As we noted in previous posts, the OV Council held a Study Session to discuss the merits of maintaining autonomy of our library, or turning it over to Pima County.
After hearing a presentation by the OV Library Director and a discussion on the background of the inception of the library it was noted that OV bought the land for the library for $700K in 1996. Subsequently, both Oro Valley & Pima County financed the library through bonds. Additionally, The Friends of Library, many of whom were in the audience, donated $181K to fund library books and other items.
When Nancy Ledeboer, The Director of The Pima County Library was given the opportunity to speak, she did an exceptionable job of clarifying the advantages of having Oro Valley becoming part of the Pima County Library system as are all the other 27 Pima branches.
Ms. Ledeboer noted that prior to Tucson deciding to be part of the Pima County system, they encountered financial difficulities and readily acknowledge that being part of the county system has been a financial benefit with no downside.
In fact, Ms. Ledeboer noted that whereas Oro Valley has shorter hours of operation, under the auspices of the county we could expect the OV library to be open 7 days a week, and later hours during weekdays.
It seemed to me, all issues of concern were addressed, although some of The Friends of The Library still had some reservations in turning over control.
One quote from Ms. Ledeboer was quit profound. She made the following statement--"Pima County Is Not Interested In A Hostile Takeover Of The Oro Valley Library." For me, that said it all.
One more thing worth noting. Our Town Attorney mentioned that if OV opts to maintain autonomy, in addition to the mandated Pima County Library tax we all pay, OV could initiate an additional town tax in the amount of 15 cents/$100 assessed value WITHOUT voter approval. This is almost 1/2 the assessment we pay Pima County, and could be imposed to cover the operational shortfall we incur by remaining autonomous.
For whatever reason Mayor Loomis determined that the council should have two more study sessions on the advantages or disadvantages of turning the library over to the county, plus other logistical issues, and he determined that it won't be until July 2010 that the council votes on the issue.
Don't ask me why it will be another 18 months, but that was the last word prior to adjourning.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Results Of Oro Valley Council Study Session on Naranja Park
As we noted in a previous post, the Oro Valley Council had their Study Session Jan. 14 on the issue of the Naranja Town site.
Here is a brief synopsis of the meeting----from my perspective.
The Parks & Recreation Director gave a presentation listing six (6) potential options as to what action to take on the park site.
They are:
1) Develop the parcel as a joint venture with another entity such as The Amphi School District
2) Develop the site in phases w/o a property tax with outside funding sources
3) Put the park as another ballot proposal in 2-4 years
4) Take no action. Leave the park as is with only the existing trails
5) Use the site for other town uses
6) Sell the parcel but with a value in excess of $500K, that would need voter approval.
Additionally, the P & R Director noted that P & R came up with two suggestions--- Build the park in phases over 16 years or take no action.
Briefly stated, Council Member Bill Garner presented the council & the citizens with another option, elaborating on the idea we noted in our earlier posting. Bill's idea, that we endorse is to lease the northern section of the parcel (approx. 100 acres) and rezone it for CPI (Hi tech businesses.)
Build the park on the southern portion, starting out with 4 ball fields & 2 soccer fields, using artificial turf which will eliminate the need for costly infrastructure to put in water for grass upkeep. The costs would be well below the $48.6 million, and would negate the need for a property tax.
After hearing from some speakers, Mayor Loomis had concerns as to where the funds, estimated at $5m would come from. The finance director did not give a definite answer
As it was a Study Session, no action was taken.
Here is a brief synopsis of the meeting----from my perspective.
The Parks & Recreation Director gave a presentation listing six (6) potential options as to what action to take on the park site.
They are:
1) Develop the parcel as a joint venture with another entity such as The Amphi School District
2) Develop the site in phases w/o a property tax with outside funding sources
3) Put the park as another ballot proposal in 2-4 years
4) Take no action. Leave the park as is with only the existing trails
5) Use the site for other town uses
6) Sell the parcel but with a value in excess of $500K, that would need voter approval.
Additionally, the P & R Director noted that P & R came up with two suggestions--- Build the park in phases over 16 years or take no action.
Briefly stated, Council Member Bill Garner presented the council & the citizens with another option, elaborating on the idea we noted in our earlier posting. Bill's idea, that we endorse is to lease the northern section of the parcel (approx. 100 acres) and rezone it for CPI (Hi tech businesses.)
Build the park on the southern portion, starting out with 4 ball fields & 2 soccer fields, using artificial turf which will eliminate the need for costly infrastructure to put in water for grass upkeep. The costs would be well below the $48.6 million, and would negate the need for a property tax.
After hearing from some speakers, Mayor Loomis had concerns as to where the funds, estimated at $5m would come from. The finance director did not give a definite answer
As it was a Study Session, no action was taken.
NW Fire District Puts Off "Sweetheart Deal" To Ritz Carlton
We don't know the particulars, but the NW Fire District Board decided to continue the discussion of their "sweetheart deal" to the Ritz Carlton resort until their next scheduled board meeting on Jan.27.
On wonders if the folks at NW Fire will heed the advice of our friend Mary Schuh and others, and discontinue showing favoritism to one customer while the others, in essence help subsidize it.
We anxiously await the decision.
For those who missed it, we discussed this issue in our Jan. 13 posting--Does NW Fire District Understand The Word "Subsidy?"
On wonders if the folks at NW Fire will heed the advice of our friend Mary Schuh and others, and discontinue showing favoritism to one customer while the others, in essence help subsidize it.
We anxiously await the decision.
For those who missed it, we discussed this issue in our Jan. 13 posting--Does NW Fire District Understand The Word "Subsidy?"
The Explorer Supplies Pima County Municipalities "Wish List" For Stimulus Funds
For those of our readers that may be interested, The Explorer article on the lists supplied to Representative Gabrielle Giffords has a link with the lists for the stimulus package.
Some may find it interesting that Oro Valley's "wish list" has more than three times more cost than the Marana list, and even more than the list from Tucson.
Why not? Perhaps the federal government will see fit to give Oro Valley one of its top priorities----$150 million for the newly named "Naranja Recreational & Cultural Complex."
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/01/14/news/doc496d462a94f25828528871.txt
Click on the word "lists" in parag. 5 of article to see the lists.
Some may find it interesting that Oro Valley's "wish list" has more than three times more cost than the Marana list, and even more than the list from Tucson.
Why not? Perhaps the federal government will see fit to give Oro Valley one of its top priorities----$150 million for the newly named "Naranja Recreational & Cultural Complex."
Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/01/14/news/doc496d462a94f25828528871.txt
Click on the word "lists" in parag. 5 of article to see the lists.
What To Do With Naranja Town Site?
That is the question Dave Perry addresses in his Jan. 14 editorial in The Explorer. Although Mr. Perry comes up with a number of suggestions, there might be a very viable alternative he didn't address.
As he pointed out, we (Oro Valley) own the 214 acre parcel that borders Tangerine road on the north & Naranja road on the south.
How about this for an idea?
Either sell or lease approximately half the northern section and rezone it for Campus Park Industrial. As we all know, Oro Valley wishes to entice more Hi-Tech/Bio-Tech companies to the community, and yet available land is hard to come by.
By doing this, we would generate revenue to help subsidize the building of a new park in the southern portion. Keep in mind, the defeated $48.6 bond issue with the 42 courts/fields encompassed only about 21 acres.
Therefore, we surely could start off by building a reasonable number of courts & fields, primarily for the youth. Perhaps four little league/softball diamonds, a like number of soccer fields, basketball & tennis courts, plus other amenities for the adults, seniors and toddlers.
The cost? Well, that's debatable, but anyone interested can check the Internet and see where other communities around the country built fields/courts for well under $10M.
This may be an over simplification, but perhaps it's a proposal that might be worthy of further review.
Remember, the Council will discuss this issue at tonight's Study Session.
In any case, here is The Explorer editorial.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/01/14/opinion/editorials/doc496d4c496edac701504701.txt
As he pointed out, we (Oro Valley) own the 214 acre parcel that borders Tangerine road on the north & Naranja road on the south.
How about this for an idea?
Either sell or lease approximately half the northern section and rezone it for Campus Park Industrial. As we all know, Oro Valley wishes to entice more Hi-Tech/Bio-Tech companies to the community, and yet available land is hard to come by.
By doing this, we would generate revenue to help subsidize the building of a new park in the southern portion. Keep in mind, the defeated $48.6 bond issue with the 42 courts/fields encompassed only about 21 acres.
Therefore, we surely could start off by building a reasonable number of courts & fields, primarily for the youth. Perhaps four little league/softball diamonds, a like number of soccer fields, basketball & tennis courts, plus other amenities for the adults, seniors and toddlers.
The cost? Well, that's debatable, but anyone interested can check the Internet and see where other communities around the country built fields/courts for well under $10M.
This may be an over simplification, but perhaps it's a proposal that might be worthy of further review.
Remember, the Council will discuss this issue at tonight's Study Session.
In any case, here is The Explorer editorial.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/01/14/opinion/editorials/doc496d4c496edac701504701.txt
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