Editorial ~ The Voting Record of the Oro Valley Town Council “Majority-7” (Part 3.)

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.

Addendum to Wednesday’s article, “Eliminate and ignore citizen participation…It’s in our nature.”

After studying the resolution in the June 7th council packet regarding the agenda item, “Consolidate the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Conceptual Design Review Board” it appears that:

The 7-member Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB) is going to be abolished and the Arts Review Commission is going to take its place.

The responsibilities of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be markedly different, as follows:

(1) They will no longer coordinate the development review of Town land use plans. (No more citizen oversight).

(2) They will no longer be responsible for maintaining the adopted General Plan criteria. (No more citizen oversight to make sure that developments are consistent with the General Plan prior to going to Council for a vote).

(3) They will no longer consider all conditions listed as requirements in the Oro Valley Zoning Code for a given conditional use permit (CUP). They will no longer provide recommendations to the Town Council on proposed rezonings or conditional use permits. (No more citizen input on rezonings or CUP’s prior to going to Council for a vote).

(4) Their focus will no longer be limited primarily to land use issues, but will now include “detailed design consideration.” This task was previously performed by the 7-member CDRB.

It appears that most developer activity will now go directly to the Town Council with no citizen review or input beforehand.

Guest View: Mike Zinkin ~ Eliminate and ignore citizen participation… It’s in our nature

When Satish Hiremath ran for Mayor in 2010, he desired to do away with all the Oro Valley citizen Boards and Commissions.

Eliminating Citizen Participation
Immediately upon being elected, Hiremath did away with the 5-member Bond and Finance Commission. This citizen commission was tasked with advising the Finance Department during the creation of the budget. It was made up of people familiar with accounting, including business owners. The opportunity for five knowledgeable citizens to advise the Town was eliminated.

Next, the 7-member Development Review Board was abolished and replaced with the 7-member Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB). However, this was not just a name change because with the establishment of the CDRB they also abolished the 5-member Arts Review Commission, thus eliminating the chance for another five citizens to offer input to the Council.

On tonight’s Town Council agenda (June 7th), the first item on the Regular Agenda is to “Consolidate the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Conceptual Design Review Board.” There is a Public Hearing on this item. If passed, the people of Oro Valley will lose another opportunity to give their input to the Council and Town Staff, as this decision will eliminate another seven people from advising the Council. (Council cannot abolish the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Board of Adjustment as they are both required by State law.)

Ignoring Citizens’ Desires
Doing away with boards and commissions staffed by citizen volunteers is all part of the mayor's pattern of silencing the citizens.  It does not matter what the Citizens desire.  Example:  The June 2014 statistically valid Parks and Recreation survey (paid for by the Town) indicated that out of 34 possible facilities/amenities that the People desired, golf came in at #33. So what did Mayor Hiremath and his puppets do? They bought 3 golf courses in December 2014, just six months after the completion of the survey.

Editor’s Note: There are two Public Hearings scheduled for tonight. (1) Public Hearing on consolidating P&Z with the CDRB. (2) Public Hearing on approving the adoption of the FY 2017/18 budget.

Mike Zinkin 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. He was a commissioned ensign in the United States Navy Reserve in 1969. He worked as an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. He and his wife moved to Oro Valley after retiring in 1998. Mike 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. During his time on council, he was named as one of 23 Leadership Fellows for the National League of Cities University, he was a member of the National League of Cities Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development, and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee.

Oro Valley Marketplace To Add Backside Illuminated Signs To Buildings

Vestar's David Malin, owner and operator of the Town Of Oro Valley subsidized Oro Valley Marketplace, spoke to the Oro Valley Town Council on March 4.

"We are struggling to get new tenants...We need to put the Marketplace on equal footing..." with the shopping center alternatives retailers consider.

How do we fix this problem? By unmaking a nine year agreement between the residents and the Marketplace regarding signage.

 "What I would task all of us to do is ask: 'How do we adjust, how do we in 2015 put our best foot forward so that this shopping center can be successful and profitable for all of us, that it isn't bumping along the way it is. And one way, a big way [to help] is to make this small change'" in the master sign code.

The Majority-4 approved this change by a 4-3 vote.

This vote is a significant change because the vote changes a hard-fought agreement that was forged by residents to prevent excessive light from the marketplace. Council Member Hornat recalled at the council meeting that the original marketplace plan had "lined out" the concept of signs on the back of the building.

The reason that back building signage was not allowed was to protect Oro Valley's Scenic Corridor.

In 2006, after extensive meetings had occurred with residents, the town and developer Vestar, an agreement reached regarding signs. It is designated as the Marketplace's master sign program. It is specific and unique to the Marketplace. That agreement states hat there would be no illuminated signs facing the roadways. This was agreed upon to maintain the beauty of Oracle Road's scenic corridor designation (Scenic Corridor Ordnance)

Oro Valley resident Bill Adler discussed at the meeting why signs on the back were not allowed. Bill had participated in the initial discussions on the Marketplaces' master sign program in 2006. To Bill, it is all about protecting the character of the Oro Valley Scenic Corridor.

"I don't think this meeting needs to hear more about business interest. I think it needs to hear more about what the community interest is." Resident Bill Adler

Previously, in an email to council, Adler had observed:

"I doubt there are many residents now who attended the early development review of the Marketplace and signage. I did. It was the Marketplace's position to place the front of the retail outlets facing inward toward the property, rather than outward. This was to respect the homeowners life style at the west. This meant that signage - which according to code is intended for identification and not advertising - faces traffic in the center rather than traffic outside the center.

The subject of signage on the rear of the buildings toward Tangerine and Oracle came up. It was my position - and still is - that advertising opportunities are significant at the entrances, and that buildings in Rooney Ranch do not have signs on the rear of those buildings even though the buildings can be viewed from First Avenue and Lambert lane. Signs are intrusive and distracting, and are not necessary in providing direction to places of business, which is provided now. The marketplace was allowed to expand sign colors significantly, at their request.

Tangerine and Oracle Roads are scenic corridors. Colorful, illuminated signs advertising toward scenic corridors is contrary to good taste while still retaining a balance of directing customers and respecting views."

Council Member Burns argued unsuccessfully to keep deny the request. He did not see an essential justification for the change. "This was a hard fought issue years ago." He observed that Vestar had no entitlement to have the agreement changed because it has is on sign code.

Council Member Snider disagreed: "They are entitled to it. I have no problem with allowing this... as long as they abide by.." future sign code illumination standards. Council Member's Waters and Hornat agreed.

Their assumption that the Marketplace was entitled to the change was wrong.

Council Member Garner observed that, because Vestar had agreed to their own master sign code, it is not entitled to anything else authorized by the town."

Town planner Paul Keesler confirmed Council Member Garner's statement. Vestar was not entitled to any change.

Things do change. "We have a sign code in Oro Valley. Our codes have been less restricted in current years," according to town manager Greg Caton.

Bits and Pieces

A Case For Overseeding Our Parks In The Winter

What beautiful weather we're having. Our town is packed with residents. The number of are in the thousands.  And our parks look like awful. The look dead at a time of year when they should and could look beautiful.  Here's a before and after:

Alright, we did Photoshop the "after" picture.  We made brown, green.  Really, though, shouldn't we overseed Riverfront each fall-winer?  What do you think?
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Oro Valley Man Indicted On Child Abuse and Negligent Homicide Charges

On November 2, 2013, the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) responded to the 9000 block of north Oracle Road in reference to an unresponsive child. The investigation revealed that a one-year-old child, Michael Martinez, was placed in the bathtub along with his four-year-old sibling by their father, Jesse Martinez, a 30-year-old male. Approximately 45 minutes later, Mr. Martinez checked on the children and found his one-year-old son unresponsive. Mr. Martinez immediately called 911 and the dispatchers provided CPR instructions. OVPD arrived on scene within two minutes and began life-saving measures on the child. The child was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time after his arrival.

The investigation continued pending forensics results. The Criminal Investigations Unit has reviewed these results and consulted with the Pima County Attorney's Office. It was determined that child abuse charges and negligent homicide charges were appropriate. Members of a Pima County Grand Jury have indicted Mr. Martinez on one count of negligent homicide and one count of child abuse, both class four felonies.  (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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Voice Your Voice Tomorrow

This is your last chance for free pie! Join that town at Jerry Bob's Restaurant, 3 - 5 p.m., for free pie and coffee, and an open-house style event where you'll have the opportunity to meet your neighbors and engage in a great conversation about the future of your town.  (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Town seeks to fill Conceptual Design Review Board vacancies

The Town of Oro Valley is accepting applications from local citizens who are interested in serving on the Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB). There are currently two (2) vacancies. To serve on a board or commission, members must be residents of the Town, be available to attend the designated meetings and be committed to the completion of the Town's Community Academy within their term.

The Conceptual Design Review Board makes recommendations to the Town Council on conceptual designs for new development including conceptual site plans, conceptual architecture and conceptual public art proposals. The CDRB also makes decisions on certain applications and requests including permanent sign criteria (for new multi-building developments), and Tier II Wireless Communication Facilities. The Conceptual Design Review Board is a seven-member board that meets on the second, and when necessary, fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

Residents who are interested in applying for the positions may contact the Town Clerk's Office at 229-4700 or download the volunteer application. (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Click To Enlarge

One Ugly Slash In The Foothills Of The Catalinas

This photo of a truly ugly slash in the foothills to the Catalina is clearly visible from Rancho Vistoso Blvd, looking southeast to the Catalinas.  There are 3 homes built. More to come.  Our opinion: It looks awful.

What can we do as a community to avoid this from happening to the other foothills?
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February HiVE Deployment Dates

The dates for February's HiVE deployments on Oracle from Magee To Suffolk are:

February 5, 2014    4 - 7 p.m.
February 11, 2014  7 - 10 a.m.
February 13, 2014  4 - 7 p.m.
February 20, 2014  7 - 10 a.m.
February 25, 2014  4 - 7 p.m.

(Source: The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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