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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 4/24/2018 City of Glendale 5850 West Glendale Avenue Glendale, AZ 85301 rIN Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 24, 2018 12:30 P.M. Workshop Meeting Council Chambers City Council Mayor Jerry Weiers Vice Mayor Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Joyce Clark Councilmember Ian Hugh Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Bart Turner CALL TO ORDER Mayor Weiers called the meeting to order at 12:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Jerry Weiers Vice Mayor Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Joyce Clark Councilmember Ian Hugh Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Bart Turner Also Present: Kevin Phelps, City Manager Tom Duensing, Assistant City Manager Jack Friedline,Assistant City Manager Michael Bailey, City Attorney Julie K. Bower, City Clerk WORKSHOP SESSION 1. COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST—UPDATE ON POSSIBLE INSTALLATION OF A PERMANENT FLAG POLE IN THUNDERBIRD CONSERVATION PARK Presented by: Jim Burke, Director, Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Burke said staff was seeking direction on the installation of a permanent, lighted flagpole at Arrowhead Point within Thunderbird Conservation Park. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff proposed tabling the item until the master plan update for the park was due for review in the next budget year. Mayor Weiers said the request was not overwhelming and believed proper display of the flag was warranted. He asked for support to move forward and said there would be no cost to the City. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff reiterated the items mentioned were in the upcoming master plan update. She wanted the residents to have input on what went into the park through the master plan update process. Councilmember Aldama asked if the flag pole would be considered an added amenity to the master plan. Mr. Burke considered the flag pole an amenity. Councilmember Aldama said in his opinion, it was not an amenity and was more symbolic. He was supportive of the flag pole at Thunderbird Conservation Park. Councilmember Clark was in support of the flag pole at the park. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked how large and deep the concrete slab would need to be to support the flag pole. City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 2 of 12 Mr. Burke did not have the information readily available. The Glendale Chamber of Commerce Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (Committee)would be required to go through a site plan review and permit process. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked whether park users' safety during storms had been thought about. Mr. Burke said safety related to the flag pole had not been discussed. Mayor Weiers said during a storm it would be safer to be closer to the pole as lightning would strike the pole and not users. He said a slab was not necessary for the pole. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff had been unable to find precedent for a flag pole in a conservation park. She reiterated her support for it to be included in the upcoming master plan update. Mayor Weiers said the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, which represented the citizens, had voted in favor of the flag pole. Councilmember Malnar asked if there had been discussion regarding long-term maintenance. Mr. Burke said, per the memorandum of understanding (MOU), the Committee had responsibility to maintain the flag. Councilmember Malnar asked if the installation of the flag pole needed approval to be included in the upcoming Master Plan. Mr. Burke said direction or action by the Council was sufficient to add it to the master plan. Councilmember Malnar did not think the flag pole would be a disruption to the area and was in favor of moving forward. Councilmember Hugh was also in favor of moving the item forward. Councilmember Turner said the survey question was not specific and believed better language should have been used. He would like a shorter pole to give users an individual experience and would also prefer a flag pole in the parking lot or entrance of the park. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if there was a way to be sure flag poles would not appear on the other peaks throughout the park. Mayor Weiers said the issue had been discussed with the Committee and it had been agreed only one flag pole was to be installed. Councilmember Aldama said the stipulation of only one flag pole could be added to the agreement. Councilmember Turner wanted to add a provision to the agreement that the Committee would be responsible for removing all other unauthorized flags in the park. Mayor Weiers said the request would be discussed with the Committee. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff said she was not against the flag but wanted changes to the park to go through the master plan process. The Council consensus was to proceed. City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 3 of 12 2. COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST—ASSESSMENT OF CIGARETTE LITTER AT CITY PARKS Presented by: Jim Burke, Director, Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Burke said there were four options to reduce cigarette litter in City parks: • Marketing campaign—minimal costs •Placement of informational signage, 4 signs per park—estimated cost$45,000 • Placement of informational signage and ashtrays at all City parks, 2 signs and 3 ashtrays per park—estimated cost$85,000 •Placement of informational signage and ashtrays at 10 City parks—estimated cost$6,500 Mayor Weiers suggested posting "no smoking"signs and making it illegal to smoke at City parks per ordinance. Councilmember Aldama asked what the regulation was regarding smoking near playgrounds or where children congregate. Mr. Burke said there was currently no ordinance prohibiting smoking near playgrounds or children. Councilmember Aldama asked the Council to consider an ordinance prohibiting smoking near children's amenities. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff said there was no way to enforce no smoking but to ask for users to not smoke would be the best route to alleviate smoking in the area. She asked if signage for no smoking could be placed at parks. Mr. Burke said the department would look into the signage at the parks. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff said people might not consider cigarette butts as litter and signage might help the issue. There should be a marketing campaign to accompany any option. Mayor Weiers asked if there would be a cost associated with a marketing campaign. Mr. Burke said it would be a minimal cost and would include Council newsletters, inserts in the water bill and outreach through the Parks Department. He asked if Council preferred no smoking in the parks or at the playgrounds. Councilmember Aldama preferred no smoking in the parks but at a minimum, no smoking near children's amenities. Mayor Weiers said the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (Commission)would need to bring forward its recommendation before Council made a decision. Councilmember Malnar asked what had other cities done to control the issue. Mr. Burke said Phoenix had tried a pilot program but abandoned the plan due to the difficulty of enforcement. To his knowledge, no other cities had implemented a similar program. Councilmember Clark said if the issue could have been resolved in the past, there would not be an issue. She would support a marketing campaign to remind users not to smoke around playgrounds. City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 4 of 12 Councilmember Turner favored an ordinance that enforced farther distances for smokers from amenities in the park. Mayor Weiers suggested designated smoking areas. Councilmember Hugh said the Commission should make a recommendation on the issue. Councilmember Malnar agreed with Councilmember Hugh. The Council consensus was to forward the matter to the Commission. 3. PROPOSED LEAGUE RESOLUTION ON STATE LIQUOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP Presented by: Brent Stoddard, Public Affairs Director Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Stoddard said staff was seeking Council feedback on submitting a proposed resolution regarding the membership of the State Liquor Board. If there was consensus from the Council to proceed, staff would submit the resolution to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns for consideration by the League's Policy Committees and Resolutions Committee. Councilmember Clark asked Council to move forward with presenting the resolution. Mayor Weiers said the term length of the membership and Councilmember terms would not coincide and suggested creating verbiage to address the timing. He asked if the committee he chaired would be required to make a recommendation. Mr. Stoddard was not sure on the process or which policy committee it would be assigned to. Mayor Weiers was concerned with Councilmember terms in relation to the committee terms. Councilmember Clark would discuss it with Mr. Stoddard and address the issue in the verbiage. Councilmember Malnar asked what the time commitments were to be on the Liquor Board. Mr. Bailey said meetings were generally every two weeks and lasted a full day. Councilmember Malnar suggested having an employee be eligible for the appointment. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if there were other elected officials on the board. Mr. Stoddard said there were appointed officials but it could also include elected officials. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff suggested the League make its appointments"at large" rather than having an elected official attend the meetings. Mr. Bailey clarified the Liquor Board hearings were held once a month. Councilmember Clark noted Council's suggestion and asked Council to move forward with trying to have an elected official on the Liquor Board. The Council consensus was to proceed. City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 5 of 12 4. COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST REGARDING LAZY J PROPERTY Presented by: Craig Johnson, P.E., Director, Water Services Presented by: Michelle Woytenko, Director, Field Operations Presented by: Stephanie Small, Director, Community Services Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Johnson said the item was an update on the City's intentions regarding the Lazy J trailer park. The Lazy J was purchased in 2005. There were currently 12 trailers and an RV remaining on the site. Tenants were on month-to-month leases and trailers manufactured prior to June 15, 1976 could not be moved without meeting new HUD standards. Tenants' lot fees covered utilities and trash collection. Ms. Woytenko explained the current use and location of the Lazy J property and the area surrounding it. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if the Spring City building had employees working from it or if it was used only as storage. Ms. Woytenko said it was only used as a storage facility. Councilmember Clark asked when the planned closure date for the south landfill area was. Ms. Woytenko said the closure would occur approximately in 2023 but it would not be a permanent closure. It would be used as soil storage to create compaction and then could be reused again. Councilmember Clark thought the closure would happen sooner since funds had already been allocated for the north area use.She asked if the top of the south area could be used for training. Ms. Woytenko said there were plans that would be brought forward to Council that would show a gas collection system but alternate uses could also be found for the landfill. Ms. Small said a 180-day notice was required if the City requested the tenants to relocate. The City would partner with the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH)to offer relocation services. Tenants would receive information regarding the eligibility criteria for ADOH programs. Community Services would also work with tenants regarding eligibility criteria for City programs. Ms. Woytenko explained the needs of the Police Department evidence storage area expansion and the next steps of the Lazy J process and updated master plan. Councilmember Aldama suggested vehicles exit from the north and reiterated the area along Myrtle Avenue from 62nd to 67th Avenue was a Safe School Zone area. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if the employee fitness room had been used. Ms. Woytenko said it was used as the fitness center and a common restroom area. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked how many employee parking spaces were available at the Field Operations Complex. Ms. Woytenko did not have the exact number of spaces but explained the parking was inadequate. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked whether it was best practice to have employee parking outside the City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 6 of 12 complex. Ms. Woytenko confirmed that it was. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if the Lazy J would primarily be used for parking rather than a building. Ms. Woytenko said several different possibilities were being explored. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if there would be any engagement with the Lazy J residents prior to the 180-day noticeto connect with other resources. Ms. Small said staff has had several discussions over the past few months on how to contact residents. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if there had been any"door knocking"to engage with the residents. Mr. Johnson said there had not been any"door knocking"at that point. He said they were early enough in the process to begin future planning. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff said engaging with residents to connect with other resources should be done by Community Services. Mr. Phelps said it was possible the lots could be resold or subleased to a new tenant and the City would have no knowledge. There were many complexities that made the notification and relocation process challenging. Councilmember Clark asked if the City owned the Lazy J property. Ms. Small said the City did own the property. Councilmember Clark said there were many ways for the City to be proactive and should begin as soon as possible. Councilmember Aldama agreed with Councilmember Clark and offered to work in conjunction with staff to host his mobile office hours in the area to meet with the families and assist with the language barrier. Mayor Weiers asked if each housing voucher covered $600 of rental costs. Ms. Small said each family would receive a different amount based on assessed need. Mayor Weiers said a timeline should be developed to get tenants relocated in a timely manner. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if the discussion was part of the housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) plan. Ms. Small said the discussion had not been brought to CDAC as it was not a Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) related funding item. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if it was known whether the tenants would qualify for CDBG funding. Ms. Small said if a tenant applied and was eligible for funding, the tenant would receive assistance. It was possible some had already received assistance. City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 7 of 12 Councilmember Clark requested a memo by the end of May stating each tenant had been contacted and a report of each family or group's situations. Ms. Small said staff would do its best to make contact and provide information for assistance. There could be confidentially issues. Staff would engage with those who were willing. Councilmember Clark did not want to violate any confidentiality but wanted basic information so Council would know how many people were involved. Councilmember Turner said the main issue was not having enough affordable housing in the area. His concern was making sure the facility that would be housed on the property was cost effective and did not waste tax payer dollars. Mayor Weiers requested a specific end date of when the Lazy J should be vacant. 5. DRAFT 10-YEAR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (Fiscal Years 2019-2028) Presented By: Trevor Ebersole, Director, Transportation Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Ebersole said this was the third workshop regarding the Transportation Plan. He was requesting consensus on the 10-Year Transportation Program. Councilmember Clark asked if the top 5 intersections were included in Transportation's 5-Year Plan. Mr. Ebersole said they were not included. Councilmember Clark asked if the Bell Road Study was to track ingress and egress traffic of the Loop 101 freeway at Bell Road. Mr. Ebersole confirmed it was. Councilmember Clark asked how the 5 intersections needing improvement would be addressed. Mr. Ebersole explained the installation of flashing yellow arrows with sequence timing would suffice as the level of improvement for those intersections. Councilmember Clark asked if the flashing yellow arrows would be implemented over a 3-year time span costing $3 million per year as previously discussed. With the plan, would the 5 intersections be addressed first. Mr. Ebersole was not sure when the arrows would be installed in the intersections but explained the three phases of implementation throughout 45 intersections. Councilmember Clark stated the intersections should take priority and hoped the department would consider converting the 5 problematic intersections first. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if a redesign of the intersections was included in the 5-year Plan. Mr. Ebersole said a general engineering consultant was onboard to identify low cost modifications. He said the final phase of the yellow arrow program did include intersection modifications. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked if the allocated portion for right-of-way, landscape and graffiti was City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 8 of 12 for maintenance and not improvements. Mr. Ebersole said that was correct. Councilmember Turner asked how the Transportation Plan was developed. Mr. Ebersole explained it was developed by seeking Council direction, public surveys and website feedback with the transportation team identifying the needs and implementing them into the program to create the plan. Councilmember Turner asked if it was done internally or with the assistance of a consultant. Mr. Ebersole said an outside consultant did assist for a short time. Once there was sufficient data, staff continued with the plan. Councilmember Turner asked when bus service would increase. Mr. Ebersole said in the second 5-year period of the Transportation Plan, the service levels in the Union Hills area bus route would increase to 2012 service levels. Councilmember Turner wanted to confirm the change occurred in the second half of the 10-Year Plan. Mr. Ebersole confirmed and added it would be in 2027. Councilmember Turner asked what the plans for the North Glendale Park-and-Ride were. He asked if it would be relocated and if it was included in the plan. Mr. Ebersole said the park-and-ride was in a study phase. Several locations had been identified as potential locations and as the planning progressed, the item would be brought back to Council for recommendations. Councilmember Turner asked if there were funds allocated to the park-and-ride in the 5 or 10-year portion of the Transportation Plan. Mr. Ebersole said there were funds identified for the park-and-ride. Councilmember Turner asked if there was the previously discussed additional southwest area circulator within the plan. Mr. Ebersole said an additional circulator was not in the plan. Councilmember Turner asked if there was a shuttle service from Westgate to downtown on game days. Mr. Ebersole said there was not. Councilmember Turner asked if there were planned additional interactive speed limit signs. Mr. Ebersole said yes. Councilmember Turner wanted to confirm the rights-of-way were only going to be maintained, not redone. Mr. Ebersole said there were no specific plans for enhancements. City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 9 of 12 Councilmember Turner asked if there were funds allocated to study and implement a quiet zone for the railway downtown. Mr. Ebersole said there were no funds allocated. Councilmember Turner asked if any bus stops had been added to the current route. Mr. Ebersole said yes, there was $150,000 per year allocated for bus stop enhancements or refurbishments, plus any additional grants awarded. Councilmember Turner asked approximately how many bus stops could be purchased. Mr. Ebersole said the cost for a bus stop averaged $10,000. Councilmember Turner asked for more information about the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)and what would be accomplished with it. Mr. Ebersole explained the ITS system was responsible for controlling the traffic signals and managing traffic flow throughout the City. It also maintained the fiber optic cabling throughout the City and spanned 100 miles. Councilmember Turner asked how the plan for Northern Parkway fit into the Transportation Plan. Mr. Ebersole said the design concept and review did include the funding for the City's portion of the planning. It was currently in Phase 2 and was evaluating an area east of the Loop 101 freeway to Grand Avenue through an engineering study with regional partners. Negotiations with stakeholders would take place regarding needs and wants based on projections and MAG forecasts. Councilmember Turner asked if expenses could be reduced by reducing the design level of the plans for Northern Parkway. Mr. Ebersole said it was possible but there was an intergovernmental agreement(IGA) in place with the project partners.Also, Glendale had already paid a majority of its portion for the project. Councilmember Turner explained where he identified cost savings from,the general fund that was funding transportation projects. He asked if those funds remained in the general fund for"quality of life"activities for residents, would it stop or delay the projects those funds were allotted for in Transportation. Mr. Ebersole explained the previously presented light rail savings had been consumed into other Transportation projects. Funding projects with Transportation revenue without general fund dollars would create an impact where expenses would exceed revenue. Councilmember Turner believed there would be general fund dollars available if the plans were reviewed and "fine-tuned"to make funds available for programs the residents had been without. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff wanted to confirm the light rail funds were from incoming tax revenue and general obligation bonds. Mr. Ebersole said that was correct. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff asked for an explanation of how the previous plan for the light rail funding would have taken place. City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 10 of 12 Mr. Ebersole explained the original plan would have had capital funding with the GO program by 2033 to leverage bonds for the remaining initial investment of the light rail. The debt service on the bonding would have had to be paid back. Maintenance would have been $2.9 million annually and a savings offset of about$700,000 annually. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff said there was a misconception there would have been available funding since the light rail did not pass, but there was not. She explained the Council's previous decision for Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects might need to be reconsidered to possibly make funds available for those programs citizens wanted. Councilmember Clark asked if the additional $905,000 was added to the GO program and nothing on the list of requests was denied, how long until the GO fund would be depleted. Mr. Ebersole said with the additional funds from the stadium and arena operations, the funds would be depleted in 2025. Councilmember Clark would like to discuss projects for the next budget year. She recommended going forward with the Transportation Plan. Mayor Weiers asked how far ahead in funds had the department used to repair the streets faster. Mr. Ebersole said by the end of the year, the Pavement Management Cycle would be at 30% completion but 50% of the budget spent. By the end of FY2018/19, the cycle would be at 60% completion with 60% of the budget spent. Mayor Weiers asked how much more was being spent since it was decided to expedite the project. Mr. Ebersole said an additional $5 million was being spent through FY2018/19. Mayor Weiers said taking care of the streets before they become too dire saved the City money in the long run. Vice Mayor Tolmachoff added there was an unanticipated allocation to contribute to the Field Operations campus that was missing from Transportation's budget. The cost should have been part of the Utility Rate Study, rather than requiring departments to contribute from departmental budgets. Councilmember Hugh favored continuing the pavement program and was in favor of the 10-Year Plan. Councilmember Malnar concurred with the decisions the Council has expressed regarding the budget discussions. He was in support of the current plan for Transportation. Councilmember Turner expressed his support of the street maintenance program and the process of future funding that was being used. He wanted departments to keep the residents' quality of life in mind. The Council consensus was to proceed. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT No report City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 11 of 12 CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT No report. COUNCIL ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST None MOTION AND CALL TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Ray Malnar, seconded by Councilmember Ian Hugh to hold an executive session. AYE: Mayor Jerry Weiers Vice Mayor Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Joyce Clark Councilmember Ian Hugh Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Bart Turner Passed EXECUTIVE SESSION Council entered into executive session at 3:44 p.m. for discussion and or consultation, to consider its position, and to provide instruction/direction regarding the evaluation process and performance reviews of the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(1)(4). ADJOURNMENT Mayor Weiers adjourned the meeting. I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Glendale City Council of Glendale, Arizona, held on the 24th day of April, 2018. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 22nd day of June, 2018. • /` Ju . Bower, MMC, City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes-April 24,2018 Page 12 of 12