MINUTES
ORO VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
February 18, 2015
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
Mayor Hiremath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
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PRESENT: |
Satish Hiremath, Mayor
Brendan Burns, Councilmember
Bill Garner, Councilmember
Joe Hornat, Councilmember
Mary Snider, Councilmember
Mike Zinkin, Councilmember
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| EXCUSED: |
Lou Waters, Vice Mayor
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Mayor Hiremath led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Communications Administrator Misti Nowak announced the upcoming Town meetings and events.
Councilmember Zinkin corrected inaccurate information contained in a PowerPoint presentation regarding Police Department overtime. The PowerPoint stated that $113,000 in overtime costs were realized due to paying officers from the time they checked-in and checked-out of their take home vehicles. Councilmember Zinkin clarified that officers were not paid during their check-in and check-out times for take home vehicles so no overtime costs were incurred.
Councilmember Zinkin referenced a deed dated July 1, 2008 from Pima County regarding Steam Pump Ranch. Councilmember Zinkin said the deed stipulated that the Town shall, at all times, maintain each building and the respective facades, as well as the site, to reduce deterioration. Councilmember Zinkin said the structures at Steam Pump Ranch needed to be stabilized in order to prevent further deterioration.
On behalf of Vice Mayor Lou Waters, Councilmember Snider reported that new and expanded Bio Sciences were coming to Oro Valley which meant more high-end jobs and enhanced recognition of Oro Valley as the Bio Science hub of Southern Arizona. LCMS Laboratories of La Jolla California was expanding to the Foothills Business Park. LCMS was a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified laboratory meaning an advanced class of mass spectrometry technologies that would create high-paying laboratory and administrative jobs in the region. At the same time, Roche Ventana was expanding its operations at Innovation Parkway by 28,000 sq. feet on thirty acres adjacent to the main facility.
Councilmember Snider recognized students from Ironwood Ridge High School who were a part of the SMART Team (Students Modeling a Research Topic). Each year, the team worked with local researchers to develop a 3-D printed model of a protein of interest. This year's group partnered with the laboratory of Dr. James Hazzard at the University of Arizona Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. They worked to develop a computer-generated model of streptavidin (a bacterial protein) which is used in biotechnology.
Ironwood Ridge High School teacher Liane Futch, introduced the following members of the SMART Team:
Tiffany Pham
Bennett Adamson
Joe Montoya
Jason Kronenfeld
Martin Inostroza
Savanah Fraijo
Ryan Chavez
Bianca Reilly
Bennett Adamson
No reports were received.
Mayor Hiremath reviewed the order of business and said Regular Agenda item #3 regarding Personnel Policy 14 - Overtime, would be continued to the March 18, 2015 Council meeting.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
| 1. |
Letter of Appreciation for Shop OV |
and volunteer for the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), spoke about a recent youth-outreach opportunity in which the YAC members visited seniors at the Catalina Springs Memory Care facility and played basketball with the male residents, assisted residents with preparations for their senior prom, decorated cards, made cookies and sang to the residents on Valentine's Day.
Ani Ehramjian, Youth Advisory Council Member and Oro Valley resident, thanked Mike Delgado, Manager of Fry's Food & Drug, for his generous donation of beautiful flowers for their visit with the seniors at Catalina Springs Memory Care facility.
spoke about the elimination of Coyote Run in 2011 and the closure of the recreation center across the street from Town Hall in FY 2012/13.
was excited about LCMS Laboratories coming to Oro Valley and the Chamber had reached out to them to offer any kind of assistance as needed. Mr. Perry thanked Economic Development Manager Amanda Jacobs for her efforts in attracting LCMS to Oro Valley. The Golf Club at Vistoso would host a Mixer event on Thursday, February 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Oro Valley Country Club would host a breakfast on Thursday, February 26th. The Grand Opening and Open House at Copper Health Oro Valley would be held on February 26th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The ribbon cutting would be at 4:30 p.m. The Off the Vine Wine Festival would be held this Saturday, February 21st from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Steam Pump Ranch.
The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce was working to find 1,500 meals to serve volunteers at the State Fast Swim Meet at the Aquatics Facility from March 5th through the 8th.
was concerned with the misleading content, insinuations, opinions and incorrect facts that were contained within a letter and PowerPoint presentation that were drafted by Councilmember Zinkin and Councilmember Garner. Mr. Winetrobe inquired as to why Councilmember Burns, Councilmember Garner and Councilmember Zinkin had not attended the Study Session last April at which the Police Department budget was discussed.
Councilmember Burns said he was not able to attend the Budget Study Session last April because he was on annual military duty.
Councilmember Zinkin said he was not able to attend the Budget Study Session last April because he was celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary.
Councilmember Garner said he was not able to attend the Budget Study Session last April because he was out of Town for business.
Councilmember Hornat said Coyote Run was reinstituted by Council under a new name and was three times more successful than it ever had been and served a large number of residents in the community both over and under sixty-five years old.
Councilmember Hornat said the Center that was closed across the street from Town Hall served a very small group of people, a community center would serve thousands.
Councilmember Zinkin requested to remove items (C) and (F) from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
| A. |
Minutes - February 4, 2015 |
| B. |
Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Report: October 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014 |
| D. |
Council approval of M3S Sports' request for in-kind support for the Arizona Distance Classic |
| E. |
Resolution No. (R)15-15, authorizing and approving vacation of a portion of a one (1) foot No Access Easement along Innovation Park Drive |
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Snider and seconded by Councilmember Garner to approve Consent Agenda items (A)-(B) and (D)-(E).
MOTION carried, 6-0.
Councilmember Zinkin asked why Ms. Jacobs attended the Las Vegas Rock "n" Roll Marathon expo.
Ms. Jacobs said the main purpose for the trip was to promote the upcoming Arizona Distance Classic and to meet with other event coordinators to attract additional endurance events to Oro Valley.
Councilmember Zinkin asked if Visit Tucson was rebating the Town $8,750 for costs incurred for promotion activities.
Ms. Jacobs said that was correct.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Zinkin and seconded by Councilmember Hornat to approve item (C).
MOTION carried, 6-0.
Councilmember Zinkin said he could not support the Strategic Plan because it was too beurocratic, generic and non-directional.
Mayor Hiremath said the Strategic Plan provided direction and helped the Town prioritize activities.
Councilmember Snider said the Strategic Plan was a guiding document and was used by departments to help stay on track and work towards common goals.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Snider and seconded by Councilmember Hornat to approve item (F) as presented.
MOTION carried, 4-2 with Councilmember Garner and Councilmember Zinkin opposed.
Town Clerk Julie Bower presented item #1.
Mayor Hiremath opened the public hearing.
No comments were received.
Mayor Hiremath closed the public hearing.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Snider and seconded by Councilmember Hornat to Recomend Approval of the issuance of a Series 11 Liquor License to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for Kevin Kramber for the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort located at 10000 N. Oracle Road.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
Ms. Bower presented item #2.
Mayor Hiremath opened the public hearing.
No comments were received.
Mayor Hiremath closed the public hearing.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Burns and seconded by Councilmember Hornat to Recomend Approval of the issuance of a Series 6 Liquor License to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for Kevin Kramber for the El Conquistador Country Club located at 10555 N. La Canada Drive.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
| 3. |
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING PERSONNEL POLICY 14 - OVERTIME |
Item #3 was continued to the March 18, 2015 regular Town Council meeting.
Economic Development Manager Amanda Jacobs presented item #4.
Discussion ensued amongst Council and staff regarding item #4.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Snider and seconded by Councilmember Burns to initiate a zoning code amendment to Section 28.1 (Signs) to consider changes to window sign and balloon standards.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
Discussion ensued amongst Council and staff regarding item #5.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Zinkin and seconded by Councilmember Garner to suspend the implementation of the .5% sales tax increase until such time that all litigation currently under way referencing the Hilton El Conquistador has been settled.
MOTION failed, 2-3 with Mayor Hiremath, Councilmember Hornat, and Councilmember Snider opposed.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Garner and seconded by Councilmember Zinkin to postpone the final purchase of the El Conquistador Golf & Country Club and associated properties until such notice that the legal proceedings have been concluded.
MOTION failed, 3-3 with Mayor Hiremath, Councilmember Hornat, and Councilmember Snider opposed.
Councilmember Garner presented item #7.
Discussion ensued amongst Council and staff regarding item #7.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Garner and seconded by Councilmember Zinkin to direct staff, regarding any purchase or operator contracts related to the El Conquistador Country Club and golf course, to have the contracts come before Council as a Consent Agenda item.
MOTION failed, 3-3 with Mayor Hiremath, Councilmember Hornat, and Councilmember Snider opposed.
No future agenda items were requested.
No comments were received.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Zinkin and seconded by Councilmember Snider to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m.
MOTION carried, 5-1 with Councilmember Hornat opposed.