Bits and Pieces

Neighborhood meetings to return to in-person

The town will be returning to in-person neighborhood meetings. These are meetings that are held in relation to vetting proposed land use or zoning changes. These meetings are an important first step in vetting these proposed changes. There will also be a capability to join the meeting remotely.  

The return to in-person was proposed by Vice Mayor Barrett at Wednesday's Oro Valley Town Council meeting. Her motion was approved unanimously. 

Barrett asserted that the return to in-person will substantially improve the quality of the dialogue between residents, the applicant, and town staff.

Spring 2022 Parks and Recreation Program Guide now available
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Feb. 28, 2022) –– The Town of Oro Valley is pleased to announce that the Spring 2022 Parks and Recreation Program Guide is now available online.

 
This seasonal guide includes details on Oro Valley’s 2022 spring break camp options (registration now open), as well as upcoming community events, volunteer opportunities, facility information and more.

 
The Program Guide was first published on February 23 as the cover of the Explorer Newspaper, and it’s currently available on the Town’s website. Click here to view.

(Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

Oro Valley Popular Annual Financial Report is available

“For the 14th year in a row, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the Town of Oro Valley the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its July 1, 2021, budget. The award represents a significant achievement by the Town of Oro Valley, reflecting the commitment of Town Council and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.” (Source)

In addition, the Popular Annual Financial Report  report (“PAFR”) for 2021 is now available. The PAFR is not the official financial report. Rather, it is a report for the rest of us; especially for those of us who don’t have a financial background and don’t want to spend the hours it takes to pour through the schedules included in the official report. 

“The PAFR includes a summary of accomplishments, net assets, activities, revenues, expenditures, debt and financial ratings and a snapshot of historical trends in these areas."

Council appoints new members to some commissions

This past Wednesday the town council appointed members to the following boards and commissions:

Water Utility Commission (WUC) 

Alan Forrest for a partial term expiring December 31, 2023 

Patricia Olson for a first term expiring December 31, 2024 

Budget and Finance Commission (BFC)

John Fortunato for a first term expiring December 31, 2023 

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB)

Cheryl Horvath for a first term expiring December 31, 2023

Joanne Moothart for a first term expiring December 31, 2023

Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC)

Joe Nichols for a partial term expiring December 31, 2022

Congratulations to all.

Guest View-Jack Stinnett: Bill Rodman Is Proven Leader of "Over-development"

Rodman's voting record fostered Oro Valley Over-Development
During the early Hiremath years, Council Member Bill Rodman sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. These are years in which Oro Valley moved toward over-development. Rodman was at the epicenter of it all.

Rodman's record shows that he is a proven leader in over-development. From 2012-2016, while on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Rodman demonstrated his bias by approving wealthy land owner and developer requests.

Want proof? Just look at his voting record while on the Planning and Zoning Commission
During these years, Rodman rarely saw a General Plan amendment or rezoning he did not like. Rodman approved the following while he was on the Planning and Zoning Commission:

• Increased building heights for El Corredor apartments; 
• Approved a General Plan Amendment, ESL Amendment, and Rezoning for a 5-story retirement community (the abandoned Nakoma Sky project) on 79.5 acres;
• Voted to approve rezoning 45 acres from R1-144 to R1-7 (144,000 sqft to 7,000 sqft lots) on Naranja near La Cholla; 
• Approved rezoning 149 acres at Tangerine and First Ave ["Kai" property] from 3 acre lots to Medium Density Residential and commercial; 
• Supported a Major General Plan Amendment of the Olsen property from Low Density Residential and open space to Medium Density Residential.

This is  just a sample. 

Rodman has continued his over-development stance while on council
Rodman brought his over-development bias with him when he was elected to Town Council in 2016. From 2016 to 2018, while Hiremath was in control of council, Rodman approved thirteen General Plan amendments and/or rezoning requests. Indeed, he voted for one of these General Plan Amendments while he was a council member for less than three hours!

The only reason Rodman has not shown his over-development bias in the past two years is that you, the voters, replaced the Hiremath council with a council that was far more resident friendly, and far less developer friendly.

We need leaders who put the people first
Yes. Incumbent Bill Rodman has demonstrated “proven leadership” but unfortunately it’s been directed at steering developer projects through and around Oro Valley’s General Plan process, Environmentally Sensitive Lands rules, and town zoning codes.

This might be a good thing for developers.

But it is a bad thing for the residents of Oro Valley.

Let’s be sure to elect council members that place residents, not developers first.
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Jack Stinnett is an Oro Valley resident. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served on Minesweepers and Destroyers. After his military service, Jack was employed as an engineer and plant manager in the Nuclear Power industry, a factory manager in the automotive industry, and Vice-President of a worldwide engine components business. Jack finished his career as President and CEO of Morris Material Handling in Milwaukee. He and his wife, Connie, moved to Oro Valley in 2011. Jack was a member of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Commission from 2012-2014, serving as Chairman in 2013-2014. He enjoys woodworking, biking, and visiting his grandchildren.

Council Member Jones-Ivey Focusses on Recreation For All

Leading the way in supporting youth activities
In January, council member Joyce Jones-Ivey will be the council liaison to the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Jones-Ivey is recovering from knee surgery. As usual, however, we found her in her office in town hall, busy doing the work of the people. 

As liaison to this commission, Jones-Ivey will have the opportunity to view the creation of a master Parks and Recreation Plan, a plan that town council has directed be prepared. She is ideally suited for the job.

Passion to get recreational facilities for all
Jones-Ivey is passionate about providing the right recreational facilities for all Oro Valley residents. “Part of my fiscal responsibility is to make sure that we have funds going to recreational activities that more of our citizens use. I don’t want the people who live around the golf course to be hurt but we also have to look at the rest of our citizens to provide for their needs.”

Jones-Ivey has a feel for what the parents want... reaches out to learn more
Regarding the youth needs for example: “Those voices are still out there. I see a lot of those parents. I go

to activities where they are at. If it’s going to be activities at Kreigh Park, ‘I’m there’. ... I’m there because I want to hear from them. I want to know what they want.”

Jones-Ivey understands why most of the community is silent regarding their needs. “They are not the ones who are in the council meetings. Not the ones I’m getting emails from. I’ve asked them, several times, reach out to me. But they don’t. I can empathize with them.”

Jones-Ivey pointed out that it wasn’t that long ago when she was in their shoes.

 “They’re busy. They have families. They’re working jobs. By the time you’ve gone through that day... activities... kids with homework, you never feel you can do a ‘flashvote‘ [the town’s information online polling tool]. I can remember those days in my life. You don’t have the time.. So, I’ll just keep reaching out to them and getting them to reach out to me. Simple email will do!”

Working to get town use of Amphi School District recreational facilities
Before taking on her new assignment, Jones-Ivey continues her role as liaison to the Amphi School Disctrict. Her primary goal is on getting town access for use of Amphi school fields.

“I would like to get an intergovernmental agreement for youth sports activities. I want our youth sports activities to be able to use their fields. That’s one of my biggest goals. To date, I know that we have girls gym class going right now.”

Your help is needed
One challenge in moving this forward is getting superintendent Todd Yaegar’s attention.

 “We spoke to him about IGA’s (Intergovernmental Agreement) and he brushed it off.” She would like our help. She asks that we all turn up the heat on that. Email the Amphi Superintendant (tjaeger@amphi.com)TODD Jaeger. Tell him: We want our youth activities to use your fields after hours. A groundswell of support will most certainly help in Joyce Jones-Ivey’s quest.
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