Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A Preview Of Tonight's Oro Valley Council Meeting

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The agenda for tonight's Oro Valley Town Council  meeting is a bit thin.   It is so thin that there no regular agenda items. There are four  consent agenda items. One of these is approval of the minutes from last meeting.   Another is "Resolution No. (R)13-09, affirming the Town of Oro Valley’s commitment to share in the construction of a shade structure for the Fixed Archery Range at Naranja Park contingent on the successful procurement of a shooting range development grant from the Arizona Game and Fish Department in the amount of $35,000. 

This leaves the final two items:  Quarterly Reports from the Greater Oro Valley  Chamber Of Commerce (GOVCC) and the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (MTCVB).

We've been told by several council members that MTCVB actually does provide benefit to Oro Valley.  There is some historical evidence of this in the assistance they provided in creating the logo for the aquatic center; and in securing some meets for the new center.    They successfully places a piece in the US Airways flight magazine  (page 83) in December It is titled: " Making a Splash".   It briefly discusses the town.   The report for quarter to details a number of other accomplishments  most of which relate to the activities of MTCVB  in general.   Still, there is enough in the report specific or value justify  the town's  financial commitment.

On the other hand, the town's investment in a truly private organization, GOVCC,  does not pass the same level of muster.  It's not that GOVCC does not do things that may benefit Oro Valley, its just that we can't figure out, from their report the true return from their effort.  For example, from the report:
"The Chamber President attended Business Retention Site Visits with the following businesses: Oclaro Phototonics, Inc., Alchemy Plastics and Fruit Shack Smoothies and Yogurt.

Ribbon Cuttings were held for Big Lots and Southern Arizona Urgent Care. Big Lots made a donation to a local elementary school at that event.

11 Town officials took advantage of the free Chamber breakfasts, luncheons and mixers. Total Return on Investment (ROI) = $220."
These are all nice things. They are also things to which GOVCC and the town agreed as detailed inthe financial participation between the parties.  Really, though, what is the benefit to Oro Valley for the $25,000 paid annually to the GOVCC?   Why the subsidy?
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6 comments:

Nombe Watanabe said...

Nothing will change. OV will continue to waste money.
The 4% utility tax will give the Town Government freedom to spend on non-productive pork!!

Unknown said...

It certainly turned into a heated discussion about the GOVCC. Now, it seems the Mayor does not appreciate Councilmembers questioning expenditures during public meetings.

Richard Furash, MBA said...

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The Mayor doesn't like being questioned about anything. He is very "thin skinned."

The fact that a council member even question s the subsidy of the town pays the Chamber made him uncomfortable.

I didn't bother including it in the posting because at the moment , as long as the mayor has for lockstep votes, the Chamber and any other special-interest group that he favors will get funding from Oro Valley.
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OV Objective Thinker said...

So did you write the comments for Zinkin to bring forth or did Zinkin share his comments for your post? They seem strangely close. I wonder how that could have happened? Surely this blog and Zinkin are not in lockstep with each other......are they?

Strange how no one mentioned the gauche comments made by Councilman Burns publicly calling out Economic Development Amanda Jacobs,for her explanation of some of the subject report. It was a classic example of verbal bullying which probably would have been better done 'off dais'. I wonder if Councilman Burns acts the same way at home?????

Unknown said...

OVOT...

It's interesting that you question who wrote comments for Councilmember Zinkin.

I found it interesting that Amanda Jacobs was ready with prepared answers for Mr. Zinkin's questions.

OV Objective Thinker said...

Cares....

1.Wouldn't you want a well prepared professional to be working for the Town?
2.Zinkins questions were so moronic that even a lesser informed individual could have answered.
3. In my opinion, Zinkin's mind is so small that it is difficult for him to wrap it anything remotely complex.