Scottsdale Update Newsletter, July 28

Thursday, July 28

Headlines

City will not hold a primary election Aug. 30, but will serve as early voting location

Focus on safety as students head back to school

Update on major General Plan amendment cases, process and timeline

False alarms cost money

 

Events

Library hosts local version of ComiCom

Hula to the Safety Luau Aug. 6

Check out these ongoing activities and events

 

For Your Information

Haul your haul to the landfill

Scottsdale Police Department racks up another first

CVB visitor center moving to Fashion Square; corporate office staying put

City needs downtown ambassadors

 

Programs & Services

New and improved water conservation rebates available

Dispose of your brush and bulk

 

Headlines

City will not hold a primary election Aug. 30, but will serve as early voting location 

While Scottsdale will not hold an Aug. 30 primary election, we will still host early voting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, through Friday, Aug. 26, at Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Only two candidates filed to run for mayor and four filed to run for three City Council seats by the June 1 deadline, making a Scottsdale primary election unnecessary. The general election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 8. Incumbent Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane will face former City Councilmember 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. The proposed amendment corrects outdated charter language to accurately reflect that:

  • The city’s primary and general elections are held concurrently with the state’s primary and general elections in conformance with state law
  • The terms for the mayor and City Council members begin on the first regular meeting in January of the year following their election

Many Scottsdale residents receive early ballots – more than 100,000. But last election fewer than 30,000 were actually voted and returned (about 31 percent). Avoid long lines on Election Day and return your postage-paid early ballot. Find more information about Scottsdale’s 2016 election, including links to voter registration and early ballot requests at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “elections.

 

Focus on safety as students head back to school

Most Scottsdale schools start Monday, Aug. 8, and that means more cars, bicyclists and pedestrians will be on the streets. Remember, it’s everyone’s responsibility to know the rules of the road whether you’re walking, bicycling or driving. Watch a video on school zone safety tips by going to YouTube.com, search “school safety zone.”

 

Update on major General Plan amendment cases, process and timeline

State Statute requires all major General Plan amendments be presented at one City Council hearing per calendar year – the same calendar year in which they are initiated. There are two major General Plan amendment requests this year. Amended requests:

  • Desert Mountain Parcel 19 (5-GP-2016): This is a request by the applicant to change the land use designation from Employment, Office, Commercial, Developed Open Space, and Rural Neighborhoods to Suburban Neighborhoods and Developed Open Space (Golf Course) on about 93 acres near the northeast corner of Cave Creek and Pima roads. The applicant is also requesting a rezoning in order to develop a 190-unit single family residential community with an integrated, 18-hole short game (par-3) golf course and clubhouse. Learn more by reading the Case File Sheet.
  • Scottsdale General Plan 2035 (Case 6-GP-2016): Public meetings begin in August on Scottsdale General Plan 2035. State law requires Scottsdale to update its General Plan every 10 years. The plan is the primary tool for guiding future development and the character of the city over the next 20 years.

A citizen Task Force completed the draft General Plan 2035 in November 2014. The city is launching a six-month outreach effort about it. Public meetings include a City Council study session Tuesday, Aug. 30, to discuss community-suggested changes to the draft plan. Three open houses also are planned in September for further community review and input. The Planning Commission will hold public hearings in October, and a City Council hearing regarding adoption of the plan could take place in December.

If adopted by the City Council, General Plan 2035 would be sent to the voters for ratification in 2017 or 2018 per Council direction. The public can review the draft plan and submit feedback at General Plan 2035. Learn more about the plan and upcoming public meetings on the Case Info Sheet. For more information, contact Project Coordination Liaison Sara Javoronok at 480-312-7918 or sjavoronok@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.

 

False alarms cost money

There were more than 15,000 security and fire alarm calls in Scottsdale last year — and two of every three were false alarms. If you have a home or business alarm system, be sure that you know your codes, practice using the system, check batteries and ensure that pets and other things don’t trigger your alarm. All alarm system owners in Scottsdale must obtain a city permit within seven days of activating the system. False alarm calls where a permit is not in place are subject to a $50 fee per activation. Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “alarm permit”  to get a permit application.

Events

Library hosts local version of ComiCom

You’ve heard of ComiCom … now comes LibCom! Civic Center Library is hosting a local version of ComiCom from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. The event, for those 10 to 18, celebrates Manga, comics, cosplay and all things geeky! Events include cosplayer demos, face painting, caricature drawings, airbrush demos and more. Raising Cane’s is providing snacks. The library is at 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Get details at 480-312-READ (7323).

 

Hula to the Safety Luau Aug. 6

Help celebrate water safety and keep our children safe around water. Attend the annual Safety Luau from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug.6, at Eldorado Aquatic Center, 2301 N. Miller Road. This event features fun games and activities for the whole family, plus a mock rescue demonstration with the Scottsdale Fire Department. We’ll close the night with live hula and fire dancers. Regular pool admission fees apply. For more information, call 480-312-2484.

 

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.
  • 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.
  • 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

Haul your haul to the landfill

Through the city’s contract with the Salt River Landfill, residential solid waste customers may haul up to 2,000 pounds of trash, brush or bulk items to the landfill once a week. Those wanting to use the service must present the original top portion of a current city utility bill showing residential solid waste collection charges. E-billing customers must contact Utility Billing at 480-312-2400 or Solid Waste at 480-312-5600 in advance – a printout of the online statement will not be accepted at the landfill. For more information on this service, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “resident landfill program.”

 

Scottsdale Police Department racks up another first!

Meet Hannah, the Scottsdale Police Department’s first and only female K-9. She’s a 3 ½ year old Belgian Malinois who is partnered with the new K-9 sergeant and handler Nate Mullins. Mullins and Hannah are patrol-ready and eager to serve our community. Meet Hannah at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “K-9.”

 

CVB visitor center moving to Fashion Square; corporate office staying put

The Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau’s visitor center is moving to Scottsdale Fashion Square, but its corporate offices are staying put in the Galleria Corporate Centre. The Scottsdale Tourist Information Center will be the bureau’s primary visitor center, open year-round, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Contact the bureau at ExperienceScottsdale.com for more information.

 

City needs downtown ambassadors

Are you people oriented? Excited about Downtown Scottsdale? Then consider volunteering as a Downtown Scottsdale ambassador. Ambassadors are asked to fulfill three-one hour shifts at one of our information sidewalk carts, assist in keeping our information carts or help out tourists at some of our downtown events. For more information on how you can get involved, call 480-312-2342 or email jracine@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. Fill out an application online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “ambassador.”

Programs & Services

New and improved water conservation rebates available

Scottsdale Water has new rebate incentives to help residents and businesses reduce indoor and outdoor water use, decrease salinity in our wastewater and save money. Rebates include replacing toilets, urinals, showerheads and irrigation controllers, plus removing grass, pools and water softeners. Applications and requirements are available at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “rebates.” For more information, email WaterConservation@ScottsdaleAZ.gov or call 480-312-5650.

 

Dispose of your brush and bulk

The city provides monthly brush and bulk item collection offering residents a convenient way to dispose of items too large for refuse containers. Place brush and bulk items out for pickup by 5 a.m. Monday the week of scheduled service. Here’s when we’ll be in your neighborhood:

  • Service Area #1 – Thunderbird Road to Indian Bend Road, east of the 101 Freeway; and Dynamite Boulevard to northern city limits: Weeks of Aug. 1 & 29.
  • Service Area #2 – Bell Road to Indian Bend Road, west of the 101 Freeway; and Dynamite Boulevard to Happy Valley Road: Week of Aug. 8.
  • Service Area #3 – Indian Bend Road to Thomas Road; and Happy Valley Road to Pinnacle Peak Road: Week of Aug. 15.
  • Service Area #4 – Thomas Road to McKellips Road; and Pinnacle Peak Road to Thunderbird Road (including McDowell Mountain Ranch): Week of Aug. 22.

Learn more at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “brush and bulk collection.”

Get a complete list of Scottsdale events and public meetings. Get Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts events or call 480-499-TKTS (8537). Get Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art events or call 480-874-4666. Get Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West events or call 480-686-9539. Reach Scottsdale Update by emailing Jan Horne or call 480-312-2636.

 

Author: Les Conklin

Les Conklin is a resident of north Scottsdale He founded Friends of the Scenic Drive, the Monte de Paz HOA and is the president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. He was named to Scottsdale's History Maker Hall of Fame in 2014. Les is a past editor of A Peek at the Peak and the author of Images of America: Pinnacle Peak. He served on the Scottsdale's Pride Commission, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, the boards of several local nonprofits and was a founding organizer of the city's Adopt-A-Road Program.. Les is a volunteer guide at the Musical Instrument Museum.

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