PRESENT:

Paul Loomis, Mayor Bill Garner, Vice Mayor K. C. Carter, Councilmember Barry Gillaspie, Councilmember Salette Latas, Councilmember Pat Spoerl, Councilmember

On behalf of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Loomis presented Councilmember Al Kunisch with a proclamation from the Mayor, a key to the town and southwest artwork for his service on the Oro Valley Town Council from June 2006 to February 2010.

Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Stacey Lemos reviewed the proposed Bond Defeasance recommendations and outlined the advantages and disadvantages of doing the defeasance of bonds.  She explained the interest cost savings that could be realized if the defeasance is approved by Council.  Financial Advisor Mark Reader was present to answer any questions. 

Mrs. Lemos then reviewed proposed revenue enhancement options that were summarized during the Council’s Budget Retreat in January.

Mayor Loomis asked that the Bond Defeasance request be moved forward to a future Agenda for Council action and recommended that the budget move forward without any new revenue sources included due to no comments from the Council asking to do so.

Planning & Zoning Director Paul Popelka presented proposed amendments to the Oro Valley Zoning Code Revised that would allow greater flexibility for use of in-lieu public art funds. The current code does not allow in-lieu funds to be applied to cultural resources or maintenance of existing public art projects.

Council discussion followed regarding the proposed amendments:
 -Pool money to use for maintenance of town owned art projects.
- Define what in-lieu funds would be used for.
- Concern with using funds for cultural resources.
- Money must be managed for benefit of community.
- Concern trying to use one time funds for maintenance of art projects.
- Using in-lieu fees for maintenance may be stretching the reason to ask for 1%.
- If there is a piece of artwork at risk the Town could go to the artist that put the artwork in place and if possible have it moved to a location where it could be saved.
- Have funds available to allow artwork to remain for town residents in perpetuity. 

Mayor Loomis asked staff to bring this discussion back to Council when there is more time to talk about history of the 1% for art programs and identify where the process works or doesn’t work so that Council can try to come up with some direction and identify what the needs are.  Also, possibly a similar venue for cultural resources could be used.

Discussion followed regarding the current emergency repair process now in place; if the library tree art needs immediate maintenance, it can be done now.

Mr. Popelka stated he will look into the issues discussed tonight and will bring back the reponses at a future meeting.

Paul Popelka handed out a revised Planning & Zoning Work Plan and reviewed the spreadsheet showing the Work Plan Projects by Priority, Department Programs, and estimated amount of staff time involved to accomplish the work. He asked for some direction on priorities and how they should be handled.

Discussion followed regarding the priorities of the work plan:

- Supports staff priorities.
- Too much emphasis on amending The General Plan.
- Emphasis should be on amending the Zoning Code since it has the "teeth" in it, not The General Plan.
-  Citizen’s Planning Institute (CPI) is included as part of the administrative work, devote extra effort on the new CPI Program.
-  The General Plan update will be existing information reflecting changes over the past 5 years.
-  The energy element will be updated after the sustainability plan.
-  Like to see plans for a major revision to The General Plan with a public process since the last time this was done, was in 1995.
 - The community has made major changes since The General Plan revision from 1995.
 - Balance on energy and conservation elements.
-  General Plan update intent to have fairly light update and support deeper update when time comes so can gauge what has changed, make comparisons with past plans to see where changes should be considered.
- There is movement in the State Legislature to grant an extension of the 10 year General Plan review requirement due to budget deficits and lack of staff.
- A major planning upgrade needs to start three years out.
- The sign code has to be addressed, but there are a number of other areas that are not where we need to be, so it is a perfect time to start addressing them and identify inconsistencies between The General Plan and Zoning Code.
-  Need to help where people need relief by addressing the law in the Zoning Code.
-  Concern with doing too many things with fewer people.
-  Must give better direction of what we expect staff to do.  They are spread too thin and are short of help. 

Mr. Popelka stated that the staff is very dedicated and productive.  The best direction Council could give to staff would be a sense of priority and what is most important so staff can concentrate their efforts in that direction.  He stated that when the sign code is finished, that will free up some time. 

Mayor Loomis opened the floor for public comment.

Oro Valley resident Bill Adler expressed his objections to the proposed priorities of the Work Plan.

Mr. Popelka stated that once the priorities of the workplan are confirmed then staff will develop a scope and work schedule including a timeline to follow.

Mayor Loomis requested another study session with more than one half hour to discuss the issues. 

Councilmember Carter requested that the Stormwater Utility Commission give a presentation to the newly elected Council sometime in July.  Councilmember Gillaspie seconded the request.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Latas and seconded by Vice Mayor Garner go into Executive Session at 8:00 p.m.

Click here for Special Session Item 1

MOTION:  A motion was made by Councilmember Carter to accept the resignation submitted by Councilmember Al Kunisch.  MOTION SECONDED by Councilmember Latas.  MOTION carried 6 - 0.

Click her for Special Session Item 2

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Spoerl and seconded by Councilmember Latas direct the Town staff to advertise the Council position for interested residents over the age of 18 who are qualified electors who have lived in the town for one year, with a deadline of March 5, 2010 at 12:00 noon.  I further direct the Town Clerk to advertise a special session for March 12, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. for Council to consider applicants in Executive Session and to take possible action to make the appointment.  MOTION SECONDED by Councilmember Latas.  MOTION carried 6 - 0.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Carter and seconded by Vice Mayor Garner adjourn at 9:00 p.m. MOTION carried 6 - 0.