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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 7/17/1990MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF THECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFGLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA HELD TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990 AT 3:00 P.M. Mayor Renner called the Workshop Session of the GlendaleCityCounciltoorderintheWorkshopRoom, B-3, in theGlendaleCouncilChambers. Council members present were: Huffman, Hugh, McAllister, Scruggs and Tolby, withCouncilmemberBellaharrivingat5:00 p.m. Members Absent: None. Also present were Martin Vanacour, City Manager; Gordon L. Pedrow, Assistant City Manager; Peter Van Haren, City Attorney and Linda Ginn, Deputy City Clerk. WORKSHOP SESSION 1. GLENDALE HISTORICAL BOOK Staff reported that at the request of Councilmember Bellah, the concept of developing a Glendale historical book was investigated and is now being brought to workshop for discussion. It was felt that a book on the history of Glendale would add to the celebration of the City's 1992 centennial. The book would also allow the citizens an opportunity to learn more about their city. While studying the idea of a Glendale historical book, it was discovered that Windsor Publications, Inc. has published several city historical books nationally as well as in Arizona. Windsor Publications, Inc., has published books on the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Scottsdale and most recently Tempe. Councilmember Bellah and staff met with Mr. Dwight Tompkins, Director of Publications, for Windsor Publications, Inc. to discuss the concept of a Glendale historical book. Mr. Tompkins explained his company's method of developing a book. He said they work with a local sponsoring organization such as a historical society, the city or the Chamber of Commerce. He said they work with an organization so that they receive direction in the development of the publication. This includes suggestions on local qualified authors, development of the book outline and advice or review of the edited manuscript before publication. He said the publication of the book is financed by book sales and also through a section of the book called "Partners in Progress"; a profile or biography of companies, firms, and businesses within the area. These businesses are contacted through a letter soliciting their support. He said they hire an author to write the profile of the company and his company 13 will develop an introductory material packet to go out to thecommunityandpromotethepublication. Mr. Tompkins saidthatpublicationproductiontimetakesabout18months. City Manager Vanacour asked what kind of a time framewouldbefollowedifWindsorperceivedtherewasnotenoughsupportfortheproject. Mr. Tompkins replied that theywouldknowwithinaboutthefirstsixtosevenmonthsintothepublicationproject. Any material that had beencollecteduptothattimewouldbeturnedovertotheCityfortheirownuse. When asked about the quantity of pictures in the books, Mr. Tompkins said they rely heavily on pictures and illustrated material because they feel it makes a popular yet accurate history of the particular project. Discussion ensued on the sponsorship financing, sole source procurement versus request for proposals and the need for formal action. Mr. Tompkins stated that in order to get the book done by the spring of 1992, he would like to get started on the book no later than the first of September. The general consensus of the Council was support for the project but they advised staff to have some kind of contact with the Glendale Historical Society and inform them of the City's intention to do this project and to bring this item forward as soon as possible. 2. ADULT CENTER FOUNTAIN REVISED Staff reported they have developed a plan to have the Adult Center fountain operational and childproof by September 1, 1990. They have also made arrangements with the Community Action Program Manager to use the east door for commodity distribution beginning this month. These actions will address the issue of children in an unattended area. Field Operations staff will make initial repairs, childproof the fountain, and maintain the fountain on a daily basis. Daily maintenance will include skimming to remove debris and checking for proper operation of pumps. This phase would cost approximately $1500. A group consisting of Lowell Rogers, Arts Commission; Danny De La Cruz and George Melton, Adult Center Advisory Committee and city staff members Tim Ernster, Gloria Santiago and Warren Smith made a tour of Luke Air Force Base on Wednesday, July 11, to view an indoor fountain with a screen at water level - one of the options available for childproofing. Staff also said in Phase II, they will request the Arts Commission to explore alternatives that may enhance the 14 aesthetics and effectiveness of the fountain. There was10,000 for upgrades to the Adult Center fountain in the1989/90 Adult Center Capital Improvement Budget and thesefundshavebeencarriedforwardinthe1990/91 CIP Budget. Staff feels this plan will address the major issuesdiscussedduringtheworkshopsessiononJuly10, 1990; and, if not successful, the fountain may still be turned into aplanter. Question was asked how much money it would cost to turnthefountainintoaplanter. Staff replied $700. Vice Mayor Hugh said that at the previous workshop meeting there had been discussion on the planter concept and using it as a project for the garden club at the center. Vice Mayor Hugh suggested that maybe it would be possible to have the best of both worlds and have the garden club work with the Arts Commission and do some additional gardening/ landscaping around the fountain for enhancement of the aesthetic quality of the fountain. Councilmember Huffman said he had not heard anything different from the last meeting in which some of the Adult Center Committee had evidenced a desire to have the fountain changed into a planter. He asked staff what had occurred that changed their recommendation. Mr. Ernster responded that in talking to a couple of the members of the Adult Center Committee that accompanied staff to Luke Air Force Base, it was their feeling that if the city could get the fountain operating and keep it operating, that, that would be their first desire. If the city could not get the fountain operating they would request that it be turned into something aesthetically pleasing. The Committee had previously recommended a planter. Mr. Ernster reiterated that this was two of the members impressions. Councilmember Huffman stated that he supported whatever decision the members of the Adult Center Committee wished. Councilmember Tolby registered his dislike for all fountains. Councilmember Huffman suggested putting this item on hold" by temporarily making the fountain a planter until such time as the city can get some of the other fountains around the city to operate satisfactorily. Staff responded that once the fountain is turned into a planter it would take a lot to change it back into a fountain. 15 Vice Mayor Hugh pointed out that he felt that bothconcepts - fountain or planter - demand maintenance and iftheyarenotproperlymaintained, they become failures. Mr. George Melton, member of the Adult Center Committee, said that he felt and thinks that the rest of the committeefeelthesameway, they would like to turn it over to theCouncilandletthemdoitthewaytheywanttoandlettheCommitteestayoutofit. The consensus of the Council is to go ahead with therepairofthefountain (phase I) and to then explore thegardenideaaroundthefountainandothersuggestionsfor enhancements or changes that might be made by either of the two citizen committees. Councilmember Huffman stated that he was still not in favor of redoing the fountain. 3. 1990-91 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT Staff reported that they have worked with the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and have negotiated a comprehensive, performance-based economic development services agreement for 1990-91. The agreement calls for specific services to be provided to the City for economic development, with payment for these services specified at $50,000, which is up from the 1989-90 total of $48,000. The Chamber will utilize $33,400 in pre -paid private donations for a total of $83,400 for the 1990-91 Chamber economic development budget. The agreement requires monthly written reports, separation of economic development activity from regular Chamber business, program staffing, and minimum performance indicators. The definition and tasks assigned are very similar to last year's contract. Staff considers the Chamber's performance on this past year's contract (1989-90) to have been successful. The Chamber met all the required performance indicators specified in the contract. Staff stated that a lot of the credit of last year's success went to Debbie Wilden of the Chamber staff. Darlene Toops, Chairman of the Board and Jack Nylund, President, stated their support of the continuation of the contract. The consensus of Council is to place this item on a future Council agenda for formal consideration. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY REVIEW 16 On January 24, 1989, the City Council adopted the firstfourelementsofthecity's General Plan (Land Use, Circulation, Urban Design and Character Areas). Since thattime, staff has been working on two of the remaining requiredelementsoftheplan (Public Facilities andHousing/Neighborhoods). In addition, numerous efforts havebeencompletedbythecityoverthelast18monthsonimplementationoftheadoptedGeneralPlan. The staff and the Planning and Zoning CommissionrecommendachangeintheprocessusedtorezonepropertiesthatarenotconsistentwiththeGeneralPlan. The recommended process will allow staff and the Commission to informally meet with the affected property owners earlier in the process to identify and discuss the property owners' concerns. This will allow more time for staff, Commission, and property owners to seek land use and zoning solutions that meet the need of the community and the property owners, and will minimize adversarial relationships and promote a strong community -supported plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission also recommends that an additional year be added to the zoning implementation date. Jerry Swanson, Deputy City Manager, Community Development, discussed the role, purpose and scope of the General Plan. Bob Coons, Planning Director, discussed the status of the General Plan implementation process for land use/rezoning considerations and the Planning and Zoning Commission's recently prepared revised strategy and procedures for implementation. Mr. Carl Wilson, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman, explained to the Council the procedure the commission had taken in developing a new strategy for implementing the General Plan. They have formulated a procedure which will allow a more informal, open discussion with staff, property owners and neighbors and a more in-depth evaluation process for each property identified for rezoning consideration. Since this process will take more time the Commission and staff are requesting a one-year delay in the effective date of the rezoning actions. Councilmember McAllister suggested to staff that they clarify the purpose of the meetings when they notify property owners or people affected of an upcoming rezoning. Mayor Renner also suggested that staff examine the size of the postings that are put out for notice of pending hearings on rezonings and to put some type of notice in the 17 Connection in order to notify citizens of this rezoningprocess. Mr. David Prescott, Planning Manager, then discussed thestatusofeffortstocompletetheremainingrequiredelementsoftheGeneralPlanandthestatusreportfor1990ontheimplementationoftheGeneralPlan. After hearing Mr. Prescott's presentation, Councilsuggestedhebringthehousingelementdiscussionbacktoworkshopatalatertimeformorereviewanddiscussion. The consensus of the Council is to proceed ahead and place the Planning and Zoning strategies and year extension on the earliest possible Council agenda for formal consideration. 5. TRUCK TRAFFIC ON UNION HILLS DRIVE Staff reported that heavy trucks are using Union Hills Drive as a through route and are creating noise and air pollution concerns for nearby residents. Many of these trucks apparently originate at gravel pits to the west and northwest near Westbrook Village and Sun City. Union Hills Drive through Glendale is an arterial street primarily abutted at the present time by single family residences. An elementary school also abuts the street. For these reasons, it is undesirable for the street to be designated for consistent and frequent use by heavy trucks. Studies conducted by City staff on Union Hills Drive showed an average of between 25 and 35 heavy trucks per hour. Most of these trucks are five axle gravel trucks or three axle concrete trucks. Based on the number of trucks present on Union Hills Drive, staff is recommending that Council consider several alternatives that could include: 1) voluntary compliance by local trucking companies, 2) various possible ordinances that would restrict or prohibit trucks either on Union Hills Drive or throughout the City with restricted hours, designated routes or absolute prohibition. Councilmember Scruggs said that there are three basic land uses on Union Hills from 51st Avenue to 83rd Avenue. They are either undeveloped, residential or school. She said another important fact is that there are two very narrow lanes which scallop to one lane in places. She said the significant issues are ones of safety and noise and thinks it could be avoided if the trucks were routed down to Bell Road which is designed to handle this kind of traffic. m Mr. Karner, homeowner in the affected area, stated thesameconcernsrelatingtosafetyandnoisefactorsandreiteratedthefactthattruckscouldgodowntoBellRoadwhichisdesignedandcapableofhandlingthroughtraffic. He said he supports the ordinance limiting truck throughtravelonUnionHillssothattheresidentialcharacteroftheareacouldbepreserved. Councilmember Bellah said that one of the concerns hehasisthatBellRoadwillbeunderconstructionstartinginJanuarylastingforabout14monthsandhewondersaboutroutingadditionaltraffictoastreetthatwillprobablybesubstantiallybackedup. He did not think routing traffic to Bell Road would be a viable option during this construction phase. Councilmember Scruggs pointed out that there are no residential dwellings along Bell Road. She said she had weighed the possibility of directing additional traffic to an already congested area against the safety concerns on Union Hills and thought that routing traffic to Bell Road was a more viable option for the protection of the safety and welfare of the residents. Discussion ensued on alternate routes available if truck traffic was banned from Union Hills. is Staff said they do think there is a unique and signficant problem on Union Hills Drive as far as trucks through a residential neighborhood. They said the location of a sand and gravel operation promotes the heavy volume of through truck traffic and makes this a unique situation. They also said they believe there are alternate routes for these vehicles - Bell Road and Beardsley. Councilmember McAllister suggested lowering the speed limit through this section of Union Hills. Councilmember Tolby said he a dangerous precedence to write from Union Hills as it is a mile designated to carry this kind of that if the Council does this for who live on major arterials will thing. thought it would be setting an ordinance banning trucks arterial and, as such, was traffic. He said he feels Union Hills other residents be petitioning for the same Mayor Renner suggested some education be given via letter form to the operators of the sand and gravel companies as to the use of either Bell Road or Beardsley or whatever other route they might choose (non -Union Hills) and staff to prepare a draft ordinance for the Council to review. He also suggested that the Police Department be contacted as to what 19 methods, requirements or responsibilities might be needed intheenforcementofanordinancelikethis. Councilmember McAllister said he still thought thatloweringthespeedlimitinthatareawouldbeagoodidea. Mayor Renner asked staff if that would be a viable option. Staff replied that there is no distinction in the statestatutesthatsayspeedscanbesetastotypeofvehicle. Councilmember Scruggs said that she feels that thisheavyandconstantvolumeoftrucktrafficisanadditionalelementthatisnotpresentatanyotherlocationinthecityanddoesmakethisproblemuniquetoUnionHills. The consensus of the Council is to contact the gravel operators stating the city's position on non-use of Union Hills asking for voluntary compliance and preparing a draft ordinance banning truck through traffic on Union Hills Drive. Along with that, they would like the Police Department to do a follow up on what enforcement procedures could be implemented if said ordinance was adopted. There being no further items to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. 20 Deputy City Clerk