Bits and Pieces

Tonight, Marana visits CDO in "Tangerine Road Battle" 

Undefeated Marana High School visits Canyon del Oro (CDO) tonight in what is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season for CDO. Led by new head coach Scott McKee, CDO has turned things around after an opening loss, going on a three-game win streak to bring their record to 3-1. What’s remarkable about CDO’s performance this season is that only a handful of seniors from last year’s state championship team have returned and they have a new coach. Go Dorados!

Council approves seeking $18 million in funding for NWRRDS
The Oro Valley Town Council has approved seeking a loan from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) to fund the Northwest Recharge, Recovery, and Delivery System (NWRRDS) project. This project will enable Oro Valley to bring CAP water from the Avra Valley reservoirs directly to the Town. Currently, that water is delivered to Oro Valley through the City of Tucson water system.

The loan will cover some this fiscal year’s expenditures, which are budgeted at $22.3 million. To date, the project has been funded through a combination of impact fees, groundwater preservation fees, and a previous WIFA grant. This approval allows the town to proceed with the loan application process to secure the necessary funding to continue the project.

The total project cost is estimated at $47.6 million, with $10.2 million anticipated to be spent in the final year of the project in fiscal 2026. The loan being sought will only cover some of this fiscal year’s expenditures, ensuring the project can continue without disruption. We anticipate that the final year’s spending will also need to be funded through a future loan.

Town receives two awards for communications and marketing
The Town of Oro Valley received two national awards for its communications and marketing efforts from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA). The first award, a Silver Circle Award for Best Use of Humor, was for a social media video promoting the town's shred event using a "Star Wars" spoof. The second award, an Award of Excellence in the Digital Interactive – Media, Radio, Podcast category, was for the *This Is Oro Valley* podcast series, which provides updates on town services and events. Both projects were recognized for their success in increasing community engagement.

Bark in the Park at Steam Pump Ranch tomorrow

"Calling all dog lovers! Join us this Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m. for Bark in the Park, a free community event hosted by Town of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation at Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road. Bring your family, friends, and furry companions for an evening of fun-filled activities dedicated to our canine friends! Enjoy a dog costume contest and plenty of opportunities for your pups to make new friends. Participants register on-site for the dog costume contest, with prizes provided by the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank for the best-dressed dogs." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Today is the last day to register for Community Academy
Today is the last day to register for Oro Valley’s 27th Annual Community Academy. This program offers residents the chance to learn about important topics such as water use, growth, and traffic while helping to shape the town’s future. The academy runs from October 3 to November 4, 2024, with both in-person and online participation options available. Don’t miss this opportunity to get involved in planning Oro Valley’s next 10-year action plan. Register by the end of the day at orovalleyaz.gov.

No council general planning liaisons will be assigned this time around
In 2014, two council member liaisons were assigned to the *Your Voice, Our Future* general plan effort, though their exact role was unclear. We asked Mayor Winfield if he planned to do the same for the current *Path Forward* planning cycle. Mayor Winfield told us that no specific council liaisons would be assigned. Instead, all council members can participate in the general plan process as they choose, and updates on the plan’s progress will be presented to the council periodically.

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Bits and Pieces

OV SafeSteps program wins national award in communications and marketing

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Sept. 19, 2022) – The Town of Oro Valley is pleased to announce that the OV SafeSteps program won first place in the 2022 City-County Communications & Marketing Association’s (3CMA) Savvy Award category of Communications and Marketing Tools: Printed Publications – COVID PR. The award was presented on September 7 at the 3CMA Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

Register now for the Fall 2022 Community Academy 

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Sept. 21, 2022) – Would you like to know more about local government and the Oro Valley community? Then we invite you to register for the Town of Oro Valley’s Fall 2022 Community Academy. For 25 years, the Town has been hosting this free, informative series to help residents understand more about town governance, finances, development, zoning, parks, roadways and more. Please register by October 1 to reserve your spot. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

Oro Valley shows outstanding financial results for fiscal 2022

Financial results for fiscal 2022, which ended on June 30, are being finalized. According to Assistant Finance Director Wendy Gomez, results are outstanding. General Fund Revenues [panel right],the town’s primary operating fund, exceeded budget by 18%, led by local sales tax revenues which were 31% over budget.  State shared revenues were 11% over budget.

General Funding spending was 5% under budget. This was caused by a shift in planned spending for Westward Look improvements, to this fiscal year; and a savings from not having to make a principal payment on the pension obligation bonds

Oro Valley Awarded $3.5 million for multi-use path

The Pima County Association of Governments (“PAG”) awarded the Town of Oro Valley $3.5 million for the construction of the multi-use path along Naranja, from First Avenue to La Canada. The award was based on a town submission that received quick turnaround, according to Town Manager Mary Jacobs. These are federal funds. (Source: Manager Report To Council, Town of Oro Valley Council meeting, 9-21-22)

Fall Parks and Recreation Program Guide is available on line

"This seasonal guide includes details on Oro Valley’s 2022 fall break camp options (registration now open), as well as upcoming community events, activities, facility information and more." View the program online here or download a pdf version here.

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Bits and Pieces

Oro Valley Water launches new account management web portal

The Oro Valley Water Department launched a new account management web portal on August 26. The old portal, which was really nothing more than a bill access and payment, is no longer active. The new portal has several added features, including an account profile page and detail usage billing information.  You can also pay your bill via the site. The portal has nothing to do with the town’s Water Smart web site. That site allows users to track water use on a continuing basis. You will need to sign up here for the new account management billing portal. It took us about five minutes to do so.

“Rockin’4Heroes”, Sunday, October 16, 2PM, Kreigh Park
“Rocking 4 Heroes is a community musical event that pays tribute to those who serve our communities and country. It was initiated by Michael and Bonnie Quinn, longtime residents of Oro Valley Arizona. The Quinn's have a history of supporting First Responders, Active-Duty Military, Veterans and Gold Star families…

The first “Rockin'4Heroes” event was held December 11, 2021 in collaboration with the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce and was well received by the community. Charitable donations allowed the concert to be brought to the public free of charge in hopes that more of the community would attend and shine a brighter light on our Heroes.” (Source: rockin4heroes.org) 

Parks and Recreation survey and open house For Residents Over 55

“The Town of Oro Valley is working to broaden and improve access to recreational programs for seniors, and we need your help! An online survey is available now through September 30 that asks for public input on the type of programming that is of greatest interest to Oro Valley residents ages 55 and older. Click here to access the online survey… Open House September 29.” The town is hosting an “… an in-person open house for residents interested in senior programming on September 29, from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Community & Recreation Center fitness room (10555 N. La Cañada Drive).” (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release).

 

Next Community Academy announced

The Community Academy is an excellent way for resident to learn about the town and how it works. The next one will start on October 6. It will be conducted in both the in person and on line modes. Learn more and register here.

Riley featured in podcast

The Town of Oro Valley has a podcast. Chief Riley is featured in the most recent one. You can access it here. 

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Oro Valley Seeks To Fill Seven Volunteer Board Positions

Town seeks seven volunteer board members

Oro Valley has been blessed with residents who are active in the community. One way residents do this is as an appointed member of a Town of Oro Valley volunteer board or commission. (“Boards”). There are seven open positions on six of the town’s seven volunteer boards (see panel).

Candidates do not need to have prior experience

...in the board’s area to be selected as a member. What one does seem to need is volunteer experience. That’s our interpretation based on the application one completes for the position. Indeed, the town stated qualifications for board membership don’t even list that. What they do list are three things: “…must be residents of the Town of Oro Valley, be available to attend the designated meetings and be committed to completing the Town’s Community Academy within their term.”

 .. but experience would be valuable to the individual and to the town
Though prior experience seems to not be a requirement, it would be very helpful for the individual to have. This is because the discussions can be technical. How does an individual sit on the budget and finance committee without understanding finance? How does one even begin to understand a zoning code change request passing through the Planning and Zoning Commission without any prior knowledge of zoning requirements? How valuable could their input be?

Time commitment varies
The town press release states that there are monthly meeting requirements for each board. This is true of some boards but not all. To date, the town’s boards have met 44 times for a total of about 61 hours. The number of meetings and time commitment per meeting for each does vary so you will want to consider that in deciding which Board you would like to join. We’ve prepared the table at right with pertinent information regarding the boards and the openings.

Could be a "stepping stone"

A board position is a way to become familiar with the town and the challenges it faces. Many of those who have served on town council have also served on a board. Vice Mayor Barrett, for example, was a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Winfield worked on special assignments for the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Board membership is also a way to get to know one of the current members of town council. A council member serves as liaison to a board.

Community Academy "included"

With the commitment to join the board comes a requirement that the new member attend the "Community Academy" at some time during the term of office if they have not already attended it. The academy is a multi session briefing on all aspects of town operations. It is worth attending even if one is not going to apply for a board seat.

Read the town's press release on the board openings here. Apply for a position here.

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Bits and Pieces

Night Work On Michigan Left Continues

Night construction of the Oracle and Ina intersection continued this week. We experienced it twice this week.  It would be a good idea to avoid the intersection at night because traffic can be backed up as they continue to pave the intersection.

Beware Of Caller ID Spoofing

Caller ID spoofing is an illegal activity that allows a caller to masquerade as someone else by falsifying the number that appears on the recipient's caller ID display.  It is being used to con county residents into paying fees to they don't owe. The caller ID displayed on your phone is not necessarily the real ID of the caller. So, beware.

County To Put Off Bond Elections Until 2015 At The Earliest

County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry has concluded that a county bond issue, one filled with "dream" projects, is simply not feasible at this time.  He says that the county is no looking to 2015 or 2016.  This delays county funding of one of Oro Valley's dream projects, a business incubator.  (Source)

Oro Valley Is, however, moving forward with a feasibility study of the incubator.  The town has issued a request for proposal for the study. Sealed proposals will be received until September 27, 2013 at 4:00 pm.

Town Offering Community Academy

The Oro Valley Community Academy is a series of sessions designed to acquaint residents with the town's governance. Attendance at the Academy is a requisite for participation on an Oro Valley volunteer board or commission.

"A series of six classes will be held on Thursday evenings, 6 - 8 p.m., Oct. 10 - Nov. 21, 2013. All classes take place at Oro Valley Town Hall, 11000 N. La Cañada. Space is limited."  Click here to register.

Oro Valley receives national award for graphic design

"The Town of Oro Valley received an Award of Excellence in Graphic Design for its 2013 Marketing Brochure from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA). This national award, which seeks to recognize "projects and concepts that showcase creative talent and design that also perform essential communication functions," was announced at the 3CMA National Conference on Sept. 5, 2013." (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)

Click here to view this award winning brochure.

Congratulations to town communications director Misti Nowak and her support team.

Oro Valley seeks volunteers for Water Utility Commission

Oro Valley is seeking to fill two positions on the water utility commission.  The term of the appointment is for a two year period beginning January 1, 2014.

"Interested parties should have knowledge and/or interest in water-related issues.  Applicants must be residents of the Town of Oro Valley and customers of the Oro Valley Water Utility."

 The application for the positions is available online.   Applications must be submitted by November 1.  (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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