Council acts on two frontsAt last week’s meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council made two decisions that clarify its role in town oversight, one involving how the next town attorney will be hired, and the other affirming the Town’s long-standing rules on public art. Here’s what happened.
Ratifies staff decision: No “Surfboard Art” for Surf-Thru Car Wash
The Council also affirmed a staff decision regarding the public art proposed for the Surf Thru Express Car Wash at the Oro Valley Marketplace. The car wash is under construction and expected to open next spring or summer; however, it cannot receive a certificate of occupancy until its required artwork is approved.
Town staff explained that the proposed artwork [Panel right] did not meet two requirements of the 2007 public art code. One issue, the color of the art, is something the applicant agreed to change. The second issue is more significant. The code prohibits artwork that includes advertising elements, including colors, graphics, logos, or other representations of corporate identity. Staff determined that the proposed panel was advertising, and the Council agreed.
This code requirement may explain why the two large spheres in front of Target are not painted red like those at other Target stores; painting them red would likely be considered advertising under the same rule.
The developer will need to submit a revised concept.
The Council also affirmed a staff decision regarding the public art proposed for the Surf Thru Express Car Wash at the Oro Valley Marketplace. The car wash is under construction and expected to open next spring or summer; however, it cannot receive a certificate of occupancy until its required artwork is approved.
This code requirement may explain why the two large spheres in front of Target are not painted red like those at other Target stores; painting them red would likely be considered advertising under the same rule.
The developer will need to submit a revised concept.
The broader question remains: Should the 2007 public art agreement between the town and then property owner Vestar be updated given that the Marketplace has a different owner that is transforming it to the Oro Valley Village Center.
Takes charge of town attorney hiring process
The Town is in the process of filling the town attorney position. The attorney reports directly to the Town Council. When the Council first authorized the hiring, it agreed to use the same process that had been used to hire Town Manager Jeff Wilkins.
In hiring Wilkins, the Town used a three layered interview process in which executive staff and a community panel provided impressions and recommendations to the Town Council, though the Council retained final decision authority. While the Council ultimately selected Wilkins, word later circulated that he was not the candidate preferred by the non council interview groups. The process was intended to be advisory; however, it created public confusion about who had truly chosen the finalist.
At last week’s meeting, the Council unanimously revised course. Although an earlier motion had inadvertently directed the use of the same three layered approach for hiring the new town attorney, the Council chose a different path. Members agreed to conduct the first round of interviews themselves to ensure what they described as an unbiased and independent evaluation. Those interviews will take place in Executive Session this Thursday.There will be no community panel.
Once the Council identifies finalists, a staff panel will conduct interviews and provide written summaries of each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, without rankings or recommendations. That panel will include the Town Manager, the Human Resources Director, leadership from the Town Attorney’s Office, the Town Magistrate, the Chief of Police, and the Town Council’s outside attorney.
This revised process places the hiring decision directly and clearly with the Town Council.
