Mayor to announce winner of Mysterious Mansion Mayhem contest

Mayor Christian Price will announce the winner of the Mysterious Mansion Mayhem contest at the Maricopa City Council meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Twenty-seven homes – the most in the contest’s six-year history – were decorated as creepily as possible for the contest in hopes of winning first, second, third place or honorable mention. (See map)

Also at the meeting, the public is invited to comment on two items prior to the council voting on them. They are:

• The city’s possible application for a Rural Public Transportation Program grant for up to $117,000 to continue the city’s demand response service, which allows residents to secure rides to regional hospitals and shopping centers. The city would be required to match up to $41,200; 20 percent of that amount for administration funding and 42 percent for operating expenses. Since Jan. 2011 the demand response system has generated 1,214 rides. (See related)
• A possible change to the city’s zoning ordinance creating a new chapter outlining the guidelines for future cell towers and other communication apparatus. The guidelines require that any new structures be disguised in such a way as to fit in with the surrounding area. 

Other council business includes:

• The council will discuss exactly how and when it will proceed to fill the vacancy created by Alan Marchione’s resignation. Price has advocated public interviews. (See related)
• A 12-month lease agreement between the city and Murphy Land Investors, LLC for a temporary site for Fire Station 572. 
• Filling a vacancy on the Industrial Development Authority Board. 
• A purchase and sale agreement between the city and Bowlin Plaza, LLC for approximately 1.8 acres of land for $139,000. The land would be used for roadway and drainage improvements for the multigenerational center and aquatic center, including extending Greythorn Drive, building the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, which will function as an access road to the recreation complex and a channel parallel to John Wayne Parkway. 
• Moving not more than $200,000 from the general fund’s contingency budget to fund changes to the Developmental Services Department that were recommended by an audit conducted by Zucker Systems, a consulting firm. Improvements include increased customer service training for staff and transitioning to a paperless office model. 

Prior to the 7 p.m. regular meeting, the city council has a 6 p.m. a work session.

It will include a presentation updating the council about steps taken to build a monument welcoming visitors to the city.

The city submitted a grant application to the Arizona Department of Transportation May 28 to help fund the monument and sidewalks. Because the grant process changed and several other city projects have advanced, the city council requires an update.

City staff will solicit the council’s opinions on design components, funding and other aspects of the possible project.

Click here for a copy of this week’s agenda.

The council meets at the Maricopa Unified School District administrative offices.