Short Stuff: Last Week's Council Meeting

Here's some of the "stuff" that we have not reported that occurred at last week's Oro Valley council meeting:

• The town's general fund budget surplus of $1.7 million occurred because Oro Valley has yet to pay $2.1 million to Tucson Electric Power for burying wires on Oracle Road. 


• The new water company "automated meter reading program" is still in its implementation phase. The results for those locations installed:  More accurate readings have resulted in increased revenues.  In addition, savings have been achieved because to town does not use meter readers.


• Heirloom Farmers Market's lease of Steam Pump Ranch from Oro Valley includes the right to have liquor as approved on a case-by-case basis by the town manager and the chief of police.  Roxanne Garcia, representing Heirloom, said that the right to have liquor was needed because, from time-to-time, local wineries may want to display their product.

• Council approved by a 7-0 vote the public art for the Sun City Recreation Center.  The art had been approved by a  4-2 vote by the Conceptual Design Review Board.  Kelly Huber, who was put on the Conceptual Design Review Board to bring artistic talent to the board, voted against it because, as Planner Williams noted, she was concerned that this was a "...repeat artist with a repeat theme. She was looking for a more unique concept."


• The Council rejected, 4-3 a proposal to discuss new tax initiatives.  The reason that proposal was put forth was to enable a discussion of a renter's tax.  Read why Council Member Zinkin wanted this item discussed.

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