This is the third of a 3-part series presenting the voting record for the new Oro Valley Town Council. Part 2 was published last week, covering their voting record from February-April. This week we present the record from May-June. Four meetings were held. All votes except one were unanimous.If you missed Part 2, you can read it HERE
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May 3, 2017
Calling for a Special Bond Election regarding the Naranja Bond and the issuance of a Secondary Property Tax. PUBLIC COMMENT.
Three residents spoke in support including Brian Mitchell who organized the petition and Fred Narcaroti who is President of OV Sports Alliance. Two residents spoke in opposition.
Motion made by Mayor Hiremath and Seconded by Vice-Mayor Waters to approve the Special Bond Election authorizing $17 million dollars for Naranja Park ball fields.
Motion passed 7-0.
All motions this evening passed 7-0.
May 17, 2017
Adoption of the tentative budget for FY 2017/18
Motion carried 7-0. All motions this evening carried 7-0.
June 7, 2017
CONSENT AGENDA
Three items were pulled for discussion. Two are presented below.
Approval of the final design for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial.
Councilmember Hornat voiced his concerns with this item. Mayor Hiremath motioned and Rodman seconded to approve the revised concept drawing as presented. A final design will be submitted to the Council at a later date.
Councilmember Pina requested an amendment to the motion that the Town of Oro Valley would not be responsible for any maintenance of the memorial and if a cost-sharing is requested, a formal request must be submitted in writing to the Economic Development Manager for Council consideration. Hiremath and Rodman agreed to the amendment.
Motion carried 7-0.
Approval of Conceptual Public Art for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial
Councilmember Hornat voiced his concerns regarding the cost and the use of the proposed medal for the Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial Conceptual Public Art.
Rodman motioned and Hiremath seconded to approve the conceptual public art as presented. The final public art submittal will be presented to the Council at a later date.
Motion carried 6-1 with Councilmember Hornat opposed.
Editor’s Note: We emphasized Hornat’s “cost” concerns because back in 2014 when former Councilmember Mike Zinkin questioned the cost of sending OVPD officers to attend the Memorial Service for the Yarnell Firefighters, local resident (and Majority-7 cheerleader) Don Cox, plastered spiteful recall signs all over town claiming that Zinkin “Dishonors Fallen Firefighters.”
Councilmember Zinkin questioned a cost pertaining to the Yarnell Firefighters Memorial Service. Councilmember Hornat questioned the cost pertaining to a Veterans and First Responders Memorial. Firefighters…First Responders… What’s the difference? One has to wonder…Where are Don Cox’s recall signs stating that Councilmember Joe Hornat Disrespects Veterans and First Responders?
REGULAR AGENDA
Consolidating the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and the Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB). PUBLIC HEARING.
The “usual suspects” spoke in support:
Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association
Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
Motion carried 7-0.
Disbanding the CDRB only serves to eliminate another citizen opportunity to participate in Town government. Notice that home builders and the Chamber of Commerce supported less citizen participation.
Approving the adoption of the final budget for fiscal year 2017/18, including approval of the 15-year Capital Improvement program through 2031/32.
Motion carried 7-0
June 21, 2017
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Hornat requested an amendment to the Town Code to remove term limits for Boards and Commissions.
Hornat’s reasoning was that it was difficult to get community members to serve on Boards and Commissions and also that existing members were good people who would like to continue serving. Rodman supported Hornat’s request and added that it took time for members to learn the process and also that it was difficult to find people willing to give their time and expertise.
Motion carried 7-0.
We asked former Councilmember Mike Zinkin to weigh in on this topic since he was the Council Liaison for two citizen volunteer boards. Mike offered the following:
“As the Council Liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Adjustment, I can tell you that we never had a shortage of candidates. And with the CDRB and P&Z having a higher profile in Town, I suspect that they had no problem getting candidates to apply for those volunteer openings.
Although Rodman is correct that it takes time to learn how to be an effective commissioner, it also takes time to learn how to be an effective council member. That is why the Town staggers the terms of the boards, commissions, and council."To give a Supreme Court-like appointment to board and commission members appears to be nothing more than an engineered strategy to keep their friends and supporters in permanent Town positions.
The only thing the Council needs to change is to remove the Council Liaison position from the interview/selection process. This removes politics from the selections.
Staff will need to come back with an amendment change to the Town Code and a Public Hearing must be held prior to Council voting on this item.
REGULAR AGENDA
Grading exception for the Villages at Silverhawke subdivision (SE Corner of Tangerine and First)
Approving the Conceptual Site Plan, Landscape Plan, and Recreation Plan for the Villages at Silverhawke subdivision.
Approving the Conceptual Site Plan and Landscape Plan for the Viewpoint II at Vistoso Trails subdivision (Moore Road and Rancho Vistoso Blvd.)
Approving the transfer of $350,000 from the General Fund Surplus into the Community Center Fund and $300,000 to the Self-Insurance Benefit Fund.
Discussions ensued on all above items. All motions carried 7-0.
