City of Scottsdale Update Newsletter, June 2

Thursday, June 2

Headlines

Scottsdale elections will wait until November

Council to interview three finalists for city manager

City reminds hikers to bring maps, water and phones

Scottsdale’s turning 65; help us celebrate

Events

Attend “Connect the Tech” Speaker Series presentation Wednesday

Develop your imagination with library Legos Builder programs

Melt into Mighty Mud Mania June 11

Check out these ongoing activities and events

For Your Information

Back to School program needs your donations

June watering tips

Fight the bite . . . from mosquitoes

Get the latest City Council meeting agenda

Programs & Services

Adaptive Services “Bake and Take” classes run June 3, 17 and 24

Keep your kids active and engaged at summer camp, June 6-July 29

Dispose of your brush and bulk

Headlines

Scottsdale elections will wait until November

There will not be an August primary election in Scottsdale. Two candidates filed to run for mayor and four filed to run for three Scottsdale City Council seats by the June 1 deadline, making a primary election scheduled Aug. 30 unnecessary. An item will appear on the June 7 Scottsdale City Council agenda canceling the Aug. 30 primary election and calling a special election to run concurrently with the statewide general election Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Incumbent Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane will face former City Council member Bob Littlefield in the mayor’s race. Four candidates, incumbents Suzanne Klapp, Virginia Korte and Guy Phillips, and resident Dan Schweiker, will run for three seats on the City Council. In addition to the mayor and City Council races, Scottsdale voters will decide a proposed amendment to the City Charter at the Nov. 8 election. The proposed charter amendment would:

·         Clarify that the city’s primary and general elections are held concurrently with the state’s primary and general elections in conformance with state law

·         Clarify that the terms for the mayor and City Council members begin on the first regular meeting in January of the year following their election

Get more election and candidate information at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “elections.”

Council to interview three finalists for city manager

Three candidates for Scottsdale city manager have emerged from a nationwide recruitment that attracted 55 applicants. The finalists are Jim Colson, city manager, city of Topeka, Kansas; Jeffery M. Nichols, city treasurer/chief financial officer; city of Scottsdale; and Orlando L. Sanchez, deputy city manager, city of Las Vegas, Nevada. As part of the selection process, the City Council will host a special public meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 16, in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Each candidate will make a brief presentation and answer questions. The council may extend a job offer to its top choice at that time. Learn more about the candidates at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “city manager search.”

City reminds hikers to bring maps, water and phones

As temperatures rise so does the threat of wildland fires. The city reminds hikers to take precautions and be properly prepared. Bring water, phones and a trail map. You’ll also need to know the easiest and safest route out should a fire occur. Preserve maps are available at the trailheads and at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “preserve.”

Scottsdale’s turning 65; help us celebrate

We’re turning 65. Celebrate this milestone at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, at the Granite Reef Senior Center. The free festivities include a presentation by local historian Joan Fudala and birthday cake. The center is at 1700 N. Granite Reef Road.

Events

Attend “Connect the Tech” Speaker Series presentation Wednesday

The season’s final “Connect the Tech” event will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 6. Wasabi Ventures Managing Partner Jeff Abbott will talk about early stage startups and access to funding. The free program will be in the Civic Center Library’s Eureka Loft, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Register at ChooseScottsdale.com, search “Connect the Tech.”

Develop your imagination with library Legos Builder programs

Use your imagination and create great Lego things with others. This program, for kids 5 and older, runs various days and times from June 8-23, at our four library locations. Learn more at ScottsdaleLibrary.org or by calling 480-312-READ (7323).

Melt into Mighty Mud Mania June 11

Who’s getting muddy? Scottsdale, that’s who! Come sling mud at this year’s Mighty Mud Mania from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road. This free event offers muddy obstacles for people of all ages and ability levels. We even offer non-muddy activities for those who prefer not to get messy. The Original Mud course, Mini Mud, Mud Nursery, Mudville, Extreme Course, and Inflatable Slide Arena are all part of the fun. Get all the dirty details at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Mighty Mud Mania.”

Check out these ongoing activities and events:

• ArtWalk – Visit many of the roughly 70 art galleries in Downtown Scottsdale, 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, year ’round, Scottsdale Arts District.
• Old Town Farmers Market – 7 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, through June, Brown Avenue and First Street.
• 365 Live – Live and local performers take to the streets of Downtown Scottsdale 365 times throughout the year, bringing an exciting new energy to the heart of the city. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 480-980-6202.
• Summer concert series – 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays through July 3, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Free.
• Free Downtown Trolley – New & improved service! Runs every 10 minutes from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
• Downtown Cultural Trolley Tours – 10:30 a.m. second Saturday of the month, Old Adobe Mission, Downtown Scottsdale. 480-634-6850. Free.
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Hikes and educational programs – ongoing.
• WestWorld hosts various horse shows and other events.
• See more on the events by visiting the city’s Event Calendar.

For Your Information

Back to School program needs your donations

Your donations are needed to support Vista del Camino’s 2016 Back-to-School program. This year’s goal is to provide 800 students with clothes and supplies to help them successfully start back to school. Kids need new clothing, socks, underwear, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. Donations are due by Friday, July 15. Learn how you can donate items or money at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Vista.”

June watering tips

June is typically the Valley’s driest month, which means your landscape’s watering needs will increase. Here are a few tips to help keep your landscape looking good this summer, all while conserving water:

·         Hand-water dry spots rather than increasing irrigation run times.

·         Use a timer as a reminder to turn off the hose.

·         Mow Bermuda grass to a height between 1½ to 2 inches to reduce water loss.

·         Add a few inches of mulch under plants and in flower beds to minimize weeds and evaporation.

More landscape tips are available at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “water use.”

Fight the bite . . . from mosquitoes

While we haven’t had much rain this year, we’re still seeing plenty of pesky mosquitoes. You can help eliminate and prevent mosquitoes from breeding by following these simple tips:

·         Drain animal watering troughs, bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly.

·         Drain standing water from buckets and other containers that can collect water.

·         Repair water leaks, sprinkler systems or coolers that cause water to pond.

·         Remove vegetation and floating debris in and around ponds and stagnant swimming pools to limit breeding potential.

·         Fill in low spots in your yard.

·         Control the irrigation in your yard or pastures.

Maricopa County Vector Control is responsible for investigating mosquito complaints. Get more tips and a mosquito fogging schedule by going to Maricopa.Gov, search “mosquito.”

Get the latest City Council meeting agenda

Get City Council meeting agendas at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “council meeting agendas.”

Programs & Services

Adaptive Services “Bake and Take” classes run June 3, 17 and 24

Adaptive Services offers free “Bake and Take” classes for those with disabilities 16 and older. Enjoy creating “ooey-gooey” cookies, hand churned ice cream, deep dish dessert pizzas and other scrumptious treats. The classes are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays, June 3, 17 and 24, at the Adaptive Services Center, 8102 E. Jackrabbit Road. For additional information, contact Deanna Zuppan at 480-312-2204 or DZuppan@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.

Keep your kids active and engaged at summer camp, June 6-July 29

Scottsdale Parks and Recreation is offering youth summer camps June 6-July 29 for those in first through eighth grades. Kids will participate in sports, fitness competitions, science experiments, craft projects, arts, special events, excursions and more. Find more information on locations, times, fees and registration at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “recreation classes.”