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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 3/23/2010 (3) 1716 GLE E MINUTES OF THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 5850 West Glendale Avenue March 23, 2010 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, with Vice Mayor Manuel D. Martinez and the following Councilmembers present: Joyce V. Clark, Steven E. Frate, David M. Goulet, Yvonne J. Knaack, and H. Philip Lieberman. Also present were Ed Beasley,City Manager; Pam Kavanaugh, Assistant City Manager; Craig Tindall, City Attorney; and Pamela Hanna, City Clerk. COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE VII, SECTION 6(c) OF THE GLENDALE CHARTER A statement was filed by the City Clerk that the 4 resolutions and 2 ordinances to be considered at the meeting were available for public examination and the title posted at City Hall more than 72 hours in advance of the meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 9, 2010 CITY COUNCIL MEETING It was moved by Goulet, and seconded by Clark, to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the March 9, 2010 Regular City Council meeting, as each member of the Council had been provided copies in advance, and approve them as written. The motion carried unanimously. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER BODIES BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER BODIES Thisis a request for City Council to approve the recommended appointments to the following boards, commissions and other bodies that have a vacancy or expired term and for the Mayor to administer the Oath of Office to those appointees in attendance. Councilmember Lieberman read the list of appointees. Effective Expiration Citizens Advisory Commission On Neighborhoods Hugh Leonardo Cholla Appointment 03/23/2010 06/30/2011 1 Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission Rose Jacobson Cholla Reappointment 03/25/2010 03/25/2012 Barbara Garland Yucca Appointment 03/23/2010 07/25/2010 Rose Jacobson—Chair Cholla Reappointment 03/26/2010 03/26/2011 Allan DeFranco—Vice Chair Cholla Appointment 03/26/2010 03/26/2011 Commission On Persons With Disabilities Gary Charlson Cactus Reappointment 04/26/2010 04/26/2012 Community Development Advisory Committee Chris Flippen—Chair Sahuaro Reappointment 04/26/2010 04/26/2011 Karen Mankowski—Vice Chair Cholla Appointment 04/26/2010 04/26/2011 Historic Preservation Commission Nancy Lenox Barrel Appointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2012 James Grose Jr. Cholla Reappointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2012 Becky Shady Barrel Reappointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2012 Becky Shady—Chair Barrel Appointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2011 James Grose Jr. —Vice Chair Cholla Appointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2011 Judicial Selection Advisory Board Chief Judge Ann A. Scott Timmer Appointment 04/23/2010 04/23/2013 Library Advisory Board Sandra Burr Barrel Reappointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2012 Camille Donley Cholla Reappointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2012 Kenneth Wixon Cactus Reappointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2012 Camille Donley- Chair Cholla Appointment 04/13/2010 04/13/2011 Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission Jonathan Liebman Cholla Reappointment 04/09/2010 04/09/2012 Gary Parr Barrel Reappointment 04/09/2010 04/09/2012 Jonathan Liebman—Vice Chair Cholla Appointment 03/23/2010 02/26/2011 Planning Commission Ray Spitzer Barrel Reappointment 03/25/2010 03/25/2012 Gary Sherwood Sahuaro Appointment 03/25/2010 03/25/2012 Ray Spitzer—Vice Chair Barrel Appointment 03/23/2010 03/25/2011 The recommendation is to make appointments to the boards, commissions and other bodies and administer the Oaths of Office. It was moved by Frate, and seconded by Knaack, to appoint Hugh Leonardo to the Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods; Barbara Garland, Rose Jacobson as 2 Chair, and Allan DeFranco as Vice-Chari to the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission; Gary Charlson to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities; Chris Flippen as Chair and Karen Mankowski as Vice-Chair to the Community Development Advisory Committee; Nancy Lenox, Becky Shady as Chair and James Grose Jr. as Vice-Chair to the Historic Preservation Commission; Chief Judge Ann A. Scott Timmer to the Judicial Selection Advisory Board; Sandra Burr, Kenneth Wixon and Camille Donley as Chair to the Library Advisory Board; Gary Parr and Jonathan Liebman as Vice-Chair to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission; and Gary Sherwood and Ray Spitzer as Vice-Chair to the Planning Commission, for the terms listed above. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Scruggs called those present forward and issued the oath of office. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda are of a routine nature or have been previously studied by the City Council at a work session. They are intended to be acted upon in one motion. Mr. Ed Beasley, City Manager, read agenda item numbers 1 through 3 and Ms. Pamela Hanna, City Clerk, read consent agenda resolution item numbers 4 through 7 by number and title. 1. SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE, LEADERSHIP WEST INC., WRESTLEMANIA TAILGATE PARTY, MARCH 28, 2010 This is a request for City Council to approve a special event liquor license for Leadership West Inc. The event will be held at Westgate City Center located at 6770 North Sunrise Boulevard on Sunday, March 28, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The purpose of this special event liquor license is for a Wrestlemania tailgate party. If this application is approved,the total number of days expended by this applicant will be one of the allowed 10 days per calendar year. Under the provisions of A.R.S. § 4-203.02, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control may issue a special event liquor license only if the Council recommends approval of such license. The City of Glendale Planning, Police, and Fire Departments have reviewed the application and determined that it meets all technical requirements. Based on the information provided under the background, it is staff's recommendation to forward this application to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control with a recommendation of approval. 2. SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE, CITY OF GLENDALE JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL, APRIL 17 AND 18, 2010 3 This is a request for City Council to approve a special event liquor license for the City of Glendale. The event will be held in downtown Glendale at 58th Avenue and Glenn Drive on Saturday, April 17 from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, April 18, 2010, from noon to 6 p.m. The purpose of this special event liquor license is for Glendale's Jazz& Blues Festival. If this application is approved, the total number of days expended by this applicant will be six of the allowed 10 days per calendar year. Under the provisions of A.R.S. § 4-203.02, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control may issue a special event liquor license only if the Council recommends approval of such license. The City of Glendale Planning, Police, and Fire Departments have reviewed the application and determined that it meets all technical requirements. Based on the information provided under the background, it is staff's recommendation to forward this application to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control with a recommendation of approval. 3. LIQUOR LICENSE NO. 3-1287,ARIZONA PIZZA COMPANY This is a request for City Council to approve a new, non-transferable series 12 (Restaurant) license. Arizona Pizza Company is located at 8110 West Union Hills Drive, Building 3, Suite 350. The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control application (No. 12078251) was submitted by Robert Douglas Miller. The location of the establishment is 8110 West Union Hills Drive, Building 3, Suite 350 and is located within the Cholla District. The property is zoned C-2 (General Commercial). The population density within a one-mile radius is 15,526. This series 12 is a new, non-transferable license, operating with an interim permit, therefore, the approval of this license will not increase the number of liquor licenses in the area. The number of liquor licenses within a one-mile radius is as listed below. Series Type Quantity 03 Domestic Micro - Brewery 1 06 Bar-All Liquor 1 09 Liquor Store -All Liquor 4 10 Liquor Store- Beer and Wine 1 12 Restaurant 9 Total 16 The Maricopa County Health Department and the City of Glendale Planning, Police, and Fire Departments have reviewed the application and determined that it meets all technical requirements. No public protests were received during the 20-day posting period. 4 Based on information provided under the background, it is staff's recommendation to forward this application to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control with a recommendation of approval. CONSENT RESOLUTIONS 4. CITY SALES TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM This is a request for City Council to adopt a resolution allowing taxpayers to become current with their taxes through a City Sales Tax Amnesty Program. This program addresses the Council goal of a city that is fiscally sound by providing a program that will allow non-licensed taxpayers an opportunity to become licensed, and non-compliant taxpayers an opportunity to become current with their taxes, filing, and paying all outstanding returns. At the August 18, 2009 Workshop, Council provided guidance to staff to develop and offer a City Sales Tax Amnesty Program to allow taxpayers an opportunity to become current with their taxes. The 38 day program will run Monday through Friday from March 24 through April 30, 2010. Taxpayers can participate in this program by: 1) coming to the second floor of City Hall Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., 2) calling to schedule a more convenient time to meet with staff, or 3) filing and paying online. Taxpayers who take advantage of this program will have all penalties, interest, and prior license fees waived as long as the entire tax due is paid by April 30, 2010. At the August 18, 2009 Workshop, Council provided guidance to staff to develop and offer a City Sales Tax Amnesty Program to allow taxpayers an opportunity to become current with their taxes. The City Sales Tax Amnesty Program will provide an opportunity for the business community to become current with taxes owed to the city. Sales tax revenue generated from this program will be applied into the appropriate funds such as the General Fund, Public Safety Fund, and the Transportation Fund for provision of city services. The recommendation is to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution declaring a City Sales Tax Amnesty Program from March 24 through April 30, 2010. Resolution No. 4356 New Series was read by number and title only, it being A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE SALES TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM BEGINNING MARCH 24 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2010. 5 5. ACCEPTANCE OF GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT This is a request for City Council to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a Governor's Office of Highway Safety grant for capital outlay equipment in the approximate amount of$12,520. This request supports the Council goal of one community focused on public safety for citizens by providing the City Prosecutor's Office a means to purchase additional equipment. Funding from this grant award will allow the City Prosecutor's Office to purchase laptop computers, printers, software and related hardware in order to more efficiently prosecute traffic court cases. This grant will benefit the Glendale community and the citizens by allowing the City Prosecutor's Office to more efficiently prosecute traffic court cases. There is no financial match required for this grant. Grants Capital Expense One-Time Cost Budgeted Unbudgeted Total X $12,520 Account Name, Fund,Account and Line Item Number: A specific account will be established in Fund 1840, the city's grant fund, once the grant agreement is awarded and formally executed. The recommendation is to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the Governor's Office of Highway Safety grant for capital outlay equipment in the approximate amount of$12,520. Resolution No. 4357 New Series was read by number and title only, it being A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY EQUIPMENT FOR THE GLENDALE CITY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF$12,520. 6. ACCEPTANCE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT AWARD This is a request for City Council to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a three year American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) award in the approximate amount of$2,324,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy. 6 This grant contributes to Council's goals of one community with strong neighborhoods and a city that is fiscally sound by maximizing federal grant initiatives, improving air quality and reducing citywide energy use. Under ARRA the City of Glendale has received a formula grant to complete projects which are expected to reduce long-term energy use and costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve safety and reduce city maintenance and repair costs, and public education. Additionally, this grant funding will allow for capital replacement projects to be built now that otherwise may not have been completed for several years. The specific projects to be funded with this grant are the following: sports courts lighting retrofit; public safety/court complex lighting retrofit; Main Library lighting retrofit; upgrade Arrowhead Ranch Water Reclamation Facility system improvement; Well 43 variable drive retrofit; traffic signal LED conversion (remaining 30 of 190 signalized intersections to LED lighting); Building Safety program enhancements; and Energy Matters Public Education Program. The benefits to the community are expected to include a long-term reduction in city operating and maintenance costs, improvements in the ambient air quality through the reduction in green house gas emissions, and a contributing factor to a healthier economy through the retention of existing jobs and creation of new jobs. The greatest long-term benefit will come from the public education and energy awareness programs that will help residents and businesses conserve energy resources and lower their energy costs and educate school children about the importance of life-long responsible energy stewardship. While no match funding is required, in-kind contributions will be provided by staff in participating departments. The grant will reduce on-going operating costs and will help offset rising electric costs. Rebates offered by electric utility companies may be available once these grant-funded projects are completed. Any rebates earned from these projects will be reinvested into the program to help the city continue the conservation efforts promoted by the EECBG. Grants Capital Expense One-Time Cost Budgeted Unbudgeted Total X $2,324,000 Account Name, Fund,Account and Line Item Number: A specific account will be established in the Fund 1842,the city's ARRA grant fund, once the grant agreement is formally executed. The recommendation is to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant award in the amount of approximately $2,324,000. Resolution No. 4358 New Series was read by number and title only, it being A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A THREE-YEAR AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND 7 CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT AWARD IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $2,324,000 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY. 7. NOTICE OF INTENT TO INCREASE WATER, SEWER AND IRRIGATION RATES This is a request for City Council to adopt a resolution declaring the city's intent to increase water, sewer and irrigation rates effective with the July 2010 billing cycle, and setting the public hearing on the proposed increases for April 27, 2010. This addresses Council's goal of one community with high quality services for citizens by continuing to provide safe drinking water and sewer services. In order to provide high quality water and sewer services, and remain in compliance with strict federal water quality regulations, there were a series of continuous improvements made over the past seven years to the Utilities system. These include: improvements to the water treatment plants, replacing aging water delivery lines, improvements and renovations to the wastewater treatment plants, replacement of aging sewer lines, construction of lift and odor control stations, and construction of the Oasis Water Campus. The Utilities Department has made every effort to reduce costs to both the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Operating & Maintenance budgets due to the economic downturn. In addition, the Utilities Department has also attempted to increase revenues by selling long term water storage credits and amending an agreement between the Sub-Regional Operating Group cities and the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. In spite of these efforts,the recommended rate adjustments are still necessary to provide the financial resources to operate and maintain the Utilities system, as well as remain in compliance with increasingly stringent federal and state water quality regulations. In 2009, the Utilities Department contracted with Red Oak Consulting to update the 2008 water and sewer rate report. This update addressed the financial requirements of the Utilities Enterprise Fund. As part of this evaluation, Red Oak Consulting reviewed and evaluated revenues and revenue requirements of the department. The updated results of Red Oaks Consulting water and wastewater rates analysis and recommendations were presented at the March 2, 2010 Council Workshop. Council directed staff to begin the rates adjustment implementation process, effective with the July 2010 billing cycle. The proposed rate adjustments will help to ensure that the city has the financial resources to continue its long history of providing high quality water, sewer, and irrigation services to Glendale citizens and businesses, and remain in compliance with federal and state regulations. This is the first in a three-step rate adjustment implementation process, which also includes a Public Notice and the Public Hearing on April 27, 2010. Written reports supporting the proposed increase in water, sewer, and irrigation rates were made available for public use and 8 inspection on March 10, 2010 in the office of the City Clerk and on the City of Glendale Utilities Department web page. The recommendation is to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution declaring the city's intent to increase the water, sewer, and irrigation rates effective with the July 2010 billing cycle and setting the Public Hearing on the proposed increases for April 27, 2010. Resolution No. 4359 New Series was read by number and title only, it being A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, ADOPTING THIS NOTICE OF INTENTION TO INCREASE WATER, SEWER, AND IRRIGATION USER CHARGES; SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED INCREASES; AND FILING WRITTEN REPORTS SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED INCREASES WITH THE CITY CLERK. Mr. Ken Jones spoke regarding Item #7. He stated he wanted to speak for the citizens who were hurting financially in this bad economy. He explained that water, fuel and electric fees had already gone up. They feel like someone's always in their pockets taking their money. He asked the Council to stay the course and try to find a way to trim the 12% rate increase. It was moved by Lieberman and seconded by Clark, to approve the recommended actions on Consent Agenda Item Nos. 1 through 7, including the approval and adoption of Resolution No. 4356 New Series, Resolution No. 4357 New Series, Resolution No. 4357 New Series, Resolution No. 4358 New Series, and Resolution No. 4359 New Series; and to forward Special Event Liquor License Applications for Leadership West Inc., Wrestlemania Tailgate Party, March 28, 2010 and City of Glendale Jazz and Blues Festival, April 17 and 18, 2010 and Liquor License Application No. 3-1287 for Arizona Pizza Company to the State of Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, with the recommendation for approval. The motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCES 8. SALE OF LONG-TERM WATER STORAGE CREDITS Doug Kukino, Environmental Services Director, presented this item. This is a request for City Council to adopt an ordinance to execute the purchase and sale agreement for 9,950 acre-feet of long-term storage credits with the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD). The agreement to sell long-term water storage credits is consistent with Council's goal of one community that is fiscally sound. The sale is expected to generate $1,273,600 in revenues to the Utilities water fund, while not impacting the city's ability to demonstrate an assured water supply. Over the years, the city has stored reclaimed water, Central Arizona Project water, and Modified Roosevelt Dam water. The city currently has a total of more than 100,000 acre-feet of long-term storage credits developed from these various water supplies. The city continues to develop 9 approximately 10,000 acre-feet per year of additional long-term storage credits, primarily through recharging reclaimed water processed at its West Area Water Reclamation Facility. The long-term storage credits are used to supplement surface water supplies, when needed. The CAWCD is seeking to purchase long-term storage credits to meet its groundwater replenishment obligation. The CAWCD is offering to pay$128 per acre-foot. The city believes that it is an opportune time to sell 9,950 acre-feet of long-term storage credits that were generated by recharging incentive-priced Central Arizona Project water in 1996. The sale of long-term storage credits will not have an impact on the city's ability to demonstrate an assured water supply. The city plans to replace the long-term storage credits sold by recharging Modified Roosevelt Dam water currently available in Roosevelt Lake. The sale is expected to generate $1,273,600 in revenue. The cost of taking 9,950 acre-feet of the city's Modified Roosevelt Dam water from Roosevelt Lake and storing it underground is estimated at $250,000. The city is expecting to net approximately $1,023,600 from the one-time sale of long-term storage credits to the CAWCD. Revenue from the sale of long-term storage credits will be deposited in the Utilities water revenue account 2400-02400-492210. The recommendation is to waive reading beyond the title and adopt an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase and sale agreement for 9,950 acre-feet of long-term storage credits with the Central Arizona Water Conservation District. Mayor Scruggs asked Mr. Doug Kukino, Environmental Services Director, to explain how this item coincides with item#7. Mr. Kukino explained that because of the present economy and rate increases, staff is looking for ways to reduce increases and utilize city assets for revenue. Mayor Scruggs indicated the city is expecting to net approximately $1,023,600, which will go into the water enterprise fund. She noted that without this sale, there would have been the need to make up the $1,023,600. Councilmember Lieberman remarked that the price of$128 per acre-foot was excellent. Mayor Scruggs asked Mr. Ken Reedy, Deputy City Manager, to further explain. Mr. Reedy stated the money will go into the Water Fund balance. The money will be used as necessary to meet the budget requirements for the department. He noted staff believes this was a good solution to help prevent having to raise the water rates higher than 12%this year. Ordinance No. 2722 New Series was read by number and title only, it being AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ENTERING INTO OF A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE CREDITS WITH THE CENTRAL ARIZONA WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. 10 It was moved by Knaack, and seconded by Goulet, to approve Ordinance No. 2722 New Series. Motion carried on a roll call vote, with the following Councilmembers voting "aye": Clark, Goulet, Lieberman, Knaack, Martinez, Frate, and Scruggs. Members voting "nay": none. 9. OWEST CORPORATION UTILITY EASEMENT AT CHAPARRAL PARK Larry Broyles, P.E., City Engineer, presented this item. This is a request for City Council to adopt an ordinance granting a utility easement in favor of Qwest Corporation bordering Chaparral Park at the northwest corner of Greenbrier Drive and 57th Avenue. Granting the utility easement supports Council's goal of one community with high quality services for citizens by allowing Qwest to continue delivering necessary communications service to the residents of Glendale. Qwest is planning an upgrade of its facilities bordering Chaparral Park at the northwest corner of Greenbrier Drive and 57th Avenue. To protect these facilities, Qwest has requested the City of Glendale grant it an easement. The requested easement area is ten feet in width and approximately 540 feet in length, for a total area of 1,436 square feet. The recommendation is to waive reading beyond the title and adopt an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a utility easement in favor of Qwest Corporation bordering Chaparral Park at the northwest corner of Greenbrier Drive and 57th Avenue. Ordinance No. 2723 New Series was read by number and title only, it being AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A UTILITY EASEMENT IN FAVOR OF QWEST CORPORATION AT CHAPARRAL PARK LOCATED AT GREENBRIER DRIVE AND 57TH AVENUE; AND ORDERING THAT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS ORDINANCE BE RECORDED. It was moved by Frate, and seconded by Knaack, to approve Ordinance No. 2723 New Series. Motion carried on a roll call vote, with the following Councilmembers voting "aye": Clark, Goulet, Lieberman, Knaack, Martinez, Frate, and Scruggs. Members voting "nay": none. REQUEST FOR FUTURE WORKSHOP AND EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Martinez, and seconded by Frate, to hold a City Council Workshop at 1:30 p.m. in Room B-3 of the City Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, to be followed by an Executive Session pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03. It was additionally moved to hold a workshop on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, to be followed by an Executive Session pursuant to A.RS.38-431.03. The motion carried unanimously. 11 CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Gary Lamme, a Glendale resident, read from a prepared statement. He remarked on City Council having the difficult task of balancing the budget in this bad economy. He stated that cuts and reductions have to be made even if it was unpopular to many. However, since crime was on the rise as well as illegal immigration,the city should find ways to reduce the budget other than in the police department. He stated a strong police department was vital to the well being of the community. He indicated that Council was considering cutting 23 civilian positions and replacing them with sworn officers. He stated some departments were already understaffed and gang activity has increased. Taking officers off the street will further compromise an already strained police department. He asked Council to rethink their priorities. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Councilmember Lieberman encouraged everyone to attend the baseball game tomorrow. The Chicago White Socks vs. The Arizona Diamondbacks @ Camelback Ranch starting at 1:00pm. Councilmember Frate reminded everyone to return the Census form as soon as they receive it. He said he had just mailed his in and if he can fill it out, anyone can. He reminded everyone how important it was to watch children and adults around water. Councilmember Knaack invited everyone to attend the Green Festival this Saturday at the Glendale Main Library. This event will focus on how to save energy and reduce fuel costs. Mayor Scruggs stated that Coyote Hockey tickets go on sale this Saturday. She encouraged everyone to attend the many events being held around the city which help the city increase its revenue and help the economy. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the m ' g was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Pamela Hanna- City Clerk • 12