Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/29/2014 Study Session MinutesSTUDY SESSION MINUTES 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653 Board Room, April 29, 2014, at or after 6:00 PM Ed Honea, Mayor Jon Post, Vice Mayor David Bowen, Council Member Patti Comerford, Council Member Herb Kai, Council Member Carol McGorray, Council Member Roxanne Ziegler, Council Member STUDY SESSION CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL. Mayor Honea called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Town Clerk Bronson called roll. All Council Members were present except Council Member Kai, who was absent. There was a quorum present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE /INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE. Led by Mayor Honea. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Mayor Honea asked for a motion to move item E. 2 to the first item on the agenda. Motion to approve the agenda by moving item E.2 to the first item on the agenda by Council Member McGorray, second by Council Member Bowen. Passed unanimously 6 -0. CALL TO THE PUBLIC. There were no speaker cards presented. Mayor Honea declared an executive session at 6:03 p.m. The open session reconvened at 6:38 p.m. Mr. Cassidy noted that a motion was needed in open session on item E.2. The motion is shown under that item below. DISCUSSION /DIRECTION/POSSIBLE ACTION D1: Relating to Real Estate; authorizing town staff to proceed with the sale by public auction of approximately 3.09 acres of Town -owned land located at the northwest corner of Twin Peaks Road and Casa Grande Highway (Interstate 10); and approving terms and conditions for the sale. March 25, 2014 Study Session Minutes 1 Presented by Frank Cassidy, who noted that this was discussed briefly when the San Joaquin development agreement was brought before council. The San Joaquin property is immediately to the west of the remnant parcel we are talking about today. There is a remnant of about three acres of land at the corner of Twin Peaks and I -10 resulting from a condemnation action for the Twin Peaks TI project. Once the ADOT land is stricken over to that department, this extra three acres is left. The Tohono O'odham development authority, which is what San Joaquin is, has expressed a desire to try to develop the remnant parcel along with their parcel. We've explained to them that we can't sell land to one person — we have to put it up for auction. Our feeling is that if we were to put it up to auction, the very likely bidders will be either San Joaquin or the property owner to the immediate north. The reason is because the remnant parcel does not have legal access. When the state takes property for an interstate, it doesn't give you access under the limited right -of -way. So if somebody other than the two adjacent property owners get it, they would have to do a private condemnation action for access which is permissible under state law. While it's permissible, it's complicated. So because of those complications, the likely bidders are going to be the two adjacent property owners. With that in mind, a suggested list of conditions for the sale include (1) If the remnant is purchased by an adjacent property owner, the deed for the remnant shall not be executed by the town until the effective date of the ordinance annexing the adjacent property into the town limits of Marana; (2) the deed conveying the formal legal title to the remnant shall not be signed until the formal ADOT resolution is adopted; (3) the minimum bid for the property shall be set at the appraised "as is" value of the property, as determined by the pending updated appraisal, plus the $9,168 in title, appraisal and legal description costs; (4) the sale is subject to the reservation of a drainage easement in favor of the town for the town- maintained, improved drainageway located along the north boundary of the remnant, the exact legal description of which is to be approved by the town engineer; (5) the successful bidder is required to present a cashier's check in the amount of ten percent of the minimum bid plus $9,168 for the town's title, appraisal, and legal description costs immediately upon completion of the auction; and (6) the auction shall be held not less than 30 calendar days after the last publication date of the invitation for bids for the purchase of the property. There were no further comments or questions. Motion by Council Member Ziegler to approve, second by Council Member McGorray. Passed unanimously 6 -0. D2: Presentation: Relating to Utilities; discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the Saguaro Bloom/Tangerine Farms /Downtown sewer line project. John Kmiec presented this item, stating that it is basically a refresher of a discussion from last fall to take over the wastewater for the project currently delivered by Pima County. The option in the settlement with Pima County is that we could take over the Saguaro Bloom development. He presented a map of the overall project. The town's utilities department plan moving forward is to create a force main from the Saguaro Bloom lift station that's already there, divert the flow to Moore, past the area of Rillito to an existing sewer line to the Tangerine Farms area alignment, and then eventually have those conveyance systems go through what is known as the Westcor property and the Gladden II property and connecting just south of town hall at Clark Farms Boulevard and then flow into the existing system. March 25, 2014 Study Session Minutes 2 He then discussed the Force Main part of the project and the Gravity Main project. The Force Main will cost $2M for design and construction. The town will pay the costs up front and be reimbursed through impact fees. The main will be 9,100 feet in length and will connect from the existing lift station to the 12 -inch diameter gravity sewer. Utility easements will be needed from Pima County, BKW Farms and CMEX. The benefits will be to provide a larger rate base, obtain additional water resources and relieve the Rillito Vista satellite facility. The Gravity Main will cost $4M to construct. Payment for design and construction will be received from the development community through development agreements. Presently, the property owners are Crown West (Gladden II), Westcor and Tangerine /I -10. It will be 19,400 feet in length including side laterals and stub -outs, with 50 manholes and connect to existing sewers from Clark Farms to Tangerine Loop. For Phase I, which includes the design phase, acquiring development agreements and obtaining Council approve, the timeline is 12 months. For Phase II construction and project completion is expected in ten months. The total cost is $6M. Mr. Kmiec noted that by approving this it doesn't mean the money is spent this year. Vice Mayor Post asked when the gravity portion could be done. Mr. Kmiec replied that it could be started upon Council approval and the beginning of the fiscal year. Motion authorizing staff to proceed on the northern portion as discussed and per the charts presented during the study session by Vice Mayor Post, second by Council Member Ziegler. Passed unanimously 6 -0. D2: Presentation: Relating to Parks and Recreation; discussion, consideration and possible action regarding the development and construction of the Heritage Ranch and Equestrian Center at the Marana Heritage River Park. Gilbert Davidson opened by noting that there are several PowerPoint presentations available for Council discussion, including the site constraints at the 28 -acre parcel currently under consideration for the Park's Ranch and Equestrian Center. Jennifer Christelman began with the constraints that staff has encountered on the site. In response to a question, Keith Brann indicated that the distance from the arena site to residences across Tangerine Farms Road is about 250 feet. The first constraint encountered was that the majority of arenas around the state that staff looked at were greater than 28 acres. The second constraint was the Trico line running through the site. In order to save costs on filling, we would need to relocate the Trico line or underground the line in order to meet the grading necessary to not bring in a large amount of fill. Discussion ensued as to the cost of overhead versus undergrounding the line and the relative costs for a developer to do the same thing with the line that the town is considering. According to Tom Ellis, maintaining the lines above ground compromises some of the parking area for the arenas. We would still need to realign some of the line to get the arenas to fit most efficiently. Parking space is also a consideration, especially given the size of the rigs coming in and the way they may park. Jennifer Christelman continued with the remaining constraints including costs associated with drainage, the borrow pit and bank protection. While it was thought this would be a good location for the arena and which is why they were given direction to develop a concept for the site in March 25, 2014 Study Session Minutes 3 concert with the overall vision for a heritage park, the constraints have made it apparent that it is more complicated than originally anticipated. Mayor Honea took questions related to the site. Council Member Comerford asked why, if the arena is such an important part of the park, did we pick such a difficult site to build it. Gilbert Davidson responded that that has been part of the analysis of taking a linear park for this purpose. The only other location that you could potentially put an arena would be the farm site. That's the only other area with enough open space. Council Member Ziegler said that although 12 -18 months ago the Council was in favor of this, further study and due diligence has shown more constraints than were originally known when the concept was presented. Gilbert Davidson said one of the things staff is showing Council is that you can put money into making this a more usable space to try to create the vision the town has been projecting. But there are natural constraints that make it very complicated. Are there other sites around the town that would be easier — yes. But if we're trying to create a heritage park and create an economic driver to get people to the park, that's what we're trying to figure out. Council Member Ziegler stated that the revenue generator (Mr. Davidson inserted "people" generator) and then the revenue that comes from the people generator which we had hope to have, should be done somewhere else. Mr. Davidson qualified that he was not recommending a different site, only emphasizing the constraints associated with the 28- acres. Council Member Comerford asked if a professional designer had been involved in the project. Jennifer Christelman said that so far it's been stakeholders giving estimates of how much area will be needed for different projects. Council Member McGorray agreed with Council Member Comerford that a professional designer is needed. Mr. Davidson noted that this has been something staff has been struggling with over the last several months, but what is before Council tonight is just a concept, and as Ms. Christelman indicated, all we're trying to show is how to plug in a footprint. Now, as Council Member Comerford indicated, it would make sense to drill down to the next level to spend money to get a design on the board with what the "actual" would look like and whether they would even work on the site from a business perspective — an analysis and a business plan. Discussion continued regarding whether these facilities would be generating revenue for operations and maintenance, or revenue at all, whether the arena was needed at the park or if it would a loss leader to other park amenities, who would be using or visiting the facilities and what are those numbers. Developing a business and marketing plan makes sense in order to answer these questions. Vice Mayor Post indicated that he would like to see an equestrian feature at the heritage park, but in good conscience can't see spending the dollars discussed on a facility that we are trying to wedge into a site that doesn't fit so that we can have it in this part of the park. From his perspective, the 28 -acre site doesn't meet the need for this particular recreational activity, and he can't support it. Council Member Bowen stated that more work needs to be done to get everyone on the same page. There are many constraints on this property that are obvious. What we have is a pretty picture, but without details and the knowledge we need to go forward. Our questions indicate that we are not ready to spending $6.5M until we have more answers. If we were to get a professional design group, we still wouldn't be able to say what we want. We would have to know what could be done on the property. His recommendation would be to table the discussion and no money allocated to the project until we decide on these important questions. Before he March 25, 2014 Study Session Minutes 4 ran for office, he believed that the main thing that drew people to this town and what we needed was an equestrian type of arena. We're a cowboy town, and we're proud of it, and we want to maintain that in our heritage. We want it to be part of all that we represent to the community, and we want to do it better than anyone else. But he doesn't think we can accomplish this on that piece of land. So let's go back and figure out what to do with that 28 acres rather than shoehorn an equestrian unit on it. Vice Mayor Post agreed. A motion was made by Council Member Bowen, seconded by Vice Mayor Post to suspend all activity of the Ranch portion of the Park. Mayor Honea asked the Town Clerk to poll the Council. Mr. Davidson asked for clarification of the language before the vote. Council Member Bowen asked if staff could bring back to Council what they thought might be a good use of the 28 acres. Council Member McGorray asked if the remainder of the park amenities were set in stone. Mr. Davidson responded that they were set in concept, but there were other things that could be done with the space. Tom Ellis stated that the farm is almost the same size as the 28 acres. With the exception of the little bit of work done at the park with the garden and the splash park, it's still in the concept phase. Council Member Ziegler asked if there was any money associated with that, and Mr. Davidson said that it would be internal brainstorming at this time. The motion failed 3 -3. Tom Ellis stated that each piece of the park is dependent on the others to be successful as a whole. So at some point in the study it might be worthwhile to ask how each desired piece reinforces the other desired pieces. Mr. Davidson also asked the Council for direction on the vision of the types of facilities. So if we want to host regional events, that's one size type that takes on an aspect of a business plan. If you want larger events that draw from around the state, that's another size type. Further discussion ensued on various parts of the park. A second motion was made by Council Member Comerford, seconded by Council Member Bowen to authorize staff to move forward with a business analysis of what could go on the 28- acre site. Motion passed unanimously 6 -0. 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. 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. E 2: Executive session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38- 431.03(A)(3) and (7) for legal advice from the Town's attorneys and to instruct the Town's representatives regarding discussions and negotiations with the Arizona State Land Department concerning the Tortolita Preserve. Motion to direct staff and outside counsel to proceed in a manner consistent with the Council discussions in executive session regarding discussions and negotiations with the Arizona State Land Department concerning Tortolita Preserve by Vice Mayor Post, second by Council Member Bowen. Passed unanimously 6 -0. March 25, 2014 Study Session Minutes 5 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Notwithstanding the mayor's discretion regarding the items to be placed on the agenda, if three or more Council members request that an item be placed on the agenda, it must be placed on the agenda for the second regular Town Council meeting after the date of the request, pursuant to Marana Town Code Section 2- 4 -2(B). ADJOURNMENT. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council meeting held on April 29, 2014. I further certify that a quorum was present. n v oaa , � f i 1f W � • • March 25, 2014 Study Session Minutes