Guest View: Ally Miller ~ Bond Notice and Disclosures to Voters

This posting is a clarification and expansion of Supervisor Miller’s earlier email that was posted on LOVE last Tuesday. This is being provided to help our readers more fully understand the issue. Although this information pertains to Pima County bonds, the information provided ties in to the upcoming Naranja Park Bond Election in Oro Valley.

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After the 2015 Pima County Bond Election which included 7 bond propositions, I realized that reform was needed of State Statutes governing the bond notice and disclosures to the voters. These disclosures are provided via the Publicity Pamphlet for bond elections. I worked with State Representative Vince Leach to draft the legislation to update Arizona Revised Statute 35-454. Representative Leach ran this bill twice and it was killed by the lobbyists who didn’t support improved transparency to the voters.

I identified 3 deficiencies in the existing Statutes governing disclosures to voters:

1. Interest rates are not calculated at the maximum rate
The "estimated" bond payments provided to the voters weren’t shown at the maximum interest rate that voters were being asked to approve. In the upcoming Oro Valley Naranja Park Bond election, the estimated payment is calculated using a 5% interest rate. However, voters will actually be approving an interest rate up to 7%. The proposed amendments to the statutes would have required the payment to be calculated with 7% interest and disclosed to the voters.

2. Project Lists and Maps are Non-binding
Most voters believe that maps and project lists are binding. They are NOT. The town will be held to the “Purposes” only.   In the upcoming Oro Valley Bond Election, the purposes are listed as: Parks, Open space and recreational bonds. Any spending that falls within those categories is appropriate and legal to spend the monies on.

The 2013 Audit of Pima County Bonds clearly shows how monies can be moved around as well as showing projects which were canceled altogether.

You can access the link to the Pima County Audit HERE

Go to Appendix D, Table 8, “Project Changes: Reasons for changes in bond proceeds allocated to projects or changes in project timing, May 1998 through May 2012” towards the end of the document (Pages 52- 57). This is the list from the auditor showing all the monies that were moved into or out of bond projects. You will see many projects that were never done due to millions of dollars that were moved to other projects.

For example, you will see on the last page of Table 8 that the money from a previous Pima County NARANJA PARK project ($2.9 million) was taken away due to “Proceeds moved to cover costs in another project.”

3. Operations and Maintenance Costs are not included
Voters often don’t think about additional costs that come with Bond Projects. Operations and maintenance costs are not part of the disclosure to voters. My bill would have required a statement that primary tax rates could increase as a result of bond passage. Operations and maintenance costs typically start out low and increase over time as projects age.

I believe transparency to the voters is critical and that knowledge is power. I am hoping this bill will be presented at the state legislature again. In the meantime, I believe it is important for elected officials to provide the information to you so that you make an informed decision when you vote.

Ally Miller is a Pima County Supervisor in District 1
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Editor’s Note: As noted in the article, the $3 million dollars that was transferred from a previous Pima County Bond from Naranja Park to another park appears to be the type of bait and switch that Supervisor Miller was referring to in her email of last week, published on LOVE, entitled, “Ally Miller Cautions Voters on Naranja Park Bond.”

Bits and Pieces

Oro Valley commemorates 9/11 today
The Town Of Oro Valley has a flag raising ceremony at 8:0am today at the Oro Valley Community Center. A moment of silence will be held for those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Zinkin and Miller Agree: Bond Package Bad For Oro Valley Taxpayers
Oro Valley Council Member Mike Zinkin and Pima County District 1 Supervisor, Ally Miller, agree that the Pima County $850 million bond package is a bad deal for Oro Valley. They appeared together on the James T. Harris radio talk show last week. The show's host Harris seemed amazed that a registered Democrat, Zinkin, and a registered Republican, Miller, would agree on fiscal matters.

Zinkin has been a champion of fiscal restraint during his 3 years on the Oro Valley town council. He told Harris that fiscal responsibility crosses party lines. Fiscal responsibility should be in the forefront of every elected official regardless of party.

Zinkin observed that the bonds are bad deal for Oro Valley residents because passage of the bond package will result in Oro Valley property owners substantially subsidizing the rest of the county. He stated that the average annual cost of repaying the bonds to an Oro Valley household is $125 whereas Oro Valley, if it chose to do so, could sell its own bond at a cost of $96 a year per resident. That is assuming that Oro Valley residents would want to bond the same "nonsense" that is in this bond package. Which, according to Zinkin, they would not.

You can listen to the interview here.

Hiremath on public governance: "Everything needs to be discussed in the open"
In remarks at the September 2 Oro Valley council meeting, Oro Valley Mayor Hiremath closed a council study session about Arizona's open meeting law by observing the decision-making difference between decisions made in the private sector and those make in the public sector:

“It is amazing government gets anything done because you can not talk to anybody because we are governed by the Arizona open meeting law and so it not like in the private world where you have a board of directors or in my dental office where you huddle everybody together to talk about it and make a decision. Its not like that. Its really eye-opening, when you are on this side of the dais and you understand how exactly you’re governed. It [the open meeting law] makes it very, very difficult. So its all more impressive when any elected body does good things for municipalities because everything has to be discussed in the open.”

Apparently, not "Everything has to be in the open." For example, the council held closed-door discussions while the  Mayor negotiated the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club and its 45-holes of money-draining losses from one of his major campaign contributors. Then it sprang the purchase on the public and forced a decision to make the purchase and raise the sales tax in 2 just weeks, last December.

Both Sides Mounting Efforts On Pima County Bonds

There are 2 groups of which we know that are actively involved in the Pima County Bond Election. One "Yes on Pima County Bonds" is for the bond issue. The other, "Taxpayers Against Pima County Bonds" is against. They also have a second web site of Pima Bond Facts.

Business and government special interests support the bonds
The group for the bond election is comprised of those businesses and government entities that will get direct benefit from these bond funds. For example, they have the endorsement of the Arizona Transportation Builders Association. It's members will benefit greatly from the contracts that will result from these bonds. Other supporters include Banner Health, Campus Research Corporation, Tucson Medical Center and Diamond Ventures, Inc. None of these groups represent the taxpayer. Other supporters include Western Parks Association and workmen's comp company Copperpoint Insurance. (Source) They all get something if you approve these bonds.

You can read more about their support for the bonds here. You can read more about the concerns of some of those enterprises who benefit form the bonds here.

Little guys against these bonds
In contrast, the taxpayers who will have to pay for the Bonds are the ones against these bonds. As of July 19, that group raised about $4,000, a small sum.

This group asks:  "If big business likes these 99 Bond projects so much why are they not funding them themselves? Are these businesses making money from any of the Bond projects they are supporting? Business taxes will skyrocket from these 7 Bonds, will these businesses be paying those taxes?"
 

Are Pima's bonds a bad deal for Oro Valley property owners?
Last February, we presented an analysis of how bonding disproportionately impacts the pocketbooks of Oro Valley property owners. In that posting, we factually supported the position that residents of "wealthier" communities such as Oro Valley (and the Foothills) subsidize projects for other county communities, paying almost twice what they could if they financed the projects ourselves. In return, this time around, Oro Valley would get $10million for Naranja Park and $15million for a business accelerator.

In April, Oro Valley's representative to the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Ally Miller, expressed her view of the bond package. Essentially, she sees it as a bad deal all around and a bad deal for Oro Valley property owners.

You will make the choice on November 3.

Bits and Pieces

Meet the new candidates tomorrow
"Just a friendly reminder that you can meet three Town Council candidates this Saturday, June 27th and sign the petitions to help get them on the November ballot. The event is from 9am - 3pm at the Town Council Courtyard and at the Oro Valley Public Library. Refreshments will be served. Please see the attached flyer." (Source: Steve Didio email)

In light of the "insanity" that occurred at town hall Wednesday when Hiremath recall papers were filed, lets hope that only those interested in meeting the new candidates attend this event.

Petitions submitted to recall Mayor Hiremath

Oro Valley, Arizona (June 25, 2015) - At approximately 10 a.m. yesterday, June 24, 2015, signatures for a recall petition for Oro Valley Mayor Satish I. Hiremath were delivered to the Town of Oro Valley Clerk's Office. The petitions were submitted by the Oro Valley Citizens for Open Government Committee.

The Oro Valley Clerk's Office has 10 days in which to process the petitions and verify that the total number of signatures eligible for verification is equal to or exceeds the minimum 2,765 required signatures.

Pima County will then have 60 days in which to verify the signatures before the petition process moves forward. Once the county verifies the signatures, they will come back to the Oro Valley Town Clerk for a final check before they are legally filed. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release) 

Group forms to oppose Pima County Bond
Taxpayers Against Pima County Bonds has formed. According to a group press release: 

"The real myth is “new bonding will not affect your property taxes.” The fact is, last year on my tax bill, I paid almost $170.00 under the category "county bonds secondary." This represents almost 5% of my total tax bill! It does NOT include the roughly $1,385 I pay in other secondary property taxes, many of which are also bonds for other things. And secondary property taxes are in addition to the primary property taxes we pay. Bonds DO affect your taxes! Pima County now wants to borrow close to $816 Million. This is a 57% increase over what Pima County currently owes. If my taxes on the existing Pima County Bonds are $170 a year, what can I expect them to go up to after they borrow another $816 Million? It's basic economics, the more you borrow, the more you need to pay back! " (Source: Taxpayers Against Pima County Bonds Press Release)

Their webside is pimabondfact.com

 Hecker Leads Pima County Bond Support
"A group in support of the Pima County bond proposal has formed and begun to lobby the public to vote for the $815 million bond plan. The group, called "Yes on Pima County Bonds", held a news conference Monday to announce the effort.

Tucson attorney and chairman of the Pima County Bond Advisory Committee Lawrence Hecker is listed as the group’s chairman.

Business consultant and former Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities chairman Steve Eggen is treasurer of the group." (Source: Arizona Daily Star

Do you think that Hecker has a conflict of interest being chairing the Pima County Bond Advisory Board and now leading the cheerleading effort?

"Waters: From CNN To Council"
Rose Law Group published an exclusive interview with Council Member Lou Waters.

Entitled: "From CNN anchor desk to Oro Valley Town Council", the article asked why he ran for office. "Service always has been in my DNA, so I ran and won . . . twice." Later in the article he notes: "Far too many of our “politicians” will say or do anything to remain in office. And far too many things they say are just not in the best interests of the constituents they serve."

Rock Ridge Apartments Needs Tenants
Rock Ridge Apartments are located on the west side of Oracle Road, just south of Lambert Lane. The've been in town a long time. They need tenants. And the prices actually look pretty interesting. Want to learn more?

We imagine that apartment pricing in Oro Valley is going to get even better for the consumer as Russ Rulney's apartments, located just south of Rock Ridge on the east side of Oracle near completion. It is a monster development.

Oro Valley Releases Latest Crime Statistics

Oro Valley Police Department has issued their latest crime statistics.  Almost have of Oro Valley's accident intersections are at 3 major intersections. Oracle and Magee are, once again, at the top of the most frequent collision intersections.  Next are LaCanada and Tangerine and Tangerine and First Avenue.

The report includes information on how quickly police reach the scene of an incident, traffic or otherwise.  90% of the time or more officer response is at or under the allotted time for a particular incident priority. For example, our police responded to 97% of top priority incidents within one minute. There were 14. (Source)


Coffee with a Cop This Morning 
 "The Oro Valley Police Department is excited to announce its June Coffee with a Cop event located at Jerry Bob's, 10550 N. La Cañada Drive, Suite 140 . It will be on Friday, June 26, 2015 from 7 to 9 a.m. This marks the one year anniversary of its inception." (Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

November Sees The Q and Brew 10K
"On Your Left Fitness is excited to partner with the North Tucson Firefighter’s Association (NTFFA) in hosting the Q and Brew 10K Run/Walk in conjunction with NTFFA’s BBQ Cook Off. Over 30 firefighter teams will be cooking up mouth-watering BBQ for you to enjoy after your run." The race is Saturday, November 21 in Oro Valley. (Source) On Your Left also sponsors a Test N Tune events at Steam Pump Ranch.

Guest View-Ally Miller:

Ally Miller took office as Pima County Supervisor for District 1 onJanuary, 2013. She is serving her first term . Oro Valley residents are in her district. Ally voted against this bond issue. Ally is  accessible and very responsive to the needs of her constituents. Contact her with your questions or concerns. Or talk with her directly this Saturday at the Oro Valley Library at 9:30am.
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Pima County board of supervisors voted on April 21, 2015 to approve placing a bond for $815 million on the November 2015 ballot. It will be in the form of 7 packages from which the voters can pick and choose.

Cheerleaders from special interest groups dominated the room on April 21, advocating approval of this bond in the name of economic development, job creation and tourism.

One individual speaking on behalf of the $3.5 million velodrome project at the Kino campus asked the crowd to stand as he brilliantly encouraged them with his pledge to get the vote out. Click here to listen. While a velodrome is most likely a wonderful project, I wonder how many of you will be driving down to Kino campus to use this facility?

Spending money to make money was often presented as rationale for approving this bond. Funding special interest projects and hoping for a boom in tourism is not sound fiscal policy. How about another hand out to Banner Health for an $18 million expansion to the University of Arizona Health South campus?

Meanwhile, while Pima County wants to go into more debt to help the University of Arizona, the University of Arizona is investing in Maricopa County: $136 million in the biotech campus in downtown Phoenix and not Oro Valley.

The list is of special interest projects is long.

There were 12 speakers who spoke just as passionately against the bond as they recognize the ramifications of piling on more debt to the most indebted county in the state.  Listen to Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Brad Johns who began his remarks with this statement: “If taking on debt improves the economy, we’d be doing a lot better right now than we are doing.”

Pima County already has the noteworthy distinction of having twice the debt of the other 14 counties in Arizona combined. Pima County is in debt to the tune of $1.3 billion.

Road repairs of $160 million were added at the last minute to sweeten the pot for voters desperate for road repairs. This illustrates the brilliance of never letting a crisis go unused.

Included in the road repair package is a $10 Mil road for UA tech park and a $30 Mil road for the Sonoran Desert Corridor south of Raytheon.

Bonding for road repairs makes little sense. The lifespan of a road repair is maybe 2-3 years at best. Don’t take my word for it. Pick your favorite pothole and watch how long it takes to fall apart after it is “repaired” by a county road crew. I disagree with the board assessment of a 10 year lifespan for road repairs. The roads will again be falling apart while we are paying interest on the original repair job.

Bond Projects take decades to complete, costs are often underestimated and some projects may never be completed. The board voted just 2 weeks ago to move issuance of $80 million for 7 projects of 1997 HURF bonds to 2022. These project costs were underestimated and we must find the additional monies elsewhere to complete them. Almost 20 years later and here we sit with almost a quarter of those bonds unissued. We have yet to complete the 1997 road projects and ones that were finished are already falling apart.

1997 HURF Bond payments require $19 million per year be siphoned off HURF Distributions (Gas Tax) from the state which are monies meant for road repairs. Voters approved this payment method which ties bond payments to the HURF revenue stream. I don’t think voters understood the gravity of this decision.

Open Space, zoo exhibits, Old Tucson Studio expansion among others are all nice additions to a community that is thriving. Pima County is far from thriving.

What more? Listen to Bill Buckmaster's interview of Ally Miller.
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Four Residents Speak On Issues Important To You

At last week's Oro Valley Town Council meeting, four Oro Valley residents spoke of four different topics. Each topic is important to you as an Oro Valley resident. These are matters on which we have previously reported. We're publishing the comments because they are important to you and because you will never hear them otherwise.



Oro Valley leaders should use valid, documented assumptions when making important decisions

Last week, we reported a dialogue between Paul and Mayor Hiremath.

It was about what has turned out to be an  unsupported assumption that 33% of Oro Valley sales tax revenues come from people who do not reside in Oro Valley. That number was used by the Town and Mayor Hiremath in justifying why a sales tax increase s should be used to fund the El Conquistador Country Club purchase.

As it turns out, the town had no substantiation for the assumption. Mayor Hiremath told Emmert to prove the mayor wrong.

Emmett brings it all to a conclusion in his remarks to council.

The Oro Valley Town Council should not advocate a property tax through Pima County

There is no one on town council advocating for Oro Valley to have its own property tax.

Yet, there are members of this council who enthusiastically hope for a Pima County bond issue that would fund Naranja Park, Steam Pump Ranch and Innovation Park.  All of these are worthy endeavors. However, as resident Geri Ottoboni pointed out to council, all result in a property tax.

As Otoboni points out in her remarks,  Oro Valley residents will pay more than their share of the repayment for the bonds because our property values are much higher most other Pima County communities. This, LOVE has also observed.

Frankly, as Ottoboni notes, we would pay less as individuals if issued bonds, instituted a secondary property tax with a sunset to pay back the debt.  This will likely never happen.

Listen as Otoboni explain the logic. Read our February posting on the matter.

With Golf Course purchased, Oro Valley also gets the liability and the law suits that follow

Resident Don Barnett is a member of the El Conquistador Country Club  discuss the condition of one of bunkers on the course. There are liners in the bunkers.  Barnet was significantly injured when his club hit the liner.

Barnett wants to town to fix the problem, even though the town does not yet own the course. He cautions that serious injuries could result and law suits could follow.

Liability and law suites are one of the unattended consequences of owning a golf course.  Add to this the many issues that will likely be brought to council when something is awry on the golf course; or when the manager of the course, Troon Golf, does not do something a member want them to do.

Train Oro Valley town staff and commissioners on the content of the general plan and "law"

Resident Don Bristow observed that there are some town employees and some members of the Planning and Zoning Commission who don't know the requirements of the general plan or Oro Valley legal zoning requirements (termed: "code").

He had observed a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting where staff failed to provide complete information on these matters and that some on the commission had no idea of the requirements.

Bristow also observes that there have been more than 30 changes on Oro Valley's sign codes since 2010. None were to benefit resident  scenic views or way of life. All of these have been favorable to business.

He wonders why the people's interests, as demonstrated by the  general plan and law are not considered.

Planned Pima County Bonds Are No Bargain For Oro Valley Property Owners

In June of 2013, LOVE reported that Oro Valley had provided county administrator Chuck Huckleberry with $38 million in bond funding requests. You can visit this link to see the list of items requested and our analysis.  The total requested by the county and its communities at that time totaled $1.3 billion. This was twice what had been expected.

Several weeks ago,  the Pima County Bond Committee, the group that prepares the request for county supervision inspection and approval, approved a bond ceiling of $640.1 million. $30 million of Oro Valley's requests are in this amount. This is 4.7% of the total.

Amount In Million

Here's a table of what remains for Oro Valley in this potential bond issue. (Source:Pima County Bond web site)

This amount together with all of the other items in the bond request will be repaid by a secondary property tax that you'll pay on your annual county tax bill.

Oro Valley and Foothills Will Pay Far More Than They Get

Given current population and assessed property values, Oro Valley residents will pay a disproportionate share of any bond repayment assessment.

Oro Valley's population is 4% of the county's population but its property values are almost 9% of the county's assessed property values.

Mathematically, this means that Oro Valley residents will receive 4.7% of the funds borrowed but will pay almost twice that amount in repayment.

There are limits to how large the total bond issued can be. The most significant limit is a decrease in the the tax base of Pima County. The base must be supported by sufficient property values to keep the per thousand rate within county mandated limits. The tax base dropped from a value of $9.86 billion in Fiscal Year 2009/10 to $7 .58 billion today, a 23.1 percent reduction.

The county has confidence that voters will approve a bond issue. History is on their side:

"Since May 1974, voters in Pima County have approved bond proposals at countywide elections 12 separate times. A total of 54 bond proposition questions have been approved by the voters and only four have been disapproved."

It is no wonder that Pima county's voters approve these bond issues. After all, Oro Valley and Foothills are basically funding a portion of their projects.

Bits and Pieces

Is Mayor Hiremath The King Of Rude or What?

Mayor Hiremath can't seem to resist the urge to chide others.

Town Finance Director Stacey Lemos presented a 5 year projection of town finances at the May 7 council meeting.  Rather than ask for general questions from the council, Mayor Hiremath turned to Council Member Zinkin. Hiremath asked:,"Mr. Zinkin, you'd like to challenge Ms. Lemos' forecast hypothetically 5 years out?" (Source: 5-7-14 Meeting Video at 1:49:20)  Council Member Zinkin was respectful in not directly responding to such a crude comment.  Zinkin yielded the floor to others.

Why does Mayor Hiremath see the need to ridicule, lecture and alienate others? Why can't he see his role as one of accommodating all council members?  Is he simply not capable of being anything but a partisan bully?
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Majority-4 Refuses Citizen Input On How People Are Appointed To Town Boards and Commissions

Another item from the council meeting last week was a discussion of the procedures for appointing people to voluntary town boards and commissions. We will write more about this Monday.

Council Member Zinkin requested that citizen input be heard.  Council Member Garner seconded.

Mayor Hiremath objected on the ground that citizen  input into how this process happens is not relevant because it is a council prerogative.

Watch the video of Mayor Hiremath's reasoning.  You be the judge.

At the beginning of every meeting during World War II, Winston Churchill asked: "Tell me what I don't know."  Churchill clearly understood the wisdom of seeking input from all quarters.  Mayor Hiremath is definitely no Churchill.  We think that he is a bit more "Nixonian." 

By the way, the council voted 3-4 against citizen input.  It was the Majority-4 who voted citizen input down.
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Pima County Bonding Still Alive

Two Oro Valley Pima County Bond requests were discussed at the May 2 meeting of the Pima County Bond Advisory Committee.  One is in the amount of $10 million for Naranja Park.  The elements are to be determined by the Fall.  The other are improvements to River Front Park. (Source)  Still to be determined is the amount of and the timing of the bonds to fund this and the many other projects requested by Pima County communities.
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Get Your Early Ballot For the Primary Mailed To The Right Place

Primary day is August 26. If you are want to vote early you should request a mail-in ballot. If you are not going to be at your home location this summer, but at another fixed location, the county recorder's office will send the ballot to you at the summer location.  The post off ice will not forward a ballot.  After May 27th, you can call the recorder's voters line at 724-4330 to make your request and tell them where to mail the ballot.

Every vote counts.  So be sure you get yours sent to the right place.
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OVPD Investigating Shooting Incident-Death

"Oro Valley, Ariz. (May 15, 2014) - At approximately 10 a.m. this morning, Oro Valley Police officers were driving through an apartment complex at 450 W. Cool Drive on an unrelated matter when they heard a gunshot and saw a male subject in the parking lot with a rifle, hiding behind a truck. Officers took cover and ordered the subject to drop the rifle, but he refused. Officers heard additional shots, and upon approaching the subject, they reported he had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation revealed additional ammunition in the truck. The motive of the individual is unknown and the investigation is ongoing. No officers or other members of the public sustained any injuries.

The deceased's name is being withheld pending next of kin notification. If anyone from the public has any additional information on this case, you are asked to call OVPD at (520) 229-4900." (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

Bits and Pieces

Five Hats In The Ring-- Oro Valley Incumbents Seek Reelection

As of yesterday, the 4 incumbents on the Oro Valley Town Council and 1 other Oro Valley resident have organized for this years mayoral and council elections:  "... the following individuals have returned their Statement of Organizations: Satish I. Hiremath Joe Hornat, Mary Snider Patrick J. Straney Lou Waters."  (Source: Oro Valley Town Clerk's Office)

You know the incumbents. Patrick Straney is known in the Rancho Vistoso community, having served in various capacities in the HOA. He has also been a member of the Mayor's Ambassador Group.

More on the elections Monday in "If Not You, Then Who?"
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Rancho Vistoso Race A Bit Contentious

This from one of our bloggers:

"This is the first time in years that I can remember a race for the Board of Director seats within the Rancho Vistoso community. Anyone notice the "Vote 4 Bill & Brad" signs or get a flyer on their door?

In an apparent effort to marginalize those efforts by Bill and Brad, the [local advertising circular] published a vague opinion piece written by two candidates (one incumbent, one former Board member) who served the Association for years and now insinuate the community will fall apart without them. The article, however, failed to mention any of their accomplishments or future goals.

On the other hand, challengers Bill Daniels and Brad Schauf have a website detailing their plans on how to improve Rancho Vistoso by making sure HOA dues are spent wisely, ensuring transparency and exploring fresh ideas that will benefit the community. Both were instrumental in securing bids for a landscaping contract that will ultimately save homeowners more than $800,000. And what a novel idea: they are seeking input from the community.

If you haven’t cast your ballot, you might want to visit ImproveRanchoVistoso.com and evaluate the new guys so you can make an informed decision. Or better yet, attend the annual meeting on March 27th.  Decide for yourself which candidates offer the most to the community.

Meeting location:1495 E Rancho Vistoso Boulevard at Sun City in their Social Hall in the Papago Room. Time: 6 p.m. "
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Senior Care Facility In Innovation Park?  Give Us A Break!

Are you sitting down?

There is a Senior care facility planned for Innovation Park.

"The proposed development consists of 177 beds (82 assisted living and 95 independent living), 11 buildings and 230,000 square feet of floor area. The project will be following the Economic Expansion Zone (EEZ) review process, which entails administrative review and approval of the architectural and site designs."  (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)  You can learn more about this project by attending next Wednesday's open house (see upcoming events) and clicking here.

As one of our bloggers wrote: "The retirement development planned in Innovation Park may be consistent with zoning - although we still don't have assisted living in our code. But, do we really want to take light industrial space ( incubator, perhaps ) - and house retired people?"

Maybe they'll get jobs a Securaplane.
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Miller Urges Caution:  Pima Animal Control Facility To Be Bonded At $506 Per Square Foot

Miller Addressing Attendees

If we're not careful, voters will approve a Pima County bond next year for the expansion of the Pima County Animal Control facility for millions over what a facility of this type should cost. This we learned last night at County Supervisor Allison Miller's Town Hall at the Oro Valley Library Branch.  Miller showed costs of other commercial-type new construction buildings that are in the low $100's per square foot.

We also learned that lavish spending is quite common in Pima County. Did you know, for example, that the county, with some federal funds, funded a lavish emergency response center?  There are chairs that can be adjusted at the push of a button.  There are built-in fans to make the occupant comfortable. There are stainless refrigerators for each community.  There are rooms full of computers.  And you approved it with a 2004 bond offering.

Did you know that county supervisors can, on a majority vote, use bond funds for uses other than the purpose for which you voted?  And, that they can do so legally.

Miller's point: Be careful before approving county bonds in a county that already has 2.5 times the debt of all other Arizona counties combined.
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Burns' Statement On "Domestic" Incident

Last night, TV 4 reported of a domestic incident involving Council Member Brendan Burns.  The incident occurred well over 2 weeks ago and involved violating a then standing protective order.  Here is Council Member Burns' statement as published by TV 4;

"I am saddened that my divorce and recent personal struggles have become public matters. As is often the case in these emotional situations, I have regrets, but much of the substance of the protective order is untrue, and my wife has already dismissed it voluntarily. My focus is now on my family and healing my relationship with my wife so we can be better parents to our three, young children. My family hopes for your prayers and understanding as we continue the healing process and we humbly ask for privacy out of respect for our children."


Council Member Brendan Burns (Source
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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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Bits and Pieces

Two Oro Valley Residents Provide Help With Senior Placement

We came across a local business, ABC Senior Placement Advisors.  It is owned and operated by Rancho Vistoso residents Andrea and Martin Blatberg.  They run a "... placement service that advises the elderly and their families on long-term care options."(Source)

During our conversation with Andrea she noted that people don't know what to do or who to talk with when independent living is no longer an options.  "Many people have moved to Oro Valley to retire", she noted "and have no family support system."  Thus, the need for someone to help with the care situation.

We asked Andrea what she thought of the care facilities in Oro Valley.  She observed that Oro Valley has a number of facilities such as Spendido and a growing memory care commuity. What Oro Valley does not have is care homes.  "Care homes...offer personalized service to small groups of adults. These residential homes provide lodging, meal services and assistance with daily living activities." (Source)
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Oro Valley Business Happenings: National Chains

Fry's parent company: "Kroger’s new Simple Truth brand of natural products has been a “home run” with shoppers, Rodney McMullen, President, told analysts. He said sales of the company’s Simple Truth have been so strong that the retailer is planning to launch 75 new items in addition to the 450 currently offered in the brand."  Private label product, which we see all over or Fry's store, is 24% of Kroger's overall sales, including fuel.

"Target announced plans to acquire DermStore Beauty Group, an online retailer. Target has been buying up a number of smaller specialty businesses lately in an effort to expand its presence in niche markets. Earlier this year it acquired Chefs Catalog and the assets of Cooking.com in two separate transactions to create a subsidiary. The company said it plans to keep the DermStore.com website."

" CVS [which will be locating the in the Town Centre]  has launched Essenceofbeauty.com, a website and mobile application for its Essence of Beauty bath and body products."

(Source: PLMA eScanner)
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Hail To The Chief Of Police

“Words alone seem inadequate to express what Chief Sharp has contributed to our Town,” added Oro Valley Mayor Satish I. Hiremath, DDS. “Not only has he created a safe environment in which our residents, businesses and visitors can thrive, but he has also taken the time to teach our children the values of respect, honesty and integrity through public safety. While Chief Sharp is humble and doesn’t seek recognition for his accomplishments, I cannot think of a better individual to receive this award.”

(Source: Oro Valley Press Release announcing that the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce awarded Chief Sharp with its 2013 legacy award)
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Hail To The Police Department

 “As much as the Catalina Mountains have become a symbol of Oro Valley, so too has the Oro Valley Police Department. Our Community’s reputation for public safety extends far beyond jurisdictional boundaries. Thanks to OVPD, public safety is part of Oro Valley’s brand.”  

(Source: Quote of Mayor Hiremath that appears on the cover of the Oro Valley Police Department 2012 Annual Report.)
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Oro Valley Y-T-D Crime Statistics Updated

Year-to-date, Larceny is 77% of all Oro Valley part one crimes.  View Oro Valley's latest crime statistics here.
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Voters Say Oro Valley's Needs Not A Priority

Last month, we encouraged all to take an online survey of potential county projects that would be funded by county bonds.  The survey has been completed. 17,000 votes were cast.  Not one Oro Valley project was in the top 25.  Not to worry. County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry doesn't think that the survey results actually mean mean much.
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Bits and Pieces

Board Of Adjustment Says "Yes" To Hillside Grading

The Board of Adjustment granted, by a 3-1 vote, a variance to allow grading of a hillside by Meritage homes. We posted about this request Monday.
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County Seeks Your Input On Oro Valley's Requested Projects

In our June 18 posting, we wrote that "Oro Valley Seeks $38 Million in 2014 County Bond Funds"  This includes 7 projects.

Other communities have made requests such the to total requested is now $1.3 billion.

The county is asking for your help. "The County has developed an online survey that will be available through Friday, August 2, and will allow us to gather more information as we begin the process of winnowing down the community’s requests."  Here's the link to the survey. It is rather painless for you to do. It took me 5 minutes.

Why should you take survey?  Take it because the county is going to sell bonds that you will pay for and it would be best that some of this money come back to Oro Valley to improve our community.  Its best for the county not to "winnow down" Oro Valley's requests.  It's that simple.

This is something we should all get behind.

The survey lists specific projects for you to consider, including the Oro Valley requested or related projects we discussed in our previous posting. These include:

• Historical preservation projects: Steam Pump Ranch and Honey Bee Interpretive Site
• Job growth: The Oro Valley Business Accelerator
• Parks and Recs: Kreigh Park Update, CDO River Park Corridor, Oro Valley and Linda Vista Trailheads

There is also a satirical poll online.  You might want to take this one too. 

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Oro Valley Police Explorers Win In Competition

"The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) is proud to announce the results of the Law Enforcement Explorer Post Advisors Association Competition. The event was held in Denver, Colarado, where twenty-two different Explorer Posts from throughout the United States competed in a variety of law enforcement scenarios over the course of three days." (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department)  Oro Valley's explorers place 1st in two of the six competitions.
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Oro Valley Soliciting Bids To Complete CDO Wash Path

Oro Valley has issued a request for proposal for a project to complete the CDO shared use path, connecting the completed portion at 1st and Oracle with the portion that runs from Steam Pump Ranch to the Oro Valley Marketplace.  Once done, the path will be continuous along the CDO Wash from the Marketplace to LaCanada.   When last we asked we were told that the trail would be completed by late fall.
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