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City News
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVES TENTATIVE FY 2020 BUDGET TAX RATE REMAINS FLAT; COUNTY INVESTS IN PEOPLE, PETS, AND PARKS WITH A NEW DECADE ON government more efficient while Recent numbers from the U.S. Census 2. “This budget supports the Maricopa THE HORIZON, THE NATION’S providing better service. I am grateful Bureau show Maricopa County added County of the future by building FASTEST-GROWING COUNTY IS to my colleagues on the Board and to 81,244 people between July 2017 and on a great foundation of innovative MAKING SMART INVESTMENTS all departments for budgeting in a way July 2018, the most of any county planning and fiscal intelligence to TO FURTHER POSITION ITSELF that plans for, and protects, the future.” in the nation. The FY 2020 budget move us forward.” AS AN ATTRACTIVE, LONG- allocates $296.9 million for capital TERM HOME FOR FAMILIES With the 2020 elections fast improvement projects which will OTHER BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS AND BUSINESSES. The Board of approaching, the budget reserves modernize the infrastructure needed INCLUDE: Supervisors approved a tentative $2.57 funding for updated elections to support that growing population. • $1.5 million to continue the current billion budget for fiscal year 2020. equipment that is expected to increase Those projects include multi-million- model of animal shelter operations the speed with which votes can be dollar investments in county parks; a that has resulted in a 95% save rate. “This fiscally responsible and sustainable budget keeps the tax rate steady for our residents while investing in the kinds of technology and infrastructure that works to serve citizens better,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, counted. Improved technology is one piece of a larger discussion about the future of elections in Maricopa County. “Making our elections the best they can be is a priority of every person on this Board,” said Vice Chairman Clint “ Recent numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show Maricopa County added 81,244 people between July 2017 and July 2018, the most of any county in the nation. The FY 2020 budget allocates $296.9 million for capital improvement projects District 3. “These investments include strengthening public safety, improving the voter experience, preserving and enhancing our open space, and utilizing technology and process improvement to save money and make our county Hickman, District 4. “Modern, reliable equipment is essential for a county of our size so we can efficiently handle the potential record number of voters participating in our democracy in the 2020 elections and beyond.” new East Valley animal shelter; and a new substation for the Sheriff’s Office in Avondale. The budget also • $1.5 million for process and technology improvements that support the strategic goal of becoming an all” which will modernize the infrastructure needed to support that growing population. provides continued funding for the digital county by 2022. new jail intake facility, Southeast • $100,000 to update unincorporated Regional Justice Center, Central Court area plans for the next generation. building, and 225 Madison renovation • Three new positions for the project, which will turn an old jail into County’s Innovation Studio, focused modern, usable office space. on process improvement that in 2018 less for government services than they saved an estimated $1.5 million “I am proud to be part of the team dollars. Our Legacy, in Iron that continues to pass budgets that protect our taxpayers while serving • Full-time, permanent homeless coordinator to support regional the needs of our ever-growing county solutions to homelessness through Whether you’re looking for an entry door, iron gate, iron wine population,” said Supervisor Jack Sellers, District 1. “This budget will Human Services Department. doors, custom designed railings, or a assure the protection and well-being of our citizens. I’m pleased the tax “Investments in county staff directly benefit the people of Maricopa wrought iron stair rail, we can make it. rate won’t change nor is the county County by ensuring the best and We are one of the best decorative iron required to take on debt to fund brightest work here, and not gate or iron door designers and operations.” At a time when many other counties are taxing as much somewhere else,” said Supervisor Steve Gallardo, District 5. “Having fabricators in the Phoenix and as they are allowed by state law, a permanent homeless coordinator at Scottsdale areas. Maricopa County’s tax levy is $140.5 a time when the region’s homeless million below the maximum. population continues to grow at an “We live in the most dynamic county the county is prioritizing spending to in the United States where people tend make a real difference on issues that to have a lower cost of living and pay matter.” alarming rate is one example of how do in other large metropolitan areas, The public will be able to comment on while also having access to diverse the tentative budget between now and 7750 E Evans Rd, Suite 2, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 job and recreational opportunities,” the final vote which is scheduled for legacyironworksaz@yahoo.com | www.legacyironworksaz.com said Supervisor Steve Chucri, District June 24.
ZILLOW GROUP CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ZILLOW OFFERS AND OPENS IT’S SOUTHWEST HUB IN SCOTTSDALE MOST OF YOU ARE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH are transforming the way people buy and sell homes sentiment, “Scottsdale is proud to welcome Zillow THE ZILLOW GROUP, WHICH HOUSES ONE OF and bringing the magic and simplicity of e-commerce Offers to Old Town, a thriving business hub that THE LARGEST PORTFOLIOS OF REAL ESTATE to real estate.” has experienced tremendous growth for innovative BRANDS ON MOBILE AND WEB. What you may technology companies due to their ability to attract not know is this real estate behemoth also buys and Zillow Group expects to add 160 employees to the and retain talent and operate in a favorable business sells homes through its subsidiary, Zillow Offers. 25,000 square foot office by the end of this year. Job environment.” titles and categories include recruiters, corporate counAs part of its one-year anniversary in the buy/sell sel, human resources, project coordinators, analysts, During the office ribbon cutting celebration, Zillow market, Zillow announced the opening of its newest loan originations, business operations, and employee Group presented a check for $25,000 to U.S.VETS, office in Scottsdale, which will act as the Southwest trainers. The jobs range from entry level to director, the nation’s largest non-profit veteran services prohub for Zillow Offers. and a college education is not required for all roles. vider that offers transitional and permanent housing, counseling, employment assistance and case man“It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re just get- “Arizona wants to be the place where these technolo- agement to veterans and their families. The donation ting started,” said Zillow Brand President Jeremy gies come to evolve and flourish,” said Arizona Gov- is made possible through Zillow Group’s Home Wacksman. “Since we launched a year ago, we have ernor Doug Ducey. “I thank Zillow Group for their Project, the company’s signature social impact inireceived more than 80,000 requests for offers, and investment in our state and look forward to growing tiative that aims to address challenges around houshave helped thousands of home sellers move into our 21st-century economy together.” ing insecurity by pledging up to $5 million in cash their new home on their own timeline, without the and in-kind contributions over five years to support hassle and uncertainty of a traditional home sale. We Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane echoed a similar vulnerable families.
YOU CAN NOW REGISTER YOUR SECURITY SYSTEM IN THE CAMEREYES REGISTRY THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE Scottsdale residents and businesses at cameras is simple and only takes a To register, go online to www.scottsPOLICE DEPARTMENT AND no cost. few minutes to complete. You will daleaz.gov/police/security-cameraNEIGHBORHOOD WATCH be asked for some basic contact registration PROGRAM HAVE PARTNERED Following a crime, police employees information and video retention time. TO CREATE A NEW RESOURCE often go door-to-door to seek any FOR CITIZENS TO ASSIST IN cameras in the area. This process What cameras can you register? CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIME is time consuming and can delay Doorbell cameras, exterior cameras, SOLVING EFFORTS. Citizens and the apprehension of the criminal and interior cameras that would businesses may voluntarily register at large. CamerEyes would allow potentially capture images of a their personal security camera law enforcement to sign into the person or vehicle outside your home systems in the CamerEyes registry. confidential database to ascertain could all be valuable to investigators. who has cameras in the area and Once registered, only an approved Registration is completely voluntary volunteered to be contacted by (by the Assistant Chief) group and can be withdrawn at any time. our employees to obtain this vital of Police Department employees The Police Department will not have information and move forward with will have access to the database, direct access to your cameras, nor their investigation in a timely manner. as well as a limited group of IT are you obligated to provide video, if staff for database management and asked. CamerEyes is available to all The process to register your maintenance.
THE KIWANIS CLUB OF CAREFREE HOSTED THE 2019 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM ON MAY 15 AT THE FINE ARTS CENTER. Thirty-four local high school students were presented a total of $280,000 in various scholarships and merit awards generated from the Kiwanis Foundation including private donations channeled through the Foundation. These graduating students will be attending a wide variety of colleges and universities across the United States. The thirty-four recipients were selected from 135 applications from four high schools after hundreds of intensive reviews by the Scholarship Committee, chaired by Janet Busbee.
The Scholarship Awards program was led by Mike Poppenwimer, President of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree. Historically, over 250 scholarships, worth over 1.8 million dollars, have been awarded by Kiwanis since 1986 to just local area students. This Awards Program follows the Kiwanis mission of “Serving the Children of our Community.” Tara Jackson, President of Arizona Town Hall, was the Keynote Speaker and gave a very inspirational speech to the Award recipients, describing how just one caring adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
The Kiwanis Club thanks the local community for their support of the Marketplace/Foundation through donations of gently used goods for resale, volunteering, and shopping at the Marketplace; without these efforts we would be unable to host this Scholarship Event. Last year, the Kiwanis Marketplace booked over 1.1 million dollars in sales and returned 68 percent of that into the local community. Kiwanis intends to continue to make a significant contribution to the children of the community.
CROWN REALTY & DEVELOPMENT SELECTS CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD TO BROKER FIRST PHASE OF CITY NORTH’S MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT
CROWN REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD EXECUTIVE MANAGING DIRECTORS DAVID FOGLER AND STEVEN NICOLUZAKIS WILL SERVE AS THE BROKERS TO MARKET THE FIRST PHASE OF CITY NORTH’S MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT. Cushman & Wakefield will be overseeing the marketing efforts for the first phase’s 250 multifamily residential units. Crown plans to identify a developer and start construction on the first 250 multifamily residential units by the end of this year.
In January, Crown acquired the nearly 100-acre City North property that surrounds the existing High Street retail, office and residential community. The land had been the subject of litigation for nearly a decade and has been valued by the bankruptcy court for $121 million. Crown, which has developed the Omni Montelucia Resort and spearheaded the redevelopment of Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley, plans to develop what will essentially be a new city and second urban node for Phoenix with City North.
An offering memorandum is currently being sent to prospective multi-family developers.
The 250 multifamily residential units developed in this first phase sit on four acres. City North’s entire multifamily residential component will consist of 2600 units and will comprise 32 acres of the City North development.
“We are building the ultimate ‘live, work and play’ environment at City North,” said Rick Carpinelli, Senior Vice President of Acquisition and Development at Crown. “This is one of the best pieces of real estate in the western United States and all residential units will be wellintegrated with nearby amenities such as restaurants, entertainment offerings and fitness centers at High Street and Desert Ridge Marketplace.”
Fogler and Nicoluzakis are two of the most well-known specialists of acquisition, disposition and sales of multifamily properties and land in Arizona. Combined, they have achieved total sales of over 50,000 units with a value in excess of $5 billion.
SCOTTSDALE ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO DIRECT DOLLARS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES
A RECENT STREET COUNT IN METROPOLITAN PHOENIX SHOWS A CONTINUED RISE IN HOMELESSNESS – A 22 PERCENT INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR. Along with that, the public has seen various activities that may be related to homelessness rise, including sleeping in public places, littering and panhandling.
City staff are working to direct those in need to appropriate resources while accommodating citizens’ concerns about excessive panhandling and related issues. The city also discourages panhandling (which is not illegal) because of the safety hazards associated with it. Panhandlers may distract drivers or obstruct views, and put themselves at risk alongside busy roadways.
In addition to the temporary signs, which will be moved as needed to areas where panhandling is prevalent, city staff are distributing community resource cards to people experiencing homelessness and helping those individuals with access to social workers and job training specialists.
The most visible sign of that work will hit city streets this week, when temporary signs will be placed at “high volume” panhandling intersections in Scottsdale. The signs encourage the public to donate to social service agencies rather than giving to individuals asking for money.
While handing money to someone may feel good in the moment, donating dollars instead to social service agencies that help those in need is a more effective way to address the root causes of homelessness and panhandling. The city has developed a resource page for residents and others seeking more information about this challenging topic. Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “panhandling” to find links to social service agencies and programs along with legal information relating to homelessness and panhandling.
The city remains a committed partner, working with state and federal governments, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, and compassionate, committed citizens to improve the lives of those in these difficult situations.
