Will There Be Any Accountability Before Oro Valley Helps Subsidize MTCVB & TREO?

We'll sit back and see what the Oro Valley Council does as it concerns giving tens of thousands of our dollars to the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau (MTCVB) & Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO.)

Vice Mayor Bill Garner & Council Member Barry Gillaspie have stated publicly that there must be an accountability as to what we will be getting for our money.

This is certainly reasonable and a prudent business decision.

Inasmuch as the Hilton Resort will undoubtedly be the main recipient of any tourist dollars coming into the community, one would think they would be spending their money,(not ours) in generating tourism.

Read the Az Star article here.

http://azstarnet.com/business/local/article_d7c74625-4841-5061-a835-81f63cc44b48.html

New "Super Majority" Has Its Say On Oro Valley's 2011 Final Budget

Was it one of the first examples of the new council supporting one of the entities that supported the election of the new members?

Maybe "Yes." Maybe "No."

All we know was by a 5-2 vote (Incumbents Bill Garner & Barry Gillaspie) the council,with amendments to the 2011 budget vote decided to cut the funding for the all important Oro Valley police department study.

You can read the explanations in The Explorer article below.

Additionally, the funding that was supposed to go to the restoration of Steam Pump Ranch was also excluded from the final budget.

Well, that's democracy, where the majority rules!

Here's the article
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/06/23/news/doc4c2138d884ace276123890.txt

Oro Valley Council Expected To Approve $116 Million Budget

It is expected that the Town Council will approve the 2011 budget at the next meeting in the amount of $116M.

Here's The Explorer article
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/06/16/news/doc4c1801d0d2eda851802063.txt

Council Approves $116 million Tentative Budget

Last night's Council meeting marked the beginning of Mayor Hiremath's four year term and the four year terms of Council Members Hornat, Waters, and Snider.

The major public discussion item was the public hearing on the 2010/2011 tentative Oro Valley budget of more than $116 million.

Not much of a public hearing on the budget. Only two Oro Valley citizens spoke. One advocated increasing the utility tax to pay for Cayote Run service. The other wanted to know where the funding was coming from for an additional $3 million in police services.

The Council unanimously approved the interim budget.

Click here to get a copy of the $113 million version of the budget.

Details On Oro Valley 2010-11 Proposed Budget

The Az Star reports some of the details on the 2010-11 proposed budget.

Read it here.
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/northwest/article_58039def-b016-5067-bd2c-be0608f7fd82.html

Oro Valley Facing $2.14 Million Deficit At End Of Fiscal Year

The Explorer reports that we can expect a $2.14 million budget deficit.

Is this a surprise to anyone? Maybe to Mayor Loomis, Vice Mayor Carter & Council Member Kunisch, but they should have known better.

We all knew state revenues were being curtailed dramatically. We all knew our sales tax revenue has diminished. We all knew the bed tax revenue was going to be less than originally projected.

Still that didn't stop these three from voting to "raid" our contingency fund to keep every cop on the payroll.

That didn't stop these three from giving our precious funds to the likes of TREO, GOVAC & Critical Path to the tune of $277K+.

These motions passed, along with others, with the able assistance of Ms. Abbott who recently resigned her position.

If the other three don't resign, they certainly should be voted out of office.(As of now Loomis & Carter plan on running in 2010)

Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/11/18/news/doc4b0330e799d64401926509.txt

A Property Tax ---Will This Be Another Vindictive Vote By Loomis And His Cronies?

Our mayor saw fit to let the media know that a PROPERTY TAX may be on the horizon.

We wonder, did Loomis make another unilateral decision without consulting the other members of the council----or did he have the acknowledgment of his 3 stooges, Carter, Kunisch and Abbott that they too would support a property tax?

We know that just last week, Loomis had no qualms whatsoever in walking into the office of David Andrews telling him he better resign because his (loomis) "intuition" told him, he had four votes to fire him.

Was it "intuition" that had Loomis say a Property Tax may be forthcoming?

I can tell you this. Bill Garner, Barry Gillaspie & Salette Latas had no part in this deal. They knew nothing about the Loomis "intuition" as it pertained to David's termination, and they knew absolutely nothing about the latest announcement from Loomis and they certainly do NOT support a property tax.

Bill, Barry & Salette all understand our expenditures must be in line with our revenue stream. We can NOT increase our expenditures while our revenue diminishes.

David Andrews who spent more than a decade as our Financial Director fully understood that simple credo. Bill, Barry & Salette have the intelligence to know it as well.

The other four demonstrated they either don't know it, or don't care as those four fools RAIDED OUR CONTINGENCY FUND against the votes of Bill, Barry & Salette, and against the recommendation of David.

Now Loomis has the audacity to say we may need a property tax in the near future.

Who in their right mind can support such fiscal irresponsibility? I don't believe many will.

Send Loomis & his cronies packing BEFORE they do more damage to our community!

Police Substation At Oro Valley Marketplace Goes Out For Rebid

At the Sept 16 Council meeting, the discussion of the police substation at the Oro Valley Marketplace ended with a 4-3 vote to rebid.

Voting in opposition were Bill Garner, Barry Gillaspie & Salette Latas.

Prior to voting nobody seemed to know what was going on, and Council Member Gillaspie noted "This is crazy."

For those either in attendance or watching the streaming video, I'm not sure if anyone could argue with Mr. Gillaspie.

By my count, the most utilized phrase during the discussion was, "It's my understanding," alluding to what the council was actually voting on.

Heading the list of using this phrase was none other than Danny Sharp, the police chief who was requesting the building, and Mayor Loomis.

My guess is that no one has a clear understanding on what was approved. That could be, and probably was the rational for the three "no" votes.

It was indeed, as Barry noted, "crazy."

Interesting Demographics Information On Oro Valley

As reported in The Explorer, come April 1, the new US Census will take place. Additionally, we think our readers will find the population growth & demographic report from the census quite interesting. If nothing else, we can see how our town has grown in the last decade.

Note that almost 1/4 of our total population are those of us over the age 65.
Hopefully, we'll have a Town Council in 2010 where all members will appreciate this group of citizens generally live on a fixed income, and new taxes are a burden we don't need.


Read the Explorer article here.

http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/09/16/news/doc4ab01df3398e3823269942.txt

Mike Zinkin Alerts Town That Our Lighting Code Must Be Adhered To

Following is an email Mike Zinkin sent to Dee Widero, Oro Valley Planning Department.

Mike, as a past chairman of the DRB learned a little about our town codes, Development Plan & PAD during his tenure.

I believe Mike speaks for thousands of Oro Valley citizens that believe two things:

1) Our codes MUST be adhered to.
2) "Dark Sky" is a major consideration.
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8/18/2009

Dee,

This letter is to inform you of something you should already know. I need to tell you that I intend to email this document to the entire Council, The Mayor, David Andrews, and Paul Popelka.

I have done some research into the Town’s sign codes as they relate to sign illumination. It is interesting to note that I have found three different areas that apply.

1) The Town Code itself states that “An illuminated wall sign shall be turned off no later than one (1) hour after the closing of a business. This is the code that will be reviewed at an upcoming Council Meeting.

2) The Oro Valley Marketplace Master Sign Program. This is a separate code within itself. It also states that wall signs shall be off no later than one hour after the closing of a business, except for the Movie Theaters that can stay on until 11:00 PM.

3) The Rancho Vistoso PAD states that wall signs on retail business shall be turned off when they close. This means that a Professional business (doctor, dentist) must comply with the Town Code since reference to them is silent in the PAD restrictions.

Bottom line – Whatever happens at an upcoming Council meeting will have NO bearing on the Oro Valley Marketplace nor on any retail business in the Vistoso PAD. I believe that any bank that offers an outside ATM function is still offering a service and wall signs need not go off, much like any 24 hour business.

We need to continue to send violation notices to all retail business within the Vistoso PAD and to Vestar.I believe that Vestar is responsible for their tenants; therefore it is their responsibility to enforce their MSP. If after a reasonable amount of time, the Vestar tenants do come into compliance, we send fine notices to the tenants. Their argument is with Vestar, NOT the Town.

If you find that I am misinterpreting any Code or PAD/MSP, please advise. I look forward to your response.

Respectfully,

Mike Zinkin

Reminder: Oro Valley Town Council Issue, Wed. Aug 19--"Lighting Code"

As we all know, the NPCCC (Chamber of Commerce) is advocating a "dusk to dawn" lighting code.

This is TOTALLY CRAZY!!!

This item is on the Council agenda tomorrow night.

The zoning code amendment would permit wall signs to be illuminated until 10 P.M. or to be turned off immediately after closing, whichever is later.

Please read what our good friend Phil Richardson has to say on this issue.
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It is an irony that in its attempt to cause the Oro Valley Town Council to relax a curfew on lighting for business signage this week following a public hearing, the Northwest Pima Council Chamber of Commerce could damage the unique advantage southern Arizona holds in Astronomy and the Optical Sciences; an economic impact of $240-million annually. Each of us in Arizona benefits from a multi-billion dollar investment in infrastructure by universities and governments worldwide, according to Elizabeth Alvarez, spokesperson for Kitt Peak National Observatory with whom I spoke this week. Horizontal light diffusion and the strident colors used in lighted business signs degrade viewing. She said, every little diversion from good policy is like "The Death of a Thousand Cuts." Instead of considering the measure promoted by NWPCCC, The Oro Valley Town Council should strengthen its support in every way of the good practices promoted by the International Dark Skies Association and adopted in 1972 by Tucson and Pima County. That's good business for everyone.
-Phil Richardson

Oro Valley Council Agrees To Donate $177,717 To Outside Organizations

The Oro Valley Council voted last week to give OUR money to outside organizations. Although some may be worthy charities, we think the council is being a little too philanthropic when it comes to the likes of TREO, MTCVB, GOVAC (with new name) & C-Path that received almost $200,000 of the total of $277,717.

These groups will be funded the following amounts:

Amphi Foundation $2,000

Arizona Distance Classic $3,000

Arizona Paralyzed Veterans $4,500

Arthritis Foundation $1,375

Catalina Community Services $3,750

Community Food Bank $15,000

Critical Path $25,000

GOVAC $61,930

Interfaith Community Services $1,250

MTCVB $72,000

Oro Valley Parade $1,893

Pima Council on Aging $9,019

Perimeter Bicycling $13,750

Project Graduation $10,000

TREO $40,000

TriSports Racing $13,250

Total $277,717

NPCCC Will Try To Intimidate The Oro Valley Council

Following(below)is from Lyra Done, Chair of the Public Policy of the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce.

All we can say is ---We hope intimidation won't work!

We don't need Oro Valley businesses lit up from "dusk to dawn" which is is what the Chamber wants.

Any Council Member that votes "Yes" deserves to be an Ex Council Member!!!!

Art
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6. PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE NO. (O)09 - 18 OV7-09-005 AMENDING SECTION 28.3 REQUIREMENTS, AND SECTION 28.5, PERMANENT SIGNS, OF THE ORO VALLEY ZONING CODE REVISED

Explanation: The zoning code amendment would permit wall signs to be illuminated until 10 P.M. or to be turned off immediately after closing, whichever is later.

Explorer article here
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/08/12/news/doc4a81f41c7aa536
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STUFF THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AUGUST 19TH

We must “MOBILIZE THE VOICE OF BUSINESS” if we plan to be of any assistance to the retail businesses and commercial community.

Businesses were notified by letter on April 30, 2009 that in 30 days the Town would begin enforcing the current back lit illuminated sign operating hours. They have done this.

On July 7th, it went before the Planning and Zoning committee with a change in text to allow this particular type sign to be left on until 10:00 PM or be turned off immediately upon closing beyond the 10:00 PM hour.

The Chamber Public Policy committee has a Sign Sub-Committee that has researched the impact on business and provided what we feel is a better solution. Based on Identification, Safety, Advertising, Tourist and Newcomers, Lost Sales Tax revenue for the town, the committee after extensive deliberation decided to recommended to the Board of Directors to support the text change to read “Dusk to Dawn” operating hours.

It was the decision of the Board of Directors that The Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce supports the text change for back lit illuminated signs to be on “Dusk to Dawn”.

When this goes before the Council 6 PM on August 19th, it is imperative we FILL the room with business people supporting the “Dusk to Dawn” text change to the sign code. That night each supporter will be given a badge “Dusk to Dawn”. Come out and help us accomplish this undertaking.

We must “Mobilize the Voice of Business”

I thank you in advance for your participation

Lyra Done Chair
Pubic Policy Committee

Mike Zinkin Insists Vestar Marketplace Adhere To Oro Valley Master Sign Program

Mike Zinkin is a former chairman of the DRB. Mike still believes we have town codes that should be adhered to.

Following is an email Mike sent to the Oro Valley Planning Dept. on Aug 6.
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The Vestar Project representative came to the DRB and requested a Master Sign Program (MSP) for their Oro Valley Marketplace. By Code, a Master Sign Program is "an alternative to the sign regulations herein, which provides latitude in order to achieve variety and good design."

It is my understanding that the a MSP is a code within itself, much like a PAD.If something is silent in the MSP, then the Oro Valley Code comes into play.

The MSP for Vestar stated that all wall signs must be turned off within 1 hour after the business closes, with the exception of the Movie Theaters. If this is the case, then why is the Vester project being placed into the fight over the change in the Code? What happens to the Code is irrelevant to the Vestar Project since they applied for,and received a MSP.

We need to enforce the MSP at the Oro Valley Marketplace.If the businesses have issues with your enforcement,then they should take it up with Vestar since they negotiated the MSP.The MSP was in place prior to any leasing.

Do not wait for the Council to decide what to do with the existing Code. Master Sign Program.Go forward and enforce the MSP...this is what Vestar desired, this is what we approved, and this is what we need to enforce.

Thank you,

Mike Zinkin

"Wonderful!" Now Tucson Chamber Of Commerce Wants Us To Look Like Them!

Just what Oro Valley needs! The Tucson business community, with all its natural beauty of strip malls and signs with more colors than a box of crayola crayons, sees fit to tell us what WE should do with our sign code.

No other than Paul Parisi, who had the misfortune to face two recalls during his short tenure on the OV council, is leading the charge.

Click here to read The Explorer article.

Oro Valley Resident Questions Recent Voting Record Of Paula Abbottt

We, along with many others wonder why, not only Paula, but our friend KC Carter, have turned their backs on those that supported them for years. Read Geri Ottoboni's letter to The Explorer
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Oro Valley councilwoman moves away from previous positions

In the past, Councilwoman Paula Abbott has shown herself to be a noble politician, voting the way the majority of her constituents wished, which was in the best interest of the community.

Her voting record recently appears to be opposite of her original platform, and not in the best interest of the community.

Many residents would like to know why the change and what has happened.

For example: it was surprising to see her vote against transparency and the environmental sustainability commission, just to name a few.

Geri Ottoboni-Gilmore, Oro Valley

Oro Valley Sign Code Pits Residents vs. Businesses

As reported in the July 29 Explorer, the Oro Valley sign code is a problem that the council is prepared to address.

There are two positions. One generally supported by the residents, believe signs should be dark after 10:00 PM unless a business is open.

The other position, supported by the business community, says signs are an additional means of advertising, and without the illumination, it would hurt business.

We believe the most telling sentence in the article is a quote from Oro Valley planner,Dee Widero who said, "The impetus was Oro Valley Marketplace,"

Widero said the Marketplace couldn't be singled out, therefore all businesses were notified of the issue.

This is just another example of the way Vestar and some of its retailers flaunt Oro Valley codes. Many of us rue the day Vestar came to our community, showing total disdain for the government and the citizens.

Read the article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/07/29/news/doc4a6f8613d632e843590814.txt

Does Anyone Really Care About Oro Valley's Sign Code?

Bill Adler has been asked to participate in a staff rewrite of permanent changes to the sign code.

Bill points out that to make permanent changes to the sign code without first changing the code language and General Plan language which mandates signs to get the information across "with the least signage possible" (code) and "least intrusive signage possible"(General Plan) creates contradictions that he doesn't believe have been specifically authorized by the Council.

Bill goes on to say that indifference is to be expected, but resisted nonetheless. Of course, all codes - regardless of content - require enforcement. As he said during the budget process, there are services the Town is obliged to provide that are under funded, and one is code enforcement. Every weekend we see temporary signs that are prohibited. If the changes in other signs are approved, more clutter, more offensive visual trash will occur. Within the General Plan one element is the Open Space and Natural Resources section. In it, policy statements on visual quality are outlined. Illuminated signs are now left on til midnight or later, which violates the code, but there is no enforcement. Why change the code to approve signs left on til 10PM ? That won't be enforced either.

The above comments are those of Bill Adler. Our only comment is---we concur.

Walmart Gets Color Change Approval With A 6-1 Council Approval

We recently did a posting where Mike Zinkin, former Chairman of the Development Review Board, implored the council to turn down Walmart's request for a color change.

Mike noted, "There is no reason to arbitrarily amend the MACP at the request of Walmart, or any other retailer. To allow for this change, as minor as it is, completely disregards the work and input of your citizens. If we allow Walmart to make a minor change, what happens when a tenant of a 1500 square foot store desires to make a change that is a little more that minor?"

We agree with Mike Zinkin. However, ONLY Salette Latas concurred, as the council approved Walmart's request 6-1.

Read the story in The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/07/22/news/doc4a6655a72dcf2226894232.txt

Twenty Oro Valley Employees Opted For Severance Package --Total Annual Salaries--$858K

As reported in The Explorer, twenty Oro Valley employees opted for the severance package offered by the Town Council, as a result of Bill Garner's motion.


Read the story including the names and salaries of those that accepted the offer.