CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Foster 7:00 P.M.
INVOCATION: Mayor Foster.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: All in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Foster, Vice Mayor Cowell, Council Members Anderson, Kelley, Lizarraga, Lukkasson and Winslow.
STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Alex Taft, Town Attorney Walsma, Town Clerk Karen Norris, Al Johnson C.B.O., Finance Director Heidi Turner and Police Chief Jeff Gilbert.
REPORTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Anderson gives a report/update on the community building in the Town park. Announces the animal shelter is now completed. Reports on the snack shack in the Town park, the progress of the hotel on Kuehn, the assisted care facility. Council Member Anderson also gives updates on various building projects throughout the town.
Council Member Kelley reports on the Legislative Recap meeting him and the Mayor attended in Yuma that was given by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns. Council Member Kelley reports on several bills that were before the legislature.
Mayor Foster comments on the House Bill that addresses the lottery fund.
Ms. Monica Timberlake, resident, gives a progress report for the Country Bash which is scheduled to be held October 2nd, 2010.
Pastor Jeff Jones and Pastor Mike Hobby announce the churches are sponsoring a picnic to be held August 13, 2010 at the Senior Center at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to come.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Approval of accounts payable (Check Series: 30432 – 30511/total = $187,167.00)
2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of July 13, 2010.
Council Member Lizarraga motioned to approve the consent agenda as presented, excluding check number 30461 to La Paz County for election services. Motion seconded by Council Member Lukkasson. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 7 in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS:
072710 – 1. Discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 10-15; Providing for adoption of Town of Quartzsite Budget fiscal year 2010-2011.
Council Member Kelley motioned to approve Resolution No. 10-15; providing for adoption of Town of Quartzsite Budget fiscal year 2010-2011. Motion seconded by Council Member Winslow. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 6 in favor, 1 member opposed (Mayor Foster). MOTION CARRIED.
072710 – 2. Discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 10-16; Declaring and adopting the results of the court-ordered recount of the Town of Quartzsite General election of May 18, 2010.
Council Member Lizarraga motioned to approve Resolution No. 10-16; declaring and adopting the results of the court-ordered recount of the Town of Quartzsite General election of May 18, 2010. Motion seconded by Council Member Anderson. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 7 in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
072710 – 3. Discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 10-17; Approving the form and authorizing the execution and delivery of a loan agreement with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of AZ from its Clean Water Revolving Fund program and, if necessary, guaranty or similar agreements to provide insurance policies or surety bonds necessary in connection therewith, delegating the determination of certain matters relating thereto to the Town Manager of the Town; providing for the transfer of certain moneys and making certain covenants and agreements with respect thereto; authorizing the taking of all other actions necessary to the consummation of the transaction contemplated by such loan agreement and this resolution and declaring an emergency.
Council Member Anderson motions to discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 10-17; approving the form and authorizing the execution and delivery of a loan agreement with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of AZ from its Clean Water Revolving Fund program and, if necessary, guaranty or similar agreements to provide insurance policies or surety bonds necessary in connection therewith, delegating the determination of certain matters relating thereto to the Town Manager of the Town; providing for the transfer of certain moneys and making certain covenants and agreements with respect thereto; authorizing the taking of all other actions necessary to the consummation of the transaction contemplated by such loan agreement and this resolution and declaring an emergency. Motion seconded by Council Member Winslow. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 7 in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
072710 – 4. Discussion and possible approval of Town of Quartzsite Gateway JPA agreement.
Council Member Lizarraga motioned to approve the Town of Quartzsite Gateway JPA agreement. Motion seconded by Council Member Kelley. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 5 in favor, 2 opposed (Mayor Foster and Council Member Kelley). MOTION CARRIED.
072710 – 5. Discussion and possible approval of Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with ADOT for Bike Lane Striping Project.
Council Member Anderson reads: Discussion and possible approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with ADOT for Bike Lane Striping Project. Mayor Foster calls for a motion. Council Member Anderson states that is her motion. Motion seconded by Council Member Lukkasson. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 7 in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
072710 – 6. Discussion and possible approval to apply for a non-matching Arizona Community Foundation Grant for $4,400.00 for the Library.
Council Member Anderson reads: discussion and possible approval to apply for a non-matching Arizona Community Foundation Grant for $4,400.00 for the Library. Council Member Lukkasson seconds. Town Attorney Walsma asks for clarification of Council Member Anderson’s motion. Mayor Foster states the motion was for approval of the Grant for $4,400.00. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 7 in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
072710 – 7. Discussion and possible approval of new Cemetery fees as recommended by the Hi Jolly Cemetery Board.
Council Member Kelley motioned to possibly approve new Cemetery fees as recommended by the Hi Jolly Cemetery Board. Motion seconded by Council Member Winslow. Town Attorney Walsma asks for clarification of the motion. Council Member Kelley states that he moves to approve the new Cemetery fees as presented on the agenda. After much discussion regarding the fees presented Mayor Foster suggests tabling this item to give better notice of the fee changes to the citizens of Quartzsite to allow for them to give public comment on the issue. Council Member Kelley motioned to withdraw his motion to approve the new Cemetery fees and put it off to a later date. Vice Mayor Cowell seconds the new motion. Mayor Foster calls for a roll call vote. Mayor Foster-aye, Vice Mayor Cowell-aye, Council Member Anderson-aye, Council Member Kelley-aye, Council Member Lizarraga-nay, Council Member Lukkasson-nay and Council Member Winslow-nay. 4 in favor, 3 opposed. MOTION TO WITHDRAW ORIGINAL MOTION AND BRING BACK AT A LATER DATE CARRIED.
072710 – 8. Discussion and possible approval to authorize Attorney Steve Shadle to enter into a lease agreement for temporary use of the Town’s Colorado River Water Allocation.
Mayor Foster clarifies that this item is to possibly approve Attorney Steve Shadle to enter into negotiations to lease the Town’s water rights. Mayor Foster motions to approve to authorize Attorney Steve Shadle to enter into a lease agreement for temporary use of the Town’s Colorado River Water Allocation. Motion seconded by Council Member Kelley. Attorney Walsma clarifies again that the item is to allow Mr. Shadle to negotiate the lease agreement. Mayor Foster calls for the vote. Vote – 6 in favor, 1 opposed (Council Member Kelley). MOTION CARRIED.
COMMUNICATIONS/PETITIONS & CITIZEN COMMENTS: (call to the public)
Mrs. Carol Kelley announces a blood drive at the Senior Center on August 5th, noon until 6:00 p.m. Also, the food bank is running out of food, they need help.
Mr. Shawn Austin comments regarding a complaint he had made with the Quartzsite Police Department regarding a statutory rape by a Quartzsite Police Officer. Mr. Austin comments he believes this complaint has been covered up and as to date no action has been taken by the Quartzsite Police Department regarding the complaint.
Police Chief Gilbert responds to Mr. Austin’s statements regarding his Department. Chief Gilbert comments the issues was addressed, the Austin’s did not respond to his request to come to the Police Department to discuss the alleged incident. Chief Gilbert explains that he cannot go into details of the officer’s termination due to it being a personnel matter. Chief Gilbert comments that they are making every attempt to further the investigation, but it has to be by their (Austin’s) request. The Police Department would take the request to an outside agency. Chief Gilbert clarifies that the allegations made a year ago were not statutory rape; they were minor in content and were addressed appropriately at that time. Chief Gilbert explains that it was not until a year later that allegations were made, not by the Austin’s, but by Mr. Russell Sias.
Mr. Jerry Wilcox comments regarding losing a couple of good residents due to heat exhaustion. Mr. Wilcox comments on the dangers of heat exhaustion.
Ms. Shanana “Rain” Golden Bear, The Desert Messenger, announces that the Small Business Association is offering disaster assistance for Arizona residents that were affected by the January storms. Ms. Golden Bear states the deadline to submit the paperwork is September 27, 2010.
Pastor Mike Hobby of the Isaiah Project states they have water available if anyone needs it. Monday the will be receiving 4 more pallets of drinking water.
Ms. Joann Robinson, resident, comments on her Lifeline Alert Button and how it works. Ms. Robinson states that it is a good very good thing to have.
Mr. Aaron Shcoy, Pastor of the Southern Baptist Church comments on the local bank and how well they work for the community.
Mrs. Violet Kiss, resident, comments on the Parker Pioneer newspaper; the pages dedicated to the arrest reports. Mrs. Kiss comments on the low crime in Quartzsite.
Ms. Joann Robinson, resident, comments regarding the Police Department patrolling her neighborhood. Ms. Robinson states she feels better when she sees the officers in her neighborhood.
ADJOURNMENT:
8:11 p.m.
CERTIFICATION:
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town Council of Quartzsite, Arizona, held on the 27th day of July 2010.
I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 10th day of August 2010.
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Karen Norris, Town Clerk
APPROVED:
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Ed Foster, Mayor