East Valley Business - 06.14.20

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Volume 2 Issue 45 Mesa, AZ

June 14, 2020

Casinos ignored curfew for good reason

BY LISA DIETHELM Cronkite News

P

IN THE BIZ

ublic spaces around the state may have been closed overnight by a statewide curfew earlier this month but the casinos stayed open.

After being closed for months by COVID-19, casinos around Arizona had just started to reopen when Gov. Doug Ducey on May 31 imposed a statewide dusk-to-dawn curfew in response to protests over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

But casinos around the state kept their hours unchanged, curfew or no curfew.

“The decision was made in accordance with Gila Gaming Enterprises and Community Council for our community’s casinos to remain open as well, knowing that our community has the resources to maintain security and protection,” Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said in a video on social media.

Lewis said in the video that the order is targeted at those acting lawlessly during protests, not casino patrons.

The tribe’s three casinos – Lone Butte, Wild Horse Pass and Vee Quiva – were among the first to reopen, along with Fort McDowell Casino and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino, on May 15 after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order ended.

Talking Stick Resort, Casino Arizona, Cliff Castle Casino and Cocopah Casino opened the day after the curfew took effect, while the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s Casino Del Sol and the Tohono O’odham Nation’s Desert Diamond casinos opened later last week.

The reopenings were a bit of good news after pandemic-related shutdown hit casiPublic Notices ............... page 3 © Copyright, 2020 East Valley Tribune

nos, and tribes, hard.

“There is no other way to say it except it’s a massive impact – negative impact,” said Alan Meister, CEO of Meister Economic Consulting, which studies the gaming industry.

Meister said that while most casinos’ revenues went to zero when everything closed, tribal governments still had costs for maintaining buildings during the closure. Opening back up, he said, is how tribal governments can start to earn back that revenue.

And it’s not just tribal governments that were hurting, but also casino employees and vendors, Meister said.

“Those secondary impacts are huge as well because that total loss of revenue at the direct level, where it’s at the casino, flows straight through to everything else. Those end up becoming huge losses,” he said.

Officials at the Arizona Department of Gaming said they did not release guidance on how tribes should operate during the curfew, which Ducey allowed to expire June 8.

“It is within the authority of each sovereign Tribal partner to determine opening and closing times,” Max Hartgraves, a department legislative assistant, said in an emailed statement.

While it did not provide curfew guidance, the department did give casinos guidance from the Arizona Department of Health Services on how to operate safely in the face of COVID-19.

Those included separating slot machines and gaming tables to allow for social distancing, wiping down games between players, providing hand sanitizer, encouraging facial coverings and more.

They also included recommendations for hotel and conference center operations where needed.

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Talking Stick Resort officials said one reason they waited until the first week of June to reopen was to allow time to make changes for COVID-19.

“It was important that we took extra time to do everything possible to ensure the health and increase safety for you and our employees,” Dennis Leong, CEO and president of Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort, said in a video statement.

Talking Stick’s website said guests will have their temperatures taken before entering and will be given masks if they do not have one.

Plexiglas partitions have been installed at slot machines and poker tables, and “designated staff will regularly clean and sanitize slot machines, chairs” and poker chips after use.

There will be no sit-down service at Talking Stick restaurants, just grab-and-go options.

Smoking is no longer allowed in the building and social distancing will be enforced in all common areas throughout the casino.

Although the health measures make the gaming experience not quite what it used to be, Meister said most tribes cannot afford to remain closed and that opening up is “part of that double-edged sword.”

“They desperately need the revenue in order for their government to operate and survive and take care of the tribal members,” Meister said. “However, they want to do it in a safe manner.

“It’s not worth it to do it and to harm your customers and employees – that’s the lifeblood of your business,” Meister said.

“You don’t have a business if you don’t have any customers nor if you don’t have any employees.”

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Jobless picture remains murky in Arizona

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A

rizona employers are continuing to lay off workers even with the end of restrictions Gov. Doug Ducey had placed on individuals and businesses.

Figures last week from the Department of Economic Security show that 23,037 individuals filed for first-time jobless benefits in the first week of June.

That is a sharp decline from what happened to the Arizona economy after Ducey ordered the closure of nonessential businesses – leading to claims for basic state unemployment benefits, which previously had been running in the 3,500-aweek range, ballooning past 132,000.

But economist George Hammond said the state is far from being out of the fiscal woods.

He told Capitol Media Services that some sectors of the economy, like bars and restaurants, are finding they really can’t return to pre-pandemic business levels because of “social distancing” restrictions.

At the same time, many Arizonans are not confident about the safety of going back out, at least not yet.

Hammond said that will lead to new layoffs as well as some people who had only been furloughed realizing that they’re not going to be called back and deciding they need unemployment benefits.

The new report on first-time jobless claims, directly linked to the pandemic and the governor’s subsequent orders, shows the trends are less clear.

DES reported the number actually increased from the prior week. But the figures are complicated by questions about how the agency tracks the applications.

Since the governor put his orders in place, the agency lists nearly 650,000 Arizonans who have sought basic state benefits to those who lose work through no fault of their own. They’re entitled to half of what they were making, subject to a cap of $240 a week, the second lowest in the country.

But DES officials say there could be some duplication in those numbers.

For example, some companies are furloughing workers one week out of every month. Agency spokesman Brett Bezio said the question of how they are count-

ed depends on whether they simply reopen existing claims every four weeks or file new ones.

Then there’s the separate Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides up to $600 a week for those who are not eligible for regular state unemployment benefits, including self-employed and workers in the “gig” economy like drivers for Lyft and Uber who those companies classify Gov. Doug Ducey said last week he won’t reimpose a shutdown, citing the impact the first one had on businesses and, consequently, Arizona’s as contractors.

DES reports there were economy. (Capitol Media Services) gloves. Ducey has since told medical pro96,416 initial claims this past week for this coverage, bringing the viders they are free to resume elective total number of claims to nearly 295,000. surgeries.

And everyone else?

But here, too, Bezio said the agency “In other sectors, where the fear isn’t cannot say how many of these people applied initially for regular jobless bene- so great, they’re going to rehire,” Hamfits – and are included in those numbers mond said. “We’re going to see the lay– before seeking PUA when they were offs gradually drift down.”

That, in turn, goes to the part of the determined ineligible, versus those who problem unrelated to gubernatorial diapplied solely for PUA benefits.

But the bottom line remains that, rectives: Consumer confidence.

“Once the stay-at-home orders and rewhatever the counting methodology, Arstrictions are eased, it’s really going to izonans are continuing to apply for aid.

Hammond, the director of the Eco- depend on how safe people feel,” Hamnomic and Business Research Center at mond said.

“That’s really the million-dollar -- or the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, said the numbers reflect billion-dollar question,” he continued. the diversity of the state economy and “How safe will people feel going back the fact that not all sectors are recover- into restaurants, bars, hotels, motels, sporting events once those start back ing at the same rate.

He cited restaurants and bars, now al- up?”

And there’s another side to that. lowed to open – but with limits on the “How safe do employees feel going number of patrons.

“It’s hard to see them being able to back to work and dealing with people?” recall the workers who were laid off,” Hammond asked.

There are some indications that Arizohe said. “So there are some people who maybe thought they were going to get re- nans are beginning to feel more comfortable with going out. called maybe giving up and filing.”

OpenTable, which helps people book And Hammond said some restaurants that had brought back workers may be reservations online, reports that dine-in finding that business is not what they ex- seating at Arizona restaurants on Monpected, leading to new layoffs – and new day was down just 37.4 percent from the same period a year earlier. Just a week claims for unemployment benefits.

Conversely, he expects strong recovery earlier the figure was a 60 percent yearover-year drop. in the health care industry.

By contrast, OpenTable reports seated There had been some lags there when the governor declared a ban on non-es- dinners from online, phone and walk-in sential surgery and medical procedures reservations in California are still alin a bid to ensure there were not just most 79 percent less than last year. And enough hospital beds but also protec- in New Mexico the decline is nearly 70 tive equipment like gowns, masks and percent.

EAST VALLEY BUSINESS

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JUNE 14, 2020

Public Notice CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: CONSULTANT ON-CALL LIST FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an oncall basis in the following area/ category: Mechanical Engineering.

All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Re-quest for Qualifications (RFQ).

From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will establish a list of on-call consultants for Mechanical Engineering. This category is further defined below: Mechanical Engineering projects might involve studies, new construction, up-grades, rehabilitation, or other modifications.

Typical projects include, but are not limited to, HVAC systems, gas piping installations, elevators, plumbing, fire suppression, and fire alarm systems.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

Contact with City Employees.

All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be ad-dressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http:// mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/ architectural-engineering-designopportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation).

Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10 point. Please submit one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format with a maximum file size limit of 20MB to Engineering-RFQ@ mesaaz.gov by 2:00PM, Thursday, June 25, 2020. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. In the subject line and on the submittal package, please display: Firm name and 2020-2023 On-Call Mechanical Engineering Services.

The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/

business/purchasing/vendor-selfservice).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or con-tract issues should be directed to Michele Davila of the Engineering Department at Michele.Davila@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, June 7, 14, 2020 / 31xxx

returned. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com.

One set of the Contract Documents is also avail-able for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call 480-644-2251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing.

In order for the City to consider alternate products in the bidding process, please follow Arizona Revised Statutes §34.104c.

If a pre-bid review of the site has been scheduled, details can be referenced in Project Specific Provision Section #3, titled “Pre-Bid Review of Site.”

Work shall be completed within 210 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day fol-lowing the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier’s check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The following forms are to be submitted with the Bid Proposal for FederalAid Projects.

1. Surety (Bid) Bond 2.

Non-Collusion Bidding Certification (Exhibit C.32) 3. Certificate with Regard to the Performance of Previous Contracts (Exhibit C.33) 4. Affidavit of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal Assurances with a DBE goal of 11.98% (Exhibit C.34A) The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract. In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self-Service (VSS) System ( h tt p : / / m e s a a z . g ov / bu s i n e s s / purchasing/vendor-self-service).

The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD® Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements.

The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa.

The City of Mesa, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, the Civ-il Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (Public Law 100.259).

Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it

Public Notice CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA MESA GATEWAY SHARED USE PATH PROJECT NO. CP0529 FEDERAL AID PROJECT NO. MES-0(236)D ADOT TRACS No. 0000 MA MES T0209 01C DAVIS BACON WAGES APPLY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. All sealed bids will be received electronically at EngineeringBids@ mesaaz.gov.

Bids must be submitted as an unencrypted.pdf attachment with a maximum size limit of 20MB. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.

This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation and services for the construction and/or installation of the following work: The project includes a 1.8 mile long, 10-foot wide asphalt pavement pathway along Loop 202 from Elliot Road to Hawes Road and path lighting improvements. A pedestrian crossing signal will also be built at Warner Road crossing. Project also includes some hardscape, irrigation and landscape improvements and various fencing along the pathway.

The Engineer’s Estimate range is $1,600,000 to $2,200,000.

For all technical, contract, bidrelated, or other questions, please contact Donna Horn at donna. horn@mesaaz.gov.

Contact with City Employees.

All firms interest-ed in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect con-tact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.

Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc. com/arcEOC/ PWell_Main.asp?mem=29.

Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed.

The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $46, which is nonrefundable regardless of whether the Contractor Documents are

EAST VALLEY BUSINESS

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will affirmatively insure that in any contact entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, June 14, 21, 28, 2020 / 31232

Public Notice IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT STATE OF HAWAII FC-A NO. In the Matter of the Adoption of A FEMALE CHILD, Born on October 29, 2008,

by Steven Patrick Sabat, Petitioner.

THE STATE OF HAWAII TO: DAVID ANDREW PROVOST, whose last known address is: 7726 Baseline Road #207, Mesa, Arizona 85209.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a petition for adoption of the above-identified child born to PRANA JETAMIA SABAT, formerly known as PRANA JETAMIA PROVOST, the child’s mother, has been filed in the Family Court, First Circuit, State of Hawaii.

THE PETITION ALLEGES that your consent to the adoption of the above-named child by the Petitioner above-named is not required and may be dispensed with pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 578-2(c) as amended.

A hearing on the Petition will be held on July 14, 2020 at 1:30p.m. at the Family Court located at the Kapolei Court Complex, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Third Floor, Kapolei, HI 96707-3272.

IF YOU FAIL to appear at the hearing on date and time and at the place noted above or if you fail to file a written response to the allegations reflected in the Petition for Adoption, further action may be taken including the granting of the adoption without further notice to you. Your written response should be addressed to the Presiding Judge, Family Court, First Circuit, Kapolei Court Complex, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707-3272.

FAILURE TO OBEY this notice may result in an entry of a default and default judgment against you.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the child, the adoptive parents and the natural parents have rights under H.R.S. Section 578-15 regarding confidentiality of adoption records after the child reaches age 18.

DATED: Honolulu, Hawaii, May 26, 2020.

Clerk of the above-entitled Court STEVEN PATRICK SABAT 4202 Lanakila Ave. Pearl City, HI 96782 Published: East Valley Tribune, June 7, 14, 21, 28, 2020 / 31012

JUNE 14, 2020

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