HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/2021 Regular Council Meeting Summary Minutes MARANA AZ
ESTABLISHED 1977
MARANA TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653
Council Chambers, October 19,2021, at or after 6:00 PM
Ed Honea, Mayor
Jon Post,Vice Mayor
Patti Comerford, Council Member
Jackie Craig, 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 6:00 PM and directed the Clerk to call
the roll. Mayor Honea, Vice Mayor Post, Council Members: Jackie Craig, Patti
Comerford, Roxanne Ziegler,John Officer, and Herb Kai (Excused).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE: Led by Mayor
Honea.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Mayor Post moved and Council Member Officer second the motion approving the
agenda as presented. Motion passes, 6-0.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
PROCLAMATIONS
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October 19,2021,Page 1
PR1 Proclamation recognizing October 17- 23, 2021 as, "Arizona Cities &Towns
Week" (Cherry L. Lawson)
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS
Council Member Comerford reported that the Fall Festival was a wonderful event. She
gave kudos to the Town staff that put on the event.
Council Member Ziegler commented on the Fall Festival.
Mayor Honea commented on the Fall Festival stating it was a great event and well
attended by the community. He and Mr. Rozema toured the community and stated
housing developments are occurring around the town. They toured the Hartman
project where there is about 700 homes being built. He also commented on the new
businesses that have opened or due to open in the Marana community.
MANAGER'S REPORT: SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS
Town Manager Terry Rozema reported on the following:
• The November 2, 2021 Council Meeting is canceled due to it falling on Elections
Day, and is rescheduled for Wednesday, November 3 at 6pm.
• Development Services Department issued 83 single family residential permits for
the month of October 2021. In September, we issued 82 permits.
• Community Conversations relative to the discussion on water, the Town has
scheduled four of those sessions, starting on October 26 at the Highlands at Dove
Mountain. We have one scheduled on November 4 at Coyote Trails Elementary,
and a third meeting will be held on November 9 in the Marana Police
Department Community Room, all starting at 6 p.m. The fourth meeting will
occur on November 30 at the Sunflower Community Center, the meeting time is
yet to be determined. However, it is likely to start in the early afternoon
• Ribbon cutting for the CAP Trailhead on Saturday, October 30 that will coincide
with another event to kick of the opening of the trailhead. The Mad-Cap Trail
Race is a bike and trail run.
• The Fall Heritage Festival was well attended with 5,000 to 7,000 in attendance on
Saturday. There were lessons to be learned ahead for next year event. He
commended staff for a phenomenal job.
PRESENTATIONS
CONSENT AGENDA
Cl Relating to Procurement; approving an increase in budgeted expense authority
of up to $80,000 of Downtown Reinvestment funds (Fund # 3025), for the Marana Road
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October 19,2021,P age 12
Realignment Project (ST044); authorizing the transfer of appropriations, if necessary, for
the change in project budget; and authorizing the Town Manager or designee to execute
the necessary documents to effectuate the increase in budgeted expense authority. (Mo
El-Ali)
C2 Resolution No. 2021-137: Relating to Development; approving a final plat for
Gladden Farms Block 37 Lots 1 - 212 &Common Areas "A" & "B", located south of West
Mike Etter Boulevard, east of Midfield Road, and west of Clark Farms Boulevard (Anita
McNamara)
C3 Approval of the Regular Council Meeting Summary Minutes of October 5, 2021
(Cherry L. Lawson)
Council Member Ziegler moved and Vice Mayor Post second the motion approving the
Consent Agenda as presented. Motion passes, 6-0.
LIQUOR LICENSES
L1 Relating to Liquor Licenses; recommendation to the Arizona Department of
Liquor Licenses and Control regarding an application for a Location/Owner Transfer of
a Series #009 Liquor Store liquor license submitted by Gina Moninder Gill on behalf of
Marana Chevron,located at 13960 N Sandario Rd, Marana, AZ 85653 (Cherry L. Lawson)
Town Clerk Cherry Lawson provided an overview of the application request for a
Liquor License and stated Town staff recommends that an order recommending approval
be submitted to the DLLC for the requested liquor license application.
Vice Mayor Post moved and Council Member Ziegler second the motion to adopt and
submit to the DLLC an order recommending approval of an application for a
Location/Owner Transfer of a Series #009 Liquor Store, Liquor License submitted by
Gina Moninder Gill on behalf of Marana Chevron located at 13960 N. Sandario Road,
Marana,AZ 85653. Motion passes, 6-0.
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
COUNCIL ACTION
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE ACTION
D1 PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance No. 2021.022: Relating to Transaction Privilege
Tax;amending the Town Tax Code by increasing the tax rate on certain activities by one-
half cent for the design and construction, and fixtures, furniture and equipment, for a
new Multi-generational Community Center and Aquatic Center and for other necessary
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October 19,2021,Page 13
capital improvement projects; amending Sections 8-460 (Retail sales; measure of tax;
burden of proof; exclusions) and 8-610 (Use tax: imposition of tax; presumption) of the
Town Tax Code by adopting Local Option V of the Model City Tax Code establishing an
alternate tax structure for certain sales/purchases; and designating an effective
date (Yiannis Kalaitzidis)
[6:09 PM Minutes:] Mayor Honea open the public hearing to receive public testimony.
Mr. Rozema stated the Town has brought for your consideration of passing an ordinance
to increase the sales tax, from two cents to two and a half cents, for the purpose of
funding, constructing a multigenerational community center and aquatic center. This
topic has been discussed now, thoroughly for the course of a year now dating back to
December.
In December 2020, Parks & Recreation Director Jim Conroy, and his staff completed a
10-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and that plan was presented to the Council. It
was later adopted, it was well received, not only by the Council, but by the entire
Community. Mr. Conroy and his staff did a phenomenal job of soliciting feedback from
our community, delivering presentations, as well as community outreach in bringing
forward the Parks &Recreation Master Plan. Given that,the message the Town received
was very loud and clear from our community. The community believe that Marana is
underserved in particular areas related to indoor recreational facilities and aquatic
centers.
That was something that not only we the staff recognized in reading that report and
looking at the surveys and the information that was provided by this community, but it
was something that the Council also recognized, acknowledged, and provided direction
to staff of finding out what we could do to try and fast track a project of this nature.
So,we clearly had a very loud contingent if you will,or very prominent contingent of our
community expressing their support for this. When you looked at the statistics for the
entire town, over 77% of the population either rated this as a high priority or a medium
priority. Those statistics vary depending on what part of the town we took in those
surveys, but at the very lowest it was in the 71% and the very highest it was in the 85%
for our community relative to the recreational facility.
With the Aquatic Center it was even higher, with numbers approaching 90% for certain
areas of our community.This was information that we clearly heard from the community,
as well as the discussions with this Council, and later direction given to Town staff to
advance this project. Council directed Town staff to complete a site study.
Mr. Rozema continued stating the first direction that we received from Council was to
go out and complete a site study. Council is familiar with the parameters that were
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October 19,2021,Page 14
established for that and how we came to the site that we did select. I will, however, take
just a few moments to highlight what those parameters.
He discussed how the site was selected stating it was a repeated question that was asked
in the community about why the Town selected the site that was selected. Once we spent
the time conveying to the community why the site location was selected, the community
understood. He highlighted a couple of items as follows:
• The direction from Council was to find a site that was owned by the Town, that it
needed to be in northern Marana, preferably on or near Marana Main, and those
were the two primary factors. The other one was that we would not be in an area
where we are competing with private sector business,and those were for a number
of reasons. Additionally, the fact that we owned the property means we do not
have to spend the millions of dollars to purchase 15 acres of land to locate the
facility.
• Secondly,the Town does not have to spend a lot of money to develop the property,
because the property that we are looking at is already site ready,shovel ready,and
ready to go for construction.
• Number three, we looked at and talked about was the reality that we know these
types of facilities spur economic development. It has been a desire for this town
for this community to have a true downtown. This facility joining the other
facilities that are already on Marana Main, we believe that that will in fact spur
some additional economic development in the downtown area specifically on
Marana Main. It is understandable that people wanted the facility closer to their
home; however, Council provided parameters for Town staff to follow related to
the location.
Also relevant to the discussion, this area is the very northern part of the residential area.
As this community grows, the population and the additional growth in residences is
going to be to the north, to Pinal County, and potentially even beyond. Eventually, the
downtown area will be the center of our community. In June, Council unanimously
selected as the location to place the facility at Marana Main and Bill Gaudette.
Three locations were presented that was one that was preferred by each member of the
Council. At that point, it really boiled down to how we were going to pay for this facility.
As we talked about not only with the Council, but also with our community, and with
staff within the organization, trying to find monies available within the current funding
sources that we have was impossible.
With the growth that we are experiencing in our community, the need to invest in
personnel, the need to invest in infrastructure to ensure that we are providing great
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October 19,2021,Page 15
services, and great amenities to our community, there just was not an amount of money
that would allow us to be able to fund the facility without an additional funding source,
or a new funding source. Town staff presented to Council during the June 22nd Meeting
with the recommendation to fund this facility, and that was in the form of a half-cent
sales tax increase.
He explained why the Town recommended a half-cent sales tax stating 1), the Town has
some experience in utilizing a half cent sales tax for the purpose of funding significant
capital improvement projects. We funded a significant portion of a highly used, utilized
roadway at Twin Peaks, trail that goes from Dove Mountain down to I-10, and a portion
of the overpass for that as well. We also funded a police headquarters, one that was badly
needed for our Police Department and allowed our police personnel to continue to grow,
and to provide excellent police services.That half-cent tax fully paid for the police facility.
It is completely owned by the by the Town. With the experience that the Town has had
in utilizing the half-cent sales tax, and we also talked about the reality that half cent sales
tax has the smallest impact on the residents of our community.
We had a company that did a study that showed that as high as 65% of the sales tax that
we collect in our community comes from people outside of the town of Marana, so that
means as little as 35% of the burden of paying for the facility rest on the shoulders of the
people of our community. Whether they are tourists or people passing through, or
whether they are people just outside of our jurisdiction,they are still people that are using
our services, our roads, our police services, and so on and so forth. Additionally,we had
some good conversations, and provided some illustrations that were helpful to people in
terms of getting in their mind what is the impact would be personally. We were able to
provide examples to people that if you are somebody who spends $5000 in retail in a
given year, the impact to you personally is $25 for the entire year. If you are somebody
who spends a lot in retail, say 50,000 the impact to you is $250. Once people were able to
get their heads around what the actual impact was, that was also helpful in the
conversations, discussions and emails.
Another reason that we settled, I think on the half cent sales taxes as a good option for
us, is that it does not place Marana outside the norm with regard to municipal sales tax.
Currently, our sales tax is at two percent (2%). The adjoining municipalities, have a
higher sales tax rate than we do at two and a half and two-point six percent compared to
our two percent. Going to two and a half percent, really puts Marana in line with where
those other jurisdictions are. You know one of the things I heard from people who were
upset about the idea of tax increase is," well I'll go to this jurisdiction and shop, I'll go to
that jurisdiction is shop,If you raise the tax;" and when I was able to explain to them,that
you would be paying the same amount as you would be here, I think that that to kind of
alleviated some of the angst, anxiety and concern from those who had that concern.
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October 19,2021,Page 16
Mr. Rozema stated those are the highlights of discussion that were held with staff,
Council and members of the Marana community. We had four scheduled presentations
that were in various parts of the community. Each one of those, went very well. We also
did a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce, and we did several impromptu
presentations. As far as feedback,you know we have provided the feedback. The written
feedback. We did a lot of outreach,not only with the presentations,between outreach via
social media, we did outreach via our website and collected the written feedback from
folks, and provided that to the Council.
In the presentations, the overwhelming number of people expressed support for the
project.Some came into the meeting opposing it,but walked away supporting the project.
So, I think details matter, facts matter, and as we were able to get to the facts, and the
information out there, it did make a difference for the people of our community. There
was one area that I heard repeatedly from people, both in private conversations and in
the presentations. People expressed that they wanted the sales tax to sunset. That was
something that they expressed to me and asked that I would enter and express that to the
Council.
Vice Mayor Post stated we started this project,but it was not necessarily us that dreamed
it up. It just came about through the various surveys that we did. Given that, we are
doing what our community wants us to do, and needs us to do. That we should respect
the wishes of our community as far as the sunset of this tax. He has received emails and
had conversations with members of the community, and they would like for the Town to
build the building, then cancel the tax. He is in favor or that.
Council member Comerford agreed with Vice Mayor Post stating Marana has a proven
track record--we do what we say we are going to do. To leave it open ended would be
something new for us, and she is not willing to do that at this point. She agrees with the
community to sunset the tax.
Council Member Ziegler asked if we sunset the tax, do we have a procedure in place on
how that is going to work? It was easier, or it was easy when we had the Police
Department, and we identified what we were going to do. We identified the amount, we
raised the tax, and we sunsetted it. She is not for the sunset; however, if that is what the
rest of the Council wants, I will go with that. She commented on a process to go back to
the community for other projects if the Town sunsets the sales tax. One of the things the
community has discussed was having a performing arts building. If we sunset and
wanted to build that, the Town would we have to go back and restart this process over
again. She expressed concern over not having raised the tax someone is going to have to
help here,the 2% has not been raised in how many years. She asked how many years has
the two percent (2%) sales tax been in place.
Mr. Rozema replied stating it has been about three years since the PD facility was.
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October 19,2021,Page 17
Council Member Ziegler No, but I mean prior to that. Prior to that, and again to me it
was a temporary sunset. We went back to two other, prior that we've had a two percent
sales tax for years, years and years and years. She expressed concern over sunsetting the
sales tax and the impact to the community for future projects. We have short memories,
and that is what she is afraid of. Right now, all I know is we are raising the tax a half-
cent, which is what we all agreed on.
Then if we have to sunset, which is fine, but then we must go through another whole
procedure, and we'll do our outreach again. Unless somebody tells me differently. So in
five years from now or six years now we're going to do the whole procedure again,we're
going to do the outreach again. I know I would say, "Not another tax increase, "so, that's
what my concern is. Why don't we not sunset it? Leave it at two point five, and going
forward, nothing changes. We do the two point five, we pay off the Aquatic Center and
the Rec Center. If you want to put that money, if you want to continue to take the five
percent and put it over into whatever Yiannis counts, that's fine. At least you would not
have to go through another three and a half months or four months of doing the same
thing again,just to get the same result.
Vice Mayor Post commenting stating that is what makes Marana, Marana. Our citizens
trust that we are going to let them know what we are going to do with our money. He
does not believe that it is too much work to go back to the community if another project
comes up in the future. He asked what is wrong with going out and getting the feedback
from our residents and telling them what we need to do, and why we need to do it, and
how important it is.
Council Member Ziegler replied stating it is not the issue of trust to me, but rather an
issue of efficiency. Vice Mayor Post stated it is easy to spend money. Council Member
Ziegler stated if you have lived in Marana longer than three years, or four years, we
have a very good track record.
Vice Mayor Post commented stating if I'm just an ordinary resident, of the Town of
Marana, I want to see that. I want to see our Town have these community meetings
where they explain to us what they are going to do with the money, as well as why it is
important that we raise the tax. That is true representation of our community, to do
that.
Council Member Ziegler commented stating she understands Vice Mayor Post point
of view. However, stated she does not know why we would still put that money to the
side, and we would still be very transparent, and very truthful. Those funds would be
set aside for future projects without having to repeat the process.
Vice Mayor Post stated like that children's story book, where it says you give a mouse a
cookie, you know, it just keeps, you know, I mean, it's easy to spend money, you know.
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October 19,2021,Page 18
Council Member Ziegler stated she would rather see it not sunset, as she commented on
the police facility process. We went out, checked with your community set it at two-point
five percent (2.5%) and we sunset it. She reiterated that she feels it is best to not sunset
the sales tax, as it is a matter of efficiency of the process, not an issue of trust. Again, I
suggest we would do community outreach as we do all the time. The only difference is it
would be just more efficient and must do another three or four months of it.
Council Member Craig stated up to this point I had been in favor of not sunsetting the
half-cent sales tax, because there are many big infrastructure projects that still need to
be done after this is over. Like Mr. Rozema said, she has heard a lot of comments from
the community that they want the sales tax to be sunset. I also know from working in
my HOA that if there is money there you will find a way to spend it. If we have to go
out and do this whole thing again, it would mean that it was a very important project to
us. It is not quite the same thing as having money there that let's find a way to spend it.
She is in favor of sunsetting the tax.
Mayor Honea stated we estimate about$6M a year or more,as that amount may increase
because Marana is growing at a rapid rate. Even if it averages seven over the life of the
project, it is going to take six years to raise $42 million. That does not include interest if
we borrow some of the money on it. You know, have we come up with, I mean would it
be eight years or whenever the project is paid for,or seven years.He asked how we would
set the limit. With the PD we said four years or less, and it was paid off in 31/2.
Mr. Rozema replied stating we did have these discussions as we prepared this, and
deferred to Town Attorney Jane Fairall to provide the language that was prepared and
discussed.
Town Attorney Jane Fairall addressed the Council stating we prepared some language
for your consideration:
• With the police facility, it said we would collect $18 million. There was no time
frame it just said $18 million.
• Once we hit that, the Finance Director would notify Department of Revenue to
stop collecting.
• We are suggesting at this point is that when the Town Engineer and the Finance
Director determined that the Town has collected funds sufficient to complete the
design and construction of the Multigenerational Community Center and Aquatic
Center, including equipping it. The Finance Director shall notify the Arizona
Department of Revenue to cease collection of the increase at the earliest
opportunity in accordance with legal and administrative requirement then in
effect.
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October 19,2021,Page 19
• That last language is like what we did with the police facility. The Town would
have to notify ADOR to stop collecting it.
• It would be a subsequent section that would say, if we continue to collect some
more beyond that amount,it will be used for the facility. For other costs,operating
costs or landscaping.
• The reason why we would include that is because there is a time lapse from when
we tell ADOR to stop and when they stop. There is a little bit extra that gets
collected, as it did happen with the Police Department facility.
• The Town put that right back into the Police Department facility for some extra
things that needed to get done.
So that's what we are suggesting at this point. Of course, up to any further discussion of
what type of language you'd want to see in there.
Council Member Officer stated he has talked with a lot of people, and the Fall Festival
was a good example of the people that he saw. There were people from all the
communities around us, that come and participate, and buy and go to school, and have
the fun things going on, and it goes on in Marana. Those are the ones that will be affected
with this. There have been other residents or seniors to ask whether the Council would
sunset the sales tax, or maintain it. If the Council sunset it, we have the project, our
history behind us, no matter who is on the Council, we can always talk about the Roads
we built, the Police facility, Aquatics facility, the things that have been done when we go
out and talk with the Community. Marana has been busy building up the community,
and the people in the community are aware of the Town progress. If we continually do
that, continually be able to build the Marana that everybody has learned to love and
appreciate being a part of.
Council Member Comerford stated it is important to always involve the community, it
is not just hearing from them and hearing what they want. It is also part of the education
process, as there is a lot of bad information. Bad information that goes out to people, that
Marana does not have a property tax. It is our opportunity to say this is what we have
done in the past. It is our responsibility as a government to go out and let people know
this is what we've done in the past. We have to let people know that they have a little bit
of a say, a lot actually, in what the Town is going to do. She asked Ms. Fairall a question
regarding the number, as she did not hear a number being provided. She stated that she
wants an estimated number, because the amount was $18M with the Police Department.
That she really would like to see a number so that it gives everyone an idea that this really
is going to sunset.
Mr. Rozema replied stating right now to put a number on it is difficult, because we are
in the early stages of this, and we do not have an estimate of what the cost is going to be.
We could certainly look at what other facilities have cost in other jurisdictions, but a lot
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October 19,2021,Page 110
changed in the last year and a half two years. He thinks the language that Ms. Fairall
provided was great including language that would require the Town to sunset at the
point that the project is complete and accepted by the town.
Vice Mayor Post stated when we did the Police Station,we had a couple of lagging items
that lingered as to the finishing up the full entire project. He is concerned about the
language. That he wants to make sure that the Town build the building to completion.
He wants to ensure that staff have the language appropriate to actually finish the project
to its completion, maybe even take it out to, six months of operation or something to that
effect, to where we are going to be prepared to operate this facility. He continued stating
when something that comes along that was unforeseen and we were seeing that in almost
every project that we do, something comes along unforeseen that costs the Town General
Fund, you know multiple millions of dollars would be very difficult to absorb. I was
wondering if we can picture the language addresses that.
Mr. Rozema stated the language that Ms. Fairall provided was well stated, and believe
that it would cover that. He does not believe that there were additional cost resulting in
delays with the construction of the police facility. It was just a matter of process and
approvals from the Fire Department and things of that nature. The other thing to keep in
mind is certainly that, once the Town notifies the Arizona Department of Revenue that
we have accepted completion, and they can stop collecting the tax, it takes a while for
that that machine to stop. He noted that after Marana collected the $18M for the police
facility, and Town staff notified ADOR that they can cease collecting the tax, that tax
continued to be collected by a variety of businesses throughout our community.
Finance Director Kalaitzidis stated the amount was $18.3M collected.
Mr. Rozema stated $300,000 additional money was collected after we concluded and
settled on the $18M or achieved the $18M. Vice Mayor Post stated he was fine if Mr.
Rozema think the language would cover that.
Deputy Town Manager Erik Montague stated some of the uncertainty associated with
the cost as mentioned by Mr. Rozema, one of the things that we would from an overall
process is to anticipate that the delivery of this project will be through a Construction
Manager at Risk process. At some point in the future we will have either one or more
than one, what is called Guaranteed Maximum Price. The sum of either just the one, or
multiple GMP's will give us a total cost of that project and that it should be known at that
time. The amount is not known until we get those Guaranteed Maximum Prices as well
as we anticipate to deliver this project,we are going to finance it.One thing that we might
suggest is slightly modifying the language whereas Ms. Fairall just read that it basically
completes the design and construction. What it might say to allow for the financing costs
to be considered as part of the overall cost of the project as add and say design,
construction and finance of the same facilities to give us a little bit more flexibility.
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October 19,2021,P age 111
Council Member Ziegler stated for the last year and a half we have been given a
presentation, several times regarding things, and I think Jackie talked about a few
minutes ago, on things other than the Recreation Center and pool. The Town of Marana
is going to need in the future roads, drainage, and the wastewater facility.
Marana is never sure on how much were going to get from HURF Funds to cover our
roads. That was something that was presented to the Council that we are going to need
money one day. Other than HURF Funds and other things we get to make sure our roads
stay in the repair that they are, drainage, we know North Marana when it rains it floods,
and it is not a good situation. We have talked about how we going to fund that,and lastly
our wastewater facility. We are very proud of our wastewater facility. We have done a
great job with that since we took it from the county, bought it from the county, but again
there's a lot to be done there too.
We talked about how we were going to, what monies were we going to use, other than
subsidizing through the General Fund. What monies could we use to make sure these
three things are funded? That is when we talked about the two point five (2.5). She asked
how will the Town fund roads, drainage,wastewater facility, and other projects if we are
taking the two point five (2.5%) and putting those funds into the Recreation Center.
She has championed the Recreation Center for last two years. It is not that I do not want
a Recreation Center, rather she wants to ensure that the funds for roads, drainage and
wastewater are in place. If we are going to sunset the two point five (2.5%), roads and
drainage and wastewater it is not going away. She asked how will the Town fund the
other projects if the sales tax is sunset, and Marana returns to the two percent (2%) tax.
She expressed concern over the gap that may provide challenges to the Town in handling
future capital projects.
Mark Johnson stated he is a Marana resident and is the President of Tortolita Alliance.
This proposed sales tax increase should be put on hold till the economy improves the
current CPI for the Western United States is five-point three percent compared to a year
ago. Inflation is going to be a burden on all of us and we do not need to compound it with
a new sales tax increase. If you do decide to proceed, there are several issues with this
sales tax increase that need to be corrected. Number one, construction contracting is
proposed to be exempt from the sales tax increase. We heard tonight that there are houses
going up, left and right. Why are we giving the development community another free
pass? The development community will benefit from these facilities. They should pay
their fair share. Aquatic Centre appears to be the real need for the community, but a new
community center is something that could be put on hold. There are plenty of existing
revenue venues that the community could use to meet. The Aquatic Center should be
built at the centroid of Marana. Which is the I-10 Twin Peaks corridor, so that all the
residents can easily access the facility, if the proposed site is used, it will be up a one-
hour round trip commute for many residents to utilize the Aquatic Centre. The tax
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October 19,2021,P age (12
proceeds should be spread across Marana, not in one location. Build the Aquatic Center
at the centroid and spend the rest on park and recreation improvements in other areas of
Marana. We have heard nothing about the operation and maintenance costs of these
facilities. Who is going to pay for that? I've heard a little bit about user fees, but to
properly analyze this tax and the construction of these facilities the operation and
maintenance cost should be fully vetted. Finally, the sales tax should have the sunset as
you talked about and end when the funds are obtained and allocated, thank you for the
opportunity to speak.
Amy Ruiz Marana resident for 14 years. I also run the Marana Marlins swim team over
at that gorgeous pool we are rocking. I may have been one of the voices at all those
masterplan meetings going pool,pool,pool. Aquatic Center was not part of my language
and I'm super excited. It's like Christmas. Please know this, and that is your sales tax all
of US families who aren't here tonight cause we're busy at high schools and junior highs
and all of the places us. You know the drill moms and dads run. They are paying that
sales tax somewhere else, because we go to all those other places that are more than 10
minutes away to take our kids?So,whether it's Oro Valley or anywhere else,were paying
that, were buying food there all of that. We would love to be the people, even if it's not
just those outside people coming in and paying that majority of the sales tax.We're happy
to pay it. We love our money to stay here in our own community and have that pulled
out aquatic center that community center, because we're already funding it somewhere
else. We'd like it to stay here, as for as staffing, it's going to be our people, and my pools
fills up in ten minutes, one hundred and twenty-five swimmers, in ten minutes. I could
do it three times over every single year it's my most un-favorite day of the year, because
that means crying parents.
I have no place to put my kids in your pool and they drive into Tucson. So, know that
like we have no issue with the funding. I've got an entire pool saying all yeah, we're
happy to spend the funds we do like the sunset just because we love old, Marana's
concept of put your money where your mouth is. It gets paid off and then we love being
educated because we have a huge group of Red Rock families who come down to our
pool. We have Picture Rocks just like Estes,which is also where I work. We serve over 40
miles and they're happy to drive to that teeny tiny pool and make it happen. Whether it's
also Wade McClain down by the high school we cover our pools here in Marana without
a problem. But we also we fund it, and we pay for our own lifeguards. We pay for own
coaching. We pay for our own insurance, and we would be the same staff you would be
hiring to take care of that and do all those things. Whether it's our teenage kids, mothers
who likes part time jobs, and our husbands. Whatever it is, we're happy to be that staff.
We've been on the sidelines cheering for this for many, many years. It is not something
you have to be worried that's going to be empty. Or is it going to be used? Were the team
that's saying how fast can you give it to us? They already pay the sales tax, and stated
there is no need to be concerned in that respect. We pay for it on the east side when we
drive our kids there, we pay for it in Oro Valley, we drive to Phoenix as are you know,
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October 19,2021,P age 13
any mom that locks up or dad or family member will tell you were already paying for it.
Let the money stay in Marana and fund for the neighborhoods that we believe in our part
of anyways, if you ever need help, let me know.
Jeanie Hilderbrand stated she is one of those parents. I have lived in Marana for 15 years
now we were one of the early, you know families that were in that development. I have
two children and they have been part of the random Marlins swim team for ten years
now this will be our 11th season. She is one of those parents that has already been willing
to pay more than any other team in the county, every single year to order to have, to not
have to drive across town to Oro Valley to central Tucson to get the same facilities. That
is where the majority of the activity centers are so it would be amazing to have a facility
here run by people like Amy, by Grant, at least in the Aquatic Center area that we, that
have already been doing this for a long time and just need the facility to do it on a grander
scale. That is to provide the services that that my children have been having, at a smaller
level, on a grander scale for all of those new families. I have hundreds of friends who
have said, "Oh my gosh, I would love to have a place to bring my children," and there's
it's a limited space,you know, over and over and over again.We fight to get in every year
so that we don't have to drive down even just down to South Marana. But still a long
drive. If you're doing it multiple times a day, with small children in tow, my husband is
a deputy chief over in Oro Valley. He drives to that Aquatic Center. To swim to do the
lanes because they have the capacity,and it would be amazing.So,it's not just about kids,
it's about you know anyone who wants to use that facility, and she is happy to be paying
the know half cent sales tax and would continue to do so even after my children are
grown and gone,because it would be great to have. Other people are going to need those
facilities so I hope you would consider that.
Grant Bourguoa stated he is a lifelong resident of the Town. He has been in Marana
resident for 38 years, grew up through the Marana Unified School District, went to
Marana High School, have many different hats worn in Marana Unified, or community
area. You know one of the things that I have been involved in was swimming. I grew up
in the neighborhood over here and had swimming lessons in the old Marana pool over
35 years ago. The fact that that pool still exists today just goes to show how the Marana
Parks and Recreation Department is done a tremendous job maintaining that thing. He
has heard of the number of challenges that have been overcome over the last several years
when it comes to that pool. The reality of it is that, the pool is at a critical juncture, and
it's about ready to end. When it comes to, you know what's the critical juncture for the
town? What are we going to do when it comes to building all these homes that were
talking about here this evening? Where are people going to go to recreate aquatic-wise
and the Town has done a tremendous job anticipating that need and continuing moving
forward. But some of the things that I oversee are the Pima County Aquatic Pools, and
one of them is the Marana High School Pool, and that is the Wade McLean Pool. They
have noticed that there are a number of people from the Gladden Farms area coming
over, because there are no opportunities. Unfortunately, the box style swimming pool
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October 19,2021,Page 14
that exists over there, just doesn't really compute to how people recreate aquatic-wise;
and one of the challenges that I think we're all facing is,you know we're seeing swimming
lessons sold out in three (3) minutes. I just think that the project that is coming up is not
only going to serve the existing residents and put Marana in a position of meeting
additional residents as the town continues to grow.
[7:04 PM Minutes:] Mayor Honea closed the public hearing.
Vice Mayor Post moved and Council Member Officer second the motion to adopt
Ordinance 2021.022 with the language used by Ms. Fairall. Motion passes, 6-0.
D2 Relating to Legislation and Government Actions; discussion and action regarding
all pending state, federal, and local legislation/government actions and on recent and
upcoming meetings of the other governmental bodies (Terry Rozema)
Mr. Rozema stated he did not have a report to present.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03, the Town Council may vote to go into executive session,
which will not be open to the public, to discuss certain matters.
El 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).
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 7:05 PM.
CERTIFICATION
Regular Council Meeting Summary Minutes
October 19,2021,P age 15
I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana
Town Council meeting held on October 19, 2021. I further certify that a quorum
was present.
,41010
Cherry L. Law.on, Town Clerk
MARANA AZ
ESZABi_IS;-h , 197/
Regular Council Meeting Summary Minutes
October 19,2021,P age 16