Here’s What Happened While We Were Away

The ATM Explosion

In July, someone used explosives to blow the side off an ATM at Wells Fargo (Tangerine and First Avenue). No money was taken. The matter is still under investigation.

Bookstore Cafe opens.. fifteen businesses under construction

Also in July, Stacks, an independent book store and full-service coffee bar, opened in the Oro Valley Marketplace. Read more about Stacks here. They are planning a ribbon cutting this fall.  At the moment, there are fifteen other businesses “ under construction” according to the town’s August “Commercial Project Status Report.”. No commercial occupancy permits were issued in July. There were fourteen single family residence permits issues. 

Diaz-Trahan leaves 

Kristy Diaz-Trahan, the Director of Parks and Recreation in Oro Valley, resigned her position in July. Diaz-Trahan had reached a significant milestone of 10 years with the town in May and was responsible for overseeing considerable improvements to the town's Parks and Recreation facilities. We extend our best wishes to Diaz-Trahan and express appreciation for her efforts in expanding the town's system. In the interim, Matthew Jankowski has assumed the role of Director.

Town plans pedestrian safety improvements at Naranja Park entrance… final design and funding approval pending

In July, Paul Keesler, the Town’s Engineer, presented recommendations of the town's safety committee to the Council for enhancing pedestrian safety on Naranja Drive at the entrance to the park. The proposed improvements encompass the installation of rapid rectangular flashing beacons, mumble strips designed to alert drivers to the fog lane, vertical flexible devices that sit on the fog line, and a high-visibility crosswalk. The diagram on the right provides a preliminary visual representation of this plan. Keesler is in the process of finalizing the design and intends to present the completed plans to the Council soon for budgetary approval.

The town has completed a paved pathway on the north side of the road. This pathway ensures that individuals can now access the park safely without having to walk within the lane designated for vehicle exits.

Sabrina Garcia case moves slowly

Very little progress occurred in the misdemeanor hearing of Sabrina Garcia. Garcia was the driver of the vehicle that the tragic St. Patrick’s Day death of Olivia Villalobos and injury to her sister Avry.  The court held a pre trial conference in July. The next court date is a trial management conference on October 3 at 4pm. It is this tragic accident that, after our urging, spurred the town to take action to Improve pedestrian safety in the area.

Vandals wreck pagoda at Steam Pump Ranch

In large July, a vehicle drove recklessly around Steam Pump Ranch, damaging a pagoda. The police have yet to apprehend the culprit.

Town issues easy to read budget

“The Town of Oro Valley’s Know Your Town’s Budget [for fiscal 2024] document is now available online for residents to read or download.” (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Oro Valley implemented a storm cleanup plan

This summer in Oro Valley, the monsoon season was almost nonexistent. There were sporadic instances of light rain, with just one significant storm on August 16 that brought heavy rain, strong winds, and many fallen trees. Thankfully, Oro Valley didn’t lose power like the 56,000 people in Tucson who endured up to 3 days without electricity during temperatures over 100 degrees. In response, the town announced a storm clean up plan: “Immediately after the storms, the Public Works crews worked in the evenings to clear debris and fallen trees from the roads, guaranteeing a safe commute for drivers.” As of now, the town should have completed its cleanup efforts. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Oro Valley Village Center Economic Development Agreement is still a mystery

At July Town Council Meeting, the Council met in Executive Session to discuss an “Economic Development Agreement” with Town West, the owners of the Oro Marketplace. The “agreement” is a request by Town West for town funding of their planned recreation area. The recreation area is part of their vision for what will be the Oro Valley Village Center. We’ve heard that the cost to the town would be more than $10million.

Kristy Diaz-Trahan Celebrates A Decade of Service and Extraordinary Change As Oro Valley Parks Leader

Diaz-Trahan celebrates a decade with Oro Valley 

Kristy Diaz-Trahan joined the Town of Oro Valley as the town's Director of Parks on February 4, 2013.  That's ten years ago. 

My, how things have changed... from then...

At that time, the town had completed the rehabilitation of the town pool. The town had two major parks: Kreigh Park, which the town got for free from the County; and Riverfront Park, which the town had built a few years prior. The town also had the county bond purchased Steam Pump Ranch. The town had several multi-use paths.

...To now... A decade of major change

Diaz-Trahan has overseen tremendous change in the town's parks facilities and programs. Today there is much more to Oro Valley's Parks and Recreation system. There is a community center building that houses an exercise facility, meeting rooms, golf retail, and a restaurant.  There are also two locations for tennis courts. Town has converted some of these to Pickleball courts.  There is a resturant. There are three town owned golf courses that comprise 45 holes. Naranja Park, which was a gravel pit when Diaz-Trahan joined, is being built into a regional park.  Diaz-Trahan is overseeing the conversion of the Vistoso Golf Course into the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. Over the decade, the town has done much to increase its multi-use path and trails system.

Making Oro Valley's parks and recreation a source of economic vitality

When Diaz-Trahan joined the town, the focus of Parks and Recreation had been changed by then Mayor Hiremath. The focus had been to provide facilities and programs primarily for Oro Valley residents.  Hiremath wanted the town's parks facilities to be a revenue source for the town.  The thought was to use the facilities to bring those who live outside of Oro Valley into the community to spend their dollars. As reported in LOVE from our interview with her in March of 2013, Diaz-Trahan bought into that concept. She has implemented it. Today's majority council has retained that philosophy by not making any change to it. Thus, the creation of Naranja Park into a huge regional sports facility under their leadership.

Spending change from $2.8 million in 2013 to $15.4 million today

All of these changes have consequences in terms of the spending on Parks and Recreation by the town. The total Parks spending in 2013 was $2.8 million. The 2023-24 requested Town Manager Recommended Budged [TMRB] is $15.4 million. That is a five times increase. Total staff was 47 in 2013. The 2023-24 TMRB number is 69 staff. 

Rising to the challenge

It is hard to imagine that Diaz-Trahan anticipated all of the change that town councils have visited upon the parks department. None of these changes were envisioned in the town's 2006 or 2016 General Plans. The golf courses, tennis courts, and community center came about through a happenstance purchase from HSL Properties when it shed itself of these facilities for $1million in 2015. The Winfield Council decided to buildout Naranja Park through a $25 million bond offering in 2019. The town virtually had the Vistoso Property delivered to it so that the town could maintain and protect it in perpetuity in 2022. 

Nonetheless, Diaz-Trahan has risen to the challenge of helping to envision and create these facilities; and then to manage and operate them.

Add to this the major changes and increases in program offerings that Diaz-Trahan has authored and attendant increase in resident participation.

Congratulations Kristy....It's been an awesome decade of change

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One Word Sums Up Last Week's Town Council Capital Budget Study Session: "Laughable"

Laughable

Last week, we reported on the latest staff recommendations on the Town of Oro Valley Ten Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The town council held a study session on the program last Wednesday. In our minds, the study session was laughable. The session left more questions than it answered.  Here are our takeaways:

Study session occurred too late at night
There’s really no way to have a productive study session late into the evening, especially after the Council has already discussed pressing matters. In addition, just before this study session, the Council had already sat through a study session on the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan.

The CIP study session was so late in the evening that, by the time Council Member Joyce Jones-Ivey was asked if she had any questions, she was literally giddy. After all, she had been in that room for almost six hours.  Jones-Ivey started laughing and couldn’t stop. We don’t blame her because having a session on something as important as capital spending so late at night is ridiculous. That topic requires a "clear, fresh mind."  In addition, Joyce pointed out that the tiny font used on the schedules that staff provided was way too small to be read by a human being! She is right!

A $3.2 million magistrate court project...
Next year, the Town will start remodeling the Magistrate Court.  The estimated cost for that is $1.5 million each of the next two years. We have no idea why staff proposes this project or why it is proposed for next year because...

...With no detail provided on that or on any proposed project

We cannot tell you more about the Magistrate Court Project, or any other project really, because the packet provided to the Council does not include a detailed description of the project, a description of exactly what is to be done, the reason or justification for doing that project, the return or benefit from doing the project and the basis for the estimated cost of the project. All of of this is best practice in capital budgeting. All of this is missing from the council packet. It is no wonder that Jones-Ivey was laughing because what the Council received last week was laughable.

Thus requiring Council to get "down in the weeds"
Town staff is budgeting replacing "circuit three" street lights in Sun City. Barrett wants that circuit replaced sooner rather than later. Winfield asked why the town should continue to provide street lights in Sun City. After all, Sun City is the only place in town that has street lights. He was informed by staff that the street lights are there for historical reasons. Owning and maintaining those lights was part of the agreement when the town annexed Sun City 45+ years ago. Winfield suggested that is is time to re-examine that situation.

Finding discrepancies accounting among funds
It is necessary for the Council to "get down in the weeds."  Some members of this Council, Tim Bohen in particular, are good at doing that. His tracking of fund transfers, for example, reveals confusing accounting between the Community Center Fund (CCF) and the CIP.

According to Town Finance Director Gephart: “The one that I will highlight is the elevator and the ADA improvements to the Community Center.” These are included in the CIP Fund at the moment. According to Vice Mayor Barrett, these costs are supposed to be in the Community Center Fund. Barrett noted that “The motion for the elevator said that the additional funding would come from the Community Center Fund, so what would happen if we end up paying for all that from the Capital Fund? Would there be a transfer from the Community Center Fund?”. Gephart responded: “Yes. There would be a transfer as long as funds are available.”

Then, there are capital costs related to the creation of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. These are included in the CCF capital budget. They belong in the CIP budget.

No basis provided by staff to Council for prioritizing projects
The staff did not provide nor does the Council have a method for prioritizing projects. Having such is best practice of a capital budgeting process. Council Member Solomon noted that the Town Council needs to separate projects as to whether they are essential, “a must or need”, or something it would be nice to have, “A want”. Then, the Council should agree upon and then apply a "screen" for prioritizing projects within those categories.

Our conclusion

Staff had been requested by Council to hold this session. They conducted the session as if they had been requested to do something that they did not want to do. They were "going through the motion."

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Council Guides Staff on Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan: "Keep It Simple... Revegetation Is The Priority"

The Oro Valley Town Council provided direction last Wednesday regarding the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan.  The direction was provided during a study session with town staff and with consultant to the project. 

Keep it simple

The council wants the Preserve to be a place for relaxation, nature, and reasonable exercise. They don't want it to be a park that attracts a large volume of traffic. The council agreed that they need to know the traffic impact of each option in order to provide further guidance.

Get revegetation started sooner rather than later

The most important aspect of creating the Preserve is to return the greens and fairways to their natural state. This means planting native plants and eliminating the invasive species that are taking over the area. This is called "revegetation." Removing as much of the Bermuda grass as possible is a challenge as that grass is much like a weed. It's hard to kill. The longer the town waits to revegetate, the more difficult and the more costly it will be to do so. The proposed plan is to rip out the greens and fairways and to apply a seed mix of grass and straw. Revegetation is part of Phases 1 and 2 of the consultant's implementation plan.

Do something about the pond

...but don't make it too complicated. The simplest alternative seems to be what the consultant noted as Option C (see panel right). This is a smaller pond with sloped sides to allow leisurely access. The pond would use reclaimed water. 

Note: There is a simpler option that neither the consultant, town staff, nor the council discussed. That option is to fill in the area and revegetate it. That would return that area to its natural state.

Get a handle on cost of creating and maintaining the Preserve

Council wants to know the cost of building and of maintaining all options so that they can make an informed decision. "We need some reasonable estimates for the construction and maintenance," noted Council Member Solomon. "Is this going to be something that is going to start taking a big percentage of the Parks and Recreation budget?" Parks and Recreation Director Diaz-Trahan replied that it would be less costly than maintaining similar acreage at Naranja Park. Regarding cost of implementing, staff consistently mentioned getting grants but has provided no details.

Allow both walking and biking

The cart paths on the Preserve are not sufficiently wide for both foot and bike traffic. Also, they are not wide enough to meet ADA compliance. Town staff does not think it can enforce a "no bike" policy. Most on Council don't want to keep bikers out anyway. Some path widening will need to occur in the future. In addition, the town will need to add special ADA paths to allow all to enjoy the Preserve experience.

Involve the entire community

Residents of Rancho Vistoso donated $1.8million to The Conservation Fund for the purchase of the property. Some council members suggested that the opinion of these people should be weighed more heavily that the opinion of those who live outside the area. Mayor Winfield did not agree. He expressed the view of a majority: The investment that the town will make in this property will vastly exceed the amount contributed. Therefore, the town should weigh the thoughts of all residents equally. Diaz-Trahan noted that most resident input has come from those who do live in the area.

Diaz-Trahan: All plans  have been vetted with the easement holder, The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund holds the conservation easement on the property. The easement limits defines the activities the town can allow on the property and what it can do with it. Diaz-Trahan presented this to the Council. She stated that she has vetted all pieces of the Master Plan with The Conservation Fund.

There are three key areas of conservation easement requirements:

• Preserving land for outdoor recreation by or for the the education of the general public
• Protecting a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife plants, and ecosystem, and 
• Preserving open space for the scenic enjoyment of the general public 

Permitted uses of the property are:

• Low impact recreation activities that include but are not limited to:
  Walking, hiking, jogging, cycling, birdwatching, stargazing, archaeological efforts, education programs, nature photography, picnicking, and on-leash dog walking
• Construction of:
  Ramada’s, benches, picnic tables, water stations, bird blinds, exercise stations, ADA and non ADA trails and paths, and additional restrooms and parking areas that provide access to the area 

Remember: This is a Master Plan that will take many years to implement. The plan will be subject to review and funding by future councils as it becomes part of future annual budgets

The consultant has recommended four phases of the project. They did not define the timetable of each. Our guess is that it will be a decade before the master plan would be implemented completely. That time frame would span the terms of several Councils. No council is obligated to implement the plans of a prior council. Annually, the Council will decide if it want to do what is being suggested at that time in the Master Plan and if they want to fund it.  In essence, then, the Master Plan is guideline that may well change over time.  

Creating the Preserve is a long-term game

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Priorities Being Set For Parks and Recreation For Next Ten Years

Online "Community Meeting" tomorrow night

Tomorrow night at 6pm, the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department will lead an online community meeting to discuss the project priorities of their ten year Master Plan. The plan has yet to be approved by the town council. This community meeting is a final step before presenting the priorities to the town council. 

Upgrades and new visions for existing parks dropped...leaving our Kreigh Park, Riverfront Park and Steam Pump Ranch

Staff has reduced the the $62 million plan discussed with council on March 17 to $50 million. They got to this number by dropping $11 million in upgrades to Riverfront Park, James D Kreigh Park and Steam Pump Ranch.

Focus on four areas

The 10-year capital spending plan focusses on four areas:

• Building trail system connectivity 

• Life Cycle replacement of equipment in existing parks, not including Naranja park

•60% of the funds needed to complete Naranja Park

• 70% of the funds needed to renovate the community center

The trail system and parks equipment replacement programs will cost the town $15 million approaches $24 million The town anticipates that $9 million will come from other sources. These include the Regional Transit Authority, Pima County, Amphi School District, Pima County Flood Control and grants.

Naranja Park and the Community Center expensive
The town anticipates that almost all of the costs of completing Naranja Park and the Community Center will be borne by the town. This makes these projects expensive. As part of the plan, the Department is recommending that money be spent on Naranja Park ($10 million) and the Community Center ($5 million). Mike Svetz of Pros Consulting has not provided detail on what this would accomplish. 

Town staff has not provided detail on why they chose to recommend spending $13.5 million on Naranja Park and the community center while ignoring the buildout and enhancement of the town's other parks. These projects would cost the town less than $11 million and substantially improve Kreigh Park, Riverfront Park and Steam Pump Ranch.

Possible purchase of former Vistoso Golf Course will require reworking plan
These plans do not include the possibility of the town acquiring the former Vistoso Golf Course. If that happens, according to Parks Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan, the department will need to revisit the master plan to make adjustments if needed.

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No Bonding (Likely) For Parks Master Plan

Bonding Highly Unlikely In Funding Parks and Recreation Plan
Seeking public approval for issuing bonds with a property tax to repay them is a highly unlikely source to pay for the Parks and Recreation Master plan. Mayor Winfield noted, at last week's council study session, that residents have continually voted down such bond measures over the years. 

Winfield noted that the survey the town conducted last year asked what people would want assuming there would be no new taxes to pay for such. "This means that it would not cost them anything." 

Town staff acknowledged this. In fact, it appears that staff never considered bonding to be a viable funding source. "Our community doesn't really have an appetite for a bond initiative" to fund parks, according the Parks Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan. "We do know that there are financing options available that can be used." She noted that funding for parks is on a "pay as you go" basis. That's how we moved the needle somewhat at Naranja Park over the last seven or eight years." Indeed, it is becoming quite a park as we noted in our posting: "Naranja Park... Building Over Time... Meeting Resident Needs."

Funding from various sources

According to Winfield and others speaking at the study session, some of the funding can come from sources other than from the town. For example, funds from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) may be available to pay for trails funding. In fact, Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett recommended to staff that they move trail spending timing up to take advantage of these funds.

According to Consultant Mike Svetz of Pros Consulting, the half cent sales tax the town enacted to subsidize municipal golf can be used for work at the community center. This includes paying for improved parking and repaving tennis courts. 

Also, council believes that there  may be opportunities to partner with third parties, like Pima County and the Amphi School District.

Three facilities are 65% of the $62 million plan

The Plan calls for $62 million in spending in the next ten years. Projects are classified in groups (see panel above, right).  The cost is driven by three items: $17 million to build out Naranja Park; $13 million for the Community Center; and $10 million for trails. Indeed, spending to repurpose the "clubhouse" as a community center begged the question, asked by Council Member Bohen, as to whether the town had considered starting from scratch, building something new. Diaz-Trahan said they had not.

Winfield: Target Town Spending $25 million in capital spending over 10 years

The challenge will be to prioritize spending. Hopefully, this will be done based on the statistically valid survey that formed the baseline for the study. Winfield set a target for which the town would be responsible of $25 million in capital spending over ten years.

In addition, as Mayor Winfield noted, priorities must also consider the ongoing maintenance cost of the facilities. For example, trails can be maintained at minimal cost whereas park equipment requires relatively more cost. Also, as Svetz noted at the meeting, there are opportunities to break projects, such as the Naranja Park buildout, into phases.

Initial priorities presented to Parks and Recreation Commission last night

Last night, the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Commission met to discuss project priorities and funding the the plan.  Svetz presented project priorities and funding sources. His plan targeted the $25million Winfield capital spending cap by dropping spending on Naranja Park and the Community Center visionary, rebuilding projects. 

Next Step: Community Meeting on March 30

Staff will host a community meeting on March 30.  This meeting also will focus on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Capital Improvement Project (CIP) priorities and funding expectations.

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Town Has No Legal Authority To Plan Future of Vistoso Golf Course

No legal authority to plan Vistoso Course use

Last week's community outreach on the conceptual master plan of Oro Valley's Parks opened with a "bang". With many Rancho Vistoso residents tuned in, Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan tried to diffuse the "Vistoso Golf" time bomb.  (Time stamp 0:03:18).

Diaz-Trahan stated that the town is not in a legal position to opine on the future of the former Vistoso Golf Course property: "The town does not have the legal authority to add someone else's private property within this master."  This is because the hoped for transaction between The Conservation Fund and Romspen LLC, the property owner, has not occurred. That transaction would have resulted in the eventual transfer of the land to the town.

Town still focused on property

This does not mean that the town has no interest in the situation. In fact, our town leaders are very much up-to-date on the situation and under some pressure to do something. They commissioned a study on what it would cost for the town to maintain the land as preserve. We will discuss this in an upcoming article. Last week, they held yet another closed-door executive session to discuss the future of this land.

Diaz-Trahan noted: "...please know, the town has heard the [Rancho Vistoso] community and that we have a commitment that in this final master plan those desires [of the Rancho Vistoso community] will be addressed." That desire is for the 208 acres of Vistoso Golf become a preserve for all to use in the community.

Wants of 40% of residents ignored

Not all agree with Diaz-Trahan.  Speaking at the outreach      meeting (remarks at right), Oro Valley resident Michael Bilodeau pointed out that the assessment did not accurately reflect the needs assessment created last spring. Bilodeau is an advocate of the need for community engagement in the master plan development. He discussed this in a LOVE guest view in March.

At last week's meeting, Bilodeau observed that the assessment as presented does not meet the goals of the study, which is to develop future parks and recreation needs that has an equitable distribution of facilities. As LOVE observed previously, the Parks and Recreation conceptual plan at this point places little town focus on the needs of Rancho Vistoso. 

Bilodeau expressed surprise that some previously town identified low priority items, like a BMX park and more basketball courts, were included in the conceptual plan; while, with two exceptions, trails and related items were not considered. 

"I still don't get the fact that we go from an assessment of the needs of the community, pretty much ignore them all, and we jump directly into a conceptual plan that includes a lot of low priority needs."

He also pointed out that 40% of the town's population lives north of Tangerine where there is only one town facility and not very many amenities. He alleges that the proposed 'fix' that this conceptual plan makes is "...to make no investment north of Tangerine."

A gut punch: "The plan does not address the needs of Rancho Vistoso residents"

Other concerns voiced by attendees include:

• Rancho Vistoso residents are not considered to be part of Oro Valley yet they pay taxes twice: Once to the form of HOA fees; and the other in the form of sales taxes (and utility taxes)
• 50% of Oro Valley's residents are seniors. "We don't need more archery parks."
• "Look at what people want. Not what you think they should have."
• The aquatic center and the community centers are not free to residents even though the town paid for and subsidizes them.
• Residents of Vistoso want open space and this conceptual plan does not address this.
• Why are there not parks planned for north of Tangerine Road?
• Why would Romspen turn down a good offer? Why can't the town send a signal to Romspen that the council will not rezone this land?

The plan is conceptual at this point. Much more work needs to be done. Patience on the part of all is needed.

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Oro Valley's Parks and Recreation Random Survey Missed The Mark

Last week, The Oro Valley Town Council held a special session to review to Phase 1 Parks and Recreation Master Plan study. This session was dedicated to understanding and asking questions regarding the study we reported last week. This study focussed on what residents say they want.

Mike Svetz, project leader for Pros Consulting, the firm retained to do this study, emphasized that the goal is to develop master plan that is “realistic, implementable and financially sustainable. Anything that you build has life cycles to them… need to insure that you have the operating and maintenance dollars to maintain and replace things as they age. The plan needs to consider both the short term investment and the ongoing cost.

Svetz observed that the town should develop a plan  that meets the needs of all residents, not simply the needs of one dominant population segment. In Oro Valley, that would be senior and retirees.

Svetz: People don't know what we have
The study of wants highlighted paths and walking trails as a must investment. Svetz stated that these were not new trails, but the upkeep of exiting trials plus the creation of some loop trails in park areas. Council Person Solomon observed the the town has 54 trail miles. He wondered if residents knew that. Svetz stated that they did not know but he had not basis for this statement. The study did not "test" people on their knowledge of what Oro Valley has. It asked only what they wanted.

The devil is in the detail and the detail is missing
Responses specific to location
Council Person Barrett wants more detail of information by area of the town. For example, the stated need that town needs more restroom facilities most certainly does not apply to the town's parks. Each has restrooms. However, the many HOA parks don't. Those would be the responsibility of the HOA and not the town. Thus, the need for more restrooms is not a town challenge.
The bathroom puzzle
While the study is able to segment results by age group it is not able to do it by geographic location. According to Svetz, the statistically valid survey, a survey of xxx people, was geographically representative of the town's population locations, but Pros Consulting never associated a response with the geography. Thus, the study does not tell what people in, say Rancho Vistoso want versus what people in the original section of Oro Valley want. This seems like a very significant oversight on the part of the town and study designers. Barrett wants that information so the "the town can invest strategically."
What kids want
Mayor Winfield observed that detail is needed regarding what Oro Valley's kids want. The survey did not include them, It included their parents who, according to Svetz, were supposed to respond to questions with the whole family in mind.  This really is not a valid gauge even though Svetz plans to provide responses based on family demographics. Given the methodology, we now understand why Baskeball Courts (Oro Valley has one) or new fields, items that were important in the last survey of 2014, suddenly dropped to low priority. Youth baseball and little league, a big concern a few years ago, fell of the chart. Other then refurbishing four of the five fields at Kreigh Park, nothing has been done. Pickleball Courts, on the other hand, jumped from the bottom in 2014 to near top. This, after the town has added pickleball facilities.

Town on its own?
The town plans to reduce the use of an external consultant in completing the master plan, spending no more than $30,000. According to Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Director Krisy Diaz-Trahan, "We have a meeting with Mr. Svetz scheduled to determine where the greatest talent pool exists" to do each one of the remaining steps to complete the master plan.

Bits and Pieces

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The town council Youth Advisory Board has 34 members, some from each of our four local area high schools. The board is in the process of getting organized and recently appointed its leaders. The board has also undergone leadership training.
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Reminder: These are the remaining HiVE enforcement times for thi smooth.  HiVE is motorcycle police enforcement on Oracle between Magee and Suffolk Drive.

• Feb. 18, 2013 7 - 10 a.m. 
• Feb. 21, 2013 4 - 7 p.m. 
• Feb. 22, 2013 4 - 7 p.m.

Drive carefully!  The Oracle-McGee intersection is one of the most accident-prone roadways in Oro Valley.
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Congratulations to Council Member Mike Zinkin.  Mike has been appointed "... to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2013 Community and Economic Development Policy and Advocacy 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 Marie Lopez Rogers, mayor, Avondale, Arizona." (Source: Oro Valley Press Release)
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Be On The Lookout:  The Oro Valley Police Department wants your help in locating Jack Upchurch, Upchurch is wanted for questioning in theft case, and is currently wanted for another crime not affiliated with this burglary. He has a history of violence, and if you see Upchurch or know his whereabouts, you are asked to call 911 or 88-crime. He is described as white male, brown hair, blue eyes, 5’11” and 140 lbs. Jack Upchurch possibly recently shaved his head. Below is a photo of Jack Upchurch. (Source: The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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Trapped in Oro Valley: The intersection of Oracle Road and Ina, just south of Oro Valley, has become a nightmare.  This intersection is a major gateway between Oro Valley and Tucson.  It's not possible to avoid using it if you are traveling south or east.   This is because La Canada, south of Ina Road is under construction from Ina to River Road. It will be such for at least two more years.  Meanwhile, the "geniuses" in highway planning, decided to start the reconstruction of the Ina and Oracle intersection. That is a three year project.  What will result, is what is called a "Michigan Turn System" where, if you want to take a left turn, you will have to drive past the intersection and make a u-turn.
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New Parks and Recreation Director, Kristy Diaz-Trahan, oversees her first Parks and Recreation Commission meeting this coming Tuesday.  We have met with Kristy.  She is enthusiastic with possibilities for Oro Valley.  We will follow with more next week.
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