HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 11/1/1988IINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF THEITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFGLENDALE, IARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA HELD TUESDAY, OVEMBER 1, 1988, AT 3:03 P.M. Mayor Renner called to order the Workshop Session of GlendaleCityCouncilinConferenceRoomB-3 of the Council Chambers. Council members present were: Bellah, Huffman, Hugh, McAllister, and Tolby. Members Absent: Falbo. CONSENT AGENDASTATUSREPORT ON CAVASSING OF GLENDALE BUSINESSESInMarch, 1988 the City Council gave its approval to theexpenditureoffundsforthecanvassingofallbusinesseswithinGlendale's city limits. This report is an update ontheprogressofthecanvassingactivities.
On April 4, 1988, one consultant and four full-time
temporaries began canvassing Glendale businesses. One week
into the canvassing the scope of the project was expanded to
include not only businesses subject to the transaction
privilege tax, but also business, occupational and
professional establishments that might be covered under an
expanded licensure program.
A total of $23,600 was spent on canvassing of Glendale
businesses and post canvassing analysis. As we discussed
with the Council this summer, the questionnaires would
provide an invaluable tool for purifying portions of the
sales tax data base received from the State Department of
Revenue. This has proven to be the case! In addition
244,000 has been identified in audit assessments that were
initiated by the canvassing questionnaires. The City has
been provided with a 10 to 1 return on its investment, based
on assessments thus far, from canvassing activities. A total
of $73,000 in actual cash collections has resulted thus far
from canvassing efforts. More audit assessments are expected
as the inventory of audit leads from canvassing question-
naires is depleted.
Ken Martin, Resource Management Deputy City Manager, briefed
the Council.
This item was for information.
WORKSHOP SESSION
ISSUANCE OF MARRIAGE LICENSES & PASSPORTS
Judith Allen, Clerk of Superior Court, is offering Maricopa
County cities and towns an opportunity for city clerks to
issue marriage licenses. The City Clerk researched the
possibilities of performing the function of acceptingapplicationsformarriage, issuing licenses, and issuingpassports. The City Clerk has facilities to process the work, but atthistimecannotabsorbthemarriagelicenseactivitywithoutadditionalstaff. Regarding passports, Maricopa County would be able to sendoneoftheiremployeesoutonaweeklybasistoissuepassports, if we have available counter and work space. Lavergne Behm, City Clerk, gave a brief presentation. Mayor Renner asked if the fee could be raised to becompensatedforourcosts. Mrs. Behm said she would have tocheckwiththeCountyinordertoraisethefees.
Mayor Renner asked why the Justice Court stopped issuing the
licenses. Mrs. Behm said due to the heavy traffic at lunch
time and just before closing hours.
Mayor Renner asked if the Recorder could send out a person to
do the passports why wouldn't the Court send out a person to
do the licenses. Mrs. Behm said the passport process if very
complex but issuing marriage licenses is simple.
Mayor Renner stated he felt the city should offer the
passport service but further information was needed on the
marriage licenses. Councilman Hugh agreed on the passport
service but was not in favor of marriage license service.
Councilman Huffman did not want the marriage license service.
Vice Mayor Tolby stated he felt they were unloading their
responsibilities on us. He asked who made the decision to
let the courts stop issuing the licenses.
Mayor Renner stated it would be a service to our citizens to
be able to get passports here and the city should suggest to
the county the space would be available to license if they
would provide the staff.
Vice Mayor Tolby stated he felt the press should find out why
the county does not want to do it at the Justice Court.
Councilman Bellah stated he felt the passport service
downtown was never busy and did not understand why they would
want that service here. Mrs. Behm said they go to Sun City
instead of downtown.
Councilman Bellah said he would agree to trying the passport
service.
Vice Mayor Tolby said he felt it was a duplication ofservicesifSunCityhastheserviceandaskedhowmany otherplaceshadtheservice. Mrs. Behm said she would investigateandgetbacktohim. Councilman McAllister said he felt we should forget it. Mayor Renner asked that a letter be sent to the county askingifpersonnelwouldbeincluded, if so we would pursue; on thepassportsaskwhatotherareashavetheserviceandifthereisaneedinGlendale. This item will come back to workshop for further discussion. HELIPORT - PUBLIC SAFETY HEADOUARTERS AND COURTS COMPLEXTheArizonaDepartmentofTransportationhasgrantfundsavailablefortheconstructionofpublicheliports. In a
City study by Coffman Associates, Airport Consultants, the
Public Safety and Courts Complex was identified as being
suitable for this use. MAG also conducted a county wide
study for heliport locations, using the firm of Cress and
Associates. Their study also identified this location as
being very suitable for this use.
On October 18th, 1988, MAG held a public hearing in Glendale
to allow for citizen input regarding their county wide plan.
At that meeting, there was no one present that objected to
the downtown site.
The funds are available with the City providing ten percent
of the total costs of the project. The cost of the project
is unknown at this time, however it is felt that the present
budget would be adequate with the State paying ninety percent
of the costs.
Ruth Fisher, Airport Manager, and Jerry McCown, Public
Safety, updated the council on the project.
Mayor Renner said he felt it was reasonable and the only
drawback would be if the design was not compatible with the
Public Safety building then the city would be out the cost
for the design portion.
Marty Vanacour asked if design and construction was part of
the 90%. Mr. McCown said that was correct but the heliport
would have to be public.
Mayor Renner stated he felt it should be included in the
design and make the decision to build later.
Councilman McAllister stated he had concerns with the noise
level and felt the downtown merchants should be notified for
their input before we make any commitment. Ms. Fisher said
the heliport would be on the third floor level and the noiselevelshouldbeveryminimalandtheothersiteswerenotdesirablebecausetheywouldhavebeenonthegroundlevel. Ms. Fisher stated they would get with the downtown merchants. Vice Mayor Tolby asked if this was a single pad. Ms. Fishersaidfornowitisgoingtobeatemporarylandingspotusedfordrop, pick-up or sit for a short period of time with thepossibilityofasingleparkingspot. Councilman McAllister stated he felt there should be morethanastopandgopad. Ms. Fisher said they would look atthepossibility. Mayor Renner stated the council concurred it was appropriatetoincludetheheliportinplansatthistime. FREE GOLF AND SWIMMING POOL PASSES FOR BOARD AND COMMISSION
MEMBERS
At a previous Government Services Subcommittee Meeting, it
was suggested that staff investigate the possibility of
providing free golf passes to all Board and Commission
members for Glen Lakes Municipal Golf Course. It was also
suggested that staff investigate the possibility of providing
free swimming pool passes to Board and Commission members.
Currently, only one city in the Valley (Tempe) provides free
passes to Board and Commission members for its public golf
courses. Since the operation of Glen Lakes Municipal Golf
Course is contracted out to American Golf Corporation, it
most likely would be necessary to reduce the payments to the
City in an amount equal to the golf course passes.
Councilman Bellah, Chairman of the Government Services, asked
this item be postponed for a week for further study.
WATER AND SEWER FINANCIAL POLICY ANALYSIS
During the week of October 24, 1988, the Utilities Committee
and the Budget and Finance Committee reviewed the updated
Water and Sewer Financial Policy Analysis. The staff report
recommended an upward adjustment of water rates by 9% in
December 1988, and restructuring of sewer rates such that
they are based on water consumption. The latter change is
necessary to comply with EPA and State Health Department
Regulations.
I The Utilities Committee recommended City Council approval of
an overall 6% increase in water rates, along with the
proposed restructuring of sewer rates. In doing so the
Utilities Committee acknowledged that the Water and Sewer
Capital Improvement Program would have to be modified, and
various projects either delayed or eliminated from the
program. A revised Capital Improvement Program, whichreflectstheUtilitiesCommitteerecommendation, is enclosedalongwiththestaffreporttheyhadconsidered. Staff is prepared to implement a 6% water rate increase asrecommended, subject to City Council concurrence in therevisedCapitalImprovementProgram. However, it should benotedthatsomeoftheprojectseliminatedintherevisedCIParecriticalandmayseriouslyimpactoperationalflexibilityinthefuture. Staff is concerned that the five-year CIP, as modified toconformtoa6% increase in water rates, offers nocontingencyfundingforunforeseenprojectsorcost coveragesonbudgetedprojects. Such unforeseen expenses could triggerareactivetyperateadjustmentinthefuture, exceeding thestaffrecommendedincrementalincreases.
Tom Martinsen, Public Works Deputy City Manager, summarized
the Water and Sewer Financial Policy Analysis.
Mayor Renner asked if the proposed 5 Year CIP lists were
listed in priorities. Mr. Martinsen said they were not.
Mayor Renner stated in 189, 190 and 191 there were
substantial reductions made and ask how decisions were made
on eliminating or deferring. Mr. Martinsen stated they were
projects that are anticipated but may be postponed.
Councilman Huffman asked if there would be a recommendation
to raise sewer rates. Mr. Martinsen said no but total
revenues should remain the same and that is the policy issue
that is being recommended today.
Mr. Vanacour said the sewer rates are not going to be raised
but billing will now be based on a percent of water used.
Councilman Bellah asked what percentage of residential water
revenues are broken down between the three categories. Mr.
Martinsen said that would be included in the water rate study
but he would report back.
Councilman Bellah asked what the revenue lost is between the
6 and 9% in regards to minimum use category. Mr. Martinsen
said that would be included in the water rate study but he
would report back.
Councilman Bellah asked if the three residential categories
were still appropriate. Mr. Martinsen said this method works
very well.
Vice Mayor Tolby invited Councilman Bellah to come to the
Utilities Subcommittee meeting when the rate study would be
presented.
Councilman McAllister, Chairman of the Utilities Subcommitteesaidtheywouldliketohavenoincreasebut6% was a bareminimum. Mayor Renner said the possibility of the minimum usercategorycouldgodownby $1.50. Mr. Martinsen said that waspossible. Mayor Renner asked what the normal lead time on the 91stAvenueplant. Mr. Kaylor said the permit would have to bemodifiedandthattakesatleast6months. Mayor Renneraskedifthatwasampletimetomakeadjustmentsforthepayment. Mr. Kaylor said that was correct. Mayor Renner said he agreed with the Utilities Committee butwasconcernedwiththe91stAvenuePlantandthechangesoradditionswithmighthavetobedone.
Mayor Renner asked this item be brought back with the rate
analysis back by the end of November.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPORT
Marion Porch, Intergovernmental Liaison, briefed the City
Council on legislative issues.
Council Comments and Suggestions
Mayor Renner thanked all the city employees who helped with
the visitors from Germany.
Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at
4:20 p.m.
Assistant City Clerk