Bits and Pieces

Council approves video recording of board and commission meetings

This past Wednesday, The Oro Valley Town Council unanimously approved a motion by Council Member Bohen to video record all board and commission meetings. Currently, these meetings are audio recorded. They are difficult to follow when there are presentations being made. Thus, the need for video.  The motions increases governance transparency. It wa unanimously approved by all Council Members.

Town Manager Jacobs: Town's staff wellness program is robust"

"We have a extremely robust wellness program here and the Town of Oro Valley for employees and because we are self insured that’s particularly important so that we keep our employees out of the doctor keep them healthy and that ultimately saves taxpayer dollars so it all works out really well with regularly been recognized for outstanding wellness programs and we were notified that we received the official gold seal of good health keeping renewal awards so again we get it again and the employer resiliency recognition from the wellness council of Arizona and so will be receiving that award." (Source: Town Manager Mary Jacobs report to council at meeting of November 17, 2021)

Great holiday lights display for you to watch...

This year, as in past years, the home at the intersection of Landoran and Golf View Drive in Oro Valley has a simply lovely, fun display. It's hard to describe so we've included a video for you to enjoy. It's really something.

OV SafeSteps program wins PRSA IMPACT Award of Excellence

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Nov. 15, 2021) –– The Town of Oro Valley’s OV SafeSteps program has been recognized for exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness in public relations and communications by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for Southern Arizona.

 
On November 2, the program was awarded a PRSA IMPACT Award recognizing the highest standards in programs that successfully incorporate the four key elements of: research, planning, implementation, and evaluation and demonstrating the value these practices bring to communities. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

Proposed Senior Care Facility at Stone Canyon is no more

"The Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement with Spectra Properties for the 51-acre Stone Canyon parcel has been terminated," according to the Stone Canyon Community Association letter of November 24. The project was for a "skilled care facility" and not a resort. In September, the Town's Board of Adjustment unanimously rejected an appeal of a zoning interpretation by Town Engineer Bayer Vella regarding building height. At that meeting, residents were complementary of Vella's detailed study of the matter as well as former Mayor Loomis' comments at the meeting. 

Oro Valley Municipal Golf: How does it compare?

One of ways to understand how well Oro Valley's 36-holes of municipal golf is doing is to compare its "rounds" results to another, reasonably close municipal course.  One of the challenges in doing this is that Oro Valley operates 36 holes of golf while a comparable course operates only 18. Another challenge is that the Oro Valley courses are not strictly comparable because Oro Valley's course has memberships. Member rounds account to 40% of total round played.  Other municipal courses have no memberships.

Considering these differences, we compared Oro Valley Municipal Golf results to that other course, focusing on total non member "played" rounds. For the four months ended October, the other course had 479 non member paid rounds per hole. The Oro Valley course had 323. So, in that regard, the Oro Valley courses are underperforming. 

On the other hand, Oro Valley is outperforming this other municipal course (561 to 479) if total rounds are considered.

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Bits and Pieces

How To Manage, Maybe Even Reduce Your Property Tax Values

Pima County Assessors have sent homeowners their 2015 Residential Notice of Value for 2015.  Property taxes will be based on the limited value.  An insert sent with the notice says that this value can not be appealed.

On the surface, you might think that you can not do anything about your property tax valuation; but you can!

 "The limited property value of property for property taxation purposes is the limited property value of the property in the preceding valuation year plus five per cent of that value" (Source)

So,  yes, for any one year you have not control.

However...

Pay attention to the total full cash value because: "The current limited property value of a parcel of property shall not exceed its current full cash value."  So, you would want the full cash value to never grow more than 5% annually.

In 2014, total full cash value and limited value were set to be the same.

In 2015, however, we were not surprised to find that the county increased the full cash value 3 percentage points greater than the 5% statutory increase in the limited value.  This gives them leeway to always collect based on the limited value, since it will never be less than the full cash value.  At this rate of difference, the limited value will never be less than the full cash value.

So, appealing the full cash value matters to you. You goal should be to reduce the full cash value to less than the limited value or, as minimum, to keep an increase in the full cash value at 5% or less.

Visit the assessors site for the appeal forms.  The appeal deadline is April 1.

Also, if you are over 65, you may be eligible for a 3-year freeze on the limited cash value of your property. Learn more here.
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Oro Valley Police Warn:" Beware of Computer-Based Fraud

The Oro Valley Police Department (#orovalleypd) sent out two "tweets" this week regarding internet-based fraud. "Oro Valley residents warned of online rental scam" linked to a TV7 report about a scam on the website "Zillow."  The site advertised a rental unit. The prospective renter sent in a deposit.  The rental was bogus. (source).  The other was a Facebook scam in which an individual sent money to a "friend" to pay taxes on supposed lottery winnings.  Of course, there was no lottery winnings. (source)

The adage: "If it seems to good to be true, it probably is" applies to both of these situations.

Beware, readers, the internet is a dangerous place.

Thanks to The Oro Valley Police Department for reminding us of this.
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Big Doin's At Steam Pump Tomorrow

" The...Second Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch will feature a blacksmith demonstration, Heritage Garden demonstration, and guest speaker Brenda Marjaneimi, author of An Extended Stay, the story of one woman's struggle with Parkinson's disease, as lovingly told by her daughter. Following the morning's activities, live music will be provided by Reno Del Mar. Second Saturdays at Steam Pump Ranch are held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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COXCO No More

In case you haven't noticed, the COXCO gas station on the northwest corner of Oracle and Ina Road is closed.

Plans have been filed by SSBL Architects to build a 3,600 sf retail building in that spot.   The site is bit odd.  It is small, less than 1/2 acre and significantly higher in elevation that abutting properties.  "The architecture at this intersection can best be described as eclectic," notes architect Sayler-Brown  in the architectural design narrative he filed with the town.

The Oro Valley Conceptual Design Review Board will review the conceptual plans for this site at this Tuesday's meeting.
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Basis Primary School Plans Unveiled

BASIS has filed information with the Oro Valley Conceptual Design Review Board regarding its plans for a 48,000 sf, 2-storybuilding next to the existing BASIS school on Oracle Road. 36' will be the maximum height.  The new building will provide education for grades K-6.

BASIS notes in the information filed that it is not required by state law to abide by the standard Oro Valley development review process. "The applicant has agreed to submit the Conceptual Architecture for a "courtesy" review by the Conceptual Design Review Board and Town Council."  Town staff has determined that the proposed design in in conformance with Oro Valley's design principles and standards.

The Oro Valley Conceptual Design Review Board will review this project at Tuesday's meeting.
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Town Has Done No Study To Determine On-Site Clinic Feasibility?

Last month we reported that the Town Of Oro Valley had held a bidder's conference regarding creating a full-time, onsite wellness clinic for its employees.  The town was exploring having a clinic that includes Golder Ranch Fire District ("GFRD'") employees. We submitted an information request asking for studies that discussed what was being planned. The town responded by providing us emails between town manager Caton and the fire chief of GFRD. We conclude from this that the town has performed no study of the feasibility of this concept; or determined any justification for creating this facility since it did not provide such to us in response to our information request.
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Bits and Pieces

GFRD and Oro Valley To Partner On On-Site, Full-Time Health Clinic For Employees

 "The Town of Oro Valley, Arizona is seeking competitive proposals from qualified and interested firms to design, furnish, staff and manage an on-site health and wellness clinic to provide quality medical services to Town employees and dependents....Golder Ranch Fire District is considering partnering with the Town of Oro Valley in the operation of this Health and Wellness Clinic. The Fire District has 147 employees and a total of 494 individuals covered by their health insurance." (Source: Oro Valley Bid Solicitation 14032)
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Zinkin Appointed To NLC Steering Committee

Council Member Mike Zinkin "...has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2014 Community and Economic Development Steering Committee. This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness. The appointment was announced by NLC President Chris Coleman, mayor, St. Paul, Minn." (NLC Press Notice)
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Burns Gets New Job

Council Member Brendan Burns is now a member of prestigious law firm Fennemore Craig.  Brendan practices in the area of commercial litigation, plaintiff's personal injury, professional liability, medical negligence defense, and land use planning and zoning. (Source: Press Release)
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Oro Valley Schlock Sign

Here's our nomination for Oro Valley's Schlock Sign.  We didn't know that Oro Valley allowed this kind of sign.  It looks like a bed sheet with some writing on it. We hope the quality of the $7.99 haircut is better than the quality of the sign.  We also wonder if this type of sign is "In Our Nature."
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Aquatic Center Closed For Maintenance

The Oro Valley Aquatic Center will be closed for maintenance from January 27 to February 2.(Oro Valley Press Release)
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Oro Valley 2013SRO Annual Report Available

The Oro Valley Popular Annual Report can be viewed on line or downloaded.
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"OVPD teen driving program receives a boost from National Auto Collision Centers

The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) School Resources Unit has received a donation of $1,100 from National Auto Collision Centers for the Impact Teen Driving Program.

Program curriculum is being taught by OVPD School Resource Officers in Oro Valley high schools. With the donation from National Auto Collision Centers, an incentive will be added to the program. Students who complete the course will receive an I.C.K.Y. (Ignorance Can Kill You) to place in their vehicles as a reminder to not engage in distracting tasks while driving, such as texting." (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department press release)
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Drzazgowski Wins Shop OV Holiday Campaign 

"The Town of Oro Valley is proud to announce that Oro Valley resident Molly Drzazgowski is the winner of the final prize drawing for the Shop OV Holiday Campaign. Drzazgowski will receive a two-night stay at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, including a choice of one round of golf for two, or two 50-minute custom spa treatments and breakfast for two at the Sundance Café. " (Oro Valley Press release)
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OV announces art, photo and multimedia contest For K-12 students 

"In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Town of Oro Valley is proud to host the "Life in OV" art, photo and multimedia contest for students in grades K - 12.

The contest is an opportunity for Oro Valley's youth to showcase their unique perspective on life in OV. Whatever is important to them-family, friends, pets, school, clubs, sports, parks, nature-we hope they will share their vision through art, photos or multimedia. Get contest rules here. (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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