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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 12/12/2000 * PLEASE NOTE: Since the Glendale City Council does not take formal action at the Workshops, Workshop minutes are not approved by the City Council. MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP December 12, 2000 8:30 a.m. PRESENT: Mayor Scruggs, Vice Mayor Eggleston, and Councilmembers Clark, Frate, Goulet, Lieberman, and Martinez. ALSO PRESENT: Martin Vanacour, City Manager; Ed Beasley, Assistant City Manager; Rick Flaaen, Acting City Attorney; and Pamela Oliveira, City Clerk. 1. REQUEST FOR ANNEXATION BY RESIDENTS OF PENDERGAST WEST AMENDED SUBDIVISION CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Mr. Tim Ernster, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Grant Anderson, City Engineer; and Mr. Michael Munroe, Senior Management Assistant to Tim Ernster. Residents of the Pendergast West Amended Subdivision have requested annexation into the City of Glendale. Pendergast West is located along the north side of Missouri Avenue, between 91st and 95th Avenues. There are 63 residences and 6 vacant lots in the subdivision. At the request of representatives from the neighborhood, an informational meeting was held on August 24, 2000, with Councilmember Clark and City staff in attendance, as well as Ms. Charles Thomas, Mr. James Davies and Mr. Walt Aydlett of the Pendergast West Amended Subdivision. Staff was presented with 54 signed letters requesting the annexation. These letters reportedly represent 84% of the homeowners, 82% of the valuation, and 77% of the total lots within the subdivision. A public meeting was held on November 20, 2000 at Desert Mirage School. It was attended by residents of the Pendergast West Amended Subdivision, City staff, Mayor Scruggs, Vice Mayor Eggleston, and Councilmembers Goulet and Clark. Staff made presentations that addressed the topics of a service impact analysis, police and fire services, enforcement of City codes, development issues, planned recreation amenities, taxes and fees for services, infrastructure, and the process of annexation. Pendergast West neighborhood members had the opportunity to raise neighborhood questions, expectations, and concerns. The Mayor and City Councilmembers who were present addressed City issues and concerns, along with the questions, 1 expectations, and concerns of the Pendergast West neighborhood. Minutes of the meeting were recorded. If directed to proceed, the next step would be for staff to prepare, and present to the City Council, a comprehensive service impact analysis of the proposed annexation. Staff would perform the service impact analysis and report to the City Council within sixty days. At the conclusion of the City Council's review of the service impact analysis, staff would seek additional direction from the City Council concerning action on the Pendergast West Amended Subdivision's annexation request. Council had not previously discussed or acted on this annexation request. Residents of Pendergast West, representing those in favor of the annexation, met with Councilmember Clark and staff on August 24, 2000. Any budget/cost impacts associated with annexation of Pendergast West Amended Subdivision would be determined in a service impact analysis. The recommendation was to provide staff with direction. Councilmember Goulet asked if 60 days was a realistic time frame to complete the system impact analysis. Mr. Ernster explained that they had targeted the March 6, 2001 Workshop session to bring the results of the analysis back to the Council. He said he believed this was adequate time. Councilmember Martinez asked how long it would take to complete the full annexation process. Mr. Anderson explained the annexation process. He noted that the one-year annexation stipulation is based upon when petitions are filed. He stated that, if they received direction to proceed at the March 6 Workshop, they could have the annexation completed by late July of 2001. He noted that two activities in the annexation process involve 30-day waiting periods mandated by law. Mayor Scruggs asked when the new public safety facilities in the western area would open. Mr. David Dobrotka, Police Chief, explained that the money would become available in July of 2001 and construction would be completed within approximately one year. Mayor Scruggs explained she was concerned that bringing an area in ahead of the additional public safety facilities could degrade service and response times to existing citizens in the City. She asked that this issue be addressed in the service impact analysis. Mr. Ernster confirmed that it would be included in their analysis. Mayor Scruggs asked whether the tapes from the neighborhood meeting had been saved. Mr. Ernster stated that they were. Mayor Scruggs asked to have a transcript of the meeting. She explained that, in the past, people have said they were promised certain things and she wanted to have a record of what was actually said during the meeting. Mr. Ernster stated that they would have a transcript of the meeting prepared. Councilmember Martinez agreed with Mayor Scruggs on the importance of documenting what was discussed during the meeting. 2 Councilmember Lieberman asked hove much land was annexed along the Freeway to Camelback Road to approximately 97t Avenue. Mr. Anderson said they had annexed 120 acres in the quarter-mile from Camelback Road to Bethany Home Road. Councilmember Lieberman asked how long it took to complete that annexation. Mr. Anderson explained that that annexation was somewhat different in that it was for an ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) right-of-way and, therefore, was not subject to the normal signature procedure. He stated that it took approximately four months. Councilmember Lieberman suggested annexing all of the property from Camelback Road to Bethany Home Road, and 91st Avenue to the Freeway. Councilmember Clark noted that the people who live in Pendergast Estates had approached Mr. Ernster about annexation into the City. She expressed her opinion that a service impact analysis would allow them to determine whether they wish to proceed with the annexation process. She said Mayor Scruggs had done a good job of creating full disclosure and the neighborhood was aware of what it would get and the ordinances it would be subject to. She pointed out that they were currently planning the Western Area General Plan Amendment. She noted that Pendergast Estates was part of that area. She agreed with Councilmember Lieberman that the Council should consider annexing additional land in the area. She suggested that, since areas are master planned, it would be in the City's best interest to annex large parcels of land. She explained that, with the current process, developers go to the County for development approvals and, while in that process, come to the City asking to be annexed. Councilmember Clark took issue with Mayor Scruggs' statement that providing public safety services to Pendergast would somehow degrade service to other citizens in the community. She pointed out that the residents of Pendergast are serviced by Rural Metro and, at times, have to wait up to 45 minutes for response. She stated that any service the City of Glendale could provide would be better than the service they are currently receiving. Mayor Scruggs explained that the City does not annex every piece of land because, typically, farmers who have had no interest in selling their land for development do not want to be in the City of Glendale. She explained that the timing usually occurs when developers purchase the farm land and desire to become part of the City. She stated that she believed it was a foregone conclusion that the Council would direct staff to proceed with the system impact analysis and she, herself, was ready to proceed. She clarified her previous comments by stating that she was simply asking for an analysis of what impact bringing Pendergast into the City would have on other existing residents. She suggested that there may be an opportunity to better time the annexation of Pendergast to address public safety needs. She said the meeting helped her feel better about the issue and she believed it gave residents a better understanding of how the City operates and the various services it provides. Councilmember Martinez voiced his support of performing a service impact analysis. He said he would support annexing other areas should those property owners express an interest in being annexed. Councilmember Frate noted that he had toured the Pendergast Estates area. He stated that he believed they should proceed with the analysis. 3 Vice Mayor Eggleston agreed that they should proceed with the service impact analysis to determine what costs would be associated with bringing Pendergast into the City. He asked if they currently pay for Rural Metro service. Mr. Ernster explained that Rural Metro is a contract service and paid for individually by those serviced. Vice Mayor Eggleston said he had spoken with a resident, who had indicated his main concern was the huge expense of the Rural Metro service. He pointed out that Pendergast residents would have a number of code issues should they be annexed into the City. He said he believed they would be good citizens, but cautioned them to annex the area at the appropriate time. He said the residents of Pendergast should take the time it takes to complete the analysis to research what the benefits and detriments of annexation would be and to have any remaining concerns addressed. Mayor Scruggs recommended that Mr. Ernster draft a letter to each and every registered Pendergast property owner, informing them of the City's intent to proceed with the service impact analysis. She suggested that they also explain why a service impact analysis is warranted in this case and not in cases where the property to be annexed is vacant. Mr. Ernster stated that they had a listing of all registered property owners and would send each of them a letter, as Mayor Scruggs had suggested. Mayor Scruggs recommended that Mr. Ernster identify a staff person to act as the contact on this issue. Councilmember Clark stated that she would also appreciate having a staff member take over as contact. Councilmember Lieberman pointed out that Pendergast would not receive public safety services free of charge. He explained that they would be paying Glendale property taxes. He stated that they would also be taxed on any additions to their property and for building permits requested of the City. He asked that these factors also be included in the analysis. Vice Mayor Eggleston agreed with Councilmember Lieberman. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m. 4