Council Approves "HAWK" At Ironwood Ridge

Device will be installed this summer

Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council approved the installation of a HAWK traffic control system at Ironwood Ridge High School. Students will be able to cross Naranja Drive safely starting with the fall semester. 

Council overrides staff recommendation

The decision of the Council to move forward with this overrode the recommendation of town Public Works Director Paul Keesler. Keesler did not believe that there would be use sufficient to warrant requiring the system.

Keesler based his conclusion on standards published by the US Federal Highway Administration. "The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel."  Keesler said that an average of 20 students per hour needed cross in a one-hour period. His team observed the intersection on several occasions in late April and identified not more than a maximum use of 14 people.

Keesler's strident assertion that the standards of the MUTCD must be met in this case is in stark contrast to the implementation of a traffic light at the Community Center and La Canada Drive. There was no study done to determine the need for that traffic light. Town staff justified that light on the basis that there was a "line of sight" problem and that a traffic light was necessary.

Council Member Solomon brought the issue to town council

Council Member Solomon presented the motion to move forward with HAWK approval.  Solomon said that he had been contacted by residents. We do not know if he discussed this with town staff. Rather, he chose to discuss it with former Police Chief Danny Sharp. According to Solomon, Sharp chairs the Highway Safety Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Sharp is also a candidate for mayor. Sharp told Solomon that a HAWK system was the most appropriate solution.

Barrett... Jacobs.. Keesler say they have been "working on this for some time"

According to Vice Mayor Barrett, speaking at the same meeting, this is not a new item. The town has been aware of the need to consider a traffic control device at the school since students returned to school last August after the pandemic.  According to Town Manager Jacobs: "We have been working very closely with the neighborhoods and the police" in this regard.  According to Keesler: "We've been working on this for quite some time."

... with no results

Regardless of alleged good intentions, the issue did not become important enough to investigate in detail until this April when Keesler did a survey to determine the actual potential HAWK usage.  That's when he did his surveys of potential use.

Town Manager asserts that she budgeted for the signal but...

The Town Manager stated (1.34:38 at the meeting) that she included funding in the 2023 Town Manager Recommended Budget Capital for the signal. Her statement is true but it is misleading. 

The Town has not allocated any of its own funds for the signal. The $400,000 for the signal is a line item in the Regional Transportation Authority and Pima Association of Governments ("RTA/PAG") This means that the Town must apply for the money and then RTA/PAG must approve the money to come out of their funds. There is no guarantee that they will approve it.  In addition, Keesler would need to approve the warrant for the signal. 

Council approval settles the issue and funds project

By approving the HAWK system at last week’s meeting, the Council said that it’s time to get this done regardless of what is Mr. Keesler or Ms. Jacobs thinks.

What else is being overlooked by town staff?

The decision to move ahead with HAWK does make one wonder. Why did Council Member Solomon have to put this on the agenda to prompt town staff to do something now? Isn't student safety of paramount importance? Why was the decision allowed to languish in a "bureaucratic" state?

This is the second item that Solomon has put on the agenda that appears to have been overlooked by town staff. The other is the discussion about improving mobility access at the community center. It was the action of Solomon that brought this to the forefront so that the Council acted to do something now. We wonder what would’ve happened if he had not made this a centerpiece of discussion?

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Note: Ironwood High School sits on a Naranja Drive, east of Shannon Road. It was opened in 2001. In recent years, medium density housing has been built around it, creating the need for some sort of crossing traffic control. Resident Jeff Taylor lives in the area. Yelling a council at the meeting, Taylor said that he has been after the town to do something for the past 18 months. Taylor did not live in Oro Valley prior to that. The schools were closed for much of that time due to the pandemic. They opened last August.

Bits and Pieces

Oro Valley bans local gathering places from operating as such
Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield banned food establishments from serving food or drink on premises until at least March 31. This proclamation amends the proclamation issued Tuesday. It can be extended beyond March 31.

Food establishments can provide drive thru or in store pickup of orders. We have included the proclamation in the paned that follows.

In addition, any establishment were people could possibly congregate, such as gyms, theaters, bingo halls, and indoor and outdoor performance venues are to be closed. (source)

These actions put Oro Valley in line with actions taken yesterday by Pima County (View that here)

Winfield Emergency Proclamation Amendment

Lights finally out at Ironwood Ridge Fields
The lights in the ballfields at Ironwood Ridge High School ("IRHS") were burning bright the other night even though the school is closed. Eric Klein emailed the Amphi School District questioning why the lights were still on.

Klein is not the only one concerned about the lights. Another reader wrote us: "We can see those lights from our backyard and patio and we're not that close to IRHS."

That writer alerted us to another lighting challenge. This one concerns the new lights on La Cholla. "Last night they also turned
on  the new street lights at La Cholla and Glover. They are so bright. It's like lighting up a football field. It's such overkill! "

Questions nationally about roundabout crash safety
The Wall Street Journal published an article last week on the downside of roundabouts. "Roundabouts have proliferated around the U.S. in recent years, arriving in some areas of the Midwest and West for the first time. Yet even years after some are installed, driver confusion persists. And with confusion comes fender-benders."

The article states that more fatalities and injuries happen at traffic lights. This is because people "run the red lights."  The article asserts that there are less crippling crashes on two lane roundabouts, like the roundabout Oro Valley has at LaCanada and Moore Road. Roundabout crashes occur because not all drivers understand that a car in the inside lane will cross into the outside lane to exit the roundabout.

Baby wipes clog the sewer system
Do not flush wipes into the sewer system. According to Pima County, wipes clog pipes. They can cause sanitary sewer overflows. Instead, dispose of the wipe in trash can. Just another inconvenience.

Bits and Pieces

Don't Run The Red
A 2019 AAA Foundation Survey found that more people are being killed by red light runners than ever before. "More than two people are killed every day on U.S. roads by impatient and reckless drivers blowing through red lights."

That fact has been noted by Oro Valley Public Works Director and Engineer Paul Keesler. Speaking on Jim Horn's Oro Valley Podcast last week, Keesler said that intersection safety will be a key focus area in 2020.

"We have to get people to obey the traffic control because the T-Bone accident is one of the most dangerous." Keesler is going to study the most dangerous Oro Valley intersections to try to determine what is causing the accidents.  There was one of these last Friday at Oro Valley's most dangerous intersection: Magee and Oracle.

Residents note property tax increase
Oro Valley residents are becoming aware that there are consequences for voter approval of the Golder Ranch Bond. Posting on NextDoor, a resident seemed astounded to learn that taxes are going up. The resident learned this when they were notified of the need for increased property tax escrow by their bank. Send thank notes to the Golder Ranch Fire District.

Ironwood Ridge Lights On... Nobody There

Ironwood Ridge HS...
Lights burn bright at night
The lights are on in the ball fields at Ironwood Ridge well into the evening. It's a time when the fields are not being used. The neighbors are annoyed.

According to one: "Nobody is in sight anywhere on campus and the parking lot is empty. Why [is Amphi School District] allowing taxpayer money to be wasted while ruining our night skies in Oro Valley by leaving these lights on until 9:00 PM, M-F, regardless of actual use?" We referred the writer to Council Member Joyce-Ivey. She is the council liaison to the Amphi School District. Joyce plans to look in to it.

Traffic proceeds nicely at Moore and LaCanada

Roundabout works well
The roundabout at Moore Road and La Canada seems to work quite well. This a according to Paul Keesler during an interview last week on Jim Horn's Oro Valley Podcast.

Keesler invested considerable time determining ways to make sure that drivers approach the intersection cautiously and at low speed.

Horn noted that the roundabout works well for bicyclists. We took a look at it Wednesday. Indeed, it does work well.

Light installation at Naranja and La Canada

Town installs turn lights at Naranja and La Canada
This week, the town added a protected left turn arrow at the intersection of Naranja and La Canada. The line of traffic traveling northbound was back to the Frys Shopping Center.

Here's a look at the work.

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Bits and Pieces

Water Utility Commission Studying Water Rate Change For 2015

The Oro Valley Water Department is reviewing water rates for 2015.  The water utility commission will review a rate study in October. There will be a public hearing in November. Any proposed change will be presented to the town council in December.  If approved, rates will change in February.

Oro Valley Public Art Tours Are Back

Oro Valley's Economic Development department has announced that Oro Valley's public art tours are back.

The next tour is this Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. The tour begins and ends at Oro Valley Town Hall.  You must reserve a seat if you want to go.  Seats are limited to 10 individuals. Register here.

Oro Valley Super Bowl Tonight

Like football? Tonight, Ironwood Ridge hosts CDO. "The Nighthawks (2-1) have won the last three meetings, including a 42-14 drubbing [of CDO] in 2013." (Source)  Game time is 7 PM.  Want to read more?

Caton Authorizes Funds For Cleanup

One Of Many Wash Downs Caused By Storm

Monday's monsoon "Storm of the Century" was a doozy.   Oro Valley received at least 3" of rain.  It was pounding down.

"Town staff have been out in the field every day since the storm, assessing damage, addressing safety concerns and clearing debris. Due to the large volume of storm damage, additional resources are being allocated to expedite the recovery process.

'The Storm we had on Monday hit our community very hard, and we have been in clean-up mode ever since,' commented Town Manager Greg Caton. 'Recognizing that we need to make quicker progress to clean up our streets, I have reallocated all appropriate staff resources to work on this effort, as well as funding to contract with outside resources to clear and haul debris. We ask for the patience of the community as clearing the debris will take weeks.'

In the next few days, the Town will provide additional information to the public via press releases, the Town's website and social media about specific work being performed in their neighborhoods as well as links to information on storm recovery and preparing for future events." (Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

The town has a massive cleanup challenge.  Let's hope they can get to it soon.
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Oro Valley Library Power

The Oro Valley branch of the Pima County Library has 3 upcoming events.

• September 27: Landscape Plants for Arizona: Increase Curb Appeal with Proper Planting
• October 11: Making Masks - Fantasy and Reality!
• October 14: Memory Power

Learn more here.
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Prevent Auto Breakins Now

There have been 30 auto breakins in the past 2 weeks. Thieves go into cars that are unlocked during the night and steal whatever they can.  It is happening in communities where homes are relatively close together and where cars are easily accessible from the street.  Watch a KGUN 9 report of this.

These are crimes of opportunity.  If you don't want to have a problem:

1. Lock your car or put it in your garage
2. Do not leave anything in your car
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"Save Our Kids Golf Scramble"

Mentoring Tucson's Kids is sponsoring a golf event at "The Golf Club At Vistoso."  It is on November 7.   The event is called the "Save our Kids Golf Scramble."

"The event will be a 4-person scramble with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m. A tasty Mexican buffet lunch will follow golf in the clubhouse. As always, there will be great prizes to be won and a lot of fun to be had by all."

Visit the links to learn more and to sign up for the scramble.
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"Oro Valley Receives National Award For CitizenParticipation

Oro Valley, Arizona (September 11, 2014) - On September 4, the Town of Oro Valley received the 2014 Silver Circle Award in Citizen Participation from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA), for the Your Voice, Our Future Public Participation Plan." (Town of Oro Valley Press Release)