Bits and Pieces

Town Council fails to consider financial results on a timely basis

Forever, it seems, the town staff updated the Oro Valley Town Council on financial results. It was a monthly report that discussed spending and receives of all major funds. It was a source of transparency for all residents.  In January, the council voted to change that to quarterly reporting or results. As of April 19, 2023 not a single monthly financial report has actually appeared on a 2023 Council Agenda.  It's Mayor Winfield's job to set the agenda.

The Budget and Finance Commission, a group of unelected residents who have no authority over anything, see the monthly financials at each of their meetings. Mayor Winfield is the council liaison to that Board. So, if you want to know how the town is doing financially, you have to attend their meetings.  Fortunately, their meetings are short and contain little substance.

These are the neighbors that are resolutely opposed to the OVCN sports complex request

LOVE has referred to OVCN Neighbors in our postings on the OVCN matter. These are individuals who oppose the rezoning of land adjacent to the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN). The Church wants to build sports facilities on this land. The "neighbors" cover a very large portion of the original section of Oro Valley. 

We've created the panel at right for you to see the large area of opposition. It includes four neighborhoods: Linda Vista Citrus Tracts 2; Shadow Mountain Estates, Campo Bello and Oro Valley Estates. 

One trip through those neighborhoods and you will know why there is such resolute, united opposition to the OVCN request.

Oro Vally SR77 Wildlife Game and Fence is complete 

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (April 7, 2023) – The Town of Oro Valley is holding a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 19 to celebrate the completion of the State Route 77 (Oracle Road) Wildlife Gate and Fence project. 

The ribbon cutting is the culmination of a years-long collaboration between the Town, surrounding neighbors and regional partners to preserve scenic views and protect wildlife along SR 77 north of Tangerine Road. The ribbon cutting will start at 9 a.m. at 2746 E. Scenic Overlook Place (the west side of SR 77 at Scenic Overlook Place). Parking will be available in the neighborhood along two streets. A-frame signs will provide instructions on where to park as well as directions to the ribbon cutting staging area.

The Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority funded this project. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf host Cinco De Mayo Scramble

The date is May 5. The time is 8:00 am. Its a Friday. So that's another good reason to take the day off and play nine holes on this beautiful course. Register here.

(Source: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf email)

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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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The Watchdog Report: Another Unjustified Expense in Oro Valley

(This is a follow-up to Mike’s previous article, “Traffic Congestion…It’s in our Nature” published on June 5th.)

STOP…The Madness
Have you noticed the construction going on in front of the Community Center on La Canada? That construction will result in a stop light. That's correct, a stop light on La Canada between Naranja and Lambert. Last spring, I asked the Town Engineer to show me the "Signal Warrant Analysis" to justify the new light. Typically, this report is generated to justify a $500,000 traffic light expenditure, and usually the expenditure is deemed “warranted” due to a safety issue. However, I was advised that a Signal Warrant Analysis was NOT performed for this traffic light.

The Town Engineer advised that there was a visibility problem with turning left out of the Community Center due to the hill on La Canada and that 500 cars per day visiting the Community Center were affected by this. He stated that, “This signal is based on safe sight distance alone.” In his opinion, a signal was justified.

The Community Center gets top priority
I wonder how many cars utilize the "T" intersection at Canada Hills Drive and La Canada, or Moore Road and La Canada? I’m sure that you can name many other intersections in Oro Valley that serve more than 500 cars a day that could use a traffic signal. Yet, the Town continues to cater to Community Center patrons above all else.

RTA spends YOUR tax dollars without requiring justification
A few months ago, Interim Town Manager, Danny Sharp, advised me that the signal was being paid for by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), not Oro Valley. However, the RTA is still funded by YOUR sales tax dollars. I called Jim DeGrood (Deputy Director of the RTA at the time) to ask how they justified spending $500,000 for a traffic signal that had questionable need. He replied that the RTA does not do their own justification, but rather they rely on the municipality. In other words, the RTA did not request any justification to spend YOUR tax dollars.

What happened to the HAWK Signal?
This signal was originally planned to be a HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated Cross Walk). These are used to allow pedestrians to cross safely (and in this case, to also allow golf carts to safely cross). Now the HAWK has morphed into a full-blown traffic signal. (For comparison, a HAWK signal costs between $80,000-$150,000.)

A waste of money, time, and gasoline
Of note is that prior to the Town purchasing the golf courses, the El Conquistador hosted tournaments for over 260 golfers and somehow there was never a problem for cars to enter and exit the driveway, despite an average of 21,100 daily automobile trips on La Canada between Naranja and Lambert [Pima Association of Governments 2013 Report]. Now suddenly there is a need? Thousands of cars that utilize La Canada in their daily commute will now potentially have an added stop in front of the Community Center entrance. This isn’t just a waste of money. It’s also a waste of your time and gas.

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  Editor's Note:  RTA projects are funded by the half-cent sales tax increase approved by Pima County voters in May 2006.  The RTA is managed by the Pima Association of Governments [PAG].  Guess who was elected PAG Chair in January 2017?  Why none other than Mayor Satish Hiremath!  Now let's connect the dots.  The dots indicate that you don't need to justify a $500,000 expenditure (taxpayer money) when you are the PAG Chair.

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.

Bits and Pieces

Next Step In CDO Shard Use Path Up To County

We asked TownCommunications Director Misti Nowak about a connector from the CDO shared use path to Catalina State Park. Here response:

"I have learned that Pima County Flood Control will take the lead on design, construction and funding of this project. Town staff will provide support in coordination with the Arizona Department of Transportation."

We don't know the timetable.

Today, at 9 AM, is the ribbon cutting for the path.
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Oro Valley Businesses Count Down To 40th Anniversary With 40 Days of Deals

To help the Town of Oro Valley count down to its 40th Anniversary Celebration, local businesses have partnered with the Town for 40 Days of Deals. Each day, March 15 - April 25, Oro Valley businesses will offer special deals to customers. To view the 40 Days of Deals calendar, click here. (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Take The PAG Survey

The Pima Association of Governments ("PAG") wants your input. PAG receives and distributes highway funds to Oro Valley and other towns. "PAG, the region’s metropolitan planning organization, recently launched the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) planning process. When finished, the 2045 RTP will identify goals, challenges, performance targets and projects for the PAG region over the next 30 years, guiding how transportation funds are spent in this community."  Take the survey.
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Bits and Pieces

Tomorrow: Oro Valley Road Closures and/or Traffic Delays for El Tour de Tucson

"Oro Valley, Ariz. (November 18, 2013) - Oro Valley motorists should be advised that the following major roads and their intersections will be significantly impacted on Saturday, November 23, 2013, from approximately 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for El Tour de Tucson:

• E. Innovation Park E. 
• Rancho Vistoso Blvd. 
• Moore Road 
• Oracle Road 
• Vistoso Commerce Loop south at Wide View (complete closure) 
• Vistoso Village south at Tabular (complete closure)

The Oro Valley Police Department will be monitoring the race route. To avoid delays and ensure public safety, please seek alternate routes. Want traffic updates? OVPD will keep you posted via Twitter. Be sure to follow #ElTour and #OVPD." (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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Link Added: Pima CountyAssociation of Governments

We've added a link on the right panel for the Pima County Association of Governments (PAG).  This organization funnels state funds to cities and towns in the county.  What it does and how it operates matters to Oro Valley.
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Oro Valley Water Audit: Positive, Productive, Money Saving

An audit of your water situation might save thousands of gallons of water usage, adding money to your wallet, and water to the aquifer. This, based on our personal experience.

We invited the town to visit our home and to perform a water audit. Karn Boyce, Oro Valley Water Conservation Specialist, did the audit. Karn knows her stuff!  She identified a number of areas were we could improve water usage, especially in our "leaky" irrigation system.

You can reach Karn at 520-229-5024 to schedule your audit.
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Did Tucson Cause Oro Valley To Lose Grand Canyon University?

The Oro Valley Economic Development Department has hired a marketing and communications specialist.  This is part of the town's efforts to go to market independent of the Tucson and other communities.

There's good reason for this.  We were told that Oro Valley was "lumped in" with Tucson in the minds of Grand Canyon University even though Oro Valley had submitted a separate "incentive" to attract the University. When the El Rio Neighborhood Association killed the deal, Grand Canyon folded tent and gave up on the idea of coming to Southern Arizona.

We repeat what we have said on these pages before: "Oro Valley is the jewel of Southern Arizona.  Tucson is the arm pit."
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2015 General Plan: The Town Of Oro Valley Needs Your Opinion

The Town Of Oro Valley is gathering input from residents.  It is part of the 2015 general plan effort.  According to an email from the website, yourvoiceov.com, the following are three items they have been hearing.  Oro Valley should:

• Continue to attract young professionals 
• Stop building new shopping centers until existing are utilized 
• Develop a "Downtown" and more Family-Friendly Dining Options

Does this reflect your thinking?

Have you expressed your opinion?
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Musolf Quoted

The AZ Star posted an article on the Naranja Park multi-use field/dog park project.  They quoted our own John Musolf in the article.  Read what he has to say.  Way to go John!
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RV's Cars Displayed At  The Oro Valley Marketplace

We thought you'd enjoy seeing some a picture of the "cars" on display last week at the Oro Valley Marketplace.

If you don't know why we put quotes around the word "cars," then you need to read the Don Bristow guest view that we posted earlier in the week.

RV's and Cars are equivalent in Oro Valley.

(Yes. We are like a dog with a bone. We just don't give up.)
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