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August 16, 2019
Dear Sahuaro District Residents,
This week during the City Council Workshop, the Council had a presentation and lengthy discussion about the proposed sale of the Glendale Memorial Cemetery on 61st Avenue on south side of Northern Avenue. Anyone interested in learning more facts of the case, click here to watch the workshop.
The main concern from residents has been whether the sale of the cemetery to a private party would ensure the long term care of sold grave sites. In 1985, a Perpetual Care Fund was created for the purpose of paying for the ongoing maintenance of the cemetery. If the sale is completed, the Care Fund will be protected in perpetuity, and the new owners would create a business model that would better serve the public. The alternative is for the City to invest significant amounts of tax payer money to build a profitable model.
The new owners would be required to use earnings from the fund for the maintenance of existing grave sites and could never tap into the principle amount of the Perpetual Care Fund. The fund will also be safe guarded by requiring a financial institution be the trustee of the fund. This ensures that there will always be money available from earnings of the fund to pay for ongoing maintenance of existing grave sites. Upon the sale of new grave sites, additional money would be required to be added to the fund.
The Perpetual Care Fund currently has a balance of $5.8 million. However, over the last 18 years, Glendale tax payers have invested $3.5 million for the maintenance of the cemetery that should have been paid for by the perpetual care fund or from revenues from the cemetery.
Outside financial experts determined that the fund would need a balance of $3.5 million to ensure the perpetual care fund is self-sustaining. This would allow for $2 million to be paid back to the City.
If you would like to have a conversation regarding this topic, please give me a call at 623.930.2245 or send me an email at rmalnar@glendaleaz.com.
Enjoy your weekend!
Ray Malnar
Councilmember
Sahuaro District
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Did You Know?
2020 Census Canvassing has started and may
already be in your neighborhood.
The US Census Bureau has started address canvassing for the upcoming 2020 Census. This means Census Bureau employees will be walking door-to-door in some Glendale neighborhoods to verify addresses in order to ensure the accuracy of their mailing list. Address Canvassing started in early August and will conclude the
in-field address canvassing in October.
The key points regarding canvassing are:
- Census Bureau employees will be going door-to-door from August-October in order to verify the accuracy of their mailing list for the upcoming census that will occur in April 2020.
- All official Census Bureau employees will have photo ID badges as well as black canvas bags and laptops with the 2020 Census logo.
- Census Bureau employees will knock on doors to verify addresses and may ask questions regarding the property (example: Are there two separate units at one address?)
- Census Bureau employees will NOT be asking for personal or demographic information. At this time they are only verifying addresses, not conducting the actual census count which will occur in April 2020.
Key points regarding the Census itself:
- The US Constitution requires that a census be conducted every 10 years to count the number of people living in the United States.
- The next census will be conducted on April 1, 2020 which is only 236 days away (as of 8/8/19).
- Having an accurate count is critical because census figures are used to distribute more than $675 billion dollars in federal funds and each resident counted will equal approximately $3,000 yearly in state, federal, and regional funds for Glendale.
- These dollars support critical services in our community including public safety, education, healthcare, transportation, and housing.
- Because the census count is also used to determine state and federal electoral districts, an accurate count will also ensure that our community receives the appropriate number of representatives in the state legislature and Congress.
- By federal law all personal information collected is confidential, can only be used for statistical purposes, and may not be shared with any other government agencies. Any violation carries a penalty of up to $250,000 and/or up to five years in prison.
- For the first time, this year residents will be able to respond to the census questionnaire online. Residents can also respond by phone or request a paper form.
- For additional information, visit the official 2020 Census website at https://www.2020census.gov/.
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Glendale's Water Quality Laboratory: Ensuring your Water is Clean and Safe
August is National Water Quality Month so there is no better time to highlight an incredibly important division within the Water Services Department, the Water Quality Laboratory.
Glendale's first water quality laboratory was opened in 1964, and since that time has been dedicated to ensuring that the water delivered to your homes and businesses is safe, clean, and meets all local, state, and federal drinking water health standards. The laboratory employs a diverse team of highly skilled and experienced professionals with backgrounds in chemistry, microbiology, management, engineering, and more. For example, our team of five chemists has a combined total of 116 years of laboratory experience. Now that's impressive!
Water Services also publishes a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
every year which is a great way to not only learn more about water quality here in Glendale, but also demonstrates the City's commitment to providing the best and most reliable drinking water to our customers.
To read more about Glendale's Water Quality Lab and to learn more about Water Services in general,
click here.
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Watch the August 13th City Council
Meeting Highlights video:
The next City Council Meetings will be
Tuesday,
August 27th.
The Council Workshop begins at
12:30 p.m. and the Voting Meeting begins at
5:30 p.m.
To view the upcoming meeting schedule and
agendas,
click here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
AT FOOTHILLS AND MAIN LIBRARIES
Head
to the Foothills Library,19055 N. 57th Avenue in Glendale to learn about Midwestern University's Medical Simulation Center and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar book next week. See below:
Understanding Simulation in Medical Education. Learn about Midwestern University's Simulation Center, which is helping to prepare the next generation of medical professionals to use the latest technology and simulated patient techniques, at this interactive and hands-on discussion presented by Jim Rinehart, M.P.A., of Midwestern University. Tuesday, August 20th, 6:30 - 8 p.m. in the Roadrunner Room.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Process Art Day. Children 3 to 6 are welcome to join youth staff to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this long time, popular book. Those that attend will read the story and do three crafts: painting, collage and paper-crafting. No registration is required.
Wednesday, August 21st, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Roadrunner Room.
Head to the Main Library, 5959 W. Brown Street every Wednesday, to learn how to get free downloadable books, audio books and more from your library. Bring your phone, tablet or eReader and join digital Librarian Marlene Jacobson at the Digital Help Spot.
Wednesday, August 21st, 2 - 3 p.m., Digital Help Spot
Also at the Main Library: Paws to Read with Zoey, Thursday, August 29th, 4 - 5 p.m.
Zoey the Golden Retriever loves books and is eager to share 1 or 2 with you! Readers between 4-9 can sign up for a 15-minute session with the library's special friend. Call 623.930.3600, and press 4 to ask for the youth desk to sign up for a session.
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SAHUARO DISTRICT
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE
Planning activities for 2019-20 currently underway.
Project Info: 602.532.6250
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