Snow. In Paradise Valley. Is that a thing?

Apparently, it is! The storm on January 25th resulted in snow and hail falling in the Phoenix area, including Paradise Valley!

As usual, our Public Works team was on top of the damage, cleaning it up before most of you even knew it was there! And despite all the extra work that day, they guys still had time to make this snowman rendered in the likeness of Public Works Director Brent Skoglund (at least, that's my theory).

Here are some photos of the effects of the storm from around town. Personally, I think those trees keeled over from the shock of seeing snow, not the wind or heavy rains.

All of Paradise Valley is invited to collaborate and engage in surveys and conversations to bring new ideas and/or reinforce old values in the General Plan Update.

The first Community Workshop was held on January 27^th which has been rebroadcast on the Town Website.

Peter Wainwright, the Town’s first Chief of Police, passed away yesterday in Scottsdale at the age of 95. Chief Wainwright was a WWII veteran, where he served in the Pacific Campaign.

According to Chief Wainwright in a 2016 interview (link below) when Peter Wainwright was first elected to the Town Council, he had to resign his badge as a Town Police Officer. In the middle of his second term on Council he was asked to return to the Police Department to serve as the Town's first Police Chief by then Town Manager Oscar Butt and then Mayor Jack Brock. After 5 years he retired from the Police Department at the end 1986.

Wainwright served on the Town Council April 1974 to November 1981 and 1992–1994. He and his wife, Gerri had three sons and a daughter. Jonathan Wainwright has continued his father's exemplary service by volunteering and serving as the Chair of the Planning Commission.

If you want to hear more from Peter Wainwright directly about the scariest time in town, why he was called the Godfather of Photo Radar, or how residents felt about potholes on Lincoln Dr, read this 2016 interview with Peter Wainwright by Catherine Kauffman, when she was chairman of the Historical Committee along with John Wintersteen.

PVPD badges are shrouded in Wainwright's honor as Chief until sundown on January 30, 2021.

Additionally, Mayor Bien-Willner has asked that the Town flags be flown at half-staff in honor of Mr. Wainwright’s service to the Town through sundown on January 30, 2021.

In June 2020, EPCOR filed a rate application with the Arizona Corporation Commission seeking a rate increase for the Paradise Valley Water District (“PVWD) and a possible consolidation of 11 water districts, including our district. The other districts are: Agua Fria, Anthem, Chaparral, Havasu/Brooke, Mohave, North Mohave, Sun City, Sun City West, Tubac, and Willow Valley. Here is EPCOR’s complete application.

EPCOR’s application submitted four possible consolidation scenarios and one stand-alone scenario. The Town's Water District is included in only one scenario—the scenario in which all 11 water districts are consolidated. EPCOR has proposed a stand-alone revenue requirement increase for the PVWD of $1.6 M (15.3%). EPCOR represents that a PV customer’s monthly bill with a 5/8” meter and average usage of 7,000 gallons per month would increase approximately $11.15 or 20.7%. However, the plurality of PV customers have a 1” meter and their average consumption is about 52,000 gallons per month. For this more typical PV customer, under stand-alone rates, the monthly bill increase would be $34 or about 19.8%. Under full consolidation, the monthly bill increase would be $78.26 or about 45.4%.

Under full rate consolidation, PVWD customers would be required to subsidize other water systems in far reaches of the State, including Tubac, Willow Valley and North Mohave. PVWD would also be required to subsidize water systems in developments with high costs of water such as Agua Fria and Anthem. PVWD customers, in the future, would also be proportionally responsible for paying for upgrades, investments and operating costs in the other 10 systems. The Town is working to keep this consolidation from happening by joining forces with our Resorts, and hiring expert analysts and attorneys. We are also requesting your help as well.

This week, written testimony by the Town’s expert witness John Thornton was filed to oppose consolidation (and address other issues). Below is a graphic representation of which communities are subsidized and which end up having to pay more if consolidated. Paradise Valley is the second most impacted in a consolidation.

On this link Residents can file written statements with the Corporation Commission

In addition, the Commission will take Telephonic Public Comment on: February 17 at 6:00 p.m., March 22 at 10:00 a.m., and April 5 at 10 a.m.  Members of the public may participate by calling 1 (866) 705-2554 and entering the code 241497#.  Callers may call in beginning 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to get in the queue; the Commission encourages use of a landline as cell phones may not be heard adequately. 

The Evidentiary Hearing before the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is currently scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 5 (after public comment concludes), and will continue beginning at 9 a.m. on April 6-9, 12, 15-16, 19-20, 22-23, and 26-30, as necessary. After the hearing, the ALJ will make a written recommendation to the Commission. The Commission will hold an Open Meeting to consider the ALJ’s recommended Opinion and Order. Ultimately, the Commission will issue a decision. Under certain circumstances, a party can appeal that decision.

You can review all documents filed by all the parties in this EPCOR matter for more information.  

Officer Michael Toporek passed the Game Ball on to Corporal Mark Garrity this week. Officer Toporek says about Corporal Garrity, “I would like to give the game ball to Mark. Mark is a great Corporal and a great friend to have. Mark does not hesitate to cover beats, take calls (EVEN PAPER ONES!) and help Officers any way he can. Mark is willing to help his co-workers, un-duty and off; he is there for you. Mark is unselfish and is willing to sacrifice his short days for others on little notice. He is reMARKable.” For those not in Law Enforcement paper calls mean calls where a report is taken. Congratulations, Mark!

As part of the annual MLK celebration, the committee sponsors an essay contest open to children who attend schools in Paradise Valley. There were winners in three school groups and we are featuring one essay per week.

The theme of the essay was "Doing the Right Thing." Last week we heard from 5th grader Else Ellegala. This week's featured essay is from Christina Keller who is in the 7th grade.

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” This iconic quote by C.S. Lewis highlights the importance of integrity, which is central to doing the right thing. Building on this philosophy, I personally define “doing the right thing” as showing compassion for others and keeping your word when promised. From the time we are little, we are taught to be kind, treat others as we wish to be treated, never lie, and respect each other. These lessons are part of a universal language that people around the world understand. A person of strong character exhibits these traits, no matter where you come from or what you do in life. By abiding by these teachings, we can be a positive force of good and help make our community and the world a better place.

Read the entire essay here.

Phoenix Parks and Recreation is working with 22Jumps on a BASE Jump Event at Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon) on Saturday, January 30th. 22Jumps is a local organization attempting to bring notice of the high incidence of military member suicides daily. The event starts at 6am on Saturday morning.

This is the second year that 22Jumps has completed this event at Camelback. Please note that depending on wind conditions, the event may be moved to January 31st.

For more information, read the press release here.

Human Resources Manager Jinnett Hancock was selected by the Town’s health insurance trust, Arizona Metropolitan Trust (AzMT) to serve on the AmeriBen Presidential Council for a two-year term.

The Presidential Council allows seated members to analyze and review key human resources topics as well as the constantly changing complex world of benefits for self-insured agencies. Most importantly, the Presidential Council provides members a chance to forge relationships, exchange ideas and create solutions.

Congratulations, Jinnett, on this great honor!

Paradise Valley is recruiting for the position of Police Dispatcher/911 Operator (Lateral).

We are also conducting recruitment for Certified Lateral Police Officers to establish an Eligibility List for future openings.

If you know of anyone who is qualified and may be interested, please pass this along. Applicant Instructions & Selection Process can be viewed in the link below.

Applicants must apply online at: https://paradisevalleyaz.gov/168/Employment-Opportunities

The Town of Paradise Valley seeks residents interested in sharing their time and experience by serving on one of the Town’s volunteer committees. A complete list of committees, their descriptions, and their past actions may be viewed here.   

Applications may be completed and submitted online, or you may send a resume and cover letter to the Town Clerk's Office, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive at any time throughout the year. Committee appointments are made at the end of March with new terms beginning April 1. To be considered in the 2021 appointment cycle, please submit your application by February 4. Every applicant will be considered, and those not selected will be kept on file to provide a pool of candidates to fill vacancies which may become available during the year. 

Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office if you would like additional information.

February 2nd - Planning Commission, 6:00 pm via Zoom

February 3rd - Coffee with a Cop, 7:30 am via Zoom

February 3rd - Board of Adjustment, 5:30 pm via Zoom

February 9th - Advisory Committee on Public Safety (ACOPS), 6:00 pm via Zoom

February 10th - Hillside Building Committee, 8:00 am via Zoom

February 11th - Town Council Meeting, 6:00 pm via Zoom