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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 7/10/1990MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF THECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFGLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA HELD TUESDAY, JULY 101 1990 AT 3:10 P.M. Mayor Renner called the Workshop Session of the GlendaleCityCounciltoorderintheWorkshopRoom, B-3, in theGlendaleCouncilChambers. Council members present were: Bellah, Huffman, Hugh, McAllister, Scruggs and Tolby. Members Absent: None. Also present were Martin Vanacour, City Manager; GordonL. Pedrow, Assistant City Manager; Peter Van Haren, City Attorney and Linda Ginn, Deputy City Clerk. WORKSHOP SESSION 1. UPDATE ON VALLEY WIDE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES Mr. Jack DeBolske, Executive Director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, briefed Council on the transit issue by stating that one of the bills passed by the state legislature was the authorization to put the question of increasing the transportation sales tax an additional half percent and also to allow an extension of the existing half -cent sales tax back on the ballot for another vote. He said that one of the provisions of the bill was that there be a 50-50 split over a 20 year period for allocation of the additional half cent between freeways and transit. This allows for RPTA (Regional Public Transportation Authority) and MAG (Maricopa Association of Governments) to jointly consider a proposal to "front end load" the freeways. He said this would allow additional money coming to the freeways in the beginning years while reserving money in the outlying years for transit. Mr. DeBolske said that there is already a plan in place for the freeways and it has been recommended that these priorities be continued so it basically is a matter of allocating funds within the priorities. He said the main question then is how to tie the transit program into the freeway plan. This involves considering how many dollars will be allocated for transit in certain years and what type of transit. He said that he did not know when the election for this would take place but the bill does provide that if the election is to be payed for out of the regional area road fund, it must take place at either a primary or a general election of the state, county or the principal city of the county. This would coincide with either the primary election of Phoenix in September or in late November or early December 1.1 in the Phoenix general election. Another option would be towaituntilthefollowingyearatthegeneralelectionforthestateandcounties. Mr. DeBolske stated that the main problem that heforesawishowtogetconsensusamongallconcernedinterestsintheValleyonwheretheyaregoingtobuildthefreeways, first. He said another topic is development of a regionalairportsystemplan. They hope to have that program underwayshortlywithsomeresultsfromtheconsultantbyJuneofnextyear. He said the goals of the plan are basically looking atwhatalloftheValleyairportswillneedinthewayofcommercialandprivatetrafficandwhatthepotentialisfor expanding existing airports. He said that, at the same time, the state is forming a committee to look at a regional jet port. Mr. DeBolske said that there is a little different focus in the state's plan for the jet port in that the purpose of it would take a more transitory concept than the plan for the airports. He said his group is working with the state to assure that there is no overlap and duplication in the studies that will be taken. Mayor Renner said that, in the past, there had been criticism of ADOT's speed, procedures, process and prices they paid for the land for the freeway and early estimates of what the cost of this freeway was going to be and the early revenues and asked Mr. DeBolske to explain some of these points. Mr. DeBolske stated that when Proposition 300 was first proposed there was a different concept of what the freeway system should be than what is being built today. He said this had resulted in changes in the mindset of the Tribal Council (in relation to the Pima Expressway) and the change in what the traffic is going to need in some of the different corridors. He said that when the revenue estimates were formulated, ADOT had used the economists' figures that were available but had no way of projecting the downturn that resulted in the economy in the sales tax revenues. Mr. DeBolske also said that changes in land uses by local governments had affected some of the plans for the freeways. Councilmember Tolby registered a concern about people living long distances from their work and driving further the more freeways become available. He said it didn't seem that anything is done to stop the use of the freeways. He said there seems to be a reluctance to tax the automobile, gas or to establish toll roads. Mr. DeBolske replied that this is a problem not only locally but nationally and would probably have to be addressed by an urban growth policy. Mr. DeBolske said his 7 group had been looking at applying sanctions to people thatdrivelongdistancesbywayoftollroadsorincreasedgastaxes. He also said they were looking at incentives forpeoplewhocarpool, live close to work or find alternativemodesoftransportation. This item is for information only. 2. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPORTMarionPorch, the Intergovernmental Liaison, and DavidIwanski, the Water Resources Director, reported on state andfederallegislativeissuesandrelatedmatters. 3. MODIFICATION OF THE ADULT CENTER FOUNTAIN Staff reported to Council that a joint committee, comprised of Adult Center Advisory Committee members and Arts Commission members, has reviewed the condition of the fountain at the Glendale Adult Center and is recommending that it be converted into an attractive planter. The fountain, located on the exterior of the center, has been plagued with maintenance problems resulting from outdated equipment. The Adult Center Advisory Committee has observed that the fountain is often used as a water play area for unattended children. The estimated cost of converting the fountain to a planter is $700 and $1,500 to repair the plumbing, and $3,800 to put in new tiling and upgrade the fountain. Both committees recommended switching from the fountain to the planter. Chairman Danny De La Cruz of the Adult Center Advisory Committee, introduced several members of the Committee in attendance. Those in attendance were Phyllis K. Ballinger, Thelma Heatwole and Volene Stockham. Mr. De La Cruz said that Mrs. Heatwole had been the "sparkplug" behind the recommendations by the Adult Center and asked her to come forward and present their views. Mrs. Heatwole said that the Adult Center Committee was concerned about unattended water at the Center and recommended that the fountain be converted into a planter because (1) cost of the immediate renovation; (2) cost of long-term maintenence; (3) public safety; and (4) future liability. She said the fountain is often used as a play area for children while parents wait for commodities and the quality of the water is often bad due to equipment breaking down and a staff shortage for maintenence. She said the committee feels that expense as well as the cost of repair to the plumbing and on-going maintenence make the fountain a very expensive, ornamental feature. K 11 Mr. Lowell Rogers, member of the Art's Commission, stated that the fountain at the Adult Center was theforerunnertotheArtsCommissionandthefirstmajorpieceofpublicartinthecity. He said at first he was not infavorofdoingawaywiththefountainbutwhenitwassuggestedthatitcouldbeturnedintoaplanterandincorporatedintosomeoftheactivitiesattheAdultCenterhebegantobeswayedintofavoringtheplanterconcept. Councilmember Huffman stated that after hearing some oftheproblemsthathavebeenassociatedwiththefountain, i.e. not pretty, dirty, safety hazard, etc; he thinks theplanterconceptmightbeagoodideaifthat's what the people at the Adult Center want. Councilmember Tolby said he also supports turning the fountain into a planter. Councilmember Scruggs said that after finding out that the fountain was the first piece of public art in the city, she was a little appalled that people were considering discarding it - especially in an area that so much attention is being focused on to preserve the past. She asked if the main concern was one of public safety, does the fountain retain enough significance and value to the city for it's historical value and it it does could the fountain be rendered safe for children? She also said that she noticed that the cost of renovation of the fountain equaled the cost of maintaining a planter for a year and also asked who would be responsible for modifying the fountain or planter dependent upon which concept is chosen for future use. She also asked that regardless of which idea is chosen, fountain or planter, when it is converted, will it be considered a work of art" as was originally intended for the location. Staff responded that if the fountain is converted into a planter the parks department would be responsible for the design. Mr. Rogers said that he feels that both the fountain and a planter can be made attractive but he feels that it has to have something extra to make it as a piece of art. He said he likes the fountain because it became the foundation to doing more for art in the City. Councilmember McAllister said addressing the issue of children being allowed to play around the fountain, he did not think it was the City's job to usurp parental authority by having to be responsible to see to it that children did become injured in or on the fountain. PJ Mayor Renner stated that he felt it was important thattheCity's first attempt at some public aesthetic outdoorfeaturebeacknowledgedandmaintainedsothatinthefuturepeoplewouldrecognizehowtheCity's municipal art programoriginated. He said that since public safety was one of themoreoverridingconcerns, he felt it was worthwhile to pursueexaminingascreeningmethodthatwould "child -proof" thefountaininordertoretainthefountain. Councilmember McAllister said he would like to see whatkindofmoneyitwouldtaketomakethefountainmoreacceptablefromanartstandpoint. Mr. Rogers asked if it might not be possible to arrange for the commodities to be dispensed through another door at the Adult Center. The general consensus of the Council was to examine the child -proofing" concept and bring this item back before the Council at the next workshop meeting for further review and discussion. 4. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 90-14: AUCTIONEERING SERVICE Staff briefed Council on this issue by stating Council tabled action on RFP 90-14, Auctioneering Service, at the June 26, 1990 meeting and asked for information on the 1W process used by the evaluation panel in determining the recommendation for award. Staff stated the City's goal in selecting an auction service is to find the one that will produce the highest sale prices for surplus equipment and materials. Toward this end, the process was based on a proposal rather than a bid. The proposal process takes cost and other factors into consideration, specifically developed to determine the qualifications, performance and suitability of the service provided by an auctioneering firm. The document requested information on fees, staff, sales promotion, references, previous sales and a general statement of interest and understanding. An evaluation panel was formed to determine which of the two offers received was best suited for the City's needs with the potential of generating the maximum amount of revenue. Equipment Management and Materials Management had representatives on the panel. The panel members consisted of the Superintendent of Equipment Management, Materials Control Supervisor and a Storekeeper. In addition to reviewing the information submitted, the panel also visited an auction conducted by each firm. 10 The review panel felt that Western Sales' largeroperationandgreaterbiddingactivitywouldproducehigherpricesforthesaleofCityequipmentandmaterials, outweighing Sierra's lower fee percentages. Councilmember McAllister asked staff to give him aqualified "guess" as the difference between the service feesofthetwocompanies. Staff replied that it was 2% of thegrosssales, which based on previous years sales, couldamounttoabout $1800 in just the fee difference. Councilmember Scruggs asked how long the city had donebusinesswithWesternSales. Staff responded two years. This item will be on tonight's Council agenda for formal consideration. 4. UPDATE ON THUNDERBIRD BALLOON RACE AND AIR SHOW Ms. Judy Contreras briefed Council by stating the 1990 Thunderbird Balloon Classic will be held on November 10 and 11 at the Glendale Airport. The Thunderbird Balloon Classic has merged with the Fiesta Bowl activities and acquired corporate sponsorships from Dimension Cable and Fry's. The races will be called "The Fiesta Bowl Presents the Dimension Cable Thunderbird Balloon Classic and Fry's Air Show." The events will include a Hot Air Balloon Hare and Hound Race and Hot Air Balloon Key Grab. The Fry's Air Show will feature the Budweiser Jet, antique planes, and static displays. The Gazette Glow will be held on Saturday evening followed by a street dance sponsored by KNIX radio. There will also be two stage shows, kids area and a carnival. Ms. Contreras said that even though sponsorships are currently down, they are anticipating making money through the gate receipts. This is for information only and Council will be updated again later in the year on the progress of this item. 5. REDEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK BLOCK The City's Capital Improvement Plan redevelopment of the triangular parcel bounded by Glendale Avenue, on the west and south by and on the east by 58th Drive. This block is located as an entry way into the Downtown therefore, the redevelopment of this block important. 11 includes the on the north Grand Avenue, strategically District, and is extremely Three options have been prepared on redeveloping thesite. One option is based on the $135,000 budgeted forimprovementsandtheothertwooptionsinvolvemoreextensivelandscapingandwouldcost $155,000 and $215,000, respectively. Staff explained each option to the Council. After viewing the renderings, it was the consensus ofCounciltobringarevisedconcept "A" back to workshop forfurtherreviewanddiscussion. COUNCIL, COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONSCouncilmanBellahasked staff about the status of planting grass in a park at 47th Avenue and Maryland. Mr. Reedy, Deputy City Manager, Public Works, responded that the landscaping at that location had to go out to bid and would be planted in the near future. ADJOURNMENT There being no further items to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Z'6y Az'n xJ Deputy City Clerk 12