Bits and Pieces

Council directs staff to spend ARPA restricted funds on existing projects….Violates ARPA spending rules?

This past Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council voted (6-1) to fund 2023 budgeted projects with $5.4 million in restricted ARPA funds. Staff had provided the council with a list of eligible projects. Council did not choose which projects to fund. Rather, they are leaving it up to town staff to select the funded projects. 

Essentially, this directive by council adds to town cash reserves. The $5.4 million in ARPA funds replaces $5.4. in town funds that would have been spent on the budgeted projects. Increasing reserves of a town is an explicitly forbidden use of the ARPA funds.

Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan community engagement 

"The Town of Oro Valley is holding an open house on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for the community to review the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Plan Community Input Report. The open house, which will be

held in the newly restored Garage at Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle Road) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will allow community members to drop in at their convenience to review the data gathered from previous public engagement meetings, provide feedback and learn about the Master Planning process." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release) You can review the report in advance of the meeting. "Those who cannot attend the Jan. 25 open house, can review the report and email comments to project's manager.

Head-on Crash on Oracle in December was caused by a reckless driver

There was lots of talk about the horrific accident at Oracle and Pusch View Lane last month. Here's the facts: "On the morning of December 16, an attempt to locate was dispatched, referencing a reckless driver in a black Chevy Silverado heading south on Oracle Road from Rancho Vistoso Boulevard at over 90 mph. An officer was on a traffic stop on Orace Road just north of La Reserve Drive when he observed the suspect vehicle drive by at an extremely high rate of speed, weaving through traffic and then passing vehicles on the shoulder of Oracle Road. The speeding truck then crossed into the northbound lanes of traffic while still heading south where a head-on collision occurred in front of the Target shopping plaza with a maroon Chevy Silverado driven by the victim. The drivers of both vehicles were declared deceased on scene and no other passengers were in either vehicle. The drivers both had to be extricated from each vehicle due to the excessive amount of front end damage to both trucks." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Town Manager Executive Report, January 2023)

Take the 2026 General Plan Survey

The Town of Oro Valley invites residents of all ages to participate in a brief survey to identify the best ways to engage the community as the Town prepares for the next General Plan, which will be on the ballot in 2026. The survey, which is open now through January 26, can be taken by multiple members of the household.

Chamber Business Summit is January 26

The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "Business Summit" On January 26 at the Westward Look Resort & Spa.  Registration starts are 8am with sessions beginning at 9am and ending at 2:00 p.m.. Tickets are  $50. There will be breakout sessions on Financial Sustainability, Vision Boarding, Marketing, and Leadership. "Not only will Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield address the group at a delicious luncheon on the Sonoran Rooftop Terrace, but you’ll also hear from keynote speaker retired Major General Ted Maxwell of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council. It’ll be a great day for business owners, managers, and front-line staff. All of this for only $50, and that includes a 3-course lunch!" (Source)

LaPosada at Pusch Ridge is back

You may have noticed that construction activity is back for LaPosada at Pusch Ridge. It is located behind Home Depot. La Posada at Pusch Ridge. "The former Nakoma Sky development has re-broken ground as the La Posada at Pusch Ridge development located at Lambert Lane and First Avenue. Previous activities as part of the Nakoma Sky development included the Cañada Del Oro Wash soil cement bank protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency Letter of Map Revision and general site grading. The current activities for the La Posada at Pusch Ridge development include cutting in access roadways, setting up stormwater pollution prevention best management practice elements, and site mobilization. " (Source: Town of Oro Valley Town Manager Executive Report, January 2023) 

Here’s What Happened While We Were Away…

Town Finance Director: Oro Valley successfully negotiated the financial challenge of Covid-19

…this according to town finance manager, Wendy Gomez speaking at the May 19 town council meeting was referring to the projections for the year based on actual results through March. Gomez attributed this to holding the line on spending; and that revenues “…have significantly out performed expectations.” 

Speaking of the general fund, Gomez noted said the fund revenues are estimated to be 20% over budget for the year, at $52,2 million. The primary sources of this are federal government “rescue” money; higher than expected local sales tax revenues (12% over budget); and increased commercial and residential construction activity that is driving license and permit revenue. Spending is estimated to be 2.7% under budget.

Council to consider completed Parks and Recreation Master Plan as a “reference” for future spending decisions

The Oro Valley Town Council discussed the parks and recreation master plan at it’s May 19 meeting. According to the town’s master plan project consultant, the master plan “…provides information over which to make decisions” on parks and recreation spending now and in the future. The council made it clear in the resolution it passed (Panel at right) that this plan is not going to be implemented as is and that the community will continue to provide input

“This work is an invaluable tool for us but we are not committing to any particular spending,” noted Council Member Bohan. “It’s a plan. It’s not something we are going to be locked into,” according the Council Member Joyce-Ivey.

Mayor Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett have proposed what they would like to see happen with Parks and Recreations spending next year.

La Posada Senior Living Facility Development Progressing

In March, LOVE reported that the Nakoma Sky senior living project was back in operation. Owners of the La Posada Senior Living Facility (formerly titled “Nakoma Sky”) develop ment have submitted a new conceptual architecture plan for the main part (Area C on map at left) of their development. This is the five-story apartment portion. This retirement community is located north of Home Depot and on the northern side of the CDO wash. The Hiremath council approved the entire project in 2016. “The maximum height (75', 5 stories)was previously approved as part of the PAD zoning in 2014 and is not under consideration. However, the revised design reduces the building mass by decreasing the height of the residential buildings from east to west.” The Planning and Zoning Commission will hear this item in tonight’s meeting.

GRDF says: “No Burning”

The Golder Ranch Fire District announced this past Thursday that it will not issue any burning permits. Also, any permits issued during the past 180 days are revoked.  “The conditions in our region are very dry and we are going to do everything we can to keep our community safe,” says Chief Randy Karrer. (Source: GRFD Press Release). Remember last summer. One dry lightening strike and the Catalina’s burned for two months.

Fireworks Test June 3

The town is conducting a fireworks test of nine shots this Thursday at 8:30pm.  It is a test of the July 4th fireworks show from Naranja  Park.  The test is a chance for residents to see if they can see the fireworks from their house as there will be no in person visits to the park allowed on July 4.

uPetsia makes pet breath smell better for longer.

No. this is not an advertisement. Its about our Oro Valley based startup.

 

The company, uPetsia, resides in the Center for Innovation in Oro Valley. It is the winner of an event sponsored by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. “uPetsia (rhymes with "“You betcha") is a startup focused on making dog breath smell better for longer by engineering bacteria for dog and cat microbiota. uPetsia's product is incorporated into pet treats and chews and provides hours of minty-fresh breath. The The winner for the UACI Sponsored Launch Fueled by Greater Oro Valley Chamber of underlying technology was developed at the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and BIO5 Institute by founders Eric Lyons, David Baltrus and Scott Zentack. Tech Launch Arizona (TLA), the technology commercialization arm of the UArizona refined and protected the invention and also helped them identify their best market.” (Source: May 2021 Center for Innovation Newsletter)

La Posada Plans To Restart "Nakoma Sky Project"... New Name

Nakoma Sky Renamed "La Posada at Pusch Ridge"

The Board of Trustees of La Posada have approved moving forward with the Nakoma Sky project. They have renamed it "La Posada at Pusch Ridge". The project is located north of the CDO wash, behind Home Depot. 

La Posada is a Green Valley based non profit "...dedicated to providing a stimulating and enriching environment for seniors." 

The "five-story" building chicanery

Talk of the project started in 2014. It included a 5 story building. However, only a two story building was allowed on the property. The project required a general plan amendment in 2015 to approve the building height. A general plan amendment requires a five vote council approval.  There were only four members that would have voted "yes."

So, town staff ruled that this change in height was not a major general plan amendment. Rather, it was a minor one called a "text amendment". These require a four vote approval.  The council approved the amendment and voted to rezone to approve this project on November of 2015. 

Project as approved in 2015

Construction started in August 2017...Halted in June 2018

Desert blading on the site started in 2017. La Posada halted the project in June of 2018. They cited an inability to get workers and reasonably priced construction materials as the main cause. Since that time, despite town assertions to the contrary, the site was never remediated. It has been sitting bladed.

Updates and town approval needed before construction will resume

According to the  Green Valley Chamber of Commerce:  "Much of the initial site work has been completed on the 80-acre parcel. La Posada management and representatives are in contact with Town of Oro Valley officials to update the project design. In the two years since the original project was halted, La Posada’s management team has been updating concepts to enhance the design, construction quality, and livability of the project."

La Posada has provided no firm dates for town approvals and the resumption of construction.

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This article presents some interesting pictures of the proposed property.

Bits and Pieces

Is Mayor Hiremath Aloof?
We got the following email this week from one of our readers.

"Just wanted to share a funny/sad Hiremath story. My husband and I ate brunch at Saffron this Sunday and one of the servers started talking to us on a personal level. At one point he said Hiremath comes in about every other week to eat. He also said he hasn't paid once for a meal nor has he ever left a tip. To quote the server, "He's more like, now be gone with you," after he gets his food. Sad, sad."

You can't make this stuff up!
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CVS Opens
CVS opened in San Dorado  this week.  Its big. Its full of merchandise.  Every employee had a welcoming smile for us,  The only problem we encountered was the left turn light cycle into San Dorado from Oracle (going southbound).  It wasn't working when were there. Otherwise, things were fine.
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Something To Ponder
It has taken less time for the entire La Posada development to be built than it has for Whole Oats to complete the remodel of its Oracle and Ina Store.
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May's HiVE Deployments Announced
The Oro Valley Police Department with the support of the Pima County Sherriff's department will conduct high visibility enforcement on Oracle Road from Magee to Suffolk Road on the following:

• May 7, 2014:   4 - 7 p.m. 
• May 13, 2014: 7 - 10 a.m. 
• May 14, 2014: 4 - 7 p.m.
• May 22, 2014: 7 - 10 a.m. 
• May 27, 2014: 4 - 7 p.m.

(Source: Oro Valley Police Department press release)

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The Oro Valley Police Department asking for public's assistance in identifying shoplifting suspect

Click To Enlarge

Oro Valley, Ariz. (April 29, 2014) - The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) is seeking the public's help in identifying a shoplifter in our community.

On April 12 and April 19, 2014, a male suspect entered the GNC store at 2060 East Tangerine in Oro Valley and stole several containers of weight-lifting supplements. The items stolen were valued at approximately $900.

The suspect is described as a male in his mid-twenties, medium build, with a goatee. He was wearing a Detroit Tigers baseball cap and a blue, plaid button-up shirt. If you know the identity of this person, you are asked to call 911, 88-crime or (520) 229-4900.

(Source: Oro Valley Police Department press release)
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Oro Valley Police Department asking for the public's assistance in fraud case

Click To Enlarge

Oro Valley, Ariz. (April 28, 2014) - The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) is asking for the public's assistance in identifying a person of interest in a fraud.

On April 3, 2014, several credit cards were stolen from one locker broken into at Platinum Fitness in Oro Valley. Prior to the credit cards being cancelled, an unidentified male charged over $10,000 worth of items on the victim's credit cards. The person of interest is described as a white male with red hair, who appears to be in his early 40's. A store surveillance photo shows him wearing a blue dress shirt with a striped tie, black slacks and black dress shoes. If anyone knows the identity of this person, you are asked to call 911, 88-crime or (520) 229-4900.

(Source: Oro Valley Police Department press release)
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