Carefree Truth
Issue #663, June 30, 2018
Vice Mayor John Crane explained that the $10,000+ check written to the Foothills Caring Corps was a pass-through grant received each year from the Local Transportation System Fund for the purpose of enhancing public transportation. Caring Corp, which provides van service and Meals on Wheels, is the closest entity Carefree has to public transportation, and this grant is passed on to them each year. They provide a wonderful service and are good neighbors. Carefree provides the local non profits with opportunities to raise money at Town events, but does not write checks to them, with the exception of this annual pass-through transportation grant, which is earmarked for those types of applications.
The Vice Mayor also asked about the timeline for the 6 solar radar speed signs. Gary Neiss replied that the signs have arrived. The Public Works Department staff have put in the footings and the hardware is set up. The signs would be installed in June.
https://vimeo.com/274016093
Because many were in attendance due to interest in the Enclave at Carefree Subdivision, located at the corner of El Sendero Drive and Cave Creek Road, Mayor Les Peterson skipped ahead to agenda items #7 & 8, the requests to amend the General Plan and the zoning. The Mayor announced that Brown Homes had withdrawn the application within the past 2 days, and it was no longer an active subject before the Council, but it couldn't be removed from the agenda once it's published.
An audience member asked if it could be resubmitted. Gary Neiss said the developer could reapply but would have to start the process from the beginning, going before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Council. Another audience member asked why it hadn't been changed online. She had called Town Hall to ask if it was on the agenda and was referred to the website. Town Clerk Kandace Contreras explained that the staff does not have the liberty to change a published agenda or to advise the public. The decision about whether or not to accept the withdrawal is made by by the Council at the meeting. The Mayor apologized for that formality and encouraged people to stay for the rest of the meeting.
https://vimeo.com/274007521
Mayor Peterson recommended approval to contract with Maguire, Pearce and Storey for legal representation in regards to the possible acquisition of the Town of Cave Creek's water service area located within the Town of Carefree. The Town is well represented by Town Attorney Michael Wright, who handles the bulk of Carefree's legal activities. But in areas of specialization, such as the closure of the wastewater treatment plant in the Boulders, specialty attorneys are hired.
Michael Pearce's successful practice focuses exclusively on water related areas. He was the Chief Council for the Arizona Department of Water Resources from 1995-2002, and is the most qualified person in this area. Michael Wright would handle the contract side and Michael Pearce would handle the water side. Mr. Pearce would be contracted on an hourly, as needed basis. Mr. Wright said he'd met with Mr. Pearce several times and felt he is eminently qualified. The Mayor was also impressed with his knowledge and qualifications when they met.
The contract was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/274268328
Rural/Metro (R/M) Chief John Kraetz presented the request to renew the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town of Carefree and the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management (MCDEM), which has been an ongoing contract for over a decade. The IGA provides 3 pronged assistance. It provides training for Chief Kraetz and the R/M staff in emergency planning and orchestration to develop an emergency operation plan and a fire protection plan. The required Federal documents are bulky and lengthy, and would be hard for the Chief to produce. MCDEM walks R/M through that process. It also acts as an insurance policy in the event of a true disaster where many are affected. Maricopa County is there to help. Vice Mayor Crane asked if there were any significant changes in the Agreement. Chief Kraetz said it is a 5 year contract, paid annually. The only significant change is that the fee has risen $200.
The IGA renewal was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/274261587
House Bill (HB) 2365 was passed by the State on March 31, 2017. It allows small wireless facilities (SWF) access to Right's of Way (ROW), streamlines the permitting process, requires approval unless the SWF fails to meet municipal requirements, sets a time frame for approval or denial, and caps permit and lease fees. Carefree's Ordinance addresses SWFs through a legislative process.
HB-2365 allows municipalities to regulate SWFs based on objective design standards. The stealth faux saguaro will be utilized. Applications will go through the traditional Special Use Permit process if placed on private property. A new zoning table has been added to address SWFs in the ROW. SWFs will not be allowed on Carefree's decorative light fixtures in the ROW. The Ordinance amendment went through the public process. It was noticed in a newspaper, was heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission which unanimously recommended approval, and was now before the Council. Jim Whitmore asked if Carefree was planning to install street lights and was told they were not.
The Council unanimously voted to approve the text amendment.
https://vimeo.com/274258717
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #663, June 30, 2018
Vice Mayor John Crane explained that the $10,000+ check written to the Foothills Caring Corps was a pass-through grant received each year from the Local Transportation System Fund for the purpose of enhancing public transportation. Caring Corp, which provides van service and Meals on Wheels, is the closest entity Carefree has to public transportation, and this grant is passed on to them each year. They provide a wonderful service and are good neighbors. Carefree provides the local non profits with opportunities to raise money at Town events, but does not write checks to them, with the exception of this annual pass-through transportation grant, which is earmarked for those types of applications.
The Vice Mayor also asked about the timeline for the 6 solar radar speed signs. Gary Neiss replied that the signs have arrived. The Public Works Department staff have put in the footings and the hardware is set up. The signs would be installed in June.
https://vimeo.com/274016093
Because many were in attendance due to interest in the Enclave at Carefree Subdivision, located at the corner of El Sendero Drive and Cave Creek Road, Mayor Les Peterson skipped ahead to agenda items #7 & 8, the requests to amend the General Plan and the zoning. The Mayor announced that Brown Homes had withdrawn the application within the past 2 days, and it was no longer an active subject before the Council, but it couldn't be removed from the agenda once it's published.
An audience member asked if it could be resubmitted. Gary Neiss said the developer could reapply but would have to start the process from the beginning, going before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Council. Another audience member asked why it hadn't been changed online. She had called Town Hall to ask if it was on the agenda and was referred to the website. Town Clerk Kandace Contreras explained that the staff does not have the liberty to change a published agenda or to advise the public. The decision about whether or not to accept the withdrawal is made by by the Council at the meeting. The Mayor apologized for that formality and encouraged people to stay for the rest of the meeting.
https://vimeo.com/274007521
Mayor Peterson recommended approval to contract with Maguire, Pearce and Storey for legal representation in regards to the possible acquisition of the Town of Cave Creek's water service area located within the Town of Carefree. The Town is well represented by Town Attorney Michael Wright, who handles the bulk of Carefree's legal activities. But in areas of specialization, such as the closure of the wastewater treatment plant in the Boulders, specialty attorneys are hired.
Michael Pearce's successful practice focuses exclusively on water related areas. He was the Chief Council for the Arizona Department of Water Resources from 1995-2002, and is the most qualified person in this area. Michael Wright would handle the contract side and Michael Pearce would handle the water side. Mr. Pearce would be contracted on an hourly, as needed basis. Mr. Wright said he'd met with Mr. Pearce several times and felt he is eminently qualified. The Mayor was also impressed with his knowledge and qualifications when they met.
The contract was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/274268328
Rural/Metro (R/M) Chief John Kraetz presented the request to renew the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town of Carefree and the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management (MCDEM), which has been an ongoing contract for over a decade. The IGA provides 3 pronged assistance. It provides training for Chief Kraetz and the R/M staff in emergency planning and orchestration to develop an emergency operation plan and a fire protection plan. The required Federal documents are bulky and lengthy, and would be hard for the Chief to produce. MCDEM walks R/M through that process. It also acts as an insurance policy in the event of a true disaster where many are affected. Maricopa County is there to help. Vice Mayor Crane asked if there were any significant changes in the Agreement. Chief Kraetz said it is a 5 year contract, paid annually. The only significant change is that the fee has risen $200.
The IGA renewal was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/274261587
House Bill (HB) 2365 was passed by the State on March 31, 2017. It allows small wireless facilities (SWF) access to Right's of Way (ROW), streamlines the permitting process, requires approval unless the SWF fails to meet municipal requirements, sets a time frame for approval or denial, and caps permit and lease fees. Carefree's Ordinance addresses SWFs through a legislative process.
HB-2365 allows municipalities to regulate SWFs based on objective design standards. The stealth faux saguaro will be utilized. Applications will go through the traditional Special Use Permit process if placed on private property. A new zoning table has been added to address SWFs in the ROW. SWFs will not be allowed on Carefree's decorative light fixtures in the ROW. The Ordinance amendment went through the public process. It was noticed in a newspaper, was heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission which unanimously recommended approval, and was now before the Council. Jim Whitmore asked if Carefree was planning to install street lights and was told they were not.
The Council unanimously voted to approve the text amendment.
https://vimeo.com/274258717
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.