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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 1/22/2019 (5) City of Glendale 5850 West Glendale Avenue Glendale, AZ 85301 awe Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 22, 2019 12:30 P.M. Workshop Meeting Council Chambers City Council Mayor Jerry Welers Vice Mayor Joyce Clark Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Ian Hugh Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bad Turner CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor Clark called the meeting to order at 12:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Mayor Joyce Clark Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Ian Hugh Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bait Turner Absent: Mayor Jerry Weiers Also Present: Kevin Phelps, City Manager Michael Bailey, City Attorney Chris Anaradian, Assistant City Manager Julie K. Bower, City Clerk MOTION AND CALL TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Ian Hugh, seconded by Councilmember Jamie Aldama to hold an executive session. AYE: Vice Mayor Joyce Clark Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Ian Hugh Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bait Turner Other: Mayor Jerry Weiers (ABSENT) Passed EXECUTIVE SESSION Council entered into executive session at 12:32 p.m. for discussion/consultation with the City Attorney to receive legal advice, to consider its position, and to provide instruction/direction to the City Attorney regarding Glendale's position in connection with a model dockless scooter ordinance and associated enforcement pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A)(3). A motion was made by Councilmember Ian Hugh, seconded by Councilmember Jamie Aldama to adjourn the executive session. AYE: Vice Mayor Joyce Clark Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Ian Hugh Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bart Turner Other: Mayor Jerry Weiers (ABSENT) City Council Meetina Minutes-January 22. 2019 Paae 2 of 7 Passed Vice Mayor Clark adjourned the executive session at 1:24 p.m. WORKSHOP SESSION 1. STATUS REPORT OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Presented by: Jamie Kelly, HRC Chair Staff Contact: Nancy Mangone, Assistant City Attorney Ms. Bower read the item by title. Ms. Kelly said the Human Relations Commission (HRC) had developed a short outreach survey to collect data from Glendale residents and businesses. The survey was soliciting input on issues and events that could be implemented through the HRC. Ms. Kelly was seeking Council's assistance with publicizing and participating in the regional Unity Walk on Saturday, January 26th at Tempe Town Lake. Ms. Kelly said the HRC was also proposing a minor amendment to the ordinance that established the HRC that would modify the number of members necessary to constitute a quorum. Councilmember Malnar requested a copy of the survey for review and comment by Council. Ms. Mangone said it would be provided to Council. She said the HRC had been discussing the survey for the past four months. It was a simple, effective method to get input from citizens regarding events and issues. The HRC was asking for Council's assistance to circulate and publicize the survey. Councilmember Malnar wanted time for Council to provide feedback before the survey was distributed. He asked for an explanation of the amendment to the HRC ordinance. Ms. Mangone said the proposed amendment changed the definition of a quorum to equal the number of seated members rather than the number of members in the body. There had been difficulty keeping all 14 seats filled which had resulted in a lack of quorum at several meetings. Vice Mayor Clark asked what was the absence rate and member count of the HRC. Ms. Bower said a resignation had just been received and the commission had never been fully seated. Ms. Mangone believed there were currently 10 members which included the new resignation. Ms. Bower said a quorum required 8 members to be present to conduct business and two consecutive meetings had been cancelled due to a lack of quorum. Councilmember Turner did not have any objections to amending the ordinance to adjust the quorum number. Councilmember Malnar said the issue was the appointment process. He was concerned about the precedent set for other boards and commissions if the quorum number was adjusted for the HRC. He requested Councilmembers to follow through with appointing members so that the HRC was fully seated and recommended that attendance issues be brought to the Government City Council Meetina Minutes-January 22. 2019 Paae 3 of 7 Services Committee (GSC)for action. Councilmember Malnar did not support amending the ordinance. Councilmember Tolmachoff said communication from liaisons to the GSC and Councilmembers on attendance issues was important. Ms. Mangone would provide attendance information. She believed the main issue was the number of resignations. Councilmember Tolmachoff did not support a change of the quorum definition but would assist the HRC to find ways to resolve the issue. Councilmember Aldama was not opposed to the amendment. He agreed that it was important for Council to make appointments to fill vacancies. He asked if 14 members was too high of a goal for membership. Ms. Mangone said the number of seats could be part of the issue. Councilmember Turner said to alleviate the quorum issues, Council should do its best to fill vacant seats quickly. Vice Mayor Clark asked how long the HRC had been active. Ms. Mangone said the ordinance was adopted in May 2017 but did not have a meeting until the end of 2017. Vice Mayor Clark did not want to set a precedent regarding the definition of quorum. She suggested that the HRC speak to the GSC regarding the number of members and alert the City Clerk when there were absences. Vice Mayor Clark reiterated that Council had requested to review the survey before it was published. Council would assist any way it could and would publicize the Unity Walk. 2. COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST REGARDING MOTORIZED (ELECTRIC) SCOOTERS Presented by: Rick St. John, Police Chief Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Bailey said the current ordinance, which applied to scooters, was enforced against the users of the motorized skateboards. The use of motorized skateboards was prohibited in the City. He was moving forward with the direction provided in executive session. Councilmember Malnar asked for patience from the community as Council moved forward with addressing the issue. Councilmember Turner had received comments from constituents regarding the safe riding habits and the clutter of scooters. He was not opposed to the new form of transportation but supported better management of the scooters. Councilmember Aldama was not opposed to the scooters but was not comfortable with the way they were managed. He was comfortable moving forward with the direction provided. Chris Briggs,Assistant Police Chief, said staff would proceed with the direction that was provided. City Council Meeting Minutes-January 22. 2019 Paae 4 of 7 Vice Mayor Clark had received several complaints regarding the commercial scooters and discovered several cities throughout the country were also having difficulties with them. She assured the community the issue would be address timely and there would be follow up at future meetings. 3. COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST- REVIEW GLENDALE CITY CODE, CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE III, SEC. 2-68 AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE CHANGES TO CITY POSITIONS THAT FALL UNDER"UNCLASSIFIED"AND "CLASSIFIED" SERVICE Presented by: Jim Brown, Director, Human Resources and Risk Management Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Brown was seeking direction regarding an item of interest requested by Vice Mayor Clark to amend City Code, Chapter 2, Article III, Sec. 2-68, by moving director level positions and above from the classified service category to the unclassified service category. An ordinance would be required to make the change. The change would be prospective and affect future employees. Councilmember Malnar supported moving the item forward to a voting meeting. Councilmember Turner asked if an appeal to the Personnel Board was a right the classified employee had and would be losing if moved to unclassified. Mr. Brown explained an unclassified employee was subject to the City's policies and procedures but did not have an appeal right. Councilmember Turner said the current classifications preserved the balance of power between the Council and the City Manager. Councilmember Tolmachoff said the City Manager should have oversight over the executive staff and she did not foresee any issues with the proposed change. Councilmember Aldama agreed but was not comfortable eliminating due process rights for an employee. He was not in favor of the change but was open to further discussion. Councilmember Hugh said none of the rights would be lost as it did not affect current employees. He supported moving the item forward. There was Council consensus to move the item forward to a future voting meeting. 4. PROPOSED ANNEXATION AT 8305 W. NORTHERN AVENUE Presented by: Sam McAllen, Development Services Director David Williams, AICP, Planning Administrator Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. Williams said the proposed annexation had been requested by the Church of Christ. Discussions had begun in 2007 to annex the property but were put on hold when the recession hit. One acre of the property was in Glendale and two acres were in Maricopa County. Staff was requesting that the annexation process be started which included a public hearing process. Vice Mayor Clark said with the new housing development to the east of 83rd Avenue, she hoped the church would be approved quickly so the west side of 83rd Avenue was addressed. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the necessary street improvements would be completed. City Council Meetina Minutes-January 22. 2019 Paae 5 of 7 Mr. Williams confirmed the improvement of 83rd Avenue was specified in the plan review. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked who was financially responsible for the street improvements. Mr. Williams said the church was responsible. Councilmember Turner asked if the church understood the planned Northern Avenue street changes. Mr. Ebersole said that portion of Northern Parkway was under study and review for value engineering opportunities. Phase Two had begun which affected Dysart to 115th Avenue. The portion at 83rd Avenue and Northern was under evaluation. He believed it would be widened by one lane in each direction with turning lane improvements. Vice Mayor Clark said the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) had depicted the changes to add one lane in each direction, reducing the rights-of-way without an overpass. She asked if that was an accurate description of the plans for the intersection. Mr. Ebersole said that was correct. Mr. Williams said there was right-in, right-out only access planned on Northern and full ingress and egress planned on 83rd Avenue for the project. Councilmember Malnar was in favor of moving forward. There was consensus to move forward with the annexation process. 5. DOWNTOWN MANAGER SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE Presented by: Jessi Pederson, Assistant Director, Economic Development Robert Heidt, President and CEO, Glendale Chamber of Commerce Ms. Bower read the item by title. Ms. Pederson and Mr. Heidt provided an update on the contract for downtown manager services; a review of the one-year deliverables; and additional accomplishments. Councilmember Aldama asked if it was correct that the Chamber of Commerce was the downtown manager and there was a director of downtown management. Mr. Heidt said that was correct. The contract had been awarded to the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber had used a template similar to other organizations to craft a job description specifically for management. Councilmember Turner asked what stage the creation of a vital, inclusive and effective downtown merchants association was at. Mr. Heidt said it was at the beginning stage. The direction of the association needed further discussion with Council and the merchants. There was no cost to be part of the association because it was an investment and partnership with the City. Ms. Pederson said City departments had been working well with the Chamber's Downton Manager, Katy Engels. City Council Meetina Minutes-January 22. 2019 Paae 6 of 7 Vice Mayor Clark asked if it was possible for the downtown database to be shared with Council. Mr. Heidt said all files were jointly owned by the City and he would send the information to Council. Vice Mayor Clark asked if everyone had come to the table. Mr. Heidt said yes but the concern was the mindset for engagement. The members that were engaged were developing plans and strategies for downtown merchants. Vice Mayor Clark asked when the merchants association would be able to support businesses without relying on the City's resources. Mr. Heidt did not have a timeline for when the association would be self-sustainable but would supply progress reports as requested. Councilmember Tolmachoff thanked the merchants and stakeholders who had volunteered to lead the downtown area forward. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT No report CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT No report COUNCIL ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST Councilmember Aldama reminded everyone of the Unity Walk on January 26, 2019 at Tempe Beach Park, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked for an update on the electronic plan review process. Councilmember Turner asked the status of the electronic signs at churches item he had requested at a previous workshop. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Clark adjourned the meeting at 3:01 p.m. 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 22nd day of January, 2019. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 14 day of February, 2019. J NKK. Bower, MMC, City Clerk City Council Meetina Minutes-January 22. 2019 Paae 7 of 7