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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 7/15/2002 * 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 JOINT GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL & PEORIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION GLENDALE CIVIC CENTER 5750 W.GLENN DRIVE July 15, 2002 6:00 p.m. PRESENT City of Glendale (City) Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs Vice Mayor Thomas R. Eggleston Councilmember Joyce V. Clark Councilmember Steven E. Frate Councilmember David M. Goulet Councilmember H. Phillip Lieberman Councilmember Manuel D. Martinez Mr. Ed Beasley, City Manager Mr. Jim Colson, Economic Development Director Mr. Tim Ernster, Deputy City Manager Mr. Rick Flaaen, City Attorney Mr. Jon Froke, Planning Director Ms. Pam Kavanaugh, Deputy City Manager Ms. Pamela Oliveira, City Clerk Mr. Ken Reedy, Deputy City Manager Ms. Jennifer Reichelt, Management Assistant2 Mr. Warren Smith, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Chris Zapata, Deputy City Manager Mr. Terry Zerkle, Assistant City Manager Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) Ms. Sherie Lammers, Board President Mr. Greg Donavan, Board Member Ms. Pat Galbraith, l3oard Member Mr. Cliff Henkel, Board Member Ms. Debra Raeder, Board Clerk Mr. Dan Davidson, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Mr. Jack Erb, Superintendent Mr. Eddie Gillam, Administrator for Facilities Planning and Construction Mr. Steve Highlen, Administrator for Support Services Mr. Matt Licardi, Assistant Manager, Public Relations Department. Mr. Dave Moore, Assistant Superintendent for K-12 Academic Services 1 Mayor Scruggs called the meeting of the City Council to order. Ms. Lammers called the meeting of the Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) Board to order. Mayor Scruggs requested that those present introduce themselves. Mayor Scruggs stated that they were excited to begin what they hoped would be a series of meetings with the Peoria Unified School District to discuss issues of common interest and common concern. She noted that eleven schools from the Peoria Unified School District are located in Glendale. Ms. Lammers said it is important for the City Council and the PUSD Board to stay in close communication. She reported that the PUSD is building a high school in Glendale, which they hope to open in a couple years. 1. UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF GLENDALE Mr. Colson identified the City's development objectives: (1) to create sustainable economic vitality through job creation, sustainable revenue growth, and redevelopment of under-performing properties; (2) to develop the Loop 101 area as a major destination center for employment, retail, entertainment, and residential; (3) to enhance the downtown core Through attraction of quality employers, retailers, restaurants, residential, and entertainment options; effective land use planning; and leveraging public investment to attract private investment; (4) to improve neighborhoods through effective redevelopment of commercial and residential properties and pursuing infill development opportunities; (5) to adhere to sound fiscal policies ensuring protection of public trust, sufficient return on investment and long term financial stability; and (6) to protect Luke Air Force Base. He said regional growth trends, both in terms of population and employment, have dramatically shifted to the Glendale area. He stated that the availability of land, improvements in the transportation system, and development of quality housing have been primary growth factors. He said an increase in the creation of quality employment opportunities and entertainment options will improve the quality of life in Glendale and a strong and diverse demographic will attract potential new businesses. Mr. Colson reviewed projected population densities for Maricopa County in the year 2020. He stated that the population center is moving to the north and west. He displayed a base map for the Glendale/Loop 101 area and compared it to maps showing development plans for the area. Mr. Colson discussed the Coyotes project. He explained that it is a 223 acre mixed-use development that will consist of commercial office, retail/entertainment, hotel, and residential components. He said the development will be anchored by a 17,500 seat multi-purpose arena and will have 6 million square feet of development at build-out. He noted that 1.6 million square feet of retail development has already been committed to the project. He reviewed the development's site plan, early renderings of the arena facility, and an architectural perspective of a portion of the neighborhood retail. 2 Mr. Colson stated that the Trammel Crow Zanerjo project is located immediately north of the Coyotes project and is a 158 acre mixed-use business park. He said the development's primary element will be employment, with retail and residential components being secondary elements. He reviewed the Zanerjo site plan and design examples. Ms. Lammers inquired about the timeframe for the Trammel Crow development. Mr. Colson said they were currently working through the zoning process. He said they were talking to some businesses, but have not yet closed any particular deals. He stated that, realistically, they could see some development within the next year or two. He clarified that the development will include some residential and retail, but its primary element will be employment-generating uses. Councilmember Goulet asked Mr. Froke to explain the concept of residential/ employment in the northwest quadrant. Mr. Froke explained that the northwest quadrant is planned as an integrated environment, where people can live, work, and play. Councilmember Martinez pointed out that the Coyotes project would not have happened if the developer had not also agreed to redevelop the Manistee Town Center. Mr. Froke discussed Rovey Farm Estates. He stated that it is the largest residential project underway in the City of Glendale. He said the 300 acre project is located between 83rd and 89th Avenues, from Glendale to Northern Avenues, and zoning has been approved for 810 lots. He stated that the overall density will be 2.75 dwelling units per acre and the proposed lot sizes range from 7,000 square feet to 44,520 square feet. He said a 10-acre joint City/PUSD park site will be located north of Orangewood Avenue. He noted that five acres are to be developed by the City in conjunction with the developer of Rovey Farm Estates. He estimated that the population will increase to total in excess of 2,300 persons at build-out. He said the developer hopes to break ground in the fall of 2002 or in early 2003. In response to Ms. Lammers' question, Mr. Froke stated that the applicant estimates build-out of the project to occur in four to five years, with the first home closings beginning in late 2003 or early 2004. Mr. Smith reviewed the preliminary plans for the 88-acre regional park at 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. He stated that the facility will include soccer and softball fields, tennis courts, inline hockey and skateboard facilities, a multigenerational center, library and aquatics center. He said the public safety facility will be located north of the inline hockey and skateboard facility and will house the police and fire stations. He estimated construction of the public safety facility to occur between August of 2002 and June of 2003. He said the design of the library will occur between July of 2002 and March of 2004, with construction planned for July of 2004 through November of 2005. He said park construction design is scheduled for September of 2002 through March of 2003 and construction is programmed for June of 2003 through February of 2004. 3 Mr. Smith discussed partnerships that the City currently has with the Peoria Unified School District. He said the City has intergovernmental agreements for two pools, one at Cactus High School and one at Ironwood High School; ball field lights at Kachina Elementary School and Ironwood High School; one school/city park at Desert Valley Elementary School; one am/pm program at Sahuaro Ranch Elementary School ; and summer drop-in programs at various elementary schools. He said future partnership opportunities exist in terms of the Rovey Farms Estates joint 10-acre park site and the Raymond Kellis High School. Ms. Raeder asked if the City had considered sharing the aquatics center with the PUSD. Mr. Smith said it was a possibility, but they had not discussed it with the PUSD. Ms. Reader asked why the City and the PUSD only have one am/pm program. Mr. Erb said some schools are being renovated and the summer drop-in programs that were previously at those schools will resume once the renovations are completed. He noted that the PUSD works in partnership with the City and the YMCA to provide the am/pm programs. He noted that further discussion about the am/pm program was on tonight's agenda. Mayor Scruggs explained that tonight's agenda reflected items requested by the PUSD. 2. UPDATES FROM THE PEORIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Mr. Gillam presented the overlay for the Raymond S. Kellis High School located at 91st and Orangewood Avenues. He said their working construction budget totals between $22 and $25 million and they anticipated opening the campus by August of 2004. He explained that they originally reserved a five-acre area for an aquatics center. He noted, however, that the area was reduced to accommodate additional parking. With regard to the Orangewood extension, Mr. Gillam said they had found that a small offset of the road would allow the extension to go through on the south side of the property. In response to Councilmember Frate's question, Mr. Gillam stated that they had planned 400 to 500 parking spaces for student parking. Mayor Scruggs said parking is a problem at every high school. She asked that serious thought be given to the issue because vehicles parked in residential areas will be towed away. She said the purpose of the joint meetings was to identify potential issues before they develop into problems for the City or the PUSD. She asked the Mr. Froke if he would be able to work with the PUSD's proposed timeframe. Councilmember Clark asked what they projected the population of the school to be at project build out. Mr. Gillam said the education plan was for 1,800 students. He noted that the Arizona School Facilities Board (SFB) would require 2,300 to 2,400 students before the school would qualify for additional building square footage. Councilmember Clark said she shared Mayor Scruggs' concern about adequate parking. She said the school will place an inordinate amount of pressure on the homes immediately adjacent to the site. She urged the developer to add additional parking spaces wherever 4 possible. Mr. Gillam explained that the SFB guidelines do not provide any money for parking; therefore, they are forced to balance parking needs with classroom space. He said they could add an additional 50 to 100 parking spaces by building out the future pool area. He noted that they would be applying for a variance with regard to the width of the parking spaces. He noted that the current standard will cause them to lose another 100 spaces. Councilmember Goulet asked if the PUSD had a policy to limit the number of students who could drive to school. Ms. Lammers said juniors and seniors are allowed to park on the lots. She noted, however, that they are supposed to obtain a permit. Councilmember Martinez noted that residents in his district are very frustrated by the parking problems at Mountain Ridge High School. Mayor Scruggs said residents on Sweetwater Avenue lobbied several years ago to eliminate street parking around Ironwood High School and "no parking" signs were ultimately erected. She noted, however, that those residents now have teenagers and are upset because their children have nowhere to park. Vice Mayor Eggleston asked what area the high school would serve. Mr. Erb said they were starting a Boundary Committee for the high schools. He noted that four Peoria elementary schools will feed into the high school. Ms. Lammers stated parking will always be a problem at high schools. She admitted, however, that they could probably work more aggressively to ensure that permits are enforced. Mayor Scruggs asked if there were separate funds for the sports fields. Mr. Gillam responded no. He explained that the funds for fields also get pulled from classroom dollars. Councilmember Frate noted that the pastor of the Nazarene Church located south of Ironwood High school indicated that students are allowed to park in their parking lot for a fee. He asked Mr. Gillam if they would be interested in setting up a similar partnership with churches. Councilmember Clark suggested discussing the possibility of a partnership with the 35- acre church campus on Glendale Avenue, west of 91st Avenue. She stated that it could provide a substantial amount of additional parking. Mr. Gillam said other parking structures looking for a revenue stream may also present an opportunity. Mayor Scruggs pointed out that a developer is required to provide a minimum number of spaces per square foot, based on the uses. Mr. Gillam noted that the high school will not open with the maximum number of students. Mr. Froke said the City always tries to work cooperatively with the school districts and he would be happy to meet with the school district and its consultants on the Kellis High School site. 5 Mr. Licardi displayed a map of the PUSD district. He stated that the City of Glendale is considered to be in a slow growth area. He said they believed three elementary schools in the current growth area will open, with 1,200 to 1,500 students. He noted that they were attempting to obtain a building on Beardsley Road at 99th Avenue. He said the long-term growth area is located on state land in the northern part of the district. He reported that the District had annexed the land west of the Agua Fria River and estimates having approximately 11,700 elementary students and 4,400 high school students at build-out. He explained that the PUSD needs approximately 3,200 new students before qualifying for a new elementary school. He stated that enrollment is increasing by 800 to 1,400 students per year. He said they would have a joint use agreement for the Rovey Farms development and would eventually build a school. He noted, however, that they would make no guarantee that the school will be built within a year or two. Mr. Gillam explained that, when the SFB inventories a facility, the square footage of every building, regardless of its purpose, is measured from outside-wall-to- outside-wall. Mr. Erb noted that portable buildings were being moved off the campuses, reducing the amount of square footage. Mayor Scruggs clarified that the SFB gives the district a school, but does not dictate where the school will be located. Mr. Lazard agreed with Mayor Scruggs. Ms. Lammers said their biggest challenge is the District's rapid growth in the north and declining population in the areas where the schools are located. Mayor Scruggs asked if the PUSD had advised Mr. David Maguire, the Rovey Farms developer, not to indicate a future school in their plans. Mr. Erb said he and Mr. Highlen had been very direct with Mr. Maguire, telling him that they should not tell Pulte Homes that the School District will build a school in the area. Councilmember Clark asked if the PUSD could close some of their schools in areas of declining population. Mr. Gillam explained that the PUSD does not have the right to remove square footage from the calculation. Ms. Lammers stated that the school would have to be in very poor condition for the District to be given permission to close it. Mr. Gillam noted that the school would have to be replaced with another facility, at the District's expense. Mayor Scruggs asked if the PUSD was allowed to convert a public school to a charter school. Mr. Erb responded in the affirmative. He stated, however, that the square footage would remain in the PUSD's inventory. Councilmember Martinez referred to a previous development in his district that had informed homebuyers that a school would be built. He said the school never materialized and the residents were very upset. Ms. Lammers said, while they tell developers not to promise that a school will be built, they cannot control what the developer puts in their brochure. 6 Councilmember Clark pointed out the fact that the City has the opposite problem. She explained that developers refuse to inform potential homebuyers of existing or proposed facilities/infrastructure in the nearby area. Councilmember Frate asked if the square footage for the Kellis High School was comparable to Ironwood High School and Cactus High School. Mr. Gillam said Raymond S. Kellis High School will be the District's first two-story high school and will be comparable to other schools in terms of student count. Ms. Lammers explained that the two-story design is more economical and allows them to use more funds for fields and other amenities. Mayor Scruggs stated that nine of the eleven Peoria Unified School District schools are in Councilmember Frate's district (Sahuaro District). She noted, however, that the district's only after school program is located in Vice Mayor Eggleston's district (Barrel District). Councilmember Frate said the Peoria Unified School District has a great need for the Glendale Recreation After School Program, especially in his district. He noted that he had been trying to get an after-school program in his district for two years. Mr. Smith explained that the City is able to recover the costs associated with the am/pm program, but needs a commitment from the PUSD and the principal. He said the program has to be certified and inspected by the Department of Health before the City can move forward with marketing the program and hiring staff. Mr. Erb said they would be willing to working with the City. He noted that renovations should be completed soon. Ms. Raeder noted that the PUSD Board had been investigating keeping its library and tech lab facilities open after school hours. Ms. Lammers agreed that the school provides numerous assets that could be used after school hours. She voiced her support of pursuing after school programs. Councilmember Frate agreed that the church parking lot could be a source of additional parking. He said the improvements to the driveway at Cactus High School significantly reduced the number of accidents. 3. JOINT DISCUSSION Ms. Lammers explained that the PUSD wants to open its facilities up to the community through partnerships with the cities and others. She asked to discuss a partnership with regard to the pool facility at the regional park. Mr. Erb noted that the Raymond S. Kellis High School site will have culinary arts and construction trade areas and the PUSD Board hopes to partner with the City for their use. Ms. Raeder pointed out that education plays a major role in developing the City's work force. She stated that there has historically been a weak link between schools and 7 businesses. She said a connection needs to be made between the skills taught at the high school level and those required by businesses in the City. Ms. Lammers suggested that the City share information with the PUSD concerning the types of companies the City hopes to attract, to see if programs can be tailored to that industry. Mayor Scruggs stated that the City is focusing heavily on administrative and professional type positions rather than trade positions. She said the City's incentives are geared towards companies that offer $15.00 per hour minimum salaries. She pointed out that retail development in the area could provide a great opportunity for learning partnerships. She said businesses may be interested in forming partnerships for the use of a school's athletic fields, i.e. the City and Honeywell Corporation agreement with regard to Foothills Park. Mr. Colson explained that the City is targeting administrative and information technology oriented businesses east of the Loop 101. He said the west side of the Loop 101 will focus on high tech and manufacturing companies that require higher skilled employees. He said the City has tried to avoid using excessive amounts of land for uses that do not generate a lot of employment. Councilmember Clark said the Ellman project will present numerous employment opportunities for high school students. Ms. Lammers said they had called for a B-Bond and Capital Override Election this November. She explained that the $70 million Capital Override is mostly for technology, while the $93.5 million in B-Bonds would be used to build invisible schools, which do not count in the District's square footage. She stated that the election will require educating the public. Mr. Donavan noted that eight of the West County School Districts have agreed to provide members of their community with the opportunity to vote at the November 2002 election to provide a taxation base for career and technical education and training programs for students in grades 9 through 12. He noted that the average age of community college students is 33 years, whereas high school students who choose technical training programs enroll in continuing education programs that give them the ability to get into mid-level jobs. He explained that the Joint Technical Overlay District would cost $5.00 per year for a $100,000 home. He pointed out the fact that the State has not increased funding for career technical training since 1988. He said they anticipated approaching all cities and asking to make a presentation on the subject. Ms. Lammers stated that approval of the B-Bonds and Capital Budget Override would not effect the secondary tax rate or change the property tax rate on homes within the district. She pointed out that two Board seats will also be up for re-election on the November ballot. Ms. Lammers provided copies of the PUSD's response to the graduation issue at Sunrise Mountain. 8 In response to Vice Mayor Eggleston's question, Mr. Davison explained that B-Bonds can be used to physically build a school, but cannot be used to furnish the school. He said almost all of the $96 million in bond money authorized in 1996 is obligated. Councilmember Frate asked the PUSD to inform the City when school renovations are planned. He explained that they often receive phone calls from residents in the area. Mr. Gillam noted that the PUSD Board goes through a plan review process, including public input meetings. Ms. Lammers offered to do a better job of informing the City of their future remodeling plans. Mayor Scruggs asked how often the PUSD Board meets with the City of Peoria. Ms. Lammers responded that they meet twice a year. Mayor Scruggs suggested that they hold another joint meeting in January of 2003, unless pressing issues arise before that. Mayor Scruggs asked those present for concluding comments. Ms. Kavanaugh stated she that looked forward to working with the PUSD on sharing joint facilities. Mr. Reedy stated 1:hat they were open to communication if the PUSD Board had any problems or issues it would like to discuss. Mr. Ernster stated that the meeting had been very productive. Mr. Zapata asked the PUSD to stay in communication with the City with regard to their bond election and calendars. Councilmember Frate noted that he looked forward to a new era of communication and cooperation with the PUSD. Mr. Froke reiterated the City's willingness to work with the PUSD on its timeframe for the Raymond S. Kellis High School. Ms. Raeder noted that the PUSD holds monthly education meetings with the City of Peoria. She noted that a similar meeting would be beneficial to the City of Glendale. Councilmember Clark thanked everyone for attending the meeting. She said it was nice to meet the PUSD Board members and hear their priorities. Mr. Donavan stated that he agreed with a lot of what was said tonight. Vice Mayor Eggelston noted that tonight's meeting had been "eye opening". Ms. Lammers thanked Mayor Scruggs for arranging the meeting. She suggested that they invite other school districts to participate in future meetings. 9 Mr. Erb stated that he was anxious to move forward with the issues discussed and thanked the City for hosting the meeting. Mayor Scruggs stated that she had learned a tremendous amount during the meeting. She noted that the City of Glendale began Glendale University in 1997, with the purpose of empowering its citizens by giving them information about how the City operates. She said she would like to see a similar program offered to inform citizens on how the school districts operate. Ms. Lammers voiced her support of Mayor Scruggs' suggestion. She said they would pursue the idea further. Councilmember Goulet said the meeting had provided an opportunity to bring the different perspectives together and he looked forward to a continuing dialog. Mr. Henkel stated that the PUSD Board was interested in making the lives of children better and he believed joint use of facilities would go towards that end. Councilmember Martinez stated that he also supported Mayor Scruggs' suggestion. Ms. Galbraith said getting together to share ideas and learn about each other is the only way they will be able to move forward. She agreed that Mayor Scruggs' suggestion to educate the public on the school districts was valuable. Councilmember Lieberman thanked everyone for their participation. Messrs. Davidson, Licardi, Highlen, Gillam, and Moore commented on the information shared at this meeting. They thanked the City for hosting the meeting. Ms. Reichelt thanked the PUSD for attending the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. 10