This is not a solicitation; merely some information for those interested in owning a piece of the following new Oro Valley Bond issue.
The Town is issuing taxable bonds to pay for the solar project for town facilities. The town plans to issue $2.45 million in taxable excise tax clean energy renewable bonds. This is a relatively small issue with bonds maturing from 2011 to 2027.
The bonds are S&P rated as AA- ("quality borrowers, a bit higher risk than AAA". Scottsdale is rated AAA.)
Tomorrow is the pricing for these bonds.
The bonds are being underwritten by Stone and Youngberg LLC, a San Francisco based company. So, you can call them if you are interested in purchasing these bonds.
Click here to view the prospectus, which has lots of information about Oro Valley, this bond issue, and the town's finance.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Jerene Watson Receives Special Recognition
At last week's council meeting, Oro Valley Interim Town Manager Jerene Watson received special recognition by receiving "Credentialed Manager" designation from the International City/County Manager Association, a local government leadership and management organization.
Here is The Explorer article
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/07/14/news/doc4c3cf011343fd204010617.txt
We should note that the Council may see fit to approve Ms. Watson as the "permanent" Town Manager at a near future meeting.
Although she may be the best candidate, there does not seem to be a plan in place to consider any other worthy candidates.
You may recall that this Council saw fit to "vet" 19 candidates, prior to appointing Steve Solomon to the vacant seat.
Isn't the Town Manager position worthy of doing no less?
Here is The Explorer article
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/07/14/news/doc4c3cf011343fd204010617.txt
We should note that the Council may see fit to approve Ms. Watson as the "permanent" Town Manager at a near future meeting.
Although she may be the best candidate, there does not seem to be a plan in place to consider any other worthy candidates.
You may recall that this Council saw fit to "vet" 19 candidates, prior to appointing Steve Solomon to the vacant seat.
Isn't the Town Manager position worthy of doing no less?
Steam Pump Ranch Gets Funds With Oro Valley Council Unanimous Vote
Without much fanfare the Town Council voted unanimously as a "consent agenda" item to fund Steam Pump Ranch.
Here are the details from The Explorer article.
Steam Pump to get reserve cash
The Oro Valley Town Council approved a plan to pull more than $310,000 from its general fund reserve to pay for building restoration work at town-owned Steam Pump Ranch.
The move would fund work on two buildings at the historic property, which the town purchased in 2007.
The unanimous vote on Wednesday, July 7, would restore funding taken out of the Steam Pump Ranch fund in June as part of the final approval of the fiscal 2010-'11 budget. Money taken from the Steam Pump Ranch fund was used to supplement losses in state support for the town's needs-based transit system, Coyote Run.
The town intends to award a $410,000 contract to Chandler-based Gonzalez and Associates, LLC, to complete the work. The remainder of the funding for the work would come from Pima County bonds.
Here are the details from The Explorer article.
Steam Pump to get reserve cash
The Oro Valley Town Council approved a plan to pull more than $310,000 from its general fund reserve to pay for building restoration work at town-owned Steam Pump Ranch.
The move would fund work on two buildings at the historic property, which the town purchased in 2007.
The unanimous vote on Wednesday, July 7, would restore funding taken out of the Steam Pump Ranch fund in June as part of the final approval of the fiscal 2010-'11 budget. Money taken from the Steam Pump Ranch fund was used to supplement losses in state support for the town's needs-based transit system, Coyote Run.
The town intends to award a $410,000 contract to Chandler-based Gonzalez and Associates, LLC, to complete the work. The remainder of the funding for the work would come from Pima County bonds.
Oro Valley Council Votes To Give Businesses "Relief" With Signs
As reported in The Explorer, the Town Council voted unanimously to allow businesses to display banners and signs on their property for up to 6 months.
Here's the Explorer article.
The council also unanimously approved an item designed to provide relief to local, struggling businesses.
The idea is to allow businesses to display temporary banners and signage on their properties for an extended period of time — up to 180 days — with permits issued by the town.
"Signage is what brings in the vast majority of business," said Councilman Steve Solomon. "We have a very restrictive sign code."
Councilman Joe Hornat, although supportive of the change, questioned terminology in the proposal.
"What does 'under substantiated duress' mean?" Hornat asked. "Do they have to open their books and show us they're not making any money?"
A resident who spoke about the issue, Bill Adler, suggested the town not set an arbitrary time limit on the duration of time the temporary signs can be displayed.
"We're either in the business of showing compassion for these people or we're not," Adler said.
Oro Valley resident Zev Cywan also spoke in support of the temporary change to sign codes. He also said that Councilman Solomon should consider recusing himself from the discussion and vote because of his prior involvement in the issue as a builder and developer.
Solomon deferred the question to Town Attorney Tobin Rosen, who said state law only necessitates an elected official recuse himself if "proprietary or pecuniary interest" presents a clear conflict. That was not the case in this instance, Rosen said.
Here's the Explorer article.
The council also unanimously approved an item designed to provide relief to local, struggling businesses.
The idea is to allow businesses to display temporary banners and signage on their properties for an extended period of time — up to 180 days — with permits issued by the town.
"Signage is what brings in the vast majority of business," said Councilman Steve Solomon. "We have a very restrictive sign code."
Councilman Joe Hornat, although supportive of the change, questioned terminology in the proposal.
"What does 'under substantiated duress' mean?" Hornat asked. "Do they have to open their books and show us they're not making any money?"
A resident who spoke about the issue, Bill Adler, suggested the town not set an arbitrary time limit on the duration of time the temporary signs can be displayed.
"We're either in the business of showing compassion for these people or we're not," Adler said.
Oro Valley resident Zev Cywan also spoke in support of the temporary change to sign codes. He also said that Councilman Solomon should consider recusing himself from the discussion and vote because of his prior involvement in the issue as a builder and developer.
Solomon deferred the question to Town Attorney Tobin Rosen, who said state law only necessitates an elected official recuse himself if "proprietary or pecuniary interest" presents a clear conflict. That was not the case in this instance, Rosen said.
Guest View-Pat Straney: Why I Want To Be Your Mayor
As we approach the high energy season of the 2014 election cycle, several thoughts come to mind. I realize how fortunate I am to be a citizen of the United States of America, with all of our freedoms and inalienable rights. Along with this freedom comes responsibility and accountability. I decided to seek office as Your Mayor for many reasons.
A key component of my leadership will be the consideration of the needs of all residents, interests well beyond a focus on special interest segments of our Town. I hold the position of Mayor in high regard. I will work to ensure that important key issues facing the Town of Oro Valley are fully vetted.
I believe that energetic debate, discussion and consideration of alternate points of view will lead us toward a shared vision; a dialogue in which important issues can be resolved through compromise, cooperation and teamwork. I look forward to the lively “Community Conversations.”
I have had the pleasure of serving as the President of the Rancho Vistoso Home Owners Association Board for the past seven years. During this time, I have learned a lot about community management and governance. Rancho Vistoso has witnessed exceptional growth centered on a solid fiscal policy. This was achieved in large part because of the commitment of many volunteers who gave unselfishly of their time and talents. I will work to implement that cohesiveness for the entire Town of Oro Valley. A community is stronger because of its citizen’s active involvement.
Although my management experience was honed in a large corporate structure, I fully understand the needs of small business and will seek “value added” opportunities that empower and expand the capabilities and success of our small and large business community in a consistent and mutually beneficial way. In addition, I believe that my extensive and proven “large organization” business skills have direct application to on-going development of excellence in municipal government.
Please join me in making Oro valley the best that it can be for all residents and businesses alike: “The Place to Live, Work and Play” in Southern Arizona.
I appreciate your consideration in this election.
Please visit my website, www.VotePatStraneyMayor.com, for more information.
Thank you for your support!
Patrick (Pat) Straney
Candidate for Mayor
Oro Valley, AZ.
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