Guest View: Council Candidate Rhonda Pina - Experience, Accountability, and Oro Valley’s Future

Last week we have featured four of the five council candidates speaking on their own behalf. Today’s Guest View is from  Council candidate Rhonda Pina.

Why I am running for Oro Valley Town Council
I am running for Oro Valley Town Council because of my love for the community and to preserve the quality environment that makes it a distinctive place to live and work. I will bring my private-sector and previous Town Council experience when making decisions to ensure long-term benefits to the community.

Experience to address budget challenges
It is widely recognized that the Town is currently facing significant budgetary hurdles. My experience makes me uniquely qualified to assist. Thoughtful leadership actions should be centered on providing the high-quality service delivery that Oro Valley residents have come to enjoy and expect. Currently, I am the Deputy Director for Pima County Community & Workforce Development, which includes oversight of the Kino Veterans Workforce Center. Additionally, I serve on the Tucson Airport Authority Board. Having a 29-year career in commercial and retail banking, serving as a former Oro Valley Town Council member, and participating in civic engagement on regional commissions and Oro Valley boards, I will prioritize public safety, budget accountability, and strategic economic development, as each of these reinforces the others.

Generating revenue while controlling expenses
We must identify realistic short- and long-term goals that generate revenues to support residents’ needs. Diverse approaches include improving the tax base through tourism efforts that support resort industry partners and increase bed tax revenue, evaluating business opportunities to minimize leakage caused by residents going outside Oro Valley to fulfill their consumer needs, and creating partnerships that allow beneficial and resourceful growth without placing a burden on residents. In tandem, we must reduce expenses where applicable and manage Town debt. Oro Valley has much to offer, and it takes an understanding of how to fiscally align the needs and wants of the Town. My priorities align with that goal and are straightforward.

A record of community-centered decisions
My previous Council experience demonstrates the ability to collaborate within community-centered governance. Supporting and voting for the Oro Valley Hands-Free Distracted Driving Ordinance and the Northwest Recharge and Recovery Project to preserve our water, while supporting fiscal responsibility to deliver quality Town services, are examples of the importance of having Council members with leadership experience. I am proud of my endorsement by AZCOPS, the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs, because of my support for public safety, which provides an economic benefit that aligns with other core services.

Preserving what makes Oro Valley unique
I will continue making decisions and providing oversight that preserves the uniqueness of Oro Valley while providing services and amenities through a fiscally responsible budget. I would be honored once again to serve the Oro Valley community.

- - -

Learn more about Rhonda here.

2027 TMRB: Candidates Split On Whether Budget Is Prudent Planning Or Warning Sign

This is our fourth article regarding the 2027 TMRB. The first article covered revenues. The second covered spending. Yesterday, we covered personnel. Today we cover the thoughts of the candidates for Mayor and Council in this year’s election regarding this budget. We asked them: What is your reaction to the proposed budget?

Here are the responses of the two Mayoral Candidates.

Barrett is focused on making sure this budget builds toward long term fiscal sustainability
Vice Mayor Barrett is unable to reply to our question because the budget is currently under consideration by the Town Council. However, we can get some sense of her thinking on the budget from her remarks during the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget study session. Barrett focused on long term fiscal sustainability issues, including reserve levels, recurring operating costs, and capital funding as Oro Valley approaches buildout. One area she focused on in particular was maintaining the council’s long standing policy of dedicating 5% of General Fund revenues to capital needs. Barrett stated that “in a community where you don’t have lots of new things being built and as you approach build-out, that 5% becomes all the more critical.”

Click To Enlarge

Napier sees the TMRB as a warning sign
Mayoral candidate Mark Napier views the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget critically. Napier wrote: “The recommendations for 2027 include deferment or elimination of capital improvements totaling $11.6 million, $1.5 million reduction in PSPRS excess contributions, a freeze on new hiring and direction to reduce O&M costs by 0.5%. Even with these steps we still may need to tap the fund balance for an additional $1.3 million. All this will be required to simply balance the budget, as required by state law.”

Here are the responses of the five council candidates.

Dailey describes the TMRB as conservative and balanced
Council candidate Rosa Dailey described the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as a conservative response to current economic conditions. Dailey wrote: “The Town Manager’s Recommended Budget (TMRB) for fiscal year 26/27 reflects a balanced and conservative approach that proactively anticipates and manages softening town revenues in our current economic environment and adjusts discretionary spending accordingly. The plan prioritizes and maintains current service levels and aligns spending with revised revenue expectations.”

DeSimone sees the TMRB as evidence of growing fiscal pressure

Council candidate Chris DeSimone viewed the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget critically, describing it as evidence of growing long term fiscal pressure and the need for changes in council direction and oversight. DeSimone wrote:"Since my kickoff event in January, I have been pointing out that our wonderful town has financially painted itself in a corner.  Flattening revenues and increasing costs is a sad reality of our situation. A budget that features cuts in capital improvements, cuts to the public safety pension excess contribution and dipping into the Town's reserve funds to balance the budget shows the need for a new mix of mindsets on the council and willingness to manage staff more closely."   

Herrington emphasizes long term sustainability
Council candidate Jake Herrington emphasized long term fiscal sustainability and economic development. Herrington wrote: “I believe the 2027 budget discussion should focus heavily on sustainability. Oro Valley cannot rely forever on residential growth alone to support future service demands. We need to continue strengthening and diversifying the commercial tax base, supporting redevelopment and reinvestment along key corridors such as Oracle and Ina Roads, and identifying strategic economic opportunities that will generate long-term revenue without placing unnecessary burdens on residents.”

Pina observes revenue pressure in the budget
Council candidate Rhonda Pina described the proposed budget as challenging and focused on the need for careful expense management. Pina wrote: “The proposed budget is challenging as presented by the town manager. There is acknowledgement of decreasing revenue trends and a need to manage expenses effectively.”

Wood emphasizes the budget's balancing of revenues and expenses
Council candidate Matt Wood expressed support for the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget and the Town’s annexation efforts. Wood wrote: “The Town Manager prepared a balanced budget for 2026/27 and the Council is pursuing an annexation along Ina that would bring in significant sales tax revenue. I think this is an excellent start. We need to continue to work on a long term balancing of expenses and revenues, but small incremental increases in revenue and working on reducing the sales tax leakage losses will go a long way towards fiscal stability.”

Our conclusion: Candidates differ more on urgency than the challenge of fiscal sustainability itself

Our conclusion: Candidates differ more on urgency than the challenge of fiscal sustainability itself

What appears to distinguish the candidates is less whether they believe long term fiscal sustainability is a challenge for Oro Valley and more how urgently they view that challenge and whether they see the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget as an appropriate response.

• Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett, Rosa Dailey, and Matt Wood generally view the TMRB as a prudent step toward managing long term financial sustainability as Oro Valley approaches buildout.
• Jake Herrington focuses more heavily on broader long term planning, redevelopment, and diversifying the Town’s commercial tax base to prepare for slower future revenue growth.
• Rhonda Pina feels that the budget shows immediate revenue pressures. She stops short of describing the situation as structurally unsustainable.
• Mark Napier and Chris DeSimone view the current budget much more critically, describing it as a warning sign requiring stronger corrective action and signaling changes needed in long term fiscal priorities and council direction.

Taken together, the responses suggest broad agreement that Oro Valley faces important long term financial decisions ahead, even though candidates differ on how immediate the challenge is and how the Town should respond.

- - -

Election 2026 Update: Forum, Ballots, and Campaign Developments

Chamber Forum Set for Tonight
Tonight, the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum at the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene, located at 500 W. Calle Concordia. The event begins with a meet and greet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the forum. From 6:00 to approximately 7:00 p.m., council candidates will deliver opening statements, respond to questions, and provide closing remarks under a structured format. From approximately 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., mayoral candidates Barrett and Napier will follow with their forum,

Candidates Napier, DeSimone and Pina using same media company
All candidates have now filed their first quarter campaign finance reports with the Town, detailing both contributions and expenditures. A review of those reports shows that candidates Napier, DeSimone, and Pina are using the same media company, Live the Dream Media, for campaign services. DeSimone’s podcast is with that company, and he serves as its Vice President of Business Development. A review of the campaign websites of the three candidates shows each emphasizes public safety, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining core services.

The candidates tell us there is no collaboration. According to mayoral candidate Mark Napier: “I am not running as a slate with anyone. I am using Live the Dream Media because they have a good reputation in the community and I need their help with social media support. Some candidates may have similar views on issues facing the community. This is not unusual and does not reflect collaboration.”

Chair of Planning and Zoning Commission is paid consultant for DiSimone campaign
We also noted in our review of the finance reports that current Planning and Zoning Commission chair, Anna Clark, is working as a paid consultant to the DeSimone campaign, receiving about $3,500 thru March 31, according to DiSimone's campaign finance report. Clark's position as Chair expires at the end of this year.

Site posts altered images and insulting campaign messaging to demean candidates Barrett, Dailey and Wood
A facebook page that has been active since last year continues to publish content targeting certain Oro Valley candidates and current leadership. The material goes beyond criticism, using insulting suggestion's and imagery to attack individuals. Screenshots provided to LOVE show posts attributed to James Prunty that portrays candidates Barrett, Dailey and Wood in a negative light. In several instances, the content uses images of candidates taken from there websites, alters or distorts them, and overlays disparaging messages, contributing to an overall tone that is attack-oriented and never issue-focused. 

Independent voters: Make sure you get a ballot
The Pima County Recorder’s Office mailed a notice to independent voters regarding how to receive a ballot for the primary election. Normally, these voters would not receive a ballot unless they had designated a party affiliation. The notice includes a return envelope. On the form, voters must select which ballot they want (a town-only ballot is available) and indicate where the ballot should be sent if they will not be at their registered address. Ballots cannot be forwarded. The county will mail the ballot on June 24. The election date is July 21.

Meet Council Candidate Hopeful Rhonda Pina

This week, we are presenting information about the individuals who plan to seek one of the three open Town Council seats in the upcoming primary election. Each candidate is currently gathering the more than 500 signatures by mid March.  Today, we feature Rhonda Pena.

- - -

Council hopeful Rhonda Pina emphasizes “Premium Core Services,” Fiscal Responsibility, and Strategic Economic Development
Rhonda Pina is one of five candidates seeking a seat on the Oro Valley Town Council in 2026. We asks her to provide us more information on her, her candidacy and what she wants to accomplish on council. We are sharing that with you.

Former councilmember with extensive public, private, and civic leadership experience
Pina is a second-generation Tucsonan who has lived in Oro Valley for nearly 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, a Certificate in Human Resources Management, and an Arizona Department of Education Substitute Certificate (PreK–12).

In the professional arena, Pina currently serves as Deputy Director for Workforce Development in Pima County’s Community and Workforce Development Department, which includes oversight of the Kino Veterans Workforce Center. Prior to that, she spent 29 years in the financial services industry as a Vice President in commercial and retail banking at Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America.

Her previous service on the Oro Valley Town Council and her current role on the Board of Directors for the Tucson Airport Authority add to a broad record of civic involvement. Additional leadership and commissioner roles have included the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance), the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Oro Valley Rotary, the Amphi Foundation, the Pima County Employee Merit System Commission and Law Enforcement Council, the Pima County Small Business Commission (where she served as vice chair), the Pima Animal Care Center Advisory Committee, and Commerce Bank of Arizona (Southwest Heritage Bank).

Returning to council “…with a purpose”
Pina describes her candidacy as a return to council “with a purpose,” focused on delivering what she calls “premium core services.” Those services include public safety, water resources, road maintenance, park amenities, and support for the business community. In her view, each core service reinforces the others, and maintaining them at a high level is essential to the town’s long-term stability and attractiveness.

Governance approach centered on preparation and due diligence
Pina’s approach to town governance emphasizes preparation, prudent due diligence, respectful communication, and independent thought. Decisions, she indicates, should reflect both short- and long-term impacts and be guided by the best interests of residents and businesses.

Her background in fiscal management, employer engagement, and workforce development — combined with decades in private-sector banking — informs her focus on responsible financial oversight and strategic planning.

Top priorities: Public safety, fiscal responsibility, and strategic economic development
Pina identifies three primary priorities: strong public safety services, fiscal responsibility, and strategic economic development. Her prior council record, she notes, includes support for policies and ordinances intended to benefit the entire town. She links her combined public- and private-sector experience to effective council leadership.

Pina’s focus is on addressing fiscal challenges while preserving the environment and amenities that make Oro Valley a desirable place to live and work.

Learn more about Rhonda Pina by visiting her campaign website. You can also follow her on facebook.

What you can do next...

We are providing these profiles so that, if you are approached for a signature, you will have some context about the person seeking your support. You are also free sign a petition for a candidate here. All those signing either in person or on line must be a registered voter and a resident of Oro Valley.

- - -   

Bits and Pieces

2026 Election Update... Five so far... Petition signing begins

As of last Friday, five individuals have submitted statements of interest for positions on the Oro Valley Town Council. Former Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier has filed to run for mayor. Chris DeSimone, a local media personality, is seeking a council seat. Former Councilmember Rhonda Pina, who served for four years on council from 2018-2022, has also filed. Current Budget and Finance Commission member Dan Karlsberg and Jacob Herrington. former member of Planning and Zoning Commission, submitted statements of interest as well. The next step in the process is for each to obtain the required number of signatures to appear on the August ballot. We will let you know as we learn of additional candidates. 

Our plan is to interview each person during the petition-signing period to provide clear, fact-based profiles of their backgrounds, priorities, and reasons for seeking office.

Sunday is the Northwest Chanukah Festival at the Oro Valley Marketplace

Join in the celebration of the first night of the eight days of Chanukah this Sunday at the Oro Valley Marketplace. The event begins at 3 p.m. and will include craft booths and activities, music, food for sale, and free latkes (potato pancakes) and donuts. The Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony and “gelt drop” will take place from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. We went to last year's celebration. It was family fun for all.

Update: Copper Creek Elementary closing still in the works... Amphi decision may well backfire on District

On Tuesday, the Amphi School District formally advanced its recommendation to close Copper Creek Elementary at its board meeting. The proposal, presented to the governing board, will take effect in the 2026–27 school year if approved. One change has been made since our earlier report: Half of Copper Creek’s students would attend Wilson K–8, and the other half will go to Harelson Elementary.  Harrelson is not even remotely close to Copper Creek. The governing board is scheduled to make its final decision on January 13.  

Families with children at Copper Creek are devastated. Their efforts have to date been ignored. One parent at the meeting said the closure is likely to push more families to seek alternatives outside of Amphi, worsening the district’s enrollment problems. 

Town's December economic development notes Saddlebrook outreach and more...

The Town of Oro Valley Economic Development Department has released an expanded December 2025 update. The provides a more comprehensive picture of ongoing business activity, community engagement and development efforts than previous reports. For examplee, on notable item is the SaddleBrooke outreach. The town received 909 survey responses from residents that detailed their preferences for dining, retail and medical services, along with how they prefer to receive community information. These findings will guide future business recruitment and communication strategies.

Other highlights from the report include progress on multiple business assistance projects, continued growth in restaurant and retail interest, and updated marketing efforts that promote Oro Valley as a regional hub for outdoor recreation and high quality living. The department also noted rising interest from bioscience and technology companies and increased coordination with regional partners to attract new investment.

The lights are in full bloom

The Landoran holiday lights display is now in full bloom, and it’s well worth a visit. As we reported earlier, the show combines synchronized lights, music, and dramatic displays at the western intersection of Landoran and Golf View Drive. The display runs through New Year’s Day, with extended evening hours on weekends. If you haven’t been yet, this is a great time to take a drive or stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy one of Oro Valley’s most festive traditions.

- - -

Guest View: Diane Peters ~ Vice-Mayor selection reveals the hypocrisy of Councilmembers Pina and Solomon

During the December 4, 2019 Town Council meeting, the annual discussion took place regarding who would serve as vice-mayor for 2020. Melanie Barrett served as vice-mayor in 2019. Just one year. Prior to that, Lou Waters served as vice-mayor from 2012-2018. Seven years. Keep that in mind as you continue reading.

Councilmember Jones-Ivey nominated Melanie Barrett to serve for another year, seconded by Mayor Winfield. Councilmember Solomon nominated Bill Rodman, seconded by Councilmember Pina.

Discussions began and the hypocrisy ensued.

Councilmember Solomon’s argument:

“…it’s appropriate that since Councilmember Barrett has already served a year as Vice-Mayor, that it’s time to let another council member step in and serve in that capacity.”

Councilmember Pina’s argument:

“I think that Councilmember Rodman would bring a different perspective to work with the mayor so I’m in favor of Councilmember Rodman being the Vice-Mayor for the following year…Why not give someone else the opportunity?...Why not do something different and have someone that would give a different perspective?”

Mayor Winfield pointed out that regardless of title, they all have the opportunity to share their perspectives and they each have one vote.

A tangled web
According to Pina and Solomon, the necessary criteria for the vice-mayor is:
• they should not serve more than one year
• it should be someone who has different views than the mayor

Interestingly, they felt much differently about this “criteria” when they were in the majority on council.

Lou Waters was the vice-mayor when Pina-Rodman-Solomon were sworn in on 11/16/16 and he had served as vice-mayor for five years at that point (2012-2013-2014-2015-2016).

Yet when Waters was nominated for vice-mayor again for 2017 and 2018, Pina and Solomon never argued that someone else should be given the opportunity or that it should be given to someone with a different perspective than the mayor. They elected Waters with a 7-0 vote to serve as vice-mayor in 2017 and 2018.

In fact, on December 6, 2017 it was none other than Councilmember Steve Solomon who nominated Waters to serve as vice-mayor for 2018…despite Waters already having served as vice-mayor for 6 years at that time. Solomon was just fine with Waters serving as vice-mayor for a 7th year.  (See referenced minutes from 12/6/17 meeting below):

Now that Pina and Solomon are in the minority, they’ve suddenly decided that it’s imperative to give someone else a chance. Waters can serve as vice-mayor for 7 straight years but Barrett can serve for only one year.

Voting Results
Mayor Winfield held a roll-call vote. The vote was 5-2 for Barrett as Vice-Mayor for 2020.

• YES votes: Winfield, Barrett, Jones-Ivey, Nicolson, and Rodman (yes, Rodman)
• NO votes: Pina and Solomon
…
Diane Peters has lived in Oro Valley since 2003, moving here to escape the humidity of the East Coast. She’s been involved in OV politics and development issues since 2006. In 2014, she organized a citizens group, who over a 9-month period, successfully negotiated a controversial 200-acre development project. In her past life, she worked in medical research at various University Hospitals in New England. Her interests include reading, writing, nature photography, travel, art galleries, museums, and politics.

Guest View: Diane Peters ~ Oro Valley Thrives members make false assertions and accusations. Part 1.

My purpose in writing this article is to point out how ill-informed some members of the Green Shirts are about town issues. This is concerning because these people are disseminating false information to others in an effort to get them to sign the recall petitions.

Some members of Oro Valley Thrives (aka The Green Shirts) have posted false information on social media. Another “Green Shirt” wrote a scathing email to the mayor and council where she made numerous false accusations against Mayor Winfield and Vice-Mayor Barrett. While speaking at the podium at a recent council meeting, she admitted to (and apologized for) sending the email containing her “little tantrum.” I then submitted a public records request to view the email for myself.

I won’t publish the names of the offenders so as not to embarrass them. What’s important is what they have falsely asserted and the fact that they are representatives of Oro Valley Thrives.

Are the leaders of OV Thrives disseminating this false information to their members or are these members just making it up as they go along? Either way, it doesn’t reflect well on them.

The “little tantrum” email
Below are some of the false accusations in the email that was sent to the mayor and council regarding council discussions that took place at the October 16th meeting.

1. She accused Mayor Winfield of removing Councilmember Rodman from his role as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner. She was furious about this. She referred to Rodman as "one of the most brilliant leaders on the commission."

Fact: Rodman is not a P&Z Commissioner. He is the council liaison to the P&Z. She didn't understand the difference. Second, the mayor cannot make the liaison appointments. He can only make his suggestions for these appointments. It is then decided by a majority vote of the council.

2. After falsely accusing Mayor Winfield of removing Councilmember Rodman from P&Z, she claimed that he did this so that Winfield could stack the commission with people who would vote to close the golf courses.

Fact: P&Z Commissioners have no power to close the golf courses. P&Z is an advisory board only and the most they can do with any planning or zoning issue is to make a recommendation to the town council, but it is the town council who has the final say and they are not required to follow the recommendation of P&Z.

3. She accused Vice-Mayor Barrett of lying about Town Council Attorney Cohen’s advice to not discuss the proposed council liaison appointments in advance in order to avoid the possibility of an open meeting law violation. She tore into Barrett asserting that Barrett’s claim of Cohen giving her that advice “was outrageous” and she accused Barrett of throwing Attorney Cohen “under the bus.”

Fact: It was Mayor Winfield, not Barrett, who stated that Cohen advised him to not discuss the liaison appointments in advance of the council meeting. Additionally, Attorney Cohen confirmed that he did give that legal advice to Mayor Winfield “out of an abundance of caution.”

4. She also claimed that Mayor Winfield was “boldly calculated and disrespectful” in deciding the liaison appointments on his own. She claimed that she attended the Town Academy and that Town Manager, Mary Jacobs “precisely outlined the protocol for council and issues” and she came away from this class believing that the council liaison appointments should have been “put before the Town Manager for ultimate decision.”

Fact: Again, the mayor proposes the liaison appointments and the town council ratifies them. I doubt that Jacobs ever said that this was the Town Manager’s role. It’s more likely, given this woman’s difficulty in understanding town protocols, that she once again misunderstood the information that was presented to her.

I am seeing a pattern here of a very ill-informed person who thinks that she’s well-informed. Why is this a problem? If she is out collecting signatures for the recall or posting comments about town issues on social media, she will be disseminating false information to Oro Valley residents who might sign the recall petition based on that false information.

Councilmember Bill Rodman showed some integrity
Despite all the false claims and accusations that she made in her "tantrum" email to the council, Councilmember Rodman was the only one of the Hiremath Holdovers who wrote back to correct her errors, stating that he wanted “to be sure that the facts are portrayed accurately.”

Councilmembers Solomon and Pina remain silent
Although Solomon responded to her, he did not correct any of her false claims.  He simply said, "I share your concerns."   Pina did not respond at all.  By not correcting her, Solomon and Pina were allowing her to believe that all of her wild assertions were true. I guess when you don’t have any valid reasons for a recall, you have to allow people to believe in falsehoods and delusions in order to drum up enough signatures to get the recall on the ballot. Shame on Solomon and Pina for being accomplices in the propagation of this nonsense.

Part 2 will be published next Wednesday.
…
Diane Peters has lived in Oro Valley since 2003, moving here to escape the humidity of the East Coast. She’s been involved in OV politics and development issues since 2006. In 2014, she organized a citizens group, who over a 9-month period, successfully negotiated a controversial 200-acre development project. In her past life, she worked in medical research at various University Hospitals in New England. Her interests include reading, writing, nature photography, travel, art galleries, museums, and politics.

Arizona Daily Independent: "Recall Oro Valley"

Arizona Daily Independent Comic
The Arizona Daily Independent (ADI) published this "comic" last Sunday. In it, they picture Oro Valley's minority council members.

Source

We have previously reported Council Member Solomon's participation in the attempted recall of the town's Mayor and Vice Mayor.

We have no knowledge of any participation on the part of Council Members Rodman and Pina.

Or, perhaps, the ADI is suggesting that the entire town be recalled!!
---

"Mr. Mayor: Please Bang The Gavel!"

Minority members abuse Winfield
We received a vivid communication from one of our readers regarding the disrespectful behavior of minority council members toward Mayor Winfield. the reader is puzzled: Why doesn't Winfield call them to order?

You can watch the behavior on which the reader is commenting here. It happened at the last council meeting. We posted all 16 minutes of it.

We wonder: Is this is a unique perspective or something shared by many?
---
The email we received
"I was watching the council meeting Wednesday night from home as it was happening.  Again, Council Member Solomon kept taking over the role of mayor while Winfield just sat there and let him do it.  Winfield never calls a point of order. I watched Solomon, and Council Member's Rodman and Pina being completely disrespectful to him and making accusations while he just sat there.

Winfield lets them drone on and on and on instead of stopping them and telling them that they've made their point and we need to get on with the business of the meeting.

I was also annoyed when Pina accused Mayor Winfield of being disrespectful to the council.  What a hypocrite!  In her three years on council, when did she ever call out [former mayor] Hiremath or Solomon for being disrespectful to other council members?  Never!

This is why I won't go to council meetings.

I would be likely to stand up and yell...

"Oh for the love of god, would you bang the damn gavel and shut him up!!!"
---

Minority Rebukes Winfield Over Proposed Liaison Assignment Changes

Pina, Rodman, and Solomon hold sway
The Oro Valley Town Council did not approve a motion to change the council member liaison alignment to the town's volunteer boards at last week's council meeting. The vote was 3-3 vote (Joyce-Ivey absent),

At stake...
One of the boards, the Planning and Zoning Commission has four vacancies to fill in November. The council liaison is responsible for meeting with candidates and recommending people to fill the vacancies. Under Winfield's proposal, the new liaison would be Vice Mayor Barrett.  Council Member Rodman is the currently liaison and will remain such, unless a change is made at a future meeting.

Minority: "Winfield playing politics"
Pina, Rodman and Solomon claimed that Winfield was playing politics regarding the assignments.

First, Winfield's motion would have moved the annual appointment of liaisons from next January to this October, thus allowing Barrett to be responsible for the Planning and Zoning Commission appointments. Second, Winfield did not inform either Rodman or Solomon of his intent to change their liaison assignment.

Winfield claims that he did not do so on advice of Town Attorney Cohen because Winfield did not want to violate open meeting laws. On questioning, Town Attorney Cohen said that Winfield informing another council member of a motion is not an open meeting law violation. Council Member Pina, whose liaison relationships would not have changed under the proposal, said that Winfield had spoken to her of the "no change". When Winfield said he did not recall that conversation, Pina essentially said: "Lets not go there."

Goodwill among council members gone?
Rodman stated that he had had hopes that the council would act in a harmonious manner, given that they had come to an agreement on the "never-ending" golf situation. That agreement came earlier in the month when the council voted to make essentially only minor changes to the town's golf involvement. Any goodwill with the minority the Winfield had gained through that move, a move that fractured his political base, is apparently lost.

Minority Council Members Rebuke Winfield
Minority council members rebuked Winfield for the manner in which he handled this move and the alleged political nature of the move in remarks that accumulated to 16 minutes. We have included a video of these remarks. Not once did Winfield stop them from speaking, even though their criticism of his actions was not the subject of the motion. Winfield's response was that he wanted to do the reassignments now because he had recently retired and now has more time to devote to the Mayor's job.

"I think to sit here and say that it's ok to do this," noted Council Member Pina. "It's not ok."

Issue is likely to be revisited
The minority's victory is likely only temporary. Winfield can move a similar motion at the next meeting. It will likely pass if all members of the Winfield team are at the meeting.
---

Does the Town care about Town Policies?

Oro Valley has adopted 11 Town Policies (Policy 1 was rescinded in 2005) but one might wonder if anybody at the Town cares about them or is even aware of them. Examples of three of these policies being violated or ignored are discussed below.

Town Policy 2 ~ Council/Staff Relationships
“The Council should give instructions to the Town’s staff in a manner according to the principles of the council/manager system. For example, assignments should be directed to the Town Manager and should originate from a consensus directive of the Council, not with individual council members. Council members should contact staff directly ONLY when the purpose is to communicate information; e.g. to report conditions, describe a problem, or request information. Council members SHOULD NOT contact staff with special project requests or utilize large blocks of staff time in order to pursue individual areas of interest.”

Potential violation: According to the Executive Summary on the February 20th council agenda, the town’s Legal Services Director, at the request of council members Rodman and Pina, undertook a review of the Animal Control Ordinance. This appears to be a violation of Policy 2 since two council members do not represent a consensus (a minimum 4-3 vote of the council).

The Town’s Legal Director does not work for the Council, he works for the Town Manager. If the Executive Summary is correct, why didn’t the Legal Services Director refer Councilmembers Rodman and Pina to Policy 2?

Town Policy 6 ~ Unbudgeted Expenditures
“All requests for expenditures not budgeted for in the Town’s budget, shall be forwarded to the Town Manager. Upon review, the Town Manager will forward said request(s) to the Town Council for approval. It shall be the decision, by way of a majority vote of the council, to either approve or disapprove said requests for expenditures.”

Potential violation: A few months ago, Town Manager, Mary Jacobs, chose to extend the Troon contract an additional six months (from June 2019 to December 2019). This extension is not budgeted due to the fact that the current budget runs out on June 30, 2019. The policy mandates the Town Manager to take the unbudgeted request to the Council. To date this has not been accomplished. Is the current Council mandated to approve this 6-month extension of the Troon contract in the upcoming budget?

Town Policy 9 ~ Council Liaison to Amphitheater School District Governing Board
Among other things, “The Council Member Liaison will meet quarterly with the Town Manager, the Amphitheater School District Superintendent, and President of the Amphitheater Board to discuss subjects of mutual interest, such as establish Intergovernmental Agreements if needed; promote joint-use facilities when possible…”

With the recent failure of Prop 454 (the proposed property tax to fund improvements at Naranja Park), do you think the previous Council liaison (former Councilmember Mary Snider) ever met with the above individuals to discuss the possibility of utilizing Amphi playgrounds during the summer months to expand the town’s playgrounds availability?

Awareness is key
One would think that all new Council members would be briefed by staff as to the Council policies. However, after observing the Town Manager violation of Policy 6 and the possible Councilmember violation of Policy 2, one wonders if anyone in staff is even aware of these policies.

“Barking” Up The Wrong Tree?

On tonight’s Town Council Agenda (2/20/19) is a submission for a potential ordinance pertaining to excessive noise caused by animals (barking dogs) and birds. There will be a Public Hearing on amending the Town Code (Chapter 18, Articles 18-1 and 18-8, Excessive Noise caused by animals or birds).

The Executive Summary for this agenda item states:
“At the request of Councilmembers Piña and Rodman, the Legal Services Department undertook a review of the Town's Animal Control Code, specifically, relating to the article addressing excessive noise caused by animals and birds.

Excessive noise caused by animals or birds can be very disruptive to the peace and health of the Town’s residents. As such, the Town has a compelling interest in controlling such noise. In order to provide effective enforcement of the excessive noise section of this code, it is necessary to further amend the code to further define excessive noise by animals as well as the punishment for violating this section of the code. It is further necessary to add a section outlining the legal process which addresses enforcement of this updated code.”

The Town already has Noise and Nuisance Ordinances

Town Code 10-1 – Miscellaneous Offenses

Article 10-1-4: Noise – No person shall negligently make, cause, or permit unreasonable noise.

Article 10-1-5: Nuisances – It is unlawful for any person to maintain a public nuisance… anything which interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an entire community or neighborhood or by any considerable number of persons…

Town Code 18 – Article 18-8: Excessive noise caused by animals or birds

Article 18-8-1: Civil Infraction - It is a civil infraction for anyone to own, possess, harbor and/or control any animal or bird which frequently or for continuous duration howls, barks, meows, squawks, or makes other sounds, if they are clearly audible sounds beyond the property line of the property on which they are conducted and they disturb the public peace, quiet, or comfort of the neighboring inhabitants.

LOVE wonders why we need a new ordinance or an amended ordinance if the above ordinances were already being enforced…or were they? And if they weren’t, will a new or amended ordinance make any difference?

Councilmembers Pina and Rodman may have violated Council Policy #2
Council members are not allowed to issue directives to a staff member, however, according to the Executive Summary (above) it was Councilmembers Pina and Rodman who asked the Legal Department to review the Town’s Animal Control Code.

The possible violation of this council policy (and others) will be discussed in a separate article that will be published tomorrow.
---

Town Council: New and Old Go "Toe To Toe"

11 new faces on 5 Oro Valley commissions
The Oro Valley Town Council appointed 11 new members to five of its boards and commissions at last week's town council meeting. This represents a sea change by bringing fresh insight and energy from Oro Valley's citizen involved community to town affairs.

Favoritism no more
This contrasts sharply with the Hiremath years. During those years, the town eliminated the Art Review Board, The Conceptual Design Review Board, and the Bond and Finance Commission. These totaled "...19 citizens that were removed from being involved in our community," according to Mayor Winfield, in his remarks during last week's council meeting.  In addition, that council eliminated term limits on boards and commissions, assuring virtual life-long appointments for those who were favored by them.

December council decision reinstated commission term limits
Mayor Winfield observed that the decision to return to board and commission term limits at the December 5 council meeting was a return to a policy that had been successful prior to the Hiremath council changing it.

"The intent of restoring term limits was to open the door to citizen involvement." In just one month, the policy change has increased citizen interest in serving on boards and commissions: 42 applications for 13 positions.  This is a marked increase over recent past years when people were discourage from applying to a board or commission because they knew that close allegiance to the Majority-4 was a requirement and because many of those serving were reappointed.

One year too many
At the meeting, Vice Mayor Barrett, in the spirit of increasing community involvement in town affairs, recommended a new member for Planning and Zoning Commission, rather than reappointing Commissioner Hitt to a sixth year of service. She felt that this is far too long given an objective of increasing community involvement in town affairs.

Rodman: We met the goal of increasing involvement 
Council Member Rodman, the liaison to the commission, responded. He and town planner Bayer Vella had selected Hitt for reappointment on the basis that he is experienced.  Rodman felt that the three new appointees to the commission reflected the demographics of the community and added diversity to the commission. "We recommended two women to be on the commission, who are also family demographic." He also felt that Hitt's reappointed reflected the "...younger family demographic."

Rodman asserted that, Hitt, a former Pima County Planner, brings experience to the board that is lacking in the three new appointed members. In addition, he pointed out that the two remaining members, both of whom are experienced, will be "turned out at the end of the year."

Rodman: Term limits should not work against experience 
Rather than focusing on this specific appointment, Rodman then revisited the December 5 decision on term limits.

"To me, I'm disappointed" that people can not serve beyond their current term, even though they are qualified. "That does not make sense for the future of the town. Our job was to select the most qualified candidates. Our job was not to worry about politics and political promises."

Rodman and Pina supported reappointment
Council Member Solomon, speaking in what appeared to be a prepared remark, proffered his support of reappointing Hitt. Tomorrow we will report Solomon's comments since they became noteworthy because of their accusatory nature.

"It's really hard for me to understand how we can bring on three new people and not allow one experienced person stay on board to help them get up to speed," Council Member Pina noted. Pena was not correct in this statement because there are two members continuing on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Thus, they can help the new members.

Winfield: 18 new faces "I have great confidence in."
Mayor Winfield observed that tonight's appointment of 11 new commission members, the future appointment of five people to the budget and finance commission, plus the future appointment of two vacant seats on the Historical Preservation Commission will bring total number of new citizen involvement to 18 people! "These are people that I have great confidence in."

The council approved the proposed board and commission members on a 4-3 vote. Pina, Rodman and Solomon stated that they approved of all the appointments. However, they voted no to express displeasure that Hitt was not reappointed.

You can watch the council discussion via this link.

Guest View: Mike Zinkin ~ Surprise! The 5-year plan is now a 6-year plan.

The June 28, 2017 edition of the Explorer reported on the recent Council decision allowing another $350,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Community and Recreation Center Fund (CRC). Of note is that $120,000 of this money will be utilized to pay back the Council’s obligation to repay $120,000 per year back to the General Fund to refund the $1.2 million that they withdrew in 2015 to initiate the CRC Fund.

The Shell Game
So, in essence, the Council took another $350,000 from the General Fund in order to pay back $120,000 to the same fund. This is a prime example of a government shell game.

The article goes on to say that the reason the Council did not pay back the $120,000 last year was because of "poorer than expected performance.” We had poorer than expected performance again this year as well, which is why the only way they could make this year’s payment was to move some shells around.

Mayor Hiremath had no problem with the additional funds being withdrawn from the General Fund, despite asserting on multiple occasions that the CRC Fund (funded with the increased sales tax generating $2 million per year) would pay for all Community Center expenses (golf, tennis, swimming, food and beverage).

June 2017 ~ Hiremath changes his story

"I have stated publicly time and time again, that this is a six year process. It's like buying a fixer-upper house, we’re not going to break even within the first, second, third, fourth, or even fifth year. I think that the story here is that we are holding true.”

(Six years from the Community Center’s inception in May 2015 would take us to May 2021 before he expects to make a profit).

Au contraire
Since 2014, “Hiremath and Associates” have been telling us repeatedly that this is a 5-year plan. In fact, during the December 17, 2014 council meeting, the night that the Town Council voted to acquire the El Con property, Mayor Hiremath said:

“We’re telling you that in the first two years, we’re going to lose major money, but by Year-3 and Year-4…In year 4 and 5 and 6, are we going to project a profit? You’re darn right, we are.”

So in 2014, he clearly stated that they wouldn’t be losing money by years 3 and 4 and they expected a profit in years 4, 5, and 6. In 2017, seeing that we’re still losing money, he now admits that we’re not going to break even in the 4th or even the 5th year and he now wants us to believe that this has always been a 6-year plan.

The Majority-4 Battle Cry
LOVE readers will also remember the multitude of times in 2015-2016 that Councilmembers Zinkin, Garner, and Burns tried to discuss options for dealing with the dismal Community Center financials, only to be dismissed every time with the Majority-4 battle cry, “This is a 5-year plan.”

Pina-Rodman-Solomon never mentioned a 6-year plan
During the 2016 Town Council Election, then-challengers and current council members, Rhonda Pina, Bill Rodman, and Steve Solomon were also peddling the 5-year or less plan.

PINA: “I think the year that we’ve had (2015-2016) was a little volatile. Let’s give it another year and maybe another year after that.” (So Pina’s cut off point would be 3 years / 2018).

RODMAN: "Initially it was a 5-year plan and it wasn't intended to make money during that period of time, so all of this uproar about trying to make a decision now is probably premature."

SOLOMON: “For a project of this size, I would give it 5 years and I would really start giving it a close look in years 3, 4, and 5.”

How’s this for a close look?
Including all the revenues from the increased sales tax and the withdrawals from the General Fund, so far this investment has cost the Citizens of Oro Valley over $6.8 million. And what do we have to show for it? A 1980’s building that is still not ADA compliant, two golf courses closed for the summer, and a restaurant that is on track to lose another $100,000 this fiscal year (July 2016 through June 2017).

If Humberto Lopez believed that he had a money-maker in a run-down building and three golf courses, he never would have unloaded them on the Town.

Hiremath....you and your cohorts on Council were duped and the citizens of Oro Valley are paying the price.

Mike Zinkin has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge. He was a commissioned ensign in the United States Navy Reserve in 1969. He worked as an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. He and his wife moved to Oro Valley after retiring in 1998. Mike served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009, the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012, and the Town Council from 2012-2016. During his time on council, he was named as one of 23 Leadership Fellows for the National League of Cities University, he was a member of the National League of Cities Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development, and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee.