributed to the polling places. POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL MATTERS • In the MPOA lawsuit, Jane Fairall filed an Answer to their Complaint for Special Action in Superior Court on January 22, 2009. • A response was made by Jane Fairall on January 26, 2009 to the MPOA's open meeting law complaint filed with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. .PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS • There are ten pending condemnation cases for the acquisition of Twin Peaks/Linda Vista interchange right-of--way. These cases are being handled by the law firm Miller/Kramer, and overseen by Cedric Hay. • Cedric Hay is leading the effort to coordinate appraisals and property acquisition negotiations to obtain right-of--way needed for the Camino de Mariana project. The Legal Department now anticipates filing condemnation cases by the beginning of February, which will be handled in-house by Frank Cassidy and Cedric Hay. There is an estimated total of 15-20 condemnations to be filed. • Initial property acquisition discussions are occurring for the proposed Barnett Channel project, in connection with entries onto the properties for initial surveying work. OTHER NOTABLE CIVIL MATTERS • The Legal Department has prepared the documentation necessary for a February 3 Council public hearing on the abandonments of North Thornydale Road and the Saguaro Ranch public easement. • Cedric Hay continues to meet and work with lending. institutions and the Planning Department to address illegal lot splitting in the Camino de Mariana area. PROSECUTION ACTIVITIES AND STATISTICS: • Laine Sklar obtained guilty verdicts in two of her three DUI jury trials in a period of three weeks. This is the first time three consecutive jury trials have been held in Marana Municipal Court. -7- • In December, the Legal Department prosecuted and closed 149 criminal cases in Marana Municipal Court, accepted 141 new cases from Marana Police Department and other state agencies for future prosecution, and handled four petitions to revoke probation. E. MARANA REGIONAL AIRPORT BY-PASS APRON • Pre construction meeting was held on 1/9/09 • Construction will begin on 2/2/09 SECURITY FENCE • Construction began on 10/20/08 • Construction is complete AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD • Construction is 70% complete • Curb and gutter are done AIRPORT TERMINAL • Under design to Jacobs Carter Burgess • Schematic design is 65% complete • Schematic design will be transferred to DWL Grant was reinstated by the State Transportation Board on 12/19 AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER ' • Site Study is under contract with the FAA • Continuing to work with Gabrielle Giffords for construction funding • FAA completed on-site study of building heights • Marana attended the FAA AFTIL lab on 11/17 • FAA is working on final draft of the site study STATE LAND - ACQUIRE RIGHT OF WAY • The Airport has submitted an application to State Land to acquire utility and roadway right of way to the west of the airport. • State Land has received the application and it is being processed. • The airport has selected W.D. Schock to help with land issues around the airport. HISTORY CHANNEL FILMING AT MARANA AIRPORT • The History Channel filmed a series of their "Modern Marvels" at the Marana Regional Airport on January 15. This segment will feature our local airport business Aerial Productions with their small BDS Jet aircraft. MARINE MONUMENT EVENT AT MARANA AIRPORT • There will be a Memorial Service at the Marana Regional Airport on Saturday, April 11, 2008 at 10:00AM to honor the 19 U.S. Marines that were tragically killed in an MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft accident at the Airport on Apri18, 2000. -8- • Included in the Memorial Service will be the Tucson Detachment Marine Corps Color Guard, Apache Young Marines drill team along with various Veteran organizations' Color Guards. The names of the 191ost will be read aloud with a rifle salute, taps and a dove release. The event is free and open to the public. COLLINGS FOUNDATION RETURNS TO MARANA AIRPORT • The Collings Foundation has announced that they will return to the Marana Regional Airport on April 17-19, 2009. The Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour made its first appearance at the Marana Regional Airport last year with three World War II bombers; a B- 17 Flying Fortress, a B-24 Liberator and a B-25 Mitchell. F. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE UPDATES FLEET SERVICES: • Public Auction, January 17, 2009 -waiting for final tally from auction (end of this week). • Vehicle Replacement for this year has been halted at approximately 60% of what was planned (General Fund) • Personnel switch has resulted in more satisfied customers (Parks and Rec). STREET MAINTENANCE: • Crack sealing at the Marana Airport runway is complete. • Installing three driveways on the Kai property at Tangerine Road (PGA parking) complete by 1-30-2009. • Orange safety fence installed on Kai property (PGA parking); entire property mowed. TRAFFIC SIGNALS/SIGNS & MARKINGS: • Reviewing plans for Tangerine TI. • Long-line striping has commenced in Northern Marana; routine short line/arrows by staff. • Dove Mountain striping treatments being discussed prior to PGA Tournament. MANAGEMENT: • Had All-Staff Meeting with HR Monday, 01-26-2009, regarding Personnel Policy Chapters 3, 4, and 6. • Waiting for further direction regarding Key and Electronic Access Policy from HR, Manager's Office. • Working with Finance Department regarding vehicle responsibilities and office square footage by Departments. G. PARKS AND RECREATION MARANA CULTURAL AND HERITAGE PARK • The Community Food Bank continues to operate their produce stand Monday afternoons from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. See http://communityfoodbank.com/community-food-security- center/marana-farm/ for more information. • Marana Arts Council no longer has the office at the Heritage House. -9- SILVERBELL-CORTARO DISTRICT PARK • Mass grading of the site continues. • Construction of the Santa Cruz Multi-Use from Cortaro to Ina continues. • Electric service with TEP to the park is underway. • Bid documents for phase II are in final review. TORTOLITA MOUNTAIN TRAILS WILD BURRO TRAILHEAD • Anticipate clearance for trail head development summer of 2009 with completion that fall. ORA MAE HARN PARK IMPROVEMENTS • Park Maintenance staff has begun the renovation of the large park restroom in Ora Mae Harn Park. This restroom was scheduled for replacement with apre-manufactured concrete unit priced at $84,000. • As part of the Parks and Recreation budget reduction plan, staff chose to renovate the existing facility. The renovation should result in a cost savings of $78,000. • Parks and Recreation appreciates the help of Jim Pregler, Procurement Coordinator. He worked with our supplier to negotiate the cancellation of the contract so that the Town incurred no expenses. • The project will be complete in time for Founder's Day, March 21. In the meantime, 3 port- o-lets will be available while the facility is closed. PARKS AND RECREATION COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN UPDATE • Planning efforts continue, next update Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting February 19, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the P&R Administrative Office. • Next Public Information meeting scheduled for March 21 at Founder's Day. RE CREATION • 10 hikers participated in Tortolita Mountain Guided Hike, Saturday, January 17. • 70 people enjoyed the Movie in the Park at Gladden Farms Park, .Saturday, January 17. • Itty Bitty Open, a golf tournament for kids 3-5 years old is planned for February 7, 2009 at the Pines Golf Course. • Founder's Day planning continues. I. POLICE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS • Five arrests at the High School for possession of marijuana and one for being intoxicated. NORTHWESTERN DYNAMICS TRAINING COURSE • Motors units completed an intense two hundred hour traffic accident collision course through Northwestern University POLICE ADVISORY COMMISSION • Commission reviewing current issues with hunting in Marana reference to complaints received -10- PIMA COUNTY DES SURVEY HOMELESS PEOPLE /CAMPS • Marana Police assigned two officers to conduct a survey for homeless people and camps in our jurisdiction. DRUG SEIZURE • On Friday, January 23, 2009 at approximately 2:35 am, Officer Lucas Wilkinson was patrolling the area of Trico Marana and Marana Rd. • Officer Wilkinson conducted a traffic stop on a stolen pickup truck. Investigation revealed 380 pound of Marijuana in the bed of the pickup. • Four males were arrested and charged with drug smuggling and possession of stolen property. OPERATION STONEGARDEN • Marana Police Department conducted 7 violator directed patrol as part of Operation Stonegarden, a federally funded enforcement program. Current operational statistics are (January 16-28): • 49 Traffic Stops • 36 citations issued • 5 misdemeanor arrest • 4 felony arrest • 2 recovered stolen vehicles J. TECHNOLOGY SERVICES IT & NETWORKING • Initiated a study to determine the viability of virtualization of our server system. • Data storage expansion of Blade system is in process. • Analysis of networking infrastructure and service contracts that expire in March. GIS • Support and research on the Thornydale road easement abandonment mapping for Legal Department • Updates to the CRW TRACKIT permitting system have been installed on a test system and are undergoing users testing. • Right of Way maps have been generated and posted to the Marana website to support the candidate sign placing for upcoming elections. • Received the PSAP census tract data and generated maps highlighting tracts and issues that may require modification. PD & COMMUNICATIONS • Final Testing of the Motorola 7.4 upgrade system • Upgrade of our 911 Dispatch system is in process. • Participating in the PCWIN procurement evaluation process. -11- SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS • Microsoft Sharepoint collaboration tool has been setup for the Utility and CIP groups and training is in process. K. Towiv CLEItx NOVUSAGENDA UPDATE • Ongoing maintenance and updates as needed • We are still experiencing problems with the email notification system. Our TS department and NovusAgenda techs continue to work on this. • Monthly refresher /new user training was held on January 26 CREW & MARANA 101 • Next session to begin on February 17; 10 new employees will attend • Marana 101 will be transitioned into the Human Resources Department after this session. CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSIONS • There are several vacancies, mostly for alternates, which we plan to take to Council for approval in March. • Ten applications have been received since the last appointments were made. • A planning meeting with staff liaisons has been scheduled for February to discuss changes to the bylaws template and Handbook. ELECTIONS • Richard Hooper was the low bidder on the publicity pamphlet for the referendum election in March. Copy has been forwarded to him. * As of January 27, the referendum will not be on the March 10 ballot pursuant to a Court of Appeals decisions. • The sample ballot for the March election has been distributed to candidates for approval. • Write-in nominating papers for Primary election are due by January 29, 2009. • Campaign Finance Reports and Financial Disclosure Statements are due by January 31, 2009. All Council Members and candidates have been notified. MISCELLANEOUS • Staff is working with the Manager's Office on a Code of Ethics handbook for Council use. L. UTILITIES WATER: • The Utilities Department is seeking a rate increase of 8% initially to be implemented in March 2009. Council had a study session on 1/27/09. A public hearing regarding the water rates will be held on 2/20/09 or 2/24/09 depending on council adoption. • The dissolution with CMID has been signed. The next step is to evaluate the specific wells to be purchased from CMID. • Replaced 560'of 2" water main in Honea Heights. • Tied-in Honea Heights customers to new 2" water main. • Installed sample station in Airline/Lambert and Picture Rocks. -12- Commenced training Todd (Water Operator I) to perform the duties of a Utility Billing Specialist. This comes as a result of Jan (Utility Billing Specialist) working in the Real Property Division of the Legal Department, as they have been short-staffed. Todd will now have an excellent understanding of both internal and external office procedures with regard to customer service. WASTEWATER: • Staff met with individuals on the Scope of Work Committee for the Town's 208 Amendment on 1/29/09. Work with the committee will continue to move forward. -13- Council Report Calendar S M T W T F S 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 1b 17~ 18 19 20 21 22 23 Z~ 25 25 Z7 28 • February 3: Regular Council Meeting, 7 p.m. • February 10: Special Session, 6 p.m. • February 11: Council Candidate public forum at Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary, 6:30 p.m. • February 16: Presidents' Day, Town offices closed • February 17: Regular Council Meeting, 7 p.m. • February 19: Council Candidate public forum at Chamber Luncheon (The Oasis at Wildhorse Ranch), 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. • February 23-March 1: PGA Tour Accenture Match Play Championship ::.7~~.~.....,,..~ ..., ~.wa~,~~ ..,:.:. . March 3: Regular Council Meeting, 7 p.m. 5 ~ M T W T F S 1 z ., a 5 6 ~ • March 10: Primary Election 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 • March 17: Regular Council Meeting, 15 16 17 18 19 20 "L1 1~•m• 22 23 z4 25 26 z7 28 • March 21: Founders' Day at Ora Mae Harn 29 30 31 Park_ 9 a.m.-5 n.m. .. ..'ff "M' .. S M T W T F S __, 1 2 3 4 _ __ 5 6 / 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 23 22 23 2~ 25 26 27 28 29 30 • Apri17: Regular Council Meeting, 7 p.m. • Apri121: Regular Council Meeting, 7 p.m. • Apri124: State of the Town at the Stardance Center