MINUTES
ORO VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
Regular Session
February 18, 2009
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
 
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER - 5:01 p.m.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Paul Loomis, Mayor
K.C. Carter, Vice Mayor
Paula Abbott, Council Member
Bill Garner, Council Member
Barry Gillaspie, Council Member
Al Kunisch, Council Member
Salette Latas, Council Member

Council Member Abbott arrived at 5:02 p.m. and Council Member Gillaspie arrived at 5:04 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM

MOTION: A motion was made by and seconded by to

MOTION carried, 6-0.

MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Kunisch and seconded by Vice Mayor Carter to go out of Executive Session at 6:05 p.m.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

RESUME REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 6:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER - 6:15 p.m.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Paul Loomis, Mayor
K.C. Carter, Vice Mayor
Paula Abbott, Council Member
Bill Garner, Council Member
Barry Gillaspie, Council Member
Al Kunisch, Council Member
Salette Latas, Council Member

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Loomis led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Town Manager David Andrews reviewed the upcoming meetings and events.

COUNCIL REPORTS - No reports.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Communications Administrator Mary Davis announced that a dedication ceremony for the Town’s first Park ’N Ride facility would be held on Monday, March 2nd beginning at 9:00 a.m.  She also reported that the final plans for the Town’s 35th Anniversary have been completed and staff would be adding information to the website to inform the citizens of the planned activities.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Town Manager David Andrews reported that while attending the Arizona City Managers’ Association (ACMA) Conference, he and Assistant Town Manager Jerene Watson interviewed a student from Arizona State University regarding an ACMA sponsored internship.  (ACMA will provide a $3,000 stipend).  He explained that the Town of Oro Valley is one of two finalists for consideration of this internship.  Mr. Andrews further reported that he was elected to serve a 2-year term on the ACMA’s Board of Directors.

Council Member Abbott announced that she would hold a Council on Your Corner event on Saturday, March 7th.  She stated that Representative Nancy Young Wright would also be present and they would be discussing education, budget cuts and sustainability.  She also stated that attendees can bring non-perishable donations for the Community Food Bank.

ORDER OF BUSINESS: MAYOR WILL REVIEW THE ORDER OF THE MEETING

There being no objections, Mayor Loomis moved Item 5 before Item 4.

CALL TO AUDIENCE -

Lisa Powell, Oro Valley resident and President of Wilson K-8 ’s Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) addressed the Town’s budget deficit.  She commented that the School Resource Officer (SRO) as provided by the Oro Valley Police Department is a huge resource that the school desperately needs.  She stated that if the SRO was taken away, it would affect the entire school. 

PRESENTATIONS

1)

Pause for Paws - No presentation.


2)

Presentation by the Kiwanis Club of Oro Valley thanking the Town for its support for the Christmas Tree Recycling Program


Hank Jepsen and John Howserman, Oro Valley Kiwanis Club, presented a Plaque of Appreciation to the Council and the Town thanking everyone for their cooperation and support of their annual Christmas tree recycling program. 

3)

Presentation of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for Fiscal Year 2008/09 Town of Oro Valley Budget from the Government Finance Officers Association


Mayor Loomis presented Wendy Gilden, Management and Budget Analyst and Stacey Lemos, Finance Director, with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) plaque for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

1.

CONSENT AGENDA


At the request of Council, Mayor Loomis pulled Items D, F, H and L from the Consent Agenda.

MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Garner and seconded by Vice Mayor Carter to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items D, F, H and L.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

A.

Minutes - January 21 28, 2009


B.

Coyote Run Monthly Report - January 2009


C.

Economic Development Monthly Report - January 2009


D.

Police Department Monthly Report - December 2008 (PULLED FOR DISCUSSION)


In response to a question from Council Member Kunisch, Chief of Police Danny Sharp explained that any citizen can call in a license plate number if they have concerns.  He also explained that the Citizen Volunteer Assistant’s Program (CVAP) volunteers have been certified by the State of Arizona to access the Arizona Criminal Justice system but they do call for backup and follow departmental protocol.

MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Kunisch and seconded by Council Member Gillaspie to accept the Police Department Monthly Report dated January 2009.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

E.

Resolution (R)09 - 09 Approving a Tactical Diversion Task Force Agreement between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Town of Oro Valley for the participation in the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad Task Force


F.

Resolution No. (R)09 - 10 Authorizing and executing a license agreement between the Town of Oro Valley and the Oro Valley Historical Society to allow for the planting, cultivating, and maintenance of Native American and Pioneer Gardens and to permit guided site tours on the site known as Steam Pump Ranch (PULLED FOR DISCUSSION)


Discussion followed regarding the status of Steam Pump Ranch, bond monies set aside for the purchase and the master planning with approximately $340,000 remaining to be used for emergency stabilization, remaining cost of project will cost approximately $8 million, constant assessment of the property and stabilization of buildings, tours, historical garden is a volunteer effort, qualified archaeologists on the Historical Society, and discovery of photographs and artifacts that are be restored and preserved.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Carter and seconded by Council Member Latas to approve Resolution (R)09-10.

Council Member Abbott stated that she would oppose this item due to concerns regarding safety and liability.  She stated that she would support this item after stabilization was completed.

MOTION carried, 6-1 with Council Member Abbott opposed.

G.

OV12-07-17 Approval of a development plan for lot 6 of Mercado Del Rio property, located off Pusch View Lane directly west of Oracle Road


H.

Resolution No. (R)09 - 11 Supporting Arizona Public Education at all levels and to urge the Arizona State Legislature not to balance the state budget at the expense of public education (PULLED FOR DISCUSSION)


Mayor Loomis opened the floor for public comment.

Donny Welsh, Oro Valley resident, thanked the Council for supporting his school.

Erin Collier, Oro Valley resident, thanked the Council for consideration of the Resolution supporting public education.  She further stated that the Amphitheater School District and parents are working on placing two overrides regarding the school’s budget on the November 2009 ballot and she requested Council’s support. 

Michael Slugocki, non-Oro Valley resident and a senior at the University of Arizona, thanked the Council for consideration of the Resolution.  He stated that cuts in education are destroying schools and that the students suffer.   He urged the Council to adopt the resolution and to continue to fight against cuts in funding.

Nancy Martin, Oro Valley resident and liaison to Wilson School K-8, thanked Council for supporting the effort.   She stated that there are excellent public schools in Oro Valley and they provide a key element for a community of excellence.

Council Member Abbott commented that education is the economic engine for Oro Valley and the impact of the budget cuts to education would cripple students and the State of Arizona.  She then read an article that she would be placing in the Oro Valley Vista publication.

MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Abbott and seconded by Vice Mayor Carter to approve Resolution (R)09-11 supporting Arizona public education at all levels and to urge the Arizona State Legislature not to balance the State budget at the expense of public education.

Council Member Latas urged all citizens to contact their State legislators and ask them to "not balance the budget on the backs of the children".

MOTION carried, 7-0.

MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Abbott and seconded by Council Member Kunisch to approve the proposed League of Cities and Towns 2009 Resolution urging the State Legislature to fully fund higher education programs especially at post-secondary levels throughout the State of Arizona.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

I.

Appointment of Robert Turnbull as the Town of Oro Valley representative to the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee with term effective January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011


J.

Appointment of Robert LaMaster and D. Alan Caine to the Planning & Zoning Commission with terms effective February 19, 2009 - July 31, 2009


K.

Appointment of Joy Nelson, member of Friends of Green Valley Public Library to the Oro Valley Library Review Committee


L.

Request for Approval to use Budgeted Cash Reserves from the Water Utility Enterprise FY 08-09 Budget for the purchase of Groundwater Extinguishment Credits in an amount not to exceed $700,000.00 to reduce payment obligations to the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (PULLED FOR DISCUSSION)


In response to questions from Vice Mayor Carter, Water Utility Director Philip Saletta explained that $700,000 would be a one-time expenditure this fiscal year.  However, the Utility would use the water that was purchased over the next 2-3 years; therefore, savings would be realized during that time period.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Carter and seconded by Council Member Kunisch to approve Item L, request for approval to use budgeted cash reserves from the Water Utility Enterprise 2008/09 budget for the purchase of Groundwater Extinguishment Credits in an amount not to exceed $700,000. 

MOTION carried, 7-0.

2.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO FORMALLY INITIATE A CHANGE TO THE TOWN CODE AND BOARD AND COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND POLICIES FOR APPOINTMENT (Continued from January 21, 2009)


Tory Schlievert, Management Assistant, stated that since the January 21st meeting, staff has polled the graduates of the Citizens' Planning Institute (CPI) for their input on the proposed changes to the appointment process for Boards and Commissions.  She then reviewed a PowerPoint presentation detailing the potential process change to the appointments for the Town's Boards and Commissions. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Carter and seconded by Council Member Latas to approve the proposed appointment process.

Discussion followed regarding the current interview appoint process verses the proposed Council appointment process, results of the survey, volunteers’ input, streamlining the current process and opportunity to move in a positive direction.

MOTION failed, 3-4 with Mayor Loomis, Council Member Garner, Council Member Gillaspie, and Council Member Kunisch opposed.

Mayor Loomis recessed the meeting at 7:20 p.m.  The meeting resumed at 7:25 p.m.

3.

RESOLUTION NO. (R)09 - 12 ADOPTING THE TOWN OF ORO VALLEY PROPOSITION 207 POLICY RELATING TO LAND USE MATTERS


Town Attorney Tobin Rosen reviewed background information relating to Proposition 207.  He then presented highlights regarding the adoption of Resolution (R)09-12 and policy waivers as they would relate to land use matters under Proposition 207.

MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Abbott and seconded by Council Member Kunisch to adopt Resolution (R)09-12 and to approve the proposed policy with regard to the application of Proposition 207 to land use decisions within the Town of Oro Valley and to direct staff to implement such policy.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

5.

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TRAVEL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008/2009


Town Manager David Andrews reported that Council Members Abbott and Kunisch requested a discussion regarding the consideration to limit or suspend out-of-state travel.  Council Members Latas and Gillaspie then requested that the discussion also include in-state travel.

Discussion followed regarding:
~ Attendance at the National League Conference in Washington D.C.  (Town’s attendees will have opportunity to meet with Arizona State representatives).
~ Possible changes to current policy: If trip is going to exceed $1000, then the goal of the trip, how it affects Oro Valley, benefits, etc. should be provided before travel commences.
~ Provide transparency.
~ Council decided to not fund governmental lobbyists and have Town staff do the lobbying.
~ Trip reports are submitted and placed on the Consent Agenda.
~ Teleconferencing is a good option.
~ Current year’s budget is balanced.
~ Opportunity to revise travel policy due to economic situation.

No action taken.

4.

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESCHEDULING THE MARCH 18, 2009 COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TO MARCH 25, 2009


MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Gillaspie and seconded by Council Member Latas to reschedule the March 18th Council regular meeting to March 25th.

MOTION carried, 5-2 with Council Member Abbott and Council Member Kunisch opposed.

6.

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO RECONSIDER MODIFYING AND INCREASING THE ADOPTED FY 2008/09 TRAVEL BUDGET FOR MAYOR PAUL LOOMIS


Council Member Gillaspie withdrew his request for consideration of the travel budget.  No action necessary.

7.

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL TO MODIFY AND INCREASE THE ADOPTED FY 2008/09 TRAVEL BUDGET FOR MAYOR PAUL LOOMIS


No action required.

8.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS


Council Member Abbott - Invite Russell Lowes to present at the next Study Session regarding nuclear energy and energy sustainability.

Council Member Latas - For consideration: establishment of two new commissions: Economic Development Commission and Sustainability Commission.  Seconded by Vice Mayor Carter.

Council Member Kunisch - Bring back two separate policies regarding out-of-state and in-state travel.  Seconded by Council Member Abbott.

CALL TO AUDIENCE -  No speakers

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Carter and seconded by Council Member Kunisch to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.

MOTION carried, 7-0.