Bits and Pieces

Town preparing for Pusch Ridge Golf decision

In 2021, the town council approved reopening and operating the Pusch Ridge Golf Course for a duration of three years. The conclusion of this three-year period will coincide with the end of spring, marking the point at which the town council will determine its ongoing commitment to operating the course. Earlier this month, town staff conducted a site visit earlier this month. Council members are scheduled to visit the course later this month, and town staff is diligently preparing a comprehensive analysis of the course, slated to be presented to the council in January.

The group Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf (FOPRG) is working with the town, focusing on the future: “The answer should not be whether or not to keep it open but instead what actions need to be taken to make it more environmentally sustainable. It is popular, it serves the community and it is costing the town less to operate than most other recreational assets.” (Sources: Email from Tony D’Angelo, representing FOPRG and Newsletter)

Getting a complete look at what it costs to operate the community center

During last week's town council meeting, Council Member Tim Bohen noted aa discrepancy in accounting related to the operational expenses of running the community center. Bohen highlighted the issue concerning the community center saunas, which have been non-functional for a considerable period. They require new heaters and some electrical repairs. Town is requesting that these replacements be included in the capital budget so that they can be paid from the capital fund, and not from the community center fund.

Bohen is right. As replacing a heater constitutes the substitution of an existing item, it does not qualify as a capital expenditure. The repair costs should be covered by the ongoing revenues of the community center fund and not the town’s capital fund.

Town Council should require that community center financial reports include all expenses, regardless of the fund from which they are paid. This approach would provide a more accurate representation of the true cost of operating the community center.

Barrett Reappointed Vice Mayor 

Congratulations to Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett.  Last week, the Town Council unanimously appointed her as Vice Mayor. This is Barretts fifth year of service in that role.

Liaison assignments unchanged for 2024

Each town council member is assigned a liaison assignment to one of the town volunteer boards and/or to an outside agency. The council approved the following assignments for 2024. These are unchanged from 2023.  

Garcia case being prosecuted by the City of Tucson

In October, the town "transferred" the prosecution of the case of the Town of Oro Valley v Sabrina Garcia to the City of Tucson. The town believes that this transfer prevented a potential conflict of interest with three claims that against the town that total $89.6 million.

The court case and the lawsuit stem from the March 17 vehicular homicide of Olivia Villalobos and the severe injury to her sister near the entrance of Naranja Park.  Garcia is charged with two counts under section 28-672A (M1): Accident that results in a death and accident that results in serious injury. The case is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in Tucson City Court on January 12 at 9am in Judge Verenna's courtroom 9 (case: M1041TR23040476 ).  

Candidate Handbooks available for August council election

Curious about joining the town council? Three seats are up for grabs in this August's election. To secure a spot on the ballot, you must obtain a candidate handbook and gather a minimum of 430 signatures from residents. Schedule an appointment to collect the candidate handbook by reaching out to the Town Clerk at mstandish@orovalleyaz.gov or calling 520-229-4700. Nomination papers can be submitted by candidates starting from 8 a.m. on March 9, 2024, until 5 p.m. on April 8, 2024. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Town to recertify 100 year DAWS designation

Last week, the town council, authorized Oro Valley Water Director Peter Abraham to seek a recertification of the town's state 100-year designated assured water supply (DAWS).  "...the designation needs to be reviewed and an application submitted to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to modify the designation every 10-years. During this process the demands on the aquifer over the past 10-years is quantified and a report submitted to ADWR demonstrating that the designation of assured water supply can be modified to provide another 100-years of assured water supply. This only applies to groundwater use." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Council Meeting, 12-6-23, Consent Agenda Item 3). The town currently has this DAWS designation.

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Some Thoughts Until September

Here’s what to look for this summer
Every other year LOVE takes a summer break. It happens when there is no town election. Fortunately, this year, there is none….though we do expect a “doozy” next year as there will be three council seats up for election.

While we are away, however, we continue to follow Oro Valley happenings.We will do that again this year. We will report events to you when we return in September. We do have a list of  things to keep an eye on while we’re away. 

Here are some of the things we expect to be reporting about in September

Making the Naranja Park entrance pedestrian safe now

This is our number 1 priority. The current pedestrian situation is completely unacceptable. The town has said that they are planning to do some things. We figure that they should have done a lot by September 12, our return date.

Any decision the council made regarding plans for the Vistoso TrailsNature Preserve

The town has completed a Master Plan study on to build the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. At one point, the study’s findings became so challenging that the lead outside consultant on the project quit. To many residents in the area, the final plan, which will be reviewed with council, is too elaborate and far more invasive to life for those who live around the golf course.

Jeff Wilkins

Jeff Wilkins will have completed his first quarter as Oro Valley Town Manager. We wil (try to) interview Wilkins to report his first impressions of our town.

Outrageous Giveaway 2

The Council may consider yet another investment in the Oro Valley Marketplace (aka Oro Valley Village Center). This one for about $12 million. They are under no obligation to do so; but town staff has been in negotiations with the developer and center owner Town West for 18 months to do just that. It will be very interesting to see how Council handles this.
 

The “Big Sports Complex” Affair

Then, of course, there is the matter of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) wanting to obliterate the lifestyle of those who live in the “Original Oro Valley.” The project is a major sports complex at their Concordia/Buena Vista location. It requires council approval of zoning changes to make this a reality. We don’t know when the next hearing is on this; but it is a huge problem for those who need to protect the lovely lifestyle that area affords.

The Oro Valley Housing Survey

Town staff has completed a survey of town housing needs. Many believe that the survey questions biased responses to favor more apartments…more congestion in Oro Valley… a more “balanced”community.  Regardless, the allure of federal funds that will become available to the town as it grows to subsidize low income housing will become very alluring. You ought to be concerned if you want Oro Valley to remain a single family residential community. As one resident wrote: “Federal funds may dictate “Section 8” to achieve the - financially attainable housing - which is not a fit for this community.” Beware: That from which you wanted to escape by moving to Oro Valley may follow you here.

Use of potable water on town owned parks and the Pusch Ridge Golf Course

The town continues to use potable water for irrigation at Riverfront and Kreigh Parks, at the Pusch Ridge Golf Course, and in serving CDO high school. Reclaimed water would be a better solution. We think, but we don’t know, that the cost of bringing reclaimed water to these facilities is prohibitive. The town has discussed further treating the reclaimed water, purifying it, and inserting it into the potable water supply. It’s all talk at this point but something does need to be done.

We will also keep an eye on other things like

…the July court appearance of Sabrina Garcia, the person who was driving the car that killed a teenager and her half sister on St. Patrick’s Day. It happened near the entrance to Naranja Park…thus, our obsession with getting the town to do something to improve pedestrian safety now.

Meanwhile, enjoy your summer.

We certainly do plan to do so

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