Consulting firm will analyze potential City Hall sites; results due in 30 days

Friday’s 7 a.m. City Council special meeting addressed only two agenda items. The first was the identification of previously submitted, potential City Hall sites, which council wants HDR Studio to further analyze for various developmental components. HDR is presently under contract with the city to do the Union Pacific grade separation feasibility study. Secondly, council needed to act on extending the option to purchase the 138.5-acre Peed Property.

HDR representatives met with Public Works Director Bob Jackson, Planning Director Amy Haberbosch and City Manager Rick Buss. According to Buss, “They said they could do it (the sites analysis) in 30 days.” He suggested that traffic impact and point of centrality in regard to growth be added to the listed items, which will be available on the city’s web site Friday afternoon. “In Peoria’s case,” noted Buss, “they found that it is wise to build your city where it’s going, not where it is today.”

Councilman Edward Farrell added a suggestion that HDR also talk to FEMA and the Core of Engineers regarding the sites.

“Are we going to give HDR all the properties?” queried Councilman Joe Estes, noting that certain properties do not meet the city’s criteria.

“Anything less than 60 acres is not even feasible,” added Councilman Kelly Haddad. Council voted to remove the Steve Murray property, which consists of 43 acres.

Regarding changes in price per acre for the various properties, council noted that in real estate proceedings prices get adjusted. City Attorney Denis Fitzgibbons suggested, “Give a date certain for all best offers.” That date was determined to be 30 days hence.

Added Buss, “Applicants need to stay with the same land size; if you want to, change your price.”

In regard to HDR’s contract, Councilman Estes suggested an amendment not to exceed $40,000 to include this scope of work. The scope would be the study done to determine what it’s going to take to develop the various properties.

Attorney Fitzgibbons explained, ” I have a problem with the way this agendized.” He pointed out to council that the HDR contract was not part of the agenda and would need to be addressed at a future meeting.

Maricopa’s City Council met in special session Friday morning. Both Councilman Steve Baker and Councilman Will Dunn recused themselves from the discussion.

Fitzgibbons reported that John Hink, the attorney representing the Peed Property had extended the purchase option for 30 days at no cost to the City of Maricopa. In addition, Mrs. Peed has offered an additional 30 days so the city has a total of 60 days on the purchase agreement’s extension at no additional cost. The city manager was authorized to execute that agreement since the original expires today.

Speaking from the public, Dolly Echeverria again offered her property, HBE Farms, which is located at Murphy and Farrell Roads. Rebecca Molus spoke in favor of the Peed Property. “It’s purchase,” she said, “would be in the best interest of all Maricopa taxpayers.”

Marc Mangaña of Long Realty thanked the council for “taking the initiative in doing due diligence in hiring a consultant.”

The special meeting to address the HDR contract will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, at the high school, just prior to the city’s Tax Forum at 7 p.m.