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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/2006 Joint Study Session Minutes MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 PLACE AND DATE Marana Conference Center at or after 3:00 p.m. A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL By Mayor Honea at 3:18. TOWN COUNCIL Ed Honea Herb Kai Bob Allen Jim Blake Patti Comerford Tim Escobedo Carol McGorray Mayor Vice Mayor Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Present Present (left at 5:07 p.m.) Present Present Excused Present Present PLANNING COMMISSION Russell Clanagan Jon Post Thomas Hestwood Jack Noble Billy Schisler Dave W o stenb erg Chair Vice Chair Present (left at 4:42 p.m.) Present Present (arrived at 3:29 p.m.) Present Present Present B. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION 1. Current Workload (Mike Reuwsaat) Mr. Reuwsaat stated that this year's annual report will be achievement focused. He talked about residential design standards and how they are a significant part of our community. They are significant enough that they drew some national attention. Weare developing an economic development profile that we will be using for recruitment of businesses. Land sales are now converting into zoning and entitlements. Last month's building permits were 27. We're in the entitlement process of about 22,000 lots. Mr. Reuwsaat stated there is a steady climb in permits. The total number of permits issued is over 5,000 a year. Mr. Reuwsaat stated we are simplifying the land code. A complete re-write is being done. Prosecution is in- house and a lot more revenue through the court. Indoor smoking restrictions were approved. Five new Citizen Advisory Commissions have been created to assist Mayor and Council in an advisory capacity. The renovation of the Heritage House and the horse barn is finished. A few more changes are being made to move the equestrian patrol over there. A little over four miles of community trails have been added in one year. Mr. Reuwsaat stated we had our first annual Arbor Day Celebration. Mr. Reuwsaat stated more activities and opportunities for seniors are being done and have been extended to the Continental Ranch area. He mentioned that we won the Arizona Parks and Recreation A ward for the Outstanding Community Special Event for the Founder's Day event. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned we had over 44,000 1 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 attendance days in our Parks and Recreation programs. We had 28,000 program participant days in youth sports, aquatics and special events attendance continues to grow. Founder's Day attendance was 6,000 people. Impact fees will provide for renewable water source and also for a gravity storage system. We added 771 meters. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned Mr. Mangum, the airport director, and how we are getting in position to be a reliever airport for Tucson International Airport. Weare in the process of doing a joint terminal, office building, and restaurant and are also working on the water and sewer. The police department is doing a good job and we need to get the message to the residents that the investment in our police department is resulting in a safer environment for them. We have adopted the Emergency Management System and an operation plan. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned we had an officer that received the MADD DUI Enforcement Award and a Marana Foundation Hero's Award. Mr. Mangum was the youngest member ever to receive the Airport Executive of the Year Award in Arizona. We have doubled our employees in about a five year period. Weare revising and finishing up the personnel policies and are finishing up our first set of administrative polices. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned that in community development we have done 22 rehab projects. We had an increase in the sales tax of almost 9 million dollars. The receipts for construction activities were about level. We spent almost 17 million dollars in CIP projects and we've saved 3.7 million dollars in grant monies. We also allocated back to the community $30,000 for various programs. With the passage of the RTA, we were able to roll back our own half cent sales tax. We did a significant modification of all of our fees. We established the strong water management program. Weare working with the PGA to provide security. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned the Municipal Complex and how it was the right investment at the right time for a growing community and also how we have received several awards for the facility. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned the number of people moving into the community and that we are now at 30,000. I. Planning Activity (Project Map) Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned that we currently have approximately 60 planning development activities in our development center. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned we would see really strong growth in the third and fourth quarter of2008. We have a little over 16,000 lots plotted out and are near an additional 21,000 lots in the pipeline. That combination would indicate approximately 103,000 people. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned creating employment opportunities and other opportunities for investment that will help pay taxes and create jobs for everybody that is moving here. II. Entitled PropertylW orking Entitlements (Map) III. Community Facility Districts 1. Sanders Grove 11. Saguaro Springs 111. Villages at Tortolita IV. Vanderbilt Farms v. Dove Mountain (on-going) VI. Gladden Farms I (on-going) V11. Gladden Farms II (future) Vlll. Barrios de Marana (potential) 2 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 IX. Riverbend (potential) Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned that the goal for Community Facility District (CFDs) is to cover public infrastructure. There is always an extended or increased public good to the Town if we do it. The price of doing Vanderbilt Farms is an additional ten acres for a new community center, library complex and we continue to negotiate with them. When we do a CFD it provides offline financing for the developer. It is an economic development tool for both the Town and developer. IV. Entitlements: Specific Plans, Development Agreements and Rezonings i. Specific PlanslDevelopment Agreements 1. Cascada 2. Villages at Tortolita 3. Marana Spectrum 4. Riverbend (Cardon Property) 5. Barrios de Marana 6. Foothills Specific Plan 7. Westcor 8. Vanderbilt Farms Update 9. Gladden Farms II Revisions 10. De Anza 11. Regency Plaza Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned the projects represent 12,000-15,000 lots. Cascada will be a residential community with a business district helping to build our transportation infrastructure up to Dove Mountain. The Villages at Tortolita is 7,000 lots. They are at 60 percent construction documents. Riverbend, the old U of A property, is half highway commercial, some high density, and a little bit residential. Barrios de Marana is at the end of Main Street, which will go from town center to Sandario Road in the next two years. The Foothills Specific Plan, up by Dove Mountain, is currently entitled for hotels, 3800 units. They are talking to us about 200, two-acre luxury lots. We expect Westcor' s specific plan before too long. Weare in discussions with ADOT about a grade separated interchange at Tangerine. Westcor got 210 acres as a major mall site and an autoplex. They are talking to the Marriott on two hotels. Weare negotiating with Vanderbilt Farms to finish the specific plan down to the interchange. They are doing a road update and as soon as that is done there will be ten acres to develop a community center. We have submitted as one of the county bond proposals for 2008 for a facility that is 19.2 million dollars for a pool, community meeting space, seating for 500-600, library, a YMCA, county public health. The TCC and possibly the U of A, the school district, and developers will be working with us on development. With Gladden Farms II there will be some revisions with a hospital site, two major box stores and several others which will provide millions of sales tax dollars to the Town over time. Homes were being built and now the retail is following leading to good development. ii. Development Review Activity 1. Ritz Carlton Resort/Golf Course/Residential Community. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned the PGA and how they would be here for at least four years. 3 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 2. Saguaro Ranch Resort Saguaro Ranch is a world class resort, high end residential without a property tax. 3. Saguaro Ranch Equestrian Center We have to finalize the equestrian center. V. Capital Improvement Projects - Substantial Projects 1. Cortaro Road Project 11. Twin Peaks Interchange 111. Silverbell Road Widening IV. Thornydale Road Widening v. Camino de Manana Extension VI. Ina Road Design Concept Report V11. Tangerine Farms Loop Road Project V11l. Barnett Linear Park Channel IX. Wheeler Abbett Jr. Library x. Continental Ranch District Park Bank Protection Xl. Continental Ranch District Park Development X11. Tortolita Interchange X11l. Tangerine Interchange XIV. Marana Interchange xv. Heritage Park Development XVI. Cotton Gin Museum XV11. PGA Parking Improvements/TI Improvements XV11l. I-10/Community Clean Up Program XIX. Honea Heights Sewer This year Council approved a $130 million dollar program. $30 million is operational, and $100 million is CIP. Weare getting significant funding from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). All CIP road projects will take away most of the major drainage and flooding issues. The 1-10 clean up will be continuing and is an image issue for us. That will continue to be a focus. The bank protection bids came in at 11.9 under the engineer's estimate. We will have 500,000-600,000 in improvements for a parking lot. Mr. Reuwsaat mentioned when the PGA is here there will be parking issues for 10,000 to 15,000 people daily. The County, Oro Valley and Tucson will be helping with the parking issues. Law enforcement cost is approximately $80,000 for the tournament. Honea Heights Sewer has a new contractor and work is expected soon. There will be one staff member responsible for hooking up houses to the sewer. VI. Administrative Workload 1. Citizen Response Tracking System 11. Development Services Restructure and Process Improvements 111. Accenture PGA Golf Tournament 4 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 IV. Administrative Policies v. Retirement Options VI. Land Use Code Update VlI. Citizen Advisory Commissions V111. 2008 Pima Bond Program IX. Community Survey x. Habitat Conservation Plan/Tortolita Fan Overlay District/Proposition 207 Xl. Administrative Systems Software Integration XlI. Annual Report 2006 X111. Economic Development Profile XIV. Secure Water Sources and Water Availability xv. Southeast Area Transportation Impact Fee XVI. Tucson Regional Economic Opportunity XVlI. Tangerine Farm ID Implementation XV111. Marana Heritage Park Master Plan/Development XIX. Bureau of Reclamation Park Master Plan/Development xx. Employee Performance Management System XXI. Marana 101 - New Employee Orientation XXlI. Human Resources Policy Update XX111. Contract Tower at Airport XXIV. Land Acquisition at Airport xxv. Airport Overlay Zone XXVI. Airport Water and Sewer Development XXVII. Airport Terminal XXV111. Employee Assisted Housing XXIX. Mobile Data Terminal Evaluation - Police xxx. Law Enforcement Impact Fee XXXI. General Services Impact Fee XXXlI. Transit Plan XXX111. State Land Issues XXXIV. Northwest Area Routes and Streets Plan xxxv. General Plan Update XXXVI. Town Center Plan XXXVlI. Stormwater Management Plan XXXV111. Honea Heights Affordable Housing Project XXXIX. Tortolita Trails Development Mr. Reuwsaat stated we will be doing in the next two to five years what most communities would probably do in a twenty to twenty-five year period. 5 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 2. Update on 2005 Retreat (Gilbert Davidson) I. Water (Brad DeSpain) Mr. DeSpain stated that we need to maintain our designation of assured water supply so that each development does not have to acquire assured water supply and join the CAGRD (Central Arizona Ground Water Replenishment District). With the cooperation of Arizona Department of Water Resources and their help and suggestions we have been able to enhance our position for 1500 acre feet by committing to a recharge in the lower Santa Cruz replenishment project and recover that with the wells out at the airport. In place of possibly building an additional storage facility in the Ora Mae Ham Park developers will participate and build the pipeline for us. We have two or three possibilities that we could secure water needs with. The most reasonable possibility is with Cortaro Marana Irrigation District (CMID). It could be a good source of income for CMID. We should be receiving notice this month or next of a megawatt of hydropower from Parker Davis that will be coming to the Town. Once we get our hydropower we can also join the same group that CMID belongs to. Council Member Escobedo asked a question regarding water costs. Mr. DeSpain stated it could turn into a billion more, but he didn't know. Assured water supply has to be for a hundred years. Council Member Blake asked if any thought had been given to Marana getting into the waste water treatment plant system. Mr. DeSpain stated we need to be in the waste water treatment business. We've negotiated with Pima County and it comes down to they don't want to give it up because it is wet water. Mr. Reuwsaat stated that is where the Tortolita plant would come in. It is a new plant and it is a negotiating point in our favor. We would get a hundred percent of it if we built it, but building it then means you have a long term obligation to run it into the sewer business. Mr. DeSpain stated ifthat occurs there's possibly a different price for County treated affluent and Marana affluent for across the freeway. Mr. Reuwsaat is working on trying to get some type of agreement to get us a hundred percent of the affluent. Mr. Reuwsaat stated the purchase ofthe Marana plant is bound by very significant bond indentures that tie the revenues from that plant to the bonds. The cost of the system with the upgrade that is coming in right now is about $45 million dollars and then you have all the bond indentures. Council Member Escobedo asked what the current load is for town center, parks, and possibly airport. Wouldn't a megawatt almost cover it? Mr. DeSpain stated one megawatt is very close to that. In fact, we justified one megawatt with the water pumping load, the airport, and the parks. It didn't take on the MMC because that is Tucson Electric Power and we would have to do a little bit more negotiation. Mr. Reuwsaat stated he spends approximately 25 percent of his time on water issues. Weare a member of the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD). The direction staff is pursuing is to control our own future through having 6 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 our own resources than to rely upon even the CAGRD and that is much more expensIve. Mayor Honea stated it is a $12 a household sewer fee for municipal or City of Tucson water users. He stated it was his understanding that within the next five or six years that figure could go up to $30 to $35 per unit. Treating sewage water with the new federal codes is going to be extremely expensive. II. Affordable Housing (T. Van Hook) T. Van Hook stated home prices in the state escalated last year. We led the nation in the rise in home prices. In Marana, land prices escalated also. Federal dollars stop at 80 percent of median household income. In Marana it is approximately $38,000. The average resale home price for the first six months ofthis year in Marana is $299,000. There is a gap for affordable housing. Weare doing a conceptual plan for redevelopment in the Honea Heights neighborhood to develop a number of units targeting a variety of income levels. Weare also looking at expanding the housing rehabilitation programs. This year we have $40,000 allocated from the County. HUD does not classify us as rural any longer. The Arizona Department of Commerce removed us from their matrix as far as rural communities. The Town is initiating the Employer Assisted Housing Program which launches on the 25th. Weare looking at applying to the County for some bond funding to do infrastructure. We can't purchase or rehab properties with that funding, but on property that the Town already owns we can leverage in bond dollars from the 2006 bond election to do that. Council Member Escobedo asked how many employees are interested or have already applied for assistance. Ms. VanHook stated she had 22 on her list. We have funding for eight. Weare working with a couple of different departments at Pima County because they have some programs that we can help some employees. Council Member Escobedo asked if we have the possibility of additional funding that we could look at as a Town. Mr. Reuswaat stated he would look for that as we get our program worked out. Ms. VanHook stated we are the only municipality that we can find in Arizona that uses general fund dollars. Council Member Escobedo asked regarding the median household income, what in dollars that would be. Ms. VanHook stated it would depend on family size. It is a scale depending on the number of family members. Ifit is a single family income, 74 percent of our employees fall at or below a hundred percent of median income. Council Member Escobedo said that the words affordable housing are a stereotype and do we need to call it affordable housing. Ms. VanHook stated low income, affordable housing, all of those terms fit the Federal definition. Mr. Reuswaat stated we are putting in place housing opportunities that are going to meet a greater need. Ms. VanHook stated they have talked with many of the builders and they are all very supportive of the program and they know that we are not in competition with them for the market. 7 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 III. Economic Development (Jim DeGrood) Mr. DeGrood stated we are continuing to make progress with developing the airport infrastructure. The state land issue is the biggest issue that is holding us back on the airport. They are working on getting accurate quality data out to the people that are looking at our community to base their judgment upon. One of the challenges is the lack of available sites. We don't have land ready to be brought into an economic project. The time to bring that forward is measured in years not months. The market place is looking at months and if you cannot provide that then you are out of the running, so that is a challenge that we will need to find ways to address. Mr. Mangum is working on getting marketing materials for the people that fly into the airport and have an interest in the community. Tucson Regional Economic Opportunity (TREO) has a database that we have been working on that will integrate into our website to find out what commercial property is available for people interested in doing economic development in our community. This should be made available by the end of the month. Mr. DeGrood said he would like to see the economic development commission charged with taking the regional economic blueprint that TREO is putting together and refining it to come up with a Marana economic blueprint. Mr. Reuwsaat stated we need to be careful on the information that we disseminate and that it is accurate. The golf tournament is televised to 140 countries internationally and that the banners are going up on the light poles in the business areas. We need to develop more quality information to take advantage of that asset. Mr. Reuwsaat asked that Mr. Davidson address development services. IV. Branding (Gilbert Davidson) Mr. Davidson said that development services is looking at a number of focus areas to improve to provide better services to all applicants coming through the process. They are in the process of gathering information from staff and have had a number of sessions with the private sector. We are looking at implementation of some ofthese items beginning early next year. Mr. Davidson said that image and branding is the details that go into a community. We have to look at how we are designing and implementing all the various programs. Staff is working very hard at consistency in use of logos and Town images. There are a number of interchange improvements taking place. Weare working with ADOT to develop standards for how our interchanges are going to look over time, so Marana will have a unique theme through the town limits. A major landscape project will begin on the Tangerine interchange before the PGA tour. It is important that we provide educational opportunities to all of our citizens about trying to clean up in our neighborhoods. Council Member Escobedo asked when people arrive at Tangerine, how do we get them to stop thinking they're in Oro Valley. Mr. Reuwsaat stated they are asking that the sign be re-evaluated, saying something a little different than Oro Valley. 3. Future Direction (Mike Reuwsaat) I. Quarterly Study Sessions/Updates II. Focus on "What's on Our Plate" 8 MINUTES OF JOINT COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2006 III. New Entitlements/Annexations IV. Prioritization and Staffmg Decisions Mr. Reuwsaat addressed the fact of where we go from here. We are working toward finishing projects within a two year basis. We have to prioritize what we do. Mr. Reuwsaat stated he meets with Council members many times a week, but he thinks it is important to look at quarterly study sessions to get a better idea of where we are going. Community Survey -implement community survey to possibly include gauging public perception in the following areas: • Annexation • Growth • Priorities of Public Services • Residential Density • Water and Water Conservation • Customer Service Satisfaction Level • Marana Addressing Mr. Reuwsaat said the community survey will be ahousehold-to-household survey delivered by managers and department heads. It will get results that will tell us about growth, annexation, water, mailing addresses, how satisfied are people with our service levels. It is a good opportunity on an annual basis to do a check up. Next week, a rough draft of the survey, the goals of the survey, and why we are asking the questions we are asking will be presented. Mayor Honea expressed that he appreciates all the department heads and staff. He stated that we want to maintain a small town atmosphere even though things are changing to a more urban society. C. ADJOURNMENT Following adjournment, Council and Commission will meet at the Lazy KBar/Ranch, located at 8401 N. Scenic Drive, Tucson, AZ 85743, for dinner. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council meeting held on October 20, 2006. I further certify that a quorum was present. ~~~ C+, ern Tim Mattix, Town Clerk's Office <., . ,. R: 9