Inasmuch as 3 networks , the Az Star & The Explorer all had reporters at the Wed. night Study/Special session, I'll defer to them for supplying the details of the meeting from their perspective.
From my perspective, I'll start at the end. After much discussion, and what appeared to be a lack of understanding as to what was going to be voted on, it came down to this:
Once again, Al Kunisch was "hung out to dry." While Mayor Loomis & Council Member Gillaspie voted "yes" to pushing a motion through, the final tally was 6-1 to continue the issue at another Study/Special session, with the provision that the citizens would be heard----which wasn't the case tonight, come this Monday night, April 27.
Going back to the beginning, the mayor was good enough to explain his rationale in unilaterally determining that the meeting would include the "special session, allowing for votes.
Why? Well using two classic Loomis quotes, the mayor pointed out, he couldn't determine the council's intentions after a meeting. Bill Garner explained why the mayor had this dilemma. It came down to a new proposal put forth at the last meeting by the police chief that changed everything.
As to the Loomis quotes----here they are, pretty much verbatim---
"I can't read the minds of this council as I had previous councils." Quite profound, wouldn't you say?
The 2nd quote as to why he put the "Special Session" on the agenda. Alluding to the council determining that the cost for the new police substation at the OV Marketplace was too much, especially with the new proposal which had even less cuts than the earlier proposal submitted by the chief, Loomis said: "That was the straw that broke the camel's back."
Getting back to Bill Garner, with the able assistance of citizen John Musolf he presented a new proposal which would not cost any police jobs and, in fact add a full time dispatcher. Hopefully, Bill, John, Chief Sharp and the police representatives will come up with a budget that will be acceptable to all parties.
Don't forget, the next episode will be April 27 at 5:30 PM.
KOLD story below.
http://www.kold.com/global/story.asp?s=10233731
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
What Is Going On With This "11th Hour" Amended Study Session?
Don't look now, but "somebody" has requested the April 22 Study Session to now be a "Study/Special Session which includes items 4, 5, 6 & 7.
(See agenda on left column of blog.)
What does this mean? I'll tell you. No votes are taken at a Study Session, whereas, votes can be taken at a "Special Session."
We question why "someone" who can request this change in designation, from "Study" to Study/Special Session believes it is so important, that it requires an 11th hour addition.
To use a cliche'--- "Something here is not kosher."
Without much notice, those residents interested in these "questionable" agenda items may want to change their plans and be in attendance tomorrow night.
(See agenda on left column of blog.)
What does this mean? I'll tell you. No votes are taken at a Study Session, whereas, votes can be taken at a "Special Session."
We question why "someone" who can request this change in designation, from "Study" to Study/Special Session believes it is so important, that it requires an 11th hour addition.
To use a cliche'--- "Something here is not kosher."
Without much notice, those residents interested in these "questionable" agenda items may want to change their plans and be in attendance tomorrow night.
Council Member Salette Latas Discusses Tonight's Council Meeting
You might be interested to know that yesterday afternoon, the Mayor changed tonight's 5:30 p.m. meeting from a Study Session at which no votes could be taken to a Study/Special session at which we could vote. He then changed the agenda to include "5. **Discussion and possible staff direction regarding outstanding issues addressed in the Follow-up Memorandum from the Town Manager and Finance Director dated April 13, 2009 and April 20, 2009."
Those Memorandum contain budgetary items. It is conceivable that we will be asked to vote tonight on budget items--with no real notice to the public that this is what's going on. You can bet that the special interest groups know what is going on, and will be in attendance. They will pressure the council members who respond to that kind of influence as to how to vote.
If you can attend tonight, you are encouraged to complete a blue card to speak on item 5.
With best wishes,
Salette Latas
Councilmember
Town of
P & Z Commission Approves Golf Course In Rancho Vistoso Neighborhood 5
At a somewhat contentious P & Z meeting on April 21, the commissioners, on a split vote decided to approve the following item:
Public Hearing: OV11-08-04, Vistoso Partners, represented by the WLB Group,
requests approval of a General Plan amendment for portions of Rancho Vistoso
Neighborhood 5, generally bounded on the north by Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, on the
east by the Big Wash, on the south by Tangerine Road, and on the west by the Rancho
Vistoso Boulevard.
One of the "No" Votes was by Bill Adler. Bill sent us the following email explaining his position.
This item has been ongoing, but has not received much attention by the public. Perhaps this posting will generate more interest and more debate, before the OV Council takes it on.
****************************************************************************************
Public Hearing: OV11-08-04, Vistoso Partners, represented by the WLB Group,
requests approval of a General Plan amendment for portions of Rancho Vistoso
Neighborhood 5, generally bounded on the north by Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, on the
east by the Big Wash, on the south by Tangerine Road, and on the west by the Rancho
Vistoso Boulevard.
One of the "No" Votes was by Bill Adler. Bill sent us the following email explaining his position.
This item has been ongoing, but has not received much attention by the public. Perhaps this posting will generate more interest and more debate, before the OV Council takes it on.
****************************************************************************************
Art:
You may be aware that one of the several General Plan Amendments initiated last year remains undecided. This one has to do with a change in Rancho Vistoso Neighborhood 5. This neighborhood is largely built out, but within the Rancho Vistoso zoning, or PAD, is the commitment to eventually build a golf course mostly within the CDO floodplain roughly in the area from Tangerine north towards the Honeybee preserve.
This zoning allowance is one of many decisions made 20 years ago or more that I've been fighting my entire existence in Oro Valley.
Initially, the General Plan Amendment, and I'll over simplify, proposed to remove the golf course and build homes. Most of the golf course was left as open space, and the area to be developed was proposed for roughly 6 to 8 homes per acre.
When the Amendment went to the Planning Commission last fall, I voted for the amendment because it removed a tremendous element of destruction of a major conservation area - Big Wash. The density was a problem, and I added a condition to cap the density at 7 units per acre, about what exists already along Rancho Vistoso Blvd. We also added a transition buffer between the homes and the wash.
The Council voted to continue the matter. Recently, the Amendment was revised to reintroduce the golf course into the CDO floodplain, but remove some areas proposed for residential development, and widen the open space near Honey Bee. The revised proposal was so radically different that I encouraged the Council to return the matter to the P&Z for consideration, which they did.
Last night, in one of the more depressing decisions I've participated in, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the Amendment over my objections.
Although the proposed Amendment has some positive features, mainly reducing the total number of homes proposed; widening the open space in one narrow opening of the wash, the disaster for me was the support for the possible construction of a golf course within a major conservation area. This is directly counter to General Plan policies that mandate protection of washes. It also contradicts the Town's commitment to finally move ahead with an Environmentally Sensitive Land Ordinance for which the Town has approved nearly $300,000 for the consultant.
The Commission majority felt that the golf course is already "authorized" by the Rancho Vistoso PAD, and so supporting the golf course use is not a new decision, but consistent with a decision already made. Vistoso Partners stated indifference to whether there is a golf course in the area or not. They have stated that they are losing money on the golf courses they presently operate, and indicate they have no intention of building another. But some Commission members, and a few Council members ( Carter and Garner ) seem to feel that having the golf course within the designation is a good thing for economic development at some future time. I feel destruction of a major conservation area, even if already authorized, needs to be resisted on principle. The few citizens who showed up seemed to agree that a golf course in that area was fine with them. This fact - even if only representative of a few citizens' feelings - is terribly disturbing to me.
I know this is a very long explanation, and it could be much longer. I'm writing because I feel this Amendment is consistent with many of the historic battles between environmental protection and economic development I thought had been already fought. But the fighters of the past are wore out, and no longer show up to continue the fight. Maybe there are a few within your bloggers who would have a view point, if you wish to burden them with these details. Obviously, the matter now returns to the Council, and will be decided at their May 5th meeting, although that agenda is not posted as yet.
Bill
MVFD Will Meet With Residents On April 29
As we previously reported, thanks to the yeoman efforts of Phil Richardson, the OV Council gave the go ahead to Mountain Vista Fire District to initiate annexation of the area from Hardy road south to the town line.
Those residents impacted by this decision will have the opportunity to meet with MVFD personnel on April 29.
Please read the details in this Explorer article.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/04/22/news/doc49ee4b4cbb219577329950.txt
Those residents impacted by this decision will have the opportunity to meet with MVFD personnel on April 29.
Please read the details in this Explorer article.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/04/22/news/doc49ee4b4cbb219577329950.txt
Interesting Police Department News Concerning Oro Valley Budget
The April 22 Explorer reports that a new proposal put forth by OVPD Chief Danny Sharp would cut $479K from the OV budget. (We discussed this in our April 14 post New Police Proposal Unveiled At Council Study Session)
Two important points are worth noting.
1) Whereas almost every other department cuts were in the 15-20% range, this $479K comes out to be approx. 1.7% of the overall budget. Also, keep in mind, OV police are approx. 40% of all town employees and approx. 50% of the total budget. One might ask, "Is this equitable?"
2) This was last week's news. See our post What Is Going On With This "11th Hour" Amended Study Session? to try and determine what is going on in Town Hall right now. Whatever it is----it may have some interesting repercussions.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/04/22/news/doc49ee479f042f9721530515.txt
Two important points are worth noting.
1) Whereas almost every other department cuts were in the 15-20% range, this $479K comes out to be approx. 1.7% of the overall budget. Also, keep in mind, OV police are approx. 40% of all town employees and approx. 50% of the total budget. One might ask, "Is this equitable?"
2) This was last week's news. See our post What Is Going On With This "11th Hour" Amended Study Session? to try and determine what is going on in Town Hall right now. Whatever it is----it may have some interesting repercussions.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/04/22/news/doc49ee479f042f9721530515.txt
Mary Reilly Opines On The OVPD Tactics
Mary Reilly opines on the OVPD in her letter to The Explorer. She writes: " ... they continue to show a confrontational and adversarial attitude toward citizens, with no thought toward creating a positive bridge with the community."
Perhaps, that is too much of a generalization, but we believe Mary knows what she is talking about.
Here is her letter.
***************************************************************************************
The Oro Valley Police Department is currently in desperate need of a change.
Already with one of the highest ratios of officers per capita in the U.S., they are lobbying to avoid layoffs, and even increase their force. Over the years the OVPD has laughingly developed a reputation as a group with little to do but enforce traffic laws, and are even known as "tax collectors."
They enforce with adversarial techniques routinely, including such questionable strong-arm tactics as using the back-up "wolf-pack" technique to ticket traffic violations (2-3 cars to issue one ticket), and deploying unmarked cars with visible radar detection devices to target speeders.
They use intimidation tactics at city council meetings, attending armed and "en masse," and then proceeding to usurp entire meetings with speakers and union officials. But, most importantly, they continue to show a confrontational and adversarial attitude toward citizens, with no thought toward creating a positive bridge with the community.
Thank you,
Mary Reilly, Oro Valley
Perhaps, that is too much of a generalization, but we believe Mary knows what she is talking about.
Here is her letter.
***************************************************************************************
The Oro Valley Police Department is currently in desperate need of a change.
Already with one of the highest ratios of officers per capita in the U.S., they are lobbying to avoid layoffs, and even increase their force. Over the years the OVPD has laughingly developed a reputation as a group with little to do but enforce traffic laws, and are even known as "tax collectors."
They enforce with adversarial techniques routinely, including such questionable strong-arm tactics as using the back-up "wolf-pack" technique to ticket traffic violations (2-3 cars to issue one ticket), and deploying unmarked cars with visible radar detection devices to target speeders.
They use intimidation tactics at city council meetings, attending armed and "en masse," and then proceeding to usurp entire meetings with speakers and union officials. But, most importantly, they continue to show a confrontational and adversarial attitude toward citizens, with no thought toward creating a positive bridge with the community.
Thank you,
Mary Reilly, Oro Valley
Paula Abbott Gets Some Well Deserved Accolades
In his letter to The Explorer, Bob Peters stands up for Paula Abbott, in reference to the diatribe against her in last week's letter by ex-council member Conny Culver.
Much as been discussed here on Culver's letter.
Hopefully, those that continue to lash out at Paula will realize all the good she has done for our community over the last 7 years.
Also----let's not forget, Paula stood alone in 2004 when she saw fit to vote "NO" on the millions of dollars the council foolishly gave to retail developers.
Here is Bob's letter.
***************************************************************************************
Abbott's critic has completely missed the mark
Conny Culver's description of council member Paula Abbott in the April 15th Explorer reveals that she has completely missed the mark on Paula's contribution to the Town of Oro Valley.
What Paula does very well is that she represents the people rather than the special interests. In short, she watches over our neighborhoods. If you look out your front or back door and like what you see, it is because people like Paula Abbott have stood up for the intrinsic value of our precious landscape. She stands in the way of people who would bulldoze the last prickly pear in town if they stood to make a buck off of it. Her constituents have thus rewarded her with two consecutive four-year terms in office.
Ms. Culver, on the other hand, was removed from office after just one two-year term. This speaks volumes about why she is now merely an observer and no longer a player.
Ms. Culver states that she was "shocked" at Abbott's remark, "If you squelch my voice, you squelch the citizen's voice." September 11th was shocking. Ms. Abbott's comment was not. Ms. Culver needs to get a grip.
Robert Peters, Oro Valley
Much as been discussed here on Culver's letter.
Hopefully, those that continue to lash out at Paula will realize all the good she has done for our community over the last 7 years.
Also----let's not forget, Paula stood alone in 2004 when she saw fit to vote "NO" on the millions of dollars the council foolishly gave to retail developers.
Here is Bob's letter.
***************************************************************************************
Abbott's critic has completely missed the mark
Conny Culver's description of council member Paula Abbott in the April 15th Explorer reveals that she has completely missed the mark on Paula's contribution to the Town of Oro Valley.
What Paula does very well is that she represents the people rather than the special interests. In short, she watches over our neighborhoods. If you look out your front or back door and like what you see, it is because people like Paula Abbott have stood up for the intrinsic value of our precious landscape. She stands in the way of people who would bulldoze the last prickly pear in town if they stood to make a buck off of it. Her constituents have thus rewarded her with two consecutive four-year terms in office.
Ms. Culver, on the other hand, was removed from office after just one two-year term. This speaks volumes about why she is now merely an observer and no longer a player.
Ms. Culver states that she was "shocked" at Abbott's remark, "If you squelch my voice, you squelch the citizen's voice." September 11th was shocking. Ms. Abbott's comment was not. Ms. Culver needs to get a grip.
Robert Peters, Oro Valley
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