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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Government Review Task Force - 3/28/2001 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNMENT REVIEW TASK FORCE COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP PUBLIC OPINION FORUM MARCH 28, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: 7:05 p.m. PRESENT: Paul Loomis, Chairman Jim Kriegh, Vice-Chair Marilyn Cook, Member Don Dvorak, Member Richard Feinberg, Member Larry Holden, Member STAFF PRESENT: Susan Baczkiewicz, Civil Paralegal Kathi Cuvelier, Town Clerk Dan L. Dudley, Town Attorney CITIZENS PRESENT: Jim Solan, 775 N. Annandale Way (7 members) Arlene Lehto, 14084 N. Trade Winds Way (7 members) George J. Avis, 14084 N. Trade Winds Way (7 members) Chuck Walton, 1740 E. Chalk Creek Court (7 members) Al Cook, 11570 N. Skywire (7 members) Lyra Done, 1554 W. Carmel Pointe (7 members) Joyce Feinberg, 1451 E. Triton Place (7 members) Army Curtis, 11991 N. Labyrinth Drive (7 members) Renee Hobrock, 11616 N. Greys Court (7 members) Emily S. Sleigh, 12414 N. Copper Queen Way (7 members) Paula Abbott, 10773 N. Glen Abbey Dr. (leaning towards 7) Jim Swan, 775 W. Annandale Way (7 members) Twink Monrad, Calle Concordia (5 members) John Barbee, 10300 N. Bald Head Place (5 members) Bill Adler, 10720 N. Eagle Eye (5 members) Robert J. Oro, 991 W. Wheatgrass Place (5 members) Mayor Loomis gave an overview of the Town's government structure and pointed out that the Town now has 250 employees. He asked each citizen if they preferred a 5 or 7 member Council. (Their preference is listed above). Richard Feinberg reported on a Preliminary Cost Analysis if the Council were to increase to 7 members and pointed out that ARS 9-231 provides that cities and towns must incorporate with 5 members if the population is less than 1500 and 7 members if the population is greater than 1500. He reviewed a comparison of the size of the other 03/28/01 Public Opinion Forum 2 10 municipalities that have 5 member Councils and pointed out that the new 2000 census figures are out and Oro Valley's population is 29,700 with a budget of$80 million. He stated that the other Towns with 5 council members range from a low population of 329 to a high population of 3,422, with annual budgets of$1.5 million. 1 Mr. Feinberg reviewed a list of pros/cons (listed in the Handout dated 3-28-01) of going to a 7 member Council vs. a 5 member Council, compiled from various sources during the Committee's research since August 2000. The following comments on the pros/cons were made from those citizens present: Bill Adler, 10720 N. Eagle Eye Place. Mr. Adler stated he feels the expenses for increasing to 7 members would be closer to $70,000. Jim Kriegh, Vice-Chair, stated that when he served on the Town Council there were some decisions that were made with a 2 — 1 vote. He feels that with a higher quorum with a 7 member Council would give the citizens better representation. Larry Holden stated that he is the one member of the GRTF that is in favor of remaining at 5 members. He stated that there is a greater chance of having a tie vote if only a majority of 7 members were present (4). He asked is bigger really better? Jim Swan, 775 W. Annandale Way. Mr. Swan stated that he served on a Town Council in Indiana. They had a ward system and a 7 member Council. He stated that they practiced the "Riggins Rules" and always worked harmoniously. He is in favor of a 7 member Council. In response to some questions asked by Bill Adler, Town Attorney Dan Dudley stated that there are only certain decisions set out by State Law that can require a "super- majority" vote of the Council. He pointed out that non-charter towns (such as Oro Valley) cannot require a "super-majority" vote on issues not required by law. Mr. Dudley stated that larger representation is related to the size and complexity of the community. Marilyn Cook stressed that there are other important issues facing the Town, such as water and roads, not just zoning matters. Emily Smith Sleigh, 12414 N. Copper Queen Way. Ms. Sleigh stated that there are now more families in Town. A 7 member Council would be better able to carry the burden of the government and share the work load, because not all Council members will be retired and have as much time to devote to the job as a retired Council member would. Mr. Adler asked what assurance do we have that better people will run for office and that more people will get out to vote? 03/28/01 Public Opinion Forum 3 Arlene Lehto, 14084 N. Trade Winds Way. Ms. Lehto replied that she is a former state legislature from Minnesota, and there are no assurances in life anyway. She stated a 7 member Council would provide a broader input. She also stated that she is in favor of forming districts as well as going to a 7 member Council. Chuck Walton, 1740 E. Chalk Creek Court. Mr. Walton stated that regarding the Con that states "Easier to obtain a consensus with a 5 member Council," he stated that the Town Council can still act without reaching a consensus. Mr. Holden stated that once the decision is made to increase the Council to 7 members, the Town cannot go back to 5 members. He feels that going to 7 members is an unknown. Bob Oro, 991 W. Wheatgrass Place. Dr. Oro stated he is in favor of a 5 member Council. The Council is working well together, he does not feel the need to increase to 7 members. Mr. Adler stated that there are other related costs involved by going from a 5 to a 7 member Council. Lyra Done, 1554 W. Carmel Pointe. Ms. Done stated 7 members would provide more vision and foresight than 5 members. Al Cook, 11670 N. Skywire. Mr. Cook commented that the argument for shorter meetings applies whether you have 5 or 7 members. He said that if the Council members do their homework and are prepared, the meetings should be shorter. Ms. Sleigh stated this decision should be made based on what is good for the Town staff and citizens. Mr. Kriegh stated that now that Oro Valley has a larger population it is time for a larger Council. Seven members will take the burden off of 5 Council members when they are deciding important issues such as: • Water • Traffic • Zoning • Planning • Budget • Public safety & welfare Mr. Holden stated that he hasn't seen a problem defined that would warrant a need to increase to 7 members. Mayor Loomis stated that an estimated expense of$60,000 out of an $80 million budget should not be a "driver" in the decision. He made the following comments: 03/28/01 Public Opinion Forum 4 • Going to 7 members will provide diversity. • Attendance has not been a problem. If there is a heavy issue to consider, the meeting is set when all 5 council members can attend. • Agenda is set based on the availability of the Town Council. • Additional members/additional oversight. • Town Council & staff all work for the citizens. Mr. Cook stated that now is the time to increase the Council to 7 members. He stated that good government comes from good people. He cautioned that the future is coming very fast and the Town is not ready for it (if it remains at 5 members). Mr. Adler stated that what has been presented has not been based on facts, only assumptions. He stated he doesn't feel better representation is an adequate reason to• increase to 7 members. He explained that $60,000 could go towards improving the Town's GIS, hiring a senior planner or helping to complete the ESLO Plan instead of spending it on 2 additional Council members. He felt spending the money on quality of life issues would be more important. Chuck Walton stated the Sun City Vistoso Board has 7 members and they operate very successfully. He stated if 2 members are out ill, there are still 5 available to make decisions. Ms. Lehto submitted comments in writing with respect to her opinion concerning Districting. Town Clerk Kathi Cuvelier pointed out that Oro Valley is the first municipality that is considering changing the Council membership to 7 members. All the other municipalities in Arizona incorporated with 7 members and those municipalities that have 5 members are very small in comparison to Oro Valley. Mr. Swan stated that with the complexities of government increasing there is a greater demand on the time of the Council members. He stated that spreading the burden over 7 members will help them make better decisions. Paula Abbott, 10773 N. Glen Abbey Drive. Ms. Abbott stated she is leaning towards a 7 member Council. She stated that if she knew how the Council members felt about it, that would help her make her decision. Twink Monrad, 45 W. Calle Concordia. Ms. Monrad stated she is still in favor of 5 members. She stated that an aide may be needed with 5 members anyway. Dr. Oro stated that he feels smaller is better. He stated he has been thrilled with the 5 members, and they seem to be cohesive. He suggested revisiting this issue in a couple of years. 03/28/01 Public Opinion Forum 5 Mayor Loomis asked for comments from the GRTF members: Mr. Feinberg: Stronger Council with 7 members. Mr. Holden: Changing to 7 members doesn't have to happen now, he hasn't found a reason to change to 7. Mr. Dvorak: There is a presumption that our current State of affairs are running at a high level of efficiency. This should be explored. It could be improved with a 7 member Council. Mr. Kriegh: There is no guarantee that 7 members will be better than 5 members, however we have to look at what is good for the future. The future of Oro Valley requires a 7 member Council. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ii: .4 f_cdo cut.,,,ji_ce:,._ Kathryn E. Cuvelier, CMC Town Clerk