Regional News
Bullhead City | Mohave Valley
BCSD to discuss capital projects
Daily News
BULLHEAD CITY — The Bullhead City School District Governing Board will discuss capital improvement projects during a 5:30 p.m. workshop today at the board office.
The workshop will be followed by a regular meeting — moved to today because of scheduling conflicts from the original June 9 date.
The regular meeting, at 6 p.m., and workshop both will be held at the board office, 1004 Hancock Road. Both meetings are open to the public and will be streamed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Z5lv4zvR-Vo.
Among capital projects expected to be discussed during the workshop are sewer replacement at Bullhead city Middle School, entrance reconfiguration and Diamondback Elementary, handicapped access to the main office at Fox Creek Junior High, improvements at district transportation facilities, upgrading or replacing air-conditioning systems are several district campuses and engineering work for the District Employee Neighborhood housing project.
Two items — the sewer project at Bullhead City Middle School and improvements to the transportation building — also are on the regular agenda as action items requiring board approval.
Both projects, if approved, would be funded by the district’s unrestricted capital fund.
Council to discuss short-term rentals
Daily News
BULLHEAD CITY — The Bullhead City Council will be holding a special meeting today to discuss short-term rentals, specifically reviewing another Arizona city’s decision to tighten its short-term rentals regulations earlier last month.
Vacation rentals have always been present in towns along the Colorado River, but short-term rentals have exploded in popularity in recent years through online companies such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
A common complaint about short-term rentals are noisy visitors who bring parties to otherwise quiet neighborhoods.
Listed on the council’s agenda is a review of Scottsdale’s vacation rental policy.
Scottsdale has been working to tighten short-term rental regulations since 2019 and updated its ordinances in December.
Currently, Scottsdale requires short-term rental property owners to register with the city, fines the owners of properties where disruptive parties are hosted and requires owners to respond to an emergency on the property within an hour of notification.
Residents can report unregistered short term rentals through on online portal.
The City of Glendale passed similar ordinances last month that require registration and fine homeowners whose short-term guests cause nuisances.
In January, City Manager Toby Cotter said that although short-term rentals are becoming a problem in Sedona and Lake Havasu City, they had not yet become an issue for Bullhead City.
However, he acknowledged the city has “very few tools” to handle these types of issues if they arise.
No legal action will be taken during the special meeting.
Following the special meeting, City Council will hold its regular meeting.
On the regular meeting agenda is the renaming of the Celebration, the former flagship of Laughlin River Tours, which was donated to the city by Brea and Trevor Chiodini.
As a stipulation of the donation, the city must rename the boat.
The city has been soliciting new names from the public through an online form, garnering about 240 responses.
Of those 240, 30 were disqualified because of copy infringements, including “Celebration” in the new name or being inappropriate for the public.
The most popular name on the final list is Bullhead Belle (or a variation thereof) with 11 total suggestions.
The former Celebration will be dry-docked at Bullhead Community Park.
Other items on the agenda include:
• Approval of a construction contract with T. R. Orr Inc. of Kingman for a new restroom in Rotary Park for $124,375.
• Approval of a construction contract with Kay Constructors LLC of Goodyear to rehabilitate the wet wells at Lift Station 2 for $1,389,806.
• Renewal of the city’s senior meals for Senior Nutrition Programs agreement with Western Arizona Regional Medical Center.
• Approval of an updated version of the city’s Title VI Implementation Plan relating to transit/transportation service delivery and related activities, consisting of minor changes requested by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
• Adoption of the tentative budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
City Council will hold the special meeting at 4 p.m. today followed by the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Blvd.
The meeting will be livestreamed at https://www.bullheadcity.com/government/departments/city-clerk/agendas-videos/agendas-videos-city-council.
Central Arizona
Payson schools look to toughen security
Payson schools have a wish list of security changes, but not enough money to fund even some of the most obvious changes.
The mass shooting in an elementary school in Texas that killed 19 students and two teachers recently prompted officials to take a look at school security. Already, the Payson town government has offered to help pay for improvements.
“It hit us all hard,” said Superintendent Linda Gibson of the details of the shooting at Uvalde school district. “What drives someone to do this? It’s so disturbing.”
The shootings came just days before the drive-thru eighth grade promotion event at the Rim Country Middle School and the Payson High School graduation. Tensions spiked during the graduation ceremony when a series of fireworks from a neighboring home were set off.
Payson Mayor Tom Morrissey last Friday put out a press release pledging the town’s help in securing the four school campuses in town. Payson Police already provides two armed school resource officers, thanks to a state safety grant that pays the officers’ salaries. One officer is based at Payson High School and a second splits his time between Rim Country Middle School and Julia Randall Elementary School.
Sgt. Jason Hazelo and Gibson spoke early Wednesday morning regarding extra patrols and police presence for the rest of the week’s events.
The district has informally studied security improvements, but even the most basic changes would cost about $1 million, said Gibson. Several years ago, an architectural consultant made a rough list of useful security changes — but never developed detailed cost estimates or consulted law enforcement or security firms.
“Things that we’ve never had to do in the past are going to become routine,” said Gibson, like rigorously locking doors all over campus and patrolling entrances to campuses.
“We want to tighten up security — that’s a given. But when we do, it poses potential problems in other areas.”
Nationally, the succession of mass shooting incidents on school campuses has prompted state and local governments to spend millions on security upgrades. Studies have suggested that such upgrades have not prevented a steady rise in the number of shootings — although some studies suggest they may have foiled some efforts that never made headlines. The number of guns in circulation — including assault rifles with high-capacity magazines — has expanded much faster in the past 20 years than school security measures. Mass shootings remain vanishingly rare in most other nations.
Robb Elementary School in Texas had invested in many of those measures. The 4,000-student district had a six-man armed police force. The district had programs to reduce bullying, identify troubled students, improve communications with the police department, lock doors and secure campus perimeters. The district and police department invested in mass shooter training and drills for students and teachers.
Nonetheless, the 18-year-old former student with a history of being bullied became increasingly violent and disturbed in the months before the shooting. He messaged people on the internet that he intended to shoot his grandmother and attack a school. Days before the shooting, he legally purchased two AR-15 assault rifles and more than 400 rounds of ammunition he loaded into 30-round magazines. He crashed a truck, climbed out of his vehicle, and approached the building on foot. Early reports suggested a teacher had propped open a door that was supposed to be locked — but subsequent reports suggested the teacher had shut the door as the shooter approached. Police officers entered the building within minutes, but retreated in the face of the shooter’s firepower.
The shooter gained entry to two classrooms, where most of the 19 children died. He was barricaded in those classrooms for more than an hour, as police planned their response and in some cases restrained armed parents who sought to storm the building. Finally, a border patrol SWAT team entered the building and killed the shooter.
Gibson said that top priorities to increase security on Payson campuses include:
• Improving camera coverage at all entrance points and in school buildings. This would allow quick detection of an incursion — and then allow administrators and police to monitor activity in the buildings in case of an incident. Gibson said upgrading the existing camera system would cost an estimated $360,000 at a single campus.
• A communications system that would allow administrators or police to communicate directly with teachers via their cell phones in an emergency situation.
• Better patrols or monitoring of the gates in the perimeter fencing and the accessible exterior doors outside that fencing to ensure they remain locked at night and during the school day. That includes improving alarms on the entrances to warn of a forced entry, which so far have been installed on just one campus.
• Providing staff and faculty with a card-key entry system to open doors that are normally locked or the ability to lock and unlock entry doors from a central point.
Gibson said it’s hard to adjust to the changes in society that have made schools potential targets.
“It’s so unreal, you can’t process it,” said Gibson of the descriptions of school shootings. “What’s happened to us? You can hardly bear to stop and think about what happened to those kids. How can that become a norm — anywhere? How the heck did this happen — where you’re afraid to even venture out because you’re afraid?”
The district has received millions in federal pandemic funding, but has committed most of that money to long overdue infrastructure and computer improvements, plus hiring reading and math intervention teachers, social workers, learning loss specialists and other changes to help students cope with learning loss caused by the months of distance learning and disruption and support the social and emotional needs of students.
The FBI has invested $30 million in training police and schools on how to deal with an active shooter situation. The first, best advice is to teach teachers and students how to get off campus quickly, rather than trying to hide from the shooter. However, practicing fast evacuation procedures unhinges the school day and can traumatize students.
Mass shooting incidents continue to mount in the U.S., both on and off school campuses. So far this year, the U.S. has already experienced 213 mass shootings — roughly 10 every week. In all of 2021, the nation reported 693 mass shootings according to the Gun Violence Archive. That compares to 611 in 2020 and 417 in 2019.
Studies have shown that millions spent on school security measures have not slowed the increase in mass shooting incidents at schools. Money spent on school security exploded after the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. Currently, 19% of elementary school students, 45% of middle school students and 67% of high school students attend a school with a campus police officer, according to a survey by the Urban Institute.
However, the Congressional Research Institute after the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School conducted a study that concluded officers had little or no effect on campus crime rates or mass shootings.
The National Policing Institute database suggests that security measures and on-campus police averted 120 cases of school violence between 2018 and 2020.
Nationally, restrictions on guns have generally loosened as shootings have increased. Over the past 20 years, states like Arizona have lowered the age at which you can buy a gun to 18 and eliminated the need to get a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Several studies suggest things like concealed weapons permits, barring the sale of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. Red Flag laws and instituting tougher, universal background checks can reduce gun violence. However, most heavily publicized school shootings in the past 20 years have prompted a surge in gun sales and, in many states a reduction in restrictions on gun sales.
Last week, the Arizona legislative leadership refused to allow a vote on a proposal to require background checks for people who buy weapons at gun shows.
Cox is expanding services to more communities in Pinal County; Oracle and San Manuel will soon have access to Cox gig speed internet
By admin
Cox Communications has announced that they will bring Cox gig internet, TV, phone, and home security and automation services, as well as business services to nearly 3,000 residents and businesses in Oracle and San Manuel. Projected service availability late 2023.
Cox has begun engineering, construction design and necessary permitting for its fiber-based network and will be working with state and county officials to obtain necessary approvals. Residents in Oracle and San Manuel will soon see work commencing in their community and can visit https://www.cox.com/getfiber to obtain status updates and express interest in Cox services.
“Reliable high speed broadband service is critical, especially in rural Pinal County. We look forward to working with Cox Communications to expand service to families and businesses in Oracle and San Manuel,” said Chairman Jeffrey McClure, Pinal County Board of Supervisors.
Expansion in Oracle and San Manuel is part of an overall Cox commitment to a multibillion-dollar annual infrastructure investment over the next several years to build a 10-Gigabit capable, fiber-based network that will power the next generation of internet users. Expanded fiber to the premise combined with breakthrough enhancements to cable’s broadband DOCSIS 4.0 technology will enable Cox to deliver multi-Gigabit symmetrical speeds in the coming years to both residential and business customers to support a growing host of high bandwidth applications. Cox recently announced additional Arizona expansion projects in the cities of Maricopa, Black Canyon City, Congress, Huachuca City, Sun Lakes, SE Sierra Vista and Summit View.
“Connectivity is at the heart of everything we do. Our Arizona team has been focused on providing the most powerful high-speed internet, TV, phone, and home security and automation services, as well as growing business offerings. We are excited to expand our availability in Pinal County and bring these important services to the residents of Oracle and San Manuel. This is all part of our commitment to expand broadband availability to more unserved and underserved Arizona communities, said Percy Kirk, Senior Vice President and Southwest Regional Manager, Cox Communications.
Building upon its multibillion-dollar annual investment in its network, Cox is committed to expanding its footprint to reach underserved and rural communities in Arizona where such expansions make sense. These efforts will allow Cox to provide reliable internet service, as well as affordable internet options to address the digital divide in all the communities served.
“We are happy to partner with the Pinal County Supervisors and local officials and will make every effort to minimize the construction impact where and when we can,” said Susan Anable, Cox Southwest Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. “Our Cox teams will work closely with Pinal County officials and very much appreciate their partnership as we start our work!”
Cox will make every effort to communicate the expansion and progress of their work with residents through local media, and direct communications from Cox.
Green Valley | Sahuarita
Pima County launches online portal to handle sewer problems
By: Phil Villarreal
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Pima County is offering a new way for residents to report sewer issues.
The online portal lets people notify the county about problems such as sewer odors or manhole infestations.
“At Wastewater, we are always looking for ways to improve,” said Joe Siva, a program manager at the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department’s Conveyance Division, in a statement. “We are modernizing and enhancing the way that we engage with our community to streamline communication between customers and first responders (field staff). This new site provides a direct connection between the online portal and our service request system, with an increased focus on automation to increase response time and communication to our emergency dispatch team and field staff.”
Response times will vary depending on the severity of the issue and staffing.
Over the next year, the county will be adding email notifications and text message updates.
Libraries see continued interest in digital services
Pima County Libraries had to rethink how to serve their clients during the pandemic, amping up their digital offerings.
They saw huge increases in digital database usage. In one case, IndieFlix, a movie database, saw a 6,433 percent jump in usage in 2020 compared to 2019, thanks to more people staying home.
Holly Schaffer, community relations manager for the county’s library system, said this year they aren’t seeing the big swing in new usage but there are no signs that people are stepping away from digital.
“What I’m seeing is that in some cases, like IndieFlix, the usage went down, not significantly, a couple hundred, but it has begun climbing again,” she said.
The same pattern was true for Quello (a concert and documentary database), Kanopy, (a film database), RomanceBookCloud and Teen Book Cloud.
Schaffer said all the digital databases are down a couple hundred from the 2020 spike in new usage, but are continuing to rise.
“It will go up and down, but more people than before know these things are here now,” she said. “There’s nothing to show that people aren’t using digital resources. The growth is just not as extreme as it was before.”
Schaffer attributes the huge increases in 2020 to libraries introducing digital resources to people who didn’t know about them before.
She said it’s clear to library staff that patrons are still interested in digital options.
They obtained another digital database of audio books, comics, e-books, movies, music and TV called Hoopla in fall 2021. In October 2021, they had circulation in the lower hundreds for the database and as of April it’s up to 8,000.
“Clearly, there’s a need and customers are showing that digital sources and entertainment are things they like and use,” Schaffer said.
By the numbers
As far as how many people are visiting libraries in person this year, she said it’s been fluctuating.
In February, they had 170,739 library visitors; that jumped to 195,206 in March and went back down slightly in April. She anticipates seeing the number rise again with summer learning programs and in-person events.
Currently, the Green Valley and Sahuarita libraries have 24 summer learning programs scheduled.
Individual computer sessions have also climbed from 18,917 in December 2021, to 24,563 in May.
Print circulation jumped from 167,962 in February to 194,545 in March, going back down closer to 170,00 in April.
Schaffer also noted their seed library is on track to surpass 2019, when they distributed 33,020 seed packets. They have circulated 22,866 in 2020.
Kingman | Golden Valley
ADOT developing EV charging network
ADOT has hired a consultant to begin planning an electric vehicle charging network in Arizona. Tesla charging stations are pictured at the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman.
PHOENIX – As more and more Arizona drivers get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, the Arizona Department of Transportation is ensuring that Arizonans receive the maximum benefit from new federal funding sources by developing a federally required plan to implement a statewide network of EV charging stations.
ADOT has hired AECOM Consultants to assist with the plan and will be kicking off efforts to seek input from the public and key stakeholders, including representatives from the EV industry, utility providers and others who are critical to understanding the technical and implementation issues related to development of the EV plan, ADOT wrote in a news release. Per federal requirements, the initial, high-level plan will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration in August 2022, with further plan refinements to follow.
According to the release, the first step of the plan will focus on deploying EV fast chargers along Arizona’s currently designated alternative fuel corridors – the interstate highway system, including I-40 in Mohave County – to reduce range anxiety and encourage vehicle purchasers to consider EVs as a viable alternative to gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles.
Funding is a crucial component, and over the next five years, the state is set to receive $76.5 million in federal dollars through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program to establish publicly accessible EV charging stations along Arizona’s federal interstate highways designated as alternative fuel corridors.
Non-interstate highways could be eligible for EV charging stations in the future, pending ADOT designation of those highways as alternative fuel corridors and availability of additional funding.
The EV plan is part of ADOT’s efforts to implement the federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
ADOT will be seeking comments and suggestions from a wide variety of agency and industry stakeholders and the public during the preparation of the initial plan due in August.
Additional comments and suggestions will continue to be considered as ADOT works to refine the plan in the future. Public outreach will include surveys and online and in-person public meetings. The plan will evolve as new alternative fuel corridors are added and in response to new developments in the EV industry and usage patterns.
For more information visit azdot.gov/EVplan.
Kingman City Expo set for June 9 at Centennial Park
The City of Kingman will host the annual City Expo on Thursday, June 9 at Centennial Park at 3333 Harrison St. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak to city employees, and learn about job opportunities and city departments. This photo was taken at the 2021 City Expo.
KINGMAN – The annual Kingman City Expo is an opportunity to meet city staff, to ask questions about upcoming city projects and learn about individual departments.
The event will take place on Thursday, June 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Centennial Park at 3333 Harrison St. in Kingman.
Attendees can also learn about current job openings, according to a post on the City of Kingman Facebook page.
City staff will be on-site to answer questions, discuss upcoming projects and business, and explain day-to-day operations.
Departments in attendance will include Economic Development, Kingman Police, Kingman Fire, Public Works and more.
The Engineering Department will also be there to talk about projects such as the Rancho Santa Fe Traffic interchange. Elected officials will also attend to answer questions and talk with community members.
Lake Havasu
County will proceed on first housing assessment in 15 years
- By BRANDON MESSICK Today’s News-Herald
A housing needs assessment this year could be the first step in addressing a longstanding affordable housing crisis in Mohave County.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors this week approved a request for proposals from agencies who may be willing to perform such an assessment for the areas of Parker and Lake Havasu City — following efforts toward the same purpose by the cities of Havasu and Kingman.
Mohave County Community Services Director Mike Smith said on Monday that workforce and affordable housing have been a concern of each of the county’s five supervisors. And although the supervisors have long been aware of the county’s affordable housing shortage, Smith says that change can only come after making contractors and grant organizations aware of the specifics of that shortage.
“The last time an assessment was done was in 2006,” Smith said at Monday’s board meeting. “This assessment will cover all of Mohave County, and just a little south of the border into La Paz County. It will be paid for through community grant funds.”
Smith says the study will identify gaps in housing opportunities and needs throughout the county, and those would-be residents who are searching for affordable homes. That information would be used to inform future policy, grant acquisition efforts, and to obtain different resources within the county itself.
“It will address our needs,” Smith said. “After we’ve conducted our assessment with the citizens of Mohave County, it will be brought back to the board for a full presentation. Part of this housing needs assessment will really look at the county as a whole. What resources, and what areas of the county do we want to make sure we’re developing workforce housing?”
According to Mohave County Economic Development Director Tami Ursenbach, the answer to that question could guide property developers who are already eyeing potential projects in Mohave County.
“We’re waiting for this study to be completed,” Ursenbach said. “We have several developers who are looking to come to the county, but they want to actually see what our needs are. They’re looking for affordable workforce housing, which is very hard to pencil in. They don’t want to bring in more (projects) than needed, but they don’t want to bring in only a small amount, when we need a lot.”
According to Ursenbach, those developers aren’t just looking for potential new contracts. A needs assessment could provide those developers with proof that their projects will be viable – which would ultimately help those developers obtain the financing necessary to see new housing projects come to fruition throughout the county.
And Ursenbach herself has seen that the need is there, she told the board.
“When I moved here 3.5 years ago, it took me three months to find a rental that was suitable for me to live in,” Ursenbach said. “I’ve never seen that before. And that was before covid, and before the big concern for housing came through.”
Lake Havasu City Mayor Cal Sheehy also appeared before the Mohave County Board of Supervisors on Monday, to discuss details of Havasu’s own efforts to assess the city’s affordable housing needs.
“We are one of the cities that is currently running our housing needs study, through (the Lake Havasu City Partnership for Economic Development), so that we can understand what our housing needs are,” Sheehy said. “It’s so that banks and investors will have information and will be willing to make an investment. This is an opportunity for other municipalities and the county to have a collaboration … but in Havasu, this is something we found was needed and necessary in our community.”
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of allowing the community services department to issue a request for proposals in drafting its new housing needs assessment. Mohave County Supervisor Ron Gould offered the only opposing vote.
County scheduled to vote on fire precautions
- By BRANDON MESSICK Today’s News-Herald
Enhanced fire restrictions were announced statewide last week by state and federal authorities, and Mohave County officials quickly followed suit amid windy weather and dry conditions throughout Western Arizona. Next week, the county’s governing board will vote on whether to ratify those restrictions.
On Thursday, unincorporated areas of Mohave County, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management announced fire restrictions in advance of the Memorial Day holiday. Those restrictions prohibited the use of open campfires, consumer fireworks, smoking and other potential hazards on public lands last week.
According to Mohave County Risk and Emergency Management Director Byron Steward, the county’s fire restriction was issued due to high fire threat within Mohave County due to high winds, extremely dry conditions, and recommendations from all fire departments throughout the county.
The prohibition of fireworks and open campfires on unincorporated county lands followed a Determination of Fire Emergency filed by Steward on May 23.
Under county ordinance, the fire restrictions on county lands – if ratified by the chairman of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors – will expire only when Steward determines that emergency conditions have passed.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to discuss possible ratification of last week’s fire restrictions at its June 6 meeting in Kingman. The issue is listed under the board’s Consent Agenda, and may be approved without prior discussion by the board of supervisors.
Northern Arizona
Flagstaff’s Mountain Line Transit Service Begins “Mountain Line Monday’s”
The Mountain Line will begin their Mountain Line Monday’s program today. Starting Monday, Mountain Line service will be fare-free every Monday in June and July. Plus, kids can ride the Mountain Line with the kids summer pass for $24. For more information, you can download the free transit app and get real time arrival information, or log onto mountainline.az.gov.
Poll shows majority of Coconino voters would support keeping jail tax
- BREE BURKITT Sun Staff Reporter
Anew poll shows a majority of Coconino County voters would support keeping the tax that provides the majority of funding for the county’s jails.
The poll, conducted by Northern Arizona University’s Fred Solop, surveyed 800 registered voters – half from Flagstaff and the other half from Coconino County – during a three-week period in March and April. It found that 82% would support the extension of the tax to maintain and operate the county jail and jail programs, while 13% would oppose it.
“This is very positive,” Solop said. “This is very strong support.”
An additional 2% said they were leaning toward supporting it. Six percent said they need more information before making a decision.
Older voters were more likely to support voting for the tax, with 71% of voters above age 55 indicating their support, compared to 59% of voters younger than 55. White voters were also more supportive of the extension than voters of color.
Now, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors must decide whether the initiative should be placed on the November ballot. They’re set to vote on the issue Tuesday.
If the issue does make it onto the ballot, Solop said it’s “in a very strong position to pass with voter support.”
The half-cent tax provides 86% of the Jail District’s revenue, covering everything from an in-custody substance abuse treatment program to adult education, special education, and religious services in addition to life skills and literacy classes.
The remaining portion of the average of $19 million needed to operate the jail annually comes from bed rentals and the county’s general fund, according to county financial records.
The tax, which was first approved in 1996, is set to expire in 2026 unless it finds a spot on the ballot in the upcoming 2022 election and is then approved by voters.
Breaking it down further, Solop said voters indicated they were more likely to support the tax once they learned the money was to be directed toward mental health and drug treatment programs, as well as new job skills.
“What we’re seeing is programming … we see that the voting public really wants programming – they support programming and knowing the revenues generated from jail district sales tax creates positive feelings and a sense that people will vote for this extension,” Solop explained.
Support was higher in Flagstaff at 82% compared to 77% in other parts of the county.
The majority of individuals who indicated they would vote against the tax said it was because they believe taxes are already too high. Others said they felt the jail district is not effectively spending the money, while others felt the entire system needs to be defunded.
If the extension doesn’t pass, the Jail District would still need to recoup the costs. The county would directly bill the cities and towns for arrests made in their jurisdiction, while the county would need to redirect general funds to fund jail operations for any arrests made in unincorporated areas of Coconino County.
Phoenix
Phoenix area home prices climb, but slowing is coming. Here’s why market won’t crash
Katherine Reagor Arizona Republic
Metro Phoenix’s hot housing market is less frenzied than last year, though it’s not that obvious yet as prices continue to climb.
The Valley’s median home price is expected to hit $475,000 in May and climb to $480,000 in early June, according to the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.
But after that, home price increases “will begin to wobble,” according to the research based on pending sales.
Housing experts aren’t predicting anything close to a crash but instead a shift to a more stable market this year.
“When the housing market moves from a sellers’ market to a balanced market, demand softens first, and a drop in demand is what we’re seeing,” said housing expert Tom Ruff of ARMLS’ Information Market group.
Interest rates are a big wild card for home sales, Ruff said.
The rate for a 30-year mortgage climbed to 5.3% last week, up from 3.2% in early January, according to Freddie Mac. The difference adds about $500 to the monthly payment on a $450,000
Housing market changing fast
Phoenix-area home sales fell almost 8.5% in April from March as the supply of houses for sale climbed 19%.
Ruff said those indicators suggest the Valley’s housing market is “cooling.”
In late April, housing analyst Michael Orr of the Cromford report put out an alert on metro Phoenix home sales and prices.https://d4ff27a4647729c453eb4f6b78a2351f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
He said though the market is still “far above normal,” it’s changing rapidly with rising supply and falling demand.
Orr said those two indicators are the most important to watch and not home prices, which are from home sales started months ago.
What to watch for in slowdown
“Our market has moved from euphoria to unease,” said Sarah Perkins, director of strategic accounts at Clear Title Agency of Arizona, and a housing market analyst.
But she said there’s no reason to fear a bubble; instead, it’s being called a market correction.
Perkins’ analysis shows several differences between now and the housing bubble of 2005-06:
2005: High vacancy and foreclosure risk
- False demand led to vacant properties, and vacant properties lose value.
- Bad financing with subprime loans.
- Lots of speculation, with buyers never intending to occupy homes.
- Overbuilding.
2022: High equity, low foreclosure and vacancy risk
- Good loans with significant down payments.
- Cash buyers with little risk for foreclosure.
- Higher occupancy rates.
- New home building struggling to keep up with demand.
The other wild card is inflation for metro Phoenix’s housing market. Phoenix is leading the nation for inflation with prices 11% higher in April than a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Higher home prices and higher rents have translated into higher inflation,” Ruff said. “When you combine rising interest rates, record prices and add in record inflation, a homebuyer faces a triple-edged sword.”
A look inside IDA on McKinley shipping container housing project
From journeying across the ocean to transporting people into new, sustainable homes, these 66 recycled shipping containers were made to move. IDA on McKinley is the tallest development built from shipping containers in the nation, according to design-build firm Local Studio. Opening in June, the six-story building features 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments, with ground-floor space for commercial tenants.
In all, the project utilizing 615,000 pounds of re-purposed Corten steel, known for its high strength and corrosion resistance.
An “urban infill” project, IDA on McKinley replaces a small parking lot on the corner of McKinley and Third streets, barely big enough for 22 cars. But activating an under-utilized parcel is just the beginning of its environmental impact, according to developers.
“What I’m trying to accomplish is changing hearts and minds one block at a time, particularly in the area of sustainability,” said Kathleen Santin, partner at Local Studio. “It’s what we’ve done from day one.”
Concrete culvert structures, typically buried underground, are used on the exterior of the IDA’s ground-floor, providing shade for the floor-to-ceiling windows. The molds were provided by Olson Precast Company. (Photo by Fara Illich)
Brian Stark, founder of Local Studio and one of the architects behind Containers on Grand, began working on a second installment of shipping container apartments, called The Oscar, in 2016. That project opened in May 2017 at Portland and Second streets, with similar success to Containers on Grand.
By the time Local Studio completed work on The Churchill restaurant and retail destination in August 2018, Stark and his design-build firm had established themselves as downtown’s sustainable building leaders — at the forefront of shipping container architecture and innovation.
In addition to recycled building materials, IDA utilizes rainwater harvesting, solar panels, passive solar design elements, low-water xeriscape on the exterior, “bioswales” for rainwater irrigation, and a number of other features designed with sustainability in mind.
A simple design element with a big impact, bioswales are small trenches filled with plants dug between the sidewalk and street, naturally collecting rainwater for desert irrigation, while simultaneously filtering polluted runoff.
Porous walkways between units help capture and harvest rainwater, which collects in a 3,000 gallon tank. (Photos by Fara Illich)
“If you weren’t leading with your heart, if you’re only leading with your pocketbook, you can’t do projects like these,” she said. “Principles are costly. They shouldn’t be, but they still are.”
IDA meets nearly all of the City of Phoenix’s Climate Action Plan goals, and Local Studio worked hand in hand with the city and APS to rewrite the rulebook for sustainable building, according to Santin.
To promote a lower carbon footprint, there is no parking available on property. Instead, the building boasts exterior showers for those who want to bike or walk to work, and an electric bike charging station.
Porous walkways between units help harvest rainwater, which collects in a 3,000 gallon tank, and for drinking, filtered water stations on each floor encourage bottle re-usage.
“I think things are changing — changing incrementally,” Santin said. “For the city, APS to do some of the things they’ve done here, it’s a big step in the right direction.”
IDA marks the fifth shipping container project in metro Phoenix for Local Studio.
Prescott Area
Water Line Replacement on Gurley Street
By Staff
The City of Prescott Water Operations will be conducting work to replace the water line for Hassayampa Inn at 122 E. Gurley St which will include resurfacing of the roadway.
The work will take place beginning Tuesday, May 24th at 6:00 am through Thursday, May 26th at approximately 6:00 pm. Work hours each day will be 6:00 am-6:00 pm. This will require closure of the westbound #2 (slow lane) on Gurley Street and the parking stalls on the north side of the roadway between Marina Street and the alleyway west of the Hassayampa Hotel.
For updated information go to www.prescott-az.gov or City of Prescott Facebook Page.
Prescott Area Leadership Accepting Applications
By Staff
Applications are being accepted for the 2022-2023 Prescott Area Leadership (PAL) Class. PAL was founded by Ron Barnes, Ed.D., in 1990 to develop and inspire individuals to contribute to the vitality and leadership in the Central Arizona Highlands.
An all-volunteer-led non-profit education organization, PAL began as a leadership development program designed to foster effective leadership for the betterment of our communities. This is accomplished through a 9-month, an interactive, training program focused on providing effective leadership skills and tools.
PAL President Amore Cianciola-Barker says that “Prescott Area Leadership is the BEST thing I ever did! I not only learned new creative and relevant leadership skills but made lifelong friends who are making a difference every day in the quad-city area.”
Leadership skill development sessions are led by PAL alumni and local leaders who are professionals in the field of study or who have particular expertise in the topic being explored. participants can earn one college credits as part of the coursework.https://24d67f27469741a9818c43acd7da2cd8.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Helen Stephenson, vice president of the current PAL Board of Directors and PAL Class 30 alum, shared that having the Prescott Area Leadership program in the Prescott community for over 30 years is making a difference. “Communities need leaders and leaders need the strength of education and a group of people to support their goals,” Stephenson said. “That is what happens with PAL. You get to know the others in your cohort, who have the same leadership goals you do, and get exposed to different components of the community as well,” she continued.
To apply, candidates must have lived in Central Yavapai County for at least one year and be over the age of 18. The application is the first in a two-step selection process. Following a review of the applications, candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview. Applications are being accepted until August 1st.
For more information visit www.prescottarealeadership.org and click the Leadership Education Program.
Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Approve Water/Sewer Projects
By Staff
On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors approved the list of 37 Water and Sewer projects that will greatly improve the water and sewer systems of 21 communities throughout Yavapai County.
There were 67 project requests submitted, totaling over $50,000,000. Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair Mary Mallory said, “It brings me great joy to know that funding these 37 projects will have a positive impact on our communities. Water and Sewer services are vital to every community, and I am excited to see how these grants will help improve these important services.”
View the APRA Water and Sewer Grant Applications.
Not every project that is being funded will receive 100% of what was requested but Yavapai County staff has reached out to those organizations to ensure that partial completion of the request can be achieved with less than 100% of what was requested.
In the coming months, grant agreements between the County and the requesting organization will be brought before the board for approval.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale multifamily investor pivots to build 500 townhomes in Valley
By Angela Gonzales – Senior Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal
After paying $42.5 million for a 240-unit apartment community in Tempe in January 2021, Nathan Reid has just sold it for $72 million.
And now he’s in pivot mode, with plans to build 500 rental units throughout the Valley.
The Sanctuary on Broadway in Tempe was in the low 90% occupancy range when Reid sold it to Elisa Zhang, a Washington-based syndicator and founder of EZ Real Estate, who owns more than 1,000 units across the country.
In fact, the property — built in 1971 — was still undergoing renovations, said Reid, founder and CEO of Scottsdale-based Capital Allocation Partners.
“The Covid supply chain has been a nightmare,” he said. “You can’t finish units.”
John Kobierowski, president and CEO of ABI Multifamily, said investors want to buy vintage properties built in the 1970s and 1980s.
“These communities have a lot of opportunities for value add,” he said, adding that the Tempe property sold for $312,000 a unit.
“There is still a lot of investor interest in our market,” Kobierowski said. “Higher interest rates are having an effect on all markets, but we continue to see investors scooping up properties due to strong job growth, population growth, income growth and rent growth.”
Founded in 2010, Capital Allocation Partners owns more than 1,000 units within 17 communities in the Valley.
The Sanctuary was its largest sale so far, Reid said.
Pivot time
While he plans to continue to buy multifamily properties, renovate them and sell them when it makes sense, Reid now is turning his attention to building rental units throughout the Valley.
He has set up a fund for accredited investors that will range between $10 million and $15 million to finance the construction of 500 townhome rental units over the next 18 to 24 months.
“We are targeting suburban and urban infill sites for a townhome type rental product with that fund,” Reid told the Business Journal.
Reid owns land or is in escrow to close on land at several sites throughout the Valley, including parcels at 38th Street and Indian School Road, 39th Street and Earl Drive in Phoenix, 73rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road in Peoria, 53rd Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix, Third Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix, and University and Hardy drives in Tempe.
“There’s still a housing shortage,” Reid said. “Frankly, the cost for us to build new is really almost lower than what we were paying to buy existing apartments. And they’re used, they’re older and smaller and they don’t have garages.”
The townhomes he plans to build will be attached at the walls, but no neighbors above or below each unit.
The first project out of the ground will be at 53rd Street and Thomas Road, with construction to begin by the end of this year and delivered in the second half of 2023. Rents will range anywhere from $1,995 to $2,995 for units that will have garages and a patio. Amenities for all the projects will include a swimming pool, a gym and a dog walk.
“We always do a nice patio for them,” Reid said. “It’s as close to a single-family home you can get without renting a single-family home.”
Old Town Scottsdale trailer park could be redeveloped
By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
Plans have been filed in Scottsdale to replace a mobile home park and jewelry store in Old Town with a new multifamily residential development.
The downtown property at 3202 North Scottsdale Road near Earll Drive and is home to the Scottsdale Trailer Corral and Fine Jewelry Repair.
Plans call for a new 6-story, 150-unit multifamily residential development to replace the throwback trailer park and repair shop.
Maricopa County records show the property is owned by 3202 Scottsdale LLC. That is an affiliate of DTC Equities LLC (Desert Troon Cos), according to Arizona Corporation Commission records.
Land Development Services LLC (David Gulino) has submitted plans for the project with the City of Scottsdale.
City of Scottsdale Saves Record Amount of Water; Continues Encouraging Residents To Do The Same
By Valerie Schneider
Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Water
After committing to a 5% reduction in water use in 2022, Scottsdale announces city operations have exceeded expectations and achieved 8% reductions when comparing first quarter data. Residential and commercial use for this same period is down 2.5% – halfway to achieving the voluntary reduction goal.
Since enacting Stage One of Scottsdale’s Drought Management Plan, the city has made considerable efforts to find ways to reduce water savings through Scottsdale-run facilities and processes:
• Scottsdale facilities has executed an extensive water audit program that has been utilized on 49 facilities so far this year – prioritizing the largest facilities for maximum water savings. The department has undergone replacing existing fixture upgrades, optimizing cooling tower processes, and performing leak detection audits.
• Scottsdale Parks and Recreation has contributed significantly to reaching this goal as part of their commitment to conservation efforts with a goal of 15% less water use than annually allotted.
• Scottsdale Water has hired a contract team that accomplishes water main and hydrant flushing by recycling water back into the system instead of discharging water into the streets – a feat that can save more than 300,000 gallons of water per day. During the contracted four-day period, more than five miles of pipes were flushed, saving more than one-million gallons of water from being wasted.
The data was analyzed based on a three-year average from 2019-2021. This average accounts for an increase in residential use during COVID, a very dry summer in 2020, and a wet monsoon season in 2021.
“This is exciting news,” says Scottsdale Water Executive Director Brian Biesemeyer. “The city has really embraced increasing water conservation on the news of the Colorado River shortage and it’s rewarding to know that efforts are paying off… With summer and peak water demand season, everyone needs to make a conscience effort to conserve this precious resource.”
To assist resident and commercial customers in the 5% voluntary reduction goal, Scottsdale Water has many resources available online and in person to help residents and businesses find opportunities to reduce their water use. Several of the programs include leak detection through a new WaterSmart portal, rebates for turf removal and WaterSense fixture installation, and through landscape and irrigation upgrades.
In 2022, the city’s Water Conservation team has received an 800% increase in homeowner’s association (HOA) inquiries for assistance; a statistic that shows while the water numbers may not be where the city hopes quite yet, the word is getting out. The conservation team assists these HOAs by internally looking at their water use and finding ways to improve efficiency, particularly in eliminating turf areas and converting to desert landscaping – something that has saved other HOAs thousands of gallons of water daily.
Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson officially announced Stage One of Scottsdale’s Drought Management Plan on August 16, 2021, because of the Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) declaration of a Tier One Colorado River shortage and the urgency of the situation on this river system. Recent forecasts by the BOR show an increased likelihood of a Tier 2 shortage for 2023.
While water will continue to be delivered as normal to customers now and into the future, Scottsdale views this declaration as a significant milestone that requires extensive examination by all customers to further use water wisely and efficiently for the long-term viability and sustainability of the city.
More information can be found at ScottsdaleAZ.gov; search “shortage” for more information on the Colorado River shortage, or search “water conservation” for specific ways to save water.
Valerie Schneider is the Public Information Officer for Scottsdale Water.
Phoenix area home prices climb, but slowing is coming. Here’s why market won’t crash
Katherine Reagor Arizona Republic
Metro Phoenix’s hot housing market is less frenzied than last year, though it’s not that obvious yet as prices continue to climb.
The Valley’s median home price is expected to hit $475,000 in May and climb to $480,000 in early June, according to the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.
But after that, home price increases “will begin to wobble,” according to the research based on pending sales.
Housing experts aren’t predicting anything close to a crash but instead a shift to a more stable market this year.
“When the housing market moves from a sellers’ market to a balanced market, demand softens first, and a drop in demand is what we’re seeing,” said housing expert Tom Ruff of ARMLS’ Information Market group.
Interest rates are a big wild card for home sales, Ruff said.
The rate for a 30-year mortgage climbed to 5.3% last week, up from 3.2% in early January, according to Freddie Mac. The difference adds about $500 to the monthly payment on a $450,000
Housing market changing fast
Phoenix-area home sales fell almost 8.5% in April from March as the supply of houses for sale climbed 19%.
Ruff said those indicators suggest the Valley’s housing market is “cooling.”
In late April, housing analyst Michael Orr of the Cromford report put out an alert on metro Phoenix home sales and prices.https://d4ff27a4647729c453eb4f6b78a2351f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
He said though the market is still “far above normal,” it’s changing rapidly with rising supply and falling demand.
Orr said those two indicators are the most important to watch and not home prices, which are from home sales started months ago.
What to watch for in slowdown
“Our market has moved from euphoria to unease,” said Sarah Perkins, director of strategic accounts at Clear Title Agency of Arizona, and a housing market analyst.
But she said there’s no reason to fear a bubble; instead, it’s being called a market correction.
Perkins’ analysis shows several differences between now and the housing bubble of 2005-06:
2005: High vacancy and foreclosure risk
- False demand led to vacant properties, and vacant properties lose value.
- Bad financing with subprime loans.
- Lots of speculation, with buyers never intending to occupy homes.
- Overbuilding.
2022: High equity, low foreclosure and vacancy risk
- Good loans with significant down payments.
- Cash buyers with little risk for foreclosure.
- Higher occupancy rates.
- New home building struggling to keep up with demand.
The other wild card is inflation for metro Phoenix’s housing market. Phoenix is leading the nation for inflation with prices 11% higher in April than a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Higher home prices and higher rents have translated into higher inflation,” Ruff said. “When you combine rising interest rates, record prices and add in record inflation, a homebuyer faces a triple-edged sword.”
Sedona | Verde Valley
Cottonwood Recreation Center
The Cottowood Recreation Center is a mulit- generational facility that features top of the line equipment and a state of the art workout facility.
- Facility VideoWatch a video about our recreation center.
- Hours of OperationFind the regular hours of operation for our indoor pool, child care, game room and other Rec Center features.
- CRC Exercise ClassesThe CRC offers a variety of group exercise classes including yoga, Zumba, aquatics, toning and cycling. Classes are currently streamed via Facebook Live. Visit this page for weekly schedules and online class enrollment.
- Rental OpportunitiesThe CRC has banquet rooms and party rooms that are available to rent for parties, meetings, seminars or trainings to fit your needs.
- Holiday HoursThe Recreation Center has different hours for many major holidays.
Flyers & Brochures
Sedona Community Pool Opens for Summer Season
By Staff
The Sedona Community Pool opened on Saturday, May 28, 2022, for a full summer of lap swimming, water aerobics, swim lessons, recreational swim, and more.
Additionally, registration for youth swim lessons will open on June 1, 2022, online with classes beginning the week of Monday, June 13, 2022.
“It was so great to see all the smiling faces on our opening weekend and we look forward to providing great programming this summer for our residents,” said Josh Frewin, city of Sedona recreation and aquatics supervisor.
Please visit www.sedonaaz.gov/pool for updated information, the schedule, class registration, and more.
Tucson
Land donation brings Tucson tiny-house village within reach
A local nonprofit working to build a tiny house village for unsheltered people has received a sizable land donation and is now working to secure funding.
The Homing Project was started in 2021 by former El Rio doctor J. Kristin Olson-Garewal and her son, Raj Garewal, who has experience working with similar projects in Southern California. They teamed up with Catalytic Health Partners to provide wraparound services for residents and in March, told the Star about their difficulties securing land amidst the current real estate market.
Less than a week later, the group received an offer to use nine acres of land free of charge for the next five years, Olson-Garewal told the Star.
“We’re working with community leaders to find out (neighbors’) concerns,” Olson-Garewal said.
In January, The Homing Project submitted a proposal to the city of Tucson to create a 14-unit Pallet house village with one of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act grants. The proposal was based on the Pallet shelter model that’s used in more than 50 cities across the United States. The ultimate hope is for a 30-house village, but the city’s criteria included only proposals for transition housing for youth and elders.Watch a Lion Boldly Snatch His Suppermenuvolume_off volume_up
Pallet houses come in 64- and 100-square-foot models and can be assembled quickly. The 64-square-foot model houses two beds, a desk and room for storage. The larger unit can accommodate a family of four, and in all pallet houses, the beds fold up to help maximize space. Each unit includes electricity, heating and air conditioning, and has secure, locking doors.
The Homing project will offer on-site social services, food, restrooms, showers and laundry, with residents taking turns preparing meals for the community. Olson-Garewal also hopes to install a basketball court to give residents something to do in their down time.
“Hopefully they’ll be busy enough that it will be a normal home and they’ll want to stay there,” she said.
People with established partners, families and pets will all be allowed into the facility, and residents will come from the area in which the village is located, Olson-Garewal said. The group has one location locked in, but is hoping to expand in the future to other parts of town.
“If someone wants their homeless out of the way, they’re going to have to give us a place to put up houses,” she said.
The Homing Project is finalizing contracts for its $186,000 in ARPA funding. The group plans on residents staying at least two years, and they’ll begin paying an appropriate rent at the point that they become financially stable, Olson-Garewal said.https://3336894c4342d22ed190c8050bb38178.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
The city is awarding multiple ARPA grants upwards of $2.5 million to assist with housing efforts, which Tucson Mayor Regina Romero says is a priority for this administration.
“(We have to be) able to offer people not just temporary shelter, but connect them to long term solutions for the reasons that they are houseless,” Romero said. “What I want to make sure that we are doing as a city is that we are providing housing first, and then wrapping around the services that our houseless residents deserve. Safe, wraparound services and longterm stability.”
Romero said the city’s partnerships with local nonprofits like The Homing Project will make these efforts more stable in the longterm, and that it takes such partnerships to have a clear vision for the future of housing and community development in Tucson.
“We have never seen such big focus and big investment by the city of Tucson in our housing strategy,” Romero said, adding that the city didn’t have a longterm strategy for housing until she and and city council asked for one. “For me, as a mayor of our beautiful city, it has been a priority of mine to have stable, safe housing at every level of where an individual needs it.”
Romero called the distribution of American Rescue Plan dollars historic, saying that the city has been putting the funds it’s received to good use.
“What we have been able to do these past two years, we’ve never seen it done before,” she said.
New hospitals grow with Southeast Tucson’s boom
By: Craig Smith
People want their medical care close to home—and there are plenty of new homes popping up on Tucson’s southeast side.
That’s led to a new hospital that’s just opened there, and another new hospital on the way.
Northwest Medical Center has just opened a brand new hospital on Houghton near Old Spanish Trail–and that says a lot about growth on Tucson’s Southeast side.
“As the population has gone further south further east, we’ve gone with it,” says Brian Sinotte, Market CEO for Northwest Healthcare.
The new Northwest Medical Center-Houghton has 52 beds, surgical suites, maternity services, and a full emergency department. When Northwest looked for new areas that would be eager for close, convenient medical care, it saw the need in Tucson’s fast growing southeast side.
Sinott says, the hospital built medical offices nearby and has built in the ability to expand the new hospital as the area grows even more.https://08331c0ee6adaf83ddf7c7e8b0fe3898.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
“More physicians will be coming to the community to provide care. We have a lot of interest from physicians looking to establish here, new physicians, both out of residency and physicians who are practicing here in the community that really think that’s a wonderful location to practice medicine in the future.”
There’s been aggressive growth around Civano and Vail for many years. It’s really accelerated in the past two or three years.
Tucson Medical Center says it foresaw the growth and started placing medical offices and other facilities in the area about 20 years ago. Now it is expanding an existing complex at Houghton and Drexel to add a 60 bed hospital.
Both TMC and Northwest say patients want to see a hospital no more than 15 minutes away—and on the southeast side, there are more and more patients looking for hospital care close to home.
TMC Healthcare CEO Judy Rich says, “We planned all this before COVID. We felt like the economy had gotten to the point where we were going to continue to see sustained growth in that area, enough to support a hospital and we’ve really invested in that community. We’ve been meeting with neighborhoods out there for 15 years.”
TMC expects its new hospital to create about 250 jobs. Northwest says its hospital should add 300.
Those people will likely fuel even more growth if they choose to live near the new hospitals.
WeSERV East
Housing may replace ailing strip mall
- By Ken Sain, Arizonan Staff Writer
The City of Chandler is considering an application that would replace the abandoned Fry’s Food Store at Warner and Alma School roads with a mixed-used development of mostly housing.
ProEquity Asset Management Corp. has applied for development plan approval that would include demolishing most of the buildings on the site.
The ailing strip mall has been an eyesore that the city has long looked to redevelop.
Kroger inherited the store in 2004 when it bought out Smith’s. There was also intense competition at that corner with a Walmart next door and a Smitty’s across the street. It already had a successful Fry’s store only a mile away at Alma School and Elliot roads.
So the decision was made to shut it down.
The application is just the first step of a long process before a development can be built. The city is currently evaluating the application and has asked the developer for additional information before it is ready to move forward.
The proposed development would be called Sun Village Center and be home to 371 multifamily residential units, an electric vehicle charging station, a full restaurant, another fast food location and some retail. The bank and fast food stores currently at the site would remain, as would the Walmart.
The residential units would be inside 10 different buildings with six different styles ranging from two to four stories. The units would come in studio, one and two bedrooms. The complex would also have a club house, swimming pool and barbecue area.
Applications such as this one get a lot of scrutiny and will likely change, officials noted. First, city staff reviews it and makes sure it conforms with the general plan and current zoning.
Then, neighbors are notified and given an opportunity to review the plans and express any objections they may have. Staff and the developer often try to address those concerns, if possible.
Once that stage is complete, the proposal is reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. After that, it must be approved by City Council.
Both of those bodies can, and often do, ask for changes to the plan. The developer in this application is asking for approval of its Planned Area Development amendment, a Mid-Rise Overlay to allow up to four stories, and a Preliminary Development Plan.
“It is currently zoned commercial, so they would need a rezoning,” said David de la Torre, who is the city’s planning manager. “It’s a good candidate for mixed-use.”
City Council has recently held two meetings to address the lack of affordable homes. A recent report from Rent.com found that Chandler is the most expensive city in Arizona to rent an apartment in. It overtook Scottsdale this year.
The study says it costs $2,900 a month to rent an average two-bedroom apartment in Chandler. Scottsdale was $2,767.
Council has focused on increasing the number of residential units to try and help make housing more affordable. It plans to focus on adding more multifamily residential units with the little land the city has left set aside for residential use.
“The increase in residential development will be a great complementary asset to the surrounding uses and allow existing commercial to better succeed,” the applicants write in their conclusion. “This mix represents the highest and best use for this currently underutilized commercial property. Granting approval of this application will revitalize this area of the city.”
Plummeting lake levels threaten Gilbert’s water supply
- By SCOTT SHUMAKER GSN Staff Writer
Arizona and other Western states that take water from the lower Colorado River for cities and farms were hoping for a good season of rain and snow this winter to keep water levels in the river’s reservoirs above dangerously low levels.
Instead, they got another bad year.
The dry year, on top of 22 years of regional drought, has shortened the time that states and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have to avert a series of dangerous scenarios that could unfold in the next two years without action.
About 36% of Arizona’s water – and about a third of Gilbert’s water – comes from the Colorado River. Lake Mead and Lake Powell store water that goes to population centers, and they have less water now than they’ve ever had.
The upshot of the disappointing winter is that water officials are accepting a future where less Colorado River water is available– so they are redoubling efforts to make alternate plans.
But at the same time that they are doing long-term planning, water officials are also engaged in a short-term rescue mission to keep the Colorado River flowing and the reservoir system intact.
A U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 24-month study predicts that without action, Lake Powell could drop below the level needed to generate hydropower, 3,490 feet, by next spring or as early as the end of December.
In briefings last week, officials noted that the reservoirs are V-shaped, which means the rate that the water levels drop accelerates at lower levels.
“We’re being piled on in a lot of ways, including by Mother Nature,” Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke said in a joint briefing with the Central Arizona Project last week.
While Buschatzke emphasized that there is no “imminent threat” to water flowing from the tap in Arizona homes and businesses, officials made clear that Arizona and other states face a gauntlet of bad scenarios if they can’t halt the decline in the Colorado reservoirs.
The most immediate threat to the Colorado water system is the loss of hydropower generated by the dams that hold back the water, when the level drops below the intake for the turbines.
Rural communities, like Page, rely on that hydropower, but it’s also “a crucial part of our (Arizona) energy grid,” Glendale Water Resources Manager Drew Swieczkowski said in a presentation last week. “It is a really big energy producer.”
CAP, the state agency that delivers Colorado River water via canals and water credits, only relies on hydropower for 6% of its energy needs, but the loss of the power would put upward pressure on water rates.
After losing power production, the next problem dam engineers would face is the need to release water from the reservoir via rarely used low water outlets. Dam operators don’t want to rely on these because they have little experience using them.
“There are reliability concerns about long-term operations and a lot of uncertainty,” Buschatzke said of dam operations at extreme low water. “I think you’ll hear that word ‘uncertainty’ quite a bit today in terms of what’s facing us.”
One-hundred and twenty feet below the loss of hydropower, Lake Powell would reach “dead pool,” when water is below the low water outlet and there no more active storage.
At dead pool on Lake Powell, “the maximum amount that could be released (from the dam) is limited to the amount coming in, so-called ‘run of the river,’” a spokesperson for CAP said.
CAP said it could continue delivering to cities through its canals as long as Lake Mead stayed above dead pool. The agency also has secondary storage in Lake Pleasant north of Phoenix, for “critical deliveries to Phoenix-area cities.”
Many Valley cities, including Mesa, have diversified water portfolios, drawing water from groundwater and surface water other than the Colorado River. In a worst-case scenario, cities could keep the taps running for years using stored groundwater and water from the Salt River Project.
But a rapid reduction in cities’ allocations of Colorado River water would still likely have local officials scrambling to keep water operations steady. Many cities, including Mesa and Glendale, are drilling new wells to enhance their ability to quickly add groundwater to their water utilities.
One bit of good news is a large share of Mesa’s water comes from SRP, and SRP’s reservoirs on the Salt and Verde rivers are currently healthy, Swieczkowski said, sitting at 77% and 33%, respectively. SRP is studying a plan to raise the height of Bartlett Dam, located 48 miles northeast of Phoenix, to improve storage capacity on the Verde River.
The bad year on top of many bad years seems to have forced water officials to face the reality that the Colorado will permanently deliver less water each year, and it has galvanized officials to act.
Climate change is one reason water officials are resigned to reducing dependence on the Colorado River.
One of the findings from this year’s April water study was that much less water reached the river than actually fell as snow and rain in the watershed. In terms of snowpack, it actually wasn’t that bad a year with 92% of average.
But that snowfall only led to 62% of average inflow to the reservoirs. Officials blame drier soil soaking up more water.
It is a “troubling trend that we do seem to be getting the precipitation,” Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Chief Dan Bunk said.
“But other factors such as warmer temperatures, the dry soil conditions, increased evapotranspiration, they all seem to be conspiring to some extent against the actual runoff that is occurring on the system,” Bunk continued.
Officials are talking frankly about reduced flows of the river.
Swieczkowski spoke of the “aridification of the Western U.S.” to describe the long-term reduction in soil moisture due to climate change. He said the Colorado River now has a new estimated annual yield of 10 to 11 million acre-feet of water, compared to 16.5 MAF allocated to U.S. states and Mexico.
This reckoning with the Colorado’s oversubscription has energized long-term planning and water development efforts, and stimulated cooperation among local and federal officials.
“We can’t rely on Mother Nature somehow restoring the Colorado River to what’s been allocated,” one official said.
Officials in last week’s joint briefing appeared focused rather than discouraged.
Western states – including California, which has traditionally fought fiercely to hold onto its water – have been working together to keep extra water in the reservoirs. This year, states voluntarily left 500,000 acre feet of water in Lake Mead as part of the 500+ Plus compensated conservation program.
The city of Mesa contributed 1,200 acre feet of water to that effort.
Buschatzke said this and other conservation efforts have added 70 feet of elevation to the reservoirs, buying planners valuable time.
California, Arizona and Nevada and currently working on another version of 500+ Plus for 2023. Officials expect voluntary cuts like these, on-top of cuts already outlined in the drought contingency plans, to keep the Colorado River flowing.
“It won’t stop at 2023, but one year at a time,” Buschatzke said.
Phoenix area home prices climb, but slowing is coming. Here’s why market won’t crash
Katherine Reagor Arizona Republic
Metro Phoenix’s hot housing market is less frenzied than last year, though it’s not that obvious yet as prices continue to climb.
The Valley’s median home price is expected to hit $475,000 in May and climb to $480,000 in early June, according to the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.
But after that, home price increases “will begin to wobble,” according to the research based on pending sales.
Housing experts aren’t predicting anything close to a crash but instead a shift to a more stable market this year.
“When the housing market moves from a sellers’ market to a balanced market, demand softens first, and a drop in demand is what we’re seeing,” said housing expert Tom Ruff of ARMLS’ Information Market group.
Interest rates are a big wild card for home sales, Ruff said.
The rate for a 30-year mortgage climbed to 5.3% last week, up from 3.2% in early January, according to Freddie Mac. The difference adds about $500 to the monthly payment on a $450,000
Housing market changing fast
Phoenix-area home sales fell almost 8.5% in April from March as the supply of houses for sale climbed 19%.
Ruff said those indicators suggest the Valley’s housing market is “cooling.”
In late April, housing analyst Michael Orr of the Cromford report put out an alert on metro Phoenix home sales and prices.https://d4ff27a4647729c453eb4f6b78a2351f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
He said though the market is still “far above normal,” it’s changing rapidly with rising supply and falling demand.
Orr said those two indicators are the most important to watch and not home prices, which are from home sales started months ago.
What to watch for in slowdown
“Our market has moved from euphoria to unease,” said Sarah Perkins, director of strategic accounts at Clear Title Agency of Arizona, and a housing market analyst.
But she said there’s no reason to fear a bubble; instead, it’s being called a market correction.
Perkins’ analysis shows several differences between now and the housing bubble of 2005-06:
2005: High vacancy and foreclosure risk
- False demand led to vacant properties, and vacant properties lose value.
- Bad financing with subprime loans.
- Lots of speculation, with buyers never intending to occupy homes.
- Overbuilding.
2022: High equity, low foreclosure and vacancy risk
- Good loans with significant down payments.
- Cash buyers with little risk for foreclosure.
- Higher occupancy rates.
- New home building struggling to keep up with demand.
The other wild card is inflation for metro Phoenix’s housing market. Phoenix is leading the nation for inflation with prices 11% higher in April than a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Higher home prices and higher rents have translated into higher inflation,” Ruff said. “When you combine rising interest rates, record prices and add in record inflation, a homebuyer faces a triple-edged sword.”
WeSERV West
Peoria planning commission denies housing community
By Philip Haldiman | Your Valley
In a rare turn of events, the Peoria Planning and Zoning commission denied the rezoning of a proposal that could have brought 76 single-family homes on 18.4 acres to the southwest corner of Thunderbird Road and 67th Avenue.
The proposal, named Tierra, was to down-zone the property from commercial to residential, which some on the commission opposed because of the loss of revenue to the city.
Proposed density for the project was 4.13 dwelling units per acre, with a typical lot size of 4,860 square feet, according to a staff report.
Many residents said that is too dense, and most of the commission agreed during the May 12 meeting, where residents came out to voice their opposition to the proposed project.
Phoenix area home prices climb, but slowing is coming. Here’s why market won’t crash
Katherine Reagor Arizona Republic
Metro Phoenix’s hot housing market is less frenzied than last year, though it’s not that obvious yet as prices continue to climb.
The Valley’s median home price is expected to hit $475,000 in May and climb to $480,000 in early June, according to the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.
But after that, home price increases “will begin to wobble,” according to the research based on pending sales.
Housing experts aren’t predicting anything close to a crash but instead a shift to a more stable market this year.
“When the housing market moves from a sellers’ market to a balanced market, demand softens first, and a drop in demand is what we’re seeing,” said housing expert Tom Ruff of ARMLS’ Information Market group.
Interest rates are a big wild card for home sales, Ruff said.
The rate for a 30-year mortgage climbed to 5.3% last week, up from 3.2% in early January, according to Freddie Mac. The difference adds about $500 to the monthly payment on a $450,000
Housing market changing fast
Phoenix-area home sales fell almost 8.5% in April from March as the supply of houses for sale climbed 19%.
Ruff said those indicators suggest the Valley’s housing market is “cooling.”
In late April, housing analyst Michael Orr of the Cromford report put out an alert on metro Phoenix home sales and prices.https://d4ff27a4647729c453eb4f6b78a2351f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
He said though the market is still “far above normal,” it’s changing rapidly with rising supply and falling demand.
Orr said those two indicators are the most important to watch and not home prices, which are from home sales started months ago.
What to watch for in slowdown
“Our market has moved from euphoria to unease,” said Sarah Perkins, director of strategic accounts at Clear Title Agency of Arizona, and a housing market analyst.
But she said there’s no reason to fear a bubble; instead, it’s being called a market correction.
Perkins’ analysis shows several differences between now and the housing bubble of 2005-06:
2005: High vacancy and foreclosure risk
- False demand led to vacant properties, and vacant properties lose value.
- Bad financing with subprime loans.
- Lots of speculation, with buyers never intending to occupy homes.
- Overbuilding.
2022: High equity, low foreclosure and vacancy risk
- Good loans with significant down payments.
- Cash buyers with little risk for foreclosure.
- Higher occupancy rates.
- New home building struggling to keep up with demand.
The other wild card is inflation for metro Phoenix’s housing market. Phoenix is leading the nation for inflation with prices 11% higher in April than a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Higher home prices and higher rents have translated into higher inflation,” Ruff said. “When you combine rising interest rates, record prices and add in record inflation, a homebuyer faces a triple-edged sword.”
White Mountain
Fight brews over Nutrioso water
NUTRIOSO—A controversy is growing over a planned domestic water improvement district, called a DWID, which is in the early stages of development. It is expected to serve the residents of the unincorporated community there, much like a water company serves a city or town. Presently, users in the Nutrioso area report that they get water either from wells or shared wells, or they haul it.
Right now, there is a DWID which serves unincorporated Alpine next door and planners have started the process of creating one for Nutrioso.
A DWID is an organization created by Arizona statute, and once approved by the board of supervisors in the particular county in which it intends to operate, can take broad measures to ensure the users in its district have access to water.
The powers that a DWID is given by law include the issuing of bonds and paying interest on them, the right to levy and collect a tax or fees on households within the district, and the right to condemnation, or eminent domain including for the purpose of laying the infrastructure and digging wells needed for a water supply.
But first the DWID has to be formed and there are many and varied steps the law says must be followed to do that.
It might be noted that even if a DWID is properly formed, the county has the final say about whether to approve or disapprove it. The process involves a state agency called the The Water Infrastructure Finance Program (WIFA) which was established in 1998 to provide funding for public water treatment projects.
According to its website, WIFA does that through financial assistance and low-interest loans for construction and improvement of drinking water systems, wastewater treatment and water reclamation systems.
WIFA is authorized to issue water quality bonds and water supply development bonds, to enter into short-term emergency loan agreements, and to administer federal grants.
In order to ensure that a planned DWID is created in accordance with Arizona law and regulations, WIFA has produced a 67 page handbook which walks the applicant through the maze. The handbook can be found on line at https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/statepubs/id/2258/
The first phase of forming a DWID requires the physical boundaries of the district to be set and a petition drafted to present to the county’s board of supervisors which then sets a date for a first meeting, which date must be properly noticed to the unincorporated community at issue.
That appears to be the juncture where the process is currently and a meeting of sorts took place August 14.
Many attendees voiced strong opposition to the plan, specifically the claimed lack of transparency in the process and the potential for government overreach. The points about which there are disagreements can be shared at Notriosoh20no@gmail.com.
Regarding the petition, the rules require 51% of the properties affected to approve the plan.
Opponents urge that the proposed boundaries of the envisioned district have been changed, or “gerrymandered” and include those owning the largest tracts of land who are in favor of the proposal included in the district and would support it, while those who oppose the proposal whose property will be in the district will still have to pay taxes, fees, assessments and even be subject to the new district’s powers of condemnation and eminent domain. Opponents also allege that the petition that was sent out to residents omitted any mention of the condemnation powers the DWID will have.
The proponents of the project who are identified in a May 4 letter to the Apache County Board of Supervisors as organizers are identified as David and Lori Knobbe, who did not return a voice message seeking comment.
The attorney who reportedly represents them, has a “number not in service,” in Tucson. The organizers have reportedly created a group called Nutrioso Water District Organizing Committee which was said to have a Facebook page, but a recent search before press time was unsuccessful.
Regarding the already-formed Alpine Domestic Water Improvement District, its website says it is “Committed to Providing Safe, Clean Water to All Our Residents.”
It also to lists its customers’ frequently asked questions, in including the following: How could I have used so much water? What do I do if I am experiencing low pressure? Why is my water discolored? Why does debris come out of the faucet when running hot water? My water tastes, looks, and smells funny. Is it safe to drink? Why do I have a previous balance when I know I sent in my payment?
The Alpine DWID has answers to those questions, such as a suggestion to check for leaks, the hot water heater may be dirty, there may have been recent maintenance to the system and call the office.
It will be up to Nutrioso’s residents to decide which direction they want to go with regard to the proposed water district.
Naabik’iyati’ approves $500K for removal of old homes in Navajo, N.M.
By Hannah John
WINDOW ROCK
Last Thursday, the Naabik’iyati’ Committee approved $500,000 from the Sihasin fund to help in the assessment, removal and cleanup of 53 dilapidated residential units in Navajo, New Mexico.
The Navajo Townsite Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit that brought the issue to light.
NTC’s purpose is to fix problems in the Navajo and Red Lake areas which primarily focuses on housing management. NTC manages 53 old units because of an agreement that was entered with the Navajo Nation in 2002.
The units were employee housing for Navajo Forest Products Industries, which was located in Navajo, and was developed as a sawmill that produced lumber and particle board.
The industry flourished from the 1960s to the 1980s. Due to the increase of jobs in the industry, the housing was built to accommodate the influx of Diné who moved to Navajo.
However, the site is closed in 1995 and most of the housing is unoccupied, condemned, boarded or fire damaged.
According to the legislation (No. 0049-22), if funding is provided to NTC, it will help “significantly improve the Navajo and Red Lake Chapter communities.”
All comments provided with the bill are in favor removing the old houses. One comment said the units are “a depressing sight for sore eyes of our beautiful precious community.”
Many former and current residents, who submitted comments, feel the same way and believe the units are also a threat to safety.
The budget for the assessment, removal, and cleanup of the units was provided and the $500,000, if approved, will provide funding for the following.
Of the burned units, there are 11 in total. Out of these, five contain asbestos containing material which requires abatement.
The other six do not have asbestos and can be demolished. This will cost $90,000.
The boarded and vacant units on Cypress Place will have a cost of $410,000 due to units that will require sampling for asbestos and/or lead and because they will require abatement and demolition.
The bill was originally tabled on April 5 by the Budget and Finance Committee so the Department of Justice could review the legislation to determine whether the proposal is eligible for ARPA funding.
Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty said, “This being a project that could be a pilot project for many of our communities that have abandoned buildings or dilapidated homes. We’re looking at how this can be developed and support the community’s request.”
Delegate Wilson Stewart Jr., legislation sponsor, agreed with Crotty and said he hopes the legislation could be a pilot project for other communities.
“Either way, we’re going to need some type of model to move forward to improve our communities across the Nation with blighted homes, blighted infrastructure out there and so, you know, I’m very supportive of this legislation as well,” Stewart said.
“Just for the community to improve, the one area would be good through Navajo so I just ask for your support in this and any other recommendation as well to see what can be discussed and talked about here at Naabik’iyati’,” he said.
As of last Thursday, there was no confirmation of whether the legislation is eligible for ARPA.
The legislation was voted to move to the Navajo Nation Council, 21-0. If approved by Council, the legislation will then go to the president’s office.
Yuma
Yuma Community Food Bank seeking baby formula donations and other necessities
The effects of the baby formula shortage are being felt everywhere in the U.S., and the Yuma Community Food Bank (YCFB) is no exception. As the shortage continues to impact parents in the community, the Food Bank is encouraging anyone with unopened, unexpired formula or formula samples sent in the mail that they no longer need to YCFB, located at 2404 E 24th St.
“A few months ago, we had to throw away formula due to a recall,” said YCFB Chief Operating Officer Michelle Merkley. “Replacing that supply has been a significant challenge. The food bank has over 8,000 households that visit each month to pick up things they need. It’s estimated that 28% of those families need baby formula. The formula shelf at the food bank sits less than half full. Usually, we’d have more choice and variety in the types of formula we can offer our families.”
Merkley added that when YCFB doesn’t have the formula families are looking for, they refer them to New Life Pregnancy Center, one of their partner agencies.
However, in light of the shortage, donations are especially valuable now as the Food Bank has seen an increase in families calling and coming in to ask about baby formula.
“When we don’t have formula, we must turn away that struggling parent without giving them milk to feed their babies,” she said. “When mothers become desperate, they water down the formula they have or feed their baby with cow’s milk, even though it is unsuitable for children younger than one year.”
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), proper nutrition in the earliest years are very important as getting the right nutrients can affect a child’s growth and development.
A recent post from ADHS acknowledged the extra challenges that families may face when their baby needs a special formula now. With special dietary needs, it can be difficult to find a substitute or transition into one, but it’s not impossible. In the post, community members can find more information on formula alternatives as well as the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program by visiting https://bit.ly/3NNEk6u.
For those looking to donate, the alternatives infographic may prove useful, but for those unable to donate unopened and unexpired formula or formula samples that were sent in the mail, YCFB also gladly accepts baby food, diapers and wipes since families typically ask about these necessities.
“As well as baby formula, all our families in Yuma County are struggling to meet basic needs of their families,” Merkley said. “We have seen a decline in food donations here at the Food Bank. If anyone is interested in hosting a food drive, they can contact us at 928-343-1243 or drop off donations from Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
To learn more about YCFB, visit https://www.yumafoodbank.org/index.html.
Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.
Street work in downtown San Luis slated to begin by August
- By CESAR NEYOY BAJO EL SOL
SAN LUIS, Ariz. – After several years in the planning stage, paving and street improvements on streets in downtown San Luis are slated to begin this summer.
The San Luis City Council recently awarded a contract in the amount of slightly more than $91,000 to James Davie and Associates of Yuma to perform engineering for the project and oversight of the construction.
Jenny Torres, the city’s economic development manager, said work is slated to begin by August on the north- and south-bound roadway that parallels Main Street.
“This hasn’t been an easy project,” she said. “It has meant a lot of work because we had to acquire rights of way on various properties, and we had to negotiate with APS to move utility poles. But finally we will be ready to begin work.”
The city is financing the nearly $1.5 million project with a grant of $626,215 from the Arizona Housing Department and with the city’s own road improvement funds.
The work includes repaving of Mesa Street, construction of sidewalks along the road, as well as improvements stretches of E, C and F streets south of the U.S. Post Office.
Also as part of the work, a retaining wall will be built along a sharp slope on Mesa Street as a safety measure for motorists and pedestrians, Torres added.
“These are improvements that were requested by the residents, and the city council made them a priority,” she said. “The project will improve the condition of the streets, but will also help to improve the flow of traffic, since those streets are near the entrance to Mexico.”
The work on Mesa Street is part of the city’s efforts to renovating the downtown area immediately north of the border, Torres said.