HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/04/2020 Regular Council Meeting Summary MinutesMARANA AZ
ESTABLISHED 1977
MARANA TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653
Conference Center Second Floor February 4, 2020 at or after 7:00 PM
Ed Honea, Mayor
Jon Post, Vice Mayor
David Bowen, Council Member
Patti Comerford, Council Member
Herb Kai, Council Member
John Officer, Council Member
Roxanne Ziegler, Council Member
SUMMARY MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Honea called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and directed the Clerk to call the
roll. Vice Mayor Jon Post, Council Members Dave Bowen, Patti Comerford (Excused),
Herb Kai, Roxanne Ziegler and John Officer were present. There was a quorum of
council members present constituting a quorum.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE: Led by Mayor
Honea.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Mayor Post, moved and Council Member Kai second the motion to approve the
agenda. Motion passes, 6-0.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Mayor Honea opened the meeting to receive public comment, and the following
individual provided comments. No comments were offered.
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PROCLAMATIONS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS
Mayor Honea reported on Marana community parks stating Marana has some of the
best parks in Southern Arizona. He has witnessed families enjoying many of our
community parks. The west park in Saguaro Bloom he thought was an HOA park,
however, has learned that it is paid by D.H. Horton, but belongs to the Town. He
complimented the park with its many amenities for that community. He and Council
Member Ziegler toured the Honea Heights Park this day, and spoke about the
amenities of that park.
MANAGER'S REPORT: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS
Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta announced that Chief Terry Rozema received a very
prestigious award naming him as the 2020 Police Chief of the Year in Arizona. He
commented on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update and the status of those
meetings. The next meeting will be held on the Marana Municipal Complex campus on
Thursday, February 13, 2020 in the Marana Police Community Room. He commented
on the Executive Report following up on some of the request of Council during its last
meeting, as well as providing an update to developments within the community. He
spoke of a neighborhood group in the Continental area where there has been
conversation about Palm Brook Drive where this section of the community has
experienced increased speeding and cut -through traffic. Members of this community
has signed a petition and has routed it to Council, and Council has suggested the town
have a study on this matter to discuss solutions to this matter.
Last summer there was special study done and with assistance from PAG for its
facilities and expertise in identifying possible solutions. Some of the solutions may be
to change some of the pedestrian school crosswalks near Coachline Road and Twin
Peaks Road. Before the town embark on any of solutions, staff will begin to send out
invitations on Facebook and other social media inviting the public to participate.
This would be an opportunity to enlighten the public on general traffic concerns as well
as invite Public Works and Police Department and the community. The
Communications Office is putting together the information and reaching out on social
media to all those in the affected area. This meeting will be held on Thursday, February
13, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary School. He updated
Council on the developments on Marana campus related to the Council Chambers,
Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, Parks & Recreation and the Water
Department.
PRESENTATIONS
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CONSENT AGENDA
C1 Resolution No. 2020-006: Relating to Boards, Commissions, and Committees;
appointing a Town of Marana citizen representative to the Tucson -Pima County Bicycle
Advisory Committee (Brian D. Varney)
C2 Resolution No. 2020-007: Relating to Police Department; authorizing the Chief of
Police to apply for grant funding from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety for the
purchase of equipment and the funding of overtime for the Marana Police Department
for fiscal year 2020-2021 (Kristin Taft)
C3 Approval of the January 21, 2020 Regular Council Meeting and the January 14,
2020 Council Study Session Meeting Summary Minutes (Cherry L. Lawson)
Council Member Bowen moved and Vice Mayor Post second the motion approving the
Consent Agenda as presented. Motion passes 6-0.
LIQUOR LICENSES
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
COUNCIL ACTION
Al Resolution No. 2020-008: Relating to Emergency Management; approving the
updated Town of Marana Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) (Curry C. Hale)
Human Resource Director Curry Hale provided a PowerPoint Presentation related to
the Emergency Operations Plan. (A copy of the PowerPoint Presentation is available on the
Town's website and in the Town Clerk's Office for viewing.)
Emergency Operations Plan
• Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)
• Critical Index Plans
• MOUs and IGAs
• Emergency Agency Rosters
Why an EOP Needed? Required by:
• Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5, the Homeland Security Act of 2002
• Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), Title 26, Chapter 2, Article 1
Purpose of an EOP
• Prevention
• Preparedness
• Recovery
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When to Use the EOP
• Natural Hazards
• Technological Hazards
• Human -Caused Hazards
Examples of Hazards in Marana
o EOP Activations:
■ July 11, 2018 - Train Derailment, I-10 West & Twin Peaks
■ September 10, 2014, Hurricane Odile, Santa Cruz River Flood
Hazard
o Almost EOP Activations:
■ September 26, 2019 - Tornado Warning Marana, Picture Rocks, and
Rillito areas
■ August 1.1, 2016 - Levee Break, Flooded out Grier Road
Mayor Honea asked whether the Plan covers flooding events as the town has
experienced flooding areas in the past. Mr. Hale stated that it does, and listed under
natural hazards.
Council Member Officer commented on the increased traffic on I-10 and its impact to
the community in the last three years. He asked whether the Plan covers traffic related
incidents. Mr. Hale stated the Plan covers mass transit disruptions and is part of
human -caused hazards.
Mayor Honea stated freeway accidents are becoming commonplace, and is becoming
an issue. Oftentimes, drivers would exit in Marana including large trucks and becomes
a concern for the community. We may have to begin looking into solutions for this
situation. Council Member Kai stated Marana Police knows the town best, and
suggested having an officer situated at key corners to manage traffic snarls to assist
travelers in navigating traffic incidents on the highway. Taking this type of action may
result in positive publicity for the town.
Mr. Mehta stated one thing that we have to do is to review our Emergency Operations
Plan is contingent on when an event occurs, as there are several tiers of the Plan. If
there is a traffic event that is beyond Marana's jurisdiction such as a highway incident,
then it becomes the control of the Department of Public Safety or state troopers.
However, Marana Police are on duty to the extent of having to assist with such
incidents as well as deploying the police volunteers to assist with travelers impacted by
highway accidents.
Council Member Kai moved and Council Member Ziegler second the motion approving
Resolution No. 2020-008 approving the Town of Marana Emergency Operations Plan.
Motion passes, 6-0.
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A2 Resolution No. 2020-009: Relating to Real Property; approving and authorizing
the Mayor to sign the Town of Marana Lease Extension with SG Farms L.L.C., for
extension of the lease of approximately 22.88 acres of Town -owned property abutting
the north boundary of the Marana Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Frank Cassidy)
Town Attorney Frank Cassidy provided a brief overview of this item stating the lease
is approximately 23 acres of land north of the Marana Wastewater Reclamation Facility,
and has had the lease for some time with Chris Sullivan of SG Farms L.L.C. The lease
term ends this month, and he has asked for an extension. The agreement allows for
five-year extensions with mutual consent. The only change to the lease agreement
amount from $70/ acre under the previous lease. Since the previous lease either party to
terminate, he suggested that the Town review the lease amount. After some discussion,
the lease amount increased to $100/ acre per year. The amendment also allows for
another five-year extension after this extension, that is, if both parties mutually agrees
with the term.
Council Member Kai asked how SG Farms would use the property. He asked whether
it is for the farming of crops. He asked whether the town has any use for the property
at this time. Mr. Cassidy stated SG Farms does plan to from crops on the property.
Marana received the property from Pima County as part of a settlement. The County
had purchased it as part of the 1,000 ft. setback because of the type of treatment plant
they had. Council Member Kai stated the proposed lease amount is a fair amount and
it is within range for the property.
Mayor Honea asked whether the Town has considered selling the property as the Town
has a modern plant asking whether the Town need to land. Mr. Cassidy replied stating
it is his belief that the Town is holding on to it for possible expansion that is in the
direction of the settlement basin. If the town were to add additional recharge basins, it
would go into that direction. Although it may not come forward for many decades, but
it makes sense to retain the property, and to use it for farming purposes.
Council Member Kai stated it make sense to have a five-year option. Mr. Cassidy
replied stating at the end of the five-year extension term, the Town will review what
market rates are at that time, and renegotiate the number. It is the town hope to be able
to come away with a mutual agreement amount.
Council Member Kai moved and Council Member Bowen second the motion approving
Resolution No. 2020-009 approving and authorizing the Mayor to sign a lease extension
with SG Farms for the approximately 22.88 acres of Town -owned land north of Marana
Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Motion passes, 6-0.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ POSSIBLE ACTION
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D1 Relating to Mayor and Council; discussion, consideration and possible action
regarding the start time for Council meetings (Mayor Honea)
Council Member Ziegler provided an overview of her request to have Council consider
changing the start time for its meetings. She stated times have changed and Council has
long held its meetings at 7:00 p.m., and most municipalities start its meetings at an
earlier time. She felt it is time that Council took the same approach by changing its start
time to 6:00 p.m. She inquired of an early start time for Council Study Sessions, asking
how that affect having a Study Session and a Council Meeting on the same day if
changed. Mr. Mehta stated if there is a study session before a regular council meeting,
we could have the session to begin at 6:00 p.m., and the council session will start no
later than 7 p.m.
Council Member Ziegler moved and Vice Mayor Post second the motion moving the
start time for regular Council Meetings be changed to 6:00 p.m. Motion passes, 6-0.
D2 Relating to Budget; discussion, direction and possible action regarding
development of the fiscal year 2020/2021 budget, including proposed budget initiatives
and expenditures (Jamsheed Mehta)
Mr. Mehta stated as part of the discussion during the last Council Meeting, Council
Member Ziegler inquired of the status of the number of employees utilizing the Tuition
Reimbursement. As of this date, the Town has not expended any of the funds from that
account. Employees who have submitted must first complete the course and obtain a
satisfactory grade before funds are disbursed.
D3 Relating to Legislation and Government Actions; discussion and possible action
regarding all pending state, federal, and local legislation/ government actions and on
recent and upcoming meetings of the other governmental bodies (Jamsheed Mehta)
Mr. Mehta stated that as some of the bills move through the legislature, the Town
would update the Council if there were an impact to the Town of Marana. Town staff is
cautiously following some of the bills discussed previously such as, HB2404 (Prime
Contracting Bill), HB2493 (CFD Bill), SB1133 (Sub Contractor Prompt Pay Bill), SB1305
(FedEx Personal Delivery Devices Bill). He referred to the information provided within
the Council Weekly Report.
D4 Relating to Development and Public Works; update, discussion, and possible
direction regarding public and private projects and development applications on the
Town's Marana Current and Proposed Projects internet site (Jason Angell)
Development Services Director Jason Angell provided an update on the development
activities within the town.
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EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
E1 Executive Session pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A), Council may ask for
discussion or consideration, or consultation with designated Town representatives, or
consultation for legal advice with the Town Attorney, concerning any matter listed on
this agenda for any of the reasons listed in A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A).
E2 Executive session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(4) for discussion and
consultation with and instructions to the Town's attorneys regarding settlement
discussions in the pending litigation Southern Arizona Home Builders Association v.
Town of Marana, Pima County Superior Court Case No. C20184411.
[7:45 PM: Minutes] Mayor Honea asked for a motion to enter into an executive session
for the purpose stated in Item E2.
Council Member moved and Council Member second the motion approving Council to
enter into an executive session for the purpose stated in Item E2. Motion passes, 6-0.
[8:06 PM: Minutes:] Mayor Honea reconvened the meeting.
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
Mayor Honea asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Vice Mayor Post, moved and Council Member Officer second the motion to adjourn the
meeting. Motion passes, 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town
Council meeting held on February 4, 2020. I further certify that a quorum was present.
Cherry L. Lakson, Town Clerk
Regular Council Meeting Summary Minutes 02/04/2020
MARAA AZ
ESTABLISHED 1977