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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 6/8/2021City of Glendale 5850 West Glendale Avenue Glendale, AZ 85309 C&7 Glendale A R I Z O N A Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 8, 2021 12:30 P.M. Workshop Meeting Civic Center City Council Mayor Jerry Weiers Vice Mayor Ian Hugh Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Joyce Clark Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bart Turner CALL TO ORDER Mayor Weiers called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Jerry Weiers Vice Mayor Ian Hugh Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bart Turner Absent: Councilmember Joyce Clark Also Present: Kevin Phelps, City Manager Michael Bailey, City Attorney Julie K. Bower, City Clerk Vicki Rios, Assistant City Manager Jack Friedline, Assistant City Manager WORKSHOP SESSION 1. COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST — RECYCLING Presented by: Michelle Woytenko, Director, Field Operations Ms. Bower read the item by title. Ms. Woytenko presented information on the City's recycling program. She asked for consensus on continuing the program and adding glass, outsourcing Material Recovery Facility processing services and adjusting the number of free loads to six per year. She presented background information on the following topics: • Recycling Trends • Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Operational Challenges • Results of Resident's Survey • Operational Analysis and Review • Recommendations • Potential Rate Impacts Councilmember Malnar asked if there were recycling operations since the MRF was non -operational. Ms. Woytenko said because of a fire in March 2021, recycling was being collected but not processed at the MRF. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked how landfill usage was tracked. Ms. Woytenko said usage was tracked through proof of residence and the billing system. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if Mesa and Goodyear had made changes to their recycling programs upon restarting. City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 2 of 12 Ms. Woytenko said there were no significant changes. She would provide cost and collection schedule information to Council. Mayor Weiers asked if the programs restarted during the pandemic. Ms. Woytenko said both cities restarted the programs towards the end of the pandemic. Councilmember Aldama asked whether incinerating recyclables had been discussed. Ms. Woytenko said the landfill gas would be sent out for bid to determine options for energy conversion. Paper goods could be incinerated, but there was a better price for reuse if sold. Mayor Weiers said the $350,000 savings did not require additional costs when sending out recycling to be processed. Ms. Woytenko said that was correct. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked for information related to transporting costs. Ms. Woytenko said once recycling was collected, it was transported to one of two locations. Because the processing costs were less, it would equal about $350,000 in savings. Mayor Weiers asked what percentage of landfill users would be affected with a reduction in free loads. Ms. Woytenko said adjusting the number of loads per year to six would affect one percent of residents. Mayor Weiers was concerned with timing issues and bulk pick-up. He supported outsourcing recycling and asked what the cost would be to accept glass. Ms. Woytenko said the $350,000 estimated savings included outsourcing and adding glass. Councilmember Tolmachoff did not favor changing the number of landfill entries per year. Councilmember Turner asked if there was a way to identify businesses which used the landfill frequently. Ms. Woytenko said the free load adjustment impacted less than 2,000 tons per year, which would be diverted to bulk trash. She felt the benefits outweighed the risk of having trash picked up during bulk pick-up. Councilmember Turner asked what would happen when a user arrived for the seventh time in a year. Ms. Woytenko said the system was capable of flagging an account to add an additional charge. Councilmember Turner said revenue could be recouped by charging individuals that used the landfill more than twelve times per year. The recycling program could be looked at regionally and perhaps the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) would assist with a solution. He asked if recycle cans were full when picked up weekly or biweekly. Ms. Woytenko said biweekly collection of recyclables as a way to minimize any future rate increases could be discussed at a future meeting. City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 3 of 12 Councilmember Turner asked if there was a penalty for placing non -recyclable items in a recycling bin. Ms. Woytenko said there was no penalty, but there was a three -strike program for non -recyclable items. Councilmember Malnar asked if the same recyclable types would continue with outsourcing with the addition of glass. Ms. Woytenko said there had been discussions with both locations regarding capabilities. It had to make economic sense for the City. Councilmember Malnar was in favor of moving forward. Councilmember Tolmachoff wanted to begin a robust campaign to educate residents which would essentially reduce costs. She suggested using a QR code to access to a list of what could be recycled. Councilmember Turner agreed with better educating residents on the program. The potential of a fine would also encourage individuals to understand what could and could not be recycled. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus to continue the program, add glass when available and outsource MRF processing services. There was no consensus to adjust the number of free loads to six per year. Councilmember Turner asked if there would be additional savings if glass was not collected. Ms. Woytenko said if it was economical, glass would be added. 2. COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST - GLEN LAKES REMNANT PARCEL Presented by: Donald Bessler, PWLF, Chief Capital Improvement Officer Ms. Bower read the item. Mr. Bessler said Councilmember Turner's Council Item of Special Interest regarded the potential sale of the remnant parcel at the former Glen Lakes golf course. Mayor Weiers wanted to see something beneficial to the area built there. He favored putting it on the open market with recommendations from Economic Development. Councilmember Turner hoped Council would agree to sell the parcel. He preferred a request for proposal (RFP) method to see what type of bids came in to purchase the parcel to ensure it was used and not left vacant. Mr. Phelps suggested working with Economic Development to rezone the parcel first. Once the zoning was in place, Council could determine the sale method. Councilmember Aldama agreed with Mr. Phelps. He favored an RFP to ensure what went there was favorable to the neighborhood. Councilmember Malnar agreed to move forward with Mr. Phelps' recommendation. City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 4 of 12 Councilmember Tolmachoff asked for clarification,on Mr. Phelps' recommendation. Mr. Phelps said Economic Development would provide input on what would draw the best outcomes. The final decision would be Council's. Councilmember Tolmachoff said a C2 zoning with stipulations would be adequate for the area. She wanted public input on uses for the parcel. Mr. Phelps said Economic Development's input could be used to understand where the market was at and what would draw the most interest. Councilmember Turner said it might not be beneficial to zone the parcel before knowing the future use. Mayor Weiers supported Mr. Phelps' recommendation. Mr. Phelps said an analysis of the market would be done to determine what the next steps would be. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus for Mr. Phelps' recommendation to move forward with Economic Development. 3. 2021 WATER SERVICES RATE REVIEW Presented by: Craig Johnson P.E., Director, Water Services Vicki Rios, Assistant City Manager Jack Friedline, Assistant City Manager Ms. Bower read the item by title. Ms. Rios presented the ongoing rate study and recommendations for Council consideration. She reviewed the following items: • Review Water/Wastewater Financial Plan Options • Consider Citizens Utility Advisory Commission (CUAC) Recommendations • Receive Council Direction • Financial Plan Options • Public Outreach Plan • Potential Dates for Council Action Councilmember Turner asked if the projections took western growth into account. Ms. Rios said growth was included in the projections. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the cash flow chart was based only on rates. Ms. Rios said in fiscal year (FY)2021, $30 million in debt was issued. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the increase from 2018 to 2020 was based solely on rates. Ms. Rios explained the capital program slowed down and maintenance changed. The accumulated funds were used before additional borrowed funds were issued. Councilmember Turner said the cash flow referenced funds spent on capital projects and City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 5 of 12 ongoing maintenance. Ms. Rios said that was correct. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if option 2 of the proposed rates would generate more revenue. Ms. Rios said the time value of money attributed to the higher percentage for option 2. Councilmember Tolmachoff did not think it was fiscally responsible to collect the full amount within the first year rather than over five years. Ms. Rios explained the borrowing system between options 1 and 2. Councilmember Tolmachoff said there was more certainty with rates in the first years rather than the out years. She asked if that was taken into consideration. Ms. Rios said it was taken into consideration. Mayor Weiers recalled the previous water rating and interest rate from ten years ago had a higher interest rate with a lower bond rating. Ms. Rios said that was correct. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the Citizens Utility Advisory Commission (CUAC) was presented with other options besides the five-year plan. Ms. Rios said the number of years was discussed. Councilmember Tolmachoff understood the CUAC was presented with two, five-year plans. She asked if other options besides five-year plans were presented. Ms. Rios said the same presentation was given to the CUAC with the option of choosing the length of time. The CUAC preferred five years due to future predictability. Mayor Weiers asked what the five-year plan accomplished for bonding. Ms. Rios explained the process of selling bonds with the bond rating agencies. Mayor Weiers said if adopted, the rates could be adjusted if necessary. Ms. Rios said that was correct. Councilmember Tolmachoff recalled a Council policy which contained a five-year plan with two-year assessments. She had requested information on using American Recovery funds to repay the Enterprise Fund for the money borrowed to pay the National Hockey League (NHL) and was not in favor of moving forward without the requested information. She asked for Council consensus to delay a decision until the information was provided on how the repayment would affect future rates. Councilmember Malnar asked where the funds would or would not be used regarding new development. Ms. Rios said the City's water utility operated east of 115th Avenue. Any developments west of City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 6 of 12 that were serviced by private utility companies. Councilmember Malnar preferred option 2 but understood the concern with a five-year plan. Councilmember Turner said it would better serve the residents by reviewing the rates every two years. He was disappointed that requested information was not provided in order for Councilmembers to make a decision. Mr. Phelps said staff had reviewed previous Council discussion when the last rate increase was approved. A formal policy was not adopted. Regarding Councilmember Tolmachoffs request, he said the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was more restrictive but a model showing the $13 million could be developed also using reserve funds, if needed. Councilmember Tolmachoff believed the ARPA funds were eligible for infrastructure. She suggested adopting a rate increase for two years based on the five-year plan. She was not willing to support more than a two-year increase until her requested information was received. Vice Mayor Hugh was in favor of adopting the five-year plan if it helped with the bond rating. Councilmember Aldama supported moving forward with the CUAC's recommendation. He asked if the two-year review policy could be implemented after the rate was approved. Ms. Rios said the formal process had to be followed per state statue, but it could be done every two years. Mayor Weiers was in favor of a five-year plan at a lower rate with the option to return every two years, if necessary. Councilmember Tolmachoff did not object to raising rates but wanted more information before a decision was made. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus for the level rate increase over five years. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the revenue generated from the water franchise agreement was included in the rate options. Ms. Rios said the revenue went into the General Fund. Councilmember Aldama said there was nothing preventing Council from revisiting the rates in two years and if there were no changes, no action would be required. Ms. Rios said that was correct. The forecasted rate increases were shared in January. Councilmember Aldama requested to implement a two-year benchmarking on the rates and supported Councilmember Tolmachoffs request for additional information. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the two-year review was already included in the forecast. Ms. Rios said only the approved rate increases were included in the forecast model. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the figures from the five-year plan could be identified and included in the forecast. Ms. Rios said it could. City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 7 of 12 4. COUNCIL COMMITTEES Presented by: Amy Handlong, Executive Assistant to the City Manager Ms. Bower read the item by title. Ms. Handlong said the Council Guidelines required Council to make appointments to Council committees and sub -committees during the first workshop in June. A new appointment was needed for the Government Services Committee (GSC). Mayor Weiers asked why three Councilmembers were needed to be on the committee. Ms. Handlong said the requirement was stated in the adopted Council guidelines and changes could be made at Council's discretion. Councilmember Malnar felt the current process was appropriate. Vice Mayor Hugh agreed with Councilmember Malnar and felt the number appointed was appropriate. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the Government Services Committee was the only Council Committee that needed new members. Ms. Handlong said that was correct. Councilmember Malnar asked for consensus to reappoint Vice Mayor Hugh and Councilmember Turner to the GSC. Councilmember Tolmachoff said the two committees Councilmember Clark served on were ending in October 2021. She thought Councilmember Clark might be interested in serving on the GSC. Mr. Bailey suggested the item be tabled because Councilmember Clark was absent. Mayor Weiers moved on to item 5 to allow time for someone to contact Councilmember Clark regarding her interest in serving on the GSC. At the conclusion of the discussion regarding item 5, Council returned to item 4, Council Committees. Mayor Weiers asked Councilmember Malnar if he would be willing to serve on the GSC. Councilmember Tolmachoff volunteered to serve on the GSC. There was Council consensus to appoint Councilmember Tolmachoff to the GSC. 5. CITY CODE CHAPTER 24 REVISIONS Presented by: Rick St. John, Deputy City Manager City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 8 of 12 Ms. Bower read the item by title. Mr. St. John provided an update on the proposed Chapter 24 Code revisions and was seeking consensus on several amendments. The first regarded commercial vehicles. Councilmember Tolmachoff said no other van would be classified under Class 3. Mr. St. John said that was correct. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if a "walk-in" was similar to a UPS truck under Class 3. Mr. St. John said that was correct. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the number of vehicles under Class 1 and 2 was increased to two. Mr. St. John said that was correct. Councilmember Tolmachoff supported the revision. Mayor Weiers asked if an exception for historic military vehicles could be included. Mr. St. John said a privately -owned personal vehicle was not considered a commercial vehicle. He asked if the request was for it to be addressed within Chapter 24 as parked and/or stored. Mayor Weiers said some vehicles could be larger than 20,000 GVWR but were only used on special occasions. Mr. St. John said such vehicles would not fall under the definition of a commercial vehicle, if it was a personal, privately -owned vehicle. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus for the commercial vehicle revision. Mr. St. John reviewed the parking on residential lots revision. Councilmember Turner asked for clarification on one vehicle for every 400 square feet of livable area. Mr. St. John asked if Council preferred to round the square footage of a house up or down. Councilmember Turner said the Code Review Committee's intent was 400 square feet or a portion thereof. Councilmember Malnar agreed with Councilmember Turner's interpretation and said it regarded front driveway parking. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked for clarification on the code revision. Mr. St. John said the square footage of the lot determined the length of the driveway. Councilmember Tolmachoff said with no grandfather rights, were there residents that would be in violation. Mr. St. John said no because the revision would lessen the restrictions. City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 9 of 12 Mayor Weiers asked how active enforcement was on the issue. Mr. St. John was aware of one case within the last eighteen months. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus on the revision for parking on residential lots. Mr. St. John reviewed the utility trailer parking and storage revision. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus on the utility trailer parking and storage revision. Mr. St. John reviewed the recreational vehicle (RV) parking and storage revision. Councilmember Malnar asked for Council consideration to change the language to distinguish a livable RV and a towable RV. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if residents had more than one drivable RV parked in the driveway. Mr. St. John said there were rare instances with more than one drivable RV. Mayor Weiers said there was not consensus for the requested change to distinguish a livable and towable RV. Councilmember Aldama asked how ownership would be determined. Mr. St. John said from beyond the boundaries of the lot, an inspector would try to determine the registered owner. If that was not possible, the inspector would make contact with the homeowner. The information could not be forced. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus on the RV parking and storage revision. Mr. St. John reviewed the criminal and civil citations revision. Councilmember Tolmachoff said the revision regarding criminal and civil citations was reasonable. Mayor Weiers was not in favor of issuing a criminal citation to enforce compliance. Councilmember Turner felt it was necessary in extreme cases. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked if the City had the ability to issue a lien. Mr. St. John said enforcement was better protected under a criminal citation because it was an order of the court at that point. Councilmember Tolmachoff said the process was a civil citation, followed by a criminal citation and a final enforcement ordered by the court. Mr. St. John said that was correct. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus on the civil and criminal citation revision. Mr. St. John reviewed the exceptions revision. City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 10 of 12 Councilmember Malnar said the Code Review Committee felt it was important to include a "catch all" for construction done while within code that existed at the time. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked how it would be memorialized that a property was compliant at the time of the build. Mr. St. John said it would be memorialized in the software system and a record would be kept. Mayor Weiers confirmed consensus for the exceptions revision. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Phelps said Thursday, June 10th was the official groundbreaking for the Crystal Lagoons Island Resort project. Mr. Phelps said the En Fuego development had announced the opening of a Los Angeles -based Korean restaurant. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT No report COUNCIL ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST Councilmember Malnar asked that six months after the Chapter 24 revisions were adopted, a report be prepared by Code Enforcement. MOTION AND CALL TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION A motion was made by Councilmember Bart Turner, seconded by Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff to hold an executive session. AYE: Mayor Jerry Weiers Vice Mayor Ian Hugh Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bart Turner Other: Councilmember Joyce Clark (ABSENT) Passed EXECUTIVE SESSION Council met in executive session at 4:07 p.m. for discussion/consideration of appointments and matters relating to various boards, commissions and other bodies pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3)(4). City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 11 of 12 A motion was made by Vice Mayor Ian Hugh, seconded by Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff to adjourn the executive session. AYE: Mayor Jerry Weiers Vice Mayor Ian Hugh Councilmember Jamie Aldama Councilmember Ray Malnar Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff Councilmember Bart Turner Other: Councilmember Joyce Clark (ABSENT) Passed Mayo Weiers adjourned the executive session at 4:23 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Weiers adjourned the meeting at 4:23 p.m. 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 8th day of June, 2021. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 15th day of June, 2021. Julie -K. Bower, MMC, City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2021 Page 12 of 12