Why weren’t the Naranja Park plans value-engineered prior to bonding for them?
A motion was passed during the October 5, 2022 Council meeting to have staff “bring back a plan with value engineering ideas that are reflected in the comments that have been made this evening and update Council through regular Council reports of those ideas.”
This sounds like a great idea but why wasn’t this done prior to the demand for the bond? Why borrow money before you value engineer your plan? Why have the staff report via “Council Reports” which are not public (unless one does a records request) rather than delivering the staff report in a public meeting?
The town council needs to amend their park plans
The four council members who were just re-elected campaigned on items that were not yet vetted or value-engineered by the Town staff – and the Town cannot afford those promises. Is this why they rushed it through without any design or cost estimates and had a ribbon cutting ceremony in May to celebrate the expansion of Naranja Park? If these council members are responsible, they will amend their “wants” and work within the Town’s pocketbook.
Originally, the $25 million was to be split between the Community Center and Naranja Park. However, due to unexpected cost increases, there is now not enough money and the Community Center is still not ADA compliant.
Where is the requested staff report on ADA compliance at the Community Center?
As I’ve previously reported, a motion passed 7-0 on April 6th for staff to advise the most effective way to make the Community Center ADA compliant and to make it a priority. It is now more than six months later. Where is the report? Now we are $25 million in debt, with no real plan except to ensure that the pet projects of the splash pad and the pump track are funded.
Community Center is forecast to lose $4 million this fiscal year
Looking at the financials for August 2022, the Community Center Fund (CCF) is forecasted to end FY 2022/23 with a loss of $4,663,936. The Council that has bonded for $25 million with no real engineered plan, decided to ignore community input (the Parks and Rec survey), and instead establish their pet projects and live with a CCF forecast of over a $4.6 million deficit.
The council needs to follow the original plan
The council needs to follow the original plan and split the $25 million between the Community Center and Naranja Park. This town needs a new police station, an ADA compliant Community Center, and re-piping reclaimed water to eliminate the use of potable/drinking water on Town properties (parks and golf courses). But the majority on council want a pump track and a splash pad. I consider this to be an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars.
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Mike Zinkin and his wife have lived in Oro Valley since 1998. He served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009, the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012, and the Town Council from 2012-2016. He was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities. He was a member of the NLC Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge.
