SE Valley Times

The Chandler City Council met at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23, taking action on a total of 39 consent agenda items. Highlights from the meeting included:

• Final adoption of the property tax levy for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. City Council approved a $0.01 reduction in the combined property tax rate from $1.1126 to $1.1026 per $100 of Assessed Valuation.
• Authorized an amended project agreement between the City of Chandler and Intel Corporation for the construction of a reclaimed water interconnect facility and related public infrastructure needed to serve the Intel campus located at 4500 S. Dobson Road. Increased costs for construction-related materials and significant changes in the supply and demand of goods and labor markets resulted in new estimated costs exceeding original estimates. In addition, approved a construction contract change order with McCarthy Building Companies for a revised contract amount not to exceed $38,931,450 and Wilson Engineers, LLC, for a revised professional services agreement in an amount not to exceed $3,791,430, also for the reclaimed water interconnect project.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the Maricopa County Community College District, on behalf of Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and the City of Chandler for a shared Student Services Internship Coordinator. The agreement will allow for hiring an internship coordinator who will administer the program to provide experiential learning opportunities to CGCC students through placement into internships with a variety of City of Chandler departments.
• Approved the purchase of repair and upgrade services to the City’s fiber network using multiple vendors in an amount not to exceed $2,744,698.  
• Introduced and tentatively adopted the ordinance approving Alta Uptown, rezoning from Regional Commercial (C-3) to Planned Area Development for a for Multi-Family Residential with Mid-rise Overlay located on the southeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Corporate Place; approved preliminary development plan for Alta Uptown site layout and building architecture, subject to the conditions as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Approved a use permit for Thomas Wellness Center, located at 7030 W. Oakland St. for the operation of an outpatient treatment center.
• Approved the purchase of five police vehicles from Larry H. Miller Toyota, San Tan Ford and Sanderson Ford, Inc., in the amount of $201,910.17
• Approved a resolution authorizing the submittal of an application for an Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing Grant to the Ak-Chin Indian Community for the Chandler Fire Department in the amount of $204,459.95. Extrication tool will be purchased with grand funds to replace existing equipment that has reached the end of its functional lifespan.
• Authorized the Arizona Mutual Aid Compact with the State of Arizona and Arizona Department of Emergency Affairs to provide mutual aid assistance during an emergency.
• Approved a Construction Manager at Risk contract with Core Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $5,801,958, and a professional services agreement with Kitchell CEM, in an amount not to exceed $478,410, for the reconstruction of Fire Station No. 282 located at Alma School and Warner roads.
• Approved the amendment of several City of Chandler Personnel Rules after a review to determine rules that might be a barrier to attracting new employees or an impediment to the recruitment process.
• Authorized the submittal of two pass-through Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing applications to Ak-Chin Indian Community.
  • Dignity Health Foundation – East Valley for $500,000 for the renovation and construction of current hospital space for infrastructure needed for a new Graduate Medical Education Program.
  • Chandler Cultural Foundation for $20,000 for the Connecting Kids Youth Arts Education and Engagement Program.
• Approved employment agreements from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 for:
  • City Manager Joshua Wright, with an annual salary of $294,786.
  • City Attorney Kelly Schwab, with an annual salary of $232,356
  • City Clerk, Dana DeLong, with an annual salary of $158,467.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the City of Chandler to provide law enforcement security services at State Farm Stadium for various events. There are no financial implications to the City of Chandler as DPS pays officers directly for their service.
• Approved an agreement with the Arizona Humane Society for veterinary and shelter services in an amount not to exceed $111,428 for the period of three years beginning July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
• Approved a power distribution easement to Salt River Project Agricultural Improved and Power District for electrical facilities that will be relocated underground as part of the Chandler Heights Improvement Project from McQueen Road to Gilbert Road.
• Approved the purchase of a street sweeper in the amount of $303,952.88.
• Approved a professional services agreement with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C., for consultant services for a Solids Handling Study at the Pecos Surface Water Treatment Plant.
• Approved a construction manager at risk change order to Achen-Gardner Construction, LLC, for Chandler Heights Road utility relocations in an amount not to exceed $12,791,222.90. This change order is the next phase of the project and will include the wastewater, potable water, and reclaimed water utility relocations on Alma School Road from Lake Drive to Chandler Heights Road, and on Chandler Heights Road from Alma School Road to east of Arizona Avenue, west of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
• Recommended a Series 12 restaurant liquor license be approved by the State Department of Liquor Licenses and Control for First Watch Restaurants, Inc., DBA First Watch Restaurant, located at 4910 W. Ray Road, Suite 5, and 4955 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 1.

During Thursday’s meeting, a presentation was provided by staff from the Neighborhood Resources Department regarding three agenda items that were on action. The three items included

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) fund allocation recommendations to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons with low- and moderate-income levels.
• HOME Investment Partnership fund allocation recommendations to support organizations providing activities that include affordable housing and support for rent or homeownership or direct rental assistance to individuals with low- and moderate-income.
• City of Chandler General fund allocation recommendations to support non-profit organizations serving Chandler residents in need.

All three of these items were approved by the City Council.

In addition, an annexation public hearing was held for a property of approximately 40.2 acres, located at the northeast corner of McQueen Road and Hunt Highway.

The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

At the Study Session on Monday, June 20, the Mayor and City Council proclaimed:

• July 2022 as Parks and Recreation Month

In addition, the following received recognition:

• Miss Juneteenth Shaundrea Norman and Miss Teen Juneteenth Kendall McCollum
• Graduates of the second annual CIVIC program

The next meeting of the Chandler City Council will be at 6 p.m. Monday, July 11. Council meetings are aired live, as well as replayed on the Chandler Channel - Cable Channel 11, streamed online at chandleraz.gov/video and on YouTube at youtube.com/cityofchandler.

^{Source: https://www.chandleraz.gov/news-center/recap-chandler-city-council-meeting-june-23-2022}