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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 10/8/2013 rigtp1 le GLENIE MINUTES OF THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 5850 West Glendale Avenue October 8,2013 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jerry P. Weiers. Vice Mayor Yvonne J. Knaack and the following Councilmembers were present: Norma S. Alvarez, Samuel U. Chavira, Ian Hugh, Manuel D. Martinez and Gary D. Sherwood. Also present were Brenda Fischer, City Manager; Jamsheed Mehta, Interim Assistant City Manager; Michael Bailey, City Attorney; and Pamela Hanna, City Clerk. Mayor Weiers called for the Pledge of Allegiance. The prayer/invocation was given by Pastor Louis Bland from the Greater Faith Christian Church. CITIZEN COMMENTS Joseph McCord, a Peoria resident and a member of the Peoria School Board, said he was here speaking as a citizen only. He shared a story about the concern of residents that the proposed Tohono O'Odham casino was being built across the street from a high school. He went to Tucson to do his own investigation of a casino that was also built near a high school. He said he received nothing but good feedback from the school districts in Tucson. He said jobs were created and many people were able to get good paying jobs once the casino was built. Jamie Aldama, an Ocotillo resident, spoke about his support of the casino. He said the Tohono O'Odham nation is a valuable community partner and will support the surrounding school districts. He praised the Council for moving forward to establish dialogue about this issue. Bernadette Bolognini, an Ocotillo resident, encouraged the Council to approve the casino as it will bring jobs and growth. She said it is not a taxpayer subsidized project. She said working with the nation will boost growth in Glendale. Jim Kieffer, a Cholla resident, said the Council should meet with the Tohono O'Odham nation. He said a lot of money has been made when communities share and cooperate with the nation. He said people will spend their money in the Glendale community. He said the last polls he saw showed a great deal of support for this partnership. 1 John LeGendre, an Ocotillo resident, said he and his family have a long history in Glendale and he has a vested interest in seeing Glendale prosper. He said the sports and entertainment district is a unique opportunity to draw visitors to the city, but Glendale doesn't have the hotel space. He said he supports the casino because they will build hotel space for visitors to that area. Israel Torres, a Tempe resident, spoke on behalf of the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council and all the construction trades. He said they unanimously support the casino, and request the city begin dialogue with the Tohono O'Odham nation. Jim Miller, a Phoenix resident, spoke on behalf of John F. Long Properties and Jake Long. He discussed various properties around the entertainment district. He supports the casino and resort hotel. He said he believes the tribe has the property rights and he also believes in the economic development impact the casino would make in Glendale. He spoke about the jobs that would be created during construction of the casino as well as permanent full times jobs that would be created if the casino is built. He supported dialogue with the tribe. Kim Baker, an Avondale resident, spoke about the Jhessye Shockley case. He spoke about the new police chief and incidents that may have occurred with this case. Bill Demski, a Sahuaro resident, spoke about what was going on in Glendale and prosecuting former staff for mismanagement of funds. He also spoke about tax dollars and the impact the Coyotes will have in Glendale. Walt Opaska, a Cholla resident, asked the Council to review its legal option to see if it is worth continuing to fight against the casino. He discussed a couple of the main arguments against the casino in detail. Bob Gonzalo, a Barrel resident, spoke about his concerns about the casino and how the city is spending millions of dollars fighting the lawsuit and continuing to come up with the same result. He said the Council by continuing this action is telling Glendale residents that they're opinions aren't important. Kenneth Sturgis, a Yucca resident, spoke about the hockey and IceArizona money issues. He asked if an administrator has been hired to track and report the city's revenue from the Coyotes deal. He wanted to know if the figures will be reported in open meeting to the citizens of Glendale. He agreed with Councilmember Alvarez that this should be reported openly to the citizens. Kyle Straight, a Barrel resident, spoke about a crosswalk concern in his neighborhood at the halfway point between Northern and Olive on 59`" Avenue. He said this crosswalk is not very clearly marked and he expressed his concern as a safety issue. He asked the Council to make this crosswalk safer and gave a couple of suggestions to install overhead signs or install a HAWK crosswalk at this location. John Mendibles, a Chandler resident, said he was the former Mayor of Superior, Arizona. He said as a Native American, he has experienced what economic development can do. He said the 2 Council should stick to their core values and fight for those. He said the courts have spoken and Council must listen. He said compromise is at hand and the time has come to talk. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF September 10,2013 and September 24,2013 It was moved by Councilmember Sherwood, and seconded by Councilmember Chavira, to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the September 10, 2013 and the September 24, 2013 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. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2013 AS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH PRESENTED BY: Office of the Mayor ACCEPTED BY: Ms. Laura Hirsch, Chair, Commission on Persons with Disabilities This is a request for City Council to proclaim October 2013 National Disability Employment Awareness Month and present the proclamation to Commission on Persons with Disabilities Vice Chair, Mr. John Falluca, Commission on Persons with Disabilities. Mayor Weiers presented the proclamation to Mr. Falluca. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. Brenda Fischer, City Manager, read agenda item numbers 1 through 3. 1. SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE, SUN LAKES BREAKFAST LIONS CLUB PRESENTED BY: Susan Matousek, Revenue Administrator This is a request for City Council to approve a special event liquor license for the Sun Lakes Breakfast Lions Club. The event will be held at Sahuaro Ranch Park located at 9802 North 59th Avenue on October 25, 26, and 27, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The purpose of this special event liquor license is for a fundraiser at the Wild Western Festival. Staff is requesting Council to forward this application to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control with a recommendation of approval. 2. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL PRESENTED BY: Dave McAlindin, Economic Development Official This is a request for City Council to authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) for fiscal year (FY) 2013-14 in the amount of$89,244, for participation in, and support of, their regional economic development program. 3 3. POSITION RECLASSIFICATIONS PRESENTED BY: Jim Brown, Executive Director, Human Resources & Risk Management This is a request for the City Council to authorize the City Manager to reclassify existing positions within the organization that have experienced a change in duties and/or responsibilities. It was moved by Vice Mayor Knaack and seconded by Councilmember Sherwood, to approve the recommended actions on consent agenda item Nos. 1 through 3, and to forward special event liquor license for Sun Lakes Breakfast Lions Club to the State of Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and control, with the recommendation for approval. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT RESOLUTIONS Ms. Pamela Hanna, City Clerk, read consent agenda resolution item numbers 4 through 9 by number and title. 4. AWARD OF LIBRARY SERVICES TECHNOLOGY ACT GRANT PRESENTED BY: Cheryl Kennedy, Chief Librarian RESOLUTION: 4728 This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant in the amount of$20,600 from the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records Agency for the "STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at the Library" project. RESOLUTION NO. 4728 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 SUBMISSION AND ACCEPTING THE 2013 LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT GRANT IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $20,600 FROM ARIZONA STATE LIBRARY, ARCHIVES AND PUBLIC RECORDS FOR THE "STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING,AND MATHEMATICS) AT THE LIBRARY" PROJECT. 5. ACCEPTANCE OF 2013 GRANT FUNDS FROM THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PRESENTED BY: Mark Burdick, Fire Chief RESOLUTION: 4729 This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept and spend the 2013 grant funds from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security(AZDOHS) in the approximate amount of$259,288. RESOLUTION NO. 4729 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 FY 2013 4 ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FUNDING IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $259,288 ON BEHALF OF THE GLENDALE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS FOR TRAINING AND TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAMS (RRT) AND TERRORISM LIAISON OFFICER (TLO) PROGRAMS. 6. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH MARICOPA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR DISTRIBUTION OF PREVENTATIVE MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO EMPLOYEES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PRESENTED BY: Mark Burdick, Fire Chief RESOLUTION: 4730 This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) for the purpose of distributing medications, other medical materials and information to the City of Glendale for dispensing to employees and their families in the event of a public health emergency. RESOLUTION NO. 4730 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 ENTERING INTO OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE MARICOPA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR PROVIDING STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE ASSETS IN THE EVENT OF A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. 7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS ALONG 67TH AVENUE PRESENTED BY: Cathy Colbath, Interim Executive Director, Transportation Services RESOLUTION: 4731 Staff is requesting City Council waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for project administration, design review, construction bidding and construction administration of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) infrastructure on 67th Avenue, between Glendale Avenue and Cholla Street. This project is located in the Ocotillo and Barrel districts. RESOLUTION NO. 4731 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 ENTERING INTO OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF ARIZONA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FOR SYSTEM 5 ENHANCEMENT ITS ALONG 67TH AVENUE FROM GLENDALE TO CHOLLA AVENUES. 8. PROPERTY USE LICENSE WITH SALT RIVER PROJECT FOR CACTUS, THUNDERBIRD AND GREENWAY ROADS INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS PROJECT PRESENTED BY: Cathy Colbath, Interim Executive Director, Transportation Services RESOLUTION: 4732 This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Property Use License with Salt River Project (SRP) for fiber optic conduit installation for the Cactus, Thunderbird and Greenway Roads intelligent transportation systems (ITS) project. This project is located in the Barrel and Sahuaro Districts. RESOLUTION NO. 4732 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 CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SALT RIVER PROJECT LICENSE NUMBER 1300171 FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSTALLING FIBER OPTIC CONDUIT ON PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 67TH AVENUE AND THUNDERBIRD ROAD (APPROXIMATELY THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 7, T3N-R2E); THUNDERBIRD ROAD, 67TH AVENUE TO 63RD AVENUE (FROM APPROXIMATELY THE SOUTHWEST TO THE SOUTH `/4 CORNER OF SECTION 7, T3N-R2E); AND 63RD AVENUE AND THUNDERBIRD ROAD (APPROXIMATELY THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 7, T3N-R2E) FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES. 9. LICENSE AGREEMENT RENEWAL FOR SPRINT SPECTRUM, L.P. PRESENTED BY: Gregory Rodzenko, P.E., City Engineer RESOLUTION: 4733 This is a request for the City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a license agreement between the City of Glendale and Sprint Spectrum, L.P. (Sprint) to operate a wireless communication site within public right-of- way. RESOLUTION NO. 4733 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 CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SITE ON A POLE IN CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED NEAR 17260 NORTH 59TH AVENUE WITH SPRINT SPECTRUM,L.P. The Mayor asked to hear item number 10 separately. It was moved by Vice Mayor Knaack and seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the recommended actions on Consent Agenda Item Nos. 4 through 9, including the 6 approval and adoption of Resolution No. 4728 New Series,Resolution No. 4729 New Series, Resolution No. 4730 New Series, Resolution No. 4731 New Series, Resolution No. 4732 New Series,and Resolution No. 4733 New Series. The motion carried unanimously. 10. CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE CLOSURE DURING CHRISTMAS WORK WEEK PRESENTED BY: Jim Brown, Executive Director, Human Resources & Risk Management RESOLUTION: 4734 This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to close city offices for the work week of December 23-27, 2013. Core city services such as Public Safety, Transportation, Sanitation Services and Water Services will continue uninterrupted; however, city administrative offices will be closed. Mr. Brown provided a history of how this item came about and was discussed in workshop. He said costs to the city for this week closure would be approximately $22,000 and would come from the enterprise funds. Mayor Weiers said he understood the hardships the employees have gone through over the past several years. He said his concern was the cost to close the administrative offices. He asked Mr. Brown what the cost was in lost productivity. Mr. Brown said approximately 46,000 hours which would cost approximately$1.3 million, but these costs already exist in the current budget. Mayor Weiers asked if employees would normally take vacation time to get the entire week off. Mr. Brown said on average about 800 employees out of a total of 1,600 employees would take some vacation time during that week. Mayor Weiers said there is still lost productivity whether employees take vacation time they are due or are just given the week off without having to utilize their vacation time. Mr. Brown said that was accurate if the employees are not here working. Mayor Weiers says he has had conversations with citizens who are not happy with giving employees the week off. He said this week off is still lost productivity. Mr. Brown commented said this suggestion came from the employee group as a way to give back to the employees. He said it stems from a lack of pay adjustments and increases, furloughs that employees have taken over the last five years. He said employees gave back approximately $8.6 million in furloughs alone. He said from the employees' perspective, that is a significant amount they have given back, and they haven't seen gratitude or appreciation for their sacrifice. He said this committee was formed to show the employees some appreciation for the work they do without any additional cost. Mayor Weiers said a lot of people who don't work for city or state governments don't understand. He said if this has been presented as one additional day off, he probably could have supported it, but he had to listen to the taxpayers. Councilmember Alvarez said this was discussed in the last workshop and the city cannot make up what they have taken from the employees in the last five years. She said it is no fault of the employees for the decisions that have been made. She said employees have lost a lot of money for no reason. She said is morale is still low, but they will take what Council will give them. Vice Mayor Knaack said the value should be with the employees and not the money. She said productivity during the week of Christmas is so slow and they shouldn't be concerned about that. She said she has lived this with the employees. She said employees have given everything in the 7 seven years she has been on the Council. She said her constituents and citizens of Glendale appreciate the great work all the employees do and this is the very least the Council can do for the employees. Councilmember Chavira thanked the employees group for bringing this idea forward. He also said they can never pay the employees back for what they have lost and the job they do. Councilmember Sherwood said private industry has shut down over the holidays for many years due to lack of productivity. He said this is just a token of appreciation to the employees for the job they have done. He said this idea should be looked at every year simply because of the low productivity during the holidays. Councilmember Martinez pointed out that employees gave over$8 million back over the years of furlough. He said they certainly owe something to the employees who have gone through the difficult times. He said with respect to citizens not being able to pay their water bills, they can drop off their water bills in the drop box outside if their bill is not past due. Also, employees will work with citizens who have late accounts. He said this issue has been in the newspaper and he has not had one single citizen say anything negative about giving the employees the week off. Councilmember Alvarez said this is a no brainer. She asked if the employees were going to get a raise next year or if they were going to go into a sixth year without a raise. She said Council still is spending the money that could be used to give employees raises. She said the Council failed to do their job properly. They spent taxpayer's money and didn't think about the consequences. RESOLUTION NO. 4734 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 CLOSURE OF CERTAIN CITY OF GLENDALE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES FROM THE PERIOD OF DECEMBER 23 THROUGH DECEMBER 27,2013. It was moved by Vice Mayor Knaack and seconded by Councilmember Chavira, to approve the recommended action on Consent Agenda Item No. 10, including the approval and adoption of Resolution No. 4734 New Series, Motion carried with the following Councilmembers voting "aye": Alvarez, Chavira, Hugh, Knaack, Martinez,and Sherwood. Members voting"nay": Weiers. REQUEST FOR FUTURE WORKSHOP AND EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Vice Mayor Knaack, and seconded by Councilmember Sherwood, to hold a City Council Workshop at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Room B-3 on Tuesday, October, 15, 2013, to be followed by an Executive Session pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03. The motion carried unanimously. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Councilmember Chavira thanked everyone for their comments tonight. 8 Councilmember Hugh said he appreciated the concerns shared by all the citizens and having the comments at the beginning of the meeting has increased participation. Councilmember Martinez congratulated Officer Rob Schmuck on being selected as Employee of the Month for the Glendale Police Department. He continued Officer Schmuck arranged to have a big screen television, which had been stolen, replaced at the Children's Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies on Glenn Drive. He also took money out of his own pocket to make sure it was working properly. Councilmember Sherwood announced the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors are having a meet and greet and invited everyone to stop in. He also said the Glendale Historic Society was having a meeting and invited everyone to attend as well. Councilmember Alvarez said on October 2nd, Councilmember Hugh and Councilmember Alvarez met with Mr. Bidwell regarding the 2015 Super Bowl. She said it was her understanding that he was not happy about the Super Bowl, but that was not the case. She said Mr. Bidwell was concerned because the city made a commitment for 6,000 parking spaces and that hasn't happened. She said the NFL wants to be assured they will have the parking. She said she is concerned about the restaurants because they are the ones who will lose out. She wondered what was going to happen to the restaurants when there was no activity. She asked the manager to look into why the city has not responded about the parking spaces. She said the NFL is an anchor at Westgate and they bring in the activities, and parking is an issue. Vice Mayor Knaack acknowledged Judge Finn who won a lifetime achievement award for her work in domestic violence? She expressed her appreciation for Judge Finn and her work with domestic violence and also with the veteran's event, as well as the other employees who assisted with the event. Mayor Weiers spoke about the Stand Up for Veterans. He said there were many, many people who needed help through the court. He received a lot of praise for Judge Finn from the veterans at this event. He said many veterans got jobs at the event and many more were still in the running for a job. He said a huge number of the veterans were from Glendale. He thanked the police chief and all the volunteers for being there as well. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. — Pamela Hanna-City Clerk 9