CITY OF BUCKEYE MTG MINUTES 2015 1-20.PDF

CITY OF BUCKEYE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AND
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
JANUARY 20, 2015
MINUTES
City Council Chambers
530 E. Monroe Ave.
Buckeye, AZ 85326
6:00p.m.
1. Call to Order/Invocation/ Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call
Mayor Meek called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. Pastor Bobby Reed of Christ's Church of the Valley
led the invocation.
Members Present: Councilmember Strauss, Councilmember Hess, Councilmember McAchran,
Councilmember Heustis, Vice Mayor Orsborn, and Mayor Meek.
Members Absent: Councilmember Garza.
Departments Present: City Manager Stephen Cleveland, Assistant City Manager Roger Klingler, City
Attorney Shiela Schmidt, City Clerk Lucinda Aja, Deputy City Clerk Summer
Stewart, Assistant to Council Carol Conley, Fire Chief Bob Costello, Assistant
Police Chief Robert Sanders, Economic Development Director Len Becker,
Finance Director Lany Price, Community Services Director Chetyl Sedig, Public
Works Director Scott Lowe, Development Services Director George Flores, City
Engineer Scott Zipprich, Information Technology Director Greg Platacz,
Marketing and Communications Manager Jennifer Rogers, Government
Relations Manager George Diaz, Library Manager Jana White, and Planning
Manager Terri Hogan.
2A. Comments from the Public- None.
2B. Awards/Presentations/Proclamations
Jim Wright with the Government Fleet Management Alliance presented an award to Mayor Meek, on
behalf of the City, in recognition of the City of Buckeye becoming a Certified Fleet Management
Organization.
3. Minutes
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Orsborn and seconded by Councilmember Hess to approve the
minutes of the October 30, 2014 Council Policy Discussion and the December 16, 2014 Council
Workshop and Regular Council Meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Expenditures
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Orsborn and seconded by Councilmember Strauss to ratifY the
payment of the accounts payable expenditures made. Copies of invoices are available at City Hall.
Motion passed unanimously.
Januwy 20, 2015 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
4

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Approval of items on the Consent Agenda - All items with an e') are considered to be routine
matters. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Orsborn and seconded by Councilmember Heustis to
approve Consent Item *5A. Motion passed unanimously.
*5. New Business
*5A. Ordinance No. 01-15 Right-of-Way Annexation/Transfer of a Tract of Maricopa County
Right-of-Way Located Along the Yuma Road Alignment, East of Palo Verde Road and
Along the Palo Verde Road Alignment, South of Lower Budieye Road
Staff Liaison: Adam Copeland, Senior Planner
District No. 1
Council adopted Ordinance No. 01-15, an ordinance extending and increasing the corporate limits of the
City of Buckeye, Maricopa County, State of Arizona, pursuant to the provisions oftitle 9, chapter 4,
article 7, Arizona Revised Statutes and amendments thereto, by annexing/transferring a tract of Maricopa
County right-of-way located along the Yuma Road alignment, east of Palo Verde Road and along the Palo
Verde Road alignment, south of Lower Buckeye Road.
6. Continued I Tabled Items-None
7. Public Hearings I Non-Consent- New Business
7A. Public Hearing and Action Resolution No. 04-15 Establishing Increased Flood Irrigation
Rates and Charges; Establishing an Effective Date; Repealing Conflicting Resolutions
Staff Liaison: Dave Nigh, Water Resources Director
District No. All
Mayor Meek opened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. to hear citizen input regarding Increased Flood
Irrigation Rates and Charges. Mr. Nigh provided an overview of the proposal to establish increased flood
irrigation rates and charges. There are approximately 388 customers currently using flood irrigation
services. City staff delivers flood irrigation to each customer's yard. A service area map was displayed.
The water is purchased by the City from the Roosevelt Irrigation District or the Buckeye Water
Conservation Drainage District. Parts of the irrigation systems are over 60 years old. The flood irrigation
program currently realizes losses of up to $200,000 annually. The general fund subsidized the service
until July 2010 when it was moved to the Water Resources depmiment. In 2012, Council directed staff to
perform a study to determine rates and a subcommittee was formed. The subcommittee met to provide a
potential solution; results were presented to Council with a proposal for increased flood irrigation rates.
Meetings with the public were held; the general public at the time was of the opinion that the City should
absorb the costs to provide the service without modifYing rates. Mr. Nigh presented a cost summary with
a total annual cost of $315,000. With rate increases over the next few years and without factoring
potential major repairs, the City will still continue to experience a loss. The cost to rebuild the entire
system would cost approximately four million dollars. The current water base is subsidizing the program;
most irrigation customers have rejected all proposals presented at public meetings. Monthly irrigation
rates currently collected are $26.78 or $29.97, depending on location ofthe residence; the current cost to
provide the service is approximately $58 per month. Proposed rates were presented; staff proposes a
uniform rate of$35 per customer per month commencing in 2015, $45 per month per customer
commencing January 2016, and $55 per month per customer commencing January 2017. The City would
like to continue providing this service for the health of the trees, yards and environment. John Hawley
(803 East Lincoln A venue) presented statements in support of rate increases, but would like rates
reviewed annually as opposed to automatic rates increases through 2017. Ed Blank (720 East Edison
A venue) provided statements in opposition of increased flood irrigation rates. Louis Saide (Edison
A venue) presented concerns related to flood irrigation rate increases. Patrick McNulty ( 1517 East Orange
Street) presented statements regarding increased flood irrigation rates and potential solutions. John
Mestas (202 North 9 111 Street) presented statements regarding potential impacts of irrigation rate increases.
Roger Kassebaum (313 5 111 A venue West) presented concerns related to inigation rate increases and the
Janumy 20, 2015 Regular Council A1eeting Minutes
5

health of neighborhood trees. There being no further public comment, Mayor Meek closed the public
hearing at 6:39p.m. Councilmember Heustis commented with regard to the numerous water rate
conversations held and the increasing cost to provide the services. Councilmember McAchran discussed
his support of using irrigation for landscaping and stated he supports subsidizing flood irrigation rates in
the general fund. Councilmember Hess provided comments with regard to the extent of discussions held
by Council regarding water rate increases and the continual review of those rates; the cost to provide this
service has increased and she supp01is a rate increase with consistent review. Mr. Nigh provided
clarification regarding enterprise funds. Vice Mayor Orsborn discussed the need to cover the deficit
created by providing the flood irrigation service; stated no contingency money is currently set aside for
repairs or renovation; stated residents benefiting from the service should pay the cost of receiving the
service. Councilmember Strauss discussed the potential of reducing overall water usage. Mr. Nigh stated
the majority of costs to deliver flood irrigation are labor costs and provided clarification related to water
used to irrigate City parks. Mayor Meek discussed the City's current budget, the rising cost to provide
services, and the cost of necessary major repairs. General discussion was held regarding the potential of
forming a water district and residents were encouraged to research this option. A motion was made by
Vice Mayor Orsborn and seconded by Councilmember Strauss to adopt Resolution No. 04-15 establishing
increased flood irrigation rates and charges; establishing an effective date; repealing conflicting
resolutions. Councilmember Garza was absent. Mayor Meek, Councilmember Hess and Councilmember
Heustis voted aye; Councilmember McAchran voted nay. Motion carried.
7B. Public Hearing and Action Application to add Sampling Privileges to Active Series 9
(Liquor Store) Liquor License No. 09070246, for Wal-Mart Supercenter #3407, Located at
1060 S. Watson Road in Buckeye
Staff Liaison: Lucinda Aja, City Clerk
District No.5
Mayor Meek opened the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. to hear citizen input regarding the application to add
Sampling Privileges for a current Series 9 (Liquor Store) Liquor License No. 09070246, for Walmmi
Supercenter #3407located at 1060 S. Watson Road in Buckeye. Ms. Aja provided an overview of the
request by Wal-Mati Supercenter to add sampling privileges to their current liquor license. Claire Hollie
Abel with Wal-Mart was available for questions. Clarification was provided regarding the regulated limit
of three ounces per sample per patron. Training received by the staff providing the samples was
addressed. Sampling privileges are used as a method of advertising. There being no further public
comment, Mayor Meek closed the public hearing at 7:27p.m. A motion was made by Councilmember
Heustis and seconded by Councilmember McAchran to approve the addition of Sampling Privileges to
active Series 9 (Liquor Store) Liquor License No. 09070246, for Walmart Supercenter #3407, located at
1060 S. Watson Road in Buckeye. Requested by Clare Hollie Abel on behalfofWalmart. Motion passed
unanimously.
7C. Action Resolution No. 06-15 Approving a Ground Lease Between the City ofBud<:eye and
Catholic Charities Community Services, Inc., an Arizona Non-Profit Corporation for
Certain Real Estate Located at 113 East Centre Avenue in Buckeye
Staff Liaison: Scott Lowe, Public Worl<:s Director
District No.2
Mr. Lowe provided an overview of the request to approve a ground lease between the City and Catholic
Charities Community Services, Inc., who provide Head Stmi services. The building located at 113 East
Centre Avenue was conveyed by Maricopa County to Catholic Charities Community Services, Inc. A
Motion was made by Councilmember Hess and seconded by Councilmember Heustis to adopt Resolution
No. 06-15 approving a ground lease between the City of Buckeye and Catholic Charities Community
Services, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation for cetiain real estate located at 113 East Centre A venue
in Buckeye, in the amount of $2,378.75 annually for a five-year period, beginning July 1, 2015 through
June 30, 2020. Motion passed unanimously.
January 20, 2015 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
6

7D, Council to Convene into the Board of Adjustments to Consider the of a Variance
Requested by Greg Boyd of LGI Homes
Staff Liaison: Boik, Senior Planner
District No, 1
Ms. Hogan informed Council that noticing errors have been made; the applicant is not present. The item
was therefore vacated with no action taken.
8, City Manager's Report and Government Relations
See attached City Manager's Repmi.
Mr. Diaz provided a legislative and budget update; details of the State budget are expected in
approximately one month; transaction privilege tax reform has been discussed by the legislature.
9, Comments from the Mayor and Council
Councilmember Garza: absent.
Councilmember Strauss: mentioned the MetLife Blimp landing at the Buckeye Municipal Airport.
Councilmember Hess: no comment.
Councilmember McAchran: no comment.
Councilmember Heustis: no comment.
Vice Mayor Orsborn: provided an update ofWESTMARC and Governor Ducey's vision for the
budget; discussed the recent Buckeye Pollution Control Corporation meeting held at City Hall.
Mayor Meek: no comment.
10, Adjournment
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Orsborn and seconded by Councilmember Hess to adjourn the
meeting at 7:44p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Jackie A. Meek, Mayor
ATTEST:
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the Regular Council Meeting
held on the 20th day of January, 2015. I further certify that a quorum was present.
Lucinda J. Aja, City Clerk
Janumy 20, 2015 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
7