City News

CITY NEWS APPLY TO SERVE ON A CITY BOARD OR COMMISSION

SCOTTSDALE HAS SEVERAL OPENINGS ON VARIOUS COMMISSIONS, AND RESIDENTS WANTING TO INSTITUTE POSITIVE CHANGE ARE INVITED TO APPLY TO SERVE. Volunteers are needed for six boards and commissions, which will be filled in May.

Openings are available on the Building Advisory Board of Appeals, Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee, Human Relations Commission, Industrial Development Authority, Path and Trails Subcommittee and the Transportation Commission.

Information about the functions of these boards and commissions, as LAST FALL, THE SCOTTSDALE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRES OWNERS OF SHORT-TERM OR VACATION RENTALS TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH EMERGENCY AND COMPLAINT CONTACT INFORMATION INCLUDING NAMES, EMAIL ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS. The database for this information has been updated so that owners and operators can now provide information online in a fillable form. This is a “searchable” database where the new mapping system shows both the properties registered with Maricopa County as rental properties (shown with blue borders) and short-term rentals registered with the city (shown with an “i” information button). Property owner and contact information for those responsible for responding to complaints are included in the information tab. well as the application can be found at ScottsdaleAZ.gov by searching “Boards and Commissions.”

To be considered, interested applicants must submit an online application by Monday, April 13. Submitted applications are valid for one year.

The City Council will review materials and nominate candidates from the applicant pool Tuesday, April 21. Individuals nominated will be interviewed by the City Council beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. All board and commission members must comply with the city’s Ethics Code and

SHORT-TERM RENTAL OWNER INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN SEARCHABLE DATABASE

attend training before serving. The new system allows neighbors with concerns to directly contact the responsible party. The responsible party can then contact his/her renter to resolve the issue. In many instances, the concerns may be fixed without Scottsdale Police Department intervention. However, residents are free to contact the police when

appropriate. As a reminder, short-term rental owners that do not submit the required contact information may be cited for noncompliance and fined. The amendment also emphasizes that these rentals may not be used for non-residential purposes such as restaurants, event centers, commercial business, wedding venues, etc.

Additionally, the state requires all short-term vacation rentals have a transaction privilege tax license and list the license number. For more information, visit Scottsdaleaz.gov/ codes/vacation-short-term-rentals.

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SICK LEAVE IN THE TIME OF THE CORONAVIRUS

ARIZONA IS AMONG A HANDFUL OF STATES THAT HAS A PAID SICK LEAVE LAW. The Fair Wages and Healthy Family Act was passed in 2017. Until recently, it was the only protection that Arizonans had when it came to sick leave. However, in response to the novel Coronavirus, President Trump also recently signed a national paid sick leave law - the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. A large percentage of Americans have been temporarily or indefinitely put on a leave of absence and each of these laws offer workers financial help through this pandemic.

Under the Arizona Act, paid sick leave is required by all employers for full, part-time or temporary employees. Additionally, union workers who were under a bargaining agreement prior to the Act’s effective date may not be covered.

The Arizona Act requires employers with fewer than 15 employees to provide at least 24 hours of annual paid sick leave time and employers with 15 or more employees must provide at least 40 hours of annual paid sick leave time.

The Arizona Act allows for employers to be flexible and give the full allotment of paid sick leave even if employees are still in their 90-day grace period. Employees can also use their sick leave if they feel they may have been exposed and need to take some time to get tested for the novel Coronavirus. Likewise, if an employee has a family member who has fallen ill with COVID-19, they can also use sick leave and be covered under the Arizona Act. This also extends if the employee needs to take time off to get that family member tested.

In Arizona, parents can also use their sick leave if their children are forced to stay home due to schools closing—such is the case by the recent mandate issued by Gov. Doug Ducey amid fears that children could increase the spread of COVID-19. It can also be used during times when a public official forces a business to close due to a health crisis.

Employees do not need to give any formal notice of leave according to the Arizona Act and can request it via phone, email or in person.

The paid-sick leave law does allow some wiggle room. For example, some employers might require employees to allocate some vacation days to their time off on sick leave. Employers also have the option to combine all the possible days for paid time off, including vacation and other personal leave. The Arizona Act does not cover independent contractors, freelancers, babysitters, writers on contracts and those who are self-employed.

Starting April 3, everyone can benefit from the new federal paid sick leave law. Now, those who were not covered prior to COVID-19 will be able to take sick leave for two weeks maximum with their normal pay up to $511 per day. Additionally, if an employee must take time off to stay home with a child because of school cancellations, they are able to stay at home for 12 weeks while being compensated two-thirds of their normal salary up to $200 per day.

To fund this massive program, a tax credit is given to employers against the 6.2% payroll tax. If the percentage amount is greater, the government will reimburse the employer and selfemployed independent contractors can receive a tax credit as well.

With many people out of work currently due to COVID-19, the new bill also gives a 90 day extension to pay 2019 taxes in addition to the normal deadline of April 15.

Employers and their employees are venturing into uncharted territory in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As restaurants, bars and retail shops close, there is a heightened worry for those who work for tips and minimum wage. Torn between keeping workers healthy and reducing loss of revenue, the business complications of the pandemic stretch far beyond just the corporate world.

Jonathan Frutkin is the founder and principal of Radix Law. The company focuses on providing general counsel, including legal advice on capital formation, mergers and acquisitions, litigation strategy and intellectual property. You can find more information at radixlaw.com.

ADOR SEEKING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY OWNERS FROM MARICOPA COUNTY

THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE’S (ADOR) UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM HAS IDENTIFIED MORE THAN $900 MILLION THAT BELONGED TO MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION PEOPLE WITH LAST KNOWN ADDRESSES IN MARICOPA COUNTY. The agency is sending out notices to the potential property owners and their families to attempt to return the funds. Some of the property dates back more than 30 years with one property being worth $500,000.

Unclaimed property generally consists of money due to an individual from sources like old bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, tax refunds, credit balances, rebates, returned deposits and dormant safe deposit boxes. Often property becomes unclaimed because the company that holds the funds has an outdated or the wrong forwarding address for its customer and in some cases, a person passes away with no family members aware of the assets.

ADOR returns property to owners who provide documentation showing their right to claim the assets. Claimants must include with their claim form a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or other applicable identification, and documentation linking them to the owner’s last known address. Claimants must also provide documentation demonstrating a legal right to claim any property listed in another name.

There is currently $1.5 billion in unclaimed assets in the state being safeguarded by the Arizona Department of Revenue. ADOR’s Unclaimed Property program returned $48.4 million to rightful owners in fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019).

For more information on ADOR’s Unclaimed Property program, including how to make a claim and frequently asked questions, go to www.azdor. gov and click on the Unclaimed Property tab.

COMPANIES CURRENTLY HIRING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT SKYROCK- home and family among the associates ETING NATIONALLY, MANY FIND in our stores, distribution centers and THEMSELVES IN THE POSITION corporate office. Featured jobs currently OF SEEKING NEW OR ADDITIONAL available include customer service, lot EMPLOYMENT. Here are a just a hand- associate, kitchen/bath designer and ful of the companies hiring locally at freight/receiving. time of publication. www.homedepotretailjobs.com

If your company is hiring or you know of others who are, please email news@ egpublishing.com – subject line “Employment.”

ALBERTSON’S

Passionate about customer service? Driven to be part of an exciting and friendly team in a fast-paced environment? We are hiring people like you NOW! Apply online or stop by your closest store for more information (just don't offer to shake hands so we can maintain social distancing).

www.albertsonscompanies.com/careers

JET’S PIZZA

For service professionals looking for work, Jet's Pizza, known for its Detroitstyle pizza, currently has delivery employment opportunities available at each of its 386 locations in 20 states nationwide. Opportunities are available for restaurant and bar workers, teachers and other individuals who are faced with unemployment amid layoffs in the current climate. On average, delivery drivers can make between $13 - $16 per hour, based on tips and mileage. Those interested in applying can call their local Jet’s Pizza location directly.

www.jetspizza.com/employment

THE HOME DEPOT

With a career at The Home Depot you become part of the team that’s been recognized nationally with environmental awards, for business strength, and as a reputable company. We’ve created a one-stop shop to help our customers build a home. We couldn’t have done it without the culture and feeling of

DOLLAR GENERAL

Ready to be an important part of something BIG? What started as a single store is now a 20+ billion-dollar Fortune 119 company. With 140,000+ employees and counting, we’re growing fast and so can you. There are endless opportunities for you, including awardwinning training programs and career paths in retail, distribution, transportation or corporate. The possibilities are endless!

www.careers.dollargeneral.com

WALGREENS

Walgreens is championing the health and well-being of every community in America, with over 9,500 store locations in all 50 states. We’re a company of pharmacists, store team members, IT professionals, accountants, nurses and more. And each one of us shares a common goal – to make health and well-being within reach for everyone on a daily basis.

www.jobs.walgreens.com

AMAZON

The perks of being an Amazon employee don’t stop at collaborating with great people on exciting and innovative projects. We also offer a full range of benefits to regular, full-time U.S. employees that support employees and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Start as soon as 7 days, with no resume or previous work experience required. Shoppers, warehouse and delivery driver positions are available, starting at $17+/hour.

www.amazondelivers.jobs

IS YOUR COMPANY HIRING? LET US KNOW! Please email news@egpublishing.com Subject line “Employment.”

Add A To-Do to Your Spring-Cleaning List: Your Finances

When the warm weather finally hits, most of us accounts can increase the amount of time you spend get bit by the spring-cleaning bug. Our to-do opening mail, reconciling statements, keeping records lists often include cleaning out our garages, and paying bills. basements and closets. But this year, it might be time to add another section to the list: finances. • Update your financial records: Make a list of your Whether you just need to reorganize or do a thorough current financial accounts, contacts and passwords. cleansing, this to-do list will help you tidy up your Keep this information in a safe and secure place. financial house. • Update your beneficiary designations: Your • De-clutter your credit cards — and your wallet: If beneficiary designations override your will. So, if your wallet is bulging with plastic, look at all your credit you’ve experienced a marriage, divorce, birth, adoption cards and trim down to the ones you really need on a or death, make sure your beneficiary designations regular basis. Evaluate your cards based on benefits reflect your wishes. such as cash back or airline miles and prioritize the ones with the greatest offerings. Store unneeded cards • Simplify your investments: If tracking various in a safe place or cancel the ones you don’t use. But, investments stresses you out, consider asset allocation of course, take into consideration whether canceling or managed accounts. Attempting to manage and track a card will negatively affect your credit rating before too many investment accounts can require a great doing so. deal of time and, if you’re not on top of the details, can prevent you making the best investment choices • Cancel unused memberships: If a new at-home for your portfolio. Consider working with a financial exercise routine has replaced your trips to the health professional to help you organize your finances and club or gym, or if you’re rarely playing golf at a course help you determine what kinds of investments might you belong to, consider canceling your membership. work best for you.

Even if you have to pay a fee, you may quickly recoup your financial losses. Consult a financial advisor for more ideas and strategies on ways to get your finances in order. • Negotiate better deals with your service providers:

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