CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA CITY HALL, PINE ROOM May 30, 2006 A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Peoria, Arizona was convened at 8401 W. Monroe Street in open public session at 3:05 p.m. Members Present: Mayor John Keegan; Vice Mayor Vicki Hunt; Councilmembers Pat Dennis; Carlo Leone; Joan Evans; and Cathy Carlat Members Absent: None Audience: Approximately 20 Other Municipal Officials Present: Carl Swenson Acting City Manager; Steve Kemp, City Attorney; Mary Jo Kief, City Clerk; Constance Copeland, Assistant City Clerk; Stephen Bontrager, J.P. de la Montaigne, Greg Eckman, Grady Miller, and Glen Van Nimwegen. REGULAR AGENDA NEW BUSINESS 1R Candidate Interviews for Ironwood Vacancy Mayor Keegan opened the meeting by providing a brief description of proceedings for the meeting to fill a vacancy for the Ironwood District City Council seat. The appointment is on an interim basis until a candidate is elected and qualified to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. Mayor Keegan further stated that the Executive Session listed on the Agenda would only be conducted should the need arise to consult with the City Attorney for legal advice. No discussion regarding the candidates would be conducted during an Executive Session. Mayor Keegan distributed 3X5 index cards to each Councilmember. The cards contained a series of seven questions: each Councilmember would ask the interviewees one assigned question. Mayor Keegan further advised the Press and members of the public that copies of the questions could be obtained from the Clerk. Clerks Note: A copy of the Ironwood District, Council Candidate Questions is incorporated as a part of the Official Minutes. A copy of the Interview Schedule is incorporated as a part of the Official Minutes. The questions were assigned as follows: Mayor Keegan, Question One; Councilmember Leone, Question Two; Councilmember Carlat, Question Three; Councilmember Evans, Question Four; Vice Mayor Hunt, Question Five; Councilmember Dennis, Question Six and Mayor Keegan closed by asking Question Seven. Ms. Joanna Condé was interviewed at approximately 3:08 p.m. Ms. Condé responded to each question from the Council. Ms. Condé provided a brief description of her background which included real estate appraiser, service on the Board of Adjustments and Planning and Zoning Commission, employment as an English teacher and at a juvenile facility, and service on the City’s Charter Committee. She reported that she had a tremendous amount to offer as a Councilmember. Ms. Condé commented that the Council played a philosophical role and that Peoria needed more employment and quality growth. She reported that she would not be running for election whether or not she was appointed. She explained that Peoria had development possibilities and that traffic problems were a big challenge. Her role would be as a team player and to find the best solution. She asked the Council what role the appointee would have. Vice Mayor Hunt explained that the appointee should be their own person and bring in their own background and experience to Council. Councilmember Dennis added that the appointee should fill the gap on the Council and address the needs of the community. Mr. Patrick Hickson was interviewed at approximately 3:15 p.m. Mr. Hickson responded to each question from the Council. Mr. Hickson provided a brief description of his background including being from Minnesota, attending college at Notre Dame, residency in Southern California, Arizona, Colorado Springs and Peoria. He explained that he was past President of the Notre Dame Club of Phoenix, a member of the Westbrook Village Sheriff’s Posse, and was on the Board of Directors for Westbrook Village Homeowners’ Association. He commented that he had a long term interest in City government and wanted to take part in the City’s growth. He reported that he served on City committees to address waste water issues and transportation needs. He explained that he was a team player and would run for the Council position in September. Mr. Hickson commented that the Council’s role was to provide leadership and direction and take the City forward through this period of extreme growth. Mr. Hickson reported that he would run for the position whether or not he was appointed. He commented that traffic issues were the biggest challenge for the City and that his role would be both as a team player and free agent because each district had its own priorities. He noted that he would make every effort to do a fine job for the Ironwood District. Mr. Shawn Hutchinson was interviewed at approximately 3:30 p.m. Mr. Hutchinson responded to each question from Council. Mr. Hutchinson provided a brief description of his background including that he had been a resident of Peoria since 1997, was married 15 years, had three children, and was originally from New York. He commented that he was an instructor in the Apprenticeship Field of the Electrical Workers Union for many years but had taken a different job to become more active with his family and community. He explained that he could be a good leader and make decisions based on good moral fiber and character. Mr. Hutchison commented that Peoria was experiencing enormous growth and had the potential to feed off of Glendale’s Westgate Project. He noted that more jobs were needed in areas such as technology and that the Council should be proactive in going after growth. He reported that he would be running in the election whether or not he was appointed. Mr. Hutchison commented that transportation was the biggest challenge and that a solution needed to happen now. He explained that he was a team player and wanted to be a community leader. He noted that he hoped to be voted into office next September. Mayor Keegan declared a short recess at 3:45 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 4:20 p.m. Mr. J. Marc Melbo was interviewed at approximately 4:20 p.m. Mr. Melbo responded to each question from Council. Mr. Melbo provided a brief description of his background including having two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren. He explained that he grew up in Minnesota, moved to Scottsdale 22 years ago and to Peoria 6 years ago. He was employed with West Valley Commercial Realty Advisors and enjoyed golf, fishing, fast cars, cigars and poker. He served on one commission and two boards as a civic volunteer, was a member of the Homeowner Community Association in Westbrook Village, and was a member of the Elks Lodge. He reported that if appointed, he would donate his monthly salary as Councilmember to the Boys and Girls Club of Peoria and would not run for the Council seat in the fall. Mr. Melbo commented that the Councilmember’s role was to have an allegiance first to the district and subsequently to the overall community of Peoria. He said that the role of management and staff was to support the Council. His vision for Peoria was that it would be rated number one for high quality and high paying jobs, have major industry and headquarters and be well established by 2016. He envisioned that 70% of Peoria residents could work and live in Peoria. He commented that Loop 303 had the potential to become a Scottsdale Airpark and wanted to see Peoria become part of the commuter rail service. He reported that he would not run for office whether or not he was appointed. Mr. Melbo commented that that Peoria’s biggest challenge was traffic. He noted that he was a team player and would look at different avenues of information to make the best decision. He asked Mayor Keegan what suggestion he would have for a Councilmember in 2006 versus one in 1996. Mayor Keegan explained that the City had grown a lot and that Peoria was a quality destination. Ms. Sandra Politte was interviewed at approximately 4:33 p.m. Ms. Politte responded to each question from Council. Ms. Politte provided a brief description of her background including having lived in Peoria for 9 years, having a 7 year-old daughter and a husband who was a Sergeant for the Phoenix Police Department. She commented that she was involved in the Parent Teacher Student Organization and that she lived, shopped and played in Peoria. She explained that her role as a Councilmember would be as a people person. She was very active in her school district and neighborhood, was in customer service for many years and had a great ability to speak with people. Ms. Politte explained that the Council’s role was to oversee the City and address concerns by the residents. Her vision for the City was to keep the crime rate low and provide a place where people wanted to go. She reported that she would run for election whether or not she was appointed. She commented that the biggest challenge for Peoria was traffic and that the road systems needed to grow along with the growth of the City. She noted that she was a team player and would not simply concentrate on one district but on the City as a whole. She reported that if appointed, it would be her full time job and she would be available to the City and residents of Peoria. At approximately 4:40 p.m. the interviews concluded. Steve Kemp, City Attorney, provided an overview of the procedures for nomination and selection of a candidate to fill the vacancy. Nominations and vote: Councilmember Evans nominated Patrick Hickson. Councilmembers Evans, Carlat, Leone and Mayor Keegan voted “yes.” Councilmember Dennis and Vice Mayor Hunt voted “no” Councilmember Dennis nominated Joanna Condé. Councilmember Dennis voted “yes.” Vice Mayor Hunt, Councilmembers Evans, Carlat, Leone and Mayor Keegan voted “no.” Vice Mayor Hunt nominated Shawn Hutchinson. Vice Mayor Hunt voted “yes.” Councilmembers Evans, Carlat, Leone and Mayor Keegan voted “no.” Mayor Keegan announced that by a majority of four votes Patrick Hickson had been selected to fill the vacancy on Council in the Ironwood District. 2R Discussion with City Attorney for Legal Advice on Legal Issues Pertaining to City Council Vacancies Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.3 An Executive Session may occur at any time during open discussion on the open session item. Clerk’s Note: There was not an Executive Session held on May 30th, 2006 at any time during the Special Meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 4:51 p.m. ______________________________________ John C. Keegan, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ Mary Jo Kief, City Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special Meeting of the City Council of Peoria, Arizona held on the 30th day of May, 2006. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 21st day of August, 2006. (Seal) ______________________________________________ Mary Jo Kief, City Clerk