In "Planner takes job in Sahuarita"(Explorer, July 15), Oro Valley town manager David Andrews notes that "the [town]council would discuss whether to fill Sarah More's position." As previously posted on the blog, she is leaving her $107,000 Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Director job for a $97,000 in Sahuarita (Who says public sector work doesn't pay! Ouch!)
Should the town replace her position?
Well, certainly not as it is presently structured.
Given the economy, future prospects of slow Oro Valley growth, and constuent demands that Oro Valley live "within its means", it would be good to consolidate related departments with Planning and Zoning, streamlining operations for our new, leaner Oro Valley. Then, find someone internally who could lead the the new unit.
8 comments:
A consolidated body, free and independent from the 'pressures' of Council (Mayor included), could very well result in a more efficient, sensitive, and CORRECT way of 'doing business' in Oro Valley. This would have to be a body, while inclusive of the business community, must not be dominated by same. It would have to include several persons and/or sub-committees with expertise relative to the General Plan, zoning, AND, as well, architectural applications and must be free of personal agenda. Much of this could be handled with the inclusion of volunteerism and must not be overburdened with too many 'inputs'.
Yes, it could work but the set-up must be viable as well as 'simplistic' in many aspects. And it must not be tortured by a narcissistic council.
Being that the Town is having financial problems and the building boom has slowed down, the Town probably does not need to replace Ms More at this time.
Zev has some very interesting proposals that perhaps the Town Council should consider.
With Barry Gillesapie on Town Council, especially with his background in Planning, a replacement should not be necessary until such time as the growth boom increases. As I understand it, the town has little space for more growth. Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember in a class that I had, the speaker stated that Oro Valley is almost "built out".
There are obvious problems with having an elected represetative serve as a department head. (This is actually a generally discredited form of government known as the Commission form).
Not only does a department head represent the department to the public, he/she had administrative and management responsibilities. These responsibilities are overseen by the Town Manager who, in turn, is responsible to the Council. You cannot have a Council member answering to the Town Manager--it's completely backwards.
Remember, too, that the Town has to go back to the voters to re-approve the General Plan again shortly. And, as the housing stock ages and deteriorates, requests for re-building, additions, and various changes to properties will keep the Planning Department busy.
It's best to look for a long-term manager who is well-versed in zoning regulations and qualified to administer a major town department.
Boobie-Baby,
I think I have to agree with some of what you have said.
To go just a little further with your thoughts, I'm not sure if they should replace Ms. More or not.
What I am sure of is that the Planning Department needs to be left in the hands of a full time planning professional.
As to a volunteer board, commission or whatever you want to call it for the day to day running of this function and department, it just doesn't make sense.
The ESLO, the new Landscape Ordinance, etc, etc along with a bunch of other things aren't suitable for volunteer participation at a manager or director level.
Oversight of some items for the Planning department from a Community interest are the responsibility of DRB and P&Z.
One more thing, the update for the General Plan is a five year update. This update does not have to go to the public for a vote. I could be wrong there, but I thought that question came up very recently at a P&Z meeting and that was the answer that was given by staff.
ASRS 9-461.06
Essentially, the General Plan is valid for 10 years. The Council could re-adopt the current plan before 10 years are up, or submit a new one to the voters for ratification.
I would think that the Town would want a dedicated professional on board who would follow the policies in the current plan, make recommendations for any changes, and shepherd the Town through the readoption or reratification process when the time comes.
B-b, I would have to agree that a dedicated professional should be 'on board', one who CAN guide a consolidated panel through the steps of implementing, not 'tweaking', the
varied aspects of applications, zoning control, along with a 'body' able to work with an applicant in order to properly enforce the zoning and architectural controls necessary for the BETTERMENT of Oro Valley.
This town has gotten a bit 'messed up' through laxity as well as reckless accommodation with many participants responsible for it.
As a side note, having read and heard all those glorious proclamations as to how Oro Valley will attract more and more businesses and therefor high paying jobs, etc., I would like to point out that in a recent CNN(?) finance 'poll' there were NO municipalities in Arizona which were listed within the top 100 places to live in the US and, in Arizona itself, Oro Valley was listed as NINTH in desirability; so much for the assertion that we are the 'gem' where everyone is desirous of living. Take note, Town, SOMETHING WENT (IS) WRONG!
Barry is not only an intelligent individual but he does have some good street sense. While I believe Barry could receive a pay increase if he quit his present at Pima and take the Oro Valley job, I doubt that he would do that.
After all he would then have to put up with the ever switching mood of a Town Council. He is far too smart to do that!!! :-)
Council Members work for about $9,000 a year without any employee benefits.
OV P&Z Directors compensation benefits exceed 107K annually.
With Barry in office we save 90K!
Barry serves us well on the Council.
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