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Home My WebLink About02/10/2009 Special Council Meeting MinutesSPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653 Council Chambers, February 10, 2009, 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 SPECIAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL All Council Members were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Carol McGorray, second by Council Member Posz Passed unanimously. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Sheryl Cummings, Steve Blomquist, and Tim Blowers all revisited the right-of--way and easement issues, which were the subject of the February 3, 2009 Council meeting, regarding Saguaro Ranch and Thornydale Road. Council Members Comerford, Ziegler and McGorray and Council Member Clanagan addressed several issues raised by the speakers. David Morales spoke to the issue of groupthink as mentioned by President Obama recently, free lunch, chaos at the last meeting due to the number of people speaking, and rushing through the ordinance about the babies in the car that should be revisited. PRESENTATIONS P 1: Presentation: Relating to discussion on the proposed expansion of the Marana Community Correctional Treatment Facility Mr. Kish presented this item and outlined the proposal to expand the facility. He noted that the current facility was constructed in 1994 and since that time there have been no major incidents. Mike Murphy with MTC, the parent company that oversees the Marana facility, addressed Council. He noted that the facility is in desperate need for upgrading, including a new classification criteria classification. MTC is a privately run family business in operation for over 20 years. They are the third largest private provider of private prisons in the U.S. with 8,000 employees. They consider themselves a training and education company for inmates ages 16-21. Rehabilitation is the primary mission of the facility. He then discussed the facility performance over the years relating to education component of the program. They currently operate 16 prisons in five states. All facilities are accredited, attributed to the high standards. In Marana they have 112 employees, with an annual payroll of $4.7M, 34,000+ community service hours equating to about $227,000 in savings to the town. He then presented the classification modification they are requesting. Mr. Murphy then presented the justification for the request. They are losing money due to lack of the type of inmate that qualifies for their facility. They are asking permission to allow for an additional 500 inmates with the possibility of a maximum capacity of up to 2,000 male or female minimum custody inmates. Mayor Honea asked if the type of crime would change. John Hallahan from the Department of Corrections then addressed Council as to the type of inmates that would be eligible for Marana's facility under the new classification. There is no change in the exclusions for Marana. The only change is the time of incarceration. Council Member Comerford asked about the safety to the citizens by expanding to 2,000 inmates. Vice Mayor Kai asked about salaries of the employees and their residency. Warden Royal responded from about $28,000 to the mid $40,000s. Upon motion of Council Member Clanagan, second by Council Member Post, it was unanimously approved to direct staff to continue to work with MTC and bring back a proposal for Council consideration. P 2: Presentation: Relating to Development; a presentation on the proposed Mandarina Specific Plan Presented by Kevin Kish. Marc Palkowitz, the owner of the property under discussion addressed Council and noted that this specific plan has been in development for about. 2 %2 years. There are some significant changes from what was initially proposed. He went over the timeline for the project going back to 1982 when he acquired the property. He is now seeking approval of the new design of the specific plan. Council Member Ziegler asked if there was an easement problem with Mrs. DeConcini's property. Mr. Palkowitz addressed this, noting that no street alignment hasbeen done at this time and his group of consultants will work with Mrs. DeConcini at the appropriate time. P 3: Presentation: Relating to the types of construction contracts and methods of construction delivery that are available for use in the Town of Marana Presented by Barbara Johnson regarding the pros and cons of using a design, bid, build process versus a construction manager at risk process. Mr. Davidson asked Ms. Johnson to describe how the CIP team looks at a project to decide which method is best. Vice Mayor Kai asked if the jobs could be bid both ways to compare which is more favorable cost-wise. Council Member Ziegler asked which option was most cost-effective. Council Member McGorray asked whether if stimulus monies could only go to DBB, how that would affect future projects for the town. Ms. Johnson agreed that that could weigh in favor of DBB. P 4: Presentation: Relating to an update of the Town's financial status through the first two quarters of the 2008-09 fiscal year, review of PHASE I budget reductions and discussion and possible direction on PHASE II budget reduction targets Presented by Erik Montague. Mr. Montague reviewed the preliminary results of the budget numbers through December 2008, including the state budget reduction update and revenues, expenses and reduction targets. P 5: Presentation: Relating to Personnel; discussion of the Personnel Policies and Procedures -Chapter 5 Work Rules Suzanne Machain presented this item as an update. There are some substantive changes to the last chapter regarding Personnel Action Review, and it will be important to solicit and involve employees for feedback. before coming back with changes to Council in early March. P 6: Presentation: Relating to Community Development; an update on the Pima County request for proposals for the development of an ice rink at the Ted Walker Park (Sports Park) in Marana This item was presented by T. VanHook as an update on the regional status of the ice rink that was closed in Apri12007. Local supporters have been talking to staff about the high demand for a facility in the area, preferably along the I-10 corridor. A proposal did go to Pima County for bond funding, but it did not rank at a level that warranted funding. No incentives will be offered in the RFP. The current RFP requires that the respondent enter into along-term relationship with Pima County and other development requirements. ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES PROCLAMATIONS MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS MANAGER'S REPORT: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS TOWN REPORTS GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA COUNCIL ACTION BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES 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 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Council Member Clanagan reported on the Police CAC meeting today and a meeting Monday with some homeowners regarding some concerns about the ordinance adopted last week. As a result of those meetings, he asked to place an item on the March 3 Council agenda that would address some proposed changes to the ordinance that was passed on February 3 prior to the implementation of the ordinance that is to occur on March 5. Mayor Ilonea noted this as a request for reconsideration of Ordinance No. 2009.01. Mr. Cassidy clarified that this was not a motion for reconsideration. He stated that one of the people who voted in favor of the ordinance has to ask for it to be placed on the agenda. The item will be placed on the March 3 agenda. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Post, second by Council Member Clanagan. Passed unanimously. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council meeting held on February 10, 2009. I further certify that a quorum was present. lyn C. nson, Town Clerk